tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730199264276039242024-03-14T02:45:20.469-05:00Take the LedeA medley of news, entertainment and editorial.Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.comBlogger351125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-14187173960393456832011-07-18T14:18:00.003-05:002011-07-18T14:20:47.350-05:00More consistency<span style="font-family:arial;">Since it's been a few months since I've updated here, click the link for an alternative route to my occasional musings. </span>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-6457773459359241842011-03-23T18:10:00.001-05:002011-03-23T18:13:16.643-05:00Breathtaking. RIP.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1s9yJOPY9eI/TYp-D0xhTJI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/YB1cfejoeqg/s1600/elizabeth-taylor-ss11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1s9yJOPY9eI/TYp-D0xhTJI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/YB1cfejoeqg/s400/elizabeth-taylor-ss11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587416891877575826" /></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >Photo by Frank Worth/Emage International/Getty Images via <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2011/03/elizabeth-taylor-timeless-beauty-slide-show-201104#slide=1">Vanity Fair</a>.</span></i>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-25222193041221076842011-03-22T20:23:00.001-05:002011-03-22T20:24:50.196-05:00To Match the Weather<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VK4TwstB2AM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-4084559587521377042011-03-12T21:53:00.002-06:002011-03-12T21:57:02.829-06:00Scenes from Madison<span style="font-family: arial;">Just saw these videos from the <a href="http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_9f189108-4cbc-11e0-b9b8-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">HUGE rally</span></a> in Madison today. Sharing here.</span><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GXHv7Q5VKGk" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" width="425"></iframe><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PjSwjpwbT-o" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" width="425"></iframe>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-75911659456346659592011-03-12T14:00:00.008-06:002011-03-12T14:20:33.134-06:00I want that trench!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ht.ly/4cNIi"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eRy_l-Dd708/TXvRCfwxIiI/AAAAAAAAAcI/3dSOZjk_8Co/s400/031211-kate-middleton-226.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583286003871851042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Princess-to-be Kate Middleton looks amazing in this <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://us.burberry.com/store/coats/womenswear/wool-cashmere/wool-trench-coat-with-frilled-hem/sku-37423181007-wool-trench-coat-with-frilled-hem/">Burberry</a> trench coat. Major fashion envy happening for me here, and apparently in <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/fashion/2011/03/10/2011-03-10_kate_middletons_burberry_coat_causes_fashion_frenzy_ny_stores_dont_have_it_in_st.html">New York</a> and the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1364946/Kate-Middleton-Burberry-sells-beige-trenchcoat-day.html">UK</a> as well.</span>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-19575609771181358532011-03-09T23:09:00.004-06:002011-03-09T23:44:27.320-06:00Cardinal loveAs today's news broke about the legislation passed by the Wisconsin Senates's Republican majority and scenes from the swelling Capitol crowds began to pop up on the Internet, it reminded me of the last mass movement I witnessed in Madison as a student journalist. The one from election night in 2008 when hundreds of students and residents took to the street for a historic moment, though in a starkly different mood.<div><br /></div><div><div><div>My thoughts are with those same Wisconsin voters tonight. In two short years, it seems a completely different place all together. </div><div><br /></div><div>I commend the local press and student journalists who are reporting at all hours of the day so this Badger alum can have a closer eye on what's happening.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Have you been following?</div><div><a href="http://www.dailycardinal.com/">The Daily Cardinal</a></div><div><a href="http://www.madison.com/">Wisconsin State Journal/The Cap Times</a></div><div><a href="http://www.jsonline.com/">Milwaukee Journal Sentinel</a></div><div><br /></div><br /><object width="420" height="245" id="msnbcb0029" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640"><param name="FlashVars" value="launch=41999124^420956&width=420&height=245"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed name="msnbcb0029" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" width="420" height="245" flashvars="launch=41999124^420956&width=420&height=245" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><p style="font-size:11px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #999; margin-top: 5px; background: transparent; text-align: center; width: 420px;">Visit msnbc.com for <a style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/">breaking news</a>, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507" style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;">world news</a>, and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072" style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;">news about the economy</a></p>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-84717932409426394502011-03-08T21:37:00.002-06:002011-03-08T21:40:50.697-06:00Rumour Has It<span style="font-family: arial;">I'm obsessed with Adele's new CD, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">21</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. Have you listened to it yet? The album's first single "Rolling In the Deep" is amazing, as is the power ballad "Someone Like You," but I cannot get the bluesy "Rumour Has It" out of my head!