The Way We Were

Hello, blogger people.

I haven't used that line in months, practically a year. Once upon a time, I was incessantly chanting, 'Hello Youtube people,' and causing one of my mates from England to have nightmares; or so he jests. I got to thinking this morning (which for the first time, did not result in random smoke and beads of sweat) about where I was nearly 5 months ago and where I am now. My only apology is that this blog may seem either selfish (as in self indulging, rather) or completely biased.


I came across some of the blogs I posted around this time last year and was crestfallen (<-- a new word to my vocabulary thanks to J.K. Rowling). The things I said in those blogs just blows my mind. I'll save u the time in looking for them, because (I remember now why) I hid the page that has those blogs and created this one. It was rather scary. In retrospect, and mentioning a movie by the name of 'According To Greta,' I can see how older folks don't often miss being young. It's because they aren't even that person anymore (The movie I mentioned has said reason for not wishing you were still younger).



But I don't wanna talk about that really. It's not much of a revelation that people go a metamorphosis from time to time, regardless of how crestfallen I feel while looking back. I guess what i'm trying to impart is that it finally makes sense to me why we must only keep pressing on. Why constantly be the same person? I tried to get back, even a parcel of who I used to be; but as I said recently as I deleted my facebook: "I've lost interest."



I once made a comparison to ones life as several books full of chapters. When one chapter ends, another begins. When those chapters have cumulated into a bigger picture, one book of your life is finished. Now, when you finish a book in a series, what do you do? You strive to get your hands on the next book in the series. Why should your life be any different? The only difference is that the pen in your hand, and you are the author of the books of your life.



Not to boast, but i've read the first 6 books of the Harry Potter series within the time frame of 2 months. Each book got better than the last, even though when I first read the Chamber of Secrets for the first time many years ago, certain things in it (like when Harry plunges a basilisk fang into Tom Riddles Diary and Ink or Blood bursts forth from it and the memory of Tom Riddle explodes in a burst of light) didn't make sense to me right away. Not until I saw the Half Blood Prince did that particular book in the series make any sense to me.



But I kept going along with the story in hopes that one day it would make sense. Look at your life now. Haven't there been things where at one time, something didn't make any sense? Then, eventually, you finally get the bigger picture and you sprout meaning from whence you originally did not. Sometimes it takes several books, or to be more literal, more years of experience, to make sense out of stuff. Someone wise once said, 'When we think we know it all, we know nothing. When we know we know nothing, we know it all.'



Naturally, i'm not the only schmuck who can come to this conclusion (not that any of you are schmucks, I just refer to myself as a schmuck when I reflect on my 'idiot-moments.' LoL). So for those of you who already realize this, you can understand where i'm comimg from. Now where i'm going with this may be your confusion. I posted this on my tumblr, but removed it because I did not feel I did the blog justice, nor is it really something that I felt was complete in meaning. To me, even blogs should have meaning, otherwise, what's the point? And who wants to come to someone's page and read all random blurbs?





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Once upon a time, or 5 years ago rather, I began a relationship (or more of an endeavor to get to know someone whom i'd just met) with my first-ever boyfriend. Fate always is a fickle thing and, as they say, it dictates the path. Sometimes we have to learn things before we can become the master of our fate. You wouldn't catch me admitting this when I was a teenager, but it's true; Teenagers do not know it all (*the noise of one of my haters ripping out the front page reverberates throughout the room*). To be frank, I was a moron when I was a teenager; that's not negativity, that's blunt honesty (LoL) and I do not endeavor to be that teenage form of me ever again.



I got to know this guy to a point and whatever the reason was that things didn't work out, time shall tell. As I have stated, sometimes we don't know the meaning of things until later; though of course, I have that theory: I was a moron.



Eventually throughout the course of 5 years, I had (one at a time) boyfriends that I could count on one hand. Relationships that lasted for what i'd think is a respectable amount of time (yeah, I have a very crude opinion of one night stands). I'm single, so obviously all have ceased to exist. With the exception of the purpose of this blog.



One of the guys I was with, he was my life partner twice; which is a cryptic way of saying I was under the impression we were going to eventually venture to either California or Massachusetts and get married. The way I see it now, life goes on, and I have a lot of happy memories to cherish and now, I am on chapter one of the next book of my life.



Sometimes when you have a history, the past catches up with you. Especially, if you still feel something for someone without realizing it. One morning, I woke up to the doorbell. After answering the door. Kaboom! My very first boyfriend stood there. I was speechless and absentmindedly stared at him for a moment till he said, "Hello to you too." Then I attempted to regain composure and said, "Sorry, grogginess, you know. Hello."



This is going to be the most incredible (and i mean the other meaning; where it's not credible) thing I could possibly say right now. It was like the last 5 years never happened. The moment I saw him I felt something.








Dorkishly including this song because whenever i'm online, I listen to it a couple times and think about him. Though, parts don't fit anymore because I do miss him now. This is more how I felt when i saw him at my door.



When he came to see me, I had only been back home a week. It took us quite literally months to be able to find two days in a row that we could manage to see each other. I went to go see him by bus and had no idea where I was going because my thinking was: 'Okay. It's been 5 years. I have no idea how to get to his place anymore." So i asked him what his address was, which I admit, i'd forgotten the address, but when the bus went over a bridge, something gnawed at me to look up and to my right. I did and just in time to. I recognized the back of his townhouse. I waited to pull the little 'dinger' thing/doo-hickey but when I did, I just felt it was the right time to. I got off the bus, thinking that he still hadn't texted me to tell me the address (he was at work and sneaking me text messages); so I ventured forth following my gut feeling. Suddenly, I remembered the name of his street and looked to my right and saw his townhouse.



I looked down at my phone and saw the address he sent me. I looked up at the townhouse, which each building has two sides; and the address on the phone matched that of the building. I was like, "Okay...eerie that I remembered." But is it really? Love defies logic, they say. Then I broke into his apartment (calm down! I had permission. The door was unlocked, which I locked upon entering LoL). Then we had a lovely visit and now we are working to merge our schedules together again...oh I probably should mention this: It's difficult to merge our schedules together because he lives in another city.



It may be premature to say, but I feel something different. Something I never thought i'd feel again and as with any good book, i'm on the edge of my seat thirsting for what happens next and hoping it's epic.


