"I'm sort of his agent..."

Seriously, what is it about this season of American Idol??? I think I've watched the show from the first season in 2002, but I can't remember ever being so emotional. I seem to cry as much as the contestants--especially those who get their "golden" ticket; their opportunity to sing in the next round of competition in Hollywood.

Maybe it has to do with my age. After all, I'm twelve years older than I was when the show first aired. Do you get more emotional with age?

Maybe it has to do with their age. The competitors seem so young...lots and lots and lots of teenagers. Teenagers and their behavior don't usually make me cry, so what's up with that?

Maybe it's about the stories some of them share; stories of family tragedy and triumph, poverty, addiction and rehab, love lost and found.  Idol has always revealed the stories of its contestants. In previous seasons, maybe those stories focused more on the goofy folks who didn't stand a snowball's chance of singing success, much less making a career in the music industry. This season the producers are giving more air time to talent and I like it!

Maybe it's about the fact that these people can really sing. The show seems to showcase honest to goodness ability waiting to be discovered, uncovered, and celebrated. 

Maybe it's about the judges. Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez, and Harry Connick, Jr. appear genuinely interested in finding talent, nurturing talent, and giving people the chance of a lifetime. None of them seems interested in exploiting a lack of talent for television ratings...is that a naive statement?

In the end, I guess it doesn't matter why I'm enjoying this television show as much as I am. Perhaps it's about all of the above.  I'm older and wiser. The contestants are young. They have stories that will break your heart and make you stand up and cheer.  The judges seem fair and honest and they are intelligent, funny and entertaining in their own right. And the bottom line is there are a lot of really talented people who dream big in hopes of being the next American singing sensation.

So if you are looking for me on a Wednesday or Thursday night from now until sometime mid-May, I'll be the "puddle" sitting on my couch drinking a diet Coke, tapping my foot as some amazing young person sings his or her heart out. After all, this is American Idol, baby!

Here is one of my favorite auditions from this season (so far). I like this young man's story and his voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpNZFe1RpgA

A January Thought

Most of my Christmas decorations are put away. I say most because inevitably I'll be somewhere in the house in the next week or so and find a small candle or a string of white lights that missed my initial packing. It happens every year. And every year when I make the discovery I get disgusted with myself. It's extra work and takes extra time to find the right box in the basement and put the decoration away once and for all.

As I reflect on the ritual of Christmas decorating, I must acknowledge that it takes time. I never put things in exactly the same place each year. The Christmas tree and the nativity set find their homes in the southwest corner of the family room and on the mantel, respectively. The rest of the decorations get displayed depending on my taste, whether or not I made new purchases, and the amount of time I have to prepare my home for the season.

That I leave a few decorations behind at the end of this festive season is part of the process. Perhaps I should realize that finding those small items gives me an opportunity to extend Christmas; to take time to reflect on this beautiful season of the year which passes all too quickly; to keep the memories made and the laughter shared in my heart a bit longer; to recommit myself to living more like the baby born in the manger, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

Here's to finding candles and lights every day; chances to keep Christmas, to keep Jesus, alive and close all year long. Happy New Year!