Hardest Lost Quiz Ever

http://darkufo.blogspot.com/2008/05/hardest-lost-quiz-ever.html?loc=interstitialskip

My final score is: 870 out of 3900

And those were just lucky guesses-this is crazy hard!

Gone Country

Seems like everyone wants to "go country" these days, no? Or at least "go Nashville." Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow have both had country crossover success (together, and her as a solo artist) and even Bon Jovi recorded their last album here (though it failed to connect with country radio...or any radio much for that matter-but I think they will survive-they're BON JOVI). But there are a host of celebrities trying to make a name for themselves on contemporary country radio these days, and some of them may surprise you. I've found a couple of places to check out their music and of course...share with you my opinions!

First up...Jessica Simpson has been working on a country album for what seems like FOREVER. Not a big fan of hers to begin with, so I had LOW expectations for her take on country music, since I don't think she was ever that great at pop. However, I stumbled upon this in my daily perusing of the gossip rags, and much to my chagrin, it is....not that bad. I think the nature of this style of music may suit her because it keeps her from over-singing, one of the main problems I had with her pop music. Like I said, my expectations were low, but I don't hate it and actually think that if I heard it on the radio, it would be catchy and I might sing along. But don't tell anyone I think so. How uncool would it be to like Jessica Simpson?
http://www.usmagazine.com/Listen-to-Jessica-Simpsons-New-Country-Single

Next up...Darius Rucker. WHO is that you ask? No, HOO-TIE is the correct way to ask this question! HAHA. Ya'll know Darius, he's sold millions of records as Mr. Hootie himself-Hootie and the Blowfish, one of my FAVORITE bands in high school! So, for sheer nostalgia alone, and the fact that I lovelovelove his voice, and one of my high school boyfriends use to sing "Hold My Hand" to me in the car, expectations were much higher for Hootie-I mean, Darius Rucker. And I will say he has mostly delivered. To quote my dawg Randy Jackson (I'm having American Idol withdrawals, I'm sorry) he could sing the phone book and I would listen. I'm not knocked out by the first single, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," but it has been getting quite a bit of airplay and covers thinkin', drinkin', and lost love, so he's totally proven that he can write a country song. It's certainly good enough to make me want to hear more from his album.
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/darius-rucker-dont-think-i-dont-think-about-it/3712209678

Jewel. Oh, Jewel. Based on the first offering, I'm a little worried. I like Jewel. I even stuck through her with the razor-commercial-sellout thing she did a few years back. You know, girl's got to make a dollar to upkeep that ranch and all those horses she has. And I think she is a lovely singer-songwriter. Again, some high school nostalgia here as "You Were Meant for Me" I think was probably played at my prom or something. And, there's a great acoustic, stripped version of that song that gets played on the local radio here that will blow you away. (note to self-look for that on iTunes) So I know she's capable of greatness, but this first song, "Stronger Woman" just ain't great. I thought maybe it could grow on me, but it really hasn't. The good news for her is, country radio and video channels are playing it, so like me I think they want to accept her into this world, because she fits. But I'm waiting for greatness Jewel...you better deliver or back to product jingle songs you go.
http://www.jeweljk.com/

Even non-singers want in on the country goodness. Two time Dancing With the Stars champ Julianne Hough has ALSO just released a country album. She's a stunningly beautiful girl, but I think it may be hard for her to convince us to see her as something other than a dancer. It's hard for females to break into country-there was a great article in the paper about a year ago here about that topic. Sure, Carrie and Taylor Swift are two young blondes who have had record breaking success, but they are certainly the exception and not the rule. So as you can tell I am trying to be nice here, because I love her on the dancing show, but I am just not sure this is her cup of tea. Her first song is alright, and it's not that she can't sing, I just don't know-something is missing for me that I can't put my finger on. However, she did land the PLUM role of opening for Brad Paisley, something that the aforementioned young blonde country gals Carrie, Taylor, and not mentioned Kellie Pickler all have in common and its worked out for them. Is Brad the key to a lady's success in this biz? Hmmmmm. So....I'm going to give this one some time before I call it.
http://www.amazon.com/Julianne-Hough/dp/B0014DXYEQ

Cookie for the Win!

