American Idol: My Top 12

I'm mostly ok with the top 12, but last night was a teensy bit sad for me.

First, I hated to see Asia'h go home because I just feel so much for what she's been through these last few months. She lost her father just days before her audition... and I liken that to own experience of getting licensed shortly after my Dad passed away. Song selection or performance aside, I was staunchly in her corner. She's got terrific talent.

And second, I hated to see Danny (Danjaya) Noriega cut. I agree, his performances paled in comparison to the others... but I will miss the head roll and learning new lingo. I will forever remember him for his spirit, and for teaching me the terms... "TMTH" and my personal favorite... "ISH". I'll miss him.

So... here's my personal ranking of the top 12. Play along and let's see if I have my finger on the pulse of America. (That would be a first!).

1. David Archuleta (Imagine... the kid is only 17!)
2. David Cook (he's really tied for first place with me, dawg... this guy is awesome).
3. Jason Castro (rockin' Rockwall, Texas!)
4. David Hernandez (ffn images aside, this guy is a performer!)
5. Syesha Mercado (love the spirit, the personality and how she rolled with the punches)
6. Brooke White (reminds me of someone I know, genuine and true)
7. Michael Johns (great performer, but I think... too much like he's imitating someone else)
8. Amanda Overmyer (I think she's sincere and would make a great friend, but is maybe too stylized)
9. Ramiele Mulabay (She's got a voice bigger than her body, but I'm not crazy about her performance)
10. Chikezie Ezy (I really, really like him. And I like the way he supported Danny last night. I just think his soul is too old for this particular competition. He's got great pipes though... Dawg)
11. Kristy Lee Cook (She should never have sold the horse. One, I'm traumatized by that story, and two... Simon is right. Her performances are forgettable.)
12. Carly Smithson (I'll admit it. I'm shallow. If I was blind and/or blind folded, she might rank higher, but I can't get past the tats and greasy hair. HDTV sucks sometimes).

I had some difficulty with placement in the lower eight. I'm still not sure if I got that right.

Stephen + Lauren = Who Knows???!

Rumors ... abound. And what does the end of year connection between Lauren Conrad and Stephen Colletti mean for the new year?

As the faithful know, I've already cast my vote.

[Insert all of yoiur comments about how reality tv isn't real... and how I should get and/or concentrate on my own life.]

Just sayin'... IMHO, they make a great couple.

Pictured are Lauren, Lo and Audrina at LAX in Las Vegas, courtesy of Gossip Girls,

Not Good Enough For Lauren Conrad

Last week,we were worried that she was still in love with Jason.

And after last night's episode of 'The Hills, we might assume that Lauren Conrad is once again enamored with the deep yet shallow Brody Jenner.

Let's all (ye with little or no personal lives) say it in unison... Lauren is SO much better than that.

She hasn't endured the agony of the Laguna Beach high road (past Kristin, Stephen and Jason)... to settle for a smooth talking pimp, has she?????

Listen to your mom, L.C.!

Stephen Colletti & Lauren Conrad, Together Again!

All is well with the world again! (I really DO need to get a life!)

Stephen has split with Hayden Panettiere, and he and L.C. were spotted, attending as and looking very much like a couple, at a party for Hornitos Tequila Thursday night.

"Stephen and Lauren definitely looked like an item, "a source tells Star. "They hung out together the entire time and at one point, Stephen grabbed Lauren and took her out to the dance floor, where they danced to the song 'One More Time. ' They were laughing and flirting. They looked really happy and cute together."

Anxiously awaited and cute photo, courtesy of E! Online!

The Difference Between Me and BB8's Zach

Zach believes that he is entitled to entry at L.A.'s hotspot, Hyde.

I have no such delusions.

Fame is fleeting for the dim witted, Dude.

BB8 Drum Roll...

And the winner, by a vote of 5-2 is... Evel Dick!

(As if there was a choice... the a$$hole guy and loving father who strategized his a$$ off... v. the spoiled brat who whined, snubbed, screwed and rode his coattails. Hmmm...).

