2-25-2009 American Idol Recap

OMG, I am soooo good! Did you see the 3 that got through last week? Just what I predicted!

I couldn't do a live update earlier tonight because I was working at my temporary part-time job (yeah, as you guessed it, jobs are hard to come by these days) when AI came on. So, knowing that I couldn't do the live review one by one, I did the unexpected - I took notes while watching the playback (aka TiVo), so that when I finish watching the 2-hour show, I would remember the performances!

Man, again, I am so good that I should be a judge on the show! While I was watching the contestants perform, I was jotting down comments. And when the judges commented on their performances, MANY times they said what I wrote! No joke! So, I am going to put down my "scribbles" first before I elaborate.

Jasmine - Pitch all over the place! I know the judges always liked Jasmine, but I always thought that she was just okay. So, I was really expecting her to do well, since the judges have been singing such high praises for her. When she started singing, I was like, whoa, her pitch was all over the place! So needless to say I was disappointed. Not only did the judges also say that her pitch was all over the place, I believe they were, too, disappointed. My grade: C-

Matt - Nervous, liked version, way better than rehearsal? I liked him during Hollywood week and even more so after he was compared to Elliott Yamin - I LOVE Elliott Yamin - and agreed that he kinda sound like him. But when he started singing I can tell he was nervous 'cuz his voice was trembling. Either that or he had serious vibrato (which I doubt). When Paula said she thought he did way better than during rehearsals I was shocked; he must've been BAAAAD during rehearsals. I liked the little changes he made to the song and even though I don't think he did great, I am still going to root for him because I know he can bring it. My grade: B

Jeanine - Pitchy, darker Leona, too many runs. She hasn't gotten much air time so when I saw her "for the first time tonight" I thought she reminded me of a darker Leona Lewis! I had high expectations for her because of what she said of what Simon said about her, after trying to proof for 10+ years. The song she picked wasn't great and I thought she did way too many runs, which Kara agreed by saying "it was overdone". She may be a pretty girl and have nice legs and nice lips, but this is a singing competition. I hope America don't forget that. My grade: C-/D+

The name is Norman Gentle - Entertained!!! What a performer?! I was very entertained, and the judges also agreed! Although I am a little torn because even though I was pleasantly entertained, I also feel that he is treating this (competition) as a joke. Not his best singing - I've heard him better. My grade: C-/D+ for singing, A for entertainment factor!

Allison - Powerful (KC), okay though. I love Heart and before she started singing I was honestly scared of her possibly butchering it. But when she started singing I was pleasantly surprised because she's only 16! And then when she started belting it out she gave me the Kelly Clarkson vibe (that's what KC stood for), which one of the judges said so too! There were some pitchy issues but I think overall she did a great job. The only one person who stood out for me. My #1 pick and my grade: A-/B+

Kris - ?, interesting choice, nice voice though. I didn't really know how to make of the performance. I remember thinking, Michael Jackson? You're going to tackle Michael Jackson? I thought it was okay but it didn't do as much for me as it did Paula and Simon. My grade: C-

Megan - Love her voice, weird dancing. OMG I just love the tone of her voice! I am really liking that soul and jazzy and blues tone! And Randy nailed it by comparing her voice to Duffy and Adele. The only thing that bothered me about her performance was her very awkward dancing. Because of that weird dancing, my grade: B-

Matt B for "Baldy" - Karaoke singer. I thought his performance was just okay. Reminds me of someone who can sing well at a karaoke bar. My grade: C

Jesse - Red-headed Carmen Rasmussen (former AI contestant) but better singer, love her voice. Again, I am liking her voice because of her soul and jazzy tones to it. Song was okay. My grade: B-

Kai - Nothing. His performance didn't do anything for me. As a matter of fact, I actually started doing other things, which is very unusual for me since my eyes are usually glued to the tube when the show's on. I couldn't believe it when Simon agreed (with me) by saying Kai's performance was "NOTHING distinct, NOTHING original, NOTHING memorable". OMG, that's what I said! My grade: D+

Mishavonna - Nice voice, Katherine Heigl. I liked her voice during the audition and Hollywood week but wasn't sure where her voice would fit. When she started singing I thought she sounded like Pink and looked like Katherine Heigl. I thought she did pretty good overall. My grade: B

Adam - Good performer but annoying voice, nice version of song. I never did really like Adam. I always thought he was so theatrical (could it be because he's a theatrical actor/singer?!? Hmmmm...), so over-the-top. I thought he picked a great song, put on a great performance, and made a great version of the song. But oftentimes I find his voice annoying. I think Simon did too. My grade: B-

This week's contestants are not as easy to judge as the previous week's, and it's harder to tell who will make the top 3, because the "gap" isn't huge, making it very unnoticeable. This is a tough one! Nobody except for one really stood out for me, so I guess I will find out tomorrow if I have it right this week!

Based on the grades given, here are MY top 3: Allison, Matt, and Mishavonna. But I think America will put these 3 on the top 3: Allison, Adam, and Megan.

BTW, I have a special shout-out to Simon: I will NEVER boo you! I love you and I think you're great!

Valentine's Day at Mountain High

I know. Valentine's Day was last week. But it took me awhile to download the pictures from my camera...So, here they are!

