I get no respect.

This morning on my way to school (I was running late), I got pulled over for speeding - 44 MPH in a 30 MPH zone. Within two minutes of being pulled over - as the police officer was busy in his car calling in my license number to make sure I wasn’t a convicted criminal - my cell phone rang. It was my daughter.

“Did you just get pulled over?” I had been pulled over on a sidestreet that intersects the road she drives to take the kids to school each morning.

“Yes - did you see me?”

“No, but Sunshine did.” Sunshine is my 5-year old grandgirl.

Sunshine had said, “Mommy, that’s Grandma Carol and a policeman.” My daughter had seen the police car with the lights flashing, but she only noticed that the car pulled over was like mine - but she thought it was a black car instead of a green one. So she told Sunshine said she didn’t think it was me - that the car had been black, not green. Sunshine was insistent. She KNEW it was Grandma Carol - and the car HAD been green. So my daughter said she’d call me to find out. And, as it turned out, Sunshine was right. She knows Grandma Carol when she sees her.

So I got my ticket - and a second one for not being able to find my insurance papers (which I know are in the glove compartment - I was just so angry at getting stopped that I only half-assed looked for them. Don’t get me started on how little respect I have for our particular police department. They’re a bunch of pompous idiots. But that’s for another rant another time.)

Then I got to school - barely making it in time. There was a parent in my classroom along with another teacher when Sweet Stuff (my 7-year old grandgirl who had been in the car with Sunshine and my daughter) came to my classroom to get some stuff she’d left in my room yesterday afternoon.

“Why did the policeman stop you?” she asked - loudly - as she walked into the room. Sigh.

What are the odds that the only traffic ticket I’ve had in ten years would occur not only on a street where my daughter travels every day - but that it would also happen in the less than minute time frame that my daughter would be driving past there on her way to take the girls to school.

Need I even mention how much fun RT has had with this all day?

Here’s your American Idol spoiler for this week. This week’s results show of American Idol just ended. And I missed with both my predictions. I was certain that either Jason or Syesha would be eliminated. They weren’t - although Syesha was in the bottom two…with Brooke. Brooke was “celebrated” home - and boohooed through her farewell song. Buh bye, Brooke.

Another night of American Idol. I”ll be blogging about it. So check back often for updates - at least every five minutes I’ll update what’s going on and what I think about it. I know there will be literally thousands of you who will be anxiously awaiting my thoughts and opinions about the contestants, their song choices and their performances. Yea! Another night of American Idol.

7:01 - The obligatory biography of Neil Diamond. Yawn.
7:06 - Jason Castro is up first. Each contestant will sing two songs, but they won’t be judged until after the second song. He’s singing “Forever in Blue Jeans” and “September Morn.”

“Forever in Blue Jeans” is the first one. I wonder why he’s singing in such a quiet voice. It’s about to put me to sleep. Let’s get a little enthusiasm in there, Jason!

My verdict: weak and uninspired.

7:12 - David Cook is up next. “I’m Alive” and “All I Need is You” - two fairly unfamiliar songs. Neil Diamond said “I got goose bumps” when David sang for him. First song is “I’m Alive.” It started out slow, but is getting better. Definitely getting better. I don’t think I’ve heard this song, but I like it.

My verdict: Not outstanding but better than average.

7:15 - Brooke White is next. Her two songs are “I’m A Believer” while she plays the guitar, and then “I Am, I Said” - playing the piano. First up - “I’m a Believer.” Her voice is kinda wavery tonight. Hmmm. I’m not being impressed.

My verdict: Nope - not inspiring at all. Totally forgetable.

7:21 - David Archuletta is up next. He’s singing “Sweet Caroline” and “America” I think he’s smart to select well known songs. “Sweet Caroline” is first. He’s definitely giving it his own spin.

My verdict: It was fair. Not outstanding but okay.

7:24 - Syesha is next: “Hello Again” and “Thank the Lord for the Nighttime.” With her Broadway style singing last week that got so much praise, I think she selected two good songs. “Hello Again” is first. What’s with all the folks down front swaying their arms back and forth. That looks so stupid, and they do it every week on any slow song. Well, Syesha is good but, again, forgettable.

