People Underestimate the Value of a Good Ramble

Monday, December 17, 2012

Blessing in the Thorn

I keep thinking I ought to say something about the terrible tragedy in Newtown last week, but I just don't have words.


Blessing in the Thorn

I read about a man of God
Who gloried in his weakness
And I wish that I could be
More like Him and less like me
Am I to blame for what I'm not
Or is pain the way God teaches me to grow
I need to know

When does the thorn become a blessing
When does the pain become a friend
When does the weakness make me stronger
When does my faith make me whole again
I want to feel His arms around me
In the middle of my raging storm
So that I can see the blessing in the thorn

I've heard it said the strength of Christ
Is perfect in my weakness
And the more that I go through
The more I prove the promise true
His love will go to any length
And reaches even now to where I am
But tell me once again

When does the thorn become a blessing
When does the pain become a friend
When does the weakness make me stronger
When does my faith make me whole again
I want to feel His arms around me
In the middle of my raging storm
So that I can see the blessing in the thorn

Lord, I have to ask You
On the cross You suffered through
Was there a time You ever doubted
What You already knew

When does the thorn become a blessing
When does the pain become a friend
When does the weakness make me stronger
When does my faith make me whole again
I want to feel His arms around me
In the middle of my raging storm
So that I can see the blessing in the thorn

Sunday, December 9, 2012

I admit it. I'm shallow.

No, seriously.

So yesterday my husband flips on the TV and says to me, "Quick, what movie is this?"

I see Donald Sutherland and Kristy Swanson, so, of course, I know it's Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Apparently, he's never seen the movie and somehow thinks I won't immediately recognize it. I'm not really a fan of the movie, but it's still Buffy and I'm usually forced to watch if I see it on. It's a personal issue.

Of course, he said "this is crap" and he started switching channels.  He stopped on some movie, I have no idea what it was, but it had a pretty solid cast; I recognized Vanessa Redgrave, Claire Danes and Meryl Streep.  The first scene we saw was an old woman, lying in bed and a slightly younger old woman, dressed in an evening gown, is talking to her and saying she's the night nurse. That scene went on way too long. Then the next scene was two younger girls (maybe 20's) sitting on a bed and talking about one of the girls' wedding, which was coming up.

These two scenes went on for about 20 minutes. Of just women talking. Twenty minutes! What is that about?? I was ready to change the channel back to Buffy after about two minutes of that. I'm not a fan of people just talking in movies. There wasn't even any interesting mood music or anything. And he ended up watching the movie until the end.

I had to leave the room.

I'd much rather watch a bad vampire movie - several times - than a "good" boring movie at all. Any day of the week. I need some action if you're going to keep my interest.

So, fine, I'm shallow.

I just don't know when my husband turned into a woman.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Wounds of November

November has been a crazy month.

I had two surgeries in two weeks. Minor, of course. But then they are always minor on someone else, and major when they're happening to you, right?

Turns out I'm not a great patient. I've only ever had three surgeries in my life before these and two were before I was 18. So, you know, I'd rather have passed on them.

Seriously, all I wanted to do was sit quietly and be pampered. And there just wasn't time. Except for the fact that my right hand/wrist was in a cast for 12 days and I couldn't do some things, life was basically moving right along at the same pace as normal.

It didn't seem fair.

But I'm back to mostly full speed now. My wrist is still a bit sore, thanks for asking, but nothing that ibuprofen and occasionally wearing a brace can't help. And I fully expect that within a couple of weeks it will all just be a bad memory.

Of course, now I have to get through Christmas.

Yay?

Friday, November 2, 2012

Opinions Political

I can't wait for this Presidential election to be over.

Every time I get on Twitter these days, all the hate and vitriol I see in my time line just makes me sad. It's not just one side or the other, it's everyone. They all seriously hate each other and I can't understand why.

I've been known to disagree with people, but just because someone has a different opinion than me, I don't feel the need to belittle them or make nasty comments about their beliefs.

When did this happen?

I guess this sort of political controversy has been happening for ever, but it just feels so crazy wrong to me.

Plus, I miss Twitter.  But every time I go there, I feel like blocking about every other person I see. And I don't want to block these people. These are people I like, I enjoy talking to them, I want to be friends with them. But I can't understand why they are so angry and nasty and rude and ugly about other people who have a different opinion from them.

I'm neither Republican or Democrat. I am however tolerant, accepting and non-judgmental. I wish everyone else was, too, and could learn to express opinions without bashing others.

#playnice

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Toronto Fun

I started a post about Toronto the day we got back.  I wanted to talk about how much fun we had. I wanted to share every last detail of everything we did and where we stayed and what we ate.

But I didn't. And now I've pretty much forgotten it all.

But it was awesome.

Joss was there. And he brought more than a dozen Whedony people with him. Of course, my seat was a  bit too far up in the balcony to get any clear pictures of any of them. But it was still awesome. 

Also, I'm totally disappointed that I didn't lose like 150 lbs while we were there. I went up and down more stairs and walked farther than I have (or have wanted to) in years.

And years.



Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Dog Shaming

I love Dog Shaming.

No, seriously, I'm addicted now and I'm forced to check it out like 20 times a day to see the newest additions.

If you haven't been there yet, you need to check it out.  Dogs just do so many bad things and they look so abashed when caught in the act.

I had to submit pics of my own shameful puppies.

Bella:

Baby:


Monday, September 3, 2012

Celebrity Sightings at the TIFF

From tiff.net

Me: I'm so excited about going to Toronto. I'm checking out places where we can see celebrities.

Him: You mean you want to do the red carpet thing, uh, no.

Me: No, I mean see them, you know, run into them somewhere.

Him: Talk to them? What are you gonna say? "I see you on Twitter."

Me: No! You know what I mean, just see them around.

Him: Oh! Stalk them!

Me: YES!

Monday, August 20, 2012

More Vacation Stuff

This is a little something my great nephew, Joey (bag of donuts), aged 2 yrs 10 mos, built. We like to call it Joehenge.


This is just something he built with his books on the pew at church last night. But, seriously, is this kid gonna be an architect or what?

A few seconds of me recording the beach and the surf. From the way I'm waving the camera around, you'd think I'd been drinking, but I promise, I'm totally sober. And oh, look, I have feet!

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

Back from vacation. Why is it that a week when you are working goes soooo slow, but vacation time flies by and you can't believe it when you're already home again?

So here's what happened....

Almond Joy ice cream from Castle Custard. This happened a lot.










Tuesday, August 7, 2012

So Who's Hungry?


Turkey burger with caramelized onions and smoked pepper jack cheese on a toasted wheat bun with herb mayo.

Yum.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

I'm starting to get a little concerned.  Our vacation is only a week away and I'm not sure my husband will be able to go. Since it's a family thing and about a dozen other people will be there, coming and going, all week, maybe this doesn't seem like a huge issue. But to me it is.  I mean, here we've paid for a week's vacation - and believe me for what we're getting with this cottage, we've paid more than enough - and he won't even be able to enjoy it. Oh, and right...I'll be there all alone. With no vehicle and hence will  be stranded on a cottage at the beach in the middle of no and where. (Which isn't actually a bad thing if you have the ability to leave it should you so desire. It's less good when you're trapped.)

