Extreme Home Makeover is a product. They aren't a charity. They aren't doing all of this out of the goodness of their hearts. It's a business with sponsors and a budget and a bottom line. This is what I have been reminded of as I've wandered down to the site of the project in the middle of Geneva. Literally in a middle class neighborhood in Geneva. The march of the volunteers coming down the street took five takes. It's a production. Not to mention that I've gotten in trouble for something every time I go over there. Last night I boycotted, but may try it one more time tonight.

And another thing? They aren't using local businesses. The contractors are from something like an hour or two away. The volunteers aren't local because you had to sign up to volunteer like a month ago or something like that. The excavators aren't local. They weren't even asked. That's not okay with me, by the way. The neighborhood is completely taken over. There are trailers in the parking lot of a funeral home on the street. The work doesn't stop, even though there is a funeral at that home today. Where is the community in that? Can you imagine having to listen to Ty's big gob as you are trying to respect and remember a loved one? I don't think so.

Anyway, that's my assessment of the project. They can go away now, please.

On the other hand, I am supporting commercialism and hype by going on the Mayercraft II. Yes. I am. I am rooming with two girls from London and one from California. I've never met them and hadn't even known these people existed until I looked into finding a roomie for the cruise. I wasn't going to go. I said that I wouldn't. The cruise is almost twice as expensive this time around, both for the boat and the airfare since it leaves out of California. Last year I was on the first to the last deck in the bottom of the ship. This year? Not even close to that. We are on the Verandah deck with a balcony. How sweet is that? Not only that, but I will be in California AND Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The cruise is in March this year, rather than February and is a day longer. We are spending two days at sea this time around. That means two days of jam packed music onboard the ship. The line-up is incredible; John Mayer, OAR, Guster, Ryan Shaw, Jessie Baylin...they are mixing up some pop sounds with some great new blues artists. YES! I am pretty excited.

Speaking of excited. Tomorrow night is John Mayer at Darien Lake and Saturday is my great Aunt Alice's 80th birthday party! I can't believe she is 80! You would never know. She is an incredible woman that I used to be scared to death of when I was little. I have since grown to love and respect her and realize that she pretty much just says it like it is - a trait a few more people could use and that a few more other people could tone down a little.

Okay. Off I go. Keep on rockin' in the free world.