American Idol Jumps The Shark

Is it me or is American Idol A.W.F.U.L this season??

I'm so disappointed!

I don't really like ANY of the contestants. Some of them are PAINFUL to watch and listen to.

Kara still annoys me with her lock-jaw, and Ellen is terrible! If she calls someone "adorable" again, I'll roll my eyes so high they may get stuck. Isn't that pretty condescending to call someone "adorable"? Over and over and over?? Ugh.

When I first heard Ellen was joining the team, I was excited and thought she was a great choice. But really, she's a terrible judge. Not that judging appears to take much insight really. "Flat." "Pitchy". "Wrong song choice". I mean, can't they come up with something else??

That Tim guy's smile is so forced and creepy... DeeDee is a fragile disaster... Lee is utterly forgettable, a cheap Springsteen wannabe... Andrew was AWFUL tonight. I can't believe the judges all loved him tonight. It was GOD AWFUL. The only one I like is Sioban and she is also getting predictable with that ending scream. As Simon said tonight "It's getting boring, Sioban." Oh, I also like Crystal Bowersox. Other than that they are all pretty terrible.

AI has really jumped the shark. I thought that might have happened when they added Kara, but now it's a definite with getting rid of Paula and adding Ellen. It had a good run, and I loved watching for the last 9 seasons. I'll still watch the rest of this season, out of loyalty and nothing else to watch on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. But I wouldn't be surprised if this is the final season. With Simon leaving it's really time to bury this show, unfortunately.

Sad.

The times they are a changin'.

I guess "X Factor" will be the new show to watch next season.

Crap-a-lap-a-ding-dong I crashed my car.

I'm sooooo pissed right now!


I know that is because anger is a secondary emotion, and I'm probably still scared from the crash.

But here's why I'm angry:

- I checked Charlie's school online, no closing or late opening.

-I looked outside, it looked clear as a bell, as did the road.

- 1 second after I crashed, as I reached for my phone to call the police, I see a text message from Charlie's school, they are closing early. Meaning I didn't have to be on the road at all.

- 5 minutes after my crash, I get an automated call from the Township saying "Don't drive, it's pure ice out there today." Ummm... thanks guys. Next time try for earlier than 8:30 AM when most people have already left for work, huh?

- the tow guy cannot make it close enough to my car to pull it out.

- my week at work has royally s_cked, stress-wise. And with Charlie being sick, and the dogs having diarrhea and/or puking on my bed and in the shower I've just had it up to here (points to ceiling) lately and was hoping for a "recovery" week where I could get caught up and relax.

- I had to use another 8 hours of precious vacation time today. My vacation is rapidly being used up by Charlie's school being closed, or her being sick, or my crashing my car. Not by actual vacation.

- I'M MISSING AMERICAN IDOL AND IT'S MY OWN DAMN FAULT!!!!

So here's what happened. I left the house as per usual. Two seconds later I slid right off the road, on my own street (which is on a hill) because I didn't realize it was a sheet of pure ice. The impact was minimal, since I crashed into a bush and into the cable/phone/Internet box. Luckily, my neighbors rallied like a Hallmark movie of the week and helped me before they realized I knocked out cable/phone/Internet for the whole neighborhood. Hence no American Idol for the entire neighborhood. I'm so sorry guys! The nice policeman came and said I was the third "Michelle" to crash today. By 8:30 AM. Isn't that weird.... the universe has it out for me today.) The tow guy came but promptly left when he couldn't drive up my street. He came back later. My car is drivable, thank God. My deductible is quite high though and the entire bumper will need to be replaced.

Sigh.

When does it get better?

American Idol was OFF THE HOOK tonight!

KISS???? QUEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kara in a bikini???
Black Eyed Peas, Carlos Santana, Cyndi Lauper, Queen Latifa, Rod Stewart, Keith Urban. Did I miss anybody?

There were some real surprises! Good job!

And Adam Glambert singing with KISS was as stroke of genius! You go with your glittery/leather/platform shoes/gay self!
Yes, he's GAY, and that's OKAY. Grr... I have been reading some blogs asking people to vote for Kris because Kris is CHRISTIAN and STRAIGHT and Adam consorts with the DEVIL because he's gay. One comment? "there are-unfortunately- pictures all over the Internet of Adam in drag, and making out with other guys. how he dresses on the show has nothing to do with it, or the fact that he's theatrical. he's a flaming gay man, which is fine, really... nothing worse about that than being addicted to alcohol, or porn, or gossip, or self-indulgence. the problem for me is that there is enough of that out there in Hollywood. we already have one gay american idol- we need a man that will stand out among his peers for his humility, not his attitude."



