Pop Culture Expert: Strange or Endearing?

I have been known to be a pop culture expert. I could act out “Titanic” by the end of 5th grade. I could quote “Gladiator” by the end of 8th. I could give you a synopsis of every “Friends” episode ever made by the end of high school. I was proud of my abilities.

I’ve never been ashamed of my Harry Potter trivia. That includes the time I sat in my young adult literature class and answered deep, thought provoking questions such as: What does Harry Potter want most in the world (a family)? How will Harry Potter obtain this (by destroying horcruxes)? Who or what stands in his way (He Who Must Not Be Named/Lord Voldemort).

I was proud of the fact that I was the only person able to think of words in Harry Potter that started with X (Xenophilius Lovegood) and Z (Zonko's Joke Shop). I left that class with my head held high, despite the girl in the corner holding up a big “L” with her fingers. No one was taking away the pride I felt. I was a pop culture expert.

But something happened the other day. Something I just cannot abide by. While watching polo, I found myself unnerved. There was music playing. Awesome music! Thriller. Brown Eyed Girl. Here Comes the Sun.

I then found myself singing along to a song. A song that I had never heard before, but I knew the lyrics. How is that possible?

“I will never say never (I will fight)
I will fight till forever (Make it right)
Whenever you knock me down
I will not stay on the ground
Pick it up, pick it up
Pick it up, pick it up (up, up, up)
And never say never.

I thought to myself, “what is this song?” Then it dawned on me. Dear Lord! It’s Justin Bieber. I had entered the vortex. It happened. I don’t know how it happened, but I got sucked right in.

It is my prayer that “Bieber Fever” has not spread. Do we know if there is a cure? Good Lord, please let there be a cure.