I really enjoyed seeing this hollywood week video of Kris, Matt, Justin, and India. Really quite nice. Plus, it was just plain fun! 
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Posted under American Idol, Entertainment, Links, Music, Video's
This post was written by StoneRose on February 26, 2009
Well, my poll indicated that Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, and Megan Corkrey would be our top three tonight…most of you now know that it was almost completely correct…well, two/thirds correct. Adam, Allison, and Kris Allen will all be moving on to the coveted top twelve.
No, I still don’t get all the hype surrounding Adam…maybe it all boils down to personal preference. I did like his performance tonight much more than last nights. And I liked his audition and during Hollywood week he sounded stellar. Maybe that’s why I was so dissapointed last night; because it was just so different than the Adam I had previously seen and enjoyed.
Allison and Kris, to me, didn’t perform as well as they did last night. But they both completely deserve to be in the top twelve…and, upon reflection, so does Adam. Sure, I didn’t enjoy hearing (or seeing) him perform “Satisfaction”, but that doesn’t change the fact that he has incredible range and good vocals. So, yeah, tonight I’m very happy with the results.
I am sorry (though not surprised) that Jasmine did not make it through. The judges did hint that we’d be seeing some of the same faces from tonight in the wild card round…maybe we’ll see Jasmine again?
Speaking of the wild card round…I understand that the following might possiblly be the case: The judges each pick two of their favorites to come back to perform for the wild card round; from which three are then chosen (as in the auditions) to progress up to the final twelve.
Who will be in this wild card round? Well, without having seen the last group, it is certainly too early to tell. But here are a few of my guesses. Ricky Braddy (absolutely), Anoop Desai, Megan Corkrey, Matt Giraud. With possibly one of the following thrown in there somewhere; Tatiana Del Toro, Anne Marie Boskovich, Jasmine Murray, and Jesse Langseth. “But that’s nearly all of them!” you say. Yeah, I know. 
There’s a lot of talent this year.
Of course, we havn’t heard the last group yet, so as I said, it’s still too early to tell.
And that leads me on; the last group of twelve. They are, in alphabetical order:
Alex Wagner-Trugman
Arianna Asfar
Felicia Barton
Jorge Nunez
Ju’Not Joyner
Kendall Beard
Kristen McNamara
Lil Rounds
Nathaniel Marshall
Scott MacIntyre
Taylor Vaifanua
and Von Smith
My early predictions are that we’ll see (and hear) some great stuff from Lil Rounds, Scott, and Von Smith…those three are going to be hard to beat. But anything is possible (gah-I sound like some cheesy comercial!) at this point. I think Alex and Felicia may come in swinging…and honestly, I don’t remember either Taylor or Arianna, so completely possible that they could take me by surprise.
One things’ for sure, I am (and probably all of the contestants are too) so ready for next week to be over! Then we’ll know our top twelve…but I guess the pressure’s still on then…the consequences aren’t quite so severe, though, in that only one will be leaving per week versus the nine so far.
So much for this week, now we’re on to the next!
As always, I welcome your feedback! (hint, hint–Come on, I know there are a number of you, surely someone has something to say!)
Posted under American Idol, Entertainment, Expressions, Music
This post was written by StoneRose on February 26, 2009
I regret to inform you that I will be posting my opinions…thoughts…or whatever they may be, later tonight than usual. I have a business meeting that my class is required to attend…and that just happens to be at the same time as American Idol airs.
But, some good friends of mine (also my sponsor-check it out) are going to Tivo it for me, and let me come by after my meeting so I won’t miss anything! So, check back here around, say, 9:00 or 9:30 and I should have my comments up. Hope all of you enjoy watching tonight’s show! Personally, I’m keeping my fingers crossed…
Posted under American Idol, Entertainment, Links, Music
This post was written by StoneRose on February 26, 2009
Here are my favorite performances from tonight’s show. Sorry to all you Lambert fans out there, but Adam did not make it in my list.
Kris was my favorite…no idea if he’ll make it to the top 12 or not…based on tonights performances, I think he deserves a spot there…we’ll see.
Allison made it second place in my book. For only sixteen years of age, this girl has got some pipes!
And lastly, Jesse Langseth. I love her bluesy-jazz tone!
