IDOL BLUES to Close Shop

Taylor Hicks I will bid thee farewell. Not in real life of course, rather on this blog. I am proud that this was one of the first blogs put together to focus on Hicks during his 2006 bid and win for the reality show, American Idol crown. Albeit put together by someone with quite limited experience on the web or with blogging or putting up a website...

And really it's not that momentus or stunning news considering the few posts that have been created here this year. It's just time to end this, move on with my other projects. I am still puttering around with an anniversary edition post to give this blog its final send off. It should be a good one.

Taylor Hicks 'Good-Bye' c/o soulindiane

My Home's in Alabama: Taylor Hicks

My Home's in Alabama

The End.

Taylor Hicks Hollywood Week: "Ain't No Sunshine"

It's understandable now why the show did not feature this footage during the 2006 season. He'd have been even more of a runaway frieght train.
Taylor Hicks delivering "Ain't No Sunshine"

That expression at the end of this performance what I use to watch for every week. He was so fierce. Taylor Hicks certainly created a real blue print on how to win the karaoke music reality show. He done it, won it in big style.

Check this, NPR lists Taylor Hicks in their "Decade Defined" section: Scroll down the page and listen.

Good job, Mr. Hicks.

Taylor Hicks at Workplay "Dust My Broom"

Taylor Hicks does the Blues: "Dust My Broom"

Taylor Hicks sings "Dust My Broom" at Workplay, Birmingham from Diane on Vimeo.

Thanks to Diane for the video.

I was suppose to be there.

Goat Milker, Dog Whisperer, and Cattle Driver..John Henry move over...

Taylor Hicks sent out a Twitter message on September 2, it read: "Goat Milker, Dog Whisperer, and Cattle Driver..John Henry move over..." Quite clever considering what he's been doing while in and around Ft. Worth and Dallas during his time here with the national touring production of "Grease".

Taylor Hicks has been saying in the local interviews how he loves Texas, and the appreciation seems to be reciprocated. He's been doing the interview circuits and the DFW media has been very kind to him. Well everyone with exception of one particular member of the audience as we can see in this upcoming video.

The Dog whisperer: 'Tough crowd' indeed. Yes, whispering and singing, and harmonica playing, but Burt the Basset hound mix can't be persuaded to move. Pooch looks rather like my basset mixed mutt, Cody. Energy is just not their thing.



"Seven Mile Breakdown" on FOX 4:

(He just can't stop singing about me.)

Channel 5 Interview with Bobbie Wygant:


The Channel 11 CBS interview with Taylor Hicks.

Now regarding reference to the goat, apparently Mr. Hicks had some sort of appearance in Victory Park and there were goats involved; have not located footage on that as of yet. The Cattle Driver portion of his message on Twitter, an obvious reference to the daily cattle drive that takes place in the Ft. Worth stockyards.

That sums up the catching up I was able to do this morning on the whats, wheres of Taylor Hicks in Dallas. Still haven't heard back on that barbeque invitation. I guess perhaps next time. Happy Trails, Taylor Hicks.

Taylor Hicks Comes to Town

Taylor Hicks headlining the national touring production of "Grease" skid into town this week. The show is being presented at the great Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.

Gary Cogill, one of my favorite local entertainment reporters writes, "Bass Hall is the perfect place for shows like Grease. The big voices ring acoustically true to the top tier, especially the female cast members - they seem much more alive and together on stage, than the boys.

The sets are basic at best, but the ensemble dance numbers are staged beautifully, and bathed in bright colorful lights, hitting the hand jive at just the right level.

The leads, Sandy and Danny, are played-well by Broadway veterans Emily Padgett and Eric Schneider. He's less like Travolta, she's much more Sandra Dee.

Grease is being advertised with American Idol winner Taylor Hicks as the headliner, but don't be deceived, He sings one song in act two, and for a few brief minutes, it's a funny, well-placed parody of himself.

Grease is a ticket well-purchased, and stick around for the encore, you'll finally see more of Taylor Hicks."

Apparently, while I was out taking care of business, I missed Taylor Hicks' visit on Good Morning Texas. From what I understand the show aired from Victory Park and there was goat milking involved while Taylor blew harmonica. Now doesn't that sound entertaining? Damn, it's just not been the best week.

I asked my Darling Man if he had gone out and bought front row seating for "Grease" and his response was "*snort*". I took that as a 'no'. Now if Taylor Hicks had decided to do a pub-stop show while he's in town, either Darling would have had to accompany me, or I'd have had to haul someone else to the show.

Scrolling through the Google alerts on Mr. Hicks this title grabbed my attention, "Gay Panic in Fort Worth, Best Burgers and Taylor Hicks Defenders", posted in the Houston Press. At first, knowing Taylor was in Ft. Worth, it seemed the Gay community was somehow in a panic at his being there, then everyone settled down and went out for burgers. Seriously, look at that title.

What is the actual case, this posting simply a series of Houston Press commenters remarking on the Redneck cop situation in Cow Town. Apparently the local officers were going around and raiding the newly established Gay restaurant/bars that have recently opened.

You see, dear readers, Ft. Worth, or as we affectionately refer to it as Cow Town, is quite different than Dallas. Dallas is the shinier metropolitan haven for all things urban and modern, whereas Ft. Worth... well we don't call it Cow Town for nothing.

The burger reference had to do with an article from the tony Texas Monthly in which the writer seemed to think ambience trumps flavorful eats, which is absolute rubbish. The writer in the Houston Press winds up the article nicely with, "Atmosphere is in the mind of the beholder, but any way you score it, Rockwell's burgers blow away Texas Monthly's Houston burger choices. Don't take my word for it. Go eat a Rockwell Tavern burger and see for yourself." Now next trip down toward Houston I may have to do just that. Cypress is a little community just NE of Houston.

So to sum that up, the Gay community in Cow Town being upset has nothing to do with Taylor Hicks and the burgers were only eaten by Robb Walsh and friends. For entertainment value you might want to peruse this link just for the readers' comments. Now I'm hungry. Oh and hey, the other day I actually invited Mr. Hicks over for some Texas Bar-b-Que. Still haven't heard back. I guess he's busy.

Taylor Hicks, a song for you while you're hanging out here in my neck of Texas.

"Cow Town" George Straight

So We Have a New Taylor Hicks Official Site: New, Yes Improved?

Taylor Hicks has opened a new site, he announced it on Twitter last week and it can be found at Taylorhicks.ning.com. He's incorporated his Twitter feed into a side panel and "Seven Mile Breakdown" video, front page.

Apparently there is to be some live chat activity as well with this message posted on August 29th:

Happy Saturday everyone!

Now that we're up and running with the new site, Taylor wants to become an active member. We'll be launching a live video chat with Taylor next week (exact time TBD). Taylor will be logged onto the site, reading questions from the chat board, and answering them live! Get those questions ready, and stay tuned for more info on the exact date/time.

-Team Taylor

This new Taylor Hicks site from what I'm understanding is to be a Social netowrking site, rather like some form of Taylor Hicks facebook; we'll see how this works with the way some of the members of his fan base tend to view one another and treat one another. Might be fun.

I went ahead and signed up but was having issues doing modifications to my personal site so I'll hit that again another time.

I did take a moment to hit chat to see what was shaking. Over 20 people were in the room but I didn't stick around. Time constraints today.

Taylor Hicks is in town this week, "Grease" playing in Ft. Worth. Am I going? Not at this point. Looking forward to B'Ham concert in the Fall, though.

Going to Disneyland. Wait, Actually "World", Again.

Taylor Hicks returns to Disney World in Orlando, Florida this November. He's performing in the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and will be featured on November first and second.

