American Idol - Top 6

Who loves Andrew Lloyd Webber? I do! I do! I love all of these stupid musicals. My favorite...Evita. I love that crap. Anyway, I Played alot of this stuff on the piano back when I was still taking lessons. This should be fun fun fun. I'm excited. I didn't make any predictions for who is singing what tonight so I should be pleasantly surprised. Paula looks pretty tonight. I like her shorter hair. f

Syesha Mercado - One Rock & Roll Too Many
I don't know this song. What is this even from? Andrew is so creepy. Um her "animated" version is annoying as crap. This sounds like "all that jazz" in the beginning. Is it just me or did the volume drop the second she started singing. It's Broadway, she needs to sing louder. That dress does not fit her or she needs a new bra, its riding on her boobs. Otherwise she looks cute. But this song is boring me. I need to go get food since I've done nothing but work on my final today. Judges love it...maybe I'm biased. But honestly I don't even hate Syesha but I really didn't think that performance was that great. Maybe it was the volume drop and my lack of food. But probably not.

Jason Castro - Memory
He's singing memory...quite a well-known song. I like this song alot so let's see how he does. I'm curious to see how he makes broadway his own.  I was writing an email so  I wasn't paying attention. I thought it sounded ok, but it really showcased how much he lacks in the vocal power area. Randy didn't like it. Paula thought it was a wise choice..hm... She really looks pretty tonight, not drugged up at all. lol Randy doesn't have any idea what she's talking about. Simon thinks it came over as a young guy being forced by your mum and dad to sing a song at a wedding you didn't want to sing. Aw poor Jason. He's in danga!

Brooke White - You Must Love Me
Oh god, she singing a song from Evita but of course not form the original musical. But that's ok...she doesn't have any idea what it's about. Oh god why does she have to ruin everything I like. Oh my god she messed it up and had to restart. Wow, worse restart in American Idol history. She looks so F*in awkward. I really hate this arrangement. Why is it so slow. I mean it's not like Madonna is a powerhouse singer or anything. She can't even compete with that. lol I just realized how much of a cop-out this song is in the first place. Everyone else has to do a broadway song and she picks a song from a movie. Whatever. Anyway, I don't by it and she makes hideous faces. And what's with the weird hand gestures. lol I'm still laughing at her messing up the beginning. Even David Archuleta sucked it up. lol. Randy didn't think it was great. Lol she looks like she's gonna cry. What went wrong? she forgot the lyrics. Oh my god why is everything she sucks at made into a good thing. Oh god please let her go home this week. Please she is so unstable that there is no way she could be the American Idol.

David Archuleta - Think of Me
Omg this is so embarrassing. David makes the funniest faces. Think of me is a good song and David is taking it in a different direction. Lol Open your eyes. Aw "little david." Let's see if he opens his eyes. Hey this sounds like a contemporary pop song. Why does David rule at everything. He could have been super cheesy and power-ballady but he chose to make a broadway song contemporary. I love this little kid. He needs to win immediately. And his eyes are open. He's so adorable even if his mouth moves weird when he sings. This kid is it. Randy says it was the bomb. Paula thinks it was perfect. Simon thinks it was pleasant, one of his weakest performances. Oh I disagree. I think he did something different on a night you thought you knew what to expect. Simon and I are not always BFF.

Carly Smithson - Jesus Christ Superstar
Carly needs to make it through this week because I'm going home this week and will be able to get my shirt! lol I'm gonna go home and discover I threw that crap away years ago. Lol he cut her off. Good All I Ask of You sounded boring and sucky. And Jesus Christ Superstar...lol Em and Melissa will be excited. I am so happy she did an upbeat song. I think she has been so uptight these past few weeks and this song gives her the opportunity to have some fun. Yay Carly! She is so cute. All she wants is for Simon to love her. I feel bad for her because she obvious has no self-confidence and needs a little confidence boost.

