#MyFive Tortured Days of Our Lives Characters

Get ready for another Chandler Massey-inspired blog, as I found myself saying "Poor Will" about 50 times this week. He does emotional angst extremely well, but he's only the latest in a long line of Days characters who the writers have put through the ringer. It's really unlikely your life is all that bad compared to these folks, so crack open a bottle of gratitude and read along with me, eh?

5) Billie Reed - Poor Billie. She bursts on the scene with one of the worst back stories in Days history. Her father got her addicted to drugs and pimped her out? Pretty harsh. Then he gets shot and killed (yay?) and a hero by the name of Bo comes into her life. Except it turns out his dead wife's not so dead, and try as she might, she just can't fight the eventual return of the supercouple. So she flies out of town (to the most depressing Bette Midler song ever), and to add insult to injury, she comes back several times over the years, only to be turned into a pathetic plot device for said supercouple each time. Here's hoping her return this year is less victim-y.

4) Greta Von Amburg - Poor Greta. She takes a simple acting job and ends up as (another) acid vat victim. Then she lives in the swamp for years, horribly disfigured. But it's okay. Someone will find her and she'll find true love, right? With Bo? Notsomuch. Eric? Woulda been nice. Austin? Virtual reality only. Jack? He faked being gay to avoid dating her. But at least she'll have a nice life as a princess, right? With a lovely coronation party, where absolutely no one gets shot in an NC-17 rated bloodbath. ...Right? Maybe she was better off in the swamp after all. 

3) Will Horton - Poor Will. His mother's Sami Brady. Let's just process that for a second. He could probably write a book on all the horrors his mother has subjected him to. But let's just stick with the last year to make the point. Watching your mother cheat on her husband and bonk the guy who raped her while your brother's missing. Harsh. Being blackmailed by the aforementioned guy, who happens to be a very loathsome Dimera and knows all your secrets. Yikes. And trying to figure out your sexuality in the midst of all this, in a town that apparently has never really had gay people (except for fakegayJack and MIA Harold of course)? Sigh. Poor Will.

2) Hope Brady - Poor Hope. She fights every breakup plot device the 80s can throw at her, only to marry the man of her dreams. And then die in a vat of acid. And then come back not knowing who she is. And then remember. And then forget. And then remember again, but maybe not for real. And maybe she was a princess. Or actually just kidnapped by one. But don't worry, she eventually gets her identity back. And that's only the beginning. Every few years, one of her children are kidnapped, switched at birth, or run over by their siblings. Just keep an eye on Ciara, everyone. And your fingers crossed.

1) Marlena Evans - Seriously. No other choice. She's been through the loss of several marriages, complete with miscarriages, brainwashed priest impostors, brainwashing abusive doctors, and more. Her children were stolen from her, returned to her, raped, and sent off to Colorado for reasons unknown. She was possessed by the devil. Possessed. By the devil. She was also kidnapped and trapped in pits, secret rooms, and birdcages for months at a time, many of which appearing to not have a bathroom. She was tricked into thinking she killed almost all of her friends and was a serial killer (after another, albeit brief, possession), and was forced to live on an island with them. And worst of all, Hattie Adams. Poor Marlena.

Feel better about your day? I do. I just hope there's some good news ahead for some of these folks. And fewer bathroom-less birdcages and fake-gay boyfriends. Have a great week ;)

#MyFive Moving Live Performances

Pop artists have a reputation for producing music that is fun and entertaining, but rarely emotionally moving, especially outside of the magic of the studio. I have been moved to my core on several occasions, however, by artists who infuse powerful and real emotion into their live performances. I thought I'd share my five faves on this frigid morning. Click on the links to relive the magic :)

5) "Because of You" - Kelly Clarkson: The charm of that low-budget first Idol season was how the contestants seemed just like you.  So when Kelly peformed a song she wrote as a kid live at the Grammys after an amazingly successful year, it was like watching your friend live her dream. The kicker was the "I've always dreamed of performing at the Grammys" video intro of a young Kelly.

4) "Silver Springs" - Fleetwood Mac: I was too young to grasp FM's musical talent when I saw this reunion performance, and I was also too naive to get just how complicated and painful relationships could be (Zack & Kelly never seemed to be that intense). But the moment I heard Stevie sing this song, and more importantly, the way she looked at her ex as she sang, I got it. I got the talent, I got the pain, and I felt everything she was feeling, long before I'd know those things for myself. That's true talent.

