Oh, how I adore it when we get to the phase of the competition where everyone is singing two songs. My level of happiness if off the charts, I tell you, because THIS IS ALL VERY EXCITING.

I will try to calm down a bit before I start talking about the actual performances.

I JUST NEED TO GET THE CAPITAL LETTERS OUT OF MY SYSTEM FIRST.

AND ALSO: I NEED ME ONE OF NEIL DIAMOND’S SPANGLY SHIRTS.

WOOT.

All better now.

Jason Castro – “Forever In Blue Jeans” – This is not one of my favorite songs – and I think the lyrics are sort of dated – but it was good to see Jason back in his comfort zone with guitar in hand. I’d have to consult the honorable FryDaddy to know for sure, but it sounded to me like he never found a range he was comfortable with in this song. And honestly, it was kind of boring. Perfectly nice – but kind of boring.

“September Morn” – HEY. WHAT THE HECK WAS GOING ON WITH PAULA EVALUATING THIS PERFORMANCE BEFORE IT EVEN HAPPENED? I mean, I know she could have taken notes during rehearsal or whatever, but I do think it was unfair for her to pretty much tell the world, “What’s coming up isn’t going to be very good” before we even saw it. That being said, Jason seemed really uncomfortable, and part of me wonders if he’s not ready to fly, fly away from the Idol coop. I’m just sayin’.

David Cook – “I’m Alive” – He’s just good, y’all. Even when I don’t love the songs he sings, I love to hear him sing them. Because he can sing anything and put an original twist on it. The end.

“All I Really Need Is You” – Well done with the thoughtful half-grin at the beginning of the song, Mr. Cook. And as far as the actual song, he delivered once again. He’s consistent, original and super smart about his performances. Love him.

Brooke White – “I’m A Believer” – Is it me, or has Brooke seemed really nervous the last few weeks? She seemed sort of hesitant at the beginning of this song, and like Jason, it felt like the song wasn’t in her range. I kept thinking of “The Partridge Family” when she was singing – and she didn’t seem comfortable at all.

“I Am, I Said” – I think Brooke is totally at home behind a piano, and I actually really liked this performance. The first part of the song especially came across as totally sincere – I even had goosebumps. Total rebound on Brooke’s part. Good for her.

David Archuleta – “Sweet Caroline” – For some reason this whole performance felt dated to me, almost like Bobby Brady was trying to win a talent show so he could replace the family portrait that Jan hit with her bike when she wasn’t wearing her glasses.

“America” – Eh. I wanted to like it. I feel like I should have liked it. But I just didn’t like it. I’m sorry.

Syesha Mercado – “Hello Again” – Okay, THIS was a modern take on a Neil Diamond song, which is exactly what Jason, Brooke and David A. were missing in their first songs tonight. I don’t think she hit it out of the park, but it was a solid double. And what in the sam hill am I doing using baseball metaphors? I have absolutely no explanation.

“Thank The Lord For The Nighttime” – LOVED this arrangement – it felt retro, not dated, and yes, there is a difference. I thought Syesha’s performance was fun, but I’m not sure it was her strongest…sometimes the song felt a little big for her. BUT, she was having fun, and for that reason alone it was enjoyable to watch.

Should go: Based on tonight? Jason.

Will go: I have no idea. I just know that it won’t be either of the Davids.

Best of the night: David Cook

If you’d like to add your AI post to the mix, just add the link to your specific post (not your general URL) below.

Thanks, internets!

Okay, internets.

Melanie, Travis and I are recording a podcast this afternoon.

So far we have all of one potential topic. ONE. UNO.

And granted, we usually don’t have some fancy outline with Roman numerals and stuff (oh, make no mistake: Roman numerals are VERY fancy), nor do we try to be, you know, EDUCATIONAL, but it’s always nice to have some conversational springboards.

So.

Does anyone have any lighthearted questions you’d like for us to answer? Something along the lines of TV / music / family silliness / movies / general trivia / just please oh please nothing involving science or history?

You have two hours to complete this mission. Because we’re recording at 3 o’clock central.

Fire away.

This is very, very cool.

(link via Anne on Twitter)

I just found this email in my inbox:

Hi, boomama.

eDiets (eDiets) is now following your updates on Twitter.

You may follow eDiets as well by clicking on the “follow” button.

Best,
Twitter

What? As if I don’t have enough pressure?

And now I have somebody called eDiets “following” me?

I feel that this is horribly unfair.

And also: I guess I’d better put down the cream cheese.

