Greetings…

Today is on of those days that a headache has caused a lack of
creativity that is going to have an effect on today’s column.
I thought I would wait until something came to me and when it
didn’t and I was still staring at the screen. In fact, I’m
actually staring at it while I’m typing. American Idol is on
and while I know here are plenty of people who don’t watch it,
like it or not, it’s one of the most popular TV shows judging
by the weekly ratings, which although are down a little
this year, are still a ratings bonanza…

I’m not sure what it is this year, but up to now, I think the
show has been a big disapointment for a few reasons. The new
way of choosing the final 12 is long, drawn out, and (I think),
unfair. I’m having a hard time remembering most of the names
because, quite frankly, so far they are unimpressive. That
being said, there ARE two I have remembered from the beginning,
and not necessarily because of their voices…

Adam…Picked him to win it all the first time he walked into the
audition room. His voice wasn’t the immediate reason I picked him.
The “look” was and although he can sing OK, he has the “it” factor
and that can get you far, even if the voice may not be stupendous…

Last year, David Cook had the “it” factor, but he had the voice to
go with it, and combined with his versatility, he is still my favorite
Idol to date…

The other memorable person for me is someone that loads of people
hate, feel is wasting the show’s time, and hope they never see him
again. That would be Nick Mitchell and and his “Norman Gentile”
alter ego, a campy, comedic singer who has a voice buried inside
of a very funny performer. No matter what, I believe we will be
seeing him again, somewhere, someplace, and guaranteed to be in
the American Idol finale as one of the acts…

The show just ended and again, the names of the ones that went
through to the next round escape me, except for one…Adam

Oh well, I guess I should stop waiting for the brain to signal
something to me and get going. Before I do, however, I want
to wish Dizzy, my “baby” a very happy birthday. Tomorrow, he
will be 27 and of course, that, in itself makes me sit up straight
in my chair to come to the realization that my baby is that old…

He has the type of personality that makes him not only easy
to be around, but a true joy to be around, he’s funny, witty,
and creative. These traits are all encased in a rather reserved
demeanor. He still lives at home, which may seem odd for a “kid”
his age, but his personality and the way he is makes it a non-issue
and no big deal. He’s that easy to get along with and he and Flyboy
have such a good relationship that it’s hard to believe they aren’t
father and son. It also helps having him around to watch Moose and
Ginger when Flyboy and I are away from home. I often wonder if the
hesitation to leave has been because of the love he had for Keno
and Mystic, and now Moose and Ginger…

So to my son, aka “Dizzy”, I want to wish you a happy birthday and
let the world know how much I love you…

I’d also like to wish my nephew a happy birthday. He shares the
same birthday and turns 20 on Saturday…

When your kids are little, you can’t wait for them to grow up and
when they finally do, you spend a lot of time looking back at the
time they were young. Your eyes sometimes fill with tears…

Probably because the lines in your face and grey hairs are a direct
result of their childhood huh?

Have a great weekend everyone!