Valentine's Day, or just another day?

Ok, so I'm cooled off after that last diatribe.  Moving on to happier subjects...

VALENTINE'S DAY

So yeah... uh... it's Valentine's Day.  And I have no sweetheart...so I guess I'll have to love myself before I love another...  How's that for Hallmark-Card sentimentality?  First on the docket of loving oneself?  Buy oneself some sugar cookies with red/pink/white frosting and eat them.  Second on the docket?  Take oneself on a date to the Symphony (Christine Brewer's rockin' out on the Verdi Requiem.  WHEEEE!)...  At said Symphony, one must also take advantage of the 50-Free program, because after all, it's great if oneself is a cheap date.

REALITY TEE-VEE BINGE

I'm on a Reality TV binge as of late.  And so I'm going to take some time to talk about what keeps my DVR nice and chock-full as of late:

American Idol has been chugg-a-lugging along for over a month now, and I'm finding myself actually watching past the auditions/hollywood shows.  I haven't done that since the season Carrie Underwood won.  I am not a huge fan of the show, so I'm very amused by two histrionic, sanctimonious demographics that watch AI: tweens and housewives.  Both groups tend to fiercely support a very annoying, mediocre singer that seems to be "chosen" by the producers to advance (see David Archuleta & Clay Aiken).  I tend to find myself in the camp that wants to be entertained... so I find myself drawn to the trainwrecks that make it to the Top 36.  Thus, I really enjoy visiting VoteForTheWorst.com!  Check it out sometime.

Survivor: Tocantins premiered the other night.  I'm not really feeling this season's locale (the Brazilian highlands), though I will give the producers points for finding such a seemingly desolate place...which they've not really done since the season in the Australian outback.  As for the cast, there are a few loud, wannabe-alpha-males that, in the pursuit of being top dog, ought to make fools of themselves for our enjoyment.  There's a few underdogs worth rooting for, too.  Survivor: Gabon was a hard act to follow...we'll have to see about this season.

The Amazing Race starts up tomorrow night!!!  The cast was revealed a few weeks ago, and I am pre-rooting for both parent/child teams (one of which includes the first deaf contestant) as well as a team of two seemingly strong/competitive red-headed women.  HOLLA, FELLOW GINGERS!  (Ok, so I'm not a ginger...but I was at an early age...) I've heard wonderful things about the race course...but my most anticipated moment will be when the teams go to Salzburg, Austria!!!  Amazing Race Producers: Please tell me you fashioned some kind of task involving the mythical rivalry between Mozart and Salieri!!!

GRACE TURNS 2

My little niece Grace Emily is turning the big T-W-O on Monday.  She's growing up so fast! According to insider reports, she said her first full sentence last week: "I know Pop-Pop like tatos."  (Her brother tried to tell her that grandpa didn't like potatoes, and that direct quote was her merry retort!)  The grandparents, parents, uncle and big brother are all celebrating tomorrow afternoon with a lunch of my momma's famous chicken 'n dumplings followed by Rice Krispie treats.  Unfortunately there will be no ice cream, as my niece is lactose intolerant (hopefully only temporarily) so if the queen of the day can't have it, we all can't...and those are the rules ;)