Guilty Pleasures

I will be the first to admit I am a total American Idol junkie.

The first time I watched I lived at home with my mother. It was the first season ( 8 years ago). She came home from wherever she was and came into my room and told me to turn on this show called American Idol and that her boss's son was on it. I was really into the show I was already watching but reluctantly turned it on. We watched for about 20 minutes before we saw a quick glimpse of this 'dude's' head. That was it. Back then the first few episodes didn't focus as much on the individual contestants. I decided this was a stupid show and that it was the first and last time I was watching it. But the following week, I turned it on again and found it just a little more interesting. As the weeks passed, I had some communications via email with my mother and this 'dude's stepfather (moms' boss) telling us what was up on the next episode and to vote and spread the word of the show. Next thing you know, AI is the talk of the country and everyone is tuning in. 'Dude' aka Justin Guarini was the first season's runner up.

I have been hooked ever since. It's one of my guilty pleasures. A pleasure that has completely dorkified me. I will not watch it with other people. I tried that once with the first season's finale in a room filled with my family. My brother in law (who is generally more on the quiet reserved side) would NOT SHUT UP the entire show. I could not hear. I was not happy. Hence my vow to watch AI alone.

I find it fascinating to watch how every single year, they allllll start out the first few weeks with awful song choices. WHY? Dude , you are on American Idol trying to make a start of your career and you are seriously singing Easy like Sunday Morning?! Hello? Don't get me wrong , it's a good song to listen to in the confines of your home and sing to with a hairbrush, but AI?

But their progress during the season is exemplary and I get so proud of my little AI hopefuls. Thankfully, there is TIVO now so if I am in the presence of others, I find it unneccessary to get irritated, I simply don't pay attention to the show and can go home to watch it in peace.

And now I must go prepare myself for tonight's results show! Will it be Danny and Adam? I'm about to go find out.................................

Judging a book by it's cover...

Last week at work, I mentioned that I needed to get a new book to read. A friend of mine took a book out of her drawer and said that she had this book forever and thought it looked boring and had no intention of reading it and offered it to me.

I read that book in about 3 days. It was mesmerizing and probably one of the best books I have read to date.

I pride myself in being not 'judging books by their covers'. Everyone always gets a second chance, and with me usually a third ,fourth of fifth until I know it's time to draw the line. But I truly beleive that actions and words are not always stated as intended. I know this because I have been there on both ends and I don't like to be judged. I beleive that everyone has their issues and that there is good in everyone ( and I believe that in people that I probably shouldn' t as well).

My friends know me as someone to come to. Everyone needs someone come to. Whether you are right, wrong, in trouble or having a bad day. Everyone needs to express themselves and no one is perfect. I do this because I have been judged so many times in my life and it's not a good feeling. I do this because I believe that maybe if I do it , someone else will pay it forward.

My intentions are always good... always.. and I truly believe that anyone who has been judged feels the same. At least I hope so....

You miss out alot when you judge. I wouldn't have the friends that I have if I would have judged them as I could have on day one. And I thank God that I did not because everyone deserves that chance.

Happy Mother's Day!

I am not a mother ( although I have been called one a few times ). I do have two nephews and a niece. I couldn't imagine loving someone more that I love them. But I know that it doesn't compare to the love a mother has for a child.

I see my sisters with their kids and I see the look in their eyes when they do something funny or sweet. It's a look that's indescribable. We've all seen it. It's a look that could never be matched by anything else.

While I am not a mother, I have been blessed to have the best mother in the world. While, we can get on each others nerves at times, I would be lost without her. She's my guide, my friend and my angel. She knows how much I love her. So while I don't know the feeling of loving a child of my own, I am fortunate to know the feeling of being a child that loves her mother just as much back.

I wish everyone a Happy's Mother's Day. In my opinion , every day is Mother's Day!