Saturday, August 9, 2008

Three Words: Un Freaking Believable

It took my breath away. I didn't know they could do that. When the commentary started, I began to think about the talent and art in China, and I, too, began to wonder if it could be spectacular.

I had no idea.

In my heart, I always knew perfection was there and could be obtained. When I see bands on a field, and they have flag people - you know, just any type of synchronized movement, I am always disappointed. They are not perfect and I don't understand why they don't seem to be striving to be perfect or why others don't seem to notice they aren't perfect.

It can be done. I know. I have seen it.

But, beyond the synchronicity, it was beautiful. It was breath-taking, mezmorizing, awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping, moving, stirring. It reached into my heart and shook me and opened up a whole new part of my heart that was previously closed. It was something that I thank God to have allowed me to live to see. It was life-altering.

It was the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics in China and it was perfect.

God bless the people of China who gave that incredible work of art to the world. On behalf of the people of the world, I humbly thank you and stand in awe.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

The Olympics

I need to get this on the record before the Olympics start and I become a Monday-morning quarterback.

I don't know why the Olympic committee gave this year's Olympics to China - ok, I do know why, but it was a really naive move. They are not going to improve human rights or do any of the things the Olympic committee or the rest of the world wants them to do. They are going to continue to be the same human-less machine they have always been and anyone who thought giving them the Olympics was going to change something was foolish.

Having said that, I want all to know I love the Olympics. Every bit of it. I know its problems, the inner-political squabbles and all the junk. But when the athletes take the field, the rink, the ice, the bars, the board, the pool or whatever their sport is played on, I an completely taken in by the purity of the athletic achievement. I love the personal sacrifice, the personal stories, the athletes, the pageantry, the ceremony - I love the Olympics.

However, I have to be on the record early here. These Olympics in China are going to be a nightmare. The pollution, the green gunk in the water - it's just the tip of the iceberg. These people don't have a clue as to what they are doing and these Olympics are going to be a mess. This will be an international drama of epic proportion. I have been seeing the fallout in my head for months now. You just hide and watch.

It grieves me to write those words, but I know it in my heart, and when it happens, I will not be able to scream loudly enough, "I KNEW IT!" and that will make me physically ill. So, I am going on the record now so that I can point back to this and say, "I KNEW IT!" and not become ill.

Of course I hope I'm wrong, what do you think I am - unpatriotic? mean-spirited? Sure, I hope I am wrong.

But I'm not.

Monday, July 14, 2008

This is Love

We fight. We yell. We shake our heads and throw up our hands. Flashes of what I cannot stand about him come into my brain while I am yelling my side. He is yelling back. I would bet that he is getting flashes in his brain about what he cannot stand about me.

There it is. He is yelling at me and suddenly he becomes his father. That really pushes me over the edge. How could I have married this guy? Don't worry - he is thinking the same thing. I am no raving beauty right now, either.

We've been carrying on like this for 21 years. In the first 10-15 years, these scenes played out quite often. Now, not so much. But we can still rustle up a good one now and then.

So now it's over. Not the marriage, silly. The argument. It's not really so much over as we just are too tired to put much more into it. So he goes upstairs to his computer and I sit here on the couch on mine. And you know what goes through my mind?

Touching the side of his face with the side of my nose. His arms tightly around me. His deep, passionate kisses and him holding me close to him.

That's just it. No matter how angry we get or how heated our arguments, I still crave his touch and being close to him. I still love his breath on my neck. I still can close my eyes and instead of seeing red and being angry, I see him walking toward me and pulling me close to him in his arms. And I imagine that one thing I love more than anything, touching his face. He has the most amazing face. I love just taking my hands and stroking his face. He is wonderful.

You see, this is a marriage. This is what it is like with two people who each have a brain and an opinion, and who are incredibly in love with each other. After three children and countless arguments and many wonderful memories, this is a marriage.

This is love. Our love.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Finals

Round 1:

1. David C rocked. Perfect song choice. Loved it.
2. David A was terrific. Perfect song. Flawless voice.

I thought it was a draw.

Round 2

1. David C's song was yuk. The last note was nothing more than a scream. I don't know what the judges were thinking. If this was a Top 12 elimination round song, he would have been hammered.

2. David A's song was icky. I really have grown weary of platitude songs. He was perfect.

Round Two hugely goes to David A.

Round 3

1. I'm just not feeling David C tonight and he is my favorite. I don't know what is up. That was totally forgettable.

I am predicting David A. will bring the house down with Imagine. Before he wraps up the show, let me say, I thought David C would have to drop off the stage for me to change my mind. David A's voice is flawless and his future is certain. He is a star. But he is a boy, and that makes him less attractive as an American Idol to me. But, I'll tell you. David C might have just fallen off the stage.

2. Wow. Perfect again. If he doesn't win, won't it be an interesting study of how someone can be a flawless performer/singer consistently and not win American Idol.

Round Three goes to David A

Last point: Last night on Jay Leno, Simon said he thought David Cook would be the winner. Tonight, he said each round went to David A and that tonight David A brought a "knock out."

