Let's see.
As of Thursday, April 26...
Scott's gone.
Aubrey's gone.
Phil's gone, and
None of the top 6 are gone.
My son, Scott, has gone to a tournament in Maryland. He'll be back Sunday.
My friend, Aubrey, is gone, heading for Seattle to try out a career in marriage.
Phil left last Friday - tried to kill himself.
Jordin, Melinda, Lakisha, Phil, Chris and Blake are still around, but two will be gone next week.
Every time Scott goes to one of these tournaments, he comes back with a trophy, and they don't hand out "participation awards" at these tournaments. So I expect he will come back with another this year, perhaps the top spot. Go Scott!
I worked with Aubrey for a couple years. His workstation was next to mine, but at a perpendicular angle, so I mostly looked at his back. We work in an advertising office - he did web, I do print. He's the one who got me to start a blog, and I guess I owe him one for it. I haven't decided yet if that "one" is a favor or revenge. :-) Congrats Aubs; best of luck and wishes to you.
I also worked with Phil for a few years - different department though. He went to a Walmart with loaded guns and proceeded to clear the store, so to speak. He shot no one. He didn't steal merchandise. In all appearances, he looked as if he wanted to commit suicide by shootout. Apparently, his wife phoned him at work and told him she was leaving him. About six hours later he was in the empty store with the police talking him down. I don't know what to think of Phil. I can understand the emotional duress behind his action, but when I consider what I would say if I saw him today, the only thing I can think of is: "Are you freakin' stupid??!"
I have read reader's comments to articles about the standoff, and many of them are so typical to the political "debate" which is really no debate at all. "If guns were banned, this wouldn't happen", "Why aren't current laws enforced to keep this from happening?" and so on. There is a lot of anger towards Phil in the posts. Not surprising and well merited. I have fought the temptation to post a comment myself because what I would say would assuage no one. I'll say it here though, "Phil is a decent guy, really he is. He reacted strongly to his wife leaving him and did a dumb thing. He hurt no one, just caused some fear. He actually told people to get out of the store. He took no hostages; he was just doing what he told police he was going to do: "scare some people." This doesn't excuse Phil from his behavior, and he should pay the price. But he's really an OK chap."
I can hear the incredulity already.
If Phil is a real man, he won't claim temporary insanity at his trial.
So American Idol gave back Wednesday night.
$30+ million dollars raised, AND it gave back the top 6 as well. My friend, Micah, told me before the show that he thought no one would be voted off because it was charity night. Guess he was right.
I have to say that for a mainstream show, it was pretty well put together. The production strategy was two-fold: elicit excitement and tears. I think they did both pretty well... maybe even to the point of being overdone. But hey, they only had two hours for this particular telethon. The most prominent thought that hit me last night while watching it was how wonderfully manipulative it was.
Unfortunately, I am too cynical to believe that the entire amount will be used for its described purposes. Maybe only 25%?? 50%?? Don't know. There are some good charities out there who only scalp off a small percentage for administrative costs. They are the ones I prefer to support.
I predict it will become standard yearly fare for the show. jmho.
Last word:
Sanjaya: how can we miss you if you won't go away?
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
No Idol
No Idol thoughts today.
We had our first Little League game last night, It was the Rangers against the Cardinals. My youngest son is on the Rangers. My oldest son was on the Cardinals for the last two years (this year he moves up to the next level). So it seemed a little strange to be opposing the team I rooted for over two seasons.
However, as a coach of the Rangers this year, it would be unseemly to do that. Of course, last year we were rooting against the team that my youngest is currently on; that makes it doubly odd. lol.
It's all fun, and certainly nice to see the regulars out again. The kids grow so fast between seasons. It requires double and triple takes to realize that the big kid with the deep voice playing first this year was the much smaller kid with the high voice playing it last year.
Anyhow, the Rangers won the game. By the fifth inning they were down 4-2 but scored 5 points in the 6th and held the other team scoreless. My son got 2 hits in 3 at bats. Both my kids see the ball well, and are able to make contact regularly.
So that was my night. Little League. Half of Idol and fall asleep on the couch during House. Hope your evening was as fun filled.
