I started this new feature here at Kickin' it Old School where I will point out a few stories that strike me as kind of sad , kind of happy  and just kind of weird . Here is a link back to the first Sad, Happy, Weird report. Now on to this week's picks...

SAD STORY
The mother of former American Idol finalist, Elliott Yamin, passed away on Monday night (3/31/08). Here is a link to one of the many articles reporting on this story. Claudette Yamin became know to Idol watchers because she was often shown in the audience back in season 5 supporting her son. In fact, she was presented with the "Golden Idol for Proudest Family Moment Award" during that 2006 season. It was obvious that she was Elliott's inspiration and, from what I have read, it sounds like she was an inspiration to many others as well. Here is also a link to Yamin's website and the chat topic of his mother. I am a big fan of Yamin (especially of his work since being on the show) and my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at this time.

HAPPY STORY
We will stay on the American Idol subject for another story. The "Idol Gives Back" special is coming up this Wednesday, April 9^th. Last year's effort raised over $76 million for charities which is simply amazing. This year, Reese Witherspoon is one of the many superstars helping the cause. Here is a link to an article discussing her recent trip to New Orleans as part of the upcoming event. Some of the other superstars scheduled to join her are listed in that article and it should be another successful effort. Whether they are doing it for the publicity or not, the fact is that they are making a positive impact in our country as well as the world. I commend the celebrities for participating and I commend American Idol for using its intense popularity to make a difference. This is another example of the powerful influence the show has and, more than just television entertainment, the incredible positive difference it can make in the world. Check out my article on the American Idol Influence.

WEIRD STORY
Do you remember the movie Junior? It was from 1994 and starred Arnold Schwarzenegger with Danny DeVito and Emma Thompson (and was not very good). The only reason I ask is because in this movie Arnold plays a male scientist who agrees to carry a pregnancy in his own body. I just saw a similar story in real life and here is a link to an article to find out more. This story was supposed to be discussed on The Oprah Winfrey Show today and the article has a video teaser for that show which you can watch. Basically, this is a transgender male who's female wife is not able to have children herself, so he decided to carry the pregnancy himself. I am sure there are other articles available if you missed Oprah's show or if this intrigues you. As I have said before, nothing ever ceases to amaze me.

That's all I have for you in this issue of Kickin' it. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy this new feature. We will still obviously have normal Old School articles on a regular basis as well, but just wanted to continue mixing some new things in. Please click on the archive buttons in the upper left column (January, February or March) to have access to all past issues of Kickin' it Old School. I encourage you to subscribe or at least come back often. Peace and much love.

Check this out: I came across this outstanding video to a song called "Sucker." Here is a link to this video which features a wonderful montage of images from 80s movies. See how many you can identify as you watch it. As you all know, I love the 80s, so I absolutely loved watching this video. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Quote of the day: "Life is but a twinkling of an eye; yet filled with sorrow and compassion; though not imagined, all things that happen; will age to old, though gold" -from the Stevie Wonder song titled "Stay Gold" from the film The Outsiders (1983)

Download this: "Stay Gold" by Stevie Wonder - As quoted above, this song was featured in the film The Outsiders. It should have appeared on my Best Songs from 80s Movies list, but somehow slipped my mind, so I wanted to include it here