Aaron Riveroll | Photographer

When I was younger, I guess you could say I was somewhat “socially challenged.” As I got older, I realized the art of being cool wasn’t genetically passed down; it was a state of mind. It just came more naturally for some people as opposed to others. I had to work at it.

Now, I’m not saying I was a dork…I was cool in my own right. People respected and admired me. I just wasn’t cool enough to attract the attention of Melissa H., the hottest cheerleader at my school. But that’s another story in itself…

Popularity is one of those things us common folk only dream about. Like peanut butter and jelly and Kibbles and Bits there are the two “F’s” of celebrity: Fame and Fortune. We all like to be appreciated. Loved. Adored. But with everything, there is always a price.

When I’m in the supermarket line or watching the latest VH1 special, I am amazed with all the juicy celebrity gossip. Who’s dating who? Who’s freaking out on Oprah? Who’s breaking up with whom? Who has an eating disorder? While the day-to-day antics of the socially popular continually entertain and amuse us, I have to wonder where the line should be drawn.

Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of someone famous. All those little things we take for granted like going out to eat or going to the grocery store…or basically just leaving the house…are all not as easy as they once were. Seems like you can’t go anywhere without a camera in your face waiting for you to look like a goob. Paparazzi are relentless, always trying to get the money shot…and here you are just trying to live your life.

Then there are the tabloids mags and gossip columnists who do everything to get the dish…even if it means making it up. Now, I like being talked about and adored, but only if it’s true.

Even when the truth is that I’m ridiculously good-looking. ;)

Anyone want to be famous? Thanks…but no thanks. I’d rather have my life. Striving, like Clay Aiken, to be a fly on the wall. Invisible.

I guess the whole point of this rant is that even though I’m sure fame is something that we all can dream about wanting; I wonder how old it gets for those that actually have it. It’s like, dude, let these people live their life. I could honestly care less what Britney Spears had for breakfast or what Brad Pitt used to wipe his nose when he sneezed last week.

The only exception to this would be the news of the Nick and Jessica breakup. Now that I know that she’s available, I can make my move.

But all of this goes with how much I thought of VH1′s little award show this weekend. I enjoyed the part where Laguna Beach’s Lauren “LC” and Kristin came out to present …mostly because they are so freakin’ hot. But I totally thought it was in poor taste to have an award for “the BIG feud,” which the Family Hogan presented. The nominees included the Aniston/Jolie feud, the Cruise/Shields incident, Lindsay Lohan vs. the Paparazzi, and the Paris/Nicole fallout. Jen and Ang were the winners, but of course they had someone to accept the award “on their behalf.”

Oh how lovely it is to have a nice little chortle at someone else’s expense!

Please laugh at me the next time I fall on my ass. I would really appreciate it.