David Cook - Music of the Night
Ok, I love this song so I hope he's not gonna suck it.lol Andrew Lloyd Webber is a randy old man. It sounds like he's just singing like it is, which is a bit cheese ball but I guess it's better than making it gross. Lol he sounds like a sucky auditioner for broadway. Boring. People are screaming just because he's David Cook not because he's actually good. Well he can actually hit those high notes but that doesn't mean I like the crap he usually does. Its like 75% boring and 25%  ok. I guess that's better than 100% annoying as crap. Ew what's with the scream at the end. I say whatever to you, David. Randy thought it was an amazing vocal performance. lol molten hot lava bomb. Um...no. Paula thought it was fantastic. Simon thinks he made the most of the song but he doesn't prefer it. Lol he made the most of the song he was given? He chose that mess, shut it.

Overall
Brooke sucked it, Jason sucked it. Hm...who else Syesha has no fans so she should be in the bottom. But Carly'll might be in it even though she doesn't deserve it this week. Who should go home? Brooke for sucking so badly.

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American Idol Studio Tracks

As I was reminded in a comment, everyone should listen to the American Idol studio tracks. They are available for download on Itunes. But if you are like me and are too cheap to buy things like that (and honestly I wouldn't pay for some of these people's music) you would much rather download them from somewhere else for free. Personally, I probably wouldn't pay for any of this anyway even if I couldn't find it online for free. But because I can, I do. Therefore, I get the opportunity to hear some of these people as they would sound on an album...and isn't that the ultimate goal? To produce an album that people want to buy. Anyway, on that note here are the studio tracks up until last week. I bundled them together because I personally think that's the point. Give them all a listen and maybe you'll discover that some people sound better in the studio than you may have thought...and some people sound worse. If you want to pick and choose...than go buy that person's tracks to support them because you're obviously such a big fan.

STUDIO TRACKS

fyi...A google search of "american idol studio tracks" will give you all the links you'd ever want.

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Ok, other than the weekly American Idol post, I haven't really been discussing much. It's mostly because I've been super busy with school and clinic. It's nice to take a break each week and sit down with my computer during American Idol. But it is finally Finals Week. I've got 2 finals. One I'm working on right now and really should continue working on. I took a mini break right there to work on it. After finishing my two finals, I will hopefully be able to pack up all the stuff in my apartment. I didn't realize I needed to do that until a few days ago when I discovered my lease ends earlier than I thought. On top of that, I have to worry about getting all my clinic paperwork in and also my residency paperwork in (so that I don't have to pay out of state tuition for my summer internship...gross having to pay to work). So that is why I haven't had time to write anything else. I haven't made anything delicious in a while...although I did make three batches of banana pudding for my friends here in town since they've been harrassing me for it for months. Mostly I've just been eating what I can get. Alright, that's it for now. Hopefully the next time I write (I guess it'll be for American Idol) I'll be almost done with this final (which is due tomorrow at midnight. yikes!).

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American Idol Top 7

Mariah Carey night. Look at Mariah pretending she's not a diva bitch. lol. Anyway, this should be interesting. Forget Randy and Mariah....bring on the Journey night.

David Archuleta - When You Believe
He's first! IT all goes downhill from here. Oh he singing a sap-tastic song. Let's see how it is. Is he wearing pleather or just shiny pants? He always gives a heartfelt performance. He really should win this. He's obviously an American Idol. And he has this adorable face. Anyway, I don't think it was his best but it was still nice. Randy things its the bomb. Paula thinks he's proud. Simon agrees. lol Simon knew he was going to pick it because it was sap-tastic. lol Simon is pulling a "Randy" and talking about his own success.

Carly Smithson - I Can't Live
Oh Carly, what are you going to sing? Please don't suck tonight because its only one-ish weeks before I can get home to wear my Carly shirt. Anyway....I guess I should wait til it comes back and Carly is actually singing. She looks cute. No ugly outfit this week. I don't think she has any fans so she better be fantastic. Oh wow Mariah wanted to meet her. Sup. I love this song. I liked the subtle part in the beginning. And of course she screamed it in the middle but its a Mariah song. And last note was good. Randy didn't like the low range (whoops). Paula liked vocal restraint in the beginning (oh noes I agree with Paula). Simon didn't think she pulled it off. Oh noes. He thinks it was an OK version. Oh no Carly is in danger again. Just one more week Carly!

