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Lady Gaga: Nuts?

CJ — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:51:57 +0000

Image by IronHide via Flickr

Is Lady Gaga nuts? Is she crazy and off her rocker? Should we be spinning our finger by our ear when we see her walk by?

Yes.

Legally, there are three classes of mental illness that qualify as insanity: you are insane if you cannot distinguish fantasy from reality; are subject to impulsive behavior; and if you cannot conduct your business affairs due to psychosis.

And so, legally speaking, Gaga might be sane. That is, if we can get past the inability to distinguish fantasy from reality and her outrageously impulsive behavior, we must surely conclude that she is a shrewd businesswoman making money hand over fist.

Gaga’s recent Monster’s Ball tour is a great case study. First of all, monsters do not exist. She named her tour after a fiction. Already we can document her struggles with reality. Not just that, but she told Stephen Fry of the Financial Times that she lives “halfway between reality… and fantasy at all times”. Troubling indeed.

Concerns of her Ladyship’s mental state as illustrated by Monster’s Ball do not stop there. Gaga’s impulsive nature has never been so clearly detailed as when she re-designed the show each and every time it was performed. Insane? ‘Fraid so. Hey Gaga, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

But of course Gaga is doing just fine when it comes to business affairs. Forbes ranked Lady Gaga the most powerful celebrity of 2011, citing the $90 million she made over the last year, coupled with her robust social media and public speaking endeavors. Anyone who makes that kind of dough, and has that kind of business savvy, has got to be sane, right?

Well… not when you make that kind of dough and you are also bankrupt! Gaga told Stephen Fry that “money means nothing to me…” and that “I actually went bankrupt after the first extension of The Monster Ball”.

Image via Wikipedia

Oh dear. An extreme inability to handle business affairs, added to a failure to separate fantasy from reality and outrageously impulsive behavior (meat suit?)… it all adds up to insanity for the Mother Monster. But if what we have seen is insanity, who wants her to be sane?

A lot of people say this chick is crazy. Some say she is hilarious. Others are even confused of her gender. Find out more what people have to say about this successful talented artist by doing a people search.

Trip Down Memory Lane… First Concert

CJ — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 03:23:16 +0000

This isn’t one of our typical news posts, but more of a retrospective on a period in my life when I was naive, innocent & young enough not to know better.

My First Concert

Image by Pearl Jam Official via Flickr

I can’t specifically remember how the topic came up of going to see Pearl Jam in Salt Lake City back in the mid-90′s, but I remember going with my friend Enrique. I had liked Pearl Jam from what I’d heard on the radio and I think they were playing with Veruca Salt(?) and a couple other opening bands; I remember they were pretty good btw.

Anyway, I think we pre-purchased our concert tickets to the show and having my first car (I was only 16), I was ready to go & have some fun.

The concert was at the Delta Center, which I was actually pretty familiar with because we had 1/3 of a season’s tickets to Utah Jazz home games. Other than the venue, the entire atmosphere was a completely new experience.

One of the things I remember distinctly was the smell of pot throughout the entire arena. I don’t think smoking was allowed in the building at the time; let alone smoking mary-jane. This was the first time that I’d been exposed to an illegal drug – odd at 16 years old, but yeah… I didn’t use during or after the concert, but I’m sure there was enough there to get a (minor) contact high (yeah, maybe that’s a stretch).

The concert was fantastic… I remember that I had very little of my voice left afterwards and for about 2 additional days. We didn’t even leave the arena until around midnight, so not only was it my first concert, but it was also the latest I’d been allowed to stay out with some friends away from home (or their home).

While I haven’t been to a lot of concerts in my lifetime, I think the Pearl Jam concert opened my eyes in terms of what to expect and that I could really enjoy going. Since the concert, my interest in Pearl Jam has definitely waned, but I think that has more to do with their new music, more than anything. Their album Ten is still my favorite – easy choice for sure.

Since Pearl Jam, some of my favorite concerts include:

KoRn, Stone Sour & Deftones in Phoenix.
Seether in Phoenix.
Silverchair in Salt Lake.
Staind, Nickelback & others in Phoenix.

