That Hobbit Lady

Well, I don’t usually watch American Idol. I did way back in the day, the whole first season, with Justin and Kelly, and then the second season with Reuben and Clay, but after that I kind of lost interest. (I also lost my cable TV at the time, which may have had something to do with it.) But this year I have TV, and for some reason, a couple of weeks ago, I decided to tune in and see what’s going on.

Oh! I remember what it was that got me interested again. It was Susan Boyle. Who hasn’t seen and heard Susan Boyle? Fantastic! What a story! And what do you think, should she have a makeover or not? Well, she’s had sort of a mini-makeover, last I heard, but that’s as far as she should go, I think.

But I digress. What happened was, I was reading something about Susan Boyle, and Britain’s Got Talent, and they were comparing it to American Idol, and saying how AI has lost it’s spark, so I guess that was what made me want to tune in and see what was happening over on this side of the pond.

Well, I beg to differ. No spark lost here. By the time I tuned in, they were down to four very accomplished performers. I got to see the red-headed girl be voted off, which was really sad, because I liked her, she was quite different than your usual run-of-the-mill Idol hopeful, and I thought she did a great job singing with Adam.

But now there’s three. Three really cute guys, who can all sing like mad. Except now there’s only two, because last night, Danny Gokey got voted off.

And once again, I’m sad. Because I really liked Danny. I thought he was definitely the cutest of the bunch (love the glasses! And the smile…), and his voice has the most personality. But the American Public (or some boardroom full of Idol executives posing as the American Public, I’m still not completely sure the show isn’t rigged) said “No. Goodbye, Gokey.”

And he’s gone.

Only he’s not. Is he? Because I fully suspect he’ll have a singing career. In fact, I would be very surprised if all four of the young singers I have seen this year don’t end up having some kind of singing career. I think they’re all good, and marketable.

But here’s the strange thought I had today.

So last night, Danny was voted off. And next week it will be either Kris or Adam who DOESN’T get to be the American Idol. But you know what…

So what?

Is it really that great to be the American Idol? As I mentioned, I was watching during season two, when Rueben Studdard “won” over Clay Aiken. But today, who’s got the more successful career? And it may have happened before, during some of the other seasons when I wasn’t watching (I’m not really sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised).

Here’s the thing: when you win as the American Idol, your career is immediately placed in the hands of…who? Some record executives that YOU DIDN’T CHOOSE. They’re going to mold you and fashion you and your career into some vision that THEY have, and it may not be what you would choose for yourself.

But the “losers” in second and third place, they may have different record companies come courting THEM. And they may get to pick and choose to a greater degree than the Idol “winner” gets to do. They may get to call at least SOME of the shots.

So when Danny got “voted off” maybe he wasn’t saying “Oh, crap, I didn’t get it!” Maybe he was saying “Whew! That was close. I almost got locked in.” Maybe he’s relieved that he will now have the opportunity to have a greater degree of control over how his career will proceed.

Or….maybe not. Maybe I have no idea what I’m talking about. Maybe I need to stop worrying about American Idol and get a life. 😉 But I do hope that in that life, at some point in the future, I’ll be able to buy a Danny Gokey CD.

I’m sure everyone has their own “pet peeves” and I’m no exception. I have many, but here’s one that recently occurred to me, and I just want to gripe about it.

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a long history of couponing. So sometimes, when I go on-line, I visit a restaurant’s website, and join their “Club,” in hopes that they will email me some good coupons. Now, some of them do! Arby’s….Wendy’s….TGIF’s….I’ve gotten good coupons from all of them.

But what’s the deal with Panera? And Moe’s Southwest Grill? Yes, I know your restaurant exists, I know you have good food, you don’t need to send me an ADVERTISEMENT to tell me about it all over again. If I’m going to take the time to open your email, I expect there to be something worthwhile inside! Opening your email only to find an advertisement that does not contain any kind of coupon or special offer is akin to opening a very prettily wrapped present only to find the box completely empty! Don’t get my hopes up, and don’t waste my time! If you’re going to send me something, then send me something of VALUE!

