When I read this New York Magazine article on Madonna this morning, it took me right back to the days when I used to load on the rubber bracelets and red lipstick (Revlon, Love That Red) and yes, even draw the mole on with an eye pencil. The article makes good observations on how Madonna lost her magic (by taking herself too seriously and losing her spontaneity to sum it up). Plus the desperate fight against aging certainly hasn’t made her popular with those who grew up idolising her. How else could she have grown up gracefully? Perhaps by following the Patti Smith and Chrissie Hynde models, still authentic, still cool but less desperate. I still love her though.