We had our first Little League game last night, It was the Rangers against the Cardinals. My youngest son is on the Rangers. My oldest son was on the Cardinals for the last two years (this year he moves up to the next level). So it seemed a little strange to be opposing the team I rooted for over two seasons.
However, as a coach of the Rangers this year, it would be unseemly to do that. Of course, last year we were rooting against the team that my youngest is currently on; that makes it doubly odd. lol.
It's all fun, and certainly nice to see the regulars out again. The kids grow so fast between seasons. It requires double and triple takes to realize that the big kid with the deep voice playing first this year was the much smaller kid with the high voice playing it last year.
Anyhow, the Rangers won the game. By the fifth inning they were down 4-2 but scored 5 points in the 6th and held the other team scoreless. My son got 2 hits in 3 at bats. Both my kids see the ball well, and are able to make contact regularly.
So that was my night. Little League. Half of Idol and fall asleep on the couch during House. Hope your evening was as fun filled.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Seeya San-man, from a bored America
I saw a commercial for a sleeping pill the other day. In its disclaimer it said, "side effects include drowsiness...." If that's a side effect, what's the main effect?
Sanjaya Malakar was the target of much scrutiny, concern, outright denegration, chat, analysis, speculation, adoration.... it's a long list, for the past several weeks. So be it.
Pundits and people alike couldn't figure out his attraction, his stamina on a show where far better singers had already been unceremoniously dumped. Sabrina Sloan, Chris Sligh, Stephanie Edwards, et al, come to mind. (note: I actually had to go look up Stephanie's name as I couldn't remember it. Probably won't have to do that with the San-man.)
I read articles, or maybe it was blogs, that stated he would bring down the pop music industry single-handedly, as if that's possible. People seemed frantic for an answer as to why he was still performing. Eventually a certain acceptance started filtering in to the articles. Some even speculated that he might actually win the competition, and perhaps it was a good thing.
It all really became quite amusing in its way. Even more so than Sanjaya's recent do.
As a culture, we are bored with our lives. What else could explain the obsession with something so mundane as whether or not a teenage boy will win a singing competition and get a record contract? After all, it's not as if anyone has to buy his records. Or even watch the show for that matter.
We are bored, and this has led to 24-hour news shows. News has become a drug, maybe even addicting in its way. Where else to find the adrenalin rush in the normal 9 to 5 tedium?
We are bored. There's no other way to explain the Sanjaya phenomenon.
Best to ya, San-man. Milk the boredom for all its worth. Your spotlight just ended. Maybe you'll find another, but I suspect it won't be as intense.
Sanjaya Malakar was the target of much scrutiny, concern, outright denegration, chat, analysis, speculation, adoration.... it's a long list, for the past several weeks. So be it.
Pundits and people alike couldn't figure out his attraction, his stamina on a show where far better singers had already been unceremoniously dumped. Sabrina Sloan, Chris Sligh, Stephanie Edwards, et al, come to mind. (note: I actually had to go look up Stephanie's name as I couldn't remember it. Probably won't have to do that with the San-man.)
I read articles, or maybe it was blogs, that stated he would bring down the pop music industry single-handedly, as if that's possible. People seemed frantic for an answer as to why he was still performing. Eventually a certain acceptance started filtering in to the articles. Some even speculated that he might actually win the competition, and perhaps it was a good thing.
It all really became quite amusing in its way. Even more so than Sanjaya's recent do.
As a culture, we are bored with our lives. What else could explain the obsession with something so mundane as whether or not a teenage boy will win a singing competition and get a record contract? After all, it's not as if anyone has to buy his records. Or even watch the show for that matter.
We are bored, and this has led to 24-hour news shows. News has become a drug, maybe even addicting in its way. Where else to find the adrenalin rush in the normal 9 to 5 tedium?
We are bored. There's no other way to explain the Sanjaya phenomenon.
Best to ya, San-man. Milk the boredom for all its worth. Your spotlight just ended. Maybe you'll find another, but I suspect it won't be as intense.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
The Weakly Weekly
Thought about not watchng Idol (again) this evening. I was fairly busy on my computer downstairs when it came on, but I made the trip to the TV after all.
I arrived for the last third of Phil's performance. What I saw and heard seemed fairly strong, and I'm thinking that he should have been doing something like this during the whole competition. If he had stayed upbeat with all his song choices, I think maybe he wouldn't have spent so much time in the bottom three.
