Must watch T.V.

Lately I have been bothered by the never ending trend of reality tv. I don't watch it (except for my Hell's Kitchen), and I can't say I support it at all. What does it say about our society when we actually care that Spencer Pratt walked away from a show? Is it newsworthy that Joan Rivers cries like a baby when they boot her daughter from tv? It must be, because every news channel, and every radio station add it to their lineup of "celebrity" news. We have more than 1 billion people in the United States, and there are people going on television to find husbands and wives. Why? To me this says something about their character. It tells me that to them love is a spectacle best served weekly at 8 followed by re-runs of American Idol or Dancing with the Stars.

I know people who are addicted to reality tv, and I don't push my personal opinion on them. That's what great about living where we do...we have 230 channels to watch and the freedom to do so. Watch what makes you happy. I just don't like hearing about Speidi (Spencer and his "wife" Heidi), and I could honestly care less who was voted off the island for not eating the glazed beetle turd. Most of these are celebrities by name only. What have they contributed to entertainment exactly? Has Brody Jenner done anything with his life other than live off his Dad's Olympic name? Has Kim Kardashian actually worked a day in her life, or will she forever be known as the daughter of one of O.J. Simpson's defense attorneys until she runs out of money. So they have a sex tape, so they got caught speeding and driving while drinking. Everyday people do and we don't make the news for it. Because of their status however, the ending result is usually much less than it is for us.

It's even more of an insult to me when they run these shows nightly for a week, taking up programming time that could be used elsewhere. So there is a guy who can armpit fart the Star Spangled Banner...sign him up for a record deal. I like shows that make you think. Shows like House, Bones, CSI, and when these shows are forced on hiatus for weeks so that we can observe Celebrity Rehab, I get irritated. Most reality shows are a joke to me. How much goes on behind the scenes is never revealed until after. Big Brother puts people in a house to see if they can get along. Why wouldn't they be able to? There is no reason they couldn't unless the network purposely stirred things up for ratings.

I say reality tv needs a facelift. Take all the people who have lost, cried, whined, or been voted off and put them in one room. Release a tiger, an alligator, and a squirell and whomever is left standing is declared the winner. Their prize is they get to clean up the mess. Now that I would watch. I mentioned earlier that I am a fan of Hell's Kitchen. This is reality. These people are fighting for a place alongside one of the best chefs in the world, and they are using actual skills to do it. They vote like other shows, they compete like other shows, but there is nothing degrading about it. They aren't recquired to swim to the bottom of a lake, tickle an octopus till he giggles, than run barefoot backwards across wet sand wearing a clothespin on their eyelids to win. Gordon Ramsey is a tough cookie. He takes noting for granted and he turns 15 people into better cooks by shows end. In reality all contestants are winners for having worked with him. That is something worth watching to me.

So if I have offended you, sorry. If I made you look at reality televeison closer, good. Please read my blogs with an open mind and remember...I am funny haha..not funny hoho. If it makes you happy to see people dance like puppets and grin like fools...best to you. Until next time...thanks for reading...now THIS is reality.

Brandon

R.I.P.

As we all know, yesterday Michael Jackson died. Now as shocked as I was at the news, I am even more shocked at the outpour of support to his family at their time of grief. Don't get me wrong, I'm heartsick over his death, but what bothers me is this...these are the same people who turned their noses up at him when he was dragged through court a few years back. These are the same people who sat in their living rooms watching the news saying " I'm sure he's guilty...look at him, what a freak", and so on and so on. Now that he is gone, they come out of the woodwork in droves supporting him and all he accomplished in his life. Whatever. To each their own I suppose.

Michael Jackson became popular when I was in 8th grade. This boy down the street bought a cassette tape called Thriller. We listened to it in his bedroom one Saturday and I must admit...it was weird. I had never heard black music before and I was not sure if I liked it. Later that year my cousin Shane had a birthday party and his Mom had got a copy of the music video Thriller. Back then this was a huge deal. It was hard to find and widely popular. I knew the song from my previous experiences, but I had never seen the video. I was hooked. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. The dancing was breath taking. The gril in the video (Ola Ray) was gorgeous. And the voice of Vincent Price just cinched the deal for me...I was a Jackson fan.

