One Degree of Separation

It's the time of the season...for singing!

Hey Idol fans! Season 7 is in full swing!

But I'm not here to talk about Randy, Paula and Simon. I'm not here to talk about the singing talent, or lack thereof.

I'm here to talk about the one degree of separation that exists between a washer, a dryer and a couple that auditioned for Idol in Charleston, SC.

If you watched tonight's audition show, you may remember a special couple that auditioned together. Unfortunately, they didn't make it to Hollywood but they do have my washer and dryer! The young lady who auditioned works at my office, and one day mentioned to me that she needed a washer and dryer. I happened to have a used set sitting in my brother-in-law's garage. I sold the washer and dryer to her on January 1st, and the rest is history! My washer and dryer currently resides at the residence of an American Idol couple! It might be weird to say, but I feel a little proud. From modest beginnings in a home in Winston, the old washer and dryer has found a new home with the American Idol couple. My single connection to Hollywood. I may never look at a washer and dryer the same way again.

A Life Unfinished

Heath Ledger
1979-2008

I've always thought Heath Ledger was a pretty good actor. I've seen several of his movies, the latest one being Brokeback Mountain. This was a difficult movie for me to watch, but nonetheless, I was completely astounded by the acting ability of Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. I don't think there was any doubt in the minds of the American movie consumer that Heath was bound for even greater stardom than he already possessed. And Hollywood seemed to embrace the talent of Heath and place him in really good films. His was a career that seemed to have no ending, no limit. A life that was bound to be good, plentiful, and creative.

A life unfinished.

Celebrities die every year. What resonates with me about Heath's death is how completely unexpected it was. We all thought Britney or Lindsay would be found face down in an apartment with pills strewn about the floor. Not someone seemingly as solid as Heath Ledger. What strikes me even more about this tragedy is that Heath died at age 28. I'm 27 and my husband is 28. I can't imagine life being over now, after only 28 short years of living. How quickly time passes and how abruptly life can end.

Reports are floating back and forth on the Internet detailing the day's events and whether or not Heath's death was a suicide or accidental overdose. Whatever the cause, it's such a sad story, with the same tragic ending. There was so much more life left to live. And all that remains is a daughter without a dad, a family without a son, and a stunned community of fans and supporters without any answers.

“I'm not good at future planning. I don't plan at all. I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow. I don't have a day planner and I don't have a diary. I completely live in the now, not in the past, not in the future.” - Heath Ledger

Battle For The Party

Hey South Carolina: Vote for Fred!

With Nevada already decided (Hillary and Mitt), the South Carolina primary is next up to bat. Voting ends in about two hours, and I'm pulling for Fred! He needs this win to really boost his standing as a presidential candidate. Having been declared the winner of the most recent Republican debate, Fred can use a win in South Carolina to even further push him towards the Republican Party nomination. It's a close race no matter which way you slice it, but I hope that South Carolinians will brave the cold, rainy weather and head to the polls. The future of our country depends on it!

Showdown in New Hampshire

I just tuned in to the results of the New Hampshire primary and was surprised to learn that Hillary Clinton is leading Barack Obama. They have called the Republican primary for John McCain, but haven't called it for Hillary yet. It will be quite a story if Hillary wins, since all the polls showed her coming in second or third place (shows how much polls really matter, right?).

The race to the White House continues to prove to be very interesting. Nothing is set in stone. No poll results are for certain. It is still anyone's game. It will be a wild wide until November!

Showdown in Iowa

Tonight is the night that our presidential candidates have been waiting for! They have been campaigning hard, with many sleepless nights, and the media has been playing up the Iowa Caucuses for many many months.

We've got Fox News tuned in, and I'll be notating some interesting factoids that I hear as the night progresses.

8:39pm

Republican results (2% reporting)
1. Huckabee
2. Romney
3. Thompson
4. McCain

Democratic results (11% reporting)
1. Edwards
2. Clinton
3. Obama
4. Richardson

*46% of Huckabee supporters also state that they are evangelical Christians.

*Poll questions: Top quality that you look for in a presidential candidate? A candidate who shares my same values.

*As of 8am this morning, Edwards had been campaigning for 36 hours straight.

8:56pm
Iowa Caucuses already reporting that Mike Huckabee is the winner for the Republicans.

9:01pm
Ron Paul is ahead of Giuliani - Ron Paul at 11%, Rudy Giuliani at 4%

9:03pm
Obama has taken the lead away from Edwards

*Blogs are a strong force now in politics!

*Voting swapping and deal making is occurring on the Democratic side. Iowapolitics.com and Realclearblogs.com has picked up this story. All campaigns have denied vote swapping story; although campaign workers who may have been encouraging vote swapping among Iowa voters more than likely already have a seat in the candidate's presidential office should that candidate win the presidency.

*There is a strong segment in the Obama and Edwards camp that is an anti-Clinton vote.

*Ed Rollins is Huckabee's campaign chairman. Rollins ran Ronald Reagan's campaign and was very involved with Reagan's White House.

*Ed Rollins use to be a boxer! Look out!

9:24pm
Obama is still in the lead at 35% with 72% reporting.

9:28pm
Iowa Caucuses are reporting Obama as the Democratic winner.

9:28pm
Iowa Caucuses still declaring Huckabee as the Republican winner.