Writing just because

I've been feeling like I need to write something in my blog sometime in the last week, but I don't really have anything terribly exciting to say. I might feel the need because my last entry was such a downer (sorry but I really was disappointed) or just because I hate going too long without writing. But here I am writing even without much to say.

I guess I could talk about Idol and how I'm soooo ready for Hollywood week to just be over already. They over dramatize and drag it out to the max and by the time all of that is done, I'm just ready for them to start the singing competition already. Hallelujah that tomorrow is the last night of Hell Week, as it's so fondly called.

I do think that Ellen has done well thus far. She's kept the one liners to a minimum or used them at appropriate times, and she has made it about the contestants. I actually think she's a better judge than both Kara and Randy to be quite honest. She is honest but less brutal than Simon, which is often a refreshing change. I'm already seeing some favorites emerge from this crop of singers, and I'm interested so see how they do as the competition really gets underway. Hmmm

The other subject I can talk about is the Olympics! I love watching the Olympics. I would say I love all the events, but the truth is that I don't love all events equally. I did enjoy the moguls and I like speed skating, but figure skating is my top choice. Speak, Smirk and I just got finished watching the mens short program. We saw some pretty awesome skaters, and it'll be interesting to see how it all shakes out on Thursday. Usually we don't have very strong talent in men's figure skating, but this year there are a couple standouts.

I feel terrible for Jeremy Abbott whose Olympic debut was less than ideal. I think he ended up in 14th place, mostly because he missed his jumps. The judges are apparently harsher with men's skating than with pairs because there were a number of pairs skaters who biffed it or missed their jumps and they still got higher scores than what I thought they deserved. Oh well. I'm hardly a skating expert so I should just chill. But it still seems awfully suspicious. . .

In any case, I sure do enjoy watching the Olympic events. It's getting late now so I'd probably better go. I'll write more later.

My Favorite Show Ever is Back!!!

I am so happy right now!

Why is that you might ask?

Because my very favorite show is back again!! That show is. . . drum roll please. . .American Idol!!

As I have written in here before, I am a devoted American Idol fan. I love to watch the show from start to finish, from the terrible (and sometimes wonderful) auditions all the way to the Idol crowning in May. It gives me such a rush and more than a little laughter.

Tonight's show didn't disappoint. From the creepy Uni bomber guy with attitude galore to the Anime chick, complete with cape to the girl who was an "expert" according to the American Idol video game on the Wii (the judges disagreed with their video selves' assessment of the girl). Smirk and I (and Speak too when she got home from work) had some very quality laughing time as we listened. I don't know who these people's friends are, but they lied when they told them they could sing!!

But there were a few notable performers that I'm excited to see in future rounds, including a hunky cancer survivor from our very own Sandy. Finding talent is what this competition is all about, and I intend to witness it for myself if possible. Bring on the Idol!

The Dark Horse Rides Again

Don't you just love those movies or books where the person nobody thinks has much potential suddenly ends up performing feats that seemed impossible only pages or minutes before? I've always loved those types of stories. I think it's the strength of the human spirit twist that appeals to me.

Tonight I saw one for real when Kris Allen was crowned the 2009 American Idol!!!

In case you can't tell from the 10 exclamations in the last sentence, I'm pretty pumped about it! Kris has sneaked up on everybody to take the crown right out from under Adam Lambert, who seemed like a shoe-in to win for most of the season. I couldn't be more delighted about Kris' victory because not only is he a talented vocalist and performer, he's also quite attractive. Nothing like a little eye candy to make the performance that much more enjoyable. :) Have no fear though--I'm just enjoying the view because Kris is very much married to a cute little blonde that they show every week.

I was delighted with his victory because I think he genuinely deserves it, and I sure love to root for the underdog. I must confess that I totally thought Adam had the competition in the bag, but I was wrong and couldn't be happier about that. I also got so tired of Paula telling Danny Gokey every week "See you in the finals" when I didn't necessarily think he was headed in that direction or if he was that he deserved it. And I loved the look on Kris' face last week when Ryan Seacrest told him that he was in the finals--he was genuinely shocked. Tonight after he won Ryan was asking him what he thought, and he couldn't even praise himself because he was talking so much about how talented everyone, particularly Adam, was. I'm sure he was still pretty astounded at the results too, so I can't blame him for being speechless.

I think, like last year's David Cook, Kris is going to do well. His bluesy singing style (and let's be honest--sexy looks) is going to appeal to the masses. His wife better keep a tight hold on him; not that he would do anything bad, but I'm just sayin'. He's a class act--the real deal. Not that Adam wouldn't be too if he won, but I'm just so incredibly impressed with Kris.

