So Yeah

The other day I got chided (by Phay :P) b/c I hadn't blogged since March 30...and at some point this morning while I was out and about I remembered my chiding and thought...'damn she's right...I think I'll blog when I get home!'.

So here I am with my venti Doubleshot on Ice (b/c evidently, according to Starbucks, people only want honey in the winter but *nothing* screams summer like 4 shots of espresso in a 24-oz cup) wondering...well...lessee...hmmm...what exactly do I have to say? And the answer is...sorta nothing...sorta a lot...blah blah blah.

I had started on posts about American Idol, but frankly the entire season was too 'eh' for me to care that much. Sure there were some great funny moments etc along the way...but all in all it was just like...well...'eh'. Hard to care that much. I'd much rather blog about 'Lost'...but if I did that y'all would be begging me to stfu after one post. Let's say I'm slightly obsessed. :P Besides...it's a *Second* Life blog...so...maybe I should get to what's been going on/what's coming up in my SL.

I've sorta had a break from designing/CKS work...mostly because other things have been filling up my time...and also b/c sometimes well...I just don't wanna design I guess. However, in the past month CC has been working on a shop rebuild...and I have been working on pricing/ad redesign for us. Andddd we've both been working on new pretties this week...and plan to continue doing so. So look for an announcement soon on that...once we decide when we wanna go in and put the new shop and goodies up!! It's always fun to get back into it after a break...and I'm really excited about the new build and the new ideas we've both been working on...can't wait to have it all pulled together & show it off!!

Also we have the big season finale of DiVAs coming up. If you've been following along on the DiVAs Blog then you've seen Phay's marvelous trailer for the finale. Having seen a preliminary final edit...I can honestly say that viewers are in for a real treat. I don't want to give *anything* away...but definitely expect the unexpected. I've watched Phay & Evie grow so much over the course of these 6 episodes in their technical skills...and I really think everyone is going to be awed with what they've done with this one. I'm so proud of both of them...and so honored to be a part of this incredible, amazing creative journey. We're going to be having an in-world screening of the finale...so stay tuned for info on that!

Also on a machinima note...my friend Tuber Potato, who directed a machinima version of the Ray Bradbury short story 'The Veldt' last summer, (it can be viewed here), will be directing another machinima based on a famous short story in the next couple of months. I won't say more as again I don't want to give anything away...but it's another project I'm very excited about participating in.

What else...welll...ok so anyone who knows me knows that I love (ie..am obsessed with) football. (yeah, American football...stop groaning you Euros...you know who you are) My friend Dot, who also loves football, suggested we start a football blog this fall...and I am so psyched about the idea!! I suggested we also have an SL fantasy football league. Anyone out there who has some interest in that (if you've read this far :P) drop me an email/notecard/something. Serious fans only please...those who know how to trash talk etc. :P

Also there's the little matter of the sim that CC & I have spent the past 3 months on. Terraforming. Reterraforming. Putting up houses. Putting up new houses. Reterraforming. Etc. (It's personal space, not shop space.) I've learned that I love terraforming (who knew?!) and I hate building (more like trying to build) waterfalls. :/

ANDDDDD then there's this Jim Honey dude. Good-looking, rebellious type. Prone to mischief. Maker of extraordinary animations. I really love spending time with him. Lots of time. <33 :)

So there we go...(Phay...I BLOGGED!!)...stuff I've been up to...stuff I'm being up to...stuff I'm gonna be up to etc. Like I said..stay tuned....

<3333

I Wanna See The Rest!!

Top 12!!

Sooo the AI top 12 is upon us!!...and last night they were tasked with performing a Beatles song of their own choosing. Results were mixed...and if you wanna hear my opinions on em...and add some of your own....have a clickie below then! ;)

So hmm I think today...I'm going to go in order from my favorite performance to my least favorite...all songs courtesy of Lennon & McCartney...audio clips provided for your listening pleasure! ;)

1) Chikezie - She's a Woman

All I can say is WOW!! After the Whitney fiasco last week...and seeing as how I've not liked him much at all during the preliminaries...I was all for cutting him loose before the top 12. But this was just....WOW!! I'm glad he at least got the chance to show he could do this...but I wonder now which Chikezie we'll see from here on out...

2) David Cook - Eleanor Rigby

Like last week...what an incredibly modern arrangement of an older (in this case MUCH better than last week's :P) song. I listen to this and think...it could be a single I'd hear on the radio today. He reminds me a lot of Chris Daughtry...but let's hope he can overcome the comparison!