Yay! I called it right this time....David Cook won American Idol last night, at the end of a 2-hour plus show filled with gaggles of guest stars, group musical numbers, and product placements/project promotions.

I thought that Cookie was so humble and gracious when he won, breaking down in tears more than once, and immediately hugging Archie and saying to the crowd, "David Archuleta everyone!" I think he is a total class act. His momma did good! Archie did not seem upset. Neither did Daddy, suprisingly. I think they both were truly happy to have made it so far.

If you missed it, head on over to http://www.idolstalker.com/ for links to the videos of the Top 5 moments of American Idol Season 7 Grand Finale....

5. Brooke White and Graham Nash duet on "Teach Your Children." Brooke was resplendent in a stunning blue dress and bare feet as the two sang and played guitar together. At the end, she simply said, "Wow!" I am sure it was a thrill for her and I can't wait to see what kind of album she will make now.

4. Davids Cookie and Archie duet on "Hero." I have to admit I loved this song when it came out a few years ago to go with the Spiderman movie! I actually liked them doing it-a good choice that fit both of them (rock sounding for Cookie, still somewhat of a "message" song for Archie). I heard it was Cookie's idea. He's so smart.

3. George Michael Medley, Top 12 together. The ladies started it off with "Faith," the guys came in for "Father Figure" and the whole gang did a rousing rendition of "Freedom" which had me dancing in my living room...and yall know I DON'T DANCE.

2. DC and ZZ Top, "Sharp-Dressed Man." HOT! To quote Randy Jackson! My dog started humping her pillow when this one started. She has good taste. IMO, the best performance of the night! Cookie WAS a rock star. The vocals, the electric guitar, that little chicken dance thing he did, AWE.SOME. He commanded the stage-pretty good, considering he was sharing it with rock legends!

1. THE GUITAR HERO COMMERCIAL! AAAAHHHHH! Cookie in tighty-whities doing Risky Business. I don't know who thought of that but THANK YOU!!!!! Archie's made me feel like that guy from Dateline might pop out at some point...you know, To Catch a Predator??? At least they let him wear boxers....I'm kind of suprised daddy allowed it! So I have no desire to see that again. But check out the extended version of Cookie's here:
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/david-cooks-extended-guitar-hero-commercial/108755502

Honorable mentions....Simon apologizing to DC for being "borderline disrespectful" during his critiques Tuesday night, saying they both did well and it was not the knockout that the judges made it out to be. Robert Downey Jr. as a "Pip." Carly and Michael Johns singing a duet-I vote these two make a go of it together. The arrangement for "The Letter" was a little wonky but I saw them on Ellen doing the U2 w/ Mary J Blige version of "One" and it ROCKED.

And a couple of letdowns....

George Michael. He sang that slow song that Carrie U sang on "Idol Gives Back." I know he had a cold, but I wish he would have done one of the medley songs with the Idols instead of singing separately from them.

Why didn't Jason Castro get to duet with anyone? I was happy to see him get the only solo of the night besides Cookie's coronation song, and a reprise of "Hallelujah" was lovely, but why did he not get to sing with anyone? I was hoping Dolly would come back and duet with him on "Travellin' Thru"-I downloaded the iTunes on that one and its one of my favorites!!!

All the shilling for Love Guru (and the TOTALLY inappropriate jokes about Archie and puberty!!! GOSH!!!!) and other new albums/movies/products (although how cool was it that they both got new Ford Hybrid Escapes???)

All in all, a much more tolerable 2 hours than I expected, and even though the final song was total cheese (magic rainbows as an actual lyric and all) I think America got it right. Can't wait to see David Cook at the Sommet Center next year!

Boxing

I have never been a fan of boxing. I'm not really sure why I even watched Million Dollar Baby. So I was really unimpressed with the boxing analogy that American Idol strung us along with for the David v. David "showdown" last night. I mean, really, is anyone happy with the thought of Big Brother David C. throwing Archie a right hook? Why all the violence? It's just a TV show!

