Just for the record, last night was the first night that I've ever been so off in my predictions about who was being eliminated from American Idol.
First of all, Alexandrea got the boot, and she is an awesome singer. Alaina also got kicked off, and I thought she was one of the BEST singers. Meanwhile, that Elvira-looking thing who couldn't hold a note in a ziplock bag, she is still there? Stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Sometimes Americans are like crows: they are attracted to things that are shiny and colorful, even if it's shiny and colorful garbage. If anything, that little Kristy chick should have gone home, since she has about as much charisma and stage presence and the can of pop sitting on my computer desk. It makes me mad when good people go home and sucky people stay.
As for the guys, at least I had one of those right, so we don't have to endure anymore rock schtick from Robbie the Wannabe. But I was very surprised to see the pretty boy go at this point. Surely Dylan from 90210 or Chikezie would have been a better choice for elimination. And I sooo wanted Simon to tell him to apply for a job on a cruise ship. I'd take that cruise. If only to laugh.
Anyway, the moral of the story is, sometimes Americans make the wrong choices. If you don't agree, I argue Fantasia, Ruben, Taylor Hicks, and George W. Bush.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
The Girls' Turn & BB Elimination
Again, I had to toggle, but I think it worked out well.
The 70s theme sucks, at least for me. I don't particularly like 70s music, especially the stuff these Idol people are picking. Anyway, at least I can look forward to next week being 80s week.
Alaina (young blonde in the blue dress)- Aside from a few notes, I thought she did awesome. She's got a great voice, probably one of the best ones there. The judges didn't swoon over her, but at least she didn't screw up.
Alexandrea (tall black girl wearing puffy winter vest and shorts...wtf??)- She's got a great voice, and she picked a great band (Chicago), only she chose the crappiest song they've ever released. Hopefully she'll redeem herself next week.
Amanda (weird rocker chick)- Thank god, she made a bad song even worse last night, and I think she'll go home tonight. Thank god. I don't know if I could have handled an entire season of that screaming mess. And the hair. And the clothes. My god. Imagine her on 50s classics night, what would she have sung? I hope the judges realize what a huge mistake they made by putting her through.
Asia (the once who went last)- I know there's supposed to be "...'h..." at the end of her name, but I refuse to put it there, because it's stupid and moot. Simon was exactly right about her, the song was too big for her voice. Don't get me wrong, she did much better than 90% of the public could do, and she hit a few notes that were pretty impressive, but a person shouldn't even attempt that song unless they're as good as Celine Dion, which is nobody, least of all not her. A valiant attempt, but meh.
Brooke (the flower child with the guitar)- Yawn. I guess the judges liked her last night, but I think her voice sucks. I'd like her to go home but I don't think she will.
Carly (the dark haired Irish chick)- Yay!! She's my favorite, what a voice! And she did a really good job with a really crappy song. Hopefully she'll pick something better next week though, old "Heart" isn't exactly memorable.
Kady (the blonde who sounds like Britney)- Her performance sucked, the song sucked for her voice, she didn't do well, but whatever. She's got a really good voice and she won't be going home b/c she's too pretty and that's just the way this show works sometimes. Hopefully she'll do better next week because I really like this girl. But anyway, the funniest part of last night's show was at the end of the performance, when she said "thanks you" to the judges and Seacrest told her to "say it like Britney". Joey, being Joey, says, "ya, I bet that's what her boyfriend makes her do in bed...'say it like Britney, do it like Britney'...." I thought that was pretty funny b/c it's probably true.
Kristy Lee (yet another blonde, the country one)- She's got a good voice, but I'm not sure how good she is overall. I'd like to see her go home, but based on her looks, I'm not sure she will.
Ramiele (the Asian one) - If she wears tapered jeans one more time, I'm writing to the show to complain. She picked kind of a tacky song, but she's got a really good voice, so I hope she goes farther.
Syesha (black girl with big hair) - I thought she gave the most solid performance technically, but the song was slow and boring and blah. I'm sure she's safe for this week.
So that's the girls. I think that vile rocker chick will be leaving, but I'm unsure about the second person to be eliminated.
***********************************************
Not much to say about BB, other than Amanda & Alex getting evicted. Other than that, Joshuah needs to stop tanning, he's looking pretty orange. And I can't believe CBS isn't going to address the gay porn thing with James, especially since he's getting so cozy with Chelsia. We'll see what happens next week.
TTFN
The 70s theme sucks, at least for me. I don't particularly like 70s music, especially the stuff these Idol people are picking. Anyway, at least I can look forward to next week being 80s week.
Alaina (young blonde in the blue dress)- Aside from a few notes, I thought she did awesome. She's got a great voice, probably one of the best ones there. The judges didn't swoon over her, but at least she didn't screw up.
Alexandrea (tall black girl wearing puffy winter vest and shorts...wtf??)- She's got a great voice, and she picked a great band (Chicago), only she chose the crappiest song they've ever released. Hopefully she'll redeem herself next week.
Amanda (weird rocker chick)- Thank god, she made a bad song even worse last night, and I think she'll go home tonight. Thank god. I don't know if I could have handled an entire season of that screaming mess. And the hair. And the clothes. My god. Imagine her on 50s classics night, what would she have sung? I hope the judges realize what a huge mistake they made by putting her through.
Asia (the once who went last)- I know there's supposed to be "...'h..." at the end of her name, but I refuse to put it there, because it's stupid and moot. Simon was exactly right about her, the song was too big for her voice. Don't get me wrong, she did much better than 90% of the public could do, and she hit a few notes that were pretty impressive, but a person shouldn't even attempt that song unless they're as good as Celine Dion, which is nobody, least of all not her. A valiant attempt, but meh.
Brooke (the flower child with the guitar)- Yawn. I guess the judges liked her last night, but I think her voice sucks. I'd like her to go home but I don't think she will.
Carly (the dark haired Irish chick)- Yay!! She's my favorite, what a voice! And she did a really good job with a really crappy song. Hopefully she'll pick something better next week though, old "Heart" isn't exactly memorable.
Kady (the blonde who sounds like Britney)- Her performance sucked, the song sucked for her voice, she didn't do well, but whatever. She's got a really good voice and she won't be going home b/c she's too pretty and that's just the way this show works sometimes. Hopefully she'll do better next week because I really like this girl. But anyway, the funniest part of last night's show was at the end of the performance, when she said "thanks you" to the judges and Seacrest told her to "say it like Britney". Joey, being Joey, says, "ya, I bet that's what her boyfriend makes her do in bed...'say it like Britney, do it like Britney'...." I thought that was pretty funny b/c it's probably true.
Kristy Lee (yet another blonde, the country one)- She's got a good voice, but I'm not sure how good she is overall. I'd like to see her go home, but based on her looks, I'm not sure she will.
Ramiele (the Asian one) - If she wears tapered jeans one more time, I'm writing to the show to complain. She picked kind of a tacky song, but she's got a really good voice, so I hope she goes farther.
Syesha (black girl with big hair) - I thought she gave the most solid performance technically, but the song was slow and boring and blah. I'm sure she's safe for this week.
So that's the girls. I think that vile rocker chick will be leaving, but I'm unsure about the second person to be eliminated.
***********************************************
Not much to say about BB, other than Amanda & Alex getting evicted. Other than that, Joshuah needs to stop tanning, he's looking pretty orange. And I can't believe CBS isn't going to address the gay porn thing with James, especially since he's getting so cozy with Chelsia. We'll see what happens next week.
TTFN
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Helicopter Mom
*Just a note...this is the article that I had published in the Reporter this week, but the idea originally came from a blog by Michelle Symes, who writes "Boularderie Blog" (a link to which is on the side of this page). She actually wrote about this topic more succinctly than I did, but I used her idea to try to get my own point across. Just wanted to give credit where credit was due. Check out her blog, it's really good. And while you're at it, check out the link to Lianne's blog, too. Hers is "Bloggideeblogblog". Lots of laughs on both blogs, a really good read.*
I always thought I'd be the "cool mom". I'd have the house that all the kids wanted to hang out at, and be the mom who threw all the cool birthday parties, who listened to cool music, and who everyone felt they could talk to.
