When I arrived home this afternoon from school and checked the text messages on my cell phone (new annoying cell phone policy at school, had to wait all day just to whip out my phone), I found one from my brother, saying that two hardcore Christians came to our door today preaching about Jesus. The reason it's funny, obviously, is because I'm not religious, nor is the rest of my family. In fact, if anything, my brother is the antithesis of the women that showed up at our door. He's essentially a hardcore atheist that cracks up in laughter at the mention of any religion.

Personally, I'm inclined to agree with my brother on that one. Religion, especially Christianity, is much too fable-tastic to be taken seriously. People once believed in a God named Zeus that lived above the clouds.... also fable-tastic. I don't doubt that someday Christianity will also be taught in our English cla sses for purely academic purposes. Really, not even kidding.

But, that's not to say I don't have some spiritual side to me. After all, when I hit my low of lows,I still turn to God. Why? How the heck should I know. But I do. Maybe it's just habit from when I was little and was God-fearing. Or maybe there is a part of me that still believes in a higher power? For such reasons, I do at least consider myself agnostic. Like every other religious individual, I get solace in the idea of there being a higher power that can save us all and give us our own perfect vacation spot for all of eternity. For everyone's sake, I hope there is such a thing. I'd hate to spend eternity in an empty dark abyss of nothingness....

Despite my lack of real spirituality, I do seem to believe in a lot of supernatural theories. Karma really is a b***. I don't need scientific proof to understand that. And ghosts? Keep me the hell away from Gettysburg!Who knows, vampires could exist too, for all I know. Can't say I'd be terribly frightened by them... not if they looked like Edward Cullen, anyway. Or even werewolves?A few Jacob Blacks in the world wouldn't hurt either!

For now, however, I'll keep on searching for what I truly believe about where we came from. Big Bang Theory, Adam and Eve, big magic stick that flashed and created a universe.... whatever. The point is, I'm here, and I'm going to live my life to the fullest regardless of where I came from.

*Sigh*

So my first last day of high school is officially over. And, to my surprise, it was very different from my previous first days. Normally, I'm very nervous, and antsy about every aspect of the day. Today, on the other hand, was a completely different story. I got on the bus (yes, the bus, can't afford a car of my own), calm as ever, and upon arrival gladly retreated to my Advisory Room... which has always been a bit of a respite for me in school.

When I arrived, I basically sat down, received my planner and important papers as usual, and just mingled for the next hour. No long lectures about school rules, not any of that crap. It was a relief, but kind of abnormal for what I'm used to. I guess being a senior does have its perks...

Next, I proceeded to my first block class (which is also my second block class), Writing Workshop, and greeted my teacher and some friends I hadn't seen in a few months. The two blocks actually dragged on for what felt like forever, despite the fact that I have one of my favorite teachers in two of my favorite classes. Call me crazy, but too much energy and happiness on a Monday morning, is NOT a good thing. At least I did get to talk to my teacher about havingmy owncolumn in the newspaper, which looks like it should work out. Yay!

My next destination: American Politics! Turns outmy teacher mysteriously disappeared for about two weeks, so I'm stuck with a substitute for the next week. Lucky for me, that substitute is Mr. Thomas, one of the most beloved elderly substitute teachers in the district! I guess I can deal with that. Besides, the class looks to be one of the more interesting classes I have, despite the fact that half of the people in my class seem to be brainless morons.

And last but not least, AP English! I was actually pleasantly surprised with this class. I wasn't expecting a whole lot, but my teacher truly fascinates me. He's witty and eccentric, and creepy at the same time. Either way, he appears to be an effective teacher. I found his lecture today to be fairly interesting. I have high hopes for this class.

As a whole, I suppose my day was pretty good. Not spectacular, but then again, what first day is spectacular? First days of school are notorious for their long boring lectures about rules and syllabi. In that case, I guess I didn't expect much to begin with. I am, however, hoping for a fun-filled and productive semester! I'm off to an okay start, thus far.

I know it's probably evil of me to be making this comment about a group of people sitting through a funeral service, but this picture is totally hilarious! George Bush's expression is absolutely priceless.... he has a "dang, I'm surrounded by them (democrats, that is)!" expression on his face. Not to mention I can only imagine what was running through Hillary's mind, sitting next to a man she thrives on berating on a daily basis.

Also, where's Senior Bush? For goodness sakes, we know you weren't a popular President, but if your son can make it there then you sure as heck can!

Anyway, off to school tomorrow. Will blog afterward on my experiences of the day. Have a good end of the weekend, everyone!

As I stood by my cash register yesterday afternoon at work, yawning and daydreaming about any and everything imaginable, I began to take a look around at my surroundings. You see, I don't exactly live in the most cla ssy of places. I live in rural Pennsylvania, amidst people that think poofy hair and neon-colored jumpsuits are still "in". People that value the word of their religious leaders over their own opinions. But alas, they are still people.

So with that in mind, it always amazes me how many of these same people don't come to the same conclusion. Yes, there are differences in some groups of people, and you may not like them, but they're still people.... and should be treated as such. From a political standpoint, things seem to be getting better on this issue.... you know, minus the exploitation of the issue to create partisan divides. God forbid if President Obama were to support same-sex marriage. I mean, seriously, he might end up alienating his conservative base! You know, the one that doesn't exist anyway?

Don't worry, I'm going to try not to go on one of my gay rights rants again. We all know I've been there, done that. But that's because I no longer really view this as a battle for one group, to right one injustice. This is no longer about gays, or blacks, or hispanics, it's about human rights. Ironically, something more non-religious people seem to respect and comprehend than religious individuals do.

