Maria Sharapova

If you haven't heard of Maria Sharapova, I predict that very soon you will. Trust me on this. She's the gifted young Wimbledon champion from Russia with the long blond hair and the million dollar smile who's picture seems to be popping up everywhere these days. And frankly, if I do say so myself Mrs. MacGregor, she's quite the bonnie lass. Quite the bonnie lass indeed.

Being the cynic that I am, though, I'm sure that at this very moment every advertiser, every TV network, and every tabloid in the world is lining up to cash in on a little of her gold. It's too bad, really, and I've just got to wonder how anyone so young can possible handle all of that. Sure there are a lot of people with bigger problems to deal with than being young, gifted and beautiful, but it's got to be tough. I think what she needs is someone to give her advice and guidance, someone older, much older maybe, with experience in the ways of the world who can keep her grounded and level-headed. Someone from California, maybe, someone with a Blog, an opera lover, someone like.... Ok, ok, even an old man is entitled to his young dreams, isn't he?

Of course the press is already calling her the new Anna Kournikova, or at least what the old Anna Kournikova would have been if she could actually play. I hope she sets her sights on becoming the new Chris Evert or Martina Navratilova instead. Either way, in the days to come I wouldn't be too suprised if the mothers out there started seeing their teenage sons take a sudden interest in women's tennis. I mean with Britany getting married and all (huh, that'll last), it wouldn't be unusual to see a young man's fancies turning in a new direction, would it? And furthermore, mothers, don't be suprised it your husbands start taking an interest in the sport as well.

Just be prepared, that's all I'm saying.

Roll Over Chuck Berry

And speaking of the symphony, a survey came out a few weeks ago that found that while rock music was still the first choice among people who attended a concert in the previous year, the symphony and opera were number two. The symphony was followed by a lot of other genres which I can't remember, and country music finished dead last. Huh, what do you think of that!? I'll tell you what I think. I think it just goes to show that sure, everyone likes to act like Joe Cool, but underneath the facade there are still a lot of people out there who like to sneak in a little Bach and Beethoven every now and then. I mean, Carlos Santana listens to classical music, and it even came out last week that Marlon Brando liked to listen to Mozart. I mean, c'mon, you can't get much cooler than Brando.

So, you see, we serious music lovers aren't the geeks they say we are. Fact is, we're mainstream, baby, and the rest of the world is just following our lead.