The Picnic

We had a family reunion of sorts this weekend. Ducky’s family is usually pretty close. But now in some respects they are closer, sort of. Ducky’s younger brother was diagnosed with 4 stage, small cell lung cancer in April, it has made things much more immediate. Saturday we trekked to Portland and met in the Mount Scott Park for a “wonderful” picnic. Younger brother is looking good; despite the chemo not being nice to him (of course have you ever heard of chemo being nice to anyone?) He’s not lost his hair, he’s only lost two pounds, and his energy level isn’t too bad (but the reality is it’s stage four lung cancer that has spread to his brain.) It was a long day and you could tell after four hours in the park, with too much family, the activity was sucking the energy out of him.

Younger brother had sown his wild oats in his younger day and the picnic had a two fold purpose. The first being family, the second being family; it was an opportunity to introduce siblings and families to his daughter, Em, and her three delightful children. We taken Ben, two of our girls were able to join us, Robby (Ducky’s older/younger sister) took Boo, and the day was filled with laughter, pictures, and food (well if you can call store bought, mass produced potato and macaroni salad food, let a lone good.)


Two things grabbed my attention during the course of the day. First off Younger Brother’s two sons, couldn’t make take the time to come; despite the fact the two sons had, themselves, chosen the day for the picnic, they had a month to save and prepare for the picnic. Nothing was being asked of them, but to show up. Both had financial excuses. Bullshit. If my dad was dying I’d walk to Portland to see him if that was my only option. Shit their sister came the farthest, all the way from Spokane, for the day.

The other thing that grabbed me was for all their closeness as a family (they don’t fart without letting each other know – and then it is in front of everyone) they are divided. A day spent in the park as a family group was still broken into individual family clusters. Robby didn’t talk to me (not a problem – that’s a whole story in of itself) but she didn’t talk to Younger Brother’s wife – Tech, Em, or Ducky. Sisters, spouses, and children sat closed against the rest, ate by themselves, talked among themselves. I had to wonder why they came?

My parents raised me to be very independent, a fact that has been questioned by others, I relish that independence and rue it at the same time. My siblings are flung to the four corners – Dale is in Sioux Falls racing sprints, Darryl goes where the Air Force sends him (next up Augusta), and Dee is only 70 miles away in Thurston. My family has, maybe, one get together a year, usually when my baby brother is in town.

I hate talking on the phone and I rarely call my sister. Strangely enough, when I am thinking about calling she will call me – yes this makes me feel worse. My oldest brother understands. My baby brother – a total phone person – accepts this, but has a harder time with it. Despite that distance and lack of phone calls, they are forever in my thoughts, always in my heart. I will take vacations to spend time with Darryl and his wonderful wife Tee, and baby. When we get together we aren’t splintered into individual family groups, we ebb and flow. Dee and Tee together they are dynamite and highly entertaining, beware playing games they both cheat – boldly and badly.

I love my family, our independence, and love for each other. I love Ducky’s family, enjoy (most of the time) being with them, while feeling left out most of the time – they are a supportive and loving group, but fractious.

Families are different as snowflakes. In the words of John Edward – please communicate, validate, and appreciate those you love. For what we have today may not be here tomorrow.

Sith

The Bear Necessitites

I have this great story I love to tell about the bear at my bird feeder. The story happens at approximately midnight several years ago. I was just disconnecting from the internet, when I noticed a knock at my window.

No seriously a knock.

My pills must have been kicking in (menopause is not conducive to sleep) because I thought it was a bird hitting my window. Right Cele, mid night bird. Well okay a bat.

Right Cele, window, bat. It must have been a rabid bat with bad sonar. But then I noticed my birdfeeder swinging from the eaves and what seems to be that bat passing the window again. So I stood up looked out the window into the face of a bear. A bear, seemingly non-pluss, at my intrusion into his midnight munchies - he immediately went back to taking swings at my birdfeeder with his big bear paw, totally ignoring me. Now I am the center of my universe and I happen to love the silly little bird feeder I made (at my father's instruction) for the Chickedees.

So I rapped at the window with my knuckles. Yeah that stopped the bear for a whole nano second, before he turned back around to continue batting practice with my birdfeeder. So I rapped on the window again, gaining said bear's attention, and growled. I have no idea what on God's green earth induced me to growl, well really roar (because my throat fuckin' hurt after that) but I did. Said bear quit batting practice for the night and left.

I love telling that story, but try to resist including my midnight roaring.





This morning I'm sitting right here, cosy in my typing chair morning cup of coffee in hand, towel on head, when I look over and see. You got it. A Bear. Feeding at the bird feeder my dad built me. I love this bird feeder. I've seen evening grossbeak (oh my god they are beautiful,) Oregon Junco, Brown Headed Cowbirds, Stellar Jays, Red House Finch, Varied Thrush, Towhees, a variety of sparrows and wrens. And that is only the beginning. I love to watch birds, and it is a big thing I share with my dad. So to see this bear - again - at my beloved bird feeder was a... wait for it...

A Treat.

Then I slowly opened the door (which is loud - but he was intent) and snapped two or three more pictures.

Well, shit, then I boldly walked out on to my deck and just snapped away.

Did I mention Non-pluss?

I finally had to beat on my fence with a wooden stake to make him leave....

very slowly...

somewhat sadly...

because there were still sunflower seeds left to be et.

The Wall

A flurry of flashing lights, blue and red hailed the arrival of the motorcade. The air was a throbbing pulse of motorcycle engines announcing the arrival of the wall. I sat in my car a the corner of 18th and Highway 101 filing a report about the motor procession that brought the Vietnam Moving Memorial Wall to my small community for a second time. Vets who’d served at the beckon of their country, some drafted, others at will, the memories of those who never came backed solemnly followed the procession into Miller Park. I finished my report, closed my phone, and felt the first tears roll down my cheeks.

I do not believe in war, but I believe in those who serve. Whatever their reasons, barring hate, I mourn for the personalities and lives lost. Your not being here is the reason. The gapping holes left in the fabric of lives that revolved around your smile. That doted on the child that way you. The promise of a future that will never be fulfilled.

Days later I stood quietly at the wall. Bouquets of flowers laid at the base of different panels as gifts to the lost where names stand timeless, etched in the granite’s once smooth blackness. I ran my fingers over the Tees of Thomases now gone, the crossed Efs of Frank who never knew their sons, the dotted Js of James, and I’s Isaacs who never watched their daughters dance. The never forgotten comrades of the broken, the ones who came back and can’t quite ever look forward without you. The ones haunted by sweaty dreams of your screams and theirs.

I look into the black, etch the letters that reflect none of the warmth that was you, and I cry. I never knew you and I cry for your lost. For the hell you were sent to suffer at the hands of our government. I mourn for the spit and the jerks you endure at the spite of those in opposition to a war that never should have been. One much like the war being waged today quarter of a world away from that jungle.


Requiem of the Demigods

Dealers of Death sell their wares,
In the name of security and peace.
Thank the mothers of young
Sacrificed on the alters of democracy,
Good youths blithely thrown
After the negligent wants of old men.
Demigods whose clocks are ticking
Fear no legacy in time.
Your mark spilt blood on the world
Rents in the soul of humanity,
Renewed hate and ignorance.

© 21 September 2004 Calista Cates

Sith

Gadgets

I am a sucker for new webgadgets. Did you see the kewl Neo Counter... stole the idea from Sacred Sister I just had to have one. I love it, I took the daily one, and now I can see where most everyone comes from. Hint...I come up as Noti, Oregon - which is where I am not, but earthwize, I'm in spitting distance.

So today I'm reading JulieAnn's Blog and decide to click on her Myspace link. I've thought about putting this on MySpace page but I will share it here first. I love aura's, JulieAnn's is purple and absolutely beautiful, I wanted purple because it is healing and peace, but I got blue. hmmm blue. Okay I can live with blue. So what colour is your aura?

Your Aura is Blue

Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life. You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships. The purpose of your life: showing love to other people Famous blues include: Angelina Jolie, the Dali Lama, Oprah Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor

What Color Is Your Aura?

Threes for Sacred Sister

Three Names You Go By: (have gone by) Deby, Calista, Tanglefoot

Three Screen Names You Have: Celebrindal, Cele, Calista

Three Things You Like About Yourself: 1) Optimism 2) That I like myself 3) That I can laugh about myself…unfortunately often.

Three Things You Dislike About Yourself: 1) Lack of self confidence 2) My fat ass 3) I burn out on things and never go backThree Parts of Your Heritage: English, Scottish, German


Three Things That Scare You: 1) Snakes 2) Losing those I love 3) Letting people I love and respect down

Three Everyday Essentials: 1) Hot Showers 2) Mascara 3) Internet

Three Things You're Wearing Right Now: 1) Kimono robe 2) wet towel on my head 3) reading glasses

Three Favorite Bands/Artists: There is no such thing as 3 – 1) Crosby Stills, Nash, & Sometimes Young 2) Five for Fighting 3) Coldplay 3) Cat Stevens 3) Moody Blues 3) Jason Mraz 3) Led Zepplin 3) Matchbox 20

Three Favorite Songs at Present: Once Again, there is no such thing as three 1) 100 years – Five for Fighting 2) Where do the Children Play – Cat Stevens 3) Change the World – Eric Clapton 3) Unwell – Matchbox 20 3) Talk It Over – Grayson Hugh

Three Things You Want In A Relationship: 1) Friendship 2) Love 3) Trust

Two Truths And A Lie: Have you ever thought about how hard it is to think up two truths and a lie about yourself? Where do you start? What is worthy? Oh shit. 1) I have been married three times 2) I wanted to be a professional dancer 3) I once scaled the side of the Beverly Hilton Hotel and onto the balcony of Jimmy Plant’s hotel room before being caught by security.