Other than these three, I really didn’t enjoy tonight’s show. But I have to include Jasmine Murray ’cause she’s my local girl!
I guess I do have to say that I enjoyed Mishavonna Henson as well…but I thought four video’s were quite enough.
So saying, these are not my top predictions from tonight…just those that I personally enjoyed best. As I said in a previous post, I believe the top male spot will be taken by Adam Lambert…the top female space will be in Allison Iraheta’s hands…and I’m hoping that Kris Allen will make the third slot. We’ll see tomorrow night.
Video’s by Lenny Limbo.com and qwaszx.org
Posted under American Idol, Entertainment, Links, Music, Video's
This post was written by StoneRose on February 25, 2009
So, whaddaya think? Who is going to be our top three from this group?
Hurry, this poll will close before the results show tomorrow night!
Posted under American Idol, Entertainment, Music, Polls
This post was written by StoneRose on February 25, 2009
Here we are again; another twelve hopefuls will be performing tonight. I will be typing this review up in real time…adding each contestant as they finish their performance so you can follow right along with me!
Jasmine Murray will be starting off the night with “Love Song”. The start is kind of iffy. Her performance is fairly good, but really does not stand out. I don’t think this night will turn out good for her. I do like Jasmine and think she is quite talented, but this year might be too early; can she and Stevie Wright come back next year?
Randy thought it was the wrong song choice, and a little pitchy at times.
Kara thought the range was too low for her; not her best performance.
Paula has to agree with the others. But likes her confidence.
Simon likes her. But he thinks it’s a couple of years too early to really see what she can do.
Matt Giraud comes next. Singing “Viva La Vida”; honestly, I wasn’t too sure about this song choice. There is something I like in his voice…but I don’t like how breathy his tone is. The song just isn’t right for his voice.
Randy thinks Matt has ‘mad talents’. His advice: “Go for Ray Charles. Chris from Coldplay wouldn’t be singing Ray Charles–Matt, you can!”
Kara thought the bluesy soulful guy was lost in the song.
Paula really liked him a lot in Hollywood. She thought it a risky song to pick. She saw his rehearsal and thought Matt’s performance tonight was far better than the rehearsal.
Simon thought it verging on a horrible performance; “You turned from someone very cool to a wannabe pop star.”
Jeanine Vailes is next up, performing “This Love” by Maroon Five. Honestly, I’m already put off, as I really dislike Maroon Five. But she sounds pretty good. Well, the verse was good. The chorus sounded pitchy to me. Was daring at the end. But overall….ah. This is a not-so-good night for these contestants.
Paula didn’t get anything out except that Jeanine has good legs…? This is a singing competition, not a beauty pagent Paula!
Simon thought it was terrible for Jeanine. “Everyone is choosing the wrong songs tonight!” he exclaimed.
Randy agreed with Simon that it was the wrong song choice.
Kara called it overdone.
Nick Mitchell is next….oh, this guy really gets on my nerves. He mentioned having an identity crisis–yeah! He makes me think of another Taylor Hicks….he might be entertaining from a stage, but come on, honestly folks! would you buy an album of his? Would you not change the radio station if you heard this come on? My sister compared him to a floor show…and I think she’s right. Please, people, don’t cause one of the better singers to leave by keeping this floor show fellow in the competition!
Simon prays he does not go through to the next round. He called it “one of the most atrocious performances we’ve ever had; it was like a horrific comedy!”
Randy thought it one of the most entertaining performances ever.
Kara laughed; “at least we remember you. You wear the same shirt like Simon every week. You’re not a terrible singer, I don’t see you in the music market but I enjoyed you.”
Paula contributed this to the conversation; ‘This is America and we get all types of singers. You are a true performer, this may not be the stage for you, but there is a [proper] place for you.’
PLEASE!! Vote him into some comedic platform…he is really good at what he does, but this is not the competition he should be in.
Allison Iraheto, only sixteen, is singing “Alone” by Heart tonight…Ramiele Malubuy sang this last year extremely well. Allison reminds me a bit of Gina Glocksen. I like this girl-definitely the best of the night so far! I love her husky tone; very nice performance indeed.
