One of these things just doesn't belong: Carly Smithson, Kristy Lee Cook, Amanda Overmyer. (If you don't want to know the outcome, don't read any further...
No way Carly belonged in the bottom 3! I'm so glad she was safe after all.
Kristy Lee Cook has been in the bottom 2 or 3 every single week, with good reason. She was better this week than last, but she's still close to being on her way out.
Finally! Amanda Overmyer is gone! Maybe next week will be Kristy's finale.
I didn't feel like an Idolplay-by-play last night. I was kind of bored with the Beatles again, and overall the performances were just ho-hum. I do have a few comments, though.
1. David Archuleta has a really good voice, but he's getting predictable and boring. I'd like to see him do something else.
2. Jason Castro is also getting predictable and boring. I want to see him sing something in another style. He's not the best singer, but he's got the popular vote because of his looks and his humble, very likable, down-to-earth personality.
3. Ramiele Malubay has a really good voice, but she's playing the "little girl" act a bit too much. She needs to get back to performing music instead of performing everything else.
4. Chikezie is taking chances and pulling them off. It's fun wondering each week what he'll do next.
5. Brooke White, Carly Smithson, and David Cook are consistently good, regardless of what the judges have been saying. Brooke's got a great Carly Simon/Stevie Nicks sound going on and she's just so darn likeable! Carly has a powerful voice and just nails it week after week. David's got a great voice and he takes chances and makes changes to make the songs his own. No karaoke or cruise ship performances from him! (Yes, I know he's done rock every week, but he's varied things a lot. And I prefer rock to pop and country.)
6. The second Beatles week was boring. One week was good; two lacks creativity. Even Simon wasn't thrilled with a second week of it.
7. I think the contestants don't understand the term "song choice". That doesn't mean choosing a song because it has a special meaning for you or because it's one you've always liked. It means choosing a song that you can sing well, one that shows your range as well as your emotions. One that challenges you in a good way. There are plenty of songs I like or that have special meaning to me, but I can't sing them worth a flip. Well, I can't really sing anything worth a flip, but you know what I mean.
I hope next week gives us - and them - something more to choose from.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Serendipity
Serendipity: the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else entirely.
My fortune cookie from Mai's today read, "Now is the best time for you to be spontaneous. Serendipity!"
I had considered being spontaneous today, but with all the heavy rains, I decided to come home after lunch instead. Maybe I'll be spontaneous tomorrow in between my dentist and hair appointments, or Thursday after I work out again.
I went out in the rain this morning to work out, then met Billy for lunch. By the time we got to Mai's, it was really pouring down and the thunder and lightning had started. Luckily we got there before the lunch crowd and were able to get a parking spot right in front of the door.
After studying the lunch specials, I finally decided on Garlic Sauteed Shrimp with fried rice, a Vietnamese roll, and chicken soup on the side. The shrimp was good, but not something I'd want often. It was mostly sauce with onion and scallion slices and 6 shrimp. It wasn't as spicy as I thought it would be. The fried rice was really good, different from what you get at a Chinese or Japanese restaurant. It was sweeter and had more seasoning. The soup was also sweet. It was mostly broth with a few pieces of chicken, some rice noodles, and some cilantro. I think next time I'll try something other than the soup; I'm not a fan of cilantro. Of course, I loved the Vietnamese roll.
Billy chose Lemon Grass Beef. He had told me that it didn't have a strong lemon flavor, as the name "lemon grass" indicates, but I was still a little leery of ordering it. He gave me a few bites of it and I loved it! I think I'm going to try that or the lemon grass chicken next time so I can get a better idea of the flavor. Still, the coconut curry chicken dish is hard to beat!
I guess discovering I liked the lemon grass beef was serendipitous after all.
My fortune cookie from Mai's today read, "Now is the best time for you to be spontaneous. Serendipity!"
I had considered being spontaneous today, but with all the heavy rains, I decided to come home after lunch instead. Maybe I'll be spontaneous tomorrow in between my dentist and hair appointments, or Thursday after I work out again.
I went out in the rain this morning to work out, then met Billy for lunch. By the time we got to Mai's, it was really pouring down and the thunder and lightning had started. Luckily we got there before the lunch crowd and were able to get a parking spot right in front of the door.
