well, i'm still alive... i haven't gotten to sleep before 2 AM in a while now, but i'm still kicking and making it through each day... and i can see the light of a possible three-day weekend off in the distance... unfortunately, i can't talk about what's been keeping me up at night as i'm contractually obligated not to, but for those of you that i spoke with privately, thanks for the prayers and everything else... i find it interesting that the word of the day, which i have emailed to me, is "tartuffe"... the good news is that i've written my first book... the bad news is that it's a training manual for a proprietary software that is for internal use... so, i've become something of a technical writer... perhaps i should add that to my resume...

Anyway, there are plenty of things to talk about but since i'm exhausted and i've been in and out of meetings all day, i'll be in and out of this as well... who knows what we'll get to...

EDIT: okay, that didn't work... it's now Monday, let's try again... I'm currently watching a silly movie called NEXT... which stars Nicholas Cage as a magician who can see a few minutes into the future... and the FBI recruits him to help them stop the transportation of a nuclear weapon... yeah... it's like that... anyway... what else is on my radar...

NOW WE'RE COOKING
to the tune of Dream Big -David Cook

So they picked David Cook... and by now, you should realize that i could really care less... it became clear to me that i wouldn't be interested in buying any of the finalists' albums since none of them really did anything for me... as far as David Cook goes, i suppose he'll have a decent career as far as music careers go these days, but i think in a year or so, most people with discerning tastes will be thinking to themselves and perhaps asking out loud, who in the world told this guy that he could sing and why do they hate the rest of them so very much... just my opinion...

BACK IN 3D!
to the tune of Call My Name - Third Day

So, i've been killing this new Third Day album.... i mean, it just flat out rocks... it's like everything you ever wanted Third Day to do with an album all comes together now... (get it, Come Together?)... Let me just say that Revelation is easily the best Third Day album and it's likely going to rank in the top albums of the year list for 2008... i'm just saying is all... expect a Walk TRu of this sometime later this week, but for now, you can check out their EPK online...

MOVING ON

Foolish Things have disbanded... I'm a little slow on this since their final show was 11 May, but the band has cited this as "the last season" for Foolish Things via their MySpace page... MySpace, by the way, seems to be the medium of choice for announcing a band's breakup... Anyway, more from the announcement:

"Although we are grieving, and semi-anxious about what lies ahead we are excited that a new chapter is beginning. Babies are on the way, different job opportunities are opening, and ministry opportunities are in each of our futures."

What really bothers me about this announcement is that i interviewed them a few months ago and they didn't mention this at all... (yes, that's sarcastic, no, i don't think the world revolves around me)...

ANTS!!!

yeah, i'm SICK OF ANTS!... they're all over my kitchen and the ant trap thingies that i've been setting out seem to work for a while, and then i get a resurgence of the little critters...it's driving me NUTS... i even see them out of the corner of my eye when they aren't even there... apparently i need some sleep... speaking of bugs though, isn't this the most strangely appealing and appalling site you've ever seen? maybe it's just me... some of those bugs though, literally scare the heck out of me...

PLENTY TO PEEP...

despite my crazy schedule, i've managed to drop some splendid content on the front page... this includes part three of my GMA Reflections and interviews with Salvador and Stephanie Smith... As i mentioned, i'm planning a Third Day Walk TRu, another chapter of the GMA Reflections, a few more interviews, and i'm hoping to pick up the album reviews gauntlet again... i've got some thoughts brewing about Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey, The Myriad and more...

peace... love... bdg...

FINALLY, JUST THREE
to the tune of Can't Take the Pain - Third Day

And we're finally down to the last three contestants... and it's not soon enough... everyone is already hyping up the double David showdown for next week, but Syesha really wants to stay for the big show... tonight's show give everyone three songs, one chosen by the Judges, one by the Contestants and one by the Producers... and away... we.... go....

ROUND ONE: JUDGE'S PICK

{Little) David Archuleta: Paula picks And So It Goes by Billy Joel... and he enters into robotic mode... a really slow and potentially boring tune to start off the show... he sounds alright, a bit breathy, but there's really no emotion whatsoever.... and i didn't really like the way his voice cracked there, but i love that dude's hat... is it his dad?... Randy says he was a dope... or the song was dope, and David did a good job... Paula says he was pure and telling stories... Simon says it was a bit predictable, but it was good...

Syesha (a.k.a. Cry-esha): Randy chooses something by Alisha Keys... she looks great... and she sounds good, too... oh, i know this song... i don't listen to much Alisha, but hey, it rhymes with Syesha... maybe that's why Randy picked it... maybe Randy had to pick hers because they're both black?... do i smell a conspiracy?... sorry Jeremiah Wright, no racism here... she was spectacular though... Randy says she's peaking at the right time... Paula says that she looks stunning... Simon says that she sounded like Alisha, but it was Randy's fault... and they all agree that she looks gorgeous...

David (Daughtry the 2nd) Cook: And there's David Cook looking like he just rolled out of bed... and he's going to sing Roberta Flack's The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face... and he's got no guitar... and i think i'm going to start everything with "and" this time... and that lady wants to be the only one standing... and that's kind of weird... and she's making eyes at David even though he's probably 25 years younger than she is... and he's shouting... and he looks like he's going to eat the mic... and he did a decent job... and everyone is cheering... and Randy says, dude, he loved the high note but Simon picked a bad song... and Paula says that it's not about Simon and Randy... and now he's the second favorite performer of that song... and Simon pats himself on the back and says it was risky... and he takes credit for it...

to the tune of I Dare You to Move - Switchfoot

Simon says that round one went to him and cook, but i'd say that Syesha won it... she's gonna have to do a fantastic job to stay in it after tonight though... or the other two are going to have to fall down... the judges did a pretty good job of matching songs to the trio... let's see how they do for themselves...

