SIMON COWELL, You Da Man!

If I were American, young and can sing a tune, I'd definitely try out for American Idol. Imagine the possibilities?

Instant dream careers have been made from American Idol. Think Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, David Archuleta, David Cook.......and, of course, Jennifer Hudson.

So, have you been keeping up with the show?

Truth be told, and honest to God, I am no fan of the show. But, I must say that I am completely amazed by the magnitude of its popularity so much so that thousands, year in, year out, want to have a shot at it, a shot at fame!

I totally understand.

In fact, I so understand why so many people with zero talent insist that they should be shortlisted. That is so totally insane.

And they blame Simon Cowell for their failure to launch!

As we know, Brit Simon is by now a certified BAD GUY on the panel of judges. This is absolutely unfair.

I find that people easily hit him because, well, he is THE bad guy, isn't he? So let him take the blame for you not making the cut.

Simon says it to you face. Uncensored and usually what you do not want to hear. The truth, baby.

I find that I am usually in agreement with him. Randy Jackson is truthful, Kara DioGuardi is too and of course, dear Paula Abdul is sweet. They don't lie to the contestants.

It's just that Simon is....BLUNT. Doesn't mince his words.

And they don't like it.

You'd think that the three Americans would be blunt. But no...it's the Englishman who is. And he makes no apologies for his bluntness.
His honesty, as he puts it.

That's why I like him. Because he does not give anyone false hope. But when you're good, he will tell you so.

I was able to catch the auditions on TV, for some quirky reason. There were so many unbelievably stupid people who really thought they could sing! And they got so manic and mad when Simon told them that they could not.

I must say, though, that those who were shortlisted were generally polite and decent kids.

When they could not make it to the next round, they were disappointed, but they took it well and thanked the judges. Well brought-up American kis, I must say.

So, who is your favourite?

For me, I'm torn between Adam Lambert and rocker Allison.

And Simon is still DA MAN for me! Yes!

Dumbing Down in American Idol Auditions

Like really really down, it's unbelievable.
I'm no fan of the American Idol series. But I can get hooked because of the incredible drama during the coast-to-coast auditions.

I am convinced that after the bona fide geek William Hung whose down-to-earth honesty shot him to fame seven shows ago, many Americans have found the successful formula to instant fame. Simply by being really bad at auditions and showing a Godamm attitude.

Can anyone really be so stupid as to think that or she can sing when obviously there is NO talent at all in the first place?

It is unbelievable. And the drama that followed.

I am also convinced that a lot of them are acting students playing out roles in the auditions.

But oh well. It was all so entertaining.

Cheers! Here's to another bleah bleah season.

Gimme This Job!

They don't call this the world's best-paying job without a damn good reason. And I want the job!

But, damn! I am not fully qualified.

I can do everything but I am not a good swimmer. I swim but not good enough for what the job requires. Sob sob sob!

Hmmm. Come to think of it! Thank God! A damn good reason for not applying. For not qualifying.

Anyway, if you guys are interested, applications are accepted until February 22.

Here's the story;

SYDNEY (AFP) – An Australian state is offering internationally what it calls "the best job in the world" -- earning a top salary for lazing around a beautiful tropical island for six months.

The job pays 150,000 Australian dollars (105,000 US dollars) and includes free airfares from the winner's home country to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland's state government announced on Tuesday.

In return, the "island caretaker" will be expected to stroll the white sands, snorkel the reef, take care of "a few minor tasks" -- and report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates.

The successful applicant, who will stay rent-free in a three-bedroom beach home complete with plunge pool and golf buggy, must be a good swimmer, excellent communicator and be able to speak and write English.

"They'll also have to talk to media from time to time about what they're doing so they can't be too shy and they'll have to love the sea, the sun, the outdoors," said acting state Premier Paul Lucas.

"The fact that they will be paid to explore the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, swim, snorkel and generally live the Queensland lifestyle makes this undoubtedly the best job in the world."

Click here to read the full story

All About Siti Nurhaliza And Datuk K

Although I am not a fan of Siti Nurhaliza, I do think she can sing, and awesomely too. She has a powerful melodious voice. Lovely singing voice. She is pretty to boot. Even without make-up, mind you.

In this country, you have to be pretty to REALLY succeed as a singer. Siti is blessed with good looks and so you can see why she is hugely popular.

She was also one of the very few female Malay artistes who seemed to have kept her reputation intact, scandal-free until, of course, grande dame Sharifah Aini got into the picture with allegations of some unsavoury behaviour and hocus-pocus.

By the time fans of Malay entertainment got an idea of what was going on and the fact that Siti was not what she had appeared to be -- that sweet innocent girl-next-door, Siti was already a household name and making mega Ringgit from her singing career. She is a smart girl, endorsing beauty and all sorts of products and investing in business using herself as the BRAND.

