Cult of Personality: Celebrity

You know the irritation of having a song playing over and over in your head. Yesterday for me it was Living Color's, Cult of Personality. It bothered me so much that I got out of bed and went to the computer to look up the lyrics. I was startled.

The words were poetry, vital today as the day they were written. It is really the theme song for being a celebrity.

.....I know your anger, I know your dreams

I've been everything you want to be ....

We make a celebrity by seeing in them something we admire or desire. We put those things as well as that person on a pedestal. Smart celebrities know they are on that pedestal and display that "public image" that will keep them in the public's good graces.

.....Neon Lights, A Nobel Prize

Than the mirror speaks, the reflection lies

You won't have to follow me

Only you can set me free

We have seen countless celebrities rise and fall. (EX Lindsay Lohan, Mel Gibson) When celebrities "public image" cracks we are faced with reality, their humanity, which is that they are fallible, deeply flawed people. After we see them for who they are we then have a choice to follow or not. It is like a shooting star as it goes across the sky, it captivates us, but who pays attention to where it falls?

.....I see the things you need to be

I'm the smiling face on your TV

In reality the only power a celebrity has is the power we give them. If we did not follow them would we know or care about their products? Would celebrities get those million dollar endorsement deals? The worst thing for a celebrity to do is to tarnish their image and take their public for granted.

We are followers in the "cult of personality". We worship a graven image of celebrity, not the reality. It seems caution is in order....

Living Color, you were prophets!

Final Xena 2012 Convention: No Hudson Leick?

Creation Entertainment recently announced they will be holding their last Xena convention in 2012. The guest list, while shaping up with many exciting names, has one glaring omission, Hudson Leick. (Callisto)

How can any Xena convention be worth the price of admission without the woman who played Xena's most memorable arch-nemesis? Since blogging about Hudson Leick, my readership has turned international, boasting all the way to India. I would call that bad business not to include an international superstar.

Since this is the last Creation Entertainment sponsored, Xena convention, which will be the biggest, how could you not have Hudson Leick. Her star presence alone on her offical fanpage on facebook has inspired and boasts the most loyal, devoted fans worldwide. It is up to you Creation Entertainment (tick,tock) but I know I will not buy tickets until I have heard an updated guest list including Hudson.

If you wish to contact Creation Entertainment go to the Hudson Leick Offical Fanpage on facebook which has all the email addresses. You can also contact Creation Entertainment on twitter @CreationEnt

*****Update************ She has been confirmed...order your tickets now! She will doing a yoga class as well!

Hero Worship: At The Alter of Social Media

Whether one believes in God or not, people cannot deny a need to believe is something or someone. Some people choose other human beings to worship, because they offer something they wish or desire in their lives that the person possesses. Other people believe that material possessions are a sign of status and hence believe in them to show their value in the world. But the question is when does hero worship become destructive to you?

In my own spiritual journey I have been re-examining my life and loves trying to reignite passion in my life. I found my childhood hero, Hudson Leick, on twitter (from Xena:Warrior Princess fame) and found my fascination reignited. The question of hero worship came to my mind when I joined her official facebook fanpage and watched fans in their God like worship. One woman literally published two to ten photos on the page a day commenting with confessions of love and praise. Hudson Leick was her goddess as she literally had nothing more to offer in comments other than love, praise and worship. She and I were similar in that I would of had no clue the extent of her devotion except for visiting the page every other day.

I have found myself on twitter following my favorite celebrities like a puppy, they my masters, having dog bones in their pockets. The dog bones being interesting little snippets making my mortal exisitence a little better, a little brighter. Most critics of religion will say that ignorant individuals choose to worship anything, because they are needy and feeble in mind and spirit. But I know I am a college graduate, avid reader and writer. The woman who posts all of those photos on that facebook page is a highly educated, highly decorated, multi-lingual business woman. Neither of us are ignorant and yet we feel the need to follow. I ask, is it wrong, for me to find joy in following a mere human being and worship at the altar of social media? As this journey continues we shall see.

"Becareful in your worship...for faith has the power to move mountains and cause wars"

Outcry on Casey Anthony Verdict

Not since the OJ Simpson trial has there been such a public outcry of disbelief and anger at Casey Anthony being found not guilty of the death of her daughter Caylee. She was found guilty though on four misdemeanor counts of providing false information to law enforcement officers. (a proverbial slap on the wrist)

Who believes that Casey Anthony was innocent? On twitter and facebook you would find very few people who are celebrating the verdict but rather are using social media to vent their anger and thoughts on this injustice. Most tweets are outrage but some morbid humor:

Rt; Octomom just hired Casey Anthony to babysit. She showed up with an 8 pack of garbage bags and some duct tape - via twitter

Most of the evidence during the trial was circumstancial, meaning it did not directly connect Casey Anthony to the murder. The prosecution used events and behavior patterns to try to convince the jury that Casey Anthony's behavior implied her guilt in the murder. It was problematic because the prosecution had the burden of proof beyond resonable doubt, not the defendant so whose fault was it?(the prosecution did not have a strong case)

Even though the verdict is a miscarriage of justice for Caylee Anthony lets look at it another way, envision with me tommorow morning in the life of Casey Anthony...

