Gracefully

So, I'm getting older. Not much I can do about it -- the only remedy for getting old is dying young and I'd just as soon stick around for awhile. After all, I've got a new little one in my life that I've got to teach a thing or two. When parents get ridiculous (and we/they all do), that's when grandparents step in to set everyone straight. We just can't be too obvious about it.

Anyway, this aging thing is not a lot of fun. Because of the DNA I so blessedly received, unless they discover a new wonder drug, I'm going to suffer with arthritis for the rest of my life, and it's likely to get worse instead of better. Also, because of inherited traits, I have high blood pressure and thyroid issues but they are under control. I have a few gray hairs -- including stupid "sideburns" that stick out like something scared me half to death. It's just a part of the way it is and, like anybody else, I'm dealing with the hand I was dealt as gracefully as possible.

But there are some good things about getting older. There are times now when I can truly say "don't have to, don't wanna, ain't gonna'". I don't have to worry about being "cool" or "with it" because I really don't care and, if I did, who else would? There's not much worse than an "older" person trying to hold onto a youth that has gone with the wind. No, I'm not completely comfortable in my skin -- I've never seen a photo of myself that I really liked -- I need to lose weight and it worries me but mostly for health reasons -- and in those moments of sheer rage when I'm trying on clothes. I have that deadly combination of love food/hate exercise. But, otherwise, the wrinkles are here to stay and, though I never say never, there won't be any Botox going on anytime soon.

But...

It's one thing to look in the mirror and see yourself -- I've done it for many, many years -- there hasn't been anything that has surprised me. I haven't gotten up one morning and found any drastic change from the day before. Same with the people I see every day -- my children grew up -- but, as with all aging, it was gradual. They were not little, then suddenly, big. Neither was my belly. My husband looks the same to me now as he did back then -- though if I look back at pictures of ourselves, this is not actually the case -- but, living day to day, the passage of time is just not that noticeable.

But then, I see pictures of people I used to know -- people who I have not had the privilege of seeing from day to day, week to week or even year to year. For some of them, Father Time has been generous; for others, not so much. And the thing is, I don't know where I fit in the spectrum because we never see ourselves the way others do. This can be good or bad and maybe it's better to never know which one it is. Anyway, it's seeing my contemporaries that make me realize that time has indeed been parading by while I was busy doing something else. And, while on the inside, my thought processes and the things that make me tick, haven't changed all that much, the outside surely has to those who haven't been around to watch me gradually get older.

And then there's Men Without Hats.

What, you may ask, are you talking about this time, fangurl?

Well, they were group which had one major (and, maybe one minor) hit back in the early 80s. The lead singer was named Ivan -- I even called a character in one of my (unpublished) novels by that name. I could Safety Dance until the cows came home -- though I had no idea what a "safety dance" actually was (I do now...thank you Wikipedia...it only took me nearly 30 years to figure it out). Watching the video of the song just recently (that would be thanks to YouTube), I was transported back to another time and I couldn't keep my feet still but, oh, Lord, why didn't I just stop there?


But, no, I had to look Ivan up and what he was doing today and reality hit me with a thunk. He is, like me, no longer young -- and no longer hirsute -- which is why, perhaps, he's wearing a hat nowadays. Anyway, I've been trying to reconcile then and now, though I'm not at all sure that reconciliation is actually possible.

I'm also thinking safety dance might have a whole other meaning nowadays -- like be careful, because if you fall off that stage, it's gonna' hurt like hell.

Apparently, Men Without Hats (Ivan is the only original member  -- which included two of his brothers -- participating) is going on tour.

With the B-52s.

Call me jaded -- I prefer realistic -- but I just don't think that love shack is going to be shimmying like it used to.

But I'd pay to see it.

If I can stay up that late.

RIP, John Dye 1/31/63 - 1/10/11

We used to gather the kids together on Sunday nights to watch Touched by An Angel...he was one of my favorites and I hope there was someone like "Andrew" waiting for him on the Other Side...