Randy thinks this is a funny show tonight. “Now we have real singing. You’re jumping it off tonight!–blew it off the box; hottest of the night so far!”
Kara thinks Allison doesn’t even know how good she is. “Keep getting comfortable on stage. With the right song you can have a big hit on the radio.”
Paula brought back this familiar phrase from last year “You can sing the telephone book. By far the best of the night!”
Simon disagrees with Randy-”Randy said you might be the best of the night-no, you ARE the best. You need a little more confidence and to show a little more personality. But that was good.”
Kris Allen is one of my early likes. Singing“Man in the Mirror”, he is, in my opinion, the best of the guys so far. Really enjoying this performance. He puts me in mind Chris Richardson from season five. Oh, yeah!! This guy is good!
Kara thought the back half was way better than the front; and thought it was the wrong song.
Paula disagreed completely with Kara. “You showed personality; and nailed the song! You looked harming up there.”
Simon agrees with Paula! YES! Saying Kris is “not the best singer in this competition, but what you did tonight was good. You made an effort. I was quite proud of you!”
That’s the review I’m looking for! Quite a hit!
Randy thinks Simon was partly right. “You can do it without the guitar. Nice jump-off.”
Up next is Megan Corkrey singing “Put Your Records On”. This is another of those ’safe-songs’. But it is suited to her voice. She lacks stage presence, but no denying she has a good voice. I would like to hear a little more support beneath her voice though. So far tonight, I’d place her in the top three.
Paula; “You won us over in Salt Lake. Picked the right song; you did everything right tonight. I loved you.”
Simon called her “a funny little thing. It started off really well. But you oversang the second part of the song.” Simon said he hopes that America votes for Megan; but just wished the vocals were a little bit better tonight.
Randy loves the smokey jazz tone of her voice.
Kara said Megan is “a packaged artist. With the right song/video, you could do really well.”
Matt Breitzke is singing “If You Could Only See” by Tonic. To me, his performance seems to lack passion. I was a bit bored. Nice vocals though.
Simon really likes Matt. But hated that song. “I’m frustrated because you were one of the few guys I remembered. This was boring and didn’t suit you.”
Randy thought the performance was boring and didn’t show “the great Matt from Hollywood. But I like you. Good luck.”
Kara agreed; “we all like you, but this didn’t show us any side of you. You can sing, so this was about poor song choice.”
Paula echoed everyone else, saying “you have a real nice voice…just not the right song for you.”
Jesse Langseth, a single mom, chose “Bette Davis Eyes”. Well, she’s better than many others we’ve had tonight. She, like Megan, has that bluesy-jazz quality to her voice. I like her actually. But her performance was also a bit boring. I wanted to see her move about a little more; draw us in.
Randy thought it an ok performance. “But it wasn’t really exciting. I want to see you stretch yourself.”
Kara said “this is your best look…You also took some risks tonight; this wasn’t the most rangy to show yourself off, but there were some moments.”
Paula told Jesse “I have found you captivating throughout. You have an identifiable sound; I remember you. You’re cool.”
Simon disagreed with Paula, saying “I think you’re forgettable. You have quite a nice voice though.”
Kai Kalama is singing “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted”. Nice vocals…but I’m bored so far…is getting though. Kai does have some good tone. But this is just a safe performance.
Kara told Kai “I just like you; you’re a really good guy. There were some pitch issues, and it was a little old fashioned. But there were some moments.”
Paula said she could tell Kai likes the throw-back songs, calling him quite the performer. “You have the chops to do really do well in this business if you work hard.”
Simon thought it very old fashioned; comparing it to a hotel performance. “There was nothing distinct, original, or memorable about it. You’d make a good back up singer.”
Mishavonna Henson, with “Drops of Jupiter”, has a very different voice from what we’ve heard so far. Love the verses, but the chorus has been fairly bland. Until that last one. That was nice.
Paula is a fan of Mishavonna’s voice, but that song wouldn’t have been Paula’s choice for her; “That song just didn’t excite me.”
Simon said the song was a great one, but thinks Mishavonna’s too serious; though technically a really good singer. “But that left me very cold. I want to see a younger and funner side of you.”
Randy thought Mishavonna feels so much older than 18. “And this song didn’t show your voice off.”