And as far as being home again, I guess, looking back, I had been wanting to come back home all the time. Though I envisioned it being with my then life parter, a positive way to look about this is that I got half of what I wanted. I didn't get to keep my then life parter for life, but I did get to come home to stay.
It really pays off focusing on the good things rather than the bad stuff. Reading David Archuleta's Memoir taught me that.

The Chronicles Of Vladimir Tod: Ninth Grade Slays Book review.

In a remarkable sequel to the debut (Eighth Grade Bites), Ninth Grade Slays, as I mentioned in the previous review, brings to the table loads of what I what I was hoping to see in these Chronicles. What I should have probably mentioned in the previous review about Eighth Grade Bites is the basic story line (LoL). Vladimir Tod is your typical boy with the exception that he is a vampire. Within a touching tale, you find that Vlad discovers he is not in fact the only one left and delves into his family heritage and also finds himself amidst a problem. A prophesy and a madman who threatens his very existence (I remember mentioning the last bit of that sentence in the previous blog).

Ninth Grade Slays continues with Vlad delving into his family heritage and despite the saddened state of loss surrounding his parents, he enjoys learning more about the Vampiric ways. This one continues from where the last left off and he finds himself facing more enemies that threaten his existance and he must also face the question is he just a Vampire or so much more? The Author, whom I shamefully forgot to credit in the previous review, Heather Brewer, takes the reader on a journey out of his home he's known all his life so he can learn more about his abilities in an absolutely riveting way. To put it another way, I didn't get any sleep last night because I couldn't put the book down (LoL).

The only disappointment I would have is that I felt the heartbreak of a betrayal and found myself saying 'No!! It can't be!!,' but that is not a bad thing. It leaves me thirsty for blood, oh wait, i'll leave that for Vlad. It left me thirsty for the 3rd book, so naturally, as well as the first book, the series keeps you on the edge of your seat and leaves you wanting to pick up the next book.

I'm not the best reviewer, because I forgot to mention how many stars I give the first book. I would say I give the first book 4 1/2 outta 5 stars and the 2nd installment gets a full 5 stars. It's definitely a series you can't put down as the bloodbath continues within Vlad's life and I can assure you, while repeating myself somewhat, the books are far more interesting than reading my reviews (LoLz).

The Chronicles Of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites Book Review

I remember stepping into a Books & Co. while I was briefly in Beavercreek, Ohio. The most amazing bookstore I have ever seen in my life! Most bookstores i've gone into to peruse the shelves for a title that catches my eye, they're either quite dull (because of lack of selection) and/or they are so small that it's basically equivalent to a book section at Wal-Mart. Basically, I love me a large bookstore, especially like this Books & Co. that I was amazed to find out had a glorious staircase that took you to another floor of books; and this particular one in Beavercreek, OH is where I first met Vladimir Tod.

Vladimir was sitting on an end-cap on the 2nd floor in the Teen Fiction section. I remember being rather bored with a lot of titles. Some ranging from U.S. History (bleh, no thanks), to Religion (no comment), to cooking (you do not want me in your kitchen, even WITH a cookbook. Let's just say: 'Singed eyebrows' :D), to nonfiction and every other kind of random book you could think of...then, as said above, I spotted the Teen Fiction. Vladimir was sitting with a white background, wearing a black hoodie with a circular red skull and what appeared to be jeans. I opened the cover and read how Junior high really sucks for Vladimir and it went on to talk about how he had a secret and he doesn't want it to be exposed. Intruiged, I indulged myself and red the first chapter right there in the bookstore. I was hooked and bought the first two books in the series. There are 5 books in total now.

The positive things I have to say about this book is that Vladimir is both strong and very much with a HEART. There are cute, lighthearted moments as well that just capture your heart and make you smile as you keep reading and in some moments, where you can't help but get swept up in Vladimir's sad moments when he reflects on his parents with longing. And to no surprise, no book that i'm interested in would be complete within a villain, this one threatens Vladimir's very existence, but I shan't give too much away...you'll have to run out and buy the book! :D.

As far as downsides to the book, I don't really have anything to criticize. Anything that kept me wishing for more was fulfilled in the 2nd book. Yes, these are the ramblings of a devoted Vladimir Tod fan, to me, this story is flawless.

The Voice: Blog One

This'll be interesting because I like the concept of this show more than the one for Idol. The series started out where they had to fall in love with the voice before finding out what they look like.I geeked out when they brought Reba out for Blake's team. Reba always looks amazing!!

Tonight, 2 singers perform the same song and only one of them survive the round. Taralyn Ramsey with Frency Davis was the first duo from Christina's team. They are singing 'Single Ladies by Beyonce. It's awesome hearing Christina singing without a microphone tonight. Her recent image is as breath taking as Reba's new image. Maybe she did have plastic surgery (Christina) but idc, she looks amazing, i'd say. The only thing I would say about Frency is that I wish she had hair and to never wear those large earrings again. She's wearing these large hoop earrings that are getting pushed around by her shoulders and it doesn't look good. This was during the rehearsals so i'm hoping she's not wearing them during the performance...but she is. Taralyn is wearing a lime greenish dress with this too-cute hot pink belt with a flower design with matching hot pink high heels. Frenchy is wearing a mostly black pant suit with a white patch throughout her right arm and into left shoulder.

And the performance ... isn't exactly doing it for me. I like Taralyn's voice more than Frenchy's but Frenchy had her moments during the performance. Blakes' comparing of the performance to a Rocky movie has been the most unique Judge mention. I truly hope that Taralyn advances. ... commercial ... shocked. I disagree with Christina because she chose Frenchy to Advance.

Blake chose Tyler Robinson and Patrick for his duo to sing the Elvis song which I missed the title from because my roomies kept talking again. I think it' s 'Burning Love.' This is the team where Reba came in and i'm uber jealous. I love country music, but the one thing i'd be afraid of is that one of my faves would ask me if i had a girlfriend or liked a girl and when I said, 'well i'm gay,' they reacted badly or somethin. That's the only thing I don't really like about Country music, most are Conservative and don't like gay rights. If I were a woman, i'd probably hope to look like her though. Her hair is always perfect. OH MY VLOD! Tyler is wearing this tuxedo that makes him look...horrible....commercial....

