It's officially August 16, 2007 (at least, here in the U.S.A.) and today is Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone Penn Ritchie's birthday. It's been 24 years and I still love this woman. Maybe not as intense as when I first heard of her in 1983. Unless you call going to this website intense.

My cousin, Gerri, had just come back from a vacation in the Philippines. She called me and told me that I had to come over immediately because I had to hear something awesome. Since I was only 13, I asked my parents to drive me over. I ran down to the basement where Gerri showed me the 45. It had a yellow label with this blue 'S'. I remember reading the word Sire which I then found out was the record label. The needle hits and the first few sounds that emanate from the speaker are the intro to a song called "Holiday". I was hooked. I still am. After numerous concerts, all her albums, dance singles, special performances, and, yes, many posters, I still wait for what she is doing next.

I guess I still intensely love her. I love her music, regardless. I love her style, regardless. And I love that, regardless of how I feel, listening to her music does bring back or create a feel-good sense for me. And isn't that what really matters.

So, happy birthday to Madonna. Regardless of what anyone thinks. Later.  ¶ 12:04 AM