Nuts to iTunes - Go To the Source Instead

Here ya go: Antony and the Johnsons MP3s
I implore you to listen to it and I hope you enjoy it.

Hope There's Someone

This song is so deeply moving. I would recommend listening, if to a bit of it, on iTunes. The singer's voice exudes a sad ethereal lullaby.

"Hope There's Someone" by Antony and the Johnsons
Hope there's someone who'll take care of me
When I die
Will I go?

Hope there's someone who'll set my heart free
Nice to hold
When I'm tired

There's a ghost on the horizon
When I go to bed
How can I fall asleep at night
How will I rest my head

Oh I'm scared of the middle place
Between light and nowhere
I don't want to be the one
Left in there
Left in there

There's a man on the horizon
Wish that I'd go to bed
If I fall to his feet tonight
Will allow rest my head

So here's hoping I will not drown
Or paralyze in light
And godsend I don't want to go
To the seal's watershed

Hope there's someone who'll take care of me
When I die
Will I go

IDOL BLOWS ASS - FOLLOW UP

I just want to reiterate how much American Idol sucks. Even if the judges "manipulated" the results by promoting the performers they like best -- that does NOT account for Scott Savol. And often it does not account for Anthony Federov. So, again -- you heard it here first, I might NOT WATCH IDOL anymore. Why should I bolster ratings for a show that angers me so much? Especially since I know that I will never but NEVER buy the album of the winner regardless of who the winner is. I would have founded it funny to vote for the worst if Mikalah was still on the show. She was a talentless floozy that would NEVER have recorded well but would have been sufficiently entertaining. I wouldn't even find it funny to watch Scott win and have his career plummet. That would just give Idol BETTER ratings.

Please join me in boycotting American Idol.

IDOL BLOWS ASS

Constantine was kicked off this week. SERIOUSLY I DON'T KNOW WHO IS VOTING FOR SCOTT.

Missing?

Sorry I have been missing the past couple of days. I am SICK as a DOG with a cold and finals are here. I'm downloading Legislation tomorrow.

So, I had my last class in law school Monday - wow - I can't even believe that it is nearly over. Goodbye 3 years of my life. Haha. Just crazy.

And that's all the news. I'm watching the results of Idol before I take Nitequil and go to bed...even though I slept 11 hours last night and then took an hour and 1/2 nap this afternoon.

Oh! And I handed in my divorce mediation paper this afternoon - so that's one class down and 6 more to go!

Paula Explains Herself

Apparently Paula Abdul has caught wind that all of America has noticed her slurred speech and odd behavior. And she has decided to come clean. It sounds suspicious to me -- but I don't have this "Sympathetic" disorder she does ...

In other news, Ryan created a cute comic strip about a well-loved dog named Simon. I think you know who I'm talking about! See him in his first edition of adventures.

Birthday Complete

So now I'm 27 years old. Them's a lot of years. The birthday was a pure delight. I'm not sure how many pictures we took. I might post some later.

In the meantime, here is one of Ryan and me. (that's right - ryan and ME - for those of you who are grammatically misinformed.)

BIRTHDAY!!!

TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!

Do you think I got: (multiple choice)
a) funny little garden gnomes


b) a pile of painted eggs


c) a mountain of balloons and a painting purchased from Novica done by an elephant (and the first season of Arrested Development on DVD)

Last Day of Work

Today was my last day of work at the Law Project. Wah! I was so sorry to go! They gave me a pizza party and a cake. And many well wishes.
This was my office for almost a year:

Goodbye desk. Goodbye window. Goodbye slow awful computer.

(tomorrow is my birthday -- so be prepared!)

Idol THIS WEEK

So this week I missed the first few performances. That aside -- my favorite was Bo this week. He did a great job. And he needed it because he had a bad week last week. Constantine (in recap) sounded awful. Carrie didn't sound good either. Scott was okay but he is a big sweaty guy. Anthony again surprised me by not making me barf. Vonzell put on a good show -- she has a great spirit. Anwar looked like he had spasms and hiccups at the same time.

More importantly, Paula was just a terrible disaster. She has become like a foaming rabid washed-up star. Poor dear.

Too Beautiful to Stay Inside!

To HELL with staying inside and doing work! Today Ryan and I went to Newark's own Branch Brook Park for the Cherry Blossom Festival!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES!

Everyone's Got Something

And I've got a love for Fran Drescher. That's right. You heard it here first. I am a very serious Fran Drescher fan. I would love to meet her so we could become friends. I would be her short, ugly, fat friend... but everyone needs one of those. And we could go shopping together and wouldn't have to fight over clothes on the sale rack.

Her new show is on Friday nights at 9:30pm...like YOU'RE NOT HOME on Friday nights! Pshhh!

