U2's live version - A Sort of Homecoming

I caught the end of a live version of U2's A Sort of Homecoming on The Vault Sirius radio channel last night. I came right home to try and find it. First I found the below video on YouTube. Then I searched on YouTube and found a short album called Wide Awake in America in which they recorded the live track. It's awesome. I have been listening to it all day.

Got My New Dodge Nitro

I picked up my Dodge Nitro today. Since i wanted 4-wheel drive they had to find one at another dealership and transfer it over. They gave me a loaner on Thursday night of a lower class model. Today when I went to get it I was surprised to find that it has RED interior sport seats. I hate them. But, I got it in black and in 4-wheel drive with the iPod hookup, sunroof and Sirius, so what the hell. I was going to get seat covers to protect them from the dogs anyways. It drives so well. And it sounds awesome! The package I got has the 8-speaker infinity system and it get so loud the mirrors shake :)

bjork - earth intruders

live on saturday night live from last week



the official video

American Idol Gives Back

Tonight is the 2-hour special American Idol Gives Back. Good news is that there were over 70 Million votes cast last night. News Corp donated $5 Million.

Earth, Wind & Fire went first at the Disney Concert Hall where Ellen DeGeneres "hosted" 1600 people who got to see some of the special performances. They sang bits of a bunch of fun songs. Can you say "Boogie Wonderland"? How about "Shining Star"?

Quincy Jones wrote a song just for this occasion which the top six idols sang. They all wore white suits, but each with their own little style.

I've been looking around the website to read about the foundations the money got to. The website is overloaded! It keeps timing out. I can't even get to the page anymore to make a donation. I'm surprised. New Corp should know that these websites have an overflow of people when something like this is going on. Can you imagine how many people are trying to donate and can't? That sux.

Jack Black is just so cute. Cute in a funny, crazy kind of way. He's great. I LOVE him in The Holiday. He sang Kiss From A Rose from Seal. It's good and hysterical at the same time :) The judges gave him a thumbs down. Ha! Surprise - Seal was there and he gave them a thumbs up.

Safe: Melinda and Blake.

Carrie Underwood recorded a version of The Pretenders "I'll Stand By You" which was so awesome when Chrissie Hynde did it. Carrie's version is good but she doesn't have that edge that Chrissie does. Her version will be available for download through iTunes tomorrow.

Ha! Tom from MySpace was there and Ryan introduced him to the world.

Safe: Melinda, Blake and Phil. (does that mean that LaKisha, Jordan and Chris are in the bottom three?)

Okay, the Mothers with AIDS segment had me in tears. I want to donate all the extra money I have. I just don't know how much to give? 10? 30? 100? I'd like to give $100 but not sure if I can. The donation website is still down. Maybe I'll end up having to call.

WOW! Ellen is personally donating $100,000 and challenges all the rich people who watch the show to donate. I think that is so great.


Josh Grobin sang that "you raise me up" song with an African Children's Choir. They were great. And so cute, half of them had missing teeth.

Okay, I got through on the website and I just tried to donate $100 - the page timed out when I hit submit. It looks like it might have made it - I hope so. Not sure what to do.

Kelly Clarkson performed with Jeff Beck on guitar. Those two are a cool mix together. She looks different . . . she's got a hippy thing going on tonight and she looks like Valerie Bertinelli. Wow, they sound great. I'll have to buy this one for sure.



The Simpsons clip was hysterical!



Safe: Melinda, Blake, Phil and Lakisha. No way was Jordan in the bottom two. Chris HAS to be the one to get voted off. If it's Jordan I'll be shocked. Last night my mom was saying she thought Jordan and Melinda would be the top two in the finals.

Interesting duet: Celine Dion and "Elvis" . . . Not sure why they did that. I like when Natalie Cole did it with her dad on Unforgettable, but that was her dad! The song sounds good but it's freaking me out cuz Elvis is dead. From a multimedia perspective though it was cool. (It was done through a combo of rotoscoping and use of a body double.)



Annie Lenox is so cool. She sings Bridge Over Troubled Waters. She's just sitting at the piano playing but then the orchestra comes in. The she stands up and the orchestra takes over.

Those buggers! Everyone is safe this week. Since it was charity night they didn't let anyone go home. So this weeks votes will get added to next weeks votes and then two people will go home.

There's my guy - Bono! They show him just watching them sing. Then he comes in and says hi to all of them. He then talks to them about the ONE campaign. Then the final six perform another song called American Prayer. I didn't get if Bono wrote it or not, but the song is really good.