That's not to say that everyone that's religious is a bigot. I have several religious friends who treat me as their equal, and I respect them for that. But it can also be argued that the same principles and idealogy fictitious pieces of literature like the Bible teach, go against their own morals of equality. Endorsing slavery and condemning love of any kind is not open-minded, accepting, or "Christian" in any single way, shape, or form.

I recently stumbled upon a new Gallup poll on the issue of gay rights (ok, so I lied, I'm going on a rant again), which contained relatively upbeat news that, though most Americans still oppose same-sex marriage, more are coming around. While this is, in some sort of twisted way, "good news", I think I was more disturbed with the percentages of people that opposed gay rights. Forty-percent of Americans do not believe same-sex relationships should be legal. And I'm not talking about marriage, I'm talking about relationships in general. Essentially, that's saying that forty-percent of Americans are so bitter and miserable that they'd love to spread their own hate and malice upon other human beings, just because they're different. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't we taught at a very early age; pre-school perhaps, that we're supposed to respect those who differ from us?

I suppose this wouldn't be so upsetting to me, if it weren't for the fact that so much progress has been made in the past few years. Four states have legalized same-sex marriage in the past six months alone, and more and more legislation is being pushed forward to address hate crimes.

What makes matters worse, in my opinion, is that even though I forsee minorities eventually winning this battle, I don't forsee a victory for the right reasons. I believe conservatives and evangelicals will move on to support these kinds of issues to get ahead politically, not to better themselves socially and morally. Let's get real here, today's America will not elect a Sarah Palin. We're passed the George Bush (pick one) days, and even the Clinton years. This is a new America, and conservatives (and even democrats) are beginning to get a wake-up call.

Perhaps a new party should be formed? Like the Anti-Ignorance Party? Or the Human Rights Party? Anything but democrat or republican, really. I can respect a democrat or a republican, but until they can each entirely respect me, I have no desire to be associated with either.

Around this time every Summer, I reflect back on my three months of freedom from school, and begin to think about all of the things I should and shouldn't have done during that period. The difference I've noticed this year, however, is that I don't seem to have any real regrets? For the first time in my life, I think I'm finally content with how I've spent my summer.

Did I have fun? Hell yes.

Was I productive? For the most part, yes.

Did I utilize the free time to do things I couldn't otherwise do? Not as well as I'd have liked, but yes.

And with that all in mind, I can't wait for school to start! My senior year has been twelve years in the making, and I finally get to see what all of the buzz is about! Granted, I'm not expecting a fairytale year of school like the movies would portray, but I am expecting a more laidback than usual year of academics and such. I received my schedule for the Fall Semester in the mail last week, and I can't find a single flaw in it. I have three English-related classes, and one class on American Politics. How can that go wrong?

But even with all of this excitement built up, it is starting to dawn on me that I'll no longer experience that three month hiatus in between my school years. This time next year, I'll be preparing to be shipped off to college for four years, left in a city all to myself. It's scary, sure, but exciting nonetheless. As I leave behind my Grade School years and, in essence, my childhood, I'll be moving on to a stage of my life that opens up a world of opportunities. And in that case, this next year can't go by quickly enough.

No worries, though. I'll still make sure to savor every moment of the next year, with the early realization that I'll one day look back on these times and want them back. To quote a certain country song....

"You're gonna miss this/You're gonna want this back/You're gonna wish these days/Hadn't gone by so fast/These are some good times/So take a good look around/You may not know it now/But you're gonna miss this"

Bahaha, I do believe that is a sure sign that I need to go back to school if I start quoting country songs... at any rate, stay tuned for my next blog! I know I'm awful at keeping up with blogging, but once my mind gets rejuvinated from being back in school I'm sure I'll pick up on it again!

Can anyone guess how many video games I've bought this summer?

.....

Zero.

In fact, I don't think I've bought a new game since March when I bought GTA: Chinatown Wars. For whatever reason, I just don't find video games all that entertaining anymore. Part of the reason for this, I believe, is that I've simply outgrown video games and found interest in other things. However, I also believe that another big reason for this is because video games, well, suck these days.

I don't know that I can think of very many original games that have come out in the past year or so? Most of the big blockbusters these days are just sequels of games that I loved, but don't really want to play again with simply a visual makeover. The one company I always found to be creative and original has even given up on what made them successful to begin with. Sorry Nintendo, but you can only make so many sequels before I get bored and crave more. Don't get me wrong, I'd kill for a new Zelda or Mario game right now, but the anticipation just isn't what it used to be.

Yet despite my displeasure with video games at the moment, I am more than open to any suggestions you guys may have for me. Perhaps I missed something great that I'm not aware of since I lost interest in the past few months?I'm pretty bored during these dreary summer months, so give me a heads up. It would be much appreciated.

In the past few months I've found myself becoming more and more addicted to checking the daily music charts. I can tell you at any time who's on top of the pop radio charts ("Don't Trust Me" at the moment, in case you're wondering), the Billboard Hot 100, or the Billboard 200 Albums. In the midst of tracking all of this, however, I've become saddened to see that most blogs list some crappy people as "divas", when really a lot of them stand as flavor-of-the-months rather than genuinely talented pop icons. I mean seriously, do we really need to consider Katy Perry anything close to diva or "Pop Princess"? Just because she can wear an apple-themed dress, sport a Betty Boop hairstyle, and "sing" about kissing a chick doesn't make her a diva. That makes her a tween icon.

