Taylor Hicks - the winner of Season 5 American Idol! In the words of Randy Jackson - yo, yo, check it out. Five seasons - two winners and one very popular runner-up from Birmingham AL. I'm thinking they should just start and end in Birmingham :-)
Why I don't pay too much attention to movie critics. They panned the DaVinci Code saying something about it having no action or drama. Others said they left out parts of the book - well, duh - did you want a 10-hour movie? I haven't read the book (probably the only one who reads on a regular basis that hasn't) so I don't have any clue as to what was omitted, but I can tell you it was a very good, highly entertaining movie.
Just for the record, I do have the book but I'm saving it for an upcoming long flight. I've learned my lesson about books and movies. Except for one (Jaws), the movies aren't as good as the book if you compare the two. For the second and third Harry Potter movies, I re-read the book just before seeing the movie and was very disappointed in POA. I did NOT re-read GOF and just loved, loved, loved the movie. So, I decided to not read TDC before seeing the movie.
I know you're going to be totally jealous, but guess what I'm going to do in a few minutes. Not getting my nails done or a facial. No, it's not a hot date with a young, supple guy. Oh no. I'm getting to go to the grocery store! Woo-hooo! Yeah - right *snort*.
It wasn't very long ago that people would not admit that they used hair color, had plastic surgery, or had to take medication for depression. Regarding the latter, the closest they would say is that they occasionally had to take "nerve pills."
I guess it's a testamony to how far we've all come in understanding various aspects of our mental and physical health that it's not a stigma to admit that we've had to take medication for certain conditions.
Over the years I've had bouts of depression and just suffered through it, not realizing exactly what it was. I've also experienced the ultimate highs and sink-to-the-bottom lows of severe mood swings...or manic-depression....or bi-polar disorder...choose whichever term you like to use. Several years ago I did take Effexor. It did seem to help, except that after a couple of weeks I was so lethargic I could not even get out of bed. So I quit.
I tottled on for a couple of years, doing mostly okay on my own. Until recently. It wasn't depression that got me, but edginess. Being growly and grumpy and getting totally aggrevated and not being able to get over it.
So I talked to my doc about it. She agreed that part of it could be because of my not being able to sleep well. However, in addition to something for sleep, she gave me Zoloft. I was hesitant to take it because I had seen what it did to other people, but I knew I needed to give it a try.
So I did. It took me a little experimenting to find the right balance in when and how much of both meds to take, but I believe I've hit on the right combination. I'm sleeping much better, usually not groggy during the day, and very much on an even keel.
Hurray for me. I hope that things continue on this good course.
I'm sooooooo excited that BJ and Tyler (aka The Hippies) won this last Amazing Race! They were far and away my favs from Day One.
I coulda ' just smacked the Frat Boys for whining to Phil about being misled about seeing the sign from the second theme park ride, especially after all the bad stuff they did. SHEESH!
On to American Idol - Go Taylor!! This is the third guy from Birmingham that's been in the final two. Is this a great state or what?! I think Katherine has a fantastic voice, but I just never warmed up to her. She's also apparently bad about taking advice from the judges.
So if you were wondering why it's been so long since I've been here - or even if you don't give a flying fig - it's because, for some strange oddball reason I really felt disconnected from any websites on which I was an active participant, including my own. I wasn't mad or upset or anything. I just lost total interest. Weird. Anyway, hopefully I'm over that little bit and once again you can rejoice in seeing my thoughts in print. Or not :-)
Where are the ark plans when you need them?!?!
Dixie hates storms. She's lying on my feet at this moment. Not near my feet. Not close by. On them. Poor little girl.
I'm going to Arkansas this weekend for my niece's high school graduation. I'm so proud of her. Harmony has always worked hard for the things she has. She has never felt as though her parents or the world owes her anything, a rare attitude for a teenager of this day and age. When she does receive something, she is truly appreciative and goes out of her way to say thank you. As an example, when most kids these days turn 16, they demand not just a car, but a new, expensive sports car or SUV. This was not the case for Harmony. Her dad fixed his old car for her, and she was thrilled and was quick to tell people about what her dad had done for her. She doesn’t expect her parents to pay for her car expenses. She works after school and on weekends to pay for them herself.
She is kind, considerate, honest, trustworthy, responsible, and dependable; has a great love for the outdoors; and a strong desire and fervent dream to make the care of God’s gift of natural resources and wildlife her life’s work. She is a fine Christian young lady, and no one deserves a happy life more than she does.
We spent yesterday at SuperBaby's house. The hubs and a friend were helping to wire our son's new house. When we arrived, SIL told Avery to count in Spanish for me. He grins and says, "Uno, dos, tres, quatro, cinco, seis," while holding up a finger with each count. Remember this kids is 2 1/2. Pretty darn smart!
In 20 years when he wins the Nobel prize for rocket science, you can say you knew him when :-)
I'm definitely sleeping MUCH better and feel less irritable with the new meds my doctor gave me. However, I'm feeling rather tired during the day, not quite flatlining but close. I could try taking half a dose and see if that helps but I'm terrified that I won't be able to sleep. I'm going to try it tonight and see what happens.
Sugarfused is a daily read for me and I always get inspiration out of Deb's photos and entries. Today was no exception. She mentioned two positive things that were happening today and asked, Do you have 2 positives? Please share!
It made me realize just how negative I had become in the last few months, to the point I was having to struggle to think of two positives. That was a real eye-opener for me because I have so much for which to be thankful.
But, enough of the sappy soul-searching! Two positives ....
(1) I tried a new hair color and hair coloring product yesterday and got good results!
(2) The hubs is helping me clean house today. Before you go "awwwww, isn't that nice," it was because he invited friends to dinner tonight and he knew he had to help or else! I won't complain though...anything for a little help with the chores!
My take....
ELLIOT
On Broadway - started rough and trembly but some of the runs midway were good. Seemed a little nervous.
Michael Bouble' song - not impressed from the start.
PARIS
Kiss - I thought she did it really good! I enjoyed it. For once, I totally disagree with Simon.
Be Without You - Not being familiar with the song, I have no idea if she sang it correctly. I do know that I don't like it when people confuse yelling for singing and that I didn't particularly like the performance. And what was up with the "strike a pose for the camera" when she was talking with Ryan *RME*
CHRIS
Renegade - OMG! OMG! THIS ROCKER IS SO HOT!!
I Dare You - OMG! OMG! THIS ROCKER IS SO HOT!! (even though he missed a couple of notes and it wasn't his best)
KATHERINE
Against All Odds - looked the best she's looked but sang the worst. If her second song isn't better, it will be against all odds if she makes it through.
whatever the name of the song was - ummmm, errrrr, not sure. Definitely better than the first. Dunno. I think I would have liked it had the first song been stronger, if that makes any sense.
TAYLOR
Play That Funky Music- fun performance! I still don't think he's the best but by golly he's gonna' have a great time doing it!
Something - Something about his quirkiness endears him. I really liked his rendition. I thought it was one of his best performances.