Will probably see this movie, but the trailer didn't do a whole lot to make me excited to go.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - Official Trailer 4 [HD]
Okay...this movie looks better and better with each trailer. I can't wait!
Miss USA Runner-Up Carrie Prejean's Gay Marriage Controversy
Sad moment #1: Her answer. Really?!? Get over yourself. Fine. Keep marriage. You all seem to be doing such a bang up job with it anyway. But we want the same rights and priviledges that you are afforded. If you can't offer us that, then we want it all!
Sad moment #2: The crowd reaction. Applause. I guess when you are in a crowd of straight men ogling the contestants in bathing suits, you can expect that.
Sad moment #3: She lost. Oh wait...that kinda made me giggle.
American Idol - Disco Week
Well...the trainwreck show was actually not this year as all the Idols pulled it out t show that they really can sing. This is a tough year at Idol because our Top 7 is really, really strong. So let's review...
Lil Rounds "I'm Every Woman"
This was a rockin' performance, but not vocally impressive or distinct. My issue was I knew that the judges were going to beat her up for it, and they did.
Kris Allen - "She Works Hard For The Money"
Wow! I loved it. I knew it was gonna be fresh and interesting and it was.
Danny Gokey - "September"
I always think he's good, but sometimes I forget just how good he is. It was a fantastic performance.
Allison Iraheta "Hot Stuff"
1st awkward moment of the night. Who told her to slow it down? Who told her to sing about wanting Hot Stuff? Ew. She has a great voice, but that may be the only thing that saves her.
Adam Lambert - "If I Can't Have You"
Another brilliant choice by the "judges' pick." Lovely, refined, different. Still want him to tone the screaming down.
Matt Giraud "Stayin' Alive"
Love his voice, but sometimes the vocal isn't as spot on as I'd like them to be.
Anoop Desai "Dim All the Lights"
Began well, then the tempo increased and became more karaoke. Sounded really good, but like Lil suffered because it wasn't a recreated song.
Bottom 3: Lil, Matt, Anoop
Bye Matt and Lil. Simon says you suck.
Lil Rounds "I'm Every Woman"
This was a rockin' performance, but not vocally impressive or distinct. My issue was I knew that the judges were going to beat her up for it, and they did.
Kris Allen - "She Works Hard For The Money"
Wow! I loved it. I knew it was gonna be fresh and interesting and it was.
Danny Gokey - "September"
I always think he's good, but sometimes I forget just how good he is. It was a fantastic performance.
Allison Iraheta "Hot Stuff"
1st awkward moment of the night. Who told her to slow it down? Who told her to sing about wanting Hot Stuff? Ew. She has a great voice, but that may be the only thing that saves her.
Adam Lambert - "If I Can't Have You"
Another brilliant choice by the "judges' pick." Lovely, refined, different. Still want him to tone the screaming down.
Matt Giraud "Stayin' Alive"
Love his voice, but sometimes the vocal isn't as spot on as I'd like them to be.
Anoop Desai "Dim All the Lights"
Began well, then the tempo increased and became more karaoke. Sounded really good, but like Lil suffered because it wasn't a recreated song.
Bottom 3: Lil, Matt, Anoop
Bye Matt and Lil. Simon says you suck.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
American Idol - Songs from the Cinema
Some weeks at AI, you just get an abundance of riches...Quentin Tarentino! Muted judges! Stars! Stars! More stars! D-listers! I mean...where to begin... I guess, at the beginning. This week, Quentin Tarantino is the guest mentor. He's a music fan and a surprisingly good mentor. Despite looking like the waxy love child of Joan Rivers and Jay Leno, he's actually very good. He understands the visual aspect of delivering a song, and he gave really good notes (some of which were ignored to the detriment of some of the performers).
The audience was awash in celebrity. It's like being in the audience of the show is the hottest ticket in Hollywood. Seen in the crowd:
Christina Applegate
Katie Couric
Steven Van Zandt
Calpernia Adams
Cast member of Days of Our Lives
Okay...on to the performances!
Allison Iraheta - "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"
Uhhh...wow! She sounds like Pink here, and that's a good thing. She took some liberties with phrasing that were nice and added some wonderful colors to an overdone, oversung song. She kinda strained at the end, but pulled it out.
Anoop Desai - "Everything I Do"
I loved it. Anoop very often is hit or miss. When he misses, he misses hard. When he hits, he knocks it out of the park. His voice here was just amazing...controlled and sure.
