Lights. Camera. Drama.

I have a habit for not abiding by my past New Years resolutions because I did not have the will power. But this time I am sticking to this one. No one waiting. No more excuses. 2010 is my time to shine and I will certainly do that. These are the things that I will aim for the new year. Reinvention is the new black.

1. I Am Going to Do Me: This is the most important goal on my list. I have to think for myself for no more. I am not going to rely on my parents for advice. I am shredding all the emotional drama and baggage NOW. 2010 is the year that I will embark on my independence. I want to be free from all the negativity and codependency in my life. 

And no one is going to stop me. I am indestructible. I am going to set my future on my own terms. I am going to ignore all the drama, even if my parents start it. I will start with a new slate. But seeking this independence is a declaration. How will I accomplish it? Freedom has no merit unless you strongly desire for a change. So here is what I am going to do.

2. Network, Network, Network: Since I graduated in May, I have been cooped up in my parents' house, applying to dozen of jobs and internships online without any success and wasting my life away. I know my self worth. I know what I am capable of accomplishing and I know what I am yet to be capable of. I now know that despite the rejection, I know that I am a better person for the dream, despite the lack of preliminary and follow-up interviews. I am sick and tired of just using one outlet (the Internet) to search for work. Starting now, I will take the initiative in networking and schmoozing with Smith alumnae, friends, and assocates to expand my personal brand. As one associate told me this past Tuesday, when you are out there in the real world, "it is not what you know, it is who you know." And I have finally come to that conclusion. So, my goal is to network with the people that I know with confidence and control to find the internship, full-time job, or volunteer work that I want.  
3. Earn My Financial Independence: I had some time to think about this. When I find my first post-career job, I will start earning the money and job experience that I need to get the dream job. Financial independence is the key to leaving my parents' home and asserting yourself as an adult. I hope to earn and save enough money to pay off my college loans and to rent my first apartment by September 2010.

4. Being More Flexible: I am a flexible person. But being the fickle person that I am, when I am determined to do something, I become inflexible and stubborn. I hope to be more open-minded and flexible when it comes to my career path. As of now, I have branched my career options from online media to include other forms of technology: editorial, blogging, user experience, and IT development. But I have to always remember that there is a possibility that online media may not be my calling in my life. People change careers all the time so when I get into the workforce, I will be expose to all areas of the Internet business and corporate America, even the areas that I initially thought were not compatible to my likings and needs.

5. Keeping the Body Whole: Exercising is the hardest task for me to do because I love food. But with my optimistic, positive outlook on my job search and life, I have to keep the body as spiritual and natural as possible. So, I have to reinvent myself more spiritually from the inside out. I aim to drink more water each day, go to the gym at least once or twice a week and/or exercise at home, eat more fruits and vegetables, and develop a normal sleeping schedule. Since I have no job, my sleeping pattern has become imbalanced. Currently, I sleep during the day and wake up during the night. I have to reverse that pattern, especially when I plan on getting a job and feeling my best.

6. Fun, Fun, Fun: I have to reconnect with friends. Since I was in high school, I made friends but conditioned myself to not contact them for some reason. But with this new me, I have to redevelop my social life and reconnect with friends and make new ones. I am that confident and witty woman, now I need to show that to the world and the skeptics and have a great time outside the house. If exercising is the hardest task, having fun is probably the second because I do not do the whole club scene. So, I hope to live the young, exciting Sex in the City life before they  all got married and had children. I am the Carrie and Samantha of my time. And that's awesome.

Every online website and cable news network from Time Magazine to CNBC has shared their own lists of  the best and worst celebrity scandals or ideas of the last decade. And now I am going to give you my rundown of the lessons that I have learned since the year 2000. I still cannot believe it has been ten years already since the start of the twenty-first century. I am getting old.

1. Don't Fuck With The Terrorists: I apologize for using the f word, but I had to. With 9/11, this recent attempted Christmas bombing of a commercial airplane heading to Detroit, and the Fort Hood massacre still lingers in the hearts and minds of the American public, I do not want to be in the way of their plans for mass destruction and terrorism. And I am not only talking about Islamic fundamentalists.

I am talking about the seemingly liberal media, government agencies, and other American institutions that continues to undermine the potential and progression of the American people. Not all media people are terrorists. I love NYMag.com, Huffington Post, and other online blogs and websites. But I know when to draw a line between the facts and sensationalism. So do not screw with the terrorists. Learn to overcome their campaigns of fear the best way you can. The politics of fear is the most destructive weapon of all. I've learned to not take every breaking news with a grain of salt. Take control your life or they will.