ROUND TWO: CONTESTANT'S PICK

{Little) David Archuleta: those pants are just terrible.. they're may be worse than the pleather ones from earlier in the competition ... he chose With You by Chris Brown... and i'm literally laughing my head off here...MY BOO!!!! HA HA HA HA!.... this is a trainwreck... this song totally does not fit him... he's actually moving and he's got his eyes open which probably helps, but oh man... that's hilarious... that's like watching some old dude rap instead of play chess... Randy says that was an odd song choice... Paula says it was perfec tand that he did a great job... Simon says it was like a chihuahua trying to be a tiger....

Syesha (a.k.a. Cry-esha): Syesha chose Fever and she's working the chair... this song is HOT... and it plays well to her talents... and she's slithering around the stage just like a jazz singer from the old days... she's knocking it out of the park... that was a great song choice for her... fit her personality and her vocals... Randy says it was an interesting song choice, but she sang it amazingly well... Paula say that she's surprised by the song choice as well because it doesn't show who she is as an artist... Simon slams the gavel down and says it was a lame Cabaret performance...

David (Daughtry the 2nd) Cook: he's chosen Dare You to Move by Switchfoot and he's surprised that people have heard of it... he's got his guitar out but it's clearly not the one that's making the music work... honestly, i love this song, but i don't get why people like this guy's vocals... it sounds like a drunk guy trying to sing the karaoke... Randy says he loves the Switchfoot, but the song was a little pitchy... Paula says it was cut too short... SImon says it wasn't that melodic and everyone was just okay...

to the tune of I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith

ROUND THREE: PRODUCERS PICK

{Little) David Archuleta: i missed the intro to this, but it's Longer by Dan Fogleberg... and it's absolutely ancient compared to the Chris Brown song, but it's more suitable for David because it adjusts well to his formulaic approach to performing a minute and a half... Randy tells him that he can sing the phone book again... Paula says it was great... Simon says that he sang it well, but the song was a terrible choice...

Syesha (a.k.a. Cry-esha): The producers chose Hit Me Up from Happy Feet... and so far it's her weakest performance... what do the producers know anyway... i don't really like this song... she did an okay job with it, but she doesn't work well with that tempo... Randy says he could see her doing a song like that, but it was just okay... Paula talks about penguins and that it wasn't that good... Simon says it was better than the second song, but it was forgettable...

David (Daughtry the 2nd) Cook: David is singing I Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith... and gah... i just don't get it... this guy's vocals... they're so grating when it's a slow moment and then when it builds, all he does is shouts... come on... you compare this to Steven Tyler and there's NO COMPARISON... this guy's such a hack, but he's probably going to win it... Randy says it was predictable and just okay... Paula has had way too much caffiene... Simon says David Cook, ftw...

i really hate to say that the Davids will be in the finals... but it sure looks that way.... I'm not sure why they trashed Syesha so much tonight, because i thought she did a fine job, but that's how the story goes...

peace... love... bdg...

So, it's another Idol night already and that means i've not updated in a week... what a jerk... anyway... i've been trying to readjust to life and a bunch of other excuses that you don't care about, i'm sure... and man, have my allergies been driving me nuts lately... my eye has been twitching for about a month and my nose has been twitching on and off as well... the littles are starting to struggle with the pollen counts, too, which really makes like fun... anyway... lots to get to, so let's get getting...

MOVIE MONDAY

i meant to go post this yesterday, but i didn't post anything so, here it is now... i finally, (read: FINALLY), saw Oceans Thirteen... and for me, it was goooood... i really like the series and i thought this one fit very nicely into the mix... you gotta love crooks who steal to make other people happy... and they're all just the epitome of cool... a couple odds and ends notes... as expected there were a number of twists and turns in the plot line... i say expected because it seems like every movie now has to have these crazy twists at the end nowadays... i think that eventually, we'll get to the point where a straightforward movie - one where what you expect to happen actually happens - is going to be the new suspense thriller... just a thought... Also, and i'm not one to force spiritual meanings into things, but at the end of the movie, all i could think about was that verse in the Bible about man making all the plans that he wants, but it's only God's plans that actually matter in the long run... yeah... i should figure out where that's from exactly... i'm guessing Proverbs...

FOUR MORE (A.K.A. THE AI COMMENTARY)
to the tune of Roll over Beethoven -Chuck Berry

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame night... i... wanna rock and roll all night.... and party every day... okay... so i'm not going to guess the songs this week, but anyone wanna bet that Brooke tries to crash the stage and sing Piano Man or something... anyone? anyone?... okay... the show's underway after Ryan specifies when the judges are allowed to speak...

David (Daughtry the 2nd) Cook: Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran... i remember the video for this song more than anything else about it... i think some dude was wandering around the woods trying to catch a girl dressed up like Little Red Riding Hood and he's wearing a wolf skin... i remember that video more then i expect to remember this performance actually... Randy says it was just okay... Paula says she's hungry for some David Cook and then she rambles on about something odd... Simon says it's probably good enough, but nothing special...

Syesha (a.k.a. Cry-esha): Syesha's dress has been designed by Kristy Lee Cook... or something... oh, i like the hat... Tina... i thought she might sing some Tina or Aretha, but i don't know who's in the HOF... wow... she's trying to look like Tina... she's definitely working it... she has the clear advantage of being the only official girl left in the competition... and this song is alright... her vocal isn't that great, but the performance is very strong indeed... she knows how to use the stage... Randy says she was in the zone... (no, i didn't just copy that from last week)... Paula says she looks like a star... Simon says he has to put a slight damper on it... shrieky, bad impersonation of Tina Turner... the song was Proud Mary, by the way...

