So disappointing. I enjoy Alicia Keys' music, especially Fallin' and other songs from her first album, but I certainly will not be buying anything else from her in light of this. So, who wants to bet that this latest instance of adding fuel to the fire of racial tension (AKA "Blame Whitey") will go unchecked by the liberal media? Oprah? Obama? Anyone care to comment, or does Alicia Keys get a free pass?

Don't misunderstand - I am no apologist. I detest any variety of bigotry and hatred. But, I do not limit my feelings of disgust for bigotry aimed towards minorities. Bigoted and hateful comments and actions towards any racial group cannot be deemed permissible just because whites are not the minority in this case (or are we? I know whites are no longer technically the majority race in the U.S.) and there is a shameful history of racism going the other way. With rights come responsibility. Perpetuating theories such as this is nauseatingly irresponsible.

Wrong, Wrong, WRONG!

Okay, I cop to my share of the blame, as I have been watching Idol, but not voting this season. Stupid, stupid, stupid! And now, my guy Michael Johns is gone. Gone! I am gobsmacked. Even my husband stared at the tv in stunned silence when it was announced. I kept waiting for Ryan to say he'd be staying anyway, or that it was a bad, belated April Fool's gag, or that, that . . . something! Something that would explain how Idol would remedy this grievous error on the part of the Idol watchers.

I can't wait to learn which label is smart enough to snap him up. My fellow Americans are truly a bunch of morons with no taste. And I am equally idiotic for not voting (and for caring this much.)

I really enjoyed watching and listening to Michael on Idol. I loved his song choices, and I thoroughly enjoyed his performances. And he is awfully easy on the eyes. (I will not miss the cravats.) I will be sad when he's not there next week and I am forced to withstand yet another week of Kristy Lee and Syesha. Lord help us all!

Wonderful news on the family homefront - my new nephew went home from the hospital yesterday! He was born on March 6, about 7 weeks premature. He's done amazingly well in the hospital and got to go home much earlier than anticipated. Welcome home, little one!

David Cook! David Cook! DAVID COOK! (I still have a little Idol-crush on Michael Johns and think he's among the best this season, but OMG - David Cook!) I just got to watch last night's Idol this afternoon (because last night was Bunco night with my Bunco Babes), and I cannot find the words for his fantastic cover of Chris Cornell's version of Billie Jean. I don't think it matters a bit that this version was created by another artist - every song the contestants do is a cover, and this was just a cover twice over. David Cook rocked it. He sold it. I would pay to hear him sing, and in fact, I did pay to download this from iTunes. (I've never downloaded any Idol music before, and I feel like a total loser, but it was either this or replaying it on Tivo, which just won't work when I'm not at home, so . . . ) David Cook is head and shoulders above the rest as far as being the whole package - nice voice, stage presence, believability and musicianship. Unless he struggles with the various genres the contestants will be required to perform in the coming weeks, I have a hard time seeing anyone take David out.

David Cook!!!!

One-half of a dyed, hard-boiled egg (including shell) and two wasabi peas.