American Idol Tour: Houston

Having extracted every minute of entertainment value out of the 70's, 80's and a bit of the 90's, I find myself disinterested (and I admit it... tired!) at the thought of attending concerts (of any kind, including reunion tours!).

Caught up in the social interactions of weekly Idol tv, and having strong favorites (Melinda and Blake) this year... I, however, bought pre-sale tickets and attended the tour in Houston last night.

First, let me say... I make it a policy to never sit in a seat other than the end of the row. And after last night, I will never have floor seats... particularly to a 'family' venue (read: alcohol not sold on the floor level).

Second, while you can read more thoughtful and analytical reviews, you might be interested in my superficial thoughts:

Awesome, Yet Not Nearly Enough Stage Time or Focus, and quite regrettably so...: Melinda Doolittle

Pretty Darn Good (probably because I couldn't see or hear the thing in her tongue): Gina Clocksen

Bringing Chubby Back But Not Nearly as Charismatic As I Hoped: Chris Sligh did me pretty proud! And I'll keep following him!

Most Engaging, Captivating and Impressive: Blake Lewis, hands down

GOOSEBUMPS: KiKi! (LaKisha Jones). She was awesome, and in front of her home crowd!!!

Surprisingly Entertaining (in a 'spoof'' sort of way): Sanjaya Malakar

Surprisingly Good: Phil Stacey. His performance, in uniform, was awesome.

Still Not Impressed: Chris Richardson

Pitiful: Haley Scarnato

Good But Not As Good As Expected: Jordin Sparks

Best Unexpected Group: The Boys and their instruments!

Most Unexpected Secret Moment: After Blake's set, he came out, in the darkness, to the sound mixing and balancing area on the floor. I was seated on the end of the back row, behind a giraffe... so I watched the entire show, standing, behind the last row. I happened to glance over and see Blake, mere feet from me, in the dark, taking photographs of the show. I took a few inconspicuous photos with my cell phone, and if I can figure out how to get them from there to here... I'll post them. I always thought he was pretty cool, but having witnessed his enthusiasm and humanness, I respect him even more. I found it funny, too, that he was a couple of dozen of feet from the young girls who screeched (so loudly that I couldn't fully appreciate it) through his entire performance... and he passed by them without notice. Pretty cool...

Hanging New Artwork & Reminders to Live

A couple of weeks ago, I purchased three pieces of art at Z Gallerie. I brought them home and have stewed for two weeks over whether they fit in with my prairie style ranch home and interior decor.

The pieces are by Booker Morley. I really like them; the leaf theme is consistent with my interior design inspiration; and the colors complement the others in the bathroom. They're just a little too contemporary. I'm trying to decide if that's so bad...

Clarification of Priorities and Love

I sense a little jealousy in the household and would be remiss if I didn't clarify and state for the record...

My Number One, Most Sweetest and Prettiest Girl in the World is my baby girl...

Miss Comet!

Aquarium Photography

... is harder than you might think. (I took a dozen and this one is the clearest... I'll keep trying!).

First, please excuse the emergency aeration that I dropped in the tank. We've had so many storms and power outages the last six weeks, that I dropped one in the tank for security. Second, please excuse the abandoned undergravel filter pipe in the background... you know, the one that even two vacation days didn't prove long enough for actual removal.

And in the blurry image, you will see... the nose of a Black Skirt (top left), the nose of the other Black Skirt coming at you (bottom middle left)... and clumped in the middle (clockwise)... my new Lamp Eye, Junior (my new Buenos Aires, heading due right), my new Serpae (heading due left) and my new Lemon (coming toward and right).

I plugged the camera into the computer and the Red Tailed Shark made an appearance, front and center. Got the camera and he was gone.

I admit it. I'm challenged by this. My next photos will be better!

