Photo credit: Maxim

I turned on MTV this morning to find yet another blonde chick shaking her ass and waving her bedazzled leopard print manicure in front of the camera. But it wasn’t just any blondie. It was Ke$ha. I freaking love this girl. Let me tell you why.

Ke$ha has come a long way–from being the random chick who puked in Paris Hilton’s closet after “The Simple Life” to the pop star whose hit songs “Tik Tok,” “We R Who We R,” and “Die Young” have made her a success of much higher volume than her teased, bleach-blonde hair.

Sure, many people hate her because she rap-talks her way through most of her songs. Perez Hilton dislikes her because he thinks she “looks like she smells and never showers” (Source: PerezHilton.com). And his comment is one the least abrasive ones I’ve seen. This girl gets blasted for having “nails on a chalkboard vocals” and dressing like a “slut” with “drug and alcohol problems”(amplicate.com). She has also been called stupid, fake and talentless.

Yet, although she does walk around like a hungover baby dominatrix in skin-tight leotards and an excess of glittery eyeshadow (sorry honey, ‘ya do), her style doesn’t make her any less lovable, and it definitely doesn’t make her dumb. Ke$ha is, in fact, brilliant. She received a near-perfect score on her SATs and was in the international baccalaureate program at age 17. She was about to go to Columbia University to study psychology. But she gave it all up, quitting high school and following her dream to become a star (source: Ke$ha’s official website, www.keshasparty.com). She was broke and living on food stamps, but changed her life by chasing her dream…probably with a shot of Jack Daniels (JK!).

Many people say she had and (still has) no idea what she was doing. That’s not true.

Ke$ha’s every move is brilliantly deliberate, from her overexaggerated party-girl appearance to the dollar sign replacing the “s” in her name. And while she seems childish, soulless and overly commercialized to a lot of haters (from the music critics who pan her to the evangelical hypocrites who call her the devil), she serves a good purpose. She helps people to have fun on the dancefloor and to stop taking life so damn seriously all the time. I think this chaotic, often depressed world needs a little Ke$ha every now and then to shake out the blues. And I actually think she wants to make people get up, dance and be happy.

While she may not be a role model for little kids, she’s a role model for all of us adults who worry way too much what people think of us. Ke$ha lives an unfettered, unfiltered life. And I don’t think that’s such a terrible thing.

All I’m saying is that I think there’s more to this starlet than meets the eye. And I would like to hear more of her. If you can’t stand her, then just change the channel. Simple as that. I also think you should listen to this awesome NPR piece that captures Ke$ha’s personality. Find it here.

Also, be sure to catch her new reality series, My Crazy Beautiful Life, on MTV.

Photo credit: vromansbookstore.com

Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve felt like a defective toy.

I looked normal, but didn’t “work” quite as well as everyone else. I was always somewhat offbeat. I had trouble tying my shoes, could never tell the time, had a hard time determining right from left and took a very long time to comprehend anything I read. I did poorly on standardized tests, and I was a little wonky; not graceful like other little girls. I always struck out at Wiffle Ball and tripped over my shoelaces. To make things worse, my voice was a little deeper than the rest, so I felt older and out of place yet was still very much a child.

When I got to middle school and high school I felt it took me so much longer to understand things than everyone else. It also was a lot harder for me to fit in social situations because I always felt awkward and anxious around my peers. I would go home and cry to my mom every night, feeling the sobs deep under my rib cage.

I was a broken child. After my parents divorced when I was five, I felt abandoned by my father and went through most of my childhood paranoid that my friends and family would leave me. Some of them left me because my constant paranoia, lack of trust and abundance of self-doubt made them anxious. I felt useless and unlovable. Yet all I wanted in the world was to be loved and accepted. Metaphorically speaking, all I wanted was a home.

When I reread the story “Corduroy” by Don Freeman, I realized that I am, in many ways, the department store teddy bear with the missing button — I feel unnoticed and ignored in the ocean of toys and I lack some of the elegance the other stuffed bears and dolls seem to have. Yet, I am a sweet, loving creature in need of a friend and a place to call home. I am begging to be lifted from the lonely shelf with kind hands– to be welcomed and loved even if I can’t seem to find my missing button.

With love and affection, we thrive greatly. Let me tell you about Ginger, my cat. She is a lot like Corduroy; a lot like me. She was living alone in the dark basement of a sushi restaurant in a dirty cage until my friend rescued her and put up a Facebook status asking if anyone would like to adopt Ginger and give her a home. Immediately I answered, “that’s my cat! Bring her to me! I want her!”

I didn’t care that this cat was scared, unkempt, emaciated and very feral. I wanted to take care of her, love her unconditionally and take her into my apartment. At the time I, too, felt lonely and in need of love. I had just been dumped by my boyfriend and was yearning for something to hold, hug and feed. I wanted someone–something to nourish my soul. I wanted to promise another creature I would never ever, under any circumstance, abandon it.

