Category — Uncategorized

Recently, while visiting my parents on the occasion of my dad’s birthday, our conversation turned to the Christmas gifts my mom had bought for the members of her bridge club. On the dining room table, amidst the wrapping paper, ribbon and holiday trimming, was a stack of CDs by Susan Boyle. When my mom remarked that, of course, I would remember Susan, I’m at an immediate loss. Surmising my ill hidden cluelessness, my mom and dad begin relaying the now well known story of Miss Boyle’s appearance on the British version of our American Idol.

The story, as it was revealed, took on the transformative magic of fairy tales and I am totally intrigued… wishing I had witnessed the event as it unfolded in real time. Upon introducing herself on the stage of the Britain Has Talent competition, the perfectly cast Susan Boyle is met with a dismissive air of cynicism and ridicule and, in a merciless instant, her less than goddess-like appearance and quirky demeanor become the defining elements of her “isness”. The fateful die seemingly lay cast, its cruel oracle reflected in the eyes and minds of both the audience and panel of judges. With absolute certainty, the mass consciousness assembled before her anticipates her presumed ill fated attempt to shine. And then, absolute magic befalls the court of mistaken certainties. Within the opening seconds of her performance of “I Dreamed a Dream”, the audience is jolted to their feet in stunned recognition of the beautifully angelic voice now holding them captive. Indeed, the world is even now held captive. [Read more →]