Tagged, ten random facts about me

Jan at Always Growing has tagged me to write ten weird, random facts about myself. Here are the rules - “Once tagged, you are to write a post listing ten weird, random facts or habits about yourself. Then you find 5 people to tag. Not only do you list them at the end of the post, you have to tell why you chose them. Next, you must leave a “You’ve been tagged” comment on their blog. They’ll come back to read the details. Once these good people have posted their list, they must remember to let you know.”

I don’t know how “weird” these are, but here are ten random facts about me:

1. Like Jan, I love symmetry. I almost always buy things in two’s, and can’t stand it when anything looks “uneven”. Asymmetry makes me feel tense. I can also see instantly whether or not something is “even”, and can tell at a glance if it’s off even by an eighth of an inch or less.

2. I’m a total night person and an insomniac. I rarely sleep more than 3-4 hours at a time.

3. I’m a geek (ok, maybe just a “wanna-be-geek”), love coding and the ‘technical’ side of the web as well as design. I used to design online web tools for a computer programmer, and have created well over a hundred webpages. I went to college for something else entirely, but I wish it had been for something in the computer science field.

4. I’m an “American Idol” addict and have been ever since the first episode I watched– way back in Season 2, when Reuben and Clay were the final two. I never miss an episode.

5. I’ve loved flowers, growing and photographing them, since I was twelve years old. When I plant a flower now, I’m usually thinking about how it will look in a photograph.

6. I have almost ten thousand digital photos, spread out over 4 drives on my computer. Yes, ten thousand. Obviously, I have a hard time deleting anything. I also have a thing about taking sky photos. I have a ton of clouds-in-the-sky, moon, and sunset photos. I can’t look up without taking a photo.. lol

7. I love all kinds of music but especially classic rock and alternative rock, and love to listen with the volume turned way UP, even in the car.

8. I would rather shop online than in the stores. UPS makes almost-daily deliveries here.

9. I love crosswords and other word games and waste way too much time on them.

10. I’m a very private and quiet person and find it extremely difficult to open up to people, in real life and on the internet… even in this blog.

I’m tagging Maggie at Maggie’s Farm, and I was going to tag Mary at Mary’s View, but I think she has already participated in this. :) If you’re reading this, and want to participate, consider yourself “tagged”.

American Idol Top 10 results

After more than 30 million votes last night, the bottom three tonite were Chikezie, Syesha Mercado, and Jason Castro, with Chikezie receiving the lowest number of votes. Once again, it should have been Kristy Lee Cook.. lol. I’ll miss Chikezie. He had a couple of very good performances, including one of the best of the season with “She’s A Woman” two weeks ago during the Top 12 performance show.

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Next week– Dolly Parton…

americanidol.com

American Idol Top 10 performances

Tonite the theme was “songs from the year you were born”.

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Ramiele Malubay - (1987) “Alone” This was just okay, a little shouty, nothing special. Ramiele’s little girl act is getting kinda old to me. Randy thought the song was too big for her (I agree), it was pitchy and all over the place. Paula said she gave her a tremendous amount of credit for doing this song when she was sick (Ramiele evidently has been sick this week). Simon said it wasn’t as bad as Randy said, he thought the first part was okay and the middle of the song was shrieky, but thinks Ramiele will make it through this week.

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Jason Castro - (1987) “Fragile” I love this song. Jason played guitar again, and I thought it was a nice, low-key performance, but there was nothing “wow” about it. Randy said it was nice and pleasant. Paula said he stayed true to who he is and was playing it safe. Simon said Jason has had two bad weeks and it’s time for him to start taking this seriously. He said Jason is potentially a winner but won’t be if he keeps doing this week after week…

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Syesha Mercado - (1987) “If I Were Your Woman” I suppose this was good, if you like this sort of big, loud, ballad-type song. I don’t, and although I realize she has a good voice, she just doesn’t connect. Randy said it was a good moment for Syesha, the best she has ever sounded, stellar, and he LOVED it. Paula said this is going to be the moment everyone remembers that Syesha became the dark horse, it was pitch perfect, brilliant. Simon said it was the best so far, but wasn’t as good as Randy thought. He said Syesha has a limit on her vocal ability, and this song was stretching it.