A year and a half later, my cat Ginger is healthy, very confident and extremely well-fed. She’s no longer the meek little kitten who nobody pays attention to. She has grown into something more like a tigress! She is no longer emaciated and hungry; she is actually a few pounds overweight because she loves food so much. But she is happy and she is the most loved cat in the world. As I write this piece, she is sleeping comfortably in a ball in my couch. She looks like she’s smiling. My heart feels so warm. I now feel like the girl who purchased Corduroy from the department store, brought him home and sewed a new button on his overalls so he’d feel more comfortable.

In loving other creatures on this earth, we know we are not alone. In loving, we fulfill the emptiness and loneliness of the human spirit.

I know I am not alone.

We all take turns playing the role of the underdog. We feel inadequate, lonely, unnoticed and insignificant. We want to cry, “pick me, pick me!” But we can’t seem to find the voice to speak up for ourselves. Sometimes, in order to find the love we desire, we have to be the ideal friend, lover or companion to others. We have to open ourselves up. We have to love like crazy.

Photo credit: Flickr User “epSos.de”

Oh, lovey. So, you want to do something exciting with your life! Congrats! You want to accomplish something awesome and make a difference in the world. Maybe it’s a new job you’re looking for–or a talent you’d like to sharpen and develop further. Okay, so what’s stopping you? Whip out your crayons and start drawing out the life you desire…and don’t be afraid to color outside the lines.

Many of us feel like we need to look polished and perfect at all times. The word vulnerability makes us cringe. I was one of these people for a very long time, until I realized that imperfection is part of the human experience. It’s part of being real. We’re human and we hurt sometimes.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Mary Nuessen-Brost, a 32-year-old mother of two young daughters, began working out to lose weight for her recent wedding. Driving home from the gym one day, she had an epiphany: she no longer wanted to be skinny; she wanted to be fit!

“I don’t only want to wear a size six,” Neussen-Brost explains, “I want to rock a size six. I don’t only want to look thin at the pool, I want people to say, ‘holy crap girl!’ My goals are now changed.” Like most of us, Mary was fixated on the scale in her bathroom. So she slid it into hiding and unfurled her tape measure. “I want to teach my girls that being ‘skinny’ isn’t what you should worry about, rather being fit and healthy!”

Body image is often a controversial subject. According to their policy boards, Tumblr and Pinterest have placed bans on posts promoting self-mutilation, including “Thinspirational” (Thin-spo) sites. The Huffington Post has recently published articles linking Thin-spo blogs with eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, as weight loss options. Although, some sites state they are NOT pro-anorexia (Pro-ana) or pro-bulimia (Pro-mia) and they are merely attempting to provide a supportive platform for weight loss. However, there are Pro-ana and Pro-mia sites encouraging others to participate in unhealthy lifestyles in order to achieve a waiflike appearance.

The health risks involved with anorexia and bulimia are high. Lisa Brown, MS, RD, CDN and Jennifer Medina MS, RD, CDN, CDE are co-founders of Brown & Medina Nutrition in New York, and caution that “anorexia and bulimia may cause thinning hair [soft, doe-y hair] and hair loss. It affects your fingernails, skin, teeth, and, in some cases, even lead to dark, receded eyes, esophageal erosion, and brain tissue damage.” They also explain, when your body is starved, it slows down your metabolism in order to store what little nutrition it is getting. This also leads to constipation and gastro-intestinal problems. Other risks include a slowing of heart rate, sleep deprivation, swelling in the glands around the jaw and disintegration of eyesight.

For physical and emotional health, don’t focus too much on the scale or your Body Mass Index (BMI). Brown and Medina suggest a different approach to maintaining a healthy body. “There isn’t one tool to tell what is right or wrong. Instead, focus on a fuel mix and intuitive eating — Eat when you’re hungry, but use portion control.” A good reference is the “plate portion” model below. While you may feel compelled to cut sugars, fats, and carbohydrates from your diet, as suggested by some fad diets, it’s not a good idea. Brown and Medina say, “Do not cut categories. Your bodies need certain fats, sugars and carbs and when you cut them cold turkey, you leave yourself open to temptations, which can lead to binging. Be consistent.”

Photo Credit: The Habit Hacker

Exercise is the last essential aspect to a healthy body. According to Brown and Medina, you should give your gorgeous body at least 45 minutes of aerobic exercise, four days a week, and work all muscle groups twice weekly. Bodies are different, and scales and BMI charts can be misleading. They also add, “If you’re overweight, decreasing your starting weight by 10 percent will decrease your risk of heart disease and other diet related illnesses;” for example, diabetes.

