Top Ten Tonight! Here are the touring finalists. Well, unless they do the Wild Card tour spot thing I've heard rumors of. So what is Paula wearing on her arms? I love Simon winking.
Ramiele Malubay
Wow, she was born in Saudi Arabia...crazy. She'd bite people. I'd step on people. I forget but I think my sister used to bite people. She's singing Alone...oh no! It's Carrie's song. Hm...she's not bad but I don't know if I like the little changes in the arrangement. The high parts are a bit "shouty" for my taste. Not on par with Carrie. Randy thinks it's too big of a song. Oh Carly sang it too but it's totally Carrie's song. Paula looks haggard...she sounds like she's dying while talking about Ramiele being sick. Again, what is on Paula's arms. Oh wait Simon said it was "shrieky and shouty." Sup, BFF. lol Simon is so cute sing-songy with Randy. But I agree with Simon saying she'll get through if she got through last week. At this point in the competition certain people have a fanbase and will get through no matter what they do. There are just too many people at this point.
Jason Castro
Aw he was an adorable baby. Aw electric guitar toy. When I was little all I wanted was a keyboard. I never got one but I did suffer through 8-ish years of piano lessons. What song is this? I have no idea. Oh ok, I know what it is now. But I agree with judges...ok, nothing spectacular but not sucktacular either. Simon is right, he's good but he needs to step it up. Simon thinks he's not because Jason's like "yeah...i'm serious."
Syesha Mercado
Oh god she's 3 years younger than me. Even though she was good last week, I still think she is B-O-R-I-N-G. What song is this? This is the R&B blah blah blah that I care nothing about. It's good singing and all but I just wouldn't ever listen to it. Of course that means the judges will love her but it doesn't mean I'll listen to it. Simon thinks the end wasn't as good but honestly I didn't even listen to the ending.
Chikezie
Song selection is so important. Don't pick sucky songs! Ok, so he's doing a ballad? Ok montage...on a completely unrelated but related note I heard "Sorry 2004" while I was shopping the other day. Hilarious song. What song is this? lol I really don't know anything anyone is singing. Once again R&B blah blah blah that I don't care about...he reminds me of Peabo Brysan...lol Peabo. Once again its good but I wouldn't listen to it. This sounds like some serous 80's R&B though. Oh yeah judges think it's old school. Of course Paula disagrees. She's dumb and pointless. Wait he upped the tempo? Cold have fooled me. Simon says he sang it well but performance was cheesy. Lol was that Shar Jackson and Justin Guarini?
Brooke White
She's still too goody goody for me. And she sounds like she has a voice disorder...sorry it's the SLP in me. Oh wow she was a hideous kid. I'll give her one thing...she picks good songs. Was that a false start? She's got weird wrinkley looking hands or it might have been the light. This is slightly boring. Is that her hubby? Um...I really don't think I'd hear one note and know it's her...unless it was just in the competition. If I heard her on the radio? I would have no clue who it was.
Michael Johns
Yeah, like I care about the cups. You are an old old man. 6 whole years older than me...not so old but compared to the other people. He was going to be Patrick Rafter!!! Lleyton Hewitt? Someone. Lol this is funny. This is the perfect song for him. EuroPop star. What is wrong with her dress/shirt? I mean her glove things are hideous but her outfit is fug and she's haggard. Simon saw star potential...EuroStar potential.
Carly Smithson
She's older than me! I'm not the oldest person in the world. Her mom is cute. Look at her hair. Hilarious. This could be good or bad. It started out slow...better in the middle. I don't want her to go home because she reminds me of my childhood. But I don't know if anyone likes her and she has all this bad publicity. I don't know about that last note. She's cute though and she always looks happy to be singing. Randy doesn't like it. She looks scared. Paula doesn't count. She's says the same crap to everyone. Simon is right she was a bit tense, but I think its because of last week being in the bottom 3. I'm scared for her.
David Archuleta
David could not sing anything and he'd still make it through. Uhoh he has a girlfriend. I have no idea what song this is. Its very inspirational...his smile is so funny. Oh no Paula made the phone book comment. LOL Simon. It's true it was a disney fun times song.
Kristy Lee Cook
Oh I forgot about her. Hey she's older than me. She's so boring even when she's talking. LOL she's singing God Bless The USA. She's a hippie singing this song. Highlarious. Lol this song is too much for me. She's not bad or anything but she is way too All American Girl for me. Lol I still can't believe she sang it. America is totally going to vote for her just because we're so ethnocentric. lol Poignant choice. lol. Oh god. lol Simon thinks it was a brilliant choice...yeah for Fourth of July Idol.
