Farwell to Brooke

I am actually relieved to see her go! The girl was falling apart in front of us, and it just wasn't funny. I'm glad that she left being proud of the performances that she did and knowing that she is stronger than she thought she was.

Now about the group number??? What was that mess?!? Who had the bright idea to have DA sing "Pack up the babies and grab the old ladies and everyone go"! Too funny. And why was DC the only one you could really hear when he soloed, hmmmm.

Oh well, on to Rock-n-Roll week, looking forward to what should be some really interesting performances.

Writer's Wednesday #2

Leaving You

We only want
What we cannot have
So the saying goes
And life goes on
Love passes by
Leaves you standing
On the edge of the road
Passions flare and fade
Friendships die away
I know it's true
I know they do
But I never thought
With what we are and
What we are not
And all the things
I think I want
That it would be me
Leaving you this way

May '94

The Top 5 Do Neil Diamond

So tonight brought us the music of Neil Diamond and it was interesting to say the least. Here's what I thought of the performances:
Round 1

• Jason Castro - Forever In Blue Jeans - It was just there. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either.


• David Cook - I'm Alive - It was better than good, but somehow not all that I am used to getting from him. Although I do have to admit that as I listen to it while I am writing I like it more now than I did then.


• Brooke White - I'm A Believer - A little to frantic and frentic for my taste, but at least she managed a little smiling.


• David Archuleta - Sweet Caroline - Umm who thought this song would be a good choice for him??? The "pitchiness", strange phrasing just sort of ruined this for me.


• Syesha Mercado - Hello, Again - Wow, she can really sing when she isn't trying to over do the whole diva note thing. I am enjoying her more and more. Poor Sysesha this probably means she is going home.

So my top pick for round 1 was Syesha with David C. a close second. And lest we forget the disaster that is Paula, I really wonder what drugs she is taking and if there is any way to get some. I have some people I'd like to confuse.
Round 2

• Jason Castro - September Morn - This could have been great, but of course all of Paula's premonitions came true and it was in general very blah.


• David Cook - All I Really Need Is You - Loved it! I miss the big notes from him, but the music, the lyrics, the performance was all just so perfect. And we got guitar in both performances!


• Brooke White - I Am I Said - I liked it. It was sweet and vulnerable like all of her best performances. I wish I was more hopeful for her future in this competition, but I think she is more than ready to leave at this point.


• David Archuleta - America - Eh! It's not that it was badly sung, or even a poor song choice, I am just over the ballady, heart warming, Disneybot already.


• Syesha Mercado - Thank The Lord For The Night Time - Wow, I liked this one too. She really is coming into her own on the Idol stage, now the question is - is it too little too late?

And round 2 goes to David C. with Brooke and Syesha turning in memorable performances as well. Looking forward to tomorrow night and the results.

Top 2: David Cook, Syesha
Bottom 2: David Archuleta, Jason Castro

Site Down Blues

I am effectively writing this blog to no one as my site has been crashed since yesterday. I hate when this happens as it always seems to take so much longer to correct than it does to go wrong. Here's to a quick resolution.

Tabbikat's Thursday 13 #1

13 Places I'd Love to Go Back to

1. Chattanooga, TN - I'd like to live in this area sometime in the near future. We discovered the charm of this city totally by accident and have been back several times. It is easy to walk around, the people are friendly, and there seems to be a never ending list of things to do. The climate and scenery are pretty terrific too!


2. Newport, VT - I was born there and summered there as a child. The natural beauty and cool weather is just fantastic.


3. Rochester, NY - Try this in the spring during the Lilac festival, the smell is beyond belief. For a smaller city it has alot of history and some fabulous natural attractions.


4. Toronto, Cananda - Growing up in Western NY meant that trips to Canada happened pretty frequently. As a kid I loved Toronto because there was always something fun to do, and as I grew up I began to appreciate how clean, friendly, and safe it is. There is everything from shopping to hockey, fine dining to Hard Rock, city streets to country side. If you go try staying a little outside the city and use the subway, you will save alot of money.


5. New River Gorge, Fayette County, WV - When I move from Western NY to NW Georgia this was one of the places we drove through. We couldn't stop for long but did walk around the gorge lookout trail. Someday I will go back to do the whitewater rafting.


6. Lake Wylie, SC - This was another stop on the NY to GA move and what a treat it was. We actually spent the night in NC; but it was the 4th of July and we were in search of fireworks. I saw the best display I have ever seen sitting on the bridge over Lake Wylie. If you get a chance to go there for the 4th I highly recommend it.


