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I dare you to name someone in entertainment history more revolutionary and innovative than Madonna. While numerous influential artists have come and gone and still exist today, most are known for one look or one sound. The chameleon that is Madonna has had a far-reaching ripple effect across this entire globe, over and over again.

Photo: Adam Sculler/RANGEFINDERS/GLOBE for People

As Madonna Louise Ciccone celebrates her 50th birthday today, I want to not only celebrate the universal impact this woman has had, but also why I feel she has been instrumental in my own life. Love her or hate her, the Material Girl has an undeniable quality that is simply untouchable.

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From humble beginnings in Bay City, Michigan, the aspiring dancer made her way to New York City in the late 70s where she discovered a love and aptitude for music and singing. Surviving for so long on “nothing but handfuls of popcorn and sundaes,” Madonna finally found her place at NYC nightclub Danceteria and released her first self-titled album in 1983.

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The rest, as they say, is history. Though some critics considered 80s pop rival Cyndi Lauper as the one with staying power, Madonna proved them all wrong and continues to today. Her ability to constantly reinvent herself while staying true to who she is, is what makes Madonna work.

Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty for People

She’s weathered her fair share of wardrobe disasters (Little Bo Peep, anyone?), painful relationships, tabloid scandals and still manages to come out on top with not only dignity but a great deal of respect for herself. There are few, I believe, who truly have that ability.

Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect/Getty for People

I remember, as a young girl, having sleepovers with my friend Kortney and we’d writhe around with flashlights and hairbrushes, performing various Madonna hits for each other.

In high school I gave a report on Madonna during twelfth grade that I’ll never forget. To end the presentation to my class, I wanted to show a clip of 1991′s “Truth or Dare,” a documentary chronicling her Blonde Ambition Tour. Being that those were the days of VCRs and tapes always seemed to rewind a little bit more than you wanted them to, when I hit the play button, we all saw Madonna giving a spit and polish job to a water bottle that my senior class will surely never forget.

Thanks for the lesson in humility, Madge.

Photo: GLOBE for People

And while Madonna’s seemingly straight-forward demeanor, sometimes outrageous antics and out-spoken beliefs – on everything from sex to religion – are what cause some people to disapprove of her, those are what I see as her beauty and strength.

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I believe that her message has always been empowering, educating and freeing. She has shown that it’s okay to fail as long as you’ve tried to succeed. Though she is still a woman and at times vulnerable, it is something that all women (and men too) can connect with and identify in.

Photo: Dave Hogan/Getty for People

For a woman who has come so far in half a century, I find it an honour to be able to celebrate the mother, wife, style icon, musician, singer, songwriter, AIDS advocate, actress and woman that she is.

Here is to 50 more.

Photo: Steven Klein/Warner Bros. Records for People

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Last night, in preparation for this post, I spent over an hour watching her videos on YouTube. While I can’t possibly begin to pick a favourite, below are some of what I believe to be her best MTV work to date. Check them out if you have time to kill and want to take a lil’ trip down memory lane.

Anyone who is truly from Vancouver Island can affirm how painful an endeavour it can be to return to Vancouver after time spent at home. After six near magical days on la isla bonita, I have returned to the city in which I reside, but it will never truly be home. Yesterday marked my four year anniversary in the city, living in the same apartment on the same street. My dwelling is the only thing that’s remained constant in my time here. The faces and experiences that have come and gone in these years are more than I can count.

Photo: tempest_kat on Flickr

I find myself becoming more and more cynical towards this place, its people, the events and the general attitude. Why that is, I’m not sure. The bitterness, however, is starting to take its toll on me and it’s really quite pointless. I think that the time is right for a shift in thinking.

Photo: I am I.A.M. on Flickr

When I was a little girl, my giddiness and anticipation for family trips to Vancouver was uncontainable. It was, in fact, somewhat amusing to my parents. The first major trip I can recall was to Expo ’86 at the ripe age of 5 and on the verge of beginning kindergarten. It was a quick whirlwind mini vacay, but I still have a vivid memory dotted with fireworks, the monorail, Expo Ernie, glittering high-rises and a kaleidoscope of colour.

Once I entered my mid-teens, with my coming of age came a fresh dose of independence. At 16, I was allowed to take my first trip across the Georgia Straight with a friend. Our plan was to hit the all ages Spacehog/Everclear double bill at the Vogue, but upon its subsequent cancellation, Nadia and I found ourselves at the historic Capitol 6 on Granville to see Trainspotting. (My parents saw the film once it was released on video and were rather adamant that, had they known what it was about, I never would have been allowed to see it at the time.)