Cut to a few years later, and I am definitely not the cool mom. I'm a helicopter mom. The term "helicopter mom" was coined by my friend and fellow writer Michelle Symes, and she defines it as "a mother who hovers over her children." Maybe it's that I watch the news too often, or maybe it's one too many episodes of "Law & Order", but somewhere along the line, neurotic paranoia took over, coolness was thrown out the window, and the result was this consistent hovering.
Now don't get me wrong, my kids aren't cloaked in veils when we go out, and I haven't made my oldest son start wearing a helmet to school (yet), but I'm more strict than I perceived myself to be. You can judge for yourself, and I'll be interested to hear if I'm on the same page as other parents of an almost-10-year-old.
I'm big on curfews, and my son has to check in with me every hour when he plays outside after school. I have to know who he's with, where he's at, and what he's doing, and these variables have to be approved in advance. Homework and chores have to be done before he goes out to play or watches TV. He's not allowed to go skating or swimming or ride his bike to the mall unless I or my husband are with him, and I don't care if he's the only kid who's not going. He's not allowed to sit in the front seat of the car, watch "The Simpsons", ride a dirt bike, shoot a pellet gun, get sneakers with little wheels on them, listen to 50 Cent, play "God of War", shave his head into a mohawk, or say the word "stupid". And I make him buckle up, dress warm, wear sunscreen, finish all his supper, do his school work over and over until it's done properly, and play with his brother even when he doesn't want to. To top it off, if the rules are broken, the severity of the infraction determines how long he has to say goodbye to his TV, his PS2, toys, playing outside, or maybe all of those things. Period. That's just the way things work around here. And when my other little boy is old enough, those same rules will apply.
These are the reasons why I find it hard to gauge my parenting boundaries. Am I on the strict side? Or am I just like everyone else? Normally I wouldn't question myself, but when I see and hear what other kids his age are doing, it makes me wonder. Most of his friends are allowed to own and watch and do all these things that he's so desperate to take on. He considers it a huge injustice to be the "only one" who doesn't have those same permissions. I don't feel like I'm smothering him, but just hearing the words "motorized scooter" is enough to send my blood pressure soaring and want to lock him away in a tower until he reaches the age of majority. I hate to make him the neighborhood nerd, but I'd rather him come home at night with all his limbs than let him run loose for the sake of being "cool". But how do you know when "fair and firm" turns into "Drill Sergeant Mom"?
That's the problem, you don't know. All I can do is my best. If I let my son do fun things that are safe and age-appropriate, that's just going to have to be good enough. I keep telling myself he'll thank me for it when he's older, because only then will I know if all this discipline and behavior modification has paid off. These days, he can be saucy and defiant, and I think he's attempting the world record for being grounded. I wish I didn't have to be such a party pooper, but if it means that someday I'll have a 25-year-old son who is respectful, street smart, has good manners, a good education, and no criminal record, I'll count my efforts as successful.
Until then, I'm staying true to my directives. "Eat your corn, clean your room, change the channel, put on a sweater, wear your helmet, and be back in an hour, or else."
I always thought I'd be the "cool mom". I'd have the house that all the kids wanted to hang out at, and be the mom who threw all the cool birthday parties, who listened to cool music, and who everyone felt they could talk to.
Cut to a few years later, and I am definitely not the cool mom. I'm a helicopter mom. The term "helicopter mom" was coined by my friend and fellow writer Michelle Symes, and she defines it as "a mother who hovers over her children." Maybe it's that I watch the news too often, or maybe it's one too many episodes of "Law & Order", but somewhere along the line, neurotic paranoia took over, coolness was thrown out the window, and the result was this consistent hovering.
Now don't get me wrong, my kids aren't cloaked in veils when we go out, and I haven't made my oldest son start wearing a helmet to school (yet), but I'm more strict than I perceived myself to be. You can judge for yourself, and I'll be interested to hear if I'm on the same page as other parents of an almost-10-year-old.
I'm big on curfews, and my son has to check in with me every hour when he plays outside after school. I have to know who he's with, where he's at, and what he's doing, and these variables have to be approved in advance. Homework and chores have to be done before he goes out to play or watches TV. He's not allowed to go skating or swimming or ride his bike to the mall unless I or my husband are with him, and I don't care if he's the only kid who's not going. He's not allowed to sit in the front seat of the car, watch "The Simpsons", ride a dirt bike, shoot a pellet gun, get sneakers with little wheels on them, listen to 50 Cent, play "God of War", shave his head into a mohawk, or say the word "stupid". And I make him buckle up, dress warm, wear sunscreen, finish all his supper, do his school work over and over until it's done properly, and play with his brother even when he doesn't want to. To top it off, if the rules are broken, the severity of the infraction determines how long he has to say goodbye to his TV, his PS2, toys, playing outside, or maybe all of those things. Period. That's just the way things work around here. And when my other little boy is old enough, those same rules will apply.
These are the reasons why I find it hard to gauge my parenting boundaries. Am I on the strict side? Or am I just like everyone else? Normally I wouldn't question myself, but when I see and hear what other kids his age are doing, it makes me wonder. Most of his friends are allowed to own and watch and do all these things that he's so desperate to take on. He considers it a huge injustice to be the "only one" who doesn't have those same permissions. I don't feel like I'm smothering him, but just hearing the words "motorized scooter" is enough to send my blood pressure soaring and want to lock him away in a tower until he reaches the age of majority. I hate to make him the neighborhood nerd, but I'd rather him come home at night with all his limbs than let him run loose for the sake of being "cool". But how do you know when "fair and firm" turns into "Drill Sergeant Mom"?
That's the problem, you don't know. All I can do is my best. If I let my son do fun things that are safe and age-appropriate, that's just going to have to be good enough. I keep telling myself he'll thank me for it when he's older, because only then will I know if all this discipline and behavior modification has paid off. These days, he can be saucy and defiant, and I think he's attempting the world record for being grounded. I wish I didn't have to be such a party pooper, but if it means that someday I'll have a 25-year-old son who is respectful, street smart, has good manners, a good education, and no criminal record, I'll count my efforts as successful.
Until then, I'm staying true to my directives. "Eat your corn, clean your room, change the channel, put on a sweater, wear your helmet, and be back in an hour, or else."
AI, BB & A Little Something Extra
At least this week, AI started at 9pm and BB at 10pm. Unfortunately, one of my little monsters had too long a nap yesterday and I didn't get him to sleep until almost 9:30, so I missed the first few singers. No big loss on my part, as far as I can tell. (I watched the recap)
I was wrong about one of my predictions last week, b/c Dylan from 90210 is still there. I should have known, I guess; he's a little too pretty to have been voted off the first night (assuming "late-90s prep with falsetto" is attractive to you).
Chikezie (the black guy) - Blah blah blah. No idea what he sang, even though I watched it. Boring.
Danny N. (the little gay dude)- Actually, I thought he was quite good last night, but he's not one of my favorites.
David A. (the little cute dude)- He really is an awesome singer. I think he might just win the whole thing.
David C. (the legit rocker)- I thought he was really good, but my favorite part was his video about being a "word nerd". I love word nerds! Any guy who can sing well, play the guitar, AND use the word "ostentatious" correctly...well that's sexy guy in my books. Even if he's not quite as good (or nearly as cute) as Chris Daughtry.
David H. (the Mexican guy) - This guy can sing, and he's got great stage presence, but I don't know....not my style I guess. Not that I want him to go home, but I think he'll soon become very dispensible.