House Guest Descriptions by Dick and Daniele

It'll all be over tonight (thank goodness, since the Donato duo has taken all the fun and suspense out of the finale), but their descriptions of the other house guests (from a live feed transcript) are interesting:

Daniele’s Descriptions:

Kail – Ambiguous;
Jameka – Reserved
Nick – Genuine (She originally said Smitten but changed at end)
Carol – Average
Eric – Quirky
Amber – Fake
Joe – Hysterical
Jen – Fable
Dustin - Mean Spirited
Jessica – Typical blonde girl
Mike – Nice (bland but nice guy)
Zach – Obtuse

Dick's Descriptions:

Kail – Liar
Jameka – Hypocrite
Nick – Bad (Daniele joke argues with him)
Carol – Unrealistic
Eric – Player
Amber – Self-Righteous
Joe – Character
Jen – Unbelievable
Dustin – Jerk, Asshole
Jessica – Narcoleptic
Mike – Loyal (to his alliance)
Zach – Tool and Bozo

My Descriptions (no offense, anyone... it's just my perception of how each person was presented on the show):

Kail: Flakey
Jameka – Real
Nick – User
Carol – Uninteresting
Eric – Quirky, Over Eager, Over Achiever
Amber – Weepy Weepy Weepy Flake
Joe – Trippy Queen (not that there's anything wrong with that... trust me!)
Jen – Gross
Dustin – Snippy Queen
Jessica – Squeaky Sweet, Real (somehow I've managed to dismiss the HSBS)
Mike – Who?
Zach – Choker who blew the game when he had the chance to win it!

My perceptions of Daniele and Dick are for another post!

Evel Dick...

CHEATED???

Coded letters from his son???

Genius!!!

Zach's Win Should Have Been Disqualified?

The tape revealed that, just as Jameka suspected and stated... the blue ball in her tube bounced in, and should not have disqualified her. That, alone, should have rendered the POV competition invalid... but as a "live" competition, it didn't.

The best thing that could happen to Zach, at this point and given is idiotic actions, would be a total recall of the events.

But that's not going to happen.

Big Brother 8: Zach Is A Little Slow On The Uptake!

Warning: If you're not watching Big Brother 8, move on to my next post. Although I've hardly missed a moment of the tv broadcasts, I haven't blogged about it... and I can't possibly bring you up to speed now! :::smirk:::

Let me just say... While I think he's played a good 'fly under the radar' game up until last week, Zach proved last night that he isn't the 'sharpest knife in the drawer'.

In the lightning round that was last night's live broadcast... with Dick as HOH, Eric and Jameka nominated for eviction, Zach won the POV. He only had a minute or three to decide what to do with it, but still... it only took me a millisecond to figure it out (and shout at the television)... USE IT! Ole 'o-dee-doe-dee-doe' Zach, however, remained true to his "alliance", and chose not to use the power. Yikes.

STOP:

1. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out, that if he used it, Dick would have been forced (had no other choice, but) to put up Daniele, and she would have easily left the household. He and whoever he used the POV on were the only two who could vote, so it was an easy eviction.
2. His alliance with the Donatos (Dick and Daniele) is a sham. He is the third wheel on a bicycle. Advance the game to the final three, and he is the odd man out. Advance the game with one of them and Jameka, and he's likely safe.
3. The likelihood of Jameka winning HOH and putting Zach up, given past performance (although you have to take into consideration she wasn't eligible for much of her duration), isn't likely.
4. He chose not to use it, so with Eric evicted, he made a somewhat enemy of Jameka (in the unlikely event she won HOH), and given the persuasive powers of the Donatos.
5. IT WAS JUST SO EASY. He would have shared the final four with Dick (who everyone in the jury house dispises), and either Eric (America's player, unbeknownst to and not particularly liked by the jury) or Jameka (who has less than an iota of respect for the Donatos, but is well liked by the jury). AND YET, HE FOLLOWED THE ORDERS OF THE DONATO ALLIANCE, AND VOTED ERIC OUT OF THE HOUSE. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

PROJECTING INTO THE FUTURE:

With the scenario of a final four comprised of the Donatos, Jameka (HOH unlikely, given history) and Zach (equally as unlikely, given history)...