Female folk country music artists: Emmylou Harris

CJ — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:21:51 +0000

Revitalise your country folk music collection with legendary artist, Emmylou Harris. Start your collection online at sanity.com.au

Emmylou Harris - Image via Wikipedia

Hailing from Alabama, the multi award-winning Emmylou Harris is one of country folk music’s most influential female artists. Though she is a singer-songwriter, Harris is also well-known for her beautiful reinterpretations of other artists’ work.

Harris has received 12 Grammy Awards over her 30 year career, selling more than 15 millions records around the world. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008 and then the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2009, Harris’ prolific musical career began in the 70s, albeit with humble and tragic beginnings.

Harris serendipitously met country singer Gram Parsons whilst performing one night with Gerry Mule and Tom Guidera. The pair instantly connected musically, with Harris going on to perform vocal harmonies and duets with Parsons on tours and for his iconic LP, Grievous Angels. Only weeks after the session recordings, Parsons was found dead in a motel from an accidental drug and alcohol overdose.

A bereaved Harris went on produce her debut solo album, Pieces of the Sky, a collection filled with reinventions of other artists’ songs including the Beatles and Dolly Parton. The album was number seven on the Billboard Country Charts.

A master collaborator and composer, Harris has worked with the likes of Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Ryan Adams, Bright Eyes and Elvis Costello. Drifting from country folk music to Bluegrass and rock, Harris’s sound easily transcended genres and had a profound influence in bringing country music to rock audiences. Her second LP, Elite Hotel is a poignant example of this and foreshadowed her immensely important role in getting a wider mainstream audience to enjoy and buy country folk music.

Harris still performs around the world, having recently toured Australia and headlining Sydney Festival’s famous opening night event, Festival First Night. As a testament to her enduring career, Harris released a new solo album, Hard Bargains in April this year, which you can purchase using music gift cards. There are even rumours that she will feature in seasoned pop artist Bonnie Tyler’s upcoming album.

Bio: For more music like Emmylou Harris, browse through or buy country folk music and music gift cards at Sanity.com.au

Peter Kay, Elbow & Taylor Swift Perform UK Shows This Week

CJ — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 04:49:36 +0000

The trio of acts will perform UK arena shows

Peter Kay, Elbow and Taylor Swift will be performing at UK arenas this week. Much-loved comedian Peter Kay will resume his ‘Tour That Doesn’t Tour’ Tour in the coming days, whilst singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and British band Elbow will commence their 2011 UK tours.

Peter Kay will begin proceedings on Thursday 31^st March, and will perform a total of five shows in London. His current tour began in early 2010, and after selling out shows across the UK and Ireland throughout the year, he will return to the likes of Glasgow, Liverpool, Belfast, Dublin, Birmingham and Manchester throughout 2011. The comedian is well-known for his stand-up shows, and has topped the UK charts with a number of live DVD’s throughout the last ten years. Peter Kay tickets for all upcoming UK shows are on sale now, with the tour set to run until the end of October.

Elbow began their latest UK tour this week, starting with a show at Glasgow SECC on 15^th March. The band will go on to perform in Birmingham, Cardiff, Brighton, London and Dublin in support of their latest album. Guy Garvey and the group released Build A Rocket Boys! this month, and the record has been well received by fans and music critics alike. The album is the follow-up to the Mercury music Prize-winning The Seldom Seen Kid, which was released back in 2008. Elbow tickets are available for shows running until the end of March, with the band also confirmed to perform at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

Taylor Swift will begin a short UK tour this month, with the singer-songwriter set to perform 5 arena shows in the UK and Ireland throughout March. The American musician will begin the tour on 22^nd March at Birmingham LG Arena, before going on to perform shows at Belfast Odyssey Arena, Dublin O2 Arena, Manchester MEN Arena. The jaunt will come to a close with a huge show at London O2 Arena. The tour dates will be the singer’s first UK shows since the release of last year’s album, Fearless, and Taylor Swift tickets for all of this month’s UK performances are available to buy online.