</span><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ti3t7MAwaaM" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" width="425"></iframe>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-54830696927377002392011-02-12T12:18:00.003-06:002011-02-12T12:25:36.789-06:00Rejoice!Lady Gaga's new single, "Born This Way," has arrived! And I just want to get up and dance!<br /><br /><object height="324" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.vevo.com/VideoPlayer/Embedded?videoId=USUV71100247&playlist=false&autoplay=0&playerId=62FF0A5C-0D9E-4AC1-AF04-1D9E97EE3961&playerType=embedded&env=0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.vevo.com/VideoPlayer/Embedded?videoId=USUV71100247&playlist=false&autoplay=0&playerId=62FF0A5C-0D9E-4AC1-AF04-1D9E97EE3961&playerType=embedded&env=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" bgcolor="#000000" wmode="transparent" height="324" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Lots of <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/blogs/pop-life/lady-gagas-born-this-way-much-better-than-express-yourself-20110211">buzz</a> about its similarity to Madonna's "Express Yourself." What do you think? And does it matter? Can't we just like both songs?<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-3BcI0GCDs8" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="425"></iframe>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-91105101340868666862011-01-17T18:31:00.005-06:002011-01-30T13:17:05.741-06:00Perfection = UMDTFor the second year in a row, the University of Minnesota Dance Team walked away from nationals with double firsts—in jazz and pom. The team had me at Florence + the Machine's "Drumming Song."<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qzYaNqR6k98" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t49PS-4v7Kg" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-92222063584751565562010-11-06T17:11:00.003-05:002010-11-06T17:14:20.232-05:00tkTwinCities<span style="font-family: arial;">I'm very excited to announce a new venture I am now involved in: <a href="http://www.tktwincities.com">tkTwinCities.com</a>! I launched the site with several other talented Twin Cities-based journalists to cover lifestyle topics for twenty-somethings. Check it out!</span>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-51800330134339522712010-10-20T22:09:00.001-05:002010-10-20T22:10:56.112-05:00Nothing will ever compare to Gilmore Girls<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tI9PiBzj-cY?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tI9PiBzj-cY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Video via Entertainment Weekly</span>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-85997330074057935732010-08-20T17:02:00.003-05:002010-08-20T17:04:07.612-05:00Still so happy...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/TG77q8D7NqI/AAAAAAAAAbw/gpc4tyC-O4I/s1600/dancerecap.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/TG77q8D7NqI/AAAAAAAAAbw/gpc4tyC-O4I/s400/dancerecap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507616109416363682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">For Lauren Froderman! The <a href="http://www.fox.com/dance/recaps/season-7/finale/">winner</a> of SYTYCD Season 7. The craziness of this season was all worth it to have another female winner! Congrats Lauren.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(photo via Fox)</span><br /></span>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-50109247062107496892010-07-21T21:15:00.005-05:002010-07-29T19:07:30.555-05:00Happy Birthday Robert! SYTYCD S7 Top 6<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/TFIXpROThOI/AAAAAAAAAbo/T_rTp560NWw/s1600/top6-2recap.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/TFIXpROThOI/AAAAAAAAAbo/T_rTp560NWw/s400/top6-2recap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499484092738274530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Is it wrong that I think now 20-year-old Robert is totally hot?! Birthday Boy tore it up during his "Parachute" solo. Yummy.<br /><br />So here we are again. Another Wednesday performance show of So You Think You Can Dance Season 7. This week was special because it was the show's 150th episode and to celebrate they brought choreographer/director Kenny Ortega to guest judge. I prefer to recognize him as the choreographer of Dirty Dancing, however, younger crowds will know him as the director of the High School Musical franchise. Having him as a guest judge reminded me of the golden days of the show when there was a rotating guest judge every week. Sigh.