Saturday, September 16, 2006
news - fashion
As you may have heard, the Spanish Association of Fashion Designers recently announced a ban on fashion models with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 18 percent (the lower end of the "healthy" scale). Straight off the bat it makes me think "great, no more skinny waifs that look like they'll break." But only in Spain.
It is gaining popularity, however, in the few days it's been out there. Today's BBC News UK had an article from the British Culture Secretary urging the British Fashion Council to adopt similar guidelines for their models. As New York Fashion Week comes to a close this weekend and both the Madrid and London Fashion Weeks gear up to kick off on Monday, it's quite the time to make such an announcement.
Unfortunately, at this point in a designer's preparation for such a show, the British Fashion Council has not succumbed to peer or governmental pressure. In the same BBC article, the BFC sees this as interfering with the designer's vision and refuses to impose such a standard.
It will be interesting to see in the coming weeks how this will affect the fashion industry around the world. As the wildly popular (especially in this house) America's Next Top Model kicks off its seventh season this week, will they address this new standard? European fashion has always been at the apex of the industry, and if this is going to stay, it will send ripples throughout the modelling industry the world over.
For those of us that are in the normal BMI range (18-23), let's raise our cups to the positive influence we've had (as a whole, probably not individually) on the European fashion industry.
Check out the BBC news article for a report and links to other reports on the subject.
It is gaining popularity, however, in the few days it's been out there. Today's BBC News UK had an article from the British Culture Secretary urging the British Fashion Council to adopt similar guidelines for their models. As New York Fashion Week comes to a close this weekend and both the Madrid and London Fashion Weeks gear up to kick off on Monday, it's quite the time to make such an announcement.
Unfortunately, at this point in a designer's preparation for such a show, the British Fashion Council has not succumbed to peer or governmental pressure. In the same BBC article, the BFC sees this as interfering with the designer's vision and refuses to impose such a standard.
It will be interesting to see in the coming weeks how this will affect the fashion industry around the world. As the wildly popular (especially in this house) America's Next Top Model kicks off its seventh season this week, will they address this new standard? European fashion has always been at the apex of the industry, and if this is going to stay, it will send ripples throughout the modelling industry the world over.
For those of us that are in the normal BMI range (18-23), let's raise our cups to the positive influence we've had (as a whole, probably not individually) on the European fashion industry.
Check out the BBC news article for a report and links to other reports on the subject.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
news - media
Good morning, readers (all one of me).
As you may (or may not have) heard, Time Inc. today announced the sale of 18 print titles and other properties, including the Transworld Media group of magazines.
As you also may or may not know, a sports publication is my dream gig.
Transworld Media published the titles Transworld Surf, Transworld Skateboarding, Transworld Snowboarding, Transworld Motocross, Ride BMX, Quad, and Transworld Business. Most, if not all, of these offices are located in Southern California, out of either Oceanside or Tustin.
That said, it will be interesting to see who buys the Transworld group or whether they strike out on their own. As they already operate quasi-independently across the country from Time Inc.'s headquarters here in New York, I don't think it will be much of a change once they have a new owner.
*****
In other semi-related news, Monday night's season opener Monday Night Football clocked record numbers in the program's history. Approximately 19.3 million viewers caught one or both of the games on new network ESPN, according to MediaLife. It is ESPN's largest audience ever, and the second largest in cable TV history (oddly enough the largest audience ever was CNN's airing of the 1993 Al Gore-Ross Perot debate).
In other football related news, you might have to alter your traditional SuperBowl drinking game this year: Anheuser-Busch has signed on as the exclusive alcohol advertiser through 2012. This will not only factor into the big game, but on all NFL broadcasts on NBC through 2012.
As you may (or may not have) heard, Time Inc. today announced the sale of 18 print titles and other properties, including the Transworld Media group of magazines.
As you also may or may not know, a sports publication is my dream gig.
Transworld Media published the titles Transworld Surf, Transworld Skateboarding, Transworld Snowboarding, Transworld Motocross, Ride BMX, Quad, and Transworld Business. Most, if not all, of these offices are located in Southern California, out of either Oceanside or Tustin.
