I know it has been awhile since I posted something from my own personal life. I really am trying to talk about my life more but it's really hard to sometimes.

I'm not sure when I last mentioned what was going on with me, so I'll just pick a point and go from there. I've been going to a medical clinic in Houma, LA, for a while now. They've got me on blood pressure medicine for the first time in my life. Until a few months ago, I'd never had high blood pressure. In fact, I hit 200/120 one time at the clinic. I'm now down to 129/90 at my last appointment. So definitely in the right direction there.

The clinic has also been trying to figure out why I'm having trouble breathing. So far we've done a chest x-ray and an EKG and both were normal. I started using an inhaler again (I used one for years when i was younger due to asthma) and that didn't seem to be doing much. So, I was put on Azmacort as well, which is a maintenance inhaler. So far, nothing has changed. I'm actually doing worse! Next step is pulmonary tests (PFT's) in a couple weeks. Hopefully that will tell us something. The doc has said something sounds odd in my breathing though ... so I know it's not all in my head.

As for my pain, that's the same as it has been. Lucky me.

On a brighter note, we found a new mental health clinic for me to go to. It's a state-run clinic and I don't have to pay to go there. I won't get to see the psychiatrist there until December (unless they can get me in sooner), but I do get to start counseling sessions right away. As for the meds, my current clinic will keep doing those until I can see the new doctor. I really like the woman who will do my counseling so hopefully that will make me comfortable enough to share more than just the surface stuff. I'm not the world's most trusting person (my childhood taught me not to trust) so that is always an issue for me. Hopefully we can find the right balance of therapy and medication so that I can start feeling less depressed.

I've been thinking a lot about change. I'm not afraid of it. Earlier this week I told a good friend that she needed to be a catalyst for change in her own life if she was ever going to be happy. I don't regret saying it. I'm not one to mince words ... if I say it, it's because I've thought it out fully and I'm trying to help. That's what got me thinking about change in my own life. There are many things I cannot change, even though I wish I could. I'm always looking for ways to instigate some change in my life - even something really small. I guessed I could try harder to find ways. Well, I can try at least.

I thought I'd leave y'all on a happier note. I found out this week I really have some great friends online. Several sent me messages asking how I'm doing while others sent me words of encouragement. May not sound like much, but it means so much to me to know people care. Also, I got two great surprises this week. The first was when a friend of mine told me she got an iPod Nano. She already had 2 mp3 players and I jokingly asked for one of the old ones. Instead of doing that, she went behind my back to buy me one like hers in my favorite color. She's always been someone who went out of their way to try to make me happy. Well, it worked! The 2nd surprise was when another blogger friend of mine saw my post about looking for an iPhone. Well, turns out his husband had one of the older generation phones sitting in a drawer collecting dust. And he said I could have it! Let me tell you, they both made my day!

Until next time ...

Have you seen the youtube hit video featuring a wedding couple and their wedding party dancing into the church? If not, now you can!

The first episode of season is usually my favorite. I like getting to view the contestants for the first time and I can usually figure out who has a chance to make it as far as the merge.

You also get to see how stupid most of the people are.

To begin the competition, Jeff announced that each tribe would pick a leader based on first impressions. Russell from Galu and Mick from Foa Foa were the two chosen. Galu was perfectly fine with their choice but a couple of members from Foa Foa weren't too thrilled with their tribe's choice. Both Ben and Russell were pouting because they weren't chosen. When they have three people trying to take charge, you know they're doomed already.

Some impressions I got ...

In Galu, one guy was miffed about not getting chosen as the "smartest" tribe member for the opening challenge. John, a rocket scientist, comes off as one of those people who just love to hear the sound of their own voice. Shambo is probably my favorite of all the castaways this season. She makes the mullet look cool. Unfortunately, I think her tribe will try to get rid of her in one of the first few times they go to tribal. One I was really disappointed in was Russell, the leader. For a lawyer, I would expect more much leadership ability than he demonstrated in the first couple days at camp.

In Foa Foa, they have the trifecta of stupidity. Ashley, Marissa and Natalie make up what I call "The Dumbasses of Eastwick". They aren't the only dumbasses in this tribe though. Mike (aka Verosi) is the oldest contestant and somehow despite being terribly overweight, slow and lazy, he doesn't think he is the weakest member of the tribe. He is sorely mistaken.

And then there is Russell.

