American Idol-Birth Year Songs

Another week and I missed the first 5 minutes of the show, so I didn't know what the musical theme of the evening was. It wasn't until about the 7th singer that I finally put it together and why they were talking about the year they were born. Sure makes me feel old! I definitely couldn't see a connection with the musical choices between the contestants. Let's face it, from that odd song choice of David Archuleta, what was that? It sounded like a Christian song. Now don't get me wrong, alot of Christian music sounds great, but why did he pick a song no one knew or could identify with? I guess I have to give him some benefit because being born in the year 1990, yikes he really is young, can you remember one song from that year? Either way, he did an awesome job of it. The best of the evening was and I hate to admit it was David Cook. His translation of Billy Jean was incredible, no Michael Jackson in there. Who knew it could be sung that way? He's either really talented or really smart. I can't really say that there was one singer that was the worst one of the evening, as they are improving with each week and finding their own musical stylings, but I think Kristie Lee Cook and sorry, Ramiele are the weakest contestants. I don't see any star quality about them. There's no WOW, no awesome, no wanting to hear more, sorry girls. Dreadlock Jason is just so low key, will someone give him some caffeine please! Among the best girl vocals so far are Syesha, she reminds me of a young Whitney Houston, pre druggie days and Carly. That last note of her song was awful, but I think with more coaching and training she will be an incredible singer. Michael Johns is so cute, but his song choice, "We Are the Champions" reminds me of Chicken Little singing into his spoon in his bedroom. I will never be able to listen to that song again without that picture in my mind! Brooke White looks so much better with straight hair. Don't change it! But I still don't think you have Idol star power. At this time, I think it's between David, David and Carly to win it. -Single D

The Bachelor-London Calling

One word to describe these bunch of American women-painful! It happened twice last night when watching "The Bachelor". It was a yikes, go hide in a cave moment, when not one, but two women sang for the affections of Matt. Aw come on, I know Matt wanted to double over and pee his pants in fits of laughter when Miss, I brought my clarinet, started to sing a song she made up about the bachelor. It was just awkward and squeamish. What is just so pitiful is that she probably thinks she's really good. She was just so earnest! Another woman attempting to woo Matt with her musical stylings was Robin. Gee, how old is she? She's like twenty years older than him, ok, five years older. The problem with her is that she comes off so desperate! And that opera voice, gag me! Summertime and the bachelor is queasy! Well, enough of my singing. Downright embarrassing and the other girls, especially Marshawn was flabbergasted! Matt divided his time between two dates, one runway modeling group date and the other group date was to Vegas. I'm thinking the first group got gyped. All they got to do was model clothes down a runway, woo hoo! Matt had to give a rose to one of the girls on this date and he chose, Ashlee, because get this, she was the most forward. Ah, now we know what he's looking for! He could have by passed all this and dialed some 900 number and get the same result. Ashlee is way too young for him. She acts like she's thirteen, "can you pass this note to Matt in study hall"? Plus the fact that she likes to stick out her very unattractive tongue, is she related to Gene Simmons? What's up with women and pointing out their tongues, yuck! But leave it to the unabashed trashy Ashlee to get the prize of the first kiss, careful that tongue! Marshawn when she's alone with Matt seems very nice and sincere and not all in your face like she gets when she's in the group. The second group got a date in Las Vegas. Each got 2, 000 dollars to gamble with and the one that ended up with the most money would win a private 30 minutes with Matt. Shayne, the actress, put all her money on red and lost it all in one fell swoop. You can tell, she has no concept of money, while all the other girls played conservatively. Kelly wins the 30 minutes with Matt. I'm wondering if she will remember that date because it looked like she was totally plastered, not a pretty sight. Meanwhile, Shayne is having a meltdown competing for Matt's attention. She's not used to the competition, she says men usually give her the roses. She's usually the one they compete for. Well, honey, why did you sign on, with all your suitors lining up, why bother? But it appears the only rose she's interested in is Matt's. I thought maybe she'd leave, but she managed to collect that blond hair, piled it high on her head, put a flowery headband on and asked for a second chance. I'm not a drama queen, really! Chelsea managed to win the second rose by displaying her ability to swing out her arms in a very repulsive double jointed poses and twirled her tongue which intrigued Matt. Hey Matt, are you auditioning women for the circus? That was just strange. Oh where have the normal girls gone? Poor Matt, it seems his choices in the bacherlorettes are slim. Fortunately he sent packing, Michelle, the singing clarinet player, Carrie, and Erin, the dark haired beauty that really didn't try to compete for his attention, girl what's the matter with you? I thought she was very pretty, give the brunettes a chance! Maybe she should have honed her singing talents more.-Single D

Big Brother-Until Death Do Us Part-Adam In Charge

Finally the other side is in charge, but is it? Adam wins HOH and Natalie and Sheila are ecstatic! Sheila says that if Adam takes revenge on the other side she might have to give him a kiss, she says he would be her hero. Gee, let's see how long that feeling last! Adam on the other hand is disappointed in himself for winning, what? Adam no one forced your hand on the buzzer, why did you ring in? He just wanted to lay low and not ruffle any feathers. Come on ya big pansy! You got the right answer so obviously you do have some brains up there. Now do the right thing and nominate the power couple, James and Chelsia!

Adam calls everyone to his room to see his HOH setup. He spies a basket with all baby food in it and in the fridge. He blames his mother, "why would she send all this baby food?" Now we know why he didn't want to be HOH because then his secret passion for baby food would be revealed. OK Adam, it's not like you wear diapers, or do you? Natalie says baby food is delicious and nutritious, gee go figure she would like it. Most adults probably cringe at the thought of eating that pureed stuff, that in itself is a food challenge! Maybe Adam and Natalie should hook up, if only she could get over Matt. Natalie is still weepy over Matt's departure and says that nice Natty is gone and naughty Natty is coming out. When Natalie was reading the Bible and looked up at those pink curtains in her room, I thought she was thinking of James and his pink hair, but she was really counting. The number 8 kept coming up, 8 curtains, 8 wall plaques, 8 this and 8 that. She even said that maybe Evel Dick was coming back since his name had 8 letters and he was on Big Brother, Season 8. Who knew she had that power of observation? I guess when you're stuck in the house for that long, what else do you have to do?

