Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Trends, September 11, 2000

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Sept. 11, 2000 | 9:20 a.m.

Lisa Ferguson is the Sun assistant features editor. Her Trends column appears Monday. Reach her at lisa@lasvegassun.com or 259-4060.

Totally tacky

It's the list America probably hasn't been waiting for. Nevertheless, Spin magazine, in its quest for, umm, superior journalism, has compiled "The 100 Sleaziest Moments in Rock," which appear in its October issue.

This being a family newspaper and all, we're reluctant to share too many of the notorious (and largely R-rated) moments that made Spin's Top 10. But there are plenty of others to go around:

No. 92: "Country singer George Jones got his car keys taken away so he rode to the liquor store on a lawn mower." No. 66: "John Fogerty gets sued for infringing copyright for sounding too much like Creedence Clearwater Revival." No. 46: "The Beach Boys' Dennis Wilson marries bandmate Mike Love's illegitimate teenage daughter just to spite him."

Lest we think bad taste is a thing of the past, some more current examples are found in No. 17: "Eminem includes daughter's voice in a song about killing her mother," No. 30: "Metallica turns in their fans for pirating their material without permission," and lucky No. 13: "Courtney Love's infamous public and private shenanigans."

Enough said.

What time is it?

In this election year, it seems that even people who don't call New York home have an opinion about first lady Hillary Clinton's bid for that state's senate seat.

The Worldwide Watch Company of Seattle has capitalized on this with a new wristwatch. The face features a cartoon mug of Clinton, donning a blue baseball cap that changes state abbreviations -- from New York to Illinois to Arkansas to Washington, D.C. -- as the hours tick away. "The baseball cap changes states as fast as she does," the company contends.

The quartz watch, which retails for around $30, is available by visiting the company's website (worldwidewatch.com) or by calling (800) 535-0131.

Brand new you

Feeling down about yourself? Think you're too fat? Too skinny? That your wardrobe is out of date? That your house is cluttered? Sounds like you're in dire need of a kick in the old self-image.

If nothing else, your timing is impeccable. Sunday marks the start of the second annual "Build a Better Image Week." (Who knew?)

Marlys K. Arnold to the rescue! The "total image specialist" is a former Kansas City (Mo.) Star newspaper reporter who currently develops image seminars. In honor of "Better Image" week, Arnold shares some of her image-building tips:

* "Start a style file. Begin clipping photos of looks that you like, no matter whether you understand why you like them or not."

* "Evaluate and clean out your closet. Get rid of the pieces that haven't been worn in at least two years, don't fit anymore or are just plain worn out!"

* "Give up old habits. Do you have bad posture or bit your nails? Now is the time to kick the habit."