This cheered me up today.

These past few weeks have been pretty difficult for me. First of all, school sucks. We all know it...the due dates, the borderline psychotic professors, sitting through blander-than-bland lectures. It all just sucks. I'm four weeks in and already I'm thinking that being a waiter at Shoney's wouldn't be so bad after all...the Thursday night breakfast bar crowd tips big, or so I hear. On a more serious note, I also lost a very dear friend last Thursday in what can only be described as a tragic accident. My heart hurts...and I just haven't been in the mood to watch movies. Heck, I practically dragged myself to see 127 Hours because I really needed a blog update, and I had been looking forward to it for months. Anyway, so I've been pretty bummed all day today...it was the day of the funeral, which I, unfortunately, had to miss because of a mandatory class meeting. And, when I need a quick pick-me-up, I always go to, you guessed it, dance. And the tribute that Dancing with the Stars did in memory of Michael Jackson was perfect for what I needed. Designed with appropriate reverence, but choreographed to include the enthusiasm and passion that Jackson made famous, it is one of the best dances that Dancing with the Stars has ever done. And, in what has become one of the saddest days for me in recent memory, it brought a much-needed smile to my face. Thus, I thought I should share it with you. Enjoy.

Live to Dance: My Thoughts Thus Far

One show that has been (strangely) flying under my radar is Paula Abdul's new dance competition, Live to Dance. I say "strangely" because I usually eat and breathe everything dance related. You can't tear me away from Dancing with the Stars, and I would scratch your eyes out to watch So You Think You Can Dance. And, in fact, Live to Dance was one of my most-anticipated shows of the season (right behind Off the Map, which lived up to every expectation)...but, after the first episode, I just kinda lost interest. It's not that the show is bad. Its three judges (headlined by Abdul, of course) are likable and very knowledgeable, its production values are stellar, and most of the talent is off the chain. I think my problem with it is the same problem I have with America's Got Talent: I just don't see its necessity. So You Think You Can Dance is, in my opinion, the perfect dance show. It has a great host, great judges, great new talent, and great alums who return to the show for one reason or another (either as choreographers, guest judges, or the new "all-stars"). Plus, its summer timeslot is completely uncrowded, so I have plenty of time to watch it. Live to Dance doesn't feel inspired when compared to that show (or, for that matter, America's Best Dance Crew), because it isn't working with a fresh concept. On top of that, in a season of television crowded (for me, at least) with Off the Map, American Idol, Hot in Cleveland, The Bachelor, and more, it's been hard for me to remember Live to Dance.

I'm Not Even Going to Lie . . .

When I first saw this Canadian trailer for Scream 4, I squeaked with excitement.



Scream 4 opens on April 15, 2011

Update: The Canadian trailer was removed from YouTube because of copyright issues. A quick Google search should be able to find it, though. Until then, check out the domestic teaser trailer above (which is still pretty cool).

Update #2: The Canadian trailer for Scream 4 has been officially released as the second domestic trailer. You can now check it out again above (legally this time).

Britney vs. Gaga: 2011's Biggest Showdown?

If you have searched the internet for any amount of time in the last week or so, you have probably read something about the "epic showdown" set to come between reigning pop princesses, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga. This is arguably the first time that the two have had albums competing in the same arena, and some are forecasting a bloody battle for the Queen of Pop throne. But, let's face it, even when comparing artists as similar as Britney Spears and Lady Gaga, you're still comparing apples to oranges. And, what's more, I think there is plenty of room for them to both share the throne. When it comes to pop music, no one is more exciting, electrifying, and engaging than these two. Britney Spears single-handedly turned the music industry on its head in 1999, and has defined (for better or worse) what it means to be a celebrity in the new millennium. Plus, no one can deny the power she clearly wields to be able to stage the comeback of 2008 that put her back on top of her game. But, Lady Gaga is a relatively new artist whose glorious blend of performance art and pop music has made her the most innovative new artist of the last ten years or so. She's still riding her initial wave of popularity, and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Happy New Year!

2010 has been the best year yet. 2011 is going to be even better!

I love new beginnings, don't you?

Merry Christmas, Guys and Dolls

It Has Happened.

(Lady Gaga at the 2010 Video Music Awards with servicemen and women unfairly affected by the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.)

Don't Ask, Don't Tell has been repealed by our Congress. Wow...just typing those words feels strange. Great, but strange. In many ways, as much as I have stamped my feet, demanded change, and truly believed that it was coming, not once did I ever stop and think about how it would feel when it got here. Now, I know...and it feels strange. Strange, because so much has been accomplished today and yet, there is still so much to be done. The repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell will help so many our brave servicemen and women, who have been forced to lie and give up their freedom in order to serve the country they love, but for most of them, they will still be treated like second-class citizens while at home, because they still won't be able to get married and, in some states, won't even be able to adopt children. But, I won't dwell on that too much; after all, today is a great day for this country. It is a day in which our country has finally lived up to its greatest promises...a day in which our country has finally shown respect to the people who serve it so bravely. It is a day to celebrate.

Today, I also understand what First Lady Michelle Obama meant when she said, "For the first time in my life, I'm proud of my country." I have always been proud of my country, I am devotedly patriotic, and I truly believe that America is the greatest country on earth. But, days like today, when I am reminded of this great and unyielding pride, it is so overwhelming that I feel as though I couldn't possibly be prouder. When I think of the repeal of the law, which began as a piece of civil rights legislation but gradually became archaic, I picture Lieutenant Dan Choi, who just wanted to serve his country, but with openness and honesty. I wonder, why should we have ever asked him to lie when he was sacrificing his life for us? How much could we ask of him? For him to risk his life daily was too much of a sacrifice, but having him do it while lying because of some inane law is not just ridiculous...it is immoral, and it undermines our country's core values. I also picture Senator John McCain who was one of the most vocal and determined opponents of the repeal. I wonder how he would have felt if, as he lived in a prisoner-of-war camp, he received a letter telling him that his service wasn't needed...that he wasn't good enough to serve his country. Because, that is exactly what Don't Ask, Don't Tell told the more than 14,000 servicemen and women disbanded because of it. It was worded a little nicely...but the true meaning had the same bitter, hateful edge. I hope that, as Senator McCain goes to bed tonight next to the wife that he can proudly acknowledge and love openly, he realizes how much he has betrayed the troops he so loudly proclaims to support.

But, he wasn't alone. Other congressmen and women voted to keep the ban in place, and each and every one of them should be ashamed. They denied the facts in order to push their own political agendas and, in doing so, tried to irreparably harm our military and our servicemen and women. Hopefully, we will all take note of who voted how when reelection time arrives, so that true justice can be dispensed by the American people. If you would like to see how your representative voted, click here. If you would like to see how your senator voted, click here. Now, a new phase of the war against Don't Ask, Don't Tell has begun. It is time to thank those congressmen and women who voted for a repeal, and to remove those who didn't from office. But, more than anything, it is a time for us to struggle against complacency. Supporters of equal rights have won an incredible victory today, but the fight is far from over. So much more has to be done, and it is crucial to remember that Don't Ask, Don't Tell is not dead yet. It will take months (and, according to some, even years) before it will be officially buried and, in that time, we must remain vigilant to ensure that our government quickly and safely enacts the repeal. I have hope that this will happen...I have hope that a wave of change has come to this country and that, very soon, we will all look back and recognize how ridiculous the opponents of gay rights really were.

(The incredibly brave and admirable Lt. Dan Choi during a Don't Ask, Don't Tell protest. He was one of the more than 14,000 servicemen and women discharged under the policy.)