<br /><br />Off the bat—Billy Bell was out with an injury this week, which makes him the third sidelined dancer in a row. Though I did want him to be the next contestant to go home, I didn't want it to be because of an injury. Maybe Jose will be sent home instead. A girl can dream.<br /><br />Let's dance!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Lauren and Twitch—hip hop</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">FABULOUS! Way to represent the ladies Lauren! And it was so nice to see Twitch again. It's definitely not my favorite Tabitha and Napoleon dance, but it was a great performance nonetheless. Having her roll like a tumbleweed was genius. Who knew she could do that?!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Jose and Allison—contemporary</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I've got to go with the judges on this one. Adam said the concept was strong, but it was difficult to critique the dancing. I completely agree. Jose wasn't dancing at all, and I think it was another sign that he can't do it. He just can't dance like the others. Time to go home Jose. Mia said Sonya gave him pedestrian contemporary (summarized as human gestures, not coming from a technical place). She told Jose that he can only grow so much technically, but she didn't see the growth this week. He can't grow if no one gives him actual choreography! Last week Nigel said taking away Jose's personality exposed some of his weaknesses, but that he thought Sonya had cleverly covered up Jose's weaknesses this week. How is that fair at this point in the competition?! He needs to go home. Good partnering, but it's not enough.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Lauren and Robert—Broadway or jazz, I wasn't entirely sure<br />Two of the show's hotties together in one dance?! What's not to love? This is one of the best Tyce numbers I've seen, not a traditional broadway dance. Or was it jazz? The judges keep saying it was jazz. Doesn't really matter because it was smoking—did he lick her at one point? Adam said Robert was growing and getting better each week. I completely agree! He is so good! Sometimes I love reflecting on specific judges comments, like these: Adam: That was dancing, man! You killed it. Mia: Nice to see strong dancing to see what your capability is. Guest Kenny Ortega: Liquid movement. Nigel: Loved flow of movement. I wish they could say that stuff about Jose... This Nigel comment was priceless, however: "This program is credited a lot with getting guys to dance now and giving integrity to guys dancing, but I have to say an inspiration for guys wanting to dance has got to be Lauren. Whaaaooow!" haha, Nigel is so dirty sometimes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Kent and Kathryn—jazz<br />Oh Kathryn, how I love you and your dancing. You are fantastic! And combined with Kent, it was magical. You can tell he's the favorite with the screaming girls: WE LOVE YOU KENT! And it was a fun routine from Sonya, but I have to agree with Mia that Kent gets a little too excited with his faces. Aside from that, he's awesome. I just love how happy he is to be there. He's genuine and the guy to beat. Definitely.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Side note: Did anyone else tear up during the parent tributes? I totally did. Especially Robert's parents. I love that Lauren wants to be a teacher! Adorable. "Good luck Miss Lauren. We love Miss Lauren." Awww, and I loved Nigel's comment later about wanting to tell his kids how proud he his of them because of watching the parent videos.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">AdéChiké and Comfort—lyrical hip hop</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Loved the old school Alicia Keys "Fallin'" on this one. Wow AdéChiké's tears?! I'm not really sure where those came from. The dance was good, but I'm not sure I loved it. Maybe he just is so overwhelmed with everything that he had to break down a little, or maybe I've just lost my emotions or something. Hmmmm. Nigel compared it to "Bleeding Love" and "No Air"—two of my favorite dances of all-SYTYCD-time. I do like the emotional hip hops, but I don't think this one compares to those.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Lauren and Robert—samba</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My dream team! (Sorry Kent). It's just that they're HOT HOT HOT! I could tell that Robert was struggling a bit, but it's OK. My favorite quote from the night - Robert: You shot me with your butt. Adam said he wants a shirt that says that and so do I! I would totally buy that shirt. I would also buy one that had this gem from Mia to Lauren: "We expect a lot from your butt." We need to start a Mia quote board. Memo to my friends, this needs to happen.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Jose and AdéChiké—paso doble. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Blahhhhhh. Not worth my time or yours. I predict the bottom three for these two. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Kent and Twitch—step</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">How lucky are we to get Twitch twice in one night! I didn't love the routine. But I agree with Mia that Kent is the one to beat.