In one way or another, I have kept a journal since age 12. I've kept an online journal called Musings since late 2002. My topics range from things that happen in my daily life to my thoughts on pop culture to my ponderings about everything from dreams to the secret thoughts of pets. Since November 2007, I've been mirroring it here, although I often include extras to this version, such as memes and quizzes.

For some insight into who I am, read Intro to Alyce. For a guide to the many nicknames I use in my online journal, check out Who's Who in Musings.

The goals I established when I first begin an online journal remain the same: this is a way to explore the tangential, the seemingly accidental observations many of us overlook but which may, ultimately, be where all life and all mystery hinges.

This is my home-game entry for The Real LJ Idol. I am not competing this season but invite you to read the many fine submissions here. Topic number 13 is just like last week, a revisitation of Throwback Week, with several available topics. Once more, it's also Intersection Week, meaning we're supposed to work with another contestant, each choosing a different topic (and neither repeating topics they've already used), with the entries linking as much or as little as you like. I paired up with another home-game player.

I chose the theme "Moments of Devastating Beauty"

Whereas the previous American Idol audition episodes depicted the experiences in one specific city, last night's promised a "best of" show, introducing us to some singers we may be seeing in weeks to come.

A few bad singers were also thrown in, for variety.

Because the footage was taken from different cities, the guest judges varied between Victoria Beckham, Kristen Chenoweth, Joe Jonas, Avril Lavigne, and Neil Patrick Harris.

When the American Idol judges arrived in Denver for season 9 auditions, they might have had high expectations, given this was the city where they'd met season 5 finalist and rock star Chris Daughtry. For once, their expectations were met with a high level of talent.

For this city, Victoria Beckham, a.k.a. Posh Spice, returned as a guest judge. However, while her comments had been fairly useful the first time around, this time she seemed to concentrate mostly on how contestants looked.

I still haven't replaced my scanner, but I've taken photos of some of the best ultrasound pictures from my 20-week anatomy ultrasound last Friday. A few are in 3-D, and we could see his face for the first time. At this stage, I think he looks like a Dr. Seuss character. Little Boy Who!

I'll spare you the one that shows photographic evidence of his boy parts. That will go in a special place until someday when I want to embarrass him.

Following the ultrasound pics is another installment of my Pregnancy FAQ, this time on my Pregnancy Pet Peeves.

What's better than an episode of Red Dwarf? Several of them, back to back. What's better than several episodes of Red Dwarf? An overnight gathering with fellow Penn Staters, watching videos, playing video games, and having fun.

This weekend my husband, The Gryphon, and I attended Red Dwarf XIII, a Red Dwarf marathon hosted by my college friend The ER Doctor and her husband. The ER Doctor and I had met through the Penn State Monty Python Society. She's a former MPS president, like myself. Most of the rest of the guests were friends of her husband, who connected with each other through the Penn State Blue Band and through a music fraternity.

This is my home-game entry for The Real LJ Idol. I am not competing this season but invite you to read the many fine submissions here and the other home-game entries here. Topic number 12 is a revisitation of Throwback Week, with several available topics. It's also Intersection Week, meaning we're supposed to work with another contestant, each choosing a different topic, with the entries linking as much or as little as you like. I paired up with another home-game player.

I chose the theme "Who's That Trip-Trapping Over My LiveJournal?"

The American Idol judges headed for Dallas next, looking for talent for season 9. The city, which also yielded season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson, provided much more promising talent than some of the previous cities.

The guest judging duties were shared between two judges: Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog) on the first day and Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers on the second day. Predictably, Neil was more outspoken, even taking Simon Cowell to task for some remarks.

At the beginning, Neil joked, "My goal is to shatter the dreams of dozens." In truth, though, he sometimes went to bat for contestants whom Simon disliked.

The American Idol judges rolled into LA for the continuation of season 9 auditions. Despite the large population center, the talent pool was fairly weak, full of many preening, self-assured wannabes.

For this city, there were two guest judges: Avril Lavigne for day one and Katy Perry for day two. While Avril had little to contribute to the process, Katy got involved and even turned scathing criticism on permanent judge Kara DioGuardi.

Saturday was the second day of Com Con, the annual Otakon staff retreat, the day of the big business meeting as well as small group meetings and socializing.

Once a year, the Otakon staff get together for a weekend-long retreat of madness, mayhem and meetings. This retreat is called Com Con, for reasons lost in the annals of corporate history. I suppose I could have asked The Devil's Advocate, one of the Four Fathers who started this nonprofit educational enterprise 16 years ago. But I was too busy socializing and networking to worry about etymology.

My husband, The Gryphon, and I joined the festivities Friday evening.

The next audition city on American Idol, season 9, was Orlando, with 10,000 auditioners hoping to provide the judges with a little magic. Many of them would be hoping in vain.

The guest judge was actress Kristin Chenoweth, who has made a name for herself in terms of her vocal talents. Unfortunately, she could only be there for one out of the two audition days.

The third audition city of American Idol, season 9, was Chicago, a city traditionally known for rollicking blues and straight-up rock 'n' roll. Sadly, the singers who showed up to audition would soon be singing the blues, after they failed to impress the judges.

This time the guest judge was Shania Twain, who had a great ear and also tried to provide guidance to these aspiring singers.

This is my home game entry for The Real LJ Idol. I am not competing this season but invite you to read the many fine submissions here. You can find the other home game entries here. Topic number 11 is "Run, Don't Walk."