Syesha Mercado - Vanishing
I don't care about you. But I shall still comment so I do not appear biased. lol, yeah right. She looks like Beyonce in Goldmember...just saying. Do I know this song? I'll have to wait til the chorus. No I don't know this song. Not terrible but I still don't care about her. She has glitter in her hair. That crap'll be impossible to get out. But maybe she was channeling Mariah Carey...like Glitter. Randy thinks she goes for all of it but thought she did a good job. Paula thinks she's smart. Wow...Paula needs to stop talking. Simon thinks technically it was good. Not sure if she should have picked a song people don't know. I don't care either way.

Excuse me while I buy some American Idol Ringtones...lol yeah right, I haven't paid for a ring tone since I first got a cell phone when I bought those crappy monophonic ones with a single beep making the song. Why pay when you can just make your own. So much easier and free. I've the best ever Pride & Prejudice (Colin Firth version) Intro ringtone ever! Oh gross, are you watching this OMG Contest with Ashley Tisdale. Oh god. OMG moment...OMG contest. Please tell her to stop. You are 22 years old. Stop acting like you are 15. Please.

Brooke White - Hero
Her voice is really weird when she's talking. Annoying. lol no cardboard cut-out. Oh god she's gonna sing acoustic Hero. Let's see what's up. She started on a sour note. I thought she was gonna do a guitar version but its piano so it sounds like the original with her banging in the background. This is boring. She just doesn't have the power of the other singers in this contest. I'm bored and I don't really believe she's feeling this song like she was talking about in the video montage. Whatever, I say, Whatever. Randy thinks it got suck in the middle. Brooke always has to be like...oh I know...the fact that she recognizes that she sucks doesn't make her suck any less. I don't think it sounded special...singer songwriter...whatever...girl singing with banging in the background. Simon says it was like ordering a hamburger but only getting the bun. He thinks her voice isn't strong enough to carry the song...and I agree.

Kristy Lee Cook - Hero
Oh no Mariah likes her. Oh gross. Yes Kristy get emotionally connected. She looks like a beauty pageant contestant. In fact she looks like she's competing in the talent portion right now. Good making it country I guess. Lol she isn't ever going home. She'll be that illusive 3rd member of the top 3 with David Cook and David Archuleta. Lol. Her hand gestures make me vomit. Oh I was wondering why she looked skewed...its because the camera was filming a monitor. Randy didn't think it was amazing. lol Kristy is surprised people are booing. lol. Paula I don't even know what she's talking about. Um...She would not have a hit with it. It sounds like its from the 80s. Yeah...Paula keeps talking and talking and talking. Simon says she didn't give him chills. A little bit whiney. It wasn't great. Will Kristi be in the bottom 3 this week? That is the question. Will the country singer vote support her to the top?

David Cook
I'd like to just point out that I told my friend the other day that David Cook would probably sing "Always Be My Baby" to show that he was innovative. Lolz. I'm psychic. Anyway, sure it wasn't bad...but guess what, if I wanted to hear mumbling I'd just listen to Lifehouse and then I'd be reminded on my youth and that one great episode of Smallville at the Senior Prom. Aw cute. Anyway...judges love him of course. I don't. But guess what he will be in the top 2...no point in talking about top 3 anymore. Top 2 Davids.

Jason Castro
His hair looks dirtier in that lighting. lol I just remembered that Mariah requires a special light when ever she's filmed. Its super bright so it will bleach out her imperfections. lol. I don't know this song. He's guitar-less tonight. Hey its a nice, emotional song tonight. Not too Hippie-like. He's the male version of Brooke White. He doesn't have the power vocals but he's got a nice voice. Only difference is I actually like Jason. Overall, thought it was cute. Nothing spectacular but cute. Lol Randy feels like he was at a Luau with someone singing in the distance. lol. Simon agrees with Paula. lol me and Randy tonight are totally out of sync tonight.

