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March 31 orderI'm a person who makes stacks of papers in my house. I accidentally leave open every cabinet door I open in the kitchen (that one was passed down to me.) I've been known to purchase a new item of clothing to avoid doing laundry. Were it not for online banking, all my bills would be late. My car is full of lose papers and books and such. I'm nothing if not scattered.
So, why, I ask you, do I have to eat one thing at a time on my plate?
 ...maybe that's the only time I demand order.
-b March 29 ...and you thought I had no real opinionsThe local DJ this morning was on a soapbox. I disagreed with him hugely, but if there’s one thing I’ve figured out over the past several years of tuning in, it’s HIS show and ultimately, no matter how intelligent your point, it’s HIS show and he wins. That might frustrate me if I were the type of person to call in, but I’m not. And, I always try to remember that he has to get up at 3:30 AM. I’d be grumpy, too, sometimes if I had to do that. So, when I start to get irritated with him, I use that scan button on the tuner. I have no need to choose stress with my radio. I have enough built in to my life as it is. Our topic was the infamous Adam “Pac Man” Jones. Pac Man is a very talented Tennessee Titans’ player who, incidentally, came here from West Virginia University (go Mountaineers!) I’d like to start first by saying that while Pac Man attended WVU, he is not a native West Virginian. If he were, I’d vote to exile him at this point, but the State of Florida will have to handle their own. Pac Man has 10 documented scuffles with the law since he’s started playing. I think I read that it averages out to 1 every 1 ½ months for which he has played for the Titans. He’s managed to plea bargain his way out of most things. For example, he recently spat in a woman’s face in Murfreesboro after an argument at a bar. The judge said that as long as he didn’t get into more trouble before something like July 5th, then he’d essentially let it go. Pac Man is facing a felony charge in Georgia for a scuffle with a policeman. Then, there’s the shooting incident at the strip club in Las Vegas. He didn’t do the shooting. His buddy did, allegedly. But, he did fight in the club because one of the strippers started picking up off the stage some of $80,000+ he threw up in the air to shower her. (Apparently in that culture, just because one is throwing cash doesn’t mean one doesn’t get it back at the end of the night. --sounds like a buch of stupid people to me.) At the end of the day, one of the security guards from the club is now paralyzed from the waist down after being shot. I’ve never been present for one of Pac Man’s showcases, if you will, so I can’t say that I know what happened in any of the multiple instances. What I do know is that he keeps showing up in court. His ongoing defense is that he’s an innocent guy who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. …please. I’ll give you that once. If I’m feeling really generous I’ll give you that one twice. But, TEN times? Come on. So, there’s your background…with a few biased rants thrown in. This morning, a woman called in to the radio station and said that she thought the Titans’ should drop Pac Man because of his off-field behavior. She said he was a poor role model for her children. Here’s the statement the DJ made: “Pac Man is not a role model,” as in we’re all wrong to say that a public figure is by definition a role model, and he went on to quote Charles Barkley who allegedly said that he (Charles) wasn’t a role model. Charles said that kids’ parents are their role models and he doesn’t have to be.
Read the definitions. It doesn’t read, “a person who CHOOSES to have their behavior copied by others.” It just says that the behavior of that person is copied or emulated. I am convinced that when you choose to work in a profession that puts you on a public platform (yes, that includes you, singers), a by-product of that choice is your understanding—and hope, really--that people are watching, and that includes children. And, your social responsibility is exactly that: a social responsibility. Is that fair? Probably not. But, if life were fair, we’d have affordable health care for all Americans, including the self-employed. Life isn’t fair. Luckily, you have a choice in this one: don’t get on the public platform. Then, you avoid that “built-in” accountability. Would it be better if we were allowed to choose the role models for our children? Maybe. Or what if role modeling was limited to a child’s parents? Would that be best? Not in every case. Not at all. So, do I think Pac Man is a role model? Yes. Absolutely. Do I think he’s a positive one? No. Absolutely not. Absolutely not! Do I think his inability to make good choices should be rewarded with merchandising and millions of dollars? No, but if we were to enforce that, we’d have to remove way more people than possible from the public eye. After living in a city with an NFL team, my opinion of the league has definitely changed. I know there are exceptions, but I only hear about the guys beating up their wives and girlfriends, the drunk driving arrests and, of course, Pac Man. My shoot-from-the-hip opinion is they’re a bunch of thugs. Do I think the NFL needs to clean up the image? Yep. How they do that is up for them to decide. But, I hope they decide to do it. I love football. I really do. And, I’m a big Titans’ fan. It’s just getting harder and harder to justify spending so much money on game tickets to cheer on these men. And as for the NFL, it seems to me that’s the bottom line. These players may not get convicted of felonies, they may plea out charges and they may use their celebrity to get off the hook, and their records stay basically ‘clean.’ However, they need me to buy tickets to the games. They need me to watch it on TV. And, frankly, I’m less and less inclined. …good heavens…someone help me down off this soapbox…hurry…I'm getting dizzy... -b March 28 Third GradersI'm involved in a program at the Country Music Hall of Fame called "Words and Music." Basically, several songwriters in town volunteer to take lyrics that local school students have written and put music to them. The kids work on their songs for several weeks in class as part of their Language Arts curicullum and then at the end, they get a field trip to the Hall of Fame and the finale is the session where we play their songs for them. Yesterday, I had three classes of third graders in the room.