3) "Falling Slowly" - Kris Allen: I was Team Kris from his first song, but my friends were all Team Adam. I had many an argument with my sis about her lack of a soul, until this performance. The second it ended, my phone rang, with my sister crying and apologizing on the other end. On a night of cliche and over-indulgent movie songs, Kris picked one with true heart and soul, and it was the perfect vehicle for the world to hear just how moving his voice can be.  Team Kris, ftw.

2) "Live to Tell" - Madonna: This song wasn't a fave until the Confessions Tour, when it blew me away. When someone pretends to be Jesus at a church play, they do it to inspire people through the tale of someone who died for others. Madonna was doing the same thing, but instead used the analogy to suggest how Jesus would want us to help people, particularly children. The imagery and music combined to from an inspirational masterpiece.
1) "Glitter in the Air" - P!nk: Everything about this exhuded vulnerability, bravery, and authentic emotion. The raw, imperfect vocals, the nude jumpsuit, and most beautifully, the seemingly-effortless and stunning movements of her body as she dangled from only sheets. She sang of fighting your fear and pride to achieve those rare and incredibly beautiful moments in life, no matter how brief or risky they may be. You could see the awe in the faces of everyone in that auditorium, just as easily as you could see the tears on mine.


There you have it. Which performances have inspired you?

#MyFive Anticipated Albums of 2012

Of all my pop culture vices, music is definitely the biggest. I had fun looking back on my faves of 2011, so I thought I'd look ahead to 2012! Also, I showed up at work today without realizing I wasn't supposed to, so since I'm here with nothing to do... 

5) No Doubt - I hesitate to even put them on this list, as Gwen and the boys have been threatening to release the new album for years now. But surely this is the year they finally do it, right? No Doubt was such an important band for me in my teenage years, and they made some awesome pop music. I'm so ready for some more, that every time I see Gwen Stefani hock makeup or clothes in a commercial, I yell at her to get her ass back in the studio and make me some music. Not kidding.

4) Wilson Phillips - Thank you, Bridesmaids, for making it okay to vocalize my love for these ladies again. For years, they were the secret little shamebased treasure I missed the most, but now others are just as captivated by their harmonious voices and not-so-harmonious personalities (please tell me you saw that reality special). Everyone told me I was nuts for holding out for a Wilson Phillips come back. But I got my way, 'cuz I Held On for one more day (actually for several years, but I guess that's a much-less inspiring lyric).

3) Kris Allen - If you haven't figured it out yet, you should expect Mr. Allen to pop up in any of my music-related blogs. Favorite American Idols, Best Songs of 2011, Anticipated Albums of 2012, hell, I'd probably find a way to stick him in my Favorite R&B Divas blog (which I now feel challenged to do). Beautiful voice, beautiful heart, beautiful face, beautiful dog. "Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful". Hey Kris, maybe that should be your album's title. Either that, or "I love you Wesley Ryan". Actually, that last one sounds better. Go with that.

2) Fiona Apple - I'm most inspired by talented singer/songwriters who weave a web of poetry with their lyrics. In that regard, I'd argue that Fiona's the best of my generation. She can create a song that is so unique and unlike anything you've ever heard, but the picture she paints is so perfect that you wonder how no one ever thought of it. When you combine that talent with all the ish this inspirational survivor has overcome, you have one very powerful artist, who can pull your deepest emotions out of you before you even know what they are.

1) Madonna - She's been making amazing albums for almost 30 years, which is why I cringe when people call someone "the next Madonna". They'd have a long way to go to pull off the success that ol Madge has maintained. I've loved her recent dance-focused LPs, but my favorite Madonna is actually ballad Madonna, and rumor has it her new effort will include her first slow-tempo treats in over a decade. If they're anything like the leaked song "Masterpiece" I will be beaming all year long. She's my favorite artist ever, and 2012 is hers.

What are you looking foward to in 2012? Are you as excited about Madonna? Are you sick of my Kris Allen love? Did you show up to work today for no reason? Sigh....

