Spidra, I'm loving this year's Sing Off. The competition is much, much steeper than last year. In fact, after the eliminations from last night, I'm already white knuckling the next one.

If I had to pick a winner right now, it would be Committed...just for pure talent.

My attitude toward death is friendly. It's always been there for me when things get rough, and I know I can count on it.

I think I have a fairly healthy ego and sense of self. I certainly own my opinions and perspectives, am eager to learn and shift those perspectives with the integration of new information. I think I'm a fairly strong individual. But at the same time, I have an awareness of how infinitesimal the collection of sparking atoms that make up "me" is in relation to the total mass of life on this planet--including history and future with present day. It doesn't matter to me if I'm remembered when I'm gone.

Since I've been a semi-responsible adult, my self-assigned job has been to lighten whatever burdens I can, to bring light of hope and reassurance into whatever darknesses I can reach, and above all, to avoid adding to the pain in the world, either carelessly or by intent, and if possible, to brighten someone's day with a joke, a smile, a compliment. There's enough pain, don't let my careless comment add to it. That's the plan. Not always perfectly executed.

My overarching belief is taken from Sagan: We are all made of star-stuff. And in we all I include animals, rocks, plants, seas, atmosphere. Earth, and possibly the universe, is a sea of life--the same life, just portioned out in differently-sized containers. I don't believe in an afterlife, but my portion of "life" will return to the great stock pot, to be blended with others and ladled into new containers.

So I'm okay with death.

I need to watch it again as I was multi-tasking while watching it on Hulu last night.

I feel like having a group with an ex-Persuasions member in it is kinda unfair. For one thing, you've got someone with DECADES of professional (not amateur) professional performance experience going up against amateurs and semi-pros. It's not a fair fight. The other thing, at least so far, is that there's no way the judges are going to be that critical of a group with a ex-Persuasions member in it. So there's not much you can learn from it.

But I guess that's what the show is like. They compared apples to oranges a lot last season, too. Still, mostly due to Ben Folds' excellent critiques, it's a show where I learn a lot and it's a lot of fun to watch/listen to.

I also wish they'd stayed away from picking songs that were used in Glee episodes this season. I know they want to play up the Glee connection for viewers, but there are a lot of songs in the world and I wish they'd have the contestants concentrate on a more diverse selection.

That was lovely, Beverly.

My overarching belief is taken from Sagan: We are all made of star-stuff.

My mom used to say that to me all the time. It's a wonderful way to think of the universe, and of our place in it.

You know, I like thinking about death, because it reminds me we have a limited time here and I should get off my ass and do stuff....

You know, I like thinking about death, because it reminds me we have a limited time here and I should get off my ass and do stuff....

It's like the opposite of thinking about the enigma of Time, which just makes you passive in the face of predestination.

Time vs. Death: Fight! Fight for tommyrot's soul!

Thank you all for the good thoughts last night. Things are much more even-keeled, now, though it may be a day before I'm fully re-medicated again. I'm just so glad I figured out what the hell was going on.

Can't think abot deep death thoughts right now. Embroiled in job thoughts. Apparently my org is the kind of place where questioning the modus operandi can get you canned. It will not shock you to hear that I am not comfortable in such an environment and may not last long. So I called P again, and left a voicemail again. I really need to get on the stick and look for something else.

Since I've been a semi-responsible adult, my self-assigned job has been to lighten whatever burdens I can, to bring light of hope and reassurance into whatever darknesses I can reach, and above all, to avoid adding to the pain in the world, either carelessly or by intent, and if possible, to brighten someone's day with a joke, a smile, a compliment. There's enough pain, don't let my careless comment add to it. That's the plan. Not always perfectly executed.

This is beautiful.

Also, seekrit message for Beverly: Thank you SO much for the thoughtful email. I've been trying to find a quiet time to give the offerings their due and haven't managed it, what with the multitasking and the glaven, but I will.

You are awesome.

Spidra, I'm right there with you on the ex-pro thing in the Sing Off. Ironically, the Persuasions gentleman is the least engaging of any of the leads, but he's the most revered. I predict they will not last past the middle of the competition because their range is so limited.

My other peeve this year is the female 'boxer' on the Backbeats. She was the platinum fauxhawk with the Brigham Young group last year. I did not like her then. I do not like her now. I would much rather see some of the Beelzebubs back.

I'm with you about the learning stuff from Ben Folds...and Shaun, too. They are both so knowledgeable and appreciative. It's really upped my enjoyment of the genre.

A headline I came across somewhere yesterday said something about the 10 reasons Ben Folds should have his own show. I'd watch!