David Cook
I may have accidentally on purpose missed his performance to take Stella out. Oops.
Overall
I don't think anyone really sucked it tonight which means Carly might go home since America is in love with itself and Kristy sang God Bless the USA and who would vote her out when she sang that.
Hello! Back to blogging!
So last week I was in Miami enjoying the show from our lovely hotel room. Tonight I'm back to my crappy apartment. Anyway, another week of the Lennon-McCartney Song Book. Personally, I think this is a great idea because there are so many good songs. How can you pick just one. Also I'm glad they got rid of the stupid decades early on because personally I think those are annoying...unless its the 50s or 60s. Maybe it's my tv but all the judges looks very smooth-skinned tonight. Ok so it's really the Beatles but same difference. Don't boo Simon he's right. She needs to change something up. Lol at that how hideous she looks in the top 11 picture. Ok so she wants people to see what they'd get at her show...I don't want to see mediocre singing of the same song again and again. Thanks, but no thanks.
Amanda Obermeyer - Back in the USSR
LOL at her singing this song. It automatically makes me think of Heartbreakers when Sigourney Weaver is singing it because she's pretending to be Russian. Anyway...She sometimes sounds ok and sometimes not so much. I don't really like it all that much. Apparently she's the person that Vote For The Worst is supporting. I suppose it could be worse. I just hope someone does something with that fugly hair. lol Paula said it was "sketchy."
Kristy Lee Cook - You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
So Kristy is a pretty girl but she always looks so unglamorous. Hoping she does something interesting this week. She looks so much cuter in her videos than on the stage. Always in the bottom. She's the Hayley Scarnato of season 7! Personally I thought she was a train wreck last week. But this week it sounds like she's trying to just be herself and let that country thing come out naturally rather than shove it in your face like last week. She still sucks at performing and stage presence but she sounds a lot better this week. Oh no Paula commented about how she looks. Simon said it, she's not a good performer. Serious she sucks at performing...and yes she doesn't make an impact unless she's awful like last week and yes she's better this week. Oh Simon and me are like bff.
David Archuleta - Long and Winding Road
Oh Zavid Effruleta. You sadly sucked it last week. But that's k. Everyone still loves you. This week is better. Let's see what the judges think. Randy likes. Paula likes....lol rise above adversity? forgetting the lyrics is adversity? Simon thought it was amazing. Ok. aw look at his adorable face. Oh little David I want to give him gummi bears or something. lol squinty face response to girls.
Michael Johns - A Day in the Life
Ryan wants you to know that you are watching Idol. Oh great Kelly "fake boobs" Pickler is coming. Ok, why are they talking about the Iphone? I don't care. I wouldn't switch to AT&T for that crap. Duh that's your most memorable moment. It was the only great performance he had. Let's see how he does tonight. I wish he played the guitar, he looks kind of weirdo just standing around tonight. Um...this performance is a bit weird. I think it's the crazy arrangement. Well...he can always just stand around and talk. Simon said its a mess...all over the place. Simon and I are totally bff. Poor Michael. He's still QT. Oh god noone cares about the ear piece. lol Paula he's not wearing one. OMG so f*in hilarious.
Brook White - Here Comes the Sun
She has an unexpectedly deep voice or Ryan has a high one. She's such a contemporary christian pop artist. She's still too goody goody for me...but once again I don't hate her. I'm glad I don't hate too many people this season...just David Cook. I really hate when people start out on the stairs. What's the point in this song? It's not a solemn song. Her dancing is funny. Even though she's dancing around and singing about the sun this performance doesn't really have much energy to it. Whatever. Hey hey Randy thinks it was awkward...moving ackward. lol She doesn't even care what Paula has to say about people smiling when they hear her singing. lol Simon knew it would all be yellow and he thought the performance was terrible...lack of conviction. Poor girl didn't know what to do this week...I'd feel worse about it if there wasn't a million songs to choose from.
David Cook - Day Tripper
OMG what was that gesture before the commercial break. Wow, I hate him. Ok waiting for it to come back. LOL "RUN FATBOY RUN" looks HIGHlarious. Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz were both funny. Ok, I know this has nothing to do with Idol. Lol that's a mosh pit. 10 year old girls with braces hang out in the mosh pit. I think I wasn't watching it last week or I would have laughed at his stupid dragging the mic stand around. I HATE when people do that. I hate how he steals other people's arrangements so that he can look like he's versatile. It's one thing to make it your own it's another to find other people who have made a song into a rock song and singing that version. It's themes for a reason. It's not "Beatles songs previously remade into your own personal genre" week. Ok I think I will no longer comment on his performances because I would rather do other things than pay attention to this. Simon and I will never be BFF in regards to these guys. Hold the Press. Simon didn't like it. We ARE BFF tonight! I love you Simon.
