Tuesday, December 07, 2010

The Sing Off and V. Important X-Factor News.

In Idol News, er X-Factor news -- rumour has it the Judging panel has been chosen for Simon Cowell's import. Joining Cowell are Nicole Scherzinger (she's on the Sing Off right now), Cheryl Cole (trying to break into America, since Girls Aloud isn't going to come over here), and....Will Smith. Are we serious, X-Factor? It's a rumour, unsubstantiated, but we will see.

Now, the main event.
The Sing-Off
Premise: 10 a capella groups compete for a prize of 100,000. & a recording contract.
Hosts: Ben Folds, Nicole Scherzinger, Shawn Stockman (If you don't know what bands these people are from, shame on you. Or not).

Wait, so this is hosted by Nick Lachey? Or his brother Drew?
Eleventh Hour (Kettering [OH] HS)
Stret Corner Symphony (Nashville, TN)
Committed (Huntsville, AL)
The Backbeats (Los Angeles, CA)
On the Rocks (University of Oregon)
Jerry Lawson & Talk of the Town (Oakland, CA)
Pitch Slapped (Berklee College of Music) (Lead singer is wearing shorts and tights. No.)
Groove for Though (Seattle, WA)
The Whiffenpoofs (Yale)
Men of Note (Cherry Hill, NJ) (Colin's town Representing) (No they are not guidos.)
And already this opening number group singalong is miles, MILES, MILES ahead of any group sing on IDOL ever. (Mental note: stop comparing this show to Idol. Or do.)
Oh, Nick Lachey is hosting. I was right, it was a Lachey brother. Is he the one that married Jessica? Why do I not even remember?
Each group gets to choose a song, their signature.

Kettering:
If you didn't meet in the detention hall, how can you be like the Breakfast Club? I thought that was the whole point.
Signature song: Baby (Justin Bieber)
I like this girl's facial expressions though. And a capella music can redeem the Biebs, I think. My experiences with a capella are usually all male groups, so I'm enjoying the women taking lead on the song.
I think I love the fact that Ben Folds actually talks about the music and the singing notes and such. I also like the fact that he picks out things that they did vocally that worked and pointed out things that didn't quite work. It's refreshing to see an actual CRITIQUE.
Okay, so Glee reference out of the way. It seems like Nicole is the Paula of this show. No critique from her.

On the Rocks
"the Singing Fraternity" who sang the Bad Romance clip that went round YouTube.
Signature Song: Bad Romance
Very Gaga-esque start. They've got a lot of the video down. I feel like the background singers are overwhelming the lead singers. Maybe not the third guy, I take that back, I barely hear him now.They sound good other than that, though.
I'm just waiting for Stockman to say "You worked it out."
And I thank Ben for clarifying the musical faults of the band -- I heard it a little off too.
Nicole is still trying too hard.

Groove for Thought
Signature Song: I Wish (Stevie Wonder)
Stevie is often the kiss of death for Idol contestants. Little bit more cheese than the last two contestants put up, and I'm not sure this will work in their favour. They're good, but it just kind of falls flat after the first two performances. (Who is Take Six?)

Pitch Slapped
I hate their name. They're from Berklee College of Music. Who had an Idol contestant last year. Not the group, but the school (Ashley Rodriguez). I am already annoyed by these guys. They know they're good, but it's like they're snobbish about it. IDK.
Signature Song: Good Girls Go Bad (Cobra Starship)
Alright, props for the Cobra Starship. Also that girl's glasses are irritating me. I'm trying to like them but it's not working. They can sing, but ugh. DNW. And the faux-Timberlake stare of the lead singer dude? Fuggedaboudit.
Ahhh, an actual critique out of Nicole. Even though she made the Pussycat Dolls joke.
Oh, nice -- five go, they eliminate one, and then the next five and eliminate one. I kinda like that -- then you don't forget about a group through the middle of the show.

Jerry Lawson and Talk of the Town
Jerry Lawson was in the Persuasions, and he came back to singing after hearing the group he joined. They were a Persuasions cover band ;)
Signature Song: Save the Last Dance (The Drifters)
Expertly covered by Michael Buble, but not in a capella form. This is a polished act. And as we all know, suits make the men. No gimmick outfits for these guys, just a neat, polished look. And the music is expertly handled. I think I have a new favourite. (Sorry Kettering.)
Shawn loves these guys. Actually, all of the judges agree. "You just can't buy class like that." - Nicole. So much truth.
My guess at elimination: Groove for Thought. There's no way that they're gonna eliminate Jerry Lawson & Talk of the Town.

Elimination time! Yay the kids and the Old Fogies are safe! They get to sit in the Opera Boxes of Awesome. On the Rocks are safe, because they don't suck. Actually to be fair none of these groups suck. OH SNAP they sent the Berklee kids home. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
Time for another five groups!

The Whiffenpoofs. These are the Yalies. Apparently they invented the thing. They suit up, and they mean it. Of course they all golf.
Signature song: Grace Kelly! (Mika)
Slow opening, but I am really enjoying this. These guys really know what they're doing. A New England school does it right. And the falsetto, damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn son. They look ridiculous, but I love it. And that, friends, is a capella.
Lachey....really? A GWB joke? Was he a Whiffenpoof? (I just love typing Whiffenpoof) And I love that Ben says he can't unsee that. And Whiffenpoof Penguins is a going to be a great Band Name someday. And Shawn is actually hilarious.

Men of Note
Hey it's Colin's hometown. So they stalk the ladies at the mall. Classy. I like that they play lacrosse though.
Signature Song: For the Longest Time (I do love me some Billy Joel)
I feel like this song was always a capella. It's kind of a cheap out, but I do love this song. It sounds like a capella paint by numbers, but I do like it. What was the "brrrrring" about at the end?
Nicole thinks that there was something missing, and I am inclined to agree. Shawn says they were nervous and tight at the beginning, and warmed up toward the end. I like Ben. He's nice about his critiques, but still makes a point to tell them that they're going to have to work to make their arrangements complete their set of singers.

Street Corner Symphony
Are they really doing a Johnny Cash song a capella? That's crazy. I like that they "unpractice."
Signature Song: Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Tears for Fears)
Wow, someone actually almost sounds synthesyzer esque! And the lead guy is really channeling the original without making it a copy. I kinda wanted a bit more Southern countrified sound to it, but I can work with this. I like the slowed down effect at the end. OH he looks like Gary Levox. That's who he reminds me of visually.
"Play Freebird." - Ben Folds. (Well, he didn't say it but he implied it).

OH LACHEY, you just said my catchphrase. "We will see who will GO BIG, and who will GO HOME."

The Backbeats
They took some from a group that performed on last season's competition. Let's see how they do.
Signature Song: If I Were a Boy (Beyonce)
I like that we have such a deep voiced female singer as a leader. She's got a powerhouse vocal in there too. She needs to work on enunciation though, she's difficult to understand at times.
It wasn't a competition before, Nicole? She's not wrong, the lead singer definitely "Shut it down." Shawn, you are also right. It is so impressive how she could go up and down several octaves without even trying. And this is a group that came together just last year!

