In a post back on 4/25 I pondered the meanings of the word diva. Since then I have worried about the term for the male version of a diva. Finally, after the Crossroads Guitar Festival, I was feeling comfortable that a male diva is a "guitar god". That supports the use of "diva" as a positive term. Now I have support for the term as a negative term, and for the male version, too!
Dallas Morning News, 6/19/04 pg. 3A
"Actor Russell Crowe has now been labeled a "superdiva" after furiously fencing off his entire trailer during shooting on his upcoming boxing movie in Toronto, IMDb.com reports. The famed bad boy stunned the cast and crew at the shooting of The Cinderella Man--in which the star plays celebrated pugilist Jim Braddock--by blocking people out of his dressing room with black curtains, forbidding the crew to use his gym and giving no warning when he chose not to turn up on the set.
Showing posts with label diva. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diva. Show all posts
6/26/04
4/27/04
The Pink Aisle
Holy crap! CollageMama has lost touch with her inner Barbie during all these years in the Camo Aisle. She's been through GI Joe, Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters, Warhammer, Star Wars, and Snaptite models of WWII vehicles.
While my attention was thus distracted, the Pink Aisle situation has sunk to new lows. I am so old that my Barbie had white gloves to accessorize all her outfits. She wore cute pillbox hats. I admit, Barbie had trouble staying with any career for very long, but she never lied about her National Guard service. Her dental records show an impressive lack of cavities. She had leadership potential when she wore her flight suit with the actual teeny-tiny zipper. I would vote for her for president against Bushie the Wonder Gerbil any day, even if she is surgically augmented.
Good grief! What was Mattel(DUH?) thinking? To combat the threat posed by Bratz(TM) dolls in the Pink Aisle at Walmart, Mattel has launched postemptive Diva Starz (TM) dolls. Both sides of this marketing Armageddon are short-waisted plastic 3-D mixes of velvet paintings, claymation Cher, and jerky Japanese animation.
The whole usage of "diva" is becoming clearer. I have been so out of touch with mass marketing to girls that I imagined progress had been made in our culture's goals and models for young women. Find an AIDS cure? Go to Mars? Design hybrid vehicles? Solve the health care crisis? Shirley, you jest!
I am hereby launching my Opera Diva Barbie(TM) line of dolls. Barbie's figure is perfect for those armored bras anyway, and she's got the magenta satin gowns with velvet trim. Opera Diva Barbie(TM) will have an imbedded musical chip. Just push on her perfect diaphragm, and she will launch into a random Wagner aria.
New for You in Summer 2004: Opera Diva Barbie's Viking Helmet(TM).
Coming in Fall 2004: Water-logged Ophelia(TM)! Wear your Rue with a difference! And will'a not come again?
While my attention was thus distracted, the Pink Aisle situation has sunk to new lows. I am so old that my Barbie had white gloves to accessorize all her outfits. She wore cute pillbox hats. I admit, Barbie had trouble staying with any career for very long, but she never lied about her National Guard service. Her dental records show an impressive lack of cavities. She had leadership potential when she wore her flight suit with the actual teeny-tiny zipper. I would vote for her for president against Bushie the Wonder Gerbil any day, even if she is surgically augmented.
Good grief! What was Mattel(DUH?) thinking? To combat the threat posed by Bratz(TM) dolls in the Pink Aisle at Walmart, Mattel has launched postemptive Diva Starz (TM) dolls. Both sides of this marketing Armageddon are short-waisted plastic 3-D mixes of velvet paintings, claymation Cher, and jerky Japanese animation.
The whole usage of "diva" is becoming clearer. I have been so out of touch with mass marketing to girls that I imagined progress had been made in our culture's goals and models for young women. Find an AIDS cure? Go to Mars? Design hybrid vehicles? Solve the health care crisis? Shirley, you jest!
I am hereby launching my Opera Diva Barbie(TM) line of dolls. Barbie's figure is perfect for those armored bras anyway, and she's got the magenta satin gowns with velvet trim. Opera Diva Barbie(TM) will have an imbedded musical chip. Just push on her perfect diaphragm, and she will launch into a random Wagner aria.
New for You in Summer 2004: Opera Diva Barbie's Viking Helmet(TM).
Coming in Fall 2004: Water-logged Ophelia(TM)! Wear your Rue with a difference! And will'a not come again?
4/25/04
Definition Diva
Lately my female kindergarten and first grade students have been drawing pictures of themselves as lead singers in a band called "The Divas". Slightly older girls refer to themselves as "shopping divas". This seems like a really odd elementary school vocabulary word. The impression I get from these girls is that they identify with a personification of self-justified, self-centered mass-consumerism and instant celebrity. Is it just me, or is this a symptom of a culture rotting from the inside out?