Jason C. (dreadlocks) - I didn't see him sing, but from the recap it seemed like he picked a crappy song, and I'm sure the judges must have given him some flack for it. Still, he's pretty good, and with those dirty things hanging off the back of his head, he's not going anywhere anytime soon. Chicks dig those dreads. Ew.
Jason Y. (pretty boy) - LMAO, my god I wish he'd just come out of the closet, b/c that case of gay face is getting more and more serious all the time. He wasn't making the case for hetero any more believable by wearing that Wayne Newton costume and doing the Carlton Banks dance, either. I'm sure he'd make a fortune on a cruise ship, but I don't think he's suited for AI.
Luke M. (90210 guy)- I didn't see him sing, but the recap looked bleak. Boring.
Michael J. (the alternative guy) - I didn't see him sing either, but his Fleetwood Mac cover fell very flat (and sometimes sharp) if the recap was any indication. I still like him, though. I can't help it. He's Australian.
Robbie C. (the rocker wannabe)- Ya right. You're about as hard core as Sharon, Lois & Bram. Give it up buddy, you're one rocker too many, cause David C. is better and more authentic.
I won't make a prediction, since I didn't see everyone sing and didn't hear the judges comments. But if it were just based on charisma, I'd say 90210 guy and fake rocker dude should go.
***************************************
Now, as for Big Brother, even high drama isn't making this season as good as others.
I wish wish wish I had the live feeds (though I'll never actually pay for it), b/c that's where all the action happens. Case in point: there was a big pool orgy the other night. I kid you not. Amanda, Allison & the old broad weren't involved, but the other 3 (Carol, Chelsia, & Natalie) put on quite a show I guess. They were stripping, making out with all the guys (and each other), and other assorted behavior that I won't repeat. How scandalous. *yawn*
Then there was all the medical drama. Now, not to downplay the seriousness of an allergic reaction, but I had to laugh a little bit. First of all, there was a nurse there and both girls were alert and feeling better within minutes, certainly by the time the ambulance got there. The best part was how they all went from hating each other to being "family" as soon as there was a bit of crisis. I'm sorry, but being cooped up in that house must be taking it's toll on those people. It was an allergic reaction people, nobody severed a limb!! They'll be fine!! Jeez.
Anyway, Alex is still boring, and Amanda still has a horse face, hypoglycemic or not. And what's with the "Bueno" thing? She says it every 2 minutes and she doesn't even use it properly in a sentence. I learned everything I know about Spanish from Dora the Explorer, and even I know that "Bueno" doesn't mean "hello" or "goodbye" or any of the other 10 things she uses it for. I think her seizures came at a good time, since her "episode" will probably prevent people from voting her out of the house.
I thought I was going to hate Matt, but he's turned out to be one of my favorites. Unfortunately, there's a really good chance he's going home this week. What will Natalie do without the BB house?? She won't have anywhere to parade around naked and sleep with strangers! Oh wait, I'm sure she has a place at home earmarked for that already. Nice boobies though.
That old broad (I can never remember her name) is bipolar, did you see her flip out over nothing last night? And the way she had Matt cornered in that pantry closet was really uncomfortable, you could tell he wanted to bolt. I have no idea what she was flipping out for, since that Allison chick didn't specifically do anything. I think she's just so bored and left out that she needs to create drama to get noticed. Whatever, she's got a brutal gobble-gobble going on under her chin, especially for a "former model". I'd almost feel bad for her partner Igor (or whatever his name is), but I can't feel bad for someone that ugly and deformed and weird looking.
I have a secret. Well, maybe it's not a secret anymore, but I might be able to enlighten someone. James is a gay porn star. I'm not joking, I've seen it myself. He must be bi, since he was making out with Chelsia, but either way, at least he has something to fall back on if this BB thing doesn't work out.
I like Ryan & Allison, and I'd love to see them start sleeping together, if for no other reason, to know that Jen is somewhere watching and fuming. Did you notice since Jen left the house that Allison has started wearing makeup? Oh ya baby, she's making her move.
Anyway, we'll see what happens tonight.
******************************************
One last note.....does anyone watch "Girlicious"? The new Pussycat Dolls show? I have. Not b/c I would ever turn it on myself, but I DO live with Joey MacDonald, and there ARE a bunch of half-naked girls with smoking hot bodies running around, so it was kind of inevitable that he'd turn it on at some point. I don't really understand why Robin Antin (the PCD creator...you know, the poster girl for cosmetic surgery gone terribly wrong) would have ANOTHER girl-group show, since the girl who won last year isn't even in the PCD. At least I haven't seen her, and neither has Joey, and we've been looking.
Anyway, I just wanted to comment on the dancing. I think Antin should get a trademark on the move that I call "Sexy Robaxacet". You know the one I mean? Where the girl is bent over like her back went out on her, and then she rubs her ass? There are only about 5 dance moves in their choreography, but each group does them in a different order, so it looks like a different dance. There's "Sexy Robaxacet", the "I'm Trying to Whip Someone With My Hair" toss, the exaggerated runway model walk, the "Slowly Wiping Crumbs Off My Shirt" boob grope, and the "Really Bad Turrets Syndrome" head jerk. It's hilarious. Not my favorite show (unless I want to inflict myself with a bad inferiority complex), but it's good for a laugh.
Until tomorrow....
I was wrong about one of my predictions last week, b/c Dylan from 90210 is still there. I should have known, I guess; he's a little too pretty to have been voted off the first night (assuming "late-90s prep with falsetto" is attractive to you).
Chikezie (the black guy) - Blah blah blah. No idea what he sang, even though I watched it. Boring.
Danny N. (the little gay dude)- Actually, I thought he was quite good last night, but he's not one of my favorites.
David A. (the little cute dude)- He really is an awesome singer. I think he might just win the whole thing.
David C. (the legit rocker)- I thought he was really good, but my favorite part was his video about being a "word nerd". I love word nerds! Any guy who can sing well, play the guitar, AND use the word "ostentatious" correctly...well that's sexy guy in my books. Even if he's not quite as good (or nearly as cute) as Chris Daughtry.
David H. (the Mexican guy) - This guy can sing, and he's got great stage presence, but I don't know....not my style I guess. Not that I want him to go home, but I think he'll soon become very dispensible.
Jason C. (dreadlocks) - I didn't see him sing, but from the recap it seemed like he picked a crappy song, and I'm sure the judges must have given him some flack for it. Still, he's pretty good, and with those dirty things hanging off the back of his head, he's not going anywhere anytime soon. Chicks dig those dreads. Ew.
Jason Y. (pretty boy) - LMAO, my god I wish he'd just come out of the closet, b/c that case of gay face is getting more and more serious all the time. He wasn't making the case for hetero any more believable by wearing that Wayne Newton costume and doing the Carlton Banks dance, either. I'm sure he'd make a fortune on a cruise ship, but I don't think he's suited for AI.
Luke M. (90210 guy)- I didn't see him sing, but the recap looked bleak. Boring.
Michael J. (the alternative guy) - I didn't see him sing either, but his Fleetwood Mac cover fell very flat (and sometimes sharp) if the recap was any indication. I still like him, though. I can't help it. He's Australian.
Robbie C. (the rocker wannabe)- Ya right. You're about as hard core as Sharon, Lois & Bram. Give it up buddy, you're one rocker too many, cause David C. is better and more authentic.
I won't make a prediction, since I didn't see everyone sing and didn't hear the judges comments. But if it were just based on charisma, I'd say 90210 guy and fake rocker dude should go.
***************************************
Now, as for Big Brother, even high drama isn't making this season as good as others.
