Miss America is rigged worse than an NBA game

Believe me, the last thing I wanted to watch last night was Miss America 2008. But between the several gin and tonics, and there being nothing on TV of any consequence, Col happened to see the pageant on the guide as I flipped through. And after seeing several commercials on how this year was supposed to be jazzed up, I figured it would be funny to poke fun at the latest generation of late teen and early twenties girls who threw away their childhoods to win a popularity contest.


We tuned in with sixteen contestants left, strutting out in their swimsuits. Immediately you saw that it was jazzed up at least a little, seeing that every contestant, save one in Miss Utah, was wearing a very small bikini. Utah, who apparently was 'America's Choice to Win,' did not have the body of a bikini model, nor that of a Marine, of which she was. Granted I did not see the early rounds, so I'm not entirely certain as to how she got this far, but the swimsuit competition did her in. Of course the only person to wear a one-piece is not going to advance. At any rate, there were only two rounds left: the evening wear and talent portion.

Most of the evening wear was horrific, something no woman would normally wear out to a formal event. The exception being Miss Wisconsin, who wore a stunning red, full length gown. Perfectly fit her glorious body, was not outlandish, very elegant. Much better than that of Miss Texas, who wore a very ugly, flowing beige and mint-neon green affair, which she kept waving around like it would fly away.

However, on to the talent. The winner (can't even remember where she was from) sang 'Over the Rainbow' in a shaking, squeaky voice. Just plain God awful. From the start we figured she was doomed. In fact, there were only two women who stood out in the talents. Miss Texas sang a beautiful operatic piece, and nailed the high notes perfectly. Her dozen years of voice lessons and professional work in opera were apparent. Simply marvelous. Miss Wisconsin, she of the stunning red dress, played classical violin.

Answer this now: how did the two best talents, regardless of the evening wear competition, not even make the top five? There were two ballet dancers, one of which lost her balance often, the winner who poorly sang a tired song, and one half-way decent singing of a latin pop song. The two best performed, and most difficult talents... and not even places in the top five.

Hands down, Miss Wisconsin should have won. The dress, the talent... no-brainer. The opera singer from Texas should have been second. The winner, well, I wouldn't have even put her in the top eight.

Aside from that, the master of ceremonies were horrible. Not that I've ever watched these pageants on a regular basis, but I will not watch next year.

New Year Resolution Update

So here is an update on my resolutions. I'm ahead on at least one. My resolution on playing guitar at least once a week and learning a new song every month. In mid-December we were at Phil and Jen's house warming party, when John brought Guitar Hero II over. My previous experiences playing Guitar Hero left me very frustrated, as it really isn't like playing a real guitar. And yet, I tried again, playing Nirvana's 'Heart Shaped Box.' While I performed to satisfaction, it still bothered me. The next day, at home, I found the sheet music online, and learned to play on real guitar. So there is song one, month one: January I learned Nirvana's 'Heart Shaped Box.' Tonight (January 5th), I searched online for Foo Fighter's 'Everlong,' the acoustical version. After 10 minutes, I've got this one down as well, except for the transition. The Kid is asleep on the other side of the house, so I've got to play softly right now, but during the day, I'll figure out the transition, and have song #2 of the year done. Playing real guitar is so much more gratifying than playing Guitar Hero. I think it's from the realism of playing, the idea of knowing you are playing for real, and not just pressing buttons. However, I will say, the other night at Drew and Trish's, we played Rock Band, and it was fun. It's a party game, and having all of these people involved really was a good time. However, one of my all-time favorite songs, Radiohead's 'Creep,' is a selection. We played this, and I sang the lyrics. This is one song that I've always wanted to do karaoke style, because I can sing it just like ThomYorke. And I nailed a 98% on my first try. Looking forward to playing this again, because it was fun.

However, I digress. Getting back to playing guitar, 'Creep' is a song that I plan to tackle at some point this year. We'll put it on the list for later on.

Happy New Year

As I sit here on the 4th of January, not really thinking about the New Year at all, I'm reminded constantly that there was in fact a new year. Yes, we host a fabulous gala: many friends attend to ring in the flipping of the calendar. However I view it as nothing more than another day. The day changes from December 31, to January 1. The Earth moves around the Sun, the day and nights are cold. Another day for Madison Avenue to make a couple dollars.

However, I understand that many people hold this day to be of the utmost importance. A chance for change. A chance for a new beginning. A time for resolutions that will be broken in the coming days and weeks. A week during the year that McDonald's doesn't make a lot of money because most people are trying to live healthy. I would assume that next week will be McDonald's biggest selling week, as people forget about their healthy resolutions, and remember that we are a society of slothful, greedy people.

And yet, during this time of year, it is so easy to get caught up in the festivities and ideas that surround the New Year. How can you not make a resolution? How can you not look back upon the old year, and look forward to the new year? And so, to get into the spirit of the holiday season, I present my resolutions. Not so much resolutions, but more the idea of goals for the coming year.

My Resolutions

1. Finish my cross stitch - This is not only for me, but for my mother, who passed away in June of this last year. I started a project a few years back, and she always asked me about it. Now is the time to complete the pattern. For her.
   
2. Play guitar once a week, learn a new song once a month - I always want to pick up the guitar and fool around, but always have an excuse. So far, I'm on course
   
3. Rank nationally in track and field (top 3 in high jump, top 7 in long jump) - Considering how I finished the year, this shouldn't be hard. However, I need to put in the work on the track.
   
4. Edit a previous story, and submit to a magazine or contest - It's been two years since I have submitted a piece of work somewhere. I've been out of the writing world too long, it's time to jump back in.
   
5. Start writing a new story - My writing box has a section where I place scraps of paper with half written ideas. It's time to look at those, and start crafting a new story.
   
6. Write every week, anything - It has been too long since I have written anything. Whether it be in a journal, blog, or story, I have found it troubling to write anything. I simply need to sit down and write something.
   
7. Take time off work - Come February of this year, I will have accrued the maximum amount of vacation time possible, and therefore will not accrue any additional hours. I have not taken a vacation in the 5 years I have worked at KU. The most time I've taken off was the week before my mother died, and the 6 days around her funeral. That doesn't count. I need a mental vacation. Badly.
   
8. Spend more time with Olivia - There are the special moments you spend with your child as they grow up that you will reflect upon at some point in your life. Every day she learns a new thing. Every day I grow up through her eyes. The wonderment of learning how to live... yes that sounds strange. There are some times that I look at her and think that I am not spending enough time with her. The possibility... having a child of your own, and walking in their footsteps is the most amazing thing I have ever done.
   

So there are my resolutions. I will post at random times during the year, and we'll see how things turn out.