Hip Hop’s 12 Most Anticipated Albums of 2011

CJ — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:13:10 +0000

Now that 2010 is behind us, music enthusiasts are anticipating what 2011 has to offer. For an advance preview, take a look at the hip-hop albums those in-the-know expect to be the big hits of 2011:

1. Jay Electronica – Act II

Can you believe that someone could get airplay without a record deal? Well, Jay Electronica did just that. It’s no wonder that his new album is forecasted to be a big hit.

2. Dr. Dre – Detox

This long-awaited album will make the top of everyone’s playlist if it finally hits the air. Although fans have been waiting about 15 years for this release, they continue to hope it will be worth the delay.

3. Nas – Lost Tapes II / TBA

Nas is expected to release not one, but two new albums this year. Although Lost Tapes II is another previously-promised album, dedicated Nas fans are in for a treat if it’s a two’fer year.

4. Lupe Fiasco – Lasers

Fans have also been waiting a long time for the Lasers album. It seems that Lupe, and the Fiasco fanbase, has finally convinced Atlantic records to approve this much anticipated hip-hop album.

5. Andre 3000 – TBA

Although no album title has been announced to date, ‘Dre has made it well known that he’s due for either a solo project or a new Outkast release. Either way, the fans will be satisfied.

6. Grieves – TBA

Due to the success of the last release, hip-hop fans around the world are begging for more. Hopes are that Ben Laub and Budo will team up again for another satisfying, soulful masterpiece.

7. MURS – 10 Albums

If you’ve forgotten, MURS promised 10, 10-track albums in 2011. Can he do it? Will he do it? Only time will tell.

8. Pharahoe Monch – W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)

Although this album was originally scheduled for a late 2010 release, it’s now been rescheduled for this year. The story is that some of the guest spots weren’t completed in time. Whether this is just a lame excuse or a bonafide problem, fans are eagerly waiting for February, 2011.

9. Jean Grae – Cake or Death

As a debut album, most people aren’t sure if that title is real or a joke. They are sure that they can’t wait for more of Jean Grae.

10. Random Axe – Random Axe

This coming year seems to be dedicated to delay after delay. As a collaborative project, this album has been set back by technical problems and other issues. Will Sean Price, Black Milk, and Guilty Simpson get their act together for the next date?

11. DJ Premier vs. Pete Rock

This one’s a little different. Two producers, 12 tracks, and 12 different artists will definitely create a mixed bag.

12. Smif-N-Wessun – Monumental (Prod. Pete Rock)

This delayed album is expected to be a perfect combination of Pete Rock, Steele, and Tek. The fans can’t wait!

These predictions are just that – predictions. Not even music professionals know for sure whether or not records are going to be a hit (but they probably have a better idea). Will 2010′s constant delays fill the new year with much anticipated hip-hop hits? Will the fans be satisfied or left craving more? Stay tuned to find out.

Let us know which album you’re looking forward to most (in the comments below).

Is Mariah Carey Pregnant with Twins?

CJ — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 19:07:07 +0000

When Mariah Carey, the 41 year-old “Queen of Christmas”, talked about the holiday season in an interview, she said about her unborn baby: “I hope they don’t end up hating Christmas”. Twin rumors, needless to say, quickly followed. They? Oh, there must be two of them! At least that is what many fans, members of the press, and bloggers quickly concluded. Is Mariah Carey really pregnant with twins?

Mariah’s husband, the comedian Nick Cannon, denied any twin pregnancy rumors after what celebrity watched called her “slip up”. Nick explained that the famous singer used the word “they” to describe their baby, because they are keeping the sex a surprise. “That rumor started because she said something about ‘they.’ Something like, ‘I hope they don’t hate Christmas,’ but she was using the word ‘they’ as in, like, he and she.”

Now, that sounds very feasible. “They” is a perfectly acceptable replacement for “he or she”. It certainly sounds a lot more friendly than “it”, don’t you think? But whatever her husband says, the pop diva herself has commented that she is not revealing whether she is carrying twins or not. She did say that she was suffering from some water retention, and that her hands were so swollen she couldn’t get her ring off. She also said that, like all pregnant women, she was feeling sensitive and her tastes had changed (she’s craving fruit) – but nothing more revealing than that.

