Barbara Streisand...self-indulgent excesses vulgar? The gal with the gold pipes...

Barbara's nose for money
&
the sweet smell of success

Some may have been a trifle offended by Barbara Streisand's lofty self-indulgent excesses when they came to light in an at-home interview just published in Parade Magazine over the weekend.

In view of the troubling economic downturn in recent months, I expect that a few Americans (down-on-their-luck and in dire straits) were pi**ed when it was revealed - by the Diva herself - that she hand-picked a select school of black & white fish to match the color scheme of her pool.

And, talk about horseshoes up the a**!

One day the pampered little fu**ers started flipping out gold fish.

In addition, Streisand was inclined to expound on the finer points of decorating etiquette.

At a time when quite a few homeowners are struggling to meet their mortgages and avoid eviction, Ms. Streisand had the audacity (lack of sensitivity?) to chat about the importance of carrying-over the color schemes "blossoming" in the garden to the interior environs of the home.

Babs, just be thankful you have one!

Your vulgar displays of wealth are disgusting.

Epictetus said it best:

"Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants."

The house of excess!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Brad Pitt...losing coolness?

I nearly fell out of my armchair this morning when I opened up the LA TIMES and Parade Magazine popped out unexpectedly with actor, Brad Pitt, featured on its face.

Although the publicity still on the cover was OK - depicting a fashion savvy, stylish man, caught in a pensive moment - it was a second, staged shot inside the tempting pages, that jarred me!

In sum, it was a cutesy shot of Pitt - looking just past the camera lens into the distance - gripping a mug, with an odd "heads up" kind-of-expression on his face, and a golfing cap roundly perched atop his head.

The image of the hat struck a chord, and I recalled an old expression my elderly Aunt used to use,

"Looks like a pimple on a pig's ass..."

Like putty in hand, Pitt undoubtedly followed the directions of the photographer to a "T".

With fashion stylists hovering about, the scenario obviously unfolded something like this,

"Slight smile, Brad". Or,..."Raise up the cup a tad, please".

I've modelled enough over the years to fathom when a photographer's hand has dabbled in the scheme of things!

Wake up, Brad! You're being manipulated and the image ain't good.

But wait, there's the pithy article, too.

"I've always felt a persuasive sadness," reflects Pitt - with a straight face, I assume.

Huh?

What kind of philosophical crap is this?

Then, he adds with a distinctive air,

"When I see someone without basic health and education, without supportive family, I feel a connection."

How's that?

Curious...since he noted in the interview, "...my Dad made sure our needs were met", and asserted to the writer that his family was very loving, too.

In a nutshell, this interview was a pile of hooey, a calculated effort to spoon-feed the fans, and spin the best possible image of Pitt to an adoring public.

Pitt, soul-searching?

To me, the puff piece fell flat!

The writer heightens the absurdity of the whole fiasco by closing with this gem,

"I glimpse world weariness in (Pitt's) blue eyes, affecting and sad."

Dotson Rader (journalist?) give me a break!

Do you think no one saw through the transparent coddling of a movie icon, or likewise, failed to notice the stardust Pitt expertly tossed in your eyes?

Wonders never cease!