I admit it...I have a crush on Charles Krauthammer...

I wish he'd run for office...I don't think I've disagreed with him on anything:

 "There is a convention that all things partisan or ideological are to be frowned upon as "divisive." This is a piety that deserves to have a stake driven through its heart. What's the point of a two-party democracy if not to present clear, alternative views of society, the ...role of government, and ultimately, the balance between liberty and equality -- the central issue for any democracy?"...Charles Krauthammer

Long overdue David Lee Smith post...

Last night was the season premiere of one of my favorite shows. Or it was. I'm not so sure anymore. I've watched CSI:MIAMI since its first airing -- started watching it, actually, before I started watching the original CSI.

Everything was going pretty good on MIAMI until a couple of seasons ago. The character of "Julia" was introduced and, as it turned out, she and Horatio Caine had a son. I think I've said this before but it's worth repeating -- nothing against Elizabeth Berkley but her appearance as Horatio's former lover had to be one of the worst casting decisions ever. She was around for a few episodes; the son for a few more -- then he got shipped off to Iraq or something -- I can't even remember. The "big deal" became a "so what."

Then there is the Calleigh/Eric lovefest. Gag me with the proverbial spoon. I have hated this from the first time she blinked her lovely eyes his way. I do know that two people who have never looked at one another in that way can suddenly find themselves in love (or lust) but this has been on the silly side from the get-go. There are plenty of fans out there that absolutely love this pairing -- I'm just not one of them. I like Emily Proctor, who plays Calleigh, but I just don't see or get the chemistry between her and Adam Rodriquez. But, then again, when Adam left the show for a short period, I didn't miss him so maybe he's the element that really doesn't move me.

But here's the real problem.

In seasons past, the one very bright spot in the CSI:MIAMI universe has always been the anticipation of an appearance by Horatio's nemesis, Rick Stetler. He might only appear for two minutes in a few episodes per season but I always knew there would be tension between him and Horatio (and other team members) when he did. I don't know how or when it happened but I became a huge fan of the actor, David Lee Smith, who portrayed Rick. What's bugging me is that I just had to write that word in the past tense -- portrayed instead of portrays. They basically took his character, turned him into something he wasn't (a thief and, worse, a murderer) and sent him packing. For those people who watched this with glee, please. You remove all the "villains" from a show and what have you got? Hmmm...how about the above-mentioned Calleigh/Eric icky slobberfest?

So, as I watched the season premiere of CSI:MIAMI, I realized (as I expected) that I wasn't feeling the usual anticipation and delight at seeing "old friends" on my TV screen. They wrapped this particular psychopath-story up in record time -- and it contained more holes than a hunk of Swiss cheese. And, of course, Jesse died. Jesse was played by Eddie Cibrian who was brought on, to much fanfare, when Adam Rodriquez (see above) left the show. Of course, Adam's return pretty much put the nail in the coffin for Eddie -- they couldn't possibly have two pretty boys so one had to go. Last hired, first fired, I guess. The show was anti-climatic because I, as well as most fans of the show, knew that Eddie had not been offered a new contract. So, it was pretty clear that he would not be getting up from the poison gas attack in the lab.

Well, I don't really care. They could have all stayed on the floor as far as I'm concerned. I'll probably keep watching, out of habit, but I'm no longer enamored, though hope springs eternal -- they've brought characters back from the dead, so why not back from prison? And, anyway, I don't have a problem seeing Stetler in an orange jumpsuit -- it would go along with all the crazy-colored shirts and ties they always put him in, anyway.

I've got a Facebook fan group (as well as a small section on my personal forum) for David Lee Smith (links on right-hand side of blog) and I'll carry on with my copious complaining and whining. It may not do one bit of good but it sure makes me feel better.