Does her baby bump speak louder than her words, though? Mariah is due in March. If she was really expecting twins, we’d likely be able to tell from her growing tummy, wouldn’t we? From the pictures I have seen, Mariah’s face is a bit more swollen than usual, but her belly is – if anything – a bit on the small side. If she was really baking two babies in there, she would probably be a lot bigger already!

Whether Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon are going to have one baby or two, they are obviously very excited about the pregnancy and sound like they are going to be wonderful parents. Nick said he “won’t let” Mariah wear high heels anymore, and also said that he’s got plenty of experience with kids already. He explained he had raised his brothers, and his grandmother was a foster mother for many years: “I’ve been changing diapers and doing all of that stuff all my life.” About his wife, Nick said that she was going to be the most amazing mother in the world. How sweet!

BIO
At Trying-to-conceive.com we are passionate about all topics related to the female body, trying to conceive, pregnancy signs, pregnancy, and birth. A new addition to our site is free and personalized Ovulation Calendar.

The Top 5 Elvis Presley Trivia Snippets

CJ — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 17:51:25 +0000

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, can be described as a legendary figure for many reasons. He had a massive skill and a stage presence that many musicians can only dream of. He also had an equally interesting choice in fashion on stage. These outfits are what many people think of when they hear Elvis’s name, but there are many more exciting things to learn about his life too. We’ve compiled a list of the top Elvis Presley trivia snippets so you can learn a bit more about the musical marvel.

Elvis was a twin
The man whose face can be seen on Elvis Presley collectables actually had a twin brother in his mother’s womb. Unfortunately, Jesse Garon Presley died at birth, 35 minutes before Elvis was born.

Elvis was blonde
According to Charlie Hodge (who served with Elvis in the army) Elvis had blonde hair until his early teens. By the time he was 22, his hair was naturally a dark chestnut colour.

The Beatles loved Elvis
Elvis was fascinating to The Beatles, who were desperate to meet him. They got their wish granted on August 27th 1965 when they travelled to America. John Lennon said that they spent an enjoyable evening with Elvis in Bel Air, California.

Liberace inspiration
Liberace saw Elvis in concert before suggesting that he add unique and flashy costumes into the act. Elvis did take this advice, which is why we have many images of his gold lame jackets and jewelled white jumpsuits. Liberace became a frequent at Elvis concerts, with a special seat reserved for him by the King of Rock and Roll.

The family crypt
Elvis was placed in the family crypt on August 18, 1977 after his death. On August 29, 1977, a group of three men attempted to steal the body. Luckily their attempts failed and the men were charged with trespassing. After this, the bodies of Elvis and his mother were reburied in the Meditation Garden behind Graceland on October 2, 1977.

Top 10 Musical Artists of the Last 50 Years

CJ — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:33:54 +0000

Music, like any art, is a field in which judgment, taste and opinion are very subjective. There is often a disconnect between what music is popular, and what certain people think is good. There have always been songs that one half of the population loves while the other half finds abhorrent.

One of the most basic ways to gauge the success of any given musician is to examine his or her record sales. Certainly some might argue, that this might just mean that a given artist is adept at making catchy yet vapid music. Be that as it may, there are often reasons that certain artists remain so commercially successful for so long, and many would argue that only those who can truly bring talent and marketability together for long periods of time can truly be called “successful.” This an interesting thing to keep in mind when discussing the ten best selling musical artists of all time.

The Beatles
The Beatles are the ultimate musical success. No band before or since has ever reached that level of popularity, commercial success, fan adoration all while evolving slowly from poppy boy-band to one of the more introspective and experimental musical acts in history. It is estimated that The Beatles have sold over a billion records and are still finding new fans among the younger generation for whom their music remains relevant.

Elvis Presley
Close behind the Beatles is rock and roll legend Elvis Presley. His brand of bluesy crooning and his infamous gyrating hips helped him sell over a billion records, to tie with The Beatles Whatever your feelings about Elvis or his music, it is undeniable that his sound, looks and style changed the face of rock music forever.

