Archives for March 2010

American Idol – Top 11

23 March 2010 by

I’m a little late starting tonight’s show because I just finished watching Mississippi State’s Lady Bulldogs advance to the Sweet 16 for the very first time. I’m just as tickled as I can be for them. And I guess technically I’m not nearly as late watching tonight’s show as I was watching last week’s show, seeing as how I didn’t get to last week’s show until Friday. I was way past tardy for the AI party.

Anyway, I love tonight’s theme – Billboard’s #1 hits – and I’m trying to give this week’s mentor, Miley Cyrus, the benefit of the doubt and not get caught up in the fact that the only way I could have mentored somebody when I was 17 is if the other person needed some tips in SMOKIN’ HOT DRAMA SKILLS. Something tells me that my reservations have much more to do with my own personal baggage than they do with Miley Cyrus’ mentoring abilities.

All righty then.

Lee Dewyze – “The Letter” – I thought the big band take on this song was a great departure for him – the whole song had a very funky, jazzy feel, and it suited him. Honestly, do you know what I thought after watching this performance? We need more horns in modern music. Big ole brass sections. They make everything better. And also, did anybody else think that Lee took more control this week? He didn’t just sound the part – he looked the part. Made me happy for him.

Paige Miles – “Against All Odds” – Did anybody else think that was a little bit weird? The super-soft, off-key beginning, and then suddenly she went into power ballad mode. She’s obviously hoarse, and that makes me sad for her – because this was her weakest performance so far. It seemed like she started with one interpretation and then jumped to a completely different one, and it all felt very disjointed and strange.

Tim Urban – “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” – He seems like such a sweet guy. And his version of this song was serviceable, but it wasn’t original. There was no unique perspective, and it was more like something you’d see if he’d been cast as the singer in the background of a prom scene in a Lifetime movie. In other words: not at all memorable.

(Okay. I’m now watching Miley’s mentoring session with Aaron, and I’m so tired of those super-short cut-offs that I REALLY want to go grab a pair of blue jeans, hand them to her, and say, “Just put on some long pants, honey. SOME LONG PANTS. THEY’RE COMFORTABLE! AND ALSO WARM!”)

Aaron Kelly – “Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” – Time to haul out the red and white polka dot dresses and gaze into Ben Affleck’s eyes, girls (I may have watched this movie once or thirteen times in the late 90s). I have to say that this is one of those songs that I don’t ever have to hear again, but it was a good choice for him. It highlighted the strengths of his voice, and he did a good job.

Crystal Bowersox – “Me & Bobby McGee” – How much do I love this song? I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH. And the performance was brilliant. Something about watching Crystal sing makes me want to cry – she is so gifted, and it makes me a little weepy that she’s getting to do something that she obviously loves so much. I wouldn’t just buy her CD – I’d buy a ticket to her concert. The end.

Michael Lynche – “When A Man Loves A Woman” – Honestly, I think this song choice is tired. But I really liked this arrangement. So basically I was all prepared to roll my eyes and think that the song had been done to death, but Michael won me over. Good job.

Andrew Garcia – “Heard It Through The Grapevine” – As a child of the 80s, I got a smidge burned out on this song thanks to the California Raisins. Andrew’s version didn’t do much to change my mind. It felt karaoke-ish to me – and the moonwalk didn’t help. It sounded a little bit like he was “talking” his way through the verses, so it came across as very choppy, and by the end I felt like he hadn’t really done that much singing. Weird.

Katie Stevens – “Big Girls Don’t Cry” – For the first time I thought she seemed youthful and current, and it was fun to see her getting more comfortable on stage. As far as the vocals, it seemed really sharp to me – to the point that I closed one eye through parts of the song – but I think she’s on the right track.

Casey James – “The Power of Love” – I probably wouldn’t have picked this song for Casey. I would’ve gone with a song that has more of an edge (not to mention that the background vocals were CHEESE-Y). What about a Maroon 5 song or a Daughtry song – something a little more modern? Something that doesn’t make me think about Marty McFly? HOWEVER, he sounded great, and he seemed to enjoy himself more than he has in recent weeks.

Didi Benami – “You’re No Good” – This was a good song for her – and the arrangement was just the right mix of retro and modern. I don’t think her vocals were as strong as they were last week, and it seemed a little bit like she was going through the choreographed motions. More than anything she just doesn’t seem relaxed on stage, and when she loosens up enough to just be herself, I think she’s going to hit her stride.

Siobhan Magnus – “Superstition” – I love me some Stevie. I’m still trying to figure out Siobhan. She is so talented, but sometimes when she’s singing I just don’t get it. This performance especially felt a little bit like a metronome – and maybe even a little Lambert-esque (please don’t start screaming at us every week, Siobhan – please – I beg you). All that to say: I still appreciate her talent – but I still don’t really enjoy her. For whatever reason.