This year, the 14th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, seventeen “Eat to the Beat” musical acts perform September 25 thru November 8. Acts showcase everything from rock to jazz, funk to pop. This is all taking place at the America Gardens Theatre stage, and the festival runs a lengthy 45 days. (That's a lot of food and vino!)

In the lineup of performers for this year's festival there are six new faces besides Taylor Hicks; Richard Marx, Better than Ezra, Vanessa Carlton, John Waite, Billy Ocean. Admission to the shows are included in your price of Epcot admission and there are scheduled three shows daily; 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. There is a notation the lineup can be subject to change.

Taylor Hicks at Smith's Olde Bar: 2006 Shadow Tour
"Hell of a Day"


Video c/o JenniJaco

Taylor Hicks' Vimeos from Smith's Olde Bar

Taylor Hicks' performed in Atlanta, Georgia the weekend before this one at Smith's Olde Bar. There have been many enthusiastic replies regarding the performance he and his band gave the crowd so I've hit several of the videos to watch what the buzz is about.

This particular video, surprisingly is one of my favorite. I am not in love with the song presented on the latest Hicks' CD, "The Distance" but I do like this rendition. Hicks' playful delivery, the minimalist delivery with the acoustic guitars and harmonica really work well. I must add the videographer did a great job, there's fantastic audio, no camera shake.

Taylor Hicks' "Wedding Day Blues"

Wedding Day Blues - Smith's Olde Bar - RagsQueen from RagsQueen on Vimeo.

"Seven Mile Breakdown" another good vid and song that transfers well into this minimalist format. Watching Hicks carefully on that tambourine for pointers... I'm going to send this video out to the guys and see what they'd think about covering a version of it for the City concert coming up in the Fall. I think our singer, "R." could do it some justice.

Taylor Hicks, Smith's Olde Bar:

Seven Mile Breakdown - Smith's Olde Bar - RagsQueen from RagsQueen on Vimeo.

videos provided by the grace of RagsQueen

For anyone who is unable to view vimeo, hit this link Taylor Hicks on Youtube for a vast selection of vids from this concert.

Looking forward to B'Ham in September.

Taylor Hicks Cone Ranger: Saga of the Cone - Getting Soggy?

Okay, so it was cute initially. Taylor Hicks selected to make a little fun about his time riding the large plastic ice cream cone prop in his current gig as Teen Angel singing "Beauty School Drop-Out" in the national touring company, "Grease". He's been tweeting out various flavors in his tweets on Twitter to the fans who have come to congregate on that site. Why Twitter? It's 140 characters of brevity and it it seems fans find more information on Twitter about him than almost anywhere. Wait - there is that Boogie site. If you dare go there. Understand treading into the land of Boogie you may get access to some information and videos, but word: best to just read or to see and be not heard.

Anyway so we have Twitter and Taylor Hicks with my focus on the subjects of Mr. Hicks' Twitter tweets. (Say that five times fast.) As we've gone along on Twitter, Mr. Hicks has journeyed from seldom to never posting to actually knocking out about a tweet a week. Does he actually talk to his fans like I see other musicians and celebrities do? Not so much. Instead he relegates his tweets increasingly to naming ice cream flavors. Yes, flavors, like Cookies and Cream or Boysenberry. Hilarious reading some of the responses who immediately start vowing that flavor their favorite, or they don't like it but what about another flavor; it goes on and on. Apparently, from what I'm reading, some fans are even imagining he's sending secret messages with his flavors. I imagine Mr. Hicks sends those flavored tweets out then sits back reading and laughing at the result. I know I would.

Again, granted in the beginning, Mr. Hicks' ice cream tweets were a witty little concept, the tweets had the flavor, from time to time of "Where in the World...", or a hint of what might be coming up next in the Hicks' ice cream career field. The thing is - that's about all he does - the ice Cream tweets. That or he's promoting his next show with dates and places. There are, occasionally, some vague references to where he might have dined that day... Frankly for me it's getting redundant and downright soggy. It would be different if he'd intersperse the tweets about ice cream flavors with tweets with concert pics, an occasional short video or say something actually TO the fans not AT the fans. There's a big difference in "To" and "At". One guy who talks 'to' his fans, Chris Daughtry. Now I'm not using Daughtry as a jab at Taylor or anything idiotically related to the asinine A.I. battle but rather as an example since they both hit mass public consciousness around the same time. Talking "to" your fans works to attain connection, talking "at" your fans embodies a rather superior feel, incorporating a Distance...

I for one am glad I've other interests on Twitter and other interests in my life, period. If I were one whose main interest on Twitter was a person who once a week shouted out "Strawberry pimping" or some such, I'd likely lose interest. If I were a potentially new fan I'd be thinking by now, 'What in the Hell?". Of course, the old diehard fans from the American Idol days won't be thwarted; if Taylor Hicks just tweeted odd noises such as "ARGH" or "PFFFT" or "GAAAH" they'd likely be as entertained, respond back in kind and have a happy-jolly laugh about it all.

Now I know some of you dear readers will say there I am trying to tell Taylor Hicks what to do, but if you read carefully I'm doing no such thing. Instead I'm writing about what I am finding swirling into a boring little soft served idea from what, if utilized with other Twitter tweets might actually be worthy of two scoops in a sugar cone. So to those who disagree with me on my thoughts about the ice cream pimping, PFFFTTT! Oh, and by the way, lately my favorite ice cream flavor is coffee.

Life and death of and Ice Cream Confection:


Captain Beefheart - Ice Cream for Crow (HIgh Resolution)

Taylor Hicks on FOX 5 "Seven Mile Breakdown"

Taylor Hicks Pumping the Prime; HotLanta Give Away

Taylor Hicks lands in the news outside of the entertainment and tabloid fronts and instead manages to score big coverage on the political front - in Canada.

Taylor Hicks is not exactly running for office, nor could he in Canada, obviously, but he is featured in The Globe and Mail political section in a feature by Jane Taber. The Canadian news source cites Mr. Hick giving the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper and his young daughter and a pal face time in a special photo op after the show. Broadway World.com has the full set of pics snapped on this honorary type of occasion.

I must say I really love the vest ensemble, that Taylor Hicks is wearing, the shades of gray work very well on him. He's looking quite tan and fit as well. Following the Canadian performances of the National touring show of "Grease" he's heading South, far South actually to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida from what I understand.

Currently Mr. Hicks is advertising his August performance set for the 16th at one of his old stomping (whomping?) grounds, Smith's Olde Bar.

Taylor Hicks, through his official site and Twitter is offering a special ticket giveaway for the Smith's Olde Bar show. Details to be found on Taylor Hicks.com for all the necessary details should you want to try and score a few freebies. Oh, seems air and hotel not an inclusive in the win, so be aware you're on your own regarding how to actually get to Atlanta. "Grease" will also be an option for the avid fans, as the show will be in Atlanta August 11-16.

For "Grease" and of course, Taylor Hicks' full schedule "Grease" Facebook has the... word.

Twitter: e.harmony.com, Publisher's House and Marketing Venue

Twitter is one social networking site that I've come to actually like. Well at least compared to Facebook which I've hopped on and off for the last few years and still not sure about. With Facebook, the whole idea of sharing your real life with other people ON THE INTERNET is sort of unnerving. Really. I mean, there are people I'd rather not ever find me, if you know what I mean. I've found myself opening up much more recently on-line, and it is bothering me just a little. My latest foray into Facebook will be a compilation of my real life and my on-line life. A place to share a part of me with some of my favorite on-line people yet retain a sense of privacy. Keep myself hovering under the radar, if you will.