3) Carly Smithson - Come Together

Funny...before Simon said it...I was thinking...a lot like Kelly Clarkson. Everything about this performance was fabulous imo...incredible vocals...great stage presence...great arrangement...it all came together beautifully!

4) Brooke White - Let It Be

She doesn't have a big 'diva' voice...but she does have such a connection with the song and with the music when she sings. I love that she uses instruments...it's a very natural thing with her...and I love the quiet intensity she has in her voice. She'd never be powerhouse like Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood...but she has a really great quality...as the judges have noted...more like a Carly Simon. I <333 her!!!

5) Jason Castro - If I Fell

I think...much like Brooke...Jason is just an incredibly emotional singer who really connects with the song. It's not a 'big voice' sort of thing...it's very quiet and intimate and real...yet not plain or boring. I hope he's around for a long time!

6) Amanda Overmeyer - You Can't Do That

Amanda has been my personal favorite among the women from the start. I just love her voice...her personality...everything about her. I loved that she changed up the song to suit her style...and loved the delivery and performance. It was somewhat on and off pitchwise in parts but...I'm rooting for her to push through to the final two!

7)Michael Johns - Across The Universe

Wellll. He's been one of my faves from the start...really my personal fave among the males. His performance on this was...good...but really it relied so much on his amazing stage presence...and that imo made it seem so much better than it really was. I think on someone with less personality...it would've come off as very, very boring.

8) Ramiele Malubay - In My Life

Well...as far as pitch she's dead on...sings well...it's just...b o r i n g. *yawn*
She should stay...at least for now...but if she doesn't bring more I don't think she's gonna last long.

9) David Archuleta - We Can Work It Out

Ok welll...yesh he totally butchered the lyrics...repeatedly. But he's still not my personal worst...because I still liked his voice...because I've seen more from him in the past...because I think he has more to offer than those I ranked beneath him. Here's to hoping he gets another chance!!

10) Syesha Mercado - Got To Get You Into My Life

Reaalllllyyyy off pitch at the start...like...bad....but once she got into it the singing was ok. Overall tho just kinda...eh...nothing to write home about at all.

11) David Hernandez - I Saw Her Standing There

Well...we knew that some of the greatest songs of all time were bound to be butchered tonight...and this was just...ugh. Like a bad cruise shop performance by a former (very former) boy band member or something. Just ugh.

12) Kristy Lee Cook - Eight Days A Week

Yup. This is the ONLY thing that kept the David Hernandez debacle from being the bottom of the barrel. I dunno even WTF that was. It's like...she should be shot. Twice. Once for butchering a great song...then again for insulting the entire country music genre. But hey...if you always wanted to hear a 'hoedown' version of a Beatles song...sung by a singer who seems a half beat ahead of her band thru the entire thing...then...I guess you voted for Kristy!!


Okies that's it for me....I mean obviously I think Kristy should be the one to go. She should be launched off the stage from a cannon for that horrific performance, in fact, imo. :/

Lemme hear what you're thinking out there, AIers!!! <333

I Wanna See The Rest!!

And btw...

Ok yeah I know I said last season that keeping Paula was imperative cos she's way too entertaining to let go...but....

....yeah maybe it's time cos is it just me or is she really starting to become annoying?...

I mean the other night poor Jason stood there uncomfortably and nodded his head while she gave this lovely tidbit of advice to him:


"Although it's a level of difficulty you made it sound so effortless with ease and I am so glad you showed a beautiful vulnerability and you are great in front of the guitar and leaving it down that...I...you know...there's something...first of all...let's get back...all the guys you're great so far...great job...amazing...and Jason you are exactly what I'm loving about this season is you are unique and you are definitely recognizable in your technique...and I think that your phrasing...your phrasing is what makes you great."

(Yes...I made sure I got that verbatim before I erased it from my Tivo. If you don't watch the show...imagine that in a slightly slurred kinda drugged-up voice.)

And...pretty much...that's a fine example of what she says to everyone. In between jumping up and dancing around sort of drunkenly and being pulled back into her seat by Simon. Yeah. It may be time for Paula to go.

I Wanna See The Rest!!

It's the (2nd...maybe 3rd...) most wonderful time of the year...

