To Blog or Not to Blog...

I am no longer inspired to write. [How many Blogs ago did I say something about getting bored with hobbies?] This poses a great dilemna for me: to just keep this Blog open and post sporatically, risking loosing the interest of my faithful, but often silent, readers? Or should I just hang it up and call it quits?

It's almost like breaking up from a relationship.

In the first stages of my relationship with this Blog, I was filled with great enthusiasm. I dreamed of endless possibilities and thought up countless ways to keep readers (and myself) interested. I was attentive, writing almost every week. I was witty and insightful (if I must say so myself). I paid attention to the details, labelling my weekly Blog in efforts to keep track of all the best parts. I received positive feedback and great support. I told everyone who would listen of my latest passion and bragged about the hopes that it would lead to something bigger. I was in love.

During the second stage, I wrote less often. Finding the time became more challenging as other interests soon started to attract me. My writing was a bit more careless and I found it difficult to think up clever ways to dress up a topic. My opinions, once engaging and, for the most part, light-hearted, started to become a bit edgier and sarcastic. Writing became more of a chore and less enjoyable. The responses I got were sporatic, at best. While I still had creative feelings and I yearned for more, the relationship was not as fulfilling.

Now in the final stages, I find myself at a crossroad. Will I be able to regain the heartfelt exuberance I once felt? Will I just end up calling it quits, bitterly disappointed with myself for not sticking it out?

There must be 50 ways to leave your Blog:

You just slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don’t need to be coy, Roy
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don’t need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free.

New Years Resolutions

It's at about this time every year that I realize the resolutions I set for myself on January 1 have been broken. I start out with good intentions and firm resolve but ever so slowly, I settle back into old habits and routines.

In the past, I have pledged a solemn vow to shed a few pounds, be a better person, volunteer, save more money and stick with my latest hobby. All have gone by the wayside. My excuses have ranged from not having enough time to having a paper cut. It's hard to admit being defeated by weak willpower and laziness.

This year, however, things are looking up! I made three resolutions and have struggled to keep them.

Read More: Whether it's People Magazine, the local newspaper or a juicy novel, I have actually been squeezing in some extra time to read. My original goal was to read more novels but I am finding it challenging to select books that can hold my interest. I have managed to read Crazy in America (The Hidden Tragedy of Our Criminalized Mentally Ill) by Mary Beth Pfeiffer; Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl; and Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez. While I know this is not a staggering number of books, it's a start. I just need to get to Barnes and Noble soon.

Drink More Water: I am notorious for only drinking a large cup of coffee and maybe one glass of Diet Pepsi a day. I can pinch the skin on the back of my hand and it stands up: a sign of dehydration. I just never feel really thirsty and it's challenging to take a water break when dealing with a classroom of teenager hooligans. I got a wake up call recently about the seriousness of not drinking enough when my opthamologist told me my eyes were too dry. I have been doing very well with getting a drink of water whenever I can and always having a bottle nearby. Think I'll get a cold glass of water now...

Stay in Touch With Family and Friends: This is a challenging one for me but I have been making a strong effort. The biggest obstacle is my intense dislike of talking on the phone. I think all those years of selling TVGuide on the phone ruined me for life. However, in this day and age, e-mail is my favorite method of communication. I am a great fan of sending newsy-updates of life at my household to those I hold nearest and dearest. The only discouraging part is the lack of response. So, if you are one of my regular reader that don't respond to my blog posts or my e-mails, GET WITH IT! You are putting a damper on my resolution.

So, there you have it! It's March 22 and I have stuck with my resolutions.
...let's see if I can make it to June...

American Idol Revisited

With only one or two exceptions, I am quite pleased with the selection of the top 12 finalists on American Idol. I am very surprised but very happy that Danny Noriega is gone. I thought for sure the "tweens" would keep him in the game (remember Sanjaya?). Luke had an annoying falsetto voice. I was never crazy about him. Kady Malloy was just a Barbie. I know that the goodbye song is always emotionally charged but she was totally off-key and unprofessional. Good reason to say "Buh-bye." Too bad about Asia'h, though. She proved herself to be a strong, determined and talented performer.

All in all, my original picks from 2/26 were pretty close. I lost Robbie Carrico, Danny and Asia'h.

Here are my updated predictions:

The first set to go (not in any particular order):

Chikezi: I do like this guy. When he goes all soulful and mellow, he's great. Problem is, you have to select from whatever the week's theme is and he isn't always making the right choices. If he can get it together, he may surprise me and move further up the ladder. He has been in the bottom before so that's usually a sign of things to come.

Amanda Overmyer: She's great at doing the harder-edge rock stuff. I don't think she's going to bring anything new to her performances. Her lack of popularity has put her in the bottom before and I think she may be one of the first to go.

Kristy Lee Cook: I don't know how she got here in the first place. I think the country fans voted her in. I believe her lack of maturity and experience will do her in.

Next set to go (again, no particular order):

Jason Castro: He's very different with his dreads and soft, dreamy eyes but I don't think he has much in his bag of tricks. He's not terribly powerful and doesn't always make good song choices.

