This Might Seem Shallow...

I'm just gonna go on and say that, because there is absolutely no eternal significance to some of what I am about to post.

I've refrained for months now... refrained from posting about American Idol.

Last year, I think I offended some nice folks and alienated myself with my choice of personal favorite. I didn't dislike the winner... he was great. I just liked the other guy's singing better. See, there I go again. I feel the disapproving stares.

But that is so last year.

Let's see who I can tick off this season.

I'll start abruptly and say good good goody good-bye to Tim. I had been waiting for that moment for weeks.

I love love love Idol Gives Back. It's nice. And encouraging to see the Idol machine doing something good, besides churning out singers.

Tuesday night's episode was especially special to me because a great friend of mine gave me the laugh I'd needed all day. No names here. This person knows who they are and the rest of the story is for you all...

I have a few "texting buddies" during A.I. One of them is my sis-in-law, the other is my friend from college, and the other one is... well.
We all text and comment and chat during the show. Nothing is sacred. We even rate Kara's choice of hair-do for the night.
(I warned you I might seem shallow.)

My phone and fingers get a workout on Idol nights.

On Tuesday night, I waited a few minutes for this un-named friend to text me. To let me know he and his wife were watching. When I didn't hear from him, I wrote...

"You watchin?"

After a few minutes, this is what I got back...

"I wish!!! I am locked out of my house and (my wife) is (45 minutes away)!!!
Stop laughing!"

We are friends because he KNEW I'd be laughing. But we are also friends because of Idol. We bonded over it back in Season 2.
So being the good friend I am, I texted him updates all the way through the show. Inserting my opinions whenever necessary.
Thankfully his wife made it home, let him in the house, and he watched it on DVR.
His wife probably laughed too... and that's part of the reason I love her!
(I warned you I might seem shallow.)

Now my pick for this season? Because I know you all really give a hoot what I think.

Crystal. The girl has a gift. Her singing seems effortless.
And the thing I like and respect most about her is that she comes across so real. Down-to-Earth. And I'm not just referring to the dreadlocks.

I've always had an appreciation for people who were confident in their own skin. The ones who never seem to be trying to be something they're not.
And they're ok with others around them being real, too.
I may not agree with their personal choices, but I respect them and their ability to be "real" (for lack of a better word).

Maybe I could look for ways to be more like them.

Maybe I'll start by not laughing at my friend who locked himself out of his house on Idol night.

Well... maybe I'll find another way to start...