2. Douchebags Rule the World: If you have not read my wicked Halloween tale yet, I strongly recommend you read it. Douchebags rule the world basically. Jon Gosselin thinks he is a living, breathing male god who is now rumored to have lied about a home invasion only to get publicity. He is a douchebag because he has not grown up to support his eight children. A douchebag would not allow his children to be on television in the first place.

A doucebag could be the nice neighbor, your ex, your psychopathic brother or even you. Stars like Kanye West, Richard Heenes, the White House Crashers, Dave Letterman, Charlie Sheen, and Tiger Woods are just the high-profile ones. The list goes on and on. You can take a douche bag out of Hollywood but you cannot take Hollywood out of the douche bag. The last of the most intelligent people on Earth should reclaim the planet from these people or by December 21, 2012, the world might come to an end. So when you write your New Years Resolutions people, please promise me to either convert the douche bags in your life to reasonable human beings or ignore them altogether.

3. Technology Has Redeemed Itself from the Dark Ages: With the highly-anticipated Google Nexus and the Apple Tablet coming out next year, I am glad that I do not have to use floppy disks and CDs anymore. I am glad that 2010 will bring us closer to the science fiction days of our childhood pasts. I am glad that we are a step closer to artificial intelligence and Star Wars technology. Did anyone notice that in one of my Tech Diva 2010 Prediction post, I predicted that Apple will come up with a new invention before I even knew that Apple was going to premiere the "Apple Tablet" sometime next month to the public. Haha, I'm good. So, Facebook and YouTube are in. Goodbye 20th century garbage. 21st century technology is our future.

4.  Celebrity Deaths Are Overrated: This decade will forever be known as the decade of the Greats. Michael Jackson, Brittany Murphy, Heath Ledger and Anna Nicole Smith all die due to reported drug overdoses and/or long histories of drug addiction. I still remember the day when I heard about MJ's untimely death. I just did not believe it because it's Michael Jackson we are talking about. The Michael Jackson. But there should be a line between at least a few days news coverage to about a year's worth of  untrue stories, fabricated truths, and millions of dollars of unnecessary publicity. Talk about the missing children of this world. I do not want to watch six months worth of the reasons why or maybe why Anne Nicole Smith died. There are other important things that matter to me. End of story.

So before you browse a newspaper or a popular search engine for information, activate your common sense and take yourself on a wild goose chase.

For months, I have tried to develop in a Sex in the City blog post for your viewing pleasure. The former hit HBO series and now movie franchise has been analyzed so critically by second-wave feminists and sociologists for years, one day I might devote a blog post or two all to the topic. But if I do, I have to devote some of my time to watch the whole six seasons on my own with a fresh set of eyes. I have not seen all the TV episodes, but I have a sense of what these four talented, successful women represent in the dialogue about commercialization and women's issues in the 21st century.

In May 2008, the first movie adaptation was a box-office success. It brought women, gay men, and cynics like me all in one movie room. The teaser trailer of the highly-anticipated sequel was launched today online. I hope this movie lives up to its expectations. I hear rumors that this movie will center around how Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte began friends and how they all got their start in New York City.

Another sequel is pushing it for me. I tend to hate movie sequels and trilogies altogether so we will see. The sequel is expected to be out nationwide next summer. Check the trailer below.

2009 was a very big year for pretty much anything from scandals, the inauguration of this country's first African-American president to the death of the King of Pop and the recently deceased Hollywood actress Brittany Murphy. So as I was planning on Christmas content for this blog, I decided what an unique way to celebrate the holidays and close a year of mayhem by remixing "The Twelve Days of Christmas" my way. It goes a little something like this:

I have been using Twitter on and off for the past year I believe. Many online users tweet about their daily lives in real time communication for the sake of digital contact with the digital world. I sometimes do, but since most of my friends are on Facebook, I do not have the luxury of tweeting each day to friends and family. I use Facebook instead to reach out to my larger audience. On Twitter, I follow industry news, career specialists, and "Hollywood" celebrities to get the latest scoop on finding jobs, career advice, and understanding the seemingly complex celebrity life in cyber space.

But what really, really bothers me is that for some Twitter obsessed celebrities, the only way to communicate to their fans is for their fans to pay them $$$. According to an article I recently read entitled "Want Kim Kardashian To Tweet You? It Will Cost $10,000?", reality-TV star and socialite Kim Kardshian collaborates with in-steam advertising company Ad.ly and through this collaboration, demands $10,000 per tweet. Unfortunately, she is not the only celebrity listed on the company's website. Check it out for yourself.