So in that case, allow me to list who I think has earned the title of diva:

(in no particular order)

1. Madonna - She's outspoken, she's blonde, she's fit, she's freaky, and she's totally not a virgin. "Madge" (as douchebag blogger Perez Hilton likes to call her...) has proven to be one of the most successful female artists of all time. She's sold more than 200 million albums worldwide, and continues to produce chart-topping albums. Unlike with a lot of artists, Madonna is better known for her live performances than her radio singles, and creates a true experience for concert-goers. She may not be the most talented gal on the block as far as the vocal range goes, but she's feisty and original enough to absolutely amaze you when showtime rolls around.
2. Cher - ... and the gay community cheers and giggles as they see this entry. Yes, Cher is perhaps one of the most iconic figures of the past few decades, and rightfully so. She manages ab****y but likeable personality that meshes with pretty much everyone out there. Yet you wouldn't know that based on her lovestruck performances of hits like "Turn Back Time", "Believe", and her memorable duet with Sonny Bono, "I Got You Babe". And really, do I even need to mention the outrageous outfits? 'Nuff said.
3. Celine Dion - Ok, so she writes virtually none of her music, is often viewed as a bit too innocent, and hasn't had a real hit for a few years. But who cares? She's Celine freakin' Dion! Have you heard her sing? Her swagger on-stage and booming voice is enough to qualify her as a true "diva". Not to mention she shares Madonna's success in album sales, also selling upwards of 200 million albums worldwide.
4. Tina Turner - Yet another female artist selling 200 million worldwide, Tina stands out as another artist that can produce a uniquely energizing performance based on her stage presence. If you've never seen this diva perform, then you're truly missing out. And at age seventy, she's still going at it, closing up her career with another successful tour.
5. Mariah Carey - I won't lie, I'm not much of a Mariah fan, but I can still appreciate the fact that she is (or at least was) one of the best singers of her generation. Mariah also stands out as one of the few artist that has perservered even after being deemed "irrelevant". Her 2008 album E=MC2 broke records, and her latest single "Obsessed" is just now taking off. And, yet again, she boasts a whopping 200 million albums sold worldwide, in an even shorter timespan than some of her companion divas. Only one request though, Mariah, please turn down the auto-tune and get back to actually impressing us with your vocals!
6. Reba McEntire - The "Queen of Country" easily shines as one of the most likable, down-to-earth, friendly country girls on my list of divas. Much of her success lies in her everyday American appeal, which has made her a diva in other industries outside of music. Like Mariah, she also stands out as one of the few divas that has maintained her level of success, still producing chart-toppers to this day. This red-headed diva also manages to put on quite a show, which I was privileged to witness last fall.
7. Britney Spears - Love her, hate her, say what you want about her, but all of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek a-.... oh, whoops, wrong line. What I meant to say, is that despite what you may think of the Britster, she's a modern icon and pop diva that has paved the way for many of today's contemporary artists. In a sense, she's the Madonna of our generation. This 90's sex icon, while also being prone to controversial tabloid stories, is the epitome of "pop star".
8. Alanis Morissette - Seven Grammy Awards and forty million copies worth in album sales later, Alanis Morissette remains the down-to-earth, brutally honest woman she's always claimed to be. Alanis is the star that managed to beat the odds. She doesn't have the flowing blonde hair of Britney Spears or Madonna, or the enormous boobs of Mariah Carey, or even the enormous vocal range of some of her counterparts, but her soulful but fierce voice and blunt lyrics make her more of a diva than she may think she is. And, if you were around at all during the nineties, then this name should be very familiar to you, as "Jagged Little Pill" stands as one of the most successful pop albums of all time.
9. Dolly Parton - Dollywood, anyone? Ah, Dolly, the plastic figure that everyone can't help but adore. She's also had more country #1's than any other country artist in history, and remains an iconic figure to this day. One can't help but wonder how a battle between her and Mrs. McEntire would play out?
10. Kelly Clarkson - Did you really think I could make it through this list and not include my beloved Kelly? But, I can honestly justify why she belongs on this list. To date, she remains the most successful (and consistently successful) alumni of American Idol. Perhaps what makes her most successful, is the proof that an American Idol can come out of the show on top. She ushered in a new generation of musicians, and supported the concept of having a fanbase before ever putting out an album. Take a look at your pop charts today, and I guarantee more than a handful of the artists on the chart will have come from American Idol. Kelly is, undoubtedly, the "Queen of Idol". Not to mention she's had more than her fair share of success, selling 20 million albums, churning nine top ten hits (and one top twenty hit), and earning two Grammy awards.

The "Almost but not quite" List:

• Christina Aguilera - You try so hard, and yet you never seem to quite make it. Unfortunately, Christina, you'll always be labeled as the "wannabe Britney".
• Lady GaGa - Whether you like her or not, the girl has guts, and generates some serious fashion statements with those guts. But she also has some noteworthy pipes, and dance moves that put Britney to shame. Perhaps someday she'll work her way into the list.
• P!nk - I think you'd be hardpressed to find a more successful or bad*** pop musician than P!nk. She's a serious rock star, and she's got some even more serious rock moves.
• Whitney Houston - You've got quite the voice, and for awhile, we all liked you! And then, Bobby.... tsk tsk.
• Beyonce - Just because you have a song calling yourself a diva, doesn't make you a diva. Tone down the ego a bit, then we'll talk.
• Sheryl Crow - Though I think you're pretty amazing, I can't see the title of "diva" really fitting you.... it's just not your st yle.

It was forty years ago this week that the first real spark of the Gay Rights Movement took place in a discreet, small bar in New York City where homosexuals were known to gather. Following an unjust and unfounded inspection of the bar, police raided it... causing mass uproar and scenes of violence. You could say these people who began protesting at that moment in time, are the true disciples and voices of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and so many other Civil Rights leaders of the era that were brave enough to stand up for equality even when it wasn't the most popular or convenient time to do so.