But why, you ask, why can't he go?  Well, you see, last year when we went on vacation in August, he took the week off from work and when he came back, it turned out that there was no more work for him until June of this year. So if he's only going to work for three months of the year, he needs to be working.

Of course, when you say it like that, it makes sense that if he's going to be off for the next 9 months, why don't we just go on vacation then,?  But, and I can't stress this enough, this is the stupid family vacation we go on every year and I have to book it a year in advance.

We don't even want this week. We want the week of Labor Day, but we couldn't get our cottage that week - not for the past three years, actually, but that's another story - so we had to take this week.

So now, here we are Or here we aren't. Or maybe just here I am. Alone, on vacation without my husband. (But did I mention the entire rest of my family will be there?)

I need a vacation.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

WOO! HOO! New Doctor Who Trailer

I get this excited about new Doctor Who every year. Seriously. Since, like, 1978.


But, honestly, doesn't this look AWESOME???!!!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Summertime, Summertime, Sum, Sum, Summertime


The difference between Summer and Winter....you can get ice cream all year long, but you only get a custard twist in the Summertime.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Gluten-Free Can Still Be Adorable

As I may or may not have mentioned, my oldest sister recently had two heart attacks and needed six stents. The result is that she has to eat an extremely restricted diet. Basically, lots of veggies and fruits, no salt, sugar or dairy, and she was also advised to avoid gluten and fat.

I've been helping her out by cooking for her so she can learn some new ways to eat. But she loves, loves, loves sweets. So she asked me if I would try my hand at baking some food she can eat.

I was like, sure, I can make baked goods without flour. And salt. And sugar. And fat. And dairy. Can't everyone?

Actually, the gluten-free aspect was the easiest part. Years ago, I had a boss with celiac disease and I learned to mix various gluten free flours to make something that could be used for baking, although they were often dry and crumbly or too dense. But these days there are lots of choices and you can buy already already mixed flours that have a good consistency for baking.  I did use one of those for the blueberry muffins, but not for the other two, because I love doing things the hard way.

As for the other issues, I did a little research, and although I found plenty of gluten free recipes, they pretty much all included fat or sugar or dairy, or all three.  So I had to adapt. Thankfully, I am nothing if not adaptable.

I ended up with Apple Oat Cinnamon Cranberry Walnut (alright, maybe I got a little carried away with these cause they were the first ones I made), Blueberry (these were supposed to be Blueberry Lemon, but I forgot to add the zest), and Banana Quinoa Colada. I also went with mini muffins cause I figured she could freeze them and just eat one when she really wanted something sweet. Also, half a batch was enough to make 20+  muffins.

These came out pretty good, if I do say so myself.  Maybe the blueberry muffins could have been a little sweeter and the apple a little less sweet, but I think you'd  like them.

Recipes are in the links below.

cals: 33kcal | fat: 0.34g | carbs: 7.11g | prot: 0.86g

Recipe for Blueberry Mini Muffins
cals: 26kcal | fat: 0.78g | carbs: 4.38g | prot: 0.92g

cals: 45kcal | fat: 1.54g | carbs: 6.74g | prot: 1.10g

Thursday, July 19, 2012

How Do I Love Thee...



Him: I let you do the laundry and cook, cause you're good at it. If I could only teach you to pump gas and cut the lawn, you'd be worth something.

Me: If I could pump my own gas and cut the lawn, why would I need you?

(You can tell we've been married for 20 years, right?)

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

And Don't Even Get Me Started About SyFy Movies

I watched a Lifetime movie.

I don't do this often. We call Lifetime the Women in Peril network and mostly we laugh about the extreme awfulness of most of their movies . There's just something about those random, Canadian, made-for-TV movies (not that there's anything wrong with Canadian TV; I love, love, love Flashpoint), sort of technologically behind the times, grainy, generic and with slightly off accents.

This one wasn't really any different. The only reason I found myself watching it at all is because the cast included Marc Singer, Tahmoh Penikett and Colin Cunningham, all of whom make my geeky little fangirl heart go thump. (But don't get too excited guys, cause I've been geeky my entire life and I get excited about lots of people.)

My love affair with Marc Singer goes way back. When I was in high school we watched this amazing version of Taming of the Shrew (this also made me fall in love with Shakespeare and I'd totally geek out if I ever saw him) with Singer as Petruchio. He was amazing! He just leapt off the screen, he commanded your attention. (I seriously hunted down and bought that video, now on DVD, when I became an adult and realized I could do that.) Of course, he became well known. He was The Beastmaster, he was in Roots, V, Dallas and had any number of guest appearances on popular shows throughout the 70's and 80's. But when I think of Marc Singer, I remember Petruchio.

His career went on and as the 80's turned into the 90's and the 90's to the 2000's, he started doing more of those sort of random TV movies. Seeing him in this one made me a little sad.  Sure, you can see that he sort of remembers the swagger of days gone by (as he leans down to chat to a witness, adjusting his tie), but these movies, they take it out of you.

I get that an actor has to eat, so they have to work. I'm guessing that even being on a sucky movie or show is better than the alternative, waiting tables, manual labor, bag boy at Walmart, but it has a cost.

The entire movie has this sort of pedantic, studied flow. A measured pace that lags just behind the music, if you know what I mean. Lines are delivered with that forced emphatic-ness that shows you clearly mean business. You must remember what I'm saying now, because this type of dialogue is how we move the story along, this is our narrative, our discourse. It makes you aware how difficult it is to really write a good, solid screen play that is interesting and makes sense and how much some of these things must get cut up and put back together during the process of editing, filming, editing again.

So anyway, I watched the movie. And I cried to see Marc Singer blend into the background of the random sameness. And I cried a little to think that Tahmoh and Colin, both of whom brought so much energy to the screen in their way-too-few moments that it seemed almost frenetic in comparison to everything else, may some day end up there, too.

¿Yo Quiero, Taco Bell?



Him:  Do you think the puppy speaks Spanish? Maybe that's why she doesn't follow directions!

Me: I don't know, I think "NO" is pretty much the same in both languages and most violent hand motions are universal.

Him: (still looking at puppy) Lay-o down-o.

Me: (quiet weeping)

Monday, June 18, 2012

I Happen To Like Strong Coffee




Him: Did you use rounded spoonfuls of coffee for this pot?

Me: Um, maybe.

Him: If you do, you only need to put in 4, not 5.

Me: Oh....I used 8.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

To Duet or Not to Duet

Now that American Idol is over, there's a huge gap in my life that apparently needs to be filled with a bad karaoke singing competition, so I thought  (since my husband is working nights and can't stop me) I'd give the new singing show Duets on ABC a try.

I've watched the first few eps now and I have to say I don't really get it.

I mean, I understand the show, but I don't get why they chose the "celebrities" they chose and why those same celebrities chose who they chose to sing with.  The reason I've put celebrities in quotes is cause, honestly, I couldn't have picked one of them out of a line up and I could not name one song that any of them sings.  OK, that's not entirely true, I did sing a Kelly Clarkson song at a wedding once. But I don't remember the name of it.