Three PHYSICAL Things About The Opposite Sex That Appeal To You: 1) Asses 2) Eyes 3) Legs

Three Things You Just Can't Do: 1) Not make my bed 2) Run (fat assed menopausal women shouldn’t do that anyway 3) Lie to my mother

Three Favorite Hobbies: 1) Manuscript Critiquing 2) Poetry 3) Photography 3) Gardening

Three Things I Want To Do Really Bad Right Now: 1) Get to work because I am late 2) Blow dry my hair 3) Take vacation…a long vacation…somewhere exotic where I can meet all my internet friends

Three Careers You Have Considered: 1) Professional Dancer 2) Marine Biologist 3) Radio

Three Places You Want To Go On Vacation: 1) Australia 2) Scotland / Ireland 3) Cabo San Lucas
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Three Kid's Name You Have Considered: 1) Brianna Skye 2) Elysse Danielle 3) Aslyn Elysse

Three Things You Want To Do Before You Die: 1) Meet my internet friends 2) see my great grand child be born 3) Have my poetry and photos published

Three People Who Have To Take This Quiz Now When they can: 1) Natalie 2) Karin 3) Peggy 3) Jazzy 3) Jake 3) Dartman

Sith

American Idol - The Finalè

Carrie Underwood's debut LP Some Hearts has just been certified sextuple platinum by the RIAA. It sounds fantastic, but sounding fantastic doesn't match as fantastic a feat that it truly is. Only one other, yes I said ONE, country female artist has attained such a tremendous height, LeAnn Rimes did in 1996 with her debut Blue. Some Hearts has sold six million copies in the US, spent 26 weeks at number one in the Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. Topping that same chart for multiple weeks at a time in 2005, 2006, 2007. Think about it. Boggling.

The 2007 American Idol has a great career ahead of them if the producers at Entertainment 19 have learned anything from Carrie Underwood and Some Hearts. We will see four final four in the future, because after having been introduced to Melinda Doolittle and LaKisha Jones who can imagine that a musical career isn’t in their futures? For Melinda, I think there is a soul album awaiting her talent and spark, for LaKisha it will be the bright lights of the Great White Way or even film. We shall see, and we shall see it soon.

Tonight it was all about Beat Box Blake and Jordin…and song choices. Because folks we all know it’s about song choice. Each contestant chose their favorite song from the season, a new song, and then performed the winning composition of the American Idol Song Search This Is My Now.

So we’ll delve first into Blake, because, well he did win the coin toss.

Blake, ever so intelligently chose to perform Bon Jovi’s You Give Love A Bad Name. I think it was better than the first time he performed the song. The opening was about the same, but he rocked the chorus, his interaction with the drummer was fabulous. A solid performance. Winning him kudos from the judges as the best individual performance of the night.

For his second song, Blake made a bad choice, Maroon5’s She Will Be Loved. Not that it isn’t a good song, it’s just not This Love or You Give Love A Bad Name. First off boy didn’t your mama teach you how to dress? Argyle and stripes? Hideous. And the performance while not bad, was just blasé.

Song number three of the night, wasn't his moment. I really feel sorry for Blake because the choice of songs was out of his hands, and it was out of his realm. He was almost lucky that his wardrobe was drawing my attention away from the song and his flat voice.

Fashion Faux Pax.

First off, I notice that Gawd Awful metallic argyle sweater, secondly the silver tie, and thirdly silver metallic shoes, and fourthly the song totally is not Blake. Flat, Flat, Flat notes. Plus, Blake should get handicapped for the terrible back up singing.

Jordin was stellar. Her opening song of the night was new to her – Christina Aguleira’s Fighter. Awesome top. The performance had attitude, rockier choice than in the past, contemporary choice, great performance. Did I mention the awesome top?

She chose Martina McBride’s A Broken Wing for her repeat song. Beautiful. Her solemn open was pure, her close was powerful.

In the movie Best Little Whorehouse In Texas Dolly Parton sings I Will Always Love You (the best song Parton ever wrote.) At the end of the song her voice breaks with emotion – it rips my heart out every time I hear it. Jordin ripped my heart out tonight with her presentation of the finalè song This Is My Now. The song totally fit her, the emotion at the end was almost her undoing, and if it hadn’t come naturally, which I think it did because I think she started thinking at the end of the song, I would have suggested she fake the emotion.

Tonight it comes down to voting for the singer who has been your favorite all season long, because tonight they were both stars. They are both worthy of contracts. They are both worthy of careers. We will definitely see them both again.

BUT, didn’t Constantine look like a biker out of his element?

Oh, GO JORDIN!!!!

Oh, I’m writing this before the ending of Dancing With The Stars, and I am so in awe of both Apolo & Julianne and Joey & Kim. But I am voting al Apolo and Julianne because of their chemistry and her choreography. This season of Dancing With The Stars has been fabulous.

Sith.

American Idol – the Semi Finals 2007

After a night of great singing I conclude, there are no bad singers in the 2007 Semi-finals of American Idol. They are all awesome in their own rights and I was reminded of that each time they sang. I was boggled a few times at the song choices, as you will see below, but then I always am during this week of the competition, each year. Sometimes I don’t think judges and producers have a good grasp of things. But despite the lemons, Melinda, Blake, and Jordin made Key Lime pie AND IT WAS DELICIOUS.

Jordin, wasn’t she just so adorable in her montage when she talked about being at the bottom of the escalator? She was genuine and lovely.

Tonight was the first time voting that I ran into busy lines. And there were three lines per wannabe. So I started with the first line, moved to the second, and ended up doing the majority of my massive voting with line three, because I don’t want to see Jordin out this week. Despite the fact her first two song choices were hideous.

Song 1: Judge – Simon Cowell – Wishing on a Star / Rose Royce – weird choice, but then it is from a judge, but Jordin did a nice job, the song is forgettable, Jordin never is.

Song 2: Producers – She Works Hard for the Money / Donna Summers. What a suck ass selection. Jordin gave it her best, I didn’t like something at the ending, but she did well. Interesting outfit, it made her much slimmer in appearance.

Song 3: Jordin chose I Who Have Nothing / Shireley Bassey & Tom Jones, wow, she gives me goosebumps. She sang it before, back in March I think, but wow, I she is amazing.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Blake – I missed Blake’s National Anthem at the Mariners game the other night, but my husband commented on it. I did like the clip with him beat boxing with Sir Mix A Lot on his trip home to the Sound. This week Blake has been selected as the poster boy for Vote For The Worst. Personally at this point in the there isn’t a bad singer in the competition. I don’t see Blake in the top two and apparently a phone survey conducted by Rassmussen Reports found that 36 percent polled believe he should go this week, 41 percent polled think Blake Lewis will go home this week. But, tonight the guy totally shone. He is hip, he listened and toned it down while still boxing to the beat,

Song 1: Judge – Paula Abdul - Roxanne / Police – excellent song choice, but the wardrobe just totally cracked me up, Dagwood does Rock. Vocals were good, but his Roxanne ranged on yelling.

Song 2: Producers – This Love / Maroon5 – awesome song choice. His vocals were good, his beat box right on and not over done. I very much enjoyed this selection.

Song 3: Blake chose When I Get You Alone – Robin Thicke. I’m not a Robin Thicke fan, but the song seem to fit Blake. I didn’t know the song so I didn’t get a that haunting feeling of the original version and the beat box was nice. I like how he went light tonight. The song was very contemporary and him.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Melinda – This girl has a bright future ahead of her. What an incredible and versatile talent. I know that it drives people crazy that she is demure and even in denial at times about praised heaped on her, but tonight in her montage, I was touched by her humbleness when they unveiled her street sign. She is gracious.

Song 1: Judge – Randy – I Believe In You and Me / Whitney Houston – pfft, pfft, pfft -hairball. Argh, I despise Whitney, to the point I will not play her during my airshift (I also don’t play Mariah.) But this is Melinda, and I ♥ Melinda, she is so amazing, but her MEEEEEE hurt my ears.

Song 2: Producers – Nutbush City Limits / Ike and Tina Turner. Wow, this song so fit Melinda to a T. She rocked the song, moved out of her shy demeanor and got down – Tina watch out there’s a new set of pipes in town.

Song 3: Melinda chose I’m A Woman / Peggy Lee, she did this back in March and rocked it as good then as she did tonight, but now she seems more comfortable, performed, but wasn’t too hammy but was much more relaxed. Paid tribute to her back ground by interacting and showcasing the back up singers.

I can’t choose one over the other in who was the best, because they all shine. And I am happy with the final three because I have liked them through the entire season. Maybe not every performance was perfect, but they are the top three I wanted.

♫ Melinda
♫ Jordin
♫ Blake

Whose going home? I think Blake is going, but not in shame and we’ll see him again soon.

Okay, I don’t usually say anything about Dancing With The Stars here. But Karin got me so hooked this season. And I have to say, Apolo and Julianne were robbed last night. I don’t think Laila Ali is a bad dancer, but I don’t think she’s as good as Apolo or Joey. There I said it. Ian, you’re a class act. They all make me want to go dancing.

Sith.

Mind Freak

I am a sucker for online test to see how dumb I am (I love those tickle quizzes) mensa tests use to be a total obsession for me. Now Sid has posted the results of a quiz at MindMedia Life Enhancement. So me, being totally me, and a few other people had to go play. Here are my results.

Your Brain Usage Profile:
Auditory : 46%
Visual : 53%
Left : 52%
Right : 47%

The following is the summary

Cele, you exhibit an even balance between left- and right- hemisphere dominance and a slight preference for visual over auditory processing. With a score this balanced, it is likely that you would have slightly different results each time you complete this self-assessment quiz.

You are a well-rounded person, distinctly individualistic and artistic, an active and multidimensional learner. At the same time, you are logical and disciplined, can operate well within an organization, and are sensitive towards others without losing objectivity. You are organized and goal-directed. Although a "thinking" individual, you "take in" entire situations readily and can act on intuition. (note, I'm an Aquarian - duh!)