Long before I actually made the move to Vancouver, I dreamed about the day when I’d finally live sky high in one of those concrete towers I’d so admired as a child. When I was younger, the city and its ideals held enchantment for me. On every ferry ride over, I’d sit at the front of the passenger lounge, skip ahead to Underworld’s “Born Slippy” on my Sony Discman and watch the distant city skyline as the ship pulled nearer to Horseshoe Bay. The anticipation I felt in my belly was intoxicating, and the excitement that struck me at 5 still held strongly at 16 and beyond.

Now that I have spent the better part of half a decade (yikes!) living in downtown Vancouver, the anticipation has dissipated, the magic has faded and the glitter of gleaming towers has grown dull. As I learn more about the world in which I live, the people with which I interact and the true state of humanity, my disillusions of city living have been nearly entirely wiped out.

What I have realized as of late, however, is that focusing on these shortcomings and pitfalls of the city are a wasted effort.

Instead of lamenting how disheartened I am to be back amongst the noise, pollution, yelling, smells and traffic of downtown Vancouver, perhaps it would be more helpful and make more sense to consider the ways in which living in Vancouver has fulfilled me and instead enriched the person that I am.

It is time to make an attempt at re-capturing the beauty I once saw here with innocent eyes.

Thank you, Vancouver, for being home to some truly amazing people that I am blessed to call my friends.

Thank you, Vancouver, for being the backdrop of experiences that have taught me invaluable lessons in life and love.

Though my square, concrete balcony in the West End can’t compare to the lush, green gardens at my true Merville home on the Island, it boasts a killer view that – both literally and figuratively – gives me a much needed perspective on a different side of our world. Vancouver Island will always be home, but I suppose this place isn’t as bad as I try to make it out to be.

Photo: Incognitocanuck on Flickr

P.S. High five to anyone who “gets” the post title.

Legendary comedian (and ‘Rufus’ to us kids of the 80s) passed away early Sunday at the age of 71, succumbing to heart failure.

Photo: BillandTed.org – the Official Bill and Ted Connection on the Web

To some he was a crude, crass and funny stand-up comedian, whose routine act was precedent-setting. To the rest of us, he was lovable Rufus, sent from the future to save Bill and Ted’s hides from failing history while providing them with some most excellent guitars to ensure that Wyld Stallyns’ music would, indeed, bring harmony to the world one day.

Article on People.com

When I was very young, not quite 10, I had been forbidden by my father from watching a very particular movie that my mom and aunt seemed to be somewhat fond of. I was disappointed, but girl power ruled the house one week. My dad was out of down on business for a couple nights, so being very sneaky, my mom popped some popcorn and pushed a VHS copy of “Dirty Dancing” into our VCR. I was entirely excited – mostly because I felt like such a little rebel. I was not allowed to let dad know.

Since that night so many years ago, the timeless story of a young girl’s first taste of summer love at a resort in New York’s Catskill Mountains has become my essential ideal of romance. Francis “Baby” Houseman and her family spend three weeks at Kellerman’s, and Baby’s soon wrapped up in the dancing and excitement that takes place after hours in staff quarters. There she meets Johnny, a modern-day rebel without a pause who’s fast on his feet. Together they embark into a whirlwind love affair, one that neither of them expects nor are they really ready for.

Photo: Alliance Atlantis Films

In a fit of Diet Pepsi-induced sleeplessness, I popped the DVD into my portable DVD player last night, hoping 20 minutes or so would lull me into sleep. It didn’t, and I stayed awake right until the very end. I even watched the extra behind-the-scenes footage. Which, I might add, was incredibly exciting to watch as nearly the entire dance cast wore legwarmers in rehearsal – the girls and the guys.

It was probably the millionth time I saw the film because, as much as I watch it on DVD, I also can’t resist whenever it’s showing on TV. However, it wasn’t until last night that I finally understood how, in a huge way, I relate to the main character. Sure, every girl dreams of playing Baby, but I never before realized how much I’m quite like her. We’re both nurturers who like to fix a problem and save the day and make sure that everyone is okay. We’re both also the simple wallflower; the girl that (believe it or not) most people don’t look at twice, but really just want our moment to shine.

And, like all great 80s flicks, Dirty Dancing left behind in its legacy a whole dancefloor full of memorable quotes that you and I still use today (aside from that classic one-liner in the video above):

“Oh, come on, ladies. God wouldn’t have given you maracas if He didn’t want you to shake ‘em.”

“Look, spaghetti arms. This is my dance space. This is your dance space. I don’t go into yours, you don’t go into mine.”

“Most of all I’m scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I’m with you.”

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”

Stay tuned because you never know what I’ll dig out of Mr. Dressup’s Tickle Trunk next time.