Adam Lambert - "Born to Be Wild"
It's always interesting in a "jump on a rollercoaster" sorta way, to watch Adam perform. He really is very self-assured and he sounded good. I still think he could dial it down from 12. Hubby says Adam just doesn't have a middle. He does quiet well, he is wonderful in his big notes and such, but he hasn't done something that didn't go to that over the top place. All in all, the performance was greatness.
Matt Giraud - "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman"
I can't say enough about how much I love his voice and phrasing. Still, he tried to do too much here and at one point he was so off that the good moments that began the song were eclipsed by the horrors of bad vocal runs.
Danny Gokey - "Endless Love"
I got chills. It was lovely. Now, would I have thought it was as lovely if I didn't know the backstory? Maybe. But, having the story made it all the better.
Kris Allen - "Falling Slowly"
Again, Kris is brilliant. It is a little known song that compared to the others wasn't a big showstopper, but he made you listen to him. You wanted to hear the lyrics, and THAT is what made this performance fantastic.
Lil Rounds - "The Rose"
Damn...she's wonderful! I liked the spin she took on the song. I loved the build. I loved the finish. She listened to the notes and delivered, if not a moment, one of the best performances of the night in a night of great performances.
Top 2: Adam and Lil
Bottom 2: Matt and maybe Danny
*sniff* Bye bye Matt.
The audience was awash in celebrity. It's like being in the audience of the show is the hottest ticket in Hollywood. Seen in the crowd:
Christina Applegate
Katie Couric
Steven Van Zandt
Calpernia Adams
Cast member of Days of Our Lives
Okay...on to the performances!
Allison Iraheta - "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"
Uhhh...wow! She sounds like Pink here, and that's a good thing. She took some liberties with phrasing that were nice and added some wonderful colors to an overdone, oversung song. She kinda strained at the end, but pulled it out.
Anoop Desai - "Everything I Do"
I loved it. Anoop very often is hit or miss. When he misses, he misses hard. When he hits, he knocks it out of the park. His voice here was just amazing...controlled and sure.
Adam Lambert - "Born to Be Wild"
It's always interesting in a "jump on a rollercoaster" sorta way, to watch Adam perform. He really is very self-assured and he sounded good. I still think he could dial it down from 12. Hubby says Adam just doesn't have a middle. He does quiet well, he is wonderful in his big notes and such, but he hasn't done something that didn't go to that over the top place. All in all, the performance was greatness.
Matt Giraud - "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman"
I can't say enough about how much I love his voice and phrasing. Still, he tried to do too much here and at one point he was so off that the good moments that began the song were eclipsed by the horrors of bad vocal runs.
Danny Gokey - "Endless Love"
I got chills. It was lovely. Now, would I have thought it was as lovely if I didn't know the backstory? Maybe. But, having the story made it all the better.
Kris Allen - "Falling Slowly"
Again, Kris is brilliant. It is a little known song that compared to the others wasn't a big showstopper, but he made you listen to him. You wanted to hear the lyrics, and THAT is what made this performance fantastic.
Lil Rounds - "The Rose"
Damn...she's wonderful! I liked the spin she took on the song. I loved the build. I loved the finish. She listened to the notes and delivered, if not a moment, one of the best performances of the night in a night of great performances.
Top 2: Adam and Lil
Bottom 2: Matt and maybe Danny
*sniff* Bye bye Matt.
West Side Story-America
Dancing w/the Stars showed a preview of the new Broadway revival of the hit show "West Side Story." Still, as good as it looked, nothing beats the original...especially with the AMAZING Rita Moreno. I'll try to post the revival's version tomorrow. For now...enjoy!
Friday, April 10, 2009
HARRY POTTER and the Half Blood Prince - NEW international Trailer
I think I'm more excited to see this than anything else coming up...except the Wonder Woman movie.
Video Tribute to Kutner (from House MD)
I waited to post this because I figured some people may not have watched this the night of the show. It was shocking and heartbreaking, and his suicide made the episode more poignant because so many of the characters struggled with the inability to read any signs that it would happen.
EFCA will Cost Jobs
The meeting I went to today was all about this. I can get why some people want unions, but RETAIL?!? Not so much.