Chris' piece was a train wreck in my opinion. He has kind of a mousy voice anyway, and it was fairly nasal in spots. In the chorus, he broke free of that sound, but it wasn't enough to save the song. I have to say that it was an utterly boring performance, and I was just waiting for it to be done.
Sanjaya has come back down to earth this week. The hair thing notwithstanding, he gets very pitchy during his runs. And what's up with the runs anyway? I can't imagine Bonnie Raitt doing that with her own music. I think they tend to be overdone and unnecessary most of the time. It wasn't the San-man's most terrible performance, but no way was it good either. I think he peaked with Latino week.
Lakisha. I think her star is falling. I don't know what it is, but where others have grown stronger through the weeks, she seems to be faltering somewhat. She was a tad on the boring side this week. I predict that she will be the surprise elimination maybe not this week, but within the next 3-4.
Blake's performance seemed a bit pitchy in places, actually kind of jarringly so. I tried to get into his song, and I think I could with someone else singing it, but Blake left me flat on it. That wasn't a winning performance from him, everyone can have an off week. But with the fewer numbers of contestants, tt's growing more imperative that everyone brings the A side each week. This was definitely Blakes B side.
Melinda. During the session with Martina I kept thinking that here's another Melinda jazz Broadway type performance. So I was pleasantly surprised with the end result. She phrases very well, hardly misses a note and has the ability weave a story every time she's on stage.
Jordin, Jordin Jordin. Though she went second I saved the best for last. It was an incredible performance. When she has the ability to reach through the TV screen and stir something deep inside the viewer that says it all. Her singing, her facial expressions and gestures, I am still in awe. I also like her look for this week as well. She could have wardrobed silly with the country genre, but she went high class, and she was absolutely drop dead gorgeous.. Kudos, girl!!
Who to go? Hard to say. If it was based on performance alone, I'd say this week's bottom three will be Blake, Chris and Sanjaya with Sanjaya getting the pink slip. But Phil has been in the bottom three for too long that it will be difficult to overcome the inertia.
I arrived for the last third of Phil's performance. What I saw and heard seemed fairly strong, and I'm thinking that he should have been doing something like this during the whole competition. If he had stayed upbeat with all his song choices, I think maybe he wouldn't have spent so much time in the bottom three.
Chris' piece was a train wreck in my opinion. He has kind of a mousy voice anyway, and it was fairly nasal in spots. In the chorus, he broke free of that sound, but it wasn't enough to save the song. I have to say that it was an utterly boring performance, and I was just waiting for it to be done.
Sanjaya has come back down to earth this week. The hair thing notwithstanding, he gets very pitchy during his runs. And what's up with the runs anyway? I can't imagine Bonnie Raitt doing that with her own music. I think they tend to be overdone and unnecessary most of the time. It wasn't the San-man's most terrible performance, but no way was it good either. I think he peaked with Latino week.
Lakisha. I think her star is falling. I don't know what it is, but where others have grown stronger through the weeks, she seems to be faltering somewhat. She was a tad on the boring side this week. I predict that she will be the surprise elimination maybe not this week, but within the next 3-4.
Blake's performance seemed a bit pitchy in places, actually kind of jarringly so. I tried to get into his song, and I think I could with someone else singing it, but Blake left me flat on it. That wasn't a winning performance from him, everyone can have an off week. But with the fewer numbers of contestants, tt's growing more imperative that everyone brings the A side each week. This was definitely Blakes B side.
Melinda. During the session with Martina I kept thinking that here's another Melinda jazz Broadway type performance. So I was pleasantly surprised with the end result. She phrases very well, hardly misses a note and has the ability weave a story every time she's on stage.
Jordin, Jordin Jordin. Though she went second I saved the best for last. It was an incredible performance. When she has the ability to reach through the TV screen and stir something deep inside the viewer that says it all. Her singing, her facial expressions and gestures, I am still in awe. I also like her look for this week as well. She could have wardrobed silly with the country genre, but she went high class, and she was absolutely drop dead gorgeous.. Kudos, girl!!