I joined the Twitter family with my friends on It's All Grey to check out what Taylor Hicks might be communicating. At that time he was putting out few and far between tweets (as the 140 character posts are referred to) but he's upped his game and is putting out the wee posts on an increasingly regular basis. After a nice festive Happy Hour he gets quite witty. I love his beverage spiked tweets the most.

Since entering the world of Twitter I've made many new friends and am in the process of making some new potential business contacts. Several publishing firms of various impact have Direct Messaged me and I now follow them and their words of advice. I am also talking to a few right now regarding my "project". It certainly doesn't hurt to find out what other alternative options are available to a free-lancer like myself. I also applied to two writing positions that I'm waiting word on; who knows what might come out of joining this little world of tweets as an experimental follow up to my curiosity about the life and times of Mr. Hicks.

There have been some unusual fringe benefits as well. I have met several people, a few locally, whom I have made actual friends with - another nice surprise. Too, there are a few guy pals whom I really enjoy including two brave and fearless naughty boys sending me photos of themselves. Not just the nice, 'here's what I look like' rather,'here's what I REALLY look like'. I've tagged them my Boys in the Buff.

Initially when I opened the first centerfold type photo I was shocked. I quickly shut it but then had to reopen to peek again. (Curiosity is my center of gravity.) Second photo was of the same guy providing me a nice close up and it wasn't his face. Granted anyone shooting you photos like this might be some sort of sexual pervert, but the Libra I am, I must consider they are simply quite comfortable with themselves without clothing. I understand that considering my past and what I did to finance my education...

Before simply shutting them out from my Twitter feed I considered their tweets and Direct Messages to me. Outside of the whispered sweet nothings in my DM and e.mail boxes they both seem and sound relatively normal. One man might not be the neon bright crayon in the box of 96 but sometimes guys like that can just be easy to hang out with; you can let your self-editing side take the night off. He's a sort of a rough around the edges blue collar type guy. The other is actually quite intelligent. He writes professionally, has a few promising projects underway and outside of the revealing pictures comes across like an interesting person. Neither one of them need be shy about strutting their stuff without clothing. Before anyone asks, no I won't be sharing the little lovelies they send me or reveal who they are; can't peek and tell, you know.

Another interesting facet of this twitter thing, it seems to be a marketing format that may hold some real effectiveness. Products of all types and interests are out there being tweeted from one to another. Products not exclusive of certain herbal products legal only in parts of The Netherlands. Not that I would purchase any of that from an unknown individual on Twitter, but it is available. There are Twitter sites offering a variety of products from hand-made soaps, candles, concert tickets and one of my favorites because of the pretty things they find, UK site, Domestic Sluts; I also love their name.

My advice to one guy pal lamenting the challenges of meeting interesting single women: forget e.harmony.com, forget any of the other matchmaking venues, just hit twitter. It's free, it's easy and only 140 characters of your time.

Go Forth, meet, greet and tweet.

"Radar Love" Ministry

Taylor Hicks on blogtalkradio

Taylor Talks on Blogtalk and the individual interviewing him almost puts he and anyone listening to sleep. She was really boring. My sympathies to Mr. Hicks for having to submit to these sort of situations.

Hit that link to listen and you too can commiserate with Mr. Hicks.

The Five Step Plan to Being a Fan: Things That Make me Go "Boom"!

Taylor Hicks certainly attracts a share of female attention with a select crowd on-line. I've had instance to interact with most of them one way or another over the past several year, made a few friends, made a few "not-friends".

Taylor Hicks' fans have interested me over the years on several levels. Not only do so many of them retain a high level of complete adoration for him, but some seem unable to get off the topic of other Hicks' fans. It's really incredible the material I've read in the past, paragraphs written on how to be a good fan and what makes you suck as a fan. I had thought such a topic had been left dead and buried, but well, apparently it is still being flogged, I guess, just in case.

I must warn you, dear readers, this material posted in italics written by another blogger, could hold adverse effects. If you feel you can handle it, by all means read on, then we'll have a chuckle, I have Motrin on standby.

Away we go:

How to be a good Taylor Hicks fan. Is there really a 'how to' on that subject? No not really. Even though we have discussed to no end what each of us feels is right or wrong in regards to being a Taylor Hicks fan. What has guided me onto this subject is my daughter. She asked me if I had read a article about what a person needed to do be a fan and if that is why I had joined fan sites and such. I asked what on earth she was talking about and she had me read a article she had found on a web page. It can be found here http://www.ehow.com/how_2161130_be-a-fan.html.

Let me help out by linking that for you, dear readers: How to be a fan. Let's continue, it seems we have a 'Step' plan:

Step 1 We have that covered, we know who are idol of adulation is, it is of course Taylor Hicks.

Step 2 We all have all of Taylor's CDS and if it isn't on a CD we have downloaded it, Videos, live concerts, MP3s we have it all and we have made our own CDs and DVDs.

Step 3 We buy any magazines with info of Taylor Hicks

Step 4 We are members of several different fan sites, Myspace and subscribe to many different Taylor related blogs.

Step 5 Be loyal. A true fan will stick through thick and thin to its idol. No matter what the outcome.

Now this brilliant "Step" plan was not written by an eleven year old, no this comes from an adult. A person who has been an adult for a long while. At least in age related contextual perimeters.

That is one that some times some fans seem to have the most trouble with. I am a fan of Taylor Hicks because I enjoy his VOICE. I enjoy seeing him to no since lying about that.

I must stop to highlight this part "to no since lying about that" If I might edit one moment, pretend I have red pen: "too, no sense my lying about this issue", might sound a bit better but perhaps that's just me.

I may not like every song Taylor has sang but I love 99% of them. I did not become a fan of his because I thought oh man he will top the charts and I can be there and rub it into people.

Yes, really... whatever does that mean?

I became a fan when i heard him audition for idol. I stuck through each week and I stayed tuned in to see what else he would do and how it would touch me. I didn't even think he would win for awhile insert (sic) because I figured the young kids would vote someone like Ace or the country fans would vote for Kellie or Bucky, to be the the winner. But I was fan of Taylor Hicks from the audition on and I did not at the time even consider if he would be the most popular person of the radio.

Can we say still living in 2006? Yes, let's. She returns to the present year with this: I want to hear the new music, see the new videos, read about how Taylor touches people deep in their heart. Like the other day when he called a fan we all mostly know to give her some comfort the night before her surgery.

That is a true story, he did call a fan who goes by 'SallyannLady' as she was getting prepped for surgery. Very nice touch on his part.

I know Taylor will probably never be mainstream, I know radio seems to have something against playing Taylor's music. But I don't really care I am a fan for life through thick and thin. I am a fan of the man and the music not what the SO CALLED in crowd thinks.

Love the capitalization emphasis. Very dramatic. She carries on with:

One of the tips and warnings that hit home is this

Do not get into fights with opposing fans, as being a fan should be fun and not dangerous.

Yes, 'dangerous', whatever that might involve, I've no idea.

I want to have fun being a fan of Taylor Hicks. I ignore those who do not like him because their opinion means shit to me.

Inserting some passion with the word, "shit". Nice touch.

Ignore them and they will go away. The same is true with bloggers and online freelance writers who through...

Yes, once again (sic) word should be "throw" not "through" which involves entering something.

...in snide remarks about Taylor. They know Taylor's fan will come running to their site and defend him which in turn gets them page views and in many cases funds there income.

Red pen time; it's actually "their income" since it is intended in a personal possessive format. "There" intends a place. Just clarifying.

