Dear God, Thank you for Lady Gaga. Love, Laura

In the most desolate of economic times, the creative mind takes a back seat. Americans are less likely to attend movies, buy concert tickets, maintain gym memberships, indulge in fine dining, buy art or anything else imperative to our psychological well-being. Because activities not essential for basic human survival and comfort are now seen as luxuries that must be trimmed out of our lives, we are all beginning to look alike. Hairstylists are cutting pratical, low maintenance styles. Bargain shoppers are taking comfort in discount clothing stores. Personal trainers are booked far less, and gym memberships are being cut loose. McDonald's is up in sales because of it's wildly popular dollar menu with bovine hormone injected cow eyeballs on a bun. With all of this being said, it's no wonder that we are becoming a population of homely boring slobs lacking style, originality, or the quest for physical self improvement. In a time like this, I would imagine our role models to be more natural and less high maintenance in their appearance. For the most part this is true. Men in Hollywood are sporting scruffy beards and the leading ladies are flaunting more voluptuous frames a la Kim Kardashian. Although I'm a fan of the above mentioned trends, I am glad to have one shining glimmer of hope at the end of our dreary mousy brown tunnel. (Cue the heavenly harps) Lady Gaga in her Platinum blond wig wearing glory has burst onto the mainstream pop scene with her catchy songs, but more importantly, with her outrageous and unique style. I, myself, admire a woman who runs around town pantless without looking like a psychiatric patient. A bra crafted with pyro-technics, leotards and fishnet stockings, skirts made of latex, and asymmetrical dresses resembling sci-fi architecture have made Lady Gaga a captivating character. Her "always in costume" approach to dressing exemplifies what it is to be one of a kind in a crowd of miserable, financially unstable drones.