My verdict: Sweet but boring.

7:28 - a quick assessment of the first round of songs. I agree 100% with what Simon said - which was basically what I wrote on my verdicts of each performance. Round 2 coming up after the commerical break.

Jason Castro: “September Morn” - Now THIS is truly a karaoke performance. I could use this performance as a sleep aid anytime. No emotion - b-o-r-i-n-g - a little pitchy at the end, too.
Randy: It was just okay. That was just another okay whatever performance - definitely not the best
Paula: I feel like it’s safe and you need to get out of your comfort zone
Simon: We don’t recognize you at the moment. You struggled through both songs. I think both songs were forgettable.

David Cook: “All I Need Is You” - Very slow start. I sure hope this gets better. RT’s comment: “I ain’t impressed!” I agree. Hmmm. Not impressive at all.
Randy: Again, you rocked the house again tonight.
Paula: I’m so proud of you…I feel like I”m already looking at the American Idol
Simon: I thought the first song was okay. I thought the second song was brilliant.

(I TOTALLY disagree. I thought the performance was a yawner)

Brooke White: “I Am, I Said”. I liked it.
Randy: Nice job!
Paula: It shows your vulnerability. That just works.
Simon: I really really hated the first song. This is the Brooke we like - sitting behind the piano singing a good song. It wasn’t incredible but it was a million times better than the first song.

David Archelleta: “America” Again, definitely his own take on the song. I like this.
Randy: For a young man, you’re definitely in the zone now.
Paula: This was the absolute perfect song for you to sing. I love you. You’re brilliant.
Simon: THAT was a smart choice of song. Check, check, check. Very good.

Syesha Mercado: “Thank the Lord for the Nighttime” I’m not being impressed with this.
Randy: I think you’ve finally realized who you are. That’s also in the zone.
Paula: First song - that’s your magic. Second song - that’s you theater performance place
Simon: You are a very good actress/singer. I think, however, you may be in trouble tonight.

I think either Jason or Syesha will go home tomorrow night.

I didn’t mind missing the Ben and Jerry’s free ice cream cone deal that was going on today (April 29th). I’m just not a fan of Ben and Jerry’s. However, tomorrow is Baskin and Robbins 31 Cent Scoop Night, and I can already hear Jamoca Almond Fudge calling my name.

From 5:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. tomorrow night (April 30, 2008), Baskin and Robbins will sell their small ice cream scoop for only 31 cents. And if you’ve been to a Baskin and Robbins lately, you’ll know that’s a good deal!

The purpose of the Baskin and Robbins 31 Cent Scoop Night is to honor America’s firefighters:

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation remembers America’s
fallen heroes and assists their families. The organization provides
firefighters with training to prevent deaths in the line of duty and
offers the public information to prevent fires in our communities.

A donation of $100,000 will be made by Baskin-Robbins® to the
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. At select local stores
throughout the country, you may also have a chance to donate to
your local fire station.

My sister, Debi, forwarded this revisionist cartoon to me today via email. Pretty funny, and unfortunately, when I read “progressive” blogs, it is what way too many people believe.

(Spoiler alert! April 28, 2008 episode)
I’m sitting here watching “The Bachelor” and Chelsea (Chelsey?) is the only one making any sense - but her “sensibility” is fading fast. Now she’s falling back into the typical woman-vying-for-the-bachelor mode. At first she was acting a little distant because she knew that Matt had just spent each of the past two nights with two different women. She’s the third in line. And yet she is supposed to act natural and share her feelings with this man who is kissing and making out and having sex with three women at the same time. Now she’s acting as goofy as the rest of them. Oh well, I knew the brief glimpse of common sense was too good to last.

Is it any wonder that these “Bachelor” relationships almost never work out long term.

Here’s the rose ceremony. Where’s Chris Harrison? Matt’s handling this rose ceremony by himself. So Matt gives the first rose to Shane. The second rose goes to Chelsey - which means that he dumped Amanda tonight. As Matt walks Amanda off to talk to her about why he is sending her home, Shane and Chelsey just stand there looking forlorn. Yea for Amanda. Instead of crying and acting like a complete wimp, she told Matt what she thought of his behavior - and when he told her that he meant everything he had said to her, she told him she didn’t believe him.