7. Green Lakes, NY - This was a family favorite for camping, the lakes are spectacular and you can't really see the color in pictures you have to see it for yourself. It's a short drive into Syracuse too, just in case you crave some civilization while you camp.


8. Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY - Thi s park was close enough to home a child that we often went here for family hikes. I also took several school, girl scout, and summer camp day trips. Mother nature at her best.


9. Darien Lakes State Park, Darien Center, NY - This park is pretty and offers a convienent place to stay if you would like to visit the nearby Darien Lakes Theme Park.


10. Hampton Beach, NH - I spent one of the best summer vacations of my childhood here, the year E.T. came out. We stayed in a little beach house right near the water and ate fry dough for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I can't remember a single day where we ran out of things to do before we ran out of time.


11. Lancaster County, PA - This area is a wild mix of modern civilization and old world. The Amish are polite and tolerant and the craftsmanship you see in their products is astounding. Try some of the smaller bed and breakfasts to get a better feel for the area.


12. Kissimmee/St. Cloud, FL - Disneyworld, Seaworld, Universal Orlando, and Green Meadows Petting Farm, and a host of other attractions to numerous to name. If you can't find something to do here you are in big trouble.


13. Grand Canyon, AZ - I haven't been since I was just shy of 6 years old, but I can still remember thinking that it was amazing. I want to take my daughter there in a few years so that she to can see the wonder of nature and time.

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Bye-Bye Carly

Wow we say good bye to Carly as 6 becomes 5. I'm going to miss her, I didn't always like watching her but I always enjoyed listening to her songs afterwards. Next week it is Neil Diamond week and the contestants are doing 2 songs, should be interesting.

Writer's Wednesday #1

The Radio Not You Is Loving Me...

The words of love wash across my ears
Sounds that lovingly brush away my tears

Thoughts of you running through my mind
In love's crazy maze it's you I always find
How can you be so close at hand
Yet worlds away from me your love stands
Lying here crying for my broken heart
I wonder why I let this love start
Painfully sure what I want can't be
Knowing you aren't in love with me
My memories burn with your stolen kiss
I'll never again be satisfied with his
Then the words of love wash across my ears
Those sounds that lovingly brush away my tears

Remembering back to a simpler time
When me loving you wasn't a crime
Listening to the words of a forever song
The love in my heart seems to sing along
I stay here waiting on my bed
Radio at my side, earphones on my head
Waiting for what my heart holds so dear
Wondering if you will ever be here
Dreaming of days with bright blue skies
Eyes flooded with tears for all the whys
And then the words of love wash across my ears
With those sounds that lovingly brush away my tears

For one more chance, another forbidden taste
The rest of my life I'm willing to waste
From that first wondering moment until today
Memories unwind in an instant replay
Every thought is of some how, some way
We might be together one wonderful day
The music keeps playing on and on
Each melody soothes and then is gone
As I sit waiting for what can never happen to be
I can plainly hear… and see
The words of love wash across my ears
Sounds that lovingly brush away my tears
The radio not you is loving me

written October 1994
revised June 2000

The Top 6 Do Andrew Llyod Webber

I must admit I have really been looking forward to this since the theme was first announced. I was definately a theatre geek in high school and just adore Webber's musicals. Overall I was not disappointed with the performances.

David Cook was my favorite of the night. A straight up performance of "Music of the Night" was the last thing I expected, and once again the unexpected was fabulous. Fantastic vocal control, tone, texture, and the boy oozes charisma.

David A., Carly, and Syesha all crowded in wanting to be second; but I think Syesha took it on pure surprise factor. I really liked her, she looked happy and alive, it wasn't a ballad, and she sounded great. David A. surprised by actually making a diva song work, and for making a broadway showtune sound like it could play on pop radio; although I was just a little disappointed that he didn't drift quite as far from his comfort zone. And thank you ALW for helping Carly find her comfort zone! "Superstar" was the perfect song for her, and even with some lyric flubs she was fun to watch on stage.