Committed
Never really sang pop music before. And kinda dissed the UO guys ;)
Signature Song: This Love (Maroon 5)
There's a song I thought would make a great a capella song when I first heard it. A little excitable for the lead singer, but they're getting into it. With a beat like that, you can't sit still. The second singer nearly matches Levine's intensity in the original. I think I would have just let the beat drop at the end, I don't think it needed the little extra harmony at the end, but I liked it.
Sing Off is the best "shew" for displaying talent. Voices of butter. It's got Shawn broken. (What's a bell tone? I like that they use terminology that I DON'T know).

Elimination guess: (Easy.) Men of Note. It's not really fair to those guys, but their bracked was full of intensive and amazing competition.
Elimination time! Easy calls, for both Committed and The Backbeats. And we knew the Yalies schooled everyone, so they were in. It comes down to Jersey v. Tennessee. Gonna go with the Southerners taking the box. Yep. Streetcorner Symphony was more polished than Men of Note.
See, unlike Idol, the ones getting eliminated were actually really good. It's hard to say goodbye to these groups even though we didn't have a lot of time to get attached to them. Except the Berklee group. I hated them from their package. (That's what she said).

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

books!

As I was in transit on 1 November and getting into the swing of things at my new job, I never got round to posting the new series of book reviews. So here goes!

Katherine, Anya Seton.

The story of Katherine Swynford, the mistress of John of Gaunt. Seton heavily researched all of her novels before writing and you can clearly see it in her writing. A lot of it, as the introduction says, is Freudian theories applied to their relationship, but for the purposes of the story it works. While I had read Alison Weir's sparkling biography of Swynford previously, I definitely enjoyed the story that Seton told. It fleshed out Katherine in a spectacular way. She's a woman who grows, learns, loves, and lives her life, as best she can in the time period she was born into. Definitely a must read for those who love romantic stories or those who love well written historical fiction.

Silver: My Own Tale As Written By Me With a Goodly Amount of Murder, Edward Chupack.

I was whelmed by this novel. It had such an interesting premise -- it's Long John Silver's rendition of his life, before and after he met Jim Hawkins. There were parts that were vaguely interesting, but I didn't find it as good as the book jacket made it sound.

Storm Front, Jim Butcher.

Book one of the Dresden Files and I was hooked. I was a little annoyed at how Harry had to over explain that he was such a NICE GUY and chivalrous and all that. But it was a cute and enjoyable story with an interesting narrator. So I read the next two books in the series, and accidentally absconded with Candice's copies.

Fool Moon, Jim Butcher.
This was pretty darn good, I kept turning the pages and not sure what was going to happen next except that Harry would get grievously injured. It just ain't right.

Grave Peril, Jim Butcher
The cliffhanger at the end of this book wasn't as intriguing as it should have been, and I saw the major twist coming with the fairy godmother and the vampires at the end. I'll read book four though, as soon as my to-read pile drops

Cleopatra's Daughter, Michelle Moran.

This is the story of Cleopatra and Marc Anthony's children, Cleopatra Selene and Alexander Helios. Once I got over the presumptious narrator, who keeps reminding us that she is so smart and all that because she was raised to be a queen at a young age and therefore we can't judge her for being so rational at the age of 13. And the predictable ending of who she ends up with, even if it was historically accurate, was a little over the top. But you know what, I genuinely did end up caring about her, and I set out to read more about Cleopatra Selene. She was an amazing woman in her time, making sure as Queen of Mauretania that her family and culture were not lost.

I think I'd try reading something else of Moran's later on.

Sex with Kings: Five Hundred Years of Adultery, Power, Rivalry, and Revenge, Eleanor Herman.

I read Sex With the Queen and I loved every glorious, gossipy moment of it. So I figured SwK would be just as good, right? Oh it has plenty of gossip, and it's all dirty and devious, like Mme de Montespan getting witches' potions to poison the king with to keep his attention. But I just got so tired of reading about the same four French mistresses. Yes,they were incredibly devious, deadly, and difficult, but I could have used different people. I kept in mind though, Herman wrote this book first. SwtQ came much later and she had access to better material. So if you can only read one, do SwtQ.

Shadow Gate, Kate Elliot.

This world is still as turbulent and crowded with characters. And of course we're introduced to MORE new characters. To be fair, Elliot does kill off a few. And I did enjoy Cornflower's backstory, which was nice although a bit disconcerting. I am a little tired of her making sure that everyone has a TRUE LOVE that they are pursuing or protecting. And I am a little dismayed by what Mai became in the 2nd book. All they keep saying is how good she is at negotiating but we don't see much of it at all in this book. She sits around being rescued by people the entire book. But I look forward to the conclusion.

Heat Wave, Richard Castle.

Anyone who watches the show Castle will enjoy this book. It is a Castle episode in book form! Completely adorable and fluffy and mindless. Just like the show!

A Lion Among Men, Gregory Maguire.

I really didn't care for this book as much as I did Wicked. But it was marginally better than Son of a Witch, even though there was about the same amount of moping. I like where Maguire is headed with this series, but I am not that excited to rush out and get it when it inevitably comes out.

The Electric Church, Jeff Somers.

Set in a post-apocalyptic New York City, this is a dirty, gross, and murderous book. It is dark, gritty, the best type of noir. And yet there's something about this book that I couldn't quite swallow. I don't really know what it was. I think I'll keep reading the series, because seeing Cates become kingpin of NYC is a really intriguing prospect.

Soulless and Changeless, Gail Carriger.

While the author's "about me" irritated me and struck me as pointlessly pretentious, I ignored that and concentrated on the important bits: vampires, werewolves, Victorian London, and steampunk, oh my. These books are delicious, fluffy bits of cute adorable Anglophilia love. And tea. Don't forget Alexia's tea.

Right now I am currently reading the third book in the Parasol Protectorate Series, Blameless.
I started Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and I couldn't get into it. The same for The Queen's Lady, by Barbara Kyle. I'll come back to both when my to-read pile is empty.

Hey CDTA. What the fuck.

So the Capital District Transit Authority is installing a new express bus thing called BusPlus. It will start in 2011, and the line that would be most relevant to my interests is the one from Schenectady to Albany, as it goes right past my home stops and my work stops.

This is the BusPlus program's primer.

This is a great idea, and I am all for things that make our bus system more efficient. Those of you who read my twitter know how irritated I can get with the delays and minor problems with the bus system. So any way of improving things is just dandy with me.

My problem with this BusPlus idea is simply this: Someone did not think out the timing of replacing the stops involved. They replaced shelters at the spots along the BusPlus route. One of the drivers explained how it works: it goes from downtown Albany to downtown Schenectady and doesn't stop at every stop -- just the silver and red BusPlus stations (IE North Allen & Central, or Westgate Plaza). It will stop at all of those. They replaced all of the ones in the Albany section, as far as I can tell. I cannot vouch for Schenectady, as I do not live there.

They fixed all the Albany stops except one. Colonie Center, Northway Mall.

Guess when they decided to redo these stops? Anyone? Bueller?
Yeah, mid-November. I asked another driver how long that they planned to work on it, and he said it would be finished after Christmas. In the meantime, they completely tore down the old shelters and moved a stop.

First of all, there are at least three reasons why doing it now is a TERRIBLE idea.