After studying the lunch specials, I finally decided on Garlic Sauteed Shrimp with fried rice, a Vietnamese roll, and chicken soup on the side. The shrimp was good, but not something I'd want often. It was mostly sauce with onion and scallion slices and 6 shrimp. It wasn't as spicy as I thought it would be. The fried rice was really good, different from what you get at a Chinese or Japanese restaurant. It was sweeter and had more seasoning. The soup was also sweet. It was mostly broth with a few pieces of chicken, some rice noodles, and some cilantro. I think next time I'll try something other than the soup; I'm not a fan of cilantro. Of course, I loved the Vietnamese roll.
Billy chose Lemon Grass Beef. He had told me that it didn't have a strong lemon flavor, as the name "lemon grass" indicates, but I was still a little leery of ordering it. He gave me a few bites of it and I loved it! I think I'm going to try that or the lemon grass chicken next time so I can get a better idea of the flavor. Still, the coconut curry chicken dish is hard to beat!
I guess discovering I liked the lemon grass beef was serendipitous after all.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Weigh-In Wednesday #8
I guess I'm past the first few easy pounds of weight loss. I'm down some from last week, but it seems I'm stuck where I am. I know I would do better if I'd be more diligent about my eating. But sometimes I just want it! At least with spring and summer (read: heat) around the corner, I'll be less likely to eat so much - and more likely to eat more salads.
The whole time change thing is really taking a toll on me this time. I'm so tired when I finally drag out of bed in the mornings that I don't really feel like exercising. Monday morning, after I got up, showered, dressed, and read in my Bible, I curled up on the couch for a 30-minute nap. I never got around to doing any exercising. Tuesday and this morning I did my ab exercises. Yesterday I walked my mile on the outdoor track, but wasn't able to time myself very well. (It's hard to do that on a wristwatch.) I went through my upper body routine pretty quickly, walked my half-mile (8:20), then went through the upper body routine again. I realized the outdoor track is a better workout than the indoor track since it has a few small hills. The indoor track is flat.
After my workout, I weighed in at 159.1. I'm still see-sawing. Maybe next week I can see more of a difference since I'll be going to the gym twice. Of course, we'll be eating out a little more since the boys will be out of town, so maybe the extra exercising will just keep me even... It's all about choices.
The whole time change thing is really taking a toll on me this time. I'm so tired when I finally drag out of bed in the mornings that I don't really feel like exercising. Monday morning, after I got up, showered, dressed, and read in my Bible, I curled up on the couch for a 30-minute nap. I never got around to doing any exercising. Tuesday and this morning I did my ab exercises. Yesterday I walked my mile on the outdoor track, but wasn't able to time myself very well. (It's hard to do that on a wristwatch.) I went through my upper body routine pretty quickly, walked my half-mile (8:20), then went through the upper body routine again. I realized the outdoor track is a better workout than the indoor track since it has a few small hills. The indoor track is flat.
After my workout, I weighed in at 159.1. I'm still see-sawing. Maybe next week I can see more of a difference since I'll be going to the gym twice. Of course, we'll be eating out a little more since the boys will be out of town, so maybe the extra exercising will just keep me even... It's all about choices.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Idol 12 Performances
Yes! McCartney-Lennon songs! This should be interesting...
1. Syesha Mercado - "Got to Get You into My Life"
I wasn't impressed with her this week. The song didn't seem to fit her. Randy and Paula said she started off weak but got better; Simon liked it all. I disagree all around. I don't think she ever found her place. Still, I like her and don't want to see her go home just yet.
2. Chikezie - "She's a Woman"
Wow! I loved the way he started out. It kind of reminded me of O Brother, Where Art Thou?. (I did not steal that reference from Paula, either. I typed that before she said it.) Then he rocked! Great job! This proves right here why he beat Danny Noriega last week. If he keeps up with performances like this, he's solid on my list.
3. Ramiele Malubay - "In My Life"
Slow, but good. She's got a really good voice no matter what she sings. After Chikezie's performance, it's a little bit of a let down. I hope the remaining contestants liven things up a bit. I disagree with Simon and Randy that she might be gone next week.
4. Jason Castro - "If I Fell"
More acoustic guitar. It was okay. I didn't like the way his voice would go high, then back down for the next note. It was almost like he was going to change keys, and then decided against it. I still like him, though. He's got a great personality, kind of the boy-next-door type. I hope he doesn't use the guitar every week.
5. Carly Smithson - "Come Together"
She knocked it out! (She usually does.) She's a powerhouse! She hit all the notes and added a little extra in just the right places. Great job! Can you tell she's one of my favorites?