Jason (Castor Oil) Castro: i think Carley's drunk... so, go figure, Jason Castro is singing a Bob Marley tune... I Shot the Sheriff... props right off the bat to the band... they're fantastic... he's alright... well... i mean, this really... well... um... he looks the part at least... he needs to take into account the dynamics and meaning of the song... Randy plays the karaoke card... Paula says he played to the crowd... Simon says it was utterly atrocious and he has no idea what Jason was thinking...

{Little) David Archuleta: singing Stand By Me... and he actually looks like the kids walking on the train tracks during this movie... i remember singing this song in like fifth grade or something... i think i sounded about the same... well, i didn't sing it solo or anything... but come on... if anyone deserves the karoake card, it's him right here... that's just... bah... Randy says he broght the hot man vocals... or hot mad vocals... or something like that... Paula says she admires that he kept his eyes open... Simon says whistling would've been better than Jason's song, that he struggled a little bit, but it was the best performance so far...

REALLY? YOU WANT MORE?
to the tune of A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke

So far i'm not really impressed with any of them (surprise), but as of halfway through, Archy and Jason seem to be battling for the boot...

David (Daughtry the 2nd) Cook: singing something from The Who... Baba O'Riley?... i never listened much to The Who... it seemed really short, which isn't a baad thing... i've decided that he sounds like Todd Agnew... slow build and now he's screaming up the end of the tune... whatever... it's alright... Randy says it was really good, the David Cook they like... Paula says she wants a happy meal with a David Cook toy to hug and squeeze and hang from her rear view mirror... Simon says welcome back...

Syesha (a.k.a. Cry-esha): oh no she isn't... she's singing my boy Sam Cooke... Change is Gonna Come... look, if you can't mess with a Bob Marley song, i'm not sure you can mess with Sam... well, this is an entirely new arrangement... and she's belting out the words here and there... that's a strong finish, but i'm not sure that the whole thing was that great... not as much soul to it as the original... Randy says he didn't like the arrangement and you shouldn't mess with Sam... Paula says she did a great thing with her vocals... Cry-esha is still reeling from Randy's harsh comments... Simon takes pity and sides with Paula, noting that Randy got it entirely wrong...

Jason (Castor Oil) Castro: oh gosh... Jason didn't shoot the sheriff, he shot himself in the foot, head and heart... BOB DYLAN???? and we don't know the lyrics... somebody call Wayne Brady up on stage... i don't even know what to say... sort of like Jason... wah wah waaaah wah wah waaaaah.... well, needless to say, it was terrible and he's going to get trashed... he might not get voted off though... Randy just kind of giggles... Paula is smelling her feet... Simon tells him to pack his suitcase...

{Little) David Archuleta: oh... good grief... he really IS trying to beat Jason for the lamest performance... Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley... and he's, well, he's saving himself quite nicely actually... the vocal is pretty solid... why does the dude who can sing really well have to be so annoying?... Randy says he was carressing the lyrics... Paula says he's so sweet... Simon says he CRUSHED all those who oppose...

Well, i'll say that the Davids are safe and Jason will go home despite the possibility of pretending to forget the lyrics for the sake of getting sympathy... Syesha will probably be left on stage with Jason, but should be safe...

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

So, lots of new stuff to peep over on the main page... first up, a Walk TRu of the Jars of Clay Greatest Hits project... part one of my GMA Reflections and Responses... an interview with Poems (formerly Sharlok Poems, Sharlok P, etc from LA Symphony)... and an album review of Salvador's latest, Aware... and there's plenty more to come...

peace... love... bdg...

and it's Tuesday... and that means that i should talk about television... so here's a quick rundown of my comments... Barney? NO, he's the best character... at 31 she DID live there?... "It's not happening if you don't look at it" "Kind of like Poverty?"... okay, i'm out of thoughts... everything is kind of jumbled together right now... anyway... it's time for American Idol...

FIVE ALIVE
to the tune of Cracklin' Rosie - Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond night... TODAY... we comin' to America... i'm sure someone will sing that tonight... Kristy Lee would've definitely done it, but i'd bet on Archy... anyway, here we go...

Jason (Castor Oil) Castro: don't forget the lyrics, dude... off we go... singing Forever in Blue Jeans... with the guitar... and he's doing alright... Simon is entirely disinterested... why is that violinist wearing shades?... why does this sound like a really sleepy tune... that's right, it's the slacker singing it... you think that eye color is fake or what?... i didn't mind it too much... Iron Man looks pretty good... Bret Michaels, not so much...

David (Daughtry the 2nd) Cook: goofing off with Ryan, goosing Neil... man, this guy is just too comfortable... i've never heard a Neal Diamond song sung in monotone before... what's up with that jacket?... is he the DC that completes the AC that's on his jacket and guitar?... is that his mom's gear? is he peddling her line of wares illegally on the show?... he sang I'm Alive and it was alright, i suppose... i thought it was kind of boring myself, but i'm probably alone in that...

Brooke White (The Piano Whisperer): singing I'm a Believer by the Monkees... or, by Neal Diamond... well, she's playing the guitar, but the real band is playing loud enough to drown her out... now, if only they could do something about her vocal... it's not that good... i've totally flipped on her since the beginning of this competition... she's... oh, greay leather pants... no thanks...

{Little) David Archuleta: HA!... he IS gonna sing it... anyway... he's such a dork in Neil's presence... own a piece of Archuleta... no thanks... first son is Sweet Caroline... it seems like he forgot the words there... maybe it was just a dramatic pause... well, this just isn't working for me... he's just too drama queen for this song... and it's too Brady Bunch for me... the crowd goes wild and i go to get something to munch on...

Syesha (a.k.a. Cry-esha): singing Hello Again... she's doing the Kat McPhee sit on the steps routine... and well... i like her voice, i've always thought it was good when she stays in her range... this song is pretty slow and some people may think it's boring... but she's doing a nice job... she just wanted to show off her vocal control probably... i hope the next one is more memorable...