So I am going to pretend like they did not do that. I am also going to pretend that the "humdinger" of a finale Simon predicted was just that. Because I wish it had been. My friend Wendy and I were hoping that Cookie would wipe the floor with the little Disney Moppett. Despite the judges crazy talk that it was the other way around, neither of them really had a "moment" in my opinion.

Why does anyone let Clive Davis talk anymore? Much less pick songs for people? I have to say I was impressed that he picked U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" for Cookie, less impressed that he chose "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me" as I think he picked that for Bo Bice and maybe Clay Aiken-or at least, I have seen about 15 people perform this on Idol before so I kind of wish it would go on the banned list. Cookie did alright, I love the song, but it is not really a "climactic" type of song. Archie actually delivered a really good performance this round, but while Cookie was all over the stage, working the platform, and the audience, and Archie walked from the stairs to the middle of the stage. Where he stood. The entire time. And did some eye shutting and arm reaching. Sure, he sounded great, but I want to see him PERFORM.

Round 2-the crappy "This is my moment in your heaven I believe I can fly like this" songs. No comment. I think they both did fine considering the circumstance....but could not believe that Simon said David chose the better song-IMO they were both crappy songs/lyrics and this is a part of the competition that no one would miss. But Randy did use a new phrase this time for DC, telling him he did not like the song but that he "sang his face off" on it. He then also told Archie, for the zillionth time, that he can sing the molten-hot-lava-phone-book-in-the-zone.

Round 3-what a concept, they let the contestants choose what they wanted to sing from ANYTHING, something that has only been done....3 or 4 times this whole season? DC did a new song, Collective Soul's "The World I Know" which he was rumored to be doing last week when he did Switchfoot instead. I like this song, and I liked the acoustic part in the beginning, and I actually wish he would have just done it acoustic, as it would have allowed us to hear his sexy voice better, but I liked it anyway. Just a solid, consistent performance, which of course meant that the judges were mad he didn't "Cook" up something crazy for one last time, with Simon basically saying he liked it but that he should have reprised "Hello" or "Billie Jean." Then Archie comes around and does "Imagine" again, and while I must admit I fast-forwarded, I did stop to hear the judges comment about how he was the best and basically told him he had it in the bag. Funny, since most of what I read online said that is was not really as magical as the first time...which is wh I think DC stayed away from doing a reprise, since lightning don't strike twice in the same place. I'm totally OK with Archie re-doing "Imagine" I just wish he had done something new-like back himself up on piano-and maybe I would not have FF'd through.

Overall...I think Randy has been on Archie's dad's payroll since Day 1. There is no excuse for the ridonkulousness that is his love for Archie. I think Simon actually was using reverse psychology on us Cook fans. He's made it clear in multiple media interviews that he thinks DC should win. Yet he totally threw him under the bus last night. I think he wanted to make sure that DC's fans were worried enough to vote their tushies off. I bet it worked. (I have this theory that people rarely get voted off after a bad night-it motivates their fan base. Usually, they get voted off the next week after being back to a solid performance.)

The only other thing that bugged me last night-and the last few weeks really-is that when DC comes out and does a really good vocal and/or performance, Simon and Randy are SO hung up on arrangement with him that if he did not re-Cook an old pop song, they are just OK with it. Yet, Archie has only played with arrangments a little, and probably did not do a whole lot of it himself, and is always told how great he is when he just stands there. They have totally held Cookie to a different standard because they know he is capable of the whole package-vocal, originality, musicianship, and performance. They know Archie is capable of standing there, range of motion 2 feet, and singing his heart out. That is fine, but they never push him to stretch or get mad when he hasn't.

I don't think anyone made up their mind last night. Allegiances were already formed long before yesterday. I still think it is Cookie for the win!

Graduation 2008

It has been 5 years and about 3 weeks since April 29, 2003, a pretty regular day for most East Nashville residents. As for me, I must have gotten up, gone on to work at my new job-the first in my chosen field of social services-after the drudgery of my first post-college job at an insurance company. For the Tuders family, living only about 5 or 6 streets over from me, it was also a typical morning-both Bo and Debra Tuders got up and went off to work, waking their youngest child, 13 year-old Tabitha, on their way out the door. Like they did each day.