For more clips from our day trip go to my YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.channel/iliketosingalot

2-17-2009 American Idol LIVE Update

Jackie - Forgot what she sang already. Just kidding. But it didn't do much for me. Good entertainer, but I don't think she has what Simon calls the "it" factor. My grade: C-

Braddy Bunch - I thought he sang really well! So what if he's a nice and shy guy? Who doesn't have alter egos (ahem, Beyonce vs. Sasha Fierce)? My grade: A-

Alexis - Boy can she sing?! Not the best song choice for her range but definitely an old soul for just a 21-year-old! I'm not sure if she reminds me of Kelly Clarkson, but I do hope she advances. My grade: B+

Brent - I thought he did just okay. I thought the song was fun but it didn't do much for me. My grade: C-

Stevie - Boy, oh boy, Stevie. What happened?! You did so well at your audition! I was rooting for you! But you picked an absolutely wrong song for yourself! I think you just blew your chance. My grade: D-

Anoop-Dogg - Very interesting choice of song. Nice voice but song not fitting at all and didn't showcase what you can do. My grade: C

Casey - She always reminded me of Rachel Bilson for some reason. But girl, looking cute can only get you so far when the talent is not really there. I thought the performance was almost as bad as Stevie's performance. My grade: D-

Michael (aka Ryan's twin) - I think he has a nice voice and he's definitely got the "like-ability" factor. I don't think he has the "it" factor to be a star, but I think his like-ability factor can get him pretty far. My grade: B

Ann Marie - Way too big of a song for her. She may have a nice clean voice that is better fitted for a Lee Ann Womack song, but not Aretha! She ain't got soul to back it up! My grade: D-

Stephen - For me, wrong choice of song. His voice is so nice and smooth and soulful...He should have picked Brian McKnight or something. Just wrong choice of song. My grade: C-

Tatiana - Annoying laugh aside, she does have a pretty nice full voice. Whitney songs are big and not too many people can pull it off, either can she. But surprisingly a nice attempt though. Better than Ann Marie's attempt in Aretha. Was it just me or did she look like a combination of Isla Fisher and Katharine McPhee in her clip and pictures? My grade: C+

Danny - I've been a fan. I think he's great and will go far. I have to admit that before he auditioned and told his sob story, I was like, oh gosh, not another one of those (Kelli Pickler). But he can sing! And I now do feel bad for his loss. Anyway, I love the soul in his voice. It is so unique! I thought tonight's performance wasn't his best, but I am sure he will make it through. I am still a fan. My grade: A-

I am STILL unemployed

I KNOW I'm not the only one who feels this way. I KNOW because I've read many articles online and because I have just read another one on today's MSN.com headline that says: What do you say to a jobless friend?

It's a MSN Careers article, titled Talking to a Jobless Friend. http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-1763-Career-Growth-and-Change-Talking-to-a-Jobless-Friend/?SiteId=cbmsnbchp41763&sc_extcmp=JS_1763_msnbc&gt1=23000

Seriously. I am so glad that I am not the only one. After all, there are millions of us out there that are unemployed. I am sure all of them, like me, are annoyed when asked "how's the job search going?" or "did you find a job yet?" or "are you working yet?".

Perhaps this is the "chicken way out of the situation" because I am posting my true feelings online instead of telling it to the persons who ask me these questions. Their feelings are probably hurt right now. So be it. This really isn't about them. I am just TIRED of being constantly reminded that I don't have a job. That I am eating my very-little-to-none savings away. That how pathetic I am for incapable of finding or landing a job. That I am in the predicament that I am in. I am TIRED.

So, with this post, I wanted to let you know AHEAD OF TIME that I am STILL not working, so that you wouldn't have to ask me the next time you see or talk or e-mail me. Instead, can we talk about something else, or something pleasant? When I do find a job, I will make an announcement so you can finally stop asking me.

American Idol Season 8 Update

I was so upset last night after they've announced the Top 36 of Season 8. I was on the fence whether I should tune in this season after the announcement. Why? Because they put that girl who's had a record deal in the past but flopped through (and I found out weeks ago she played broadway "Annie" when she was a child but got "dropped"), after she's forgotten her lyrics and sucked! Didn't Simon say that anyone who forgets the lyrics is out? So why was she still there on Judgement Day and why the he!! did she make it through to Top 36? What the #%$(#*???

Then I read the recap of last night's show on MSN.com (I can't figure out why I would read them because I actually watched the show) and found out that the show DISQUALIFIED her! YES! Hurray! Am I evil?!

On the other hand, don't you just love Danny's voice? You know, the guy who is a church music teacher and a widow? Sad story but what a voice he's got?! I hope he makes it far! Too bad his BFF couldn't join him on this journey though...

Na na...Hey hey...Goodbye.....to Bikini Girl!

I was so surprised when Bikini Girl survived Hollywood's First Round. American Idol must have kept her for the ratings!!! She is in no way, shape, or form a good singer! Plus her attitude is a turn-off. And she had the nerve to kiss Ryan again?! Ewww. Ryan needs to sanitize his lips.

Anyway, I was so glad to see her go. They shouldn't have let her stayed when she showed up late to the Second Round. Most importantly she really didn't deserve to be there in the first place.

I can't believe all the media attention she's getting! She was actually on air with Ryan Seacrest this morning on KIIS FM! Who the heck does she think she is? She's not all that pretty if you ask me.

Anyway, I am just GLAD that she's gone! Let's all sing: "na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye!"