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. 

All of our bras are buy one, get one 50% off right now.

In the week since I last posted, I have entered the workforce. My new job at the outlet mall isn't really as bad as I anticipated, in fact, I think I might even like it. I have never really had any sort of part-time job that I can safely say I actually like, but this job is slightly beyond the dummy movements of the fast food industry or the pain of hostessing. I get to make small talk with customers, since I'm quite slow at ringing them up so far and I've helped one or two on my own, and when I finish helping them they seem to be very happy. People seem to feel that they too can have slightly more intimate conversations with their intimates sales people. The first woman who told me about underwear, her husband and their children (you do the math) caught me off guard, but significant others seem to be some of the first people considered when people are purchasing new underwear...significant others, support and comfort. It's nice, and so are my managers and co-workers, I think it'll be a good fit to last me until I at least start my masters' program.

Things all around are going much better than they were my first two weeks here. Getting up, getting out and doing things has already done wonders to my anxiety. Once I get into a routine, I'm going to start Yoga for Beginners. It came in at the beginning of this week from Amazon. I started one of the ten-minute routines, and it just felt really nice to be able to relax and get into some breathing. I'll probably get a mat today though, as my carpet is a little slippery and I am very clumsy. I started the Couch-to-5k plan not too long ago, but in the haze of moving and changing locations, I fell out of the routine. I'm going to re-start it around the time I start the Yoga plan. It felt good to run, and also really helped to curb some anxiety, and with dropping temperatures and a park right across the street, working, Yoga and running will help to create a much more sound me until I get back into my element. 

My fears of being alone have decreased significantly. I've come to enjoy the quiet of the morning, sipping my coffee, filling my belly with Raisin Bran Crunch and checking out headlines on CNN. Life without television may have been very good for me, except for the fact that I have finished all three seasons of "Weeds" on DVD and need to find someplace or someone with Showtime so I can get caught up on season four. I have still decided that this television addiction is much healthier than my addiction to reality TV on MTV and VH1 by far. 

So, in general, things are going well. I have good things around me and my head is definitely in the right place. If you're reading, keep south Texas in your thoughts and prayers...my parents say the road to clean-up will be a long one. They are lucky to have only lost power. 

To euthymic: I'll get up some photos of the house when my mom and I finish hanging up some pictures when she visits next week! Thanks for reading!