They are laughing their asses off because his fans run to their site to defend them and that helps with their paycheck. they purposely so this so we will come there. They know other people will come to read our comments and then post to our comments about how they just attracted the wrath of the Soul Patrol. They love it, they get paid for trashing Taylor because we give them page views. People often talk about diet pills I think we need an invention called Chill Pills, Ignore them that is the best thing to do.

First, I think she might need some sort of 'pill' and secondly it takes thousands of 'hits' on a web page to generate any sort of income from ads; too you have to have a site loaded with ads to begin with to even consider any payment. One does not generate income by just having a web page. Who pays for that? Exactly. Third, who are all these people laughing their collective asses off anyway? Fourth, what or where is there anything to be laughing those asses off to begin with? I am missing something here, I know.

Even those who claim to be fans of Taylor's but find any reason to find fault in what ever he does, ignore them also. Just have fun being a fan of Taylor Hicks. Enjoy the man, the music, the positive and ignore the negative.
Posted by Cindy Wright

Yeah, hell ignore anyone but the writer of that brilliant post and stick with her, or anyone she might refer you to; she's the definitive Taylor Hicks fan guru. Now you all go out and have fun today a just being a Taylor Hicks' fan. Toss confetti and shout "Soul Patrol" into the wind. Carry a balloon with his name on it, you know, what ever makes you feel fan-groovy.

I must add here Cindy Wright has always irritated my sensibilities. I know she means well, I know many of you readers might really like her. I imagine she is a nice person with loads of charm. She might be one of the best chocolate chip cookie bakers ever even, really. I'm not deriding her as a human being, it's the writing part that makes me cringe. Or toss back some Motrin. Or giggle.

"Boom Boom Out Goes the Lights: Pat Travers (decent guitarist)

Summer Time Blues Blogger Holiday

I've been taking a blogger holiday.

"Summertime Blues" Charlie Dee and the Twisters


DMan and the band do this tune. In fact they do it quite well. Time being spent trying to kick recent Lupus flare up and working a website for the band.

Follow Taylor Hicks on Twitter, he's been quite the chatty one lately, up to 75 posts, and he and I were both hungover on the same day. It's kismet I tell you!

I'll be back soon.

The New Band Format? Technical Creativity

Imagine Taylor Hicks blowing into his iPhone rather than the traditional metal and wooden mouth harp he normally uses. It could happen:

iPhone Harmonica application:


iPhone guitar and bands, what a fun concept. I especially love the guitar application idea. You could sound so great and not blister up your fingertips. Of course, it won't replace the real deal.

Distortion? Check.


This is The Mentalists, an all girl iPhone group - they're quite good.


Check out this bit of technical creativity, "Smokey Bubbles"


Really amazingly entertaining, fascinating to see what fun you can have with your phone. Who'd have thought?

Robert Pattinson: "Goodbye American Women"

I don't think it matters which celebrity gossip site I attach, they all are saying same the same thing: Pattinson's over American women. At least the aggressive few hundred swarming him each day in New York City.

Apparently, Robert's fans are not content to just scream shrilly in his face, no now, according to the gossip sites, they are now practically tackling him on sight. He has been forced to walk with an entire crew of burly body guards, who have at least on one occasion, freaked themselves and allowed Pattinson to be clipped by a Big Apple taxi cab.

Now Robert must walk along with either sunglasses on or eyes averted and he's been warned, please, no waving at the hoards of salivating women or they may become spiked into a full-on stampede. Then what? Headlines will scoff at his near miss being run over by a cab and focus on his remains lying on the pavement with heel marks, articles of clothing scattered around complete with lipstick smears. It would be horrible.

It's hilarious yet sad how folks can become a complete mob under strange and mystifying circumstances; this situation for one. I mean, yes the man's gorgeous, he's talented and plays an emotional, sexy and sparkly vampire in the "Twilight" series but really, for fans to act and react as they're being portrayed in New York, it is astounding. I'm saying this, my fellow American Women, back off, calm down, take something for God's sake to squelch the hormones and let Robert Pattinson live. After all I've not been able to try my hand at tackling him yet...

"American Women" The Guess Who

An oldie but a goodie brought to us by bleckdackel

On the Road Again: Taylor Hicks Goes to Philly

Taylor Hicks should be, if he isn't all ready there, on his way to Philadelphia, PA for another run at "Grease". Jonathan Takiff from philly.com wrote a glowing piece about Mr. Hicks that came out today, From stolen album to stolen hearts ... This Idol's in heaven. The article gives a nod to past history of Taylor's start up on Idol and the resulting circumstance of his career while providing a positive write up on the new album, "The Distance".

Where in the World is Taylor Hicks?

Why last night, Taylor Hicks was in Riverside, CA groovin' it up with "Gonna Move". Hicks performed at the Red, White and Cruise Festival. Fortunately for the fans NOT in California, someone captured this for the Youtubers. Sound could be better but hey, man, beggars can't be chosers. Or something like that.
"Gonna Move" Taylor Hicks


Shortly before his appearance at this California gig he was seen in Mexico from what the TMZ.com folks say, "Where in the world is Taylor Hicks, why he's been in Mexico.". I have read some folks on the fansites say that isn't he, but I'd know those legs anyplace. His feet do look a bit small in the article photo.

Taylor Hicks has this chameleon ability to look differently depending how he's photographed. I have that same characteristic, as do many people. I mean, could you think this guy featured in the left photo the same guy as the one on the right?
He's quite The animal when it comes to bread, apparently.

Next stop for Mr. Hicks, he's on the road again as Grease resumes July 7th.

Jail. Not a Thrilling Word.

Yesterday morning as I was attempting to log into IDOL BLUES I was met with messages. Not the "Hi, how are you" sort of messages rather this:

"This blog has been locked due to possible Blogger Terms of Service violations. You may not publish new posts until your blog is reviewed and unlocked.
This blog will be deleted within 20 days unless you request a review.
Your blog is marked as spam

Since you're an actual person reading this, your blog is probably not a spam blog. Automated spam detection is inherently fuzzy, and we sincerely apologize for this false positive."

Basically IDOL BLUES was locked erroneously into a Spam Jail. I could see her, I could read her but I could not post. It was sad, slightly distressing and well, made me a bit angry. I sent an email worded as carefully as I could to inquire what had prompted this travesty.

"Your site was flagged by a reader. At the top of your blog is a tool bar that readers, if they believe you've posted questionable material that may be in violation of blogger's terms of service, can notify we, at blogger, to investigate."

Now then, the email went on more about the terms of service, protocol and assurances that this could not be a tool used by spiteful people to squelch my freedom of expression, etc... To which I replied that obviously that was what had indeed occurred and I wanted to know Who would do such a thing. Of course, they could not tell me but reviewing the hits I'd received I proceeded to sleuth through motives, timeline and subject of material in question.

I was pleasantly surprised after much Nancy Drewing research I was wrong about the exact Who might have tried to hurt IDOL BLUES. (I mean they were threatening to delete her!) It seems it was one of my old "fans" from the looks of things from way back in the day...

This morning, I breathed a sigh of relief to see that blogger was so kind as to remit this apology which I will accept:

"On behalf of the robots, we apologize for locking your non-spam blog. Find out more about how Blogger is fighting spam blogs."

So all is right with the world of my IDOL BLUES - until the next time that someone decides to try and hurt me. I was also assured that this likely won't happen again, blogger claims they'll be on lookout for duplicate staging efforts to shut me down.

That leads me to the situation of this afternoon. My court date for excessive use of motorcycle is at 1:00 p.m. DMan has already told my Patrick and all the guys in the band he'd let them know at practice this evening if I was spending the night in the County facilities or not. Nice. Maybe I'll get more sunflowers.

I will admit, it wouldn't be the first time I hit Hotel County Jail.