Of course as everyone knows football season (yes, American football) IS the most wonderful time of the year...and as many know I'm recently enamoured of 'Lost' & very excited about the new season so far...but of course as lots know American Idol season is pretty far up there with me too. :P

I've had a few ppl now ask if I'm gonna blog about AI this season...and well...mostly I've been lazy about blogging in general...a habit I need to get out of yeah yeah...but...I suppose it's as good a reason as any to jump back in there and start yakking some more. Sooooo...AI fans...I know you're out there...speak up & lemme hear your thoughts too!!

So...who should (and/or shouldn't) be in the Top 12?! Thoughts and stuff after the cut...:P

Ok so I'm not one of those viewers who really enjoys the audition/beginning stages of the show most. They're ok...fun at first...but they wear thin on me and really what I look forward to is the part starting next week...once the top 12 has been decided.

Sooo...on the day that top 12 will finally be announced...who's worthy...and who's not?!

Well first up I think I can pretty well say that the 8 who've been cut so far...didn't matter anyhow. I can't even remember their names really...maybe a couple...pretty much forgettable overall though...and there are still a few left who are just as forgettable, imo.

Ladies first...as they say:

Well...my uberearly preference for the final 2 was Amanda Overmeyer (the rocker nurse chick) and Michael Johns (the Aussie guy).

Amanda is still my fave among the women...but...I think Brooke White (the nanny) and Carly Smithson (the Irish girl who can pour a perfect pint) have also been fantastic.

As for the other 5...mostly they've had their ups and downs...and mostly I think I'm not going to really care which two leave. Although there are considerations:

1) Two of them sang Whitney Houston songs last night...and frankly I think just about anyone who does a Whitney Houston song should be subjected to one of those giant comedy hooks they used in vaudeville(?) days to haul people offstage. Yes, there have been (rare) exceptions when they've been sung well...but mostly those have come during or close to the finals...and only by the very best of the best singers. Just seriously people...stop singing Whitney. Just trust me before you go out there and make a fool of yourself. You're not that good. Just. Trust. Me.

2) That Queen song. WTF? Why did the judges act like that was ok? Did she even hit any of the notes on pitch? Did someone replace my ears with non-working replicas? Cos I sure missed the part where that was anywhere even close to good.

Sooo...if I had my choice...it'd be the girl who did the Queen song and one of the Whitney twins (don't really care which...just send one home as a warning to those left...sorta like the horse's head in the Godfather...) who goes home tonight...just on principle yanno?


Anddd then there are the men:

Overall I think they're stronger than the women...it's sort of a shame...I think they should just pick the *best* 12...not divide it up into 6/6.

As I said before....Michael Johns is still my fave among the men...even though I have to admit he's not been my fave either of the past two weeks. I was a bit confused by Randy's rxn to his performance last night. He sang a song originally performed by the band Simple Minds...yet Randy reacted as though he had just done an INXS song...said he had 'come home' and gushed about how he reminded him of Michael Hutchence. Ok to my knowledge INXS never covered that song and...well the original band is Scottish...and to my knowledge Michael Hutchence was never in it. Sooo...*confused look*.

David Cook (the 'rocker' dude who likes crosswords) and Jason Castro (the dreadlock guy) were both just outstanding last night...in entirely different ways. How David managed to take one of the most cheesy songs ever and turn it into something fresh and alternative is beyond me...but he did it. And Jason just turned in such a beautiful rendition of a beautiful song. He's still a bit weird to me though...it's like...he has a sort of...vacancy...about him that disturbs me anytime he's speaking and not singing.

David Archuleta (the 17 y/o one who always looks like he's about to cry...) is also very very good. I mean...I was with everyone else when he did 'Imagine' last week...it was an incredible performance. There's something about him though...that I just can't get behind as far as winning the competition. I think it's probably his age...as good as he is I think he will have a struggle connecting and forming an identity at some point.

David Hernandez is growing on me...I think he's probably good enough that he should stay...but really singing a Celine Dion song is just ugh. Please no more. It's right up there with singing Whitney really. Also there's the problem of having...no real way to describe him. He just...doesn't really stand out...good singer...but...sorta bland.

Sooo...that leaves three...Luke (the one who sang the Wham! song), Danny (probably the most flamboyant male teenager I've ever seen), and Chikezie (called 'jacuzzi' by Simon in one of the biggest LOL moments I've seen thus far). Honestly I don't like any of them. Danny imo is like Sanjaya II just not quite as annoying...but at least he has a personality...the other two just...don't really. None of them sang well. But...I guess if I had my druthers it'd be Luke (because JTFC who sings 'Wake Me Up Before You Go Go' and expects to be taken seriously...hello even George Michael realized he couldn't be taken seriously singing that) and Chikezie (HELLO STOP SINGING WHITNEY, PEOPLE. THAT GOES *QUADRUPLE* IF YOU'RE MALE!!!!!) who'll be leaving tonight.