UGH! No! This is what following Jesus is about? Comparing being gay to diseases or a weak morality? What about how Jesus hung out with prostitutes and lepers and the unwanted and outcast? This kind of judgemental attitude is gross, in my opinion, would Jesus approve of this? Being gay is not a choice, nor is it something that needs to be "cured". I'm personally not gay myself, but if I was I would hope people would accept me for who I am and not who I'm attracted to. So yea, I can't read those blogs anymore. I won't subject myself to that kind of hateful vitriol nor be a part of raising their click-o-meters. If the commenter above was talking about a race, those comments would cause outrage and be clearly racist, but no ones says anything because it's about a gay person and falls under the catch all umbrella of "Christian values"? Phooey! Not cool.



I hope Adam knows there are more people out there that accept him as he is, than the rigid black and white repressed thinkers I've been reading lately. I love his "out there-ness", his attitude, his in-your-faceness, and his UN-APOLOGETIC gayness. Rock on glitter boy!

I hope I can teach Charlie to be open-minded and accept people for the content of their character and not their race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.

I think it's actually better for Adam's career that he didn't win. He will not be locked in to the year long Idol contract, won't have to record that awful song Kara wrote and can start record company biding wars over him now.

Ha! Simon looked flabbergasted!

Congrats to Kris Allen! I love surprises!

Fluttery Heart Syndrome

I have a correction to the post below this one.

This morning when I was writing it, I was feeling calm and zen-mama-like. However, throughout the day I have been experiencing the weirdest symptoms of a fluttery heart, a compulsion to email my agency social worker (which I avoided up until 5 minutes ago), and a need to remind all the colleagues I crossed paths with that this time tomorrow I "may or may not be a mother" and asking them how to deal with that. "Umm..." was their usual response! Well, that is a tough question, especially when you may not have been thinking about it for the last 5 months.

So I take it all back. I am just like the other PAPs: anxious, worried, and tired of waiting.

Sorry for the misleading portrait I painted earlier!

Some judge has my heart in his hands. Be gentle, your Honor.

I also found out in perusing some blogs that at least 7 other PAPs have their cases being heard tomorrow. How many children get adopted each day??? I wonder how long each case is. How many judges they have? Hmm. Anyone know?


Oh, and don't forget, American Idol finale tonight! Here's a picture of Glambert as a blond. I think he looks MUCH better as a blond, what do you think?

Interesting...

Check out the body language here... 2 with sloped shoulders, 1 with confidence. I wonder if the results will reflect this picture?

6 Days Til Court and American Idol Trivia!

Thanks for all your comments and support readers. I had over 400 hits in one day, the most I've ever had, and several emails offering to send gifts. I'll decline the gifts and ask for donations to Charlie's orphanage in the next month. But that is so kind to offer to send something to a person you only know through the Internet. Thank you. I don't think this has to do with Charlie being adopted... my family is not like that. I think it has to do with not realizing that this might be my one big adult rite of passage, and how important it was to me. I'm sorry to read from the comments how many of you have gone through this without familial support though, that is a real shame and must have hurt a great deal. So many of you commented on that it seems like almost a "norm" in adoption.

But enough about that. I'll let you know how the shower turns out.

And now back to my regularly scheduled programming: American Idol last night.

Adam Glambert's rendition of "One" was so awful at one point I thought he was going to make himself throw up with that scream. I used to like him a lot, but that scream is finally getting on my nerves.

Kris did a good job with "Heartless."

Kara DiMyMouthIsStuckClosed has GOT. TO. GO. with her pointing and lock-jaw and pauses and inFLECtions. Grr... she is annoying.

Past AI Seasons Trivia: 5 POINTS FOR THE FIRST READER WHO GETS EACH CORRECT ANSWER:

1) Which song did David Cook NOT sing in his "American Idol" journey?
a) "Billie Jean"
b) "Hallelujah"
c) "Eleanor Rigby"
d) "Little Sparrow"

2) Within one season, Simon told two idols that they should lose a few pounds, saying it would help them in the competition. Who were these idols?
a) Kimberley Locke and Ruben Studdard
b) Vanessa Olivarez and Joshua Gracin
c) Jennifer Hudson and Amy Adams
d) Scott Savol and Lindsey Cardinale

3) Which of the following contestants has Simon compared to Jessica Simpson?
a) Kellie Pickler
b) Bo Bice
c) Katharine McPhee
d)Bucky Covington

10 POINTS ANY AND ALL READERS WHO PREDICT WHO'S GOING HOME THIS WEEK!

A) Danny Chokey

B) Adam Glam-berace

C) Kris "Look how cute my smile is. No really, look. Here, check out this angle" Allen

Cut off time for comments is 9PM.

Idol Recap

Kara DioGuardi gives on point constructive criticism usually (although her lock jaw syndrome drives me right up a wall). Tonight in reaction to Adam Lambert? "You're surprising, shocking, sleazy, superb and I like it!" Or something like that. She looks flabbergasted after his performance. Funny.

From Perez Hilton:

A glitch on iTunes might have revealed who's winning the American Idol race - at least in terms of popularity!
After each episode of AI, the contestants' songs are placed for sale on iTunes, but the sales figures for each finalist is never revealed. Idol execs don't want people knowing ahead of the finale who's got the popular vote.
And, for weeks people have been thinking the final two might come down to Adam Lambert and Danny Gokey. But, if iTunes is any indicator of the popular vote, looks like contestant Kris Allen might make it to the final two instead next month.
A glitch last week in Apple's software allowed users to see which contestants were selling the most downloads of their "live" performances each week.
And it's no surprise, the leader - by far - was Lambert who holds 6 of the top 10 chart spots this season. And his cover of Mad World has become the No. 1 selling song this year!
Instead of Gokey coming in second, Kris Allen is actually in the second spot with three performances on the top 10. As for Gokey, he's got just 1 on the chart.
Is it safe to call it now? Adam Lambert seems to have the first place spot on American Idol in his pocket!

And as usual, 5 points to every person who correctly calls this week's elimination!

American Idol Recap or WHY IS ANOOP DAWG STILL HERE?

I feel sorry for Lil Rounds.


Each week she changes her routine to do what the judges suggested the week before (IE "be more artistic, make the song your own, sing Mary J") and then the judges slam her for doing that ("you changed the melody too much, you choose the wrong artist, this is karaoke, we've been waiting for you to sing someone like Chaka Kahn but it wasn't worth the wait", etc).


Tonight she looked so sad, as even Simon noticed, and also looked like she had "had it up to here" with trying to please them. Maybe it would be merciful to have her go home this week...

And what was with the judges using their one and only "save" to keep Matt another week??? I was sure they would only use that in the case of someone who had huge money making potential being voted off (like Chris Daughtery caliber). There's no way Matt's going to be the next Idol, nor does he have record selling potential. Not really. In fact, I think he'll be going home with Lil this week. Although I WISH Anoop Dawg was leaving. Ugh, he's such a preppy frat boy.

Anyway, 5 points to anyone who picks the right idol contestant to go home. 10 points if you get them both right (two are going home tomorrow).

Idol recap and Wookie update

Ok, quick Idol recap before it's too late and the results show comes on!

Adam: "Sang"(if you can call it that) "Born To BE Wild". Cleared out my sinuses! Seriously, he kept my attention, but there were moments when he sounded like a Screeching Owl's screeching mouse dinner.

Lil Rounds: UGH. I think she's choking. Each week she gets worse. The judges tell her the opposite thing each week and it's screwing with her confidence. She used to be so good! Lil! Pull it together, girl! And straighten that wig!

Allison aka Ms. Manic Panic: Sounded stuffed up, but did a decent job of singing a corny song ("I Don't Want to Miss A Thing"). Of all the movie songs in the world... she had to pick this song??

Danny: He's reminding me too much of what's-his-name (with the Soul Patrol fans). See? I can't even remember his name. I feel bad Danny's wife died, and I liked him at first because of the sympathy thing. But does he really have staying power? Or will they be giving away tickets to his concerts in a year from now like they did for Soul Patrol guy?

Everyone else: zzzzzzzzzzzz......

Going home? Hmm.. could be Lil, but I think the judges would keep her around even though Simon is mad at her lately. Probably Anoop because there's no way his frat boy butt is the next American Idol. He's got a bad case of the snoozies.... puts me to sleep every time. He's got to go some time, it might as well be tonight.

WOOKIE UPDATE:

I picked Wookie up from boarding where he has been the past week (it didn't work out with Elizabeth, long story, but she did sponsor a week's boarding so my parents could visit in peace and my floors could be done, so thank you , Elizabeth, for that).