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Chikezie - (1985) “If Only For One Moment” Chikezie has a good voice but this was pitchy in spots, boring, slow, and I didn’t care for the song choice at all. Randy said it was old school, he didn’t love it, it wasn’t hip and cool, boring.. Paula disagreed, said it was a good throwback, great job, amazing textures of his vocals. Simon said he thought he sang it well but the performance was cheesy, that he needs to show originality and Simon misses his personality.

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Brooke White - (1983) “Every Breath You Take” Brooke missed it at first and had to start again. She started out okay and then it was kind of all over the place. This was definitely not one of her best performances. I like her a lot, she’s my favorite of the girls, but I didn’t care for this performance. Randy said he didn’t love the arrangement, preferred her without the band, and it was just okay. Paula said she enjoyed this so much more than last week and that Brooke has her own niche and is consistent. Simon said he totally agreed with Randy, the band made it sound too old-fashioed, started out fantastic, and was definitely better than last week.

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Michael Johns - (1978)“We Are The Champions” This was great! I think this was Michael’s best performance so far, he sounded great, and the crowd loved it. Randy said finally Michael believed in himself, and this was the best performance from him yet. Paula said it was a moment, a shining moment, fantastic. Simon said it was the first time he had seen star potential, Michael got it right, and that it was the only memorable performance of the night so far.

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Carly Smithson - (1983)“Total Eclipse Of The Heart” This was pretty good, I liked it and think she always does well, she’s consistent… but sometimes I think she’s trying too hard. Randy said it was an interesting song choice for her, he liked it but didn’t love it, it was just okay. Paula said she loved what Carly did at the end and that she could do no wrong tonite. Simon said something didn’t quite work, that she was so tense and uptight that he didn’t enjoy it. He said she has got to lighten up.

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David Archuleta (1990)“You’re The Voice” This was one of the worst performances of the night to me. I didn’t like the song choice, it was blah to me. Randy said it was a strange song choice, but nice performance. Paula said he could sing the phone book and we (she) would love him, Simon didn’t like the performance at all, said it was reminiscent of a theme park performance with animated characters, and that he would be amazed to find that David chose the song for himself.

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Kristy Lee Cook - (1984) “God Bless The USA” This was not as crappy as her performances usually are, still not great though and I’m still wondering how she got this far in the competition. The song choice alone will probably get her through another week. Randy said it was a great song choice, she had a few pitchy spots but it was nice. Paula said it was a good song choice, and told her to watch the pitch problems. Simon said it was her best performance by a mile, and was the most clever song choice he’s heard in years.

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David Cook - (1982)“Billie Jean” WOW.This was absolutely the best of the night! Great performance, great, great voice, brilliant! I loved it, and would buy a David Cook cd right now. I think this was probably the best performance of the entire season so far. David is consistently awesome every week. I love this guy’s voice! Randy said David Cook is the most original and boldest contestant we’ve ever had, it was blazing, molten HOT. Paula said she was blown away, it was smart, brave, and David is willing to stretch the boundaries. Simon said it was brave and AMAZING.

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A couple of standout performances to me tonite: David Cook (a million times better than anyone else), and Michael Johns, who had his best night so far. Both these guys had great performances. The rest were blah to just okay. I think Ramiele, David Archuleta, Chikezie, and the ever-present Kristy Lee Cook had the worst performances tonite, and any one of them could go home (except David A and we all know he’s not going anywhere…), and Kristy Lee’s song choice alone will probably save her for another week, so that leaves Ramiele and Chikezie in the most danger I think. Jason Castro might be in danger tonite also, if he makes it through he needs to do something to stand out a little more… What do you think? Who will go home tomorrow night?

Results show tomorrow night, 9pm, Fox, one contestant voted off.

americanidol.com

Thanks for reading, your comments are appreciated.