Patrick Thomas is kinda cute. Tyler is not bad looking. Tyler needs to work on not belting so much. He's wearing a gray sweater that is unbuttoned with a black vest over it and a white shirt under it. Tight jeans and black shoes I believe, but his cuteness isn't enough to win this round...Tyler's tuxedo is ruined by an outdated bow tie but Tuxedo outfits are outdated in general for me. I don't really like them. I don't know which to pick, it was okay but not amazing...I think they were both amazing. .... Blake chose .... Patrick. I can understand why despite his cuteness because Tyler belted way too much at times I think, though he did tone it down.

Tim Mahoney and Kacey Weston was the choice for Adam Levine's group. Their song is 'Leather And Leather' by Stevie Nicks, if i'm wrong lemme know. Kacey has beautiful hair, which isn't supposed to sound creepy. If Tim isn't willing to hit the False etto, that may make him not advancable to the next round. Adam wants him to hit a situation. Kacey was the one that sang 'Bubbly' by Colbie Callait, which didn't really win me over but only because I haven't been much for that song but I like some of Colbie's other songs. Though, admittedly, the first time I heard her name, I thought about Colby Cheese, but I digress.

Kacey is wearing a simple blue-green dress with a v neck and stops amid her mid thighs. Tim wearing a simple black outfit, black pants, shirt and hat. I'm on some country kick right now, i'm kinda partial to Kacey right now I feel, but she has a slight yodel in her voice, though hers is better than Tim's right now. His voice is pretty bad so i'm rooting for Kacey right now. When they sing together, they sound fine, but because Kacey's voice is shining. Blake feels Kacey has a growth within her, which I should really re-word sorry, but that's pretty much what he said. Right now it's sounding like Kacey is the one to advance ... ... commercial ... ...

Adam chose Kacey. I agree with this choice. It's sad that Tim has come to yet another 'almost', but if you ain't got the voice, you ain't got the voice. In this case, It's easy to tell that she wasn't just chosen because of her beauty. She Does have a great voice.

Cilo is next Vicki Martinez and Nicki Dawson were his choices. Vicki and Nicki. Cute! Monica was Cilo's choice for a guest judge. I just discovered her music. I guess they are singing the edited version of P!nk's song 'F*&^ing Perfect.' This is truly a beautiful song. At a time when P!NK could have just written another song about an orgasm, she decided to go against the mainstream and make a song about feeling better about yourself. That's a winner in my book. I found a song by Kelly Rowland where it's about rooting her boyfriend on during sex. Mazel tov! ...commercial...

Sorry it was difficult to see what they are both wearing with the quick angle changes but one is wearing pants that look like Nicki is wearing a purple tank top with black pants. Vicki is wearing ugly pants that look like nylons and a black old lady sweater. Regardless of outfit though, I think Nicki did the best and I could see her as a successful R&B singer. Cilo chose...VICKI? WHAT???????????? OMG YOU HAVE GOT TO BE JOKING!! NICKI WAS SUPERB AND GREAT. I sure hope someone gives her a record deal. Cilo said something about 'seeing about her' so she may get a record deal yet and she better, this is atrocious!!

American Idol Top 5

This'll mark the first Idol Blog I've done since a couple weeks now. You'll notice i'm going to be doing blogs on Christina Aguilera's show 'The Voice,' hopefully starting next week since the Auditions have now come to an end and each judge has 8 singers.


Tonight on Idol, the theme is music from the 60s. I once did 3 blogs on music from 1960, 61 and 62, but the multiply page where they were uploaded on was deleted, I fear, because I cannot locate the page anymore. Each contestant is singing 2 songs tonight.

In the time I was writing the introduction, I saw that Steven is wearing a leather red jacket. You already know how I feel about leather, so i'll move on. He's also wearing a black shirt that seems to say 'love. and a very cute silver necklace with some short chains and a cute heart. J-Lo is wearing an outfit that seems to age her; a white ensemble that seems to be better for a window. Randy Jackson is wearing a simple tuxedo jacket and a black shirt.

"Closer To The Edge" by 30 Second To Mars. I have only heard 2 songs from this band as I thought they were officially let go from their label, so this'll be the first time i've ever heard this song before. Now if James Durbin would put his legs together more and actually wear pants that weren't too stretched in the crotch, I could give a higher grade on the jeans. A leather vest top with silver bullets on the top. I am not feeling this performance. I asked 'What the devil is he wearing under the vest?' and my future ex-roommate's son said 'armpit hair.' cute answer. One can't be complete aware right yet who is the makeup designer nor the advisor for appeareance, but this week it was clearly the wrong advice! That facial hair and hair spiked up made him look like he hadn't shaved for awhile nor washed his hair and had 'bead head.'

"No Air" by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown. I love this song so I hope that Jacob Lusk does a good job. A Simple texudeo outfit with a white v-neck undershirt. the jacket has a white outline along the ends of jacket. This is horrible!! If this is what we are to expect from him if he wins, send him home now!! Desole! I'm glad Randy has the same opinion I do. I mean, i wouldn't buy his record when he did the gospel but I would be more likely to buy a record of his when he did the Luther Vandros-y style than when he tries to be something he's not.

"Flat On The Floor," by Carrie Underwood. Never heard this song before, but i'm glad Lauren Alaina is sticking to country style songs sometimes. She doesn't really have that twangy kind of voice but not all country has to be like that that. She's wearing a black leathery top and black matching pants, with black leather boots, i imagine. there's weird tassles coming off of her black top. Don't like the look overall. It was a good performance and even though i've never heard the song before, I can tell she didn't sound like Carrie, so this was a good song choice.

"Gone", by Montgomery Gentry, which is another song i've never heard. Scotty McCreery is a very attractive lad, and I guess it's okay to say that even though he's not quite 18 yet because Ryan Seacrest called him 'Scotty The Body'. as he sings this i think I have heard this somewhere before. A jean jacket and a purple undershirt, un tucked with jeans that hug his midsection. unfortunately with brown leather boots. A simple outfit to describe, though the pants make him appear to not showcase his butt lol because it makes him look like he doesn't have one. Anyway, it's interesting that they are bringing back the Jean Jacket look.