Discovery Fit and Health lists the following as the best foods for healthy skin. Seafoods, particularly those high in Omega 3, citrus fruits (vitamin C), red and green vegetables (vitamin A and beta carotene), nuts (vitamin E) and whole grains are essential for beautiful, young, and healthy looking skin. WebMD also lists the same foods, plus beans, poultry, eggs and carrots for beautiful silky hair. In a related article they also suggest strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries for cancer prevention. A quick Internet search will provide you with plenty of literature linking healthy diets with beauty.

For further healthy eating and exercising advice, the website for Brown & Medina Nutrition has a resources page loaded with books and articles. While bombarded by babes on billboards and Hollywood hotties, fad diets and trendy cleanses, remind yourself that healthy is always in fashion.

She waited for me across from the Plaza Hotel, bedecked in jewels and a sparkly sapphire dress. Sporting bright blue eye shadow and high auburn hair sculpted by Aqua Net, the six-foot drag queen towered over the passersby. Many of them saw a gaudy man in a really hot dress. I saw a Glamazon who holds power in her torch of a hairdo; a queen who could redecorate the lives of millions. Her name? Witti Repartee.

Let’s get one thing straight: this diva doesn’t dress in drag just for the fun of it. Witti is the Empress of New York City, a.k.a. the highest-ranking monarch of the Imperial Court of New York (ICNY), a non-profit whose mission is to raise funds for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (GLBTQ) community, HIV/AIDS organizations and youth enrichment programs.

Witti is a true IT-GIRL who proves that style and genuine kindness make a person truly sexy, regardless of their gender. In order to understand the triumph of Witti, it’s important to understand the man beneath the makeup. Michael Barret Jones, the 39-year-old male under Witti’s wig, is a longtime theatre player who says the first time he “consciously put on a dress” was during summer acting camp when he was a preteen. When the self-described “shy little boy” finally came out of the closet at his boarding school, he was severely ridiculed by the students.

“Kids yelled ‘faggot’ and ‘sweetie’ every time I walked out the door. It was almost as if they knew to open their windows and yell every time I walked outside,” he says. “I was [verbally] abused –but I held my head up. I never stopped being who I was,” says Jones, who adds that being an active member of the theatre program helped him to stay positive.

Fast-forward to 1997, when Jones took his love for performing and manifested it in the character we now know as Ms. Witti Repartee: the confident, vintage fashionista who wouldn’t be caught dead without a French manicure and peep toe pumps.

Moral of the story: although people treated Michael Barret Jones poorly, he didn’t retaliate or hold a grudge; instead, he used the persona of Witti to become the queen of kindness, volunteering for several gay and lesbian support programs and raising funds for various organizations.

In 2012, the New York Imperial Court recognized Witti for her good deeds, dubbing her Empress XXVI of the monarchy, a.k.a. the Elemental Broadway Empress of Community Camp and Collaboration. She shares the throne with Emperor XXI Ritz Kraka (‘gotta love the name!). In the span of a week, Witti and Ritz Kraka travel to several benefits across the country, paying for airfare out of pocket. In June of 2012 alone, the two made 27 appearances at fundraising events for the ICNY, which all benefit social awareness, GLBT and HIV/AIDS programs throughout the U.S.

Becoming Witti has not been a game or a job – it is a passion, and has helped to define Michael Barret Jones. Under all the makeup and big hair, Michael is a humanitarian. He cares about the cause, and he’s willing to do whatever the ICNY needs him to do.

Heels High. Head Held Higher.

Witti Repartee has become a role model for the GLBT community, and for all women who need a confidence boost. According to Witti, social norms leave women feeling inadequate and unsure of themselves. And ain’t it the truth.

“American society has so disempowered women that to walk down the street by yourself is a political act; to feel good about yourself is something no one’s gonna give you, and each woman captures that in her own special way. To see someone walking down the street with her head held high – that’s an act of political challenge. That’s fabulous,” says Witti. She uses Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton as two positive examples of women who emerged from the shadows of their husbands’ careers.

“[Michelle and Hillary] carved themselves out of a man’s space and made their own way,” she says, encouraging all women to follow in their footsteps.

On Kindness

In a sense, Witti would like to follow in the footsteps of fellow actor Patti Cannon, who once said to her, “If I see someone without a smile, I try to give them mine.”

Witti explains, “We don’t always succeed with [smiling at people] every day. But smiles are like knowledge — you can give it away and still have it. So, particularly when I’m dressed like this, if I look at someone and smile, they react. They may run in fear and wonder, why is this 6-foot drag queen smiling at me? But they react.”

I believe that the volume of your heart should always exceed the volume of your hair. Witti has mastered this beautifully.

Questions (modeled after James Lipton’s Ten Questions on “Inside the Actors’ Studio”)

Holly Pinafore: Who’s your favorite actress and why?
Witti Repartee: Katharine Hepburn (today, anyway), for her strength, patrician warmth, sense of humor and unbelievable ability to stick to it, even when all the chips are down.  She was called “Box Office Poison” sometime in the 30′s, so she said, “Fine, I’ll go back to theater.”  Did some Broadway and then came back to Hollywood triumphant.

