Long, Strange Trip

I can't explain why I haven't updated here since April. Let's blame it on Facebook.

Life has been through many twists and turns over the past 9 months.

To keep it short:

Work is still work.

I won an acting award for my performance in Suessical: the Musical as Best Actor in a Featured Role at the Awards Gala for Kaufman County Civic Theatre.

I decided to run for District Attorney in my county, and then at the last minute I had to drop out because of a work-related issue.

As a result of my candidacy, I missed an opportunity to appear on "Jeopardy!" I can only hope that now that I'm no longer a candidate, they will give me another shot. This is only the latest installment in this saga. You can read a brief account of my Jeopardy! Tale of Woe.

I've gained a little weight, but not so much that it's depressing.

I don't do New Year's Resolutions, but I have decided to get in shape and prepare to Run the Rock in December 2010.

Living in a Van Down By the River

Just because you can never watch this too many times:

If I were a Simpson

I finally got around to getting my very own Simpsons character based on a picture of me. You can do yours here.

So, without further ado . . .

TADA!
























Okay, so that was a little more ado.

American Idol

I've followed American Idol more this season than I have in a long time. Tonight's show featured the final three, Blake, Jordin, & Melinda. There's very little doubt that Melinda is the best singer out of the group, but I just find her to be boring, boring, boring. I'm cheering for Jordin to win it all, and I'm hoping that she and Blake make it to the Final.

Who are three people who have never been in my kitchen?

I took the on-line qualifying test for Jeopardy! Wednesday night. I have chronicled past attempts to get on that show here and here.

They won't tell how high a score is required to pass the test anymore, but when I tested back in 2002, we were explicitly told the passing score is 35 out of 50. On Wednesday's test, I scored 38. All this really means is that IF they come to Dallas or Houston this year, and IF my name is selected from a random drawing of all the folks who passed the test and selected one of those cities, I can appear in person, take another test, and IF I pass that one, and IF I do a good job in the mock game, and IF they like me enough, I MIGHT get called to be on the show.

So, do me a favor, and don't ask me when I'm gonna be on "Jeopardy!"

Insomnia

While I'm waiting to get sleepy, let me make a few recommendations:

Book: The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I finished it a couple of days ago. It sort of gets weaker toward the end, but after years of reading fiction, I have come to the conclusion that ending a book might be one of the hardest things out there.

Film: Thank You for Smoking. Rented this one from Blockbuster and thoroughly enjoyed it.

TV: "Heroes". I have really liked the first three episodes of this show. I'll have to catch episode four on NBC's website tomorrow. I had a meeting tonight and forgot to set the VCR.

Music: Altar Boyz Off-Broadway Soundtrack. I purchased this one from iTunes. I appreciate the humor, and quite honestly, some of the lyrics are great.

"Everybody Fits"

Somedays, you just can't begin
You feel, outside looking in
It's like, you're the odd man out

Let me, help you
End your doubt

It doesn't matter
If you're different and out of place
It doesn't matter
If there's acne upon your face
It doesn't matter
Take my hand and then
You will see
Everybody fits in God's great

Fam-a-laay

Strangers
Seem to, stop and stare
Wonderin'
Why you're, even there

Feeling
So left out and wrong
I'll show
You that
You belong

It doesn't matter
If you have a gigantic nose
It doesn't matter
If you're born with eleven toes
It doesn't matter
You can trust and
Believe in me
Everybody fits in God's great

Fam-a-laay

In the family of God you'll learn
That there is no such thing as others
All the woman and men on Earth
Can be your
Sisters and your brothers

Sisters and your brothers!

It doesn't matter
If you're wrinkled and old and grey
It doesn't matter
If you face Mecca when you pray
It doesn't matter
Won't you listen and
Here my plea, everbody fits
It doesn't matter
If you're yellow or white or red
It doesn't matter
If you're pregnant and you're unwed
It doesn't matter
'Cause the truth it can
Set you free, everbody fits

Everybody fits!

It doesn't matter
Every murderer on death row
It doesn't matter
Every prostitute that you know
It doesn't matter
Welcome to the
Fraternity, everybody fits in God's great

Fam-a-laay, you and maay
We fit into the fam-a-lay... yeaaah!

Memo to CBS

Various sources are reporting that CBS is considering replacing Dan Rather with a "team" instead of a single anchor.

Reuters reports that the move would be designed as "a bid to lure younger viewers and boost ratings."

I have an idea for CBS that might help attract younger wiewers and boost ratings.

STOP MAKING STUFF UP AND CALLING IT NEWS!!!!!