You sometimes tend to vacillate in your learning styles. Learning might take you longer than someone of equal intellect, but you will tend to be more thorough and retain the material longer than those other individuals. You will alternate between logic and impulse. This vacillation will not normally be intentional or deliberate, so you may experience anxiety in situations where you are not certain which aspect of yourself will be called on.

With a slight preference for visual processing, you tend to be encompassing in your perceptions, process along multidimensional paths and be active in your attacking of situations or learning.
Overall, you should feel content with your life and yourself. You are, perhaps, a little too critical of yourself -- and of others -- while maintaining an "openness" which tempers that tendency.

Indecisiveness is a problem and your creativity may not be in keeping with your potential. Being a pragmatist, you downplay this aspect of yourself and focus on the more immediate, obvious and the more functional

So what did this all lead to...a link to buy me and find out more...I'll pass but it was fun. If you do this, let me know I'd love to see the results.

Sith

Kiki We Knew You Well

I knew it would be LaKisha or Beat Box Blake going home this week, but I couldn’t decide who would hold more sway: Vote For The Worst, who was backing Kiki this week, or the ‘tweeners over whom Beat Box Blake holds reign of developing, hormone ravaged hearts swooning across the heartland. The fingers and redialers of ‘tweeners nationwide held on for the night.

Kiki said she knew her time was up, that Simon had portend the outcome and she knew he was right. But Kiki we shall see you and your booming voice again soon. Because I know Kiki can up hold the tradition of the majority of the fourth voted out. Chris Daughtry, Tamyra Gray, and Josh Gracin were all voted out in the same week of their respective competitions. Daughtry and Gracin have both sold more copies than three of the past Idol winners – Ruben, Fantasia, and Taylor. So in that respect LaKisha has a bright future ahead. Are you trying to remember who were the other two voted out in same week? Anthony Federov and La Toya London.

Over all I only have three critiques over Kiki’s American Idol run. She doesn’t pick the songs that are right for her. She doesn’t finesse her selections to become the song – a good talent becomes one with the song. And finally she doesn’t listen to the critiques given her and take them to heart. She has an amazing talent, I pray she is in the majority and has a wonderful career ahead, because we shall be the beneficiaries if she does.

Now for a major bitch. I’ve always been irked by the group medleys performed over the years. They usually suck, do not fit the voices and styles of the singers, and they apparently get no direction beyond here sing this song.

My GAWD!

The Bee Gees medley had to be the worst in American Idol history. Maurice Gibb is rolling over in his grave. And for those of you who thought that Barry Gibb is aging well, heads up. Look over at your beloved spouse and then look at Barry again. Your spouse should win hands down or you need glasses. And Barry’s rendition of To Love Somebody only underlined again how awesome Jordin’s version was.

Next week the Terrific Three go home. The other thing they do (if Idol history holds up) is sing a cut of their own choosing, one of the judge’s choosing (which usually is a bad choice), and a third song choice that is chosen in a fashion I can’t remember – by Clive Davis or something, remind me, please. Only two more sing offs left. If I were betting I’d would say Jordin to win (my fav) and Melinda to place. But stranger things have happened. Who do you think will take the contract? And along with a recording contract do they still win a million dollars? Hmmm.

Sith

Hmmm, did you feel as empty as I did?

American Idol – Week Twelve

9 for 15

Oh, a sincere ho hum this week. For those interested Paris Bennett’s debut effort came out earlier today. I noticed All Music dot Com failed to rate Princess P. The efforts begins with Hail to the Princess. I think I’ll stop there.

In other Idol news Kelly Clarkson’s third album, My December, is set to drop July 24th. The multi platinum Daughtry still sits at number 5 in the Billboard 200, for the 23rd week. Carrie Underwood’s Some Hearts, has climbed back into the top ten, sitting at number 8 this week, Some Hearts has been certified platinum five times over and is in its 76th week on the charts. Bucky Covington’s debut is at number 24 this week, having debuted on the charts last week at number 4. Elliot Yamin remains in the top 100 at number 77.

And btw, despite what Ryan Seacrest said on American Idol the other week, Taylor Hicks has not sold 2 million copies, well maybe if you add album sales, singles, digital downloads, oh and ringtones together you might get. Nahhhhh.

Ohhh, and Ruben Studdard, you have to add all of his albums and singles together to get two million, but he has sold that much. Having gone platinum (sales of 1 million) with his 2004 album Soulful, it’s all in the way you twist the numbers. But you too can check it out using the the RIAA’s searchable database and Billboard’s Hot 200 Album charts.

Music of the Brother’s Gibb was this week’s vocal point. Strange choice for three women and a beat box. I must be feeling a bit negative…duh Cele…because I kept thinking about what a fox Barry Gibb use to be. My how time flies. But the music of the Bee Gee’s will live ever on, despite what American Idol hopefuls do to abuse the lyrics. Let’s face it, most Bee Gee music was written for guys to sing in light, breathy, falsetto harmonies, and yet despite that I thought the girls gave it a good heave ho. So what did they do?

Melinda took the stage first and fifth in the evening. First performing Inside and Out, and later How Do You Mend A Broken Heart? I appaud that she didn’t want to sing negative words, but then why did you chose How Do You Mend A Broken Heart? Does that require two ??’s In her opening number she reminded me of Donna Summers, I think it was the 1970s Diva voice quality. In her second I liked the performance because of her tonal qualities. But unlike the judges I didn’t like the end.

Beat Box Blake failed miserably in my esteem. He should have sang Jive Talking. I feel strongly about this, I said so on Karin’s blog last week. In You Should Be Dancing Blake’s beat boxing good in the middle section but in the beginning sequences and the end to me it was to abrupt, jarring, and sharp. The Judges may never have heard of This Is Where I Came In from the 2001 album of the same title, but I certainly have, (Hmmmm, my job may have something to do with that) and he butchered it. And the bizarre part, I kept thinking this is what Bono would sound like if he sang the Bee Gees. I beg forgiveness from Bono.

Kiki has been selected as this week’s poster child by Vote for the Worst. Sorry Kiki, it’s a dirty job and I guess someone has to do it. She opened with Staying Alive and I absolutely hated the ending (I think the judges liked that part.) Run To Me was much much better, minus a bad note here or there.

Jordin was the bright spot of the night, she shown with To Love Somebody. Note she is the one performer this year that has learned from the past – choose a song that gives you the long notes, that is how you wow the judges. LONG NOTES. I enjoyed how she accented the vocals. A Woman In Love was not as good, but it was much better than the rest, and yet it fell into that classification of having been done by a great, and I kept comparing her to Streisand.

And Randy don’t give me that Mariah CRAP, my gawd, comparing any singer to Mariah is a death nell in my book. I get pissed that they all flick so much shit at Simon, which my friend Sid would totally love, but while Simon may not have a subtle delivery in his critique, he is usually right on in what he has to say.

This week’s Kudos to…drumroll please…

♫ Jordin
♪ Melinda gets my honorable mention

And my, oh so said to see you go for the week goes to Blake. Sad, sad. But when you get down to the final four it should be hard to see them go. I do think we will see Blake again, maybe him and Chris Richardson will join up for a boy band because they would do well. BUT WAIT!!!! It could be Kiki because Blake does have a large fan base, but then Kiki has Vote for the Worst. Gosh, we’ll find out Wednesday night.

Sith

This Ain't Your Mama's Rock N' Roll

American Idol - Week Eleven

8 for 15

I went to beauty college at the height of Glam Rock. While all the other students (all a good ten years younger than me) were hot on Tom Cruise, I thought ♥ Jon Bon Jovi ♥ totally rocked. Now don’t get me wrong, after a statement like that you’d be thinking that I get hot and droolly after rockers in tight jeans. The truth is I’ve never been one of those women, but ♥Jon Bon Jovi♥ pushed my envelope.

Well damnation and frustration, he’s just not as hot without the hair, but then I’m twenty years older too, he looks loads better than me. Plus, the man can still rock. And I really thought he was a great mentor for the Idol Wannabe’s this week. I really felt for Gina that she was Sanjaya’d (Survivor has Pagonged – Idol now has Sanjaya’d) out before she could relish in rock week. I am of mixed emotions about the performances this week. Two simply shown and I found myself in contrast on what the judges said more than once.

Wow, only six, it’s a short list now and two go home. I’m worried for my girl so I spent the first hour after the show was over voting at least 80 times for Jordin, because I fear for her American Idol safety. So now that you know I have voted like a tweener for the last three weeks, let’s see how the Finalist did tonight.

Phil was up first singing Blaze of Glory from the Young Guns soundtrack. It was a good choice for him, he felt comfortable in the song and relished in the vocals. I was of mixed emotions leaning towards favorable.

Jordin, oh mi poor Jordin. She opted for Living On A Pray. I thought she opened well, but she lost it each time in the chorus. When she had a good rocker rasp in some places, in others she was borderline screaming. I would really like to have seen her sing Midnight in Chelsea. Now, what I love about Jordin. She knew it wasn’t her week, at the age of 17 she has more maturity in admitting her short comings and listening to the critics than most. For that she is Stardom bound already. Please vote for her that’s 1 866 43657 02

Lakisha really chose her song well. Her rendition of This Ain’t A Love Song was one of two highlights of the night. Lakisha radiated her song from the heart.

Beat Box Blake, I have admired him since day one. Tonight when he sang, and I mean sang You Give Love A Bad Name I thought he was excellent. But when he beat boxed he lost me. I have to say I did love the record player open, I loved some of the stutters, but for the most part the beat box lost me.

Chris performed Dead Or Alive from Young Guns. Ho Hum, it didn’t work for me. I can’t say it was bad, it was just blah.

And Melinda went with the latest Bon Jovi cut Have A Nice Day. She totally connected with the intent of the song, wore the attitude and delivered it with resounding quality and sass. I loved it.

