Alright guys. I listened to your newest release, Smoke & Mirrors, and I wanted to like it. I really did. I own all of your CDs (how old-fashioned of me!) and I’ve seen you perform live – probably about four times now – so when I heard that this album would try to capture the live energy of your shows, I was absolutely interested. Sadly, I have to admit I was disappointed.

It’s not that there’s not a difference between this and your previous releases; this one is slightly more edgy at points – and I say “at points” because, well, I had a hard time paying attention. I’d start at the beginning and then before I knew it, ten songs had played and I had hardly tuned in at all. As I’m sure you can imagine, it just made me very sad.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m thrilled you haven’t faded into oblivion. Ten years, five albums – I’d say there’s a definite indication of “staying power” in those statistics.  It just feels like there was more depth on No Name Face than there is on Smoke & Mirrors.

Which brings me to the songwriting. Sorry, Jason Wade. I know you write or co-write most of the songs for the band, and for the most part I’ve always appreciated your lyrics. But, um, what exactly happened there?  The song “All In,” for example? “I’m calling, calling out your name / Even if I lose the game / I’m all in tonight / Yeah, I’m all in for life.” …Really? Because it seems to me that if you lose that bet, then you’d sort of regret that decision.

I don’t know… maybe this is a whole case of “It’s not you, it’s me.” I mean, you’ve already sold 54,000 copies and debuted at #6 on the Billboard chart – which is impressive. “Halfway Gone” is a catchy pop single, and I’m sure my mom will make that her ringback tone soon enough (it was “Broken” for the better part of last year, if you must know).

I’m all for changing things up a bit – kudos on adding Ben Carey as your new guitarist and having bassist Bryce Soderberg sing lead vocal on “Wrecking Ball,” by the way – but it appears that you’re sticking to that safety net of Adult Contemporary Top 40 something or other. And if that’s a sign of maturity, I think I’d rather not grow up.

Signed,

Amanda

The film follows the White Stripes as they trek from province to province, stopping in mostly smaller towns, which normally wouldn’t host bands like the White Stripes.  They stuck to arena and auditorium shows in the evening, but each day, the “brother and sister” team sought out something otherwise uncharacteristic of one of the world’s most popular rock bands.  By afternoon, word spread to eager Canadians about rumored impromptu White Stripes shows in their town.  Tips led fans to such rare and intimate (not to mention hilarious) performances at such unorthodox venues as the local YMCA kids’ camp, an Inuit elder meeting, a bowling alley, a traveling boat, and a city bus.  Always the charismatic frontman, Jack White led the bus’ patrons in a sing-along version of – what else – “The Wheels on the Bus.”

Malloy beautifully captured not only the band’s intense evening performances, but also the candid droll of tour, and the endearing interaction between Jack and Meg.  Northern Lights didn’t introduce much new or surprising material, as far as music goes; instead, songs played spanned the duo’s history, including singles like “Fell In Love With a Girl” and “Seven Nation Army” as well as live covers like the ever-chilling “Jolene.” The varied setlists seemed to honor the significance of the Stripes’ 10^th anniversary.

Northern Lights encompasses what all quality documentaries should strive to be — honest, entertaining, and informative.  It was clear that the crew had worked to achieve a level of trust with the band.  During an interview with Malloy, Jack White acknowledges a prevalent perception of the band — that they are “fake” and “premeditated,” with their matching outfits and dubious back-story.  But the songwriter debunks the misconception, stating the music is as real as it can be – proving the White Stripes are, in fact, the most authentic band to tote such a contrived gimmick.

Northern Lights is an absolute must-see for any White Stripes fan, or anyone who appreciates aesthetically-shot images.  Malloy successfully captures the intimacy Jack and Meg White share, and have shared, over the last 10+ years.  In what is most certainly the most moving part of the film, Northern Lights closes with a simple yet poignant shot of Jack and Meg sitting at a piano, as he seemingly serenades her with “White Moon.”  Viewers will undoubtedly be moved by the intimacy captured in this clearly emotional moment between two musicians with such a curiously wonderful history.