Consciousness

I think I need to make a more conscious effort to be HAPPY and do things that MAKE me HAPPY. I'm a super-grouch. And I kind of think that I might be schizophrenic. (For those of you that are "mental health conscious" and think that I'm using this term lightly to mean that I am moody, please lay off b/c I'm not using it in the slang). But it could just be that I'm really nervous lately. Aside from that time that I thought God wanted me to buy the newspaper, I haven't had any other real hallucinations. I occasionally think I see someone / a shadow behind me and I get very nervous about it. But it is nothing concrete and it doesn't talk to me. Or tell me to DO things. Thank God.

I notice that I don't get a lot of comments anymore. Am I freaking people out w/ my alternating between psychosis and Idol results? I understand that I don't have a target audience -- unless it is the "paranoid reality tv watchers."

Right now I am TRYING to do work but I couldn't fall asleep last night (nerves / anxiety) and so I slept late and I'm also downloading more of my CDs into my iTunes -- right now the Pixies and Matt Pond PA are finally making it into the iTunes. How sad for me that they weren't there for so long! "The Nature of Maps" - the Matt Pond album is just a delight. Ahhh.

And then there were 7

The bottom 3: Scott, Bo, and Nadia

Fascinating really. I wouldn't have thought Bo would be in the bottom three -- although I really don't like Free Bird. I really think that the voters listen to Simon, afterall.

Going home: Nadia

I'm seriously but seriously thinking about not watching Idol anymore.
________________
Here is where I put words that will alter the above ads so that they are not about "fre_ m_sic downlo_ads" (does this give you a glipse into my brain - psychoanalists please stay away.)

social security, subaru, cuisinart, wheaten terrier, cotton, made in the usa, environmental protection, historic preservation, plants, trees, flowers, puppies, kittens, sun, smiles, apples, cherries, strawberries, MTV, tooth whitening, Ralph Lauren, snow storm, thunderstorm, danger, Law & Order, coffee table, coffee, Dunkin' Donuts, Clinique, green, blue, red, white, yellow, grey, curiosity, savoy lettuce, celebration, unexpected, glacier, birthday surprise, dog, shrubbery, pig tails, nail biting

Semester Coming to a Close

I only have one more full week of classes and then here come the 6 finals. Before that I have to WRITE my term paper due before classes end which is about -- in short -- whether or not caucusing participants in divorce mediation interferes with the neutrality of the mediator.

I have 3 classes in a row today from 2-8. It is a long haul but at least I get to kick off the day with:
Could be worse.

Opinions

I thought that tonight's show was okay. I thought that Carrie was by far the best. I also thought that Constantine was awesome. I really wouldn't have picked "Free Bird"... like Bo did. And... Anthony Federov didn't make me want to barf like he usually does. Paula was crazy as a loon. I really want to find out what DRUGS that woman is ON b/c she is a total mess. And she looks like she is feeling no pain.
I predict that the bottom 3 will be: Scott, Anwar, and Anthony. But really what do I know? I thought they were all mediocre so that's who I would put in the bottom. I really think this week will be such a crapshoot particularly after the results of last week. Boohoo - Nikko!

No Live Blogging

I am not live blogging American Idol. Nikko is off the show and I have finals to concern myself with. So I will watch it, give an overall impression, and provide a prediction.

Today my a cappella group, Esqchoir, had our final concert of the semester (and possibly forever b/c 4 of the 5 members are graduating). It was fun and there was a FABULOUS turnout. We had lots of friends, curious onlookers (who maybe came for the free pizza) and supportive professors and even my mom and Anneke's mom came too!

Tonight on the menu is: stuffed mushrooms, shrimp and fresh diced tomatoes in wine sauce over linguini, and a salad. Plus I made a stuffed pepper for tomorrow w/ the leftover stuffing! Who the HELL are we??? Ryan and I just love to cook and eat! We got mangos today so we can make a repeat of our famous salmon and mango salsa!

For the Record, I Hate Andrew Lloyd Weber

Ryan put these ads at the top of my blog -- which is fine and I made 7 cents yesterday (do I really need a job?) but recently the ads randomly assigned me with Andrew Lloyd Weber related ... stuff. I guess it is because Idol had Broadway tunes this week but -- just so you know:

I HATE ANDREW LLOYD WEBER!

Worry Wart

Today I am worried about everything. This morning I thought my bus to work might explode. Also, God told me to buy the New York Times. Is this called paranoia?
I wish I was totally kidding. I think after law school I will take some painting classes. Maybe with this insanity I could become a famous artist.

And then there were 8

I couldn't have been more wrong. I *CANNOT* believe that Nikko was kicked off. Seriously, Scott Savol is not that good, he is creepy, and that domestic abuse really doesn't make for a good idol. Whereas Nikko is the son of a baseball player -- you can get more American than that.
Well, that's it. I don't know why I'm upset about it but... that's the way it goes. Now I'm going to go throw a tantrum.

Old Lady

I have NOT been able to adjust to the time change. The time change and the stress of upcoming finals results in be not falling asleep until 3am and then getting up at 930am. 6.5 hours isn't even enough sleep for a girl who wakes up so late.

