Blogs, blogs, blogs

Not that anyone cares, but I thought I'd share some of the blogs I like to keep up on. Chances are, most of you reading this (if there are really any of you out there...) are already familiar with these. But whatever. I wanted to post, and today has been a blog binge day, so there. Though by blogging about blogs my page may very well collapse into a black blog hole. I'll take the risk.

First is a seasoned, intelligent blogger who calls himself "The Professor". Cat introduced me to this one, as he is her brother's girlfriend's brother. So in other words, he's someone I don't really know, but I'm cyberstalking anyway. Well, kind of. Movie reviews, music, random rants, it's got all you could ever want. Check this one out at http://woundedmosquito.blogspot.com/

Next, my aunt. Most of you won't really care about this one, seeing as you don't know her, her children, or her many many dogs. Anyway, figured I'd include it anyway. I like it, and she's my favorite aunt. Also, she's started another blog for bitchy rantings, on my suggestion, so that should be interesting. No posts yet, but we're waiting. So yeah, this one's http://morganzoo.blogspot.com/

Another one not everyone will care about, and that sometimes I feel like a weirdo reading. The family blog of (to many of us) a dear friend, Christopher Hill. Now this didn't become interesting, until his bro in-law posted a letter from him. Something I'm quite interested in, updates from Chris, so here you go, http://hillsralive.blogspot.com/

Next is Ashley's brother Matt, whom I adore, and if I'm not mistaken, adores me. He kind of reminds me of my cousin Ben (whose mother's blog was mentioned earlier). Anyway, I like the way he does it, keeping it simple. He posts random facts daily and the ever-intriguing Tuesday Tirade. This one's at, quite aptly named, http://mattfax.blogspot.com/

The final three go in the same category, but are all very different...the friend blogs.

Ashley's blog is, as expected, and is customary for a blog, random thoughts and impressions of hers. Which are like no other, and always interesting to read. Especially when influenced/not influenced by behavioral medications. A glimpse into Ashley's brain, http://ashleychappelle.blogspot.com/

Cat, the cultural whore she is, has a blog dedicated to that very whoredom. And I mean this in a good way. Cat tells me about things I wish I knew about and hate myself for not knowing. It's a good thing. And Cat's a Beatles fanatic. Just thought I'd add that. Another thing I envy. Catty Cat's blog, (named after her potential future band) http://theangstmuffins.blogspot.com/

Finally, the newest, and still one of the greats, Paige's blog. The first post affirms why I both love and hate her so much. And why we're such great friends and bitter rivals. Ok, so not rivals, but we have our moments. Anyway, Paige is an incredible writer/poet/mind, so this one will only improve, I'm sure. Clever little Paige is found at http://paigeistheword.blogspot.com/

So there they are. Keep blogging, keep reading blogs, I don't know how to end this inappropriately motivational sentence...

A Tranny Mess

Sadly enough, this post was prompted by the great whore that is American Idol. I don't pride myself on being someone who tunes in to this freak show, but most of my viewing goes to disparaging the meager talent of many of the contestants. This is especially true this season, but nevermind.

This week on the show (predictably following '60s and '70s era themes) was '80s week. Which got me thinking about my musical 'philosophy' of the '80s, or just music in general. As the first contestant belted out "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" by Wham!, I thought what a crazy cultural bubble the '80s turned out to be, especially when it came to pop music.

I'm no expert, and wasn't really a child of the era, but here are my thoughts. Every musical era has its styles and artists that live and die within that period, but the musical baby boom of the '80s was something to be marveled at. Granted, there were artists who rose long before who enjoyed success through, and after this period. There were also several '80s musical babies who had success later. But amazing to me are all those products of the time that died right along with it. All those catchy tunes, we '90s children even know the words to, but have no substantial knowledge of the artists behind them.

But alas, this truly is the way of the musical world. Hanson, TLC and MC Hammer got left behind just like Wham! and so many others. And just as many popular artists of today will invariably fade into the background. An interesting thing to think about. Now go and pull out your favorite old BBMak CD and mourn the passing of so many mediocre artists...

Colbert always says it better...

Experience?

Hope. Something transient, ethereal. It's a dreamer's word. No one takes hope seriously; confined to its curly letters inscribed on wooden blocks. I don't. I didn't. Until now. It's no small thing, it's nothing to be ignored. Thousands, millions, droves of people now daring to utter it, to let it fill them up. Hope that maybe something will be different. Hope that maybe someone will finally push in the other direction. Hope that the pattern can be changed. Hope that "Yes, We Can."

But hope doesn't count, they say. Hope can't change things, words can't change things. Oh, and not to mention, Hope is nothing without experience. Show us what Hope has done. Tell me one specific thing Hope has accomplished. You can't, so Hope can't be trusted. You can't be trusted. You can't be taken seriously.

Oh. And Hope's middle name is Hussein.