Major Doggie Incident

Tonight I came home and a turd from Tristen greeted me at the front door. As I walked further in the house I noticed a bunch of gargage in front of the tv. I left a filled garbage bag in the kitchen that I forgot to bring outside. And Taylor had a HAYDAY and dragged garbage all over the house to chew up. But the best part was that the stack of cookbooks I had on the floor had a big pee stain next to them. Tristen lifted his leg right on my stacks of books and got them all. I had to throw the cover out on one of my brand new ones I got as a birthday present which I had never even cooked from. And another one I think I can't save at all because the urine got on all the pages and it soaked in. I AM SO PISSED. I was absolutely beside of myself. They have never seen me so mad. As their punishment I gated them off in the back and they don't get to come sit by me at all tonight. And I haven't fed them yet. Damn dogs!

Dodge Nitro

This is the car I want, the Dodge Nitro. I'm going to get it in Black. I know, black gets dirty alot but the car looks so sharp in black.

Only problem is it's expensive. I have no car payment now and it'll be $480 for 6 years or $550 for 5 years. Aarrgh. But - it has every little thing that I like in it. I don't need fancy leather seats and such. It has a direct input for my iPod. It has a REGULAR two-pronged power outlet so I can have my laptop plugged in if I want it. The front passenger seat folds down and has a nice little tray on the back so I can place my laptop or even food on there. It's perfect for the single girl. It comes with Sirius. There is also a neat slide in and out thing in the back so it is easier to get heavy things in and out. I really like everything about it. Only prob is it is not 4-wheel drive.

Sinead O'Connor

I've really been into Sinead O'Connor lately. She has such and amazing and unique voice. I found this video below of her performance on the Grammy's in 1989. Look at her, out on that stage all alone. No dancers. No pyrotechnics. Just her. Her and her voice. She is so amazing.

Trainspotting: The Sequel!

This article in The Scotsman reported that they will be making the sequel to Trainspotting. It's been over 10 years and I still have nightmares of the dead baby dying when the parents were all fucked up on heroin. And the dirty toilet scene is gross too but the baby is what really gets me.

I guess Irvine Welsh, the author of Trainspotting, wrote a follow up book called Porno. So maybe they will be using that for the script. All the cast including Ewan McGregor is said to reprise their roles.

Flashback: Sixteen Candles

I just sat through the entire movie of 16 Candles. That has always been one of the best movies of the 80s, and of my life. I relate to that movie so much. It's funny how you think life is going to turn out when your are 10. And then how it really does.

The Tudors

I love The Tudors! Thank God I decided to get Showtime to check it out. It's like re-living my 6th-grade history class. Henry VIII is one of my favorites. Actually the entire story of the Tudors from Henry VII through the reign of Elizabeth I.

Finally! Sanjaya is finished

I got a bit nervous when I saw the bottom three were Sanjaya, LaKisha and Blake. Thank God America has finally come to it's senses and Sanjaya was voted off. I was a bit worried for LaKisha since her country performance wasn't very good. I'm not sure what the theme is next week but they are making a bit to do about Idol Gives Back.

Country Night on American Idol

I'm not a big country music fan. I barely know any country songs. And I'm not too hopeful that it will be a good show tonight. I can't picture too many of the Idols doing well. But we'll see. Martina McBride mentored the Idol this week. I don't know much about her but she's pretty.

Phil Stacey sang a Keith Urban song "Where the Blacktop Ends". I think he did really well this week. Country music seems to suit him. The judges gave a great review, even Simon.

Jordin sang A Broken Wing which is one of Martina's songs. I think she sounded good but I can't stop trying to figure out her dress. It's an empire-style dress in the shape of a grecian gown. The top is a gold snakeskin print. The bottom looks like red silk with huge shiny gold leaves printed on it. I love her little leaf necklaces though. Judges raved so I guess she did well.

Sanjaya sang Something to Talk About by Bonnie Raitt - which is one of my favorite songs. And he succeeded in bastardizing it. I think I could have done that one better than he did. I think the judges are sick of him now and are ready for him to get voted off.

LAKISHA! She is singing Jesus Takes the Wheel by Carrie Underwood. I don't know about these Idols singing other Idols songs, but I like LaKisha. And she looked great tonight (except for the gold lame boots). The judges didn't really like it. But this is what I expected from her doing a country song.

Chris sang Mayberry by Rascal Flats. I didn't really like it. I guess he tried to do all sorts of country stuff in the song with his voice but it just sounded off-key to me. Didn't get very good reviews from the judges.

Melinda just kicks ass! I missed what song she is singing tonight, but the song is fun and she did an awesome job. The crowd gave her a standing ovation. She totally deserves to win this competition.

Blake sings Tim McGraw. I'm not sure what song he sang but I really, really liked it. Or at least Blake's version of it. He might have been a bit "pitchy" as Randy would say, but I still liked it.

