The 80sI love the 80s. It was the decade of my teenage years (well, I turned 13 in 87, so really I only spent 3 years of the 80s in my teens, but anyway...)
I've been thinking about 80s music today. And of the best 80s music videos. I've compiled a list ('cos you know, I'm a list orientated type of person) of my favourite videos, the ones that I think are classic.
Tart's Top Ten 80s Music Videos
10. Flock of Seagulls, "I Ran"
Who can forget the mirrors, the jerky and wobbly spinning stage, the bad hair?
9. Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"
How freaking cool is Cyndi Lauper. Kooky and fun video too.
8. Wham, "Jitterbug"
Oh man, I lurved George Michael in this video. And everyone had those Choose Life t-shirts after this. I did. Mine was baby blue. I still have it.
7. Eurythmics, "Sweet Dreams"
Weird and wonderful. Annie Lennox in a suit and Dave Stewart playing a cello in a field.
6. Bon Jovi, "Livin' on a Prayer"
It's all about the hair, baby!
5. Dire Straits, "Money for Nothing"
One of the first videos (I think) to use computer animation.
4. Madonna, "Material Girl"
Kind of summed up the materialistic 80s.
3. Duran Duran, "Hungry like the Wolf"
It was a tie between this one and "Girls on Film" but this video won out due to its outright sexiness and style.
2. Michael Jackson, "Thriller"
The first of its kind to introduce a longer story-like video.
And, my number one 80s music video is...
1. Aha, "Take on Me"
The coolest animated video ever. Unique, simple and really well made.
Tart at 11:12 AM |Wednesday, September 28, 2005
I arrived at work this morning, all eager and keen to get the new work day started. That temporary moment of a work ethic soon departed after a very long meeting. I came back to my office and have spent the last 3 hours goofing off, emailing people, text messaging my sister and reading numerous blogs. I also drooled over a pair of shoes from Net-A-Porter, hassled my boyfriend over the pink t-shirt (long story, I'll blog about it one day), booked a fantasy tan spray on fake tan for Saturday, organised movie date with friend for tomorrow, sympathised with a colleague over the problems of finding the perfect jeans and I filed, buffed and nice-ified my nails.
I also did one of those online quiz thingys to find out which classic pin up I am...
You're Lili St. Cyr!
What Classic Pin-Up Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Drama and flair? Innovator and a star? An exotic beauty...bwahahahahahaha, whatever.
I also did one of those online quiz thingys to find out which classic pin up I am...
You're Lili St. Cyr!
What Classic Pin-Up Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Drama and flair? Innovator and a star? An exotic beauty...bwahahahahahaha, whatever.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Due to some fucktarded spammers, I've had to hide the comments link. Once I've done the word verficiation thingy and sorted it out, I'll turn the comments back on.
I stumbled across a website that features covers from vintage paperbacks and spent an hour or so giggling over them. Below are some of my favourites. To make it even funnier for myself (small mind, easily amused) I read out the titles and taglines in a voice like the guy who does the trailers for films.
Cripes,she's showing a fair bit of butt crack now, ain't she!
Sex was her weapon...I can only imagine how she used it.
For a junkie, she looks remarkably healthy, no track marks, no blotchy skin or bad teeth.
What you don't see in this picture, she that she's got tassled pasties on her nipples and she's swinging them around!
Nightmare alright, have you seen the bloke in the pool? Dude looks a little like Hitler.
I'd say she had her priorities in order too.
Didn't her mother ever tell her not to skate without knee and wrist pads. There's going to be some spectacular bruising if she falls down.
I'd be more careful if I was her, lying in the swamp with her skirt hiked up. Never know what might crawl up there!
Cripes,she's showing a fair bit of butt crack now, ain't she!
Sex was her weapon...I can only imagine how she used it.
For a junkie, she looks remarkably healthy, no track marks, no blotchy skin or bad teeth.
What you don't see in this picture, she that she's got tassled pasties on her nipples and she's swinging them around!
Nightmare alright, have you seen the bloke in the pool? Dude looks a little like Hitler.
I'd say she had her priorities in order too.
Didn't her mother ever tell her not to skate without knee and wrist pads. There's going to be some spectacular bruising if she falls down.
I'd be more careful if I was her, lying in the swamp with her skirt hiked up. Never know what might crawl up there!
