May 14, 2013 · 4:39 pm

Our American Idol


American Idol Season 12 finalists Candace Glover and Kree Harrison

American Idol Season 12 finalists Candace Glover and Kree Harrison

Here I am again.  The finale week of American Idol.   Two really wonderful singers are about to compete for the title , Candace Glover and Kree Harrison.  Both great talents with some wonderful background stories. Either can take the title.  Whatever the result, both will have long careers, no doubt.

Big news announced, Randy Jackson will be leaving the show.   Only Ryan Seacrest will be left …and me.  We were there from the beginning.

American Idol has had such an impact on American television, pop and music culture.  It has been the source of water cooler talk over the years  It has been criticized in every which way and honored for the discovery of some of the best music and even acting talent in recent years.  It has launched several careers. There is no doubt of its impact.

While it has struggled with its ratings as of late , it still has drawn significant audiences.

It has given us Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Fantasia, Jordin Sparks, Scotty McCreery, and Phillip Phillips. It has also given us Clay Aiken, Daughtery, Adam Lambert, Jennifer Hudson. Kelly Pickler, and many more singers, actors and entertainers. Grammy Award winners, Academy award winners, and winners and nominees from every entertainment category.

We also have seen it give 15 minutes of fame to numerous real no talents.  It was part of the ritual to discover these wannabees.

It has cemented in our psyche Simon Cowell as the ultimate judge and reignited Paula Abdul in a whole new era of her career life.  It made us rediscover J-Lo, Mariah, Steven Tyler and learn more about Nicki Minaj.  We even got a taste of Ellen in prime time.

We saw more artists and acts either mentor and/or perform on stage. We have seen some really good copycat shows emerge and other really bad ones come and go.

Idol has become part of Americana. We have and continue to participate in the phenomenon.  We discover our music legends.  It is still great TV. We return to it again and again, no matter how much we complain about it from time to time.

Get ready, America,  It’s  time to vote for your American Idol…again!

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May 11, 2013 · 4:09 pm

A Voice Sweeter Than Angels – A Mother’s Day Tribute


JP Leddy and his mother, Joyce Martratt at his first holy communion in the island of Guam, Santa Barbara Parish

JP Leddy and his mother, Joyce Martratt at his first holy communion in the island of Guam, Santa Barbara Parish

A Voice Sweeter Than Angels

By JP Leddy

No voice is sweeter not even those of angels

Then the sound of a mother to her son

Whether to soothe or to correct

It travels thru air and becomes living

In a man’s heart from birth until grave

His mother, his anchor, his life

Leading him through the pinnacles of success

And through the battles where fear grips him

Her voice, her arms, her unconditional love

Keeps him standing where he needs to be

Despite the few thank you’s that have passed his lips

The lack of phone calls and visits and cards

She remains unwavering as she did before his birth

With that love that knows no beginning and no end

As she will when that day comes when he looks up

And he goes towards the light and hears her voice

“Come home my son, I am here.”

 

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April 29, 2013 · 2:40 pm

“42″ Film Cements Jackie Robinson Story As An American Hero Legacy


Chad Boseman as Jackie Robinson in 42

Chad Boseman as Jackie Robinson in 42

It is appropriate that a hero will emerge from something as American as the baseball diamond.  ”42″  is a film that retells the story of one of the greatest baseball players, but it is also the story of one of the greatest American heroes.  In many ways, Jackie Robinson was in the right place at the right time with the right amount of skill sets , determination and courage to fulfill a role of trailblazer.

He was not only making the way for African Americans to play in the Major Leagues but he was also setting the first inroads to realizing full civil rights.  The story portrays an honest unrelenting view of the racism that existed but also shows the support Robinson received from those who opened doors for him.  You are reminded that making real change is a concerted effort of many people.

You also see the evolution of individuals as their attitudes change as they got to know the person of Jackie Robinson.   He maintained such a professional demeanor despite the horrendous reaction of vileness heaped on him every time he played.  It was not easy. It took true courage and restraint.

The  movie also showed what a great baseball player he was and how , ultimately, that was what it was all about.  It was not the color of his skin that counted it was his skill and could he help them win the game.

There are many poignant moments in this movie because it really digs into what makes us segregate others who are not like us.  It is a reminder of our history but also an indictment of how we approach each other today in many ways.  Bigotry and all kinds of isms have not left us. We still have a lot of work to do.

The great Jackie Robinson

The great Jackie Robinson

Chadwick Boseman as Robinson not only captures the essence of the man but really looks like him.  He proves his acting chops as a proud man who knows his worth and his skills , and yet must take a lot of the proverbial crap, for the greater good.  Harrison Ford who plays Branch Rickey, the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, who recruited Robinson and mentored him as a trail blazer.  He was great in his role also and it was nice to see him on the big screen.