That's it from me...thoughts out there? Tonight's the night...AI top 12...new episode of Lost...WHeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! <3333

I Wanna See The Rest!!

Lazy Lazy Blogger!!!

Soooo it's been a busy SL weekend for me and I've been laaazzzzyy about blogging!!

/me hangs her head

So lessee if I can do a quickie catch-up!! :D

Our anniversary sale is still in full swing thru midnight (game time) tonight (or well..whenever after midnight tonight we get around to resetting prices...but AT LEAST til then!) sooo everything is still half price thru the end of the day today. ;)

It's been so much fun...thanks to everyone who's come out...we've gotten to meet so many great people this weekend who've taken time to talk a few in the midst of shopping or needing help etc etc...and that's been awesome!!! We're looking forward to another great year...and already planning our next sale...cos this one has been a blast!!!

In the midst of all the hoopla I did put out 3 new outfits over the weekend. I announced them on the CKS & FashCon group channels but hadn't yet blogged them. (See? Lazy!!) Sooo...lemme give y'all a rundown now!

'Jessica' is a retro/60's style floral print mini with leggings underneath. (Of course I've included panties for those who'd prefer to go sans leggings!) It's a very simple style but probably my favorite of the bunch...I'm a big fan of 60's clothing...as those of you who are familiar with my designs have prolly noticed! :P Props to the uber cute necklace & earrings I wore in the ad...they're from Lucas Lameth's Earthtones Boutique...a forgotten inventory treasure that was a gift from Ally Geer back in Dec when I was in the BB cage all locked up being a gerbil. After I found it I promptly went to Lucas' shop and indulged in a little shopping frenzy...his designs are just amazing! Anyway...I digress...here's a pic! ;)



I had a convo with a customer named Hazel a couple weeks ago about the current Bohemian trend that's very popular in Europe this summer. She had bought the 'Boho' dress and was suggesting she'd like to see more designs in that vein for summer...sooo this is one that came out of that convo...called (wow creative huh!) 'Bohemian Summer'. It's a long, gauze peasant-style shirt in a pink color-gradient texture with a bright pink-paisley patterned corset & a pair of white capris. The shirt can be worn long...with or w/o the corset...and in a cropped version with the corset. The corset is also provided on a separate jacket layer so it can be worn with...well whatever else you might find that you wanna wear it with!! It's bright and fun and very summery...and I'm particularly happy with how the gauze texture came out!! Anyyyywhooo here's a pic! ;)



Last up is 'Splash'...a cropped sailor-type shirt paired with some white capris/gauchos. The pants are finished so they can be worn as capris...but also come with a pair of gaucho prims, which is a look I just adore. I gave the gaucho prims a light bit of flex because I love the way they move a little when I'm standing...BUT if the flex is just too annoying...they're modable so they can be un-flexified easily!! ;)



Wow...I think I'm outta blogging shape here...*sigh*.

/me breathes deeply

The new stuffies are all available at CKS Designs, SLexchange, & SLboutique. 'Jessica' is $L225, 'Bohemian Summer' is $L175, & 'Splash' is $L150.

Of course thru midnight tonight, they're all half price at the main shop! ;)

Okies I think that might be me for now...except I gotta say how much I'm looking forward to tonight's American Idol. Clive Davis week is *always* my fave show of the season...the finale is always loaded with filler and of course the one icky song they always force both contestants to sing. Tonight should be interesting tho. I'm all giddy with anticipation. ;)

LATTERRRSSSSSSSSS <33333333

/me comes back in to edit

Damn...I forgot the Pretties...

Pretties:

Jessica Ad: Skin - Tete a Pied: Redhead in Gamine Apricot, Hair - Naughty Designs: Pierce in Baccara, Shoes - Shiny Things: Mary Jane Clogs in Cream, Jewelry - Earthtones Boutique: Mesmerize Earrings & Necklace

Bohemian Summer Ad: Skin - Celestial Studios: Charmed Tone 20 in Gloss Mauve, Hair - ETD: Chalisa I in Mocha Blackened, Shoes - Fashionably Dead: Strappy Sandals in White, Jewelry - Shiny Things: Glass Squares Necklace & Earrings in Pink

Splash Ad: Skin - Tete a Pied: Rose Medium in Trendy Indigo, Hair - ETD: Starley in Red Blackened, Shoes - Shiny Things: Cool Summer Wedges in White, Jewelry - Caroline's Jewelry: Cinco Choker & Seven Earrings.

