American Idol: The Top 8.

As I’ve been doing for the past couple of weeks, here’s my unedited thoughts on tonight’s American Idol. There may be spoilers, you’ve been warned.

Ryan Seacrest really grates on me nerves these days. I used to find him hot, now I find him exceedingly annoying. His “This is American Idol” sounds too fake and his demeanor just makes me go “ock”.

They introduced the Top 8; I thought “who’s the new girl?” It was Jason Castro. Tonight’s theme: “Inspirational Songs”.

1. Michael Johns, “Dream On” by Aerosmith. Usually a favorite of mine, he seems to be struggling to me a little bit. He could have taken it down a step and probably sounded more comfortable. Good performance but he didn’t do anything new with the song.

Paula is liquored up. She’s lucky I like her single else I wouldn’t give her a second notice.

I must by cranky tonight. I hate the audience tonight and I’m not in the mood for the syrupy explanations of why the performers chose their song.

2. Syesha Mercado, “I Believe” by Fantasia. She sounds like someone else but I can’t decide who. Maybe Whitney. I like this better than Fantasia’s. Ms. Thing hand movements, interesting. Where did that Mariah yelp come from? I’m impressed.

The judges are dipshits. They’re complaining because the performers are singing the songs that others have already sang. No shit sherlock, what the hell are they suppose to sing?

3. Jason Castro, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by some guy in Hawaii. Aloha Don Ho. Your hair is dirty. Same old, same old, boo-boop boo-boop boo-boop the TiVo goes. You will never hear this on a Top 40 station. Must be I’m missing something on this guy. I don’t agree with the judges at all.

4. Kristy Lee Cook, “Anyway” by Martina McBride. I don’t like watching her sing. The band is drowning out her vocals and she doesn’t sound too bad tonight. The hand movements are forced. A few pitch issues. More than a few on the second verse. Paula is up, someone goosed her animatronic remote.

A mike squeal on this multi-million dollar show? Puleez. And I’m missing the oval on the bumper, but I’ve mentioned that once or twice.

5. David Cook, “Innocent” by Our Lady Peace. Thank God his hair is getting tamer. Not familiar with the track but it fits his style. Good display of range. His eyes look weird to me tonight. Paula’s animatronics are getting weird again. Someone please pull her plug. He writes on his hand. That’s a first. Not a bad performance.

6. Carly Smithson, “The Show Must Go On” by Queen. I love her accent but of course it’s because she’s Irish. She always looks intense when she sings. She dead on with her pitch. Clothes are better. Not her best performance, she wasn’t comfortable.

7. David Archuleta, “Angels” by (I have no idea). He likes singing somewhat religious songs. He sings beautifully. I’m not a big fan of the pronunciation of “ain-julls”. A good performance but again I found him in his safe zone. He’s a brilliant vocalist but avoided risk tonight.

8. Brooke White, “You’ve Got A Friend” by Carole King. Song choice totally fits her style. Hand movements look rehearsed to me (why do I notice that?) Safe performance, not bad but I don’t feel engaged.

My prediction: I want Jason to go home but it’ll probably be Carly.

8 April 2008 by Everyone's A Critic. 0

Finally.

Now that spring has finally sprung in these parts I have to say that I’m getting out of my funk. It would be even easier to get out of the funk if I wasn’t wrestling with school so hard this semester. I’ve always enjoyed wrestling with something challenging but I’m used to overcoming the challenge quicker than this.

I love it when I use metaphors.

Even though the birds are singing and the sun is shining and I’m feeling good, I have to admit that I’m still in a bit of a hermit mode. I don’t know that hermit is quite the right word; it’s that loner side of me that is always present and it’s something that I honestly revel in. Few understand this, but those that do know how I feel.

I’m looking forward to a bike ride either today and/or tomorrow. I’m ready to hit the road and get some exercise. I have lofty dreams of having the body of a Marine. Maybe I should just get a summer job working road construction or something where I have to do something other than type on a keyboard. It would be good for me.

8 April 2008 by Ponderings and Musings 1

Quiet.

After a busy weekend in Connecticut, I am back and home and settling in with the books for the evening. I have two major exams tomorrow and a total of four major exams this week. Apparently a memo or something went out to all the professors at school that read, “synchronize your exams to apply maximum stress.” I’m counting the weeks left in this semester. At least the counting is math that I can handle.

The Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus gig on Saturday night in Norwalk went well but not as stellar as I would have preferred. The guys did a fantastic job (as always) of performing but there were a couple of sound issues including wireless body mics that weren’t turned on and a sound board that was a little cranky. I ended up doing some rewiring during the intermission. The audience was entertained but I was stressing through the performance. About 30 seconds into the performance a man came down to the sound board and waved a note in my face that said, “Can not hear vocals”. That’s always a cheery way to start the show. Apparently some people thought the lighting was too bright and they complained about that as well. Sigh. We do what we can do. It’s always a balancing act: if I turn the instrumentals down too far then the performers can’t hear the music and start singing softer. If I turn the instrumentals too high, then the guys start having a hard time singing over the tracks and the audience can’t hear what’s going on. During the pre-game the sound system sounded incredible, so I don’t know what changed. I blame gremlins. The final show is in New Haven at the Shubert Theatre on the 19th of April. The current plan is to have both Earl and I in Connecticut that weekend.

Earl and I took a walk along the canal in the spring sunshine this afternoon and talked about a bunch of stuff that partners talk about. It was a good way to relax and it was good exercise as well.

6 April 2008 by Fun and Games Dept 0

Direction.

Earl commented to me last night that I haven’t been very feisty in the blog lately. I have to admit that life has kept me busy for the past several weeks and I haven’t focused on blogging as much as I have in the past. I don’t know if it’s a lack of inspiration, laziness or a lack of creativity that’s been plaguing me when it comes to blogging but something hasn’t felt quite right for me and therefore I haven’t put as much time into the process. Perhaps it’s this latest bout of the sniffles that I’ve been dealing with.

Speaking of the sniffles. I occasionally hear or read comments from others about the “supposed Global Climate Change” (i.e. Global Warming). “It’s snowing here, where’s this Global Warming they’re all screaming about.” Global Warming/Global Climate Change refers to a relatively drastic CHANGE in our climate. Snow is Las Vegas, for example, would be a result of Global Warming/Global Climate Change because “something” has affected the weather patterns enough to make it snow when or where it shouldn’t. I’ve quipped before that people aren’t going to believe that “something” is changing with our environment until one of the Great Lakes evaporate or Syracuse becomes a desert resort, but I don’t think it’s working that way. What does this have to do with the sniffles? There’s a lot of people sick in these parts and I think it’s because it never got super-cold this winter. While it got chilly with temperatures down around 0 (fahrenheit), it never fell below that and I think that is what kills many of the germs that make us sick. The flooding of the planet isn’t going to wipe us out; the germs that hang around when they shouldn’t will.

Now that I’ve talked about the environment and have thrown out my theories, let’s see what else is rattling about in my mind. I’ve lost complete interest in the Presidential election. Hillary continues to shoot herself in the foot (I agree completely with Sean and her usage of ‘gay rights’), Barack rings hollow to me and McCain is an antique. ‘Nuff said. Call me when it’s time to pull a lever.

I recently learned that Driver Educators in this area are not teaching their young students to turn right on red because it’s “too risky”. They say that said drivers should wait until they’re more confident behind the wheel before they turn right on red. What a completely assinine approach to teaching drivers; said teachers are teaching _habits_ and students should get in the habit of turning right on red when it’s legal to do so. It keeps traffic moving; if it was a risky move a prohibition would be signed. By the way – in New York it’s legal to turn LEFT on red if you’re turning from a one way street to a one way street, so don’t get angry when I honk at you to snap you out of your ignorance.

Last rant: my math class is still out of control. Professor Frightful and his cast of voices can not complete the material before the end of the semester without tacking an extra five minutes to each end of the class. He’s now moving so quickly that I have no idea what my notes mean as I write them and when I ask a question (which is rare for me, as I’m usually a silent observer), he says that we have to move on. I’m not the only one that gets this response; we all do. “You’re going to fast!” “We need to get through the material.” I chant nightly, “five more weeks, five more weeks, five more weeks”.

4 April 2008 by Ponderings and Musings 0

Adult Swim.

This (and it’s counterparts) video is a couple of years old. Part of Cartoon Network’s “Adult Swim”, I find them to be absolutely brilliant and hilarious.

Enjoy the New Adventures of the Wonder Twins. Update: Just for the record, I have always *loved* the Wonder Twins. Next to “Oh Mighty Isis”, they have the coolest chant and sound effects when they use their powers.

4 April 2008 by Geek 1

Welcome To My World.

If someone wants to show me how to sketch the following ellipse, I would be most appreciative. It’s the last question I have to do for my latest round of math homework. I’ve figured everything else out on the handout, but the numbers before the variables are throwing me off.

9x2 + 64y2 = 1
121    81

3 April 2008 by Fun and Games Dept 1

Fear.