There were times I had to put it down because the outstanding way in which F. Scott Fitzgerald strings words together could make me weep. (I am not above literary-induced weeping.)

Anyway, very early on in the story we meet a character named Daisy who tells our main character about the moment when she had her firstborn.

“She was less than an hour old and Tom was God knows where. I woke up out of the ether with an utterly abandoned feeling, and asked the nurse right away if it was a boy or girl. She told me it was a girl, and so I turned my head away and wept. ‘All right,’ I said, ‘I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool–that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.’ “

A beautiful little fool.

I think that’s a breathtaking way to look at life. So I started thinking of all the areas in my life where I hope to be a beautiful fool; to fling wide the shutters with reckless abandon and chase wholeheartedly after things that matter regardless of the consequences.

The things I came up with were few, but precious to me.

I want to be a fool for God, without whom life is utterly meaningless.

I want to be a fool for justice. To be a voice of truth for those who cannot speak for themselves.

I want to be a fool for love, knowing that true love requires risk and vulnerability.

I want to be a fool for truth. Living my convictions with courage.

I want to be a fool for my dreams. Even if people tell me they are ridiculous.

I want to be a fool for each day, counting every moment I am given as a precious gift laden with the responsibility not to waste it.

So there you have it; I want to be a fool.

And while I may not always be beautiful doing it, I hope to do it beautifully.

Which is why – with awards season in full swing – there is a new kind of awards ceremony that has nothing to do with acting. It’s called the Hollywood Hot Body Awards, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.

Screw the Oscars, the real canoodling has just taken place; Us Weekly editors and Gold’s Gym trainers have unveiled the award-winners at UsMagazine.com. Such prestigious categories include Most Chiseled Arms, Sexiest Washboard Abs, Best Booty, Biggest Post-Baby Body Comeback, and Fittest Actor/Actress of the Year.

Winners include (but are not limited to) Best Abs – Taylor Lautner; Best Arms – Kelly Ripa (duh!); Best Booty – Kim Kardashian, and more. My personal fave includes Jen Aniston for fittest body. Love her!

Those killer abs, that perfectly toned bikini bod; we can’t help but wish that was us. But it’s not, so we will continue to live vicariously through them instead, wondering how these freakish creatures continue to survive off a diet of only celery sticks and spend every waking hour pounding out more crunches.

The winners can be seen here. Read it while it’s hot; or before it turns to flab.

Just in case you were dozing during the banana demo in sex-ed, here’s a recap of what you missed. And remember, if it’s not on…it’s not on.

1.  It might seem sexy to open the package with your teeth, but you need to be careful – especially with teeth or fingernails – not to tear the condom. Use a new condom for each act of intercourse. Even if it’s vaginal and then anal. Or vice-versa.  Oh, and make sure the condom hasn’t been in your purse/his wallet since the first season of Lost.

2.  Before any genital contact, place the condom on the tip of the erect penis with the rolled side out. Unroll it a little bit to make sure it’s going on the right way.

3.  Unroll the condom all the way to the base of the erect penis.  It’s okay (and fun!) to use a little lube, just make sure it’s a water-based lubricant like KY or Astroglide.

4.  Immediately after ejaculation, hold the rim of the condom and withdraw the penis while it is still erect.

5.  Throw away the used condom. Condoms should not be flushed down a toilet unless you want the morning after to really be disgusting.

So, there ya have it.  It’s sexy, hot, and smart to be cautious against STIs.

I’m a bit partial because it’s my sister’s blog, but I adore this website: iliveforit.blogspot.com.
Bloggers and B.F.F.s, Liza and Juliana, discuss the hottest styles, coolest models and latest fashion shows. Their dream outfits are created and posted via Polyvore. I always like to see what fabulous jewelry and clothing lines they’re into, as many of them are up-and-coming designers.

At first I couldn’t believe that a blog entirely devoted to a Texas teen’s amazing shoes and vintage finds could constitute accolades by numerous fashion magazines, but now I get it. Blogger, Jane, takes a funky vintage YSL jacket from her mom’s closet and finds a way to make it work perfectly with a dress from Forever 21. Her online vintage store offers awesome finds at great prices too!