Randy says, Jason: OK, Cook: Solid, Brooke: Karaoke, Archy: DaBOMB, Syesha: in the zone
Paula says: Jason: lower register, David: something about his second song... what? he only sang once? what? oh he's fabulous
Simon (amen) says: forgettable, just above average, nightmare, amateurish, old fashioned

ENCORE, ENCORE?
to the tune of Song Sung Blue - Neil Diamond

Jason (Castor Oil) Castro: singing September Mourn... i think this is the Frank Sinatra version... you know how Frank pretty much just says, "screw your arrangement, I'm singing it Myyyyyy waaaaaay..." this is a really slow version and i'm falling asleep... sorry castro... it's just not cutting it... Randy says, dude, it was just okay, whatever... Paula says it was the same liberty, too safe... Jason says, guh-huh, guh-huh, i was choking.... SImon says no one will remember him or something to that effect...

David (Daughtry the 2nd) Cook: "the rocker's second outing"... with something... the bag of chips was crinkling too loudly for me to hear... i'll tell you one thing though... it's not a rock song... All I Really Need Is You... and now he's trying to rock out like he's Jeremy Camp or something... he's really shouting... and really, he's reminding me that i will not buy any of the season seven albums... seriously... for reals... Randy says... you know what, i'm a huge fan, you rocked the house... Paula is proud of him because he pulled off the lesser known songs... Simon says, to be honest, one was okay, that was brilliant... BAH!

Brooke White (The Piano Whisperer): like totally, that wasn't a nightmare, giggle giggle... singing I Am, I Said with the lyrics on her hand facing the piano keys... silly... i actually like this song... this one fits her pretty well... much better than the apparently debatable nightmare that was her first performance... she's much more comfy behind the piano... Randy says... nice job... Paula says she is vulnerable and everyone loves her... it worked... Simon says he really hated the first one, but this was the one we like...

{Little) David Archuleta: back again with the money, "how can you vote against AMERICA" song... David Archy with his voice cracking and everything... they better hope that he doesn't hit puberty during this competition... i think even the background singers are boring on this one... let freeedom riiiiiiiiiiiiing.... bah, that was a very campy version of the song... blah... Randy says he was in the zone, Paula says he was on point and she loves him... Simon points out the contrived choice of song...

Syesha (a.k.a. Cry-esha): ooh, i could go for some arby's... singing Thank the Lord for the Night time and... aw, Syesha, why'd you take it this direction?... maybe she's going for the Motown, Shirelles type of vibe, but it's coming across as very High School Musical... i think she lost her shoes too... i didn't mind it, but it could've been much better... and that's the one they'll remember... Randy says it could've been on Broadway... Paula fumbles through some random words about magic and theatrics... Simon asks Paula if she liked it or not... then he says she's more of an actress than a singer and she might be in trouble...

Bottom Three: Brooke, Jason, Syesha (going home)

AND THEN...

So, i did some stuff on the old site today... tidied up a few things... redesigned the reviews page, added two reviews... (After Edmund and Leeland), added in a bit under the AbouTRu section and added a way to sign up for a newsletter that i'll explain more about later... more coming soon...

peace... love... bdg...

So, it's the eleventh hour in one sense... it's about eleven o'clock and i'm finally popping on the DVR to sit back and watch American Idol... just got finished watching In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale and i'll probably talk about that at some point, but i think tonight, i'll just be dropping my AI commentary and heading off to bed... so much to do and not that much time left before i head down to Nash Vegas... i started working on an interview today, too, but i'm only about halfway done... and away we go...

SEVEN AT ELEVEN
to the tune of Shout to the Lord - The American Idol Contestants

oh boy... it's Mariah night... the biggest challenge is going to be for the guys to translate the dog-pitches into audible tones and for the girls to step out of the shadow of the big voice...

{Little) David Archuleta: singing When You Believe... the little boy who didn't think he could do it... he does have a good voice and all and he can hit some higher notes so, it may work out well... but goodness... don't wear leather pants! haven't you ever watched Friends? okay, it's a pretty boring song and there's actually quite a bit of bad note-age going on here... i'm sure he's safe, but i didn't really like it... Randy says he was worried about it, but it was the BOMB baby... Paula says that it was great and he made Mimi proud... Simon says it was great...

Carly (Harley) Smithson: Carly says that "MJ" is missed because he's like the only one who had a personality... or something... Mariah has a pink band-aid on her right hand... and Carly is singing Without You and i guess we're going to be waiting most of the performance for a big hairy finale note where she tries to soar and ends up scaring the back row back awake... i guess i've turned on Carly, but it just feels so plastic... Randy says it was good to challenge herself, but she was almost loosey-goosey... Paula says she liked the "soaring"... Simon says that he really wanted to hear it... and he doesn't think she pulled it off...

Syesha (a.k.a. Cry-esha): okay, i just got some cookies during the commercial and, ugh, that milk's no good... cookies and ice water it is... Syesha is singing Vanishing and she's really not on her game tonight... the vocal seemed to be all over the place and i think she's definitely in danger here... Randy says that it was probably the toughest vocal of the night and she did a good job, all things considered... Paula says she's smart for picking a lesser known song and tonight was magical, baby... Simon says that technically it was very good, but why choose a song that no one knows...

