Yeah, I'm writing about this. So what?

This is perhaps the most ridiculous thing for me to write about, but I don't care. Ladies and gentlemen, Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"


Or at least a link to it. Can someone tell me how to upload videos? I'm so bad at this. Oh well, let us begin the analysis! I love this video. I've watched about four times in the past twelve hours. Now let's get a few things out of the way right off the bat. Yes, I'm a male, and yes, Beyonce is smokin' hawt. And yes, this video has plenty of pelvic movement, but so does Newsies, and no one is accusing me of enjoy that too much.

Now let's talk about some of the silly things in this video before I tell you why it is the best thing ever in the whole world. The butt smacking is a bit silly. Also, there are some ironic lyrical inconsistencies. Beyonce sings: "Don't treat me to the things of this world, I'm not that kind of girl..." Now this stands in contrast to the central theme of "put a ring on it," which begs for a material symbol of an emotional commitment. Yeah, I know, it's just a metaphor, but isn't this fun to talk about? Also, the ring in the video contains a very large diamond. And that robot arm: what's the deal?

But now, as I said, I will tell why this is the best video ever forever in the history of history. It is a rare thing to see a music video that focuses on minimalism. There are three women in this video, only three, and no props, only leotards. The dancing is complex and beautiful— elaborate and graceful! It is the focus, an exclamation point at the end of a simple, black and white colored sentence.

Let's talk about the color. Is there a statement on race here? We have three African American women here in the video, but the idea of it being in black and white (a particular black and white that seems to shimmer silver) seems to remove color. We have women, strong graceful women, not women of a certain race.

the lights evolve and shift, giving fascinating contrasts over the movements, never letting things get boring. Conventions are ignored! There are no stupid story lines, no one in a club, no one at a house party, just the simple elegance of a complicated dance over a catchy tune. It is simple in concept, yet complicated in movement, and gives value where it is needed.

Now if only I could get paid for this, then my degree would be easier to defend.

Virginia in Winter

So here are pictures of Virginia in Winter. The same frozen flower is in here twice, I wasn't sure which picture of it I liked more.

Read Me!