Also, the first week, I didn't recognize any of the songs. Although, since then, I probably know about half of them. At least American Idol sticks with songs from the 80's, or songs covered in the 80's, or songs from the 80's covered today.

Beyond that, having the competitors voting for each others choices, doesn't even make sense. Cause clearly, if they are thinking straight, they will award lower votes to the better artists, to get rid of the best competition so they can win. Right? Amiright?

I guess at some point, America gets to vote, but I seriously doubt anyone will still be watching by then. I feel like I barely know the contestants at all, since they are only allowed about 3 mins of screen time each (2-hour) episode and most of that is during their duet with the raging egomaniacs celebrity mentors that are their partners.

And for another thing, these randoms picked up off the street can't help but sound amateur next to their "celebrity" duet partners, cause, they just can't.

I'm giving it another week. Maybe.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Idol Is Over, Who Won Again?

I know that American Idol is finally over for the season, but I wanted to go back and see how close I was, way back when we had our Top Ten, to determining the order in which they would be voted off:


My Picks
10. Erika Van Pelt
9. Elise Testone
8. DeAndre Brackensick
7. Heejun Han
6. Skyler Laine
5. Colton Dixon
4. Hollie Cavanagh
3. Jessica Sanchez
2. Phil Phillips
1. Joshua Ledet

What Really Happened
10. Erika Van Pelt !!
9. Heejun Han^
8. DeAndre Brackensick !!
7A.  Jessica Sanchez - SAVED
7B. Colton Dixon^
6. Elise Testone
5. Skylar Laine*
4. Hollie Cavanaugh !!
3. Joshua Ledet^
2. Jessica Sanchez *
1. Phillip Phillips *

!!Voted off where I guessed they would be
*Voted off within one place of where I guessed
^Voted off within two places of where I guessed

So I got three of them exactly right and three of them within one place. I think that's pretty good.

Maybe I should take up gambling.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

And the Season 11 American Idol Is...

Wow, all these kids are back on the finale of American Idol tonight and I seriously forgot most of them. Also, I don't understand why there's an extended dance routine from complete strangers in the middle of their opening number, especially since this is a show that is supposed to be about singing.  Are these people from some other Fox reality show that I'm - mercifully - unaware of?

I'm kinda wishing that somehow neither Phillip Phillips or Jessica Sanchez will win, but that in some sort of weird but incredibly fortuitous twist, Ryan Seacrest will be named the next American Idol. He deserves more than just money for being able to keep up the pretense that this show is still exciting and relevant.

John Fogerty is singing Have You Ever Seen The Rain with Phil and somehow Phil gets more applause. How can it be that I live in a world where this is possible? They also sing Bad Moon Rising, and John is such a nice guy that he doesn't even wince when Phil makes it sound all...wrong.

I hear Joshua Ledet performing Elton John's Take Me To The Pilot with Fantasia and once again I wonder why he didn't make it to the finale on his own, cause I think he was better than Fantasia. And she won.  Also, love how they just kept singing right into the commercial break. I like to think they'll still be there singing that same song all through this entire ep.

The ladies are doing some sort of disco medley with Chaka Khan. What's with all these one piece fitted cat suits? Cause seriously both Fantasia and Chaka could have done with slightly more concealing outfits.

During the Ford commercial, I detected screams for Phillip and yet not even a whisper for Jessica. Could that be a portent that we're gonna have another WGWG winner this year?

I kinda like that little guy who is there as Jessica's mentor. Can I go back to yesterday and vote for him to win? Question: Can they legally give a car to Jessica since she's not of age and may not even have a license yet? Look, these are just the kinds of things I think about.

I have no interest in this scantily clad pop singer, so I'm just gonna hit Mr. Mute Button and sit this one out. The lasers alone are giving me a migraine, I can't even imagine how terrible it sounds.

After the commercial break, we come back with Skylar Laine and her twin separated at birth musical inspiration, Reba McIntire singing some sort of rock-ish country song. I don't have enough interest to look up the name of it, and I'm thinking anyone who really cares probably already knows.

Next we have a tour of some random place they say is Steven Tyler's studio or apartment or garage or something.  Then Jessica Sanchez is up, singing more Whitney Houston, repeating her performance of I Will Always Love You. No one joins her on stage, so I'm guessing either she has no musical inspiration or who ever she wanted they couldn't get. Ryan doesn't explain why she's alone, so I guess we'll never know.

Did everyone know that she was on the first season of America's Got Talent? I just saw that when I was trying to find out if anyone else knew why she was all alone.

Anyway, now I join the guys, already in progress, singing a Neil Diamond medley. I think. Ah yes, and here is Neil himself. That's kinda fun.

I'm going to just ignore this weird "Singing the Phonebook" thing, cause it's not funny. And I'm sure even these kids wish they could have had nothing to do with it.

I'm glad there's this Jennifer Lopez section, cause my house is super hot right now and I need to go close all the windows and turn on the a/c for a little while. Plus I need to go potty and get a drink.

That was great! The break was long enough that I also got a chance to change into something cooler, clean up the kitchen and put away all the dishes in the strainer.

Ryan is scanning the crowd now, and recognizes Lauren Alaina, Taylor Hicks and then new couple Ace Young and Diana DiGarmo.  Ace looks crazy weird and then to make it even weirder, Ryan asks them on stage and Ace proposes. HE PROPOSES. On American Idol. (Then Constantine Maroulis re-tweeted someone who congratulated them on Twitter, cause all these people are sooooo classy.)

Anyway, since time is running out, Ryan basically pushes them to the side and announces Hollie Cavanaugh singing with Jordin Sparks. OK, I know I'm old, but when your musical idol is still basically a teenager herself, maybe you need a little bit more life experience. Or a lot more.

Other things may have just happened, but honestly, I was busy texting my friend Laura about Ace and Diana, and seeing what people thought on Twitter and I can really only do so many things at one time.

More of the guys, or some of them, performing a Bee Gees medley (badly) in honor of Robin Gibb passing this week.  (Just realized that this makes Barry the sole surviving Gibb boy, since Andy, Maurice and now Robin are all gone. And yes I know Andy wasn't in the Bee Gees, but he was still a Gibb boy.)

Here's my tribute to Robin, singing my favorite version of the Beatles Oh Darling from Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band:


Now we have Jessica singing And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going with Jennifer Holliday, who I guess is the original performer of this song on Broadway from back in the 80's or something. And here I thought it was a new thing for some musical that Jennifer Hudson was in. Or did she just make it popular?

Finally, some real music!!! Aerosmith on American Idol feels surreal, but I can turn up the volume all the way for the first time tonight. Or this season, for that matter. Does Steven Tyler even know how incredibly cool he is? And I love how Steven and Joe Perry love and hate each other at the same time. I guess when you've been together for 40+ years, you just develop that kind of relationship.

