River Styx and Where are the Fashion Police?

Have you seen the newest trend in men's fashion? Yes, buttercup, men's.  Levi's calls these "Ex-Girlfriend" jeans, and here's the description straight from the Levi's website:

"Remember the girlfriend with the great style? Here's a tribute to her -- a fit that's super-snug allover, an update of the five-pocket classic that's as skinny as it gets. Made with plenty of stretch."

Didn't Rod Stewart wear these back in the day during his hair-like-a-rooster phase? And what guy wants to wear clothes that remind him of an ex, regardless of her fashion sense? I mean, had she been that terrific, she wouldn't be an ex, right?

Now, the ever eclectic Johnny Depp might get away with this; we've seen him sport worse fashion choices than this over the years, haven't we? And Hugh Jackman and Alex O'Loughlin could make it fly; but that's an unfair argument since they could look sexy in granny flannels. Let's be honest, most men out there---Larry the Cable Guy, for instance---might want to steer clear of these puppies.

The cost for a man to wear jeans reminiscent of the movie "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" and think of his ex-girlfriend at the same time? $69.50.

Chortling at the mental image this trend will provide? Priceless.

For my writer pals:

The River Styx magazine is hosting two contests with great big paychecks ($1500.00 each) for the first prize winners.  The entry fee for each is high at $20.00, but that includes a one year subscription (3 issues). Here's the skinny with links provided:

River Styx
2011 International Poetry Contest 
Submit three poems, 14 pages or less.
$20.00 fee, $1500.00 1st prize payout.

River Styx
2012 Schlafly Beer Micro-Fiction Contest
Submit up to three stories per entry, 500 words max per story. 
$20.00 fee, $1500.00 1st prize payout (plus a case of micro-brewed Schlafly beer.)


As a rule, I submit only to contests where the entry fee is $10.00 or less; but the payout is great on these, and they accept up to three submissions per entry where most contests allow only one. And you get three issues of their magazine.  Sounds like a win-win to me!

Til next time -
Lisa


P.S.  My contest is open until the 25th! There's still time to enter. Click the tab under the blog header for details.


P.S.S. If you missed my last post, please scroll down and respond to the poll. Thanks!

Movie Madness

Yikes! It is back to Blockbuster for me. Viewing a movie from the comfiness of my couch has never looked so good.

My youngest daughter wanted to see The Proposal and I, being a Sandra Bullock fan—and having recently seen a very buff Ryan Reynolds on the cover of Entertainment Weekly (check it out, ladies)—said, “Let’s go!”

Well! How much did that little evening out cost, you may ask? It was a whopping $19.50 for two tickets (including my daughter’s student discount) and another $8.75 to buy an Icee and a box of Sno-Caps. I opted to forego the small popcorn as that would have been an additional—gulp!—$6.00. All total, kids, that adds up to $28.25. For a movie! With no popcorn!

My daughter was nonplussed until I explained that the cost of our 90-minute movie could have purchased her a new outfit at Kohl’s, or nine Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supremes. Her teenage brain practically shorted out at the thought. I mean, like, OMG! Who wants a movie when you can get new clothes or a mountain of fast food?

Back in my teen years, I used to go to the movies every Wednesday with my Daddy. The tickets were less than $3.00 each and the popcorn was $0.50. Yeah, those really were the days, back when you could take your kid to the movies without hyperventilating or having to take out a second mortgage to afford it.

It will be a long time before I go to the movies again. In the meantime, I’ll make my own popcorn, brew some sweet tea, and watch DVDs in my PJ’s. And if I want a second look at Ryan Reynolds, Johnny Depp or Hugh Jackman I’ll employ judicious use of the rewind button.

Now that’s entertainment!

Til next time,
Lisa