The complete opposite of going to bed at 8:30pm is going to bed at 4 in the morning. I didn’t mean to, but my body rebelled and all of my attempts to sleep—starting at 10:00—failed. And eventually there I was at 4am watching a Ronco knives infomercial in bed with Brad. I blame it on indigestion and aging.

Speaking of aging, here are two more examples from last night of how I’m definitely getting older:

1. My hip popped quite painfully right at, shall we say, the height of a certain activity. Very distracting.

2. While watching American Idol last night and thinking about how I kind of wanted to make out with David A., I realized I’M TEN YEARS OLDER THAN HIM! I must not feel old at heart because for a moment I honestly associated myself with this kid, as if we were even in the same generation. The only male Idols I should be ogling are the four that are over 25.

Things that have been going on:

1. Brad and I tried a new Mexican restaurant last Friday, one we’ve been wanting to go to for awhile. One that’s famous for its wet burritos. I ordered a shredded beef wet burrito, and when they brought it the table, I drooled all over it. I dug my fork in, salivating for that first delicious bite, and before I got the fork to my mouth I saw it. A tomato. Thinking it was probably just a stray, I dug a little further. Tomatoes tomatoes tomatoes! Everywhere! Why do those little fuckers haunt me? I had to send the whole thing back, and because I felt so bad, I lied and said I was allergic to them. And because the shredded beef is cooked with tomatoes and there’s no escaping them, I had to go with ground beef. So not the same. I’ve been craving delicious Mexican ever since.

2. I got my haircut on Tuesday, and the whole ordeal took over four hours. The weather was awful, so it took me 45 minutes to drive to the salon. I met my sister there because we have the same stylist and thought it would be fun to go together and hang out while getting beautified. I sat through my sister’s color, wash, rinse, cut and style before it was my turn. I told her to go ahead and skip the blow dryer and flat iron—I was just going out in the storm and then going to bed anyway! Plus I wanted to save the extra money it costs. But she refused to let me leave with a poof on my head and insisted on styling. I protested; she insisted. And then she charged me for it. The drive home took another 45 minutes, and I didn’t get anything productive done that night. But I did spend time with my sister, so it was worth it.

3. School work is picking up a bit. It’s time to start some of those big projects and quit doing the bare minimum. I wish I could look forward to spring break in a few weeks, but it really does me no good as I have to work all week anyway. And I don’t think I get much of a break from my online class.

4. I’ve had zero time to craft lately, and it’s starting to depress me. I finally have an entire area devoted to crafts, and it sits there stagnant, calling out for attention. Cries which I must ignore.

5. I haven’t been into American Idol this year mostly because I keep forgetting it’s on. But some people at work were discussing it this morning in the break room, and suddenly I found myself in a pool to pick the winner. I’m supposed to pick a guy and a girl from the top 24 who I think will win, but unfortunately I don’t know a damn thing about any of them. I’m thinking about going by like “coolest name” or “best use of eye makeup” or something. If you’re a fan and have some tips on who to pick, help a girl out!

6.  I’m thinking about using my crock pot for the second time (since Christmas! I suck) this weekend to make chili. But I don’t have a good recipe. Anyone want to share theirs? My only rules are that it can’t be really hot (as in spicy), and it can’t be heavy on the beans because even though I love them, Brad doesn’t. We need a good compromise recipe.

That’s it. Hope you feel caught up.

To tell the truth, I wasn’t very excited about AI this week. It almost felt like a chore to sit down at 8:00 with my little pencil and pad of paper. But I did it, and turns out, it was pretty enjoyable.

First songs…
Jordin: Not doing much for me.
Blake: Entertaining. Especially when he dropped the mic at the end.
Melinda: Voice of gold.

Second songs…
Jordin: Still not doing much for me.
Blake: I so frickin’ love Blake!
Melinda: You rock girl.

Third songs…
Jordin: Now she’s just starting to bug me.
Blake: Oh Blakey, you’re good.
Melinda: And you’re damn hot!

I’m worried that because Simon and Randy said they expect to see Melinda in the finale, people won’t vote for her while they try to “save” Blake and Jordin. All I really want from this show is to see Melinda and Blake in the final two, then I don’t care who wins. However, as usual, I didn’t vote. So I’ll shut up now.