Brooke White (The Piano Whisperer): i saw that there were two girls coming up next, but i think one of them might have been Jason... next up is Brooke and i'm starting to realize that Mariah can't stand by herself... she's always leaning on that piano... Brooke will be singing Hero... what on earth will Kristy Lee sing now?... oh... she's back behind the piano again, and has probably never even seen the music for this piece... the chorus is rushed... and i'm not sure that i like the arrangement... it's starting to spin out of control... almost like she's mashed in some other pop track... what song would that be... it's on the tip of my tongue... now she's geting ready to mouth off to the judges... Randy says that he liked the singer-songwriter vibe to it, but it fell apart at the bridge... Paula says she's authentic and brave... kind of like a hero, maybe... Simon says she didn't have much choice, but... WHERE'S THE BEEF?... Brooke is confused... Paula tries to set her up with Ryan... we're going to com... oh... Kristy Lee...

Kristy (Leave) Cook: so, it was two girls... is Mariah drunk?... i'm starting to hope that she falls over in one of the sessions... anyway, singing Forever and thus far not giving me any goosebumps... she's giving it a little bit of a country twist and she's had some rough moments, but she tied it all together at the end i think... at least she dressed up for this one... Randy says it started slow, but she stepped up at the end... Paula says that Kristy is smart for stepping it up each week and rambles more... Simon says... "You didn't give me chills"... (stole my line)... but it was fine...

David (Daughtry the 2nd) Cook: David brings a guitar to the session, 'cause he's so hardcore... he's gonna sing Always Be My Baby... and he's got no guitar for the performance... he's gotta concentrate on this Creed-like vocal and the half-asleep presence on stage... he looks pretty smug again and his vein is popping out and that last note was pretty dreary... they're gonna love it bet... Randy says he's ready to make an album already and it was the most brilliant performance of the season... (that's what they said about Daughtry...)... Paula says he's "it" and that song should be on a movie soundtrack... Simon says it was a breath of fresh air after being in Karaoke Hell... David says to himself "Of course it was" before realizing that he can't look arrogant two weeks in a row...

Jason (Castor Oil) Castro: i hope he sings Glitter... was that a song, or just a movie?... i don't know... actually Kristy Lee should've sung that with one of her shimmer tops... anyway, he's singing I Don't Want to Cry which is appropriate because David DID cry... this is a really smart performance... he's turned it into a nice little singer-songwriter jam... and even though he's totally pushing the limits on his falsetto, he's worked it out pretty well... Randy says he didn't love it and that it was like a weird beach luah... Paula says it was great and she'd be the Annette Funicello to his Frankie Avalon anyday... okay, that's an old-timer reference... Simon says he liked it...

Bottom Three: geesh... how about Carly, Brooke, and Syesha... with Carly going home...

peace... love... bdg...

well, i'll be... it's Thursday... i was all set to do a Wednesday post which according to this new schedule which i'm not sticking to very well would mean that i talk about stuff that i've found and enjoyed on the web... well, not today... today is Thursday and if any one knows who snuck in last night and stole my Wednesday, i'd appreciate the opportunity to give them a beat down, film it and become famous by posting it on You Tube... scratch that, people get arrested for acually trying that... yes i think to myself... what a wonderful world... excuse me while i escape reality for a bit and tune in to Andrew Lloyd Webber's Definitive Hits...

SHOUT TO WHICH LORD?
to the tune of Shout to the Lord - The American Idol Contestants

So, i watched the Idol Gives Back thing last night... kind of... we watched what the DVR caught with much fast forwarding... i'm not much for award shows or telethons and i tend to pick and choose which performances to watch and such... i was also really looking forward to the grand finale, which i had gotten a brief press release about yesterday, a few hours before the airing... befuddled as i was, i knew that the contestants would be singing Shout to the Lord, the popular worship song, to close the show...

I couldn't for the life of me understand why they were going to sing it - it still seems like quite a random selection - but i was curious as to how it would turn out... and then my DVR did me in... the show ended for me with a video of African children getting moosquito nets to the soundtrack of Daughtry's What About Now... once again, the network had overrun it's time slot and left me hanging with no closure to the show... fortunately for me and all my TIVO and DVR buddies across the globe, it's available (for now) on YouTube and, for now, right here...

now here's where it gets a little hairy... (that's such an odd phrase)... anyway, i know that i'm supposed to be outraged by this performance as so many other "good Christians" currently are... the biggest buzz about this performance today seems to be wholly focused on the first four words of the song... well, really, just the second... the producers chose to substitute "My Jesus" with "My Shepherd" for the on-air performance... CENSORSHIP!!!!! certainly... but i'm going to be honest for a second... i've probably sung or heard that song about a thousand times and i had NO IDEA that "Jesus" was even in the lyrics... i mean, i know the lyrics, but when someone told me that they had taken "Jesus" out of the lyrics, i couldn't remember where exactly it was in the lyrics... however, it's still quite clear as to whom the song is referring...

So, my feathers weren't entirely ruffled by that, and maybe that makes me a bad person to some extent, but, just as i didn't get my dander up about Veggietales coming to NBC with the agreement to take out "God made you special and He loves you very much," i don't really see why i should get all hot and bothered by this... for those of you who did get upset or are still currently upset, DUDE, they just had a little church service on the HIGHEST RATED SHOW OF THE YEAR, reaching 17-18 MILLION viewers...

this should ease the tension a little bit as well.. i went ahead and bought the single from iTunes since i had a credit still and it's for a good cause and all... and i'm going to strongly recommend the single... it's, as they say, a HOT one... it's just under 5 minutes in length, a studio version and, yes kids, there IS a Jesus on this version... it's unedited and spectacular... possibly the best version of the song i've heard... so that's that...

WORD OF THE DAY

Ephesians 2:1-9

Introducing Grace...

I'm jumping back over to Ephesians because it's been a while and because i can... i feel like i've been ignoring it for too long and it seems like the comparisons that were so clear to me before are fading slightly because i haven't gotten through the first chapter here... so onward we go...

the first three verses here really kick you in the gut... here's the gist... you were dead... you are sinful... you were just like the rest of the world... you were following the devil... you were a son of disobedience... you lived according to the passions of your flesh... you were marked by your wrath... just like the rest of the world... (ouch)...

