Given that the theme of this blog is Authenticity (and relevance and organic growth), I thought “why can’t the Characters idea be combined with this?”

Of course, it can because in this world I am (goth) Queen and I make the rules.

Why can’t I explore, with you, thoughts on creativity, individualism, non-traditional community and often how it relates to the online business world?

I can! I can!

Here is my first thusly inspired post (this post fits the model and so does this one):

Lady Gaga was on Oprah Friday. Wow. I knew little to nothing about Gaga (as her friends call her).

Here’s the segment (until it gets removed). It is so worth your time even if you despise her music because she is fearlessly herself.

Takeaways from Lady Gaga:

• LOVE your people. CARE DEEPLY for your tribe. She was moved to tears talking about her “little monsters” (Gaga fans) her purpose of encouraging everyone to be their own (freaky) little selves

• Be yourself

• Do something that inspires you to get up and get to work first thing every day

• Use visuals. Play! Dance! Be weird! (or be utterly traditional if that is your schtick)

• Love and honor, but ignore, your parents and their concerns. This one is YOUR life!

• Spread praise. Gaga and Oprah have little in common yet there was clearly a mutual admiration society between them

• Do good. Gaga is offering a lot of opportunities for people to contribute to Haiti (like my friend Kelly Diels) on her web site. Ticket and merchandise proceeds on certain days were donated to that cause

Here’s to the return of glam rock (I tweeted that I want a Gaga/Lambert duet!) and being your own freaky self. Go Gaga!