Predictions for Remaining 8

I predict that Scott Savol will be kicked off Idol tomorrow. I also predict that with him in the bottom three will be Nadia and Anthony. Anthony will leave next week. Then Anwar. But we'll see. I shouldn't get carried away.

Top 9 Live Bloggin' Idol

Scott Savol - "The Impossible Dream"
Mary: I predict this is your last week without question.
Ryan: I didn't really like the song and it was just so-so.
Randy: It is a tough song to sing. It started shaky for me... but you ended it with a bang.
Paula: Take the bang. I think this is one of the most heart-felt performances of this competition so far.
Simon: I thought it was more of a tap than a bang. I thought it was ordinarily extraordinary.

Constantine - "My Funny Valentine"
Mary: It was a very weird version of this song - like Funny Valentine gone porno. But you sounded great except for the last note.
Ryan: Awful arrangement, awful mixing, mediocre singing at best.
Randy: Keeping it most real for me... honestly... I didn't buy the rocker thing and I still don't. This is the best you have sounded. Unbelievable.
Paula: I lost it in the first verse. I admit I'm falling in love with you. What you did was remarkable. You are a perfect role model for guys to get into musicals.
Simon: But did you like it? I think you are growing in confidence. I would give your vocals a 7 but I will give your pouting a 9.5.

Carrie Underwood - "Hello Young Lovers"
Mary: It was okay. Nothing special.
Ryan: You could do better. That was boring.
Randy: You know what's amazing about you is that that song -- really boring -- but guess what --- the mark of a good singer, it was controlled... It was not a great song for me. Good job.
Paula: You look simply stunning tonight. Your performance was elegant. You are a well oiled machine with your vocals.
Simon: You sang it well. The song was mind dumbingly boring. It was rather like watching a soap powder commercial from 1955. It was too old fashioned.

Vonzell Solomon - "People"
Mary: You really ended strong. The beginning was a little rocky but it was pretty good.
Ryan: Not bad. Not bad at all.
Randy: You keep getting better every week. I think that a girl might actually win this year. That was brilliant.
Paula: That was such a bold choice to pick. But Barbara is Barbara but Vonzell is Vonzell. And you hit that high E flat that Barbara doesn't even go for.
Simon: It was good. It wasn't great. I think for YOU it was great. I think it left me cold. It was very clinical, very controlled. Don't get carried away, you two.

Anthony Fedorov - "Climb Every Mountain"
Mary: Honestly, I can't believe you are still in this competition. You are so mediocre it isn't even funny.
Ryan: Not good. I don't like you.
Randy: I did not like that. I didn't think it was very good at all. Even the last note.
Paula: I thought it was a very interesting choice of song. It made it more like a pop song. I think you did a good job.
Simon: Hideous. Everything about it was horrible honestly.

Nikko Smith - "One Hand, One Heart"
Mary: I thought that was pretty okay. Maybe because you look adorable.
Ryan: That was an interesting
Randy: It was a good job. It wasn't your best performance but it was good.
Paula: You are the come-back-kid. You are the true epitome of R&B to American Idol.
Simon: I think it is a habit that you are all ending on a big note at the end hoping that we won't hear the rest and I thought the rest was out of tune.

Anwar Robinson - "If Every I Would Leave You"
Mary: You have a great voice but your stage presence is awkward and stiff. I think that a lack of connection with the audience will be your downfall.
Ryan: It is the first modern interpretation of this song that I have liked but it could have been a whole lot better.
Randy: Welcome back baby. You are one of the best voices here.
Paula: The second you smile, it melts America's hearts. You are brilliant.
Simon: You seemed very comfortable.

Bo Bice - "Corner of the Sky"
Mary: You should have kept your eyes open when you picked a song. The song is not memorable. And really almost irritating. If you wanted to go home, you should have just packed your bags instead of singing.
Ryan: That was weird and confusing
Randy: Once again, consistently great.
Paula: You are a winner.
Simon: I personally think you have had two bad weeks. It was a mess. I love you as a vocalist but you are going in the wrong direction.

Nadia Turner - "As Long As He Needs Me"
Mary: I really LOVE this song. You look beautiful. But for some reason it didn't wow me. Maybe there was a hint of desperation in your performance that you never had before you were in the bottom 3.
Ryan: It was pretty good but it could have been more exciting.
Randy: Great performance.
Paula: Absolutely beautiful.
Simon: I think it was your strongest in the last 3 weeks.

Wishes

One of my biggest wishes has been granted.

The Pope

You know, I wish I knew that I loved the pope before he died. I am just so sad.

Barrister's Ball Pictures Posted`

HERE are the Barrister's Ball Pictures!

Getting Ready

Get ready for pictures to be posted tomorrow -- possibly many on my photo website -- of the Barrister's Ball. That is all depending on how my hair turns out. Hehe.

I just bought the Decemberists' new album. I haven't listened all the way through yet but so far it is really great.