Who to go? Hard to say. If it was based on performance alone, I'd say this week's bottom three will be Blake, Chris and Sanjaya with Sanjaya getting the pink slip. But Phil has been in the bottom three for too long that it will be difficult to overcome the inertia.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Idol Recapitulation
This is only my 2nd year watching American Idol. Late to the game, it's always the same. I jump in during the middle of a run, often in the middle of the season.
Having said that, there seems to be an inordinate amount of waterworks going on this year, though all I have is last year to which to compare it. I know television loves its crying games, but these warbling contestants have had way more than their 15 minutes of fame. Imagine yourself being talked about in office buildings across the land every Wednesday and Thursday morning. They say fame is fleeting, and after May who will really get that kind of buzz any more?
None of them.
Even if they go on tour, sell millions of records (it's not like I own any records, but it's still tough saying millions of CDs), ride the American Top 40 for weeks and all that hoopla, they won't get the kind of attention they did on American Idol.
I try to put myself into their shoes during the competition, and all I can come up with is, gee it would be nice to go home. I gotta give Chris Sligh kudos for echoing that thought when he was ousted.
Parties have to end some time.
Anywho.... who the heck is Michael Buble? And did he ever wear long gold chains, an open collar white shirt and have a steady gig at the Holiday Inn lounge out on the interstate? Seriously, this guy really stunk, in my opinion. He has a record, excuse me, CD, coming out. Guess America is just proving that its lack of taste in music can make anyone a star.
Idle thought: Can anyone really see any of the Idols becoming timeless classic superstars, like, say, the Rolling Stones? Or Pink Floyd? Beatles? Who?
Neither can I.
So I called it wrong in my last post. I said either Phil or Haley. Never saw the Glock getting cold cocked this time.
On the other hand, I'm not surprised.
She had no legs. (psst, that's a metaphor for she didn't have staying power).
Or is it?
PS. Next week's Idol mentor is supposed to be J. Lo with a latino theme. Think maybe I'll skip it.
Having said that, there seems to be an inordinate amount of waterworks going on this year, though all I have is last year to which to compare it. I know television loves its crying games, but these warbling contestants have had way more than their 15 minutes of fame. Imagine yourself being talked about in office buildings across the land every Wednesday and Thursday morning. They say fame is fleeting, and after May who will really get that kind of buzz any more?
None of them.
Even if they go on tour, sell millions of records (it's not like I own any records, but it's still tough saying millions of CDs), ride the American Top 40 for weeks and all that hoopla, they won't get the kind of attention they did on American Idol.
I try to put myself into their shoes during the competition, and all I can come up with is, gee it would be nice to go home. I gotta give Chris Sligh kudos for echoing that thought when he was ousted.
Parties have to end some time.
Anywho.... who the heck is Michael Buble? And did he ever wear long gold chains, an open collar white shirt and have a steady gig at the Holiday Inn lounge out on the interstate? Seriously, this guy really stunk, in my opinion. He has a record, excuse me, CD, coming out. Guess America is just proving that its lack of taste in music can make anyone a star.
Idle thought: Can anyone really see any of the Idols becoming timeless classic superstars, like, say, the Rolling Stones? Or Pink Floyd? Beatles? Who?
Neither can I.
So I called it wrong in my last post. I said either Phil or Haley. Never saw the Glock getting cold cocked this time.
On the other hand, I'm not surprised.
She had no legs. (psst, that's a metaphor for she didn't have staying power).
Or is it?
PS. Next week's Idol mentor is supposed to be J. Lo with a latino theme. Think maybe I'll skip it.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Night of the Las Vegas Lounge Lizards
Tony Bennett.
Is the desire for the spotlight so strong that he has to still be out there strutting his swing? C'mon Tony, move to Florida and play some shuffleboard man. You've earned it.
At 80, he's in pretty darn good shape, especially when I compare him to my inlaws who are in their early 80s. I guess we all age differently.
Idol contestants.
Guys: You know that they were doing songs that, for the most part, were originally recorded by baritones. As Blake and Chris are tenors, there was a fit issue with me. I like Bobby Darin doing Mack the Knife. Blake did OK with it, but I'm still not sure I liked it much. His voice had a large part to do with that. Same with Chris. Torme, Sinatra, Bennett, Martin, et al, their voices were like warm syrup. The only guy who could come close tonally to that would be....