At the end of the session, they get to ask me questions. Here are few:
Question: Are you famous?
Me: Yes
Question: Do you know Elvis Presley
Me: Yes
...now...which Commandment is it that says, "Thou Shalt Not Lie?" 
-b
March 26 Instincts, TV and Sweatshops, Oh My!"Hello. I'll be your leader for the next four days. Follow me."
I've never been sure if I had that 'motherly instinct.' I'm not sure if I even want to have children, but I guess whatever happens will happen. I'm so not one who worries about that internal clock, if you will. With that being said, I admit on the flipside that I was a little worried about my trip to NYC last week in the sense of, 'What if I lose someone?,' and 'How long would it be before I noticed?' Imagine my relief when I was still looking for Jordan (the youngest Wood) even on Saturday when they were back home in Tennessee. I would be crossing the street and have these quick moments of panic because I didn't know where she was. And, there was a moment the day before when I was on the subway en route to meet everyone in Time Square when I noticed this young woman with a pink-ish overcoat on. Erin Wood wore one that color all week. I had a quick moment when I was going to ask this woman (thinking she was Erin) why she was alone on the subway. ...that would've been well received, I'm sure. But, still, the fact that I was able to be aware that I was somewhat responsible for anyone other than myself was a great victory for me...and my parents, really. ha
Then there's the curse of hanging out with the beautiful people. They had four passes to a taping of the Rachel Ray Show and no one under
age 16 is allowed in.
 Well, you can imagine how disapointed Tony and Joel were when the group decided that Leslie and Merideth would be accompanied by Terri (Mom) and myself. You should know that I'm terribly uncomfortable being photographed and I abhor the notion of being on TV. I was relieved (silently and selfishly) as we were herded into the studio and the first girl pointed us to the very end of the row opposite the aisle. Whew! ...and then when the next girl was directing us to our actual seats, she noticed how beautiful Leslie, Merideth and Terri are and proceeded to place us at the four aisle seats. Not only were they aisle seats, but the first few seats don't even have a row in front of them. So, it's kind of like being on the front row, only farther back. Sort of. And then, the camera man fell in love with Leslie and Merideth (who were directly on the aisle) and kept getting shots of them. So, look for the Rachel Ray Show next week on the day that Rhea Pearlman is the guest. You'll see Leslie, Merideth and Terri...and a very uncomfortable me. Thank HEAVENS I wore all black. ***side note: I was totally thrilled that Leslie and Merideth got great seats. I was able to put out of my head the fact that the camera adds yet ANOTHER ten pounds ...for the most part. Okay, not really, but I WAS glad they got great seats.***My personal highlight was seeing "Wicked." I just saw it a few months back and couldn't wait to see it again. The highlight, though, wasn't the show itself. The way we were seated put Joel and I together in a row behind the Woods. So, I got to watch THEM watch the show for the first time. There's something fantastic about seeing your friends, people you care about, genuinely happy and having fun. I think we had fun for the whole trip, but for me, the magical moments were Thursday night. It made me think about the fun memories I have of growing up with my Mom and Dad and brother, and I think...at least I hope...that as everyone's lives change, that night will be a great memory for the Wood family. And, truly, what a privilege to be there, too.
A few other notables:
...the list goes on. My fingers, however, don't. Glad to be back. Thanks for remembering me. -b March 23 perspectiveHey gang, just checking in. Honestly, I'm too sleepy to blog about this NYC trip tonight. The Tony Wood Family Band is on the plane as we speak heading back to warm beds and fluffy pillows with some fabulous designer purses that are completely real and not knock-offs at all (wink, wink.)
