CONGRATS, TAYLOR & THE SOUL PATROL!

yabba dabba SOUL PATROL!!!

AI

Tonight's the night. On my way to Orlando, I'll find a cheap hotel room and spend the night, just as much to watch the finale as to avoid a continuous 12hr+ drive. The message boards are full of witty metaphors for the final two: Gray Versus Anatomy; Beauty & the Beast (not too nice to call Kat the Beast, but people can be mean). The B'Ham paper came up with a top 10 in favor of Tay:

1. Song choices approved by reps for George Harrison and Bruce Springsteen. How cool is that?
2. Compare their dance moves. No contest.
3. Because he’d never, ever smile nonstop while singing “Ain’t Got Nothin’ But the Blues.”
4. If Elvis had a little brother, he’d look like Taylor.
5. “Saturday Night Live” doesn’t spoof just anyone.
6. A soul man trumps an ice princess every time.
7. Gray is the new blond.
8. Taylor didn’t wear Paula’s tacky new jewelry line on camera.
9. With Soul Patrol, we’re talkin’ ’bout a revolution. McPheever sounds like a sickness.
10. So Katharine’s dad will really have a reason to cry.

Who's got your vote? How many times will you vote tonight?

LIBERAL ARTS

Today I ran across a guy's MySpace blurb worth blogging about:

"I went to school. I studied Political Science and Languages and Cultures of Asia. And now I am doing what any good liberal arts major does when confronted by the outside world: avoiding it. I work as an AmeriCorps Member with Habitat for Humanity in North Carolina. I will be going back to school this fall, for which I am very excited. I feel that I straddle the realms of maturity and immaturity very nicely. I like to read and make good conversation. Pretending that I am a responsible citizen is a lot of fun. At the same time, I enjoy the luxuries and the simplicity of acting like a ten-year-old."

I think Johnson's blurb represents the feelings of many young adults. And more times than I'd like to admit, I find myself sharing similar sentiments. Go back and read some of my old blogs. If you replace "Habitat for Humanity" with "private school," this sounds like something I could have written.

For the last few years, I've been wondering about a new career path - dreaming of a higher paying job that's as emotionally satisfying as teaching. While visiting Dallas with Pauline, I spoke to my friend Kevin about his Computer Science degree. His job requires some qualities of mine - fastidious, detail oriented, analytical, a problem-solver...That's me. And I'd be learning languages - granted, they'd be computer languages, but languages just the same. If I did web design, that would tie in art/design. But I wouldn't be limited to just making web pages. I could use the degree in several different ways, and because it's so versatile, I wouldn't have to worry about my job being outsourced.

It looks like I'll be teaching again before I get another degree, but at least I have a goal now. I imagine that eventually I'll be doing a number of things, photography and eBay included. And maybe even teaching a night class. But I do think the Computer Science thing is a real option that I need to explore. I like the idea better than an MBA, although both sound promising. If I had it to do over again, I would still choose Liberal Arts for my undergrad and masters, but I understand now why so many people tried to encourage me to choose a different career path.

Do you ever dream about having a different job?

3 THINGS I LEARNED TODAY

1. Home movies of your girlfriend are fun to watch
2. American Idol is boring without Chris (shocking! but Taylor needs a foil, I guess)
3. Alavert D-12 is worth its weight in gold

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

SOUL PATROL

Taylor Hicks Birmingham Galleria May 12, 2006, originally uploaded by Patrick Q.

Today is the day I died and went to Taylor Heaven.

Where do I begin? The radio interviews? The televised concert? The LIVE concert? Woo Hoo!

He is truly the best performer I've ever seen! I am more convinced than ever that he's one of the greatest musical showmen of our generation.

Go Silver Fox! Soul Patrol! If you'd like more photos of today's concert, visit my flickr stream.

HAPPY CAKES

Happy Birthday Cupcakes, originally uploaded by bowb.

...with sprinkles on top. Tomorrow I'll leave around 8 am and drive 4 hours to my neice's preschool. She's sharing birthday cupcakes with her class, and I'm invited. I can't wait! I'm so excited to be with my sister's family, and I'm even more excited that Pauline's flight arrives Saturday. Lord, please let her arrive safely.

Speaking of exciting news, tonight we'll find out who made it into the top 3 on AI, and it's a new installment of LOST. Which one will you watch? Both? Neither?