Yesterday on NPR one of the shows (I think it was “Day To Day”) featured a discussion with land-owners and an assortment of politicians arguing over the building of the fence along the U.S.-Mexican border. Many land owners and citizens in communities along the border are opposed to the construction of the fence; the Bush administration is apparently bypassing several laws and literally just “bulldozing” their way through to build this fence. A link to the story is here.

I was listening to arguments for the fence as shared by Republican congressman Duncan Hunter of San Diego and agreeing with some of his points, but then he said something that I found ridiculous and he completely lost me. To paraphrase his quote: “The fence will stop cocaine from crossing the board and poisoning our children.”

Uh, no.

Border fence aside, if children are doing cocaine then it’s the result of bad parenting and a faulty education system. Building a 1000-mile fence is not going to make bad parents better and it’s not going to make our educational system stronger. This same fence is not going to stop illegal immigrants and drugs from crossing into the U.S. either. It’s a waste of money. It’s a waste of time. And it tramples the rights of many. Remember when the U.S. was the “land of the free” and many aspired to come here?

You know, it must suck to live in a constant state of fear. The current administration has done it’s best to make sure that we are constantly scared. Remember the whole “plastic and duct tape” mess a few years ago? “We might be attacked, by plastic and duct tape to protect your home.” “We have to hear what the bad guys are saying so we have to compromise your freedom and listen into any private phone call anywhere at anytime.” “We need to see what money is going to the Middle East so we are going to monitor all bank transactions.” Land of the Free? Not anymore.

Be afraid, be very afraid. That’s what they want.

The Bible beating crowd is big on fear. “Believe what it is in this book or you’re going to burn, burn, burn in hell.” “Be afraid of Him”. Funny, I always thought that “He” (and I don’t subscribe to that concept of a male God) was an all loving God. To make God into a judgmental, cranky man that will send one of his creations into eternal damnation for eating a burger on Friday* is sort of ridiculous if you really think about the logic.

Here’s the thing. I’m not afraid of much. I’m not afraid of being bombed, I’m not afraid of being gay, I’m not afraid of being gassed by bad meanies from another part of the world, I’m not afraid of being killed. What’s the worst that could happen? That I’ll die? I look at it this way: when it’s my time to go, it’s my time to go. My belief system (which includes reincarnation) tells me that I’ve already sort of planned this go around at life and that in some innate way I’ll know when it’s time to go and I’ll go as I planned before I started all this. Those that remain after I go will learn the lessons that they need to learn from my passing and how I passed, because we sort of discussed it before we were born.

A lot has changed in the 39 3/4 years I’ve been around. Hell, a lot has changed in the past eight years. Do I still believe in the world? I do.

I’m just not afraid of it.

* I have never understood the “no meat on Friday” thing, I’m just using it as a random example and is not meant to offend anyone that believes in that.

3 April 2008 by Politics. Ponderings and Musings 1

American Idol: Top 9

My reactions to tonight’s Top 9 on American Idol. I write these blog entries as the show progresses and I don’t edit as I’m going along.

Tonight it’s Dolly Parton night. I’ve always been a fan of Dolly. Any guesses as to who will sing “Islands In The Stream”? I’m guessing a rock version from David Cook.

Here we go.

Dolly is looking good but a little plastic. Not too bad though. The reconstructed cheekbones always throw me. At least she doesn’t look like Priscilla Presley.

1. Brooke White, “Jolene”. Typical Brooke performance. I like her but I’m finding her performances a little too predictable now. A few pitch issues in the first part of the first chorus? She doesn’t look entirely comfortable on the stage.

Please for the love of God, someone please up Paula’s dosage so she’s just passed out. It would be such a more enjoyable show if Paula didn’t have to negate every negative comment the others make.

2. David Cook, “Little Sparrow (original arrangement)”. Oddly for me, the beard doesn’t negate the bad haircut. I can totally see Daughtry doing this version. That being said, I’m rather enjoying it. Hate the waving hands in the mosh pit. I liked it for the most part, aside from the ending. I thought the ending didn’t work at all.

3. Ramiele Malubay, “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind”. Her clothes always look sloppy to me. They don’t fit and they look cheap. The performance lacks energy and I could never see a full concert or listen to a full album by her. Bottom three material.

I love the new Apple commercial with the yoga instructor.

4. Jason Castro, “Traveling Through”. Oh god. I hope he surprises me this week. Never mind, it’s not going to happen. Same old. Same old. Pitch is perfect, performance is predictable. Like Ramiele, I don’t think I could listen to an entire album or watch an entire concert by him. For what it is it’s o.k.