<br /><br />The show is still off balance with one girl left. But as long as Lauren, Kent and Robert keep rocking it, I'll be happy.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(photo via Fox)</span><br /></span>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-45205931080027195542010-07-17T19:55:00.010-05:002010-07-17T21:04:37.103-05:00And so it goes.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/TEJc6dosC8I/AAAAAAAAAbg/8GYXVY25PjI/s1600/top6recap.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/TEJc6dosC8I/AAAAAAAAAbg/8GYXVY25PjI/s400/top6recap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495056654802881474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">SYTYCD's Season 7 has been a disappointment. That's what I concluded Thursday after watching the second injured dancer exit the competition early. Did I love Ashley Galvin? No. But, she was starting to grow on me. And I know in the coming weeks I will miss her more and more because the show now feels off balance.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />SYTYCD has always been tilted toward the men, with the more talented women failing to capture the hearts of the teenage-girl voters. It's amazing that two ladies have even won at all. Allison. Kathryn. Katee. All should have won. Even Kayla, who was in the same season as winner Jeanine, should have placed better than fourth. Now, for the first time in the show's history, there may not even be a female in the top 5. What a joke. I blame the producers and the judges.<br /><br />The producers chose the All-Star format—something I disliked from the beginning. The judges picked the top 10, but they failed to choose women who could pull in votes. A tapper? Come on! They never do well. A ballroom dancer. Again, more often than not, they are some of the first to go home. I actually liked Alexie, and I believe that had she been saved the first week, she would have redeemed herself and not been in the bottom 3 the next week. She had a personality, which was sorely lacking from three of the five girls. Ashley started to show her personality, but didn't have a chance to fully engage me during a dance with a fellow contestant. Had she not been injured, I think her scheduled disco with Robert would have been happy and fun. Unfortunately for her, I was reminded how much I love Kathryn as she filled in for injured Ashley.<br /><br />That's the problem with this season. I'm not supposed to be nostalgic about past contestants. I'm supposed to be engaged with the current ones. Twitch, Allison, Lauren, Kathryn, Travis Wall. They aren't supposed to be my favorite parts of this season. But it's nearly impossible not to watch them when they dance.<br /><br />I'm starting to ramble and there are too many things to say about why this season hasn't been as good as the past (don't even get me started on Jose), so I'll quickly sum it up. Lauren Froderman and Kent Boyd's dance during the top 8 proved that the All-Star format isn't working. Lauren and Kent grew up in my eyes while they danced their Travis Wall-choreographed <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsZX4l7Ng-A&feature=related">contemporary</a> routine, and it would have never happened if they hadn't danced with each other. Now the pair are fan favorites because we saw their natural chemistry. We don't see that with the All-Star dances. The contestants have a special bond and you can see it when they get to dance together. I wish we saw it more often.<br /><br />Now, I cross my fingers for Lauren, the only female left among the SYTYCD Season 7 boys club. But I know she can't carry the last half of the season on her own. The boys need to step it up or this season will be one to forget.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/r5K8lfkZKYY&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/r5K8lfkZKYY&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(photo via </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.fox.com/dance/recaps/season-7/top-6/">FOX</a><span style="font-style: italic;">)</span><br /></span>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-27597026354448550452010-07-12T23:12:00.004-05:002010-07-12T23:19:28.547-05:00Plymouth, Minn. was first!Money Magazine just announced its <a href="http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/snapshots/PL2718116.html">list</a> of best places to live in America, and ranked Eden Prairie, Minnesota, No. 1. I think it's great that EP got the recognition, but I think Matt Lauer's reaction on this morning's Today show was perfect.<br /><br />"Plymouth, Minn. was No. 1 on your list a couple of years ago. So, Minnesota is really kicking butt on this list."<br /><br />That's right Matt—My hometown was first and is better than EP!