I just.. I’m not feeling it anymore. Overnight Sensation isn’t doing what I need it to do for me. Finding something to post about is a chore. I’m repeating myself week after week and month after month. I need an outlet where I can write from my heart, and let more of my style and personality come through, an outlet where I don’t feel limited and am not grasping at straws to write.

I’m not going to delete this right away. I’ll wait, let my readers see this and find me at my new home (CLICK HERE).

This new blog is more about me and my interests. There are so many categories on this website that go unused: Education, Relationships, Health. The ones I do use are the same topics over and over again. I’ve been trying to run a magazine single-handedly and it’s not working for me. I loved it, I really did. Overnight Sensation will always hold a special place in my heart. It got me started in blogging for the longterm, and I’m glad to have it as a stepping stone.

Please head on over to subscribe to my new blog. I will be talking honestly about all kinds of pop culture. I am happy to take on guest bloggers (submit your writing to me) and suggestions for topics. I have just one post up now, but plan on writing my reactions on the Pretty Little Liars finale next week, for sure. I’ll also blog a bit about celebrities and whatever I feel like. It’ll be a place for me to react and bring up topics to discuss in pop culture.

I hope you’ll support me in this endeavor. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail (jpmartin90@gmail.com) or tweet (@xjillianpaige) with your thoughts.

Thanks! I love you!

Jillian

I got to the Middle East Upstairs at about 1:00 after a long walk from my dorm. There, I met up with Renée who was able to get me my ticket. Call Me Anything was the first band up, and they had time for just four songs. Their first two songs were new (Will said that the new album is still in the works – they want it to be something they can be proud of), followed by a 3OH!3 cover and the always-a-favorite White Rose song, “This Town Will Do For Now.”

There were six (if I recall correctly) bands playing, so I can’t remember them all, especially since I took some time to get food from the bar. My kitchen is currently completely devoid of food, so I was starving and needed protein. The Middle East is very reasonably priced, and the grilled chicken hit the spot. After a quick meal, I was back inside for the last few bands, Stereo Skyline and Small Talk.

This show was very casual and chill. The venue holds just about 150 people, so I was able to mingle and chat with friends and musicians. I made lots of new friends and had a blast listening to some new bands. I love small venues, and this is the smallest I’ve been to in Boston thus far.

Stereo Skyline were missing 50% of the band, so their show was acoustic, with a special appearance by the “Backstreet Boys.” This was fun to listen to, and brought me back to my younger years.

After the show, I finally met Brandyn Dougan, the lone high-schooler in Call Me Anything. Renée was a total doll and drove me back so I could avoid the foreboding skies that just screamed rain.

I want to apologize for the total lack of updates recently. I’ve been totally swamped; junior year is always the most work. I completely forgot about March’s Celebrity (so there won’t be a Hottie, either) and I was too busy to get around to a Fashion Friday. I’m really concerned that the workload isn’t going to lighten, but in the meantime, I’m going to do what I can on here. I might be updating less, and missing some updates here and there. I also might start looking for help with this, or I might totally revamp the site, I have yet to decide what the future holds for Overnight Sensation. (Feel free to comment with what you thing I should do.)

Love you all!

Anyway… Anne Hathaway and James Franco presented. The overall consensus is that Anne was enthusiastic and funny and a natural host while James was… underwhelming. They started out with a funny, short monologue after being digitally added to some of this year’s top films (and Back to the Future). I totally understand what the Oscars were trying to do with “young, hip” hosts, but I’m not sure who they were trying to target. If someone likes entertainment like films or music, then they’ll watch the award show. If they want to get 12 year olds, they better nominate the Biebs.

Tom Hank presented the awards for Art Direction (Alice in Wonderland) and Cinematography (Inception). Kirk Douglas came out to present Best Supporting Actress. He drew out the award, seeming much younger than his 94 years, stroke aside. He was flirty, funny and charismatic as anything. The award went to Melissa Leo (The Fighter) who dropped a certain four-letter-word.

Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis came to present Best Animated Short and Feature. Justin told us all the truth: he’s Banksy, the famed street artist. Mila seemed to disagree. Toy Story 3 took Best Animated Feature and The Lost Thing took the short. I had only seen one of the shorts, Day and Night, which I loved and wish had won.

The next two awards were Adapted and Original Screenplay going to The Social Network and The King’s Speech, respectively. This was followed by Anne doing a parody of Own My Own directed at Hugh Jackman, who took the brunt of most of the jokes throughout the night. James Franco then came out in a dress, but it was more awkward than funny.

Russell Brand and Helen Mirren (an odd pairing) introduced the Best Foreign Language Film, In A Better World (Denmark). Reese Witherspoon introduced the Best Supporting Actor, Christian Bale for The Fighter.

From there it was award after award, very different from the performance heavy Grammys.