1) It is the stop for the MALL. At peak holiday shopping time. You turn it into mud farmer central and demolish the stop, and make it increasingly difficult to get on or off at the stop. With larger amounts of traffic -- pedestrian, bus, or motor vehicle - it is not safe to do that.

You moved the stop going down to Albany, so now it is located across Central Ave, by the dry cleaner's. It's well lit, which is great, but the problem there is you have to cross both the entrance and exits to Northway Mall. Which, might I remind you, has shops in it that people will be going to, doing their holiday shopping. Large amounts of pedestrians in an unregulated driveway + large amounts of traffic + buses = problems.

2) It is NOVEMBER. And there is no shelter at the bus stops. Sure, most bus stops don't have shelters. But they also don't have a lot of people using those stops. And it's cold. Today's weather is the perfect example. The wind was outrageous, the rain was drenching, and there is no shelter for these people who are waiting for their buses. There are parents with small children who are exposed to the elements here.
Wait til it starts snowing. Class act.

3) Okay, I kinda combined 1 and 3. My point remains that it is a ridiculous time to redo this stop. I am really irritated by this. Especially as the later hours the mall has, the fewer buses run. So you have more crowded buses, more really cold people waiting to go home, and it's not a good scene. I just cannot imagine how this stop wasn't redone in August or September instead of now.

One other thing: I was quite fortunate to have, the night before they tore the shelters down, to have seen a sign tacked up in the shelter explaining that starting the next day, 14 November, they would be redoing the stops. Having been there at that same stop the day before, I distinctly do not remember seeing the sign. Great way of communicating something that important, CDTA.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

30 day televison meme!

As if you weren't bored by the 30 day music meme, now I'm gonna do the 30 day television meme!

I promise not all the answers will be Battlestar Galactica or Lost.

Day 01 - A show that should have never been canceled
Day 02 - A show that you wish more people were watching
Day 03 - Your favorite new show (aired this t.v season)
Day 04 - Your favorite show ever
Day 05 - A show you hate
Day 06 - Favorite episode of your favorite t.v show
Day 07 - Least favorite episode of your favorite t.v show
Day 08 - A show everyone should watch
Day 09 - Best scene ever
Day 10 - A show you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 - A show that disappointed you
Day 12 - An episode you’ve watched more than 5 times
Day 13 - Favorite childhood show
Day 14 - Favorite male character
Day 15 - Favorite female character
Day 16 - Your guilty pleasure show
Day 17 - Favorite mini series
Day 18 - Favorite title sequence
Day 19 - Best t.v show cast
Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Day 21 - Favorite ship
Day 22 - Favorite series finale
Day 23 - Most annoying character
Day 24 - Best quote
Day 25 - A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Day 26 - OMG WTF? Season finale
Day 27 - Best pilot episode
Day 28 - First t.v show obsession
Day 29 - Current t.v show obsession
Day 30 - Saddest character death

ABC continually screws over its television series that are critically acclaimed. (See: Daisies, Pushing; Night, Sports; anything likes)

So it should come as no surprise that this show aired on ABC. I thought about picking Sports Night because I feel it was unjustifiably cancelled in its 3rd season but then I remember this show only had half a season and it wasn't enough. Cupid was a midseason replacement show starring Jeremy Piven and Paula Marshall, and was created by Rob Marshall (Veronica Mars fans might know of him).

The concept was simple: this guy in Chicago claimed that he was actually Cupid, the God of Love and he could only get back to Mount Olympus by putting 100 couples together. Since he's cray-cray, the powers that be had him visiting psychologist Paula Marshall, and having therapy sessions with her. He starts to make a believer out of her.

I'm hoping this series becomes available on DVD soon. It's ridiculously hard to find.

Monday, June 28, 2010

fuuuuuuuu carpenter ants

So first I'll get my dream out the way. Yes, I had another weird dream. This time it included the Top Gear cast but did not include Monique which would have been awesome.

It was extremely weird. I joined the cast to be the American girl they were teaching how to drive for the new series, and somehow (Gods, I don't know how) Jeremy and I ended up in a relationship. But it was like a platonic one and his wife was chill with it. I don't even know.

I do know I was watching Top Gear before bed and I was thinking earlier in the day how much I'd love to move to London for a year or two. (Not gonna happen, but I can dream).

So since it's the 28th of June, I will list all the books I read this month (plus one I forgot to include last month). Because I injured my ankle I've been reading a lot more books than normal, so I'm hoping once I feel better I will not get through so many so quickly.

Miracle at St. Anna, James McBride
Spike Lee recently made this into a movie, and I dug this out of the bargain bin at Borders. I didn't really have any expectations for this, since I hadn't seen the movie, but the basic plot intrigued me. A group of African-American soldiers gets separated from their unit in Italy and has to rely on a village for survival. It's an interesting look at racism and how African American soldiers felt fighting a war for a country that didn't even care about them in a place that only a few of them knew of. SOmething was lacking and I'm not sure what, but it was an interesting read.

Sex With the Queen: 900 Years of Vile Kings, Virile Lovers, and Passionate Politics, Eleanor Herman.
I've read a lot of royal compilation books since I'm obsessed with royalty (I think it's the English in me). But it was a breath of fresh air to read this book, which gave me a bunch of stories I didn't even know! And she tells them so well, it's like reading a gossip mag but informational and interesting at the same time. Loved this book 100%.

The Secret Bride in the Court of Henry VIII.

The story of Mary Tudor, Queen of France and how she comes to marry the Duke of Suffolk is this book's tale. The Tudor period is a dark, dramatic, ridiculously insane period of English history that is interesting enough without having to fictionalize it. And I have yet to find anyone besides Phillipa Gregory who can. Diane Haeger tries, but it took til halfway through the book for me to care about Mary's fate. It helped that I kept picturing Charles Brandon as the man who plays him on TV.



Naamah's Kiss, Jacqueline Carey
This is the first book in a new trilogy in Carey's Terre d'Ange series. I was a little wary of this book because I always felt that the Imriel series wasn't nearly as well done as the first trilogy. With this book set 150 years after the events of the original two series, it makes it easier for the reader to get used to the new cast of characters, not always looking over their shoulders to see when X awesome character might show up. The story's a bit weak and Moirin is more of a Mary Sue than Phedre was but it was still an enjoyable read.

Smoke and Mirrors, Neil Gaiman.
I heart short story collections. I am starting to heart Neil Gaiman. So this was a good collection. I didn't dislike any pieces and "Snow, Glass, Apples" is really chillingly good.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson.

This book everyone has been raving about like crazy but I was afraid I would hate it because the description on the back was kind of annoying. I figured out the solution to the puzzle well ahead of Mikael and Lisbeth, but the story was incredibly rapturous and I couldn't put the book down til the end. Definitely highly recommended.

I decided to read another book that's part of a trilogy next:
The Hunger Games, Susanne Collins.

This is the story of a post-Apocalyptic North America where the country is 12 districts run by a Capitol. After defeating the districts in a rebellion, the Capitol now hosts a game for teenagers in which they must kill each other to win. Two kids, a boy and a girl, are chosen from each district. And Katliss's sister is chosen, so she takes her spot. It's incredibly moving book. When I started it, I was like, "I will just read one chapter." I couldn't put it down. I got to Part II and set it down. Thirty seconds later I said, "well, one more chapter." I finished the book. Incredibly wonderfully disturbingly captivating.

