Happy Halloween!

So I know you're all dying to know what came of this outing, and this pile of mess:

Well, as you can maybe tell from the size of that pile, I was maybe a little over ambitious with my costume (I know no other way....). I got the crazy idea in my head to go as an Alien Robot, and subsequently bought every piece of silver/black/green/shiny/sparkly fabric that JoAnn's had to offer. I got two patterns, knowing I would have to alter either pretty substantially in order to fulfill my vision. What I didn't realize was the project would take a full two months to complete, rendering my dining room utterly useless in the meantime. Witness the construction-destruction:

I got about ninety-percent finished, and it was looking pretty grim. word had spread that I was working on my costume, and I was ashamed to inform people that the look my creation most resembled was a baked potato. but in the eleventh hour (figuratively of course, literally it must have been the forty-seventh hour at least)....it actually started to come together. It ended up being the quintessential Courtney project: a grandiose vision that's probably overkill for the situation, entirely too much effort, and results that make me proud yet slightly ashamed of my need to take everything to the theoretical level of "eleven". But I have to admit....I do make one heck of a robot:

Practicing my moves.

Making it fashion.

Deserves a detail shot.

And yes, I crimped my hair.

Oh, and I wore this little ditty to work; there was costume contest that included a "catwalk".

I showed my stuff, but didn't take home the prize. They'll be sorry when I take over their planet.....

In trick or treating news- it was a great night. We got about forty kids, and got through about half of our six bags of candy (that's note taking for next year). Dustin had the idea to bring the cornhole game out for kids to play. We set up lines according to age, and gave extra candy to anyone that made a shot (ok, we gave extra candy to everyone, but the "rules" added a sense of suspense!) Any holiday centered around costumes and candy is alright by me.

New Look!

The blog got a facelift! I spent entirely too much time learning HTML code, and putzing around with the layout, but overall I'm happy with the changes. Hope you guys love it too!

Season Six Superlatives

So I'm a little behind the times....I'm just now watching last night's episode, so let's just get right down to it. Rather than a traditional recap, I think it'd be fun to begin the season with some predictions about what's to come for each of the dancers. I present:

So You Think You Can Dance Season Six: Most likely to...........

• Harp on the same topic each week: Channing. Did you guys hear she's kind of a tomboy? I know, right??
• Annoy the crap out of me continually: Phillip- I don't care if you are part of the Urban Poets, I will not like you (oh wait, that actually makes me like you less. I mean, those "poems" don't even rhyme.)
• Resemble a religious squash: Ashleigh. Ok, that's not really fair....
• Almost live up to the legend of Billy Bell: Jakob. Seriously he's amazing. Almost as good as Billy would have been, or so the judges keep saying. Which reminds me.....
• Have the Swine Flu: Billy Bell. What kind of illness knocks you out of a months long competition? Pig fever, that's what kind.
• Be forgotten: Ariana. (sorry....it's true). I even forgot to bold her name.
• Be a walking (dancing) stereotype: Peter, the "Italian Stallion". He's from Philly and had cheese(steak)y story about the importance of "family" *cough*mob*cough*.
• Be adorable, ya'll!: Noelle. She's just a precious Southern belle, ya'll! With the biggest headband ever, ya'll! But she hurt her knee, ya'll. Pouty face, ya'll.....
• Most likely to not fit in a style "box": Russell. Same old story, poor black kid from Boston, grows up in a rough neighborhood, becomes the first krumper on a famous show, channels Fred Astaire with his elegant fox trot performance. yaaaaawn.
• Be the first/only girl tap dancer on the show so she sticks around way longer than she probably deserves: Bianca. I gotta say, she campaigned hard for this one...
• Get mobbed by confused Kupono fans: Victor. (and by mobbed, I mean someone might ask him for an autograph, or at least directions if they're lost.)
• Benefit/Suffer from Good Light/Bad Light syndrome: Karen. Is she gorgeous? Busted? Yes and yes.
• Work the camera with his eyes: Kevin. (but those eyes weren't enough to distract from that secretary bun tonight.)
• Grunt when he gets his swell on at the gym (so everyone can see how jacked and tan he is): Ryan. Did he mention he loves to work out, is a fitness nut and is very masculine? Oh, he did? Well did he prove it by never wearing a shirt, and doing push-ups using his bikini clad gourd (I mean wife) as a weight? Oh he did? Touché.
• Have her mouth write checks her body can't cash: Ellenore. For real, I don't care how good you are, you do not say (in week ONE mind you...) that your routine may be the best dance in So You Think You Can Dance history. Leave the over-selling to Cat. That's half her job.
• Fall in love with his partner: Brandon. He got the chance of a lifetime, getting tapped as a last minute sub for Billy Bell (who was SO GOOD.), and he's wasting it making googley-eyes at Pauline.
• Be the turning point in which this little writing gimmick gets a little old, and decidedly more difficult: Pauline. My muse, she is not.
• Steal the part of my heart that I thought was reserved for Kherington: Kathryn. By all accounts her bio should have turned me off (I'm from Georgia! I love the beach! I'm just a really down to earth girl!) but her dancing was so fun to watch. Dang these girls and their atypical K-names. Gets me every time.
• Take it to the Streetz: Legacy. (p.s. he was a strong second in the "fall for his partner" category...but who can blame him?! That girl is adorable)
• Bother me for no good reason: Nathan. I know I'm in the minority here. And I'm ok with that.
• Be the love child of Hannah Montana and a Care Bear: Mmoollee. She's just such a goofball! **giggle giggle**......
• Have a giant choreographer crush: Adam Shankman: Sonya rocked his world. He LOVES David Scott (every kind of David Scott) and thinks Travis Wall is "so young, so smart, so talented." And soooo cute. Ok, maybe I added that last part, but you know he was thinking it.
• Squawk like a crazy person, fall apart, piece by fake piece, and consistently run cliches into the ground (some literary irony there for ya): Mary Murphy. Nuff said.
• Go on, and on, and on, and on.....: Nigel Lythgoe. Keep it up buddy and Paula Abdul will never choose to sit next to you.
  