I've been collecting my thoughts on AI lately, specifically about the judges and producers. There's been a lot of speculation on the net about how the show's rigged and that the judges aren't fair with their criticisms and endorsements. I've especially heard a lot of rude comments about one judge in particular. Guess who!

All the snarky comments made about Simon remind me of old-fashioned melodramas. Taylor is the hero in white. Simon is the guy in the black cape with the fake mustache. I'd argue that Simon as we see him on TV is not even a real person. He’s a caricature: the villain who ties the damsel to the buzzsaw. So his part in the show only adds to the fun. The worse his behavior, the more justified our hatred of him becomes. Booing and hissing Simon is a crucial factor in the successful formula worked out by AI’s producers in previous seasons. Simon knows his part in the AI machine and plays it with overacted gusto and copyrighted catch-phrases.

I don’t mind Simon being the villian. I expect it. It’s part of the price of admission. Imagine a reality show with no conflict; it would be…well, in the words of Simon “boring, indeed.”What I do mind is the sneaking suspicion I keep fighting that Simon is not the only villian lurking behind the curtains at America’s favorite reality music show. It seems like the producers want to steal Simon’s part by sabotaging some contestants and promoting others. Rumors of back-stage foul play were once the domain of late night idol message boards, but the accusations are spreading and getting more and more mainstream. So I'm left asking, is it a fair fight or not?

And if the producers are favoring some contestants over others, aren't they missing the point?American audiences want escapism. We want to cheer the hero and hate the villian. We want to see good triumph over evil. If they can't provide that, I predict that AI will belly-up in one or two seasons.

LOST

Photo originally uploaded by Jacob..

I know it's 24 hours too early for "LOST," but that's the point. Yesterday I found a pre-airdate "LOST" spoiler on youtube, so I already know the plot for this Wednesday's episode. When I get a free minute I'll leave the link as a comment in case you are interested. Don't you want to know if Ana-Lucia and Libby survive Michael's freak out in the hatch? This episode reveals some secrets and a new mystery! But if you are waiting for the writers to reveal who "the Others" are, well...don't hold your breath (unless you're David Blaine). Vote for Taylor.

Speaking of surviving tragedies and living in less than luxury: my trip to the Gulf Coast went swell. It was a good step in my quest to getting my heart and head back to normal. It was healthly to hang out with three sets of friends this weekend (Yes, I am tired) and go to a church service with some of them. The church got a lot of damage and the building's restoration isn't nearly complete. The atmosphere was pretty amazing - between the rustic surroundings and the fighting spirit of the believers gathered there. Interestingly, the congregation included a group of Amish people who are helping with the relief/rebuilding effort. Vote for Taylor.

The rebuilding of the community will take like 100 years, no kidding. I still feel like I'm in Hell when I drive the coastline. Imagine driving through your hometown on what should be the busiest thoroughfare. Imagine all the shops and homes and the pedestrians. Now picture the same road, but there's no traffic. And there are no people. And the homes and shops are just piles of broken concrete and twisted steel - or nothing at all. It's like something from another world or a nightmare. Vote for Taylor.

One funny subject came up in the conversation with my friends down there. They are out of the loop when it comes to entertainment, or at least movies. When we talked about newer DVDs, many of them had no idea what some of the current pictures were - even big newsmakers like Brokeback Mountain. They were all, "Hey, what's that one about?" Unreal!?! And I noticed that NOBODY down there wants to see United 93. The concensus is that they are in no mood to see any screen tragedies. So I wouldn't bet on United being a big ticket show down in that area, but Brokeback probably will do great there in DVD rentals, when it normally would have done badly with such a conservative audience, because Coastal movie-renters will choose it not knowing the controversy surrounding it. How's that for an odd hurricane side-effect? Vote for Taylor.

On the subject of surprise money makers, my eBay auctions are doing well. Who knew that Playmobil toys would be this popular? I wish all my stuff would sell like this. I read a guy's My Space profile who said that he had made thousands off of his comic book collection - like over $24,000. I'm wondering what things like my postcards, record albums, and Hotwheels will bring. Cash in the Attic, baby! How much would it take for you to part with your collectibles? Oh yeah, and ...

VOTE FOR TAYLOR!

Here's a fun game for you to try. Just follow this link to Liquid Generation:

ONOMATOPOEIA

I'LL MISS YOU, DUELING DRAGONS

I've had a busy morning. I'm getting ready to visit friends on the Coast this weekend, so I'm tying up loose ends here. Mailing packages, paying bills, etc. I phoned in my tuxedo and hotel reservations for Ryan & Amanda's wedding. I'm excited to stay at the Sheraton. I've been to International Drive before, but never to this hotel. Ryan picked a good one.