He was already being billed as the worst villain in the history of Survivor. He didn't disappoint. Now, I'm all for villains. Back in the first season of the show, I was rooting for Richard to win. He was very forthcoming with his strategy and made no apologizes for anything he said or did. He actually played with a lot of integrity. Now, this Russell guy isn't a villain ... he is just an asshole. He lost me at the point he told his story of tragedy during Hurricane Katrina. Fact is, he never lived in New Orleans and he is a billionaire oil company owner. If you're going to be a villain, at least do it with some integrity. Here's a clip of Russell doing some sabotage at camp and talking about his strategy ...

In the reward challenge, the teams ran a relay race with a puzzle at the end. The key was choosing the right people for each leg based on the tribe leader's first impression of the individuals. Mick did it the best and Foa Foa won the challenge and received flint to make fire back at their camp.

Later in the immunity challenge, the teams had 6 members each running up and over A-frames carrying rope. They then used the rope to move a heavy crate full of puzzle pieces. Finally, four members of each tribe had to put together their puzzle. My first observation was that Mike, who claimed he was very valuable to the tribe, just stood there watching Galu put their puzzle together. At one point, his teammate actually had to rip the piece out of his hand. Yeah, he's soooo valuable. Thanks to Shambo, Galu was able to kick butt in the puzzle and win immunity.

That meant it was time to see if Russell was actually calling the shots. All the bimbos were aligned with him but Marissa started to distrust him and so he called for her to be eliminated. Betsy was right to say Ashley is the weakest but Russell needs her for vote. So, Marissa got the axe thanks to Russell and his dumbasses.

Russell 1, Foa Foa 0.

It's a new season and so why not audition in a new city?

So, it's off to Phoenix the judges went.

It's always a party when Mia is involved. And honestly, I don't really care what Nigel has to say. And even Mary to some degree. When I want to get a real critique, I want it to be Mia giving it. To me, she is the most qualified to be a judge on this show.

Phoenix actually provided some great talent.

One of my favorites was Alison Becker. She is, I think, the first deaf contestant to make it to Vegas. She had to go through the choreography to prove should could handle it, but I was truly inspired by her solo performance. Also, Sasha (in video below) is one to look out for.


Another pair to look for was Jacob & Willum, who were same-sex latin ballroom dancers. Last season we got a taste of same-sex ballroom, but that pair was fairly clumsy and not polished enough. These two were sent to choreography to see how they danced with a female partner and both were rewarded with tickets to Vegas.

The worst? Jonathan Morona and his basketball shorts, sticks and cards that spelled out Disco - but he was NOT dancing disco!

How would you like to walk into the world of Harry Potter and see the Owlery, Hogwarts and even Hogsmeade Village?

In Spring of 2010, you'll be able to.

Okay, not the REAL set or anything like that. Universal Studios announced their plan for the new attraction at Islands of Adventure in Orlando, FL.

Check out this video ...

Who knew there was so much sexual innuendo in children's programming? I must say I had never heard of this British children's show before today but it is downright hilarious if you watch it with a dirty mind!

Anyone else glad we don't have to wait until next summer to watch So You Think You Can Dance?

Last night was the first audition city and so far, no Sex! Maybe we'll not have to endure him this season. Surely he is getting to be too old to audition by now?

We had a good mixture of first-time auditioners and some of the favorites to make it to the Top 20 this season.

As for the returning dancers, the most notable were Ryan Kasperzak (Evan's brother!) and fellow tapper, Bianca Revels. Adam Shankman even called Ryan's audition the "best audition ever on this show!" That's some very high praise. Then, they didn't even really have Bianca audition (unless they just didn't show it). Instead, we got a "tap battle" between her and Ryan. AMAZING!

Two other amazing dancers were Mollee Gray (who was a principal dancer in the HSM movies) and Amber Williams, who was so light on her feet that even the judges never heard her feet make a sound. I expect the two of them to do well in Vegas. I think Amber has the better shot at Top 20.

Of course, with the great comes the disgusting. I don't remember the weirdo's name but it's the guy who decided it was a great idea to speak his music. Or rather, random words that got weirder and weirder. Stuff like "shatter, shatter, shatter" and "the candles blow out too". You know, the stuff they say in movies to make fun of performance artists and the like.

All in all, it was a great set of auditions to kick of Season 6!

I am sure those of y'all with kids have threatened to tape their mouth shut.

Some of you might have actually gone through with it.

Can a judge make the same threat to a defendant in the courtroom?

Ohio judge Stephen Belden said that taping the defendant's mouth was the best way to restore order in a hearing for Harry Brown. The judge ordered the bailiff to tape his mouth shut following Brown's complaints about his lawyer and countless interruptions.

