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...