Perhaps I'll get to do something like this:
(contains "Thriller" appropriate for the time)

it's dance, or get solitary confinement. Obviously they chose, 'dance'.

Calling 912: Is Stuart Heritage OK?

My statcounter is BLOWN up with hits from the United Kingdom. Hitting posts I've written about or around Stuart Heritage over the past few months. It has me concerned. Man, with all the celebrity deaths, and other madness in this world, I'm having concerns whether Stuart Heritage is OK... I don't want to hear he's taken a tragic tumble off Big Ben or off one of those outrageous bridges that cross the Thames and is in some sort of serious way.

I mean people, you are concerning me. Man, if anyone knows him contact Someone. *grin* Perhaps we need a 912 number. You know like 911 only this one is 912 "Stuart is OK" or some shit. You know Mr. Heritage and I have had our differences but man, I Care. I just have to say, I'm in awe of the responses I'm seeing. (Taylor Hicks, baybee, apparently you are NOT Stuart Heritage.)

Conversely and taking the negative slant, being Libra and part Lioness (my moon sign) I have to look at all aspects, certainly IF anyone of you readers are thinking about stealing any of my asinine and mundane posts hit the road Jack, I'll hunt you down and like a good Texan, shoot you. It's how we roll, baby. But seriously, my statcounter is Freaking me the Hell out. I mean, WHO KNEW?

Stuart Heritage I hope you are fine (well, I know you ARE THAT) and dandy (and whatever that entails) but I hope the Hell these are not attorneys hot on Sunny's ass. Wouldn't THAT be Ironic.
Alanis Morisset "Isn't It Ironic" ( You regulars knew that was the song, right? )

Hadden Sayers Band

Hadden Sayers is a Texan born in Nacogdoches, raised in Sugar Land. He started playing guitar as a teenager, and like many of us became immersed in live music. He attended Texas A&M University in College Station, TX, but music was his preference. He's hung out with Blues and Texas Music legends Gatemouth Brown, Joe Ely, Omar and the Howlers, Eric Johnson and the "The Ramones". Sayers did get a degree in Journalism, then moved to Austin, TX where he was fortunate to enter into a "blues internship" with legendary BB King rhythm section "Silent Partners".

Sayers then joined Bluesman Lucky Peterson’s touring band, followed by returning to Houston and hooking up with Miss Molly and the Whips making his recording and songwriting debut on her first 2 releases: “Miss Molly” (EFM 1992) and “In the Garden” (EFM 1993).

Sayers began work on his own album in late 1993 and the Hadden Sayers Band was born. In 2004 Sayers moved to Columbus, Ohio to re-invent and re-invigorate. After a two-year hiatus from relentless touring, Sayers has returned to the studio and stage with an armload of new songs that decidedly more "Texas" than the material he wrote while living in the state. "Its a classic case of absence making the heart grow fonder." "The material I'm writing today is directly linked to the dance halls and stages I frequented in my first groups.....blurring the line between Country, Rock and Blues". (excerpted from Hadden's bio on-line)

Our Saturday night "Garden Party" featured the Hadden Sayers Band, and until then,I'd not heard or seen them live. It was through one of DMan's band pals we had the treat to finally hear and experience them, live. "R." had seen them while on a trip to Houston. I was impressed with them, the night of our party there were just three of the band members present, but those three guys made some great sound. Apparently the size and number in the band varies depending on venue and availability.
Hadden Sayers Band, "End of the Road"

Now the lead singer, Hadden Sayers, doesn't have Taylor Hicks or Joe Cocker style of vocals, his vocal tonal sound remind me a little of Stevie Ray Vaughn, really, and he's certainly proficient on the guitar. The band had us dancing in the moonlight until our legal curfew. We've decided to make this an annual event and expand it yearly. It was like our own festival, kids running with lighted glow jewelry, running with sparklers, grills cooking a variety of things from corn on the cob to ribs. Margarita machines and home made brews. Tables were set up and down the long street that we had blocked off. Fireworks at dark (yes we know they're illegal). Next year, since this street is so long we're going for a band at each end. We definitely would want the Hadden Sayers Band to return.
Hadden Sayers Band, "Everybody's Talking"

We've also put in motion a group, band related trip, to New Orleans for Fall. Really digging the new band members DMan and his buddy, R., have compiled, especially love my new BFF, Patrick. He's a classically trained pianist and plays beautifully. He sent a bouquet of sunflowers through DMan last night because he was having thoughts his calling me an "Ass" right after we met might deserve flowers. DMan assured him, it was one of my favorite parts of the night, I found it so cool he was so uninhibited with me. The sunflowers though, nice touch.

The guys are are set to play more gigs throughout the Fall and have a New Year's Eve date to be excited about. Do I think they're going to be The Next Big Thing in Dallas music? No. Am I happy they're having such a great time together and DMan gets to keep playing? Yes, he loves performing.

Regarding the Hadden Sayers Band, if you'd like to explore their sound a little more, their complete discography can be found in that link.

We Went to a Garden Party

Last night we went to the most incredibly enjoyable party. Darling Man won my forgiveness as well, but I'm still not doing his laundry this week nor cooking for him as a measure of reminder for his bad deed Friday night. As some of you readers know, Darling Man's in a band and they play small gigs around town. I met the new keyboardist for the group, Patrick. We hit it off immediately. One of the first things he said to me, "You're an Ass", after a comment I made. We looked at each other and laughed until tears came. Instant recognition it seems. He's right too.

Conversation turned from their next gigs to birthdays. Seems his birthday falls close to mine so now we're having a big birthday party to celebrate his 32nd and my...well we need not talk about it... What has endeared him to me for life, he could not believe how old I'm about to be, he absolutely freaked. Flattery will get you everywhere with me. I asked DMan if I could keep him. I'm taking photos of he and the guys, next open practice. He's gorgeous, handsome and completely hilarious. We walked to his house after the party and he and DMan played for us, they work really well together.

At the party, we had the Hadden Sayers Band perform - had a huge turn out with the street blocked off. This band has played with The Derek Trucks Band and The Blind Boys of Alabama as an opening. They also provided background for the 2007 International Auto Show commercial. (click to listen)
Hadden Sayers Band

"Someone" wrote a Post last Night...

I fell asleep on the sofa and apparently left up my blog, etc. DMan had some fun so just excuse the previous post (now taken down) as a man's wacky humor and yes, he's in the dog house.
To Caryl, no I never danced with a boa, feather perhaps yes, but snake, never. I did exotic dance a looong time back when putting myself through school. DMan obviously, as he watched "Dusk til Dawn" and drooling over Hayek, found himself waxing whimsical and obviously day dreaming...
"Dog House Boogie" Seasick Steve

bow wow, wow.

Indiscriminate Act of Kindness: Taylor Hicks

Thanks to .... so much! Squee! "Indiscriminate Act of Kindness" Taylor Hicks

Indiscriminate Act of Kindness from edjorg on Vimeo.

Teddy Bear Man, Comedy Writer

Anyone who knows me understands I've taken a shine to that 140 character, social networking site, Twitter. It may be somewhat of a silly pursuit but it is a free, and how can you not like "free", format to talk to anyone in the world? Thinking of how the minutes would fly on my cell phone should I utilize it to talk to some of my on-line friends make it a perfect venue for our interest related conversations.

Should you want to hit me on Twitter, I'm Suns39. No, the numbers not an age related combination, more of a numerology thing, but I won't bore you with that aspect. I've met some new friends on the site and reconnected with a few old friends.

