BORN THIS WAY BALL: A Review

And kept to her promise, she did.

Even if you've been completely isolated from the pop cultural stratosphere for the last few decades, chances are that you'll still at least vaguely figure out what you're in for in a concert by a songstress that goes by the seemingly nonsensical disyllabic moniker of Gaga. And true to her name, the Lady didn't disappoint in her Singapore leg of her Born This Way Ball Tour. Escalating the craziness to a whole new level -- one that arguably outdoes her own Monster Ball ensembles -- the concert was nothing short of stunning, with the balance delicately tipped between the dipoles of batshit, insane raunchiness and mellow, heart-wrenching solemnity. Really, you should've known; South Korea made it adult-only, the Philippines threatened to jail her and Indonesia cancelled her concert altogether.

Year MMXI, Reviewed

I'm sorry, you misspelled the word "movement". 

Revolution, a royal wedding, more than a few R.I.P's and a good dose of Rebecca Black; that's how I would round up the year 2011. No doubt, 2011 was filled with turmoil and turbulence, starting off with the domino effect of toppling governments, and ending with a reminder of the world's exponentially expanding population. And now, in our annual enumeration, a summary with narrative highlights of the major events that defined this year. You ready? Here we go.