Seaofshoes.com

Plainobjects.com

Dreamed of owning a Chanel classic quilted bag or an Erickson Beamon statement necklace? Sign up to be a member of designersocial.com, a website completely devoted to designer handbags and accessories that are either gently used, former samples, or brand-new. Created by women who work in the fashion industry, this site is the ultimate designer trade space. As a bonus, sell your own lightly used designer pieces to the site and earn credit towards a future purchase. Items are certified authentic and if you’re unhappy with your purchase, you can return it for a full refund. Items sell quickly so if you see something you fall in love with, grab it!

Malleries.com is a “multi-dealer online mall” that offers everything antique- from designer handbags to furniture. This site is like a super-upscale E-bay with more reputable sellers. You can search by designer name or by category to score amazing finds.

Clearly, I’m a sucker for vintage and I love finding unique pieces- those pieces that get people asking me “where did you get that?” Nasty Gal is a unique website that carries both new and vintage clothing lines. I love their retro sunglasses and super cute t-shirts. This site enables you to snag those trendy pieces that won’t break the bank and be sure to get you noticed (in a good way).
www.shopnastygal.com

Finally, Shopbop.com is at last offering free return shipping, so if you don’t like what you ordered, you can send it back free of charge. This continues to be my favorite shopping website as it’s constantly updating its inventory and showcasing new designers.

Hopefully I’ve turned you on to a new site or two that inspires you as it does me. Good luck treasure hunting!

Often times, we get so stuck in our routines that we forget to notice what’s new and how we or our partners are changing. We also graze over the honeymoon period and get to a place where we think we know everything about our partner, inside and outside of the bedroom.

Even if you are not in a relationship at the moment, pay attention as you will likely be in one soon enough and find yourself needing to see your partner in a new light. If you are in a relationship at the moment, consider how any of the following might change your perspective on your partner and end up making sex fresh, new, exciting, or more loving:

-       Becoming curious about your partner. Ask him or her things you haven’t in a long time. When they say that their day was fine, ask what made it all right. What sucked? What was fun? Who do they get along with at work? What do they like or hate about their commute or their friends? If they talk with you about their family, follow up with questions that help you to learn more about them. So much about sex is a feeling of intimacy and connection and while you don’t want to go overboard and ask a gabillion annoying questions, you do want to become curious (which can also help them feel interesting and appreciated).

-       Notice what your partner does right. Often when we’re together for a while, we stop noticing all the sweet little things that our partner does for us and we start noticing the things they do “wrong” or that disappoint us. Each day this week, try to focus on what they do right and what makes you feel liked, loved, appreciated, or wanted. Remind yourself of this every single day. Research suggests that when we focus on the positive and what we feel grateful for in our romantic relationships that we can feel  more satisfied and happy with our partner.

-       Explore their body in a new way. So he or she likes that little thing you do with your tongue? Great! But don’t rely on it lest you become a one-trick pony. Suggest that you explore each other’s bodies up and down and all around. After all, your bodies and minds may have changed in ways you didn’t even realize and now, if you try a certain thing with your fingers or your nose (yes, your nose) or your lips – or if you try a certain rhythm – you may just find that he or she likes something that they used to frown on. Or maybe you’re game for something you used to think was strange.

A great part of being together is that you get to start over at any time. Even if your sex life or your love life has been kind of bland, you can make it new and exciting again. You can try new things. You can gaze at someone with love. You can learn to orgasm or try touching in a way that feels pleasurable to you both. Enjoy!

Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH is a sex researcher and educator at Indiana University, the sex columnist at Time Out Chicago and author of Because It Feels Good: A Woman’s Guide to Sexual Pleasure and Satisfaction.

So here I am, ready to reclaim, report, and hopefully relate.

The truth is – I’ve been really freaking busy. I think we all have, right? I don’t know about you, but 2010 has been a whirlwind thus far. I feel like I blinked and it was March. Maybe it was the excitement of a new decade, or the explosion of new opportunities at Cheeky, or perhaps it was because 2009 sucked so much and I was just ready to dive into a new year, but it’s just been go go go from the minute the clock struck midnight on January 1^st.   I honestly haven’t had an opportunity to turn my brain off for even an hour in three months. (And no, watching American Idol doesn’t cut it.)