Hailey Reinhart is one i always confuse with Lauren Alaina, but that's just me. It kinda seems they look a bit a like, but as my roommate kept prodding towards me, they don't even have the same eye colour. ugh. "You And I" by Lady Gaga, is another song I have not heard. The pants are actually not bad up close, but at a distance, they looked horrible! they are gray with sequined lines that kind of look like anememies. A leater top that hugs the bosom and you can see parts of the bra for artistic flair, it's purple. The shoes are ..all i can tell is they are black. She did really good and maybe she is the one that Steven is looking for because I heard a LITTLE of Janis Joplin in her voice. There will never be another Janis though... She sounded alright.

"Without You," which has been sung by several aritsts, Mariah Carey's version is my favourite. I can hear the tears in his voice as he sings live. Shows he's not afraid to show his emotions, which is something to look up to, though I believe in doing things in private, quietly with dignity. This is much better than the last time. Looks like he shaved a bit and his outfit is simple light blue or black. I guess every performer has a bad performance so i'm not gonna judge him based on the first performance he had tonight. He did great and made it his own and this song clearly is very close to his heart. Great.
Glad Randy agrees that not every sad performance or song with meaning has to have perfect notes throughout the whole thing. It's artistic when you allow yourself to hit a bad note because it gives the notion of crying. Tell me one person who's voice sounds pitch perfect during crying? Can't think of any? Neither can I...and it's ironic that the second picture for Durbin I chose has tears because he was really crying. Sincere artist, right here!

"Love Hurts" by Nazareth is a song i sang a couple years ago without knowing what it means. I know it right now but that's not what this blog is about. Jacob Lusk is gonna be singing this so i hope it's better than his first performance of the night.
He's doing a higher pitch than we are used to at the beginning, which is nice. His outfit is a simple silver tux with a purple under(buttoned-up) shirt. Black shoes. better performance than his first but i could have lived without the last 'yeah'.

"Unchained Melody," by the Righteous Brothers is a very beautiful song. Elvis sang it and so many others have through time since it's original release. Lauren Alaina is singing this song and i hope she does it great. Her notes are perfect and her she looks amazing. a white dress with light blue strips and her hair looks amazing. It's slightly karoeke but I sense i slightly uniqueness to it.

"Always On My Mind," Elvis Presley, is being sung by Scotty McCreery. Black tuxedo with black pants and a whitebuttoned up shirt. Too safe. He looks great but that seemed to safe and I question what the sniffle at the end was about \=.

"The House Of The Rising Sun," by The Animals is a very beautiful song. The first time I heard of it was through Declan Galbraith. WOW. SHE SOUNDS HAUNTING. If she wins, i sure hope she does a bluesy/r&b record! DAMN! Silver slacks with rips and sparkles, her hair is curled. Her top is like a black spaghetti strap top and has brown feathers on them...i sure hope those are not from real animals...she did amazing!

American Idol Top 8

Tonight shall be brief. The singers are singing songs from any movie, I guess. Pia went home last week.

J Lo is wearing a tan dress that looks like the table cloth I just threw away. There's part of a tutu stuck to the front of her dress though. Squares in the design with sequins. Randy finally wearing something tasteful. Black pants and V Neck sweater with a tan and light blue tie. White button up undershirt. Steven wearing leopard-like themed easy top for airflow.

Paul. Bob Segar "Old Time Rock n Roll". I wish they'd just give Paul some spikey hair the messy look makes him look like a crack addict. What the fuck is he wearing? Black tuxedo with red and tan peacock feathers up the arms and left leg. Fashion forgive him for he has sinned an unforgivable sin.

Hailey. 'The Climb,' Miley Cyrus. A black and silver sparkly top for her dress and a large black veil for the bottom. Lovely hair from the 60s. Black leather cowgirl boots (vomits). She screwed up the lyrics in parts but her notes were great.

Stefano. 'End Of The Road,' Boys II Men. Striped V neck, black/grey. Partially unbuttoned undershirt, untucked. Jean pants making his thighs look kinda hot. White shoes. His performance is okay, but a song about being at the end of the road? sure hope he doesn't get sent home because this would be ironic.

Scotty. 'Cross My Heart' George Strait. The one brightside of the night is that he looks so damn cute tonight. Relax, I said cute, that's not sexual, alarmists. George Strait has a lot of good music, but sorry Scotty! Johnny Cash is the king of Country Music. Nice performance. I'm thinking I see a dark jean jacket and same colored pants. The shirt under it was not easy to see.

Casey. 'Nature Boy.' No,'In The Air Tonite.' Phil Collins. No. 'Nature Boy' again. Casey has had his hair done and his facial hair trimmed even more. Looks better. Grey tuxedo, some kind of a black 'ascot?', and a white button shirt. Amazing performance. Very eerie and jazzy. Best performance of the night so far. Maybe not in vocals, but in vocal arrangement and dedication to song. EPIC! He's different, and I love that Standing Bass. He didn't want to listen to the the advisers and he made a good risk. Finally, Jazz may make a comeback. If he wins, I would geek out if he did duets with Norah Jones and Michael Buble. I say give him the Grammy now.

Hailey. 'Call Me' Blondie. Blondie is one of my favourite rock bands. She must have raided Mariah Carey's closet tonight. Very tall purple (?) booths with a dress that looks like it used to be a stained glass window in St. Peter's Cathedral. I don't know if there's actually a Cathedral named after him, for the record. Great vocals.

Jacob. 'Bridge Over Troubled Water.' Simon and Garfunkel. Tan tuxedo. white buttoned up shirt with little blue lines that bring out the appearance of squares. & black shoes. He did awesome.

James. 'Heavy Metal,' Sammy Hagger. He always wears nearly the same thing. A leather jacket, but it has some kind of design on the back. Grey shirt, black pants, scarf coming out of back right pocket. seems black shoes. He does sound different than Adam Lambert, but the leather jacket's got to go!

I hope you have enjoyed my commentary

American Idol Top 9

Jennifer is wearing a simple white dress. Steven is wearing a retro silk-looking thin sleeved coat, it's really awesome. Randy is wearing a hideous black jacket. Not sure if it's leather, but it reflects light too much! Who gives the wardrobes on idol? Honestly! (LoL :p)

"Man In The Mirror," by Michael Jackson was Jacob's choice for tonight. It's obviously not karaoke. I like how he went over and sang with one of the background singers, though i'm not sure why there's background singers in a singing competition. His outfit is rather simple. It's all white and I guess it's alright. White pants with a white buttoned up top. Awesome! Turns out that the background singer he sang next to also wrote that song! I think he did a pretty good job for tonight, but if he were recording an album, I'm not sure if I would hand him this song to sing, but I might. It was a pretty good performance but i'm not sure if he sounded different this week compared to last week.

