PENSIEVE

I'm a chimer and a junkie

I.  American Idol

The b-sphere has been arkishly flooded with armchair-judge Idol commentary throughout the season, articulating perfectly my own thoughts for me; to have added my two cents was little more than "adding to the noise".

H o w e v a h...this time...

I had a thought last night and I'm wondering if it crossed anyone else's mind:

Did David Cook--my choice--take an intentional dive? 

Archuleta is a darling!  He had me at "Hello"!!  My only complaints about him are his gestures and expressions feel a bit contrived and staged, and I'm waaaay over his shock and awe in response to the judges favorable accolades. 

There has been little doubt he's destined for stardom, though, his talent SCREAMS even in the quiet.  And honestly?  It's a refreshing breath of sweet air to see a potential role model for tweens and teens who might just keep his clothes on for the duration.  One can hope.

Last night David Cook's song choices were lacking; while he performed them well, it felt like he held back, that he wasn't giving his b.e.s.t.  To have performed an unfamiliar song for his last slot?  Brilliance or madness, and I'm afraid I believe the latter.

Unless the answer to my question above is "yes"....  If he's not voted American Idol 2008, he'll have much more freedom and control over his career, creatively and otherwise.

It's a calculated risk, one that surrenders his ego for a season, but perhaps the most brilliant move he could make after all. 

Ask Chris Daughtry ;).

II.  Dancing With the Stars

While Jason and Christian were VERY watchable and a joy to watch "mature" in their abilities, let's hear it for GIRL POWER this year--

I loved her "pink" jive in week nine.
J'adore-adore her fast, fun & quirky jive in week six!!
Her Cha Cha Cha in week seven was cha-mazing!
She waltzed with elegance, emotion and beauty...
"Vertical expression of horizontal desire"?   Her Rumba was passionate and sensual, without falling into tastelessly lewd.

Congratulations to Kristy Yamaguchi and her partner Mark Ballas!  They entertained with excellence and grace week after week after week! 

With over 25 million page views, you've probably seen this...

...but in case you haven't, allow me to share a funny:

Which begs the question "why is there a proliferation of kids eating/biting fingers on the internet??"  Which begs further, "Why are we laughing??"

Hehe...because it's daggum funny, that's why!

 

(In case youtube isn't loading on your page, click HERE to see "Charlie bit me...!")

Happy Dance

Apparently I have an affinity for "jive"--not "talkin'" but dancin'.

Just five months ago I fell head over stilettos into Helio Castroneves & Julianne Hough when they performed The Jive; now, I'm totally crushin' Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas. 

Get to the almost two-minute mark and prepare to be delighted--you might just join Carrie Ann in giving them a standing O!  Mark says the dance is all about stamina and being "fun, fast & quirky".   They're all that and oh, so much MORE!

Marlee Matlin is an inspiration; Jason Taylor and Cristián de la Fuente are scorchin'; but it looks like Kristi's destined for gold...again!

"I had...to eat...my own fingers"

Warning:  Put your beverage down (or don't blame me if stuff starts spewing out your nose)!

Question:  Am I wretched or horribly politically incorrect for thinking this is hee-hee-larious?

Apology:  I wanted to hat-tip the blogger from whom I lifted this, but I can't remember who it is.  If it's "you", please forgive me (and let me know so I can credit you).

Enough with my disclaimers...on with the show!

 

At least they have the plastic peanuts to play with!   

Because Paula Deen really loves me after all...

...she, Bobby and Jamie gave me a call on their way through Chattanooga over the weekend; Phil-their-webmaster knew it was my birthday and he wanted to Make!My!Day!  And...this is o.n.l.y. a slight possibility...but they're talkin' about bringin' some bloggers in to live-blog "Paula's Party", and even though I'm just a baby blogger, they really think I'm nice and I might get to at least be an audience member....!!!!!

Can you believe I kept this video footage quiet until now???  Neither can I!

** Updated with the video Phil took...

Related links:

When Phil discovered me.
When I admitted how close Paula and I have become.

Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Luciano Pavarotti and PAUL POTTS?!

