Britain's Got Talent

I have to admit, I never GOT American Idol. I watched part of one episode, and the entire concept didn't appeal to me. I didn't want to see people who weren't really that talented getting up to try and being knocked down.
But when I saw Susan Boyle's performance on Britain's Got Talent, I got it. It was like seeing a five minute version of Rocky. I still remember walking out of the movie theater when I saw Rocky, the sense of euphoria. Seeing Ms. Boyle triumph was like that-only better, because it was not a Hollywood film, it was a real person. Great stuff.

Bo, and other dogs

I actually don't feel out of the mainstream so much on this issue, yet I haven't heard anyone worry out loud about what the Obama's choice of a purebred dog is likely to do to the breed. Portuguese Water Dogs have not been a particularly popular breed-up to now; in 2008 they were ranked #62 in popularity, as determined by AKC registrations. This is up from #82 in 1998. The problem is that there is no doubt that puppy mills are already devoting more cages to Portuguese Water Dogs as I blog. I totally sympathize with the Obama's need to get a dog that they knew would be unlikely to provoke their daughter's allergies. It's just too bad that there is currently no legislation to protect the dogs who will now be relegated to producing litter after litter of puppies to sell to people who do not know enough to go to a reputable breeder or a shelter for their pet.
Sorry to be such a bummer. I'm happy for the girls-I'm just impatient to get legislation passed that will end puppy mills.