HP: What are three words that describe you?
WR: Committed, Strong, Flirtatious

HP: What turns you on?
WR: Oh, that’s a dangerous question.  Passion, I suppose.  Commitment.

HP: What’s your very own motto?
WR: “And it Harm Ye None, Do What Ye Will.”

HP: What’s your solution to a bad day?
WR: Ben & Jerry’s.

HP: How would you like the world to remember you?
WR: That I was fair.

HP: If heaven exists, what would God say to you at the pearly gates? 
WR: Really?

We were super lucky to chat on the phone with the legendary Tony Horton, our favorite fitness guru, who is one of the most genuine people we’ve ever had the chance to interview.

Photo credit: Jason Ellis

At 54 years old, Tony Horton is a fitness god with a killer bod. Best known for developing P90X—the butt-kicking cardio, resistance, strength and flexibility series, he has shaped the bodies and lives of more than three million people. So, sure, he’s famous. Sure, he’s rich. But if you think for a minute that this guy’s ego is beefier than his biceps, you’d better sit down.

Actually, Horton couldn’t be more down-to-earth. With his warmth and goofball humor, this guy makes everyday exercise super-challenging, fun, and entertaining. On each of the 12 DVDs in the P90X series, he propels his team of fitness buffs (Pam “the Blam,” Wesley, Dreya, Phil, Erik, Vanessa, Dom, etc.) through intense strength and cardio drills while cracking them up with one-liners in a voice reminiscent of Jim Carrey: “Get down like a frog on the freeway,” “Get sexy with it!” and “Start that lawn mower! Ooh, I think we’re ‘gonna need more oil. Did you pull your choke, dude?” These are just a few of what P90X cult-followers call “Tony-isms.”

While he has detractors towards his style (Brett Blumenthal of SheerBalance.com writes, “Personally, I find the guy’s workout great, but find his style irritating”), fans can’t get enough of him. In what she titles “A Love Letter to Tony Horton,” Charlene of BeamingBalance.com writes, “I don’t care what anyone else says; I truly enjoy all your little witticisms. I am also known for telling painfully bad awesome jokes, using random funny accents, and sounding like I have Turrets [sic] sharing hilarious quips. My husband only wishes he had a DVD of my comedy so he wouldn’t have to wait for the odd cocktail party to see me in action.”

We at HollyPinafore can relate. Horton is human and reflects a lot of our very own quirks in his videos. We think this kind of humor and lightness –especially Horton’s Arnold Schwarzenegger impressions and random dance moves—are exactly what many people need to get them through a tough workout. And getting through the workout, after all, is the most important part.

While Horton shies away from the question of whether his charismatic, quirky personality keeps people (literally) on their toes, he says, “For a lot of trainers, it’s all about the muscles. It’s all about the cardio. It’s all about the technique and them screaming at you like a drill sergeant. But let’s face it: Exercising, for the vast majority of people, sucks. So why should anyone watch anything over and over again? It’s because you’re being entertained. If you’re not being entertained, why should you watch it?”

Nobody should be bullied into fitness. Like Horton says, working out should be entertaining. But to achieve results, we can’t just sit back and laugh at his jokes the way we would at an SNL skit. We’ve got to actually get up and move. So, you ask: “But what if I just don’t have the time?”

Horton acknowledges that women today are busier than ever. They now have better jobs, but also carry multiple, simultaneous responsibilities. He says, “It’s really exciting for women right now because there are so many opportunities. And a lot of women are probably a lot better at some of the jobs men have been screwing up for years,” says Horton. “But with that can come neglect in other parts of their lives.”

For many women, this neglect manifests in their bodies. However, Horton believes that this abandonment of our physical selves, despite pressed schedules, is unnecessary.

“What I’ve discovered is that when you find anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour of exercise a day, you can change yourself physically, mentally and emotionally,” says Horton. “When you do that, you create something called neurogenesis, which allows the human brain to function better. It improves memory. It improves cognition. It helps problem solving. And it allows people to deal with stressful situation much better than if they don’t exercise.”

Photo Credit: Jason Ellis

Essentially, commitment is the key. “Fitness isn’t rocket science,” says Horton. “It’s about priorities. It’s about making health what is important to you.”

As two women who’ve intensively studied fitness throughout our lives, we believe that Horton’s workouts promote wellness, test the body’s strength and push it beyond the mind’s perceived limits. And you certainly won’t get bored; Horton’s P90X system incorporates multiple workouts (yoga, cardio, an abdominal workout, resistance exercises, martial arts, etc.) to efficiently train the muscle groups during each session. And at around $120, the whole system is cheaper than most gym memberships.