• Be my idol in all aspects of life (or at least legginess, fashion sense, haircare ...and...um... what else is there in life?): Cat Deely. She is a vision!
  

Alright, now let's really get down to it. Tonight's Dancers in Danger (great band name!) are: Ariana, Brandon, Pauline (I don't know about this....) and Russell (WHAT?!?!)

And I won't toy with you (mostly because you already know)- the two going home are:
Brandon. Thought his solo was actually pretty impressive.....and apparently so did Nigel, who will be fighting to allow him back in the competition next year.
Ariana. Aw man, I just learned her name! What a waste.....

And because I've been voted most likely to think details like this actually matter....I give you this week's songs:
Rockin' Robin by Jackson Five.
Hit Me with A Hot Note (And Watch Me Bounce) from the Sophisticated Ladies soundtrack
Black & Gold by Sam Sparro
Vagabond Shoes by Vic Damone
Wasted Time by Me'Shell Ndegeocello
Push It by Glee Cast versoin (yes, you read that right. This is shameless cross promotion, and I am eating it UP.)
Arcadia by Apparat
You Light Up My Life by Whitney Houston
On & On by Missy Elliot
Turn the Beat Around (Pablo's 12" Remix) by Gloria Estefan
Darkest Hour by Charlotte Martin
Give the Drummer Sum by Black Milk
Magalenha by Sergio Mendes (which they totally cut short right before it got awesome)
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room by John Mayer
Never Say Never by The Fray (goodbye Ariana montage)
Where It Ends by 16 Frames (see ya next time Brandon montage)

Meet The Top 20

*Note: This was quite obviously not posted by Dus, but I signed in wrong and can't fix it without a lot of work. And I, AM, SPENT. Enjoy!

It's been quiet around here recently- I guess October just got away from me. But you know what didn't get away from me? ....The awesome talent of a certain dance show! No it DIDN'T!
Sorry- I've let the segue and nonsense of SYTYCD seep into my brain. There might not be a cure...besides more AMAZING dancing!!! (seriously....I can't stop!)

So while I try to reign in my dance dribble- let's meet our Top 20! For those of you new to the SYTYCD scene, you're just in time: Tonight's show is a preview of what's to come. It's our chance to get to know the dancers, before we critique them mercifully and crush their dreams through text message votes. Don't mind if I do!

This season's got a new look, and it's....how do you say...cheap. They've got a new location which may or may not be a converted high school gymnasium. Then there's the new intro- it's got a little more recognizable footage, and less American Ido-esque androids, but the graphics are still a bit too reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto-Vice City for my taste. (not that it isn't a sweet game).

But Cat, ever the class act, rocks a sequin dress and eyelashes thick enough to double as flamenco fans. Judges are Adam (announced officially as a permanent judge), Mary, Nigel, and an empty chair. Perfect for Paula Abdul's empty head! On to the dances:

Top 20 Group Routine
Choreographers Wade and Amanda Robson

Song: Comanche by The Revels

Theme is 1930's turf war (naturally). I expect snapping. Aaaaaaaaaaand I get it!! I also get a lot of crotch grabbing and pelvis thrusting. But mostly snapping.

Hip Hop Routine
Choreographers: Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo. (whose awesomeness at all things makes me want to put an apostrophe in my name. B'owden?)

Song: Beggin' (District 78 Remix) by Madcon

Russell Ferguson (Love him, and his mush mouth hat), Kevin Hunte, and Legacy Perez (Anyone watch The Contender? Sergio much? I know I mentioned him before, but when this guy dances, all I can see is "The Latin Snake"....and yes, that probably makes me racist.)
Diggin' the old school jam, but could have used less thug posturing (which also makes me racist), and more dancing. Still, it's nice to have hip-hop back- head spins and stomping: you were missed.

