Cheers and jeers and even more credibility lost for the Maxim Hot 100

So once again, the men’s magazine Maxim has released it’s special Hot 100 issue. And once again, it’s got some good, some bad and some rather unbelievable.

As a photographer in Pittsburgh, my native city, I often work with models and entertainers from around the region and enjoy the opportunity to see what the major national and international magazines choose to convey as the concept of beauty. Sometimes I agree, sometimes I don’t. With that in mind, here’s my personal assessment of this year’s collection of what Maxim considers some of the most beautiful women on Earth.

Cheers to the magazine for the inclusion of:

#96 Kellie Pickler

#95 Zoe Deschanel

#88 Elisabeth Harnois

#73 Katherine McPhee

#72 Jessica Chastain

#64 Candice Swanepoel

#60 Stana Katic

#56 Emmy Rossum

#45 Naya Rivera

#44 Sarah Highland

#40 Julianne Hough

#39 Lea Michele

#37 Amanda Seyfried

#29 Ronda Rousey

#21 Emma Stone

Jeers to the magazine for the inclusion of:

#83 Kat Dennings

#69 Manti Te’o's Fake Girlfriend

#49 Sofia Vergara

And about 10-15 women I’ve never heard of.

Snubs and others who could have been included:

Carrie Underwood

Tracey Spiridakos

Melissa Benoist

Miranda Kerr

Lily Collins

Megan Massaacre

Any one of the female pros on Dancing With the Stars

Good and bad calls on positioning within the top 100:

While I applaud the selections of Killie Pickler and Zoe Deschanel, both should be in a higher spot. And although Taylor Swift (#13) moved up from last year, she really should be in the top 10. Speaking of the top 10, this year’s list is ripe with questionable calls. You can’t go wrong with Kate Upton (#7) on any top 10 list but the placement of Selena Gomez at #2 and incredibly shockingly Miley Cyrus at #1 – yeah, that’s not a typo, is more that a bit out of line. No doubt Selena deserves to be on the list, but probably outside the top 20. As far as Miley goes, I’d say it was OK to include her but she should certainly be in the bottom 50.

 

 

 

 

Five songs to make you happy

If has been well documented that music can effect the way people think and feel. With that in mind, I know that from time to time, we can all use a little pick me up. These five songs are a few of the many that do the trick for me, maybe they’ll be good for you as well.

Taylor Swift “22″

Skye Sweetnam “(Let’s Get Movin) Into Action”

Michael Franti & Spearhead “Say Hey (I Love You)”

Jessie J – “Domino”

Coblie Caillat “Brighter than the Sun”

Grammy predictions

Just for fun, I thought I’d try my hand at predicting the outcome on the 2013 Grammy Awards which will air this Sunday evening on CBS.

Of course, I’m only going to delve into a few of the dozens of categories that I feel like I know something about.

So without further ado, here goes.

And the Grammy goes to…

Best New Artist

Fun

Song Of The Year

We Are Young

Best Pop Solo Performance 

Adele – “Set Fire To The Rain”

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

Maroon 5 – “Payphone”

Best Alternative Music Album

Gotye – “Making Mirrors”

Best Country Solo Performance 

Carrie Underwood – “Blown Away”

Best Country Duo/Group Performance 

Little Big Town – “Pontoon”

Record Of The Year

Taylor Swift – “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”

Completed Taylor Swift project

As mentioned in my earlier blog post “Taylor Swift Project” I have now completed my video message for Taylor. You can check it out on Youtube under the title “Taylor Swift – Would you please meet me?” or just by watching the video below.

In order to complete this project I:

1. Re-wrote the lyrics to one of Taylor’s favorite among her own songs – “Love Story.”

2. Got a karoke version of the music to use to go with the lyrics.

3. Hired an anwesome semi-professional singer through Fiverr.com.

4. Sought out public domain photos and art of Taylor.

All in all, I think it turned out pretty good.

Taylor Swift poject

As you may know…

I’m something of a Taylor Swift Superfan. After all, what’s not to like – she’s smart, talented, driven, beautiful and down to earth.

So recently, I came up with the highly ambitious idea that some how, some way, maybe I could get her to meet me in person. And what other tool will I use but Youtube of course. Hey, while it is probably a million to one (or even less likely) shot that it will work, it has worked for others who put out messages to their favorite singers of actors.

Anyway, as part of the effort I reworded her song “Love Story” and wanted to share it below. When the video is up, it will be featured on my Youtube channel and you can feel free to check it out.

Dream Story

————————-

You were so young when the world first saw you.

I heard your voice it was the perfect art

I was sitting there relaxing in the living room chair

——————————————————————————-

I saw you sing, saw you dance, heard your sounds

As you made you way across cities and towns

I thought “whoa,”

But little did I know…

———————————————–

That you’d be a star, talented on so many levels,

My mind said, “She’s beautiful and would never settle”

And moved sadly through the rat race

Wishing you’d only know

And I thought…

———————————————

Taylor, take me somewhere  that I’ve never known

I’ll be waiting; this could be so much fun

I’ll be the audience, you’ll be the songstress

It’s a dream story Taylor, just say, “Yes”

——————————————

I’d even sneak in to the show to see you,

And keep quiet, just to enjoy the view

But for now, I close my eyes just imagine your smile

Oh, oh

——————————————

You’re now a star, talented on so many levels,

My mind said, “She’s beautiful and would never settle”

And moved sadly through the rat race

Wishing you’d only know

And I thought…

———————————

Taylor, take me somewhere  that I’ve never known

I’ll be waiting; this could be so much fun

I’ll be the audience, you’ll be the songstress

It’s a dream story Taylor, just say, “Yes”

——————————

Taylor save me, I don’t know how to feel

This may be difficult, but you could make it real

Don’t be afraid, no need to have any stress

It’s a dream story Taylor, just say, “Yes”

Oh, oh.

——————————-

I’ll never tire of waiting

Hoping that you might come around

Maybe your heart needs persuading

Like mine until I first heard your sounds

And I said…

——————————-

Taylor save me, from wondering what could be known

I’ll be waiting; this could be so much fun

Could you have heard what I said? Maybe seen my Youtube link

When you come back to my town maybe we could meet

Listen to me Taylor, I’ve always loved your sweet, sweet tone

I feel new, every time your soft tones flow
I really want to meet you bad – but I don’t mean to press

It’s a dream story Taylor, just say, “Yes”

——————————————

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

———————————–

You were so young when the world first saw you

“Red” – The new album from country star Taylor Swift

As an unapologetic fan of country music sensation Taylor Swift, I recently purchased her newest release “Red.” As expected, I liked it, a lot. That being the case, I’ve decided to include a video here from her first single from “Red” entitled “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together“ as performed on the ABC Television show “Dancing With The Stars.”

You can also check out my in-depth review of “Red” for more info.

Songwriters like Taylor Swift have big talent

As one of many writers for hire out there, I’m always fascinated by the talent of today’s musical artists that also write their own material.

One such amazing young lady is Taylor Swift.

For such a young woman, she is mature beyond her years in how she conducts hersalf as well as her ability to write amazing lyrical content.

And considering the Grammys just took place last night, I thought I’d take the opportunity to highlight a few of her lyrics form the song “Long Live” below, hope you enjoy it.

“Long live all the mountains we moved 
I had the time of my life with you 
Long, long live the walls we crashed through 
How the kingdom lights shined just for me and you 
I was screaming long live all the magic we made 
And bring on all the pretenders 
I’m not afraid 
Long live all the mountains we moved 
I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you 
I was screaming long live the look on your face 
And bring on all the pretenders 
One day we will be remembered”