American Idol and other stuff

*If you haven't seen this weeks shows, you might not want to read on.  I haven't seen all of Thursday night's episode myself, so my "like" list does not mean they necessarily went on to the top 24.

So, I'm one of those people who LOVE American Idol.  I actually didn't see the first few seasons when it was probably at a more "pure" state.  I would love to see those old episodes sometime.  I was dreading this season because, frankly, I'm mostly a Simon fan. But I was also dreading it because it was so awful last year.  The judge dynamic was a mess, and Simon seemed incredibly bored with the whole process. 

I really thought that this year's judges panel would also be a mess because people (myself included) would continue to compare it to how well Randy, Simon, and Paula worked.  I must say I've been pleasantly surprised, and one of my theories has pretty much been shot.  My theory was that one reason the original three judges worked is because while they knew the business, they weren't REALLY visible in the business at that point.  Would their careers take a hit if they were "mean" to contestants?  Doubtful.  But you have Steven Tyler and JLo now who would most likely enjoy being able to sell more albums in their careers.  I didn't think they would be able to be critical for fear their popularity/fan base would take a hit. And after last night's episode it seemed that maybe I was right; that it was hard for JLo to be a judge.  But after seeing her reaction when she told Chris Medina he didn't make it, I now think it is hard for her to be a judge because she has a heart.  I didn't know she could be so...human. 

I read something that indicated that this year's panel is perfect for the state of America right now.  We simply need some good news, to see that young dreams can come true.  And in my opinion, the current judges give us a more "human" factor that had been missing for awhile.  I mean, sure, Jennifer is completely stunningly beautiful and Steven is completely stunningly a rock star, but they really seem to be human underneath all that.  It's nice to see.

Who are your early favorites?  There are several guys that I like this year.  I liked Chris a lot, but simply because he's a MAN.  He did not appear to be the best singer; not at all.  I like the James guy - the one who is a rocker, has cool hair and sings like Adam Lambert without the theatrics.  Oh and he also has Tourettes, unless he's singing.  Seems like a cool guy for sure. I like Tim, the scruffy guy who is now in the top 24.  I also like the country guy, Scotty.  What a voice.  And I like the guy from Tennessee...he's a little guy with a beard?  He has an incredibly special, silky voice.  Then there is the guy who sang a song while strumming his stand-up bass, Casey Abrahms.  He's so unique.  There are also several girls who are incredibly talented and quite beautiful.  I'll get to know them better later on.

I had so much fun tonight....I have the privilege of serving on the Women's Ministry Team at my church.  Tonight was one of our planning meetings.  We have some GREAT stuff coming up this year!  One thing I'm so excited about is something I don't actually get to help with much, and that is Apples of Gold.  Ladies, if you ever have an opportunity to participate as a mentor or a mentee, DO IT.  I already served as a mentee, and I lack the "seasoning" to be a mentor at this point in my life.  I learned so much and met people that I would most likely not have met otherwise.  What an awesome, awesome program.  We are also planning a retreat for later this year and have some terrific ideas for service projects.  I can't wait to see how things shake out. 

Oh, one last thing.  I said last time I'd share a poem with you.  Don't worry...I didn't write this one! I'm only including a portion of it, but check it out:

*taken from "The Courage to Heal" by Ellen Bass

*"...Once, we held out one fingertip to a woman with kind eyes
and she touched the pad of her finger to ours ­ for a moment.
Once, we were rocked in a safe lap and someone smoothed
back our hair with a tenderness not even we could deny.

But that wasn’t the end of it. It went on and on
beyond what we’d imagined, beyond what we’d signed up for.
We sat in fear like in our own urine. Our hearts
aching in our hollowed-out chests and down our empty arms.
We thought we would not survive.
Like stroke patients, we had to learn everything anew.
We saw how it had seeped into the corners of our lives like smoke.
Nothing was untainted, except the tough kernel we were born with,
the seed of who we could have been, could still be.

We reclaimed our bodies, inch by precious inch.
Feeling our own skin, astonished, like touching a newborn.
We tried out trust, like experimenting with drugs.
We went back to school. We took a vacation.
We spoke the truth. We did what we wanted.
We learned to sleep. We ate when we were hungry.

We woke in the morning, willing. We wanted
to be alive. We were hungry for all we’d missed.
We took it with eager, patient, or tentative hands
but we took it. We made a cup of tea
in our own kitchen and drank it at a blue table
on which we’d set a small bouquet of daffodils."

Blogging? Sure, why not.

My first new thing...yes, I'm blogging.  Aren't you the lucky one!?

Another new thing...today I decided to become a poet.  I think I have a long ways to go.  But hey...at least I'm trying something new.  And it made me not so blue.  Hah! See, I CAN be a poet.  But seriously, I honestly have never "liked" poetry.  But recently I've been given some awesome things to read, and now I am of the opinion that liking poetry is easier if you enjoy the topic.  Another time I will share some of my recent favorite pieces.

I really did pay attention to the meetings at work today, which was Professional Development Day.  The meetings/sessions all focused on campus safety, how to handle an emergency, proper procedures, etc.  Good stuff.  Sad that it is needed, but I'm grateful for having the opportunity to learn about it nonetheless.  Anyway, I think I was feeling kind of "dark" towards the end of the day and yes, as often happens for me, my thoughts did stray.  That's when I decided to write a poem.  I've written LOTS of stuff in my day.  Papers for school, opinion papers, research papers, academic research, commercials, marketing materials, technical writing, etc., etc.  But I'd never written a poem.  So, during the last 15 minutes of the last session of the day, I gave it a whirl.  Here are my first two poems. Ever.

Darkenss Falls
All is quiet. All is calm. Darkness falls.
There is no sun. There is no day. Darkness falls.
Cries go unheard. Hands are cold. Hearts are numb. Darkness falls.
There is no sky. There is no peace. Darkness falls.
Promises are broken. Darkness falls.
Hopes are dimmed. Darkness falls.
The sun comes up. Darkness falls.
Hearts are healed. Darkness falls.
One person hears. Darkenss falls.
One person listens. Darkness falls.
I believe. I love. I live. I heal.
Darkness falls no more.

Griffin
His eyes shine brightly.
His mind never stops.
His smile goes on for days.
His energy is contagious.
His laughter is the most beautiful ballad.
His voice the most delightful sonnet.
The world is his to own, the sky his only limit.
I want him to know he is cherished, that he matters.
He is light. He is life. He is love.
He is my son.

So, there you have it.  It's cool if you like it, but really I did it for myself.  Pretty cool that I did something for myself that didn't contain calories or cost money, huh?  I might have to try it again.

As for this bloggy blog, we'll see.  Again, it's cool if you like it, but really I'm doing it for myself.  :-)