I Wanna See The Rest!!

BLURRRRRGH (aka Last Night's American Idol)

Well I have nothing really against the Bee Gees...I even enjoy hearing a quaint little bit of 'Staying Alive' or w/e now and then. I do not understand, however, why they saddle the contestants with having to sing one of Barry Gibb's songs then chide them for being corny. Hellllllloooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

1) Melinda Doolittle - Yes she can sing anything. I'm over it. I don't want to see her in the finals.

2) Blake Lewis - No last night was not one of his best nights. Then again, it was *no one's* best night by a mile. He's still my remaining favorite.

3) LaKisha Jones - Ick. I noted after Barry Gibb advised her to sing higher and really 'go for it' when she did the chorus and she agreed giddily, she entirely avoided singing the part of the song he was referring to and let the backup singers handle it instead. Hmmm. So maybe she's not that good after all. She has no higher range (unless screaming at us counts as 'range'). I think she should go tonight.

4) Jordin Sparks - No, she's not as good technically as Melinda...but she's 1000 times more expressive and likeable. I'm really rooting for a Jordin/Blake finale.

That's my thoughts. Nothing I heard last night was worth re-hearing. Everyone was mediocre to just plain bad. Let's hope Clive Davis does a better job of picking songs next week! <333

I Wanna See The Rest!!

Bet Y'all Have Missed The AI Posts....

/me snickers

So ok I really really REALLY appreciate the cause last week and I hope all the money they raised really makes a difference in some of the appalling conditions we saw on last week's show. But I gotta say...from the competition aspect...last week's AI was just blerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh...and I didn't even feel like blogging about it.

So this week...Bon Jovi...man...I just never have liked Bon Jovi...but there it is. Wah. Difficult song choices for most of the contestants really. And...TWO of em going home tonight...who will it be....?

1. Phil Stacy ("Blaze Of Glory")

So well ok...his singing was really good I thought. Just still...I dunno...just something about the dude doesn't do it for me, and never has. Bottom 3 for me, personally.


2. Jordin Sparks ("Livin' On A Prayer")

Well yah ok it was shrieky and just...she was clearly not comfortable with the song. However, I felt she was shrieky last week also. Not sure why Simon dogged her appearance...I thought she looked fab. I still think she belongs in the top 3.


3. LaKisha Jones ("This Ain't A Love Song")


Hrmmmm ok. Well I know the judges and evidently everyone else in America seemed to think that was the bomb. I just didn't overly care for it. I just haven't seen the emotion she had the first few weeks lately. She has a great voice...but right now I would put her solidly in my bottom 3.


4. Blake Lewis ("You Give Love A Bad Name")

I know Simon & Jon Bon Jovi are right...a considerable number of people watching that hated it and were appalled to see a 'classic' song altered. For me, though, that was *REALLY* the bomb. Blake has given some outstanding and memorable performances this season...for me...that was without doubt the best. IMO...he's the only one coming out week after week with something fresh and original AND good. If I had my choice...he'd be the winner this season.


5. Chris Richardson ("Wanted Dead Or Alive")


Okies so let's compare it to one of the most memorable performances in any season of AI...Chris Daughtry's from last season:


Bad idea. Very bad idea. Chris is my personal *worst* singer remaining in this competition.


6. Melinda Doolittle ("Have A Nice Day")


Yup...she can sing anything...ANYTHING...excellently. Definitely the best singer in the competition, and I'm certain she already has a recording career locked up at this point.


So for me...I guess...my personal bottom two are Chris and Phil...but LaKisha's not far behind. Guess we'll see tonight!!

Yes I know Blake is the only one I put video up on. But he's my fave and it's my blog so nyah. :P

I Wanna See The Rest!!

THANK YOU AMERICA!!!!

FINALLY!!!

It's about damn time!!!!!!

I like how the crowd actually applauded...and how the general air of sadness was just *not* there...and how Simon was grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

...btw...wtf is up w/Paula's face?...is it me?...or did it just look all puffy or something tonight?!!!!

Martina McBride's daughter was hilarious!!!

I Wanna See The Rest!!

Will Sanjaya make Top 6?!!

Bleh...I hope not...but I wouldn't be surprised, sadly.

What I want to see is more sparks between Simon & Ryan!! I think they should let Ryan & Paula switch places for the remainder of the season, in fact!!