Two Wannabe’s go home Wednesday night, oh please I hope it’s not Jordin, I mean I voted like four score times. Maybe I should make it a gross? I’ve got two more hours.

So my top two choices, and I’m not sure which was better, but they definitely both were the best…

♫ LaKisha
♫ Melinda

Going home? Gosh I’ve no clue. I have to say if I alone were to pick who was gone, it would be Chris and most likely Phil, but it could be anybody Wednesday night. Hey but we do get to see Bon Jovi rock the show, and maybe we’ll get some tight jeans to boot. Slippery When Wet. Heavy Sigh.

Sith.

American Idol - Week Ten or It's All In The Second Half

I’m 8 for 15

Was it me or did you expect Bono to actually show up and be tonight’s mentor? Well that is what I expected when Ryan Seacrest announced him as the night’s mentor. I’m guessing now in hindsight it was as the mentor on how we should be in our interaction to the world around us and beyond. I applaud Bono for his use of celebrity, I truly believe it is how a celebrity should use their status and fame, and yet so few do. Princess Diana, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Harry Belefonte, Paul Newman, and Joanne Woodward, just to name a few, burn with a proactive flame inside them that puts anything I can do to shame, and I am humbled by their efforts and accomplishments.

Bono’s flame and vision has driven him so far, that it was almost the end of U2 as we know it. From his humble beginnings as Paul Hewson, Bono has stepped out of his past to create a tomorrow for many who might otherwise have known none. I, on the other hand, forever wonder if my money is going into a hungry tummy or some middleman’s wallet. If Bono walked up to me tomorrow and asked me to give, I’d stick money in his hands, no questioned asked. I trust him, like I trust my local agencies; it’s all the ones in between my hometown and his efforts that scare the bejebbers out of me.

OH.MI.GOSH I have wander well off subject, surprise! I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on both Idol Give Back and on tonight’s performances.

As I said, It’s All In The Second Half. We are down to six, and they are for the most part shiny bright. But now I’ve come to a new dilemma: Who is bad enough to go now that I don’t have Sanjaya to target? Well Vote for the Worst has taken care of my quandary, they’ve now appointed the pasty pate’d Phil Stacey as their post boy. Opps! Hold on I need to vote again.

So it was songs of change, inspiration, emotion. Interesting song choice by some of the remaining contestants, and inspired choices by the rest, let’s begin.

Chris Richardson kicked off the night with one of my favorite Eric Clapton songs. I love Eric Clapton and was happy to here someone had chosen Change the World. In the first notes I was dismayed, Chris is no Eric Clapton, he just didn’t have the right voice for the beginning, but then he hit his stride in the second half of the song. Wow, while I did agree with Randy about the singing, Chris isn’t in it to win, I do have to say I liked the second part of the presentation.

Melinda sang Faith Hill’s There Will Come A Day. Her dress totally sucked, her hair and make up were perfection. The opening of the song didn’t do anything for me, then I began to notice the subtle differences to her presentation of the song and Faith Hill’s. Once again the second half of the performance totally sucked me in.

Blake chose the classic John Lennon anthem, Imagine. How can you not hear that song and think? Okay, that is my response to the song. My response to Blake’s version was, hohum. Once or twice his vocal attitude caught my attention, but other than that, nothing, nada.

Lakisha covered Fantasia Barrino’s I Believe and I am going to go against what each of the judge’s said. She sang it better than Fantasia. Not to say that she doesn’t get too powerful, but I felt she made the song hers. She sang with conviction and promise. There just two or three little notes that were in question. And the dress, very nice.

Phil, the ashen wonderboy. Wow, is that dude white, or what? And his eyes are so big he could be a Furby. Now if you think I mean the furry little electronic doll that snores on me and falls forever asleep, you are wrong. I am a Furby by birth, and one trait many of us have are big eyes and butts. I was blessed with both, Phil is obviously only part Furby (if any truly at all) because the man was born with no ass. He does have a lovely voice, although there are a lot of other songs I would have like to have seen him chose over Garth’s The Change. Phil did show some interesting vibrato in his performance and a bit of his range.

Jordin, She has my votes, oh wait let me vote again. Okay, she has my vote for American Idol. If there is one hing the Sanjaya travesty proved to me, it is the power of the vote. So as I say often (but it’s usually about politics) early vote and vote often. Anyway, back to Jordin. Girlfriend, hated the dress. But even a butt ugly dress can’t stop that awesome voice or hide that beautiful face. She shown tonight, pulling out a gospel classic, You Will Never Walk Alone Jordin put every bit of herself and emotion into it. Breathe Taking. Oh wait, gotta vote.

So for tonight my kudos to…

♫ Jordin (I know you’re not surprised, but she totally rocks)
♫ Melinda
♪ and my honorable mention to Lakisha

I’m going to put Chris in the bottom, but darn it could be Phil, or even Blake. Hmmm hard call I know, but it will be male going tomorrow night.

So how did you vote? Often I hope.

Sith

5 Interview Questions

Sid has graciously left these five interview questions for his readers who wanted to play. I love most MeMe’s. So here are the five questions. If you want five interview questions to continue this MeMe on your blog, read the instructions at the conclusion of this post. Now Sid’s questions

1.In the past twelve months, what is your happiest (or funniest or saddest) memory?

Hmmmm, most of my happy memories revolve around family. I think I’m going to say mine and Ducky’s vacation to Seattle last fall. We went to two Mariner’s games. The first against Roger’s Yankee’s the second against the dreaded Red Sox. We were seated in the middle of, you got it, a bunch of drunk Red Sox fans. We had an awesome time.

2. Name and describe the precious or semi-precious stone that best describes your temperment.

Ooh, so many gems so few fingers. I’m going to say Amethyst. Besides being my birthstone, it is cool, transparent, and deep. Okay, so I try to be cool and tend to be transparent.

3. Who is your favorite fictional television character, and why is he/she/it important to you?

Important to me? Gosh, I don’t think a character is important to me. I’d say my favorite character was John Critton from Farscape. I loved the facts of the character. He was human in an inhuman situation. His character was riddled with humanisms when he was dealing with Aliens. It laughed at the American pop culture, our lesser development, and he had an invisible friend he didn’t want with horrible fashion sense.

4. If you are a blogger, do you have a predominant "theme"? If you are not a blogger, what would you write about, thematically speaking?

What I think about. Daily things in the media or my life that prompt me to write, but not on a daily basis. Plus, much to my dear Sideon’s dismay I blog weekly about American Idol. This summer I may blog about Big Brother, and next season I will blog about Dancing with the Stars. I’d post my poetry, but I like to wait until my copyright is registered (and I’m running a bit back logged – like 80 poems or so not registered yet. I need to get crackin’. The LOC needs my money.)

5. Imagine you are a world leader. What would be your administration's focus or policy (meaning, what issues are important to you, and why)?

Ending war in this world, ending hatred, ending prejudice, teaching the poor to feed themselves, and educating the masses.

Now if you want to play along too. Ask me to interview you in the comments section. If anyone wants to play after the request I will post the five questions in the comments section.

Sith

Oh, Happy Day!!!!

I am so happy it is a dark day in the Sanjaya Universe.

Oh sad, too bad....for him.

I am a wee bit ticked blogger wouldn't let me up load my banner thanking America for their 38 Million Votes, I know Tish, Karin, Amie, and I did our parts.

La la la la all is beautiful.

American Idol Week 9 - Country Week

I am 7 for 15

Or as Karin Tabke would say, “OH.MI.GAWD. Sanjaya sings with a country accent.” I think that translates in to, “Lord have mercy on us all.”

Martina McBride is one of my favorite country singers, and if you wonder from where I speak put on her Christmas album and listen to Oh, Holy Night I dare you to listen only once. Wow, she is breath taking. Her song Concrete Angel, released in 2006 is heart breaking and beautiful. So I was pleased to read McBride would be mentoring the American Idol wannabees this week. And while she wasn’t bad, except for in one or two instances I didn’t see where she really gave much critique to her mentorees. But then that tends to be the case for more mentors on AI. How sad, so bad. Come on guys it should be more than just a photo op.

We’ll get to the break down in a minute, but first some 2006 American Idol Alum news. Bucky Covington fans will rejoice to know their favorite country son has released his self titled debut. Covington gets some help from Sawyer Brown’s Mark Miller, who not only appeared on the set but produced. Covington’s first single, Different World is still in the chart's top forty (which translates into somewhere outside of the top 10.)

Elliot Yamin’s self titled debut effort sits atop the Independent Album charts. His first two singles Moving On and Waiting For You are radio ready with an infectious sound that will have you tapping your feet and memorizing the words.

Chris Daughtry remains at number one on the Hot Adult Contemporary charts with It’s Not Over for it’s eighth week. Carrie Underwood has just hit number one on the Hot Country Tracks chart with her single Wasted (her fourth number one Country hit.) And of course Underwood dominated the ACM awards Monday night for the second year in a row. Her song Before He Cheats won the top "CMT Music Awards Video of the Year" and the "Female Video of the Year" while the video also snagged a win for the "Video Director of the Year" for director Roman White.

It has been a good year for American Idol.

So back to this week and our American Idol wannabees. How did they stack up in my humble opinion? Hmmm It was a mixed bag at best. There were those who absolutely shined, those who were abominable, and then there was Sanjaya. Codeine anybody?

Phil, kicked off the evening with a cover of Keith Urban’s Where the Black Top Ends. My favorite Keith Urban cut, it’s not the first time it’s been covered on AI, in 2003 Carmen Rasmussen sang it as her Country offering, and then in 2005 the song was done as a group performance. How did Phil Stacy do? Wow, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t like the ending, but Phil really nailed the song, he looked happy, comfortable, and in his groove.

BTW did you see Simon grab Paula’s nose during Phil’s performance?

