American Idol, Nothing But Idle

Though not the most clever comment in history nor the first time it has been used, it is however extremely fitting. American Idol displays nothing but idle talent. The past two nights have highlighted contestants that exhibited no worth. It was nothing more than 4 hours of my life wasted. I cannot even compare that draining of the airways to bad karaoke because even that is entertaining (who doesn't LOVE to poke fun at a delusional drunk trying to disco as he barks out "Stayin' Alive").

Anyone is fair game to go home, and rightly so. I can name only 4 of the top 24 that I remotely care about advancing -- and that is more based on personality than on ability and showmanship (though for the most past, the four I am about to list can sing). Of course Chris Sligh is the only guy I will champion -- he picked a wonderful song and had great delivery. Though it could have been sung better, his curly locks and down with the man attitude make him a favorite.

Typically, I rarely cheer for the ladies. Most of the time they all look and sound alike and have nothing fresh to offer an already inundated music industry. Really, how many over make-upped skinny blondes are there with high pitched voices running a much in Hollywood. But since I have only selected one fellow to win, I there for an cheering on three of the girls -- mainly because they are different and seem fun.

My fav is Melinda Doolittle. Though it seems odd to call someone only a few years younger than me cute, she just plain is. Fortunately, she has the pipes; she just needs to add some more personality to her performance. Though I am obviously no expert, it is the standing in the shadows from her days as back-up vocals that she needs to over come. Next, I like Gina Glocksen. Not only is her name fun to say (gotta love alliteration) she is a different kind of gal -- sort of like Amy Lee from Evanescence but with humor. And last, LaKisha Jones. Obviously she can sign, but she is not a pretentious mother like Fantasia. Unlike the Season 3 winner, Jones does not seem like the type to exploit her baby girl for votes and to extend her 15 minutes of fame. Plus, Jones was the best dressed of the evening.

Because of the boring performances that polluted the T.V. for the past two nights, I do not think Idol will have a strong rating for tonight's show. I also think it is stupid to go up against My Name is Earl and The Office. I mean really.

Again, I am not overly impressed with Season 6 and long for my rockers of Seasons 4 and 5. I would take Constantine Maroulis anyday over this top 24. Heck, I'd even take Ace Young. Rather than watching Idol this year, maybe I should just listen to Chris Daughtry's album. It will be a bigger hit than the last three season winners albums combined!

How Do I Love Thee

Valentine's Day never meant that much to me until I met my husband. It is the only day of the year designed to make you feel like crap if you are alone. So typically being alone on this day, I really had nothing but disdain for the Hallmark Holiday.

But since today in the time of year for celebrating love, I started thinking about past Valentine's Days -- the good ones, well really, the only ones. I am not a good wife when it comes to being thoughtful and sentimental in the gift giving arena. My hubby, however, is awesome at it.

I think it may have been our second or third V-day together. As per usual, Donnie was up and out of the house before I had finished my shower. When it was my turn to walk out of the door, I notice a card and a small gift. If you remember from a previous blog, I have a pitiful memory and am shocked when I remember anything, let alone the tiniest of details.

Back to the story, that card and small gift kicked off a heart-filled treasure hunt. That first card gave me a clue leading to another card and present. And so on. My final riddle ended with Donnie at my office with a vase of roses and Sarris candy. That was one of the best days of my life. It was filled with adventure, suspense, love and presents - not meaningless, ridiculously expensive presents. The gifts were perfect for me. Mostly, they were fun, quirky, silly things that make me smile - gel pens with black Post-It Notes, candy, a Thomas Kincaid Mug and matching candle holder. I think there was more, but again, my memory sucks.

I still use that mug, and the vase the roses came in graces my desk waiting for surprise flower deliveries via my husband. Oh wait, I remember more -- there was a candy dish and matching glass picture frame, both of which I still have on my desk, too.

This trip down memory lane only benefits me. But, I think I could go the rest of my life having crappy Valentine's Days and keep that one particular celebration of that holiday as a guide by which to judge the day. One bad day usually can taint something special, no matter how many good things happen thereafter. It is usually bad events that stick in our minds. It is nice to know that there are days you can feel so loved that no matter what may come, that day will be the lasting memory; the one associated with that special day for years to come.

Reputation not Indicative of a Place

Wheeling is known as the Friendly City. Why, probably some mayor back in the 1960s paid a marketing buddy of his good money to create a catchy slogan to attract tourism. However, I have found that even those places considered the not-so-friendly can be far more amiable.

During a recent trip to the Big Apple (so recent it was Tuesday), I lost my cell phone in a taxi cab. By the time I realized it was missing, that cabbie probably was on his fourth or fifth rider. Screw it, what could I do. My only concern was for all of the contract information lost. I, like many, many others, use my cell as my phone book. Without it, I know no one's phone number. It is a sad and lazy fact about the current nature of our world - no one memorizes phone numbers anymore.

In what can only be considered a shocker, a college-aged girl calls my home from my phone to let me know she found it in a cab. After a few calls back and forth, she asks me to texted her my address so she can mail it back. I offered to send her money, but she declined. What a wonderful gesture on her part. She took the time to not only locate the phone's owner, but is returning it at her own expense. It made me feel good.

A little less than a year ago, I lost my cell phone while moving items for a relative into a storage facility. The phone slipped out onto the gravel lot, and I never noticed until several miles down the road. Upon returning to the scene, my phone was no where to be found. A little later, I had the bright idea to call my phone and see if anyone answers. Well, someone did. The sleaze had the audacity to ask me if he would be compensated for finding my phone. Which by the way, I would have found myself at the storage place had he just left it alone. After meeting the ass at a bar to retrieve it, I gave him $1o.

So I guess this is just one example of how a reputation is not always a good indicator of the type of people that inhabit an area. And, if you ever find a cell that does not belong to you, please return to the owner free of charge. Like the girl from New york told me on the phone, you never know what might come back around to you later in life.