Yesterday, President Obama hosted a gay pride reception for those in the LGBT community, and briefly spoke of the issues surrounding the controversial topic. Alas, while his words were; unsurprisingly, inspirational, he once again proves his own tendency to say one thing and do another. Perhaps one of the biggest achievements made since the administration took office six months ago was the inclusion of full health benefits for same-sex couples employed by the federal government - an act that was initiated not by President Obama himself, but Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Ironic, considering the LGBT community has been promised for two years that action would be taken against the Defense of Marriage Act (which essentially denies basic rights to same-sex couples), and the LGBT community fittingly responded to these promises by overwhelmingly voting for him in the general election (70% of all LGBT voted for Obama.... not that that should be surprising to anyone).

Now, I'm not going to sit here and say that Obama's first priority should have been to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and work on legalizing same-sex marriage, obviously there are more immediate and pressing matters to deal with (a failing economy, nuclear proliferation, you know, small stuff like that). But that doesn't mean that he should be excused for ignoring these problems that are very real. Where was he in the past few months when states like Maine, Vermont, and Iowa legalized same-sex marriage? Where were his supportive statements that are so critically needed at a time where the conservative right would love nothing more than to be able to use Obama's own hesitations against the movement?

The lesson to be learned here, as usual, is that if you want something done and done right then it's best to take matters into your own hands. Politicians are about as reliable as the starving stray cat outside your door; eager to use you for your food andresources when in need, but incapable of giving back. But that's what civil rights movements have always been about: helping yourself. When society kicks you down and counts you out, that's when it's your moment to rise up stronger than ever.

And in the forty years since the Stonewall Riots, that's what we've done.

So I just got back from the beach for Senior Week 2009... and it was possibly one of the most epic times of my life!

Ok, so the weather sucked, I didn't get to go to a club like I wanted to, and I met absolutely no one new. BUT, I did get to have my first true experience of total intoxication, and I got to ride a cheesy but oh-so-epic haunted house ride! The only sad part is that the trip had to end so soon... I felt like I could have experienced so much more with another day or two of vacation. But alas, I'm home now... back to work, back to boredom. I'll at least share the highlights of my vacation while sitting here bored, though!

Highlight #1: Getting sexied up to go to a nightclub with my friends, only to get drenched in rain while standing in line, then realizing we forgot I.D., and watching the most anti-social and nervous of our friends remember his I.D. and walk inside. The best moment being when my best friend and I walked down the streets afterword to 711, and getting soaked by a passing car splashing a puddle of water onto us. It was like a scene right out of the movie theater.

Highlight #2: Getting intoxicated with my brother and my friends, and drunk-dialing my two older brothers... one of which I'm sure was a bit surprised to see ME (typically the prude of the family) slurring my speech in a drunken stupor. Most amazing moment EVER.

Highlight #3: Watching the "dungeon master" stumble into his condo. Yes, a creepy old man lived nextdoor to my brother's condo, and keeps a literal gate outside of his door that he crawls through every night. It's like his own sanctuary.

Highlight #4: Epic lazer tag in a super cheap store with really tacky Super Mario Bros., Pac Man, and James Bond music playing in the background. Also, my best friend fittingly getting the label of "Hippo" as a player in the game. haha

Highlight #5: Discovering a massive fountain full of foam. Random, but so lovely. (the assumption is that someone put a ton of bubble bath in the fountain and ran off)

Highlight #6: Gaining extreme confidence only after talking with two hyper lesbians dancing around the boardwalk. Sadly enough, I kind of regret not getting their number.... they seemed like nice people.

Highlight #7: Wasting $25 on Stacker trying to win a DSi or a Playstation 3. At least I didn't waste $100 like my brother did.... (after spending $100 on the game, he walked away, only to hear a ten year old win the game after one try in the background XD)

Yes, the point of this blog is.... SENIOR WEEK= AMAZING! ^_^

I'm pretty sure we all remember the brouhaha over the Swine Flu (aka H1N1) in April/May. Hence,I found it interesting to discover that the fluhas already been labeled as a"Category Six" in terms of its dangers as a pandemic.... meaning it is a full blown pandemic. What that means is not that it is the second coming of The Black Death, but that it has spread to enough countries (seventy-four, to be exact) to be considered such.

Personally, I was one of the many who absolutely freaked out back in April over every single breaking detail of the flu. I am, in many ways, a bit ofa germaphobe. I was pretty relieved then, as you can imagine, when the hype began to die down in the past few weeks. It seemed my worries had simply vanished! And now, as I'm about to head to a beach congregated with thousands of people from here and far, I'm beginning to get freaked out.... again.

It turns out that while I wasignoring the Swine Flu coverage, an additional 30,000 people contracted Swine Flu, a large portion of those people being from the United States and Mexico. In fact, a nine year old boy died in Florida just yesterday from the disease. How exactly, did we go from sensationalizing the very idea of a death and milking it in the media for weeks, to practically ignoring everything about Swine Flu to the point where Swine Flu casualties are classified as back-burner news stories?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not asking for news coverage to reach the extreme level it did in April when they chose to absolutely scare the **** out of everyone, but it would be nice to have this information more readily available, so I can take proper precautions. After all, isn't that the whole point of the World Health Organization classifying it as a Category Six? I really don't think panic is the answer to preventing a pandemic, but in many ways, it does some good. If people feel like they're personally in danger from something like this, they'll be more likely to do what's necessary.... meaning washing your hands and being hygenic (something you should be doing anyway).

Oh well, guess I'll just make sure I have plenty of hand sanitizer and remember to wash my hands a little bit longer. In the meantime, see you guys later! I'm off to four days in paradise! Woo!