As we're closing in on the final ten minutes of show, Jessica and Phil sing a duet of Love Will Lift Us Up and again, interestingly, Phillip gets the screaming applause when he starts singing that Jessica does not get. Until the second time she sings (and Uncle Nigel has had time to get the "Applause" signs up for the audience). This is actually a good choice for these two, since it pairs a ballad singer (Jennifer Warnes) with a soulful singer  (Joe Cocker) in the original. But Phil and Jess still seem uncomfortably awkward singing together.

Now that we stand here at the last moment and Ryan is about to read the winner's name, I wonder if they've been putting up a smoke screen and Jessica is about to win, but then I realize that little girls with cell phones are the real winners here, when the fifth WGWG, Phillip Phillips is crowned American Idol 2012.

Was there really ever any doubt?

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

American Idol...It's Almost Over

From AmericanIdol.com
I know I need to blog about American Idol tonight, but I really can't seem to care about this show anymore.

First of all, Joshua was robbed.

Secondly, I'm busy inputting nutrition info about the Orville Redenbacher's Kettle Korn Single Serve bags, cause I just ate one and I need to record it in my food diary. And, for some reason, it's not in there.

Oh, and I am a little curious as to why they changed from Wednesday/Thursday to Tuesday/Wednesday for the finale, since I almost forgot about it entirely. But I doubt anyone will ever give me a satisfactory answer anyway.

As a result of the night change, I had to record the show this week and so it's already been over by like an hour as I'm watching. That's a good thing, actually, cause it means I can watch the whole thing in about 20 minutes.

In any case, since I don't really like either of these kids and I couldn't care less who wins at this point, I'm not going to try to give specific commentary after each song. Unless they do something that just totally has to be pointed out. Like sucking.

Round One
Jessica SanchezI Have Nothing, Whitney Houston
Phillip PhillipsStand By Me, Ben E. King

OK, so they let Little Jessica Rabbit sing a Whitney song, as she's clearly demonstrated throughout this season that she can mimic Whitney and sound great doing it, but they gave P2 an iconic song known for it's simple yet strong melody, when he's proven, again and again, that melody is not his thing.

No, I don't think they're trying to throw this competition. Not at all.

They just don't want another WGWG* winning again this year.

The best part about watching this show late is that I get to fast forward through who ever this guy is, singing whatever that song is, that supposedly we all helped him write. I promise you, I had nothing whatsoever to do with that.


Round Two
Jessica Sanchez - The Prayer, Celine Dion
Phillip Phillips - Movin' Out, Billy Joel

So Jess is clearly gonna be spinning the divas tonight, but I guess that's her wheelhouse and we want her to win. Not me, but you know, some people somewhere, who are clearly in a position to do something about it.

Meanwhile, Billy Joel is turning over in his grave at what Phil just did to that song, isn't he?  I mean, like if Billy Joel were already dead and that didn't actually kill him. And notice how I'm not even mentioning when he messed up the words. Cause probably only Billy and I really noticed anyway.


Round Three
Jessica Sanchez - Change Nothing
Phillip Phillips - Home


I'm not sure why they think this little girl should sing songs about love and heartache and grown up emotions. She's not there yet, but maybe in a few millennium. Or is that millennia? No, I don't think that's a word. Anyway, if this is the kind of thing she plans on recording, I realize once again why I don't like her. I wouldn't listen to this crap if they were paying me.

Before even hearing Phillip, I would say that this round should go to him, cause he'll be singing as himself, which is basically what he does on every song. So it may finally sound the way it's supposed to sound. Probably. Or maybe not. I wasn't excited by that anymore than by what Jessica did. I will not be purchasing   this or anything like it. Ever.

Wow, was that like the most lackluster finale ever? Last year was all country and it sucked, but even that was more interesting than this year.

I'd say that Phillip should win, cause they don't want him to, and I hope they get what they don't want.

Whoever they are.


___________________________________________


*White Guy With Guitar

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Hometown Touring on American Idol

From AmericanIdol.com
Oh no! I have to sit through hometown visits on American Idol this week, don't I?  Sigh.

So for our three selections tonight, the judges picked the first song, the kids pick the second and Jimmy Iovine picks the third. And here we go.

Judge's Picks
Joshua Ledet - I'd Rather Go Blind, Etta James - My husband walked into the room while Joshua was singing and said, "He should win, shouldn't he?" I think that says it all.

Jessica Sanchez - Some Mariah Carey Song - At this point, my computer decided to melt down and so I basically missed both Jessica's song and Phillip's song. Mostly cause I was busy having a melt down of my own.

But just before that, while we were listening to Jessica sing, we were both thinking, "wow, this is pretty weak." Then the judges came on and said good things about it, which makes make me positive that they are all doing drugs.

Phillip Phillips - I honestly have no idea what song he sang or what I thought about it.  I'm pretty sure he sounded exactly the same as usual. So depending on your outlook, that's either good or bad.

Idols Picks
Joshua Ledet - Imagine, John Lennon - I don't think this song did Joshua any favors. It basically has no hook and that arrangement didn't allow for any moments.  Add to that, that this is just the sort of song people either love or hate. I'd like to see him stay on and win, but I don't think that helped him any. Sure, he can babble on about how the song has a message or whatever, but I don't think people really care about that.


Jessica Sanchez - I Don't Want To A Miss A Thing, Aerosmith - OK, I'll admit it, Jessica's hometown package made me cry a little and just, almost, begin to like her. Just the teensy, tiniest bit.  But I'm sorry, this is not Jessica's night, cause I thought that was pretty weak, too.

Phillip Phillips - Disease, Matchbox 20 - The judges are saying this is just OK, but it sounded just the same as everything else he's done, excepting that one song he sang that one time (maybe last week or the week before?), so they should love it as much as they loved all the others. Except that they don't want another WGWG American Idol.


Jimmy's Picks
Joshua Ledet - No More Drama, Mary J. Blige - I was a little worried when he started this, cause I had no idea where he planned to take it. But I should have had a little faith in Jimmy. That was soooo good. Joshua should totally win this thing.


Jessica Sanchez - I'll Be There, The Jackson Five - Just before Jessica starts to sing, my husband chimes in with, "She should win. She's hot." Seriously?  Didn't we just agree that both her songs so far have been weak? "Yes, but she can sing and she's hot." Sigh.  This song was actually a good pick for Jessica, so score 2 for Jimmy, cause it was a perfect match for her voice. But it was a little on the boring side and Jessica really needed a good moment or two tonight.

Phillip Phillips - We've Got Tonight, Bob Seeger - At one point in there, Phil almost sounded like Seegs Baby. Which is what we called Bob Seeger back in the day, that being like the 70's when we were all weirder than we are now. Except for that one little lyrics mistake, that was actually good. I don't think it was great, but it was good.

Well, if there is any justice, Joshua will make it to next week. My guess is he will be joined by Phillip. Or maybe Jessica.

How's that for good guessing?

