It's a New Yecade! I am going to keep saying that until it catches on. But either way, we're five days in and everything feels COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. Actually, and weirdly, it sort of does — maybe it's because of all the decade-end stuff, maybe it's because Nexus One is going to force us to buy a new phone, maybe it's because the TSA is about to peep our privates — but "2010" already looks, well, normal. We already feel SO much more mature than 2009, right? Enough to look back now on the year that was with a little of the perspective we didn't have while we were still in it (any 2009 wrap-up that didn't include the phrase "Crotch Bomber" clearly was not complete). Enough to admit some of those things that gave us shame — like secretly loving "Party in The USA" by Miley Cyrus. Which I do. Which I can now freely admit. I also love that song about a shorty fire burning on the dance floor. Am I alone in this secret love for cheesy Aughts-Pop? I refused to believe it — so I pried it out of a few of your favorite media people, or even some people you don't much care for. I also asked them who their favorite villain of 2009 was, and what we should blame on the a-a-a-a-a-a-alcohol. Turns out, maybe also this list. (more...)

You may recognize Leslie Sanchez from CNN, since she was one of their A-team pundits during last-years long, crazy march to election day. Like the rest of us, she saw how the campaign of Hillary Clinton unfolded, how Michelle Obama was perceived and characterized, and the wrench thrown into the works late last August that was Sarah Palin — and, like with the rest of us, tried to wrap her head around it all. It was a lot — especially when that "rest of us" was women, trying to puzzle out our feelings on Palin and how she turned around notions of power, motherhood, political-sexiness, media engagement, and — yes — fitness for office. As a woman and a Republican (and a Hispanic, and a CEO — check those boxes!) Sanchez found herself intrigued by how the 2008 drama had played out for these particular women, and what that said about women in this country overall, right now, going forward. The result was her new book, You've Come a Long Way, Maybe: Sarah, Michelle, Hillary and the Shaping of the New American Woman. As well, Leslie was also the director of the White House Initiative on Hispanic Education from 2001 to 2003 and is CEO of the Impacto Group, which specializes in market research about women and Hispanics; she is also a friend of mine, and — spoiler alert! — I am quoted in the book (and on the back flap, along with Newt Gingrich. I have arrived!). She has shared an excerpt with us today, and also — in honor of Sarah Palin's return to the headlines! — has agreed to burn a bra or two with us for today's installment of 5QQ - Five Quick Questions. (more...)