That said, it will be interesting to see who buys the Transworld group or whether they strike out on their own. As they already operate quasi-independently across the country from Time Inc.'s headquarters here in New York, I don't think it will be much of a change once they have a new owner.
*****
In other semi-related news, Monday night's season opener Monday Night Football clocked record numbers in the program's history. Approximately 19.3 million viewers caught one or both of the games on new network ESPN, according to MediaLife. It is ESPN's largest audience ever, and the second largest in cable TV history (oddly enough the largest audience ever was CNN's airing of the 1993 Al Gore-Ross Perot debate).
In other football related news, you might have to alter your traditional SuperBowl drinking game this year: Anheuser-Busch has signed on as the exclusive alcohol advertiser through 2012. This will not only factor into the big game, but on all NFL broadcasts on NBC through 2012.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
welcome
I'm a writer.
There, I said it.
That said, this is where I'm going to write. With the deluge of online blogs and "citizen journalism" on the internet these days, it's going to be my effort to write informed and well-written rants on the things I care about.
It's like Angeline eMagazine (also my most common typo when I was at Anaheim Magazine).
I'm starting with two posts from the past two days. Enjoy!
*****
What happened? It was the loss of a loved one. And no, I am not overreacting.
Did no one think to tell me that they were taking away Monday Night Football from ABC? And putting it solely on ESPN - that wonderful mecca of sports television that I HAVE NO ACCESS TO?
The first Monday night of the regular season and I had to miss out. It was one of the loneliest nights I've ever had during football season.
Fortunately the Cowboys only have one Monday night game this season (usually it's at least 2).
Unfortunately, it's against the Giants, team of choice for most of Manhattan and our toughest division rival. It is guaranteed to be one of the make-it-or-break-it games for the Cowboys season. The 'Boys always step it up on a Monday night, too.
And I can't see it.
Who the heck really has ESPN? I know I'm just venting my own woes out there, but as a student who's subletting for a 4-month stay, I really have no sway to convince my roommate to sign on for premium cable until I leave (nor do I have the dough after I pay my tuition today).
Richard Morin, the polling director of the Washington Post, estimates that 61% of Americans are "regular cable watchers." ESPN estimates that 68% of Americans are NFL fans. What happens to those extra 2,098,011 people who are NFL fans that don't watch or don't have cable television? It's a lot of people when you really think about it.
Of course, the main reason I'm so upset is the fact that I am one of only 2 million who have to now miss out on the joys of Monday Night Football. How can I watch the Cowboys-Giants game in New York without getting my butt kicked for liking the other team? Alas, I have six weeks to figure it out.
Stayed tuned for next year, when I'm sure my opinion will change. Kevin's already consented to getting the NFL Sunday Ticket cable package. Then I will be a happy cowgirl.
*****
I woke up this morning, being lazy, at around 10:10 a.m. By the time I had made my coffee and popped in my eyes, it was more like 10:30. Quietness in the house is something I'm absolutely not use to, so I turned on the tube (my bad habit in the making).
Never having watched the infamous "Saturday Morning Cartoons" as a child, I automatically turned to public television's seemingly-always-on cooking show Daisy Cooks! Alas, it was a rerun that I'd seen last weekend.
In an effort to find a fresh show to watch as I caffeinated myself for the day, I went to tvguide.com's listings for my area. Imagine my surprise when, among the Dora the Explorer and YuGiOh, I saw a familiar title: Veggie Tales.
For those of you that are not familiar with the animated series, it originally grew to popularity through its Christian-lesson themed home videos, catchy tunes and oddball cast of characters, including hosts Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber. They were all the rage in CBCOC during the late 90s, but I haven' t heard or seen much of it since then.
Intriguied that something I thought was so religious was actually on broadcast television (NBC, no less), I turned to see if it was true. I was comforted by the aristocratic intonation of Archibald Asparagus, playing "Don" in a half-hour version of the classic "Don Quixote," in understandable terms of course.
So what is with this new discovery? According to the Big Idea (Veggie Tales' producers) website, the new partnership launched today (lucky me). Not only is Veggie Tales on NBC, but also Telemundo, and next week begins airing on i Network. In addition to the classic Veggie Tales series, Big Idea will also air 3-2-1 Penguins! and/or LarryBoy Adventures (depending on the network).