Jordin Sparks, every Tuesday evening I look forward to seeing what this mind boggling talent is going to perform. She became everything a singer should be when singing A Broken Wing. Wow, she became the song – in tone, voice, and emotion. I was blown away, and didn’t she look fabulous? I want that dress. Every week when Simon says, “For just 17…” I think of the Janis Ian song, At Seventeen. But in the Jordin Sparks version it’s all about being a winner.

In every year of American Idol someone has gotten up and covered Bonnie Raitt’s Something to Talk About. This year it has actually be done a few times, and the only person who has ever nailed it was Sabrina earlier in the season and she’s gone. The reason she is gone sang it tonight, err, wrong choice of words, caterwaul his way through the song making me rue the song having ever been written. Ugh. The absolute worst performance of the night.

Before the judges give their comments and critiques I jot down my thoughts really fast so I won’t be influenced by what they say. I’m always surprised when my thoughts differ so vastly from theirs. And proud when my thoughts are close to theirs. The next two really under score this.

Lakisha covered Carrie Underwood’s Jesus Take The Wheel. I liked the start of the song, you could tell Kiki related to the first verse. But then came the chorus and the whole thing fell apart for me. Kiki needs to learn to tone down her power - She was too much for the song.

Chris chose Rascal Flatt’s Mayberry. His performance was nasally and it didn’t work for me. During the critiques after Simon commented, Chris said it was suppose to be nasally, that is a singing style. Well nasal isn’t a singing style and I thought he was being defensive, until I watched the recap at the end and realized that he was trying to sound just like Gary Levox…and failed.

Melinda sang Julie Reeves Trouble Is A Woman. While I have heard of Julie Reeves, I’d never heard of the song. What I have to say about the performance is this. Melinda shouldn’t sing country, but what she did do is take the song, make it her own and have a hell of a good time. I thought the song and Melinda were entertaining – when I wasn’t thinking how hideous that top was – but I didn’t care for the ending.

Beat Box Blake covered When The Stars Go Blue, while it was country week and they were all thinking he was covering Tim McGraw the wascally wabbit was really covering Bono’s interpretation of the same hit two years yearlier. For the most part I liked his performance, but it had some really rough spots for me. And Dude! You don’t wear argyle during Country Week, I mean that is just begging for fashion bad karma.

I voted for Jordin, like a gizillion times tonight, that is why I am late getting this online. Please forgive me, but it was important. Like Ryan says, vote to keep your favorite in the contest.
Tonight I thought Jordin stole the show, I agree with Simon she has a shot to win this, but the other person holding the cards is Melinda.

Tonight I give my kudos to…
♫ Jordin
♫ Melinda
♪ Phil gets this week’s honorable mention the guy rocked it.

And please I’m getting really tired of writing Sanjaya’s name here as the TOTAL loser, but because he’s still here that makes us, the unhappy viewers at home the losers. Please vote for your favorites. A.LOT.

Sith

Sanjaya is a Weapon of Mass Distraction

I’m 7 for 14

There is a new website out there with a new strategy aimed at combating the effects of Vote for the Worst. Then maybe we could rid ourselves of the Weapon of Mass Distraction known as Sanjaya Malakar. The concept at Vote Against Vote For The Worst is that every state is assigned a contestant. I lucked out because Oregon is assigned Jordin Sparks. Every contestant has several states to vote for them, oh wait, every contestant except Sanjaya. Nice thought, but did anyone except me know about it? Cross your fingers.

Hmmm, tonight I did just about everything I could do to have to keep from blogging about tonight’s American Idol. Everything, except go to bed. Isn’t Jennifer Lopez stunning? I had kind of worried when she married Mark Anthony, I mean he’s a Latin cad, or I guess I should say he was. But wow, she glows and tonight she was a pretty decent mentor for the remaining eight finalists.

But Latin week is never a good thought. And barring the first season, I think this is the first Latin inspired week they’ve had on American Idol before (I could be wrong.) Don’t get me wrong, I like Latin music, infectious beat, or sultry and sexy, yummy. But tonight I just wanted to say, “Oye, va!” (think that in your best Yiddish accent please.) I worried some one would sing Turn the Beat Around, Why worry? Because the judges never like it. Remember Carmen Rasmussen singing it back in year two? She has that great quality to her voice, captured the spirit of the song, and got panned by the judges. Okay, not Paula because before this season I don’t think Paula panned anyone.

So how did the finalists do?

Melinda gave us a very nice rendition of Sway. You can currently hear Michael Bublè singing this standard on Music of Your Life. I thought Melinda did a nice job, she doesn’t believe she is sexy so it didn’t come across as sexy, but I give her credit for trying to do that. I have to say I forgot to take notes until her performance was over. She’s that good. I just wish she’d hit lower register notes.

Lakisha covered the Miami Sound Machine’s Conga I didn’t get it. OH.MI.GOD.SHOOT.ME.NOW. I agreed with Paula on something. Kiki has that big beautiful voice, but it doesn’t wrap around the rhythm of the fast paced Conga.

Chris Robinson received kudos from the judges for his cover of Rob Thomas and Santana’s Smooth. I didn’t get it, the whole time I wanted Rob Thomas to sing. It took me back to what the judges are always telling the contestants and which I will completely paraphrase. “When you choose something remarkable, by a remarkable singer, you stand the chance of falling far short in comparison.”

Haley should be singing on a cruise ship somewhere under the Mediterranean. She was totally out of breath through her entire rendition of Miami Sound Machines’ Turn the Beat Around.

Phil had the unfortunate choice of Maria Maria. Where Chris R failed to sound like Rob Thomas, Phil was lucky in my esteem that Musiq sucks in the first place. I never liked the song and despite a flat note and that end cracking, he didn’t do, too bad. What distracted me through his whole performance was finger prints, I wanted to clean the guitar face of greasy finger smudges.

Jordin doesn’t just have a spark, she totally sparkles. I so disagreed with Simon and that is rare in of itself. I loved Jordin’s cover of the Rhythm is Going To Get You. Gloria Estefan and band would have felt proud at the performance. By the way, for being 51, I voted at least eleven times for Jordin tonight. I won’t make the mistake I did last week and watch another of my favorites go. And she is my assignment from vote against vote for the worst.

Blake chose a Mark Anthony song and did a good job. I really liked the way he delivered I Need To Know. It had a good feel, good delivery, good every thing.

Sanjaya. Ugh, what can I say? I don’t like this kid, I’m not sure he can do anything to change my feelings, but I will try to be honest. He didn’t do a bad job, but I didn’t buy his performance. Besamè is a mellow mournful song, Sanjaya smiled through most of his performance. His voice was not smooth and he tried to power through and ended up yelling a few of the words.

This week I liked

♫ Jordin
♫ Blake
♪ with an honorable mention to Melinda

This week I am crossing my fingers, but not holding my breathe.
sith

American Idol Week Seven

Tony Bennett and The Great American Song Book

7 for 13

This is usually one of my least favorite weeks. Don’t get me wrong I love Adult Standards, but most Idol wannabes fail miserably to shine in this week. Tony Bennett is so adorable, and still sounds fabulous in the Elegant Eighties of his life. What a man, what a singer, and he didn’t do to bad as a guest judge, better than Diana Ross at least.

How do you put a new spin on an old classic? It’s not hard and as a contestant you are most likely to hit on one of the two main speed bumps ahead of you.

1) Sounding out of your element, because your voice, mood, and lack of interpretation don’t fit the song

2) Destroying it with your interpretation that you stand out like Chippendale at the Easter Parade

So how did they do?

First up my favorite guy of the competition Beat Box Blake. His rendition of Bobby Darin’s Mack the Knife was upbeat, showed some nice tones in his voice, and I liked the ending.

Phil Stacy offered up the Cole Porter classic Night and Day. Oh mi gawd it reminded me of Mel Torme’ singing Blue Moon. It was nice, but I didn’t like it.

Melinda Doolittle, wow the Gershwins never sounded better. This lady his one hell of a show stopper.

Chris Richardson offered up the Duke’s Don’t Get Around Much Anymore. It sounded like he lost his boy band, stepped out of the shadows and gave it his best. The song showed his character and that he has range. For once I liked Chris Richardson.

Jordin Sparks, this lady amazes me every time, and I think it was the first time I truly disagreed with Simon. Now Sid is shaking his head and say, “See, what have I been telling you Cele?” I am a Barbara Striesand fan. Now when Jordin sang On A Clear Day no flowers began blooming, the sun wasn’t shining, but I was smiling. She gave it a fresh, up beat, application for an open great performance.

Gina Glocksin, people please vote for Gina, I’m so afraid she’s going to go home before her time. I like this lady, and the rocker stepped out of her box and gave a nice clear presentation of Nat King Cole’s Smile. It’s not her genre, it showed, but she didn’t come off uninterested, campy, or bad.

Sanjaya sang Cheek to Cheek. He sang it flat, he sang it campy, he sang it pitchy and it came off a smarmy presentation. Then he had the audacity to be smug. I tried so hard to watch as little as possible and turned it over to watch Jessica Stein get blown up on NCIS.

Haley, oh Haley. Ain’t Misbehavin’ came off very home town theatre. She has a pretty voice but should be singing in a revue, honey, you’re no Ella Fitzgerald.

And finally Lakisha covered Billie Holiday’s Stormy Weather. Not my favorite singer of the night, but by far not the worse. Hmmmm, I guess I have no comments about the performance. I could take it or leave it, I think part of that has to do with her stage movements, but the dress was very lovely.

So, not a lot to say over all. No words of wisdom to impart about American Idol, how the alum are fairing this week. Oh sheesh, any thing. Why? Because I know Sanjaya will be there next week. But I did hear someone was thinking about or suggesting a lawsuit against Vote For The Worst. Which I didn’t think was possible, but you can read about it here in the Chicago Suntimes. On the other hand death threats against the website’s owners are terrible. So sad. Just as sad has how they are screwing up the future for people who needed and deserved the help.

So my favs this week

♫ Melinda
♫ Jordin
♪ with an honorable mention to Chris R.