Maybe I was just having a bad night, but I think I’m getting bored with American Idol. Interesting since it’s down to the final four, three of which were my favorites from the beginning. This should be the time it gets really interesting and exciting, but instead I found myself preferring to read my book during the show. I was easily distracted and not at all engaged. However, I did manage to jot down a few notes.

First performances

Melinda: Still consistently good.
Blake: That was odd…in a good way. I think.
LaKisha: I didn’t hate it, unlike the judges.
Jordin: On the phone. But apparently the judges really liked it.

Second performances

Melinda: Such a great voice.
Blake: Love his style, love his dance.
LaKisha: Please beat Jordin to the next round.
Jordin: She’s really good and I like her, but she just hasn’t made me care.

It’s pretty obvious I want Jordin to be voted off. I know she has mega talent, but there’s just something missing for me. I don’t dislike her, I just really don’t care if she leaves. However, I’m guessing I won’t get my wish.

I’m not sure many people know this, but I have a bit of a crush on Jon Bon Jovi. I’ve always thought he was damn sexy, and yes I like the music. So this was a good night for me. And for the contestants, I was very impressed.

Phil: Phil singing Bon Jovi is yummy.
Jordin: I don’t know, I sorta liked it.
LaKisha: Thank you for doing good! I didn’t want you to go home yet.
Blake: Mesmerizing. So great! This guy is not just a singer like most other contestants; he’s a real artist.
Chris: That wasn’t so bad.
Melinda: Superb as usual.

Everyone did pretty good, so it’s rough that two people will be voted off this week. There’s only one I’m really ready to say farewell to, and I just wish everyone else could win in a five-way tie. No actually there’s another one I wouldn’t be too sad to see go. So a four-way tie. Yeah that works. I’m not even going to say who my picks are because I rarely ever guess right, and this week I really want to be right. So… ziiiip!

Could they pat themselves on the back anymore? But I guess they have to do that to get the big sponsors, and if big sponsors equals big money donated, then fine. I might even vote. Brad’s over there voting right now and he usually hardly pays attention. So I guess it’s working.

Chris: Better than he has been recently, but still didn’t love it.
Melinda: She’s always so good, I find myself paying more attention to everyone else lately.
Blake: Subtle and subdued. I really like his voice.
LaKisha: I didn’t know it was a Fantasia song, so I really liked it. Get over it Paula.
Phil: His wife is so cute, I want to be friends with them. I’m so glad he’s lasted this long because I adore Phil.
Jordin: Girl’s got talent!

Tomorrow should be interesting. I guess at this point I’m hoping for Chris to go home. That would leave my favorite five contestants.

Not that it really matters anymore as the results show is on in a couple hours, but I can’t break tradition after so many weeks. I couldn’t get at the computer last night, and today has been too crazy to even sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time. So this is my first chance to write my thoughts from last night.

Phil: I can’t help it, I just really like this guy.
Jordin: That was really nice.
Sanjaya: The whole thing is just so… weird.
Lakisha: Not my favorite thing ever.
Chris: Phone call. Why do I keep missing Chris’ performances?
Melinda: She’s just good.
Blake: I’ve never paid much attention to AI contestants after their time on the show, but I might actually download Blake’s music when he puts out an album.

My guess for elimination? Chris (sorry Robin) or Phil. Good luck!

Last night I supported the boyfriend by attending a concert that he took part in (he plays the trombone and it kills me how much I love that), so I missed American Idol. Fortunately I had the forethought to Tivo it. Wait, that’s not right, I don’t have Tivo. Oh yeah, I had to taaaape it. Which meant I was up late watching the show, fast-fowarding through much of it because I just didn’t find it as entertaining as usual. Even though I don’t have much to say, here’s the breakdown:

Melinda: You’re wrong girl, you are sexy.
Lakisha: It was pretty okay.
Chris: I lost my pencil and spent the duration of his performance searching the couch for it, then because it was already past my bedtime I didn’t feel like rewinding to try again, but my vague impression was that it was only okay.
Haley: Ick, no no no. This girl is quickly becoming my Katharine McPhee of last season.
Phil: Um I actually liked it.
Jordin: Yeah pretty good.
Blake: Gosh I LOVE him!
Sanjaya: Flat (as in dull), but it didn’t totally suck. Just mostly.

It was a night for the guys I think. Blake was the best overallt; I personally liked Phil’s performance; Chris was decent; and Sanjaya wasn’t a complete and utter mess though he is still so far from worthy of the top eight.