I’m not complaining.

However, February was a bust. My body finally started paying for my non-stop schedule and I fell pretty ill. I visited the doctor more often in the span of one month than I have in my entire life. It was awesome. (I’m still trying to figure out how to relay sarcasm in my writing, btw.)  But after all the blood tests, the acupuncture, the MRI’s, and the meds, I’ve learned one valuable thing: never, ever take for granted your health.

Again, not complaining. Just learning….

You’re waiting for me to get to the good stuff, huh? What’s been going on with my over-feeling, over-expressive little heart of mine, you ask?  Well, much.

The good news is I have found peace, forgiveness, honor, acceptance, and a deep  love in my heart for what was the most intense relationship and challenging break-up I’ve ever had.  The even better news is that my life feels more renewed, freer, and happier than it has ever felt.

Let me divulge for a moment…or two. I’ve realized that when you experience deep pain like a shattering heartbreak, your heart must literally expand to fit in all of that massive ache and devastation. In that low, low, low state, your heart…quite literally…grows. So by the time you have come through it and out of it, you are left with a bigger heart.  A heart with more room to love, to laugh harder, to listen to music more deeply, to smile more genuinely, to hug your friends a little tighter, to nurture yourself more honestly, to forgive others more truly, and to feel and value your joy in a more profound way.

See, always learning…

Perhaps one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in this last year is how truly amazing, vital, and important it is to be single. Don’t mean to sound like a contestant on The Bachelor, but I could have dated up a storm over the last six months if I really wanted to. In fact, I kinda did. But I made the conscious choice not to jump right into a new relationship, but instead spend oodles of time with my gorgeous, ridiculously awesome friends, renew the relationship I have with my family, focus on my career, and learn what it feels like to just be with myself again. Relationships have been my BIGGEST no-no.  As a matter of fact, just the word “relationship” has kinda made me want to vomit.

That is, until I met someone.  Someone totally unexpected and… totally unexpectedly.  And boy, did I resist this relationship. “I’m not ready,” “I still need time,” “I can’t give you much,” and my personal favorite, “I don’t want a relationship” were, well, my famous last words.  But it’s amazing. It’s amazing, because it’s so different.

Again, learning…

I’m learning that a relationship doesn’t have to be dramatic to be exciting, love doesn’t have to be painful to be deep, a connection can be honest without being toxic, you can be challenged without being criticized, and that the person you love should ultimately bring out the best in you…and can.

Granted, this new relationship has definitely added a lot to my happiness.  (Duh.)  But it’s not the sole reason why I’m happy. I’ve done a gargantuan amount of work on my own to get to this point on my journey.  And I’m still traveling on it. And am learning that one person couldn’t ever, nor should ever, be the center of anyone’s true happiness.

It helps…

But, it comes from within your own cheeky heart.

And that’s the biggest lesson of them all.

Other works include the energetic “Prey” by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago member Ron DeJesus, and Gus Giordano’s “Wings,” performed by Cesar Salinas and dedicated to the late choreographer.  This is a don’t-miss chance to see a Chicago-based, world class company showcasing some of the best works in its rep. We talked to Maeghan about her recent honor and this weekend’s show.

Cheeky: So let’s start with being picked for “25 to Watch” – congratulations!

Maeghan McHale: Thank you!

Cheeky: Can you tell us how that came about?

MM: It came out of left field.  I had no idea it was even happening.  The whole thing happened during Congress [last summer] and, [Dance Magazine’s] Lynn Shapiro had come to watch us perform.  Apparently, the story that I heard was that she had gone to [Giordano Assistant Artistic Director] Laura Wade and said, ‘I really want to nominate Maeghan for the top “25 to Watch,” do you think that would be okay?’  And, of course, Laura’s like, ‘oh my gosh, that’s great – but don’t say anything to her yet.’ And so all this stuff was going on behind the scenes and I had no idea what was going on.

