European Magic Contiki Tour

Pammy & I just returned from a whirlwind tour of Europe, courtesy of Contiki! 8 countries in 10 days! It was our first time visiting Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France. Pammy was able to get a postcard from each country and mail it to her god-child Hailey. Our Contiki group was about fifty 18-35 year olds, made up of mostly Canadians, Aussies, Americans, a couple Indian couples, a few Eastern Europeans, and a very entertaining Japanese fella :) