My Favorite Pop Culture Moments of 2008

I'm feeling a little better since my first post of today, and felt really inspired to wrap up 2008 in terms of popular culture. These are the top 10 moments I feel really captured and molded my 2008. Enjoy.

10. Paris Hilton runs for president. When the McCain camp was running ads revolving around the celebrity factor of his opponent, Paris Hilton released her response. She filmed an excellent campaign commercial where she made some, I hate to admit it, fantastic points, on the energy crisis. See you at the debates, bitches.

9. Russell Brand hosts the MTV Video Awards. MTV was apparently hit by the economy as much as the rest of us in 2008 and brought in Russell Brand, a relatively unknown British comedian, to host the Music Video Awards. After his opening bit insulted President Bush and the Jonas Brothers' vow to remain virgins until marriage made the audience squirm with shock, awe and discomfort, my friends and I were sure MTV put him on the next emergency flight to Britain. 

8. Twilight. Not my favorite to participate in, but the phenomenon I found the most fascinating in 2008 was the takeover of "Twilight." Subbing, at least three students per class would be reading the book. My peers were reading the book. My peers' parents were reading the book. People ran to the movies. Grown women fantasized about teenage vampires. I stood by in awe mumbling, "W...T...F..."

7. Sharon Osbourne Attacks Megan Hauserman. Sharon Osbourne hosts "Rock of Love Charm School." Megan Hauserman tries to manipulate her way through yet another reality show and fails. Sharon Osbourne is amazing. Megan insults Ozzy. Sharon pours a drink on her. A cat fight ensues. The crowd goes wild.

6. Kaitlyn Maher on America's Got Talent. A four-year-old girl brought tears to the eyes of, I'm guessing, 60% of Americans in June. When Sharon Osbourne asked her if she was from New York, the little girl said, "Um. I'm from America." If that didn't bring tears, Sharon asking her if singing made her happy should have. If you were completely heartless, you too were reduced to mush when she started singing, "Somewhere Out There." Adorable. 

5. Fanny Pak. I love a gimmick, and Fanny Pak was a walking one. Easily my favorite on MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew," they gave me a deeper appreciation for hip hop on the Missy Elliot episode. I texted for them week after week, and they were still robbed of a win. I was crushed. 

 4. The Snuggie infomerical. At first, I found myself mumbling to myself that the Snuggie was a product for the epitome of lazy people. Upon more investigation and struggles to keep my quilt over my shoulders as I made my morning coffee, I realized I was one of those lazy people. Please, someone give me a Snuggie. 

3. The Britney Comeback. Perhaps not a big-time pop culture moment, but the first time I heard Britney Spears' "Womanizer." I tried to change the channel and escape from the Big Britney Comeback of 2008, but it was on two channels. So after several seconds of "womani-shit, zer, womani-damnit," I let myself go and found myself rocking down the road. It's Britney, bitch. 

2. Tina Fey as Sarah Palin. Need I say more? Who could forget seeing Russia from our houses or my personal favorite, "for all you Joe Six Packs playing a drinking game at home...maverick." If you're keeping score, the Vice Presidential Debate was also the night of El (Vice) Presidente margaritas for Jessica and I. A couple of regular Jane Six Packs ourselves. 

1. A RickRoll of Epic Proportions. My personal favorite pop culture moment of 2008? When Rick Astley, himself, RickRoll'd the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Honestly? The Rickroll has re-invented Rick Astley, and as he sat around his feast that evening, I'm sure he was thankful for YouTube. 

Post Election Thoughts, Encouragement and Discouragement

In case you've been living under a rock, Barack Obama is the new president-elect of the United States of America. He is our first African-American president and stepping into too many problems for anyone who is reasonably sane to want to take in. 

But you know what? I voted for him. I was in Manassas, Va. with 90,000 of my closest friends. I lost my voice screaming like a little fan girl and chanting a lot of "Yes I Can." He brought a few tears to my eyes and to the eyes around me when he spoke and I'm glad I made the drive down there. I cast my vote Tuesday and was certain I made the right choice. 

Tuesday night, I turned my head for a split second and was startled by cheers from the entirety of Tony's. A friend ran over to me, gave me a hug and said, "We did it, Tremblay!" It was a good night to be a Democrat in America. I'm really proud of what this country as a whole accomplished this year. 

However, I'm not proud of the fall out since the election. I've heard Obama supporters referred to as socialists, communists and baby killers. People have gone as far as to imply that anyone who voted left of center this year doesn't believe in God and is supporting a terrorist. Obama supporters are not innocent in this name game, either. I'm embarrassed to report that I've heard the words racist, bigot and 'get out of the country' applied to McCain supporters. 

Really? How old are we? 

The thing is  - the last thing we need right now is red and blue name calling. There are very serious problems surrounding our country. A leader is only as strong as his or her people are and a people are only as strong as its weakest link. The same red and blue separation that we've spent the past eight years either trying to remedy or creating (I'm not entirely sure) is not going to help us out of an economic disaster, growing environmental issues or this war. 

It's been a long, difficult campaign season. Each side has made its own set of mistakes and had its own successes. There has been a lot of passion put into each campaign, so I can understand the disappointment McCain supporters are feeling, as well as the excitement Obama supporters have. Those passions have created wounds that won't heal over night, but let's go back to kindergarten for a moment, does name calling really make anyone better off? 

In two excellent speeches I heard Tuesday night, each candidate openly congratulated the other for leading a competitive campaign and re-awakening politics in this country. Each candidate urged Americans to come together under new leadership to fix problems that won't be cleared over night. Things are probably going to get worse before things get better and bitter mud slinging isn't going to help. I can't express how important unity is right now. 

I didn't vote for president George W. Bush in 2004 and I would be a hypocrite if I said never to insult the president. I have mumbled my fair share of disappointments about his leadership the past eight years. I do, however, have the utmost respect for the position of president and anyone who is in it. My mom always says you would have to be crazy to run for president, and I happen to agree. I guess what I'm trying to say, though, is that a mutual respect for each other and our country is going to be the only way out of this mess. 

Before you call someone a socialist or a racist ask them why they voted the way they did this year. You may be surprised at what they have to say. As Senator McCain said in the debates, "reach across the aisle." And...please love each other? 

Manassas Madness

See these people? These are my friends (I'm the doofy looking one holding the sign). We made a trek to Manassas, Va. last night for Obama's last rally of his campaign. It was a rough road and my poor little vocal chords are paying for it today, but I'm so glad we were crazy enough to attempt this. 

Basically, we set out around 4:00, because Brian (tall guy in the back) used to live in Manassas and knows the ins and outs of NoVa traffic. (I do too, I just pretend that part of the country doesn't exist) Smooth sailing until exactly twelve miles away from the site of the rally. We sat in traffic for two hours waiting to go twelve miles. Between mumblings of how much I hate Northern Virginia and yelps of, "can we drive? YES WE CAN!" we weaved our way to Manassas. The cops there failed to mention anything about parking and I was lucky to have a friend in Manassas from my Wolf Trap intern days last summer. She let us park at her house and walk to the fair grounds. 

From there, we proceeded to fight our way to a place where we couldn't really see unless we were on Adam's shoulders and the junior senator was an hour and a half late. He blamed Dulles, too, which is nice because I blame Dulles for most of the problems in my life even if the area isn't at fault. He did his campaign bit, told us a story and talked for a little about how John McCain has been an excellent opponent and was classy enough to offer condolences about Obama's grandmother. He got the crowd all riled up one more time and headed back to Chicago to be with his family. 

I couldn't believe I was standing amongst the crowd that attended Obama's last rally in his campaign less than 24 hours before one of the most historic elections this country has seen. It was a truly incredible thing. 

One more thing before I leave you for coffee and democracy (Go vote today, kiddies): 

Have you ever seen somewhere near 80,000 people in one place? It's a pretty incredible thing. You don't see race or income or gender...you just see people. Neat, huh? 

Happy (hopefully) Election Day. Whatever choice you make, make it for the right reasons. 

V-O-T-E

The NaBloPoMo theme for October is vote, and I just watched the last presidential debate (thanks, DVR), so...now a rant. 

Many states' voter registration deadlines have already passed, but you can find out here when your deadline is coming up, and the other laws regarding your state and how to make a change this November. Lucky you, Connecticut, you have until November 3 to register to vote, so no excuses. Maine, they're even more lax on you, you can register to vote on election day. That Web site also lists the laws pertaining to absentee ballots, if you're not currently in your state and won't be on November 4. Ever heard of early voting? Click on the words early vote to see if your state participates. This makes it easier for people who may be traveling or out-of-state on election day. College kids? Take your laundry home, get a meal cooked by mom (or dad) and cast a ballot if your state is on Rock the Vote's list.

Look, I don't care how you do it, who you do it for or what your reasons are. I just want you to vote. If you haven't, check out Barack Obama and John McCain's Web sites and read into the issues that matter to you most. The campaign slogans and ads won't get you anywhere as far as being an educated voter is concerned, but both of those Web sites break down the candidate's take on an issue by topic and everyone has issues that matter to them. 

In this country, voting has really come a long way. In 1776, most of the people I know wouldn't have been going to the polls in November. The privilege was only given to white, property owning, Protestant males who were over the age of 21. In 1830, states dropped the religion and property ownership aspect of the law, but only my while, male friends could speak their mind every four years. The 15th Amendment happened in 1870, giving African American males the right, nation wide (still, had it been me, I would have been bugging my male friends to cast a vote for me). In 1920, we passed the 19th Amendment, a woman's right to vote, and in 1947 Native Americans could hit the polls. Now, all of us, 21 and older are pulling levers and bubbling in bubbles and hanging our chads. 

1971? Big deal. The U.S. decided that if you could go to war and die for your country, you could help choose your Commander-in-Chief at 18. 

It's important, and for most of us, that right has not always been there. This country was founded when colonists sought to escape a monarchy and royal blood. We formed a system that allows us, as citizens, to help choose who makes our decisions and represents us on a global scale. (Though, the electoral college still blows my pretty little mind, I'm working on it) Bi-partisan may not be the best way to go and I'm pretty sure you have to be insane to run for president, but the point is, we have a choice that a lot of people don't have. 

If nothing else, don't listen to me, listen to third debate moderator, Bob Schieffer's mom - "Go vote, it'll make you feel big and strong." (Plus, when you need to complain about something after November 4th, you'll have a right to...) 

Seriously...you have a little under a month to get your political rear in gear. 

Thanks for reading.