Philosophy Friday

GOOD VIEW














GOOD NEWS
My copyedits for Spirit Dance arrived on Monday- and they were so minor I got the done the same day!

My brother (finally!) got a job

I met someone who might be able to help my mom find a home health aid

I offered to do something for someone without expecting anything in return


GOOD ADVICE
"Happiness comes from inner peace; Knowing that who you are now is the best person you can be on that day"- my Creative Partner, Melissa James

Philosophy Friday

GOOD VIEW














GOOD NEWS

Afternoon Delight was nominated for a Readers Choice Award

The copy edits are coming for Spirit Dance with no revisions

I won a watch in a contest

Someone insulted me and ten people jumped to my defense

A lady thanked me for bringing her joy


GOOD ADVICE

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.
Small people always do that, but the really great make
you feel that you, too, can become great." Mark Twain

AI- Top 12 Results

Okay, color me surprised.

Because while I got my wish and Antonella "looks good in a paper bag but can't sing her way out of it" Barba went home, and while it was a tough choice between Sundance and Sanjaya who I thought both sang badly this week, I would NEVER have believed that Phil Stacy would stay on the show after that god-awful rendition of a LeeAnn Rimes song while Jared Cotter was voted off. And I'm really stunned that Haley "Simon can't remember my name because I'm boring" Scarnato is staying while Sabrina Sloan, a professionally trained vocalist, is going home.

Well, I have to hand it to IDOL because the show definitely hold my interest and is full of surprises. Speaking of which- does anyone else think the "American Idol Gives Back" is a load of self-serving, self-promoting crap? Wow, for two whole shows the sponsors- not the show producers- will donate (you notice they don't say how much) to charity. Since malaria is a much bigger problem than even AIDS, I would have liked to see IDOL make a direct million-dollar donation (less than half of what they charge advertisers) instead of patting themsleves on the back for two days.

On a lighter note.... As for next Tuesday, I'm not sure I can handle two hours of Diana Ross...

Oh who am I kidding? I'll be watching

IDOL- Top 8 Tues & Wed

GIRLS
I was at a community association meeting and missed the first three contestants (Although based on the recap at the end of the show, I'm glad I missed Antonella, who I really hope leaves the show tomorrow).

[Oh and by the way, does anyone else notice that Ryan shakes hands with and hugs the guys but doesn't touch the girls unless they ask like Lakisha did tonight?]

Haley sang something I'm unfamiliar with that was completely forgettable and I think she's going home tomorrow.

Stephanie seemed at ease on stage with "Sweet Thing" and has a nice voice. I thought she went flat on the low notes but otherwise it was a good performance.

Lakisha started a beat behind the band and I give her credit for trying to make "Close One More Door" different. She's going all the way but I hate that sausage dress they put her in tonight!

I think that even if Gina doesn't go that far she can look back on tonight and say she had a great time. She seemed to have some breath control problems but other than that she was really good.

"Cause I'm a Woman" was not my favorite song choice for Melinda (Too wordy and staccato) but I give her all kinds of credit for pushing the envelope. I didn't think such a sweet girl could do a raw song and I was wrong she gave a great performance and I dare say she is Simon's favorite.


GUYS
Blake started the night with a song by 3-11. He has a good voice but I couldn't understand a word eh said and apparently neither could Simon. The judges liked his originality but I thought it was an average performance

Sanjaya was next with aweak rendition of "Waitin' on the World to Change". His voice is too bubblegum to do justice to an 'anthem'. He's a sweet kid but he's out of his league in this competition (and he needs to cut his hair so we can see his pretty face!). I expect him to go home this week

I liked Sundance's sense of humor in the behind-the-scenes- video but I didn't like the Pearl Jam song. It was the wrong choice and won't appeal across the audience. Also I don't think he sang it that well. He needs to go home, too.

Chris R tried to be different with a Keith Urban song and I like that he's not afraid to try different sounds. But even though he still hasn't wowed me, he'll go far in this competition.

Jared seemed like he was having a lot of fun and he has a very nice voice. But "If You Really Love Me' was a copy of Stevie Wonder- he didn't make it his own. That said there were worse performances and Jared will be here next week.

I thought Brandon gave one of if not the best performance of the night with "I Just Wanna Celebrate". He started good, had fun and gave a nice performance and finished well. Look for him to go far.

Okay Sundance may last another week after all because Phil stunk up th eplace. His choice of a Leanne Rime song was horrendous. His voice was all over the place- weak and breathy- and just Yuck. See ya Phil.

Last but definitely not least was Chris S. with a song called "We All Wanna Be Loved" (I think). He started strong and finished stronger and he'll go to the finals in my opinion. Now if the stylist can just change his glasses and cut his hair...

MY CUTS: Antonella, Haley, Phil and Sanjaya

AI- Sweet Sixteen

And so we continue with last year's obsession. I have to admit though, that I'm still so committed to two of last year's contestants ( I loved some of the singers and can't believe others have record deals?!?! ) that I haven't full-heartedly adopted anyone from Season Six yet.

Since IDOl will be on again tonight, I won't bore you with my assessments of the top 24 (plus I can't find all of my notes). I'll just give my favorite contestants up to this point:

GUYS
Blake Lewis is really cool. He looks comfortable on stage and is a very good performer with a sense of showmanship. Jared Cotter is a nice looking boy and has mastered coming across as both sexy and sweet- an important factor given the audience age range. I also like Brandon Rogers [who will shine with the right song choice], Chris Richardson [who has been a little bland but may end up a surprise] and Chris Sligh [despite his physical looks, his self- confidence is very attractive]

GIRLS
I really, really like Melinda Doolittle. Not only does she have a great voice but also a sweet personality and a humble spirit. I'll be rooting for her all the way. I like Lakisha Jones for the same reasons (though she needs to be careful with the stylist- I don't want to see her treated the way Mandisa was last season). I also like Stephanie Edwards (she has a nice R&B sound), Sabrina Sloan (great voice and she tries to be original) and Jordan Sparks (even though she's too young to understand and emote the lyrics she sings)

GOING HOME
Antonella Barba, Sanjaya Malakar, Haley Scarnato and I think Sundance Head [who seriously needs a new name]