But this typical spring day in East Nashville became a nightmare for the Tuders family. A great article ran in one of our local papers recently, if you are not familiar with this story and want to know more. But on April 29, 2003, Tabitha Tuders became a missing child.

The major criticism of this case is that she was not treated like a missing child. Despite never showing up for school that day, unusual for the straight-A student who volunteered at the library almost every day and was not the kind of girl to skip out, police had no physical evidence of an abduction and therefore did not issue an Amber Alert, and chastised the family for having no idea what kind of clothes she was wearing (despite the fact that they never saw what she left the house in), often blaming them for the investigations shortcomings.

Despite living within a stone's throw of a variety of sex offenders, police stereotyped her as a promiscuous, troubled girl who more than likely ran away with some older boyfriend the family did not know about-despite the fact that she left all the money she had, $20, and all her clothes and other possessions in her room. Despite the fact that she was a good student, did not even like talking to boys on the phone, and no one that knew this little girl could reconcile the persona that police assigned her with the Tabitha they knew.

Meanwhile, my roommate and I heard about her disappearance and talked about it often as it saturated local news coverage-and we often talked about the fact that so many things would have been different if this little girl had not lived in East Nashville, but West Nashville, or Belle Meade, or Green Hills. If her parents had been a doctor and a lawyer , and not a truck driver and a cafeteria worker. If she went to private school and not Bailey Middle. Would things have turned out differently if her parents had money to hire their own search party and investigators, when the police put of searching due to lack of evidence and poor weather.

And 5 years later, we still think of Tabitha Tuders, the girl that could have easily been me or my roommate a few years earlier. Gone missing from East Nashville, from a working class family, a good girl somehow assumed to be at fault in some way for hew own disappearance by those who are there to protect and serve-and that should mean everyone, no matter which side of the Cumberland you live on or how much money you have. Each time I hear her name on the news still, whether its an anniversary of her disappearance, or news of a possible new lead in her case, I struggle to keep the tears from coming. I did not know this girl or her family personally, but I know a lot of little girls just like her. I have walked or driven by her house many times in that neighborhood where I used to live.

Monday night, Tabitha would have graduated from high school. Stratford High School, where she never got the chance to attend, held a moment of silence in her honor. Her family attended. They still hold out hope that she may be out there, that she will come back home. I hope so, too.

http://www.nashvillescene.com/Stories/Cover_Story/2008/04/24/Tabitha_Tuders/

Touchy Touchy.....

So apparently I pissed off a couple of people I don't even know with my country music blog. I don't know how they found my blog, but they took to insulting me PERSONALLY for my opinions when they don't even know me. One of them called me uneducated (I actually have a Master's degree, thank you, which I acquired while also working a full time and two part time jobs) AND close minded/"short-sighted" (I'm in Social Work, I work with all kinds of people with all kinds of beliefs and quite successfully). Only one person commented respectfully with a difference of opinion. Did I say none of these people know me personally?

So, elvis and kayboulware, FYI, I actually love all kinds of music. I have lots of friends that are in the business, musicians and singer/songwriters, and their music is often some of my favorite. So there is no need for people who don't know me to judge my musical taste by one silly blog. I love discovering new artists. I did not say I hated Elvis Costello, nor that I would never give Robbie Fulks a listen-I probably will. As I mentioned, I love to hear new music. And in all honesty, I do not own any CDs by Tim McGraw, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, and most of the other mainstream country artists mentioned. I think that each of us interpreted the EW article to mean something different-I took it as, If I wanted to convince a friend to listen to what country has to offer RIGHT NOW, to add a country radio station to their car presets, what would I tell them to listen to in order to get them to give it a try? And they ain't playin' Elvis Costello or even Johnny Cash on Top 40 country radio. And that does not make Elvis/Johnny/etc any less valuable to the music world as Carrie/Garth/Kenny. I just interpreted the concept differently...with no offense to anyone.

So coming from that perspective, I thought there should have been more mainstream country music on the list...not because it's my favorite (it's not), but because that is what you will hear if you turn on the radio and listen to a country station.