For those of you that missed the headlines today, Miyamoto spoke to USA Today about a new feature that will premiere with New Super Mario Bros. Wii tentatively called "Wii Demo Play". The idea of the new feature, is that it would be an automatic walkthrough of sorts for the casual player that gets stuck in a challenging point in the game.

Now, remember those days where you'd get stuck in Zelda, and you'd think "Damn! I wish the game would just take over and do it for me, so I don't have to feel like such an idiot!" Well, your dreams have just come true! Only the problem is, that moment in time where you felt so frustrated that you wanted to throw the controller against the wall, is part of the nostalgic epic thrill that you get from playing video games to begin with. And, while you don't have to utilize this feature, let's not kid ourselves. The next time you get stuck in Zelda, you're going to use the feature to end your frustration. Or at least I probably will.... after all, why waste my time looking up what to do in a strategy guide if I can just watch the game figure it out for me? (which also begs the question of what will now happen to Strategy Guide sales? Way to go Nintendo!)

Better yet, let's ask this question.... how is this going to appeal to the "mainstream" if the mainstream isn't buying hardcore games to begin with? I don't even feel that I need to look for a statistic to tell you that a large majority of the people buying a Zelda game (or any "hardcore" game) are going to be traditional gamers, not casual players. Casual players are going to be buying Nintendogs and Wii Fit, in which case you have worse problems than getting stuck in a game if you can't even figure out what to do in either of those two titles. Let's get real here, Nintendo. This isn't marketing to the mainstream, because most of these players most likely won't even be aware that the feature is available. You'd be better off wasting your time providing manuals on how to press a button and hold a controller. After all, these players need to figure THAT out before they can ever even bother getting stuck somewhere in a game.

I hate feeling like such a traditionalist in all of this, but it is very irritating that Nintendo would waste their time and research and development funds touting crap like this when they have loyal fans still holding out for something worth their time. If Nintendo would spend as much time and attention catering to its hardcore audience as its casual audience, I don't think I'd care. In fact, I completely supported this kind of thing in the beginning when Nintendo was still providing for their hardcore audience. I didn't mind them providing games like Wii Sports and Brain Age when they were still offering Smash Bros., Zelda, and other non-shovelware games alongside them. Unfortunately, it seems Nintendo has lost their way. We're now on, what, our third or fourth Mario game and our second Metroid? Somewhere along the line, Nintendo lost their sense of creativity in making hardcore titles. And now I have to roll my eyes at the inclusion of a Demo Play in my games and try even harderto get my friends to NOT laugh and make fun of every single thing about the Wii and its cheesiness.

Please Nintendo, throw us a bone! No, actually, I take that back. THROW US A FREAKING SKELETON!

Today I received in the mail the latest issue of Rolling Stone, which of course features Adam Lambert's tell-all interview and a badass cover shot on the front of the magazine. Being a Lambert fan (an admittedly still bitter one), I tore open the magazine and read the cover story with my nose closer to the page than with any recent article I've read in a newspaper or magazine. Through reading this cover story, I realized three things: 1) I'm still madly in love with Adam Lambert, 2) Rolling Stone really doesn't like censorship (which is drawing me into magazines lately as compared to newspapers or broadcasts), and 3) Adam Lambert is, by no means, your typical "Idol".

Anyone that knows me, knows that I am a borderline-obsessed Kelly Clarkson fan. Sure, people make fun of me for it on occassion, but those people usually don't bother to ask why I'm such a fan. I love Kelly because, like with Adam, she breaks the Idol mold. She doesn't care about pop stardom anymore than she does about looking glamorous and clubbing 'til she's found in People magazine with her VeeVee poking out. And, unlike other previous Idols, she's managed to find success without relying entirely on the Idol brand.

As it turns out, Adam Lambert isn't much different. Ok, so he definitely is the anti-Kelly in the sense that he craves attention and definitely is beyond glamorous, but he manages to make himself seem normal despite this. Reading the Rolling Stone interview, you'll find out that Adam is the epitome of uncensored. He uses profanities a bit too often, admits previous drug use and sexual encounters, and even calls out musicians he doesn't particularly care for. And yet, despite these "flaws", he comes out of things with a positive attitude and a revitalized take on life.

Which brings me to the "coming out" part of the interview (But honestly, whodidn't already know...?). In the interview, he mentions the infamous photos that leaked in March, showing him in drag and sticking his tongue down another guy's throat, and admits that he was concerned how people would react if he were to have opened up about himself at the time. For this reason, he chose to wait to completely open up, in order to focus on what really mattered in the competition - his ability to entertain. Even with this in mind, though, he's very up front and honest about not wanting to be any kind of intentional leader for a civil rights movement. After all, he likes to sing, not lead Pride Parades and form a political movement. But it's nice to know that a man as flamboyant and scintillating as Adam Lambert can manage to break the Idol boundaries (there are "no boundaries" I guess you could say, heh), and make it to the runner-up position even with the lingering questions regarding his sexuality. The same certainly can't be said of Clay Aiken; season two's runner-up who has recently provoked a bit of annoyance out of Lambert after making some harsh comments about his singing abilities.

I won't try and sensationalize Adam's Idol success as a significant step in the gay rights movement, but it certainly hasn't hurt. Whether he knows it or not, he's had a profound impact on the United States already, and undoubtedly will be sticking around for more controversies and tabloid juiciness for years to come.