Classes at Hampton Court

This is my dream. Taking classes at Hampton Court:

Historic Royal Palaces Introduces Hampton Court Summer School

One of my favorite places in the entire world. Imagine taking a history class about the Tudors in the real place that they lived! I so wish I could do that. But I'd have to take over a month off of work and live in the UK. Sometimes I wish I could like on odd jobs and just be a backpacker. But that wouldn't work well for my dogs and birdie.

There are also art classes that take you around and analyze the various artworks. And craft classes where you actually make things like cards, Tudor pottery. There's bird photography and watercolor classes in the garden. So much is offered. It sounds fabulous.

Taxes!

It's April 16th and I have yet to complete my taxes. I'm lucky this year because they are not due until Midnight tomorrow. Since the 15th was a Sunday they really weren't supposed to be due until today but because today is a holiday in Washington we get until tomorrow. I haven't finished them simply out of laziness. And a bit of fear. I've never done them by myself before. I'm using TurboTax and am going to file electronically. I MUST do them TONIGHT!!!

Donavon Frankenreiter

I just heard Donavon Frankenreiter yesterday for the first time on a MTV-HD show. His voice is awesome! He looks kind of like Frank Zappa - scruffy looking. But his voice is amazing and I like almost all of the songs off of both of his albums. I bought a bunch yesterday from iTunes.

Saturday Entertainment

This morning I got to hang out with Margie and Adam. They came down here to go on a cruise. I picked them up at the airport and we went to Carmine's in Ybor for Cuban Sandwiches and amazing mojitos. The we stopped at Green Iguana for a few drinks before I took them to the port. Even though Ybor is empty during the day, the weather was great and there were enough people out and fruity drinks so that they could start getting in vacation mode.

After I dropped them off I had to come home and tidy up for a showing of my house. I fell asleep for a quick nap and the realtor screwed up and didn't call me to tell me she was on her way. So she rang the doorbell and I had to scramble to get the dogs out of the house.

Then it was time to get ready for Julie's party. It was actually a birthday party with Jason. I knew a few of the people there because I met them previous times I went out with Julie. After a while we all played a game called Are You a Werewolf? It's kind of a mind game and it is really fun with a group. Yet it can be frustrating too. There are a deck of cards with 2 werewolfs, 1 seer and the rest villagers. Then the villages have to find the werewolves by killing them off. It's too complicated to write about but it is really fun to play. I was bummed out because I never got to be a werewolf the entire time.

Goodbye Hot Legs

Okay, right as they determined that Phil and Hailey were the bottom two this week the Fox Channel here in Tampa flashed away to a weather alert with tornado warnings. I almost had a heart attack thinking i'd miss who was eliminated this week.

When they switched back they were announcing J.Lo. I don't know about her song in all Spanish . . . I have no idea what it was about. But the beat is good and the performance was fun - I love her 8 background dancers, pyro explosions and the wind all blowing on her. How come the idols don't get those options? It seemed like it would have been a way cool performance to be there. All 3 judges and the entire audience gave her a standing ovation.

Jennifer Lopez singing "Que Hiciste"


Phil is safe and Hailey is gone. I think that's just. They haven't been giving her a chance but she hasn't been all that great. Phil has been in the bottom over and over so maybe next week it will be his turn.

Oh no! Next week is Country with Martina McBride. Country? It will probably be another iffy week on performances.

J. Lo mentors Top 8 Idols

I didn't keep up with the rumors this week so I was surprised to see that J.Lo is mentoring the Top 8 Idols. And I was even more surprised at the theme: Latin Music. They have never done that theme before in any of the other seasons.

Charlie Bird is so funny when watching American Idol. He was cuddled up on my shoulder and was ready to take a nap, but when he heard all the applause at the beginning of the show he started laughing a bit. He loves all the fuss of the applause. Then he turned around when they started singing and started singing along and blowing kisses to the TV.

Melinda actually did look a bit sexy when she sang Sway and she was amazing as always. For the first time Simon didn't like her. He said she was "too old" and that's not a really bad compliment.

Melinda Doolittle singing "Sway"


LaKisha was up second and sang one of my favorite songs of all time: Conga by Gloria Estefan. I didn't really like her performance. Probably because I used to listen to that song and jump all over the place and she didn't do that. Of course she can't jump and sing at the same time. Her voice just seemed too deep or something. But at least she kept it fun and young like Simon told her to. The judges didn't really like it either. It might be the first MP3 of hers that I don't buy.

Chris Richardson had a cool performance singing Smooth by Santana - he had some bongos up there. He actually sounded pretty well. Hailey got reamed after singing Turn the Beat Around and almost seemed like she was going to cry after Simon told him said she had a good tactic by wearing as few clothes as possible. Phil sounded good singing Maria, Maria, another Santana song.

