Weekend Jam: Neneh Cherry – Blank Project

Since I've been pretty much stuck in the past for some time with the Weekend Jams, for a change there's a pick from an album that came out this year. Wow, I even impress myself!. Anyhow, Neneh Cherry published her first solo album for almost 20 years this February. It's pretty fab.  And as of late I've felt this album, Black Project, is musically exactly what I need in my life. Highly recommending it to, well pretty much everyone.

 

Neneh Cherry perforning title track from the new album on  Later... with Jools Holland.

Weekend Jam: Patsy Cline – I Fall To Pieces

I am yet again acquainted with my old friend unrequited love! It's still kind of on early stage: that I totally obsess over her and even though I know this will lead to pain and misery and tears, I don't care. Because I want to believe there's always hope. Except when there's not. Like now, probably. Sigh. Nevertheless, I have found some comfort in some tunes revolving around this favourite topic of mine. Patsy Cline has been one of my metaphorical shoulders to cry on when I get hit in the face with this boring thing called realism.

Patsy Cline on The Glenn Reeves Show in 1963.

Praise the tummy, Nigella

There's something I love and it's curvy women. Well, I love very many kind of women but I do think Nigella has one of the most beautiful figures out there. And the best of it all, she looks radiant, healthy and charismatic. Such a beauty. I know she has had difficulties in her life and with the press in the past few years but I can only wish her the best.

I used to have a habit to watch her show while eating because I had problems with my appetite. She always helped because she just makes cooking and eating seem so enjoyable. I still love watching her to cook or to talk or just pretty much to do anything. Her lovely British accent just makes it all pretty much perfect.

Have you ever seen a woman making love with what she's cooking? Just go to Youtube, type "Nigella Lawson chocolate" and you'll see.

Weekend Jam: Madonna - American Pie

I've been working this weekend (something I really don't usually do) and my head just really feels like a balloon. So I'll just keep this simple and cute this time and introduce you one more video by Madonna. Let's just keep this as an example of my mind when I'm extremely exhausted. There's one little sweet detail in this video I really like. Try to guess which one? I think I need some candy now but I'm too tired to move anywhere.

Oh, Susan

I found it hard to concentrate on anything (there's too much exciting things going on in my life at the moment) so I ended up with spending some time with one of my favorite ladies.

Oh Susan, what have you done to me. Gorgeous lady is gorgeous. I could listen to you speak for days. And what makes it even more better, you always seem to have something meaningful and witty to say.

And I love the way your curls descend and frame your face. I love your personality and your smile. I really just feel like writing haikus to praise your gorgeousness...

I'm trying to figure out what makes this video so hot. Probably her working out… is she doing Pilates or something similar? She seems so laid-back and relaxed in a way. I also don't mind her her talking about lesbian vampires. But to be honest, she could talk about anything and I'd listen.

Okay, I'll stop before I start sounding a bit creepy. But I just really love her and she has inspired me so much. She's also one of the hottest ladies out there, period.

Weekend Jam: Dusty Springfield – I Only Want To Be With You

I've been having so surprisingly action packed weekend: so much so that I forgot the entire Weekend Jam! As my quick pick, here's one of my all time favourite feelgood songs. 

I've absolutely loved Dusty Springfield for ages and in the more gay years of my life I've found this even deeper interest towards her: not only was she a tragic and troubled artist (which always fascinates me) but she mainly had relationships with women. Gives a whole new level to upbeat pop song from 1963 where one only wants to be with the certain person. Sweet! So let's have a quick dance party here at the end of the weekend to Dusty's first hit!

For your eyes only: Bond girls & such

I said I would and so I will. Combine my love for the Bond films and blogging, that is. But after all, I decided to keep it short and just write one mega entry instead of several ones. I have a tendency to get a bit carried away whenever I get to talk about things I love, so consider yourselves warned.

First of all, let me start by pointing out that I get how the entire concept of Bond girls can be seen as problematic and I'd be more that willing to give it a little twist. People could really get more creative with the casting! How about even a someone bit older for starters? Or like for instance, my favourite time of the year, aka the Eurovision song contest, was the best one for years really. Mainly because of Conchita Wurst. The winning song, Rise Like A Phoenix, sounds like a Bond theme – the name and the melody – and Conchita would be a dashing Bond girl if you ask me. I mean, come on: how is this not perfect in every possible way?!
 
Besides, in Skyfall, the villain Raoul Silva has James Bond tied to a chair: he's caressing him and saying how there's always a first time for everything. To which James replies with ”What makes you think this is my first time?”. Maybe just keeping it cool, maybe not. I wouldn't be surprised though.