You know, I almost find it a bit funny that I have found so much admiration for Adam through this interview. By all means, I should look at the interview with contempt. In many ways, he fits the gay stereotype" in ways that shouldn't be publicized, only to leave him and homosexuals in general vulnerable to more scrutiny. Adam flaunts his sexuality with manicures and "guyliner", has gone to sex clubs, enjoys a good blowjob, and has dressed in drag on a few occassions. Not exactly the kind of thing that's going to gain more acceptance from the far right, huh? But after reading Adam's cover story, I'm only reminded that these things are real. Condemning him for any out of the ordinary stunts he's pulled in the past would only imply that individuality is wrong, which is not the case. Who cares if one person is more feminine or masculine than another? These are merely social ideas and apparent mandates placed upon people courtesy of the closed-minded core of society.

Even I am surprised that it took Adam Lambert to make me realize some of this. If this cover story is any indication of what Adam's career will be like, then I look forward to obsessing with both my "Idol" and my "Anti-Idol". A perfect combo.

Blagojevich this, Blagojevich that... when does it end!?

Honestly, I'm not going to sit here and pretend that I like the guy, because quite honestly he seems rather full of himself and a moocher for attention. That said, I can't say I like the way the press has treated him since the scandal of how he supposedly "sold" (or attempted to sell) President Obama's vacant senate seat. Is it a crappy thing for him to do? Of course. Did he actually do it? Who knows.

Whatever happened to being innocent until proven guilty? I'm not saying I think he's innocent, but it's awfully drastic to impeach him and kick him out of his elected office just because he said a few expletives that may have implied a crime. If he'd been convicted of a crime, then sure, I'd say he should have resigned and/or been kicked out of office. But in this case, it's just plain ridiculous. Is this how politics works these days? It's absolutely ridiculous how partisan politics and yellow journalism dictates our country. It's like the Lewinsky scandal with President Clinton, should he have done it? No. Is it any business of the press? HELL NO! That's why I still get pissed off when people claim that Clinton is a bad president because of that, when in reality the majority of his presidency was successful, which I think it took eight years of Bush for people to realize that.

Now, with Obama in office and a new democratic governor taking over in Illinois, it's clear that the media and politicians in Washington are ready to trample the democratic party as soon as one of its members makes a mistake. At this point, it's just annoying. That's basically how George Bush got elected in 2000, to restore "morals" to the White House. Then Obama was elected to restore intelligence to the White House (notice how I didn't put quotes around intelligence...). I'm sure the voting public and media will find some dumb excuse to elect Palin in 2010 or 2016. I'm just waiting for the next dumb reason. Blagojevich is just the start of what will be a crazy whirlwind of political drama in the next four years. Good luck Obama, as much as I believe in your desire to end partisan politics, you're gonna have one helluva time trying to do that.

Too many, that's for sure.

So I don't know if I've mentioned this on here yet, but I've been working on starting a GSA Club at my school Gay Straight Alliance), and I recently attended a school board meeting to get it approved. Typically, there are a handful of people that show up to these meetings (after all, who would want to attend a borefest like the school board meeting?), but this time I entered the room to find a seatless space filled with red necks ready to state their case. Sure enough, I sat there for an hour and a half and listened to all of them say how bad homosexuality is, and say that if we could start a GSA then we might as well start a "Neo Nazi" Club as well. And that's only a tiny portion of what people said about the club. The worst part, is that I only had a few people on my side.... and ironically, all of this happened on the day of Barack Obama's inauguration, the day he gave his speech on equality and rights. Thankfully someone had the smarts to point out how inappropriate it was to try and strip away a group's rights on such an historic day, but I guess that didn't convince the board. They tabled the vote until Feb. 10th.

So between now and the 10th, I plan on building my case and organizing my own army to go against all of the bigots that want to stop me from doing something that's meant to create a community of tolerance and acceptance. Luckily the newspapers seem to be taking my side, and I already have people offering to speak on my behalf from all around the local area. Due to a fear of litigation, I doubt the board will deny the club, but I'm expecting to make a strong case that will ring across the community when the time comes.

On a brighter note, the first semester of the school year ended last week, and I'm pretty sure I got all A's except for a B in math! I wasn't expecting an A in Spanish or History, but I'm confident I pulled off an A in both. Well, history is a toss up.... but I know I got an A in Spanish!

And not to go on a Kelly rant again.... but she broke records today jumping from #97 to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 today, a record she actually broke a long time ago with "A Moment Like This" but was beaten recently by Britney Spears. So yay! And make sure to watch American Idol tonight for the premiere of her music video! I've seen it already and it's ADORABLE!

Musically, I'm also surprised that I actually like Bruce Springsteen's new album? I don't love it or anything, but it's pretty good. It's funny, because I always made fun of my mom for being such a fan. haha Well, thanks for reading!

I've tried the alternate forms of blogging, and quite frankly they just aren't the same. I miss, you know, actually having people read my blogs (Blogger.com gets me about zero views). So, it's time for my latest rant!

As most of you probably know by now, I'm an obsessive Kelly Clarkson fan, so naturally I was ecstatic this past week with the release of her new single, My Life Would Suck Without You. I'm already loving it, but I must say I am a bit saddened that she's returned to her more apparent pop roots.... but I'll keep in mind that first singles almost never are reflective of an album (like P!nk's "So What" for example). Besides, more upbeat songs are great every once in awhile. Did I mention that I saw her in concert last November? Was AMAZING!

Additionally, I've been playing Chrono Trigger for the DS lately, and I understand the hype behind it. I haven't played it as much in the past week, due to school obligations, but it does have a certain bit of originality to it, and has a nice storyline. It's just hard to make time for games these days, though. : /

On the other hand, the end of the semester is quickly approaching.... which means the pace at school will (hopefully) slow down soon. I have a four day weekend coming up also, which is great. Not to mention I haven't been getting many hours at my job lately either, which is a curse and a blessing. The curse being that I get only a $50 paycheck tomorrow, and the blessing meaning that I have time for socializing.