It's going to get worse, though, before it gets better. I'm almost finished with writing/editing a novel in which I use DLS as my "muse". If you don't write, you may not understand this entirely but letting a story and characters go -- after they've been living and speaking (and Cade has been speaking in a glorious Alabama accent, which I hear perfectly because I'm right next-door in Georgia) -- in my head, is not easy. Knowing that Stetler is not going to be popping up on CSI:MIAMI makes it even more difficult to let go. It's like losing him twice. I don't expect everyone to understand my chaotic brain but that's how I roll. So, expect more bitterness in the near future.

Really, all I need is for David Lee Smith to show up, as a recurring character (or even just a guest spot, at this point) in some other show. If and when that happens, I'll consider forgiving CSI:MIAMI. But, until then, I'm holding a grudge.


(Thanks to Anne for the The David Lee Smith Society banner)

Nothing like Orlando...

and 90-something degree weather...36,000 people...and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter...still looking for Lucious Malfoy...oops...meant Lucius....

Boycott

No, I'm not talking about Arizona - I'm going to let them figure out what they need to do on their own. I can't solve all the world's problems -- sometimes I can't even solve the ones in my own household so, Arizona, you have my permission to do your thing without my input.

There is one thing I do have control over, though -- the TV remote. If anybody ever needs my fingerprints, that would be a good place to start. I've been through several computer keyboards because I wear the letters off -- likewise with the remote (though, let's be fair, it's not just me). I do most of my TV watching by "shifting" -- because my TiVo and I are thisclose, commercials have become the enemy. Yeah, I know -- it's how they pay their bills -- but, at this point, if I have to watch something with commercials, I'm likely to say no thanks.

This TV season has been one of going cold turkey -- I guess maybe I get fed up quicker these days -- but, once I do, that's it. Boycott isn't really the correct word to use -- it's not that I'm protesting so much as I'm just at the point of y'all may carry on without me.

I ditched American Idol as soon as Tyler Grady was eliminated from the Top 24. Yeah, I know he must have gotten fewer votes but the judges comments -- and I do like a bit of Simon Cowell -- irritated me enough to make me quit. I do know who made the final two but only because you really can't avoid it if you can read or hear. However, the TiVo is still recording the show so I guess it's still being counted for ratings purposes. My bad.

I also dumped True Blood. I love vampires -- always have -- and sexy ones, like Bill, are right up my alley. But they crossed a line and my interest waned. I won't go into all of that because it involves religion -- let's just say I'm perfectly capable of enjoying and laughing at almost anything -- even if it's totally opposite to what I believe - but, there comes a point, where I'm just not laughing anymore -- and it's an hour of time I'll never get back. It's the same way I feel about books -- life is too short to read something you want to heave against the wall.

So, ba-doop, ba-doop.

But now it comes down to CSI:MIAMI

The show has been silly for the last couple of seasons -- probably not what they've been aiming for -- or maybe it's just my prickly sensitivities. One of the absolutely worst storylines involved Horatio and his former lover, Julia. I don't know even know where to begin but it was just downright stupid. I can't even get into the details because it makes my mouth curl up real ugly.

And then there's the Calleigh/Eric thing. Please. Just. Stop. It doesn't work on any level and it has dragged on for much too long with not much to show for it. Mismatched, no sparks -- I know what they say about opposites attracting but, sometimes, opposites just need to remain in separate corners. Now, along with my curled lip, I'm rolling my eyes.

Anybody who's been reading my blog or forum knows that my favorite moments in CSI:MIAMI revolved around the recurring character of Rick Stetler. Call him a jerk, call him arrogant -- he was Horatio's nemesis and was exactly what he was supposed to be. All I know is that the character wasn't brought in nearly enough.

Then, suddenly, it was Christmas in May. Three episodes in a row with Stetler -- but, what should have been joy, turned into a really bad feeling, really quick. A lot of talk about "inside jobs" and a "long-time character going down". And then a Hollywood source pretty much confirmed it -- though hope sprang eternal until the end.