Monday, May 14, 2012

My Blog Post About A Blog Post

A wonderful, funny blogger that I know (or actually who I've never met in person, but I talk to her on Twitter and read her blog every day, so it's like I know her) made this blog post today. And I want to answer her, but the comment box didn't seem like it would be enough space. So I'm answering her here and maybe she'll see it. (I'm thinking she definitely will, cause I'm gonna tweet her about it.)

Anyway, go read her post, so what I'm saying will make sense. Probably.

When Lynn first started out blogging her posts were all very funny, she started adding in the occasional serious post, too, which is also good. When you can tell a good story, you can tell a good story, sad, funny or scary. Then some of her posts started being blogs about blogging (and she even mentions this herself a couple of posts ago), which is also fine. Its not like she's calling it a cooking blog or anything, it's just a blog blog. Where she blogs. So it's basically all good.

I honestly think she's begun to let things get in her head too much, though.  And I don't mean to her head, cause that's totally different. I mean, that she's allowing other people and their opinions make her be slightly defensive, even when she's being funny. She's still funny, but I'm picking up on a the-heck-with-you-and-your-mother vibe, that may totally be part of her personality (I'm almost certain it is, and good on her), and yet by creeping into her posts, it almost sounds like she's trying to pick fights.

I'm sure she isn't, at least not on purpose, but she's not afraid of a fight either. That's a positive in my book, cause I'm way too afraid to fight with people. Or not afraid exactly, more cautious. Cause I'm old and fat and slow and I'd totally get beaten to a bloody pulp. Oh, wait, unless we're talking about a sarcasm fight, cause then I'd slay all in my path. (Trust me, my husband tells me how mean I am all the time and it's absolutely true.)

So now I'm completely off track, which was supposed to be about hot button topics and whether you should just keep your mouth shut. I don't think so. Looking back on this blog, the most read post (not that I really pay attention to stats that much, I just like to see if any one anywhere has actually read it, and believe me when I say that each one of Lynn's posts gets more hits in a day than my most read blog post has ever received, ever) was this one about illegal immigrants who have been here for 15 years and haven't learned the language yet. I totally expressed my opinion here and although hundreds of people have read it, no one has commented. Hmmm...maybe my readers don't speak English either.

Since my opinions tend to be very, very definite and since I've found that most people don't like any opinion but their own, I generally keep quiet. I can totally hear someone express an opinion, even if it's the exact opposite of mine and not tell them to shut up.  But I've noticed that most people can't do that.  For instance, if my opinion is X and someone else's opinion is Y, even though X and Y are very close to each other, Y person will get all crazy and hot under the collar if I don't just admit that X is absolutely and unbelievably wrong and stupid and that the only correct opinion, in the history of the universe, is Y.  I'm not gonna do that.

But seriously, if you want to think Y is right, go ahead. I don't care. You think and believe what you want to think and believe and I'll do the same.

I've said all that to say this. I think people should be able to share any opinions they want ON THEIR OWN BLOG (!!) and that if you disagree, great. But keep that part to yourself.

Especially if it's about Ronnie Dunn.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Sorry about the lack of American Idol review for last week. Not sure if anyone actually cares.  Cause I have a feeling that most, if not all, of my 10 or so readers a day are Googlebots anyway, just here to see if I have any interesting content, who then leave frustrated and complaining every time cause I don't.

But I seriously was working like 12 hour days and then Friday was my husband's birthday and we had a big birthday weekend kind of thing going on the last two days.  That is, we ate a lot. Which is basically what we do all the time anyway, only this weekend we went out and ate more. I'm pretty sure we blew our entire grocery budget for the week on eating out in two days. This is gonna be a hungry week.

But this makes up for the fact that we were both really sick for like three weeks back in January, when it was my birthday, so we did nothing. And I mean nothing, except for sit around shivering under blankets and eating Ramen noodles cause I was too sick to make actual chicken soup.

Then last night, we also went to the Philharmonic.  I tweeted about it; did you see that? Like one person noticed and cared. But we enjoyed it anyway.

And that brings me to my rant today. I was talking to my sister about American Idol, discussing who I like and why (no one) and who she likes and why (most of them) and realizing how differently we see these kids. One of the things she said was along the lines of, how they are "so young" and they have to "learn all these songs every week" and that made me mad. I think that anyone who wants to make music their career should know a few songs already.

Not just pop crap on the radio, but real music. Case in point. When I was a little girl, and I mean really little, like 2 or 3, I knew all the words to The Shadow of Your Smile and To Dream The Impossible Dream. But I also knew all the words to My Baby Does the Hanky Panky. This is because I loved music and I wanted to sing. So I listened to music. As a preteen, I listed to the normal kind of Top 40 stuff that the rest of my peers heard (although I was never a fan of disco) and that extended into my teens and early 20s (and I'm still a fan of 80's music), but I also listened to stuff from the 40's and 50's and 60's.  I listened to all sorts of music, too. Clearly, my genre is rock, but I also like classical. So, in my youth, when my brain worked a bit better than it does now, I could identify an artist, even on a new song, when I heard them. If that artist was Aerosmith, Brian Adams, The Canadian Brass or Bach. Of course, Bach hasn't turned out too may new things lately, but you get my point, right?

I listened to and still do listen to all sorts of music. I was never a fan of country, or rap for that matter, but that doesn't mean I haven't allowed myself to listen to and get a feel for them. Dance beat, electronica, show tunes, hip hop, gospel, alternative, country, classical, big band, pop and rock. There are so many kinds of music and I really have an appreciation for opinion about most of them.

It amazes me that these kids, no matter their age, will say they've never heard some iconic music from legendary stars. I mean, how can they not know Billy Joel? I'm serious. So what if it was 20 yeas before they were born, it's still being played on the radio.  When I was 14 or 15 (which would made it the late 70's), I knew all the words to songs from the 40's and 50's, I knew who the artists were and I knew which songs had been big hits and which were one hit wonders. Because I loved music and I wanted to hear it and know it all.

I didn't want to just show everyone how pretty I was and how nice I sound when I'm singing on  the big stage. And now you know exactly what I think of these kids.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Little Stevie Meets Idol

Little Stevie Van Zandt from 
http://satelliteradioplayground.com
Ryan says, we've got a great show for you tonight, on American Idol.

I seriously doubt that, Ryan. Seriously.

So tonight they are singing a song from the 60's and some...thing....else. I don't know, I wasn't paying attention, cause just then Ryan said that they had to bring in the big guns and my husband asked, "The Spice Girls?" So basically, it was all over at that point.

Hollie Cavanagh - River Deep, Mountain High, Ike and Tina Turner - Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the song Pia Toscano sang when she got kicked off? Hollie has definitely loosened up and that was one of her better performances and yet, it wasn't that great. She's still missing something for me (for you, for me), like an actual connection to the words. But maybe I'm just too picky.

Phillip Phillips - The Letter, The Boxtops - Maybe I ask this every week, but how is what he just did there in any way different from what he did last week, and the week before, and the week before that, and every single week since, like, January? I didn't hate it, but I didn't care about it either. In any case, that was more like the Joe Cocker version anyway, so I wouldn't even call it original.

WHAT??? How could JLo not know The Letter?? No, seriously, someone get her people on the phone. What gives her the right to judge a singing competition anyway?