The Rachel Maddow Show: Insani-Tea: Conservatives Rally Around "Teabagging"
I love Rachel Maddow...she's funny.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
American Idol - Year They Were Born
Idol is getting harder and harder to call. Each week we are seeing the Idols struggling with song choice, image, and identity. This week is the week of songs from the year they were born. Most of the Idols were born in 1985 and 1986, with 2 on the outer edges (1980 and 1992). Here is a short list from Billboard of song choices they had:
1980 Top 20 Songs
1. Call Me, Blondie
2. Another Brick In The Wall, Pink Floyd
3. Magic, Olivia Newton-John
4. Rock With You, Michael Jackson
5. Do That To Me One More Time, Captain and Tennille
6. Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Queen
7. Coming Up, Paul McCartney
8. Funkytown, Lipps, Inc.
9. It's Still Rock And Roll To Me, Billy Joel
10. The Rose, Bette Midler
11. Escape (The Pina Colada Song), Rupert Holmes
12. Cars, Gary Numan
13. Cruisin', Smokey Robinson
14. Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me Girl, Spinners
15. Lost In Love, Air Supply
16. Little Jeannie, Elton John
17. Ride Like The Wind, Cristopher Cross
18. Upside Down, Diana Ross
19. Please Don't Go, K.C. and The Sunshine Band
20. Babe, Styx
1985 Top 20 songs
1. "Careless Whisper".....Wham!
2. "Say You, Say Me".....Lionel Richie
3. "Separate Lives".....Phil Collins & Marilyn Martin
4. "I Want To Know What Love Is".....Foreigner
5. "Money For Nothing".....Dire Straits
6. "We Are The World".....USA for Africa
7. "Broken Wings".....Mr. Mister
8. "Everybody Wants To Rule The World".....Tears for Fears
9. "The Power Of Love".....Huey Lewis & The News
10. "We Built This City".....Starship
11. "St. Elmo's Fire".....John Parr
12. "Can't Fight This Feeling".....REO Speedwagon
13. "Crazy For You".....Madonna
14. "Easy Lover".....Phillip Bailey & Phil Collins
15. "Everytime You Go Away".....Paul Young
16. "Don't You (Forget About Me):.....Simple Minds
17. "Take On Me".....a-ha
18. "Party All The Time".....Eddie Murphy
19. "Everything She Wants".....Wham!
20. "Shout".....Tears for Fears
1986 Top 20 Songs
1. "That's What Friends Are For".....Dionne & Friends
2. "Walk Like An Egyptian".....Bangles
3. "On My Own".....Patti Labelle & Michael McDonald
4. "The Way It Is".....Bruce Hornsby & The Range
5. "You Give Love A Bad Name".....Bon Jovi
6. "Greatest Love Of All".....Whitney Houston
7. "There'll Be Sad Songs".....Billy Ocean
8. "How Will I Know".....Whitney Houston
9. "Kyrie".....Mr. Mister
10. "Kiss".....Prince & The Revolution
11. "The Next Time I Fall".....Peter Cetera & Amy Grant
12. "Burning Heart".....Survivor
13. "Stuck With You".....Huey Lewis & The News
14. "When I Think Of You".....Janet Jackson
15. "Rock Me Amadeus".....Falco
16. "West End Girls".....Pet Shop Boys
17. "Sledgehammer".....Peter Gabriel
18. "Human".....Human League
19. "Sara".....Starship
20. "Higher Love".....Steve Winwood
1992 Top 20 Songs
1. End Of The Road, Boyz II Men
2. Baby Got Back, Sir Mix A-lot
3. Jump, Kris Kross
4. Save The Best For Last, Vanessa Williams
5. Baby-Baby-Baby, TLC
6. Tears In Heaven, Eric Clapton
7. My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It), En Vogue
8. Under The Bridge, Red Hot Chili Peppers
9. All 4 Love, Color Me Badd
10. Just Another Day, Jon Secada
11. I Love Your Smile, Shanice
12. To Be With You, Mr. Big
13. I'm Too Sexy, Right Said Fred
14. Black Or White, Michael Jackson
15. Achy Breaky Heart, Billy Ray Cyrus
16. I'll Be There, Mariah Carey
17. November Rain, Guns N' Roses
18. Life Is A Highway, Tom Cochrane
19. Remember The Time, Michael Jackson
20. Finally, CeCe Peniston
Some singers had it better than others, but when the judges talk about how they have "all the choices" of songs to choose from, they are a bit obnoxious. Here's how they did:
Danny Gokey - "Stand By Me"
He had to go ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the way down to the 80s or 90s in the Top 100 songs of that year to find this song, which should tell you how difficult this year was to choose. There are some great songs in that year (The Rose, Fame, Upside Down) but they are not songs that would make great Idol moments. He did what he could with the song, turned it into a great vocal, but it was safe.