After the tape came off, the defendant said the judge wasn't being respectful.

So I ask y'all ... was it professional of the judge to tape the guy's mouth shut?

This was the annoying woman in front of me in line at the clinic I go to. For some reason, this phone was virtually attached to her ear the whole time. Apparently, it's okay that entire waiting room had to hear her conversations. Even when the pharmacy tech was trying to speak to her, she took a phone call. Helloooooooooooo. It was 5 minutes until closing and there were FOUR people waiting behind her! Some people are just too rude for words.

Secondly, I took the photo on my cell phone because of her hair. No, not because of the braids. I just don't get why someone would pick a hair color that does not compliment them. I don't know if y'all can see the 50 or so bobby pins sticking out either. Also, you know she paid a lot of money to get this hairdo done and her own hair is showing all the way around. I don't know if it's just from growing out or if she had it badly done. Then again, maybe she didn't pay enough to have it done.

According to the package, it's an orange-flavored sucker. Penis envy anyone?

No, we don't just get this because of the cute dog on the box.

My dogs are much cuter.

This is FrostyPaws doggie ice cream. Our dogs DEVOUR it. It's hilarious to watch them pick the cups up in their mouth and take it to wherever they're most comfortable to eat it. What was even funnier was when our family's bulldog, Seamus, would go up to someone around 9pm and put his paw in their lap. That was Seamus for "gimme my ice cream biatch!"

Our dogs are somewhat spoiled but nothing compared to Seamus.

The Paws come in two flavors - Original (beef) and Peanut Butter. I wish we could get peanut butter but we don't have it locally. Trust me, your dogs will love you for giving them this treat. We don't give it to them on a regular basis - just as an occasional snack when we've been gone a lot or something. Wanna see if a store near you has Paws? Click here to find out.

I know some of y'all have been waiting for me to post an update on how I am feeling. I was waiting to get through the next round of doctor appointments and for the medication to have some time to get into my system. So, here is the update.

About a month ago, my therapist & NPC at the clinic put me on several new medicines ... celexa (anti-depressant), trazodone (mood stabilizer and for sleep) and atenolol for high blood pressure. The NPC had also put me on an inhaler for the breathing issue I've been saddled with for the past year.

After a month of being on this regimen, it was time to tweak most of it. She put me on azmacort as well. I'd heard of it but we'll see if it helps. I'm still having major sleeping issues (takes forever to sleep and I wake up feeling like I never slept), so the trazodone was upped to 200mg and the celexa to 60mg since I haven't felt any change in my depression. We also added an anxiety medicine, so hopefully that will improve as well.

Yes, I am nuts. But I know y'all already knew that!

I have also gotten an appointment at a mental health center that isn't going to charge me to get seen by a psychiatrist. It's also much closer to the house than the clinic, so that will make things much easier.

Oh and I spoke to my parents. I told my father off (which felt good) and Darin spoke to my mother about how awful they've treated me since my gram (and best friend) died. As I've mentioned before, she is a narcissist and hasn't even been concerned with my grieving (and my dad enables her). More about this soon, I promise.

So until next update, we'll see how things go.

This is a woman who had a creative way to steal beer from a local store down here around Baton Rouge, LA. You'll laugh as much as I did!

This building is 9 1/2 feet wide and 42 feet long and is billed as the narrowest house in New York City.

And they're asking for $2.7 million for the small building.

Um, for that kind of money it should be covered in gold!

The only other claim to fame this building has is that both anthropologist Margaret Mead and poet Edna St. Vincent Mallay once called it home, according to Corcoran real estate broke Alex Nicholas.

So, if you're petite, got money to burn and a fan of poetry, this is just the house for you.

I think most of us have been in public and had to endure screaming and crying children.

Nothing ruins an outing like strange children running around and screaming loud enough for people on the moon to hear them, right?

So, imagine you're at Walmart and some brat decides it is time to try to break the sound barrier. Do you say anything to the child's parent? Make a comment loud enough for them to hear it?

Or would you do what Georgia-resident Roger Stephens did in the same situation ... smack the child.

That's right. The 61-year-old man asked the mother of the 2-year-old crying child to get the toddle to knock off the racket. According to the police report, the man approached her and said, "If you don't shut that baby up, I will shut her up for you."

So, he did. He smacked the child at least FOUR times!

He has been charged with felony cruelty to children.

Ironically, the baby started screaming when he struck her.

Who in their right mind would think it is okay to strike someone else's child??