This film really captures this compelling story which is about a national treasure.  It is our legacy.  The number 42 was the only number in Baseball that was retired showing what a great impact that  Jackie Robinson had on baseball and on this country.  It also shows how breaking down barriers in professional sports has an impact on our whole society.

This film honors a proud moment for baseball and an American Hero.   Do yourself a favor and make time to watch it.  It will stay with you.

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April 23, 2013 · 5:04 pm

A View of BYU Through Student You Tube Postings


BYU

A great way to visit my alma mater is to see how current students per students have put some creative videos about their experience at Brigham Young University.  I actually loved my years there.  This must surprise some people that know me.   It has its own quirkiness but there is nothing like being a BYU Cougar. These videos are just an illustration of its “uniqueness.”

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· 4:08 pm

Perfect Day


Bank of the Orient Marquee Sansome Street , San Francisco Photo by JP Leddy 2013

Bank of the Orient Marquee Sansome Street , San Francisco
Photo by JP Leddy 2013

Perfect Day

by: JP Leddy

My skin heated 

Chasing away winter

Summer  sun  early 

Spring fog hiding

Blue carpets above

Leaves me smiling

Perfect

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April 18, 2013 · 4:28 pm

Let Us End the Genocide From Bullying


Photograph by Lyric

Photograph by Lyric

When bombs explode and we see innocents die or hurt ,  in our horror we see ultimately where hate takes us…to blood and destruction.  We have seen dramatic images where violence has been used as a way to strike out to make a point or to pursue a cause.  In the end, such acts only create victims.  No issues are resolved. No cause is won.

I have seen hate and rhetoric weave itself in an even more cunning way into the fabric of our most vulnerable – our young people’s minds.  It manifests itself in bullying, in heinous rhetoric over the pulpit, in vile hateful language written on placards and sometimes spewed out of those we most love.  All sculpted to make one feel less worthy, less loved and and repulsive.

The scope of such assaults are almost constant in those of our young people who don’t fit in, especially those in the most vulnerable group, LGBT youth.  With most experiencing verbal bullying, some turn into physical and sexual.  The barrage until recently, was tolerated and ignored by those in authority.  They were alone.

Some lives were ended by violence by others.  Many were ended by their own suicides , the largest percentage of all youth.  They believed the message given to them by society.  It has been a true genocide created by the ticking bomb of bullying at all levels.

I was one of their number. I considered it.  Something stopped me.  There was enough love to show me I was worth it. I held on with grasping fingers.

I eventually found happiness because I found me. I accepted who I was and I am loving who I am.

I have had the opportunity to work with LGBT youth.  These young people , our children, are all wonderful and beautiful. They exhibit such talent, warmth, and they love and feel with all their heart.  I have learned so much from them.  I have hope for the future because of them. Yes they are unique as every young person is in our world. Ultimately, they want to be who they are,  and be loved for that.

We have made many inroads so that this world is better place for them.  More families are accepting their children and not throwing them out. More churches are loving them and not judging them.  More communities are standing by them.

There is still much work to do.   We must be compassionate.  We must keep doing it.

Let us end the genocide .

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March 30, 2013 · 9:14 am

The Host – The Return of Great Science Fiction to the Big Screen


The Host banner

I knew that when I read The Host by Stephenie Meyer that she had come up with a story so much deeper and better than her whole Twilight series.  Light years better.   The Host takes us into an Earth where peace and harmony dwells.  The environment is clean.  All is well.  It is because aliens have taken over  the bodies of almost all humans on the planet.

The story focuses on the main character of Melanie , a rebel of sorts, who is captured and a host alien is embedded in her body. Unlike most humans, Melanie’s conscious self remains inside . She and her alien invader co exist in her body, turning into a  double personality journey,  that brings a  refreshing twist  both on the character level and the overall invasion story level.

The movie captures the essence of the book perfectly.  What I love is that it challenges you with concepts that only good science fiction does but also keeps true to good character development.  There is also a great story line that every movie should have from beginning to end.

Saoirse Ronan plays Melanie and  Wanda ( the alien Wanderer) with pitch perfect delivery.  She is likable and we are able to see the two characters in one person.  Diane Kruger plays the protagonist , The Seeker, with such determined resolve to maintain control and get her  ”man”  like Javert pursuing Jean Valjean in Les Miserables.  She is great as the villain of sorts.

Max Irons  as Jared and  Jake Abel as Ian play the love interests of Melanie and Wanda respectively.  That is one of the most interesting parts of the movie.  Two minds in one body in love with two different guys.

There are so many universal themes that Meyers covers in her book that has been translated into the screen.

The Host will leave you grateful that good science fiction is still something possible at the movies.

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