Kris Allen - "All She Wants to Do is Dance"
Kris is a great performer. He made the song fresh. Still, not my favorite song choice.
Lil Rounds - "What's Love Got to Do With It"
Bless her heart...this is an "Untouchable..." a song that should be avoided because you can't do better than the original. She did a good job with it, but "good" is still 2nd rate to Tina's "great."
Anoop Desai - "True Colors"
Wow...he did a really good job with the song. It was impressive. Not a moment, but not bad.
Scott MacIntyre - "The Search is Over"
ac crap sung almost as well as the original. The guitar was a nice change, but really??? Stop listening to Paula, even "lucid" Paula.
Allison Iraheta - "I Can't Make You Love Me"
She is fighting to be a contender. She's like a dark horse who sings well every week. Comparisons to Kelly Clarkson seem a bit premature, but she is singing very well. Mature and interesting.
Matt Giraud - "Part-Time Lover"
I loved his voice. His performances often border on melisma, but he's very good. This is one of his better performances.
WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Last performance cut off by DVR because the show ran long. WTF?!?!?!?!?
Top 3: Danny, Allison, Kris
Bottom: Lil, Scott, Matt
I think Lil is in trouble. If Matt hadn't received a good review, I think he'd be the one in the hot seat.
1980 Top 20 Songs
1. Call Me, Blondie
2. Another Brick In The Wall, Pink Floyd
3. Magic, Olivia Newton-John
4. Rock With You, Michael Jackson
5. Do That To Me One More Time, Captain and Tennille
6. Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Queen
7. Coming Up, Paul McCartney
8. Funkytown, Lipps, Inc.
9. It's Still Rock And Roll To Me, Billy Joel
10. The Rose, Bette Midler
11. Escape (The Pina Colada Song), Rupert Holmes
12. Cars, Gary Numan
13. Cruisin', Smokey Robinson
14. Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me Girl, Spinners
15. Lost In Love, Air Supply
16. Little Jeannie, Elton John
17. Ride Like The Wind, Cristopher Cross
18. Upside Down, Diana Ross
19. Please Don't Go, K.C. and The Sunshine Band
20. Babe, Styx
1985 Top 20 songs
1. "Careless Whisper".....Wham!
2. "Say You, Say Me".....Lionel Richie
3. "Separate Lives".....Phil Collins & Marilyn Martin
4. "I Want To Know What Love Is".....Foreigner
5. "Money For Nothing".....Dire Straits
6. "We Are The World".....USA for Africa
7. "Broken Wings".....Mr. Mister
8. "Everybody Wants To Rule The World".....Tears for Fears
9. "The Power Of Love".....Huey Lewis & The News
10. "We Built This City".....Starship
11. "St. Elmo's Fire".....John Parr
12. "Can't Fight This Feeling".....REO Speedwagon
13. "Crazy For You".....Madonna
14. "Easy Lover".....Phillip Bailey & Phil Collins
15. "Everytime You Go Away".....Paul Young
16. "Don't You (Forget About Me):.....Simple Minds
17. "Take On Me".....a-ha
18. "Party All The Time".....Eddie Murphy
19. "Everything She Wants".....Wham!