About two weeks ago this guy hit me as a "follow". Twitter name, 'eskimotuesday'; I was intrigued by his profile image, a lovely dark haired guy with really nice eyebrows, asleep, in bed. He had a small bear perched on his shoulder. Immediately I knew he was special. The guy, not the bear, of course, but I did like that bear. So I decided to keep him and follow him in return. To my pleasant surprise he began Direct Messaging me, which I've enjoyed. He refers to me "bear lover" because of my fascination with his teddy bear... He also has a curious aversion to capitalizing letters.

Teddy Bear guy's name is Blake J. Harris; a writer out of New York City. It seems he's started a production film company called Flying Penguins. He and his co-writers and partners have created a film called, "The Flying Scissors" under this production company.

It's a comedy, you can read some details on "The Flying Scissors" IMDb. The film has its own MySpace site, you can visit to find out more information, if you're curious - and you should be. The official website for the movie is at "The Flying Scissors" website.

Blake recently returned from a trip to Los Angeles but he's not divulged any details of what he was accomplishing while there, simply mentioned some meetings. He operates a blogspot called, Tyranny Rocks and has an adorable blog with teddy bear tales, Scheming Bears operated by perhaps his bear alias, Claude Bear. Complete with pictures and everything. It's lovely.

I suggest, dear readers, you check out my Twitter Bear man's movie - I have the trailer for you, right here so you can get an idea of what Blake does in his creative moments beside posting playground polls and talking through teddy bears.

"The Flying Scissors" trailer

Taylor Hicks Videos from the Magic Bag

Taylor Hicks put on a show in Ferndale, MI at a club called the Magic Bag, Monday night. There was a video ban on the concert but this intrepid attendee managed to snare a few tunes. Sadly, no evidence of "Indiscriminate Act of Kindness".

Sounds as though Taylor put on a great show. Lucky attendees. See you in Birmingham in September, people.

"Maybe You Should" Taylor Hicks


"Once Upon a Lover of Mine" Taylor Hicks (gets cut prematurely)


"I Live on a Battlefield"

Taylor Hicks - I Live On A Battlefield - Magic Bag 6-22-09 from ForeverTaylor on Vimeo.

videos c/o Forever Taylor

Taylor Hicks - The Runaround - Magic Bag 6-22-09 from ForeverTaylor on Vimeo.

Taylor Hicks Acoustic at the Magic Bag

Taylor Hicks' set list, The Distance, I Live on a Battlefield, The Runaround, What's Right is Right, Don't Let Me Down, The Deal, Nineteen, Gonna Move, Soul Serenade, Indiscriminate Act of Kindness, Maybe You Should, Seven Mile Breakdown, and Feeling All Right. There were a few I missed, but for the most part that's the list.

Man, I've wanted to hear him do this tune: "Indiscriminate Act of Kindness" Taylor Hicks

He sounds so good on this track.

More to come tomorrow.

Taylor Hicks Shadow Tours on the Calendar

I've been remiss in not including the dates on upcoming after "Grease" concerts Taylor Hicks has lined up. Coming up this Monday night, June 22 Taylor is set to perform at The Magic Bag. Brian Less, keyboards and Josh Smith on guitar to join him.

Taylor is to play at Smith’s Olde Bar, in Atlanta when "Grease" hits town with the concert scheduled for August 16. Mr. Hicks is not a stranger to that venue, having played there back when he was on the 2006 American Idol tour.

Then, coming in September, Taylor Hicks returns to Birmingham and Workplay, Friday September 25th with now an additional night added, September 26. To purchase tickets hit this link Workplay.

The Workplay event happens to fall on my birthday weekend; likely I'll hit the Saturday show. Haven't been to Alabama in a while now so will be great to fly back and hang out for the weekend. Have friends at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa I can check in on while in town.

Here's a short clip from back in the Idol tour days. Taylor and some of the guys from the Idol tour were known to hit the bars and play together after the tour concerts. This clip is a chaotic mess with Elliott Yamin and Ace on stage with him. Note the drink waving; feel free to wave back.

video c/o WeAreNotNKSAnymore

Robert Pattinson Fans Chase Him Into Traffic, Bodyguards Scatter

Robert Pattinson was literally chased into traffic on a New York City street. Hysterical and likely shrieking fans pounded the pavement in a stampede after spotting Rpattz. RadarOnLine.com featured the story yesterday, that Pattinson, while exiting a bookstore and surrounded by burly bodyguards, was nearly injured by a taxi cab.

RPattz, in his haste to escape the screaming hoard bearing down upon him, a hoard that may have been comparable to the fabled Harpies in Greek mythology, Pattinson apparently smacked into a Big Apple taxi. Perhaps he was reading too much into his hype from "Twilight", you know his skin was purportedly hard as diamonds and much more sparkly, feeling invincible, or likely just incredibly panicked he collided with the cab. He was fortunate this collision wasn't worse as anyone who has ever been to The Big Apple can attest to the mad driving skills of the city's taxi drivers...

Apparently after Pattinson's run-in with the cab, the bodyguards snapped to their senses, or perhaps embarrassed by their fear of the hoard, one of them shouted out, "You see what you did, you almost killed him!".

Pattinson being the trooper that he his, carried on and continued filming more scenes for his upcoming movie, "Remember Me", later that day. The taxi cab carried on - just another day in the life of almost mowing people down. The screaming hoard of Harpies fans? Who knows, my ADD kicked in and I lost interest after reading about Will Farrell gobbling reindeer eyeballs and sipping his own urine. Really.

"The Hangover" Just because it reminds me of an adventure I had once...


"Crazy Train" Ozzy (He never ate eyeballs nor drank his pee, that I know of, but there was that bat incident.)

Palin Forgives Letterman: Freedom of Speech the Key

Yesterday I wrote a post about the situation between Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and late night talk show host, David Letterman. They were at an impasse over the joke Dave made regarding Alex Rodriguez and one of Palin's daughters. I mulled over my thoughts regarding whether it constitutes an issue of free speech or crossed the line because one of the daughters, the one that attended the baseball game inferred in the joke, was underage.

Well it seems everyone is kissing and making up now, news source Newsmax left me this article in my email inbox this morning. Palin's statement, "on behalf of all young women, like my daughters, who hope men who `joke' about public displays of sexual exploitation of girls will soon evolve." Something we'd love to see happen with all men I suppose, that march toward evolution.

In this case, though, unlike with my example of the Jamie Foxx vs Miley Cyrus, Letterman comes out on his show announcing publicly to his audience and television viewers his regrets for this unfortunate situation. That, to me, speaks that although Dave may have committed somewhat of a faux paux with dropping that joke, this man is not one who needs be beaten into an evolved state. Letterman's apology shows integrity, bravery and self-deprecating humor found in persons of an intelligent and evolved mind. According to Newsmax he took responsibility for anyone misconstruing which daughter the joke was directed toward. He said, "I'm sorry about it, and I'll try to do better in the future". Letterman added, ""The joke, really, in and of itself, can't be defended".

Any man who comes forth after doing a wrong, perceived or otherwise, and actually apologizes is to be commended. Many would rather put their head in the sand and just hope the situation goes away rather than risk some ill-conceived version of pride or embarrassment, or heaven forbid, admit they might have behaved badly.

Palin's statement issued late yesterday brought up the subject of Freedom of Speech. She said Letterman has the right to joke about whatever he wants to, and "...thankfully we have the right to express our reaction."

Invoking her Patriotic leanings and giving further sway to the thought process that indeed, this lady has plans to eventually campaign for President she issued this statement:

"This is all thanks to our U.S. military men and women putting their lives on the line for us to secure American's right to free speech," she said. "In this case, may that right be used to promote equality and respect."

