The show started with a cute skit done by Britney Spears and Johan Hill (Superbad). Following the skit, Britney walked on stage to open the show. Once on stage, the arena is noticeably smaller with a less packed audience than previous years. I can only imagine MTV must have had a lower budget after they unwisely splurged large quantities of money on last year’s extravagant, yet, unimpressive production in Las Vegas or got smart. The show looked like TRL with a few more fans.

There were much speculation about the opening performance. Most intending to watch the VMAs were expecting and hoping for Britney to open up with a comeback performance to redeem her of last year’s, but alas, Rihanna opened up the show with “Disturbia”. Rihanna’s performance seemed something straight out of a Tim Burton film. The song isn’t one of her best releases; too filtered and unoriginal, but as a whole, it was pretty fierce.

The first award was presented by Jamie Foxx for Best Female Video, which was given to Britney Spears. A first for Britney and deservedly so. The girl has gone to the lowest of the low and back, and her album “Blackout” has to be her best work to date. I was happy to see her finally receive an award after years of great pop hits, shocking performances, and crazy escapades; however, she has had better hits than “Piece of Me” that should have won in other years. During her acceptance speech, she had a different demeanor; a little more mature and reserved than before.

MTV incorporated the Hollywood movie set theme with the music performances, allowing artists such as P!NK, the Jonas Brothers, and T.I. to utilize the Paramount Studios movie sets as performance venues to represent their style and make their act like a live music video. Great idea. Despite the performances being disconnected from the main audience, it gave the artist the opportunity to do something different. Much better than last year’s performances in hotel suites where I can only imagine that the audience must have felt like crap sitting in the main room while watching people party it up in hotel rooms. The small performances during commercial breaks to entertain the audience were a good addition to the show. It proved this time around was more about the music than the wild antics.

The host Russell Brand may have not been the best host, but definitely far from the worse. He had a fresh humor and great improvisation that gave the show a new vibe. He has this awkward-moment humor with a really welcoming and charming attitude. His segment about Obama seemed out of the loop, but well said. You would expect a voice over to suddenly say “This message has been approved by Obama” at the end. Definitely enjoyed his poke at the Republican party.

“I feel most sorry for that poor teenage father, boy. One minute he’s just a teenage lad in Alaska having joyful unprotected sex. The next minute, ‘Get to the Republican Convention!’ I think that is the best safe sex message of all time. ‘Use a condom or become Republican!’”

One thing I wasn’t expecting was a performance by Christina Aguilera despite Russell mentioning it at the beginning, lol. It just slipped right of my head. When she came on stage, it looked like her own rendition of Britney’s music video for “Toxic” (yeah, that’s right, I’m talking a lot about my homegirl Britney). I wasn’t impressed with her lip-syncing, especially for a vocalist who is impeccable live, and by the odd dancers, or as Alphonso would call them, her gay power rangers. A cute highlight was Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz’s segment where they reference Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presely’s uncomfortable on-stage kiss from the 90’s. Oh, and what’s with Lil Wayne? He’s over-rated. Why doesn’t anyone get that? A downside was Kanye’s closing performance, which was too mellow for the occasion and didn’t give the show one last big bang that it was worthy of.

By the end of the show, Britney had won awards in all three categories she was nominated in. The wins seemed more out of encouragement and somewhat (shall I say it?) pity if anything else. I wasn’t bothered or surprised by the wins, but enjoyed the idea that she received them. By the last award, I felt like they had only given out six of them within two hours since other years seemed more jam packed with categories. Still, I can’t really blame MTV when this wasn’t a good year in music. To create and lay out the categories, one would have to scrap at the bottom of the barrel to get as much as possible to fill up two hours.

Overall, MTV played it safe and succeeded. This year gets a B+ for being better thought out and modest. A big jump from last year’s big train-wreck failure.

This morning I went to church with Alphonso, which was fun. I looked sorta kinda bummy today, lol. Jeans, a shirt, and my converse. What’s refreshing is how nonjudgmental and welcoming they are, which was one of the things that drew me into it. The church is considered “Reformed” but they aren’t too concerned with labels. The only thing they focus on is “Christian” and its definition. I’ll write a little something about how I became a Christian a bit later.

Charles just stopped by. He needed to print out sheet music for an audition (Good Luck!). Which reminds me, I’m working on learning “Good Enough” by Evanescence on piano. It’s another song I’ll be working on at my vocal lessons. I had Amy listen to it and she thought it would be perfect for my tone (Yay!). I told her that I’m uber comfortable singing it, after all, it was the song I was singing when my niece said I sound really good. I’m excited.