So lesson here...please don't judge a blogger by one silly blog. Because I don't think I am the one that came off looking small-minded here.

Yee-Haw

Entertainment Weekly has put out a list of 25 country albums everyone should hear-whether or not they like country. I think this list is seriously flawed. As a resident of THE Country Music Capital of the World, as we like to be called, no one asked for my opinion on this and I am a little miffed about it. Look, I know you are trying to appeal to folks who would not run out and buy Reba McEntire, but its also an insult to country fans to not include actual country music on the list. There is the requisite Johnny Cash, Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson, Dolly, Hank Williams-artists who everyone has heard of and already have mass crossover appeal in many genres.

I was psyched to see them include Miranda Lambert's Crazy Ex Girlfriend, which is AWESOME and I think she never gets enough credit. I don't know if its because she was discovered on Nashville Star or what, but I have loved her since she first came out and her second album is crazy good. I was just telling my friend and fellow country music lover Wendy how excited I was that her new single is getting played a little more around town lately. If you don't know what I am talking about, go download "Gunpowder and Lead" and see if you can stop yourself from rocking out. She's totally bad-ass.

But there is also an album by some guy I have never heard of....Robbie Fulks? Anyone? and there is also an Elvis Costello album on the list. Excuse me? Elvis Costello and no George Strait? or Garth Brooks?!?! Come on, you can't have country without those guys, and Garth had a ton of crossover success. But Country-Pop queen Shania Twain IS on the list, and while I know she is a country singer, if I was trying to encourage someone who did not like country to give us a whirl, I would never in a million years have this on my "essential" list. Guitar Town by Steve Earl IS on the list though, which is also one they got right.

At least they did not put Bon Jovi's "country" album on this list. I might have had to cancel my subscription.

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20200473,00.html

Thoughts?

Jesus Christ is Not a Weapon

End of the Week TV Highlights:

LOST
Best. Line. of the Night. on Lost went to Hurley's mom as he prepared to whack an intruder (actually a suprise birthday party crowd) with a statuette of the Savior.

Its going to kill me that we now have to wait two weeks for the season finale of Lost! Such a cruel thing to do! If you are not watching this show, AGAIN, Netflix it over the summer and get ready to have some fun. And hang in there through late season two/early season three. It all comes together.

The OFFICE
Season Finale-had a few WOW moments, particularly the anticipation that Jim and Pam both hoped to be engaged by the end of the going away party for Toby, only to have their moment stolen by Andy, who used Jim's set-up of fireworks to take the mic and publicly propose to Angela! GAAAAHHHH! And she said OK! And then got caught by Phyllis doing it in the office with Dwight!!! Oh the insanity. And can I just say I loved Jim trying to coach Michael on how to "court" the new HR girl in the office and take it slow....so cute.

TOP MODEL
So for the first time ever, a plus size-no, FULL FIGURED Tyra corrects all of us-model wins the show. Actually Tyra, she is real sized, much like you are these days, which is why methinks you are suddenly sensitive to the PLUS SIZE label. Whatever. Glad a "juicy booty" girl won (as Ms J called her) but still mad that she is considered abnormal in the modeling world when she has a better body than most women that I know! So-cheers and jeers on that one.

AMERICAN IDOL-No suprises here. We said ADIOS! to Syesha. Some guy named David is going to win!

The BACHELOR
So I only watched it a couple times, but I totally called the winner the first time I saw the show. Quite predictably, British Bachelor Matt (I think his name is Matt?) chose Shayne, daughter of Renegade star Lorenzo Lamas, to be his partner until the cold clammy hand of death parts them. Which is fine, but the bottle blonde ACTRESS got on my nerves by playing dumb ("do they have palm trees in London?") and the guy totally ate it all up. Like, seriously, he had women there with intelligence and careers and he sent them packing in favor of this? If that is what guys want, then clearly I now know why I am single! So frustrating to watch. Even though we all know if won't work out, maybe if the guy picked with his head instead of his you-know this show might have a better track record. Maybe not-it is a reality show.

And...the MOLE is coming back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My friend Jennifer and I used to LOVE this show when we were roomies. I totally wanted her to be on it-she would be an awesome Mole!