Monday, September 26, 2005
Yes, I finally got my voice back yesterday. What a relief.
However, it's still not 100% better and I have this husky, deep and breathy voice to contend with.
I thought I sounded sexy, like Demi Moore. But was told by the boyfriend this morning, that I sounded more like Stevie from Malcolm in the Middle. Aw crap.
However, it's still not 100% better and I have this husky, deep and breathy voice to contend with.
I thought I sounded sexy, like Demi Moore. But was told by the boyfriend this morning, that I sounded more like Stevie from Malcolm in the Middle. Aw crap.
Friday, September 23, 2005
I woke up this morning mute.
It's true and it's freaking me out.
I can make a few garbled words, but apart from that, I cannot speak at all. The boyfriend thinks this is hilarious, and spent most of this morning making snarky comments knowing that I couldn't talk back! If only I knew sign language for "Fuck you" or "Piss off". Oh wait, I do. The middle finger!
Obviously the muteness is a symptom of something (hope I'm not being punished for bitching and snarking about an old flatmate!) like a cold or flu that is obviously going to appear right in time for the weekend.
Bugger.
It's true and it's freaking me out.
I can make a few garbled words, but apart from that, I cannot speak at all. The boyfriend thinks this is hilarious, and spent most of this morning making snarky comments knowing that I couldn't talk back! If only I knew sign language for "Fuck you" or "Piss off". Oh wait, I do. The middle finger!
Obviously the muteness is a symptom of something (hope I'm not being punished for bitching and snarking about an old flatmate!) like a cold or flu that is obviously going to appear right in time for the weekend.
Bugger.
Monday, September 19, 2005
I've just heard the Emmy winners announced and can I just bitch over the fact that Everybody Loves Raymond won Outstanding Comedy Series. WTF? This is one show that is simply not funny. Not. Funny. Surely Arrested Development should've won. This is Outstanding Comedy Series! What is so outstanding about Everybody Loves Raymond? Maybe they got a pity vote, because it was its last season or something...
Also, were there some fugly fashions out on the carpet or what?
Behold!
Lady, whoever you are, you forgot your undies, and your bra...oh and the rest of the material for this fugly 'dress'.
Debra, Debra, Debra. You should know better. Tsk tsk. Your boobs look like they're at your waist.
Heidi. I know you've just had a baby, but please. This floral number is just plain fugly.
From neck to waist, great. From the waist down, blech.
But, it wasn't all fugly. Check out former BtVS Allyson Hannigan!
Love the detail, probably the best dressed.
Also, were there some fugly fashions out on the carpet or what?
Behold!
Lady, whoever you are, you forgot your undies, and your bra...oh and the rest of the material for this fugly 'dress'.
Debra, Debra, Debra. You should know better. Tsk tsk. Your boobs look like they're at your waist.
Heidi. I know you've just had a baby, but please. This floral number is just plain fugly.
From neck to waist, great. From the waist down, blech.
But, it wasn't all fugly. Check out former BtVS Allyson Hannigan!
Love the detail, probably the best dressed.
Oh hurrah!
A parcel of new books arrived (via a very hunky courier in shorts) for me today.
In this parcel I have:
Out of Control - Shannon McKenna
Shadowheart - Laura Kinsale
Wild - Jill Barnett
Echo in the Hall - Cricket Starr (surely not her real name?)
I'm hoping that at least one of these four books will be an interesting, romantic read.
PS. Thanks to all those who emailed me their kind thoughts and wishes regarding the death of my beloved grandad. I feel super special!
A parcel of new books arrived (via a very hunky courier in shorts) for me today.
In this parcel I have:
Out of Control - Shannon McKenna
Shadowheart - Laura Kinsale
Wild - Jill Barnett
Echo in the Hall - Cricket Starr (surely not her real name?)
I'm hoping that at least one of these four books will be an interesting, romantic read.
PS. Thanks to all those who emailed me their kind thoughts and wishes regarding the death of my beloved grandad. I feel super special!
Thursday, September 08, 2005
There are somethings I'll never understand...