My best prediction for elimination this week is Haley or Phil. But Haley wore the hot pants again and nobody seems to like Phil the way I do, so yeah, he’s my guess.

I was busy doing other crap tonight which required my back to be turned to the tv during the whole show. It was interesting to only hear the contestants and not see them: I was not biased by whatever hair Sanjaya might have been sporting or by whatever sex appeal Haley was desperately employing. Voices, just the voices. Because I was so distracted though, I went with a simple Liked/Didn’t Like system.

Blake: Liked
Phil: Sort of Liked
Melinda: Liked
Chris R: Liked
Jordin: Sort of Liked
Gina: Sort of Liked
Sanjaya: Sort of Liked
Haley: Didn’t Like
Lakisha: Liked

That’s it. Sorry, I’m boring tonight. Too tired care or coherent be.

I have to do this tonight because I’ll be at a conference all day tomorrow. And I have to do it now because the time that I need to be up in the morning is an ungodly hour that I’m not even familiar with. 4:30am? Have you guys heard of this? Which means I need to at least try to get in bed before my usual midnight-ish sleep time. Okay, first, Idol time:

Lakisha: yep good
Chris S: a little boring I’d say
Gina: I actually liked it (sorry Robin!)
Sanjaya: The hair? Come on, that’s a little ridiculous. And like Simon said, he’s in his own little universe now.
Haley: I found myself more interested in an article about the Republican party than her performance.
Phil: really liked it (of course I did have a crush on Sting for quite some time)
Melinda: no complaints here
Blake: a little dull this week, but good
Jordin: I don’t know why, but she bugged me tonight
Chris R: pretty good

I missed the beginning… does anyone know what the theme was? I heard a lot of Sting/Police and Gwen Stefani/No Doubt. How do they go together other than the group to solo artist thing?

Predictions. Why do I even bother? I obviously have no idea what I’m talking about. So I’m going with Brad’s random guess. “Who do you think will get voted off?” “Off what?” “Uh… American Idol.” “Um, I don’t know, Justin Timberlake?” I take that to mean Chris Richardson.

Do you all realize that I actually sit down in front of the tv Tuesday nights with a little pad of paper and a pencil? I write down all the contestants’ names, then after each performance I jot down a few words of praise. Or disgust. So what you see in my analysis below is what I thought immediately after they sang.

Haley: cute song, but still not one of my favorite contestants
Chris R: aww, so sweet (mostly I was distracted though)
Stephanie: not very dynamic
Blake: he’s so captivating!
Lakisha: in the words of Randy, it was only aight
Phil: didn’t exactly love it (I like him but I wish he sang better)
Jordin: this is the first week I’ve really noticed her
Sanjaya: he’ll be getting a lot of votes this week
Gina: eh, okay
Chris S: yeah, decent
Melinda: beautiful!

My best guess for eliminations this week is Phil, Gina or Haley. Who knows, who cares, as long as Sanjaya doesn’t win.

Also, that crying girl? What the hell? Okay cute, a little girl in the audience is overcome with emotion at an American Idol show. She’s bawling her eyes out for two hours straight, and oh look now she’s cowering away as Sanjaya sings in her face. Yeah wow great, this show has so much impact on the lives of others, let’s give it frickin’ Nobel Peace Prize already. Definitely. Now let’s just show the crying girl one more time. Great, that’s great, we are so IN with the American public.

What’s with everyone being married or engaged or madly in love on this season of American Idol? All the contestants ever do is swoon over their husbands or wives or fiances or boyfriends or girlfriends. Or lovers or mistresses or secret crushes. Or boy toys. Or sugar daddies. Or best friends for whom they have feelings but have never been able to tell. Or their baby mamas. Okay done. Anyway, what’s up with that?