6. David Cook - "Eleanor Rigby"
Impressive, once again. He really does a good job of taking a song and bringing a little (or a lot of) rock to it. I liked the intensity of his voice. Simon said it was "brilliant" and called it when he said "if it remains a talent competition instead of a popularity contest". He's definitely got the talent.
7. Brooke White - "Let It Be"
Another great song from her. She made it her own while staying true to the original. I liked how she played the piano along with singing. She's done guitar, too. She's very musically gifted. I really like her performances, and the fact that she reminds me a little of Carly Simon works in her favor. She's solid near the top of my list.
8. David Hernandez - "I Saw Her Standing There"
To borrow Randy's sometime critique, "It was just okay for me." Billy said it looked like another cruise ship performance. Randy and Paula both described it as overdone. Simon called it "corny, verging on desperate". Yes, yes, and yes. His performance didn't seem to mesh well with everyone else's. Not in the same class.
9. Amanda Overmyer - "You Can't Do That"
First impression: don't like the hair (still) and don't like the striped pants. Did she add more blond streaks? Okay, on to her singing. I just don't like her voice. Yes, she sounds a little like Janis Joplin, but there are so many other better voices in this competition. And it's often hard to understand what she's saying. I want her to go home.
10. Michael Johns - "Across the Universe"
He did pretty good. For the most part, there wasn't really anything to set him apart from several others tonight. He's done better. I think he'll stay, but I hope he starts doing things to stand out or he won't be around much longer.
11. Kristy Lee Cook - "Eight Days a Week"
Oh, boy. She's taking it country... Didn't like it. At all. Especially the horrible ending. Her country is old style. Simon said it sounded like "Dolly Parton on helium". None of the judges liked it, and no one in my house did either.
12. David Archuleta - "We Can Work It Out"
Oops! He forgot the words! Not good! This was not a good song for him. Still, he's sticking around. He's got a great voice, just made a bad choice of song and had a bad night.
Best performances of the night: Chikezie
Runners up: Carly Smithson and David Cook
Worst: Kristy Lee Cook
My pick to go home: Kristy Lee Cook
Update: Sooooo close! She was in the bottom 2, but David Hernandez was a little less popular with the voting public. Could've been his cheesy performance, or it could've been the scandal... He's got a good voice, but he needs to work on his style and delivery.
Next week will bring us more McCartney-Lennon songs. Wonder how that will go... There are so many other options, I'm ready for something different now, myself.
1. Syesha Mercado - "Got to Get You into My Life"
I wasn't impressed with her this week. The song didn't seem to fit her. Randy and Paula said she started off weak but got better; Simon liked it all. I disagree all around. I don't think she ever found her place. Still, I like her and don't want to see her go home just yet.
2. Chikezie - "She's a Woman"
Wow! I loved the way he started out. It kind of reminded me of O Brother, Where Art Thou?. (I did not steal that reference from Paula, either. I typed that before she said it.) Then he rocked! Great job! This proves right here why he beat Danny Noriega last week. If he keeps up with performances like this, he's solid on my list.
3. Ramiele Malubay - "In My Life"
Slow, but good. She's got a really good voice no matter what she sings. After Chikezie's performance, it's a little bit of a let down. I hope the remaining contestants liven things up a bit. I disagree with Simon and Randy that she might be gone next week.
4. Jason Castro - "If I Fell"
More acoustic guitar. It was okay. I didn't like the way his voice would go high, then back down for the next note. It was almost like he was going to change keys, and then decided against it. I still like him, though. He's got a great personality, kind of the boy-next-door type. I hope he doesn't use the guitar every week.
5. Carly Smithson - "Come Together"
She knocked it out! (She usually does.) She's a powerhouse! She hit all the notes and added a little extra in just the right places. Great job! Can you tell she's one of my favorites?
6. David Cook - "Eleanor Rigby"
Impressive, once again. He really does a good job of taking a song and bringing a little (or a lot of) rock to it. I liked the intensity of his voice. Simon said it was "brilliant" and called it when he said "if it remains a talent competition instead of a popularity contest". He's definitely got the talent.
7. Brooke White - "Let It Be"
Another great song from her. She made it her own while staying true to the original. I liked how she played the piano along with singing. She's done guitar, too. She's very musically gifted. I really like her performances, and the fact that she reminds me a little of Carly Simon works in her favor. She's solid near the top of my list.