"Piece Of My Heart" by Janis Joplin was the choice by Hailey Reinhart. Yikes! Leather pants, but i'll get over it. They're showing her face mostly. she's wearing a dress that has different lengths to the skirt portion on the sides. It appears to be navy blue and aquamarine stripes that form diamonds. My boyfriend thinks it looks like she threw a bed sheet on. I thought it was an okay performance. The growls didn't exactly sound right with her voice, but it kinda worked. When Faith Hill covered this song, she didn't growl as much as Janis did, which made it her own. It was pretty good though, as I said.

"Have You Ever Seen The Rain?" by Creedence Clearwater Revival was the choice by Casey Abrams. This has always been one of my favourite songs. I have never known who sang it because there are so many songs, so little time. He's doing an epic performance! I love it. He's wearing a black vest with a gray striped button up shirt with a white collar. The stripes are a light gray and a dark gray, it seems. His pants are black. I think he nailed it! I really like Casey now! That bass cello is really unique and i've been hoping for someone to bring more instruments to mainstream again. Other than the harmonica.

Just realized that Steven MAY be wearing shoulder pads. Go 80s! LoL!

"Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin was the choice by Lauren Alaina. She came out looking a bit like Miley Cyrus, outfit wise. Shoulderpads, a plad-ish under thing that could be described as a bathing suit from the 50s. black pants and leather shoes/boots. I'm not really much for this look and it's not just the leather. Maybe it just seems different for her because she usually wears more teeny-pop outfits, or maybe i'm wrong there, but that's how it seems for me. Suddenly she comes out wearing something very conservative, despite how the shorts show off her badonkadonk butt! haha. She did great. Great control of her voice, but I had Kelly Clarkson's performance in my head, and I still think hers was the best version on Idol, but that aside, Lauren did great!

"While My Guitar Gently Weeps," by George Harrison was the choice of James Durbin. It's a haunting song, and i don't really know what to say on ths vocals. they are good and I can't decide if this was a good song choice for him. He seems to be wearing a simple gray tux. I'm taken aback, but slightly disappointed at the same time. It was a good choice I think after thought.

"That's Alright Mama" by Elvis Presley was the choice of Scotty McCreery. He's really goin all in for a country look this week! Jean shirt and pants. This is such a tease, they make him look hot and sultry for the performance but he's 17. Grrr! Just to Generate ratings! LoL. He's doing really good I suppose and turnin this into a country song, though I have never been that crazy about Elvis Presley songs. At least not all of it, but Elvis does have a lot of good songs! I liked this performance for the most part. The whole thing of sounding like Josh Turner seems to be fading away!

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough," by Tina Turner was the choice of Pia Toscano. I hope this works well because she's stepping away with ballads lately. She's wearing a bed-sheet-like black and white suit(?). holy crap! she's rockin it and her voice is really workin well with this!! She did great! i'm blown away!! Oh yeah, large circular earrings and a chrome like layered necklace for her neck.

"When A Man Loves A Woman" by Percy Sledge was the choice of Stefano Langone. His false etto is very off this week! :-/ he looks very cute though. he's wearing all black so that makes it difficult to decipher his wardrobe but he has an amazing body! His other notes are very good though. His last note was just like his first ones though :-/ the middle was the best.

"Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash was the choice of Paul McDonald. This'll be easy. His hair is really wild, he's wearing a tux. Country style and his singing is really extreme, but his voice FINALLY seems great to me. Kinda hard to hear over my boyfriend talking and his son constantly talking about the performance though :-/ LoL (?). It's a good performance.

Peace <3 Hugs - Andrew

First Decade Of The Millennium: Part Two

As much as this can be a bad idea to use Wikipedia to make a list of ones favourite songs, it still is somewhat of a trip down memory lane.
Honorable Moment Of Silence
In 2002, Aqua, Savage Garden, and the Spice Girls disbanded.

2006

"Bad Day" - Daniel Powter
"Irreplaceable" - Beyoncé
"A Public Affair" - Jessica Simpson
"Ain't No Other Man" - Christina Aguilera
"Be Without You" - Mary J Blige
"Black Horse And The Cherry Tree" - KT Tunstall
"Breaking Free" - Zac Efron, Drew Seeley and Vanessa Hudgens
"Call Me When You're Sober"
"Deja Vu" - Beyonce and Jay-Z
"Everytime We Touch (Slow Version)" - Cascada
"Far Away" - Nickelback
"How To Save A Life" - The Fray
"Hurt" - Christina Aguilera
"Lips Of An Angel" - Hinder

(I wrote a parody of this called 'Hands of a Plumber,' but it'll never see the light of day!!! LoL)

"It Ends Tonight" - The All-American Rejects (The Rejects make a comeback with me after their atrocious song about being ashamed of who you are with. This song reverberated back and forth in my head splendidly because of it's profound meaning.)
"Over My Head (Cable Car)" - The Fray
"Savin' Me" - Nickelback
"Too Little Too Late" - JoJo
"Waiting On the World to Change" — John Mayer
"Welcome to the Black Parade" – My Chemical Romance
"What's Left of Me" — Nick Lachey
"White & Nerdy" — "Weird Al" Yankovic
----[This is how I found out that I was whiter than sour cream!] :p.
"Patience" – Take That

Honorable Mention
"Stars Are Blind" — Paris Hilton . I was shocked! SHe doesn't have the best voice in the world and there's been no rumour of her using a voice corrector so this song i really enjoyed. The lyrics are simple, yet dead on. I wasn't expecting this from the girl would would later be in the press all the time. I don't know why her album wasn't so successful though. her second single for the video was cute. She helps a boy who isn't popular by being his date for school lunch one day. To me, that just says that this world is really hard on celebrities. Maybe some of the stuff they do isn't right, but we're all human.