So I went for one more book in a trilogy.
Daughter of the Blood: The Black Jewels 1, Anne Bishop.

This was the most disgusting, ridiculous, misogynistic, misiandristic, misanthropic piece of crap I have ever read in my life. Incest, rape, child molestation, and child abuse run rampant in this world and the hero is a 700 year old man who is in love with a 7 year old girl. This is completely and utterly devoid of merit and I will not be continuing this series.


PS: I have these fucking carpenter ants in my house and I want to cut a bitch bc they keep divebombing me.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

that's why they're solo

Last day of the 30 day meme! I had another weird dream but I don't recall most of it now, so I can't tell you about it.

Today I read two books and wrote a page of my new book. One of the women who lives upstairs is a bibliophile so I think we're gonna be good friends. I also locked myself out of my house and found out how secure my room is.
Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh
Day 19 - Your least favorite song
Day 20 - A song that you know all the words to
Day 21 - A song from a band you hate
Day 22 - A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 23 - A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 24 - A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 25 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 26 - A song you can play on an instrument
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 - A song from your childhood
Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year

I liked the two songs that I posted as my favourite songs of all time earlier last year as well. So as usual, I'm gonna twist the theme. The song that I listened to the most this last year (according to Last.fm, which is quite the awesome site -- we should be friends) is the following (and it was a surprise to me)



For FB readers (we should be friends), the song is "Strut" by Adam Lambert. For those of you who don't know who he is, it will come as no surprise that he was an American Idol contestant.

PS: When he sings "I wanna take a make-believe vacation," I always accidentally hear it as "I wanna take a maple leaf vacation." Try to unhear that.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Love it when a plan comes together.

I had the strangest dream. It involved Monique (who I have yet to meet IRL) planning to drive from Manitoba to Albany to go to a park in Wisconsin. So she's on her way and my mom, who doesn't live in Albany wakes me up to tell me not to go. I tell her I'm going anyway, and I let Monique in the door. She's wearing leggings and a green outfit I remember well from NY&Co, and is nearly 6'3". She stands in the kitchen washing dishes while I talk to my mom about her. She introduces herself as from Minnesota, then corrects herself and says Manitoba. I make a joke about saying that to the customs officers, and my mom laughs. Then as we're going to the car, she says "I got you tickets to the new movie of Footloose, and it starts at 8, so don't forget." I remind her we're going to Wisconsin and we won't have time for the movie, and she hands me three checks instead, made out for 50, 50, and 100 dollars respectively, but in the name is printed "OH NO" in all caps, in a computer font. She says to use them well, and I woke up.

What the fuck, brain? I suspect that it was its way of reminding me that me and Chrissy were going to see the A-Team again tonight, but the rest of it I don't get. Sorry you got dragged into my dream world, Monique.

So guess what, it's meme time!

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh
Day 19 - Your least favorite song
Day 20 - A song that you know all the words to
Day 21 - A song from a band you hate
Day 22 - A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 23 - A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 24 - A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 25 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 26 - A song you can play on an instrument
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 - A song from your childhood
Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year

A song that makes me guilty? How? I can't even remotely think of a song that would make me feel guilty. I own up to most of the stuff I did nowadays -- I never used to but I do now, and I am trying to become a better person for that. So I don't feel regret and I don't feel guilty about anything. Whatever happened happened.

So I think I'll change this one too. This one will be "A song that reminds me of work."
This one is inspired by my BFF Chrissy, because I spent the evening chilling with her.





This is Patrick Wolf's "The Magic Position."

Thursday, June 24, 2010

गुड न्यूज़ EVERYONE

Ok ok kids I have to say this, there is NEW FUTURAMA on my television so I'm gonna post quickly and GO WATCH IT. You don't even understand, I watched this show from the beginning when it aired before the Simpsons and I fell in love with it from day 1. I still quote this show more often than the Simpsons or The Princess Bride so you know it's serious stuff. This is super duper exciting.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION TIME: What is your favourite Futurama quote?

Now MEME TIME:
Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh
Day 19 - Your least favorite song
Day 20 - A song that you know all the words to
Day 21 - A song from a band you hate
Day 22 - A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 23 - A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 24 - A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 25 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 26 - A song you can play on an instrument
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 - A song from your childhood
Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year

This should be unnaturally hard but isn't. I would love to play an instrument but none more so than drums. I'm a dashboard drummer who has no sense of rhythm which makes it difficult, but I muddle through. So here's my choice.



This is, for Facebook readers, "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins. Cause it has great drums.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Just stop...believing

Can I just say I don't get why historical fiction about the Tudor era is never as well written as the actual history itself? The only fictional book about that era I liked was "The Other Boleyn Girl" and it was inaccurate as all get out. Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy it has so much promise.

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh
Day 19 - Your least favorite song
Day 20 - A song that you know all the words to
Day 21 - A song from a band you hate
Day 22 - A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 23 - A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 24 - A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 25 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 26 - A song you can play on an instrument
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 - A song from your childhood
Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year

I can't play any songs on an instrument so let me change the meme to be A really good mashup



This is DJ Tripp's mashup of "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey and "Just Dance" by Lady Gaga. Why I like this I do not know.

Monday, June 21, 2010

unholiest of unholies! i will never feel clean again.

Ok so I have the unholiest mashup of mashups in my head running right now. File it under occupational hazards: a song from High School Musical 3 and Justin Bieber. SOMEONE PUT ME OUT OF MY MISERY.

I worked today without the ace bandage on my ankle and it's doing a lot better. What is weird though is that my calf muscle is mad at me. It keeps hurting if I move a certain way and it wasn't doing that at all before. Is it possibly injured as well? IDK.

Also, I want adult clothing stores to carry the gorgeous stuff we got in for the kids today. Because it is pretty. Also also we have a binder for 7.50 that is ridiculously cute so I am getting it for my own use for my books.


Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh
Day 19 - Your least favorite song
Day 20 - A song that you know all the words to
Day 21 - A song from a band you hate
Day 22 - A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 23 - A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 24 - A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 25 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 - A song from your childhood
Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year

Well, I always used to wish that I could hear Laura Pausini on my radio, but with the new cds we got in we finally have one of her English songs on there. HURRAY! So uh, if I could have a song on the radio -- I think I'd like to hear this duet again:



This is Crystal Bowersox & Lee DeWyze, the second and first place contestants on this season of American Idol doing the duet from the film "Once" by Glen Hansard and Margeta Irklova(sp). The bright shining moment of the dismal pathetic excuse for a season that was season 9.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

there's gonna be one less lonely girl (shouldn't that be one fewer lonely girl?)

So the laptop keeps bluescreening because I may or may not have thrown it across the room the other day. It may or may not have had it coming. So I have no internet on my computers and am borrowing my roommate's for the moment. Here is your daily meme.

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh
Day 19 - Your least favorite song
Day 20 - A song that you know all the words to
Day 21 - A song from a band you hate
Day 22 - A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 23 - A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 24 - A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 25 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 - A song from your childhood
Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year

Since I don't listen to radio (mainly because I don't have a car) I do not know what the cool kids listen to these days over and over on the airwaves. So I'll go with a song that plays a lot at work. Which all the kiddies love.