Oh-Oh-Oh-o-Oh!

Boys and girls, they day has finally arrived...New Kids on the Block have reunited and performed live for the first time in over a decade. *sigh* You can see every fabulous minute for yourself at:
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20200747,00.html

Now, I have to give it to them-it appeared to be pouring rain in New York this morning but they went out there and did their thing! I'm not saying the new song, "Summertime" is going to win a Grammy or anything, but I was a little scared to hear it since my friend Wendy had told me it was awful. I did not think it was that bad, but I'm not rushing over to iTunes to buy it either. It reminds me of that old LFO tune "Summer Girls."

They had a few moments that I cringed...but also quite a few where I sat here in my office and squealed like a ten year-old girl. Yes, I still think that Joey Mac is cute, and when he busted out his trademark topless top hat to sing "Please Don't Go Girl" I had one of those moments.

Overall, not bad, I don't think they have anything to be embarrassed about here (really, the only person who needs to be embarassed is whoever wrote the craptastic lyrics from their big hits). I think they will have a decent reunion tour run, much like the Spice Girls, and then probably go back to their normal lives. And the good news is, no one will have to rush out and buy t-shirts and memorabilia because we can just recycle all the old stuff still in our basements!

Smart Cars and American Idol!

OK, I wanted a lame excuse to put "smart" and "Americal Idol" in the same sentence, because let's face it, its not likely to happen any other way.

I saw a promo on tv this morning for the new "Smart Car" and I have to say I totally want one! They are so tiny and cute, awesome on gas, and can fit 7 big paper bags of Groceries in the trunk. Not that I ever have that many groceries at once, but maybe I have that many bags from a major mall shopping spree! Ok, I'm too poor for that too, but a girl can dream! I just like to have the option, ya know?

So onto my soon-to-be-over guilty pleasure. I have to say, Idol has been a let down lately. Probably since Mariah Carey week, its been a little stale. Last night could have been really good, but the judges and producers picked worse songs for the Idols than they typically choose for themselves! I find it REALLY hard to believe that the producers-who should have picked songs that could actually end up as hits for these kiddos-did the worst of the night in choosing good songs for the contestants. But more than anything, the judges are kind of driving me crazy-I feel like they should be COACHING more than critiquing-particularly since their opinions don't "count" as far as who stays and goes. If they are not going to try and help the kids improve, why don't we jsut get rid of them? I don't get how everyone dogs on Paula for not giving coherent critiques-as opposed to Randy-how are they supposed to get anything constructive out of "Dawg, that was molten hot lava! You rocked tonight!" At least Paula banters around real musical terms like "timbre" "lower/upper register" and "falsetto" which is more than we can say for Randy OR Simon on a typical night. I actually think that she knows what she is talking about more than anyone else! I think she is the most constructive and able to give advice that will be well-recieved because she does it in a pleasant way. I do think Simon tries to be helpful but the way it comes out is sometimes distracting from the fact that he is trying to help them improve(ex-when he told Carly "You need to have a word with whomoever is dressing you" people could not get past the fact that it sounded like he was telling her she looked bad, when actually he just meant that she should be looking more polished, like a STAR, and he was actually giving her advice to be more successful. I get him, but I get why a lot of people don't.

There is really not a lot to say about what they sang...mostly bad song choices, which was mostly not their fault since they only picked one out of 3. Which was another reason why the judges irritated me....they have no business knocking song choice at this point for the ones the Idols did not pick themselves. Sure, a good entertainer can make lemons out of lemonade (As David Cook did with the Roberta Flack song given to him by Simon and the AWFUL movie-theme "Don't Want to Miss a Thing" the producers picked) but with so little time to rearrange and "make it their own" its almost not fair to expect them to pull that off.

Cook faked us out because during his hometown visit he said he was going to do Collective Soul for his personal choice, but then ended up doing that Switchfoot song that was WAY overplayed on Nashville radio. And he was horribly off pitch almost the entire time. The good news was he did not disappoint on hooking up "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" with some awesome vocals and arrangement and even on the bad movie song-there was a whole violin/light show thing going on and he sang it really well.