5. Carly Smithson, “Here You Come Again”. I’m liking the arrangement of the track. Carly is nailing the pitch and energy of the performance. This is the first time I’ve been slightly reminded of a Céline like quality to her voice. Best performance thus far. I thought Simon was a little harsh, but I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY DO NOT like Ryan’s sniping back at Simon. I think Ryan Seacrest is going way above and beyond his role as “host” and not in a good way.

Still missing the oval around the logo on the bumper.

6. David Archuleta, “Smoky Mountain Memories”. His voice is angelic. He can sing the phone book and make it sound like a hit. He’s got an AC (adult contemporary) thing going on and now I see him as the heir to the path forged by Clay Aiken. Why is he wearing ear pieces? I’ve noticed this on him for the past two weeks.

7. Kristy Lee Cook, “Coat of Many Colors”. Carmen Rasmusen without the yodel. The performance lacks energy. Pitch issues throughout the bridge. She saved herself with the last phrase. I’m not impressed. Who is voting for her? I agree with Simon: pleasant but forgettable. Why does Ryan Seacrest mention her french pedicure and how is it that he knows about these things? I don’t like Kristy’s snarky comments back to Simon.

8. Syesha Mercado, “I Will Always Love You”. The song choice was exceedingly predictable. She’s making it different from both Dolly and Whitney. I appreciate that. Pitch was on. I’m liking the way she phrased the chorus. Wow, I’m impressed with the way she held out the notes on the phrase at the end. Impressive, I wasn’t expecting it.

9. Michael Johns, “It’s All Wrong But It’s Alright”. I like Michael but I’m not liking this performance. It’s sounds way too much like Michael Bolton to me. The last bluesy part of the chorus worked for me else I found it non-engaging.

Please, someone, please up Paula’s dosage.

1 April 2008 by Everyone's A Critic. 2

Just Shut Up.

As an American gay man I should care about the upcoming Presidential election. I believe that the direction of the United States is wavering in all sorts of hideous directions, as well as probably backtracking a bit these days and we need a good solid leader in the starring role to get things back on track. I don’t know if you’ve heard or not, but there are two nominees left vying for the chance from the Democratic side of the stage. Their names are Hillary and Barack. Perhaps you’ve heard of them.

I’m trying really, really hard to maintain interest in this upcoming election. I want to be informed, I want to know the issues and I want to cast an intelligent vote when that right comes up in November. I’m trying desperately to listen to all sides of all arguments so that I can form my own point of view.

What concerns me is this bickering back and forth between Hillary and Barack. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Barack’s words ring hollow to me though I can’t put my finger on why. There’s something about him that does not sit well with my intuition. I don’t really care for him and I could never put in words why I feel this way. Perhaps I haven’t done enough research. I know his speeches sound promising but I don’t hear HOW he’s going to accomplish his vision. I just know that he has a vision and that he’s going to do it. I’d like to know how.

Hillary, whom I supported early on in the political season, is starting to grate on my nerves. I think she knows her stuff and I think she’d make a great leader. She has spit to go along with her polish. But many aren’t buying it. Much of it is not her fault. (People: give up the whole Monica Lewinsky thing, it was a blow job for God’s sake, he didn’t pre-empt the Second Coming or anything.) However, I can’t help but pick out an affectation in her voice that makes her sound less than cuddly. I don’t like the way she sounds in her speeches these days. She’s not talking to me: the American citizen; she’s talking to the country as a whole and it sounds that way. I want a candidate that speaks to me. He or she may be speaking to a group of people, but I want to feel engaged in the conversation. I don’t want to be talked AT, I want to feel like I’m listening on a conversation. To me she’s sounding a little desperate.

I don’t believe that Hillary should drop out of the race at this stage of the game. That wouldn’t be fair to those of us that are still up for a primary election in the coming weeks. But if anyone is going to be a member of a “new-generation of political leaders”, then the two candidates need to suck it up, calm down and start talking with the American people about what THEY are going to do, not what the other should do or won’t do.

I’m hoping that regardless of the outcome of the Democratic convention that we’ll have a ticket that’s either Obama/Clinton or Clinton/Obama. Unfortunately I fear that egos will prevent that from happening.

1 April 2008 by Political BS. 0

About J.P.

Just a guy with a husband. We’ve been together 28 years and he still makes me see fireworks on a daily basis. Hiker. Storm Chaser. Private Pilot. Tech Guy. Hackerish.

Weird? Eccentric!

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