Exclusive American Idol Follow-up with Kaitlin Johnson

This time three months ago, I was in the middle of the Ninetyandnine interview with Kaitlin Johnson, American Idol Hollywood contender. Now three months later, all the talk is about America's new idol Taylor Hicks (which Kaitlin predicted). I've been anxious to revisit the topic, so Kaitlin graciously took a moment to catch up:

• LAA: What do you think about everything that has happened on Idol since you left the show?
• 
  KJ: I think the show was great overall. I was surprised that it came down to Taylor and Katherine. I thought for sure Taylor would be up against Chris. I was very shocked when Chris got booted off! And of course my boy Taylor came through and took it home...HE'S AWESOME!
  
  LAA: What has been happening in your life since leaving the show?
• 
  KJ: My life has gone back to normal! I still get some people asking all about it. I guess it now defines me...haha! When people hear my name they automatically think...American Idol girl. No career changes, I have always been apart of the music ministry at my church, so I'm continuing that. But other than that my life is totally normal! But I like to keep people guessing, so who knows what I'll do next or what's in store for me!

EC E-mail Etiquette

Goodbye, May. Hello, June.
Interesting that both of those months are popular people names, according to this fun link from my multimedia whiz friend. Funny how certain months are not used as child names. I wonder what makes some more popular than others? Since February is my birth month, I’m going to advocate a “Name Your Child February” campaign to boost the month’s popularity. What do you say, moms and dads to-be? And maybe I can even swing a free Ninetyandnine t-shirt for the first 3 participants?

Web Etiquette
Recently I shared with you my initiation to the exciting world of Everyones Connected (EC). I haven’t quite “graduated” (depending on how you look at it) to MySpace. But I did, however, find this article applicable to anyone with an online presence. (I still haven't updated my EC color from uncool green, so I definitely don’t think I’m cut out for the intricacy of MySpace-dom.)

Not That…
Speaking of etiquette and EC, yesterday a small drama ensued among my EC friends. I’ve come to discover there are two kinds of people in this world. Not male and female. Not Christian and non-Christian. There are forwarders and non-forwarders. Of junk e-mail, that is. It’s the dilemma most of us (I’m a non-forwarder) dread. One of my friends explained it best:

"I can’t tell you the pain I receive from checking my mail only to find a 'Tag You’re It' forward with the sole purpose of getting on the nerves of anyone who doesn’t spend 8 hours a day on their computer. Trying to delete the forwards is futile because usually the senders are cute/clever/evil enough to change the subject line so your only choice is to painfully open each one. God help you if you don’t check your mail at least once a day. Otherwise you have 10 thousand 'Your-true-love-will-kiss-you-by-midnight-tommorow-if-you-send-this-to-everyone-you-know-plus-their-relatives' forwards and 'Bill-Gates-and-the-owner-of-GAP-are-teaming-up-to-give-half-of-their-fortunes-away-just-to-people-who-forward-this-to-at-least-25-people' forwards."


For each forward I receive that is unwanted and/or unnecessary, I will apply the 1 for 10 rule. I will flood that person’s mailbox with 10 emails respectfully, but forcefully, requesting that they not send me any more forwards: 'PLEASE DO NOT SEND ME ANY MORE FORWARDS OR I WILL SLASH YOUR TIRES (in 6-8 years when you get a vehicle) AND ROLL/EGG YOUR (parent’s) HOUSE!'

What a beautiful idea. The situation is sad but so true, my friends. So true. And just wait until you start getting forwards as text messages on your cell phone…

Christians Rescues Kidnapped Boys

A Pakistani Christian missionary and an American evangelist have rescued 17 Pakistani Christian boys who were kidnapped by Islamist slave traders. After five months of brutal conditions, the boys were returned to their families, thanks to the efforts of the Christians.

The happy ending of this story is, however, not always the case. Just as we should be aware of the violence in Africa, we should be mindful of this situation.

The stories of these boys cry out for action. “The slavers must be stopped and brought to justice,” Brother David [the anonymous American evangelist] said. “I pray that a public outcry will arise in Pakistan and around the world that will put an end to their vile business.”

Memorial Day Happenings

Tales from a Bored Holiday-Goer
I woke up in a what-day-is-it? panic, reaching for my clock. After that, the sleeping-in moment was gone. The rest of the morning was spent considering what we could do today that would be out-of-the-ordinary. (I'm in a hyphen-mood.)

The Plan
It comes down to the A/P cop-out: shopping. I'll spend the afternoon salvaging clearance racks for another pair of desperately-needed (or so I think) pair of black flip flops. I'm envisioning a jog through the nice Northshore shopping area and then a loop down through New Orleans for something good to eat.

What the Rest of the World Is Doing
Everyone else on the planet seems to be checking for the latest details on the Brangelina baby arrival. (I'll admit I looked too. It's a girl.)

Lagniappe
Actually besides the what-to-do dilemma accompanying a Monday off, I have given some thought to the meaning of Memorial Day. I have 2 cousins in Iraq and thought of them. They are just 2 of many. Check out CNN's Coming Home exhibit: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2006/coming.home/