American Idol: Top 11

Posted on March 18, 2008 by Jason

I don’t know if anybody really cares about this, but it’s all I can think of to blog about right now that doesn’t require serious mental exertion. So here are my thoughts on tonight’s show:

As much as I loved last week’s Lennon / McCartney tribute, this week’s performances were just OK. Maybe back to back weeks was a bit indulgent. I hope next week they go with a genre theme rather than being artist-specific.

Best performance: David Archuleta’s “The Long & Winding Road”. Perfect song choice. Perfect performance. The kid redeemed himself after last week’s debacle. He has to be considered the favorite to win.

My favorite performance: David Cook’s “Daytripper”. I’m quickly becoming a David Cook homer. I just like the rock vibe. He’s definitely my favorite in this competition. I also like Michael Johns, but “A Day In The Life”? What were you thinking, dude?

The melodramatic performance of the night: Syesha’s “Yesterday”. I didn’t think it was a great vocal, but you can tell she has acting experience. Not quite the Fantasia moment she was probably hoping for, but enough to carry her through to next week.

The “I don’t get it” performance of the night: Once again, Brooke White gets the nod here. I simply don’t see what the appeal is. You could find hundreds of girls to get up there and sing weakly and dance awkwardly and grin and shrug. Yeah, she’s nice. Yeah, she’s sincere. But face it America: she can’t sing.

Bottom three prediction: The only one I’m sure about is Kristi Lee Cook, and I think she’s going home. As for the other two, I’m thinking Ramiele and Chekezie. But I’m really holding out hope that Brooke’s Napoleon-Dynamite-dancing will send her packing.

Sunny’s bottom three prediction: Kristi Lee, Ramiele, and Jason. I disagree about Jason; I think he carries the teeny-bopper vote. But his performance was pretty weak.

Your thoughts? Anybody else watching this besides Sunny and me?

Posted in Music, Television | 12 Comments

Paparazzi Jackson

Posted on March 17, 2008 by Jason

Posted in Kids | 3 Comments

A&NY NCAA Tourney Pick’Em Invitational

Posted on March 16, 2008 by Jason

Well, once again it’s time for that most ancient of March traditions. No, I’m not talking about sprinkling preemergent herbicide on your yard with that little mini-wheelbarrow thingy. It’s bracket time, baby and I’m stoked because that means it’s time for the 2nd annual Already & Not Yet NCAA Tournament Pick ‘Em Invitational. Who’s invited, you ask? Why, you are, intrepid reader.

If you want in, it’s simple. Just go here, sign up for a free ID if you’re not already registered, and you should be good to go. You’ll be joining a private league (Already & Not Yet Hoop Pick’Em). The group ID# is 76937 and the password is bigtime. Like I said, it’s free and it’s fun. Hopefully last year’s champ, Matt Wimberley, will be on hand for a title defense. My goal is to finish higher than sixth this year. Probably won’t happen unless only 4 of you sign up….

Actually, my goal is to beat Jeff Keller. In both bracketology and fantasy baseball.

Posted in Blogging, Sports | 9 Comments

Whew!

Posted on March 14, 2008 by Jason

I’m just glad he’s on our team.

I guess tomorrow we’ll get to see what it’s like to actually play on Saturday in the SEC tourney.

Go Vols, baby.

Posted in Sports | Leave a comment

Look Out NL Central…

Posted on March 13, 2008 by Jason

Guess who just made a free agent signing?

Now our projected rotation is Adam Wainwright, Braden Looper, Kyle Lohse, Anthony Reyes and Brad Thompson. Ugh.

At least we’ll have room for Piniero, Carpenter, and Mulder if /when they make it back from the DL.

You know, this would be so hilarious if a team this bad could still finish ahead of the Cubs. We’ll see.

Posted in Baseball, St. Louis Cardinals | 2 Comments

God’s Audacious Power

Posted on March 12, 2008 by Jason

A great quote from Shane Claiborne’s Jesus For President:

The great paradox and humor of God’s audacious power:
a stuttering prophet will be the voice of God,
a barren old lady will become the mother of a nation,
a shepherd boy will become their king,
and a homeless baby will lead them home.

Posted in Books, Jesus, Quotes | 1 Comment

American Idol: Top 12

Posted on March 11, 2008 by Jason

Here are my thoughts on Tuesday’s Top Twelve show:

First of all, I loved the Lennon / McCartney theme. Gonna be tough to top that one in weeks to come. We can all hold our collective breath in hopes of a Fergie / will.i.am tribute.

Best performance of the night: Chekezie. I loved the bluegrass beginning evolving into a rockin’ vibe with his amazing energy. Who knew he had that in him? You go, dawg.

Performance I would download right now: David Cook’s “Elanor Rigby”. That was awesome. (By the way, there’s still no chance I’m actually going to download this, no matter how many promotional emails you send me, iTunes. I’m just saying.)

The fingernails-on-chalkboard performance of the night: Kristy Lee Cook’s hideous “Eight Days A Week”. Yikes. Seriously. Simon’s comment (“That was like Dolly Parton on helium.”) was spot on.

The “I don’t get it” performance of the night: Brooke White’s “Let It Be”. I just don’t see the appeal here. The voice is thin and weak. Take out the piano playing and you’ve got a C+ performance at best. And crying at the end of the song doesn’t work on me. I view it as manipulative.

Bottom three prediction: Although I really wish Brooke would be here, I think she’s too likable. So I’m thinking David Hernandez, Kristi Lee Cook, and Syesha will be the bottom three, with David going home.

By the way, was it just me, or did Seacrest seem drunk last night? I usually say that about Paula, but Ryan seemed especially hyped.

And how does David Archuleta, this season’s anointed frontrunner, forget the lyrics to “We Can Work It Out”? Where’s Maurice Cheeks when you need him?

Your thoughts?

Posted in Television | 7 Comments

My Little All-Star

Posted on March 10, 2008 by Jason

So today Joshua and I went outside to play. We didn’t feel like running back in to get his bat, so he took a little batting practice using one of my old bats, which is actually about as big as he is. But he had some good swings. If you have two and a half minutes to burn, check out my little “All-Star”.

Posted in Baseball, Kids, Video | 10 Comments

March for Babies

Posted on March 7, 2008 by Jason

This year, our family is participating in the March of Dimes’ “March for Babies” program. As most of you know, 4 years ago our twins were born 7 weeks prematurely. Since that time, the mission of the March of Dimes has been very near to our hearts. Our goal is to raise $1500 to help support the March of Dimes and their efforts to assist babies that are born prematurely. You can check out our personal page here, where you can read a little more about our story and make a donation to this very special cause. And you can follow our progress by checking the badge on the sidebar. (And, yes, that’s a picture of Abby Kate and Joshua.) Thanks!

Posted in Kids, March of Dimes | Leave a comment

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Posted on March 6, 2008 by Jason

I’m trying not to panic. I really am.

I guess Pujols will have to throw under-handed this year.

I don’t like the way this is starting.

And, judging by the Cardinals offseason “moves”, I have a feeling I’m not going to like how this season ends, either.

Sigh.

Posted in Baseball, St. Louis Cardinals | Leave a comment