BUT... that's right... BUT GOD... this is one of those very powerful "But God" moments... Biut God, who is rich in mercy, who loves us with the an unbelievable amount of love... reached down to us, picked us out of the gutter... lifted us out of the grave.... and sat us down next to Him... in Heavenly places... and through Jesus he's saved us... by this thing called grace... and He has plans to show off the "immeasurable riches of His grace" through the kindness he shows us... It's this grace that's saved us... it's this grace by which our faith seems mortared to our salvation... we can't really fathom it and that should remind us that we didn't have anything to do with it... "so that no one may boast"... amen...

IN OTHER WORDS
to the tune of I Fear There's a Hole in My Brain - PlayRadioPlay

When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box by John Ortberg...

How to Play...

So this section covers five chapters that talk about some of the rules of gameplay... Play by the Rules deals pretty intensely with issues of integrity and some common misconceptions about integrity including a bit about sin avoidance and how that's not the full extent of integrity... the next chapter talks about priorities and what activities and such should fill our lives... followed by a chapter about taking risks and really laying things out on the line, including an interesting step-by-step guide of being called by God...

following that is probably my favorite chapter of the section... and not just because of the Lou Gehrig reference, but that helped... anyway, the chapter is about grattitude and how important it is to live our lives with a sense of grattitude... towards God and towards others... and the last chapter talks about finding your mission in life and it includes a quote from Fredrick Buechner: The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet... that's a lot to think about

Next section: HAZARDS...

OUT

and with that, i'm heading out for the day... i wish i had some links to give you, but i've been slack in my writing lately... i have been working on some behind-the-scenes improvements to the site, but i know that i need to get some stuff written... soon... soon... 'til then...

peace... love... bdg...

i used to start off most of my entries with... "it's been a while..." or something to that extent... back then, i barely blogged more than once a week... i remember it clearly... i was always so caught up in between the pressure of writing something that was worth reading, something well written and writing something that was just something... a visceral expression of what was going on in my head, whether good, bad, or completely random...

i craved comments... those comments were like pats on the back for a job well blogged... and i remember being utterly frustrated and confused as to how i could pour my heart out and get nothing in response, but a foolish expression of how i wanted to throw someone throw the window for being annoying would earn me endless feedback...

i'm not sure why i'm reminiscing so much... perhaps because i've been away from the blog routine for about a week... perhaps because i'm doing that thing again where i sit around and wonder why i blog at all... why i write at all... how i should be spending my time... perhaps it's because i'm sitting here feeling like i'm half asleep... maybe two-thirds, actually... and i'm staring at the screen... and i'm rambling... and... i'm moving on...

WEEKEND OF MADNESS
to the tune of Stop and Stare - OneRepublic

i didn't watch any of the three college baskeball games this weekend... my Saturday was spent driving up to Staten Island to celebrate the marriage of my college roommate... we got to try out the GPS on Ka-BLUE-ey and the littles always love getting to watch television on the tiny screens when we drive for a while... we made good time, avoided getting any speeding tickets and had a great time catching up with friends and meeting some new additions to the group...

apparently Saturday's games weren't much to watch, anyway, but last night was pretty suspensful... congrats to Kansas, now good luck keeping your coach... I was hoping to watch the replay of the game online, but it seems like the videos are all down... well, i did watch the highlights, but that only tells so much of the story...

THE RIGHT STUFF
to the tune of Hangin' Tough - New Kids on the Block

in keeping with the retro is in theme of the day... the New Kids on the Block are apparently reuniting for a tour and possibly more... they made the official announcement this week on the Today Show which probably reaches their target market of 25-35 year old women... anyway, man, i remember these guys from back in the day... i did actually dance along with their choreography on occasion... i'm not ashamed to say that... i was young...

i think it was last week that i said boy bands were out... this tour, if nothing else, will probably be the cement boots to officially sink the trend...

THE GREAT EIGHT
to the tune of Dream On - Aerosmith

Michael Johns (JacobsJingle...): so it's inspirational week... lots of sad songs this week probably... Michael starts off with a doozie... Aerosmith's Dream On... one of my favorite songs of all time... and he'll probably do really well with it since he can handle Queen... oh that falsetto at the end was a bit scary, but overall, it was pretty much on point... Randy says it was pitchy and he's not Steven Tyler... Paula says it was perfect and her dogs probably want to be with him... Simon says he shouldn't impersonate Steven Tyler... i agree with that...

Sayesha (a.k.a. Cry-esha): you should know that i'm eating ice cream during this show, so my comments may be a bit sparse... ugh... the kiss of death... a former AI song... and Fantasia no less... however, she did survive a few Whitney songs... maybe... just maybe... if nothing else... this is WAY more bearable than if Fantasia was sneering it, i mean, singing it... it's actually - oh that's flat - it's actually not too bad a very boring song though... someone is going to say that it wasn't memorable... ooooow.... Paula's dogs are probably going crazy now... Randy says it was another tiger and she didn't connect with it, but it was okay... Paula says it was one of her most shining nights... Simon says, to be fair, she sang it fairly well, but it lacked emotion...

Jason (Castor Oil) Castro: and now we're dreaming with Jason... he's singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow accompanying himself on the ukulele... it looks like the crowd is shrouded in rainbow lighting... i actually liked that falsetto... and this version further perpetuates his identity as a decent singer/songwriter style performer... i dug it... Randy says it was a hot one... Paula calls the ukulele a guitar and says that it was great... Simon says it was fantastic...