David Hernandez: While I do like him and believe he could be a strong contender, I'm not sure he has enough of a unique style to make him memorable. He can always go back to stripping, I suppose.

Ramiele Malubay: Not American Idol material. It's not just about the talent, which is really too bad because this girl is a powerful singer. She has a terrible sense of style, dressing like a bag lady last week. Her performances don't always shine.

Syesha Mercado: I loved her in the auditions. When she sang through laryngitis, I was blown away. However, she sings old, over-done songs in an old, over-done way. She has the skills but not the understanding of what makes a great performance.

Brooke White: Great talent, lovely personality but she comes off just too "hippy" for this day and age. She's a throw-back and won't get the younger votes.

My top picks:

Carly Smithson: Understands how to perform, understands how to pick the right songs to showcase her strengths.

Michael Johns: The best thing that could happen to him is to NOT win. If he has to conform to what the producers of American Idol choose for him, he may end up like Taylor Hicks or Rueben Studdard (who?). Instead, may he go the way of Chris Daughtry and have lots of hits.

David Cook: First of all, let me make it clear: I hate his hair! That said, he has become stronger every week and I think he has a shot at the top 4.

David Archuleta: AND THE WINNER IS.... This kid won as soon as he stepped onto the stage. He has it all: great maturity, sensitivity, humility, a winning smile and Talent with a capitol T. Everyone I know says he's the one. He won me over with "Imagine". It would just be a feel-good moment to see him win.

So, let's see what happens...

It's That Season Again!

Time for American Idol, my seasonal guilty pleasure! I just love the unscripted drama, the funny moments and the talent. I love to loath the dim-witted Paula Abdul and enjoy Simon's unbridled and brutal honesty.

So grab a bowl of popcorn and let me unveil my predictions for this year's contestants. Here's a list of my picks for top 6 male and top 6 female contenders:

David Cook: While somewhat "vanilla," I think he's someone that could appeal to a wide range. He's "worthy", as Simon would say, of being in the top 12 finalists but I doubt that we will see him much beyond that. To see him perform: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=David+Cook&search_type=

Robbie Carrico: (Voted off show 2/28/08.)With his bad-boy rocker edge, he'll win allot of fans. I think his voice is quite versatile and he may surprise everyone. I don't think he'll finish strong, though and we won't see him in the race to the finish. He's also a professional singer and that may play against him in the eyes of the voters. Watch Robbie at: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Robbie+Carrico&search_type=

Danny Noriega: Really the least talented of the men in this group but because of the high "tween" girls that vote, I think he'll hang on longer than he deserves. I must say, I'd give anything to have his lips! Here's Danny: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Danny+Noriega&search_type=

David Hernandez: This guy can really sing. Unfortunately, his looks and personality are somewhat forgettable and he may end up leaving early for his lack of charisma. Too bad, I think he's talented. David's performances: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=David+Hernandez&search_type=

David Archuleta: The 17 year old wonderboy! This kid has it all: warmth, personality, and most of all, talent. David was a "Star Search Junior" winner several years ago. He is very at-ease on stage and has great range, control and power. I only hope that his "Oh, do you really like me. Gosh, golly..." humble routine doesn't wear on some people's nerves like last season's Melinda Doolittle did. He should be one of the top contenders for the title. See David perform: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=david+Archuleta&search_type=

Michael Johns: This guy is my number one favorite. He has it all: looks, personality and great talent. I loved his "Bohemian Rhapsody". He has to convince allot of people that someone from Australia should be an American Idol, however. Watch Michael: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=michael+johns&search_type=

For the women:

Brooke White: A throw-back to the days of earthy-folky, crunchy-granola singers. Her voice is pure but I think her nerves will get the better of her and ruin her chances for holding on very long. For a bit of Brooke: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=brooke+white&search_type=

Amanda Overmyer: The rocker-biker chic nurse with the heart of gold. Very powerful pipes but if she doesn't show more diversity in her style, she will be out sooner than later. I love her energy and courage to wring all the juice out of a song. Watch her in action: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Amanda+Overmyer&search_type=

Ramiele Malubay: This girl is this season's dark horse. I think she is more talented than others that will last longer. Unfortunately, her charisma-meter is registering "low" and she will be out way before she deserves. See what I mean: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Ramiele+Malubay&search_type=

Carly Smithson: Here we go: another foreign import. This girl's voice is as rich and thick as rice pudding. She has two strong strikes against her: she's NOT American and she has had a record contract in her past. I'd like to see her make it at least to the top 6. Here she is: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Carly+Smithson&search_type=

Asia'h Epperson: This is the girl that struggled to get through her audition, singing "How Do I Live" in honor of her dad, who had passed away less than 48 hours before. Courage, dignity, humility and talent, just what America is looking for. See what I mean: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Asia%27h+Epperson&search_type=

Syesha Mercado: Has the strength, determination and talent of a winner. She really impressed me when she could not speak because she had laryngitis, yet she belted out a song that was effortless and powerful. All I can say is "Wow." Listen up: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Syesha+Mercado&search_type=

NOW FOR THE REALLY BIG QUESTION:

Who do I think will win?