Contemporary Routine
Choreographer: Tyce Diorio
Song: Crying by K.D. Lang
Nathan Trasoras (one of my least favorites so far. Sorry doll face! Go ask fellow Furby/child David Archeleta to dry your tears.), Jakob Karr, Channing Cooke (who's like a tomboy Carrie Underwood, which is to say, awesome) Ariana Debose (who try as I might to complete the theme, I cannot relate to a past American Idol contestant).
Ariana askes me to open my heart and go to an uncomfortable place. I assume the place she was referring to is anywhere that plays K.D. Lang music. Because yikes.

Tap Routine
Choreographer Derick K. Grant (He Is Tap)

Song: Take The "A" Train, by Ella Fitzgerald

Peter Sabasino (who is putting up some serious competion in the race for the coveted title of "Courtney's Least Favorite"), Bianca Revels and Phillip Attmore
Can't really get on board (get it? get IT?) with this one. No wonder tap waited so long to be "asked to the dance".

Jazz Routine
Choreographer: Sonya Tayek
Song: On a Cloud, by PPP (which apparently stands for Platinum Pied Pipers.)
Mollee Gray (Or Mmoollee, as I like to call her), Pauline Mata (love!) and Ellenore Scott (who totally wishes I'd nickname her Eelleennoorree Ssccoott. But I won't because that's just ridiculous.)
They got their sexy on- I mean, who doesn't think tutus and jazz hands are sexy? Mmoollee grew up about five years, but then regressed about ten when she was complimented. Adam earned his judge spot with his immitation of her cheerleader spunk- spot on.

Contemporary Routine
Choreographer: Mandy Moore
Song: Viva la Vida, by Coldplay
Victor Smalley (who was hoping to "get" mandy this season, if you know what he means), Noelle Marsh (who's bleeding feet are kind of ruining her charm), Billy Bell, and Kathryn McCormick.
Dancing was great, but I was distracted by the recycled costumes from a local theater version of The Wiz, not to mention the Olan Mills sponsored backdrop. Rough.

Latin Routine
Choreographer: Jason Gilkison
Song: Everything I Can't Have by Robin Thicke (you know I love This Song)
Ashleigh Di Lello, Karen Hauer (*cat noise*), and Ryan Di Lello
Why do you think they call them a "trio" not a "threesome"? Anyway, the GMP (great mormon pumpkin for you newbies) has toned down the orange in attempt to keep her man from running off with the Venezuelan. But she kept the Barbie lipgloss, so it's kind of a wash....

So there they are America (I love how Cat refers to me that way....it's like a little pet name). If you're hungry for more info, check out cast bios here. Bonus- they answer the question everyone's asking: "How did it feel on the recent day with the press and photo shoot?" (seriously...that's what they asked them. Is that site's content computer generated?)

Now- off to the comments...discuss!

so HE thinks he can dance?

Hello out there............

Anyone sick of staring at that barf bag? If so- you're in luck! The only male member of "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Dance", Brian, has his first recap up tonight. Check it out here.

Oh- and maybe I'll have something to say around here in the next few weeks....maybe. Stupid life getting in the way of blogging!

Final Destination

Like all good things, our vacation (and now our seemingly infinite post-trip coverage) must end. After nine wonderful days, it was time for us to return to the Keystone State, and face "real life" again. But the bright side is: only 336 days until our next anniversary.....

click for full size

But don't think I'd leave you on such a sappy note. No.....let's end this on a high note. Well, maybe more "ridiculous" than "high". Tomayto, tomahto.

Dance Party from Courtney Bowden on Vimeo.

BTV2

It's no secret that Dustin is wee bit more reserved than I am. Ok, maybe a lot bit. Don't get me wrong, he's a really good time, but he isn't as dramatic or bold about his enthusiasm as I am. I tend to "think out loud", whereas he has an air of mystery about him. Because of this, I feel obligated to confirm he's having a good time. So over our six years together, it's become a sort of verbal tic for me to ask him "Dustin! Are you excited?!" Whether we're going to the Disney World, or the grocery store, it pretty much just flies out of my mouth. You can imagine it was hard for me to reign it in on a trip like this. With splendor around every corner, fun at every turn, I just had to know he shared my level of joy. And God bless him, he humored me every time.

I'm So Excited... from Courtney Bowden on Vimeo.

While we're on the subject of "Annoying Things Courtney Does", I must tell you about one of my more inconvenient quirks. Peeing. Well, more specifically the urgency of my need to pee. You see, when I have to go, I have to go NOW. There's little warning, and I can go from fine to full in two seconds flat. Dustin often teases me, but has grown accustom to me dropping everything to run to the restroom (literally dropping everything if we happen to be shopping). And though he's used it, you can imagine how this issue is magnified on a series of five hour car rides. Now if you'll excuse me....

A Girl's Gotta Go. from Courtney Bowden on Vimeo.