<br /><br /><object id="msnbc71c1aa" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0" height="245" width="420"><param name="movie" value="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640"><param name="FlashVars" value="launch=38202259^189953^271591&width=420&height=245"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="wmode" value="opaque"><embed name="msnbc71c1aa" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" flashvars="launch=38202259^189953^271591&width=420&height=245" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="opaque" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" height="245" width="420"></embed></object><p style="font-size: 11px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); margin-top: 5px; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; text-align: center; width: 420px;">Visit msnbc.com for <a style="text-decoration: none ! important; border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(153, 153, 153) ! important; font-weight: normal ! important; height: 13px; color: rgb(87, 153, 219) ! important;" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/">breaking news</a>, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507" style="text-decoration: none ! important; border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(153, 153, 153) ! important; font-weight: normal ! important; height: 13px; color: rgb(87, 153, 219) ! important;">world news</a>, and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072" style="text-decoration: none ! important; border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(153, 153, 153) ! important; font-weight: normal ! important; height: 13px; color: rgb(87, 153, 219) ! important;">news about the economy</a></p>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-78190862603241555552010-07-08T20:51:00.003-05:002010-07-08T21:06:18.421-05:00Cheers to SYTYCD Emmy nominees!<span style="font-family:arial;">Since I'm not the biggest fan of this year's SYTYCD returning all-star format, let's toast to a time when the contestants only danced with each other and when the show was truly about the growth between couples. I am so happy Kathryn and Legacy's Season 6 dance choreographed by Stacey Tookey was nominated for an Emmy this year, as was Mia Michaels' phenomenal addiction piece from Season 5 danced by Kayla and Kapono. Here's to SYTYCD returning to glory.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/etIvERHl0Qg&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/etIvERHl0Qg&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hv0IgxPZJ6U&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hv0IgxPZJ6U&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />**Side note: Seeing Kent cry tonight after the judges announced Alex's departure was PROOF that he is Adam Shankman's secret son. </span>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-4266671881403453612010-05-02T12:10:00.002-05:002010-05-02T12:13:23.533-05:00Michael Oher<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As I was watching The Blind Side again this morning, I decided to do some more research about Michael Oher, the rags-to-riches subject of the film. I hadn't seen many interviews with the actual Oher, so this one with Bob Costas really struck me. His story is really powerful, and it's impossible not to cheer for his continued success in the NFL. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/y_UBCmMhga8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/y_UBCmMhga8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-85532215117806953332010-04-22T22:48:00.003-05:002010-04-22T22:51:26.365-05:00Phenomenal<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The Madonna episode of Glee this week was amazing!!! Even if you don't watch Glee on a weekly basis, I think you'll enjoy this one—I mean, who doesn't like Madonna?! My favorite song of the night was the show-stopping closer, "Like a Prayer". Check it out below!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><object width="425" height="296"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/WKWcG6OzjUCpA9pttwu8SA/2520/2698/i2586"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/WKWcG6OzjUCpA9pttwu8SA/2520/2698/i2586" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" width="425" height="296"></embed></object>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-75696864137386400412010-03-13T21:30:00.000-06:002010-03-13T21:31:42.319-06:00Telephone: the music video<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GQ95z6ywcBY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GQ95z6ywcBY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-59912776067742032422010-03-09T22:33:00.001-06:002010-03-09T22:33:53.172-06:00What would I give to be there...<embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1569972706" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="videoId=70811113001&playerId=1569972706&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="425" height="344" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swliveconnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-53435231191004656672010-03-07T19:38:00.002-06:002010-03-07T19:40:14.232-06:00My Red Carpet Winner<span style="font-family:arial;">Cameron Diaz! She really surprised me with this sparkly, golden number. I love it!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5RVYPtIxmI/AAAAAAAAAbY/1eGpkeI1e7w/s1600-h/20100307_oscars_57.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5RVYPtIxmI/AAAAAAAAAbY/1eGpkeI1e7w/s400/20100307_oscars_57.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446071724418844258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(photo via nymag.com)</span>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-44395491540160182442010-03-07T19:11:00.003-06:002010-03-07T19:14:42.248-06:00Sandra v. Meryl: Round OneOscar night Round One: The Red Carpet. Who is your winner?