8. David Hernandez - "I Saw Her Standing There"
To borrow Randy's sometime critique, "It was just okay for me." Billy said it looked like another cruise ship performance. Randy and Paula both described it as overdone. Simon called it "corny, verging on desperate". Yes, yes, and yes. His performance didn't seem to mesh well with everyone else's. Not in the same class.
9. Amanda Overmyer - "You Can't Do That"
First impression: don't like the hair (still) and don't like the striped pants. Did she add more blond streaks? Okay, on to her singing. I just don't like her voice. Yes, she sounds a little like Janis Joplin, but there are so many other better voices in this competition. And it's often hard to understand what she's saying. I want her to go home.
10. Michael Johns - "Across the Universe"
He did pretty good. For the most part, there wasn't really anything to set him apart from several others tonight. He's done better. I think he'll stay, but I hope he starts doing things to stand out or he won't be around much longer.
11. Kristy Lee Cook - "Eight Days a Week"
Oh, boy. She's taking it country... Didn't like it. At all. Especially the horrible ending. Her country is old style. Simon said it sounded like "Dolly Parton on helium". None of the judges liked it, and no one in my house did either.
12. David Archuleta - "We Can Work It Out"
Oops! He forgot the words! Not good! This was not a good song for him. Still, he's sticking around. He's got a great voice, just made a bad choice of song and had a bad night.
Best performances of the night: Chikezie
Runners up: Carly Smithson and David Cook
Worst: Kristy Lee Cook
My pick to go home: Kristy Lee Cook
Update: Sooooo close! She was in the bottom 2, but David Hernandez was a little less popular with the voting public. Could've been his cheesy performance, or it could've been the scandal... He's got a good voice, but he needs to work on his style and delivery.
Next week will bring us more McCartney-Lennon songs. Wonder how that will go... There are so many other options, I'm ready for something different now, myself.
10 Things I'm Looking Forward to this Spring
Today's Ten on Tuesday:
1. SWIM Wives' Retreat
2. getaway to Hot Springs, AR
3. completing the self-study program I've been enrolled in for the last 4 1/2 years
4. warmer weather
5. trips to the park and the zoo
6. Easter (Resurrection Sunday)
7. longer daylight hours
8. getting back to wearing capris, t-shirts, and flip-flops
9. lighter meals
10. Billy's graduation
Bonus: 11. Our friend PoMonkey will be stopping by to sleep on our couch as she passes through town!
Technically, some of the things on my list will happen before spring officially arrives, but it's basically already here in Texas. (Other than the two snowfalls we had last week...)
What are you looking forward to?
1. SWIM Wives' Retreat
2. getaway to Hot Springs, AR
3. completing the self-study program I've been enrolled in for the last 4 1/2 years
4. warmer weather
5. trips to the park and the zoo
6. Easter (Resurrection Sunday)
7. longer daylight hours
8. getting back to wearing capris, t-shirts, and flip-flops
9. lighter meals
10. Billy's graduation
Bonus: 11. Our friend PoMonkey will be stopping by to sleep on our couch as she passes through town!
Technically, some of the things on my list will happen before spring officially arrives, but it's basically already here in Texas. (Other than the two snowfalls we had last week...)
What are you looking forward to?
Menu Plan Monday #21
Last week's biscuit cups were really good, but there are a few changes I'll make next time. I hope to get it posted on my recipe blog this week, along with a few other recipes.
Yesterday was busy with Pampered Chef stuff, but now that I've finally finished my monthly newsletter, I can get back to regular blogging - and menu planning.
Monday: Pizza
Tuesday: Tuscan Chicken over Angel Hair Pasta, salad, garlic bread
Wednesday: leftovers
Thursday: Caleb decided he wanted to go out to eat for his birthday this year. His choice: Panda Express. I know what he wants, too - Mandarin Chicken and Chinese Noodles. (I think we'll all be getting some Mandarin Chicken!) He also decided he'd like me to make some brownies for his "cake" that night.
Friday: sandwiches, hot dogs, corn dogs, whatever
I have a show scheduled, but not sure what the turnout will be. I'll know more tomorrow night or Thursday.
Saturday: OUT!
Billy's parents will be in town to celebrate Caleb's birthday, so we'll let Caleb pick where he wants to eat. (With some guidance, of course. No McDonald's or Chuck E. Cheese!)
Sunday: ???!
The boys will be going back with Billy's parents for a week, so we'll probably go out to eat that evening.
Next week is spring break and the boys will be out of town, so we'll probably do more going out to eat than eating in. When we do eat in, it'll most likely be sandwiches or something quick.
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