Skylar Laine - Fortunate Son, Credence Clearwater Revival - Yes, CCR is a way better choice, although my husband said that she has a better chance to forget the words if she doesn't know the song.  I pointed out that she probably didn't know the other song either, since they are both from the 60's and not only wasn't she born yet, she was probably negative 25 or 30 yrs old then. Or more. How old is she anyway? Her parents might not even have been born yet. *shudder* I still hate country singing, but she was actually good. I may not even hate it if she wins this thing.

Duet (isn't this a new show on some other channel?) - Joshua and Phillip - You've Lost That Loving Feeling, The Righteous Brothers - Again, this could just be me, but Joshua's voice is just so much nicer, smoother and more melodic, even if the song seems a mite low for him. And I think he just missed a word there, which is definitely a no-no, but probably no one else noticed.

Jessica Sanchez - Proud Mary, Credence Clearwater Revival -  I had to look up her name, cause I honestly couldn't remember her. Just saying. There's something a bit uncomfortable in this little girl acting all sexy, at least for me. Right, they keep comparing this to Tina Turner, but she didn't do this until the 70s. Just saying. Again.

Joshua Ledet - Ain't Too Proud To Beg, The Temptations - I like Joshua. But that wasn't too amazing, no matter what Jimmy Iovine says. I guess everyone else loved it, too, so maybe I missed something.

Hollie Cavanagh - Bleeding Love, Leona Lewis - Be honest, could anyone else understand her when she said who sang this? It sounded like just mumbling to me. This is not my kind of music, so don't know this song, but I guess she did OK.  I do think she needs to be a little worried, no matter how good she is tonight, cause someone has to go and she hasn't been a favorite.

Phillip Phillips - Time of The Season, The Zombies - So where's the beatboxing? Oh, wait, that was Blake Lewis, who did this song way, way better. FYI. My husband: I don't even know who that is. Me: He's from season six. Him: You can remember that? From five years ago? Me: Yes. I can. And so should you and everyone else out there. Cause it was way, way, way better. Way better.



Trio - Skylar, Jessica and Hollie - (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher, Jackie Wilson - That was a little sad. They didn't seem to mesh well and I think Jessica actually missed a few words. But it doesn't count anyway. At least not to me.

Um...is that Jeremy Sisto doing the voice over for that Advil commercial?

Skylar Laine - You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, Dusty Springfield - Scarily, this is a song I'd sing if I were on Idol, too. Only I would have done it better. I was almost starting to like that, but then she sort of missed out on really big note part. I mean, she did it, but then she didn't do it. You know? But I'll give her a pass cause I think they really didn't give her enough time to do all the parts of this song that needed to be done.

Jessica Sanchez - You Are So Beautiful, Joe Cocker - That was actually kind of pretty. I just wish she had more life experience, cause I'm missing the connection to the song part of the song. This could actually be a bad week for her, cause she was voted off once before and her time may be coming up again.

Joshua Ledet - To Love Somebody, The Bee Gees- This song has been covered and covered and covered (although apparently not so  much that Joshua had heard it), but that was new. I mean, he just did an amazing job with a song he didn't know. No wonder I like him so much.

Once again, I think Joshua and Skylar were the best, but both Hollie and Jessica should get an honorable mention.  Phil Phillips was the most serious dud of the night. Maybe it's his time to go home.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Did You Ever Think Queen Would Perform On American Idol?

I've given  up on watching the Thursday night ep of American Idol entirely.  I was just finding a way to watch it later online, but I realized that all I want to know is who got kicked off. So all I have to do is check Twitter. I don't miss seeing the show at all, cause I mostly fast forwarded through everything but the eliminations anyway.

My husband asked me who was going to sing Bohemian Rhapsody and Crazy Little Thing Called Love tonight and I wept a little. I just don't care about any of these people and it seems like every year it gets worse and worse. Where are the people I love?? Granted, last year I liked Casey Abrams, but I'm talking about love. Real, honest to goodness, they-just-better-win love. Like the kind of love I felt in years past for people like Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks, Constantine Maroulis, Jason Castro and Adam Lambert. Or even people you just love to hate, like Sanjaya Malakar.  At least he made things interesting.

Right now I'm sitting through this Queen medley and I'm sobbing quietly for what we've lost as human beings. These boring, lackluster children should not be singing with Brian May and Roger Taylor. Freddie is turning over in his grave right now.

The kids are all singing two songs again tonight. Cause they have to fill up two hours. Cause they hate me. I truly believe it's personal, too. Does it ever occur to anyone that if they let them just do one song, they can do a longer version and it would give them more to work with?

Jessica Sanchez - Bohemian Rhapsody - Her eyes are blank; she just has this empty stare at the camera. It's like she has no idea that she's actually singing about anything at all. Does anyone else remember when Constantine sang this on American Idol for the very first time? It was amazing and it changed the show forever. This was not that.


Skylar Laine - The Show Must Go On -  I wouldn't have thought of that song for her, but then I don't know what Queen song I would have picked for her.  As it turns out, this actually wasn't that bad.  I hate to have to say it, but as much as I hate country music and country singing, she's sorta OK.

Think anyone will sing anything good, like Gimme The Prize or Seaside Rendezvous? No, probably not.

Joshua Ledet - Crazy Little Thing Called Love - I've said it before and I'll say it again, no one who isn't Freddie Mercury should ever attempt to sing the word "jellyfish" on a live stage.  Joshua didn't, so good on him. Or if he did, I completely missed it, so even better.  I like Joshua and, although I kinda wish he'd picked a song that hasn't been done and done and done, I liked that. I hope he hangs around until the finale, but I'm not betting on it. (OK, I just went back to watch this over on Rickey and he did say "jellyfish" but he did it so well, it didn't stick out in a terrible way, like it did for David Radford in S5.)



Elise Testone - I Want It All - OK, now this song just makes me think of that car commercial or JC Penney commercial or whatever.  She sounds pretty good, but it was a little anticlimactic somehow. Not sure what it was missing, but something.

Phillip Phillips - Fat Bottom Girls - I don't get it. Maybe I just don't like his sound, cause it's just not...like-able. He sounds the same every week; exactly, exactly the same.

Hollie Cavanagh - Save Me - If I know this song, I have no idea. I seriously don't recognize it, even though my research shows that it came out while I was in high school and, therefore, definitely listening to the radio.  Now I'm gonna have to go listen to it on YouTube, cause I need to know what it really sounds like.

And now we start the second hour of this unbelievably long, long show.

Jessica Sanchez - Dance With My Father Again, Luther Vandross - This is an R&B song? Whatever. Once again, I think she just has no connection with anything. Her voice is nice, but I don't think she brings anything new or interesting or refreshing to any of these songs.

Skylar Laine - Tattoos on This Town, Jason Aldean - It's time for me to take a drink break. But before I go, isn't this guy the same one who did a duet with Kelly Clarkson last  year? Or someone?

Joshua Ledet - Ready for Love, India.Arie - Let me just say first that the back lighting makes his ears look like he could use them to fly around the room. But, otherwise, that was just beautiful.