Like millions of other people around the United States let me say an official congratulations to our 2009 American Idol Kris Allen!!

Confessions of an American Idol addict

As they say, confession is good for the soul, so here's my confession: I am completely addicted to American Idol!

From January to May, I make it a priority to ALWAYS be home if possible on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. so I can watch the show (I don't have cable or a VCR so if I don't watch it live, I can't see it) preferably with my very dear Speak. She is as much of a fan as I am! Plus, since she has more of a musical background than I do, I love listening to her critiques, which often make me burst into giggles because of their snarkiness. . . :)


Here is my other addiction: I love reading Michael Slezak's American Idol reviews on EW.com. I stumbled upon them last year, and now I find it imperative to sneak a few minutes during the day to read the reviews once the show has aired. I love his pragmatic approach and that he knows what he's talking about. Sometimes he can articulate what it is I was thinking but couldn't put into words.

Here's the link from his column about Tuesday night's auditions: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20255444,00.html



And yesterday, to my surprise and delight, I discovered another aspect to his American Idol coverage in the form of Idolatry. These are videos of him and another member of the EW staff discussing events which happened during that week. Last week they talked about the Joanna Pacetti controversy. (She had a record deal and recorded some music but it didn't work out so now she's on Idol. It's kind of the same situation Carly Smithson was in last season. The controversy is always should these types of people be allowed on the show since it's intended for undiscovered talent?) This week he interviewed Melinda Doolittle, the third runner up from Season 6, who is talented enough to have been the winner but tragically got voted off early.



Okay, I know that right about how you're thinking just how pathetic that I am, and I know it. I can't help it! I am addicted to the world of entertainment news and pop culture, especially American Idol. When it churns out such talent as David Cook (the smokin' hot winner from last season who deserved the Idol crown) and Carrie Underwood, I will never say it's all bad. Enjoy the eye candy below. :)

An eventful week

It's pretty much been all week since I've written anything and although I just posted something, I'm feeling the need to write more. This is partially because the last post is kind of depressing, frankly, and because this week has been full of events that I want to talk about in my blog.

First of all, we said hasta la vista to George W. Bush as our president (many people cheered at this and even booed him off the stage, but although I think he made some bad decisions, I don't think he deserved that kind of treatment) and we swore in the first African-American president ever, Barack Obama. He seems to be making waves already and doing his best to turn our country around from the bad situation it's in. I haven't always been an Obama supporter, but I respect him for stepping right up to the plate and starting in the government offices (with salary freezes) to turn things around. I'm holding out hope, like so many other million Americans, that he can be true to his campaign promises and really bring about change.

This is also the second week of American Idol. Yes, I know this is not nearly so groundbreaking as the first item, but it's foremost on my mind, so I'm going to discuss it. Honestly, the auditions were not so great this week. I thought it was really sad that the judges spent two days and saw 11,000 contestants in San Fran and only 12 made it to Hollywood!! Louisville, Kentucky wasn't much better; only 18 made it there, although I did see a couple of promising people. Idol's doing more of a touchy-feely thing in the audition round this time and while it adds a humanistic touch to the show, it's also early in the competition for them to try hooking viewers to a contestant. Within the next week they're going to be showing the auditions from our very own Salt Lake City!! I'm pretty pumped to see those.

I guess nothing else too historic happened today. However, I received a confirmation once again today of just how screwed up Utah's weather is. For the last few days it's felt more like March than January and it rained on both Saturday and this morning. I was pretty surprised when I got out of church today to see snow falling like crazy!! And it continued for most of the day. It's a very wet, heavy snow and if it freezes tonight, conditions will be treacherous tomorrow, even though my drive to work is pretty short. I must admit, though, that I am delighted to see precipitation because it means we're finally rid of the haze and the terrible air! Yay!

My very dear Speak discovered she had a bad gallbladder this week and had it removed on Friday. The surgery went well and she has been feeling pretty good, until today. She is receiving the best possible TLC from her parents, but I must admit that I'm having Speak withdrawals! I hope she feels better so she can come back soon!

Oh yeah--I know what else eventful happened this week. My friend and I bought tickets to Washington, D.C. in March!! Wa-hoo! I'm really going! I've never been back east before, and I think this will be a great opportunity! Plus, I get to see my very dear Kathryn who lives there now. I promised her I would visit her wherever and whenever she settled and here is me fulfilling my promise! Washington, here we come!! (well in three months anyway) :)

My sister and my niece are coming up for her doctor appointment tomorrow, and I'm excited to see them! In fact, I'm going to include a picture of my sister and my niece because it makes me happy. Enjoy!