And I think we were off contract for a little while and I get a phone call from Nan [Giordano, GJDC’s Artistic Director].  And Nan always tells us, you never know who’s in the audience watching, there’s always someone out there.  You should always have a really good performance no matter where you are.  And I said, yeah, I understand, you always tell us that.  And she said well, news flash – you were just nominated for “25 to Watch” in Dance Magazine.  And I’m like, oh . . . that’s great!  I wasn’t even thinking anything else of it, like maybe something came from it . . . And then she said, well, you got it!  And I flipped out.  I’m by myself in my apartment in Chicago.  I dropped my phone, I’m running around my apartment screaming at the top of my lungs, acting like a crazy woman.  I forgot Nan was still on the phone!  . . .

I know previous people who have been on the top “25 to Watch.”  Close friends I grew up with, who are now big, huge stars.  So I never really thought that was anything that could ever happen to me.  I’m very shy.  I like to hide out in a crowd.  So it was a little weird at first – the pictures, and the magazine, and the poster for Giordano.  It still hasn’t sunk in yet.  It’s all happened but it’s a little like – oh, this is kind of cool.  I could get used to this! (laughs.)

Cheeky: Is there anyone else on that list who makes you especially proud to share the honor?

MM: Well, there’s definitely one up-and-coming girl, Whitney Jensen, whom I’ve seen through ballet competitions because my sister runs a dance school where I’m from, in Baltimore, Maryland, and they always pick their students from the Youth America Grand Prix and a lot of the ballet competitions.  And I had seen Whitney Jensen at some of those competitions and it’s just amazing, at her age, even when I saw her then.  Not just technically is she brilliant, but her artistry as well. For as young as she is, to be that expressive through her port de bras, and everything else – when you watch her you think you’re watching a more seasoned dancer, not some young teenager who’s still in high school and has crushes on boys and that kind of thing (laughs). You’re like, how does that happen?

It’s a good thing because Dance Magazine really had an eclectic group of people, I’d say.  They had ballet, they had hip hop, they had us from Giordano; they had those guys from Miami City Ballet, who are so brilliant.  So it definitely was an honor to be a part of that.

Cheeky: Can you talk about how you got started in dance?

MM: I was a little brat when I was a kid (laughs). I was kind of a little spitfire, and my mom didn’t quite know what to do with me.  And my sister had already been doing a lot of gymnastics, dancing, anything – you name it, she did it.  I would always go to the studio with her when I was little, maybe three-years-old.  I would just stand at the door and watch and I was completely enamored by it.  I’d jump into the room and start dancing with all of them.

So it definitely started at a young age, and I really trained hard.  By nine or ten I’d already gone to Washington, DC for conservatory classes, and I went to an arts high school.  So I really tried to go for that goal of being a professional dancer.  Once I graduated high school I just shot off to New York. I’d gotten a scholarship at Dance Theatre of Harlem, and that was pretty much how everything got started.

Cheeky: And then how did you join Giordano?

MM: I’d been in New York for a couple of years, and my sister actually had a piece in the Jazz Dance World Congress – their choreography competition.  As luck had it, one of her younger students wasn’t able to perform.  So my sister, she calls me, and she goes, ‘Hey I’ve got an opening, want to come to Buffalo, NY, and perform and see Giordano?’  And I was like, ‘Yeah sure, I’m not doing anything here!’

It was great.  That was the first time I’d seen the company perform . . . and I was sold.  I was like, I would fit perfectly there.  That’s what I want to do.  From there on, I think I went to about four auditions and was repeatedly told no (laughs) until the last Congress I went to, which was here in Chicago, and then I auditioned and finally got a scholarship.

It was a long process – I was definitely kind of stubborn.  I wasn’t really sure if it was ever gonna happen, but I kept with it, so I’m glad I did because this has definitely been a dream.  It’s one of those things, like, you never think it’s gonna happen and when it does you’re like oh, crap, this is for real!  I have to do this now!  And it’s fun because this is what I love to do.  I love to entertain, I love to dance, I love to travel.  I would never be able to go to the places we’ve been to if I didn’t have this job.  We’ve been to Latvia, Germany, Hawaii, Guatemala . . . so, it’s fun!

Cheeky: So tell us about the show at the Harris this weekend.