Kara didn’t mind the song but wants to see her loosen up a bit.
Adam Lambert chose to sing “Satisfaction”…and I really don’t know what to say. I don’t like his song choice. Has a good voice….but I really don’t like this. I’m very dissapointed.
Paula doesn’t even have words to express…”I feel like I’m watching the Adam Lambert concert. In a league of your own.”
Simon said “I am really finding this difficult. There were parts that were terrible, and parts that were quite incredible.”
Randy loved it! “Here’s why, you’re one of the most current artists we’ve seen. You gotta’ watch, don’t overdo it though. It was the bomb!”
Kara told Adam “Your vocal technique is outrageous. You have a crazy range in a good way.”
My top two guys would be Kris….and Kris. Was really dissapointed in the guys tonight. But I’m going to predict Kris and Adam as the top guys. As for the girls…Would definitely be Allison and Mishavonna.
I would love to hear what your thoughts on tonight are; leave me a comment!
Posted under American Idol, Entertainment, Music
This post was written by StoneRose on February 25, 2009
Here is one of my favorite posts by one of my favorite blog authors-Brin. Unfortunately, she is closing down her blog in April. You have that much time to grow to love her as I do. And get on her mailing list.
I wanted to share this post (and have it available for myself to read over whenever I find the need to do a little mowing myself) with you and allow you future reference before this timeless treasure is lost forever (I know, bit of an oxy-moron there).
As a new homeowner, I’m learning lots about handling a household on my own. Allow me, then, to share with you my Girl’s Guide To Mowing. It just may save your life…Go out and get yourself a brand new, electric start, self-propelled lawnmower. Do not borrow your neighbor’s. (We are girls, after all. We take help where we can get it but do things right the first time.) When they deliver the mower in a box, call Jo to help you get it out and Sam to oil it up and pour in the gas. There. Now you are ready.
We do not mow as guys mow. Oh no. We are multi-taskers. Queens of doing five things at once. Therefore, make your mowing time matter. Think of it as an opportunity to fit in a little spa time. Assemble the following products: teeth whitening strips, sunscreen, foot lotion, anti-cellulite cream, heat-activated hair conditioner, and hand moisturizer. Before heading out, apply teeth whitening strips. Apply moisturizer to hair, comb, and tuck under baseball cap. Rub in anti-cellulite cream before sliding into jeans. Apply foot lotion and cover with heavy cotton socks and rubber boots. Apply cuticle cream and hand moisturizer and put on gloves. Stand back. Gloat that by the time the yard is neatly mowed, your teeth will be whiter, your body and hair softer and your thighs less cellulite-y. Ha. Let’s see a guy think of this.
Start Your Engine
Approach lawnmower. Engage your abdominals (like that brunette on your pilates video). Remember you forgot the lawnmower key. Disengage, run inside, return with key. Start lawnmower. Activate self-propelled feature and wince as it nearly jerks both shoulders from their sockets. Hang on, girl. (And engage those abdominals.)
The Art of Mowing
Lawnmowers are violent, ruthless machines by nature, therefore don’t think about it when you run over crickets. Also, try to avoid sticks and bricks. And rocks. Decide that, once upon a time, your yard must have been a stone quarry. Or a Civil War era rock garden. As such, it’s okay to yelp and scream when the mower hits and flings rocks, just make sure no one’s watching and remember to ease off the self-propelled feature. And… oh… that. That was just the grass cover-thingy. It’s okay. It falls off all the time, I think.
Troubleshooting
Or maybe it was important. When the lawnmower dies, don’t freak out. It’s okay. Reattach grass guard thing and try to start mower. Hmmm. Realize mower’s probably out of gas and run to get your cute gas jug. Carefully unscrew gas can and stare with disbelief when you realize it still has gas. Try to start mower again. When it makes that little PUFF sound as you turn the key, begin to mutter under your breath. Rock mower back and forth to dislodge whatever’s under there. When that doesn’t work, pull it around awhile and try to start it again. Speak clearly and sternly to it. (You won’t put up with this, after all. It’s a new mower.) When that doesn’t work, take off your sweaty/lotion-y gloves and … go inside.
Phone a friend.