Last night was country night...and it's always interesting to see how the contestants will fare when they're thrown into a genre that's so completely different from what you've seen them tackle otherwise. So how did they do? One addict's opinion...

1. Phil Stacy ("Where The Blacktop Ends")


So ok he actually did a great job. And after having it pointed out and agreeing that this is his genre...the question is begged...WHY has he not been doing country all along then? This guy *still* has no identity.


2. Jordin Sparks ("Broken Wing")


So for those who don't really follow country music...taking on a Martina McBride song is like...well like taking on a song by one of those one-name divas...you know...Whitney, Mariah, Celine, Christina...the chances for crashing and burning b/c you can't *possibly* live up to the source material are about 99%. All I can say about Jordin's performance is WOW...it just absolutely gave me chills. Seriously amazing...she's still only 17, right?!


3. Sanjaya Malakar ("Something To Talk About")


Why does he insist on "singing" girl songs? Why is Ryan semi-defending him to Simon?


4. LaKisha Jones ("Jesus, Take The Wheel")


She should've asked Jesus for help with a song choice instead. This song was a huge hit that won tons of CMA awards and Grammys because Carrie Underwood is a brilliantly talented singer who knows how to capture the emotion of a song with her voice. Kiki needs to stop playing the single mother card and start picking songs she can actually connect to.


5. Chris Richardson ("Mayberry")


Ok well...honestly I didn't think it was *that* bad. I mean it wasn't *fantastic* but I didn't think it was as bad as the tearing up he got. Rascal Flatts was *clearly* a great choice of artist that suited his voice well..and Randy & Paula just made no sense. WTF were they saying? Bringing in the whole VT thing though...you know...imo bad taste to do it the way he did...right in the middle of the snip-fest with Simon. To me that entire response from Chris marred any good there was in his performance.


6. Melinda Doolittle ("Trouble Is A Woman")


I had never heard this song...but of course once again Melinda shows she can sing *anything* excellently. I love that Simon told her to not act surprised before he complimented her. If she could just lose that, she's golden, imo.


7. Blake Lewis ("When The Stars Go Blue")


I love how week after week he manages to take on song after song and make them all seem fresh, contemporary, and his own. If I could choose the two I think should be going into the finals right at this moment, it'd be Blake & Jordin.


So who goes? My prediction for bottom 3...Chris, Phil, & Sanjaya (though I think it *should* be LaKisha instead of Phil). I think Chris is history.

I Wanna See The Rest!!

ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Ok so I can sum up this week's American Idol pretty quickly...

1) Blake Lewis - WOW...great great singing and performance.

2) Melinda Doolittle - Predictably great singing...ehhhh performance.

3) Everyone else - /me yawns

I Wanna See The Rest!!

AAFSRWEHEROIWEHRWAARAAARFFFFFGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

OMGOMGOMGOMG

OMFG

WTF

JTFC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

gAAAAAAAAHAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I'm SO pissed.

GDI are people DEAF?

I Wanna See The Rest!!

Oh Sanjaya!

Yarrrrr...it's AI time again!! After watching last night's show I have to say...it's become really hard for me to objectively watch & criticize the rest of the contestants because in my mind I already know that, no matter how bad they are, Sanjaya will be worse...and of course he hasn't failed me yet.

Simon seemed more cranky than usual last night...I really think Sanjaya's continued presence is making it hard on all of the judges because clearly any sort of thoughts or advice about how good the vocals are are just going completely unheeded. Also is it me or does even Ryan seem sort of annoyed by Sanjaya and eager to shut him up and push him off stage asap after he performs now? (Not that I blame him mind you...)

Well in either case...the top 9:

1. Blake Lewis ("Mack The Knife")


This is one of my fave songs & I really think it was a perfect song for Blake. He seemed a little reserved at first but then about halfway through he sort of cut loose and had fun with it. After he was finished it became clear how nervous he was with the song & remembering the lyrics...but wow...he did a great job I thought!!


2. Phil Stacy ("Night And Day")


Hmmm....I kinda get what Randy & Simon said about it seeming sorta...dark...or something. Just something about it was kinda off or weird. Basically I think he sounds great singing the big notes but lets it slip off during the quieter parts of songs.

3. Melinda Doolittle ("I Got Rhythm")


Well they're right...she's impossible to criticize. Perfection, as usual.


4. Chris Richardson ("Don't Get Around Much Anymore")


Well I still think his vocals are pretty damn shaky but overall it was good. I was surprised to hear Simon praise him so highly...but what he said was accurate...it was a perfectly done performance.


