Friday, July 26, 2013

Freebee Friday!

Still my all time favorite group routine on SYTYCD The LXD (League of Extraordinary Dancers). You can watch their mini episodes on Hulu.




--Me

Friday, July 19, 2013

Freebee Friday!

I don't think there are enough words in the world to describe the awesomeness that is contained in these few minutes. McDonald's, I IMPLORE you, please bring this back!!



--Me

Monday, July 15, 2013

FYI on Caste

Hello! Hope you all had a fantastic weekend. Just wanted to let you (my readers) all know that we appreciate and value all constructive feedback and thoughts we get about Caste.

We heard some rumblings about the editing in the book (a repeated paragraph, small editorial errors, etc). And while that isn't uncommon for a book to have (even for Big 6 books), it is still undesirable.

We have sent it to an additional copy editor and believe we have fixed all the errors. The newest edition is uploaded on Amazon for Kindle and the print copy of the book.

Thank you for everyone reading, reviewing, rating, and spreading the word about Caste! I am still astonished and floored by the response and truly humbled and grateful.

In other news, I have been getting your questions (both on facebook and the blog here) about pronunciations, sequel info, and other things. I wanted to let you know that we're working on an FAQ to put up, so keep your questions coming! Time has just been short with the impending arrival of baby ANY DAY. :)

Until then, keep reading and sharing the love for Caste!

--Me

Friday, July 12, 2013

Freebee Friday!

This is the funniest thing I've seen in a LONG time. :) Happy Friday!



--Me

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Break it Down Now!



Well, they heard our cries of protest and listened! No more of the lame "You're off the show, but please, still dance for us" eliminations!! It's back the way it should be with the kick-offs being done at the end.

Hallelujah.

Onward and upward! Cat looked fan-flipping-tastic with her dress and make-up. And those shoes! Oh, momma! I want them!

Guest Judges: We got two of them last night! Erin Andrews and Paula Abdul

That sucks moments: One of my favorites, Detroit aka Jude is out of the competition because of an injury. Sad day. But, that means only one girl will get kicked off.

(Videos courtesy of IdolX3)

Opening Routine: This was fantastic. I'm usually always a fan of the group numbers, but this was a collaboration between Sony and Christopher. Ummm, who's the genius between that pairing??


Girl Bottom 3: Alexis the tapper, Jasmine M the contemporary dancer, and Jenna the ballroom dancer. The solos were good (I'm not going to post them here, though), and you could tell that Alexis and Jasmine especially were dancing for their lives. But who will the judges send home? Good thing they're waiting for all the routines and another talk with the choreographers before making a decision.

Amy and Fik-shun (Paso Doble): I love Jean Marc as a choreographer, so I'm excited to see his routine.This is one of my favorite Latin dances, so I'm excited to see how they do. MAN! This was such a strong and ROCKIN' routine! Jean Marc did not disappoint. And Fik-shun did really well. One of my favorites of the night for sure. Favorite. 


Jasmine H and Aaron (Broadway): I have to say, that Aaron just keeps impressing me each week. I'll admit, he wasn't one of my favorites in Vegas. Actually, I didn't really like him at all. But, he keeps proving himself with each dance, and he is showing that he is so much more than a tapper. And Jasmine, well, she's just an amazing dancer, period.



Makkenzie and Paul (Contemporary): A new choreographer. Hmmm....lets see how she does. (I'd like to point out here that the judges will probably give a standing O and cry. Along with my co-worker, Tracy). Okay, Paul really captured this character and the emotion. So did Makenzie, but Paul really stood out for me. Although it was a beautiful routine, I can't call it a favorite.


Jasmine M and Alan (Jazz): I'm quickly growing to like Jazz. I think the routines so far this season have really brought out a different side of Jazz than I thought I knew. Honestly, I don't understand how Jasmine could have been in the bottom 3 this week. She's a fabulous dancer. And it showed through in this number, as well. I'm kind of surprised that the judges didn't like it more than they did. Favorite





Jenna and Tucker (Hip Hop): They aren't holding back on the new choreographers, are they? These two are definitely different than anyone they have currently on the show or have had. Which is nice and fresh. It reminded me A LOT of Michael Jackson, and not just because there were clips of his voice in the song. The moves were good, but I would have liked to see more interaction between them as dancers than just them doing the same moves. It was more like them mirroring each other. And I didn't believe that it was 100% hip hop, it felt like there was some jazz in there, too, which I think is what added to the freshness of this number. Favorite

 

Malece and AS Marco (Contemporary): First of all, WOW, look at that stage set up! Malece was one of my favorites going into the Top 20, but I don't think she's as strong as some of the other dancers on the show. I don't know what it is about her, but I just feel like she holds herself back a bit but at the same time tries a little too hard. If that even makes sense. But, it shows how much I show. Sonya was dancing in the aisle and the judges gave a standing O.