Phil just didn't bring it this week. He should have sang Just a Gigolo or some good party song like that, or maybe Minnie the Moocher. The scat might have been too much though. I'm afraid his song choice did him in. Yet I have to agree with Paula in that he DID sound a lot like Sinatra.
Sanjaya. He's got it figured out. No need to be able to sing like a diva. Just put on a good show - and he's getting better at it. He'll be around for another go next week.
Haley, love the look. As the token hottie, she has been really trying to play up the role with her vamping and come hither looks (not to mention legs and cleavage). But she has to be going soon, there's only so much she can bare on stage to keep the interest levels up.
Gina. Sigh. I just didn't care much for her performance tonight, the judges notwithstanding. I figured it would be tough for her and this genre. She's a bit of a mystery as well with her longevity. She needs to get back to rock anthems.
Lakisha? Nah. I think she has fallen into third, behind....
Melinda and Jordin. Props to them for their performances. Jordin is really impressing me with her stage presence, her ability to control the song and not let it get out of hand. As for Melinda, I don't think there is anyone this year, or last year even, who can touch her.
To go tomorrow night: either Phil or Haley. I don't look for any surprising upsets for a couple weeks yet.
The judges all seemed a bit pitchy tonight, mostly flat.
Is the desire for the spotlight so strong that he has to still be out there strutting his swing? C'mon Tony, move to Florida and play some shuffleboard man. You've earned it.
At 80, he's in pretty darn good shape, especially when I compare him to my inlaws who are in their early 80s. I guess we all age differently.
Idol contestants.
Guys: You know that they were doing songs that, for the most part, were originally recorded by baritones. As Blake and Chris are tenors, there was a fit issue with me. I like Bobby Darin doing Mack the Knife. Blake did OK with it, but I'm still not sure I liked it much. His voice had a large part to do with that. Same with Chris. Torme, Sinatra, Bennett, Martin, et al, their voices were like warm syrup. The only guy who could come close tonally to that would be....
Phil just didn't bring it this week. He should have sang Just a Gigolo or some good party song like that, or maybe Minnie the Moocher. The scat might have been too much though. I'm afraid his song choice did him in. Yet I have to agree with Paula in that he DID sound a lot like Sinatra.
Sanjaya. He's got it figured out. No need to be able to sing like a diva. Just put on a good show - and he's getting better at it. He'll be around for another go next week.
Haley, love the look. As the token hottie, she has been really trying to play up the role with her vamping and come hither looks (not to mention legs and cleavage). But she has to be going soon, there's only so much she can bare on stage to keep the interest levels up.
Gina. Sigh. I just didn't care much for her performance tonight, the judges notwithstanding. I figured it would be tough for her and this genre. She's a bit of a mystery as well with her longevity. She needs to get back to rock anthems.
Lakisha? Nah. I think she has fallen into third, behind....
Melinda and Jordin. Props to them for their performances. Jordin is really impressing me with her stage presence, her ability to control the song and not let it get out of hand. As for Melinda, I don't think there is anyone this year, or last year even, who can touch her.
To go tomorrow night: either Phil or Haley. I don't look for any surprising upsets for a couple weeks yet.
The judges all seemed a bit pitchy tonight, mostly flat.
Not So Good for Upgrades
With the Red Sox it always seems to be about the ones who got away more than the ones that were snagged. I'm not talking about pitches or hit balls; I'm talking about players.
It's really funny to me when the front office decides to "upgrade" a position and the player that was upgraded away does better for his new team than his replacement.
Please understand, I'm not really a Red Sox fan. In fact, I have no dog in the hunt. It's just that the Red Sox, by dint of geography, are this area's home team. They're about 100 miles away, and their Double A affiliate is located in Portland.
I am a story fan. I enjoy a good story on a sports team. The Bird years of the Celtics made for good stories; they haven't really had any since. Maybe some heartbreaking stories, such as the death of Reggie Lewis, but nothing really good. The 1975 World Series was a great story, as was the 1967 Impossible Dream - both heartbreakers but great dramatics provided. The 2004 World Series, on the other hand, was a lousy, boring story that was overshadowed mightily by the 2004 American Leagues Championship Series. The 2001-02 Patriots were a great story. They made a terrific Super Bowl, one that hasn't been duplicated yet, in my opinion.
