(First) Kiss(es): A News 'n' Trends Post

By now, I'm sure most of you have seen Spencer and Wren's infamous "First Kiss" video that virally circulated the internet a couple of weeks ago. A friend of mine had posted the video on Facebook when it first dropped, and I, along with millions of others, was caught up in the adorable and unexpected intimacy of those first kisses. The awkwardness, the connection, all of it, was captivating whether you agreed with the premise or not.

However, if you've seen the video, you've probably heard the backlash. When it was "revealed" that the video was in fact released by a clothing company and featured 20 actors kissing, internet viewers were upset. Reactions ranged from mild to extreme, as with any betrayal on the internet. Some of the best reactions were parodies on the video ("First Raspberries" is a safe bet, but watch what you google if you try to find more! ;) ); but overall, people were upset.

I read an interesting perspective on Verily Online by Monica Gabriel in which she used the upset over the video's trickery to discuss what physical intimacy means for emotional intimacy. Her point is valid: perhaps the greatest reason why so many internet viewers were so passionately upset was because they had thought they'd witnessed honest, passionate, love-at-first-sight intimacy.

The truth is that WREN and Tatia PIlieva the filmmaker cleverly dropped that video to disassociate it with the clothing brand only to reveal it later. The truth is that, whatever their "commercial motives" that many internet viewers assume, the group did ask strangers to kiss for the first time on camera, whether they were actors or not. Perhaps it was more scripted than many of us would like to admit. But the overall message is one of intimacy. Gabriel hits the nail on the head by relating the internet backlash to a discussion on the connections between physical and emotional intimacy. We spied on these quick (or in some cases not so quick) moments of physical intimacy. In some couples, we thought we saw that spark of connection. In others, we commiserated with their awkwardness. And we felt betrayed when we were told that the intimacy was in any way staged, somehow assuming that these models had scripted out every laugh, smile, and touch. 

We don't know exactly how the video was created, but despite our betrayal, the short film is sweet. We don't know that we're witnessing love-at-first-sight kind of intimacy, but that doesn't mean that we don't notice the connection, if only assumed by ourselves when watching, between that first kiss and the road to real intimacy. The fact that video was created by a clothing brand doesn't negate its authenticity, but it does mean that this is one creative clothing brand. And hey, they got you looking!

Bestie Teaser

Phew! What a week. Just a quick post to say hey-ya, how ya'll doing, I miss you! My biffle L has been in Ireland for the past week and adventures galore and laughs a million were had. I'm completely exhausted, but today we're driving up to Dublin for Jason Derulo, so it's not over yet!

Expect some serious update and adventure posts when I get back. Until then, I hope you enjoy laughing at whatever you think L and I are laughing at in this picture. Good luck figuring it out. I can't. 

xx

Joey Ryan Trio for Breast Cancer Ireland

In early January, I was approached by my thesis advisor. She was going to be teaching a Masters level course on popular music studies and asked if I would like to audit. It sounded good to me. But well, generally speaking, if your advisor asks you a question like that, you should just say yes. So I did. 

Turned out to be pretty interesting course. But however interesting discussing death metal and Katy Perry and masculinity all at once is, the fact that there are only two other people in the class made for pretty interesting conversation and fairly entertaining friendships. 

I met Joey Ryan in this class, and before Monday I had absolutely no idea he could sing. I knew he could discuss heavy metal with great alacrity, I knew he could eat a banana slower than anyone on the planet, but I didn't know he was a great musician. 

The Joey Ryan Trio dropped "Stay Strong" on Tuesday, and it's already climbed in the iTunes UK/Ireland charts. With all funds going to Breast Cancer Ireland, a charity that contributes to cancer research and awareness, the single represents a good cause. Cancer donations always gain attention, but having researched, donated to, and fundraised for so many cancer awareness organizations myself over the last few years, Breast Cancer Ireland is one that I'd support every time.

The song's cry to stay strong, to keep fighting, is beautiful and heart-wrenching. For a song so heavy on electric guitar, bass, and drums, it manages to be smooth and powerful at the same time. No wall of sound will hit you; only simple, powerful, actual music. Beyond the cause, the song is good, and even if you can't find it your heart to take a hit at 0.99c (whether you buy it in American iTunes or Irish, it'll still be 0.99c), take a listen on YouTube. 

And I hope you're as impressed and surprised as I was.