Freedom of Speech was the issue that caught my focus when I wrote my post yesterday morning. Freedom of Speech entered the equation through Mrs. Palin yesterday afternoon. Freedom of Speech apparently what has sealed this riff between Governor Palin and Mr. Letterman. I guess the other Constitutional amendment, The Right to Bear Arms won't have to be invoked in this case.

Free Speech vs Comedy the Gray Area

Sarah Palin at war with David Letterman? It seems so which makes me wonder as I read the multitude of stories on this subject who really is in error. Of course, being a mother, Palin would not want anyone hurting in any way one of her children. I know I'd likely express myself if anyone insulted mine. But, considering this issue involves a late night talk show host with comedic undertones, is this something that anyone involved in the public eye should recognize as something that will and can occur? Should it be taken with a grain of salt rather than made into a national issue to be fought in the public and media fronts?

Apparently,David Letterman has made an joke concerning one of the Alaskan governor's children. The joke concerned the Palin family's recent New York visit, inspiring Letterman to quip, "during the seventh inning, her daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez."

Granted, the intended jab at humor was not in good taste, but it was not intended as a direct insult at the girl(s) in question. One of the main points seem to be concerning whether Mr. Letterman was referring to Bristol Palin, the 18 year old daughter who had a child out of wedlock during the Presidential election, or Willow, the 14 year old who actually attended the baseball game Letterman referred to in the joke.

Palin's spokeperson, Sharon Leighow said, "It doesn't matter whether he was talking about Willow or Bristol, what he said was unacceptable".

What hit me immediately was the simple premise of Freedom of Speech. You know, that pesky but held dear tenet in the U.S. Constitution. Palin, a politician sitting as Governor of Alaska is a professed Patriot, naturally. Word out has it likely she harbors considerations for running for the lead office of this country one day. That adds consideration whether that tenet any Patriot should hold dear includes talk about family, underage offspring and late night off-color comedy in relation to them.

Being completely real here for a moment, consider does Freedom of Speech actually include such matters or is it to be left just for political thought and practice? Of course there needs to be set boundaries on insults or lies or deceitful remarks directed at anyone, whether a celebrity, political aspirant or a regular ol' Joe in the crowd. We all have and need be able to set limitations on what we will accept according to our own personal base lines. But is the reaction fitting the moment, the weak joke in this case?

Jamie Foxx, back in April, on his Sirius satellite radio show The Foxxhole, mocked Miley Cyrus. Granted Cyrus is living life larger than her underage parameters should indicate, but Foxx said some incredibly crass comments, even if he'd been talking about someone much older.

Foxx's show referred to the 16-year-old as a "little white bitch". Foxx under some misguided possibly too-much-coffee induced rant advised young Miley something to the effect of, 'do some heroin, get an STD, make a sex tape and grow up'. Now take into consideration the man has a daughter in the same age bracket as Cyrus, that does nothing to lessen the vulgarity of the attack nor make it all okay.

If Foxx had been going for the humor it was sorely amiss during that tasteless tirade toward Cyrus. He did, following a media meltdown over his remarks, issue an apology while on Leno. Of course his appearance in April, on Jay's show, was to promote his movie, "The Soloist", released April 24. Foxx said "I so apologize to Miley, and this is sincere. I am a comedian, and you guys know that whatever I say, I don't mean any of it."

So, returning to the topic of Letterman vs Palin, by being a comedian, cracking jokes about a person of interest, or anyone under the legal age of adulthood, is that crossing that Freedom of Speech line? Is there or should there even be a line when it comes to one of the values we American people tout as one of the most important social dividers between our country and other nations? Is this even an applicable issue, Freedom of Speech?

I was surprised to see how many articles being generated by this situation, none have any answers or even seem to question does Letterman have the right, does Foxx or any other comedian, in the name of trying to be funny have the right to target, as a punchline, underage children in their joke series?

In the quest for humor and comedy are there boundaries that should be sanctioned "off limits"? On this front, the whole celebrity meets comedian I'm not certain where the line should be drawn or the limits imposed. Certainly the Momma Bear has been awakened in Governor Palin against David Letterman, it may be in good form for him to remember she's not afraid to go moose hunting.

AT&T Live Streaming Bonnaroo

I've been having a time getting away from the WebTV to go into The Big Real. Heard this band today for the first time and really like their sound.
"Heartless Bastards"

Grace Potter and The Nocturnals were also amazing. Looking forward to later in the day, Government Mule, Springsteen. We're planning to hit it next year.

Great music today c/o AT&T Link: Bonnaroo.

"The Hangover"

No music in this post, unless you consider laughter music, some do, you know.
"The Hangover" Laughed until I cried watching this trailer. Must see it.

Another trailer:

Man, we're going tonight.

Meltdown Madness - I Embraced My Inner 14 Year Old

Part of my mixing in the insanity bin part of my brain lately may have to do with a few issues I've been confronted with over the past several months. You know, Spring sprung, all the flowers blooming etc... mingled in with my emergence from a time of chronic and fierce daily pain.

Now Summer at hand, the hay on the fields nearby has been cut for first baling, turning amber, the heat here withering those little Spring flowers. I'm still pain free and loving that part of my life but I'm wondering at times if I've traded that pain for some sort of mental deficiency. Really chucking down the B vitamins lately...just in case.

What I think it, at least partially, comes down to is my seeing how quickly life is zipping past. I mean the hours rush by at full gallop and I now hit my hair with a bit of color care of Cindy at the Salon. I've fine lines under my eyes and my forehead recently had a nice little Botox injection. (It can be our secret.) Not that I'm particularly vain but I have been known to occasionally care about my presentation to the world. Granted, over the past five years I've not dwelt on it that much with the overwhelming physical aches and pains taking front seat in my consciousness. Priorities, you know.

I've always had a temper, it's one of my failings as a human being. I was One-of-Those children who could throw herself down in public and scream like a maniac. Poor Darling Man and the other men before him could attest I can throw random objects with precise speed and force when I'm sufficiently inspired. That said, I'm not an angry person, on the contrary I'm a normally laid back person with a wry sense of humor and have been known to roll around being ridiculously silly. Thing is, once inspired I can go on a roll, a tangent, rally into an obsessed red haze to see justice done in all of it's glory. Well, justice in so far I see its meaning. I would have made a great warrior Princess.

I recently, as some of you know, developed this strange fascination for someone I met on-line, which became fueled by late night talks and random comments. I have to clarify, I've met a lot of people on line, male, female but never felt this level of connection before, especially from the very start. Sadly there were a lot of odd issues at hand; he's quite a distance from me, current relationships and he's a bit younger than I am, ripe considerations that lead to misinterpretations all around.

Today an on-line cohort put up this article, lively written by Joan Raymond for Newsweek Pop Vox, titled, "Why Cougars Crave "Idol" Runner-Up Adam Lambert". Now don't go running off thinking it's Adam gLambert who is the person of point in my little fascination, no, but the point of the article fits. It fits quite well. It's that cougar moniker bothering me somewhat as well. Cougar. Man, is that what it is then when a lady becomes a certain age and discovers an attraction for someone younger? I guess so. Makes me cringe, really.

Anyway, in Ms. Raymond's article she relays her thoughts about gLambert's gorgeous Rolling Stone Magazine cover shoot, writing, "We love Adam, truly, madly, deeply, in a kind of weirdly Mrs. Robinson sexual way. And the reason doesn't just have to do with our past lives as professional groupies. It also has something to do with biology."