Joshuah is trying to get under Sheila's skin by telling her that Adam wants to put up Sheila and himself. I don't know why anyone listens to Joshuah, haven't they seen through him yet? Apparently Sheila takes everything he says as gospel and gets really upset that Adam would do that. Hey Sheila, what happened to that sensible mom talk that made you so persuasive to other people in the house? Why didn't you try that with Adam or maybe give him that kiss you said you would, what happened to all that warm and fuzzy? Gee, have you ever scene such a love-hate relationship? They should just do it and get it over with!

The movie reward challenge was fun, Vegas Baby! I knew Ryan would be good at this, guys are better card players, especially playing BlackJack. I felt like a dum dum, counting on my fingers and when they announced he could risk it and win a $21,000 trip to Vegas he would go for it. Let's see, watch the movie 21 or win a trip to Vegas and $5,000 in cash? Take the trip, see the movie when it comes out in DVD. He lost the bet and the other side got to see the movie. Well it was a semi-win win.

I was ready to throw my slippers at the TV if Adam was going to nominate someone other than James and Chelsia, but I didn't have to since he received telepathically my nominees! James and Chelsia vowed vengeance on Adam. Pleeze! James is so sanctimonious it's pitiful! Thank you Adam, you did the right thing, now you can eat your baby food!-Single D

Ghost Hunters - Clapp Memorial Library

We are back in the USA with Jason, Grant and team. This week, Clapp Memorial Library in Belchertown, MA. Kind of makes you wonder how they came up with that name. The library which was build in 1879 has been the scene of full body apparitions, books sliding out and in shelves and other such noises mostly experienced by the night custodian. Tango & Kris start out in the basement asking the spirits to lower the temperature by 5 degrees. The spirits comply and the temp drops in seconds. They also hear a sound which turns out to be a child's book that has buttons to push to hear sounds. After pressing a few buttons, Tango comes across the sound they heard. No one else was in the basement at the time. Nothing showed up on audio or video but Jason & Grant feel that this could be a residual haunting possibly by Lidia, the first librarian. On to Attleboro House in Bristol Co., MA a 300 year old that has been turned into a duplex that houses two generations of the same family. Four generations of the same family have reported activity in the home. The children of the families say an apparition of a little boy comes to visit them and adults report seeing a child watching them. Jason & Grant, in the living room, ask the child to make a noise and bells hanging from the entertainment center start to chime. They set up a camera aimed at the bells to see if anything else happens while they are gone. Nothing shows on audio but video caught the moment when the bells on the entertainment center rang showing that there was no one or thing in the room to cause the bells to ring. Research finds that a little girl was found dead on the property in the 1700's and a civil war journal was found in the wall of the house back in the early 1900's. Sounds like the stuff a haunting is made of! Double D

Celebrity Apprentice-Final Two

The final four, Trace, Baldwin, Carol and Lennox are told by the Donald, that he will fire two more after they are subjected to a grueling round of interviews. Yuck, I hate interviews! Piers thinks he has this one in the bag. Carol looks sublimely at ease with being interviewed by Erin Burnnet and Jim Cramer. Lennox is a boxer not a talker, so he stumbles his way through this process as Jim Cramer has question marks around his head. Trace manages to warm Erin's heart and is her favorite, she's a women afterall. Back in the boardroom, Trump tells the group that Trace and Carol were the favorites while Piers was everyone's least favorite being too rough and brash. You could see Trump's wheels spinning as to who he should fire, because it appeared to be a three way tie, between Carol, Piers and Trace. There was no question about firing Lennox, stick to knocking out your opponent not out talking your opponent. Trump knew he needed to keep Piers for all his foul mouth and abrasive manner, he really did produce the most cash out of anyone. In the end, I think a lightbulb went off in that Trump's head and he decided to keep Trace to go up against Piers, good vs evil, USA vs England. Gee, I never thought of it that way, maybe that explains why he has billions and I....well, you get my drift. Carol was very congenial about leaving and walked out in true class act style. When I grow up I want to be Carol Alt!

Of course we knew previously fired contestants would return, Marilu, Carol, Lennox and Baldwin. Trace choses Lennox (he takes the crutch away from Piers) and Marilu. Piers gets Baldwin and Carol. No Stephen, God wasn't listening to you, he's got better things to do.

The final challenge is a charity auction with food and entertainment. Trace gets the entertainment/decor end and Piers gets the auction/food end. I think I would like the food part of it, you know sampling and tasting, oh yeah! Trace plans to bring bus loads of country music celebrities to this function as he knows Piers will out do him in total donations so he has to wow Trump with the celebrities and entertainment. Little does he know that he also has to put up with the selfish, it's all about me needs of the Backstreet Boys and their high demands to be met. They apparently don't know who Trace Adkins is as they treat him like some kind of man servant. Fetch me some wheat grass, fetch me this, fetch me that, fetch me a pain in the ass! I couldn't believe their primadonna attitude and for a band that is considered defunct and passe, they sure are demanding. I didn't even think they were a band anymore and as Trace said, they were the Backstreet Boys a long time ago, what are they now, the Backstreet Greys? Should be more like the Backstreet Pains!

Piers fairs better as he calls on his friend, Princess Fergie. I love her! She offered to help him out by auctioning a tea with the Princess. Gee, I'm wondering how much that will go for?

