Kontan Jou

Antonella Barber just needs to go. She isn’t a great singer and her attitude stinks. She THINKS she is so much better than she actually is. I really like Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones.

Cute show. I wish it came on earlier, my 4th grader would love to watch it.

So lurkers…are you?

Not impressed with the guys. Still like Blake, but didn’t enjoy his performance tonight. He isn’t a favorite but AJ Tabaldo can certainly perform. Sundance did much better, but I don’t imagine he will stay around for too much longer. Strange song choice for a dedication to his son…Mustang Sally? Talking about Jared Cotter with Djembe…ok voice but he would be better as an AF or CK model. Sanjaya was weak but he will hang on a little longer. All the young girls love him. Djembe thinks he’s gone this week. Chris Sligh has a strong voice and a really neat personality…even though he did insult Simon last week. Not a Chris Richardson fan…not at all. Djembe says he is good, but he doesn’t like him either. Not thrilled with anyone this week, so whoever goes…goes. Recaps going through, I have to choose AJ as my pick for this week.

I watched two movies yesterday…wait, no…I attempted to watch the second one. The first was was Bridge to Terabithia, and I’ll address it in a moment. The second was Little Miss Sunshine. Happynews.com had an article on this movie’s success at the Spirit Awards:

The road comedy ”Little Miss Sunshine” won best picture and three other prizes for independent films at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, one day before competing for Hollywood’s top honors at the Academy Awards.

The hilarious though dark-tinged tale of a deeply dysfunctional family also won the supporting-actor award for Alan Arkin; best director for the husband-and-wife team of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, and best first screenplay for Michael Arndt.

Arkin won for his role as an obscenity-spewing, heroin-snorting grandfather training his granddaughter (Abigail Breslin) for a saucy dance performance at a children’s beauty pageant.

Hilarious??? uh……. no.

Little Miss Sunshine was recommended by friends of ours…I will no longer be taking movie recommendations from them. We did an On Demand purchase of this film and I want my money back. The F-bomb is dropped all the way through and it just did not hold my attention. After Napoleon Dynamite I vowed that I would no longer give in to my compulsion to finish any movie or book I start. LMS was turned off a little over half way through. Maybe it gets better by the end…I have my doubts. Maybe it is one of those movies that you have to watch a few times before you get it…Why would I want to put myself through that? The f-bomb dropping grandfather was an obnoxious twit. The dad was a jerk. The little girl wasn’t that likable but I think that is because she reminds me of a student or two that I have had in the past. I liked the gay uncle and the silent brother. I felt their frustration.

Now for Bridge to Terabithia…

think My Girl meets Chronicles of Narnia. This is really not a feel good kind of movie. It was done OK and even held the attention of my six year old, although I don’t think it is the best movie for younger children. I took my ten year old and her friend and they liked it.

A few things bothered me about this movie and should could have been left out. The bully who was abused…I hardly think that abuse equates with not having a TV. That was the strangest thing. the other kids were laughing at the bully because they found out she was being hit at home. The girl star of the movie said that she told the bully how she knew what it was like to be laughed at because she was laughed at when everyone found out she didn’t have a TV. I guess in a fifth graders mind it really doesn’t matter why the others are laughing, but still, I found this strange.

The back of the truck scene where the three kids are talking about hell and believing in the Bible. that whole scene was poorly done. I couldn’t decide if writers were taking a swat at Christianity or just didn’t know enough about it to write a good child debate scene. Being a Disney movie I would guess…

Last thing, a teacher of today would never-ever-ever call up a student and invite them on a one-on-one field trip to the art museum. Very strange.

If you are wanting a feel good kids movie, this is not it. Remember how I started the description. I did not feel good when I left this movie, however, it wasn’t a bad movie. It is no where near the same league as Chronicles of Narnia, but it was still OK.

Please join me in remembering a great Icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Dough Boy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated poked in the belly. He was 71. Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies and Captain Crunch. The gravesite was piled high with flours. Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, two children, John Dough and Jane Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart. The service was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

My vote? Ryan needs to go home. I really just can NOT stand him. I like Simon. He doesn’t beat around the bush and says it like it is. No sunshine blowin’ from Simon. Yes, at times he is harsh and could probably do a better job of using tact, but hey…my experience is that is not a very British thing to do. Just say it. Ryan on the other hand is a baby wipe. I’m being nice. He is an antagonizing instigating little twit. But anyway…it is a singing competition. After the guys and girls did their first rounds I have to choose Blake Lewis, aka the beat-box guy. He’s cute and he has that timbre that I love. The girls, major talent there. The stand out for me, Melinda Doolittle. She’s adorable, humble, and loads of talent. Others that I like, but I don’t think will make it…Sanjaya- he’s just adorable! Brandon Rogers was OK. The girls, I just haven’t decided yet.

Looking forward to a great season 6…If you’re undecided- VOTE BLAKE!

Excerpts from a Dog’s Daily Diary:

8:00am—Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30am—A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40am—A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30am—Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00pm—Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00pm—Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00pm—Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00pm—Milk bones! My favorite thing!

7:00pm—Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00pm—Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!

11:00pm—Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat’s Daily Diary:

Day 683 of my captivity: My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.

In an attempt to disgust them; I once again vomit on the floor. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a “good little hunter” I am. The audacity!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of “allergies.” I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow – but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.

The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded!