Welcome Fishies

I made it to Aquarium World today! And here's what I brought home with me:

• A Red-Tailed Black Shark, named Charles... who is very busy, very fast and very camera shy.
• A small Buenos Aires tetra, named Junior... to keep 'Big Daddy' company, since he lost his mate a few months ago. It's cute to see Junior 'tailing' Big Daddy.
• Two Serpae Tetras, who have yet to be named. I'll keep you posted.
• Two Lemon Tetras, unnamed, who turned out to be one Lemon Tetra and one Lamp Eye Tetra. I know, I know... how could I have not noticed? Well, I'm not sure I even looked, until I finally turned the light on in the aquarium. And now I must return to the store for another Lemon and Lamp Eye! Darn!

These newcomers join:

• 'Big Daddy', my decade old Buenos Aires Tetra.
• 'Gertrude' and 'Alice', my two Black Skirt Tetras.
• 'Harpo' and 'Groucho' my two Leopard Catfish.

Thinking of a clever name for my new fish babies (2 reds, 2 yellows and 2 silvers with red eyes)? Add a comment! All names will be considered! The cleverer, the better!

Photos to follow as soon as all are adjusted!

Video of Neighborhood Flooding

AFTER the rain subsided!

My Daddy's 78th Birthday

That's what today is.

I miss him more than I could possibly express, but he knows.

Time dulls the sadness, and these days, I make a conscious effort to celebrate, rather than mourn so much.

If Daddy were alive today, he would be indulging in his passions: humor, writing, cooking, golf and the occasional hunting trip.

He may be gone from my physical world. But he continues to be my rock, my barometer, my mentor and my precious Daddy.

A friend asked me how I intended to honor him today. And this will sound funny to everyone except the friend who asked, and Daddy... but I planned to go to Aquarium World and buy some new fish.

Unfortunately, it flooded severely here with over 6" of rain in about 2 hours, and then it still kept raining... upon saturated soil and already near full bayous. My friend pointed out that I might have lost the fish on the swim home!

Tomorrow, though... I'll select the perfect fish, and bring them home to live.

Photo of Daddy and me, circa... ain't sayin'.

Glimpse of Vulnerability in Wall of Strength

Although David Ritcheson demonstrated extraordinary strength, in enduring surgeries, criminal trials and congressional testimony... he exposed a tiny bity of vulnerability:

"I shouldn't care what people think," Ritcheson told a reporter last spring. "But it's like everyone knows I'm 'the kid'. I don't want to be a standout because of what happened."

David Ritcheson, In His Shoes

David Ritcheson jumped to his death from the cruise ship Ecstasy earlier today, in a decided effort to bring his personal pain to an end.

David is the young man who suffered unspeakable violence and acts of hatred last April, when his attackers taunted him with racial slurs, kicked, punched and sodomized him, poured bleach on his body and left him for dead.


David fought gallantly through 30+ surgeries to repair internal injuries, testified successfully against his attackers, and appeared before Congress on April 17th of this year, on behalf of Hate Crime legislation:

"I appear before you as a survivor. I am here before you today asking that our government take the lead in deterring individuals like those who attacked me from committing unthinkable and violent crimes against others because of where they are from, the color of their skin, the God they worship, the person they love, or the way they look, talk or act."

It is a common experience to us all, that we grow and pass through life, wanting to fit and wanting to blend. If we are known for something, we dream of being known for athletic prowess, beauty or talent. Teenagers chart their paths in many directions, but with one overriding fear: embarassment.

I've thought, many times, of young David... a teenage male, having to face his peers and his infamy, with the burden of his past, albeit a past over which he had no control. And, at his tender young age, I couldn't fathom his strength. I'm sure that people, who ordinarlily wouldn't have, reached out to him... with the best of intentions. And still he questioned. And still he hurt.

This is such a shame. I believe the world lost a young man that held a lot promise for many good things, had he found the strength to endure these tender years of emotional hardship. If I truly place myself in his shoes, however, I understand. I totally understand.

That awful event, a year ago, should not have happened. And it could not have happened at a worse time in David's life, psychologically.

His refusal of therapy, in my opinion, should have been the first sign of his growing depression and impending decline... but I also understand the mixed signals that the truly troubled soul can convey. And often, by human nature, their loved ones see what they want to see.

I'm sorry that it came to this. My heart goes out to his parents, and to all that love him. It's a shame... not on him, but on the hateful and criminal perpetrators.