Archive for category Television

Date: November 25th, 2008
Cate: Complaints & Confessions, Miscellaneous, Reminiscence, Television
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I Want to Build an Empire Like Walt’s

My favorite Christmas gift that I received when I was little was this “Polly Pocket” style Cinderella castle. It was my first exposure to the ingenuity of the vast Disney brand. There was a secret chamber where Cinderella “transformed” from rags to riches; a stair that flipped over to reveal a lone glass slipper when you wished to replay the scene where she runs from the Prince at midnight; a spinning dance floor where Cinderelly and the Prince can twirl together to “So This is Love” to the disdain of her stepmother; a hidden pull-out compartment in the back to store the three Cinderellas (Maid, Ball, Wedding), her fairy godmother and all the others. Of course, I still have the thing - it sits on a shelf next to my prized Japanese food miniatures, special edition Peter Pan action figures and golden Mickey ears.

I highly doubt anybody doesn’t have a fond children memory involving Disney. After all, the fairy tales we learned were the work of Walt and his minions, not the originals of the Brothers Grimm - maybe the “Cinderella” we knew first was easier to fall alseep to than the German version where the stepsisters actually mutilate their feet to fit the slipper. Who didn’t yearn for a Disneyland vacation as a youngster, only to encounter crowds and long lines; memories of fussy crying while waiting to fly in Dumbo or meet Sleeping Beauty are still memories. We all had Mickey Mouse clothing (I’m not referring to the retro t-shirts people have now), bedding or backpacks.

The genius of the Disney brand lies in its lasting impression and ability to progress with the times. Of course, its portfolio diversification doesn’t hurt either. Because Disney is a well-known and distinguishable theme of fairy tales, “happily ever after” and memorable characters, it fares well when branching out from cartoons. It can keep the unique but recognizable characteristics without being tacky or obvious. Disney’s subtlety and adaptability ensures that it will be “Part of Your World” for decades to come (sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun).

more))

Date: September 10th, 2008
Cate: Home & Pets, Television
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Nothing Like a Gleaming Toilet Bowl

My bathroom has to be cleaner than my bedroom. I can sleep in a messy room, wading through piles of clothes to get to my bed, but I cannot even look in the mirror in a dirty bathroom. So this week was the every other week, and since my lazy sister didn’t have time to do her share, I cleaned the entire bathroom.

Lemme tell you, nothing made me prouder than staring at that gleaming porcelain of my Kohler toilet. Well, maybe, showering in the newly-cleaned shower topped that - all that gleaming tile and shiny, clear glass doors.

Since it took me around two hours to finish the job, more))

Date: September 3rd, 2008
Cate: Home & Pets, Television
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I Would “Stop Dressing Like a Little Girl” for Don Draper

…in fact, I would strip down to my knickers! Episode 206 of Mad Men, “Maidenform”, is my favorite ever. It even made me cry this time (spoiler alert).

“Mad Men” refers to the men of 1960’s Madison Avenue advertising who lead whirlwind lives filled to the brim with booze, women and egos. Part of its charm is its period quality: vintage wardrobe, upscale restaurants of olden day Manhattan and tons of cigarettes. Don Draper is the high-power creative director at Sterling and Cooper. 

I don’t know how Jon Hamm can be Don Draper without actually being Don Draper. Maybe that’s why he’s nominated for an Emmy! Don is a complex character, good and bad and blah blah blah. Silently powerful in his well-made grey suit, he loves his children and has countless affairs; he demeans his colleague while still showing concern for his secretary; he’s a stone in the office but cannot control his emotions for other women. I was so jealous when he showed up in person, bedside, when Peggy was at the hospital, looking miserable and fat; heartwarmed as he looked down with pride into Sally’s admiring eyes; hopeful everytime he called his wife “Bets”; sympathetic when he was rejected by Rachel Mencken, who unforgettably, and tearfully, realized: “You don’t want to run away with me, you just want to run away.”

I don’t feel I watch Mad Men for the romance so much more))