StoneRose Valley My Thoughts, Expressions, and Passions

Well, we now have Louisville behind us….there were a LOT of people who showed up….and not so many who got through to Hollywood.

Here are those who were noteworthy.

Joanna Pacitti-23 years old-had a very nice voice. I was impressed as well as the judges.

Brent Keith Smith was surprising; his voice is very different, but I believe I like him.

Matt Giraud…I wrote him down as noteworthy…but I can’t for the life of me remember him now. Oh, well.

Alexis…I thought she had something there, but she should tone it down a bit…just my opinion.

Aaron Williamson. He didn’t make it through, but he deserves a remark. Very nice young man, he really did brighten up the day. He, Paula, and Kara had a shout fest going on there.

Getting towards the end of the hour, I wanted to cry out “Can we just dispense with the drama?!!!” No, impossible. It went on.

But one more outstanding individual caught some attention before the conclusion: 18 year old Leneshe Young. Very nice vocals, and her original song was quite something as well.

Keep your eyes out for these individuals as we enter rougher waters…and see you tomorrow at Jacksonville, Florida.

Posted under American Idol, Entertainment

San Francisco….I didn’t see a lot of talent tonight…but a few memorable moments;

First up was Tatiana Del Torro….she had an OK voice…but was really annoying.

Jesus’ Valenzula had some nice vocals…and you just had to love those kids of his! I really did like his voice, I just think that he needs to find a style that goes with it–his musical groove.

The top vocalist we saw tonight has to be Adam Lambert. This guy has a great voice. I really, really liked it. True, he does seem a bit theatrical, but I’m excited to see where he goes. Adam should be a major contender in this competition.

I also was impressed by Kai Kalama. Sure, he could learn a lot, but this guy’s got heart. He’s got good, solid vocals, and now just needs to learn to use them well. I’ll be watching for him.

Overall, tonight was pretty uneventful…but who knows what talent will show up in Hollywood!

Posted under American Idol, Entertainment

I felt just about dead after all the D-R-A-M-A tonight. I don’t blame folks for getting emotional over not getting in-hey, that’s probably what I’d be doing. But pleeeaaassseee camera dudes! Get out of their faces and leave them be!

I missed some of the first couple auditions, but here are my favs….

Von Smith has a good voice…but he seemed like he was pushing for it too much. He can get better, and I look forward to seeing that in Hollywood, hopefully.

Micheal Castro?! What! This is Jason’s kid brother?! Wow! I like this dude. He is definitely a Castro, but his own individual. This should be fun.

The welder guy-Matt Breitzke was it? He has a nice voice, but needs a lot more something…probably support and technique.

OK, I absolutely LOVED Jessica Furney. This girl is so sweet, and really has a great voice. Of course, she could be better, and she’ll learn. I can’t wait to see what she does.

Jamar and Danny…This friendship really touched me. Jamar was only so-so for me, but Danny? He’s in my top now. Aside from the very sad facts of what he’s been through the past few months; he has a fabulous voice. Oh, I am SOOOO excited to see him grow and develop!

Anoop…Is that a name? I don’t even know if I’m spelling it right….He stood out, but I’m not sure if that was a positive thing or not….

Asa Barnes; his daughter is so cute! And he also had some nice vocals.

And Lil Rounds reminded me somewhat of Melinda Doolittle. She has a good voice, which is always helped out by appearing very sweet and humble.

One thing I got to say; I mean what’s-his-name? The dream guy…Dennis? I have to agree with Simon there. Dream-dude totally talked the judges into letting him go on…and personally, I find that very distasteful in an individual. But he’s on to Hollywood. Let’s see if he can make good his promise.

Honestly, I’m not sure I can sit through the auditions next week. I alternately wanted to pull my hair out, scream, and wished I could sink through the floor in embarrasment for/at the contestants. Is it just for the few seconds of TV “fame” that they do these crazy things? Really….I’m still shaking my head.

Well, next Tuesday then.

Posted under American Idol, Entertainment, Music

So, another season of American Idol has begun. And with it, all the drama that we’ve come to expect. I must admit…I got really tired of it. The drama that is. And I grew embarrassed for some of the contestants. And the judges. Each had their moments.