Anyway, the girls: so basically there are two types of women in the Bond films. The ones that don't end up messing with James and the ones that do. The ones that don't include the secretary Miss Moneypenny who for 23 years was played by Lois Maxwell. It was never quite clear whether their constant flirt was as harmless in her viewpoint than it was from James' (likely not) but I definitely liked her character. In 1987 Maxwell was replaced by a 26-year-old Caroline Bliss and in the Brosnan era she was played by Samantha Bond (talk about a fitting name). The latest, Skyfall, is one of my absolute favorites in the fim series and I was so jazzed to get another Moneypenny for whom I totally fell for and look forward to seeing more of her! And then there's my all time favourite character M, who became that once Judi Dench was casted. Basically she's James Bond's boss and made her first appearance in 1995 in Pierce Brosnan's first film. I definitely enjoyed their chemistry. Daniel Craig hasn't kept the flirting game going that strong so there's been a slight shift in that relationship during his time but I love it none the less. Especially in Skyfall.

Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny and Judi Dench as M.

But well, I guess its' about the time we get to the business and talk about that other lot, the actual Bond girls. I've made a top seven of my favourites. Mainly because, not that I don't like the others or find them gorgeous, I didn't want there to be any fillers. These seven are the best of the best and I love them dearly. For me being a perfect Bond girls isn't so much about the looks: it really is the personality and the ability to kick some ass that makes me swoon. And also I apparently do have a tendency to fall for somewhat tragic characters. 

7. Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach)

The Spy Who Loved Me, 1977

Anya Amasova also goes by the name XXX: she's a Soviet spy who's originally against James and what he stands for. For example she has no problem whatsoever to leave him passed out in some random desert if it means she can gain from it. However since they both are after the same dude it turns out to be more efficient to work side by side. And a bit more that that actually... But nevertheless Anya Amasova is a capable woman and not some poor little creature: don't let her sweet looks fool you! 

6. Octavia "Octopussy" Charlotte Smythe (Maud Adams)

Octopussy, 1983

Maude Adams made a pretty forgettable appearance in a Bond film nine years earlier but she returned in quite a spectacular way! Because oh Octavia! She has an island only for women where she describes these women share some sisterly love. Yeah right. In addition to this pretty titillating island she has a circus and an octopus. That's my kind of a girl! Also, I am totally into that how she's not a goody good kind of a person but a diamond smuggler and a cool headed business woman.  

5. May Day (Grace Jones)
A View To a Kill, 1985

May Day is a woman of a few words but she makes it up with her impeccable sense of style and inhuman strength that makes her throw her enemies literally out of the way. She's teamed up with the mean guy which makes it pretty awkward that she hooks up with James, too, but whatever. Anyways, she's played by Grace Jones – does one need more reasons really. 

4. Teresa "Tracy" Draco aka Countess Teresa di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 1969

Okay, let's make it clear: this in one of my favourite Bond films and I totally dig the sad love story! Tracy has a history and a deadwish and all these things make her way more interesting than most Bond girls out there. When she's first introducing herself she makes it clear: ”Teresa is a saint; I'm known as Tracy.” Also, Diana Rigg is Rachael Striling's mother. Like mother like daughter! Love them both.

3. Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh)
Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997

Wai Lin is breathtakingly efficient spy who's also really skillfully mastered in combat sports. In the film they mainly toil in Wai Lin's comfort zones so she's really on top of James for most part (metaphorically, mainly, although probably in other ways, too). And like all my other fave Bond girls, she doesn't warm up to James just like that

2. Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman)
Goldfinger, 1964

Pussy Galore – well, not the best name out there. To be honest,  I did not expect much from a Bond girl named like that. But oh boy was I mistaken! Because Pussy Galore: what a cool cat. First of all, she's the oldest Bond girl having been 36 when filming (that really isn't much: for example Daniel Craig turned 46 this year and 35+ generally is that best age for women if you ask me!). Also, in the book version, Pussy Galore's a lesbian. In the film she falls for James just like they all will. But then again that's kind the the thing. Pussy Galore works for the bad guy, too, and she's a top pilot. Like her part namesake Octopussy, she also has a circus: a flying one. She leads a group of  female pilots. Sweet! 

1. Vesper Lynd (Eva Green)

Casino Royale, 2006

Oh Vesper! I don't even know what to say about you! First of all, Eva Green: one of the hottest women out there. And second of all: she as a tragic Bond girl you're not certain whether you can trust or not = LOVE. I was pleasantly surprised by this film altogether and I don't even know how many times I've seen it. Mainly because of Vesper/Eva. The character's interesting and she has some killer outfits, too.

I really tried to keep it short! You are welcome!