Wait…You Mean that Isn't Normal Conversation

I received an email today from a political group that I am a member of, asking for all its supporters to post a message in support of the healthcare reform as their Facebook status. I had originally wanted to keep political discussions away from my blog, but simply put, that isn’t me. I live in DC because I am drawn to these types of debates. From a very early age, I have enjoyed controversial conversation. This got me thinking that DC has a culture based in completely inappropriate conversation, according to American norms. There are so many normal things that DC folks do everyday that are even considered disrespectful everywhere else, and all of these things can be found at happy hour or whatever “fill-in-the-blank” organization reception/mixer, a serious DC institution. DC is a social city and happy hour is where it all happens.

• The first thing you will ask anyone the second you meet them is, “What do you do?” Now, most of Americans can think of about 5 questions that would be appropriate to ask before ever thinking about asking someone what they did for a living. But in DC, that is your identity. You can find out everything you need to know about a person with that one question. Where they work, political affiliation (usually, if not you judge them based on it anyways), how much money they probably make (at least a range) and what you can probably get from them. Now, I don’t condone the last one, but this is DC, you never know.
• Political Discussions—I love discussing the top divisive topics of the week with a stranger. Religion and Politics are still the top things not to discuss with anyone outside of your family (and that may even be an issue), but in DC politics is king, why not? I do come from a family that encourages debate. I once had an hour-long conversation with my uncle about abortion. It got heated, as everything does in my clan, but at the end I knew he looked at me as an adult with a valid opinion for the first time in my life. I was no longer just the loud-mouthed 12-year old who he had disciplined countless times, I was an adult that he respected.

So, in normal fashion, I will post what I believe to be true.

"No one should die because they cannot afford health care, and no one should go broke because they get sick. If you agree, please post this as your status for the rest of the day."

Voodoo Experience

This is the best news I have gotten all week. Lenny Kravitz, the love of my life, just announced that he is playing the Voodoo Experience in New Orleans this fall. I haven't seen Lenny in concert in years because he has been in Europe touring and hasn't played the US in a while. I am by far his biggest fan. Of course, I probably can't afford to go to New Orleans anyways, but I would die to go. The really funny thing is, the hotel, tickets and flight aren't even that expensive. If this was last year, it would be a no-brainer, but money is tight this year (Thank you recession). Also, it is the same weekend as my 5th anniversary with my boyfriend, and five is kind of a big deal, huh?

The line up for the show is insane. Kiss, Eminem, Robert Randolph and the Family Band. I am a music lover, all music, an appreciator of sound. It is a perfect mesh of all music genres, plus it is in New Orleans, a beautiful city with an amazing history. After seeing Benjamin Button last year, I became obsessed with the history of blacks in New Orleans. It was one of the only cities in America before and after the Civil War where blacks could be successful.

It would probably take a miracle to get me to the concert, but I will keep my eyes open for it.

Mothers and Daughters

I just watched Whitney's comeback performance on GMA this morning and she brought out her daughter, Bobbi Christina on stage to sing with her. It was crazy to see how grown up she was. I hear amazing things about her new album and I am so happy to see her back and healthy. I am very close with my mom and love seeing happy moms and daughters. But, when I was a testy teenager, we weren't exactly besties.

The other day at her concert in Israel, Madonna brought out her look-alike Lourdes on stage. She is so cute. Every time I see a picture of her I just can't believe she is so grown up and has such AMAZING style. She is definitely another young girl that is waaaay cooler than me. The only thing more shocking than how much she looks like her mother is seeing her with her gorgeous father. She is a mirror image of her father. People say I look exactly like both of my parents (who look nothing alike), Lourdes definitely falls under than category too.

Carrie Bradshaw is Back and Looking FAB!

Are you a Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte or Miranda?

I am so excited to see pictures of SJP and Big filming in NYC. Sex and the City is definitely one of my favorite movies. I just have to make sure I am careful when checking Perez Hilton (500 times a day) not to see the dozens of scene spoilers he posts. I remember last time they tried so hard to cover up the wedding scene in the movie as a "dream scene" and Charlotte's pregnancy was a "fake scene".

I am not sure who my favorite character is, Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, Miranda OR the other two main characters in the show, New York City and the WARDROBE?

Can't wait to see the sequel.

Reconnecting with Old Friends

I am not the best at keeping in touch with old friends and I am someone who seems to have a lot of "old friends". When I graduated high school, I had very few friends that I stayed in touch with. I left Austin for college in the DFW area and many of my friends stayed in Austin, few attended college right away, so we had little in common. I had a huge group of friends my senior year, but not many had the base to be long-lasting friendships. There was one friend that I did remain in contact with all through college, but once I moved to DC life quickly got in the way.