Over the next 25 years I have seen Michael Jackson go from absolute top of the world to the bottom of people's shoes everywhere. He was the undisputed King of Pop. He wore a white glove, was married at one time to Elvis's daughter, and caught his hair on fire doing a Pepsi commercial. He invented the Moonwalk, grabbed himself a lot, and could hit notes higher than some Vienna Boys Choir singers. He was a public spectacle and often times the butt of their jokes. He changed his appearance over the years, and not many could get past that. He had a pet monkey, an oxygen tent, a childrens amusement ranch and wore masks over his face. Did this change who he was? No. He was still Michael Jackson. The man who purchased the entire library of Beattles music. The man who sold over 26 million copies of one album.

I have watched the news and read the reports. Its a suicide...accidental death...he planned it...Does any of that truly matter in the grand scheme of things? Not to me. There will never be another like him, and my heart goes out to his close friends and family. Their grief is now a worldwide media spectacle. There have been many tributes posted to him, and some wonderful things said about him. Lisa Marie Presley posted a MySpace blog that was beautiful and heartfelt. All I can say is this...remember him how you want to. Pay your tribute your way. Grieve and find peace in it. My best to you all, and as always, thank you for reading.

Brandon

Papa, can you read this??

OK, so it's Father's Day today, and like I did on Mother's day, I thought I would blog my Father into fame. Unlike Mother's Day, Father's Day was not always so. It was originally started in 1908 in a church in West Virginia, and observed in 1910 in Spokane. It was not made an official federal holiday until 1966 by President Johnson.

My Dad was born November 3rd, 1946. To those of you knowing your history, that was before paper, fire and electricity were invented. My Dad has had gray hair since I can remember, and like my Mother, blames his children. I'm just glad he has hair and there is no pattern for baldness there.

In his lifetime, he has had many different jobs. For 30 years he was a Deputy Sheriff and a soldier. He has also been a ward organist, pianist, choir member, scholar, amateur mechanic, unpublished author, scoutmaster and gardener. He has raised three children, and is currently helping raise two grandchildren.


I have learned much from my Father, like how to put out a campfire the Boy Scout way (ask your husbands if you are unfamiliar with this method). I have learned to love reading and appreciate music as well. As a youth, I would often times lay in bed listening to my pops play Chopin, or Beethoven on the piano. He still plays today, and I find it remarkable he can play by memory.

Growing up, my dad often worked two or three jobs. We would many times visit him working security at Harmon's, or take him dinner to the National Guard. These were fun times for us kids, and I remember them fondly. I was always proud of seeing him wearing his police officer uniform, and loved to hear the sound of the leather belt as it creaked when he moved.

My Dad likes reading, writing (I think he should blog), texas hold-em poker, camping (on four wheels), trivia, mexican food, diet coke, and burnt cookies. He has degrees in both education and music from more than one University. He knows the movie Men in Tights by heart, and loves to watch it any chance he gets. He has very big hands and loves palming basketballs whenever he can. He loves buffets, BYU football (we dont hold that against him), and hockey ( I think it's me who makes that sport fun). He is a graduate of Granite High School. where he met my Mother. We don't hold that against him either (the school, not meeting my Mom).

Since knowing my Dad is to understand him, let me tell you about two of my most painful, agionizing memories. Shortly after I had foot sugery when I was 17, we went to Washington D.C..We (I dont remember being in on this decision) decided it was best to see the sights by walking. We walked from Washington's Monument to Arlington Cemetary and back to the Smithsonian...IN ONE DAY !To this day I limp and walk in circles from the damage caused to my feet from all the walking (ok, not really). In 1986, my family and I went to British Columbia for the Worlds Fair. It was a blast. Coming home and crossing the Grand Coulee Dam, Dad took the turn a little sharp in the rented motorhome and ripped the stair completely off. We continued to drive completely across the Dam to the other side where I was volunteered to walk back across and retrieve the missing stair. I returned to the motorhome after my 19 mile walk (it was only 400 yards but seemed more at the time), only to discover we had to drive back the way we came anyway...thats right...across the Damn Dam.

My Father is a wonderful man and has worked his whole life to make sure his family wants for nothing. Other than my learned respect for walking, I have picked up a few other things along the way. I love trivia, reading, camping, music and a good laugh. All these can be attributed to my old man. Making him snot diet coke is one my favorite pastimes, and I must admit, I am the current undefeated champ. I share his middle name as does my son. He has done some very unique things in his life. He has played with Engelbert Humperdink (ask your parents), and Liberace. I love my Father very much, and owe him a great deal. I strive daily to make him proud, and there are times when I have failed. He has really taken to jackie and her brood, and for that I am grateful. I think she talks to him more than she talks to me ( I love you honey).

So to all you Fathers out there reading this..Happy Father's Day. To those of you not Fathers but reading anyway, I thank you. Love your families and love each other. Until next time....

Brandon