And I continue to pin my hopes that the person to get the boot will be Sanjaya. I know the best laid plans of mice and me.

Sith

Tilting at the Windmills of My Mind

Do you have those moments, minutes, hours, weeks where you wonder if and where you fit into the scheme of things? Lately the hum of my mind, stuck in some cerebral groove like an old 33½ rpm, has been driving me crazy. I know what began this latest spiral of self-doubt and knowing that it is probably a light form of depression is half the battle. But, despite that knowing, I am still tilting at the windmills of my mind.

How do you make yourself see your worth? Know that you’re not just an albatross around the neck of those you want as your friends? I have no clue. Well really I don’t, but the sane part of me screams at the tilting part to take them at face value. I have great friends. Friends, who would not willingly harm me, would not willingly say something hurtful – even in their own pain. I am blessed. My husband, daughters, grandson, parents, and dog all love me. I am blessed.

Recently I’ve come to realize that in some respects many of my friends and family are in the same uncharted waters where I am barely treading to keep my head above. Many are ex-Mormons (friends, not family,) trying to figure out where they belong in the world. How to deal with their personal beliefs, their spiritual beliefs, and the lies and truths of their birth religion? I am blessed because, while I did leave my birth religion, I left because I needed to feel important to my beliefs and them to me. I needed to be true.

Christmas morning when I was twelve, I proudly sat in the choir loft singing with all the love I have inside me at the joy of Christ birth. My belief in Jesus Christ, my Lord Redeemer has always brought me to tears. So to be sitting there with my siblings that Christmas morning, having chosen church over opening presents, I was shocked into reality to find the choir berated from the pulpit for anxiously wanting to be at home opening presents instead of singing for the Lord. Well this wasn’t so for me, weeks before I’d snuck into my mom’s closet to see what I was getting. It was no big secret to me; see I really had chosen church that Christmas morning. I know you think my reasoning is convoluted. Don't despair, deviousness does have its pain.

Our previous minister and his family had been relocated after a decade ministering to our membership. So this special Christmas morning message of not measuring up to the Lord was brought to us by a new fire and brimstone, Bible thumping minister who must have failed to realize which type of Presbyterian Church he had signed on to. I cried all the way home and after a wonderful Christmas celebration had a heart felt discussion with my parents.

As I said, I was raised Presbyterian, but it wasn’t until a year ago that I came to even realize my father doesn’t believe Jesus is the Son of God. You could say the pronouncement, that Saturday morning, at my parent’s breakfast table left my mother and me… well, speechless. A rare occasion to say the least, and even more confusing in the light of what happened that Christmas day some forty years before. My mother and father had sat and listened intently to my problem and offered up the solution that, at the age of twelve, I could begin my discovery of other religions and faiths and chose which fit me best. Both of my parents backed my decision with the condition that I must go to church each Sunday. And no, Saturday Mass didn’t count, I had to go to Sunday Mass too. Ouch.

Wow, I can hardly imagine what my Ex-Mormon and Ex-Catholic friends would think at this proclamation in their lives. The church I’d been raised in was just two city blocks away from our house, and was one of many on a long stretch of La Mirada Blvd. So from the Presbyterian Church I went to the Baptist Church (whoa, not for me) skip the Friends Church, go to Mass with my cousin, to the Pentecostal Church with a friend whose Bible thumping father was the minister – it was good entertainment, but I wasn’t sure where God and I fit into the scheme of things. At Girl Scout camp we had a lovely, non-denominational, folk music based service (my fav.)

Finally I went and tested the waters of the Friends Church. When they spoke they were warm, inviting, and thought the same way I did. That the light of God was inside me, that I mattered in the scheme of God and the world. I’d found my home. That’s not to say I was a faithful Friend from day one, no, I am a child of the 60s and 70s. I have been a slut, a druggie, a loner, and very human, but I know that God still loves me. That Jesus died for me; I know that the eternal light of God shines inside each and everyone of us if we let it. That ever, loving light was mine.

Am I a good Quaker? Not very, I don’t attend meetings nearly often enough, I am not strong enough in my convictions to stand up in a fight of wills. When it comes to knowing the Bible and its verses I am terrible. I can not quote verse and scripture, and it’s not that I won’t go look them up, not that I don’t read the Bible, and not that I don’t believe in what is there – because I do, but because I know enough for me. I live fully on the belief that I should not judge other people, that I am loved for me, and that my religion is Jesus and is between me and God, and that violence against another – either personal or as a community is a crime against the nature of Christ.

The Bible charges us to witness to others. Unlike Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, or some Baptist I don’t believe this means peddling my religion door to door. I find that vulgar and rude. To me it means being prepared to listen and discuss my beliefs with someone in their time of need. Or even my time of need. To give them succor and lighten their load, to show them the light inside of themselves.

I am distressed when I see my friends, new and old, ravaged by the lies of their religion. So devastating the realizations, that their faith is often tested and found wanting. Religions where the Church and those who run them have literally become more important that the God they are suppose to serve. When the power and money has corrupted those who serve, that they have become a force unto themselves.

In Genesis God create heaven and earth. He created man and woman, maybe not on an even playing field, but both were created along with the beast, birds, and bees. Oh, and those horrid little snakes. In Leviticus he handed down the laws of the Old Testament to Aaron and the Rabbis, laws for the serving Rabbis of the time that have spurred the basis of hatred over the millenniums. And with the beginning of a new age, God leveled the playing field with the birth, death, and resurrection of his son Jesus. He wrote two news laws that null and void all that went before and gave a gift of salvation equal to all, no man is placed above woman, no woman is placed above man – equality in salvation.

I weep that people once faithful to God have had their foundations destroyed by religion, a destruction so deep it rents the fabric of their daily lives, crushes their spirit, and questions all that they are, all that they believe. I will over come my depressions, because I am strong elsewhere. I hope they too will over come and see the strength and peace that comes from the light with in, the light of the Lord.
Sith.

American Idol Week Six – Pop Week

I am 7 for 12

Isn’t Gwen Stefani so cute? What a career. Mother, wife, singer, designer, and mentor, and she looks so adorable through out, very Orange County blonde – but I bet she’s never surfed. I am glad to know that she is going back to her band, and soon No Doubt fans everywhere will have new tunes from the pens of Kanal and Stefani to bop to.

Have you ever considered the impact that American Idol has on the American music charts? In truth it is mind boggling. My station plays a very eclectic mix of music; Adult Contemporary, Hot Adult Contemporary or CHR, a dose of Oldies (1967 to 1980), with some top ten Country thrown in for good measure. In today’s music market you don’t have a chart without it an American Idol or alum in the mix.

So what you are seeing today, will help calculate the Billboard Hot 200 album charts and Hot 100 singles charts. Consider the album chart and we’ll just look inside the 100 (because I don’t buy the subscription for the remaining 100 listings – cheap bitch, I know)

Formerly number one, Daughtry’s self titled debut is sitting at number 4 in its seventeenth week in the Billboard Hot 200, and has now gone platinum two times over, spawning to date two hits – the solid gold, number one for five weeks running It’s Not Over, and Home – this year’s Idol exit song.

Carrie Underwood’s Some Hearts is enjoying it’s 70th week in the Billboard 200, has been certified platinum, by the RIAA, five times over. Singles from her debut effort have taken her into the Hot Country Tracks chart four times; Wasted (# 6 this week,) Don’t Forget To Remember Me(#2), Before He Cheats (#1), and Jesus, Take The Wheel (#1.) And those are just the ones in the top ten.

Katherine McPhee’s debut is sitting at number 73, after peaking at #2 in its debut week seven weeks ago.

As you can see, the impact is huge. Millions of albums and singles sold; the power that turns your radio dial on. So let’s see how they did this week.

Lakisha kicked off the evening with a cover of Donna Summer’s The Last Dance. My immediate response, I thought this was Pop night – er, I’m not a disco person. She has far too much voice for the song. I just didn’t like the performance, although she was good.

Chris Sligh – Performed the Police’s Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic. Good song choice, when he started singing I thought of Christopher Cross for some reason. I didn’t think he was bad. But the darn echo effect was terrible, it kept pulling my attention away from the performance, but not enough to miss the flat spots.

Gina – I love Gina. Boy she picked a perfect song for her, The Pretender’s I’ll Stand By You. A great song choice, she performed it well, put her own mark on the song and sang her heart out. Kudos. She was the best female performance until Melinda sang. But I didn’t like the top she was wearing.

Sanjaya – Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!!!!

So many thoughts, none are positive and ranting won’t make me feel better about this guy. First off, what a suck up, last week, this week, next week, and the week after he will suck up. What’s with the hair? A Faux Hawk for a Faux Singer. Dude, No Doubt is a Ska band, they sing Ska songs, get a clue. No amount of Bath Water will help you.

Haley – Looked pretty, she chose a pretty song, changed up the arrangement, and sang a pretty cover of True Colors it wasn’t Cyndi Lauper and definitely not Phil Collins. It just fell flat for me.
Phil – chose Every Breath She Takes by the Police. I was impressed. I remember several weeks back he did a song, I can’t remember which, but he impressed me. In the weeks since I’d wondered why. Tonight I remember why, he was very good, wonderful, his ability shown through, and he under played the song perfectly. But the echo, sigh.

Melinda – wow, she too chose Donna Summers, but it was night in day for me from Lakisha’s performance. I don’t even like Heaven Knows but OH.MY.GOSH when Melinda sings it doesn’t make a difference if you don’t like the song, she is so wow factor.

Blake didn’t beat box tonight – and for me it was down hill from there. I love his beat box, it gives everything a Blake touch, tonight’s song was bland, but it wasn’t terrible, it was just bland. Oh, Blake sang a love song by The Cure.

Jordin – I can’t believe this girl is only 17 years old. She is so incredibly talented. Covering No Doubt’s Hey, Baby she remembered it was Ska, she gave it her own personality, she made it her own and she had a good time doing it. I loved it.