"Unfaithful" - Rhianna
I loved this song the moment I heard it. It talks of being unfaithful but not having the hart to tell the first guy what he already knows. Usually songs don't go this deep but this one really stands out for Rhianna. I'm still not very much for her other stuff except for her other ballad "Take A Bow."


"Unwritten" - Natasha Bedingfield.
I can't really say much about this song because it's poetic and not so much lyrical as it is purposeful. Written tells a story and tells that the future is ours to make.


"Walk Away" - Kelly Clarkson
This song became my gay anthem that year! LoL I eventually came out of the closet in early 2007. I remember gettin weird looks from my gran when I would get all effeminate while singing this in the car! haha


"Girl Next Door" - Saving Jane
I always liked this song and even wrote a version of it myself, but i'd never try to sell it or put my name on it without permission (For clarification purposes). I would like to make music one day but not yet; it would be cool to cover this song with permission to change the lyrics LoL!


Dishonorable Mention
"I Write Sins Not Tragedies" by Panic! At The Disco has to be one of the worst songs, lyrically, that I have ever heard in my life! I have my own lyrics to the chorus! "I come in with ah haven't you people ever heard of writing a better song? No! It's much better to write a crappy song, so it sells a million copies just because." (LoLz)

Moment of Silence
*Andrew takes off his hat* This was the year that A*Teens disbanded. (:p)

Favourite Albums
"Let Love In" - Goo Goo Dolls
"Under The Iron Sea" - Keane
"Cool Yule" - Bette Midler
----[Disclaimer: I used to be all gunhoe about Christmas LoL!]
"Life In Mono" - Emma Bunton
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Album Disappointments
"One-X" by Three Days Grace. I don't remember 'Animal I Have Become' being on this album, but wikipedia says it is. It wasn't on the version I bought though :-/. Something about the album just annoyed me so. 'Riot' 'Pain,' and 'Never Too Late' were three of the most annoying songs on the whole cd, and they decided to make them singles? I-yie,yie!!(I know that's not how you spell it) LoL!

2007

"That's What You Get" - Paramore
"Famous In A Small Town" - Miranda Lambert
"Teenagers" - My Chemical Romance
"Makes Me Wonder" - Maroon 5
"Hey There Delilah" - Plain White T's.
"Big Girls Don't Cry" - Fergie
----[The only song I really like from her solo career. The B.E.P's music no longer appeals to me.]
"No One" - Alicia Keys
"What I've Done" - Linkin Park
"What Goes Around...Comes Around" - Justin Timberlake
----[The only song i've liked from his solo career]
"U + Ur Hand" - Pink
"Thanks For The Memories" - Fall Out Boy
----[Amazingly, I actually like this song. A lot of their music just makes no sense to me]
"Wait For You" - Elliot Yamin
"If Everyone Cared" - Nickelback
----[Poetically and realistically the best song they have ever released! Completely conducive to what I have been saying about Love for the longest time!]
"Chasing Cars" - Snow Patrol
"Beautiful Liar" - Beyoncé and Shakira
"Keep Holding On" - Avril Lavigne
"Paralyzer" Finger Eleven

Honorable Mentions
This song was in my headphones all the time because I was in love with a friend of mine at the time. I eventually told the guy how I felt and he revealed to me he didn't like me that way. It was painful but this song helped me get through it and i'm over the guy. What was I thinking, though? LoL...I look at him now and am like "Oh my vlod! So glad i'm over him!"

Oh yeah! The song is 'Tear Drops On My Guitar' by Taylor Swift



I couldn't believe it but this song was damn good! 'Same Girl,' by R. Kelly & Usher.


Not a very well known artist over here in the states; Declan Galbraith revealed how low his voice is. It's different, but I wish they wouldn't have had him make an album in the middle of his voice changing; Still, I like it. I wonder how cute he is now because he hasn't made music in awhile.



Dishonorable Mentions
"Rehab" by Amy Whinehouse. Take me now Lord! We have thrown away songs with meaning in exchange for this crap on a plate? This song promotes drug use to the extreme and incites rebellion within people.

2008

"Take A Bow" - Rihanna
"Touch My Body" - Mariah Carey
----[One of the only 2 songs that I have liked from her since her 'Emancipation of Mimi' cd. After then, it seems to have gone downhill :-/...]
"I Kissed A Girl" - Katy Perry
"7 Things" - Miley Cyrus
----[I'm still confused about this. How can it be 7 things when in the chorus I count closer to 10? I still like it though]
"Apologize" - Timbaland Feat. One Republic.
----[Timbaland(?) feat. One Republic? WTH? Timbaland barely sang in this song! Should be the other way around]
"Crush" - David Archuleta
"Circus" - Britney Spears
"Gotta Be Somebody" - Nickelback
----[Gotta say that Nickelback REALLY made a comeback with this album!]
"Hot N Cold" - Katy Perry
"If I Were A Boy." - Beyoncé
"I'm Yours." - Jason Mraz
----[He actually came to a local college in my hometown but the tickets were kinda pricey]
"Keeps Gettin' Better." - Christina Aguilera
"Leavin'" - Jesse McCartney
"Light On" - David Cook
"Love Like This" - Natasha Bedingfeild feat. Sean Kingston
"Love Song" - Sara Bareilles
"Love Story" - Taylor Swift
----[This was put in one of my most recent favourite movies called "Letter's To Juliet."]
"No Air" - Jordin Sparks feat Chris Brown
"Realize" - Colby Callait
"Shadow Of The Day" - Linkin Park
"Shake It" - Metro Station
"This Is Me" - Demi Lovato & Joe Jonas
"The Time Of My Life" - David Cook
"Sexy Can I." - Ray J feat Yung Berg

Honorable Mentions
'Bleeding Love' is one of my songs to my partner Brian. I had so many people trying to pull me away from him based on age, distance from each other and that he might be a pedophile. Oh, puh-lease! I was 19 years old when we met, anyway, LoLz I digress. I still love this song.



"Womanizer" - Britney Spears. I wonder if this song is in part about Kevin Federline. It talks of a guy who is a user and has many women, but then finds out that they are all the same girl!


"Change" - Taylor Swift. I fell in love with this song immediately. One of the official songs of the 2008 Olympics.


"Tattoo" - Jordin Sparks
I had an embarrassing Crush that lasted till mid late very early 2008, so it lasted about a year cuz it started in around New Years 2006. I listened to this when I was tryna get over him LoLz.


