The witch is dead! Richard Hatch was voted off Survivor Island. I couldn't stand that guy or his tactics. His main strategy seemed to be to remain loyal to someone as long as they could help him and then to betray the person. He thought that he was being extremely clever, as if no one had ever thought or used the same strategy before. It doesn't take a genius to betray someone, just low moral fiber. So long, Loser.

I was flying home first-class on United Air Lines, when I noticed that the man sitting next to me seemed familiar. In fact, I was sure that he was a famous actor. He has one of those faces that you recognize, but can't quite place. Of course, you can't just ask someone if they're famous, because it makes you look like a moron and probably makes them feel uncomfortable. The flight attendant seemed to be making a fuss about him which strengthened by belief that he was famous. Later I remembered who he looked like; Tom Skerritt who plays a lot of military roles and sheriffs. I think he was in Top Gun with Tom Cruise. As it turns out, it wasn't him anyway. The flight attendant was being extra nice to him because it was his birthday. Oh, well. Even if it had been Tom Skerritt and I remembered his name and some of his films, I'm not sure what I would have said to him. I do think he's a good actor.
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That reminds me of the time that I was in Reno and was standing next to a guy who was a dead ringer for Richard Gere. I knew he wasn't because he looked like a twenty year younger Richard Gere. I told him he looked like Richard Gere and he seemed pleased. Which is good because you don't want a Richard Gere look alike mad at you.

American Idol is fairly good this time. I haven't seen anyone who has blown me away, but overall the quality of singing seems to be higher than last year. On the other hand, they seem to have blander personalities this year. I think that if they don't find a true superstar like Whitney Houston or Elton John by the 4th or 5th version of the show, American Idol will be dead. Even another Cher would do.

The film "The Passion of the Christ" begins this week on Ash Wednesday. I thought that it was going to be about the entire life of Jesus Christ, but it focuses on just the last 12 hours. I'll probably see it, although it is supposed to be very violent. The whipping by the Roman soldiers seems to take forever, although I suspect that it's close to the truth. The Romans didn't conquer most of the world by being soft. I hope that the audience will be aware that Jesus is dying for our sins; not his own sins. There's a huge difference. Imagine being able to stop the punishment at any time, but continuing anyway because it's his gift for salvation. Plus you don't have to do anything to receive the gift, other than believe in him. It makes one feel a little unworthy. OK, a lot unworthy.