As usual, here’s what I thought about last night…

Brandon: missed it, out of the room
Melinda: sing it girl! (she’s so precious)
Chris S: didn’t love it, but I still like him
Gina: pretty dull
Sanjaya: still adorable, but wow, not up to par
Haley: this is the last remaining clone girl and she made me snore (I was paying so little attention I didn’t even notice she forgot some words), but I still don’t hate her
Phil: I like this guy
Lakisha: she’s so natural (plus we call my sister Kiki (her name is Kelli) only we spell it Keekee because we think Kiki looks like it should be pronounced “kie-kie”)
Blake: my fingers were tapping and I actually liked this arrangement, but I want to hear his voice more
Stephanie: decent
Chris R: I like it (and I want him to date my friend Robin, I think they’d be really good together)
Jordin: I love The Land Before Time, but I didn’t love her version of this song

I won’t even venture a guess as to who will be voted off. I, myself, don’t vote at all, and the record shows that my opinions usually aren’t in sync with those that do. I used to get frustrated with how stupid people can be when they vote on this show (hello, Antonella making it beyond round one?), but in the end a deserving contestant always wins. Often it takes awhile to weed out the amateurs (Sanjaya), but it always gets done eventually.

Okay fine, I’ll guess. Um, either Brandon or Stephanie.

Last night I was only able to give a third of my attention to watching American Idol. One third was spent packing for our trip, which was a very unorganized process because I lost the fancy Excel packing list I had created, and what’s the point of a fancy Excel packing list to aid you in not forgetting anything when you can’t even keep track of the fancy fucking Excel packing list itself? The other third was given to my sister and later my mom when each of them called. Packing, talking on the phone, and watching American Idol at the same time does not make me a very good critic to be weighing in here. I’m doing it anyway.

This is what I thought (again the (b)s are Brad’s favorites):

Gina - pretty good (only caught a couple seconds)
Alaina - tv muted
Lakisha - good (at least the part I heard)
Melinda - yeah girl (b)
Antonella - nice try
Jordin - don’t know, on phone (b)
Stephanie - good (still on phone)
Leslie - didn’t like it
Haley - uh uh
Sabrina - good (b)

My favorites are still Lakisha and Melinda, Antonella is still horrible, and I still can’t tell the difference between three of the other girls. Brad’s only pick consistent with last week was Sabrina, about whom he so boldly stated, “She’s gonna win.” We’ll see baby.

I’ll be on the road tomorrow night during the results show, but I’ve got my friend Robin all lined up to call me with results. Hope it’s good news.

I’m one of those cliches who can’t figure out how to work a VCR. I thought I had it all set to record American Idol last night, and I didn’t realize that idea had failed until I got home at 8:45. Because of this lapse in intelligence, I only managed to catch the last half of the show, completely missing the first through sixth contestants. Therefore, the analyses of the first six below are based solely on the brief clips they replayed at the end of the show. Which is okay because that’s all anyone really needs to thoroughly judge a person’s worth, character, personality, singing ability, whatever. 

Phil: yes
Jared: okay
AJ: okay
Sanjaya: eh
Chris S: okay
Nick: okay
Blake: pretty good
Brandon: kind of odd
Chris R: loved it
Sundance: blech

Given that I missed half the show, I can’t make a very good prediction about who will be voted off on Thursday. You’d think Sanjaya and Brandon because of their weak performances, but people love the little guy and Brandon still has more charisma than some people (hi Nick). Obviously my choice is for a farewell to Sundance, but voters liked him after his horrible performance last week and since last night he was less horrible, I think we might even be seeing him in the top twelve. Again, blech.

My first observation about the female version of American Idol’s top 24 last night: why do all the white girls look the same? If you lined them all up and told me to decipher who’s who or what they sang last night, I wouldn’t know where to start. With the possible exceptions of Antonella (is she white?) and Gina, the other white girls seem to be boring clones of one another.

Second observation: in general the girls blew the guys out of the Orpheum. I agree with Randy…there should be maybe four guys in the top twelve and the rest girls. And even those could quickly be wittled down to about seven people who even stand a chance of winning.

And now my assessment of the evening’s contestants (Brad wanted to play along, so the (b)s indicate his favorites):

Stephanie: yes (b)
Amy: okay
Leslie: okay (b)
Sabrina: yes (b)
Antonella: no, sorry
Jordin: yes
Nicole: okay
Haley: no
Melinda: yes (smiley)
Alaina: no
Gina: okay
Lakisha: yes!

Early favorites are Melinda because I liked her from her very first audition, and Lakisha because she’s representing Michigan (a town not too far from where I live no less), and also? Girl can sing!

My picks to go home tonight: Antonella and Haley. Alaina is a close third, but I like her name better than Haley, so she can hang out one more week.

And in closing, I will now try to adopt the phrase “You have the personality of a candle,” courtesy of one Mr. Cowell, into my vernacular. Some of the things that come out of that man’s mouth are splendid.