Elise Testone - Bold as Love, Jimmy Hendrix - I'm having a hard time understanding what she's saying. It's like she's slurring all her words together or something.  I didn't like that at all. And I like Jimmy Hendrix.

Phillip Phillips - The Stone, Dave Matthews - Maybe it's something with  my TV, cause I can barely understand him either. Don't they realize I have to look up the names of these songs and I can't do that without the lyrics?? That did nothing for me and I guess people just like him cause they like him and the rest doesn't matter.

Hollie Cavanagh - The Climb, Miley Cyrus - While she hits all the notes adequately, she still doesn't seem connected to the song the way she should be. But maybe that's just me.  At this point, I just wish I could have the last hour of my life back.

The bottom three, for me, are Jessica, Elise and Hollie. And Phillip.  Basically, I only liked Joshua, but Skylar wasn't terrible, so she can stay another week.



Wednesday, April 18, 2012

American Idol Searches for Soul

They're performing two songs each tonight on American Idol. This is so they can find a way to fill up two entire hours of my life, even though they only have 7 people singing.

Hollie Cavanagh - Rolling in the Deep, Adele - Please, hasn't this song been done enough?? And who dresses this kid, her grandma? She could not look more "old lady" if that's what she was going for. As for the song, that was the best she's sounded since, like, forever. I still don't think that's gonna save her, but maybe I'm wrong.

Colton Dixon - Bad Romance, Lady Gaga - This choice surprises me a little, since I don't think of Colton's voice as being high and full enough for this.  I'm right, it's not.  The effects were interesting, but I don't think that song did him any favors. If he wanted to rock it out, couldn't he have found something....more better?

Elise Testone - No One, Alicia Keys - She sounds pretty good this week, but the way she's standing there, with her knees together and kinda bobbing up and down, looks like she has to pee and is just trying to hold it in until she's done singing. What confuses me the most, however, is how Randy is glad she's sticking to the melody and not concerned that she "make it your own" like they usually say.  I guess it just depends on his mood. Either way, Elise's time is nearly done, I think.

Phillip Phillips - You Got It Bad, Usher - OK, maybe it's just me, but he sounds exactly the same as he sounds every other week. He's like Dave Matthews Lite. Maybe he should have tried the Gaga. I can't believe he has as big a fan base as everyone seems to think. He may actually be in trouble this week.

Was there seriously no good music in the last decade?

Jessica Sanchez - Fallin', Alicia Keys - I'd say the disconnect is that she just comes across as an entitled brat. But that didn't hurt little Lauren Alaina last year, so it shouldn't really be that big of an issue for Jessica, especially since Jessica can actually sing. She's safe, at least for this week.  But you can see what I think about her chances here.

Skylar Laine - Born This Way, Lady Gaga - She always sounds good in her country way and that's true even when she's singing country Gaga. I don't get country, but people seem to like it, so I'd say she's safe for a couple more weeks, at least.

Joshua Ledet - I Believe, Fantasia - Joshua was made to sing Fantasia. Look, I don't mind going to church every week, and I think Joshua is probably the best this year. But I don't think he's gonna win and he may be looking at the end sooner rather than later, especially if two people are going to be voted off tomorrow night.

Alright, the saddest part of right now, is that there's still another hour left to this show.  Maybe I could just stop right now and call it a night?

So now we go on to the Soul Train part of the evening....

Hollie Cavanagh - Son of a Preacher Man, Dusty Springfield  - I was looking down at the keyboard when she came down the stairs so I missed it, but my husband was scandalized, cause he said the angle of the camera allowed all of America a look up her skirt. Um, I guess the theme here is really just songs from the 60's, cause as far as I know, Dusty Springfield was not known as a soul singer. Anyway, I think Hollie would have been better to have stopped after the first song. The judges can't say that, though, cause they have to pump her up in a weird kind of reverse psychology. They so want Hollie gone.

Colton Dixon - September, Earth, Wind &Fire - So is anyone going to make any snotty remarks about Colton playing around with the melody. I like Colton, usually, but so far tonight he hasn't hit it for me. My husband said, this doesn't bother me at all, and I said, I don't like what he did with this song, then my husband said, I don't know this song, and I said, of course you do... (in falsetto) "do you remember, the 21st night of September" and then he joined me, (also in falsetto) "ba de ya, say do you remember..." YES, THAT SONG! This wasn't that.

Elise Testone - Let's Get It On, Marvin Gaye - That was good. I had some doubts about her pulling it off, but she did it.  If the judges are still using that reverse psychology thing, then they want people to vote for Elise this week.  Paula Jennifer needs to stop drinking from the Coke cup, cause she's starting to make less and less sense.  I have nothing to say about Randy and his Al Green comment.

Phillip Phillips - In The Midnight Hour, Wilson Pickett - Please, please tell me how that sounds any different from that other song he sang earlier? Seriously, I'll bet if you laid every song he's ever song on this show over the top of each one, they would all fall into the same exact pattern, with the weird stretchy-faced grimace and the one long drawn out note near the end. Someone do this for me. I beg you.

Ooh, I just saw John Noble from Fringe sitting in the audience behind Kris Allen.  I met him at NY Comic Con. John Noble, not Kris Allen.

Jessica Sanchez - Try A Little Tenderness, Otis Redding - Even my husband had to say she's over doing it now. I don't like her any better than I did before she sang.  And the judges are still trying to confuse us by not showering their favorite with praise. How else to get stupid America voting for all it's worth?

Skylar Laine - Heard It Through the Grapevine, Marvin Gaye - That almost didn't sound country. Well, except for the fiddle player. I think I almost liked that.

Joshua Ledet - A Change is Gonna Come, Sam Cooke - That was good and it was right in his wheelhouse, as they say, but I think I still like Adam Lambert's version better. I just hope Joshua is safe this week, cause he deserves to stay for longer than he's probably going to stay.

OK, so picking a bottom three based on what I want, it would would be Hollie, Jessica and Phillip.  But it will probably be Elise, Hollie and Colton. If we are losing two people tomorrow, I'd have to say Hollie and Elise are in trouble.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Judges' Save Isn't All It's Cracked Up To Be

From AmericanIdol.com
I did a little research.

Not one of the three people who was saved by the judges on American Idol went on to win.

The first season there was a Judges' Save was Season 8 and Matt Giraud was saved at Top 7. The next week two people were eliminated and then he was again voted off at Top 5.

In Season 9, they used the Judges' Save for Michael Lynche at Top 9; he finished in fourth place.

Season 10 was unusual in that they saved Casey Abrams at Top 11, so that they had eleven people on the tour. Casey made it to sixth place.

Things don't look too good for little Jessica Rabbit Sanchez.



Thursday, April 12, 2012

So Who Actually Watched American Idol This Week?

No, these aren't the Idols as babies.
Sorry about the lack of American Idol review this week.

I've just been feeling achy and sick, what with my broken nose and all, plus work has been...weird...and we opened the consignment shop (which I am managing) this week, too.  So I've been busy.