Overall
Hm...Bottom Three: Carly, Syesha...and then...Brooke or Kristi Lee...although Brooke and Kristi are cute girls so they may just stick it out and Jason will be in the bottom. Whatevs. We'll see.

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American Idol Top 8

Ok, so it's inspirational songs tonight. This can be good or extremely cheesy. It'll most likely be extremely cheesy. Let's see how it goes.

Michael Johns
Hey I've been listening to "Dream On" from Kelly Sweet's album in my car for a while. I mentioned her album in a blog a while ago. Anyway, this is a good song. He sounds pretty good. I'm glad he didn't pick a cheese ball song. I like the fact that he likes rock music without being completely "I'm so hardcore" like certain other American Idol contestants. Randy doesn't really buy it. This show isn't about dreams? lol. Yeah right. Simon thought it was a little-bit wannabe-ish. Ok, well I liked it.

Syesha Mercado
I'm still "whatever" about this girl. LOL at singing "I Believe." I F*in hate Fantasia. The reason I don't like Syesha is I wouldn't listen to her and for that same reason I hated Fantasia. So it fits perfectly. I didn't hate it when Diana Degarmo sang it though. Oh poor little Diana. Anyway, this doesn't suck but it adds nothing to Fantasia's version. She doesn't even have the uniqueness of Fantasia (granted I hated the sound of her voice but at least it was unique). Once again, I'm like "whatever." Randy says it was ok. I agree, Fantasia had more connection. She needs to shut it about comparing. Simon thought it lacked emotion. Ok...Syesha needs to show what she's all about...which is nothing. She's about singing like every other powerhouse vocalist out there. I hope this girl goes home soon.

Jason Castro
And Jason gives props to the person who sang this version first. Good on you and your Ukelele. Ukelele's are adorable. I think this is cute but I don't know what other people will think. Too bad because I genuinely like Jason. I'd listen to his music. But I like listening to very subtle music so I don't know if anyone else would.Randy thinks it was blazing hot.  Simon thought it was fantastic. Yay! Subtlety rules!

Kristy Lee Cook
She's determined to stay out of the bottom 3. I'm determined that she should be in it. But she gets to sing country again so she may or may not be going home. She's really not a bad country singer but the problem is that when she tries to do anything else she sucks hardcore. She looks pretty tonight. Anyway...pun intended. lol "would your chihuahuas have liked it." Um...it's so easy singing songs that inspire you...um it's so easy singing songs in your genre. Simon thought she was very good. And thinks she looks like a star. Ok. I wonder what's in store for Kristy.

David Cook
What is he even saying. I hate when you can't understand what people are singing. Something about remembering.  Oh god he is such a cheese ball. Does he think he's Bono? Randy doesn't quite get it. Paula thinks he's the whole package. I think he's the whole package of poop. Taylor Swift is there! Sup. Oh Simon thought it was pompous...Yes I agree. Lol Paula says she say something inspirational and read it "give back" like she is just now learning to read.

Carly Smithson
What song is this? She looks pretty tonight. Her outfit is only slightly offensive. Her hair looks good. I always hesitate to write about Carly because I'm biased...lol like I'm not biased about other people. She does tend to shout though...but she always gives a really intense performance. Randy thought it was ok. Paula thought it was emotional enough. Hey Simon thinks she looks good...lol last week he said she looked fug. He thought she over sang it and it came out angry. Oh poor Carly she's gonna go home. Oh no. She's cute though. Oh well.

David Archuleta
I don't know how many conversations I've had about him winning the show. But really, who can compete? Its supposed to be a David Cook/David Archuleta final and if it is how the F could America pick David Cook over David Archuleta. He's the perfect pop star. Look at his perfectly smiling face. What song is Angels? OMG it's the Robbie Williams song. I [heart] this song. Robbie Williams version rather than gross Jessica Simpson version. Oh I want David to win. He is seriously fantastic. He is totally gonna fit in with Miley Cyrus/Jonas Brothers. Please make billions of dollars. He is so QT. Randy thinks its Crazy Hot. Girls love him. I think I see Lacey from So You Think You Can Dance in the background. Oh Simon thinks it's one of the best pop songs written. I heart this song. Gross "Lick Those Lips" sign held by a 10 year old. Oh god girls are gross.