I have watched CSI:MIAMI since it premiered -- in fact, I tuned into MIAMI before I watched the original CSI. I don't know why -- probably because it came on directly after Everybody Loves Raymond or Becker 0r something (I guess there is something to a lead-in show). And, probably, because I live in Georgia but have never been to Miami, it just seemed closer to home than Las Vegas. By the time Rick Stetler popped up in the second season, I was already hooked on the show. Stetler was, from the beginning, a thorn in Horatio's side -- I enjoyed the character but, honestly, I didn't pay much attention to who was playing the part. In fact, it wasn't until later on that my discerning ears told me that the actor had to be from the south -- people can fake southern accents but, to another southerner, they usually sound, well, fake -- so I looked him up on IMDB and found out that my ears had not deceived me. That pretty much tipped me over the edge and I became not only a Rick Stetler fan but a David Lee Smith fan as well.

But, last Monday, Miami said goodbye, in an absurd and totally out-of-character way, to Rick Stetler. They came up with some lame-ass back story which never had been peeped at and, over night (or so it seemed), Rick was not only a thief but a murderer.

Oh, no they didn't.

Well, yeah, they did. I do declare and bless his heart.

Telling myself, over and over, that it's just a TV show is not working for me. I'm still trembling with outrage. Okay, alright. I'm just massively irked.

Se, the thing is, until now, I could always depend on Rick showing up at some point -- so there was always something to look forward to, even if his appearances were few and far between (and usually way too brief). Now, I'm wondering -- do I even bother to keep watching?

But, here's the other thing. I've got some real long-term emotion invested in CSI:MIAMI -- even beyond Rick Stetler and David Lee Smith. All of these characters have been coming into my home for years (except for Jesse and Walter, neither to whom I've warmed). And, even though plots have been on the squirrel side of nutty, the show has always been fun. I don't know that I can just walk away.

I will say this, though, Rick Stetler's swan song gave David Lee Smith a chance to really shine (and let that Alabama accent come out, front and center) and, for that, it was almost worth it. Almost. If I had my way, I would rather he still be on the show occasionally than be gone forever. But they did not ask my opinion though I have not been shy about giving it to them, anyway -- before and after.

So, here's a toast to Rick Stetler -- gone but not forgotten -- and David Lee Smith -- I'll be checking IMDB obsessively...

And I'll probably continue to watch CSI:MIAMI. There's one episode left in this season -- will they even mention Stetler (as it was a pretty big damn deal what happened) or will it be as if he never existed? I keep thinking of ways to bring him back -- the possibilities are endless.

Here's an idea -- just let me write a script -- I'll work something out.

CSI:MIAMI moves to Sunday nights this fall. CSI:NEW YORK moves to Friday.

The David Lee Smith Society (on Facebook)

David Lee Smith...triple play...

So, what's up with CSI:MIAMI?

First they have a Rick Stetler drought and now they're putting him in three episodes in a row. I've heard some rumors that I don't really like and I'm holding my breath hoping they are not true...

Oh, me and my overwroughtness about a TV show...but I can't help it...I love this actor and I just don't get to see him often enough.

Please somebody, give the man his own show. Make him a doctor on Miami Medical. Give him his own CSI show. Put him in every sappy Hallmark movie you can throw at me -- I'll roll my eyes but I'll watch.

For goodness sake, make me happy, why don't you, oh powers-that-be in Hollywood?

And, oh yeah, while you're at it, can you get him to take his shirt off?

Dear Tyler Grady

I'm sure the last person you want weighing in on the American Idol debacle is someone old enough to be your mother. But weigh in, I shall.

I've been watching AI on and off since it premiered. Some years I've watched without emotional involvement, some years I've gotten a little too caught up. This was probably going to be another year of over-the-top emotions. That is until last Thursday night. Right now, though the TiVo is still set on season pass for AI, I'm not so sure I even want to watch.