So it's a race to the finish and it's anyone's title, but I'm thinking maybe Piers, because in the end, it's about fundraising and that is what Piers, for all his brash tactics, is good at.-Single D

Survivor-Fans vs Favorites-Goodbye Kathy

Boy, this season's survivors are dropping off like flies. Kathy is falling apart before our eyes. Let's face it. Survivor is for the young. It's for those that don't have a family, have no commitments, have no responsibilities, so I'm guessing that eliminates anyone over the age of 30. In theory, Survivor sounds fun for all of about 10 minutes until you find out that you have no bed, no food, no purified water, gads this is a generation that doesn't even drink out of the tap! After a certain age, we (women) need our comforts. We need our children, we need the comfort of our nest. So I can totally sympathize with Kathy when she emerges from the cave saying that how can she sleep in a cave shared with bats, rats and funky smells. I would just die! Not to mention not having anything to wash my clothes and shampoo my hair. I would however, like to renounce makeup and then maybe I would emerge with an I don't care how my face looks attitude in the real world. So Kathy must have picked up the jungle telephone, is that a string of coconuts on a palm frond and called Jeff Probst to the rescue. He looked quite dashing as he came ashore to assess the situation. Oh honey, can Jeff rescue me! Kathy tells him that she is trying to hold on, but that she can't feel her family inside. Jeff tells her all is going to be OK. Gee when he said that you really did believe it. It was another heart wrenching moment on Survivor, but I kept thinking that if she could have held out until the immunity challenge and then be voted off it would have been an immunity freebie for her tribe. But she was like a hysterical woman sobbing, the girls should have slapped her to her senses! So off on the rescue boat she went, waving in the sunset as she leaves the others to act like cavemen, eat raw clams and suffer the 6 hours of torrential rains.

Meanwhile, Ozzy is doing his jungle king thing, notice how he's changed from jungle boy to jungle king? He's teaching star struck Erik the ways of the jungle and to follow into his Lion King's footsteps. Cirie makes funny commentaries on this whole Ozzy thing as she says that they should right there just kiss and get married. But Oz better watch out and be more aware that he is ruffling the feathers of the nest.

The reward challenge is to do once again a puzzle by first retrieving the puzzles blindfolded and guided by one team mate. Cirie directs the group through the maze with ease. They put the puzzle together and win the reward. Their reward, a spa day. Now this is something Kathy could have used, she might have changed her mind. Ozzy puts Tracy on the spot when he suggest that she should go to Exile island with Jason from the other tribe. She was not happy and can you blame her? The reward looked awesome from the waterfall to all the spa stuff.

The immunity challenge involved retrieving more puzzle pieces from a platform at sea, Ozzy does his wonder boy stuff but unfortunately his tribe can't put the pieces together and the other tribe wins immunity. The girls in Ozzy's tribe are creating alot of drama by wanting to vote off Ozzy. Ami comes up with a very convoluted plan to get Ozzy vote off, while all this time, Ozzy is off drinking coconut milk. Hey Ozzy wake up, the girls are plotting against you! At tribal council, again I was holding my breath thinking if Ozzy doesn't use the immunity idol this time, he's going to be eliminated, but fortunately, everyone came to their senses and voted Tracy off. Bye Tracy, don't you have a family to go home to?-Single D

I loved how the show opened with the torrential rain at the Airai camp, everyone shivering and looking positively miserable. Then they switch to the Malakal camp with steel drums playing and the sun shining looking like a tropical paradise. What editing! Those guys should should win an Emmy!

Erik is so entralled with Ozzy. It's like Cirie said, Erik would probably marry Ozzy if he asked. Speaking of Cirie, she doesn't want to do anything. Ozzy takes his puppy, Erik fishing and they ask her to help row the boat. The way she acted, you would have thought they asked her to build the boat.

On to the reward challenge. Blindfolded tribe members getting led by one. Cirie does a great job leading her tribe through the course and Malakal wins. They send Tracy to Exile Island. The reward was to "get clean" with soap, shampoo and a jungle shower. Ozzy, back in his original survivor, would have let the girls do this and he would have taken one for the team and went to Exile Island. This time around he has Amanda to get clean with. He was rewarded when Amanda takes off her top, Ami followed suit and Ozzy was front row center for the show. Cirie was nearby saying, "I looked up and all I saw was bare boobies!" She was also happy for them that they could feel so free.

Back at Airai, Kathy is falling apart. She is saying the survivor experience is like being a caveman when the camera pans over to a shot of Eliza squating holding a bowl in her hands looking pretty much like a cavewoman. Yeah, those editors deserve an Emmy. For some reason, I wasn't surprised when Kathy cracked. Again I have to ask, what do these people think when they audition for this show?! Club-Med it's not! Kathy was saying, on TV they only show it raining for 5 minutes. Do people really think that it only rains for 5 minutes? Wonders never cease.

Malakal loses immunity and faced with tribal, the girls start making deals on who will go, Ozzy or Erik. Ami come up with a plan to blindside Ozzy while Amanda and Cirie want Erik out. Apparently the editors leave out a crucial bit of information because in the end, only Tracy voted Ozzy and everyone else voted for Tracy. So much for that Emmy editors! Double D

Big Brother-Jame's Revenge part 2

Wow is Matt growing a heart-telling the camera that if it was down to him and Natalie, he would want her to win because of what she did for him really was something, right! I think the scenes of Adam, Matt, and Ryan, the Bible buddies, reading Natalie's bible are really funny as they try to interpret what the stories of the bible means as Sheila in the other room tells the camera that she needs a miracle this week.

Now that Sheila is on the block she is trying to make amends with everyone. She tells Adam she's sorry for treating him so badly and that the past weeks she's come to see another side to him. Gee go figure that she's trying to win friends in the house now that she's up for eviction and will somebody tell her she looks like a giant red cucumber in that red suit! She is appalled that Natalie will not tell her that she has her back and comes to the conclusion that you are all alone in the house, sob! She cries that this is the most stressful thing she has ever done. Then why did you sign up for it? In the hamster tank, there are blocks that have the letters P O V. Natalie tells Sheila that she should study the tank for the clues. Sheila's exhausted and goes to bed, when the house decides to play a trick on her and wake her up for a stage POV challenge. She fumbles out of bed, mumbles and stumbles out into the back yard where the jokes on her. That was pretty funny. She's like what the ? Didn't everyone look like they had bad breath?