I tried recording myself playing a few songs on piano but I kept messing up, lol. Once the camera is on, I think too much. I can’t look down at the keys or else I’ll mess up. You’d think it would be the complete opposite, but nope. Another strange but true thing about me, ha.

I need to finish my math homework. Thank goodness it’s the only math I’ll need to worry about for my major. I’ve been melting comfortably in procrastination.

“How can anyone love a pebble in their shoe?” -Ever After

Maria and I had a blast. We took tons of pictures and I recorded a bit here and there. In the meantime, enjoy the little video clips I put together!

P.S. These Keith Urban crazed fans in front of us kept screaming in our ears, so you’ve been warned.

NFL Kick-Off airs on NBC September 5 at 9pm!

[ Video via: DailyMotion ]

For not only waking me up from an unexpected and much needed nap, but for also making it so easy to fall right back into it.

He gave such a dry and vague speech that I wasn’t sure whether to troop it through or just give up and sleep again. I have had family and friends that served, and I have the utmost respect for McCain’s service for our country. Still, it seems that drives the campaign goers, as though it makes him understand more about this country than Obama. I do not believe that is true. Noticeably, he didn’t have as many snap backs to Obama as Obama had towards him last week. Suppose he was trying to keep away from doing so. Yet, he didn’t give much detail as to what he plans on doing if elected into office. Obama gave a breakdown that even my niece understood and cheered for. While McCain gave general statements of inspiration and feeding his audience with what they want to hear in such a dry manner. People have admitted that he is not as a charismatic speaker as Obama, but I expected his speech to present the best he could. It didn’t do that for me. Gosh, Obama had me close to tears while tonight I was laying there ready to pass out.

I know many Democratic supporters were hoping for the Obama-Clinton dream ticket. Still, Biden is a very solid candidate for VP. And I can only believe that McCain’s VP choice for a woman, Palin, is not a coincidence, but a political game plan. We could make history by electing an African American or woman into office, so either party has their own taste of that. That’s all I can see as to why he choice this random ass woman. One thing’s for sure, she is absolutely adorable.

Today’s episode “Better Off As Friends” of The Hills focused less on the Audrina, Lo, and Lauren bitchtude and more on Lauren and Whitney’s dating life.

Frankly, I had high hopes for Doug, Lauren’s old high school flame.  He’s a cutie … not so much his name, lol. Reminds me of the Nickelodeon cartoon show — a fave, I might add.  The whole friends with Brody and Frankie thing was somewhat random and strange … talk about small world.  He was a nice guy, attractive, and mingled in the same circle of friends as her. Things seemed promising until she explains to Whitney how she wasn’t feeling him as she had anticipated. Story of my life!

I tend to talk to guys and go on dates until I eventually realize he isn’t it.  You just don’t settle. You can’t force these things and I’m glad Lauren stepped up and approached him about it.  He was rather gracious and a gentlemen about it.  Makes him even more desirable, gosh!  Pass him over to me!

Now for the previous eps, “We Will Never Be Friends” and “Drama Follows Them”, you witness all the tension and PMS flowing between Audrina and Lo.  Since last season, I still feel iffy about Lo.  Now that she has become a regular on the show, I’ve only seen her behave unpleasant and unwelcoming.  During her visits in previous seasons, she seemed outgoing and had a great sense of humor.  You can truly see how and why she and Lauren are such great friends.  Not so much now.  Lately, I haven’t seen this side of her.  I can only think that she may have changed or MTV has edited the show to portray her as a villain within the situation.  So I can’t really form an opinion on her; wouldn’t be fair.

Not really sure about Audrina anymore.  Although she is such a sweetheart, she seems to withdraw, thus perpetuating the issue.  She did make attempts to befriend Lo, but she tends to drift off with other friends, which only contributes to the three roommates disconnecting.  Gotta admit: some people just don’t click, which even draws back to Lauren and Doug.  You can’t force friendships, therefore, it can only be assumed that Audrina and Lo aren’t meant to be anything more than mere roommates and Lauren being their only common connection.

Spencer and Heidi are still lame.  Plain and simple.  I can’t believe how he treated her sister.  He had blatant disregard for Heidi and her sister.  I would’ve given a guy the boot right then and there.  I’m beginning to think that Heidi might have some remorse and miss the friendship she had with Lauren, but is too afraid to admit the mistakes and/or is in denial.  I hope her sister eventual move to Los Angeles gives the opportunity to become agood influence on Heidi cause the girl needs it!

If you’re a fan of The Hills, feel free to check out and join the Lauren Conrad Online Community be clicking here!