I have twenty eBay auctions ending midweek next week that I'll be mailing, and Pauline's visit will start that weekend. (Yay!) So, with the wedding the next week, I think today is the start of a very busy two week stretch. Ever notice how life kind of happens all at once?

Biggest bummer of the day: I'll be in a great hotel for four nights in May, a block or so from Universal Studios and won't go! Pauline will be in South America, so I've got no date to the wedding. I'm OK with going stag to the ceremony & stuff, but I can't see myself going to a theme park solo. Boo! I've been racking my brain trying to come up with a friend who could stay in the hotel with me and go to the park with me in the mornings- and to the park at night while I'm at the wedding events. All my buddies are married now. And my nephews are too young to be on their own - except Ben who just hurt his back and can't go on Coasters. Bummer, indeed. Blah. Maybe I'll go for a day anyway, at least to CityWalk.

ROCK THE VOTE, YA'LL

Time for our Weekly Votin' Party!, originally uploaded by Patrick Q.

PLEASE follow this link and play Taylor Hick's Pac-Man. You will NOT be sorry!

According to Ray Ray (Tay Tay's cousin), he will be giving us a "real Taylor Hicks" concert tonight - ignoring the pressure he's getting from AI's producers and judges. I can't wait! According to the Official Soul Patrol, the week's theme is Billboard chart toppers - one current hit and one from the performer's birthyear. Yes! 2 songs from Taylor!

SPOILER ALERT: The rumor mill over at Gray Charles is spinning this yarn: One of the songs is "Play that Funky Music, White Boy"... Wow! Here's hopin'!

UPDATE:

Taylor rocked out tonight. Just checked out my Last-FM charts. Looks like I favor one particular artist. Hmmm...What's up with that?

26:1

Lazy blog today. If you want deep thought, read yesterday's post. I stole this list from john mora, who stole it from someone else.

One Word
YOU CAN ONLY TYPE ONE WORD.
NO EXCUSES.

1. Yourself: who?
2. Your Lover: heavenly
3. Your Hair: scary
4. Your Mother: loving
5. Your Father: loving
6. Your Favorite Item: cookie
7. Your Dream Last Night: bad
8. Your Favorite Drink: water
9. Your Dream Home: unsure
10. The Room You Are In: mine
11. Your Pet(s): died
12. Who You Are Now: Linus
13. Who You Want to be in Ten Years: published
14. What You Want to be in Ten Years: alive
15. What You're Not: satisfied
16. Your Best Friend: invisible
17. One of Your Wishlist Items: hoodie
18. Your Gender: guy
19. The Last Thing You Did: sing
20. What You Are Wearing: umbros
21. Your Favorite Weather: cold
22. Your Favorite Book: educational
23. The Last Thing You Ate: mashed-potatoes
24. Your Life: new
25. Your Mood: procrastinating
26. Most Recent Blog: preachy

AS AMERICAN AS ALL-STARS AND APPLE PIE

CHUCKS MOSAIC, originally uploaded by Patrick Q.

I made this mosaic from some of my favorite photos from the folks on flickr (say that 5 times fast). It's noteworthy how many individuals from all over the world thought to take a picture of their All Stars and post it on flickr. What does that say about us? There are at least 3 fan groups at flickr devoted solely to photos of this shoe! Score one for the marketing team at Converse.

Along that same line, have you seen this week's copy of U.S. News & World Report? The cover story by Bay Fang details the purchasing power of the rising Chinese Middle Class. The story highlights some of the marketing strategies US companies are using to hook the "Chuppies" (Chinese Yuppies) on their products. Take basketball shoes, for instance:

"When Nike entered the China market in 1994, it found a country where regular kids didn't play sports; that was the province of elite athletes....Nike changed all that. The company began sponsoring entire high school basketball leagues, with the hope that more widespread competition would eventually pay off in brand recognition....today the company will hit $450 million in annual [Chinese] sales [compared to $8 million in '94]. In poll after poll, Nike is cited as the 'coolest' brand [by Chinese consumers]."

