Sacha's great escape

So my friend Sacha is living the dream many of us have. She's quit her job, sublet her apartment, and taking off for New York City to see if she can have the life she's always wanted and hasn't really found in DC. Like everything in life, it will turn out unexpectedly. But I know she'll discover things about herself she never knew and be the better for her experience.

Carpe diem, Sach.

From Elvis to INXS

So INXS picked J.D., the former Elvis impersonator, last night on the "Rock Star" finale. When they first annoounced they were going to narrow down the 3 finalists to 2 in the first half hour, I knew they would eliminate Mig (who spells it, pretentiously, MiG). That left Marty and J.D. and I was in the Marty camp. Until they each performed with INXS. Marty was himself in front of the band and had minimal interaction with the audience and the band. J.D. was mimicking Michael Hutchence's singing style and sound, and worked the crowd and hammed it up with the band. That's when I knew they were going to pick J.D. He's the easier transition; he can be the kind of front man they used to have. Marty would be a new direction.

But this is ultimately the best thing for Marty. He has the charisma and talent to make it on his own; he is better off as the opening act for the INXS tour than to tie his career directly to theirs. J.D. would go back to obscurity; this is his biggest opportunity.

Not sure whether I would go to see them when (if) they come to DC in the winter. At this point, I'm more interested in seeing Marty in concert. Even if I did like J.D., there's only one Michael Hutchence.

Seen on the streets of DC

Lights, camera, Gecko!

After a summer of a lot of fun, creative, hard work, CDG's brainchild for GEICO, the Golden Gecko short film contest has launched! Go, visit, watch, rate, enter. Better yet — while you're there, click on one of the GEICO links and go get a rate quote. Then maybe we'll get to do another one of these. :)

Rock Star, Take 2

I know I said after the first show that I thought Ty should win "Rock Star: INXS." Then Scott gradually won me over the the camp of Marty and Mig as I realized Ty was great, but maybe not the best match for "our band, INXS." I never thought he'd go as early as he did, however.

Suzie and Jordis will be the next to go. Jordis has a unique and strong voice, but she's been uneven, plus she's probably too funky for them. Suzie has redeemed herself of late, but I just don't see her fronting this band, and her original song this week was more roots-rock ballad.

That leaves, Marty, Mig and J.D. First of all, I don't understand INXS's clear adoration of J.D. He's the weakest singer of everyone, his stage persona is odd (seeming to consist entirely of glaring) and though he may be doing everything "right" in terms of demonstrating how he could fit with INXS, it's all so calculated. Plus, he's an ass. I really hope they get over him.

For me, it's a toss-up between Marty and Mig. Marty rocks the house, but he may be too "alternative" for a middle-of-the-road pop-rock band. Mig's voice is a tad theatrical, but he's got the right look, the right sound, and he's Australian, for God's sakes.

Odds: J.D. 10-1, Marty 7-3, Mig 5-2.

Goodbye, summer

Now that Labor Day has passed, I am lamenting summer's end. And a glorious weekend it was, too, filled with sunshine and temperatures in the low '80s. We lazed about, did purposeful things, ate outside, and took Julia to ride the kiddie train. But the days are quickly shortening, the nights turning cool and autumn is peeping around the corner at us. These are the last days of awakening to light, wearing shorts and sandals, and pretending the end of another year is far away.