JLo aka Jennifer Lopez Leaving American Idol?



Word is out that Jennifer Lopez may want to leave American Idol after only one year in the judge’s seat. Makes me wonder why? Some rumors are circulating that it is just a ruse so that they will offer her more money, like she needs more money? Others speculate that she thought she was going to be the “star” judge now that Simon was gone, but it turns out that Steven Tyler stole the “star” spot with fans of the show. Tyler has already resigned for season 11.

Jennifer earned about 12 million for her one year with Idol, while Simon was earning 35 million a season when he left.

I agree with the third round of rumors. Jennifer’s career had hit a slump. She had been pretty much out of the public eye for a while, maybe taking care of her twins. I think she signed on to American Idol to boost her career and make a mini “comeback.” Her performance of “On The Floor” on Idol helped to make her song a hit, the first she has had in a long time. But, suddenly, Jennifer has a lot of things “happening” and she may not have time for Idol any more. She basically used the show for her own purposes and now wants to move on.

I’m not sure if I blame her or not. I am a little irritated because I liked her as a judge. I think she was sensitive to the contestants, but delivered constructive criticism when they needed to hear it. If she was just using the show to help her career get back on track, only she knows. And, this comes after Ellen resigned after being a judge for one year too.

However, all hope is not lost. Idol has two other very interested women in mind for the opening in the judges table should Jennifer walk out…Shania and Shakira! I would not mind seeing either of these women as judges, however I am partial to Shania, always have been a fan of hers.

It’s amazing the show has lasted all these years. Many people are getting tired of it and it’s lost it’s magic, but not me. I love seeing talented new singers striving for their dream to break into the music business and getting that opportunity through the show. Many talented and gifted artists may have never been discovered if not for American idol. A lot of the finalists and winners have gone on to not only great careers, but they have also given back to their communities and other charitable and worthy causes. They are good people. I would miss the show if it were to end because many good things have come out of it.

So, do we say good-bye to Jlo? I hope not, but time will tell.

Cindy Anthony, Casey’s Mother, Lying Too!

Cindy vs Lee

I can only stand to watch bits and pieces of this trial because it makes me sick. I look at little Caylee’s picture and she looks so much like her lying grandmother. By the way, does anyone know how Casey picked the name Caylee? It looks like a combo of her and her brother’s names: Cay (Casey) and lee (for Lee). Anyway, I have managed to catch some of Cindy’s testimony and she makes me sick.

First she began her web of lies by saying she was the one who searched for “chloroform.” Who does random searches for chloroform? Who in the world is going to believe this “bombshell?” The prosecutor counters that her work records show she was at work when the searches were done. Cinday answers that she had flexible work hours! “But when the prosecutor asks whether Cindy was at home on March 17, 2008 between 1:43 and 1:55 p.m. instead of replying with a clear” "Yes" or "No", Cindy said "If those computer entries were made, then I was home." Another lie is that she said she was actually looking for “Chlorophyll” because she was worried about her dogs, but the searches took her to chloroform. “Cindy said that she searched for acetone, rubbing alcohol, alcohol, inhalation, peroxide, and hydrogen peroxide because she wanted to know more about these substances. She said she was concerned about Caylee's safety because these substances could cause potential harm to the child.” If I was a juror I would start to suspect Cindy as being involved somehow. The study of the computer’s hard drive also shows that searches were deleted. If they were done with good intentions, they would not have been removed. Cindy could not explain how the words “how to make Chloroform” were detected on the computer.

The fact that she is obviously lying shows she has something to hide or is covering for Casey. It’s appalling and she should be charged with perjury if there is anyway they can prove those searches were not performed by her.

Now, she is being contradicted by her own son’s testimony! Lee testified that his mother sent her own investigator, Dominic Casey, to search the woods in October, 2008. Lee said it made him angry because up until that moment, the whole family still believe that Caylee was alive. “When Lee Anthony got on the stand, he testified that he and his mother fought over her sending out the private investigator to the woods.” Cindy testified she never sent anyone to investigate. However, the lead detective in the case, Yuri Melich, testified that she told him she did send a private investigator out to do a search. Surely the testimony of Lee and Melich will discredit everything that Cindy has said on the stand, including her testimony about the pool ladder, which she now recalls was left down so that Caylee could have climbed into the pool.

“Dr. Lillian Glass, who studies deception, points out the indicators of her deception at her blog. She wrote, "Then Jose asks if they were looking for a blanket, Cindy then gives way too much information about a Winnie the Pooh blanket and 70 items. It was not called for. When people give too much information that is not requested it usually means the person has something to hide. The additional information is often given as an attempt to move the topic away from the sensitive area in an effort to change the subject at hand.”

It was also believed that “Cindy Anthony knew, once Casey was out on bond, where Caylee's remains were. This is why she told the media, after kicking out Tim Miller, "George and I don't believe Caylee's in the woods or anything."