This is heart-warming underdog story, sure to move in the hearts of even the most skeptical cynic.  If you haven't heard Paul Potts sing, please...PLEASE do yourself a favor and listen to this gifted man use a voice that surely gives angels reason to weep.

Watching this mesmerizing performance of Puccini's "Nessun Dorma", I became an instant fan of opera...and Paul Potts. 

His is a precious Cinderella story that leaves you applauding his triumph and having been given the rare opportunity to watch a cocooned butterfly spread glorious newfound wings.

While this is hardly current news--he won Britain's version of "American Idol" last June--my introduction to Potts occurred in church of all places (to introduce a series of discovering your own God-given talent and using it fully to serve those inside and outside the church).

Read more about Potts' story here.   

An open letter to Mylie Cyrus (in response to her surprising pre-Grammy interview remarks)

Dear Miley,

I'm old enough to be your mother, honey, and I was there when your father's achy breaky heart made him famous when you were just a twinkle in his eye.  While I don't watch you or your alter ego, Hannah Montana, my children do.  My own daughter is your age. 

For the life of me, I can't wrap my brain around a $4,000 ticket to your concert.  I know that's on the high side, but I still don't understand $214 tickets, either.  Of course, you can't help any of that--it's a supply and demand thing, and apparently you have legions of insane fans.  More likely, your fans have insane parents.

You're coming under scrutiny by Consumer Reports for not wearing a seatbelt and broadcasting that for squillions of adoring movie-goers to emulate, but I'm sure that was just a one-time occurrence. 

When your parents named you Destiny Hope, they saw great things for your future (I wonder what they "see" in the stock market....).  How could I not love you for assuming your nickname, though, because you smiled so much as a youngster??  That's the best.nickname.EVAH.!

I pray for you, sweetie.  I pray that you'll continue to be a role model and inspire little girls everywhere.  That you won't get married one minute, then divorced, then married, then divorced, and have children in between, and and shave your head and party til the cows come home and flash crotch shots at the paparazzi for God and your mama and your daddy and everybody else in the world to see.

But mostly I'm writing to say I think you're a pretty neat kid.  Dressed beyond your years in a white Celine sheath dress and Sergio Rossi stilettos at the Grammy's this year, you had the nerve to say this when asked about guys and dating and Valentine's Day:

"There's only three guys that I love right now, and that's Jesus, my brothers, and my dad."

You, my dear, ARE destined for great things for a long...long time.

Don't ever change, okay?

XOXOXO,

Robin-who's-not-a-fan-but-who-has-a-crush-on-you-just-the-same

Photo credit here.

Fun Monday ~ Songs in the Key of Life

Julie at Ooh, a Shiny Pen, provided a simple assignment for this week's Fun Monday:

"Music plays a vital role in most of our lives. It is everywhere. I want to hear the ONE song that is you. The song that whenever it is heard, you smile. I am not looking for the soundtrack of your life, just that one song. Your friends hear it and think of you.

The song I chose fits only part of Julie's assignment--"...whenever it is heard, you smile..."--and I chose it because just yesterday in the car it came on the radio, I cranked up the volume and said, "Whenever I hear this, I smile!"  How could I not post it?  I don't have a "theme" song, I imagine the only song, when played, friends automatically think of me is "Rockin' Robin" (<---you might wanna click that link to enjoy Michael Jackson BEFORE his face exploded...or imploded...or whatever it did :/); but James Taylor?  LOVE HIM!  I've had the pleasure of attending two of his outdoor concerts at Atlanta's Chastain Park, and although the ticket was a little pricey...it was well worth it. 

This is a vintage cut of "Whenever I See Your Smiling Face", back in the days when JT had a full head of hair.  Hope it makes you smile, too :).

Merry Christmas ~

Charles Schulz is a great American hero...

Wishing you the blessings of peace and hope and joy and grace in the year to come:).

Much love, much life! ~ Robin

** S Q U E A L S ** of Delight: LOOK WHAT I FOUND!

You're more than welcome to twiddle your thumbs for the first two minutes, eight seconds of this video...after that, how can you NOT fall in love with Helio and Julianne??????!!!!!!!!!!

Daggum...I'm smitten with an Indy race car driver...AND his dance partner!!