I'll fill you in later, but suffice it to say that at the beginning at the week, someone asked if I was over age 16. Today, someone thought I was the mother of Merideth and Jordan. I've aged since Tuesday...clearly! They wore me out, but we had a ball. I'll tell you more later. Meanwhile, I'm going to close my eyes and hopefully wake up before Sunday. ;-)
-b March 19 Pace Yourselves, Boys and GirlsI'm overwhelming you with reading material as I will be absent from the office for a couple days. I'm giving the interns the week off, too, so pace yourselves. I will be boarding a plane at the CRACK of dawn tomorrow (thanks Joel) to begin my stint as Co-Tour Director Extraordinairre. Joel Lindsey is other half.
 We will be leading a contingent called the Tony Wood Family Band on a fact finding mission (or a knock-off designer bag mission, whichever you prefer) to New York City. Tony and his wife Terri have somehow managed to bring forth not one...not two...not three...but four fantastic young women to our planet who will, incidentally, be seeing the Big Apple for the first time tomorrow. As Joel and I have spent quite a bit of time in NYC and know our way around a bit, Tony asked if we'd be willing to lead them around this week. Tony, being the absolute most organized person of all time, didn't think he'd come back all that relaxed if he had to try to navigate the insanity that is New York alone with not knowing it too well. It should be a blast. If nothing else, it will be fun changing plans on a dime just to watch Tony squirm. HA! Anyway, I'm sure I'll come back with stories. I mean, just putting me, Joel and Tony in NYC would produce stories. Add his beautiful wife and his ultra cool teenage (or close enough) daughters...well, let's just say they need to be very afraid up there. My brother is, at least. ------------------------------------------------------
I broke up with my bank today. Here is a snippet of the actual conversation. I'm not even kidding:
Me: I'd like to close my account.
BankMan: May I ask why?
Me: I don't want to bank with you anymore.
BankMan: Is there someone else?
Me: ...er...excuse me?
BankMan: Is there someone else?
Me: Well, yes, I guess there is.
BankMan: Have you made up your mind?
Me: Yes.
BankMan: Is there anything I can do to convince you to come back?
Me: I just need to go. It's time for a change.
You can see the moment in there when it went from a business conversation to a break-up conversation, can't you? I actually stumbled over my words for a second. It really got weird. And, so I had to go into my "be strong, Belinda," relationship breakup mode to finish. It was worse than breaking up with a hair stylist! 
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It was time to start mowing again this weekend. My yard is not in dire need, but it was certainly time for a little run-over with the mower. On Saturday I pulled out the push mower that Dad gave me last summer. The mower might be older than I am. I never remember a time when we didn't have it. Because it had been dormant in the garage all winter I expected it to be hard to get started. What I didn't expect was for it to start, run for about 30 seconds and then quit...over and over and over and over. Not one to be defeated easily, I got the bright idea that I would mow in 30 second intervals. So, I did. And, toward the end of the process, I had the bright idea that if I'd jog behind the mower, I'd get even more ground covered in the 30 seconds. ...I felt very smart running along behind my mower in the front yard in thirty-second intervals. ...I feel smart most days, though. 
-b
I My FavoriteI've always been a sucker for claymation entertainment. "Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer" is one of my absolute all-time favorite shows. I even own the video. Seriously. So, when my friend forwarded this to me, I was thrilled. I love pop-culture and this kind of sums up my take on most of today's young celebrities. And, we can always use a laugh, huh?
Creative...because I wear bracelets,
-b March 17 Ironic, I guessYesterday I asked you all to consider donating to a cause my friend Brandon is running for, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Today I'm sad to report that someone who made a very significant difference to me passed away this morning after a long battle with leukemia. Here is an excerpt of an email I sent to him on November 30, 2004:
I won't print his reply here. His reply isn't the point of this posting. We had the chance to visit a few times after that at awards shows and such. I've always held that gesture he made as one of the high points of my career. A tangible affirmation that I was heading in the right direction. I can't begin to think I can trace every twist and turn that has brought me to where I am today, but a few sign posts will always stand out. That was one of the first ones. There have been many more. But, I can't help but wonder if things would've been different had Roger Bennett not sent that letter to me. I don't know. Maybe not. I can say with certainty, however, that it did make a lasting impression and I'm glad I took the opportunity to tell him so. Yours very gratefully-- -b March 16 Cancer ResearchOkay gang--
I thought it pertinent to let you know that in this day and age, with all of our technology--be it cars, boats, trains, vespas, etc.--there are still people who find it necessary, even enjoyable, oddly, to run. I know. It's shocking to me, too. Nonetheless, one of those is a dear friend of mine who lives in NYC. He wanted to better himself and so he chose to start training for the music city marathon. He's coming down next month to chase after the Kenyans who will undoubtedly be far ahead of the pack as usual.  Brandon has worked up to 16 miles and I'm so proud of him. He's running in honor of his grandmother who lost her battle to cancer and, in case you didn't know, the money raised by his running goes to help fight cancer. We've all probably been affected by this disease in one way or another. He's running short on raising the money and I'd be so disappointed for him if he'd done all this training and then didn't get to make the run due to funds. I'm attaching the link to where you can go to read his story and support him. (It's fully tax deductible.) If you can even give $5, that would help. Anything would help. Thanks for thinking about it. http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/brandonbelcher Best-- Belinda March 15 more humilityThere is actually traffic in Nashville at 6 A.M. As in, cars and trucks on the interstate with people driving them. I know this because I checked this morning. I needed to be somewhere at 6:45 A.M. and so I left the house at 6 A.M. It should've taken me 20 minutes. I arrived at the place at exactly 7:11 A.M. The universe conspires against me.
