To Sing or Not To Sing

Okay, I just have to say we were not all meant to the next American Idol.

Seriously people! Just because grandma says you can sing doesn't mean you can. The truth? When grandma tells you that, she turns off her hearing aids.

I can't imagine what comes over people at these auditions. Tonight I watched (painfully, I might add) contestant after contestant brutally hacking apart songs that were at one point top hits. Most were so bad I had to ask my girlfriend, "What song are they trying to sing again?" Often, she could not answer.

And the judges. Why? WHY? Why do they let these people continue to sing? If I were a judge, after the first note I would say, "Thank you. No. Good bye. Security." I can't imaging how their heads feel after a full day of listening to vocal murder. I seriously hope they are paid for their pain and suffering.

But yet, week after week I tune in to see who will become the next American Idol.

Change

Today is the inauguration of our 44th president. He promises change. I have to admit, I did not vote for Obama. This does not mean I am upset my canidate did not win the election. Unlike many democrats in 2004 who declared Bush was NOT their president, I am declaring Obama is mine. That's the beauty of living in a democracy. Both parties had their say and the rest of America made a statement of their own. America chose Obama.

In just a few hours President Elect Obama will make his way up the steps of the nation's capital. He will place his hand on the very same Bible Abraham Lincoln (this nation's greatest president, in my opinion) used in his inaurguration and will be sworn in as President of the United States of America. It is a day of change. Is this the change Obama promised? The media is declaring this day the greatest day in America's History. My hope is President Obama's legacy will be more than just being the first African American President.

My fear is people will expect too much from this man. He is after all just that - a man. He's going to make mistakes. I hope he does. Not so I can declare him a failure as a president, but so that America can see he's only human. I believe the bigger change will come when he learns from the mistakes he'll make.

Although I declare myself a conservative republican, I am looking forward to the next four years. They will certainly be interesting. I'm intrigued and curious to see what lies ahead for America. Change. Perhaps this thought process is President Obama's promise.

Thoughts on Friendship

Saturday evening I got together with my girlfriends for conversation and food. Some of these girls I've been friends with since the second grade. Some of these girls I haven't seen in years. But when we get together it's like no time has passed at all. A few hours of gabbing and we're caught up. There's always laughter and sometimes tears. There's always companionship and sometimes inspiration. And there is always unconditional love.

We were told by many that our friendships wouldn't go beyond high school. Here it is nearly 20 years later and we still are very close. A lot can be said for these girls I call my friends. I wouldn't trade anything for what I've been blessed with. We've been there for each other in times of crisis, in times of sorrow, in times of joy. There seems to be a bond with us that cannot be broken.

I often wonder what I've done in this tiny life of mine to deserve such wonderful women as friends. It's overwhelming at times. Over time I've learned not to question what God has given me. Instead I've learned how to hold on to the precious gift of friendship.

Have you told your friends today you love them? You should. It will come back to you tenfold.

The Big Freeze

I woke this morning to the sound of my husband's voice stating, "It's f---ing cold outside." My reply was, "Yep."

We live in Minnesota. It's January 14th. It's not like we should expect sandy beaches and sunshine. Okay, well maybe sunshine. That's what typically makes these arctic blasts feel like hell has just frozen over. It has been 55 straight hours of sub-zero temperatures. The record is 186 hours set back in 1921. (Don't ask me why I know this.) They say history repeats itself. I think we just might break that record. The news this morning is stating that Anchorage Alaska is 42 degrees. And the Arctic Circle is 6 degrees. Are you kidding me? That's a 68 degree difference! Seriously...it's 26 degrees below zero - standing temp. With the wind chill it's 45 degrees below zero.

Staying warm is tricky. The key is layers. The more the better. Start with long underwear, add a dash of jeans, turtle necks and sweaters. Top it off by tossing in a woolen scarf, a stocking cap, mittens and a thermal jacket. Remember to not take too long putting this all together. The results are profuse sweating which causes immediate freezing upon stepping outside.

Why do we Minnesotans love the big freeze? Who knows. It is one of life's imponderables.