Brooke and Jason wrap up the pack and I will put Brooke last just because I think the poor girl is actually ready to go. Jason delivered another boring, uninspired performance that left me wondering just how long his looks can keep him in this. Poor Brooke, she didn't perform horribly after the restart; but who gets 2 restarts in one season. During the judges comments I wondered if she was going to throw up and then flee for her life, perhaps it would be better if she had.

top 3: David C., Syesha, David A.

bottom 3: Carly, Jason, Brooke

Keeping My Blogging Resolution

So here it is Monday morning and the first day of my new blogging resolution. I took my mother to the ENT today and hopefully they have fixed her problem, we have another appointment in a week to check on things. I woke up this morning with a migraine so sitting in the Dr's office was a blast, now all I want to do is crawl into a dark cave and hide. Hopefully I will feel better tomorrow. TTFN

Lost Addiction On Hold

So here I was almost up to date with Lost and suddenly life got in the way. One day in the near future I will get back on track, because I really am enjoying this show. I still wonder how it is that I never got into Lost before this January. Hmmm! I will let you know when I get back into it.

Bored With Myself

I'm bored with myself and feeling like I really should do more with this space, so starting Monday I am going to try really hard to put something out here at least 5 times a week, plus I will continue to make my usual vague AI ramblings. Look for new links, new thoughts, and possibly some Thursday Thirteens coming your way.

Farwell to Kristy

Finally I have managed to spell the girl's name correctly and she is gone!!!!!! Do I feel bad, not in the least, now all we have to do is dump Syesha and I will be almost happy to let the rest of the season play out however. Deep in my heart of hearts I really, really want Cookie to win; but Daughtry's doing fine on a 5th place finish, so get rid of Syesha and however the rest plays out I will live with it.

Till next week when we enjoy the music of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber!!!

Top 7 Do Mariah Carey

So my expectations for this night were not high, too many times we have all heard the judges warn against doing Mariah and now the producers have backed the top 7 in a corner and put the diva gun to their heads.

Surprise, the guys delivered solid performances. David A. was predictable but note perfect and not hard to watch. David C. blew me away and I just know that I will be listening to that performance for hours this coming week. Jason started and ended good, which made the strain on his voice in the middle a little less noticable.

Now for the girls, can we say train wreck. Carly could have been good, if she had just managed to let go, I like her despite this and keep rooting for her breakout performance. Syesha overstretched herself once again and totally missed the mark. Brooke tried to reach beyond herself and fell kind of flat but not so much so that I have stopped loving her, I am still amazed at how much I like to listen to her between shows. And then there is Kristie, I swear that this was one of her best performances and I know that should mean something, but it doesn't I just want her to go away so that we don't lose anymore good contestants.

Top 3: David C., David A., Jason

Bottom 3: Kristie, Brooke, Syesha

IGB and Spring Break Don't Mix

While on one hand I am glad I didn't have to shuttle my daughter off to bed a little early 3 nights in a row in order to watch IGB having her here 24/7 doesn't leave time for much else. Not that I really wanted to write about this disaster of a week.

The Tuesday performances were overall uninspiring. I love David Cook but the whole arrangement fell flat and the only uplifting moment was the message on his hand. Carly and Michael gave decent vocal performances but the performances left something to be desired. Syesha is once again do a combo performance this time trying to blend Diana & Fantasia ~ NOT! Both David A. and Brooke delivered solid if boring and predictable performances. And Kristie and Jason, yeah they were there too.

Wednesday night started off fun and I had no real delusions about what most of the show content was going to be; but that didn't stop me from being just a little bit annoyed when they started trying to shove religion down my throat in the process.

Tonight the catastrophe continued with a replay of last night's most blatant religious pitch and then some more heart wrenching clips of children in desperate need. Then in an amazing twist the first five out are safe, go Cookie, and Michael, Carly, and Syesha are left hanging in the wings. What possesses America to leave the likes of Kristie, Syesha, and Jason while dumping Michael I don't think I'll ever understand. Till next time.

Good Bye to Ramiele

I really am sad to see Ramiele go, she has a lovely voice; but I think that people miss the voice because she lacks stage presence and confidence. I am absolutely shocked that Brooke was in the bottom 3, we listen to her performance alot in our house. Well until next week...

AI Does Dolly Parton

Well, Dolly was just as sweet as she could be and I can't imagine that she was any real help in the development process for the contestants, as she had not one single negative thing to say. Brooke got cheated by the judges as her performance (excluding inappropriate smiling) was better than the judges gave her credit for, and no one really had time to enjoy poor Michael's performance as time was running out. Syesha truly has a death wish trying to blend the worst of Dolly & Whitney to make a truly jumbled version of "I Will Always Love You". My guess is Syesha or Ramiele will go home just due to lack of support.

Top 3: David C., Michael, Brooke
Bottom 3: Syesha, Ramiele, Jason