How nonsensical and pointless can someone get?!  It only goes to show that many celebrities are willing to do almost anything for money and fame these days. That is why I come to hate the Kardashians quite profoundly since Khloe Kardashian got married this past summer after nine days of engagement. They are just greedy, attention-whore douchebags.

I know that celebrities are marketing brands and  the security blankets for many advertising and entertainment companies. Hence why despite Tiger Wood's infidelity scandal on the news, the man virtually owns golf and sports marketing as a whole. I know that social media sites have been used by average Americans and small businesses alike to market their own products and sell their brands to the outside world. We are stilling living in a capitalist, opportunist age even amidst a global recession.

But when you thought celebrities desired to get closer to their fans online because they are so busy running their careers, you have to pay them a certain compensation in order for them to stay in the Hollywood spotlight. Sometimes, I wait for particular celebrities to tweet me back after I tweeted them on their pages and now I know the truth. Therefore, what use does Twitter have for celebrities besides money?

I just heard this on someone else's blog and I had to post it for all the Lady Gaga and Christmas fans out there. Last year, Lady Gaga introduced her version of "Christmas Tree" and I think the song was caught under my radar because I did not hear this song until I looked at Google Reader today and saw that another blogger posted the video on her blog. Anyway, because this is Lady Gaga that we are talking about, you automatically know that this song is not about Christmas trees and being at home for the holidays. There, I spoiled the song for you. Muhahaahahaha.

The link to the Youtube video is here. Earlier, I had the Youtube video on this post but I decided to make a fresh new mix box on my blog so you can listen to it as you read my blog posts. The widget is on your lower right hand corner. Enjoy!

If it is snowing in your area right now, be happy that you can enjoy your time at home and in the snow, but be weary when the snow turns a dark brown in the next couple of days. Christmas is less than a week away and  such movies such as Avatar are out in theaters despite the extremely cold weather nationwide. However, I have collected my top ten Christmas movies for those moviegoers who rather stay at home with their hot chocolate than waste their $10 at the movies. These movies are legendary, some are even on movie critics' top Christmas films of all time lists. They bring us joy and laughter when the times were rough. They are the movies we have saved on our Tivos. Here are the movies that I have entertained me during my twenty-two life year span. I've decided now to present them randomly because they cannot be rated on an one to ten scale. Enjoy!

I just heard that that the Golden Globes nominations have been announced and I am quite excited. However, I am a little bit concerned. In the directors' category, James Cameron, best known for directing the mega blockbuster and eleven-time Academy Award film, Titanic, was nominated for Best Director of a Motion Film for Avatar, but his movie is not even out nationwide until this Thursday Friday. Yet, Whitney Houston came out with her comeback album the last day of Grammy qualifications and she was not nominated for any Grammys this year. Do you see the hypocrisy? I just had to bring that to your attention.

I have been a naughty girl all year and its NOT what you think. But I also have also been a goodie two shoes. I am here to write you a letter because deep down in my childhood essence, I still believe in you. By the time you finish reading this letter, you will forget all about my past bad deeds.

Okay, here I go. *Deep breath*. All I want for Christmas this year is........a paid internship or job. No more video games or Barbie dolls. No more expensive mp3 players. I am too old for such childish things anymore. All I want is to be financially secure, so I can get out of my parents' house for good. Now, I know you understand where I am coming from. I have my sources. *smirks*  Each year, you leave your wintry hut in the North Pole to full little girls and boys with smiles because you have a job. It may not pay the bills, but at least you enjoy what you do. You have a passion. I need a job to exercise mine. Yet like my parents, you also travel around the world to get away from the meddling elves that make your toys. I do not blame you for leaving. Those elves always intervene in your private affairs. And don't let me talk about Mrs. Claus. Let's just say that you should not have hooked up with her. My parents are the same way only worse sometimes.

There you have it. That is my only Christmas wish. I could have asked you to end world poverty, domestic violence, corporate greed, the conservative media's damnation of Tiger Woods' infidelity for all I care or even create a bipartisan, universal health care system, but it is the grown ups' responsibility to solve those problems. Santa Claus is suppose to give away presents, not eradicate these issues that could not have prevented if some people in power did not act like assholes. Can you do me this favor while you are at it? Make sure you do not accidentally put some of the naughty people on your good list. I fear a backlash already.

So, I hope to see you this Christmas Eve as your sled rides right pass my bedroom window. I will be waiting as always.

Love,
LadyMel

P.S I have the oatmeal raisin cookies and milk that you want. =)

Hello, everyone. As you may not have known this but last week was a feebie week. I did not have anything planned out so I added some "outside content" to help your lives with my awesomeness. Anyway, I have some nice news to give to you. Starting this week until December 25th, I have planned out some creative Christmas content for you! Yay!