Pet Peeve expressed.

My sister has issued a challenge. She reminded me that Ernest Hemmingway has such a way with words (while some others of us, on the other hand…with…way…words…not…have…) that he could write a novel in only six words. In case you haven’t heard Hemminghway’s six-word novel, it reads thusly:

FOR SALE. BABY SHOES. NEVER WORN.

Yes, that brings us some ideas, some emotions, does it not? So Terry has challenged me to write a novel in six words. At first it seemed a daunting task, one to which I certainly had to give a good deal of thought, but after that good deal of thought I have indeed come up with several very short “Novels.”

First, I want to tell you Russ’ six-word novel:

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.

And, of course the sequel:

‘COS YOU JUST…MIGHT…GET IT.

Now, here is mine:

THINK IT’S OVER, SWEETHEART? THINK AGAIN.

And here’s another one:

HE WAS BETTER THAN THE BEST.

See, the first one’s probably a story of crime and revenge, and I’ll be the second one is a love story.

But this is too easy! Six is too many words! How about five?

THAT SUMMER WAS PURE DELIGHT.

Another love story? But not my four-word novel:

THE DECEPTION IS COMPLETE.

Actually, that’s not original. I’m reading the Bloody Jack series, and that’s a line that seems to keep coming up. But it’s so jam-packed with emotion and intrigue, I couldn’t help using it.

Now, how about three words?

SINGS. DANCES. DIES.

Hmm…wonder what that’s all about?

Two words?

NEVER AGAIN.

And now the ultimate challenge, the one word novel. Here it is:

HELP!

Okay, I’m done.

How about you? Anyone willing to take up the challenge? I’d love to read some more six-word novels!

I don’t know if anyone else has been keeping up with this Miss California thing that happened a few days ago, but Russ and I watch Nancy Grace every night to find out what’s happening with Tot Mom, and then this entertainment show comes on, so I’ve heard more about the Miss California fiasco than I would have ever cared to know. And frankly, I’m flabbergasted.

Basically, at the pageant, one of the judges (I guess he was a judge) asked Miss California what she thought about gay marriage. That was the question, “What do you think?” And she answered and told him what she thought. I guess I should mention that the judge was obviously gay, and Miss America said that she thinks it’s wonderful that we live in a country where people can make choices, but she personally believes that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

Well!

The judge did not like her answer, not one bit, to say the least. And if I’m understanding this correctly, he later went on his video-blog and called her the “B” word. He accused her of not being politically correct, and even went so far as to suggest that if she didn’t support gay marriage, then what she SHOULD have said was “Blah blah blah, mumbo jumbo I’m totally avoiding giving a real answer to this question.” He would have been happier hearing THAT than hearing her flat out say “I believe marriage should only be between a man and a woman.”

Hello!!!! Did you not ASK her what she thought? And then when she TOLD you what she thought, you blast her and call her a bit-ka? This judge did not really want to hear what she thought, what she believes, unless she happened to believe exactly what he believes! How hypocritical can you get?

When this guy asked this question, he absolutely knew that he was putting the beauty contestant in a big-time lose-lose situation. No matter WHAT she said, someone somewhere was going to be offended. The thinking now is that perhaps Miss California missed getting the crown because of the answer she gave to the gay marriage question. I contend that the moment that loaded question was put to her, there was no way she could win. (If, in fact, contestants’ answers to loaded questions are capable of keeping them from winning.) (Oh. And she was runner-up, I think, so not too bad after all, I would say.)

But anyway! That’s not what I’m flabbergasted about. And I’m also not flabbergasted about her answer, about whether or not she supports or doesn’t support gay marriage. That’s not even the issue, at this point, at least as far as I’m concerned. For me, the issue is this: I’m appalled by the judge! I’m offended by someone who is OFFENDED by an honest answer.

I’m also offended by someone who asks a loaded question, then resorts to the playground tactic of name-calling when things don’t go as he planned. (Miss California’s answer was followed by a generous mixture of both “boo’s” and applause. I don’t think the judge expected or appreciated the applause. I think he was peeved that basically the whole thing blew up in his face.)