Best of the night: Crystal. Hands-down.
Worst of the night: Paige. Oh bless her heart.
Should go: Paige or Andrew – neither of them can find their footing.
Will go: Paige or Andrew.

What did y’all think?

If you’d like to add your AI post to the Mr. Linky, please use the link to your specific post and not your blog’s general URL.

Mr. Linky is having some ish-ahs – hopefully he’ll be up and running in a little while.

Filed Under: TV Is My Friend

Initials, inc. Giveaway

23 March 2010 by

There’s something fun going on with Initials, inc. over on my giveaways page today.

If you’re a person who likes great-looking monogrammed / personalized totes and bags and oh-so-much-more, you don’t want to miss it!

Filed Under: Giveaways

The Breaking Of The Spring

22 March 2010 by

So at the beginning of last week, when I was in the throes of a condition called The NCAA Selection Committee Has Angered Me, I decided that a trip to Starkville for the first round of the NIT was just what the basketball doctor ordered. Since my friend Emma Kate and her family were also going, we coordinated our plans and worked out a way that we could ride together to the game.

As soon as we got to Starkville, we went to Little Dooey for supper. If you’re not familiar with The Dooey, you’ll just have to take my word that they have great BBQ and deeeeee-licious fried catfish. I actually meant to take a picture of my catfish plate, but unfortunately my fork involuntarily swooped down to the food before I could pick up my camera. And I could hardly blame the fork, because oh my word at the tastiness. Such a treat.

After we ate, I snapped a picture of two of my very favorite people in the whole wide world.

By the way, Alex adores “Miss Emma Kate.” So does his mama.

After supper we drove over to the coliseum, and we walked in right about the time that the Bulldogs were taking the floor for warm-ups. State fans are a loyal bunch, you know, and between the way the Kentucky game ended and the NCAA tournament snub, there was no question that we would rally behind our team – which is why our boys got standing ovations at the beginning and end of warm-ups. Bless their hearts.

And they had two dedicated little fans waiting to high-five them when they walked back to the locker room.

That’s EK’s younger son with Alex. The matching #24 football jerseys weren’t planned, but somehow they seemed fitting since there were many, MANY days in college when EK and I wore eerily similar hair bows. Not to mention that we both enjoyed extensive collections of novelty sweaters.

They’re our mini-me’s.

(Listen. I went back and forth on using an apostrophe to make the word “me” plural. BACK AND FORTH. But somehow “mes” looks all wrong. Hence the extraneous apostrophe for clarity. I DO APOLOGIZE.)

We had a fine time at the game (we won! we won!), and even though it was almost midnight when the game was over, we stayed until the bitter end because that, that is what I do. It’s who I am. Whether we’re winning 100-14 or losing 56-3, I will not leave a sporting event until the final buzzer has sounded because WHAT IF I MISS SOMETHING IMPORTANT, THAT WOULD BE TERRIBLE.

Our original plan was to spend the night at EK’s on Tuesday night and then head back to Alabammy, but one night was so nice that we decided to stay two. We got to catch up with some of our sweetest friends and spend an inordinate amount of time in EK’s orange chairs.

The orange chairs are a happy place. Problems get solved there.

We drove home Thursday afternoon, and I’ve been in Official Nesting Mode ever since. The combination of the blue skies and the buds on the trees has put me in the mood for spring cleaning and all that goes with it. We’ve spent the last part of spring break with the doors open and lots of kids running through the house. I refilled the bird feeder and don’t even care (yet) that the squirrels will be attacking it within a couple of days. We’ve watched a whole lot of basketball, tackled some organizational ish-ahs that had been driving me cuckoo, and laughed more than we deserve.

It’s been so good.

Even if the Bulldogs lost to North Carolina in the second round of the NIT.

But we won’t talk about that right now, lest we spoil all the spring break goodness.

Hope your week was filled with goodness, too!

Filed Under: Family Fun

People Love Shells From Faraway Beaches

18 March 2010 by

So I’m going ahead with my regular “Office” post even though I haven’t added my comments to the “American Idol” post yet. And if you’re wondering why I haven’t blogged about “Idol” yet, well, it’s because I haven’t watched it yet.

I feel I owe that explanation to the six of you who care.

I’ll offer lots of mundane, mind-numbing details later, but I’ve been out of town for a couple of days because our trip to State’s NIT game turned into a mini-road trip / reunion / two-day conversation marathon (of sorts). It was such a sweet time.

And hopefully tonight’s episode of “The Office” will be, too.

(DID YOU SEE HOW I DID THAT?)

(DID YOU SEE MY LAME TRANSITION?)

(BEHOLD THE ABSENCE OF SKILLZ!)

1. “The Lost & Found has gone missing, so please try not to lose anything until we find it.”

2. “You couldn’t handle my undivided attention.”

3. “You get any news on the leads? You call my numbers. All six of my numbers. Including the car phone. Dwight out.”

