My dictionary defines idolatry as the reverence and adoration of false gods and idols. I don’t have idols but I watch IDOLS, that is, the American IDOL and the CANADIAN IDOL shows. I compare the two shows and I find the American version more amusing as there are more aspiring contestants who have not even an iota of musical ability, and though they know it, they still audition just to be on TV, and they are then insulted by the judges, especially by the hombre con una boca cochina, though I like watching Paula Abdul who is so demure with her white and gleaming teeth manifested everytime she smiles.

Now, Ottawa aspirants don’t have to go southwest of the border to audition for the American Idol...we have one right here in Ottawa, the KARAOKE IDOL, held at Berks Lounge, on Merivale Road. Contestants will be judged by their fellow contestants and by the listening audience. At least here, they won’t get personally insulted even if they croak or sing off key. Audition is free, unlike when I chaired a singing contest years ago, when the price of gas was only $0.42/liter, at the House of Cheung, the famous watering hole and pigpen of most Pinoys, where contestants had to pay an entry-fee of $5.00 and the major prize was only $500, though this amount was good enough at that time.

The owners of Berks Lounge are offering a THOUSAND DOLLARS first prize and small TV set, Tee-shirts and gift certificates for the runners-up. Not bad! I prefer the thousand dollars but if I don’t get it, then I still won’t mind the gift certificates which I could use to order chicken wings. I like their chicken wings because they are inexpensive, especially on Thursdays when they are sold half-price, and their dip which these two young brothers probably learned the recipe of from their many years of culinary experience here and abroad..ummm pollo sabroso!! So, WELCOME TO MERIVALE ROAD!!

I met an old acquaintance once and asked him about life in general. He said he is down because his company was laying-off workers and he was one of those who got the pink slip. He even said his car broke down and was in the house. When I got home, I remembered what he said..his car was IN THE HOUSE..was he joking or was referring to a toy car? Anyway, this gave me an idea of what to write about next time...PREPOSITIONS, starting with the INS and ONS, and the three famous prepositions in Lincoln’ s famous Gettysburg Address..OF the people..FOR the people.. and BY the people!! Most of us still remember this made popular during our high school days, don’t we? As always, comments are welcome!!!