I wish wish wish I had the live feeds (though I'll never actually pay for it), b/c that's where all the action happens. Case in point: there was a big pool orgy the other night. I kid you not. Amanda, Allison & the old broad weren't involved, but the other 3 (Carol, Chelsia, & Natalie) put on quite a show I guess. They were stripping, making out with all the guys (and each other), and other assorted behavior that I won't repeat. How scandalous. *yawn*
Then there was all the medical drama. Now, not to downplay the seriousness of an allergic reaction, but I had to laugh a little bit. First of all, there was a nurse there and both girls were alert and feeling better within minutes, certainly by the time the ambulance got there. The best part was how they all went from hating each other to being "family" as soon as there was a bit of crisis. I'm sorry, but being cooped up in that house must be taking it's toll on those people. It was an allergic reaction people, nobody severed a limb!! They'll be fine!! Jeez.
Anyway, Alex is still boring, and Amanda still has a horse face, hypoglycemic or not. And what's with the "Bueno" thing? She says it every 2 minutes and she doesn't even use it properly in a sentence. I learned everything I know about Spanish from Dora the Explorer, and even I know that "Bueno" doesn't mean "hello" or "goodbye" or any of the other 10 things she uses it for. I think her seizures came at a good time, since her "episode" will probably prevent people from voting her out of the house.
I thought I was going to hate Matt, but he's turned out to be one of my favorites. Unfortunately, there's a really good chance he's going home this week. What will Natalie do without the BB house?? She won't have anywhere to parade around naked and sleep with strangers! Oh wait, I'm sure she has a place at home earmarked for that already. Nice boobies though.
That old broad (I can never remember her name) is bipolar, did you see her flip out over nothing last night? And the way she had Matt cornered in that pantry closet was really uncomfortable, you could tell he wanted to bolt. I have no idea what she was flipping out for, since that Allison chick didn't specifically do anything. I think she's just so bored and left out that she needs to create drama to get noticed. Whatever, she's got a brutal gobble-gobble going on under her chin, especially for a "former model". I'd almost feel bad for her partner Igor (or whatever his name is), but I can't feel bad for someone that ugly and deformed and weird looking.
I have a secret. Well, maybe it's not a secret anymore, but I might be able to enlighten someone. James is a gay porn star. I'm not joking, I've seen it myself. He must be bi, since he was making out with Chelsia, but either way, at least he has something to fall back on if this BB thing doesn't work out.
I like Ryan & Allison, and I'd love to see them start sleeping together, if for no other reason, to know that Jen is somewhere watching and fuming. Did you notice since Jen left the house that Allison has started wearing makeup? Oh ya baby, she's making her move.
Anyway, we'll see what happens tonight.
******************************************
One last note.....does anyone watch "Girlicious"? The new Pussycat Dolls show? I have. Not b/c I would ever turn it on myself, but I DO live with Joey MacDonald, and there ARE a bunch of half-naked girls with smoking hot bodies running around, so it was kind of inevitable that he'd turn it on at some point. I don't really understand why Robin Antin (the PCD creator...you know, the poster girl for cosmetic surgery gone terribly wrong) would have ANOTHER girl-group show, since the girl who won last year isn't even in the PCD. At least I haven't seen her, and neither has Joey, and we've been looking.
Anyway, I just wanted to comment on the dancing. I think Antin should get a trademark on the move that I call "Sexy Robaxacet". You know the one I mean? Where the girl is bent over like her back went out on her, and then she rubs her ass? There are only about 5 dance moves in their choreography, but each group does them in a different order, so it looks like a different dance. There's "Sexy Robaxacet", the "I'm Trying to Whip Someone With My Hair" toss, the exaggerated runway model walk, the "Slowly Wiping Crumbs Off My Shirt" boob grope, and the "Really Bad Turrets Syndrome" head jerk. It's hilarious. Not my favorite show (unless I want to inflict myself with a bad inferiority complex), but it's good for a laugh.
Until tomorrow....
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wednesday's Reality TV
WTF is going on with this Big Brother schedule? It's hard enough for me to toggle back and forth between BB & AI on Tuesdays, but now BB is on Wednesdays too? I probably shouldn't complain after this dry & horrible winter TV season, but it gets on my nerves. I'm going to need to get a TiVo.
Anyway, I did my best and here's what I came up with.
None of the characters from BB have done much over the past 24 hours to change my original impressions, but there were a few interesting developments.
That last remaining gay guy (well, the last OPENLY gay guy) threw a pretty impressive hissy fit, which at least brought his existence to the attention of viewers. Still, his comment about Amanda's father was pretty dirty, and I'm surprised she didn't drown him in the hot tub. I would have. And plus, she could easily take him. For all her booty shorts and bikinis and high-pitched Disney voices, I truly think she's a man in drag.
And the one with the made up name and the Posh-Spice haircut? I'm sorry, but she looks like she should be in porn. God love her, maybe she's as sweet and innocent as can be, but she just has that dirty look to her. The "Girls Gone Wild" look.
Surprise of the night: watching Ryan chop off his own balls and hand them to Jen. It was glaringly obvious that she threw him under the bus, and it was equally obvious that he knew it, but he chose to let his pecker decide and forgive her anyway. Silly, silly boy. In related news, the highlight of the night was watching Jen leave. Mind you, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ryan start making it with Allison, and have Jen come stampeding up and kick in the door to the Big Brother house as soon as she gets wind of it.
On to American Idol.
The girls weren't nearly as good as the guys. It's going to be harder to nail down a top 6 since all of the performances, with the exception of 1 or 2, were just "so so". I'm sure over the next week, my predictions will change somewhat.
Amanda (the rough biker chick)
Same same same. Waaaaaaaay too Janis Joplin. She could sing "My Heart Will Go On" and it's going to sound like a scream fest. Yuk. She's beyond inappropriate for this show. And still, because Americans are...well, Americans, she'll be in the top 12 anyway. Ridiculous.
Alexandrea (the skinny black girl who wore the suspenders)
I thought she was really good, but the judges seemed to think she fell short. And her name is very guest-on-Rikki-Lake-ish. SHe has a chance at the top 12, but I won't guarantee her a spot.
Amy (the one hard to describe since she's so ordinary...she sang "Where the Boys Are)
I can't even believe she's in the top 24 based on her performance last night. Horrible. See ya later hun.
Alaina (the really young blonde)
I think she has an awesome voice, but it's hard to stand out with that much blonde hair in the crowd. She stands a chance at the top 12, but she'll have to do something next week and the week after to make herself seem unique and outstanding.
Asia'h (the one who's father died two days before her audition)
Ok, I feel bad for her as far as her father goes and she does have a good voice. But is the apostrophy "H" really necessary???????? No first name should have an apostrophy. Ever. God. Possibly in the top 12, but I'm not sure yet.
Brooke (the flower child with the fluffy blonde hair)
Blah blah blah. She's not as good as she thinks she is.
Carly (the Irish chick with the black hair)
I think she's going to win the whole thing! What an awesome voice. Top 12 shoe-in.
Joanne (the big black girl)
She's pretty alright, but is she really pretty enough to have been a plus-sized model? I'm not sure. Anyway, last night she sucked, but I think she'll get better.
Kady (the one who does the Britney Spears impression)
Man, this girl sings Britney better than Britney does! It's amazing! But when she's not doing impressions, I think she has a fantastic voice. Definitely top 12.
Kristy Lee (the country-ish blonde...last night she was first)
Booooo. Her voice is a little too twangy for my taste, but she is generally better than she was last night. I'm hoping it was that infamous "flu" that made everyone suck. Anyway, I'm sure she'll be top 12 as well.
Ramiele (the weird asian one)
Ok voice, but I don't like her as much as Simon seems to (maybe he wants to bag her, that's usually the reason he gushes over mediocre performers). Whatever, after what he said about her, she'll be top 12 too.
Syesha (the black girl with the large hair)
Pretty good voice, but yawn.
So there it is. 5 of the 6 spots in this year's top 12 are more or less spoken for, and the last one could go to whichever of the three steps up their game. Going home this week will be Amy & another, I'm not sure which.