Syesha's performances-especially her own pick of "Fever" was basically an open audition for Broadway. The judges criticized her all night for not showing what kind of recording artist she would be, but I thought it was a smart move. She probably WON'T be a successful recording artist, and I think the J-Hudson route is the best she can hope for at this point. I cannot even talk about the horrible songs they threw her under the bus with. So not fair.

And Archie-my little puppy dog-ready to face the world without Daddy's help for the first time. Again, song choices for him were SOOOO "gooey" to quote Simon-is that really the kind of music they want to have him put on an album? The only stations that play Billy Joel and Dan Fogelberg anymore are Easy Listening and Muzak elevator tunes. Actually, take that back-my Muzak at work is WAY more hip than anything Archie has sung during the entire show. For his own pick, he did attempt to join his age group for a moment, but AGAIN flubbed the lyrics which AGAIN went uncritiqued by the judges (WHHHAAATTTT?????), but at least they did address that while this is the TYPE of song he should start leaning toward (Paula) he was out of his league (Simon) and not really believable saying lines like "my boo" and "lil' mama" (Randy). And he wasn't-I mean, this kid is whiter than me! I have more street cred than Archie! I think he would have been better off doing, say, a Jonas Brothers tune or Jesse McCartney-would have appealed to a similar demographic, but been a little more white bread to fit his innocent puppy rep.

All in all, we are one step away from an expected Dueling David finale. Archie needs to lay off the old fogey sap and find a more youthful brand of cheese to force feed us, while Cookie needs to go back to rearranging pop into emo-rock or at least singer/songwriter. I saw this video online last week, and found it again on YouTube. I hope this is one of the songs he sings next week-it's a mellow, acoustic version of the Foo Fighters song "My Hero" and it's REALLY good! I like it better than the original.....and that is what we have come to love about DC. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coXK-sA4MBE&feature=related

This is HARD!

If you are like me and should be working or doing something generally constructive, but don't want to, please see the following as a way to kill time and mostly frustrate yourself:

http://www.yetanotherdot.com/asp/80s.html

http://www.yetanotherdot.com/asp/90s.html

In case you are too lazy to just click and take my word for it, they are song lyric fill in the blank quizzes from the 80's and 90s. I did twice as good on the 80's one-what does that say about my musical tastes? Don't answer that.

Mazel Tov...and other Monday Musings

I was trying to wait until the 2 week mark to make sure it was going to stick, but what the heck-I'm a romantic, and I am so sure these two are gonna make it at least six weeks so I will go ahead and Congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Nick Cannon on their recent nuptials (there was also the chance that if I waited any longer I might miss my chance all together). Sure, its a little weird that he is my age and she is pushing 40, but age is only a number, right? Can't wait to see the diamond-and Gucci covered babies they are sure to make.
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20198292,00.html

Also...congrats to Jen Aniston, who is also gunning for a man half, I mean, 3/4, her age. I am having a hard time adjusting to seeing Jen macking on John "the Player" Mayer (have to give props to Page Six for that one). I mean, the guy has dated Jessica Simpson, so he is definitely dating up this time around, but other than the ego boost of dating a younger man I am not sure what is in it for her. But, they seem to be serious, at least by Hollywood Standards, so best of luck to them. Can't see them making babies or anything, but what do I know? Could be true lust.
http://popsugar.com/1620744

Jenna Bush got married in Texas this weekend. She's always been my favorite Bush. I love how she used to stick out her tongue at the paparazzi and send her Secret Service on a wild goose chase so she could go underage drink at the bars. And now, she's getting hitched in a small, intimate ceremony with just 14 bridesmaids on her family's ranch rather than a White House circus. I'm sure the Pres is less than pleased she wanted a private thing and he could not exploit the big day for approval ratings, but good for her.....it is her day after all. And clearly, she has a mind of her own. All kidding aside, it looked like a lovely wedding and I love that she did look natural and that it looked low-key. Pics in the link below. I'm only pissed that they won't show me the 14 bridesmaids dresses. That's the best part!
http://abcnews.go.com/US/Springtime/popup?id=4832462