Also, I'm kinda over Idol this year.  I may care more next week, but I'm not making any promises.

And those little cuties in the pic? They are my great nieces and nephews: Joey, Natalie, Emma, Nathan, Carter and Matthew.


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Falling, Just Not In Love

I fell yesterday.

On my face.

I'd post pictures but, really, no one wants to see this. My nose took the worst of it, which I suppose is actually a good thing, cause it could have been ankle and then I'd be unable to walk or drive, or my wrist and then I'd be unable to type, which would be the worst thing, cause then I couldn't work. Or blog.

So if I had to break something, for the first time ever in my entire life (and I'm closing in on 50 at such an alarming rate, that by May, I'll be able to count the months using just my fingers and toes), I guess my nose isn't a bad place to start.

I don't really know that it's broken. It's swollen quite a bit, and bruised looking, and a bit rug burned. But it may not actually be broken. It doesn't look crooked or anything like that. As a matter of fact, it looks straighter than before, if that's possible. My husband, who has absolutely no sympathy for me whatsoever, said I basically just got a free nose job. (He's only disappointed that no one took video of the event. But it happened so fast there wasn't really time. Plus, I was with all adult women who don't really think about things like that in time, the way guys and younger people tend to.)

I think it makes me look like some sort of strange woodland creature. Like Avatar maybe, cause my nose is swollen wide across the bridge, so it brings my eyes closer together and, because of the swelling and bruising around my eyes, they look sort of smaller and hooded.

So this is me, only with a more purply, redish area on the bridge of my nose and dark, dark circles under my eyes:

But the miserable expression is the same.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Oh Yes It's 80's Night

I was ready to stop watching American Idol. Really, I was. But then they decided to do 80's night. I love 80's music. I love it. As much as I hate country music I love 80's music. Even more.

So once again, I'm sitting here watching.

But I have a massive headache today, so the sound is way down. Even more so than usual. I may even hit mute once in a while.

Did you know that only 7 Idols have gone on to win any awards. Ten years worth of Top 12 (or pretty close), which is 120 people (give or take).  So that's like 5.8%. And they were all from the first 6 seasons.  This does not bode well for anyone on the show right now.

On to the singing....

DeAndre Brackensick - I Like It, Debarge - There's no escaping it. This kid is basically easy listening elevator music. So that wasn't bad, but I wouldn't call it good either. It was acceptable. But I'm thinking little girls really like him and they will keep voting long beyond when they should really stop.

Elise Testone - I Want To Know What Love Is, Foreigner - First of all, let me say that this song is way, way better than that tired Hallelujah song that every one has been singing ever since Jason Castro did it in Season 7.  But that being said, Elise didn't go anywhere with it. That song has so much potential, but it felt like she was holding back instead of going for it. Plus, she's in second place and she got the deadly "You look beautiful tonight" from Paula Jennifer. I think she may be in lots of trouble tonight.

Another duet this week. What's up with that? Colton and Skylar are Kenny and Dolly. But maybe not in that order. Islands In the Stream. Not my favorite Kenny/Dolly song, but I guess you  have to take what you can get. My husband just asked if this was for judging or just a treat. I'm pretty sure that was sarcasm. I explained it was just to waste time. Although Skylar does sound like Dolly, this song is pretty lame and these two kids have no...chemistry. Which is not the right word, but you know what I mean. Symmetry? Whatever it is, they don't have it and they should never, ever, ever sing together again.

I did not need Skylar's announcement that, "Me and Colton are not dating" to know that they aren't a couple, but apparently I'm the only one. Also, Skylar? It's "Colton and I."

Someone will eventually sing a good 80's song and do it well, right?

Phillip Phillips - That's All, Genesis - Although I don't really like him too much, I'm holding out hope that P2 can pull it out for me tonight. A Genesis song has to be good, right? Except maybe not. That wasn't too bad, but it did feel like he started out shaky and just wasn't too sure of the words or something as he went along. But clearly everyone loves him, like they do every week, so I'm sure he's safe.

Hollie and DeAndre are up next with a Pointers Sisters duet of I'm So Excited. My husband asked, "There's another duet??" and then said, "That ain't fair." I could not agree more. At least this song is upbeat and they even sound pretty good together.  But there's a serious disconnect between the words and meaning of this song and these teenagers. Do they even realize they're singing about having sex? Together?  Honestly, I kinda hope not, cause that makes it even creepier than it is already.

Joshua Ledet - If You Don't Know Me By Now, Simply Red - Has Joshua ever sung anything on this show that wasn't actually a cover of an earlier song? And without a gospel choir as back up? But never mind all that, cause Brother. Tore. That. Up.

Jessica Sanchez - How Will I Know, Whitney Houston - Well, another Whitney song. I'm shocked. But whatever.  Ooh, see that keytar (the keyboard guitar) that guy is playing? Well, my Uncle Anthony created that. He seriously did. I have pics of him with the first one. I blogged about it when he passed away this summer.  Of course, Jessica was good, but I still don't like it, cause she's way too full of herself. Plus, if anyone else was singing Whitney, they'd tell them that they need to be as good as her or do it differently. She's singing it just  like Whitney and I have news for Jessica, she's no where near as good.

Our third duet of the night is Elise and Phillip with Stop Dragging My Heart Around by Tom Petty/Stevie Nicks. PhillipSquared sounds exactly like he does on every other song he sings, but Elise sounds way better here than she did on her own song.

Hollie Cavanagh - What A Feeling, Irene Cara - She definitely has a big enough voice to tackle this song, but she gave the impression that she was slightly behind the lyrics a bit, like she just couldn't keep up with the cadence and rhythm of the song. It just lost some of it's fun pop song feel. Not to mention the bad notes.

Jessica and Joshua team up for the last duet of the evening with I Knew You Were Waiting For Me, Aretha Franklin and George Michael.  But don't tell my husband cause he won't allow any George Michael music to be sung in his presence. Or anything by Duran Duran. Or Boy George. He actually just hates the 80's, I think. That was good, except that I suddenly hate Jessica even more.

Colton Dixon - Time After Time, Cyndi Lauper - Tonight it's Colton's turn to sound like he's in pain when he's singing. I love this song, but I didn't think that arrangement was too great, really. Plus, it felt like it was just out of his range or something and also kinda mumbly. Sorry, Colton. I love you, man, but that just didn't do it for me tonight.

Skylar Laine - Wind Beneath My Wings, Bette Midler - Personally, I would have gone with 9 to 5, since we already know that she sounds like Dolly Parton. But I guess props are in order for not singing the country star song. I wish she could lose the twang, cause it just makes her sound nasally. That was a nice solid performance and when you add to it that she was in the bottom three last week and she's in the pimp spot tonight, I'd say she's safe as houses. Whatever that means.

Bottom three are Elise, Hollie and probably DeAndre, not cause he deserves it as much as cause he was in the first somewhat forgettable spot and he wasn't that memorable in any case. If it was just me, I'd almost put Colton in there, but I hope not, cause I do like him. I'd guess Elise is going home, but it could actually be, surprisingly, Hollie.