She must be hearing what I'm hearing

This, by the way, in case you can't tell---and I might not have been able to other than actually doing a deliberate search for her and running across this photo---is Kelly Clarkson. American Idol and movie soundtrack princess.

I'm watching the American Idol auditions. It's silly background noise (and I use the word noise deliberately since it means unpleasant to the ear) and let's be honest, entertainment. Something to amuse me while I do other unpleasant things like slowly shred the collection of credit card preapproval letters my husband collects (in lieu of a more interesting and less fire hazardous hobby).

My point is that I really, really wonder WHY.

No, not why I am watching. That's obvious. I already explained. I like rubber necking, reminding myself a million times over why I never wish to audition for anything ever again and recalling vividly that my one consistent life goal is to avoid fame.

For some reason, something (or someone?) propels these people to not only believe they can sing, but moreover, that they do it well and ought to pursue it professionally.

Simon Cowell may have a reputation as an obnoxious man, but let's be honest, he is an expert on some level. And he is very often correct.

What possesses people---facing three judges and experts---to doubt unanimous opinion that really, they haven't got It plus the singing is simply dreadful? Is it real, or is it endeavoring to save face? I don't always agree with their assessment, but really, some cases, it is simply not subjective. It is fact.

The one notable exception was a very nervous girl from North Carolina who auditioned in Austin. She could hear how off she was. She seemed sweet and I suspect her voice is sweet enough, but nerves shot it right off pitch. She was the only one they showed who got that. I know, creative editing for dramatic effect and all that.

Speaking of fact versus fiction...rewriting/revising history...and so forth...

I love the new Wikipedia rule that .gov and legislative/political locations are now barred from editing entries. Politicians were deleting unpleasant memories such as failed marriages and unfulfilled campaign promises.

We should all be so lucky and able.

But seriously, can Wikipedia still bill itself as "the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit?"

Sure, a little ISP block never stops the truly motivated; and politicians are clearly in the top five of the Truly Motivated.

While on the subject of Truly Motivated, let me go back once more to George Bush.

I wish I could make it funny, but other than that horrified laugh---you know, the one that bursts out of you nervously when someone cracks a joke about dead to a dying person---there is simply no humor left in me when it comes to discussing our government's duplicity.

I refer today, of course, to the news story that, to paraphrase and quote, tells of what smells like a conspiracy (at worst) or "better to beg forgiveness than ask permission" strategy (at best) between Blair and Bush:

A memo of a two-hour meeting between the two leaders at the White House on January 31 2003 - nearly two months before the invasion - reveals that Mr Bush made it clear the US intended to invade whether or not there was a second resolution and even if UN inspectors found no evidence of a banned Iraqi weapons programme.

All manner of charm today.

By Julie Pippert
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Cancer's Calling Card

Foreword: I'm not a medical person, or any kind of expert. This post shouldn't be taken as God's word carved in stone by Moses. In other words, don't consider it to be any kind of authority or use it to treat, diagnose, or select medications. Do your own research and talk to your doctor, an actual expert, who, you know, went to medical school and stuff. This post is merely my best understanding of cancer and cancer treatment and prevention, as related to our situation, based on what I've learned from reading and talking to doctors. Author's Note: If you aren't interested in the cancer discussion and the things I learned, and only want to know the outcome of our appointment with the oncologist yesterday, skip to the end. I've divvied this up by sections, so go to the last section. What would you do if one day a postcard arrived in the mail to warn you that sometime in the next three years you would be diagnosed with cancer? Would you believe it? Change an...

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Quorum

After being confronted with written evidence, Julie admits that she is a total attention whore. In some things, in some ways, sometimes I look outward for validation of my worth and existence. I admit it. It's my weak spot, my vanity spot . If you say I am clever, comment on a post, offer me an award, mention me on your blog, reply to a comment I left on your blog, or in any way flatter me as a writer...I am hopelessly, slavishly devoted to you. I will probably even add you to my blogroll just so everyone can see the list of all the cool kids who actually like me . The girl, she knows she is vain in this regard , but after much vanity discussion and navel-gazing , she has decided to love herself anyway, as she is (ironically) and will keep searching for (1) internal validation and (2) her first person . Until I reach a better point of self-actualization, though, may I just say that this week you people have been better than prozac and chocolate (together, with a side of white choc...

In defense of vanity...I think

Do you have one of those issues where you argue with yourself? Where you just aren't sure what you actually think because there are so many messages and opinions on the topic around you? I have more than one like this. However, there is one topic that has been struggling to the top of my mind recently: vanity and perceived vanity. Can vanity be a good thing? Vanity has historically been truly reviled. Vanity is number seven of the Seven Deadly Sins. It's the doppleganger of number seven on the Seven Holy Virtues list: humility. There are many moralistic tales of how vanity makes you evil and brings about a spectacular downfall. Consider the lady who bathed in the blood of virgins to maintain her youth. Google Borgia+vanity and find plenty. The Brothers Grimm and Disney got in on the act too. The Disney message seems to be: the truly beautiful don't need to be vain. They are just naturally eye-catchingly gorgeous. And they are all gorgeous. Show me the Reubenesque Princess. ...

Julie Pippert: Using My Words

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