What is it about Christmas

Maybe it's the music, or the mistletoe or just the hustle and bustle of the season, but there's something about the holidays that seem to bring out the lovey dovey in me. It's like there's something in the air this time of year that makes me... well... nicer than usual?

I know that sounds horrible, but every year around this time I get thoughtful, or giving, or just in an all-around good mood. But more strange, I generally find myself getting romantically involved. Tis the season for love and good cheer, but what is it about Christmas that makes every potential relationship seem worth the hassle?

I'd say I'm quite the pessimist these days when it comes to love, but even despite the epic fail better known as 2009, I am as chipper and positive as ever about things right now. But are these my true feelings or just another Christmas coincidence?

John Mayer once wrote, "No way November we'll see our goodbye. When it comes to December, it's obvious why no one wants to be alone at Christmastime."

JM has always been extremely insightful about love and life, but he brings up a great point. Is the love that is spread during the holidays real or is it just an illusion sure to reveal its true self in the year to follow? Will these warm fuzzies turn into the cold shoulder after the presents have been unwrapped and the New Year's kiss has been forgotten?

While I ponder this, I fear that although these feelings are wonderful, they are simulated through genius marketing and winter weather. But why must I be so cynical?

Christmas SHOULD be about love right? Isn't that the whole point of the Jesus thing?

I'm horribly confused, but while my mind is racing, my hearts a-flutter... a-flutter with how incredibly gay that just sounded.

I can't say all of this is a bad thing. Even if only to feel this way for a month, it surely seems worth it.

America's Creephearts

In America, we glorify three main things:

1) Food
2) Texas
3) Creepers

Now the first two are obvious. But creepers? Yes. Let me elaborate.

Exhibit A: Adam Lambert
I'm not gonna lie... I definitely voted for Adam when he was an innocent little rockstar on American Idol. However, Mr. Lambert proved he was quite the actor as his true colors came out just the other night on the AMA's. A part of me says "ew.. what a freakshow." But another part of me says, "wow, he's kinda sorta genius, he may just end up being a legend." I'm torn. Humpf.


And behind door #2 is...Satan?
Lady Gaga is our friendly neighborhood psycho. Yet we can't seem to get enough of her. She has had FOUR number one hits in 2009 alone, something that hasn't been done since the Jackson 5. We just can't get enough of her and that...uh... sci-fi wardrobe of hers?













MJ
Speaking of the Jackson 5 and America's most beloved creepers... the King Creep himself. RIP MJ. I've always been a fan, but that doesn't make you any less of a weirdo. Yet again, another prime example.





Sarah Palin
Now you gotta admit, Sarah Palin is kinda sorta lovable... but sometimes she's just fricken nuts. America's sweetheart, no? Another prime example.






And last but not least...




Lil' Wayne

Admittedly, nearly every women in America would "do" him, or so he says... and he no doubt sells his fair share of records. But I can sincerely say he is the shining example of America's love for total buffoons.

Unfriending: A Cautionary Tale

As an active member of the first generation of web junkies, I believe I speak for all young 20-somethings when I say that social networking has redefined our culture. Not only does it allow us to openly communicate with damn near everyone we know, it allows us to do more important things like stalk our ex’s new girlfriend’s Facebook profile or tweet every single solitary thought that comes into our heads…But I’m sure I don’t need to convince any of you how epic this is… you all do it everyday... and if you don’t you might as well be living in a cave in Jamaica singing Bob Marley and feasting on a live fish…

So we’ve all acknowledged how big of an impact social networking has on our society. Let’s face it, it has redefined our generation. For instance, you’re not really in a committed relationship until it’s FBO (Facebook Official), right?
So with all of this being said, I felt the need to bring up a new topic. A topic that I don’t think has been addressed nearly enough… a topic that I think we should all take a moment to ponder upon.

This week, the New Oxford American Dictionary announced that its Word of the Year has been awarded to the word, “unfriend.” Yadda yadda yadda, it definitely is a word that everyone understands and certainly everyone has used, but is it something we should embrace?

I’m all about Facebook. I’m all about communication, keeping up with people you’ve randomly met, and all that good stuff, but I am adamantly against unfriending …and let me explain why.

One thing I have learned in the PR and journalism realm is that you never know when you might need someone, even someone you barely know. Whether they may be someone who one day works for a company you’re trying to get into, or maybe they just happen to live in the same zip code when you move away from your hometown… you may need them one day, and wouldn’t it suck if that integral person you need so bad for information, or what not, you unfriended back when you were… obviously stupid and feeling conceited?

A month or so ago I was going through my Facebook requests and I noticed that this guy I had met a few times at parties a year or so ago had invited me to a fan page about his newly formed band that is now touring and trying to get their big break. We had a lot of mutual friends and the Facebook friendship was legit. Well I thought…hmm… I wonder what he’s up to… So I went to the search bar to look at his profile… and… bum bum bum….low and behold, he had UNFRIENDED me…

So what did I do? I didn’t accept the fan request… Pu-lease... Why on Earth would I support someone who unfriended me? Hello… Bad PR Sir… B-A-D PR. His page needed fans. I have a blog. I could have easily listened to their stuff and publicized it for them, but guess what… I don’t help out people who don’t consider me memorable enough to keep on their endless lists of Facebook friends. Not to mention, it takes actual EFFORT to unfriend someone. You have to go to their page, scroll all the way down and find that little tiny sentence that says “remove from friends.”

The only people I have EVER unfriended were an ex-boyfriend and the dumb skankatron he canoodled with… This kind of unfriending? Totally acceptable. Backstabbing bitches? UNFRIEND. Creepers? UNFRIEND. DO IT. But people who have maybe just fallen out of communication or slipped under the radar? Not ok…

The point I’m trying to make is that in this crazy world, the strangest of things can happen. I moved to Tampa not knowing anyone here essentially. Want to know what the first thing I did? I went on Facebook and found all the alumni association groups here in Tampa and I joined them. I then made friends with a few of the people and now I actually have somewhat of a social life in an otherwise estranged city. I further found out that one of my sorority sisters, who I was Facebook friends with, but had never really spent time with, lived here. So badda bing badda boom… that connection was made and now I have yet another person to lean on here! See how amazing this system is??

So I urge you all, dear readers, to think twice before you click the forbidden unfriend button… you might regret it one day… and when that one day comes, you’re going to feel pretty dang silly friend requesting them all over again. While unfriend may be the word of the year, it is a verb that should be used with the utmost caution… so friend on people… friend on…

Giggles

OK so I can't tell you why... but this commercial makes me laugh each and every time I watch it.



New life goal--- become the VP of enough is enough.

Wow... Gene Simmons looks a lot younger...

Halloween is a glorious occasion, not because I go to wild parties or gorge myself in endless amounts of candy (lord knows I don't need those extra calories), but because it gives me an excuse to use some of my makeup-art skillzzz. If you know me, you know I have some wacky nephews I enjoy goofing around with, and this occasion was certainly no exception. Check out their AWESOME costumes this year. They rocked the neighborhood trick-or-treat scene.. literally.

Where it all began:


The end result... Preston turned Gene Simmons...





We turned Cameron into Castaway... doesn't he look AWESOME! Wilson and everything!