Debbish

Reinventing Justin

April 17, 20093 min read

People reinvent themselves all of the time, but some do it better than others. In my (humble) opinion, one of those who has achieved the great rebirth, is Justin Timberlake.

This came to me while ensconced in front of channel V last night (damn school holidays and the TV repeats they bring! What, do TV executives think people don’t watch television while on holidays?!)

But, back to Justin….The fact that he is even now (mostly) known at JT is a big change from the boy who started his career in the Mickey Mouse Club with the girl who was to become his high-profile ‘other half’. In fact, what I remember most about JT’s earlier life, was the relationship with Britney Spears. More than his successful career with boy-band ‘NSYNC’ and all of the teenage adulation (and hit songs) that came with that.

Sure, it appeared that he could sing and dance, well as much as you expect of a boy band member. But it was pretty much cookie-cutter stuff. Nothing new, nothing amazing. And then came the 2002 Justin-Britney bust up. The childhood sweethearts were over. Rumours flew, but they kept quiet about the why.

But, rather than fade into oblivion, JT moved on to Cameron Diaz and a seemingly ‘grown-up’ relationship and, with his boy-band behind him, he struck out on his own.

I am not an huge music fan, but revel in Saturday and Sunday mornings with the papers spread before me, diet coke a-plenty, left over Chinese (if I am lucky) and music videos on tv.

So, I was surprised when JT first emerged post-Britney and post NSYNC with Like I Love You. There he was with some rappers, dancing and singing and looking kinda cool. With them. Not a boy-band pirouette/twirly-thing in sight. The curls were gone and cropped hair hidden under a skull cap. I wondered how the collaboration came about. I was shocked: that legitimate ‘cool guys’ would actually deign to be seen with JT, let alone record with him; and even more so, that it seemed to be a good fit. For him.

And then they kept on coming. The songs – as a solo artist and the collaborations – with very hip and legit producers and artists.

He has had a stack of hits since he started his solo career in 2002, from Like I Love You, Senorita, My Love, Rock Your Body to the more melodic Cry Me a River and What Goes Around…Comes Around.

But what I find interesting is that he has continued the collaborations with popular and obscure artists alike, from Beyonce to 50 Cent. As well as a long-standing relationship with the way-cool Timbaland (Sexy Back, Give it to me), he has recently worked with Madonna (4 Minutes), Rihanna (Rehab) and TI (the current, Dead and Gone). It interests me that, in some of these songs – Rehab, Give it to me – JT barely features. In fact, on some occasions I am shocked to even discover he was involved. I find myself admiring him. A guy who doesn’t need the credit, or the adulation. A guy happy to just get on with it, in the background. Just doing the thing he loves doing.

I remember hearing feedback from a tour he did here a few years ago. The die-hard (been-there-since-NSYNC) fans were disappointed. The musos out there weren’t. I gather that JT loves nothing better than just ‘jamming’ with his band, which is what he did on stage. So, in my eyes his reinvention was complete.

He has pulled off what so many of his boy-band contemporaries have been unable to do. While still able to ‘bring’ the moves, he seems content to focus on the music. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against boy bands, or performers (hey, I like the Pussy Cat Dolls for God’s sake), but I find myself bowing to this guy who has gone from clichéd boy-band member to cool and legit muso in a few short years.

The fine print

April 11, 20093 min read

I have to admit to falling in love with people that I have never met. Well, not all of the people that I haven’t met cos, well, that would plain silly. But a few of them.

I actually like to think that it is a sign of my maturity and sophistication that I am no longer drawn to men solely on the basis of cuteness. (Or a nice smile. Or nice arms. Or…)

In recent years I have found myself attracted to men based on their wit and repartee. Not in person or in conversations, but through their writing.