Hayley and Curtis (Samba): Hold on there! Two Jean Marc routines in one night?! We are being spoiled. And let me tell you, Hayley did an amazing job. I never should have thought she wasn't a ballroom dancer. Curtis did pretty good for the most part. There were a few times that I saw him stumble, but he did a pretty good job with his hips and his frame. The lifts and tricks weren't his things, we could all see that. The set up was obvious and the strength that was needed wasn't there.


Alexis and Nico (Jazz): This was okay. I like Nico, but I'm not a big fan of Alexis. So I think that prevented me from liking it as much as I could have.



Mariah and BluPrint (Hip Hop): I love seeing dancers when they get a routine in their element. And this did not disappoint. From the very beginning I was just captivated. And Mariah has such showmanship! She out performs BluePrint in that way. And actually, as a hip hopper, I think she out-shown him the entire time. I really like her. Great routine. Favorite





Who went home: Jasmine went home :( Which is sad, because I really thought she was fantastic.


Well, that's all for this week! Until next Wednesday!






--Me

Friday, July 5, 2013

Freebee Friday!

I could watch these dancers do this dance all day. They're AMAZING. Enjoy! (Oh, and if I already shared this, LUCKY YOU!!)




--Me

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Break it down now!


Okay, I get that SYTYCD likes to change things up every now and then, and for the most part, I enjoy it. But last night? With the bottom 3 couples?

Really?

HORRIBLE set up. Just plain awful. And I hope they change it for next week and not continue to do this format for the entire season.

Who wants to be told at the beginning of the night that they're going home, but oh, wait, you still have to dance with your partner and make it good.

NOT a good format. I miss the two day structure and the announcement of the bottom 3 couples at the end of the show with guest performances and solos before. But, alas, it is not I who produce the show (cough, cough Nigel cough)

Thoughts on Cat's dress? Personally, I don't think it was classy enough for her. Did anyone catch a glimpse of that diamond ring she's been sporting of late?

Okay, down to the show! (Routines are not in order of show appearance, I pulled all videos from IdolXFactor3)

Guest Judge: Christina Applegate

Opening Routine: A great number by Tyce. A little creepy but very entertaining.



Who went home: Brittany and Carlos

Hayley & Curtis, Jazz: This was a very sexy jazz routine that made Dirty Old Man Nigel very happy. You wouldn't have thought that Curtis was strictly a tapper.



Jasmine H & Aaron, Lyrical Hip Hop: I'm not a fan of this genre and this routine didn't particularly grab my attention, so (confession time), I skipped it. But, the judges seemed to like it. :)




Jade & Malece, Bollywood: I was deeply saddened by this routine. I love bollywood. But Malece and Jade really didn't do this number justice. You could tell that Jade was given parts that required minimal skill in that genre. And Malece didn't do too bright, either. The thing with bollywood is that it's hard. I like it better when the program introduces that genre later in the season when the dancers have had the chance to improve in their dancing and are better equip to dance it right.




Alexis & Nico, Contemporary: This was a good routine. But nothing special, for me.



Brittany & BluPrint, Broadsay: THROWING BOOKS?! The atrocity!! Other than that, this was a fun routine. :) And BluPrint did surprisingly well.




Jasmine M & Alan, Argentine Tango (Favorite): I. Loved. This. Routine. That is all.



Mackenzie & Paul, Jazz (Favorite): Another fun, great jazz number. Loved this.



Mariah & Carlos, Contemporary: This was okay. I was impressed with how well Mariah so far out of her style.



Amy & Fik-Shun, Hip Hop (Favorite): This was such a FUN routine. Loved it.



Jenna & Tucker, Cha Cha: I thought Tucker did okay and Jenna did great. But the judges slightly disagreed with me.




Who do you think will be in the bottom 3 couples next week? My opinion? Jude, Malece, BluPrint, Alan, Jasmine M., Jenna.

--Me

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

You know you've made it when...

....someone pays for a pirated copy of your ebook.

It's $0.99, people, sheesh!

Happy Tuesday. :) LOL

--Me