That phrase ticked for me like that bio-clock I've heard about...I thought yeah, it sums up my thoughts of late, how time is running by so quickly. I've found myself lately with my newly found pain free existence noticing more around me, feeling in tune with The Everything of Everything. It's been rather like taking a trip back in time; like this quote from sex therapist Laura Berman, director of the Berman Center in Chicago, "I think more women would be happier if they channeled their inner 14-year-old girls once in a while," It's exactly like what I've been experiencing - I have been embracing my inner 14 year old with wild abandon. Too wild at times and too much abandon.

Taking that article's theory, that the writer's (and her friend's) connection with Lambert may be a wake-up call to be more playful, to have more fun, exercise the right to be more confident, I completely relate. That has been my inner mantra now for months. I've almost been screaming to anyone who will listen, "I'm back, man, I'm embracing the Sunny I was before the pain, before I got sick!" I'm getting to the point I'm almost boring myself over it.

Darling Man has looked at me with an almost slight fear in his eyes since my 'emergence' as I think of it. He said he doesn't know if he can handle me being back like That again. I catch him trying to get me to slow down, to do the things I have for the past several years, be more sedate. I just can't, I'm absolutely exploding to be Out There. I know temperance and moderation the balance and key to a good life without being self-destructive to oneself; at one point I was relatively self-destructive, something I'm not proud of. Rather, this time around, what I am shooting for, at this point in my life - acknowledging I will be accepted - for me. Thing is, goal one, tempering that attitude with some semblance of grace. Obviously I fell off that descriptor (the graceful part) again the other night.

You see, I had things I wanted to say to SOMEONE who has affected me rather like the woman wrote feeling about young Adam. My issue, the man had decided to absolutely cut me out after we had an unfortunate argument. I'm not even sure what started some of our 'discussions' we've had. One minute everything is all nice and funny then it would get rather sexy then we'd have an argument. Certainly people argue, that last night I was angry with him too, but I get mad then I get over it. I may throw a plate or something, but then I'm done. Obviously he is not like me in that regard. Too, I think it was perhaps his way to justify and create a moment for this break; it had been discussed, considering everything going on, the most sensible plan for everyone involved. We knew each other a short time but things went spiraling out of control very quickly. It was odd, fascinating and well fascinating the best word for it.

Anyway, my combined inner self-destructive Diva came bursting out all over the place in a big gooey rage, the other night. I was ranting in frustrations over this person not wanting to see things my way. For this person not hearing me out or giving me at least the respect of a decent last conversation. The last one he and I had consisted of his relaying the painfulness of this association for him, how he'd been feeling physically affected by this and how he's not certain this a healthy thing for he or I. He was being wrecked with guilt, with feeling "like shit" for how this situation was conflicting with his personal life. How he felt miserable over what and how he was feeling and thinking about me.

I never got to have my say really. No, during the 'discussion' that last night, I became all adolescent reactions like I had braces and zits again. I did not get the opportunity to let him know how it had affected me; the pros and the cons. How absolutely wonderful I thought he was while understanding this wasn't a feasible thing. Instead we wound up virtually shouting and hanging up on each other and then, poof. He cuts me off. It was not dissimilar to being censored or driving a one-way highway to Hell. His version of Highway to Hell.

Following his then shutting me out of everyplace we had talked previously, my 14 year old inner adolescent was literally screaming to punish him for his transgressions of not putting the fight past us and at least parting on more amicable terms. It was the nature of the situation from the start, quite intense yet sad; a meeting of the minds over how we had ended just as oddly and intensely as we started. Intriguing yet almost scary to imagine what he and I would be like toward each other in person. It would have certainly been one for the books. In fact it is. Tentatively, currently, I'm titling it "Time and Place" and certainly this man will have an acknowledgment should everything work out. I just wish things could have been more like how I'm writing it and that we'd not come to such a violent end. I regret being unable to keep that 14 year old adolescent with braces and zits under control; I regret I lost my mind and my sense of grace. Regret has it's place, I'm just not ready to file it away yet. I'm thinking that is the Inner 14 year old talking, I really need get her under control.

"Lie to Me" Chris Isaak

Lyrics:
There is a woman, far over the sea.
Standing and waiting, praying for me.
Here I lie sleeping, a girl by my side.
Who am I hurting, each time I lie.

Lie to me, lie. Lie to me, lie.

There is a woman, trying hard to be brave.
The way that I hurt her, has made her afraid.
Things that I'm doing, are breaking her heart.
Still she's pretending, we'll never part.

Lie to me, lie. Lie to me, lie.

I don't care what people may say, I know everybody lies.
I'm not trying to hurt my love, I'm only trying to get by.

There is a woman, far over the sea.
Standing and waiting, praying for me.
Here I lie guilty, a girl by my side.
Who am I hurting, each time I lie.

Lie to me, lie. Lie to me, lie. Lie to me, lie. Lie to me, Lie.

Dairy Cones on Grease

Riding inside an ice cream cone. It's all in a day's work really. Taylor Hicks rides almost daily inside a glittery, approximately nine foot tall dairy confection to emerge singing and harmonica playing, city to city to the tune of "Beauty School Drop Out".

It seems that Mr. Hicks is also fully embracing the inner cheese behind the entire "Grease" premise now that he's hit The Cheese State of Wisconsin. He's decided to pay tribute to all the cheesy goodness therein by adding a lovely Cheesehead crown to his sparkly Nudie suit ensemble. I think it's actually working, your thoughts dear readers? I say keep it, why not?

What initially began as a Summer stint on Broadway in the reality show driven latest spin off of "Grease" (The One That You Want...) has developed into a long term proposition for Mr. Hicks. He's been traveling with the national touring company of the originally Broadway production now for months and it seems contracts have been penned to have him continue with this production into 2010. Then what? Perhaps yet another contract to continue riding that ice cream into infinity and beyond.

Taylor Hicks, as written in another one of my rambling blog posts, has a presence on Twitter and so does his featured sidekick in his Dairy adventures. The sidekick is retaining an air of mystery regarding whom they might actually be; goes by the name, Dairy Cone. Claiming to be possibly a male version of a dairy treat behind their Snow Miser's image, they're proving to be entertaining to some of the current Taylor Hicks fans on the social networking site. For anyone yet not introduced to Dairy Cone, click that link and give 'em a big "howdy". We hope they'll stick around a while sharing their creamy observations of The Big Boss Man.

The Dairy Cone characterization reminds me of certain fishy characters that swam the boards when Mr. Hicks was on Idol. Anyone remember the "Goldfish Patrol" threads at the Official idolonfox.com boards? The fish, Ray and Lamont, provided "spoilers" for "Daddy's" fans - to jog anyone's memory or fill in for anyone not familiar just a quickie reminder from mj'sbigblog.

Speculation of who was actually running the Ray and Lamont storylines throughout the show's run brought some mystery but to hand it to the guy's behind the fish, it was effective interest-catching advertising for Mr. Hicks. Ray and Lamont even had their own accessories lines popping up with merchandise, still on-line. That lends me pause, perhaps Dairy Cone need consider the same thing eventually? A line of magnets, pins, t-shirts, visors. Well, it might be a tad early for that yet.

Now of course, as Dairy Cone refers to him, The Boss Man, has had some musical gigs promoting his relatively (taken in the context of time) recently released CD, "The Distance". He's done intimate venues such as Roxy's in LA and that coffee shop bar in San Francisco. He'll be heading back to California to do a July 4th gig for KFROG’s Red, White & Cruise Concert and Fireworks Extravaganza in Fontana. Now since I have to support Darling Man and his show here in Dallas, same day, no fly out to Fontana for me.

Well, perhaps we've someone new to add to the Taylor Hicks' cast of characters populating the man's career. Speaking of characters, let me serve up some Ice Cream for Crows.

Captain Beefheart