The veto challenge has the contestants transferring wooden blocks two at a time across a balance beam to the other side filling up a tube. The one that does this the fastest without falling off or dropping a block wins. Sheila's strategy is slow and steady as she doesn't want to fall off, but instead drops one of the blocks. Darn! James has determination to win the POV and does. Sheila is campaigning hard to save herself even by throwing Adam under the bus to James, gee the love fest didn't last long. James starts to think that it was Adam that didn't vote to get him back in the house so he almost decides to put him up. I'm thinking poor dumb Adam. When James ask Sharon what she thought, Sharon, that smart cookie tells him, that it wasn't Adam but Matt that didn't vote for him. Sharon's pretty perceptive and so saved Adam from nomination. Adam say thank you to Sharon for saving your butt. James decides to veto Sheila's nomination and puts up Matt on the block. Natalie was horrified. Come on Natalie, lest we forget who cast the vote to bring James back? And James, I guess your words is just a weak as everyone else's. You said Matt and Natalie were safe, yet you go against your word just because you found out that Matt voted against you. Isn't that what you condemn other people for? People who live in glass houses and all that...What is Natalie going to do if Matt get evicted? I hope she goes after James in a big way.

Matt is doing alot of crying on national TV and tries to play the sympathy card with the girls of the house. I promised my ma some money if I won. The only one biting is Sheila after he makes the convincing argument that he's never done anything to anyone in the house. In fact Sheila should be pissed at Ryan for taking her 10 grand. Gee people in the house have such short memories! Sheila the plays the voice of reason to James and shows him the argument for Matt to stay. Ultimately, she says, she doesn't want to vote anyone out, so let James do it if it comes to a 3-3 tie.

James totally played all the roles as HOH, POV and now getting the deciding vote as he votes to evict Matt in person on live TV. Matt is ejected from the house as Natalie weeps. Matt leaves the house with a bitter taste in his mouth and I guess he'll have to tell his ma that he didn't win the money after all. Ma I have to keep my day job!

Julie tries to ease his eviction by telling Matt that at least he will be one of the jurors to which he shrugs off as so what. Waaa!

The En Gard HOH challenge is a quiz pitting two house guest against each other to answer correctly questions about previously evicted houseguest. The last man standing was Adam. It looked like he just totally guessed his way to HOH. Good for him, but I bet he will be pulled in 7 different directions, so we'll just have to see who succeeds. At least I hope Natalie goes after James for breaking his word, be strong Natalie, show them what you're made of, you stayed on that disco ball for 5 hours, getting James out should be alot easier.-Single D

American Idol-Beatles Night

I think the viewing audience probably had enough of the Beatles music last week, but as we head into this week's elimination, it's Beatles once again. The producers probably paid a pretty penny for the collection so they want to get their monies worth. I thought "Back in the USSR" was a perfect song choice for raspy hog biker Amanda. At least I could understand the words this time, or maybe it was because I knew the song already. Simon scored points finally when he told her she's becoming predictable and boring, (finally someone saying her singing all sounds the same!). She countered back that she wants to give her audience what it would be like if they paid tickets to see her in concert, which Simon countered with, isn't that jumping ahead. She apparently thinks she's really good. Well good if you like to hear the same broken record over and over. I was so happy that little David Archuleta was able to get it together this week and sang a beautiful "Long and Winding Road". His voice when he's on is so pure and simple. Someone who is definitely getting better looking as the weeks go by is Michael Johns, I thought he did justice to "A Day in the Life". Brooke White totally reminds me of Joni Mitchell but in a more buttery bland way. She looked like a fairy elf sprinkling sunshine everywhere.

Speaking of one trick pony, that is what David Cook is becoming. He's the Daughtry of this season and I'm sure he'll pick up some record label. I totally thought the voice box was Corny, say it with me Corny!

I absolutely hate "Blackbird" but Carly does have an amazing voice so she elevated that song to new levels. Another thing Carly, who does your outfitting? The rosebud top does not match the tattoos on your arms. And she got two more tats on her fingers, the number seven. What happens when later on down the line she moves up in the numbers, will she tattoo another number on her fingers?

Dreadlock Jason looked totally goofy singing "My Michelle". He looked awkward and out of place. Ramiele lose the hat and hair, hated Chikeze country version of "I Just Saw her Face" and Syesha's "Yesterday" was a beautiful ballad. I'm thinking Christy Lee Cook has outstayed her welcome and needs to go back home and ride some more ponies.-Single D

The Bachelor-London Calling

Oh yeah baby! A London bachelor to come calling on America's women. Aren't there women in London? Hey Stephanie Mills-McCartney is single again! I hope the producers put some sensible girls in the mix so that at least we can save our reputation that we're all not bimbos here. Seems like American women are viewed as big fake boobs, not educated, gold diggers, drunks, immature sleazy women with loose morals and no values. Well, enough about me, just kidding!

It's a perfect evening to meet the man of your dreams. It's rainy and cold as the limos pull up. When the girls step out of the limos, I almost expect to hear an announcer say, Miss Oklahoma, Miss Georgia, Miss California. Most of them pause, some twirl, but almost all make an embarrassing entrance. They always look funny to me and then somehow, I guess through the magic of TV, they become better looking as the episodes evolve. Oh by the way, how many times can Chris Hansen say 25 American women, 25 American women. Ok we know how many and we know they're American!

As the party begins, most of the girls start eyeing the first impression rose. To make an impression some of them brought their musical instruments, Michelle and her clarinet, Ashlee brought her guitar and sang a song (keep your day job honey), someone bit through a beer can, another a rock, paper, scissor champ (she lost on the first round!) and an arm wrestling champ (Matt pretended to lose). I didn't know this was a talent show! More like amateur hour.

The skank of the evening passed out thankfully and was passed over in the rose ceremony. He gave the first impression rose to Amanda, good choice. One girl that was passed over, unfortunately, was the Bush aide as she started talking politics. Nothing like sucking the fun out of the evening than to bring up politics. She should have tried to shine with just her personality and not rest on her previous laurels.