Kristy (Leave) Cook: oh, Yanks vs. SAWX later this week... can't go wrong there... i missed the title of the song... see if i can figure it out... she must have a thousand sequined shirts... okay, i think this is Martina McBride's Anyway.... and so, anyway... she's gonna be the next Kellie Pickler... she's got a great country sound... no rhythm, but it worked really well... Randy says it was a little pitchy, but really good... Paula says she outdid herself today... Simon says she was very, very good indeed... i think she'll be out of the bottom three tonight...

to the tune of The Show Must Go On - Queen

David (Daughtry the 2nd) Cook: he kind of looks like Donnie Walberg, actually... singing Innocent by Our Lady Peace... oh that's just an absolutely terrible beginning... hopefully, he doesn't make his heart go crazy tonight... yeah, i don't like the outfit... his voice kind of came into the right range eventually, but the finale with the writing on the hand was cheesy... Randy says he didn't like it that much... Paula says he's the whole package... Simon says it was pompous and not nearly as good as the last few weeks... he also said that they're hoping for something you'll remember in 2-3 days... 2-3 days? that's lowering the bar, isn't it...

Carly (Harley) Smithson: ooh baby... another hit... The Show Must Go On by Queen... i wonder if she had to arm wrestle Michael for the rights to sing this one... she hasn't really fixed her look, has she?... continuing with the tank tops... and i'm sorry, but the vocals just don't have the punch that they should... it's just there, it's not really powerful... it just is... Randy says that it started out good, got pitchy and was just okay... Paula says there wasn't a connection... Simon says that she looks good, but she oversang it...

{Little) David Archuleta: i'm guessing Whitney's Greatest Love of All... are you with me?... let's see... it's called Angels and it's, um, Robbie Williams?... he's at the piano and the vocal is alright... i don't really like the song, personally, but he did a good job... nice moment there... okay, now he looks like a robot standing up there on stage... Randy says that it was the David that they love, Paula says he's just plain awesome and Simon nit picks but says it was great...

Brooke White (The Piano Whisperer): they're running out of time and i bet they put her at the end so she can't talk forever with the judges... You've Got a Friend, by Carol King... no guitar... kind of weird lighting... she's slowed it down a bit and it's kind of a nice ballad... though, it's bordering on boring... that's a huge ring on that finger... is it flowers?... yeah... it's a good to great vocal, but it wore on me because it was such a dull arrangement... Randy says he liked it, but it wasn't her best... Paula says she grew up to that song... what does THAT mean?... Paula says she loves her... Brooke says "I love you, too"... Simon says it was pleasant but unoriginal...

and now we have to pick the bottom three... i must say that it's pretty tough... but i'm closing my eyes and shooting... number three: Michael Johns... number two: Carly Smithson... number one (the boot pick): Sayesha... in reality though, i'd guess that no one goes home this week because it's Idol Gives Back week...

more fun stuff tomorrow...

peace... love... bdg...

And we're back... today is a television day and that means American Idol and few other nuggets... on the writing front, i was utterly unproductive for the day which is a bit disheartening, but such is life... i am ridiculously hot though... sweating all day in my office and now, in my own home... i feel somewhat betrayed by the weather... it's like a cosmic April Fool's Prank... right... today's April Fool's Day... fun...

Anyway, on with the show...

NINE (TO FIVE?)
to the tune of 9 to 5 - Dolly Parton

So, Dolly Parton really IS the theme this week... it wasn't an elaborate prank... should be interesting... kind of unfair to the guys, but we'll see how it plays out...

Brooke White (The Piano Whisperer): leading things off this week is Brooke, who immediately seems more centered and focused behind her guitar... she's singing Jolene and it's a pretty basic, but nice rendition... nice vocal and that's all i have time to say... Randy says it wasn't stellar, but it was alright... she says thank you... Paula says she is who she is and she's emotional and she's Brooke White... then they exchange pleasantries about each other's hair... Simon says it lacked emotion and she says, "really?"... Simon says the violin wasn't that great, she says that he was... Simon says that it was just alright.... he should've said that she talks way too much...

David (Daughtry the 2nd) Cook: yeah, he should do real well with a Dolly Parton song... he's singing Little Sparrow and it's his own arrangement apparently... google let him down this week... Dolly says he's confident and the song's not too bad so far, but i'm not sold on his falsetto... it's alright... i guess the best part is that he'd never make and album with this kind of song on it... Randy says he liked the falsetto and that it was hot... Paula says she likes his haircut and she's talking like a redneck for some reason... she also says that he's well-rounded... Simon says it wasn't as good as last week, but songs about sparrow are pretty much worthless...

Ramiele (ratatouille): America, get your barf bags ready, it's gonna be a bumpy ride... i didn't hear what song it was that she chose, but it sounds like a gospelly tune... oh, Do I Ever Cross Your Mind... i'm going to say this much, kids, Sanjaya actually IS a girl this year... she's way out of her league here... at least she didn't look like she had a peg leg this week... Randy says he wasn't jumping or mad, but it was about 6.5 out of 10... Paula says she's proud.... Simon brings the hammer of truth, reminding us that it's nothing worth remembering and he playedt the cruise ship card...

to the tune of Islands in the Stream - Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers

Jason (Castor Oil) Castro: well, kids, the bottom line here is that Jason may not have the talent to be a star, but he's got the looks to have his own stalker fan base... word... okay... he's got his guitar and he's not doing all that badly... he's not skulking around the stage making eyes at everyone and the mosh pit gals are in check... singing Travelin' Thru and i think he's travelin thru to the next round... Randy says that it started slow, but worked out well... Paula says he is strong and rich and confident... and Simon says that he didn't like it at all...

Carly (Harley) Smithson: Dolly said that Carly killed the song... aw... poor song... what song? Here You Come Again... and it's a ballad that's tender and she really is killing it... she's got a great texture to her voice that makes the song interesting... ending on a big note, (again), but it's a very nice job... Randy says... nice job, probably the best of the night... Paula gushes like a fanboy... Paula and Randy argue about last week... Simon says it was good, not great and she needs a new fashion coordinator... which makes everyone jump on Simon because he always wears a tee shirt and jeans...