1. There is at at least a 50% chance that the Donatos will win HOH, and he will be put up for eviction.
2. His actions left, at most, a 2:2 split in loyalty. (Had he used the POV, the odds would have increased significantly... but at the minimum, 1:1:1. And he would have competed against Eric and Jameka (both weak) for HOH). The object at that point would have been to keep Dick in the house, because unlikelihood that anyone would vote for him. Now stop for another moment and consider that he just lost two votes... from Jessica and Eric!
3. He has seen the Donatos play both sides of the alliance and should know that he can't trust them not to make deals with Jameka (although that would be unlikely, given Jameka's friendships in the sequester house), but it doesn't matter, since they will always be true to themselves.

I'll confess... I've never been a Zach fan. It's not anything he's done (until the last week... when I totally fell out with him), but it's more his inaction as a player. Perhaps that is the mark of good strategy... but I find it a tidbit lame. His success has been because of his lackadaisical attitude (I think strategy is too empowering of a word), because he hasn't truly connected with ANYONE, and (to their credit) the Donatos know that.

American Idol Tour: Houston

Having extracted every minute of entertainment value out of the 70's, 80's and a bit of the 90's, I find myself disinterested (and I admit it... tired!) at the thought of attending concerts (of any kind, including reunion tours!).

Caught up in the social interactions of weekly Idol tv, and having strong favorites (Melinda and Blake) this year... I, however, bought pre-sale tickets and attended the tour in Houston last night.

First, let me say... I make it a policy to never sit in a seat other than the end of the row. And after last night, I will never have floor seats... particularly to a 'family' venue (read: alcohol not sold on the floor level).

Second, while you can read more thoughtful and analytical reviews, you might be interested in my superficial thoughts:

Awesome, Yet Not Nearly Enough Stage Time or Focus, and quite regrettably so...: Melinda Doolittle

Pretty Darn Good (probably because I couldn't see or hear the thing in her tongue): Gina Clocksen

Bringing Chubby Back But Not Nearly as Charismatic As I Hoped: Chris Sligh did me pretty proud! And I'll keep following him!

Most Engaging, Captivating and Impressive: Blake Lewis, hands down

GOOSEBUMPS: KiKi! (LaKisha Jones). She was awesome, and in front of her home crowd!!!

Surprisingly Entertaining (in a 'spoof'' sort of way): Sanjaya Malakar

Surprisingly Good: Phil Stacey. His performance, in uniform, was awesome.

Still Not Impressed: Chris Richardson

Pitiful: Haley Scarnato

Good But Not As Good As Expected: Jordin Sparks

Best Unexpected Group: The Boys and their instruments!

Most Unexpected Secret Moment: After Blake's set, he came out, in the darkness, to the sound mixing and balancing area on the floor. I was seated on the end of the back row, behind a giraffe... so I watched the entire show, standing, behind the last row. I happened to glance over and see Blake, mere feet from me, in the dark, taking photographs of the show. I took a few inconspicuous photos with my cell phone, and if I can figure out how to get them from there to here... I'll post them. I always thought he was pretty cool, but having witnessed his enthusiasm and humanness, I respect him even more. I found it funny, too, that he was a couple of dozen of feet from the young girls who screeched (so loudly that I couldn't fully appreciate it) through his entire performance... and he passed by them without notice. Pretty cool...

And Just For Fun: Laguna Beach

I happened on a really cool blog a few weeks ago. I've visited a few times since and the site is regularly updated.

If the Laguna Beach cast swept you up too, you gotta keep current with "The Laguna Beach Hook Up".