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5RPAhDvY5I/AAAAAAAAAa4/gmEjHz6jDY4/s1600-h/20100307_oscars_33.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5RPAhDvY5I/AAAAAAAAAa4/gmEjHz6jDY4/s400/20100307_oscars_33.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446064719690425234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5RO8gHf4lI/AAAAAAAAAaw/ESlCq49cVh8/s1600-h/20100307_oscars_22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5RO8gHf4lI/AAAAAAAAAaw/ESlCq49cVh8/s400/20100307_oscars_22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446064650718274130" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">(photos via nymag.com)</span></span>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-33727158654141439992010-03-07T19:07:00.008-06:002010-03-07T19:38:06.250-06:00The best of the Red Carpet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5RU9gqfZ2I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/w--Tt4A75Nw/s1600-h/20100307_oscars_53.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5RU9gqfZ2I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/w--Tt4A75Nw/s400/20100307_oscars_53.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446071265114679138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5RU44qd7NI/AAAAAAAAAbI/hJCT_NV-fnY/s1600-h/20100307_oscars_51.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5RU44qd7NI/AAAAAAAAAbI/hJCT_NV-fnY/s400/20100307_oscars_51.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446071185657687250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5RUzI3uXeI/AAAAAAAAAbA/sXvcQ2X2pFc/s1600-h/20100307_oscars_47.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5RUzI3uXeI/AAAAAAAAAbA/sXvcQ2X2pFc/s400/20100307_oscars_47.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446071086929042914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5ROmGSgn_I/AAAAAAAAAao/ojtdGd55e7g/s1600-h/20100307_oscars_38.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5ROmGSgn_I/AAAAAAAAAao/ojtdGd55e7g/s400/20100307_oscars_38.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446064265828016114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5ROhQHnjZI/AAAAAAAAAag/Fm2ON7CaTPk/s1600-h/20100307_oscars_36.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5ROhQHnjZI/AAAAAAAAAag/Fm2ON7CaTPk/s400/20100307_oscars_36.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446064182567341458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5ROc2IO4eI/AAAAAAAAAaY/G-N1KeRV9Ls/s1600-h/20100307_oscars_18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5ROc2IO4eI/AAAAAAAAAaY/G-N1KeRV9Ls/s400/20100307_oscars_18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446064106871120354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5ROUUMBETI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/DXmtH1wSDas/s1600-h/20100307_oscars_17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5ROUUMBETI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/DXmtH1wSDas/s400/20100307_oscars_17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446063960321233202" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span>For more Oscar fashion, click <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2010/03/oscar-arrivals-go-bold-or-go-home.html">here</a>.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />(photos via </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/03/oscar_red_carpet_looks.html">nymag.com</a><span style="font-style: italic;">)</span></span>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-42220490759016334482010-03-07T12:18:00.002-06:002010-03-07T12:23:38.095-06:00Zach Galifianakis on SNL<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I just finished watching last night's SNL with host Zach Galifianakis, best known for his role as Alan in The Hangover. Overall, I thought Zach was great, especially in his unique opening monologue and a pre-taped sketch in which he drops by several NBC tapings:</span></div><div><br /></div><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/4b93edef661e4c6b/4b939c267916b4a9/aef49d24/-cpid/31ef315ff0702c03" id="W4727a250e66f97234b93edef661e4c6b" width="384" height="283"><param name="movie" value="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/4b93edef661e4c6b/4b939c267916b4a9/aef49d24/-cpid/31ef315ff0702c03"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></object><div><br /></div><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/4b93edf0370ecde6/4b939d33bd910564/161678ce/-cpid/d8ee9294f4539073" id="W4727a250e66f97234b93edf0370ecde6" width="384" height="283"><param name="movie" value="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/4b93edf0370ecde6/4b939d33bd910564/161678ce/-cpid/d8ee9294f4539073"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></object>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1273019926427603924.post-15190931814783696132010-03-07T10:07:00.002-06:002010-03-07T10:07:58.475-06:00Will you watch?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5PPUkfFgzI/AAAAAAAAAaA/X4I6WD56pRs/s1600-h/e25a049c2142776beefe8b5f88d5882a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CzNEbjiIC0Y/S5PPUkfFgzI/AAAAAAAAAaA/X4I6WD56pRs/s400/e25a049c2142776beefe8b5f88d5882a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445924326719456050" /></a>Amanda H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10482172109436861206noreply@blogger.com0