Carly Smithson - Blackbird
Lol at the Kohl's commercial with Ben Lee's song "We're all in this together." That automatically makes me think of High School Musical. Slightly different but come one I want to start singing "we're all in this together. once we know that we are. we're all stars and we see that we're all in this together and it shows when we stand hand in hand make our dreams come true." Oh yeah Kelly Clarkson reference. Oh Carly. I'm glad she doesn't seem conceited. She's cute. WTF is she wearing though. I'm glad she didn't a softer song. I love her but she sometimes screams songs. Not my favorite performance but it was good. That smile at the end was cute. lol Cooliosis. Oh no Simon didn't like it. She's like I have a reason behind it. Oh Carly lol Simon thinks they're all broken birds. She got a tat for Season 7.
Jason Castro - Michelle
This song is funny during Karaoke for reasons I shall not mention. lol. But this song is kind of dumb. Hopefully he'll make it cute. Lol noone noticed the suck last note. Lol he has to learn french and didn't know it was french. Oh wow. Aw that was cute. This song is about the extent of my ability to understand French. Ok, its cute when he's singing. It's like the Beatles version of all of the sucky Stevie Wonder songs that people sing when they can't sing (My cherie amour). Now he always makes me smile because he's goofy looking. Simon says his face sold it. It's true...we are BFF again.
Syesha Mercado - Yesterday
I always forget about her. Oh god stupid losing voice. She needed that kick in the but. Ok so she's doing one of the big songs that everyone knows. We'll see if its as good as David's Imagine. This actually is pretty good. She's doing a pretty understated version. I was afraid she'd make it all R&B divalicious. Not bad. She even looks cuter than normal. Good girl.
Chikezie - I've Just Seen A Face
Sorry Chikezie, I missed your entire performance because Stella looked like she need to do number 2 but of course all she does is pee when I take her out. Her track record indicates that she will poop on the floor in the second I leave her alone. Serves me right or litter box training her in the first place.
Ramiele Malubay - I Should Have Known Better
LOL Brooke is huge. Yay Upbeat song. She's wearing Kelly Clarkson's outfit. This is actually cute. Of course it's cute because she is cute. I'm glad she doesn't suck like Jasmine Trais did. I don't think she has a real chance to win but she's cute and I hope she stays around for a while. She's the cutest girl anyway. And she's asian, holla!
Overall: I don't have any idea who is going home. Peeps were crazy tonight. We'll have to see tomorrow.
I've been on an "international" kick for a while. I've made some good things. Anyway, I've been wanting to try some Indian food for a while. You can probably tell but I'm a lover of cookbooks. So I was searching for a one that was cheap but looked like it was pretty good quality. It took a while, but I found one I liked.
Anyway, I went ahead and tried Curried Chicken Livers. I don't know what my thing with livers is, but they're cheap and I had some so I went ahead and tried it. The results were lovely. there wasn't anything scary or overpowering about the flavor. It was just good curry. I'll try and present a pictorial account this time around.
Curried Chicken Livers
from The Book of Curries and Indian Foods
Ingredients
8 oz. chicken livers
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 onions, finely sliced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 teaspoons Garam Masla
1/2 teaspoon ground tumreric
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Parsley springs, to garnish
Rinse chicken livers and remove any green-tinged parts. Set aside.
Heat oil in a skillet, add onions and cook, stirring, over medium heat about 8 minutes, until soft and golden brown.
Stir in garlic, Garam Masala, turmeric, salt and pepper.
Cook for 1 minute, then stir in chicken livers and fry about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until livers are browned on the outside, but still slightly pink in the center.
Sprinkle with lemon juice and parsley.
Serve hot, garnished with parsley sprigs.
Garam Masala
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cardamom seeds
2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks, crushed
2 teaspoons whole cloves
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
2 tablespoons cumin seeds
3 tablespoons coriander seeds
Put all spices in a heavy skillet and dry roast over medium heat 5 to 10 minutes, until browned, stirring constantly.
Cool completely, then grind to a fine powder in a coffee grinder or with a pestle and mortar. Store in an airtight jar up to 2 months.
I had to drop Stella off on Saturday because the kennel isn't open on Sunday. So I was Stella-less from Saturday until Monday when I flew out.