#MyFive Days of Our Lives Tearjerkers

Happy New Year's Eve! Is celebrating a new year about fresh starts and new beginnings? Absolutely. But do I think we can effectively create those new beginnings until we deal with and release the feelings of the past? Absolutely not. So combine this philosophy with some outstanding work from the cast of Days of Our Lives this week, and you will find one very inspired blogger. Click on the links to check out my five top tear-inducing clips from Days! :)

5) - Bo & Hope say Goodbye to JT - It wasn't the first time these two lost a child, and it wouldn't even be the last (more on that later), but it was the episode so depressing it was sponsored by Kleenex (totally not kidding). At the end, each Brady silently dealt with the loss their own way, but it was Peter Reckell who broke my heart the most, demolishing and then sadly-clutching the punching bag in his garage over the loss of his son.

4) - Marlena Mourns Roman - Deidre Hall probably holds the record for the most grievings on the show. When you think of all the husbands, children, and sisters who've died, been brought back to life, and died again, it's hard to believe she hasn't snapped altogether (and she was never a serial killer, let's just forget about that okay?). Her most moving moment of mourning came when Roman died in the 80s. The music in this clip is just as powerful as Deidre's acting, and it gets me every time.

3) - Hope Opens The Puzzle Box - Finally. Some happy tears. After several months of not knowing who she was, Hope finally opened a puzzle box that proved her identity, and every Bo & Hope fan on the planet heaved a sigh of relief. And when the two read a poem that Hope wrote on her wedding day...well let's just say that my 14 year old self hid his tears behind his sister's neon-yellow curtains, for fear of anyone seeing just how moved he was :).

2) - Will's Coming Out to Marlena - Chandler Massey has been breaking my heart as Will deals with his confusion and pain. He hasn't even expressed his feelings yet, but Chandler's nuanced acting and inability to find the words he needs is speaking volumes. Plus, hearing Deidre Hall tell her grandson she will love him no matter what is very moving. These two actors are helping so many people who just need to see love and support like this, even if it's only on a TV show.

1) - Hope Loses Zack - I will never forget the sound of Hope screaming as she learned that her son Zack had died. It is the single most gut-wrenching moment on Days of Our Lives in its entire history, and I'd make the argument in all of Daytime TV history. This scene was horrifying, yet captivating, and you immediately couldn't help but think of real mothers who go through this. This is the most tragic Emmy snub of all time, folks (sorry Ms. Lucci).

And there you have it. And just as a sidebar, if you were ever a Days fan, you should totally start watching again. The stories, acting, and heart of the show hasn't been this impressive since the 90s. Hope you got all of those tears out of the way now, and that you have a non-eye-leak-inducing New Year's Eve :)

#MyFive Songs of 2011

Fair Warning: MyFive favorite songs of the year are likely not already on your Ipod. I'm constantly listening to music, so by the time radio or the casual listener catches on, I'm over it. So take a song like Adele's "Rolling in the Deep", which is amazing, and which I loved from January until around May. But by October, I literally verbally assaulted anyone who was singing/playing/quoting it. I get really excited sharing music with people, so click on the song names to check out these gems.  Hope you like!

5) "Someone Like You" - Jay Brannan: Okay, Hypocrite Warning. I just ranted about overplayed songs, but Adele is truly amazing, and her impact on music this year is undeniable. I actually prefer this version, by one of the best singer/songwriters who's ever lived. Jay can rip your guts out with the pain and loss in his voice. He's felt this ish before, and you can hear it in every note.

4) "Cold as Stone" - Lady Antebellum: I really love Lady Antebellum, but the album tracks that make it to radio are rarely my faves. Case in point, this gorgeous ballad. Charles and Hillary's harmonies always give me goosebumps, and they can tell a country story of a lost relationship better than anyone. Throw in some beautiful and tear-inducing strings at the end, and you've got a song that could (and likely will) break your heart.

3) "Strangest Love" - Britney Spears: You can judge me if you want, but I don't have to defend my love for well-constructed and fun pop music. Her Femme Fatale album surprised me by becoming my favorite Britney album ever (don't tell Blackout), but I honestly wouldn't be able to decide which song I like best. Luckily for me, this track leaked and made the choice for me. It is one of the 5 best Britney songs ever. It's sexy and sleek, but you can hear the emotion in there, subtle but powerful. Just like Brit-Brit. Stop judging me.