Let us also add that the workouts aren’t just for dudes. Horton believes P90x works especially well for women who are not afraid of challenging themselves. “It’s easy to get on an elliptical. It’s easy to get on a treadmill. It’s easy get in a spinning class.  The reasons that P90x works is that there’s nothing repetitive about it,” says Horton.

But Horton emphasizes that P90X is no quick fix. In one of the videos he reminds, “Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was your body.” When we asked him about this, he told us, “What happens to a lot of folks, especially women, is they get involved in a weight-loss only program that’s too much about aesthetics, their appearance, the number on the scale, and how they want other people to perceive them.  Everyone wants to look good, but I try to get more and more women to think like athletes. I try to create programs for them so they can function better, so that they can feel better, so they can sleep better and so they’re happier as a result of moving 5-6 days a week,” says Horton. “It’s not something you can do in 30 days to look good in a dress at a wedding for a bunch of people who don’t care on Monday.”

It’s evident, however, that Horton cares and will always care. When he’s not raising money for non-profit organizations such as RainCatcher, which helps people in third-world countries receive access to clean drinking water, he spends his time developing new ways to enhance physical well-being. Recently, he launched TonyHortonKitchen.com, where people can simplify their diet by ordering fresh, organic meals (with the option of vegan or vegetarian items). His generosity, goofy jokes and glorious accomplishments make Tony Horton Holly’s newest Prince Charming.

Oh, Tony. As your uncle always said, “man, oh Manischewitz,” do we love you.

If you haven’t heard of Thought Catalog, then you’ve been missing out on the true meaning (and future) of online journalism at its best. Thought Catalog is a collection of the most clever, well-written, witty, thoughtful, poignant, positive, and fun prose — especially relevant to those of us in our twenties and thirties.

I had the pleasure of chatting with my new friend Chelsea Fagan, who is my favorite author on the site. This 23-year-old has more wisdom in her fingertips than most people her age. I’m so grateful for our conversation.

I’ll be honest: I would have written a full profile piece about Ms. Fagan, but I think our interview in its raw form is much more charming! Here’s our fabulous Q&A (via Facebook). I hope you find it as inspiring and beautiful as I did!

Holly Pinafore (HP): So, you must be so stoked. You’ve got thousandsssss of people reading your stuff. And a lot of fans.

Chelsea Fagan (CF): It’s wonderful, though still pretty strange. I don’t think I consider my readers as ‘fans,’ it seems too pretentious.

HP: You’re so down-to-earth. Usually the best ones are. So, when did you know you were a writer? Some people discover their talents at a super young age. Did you?

CF: I mean, I always loved writing. I kept a blog in high school that made me pretty infamous among the student body, and I used to write a fake soap opera about my social group that I would email once weekly to all of my friends. So I knew it was something I enjoyed, but I didn’t think it was possible to make a career from until I actually started doing it professionally.

HP: OMG – fake soap opera? Like, you created characters? LOL

CF: Yeah, it was called “As Time Fades Away” and it starred a melodramatic version of all of my friends. I think my friends all have a copy or two printed out somewhere. But it was never online — I sent it out in private emails.

HP: So, I take it you get a lot of writing ideas from real life. And the topics you blog about are super relevant to my life and the lives of Holly Pinafore readers, since we’re all in the same age group (give or take a few years). Where do you draw most of your inspiration from?

CF: As lame as it sounds, I just talk about daily life. Life provides pretty much limitless writing topics, and I have no limits as far as subject matter. I try to never let myself get “writer’s block,” because there is always something to think about.

HP: Do you ever feel the need to restrict yourself, or do you think you pretty much let it all out without regret?

CF: I feel that it’s important to respect not so much my own privacy, but the privacy of people in my life who trust me. I think there’s a big premium put on “full disclosure” in writing right now, and I think that can be very unhealthy in a lot of ways. I think it should be about respect, above all, because these are real human beings, and not just fodder for pageviews.

HP. Beautifully put. And by the way, when writing about less serious topics, where in hell do you get your fabulous witticisms and sense of humor from?

CF: Heh. Thank you. My dad is a political cartoonist and my mother was a theater director for many years, and they’re both hilarious. If I’m ever witty, you can credit them.

HP: There. You. Go! What sorts of advice have your parents given you throughout the years? How have they inspired you creatively?

CF: My parents mostly instilled in me the idea that I would have to work very hard if I wanted a job I love, as they have. Watching my father create a business and reputation as an illustrator when he had to start by bringing a portfolio door-to-door in the summer heat is pretty inspiring. I feel really lucky to have such easy access to communication, and I don’t want to take it for granted. A huge part of “creativity” is being creative in the business sense, being adaptable — and I think they really drove that home.

HP: And on your way to having the job you love, have you had to do any other jobs on the side? I find that so many writers are complaining that they can’t make a living out of the job they love – they have to wait tables on the side and do things they’re not so happy doing. But you’ve risen above that challenge. I would love for you to give some advice to our readers in this area.