Although I won't say the socializing thing's going very well lately either.... been talking to someone that lives about an hour away from me, and I've been really eager to meet up with him again soon..... but it seems to be a lot harder to find time to hang out with him than I initially thought. *Sigh*

But anyway.... it's good to be blogging again at Gamespot, but I will admit that this whole gitch crap was not missed. I've experienced several glitches just typing this blog, and several others trying to upload pictures for my sig. I'd have thought that MAYBE Gamespot would have fixed this kind of thing at this point. But, whatever.

Hope to blog again soon!

I've previously done blogs with my top ten video games of all time, but since I've recently taken interest in the music industry, I decided to do a little feature for music. Keep in mind that seeing as I'm only sixteen, you probably won't see too many 70's or 80's pop music, and will probably notice that I do pick my favorites... but that's why it's MY top ten pop songs of all time. Well, here ya go, hope you like it:

1. Because of You - Kelly Clarkson: Some of you may scoff at this choice, but the fact of the matter is that this is one of the biggest worldwide pop hits of the past decades. The best part of that is that the song actually deserves the success, because it's beautifully written and even more beautifully sung. When you listen to the song, you feel her pain, and you feel the emotion. The song, which was written by the artist at age sixteen, has won numerous awards including two ASCAP awards (one of which was handed to her only a few days ago for her duet version with Reba McEntire), and has gotten several honors and nominations including a Grammy performance. If you can't listen to this song and relate to it in some way, then chances are you haven't lived life very much.
2. Thriller - Michael Jackson: Despite what you may think of Michael Jackson, you can't deny that Thriller has gone down in history as one of the top pop songs of all time. In fact, we tend to hear it every year this time of year... and still enjoy it. It's the feel-good song of its time, and its catchiness is sure to stick with us for a long time to come.
3. Imagine- John Lennon: "Imagine all the people..." Yes, the lyric that makes the song click for us all. It's the song that broke barriers, and sent a touching message to the world that none will forget. The song essentially made John Lennon the respected individual we look back on him as: a human being seeking nothing more than a peaceful world.
4. Ironic - Alanis Morrissette: Ah... Alanis... the feisty pop star of the 90's. This unbelievably catchy and original song is probably the biggest song of the decade. What can I say about this song... it's unique, it's sung by an insanely talented artist, and it strays far away from the "cookie cutter" pop cliche. I like it, and I know you do too.
5. Boulevard of Broken Dreams- Green Day: The song is very well written, and is yet another top hit by renowned "punk" band Green Day. It serves not only as one of the biggest hits of this decade, but as more proof that the punk genre has a place in the mainstream industry. Without it, the punk genre probably wouldn't have some of the respect it has earned over the past few years.
6. Hey Jude - The Beatles I think it would be impossible to create a top ten list without at least one Beatles song included. In all honesty, I could probably replace this song with any of their hits, but this one just stands out because of its vocal superiority and touching lyrics. Heck, we still get re-made versions of this song today, such as the recent soundtrack from "Across the Universe".
7. Sober - Kelly Clarkson: I couldn't help but include this song in the list... why? Because although it wasn't a huge hit in the industry, pundits all seem to have agreed that this song was an utter masterpiece and probably the best single from Kelly Clarkson's career (but because of the well-known feud with her record label, the single wasn't promoted very well). There were even early talks of a Grammy nod for pop vocal performance. But the point is, this song is easily one of the most beautiful, well produced, and vocally powerful songs I've heard in my life. Can't recommend this song to people enough.
8. Toxic - Britney Spears: Say what you will about Britney, but she's had a lot of impact on the music industry and teen pop. This just happens to be the best of her hits over the years. It's catchy, it's fun, and it's half-crazy... just like Britney. It's success, and Britney's success, is something that is rarely rivaled.
9. Viva La Vida - Coldplay: This one is definitely more recent... but still very deserving. It's probably the most original song to hit mainstream music in a very long time. The arrangement is masterfully done, the lyrics are brilliantly simple yet complex (the revolutionary theme is spectacular), and it once again proves that Coldplay is the one not-so-mainstream band that can produce mainstream hits.
10. Up to the Mountain - Paty Griffin: Not a mainstream hit by any means, but I can't help but like this song. It has a spirtiual side that I don't always connect with, but other lyrics in the song just make me want to cry. Yet I must say, that the recorded version doesn't do the song justice... and that (yes, I'm going to mention her again) Kelly Clarkson's cover of the song may be even better than the original. It's inspiring, and it's a song that probably deserved more than it got.

Ok, I don't get credit for coming up with "Obiden"... but I thought it was incredibly clever.

I've spent the past twenty-four hours letting the fact that Joe Biden will be Obama's VP sink in. I'm admittedly a former Hillary fanatic (still am), so I was really holding out for her to be his VP... but it seems that didn't happen. I'm not a fanatic in the sense that the PUMA's are though, so don't get that impression, I just have a deep respect for both Bill and Hillary Clinton. I don't mean to suggest that it was Hillary's right to be President, but the stars all seemed to align this year for her... and then in an instant those stars separated and her Presidential dreams were crushed while Obama's formed. It sucks, but I got over it... and I guess I'll get over the whole VP thing soon enough.

I do like Joe Biden though. If it wasn't Hillary, I would have rooted for him. He tells things like they are, and truly connects with the American people. Plus, he's entertaining to watch in debates (even if he does say some outrageous things sometimes). I look forward to seeing how this democratic ticket plays out.

Go Obiden!

Now, where's my bumper sticker?

Nintendo once again breaks the boundaries between hardcore and casual.