MM: It’s definitely gonna be a great show.  It’s our Ovations show, which is basically what we think of as our Giordano favorites that the audience loves to see.  And two of my favorite pieces are in it, so I’m really stoked about that.

Cheeky: Which ones?

MM: That would be “Entropy,” which is the first piece we’ll do.  And the second piece is “Prey,” which is a killer.  We have Cesar [Salinas] doing “Wings.”  And, of course, everyone’s favorite – which we’ve been wanting to do for so long – is “Can’t Take This Away.”  It’s sort of dedicated to Gus, and everything that he’s done for us here.  It’s gonna be a tear-jerker, I think, at the end.  But it’s an honor to be able to do it, because everyone’s asked for years now, ‘Are they gonna do the dance?  Are they gonna do “Can’t Take This Away?”’  It’s been associated with Gus’ funeral and with [his wife] Peg and everything else, so Nan was always saying, you know, no.  But we finally get to do it, and I think we’ll hopefully make her proud when we do it, because we enjoy doing it. It’s going be a great show.

Cheeky: When you have any time to go and see other performing arts in Chicago, where do you go?

MM: I try to frequent as many dance shows as possible.  I go to see Danceworks, I go to see Hubbard, I go to see River North . . . You’ve gotta go out, it’s just good inspiration and motivation to see these people and what they’re capable of doing.

Cheeky: And finally, what’s the Cheekiest thing you did this week?

MM: It probably sounds lame, but I went and hung out with some old friends and we played – well, we of course had a nice, lovely bottle of wine or two – and we played games.  Everything from foosball to the board game Sorry, to Clue and all this fun stuff.  That’s the cheekiest thing I do.  I’m old, so my body tends to say ‘Okay, you’re staying in for the night – you gotta rest.’  So that’s the cheekiest thing you’ll get from me!

We already knew women could do amazing things!  The Hurt Locker’s domination of the 82^nd Academy Awards is a coup for many reasons other than its director’s sex.

So here are a few of those reasons – some a little silly, some serious, but all factors to consider when relishing the landmark wins for Kathryn Bigelow and The Hurt Locker.

1)      The Low-Budget Factor.  The movie cost $15 Million, which of course begs comparison with the $300 Million budget of Avatar (discussed in Cheeky here).  Maybe it’s the recession – we’re just not buying big this year.  We’re keeping it real.

2)      The DVD sales.  Yep.  The Hurt Locker is the first Best Picture winner to have earned more money in DVD sales than at the box office.  Screw you, over-priced movie houses and hyped-up opening weekends.  Personally, I heard about this movie on NPR, months after its quiet release.  And by word of mouth – stunned, enthusiastic word of mouth.

3)      The Ex Factor.  Sure, this one’s a little bit gender-related, but we must enjoy the David vs. Goliath factor of the unknown ex-wife sweeping the ego-inflated superstar ex-husband.   I kick myself for even wondering if she’d mention him in her speech.

4)      The Horror Movie.  Bigelow got her start by directing the cult horror movie Near Dark.  And horror movies got their due at this year’s Awards in that much-deserved (if sometimes off-base) tribute montage.  So Bigelow stands among great Oscar-winning directors like Spielberg, the Coen Brothers, and Peter Jackson, who honed their skills in that genre.

5)      The Patrick Swayze movie.  Yes, Bigelow directed the late, great Mr. Swayze in Point Break.  Just a bittersweet tie-in to one of the year’s saddest, untimely celebrity deaths.  When Swayze’s image flashed across the screen during the memorial montage, I like to think Bigelow had a “moment.”

6)      The War Story.  Oh yeah!  Our nation’s actually at war right now.  The Hurt Locker has been called one of the most realistic depictions of warfare ever made, by veterans all over the political spectrum.  When Bigelow dedicated her wins to the troops, it wasn’t partisan or forced.  It was because she had actually made a movie that told a story about those troops.  A deeply moving, gritty, realistic, tension-filled story.  When the hype has passed and the dust settles, it’s that story – not Bigelow, not her triumph, and certainly not her gender – that will remain.   And that, my friends, is exactly why she won.