Monday
The flight was on time and short. Luckily it was direct. When I got there my Uncle Andy picked me up from the airport and we went to South Beach. We ended up having breakfast at Jerry's Famous Deli....It was way over-priced and not even good. Afterwards, we dropped my stuff off at the hotel since check-in wasn't until 4:00. Then I went back to Uncle Andy's condo. There I met up with my cousins Sara and Crystal. We laid out a bit on their rooftop deck. Then we went over to Miami Ink/Love Hate (Apparently Miami Ink is their walk-in shop and Love Hate is their appointment shop). Then I checked into my room and then went back to Uncle Andy's condo and we headed to my Uncle Ken's condo at Biscayne Bay to meet up with my mom and sister to go to dinner at Bayside. Afterwards we walked around Bayside for a while then went back to the hotel. After that we went back to Love Hate to hang out with guys that Sara and Crystal have been hanging out with. Then we went to some random sandwich place so Sara and Crystal could eat since they missed dinner. Then we walked a million miles to some bar. Then we went home.
Tuesday
It was cloudy so we didn't go to the beach. We ended up walking around Lincoln Road. We had lunch at Sushi Samba Dromo. I have no idea what we did after that. But then we ate dinner at Wish.
Wednesday
Sunday Day! Sorta. We went to the pool and then to the beach. It got cloudy after a while so we didn't stay out super long. We went back up and then Uncle Ken took us to dinner at a Chinese buffet. Then we drove out to Hollywood to go to Seminole Hard Rock Casino. I didn't gamble. But I did buy this cute harajuku lovers hoodie. Then we headed home.
Thursday
Super Sunny Day without clouds! We went out to the pool and then the beach. Afterward we shopped around a bit then we went to dinner at Cafe Maurice. Then my mom and I walked around a bit and had Ice Cream.
Friday
Another Sunny Day! My mom and I went to the beach but only for a little bit because we were all a bit burnt. Then my Mom and I took a cab to Bal Harbour. I have no idea why we went there because it was all super expensive stores. Then we came back and went to dinner with Uncle Ken at Joe's Stone Crab. Afterward we walked around South Beach with my uncle and sat at a cafe as he told us all sorts of scandalous stories about our family.
Saturday
Flying home today. My mom and Vi left at like 6:30 in the morning. My flight didn't leave until 4:10. So I packed my stuff and checked out at about 10:00. I left my bags at the front desk. Then I went around shopping a bit. I went to Dog Bar, which was cute but didn't buy anything. Then I went to Urban Outfitters and bought a couple things. Then I saw this store called Les Petits Puppies which sold little dogs. Of course its terrible but the store didn't even smell and the dogs were all adorable but seriously wtf @ how much these dogs cost. Then I went to get a drink at Fat Burger. Then, Uncle Ken picked me up to take me to the airport in his Maserati. WTF! Maserati? Then I flew home.
Top 8 Girls
Short post tonight. I'm hungry so I'm going to make food while watching tonight.
Asia'h Epperson - It was cute, nothing spectacular. She's got an interesting voice. Oh I don't really care either wreeay. Paula and Randy like...Simon not as impressed. Ok...let's move on.
Katy Malloy - I wasn't paying attention but it sounded ok. I wish she'd just Britney impersonate some more. Oh no Simon is getting annoyed 2 people into the night.
Amanda Overmeyer - Well she looks better since her hair isn't two miles high. She doesn't sound bad on this song. Once again, don't care either way.
Carly Smithson - "I drove all night!" Always reminds me of Celine Dion's commercial. Aw Carly is a really good singer. I think she looks so much better than she did during the auditions. I think this is the best she's sounded in a while. Yay, Carly might make my Carly Hennessy shirt worth something again.
Kristy Lee Cook - Journey!!! She sounds alright. Nothing too exciting. I think she's always kind of boring. I'm trying to type this as Stella claims down from the Sofa top to sit on my chest. Oh Randy used to be in Journey...lol noone sings it like Perry. I didn't think it was that great an I even listen to country music. Simon thinks she's forgettable. I agree. But she still looks like Diane Kruger.
Ramielle Malubay - I have no idea if that's how to spell her name as I'm typing this during the commercial break before she sings so I can go fix my soup. She's a good singer and she's cute. But once again...don't care. Wow, I'm very apathetic this season.
Brooke White - She's a little too goody goody for me...probably already stated it. I like this song but not so much this acoustic version. I don't know why she does the same thing each week. She really loses appeal without whatever instrument she normally plays. Ok done with this. Back to my soup...