20. "Shout".....Tears for Fears
1986 Top 20 Songs
1. "That's What Friends Are For".....Dionne & Friends
2. "Walk Like An Egyptian".....Bangles
3. "On My Own".....Patti Labelle & Michael McDonald
4. "The Way It Is".....Bruce Hornsby & The Range
5. "You Give Love A Bad Name".....Bon Jovi
6. "Greatest Love Of All".....Whitney Houston
7. "There'll Be Sad Songs".....Billy Ocean
8. "How Will I Know".....Whitney Houston
9. "Kyrie".....Mr. Mister
10. "Kiss".....Prince & The Revolution
11. "The Next Time I Fall".....Peter Cetera & Amy Grant
12. "Burning Heart".....Survivor
13. "Stuck With You".....Huey Lewis & The News
14. "When I Think Of You".....Janet Jackson
15. "Rock Me Amadeus".....Falco
16. "West End Girls".....Pet Shop Boys
17. "Sledgehammer".....Peter Gabriel
18. "Human".....Human League
19. "Sara".....Starship
20. "Higher Love".....Steve Winwood
1992 Top 20 Songs
1. End Of The Road, Boyz II Men
2. Baby Got Back, Sir Mix A-lot
3. Jump, Kris Kross
4. Save The Best For Last, Vanessa Williams
5. Baby-Baby-Baby, TLC
6. Tears In Heaven, Eric Clapton
7. My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It), En Vogue
8. Under The Bridge, Red Hot Chili Peppers
9. All 4 Love, Color Me Badd
10. Just Another Day, Jon Secada
11. I Love Your Smile, Shanice
12. To Be With You, Mr. Big
13. I'm Too Sexy, Right Said Fred
14. Black Or White, Michael Jackson
15. Achy Breaky Heart, Billy Ray Cyrus
16. I'll Be There, Mariah Carey
17. November Rain, Guns N' Roses
18. Life Is A Highway, Tom Cochrane
19. Remember The Time, Michael Jackson
20. Finally, CeCe Peniston
Some singers had it better than others, but when the judges talk about how they have "all the choices" of songs to choose from, they are a bit obnoxious. Here's how they did:
Danny Gokey - "Stand By Me"
He had to go ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the way down to the 80s or 90s in the Top 100 songs of that year to find this song, which should tell you how difficult this year was to choose. There are some great songs in that year (The Rose, Fame, Upside Down) but they are not songs that would make great Idol moments. He did what he could with the song, turned it into a great vocal, but it was safe.
Kris Allen - "All She Wants to Do is Dance"
Kris is a great performer. He made the song fresh. Still, not my favorite song choice.
Lil Rounds - "What's Love Got to Do With It"
Bless her heart...this is an "Untouchable..." a song that should be avoided because you can't do better than the original. She did a good job with it, but "good" is still 2nd rate to Tina's "great."
Anoop Desai - "True Colors"
Wow...he did a really good job with the song. It was impressive. Not a moment, but not bad.
Scott MacIntyre - "The Search is Over"
ac crap sung almost as well as the original. The guitar was a nice change, but really??? Stop listening to Paula, even "lucid" Paula.
Allison Iraheta - "I Can't Make You Love Me"
She is fighting to be a contender. She's like a dark horse who sings well every week. Comparisons to Kelly Clarkson seem a bit premature, but she is singing very well. Mature and interesting.
Matt Giraud - "Part-Time Lover"
I loved his voice. His performances often border on melisma, but he's very good. This is one of his better performances.
WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Last performance cut off by DVR because the show ran long. WTF?!?!?!?!?
Top 3: Danny, Allison, Kris
Bottom: Lil, Scott, Matt
I think Lil is in trouble. If Matt hadn't received a good review, I think he'd be the one in the hot seat.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
How To Make A Roux
This is for Ted. Bobby Flay did a Throwdown episode with her so she should be the one you learn how to do a perfect roux from.
Bon apetit!
Gilles and Cheryl Paso Doble
The dance of the night AND he does it half naked !!!!!
In-freakin-credible!
Sometimes you get more than you bargained for
My fitting room at the Plantation is often a sweltering hot pit of funk, truth be told, due to the anal emissions of my middle aged, country fitting room attendant. She has a reputation of not only being very gassy (and proud of it “Better out than in”), but of also not knowing when to take a trip to the restroom when necessary. On more than one occasion a manager has had to either clean her or the salefloor up after she waited too long to make a sprint to the restroom and redecorated the seat of her pants in the process.
So, apparently Stinky had too many taquitos the night before, and her Midwestern tummy violently disagreed. Our fitting room is a large one, but it still is an enclosed space, so I’m SURE that it was much like any other day she worked: hot and stank, where you could actually feel and maybe see the odor. So, she’s farting away, happily relieving herself of the internal stress of the gas buildup, when it happens. Again, she doesn’t often realize when she needs to go, and apparently she isn’t keen on whether she has “the squirts” as my father used to call them or just gas. So she let ‘er rip. I can only imagine the look of shock and horror on her face when she felt something shoot down the back of her leg, but I’m certain that the fitting room, for the near future at least, will be a much fresher place to work. Kegels and abject fear of embarrassment work wonders on tightening a sphincter.
