1st Annual Dusty Awards

WELCOME TO THE FIRST ANNUAL DUSTY AWARDS!

With 2015 over and done, I thought we'd take a moment to reflect on my favorite random things and people from the past year. I have random shit I'd like to give mention to. Let's start!

Favorite TV Show of 2015: SCREAM QUEENS

The Dusty Award has to go to the Ryan Murphey, Ian Brennan and Brad Falchuk creation that is Scream Queens. It's about an upscale Sorority House getting terrorized by a serial killer(s) dressed in a red devil costume. It's ridiculous, campy, weird and out of control. Here's a list as to why it's the most DUSTIN worthy show of 2015:

1) Jamie Lee Curtis

2) Mean, rich, fashionable blonde girl walking around in expensive couture while insulting everyone       and everything. 

3) Awesome throwbacks to slasher movies of the past, often done in a overly OBVIOUS way. 

4) Douche frat boys getting maimed and sliced up.  

5) Soap Opera-like dramatic hi-jinx.

6) FASHION

7) Jamie Lee Curtis

The screwball, horror-comedy is awesome, touching on aspects of political correctness, racism and bullying, all is a comedic way. 

Favorite Book of 2015: THE WITCHES: SALEM 1692 by Stacy Schiff

The Dusty Book Award goes to this historical account of the infamous witch trials that took place in Salem, Massachusetts in  1692. It's an unbelievable event. Reading about it these days, it's hard to imagine why, what, how? It boggles the mind, but Stacy Schiff does an excellent job trudging through the various historical records, court documents and family histories of 17th Century Massachusetts to bring us a refreshing view point of a very confusing time in US History. 

Favorite Movie of 2015: KRAMPUS

Okay, I slacked a lot when it came to movie watching last year. There are SEVERAL movies I wanted to see in 2015, I just didn't due to lack of time or just plain laziness. One movie I did go see, and LOVED was Krampus! It was hilarious and tense at times, but overall fucking fantastic! I mean, it had demonic ginger bread men, Toni Colette and a giant, child eating Jank-in-the-Box. I'M LIVING FOR IT!

Favorite Netflex Obsession of 2015: SENSE8

It's hard to explain, just go fucking watch it. 

Most Badass Actor 2015: MAX RIEMELT (Sense8)

In Netflex's Sense8, Riemelt plays a hell raising, German safe-cracker who kicks everyone's ass and gives 0 fucks. 

Most Badass Actress 2015: DOONA BAE (Sense8)

Bae is my BAE! Yes she's a Sense8 actress too, but this is my list and I can put whoever I want on it! She slays me! LOVE HER!!!

Best Supporting Actor 2015: DENIS O'HARE (American Horror Story: Hotel)

Denis O'Hare plays the FABULOUS Liz on American Horror Story: Hotel. GAWD! I LIVE FOR HER! O'Hare has proven he can run the acting gambit from A to Z. 

Best Supporting Actress 2015: BILLIE LOURD (Scream Queens)

Billie Lourd plays the beautifully apathetic and wonderfully vacant Chanel #3 on Scream Queens. A fairly new actress, she held her own in scenes with more seasoned actresses like Jamie Lee Curtis and Emma Roberts. I applaud you Miss Lourd!

Best Actor 2015: KIT HARINGTON (Game of Thrones)

Though some people see Jon Snow as a one-note character, I EXTREMELY beg to differ. Harrington did an excellent job this past season and I hope with everything in my heart that he comes back with a vengeance this season. 

Best Actress 2015: JANET MONTGOMERY (Salem)

This was a hard one, but I have to give it to Janet Montgomery who plays the Salem coven leader, Mary Sibley, on WGN's Salem. Her portrayal of a powerful woman who's slowly losing everything, and coming to realize the pact she made with the devil himself was a horrendous mistake. Montgomery is brilliant and deserves praise. 

FAVORITE SONGS of 2015: 

Here are a few of my favorite songs from last year. Deal with it!

Kelly Clarkson - Hearbeat Song

Happy and light! It makes me want to hug myself!

Sia - California Dreamin

I mean... just... phenomenal. 

Coleman Hell - Two Heads

Unlike anything I've ever heard. Genre-bending and weird.

Lana Del Rey - High by the Beach

"You could be a bad motherfucker, But that don't make you a man"

Adele - Hello

Do I even NEED an explanation? 

Used to Love You - Gwen Stefani

Gwen captures her dissolved marriage perfectly in this song. 