Ok so clearly this is major news because even my mother heard it. Archie's stage dad has been banned from production at American Idol. He can still sit in the audience, but is no longer allowed to be a part of the backstage shenanigans. Of course, Archie lovers are furious at this portrayal of Jeff Archuleta as an evil stage dad, but I say where there is smoke, there is fire. Word on the street is that he insisted that Archie pimp out his version of Ben E. King's Stand By Me with a line from Sean Kingston's Beautiful Girls, which samples Stand By Me. Idol did not get legal clearance to use Kingston's lyrics, and when Archie sang it the way Daddy told him to it apparently cost lots of $$$ and caused a big legal mess. This is all fine, but I am way more concerned with the fact that Archie will crumble without Daddy coaching him. I mean, anytime they ask the kid an off-the cuff question, he can't answer coherently-like it he has not rehearsed it, he's not sure what he's allowed to say. Its like kids that are 5-6 years old and look at their parents when anyone asks them a question. But this one is 17. Jordin Sparks was 17 last year too, and she could answer a simple question. I'm just not sure he is ready for this yet, no matter how good a voice he has. I've heard they are considering lowering the age to participate in Idol and I think they need to do the opposite-raise it to 18, and they won't have to worry about parents being able to interfere.
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-05-11-archuleta-dad-ban_N.htm

Finally....LOST! Oh, it's so good. If you don't watch go to your Netflix queue and start catching up over the summer. Last week was pretty awesome-Is Claire Dead? Drugged? What do you mean they have to move the island? Where to? Or should we say how...because I am betting they move the island THROUGH TIME and not geographically. Was Ben a poor man's Locke? Has Locke now arrived to claim what should have been his? What is the deal with this Island?

And how is Sayid going to get Jack, Kate, Sun, Jin, and HURLEY on that little blow up raft he is driving in to save everyone on? These last 2 episodes I am expecting nothing short of amazing. For a little spoiler info from the show's producers, see the link below (they don't give up a whole lot-don't worry).
http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=30ea40d8-c950-4ae6-af8e-3c7cd60d6384

Sick Days and Work Days

So I took 3 sick days last week as my sinuses have been attacked by all the pollen in the air right now. Feeling much better now but still draining like crazy-seriously, where does all of the snot COME from? I am sure my office mate LOVES hearing me blow every 15 minutes. Gross. Not to mention all the drainage has been giving me crazy awful heatrburn. *sigh*

So, I've been trying to catch up at work AND prepare to move offices. AND keep up with all my reality TV addictions. Its a tough life.

So last night Jason Castro got the boot on IDOL, and deservedly so-he was the worst of the night, and despite the combo of his pretty fave and spacey charm (see: That 70's Show's Michael Kelso) being the least polished/experienced performer left worked to his disadvantage. He looked quite relieved and happy to be the one going, and I think he knew that making it this far was a pretty big deal considering he does not fit any previous Idol mold. I did not think he was as dreadful as the judges made it out to be-and forgetting the words, well, Brooke did it and Archie has done it THREE TIMES and its not the WORST crime. I mean, I've been to a lot of concerts and seen plenty of artists forget their own words! But he was the most underwhelming performer of the night so the little train that could Syesha keeps chugging along through the Bottom 2/3 right into the Top 3. David v. David in the finale here we come!

Next week is three song night-contestant choice, producer's choice, and judges choice. I wish they would do less songs and be able to do one or two full length choices. It really distracted me last week when after a minute and a half the performances abruptly ended, mostly when they were just starting to go somewhere. I mean let's face it, real songs are not that short, and I might like a lot of people if I only have to listen to them for 90 seconds. But no one asked me.

I was also excited to see Fatima continue on to the top 3 in America's Next Top Model! Wheeee for the Somali girl!

Tonight is LOST night and the Office! I have to confess Grey's Anatomy has lost some luster for me, although I hear its going to be getting good so I am going to have to catch up online. But the Office has been AWESOME so that is my must see TV along with LOST for the evening. I can't wait to see how they get off the island.....and why some people are left behind. Anyone got any good theories????