And I have to agree with Dr. Glass, Cindy’s testimony doesn’t even have the ring of truth to it and it is being disputed by others who have no reason to lie. “Dr. Glass wrote: As Lee spoke he was forthright. It was clear Cindy lied. She is despicable. I hope Linda or Jose files charges against her for lying. She cannot get away with this.”

Maybe Casey and her mother have a lot more in common than we gave them credit for? Will there be justice for Caylee? Not even her own family thinks she is worth fighting for.



Midnight In Paris…

For our anniversary, one of the thing my husband suggested was going to see “Midnight In Paris.” He knows I love French and France, maybe that was why he thought of it. He likes Woody Allen films, maybe that’s why he picked it. I heard Woody Allen, and in a instinctive reaction I made a face, the kind of face I imagine someone who just smelled a skunk might make. I never liked Woody Allen films and I dislike Woody Allen even more. The fact that he fell in love with and married his step daughter was enough for me to write him off forever. But, sometimes you have to make compromises and concessions and I owed my husband a movie, so we went.

This is a very cute little movie to my surprise. Owen Wilson stars in it, I don’t like Owen Wilson either. His large crooked nose is very distracting for one thing. It’s so hard to picture these beautiful women falling in love with him. Then there is his accent which is hard on my ears. So between him being both a visual and auditory discomfort, it’s hard to get through a movie with him in it.

Yet despite Woody Allen and Owen Wilson, this is a charming little movie. There are lots of scenes of Paris. Owen’s character is there with his future inlaws and fiancée. He is trying to write a novel. One night his fiancée decides to go out dancing with friends and he walks back to the hotel. He gets lost and at the stroke of midnight he gets picked up by an antique car and is driven to a little bar. He realizes something is amiss when he meets Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald. He meets others from the past too like Gertrude Stein, played by Kathy Bates. From that point on, he says he is taking a walk every night and goes to the place where a car invariably stops by to pick him up and takes him to meet other writers like Hemmingway. He goes back in time, but is still in Paris. I found the movie enchanting and soon it distracted me from Owen and I totally forgot Woody Allen had anything to do with it.

If you would like to see a nice little movie and love Paris, this may appeal to you. I would see it again too. I know I missed a lot of little nuances the first time around. I’ll probably forget half of it when it comes out in DVD. Anyway, my husband did good this time!



June 25th, Our 28th Anniversary!

I met my husband a little over 31 years ago. We dated for a year and a half and were engaged for a year and a half. Then we spent more than half our lives with each other. We worked together, had two beautiful girls, and got a house. We raised our daughters, the older one graduated college two years ago, the younger one has one year left. My husband is planning to take early retirement next summer…so far so good!

I think the reason why our marriage has been successful is because we took our time to get to know each other. We talked, got to know each other’s families, shared our past and formed a good, solid friendship. Friendship makes for a strong foundation. I think that’s why our relationship stood the test of time. We knew each other before we married and we were old enough and ready to settle down. We discussed the future and found we wanted the same things out of life. We trusted each other to work together to get the things we wanted. We trusted each other with our feelings and inner most thoughts. We were honest with each other. We took our marriage vows seriously and kept the commitment we made. We’ve grown together. We compliment each other’s strengths and weaknesses so we are stronger as a couple.

I wanted to be as sure as I could be, before making it official, that we could do the work that marriage takes. So many couples are ready to throw in the towel when things get rough. But, we helped and supported each other through the tough times and it made those times easier to bear. And, I didn’t want my children to come from a broken home. I wanted them to have both parents and a stable, happy life. I didn’t want them growing up in a war zone either, with parents who were always arguing, because that had been my experience and I didn’t like how it made me feel. And now, I can say, that I got everything I ever wanted.

It’s been a blessing to have someone like my husband, to go through life with, knowing I can always count on him to be there. We’ve shared our best years together and there is still more to come, God willing.

Palin "Cancels" Bus Tour, Lohan Update....

Most days there is bad news after bad news being reported. It’s rare a day that goes by without something irritating or worse making headlines. But yesterday it was brought to my attention that Sarah Palin cancelled her One Nation bus tour, and for a few seconds it put a little smile on my face. Something went right!

We have to wonder why? It has been speculated that maybe she ran out of gas? “The Wheels On The Bus Don’t Go Round And Round” any more?

But then I read the whole article and she reports on her face book page that no, her tour is not cancelled. It’s just been put on hold for a while. It seems that Palin has been called back to Alaska for jury duty. Meanwhile, there is no word on when her tour will resume.

Here are her official Facebook words:

　

*Sigh* Reports of Tour Demise Are Greatly Exaggerated

by Sarah Palin on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 7:14pm

Imagine our surprise when reading media reports today that the “One Nation Tour” has been cancelled. Why didn’t anyone tell me? Oh, wait, that’s because it hasn’t been cancelled. (Good ol' media... you never cease to amaze!)