Brooke White
WTF is she wearing? I think she's wearing wallpaper or curtains...ugly wallpaer or curtains. lol You've Got A Friend. She looks so f*in awkward. She's making weirdo faces again. Ok I'll try to be less critical of pointless things. This is boring me. I'm asleep. Ok...is it over yet. She says "thank you." I say "no thank you, thank you for ending." Randy says it was ok. Paula grew up to it which means nothing. Wtf. Shes definitive? Whatever that means. Simon says it was nice, not original. Whatever.

Overall
Hm...Syesha, Carly and someone else in the bottom...in a perfect world it would still be Kristy (or Brooke because I don't like her and thought it was hilarious that she started hyperventilating when she was in the bottom last week) but it'll probably be Jason Castro or something.

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American Idol Top 9

Hello...it's Dolly Parton night. Let me just assume that someone is going to sing I Will Always Love You...just gonna make a prediction...mostly because people ARE NOT original and like taking songs redone by other people and pretend like we don't know its because they are completely unable to make a genre their own without outside help. I'm gonna even go on a limb and say that it's gonna be Syesha singing I Will Always Love You...just gonna put that out there. That said. Dolly is FABULOUS!

Wow....Ryan is making a stupid April Fools Day joke. Dolly montage...I love "Jolene." It's a really awesome song. Hm...they're singing 9 to 5 together, does that mean noone is singing it tonight?

Brooke White
Ew Brooke is singing Jolene. Wow, Brooke makes some creepy looking squinty faces. Well...let's hope she doesn't ruin it. Ok I don't like the arrangement and there is something not-so-pleasant about her voice during this song. I love Dolly's version and Mindy Smith's version. They both had something kind of sweet and pleading about their voices when singing the song. I think Brooke has lost that sense of desperation that I think is essential to this song. Anyway...let's see what the judges think. Um...I don't agree with that emotional connection comment. I felt nothing from that. Oh sup...Simon said there wasn't any emotion...BFF once again. She creeps me out a bit but apparently America loves her. Me and America are not BFF.

David Cook
Looks like I'm going to have to watch him tonight. Ok so let's discuss the controversy about him stealing other people's arrangements. I understand that other singers have taken arrangements previously done by other people. But the point is they are not obscure arrangements and they are not completely different from the original song. If someone sings I Will Always Love You like Whitney tonight...no one is going to say anything and that's ok because everyone knows the contestant isn't trying to pass themselves off as innovative or creative. When someone uses a completely different arrangement that people probably don't know, there is a bit of duplicity involved. Don't get me wrong, I never like it when people take other arrangments as I mentioned earlier it shows a lack of originality and complete disregard for the purpose of "themes."

Lol listen to them talking to David about arrangements...damage control. Ok, so he's doing his own arrangement tonight. Alright so I don't like his style of music anyway so it won't make any difference if he's the best F*in singer with the best F*in original arrangement in the world. But I will try and be objective. Ok so it's not terrible but BORING. Thanks, moving on...Judges? Randy loves of course. Paula loves his hair...personally I think it looks like dried poop on his head. Simon still likes. Simon is not my BFF.

Ramiele Malubay
I don't know what song she is singing from the rehearsal. Its probably not good that I had to turn the volume up to even hear what she was singing. It's a little more forceful now. She looks kind of nervous and uncomfortable. I really wanted to like her in the beginning because she's Asian but I feel like she's just not living up to her potential. Randy thinks it's pretty good. Paula thinks she connected and was having fun. I disagree. Simon thinks it was cute and ok but forgettable...cruise ship again. Simon spends a lot of time on cruise ships. She sounds kind of sick so maybe that's why she wasn't great.