So, apparently Stinky had too many taquitos the night before, and her Midwestern tummy violently disagreed. Our fitting room is a large one, but it still is an enclosed space, so I’m SURE that it was much like any other day she worked: hot and stank, where you could actually feel and maybe see the odor. So, she’s farting away, happily relieving herself of the internal stress of the gas buildup, when it happens. Again, she doesn’t often realize when she needs to go, and apparently she isn’t keen on whether she has “the squirts” as my father used to call them or just gas. So she let ‘er rip. I can only imagine the look of shock and horror on her face when she felt something shoot down the back of her leg, but I’m certain that the fitting room, for the near future at least, will be a much fresher place to work. Kegels and abject fear of embarrassment work wonders on tightening a sphincter.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Dallas police Officer Robert Powell first interview...After he Detains SUV and Mother Dies
From the officer's mouth.
Wow...
Dallas cop on a power trip detains NFL player while his mother in law dies
The video is disturbing for a number of reasons: he clearly wasn't listening to anything the family was saying, he enjoyed detaining them, and it took 2 nurses to come down and tell him the woman was truly dying before he let them go...with a lecture on how to properly respond to an officer.
As of today, the officer resigned.
Whatcha gonna do
Hubby and I are facing a dilemma that many parents of adult children face: how to instill a work ethic into a person with none.
19 y.o. (hereafter known as 19 because I'm not very creative and i watch too much "House") is a good kid and we love him. Just wanted to get that out of the way, first because the rest is not pretty.
He moved out over a year ago because he didn't want to follow the basic rules of the house (don't lie to the people who feed you, don't steal from the people who house you, bathe daily, don't live in squalor, and don't do drugs). Not the most difficult list we could come up with, but seemingly insurmountable.
Cut to the beginning of the year when all of his other options were failing (roommate leaving him, girlfriend tired of him, used up all goodwill at friends' homes because no one likes a freeloader) and he asked to move back in. After some soulsearching and many discussions, we took him back as long as he could follow the rules of the house. He agreed and things were copacetic up until March.
Hubby and I, stressed from our jobs planned a lovely vacation cruise to the Caribbean. 19 stayed home because he refuses to get a passport and because who wants to spend the money on someone who won't help himself get away to the islands? Vacation was a blast and we return home to hungry puppies and kitty. No 19. For 4 days. Letters in the mailbox from law firms gave us a clue as to where he might have been, but we didn't know for sure. He returns home witha story about how he'd been hanging out with his girlfriend. At some point we reveal to him we know he was arrested and he comes clean about getting caught with "herbal substances" and apologizes. He lost his job because he couldn't call them from jail because his one phone call was to his girlfriend to try to help bail him out and take care of the dogs while we were away (mind you, the sad irony of the arrest is it happened the very night we left for the cruise, so 4 days were spent in jail instead of his warm bed.)
So now, what is our intrepid 19 doing to get his life in order? Sleeping in late, hanging out with friends, helping girlfriend study. Actively searching for work? Not so much. Preparing to pay for court costs by saving money from his job? Nope. The child doesn't even really have a desire to get a car of his own. Really?!? At 15 I wanted my own car just so I could get away from my parents as far as the gas would take me. I hate looking at him like a failure for not having a sense of want in his life, but there is so much more to the world than the four walls of his bedroom. Why can't we get him to see that?
19 y.o. (hereafter known as 19 because I'm not very creative and i watch too much "House") is a good kid and we love him. Just wanted to get that out of the way, first because the rest is not pretty.
He moved out over a year ago because he didn't want to follow the basic rules of the house (don't lie to the people who feed you, don't steal from the people who house you, bathe daily, don't live in squalor, and don't do drugs). Not the most difficult list we could come up with, but seemingly insurmountable.
Cut to the beginning of the year when all of his other options were failing (roommate leaving him, girlfriend tired of him, used up all goodwill at friends' homes because no one likes a freeloader) and he asked to move back in. After some soulsearching and many discussions, we took him back as long as he could follow the rules of the house. He agreed and things were copacetic up until March.