She couldn't have cared less.

While all that was going on with Siti denying allegations of romantic links with a married Datuk, she was actually involved with this married man. A certain gentleman the ever-hungry Malay media dubbed as Dato K. No, not Dato Kalimullah. He's uglier than Dato K.

Dato K was then married to a Kedah royalty, with who he has children.

So Siti really is a home-wrecker. She denied all this, of course. Plain fact -- she was having an affair with Dato K while he was married. But, in case you're spewing yucks at me, I am not using it against her. Hell, it's not my husband she was involved with.

Then they Dato K took Siti to be his lawfully-wedded wife. Their wedding was one of the biggest circuses I had ever seen, and attended.

A fairytale wedding? Can you hear me roar? Ummm, puke?

Be that as it may, Siti is mega popular not just in this country but across the seas. She's a big name in Indonesia.

Today, Friday January 9...the newspapers played up Siti's story about how internet reports of marital problems have affected the couple. It seems happy hubby has married another and has a child with that other.

He has vehemently denied. She stands by her man. No way that hubby is unhappy and has found happiness with another.

Hubby said that all this was too much for him, affected his business. Even wanted to ask Siti to quit singing. Siti has even considered that option.

I tell you --- why should Siti even be asked to quit singing. She is so financially independent because of her successful singing career.

Anyway, I pretty am well-connected. I do socialize when I feel like it.
All I can say is I hope Siti has made a good man out of this Dato K because he was one man I'd stay well away from.

There's a Malay word to describe him.
Never mind!

Siti and her beloved have asked people to leave them alone, to stop gossiping about them.

Siti, Siti, Siti......that will be very difficult. You are Malaysia's darling.

Take all this in your stride, Siti. You have stood tall all this while.

Forget the fact that there's no smoke without fire. Go on believing in hubby because that will keep you sane.

Whatever it is --- don't give up your career!

Have A Good 2009!

"The merry year is born
Like the bright berry from the naked thorn."
~Hartley Coleridge


Let's hope 2009 is better! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Cheat In Him

Oh, you know how I love articles that give tips on dating and loving and how to know if you man's a damn cheat!

A recent issue of Cosmo, featured one on detecting the cheat in your man.

It ran a simple test. Check it out.

Here's point to consider -- you have to realize that just because he possesses characteristics of a mangy scoundrel doesn't mean he's actually cheating on you.

"You have to listen to your gut as well as read the clues," says Gary Aumiller, Ph.D., a psychologist and coauthor of "Red Flags! How to Know When You're Dating a Loser."

Run through this list of wandering-eye warning signs to see if your partner is predisposed to prowl... and find out how you can deal.

Dating Factor: His Background

Cheat Predictor #1

Was he spoiled as a kid?

Do his parents tend to baby him and help him out of financial jams?

Has he ever bragged about cheating on an exam or paying someone to write a paper for him in college?

If your man seems to have sailed through life without ever hitting the rough waters that rock the rest of us, beware. Privileged chaps tend to suffer from a sense of entitlement (read: bratty-boy syndrome), so he may believe that the rules don't apply to him. He's so used to getting what he wants, why should he stop now?

"He might cheat because he thinks he deserves to fulfill all of his needs, no matter who he might hurt," says Shirley Glass, Ph.D., a psychologist, infidelity expert and author of the forthcoming "Not Just Friends: Protecting Your Relationship from Infidelity and Healing from the Trauma of Betrayal."
"He probably has little concept of how upset you would be if you found out because he's too self-centered to think about your feelings."

So how do you know if your have-it-all hunk has other women on his wish list?
Glass suggests paying attention to how he copes when he's confronted with any bad behavior on his part.
Does he regret getting caught forwarding your racy emails to his friends but feel no guilt for doing it in the first place?
Does he blame others when he screws up rather than take responsibility himself?
If he can't see how his actions affect others, he's not likely to say, "Whoa, what about my girlfriend?" when temptation strikes.

Dating Factor: His Career

Cheat Predictor #2

Does he work mostly with women?

Is he always logging in late hours, whether it be at the office, at dinner with clients or on business trips?

Does he make a lot of money?

It's great to date a guy with ambition -- and his deep pockets definitely don't hurt when he brings you pricey baubles -- but the office environment can open the door to private meetings of the carnal kind.
According to Glass, studies show that when men cheat, it's most often with a work colleague. "Not only are people with similar interests side by side on a daily basis, but the time they spend together is usually when they're most energetic and look their best."