Original Score: Social Network
Sound Mixing: Inception
Sound Editing: Inception
Make-up: Wolfman
Costume Design: Alice in Wonderland
Documentary Short: Strangers No More
Live Action Short: God of Love

The slew of awards was interrupted for a funny little video of auto-tuned films, starting with Harry Potter and ending with Twilight. Following this, we were back to awards.

Documentary Feature: Inside Job
Visual Effects: Inception
Editing: The Social Network
Original Song: Randy Newman – Toy Story 3

Randy Newman made a short, sweet and funny speech where he mentioned that we at home all hate speeches and that he wants to be good TV. After his speech, Celine Dion performed beautifully for the In Memoriam portion, before Halle Berry honored Lena Horne.

From here, we get into the big four: Director, Actress, Actor, Film.

Director went to Tom Hooper for The King’s Speech. I have not yet seen this movie, though I do want to, and from what I can tell, this award was well deserved, though many thought it would go to The Social Network.

The lead actress went to Natalie Portman (looking gorgeous in a deep purple) for Black Swan. I was a bit distracted by her earring, though; it was dangling so much. Jeff Bridges presented the award (Sandra Bullock presented Best Actor) and they gave the nicest introductions to each nominee. Sandra was especially hilarious in hers.

Leading Actor went to Colin Firth. His 20 second clip of the acting nearly brought me to tears, and I wholly understand why he got the award.

Finally, Best Picture… and the Oscar goes to… The King’s Speech!

Of course I’m still blogging! I have no good excuse for missing fashion friday – I just forgot. However, I have a perfectly good excuse for missing yesterday’s post. I was at a concert! I bought a ticket to see the Plain White T’s on a whim yesterday afternoon and spent my evening at the concert so I could give you a Music Monday on Tuesday and have it be a concert.

Let me put it this way… I finally felt like I was back home in the US. Being at a concert has completed the journey and I’m finally 100% acclimated to being back in Mass.

Ashley and me with Miggs

I met up with an old friend from high school, Melissa, and watched the show from the balcony. Paradise Rock Club has completely renovated, making for more room in the venue. They removed a wall, moved the box office, coat check and one of the bars. They also took out the multiple levels of the balcony so there is a single overhang, making for more room underneath. I’m guessing this means that they also moved the VIP section. I’m not sure where they put the bathrooms, or if they have done anything with them at all.

The first act was a trio called Miggs. They were really good and I chatted with them after Parachute’s set and was able to get a picture with the guys. Parachute played the second set and I can now say that I’m definitely a fan. After the show the lead singer, Will, was walking by and I grabbed him for a quick photo (and video… I forgot to turn that off. Oops!) before leaving.

The Plain White T’s set was incredible. It’s the second time I’ve seen them, and they never fail to disappoint. In fact, the first time I saw them, Tom was sick, but pushed through to play the show. If he sounded just fine then, you can imagine how great he sounded this night.

Will from Parachute and me.

The set list (from what I can recall and in no particular order) was the following: Irrational Anthem, Welcome to Mystery, Rhythm of Love, Last Breath, Broken Record, Our Song, Cirque Dans la Rue, Wonders of the Younger, 1, 2, 3, 4, Sunlight, Our Time Now, Hate (I Really Don’t Like You), Hey There Delilah, Revenge and Radios in Heaven.

During “Hey There Delilah” Tom moved from the stage to the back of the venue. He had to walk by my friends and I to get there, so I stuck my hand out when he was coming back to the stage and he (insert fangirl squeal here) held my hand.

Overall, it was a fun night, and I’m so glad I decided to buy the ticket last minute like that. I should be having another concert in the next two weeks or so, so keep an eye out for that!

A San Fran native, Criss got his acting degree from the University of Michigan and achieved youtube stardom with A Very Potter Musical. AVPM was written by Criss and his friends from school and a stepping stone for them to create a production company, Starkid.

Now, Criss plays openly gay student, Blaine, on Glee. So far this season Blaine has been a huge help to struggling student, Kurt, and everyone is rooting for them to get together. Criss has achieved so much in such a short time, more proof that youtube can launch a successful career and is full of amazing talent.

Important Darren Criss Links:
Official
Facebook
Twitter

Image courtesy of Darren Criss’ official website.

This year started out big – on the red carpet, that is. Lady Gaga arrived, ready to be “Born This Way” in an egg, incubating until her performance.

The real show, however, began with an incredible tribute to Aretha Franklin, featuring some big talent including Christina Aguilera, Yolanda Adams, Martina McBride, Jennifer Hudson, and Florence Welch (Florence and the Machine). The ladies all sounded wonderful, but Jennifer Hudson stole the show once again.