Chris R – Sang No Doubt’s Don’t Speak and all I can say is Boy Band. He just doesn’t cut it for me.

My Favorites for the week…
♫ Melinda
♫ Jordin
♪ Gina

Malakar was by far the worst, and he has to go, but I know he will survive because the Dark Force is with him.

So have faith. I know that while Malakar and the Dark Force will prevail more often than I want, the cream of American Idol will eventually rise to the top. Claim music charts and make millions. While the Sanjayas, Taylors, and Reubens will fade into music obscurity.

And I want to say thank you to Karin Tabke at well Karin Tabke for allowing me to guest blog for her, covering this week's American Idol performances.

Sith.

Adaptation: The Ever Changing Me

When I was younger, you know the starry eyed teen and young mother, I was up for a change. A change of scenery, a change of jobs, a change of seasons, change my kid, my men, whatever – I was ready. From California’s sunny clime, to the Oregon Rain Festival, to Fruehlingsfest in Germany I adapted while morphing into the person I am today.

But in the five decades of my life I have learned that I am no longer as adaptive to physical location changes (outside of a week of summer vacation) as I use to be. Note: Summer warmth means I’m much more adaptive; snow vacations are probably not my cup of tea. Snow: pretty to look at, but cold feet, fingers, and nipples are not my bag.

The changes in my mental make up are much more profound. Before – in my hip, so sure, younger days – I was firm on my platform (unless they were shoes) and would argue till you were blue in the face. Today I am eager to argue my stance, “the argue for the pure love of arguing, but usually nobody is wrong type arguing.” It also comes with a flip side, the adaptive part of me will change my stance when someone gives me a compelling believable argument. Oh, wait, that is called listening skills, right? In some respects isn’t that what survival and progress are all about? Communicating? Listening? Adaptation? I like this part of change.

I’ve noted over the past few years, as my job has grown from lowly DJ to whatever it is I do now, that I have tried hard to take the criticisms put to me, incorporate the good, and throw out the rest. Sometimes it comes with a bit of resistance, other times it blindsides me, and sometimes it just confounds the people who know me. I am trying to be a good manager. My problem, I’m not a good oral communicator – I know, too funny for a person who makes their living talking right?

There is a big difference between talking and communicating. Seven years ago I knew absolutely nothing about computers. Moving the radio station into the new millennium and working with state of the art equipment made me learn. I am willing to learn. So what does that have to do with talking?

Everything and nothing. You want to know about rock and pop music? If I don’t know the answer I will search until I find it. Pop trivia is like a narcotic to me, I’ve got to know, I’ve got to have more. You ask me, I will seek, and get back to you with the answer. Damn I wish Jeff Probst still did Rock & Roll Jeopardy! That was my game.

In today’s music world (like everywhere else) computers run the station. Explaining to you our current computer problem status and prognosis is almost impossible for me.

This week was almost too much. I am a bad manager. Why?
1) I have no clue how to delegate and be happy with the outcome, so I carry the burden and do it myself. (kind of like cleaning your kids’ room once in a while.)
2) Because I can’t communicate, everyone feels I treat them like mushrooms and leave them in the dark. It’s not my intent but that is the out come. If I have nothing new to disseminate, I will say nothing. Therefore, I don’t know how to communicate that in an acceptable way.

So with one computer down, one pantomiming congestive heart failure, and a third forever leaning heavy on the crash cart I was to the end of my rope. My head was swimming with the details and events of each computer and trying hard (yet failing) to not confuse it all. I failed to communicate with my crew. This weighed heavy on me all afternoon and evening long, I’ve no idea how to fix this in me. It doesn’t bother me to have someone tell me I am failing to communicate, because if you don’t tell me, I don’t’ realize it.

Wow, am I digressing or what. This was suppose to be about changing and adapting.

I won’t harbor bad feelings about a person who points out my problems to me, or something I’ve over looked, it if is done is a reasonable manner. Shit, I don’t even hold grudges against the two guys who raped me, or my first two husbands. Note: they are not two and the same. I don’t hold grudges. I can’t, grudges make no sense to me. I’m sorry is an apology, when heartfelt it is accepted, end of story. The actions might change where we were in our relationship, because that is how people work, but I won’t hate you and hold it against you, for say, hmmm, ever and three days.

So, to those whom I don’t communicate fully, my sincere apologies. The main production computer is back on line, but don’t use the second CD rom, it bit the big one. My production computer is still hanging on to the crash cart but works. And the AM on air, well it’s waiting for a specialist. Please have patience and watch this spot.

For the rest of you thank you for letting me get this off my chest. Wow, I needed it. To my first ex who tried to kill me. Twice. I forgive you, now please would you give Psam the $8250 in back child support, she could really use it. To ex number two, I forgive you for ripping my heart out, destroying our lives, and leaving a wake of devastation. I do wish you happiness – life is far too long to not be happy. To Bob who raped me in my freshman year, I really do forgive you and accept that I had a responsibility to the act. To Mark H who raped me in high school. I forgive you, you asshole.

Hey I said I forgive, I didn’t say I forget.

Wow, I feel a great weight missing, but don’t you wish a heartfelt “getting something off your chest thingie” would equated to losing inches off your thighs or something? Gosh, think of the better condition the world’s thighs would be in. I could forgo obesity.

Sith

American Idol Week 5 - The British Invasion

I’m 7 for 11

Not one single American Idol has ever sung and will never sing the first hit of the British Invasion. And all for a good reason, the first number one to hit American soil in the second British Invasion was an instrumental. Two years before the Beatles claimed the hearts of screaming, crying young American girls everywhere a group named the Tornadoes hit number one on the US Pop charts with the instrumental Tellstar (named for the satellite.)

I love British Invasion music; understandably, I was in the second grade when the Beatles landed. So I know the words to every one of the songs sung last night. I enjoyed the music. I enjoy the celebrity guest and thought Lulu especially rocked and got into the gig. So how did the Idols do? Not bad over all, even the guys seemed to bring it. But Gawd! What was with the crying girl? I mean Sanjaya is no Ringo, he’s not even a Peter Noonan, or for that thought a Peter Tork. Opps! Wrong invasion.

And we can now see the influence of the American Idolist style team. Jordin’s straight hair, perfection. Melinda’s new cut, very nice but it will take some getting use to. And Chris has put his glasses back on.

So let’s get down to it, how did they do in my humble opinion? Not bad over all. I’ll give them an 85, No one forgot the words and you could dance to it, well if you could remember how to pony, swim, or jerk. Oh, and I have to say, from the moment they announced the week was British Invasion, I knew Beat Box Blake would chose the Zombie’s Time Of The Season.

Haley – picked the right song, Billy Davis’ Tell Her. But did anyone notice she lost her breath twice during her performance?

Chris R – Sang a nasally rendition of Gary and the Pacemaker’s Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying. I wasn’t sold on this performance and felt he should have chosen a Bee Gees song. Gary wrote the song after his girl friend left him, it is a sad, lonely song, I didn’t get that from Chris’ performance. While Gary won back his girl friend with the song, Chris didn’t win me over.

Stephanie Edwards – I usually like this Idolist, but last night’s cover of Dusty Springfield’s You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me missed the mark. Edwards started the song off late falling behind the music, she caught up, but I never got caught up in the song.

Beat Box Blake – I already said it, I knew this song was perfect for him and he nailed it. Although that dancing thing is weird, it did match the song strangely. Now in all honesty Blake was flat once or twice, and fell behind at one point. And.Yet.I.Still.Loved.His.Performance. The best male performance for the night.

Lakisha Jones – darn, I wish she would have picked Cilla Black’s You’re My World, but no she chose Shirley Bassey’s Diamond Are Forever. Don’t get me wrong, it was a good performance, she became Shirely Bassey (literally,) but I really (along with Lulu) thought the other would have been a better choice. She was flawless and yet, I still wanted the other song.

Phil Stacey – Covering the Nashville Teens Tobacco Road was… a good choice, but when Stacey couldn’t hit the notes or wanted to power into the lyrics he yelled. And unlike the judges I thought the ending sucked.

Jordin Sparks - Truly sparkled, this was one of my favorite performances of the night. Choosing I Who Have Nothing was inspired. Her performance was inspired. Where as Lakisha became Shirely Bassey, Jordin became the song. Only 17 years old, wow. She blew me away, I was captivated by her performance, her voice, her.

Sanjaya Malakar – have you noticed Malakar is really close to malarkey? Just sayin’. Sanjaya chose the Kinks’ You Really Got Me, and really for him it was a good choice. But excuse me, The Kinks / Herman’s Hermits? No one would weigh the two against each other in song selection, it's apples and oranges. For the most part he performed well, there were parts I liked, but he’s Sanjaya and my enjoyment of his song was lost in the ending. And the fact that he’s Sanjaya. See this is where past performances tarnish the present. I am still hoping he’s gone.

Gina – I love this girl. She looks like a star. She chose Paint It Black by the Stones. My morning DJ thinks it should be Gina going this week. I disagree. She did have a bad start and she needed to hit her lower registers better, but I thought she did fine. She’s no Sanjaya. Thank God. I want to see this girl in a knee length black duster, black leathers, and white or burgundy silk. She just looks the part.

Chris Sligh – it was so nice to hear him say he’s a fan of the British Invasion. Great song choice, the Zombies’ She’s Not There was a perfect fit. Chris did a good job, enjoyable performance. Chris listens to his critiques, takes them to heart. And I do like him better with his glasses.

Melinda Doolittle – Goosebumps. I had never heard As Long As He Needs Me, but it will forever be a song I equate with her. Wow, stellar performance, hideous blouse. I like the haircut, but I liked her hair before.

Did you notice no one sang a Beatles tune?

The Best this week

♫ Jordin Sparks
♪ Melinda Doolittle

I am still begging America to send Sanjaya home, don’t let Vote for the Worst win again, the results are just to painful if he stays.