Until next time homies.
Anyway, I did my best and here's what I came up with.
None of the characters from BB have done much over the past 24 hours to change my original impressions, but there were a few interesting developments.
That last remaining gay guy (well, the last OPENLY gay guy) threw a pretty impressive hissy fit, which at least brought his existence to the attention of viewers. Still, his comment about Amanda's father was pretty dirty, and I'm surprised she didn't drown him in the hot tub. I would have. And plus, she could easily take him. For all her booty shorts and bikinis and high-pitched Disney voices, I truly think she's a man in drag.
And the one with the made up name and the Posh-Spice haircut? I'm sorry, but she looks like she should be in porn. God love her, maybe she's as sweet and innocent as can be, but she just has that dirty look to her. The "Girls Gone Wild" look.
Surprise of the night: watching Ryan chop off his own balls and hand them to Jen. It was glaringly obvious that she threw him under the bus, and it was equally obvious that he knew it, but he chose to let his pecker decide and forgive her anyway. Silly, silly boy. In related news, the highlight of the night was watching Jen leave. Mind you, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ryan start making it with Allison, and have Jen come stampeding up and kick in the door to the Big Brother house as soon as she gets wind of it.
On to American Idol.
The girls weren't nearly as good as the guys. It's going to be harder to nail down a top 6 since all of the performances, with the exception of 1 or 2, were just "so so". I'm sure over the next week, my predictions will change somewhat.
Amanda (the rough biker chick)
Same same same. Waaaaaaaay too Janis Joplin. She could sing "My Heart Will Go On" and it's going to sound like a scream fest. Yuk. She's beyond inappropriate for this show. And still, because Americans are...well, Americans, she'll be in the top 12 anyway. Ridiculous.
Alexandrea (the skinny black girl who wore the suspenders)
I thought she was really good, but the judges seemed to think she fell short. And her name is very guest-on-Rikki-Lake-ish. SHe has a chance at the top 12, but I won't guarantee her a spot.
Amy (the one hard to describe since she's so ordinary...she sang "Where the Boys Are)
I can't even believe she's in the top 24 based on her performance last night. Horrible. See ya later hun.
Alaina (the really young blonde)
I think she has an awesome voice, but it's hard to stand out with that much blonde hair in the crowd. She stands a chance at the top 12, but she'll have to do something next week and the week after to make herself seem unique and outstanding.
Asia'h (the one who's father died two days before her audition)
Ok, I feel bad for her as far as her father goes and she does have a good voice. But is the apostrophy "H" really necessary???????? No first name should have an apostrophy. Ever. God. Possibly in the top 12, but I'm not sure yet.
Brooke (the flower child with the fluffy blonde hair)
Blah blah blah. She's not as good as she thinks she is.
Carly (the Irish chick with the black hair)
I think she's going to win the whole thing! What an awesome voice. Top 12 shoe-in.
Joanne (the big black girl)
She's pretty alright, but is she really pretty enough to have been a plus-sized model? I'm not sure. Anyway, last night she sucked, but I think she'll get better.
Kady (the one who does the Britney Spears impression)
Man, this girl sings Britney better than Britney does! It's amazing! But when she's not doing impressions, I think she has a fantastic voice. Definitely top 12.
Kristy Lee (the country-ish blonde...last night she was first)
Booooo. Her voice is a little too twangy for my taste, but she is generally better than she was last night. I'm hoping it was that infamous "flu" that made everyone suck. Anyway, I'm sure she'll be top 12 as well.
Ramiele (the weird asian one)
Ok voice, but I don't like her as much as Simon seems to (maybe he wants to bag her, that's usually the reason he gushes over mediocre performers). Whatever, after what he said about her, she'll be top 12 too.
Syesha (the black girl with the large hair)
Pretty good voice, but yawn.
So there it is. 5 of the 6 spots in this year's top 12 are more or less spoken for, and the last one could go to whichever of the three steps up their game. Going home this week will be Amy & another, I'm not sure which.
Until next time homies.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Tuesday's Reality TV
It's almost too much for me to handle. Big Brother, a 2-hour American Idol, AND US Primaries, all in the same night? I thought I'd never get to bed.
First, Big Brother.
Ok, how much would I love to see Jen run over by a large piece of farm equipment? She tries to be this big hard ass..."now I have to bring it, it's on baby, no more fooling around, I have to show them who's boss"...ya right, who are you trying to kid? Every time someone looks at you the wrong way, you're curled up in the fetal position and bawling your eyes out. It's too late to be a tough guy after you've cried over a situation for a hour. Let it go. Move on. Go home. I don't like you.
Your boyfriend, on the other hand.....
Ryan is cute, but useless. And his partner is a bitch. Pretending to be a lesbian with the old broad probably wasn't the greatest idea you've ever had, dear. Lame.
Amanda's partner is acting a bit too possessive, considering he's not her boyfriend... or father. Get over it, buddy...she obviously likes that abrasive and confrontational papparazzi guy.
Everyone else is a huge yawn. I hope it gets better.
On to American Idol....
Last night was the guys, and while this is probably the best group of singers in a few seasons, it's also the most plentiful pack of males who possess Clay Aitken-calibre "gay face". Seriously, those of you with a well-honed gay-dar, are ya feelin' me?
Anyway, here's the rundown.
Chikezie (the chubby black guy in orange)
Chikezie...man...lose the zoot suit. Tacky. And too Marvin Gaye for everyone...what are you, like, 50?
Colton (the guy who says he looks like Ellen Degeneres...wtf??)
Colton who? Whatever, and your shirt was too small for you, pal.
Danny (the feminine dude with the tapered low-riders and slim tie)
Meh.
David A.(the cute, modest little 16-yr-old)
Um, hello? Could you be any cuter? I think he's going to be in the top 3, what an amazing voice. Definitely top 12.
David C. (the guy who tries to sound like Chris Daughtry)
Good performance, but dude, what's with the hair? It looks like you just got off the tilt-a-whirl. You need a stylist, and fast. Hurry! You'll be in the top 12 soon!
David H. (the Mexican-looking guy)
Yawn. OK voice, but still yawn.
Garrett (the Kalan Porter look alike)
Again, Ok voice, but a big snooze fest. Top it all with the fact that he obviously enjoys his weed. Do you think he knew where he was at?
Jason Y. (the pretty boy with the son in the audience)
Crappy song choice, but he's too good looking, there's no way he'll be voted off yet. Best example of gay face. Get used to it, he'll be in the top 12.
Jason C. (buddy with the dreadlocks)
My god dreadlocks are dirty and disgusting. He's got nice eyes, nice skin, nice teeth, a nice smile, a beautiful voice....and then these big Medusa-looking piles of dead, matted hair hanging off his skalp. Gross! I vote for a Jason Castro makeover, stat. Top 12 for sure.
Luke (the guy who looks like Dylan from Beverly Hills 90210)
Snore snore snore. See ya later, Dylan McKay.
Robbie (the former pop-tart boybander, now turned badass...*snicker*)
You didn't convince me. Good voice, but let's just all go back to the comfort zone and start pumping out a few 98 Degrees tunes, shall we? You know you want to. It doesn't matter how long you abstain from showering, even your do-rag can't erase the fact that you opened for Britney Spears. Yet probably top 12 anyway.
Michael (the Australian)
Delicious. A trip to the orthodontist wouldn't kill him, but he's got the rest of the package. Good voice, plenty of style, good looks, thank you, goodnight. Shoe-in for top 12.
One last note....Barack rules. I might even change my name to Gina MacDonald-Obama. Hillary's going down (and not in a good way).
Stay tuned tomorrow, I'll run down the AI girls.
First, Big Brother.