Meanwhile, I got an usual amount of emails and comments regarding yesterday's post. Clearly you ALL thought it your responsibility to keep my ego in check after that glorious phone call. Thanks a lot, PALS. Love you, too!
-b March 14 honorI got a call from someone yesterday who is recording a song I wrote.
At the end of the conversation, he asked if I'd also written this other song he knew and I said, "yes."
Then, he said, "It is such an honor to get to talk to you." Yes, he said it was an honor, in case you missed that.
...how do I stay humble, gang? How do I do it?!
-b March 12 Flying Limbs
Is this what everyone's thinking and is reluctant to say? Or are you all talking about it and not telling me? ...or am I talking about it and not telling you...hmmm...
OH MY GOODNESS...I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO sleepy today.
 -b March 08 Oh, the gifts we give...My Mom is a pre-school teacher's aid. This is an email I got from her:
Just thought I would tell you a funny. One of our little three year olds, the youngest in the room, walked over to Angie (the teacher) at lunch and reached out his hand to give her something. She stuck out her hand and he handed her a turd he had gotten out of his diaper. I have laughed so much. So much stuff happens when you work with kids. HA
-b
March 07 What I Know for SureJesus plays pool at a bar outside of Houston. He drinks whiskey while playing poker with his friends. He's comfortable sitting on the front row of the church while you sing praises to him as a woman next to him fans him to keep him cool. He was born in Puerto Rico and he spent nine years in prison. He says that murder isn't a sin, only a crime. Under the heading of, "GIVE ME A BREAK," I present the definitive entry. Meet the Minister Who Says He Is Jesus Christ - Newsweek Beliefs - MSNBC.com I watched part of a TV special on this guy last night. My chin stayed on the floor. I am (nearly) speechless that there are actually people who were "praising" him. No, not behind his back, but actually praising him like people praise God in church. Women were hysterical when he walked by--just like those videos you see of Elvis fans back in the day. I watched as long as I could...mostly to make sure no one broke out into a tune that I'VE written. ha! Can you imagine my horror? At first I said that people are desperate for something to believe in, but that didn't seem right. There are things to believe in. There is God...as an obvious one. Maybe it's more that people are desperate to believe in something which requires no thought, no accountability, no action and no morality. Gang, let me be frank, and listen very carefully. The second coming of Christ will not be in the form of a creepy middle-aged Puerto Rican ex-convict. Don't give him money. And the fact that we even have to address this is absurd. -b
March 06 The PoliceLast night I dreamed that Sting had Altzheimer's and he couldn't recall anything other than Police songs, and he could only recall those when they got on stage. Andy kept telling me that Sting would "snap out of it" once they put the mic in front of him.
 He was right.
-b
March 05 old
I wonder if we ever really see ourselves as being as old as we are. I hope not...at least for now. -b March 02 I like you. I really like you.A few of today's arbitrary thoughts in a non-comprehensive list:
I like Sue because she's constantly forgetting how talented she is. It's silly to me, but real to her.
I like Joel because he knows me and loves me anyway.
I like Wayne because he's kinder than he lets on.
I like Tony because no matter how brilliant his own work is, he still remains a student.
I like Simon because he's realizing his dreams and he's paying attention to it.
I like Twila because she isn't who you think she is.
I like Holly because she makes me think I can have it all.
I like Julie because she is positive this is her year.
I like Marty F. because he learned all the chords used in southern gospel music.
I like Rick because he wrecked a moped in the Bahamas...and is fine.
I like Craig because he's going to figure things out.
I like J.P. because he's not the underdog he wrote about.
I like Michael because he is who I think he is.
I like Chad because his smile makes people feel good.
I like Barry because kindness is at his core.
-b
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