American Idol Shuffle

As a self-proclaimed reality TV show junkie, I feel I reserve the right to incorporate a few useless reality-TV-based posts into my blog. So here we go.

I've been a fan of American Idol from the get-go. For years I would not only refuse to miss an episode, but I would also saunter over to my computer after each episode to read the recaps on MJ's Blog. You know, just in case she picked up on something that I didn't. Clearly there was not enough American Idol goodness squeezed into the television time slots to satisfy my insatiable appetite.

My obsession has since gotten a bit tamer but I still watch the show religiously and experience mild anxiety if I have to miss an episode for one reason or another (that doesn't happen very often).

I may be in the minority here, but I'm a Simon Cowell fan. That guy knew good teevee. So, it might be a bit of an understatement to say that I was disappointed that he decided to leave the show after this past season was finished. The question for us S.C. fans has always been who in the world will ever be able to replace Simon? Surely no comparable specimen exists. Except perhaps Dr. Gregory House but he's far too fictional.

Then yesterday I learned that Ellen Degeneres, who I just happen to adore, is also giving Idol the finger. Now, part of me feels sad that my dosage of Ellen is going to be decreasing, but the other part of me is delighted just to be right. I KNEW IT! SHOULD HAVE CALLED IT! My intuition never lets me down. Ellen's stint on American Idol was a bit of a flop, no matter which way you slice it. I don't think she did a terrible job on the judging panel, but she somehow never quite fit either.  It was an awkward mix up on that panel - a bit uncomfortable to watch at times. And her distaste for being heckled was painfully evident. Not that many people enjoy being heckled - but when you've grown so accustomed to applause as I'm sure she has, the boo-ing from the audience must seem like a much bigger deal than it actually is.

And Kara DiWhatsherface didn't make things any better with her arrogant attitude and iciness toward Ellen. The entire season she sat so far up Simon's butt that you'd swear Ellen was rabid or something. So, even though I think Kara has somewhat of an admirable musical background, I probably will not lose any sleep tonight over the breaking news that Kara, too, will be departing AI.

Rumours are swirling that J.Lo could be one of the next judges. Spencer Pratt and Perez Hilton are campaigning on Twitter to make Perez one of the next judges. While it is still one of the most popular television shows out there, AI's ratings have been dwindling in recent years and quite frankly I fear for its safety and am curious to see what lifesavers, if any, will be tossed out to save it. It has to be big. I mean like American restaurant portion sizes big. Buffet-big, even. What's happening is not just a little botox, it's the Heidi Montag full-on 10 surgeries in a day. A lot for people to adjust to, ya know?

In any case, we still have the Dawg. And Ryan, but he's a weiner. Randy is now the glue that holds American Idol together. He keeps it hawt.

Here are a few of my suggestions for possible replacements, FOX, in case you are reading this which in all likelihood (I mean, come on) you are:

-Harry Connick Jr.
-Justin Timberlake
-Billy Joel
-Madonna
-Kylie Minogue
-Bruce Springsteen
-Lindsay Lohan (once she gets out of jail. She'll bring the drama!)
-Cher (as long as you never allow her to perform on the stage)
-Chris Martin
-Dave Matthews
-Sheryl Crow
-John Mayer (he'd bring a strong musical background, and also the douchebaggery)
-Lady Gaga (she'd bring insane ratings. You know she would)

I know I'm probably missing some of the more obvious artists but my mind is pulling me in other directions at the moment. If any of you who read this (does anybody still read this?) have any good suggestions to add, feel free!

**Written in memory of Simon Cowell, Ellen Degeneres, and Kara DiWhatsherface.**

Summertime and the Livin' is Easy

Summertime has officially arrived here in my nice little province. How do I know this? Well, my skin has turned a subtle shade of dusty rose and I have a lovely little collection of mosquito bites adorning both of my legs and feet. I'm thinking about playing connect-the-dots and seeing what I get.

Since leaving the foggy, rainy "city of gloom" I've noticed a change in my motivation and energy levels. When the sun shines, I'm happier. It's as simple as that. Well, maybe it's actually a bit more complicated than that because I do enjoy the rain too if it doesn't happen more than twice in a week (3 times, max!). I might like to live somewhere warmer though - where the sun is more than just a welcomed visitor and is more like a steady and consistent friend. I always thought I liked to visit cities and live in rural areas, but I think now I like to live in cities and visit rural areas. Providing that there are regular doses of sunshine. Any suggestions? Who knew I'd turn out to be a city slicker. I blame Seoul.

Being in Summer-mode is not actually proving to be the best thing for my productivity levels, however. The teenager inside of me thinks I'm on a legitimate Summer vacation. The adult in me knows I have a massive research project that needs to be planned and carried out. I will not be sorry when this thesis is done and I can just have the freaking master's degree under my belt. I swear I'm going to wait at least 2 years before I go back to Uni again after that.

The weird thing about this Summer is not having anything spectacular to look forward to. Last year there was the trip across Canada and then Europe. The year before that was leaving Korea and getting married in Cuba. The year before that was the family vacation to Florida. This year I'm a poor student and while I know it's a short-term pain for long-term gain kind of scenario, that logic doesn't bode well for someone who values instant gratification! I need to take a trip! I really do!

I don't see any airplanes in my near future, but I do want to go on at least a medium-sized roadtrip for mine and Craig's 2nd anniversary. Not alone of course. Craig is invited too.

I'm not sure what the point of this little spiel has been other than to express my love for the sun and complain about mosquito bites/being a student. But, it's been a long time since I've just rambled. Every blog needs a Summertime ramble and a rant about something or other.


It's 2 a.m. I should go and force sleep upon myself!

Goodnight! Or goodday!