2) "Love Too Much" - Kris Allen: Another unreleased track jumps in and makes my year so much brighter. Apparently co-written by Kevin Rudolf, this song has passion, catchy rhythm, vocal prowess, and most importantly, the emotional tone in Kris's voice that makes you scream it out in the car, forget you're at a stoplight, and be judged by angry drivers who have to pass you and wonder what asylum you escaped from. No? Maybe that's just me then....

1) "Holding Out For a Hero" - Ella Mae Bowen: I love a classic song that gets flipped into something new and different. I love a singer who can effortlessly use their voice to make you feel their desperation and sadness. I love a musical arrangement that completely conveys the emotion of the song without the need for any vocals. So when you can combine all of these things together, you get perhaps the most beautiful song I've ever heard. Ever. I'm not kidding. Check it.



The only thing I love more than sharing my favorite music is people sharing theirs with me :). What are YourFive songs of 2011?

#MyFive Comic Fresh Starts

With the New Year rapidly approaching, it's likely many of us are reflecting on the last year, and are thinking of ways to make changes that may lead to a better life. I don't think that's always an easy task, and as I've had lots of free time this week to catch up on some old (and new) comic book faves, I noticed a lot of parallels between fresh starts in comics and rebooting your real life. How do you take the elements of your life that have always worked, eliminate the ones that don't, and create something organic, new, and even better? While I figure out how to do that in the real world, I thought I'd admire those who have done it brilliantly in comics.

5) X-Factor #71 - When a book covering the lives of the original 5 X-men lost its entire cast, Peter David took the reins and created something completely new and different. The new characters were very similar to their predecessors on paper (Summers brother, his girlfriend, the jokester, the wild card, and the strong guy), but the tone and adventures of the comic were completely different. David created a unique X-book, one with humor, satire, and a psychological approach to understanding the characters (I'd argue that the issue where the characters go to therapy is one of the best-loved Marvel issues of all time). The concept of this fresh start was so pervasive and appealing, that the relaunch of this relaunch became relevant and popular almost two decades later, and is still going strong.

4) Batgirl #1 - I know this is a controversial one, but I grew up watching Barbara Gordon on the reruns of the campy Batman TV show. I simply adored her spunk (and oh-so-shiny purple costume). But by that point, Barbara Gordon was no longer Batgirl, and DC comics felt very inaccessible to me (depending on which comic or comic card I was reading, I felt like the same character could have vastly different pre-crisis, post-crisis, pre-post crisis, or Earth 137-329 histories.) Fast forward to 2011, when DC rebooted their entire line, put Babs back in the suit, and gave people like me the opportunity to jump on the Barbara-as-Batgirl ship for the first time. I understand why the decision offended some people, but the end-product is a beautifully written book. Gail Simone has written what I consider to be the most realistic character in comics today. I understand the motivations for all of Batgirl's decisions, but am still surprised and excited by them. That's true talent from a writer.

3) X-Force #19 - This is probably the least dramatic of the "reboots" in my list, but it's a personal favorite for many reasons. At the risk of spoiling future blog countdowns, Cannonball is, and will always be, my favorite X-character. Skinny, nerdy, insecure son of a coal-miner from a tiny mountain town? That was me. Which is why it was so cool for me to see him become a confident and effective leader without losing his sensitivity and compassion. Throw in the return of some of my other favorites, Rictor and Sunspot, and some beautiful new costumes, and this issue got me excited in a way few comics ever did. Watching Sam stand up to Professor Xavier, take control of his life, and start down a new and uncertain path was inspiring. I went along for the ride (which was way too short, thanks to Cable's return), and it remains one of my favorite comic runs of all time.

2) Avengers #1 - The original run of the Avengers had so many well-loved characters and stories, but after The Crossing, Onslaught, and Heroes Reborn attempts at rebooting misfired, the Avengers pool felt so muddied and stagnant that nothing could revive them. Enter Kurt Busiek and George Perez. They didn't immediately erase anything that had happened, but created an organic reboot where it made complete sense for these characters to come back together. They also managed to work in roughly 40 Avengers in a 3-part kickoff arc, where everyone got a moment to shine and introduce not just their powers but also their personalities. You felt the proud history of the series but were also intrigued by where these characters were going. Throw in the beautiful art of George Perez, and you've got a near-perfect Avengers run.