Wookie is doing really well (knock on wood) so far. He is getting along with the girls just fine, sniffing them and allowing them to sniff back. He's tolerating Beulah's incessant barking begging him to play. He's following me around, which is pretty cute, like an imprinted duckling. Still a bit insecure, but it's only been a couple of hours. I have him wearing a belly band since he's a leg lifter and not house broken. He's allowing me to put it on no problem. Basically, a week at doggie day care did wonders for him. He's no longer skittish, he's loving towards me, likes to be cuddled and pet, and gets along with the girls. So if he can just get house broken and leash trained, we have a great candidate for adoption.

Right now he is asleep by my heels. There really is a difference in attitude with rescued dogs, I think. Such fierce loyalty and gratitude. They know.

Pictures of Wookie coming soon, stay tuned.

5 points for everyone who has rescued an animal and posts his/her name!

Kilts: Hot, or NOT?

Just a fun post due to lack of adoption news...

During the whole "boys names for girls"debate, a poster mentioned that not only does she like boys names for girls, but she also likes when men wear skirts (I'm not TOTALLY sure I see the connection, but whatever.)

It seems kind of rock n' roll in some instances....

And then in others.... not so much!

What do you think?

Kilts, yea or nay?

ALSO; a whopping 25 points for whoever can correctly predict who's going home on American Idol tomorrow, after watching the show tonight. Tonight's mentor is Quentin Tarantino. How... interesting. Yay!

Boring Idol except for....

Adam Lambert.

He was really the only performer that held my attention last night. The rest of them seemed flat and boring. Phft! I can't even predict who's going home tonight, that's how boring they all seemed. I don't really care who goes home, but perhaps it's Anoop-dawg's time?

In contrast, Adam consistently brings new and exciting arrangements week after week. In the past on Idol, there have been a couple of performers who dare to do their own thing... but usually it's not every week. Like David Cook did a few original performances (which turned out to be "borrowing" another artist's version of a song and not crediting him, but that's another story) but Cook only stepped out on a limb two or three times the whole season. Adam Lambert is doing it every single week. I admire his ability to keep things unique and entertaining every week.

Here are some links to previous week's performances:
Tracks of My Tears
Wild Cherry
Ring of Fire

Most awesome news: I found a foster for the puppy!!!!!!!

As I was leaving work a colleague called... she had read this very blog here. She offered to foster the pup!

So... the update is: pup is getting neutered tomorrow. I'm picking him up on Thursday and bringing him to the foster home!

Yay!

Elizabeth, you rock! (BTW, I already knew she rocked and had great friend potential...)

Ok, to show Elizabeth how much she rocks, everyone leave a comment for her, ok? The most comments I ever got on this blog is around 13. Can we beat that record for Elizabeth stepping up to the plate and not letting me or the puppy down? Yes we can! I want Elizabeth to know that people all over the world think she is awesome!

Oh and we need a name..... thoughts?

ETA: American Idol predictions. Going home this week:
Anoop-Dawg or Megan Joy CROAKEY (yuk yuk)

Springtime waiting... and American Idol

There's nothing new to report on the adoption front. My mom was concerned about Baby Girl's heat rash on her neck. I asked the agency to send a doctor. They did, right away. I was quite impressed with the speed with which they reacted. Baby Girl's on the mend.

My mother should be returning from the Ethiopian bush to Addis in the next couple of days and hopefully there will be more news then.

I'm walking the dogs after work, taking care of #6. Well, it's not quite hiking as I'm trying to find flat roads, but it's better than nothing.

Although I'm tired mentally after work usually, I'm finding I have about 30 minutes of additional energy lately. Either because it's spring and I alway feel renewed in spring, or because I've lost a little weight recently and it's easier to walk around all day without carrying the extra load.

How does spring affect you?

Now, is anyone watching American Idol this season? I can't help it, I love the show. It gives me a reason to stay awake on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. I figured out the new "Judge's Save" rule and why they came up with that, by the way. At first I thought it was for the reason they said... to save someone who deserved a second chance. But the more I thought about it, I think I've got their number. It's all about the money, of course! They were upset Chris Daughtry was eliminated and went on to make MILLIONS. They couldn't partake of that because only the winner is under contract to record with their label. So it all makes sense now. So last week when they were deciding whether to "save" the blond screamer, they probably thought to themselves: "Would she make millions?" and the answer is, no, she would not make more than some of the others up there. They need to hold back their "save" in case Lil (who sound awful last night: yell, yell, yell!) gets unexpectedly eliminated, or Gokey. Or Adam. Now he is intriguing.

At this point, only Adam is original enough to get my vote. If I voted.
My prediction for tonight?

Goodbye Megan or Michael Sarver. Not sure which one.

Who do you think is gonzo? Who would you like to see win?