Some of the news that is fit to print

When bad things happen...

Unfortunately one of our dear friend's mother passed away over the weekend. MJ is one of those super-fabulous people who is so fantastic, you feel too blessed to have her in your life. She is just filled with so much love and life and somehow manages to do everything she wants to do -- perhaps using my mother's time management rule: "I have the same number of hours in my day as Leonardo da Vinci."

MJ is very close to her family and she tends to be somewhat private. She only spoke about her mother's illness with me a few times. Unfortunately they discovered her mother had brain cancer -- and it was already somewhat far along. Ironically, they managed to get the brain cancer under control, but it was the other cancers that got her.

The entire situation leaves one feeling so helpless. MJ has done so much for us, but I feel as if there is almost nothing I can do for her.

So I will make a contribution to her mother's favorite cause... and send my thought and prayers.

May peace be with you, MJ.

'Tis the season...

It is one of the best times of the year to live in Washington, D.C. -- Cherry Blossom time!

The Cherry Blossoms are one of those amazing, spectacular events that has to be seen in order to get the full effect -- kinda like the Grand Canyon... or The Gates, for that matter. But the wonderful thing about the Cherry Blossoms is the unpredictability of it. It isn't something that people can really plan a trip around because the booms largely depend on the weather.

Now I could be one of those people who complains about how all the people are coming into the District clogging our roads. But I'm thrilled that people come to see the city in one of its most beautiful times of year. (I will, however, crab about people who don't let the trees alone. They climb up them or shake and hang off the branches. Or trample the roots. Just enjoy!)

We went with our friends John and Katie and their kid, Bergin. This was baby Bergin's second trek to the blossoms and she seemed to like them -- and all the people there looking at how cute she is! She also loved seeing all the dogs -- or was she saying "dads." I'm not quite sure. Doesn't really matter.

We got there early -- 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning in the hopes of avoiding the huge crowds. But to no avail. Apparently four or five thousand people had the same idea. Still, seeing the blossoms is one of the things that almost makes it worth having to go all the way through winter to get to spring.

One other fun tidbit... also at the blossoms -- none other than the infamous question infomercial guy, Matthew Lesko, apparently recording his latest gem. But even better -- Lesko has a blog! Of course!

I'll post a full gallery sometime this week. I have posted more photos here.

Wired... the computer issue???

I just got my new issue of Architectural Digest and the issue is headlined as the "architecture issue." Um, what? Is that like the people issue of People magazine?
Obviously, AD doesn't have the May 2005 issue posted online yet.

AI voters... wrong, wrong, wrong

American Idol '05 decision night and they said there was a record, non-finale tally. And despite predictions, they boot Nikko!?!

This entire AI week has been a mess. Vonzell was in the bottom three!?! And Butterball stays? I'm not Nikko fan, but givem me a break!

At least Fantasia showed up and showed 'em all how it is done. She really is The Bomb! She has more talented then the final 12 this year -- combined! In my humble opinion, of course. 

AI... and then there will be eight

Given that I was out last week, I have an excuse for missing the boat. So let's get to tonight... But first, let me say that I have been generally disappointed with this year's show. Yes, the production values are better and it is great to have a real band, but I think the group overall is not nearly as talented -- looking forward to seeing Fantasia on tonight's show -- and I really missing having guest 'stars' and themes... themes that are actually interesting.

Which brings us to last night's big show where the theme is musicals. OK, I'm a gay man, so I have not only seen most of these songs performed, but I saw them with the original casts. It was quite clear that few people had ever seen any of these shows because last night's show was mostly painful. Even those who can sing ended up chossing songs that were bordering on tedious. That being said, I thought Constantine's performance of "My Funny Valentine" was really fantastic. But he was the only stand out performance of the night.

Anthony managed to massacre a "Sound of Music" song (and we can assume that he at least saw the movie, right?), but he's not my candidate, er, victim this week.

So...
Best performance of the evening: Constantine
Weakest performance of the evening: Scott
Who should be in the bottom three: Scott, Anthony, Nikko
Who will be in the bottom three: Scott, Anthony, Nikko
Who should/will go home: Scott... who, if he somehow had any support, it left with the 'I can kick my g'friend's ass' news last week. So, it's bye bye Butterball.

Dead Pope

I'm having a Reagan moment. No, it is not as if I wished the Pope dead -- well, actually I may have wished him dead once or twice, but those aside... Does the death of anybody really justify this much coverage?
I'm going back to my little corner of the world.

Less weight on the world....

Just how wrong is it to take a bathroom scale from a hotel room? How about the mirrors? Both the scale and the mirrors here at the Ritz blatently lie about my current weight -- a number I am absolutely not sharing because... well, you know. But I thought that if I take them home, it all becomes true, right? (Please say, 'Yes!')