I've never been 100% sure that AI is on the up and up as far as the voting or behind-the-scenes manipulations go, however, from the shocked looks on the two young men who should have been eliminated, I'm thinking nobody expected you to be gone so soon. Personally, I expected you to be in the Top Ten and was already thinking ahead to attending the AI tour in Charlotte, NC (where I've seen the show twice before). Now, I probably won't even look at the tour schedule.

People usually vote, during this competition, in two ways -- they vote each week for whoever they thought had the best vocals or they vote for one contestant, no matter what. I'm in the "one contestant" group. I picked you, in the auditions, and would have stuck with you through the whole thing. I was stunned that, for you, the whole thing ended with the first week of voting. I've yet to figure out why the judges criticized you for the very thing they praised you for before.

I'm still not sure what happened and maybe I'm just deluded. Maybe, because I was a teenager in the 70s, that type of music means a lot to me. Maybe because you remind me of my 22 year old son (before he cut all of his hair off -- and who, as far as I know, can't carry a note in a bucket but has taught himself to play the guitar -- and will take AC/DC over anything modern), I couldn't help but like you. Maybe it was simply your great voice. For whatever the reason, you were my pick -- even if I decide to watch AI for the rest of this season, I won't be voting.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. Now, I could make this really personal and say that God didn't want me to get overwrought this year so he removed the contestant who would have accomplished that for me. But I don't think God works that way -- I think he just had another plan for you. I hope that plan will include a continuation of your musical hopes and dreams.

But, for now, go back to school, get your degree and don't fall out of trees. And don't get discouraged.

Well, that's the mama in me coming out.

But the fan in me just wants to scream YOU ROCK!!

So, take care. Kiss your mama. And keep on keeping on.

Why? Don't know.

After the group performance tonight on Hollywood Week, he may be gone...but, for now, here's my early pick...Tyler Grady.

And now for my mantra...I will not go berserk...I will not go berserk...

Nothing could be finer...

than to be in Charleston, SC, for the Bold/Fresh tour...

Me? Conservative? You betcha!

Click here for a few photos and descriptions

Here I go again...

Last May, when American Idol ended and I was dismayed by the outcome, I swore that I would not watch AI again because I tend to get way too involved. I suppose I should have taken AI off the 'season pass' on TiVo, but I didn't, so the first show of the new season recorded last night And, well, once it recorded, what was I supposed to do? Delete it? Yeah. Right.

So, once again, a parade of folks who think they can sing, sprinkled with a few who actually can, flashed across the screen.

I haven't watched every season of AI. I started watching in the middle of the first season, then watched the next two, then burned out awhile and didn't watch at all. But, a couple of years ago, I started watching again -- and all was under control until Adam Lambert auditioned and I picked him immediately to win the competition. And, although he ended up second to Kris Allen, I think we all know who the real winner is. I like Kris well enough but Adam, oh, Adam... Yeah, I still got it bad and that ain't...a problem, as far as I'm concerned. But I may be seriously deluded.

But I have good reasons for watching this year -- or so I'm telling myself. Simon Cowell says this will be his last season on AI (although he'll be on another show -- The X-Factor -- next year). I want to see how Ellen Degeneres, with no musical background, handles the critiques of contestants. I want to hear Randy saw "dawg". And Kara? Well, she's yet to win me over -- and I already miss nutty Paula.

Well, I guess I could be watching worse things. And I think I have. But, at the same time, with all the horrid stuff going on in the world, it's actually not such a bad thing to have a ready-made escape, like AI, which requires no deep thought, can make me laugh and, if the winner is the wrong one, make me cry. For the record, I didn't cry last year. I was too numb.

This is where you might want to say step back, girlfriend...

Ah, well. Here I go again. I doubt if you could stop me. Probably the only thing that could would be Adam Lambert showing up for a private concert...

Two out of three of us living here would be delighted. And, yes, Shannon, I'll call you immediately...

Thoughts to begin the year with...

My first thought -- and prayer -- for the new year -- is please let it be a good one. It's probably too much to ask -- life is seldom good all the time (though God is). Anyway, here are some thoughts, things I'm looking forward to and things which are already bugging me...

