I posted this to a blog asking its commenters whether or not Taylor Swift deserved her awards at the Grammys the other night.  Many people went on the record calling her more talented than any of the other artists up for Best Album, particularly Lady Gaga.  Forgive me if I was forced to differ in my own opinion:

Um, sorry everyone but Taylor Swift has about two octaves to her name. She’s a product of the Twilight generation: girls who want to be seen as exceptional without working hard for it. She seems like a very nice girl, a sweetheart of a person but she’s not particularly talented. She just happens to be at the right place at the right time.
I haven’t listened to all of these albums and will not pretend to be any great judge of music but I felt that Lady Gaga revolutionized an art form in the past year, both celebrating and satirizing the pop industry with enough brilliance to land her with five #1 hits. I’m not certain if that’s Grammy-worthy necessarily, but it’s definitely more impressive than Swift’s lucky happenstance of circumstance. (Oh, and btw, Lady Gaga writes many of her songs as well.)

Here they are:

Begin Reading Again Read one book every two weeks, and keep a log
Pay More Attention Read the New York Times and watch Jon Stewart at least three times a week
Improve Grades Get all A's in the upcoming semester
Be More Productive Finish all assignments sooner than the day before they are due
Get Fit Exercise at least three times a week
See Matt More Often See him at least once a month (up from last semester's goal of once every two months)

...And there we have them!  Basically a bunch of stuff to improve myself.  I look forward to looking back on 2010 as a year I actually kept my resolutions and am all the better for it!

Christmas. So disappointing two years ago, when my parents tried to hide how little they knew me anymore by piling Jodi Picoult books and Harry Potter paraphernalia under the tree.  Better last year when time spent with my grandmother outweighed the clothes my mother bought me, apparently under the impression that I was a fan of horizontal stripes in GAP colors one size bigger than I actually was.  But this year...so far (the day isn't over) something has just clicked, and though it hasn't been perfect (when is it ever?) somehow the threat of divorce has dissipated, the angry-colored fog no longer hovering quite so low.  Somehow the food has tasted better than ever before despite the fact that the candy cane bread is days old (Mom had to make it earlier than she ever has) and the roaster from the oven was had not completely thawed when it was seasoned and put in.  Somehow a movie that made both my mother and I cry (three times) and a book that had me jabbering excitedly for a whole half hour and a CD of wordless notes has made everything feel...just right.

Maybe it's the fact that this year we gave into the fact that we don't know each others' material wants like we used to and all made Amazon Wish Lists.  Maybe it's the fact that the cookie party went so well that, while he danced with me around the dining room, my father stopped, kissed the crown of my head and whispered to me that it was going to be a good Christmas.  Maybe it was the fact that my sister managed to still love all her presents even though she refused to tell any of us what she wanted at all.  Maybe it was the look on Daddy's face, the way he lost his power of speech as he unwrapped the gift I had not been sure he would like at all

Anyway, it's been a good day.

The Material Highlights:

( my christmas tree is delicious )


Merry Christmas to everyone!!  Love you all <3

So I started writing a facebook message to a friend today who I'm upset with for various reasons outlining those reasons so that it can be determined whether or not the friendship can be saved. While writing it, for some reason, the song "Don't Worry Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin popped into my head, and the note started taking on the shape of a song to the tune of that song. It came out actually really funny. So I thought I'd post it.

( You Should Worry 'Cause I'm Unhappy )

OH and because it's just plain awesome and fun to watch: http://ytmusic.mojblog.hr/p-dont-worry-be-happy--bobby-mcferrin/177543.html

The SNL-like Sketch of the judging of the Glee Sectionals. Enjoy :P
( I Actually Saw That Man Get Stabbed.... )

Wet drops

Smell like dew

Taste like salt

Burn, too.


Dripping steady,

Wetting hair

Eyes red, empty

Lonely stare.


Curl up tight,

Cling to knees,

Cry for hope:

“Help me, please!


I am lost

Underground

Heart is stopped

Makes no sound.”


Hide from truth

Don’t believe

That he could

Ever leave.

Dear Suitemates,
You have two other people you share this bathroom with, one of which is sick and both of which actually clean up after you.
This means that you should kindly cease hogging said bathroom in order to have shower sex/beauty prep which can last up to and over 40 minutes.
Sincerely,
Me

Scandal!


( Either way he's dead... )

Here it is: Football Players Dancing to Beyonce!


( Nice Star Wars Sheets )