Hey! You know what they say: if you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. If you don’t want to hear that there are people who don’t support gay marriage, then DON’T ASK! (To paraphrase a popular saying…Don’t want someone to tell? Then don’t ask!)

As for Miss California, I applaud her. I think she handled the situation with as much poise and charm as she possibly could under the circumstances. She did not “mumbo jumbo” up her answer in hopes of staying in the race for the crown. She did not back down, she firmly stated her own beliefs. And I personally think she did so in the most gracious manner possible, all things considered.

The funny thing about all this, I think, is that the gay judge accused Miss California of being insensitive and politically incorrect, but HIS reaction is the most insensitive and politically incorrect aspect of the whole fiasco.

I could go on. But enough said.

Last summer I sold my 2000 Saturn to an old lady with an SUV who said she needed something smaller and more economical for running all over town. At the time it was kind of sad, and even now, as much as I enjoy our new car, I still miss my little Saturn now and then, if I stop to think of it. I have a lot of fond memories of that car.

Well, today I saw it. At lunchtime, I pulled into the bank parking lot just a few blocks from work, and there it was! I parked two spaces away. I knew for certain it was my Saturn, because it still had my community college sticker on the bumper, and the shamrock sticker Mary brought me from Ireland in the back window. Everything else looked pretty much the same. The steering wheel even still had on the same soft gray cover.

There was a lady sitting behind the wheel. It was not the old lady I sold the car to, but it might have been her daughter. Or…perhaps the old lady sold the car to someone else? I don’t know. And it’s really not my business anymore, is it? But still, it was nice to see the old car, and to see my old stickers. Brought back some good memories.

Life is like a Mah Jong game. You are dealt a certain number of tiles. Some of them you can see right away, some of them you can’t. As you play the game, more and more of what’s hidden will be revealed.

If you’re smart, and patient, and take your time and don’t act too impulsively, you can make smart choices that can lead to winning the game. At the same time, though, there are certain tiles you’re just not going to be able to see, unless you take a chance and hope for the best.

So in the end, a lot of skill, a bit of intuition, a little luck. That’s the best you can do.

(Note: If you’re familiar with Mah Jong, you’ll totally understand what I just wrote. And if you’re not, google it! And click the top link. It’s a fun game, way better than Solitaire!)

Sausage biscuit. McDonald’s has one. So does Hardee’s. And now Burger King and Arby’s have even jumped on the bandwagon. I’m not a particular fan of the sausage biscuit (way too greasy and fatty!) but I’ll try one on occasion, because generally they’re the least expensive thing on the breakfast menu.

Also, Russ is a big fan of the sausage biscuit, and swears by Hardee’s. I’ve had some of the others, and he’s right—nothing comes close to Hardee’s. But here’s what I find perplexing:

When you go into Hardee’s and order a sausage biscuit, the girl behind the counter will invariably ask if you want JELLY with that. JELLY?? With sausage?? Bleah! What are these Southerners thinking of?

Now ketchup. Yup. Give me some ketchup with my sausage biscuit. But JELLY???

I repeat…

BLEAH!!!!!

It’s been almost a month now since we signed on our house and started moving in. We are by no means DONE, but things are coming along quite nicely. Here’s a little pictoral update on our new home, thus far.

First, a few days after signing….

And now, almost complete!

As you can see, we are still needing artwork, but we are reluctant to put any holes in the wall unless we are absolutely certain that’s what we want. The “Home Sweet Home” sign over the couch is hanging on a nail left by the former owner. She didn’t leave too many nails. In fact, she didn’t leave much of anything! The house was pretty much spotless when we moved in. Tonight for the first time we opened the cabinet over the refrigerator. I was hoping for riches, fine china, or at the very least a forgotten bottle of booze. But alas…it was empty. Sigh…

And here is the shelf unit in the kitchen “nook.”

It’s proving to be quite functional, as you can tell. The actual kitchen is not small, but neither is it enormous, so this extra space really comes in handy, and we also like the way it looks.

Here’s the library….

Which is actually the dining room. And you must excuse all the boxes! That’s the “not quite done” part I was talking about, tho every day it gets better and better.