Wow this must have been a good year in music with all these honorable mentions!

"You're Gonna Miss This." - Trace Adkins
It's eerie how I am finding this song to be more truthful, lyrically, as each day passes. We'll always miss a part of our lives that was either good or we didn't know they were good because we wanted something more.


Neither Honorable Nor Dishonorable Mentions
"You Belong With Me" - Taylor Swift
----[Even though parts of this song sounds like parts from Saving Jane's 'Girl Next Door,' that I mentioned earlier :-/...]

2009

"Best I Ever Had." - Drake
"Cowboy Casanova." - Carrie Underwood
"Fallin' For You" - Colby Caillat
"Gives You Hell." - The All-American Rejects
"Good Girls Go Bad." - Cobra Starship feat Leighton Meester
----[Though I am not much for the lyrics, the beat and melody is catchy]
"Heartless" - Kris Allen
"I Do Not Hook Up" - Kelly Clarkson
"Kiss Me Through The Phone." - Souja Boy feat Sammie
----[While his debut single just totally drives me bonkers in a bad way, this song actually has class and takes me back to the 90s style of class]
"Knock You Down." Keri Hilson feat Kanye West & Neyo
"Need You Now" Lady Antebellum
"New Divide" - Linkin Park
"No Boundaries" - Kris Allen
"Obsessed" - Mariah Carey
----[This is that other song I mentioned by her that I like outta her new stuff].
"One Less Lonely Girl" - Justin Bieber
"One Time" - Justin Bieber
"Papparazzi" - Lady Gaga
----[I've grown tired of some of her other songs lately, this song is genius even though she's supposed to pronounce it like this: "Pap-a-ratz-ee" NOT "Pop-ah-rotz-ee" LoLz...
"Party In The USA" - Miley Cyrus
"Second Chance" - Shinedown
"So What." - P!NK


Honorable Mentions
Kelly Clarkson "Already Gone." This was a song I listened to when my partner and I split up for about 7 months when I moved back to my hometown.


I don't really listen to this song much, but "Bedrock" by Young Money Entertainment Featuring Lloyd. The part in the chorus where it says 'Call me Mr. Flinstone, I can make your bedrock!' is both perverted and lyrical genius! LoL!


"Halo," by Beyoncé. This was a song I started listening to when I realized that it wasn't working out with me and the guy i was with because I still wanted to be with my man. I shouldn't have left him. This is one of our songs :).


"If You Seek Amy." - Britney Spears
----[A part of me wonders if she gets away with sexual inuendo's strictly because she's who she is LoL. Then again, it was a bit clever to word it this way :-/. The metaphor she puts at the end is just poetic justice against her haters!]


"Please Don't Leave Me" - P!nk
P!NK is just a living legend in my book. This video is frikkin hilarious! A mimic of the movie 'Misery,' brings humour to this song.


"Sober" - P!NK
I'm kinda going against my own rule as to not put mroe than one of a persons songs into the mix here but this song and video is just dead on!


"The Climb" - Miley Cyrus
Simon Cowell called this song 'cutesy.' Sorry, I have to uphold this song as a classic because it reminds people that it is not only what's at the finish line it's how we get there. This is true music, not that crap I heard on the radio recently about orgasms. Dear Vlod! Have we really become that deplorable?


This was obviously another good year in music! LoL

"Waking Up in Vegas" – Katy Perry
She took a line that was big in the 80s and brought it to be current again. Classic. I don't know many people that like this song though.



Dishonorable Mention
"Diva" by Beyonce. What the heck was this? The same kind of chipmunk noise that ruined Akon's debut single 'Lonely,' ruins this song for me too. Again, Mariah Carey's 'Boy' has been the only song for me where a chipmunk noise seemed to work. Only because Mariah can actually sing in unison at the same high note as a chipmunk, so it fit (LoL)

"Run This Town" – Jay-Z featuring Rihanna and Kanye West. I'm sorry. I don't understand the mentality of those that attempt to 'own an area.' The government owns the entire country! LoL If i'm getting this song's message wrong, then let me know LoL

Neither Honorable Nor Dishonorable Mentions
Jordin Sparks "Battlefield." Though I am partial to Pat Benatar's song with the same name, this song kinda feels like a sequel to it more than a copy. It kinda does copy though. I like the sound of it and the message though it's already been said :-/.

I think it would have been easier to make two separate lists. One for songs, than another for albums. I didn't think of that till ... now.....

2010

"Firework" - Katy Perry
"Love The Way You Lie" - Eminem feat Rhianna
"Back To December" - Taylor Swift
"Teenage Dream" - Katy Perry
"Not Afraid" - Eminem
"Just A Dream" - Nelly
"Baby" - Justin Bieber
"Whataya Want From Me?" - Adam Lambert
"Ridin' Solo" - Jason Derulo
"Bullet Proof" - La Roux
"Animal" - Neon Tree
"Haven't Met You Yet" - Michael Buble

Honorable Mentions
"Can't Be Tamed" - Miley Cyrus.


"Impossible" - Shontelle


"Naturally" - Selena Gomez & The Scene


"Heartbreak Warfare" - John Mayer


Not much music in 2010 to like unfortunately :-/. Basically everything the Black Eyed Peas gets on my nerves and the rest seem to be forgettable, sorry.

I'm lookin' forward to the next blog after my Next one or two American Idol Blogs because i've decided to now go to do the decade we know as the 90s. I'm on some sort of a 90s kick right now, so this shall be fun. That decade just amazed me so much with music, and somewhat into the early 2000s. Hope you enjoyed this final installment to this decade 2-part blog.

Peace <3 Hugs - Andrew

David Archuleta Dropped From His Label

I know this may seem to go against something I said in a vlog about how sometimes if we absorb ourselves with what celebrities are doing, it implies we have no life; as I explained in that vlog, though, I was referring to the personal lives of famous people, not what they are doing for their profession. That doesn't really mean I don't know what happens in the lives of certain celebrities. Some things I don't mind knowing, like if one of my favourite singers or actors/actresses is having a baby or getting married, but I don't need to know if they are going out to a club.