CF: Well, when I started writing, it was just for fun. I didn’t anticipate that it would be something that could actually support me, I was still a student and I was working as an au pair here in Paris. But I eventually started making more and more money doing it, so I stopped school and quit my job as an au pair. It’s really thrilling to be able to do what you love for a living, but it’s definitely still a job. I know that it can be frustrating to have to work another job while writing — I did it for some time — but becoming a full-time writer is often something that happens piece-by-piece today. You have to slowly build your name, your client list, your byline. It’s something that demands patience, but each milestone is very much worth it, if writing is what you want to do with your life.

HP: What do you like to do when you’re not working so hard? What relaxes you and keeps you in your “zone”?

CF: Well, I really enjoy dancing. I’ve been dancing swing for some years, and actually used to teach it back in the states for a while. I have been getting into salsa as well lately. I have a pretty stationary job (where I work alone), so it’s nice to do something that gets me out and social and moving. I, of course, enjoy great food and wine and being with friends. Perhaps my biggest “in the zone” moment each day is cooking dinner. If I weren’t a writer, I’d probably want to be a chef of some kind.

HP: Do you ever stress out? How do you deal with the stress of being a writer? Maybe you could give ME a few pointers! 

CF: I guess I stress sometimes like everyone does, but I write upwards of 2,000 words a day, so I don’t really give myself time to think about it, I just keep moving. This week is actually my first full week of vacation this year, and I’m looking forward to being outside and offline as much as possible — that always puts things in perspective.

HP: Excellent. Ok. Final questions: 1) favorite authors? 2) favorite films? 3) favorite quote?

CF: Favorite author would be Bill Bryson, Norton Juster, and F. Scott Fitzgerald, of course. Films would be Moonstruck, A Fish Called Wanda, The Social Network, O Brother Where Art Thou?, Welcome To The Dollhouse, and Defending Your Life. Then quote would probably be a french one, don’t know the author, credited to anonymous as far as I can find:

“Offrir l’amitié a qui veut l’amour, c’est donner du pain a qui meurt de soif.” Which means, offering friendship to someone who wants love is giving bread to someone dying of thirst.

HP: Beeeeautiful!

CF:

Chelsea Fagan currently lives in Paris, France. She’ll be moving to New York in early 2013, as the TC headquarters are based in Brooklyn. Yahoo! Check out her page on Thought Catalog, and follow her on Twitter!

Correction made on 9/17/12: We originally said that the TC headquarters will soon be based in Brooklyn, but they’ve actually been there for some time. Whoops! Sorry about that error

Photo credit: Chelsea Fagan

You might remember him as the frat boy who sang the mega-hit song “Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” back in 2000. In case you didn’t know, his name is John Hampson, and he’s the former frontman of the band Nine Days. Twelve years later, he’s still as adorable as he was in his MTV music videos. But Hampson is more than just a dude who happened to get lucky with a hit about his then-girlfriend, now-wife, Teresa. He’s a husband, father of twin boys, social activist, and (drum roll, please) high school English teacher who hosts two songwriting workshops a year at Columbia University.

I had the pleasure of hanging with Hampson at a café in the East Village, where I bought him an old-fashioned orange soda and dished with him about his career. We talked about everything from his passion for music to his social outreach to his wife’s delicious Italian cooking. This Calverton, Long Island native is indeed a bit of a goofball who admits that he wants to do a spoof about reality TV competitions like “The Next Food Network Star.” He says, “I’d like to get someone on the show who has absolutely no palate whatsoever and make fun of all the foods.”

Hampson can also be a bit of a softie. He jokes that he cried during the very end of Titanic where Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) were reunited. “I gotta admit, that part of the movie brought a few tears to my eye,” he says with a laugh.

He’s a somewhat hopeless romantic (even if he doesn’t want to admit it) who has had a love affair with music since age nine.

“I was connected to music in a way that was different than my friends were, literally as far back as I remember,” he says. He explained that in 1979, at age eight, he traded two new Star Wars toys for second-hand KISS albums. If you know anything about the 70s, you’ll understand that Star Wars had more of a cult following than Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. But Hampson’s heart was elsewhere.

“Music was so much cooler to me,” he says.

Obviously, Hampson didn’t pick up a guitar and magically know how to play. “From the moment I got a guitar at age 11, it was 100 percent about ‘now I have an instrument’ and ‘now I need to make music.’  [the guitar playing] was terrible of course, but I wrangled anyone I could to play music with me,” he says. But with a little bit of love, practice and patience, Hampson eventually became a pro. By age 15, he was already playing gigs at bars, clubs and cafés.

“If you love something and you’re dedicated to it, AND you’re kind of good at it, you’re gonna find a way to do it. For me, I had some kind of, I dont know, natural gift for music. I was so fixated and dedicated to music…and people responded positively,” says Hampson.

