It's like I went on a MySpace hiatus or something.

I logged on and couldn't believe how long it had been. Something like two months? Sheesh. Sorry. Guess I couldn't keep up!

Well, I'm back. Don't think I have anything interesting to say right now. Spent some time on Moloka'i attending its annual Earth Day Celebration. (Probably one of the biggest events on the island.) And get this: Ekolu, a Maui band, held a concert at Paddlers Inn in Kaunakakai. AND CHARGED $35 A TICKET! ON MOLOKA'I! I couldn't believe it.

What else have I been up to...

Well, I've been sick, if that matters. Stomach flu. Coughing. Congestion. Stuffy head. Sore throat. I'm still hacking up phlegm. (Thanks for sharing) I heard it's a hard cough to shake. People have been coughing for months! Unacceptable!

So that's about it! Hope to be back to regular now! (Can't believe I remembered my password!)

I've been somewhat tempted to switch from MySpace to Facebook -- or some other social  networking site.

Why? Not sure, actually. Just seems like telling people I have a MySpace page -- at my age! -- is becoming a turn-off. Like maybe I've outgrown all this. Like maybe I should move on.

Anyone else feel that way?

I realize it's a week into 2008, but hey, it's never too late to start resolving, right?

So here are my New Year's resolutions, as of today: (It could change!)

* Make eco-friendly choices like using a canvas tote when I shop at Longs or making it a point to recycle more. I mean, we've only got this one planet.

* Start video blogging. I've been meaning to do this, but I can't ever seem to find the time. Or come up with cool ideas for vids. I'll have to brainstorm.

* Be better about checking my MySpace. I realize I'm losing friends quickly since I don't check this much... Sad...

* Read more. I probably read about a book every two months. (And I usually read two books at once.) I'd like to read a little more often. Maybe snap off the TV once in awhile to read a book or browse a magazine. (Wish me luck!)

* De-clutter my life. That means my apartment, my car, my workspace, my circle of friends. Only keep the good stuff!

* Get my NY resolutions for 2009 ready in December. What a novel idea!

Hey all!

I'm officially on YouTube!

Well, not ME, but my videos. Check it out: www.youtube.com/thedailydish.

And spread the word!

This may sound like a broken record, but I feel like my life is spinning outta control.

It's not so much the fact that I have deadlines or weekly commitments; it's just that I seem to have TOO MUCH to do and not enough time to organize it all.

For starters, this blog — and MySpace in general, let's be honest — is a bit too much to handle. I'm getting email, voicemail message, texts, blog repsonses, comments from every direction! I have four email accounts, two cell phones, three blogs, three Web sites... I just can't keep up!

I'm seriously considering cutting back on what I do. Do I really need three blogs that basically say the same thing? Do I really need to post photos here and elsewhere? Do I really need to have four different email accounts?

Thank GOD I'm on vacation!

At least now I can finally catch up on all the stuff I've been neglecting!

So I'm having trouble with certain people in this world.

And I don't know what to do about it.

I'm hating — right now — on people who lie, cheat, manipulate, bullshit, backstab and claw their ways to the top. And I'm surprised by just how many people will do all of those things — and more — to get what they want.

And I've been a victim.

Friends, or people I used to think were friends, have found ways to backstab and betray me. Some more subtlely than others. And I don't know how to deal with it.

I tend to have very naive expectations of people. I figure if I'm nice to them, they'll be nice to me.

What an idiot!

So here I am, irritated, annoyed, frustrated and pretty angry — more with myself. Why can't the rest of the world see this? Is it just me? And how am I supposed to deal with these people now?

I'm going to eat ice cream...

You know what trips me out?

How much exposure pays off.

Apparently, there are those who have profited IN BIG WAYS from being on reality TV. Never mind "Survivor"-turned-talk-show-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck. I'm talking about the nobodys whose last names we don't even know.

"The Real World: LA" star Glen Naessens is restoring a house in Roslyn, Penn., a project that's being filmed by PBS for a documentary. Jerri Manthey's in Playboy. Chandra "Deelishis" Davis of "Flavor of Love 2" fame recorded her first single — "Rumpshaker" — and has graced the cover of some magazines. (Allegedly, she makes $50,000 a week in appearances!)

Why? How in the world do these people get famous for just being themselves?

It used to be that you actually had to have TALENT to make it in show biz. Now, you just need to get on a reality TV show to land a record contract or even a book deal. It's insane!

So take my advice: You want to be famous? You want that Malibu mansion? But ya got no talent, can't sing, can't dance? But you can bring on the dramatics? Then audition for the nearest reality TV show. It's the fast track to stardom.

I was told that my people skills could get me 10 percent of the company's annual sales.

Is that worth it?

I'd like to think that I'm worth more than 10 percent of anything. I use more than 10 percent of my brain, my skills, my time, my effort.

True, I don't have technical skills like building furniture or producing Web sites or designing jewelry. But being good with people should account for more than 10 percent, right?

Right?

I wouldn't say I'm obessive-compulsive.

But as I've gotten older, I've realized something: I'm manic about things being in order. Logical order. Like putting the flour and sugar containers next to each other. Or keeping all the remote controls in the same central area.

This, of course, is something Ian doesn't understand. (His roommates used to call him "Hurricane Ian.")

It's been quite the challenge to live with someone who doesn't share the same organization philosophy.

Not that I'm super anal. I don't have to have the labels of all the bottles and containers in my 'fridge facing the same way. (Though I can see the attraction.) But I like the bowls next to the plates, all the chopsticks in the same drawer, the towels neatly folded and stacked on the same shelf.

What's wrong with that?

But Ian thinks I should relax. I say he should get organized. At least I don't lose my wallet — or sunglasses or vehicle registration renewal forms or iPod — as often as he does.

So there's something in being organized, right?

What it is about "America's Next Top Model" that' so wrong — but feels so oh-so-good?

I'm addicted — and I'm a little embarassed to admit it.

What's worse: I've spent waaay too much time today — hours, really! — watching reruns of past seasons on MTV.

This has to stop!

But I can't get off this kick. I mean, how great is Jade, after telling everyone how great she is and how she's this undiscovered talent, tells the judging panel she's humble. "I mean humble inside," she said. What IS that?

I suppose what makes this reality TV show work is the combination of beautiful — and catty — women with that ferocious element of competition.

Gotta love it.

Best line so far in this rerun marathon: "This is not America's Top Best Friend." Courtesy of Jade, of course.