What is a "diva"? When I told my opera friend that I liked the voice of Brunnhilde on the Metropolitan Opera broadcast of "Gotterdammerung" yesterday, he told me, "Jane Eaglen as Brünnhilde was superb. She is a grand diva. " His usage of the word is clearly positive, conveying respect for a lifetime of achievement and talent. That fits with my American Heritage Dictionary definition:
An operatic prima donna. [Italian, "goddess," from Latin, feminine of divus, god.]
So what is a prima donna? Again the dictionary:
1. The leading female soloist in an opera company. 2. A tempermental and conceited performer. [Italian, "first lady"]
The Online Etymology Dictionary (see link) defines diva as:
diva - "distinguished woman singer," 1883, from It. diva "goddess, fine lady," from L. diva "goddess," fem. of divus "divine (one)."
From online slang dictionaries:
diva n 1. goddess, queen; literally "first woman." ("She is such a diva.") Submitted by Brent Edwards, Pullman, WA, USA, 14-04-1998.
http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/wrader/slang/d.html
Noun:
Absolutely any woman, regardless of talent, who establishes a singing career and appears on television.
"...to the contrary, Pete - over the past decade we've witnessed a veritable explosion in the population of divas, for instance. In fact, our research shows that the years between nineteen ninety and the present date saw the emergence of more divas than the previous one hundred years. Ultimately, I think that reports of the death of high culture simply don't square with the numbers."
Source: Joshua B. Wright, Apr 7, 2004
A female who is doing tha damn thang. She got her shit together and she doesn't need a male to know that she looks good.Mary J. Blige
a bitchy woman that must have her way exactly, or no way at all. often rude and belittles people, believes that everyone is beneath her and thinks that she is so much more loved than what she really is. selfish, spoiled, and overly dramatic.Source: charmain, Sep 11, 2003
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=diva&f=1
When I polled my demographic group, that is Carole and Shawn at lunch today on the patio at the French restaurant, they were unanimous in voting "diva" as a negative term.
When I search Dogpile I find VenusDivas who are full-figured fashion models, and GreenDivas, who are golf women with attitude and discretionary income.
There's also a site welcoming me to the "World of Divadom" with this definition:
Half of the population of our planet are women and consequently, half of the famous faces seen on the screen and in concert halls throughout this century are women. Wonderful voices and superb acting techniques, not to mention beautiful faces, abound. But who are the tiny minority who can be considered as true divas in our Give Good Face and Sirens categories? What sets these women above all others in their particular fields? What has happened to these women to entitle them to the status of diva?
Obviously everyone has different criteria for bestowing the title of diva on their own chosen few. Our criteria (and it is that which counts as this is our site!) are simple – extraordinary glamour, mystery, a liberal sprinkling of tragedy and most of all endurance throughout the years. These are women who will never be forgotten and whose image can be conjured up immediately by the mere mention of a name, song or movie.
Qualification for the third category Movers & Shakers differs in that, sadly, women make up a tiny minority – probably less than 1% of people who could be considered as 'Movers and Shakers' – politicians and those occupying significant places within ruling houses. Nevertheless, there does exist a minority within a minority who stand out as a result of their achievements and of fulfilling the standard requirements of mystery, tragedy and glamour. Love them or hate them – you will never forget them!
Do you agree with us? Who else should be there in the upper echelons of divadom? Who should not be there? What qualities are we missing? Take a peek at our list of wannabees - aka the no-noes - and what we are not looking for will become abundantly obvious! You disagree? Then tell us by using your democratic vote!
When voting or proposing a candidate for divadom - remember - Oscars, Tonys, Grammys and the like are all fine and dandy but do not necessarily bestow the accolade of diva! Our divas are way above the mundane world of awards and prizes! Tell us now and let’s make this the number 1 site to which every woman should aspire to appear!
I am feeling lucky that I raised boys and only had to deal with Ninja Turtle nunchucks and melting plastic army men with magnifying glasses. A diva of any sort seems like a scary role model for young girls. Playing "divas" seems like acting out a dream of being self-centered, self-promoting, materialistic, conscienceless celebrities. Make sure the camera gets the pink feather boa, tattoos, and navel piercing.
My mom thought playing "Beatles' Stewardesses" was sick decadence due to watching scandalous images on "The Ed Sulllivan Show". Beatles' stewardesses had to be nice to people, anticipate their needs, and make their lives more pleasant.
I'm not saying girls should aspire to be selfless servants in high heels. There must be something between that and aspiring to be shopping divas!
What is a "diva"? When I told my opera friend that I liked the voice of Brunnhilde on the Metropolitan Opera broadcast of "Gotterdammerung" yesterday, he told me, "Jane Eaglen as Brünnhilde was superb. She is a grand diva. " His usage of the word is clearly positive, conveying respect for a lifetime of achievement and talent. That fits with my American Heritage Dictionary definition:
An operatic prima donna. [Italian, "goddess," from Latin, feminine of divus, god.]
So what is a prima donna? Again the dictionary:
1. The leading female soloist in an opera company. 2. A tempermental and conceited performer. [Italian, "first lady"]
The Online Etymology Dictionary (see link) defines diva as:
diva - "distinguished woman singer," 1883, from It. diva "goddess, fine lady," from L. diva "goddess," fem. of divus "divine (one)."