American Idol Top 11 results

The bottom three tonite were Carly Smithson, Kristy Lee Cook, and Amanda Overmyer. It was very surprising to see Carly in the bottom three, and completely disgusting that Amanda Overmyer was the one eliminated.. it should have been Kristy Lee Cook! Every performance of hers has absolutely sucked, and for the life of me, I cannot understand how she has gotten this far in the competition. Amanda would have added something unique and fun to the tour, and instead we get Kristy Lee Cook? Unbelievable. It seems we have one every year — someone who goes through based on something other than singing talent.. and I’m sorry for Amanda Overmyer, David Hernandez, Danny Noriega, Asia’h Epperson, and all the others that were voted out before Kristy Lee Cook, who hasn’t had one single good performance in this entire competition.

Mentors for this season were announced tonite, and they are Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Neil Diamond.

Kellie Pickler was the musical guest tonite, performing her hit “Red High Heels”.

americanidol.com

American Idol Top 11 performances

Tonite, for the second week in a row, the theme was Beatles music. It was kind of like a mediocre sequel to a good movie — why didn’t they just leave it alone?

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Amanda Overmyer - “Back In The USSR” This was a typical, rockin’ Amanda-style performance. I didn’t like it much, she was off pitch at times and it wasn’t anywhere near as good as last week. Amanda is true to herself and her own style and I respect her for that — but I don’t think she has a chance of winning this competition. I think what you see is what you get with Amanda, and she’s not going to be pressured into doing any other style of singing… or maybe she’s just not able to do any other style. Randy said it was good but pitchy in the beginning, he gave her a 7 out of 10. Paula said she was off at times and ahead of the beat, but that Amanda is unique and she loves her. Simon said it was predictable, a bit of a mess at times, and that she sounds the same week after week after week. He says she needs to do something different because she is in danger of becoming boring.

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Kristy Lee Cook - “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” Another crappy performance by Kristy Lee Cook. How in the world did she get this far in the competition? The song was slow, low, and pitchy. The performance was boring and repetitious, and I didn’t like it at all. Randy said he loved the song, it was an interesting arrangement, and that she should have been more emotional. Paula said she looks gorgeous tonite, she played it a little safe, it was good but more high notes would have made it more interesting. Simon said “you are not a good performer“, he said she was like “musical wallpaper, you may notice it but don’t remember it..”. After the critique, Kristy Lee said to Simon, “I can blow your socks off and you know it!” Okay…

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David Archuleta “The Long and Winding Road” It was good. He has a good voice, he remembered all the words, and it was a very good performance. Really, that’s about all I can say about it. It was predictably good.. good but, dang, he’s not that good. This is just my opinion of course, but I would not buy a cd by David Archuleta right now. When he’s 35 and can sing about long and winding roads with a little experience and authenticity, maybe then I’ll buy some of his music. Just my opinion, but he seems like a little kid singing adult songs… his performances just don’t feel authentic to me. Randy said he brought the hotness back to his game, he played it a little safe, but it was very nice. Paula said it was the most exciting and wonderful performance, blathered on about how much character it showed to come back this week and do so well after forgetting the lyrics last week, and that David is wonderful. Simon said it was amazing, last week was a complete mess and this week was amazing, a masterclass performance.

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Michael Johns - “A Day In The Life” This is one of my favorite Beatles songs, and I liked Michael’s performance. He has a great voice and a great range, and I thought this song showed it off.. was I the only one who thought so? Randy said it wasn’t good, wasn’t the right song for him, and that he has yet to pick the right song. Paula said he was phenomenal in rehearsal, but not so good tonite. She went on and on about how it could be that he needs to get used to the ear monitor.. (Michael wasn’t wearing one.) Simon said it was a mess, a very complicated song and Michael was all over the place, and that this performance wasn’t good enough.

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Brooke White - “Here Comes The Sun” This was okay, a little hokey and silly but okay. It was nowhere near as good as last weeks performance (I kept thinking that over and over tonite). Randy said the performance was awkward, she never connected to the song, and it wasn’t hot. Paula said she couldn’t help but smile when she listens to Brooke sing, and that the low notes showed a different range to her, and she’s a loveable girl. Simon said it was terrible, there was a lack of conviction, and she was forgettable tonite. Brooke talks too much. She continued to talk all throughout the judges critique, and I kept thinking “Shut up Brooke!” lol She’s still my favorite of the girls.

