I typically like to keep things pretty lighthearted and funny here, but I feel too strongly about this not to share.  

Since I’m from Orlando and just moved to LA 5 months ago, the majority of my friends on Facebook are there, where it was apparently 30 degrees today.  I couldn’t help but notice my news feed had a very obvious theme this morning.  

Floridians (myself included) are notorious for complaining anytime the temperature dips below 70, but I thought it was funny that a little cold weather was still a big enough deal to mention in the same breath as condolences for Whitney Houston.  I thought I’d point this out, with my own status:

Lauren Brown: For the record, I’m pretty devastated by the Whitney thing too. But I’m in California, so the weather’s pretty great.

 Insensitive Floridian: Whitney was a crack head and it’s not that bad.

Lauren Brown: Whitney Houston was easily one of the most talented people ever, and she tragically fell victim to addiction which is a very real and devastating thing.  Glad to hear you’re toughing out the cold though.

If you’d like to learn a little bit more about addiction and how to help people, here’s a good resource:

http://www.addicted.com/

Or, if you’re just looking to stay warm on the few days like these in Florida here’s a good resource for that:

http:// www.burlingtoncoatfactory.c om/ 

Insensitive Floridian: I dont grasp the concept of missing people I never knew. Like, saying “condolences to whitney’s family” would be more appropriate than “omg Whitney houston died, rip and I will always love you” which seems to be the trend on facebook.

Lauren Brown: There are a lot of public figures and entertainers who have an impact on people’s lives for a number of personal reasons. Regardless of what those reasons are or how little they make sense to others, never meeting or personally knowing somebody doesn’t automatically mean they can’t influence you and your own life.

I for one, can think of a few entertainers who I’ve never met but have undoubtedly played a HUGE role in my life and my decisions. I remember watching Tina Fey on Weekend Update at 12 years old, knowing she was the first ever female head writer on SNL, and thinking, “I want to BE her.” I followed her every career move growing up, and now I’m living in Hollywood, pursuing a career in comedy, and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. (I also wear black frame glasses, which I swear was not a decision made with her in mind…not consciously at least) Needless to say, I’d be pretty distraught if Tina Fey passed away, regardless of her not having a clue that I even exist.

You might not agree with it, but clearly Whitney Houston affected people in a positive way. She wasn’t my idol or anything, but I could listen to “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” over and over again (seriously, I could) so for that, I’m grateful.

I’m not trying to preach or be a drag, I’m just saying, regardless of whether you were a fan of hers or not, and even if you made fun of her behavior in recent years when she was alive (I’ll admit, I’m guilty of that) the fact of the matter is, another life was lost prematurely because of addiction, and that is NEVER not tragic.

(Sorry for the seriousness…I’ll go back to posting funny stuff now. Just felt it needed to be said)

He did not post anything in response to this, so I hope I made my point.