Yes, that is Justin Bieber. I am sorry.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

yeah life's like this

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh
Day 19 - Your least favorite song
Day 20 - A song that you know all the words to
Day 21 - A song from a band you hate
Day 22 - A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 23 - A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 24 - A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 25 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 - A song from your childhood
Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year

Oooh, we're back to the hard questions again. I try to let the songs I don't like anymore slip from my memory, because life's too short and there are too many new songs out there to be enjoyed. But I gotta pick one. Got damn this is hard. Even the stuff I loved as a kid, I still love ironically. I find some songs are overplayed and there are some that I won't listen to anymore because I'm tired of them (I put Celine Dion down for a while because she was oversaturated).

No wait, I know! (This whole post has been brought to you by stream of consciousness.)

Time to go back to the WayBack Machine! In the summer of 2001 I worked in the Electronics Dept. of Ames Department stores. And we had this tape on a loop that played the latest in CDs and movies (DVDs AND VHS!) And there was this song on there that caught my ears occasionally and I kinda loved it. Since I lived in the middle of nowhere and didn't have continuous internet access at that time I didn't know how much ~controversy~ this young woman had stirred up, I just knew she was from a town near mine on the other side of the river and that was cool enough for me.

Now? I can't stand this song or her and her stupid cat ear hoodie she wore as a "judge" for the auditions this year. (Girlfriend is a different story because that song I love in an ironic sense).

So prepare to make your ears bleed:
[Facebook Readers - this is Avril Lavigne's Complicated.]

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

i can barely recall but it's all coming back to me now

So Captain Klutz-A-Lot strikes again. I was walking home from the grocery store and I tripped over a curb I didn't see and went flat on my kness. Injuring my ankle in the process so I had to limp home. Right now I have it elevated on top of my penguin and putting it to sleep accidentally in so doing. I feel that this is better for me than it tweaking in pain every thirty seconds, which is what it was doing during dinner.

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh
Day 19 - Your least favorite song
Day 20 - A song that you know all the words to
Day 21 - A song from a band you hate
Day 22 - A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 23 - A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 24 - A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 25 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 - A song from your childhood
Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year

I try not to believe in guilty pleasures because you shouldn't be ashamed of the things you like. And you all know that I love pretty much all music. I am that person who listens to everything, with no qualifiers. I like country and I like rap. I don't like everything in all genres, but I appreciate the craft that goes into even the cheesiest of pop songs. Except Heidi Montag. Nothing's gonna save that trainwreck.

I guess if I had to go with a guilty pleasure it would be this song, which I only learned because our music player tells us the name of artists who sing them. Everyone hates on her but the woman can sing!



[Facebook readers, this is Céline Dion's It's All Coming Back to Me Now. Bonus points go to Wendy who will recognize Jim Steinman's craftmanship behind this song.]

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

For some reason I can't explain, I know St Peter will call my name

I spent some time this afternoon contemplating how terrible my Spanish has gotten. Me, someone who taught it in college, can't even remember the number 70 in the language. I remember it in Italian, but no one comes in the store speaking Italian. It's mostly Spanish and bits of Portuguese, Arabic, Hindu, French, and a variety of Eastern European languages. But the bulk of the non-English speakers speak Spanish, and I feel like I can capitalize on those sales and make the customers feel more comfortable if I were a bit more fluent in it. So I'm going to start memorizing vocab words again. I know the grammar structures, and I know my basic verbs, it's just words that I would need. My comprehension's still there, depending on the accent (I was taught Puerto Rican Spanish, which helps, but a lot of our customers speak Mexican or Central American Spanish and I'm unfamiliar with that accent.

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh
Day 19 - Your least favorite song
Day 20 - A song that you know all the words to
Day 21 - A song from a band you hate
Day 22 - A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 23 - A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 24 - A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 25 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 - A song from your childhood
Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year

As soon as I saw this entry on the list I knew what I would answer for this one. And no, it's not Ashlee Simpson. She is not a band.



I. Hate. Coldplay. And yet I cannot resist this song! It appeals to the geek in me. "I used to rule the world -- seas would rise when I gave the word." Or even better, the chorus: "I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing, Roman cavalry choirs are singing; be my mirror, my sword, my shield, my missionaries in a foreign field."

I still hate them, but this song is epic. And endorsed by ! You can't get higher praise.

Monday, June 14, 2010

anytime i need to see your face i just close my eyes

Ok, scuse you customers, but I'm allowed to work at a children's store even if I don't have children. Maybe I don't have kids because I don't want them, maybe I work here because the pay is good and the company's good. But for you to say "why do you work here then if you don't have kids?" That kinda makes me mad.

On a side note, I love seeing little babies, but I feel that my biological clock doesn't work because seeing them doesn't make me want them. I'm very okay with this.


Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh
Day 19 - Your least favorite song
Day 20 - A song that you know all the words to
Day 21 - A song from a band you hate
Day 22 - A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 23 - A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 24 - A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 25 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 - A song from your childhood
Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year

I'm a song memorizer! There are entire songs that I know in Italian or Spanish simply because I remember all the lyrics. But my specialty is all the Savage Garden discography. While I claimed allegiance to the BSB clique in high school, my heart truly madly deeply belonged to Darren and Daniel of the Australian band Savage Garden. I still love Darren solo, and lord knows how jealous I was of when she met him a few years back.



[Song for FB readers is Savage Garden's "I Want You."]

Saturday, June 12, 2010

a fucking flying tank! for real!

Um, I want you to run, not walk to your nearest theater and see the A-Team Movie. You won't be disappointed unless you kill puppies in yr spare time. The best moviegoing experience I have had in a long time, and I will see it in theaters again and again.

You guys don't know but the A-Team is one of my favourite shows ever. Like on the face of the planet, it's like they came up with a concept that was designed specifically for me. And the casting for this movie is spot on. I don't know where Sharlto Copley has been all my life but I ell him a lot. And even the guy they cast as Mr T scuse me I mean BA Baracus was pretty darn awesome.

PS: They fly a tank. YEAH that's right. FLEW a tank. How more badass can you get? JFC, get to the theater already!



Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh
Day 19 - Your least favorite song
Day 20 - A song that you know all the words to
Day 21 - A song from a band you hate
Day 22 - A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 23 - A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 24 - A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 25 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 - A song from your childhood
Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year

I don't hate a lot of music, since I'm a fan of all music as a concept. But there are several that I dislike with a passion. Longtime readers of this blog remember that I was insistent upon removing Ashlee Simpson's existence from this world. I switched targets and now I hate Demetri Martin, that talentless hack of a "comedian." Uh reality check, Mr Martin, you're not funny.

So for the worst song ever to exist I had a hard time choosing. I mean even Paris Hilton has a CD! (Again giving me hope for my own American Idol audition). I can't decide between these two songs, so here they both are. What's your least favourite song ever?



[Facebook readers: Jessica Simpson's horrific cover of Take My Breath Away]



[Again, JSimp doing "I Wanna Love You Forever."]