Here's the ploy that I found the most humorous:

When De Beers started marketing diamonds in China in 1993, "there were absolutely no diamonds exchanged in China and nothing in Chinese culture linking diamonds and love." But the marketing firm that handles De Beers has fixed that! The head of the firm boasts, "It's more than selling a product. It's creating a culture."

"The company has been so successful in its creation that now, in Shanghai, 70 percent of all brides are given a diamond wedding ring....Every year De Beers cosponsors a 'Rose Wedding Ceremony' with the Shanghai municipal government, in which 100 couples exchange vows - and diamond rings" in a broadcast TV event. Last year the couples stood next to a 12-foot-high model of a diamond ring!

A 12 foot high diamond ring! Can you believe that? I love the name of a presentation that De Beer's marketing company gave: "Creating a Diamond Wedding Ring Cultural Imperative." I guess it could be worse. Just imagine it, "With this Nike I thee wed."

What do you think about that?

PHOTO SHOOT

The Plastics, originally uploaded by Patrick Q.

ZZZZZZ...I'm spending my Friday night photographing little plastic people. What's wrong with this picture? Did I mention that I'm a 31 year old man? Oh, the things I do for eBay!

IT'S ALMOST MAY...

I , originally uploaded by Patrick Q.

We know what that means, don't we, Pauline?

MAGIC iPOD

Are you ready for the next Magic 8 Ball? Wish you had a fortune cookie, but all you’ve got is an iPod? If you haven’t heard of it yet (Where have you been?), Shuffle Fortune-Telling is asking questions and letting iTunes' shuffle function give you the answers. (This is a joke, btw. It’s forced creativity and your brain making connections between random things - It reveals what's in your head, not what's in the cards for you. I don’t actually believe my new iPod is omniscient. Now my toaster on the other hand…)

Simple to follow instructions: Go to the music player of your choice and put it on shuffle. Say the following questions aloud and press play. Use the songs as your answers. NO CHEATING! (Unless you get instrumental music; but even then, at least try to make a connection. )

How does the world see me?
Song: Don’t You Forget About Me
Artist: Simple Minds
Comment: I guess I remind the world of Anthony Michael Hall

Will I have a happy life?
Song: Somehow
Artist: Taylor Hicks
Comment: Like the song says, "I’ll get by, somehow…look at the people around you, stabbing at your heart, but you still smile in kindness…"

What do my friends really think of me?
Song: Trust
Artist: Jason Upton
Comment: The song’s refrain is "I can trust in you."

Does anyone secretly have a crush on me?
Song: Fur Elise
Artist: Vince Guaraldi
Comments: Lucy and Schroeder! Oh, but Lucy’s crush was no secret!

How can I make myself happy?
Song: Too Young
Artist: Nat King Cole
Comments: Marry too young? Well, it’s too late for that! Maybe just marry, then?

What should I do with my life?
Song: Why Doesn’t Andy
Artist: The Whitlams
Comments: Oh, goody. I’m supposed to talk on stage, then? Must I act my age?

Why should life be full of so much pain?
Song: She’s Got a Way
Artist: Billy Joel
Comments: It doesn’t matter as long as you are loved.

Will I ever have children?
Song: Sh-Boom
Artist: The Crew-Cuts
Comments: If I do, it will be a dream come true.

Will I die happy?
Song: My Doorbell
Artist: The White Stripes
Comments: Death is just the doorway to a happier eternity.

What is some good advice for me?
Song: Love You Madly
Artist: Cake
Comments: Love courageously. Trust. Don’t hold back.

What is happiness?
Song: White Christmas
Artist: Bing Crosby
Comments: Yes, it is! Merry Birthday to Jesus and me!

How will I be remembered?
Song: Son of a Carpenter
Artist: Taylor Hicks
Comments: Cool.

What kind of person will I marry?
Song: Soulful Christmas
Artist: James Brown
Comments: A star: I’ll be her biggest fan! Jump back! Owww!

Where will I live when I'm married?
Song: Yellow Rose of Texas
Artist: The Hi-Lo’s with Billy May
Comments: Hmmmm…Big D. here I come? Doubtful, but who knows?

What will be the hardest thing I ever have to do?
Song: Enth E Nd
Artist: Linkin Park
Comments: Letting go.

What will my first child be like?
Song: Welcome Home
Artist: Shaun Groves
Comments: I’ll be happy to make room in my heart for him.

Will I have a happy marriage?
Song: Surely Goodness and Mercy
Artist: Vineyard (The Burn Service)
Comments: 8-)

What will become of my brother?
Song: Time in a Bottle
Artist: Jim Croce
Comments: He’ll always be with those he loves.