{Little) David Archuleta: i think that Dolly was making faces at him to see if his eyes were really shut... singing Smokey Mountain Memories... i tend to go back and forth on this kid, but he does have a great tone to his voice and thehe's got the mosh pit swaying for him... he just strikes me as a boy band kid who's finally old enough to be in a boy band but realizes that pop-punk rockers are the new boy bands... Randy says it was hot... Paula says it was great or something... Simon says it was on the money...

to the tune of Jesus & Gravity - Dolly Parton

Kristy (Leave) Cook: they try to out-compliment each other... that was what they call a hard ending... "that's hopefully what i did (silence)"... okay... Coat of Many Colors... and yeah... an actual country song... this is her wheelhouse... this is what she should be singing... and she's doing great... oh... she forgot her shoes... and she's not wearing a coat... shouldn't you wear a coat if you're singing a song about a coat?.... oh, that ending was a little wild - she doesn't do endings well... Randy rips his comments out of my text and says wheelhouse two or three times... Paula says it was her best... Simon says, pleasant, but forgettable... Ryan points out how nice her toenails are... what?

Sayesha (a.k.a. Cry-esha): oh GOSH... this is a Dolly song?... crud... oh well... Sayesha probably has the pipes for it... I Will Always Love You a la Dolly via Whitney... she's sitting on the piano and goodness... she's made it even slower.... and then she's rushed the chorus... aw... i really like her voice, but her tempo is kind of odd... that's what happens when you chop a song down and now for the big finale and, survey says, no, she doesn't really have the pipes for it... sorry... Randy says it was a big tiger and it was alright... Paula says yellow equals pretty and her voice is velvety... Simon says it was good, but not fantastic... hello? it's the bottom three calling, you're in...

Michael Johns (JacobsJingle...): Dolly wants him to be a star so she can write for him... this is, um, It's All Wrong, But It's All Right... i'm not sure what he's going for... i guess some sort of sexy, soulful, lounge singer... i don't know that he quite got there... maybe he's trying for a Jeff Buckley type vibe... and actually, i can see that... Randy says that he took it up a notch... Paula says he IS a star and... my recording cut off... but it's okay, he's probably safe...

and so we're left with this... seems like every week, i have to look at the three performances that i didn't like the most and then pick the ones that are slightly better, but were from a less popular performer... so, the bottom three should be... Jason, Ramielle, and Sayesha... i'd like to think that Ramiele will go, because she should, but i think it's bye bye to the cry cry...

WHAT'S HAPPENING?
to the tune of Theme from ESPN Sportcenter - Bobby Mortganstein

So, despite the writer's strike being over, the weekly television lineup still seems kind of slow... not too much to tune into each night... as such, i've worked through some DVD sets that i've got and that i've rented from, you guessesd it, Netflix... of course, THE OFFICE was involved, but i also just worked through the entire series of SPORTS NIGHT...

Brilliant show, fast-paced diologue, compelling topics and only a half hour per episode which surprises me every time i watch it... anyway, this six-disc set is apparently hard to come by, but i think it's worth it... bear in mind, i like sports, i like writing, and i like banter so i'm kind of pre-conditioned to liking this show...

HAPPY HAPPY DAY...
to the tune of Presents - Randy Newman

well, some sites out there will tell you that my birthday is today... it's not, but it is around the corner and with that in mind, here's a list of some TV Shows that i'd be more than happy to accept as presents...

- Get Smart (Complete Series)
-Columbo (Seasons 3, 4, 5, and 6-7)
-How I Met Your Mother (Seasons 1 & 2)
-Seinfeld (Complete Series)
-Everybody Loves Raymond (Complete Series)
-Studio 60 (Complete Series)
-The West Wing (Complete Series)
-Joey (Season 2)
-I-Spy (Complete Series)
-Prison Break (Season 2 & 3)
-Heroes

there's actually more, but i'm feeling a little greedy right now... good night and good luck...

peace... love... bdg...

i'm back and i'm without bandaid today, which will hopefully allow me to keep up with the live blogging of tonight's top ten performances of American Idol... i'm running behind now and they're already introducing Remy, so off we go...

AND THEN THERE WERE TEN
to the tune of Alone - Heart

Ramiele (ratatouille): you're darn right you're lucky to have made it this far... singing Alone by Heart... i think someone sings this every year... Carrie did it, right?... well, she's starting off pretty well, but it's a safe beginning... here comes the tough part... and... oh... she's flat... and she's not as good as her background singers... and she's not moving at all... why would you just stand there... oh well... Randy says that it was too big for her... Paula says that she's brave for singing sick... Paula sounds sick actually.... Simon says it wasn't so bad...

Jason (Castor Oil) Castro: oh, it's songs from the year of their birth... and slow jason talks about how cute his eyes have always been... he's singing Fragile by Sting and playing guitar... i guess that means he won't be slithering across the stage during the song... i bet he makes eyes at everyone again though... go Jason, it's your birthday... whatever... he's not terrible... his vocal is actually pretty good, not spectacular, but pretty decent... solid performance i'd say... extremely safe, but solid... and Randy says it was alright... Paula says he's true to himself and he played it safe... Simon says he needs to take this competition seriously and stop trying to get free subway fare... the ladies shriek...

Sayesha (a.k.a. Cry-esha): she did the baby cry again... she seems like a fun person... these intros seem like a waste of time... she's singing If I Was Your Woman by... Gladys Knight? she can't be that old, can she?... someone must've covered it... anyway... she's belting out some nice notes here and her presence on stace, though not captivating is alright, because her voice keeps her there... solid, solid chorus there... i actually have to say that i loved it... R