Friday, June 11, 2010

nerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd

So I was watching Star Trek: The Next Generation on BBCA, because I'm a nerd, and it was "Ensign Ro." That reminded me how much I really really really miss DS9 and how much I love Michelle Forbes (who later appeared on both of my 2000s favourite TV shows). I gotta figure though the only reason that BBCA shows it is because Patrick Stewart stars in it. Not that I'm complaining. While some of the plots and hairstyles don't hold up, a lot of it reminds me why it was my favourite show while growing up. (NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERD)

I don't have any funky dreams to tell you about today, so we'll just launch into the meme.

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh
Day 19 - Your least favorite song
Day 20 - A song that you know all the words to
Day 21 - A song from a band you hate
Day 22 - A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 23 - A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 24 - A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 25 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 - A song from your childhood
Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year

This one cements my nerd status. That and my pseudocanuck status. I thought about choosing Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie's "War of 1812," but then I get pedantic and complain about how inaccurate it really is ;)



[Facebook Readers: Arrogant Worms - Canada's Really Big (live)]

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

And I would answer all of your wishes if you asked me to

So I overslept by a lot today and it was weird. You see I watched the National Geographic Channel before I went to sleep and it was about hunting Osama bin Laden. So of course I dreamed that Osama was chasing me, and I had to keep moving from safehouse to safehouse and having the FBI protect my family. It was weird.

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh
Day 19 - Your least favorite song
Day 20 - A song that you know all the words to
Day 21 - A song from a band you hate
Day 22 - A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 23 - A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 24 - A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 25 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 - A song from your childhood
Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year

Is it wrong to steal someone else's wedding song as a song you would play at your wedding? If I ever get married I'd love to hear this song at it. It's just perfect!




[For facebook readers, this is McFly's All About You]

This is my friends Julie and Aidan's wedding song and I just love it. And them <3.

In case you're wondering about the new days on the list, I found a duelling list that was 30 days and I decided to add them in because I am having a blast doing this meme. It forces me to post every day, and even if I don't get comments I like the idea of writing something each night.

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Mad love to the Military.

Before today's meme, I have three things to bring to your attention:
1) I belong to a site called PineCone Research. They do market research surveys online, and they pay you $3 for every survey you do. The surveys themselves take no longer than 20 minutes, and sometimes you get to try new products before they hit the market, which is way cool. tl;dr (too late) they're looking for new people to send surveys to. If you're interested (US only, I think) please leave your email, and I'll forward you the sign up message.

2) Holy shit how cool is this?

3) can ignore this: OMG you guys, the NCIS season finale? Made up for a seriously sucky season. Amirite? PS: Who else [spoilers] knew Mike Franks wasn't dead? PS: theories on what happened and who the Army Ranger guy is working for would be spectacular.

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh



Ok, so this song makes me cry buckets EVERY single time I heard it. And if I want to be really sad I throw it on. I'm a sucker for military-related songs, and this is no exception. It's a great song if you need a good cry. Runner up would be the Dixie Chicks' cover of "Travelling Soldier." FFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUU, waterworks.

[For Facebook readers, the song is Carrie Underwood's Just a Dream. Video/audio can be heard at original source]

Monday, June 07, 2010

You can't rush fashion...

I suspect the lack of inclusion of stirrup pants is merely because I haven't lit enough people on fire for wearing them yet.

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh

A song that I listen to when I'm happy, eh? Hmm. I listen to everything, but I think I know what will fit this category.


I know Juliebella will agree with me on this one, right?

for Facebook readers, this is Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten)

Sunday, June 06, 2010

the light is electric yeah

Today's entry is brought to you by the fact that I am missing the skin off half my right foot. Story continues after today's meme.

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh

Oh this one's easy. It wasn't easy when I was thinking about it a few days ago, knowing it was coming up, but it played on my mp3 player and I realized it was perfect for this meme. So enjoy:


For facebook readers, the video is Seether's FMLYHM.

It's such a bitter, jaded, and angry song which sums up Seether's entire repertoire, but if I recall correctly this entire album was a reply to the lead singer breaking up with Amy Lee of Evanescence. She of course started it with the album "The Open Door," so you know. If you're famous musicians you gotta fight your breakups through music, it's only logical. (Note: this is not sarcasm).

I'm ambivalent about Seether. They know how to rock, but they also tend to be pretty damned misogynistic with their lyrics and it bothers me to listen to some of it. How do you feel about them?

So I'm missing skin from the top of my foot and here's why: I was moving my stuff around today to try to make my room more habitable. I positioned the bed where I wanted it except that it was half on top of some boxes that I'd neglected to move out the way. So I did the logical thing, and shoved the boxes over to the right. Forgot my foot was underneath, so when the bed dropped it hit my foot.

This didn't scrape my foot, I'll have you know. What happened next did. My left foot slipped and I fell onto the bed, throwing my entire weight on the bed on top of my foot. That uh, kinda hurt. And removed a layer of skin. Ouch.

Saturday, June 05, 2010

and everything, it will surely change, even if i tell you i won't go

No one cares, right? ;)
Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh

So once again this is a difficult question. You see, I don't really do albums so much anymore -- I collect singles and delete pieces of albums I don't like. But the answer to this one is ridiculously simple. Anyone who knows me knows how much I stan* for Mr. David Cook, American Idol Season 7 winner. <3

Because the universe loves me, DC's first album came out the day after my birthday. So I bought the CD the same day it came out and listened to it nonstop. I'm fairly certain that Bridget got tired of it and wanted to toss it out the window but I couldn't stop listening. So David Cook's self titled album is my favourite CD of all time.

And the best track, one that on the right day can move me to tears, is Permanent.



Simply amazing and powerful.

*stan is shorthand for an obsessed fan. Those of you who know Eminem's song "Stan" about a crazed fan will see the origins of the name.

Friday, June 04, 2010

holding up this fortress with imaginary horses

I feel neglected and need commentary, dammit. Is it because it ends up crossposted to blogspot/FB? I get more comments over there. Is this thing on? ;)

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh

There are two songs that describe me pretty well but it's the same theme in each, and they're both female singers, so I'm gonna go with the easy (read: lazy) choice. Ahh, what did we do in the days before youtube?



Every. goddamned. word of this song is me. You don't really understand how much this is me, from the begininng line "grew up in a small town" to the theme of wanting to leave and see the world. "I'll do what it takes til I touch the sky." But I won't forget all the ones that I love. I just don't even know, you guys. This song is exactly, down to each syllable, every example completely and utterly my life. There couldn't be a better song that sums me up in a nutshell.






I gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change, and break away. But I gotta keep moving on, moving on, fly away. <3 But I won't forget the place I come from.


(In case you were wondering, this was the other song I considered. It's the same theme but less Ehjay.)

Thursday, June 03, 2010

I'm gonna love you with my hands tied.

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh

My music is so eclectic I'm not sure what would surprise you to learn that I love. I am that rare person who literally DOES listen to everything, including Rap and Country, the two exceptions to all music "fans."

My friend Tabitha was surprised to find out I liked Death From Above 1979 but that's in my indie/rock/alt rock wheelhouse, so I can't consider them.

McFly is too British and Boy-Band-y for me to choose for this one. Those are also strong sets in my wheelhouse.

I can pick songs people would be surprised that I hate, but that's not the point of this meme. (Although it would be a good one.) If it was a "what group did you hate that people would be surprised that you like now" question that would be easy -- The Decemberists.