Anyway, should be an interesting series and Tom Bergeron (spoiler here!!) gave the secret away that he, Matt not Tom, found love and romance at the end of the game-Single D

Gone Cruisin'

In case you missed me last week, I thought I would regail you with tales from my vacation, if you can call it that. My husband and I took a Mexican Riviera cruise on Holland America's Oosterdam. The trip was for my husband's retirement, birthday and our anniversary. Considering the fact that I was violently ill on our last cruise (15 years ago), you would think I wouldn't step foot on any water craft other than my floating lounge chair. So with Dramamine in hand, I headed for the ship. One of the Holland America's ships had come down with the dreaded noro virus the week before so our ship had hand sanitizer dispensers about every 5 feet. That made me feel better.

Once in the cabin and the lifeboat drill was over, we grabbed adult beverages and headed for the back of the ship and watched as we casted off. It was very windy and cold back there but I guess that's the place to be as you leave port.

With a new case of wind burn, I got ready for dinner while trying to talk myself out of being sea sick. One Dramamine later, we chose the buffet for dinner and quickly realized that the same people were still there from lunch. I hope they made it to the lifeboat drill. The food was pretty bland which was a good thing for me since I was mostly interested in soup and crackers. Another Dramamine and it was off to bed and thoughts of what we will do tomorrow.

Cabo San Lucas was our first stop. We didn't see any shore excursions that floated our boats, (get it? A little attempt at sea humor, ok, not so good) so we decided to hoof it and see our own sights. After a little shopping and picture taking, we ended up at Cabo Wabo. For those of you not familiar with Cabo Wabo, it's a restaurant/bar/concert hall owned by Sammy Haggar from Van Halen. We had a few margaritas and some wonderful lobster ceviche but no Sammy. I'm sure if I had had another 1 or 2 margaritas, everyone would have looked like Sammy Haggar. Sorry I missed you Sammy, your place is terrific!

After running the gauntlet of time share salesman and Chicklet hawkers, it was back to the ship and a pedicure I had set up that morning. While my tootsies were being pampered, I could see whale spouts in the distance. I did see some whale tales and a few were actually on the whales.

Day 3 and my Dramamine supply is dangerously low. Luckily I had figured out that 1 Dramamine, 2 Tylenol and a margarita did the trick and saved on the Dramamine until I could restock.

Next stop, Mazatlan where we had set up a canopy zip line tour. Did I mention I'm afraid of heights? After a 45 minute bus ride to an agave farm, we were kitted out with harnesses and helmets and driven up the last part of a mountain to begin the tour. The tour directors were all happy people, I was hoping they hadn't indulged in the by product of the agave plant before coming to work, but they were also all about safety which made me feel that much better. While waiting our turn on the zip line, I was third from last, my husband made me go in front of him so I couldn't chicken out, I watched everyone else thinking that doesn't look so bad. By the time it was my turn I was thinking, this looks like fun, then one of the tour directors said, step up here. Shaking so bad that my teeth were chattering, I was off with a half hearted WOO HOO! What seemed like hours later, but was actually about 40 seconds, I arrived at the second platform. Somewhere along that line, the bones had fallen out of my legs. Did I mention that we were about 120 feet above the canyon floor? I was still shaking so badly that the crew didn't think I would make it to the end, but make it I did! At the end was the promise of tequila tasting, after all, this was an agave farm. The first shot of tequila calmed my shaking legs and the second made me want to go again, not really.

Another bus ride back to town and a quick trip to the pharmacy for more Dramamine and a stop at a local watering hole our tour quide, Luis, told us about. He said this place had the best marlin tacos and he wasn't kidding. Freshly caught and smoked marlin tacos, grilled shrimp tacos and of course margaritas. With fun music playing and plenty of people watching, I could have spent our whole vacation there! But alas, it was back to the ship and my dramamine.

Fortunately, we had a late dinner that night and I still had visions of marlin tacos dancing in my head. Just as we were being served our wine at dinner, the ship's fire alarm went off. Didn't we already do this? Turned out the ship really was on fire! The captain's voice came on the speaker urging everyone to remain calm, can you say Titanic?! Fire, iceburg, who cares! A sinking ship is a sinking ship! The captain's second announcement, still urging everyone to stay calm and that the crew was battling the blaze. Did he say blaze?! At this point the wine steward came around to have everyone sign for their wine and we hadn't even had appitizers. I guess if we were going down, he wasn't giving any freebies. I was trying to remember the safety drill and how to put on that life jacket and where did I put that Dramamine? By the time dinner was over, the fire was out and the desert, crapes flambe' (I'm not kidding) was cancelled. I guess the captain was a little skittish about any kind of flame at this point.

The last two days cruising back to San Diego and we hit rough seas. I went into a Dramamine coma only coming out to get some soup and crackers. I did find that a glass of wine and playing poker in the casino did wonders for sea sickness. Our in room TV did have one of my favorite TV shows playing, No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain. Tony, you have no idea how much you saved me from peering into the toilet! I should have bought stock in Dramamine.

Back on terra firma and reflecting back on the cruise, I don't think I'll do it again. At least my pedicure still looks good! Double D

Big Brother-Jame's Revenge

Can you say dumb! What was Natalie thinking when she voted to bring James back. Didn't she think that James would come after her and Matt? Her vote was the deciding vote that brought James back into the house. She whined that she didn't want Allison to come back, yeah, but does Allison have a vendetta against you?

So we left off, where the house guest were swinging by the disco ball. I knew the guys would be the first to go in this challenge. First Adam struggling after only 30 minutes, then Matt and then Joshuah. Sheila was next to fall, so it was up to Natalie to hold on against Sharon, Cheslia and James. That was a tough struggle and all through it Natalie managed to keep her spirits up. She's like a dumb blond with a heart of gold. Kinda reminds me of Rosie Perez as Nicholas Cage's dissatisfied wife in "It Could Happen To You", Muriel Lang, the woman with a heart of gold.