Scrubs!

No, not the show (I've never seen it) but just that my husband will be wearing scrubs every day again! Now this may sound like a strange thing to be elated about but bear with me. When he was doing anesthesia, he wore scrubs every day -- anesthesia is a hospital-based service so he didn't even have an office -- he saw patients only in the hospital. When he did a fellowship in pain management, that changed. Though he still does procedures, he also sees patients in an office setting -- and, when he does that, he wears slacks and a button-down shirt. However, now that they are opening a block suite at the office, he will be going back and forth between procedures and office visits -- so he'll be back to wearing scrubs all day, every day -- and scrubs are a lot easier to launder! I am, on occasion, easily amused.

The state of the union

I wish I could stop worrying about this but it seems that things are getting worse day by day. Scary, scary stuff going on in DC. I hardly even know what to say anymore. But I feel really bad for future generations because they are going to get the brunt of all the foolish choices which are being made today.


The Endless Forest

The fifth and last book of the Into the Wilderness series by Sara Donati (penname of Rosina Lippi) is coming out this month -- I pre-ordered from Amazon way back when. As with Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, I hate to see this one come to an end -- Nathaniel Bonner gave Jamie Fraser a run for his money in my book. However, I still haven't read DG's Echo in the Bone but I'll probably jump right into this one. I recommend this series to anybody who loves American history. Or anybody who loves to read.



Ball's up!

We're about to start our last year with the CSRA HEAT. I guess I should say Carrie is about to start her last year. It's bittersweet -- I won't miss getting up before dawn on Saturday mornings or the long days but I will miss watching her play. I'm sure, though, when we have an empty nest next year, we'll think of something to do on weekends. By the way, Mark hates it when someone yells "ball's up" -- it's like, where do you expect it to be? Kinda' goes without saying.

What up with that?

This skit (featuring Kenan Thompson) on Saturday Night Live literally makes me cry. I've seen him do it twice -- and I start laughing during the intro. There are no clips on Youtube. Which also makes me cry.

David Lee Smith on CSI: MIAMI

He has an episode coming up soon and I'm happy. For all my friends who are also DLS fans, here's a little something for you (from Mending Fences). Giddyup. By the way, anybody who wants to discuss DLS can come here and behave completely foolish along with the rest of us. University of Alabama graduate DLS is the only reason you'll ever hear this Georgia girl say, "Roll Tide."

Live and let love

Anybody who didn't think Adam Lambert would go over the top as soon as he could was kidding themselves. All the signs were there from the beginning. Unlike a lot of the people who try out for American Idol, Adam was already on the way to his destination. American Idol was just a connecting flight.

I confess I didn't watch Adam on the American Music Awards -- I had known he was going to be on -- and I try to catch him when I can -- but I didn't realize that the AMAs were on that particular night so I've only seen clips and photos of Adam's performance.

As a rock and roll lover from way back, I know some performers set out to awe us with bad behavior rather than with a performance showcasing actual talent. I think, in the recent past, it has happened at every music awards show save, perhaps, the Grammy's. It's sort of expected that somebody is going to push the envelope and get some people hot under the collar. For a beginner, Adam did it quite well, don't you think? I mean, why wait to let everybody know exactly who you are? And, yeah, I think he knew what he was going to do before he did it.

Though I'm quite -- okay, very -- conservative in most of my political views, there is one area that doesn't trouble me -- and that's homosexuality. There are far worse threats to civilization than what two consenting adults -- gay or straight -- are doing in private. I say live and let love.

But, do I think Adam went too far? Yeah, he probably did. He said, in a later interview, that he was not a "babysitter" but, even so, there is still a little thing called personal responsibility. There is a proper place and time for everything (within reason) and the AMAs were not the time and place to pull out all the stops - and this is true for any performer -- gay, straight or wherever they are on the spectrum. It may be true that young children shouldn't have been up that late -- or that their parents should have watched the show before letting their kids watch -- but, as a parent, I can tell you sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day.