4. “The sales department smashed my sandwich?” // “Yes. All of them together. It’s a conspiracy.”

5. “That’s what she said.”

6. “Kids don’t respect the father who doesn’t respect the boss.”

7. “Oh, how the tables have turned. I see you got my email.”

8. “If you want to find your leads, go to the man who never breeds.” // “KEVIN!”

9. “Meredith, take off your dress.” // “Okey dokey.”

10. “Does it have to be pizza? Can we go for a falafel?”

11. “Don’t use your cute baby to make us like you.” // “She’s wearing a onesie.”

12. “When I first met you, you were a wide-eyed innocent.” // “I can’t do anything about my wide-set eyes.”

13. “Do you have any pastries without fruit?”

14. “…and the caption would read, ‘Hope Arose in a Dump.'”

15. “You’re the nicest person I’ve ever met – ruddit-dit-di-doo.”

I give tonight’s episode a 6 out of 10 – not really laugh out loud funny, but there were a few good moments. What did y’all think?

Filed Under: TV Is My Friend

American Idol – Top 12

16 March 2010 by

Since the little man and I are in Starkville tonight, it’ll be tomorrow before I get to watch American Idol. But do you know what? Without even seeing it, I know that three things happened:

1) Simon told somebody that his or her performance wasn’t “memorable.”
2) Randy told somebody that his or her performance was “just a’ight for me, dog.”
3) Crystal Bowersox rocked it.

See? IT’S LIKE I SAW EVERY SINGLE MINUTE.

Anyway, I’m going to go ahead and put up a Mr. Linky for you faithful AI posters (remember, link to your specific post and not just your general blog URL), and tomorrow I’ll add my reactions to the mix.

BooMama out.

(Sorry.)

(I couldn’t resist.)

(I hope we can still be friends.)

Filed Under: TV Is My Friend

I’m Totally Over It Except For The Fact That I’m Deeply Bitter

16 March 2010 by

AP Photos by Wade Payne

Oh, people.

I have known some Mississippi State sports-related heartache in my time.

There was the field goal that the wind stopped in the ’83 Egg Bowl. There was the loss to Tennessee in the 1998 SEC Championship football game. There was 4th and goal against LSU last fall. There was the regular season loss (in overtime) to Kentucky’s basketball team about a month ago.

But there has never been a sporting event that just plain ole ripped out my heart out and slung it around and stomped on it and crammed it back into my chest like this past Sunday’s loss to Kentucky in the SEC Tournament Championship Game. Our boys fought so hard and played so well and had all but won when Kentucky tied the game with .1 second on the clock.

POINT ONE. ONE-TENTH OF A SECOND. AND I HOPE THAT I AM EXPRESSING THESE NUMBERS-RELATED TERMS CORRECTLY, FOR THEY ARE CRITICAL TO MY TALE OF BASKETBALL-RELATED WOE.

Because oh my word. Heartbreaking. A tenth of a second. And everything changed.

We ended up losing by a point in overtime, but I tried my best to see the positive. I really did. It was an incredible game – who knows how many lead changes and both teams playing inspired basketball (if you’re into that sort of thing, you know exactly what I mean). The Bulldogs went toe-to-toe with the number two team in the country and gave them all they could handle. And when the game was over, I was definitely disappointed, but I was mainly just proud of our guys. I felt like in the end the game was going to be an incredible motivator for the Bulldogs in the NCAA tournament.

But therein lies the rub.

Late Sunday afternoon the NCAA Selection Committee announced the 64 teams for the tournament. Mississippi State was not on the list. And y’all? I was ticked. I was really, really ticked. I tried not to act ticked because we were hanging out with some sweet friends and I did not want them to be discouraged or dismayed by my Deep, Festering Aggravation with a bunch of basketball-analyzing strangers, but TICKED, WHY YES, I WAS.

Thank you for asking.

The Bulldogs did get invited to the NIT, and while at first I was not terribly excited about this development, the more I’ve thought about it the more I’ve gotten on board with it. It’s sort of like going to a school dance with a date who’s not necessarily your first pick – but eventually your mama’s wisdom starts to sink in and you think, “Well, at least he thought enough of me to ask.”

That’s how I feel about the NIT right now. It might not be what Bulldogs dreamed of, but the NIT asked us and gave us a number one seed. And they appreciate us. And by diggity, I am getting in the car this afternoon and driving to Starkville and going to our first-round game against Jackson State and cheering my bitter head off.

Be warned, NIT officials: I may arrive with boutonnieres. I think Japanese magnolias are lovely this time of year.

And you can still join our NCAA Tournament Challenge group, by the way. Because even though I have some ish-ahs with the selection committee, I will in no way allow my personal basketball tragedy to interfere with my ability to speculate about the next national champion.

That is my promise to you.

Filed Under: Beloved Bulldogs
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