Next to drop was Sharon and then Chelsia. The battle was on between Natalie and James. It looked like James was struggling there but then regained his composure. After almost 5 hours and many promises from Matt that he would give Natalie her long deserving massage, Natalie was feeling ill from hanging on so long and she had to let go, but not after she struck a deal with James that she and Matt would be safe from eviction. She cried and puked and if Matt didn't give her a massage after all she tried to do for him, then he Number One Jerk! (said in Asian accent). Later we see Matt make good on his promise and gives Natalie her much deserved massage, although he says, "I'm not touching any boobies!" Matt you better be nice to that girl, Natalie totally went to bat for him and probably would throw herself in front of a runaway train to save him. Jeez Nat, think of yourself first girl. He's not worth it. Do ya think he'd strain himself to the point of sickness for you? Not!

No it's all about Matt and to throw the scent off of himself Matt tells James that he voted to keep him in the house and that it had to be Adam that voted the other way.

Hey I'm wondering why Sheila is still wearing that red jumpsuit? Joshuah finally gets his letter from home and sheds copious crocodile tears, but not before he runs around with his feather duster in a weak attempt to clean house. Parle french maid?

James finally decides to put as we already knew Ryan for eviction and Sheila, because she outright lied to him about keeping him safe. At least James showed some character by not going back on his word and nominating Matt and Nat. Sheila says she understands, but in the diary room tells us-it's on-ok Sheila, you'll have to win the veto and that remains to be seen-Single D

Top Chef-Chicago Premiere

This season's Top Chef is in the windy city, "hog butcher to the world" to quote Sandburg and home of Pizzeria Uno. Yum! There are a number of contestants from my old home, San Francisco. We learn alittle later that Jen and Zoi are a couple. Gee go figure, it was just a matter of time for there to be a dueling chef couple. After a few bites, a few introductions, Padma comes in a for their first quickfire challenge, they will have $200.00 to create their own deep dish pizza. Some of these chefs have no idea on how much pizza dough they should use. Nikki uses so much dough it filled the entire pan. Ok, I'm not professionally trained, but I even knew that was way too much-what are you making, bread or pizza? Her only saving grace was that lasagna she made for the elimination challenge, it looked so yummy!

The elimination challenge featured a remake of some of our old favorites. You know lasagna, chicken piccata, souffle, eggs benedict, to name a few. Erik said he hasn't made souffle in 20 years and it showed. He made a cheese souffle and added tortilla strips on top which caved in the souffle. Hey Erik, don't you know souffles are light and airy and very delicate? And what was that brown stuff smeared across the plate? Looked like my dog wiped his butt on that plate, gross!

Ryan was supposed to make Chicken Piccata but he didn't know what chicken piccata was. Can you say lemons and capers? He kept referring to starch, starch, starch. When I think piccata, I'm thinking lemons, lemons, lemons. Honey, you need to take a crash course on classic foods 101. In the end Nimma, maybe she can cook ethnic food, but her shrimp with cauliflower pus looked awful and the judges said that the shrimp was way too salty. She seemed like a nice enough girl, but I guess we'll never know as she was told to pack her knives and leave. Anyway, we can dish about the dishes, unfortunately without the pics!-Single D

Top Chef Chicago! Love it! When the contestants met at Uno's I couldn't believe it! I have been to that Uno's and sat in that first booth! I was so excited! Uno's pizza is wonderful. If you ever get to Chicago, you have to go, it's deep dish at it's finest. Ok enough of the travel log. While the constestants were getting to know each other, two of the women, Jen & Zoi quickly announce they are a couple. Doesn't that sound a little like something on Big Brother? We'll see if they can handle the heat in the kitchen.

The quick fire challenge, make deep dish pizza, what else? As the chefs come up with their creations, we see a whiner emerge, Andrew. He goes to get a pizza pan and finds that Richard has taken two pans. Instead of saying, dude-how about a pan, he goes back to his station muttering under his breath and, in the off side, trashes the guy for taking two pans dropping the F bomb with every other word. He ends up using an iron skillet which I don't think was a bad idea, his pizza fell apart anyway.

At first my mouth was watering wanting to be a judge on the pizza challenge until I actually saw some of the pizzas. One girl used so much dough that it ended up looking like a large muffin and someone else used dried mushrooms with no sauce. The one they seemed to like the most was Richard, the pan stealer, with his peach and sausage pizza. Sounds gross but, hey, if it works....

The elimination challenge was a bit more involved. The chefs paired off to cook head to head choosing a dish from a list. Of course the souffle was last to be picked and for good reason, apparently no one from this group could or would make one. The two that tried failed and earned scathing remarks from the judges, one of which was guest judge hottie Anthony Bourdain. Tony can judge my cooking anytime! I could also say something about the brown stuff smeared on Erik's plate looking like some bodily discharge, but Single D said it pretty good.

What was up with Ryan not knowing how to make Chicken Piccata? Maybe he was making a Weight Watchers version or something. No Ryan! Butter and lemon, butter and lemon, say it with me.... In the end Nimma and her oh so salty shrimp and uninspired cauliflower whatever was sent to pack her knives. That girl went from one extreme the other in one show. First it was bland pizza with no salt to let's have a little shrimp with the salt. That's ok, I don't think she would have made it too far, she should come back when she gets over her stage fright.

Double D

Survivor-Goodbye Jonathan

Talk back at the camp was Joel being blindsided. While the faves sleep dreaming of feather pillows and steak dinners, Erik tells us that he's appalled on how cold blooded the faves are. Hey Erik are you forgetting that it was Tracy's idea in the first place? Ami is all ready to flip her alliance over to Tracy. Hum, I think she's just trying to hit on her. And Tracy, put a top on, you have prominent corks showing through your green bathing suit. At the reward challenge, tribes have to build a blockage through the other tribes tunnel. Jonathan pipes up saying that he thinks he could be of help. Hey Jonathan you might want to rest that knee? Jonathan is hobbling around and he looks like he's in terrible pain. But through his perservance and determination his tribe wins the challenge. Jonathan's joy is quickly squashed when Jeff says the medics are going to check out his knee. When they open up the bandage, Jonathan's knee is infected. His choices are leave the island and get real medical help, no jungle surgery, or stay and die. Plain and simple. It had the entire tribe in tears. I know how Jonathan must have felt. He wanted to cry the kind of cry where you feel the sobs deep within, wailing long and hard and loud. Then after the cry, your body is spent but you feel better. Gee I need a nap. I always need a nap after a good cry. Sorry to see you go Jonathan, I was really beginning to like him this time around and it seemed his game was more on point. James was not happy being left with all the women as Jason and Chet head off to exile island.