Jason Castro
Ok this is cute. I like Jason even though he's dirty looking. I love guitar playing pop/rock/folk singers. I don't know this song . He always looks comfortable singing with his guitar. I could totally by this as his own song. Just cute ditty. Randy says "singer songwriter vibe." Yeah that's what I like. Paula says he was confident. Simon doesn't like it. Oh no no longer BFF.

Carly Smithson
What song is this? Oh Carly, please do well so you don't get sent home before I get a chance to go home and get my t-shirt. Ok, not terrible but I think it was slightly boring. But she can hit some notes, that one can. Uh oh Paula used the "you look great."  Simon thinks it wasn't great...gotta agree. LOL about her outfit. I was going to comment on her fugly pants. But I think her face and hair look cute. Poor girl she was happy and he shot her down. Oh Carly hang on for a couple more weeks...hm...it's going to be almost 4 weeks before I get home. I think she won't make it but that's ok. I'll still have my shirt to remember her by.

David Archuleta
Oh little Zefron. He's so adorable. He's gonna win it all. He's so good at singing with emotion without looking cheesy. I really hope he wins this. He deserves it. Oh Simon said "on the money" Cha-Ching...American Idolis gonna make bank off this boy. And he's even wearing an adorable argyle sweater.

Kristy Lee Cook
Oh Kristy...they are rigging the competition so you can stay in. I don't know why. I am not going to even comment on the song choice last week. You are a smart smart country hick/former britney spears protege. Oh Kristy Lee Cook and country country country. Wow she's got no personality. She always looks like a country girl dressing up for prom. I know I talk smack about her but she's no worse than Kelly Pickler and Kelly is a successful country singer. So it is very likely that Kristy could be successful. She's been alot better these past two weeks. So I think it's not a complete travesty that she would stay this week but she should have gone home based on performance in the past. But oh well...Simon think she's forgettable again. That "Thank you Simon, love you." was totally fake sounding.

Syesha Mercado
Oh so who is singing I Will Always Love You? lol. F*in called this crap last week when they announced it was Dolly week. It never fails that the R&B powerhouse vocalist MUST sing this song. Um...what combination? Sounds like Whitney to me. But maybe it'll sound more original in the actual performance.  Oh I hear the difference. I guess it's less of a cop-out than people have done in the past. But like I said before, I wouldn't listen to her music. Ok the high parts aren't really that pleasant - she gets into the shoutiness again, I don't think she has as much control of those high notes as others do. Randy says its alright. Paula likes velvet or something. Simon thought second part paled into comparison to Whitney...and I agree. Ok.

Michael Johns
Where is Buckhead? Is that within stalking distance? Not that I want to but I'm just curious. He looks dapper tonight. I think he looks much better when he dresses up than when he looks like a dirty old man. I think this is an ok performance. He's got a nice soulful voice but I'm not sure that I'd ever listen to it in real life. Paula shut up...time is almost out. Simon thinks it the best he's sounded. I wouldn't disagree I just don't know that I would listen to it in real life.

Overall
Hm...Brooke wasn't great, Ramielle wasn't great, Syesha wasn't great. But no one was a trainwreck so I can't really tell. Like I said, American and I are not BFF.

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American Idol Top 10

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.

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American Idol Top 11

 
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.


 

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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.

First cooked those onions, then added the garlic.

Garam Masala

Next, I added the turmeric, salt, and pepper along with the Garam Masala. The book gives you the recipe to make your own but I went ahead and used the store bought kind. McCormick makes it. Obviously making your own will yield more flavorful results. But sadly I'm a creature of convenience.

Then it was time to add the livers. Cooked those for a while. The recipe called for about 5 minutes but I cooked them considerably longer to get the pink out of the outside. Then I added some fresh squeezed lemon juice and chopped parsley.

Curried Chicken Livers

And there you have it. The end result as I said was wonderful. I'm tempted to try it with regular chicken. This was a really easy curry to make and yielded much better results than some of the other curries I've tried. Anyway, here is the recipe in case you're interested.

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.

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Miami

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