People continue to respond positively to his music because it speaks to them. He not only sings about love and experience, but he also uses his music as a socioeconomic commentary to help wake people up — to help them realize that it’s time to change their ways for the better. His newly released single, “My Fat Wallet” (available on iTunes), is an alternative, guitar-heavy lament that reflects upon the recession — and how the incessant rise in national debt has literally brought us down. “I don’t have any of the answers at all – the song is just a commentary on what is going on,” he says, adding that he empathizes with the average citizen.

“I’m a husband, a father, a mortgage holder, a participator, benefactor and sufferer of the American dream,” says Hampson, who takes musical inspiration from Wilco, Bob Dylan and Pearl Jam, and fuses it beautifully into his song.

Although Hampson and I talked a lot about the meaning of “My Fat Wallet,” writer James McQuiston posted a press release that quotes Hampson perfectly: “I find it ironic that we carry around these big, fat wallets, but usually without any cash in them. They are full of maxed out credit cards, useless ATM cards, but also keepsakes like pictures, concert tickets, etc. That whole idea kind of mirrors a darker current that is threading through our lives – the need to cast off the useless ‘stuff’ but hold onto the important things.”

“My Fat Wallet” is a sincere cry for help that offers help to others. That’s because Hampson is offering 50 percent of his net proceeds of “My Fat Wallet” to Create Jobs for USA, a program that helps generate employment for the jobless throughout the United States. Public Relations guru Rick Eberle, a great friend of John’s and a pal of Holly Pinafore Magazine, helped suggest the idea.

Hampson explains, ”This is not about making money. If I’m running a business off my music, it’s a terrible business model. It loses money. If I can do something positive with a little song and actually, literally, give back, then that’s a good thing.”

And speaking of giving back to the community, Hampson has also decided to share his passion for writing with his students (who may or may not find it weird that their teacher was king of MTV back in 2000). I certainly learned a lot from him myself.

Thanks for making us swoon when we were teens, inspiring us to live our dreams, and helping (even if it’s ever so slightly) to get our country back on its feet through your generous actions. Although the name of your new album is “No Fairy Tales,” we do believe that some Prince Charmings exist in this world. You are one of them. And we absolutely love ‘ya!

Photo credit: JohnHampson.com

Chain retail is a fast-paced, accelerating industry, and its workers are a homogenous mass. We must put the needs of the business before ourselves. Working in cosmetics, my job is to make people feel pampered by focusing on our luxury products and teaching women creative ways to enhance their beauty. In fact, the job itself is quite pleasant. I really do love to sit down with someone, listen to their needs and have them relax with a lovely facial treatment. Creatively coming up with ways to convince them that they need to spend $500 or more on the products, however, is where the fun abruptly ends. Having to spend eight hours a day on my feet, running after people, listening to customers complain and oftentimes being the one to blame for the shop’s failure to meet goals can, on any given day, be a nightmare.

Many days I feel tired, rejected, and terrified at my retail job. So, what are the solutions?

Believe it or not, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

After ending each working week with a heavy heart, a good friend advised me to list ways to transform my working life without giving up and starting all over again. So, after a few months of tried and tested home remedies, here’s my advice!

1. Find a good work/life balance

This is of utmost importance. Once I sat down and really re-evaluated my work life, I realized that that was exactly what I had. A work life. At the store 6 days per week for 8-10 hours at a time, work became everything and I suddenly realized that this was the problem. I had made a slave out of myself. And for whose good? Find that work/life balance. If your day ends at five, clock out at five. It will all be there for you in the morning.

 2. Remember, you are only one person

This is something that my mother has said to me all my life. Remember this, and use it as your personal daily mantra if you have to. You are only one person, and as one person, you cannot be expected to carry the company by yourself. You just need to know when to cut yourself off. This is definitely a tricky one, especially if you find yourself heavily invested in the company. But the truth is, you will ultimately be more productive — and above all, happy — if you stop taking on everything and pass some tasks on to others every now and again.

3. Adjust your attitude

Over the years, one of my biggest challenges has been dealing with a negative work environment. People will always try and find something to complain about. Try to avoid those conversations and focus on the positives. Focus on why you love doing what you do and why it gets you up in the morning. In every job, no matter what it is, there will always be someone who wants to talk negatively and complain. Stay as far away from this as you can. It’s easier to get sucked into giving out than finding the positive. Finding the positive will give you that drive and ambition to keep going.

4. If you have to, re-evaluate your choice in career

This is, on the surface, an easy one. Think about what you are doing and why you are doing it. If this is the exact opposite to what you saw yourself doing, then there is no harm in re-evaluating your choices. If your childhood dream job is completely out of the question, why not find a way to incorporate aspects of it into your daily life somehow?