Back at Airai camp, the reward was two native Micronesia men would come over and show them the ways of jungle living. When they arrive, they introduce themselves as Joe and Edwin. That's not native names! I'm thinking Papaya or Moorea or something, not Joe and Edwin. They probably drive cars and wear ties in real life. They teach them how to fish and catch coconut crabs. Who knew that crabs eat coconuts?

Back on exile island, Jason is eager to find the idol while Chet says that he wants to rest his foot because he cut it on a piece of coral and besides word had it that Ozzy found it. Jason's not discouraged and continues to finds all the clues which eventually leads him to find the fake idol. He's estatic when he finds the idol. Oh boy, my mother is going to be so proud! Doesn't he get suspicious when it is so crudely formed? It has two gouges for eyes and a mouth. Hey where's the beads, shells and coconut hair?

For the immunity challenge, each tribe will have to get two persons across the water on giant stilts, while the tribes hold them up, then all seven will have to stand atop a narrow platform. Jame's tribe uses their heads and carries Eliza on one of the stilts to the other side instead of using it as a stepping stone like the other tribe did. They make quick work of it, and manage to get everyone on the platform with James holding each one of them on the platform to win immunity. I was glad Airai tribe won.

At the loser's camp, Chet says he wants to open his festering sore with a fish hook. Great more pus! Ozzy talks him out of it, so Chet says he wants to be voted off as he is having issues with his health and that wound. Gee problem solve right? Wrong! Tracy and Erik are feeling vulnerable so they try to convince Chet to stay and vote off Ozzy (hey what happened to all that talk about voting off Cirie?) Erik is practically begging Chet to stay saying to him it would be the honorable thing to do. Honorable my cinnamon bun! No mind at the cost of Chet's health and festering sore. Ok so he loses a foot, so what! But Erik and Tracy would futher themselves in the game tho!

At tribal counsel Jeff ask Ozzy if he had the idol would he feel the need to play it? Ozzy says it's not my night since we all know Chet wants to go home. Of course, I'm thinking noooooo! It was a close call this time, but Chet in the end wanted out badly. He told the camera that he decided not to go along with Tracy and Erik because he needed to leave. Good for him and good for Ozzy! Hey guys watch your back-fans are looking to get you out of the game!-Single D

This is just a quickie to get myself caught up from being on vacation (you can read all about it above).

I felt so bad for Jonathan, he was doing so much better this time around and I was actually cheering for him. But it was not to be as his knee got so infected that he could lose his leg and was talked into going to hospital for real surgery. This becomes James' nightmare since losing Jonathan leaves James alone with the women. At least he still has Parvati.

On Exile Island, Chet and Jason talk about looking for the idol. Chet complains that he has a piece of coral stuck in his foot and can hardly walk. So while Chet sits in the water, Jason is off on the hunt. He finds Ozzy's hastily made fake idol and you can see Jason really wants this to be the real idol but he thinks it looks too crude. He finally decides it's the real deal and returns to Chet a happy survivor. For being such a fan, wouldn't you think Jason has seen what the real idols look like? They are not a piece of drift wood with a smily face cut in.

After losing immunity, Chet tries to tell everyone to vote him off because of his foot. He is just a big woosie. After all, here is Jonathan about to lose a limb and keeps playing and Chet has a boo boo. The tribe listens and decides to get rid of the dead weight called Chet. Funny, after Jeff snuffed his torch, Chet wasn't limping as he practically skipped down the outcast path. Another so called fan bites the sand! Double D

Celebrity Apprentice-Quizno's Sammie

Doesn't those Quiznos sammies look delicious? When Trump said that their next challenge would be to create an original Quiznos Sammie, I was like I could do that. Anything involving food and eating, I'm there. Trace steps up to be the PM for this challenge. I'm wondering why he hasn't been PM before this. He has been so dynamic and such a creative force for his team. I was really hoping he would be able to pull this one off, but being a man down, Baldwin and Trace have their work cut out for them. Trace immediately comes up with the Cowboy Club which somehow transforms itself later on to become the Prime Rib Cowboy Sammie with about 26 ingredients. I loved it how Baldwin predicted that the other team would probably use Lennox and something about a champ as their hook line and sure enough Piers comes up with Champ Sammie. They smartly ask the store which sammie is their biggest seller which was the turkey swiss sammie, so they change out the cheese to cheddar and keep it simple.

Instead of being able to call their contacts, they have to sell as many sammies for $2.00 in 2 hours. Carol was put in charge of getting flyers printed and delivered and for a moment it looked like she would not come through much to Piers delight. Piers gets a sampling of NY rudeness as he says that New Yorkers are wonderfully rude.

It took a few minutes before both teams were able to warm up to the challenge and are finally able to hawk their sammies. Baldwin looked perfectly at home in his Quiznos outfit, running the fast food store and probably should look into becoming a manager or something if his movie career stalls (does he have a movie career?). I loved it when Ivanka stops by outside the Quiznos and you could see all the suits inside checking her out, stop drooling you fools!

In the boardroom the final count of sammies sold, Lennox 313 and Trace 253. Poor Trace, you could tell he was so disappointed that he lost. He had a frozen frown on his face :( His charity was for children's food allergy. I didn't know that food allergy was in crisis but I guess it is. He explained that his daughter has food allergies and it is difficult for them and that's why he was doing the show. Speaking of food allergies, I heard of this little girl who was allergic to of all things, water! Poor thing, she's unable to drink or bathe.