Repair and Maintenance
When friend asks if something’s caught in the blade, act as though you’d thought of that already. Turn mower over. Don’t sound surprised when something is, in fact, caught in the blade. Politely hang up and find a stick. Poke at the clumped-up mass. When it doesn’t budge, poke harder. DO NOT dwell on the fact that one false poke could leave you without your right hand for life. Take off glove, wipe stupid lotioned-and-creamed-hand onto your dirty jeans, and poke harder. When it doesn’t move, cry out in frustration.
Being a Team Player
When the guy working on the home next door hears you scream, don’t be surprised when he runs over. Smile and politely explain your dilemma. When he stares at you, keep smiling. When he says, “What in the world kind of get-up is that?”, and gestures to your “get-up”, continue to smile as you explain that it’s a little something called spa mowing. Don’t expect him to understand.
When he tips the lawnmower over, don’t panic. When he frees the blade, thank him profusely. Remind him that you are new to mowing and will soon have all this down. Be extra nice to him when he restarts the lawnmower and stares at you again. (And don’t tell him, when he asks, that the strong peppermint/caffeine smell is anti-cellulite cream.)
Resume mowing.
Completing Your Yard
Finish mowing, stopping only to readjust teeth whitening strips, to re-readjust teeth whitening strips, and to finally remove teeth whitening strips and fling them in the grass. (And okay, you can stop once for a Diet Coke with lime.) When yard is completed, stop to admire. Tell yourself that next time it won’t look as though a drunk person did it.
Storing Your Equipment
Start to wheel mower back to starting position and realize it’s hard to push once the motor is off. Tug/pull it halfway across the yard and decide to leave it and start there next time. Find your phone and Diet Coke and go inside.
Finishing The Job
Once inside, remove every nasty article of clothing. Consider burning them, then decide to wash them - twice - in really hot water and bleach. (Think Dr. Kay Scarpetta, Chief Medical Examiner.) Go to the bath. Go immediately to the bath. Do not pass the kitchen and do not collect another Diet Coke. When you get to the bath, scrub. When you close your eyes to rinse your newly-conditioned hair, try not to think of all the hopping crickets you massacred.
Now then. The yard is mowed and you are a brand new creature. (Girls are so clever.) Pat yourself on the back for mowing the yard all by yourself, and wonder why guys always gripe about mowing. Realize that they must not know how to do it effectively. Decide to write a guide for other mowing girls to share your newly-acquired knowledge.
Write the guide. Publish it on your blog. Remember why your blog is called My Messy, Thrilling Life. Now go outside. For heaven’s sake, go outside and enjoy that newly-mown lawn….
Posted under Hard Times, Crazy Times, Links
This post was written by StoneRose on February 25, 2009
If you are a fan of Ricky Braddy, you might be glad to hear that he very likely will be in the wild card round on March 5.
Also, if you were like me and just couldn’t figure out how the wild card round was going to work and driving yourself crazy with it; look no farther.
The Daily Advance has information on both Ricky and the wild card round.
Posted under American Idol, Entertainment, Links
This post was written by StoneRose on February 23, 2009
The next group of twelve to perform (Wednesday night-not Tuesday) consists of
Adam Lambert
Allison Iraheto
Jasmine Murray (go girl!)
Jesse Langseth
Kai Kalama
Jeanine Vailes (I think)
Matt Brietzke
Matt Giraud
Nick Mitchell
Megan Corkrey
Felicia Barton
Kris Allen (I remember liking him)
and Mishavonna Henson
I hope it will not be every Wednesday/Thursday from now on…bad timing. As far as this group is concerned; some good singers in here. Though this group isn’t quite as tight as last weeks. It’ll be close to call…so I’m not yet. I’ll wait till I actually hear them.
Check back here Wednesday at/around 8/7c as I hope to post in real time for you to follow along with. I will also open a poll to see who’s the popular pick for the top three!
Posted under American Idol, Entertainment
This post was written by StoneRose on February 23, 2009
Just because I think Tatiana has a very nice voice and deserves a little more recommendation in a positive way, here she is. I do hope she gets a chance at the wild card. It’s no small thing to pull off a Whitney Houston song as well as she did.
Posted under American Idol, Entertainment, Music, Video's
This post was written by StoneRose on February 19, 2009
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