Diana asks: I’m rather new at the blogging thing, including reading yours, so if you haven’t answered it already, I would love to ask if you have any tips for new bloggers, any enlightenment for us newbies…

Well, Diana, it’s funny that you should ask this since Shannon, Mel and I will be talking a little bit about this very topic at SheSpeaks in June.

And by “speaking,” I think we all know that what I really mean is “rambling incoherently.”

But off the top of my head, there are a few bits-o-information that I think are pretty important:

1) Know why you’re blogging. Is it just to keep up with friends and family? Or are you trying to build a readership? Because that last thing requires a ton of time and energy.

2) I’ve said this a hundred times: post regularly, and write in a voice that’s uniquely your own. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. There’s only one you, so use that to your advantage.

3) Don’t expect online community to be a substitute for real-life community. It’s a lovely addition, and you will probably make some friends along the way, but online community cannot – and should not – replace the real-live people in our real-world lives.

I believe that’s what you might call the tip of the bloggy iceberg, but I hope it helps.

Rebecca asks: First, which comes first: fashion or pain? I was sorely limping into a mid-fancyish restaurant in heels that were divine (looking) and got some weird stares from those who do not understand that pain is gain. The pain is actually STILL living in infamy. So is fashion worth the pain to look dee-vine? (FYI: I wore my toe pinching heels with my new trouser jeans… oh, I would have made you proud!)

Well done, Rebecca, with your gorgeous shoes and jeans! As for me, I don’t do so well when fashion involves pain. Because as much as I love to look sassy, I love feeling sassy even more. So shoes that hurt – no matter how cute they are – are completely off-limits to me.

That is why I am such a huge proponent of a chunky wedge heel or some sort of platform shoe – because those shoes are cute AND feel really great. On the other hand, anything with a stiletto heel or a super-flat sole is my sworn shoe enemy.

And I despise a binding waistband on pure principle. Ditto scratchy fabric.

Second, are you a morning person? Do you roll out of bed slowly after snoozing 15 times or just pop right up like a jack-in-the-box on caffeine?

No. I am not a morning person. I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON. In fact, there are many things I don’t enjoy about mornings, and those things include but are not limited to 1) waking up, 2) getting out of bed, 3) talking to anyone, 4) getting dressed.

However, I really, really, really love quiet time. And coffee. And the propect of quiet time and coffee usually gets me moving pretty early in the morning. Moving slowly, mind you, but moving nonetheless.

Cindy asks: Do you floss?

When I think about it. Which isn’t very often, unfortunately. But I’m going to do better just so the next time someone asks me this question I can give a different answer and say, “Yes! I floss ALL THE TIME!”

If your life were made into a movie, who would play YOU?

Someone who can do a real Southern accent and not one of those horribly bad fake ones. Which means that anyone from “Steel Magnolias” who isn’t Dolly Parton is disqualified. Because, you know, it’s a funny movie, but no one in that movie sounds like a real Southerner (except for Dolly), and that reminds me: JULIA ROBERTS SHOULD KNOW BETTER BECAUSE, HELLO, SHE’S FROM GEORGIA.

And as far as a specific actress, I have no idea. I just know that she could not be skinny. Because that would be a cinematic lie.

Hardest thing God has asked of you?

To follow Him in a completely different way this last year. I quit a full-time job that offered us an extra measure of financial security, not to mention some kickin’ benefits. But God made it really clear that He was opening some other doors – and we decided to walk through them. Huge leap of faith on our part.

I won’t bore you with the details, but it has been a scary, challenging, refining time. And yet I know deep down in my soul that this is the exact path that we were supposed to walk. Our faith has been stretched like crazy, and there have been days when we have been absolutely astounded by God’s creative provision.

Has it been comfortable? Heck no. Has it been easy? HEEEEEEECK no.

But has it been worth it? Absolutely.

Lauren asks: I was watching this week’s episode of The Office and I was WAY confused when Creed was discussing the chair situation. Why is three chairs the magic number for him? I mean, I realize that Creed is insane, but most of his and Dwight’s insanity has at least a kernel of sense to it. This one, I couldn’t figure it out.

Lauren, I think Creed’s desire to have three chairs is as an elusive a mystery as why three people die by the sword that killed Caesar in Julius Caesar, why the boys in Lord of the Flies sit in a triangle formation and leave three sticks at the top of the mountain, and why there are three essential steps on the back of nearly every shampoo bottle (“Rinse. Lather. Repeat.”).

So since I have no idea what the answer is, I’ll just say, “Well, clearly all these things symbolize the Trinity” and pretend like I know what I’m talking about.

But if Creed goes for a fourth chair, then clearly my whole fake theory will go up in smoke.

And I guess I’ll just have to live with that.