1) X-men #70 - The X-men were splintered into several different teams in several different places with several different objectives. This issue, conveniently titled "Homecoming", brought them all back together. Joe Kelly brilliantly used a health crisis for one of the characters (there's a bomb in Cyclops, wow) to explore every single X-man and who they were as a person.  He honored past connections (Storm pulled out Marrow's heart, there's probably some tension there) while creating exciting new ones (Wolverine vs. Beast?, Marrow <3's Cannonball?). To have these characters back under the same roof, with so many potential conflicts and connections, was so exciting. I literally couldn't wait for each new issue. I was also so devastated when the vibe of this series abruptly shifted only 10 issues later, that I pretty much quit comics for 5 years.

With only a few days left in 2011, I will be thinking of how to successfully "reboot" my life for a new year. Hopefully I do it as well as some of the creators mentioned above. Wish me luck!

#MyFive Favorite Christmas Movies

Ho ho ho! Hope this blog finds you all celebrating the holidays with those nearest and dearest to you! I'm a little bit farther away from my family than I would like on this particular Christmas eve, so I thought a blog celebrating my favorite Christmas movies would lighten my spirits and spread a little Christmas cheer. Here are #MyFive!

5) Home Alone - C'mon. What kid doesn't want to wish his family away when he gets in trouble, having free reign over his house, his town, and the poor pizza delivery guy assigned to his neighborhood. It was tons of fun watching lil McCauley Culkin thwart the efforts of two bumbling criminals, with only broken ornaments and tar-soaked nails at his disposal. But the true joy of this film, like all of my choices, comes from its message. That we don't always appreciate our loved ones, even the irritating ones, until we lose them. Watching Kevin realize that the hard way meant we didn't have to. And we also learned to take it easy with the aftershave.

4) A Diva's Christmas Carol - There's a bajillion versions of this classic, but I'll tell you why this one slightly edged out Mickey's. The spirit of A Christmas Carol could appeal to everyone, but most of us are fairly certain we're not as Scroogey as ol' Ebenezer. I don't have to worry about hoarding gold coins when I don't have any, and hoarding quarters just doesn't make me feel as naughty. The richest person I've ever met is probably the owner of the Pizza Hut I just ordered from. I have met, however, a few self-absorbed divas in my life, and have maybe even had some of those moments myself. Nobody plays a diva more ferociously than Vanessa Williams, who I have worshipped since she first told me about The Right Stuff with her fabulous 80s hair. Throw in some pre-D-List Kathy Griffin, and you've got some joyous Christmas gold.

3) How The Grinch Stole Christmas - The original cartoon version, not the 2 hour live-action version. Sorry, Jim.  All the who's in Whoville had everything stolen from them, and they still woke up smiling and singing. I think we all wish we were that un-materialistic. We also probably wish our love and goodness could change even the grinchiest of hearts. It might not be able to in the real world, but at least it will once a year on TNT, damn it. So pass the roast beast and get lost in an innocent land of bingle balls and whofoo fluff. But someone release poor Max from that outfit. It's just cruel.

2) A Christmas Story - Speaking of horrible outfits.... This movie tends to be quite the controversial ornament on the Christmas tree of films. People either it loathe it, like my father, or love it, like anyone cool. Sorry Dad, I love you, but you're just wrong. Ralphie and his ridiculous hijinks entertain me multiple times each year (for 24 hours even on Christmas day!). Each vignette stands on its own as pure hilarity, from that obnoxious, "fra-gil-e" leg-lamp, to dropping the f-bomb with tire lugs flying, to the climatic shooting out of one's eye. Together, all of these scenes create a family that you can't believe could be for real, but that you totally wish were. And I refuse to remember to drink my Ovaltine. Little Orphan Annie is a jerkstore.

1) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Nothing holds a candle to this one for me. I think everyone feels like a misfit from time to time, especially those of us who some parts of society would gladly ship off to an Island of Misfit Toys if they had the chance. That's why seeing poor Rudolph being treated so horribly just for being different was so depressing. It's also why seeing him find a place where he belonged, and ultimately being needed and celebrated for his uniqueness, makes my heart so warm. There are so many lil Rudolph's in the world who need to feel loved and supported, and it's up to all of us to be a little more like King Moonracer, and a lot less like Coach Comet (who also was a total jerkstore).



On this Christmas Eve, I wish you all lots of peaceful and joyous moments, and the fewest number of jerkstore encounters one can have :). Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays folks! Peace out.