- Poker
- Jazz music
- Why Halle Berry won an Oscar for Monsters Ball
- Boy racers
- Prime numbers
- Why Antonio Banderas is married to Melanie Griffiths
- The TV comedy show - Everybody Loves Raymond
- Why people drive Chelsea tractors around the city and never drive them as they were meant to be driven, offroad
- How to complete a Rubik's cube
- Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz
- Why Danielle Steel novels are popular
- Long division
- White sports socks teamed with black shoes
- Benicio del Torro
- Why people want to give their kids normal names, but with weird spellings so said child is forever having to spell their name out for people "K.a.i.t.e.l.y.n.n". What's wrong with Caitlyn? Hmmm?
- How the computer knows when its Daylight Savings and changes the time accordingly
- Greek tragedies
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
This is an advance warning, this post is one long rant which will probably be incoherent shite. Feel free to hit that little red x at the top right of your screen (yep, that one) if it all gets a bit much.
I'm really struggling to not feel this resentment I have towards my sister (aka Mini-Tart). Tonight I found out that my parents (who are based overseas, approx 19000 kms or 12000 miles from where we live) are paying for Mini-Tart, her Boy-Tart and the three Tartlets to visit them, an all expenses return trip. (This will be the second all expenses paid trip that the've paid for in less than 2 years).
This is just another example of what I feel my sister 'gets' over what I 'get'. (Petty? Moi? Just a bit).
If Mini-Tart's washing machine breaks down? Guess who pays for a new one?
If Mini-Tart wants new outdoor furniture. Guess who buys it.
If the Tartlets want a new bike. Guess who gets it for them?
If Mini-Tart needs a new car. Guess who buys them one?
If Mini-Tart needs a new house. Guess who buys them one? (Yes, they bought her a fucking house!!)
I could go on, but the list is fairly long.
I really try not to feel resentful, but it is getting so difficult. I feel like a petulant child who is stamping her foot and demanding that she gets a toy too. I feel that she gets everything because she has a family, while it appears I get zip. Is it because I'm seen as independent and capable? Is it because I don't have kids?
Whatever it is, I just want a bloody treat now and again! *stamping foot*
I'm really struggling to not feel this resentment I have towards my sister (aka Mini-Tart). Tonight I found out that my parents (who are based overseas, approx 19000 kms or 12000 miles from where we live) are paying for Mini-Tart, her Boy-Tart and the three Tartlets to visit them, an all expenses return trip. (This will be the second all expenses paid trip that the've paid for in less than 2 years).
This is just another example of what I feel my sister 'gets' over what I 'get'. (Petty? Moi? Just a bit).
If Mini-Tart's washing machine breaks down? Guess who pays for a new one?
If Mini-Tart wants new outdoor furniture. Guess who buys it.
If the Tartlets want a new bike. Guess who gets it for them?
If Mini-Tart needs a new car. Guess who buys them one?
If Mini-Tart needs a new house. Guess who buys them one? (Yes, they bought her a fucking house!!)
I could go on, but the list is fairly long.
I really try not to feel resentful, but it is getting so difficult. I feel like a petulant child who is stamping her foot and demanding that she gets a toy too. I feel that she gets everything because she has a family, while it appears I get zip. Is it because I'm seen as independent and capable? Is it because I don't have kids?
Whatever it is, I just want a bloody treat now and again! *stamping foot*
Monday, September 05, 2005
Through falling leaves I pick my way slowly
Talking aloud - eases my mind
Sunlight filters through - I feel my head is drifting
So full of thoughts - I thought
What am I going to do?
I need some thoughts that are new
Nature - enter me
Wayne Mason, "Nature"
Yesterday, my outdoorsy, nature loving boyfriend dragged me out from my nice warm flat, under the guise that we were going to go for a leisurely stroll along the waterfront. Excellent! I thought. We'll be able to stop at Parade Cafe and have coffee and cake.
Oh, how wrong was I.
Turned out he wanted to do a frigging nature walk, up a rather steep bush-clad hill to a viewing platform that overlooked the water.
I am so not a nature person (I prefer to see "nature" from the comfort of my TV screen courtesy of the Discovery Channel). I whinged and moaned and bitched the entire way up. And whinged and moaned and bitched the entire way down.
I think I whinged and moaned and bitched enough that he'll never ask me on a nature walk again.
Excellent. My work is done.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Some cool links...
Post Secrets - site where people send in their secrets on a postcard. Sad, funny and riveting reading.
Newseum - the front pages of the major daily newspapers from all over the world.
Visible Earth - images of the earth from space.
Your Amazing Brain - funnily enough, a site about your amazing brain.