Ok, how much would I love to see Jen run over by a large piece of farm equipment? She tries to be this big hard ass..."now I have to bring it, it's on baby, no more fooling around, I have to show them who's boss"...ya right, who are you trying to kid? Every time someone looks at you the wrong way, you're curled up in the fetal position and bawling your eyes out. It's too late to be a tough guy after you've cried over a situation for a hour. Let it go. Move on. Go home. I don't like you.
Your boyfriend, on the other hand.....
Ryan is cute, but useless. And his partner is a bitch. Pretending to be a lesbian with the old broad probably wasn't the greatest idea you've ever had, dear. Lame.
Amanda's partner is acting a bit too possessive, considering he's not her boyfriend... or father. Get over it, buddy...she obviously likes that abrasive and confrontational papparazzi guy.
Everyone else is a huge yawn. I hope it gets better.
On to American Idol....
Last night was the guys, and while this is probably the best group of singers in a few seasons, it's also the most plentiful pack of males who possess Clay Aitken-calibre "gay face". Seriously, those of you with a well-honed gay-dar, are ya feelin' me?
Anyway, here's the rundown.
Chikezie (the chubby black guy in orange)
Chikezie...man...lose the zoot suit. Tacky. And too Marvin Gaye for everyone...what are you, like, 50?
Colton (the guy who says he looks like Ellen Degeneres...wtf??)
Colton who? Whatever, and your shirt was too small for you, pal.
Danny (the feminine dude with the tapered low-riders and slim tie)
Meh.
David A.(the cute, modest little 16-yr-old)
Um, hello? Could you be any cuter? I think he's going to be in the top 3, what an amazing voice. Definitely top 12.
David C. (the guy who tries to sound like Chris Daughtry)
Good performance, but dude, what's with the hair? It looks like you just got off the tilt-a-whirl. You need a stylist, and fast. Hurry! You'll be in the top 12 soon!
David H. (the Mexican-looking guy)
Yawn. OK voice, but still yawn.
Garrett (the Kalan Porter look alike)
Again, Ok voice, but a big snooze fest. Top it all with the fact that he obviously enjoys his weed. Do you think he knew where he was at?
Jason Y. (the pretty boy with the son in the audience)
Crappy song choice, but he's too good looking, there's no way he'll be voted off yet. Best example of gay face. Get used to it, he'll be in the top 12.
Jason C. (buddy with the dreadlocks)
My god dreadlocks are dirty and disgusting. He's got nice eyes, nice skin, nice teeth, a nice smile, a beautiful voice....and then these big Medusa-looking piles of dead, matted hair hanging off his skalp. Gross! I vote for a Jason Castro makeover, stat. Top 12 for sure.
Luke (the guy who looks like Dylan from Beverly Hills 90210)
Snore snore snore. See ya later, Dylan McKay.
Robbie (the former pop-tart boybander, now turned badass...*snicker*)
You didn't convince me. Good voice, but let's just all go back to the comfort zone and start pumping out a few 98 Degrees tunes, shall we? You know you want to. It doesn't matter how long you abstain from showering, even your do-rag can't erase the fact that you opened for Britney Spears. Yet probably top 12 anyway.
Michael (the Australian)
Delicious. A trip to the orthodontist wouldn't kill him, but he's got the rest of the package. Good voice, plenty of style, good looks, thank you, goodnight. Shoe-in for top 12.
One last note....Barack rules. I might even change my name to Gina MacDonald-Obama. Hillary's going down (and not in a good way).
Stay tuned tomorrow, I'll run down the AI girls.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Big Brother....The Beginning
OK, a short BB blog. (Who am I kidding, is anything I write ever short?)
I originally thought the couples thing was going to be stupid. It's not really fair to get evicted based on your partner's actions (as that girl saw last night). But also, it's almost like there's only 8 people in the house, since they'll be evicted in twos. The most obvious difference between this show and other seasons of BB, is that they didn't take looks into consideration. At least it doesn't seem like they did. Quite a hard looking group of contestants, for the most part.
Anyway....
Sharon & Jacob (the ones who got evicted last night)
Jacob had a big mouth, and he reminded me a lot of Trevor Boudreau looks-wise. Sharon was understandably bitter, both before and after the eviction, and I think she had a huge disadvantage by being paired up with someone who's mere presence in the house made her vulnerable. Useless #1 and useless #2. See ya later.
Alex & Amanda (aka, cute guy & "good body" girl)
He's really cute. She's got the "best body" (?Really?), but I could easily have been convinced she was a drag queen. Whatever, boring vibes from these two. Too much grab-ass, not enough conflict.
Allison & Ryan (aka, Jen's secret boyfriend & his not-at-all-notable partner)
Interesting that they actually put a few big-boned, chunky guys in the show, since it's usually just metrosexual pretty boys. I think Ryan is my favorite. Too bad his girlfriend had to open her big yap and tell about their relationship, that should have been kept a secret. But it was pretty funny how Allison was so visibly disappointed that Ryan was spoken for. She reacted as though she expected a bit of nookie with him during her stay in the house.
James & Chelsia (aka, the bicycle guy & the chick with the Posh Spice haircut)
Boooooring. Nothing to say. Except I am automatically annoyed by a girl who has a made-up name. Chelsia. Ridiculous.
Matt & Natalie (aka, obnoxious Boston guy & girl with big boobs)
Matt drove me up the wall right from his introduction. He's going to be my most hated contestant. And Natalie...well, she does have big boobs, doesn't she. At least she was smart enough to enhance them for the first house meet & greet. Made an otherwise forgettable girl very memorable, at least to the guys.
Joshuah & Neil (aka, the gay guys)
Why am I not surprised, the best looking guys in the house like each other. Life isn't fair sometimes. Still, these guys haven't stood out at all, at least not yet. I have high-ish hopes.
Adam & Sheila (aka, the ugly ogre & the old lady)
Let me be the first to say it: Adam is the ugliest man in reality TV history. His personality makes it even worse, but even on their own, his looks are almost enough to warrant dislike. I can't even look at the screen when he's on, he just repulses me. Also, he reminds me of a guy I went to school with (11th Loyola readers, I think you know who I'm talking about), which adds to my disgust. I thought Sheila was a victim of circumstance, but she got on my nerves last night, too. I think they need to go home.
Parker & Jen (aka, the black guy & the perky blonde)
I don't know, am I the only one who's bored? Or is it just too early? I thought there might be some potential in the fact that Jen & Ryan's jealousy could make things fun to watch, but they had to open their big mouths and spill the beans already, which ruins everything. And Parker seems a bit too sensitive. Of course people are going to call you names and talk behind your back, it's Big Brother! Waking everybody up in the middle of the night to find out who called you a snake? Friggin' drama queen.
It all makes me miss Janelle and Will. Even Jen & Dick. How sad.
Until next week. But only if things get more interesting.
I originally thought the couples thing was going to be stupid. It's not really fair to get evicted based on your partner's actions (as that girl saw last night). But also, it's almost like there's only 8 people in the house, since they'll be evicted in twos. The most obvious difference between this show and other seasons of BB, is that they didn't take looks into consideration. At least it doesn't seem like they did. Quite a hard looking group of contestants, for the most part.
Anyway....
Sharon & Jacob (the ones who got evicted last night)
Jacob had a big mouth, and he reminded me a lot of Trevor Boudreau looks-wise. Sharon was understandably bitter, both before and after the eviction, and I think she had a huge disadvantage by being paired up with someone who's mere presence in the house made her vulnerable. Useless #1 and useless #2. See ya later.
Alex & Amanda (aka, cute guy & "good body" girl)
He's really cute. She's got the "best body" (?Really?), but I could easily have been convinced she was a drag queen. Whatever, boring vibes from these two. Too much grab-ass, not enough conflict.