Can you imagine going to the movie theater, grocery store or the local mall? She will always have that nawing on her neck, will always uncomfortably squirm as people look at her. She will or think she knows what they are thinking. Could you imagine her going out to get a job? The world is now her prison as all eyes will continue to be on her. She will never be able to leave this crime behind, did OJ? OJ went to prison on an unrelated charge but I think Casey Anthony will have it worse. If she was in front of you, would you not easily shudder with revulsion at the mere thought she could kill a three year old. People will probably spit on her where ever she goes. Even if she becomes a total recluse, isn't she still going to be in a sort of prison? Her life is over. She may be able to start a life, change her name, move somewhere else. In 15-20 years when her child would of been in college (r.i.p. Caylee Anthony) maybe the public will even forget a little, but crimes like this are never forgotten. Someone will still find her, out her and public hatred will start again. She will never leave this crime behind her.

Casey Anthony may of gotten the worst punishment a self-absorbed, self-centered individual could get, eternal damnation in a world who will always despise her. She will never have a normal life. Nancy Grace is right she will probably become a celebrity, is one sort of now, even probably be taken under the wings of someone like Dr. Drew. But when it is all said and done she will never leave this behind. We will not let you Casey Anthony! R.I.P. Caylee Anthony

Get Ready for the Housewives HoDown for all the juiciest LoDown!

To travel in the jungle of Bravo's Real Housewives gossip is like going into an overgrown forrest without any tools to cut a path. Consider Megan, of the Housewives Hodown, your one and only tour guide through this jungle and with its wildcats. She gives you the most updated, indepth, information and perspective on your favorite housewives. She speaks her mind and asks and listens to her fans so you don't miss out. You don't want to get lost out there!

Her blog is the best 411 on the web so check it out at:

Housewiveshoedown.blogspot.com

And to keep in touch with her follow her daily journey on Twitter

@houswiveshodown

Skweez Couture ( a Jill Zarin Collection)

Who else is ready for the launch of Skweez Couture? Me..Me..and Me (raising hand) I have been following on twitter @skweezcouture and @jillzarin and I can say that September can not come soon enough for me.

When you visit the website, skweezcouture.com, your taste buds are tantalized with a sexy array of undergarments. Most times when you think of any undergarments, you suddenly get an image of a robust opera singer in a corset ready to bust. (not the prettest image) But when visiting the website you see a collection that blows that image out of your head. It is garments that are not only made to work with the contours of your body but to make you feel sexy, as if you were putting on sexy lingere. (this is not your grandma's shapewear)

Jill Zarin has been very candid about promoting her line because she geniuinely believes in it. If you read the story on skweezcouture.com she says "I am obsessed with shapewear as I truly believe that beauty begins with a great foundation." She went to work to try to eliminate the problems that most shapewear presents "seams running down the middle and matching skin color". Aside from the sexy look, Jill says, it is a shapewear made from the best, luxury materials and boasts the world's best control technology. What woman doesn't want more control over her life and body so she can look her best?

Skweez Couture is a collection of shapewear, hoisiery, shapertights, leggings, swimwear, bras, intimate apparel and accessories. Who can't wait until September? Its this bloggers birthday so I already know whats on my wish list. Thank you Mrs. Jill Zarin for making womankind's life a little easier with style and class.

Follow Jill on twitter @jillzarin and Skweezcouture @skweexcouture

Who is Jennifer Zarin? - A Modern Heroine

Jennifer Zarin is daughter of owners of Zarin Fabrics, Bobby Zarin and step-daughter to Bravo's NYC Housewives star Jill Zarin. She first came to national attention when she appeared at an anti-bullying campaign event thrown by her stepmother, filmed as part of this season. While only a part of her speech was shown, what was, made a strong impact on the viewing public. We all became a little more aware of what others go through.

Jennifer spoke of being born with a facial birthmark and hemagioma. Hemagioma for the non-medical dictionary carrying is an abnormal lump that is made up of blood vessels that can occur at birth or later. It was more than powerful as she spoke of being treated differently, being judged for being different and having to find the courage to overcome and carrying on. When I listened to Jennifer on the show I did not see her birthmark. What I saw was a role-model, a hero, an amazingly brave women who had found her inner strength to share herself and bring awareness to the world.

Television brought Jennifer to our attention, but over two years ago she started her facebookpage, "The BirthMark Project" which to this day continues to bring a message of self-acceptance and compassion for others. People that are different from societies preceived norms are always fighting a two front, uphill battle against others and from within. For seventeen years of my life I suffered with social anxiety disorder being clinically afraid of people. It tooks years of self-hatred and pain to come to a catharsis. As Jennifer said in her blog, "I've learned that what's made us the target of bullies or insecure (or both) also has a lot to teach us about life." To further that people must take the time to see life from other people's perspective and show love not hate.

She has won that battle by standing up for love by helping others. She has overcome her own inner critic, or as she says "inner bully" by publicly speaking to children of all ages bringing a message of there being "No Place for Hate". She is inspiring, empowering and motivating a new generation to be tolerant of people who are different. She recently finished her studies in core strength coaching, a form of life (and executive) coaching that draws on one's core strengths. She was a key speaker for the Anti-Defamation League last campaign event for; No Place for Hate.

You can follow her

On twitter: @Birthmarkproj

Her blog : birthmarkproject.blogspot.com

On F.B. : facebook.com/thebirthmarkproject

Or the Anti-Defamation League; Noplaceforhate@adl.org