There IS a DOG: Kimberly and Talan cancel wedding plans

Kimberly Stewart and "Laguna Beach" star Talan Torriero say their wedding plans are off."

It was just too soon to enter into a lifelong commitment," their representatives said in a statement, the Associated Press reports. "It is better to have a brief engagement than a short marriage. The couple continue to share their time together and remain open to whatever the future may hold."

Ok... I don't know why it hadn't occurred to me sooner, but the reality of the way the reality series has come into reality... I feel like all my favorite LB folks have been cheated out of their true emotions.

Who knew what Lauren and Stephen could mean to each other? Or to anyone else...

I'm sorry, but throw Paris Hilton into the picture (as well as many, many others)... and life is no longer real.

Take out their interests in surfing and cooking and romance... and you have just another group of celebrities without a grounded investment in life.

Color me stupid and naive... I thought the relationship between Lauren and Stephen might mean more than that.

Talan... Engaged?

Excuse me? Talan is engaged to Kimberly Stewart???

Please! I beg you, Talan! Say it isn't so! No slight intended toward Kimberly Stewart... I'm a big fan of her dad's, and I have nothing in particular against her (well, excepting that statement she made about my gal, Jennifer Anniston!!!).

It all just seems way too superficial... and I feel ashamed of my gullability. I believed Talan to be chivalrous and genuine... but the article concludes by stating that he's attempting to start a career in music. Well, doesn't that explain a lot?!

Random Memo 080605

1. woke to the news that it would again be raining south of I-10 and for the first time I accepted it as truth. I can tell you, I live just north of I-10 and we had sunshine all day.
2. got a call from my neighbor and friend. her house sold this week. :-(
3. washed clothes. boy was that fun.
4. caught up with LC and Stephen on Laguna Beach. He evidently stayed overnight, and LC made him breakfast... but before he left, he asked if she would make him breakfast again some time... O, and the preview to the next episode... looks like they might hook up again!
5. caught up with the latest episodes of Being Bobby Brown, Real World and Big Brother.
6. hopped channels and was able to catch the restaurant scene in When Harry Met Sally. ;-)
7. ate breakfast for dinner. and then had to clean the kitchen.
8. got asked out on a date! will update, later.
9. spoiled the dog all day, but tonight, she really tested my patience.
10. chatted with CT about various things, including the case and animal insanity.
11. watched Geraldo who wasn't Geraldo tonight.

Random Memo 080505

1. woke up less late.
2. arrived at work less late.
3. encouraged a friend to compete in the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon next June. i think i'll go to San Francisco to cheer him on! ;-)
4. replied to an email by DDFL about the possibility of going to see Must Love Dogs tomorrow.
5. went to see Wedding Crashers with my friend and fellow Owen groupie.
6. decided Owen IS really cute in a hempish... errrr... impish sort of way.
7. spent more than 50% more on concessions than the ticket cost me.
8. left the theatre under dark clouds. radio informed me that there were bad thunderstorms expected south of I-10. wondered how they knew that I-10 provided a good barrier.
9. stormed on me on the west loop, but once over the I-10 overpass... sunny skies.
10. i thought... wow.
11. miss c must have forgotten that i come home early on fridays. i caught her sleeping.
12. watched dr. phil but he was pretty boring today, but he announced that his new season, coming soon, will change the world. wondered how.
13. oprah was a boring re-run that i had already seen. hoped her new season would also change the world.
14. researched the aruban rave culture and miscellaneous drug cartels.
15. let Miss C in and out and in and out and in and out and in and out... and suspected it was a game with her.
16. thought about having breakfast for supper, but think a pb&j sandwich would be quicker and less messy.

LC Back in LB, with Stephen!

LC and Stephen appear to be finally heating up in the hot tub.

If events unfold as I believe they should, it will mean that the year (plus some) that I have anxiously awaited and predicted the ultimate hookup... will at long last, be realized.

YES, my life is THAT exciting. And NO, I'm not going to tell you how old I am.