(But seriously. This is the same guy who published an independent comic this one time that I totally meant to ask my comic book store to look into ordering but I didn't because I forgot the name and stuff?)

He is -- it's called Fyre Dragon. There are 4 issues (maybe 5?) out.

I'd say Lady Gaga has "personality" rather than charisma or looks, but we may be using different words for the same thing (and I think it's what Glee called "theatricality"). Love or hate her, but you can't ignore her.

Or more simply, she has "It."

I think she does have talent. And she worked the "It" factor pretty well in the beginning, but now she's running the risk of being nothing but gimmick.

I think the music business has been notoriously bad about pushing "acts" as opposed to actual singing talent. There are a couple of singers that push a look or act that have immense amount of talent but probably wouldn't have made it as big as they have without the act.

In consulting, the saying was always that you can have two of these three: fast, cheap, good. You can't have all three, and you're stupid to try.

As for the requirements for performers, I think a fair amount of determination can sub in for looks. That's what gym workouts, makeup, and style do, if you didn't win the genetic lottery. And seriously: not even Angelina Jolie looks like a movie star when she's shlepping the garbage cans to the curb at 6 AM.

I read the discussion last night about art and Plan B, and I think, frankly, there are too many variables at work to make any fast rules. Some people produce their best work when they are financially secure, even if it means getting up at 5AM and writing through their lunch breaks; for others, they have to have no other demands/distractions, so the art is all-consuming.

John Scalzi and Jim Hines are both SFF novelists; Scalzi made of his writing a business--it's his only source of income (although his wife is employed). Hines works a 9-5 job and fits the writing in around his other obligations. I can't say either one of them is a better artist, although Scalzi's more successful and better-known. Is his work better as Art? Who the fuck knows?

But I do think it's bullshit to say there are hard-and-fast rules that must apply to the production of art. There's no knowing how many people dove into the creative life without a Plan B, didn't make it work, and ended up taking on a job as a mid-level bureaucrat because they would rather eat than starve. For every Michael J. Fox, there's got to be dozens of young actors that didn't get the big break, and ended up back in Camloops slinging burgers.

As for myself, I work 40 hours a week and look after my parents and have a social life and exercise--and I still managed to write a 100,000-word novel in the last year. When I have had plenty of free time on my hands, I tend not to be as productive, creatively. So there's some anecdata for you.

ETA: And there is a DIFFERENCE between financial success and producing great art, too! Which we appear to be eliding.

Hines works a 9-5 job and fits the writing in around his other obligations.

I always admired Stephen Cannell because he had a work ethic about writing like no one else. Back before he was successful, he had a full time job working for his father-in-law. So he'd get up every morning at 4 am and write before work. He'd write during lunch. Then he'd write again after the kids were in bed.

I needed a nap after just hearing about his schedule. But I actually think his work ethic and determination is what made him so successful.

Stephen King (and his family) were all but starving on a teacher's salary when he managed to sell Carrie.

It seems to me that Lady Gaga knows the business and how to create a larger than life persona. She has vocal chops (I heard her recital when she was in college), but she has surrounded herself with a key group of dancers, fashion, and creative people who all add to Gaga's mystique.

I waved her off after "Poker Face" and then I read a few articles about her and how she has crafted this persona and I think I'm kind of a fan (the kind of fan who doesn't buy her music).

She is intentionally positioning herself as the Madonna of the 2010 and you can see explicit references in her videos and music

She is celibate and sings about self-acceptance and a lot of kids like her.

She may not be relevant in 10 years, but Madonna held on a lot longer than I expected.

Has anyone posted the Bradley Cooper French interview? I surrender.

I don't get Lady Gaga at all. And I just want her to go away. What she has is overexposure. I did, however, spend $.99 on her album on Amazon. Noah actually loves her and frequently asks for Poker Face.

Yesterday was my onerous task day. But I made my students do most of my onerous tasks -- cataloguing books, labeling them, boxing them, moving them, sorting papers etc.

I had a toxic run-in with the AP and now I'm trying to figure out what I want next year.

How is being supported by your wife for five years not a Plan B?

Right? It's a parasitic Plan B, but a Plan B nonetheless. If you are (1) not succeeding at Your Great And Super Special Art, yet you are still (2) eating and have a place to live, you have a Plan B. It might not be a Plan B where you choose to work at something else, but it's still a Plan B. Right up until your wife says "Get a job, seriously, or move the hell out. The mime gig is NEVER going to happen."

Agree with both of these 100%!

I will say I read some of the things that people were posting on Amanda Palmer's feed about #FuckPlanB. And there plan As were really a Plan B, like a correction of something that went wrong. Staying with your abusive husband may have been Plan B in your head, but at some point it WAS your plan A.

Has anyone posted the Bradley Cooper French interview? I surrender.

Hmm... this part

I can decipher barely a word of this interview with Bradley Cooper, but I know one thing: he's never been more attractive.

Perhaps he's extra attractive because you CAN'T decipher a word? It's a very bland interview (at least the first half).

I like BC, but because I like Alias, far longer than I should have. I will say, if it were Michael Vartan speaking French I'd find it way more attractive.