Hubby and I, stressed from our jobs planned a lovely vacation cruise to the Caribbean. 19 stayed home because he refuses to get a passport and because who wants to spend the money on someone who won't help himself get away to the islands? Vacation was a blast and we return home to hungry puppies and kitty. No 19. For 4 days. Letters in the mailbox from law firms gave us a clue as to where he might have been, but we didn't know for sure. He returns home witha story about how he'd been hanging out with his girlfriend. At some point we reveal to him we know he was arrested and he comes clean about getting caught with "herbal substances" and apologizes. He lost his job because he couldn't call them from jail because his one phone call was to his girlfriend to try to help bail him out and take care of the dogs while we were away (mind you, the sad irony of the arrest is it happened the very night we left for the cruise, so 4 days were spent in jail instead of his warm bed.)
So now, what is our intrepid 19 doing to get his life in order? Sleeping in late, hanging out with friends, helping girlfriend study. Actively searching for work? Not so much. Preparing to pay for court costs by saving money from his job? Nope. The child doesn't even really have a desire to get a car of his own. Really?!? At 15 I wanted my own car just so I could get away from my parents as far as the gas would take me. I hate looking at him like a failure for not having a sense of want in his life, but there is so much more to the world than the four walls of his bedroom. Why can't we get him to see that?
American Idol - iTunes Week
This was a week of some decidedly weak performances and few breakout performances. Oh, and someone has either been talking to Paula about her critiques or she has found a thesaurus because she is wordy and almost profound...then she begins to ramble and it all goes to hell. You can tell Simon enjoys this Paula better than boozy/narcotics Paula because now he can insult her intellect and it not seem like he's kicking a wounded puppy. Now on with the critiques:
Anoop Desai - "Caught Up"
He wanted to go for an Usher, urban, uptempo number and looked awkward. He sounded okay, but okay isn't going to get him to the finals. Very karaoke.
Megan Joy - "Turn Your Lights Down Low"
Never sing songs from the crazy one from the Fugees. It was passable, but again, is passable American Idol material?
Danny Gokey - "What Hurts the Most"
He does a good job with Rascal Flatts. I'm still a fan. Not his best and he still hasn't had his "moment," but we know it's coming.
Allison Iraheta - "Don't Speak"
I love her. Her voice is interesting and she did some nice things with the song. Her stylist needs a good kick in the ass.
Scott MacIntyre - "Just the Way You Are"
Okay. He sings Billy Joel a week after Paula recommends he sings Billy Joel. Woo hoo.
Matt Giraud - "You Found Me"
There is something I really like about him. He has a wonderful voice and I can hear him selling albums. This wasn't my favorite performance of his. Hubby hated it.
Lil Rounds - "I Surrender"
You go, girl! That was really very good.
Adam Lambert - "Play That Funky Music"
Uhhh...okay! Our first WTF moment of the season. Either you loved it or you hated it.
Kris Allen - "Ain't No Sunshine"
Riveting. Simple. Beautiful...up until the last note. Still, very nice.
Top 3: Kris, Lil, Adam
Bottom 3: Megan, Scott, and Anoop
Bye, bye Megan.
Anoop Desai - "Caught Up"
He wanted to go for an Usher, urban, uptempo number and looked awkward. He sounded okay, but okay isn't going to get him to the finals. Very karaoke.
Megan Joy - "Turn Your Lights Down Low"
Never sing songs from the crazy one from the Fugees. It was passable, but again, is passable American Idol material?
Danny Gokey - "What Hurts the Most"
He does a good job with Rascal Flatts. I'm still a fan. Not his best and he still hasn't had his "moment," but we know it's coming.
Allison Iraheta - "Don't Speak"
I love her. Her voice is interesting and she did some nice things with the song. Her stylist needs a good kick in the ass.
Scott MacIntyre - "Just the Way You Are"
Okay. He sings Billy Joel a week after Paula recommends he sings Billy Joel. Woo hoo.
Matt Giraud - "You Found Me"
There is something I really like about him. He has a wonderful voice and I can hear him selling albums. This wasn't my favorite performance of his. Hubby hated it.
Lil Rounds - "I Surrender"
You go, girl! That was really very good.
Adam Lambert - "Play That Funky Music"
Uhhh...okay! Our first WTF moment of the season. Either you loved it or you hated it.
Kris Allen - "Ain't No Sunshine"
Riveting. Simple. Beautiful...up until the last note. Still, very nice.
Top 3: Kris, Lil, Adam
Bottom 3: Megan, Scott, and Anoop
Bye, bye Megan.
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