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe… for now…

NASCAR season is off to an exciting start…even for a non-fan like myself. Djembe was fortunate enough to take in the first big race of the season, the super bowl of motorsports- The Daytona 500. He was able to take off for Daytona Friday and enjoy the weekend with his brother. I’m really glad he was able to enjoy the excitement, but I hate that he was gone all weekend. It was a difficult weekend and a friends death distracted me from completing the many tasks around the house that are necessary for our move prep. I also HATE being home without Jem. Next time I’m having the big dogs groomed and bringing them in. Alli and Tiki are great, but they just do not offer the security that the other dogs have going for them.

It has been a really long weekend. I had to find someone to dogsit when I left for my friends visitation/funeral. Fortunately I have a wonderful friend here who was able to take Tiki to her daughters house. My friend would have taken her, but she has five dogs so she arranged for Tiki to have a sleepover with her daughters dachshund. Tiki was absolutely wiped out when she got home.

It was also time for a bath, which thrilled her none. Since I was animal bathing I decided it wouldn’t hurt to clean Alli. She hadn’t had a bath in a while. I know some find it strange to bathe a cat, but sometimes they need it. Jem said the other day that Alli was in need so I decided why not?

Alli was not thrilled with the idea. She let me do it, but she growled the whole time. She wasn’t about to tolerate drying so I did the best I could. She disappeared for a while. I just past her in the hall and patted her gently. (She doesn’t like to be touched.) She went into her room, which she kindly shares so I can do laundry. Just when I sat down at the computer there was a small crashing sound in the laundry room and the sound of pebbles hitting tile. I walk in and Alli just looks at me innocently, “meow?” She sniffs the dogs food, which I left in there earlier b/c I hate the sound of crunching and Tiki refuses to chew with her mouth close. I think Alli took a nibble. She “meow”s again. Her bowl is laying on the other side of the barrier that is placed so Tiki doesn’t help herself to…um…let’s call it kitty-treats. I have to keep Alli’s food out of Tiki’s reach b/c it will make Tiki sick. Alli simply has to get on top of her box to have meals. Not a problem, and she really needs the exercise. She apparently decided that since her box was clean she would find another way to make a mess and smacked her bowl off its place.

All b/c I gave her a bath. Why are cats so vindictive?

It’s 12:13 AM. Putting off going to bed, I stopped at the computer thinking I would browse for a few minutes. I pulled up MySpace and saw I had a new message. It was JP, letting me know that a dear friend lost his battle with cancer and passed away this morning. I feel terrible. The last time I saw Jason he was working his way through college. I was pregnant with our first child. I think now that it can’t have been 10 years ago, but I guess it was. It’s one of those things where you let time slip away. Throughout the years we stayed in touch via email, but we never had another face to face reunion. It is horrible that it takes one’s death to remind us how precious life is.

Jason was one of my best friends, and my best rival. We met in 6th grade and the competition was on. He played trumpet and so did I. After the first chair tryouts he sat first and I sat second. We swapped back and forth over the next three years. Sometimes I would win, others he would. It was a friendly rivalry. That was also the time when he would get great delight out of making me and Steph shriek by sneaking up behind us and tickling the ribs.

Not much changed in high school. His older brother was in band too, a much more serious guy. Jason stayed the same. He was a big guy and a big personality. For a while he remained on trumpet, and we continued to compete. During concert season he moved to baritone and even tuba I believe. He was a very talented brass player. What he lacked in finesse he made up for in power.

Despite his teasing tendencies he really was a gentleman. I can remember several times when Gran would pick me up from school and there would be an issue with her car. Jason and his brother Greg would always tweak whatever needed to be tweaked so that we could be on our way. They did it with a cheerful heart and Gran just loved them.

I made every attempt to be a liberal in high school. Jason was a die-hard conservative all the way through and probably a card carrying Republican when he graduated. We would argue about candidates, policy, anything really. We just really enjoyed arguing with each other. Always the competition.

He was also a Christian. Where some teens had trouble displaying their faith, Jason had no qualms. He was loud and proud. I really respected him for the fact that even though he wasn’t perfect, he talked the talk and walked the walk.

Senior year I had the chance to go to prom with him. I hadn’t planned on going. Junior prom was not all that spectacular so I made other plans for prom weekend. Then Larry needed a date, and I really liked Larry so I was willing to go, but then that didn’t work out so friends tried to get me to go with Jason. I did not want to go to prom…nothing against Jason at all. We would only go as friends anyway…I had planned to go to my mothers. Also, I just didn’t want to go through having him come to pick me up and dealing with my extended family. Probably ridiculous, but if you know me it may make sense.

I have said before that out of my friends in high school none of them knew what was going on in my life. Only one had guessed. That one was Jason. I’ll never ever forget his actions. A former friend was spreading rumors…distortions of truth really. No one believed it. I had my close group and they stood by me. But Jason pulled me aside and asked point blank if it was true. I told him that what she said was not true. Jason looked me in the eye and told me that if I ever needed someone or needed help that I could tell him and he would help take care of it. I really believe that all I had to do was admit to him the hell that my life was at that time and things would have changed. I really think he saw the truth through the rumor, but didn’t know how to ask if what he thought was the truth was real. He let me know that it was OK to tell him if I needed to and that it would not be taken the same way as my vindictive friend had. I’ll never get to thank him for that compassion.

Don’t put off telling someone that you appreciate them. It is very painful when you lose them and realize just how precious life is.

Could we see when and where we are to meet again, we would be more tender when we bid our friends goodbye.
Marie Louise De La Ramee