Not having young kids now, I may be somewhat removed from outrage but, knowing me, this probably wouldn't have caused much. I would have probably just said, "my word" and let it go.

Then, after they were out of the room, I would've gone back and watched it again.

One good apple...

I couldn't let another day go by without mentioning Donny Osmond's win on Dancing With the Stars. I was really pulling for him -- though unlike my Adam Lambert American Idol frenzy, I never voted. Not once. But I'm so thrilled Donny won. When I was 10, he and his brothers were the first concert I ever attended -- forty years later, I still haven't forgotten it. At 51, he is even more of an inspiration -- and proof positive that sometimes nice guys do finish first. Way to go, Donny! I wish I had half the energy!!

Mike Huckabee in Augusta, GA

Was thrilled this morning to get a chance to meet Mike Huckabee at a booksigning at Barnes & Noble this morning. There were some 500 people in line -- we were numbers 288-290 -- we got to him at 8:45! There was no time for really personal photos or for one-on-one time with him -- just enough to say "glad to meet you" and for him to say "thanks for coming out" -- and we got to shake his hand! If you'd like to see a few more photos, go here.

Bring it on

I've been watching Saturday Night Live for some thirty years now -- I came in during the Eddie Murphy era and really only know the previous years to that (Belushi, etc) by seeing retrospectives and clips. SNL has waxed and waned. There have been years when everything was funny -- and years when nothing was. I remember one season was so bad, I almost stopped watching -- but I kept at it and I'm still watching today. It's the same as always -- some skits fall flat, others have me laughing out loud. Honestly, all I have to do is look at Kenan Thompson and I start giggling because I know whatever is about to come out of his mouth will have me in stitches -- even if the skit is horrible, he will be funny.

SNL has always been full of political humor -- and, for the most part -- no surprise -- it has leaned left. Right-leaning soul that I am, that hasn't stopped me from laughing -- so if it's funny -- even at the expense of someone I support -- I laugh. After all, that's what SNL is all about. I guess you could say that I'm a non-partisan laugher -- you won't see me making frowny-faces because a skit on SNL dissed one of my favorites.

So, I've really gotten a kick out of some of the responses I've heard about SNL's recent skits about President Obama. The show has done what they've always done -- taken something in the news and skewered it -- and I don't see why this president should be immune from it. Anyway, reading some of the way-too-serious accounts of what SNL got wrong is laughable in itself.

I mean, people, really, it's satire, is it not? Give it a rest. And laugh, for God's sake.

Anyway, this coming Saturday, Gerard Butler will be the host. Talk about waxing and waning -- I've pretty much waned -- or should I say -- weaned -- completely off of him -- but it ought to be interesting.

So, SNL, bring it on.

Kevin Skinner's Got Talent

Sometimes America gets it just right!!

I'm not even a country music fan but, for this guy, I'll buy the CD and put it right next to my Adam Lambert one!

Joey Molland & Badfinger

I had a wacky dream last night. Well, I suppose it was no wackier than usual but it made me look up someone, on the internet, I hadn't thought of in a long time.

I dreamed I was at a concert (various artists -- none whom I knew) and, after the show, some of the acts were signing autographs and selling merchandise/CDs. Okay, that sounds pretty normal -- but did I mention that when I was at the concert, I was a teenager and by the time I got to the signing, I was my present age? Anyway, some of the musicians had not performed in the concert and I was delighted to find one Joey Molland, who was, at one time, a member of a band I adored -- Badfinger.

Anyway, this dang dream must have gone on for an hour -- I told Joey about how Badfinger had been one of my favorites (who, my age, can forget Baby Blue or Day After Day?) and how I'd seen them in concert when I was around twelve (what older performer really wants to hear that -- I suppose it's better than telling someone your grandmother loved them). Anyway, Joey wasn't selling anything -- I wanted to buy a CD 0r something but he had nothing. Finally, after rooting around in his booth, he came up with something, which he gave me. I don't know what it was but I was thrilled to get it. And, when I got up this morning, I immediately got online to see what Joey has been up to lately.