Michael Jackson
Another artist who’s success both commercially and artistically is relatively inarguable, is Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson’s career spanned several decades and was responsible for some of the most significant popular music in world history. Known as an amazing dancer and entertainer as well as a singer, his videos and concerts were unparalleled events. His fans are around the world and despite the numerous personal problems that plagued his life to the end, he remained a profoundly influential artist.

ABBA
Next on the list are Swedish pop band ABBA whose music is still so relevant today that it was recently made part of hit musical Mamma Mia!

Queen
Who could forget the American rock band Queen? Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions are some instantly recognizable hits from this band who’s popularity endures even years after the death of lead singer Freddy Mercury.

Madonna and Elton John
Madonna and Elton John have both sold an estimated 250 million albums throughout their lengthy careers. Not only that, but their timeless classics will live on and on for generations to come.

The Bee Gees
The 7th best-selling artists of all time are disco legends The Bee Gees who are famous for songs like Night Fever and Stayin’ Alive, featured in the hit movie Saturday Night Fever.

Many More….
AC/DC, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, Julio Iglesias, Nana Mouskouri and Celine Dion also hold honors for selling 200 million albums apiece.

Regardless of your feelings about the music or quality of any of these musical artists, it is undeniable that there is something special about being able to create music that moves so many people to want to buy their albums, hear them play shows while on tour and just generally make them a part of their lives.

About the Author
Traveler and blogger on many topics ranging from top travel destinations, top ringtones, to top social media superstars. Follow him on Twitter @VernMarker.

Over-The-Top Celebrity Weddings

CJ — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 04:36:50 +0000

When it comes to throwing away exorbitant amounts of money, no one can do it better than our beloved celebrities. With luxurious parties, high-end clothing, and sports cars galore, it’s easy to see where the majority of their money goes. But to get a glimpse of where the real bucks are spent, look no further than celebrity weddings. These top-notch celebrations provide the perfect way for the rich and famous to flaunt their seemingly endless wealth. So for ideas for what to do with your own heaps of money (once we bounce back from this recession, of course), take note of how the A-listers spend.

A wedding for an average couple can cost between $20,000 and $30,000. That’s a lot of money. However, that is but a tiny drop in the over-sized nuptial bucket for a celebrity. Today’s famous couples (think TomKat, Khloe Kardashian, and the likes) easily spend one million bucks on their over-the-top special day.

How is such excess even conceivable? Easy. Start by lavishing guests with $350 a piece party favors from Tiffany’s (Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban), mix in a little vintage pink champagne for $120,000 (Elton John and David Furnish), a beautiful designer-made gown for $50,000 (Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes), and you’re well on your way to blowing through a bigger chunk of change than most Americans will ever hope to see.

But only one million dollars seemed paltry to Elizabeth Hurley when she wed then-fiance Arun Nayar in 2007. By spoiling themselves and their guests to private jets for $300,000 and booking a some of the finest hotels for $100,000, this pair racked up an estimated $2.5 million tab for their wedding. How do other celebrity weddings stack up? TomKat came in at an estimated $2 million for their ceremony. After spending $100,000 on chocolates and champagne, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas had a grand total of $1.5 million. And though Donald Trump shelled out $18,000 for caviar when he wed Melania Knauss, he only ended up spending around a cool $1 million–what a bargain!

It’s easy to see that celebrity weddings showcase an array of expensive finery of which most can only dream. They display the best of the best when it comes to their gowns, cakes, alcohol, and all the other details surrounding their weddings. They may not be this country’s brightest–or best–but they are the richest, and that’s what counts…right?

Wedding Planning Advice is a blog for brides created to help them stress less by providing honest and unbiased wedding advice, ideas, and tips. Print out our free wedding planning checklist to get on track for the big day.

Oscar Winner Ryan Bingham Was Living in His Van Four Years Ago

CJ — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:53:19 +0000

Ryan Bingham’s luck has changed since writing the song for Crazy Heart

Read the full story at USmagazine.com