Couples looking alike: The Sarkozy case

Though opposites attract, there's evidence that people tend to choose long-term partners with qualities that match theirs. These similarities sometimes translate into physical features. For example, men and women who have more testosterone in their bodies exhibit more masculine physical qualities (have larger muscles, pronounced chins and high foreheads). Here's a story that explains the biological reasons behind the whimsy.

While some couples start off looking like each other...

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake in 2001

others tend to look more alike as they grow older...



Because of the similar-physical-features-similar-personality-traits complex, couples that look like each other tend to last longer -- ignoring the Spears-Timberlake example, of course.

Now, is it improper for me to point out that President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have kindred qualities? They are both tall, slender, intelligent individuals who know how to command a crowd. With their winning smiles, President Obama and his wife might be the most similar looking first family; though they have stiff competition.

First Lady Martha Washington and President George Washington

When the Obamas met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Cara Bruni earlier this month, the Associated Press captured a revealing moment for Sarkozy. The president, who has been divorced twice, might not look like his singer and former model wife, but that doesn't mean that he's not trying. ;)

(Notice Sarkozy's feet )
Palais Rohan in Strasbourg, France, Friday, April 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Review of the mayoral candidates' Web sites

While researching for a story about Pittsburgh's mayoral candidates, I started to think about something that was pivotal to President Barack Obama's election: His Web site. The three Democratic candidates - Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Councilman Patrick Dowd and attorney Carmen Robinson - have unique Web sites that epitomize the images they're trying to convey.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl
www.lukeformayor.com

The mayor is trying to show his Pittsburgh pride on his Web site, playing up his "Steelerstahl" spirit. His Web site's color scheme is black and gold and features a straightforward headshot with a smile that says, "I'm the mayor of the city of champions." Ravenstahl's new signs that say "Taking care of business" and "Getting it done" also exhibit big, bold graphics that scream "football."

Ravenstahl also beckons his supporters to "take action," rather than "volunteer." This goes with his young, virile persona.

Blog? Yes.
Link to Twitter? Check. Active? eh.
Link to Facebook? Check.
Link to Myspace? No. Myspace? eh.
Videos? No.

Councilman Patrick Dowd
www.dowdformayor.com


Dowd seems to the candidate for change because his Web site is reminiscent of Obama's campaign Web site, which is still up (Sen. John McCain took down his periwinkle Web site that also shared cosmetic similarities to Obama's). Before entering dowdformayor.com, there's a splash page prompting the viewer to donate. The blue and white color scheme is Obama-esque, though it doesn't play up the blue gradients as much on the homepage. Though the blue gradient is very similar to Obama's Web site, it's the portrait on that donation page that interests me. The photographer shot Dowd at a low angle that makes the upward looking Dowd seem optimistic, but not in the same way as the famous, sincere-looking Obama shot.

Continuing with his image, Dowd has adopted a little logo - like our president who decided to keep his campaign rising sun logo - in the browser tab, a "D." It seems more like George W. Bush's "W" logo or Oprah 's "O" than Obama.

Dowd also likes to talk to supporters using videos in the same way Obama used videos in his campaign. His Web site is highly interactive, with opportunities for supporters to upload photos and write why they're voting for Dowd.

Dowd also knows how to treat the media. On his "press kit" page, he aggregated his press releases and news articles as well as a black and white and color press photo (used above).

Blog? Yes.
Link to Twitter? Check. Active? Almost as much as mine at 2 a.m.
Link to Facebook? Check.
Link to Myspace? No. Myspace? No.
Video? Oooo. Yes.

Carmen Robinson
www.carmenformayor.com/


Robinson's Web site is a traditional, patriotic red, white and blue with gold accents. The Pittsburgh native's page features a faded picture of Pittsburgh's skyline. She gets extra points for that. The featured portrait of Robinson shows the candidate with arms crossed in a stern pose that's expected of an attorney.

Robinson's Web site is viewed best in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Alright... I tried it, and I didn't notice any difference.

Moving on. Graphics on the Web site are playful and don't have an obvious theme. There are various eye-catching fonts and pictures. She's the only candidate who posted pictures of her family and one of her standing near Pope John Paul II. Robinson does a good job portraying herself as a member of the community as well as a tough attorney with unwavering principles.

Rather than copying Obama's Web site aesthetics, Robinson uses Obama's catch phrases. Her Twitter says "Vote for Change!" and "Yes we can!"

Blog? No.
Link to Twitter? Check. Active? Yes.
Link to Facebook? No. Facebook? Not one for her campaign.
Link to Myspace? Check.
Video? None of herself but one of Obama on the stump recognizing Ravenstahl who was M.I.A. when he called his name - I was actually at this round table discussion at CMU last summer.

The Democratic primary tends to be more competitive than the main election in November because Pittsburgh is a historically Democratic city, having elected its last Republican mayor, John Herron, in 1933.



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Swing City!

I must be asleep.

Because I feel most awake, most alive when I'm dancing. Trying a new type of dance is like tasting a new dessert, and last night, I had the triple chocolate cake.

Walking onto the dance floor at Swing City in Squirrel Hill, I could not stop smiling. The music, people and dance moves seemed so familiar. I wished I had a polka dot dress, red lipstick and pearls. But I didn't feel awkward in my black skinny jeans and charcoal top - at least I was wearing my dancing shoes. The atmosphere was very casual. Some people dressed in vintage dresses and collared shirts while others wore Penguins shirts and poncho pants.

I went with the intention of observing for the first hour or so. This was not only because I plan on writing a story about Swing City for my newspaper 2 class but also because I had no idea how to swing dance.

After about 15 minutes of coaxing from friendly men who didn't want to see a girl sitting down, my favorite dancing buddy, Molly, and I took to the dance floor. I cursed myself for not showing up to the free lesson beforehand. But all of our dance partners were so helpful, counting to eight and reminding us of the slow-slow-quick-quick pattern. The way people crossed the room for each other reminded me of how Maria and Tony connected during the crowded dance in West Side Story. The kicking girls and twisting guys snapping their fingers helped too.

Dr. Zoot played the bouncing themes I expected as well as some polka and waltz. When they needed a break, the dance gods put on The Foundation's "Build Me Up Buttercup." The long trumpet skirts twirled and men got down on one knee with arms out, letting their girls parade around them. Amidst all of the swinging hips and dipping girls, there was an older couple in the middle of the room holding each other tight and spinning slowly.

The diverse crowd ranged from mid-teens to senior citizens, and everyone was having fun. Swing dancing is a lifelong activity, like tennis or golf, but I don't see love in peoples' eyes when they're golfing. Though tennis and golf clothes are pretty snazzy, there's just something about fedoras and chiffon scarves that's oh so fly.

You can bet that poodle skirt that I'll be back next Saturday and for many Saturdays after.

Swing City's Web site: http://www.swingpgh.com/index.html

Welcome to Brave New Word

"O brave new world,
That has such people in it!"
-William Shakespeare

Salutations! Thank you for viewing Brave New Word, a new culture blog by Estelle Tran. My readership on Transforumer, my old blog and professional Web site, was minimal, so I finally decided to make the jump on to Blogger. I'm reluctant to restrict this blog to one niche since I love to make connections and compare subjects. So you can expect to see blog entries commenting about national news as well as Pittsburgh news. But I'll also be busy blogging about trends in television, music, fashion and green issues.
Please check back soon. :)

All the best,
Estelle