The saga of the Badfinger line-up I knew was not a happy one -- of the four members, two committed suicide and one died of natural causes a few years ago. When I woke this morning, after dreaming of Joey, I thought, no, not you, too. But, as far as I can tell, Joey is still alive and kicking.

Sometimes I long to tell these people what they meant to me. I'm not a musician or a singer -- so I can't claim that kind of influence -- but Badfinger, like Three Dog Night, Black Oak Arkansas, Alice Cooper and KISS were my soundtrack of the 70's. But I'm sure plenty of folks have told them the same thing and I'd just be one more babbling voice not making much sense -- but I'd like to tell him about seeing the band in Macon, Georgia, and how I ran back inside, after everyone was gone, and saw them putting away their instruments. All I remember is yelling at Pete Ham -- who waved and smiled -- before I was escorted out by a policeman. I did not resist, by the way, and it was worth it.

I enjoyed "visiting" with Joey last night, even if it was only in my dreams. Now, it's time to put in a Badfinger CD and let the memories flow.

Time for another David Lee Smith post...

It's that time of year again -- time for the new season of TV to begin -- and that means I'm on the lookout for David Lee Smith in, well, anything. My biggest hope is, as always, CSI:Miami -- David plays Rick Stetler, an occasional character who ought to be on there every week, as far as I'm concerned. Here's where I make another plea for CSI: New Orleans. Or CSI: Atlanta. Or CSI:Houston.

I did get a thrill during the summer, though, when David popped up in the Hallmark movie, Mending Fences -- and was in almost every scene. Although the movie was set in Nevada, David's southern accent slipped through -- and that's always a bonus -- especially for someone like me who talks just like he does. I think I actually heard him say "git" in this movie -- my dream is to hear the words "fixin' to" come out of his mouth.

I'm working on a story right now in which I use David as my muse -- which mostly means I use the way he looks (including Mr. Mole), the way he sounds -- but next to nothing about his private life -- which I know very little about, anyway -- other than a tidbit or two which nobody but another fangurl would even get. Not sure if the story will go the distance -- it's too early to tell. And, oh, yeah, I'm setting it in Birmingham. That would be 'Bama, y'all.

Anyway, I'm posting this today because it's David's birthday -- so happy birthday, wherever you are. I hope you're working on something that will be on my TV screen very, very soon -- I do go into withdrawal, you know.

American Idol, Season 9

If I give even a peep about watching American Idol (Season 9), somebody needs to slap me.

The last one nearly gave me a stroke and I really don't need it -- if I could watch it like a sane person, it would be different. I've been watching America's Got Talent and will probably watch Dancing with the Stars again -- but neither one of those makes my blood pressure skyrocket -- and I don't bother to vote (okay, I voted once during the last season of Dancing but, after that, I just said no). I've watched American Idol before, too, without going ballistic -- but what if they have another Adam Lambert? What then? Well, they won't -- he's one of a kind -- but still...

Anyway, now that Paula Abdul has left Idol, I don't know -- I suppose it can still be entertaining, though the folks they are lining up to fill her spot are not my cup of tea. And, after hearing that Neil Patrick Harris, actor not singer, was serving as a judge in one of the cities, I thought, well, if that's not a nail in the coffin, I don't know what is. Nothing against him but really?

Okay, so here I go again, over-analyzing a stupid show which really has no need to be analyzed in the first place. It's entertainment and that's all it should be.

But I can't blast it too much because, without it, I might never have heard of David Cook or Adam Lambert. Or Clay Aiken, for that matter. Or Carrie Underwood might have never recorded a song which we used for a video at my daughter's wedding. Or I might still have the $35 I spent on a Adam shirt at the AI concert.

Ah, well...we'll see...but, seriously, if I say I'm watching it, please ask me to rethink the situation...