Anybody's game. I think that Michael John, David Archuleta, Syesha and Asia'h should be in the final showdown. The girls are very similar in looks and style so they may cancel each other out.
We'll just have to watch the drama unfold, now won't we?

[Note: this BLOG posting is in response to an on-going friendly rivalry. JR: whatever happened to Taylor Hicks? ]

On Being Sick

There's nothing worse than being sick.

This week I suffered with a cold. The truth is, this cold started at Christmas as a nagging tickle at the back of my throat that just wouldn't go away. I coughed. I sniffled. I made gurgling sounds. I even had larengitis for a day. I tried to will it away. Nothing would move this tickle.

Finally, I decided to tackle it with gusto. I bought a nasal spray. I bought cough drops. I bought Nyquil. The clerks at CVS know me by first name and thank me for providing them with job security.

A funny thing happened when I began my attack. I got worse. The tiny, nagging tickle became a sloppy mess of runny nose, watery eyes and a real cough that still didn't move anything. I got a sinus headache and my body became a limp noodle.

... and then, I did the one thing that I rarely do: I took a day off from work. To me, taking a day off is like surrendering. I hate to cave in and admit that I need to rest but it did the trick and I am on the road to recovery.

This morning I woke to the familiar sounds of hacking and coughing. Great. Now my husband has my cold. If I were you, I'd buy some stock in CVS.

Here are some great links if you are suffering a cold:
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/9-tips-to-treat-colds-and-flu-the-natural-way
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/47/33.cfm

I Hate Yoga

I love to exercise. The feeling of being physically fit, sweating, pushing myself to the limits. It's all a bit of a rush to me. I benefit both physically and mentally from a regular fitness regimen. I love the feeling of being charged with energy. As my muscles grow stronger and leaner, I become more confident in how I look and feel. When I am following an instructor, my mind is fully concentrating on keeping to the beat of the music, my form and pushing my body to the limits of endurance. I am a force to be reckoned with.

Recently I was talked into taking a yoga class. I have taken yoga classes in the past with no success. However, I like to think that I am open-minded and was assured that I would enjoy the class and the instructor. So, I went.


Not a good idea.

Where do I begin in describing the torture I went through during this class?


First, there was the peaceful and relaxing environment the instructor tried to create. He dimmed the lights to the studio, had everyone take their sneakers off, and proceeded to fill the room with the most god-awful music I have ever heard. There was soft instrumentals (which was nice by itself) with someone singing (I use that term lightly) in another language. It sounded like a cat yodelling. I found myself trying to figure out what language the song was in and questioning why the vocals were necessary at all. My ears felt like they were going to bleed and my mind was tense.

OK, I said, keep an open mind and move on. After all, the benefits of yoga has been tauted for centuries. Who was I to question? Just relax and go with the flow.

Next the instructor began to direct us into poses, his voice was soft and calm, making it difficult to hear him with the poor cat howling away. I squinted my eyes in the darkened room to see what I was supposed to be doing.

We started with simply standing and breathing. Hmmm, I thought, I can do this waiting at the checkout. I know how to stand and breathe. Why is the instructor making such a big deal about that and how is this going to get my body in shape?

After what seemed like forever, the instructor began to direct the class to several different stretches, telling us to focus on our breathing. Breathing, yeah, got it. Inhale. Exhale. I began to think about the idiot that cut me off on the drive to the studio. The instructor's voice began to irritate me.

The next series of poses can only be described as pretzel-ish. "Sit, legs extended. Bring your right leg over your left leg, bending your right knee and placing your right foot on the floor." Right. Left. Right. Right. I squint around to try and follow another student. OK, I think I got it. "Now twist your body to the right, placing your left elbow on the right side of the right knee." Whoah. Slow down now. That's right, right left right. I look around. No. Try again. Left, right, right, right. Wrong. "Now place your right hand on the floor and look over your right shoulder."

You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around. I began chuckle. This was not going to work.

"And now we will begin our final relaxation." Great. Anyone who knows me also knows that I am not the relaxing type. But, I am going to try.

So, I lay on the floor and stretch out my body. The instructor continues to remind us to breathe, droning on in his soft, whimpy way about inhaling and exhaling, breathing into the core, blah, blah, blah... I find myself hyperventillating. Soon I am focusing on resisting running out of the room, screaming, "Shut up! Shut up!"

Not a moment too soon, the instructor bows and says "Namaste" and it is all over. I look around. Everyone else seems to have a trance-like expression and they are moving very slowly. I, on the other hand, have the look of a crazed-woman. I rush to the door, pushing the zombie-people out of my way.

What was I thinking?! Others may benefit from a quieter mind and body. I need energy and stress to feel alive.

When I walked in the door, my husband took one look at me, and said, "I guess you won't be doing yoga again." I guess he's right.