Special News Flash to Wake This Blog Up

Even though this blog is supposed to be in hibernation until January I read something in the local rag that I felt worthy enough to post.

For the first time since 2005, American Idol auditions are coming to San Francisco. That's right, Ryan, Paula, Simon, Randy, and the whole Idol gang are coming to Babylon by the Bay to try their luck with contestants in Northern California. Since it's been some time since my 29th birthday, I can't sing, and I have some degree of self respect still left I do not plan on trying out, but perhaps I might make a visit to the Cow Palace, where the auditions are being held, to check out the fun, though because it's on a Thursday I may have other things to do that day, like work.

Those of you who don't live in Northern California may not have known that there really is an arena in San Francisco called the Cow Palace (actually it's in Daly City but I doubt Trained Seal will mention that during the airing of this audition). And yes, they do still have cow shows there (actually rodeo shows). There is a movement, though, among some politicians to tear the place down and build condos, not so much because of the rodeos that are still quite popular. Rather, perhaps the fact that they have some large gun shows there too might have something to do with it along with the fact that the politicians who represent the area are, shall we say, not likely to be NRA members or rodeo fans. That's it for my political ranting for the month.

For those of you who really want to try out for Idol Season 8 the audition schedule is as follows:

San Francisco (Daly City), California, July 17 (the obligatory West Coast stop)
Louisville, Kentucky, July 21 (the obligatory southern stop)
Phoenix, Arizona, July 25 (near Jordin Sparks' hometown, hope no one passes out from the heat)
Salt Lake City, Utah, July 29 (near David Archuleta's hometown)
San Juan, Puerto Rico, August 2 (I think their first visit outside of the Lower 48, hope there is no hurricane)
Kansas City, Missouri, August 8 (near David Cook's hometown)
Jacksonville, Florida, August 13 (the obligatory Florida stop)
East Rutherford, New Jersey, August 19 (betcha the loser medley will be "New York, New York")

If you do decide to try out, good luck! Hopefully I'll get to make fun of you on this blog in January.