Reading a free inner-city weekly magazine I came across a weekly column spoofing political events (state and national). It was hilarious. The writer sarcastic and witty. Very tongue-in-cheek and obviously intelligently written. With no name on the column I scoured the editorial pages and the fine print wondering who authored it. I didn’t go so far as to contact the paper to find out, but I did secretly hope the author was actually male. The fantasy wasn’t as attractive otherwise. Each week I grabbed the paper, wanting my next fix until – suddenly there was a note to say the column was finishing. I thought of contacting the paper then to ask why, but again…. weird!

My latest fetish is for a cartoon called Vimrod. I know the authors are actually a couple, but my enamourment of the cartoon and the wit of its authors reminded me of my evolving taste when it comes to men.

I haven’t ‘fallen’ for anyone for yonks. Once upon a time, all it took was a cute face, nice smile and nice set of biceps. From my discussions with friends, it seems common that – as we get older – we look for something different. My own ‘wish list’ has changed drastically over the past 20 years.

Intelligence, wit and sense of humour are at the top of that list (as well as a devotion to me, obviously!). I wondered once if it was just that (as we aged and the men-market dried up) we were becoming more desperate and were prepared to ‘settle’ for the less-attractive, but nicer guys. But it seems obvious that as marriages falter, the sizzle fades, the friendships become more important.

Last year I had the exact conversation with one of my best friends. As we bemoaned the state of our lovelives, I said that the most important thing for me now, in looking for a man, was that we had to have that ‘banter’. I needed someone smart, witty and quick-minded, rather than just pretty to look at, or even just ‘nice’. My friend said that she had accepted the fact that she wouldn’t get that ‘stimulation’ from a man. It didn’t matter if he wasn’t her intellectual equal or able to ‘chew the fat’ on certain matters. She said that she could rely on her friends for that and no longer expected that in a potential partner.

The same friend has diligently dated over the ensuing 12 months. Three months ago she had her first date with a guy she met over the internet. I met her the next day for a debrief. She liked him. Her only concern was that he was too much like her. He was her intellectual equal. She wasn’t sure if that was what she wanted.

But, she persevered and they are still together. She sounds happy. I am yet to meet him, but am looking forward to it. My friend has always been a ‘saver’ and I love the fact that this time around, someone is there to meet her half-way. It is no more than she deserves.

So, what of this new revised wish list and my love of the witty writers…..? I have hung up my saddle on the relationship front for the time being. Not given up entirely, but am tired of ‘looking’. Tired of not-finding and feeling rejected and alone.

In the interim, my love of the written word will continue and I will remain smitten about these men I come across, but don’t come across (if you know what I mean).

Benching the B-team: Eli, Army Wives & Gossip Girl

February 15, 20093 min read

It happens all of the time in sport. The star players get injured, or have representative duties and it is up to the ‘second string/ to suit up and keep the momentum going. They often do a great job and give some of the stars a run for their money. But, inevitably, the star players come back and the b-team are benched – often with little recognition for having carried the load for a while.

It just isn’t fair. The bench-warmers have kept everything chugging along; have earned their stripes; have given their hearts and souls; but like the bridesmaids – it isn’t about them – they should know their place. They are there to keep the seats warm. Like I said, it isn’t fair.

I am similarly aggrieved at the disdainful treatment of off-season television shows.

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Bruce Beresford definitely wants to do this….

January 9, 20095 min read

It was the first time I had paid to go and see someone who was kinda famous. Actually, I must admit that I didn’t even pay. I possibly wouldn’t even have gone if more effort was required, but that says more about me than the event itself.

The stars and planets aligned as I received an email from the Queensland Writers’ Centre in which my local bookshop, Riverbend Books (Bulimba), offered free tickets to hear Bruce Beresford speak at the launch of his new book, Josh Hartnett definitely wants to do this… As it was early, I was the first caller and easily secured the tickets. I never win competitions or get freebies, so I decided it was all fate and revelled in the idea that I would become some highly-evolved erudite attending only the most cutting-edge of events on the Brisbane cultural calendar.

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