5. Jordin Sparks ("On A Clear Day")


I get what Simon said about following Chris and not being as contemporary...but her vocals were flawless, imo. Nice to see her recover from last week's fiasco!


6. Gina Glockson ("Smile")


Gina is my favorite female contestant. Having said that, however, I'm starting to wonder if she buys into her own 'rocker girl' image. To me she comes out very tentative and unsure much of the time...and it's the lack of being able to really put herself into a performance that imo hurts her most. Clearly she is very very talented...but too much of the time to me it seems she settles for 'very good' when she could achieve 'great'. So I realize the theme was standards...and that makes it a little hard for the rocker chick to pull off...but I thought she found a song that could've actually been given a bit of an edge or darkish side (kinda like the judges seemed to think Phil did, inadvertantly)...then sang it very traditionally. I think she was very good...and I think she could've been a LOT better. I hope she doesn't get the axe over this one. :/


7. Sanjaya Malakar ("Dancing Cheek To Cheek")


Whatever.


8. Haley Scarnato ("Ain't Misbehavin")


Ok...remember what I said about...no matter how bad anyone else is...Sanjaya will be worse? I really really felt the judges were very unnecessarily rude and harsh with her. Come on...was it THAT bad? Also, my take from the start was, she was taking this song and trying to put a cute/flirty spin onto it (ie not 'strictly' interpreting as Tony Bennett was pushing but trying to be very tongue in cheek with it) and it just seemed like...either no one got it or no one went along with it. Either way...I really felt offended FOR her watching how they pretty much openly ridiculed her (even Paula!!!!) when basically they took the 'find something nice to say' tactic with Sanjaya. I hope that at least garnered her some sympathy votes.


9. LaKisha Jones ("Stormy Weather")


Really, really, really great. Nice to see the *real* LaKisha back.



Okies so who will go? My feeling is that Sanjaya is actually in danger for the first time...but I figure he has a week or two still left in him. I think Haley, Gina, & Phil are all in danger. With Phil being bottom 3 even after his kickass performance last week, I predict this week he's the one who's out.

I Wanna See The Rest!!

JTFC!!!!!

bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh

How many rounds did Scott Savol & Kevin Covais make it?

I Wanna See The Rest!!

And Then There Were 10...

Sooooo...last night's American Idol performances...most ok...a couple really excellent...and one big ol wtf.

Also...didn't Gwen just look awesome? I have the right to hate her for this, just a little. Seriously, though, it was very cool that she was on...she is (& No Doubt are) one of my all time faves & it was nice to have some more contemporary music overall also.

Anywho...on to the top 10...audio included for your listening pleasure, should you be so inclined. :P

1. LaKisha Jones ("Last Dance")


Nice to see LaKisha return to her usual great form last night!!


2. Chris Sligh ("Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic")


Wow...it's just sorta...ok...the tone of his voice is ok...but does he even know there's a band back there? Has he considered singing *with* them?


3. Gina Glockson ("I'll Stand By You")


FINALLY...Gina comes through with a fabulous performance. Although I must admit I would've liked to see her really tee off on an older No Doubt song.


4. Sanjaya Malakar ("Bathwater")

Judges' Response:

Right so...it really must be seen to be uhm...appreciated. Here's what I don't understand: 1) Why any male would choose to sing this song (I loved how in the middle there he actually forgot he was supposed to be singing about a girl...)...2) Why any parents would allow their 17-year old child to humiliate himself like this on national television, and continue to be the butt of media jokes week after week. Also he was a sweet kid...now he's just like...turning snotty and bratty...and clearly has no intention of taking any sort of advice or constructive criticism. This is one of my all-time fave No Doubt songs...BLEH. Just BLEH.


5. Haley Scarnato ("True Colors")


EEeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhh...nothing wrong with her singing at all. It's just so...ehhhhhhhhhh. It's hard to listen to her sing this and not miss the vulnerable sound Cyndi Lauper gave it that she doesn't quite hit. It's not bad...but Simon was right...very forgettable.


6. Phil Stacy ("Every Breath You Take")


Well I just thought it was thoroughly excellent. Best male performance of the night imo.


7. Melinda Doolittle ("Heaven Knows")


Interesting that both Melinda & LaKisha chose Donna Summer songs. Of course Melinda was completely excellent. Duh. I love how she looks like a deer in the headlights when she finishes singing...almost like she finishes then is just like...'omg what am I doing here?...they're going to tell me to gtf off their stage!'


