1) Dear Paul McCartney,

Oh my God! I just found out that you're newly single. Guess what? I'm available too! Also, you're English, and I love England. Also, you're a Beatle, and I adore the Beatles! (See below.) Yes, you're old enough to be my grandpa, but... they don't make 'em anymore like they used to. MARRY ME, PAULIE!!

All my loving,
Jill

2) Early reviews of the Da Vinci Code film have been less than positive, including this rather scathing one from the NY Times. A.O. Scott seems to share my opinion: that the book was dreck (he calls it "Dan Brown's best-selling primer on how not to write an English sentence"... burn!) but that it could've made a pretty neat movie if done properly. I'm sad to hear that Hanks, Howard, and the unfairly comely Audrey Tautou could not make a good popcorn thriller out of it. But who am I kidding? I'm sure I'll see it anyway, if only for the Paris/London/Scotland scenery and Paul Bettany.

3) If you're a reality television whore like myself, tonight was a big night in your world. I had mixed reactions to the evening's proceedings. On the positive side, the Hippies won The Amazing Race, which is awesome as I adore them. I also like that the final task came down to brains and who actually appreciated the places they'd visited.

On the other hand, I was sad to see Elliott go home on Idol. Elliott really had one of the best voices I've ever heard on the show, and what he lacked in stage presence he made up for with sheer talent and heart. But I also wanted him to make it to the final two because I can't abide that simpering, shrieky Katherine. The girl never met a melisma she didn't stretch into 20 extra notes. We're close to Diana DeGarmo/Jasmine Trias levels of hate here. SHE MUST NOT WIN. I'm sort of neutral on Taylor. I like his voice (so like Joe Cocker's! he would absolutely bring down the house with a cover of Joe's cover of "The Letter") but some of his onstage tics and the "Soul Patrol!" pronouncements make me cringe. But he's still a sight better than Beauty Pagent Kat, so I guess I'll be pulling for him next week.

But I reserve the right to pout over Elliott not being there.