Syesha Mercado - Once again...not bad but I don't care.
Wow, that was a great week.
TOP 8 BOYS
Hello, sorry for the lack of chitchat last week. I was busy. Still am, but I'm watching and not about to fall asleep so I might as well chat. So this is the last week before the Top 12. Finally! Enough with the mediocre people who won't be remembered anyway.
8 something - Luke Menard - typing this after the fact. My friend Emily is obsessed with George Michael. I can never get her on the phone but I'm thinking she wouldn't be impressed by this performance. She did, however, enjoy Ace Young's performance of Father Figure back in the day (Yes, I shall continue to make past AI references).
8:09 - David Archuleta
He is really adorable. Oh look he's playing the piano. Ok, he's just going to win. I hope American Idol can cultivate his career like Disney would have if he had just gone directly over there. You know they are looking for the next big franchise after High School Musical finishes its last movie. Anyway...it wasn't as good as last week but I think he's really really good for being young. What's with Paula's hair anyway? Sorry, random. I think Simon is a smartypants.
8:16 - Danny Noriega
So you're most embarrassing moment wasn't when people discovered that crazy rant you posted on the internet? Guess they filmed that bit too early. Tainted Love...for some reason I just imagine a bunch of skantily clad girls singing this song...maybe it's watching too much search for the next pussycat doll. Anyway, he's a bit much for me. Not a bad singer, just too much. Apparently Paula...80s hair...Abdul thinks he's the real deal. Lol Simon doesn't care about the hair...it was useless. Danny's faces are almost worth watching his performance...almost. Dear Danny, figure out which camera is filming you or you will look like a crazy boy.
8:23 - David Hernandez
No, we know what your most embarrassing moment was...when everyone found out you used to be stripper...I don't really care that it was at a gay club...just being a stripper is enough. Personally, I'm so annoyed with people wondering if he's gonna get kicked off. Hello! Nikki McKibbin was a stripper and she was 3rd place in season 1. Everyone knew during the show and Simon cleverly said something like "go back to stripping." Hey he's a good singer. He makes weird faces though, but he's good. I love me some Celine. I wish he wasn't boring and scandalous because he's got a nice voice. Hm...are they going to talk about his stripping? lol I'm thinking not. Simon should just say "so you were a stripper..." Uh-oh Simon said he 100% secured a place in the final...He's kind of boring. I don't know that America is really that smart..especially in the early rounds. We'll see.
8:30 - Michael Johns
I'd think I would love him more since he's Australian but I really can't remember anything he's done other than Bohemian Rhapsody during Hollywood week. He looks and sounds like a Euro-pop star. "Don't you forget about me." Well, I haven't forgotten about you just every song you sing. On a slightly related (but not really) note, I used to root for Australia's Davis Cup team because I love Patrick Rafter so much. Ok...that had more energy than the other guys performing. Not too bad. Simon says he's like one of the girls...he's talking about Carly Smithson. He said same exact thing...good voice but hasn't connected with the right song. Good stuff. Anyway...Michael should just sit around and chat all day long.
8:40 - David Cook
Didn't like Chris Daughtry the first time around..why would I like him this time. I bet Chris is so mad he didn't get to play guitar during his season...he's probably sure he would have won in that case. I forgot who even won...oh Taylor. Wow, I'm totally paying attention. Incidentally I actually like the original song. I just don't care about "super intense" guys on American Idol...Hello! It's American Idol. Anyway, I'm thinking he'll stick around and be that guy I ignore for the entire season. Simon loved it of course. He always loves this crap. The judges always love the one guy I just don't like. Anyway, I'm done talking about him.
8:45 - Jason Castro
Is he talking about Cheyenne? Lol he ripped off his dread. That's kinda funny/gross. Why is he mumbling? I do enjoy this song though. Everytime I hear it it makes me happy. Maybe it's all that Christian music I listen too. I kind of like this because he's usually singing some happy peppy poppy song. It's a nice change. I don't know what "phrasing" is. I don't know music. Aw..Simon loved it. See sometimes Simon and I agree.
8:52 - Chikezie
He's talking about a bathroom...oh. He is kind of goofy looking. I don't know...this is a good vocal but I think it just sounds like all the other R&B singers...nothing new or particularly special about. Oh that falsetto failed. I don't know...it doesn't really matter to me. Simon...oh its cabaret...we don't know what that is Simon. Really we don't.
Ok....let's see...Luke should go home...and someone else. Danny? David? Chikezie? Someone.
That's it for tonight.