8. Blake Lewis ("Lovesong")


Hm ok...he's emulating 311 so it's not original. I would've preferred an arrangement closer to the original version of the song...I feel the 311 arrangement sort of takes a bit of 'edge' off the song. He did ok...and overall I still think he's the best male in the competition. I just didn't find it like OOOHHHHhhh fabulous. WTF didn't he do a Police song? :/


9. Jordin Sparks ("Hey Baby")



I don't understand why the judges praised this. I thought it was utterly horrible in every way possible.


10. Chris Richardson ("Don't Speak")



If George Michael sang a No Doubt song... Well I had never really thought about it but I know now I wouldn't like it. And why did none of them bust on him for forgetting his lyrics near the end?!!


So at this point I have to say I agree with Simon...bashing Sanjaya is just pointless. But really wtf America? Jesus.

I Wanna See The Rest!!

Heh

I Wanna See The Rest!!

OOoooooo

Gwen Stefani's going to be on American Idol tonight...

...maybe Sanjaya will do 'Just A Girl'?!!

I Wanna See The Rest!!

Like Falling When You Try To Fly

Yup I know country music & American Idol are prolly just about two of the most uncool things to be into...but then those who know me know I'm a gigantogeek so it should come as no surprise that I love both! :P

So I wanted to post a song...and I decided on this one because:

1) Carrie Underwood is my all-time fave American Idol and I adore her voice.
2) I've been listening to her CD again a lot these past few weeks, and I love this song.
3) Bite me...it's my blog.

Enjoy! <3333

I Wanna See The Rest!!

Ooo And Also

Elliot Yamin's cd is out today!! So that's kinda cool!! Hope he does well!!

I Wanna See The Rest!!

American Idol Roundup!!

Yeeeeha!!! I need a cowboy and a beer!! (is that right?..was it a beer? /me waits for Ethan to respond)

Anyway...

Hey wow everyone was actually mostly decent if not great last night...no *horrid* performances I guess...tho a lot were just kinda ehhhhhh.

WTF is up w/Simon...he was like extra extra cranky last night!!

So...brief runthru...

1. Haley Scarnato ("Tell Him") - Ok...she looked really really cute. She performed really really well. Her vocals are still really really shaky...but I actually like her...and hope she gets more confidence and that gets better.

2. Chris Richardson ("Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying") - Yeah the judges loved it. I didn't. I still think he has a weird sound to his voice (maybe it's the 'nasally' thing Simon mentioned) that annoys me when I hear it.

3. Stephanie Edwards ("You Don't Have To Say You Love Me") - Great song. Remember last week I said she's really not that great vocally but covers it well? It's difficult to cover in a song like this...and boy did it show.

4. Blake Lewis ("Time Of The Season") - Yayyy the old Blake is back. I absolutely loved everything about that performance.

5. LaKisha Jones ("Diamonds Are Forever") - Dunno what really happened there. She's an incredible singer but it just did not come through at all last night.

6. Phil Stacey ("Tobacco Road") - I just dunno about this guy. He has a good voice...usually he's a good performer...but he's just sort of...all over the place. Yeah, I'm fussing about the 'no identity' thing again!

7. Jordin Sparks ("I Who Have Nothing") - Well she certainly broke out of the gooey mold!! Seriously just so hard to believe the depth she has at only 17. Incredible.

8. Sanjaya Malakar ("You Really Got Me Now") - *sigh* I know that will keep him in another week because it was his best performance yet. I stress *performance* because, he didn't even really sing...he sort of...growled. And wtf is with the crying girl?!! Seriously and without a doubt he needs to leave this competition.

9. Gina Glockson ("Paint It Black") - Wow I really thought Simon was overly harsh. I agree the vocals were way too shaky...and it's like...she's not fully throwing herself into it (she was the same last week). She's been one of my personal faves so I really hope she loosens up and just goes for it.

10. Chris Sligh ("She's Not There") - I thought he oversang it somewhat at the end but mostly I thought it was very good.

11. Melinda Doolittle ("As Long As He Needs Me") - Once again...clearly the best singer in the competition. Not much I can add to that really...she's just fantastic in every way.


So yah ok...Sanjaya was not as horrid as usual last night...but he still needs to go. Every week he stays god kills a kitten. :(

I Wanna See The Rest!!

OH I should add...

...Sanjaya REALLY REALLY REALLY needs to go.

I Wanna See The Rest!!