Unfortunately, the bigger his wallet, the more likely your busy bee is to cozy up with an office buddy.
According to a study conducted by Jan Halper, Ph.D., author of "Quiet Desperation: The Truth About Successful Men," top-tier guys have affairs more often than those on a lower rung, and not just because big bucks can be babe magnets.
"Evolution has wired men to understand that the better they are at providing, the more appealing they are to women," says Alon Gratch, Ph.D., a psychologist and author of "If Men Could Talk."
"Since testosterone is what drives men's quest for power, if a guy has achieved status, he's more likely to act on his desires." Remember that little Oval Office incident?

But before you start staking out your guy's office parking lot, realize that a career-oriented man might just be spending time working diligently.
If he sounds happy that you call during the day, invites you to his office and takes you to company parties, you're most likely his one and only partner.
It's when he acts more secretive about his work than a CIA agent that he's probably taking on after-hours clients.

Dating Factor: His Schmooze MO

Cheat Predictor #3

Can he talk his way out of anything (parking tickets, rolling into work late)?

Does he make an effort to charm everyone -- your coworkers, your older sister, a saleswoman?

When you go to parties, does he insist on making the rounds?

Your friends and family love him, and he always manages to keep you entertained. How could you not adore him?
But according to Glass, sweet-talkers often have a deep need for approval and thrive on attention. So what's wrong with dating a really friendly fella? Well, sometimes a smooth operator's need for the spotlight can't be satisfied by one woman's ego-stroking.
And if he's suave with the ladies, opportunities undoubtedly arise.
"Charmers meet a lot of women and win them over easily," says Aumiller. "So even if his intentions aren't more than friendship, they might be willing to move beyond friendship, and that's hard to resist."

To determine if your charmer might become a two-timer, watch how he interacts with you in social settings.
A guy who wants to play with other partners may brush you off when chatting with a new female friend or get noticeably more uncomfortable with PDAs when other women are around.
"He should act like a boyfriend, giving you side glances when he's talking with someone else, for example, or making sure he spends at least part of the night partying with you," says Gratch. But it also wouldn't hurt to remind him how attention-worthy you are.
When he chats up a chick in the corner, flirt with a few guys yourself. Once he sees that you have your own game going on, he'll focus back on you.

Dating Factor: His Friends

Cheat Predictor #4

Does he usually hang out with a crew of mostly single guys?

Do his friends encourage him to join them in just-for-men activities?

Do his pals have problems staying in relationships?

The nightclubs, the bachelor parties, the dudes-only deeds we're better off not knowing the details of -- it's enough to make any woman worry just a wee bit.
Although boys-will-be-boys, bonding time helps a committed man feel less, well, trapped, the appeals of bachelorhood may make him long to be a free agent.
A recent study of 37,000 men and women showed that when guys see those around them splitting from their significant others, it tends to encourage them to do the same.

You want to believe that his buddies would have enough sense to stop your guy from canoodling with some cute club-hopper, but they won't always be on your side.
According to Aumiller, "If a coupled-up guy's friends are all looking to get lucky, they may not only tease him about being tied down but also actually dare him to cheat. At the very least, they'll cover for him."

Still, there's no need to ban him from hanging out with the bachelors if he's able to strike the right balance between his buddies and you.
"He should include you sometimes when he meets up with friends," says Glass.
Although your fella's frat pack might seem like the enemy, chumming it up with the guys (fake fondness if you have to) can do wonders for your relationship. Once you've earned their respect, they're much less likely to push your partner into prowling.

The B Word

I am so happy happy happy.

See...little things can make me happy.

You know how it is when you read magazines or watch television and you catch those visuals of those gorgeous celebrities and you look with envy at their smooth almost wrinkle-free faces, and of course, their so well-toned bodies.

Well, you're not really envious. You're just wondering how they could have those almost ageless faces. Once in a while, a naughty story comes up with pictures of how they actually look without their make-up and all manner of aids to keep them looking good.

Still, when they're made-up, they're gorgeous.

But first, let me say that I believe that beauty is skin-deep and beauty comes from within, that all of us are beautiful in our own way and that if your heart is good, you radiate that goodness from within and you will look beautiful......

So...back to those gorgeous celebrity faces....
I was watching "E!" on Astro channel 712, and to my utter utter delight, a majority of celebrities, including the A-listers, ARE on or HAVE had BOTOX, to smoothen them lines....

Can you beat that?

I was laughing like crazeee, I tell ya!

These celebrities -- young and old and older, male and female -- have BOTOX to help them look goooooood!!!!

BOTOX!

And I was envious.....haha!

Silly silly me!

I thank God for the face that He has given me. I will accept the lines and wrinkles with sincerity and ask for strength that I will NEVER EVER have the urge to resort to BOTOX! Amen!