The dining room will be doing double-duty as both dining room and library, since we have so many freaking books! Once we get a little more settled, a big purchase will be a dining room table and chairs. But we’re nowhere near ready for that yet.

Our house has three bedrooms. One is being used as an “office” which is primarily going to belong to Russ…

And the other will be our “guest room” which will also serve somewhat as my office (though to tell the truth, I’m sure I’ll spend most of my time hanging out with Russ in his office.) But here is my desk, if I need it….

And here are the cats lounging on the daybed. What bums!

Okay, you know you couldn’t go too long without getting a few pics of the cats. Squee is enjoying all the space in his new house….

And Boogins is enjoying the sink in the guest bathroom.

Well, that’s all for now. I’ve got to find the manual for the refrigerator, since there is a light on that says we need a new filter. For what? The icemaker? It’s all new to me, I’ve never owned an icemaker before. Lots and lots to learn about homeownership, isn’t there?

So I just got this idea, while I was sitting eating lunch. It was the most delicious sandwich ever! If you want to make a sandwich really great, top it with thin slices of red pepper.

But…No, that is not the great idea I alluded to in the first sentence. Though it is a good idea, and one I would highly recommend to anyone.

But this is the idea I just had: you know how you always hear about how people are in a certain “season” of their life? Like, especially, you might hear of a “May-December” romance. Or you might hear about “The Winter of Our Discontent.” And people who are young and inexperienced are “Spring Chickens.”

Well, what if you actually divided up a life into a calendar year? Where would you be right now? More specifically, I wondered, where would I be right now. I’d always kind of figured that at this stage in my life I’m kind of in “Autumn,” which is just fine with me, because Autumn happens to be my favorite season.

So this is what I came up with: I intend to live to at least 80. Hopefully a bit more. Long life runs on both sides of my family, so if I just take care of myself, eat right, do a little exercise now and then, and take care not to get hit by a bus, I anticipate, by the Grace of God, seeing 80 or beyond.

Somewhere I had once heard that all the cells in a human body are completely replaced every seven years. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I heard it, and it stuck with me, and I always marveled that every seven years, you could be a completely different person. Interesting, no? Kind of gives you hope for the future, that things always have that potential to change and get better.

So, with that information, let’s divide a life into seven year increments. And let’s say each seven years is the equivalent of one “month.” So, at the end of January, you would be seven years old. At the end of February, you would be 14 years old, and 21 at the end of March, 28 at the end of April, etc. And at the end of December in this “Life Year” you would be 84. So it kind of works out just about perfectly, doesn’t it?

Now, I am currently 51 or 52, something like that. When you get to this age you don’t really keep track as diligently as you once did. But I do know that in keeping with this “Life Year” idea I’m proposing, I would have been 49 at the end of “July.” That means now, it’s August.

August is not yet Autumn, but it’s almost Autumn. It’s that late, late summer time that could be very hot and dreadful and boring, and it is also that time when the anticipation of Autumn is heavy in the air.

And we know what Autumn means. Back to school, cooler weather, beautiful leaves, and football! Oh, also lots of really fun holidays! Honestly, I don’t know why Autumn isn’t EVERYBODY’S favorite season.

So here I am. On the brink of Autumn, when all the really good stuff starts.

Yesterday the weather forecast said “Sunday: Chance of snow 80%.” Well, this is one time the weatherman got it right. The ground outside is about 80% covered with snow, even as I write this.

It’s lovely. I love it. The only problem is, it’s slowing down the whole moving process. On Friday, we had torrential downpours and tornado warnings. On Saturday, the ground was so wet that when Russ’ brother came by with his truck to help us move a few things, the back wheels got stuck in the lawn and sprayed mud all over the front of the house (the OLD house, not the new house, thank goodness!). And now today, this morning, we are dealing with snow, preventing us from packing any more stuff into the cars.

Still, all in all, it’s been a good move so far, we’ve gotten quite a bit done, and next Saturday the movers come for the furniture. It’s just a very, very busy time. But also a lot of fun.