What will become of my mother?
Song: Tell Her About It
Artist: Billy Joel
Comments: She’ll find out how much she’s loved.

What will become of my father?
Song: Take Me Home, Country Roads
Artist: Taylor Hicks
Comments: He’ll stay a country boy.

What will my biggest regret be?
Song: One I Love
Artist: Coldplay
Comments: Running after Harpies when I should’ve tied myself to the mast – not embracing the cross.

What's something that will help me through tough times?
Song: Gonna Move
Artist: Taylor Hicks
Comments: Road trip! Or maybe the Witness Relocation Program?

What does love mean to me?
Song: Mockingbird
Artist: Derek Webb
Comments: I’m just giving what’s been given to me.

Does anyone love me right now?
Song: Rich Young Ruler
Artist: Derek Webb
Comments: Yes. The question is how do I love others? When it’s easy? When it costs nothing?

PSALM 93

The summer before my freshman year of college, I spent a week in a condo in Gulf Shores, AL. My first night there, I woke up in the middle of the night. I felt like God wanted me to go out on the balcony and that I should bring my Bible with me. When I opened the sliding door, I noticed that the waves seemed unusually loud. I stood admiring the waves, and again I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit. This time he told me to turn to Psalm 93. As I read the words, my faith in God grew stronger. I wasn't just reading poetry. The book was describing what I was experiencing at that moment. There was the power of the ocean right in front of me, and the whole experience illustrated God's power in my life.

Yesterday morning, I opened up the Bible and found myself reading the same Psalm. After living through the destruction of hurricane Katrina, the Psalmist's words once again took on a personal meaning for me. Yes, the ocean's waves are powerful. But God is even more powerful.

Psalm 93

The LORD is king! He is robed in majesty.
Indeed, the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength.
The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken.
Your throne, O LORD, has been established from time immemorial.
You yourself are from the everlasting past.
The mighty oceans have roared, O LORD.
The mighty oceans roar like thunder;
the mighty oceans roar as they pound the shore.
But mightier than the violent raging of the seas,
mightier than the breakers on the shore--
the LORD above is mightier than these!
Your royal decrees cannot be changed.
The nature of your reign, O LORD, is holiness forever.

iPOD

iPod family, originally uploaded by Zengame.

Pauline sent me an iPod. I was so surprised when I opened the box. Oh, happiness! Now I can drown out the senseless chatter at the gym while I'm running. Thank you, Pauline!

Speaking of noise. I found out I'm not a big fan of Ben Folds after all. He is both the most talented pianist and the most profane man I've ever seen onstage. My nephew Ben and I have started calling him "Ben's Folds." LOL

NOW ENTERING OLD-AGEVILLE

Dr Pepper, Texas, originally uploaded by glitz.

Theme of the week: I'm an old guy. Evidence is piling up. Here's a sampling:

Adult swim is featuring episodes of "Saved by the Bell" this week. My neice and nephew didn't believe me when I told them that I'm the same age as the actors. They thought I was much OLDER!

I saw posters advertising a Ben Folds concert at the university. I was so excited! I had no trouble picking up tickets at the last minute because NONE of the college-age kids want to attend - they'd prefer a younger, cooler singer!

I spend Tuesday nights glued to the television cheering my favorite American Idol...who is a prematurely gray 30-something!

I've always loved the theme song for Dr. Pepper, but recently I've acquired a taste for the soda. Today I think I found out the reason why: it gets its distinct flavor from PRUNE JUICE!

What's next for me...a passion for shuffleboard?!

POP CULTURE SWAP

MAD HATTER'S SWAP 8, originally uploaded by Patrick Q.

I just put my package in the mail for the Pop Culture swap I signed up for on flickr. The theme of this month's swap is "Mad Hatter's Tea Party." The picture above is the front of the card I made for my swap partner. I hope she likes the package. I should know in a few days as I sent it Priority Mail (God bless the Post Office).

I'm doing one other swap this month with another flickr group - Color-ific Swap-O-Rama. Their theme of the month is yellow/orange.

It was fun to put together the little packages of gifts, and I'm sure it will be fun to receive my packages when they arrive in the mail. I think the whole swap-a-gift-box-with-a-random-person idea is a good one. If you are interested in learning more, just go to flickr and search the groups for the word "swap."