Allison & Ryan (aka, Jen's secret boyfriend & his not-at-all-notable partner)
Interesting that they actually put a few big-boned, chunky guys in the show, since it's usually just metrosexual pretty boys. I think Ryan is my favorite. Too bad his girlfriend had to open her big yap and tell about their relationship, that should have been kept a secret. But it was pretty funny how Allison was so visibly disappointed that Ryan was spoken for. She reacted as though she expected a bit of nookie with him during her stay in the house.
James & Chelsia (aka, the bicycle guy & the chick with the Posh Spice haircut)
Boooooring. Nothing to say. Except I am automatically annoyed by a girl who has a made-up name. Chelsia. Ridiculous.
Matt & Natalie (aka, obnoxious Boston guy & girl with big boobs)
Matt drove me up the wall right from his introduction. He's going to be my most hated contestant. And Natalie...well, she does have big boobs, doesn't she. At least she was smart enough to enhance them for the first house meet & greet. Made an otherwise forgettable girl very memorable, at least to the guys.
Joshuah & Neil (aka, the gay guys)
Why am I not surprised, the best looking guys in the house like each other. Life isn't fair sometimes. Still, these guys haven't stood out at all, at least not yet. I have high-ish hopes.
Adam & Sheila (aka, the ugly ogre & the old lady)
Let me be the first to say it: Adam is the ugliest man in reality TV history. His personality makes it even worse, but even on their own, his looks are almost enough to warrant dislike. I can't even look at the screen when he's on, he just repulses me. Also, he reminds me of a guy I went to school with (11th Loyola readers, I think you know who I'm talking about), which adds to my disgust. I thought Sheila was a victim of circumstance, but she got on my nerves last night, too. I think they need to go home.
Parker & Jen (aka, the black guy & the perky blonde)
I don't know, am I the only one who's bored? Or is it just too early? I thought there might be some potential in the fact that Jen & Ryan's jealousy could make things fun to watch, but they had to open their big mouths and spill the beans already, which ruins everything. And Parker seems a bit too sensitive. Of course people are going to call you names and talk behind your back, it's Big Brother! Waking everybody up in the middle of the night to find out who called you a snake? Friggin' drama queen.
It all makes me miss Janelle and Will. Even Jen & Dick. How sad.
Until next week. But only if things get more interesting.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Anger, Sorrow & Perspective
Last week, on an Indian Reserve in Saskatchewan, during a bitter cold spell in the West, two little girls were killed. I say they were killed, not just that they died, because their parents caused their death. Their Mom and Dad had argued that evening and the mother left the two toddlers alone with their drunk father. The father was so intoxicated that he took the girls outside in diapers and t-shirts, somehow dropped them in a field, and forgot all about them. The temperature outside was nearing -50. When the father was being treated at the hospital hours later, he asked where his kids were, and only then were authorities alerted to the horrible events of the night before and the tragic consequences of his actions. The little girls were 1 and 3 years old.
As you might imagine, I could go on for hours about this tragedy. But I won't even start on the gross negligence of people who expose their young children to an environment filled with drugs and alcohol. Or the irresponsibility of a mother who leaves her kids with someone too drunk to care for himself, let alone two babies in diapers. Or a father who would take his kids from their beds at night to roam the streets, drunk, in frigid temperatures. And I won't even begin to go off on someone who would drop their babies in the snow and walk away. Who forgets about them for hours, as they perish in the middle of a field. Nor will I comment on a community so accustomed to abhorrent behavior and substance abuse that these parents were allowed to engage in this kind of activity, at their children's peril, without any intervention. Where this tragedy is not only accepted, but tolerated, and even justified. "It's not his fault, he has a drinking problem. He's very sorry." Couldn't I just snap when I hear that. That excuse would never fly with Children's Aid here in town, nor with the people who live in Port Hawkesbury, or in any other responsible community in the civilized Western world. No, I won't write an article about the parents or the community. My blood is boiling, and once I start ranting, I won't be able to stop. God knows I've lost enough sleep over it already.
Life is unfair when people lacking the character and heart to care for children, are blessed with that privilege and then abuse it. There are people in this world who would have cherished and protected those two little girls, some of which have, through no fault of their own, lost the opportunity to do the same for their own children. It makes me sick to my stomach just thinking about it. When I think about families like that of Karissa Boudreau, the little girl who disappeared in Bridgewater, and all the other people who have lost their own children, it breaks my heart. And then I hear about selfish people who throw it all away? It disgusts and infuriates me.
My kids are noisy and hyper and can be, quite frankly, extremely annoying. I've told them countless times to be more quiet, to stop running. My grandmother always says, "Let them run. If they couldn't move or speak, you'd wish they would." Never before has that wisdom hit home more than this past week. I'll keep the newspaper clipping of the story of those two little Saskatchewan girls on my fridge, to remind us every time we get frustrated, how lost we'd be without that same noise and chaos we complain about.
It can be difficult to see your children's beauty as they're swinging from the light fixtures and dumping boxes of Froot Loops on the living room rug. But let us all have the presence of mind to provide the protection and care that every child deserves, even when life challenges us. Let us all ensure the safety of the kids around us and make changes where necessary, even if it means sticking your nose where you otherwise wouldn't. As parents, let us remember that kids are the light in our lives. And when it gets tough, remember those mothers and fathers who would do anything to hear that yelling and thumping.
"Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone...."
As you might imagine, I could go on for hours about this tragedy. But I won't even start on the gross negligence of people who expose their young children to an environment filled with drugs and alcohol. Or the irresponsibility of a mother who leaves her kids with someone too drunk to care for himself, let alone two babies in diapers. Or a father who would take his kids from their beds at night to roam the streets, drunk, in frigid temperatures. And I won't even begin to go off on someone who would drop their babies in the snow and walk away. Who forgets about them for hours, as they perish in the middle of a field. Nor will I comment on a community so accustomed to abhorrent behavior and substance abuse that these parents were allowed to engage in this kind of activity, at their children's peril, without any intervention. Where this tragedy is not only accepted, but tolerated, and even justified. "It's not his fault, he has a drinking problem. He's very sorry." Couldn't I just snap when I hear that. That excuse would never fly with Children's Aid here in town, nor with the people who live in Port Hawkesbury, or in any other responsible community in the civilized Western world. No, I won't write an article about the parents or the community. My blood is boiling, and once I start ranting, I won't be able to stop. God knows I've lost enough sleep over it already.
Life is unfair when people lacking the character and heart to care for children, are blessed with that privilege and then abuse it. There are people in this world who would have cherished and protected those two little girls, some of which have, through no fault of their own, lost the opportunity to do the same for their own children. It makes me sick to my stomach just thinking about it. When I think about families like that of Karissa Boudreau, the little girl who disappeared in Bridgewater, and all the other people who have lost their own children, it breaks my heart. And then I hear about selfish people who throw it all away? It disgusts and infuriates me.
My kids are noisy and hyper and can be, quite frankly, extremely annoying. I've told them countless times to be more quiet, to stop running. My grandmother always says, "Let them run. If they couldn't move or speak, you'd wish they would." Never before has that wisdom hit home more than this past week. I'll keep the newspaper clipping of the story of those two little Saskatchewan girls on my fridge, to remind us every time we get frustrated, how lost we'd be without that same noise and chaos we complain about.
It can be difficult to see your children's beauty as they're swinging from the light fixtures and dumping boxes of Froot Loops on the living room rug. But let us all have the presence of mind to provide the protection and care that every child deserves, even when life challenges us. Let us all ensure the safety of the kids around us and make changes where necessary, even if it means sticking your nose where you otherwise wouldn't. As parents, let us remember that kids are the light in our lives. And when it gets tough, remember those mothers and fathers who would do anything to hear that yelling and thumping.
"Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone...."
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Dear Britney
Dear Britney,
Apparently you haven't been keeping up with your correspondence. I wrote to you months ago, but I'll assume, given you had "other things" to do, that you didn't get a chance to read it. Allow me to try again.