After the tribute, the first award was announced. Best Pop Song by a Group or Duet went to Hey Soul Sister by Train. That was going to be the last award for awhile, as this year’s show was performance heavy.

Gaga kicked off the slew of performances with her birth. Lady Gaga is truly incredible. She sings and dances, and while she sings live, most people could never sing as well as she does while moving and gyrating with her back-up dancers. While the egg part was typical Gaga – very weird – the rest of her performance was, well, tame. There was no blood, and I’ve seen weirder costumes (like Cee-Lo Green later in the show, for example).

Following Gaga was Miranda Lambert, introduced by her fiancé; Muse, an incredible British rock band; and Bruno Mars.

Out of these three, I think Bruno Mars was my favorite. On the red carpet, he promised to do something different with Grenade, and he definitely delivered. The television went to black & white and went back in musical style to deliver a song that may be even better than the original.

The second award of the night went to Miranda Lambert for Female Country Vocal for The House That Built Me, which she performed beautifully earlier in the night.

Eva Longoria came out to announce the next, highly-anticipated performance, Justin Bieber with Jaden Smith and Usher. The performance started out with what was supposed to be a touching moment between the Biebs and Usher, but instead came off as awkwardly scripted and less than sincere. Biebs didn’t perform the most catchy song, instead going with Never Say Never, the name of his movie that’s in theaters now. Jaden Smith joined the Biebs on stage and is an incredible dancer. The Smith’s have produced some talented children.

Usher finally came out and gave a stellar performance. His act was dance-heavy and very light on the vocals, but in the short time he was on stage, I completely forgot about the Biebs until he came out to dance with his mentor.

Another award for Best Rock Album goes to Muse for The Resistance. Glad to see the Brits representing. Across the pond tonight were the BAFTAs. Selena Gomez and Donny Wahlberg came out to introduce Best Pop Vocal Album. This exchange was extremely awkward. When announcing the nominees, Donny said, “Justin,” inserted a long pause while he turned to look at Selena, “Bieber.”

The award went to Lady Gaga for The Fame Monster.

Another tribute in here for Bob Dylan. Mumford & Sons, who are up for Best New Artist, kicked off the tribute before Dylan came out himself. He wasn’t looking (or sounding) very good, and perhaps the tribute should have been left to the young-ins.

The Lifetime Achievement Awards were announced, followed by a performance by Lady Antebellum, who then received the award for Best Country Album.

Jamie Foxx announced the next performance of the night, Cee-Lo Green. Cee-Lo decided to upstage Gaga this year by wearing a multi-colored bird outfit. He looked like a peacock, and his accompaniment was done by muppets. Gwyneth Paltrow joined him in a duet.

Neil Patrick Harris announced Katy Perry’s performance. Generally, Katy Perry sounds terrible live. I don’t know if it’s nerves or too much auto-tune, but awards shows and Perry don’t mix. This year, I was pleasantly surprised by her voice – she sounded much better than in past years. I kept waiting for Darren Criss to appear, though, as he covered Teenage Dream on Glee.

Norah Jones, John Mayer and Keith Urban honored Dolly Parton, a Lifetime Achievement Recipient, with a lovely rendition of Jolene before Lady Antebellum won for Song of the Year for Need You Now.

Rihanna, Eminem and Dr. Dre performed together. Rihanna looked like something out of a Tim Burton film and sounded worse.

Esperanza Spalding won for Best New Artist, upsetting the Biebs and Drake.

Mick Jagger came out to perform and was looking 100x more lively than I ever anticipated him being. Barbara Streisand, however, seemed slow and old, though she and Jagger are merely a few years apart in age.

Best Rap Album went to Eminem for Recovery before Rihanna came out for a second performance with Drake. Lady Antebellum then came out to take their award for Record of the Year for Need You Now.

Finally, we saw Arcade Fire’s performance just before they won Album of the Year for The Suburbs, another huge upset, beating out Lady Gaga, Lady Antebellum, Katy Perry and Eminem.

Everyone wants to try living healthier. Whether it be the foods we eat or the activities we do or don’t do – healthy living is cool. So, I was wondering what your tips and tricks are for living healthy. Do you work out every day? Only buy organic? A mixture of both? Maybe you tried a lifestyle change with a program. Perhaps you have tricks for staying motivated and remembering why you do the things you do. Whatever it is, let us know! Do this either through comments or use the contact page up top for more anonymity.

My tips? I try to eat healthier. I cook all my own food and try to have a balanced died with lots of milk, crystal light (I’m not a fan of plain water), meat and lots of fruits and vegetables. With a bum knee I can’t say I work out every day, but I try to stay active by walking to class and taking dance and ice skating 3 times a week. The motivation part is hard, though. Being enrolled in a class ensures that I get moving and doing my own shopping with a specific list ensures that I’m buying the right foods.

I can’t wait to hear your advice and tips!