The Salt Lake Tribune published a story about a BYU men’s singing group that was to be featured on a televised singing competition. It was illustrated with this picture:

And this quote:

Sixteen a cappella groups will try to win “The Sing-Off,” NBC’s music competition show. One — Vocal Point — will try to represent Brigham Young University and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Absolutely,” said McKay Crockett, a Vocal Point tenor. “This may be the first time that many people know what a Mormon young man looks like. We want to be ourselves and portray the church in a very positive way.”

Interacting with the members of the other 15 groups has been “a great opportunity to exchange beliefs between not only religions but with people who just want to know who we are,” Crockett said. “And what Mormons do and how Mormons act. And they realize we’re a lot like they are.”

Over the weekend I watched a PBS documentary [A Family Undertaking] on my Netflix queue about ‘home funerals’. It was a pretty interesting concept, though I suspect that for many, some parts wouldn’t be so palatable.

Personally, I like the ‘no embalming’ part. I like the ‘make your own’ casket (or get a cardboard one and decorate it). I like the cremation, though if I lived in the country, I would go for the ‘bury on your own property’ part.

I really like the fact that I live in a state that allows one to bypass the funeral industry — which I consider predatory.

I’m wasn’t so sure about the home body preparation or the lying-in in my home theater room.

I attended a home funeral in Brazil 30+ years ago. A church member had died of cancer in his home. We were there as his wife washed and prepared his body. Later that day, a casket was brought and a wake was held that night in their home. The next day a graveside funeral was performed and it was done.

The documentary speaks of the greater grieving experience available to survivors when the body is not taken away to be prepared by strangers. I suspect that there is a lot of truth to that — though I don’t expect to be aware — or to care — what will be done with me.

I loaded the Netflix app yesterday and ended up watching a couple of movies on my iPad (Zombieland anyone?). Even as big of a geek as I am, I was still amazed that something just seems to work—with no fiddling, no settings and no grief.

I also watched one on my big screen using PS3 as the streamer. Blockbuster—you are toast.

Headline in today’s London Times:

The League of Gentlemen launch Psychoville
The comedy star and actress Dawn French is in Psychoville, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith’s new thriller series for the BBC

The Daily Show takes on the Daniel Choi and his recent dismissal as an Arab translator in Iraq — because he violated the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

The White House Correspondents Association dinner was held last night.

President Obama slayed them.

HERE is the link to The Huffington Post‘s coverage.

Today’s BBC News published this report on the heels of a Miss USA contestant’s less-than PC response to the question on whether same-sex marriage should be allowed in other states.

Tension over gay marriage in the US
By Jonathan Blake
Same sex marriage is currently legal in four US states

There’s growing tension in America over the issue of gay marriage after a new advert campaign targeting it, and a Miss USA contestant who spoke out against it during a televised competition.

Miss California, Carrie Prejean, was asked by celeb blogger Perez Hilton, one of the judges, about same sex unions live on TV.

She replied that “a marriage should be between a man and a woman”.

She came second in the competition and claimed she would have won if she hadn’t made the comments. Ms Prejean says she does not regret her remarks.
(more…)