Drake - Hotline Bling

I'm REALLY late to this party, but I LOVE IT.

HONORABLE MENTION:

LADY GAGA (American Horror Story: Hotel)

Despite what other's are saying, I think she's fucking brilliant in her role. She came close to beating out Janet Montgomery for my favorite lead actress, but I had to give it to Janet in the end.  Some may call me bias because I love Lady Gaga anyway, but I don't really give a rat's ass. I think she's phenomenal. 

An Open Letter to Kelly Clarkson

Dear Kelly Clarkson,

I would really like to take a moment and holla at you. I know these days I tend to get wrapped up in my other divas, such as Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey, Gwen Stefani, Ellie Goulding, Izzy Azalea, and so many others. There's so many female musicians out there for me to listen to and enjoy that I occasionally forget about you. When I say I forget about you, I don't mean you completely leave my mind, let me explain:

She was super cute, even then!

I remember first seeing you that summer of 2002 on the first season of American Idol. You sang Etta James' "At Last" and then I think you sang Madonna's "Express Yourself," but it's been hot minute... as in 12 years, so forgive me if I'm a little shaky on the details. What I do remember is how beautiful I thought you were (are). When you sang, it was powerful. You demanded everyone's attention and we gladly gave it to you.

A moment like that!

Like most kids my age at the time, I was obsessed with American Idol. I watched it every time it was one. It was a phenomenon in the early 2000's. I was "Team Kelly" from the get go. I also loved Tamyra Gray, her "A House is Not a Home" has me sweating a little bit for you. In the end, you were crowned the first American Idol. I was one of the 15 million people who called in to vote for you that night. When you won, I felt I had a little something to do with it.

Remember the low light/high light mix phase? Yeah, me too.

I remember not long after you won American Idol, you released your first album, Thankful. I LOVED this album. It was in my portable CD player for weeks and weeks. I remember thinking how versatile you were. You could belt out a heart-wrenching song one minute and then have a sassy, sexy attitude the next, all while remaining graceful and keeping that girl-next-door charm. Very few artists can do that.

Since U Been Gone.. I WRECKED ALL YO SHIT!!!

Your next album was absolutely amazing. You proved everyone who said you were a "flash in the pan" dead wrong! Breakaway was where you really proved you had stay power and you weren't going anywhere. It was a powerhouse album! This was the album where you didn't need the crutch of American Idol to be a superstar. You could stand on your own two feet! "Since U Been Gone," "Behind These Hazel Eyes," "Because of You," "Walk Away"... I mean, every song on this album was fantastic! I loved "Addicted." "Hear Me" and "You Found Me" too. You, along with Avril Lavigne and Gwen Stefani, were my life!

Whatever is happening here... I LOVE IT.

My December, your next album, was my absolute favorite. I think it's the best work you've ever done. This album was released during a dark time for me, and hearing these songs really helped. I felt like I wasn't alone in the pain I was feeling. Further more, I remember buying this album on my birthday when it went up for pre-sale on iTunes. This was a very dark album, and I loved it. There was lots of controversy around this album, with your producer wanting to scrap it, but I'm so glad it was released. "Never Again," "Don't Waste Your Time," "Judas," "Sober," "Irvine" and my favorite "Maybe" were huge standouts on this album for me. This will always be one of my favorite albums, and the face that you wrote or helped write most songs on the album makes it even more special. Your next two albums didn't effect me as much as My December, but I loved them! All I Ever Wanted and Stronger were fantastic! I loved both of them! I can't wait for Piece by Piece to be released!

Yummm!

I guess I'm writing you this open letter to say "Thank You." I know I get wrapped up in other crazier artists and bands, but I know you'll always be there waiting for me. If I'm having a down day I can listed to "Stronger." If I'm having a sassy day I can listed to "Walk Away" or "Since You've Been Gone." Hearing one of your songs is like getting a visit from an old friend. In many ways, I grew up with you. I feel like you've come such a long way as a woman and artist. You're a beautiful, talented and down-to-earth person. Those kinds of people are hard to come by. You might have won American Idol, but in return, the world won you. We discovered you and we love you. People say you were "lucky" for winning that competition, no, we were the lucky ones.


Your's always,

-Dustin

Kelly is happily married with...

... an adorable baby girl! Say hey to River Rose! HEEEEY!

PS: I know this was way TOO REAL and I'm sorry! Let's get lunch sometime, I promise I'm not this mopey and boring in real life, you can ask my other personalities.