One artist that's worth following has been David Archuleta. The year he was on American Idol, Fox 11 had been dropped from Time Warner Cable because of a funding issue, so I couldn't watch the season he was on. It was the first year I got interested in Idol, so I tried to keep up on all his performances after a friend, who turned into my current bo, turned me onto David's voice. It's as beautiful as he is, inside and out. I'm glad I bought a copy of his second cd, because it's availability may dwindle soon.

I read that that his self titled debut sold near or above 1,000,000 copies. His second cd sold a modest 67,000. From what I understand, if your album sells less than a couple hundred thousand, you can get dropped and I had been wondering why there wasn't a second music video coming out yet. I've listened to his music on 'The Other Side Of Down,' cd and I think they are all great. In his song, "Elevator," he hits a note that I don't think he hit on his debut. I'll continue to listen to his music and stay subscribed to him on his youtube channel but I don't know how many people know this, he actually manages his own account instead of having some manager do it for him. He also vlogs on there to let his fans know what is going on.

I can't remember now where I first read that Archuleta and his label parted ways, even though I just read it within 20 minutes ago, but I like how positive he is being about this.





I had the chance to watch this vlog when he posted it a couple weeks ago, but I kept telling myself I would watch it after I was done designing this house, or done writing that poem and I never got around to it. I thought it was cool though that he gave it the same name I had given one of my recent skits on youtube. I know he probably didn't get the idea from my video; I revert to thinking, 'small world.' I sure hope he continues to have the same inspiring positiveness and amazing personality as he continues his music career independently.

Peace <3 Hugs - Andrew

American Idol: Top 11 Part 2

11 are competing again tonight, but this time 2 are going home. Tonight's blog may be shorter than usual because I have somewhat of a headache. Random I was just thinking of when they all sing together and they are lip syncing. I don't think I mind lip syncing anymore, and I know this may seem bad but the Spice Girls lip sanc all the time! But the thing is their music makes me happy and Victoria Beckham's solo material does to, so to quavel over lip syncing takes away the music. As long as you know they can really sing because you've heard them live before ... you know? the theme is Elton John

Ryan is wearing you know what, but what I can comment on is his new haircut. It's nice.

Jennifer is wearing a purple sequined dress that looks like it is mimicked by Victoria Beckham's collection, but I don't think it's one of hers. her left shoulder is bare as the dress only goes over her right shoulder.

Randy is wearing a simple black outfit, black shirt, black pants.

Steven is wearing a black over coat with a black and white flower shirt. His pants are also black I believe. This week his outfit is safe, so that may send him home (LoL ;)..)

Scotty was first. He chose Country Comfort. He's wearing very tight Jean pants, a leather jacket and Lord knows what the shirt is because his jacket is zipped up. I have never heard this song before but he's done a good job.

Naima was second. She chose 'I'm Still Standing.' She's wearing a white pair of tight pants with a white vest for a top. She turned this song into a reggae form, and I like it because it is different. Her red shoes match the red stripes on her outfit. Personally, this is her best performance to date for me!

Paul was third. He chose 'Rocket Man'. Man, I just know i'm gonna be listening to some Elton John music after the show! LoL Um what is he wearing. A white tux with with pink flowers. Some of the flowers seem to be maroon as they are matching his button up under shirt. His performance tonight is definitely unique and i'm thinking that he needs some more training. He's still very cute though.. The flowers also go down his pant leg.

Pia was fourth. She chose "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me." she's wearing a sequined silver dress, short above the knee, with sleeves that go to the wrist. I tink there's some stones in the design and if i'm not mistaken, this is the kind of dress that J-Lo wore earlier in her career? She killed it! (in the good way).

Stefano was fifth.He chose 'Tiny Dancer.' They really need to give him tighter pants (LoL) if it's slightly bagging in the back, it's not tight enough! (Haha) He's wearing a grey vest with a white button-up undershirt and white trainers. I think they should have him wear more modern clothes, because he looked so cute when he was wearing them in his intro. He did a good job, some of the notes took my breath away.

Lauren was sixth. She chose 'Candle In The Wind,' the version for Marilyn Monroe. I have loved this version for a long time, so I can tell you that it's not karaoke. She's wearing a simple black dress. She did a very good job on the sound.

James was seventh. He chose 'Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting." He's wearing a leather vest with black pants and black pants that have slits at the knees. he's wearing several necklaces and I can't get a good look at his undershirt. I sure hope he's not DAMN! he leaned back and I got an amazing crotch shot! LoL anyway, hhe's also wearing a red, blue and grey scarf. his shirt seems to remind me of a map? He did great. Tonight sounded different from Adam Lambert.

Thia was eighth. She chose 'Daniel.' She's wearing a baggy white dress has tiny holes in parts. This has always been one of my other favourite songs from Elton, and I think she did a pretty good job. There were pitchy parts, and I wonder if her ability to just standing the same place may hurt her tomorrow.

Casey was ninth. He chose 'Your Song.' what the devil was up with his arms flappin on his catwalk?? (LoL) He finally got rid of the majority of his wild beard. It looks nice now. It's nice to hear him not always growling through a song! This is a great performance from him. Amazing last couple notes. Didn't know he could do that! Very good! Wow I totally forgot to talk about his outfit! LoL. He's wearing a tux that is a bit easy goin, with an untucked theme and even slightly unbuttoned. His shoes are black, this kinda works.

Jacob was tenth and he chose 'Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.' Mary J Blige came onto the show to surprise Jacob. Mary J Blige has to be one person that I really respect. Now i'm starting to see how posting a blog about your favourite songs and albums can be a bad thing because in my post about music from 2000-2005, I forgot so many artists that I love! (LoL). (If you are lost, i am referring to my previous post on music from the first 5 years of music, for the first decade of this millennium.
He started out making this sound like a slightly haunting song. He makes it sound good through a voice that could imply he is crying. He's wearing a grey tuxedo jacket with black pants. His undershirt is black with a red hanging tie on the right.. His performance is very good, the only thing I would change is that he should walk around the stage more.

Hailey was eleventh and final. She chose 'Bennie & The Jets.' There's a line about killing the fatted calf, i'd probably change the lyrics at that part too, 'We won't be killing the fatted calf tonight because i'm a vegetarian.' (LoL!:P). Her dress is multi colored and difficult to explain. It's a mixture of greens and blues and has flowers designs all over it. She did great! :p.