As I said myself at the end of the east coast leg of the tour, the summer is long, and I’m looking forward to hitting the open road again. The coming weeks are tight because civic duty calls (like most everyone else, even former governors get called up for jury duty) and I look forward to doing my part just like every other Alaskan.

I wouldn’t think it to be such a slow news day that, what with numerous wars and serious economic woes concerning Americans, a bus is driving news stories today. The next leg of the tour continues when the time comes. In the meantime, no one should jump to conclusions – certainly not the media with their long track record of getting things wrong or just making things up.

- Sarah Palin

Maybe the exhaust fumes were getting to her or maybe it was exhaustion? All I know is that the tour is on hold and I guess that will have to do for “good news.”

UPDATE on yesterday’s Lindsay Lohan peeve:

I cannot believe this! The judge slaps her on the wrist again! No more partying! You can only entertain one guest at a time! Great! I’ll bet Lindsay was shaking in her proverbial boots at that. Oh, the failed alcohol test? It was nothing. Apparently, the judged ruled that it wasn’t a violation of her probation after all. The testing requirement had ended months earlier. Really? What a shock! And all this while she is being considered for a role in the Gotti movie. A chance to resurrect her career and she is sabotaging herself left and right. But who cares? I don’t care about her career. I do care that she will soon be behind the wheel of a car with her “legal” alcohol running through her veins. I’m just glad I don’t live in LA.

Here is the whole story:
http://www.wtkr.com/entertainment/la-me-lohan-20110624,0,6170554.story



Lindsay Lohan At It Again…

It seems as though it never ends with Lindsay Lohan. A few days ago I read that, while under “house arrest” she made a very short, maybe 15 second commercial ad, for an online business. Not such big news, so I skipped over it. If you read my blogs on Lindsay, you already know I am not a fan and that I do not consider “house arrest” a punishment. She was supposed to get jail time this time around. That’s a punishment that might deter bad behavior. But sitting at her luxurious home for four months, eating bonbons, watching television and playing on the computer is not going to teach her a thing. And I was right.

Latest story on Lindsay is that she just tested positive for alcohol and has to return to court. Duh! What did the courts expect? She needed a real rehab for a long time. One she cannot check out of and go straight to a party whenever she feels like it. Well, last week she was tested twice for drugs and alcohol and tested positive for alcohol, now what?

This is apparently a violation of her probation. She is due in court this morning. She wasn’t supposed to drink alcohol while on probation because of her DUI case (of which there have been many). Meanwhile, the house arrest was for stealing a necklace. The LA Probation Dept. wants Lindsay out of house arrest and in the county jail. So do I. That is where she should have been all along. She should not be getting special privileges because she is a celebrity. She drinks, does drugs and drives. She doesn’t learn her lesson. She doesn’t stay in rehab. She can wind up killing someone or herself. And, if she does, who will be responsible? Lindsay? At this point I would look to the judges who are enabling her behavior with these slaps on the wrist, instead of what would be required of you or I with the same history. They would be just as responsible, if not more responsible, for whatever happens next.

Oh, and by the way, Lindsay has been hosting parties at her house while under “house arrest.” Yeah you read it right. Neither the Probation Dept, nor I were happy to learn about that. On June 13^th, it was reported that she threw a “Roof Party” where pictures could easily be taken by the media and tourists. A flagrant disregard for the judge’s orders that she be discreet during house arrest. Of course, the judge looks like a fool, trusting Lindsay was going to abide by any court ruling. She has proved time an time again that she has no respect for the judicial system. Beer and wine was served at the party, but Lindsay was not “seen” drinking. The party was long too, sounds like a whole day affair. Like I said in a previous blog, if this is punishment, I better go out and commit a crime!



Creating Reasonable Doubt…

The defense, in the Casey Anthony case, is trying to create reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury so they will find her innocent of the murder charges. They are trying to counter any and all theories of the prosecution. What are there strategies?

Well, for one, they are trying to suggest that no one killed Caylee, she died in a drowning accident. This is why April Whalen’s story is important. If they can tied her story to Casey’s copycat story, it will take away one of the defense’s ploys to get Casey off the hook.

Second, they are suggesting that if the drowning wasn’t an accident, but a murder, it wasn’t Casey’s doing. They are trying to implicate her father one way or another.

Third, if Casey is guilty of anything at all, it was merely trying to cover up the accidental death of Caylee.

Fourth, the police acquired their evidence illegally.

And fifth, the story of Caylee drowning is just as plausible as the theory being suggested by the prosecution.

These are all alternative suggestions to what the prosecution is arguing, in order to create doubt in the minds of the jurors. If all else fails, the defense will say that the prosecution failed to provide enough evidence to convict Casey of murder. And, of course, they are laying the groundwork for an appeal in the event Casey is found guilty. All this time, effort and money to try to keep a lying, murdering, sociopath from going to prison?

I have to admit that the defense’s strategy has created reasonable doubt in my mind. After watching several days of the trial I now have some serious doubts as to whether Jose Baez is actually a qualified attorney.