There are great stories with other teams too. I just don't know the players as well due to the aforementioned geography and what gets covered in this area.
Anyway, back to my original thought.
Players provide good stories, and it's often a sad thing to see them traded away or let go in free agency. Sometimes it's a great thing too, like when the Sox were finally able to unload Byung Hyun Kim. (I like to call him Bing Bong).
Trot Nixon was a bittersweet story. Fortunately he had a good day for Cleveland yesterday, getting 3 hits in 4 at bats.
His upgrade? JD Drew got 1 hit in 2 at bats.
Alex Gonzalez, perhaps one of the sweetest fielding shortstops Boston has
ever seen had 1 hit in 2 at bats yesterday.
His offensive upgrade? Julio Lugo got 1 hit in 4 at bats. The other three ABs were strikeouts.
Hmmm. Johnny Damon, the hairy centerfielder had 1 hit in 2 at bats.
His upgrade? Coco Crisp went 0 for 3 with 1 strikeout.
Hanley Ramirez, the Sox former up and coming phenom for shortstop, who was traded away last year for Beckett and Lowell, had 6 at bats, 4 hits, 2 of them doubles, 4 runs and 1 RBI. Neither Beckett, nor Lowell were "upgrades" for Ramirez, but I wanted to note one that got away.
On a good note, Dustin Pedroia who replaced Mark Loretta at 2nd base had a productive game with 2 hits in 3 at bats while Loretta sucked wind offensively.
Yeah, it's a long season. And these are just opening observations which will work and shift into something else over the course of 162 games. It's just fun to point out what seems obvious to fans but not to the front office.
It's really funny to me when the front office decides to "upgrade" a position and the player that was upgraded away does better for his new team than his replacement.
Please understand, I'm not really a Red Sox fan. In fact, I have no dog in the hunt. It's just that the Red Sox, by dint of geography, are this area's home team. They're about 100 miles away, and their Double A affiliate is located in Portland.
I am a story fan. I enjoy a good story on a sports team. The Bird years of the Celtics made for good stories; they haven't really had any since. Maybe some heartbreaking stories, such as the death of Reggie Lewis, but nothing really good. The 1975 World Series was a great story, as was the 1967 Impossible Dream - both heartbreakers but great dramatics provided. The 2004 World Series, on the other hand, was a lousy, boring story that was overshadowed mightily by the 2004 American Leagues Championship Series. The 2001-02 Patriots were a great story. They made a terrific Super Bowl, one that hasn't been duplicated yet, in my opinion.
There are great stories with other teams too. I just don't know the players as well due to the aforementioned geography and what gets covered in this area.
Anyway, back to my original thought.
Players provide good stories, and it's often a sad thing to see them traded away or let go in free agency. Sometimes it's a great thing too, like when the Sox were finally able to unload Byung Hyun Kim. (I like to call him Bing Bong).
Trot Nixon was a bittersweet story. Fortunately he had a good day for Cleveland yesterday, getting 3 hits in 4 at bats.
His upgrade? JD Drew got 1 hit in 2 at bats.
Alex Gonzalez, perhaps one of the sweetest fielding shortstops Boston has
ever seen had 1 hit in 2 at bats yesterday.
His offensive upgrade? Julio Lugo got 1 hit in 4 at bats. The other three ABs were strikeouts.
Hmmm. Johnny Damon, the hairy centerfielder had 1 hit in 2 at bats.
His upgrade? Coco Crisp went 0 for 3 with 1 strikeout.
Hanley Ramirez, the Sox former up and coming phenom for shortstop, who was traded away last year for Beckett and Lowell, had 6 at bats, 4 hits, 2 of them doubles, 4 runs and 1 RBI. Neither Beckett, nor Lowell were "upgrades" for Ramirez, but I wanted to note one that got away.
On a good note, Dustin Pedroia who replaced Mark Loretta at 2nd base had a productive game with 2 hits in 3 at bats while Loretta sucked wind offensively.
Yeah, it's a long season. And these are just opening observations which will work and shift into something else over the course of 162 games. It's just fun to point out what seems obvious to fans but not to the front office.
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