Chris Richardson singing "Smooth"


Jordan is so cute. She sang Rhythm is Gonna Get You, another Gloria Estefan song. I don't know, it was okay. Simon and Paula raved but I didn't get it. Blake sang I Need to Know by Marc Anthony. I actually liked his performance. He sounded good and the judges gave him good reviews.

Blake Lewis singing "I Need to Know"


Oh God, Sanjaya finished it up. I don't even know what to say about him. Compared to everyone else who didn't even do that good this week, he sounded okay. He sang Bessa Me Mucho and came out all scruffy looking with moustache and beard thing.

Sanjaya singing "Bessa Me Mucho"


Overall, I didn't really like any of the performances tonight. Chris and Blake are the two that stood out to me. I don't think I'll by any MP3s. Maybe Sway by Mindy Doo if I get around to it.

back to normal, for a little bit

i just got back from Chicago. Was there over Easter weekend. Thursday night I went over to Linda's to give Kia my sewing machine. Ends up Linda needs some help with her wedding so I now have a bunch of tasks to help everything go smoothly on 4/29. Also, I'm going to help organize a girls night out for that Friday night.

I'm swamped at work and all stressed about my house.

today's horoscope:

Your life continues to unfold in fast motion, yet it might not be as overwhelming now. Although your ideas about your current projects are grandiose, you are still realistic about the work ahead. Even just a little caution is helpful and can enable you to accomplish the very ambitious goals you set for yourself.

It ends up that I don't have that much time to bum around and be lazy. My schedule for the next 2 months:

4/14: Margie flies into Tampa on her way for a cruise. That night there is a party at Julie's

4/27 - 4/29: Linda's Wedding Weekend

5/5: Ruskin Tomato Festival

5/11 - 5/13: Mother's Day in Chicago

5/24 - 6/3: Vancouver and Alaska Cruise

6/8 - 6/10: World Tea Expo in Atlanta

I think I only have 2 weekends without plans! That's crazy! But I guess i won't be bored.

Goodbye Gina

Gina, Hailey and Phil are in the bottom three this week. And I think this is exactly right. Well except for Sanjaya who should be long gone by now, but I just ignore him and the weird way he keeps hanging in there. If he's not the 6th to go, then I'm going to really start getting pissed. The top 5 need to be LaKisha, Melinda, Blake, Chris and Jordan.

I was a bit nervous for a minute because they did that thing where they divide the finalists into three groups of three. Two different years the ones we assume are in the top 3 were the bottom 3 and we lost a really good singer.

Okay . . . I thought for sure Phil would go. But Gina and Hailey are in the bottom two. I don't think that either of them should win, but I like both of them and want to see them perform more. I'm not ready for either of them to go yet.

Oh no, Hailey is satying and GINA is going home. I really liked her. And she had some really good performances. I didn't quite like her last night though. She sang smile and her tongue piercing kept distracting me. It's such a sad song. Ah! She had to sing it again tonight after they told her she was leaving. Actually, I like this performance better cuz of the true gritty feeling.

Tony Bennett does American Idol

This week the amazing Tony Bennett was in the house to help the American Idols sing standards. This is always one of my favorite shows because it seems kind of hard to screw up the classics. And they can't be compared to Whitney Houston or something like that because SO MANY different people have sang each of these songs.

The band was amazing. There was an hour full of good music. My three favs by far were Mindy Doo, LaKisha and Blake. Chris was a close 4th. I've been buying some of the MP3s each week. It's a new thing American Idol is doing this season . . . they sell recorded versions of the performances for $0.99 each. Melinda and LaKisha the the two consistent ones I buy each week. The sound so good. Some of the others I like when I see them on TV but the songs get old when I hear them over and over. All except LaKisha and Mindy Doo. And a few of Blake's and Jordan's songs too. I have been singing Heaven Knows with Mindy Doo all this past week on my iPod. I can't wait until they upload tonight's songs so I can get them tomorrow. I'm definitely getting Mindy Doo's "I Got Rhythm" and LaKisha's "Stormy Weather." They were both amazing.

What does one say about Sanjaya? He is just not good. But he cracks me up. And America's response to him cracks me up. Once girl had a sign that says "Sanjaya is my Papaya" and I laughed out loud. And I think his dad cornered Ryan Seacreast and wouldn't stop talking to him so when they came back from a commercial break Ryan had to finish the conversation on air and tell him to have a seat so that Ryan could introduce Lakisha. It's just all so funny.

LaKisha Jones performing "Stormy Weather".


Blake Lewis performing "Mack the Knife"


Melinda Doolittle performing "I Got Rhythm"

Planet Earth

Planet Earth on the Discovery Channel is totally amazing. It'll be on each Sunday night for five weeks. Last week there were 3 shows which I recorded and watched during this week. Tonight and each other Sunday there will be 2 shows each night. A total of 11 episodes. I am blown away by the photography and animals. The website is pretty cool too.