And you guys know I love me some Idol, whether it's Pop, American, or Canadian. So any of those contestants are right out. (Except Danny Gokey, because he's just annoying.)

So I thought long and hard about this (heh, I said long and hard). The only answer I could reasonably come up with was this:


The answer for the Facebook readers: Lady Gaga - Teeth.

I dunno why, but the Lady Gaga hath grown on me. And this song is just FUN.

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

whataya want from me

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh

I try not to choose favourites except at work ;)
But does this meme mean a band or an artist? Because I can say without a doubt that Laura Pausini is my favourite artist, without a doubt. Favourite band rotates. Usually Canadian, though, that I can tell you. I love Tragically Hip & Great Big Sea, but I've kinda fallen out of love with GBS lately. Carbon Leaf is good, but not magical. And Dropkicks are amazing, but I can't listen to them nonstop. I don't have that one ~MAGICAL~ band that I instantly adore and need to own everything ever by them.

I'll give you another Laura track (remember this will be a mix when I'm finished with the meme):

Laura Pausini - Come una danza
(This is just such a fun track to listen to, no matter what mood you're in).

The answer to the favourite band took some thought. I go through phases in music. I went from boy bands to singer-songwriter Lilith Fair type stuff to elevator music to alt rock to metal to celtic to celtic punk (which still sticks around) to today's little bit of everything.

But you know I think about it and I have to go with the band that I discovered through advertising on Fark.com years ago when I was an early member there. (5 digit account number! If that means anything anymore. And yes it was a low #)

And this song is super amazing in its acoustic form, as well as its original electric form. My sister got to see them live and I'm jealous because I was originally gonna see them myself before I went and got a new job.

For Facebook readers:
Breaking Benjamin - The Diary of Jane (acoustic)

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Music time again

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh

I came up with two choices for this one, because I prefer television to music for going to sleep to -- I watch Forensic Files and I'm out like a light. Probably tells you something about me that I can sleep to gruesome murders.

I did however use the whole album this song is from for a few weeks as a crutch to sleep with. The Decemberists is an odd choice, I must say, but this song in particular is soothing. And while the rest of the album is depressing or loud, it just seems to help lull me to sleep.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Music time again

Ok, so this one I also had a difficult time with. I think this list hates me

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh

The only one I can think of for this day is kind of sad

I remember tuning to MTV after a day of sitting in various rooms in my dorm and watching the coverage of 9/11 that fateful Tuesday. The video for this song appeared and it just seemed to sum up the day and the response afterward.



Does 9/11 invoke any songs for you?

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Goodreads is awesome, btw.

Book review time! I read a bunch of books this time out.

Lost States: True Stories of Texlahoma, Transylvania, and Other States That Never Made It, Michael J. Trinklein
My brother told me about this book and I added it to my wishlist. He had a copy and I read it in an hour because it's a quick piece. A lot of the stories I already knew but there were some that were surprising and new to me. Definitely an interesting book to check out, and the maps are awesome.

We Need to Talk About Kevin, Lionel Shriver.

This was a book that Ash had read a few months back and raved about how good it was. I was walking through Barnes & Noble one day and it jumped out at me from a random shelf, so I bought it. And I am very glad I did. This is the story of a mother whose child becomes a school shooter. She tells the story through letters to her estranged husband, and it's completely mesmerizing. This is the book that The Unprofessionals tried to be -- a story about an upper middle class woman who doesn't know what to do with her life, and how she interacts with a young man, a teenager really. It brings up nature vs nurture,and asks all the important questions. This is superbly written and increasingly captivating as you get to the quiet climax.

Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival, Anderson Cooper.

CNN's Anderson Cooper became a household name for his work during Hurricane Katrina, but my mom and I had been fans for a long time before that. She was the one who told me that his mother is Gloria Vanderbilt, and that his brother killed himself from jumping out a window. This book is a window into his mind and thoughts and the rationale behind why he chose to jump from war to disaster, from country to country. While it was a good and quick read, I don't know if I would recommend it for people who aren't fans of Coper.

The White Queen, Philippa Gregory.

Continuing the trend of writing trilogies based on the turbulent past of England's Tudor dynasty, Gregory starts her new one based on the life of Elizabeth Woodville. A young widow catches the eye of a king, and marries him out of love, allegedly. His life cut short, she has to fight for every inch to save her children and their claim to the throne of England.

I liked this book, and then I didn't. The witchcraft she uses as a deus ex machina is good in parts, but overused and preachy in others. Elizabeth herself comes off as incredibly needy and clingy, but the story is enjoyable in parts.

English, Wang Gang.
This is a book translated from Mandarin Chinese to English, about a young boy in the extreme rural parts of China, a place so remote that we never hear or know anything about the region. It's an interesting character study, and an intriguing look into a part of history and a country that is so rarely understood by westerners.

Bel Canto, Ann Patchett.

I was out at I believe Troy Night Out, where all the shops and restaurants and such are open later on Fridays or what have you, and we wandered into this new consignment shop. The woman had books for sale, and a granddaughter who was named Journey. She said it was for the band, but her daughter had chosen it for other reasons. The kid was cute and the book was cheap.

Based remotely on true events, Patchett writes a story that relies heavily on Stockholm Syndrome. A group of hoi palloi in an unnamed Latin American country (Peru) gathers at the Vice President's residence to see a concert by a famous American opera star. The opera star had been lured there to entertain a rich Japanese business man who the country wanted to invest in infrastructure. A rebel group had other ideas and takes the group hostage.

For several months the wildly comedic group lives together, and become BFFs. And while it's not entirely realistic and a little bizarre, it is entertaining. And that's all I asked out of this book.

That's Not in My American History Book, Thomas Ayres.
This was slightly annoying. I couldn't remember if I had read this book or not, because I knew almost all the stories in it from either that book or other similar texts. Not worth buying.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Idol Finale: Yacht Rock Edition. (Contains Spoilers)

Well, Live via Tape Delay.

Vote For the worst is doing a drinking game where everytime the word "paint" (as in salesman) or "mom" (as in single) is said, take a drink. I won't do that, but I'll keep a tally for you.


Paint: i
Mom: i

Reviewing that Chicago audition tape.
Lee's wearing a colour but looks like someone replaced him with a cardboard cutout. Poor dude. He's nervous.

Random stars standing up for a standing ovation. I don't know who any of these people are. /old

Uh, Randy? I'm all for mixing patterns and colours but a solid neon blue tie and a green print? Forget it. Scrap it and start over.
Uh, finalists? Is this Catholic School Idol? PS: Crystal, I want your ring.

Oh god, a group sing. Is that that Orianthi chick again? She can play some guitar, I'll give her that. Oh, they're all wearing -- OH GOD THEY'RE SINGING ALICE COOPER. And this is totally pre-recorded. Because they hate us. What the hell is going on? Why are there zombies? Why is this happening on my television? And how much did they pay him to be on the show?
Oh wow, one of the people I didn't recognize was Carrie Underwood. That's pretty sad.