It could be that song choice might have cost David Cook the title of American Idol tonight. As for me. I've changed my mind. David Cook fell off the stage.

It's David Archuleta for me.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Should I Care More?

More coverage tonight on the massive earthquake in China. I have to remember Katrina. When it hit, so many things happened that I thought could never occur in the United States. But listening to the coverage of the earthquake in China, I can't help but wonder - would I care more about this if it happened somewhere other than China?

I am not a fan of anything Asian. Never have been. It's really the only place on earth I have no desire to travel to. Just not interested. My loss, I'm sure. Of course, I am a little ashamed to admit that.

The death toll in China is staggering. They were just numbers to me. I wonder, if this happened in Britain, or Italy or France (well, maybe not France) but you get the picture, would I be more devastated? Then today I half listen to the news, and I see parents sitting outside a collapsed school, weeping. They've been there for days, waiting for government officials to come and dig their child out. They are allowed only one child, so if their child is dead, they have lost their only child. And the children are all dead. Except one amazing boy. I see the parents run to the ambulance in hope the one living boy is theirs. I see the pain on their faces.

Finally, my cold heart is moved. They love their children. I love my children. Why must I compartmentalize my emotions, devoting space to only those people who look like me or think like me? Now my shame is true shame.

So, if you are like me, let me encourage you to take note. There was an earthquake in China this week and many people are dead and many are grieving and the pain is unbearable. Please care. Please pay attention to the story. Please pray for these precious people. And to all people, please forgive my cold heart, I am truly ashamed. And thank you to the little boy who fought to hang on, for showing me the err of my ways. I will never again overlook human tragedy with disinterest. I cannot change it, but I can give it the attention and the dignity it deserves. Join me, if you will.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

The Year of the David

So it is the two Davids. No one is surprised. I was surprised Syesha was number three, but other than that, no biggie.

I like the talent of David Cook better, but his arrogance is so off-putting. If I was choosing the American Idol, I would have to choose him, as he is mature and has the talent and sex appeal already in place.

David Archuleta's talent is amazing, but I can't see him as anything other than a little boy. I just don't see him selling records to anyone other than 10-year-old girls. He would be a flash in the pan and will go the way of Leif Garrett and <insert the name here of whichever boy whose poster you had on your wall as a 12-year-old>. If I was a betting person, and I am not, I would bet this is the David who will be the next American Idol.

More importantly, I think that back to back winners of Jordan Sparks and David Archuleta could be a death blow to Idol. They are both artists of no relevance. Sorry at how unkind that sounds, but I want to tell the truth on this blog.

On a positive note, I applaud Idol for having the most talented top 10 in memory. This year's talent was impressive. I know this year's cast was blasted for being absent of personality and any fire, but I thought it was a cast of singers who truly sang from the heart and who sang with passion. I'll take that over someone who will smart off at Simon any day. Please, however, remove Danny Noriega from any compliment I might have placed on this year's cast. I disliked him immensely from the beginning. That head snapping smart mouth thing he thought was his image was transparent and silly. And he was the only one among the final 24 who was truly without any talent whatsoever. Other than him - bravo to this year's Idol cast!

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Missed Both Days, But No Surprises Here

So, baseball kept me away the last two days and I missed Idol completely. My mother called about nine this evening, and even though she doesn't watch the program, she told me the "blond-haired girl is singing at the end of the show by herself and she is crying. So, I guess that told me everything.

I am curious as to how the Neil Diamond evening went last night. I'm not sure about these mentor nights.


Actually, I think the mentor thing is a good idea. But the method of it is not a good one. I don't know if we need to choose different (better) mentors, or, and this is my thought, that perhaps we need to use different mentors and change the format of the show. For example: is it crucial that we choose mentors and then require the contestants to sing only their songs? Really? Couldn't the pop idol, and keeping in mind the point of the show is to make it relevant to today's pop industry - couldn't the pop idol mentor them on how to attack the songs of today?

Like Simon says, "If you can sing, you can sing anything." That doesn't mean we have to hear them sing anything. Let Neil Diamond coach the kids on how to knock out a song on the radio today, or at least in the last five years. If Neil Diamond can coach, he can coach anything.

The biggest problem I have, you see, is that we force these kids to sing ALL of the mentor's songs. That really narrows our field of mentors down first of all, but I don't necessarily like the mentor coaching on how to sing his/her song. I would like to keep the song selection varied, and a song list where the song choices actually reflect the personality and talent of the contestant. Then, after that song is chosen by a particular contestant, let the mentor coach them on how to sing THAT song.

Why did we think when we brought in the mentors, that the contestants should be allowed to sing only the mentors' songs? Perhaps a contestant would choose the mentor's song, but because it was the right song and the right fit and it just so happened the person who made it famous was the mentor that night.

Is anyone with me on this?

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Carly's out

So, tonight was the last night for Carly. Good call. The next contestants can go in any random order now: Jason, Sayesha and Brooke After last night, I think that should be the order, although I doubt it will be. However, when the finale comes, that is how it will play out.