I have spoken with her sporadically over the years, the last time we connected was Christmas time. We had made plans to meet while I was in Texas, but it never ended up happening. Last time we spoke she told me she was getting married, which was expected since she had been dating her fiance for many many years, and she would keep me posted. Well, I had the date circled on my calendar, but no invitation arrived.

Today, I decided to search her on Facebook, since for some reason she hadn't had a Facebook account in the past. I searched her several times before, but this time she came up. I quickly sent a request for friendship and a few hours later she accepted. I took a few minutes to look over her page. She was married and further down on the page I discovered, she was also expecting her first baby. WOW. I was shocked.

Honestly, I have no clue why I became upset over this news. I am at the age where I find out about an old friend or acquaintance getting married and having a baby every day. I can only imagine that I am just upset that I am no longer a part of her life. I love her and she is definitely one of the closest relationships I ever had. I haven't had any major life occurrences yet, so I haven't had much to announce, but she would definitely be one of the people I would call when I do.

But, the time has come to write her an email to catch up and congratulate her on everything and hope that we are able to stay in touch. I would jump on a plane in a heart beat to make it for her shower.

Marriage...Its Growing on Me

Martha Stewart Weddings

I have generally not been a huge fan of marriage. Well, it terrifies me. I am from a family full of divorces. My grandparents were the only truly successful marriage I have seen, unfortunately, my grandma died far too early in life. I don't believe that life is easy and full of beautiful roses, nor do I think they had a perfect marriage for 40 years, but I know they were happy and loved one another. The other side of me is a hopeless romantic. I have been with my boyfriend for five years next month and after eight months of living together, the idea of marriage is growing on me.

I heard a few months back from this lawmaker in some European country proposing that all marriages have a seven year expiration date and then you have to renew it. I thought, this is a pretty good idea. If nothing else, it makes you reevaluate your relationship and do what is necessary to make it work. Some marriages would likely end after the seven years, but I think many more would renew. Now, this is not likely here in America or probably anywhere, but it was a creative idea, which is more than I can say about divorce.

I read Cup of Jo religiously and she has been discussing her engagement and wedding plans for months now. She got married this past weekend and has left for her honeymoon. While gone, she has enlisted many of my favorite bloggers to fill-in for her writing about their secrets to a happy marriage. Today, Grace from Design*Sponge wrote some great tips:

Grace + AC's secrets to a happy marriage:

1. Talk it out: No matter how angry you are, talking always helps. I wasn't a big talker before meeting Aaron (I was a big "slam the door"-er) and he taught me the value of talking through any and all difficult situations.

2. Support each other's dreams: AC loves to play poker and guitar, and he also likes mixed martial arts. If he wanted to leave his job to pursue any of those, I would support him 100%. And I know he'd do the same for me. I realized a few years back that no matter how good the salary or benefits, if your partner isn't happy, even the best job is the wrong job. If you're both truly happy, then material things really do become less important.

3. Go on adventures: Whether it's a scooter ride to Coney Island or a backpacking trip out west, remember to experience new things together. AC and I are complete opposites, but we both love to try new things, which keeps us growing together.

Have to Admit this is JAMMIN'!!!

It is Miley, but I cannot deny a good song regardless of who is singing it. I heard it was produced by a hip-hop producer, so maybe that is where the HOT vibe is coming from. I was walking to the metro in the crazy heat, in a terrible mood. I put this on my iPod and almost busted out dancing in the middle of the metro station. I just heard the entire song for the first time yesterday. I heard it in her Wal-mart commercial, like 100 times. I am all over it. It is my end of summer jam.

I had a 2 hour-long texting session with my cousin in Texas about how I really can't stand teenage girls, they are just irritating and Miley definitely falls in that category, just obnoxious. I was not the most likable teenage girl either though, I haven't met many that are. But, I will give it to her, she has earned my respect on the music front. And the girl can sell ANYTHING. She has a serious following for a reason.

I watched her performance on the Teen Choice Awards. It was rather risque for a 16 year old. She has tiny shorts on and did a little dance with a pole, but at least she sang live and she sounded good. Most artist don't and that I respect. My cousin told me to just pretend that she is 18 when I watch it and it totally helped. I do that every Monday when I watch Gossip Girl, just pretend they were 25 years old and the show is totally believable. I love it.

Growing up isn't easy for anyone, especially for someone doing it in the public eye. Miley, I just don't want to see another Britney fiasco.

UPDATE:
Here is the performance from the Today Show this morning.