Today is the start of my 12 Days of Christmas extravaganza. I have some goodies in store with you including a holiday edition of Tech Diva! So be prepared of any holiday content that you come across on my blog within these next two weeks. I will try my best to spread out the material every two to three days. Have a nice day and I will see you tomorrow!

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
                                        
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

I wonder around the Internet like a homeless hobo all the time. It was until I came across this NY Mag.com article about the fashion trends of the past decade that I had to say something. The decade is about to end. I remember many of the fashion trends within the past ten years. For instance, the forever-changing short bob haircut that Rhianna rocked since her launch of her third album, Good Girl Gone Bad in 2007. One short hairstyle and one edgy makeover created a fashion phenomenon.

However, if I were living on Earth one hundred, even two hundreds years from now, I would not recognize the 00's as the decade of the "it" fashions. Some of the trends are regurgitated 80's punk styles and 70's platform shoes. Anything before 1990 had the best fashion styles in my opinion. Those were the days when people were making statements without any effort or an agenda. Fashion was a part of daily life. Now it's..... I do not know, commercialized? Although, I do love fashion to a certain extent, will we remember this decade for its post-modern sense of style in the distant future?

As the Twilight hater that I am, I want to help jump start your week at school or at work by watching this video where dozens of Twilight fans were pranked! I am not going to give away the details, just watch it here!

2010 is right around the corner after a decade of catastrophic world events and poignant memories. The Internet has defiantly shaped the way in which we perceived these world events, but everything has a beginning. Do you wonder sometimes how the Internet started in the first place? I know it did not begin overnight. SixRevisions.com recently up with a cool, interactive timeline that summaries the history of the Internet in less than one page! Did you know that e-mail was invented about 40 years ago? If history itself does not just end in 2009.

This year alone, we have observed millions more people using small and more popular video-sharing, social networking sites such as Fickr and Youtube more than ever in their daily lives. This year should be recognized as the zenith of online media in itself. People were tweeting during award show events and about news minutes after it was reported to the public online. Like Google Wave,  real-life communication is fueled by our greed for digitalized information. Major corporations and retail stores that were not exposed to the Internet like ten, twenty years ago are now capitalizing on this service. How did we hear about a company's job openings or the Tiger Woods scandal? Nine out of ten, it was from probably from blogs, websites, or our Blackberrys. 


So, what do I think 2010 has in store for us? Here are my early predictions:

• Many news content websites will charge users a fee for reading their content.
• There will be a new "it" website. So, move over Twitter and Facebook. I do not know what the website or service is, but it will take the Internet world by storm.
• The Internet will have a profound effect on the 2010 elections.
• New microeconomic technologies will help people from third world countries get out of poverty.
• Unemployed people will use the Web in ways thought unimaginable.
• Apple or some other company will design the next "Ipod". Remember when the Ipod was introduced in 2001? It will be more convenient and better than the best  mobile technologies today combined. And you know I will buy it.
• Within the next 10 years, a new Internet company will be born or rise the ranks. Google, Microsoft, Yahoo. Be aware of these smaller companies.

Lady Mel, the educated woman and socialite that she is, sips her caramel, green tea as she reads the NYTimes newspaper inside her French chateau. Bored and inspired by the White House Intruders Want Money for Tale article in the November 28th issue, she initally decides to invite the semi-famous wannabe couple to her late night talk TV show to try to get the "real" juicy details. But she catches herself and decides that it would even be more humiliating if she wrote a song about them. Several hours later at a friend's studio, she recorded and written a tune on her acoustic guitar that went something like this:

Last night, I was one of those eagered Americans to watch President Obama speak in front of over 4,000 extremely talented West Point undergraduates on CNN. His announcement of positioning 30,000 more American troops into Afghanistan puzzled me. During his presidential campaign last year, he promised to bring the troops home as soon as he was elected into office. Now that he is our president, I guess President Obama has matured and now comprehends that the issue at hand was not as transparent as he thought.

I personally feel that as an American, the victims and the heroes, who risked their own lives to save others during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, should not be forgotten. I am a fighter but a person of peace. If war is one of the only ways to stop the 9/11 masterminds from attacking the United States, so let it be. However, I feel that under President Bush's leadership, we have been deluded from the real war in Afghanistan. Eight years later, we are now thinking about the real war, not Iraq. Although, I think President Obama has changed his foreign policy on the war on terrorism, I am still optimistic that he will successfully bring our troops back home within the next eighteen months.

 What do you think about his deliberated decision? If you were president, what would have you done differently?