PACMAN IS GONE! Yippee. Now we can get back to football. If he couldn't stay straight in Nashville, Tennessee, what possible chance does he have in Dallas, Texas? Such a shame...such a waste of great gifts that God has bestowed on him. That is the worst kind of extravagance.

Rough day for my backside. This has been a big step backwards this week. But, I am sure it's just a phase.

We are into the last couple of weeks for baseball. Baseball is such a joy, and it has been a big part of our adult lives. I hope we have left the game better than we found it.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Wrap up

Final thoughts. I didn't think David Cook was a good as the judges seemed to. Wrong song choice sang badly, but that's just me.

I think Jason should be the one going home, but I think it will be Brooke. I still say the two Davids in the finale.

They should have opened the show with that one

Rough in a couple of places for Carly, but terrific! Is she pregnant? She looks pregnant in that dress.

Unbelievable

David turned Think of Me into a pop song. He was amazing. Simon is usually right, but he got it wrong on this. Simon has his own musical limitations, and he showed them on this. Sometimes, he will say he has never heard of a song that a contestant sings. Every time I have heard him say that, it was about a song that was important in its day. Perhaps it is because he is not from America that he has those particular limitations, and I think that is a really key shortcoming in his role as a judge on Idol. Anyway, he missed the mark on this one. I'm not a David groupie, but I have to admit, that was strong.

Couple of things

Real quickly before David comes out to sing.

1. Andrew Lloyd Webber is kicking their bottoms. Good for him.

2. One of the worst things in television in the last 10 years: the people they have in the front of the American Idol audience swaying with their arms above their heads. Won't SOMEONE please make them go away? That is so stupid.

More Idol

I disagree with Paula. Brooke did exactly the right thing stopping and starting again. If you forget the lyric, what else can you do? The judges were kinder than I expected. Brooke is a class act.

It's Idol Time

Syesha: This is clearly her element. She was flat in a few areas, but it was a lovely song. I liked her more tonight than any other night.

Jason: Oh my. That was terrible. Bad song choice. Was glad when it was over. I thought he was going to crack.

Brooke: Oh my. She did crack. Nice recovery. I actually love this song for her. She may struggle to be back next week. The judges will be brutal.

American Idol and other stuff

Ok, Travis Cottrell's blog has inspired me, and I will attempt to add my thoughts to the blog world. I have resisted up until now, made a couple of feeble attempts, but now, I am truly inspired. We'll see how it goes.

First, I'll catch you up on family. I am really busy with Daniel's graduation and trying to get all the hoops jumped through to get him into the University of Tennessee. It's a bit overwhelming. Curt has just started a new landscaping job and will enroll soon in Volunteer State. Bo continues his work in the music industry and at the Rutledge in Nashville.

I am still trying to get on my feet from recent back surgery. It is harder than I expected, perhaps because - I suspect - the surgery has not done what we hoped it would do. My doctor says it's still early, but I think he is just putting off the bad news. Mornings are brutal, and it usually takes until 11 a.m. to get on my feet. Oh, well. I am keeping a positive attitude in the midst of my realism. Others have it much worse, so no whining from me. If you ask me how I am, I will tell you I am fine.

Now let's get to the good stuff: American Idol. Ok. Finally getting to see one tonight, since no baseball game. It's Andrew Lloyd Webber night and I couldn't be more excited. I am a true Phantom junkie and believe Phantom is the only perfect work of art. That and Santana's Europa (Earth's Cry, Heaven's Smile).

Here's what they are singing and my thoughts:

Syesha Mercado - "One Rock & Roll Too Many" from Starlight Express. No question Syesha is really talented, but I never feel her connection to any song, because she is an actress and always seems to be acting in the songs. She will be great for musical theater, but as a pop singer, not so much. Unless something drastically changes, I am ready for her to hit the road.

David Cook - "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera. Huh? Really? Music of the Night is a big song for a big voice. I'm not sure he has the pipes for that song. He is great pop singer material, though. He is attractive in a real nerdy, John Cusack way. And I love his voice. But I think he has bitten off too much with this song. I don't see him leaving because of it.

Carly Smithson - "Jesus Christ Superstar" from the musical of the same name. This seems like a good fit. I like Carly, I'm just kind of bored with her. She's not going win, so I think my boredom comes from just going through the process of waiting for her to leave. It won't be any great surprise or drama when she goes - she'll just go. I'm sorry, the tats are too much.

Brooke White - "You Must Love Me" from the film adaptation of Evita. I love Brooke. She isn't going to win, either, but I am definitely NOT bored with her. Love this song, and I think she'll rock it.

Jason Castro - "Memory" from Cats. Jason bores me, too. He is talented. He is harmless. Nice guy, cute face. Hate the dread locks. But, I just have no interest in him.

David Archuleta - "Think of Me" from Phantom of the Opera. I can't imagine David singing anything badly, but I look forward to seeing if he can pull this off. Such a big dramatic song. He has the pipes, just don't know if he has the maturity to handle it. I don't see how this kid can lose.

All for now. I'll try to get back on and blog live during the broadcast.