It's a shame someone like me has to write this letter, but you're in desperate need of an outside intervention.
Though your music was never really my cup of tea, there was no denying that you were an excellent performer with many talents. Vocal talent? Er, maybe not so much. But so what if you could be the poster girl for pitch correction software? Your trademark lip-syncing techniques, blush-inducing dance moves, and million dollar porcelain veneers, more than made up for the weaknesses in your voice. You might have been the most iconic and famous young girl in the world, and I was rooting for you.
I guess there is truth to the old adage, "nowhere to go but down".
With a huge, savvy public relations machine to shield and spin your various indiscretions, your early slip-ups were cited as "typical young Hollywood". Unfortunately, the speeches doled out by your "people" didn't hold much water as your wild behavior escalated. How you managed to get tangled up with Kevin Federline I'll never quite understand, but next thing I knew, you were buying small dogs together, racing to the alter, and popping out babies like they were going out of style. And still I gave you the benefit of the doubt.
And then came the Fed-Ex fiasco. At the beginning of your relationship, no one would have predicted that Kevin was the stable one, but it didn't take long after your separation for the truth to come out. Within a few weeks of being single, you embraced the partying lifestyle with more enthusiasm than Robert Downey, Jr. By rights, you should still be hungover. To list all your bad behavior would result in a bad case of carpal-tunnel, but let's recap a bit, shall we? Emerging "commando" from a car in full view of the world media, shaving your head, attacking photographers with everything from umbrellas to new Mercedes, binge drinking, half-hearted attempts at rehab in a number of different facilities, bare-footed excursions to gas station bathrooms all over Malibu, missing important court-ordered proceedings, that disastrous VMA "comeback" performance, the newly-acquired British accent, need I continue? On and on it went, until your everyday antics left Mary Hart and Billy Bush foaming at the mouth in anticipation of your next adventure. I just assumed someone would intervene eventually; this very public psychotic break was becoming difficult to watch, especially now that Child Services was breathing down your neck. Surely someone will step in and shake the stupid out of this girl, I thought.
I was wrong.
Britney, you lost custody of your kids. You lost custody of your kids for goodness sake! Let that marinade for a few minutes. Has it sunk in? At all? Your last episode resulted in an internationally televised police showdown, custody dispute, and hospitalization. In recent days, you've had numerous mental breakdowns, all captured by the watchful eye of the paparazzi. Don't you think this has gone far enough? Your antics point to either mind-numbing stupidity, or severe addiction and mental illness. I surmise the latter. For that reason, I suppose it's pointless to try to reason with you at this point.
However, someone has to do something. Dr. Phil was too busy flushing all his rapidly-diminishing credibility down the toilet to actually be of assistance to you. Your mother should have taken you by those nasty extensions and dragged your behind out of the spotlight and back to the Louisiana bayou, but she's too busy selling the story of your 16-year-old sister's recent pregnancy and waiting by the mailbox for her "Mother of the Year" award. The judge in your custody case could have issued an order for the paparazzi to stay away from you and your kids. And with all the assorted "boyfriends", "managers", "assistants", and "cousins", someone from your camp should have sought help for you long before you reached this tragic state. You might never be able to recapture your former glory, but at least with some help, you could overcome your addictions, balance your meds, and possibly be able to see your kids again someday.
You have reached a point where even the tabloids and those who thrive on your misery, aren't interested in making light of your situation anymore. To most of the public, unless you're dead or cured, it's just more of the same. Now is the time to get your act together and get some serious help. Suck it up and admit yourself into a reputable rehab center or psychiatric facility, a strict one. Who knows, a nice long stay in the country, free of photographers and chaos, might be just what the doctor ordered. Feel free to drop by anytime (for a modest fee, of course), as I doubt I'll hear any objections from those living in this house, without mentioning any names.
We're all pulling for you Britney,
Signed,
Gina & everyone I know
Apparently you haven't been keeping up with your correspondence. I wrote to you months ago, but I'll assume, given you had "other things" to do, that you didn't get a chance to read it. Allow me to try again.
It's a shame someone like me has to write this letter, but you're in desperate need of an outside intervention.
Though your music was never really my cup of tea, there was no denying that you were an excellent performer with many talents. Vocal talent? Er, maybe not so much. But so what if you could be the poster girl for pitch correction software? Your trademark lip-syncing techniques, blush-inducing dance moves, and million dollar porcelain veneers, more than made up for the weaknesses in your voice. You might have been the most iconic and famous young girl in the world, and I was rooting for you.
I guess there is truth to the old adage, "nowhere to go but down".
With a huge, savvy public relations machine to shield and spin your various indiscretions, your early slip-ups were cited as "typical young Hollywood". Unfortunately, the speeches doled out by your "people" didn't hold much water as your wild behavior escalated. How you managed to get tangled up with Kevin Federline I'll never quite understand, but next thing I knew, you were buying small dogs together, racing to the alter, and popping out babies like they were going out of style. And still I gave you the benefit of the doubt.
And then came the Fed-Ex fiasco. At the beginning of your relationship, no one would have predicted that Kevin was the stable one, but it didn't take long after your separation for the truth to come out. Within a few weeks of being single, you embraced the partying lifestyle with more enthusiasm than Robert Downey, Jr. By rights, you should still be hungover. To list all your bad behavior would result in a bad case of carpal-tunnel, but let's recap a bit, shall we? Emerging "commando" from a car in full view of the world media, shaving your head, attacking photographers with everything from umbrellas to new Mercedes, binge drinking, half-hearted attempts at rehab in a number of different facilities, bare-footed excursions to gas station bathrooms all over Malibu, missing important court-ordered proceedings, that disastrous VMA "comeback" performance, the newly-acquired British accent, need I continue? On and on it went, until your everyday antics left Mary Hart and Billy Bush foaming at the mouth in anticipation of your next adventure. I just assumed someone would intervene eventually; this very public psychotic break was becoming difficult to watch, especially now that Child Services was breathing down your neck. Surely someone will step in and shake the stupid out of this girl, I thought.
I was wrong.
Britney, you lost custody of your kids. You lost custody of your kids for goodness sake! Let that marinade for a few minutes. Has it sunk in? At all? Your last episode resulted in an internationally televised police showdown, custody dispute, and hospitalization. In recent days, you've had numerous mental breakdowns, all captured by the watchful eye of the paparazzi. Don't you think this has gone far enough? Your antics point to either mind-numbing stupidity, or severe addiction and mental illness. I surmise the latter. For that reason, I suppose it's pointless to try to reason with you at this point.
However, someone has to do something. Dr. Phil was too busy flushing all his rapidly-diminishing credibility down the toilet to actually be of assistance to you. Your mother should have taken you by those nasty extensions and dragged your behind out of the spotlight and back to the Louisiana bayou, but she's too busy selling the story of your 16-year-old sister's recent pregnancy and waiting by the mailbox for her "Mother of the Year" award. The judge in your custody case could have issued an order for the paparazzi to stay away from you and your kids. And with all the assorted "boyfriends", "managers", "assistants", and "cousins", someone from your camp should have sought help for you long before you reached this tragic state. You might never be able to recapture your former glory, but at least with some help, you could overcome your addictions, balance your meds, and possibly be able to see your kids again someday.
You have reached a point where even the tabloids and those who thrive on your misery, aren't interested in making light of your situation anymore. To most of the public, unless you're dead or cured, it's just more of the same. Now is the time to get your act together and get some serious help. Suck it up and admit yourself into a reputable rehab center or psychiatric facility, a strict one. Who knows, a nice long stay in the country, free of photographers and chaos, might be just what the doctor ordered. Feel free to drop by anytime (for a modest fee, of course), as I doubt I'll hear any objections from those living in this house, without mentioning any names.
We're all pulling for you Britney,
Signed,
Gina & everyone I know
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