First of all, the new column dropped on Friday. It’s about my bad experience with online dating. Read it, and tell me if you can relate.

As an aside, why is everyone so afraid to comment on this site? Is it that you have nothing to say? Is my blog so boring that it inspires no rebuttal - or at least a high-five, Amen, or “I heard that?’ I know you’re reading, so WTF, people. Get to writing! (BTW, thanks to Sarah and Damon for chiming in regularly)

Back to the point . . . my reality TV fascination. Hell’s Kitchen is one of my favorites, largely because Gordon Ramsay is absolutely hilarious. Every year, it seems that the contestants are more and more out of control.

In the first episode, he always has the contestants create their signature dishes — one that best exemplifies their cooking style. He tests each dish, and gives his opinions. These dishes run the gamut from plain grilled chicken sandwiches to filet mignon. This year, contestants were insane.

One guy did a tartare selection that included venison. WhoTF eats RAW venison. It was SO bad that Gordon Ramsay literally threw up in the bin. Another guy actually crammed a cornish hen into a pumpkin. The chef said that it was plated tableside, so Ramsay allowed him to serve. He carved into the pumpkin, and poured out a nasty-ass stew-like mess. It was the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. What was it called, you ask? That’s right . . . he titled his fabulous dish “Hen in a Pumpkin.” Such originality!

My fave was the guy who called himself “The Black Gordon Ramsay.” He should have titled himself “The Fool,” because he screwed up royally. He was a bad leader, and didn’t jump in and take control of the chaotic kitchen because he didn’t want to “contribute to the chaos.” Whatta tool.

Love the show. Can’t wait until next week.

I’m heading off to the Apple Store with my father this morning. He’s taking a class on Mac for beginners because he’s finally going to use the computer that he bought before the end of the year. This is one of the ways that he’s keeping himself busy and I’m all for it. In fact, I enrolled him in the workshop. In the ’special notes’ section of the online registration form, I mentioned that he’s barely computer literate, and thanked, in advance, the teacher of this class for his/her patience. May the Universe give them strength. They’re going to need it.

In the meantime, my iPod is misbehaving. I’m on borrowed time. It’s about 5 years old, and it’s one of the originals that was pre-video screen. I might have to reinvest, which would suck. Although I AM thinking of making the move toward an iPhone. Not that I care to invest $400 right now, given that I’m still in countertop/backsplash hell. But it’s really a cool gadget. And I’m a total gadget girl. Thinking about it.

So today, while my father’s in his workshop, I toyed with the idea of going to the Genius Bar to get the iPod checked out, but I screwed up and didn’t make an appointment in time. The next one wouldn’t be for hours after he’s done. So, I’m SOL for today.