Google Earth - fly from space to your neighbourhood.
Paperdoll Heaven - dress ups for those of us not so grown up.
What The? - clippings sent in by the public to one of my favourite tv shows.
Post Secrets - site where people send in their secrets on a postcard. Sad, funny and riveting reading.
Newseum - the front pages of the major daily newspapers from all over the world.
Visible Earth - images of the earth from space.
Your Amazing Brain - funnily enough, a site about your amazing brain.
Google Earth - fly from space to your neighbourhood.
Paperdoll Heaven - dress ups for those of us not so grown up.
What The? - clippings sent in by the public to one of my favourite tv shows.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
I have been watching the news and reading papers (both national and international), about Hurricane Katrina that devastated parts of the U.S. It is a terrible terrible thing. And I really feel for all those affected. The damage seems so widespread, and I think it'll be a long time before things are back to some semblence of normal.
It has also brought back some memories for me too.
In March 1988, Cyclone* Bola struck the east coast of the North Island. It caused devastating floods as torrential rain fell for three days non-stop, and winds of more than 100 kilometres per hour toppled trees and tore off roofs. The heavy rains caused landslides, cut power and sewage services. Water from Lake Tutira broke its banks and cut off farms and all roads leading out of the area were swept away by floodwaters.
I was on a school camp (high school camp with 60 girls aged about 13) to Lake Tutira when the Cyclone hit. It was a frightening experience, luckily we weren't camping in tents, but in an actual building that was situated on farmland, above the lake. The water had risen so high that the road and all surrounding areas had flooded, all roads were gone.
We were, in effect, trapped at the camp. Once the rain had stopped, the teachers notified authorities and things happened very quickly after that. An army helicopter was brought in to take us back to Napier. It could only take 4 passengers at a time, so space was at a premium, therefore we were not allowed to take any of our bags with us. Only what we were wearing (as you can imagine, this went down well with 60 plus fussy 13 year olds).
Well, we were a resourceful bunch, and we managed to wear most of our clothes on us, layer upon layer and we shoved toothbrushes and cosmetics in any pocket we could find. We looked like tiny michelin men.
We were evacuated out in our groups to dry land and then bused home. A rather shocking and dramatic end to a school camp.
Funnily enough, that was the last school camp the school ever did for students.
*Cyclone is an atmospheric closed circulation rotating anti-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere Cyclones are called Hurricanes (and so ends your meterological lesson for today.)
It has also brought back some memories for me too.
In March 1988, Cyclone* Bola struck the east coast of the North Island. It caused devastating floods as torrential rain fell for three days non-stop, and winds of more than 100 kilometres per hour toppled trees and tore off roofs. The heavy rains caused landslides, cut power and sewage services. Water from Lake Tutira broke its banks and cut off farms and all roads leading out of the area were swept away by floodwaters.
I was on a school camp (high school camp with 60 girls aged about 13) to Lake Tutira when the Cyclone hit. It was a frightening experience, luckily we weren't camping in tents, but in an actual building that was situated on farmland, above the lake. The water had risen so high that the road and all surrounding areas had flooded, all roads were gone.
We were, in effect, trapped at the camp. Once the rain had stopped, the teachers notified authorities and things happened very quickly after that. An army helicopter was brought in to take us back to Napier. It could only take 4 passengers at a time, so space was at a premium, therefore we were not allowed to take any of our bags with us. Only what we were wearing (as you can imagine, this went down well with 60 plus fussy 13 year olds).
Well, we were a resourceful bunch, and we managed to wear most of our clothes on us, layer upon layer and we shoved toothbrushes and cosmetics in any pocket we could find. We looked like tiny michelin men.
We were evacuated out in our groups to dry land and then bused home. A rather shocking and dramatic end to a school camp.
Funnily enough, that was the last school camp the school ever did for students.
*Cyclone is an atmospheric closed circulation rotating anti-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere Cyclones are called Hurricanes (and so ends your meterological lesson for today.)
I have seen three really good films this week.
The Woodsman (Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick)
In this intense psychological thriller, actor Kevin Bacon performs a startling feat of imaginative identification playing Walter, a heterosexual paedophile re-entering society after twelve years in prison. Fearful that he'll be exposed and punished anew in his new community, he's just as terrified that he'll be tempted again to abuse the innocent trust of a child. The intervention of Vickie, a strong-willed woman, weary of male aggression and drawn to his evasiveness, holds the promise of the normality he craves.
