Is American Idol Really a Litmus Test for Gay Rights?

I liked both Adam and Kris and was underwhelmed by both their final performances, so was really OK with either of them winning. I find all the post-finale commentary as it pertains to Adam/homophobia/gay rights/Middle America really interesting. Would it have been cool for Adam, an "edgy" dude who wears black nail polish and eyeliner and who is probably gay though he neither confirms nor denies, to win American Idol, a popularity contest for the masses? Sure. But would that necessarily have meant that the average American is ready to embrace gay rights? I don't think so. And I don't think it follows that his failure to win means that the average American is homophobic. I think Kris beat Adam for the same reason that Jordin beat Blake: America likes the wholesome, clean-cut kid as an American Idol. That of course has no bearing on whether Adam or Blake will be successful artists--Blake, you let me down on this one! Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Prince... I could go on. Adam will do just fine. I also don't buy that there was a vast right-wing conspiracy to vote against Adam (i.e., for Kris). Really, don't you think that faction is focused on more important initiatives in their agenda than American Idol?

And I can't believe I've spent that much time thinking about this....

Meow

I watched the Real Housewives of NYC reunion show last night and I don't think my eardrums have recovered yet. Ramona needs to thank Kelly for joining the show, because Kelly makes Ramona look positively sane. And Kelly, Columbia University called--they would like you to refrain from mentioning your degree from there because it may hurt them in the U.S. News ranking next year. Calling Kelly inarticulate is like calling Andy Lambert showy--a wee bit understated. Yes Kelly, the grass is not always greener, no matter how much fertilizer you use.

We are in full hockey mode at our house. T has asked that everyone call him "Kaner," but since he can't say his R's, people are calling him "Kane-o" instead. I was considering getting a Blackhawks tattoo--not Chief Black Hawk's head, but the "C" with the crossed tomahawks, but I will regret it later, right?

Go Blackhawks!

I have turned into a total hockey freak. I go to all of T's games and have even been known to watch a high school game on TV. I still don't understand some of the stats and ratings, but I think I've got the basics down. Why am I so late to discover this? I guess I have T to thank.

This past Mother's Day was my best yet. H brought me breakfast in bed (Corn Pops, yogurt and a glass of water--she wanted to do it all by herself) and the kids gave me coupon books that they made in school. I can redeem them for things like having books read to me, taking walks, letting me nap, and from T, his giving up electronics for 10 minutes! What a sacrifice! H told a great story at our Mother's Day dinner: Mother's Day was invented in 1871 by a woman who was sick and tired of having her lazy husband lay in bed every day while she did all the work. So one day, she decided that for one day, her husband would cook and clean and take care of the family, and she rallied her friends to the cause so Mother's Day was born. Then in 1873, the dads were tired of doing all this work, so they invented Father's Day, where they could lay in bed all day and do nothing--in other words, have just a regular day (her words, not mine).

Dream On?

My freaking Ti-faux went on the fritz and deleted all my recording information. So I missed last week's Amazing Race, but thankfully discovered that things were amiss before the upcoming season finale. Was also lucky to catch it before last night's Real Housewives finale and American Idol. Though not sure watching AI was actually a good thing. Danny Gokey, even though I don't know Steve Tyler, you, sir, are no Steve Tyler. Good Lord, what was that? I'm not a Danny hater, but after that performance, he deserves to go. Adam was awesome, but the best part of the night was definitely Rafael on guitar! Woo-hoo!

H's friend does an annual trip with her mom. H asked if we could do a mother-daughter trip sometime, and I asked her where she would like to go. "Vegas," she replied. That girl....