Trump had a difficult decision on who he should fire, Trace or Baldwin. There was an air of restrained politeness on who should be fired, but in the end, it did look like Baldwin has lost his steam after the last few challenges and has not produce any money for his team. What happened Baldwin, has Piers stolen your thunder?

When Baldwin and Trace went out of the boardroom, Stephen sat like a small child and said that I think they like you more than me. He looked at that moment very small and dejected. The choo choo has finally lost its steam. No more weasely laugh, no more sparklely dough eyes. Back in the boardroom, Trump asked Ivanka who he should fire, and Ivanka on the spot said Baldwin for his lack of generating money for his team. So in the end, Trump fired Baldwin. I thought for sure Baldwin would have been one of the final two, but in the end, he could not stand up to that tall quiet creative man in the cowboy hat. Speaking of which, doesn't Trace look fabulous in that cowboy hat and suit?

This episode carried the cliffhanger, the final (Lennox, Carol, Piers, and Trace) four are summoned back into the boardroom, where Trump will fire two more. I'm thinking, the two left standing will be Piers and Carol, but we'll have to wait until next week to see the double firing-Single D

Big Brother-Operation Backdoor Matt

After Ryan made his nominations of the two strongest women in the house, we find the girls talking about how the house is divided by gender. Leave it to the guys to do something like this. Joshuah says that he can hang with the girls and the guys, so it's a win win for him. Hey doesn't anybody smell a rat? Matt has been so mean to Natalie that is she? .... no she couldn't...turn on Matt! Has she finally come to her senses? She tells the girls that she just as soon have him out of the house, so Joshuah hatches a scheme to get rid of Matt. He tells the girls we'll backdoor him if I can get Ryan to put him up if someone uses the Veto. To ensure that Ryan will play along, they offer him immunity for two weeks. Before they are able to tell Ryan their little plan, Natalie marches herself into Matt's room and tells him what they are planning. Gee I guess her little hatefest for Matt didn't last long. Matt goes ballistic and runs into Ryan's room to tell him what they are hatching. What grade are we in? When Joshuah goes into Ryan's room, Ryan comes clean that Natalie already told Matt of their plans. Joshuah still wants to go through with it. Why in the world would the house trust Natalie in the first place. The girl obviously will do anything to get on the good side of her man.

The Veto competition involves shooting pool with an over sized cue. The loser gets a prize which they get to keep or trade. Sheila's prize was a motorcycle and she's like, what am I going to do with this? When Adam is eliminated he got the pool ball that had $10,000,and without hesitation trades it with Sheila for the bike. Sheila is totally surprised by this generous gesture. I was amazed that he would be so kind, okay, I take back all the bad things I said about him, now Sheila sleep with him and make up! In the end, Ryan ends up winning, picks the last ball and it's Jen's red unitard which he promptly trades for Sheila's ten grand. What a guy! Now that's just plain mean. How could anyone do that to someone that hasn't done one thing to him. What greed! I could see if she was evil or something, but basically, she's a good person, cries alot, but a good person. I'm thinking Ryan needs to be sent packing back to his Jen.

Chelsia got the veto and of course took herself off the block. The dramatic moment of who would Ryan chose to replace her was played out with great suspense. The four, Chelsia, James, Joshuah (who thinks he's running the house) and Sharon are betting, well more like hoping that Ryan will put up Matt. Sheila somehow in her motherly way explains to Ryan that he's just being used, that he's a puppet, humm... I bet that's a role he's familiar with. This seems to take on a light bulb moment for him and he says that he's not going to be manipulated. Go Ryan! He does have a brain cell after all. So back to the veto ceremony, Ryan says, now that Chelsia has taken herself off, it is my duty to nominate someone else and that person is........................take a deep breath.......James. What? Why James, he should have put up the one changeling creature that can impersonate both man and woman, Joshuah! I mean after all, he is the biggest poop stirrer of the house. But my question is answered when we see Ryan and Joshuah talking that they have each other's back. When they are lounging around the pool, Matt can't keep from boasting and janking Joshuah's chain. Of course this sets Joshuah off to which Sharon tries to tell him to shut up to keep the heat off her. I don't know why girls have the need to gossip, but Sharon reveals to Sheila that Matt made out with her in a weak attempt to win her support. Sheila then runs to tell Natalie and just like that, they decide to vote off Sharon, so there! Boy this house can flip on a dime, I tell ya.

Next we are treated to scenes of the sequestered evicted house guest. To my surprise, they are living in separate houses. Amanda and Alex still hate each other, and Allison is all by herself. I'm wondering if she brought that work out ball or did they have one there. I would go nuts if I had to be sequestered by myself. Each one of the evictees are excited that they might be able to go back into the house, but don't hold your breath.

By a vote of 5 to 1, James is evicted..........

But Jame's exit is short lived as the alarm sounds after James departs. We learn from Julie that one of the house guest America has voted might return to the house. But there is a twist, of course, I knew that. We learn that the house guest America has chosen (which is Alex by the way, thanks America, I wanted Amanda to come back) will be put in a large box, cut to a split screen where we see James. The house guest will have to vote, either bring back James, or take the mystery house guest back. Who does the house guest vote for? Ryan, Matt and Natalie vote for the mystery house guest. Everyone votes and gets James back. Chelsia was so happy to have James back. Hey is James wearing a pink Members Only jacket? U-G-L-Y!

Well, we'll have to see what fireworks James will create by coming back to the house. Now the race is on for HOH. This challenge involves standing on a small foothold while being hoisted in the air with champagne pouring down on them. Hey isn't that awfully expensive? We leave the Big Brother house with everyone holding on to dear life. I'm thinking this might be easier for the woman to hold on since they have smaller feet. Adam already looked like he was having trouble holding on to his chain. This time, I want a woman to win HOH, maybe Sheila?

Hey has anyone noticed the hamster scene? Wonder what that is all about?-Single D