I know, it's been a while

I was vacationing with my family and being all kinds of lazy last week and didn't do anything. Sorry I've been away so long. After being chastised by Jasmine, I decided I needed to post something, but I still feel pretty lazy. So until I find some motivation, enjoy this little jewel.

HMD: Lady GaGa

So I totally have a girl crush on Lady GaGa. She's really edgy, entertaining, and has an incredible voice. I started to listen to her when Perez posted her music and videos and I immediately bought her album. My favorite thus far is definitely Love Game.

The song is catchy and has a great beat. The video is hot and makes me feel funny. I don't think she has an exceptionally pretty face, but she has a killer body and has mastered the art of sex appeal. At least for me. (Don't worry Javi, I'm not switching teams).

What I find so cool about her is that every performance is different. She is really singing, no lip-syncing. She has a few really cool acoustic versions of her songs. This video of her performing Poker Face is gorgeous. You realize she has some insane pipes that you don't really hear in her album.

Another really cool song she has is Paparazzi. This video was done during her tea cup phase, but before the geisha lips.

I'm not sure what's up with the hat. But that's another really cool thing about her. I don't always like or get what she's doing or wearing (again, geisha lips), but it's always interesting, eye catching, and it gets her in the news, magazines, and blogs. Girl knows how to market and create interest in a product. It seems like she really treats this as a job. This is her passion and she sees everything as a marketing opportunity. You see her on all the blogs, but not for getting trashed every night. She's out making a scene and getting attention.

Oh also, she plays piano. And she has written songs for Fergie, Britney Spears, and others. And she's only 22. And her first 2 songs (Just Dance and Poker Face) both debuted at #1. That's insane.

Now if only I could go to one of her concerts...

HMD: Gay Marriage

I am definitely no expert on this gay marriage business, but I do know where I stand on several issues relating to this topic:

• I don't think sexuality is a choice. After reading so many studies in my psychology classes, it seems clear to me that sexuality is something that is determined before birth. Researchers have found predictors of homosexuality in fetuses and young children (View study here).
• I don't think any individual should be discriminated for any reason, even if people believe sexuality is a choice. It is a choice for a woman to have a baby, but it is illegal for an employer to ask her that in an interview. Religion is arguably a choice and I cannot be discriminated against for my choice of faith.
• While I feel it is ideal for a child to have a male and a female parent, I think that what really matters is whether the child is loved and cared for. If two people are willing to give a child a home and love him/her, I don't care if they are both mommies.
• I hate it when people use deception and lies to get what they want. If you believe something is truly wrong, develop an argument why. Don't lie about it. Let me know why you feel the way you do, and even if I don't agree with it, I will try to understand and respect it. But if I discover that your arguments are all fiction, I will assume that you are stupid, wrong, desperate, a bigot, or immoral. That doesn't do much for your argument.
• I have no problem with a faith, religion, or church refusing to conduct or recognize a gay marriage. The Catholic church doesn't even recognize heterosexual marriages conducted outside of the Catholic church. The government, on the other hand, is different.
  

I found this video and feel like it addresses a lot of the issues that I have heard and knew were off, but didn't know quite why. I think it is really worth watching. Even if you don't agree with everything he says, I think you can appreciate his thorough analysis of common anti-gay attacks.

Thoughts anyone?

I got teary-eyed watching this!

I know some of you have probably already seen this. It's been all over the internets for the past few days, but it is truly incredible. It's 7 minutes but it is soooo worth it. I almost cried when I watched it at work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
(YouTube won't let me imbed it so you have to actually go to YouTube)

I just love this. She was a plain-looking, quirky, older lady who had everybody laughing at her. I can't imagine continuing on with the song after the way the audience and Simon treated her. But I'm so glad she did. This is so inspiring. After all those years, her dream was still to sing in front of a large audience and not only did she do that, she inspired so many people. I have chills just thinking about it. I'm all choked up!

HMD: I Heart Obama

A reporter asked Obama a very loaded, but completely valid question and I thought his answer was inspiring.

Obama, with this one answer, has reminded me why this country is so great, reassured me that there is nothing wrong with feeling like America is the greatest country on Earth, and given me reason to believe that without doubt or hesitation. He managed to do all that without insulting other countries, and in fact validated their pride in their own country. How refreshing.