From online slang dictionaries:
diva n 1. goddess, queen; literally "first woman." ("She is such a diva.") Submitted by Brent Edwards, Pullman, WA, USA, 14-04-1998.
http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/wrader/slang/d.html
Noun:
Absolutely any woman, regardless of talent, who establishes a singing career and appears on television.
"...to the contrary, Pete - over the past decade we've witnessed a veritable explosion in the population of divas, for instance. In fact, our research shows that the years between nineteen ninety and the present date saw the emergence of more divas than the previous one hundred years. Ultimately, I think that reports of the death of high culture simply don't square with the numbers."
Source: Joshua B. Wright, Apr 7, 2004
A female who is doing tha damn thang. She got her shit together and she doesn't need a male to know that she looks good.Mary J. Blige
a bitchy woman that must have her way exactly, or no way at all. often rude and belittles people, believes that everyone is beneath her and thinks that she is so much more loved than what she really is. selfish, spoiled, and overly dramatic.Source: charmain, Sep 11, 2003
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=diva&f=1
When I polled my demographic group, that is Carole and Shawn at lunch today on the patio at the French restaurant, they were unanimous in voting "diva" as a negative term.
When I search Dogpile I find VenusDivas who are full-figured fashion models, and GreenDivas, who are golf women with attitude and discretionary income.
There's also a site welcoming me to the "World of Divadom" with this definition:
Half of the population of our planet are women and consequently, half of the famous faces seen on the screen and in concert halls throughout this century are women. Wonderful voices and superb acting techniques, not to mention beautiful faces, abound. But who are the tiny minority who can be considered as true divas in our Give Good Face and Sirens categories? What sets these women above all others in their particular fields? What has happened to these women to entitle them to the status of diva?
Obviously everyone has different criteria for bestowing the title of diva on their own chosen few. Our criteria (and it is that which counts as this is our site!) are simple – extraordinary glamour, mystery, a liberal sprinkling of tragedy and most of all endurance throughout the years. These are women who will never be forgotten and whose image can be conjured up immediately by the mere mention of a name, song or movie.
Qualification for the third category Movers & Shakers differs in that, sadly, women make up a tiny minority – probably less than 1% of people who could be considered as 'Movers and Shakers' – politicians and those occupying significant places within ruling houses. Nevertheless, there does exist a minority within a minority who stand out as a result of their achievements and of fulfilling the standard requirements of mystery, tragedy and glamour. Love them or hate them – you will never forget them!
Do you agree with us? Who else should be there in the upper echelons of divadom? Who should not be there? What qualities are we missing? Take a peek at our list of wannabees - aka the no-noes - and what we are not looking for will become abundantly obvious! You disagree? Then tell us by using your democratic vote!
When voting or proposing a candidate for divadom - remember - Oscars, Tonys, Grammys and the like are all fine and dandy but do not necessarily bestow the accolade of diva! Our divas are way above the mundane world of awards and prizes! Tell us now and let’s make this the number 1 site to which every woman should aspire to appear!
I am feeling lucky that I raised boys and only had to deal with Ninja Turtle nunchucks and melting plastic army men with magnifying glasses. A diva of any sort seems like a scary role model for young girls. Playing "divas" seems like acting out a dream of being self-centered, self-promoting, materialistic, conscienceless celebrities. Make sure the camera gets the pink feather boa, tattoos, and navel piercing.
My mom thought playing "Beatles' Stewardesses" was sick decadence due to watching scandalous images on "The Ed Sulllivan Show". Beatles' stewardesses had to be nice to people, anticipate their needs, and make their lives more pleasant.
I'm not saying girls should aspire to be selfless servants in high heels. There must be something between that and aspiring to be shopping divas!
1/15/04
Last one in is a...
Have some very entertaining new preschool students in the Thursday classes. I announced that I was going to start the clean-up music (Putumayo), so they could pick up the construction sticks. One little guy hollers, "First one to clean up is a rocket egg!" What a great image. Most four year olds now have never encountered a rotten egg anyway.
In the afternoon class the word for the day was "stylish". The four and a half year old girls were admiring each other's art* with, "Oooooh. Isn't Tiffy's painting stylish?", "Did you see Dharma's stylish picture?", "Boo-hoo! I wish my painting was as stylish as Octavia's!" Next week they will probably air-kiss.
Is a rocket egg like a quidditch ball?
*Texture rubbings as wax resists for groovy liquid watercolors.
In the afternoon class the word for the day was "stylish". The four and a half year old girls were admiring each other's art* with, "Oooooh. Isn't Tiffy's painting stylish?", "Did you see Dharma's stylish picture?", "Boo-hoo! I wish my painting was as stylish as Octavia's!" Next week they will probably air-kiss.
Is a rocket egg like a quidditch ball?
*Texture rubbings as wax resists for groovy liquid watercolors.
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