Sith

American Idol week 4 – I had a great title for this post last night, but that was last night

I’m 7 for 10

When I was growing up in the late sixties and early seventies, I loved Diana Ross and the Supremes. I watched any show they were on, all their specials, bought their albums, sobbed during Lady Sings The Blues. Did you know that when they were signed by Berry Gordy to Motown they were the Primettes? Yep, the female answer to the Primes… aka the Temptations. Then Diana became a Diva and began the spiral out of the spotlight.

Last night she gave the American Idol contestants terrible advice, if she gave them (individually) any advice. She told them to enunciate, to not cut any of the words, and project – okay that part was good advice. And it must be something in the Arizona air because I thought she was channeling my Aunt Maria. Basically what I got from her was, here’s a photo op on TV’s biggest two nights, smile for the camera and don’t screw up my songs, they are perfect as there are. Hence the death spiral from the spotlight.

What the majority of the contestants didn’t do last night was feel their song choice. Each week the judges implore the AI wanna be’s to make a song their own.

Every week Lakisha feels her song, she wears it like a dress. This week’s cover of God Bless the Child was no exception. Lakisha delivers a memorable performance each time she takes the stage. She becomes the song. I liked the dress, but it would have looked nicer in a textured silk, in a colour other than white. And she should have used a mic stand.

Melinda, this woman puts a new meaning into the word dynamite. Wow, She has star power. I didn’t know the song Home but she made me love it and her anew. She needs fresher brighter clothing.

Gina rocked with a nice performance of Love Child, but I think Ross’ advice was her doom.

Jordin, what a doll.

A blog I visit daily, Karen Tabek, commented that Haley’s response to her performance and missed words was endearing, I have to agree. In the past she seemed to think she knew more than the judges. This week she was human. My only critique with her song is that she didn’t feel it. Missing You is a haunting song of loss and heart break. Haley tends to power through a song instead of caressing and molding it.

With each passing week we are going to see what the American Idol fashion and hair stylist can do. I have to agree Chris S should keep his glasses, Melinda needs a fresher look, and that dress Haley was wearing? OHMIGOD, it was as bad as the blouse thingie that Carrie Underwood wore the week before.

The guys were total duds. While I didn't like either Chris' or Blake's takes on their songs, I give them props for the effort and attempts. As I said before, each week they are urged to take chances, make themselves stand out. I liked Beat Box Blake’s arrangement of You Keep Me Hanging On, but Blake himself sang it monotone and with absolutely no energy.

Chris, Endless Love, ugh, I hate the song all over again, but dude you tried.

Phil, hideous, you over sang I’m Gonna Make You Love Me.

The other Chris sucked the life out of The Boss.

Something that most singers in this competition fail to get at the beginning of each cycle of American Idol is that
1) the judges do know what they are talking about, and
2) they (the contestants) don't understand or feel their songs. Endless Love is a song that sucks, and Missing You - come on that is a heart felt song that should be sung with tears and emotion.

The Best
♫ Melinda
♪ Lakisha

God, people PLEASE I IMPLORE YOU vote out Sanjaya and put us out of his misery.

A Charges Leveled Introspective – you’ll find this boring

Friendships are an ever changing. Oh wait, you knew that didn’t you? My mom has always said I collect little lambs to take under my wing; to nourish, offer an occasional shoulder, to support. But I think it is what I get from the relationships that are important to me. The feeling of importance to another person, the give and take of thoughts, frivolities, humor, sorrow, and each other.

Through out my life, “best friends” or “bestest friends” have come and gone. What did I do? What didn’t I do? And how much should either side of a relationship have to deal with? In reality I don’t think it is any of these things.

I recently lost a bestest friend. We’d been buds for seven internet years, lived 2500 miles apart, spoke on the phone on occasion, and supported each other. We never met face to face. There were things about her I didn’t like, but the good out weighed the bad. There were things about me she didn’t like. See it’s a balance, the eternal give and take. And each time it is over I tell myself, “I won’t have another best friend, it hurts too much.” What a lie I tell myself. Despite being shy, I am a social person.

The good thing that comes of losing a best/bestest friend is the introspective period that follows. Considering all that has been said, can not be taken back, that will inevitably change who I was, shaping who I will morph into. Consideration of the charges:

1) That I always have to have the last word. I don’t believe that to be true, on the other hand most of my friends do not have to either, so it is a weird balance of last words.
2) That I can’t take a joke. My second husband said, as we were separating our lives and parting our ways, two things. 1) I have no sense of humor 2) I have no personality. Of all the things he said to me, besides I love you and good-bye, these have had the longest lasting impact on me. The I love you was a lie; good-bye has been long lasting and the truth; items 1 and 2 haunt me. So when my former bestest said I can’t take a joke, it rung like a death knell in the air. Maybe I can’t take a joke, I forever doubt myself or that I am not being understood and often let people know “that was a joke.”
3) That I run away pouting. I know that is not true. In the unspoken situation I left before I said words I could not take back. I do not intentionally speak words that will hurt. I do not enter into most arguments when both parties are mad; one of us needs to be grounded in calm.
4) And apparently I was throwing a temper tantrum. Hmmm, I guess a third party would have to decide that, and I’m not asking her to step into the middle of this, although I was accused of talking behind my bestest back, because I apologized to a third party about what was happening and told them I would be leaving if it continued. To her that talking about her verifies everything
5) I was also told that I critiqued others so harshly that I drove people away, and at least one person left in tears several times because of what I said. Of all the charges leveled at me, this one was the most serious to me. I have always tried to measure my critiques with a level of positive ness. So do I stand in judgment of the works of others that I am cutting and cruel? This will colour the way I look at the work of others and my critique for them for sometime. I have always tried to give two positive comments for every negative or comment of correction. Especially in poetry. Poetry is subjective, the levels of writing poetry are specific to the poet, as is the penchant of specific rhyme schemes. A five meter, every line rhyming scheme drives me crazy, but each poet has their own level of security, I in the past had commented on that, but in recent years only comment when I poet steps out of their personal comfort zone and ventures into their uncharted waters. It takes a lot of guts to do so.
6) That no one would give me input on my work, because I keep needing to be right.
Beyond asinine – I have no comment on this.
7) And her final salvo, beside I am not worth her time and effort was this, that I will write about our falling out. Hmmm she was defiantly right on that one. It took me time to think about it, consider, and weigh the words, intent, and content; to use the truths and throw out the superfluous, then to evolve from it. Writing about it helps me put it all in perspective, work it out. She will never read it, because she doesn’t blog, she doesn’t care, and I realize – because she is in self protect mode and defensive.

I will learn and grow from this. I will have more best friends (because I am a glutton that way,) but she will always hold a place in my thoughts and heart, for she was like a sister to me. Because she (and her influence) is part of who I will become tomorrow. I wish her the best, I wish for her someone who will understand her better than I did. I wish for her peace and good writing.

Sith

American Idol - Week Three

So far in the count I am 5 for 8

America last year you voted Chris Daughtry out, and Taylor Hicks American Idol. Once again, DUDES! What were you thinking? Taylor Hicks opening salvo into the album charts, released in December, is no longer in the top half of the Billboard 200 album chart. Chris Daughtry and band’s self titled debut, dropped just this past November, has made number one on the Billboard Album Charts, not once, but twice now and was certified double platinum this week by the Recording Industry Association of America, per Billboard and counts by Nielsen Sound Scan.

In keeping score, Carrie Underwood’s Some Hearts has gone and receive multi platinum status from the RIAA five times over – count them five times platinum and sixty two weeks on the Billboard 200. The girl rocks.

Now for the present – Each and every week (all three in counting) the girls have stepped up to the mic, claimed the stage and blown the guys out of the water. This week the chasm between gender talent was as wide as the Grand Canyon. And the sad part is, with the gender equality two, possibly three unworthy guys will make it into the American Idol top twelve, leaving girls far more talented out in the cold. A travesty.

So how do I break it down? The guys totally sucked this week, and I will never be able to forgive Jared for destroying my favorite Stevie Wonder song. Jared, If You Really Love Me is all about harmony – dude, step away from the mic. From Sanjaye to Phil the male talent walked out of the building with Blake’s last beat and reappear until Chris danced on to the stage.

The best guys of the night
♫ Blake, dude you rock, I loved the hip-hop, ska, reggae thing, but DO NOT DANCE.
♪ Chris Sligh, good vocals, the song didn’t do anything for me, but your voice made up for it.

Going this week for the guys…(well we can hope at least)
○ Sanjaye, totally lack luster and boring
○ Jared, argh you destroyed that song, my favorite Wonder song. Unforgivable.

From the first female performance of Wednesday night, game was back on. I feel dumb for repeating the same words of the judges, but the girls do bring their game to each performance. I think if Jordin could have held a high note for a while she’d have wowed the judges more, Benatar is in a league of her own and hard to copy, but I think Jordin is up to the task. I was kind of surprised by Melinda’s choice of songs, but she brought the house down. And LaKisha, well all I can say is, “Whitney, who?”

Well okay most of the girls. Haley needs to listen to the judges. Simon may lack finesse, but his critiques are spot on, listen to him Haley because right now you’re mediocre at best. Haley’s performance immediately reminded me of a beauty pageant talent round. I didn’t care for Stephanie’s song, but her voice was good. Sabrina’s performance was good, I liked the song, but I did not like the arrangement. And Gina, girl I like you, your spunk, and your style, but you did yell a bit.

The best women of the night…
♫ Lakisha, girl you’re gold
♪ Melinda, she brought home the bacon.

Girls I think should go home…(see I’m learning)
○ Antonella, I was a bit excited when I heard her choice, until she hit the flat notes, time and again
○ Haley, she knows it all so why bother critiquing her?

Now I have to say, did you catch the Visa commercial? The shoes that lady ended up with by the end of the commercial, too cute.