Next time someone eschews television for sake of content, point them towards this brand new option. It's a great way for children nowadays to get quality content without feeling like they're missing out on Saturday Morning Cartoons. It sure beats "The Batman" (emphasis on THE - I'm not kidding).
Can someone send me my LarryBoy plush toy?
*****
There, I said it.
That said, this is where I'm going to write. With the deluge of online blogs and "citizen journalism" on the internet these days, it's going to be my effort to write informed and well-written rants on the things I care about.
It's like Angeline eMagazine (also my most common typo when I was at Anaheim Magazine).
I'm starting with two posts from the past two days. Enjoy!
*****
the loss of a loved one
What happened? It was the loss of a loved one. And no, I am not overreacting.
Did no one think to tell me that they were taking away Monday Night Football from ABC? And putting it solely on ESPN - that wonderful mecca of sports television that I HAVE NO ACCESS TO?
The first Monday night of the regular season and I had to miss out. It was one of the loneliest nights I've ever had during football season.
Fortunately the Cowboys only have one Monday night game this season (usually it's at least 2).
Unfortunately, it's against the Giants, team of choice for most of Manhattan and our toughest division rival. It is guaranteed to be one of the make-it-or-break-it games for the Cowboys season. The 'Boys always step it up on a Monday night, too.
And I can't see it.
Who the heck really has ESPN? I know I'm just venting my own woes out there, but as a student who's subletting for a 4-month stay, I really have no sway to convince my roommate to sign on for premium cable until I leave (nor do I have the dough after I pay my tuition today).
Richard Morin, the polling director of the Washington Post, estimates that 61% of Americans are "regular cable watchers." ESPN estimates that 68% of Americans are NFL fans. What happens to those extra 2,098,011 people who are NFL fans that don't watch or don't have cable television? It's a lot of people when you really think about it.
Of course, the main reason I'm so upset is the fact that I am one of only 2 million who have to now miss out on the joys of Monday Night Football. How can I watch the Cowboys-Giants game in New York without getting my butt kicked for liking the other team? Alas, I have six weeks to figure it out.
Stayed tuned for next year, when I'm sure my opinion will change. Kevin's already consented to getting the NFL Sunday Ticket cable package. Then I will be a happy cowgirl.
*****
I found it first! sort of...
I woke up this morning, being lazy, at around 10:10 a.m. By the time I had made my coffee and popped in my eyes, it was more like 10:30. Quietness in the house is something I'm absolutely not use to, so I turned on the tube (my bad habit in the making).
Never having watched the infamous "Saturday Morning Cartoons" as a child, I automatically turned to public television's seemingly-always-on cooking show Daisy Cooks! Alas, it was a rerun that I'd seen last weekend.
In an effort to find a fresh show to watch as I caffeinated myself for the day, I went to tvguide.com's listings for my area. Imagine my surprise when, among the Dora the Explorer and YuGiOh, I saw a familiar title: Veggie Tales.
For those of you that are not familiar with the animated series, it originally grew to popularity through its Christian-lesson themed home videos, catchy tunes and oddball cast of characters, including hosts Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber. They were all the rage in CBCOC during the late 90s, but I haven' t heard or seen much of it since then.
Intriguied that something I thought was so religious was actually on broadcast television (NBC, no less), I turned to see if it was true. I was comforted by the aristocratic intonation of Archibald Asparagus, playing "Don" in a half-hour version of the classic "Don Quixote," in understandable terms of course.
So what is with this new discovery? According to the Big Idea (Veggie Tales' producers) website, the new partnership launched today (lucky me). Not only is Veggie Tales on NBC, but also Telemundo, and next week begins airing on i Network. In addition to the classic Veggie Tales series, Big Idea will also air 3-2-1 Penguins! and/or LarryBoy Adventures (depending on the network).
Next time someone eschews television for sake of content, point them towards this brand new option. It's a great way for children nowadays to get quality content without feeling like they're missing out on Saturday Morning Cartoons. It sure beats "The Batman" (emphasis on THE - I'm not kidding).
Can someone send me my LarryBoy plush toy?
*****