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David Cook - “Day Tripper” This wasn’t quite as good as he has been in previous weeks, but still a good, solid performance by David Cook. He has the greatest rock voice, and I love him– I didn’t completely love the song choice this week, but still.. he was very, very good. I love his voice, and I would also like to hear him do something a little softer. Randy said he kept it interesting, and it was another solid look for David Cook. Paula said David’s ready to sell records right now, she loved it. Simon said he didn’t think it was as good as David thought it was, that he looked smug througout the entire song, and Simon didn’t like it, said it was too predictable.

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Carly Smithson - “Blackbird” It was okay.. a good but lackluster performance. I like her, and while she never sounds bad, this wasn’t great in my opinion. Randy said it was another good performance, very nice and controlled and emotive. Paula said she had an amazing tone to her voice, and that the arrangement was beautiful. Simon said he didn’t think the song choice was a very smart thing to do, it was indulgent, and he didn’t like it. Carly went on to explain why she chose the song — about how the music industry sometimes makes those trying to succeed feel broken.. but that she’s happy now, happy to be there singing to millions.. etc etc

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Jason Castro - “Michelle” This was one of the best of the night to me, he has such a nice voice, and he’s so likeable. His performances always make me smile, and I enjoyed this one tonite. Randy said it was a good song choice, subdued, but that he didn’t know if he got it or not, he didn’t feel like Jason connected with the song. Paula said he had a very distinct charm about him but that he got a little disconnected without the guitar, and that it was a little awkward for her tonite. Simon said his face sold the song– Jason is very charming and not obnoxious.. but this whole week is a “little strange..” including this performance.

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Syesha Mercado - “Yesterday” I love this song, and Syesha did pretty well with it. I felt like she was trying too hard though, trying to have a “moment” and didn’t quite pull it off. It was good but not great for me. Randy said she took some liberties and it was a very, very good performance tonite. Paula said it was great to see how Syesha let the herself be vulnerable, and that her voice is a beautiful instrument. Simon said it was her best performance so far, it wasn’t incredible but she chose the best song of the night and that the song and her performance should keep her in the competition.

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Chikezie - “I’ve Just Seen a Face” It was okay, started out slow, Chikezie played the harmonica in the middle of the song, and then changed it up to a country sound.. He has a good voice, but this performance tonite was a little strange to me, it went in too many different directions. Randy said this could be a good country song, but the harmonica in the middle was strange. Paula said, “You did it again!”, she loved it. Simon said it started off okay, the harmonica was atrocious, and it turned into “Achy Breaky Heart” at the end. He said it wasn’t as good as last week, it was gimmicky. I agreed with that, it was nowhere near as good as last week.

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Ramiele Malubay - “I Should’ve Known Better” This was pretty good, not great though, and even though it was better than last week, once again I was disappointed in Ramiele’s performance. Randy liked it, even though he said he wasn’t jumping up and down for it, it was “alright”. Paula said it was definitely better than last week. Simon said he likes Ramiele but the track sounded terrible and she chose a mediocre song that didn’t showcase her abilities.

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“Good, but not great…”, “It was just okay…”, “Nowhere near as good as last week…” I think that pretty well sums up this week’s entire show for me.. they should have left it alone with last week’s great Beatles theme performances. We didn’t need a second week of this same theme. There were no “wow” moments tonite, a few were good (David Cook and Jason Castro were best of the night for me), a few were ok, and one was downright bad.. I think Kristy Lee Cook had the worst performance of the night, followed by Chikezie and Amanda. I think, after the judges comments tonite, Michael may be in trouble soon too, and I feel bad for him.. he has a great voice and lots of talent, but he always seems so sad…

Who did you vote for, and what did you think of tonite’s performances?

Missed the show tonite? Watch the performances here: rickey.org

Results show tomorrow night, 9pm, Fox, one contestant voted off.

americanidol.com

Thanks for reading, your comments and opinions are appreciated.