5. Don’t let your job define who you are

It’s important to use your free time wisely. Remember to detach yourself in the evenings and weekends. If you are a fellow retail worker, don’t take it all so seriously. Yes there are rules and required behavior when you’re on the clock, but if you ‘play the game’ the way you’re expected to, things will start improving and doors will open up! Go back to basics and bring yourself out for a walk or to meet a friend for coffee. There’s a whole world outside of work. Find it!

Simple but necessary advice. As my mother always said, ‘Find a job that you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life!’ Easier said than done, but possible!

Photo credit: Quote Pictures

When you hear “genetically modified organisms” you may think of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or the X-Men. But a genetically modified organism (GMO) is probably something you’ve ingested in the last few hours.

What are GMOs?

The term GMO is most commonly used to describe the process of altering a food product at a cellular level. Fruit and vegetable seeds are altered by biotechnology companies to yield pest resistant crops. However, animal products, such as meats, poultry, eggs and dairy are genetically altered in different ways. For example, animals are often injected with natural or synthetic growth hormones so they mature quicker for faster production.

Some may argue we’ve been genetically modifying organisms since Gregory Mendel first cross-pollinated plants in the 1900’s. But modern GMOs were first discovered by scientists in the 1970’s and were used in medicine and pharmaceuticals. And they were controversial from the start. Despite their opponents, testing genetically modified tobacco plants began in the early 1980’s. They continue to be used in agricultural crops more than any other field. However, the use of certain GMOs has been banned in Australia, Canada, and the European Union.

Advantages and Disadvantages of GMOs

Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterium used to create GMO crops, such as BtCorn and other Btvegetables, creates protein crystals that are deadly to certain insects. Studies had shown the Bt toxin broke down in humans and did not pose a threat. However, a recent study in Canada showed a trace of the toxin in the bloodstream of humans. Also, this study, released by earthopensource.org proves claims by GMO proponents aren’t factual. Cattle and dairy farmers also use a GMO, recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH), to increase milk production. While these advancements produce cheaper and more plentiful crops, they have their disadvantages. Cattle injected with rBGH had an increase in udder infections, which are treated with antibiotics. Those antibiotics are transferred with their milk and meat. This has led to a built up tolerance to antibiotics in humans rendering them useless when fighting off infections and illnesses. Recent studies have also found there may be a link between rBGH and cancer in humans. There is also controversy surrounding non-organic methods to growing crops and their effect on the environment.

GMO Effects on the Body

Dr. Jessica Sedita, ND explains, “Our bodies have the abilities to break down foods when they’re natural. However, our bodies don’t exactly have the correct enzymes to break down foods after their genetic make-up has been modified.” If our bodies aren’t breaking them down completely, certain parts stay in our system. “Any number of things can happen when enough of GM foods are left behind.” For example, “digestive issues, whether it’s gastro issues or diarrhea, more seriously, Crohns Disease or Colitis. If they get absorbed into the bloodstream it can lead to auto immune diseases like, Rheumatoid Arthritis and of course, all of this can also lead to food allergies.”

Steps to begin a non-GMO diet

Transforming your diet to organic can be quite daunting. So, where should a person start? Dr. Sedita began transforming her diet to organic while attending medical school. “It’s not easy. The hardest thing about going all-organic is the cost and most of the time it has to be a gradual process.” She advises, “Start with animal by-products first, dairy and meats. They are the most dangerous. Then move on to organic fruits and vegetables if you can. Seventy-five to eighty percent of plant products are genetically modified.” If you live in an area where a garden is possible, growing your own fruits and vegetables can be a less expensive alternative to buying them. Plus, you might even have fun doing it. Just be careful when buying the seeds. “You need to make sure the seeds are organic too,” says Dr. Sedita. “Growing plants made from genetically modified seeds puts you right back where you started.”

Additional Tips:

• Research your local grocery stores. Find out if they have an organic section or store brands that use non-GMO ingredients (reference www.nongmoproject.org  for assistance).
• Plant organic basil seeds (or whatever your herb) in a pot, put it in the window.  Hey, you’ve got non-GMO food in your house for cheap!
• Remember, even processed foods containing GM ingredients are considered genetically modified.
• When looking for organic produce in the grocery store, look for 5 digit PLU numbers starting with “9.”
• Research local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms. You may find good deals on bulk, organic food in your area. You help your wallet and local farmers at the same time.
• Currently, there are no laws stating a company has to identify GMOs. Assume anything not labeled organic or all-natural has GMOs in them.
• If organic is unavailable, read the labels. “All natural” is better than “conventionally grown,” and they’re all better than genetically modified.
• You can still eat at restaurants. Dr. Sedita says once in a while is okay and “every now and then won’t kill you.”

If you have any questions, you’re not alone. There are many websites and groups to help you transition to a GMO-free lifestyle. For example: Green Peace and Organaholic.

Photo credit: Threadless.com