By the way, with the stupid practical joke with the fake parents that Amanda played on Matt last week, I’m surprised he didn’t send her home last week. I think he kept her the extra week just to show that he can take a joke. However, the joke was really bad. You don’t put someone you “love” in such an uncomfortable situation on national TV when you’re trying to win him over.

Here’s a beautiful song. How do you like these lyrics?

Nothing Like You And I lyrics
Artist: The Perishers
Album: Let There Be Morning

We spent some time
Together walking
Spent some time just talking
About who we were
You held my hand so
Very tightly
And told me what we
Could be dreaming of

There’s nothing like you and i

We spent some time
Together drinking
Spent some time just thinking
About days of joy
As our hearts started
Beating faster
I recalled your laughter
From long ago

There’s nothing like you and i

We spent some time
Together crying
Spent some time just trying
To let each other go
I held your hand so
Very tightly
And told you what I would be
Dreaming of

There’s nothing like you and i
So why do I even try?
There’s nothing like you and i

What a bizarre story! Detectives think that a “Smiley Face Gang” might be connected with the drownings of 40 young men from across the nation.

Detectives: 40 Drowning Victims May Have Been Murdered by ‘Smiley Face Gang’
At least 40 young men who drowned may have died by far more sinister means — serial killings at the hands of a national gang that revels in murdering young men and leaving smiley-face markings at the scene, a team of retired New York City police detectives and criminal justice investigators said Monday.

They believe the victims, including University of Minnesota student Chris Jenkins and Fordham University student Patrick McNeill, didn’t accidentally drown but were actually killed by members of the so-called “Smiley Face Gang,” KSTP in St. Paul reported.

A smiley-face symbol was found painted at some of the drowning locations — in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa, they told the station.

“They’re telling you here that they’re into evil, they’re very happy as most serial killers are,” retired NYPD Det. Kevin Gannon said to KSTP. “They’re content with their work and what they’re doing and the fact that they’re thwarting the police.”

Chilling, isn’t it? It is supremely sad that there are people with so much hate in their hearts that they would get pleasure from murdering another human being.

Miley Cyrus is supposedly “embarrassed” over the photos in Vanity Fair. Here’s one of the “nude” photos. I’m very disappointed in both Miley Cyrus and Vanity Fair.

ABC News has this article about it:
15-Year-Old Says She Thought Photographs Would Be ‘Artistic’

Miley Cyrus ‘Embarrassed’ by Photo Spread

Miley Cyrus, the 15-year-old star of “Hannah Montana,” said she is “embarrassed” by a provocative photo spread shot by famed photographer Annie Liebovitz that is appearing in the upcoming issue of Vanity Fair.

“I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be ‘artistic’ and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed,” she said in a statement released today. “I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologize to my fans who I care so deeply about.”

Cyrus, the daughter of country music star Billy Ray Cyrus, is the singing and acting sensation known to her legions of teenage fans from the Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana.”

According to People magazine, Cyrus is clothed in the photos but is shown in such a way that that the she appears to be topless.

The Disney Channel, after learning of the Vanity Fair photo spread and article also issued a statement critical of the magazine.

My question is: “Why would Miley Cyrus want to appear to be naked? Does she not feel any responsibility towards the millions of little girls who idolize her? I’m sure that by making it “seem” that she’s topless in the photo, Vanity Fair will sell lots and lots of magazines - and they’ll get lots of publicity. And, sadly, that’s what it all boils down to. Money and publicity. Hopefully, this will be a lesson for Miley about how people will take advantage of her - and about how scandal sells.

I have typically failed miserably each time I’ve tried to embed a video. However, in the spirit of “never say die” I am trying again. I saw this video, and I wanted to post it.

I was a Fred Thompson fan long before he announced that he would seek the Republican nomination. I was disappointed in his lackluster and shortlived campaign. However, I’m still a fan.

This clip is of Fred talking with Sean Hannity. He touches on whether or not there’s a chance of a McCain-Thompson ticket, and then he talks about Obama. My thoughts exactly!

Hat tip: Hot Air