When you first step on the Wii Balance Board, the feeling is simply indescribable. Your first thought will probably be, "WTF am I supposed to do?" (literally) But within mere seconds of you handling the nifty new Nintendo gadget, I guarantee using the Balance Board will become second nature. Why? Because the Balance Board, in all actuality, is nothing more than a bathroom scale that measures your natural balance. Nothing more, nothing less. And with that simple description, you're probably also thinking "Why would I pay $90 for a bathroom scale?" Technically, you're right to question that, but allow me to explain why this overpriced weight-loss "program" may or may not be worth your ninety dollars.

The first thing you'll notice about the Balance Board, is that it's much more sensitive than you would ever imagine it being based on video demonstrations and observations. The tiniest shift in your balance is detected and replicated on-screen, which will seem frustrating at first, but will come to be appreciated by about the second time you use the Balance Board. Obviously, the more sensitivity the device has, the more options opened up for future game titles that might utilize the Balance Board. Additionally, it allows for an unusually accurate collection of data with the Wii Fit software. I've already come to trust the weight number Wii Fit gives me more as compared to my real scale that I use. This alone says quite a bit, if you ask me.

But don't be confused into thinking that Wii Fit is only weight tracking software, because it's actually more concerned with your overall B.M.I. (Body Mass Index) rather than your weight. In the event that you don't know what your B.M.I. means, then let me explain it in this way... your weight, height, etc. are all tiny components of your overall B.M.I. Your B.M.I. will tell you how healthy you are as a whole. According to Wii Fit, my B.M.I. hovers around 17.00 and 17.34, which is categorized as normal. Be aware that if you are bit on the heavier side, you will be categorized as overweight, so if you have any issues with seeing it in writing, then I'd stay far away from Wii Fit (don't expect it to bluntly call you "fat" however, as certain news articles have portrayed Wii Fit...).

As a whole, Wii Fit delivers seemingly accurate data regarding your B.M.I. and weight. It displays all of your progress on a neat and well organized graph that shows not just your B.M.I. and weight, but time clocked in to Wii Fit as well as your averages of your "Wii Fit Age" (yes, just like in Brain Age). All of this data is calculated by a daily Body Test that takes less than five minutes to complete, but be aware that if you don't take the test at roughly the same time each day, your data is likely to be inaccurate due to tiny changes in your body throughout the course of a day's time.

But enough about the data recorded in Wii Fit, the exercises and mini-games are most likely what you'll be buying this for. Unsurprisingly, the exercises are mostly very simple, but surprisingly more complex in other areas at the same time. The exercises/games are split into four categories; Balance Games, Aerobics, Yoga, and Strength Training. Balance Games are self-explanatory, which consist of about nine different mini-games using the Balance Board. Unfortunately, if you're hoping for a variety of different mini-games, you'll probably be disappointed. Most of the mini-games you unlock throughout the course of the game are either more of the same from the ones that you start with, or just plain boring. Don't expect a whole lot of game time from the mini-games alone. Thankfully, the exercises offer a much broader and more interesting variety. Yoga offers everything ranging from breathing exercises to a "Sun Salutation" exercise. No, I didn't come up with some of the names of these exercises... but I sure wish I had. Meanwhile, Aerobics offers some fun game-like exercises that are more cardio-based. You'll play a fun (and entertaining to watch) hula hoop game, a DDR-ish mini-game (elder st.yle) and of course a basic option of running in place with the Wii Remote slipped into your pocket. The category that will undoubtedly give you the best workout however, is Strength Training. It includes everything from push-ups, to jackknife crunches, to squats. By the time you're done with your thirty minute session, I guarantee you'll have not only broken a sweat, but be panting for breath depending on how fit you are.

With all of this in mind, Wii Fit offers a more than effective array of exercises. Nevertheless, while I'm impressed with the exercises and their effectiveness (at the very least you'll see improved posture and balance as a result of the exercises), I'm not impressed by the poor incentives and weak variety offered in the game. The presentation gets the job done, but is bland and uninteresting considering what could have been implemented. The music is stale and less than memorable, and chances are you'll be left questioning why you paid $90 for a program that's simpler than a $10 pilates tape. I won't lie, Wii Fit is a load of fun with or without friends around (personally I don't want my friends/family watching me exercise...), but the pricetag is the issue here. Even $80 might justify the purchase a little bit more, but $90 is a stretch. Yes, you'll have the Wii Balance Board for future titles that utilize it, but it still has yet to be seen how many titles will even use it. We've seen how quickly Nintendo's peripherals fade out (Where are the Zapper titles?), and I can't help but wonder if this one will fade as well.

In the end, I would easily recommend this game if you're looking for a fun way to lose a few pounds or get in shape, but if you're a gamer looking for a quirky experience with lots of mini-games included, then I wouldn't bother with it. The bundle is quite impressive, however, and I am very pleased with the quality of the Balance Board. If more future titles use the peripheral, then I would at least recommend the game for the Balance Board alone. It's sensitivity and expected Nintendo-quality build is sensational, and fun to just show off to other people. Whether you're a hardcore or a casual gamer, you'll find something here to enjoy... but chances are the latter will get the most enjoyment out of this title.

Total Score: 7.5 out of 10

(Also posted on my blog)

I got a job! And you know what that means?

M-O-N-E-Y!

Not Donald Trump type money, but still, I've got a job. Kmart to be precise, nothing special or anything, but at least it will give me something to do. I've been doing job training all week (which is incredibly boring, all I've done so far is read stuff on a computer and answer questions...), but I start my actual job sometime next week I think. I have no idea when I'll get my first paycheck, but I can't wait to feel the sensation of getting that first paycheck!

If you'd like to hear more of what's going on in my life recently, go to my new blog. I don't update this one much anymore (sorry about that), but if you're at all interested please read my entries and leave a few comments.