Wow. This film is really good. The subject matter, as you would expect, is highly controversial and will no doubt, turn a lot of film goers away. But that would be a shame as Kevin Bacon delivers what has to be the performance of his career. I've always thought that Bacon was a good actor (he shone in Mystic River) and in this role, I believe he is definitely in contention for an Oscar nomination. The director of the film manages, somehow, to make the audience sympathise with Walter. A rather disconcerting feeling to be honest. Overall, I'd recommend this film. 4/5
The Queen of Sheba's Pearls
It is 1952 and England is still recovering from war, heartened by the sweet, measured tones of the young Princess Elizabeth on the radio. In this appealingly low-key comedy drama, the hushed, proper and rather sad household of a country vicarage is brought back to life by the arrival of a beautiful, mysterious foreigner. What startles everyone is the woman's resemblance to Emily, the daughter of the household who was killed by a crashing plane in 1944. No-one is more shocked than Emily's 16-year-old son Jack, who remembers his mother vividly, and is so convinced that life continues after death that he's ready to believe that she is indeed his mother reincarnated. To say that Jack is more open-minded than anyone else in this family is putting it mildly. It transpires that Nancy, the stranger, is Swedish. As her mystery is unravelled, so are decades of secrets and lies.
Another top quality British drama that is a lovely story. It unfolds at an easy pace and is beautifully shot. It's a low-key comedy, subtle and simplistic and very very appealing. Highly recommended. 4/5
Millions
When an enormous bag of English pounds falls from the sky into the hands of two young boys, they have only seven days to spend up before the country converts to the Euro.
A very funny delightful film from director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Shallow Grave) and written by Frank Cottrell Boyce (24 Hour Party People, Welcome to Sarajevo). It's a heartwarming story and the two actors who play Anthony and Damian do a great job playing imaginative and adventurous characters. Recommended. 3/5
The Woodsman (Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick)
In this intense psychological thriller, actor Kevin Bacon performs a startling feat of imaginative identification playing Walter, a heterosexual paedophile re-entering society after twelve years in prison. Fearful that he'll be exposed and punished anew in his new community, he's just as terrified that he'll be tempted again to abuse the innocent trust of a child. The intervention of Vickie, a strong-willed woman, weary of male aggression and drawn to his evasiveness, holds the promise of the normality he craves.
Wow. This film is really good. The subject matter, as you would expect, is highly controversial and will no doubt, turn a lot of film goers away. But that would be a shame as Kevin Bacon delivers what has to be the performance of his career. I've always thought that Bacon was a good actor (he shone in Mystic River) and in this role, I believe he is definitely in contention for an Oscar nomination. The director of the film manages, somehow, to make the audience sympathise with Walter. A rather disconcerting feeling to be honest. Overall, I'd recommend this film. 4/5
The Queen of Sheba's Pearls
It is 1952 and England is still recovering from war, heartened by the sweet, measured tones of the young Princess Elizabeth on the radio. In this appealingly low-key comedy drama, the hushed, proper and rather sad household of a country vicarage is brought back to life by the arrival of a beautiful, mysterious foreigner. What startles everyone is the woman's resemblance to Emily, the daughter of the household who was killed by a crashing plane in 1944. No-one is more shocked than Emily's 16-year-old son Jack, who remembers his mother vividly, and is so convinced that life continues after death that he's ready to believe that she is indeed his mother reincarnated. To say that Jack is more open-minded than anyone else in this family is putting it mildly. It transpires that Nancy, the stranger, is Swedish. As her mystery is unravelled, so are decades of secrets and lies.
Another top quality British drama that is a lovely story. It unfolds at an easy pace and is beautifully shot. It's a low-key comedy, subtle and simplistic and very very appealing. Highly recommended. 4/5
Millions
When an enormous bag of English pounds falls from the sky into the hands of two young boys, they have only seven days to spend up before the country converts to the Euro.
A very funny delightful film from director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Shallow Grave) and written by Frank Cottrell Boyce (24 Hour Party People, Welcome to Sarajevo). It's a heartwarming story and the two actors who play Anthony and Damian do a great job playing imaginative and adventurous characters. Recommended. 3/5