As usual, there were some people there that I had to wonder about…were they for real?
But there was some real talent shown tonight as well. I wish I had payed closer attention to the names that came through. The rocker girl at the very beginning? Yeah, she really stood out. And two of the guys were rather good…I think they were some of the younger ones. That girl, Stevie Wright, has potential. Oh, and I really liked Brianna. Her voice was pretty fair, especially on “Killing Me Softly”, but over everything, it was just so hard not to like her! Her personality and honesty completely won me over! Then there was that sixteen year old (Arianna was it?) who reminded me of Jordin Sparks…I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not…probably because she’s the same age Jordin was when we first met her. And then there was the nice fellow from Texas (you got me there!)…I rather liked his voice.
But the cap goes off to Scott. He truly is an amazing and talented young man. He should go very far indeed in this competition.

Anyway, we’ve entered a new season. A season that will last till mid-May. A season that will bring heartache and joy to not a few people. And a season that is supposed to be more challenging to the contestants than any before.

See you tomorrow night.

Posted under American Idol, Entertainment, Music

Verse Of The Day
“In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“An average view of the Christian life is that it means deliverance from trouble. It is deliverance in trouble, which is very different. ‘He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High…there shall no evil befall thee.’” Oswald Chambers.

Oh, the truth to these words! I must confess that all to often, I lose sight of that simple truth. In the trials of this world, I often become overwhelmed, wondering how I could ever hope to stay afloat. I forget that I can’t, not on my own. But Christ has overcome the world. And in His secret place I am safe. But I have to go there. I have to accept His help, in fact, give everything to Him. And then in that place shall no evil befall me.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have it’s perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:2-6

Am I willing to trust Him every day of my life? To let Him test me, producing endurance? To admit my lack of wisdom, and humbly ask Him for more? And to ask in faith, without the nagging doubts that so often assail us? Am I willing to ‘be of good cheer’, with joy in my heart when the hard times come?
These questions must be asked. Hopefully, you’re answer is yes to all of them. But while that is what I really want my answer to be, sometimes I find I do not live my life according to that answer. You have to be willing to let God grow that desire in you, to seek Him daily and cultivate that relationship with Him. I find that I have to constantly rededicate my life to Him and to His will. I wonder, does there ever come a time when we don’t have to do that? The answer seems to be no; you will have to make decisions for Christ every single day of your life. We live in a sinful world, full of temptations; and unless you live as a hermit, miles from any human contact all your life, you will be tempted by this world to turn from Christ. You should not feel guilty for being tempted, but you should for giving in. I want to encourage you to fight temptation; to continually seek His face. To persevere in the trials, leaning on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Knowing that He has indeed overcome the world.

Posted under Life Thoughts, Quotes, Verses

Just when I thought “Can this day get ANY worse?!!” I saw IT. And promptly screamed.

But let me back up a bit….

The day started out like nearly any other day. It turned drastically different when I checked my bank account and found a big withdrawal that I hadn’t authorized. Of course, I was very concerned about that and went straight-away to the bank to straighten the whole thing out.

Found out that a major chunk of what little money I have is going to be frozen for some time…lovely (and here I must say this with a smile-the only way to stay sane).

So that threw most of my day of majorly. I remembered on my way into town that I was supposed to be at that very moment on my way to meet a friend for a bible study we had arranged the week previous. I called my friend and got our meeting postponed till noon. After finding out what I could do about the unauthorized withdrawal (not much at the moment), and afore-mentioned study with friend, I went to work till five. Along in the afternoon (yes, while I was working; trying to at any rate) we ran into some trouble with one of the new calves just born that morning…and wouldn’t you know it, none of the men in the family were home at the time. So that meant I had to go try to fix it…finally had to make an emergency call to my brothers to come out and get things back to normal-by the way, interrupting their day-and was able to get back to work.

Needless to say, by the time five o’clock rolled around, I was exhausted and ready for bed. But it was not to be. I walked into the kitchen to get something to drink-preferably something loaded with caffeine- and noticed my mental kitty staring intently at the bread basket. I wondered at this, but hey, the cat’s lost something inside that head already, and I went on about my business. Next thing I knew, I heard a rustling in the basket. I looked over, and, yes, saw a mouse tail hanging out. I totally lost it at that point.

I got every cat and dog we own inside that kitchen trying to catch that mouse…but none of the animals seemed very obliging…and we lost the mouse. All the bread was tossed out…and my poor, mental Smoky is still staring intently at the now empty bread basket and the hole beneath the dishwasher which allowed the mouse an escape.

Posted under Hard Times, Crazy Times