So the new season of DWTS kicked off two weeks ago, and the first elimination of the season was last Tuesday night. Shannon Doherty was sent home after a two-week total of 38/60. Her scores improved by two points from week 1, but the mean girl from 90210 was sent home. Was she the right choice? Nope. She should have been around for a few more weeks. She can dance. Must’ve been the power of the pop culture fan vote.

I agree with Len: you can’t criticize a hero. Buzz Aldrin is an inspiration and shows that anyone can dance. Bruno said the cha cha during week one looked like Buzz was still wearing his moon boots. Carrie said there were tender moments in the foxtrot. Emotions tug here because he is a hero of my generation. But can he dance? Sure, but not strong enough to take home a mirror ball. He gained 26/60 points.

Kate Gossling earned 31/60. She’s not a dancer. She’s not a performer. She looks nervous as hell.  I imagine I would, too, but I agree with all three judges: you have to define personality. Does she have any?

Chad Ochocinco tallied 34/60. Week 1, Len said Chad came “out like a tiger” but week two brought a new tune. After the foxtrot, Len said “it’s like snow; you’re glad when its over.” Ouch! I like there’s potential in the NFL star and I hope he sticks around. Now, I know my sister disagrees with me, but I’m right on this one. DWTS is a family event. It’s the topic of phone conversations and Facebook wall posts after the show.

Soap star Aiden Turner and partner Edyta danced to 34/60 points. Len said there’s a dancer in there. Bruno saw a glimmer of hope. If a lot of soap fans watch, he may be around for awhile.

Comedian Niecy Nash is one of my favorites. Carrie said she had her booty going with her week one cha cha. And last week, Bruno said she looked like a strawberry milkshake. She earned 39/60. She’s funny and proves that big girls can dance and have fun.

Bachelor star Jake Pavelka totaled 40/60 points. Carrie said he’s a joy to watch. Len said he has potential. Sure, he’s cutesy with young ‘un Chelsie, but does he have what it takes? Any bachelor who ditches my former student, Elizabeth Kitt, and doesn’t hand her a rose makes me wonder. Just sayin….

Erin Andrews earned 41/60. Bruno said the ESPN star showed zest and vitality with her week one cha cha. Week 2, Len told her to follow her professional partner. She’s not bad. Now, those people or individual  who are threatening her need to leave her alone.  

Bombshell Pamela Anderson looked like Marilyn Monroe during week two. She and hottie Damian earned 43/60. Bruno said her week one cha cha made him think of “sex, sex, and more sex.” Len said it was a mess, but during week two’s foxtrot, Len said she had elegance and “cheeky charm.” She’s not a bad dancer. She brings some fun and lightheartedness to the floor. Hope she stays for a while.

Olympic gold medal winner Evan Lysaek scored 47 / 60. He’s good. Bruno said his Vienese Waltz had the grace of a swan Carrie likes the personality he brings. He’s a crowd favorite. He’ll be around for a while.

Pussycat Doll Nicole is fun to watch! She earned 53/60 points. In week two, she and partner Derek Hough earned the first 10′s of the season. But Len cautioned that he was ambivalent about her jive.

After tonight’s show, who should be sent home? My vote is for Kate to get back to her eight. Buzz may not be a strong dancer, but he adds a spark of personality.

Today at WOW!s daily blog, The Muffin, I talk about whether writers should specialize. I even offer a few tips for “experts” and writers who don’t want to be tied to one topic.

It’s a long, slow process converting scanned copies of my weekly Nebraska-isms column into PDF files.  But, I had a bit of spare time today and I now have all of September 2009 posted. If you’re interested in reading these gems of “flat water” wisdom, check out the Nebraska-isms page and click on the links located at the bottom of the page. Today, I added essays about Friday night high school football, autumn in Nebraska, and the responsibilities of being  Husker football fan.

My goal for this week is to upload all the columns. Check back and read a fresh perspective on what makes Nebraska a wonderful place to live.

I realize it’s been a few weeks since I last posted anything. And in that time, my website was hacked, but thanks to a wonderful, wonderful techie friend, she got me back up and running.

Read Across America was celebrated on Tuesday, March 2, and today I blogged about favorite Dr. Seuss books at The Muffin, the daily blog for WOW! Women on Writing. Venture on over and leave a comment. 

And, tomorrow’s Scott’s birthday. Our daughter, Cassie, purchased hockey tickets so we could watch the Lincoln Stars take on Chicago this evening at the Ice Box. Tomorrow, we’ll also be celebrating our aunt’s and uncle’s 41st wedding anniversary.  It’s a surprise, though, so I hope family members don’t spoil the surprise.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day, a day we’re supposed to spoil our significant other. And I did. He received two cards: one heartfelt outpouring of emotion and one sarcastic-but-witty card that echoed a discussion we’d previously had, a pair of thermal pajama pants, and a small box of candy for the two of us to share.

I didn’t marry a romantic fool. He professes he shows his love for me every day, so what makes the commercialized holiday a reason to shower me with gifts? It’s true; we both speak our minds and say those three words more than five times a day. But, he did surprise me with a beautiful card, nestled in the banana basket in the kitchen,so I would find it when I awoke.

The gifts we give to those we love are important reminders of how we feel. But, how often do we treat ourselves or the writer within? I’m the first to admit that I’m an office supply junkie. I firmly believe a person can ever have too many pens, pencils, highlighters, notebooks… you get the point. I also have a large collection of writing books. I’ve read all of them, and I still refer to several of them when I have a question I need answered.

I discovered when I first began freelancing that treating the writer within, with office supplies, writing books, a new techy gadget, a writing class or conference,or anything writer-related, is an important boost to my writer psyche. It’s not like I overindulge, but when I complete a large, profitable project, I reward my diligence with something that soothes my writer’s soul.

Even if you write for yourself and don’t intend to share your works with the public, treating yourself  becomes a positive motivator that keeps you on track. It’s a reminder of why you write.

Treat yourself to the latest gel pens you’ve been eyeing at Office Max or the coolest new Epson printer/scanner/fax combo or a writing conference you’ve always considered attending. Your inner voice will thank you.