Kris Allen's performing next, doing his song The Truth. Wow, Idol, you fucked up the audio on your reigning champion. Class act. But Kris, you're pretty amazing. And I'm still kicking myself for not watching last season. He's so ridiculously adorable, I don't even care. If David Cook wasn't the permanent owner of my American Idol heart, I would make room for Kris Allen. <3 Speaking of Cookie, I hope he's on tonight show. Oh, another note about this song: the version for radio has Pat Monaghan of Train singing with him on this song. I haven't heard that song, but I love this one. Seriously, if you're still holding out on listening to Kris Allen, stop and go find a song by him.

Hey, that's Bo Bice. Where did they find him?

Oh time to fete Simon Cowell. LOLOLOLOOL he gave Ryan a breath mint. trying to say something about Ryan? Oh dear god, Idol with Randy and Ryan, but no Simon? I'm not sure I can take it.

Siobhan and Aaron are up next. Oh, I missed that voice. Not Aaron. He can stop singing now. I also need Siobhan's dress in my life. Oh really, Idol, do we need the cheese? OH GOD KILL IT WITH FIRE IT IS HALL AND OATES UGH NO DO NOT WANT. REALLY WHY DOES IDOL HATE ME. This must be 1970s Idol, what with Alice Cooper & now Hall & Oates.

What's next? Michael McDonald?

Hi, Michael Lynche. You're singing more Yacht Rock.* Someone put this season out of my misery. HOSHIT I WAS RIGHT MICHAEL MCDONALD. QUICK I NEED TO GO BUY A LOTTERY TICKET. If Idol had any cultural relevance left it is clearly gone with tonight's show.

GDI Seacrest, Dane Cook is not the Cook I wanted to be performing. WHOA IT IS THAT GUY WHO IS YOUR BROTHER!**

Uh oh, Lacey Brown is doing her best Pat Benatar impression. At least that's what I gathered from the accidental jump ahead that my DVR does. It's Didi Benami, boys and girls. And she's missing part of her dress. Let me guess, Christina Aguilera's about to school them all. This sounds like a dirge. I suspect if we let Crystal and Siobhan rip into it, it would have been a better song. Ok, to be fair, Beautiful is a bland song. Fighter works for this group of girls. Uh, lurking dancers are lurking? Oh yeah, cause school's in session. Although I do not understand the Leia look she's got going on. Ok, bored now. Next?

Ricky Gervais? Why did he come on the finale? Oh, I guess they're BFFs.

Hey, everyone it's our favourite paint salesman, Lee DeWyze. (Well, not my favourite ex-paint salesman). See, Lee, if you had done this last night you would have won. Look, it's his BFF andrew Garcia.

True measure of awful: Zoe left the room when Andrew started singing. Which 70s "rock" star do they have to sing with them? Or overrated 90s singer, for that matter? Oh dear, are they gonna bring Hall and Oates out again? Of the two Maneater songs I know, I do not like this -- wait, who were the two old guys at the beginning if it wasn't Hall & Oates?***
Idol, you're KILLING ME. KILLING ME. Hall and Oates AND the Idol Backup Singers? This is like AJ's version of Musical Hell.

Janell Wheeler, a failed Top 24 contestant is practically invisible in the sea of Crystal fans. Crystal's performing "Ironic." Kinda like this show, amirite? UGH ditch the backup singers. LOLOLOLOL, overrated 90s singer, Check. Oh come on, Idol. "Would she go down with you to a theater?" COP OUT. Raise your hands if you've never belted this song out loud in your room. Bonus points if a hairbrush was your mic.

Apparently Alanis is on Team Crystal.

*: Yacht Rock
**: Renaldo Lapuz
***: I like Nelly Furtado's song better




Yeah, now a real Idol takes the stage and schools this season's crop. That rock that Mike Comrie gave her can be seen even in long shots. How is she able to move wearing that Chain Maile around her shoulders?

Wow, can we be any less excited about winning a car?

Casey gets to sing Poison. Are they cheering Casey or the fact that Bret Michaels is lurking right behind him? Our first bit of current cultural relevance, oddly enough. And Casey didn't bring the goat to sing this song for him, which is nice. Also, Casey is very tall.

Is it time for more Simon love? Oh sweet more cities. Myspace auditions?
Oh dear god they really hate me. First Hall & Oates, and NOW Chicago? Really? Just because Lee's from Chicago? But they keep saying Mt Prospect, IL. YAY MATT ROGERS <3 I love him!

Pants on the ground! The highlight of my evening. This is uh. That's William Hung. Oh dear god I still have 45 minutes of this to go. I really don't remember a finale being this torturous.

LOLOL they're offering discounted tickets to this tour because no one wants to see these Idols. This will work out in my favour. Oh Paula, I actually MISS you. "After years of sitting between two guys who have bigger boobs than I do..." Really? A standing O for Paula Abdul? Please come back, Paula. I can't believe I'm saying this. Ok, now I'm over her. Let's get to the real reason we're watching the show.

GDI Simon, you need to bring X Factor here ASAP, I need the snarky British judge on my TV.

Hey, that's Season 1 Winner Kelly Clarkson. I kinda want her haircut. And Season 2 Winner Ruben Studdard! And Season 3 Fantasia. And Carrie Underwood. And Jordin Sparks! This means...Taylor Hicks. Remember him? And it's Season 8 Winner Kris Allen! ...wait a freaking minute. IDOL I FEEL CHEATED. Look, it's all those people who didn't win. Aww, I do love you Elliot Yamin. But I really really really wanted to see one particular idol.*

But that was actually really sweet. And I enjoyed that performance.
Uhoh, looks like another group sing is lurking. Which 70s, 80s, or 90s superstar is going to suprise us with a performance? Oh it's Janet Jackson. Who is wearing like 80 microphones. I must say I really don't like the incredibly squared shoulder look. Ok, bored now. I'd almost rather listen to another group sing. Note to Idol: Do not actually give me another group sing.

Oh, Ryan, I thought tonight was about 70s rock stars.
Paint: II
Mom: II

Also, if you haven't heard them do "Falling Slowly," you're missing out on a real treat.**

LOL, Lee singign the line "what would you do if I sang out of tune." Cause he has a hard time staying in key. Oh man I can hear Laurie screaming from here. Wait. Wait really? We're gonna have Joe Cocker on this show? That's it. I'm done. I can't take this show seriously anymore.***

UNLEASH THE BACKUP SINGERS! I think Lee's just pretending to sing at this point, because all he's doing is smiling.

Paint: III
Mom: III

So it's not Price Waterhouse Cooper doing the votes this year. Dim the lights and we're about to crown an Idol. But not before we drag it out another seven minutes. Lee looks like he's about to throw up. I think they decided not to go over how last night went like they normally do because Lee got terrible reviews from the judges.

Wow, it's now White Male Idol, apparently. never mind the fact that he totally choked last night.Whoa Mike Lynche totally bumrushed him. Oh poor kid. He's adorable. Oh I wanna give him a giant hug. <3 Not even gonna lie. Oh geez, now he has to sing. There we go, this is what you should have done last night to justify that title.

Be advised that the previous cut contains spoilers about last night.

*Mr David Cook was not involved in the Winners Sing-A-Long. And Adam Lambert cancelled his appearance on the show tonight for diva reasons.

**: Here's Crystal and Lee doing "Falling Slowly"

***WE all know this is a lie. I never take this show seriously.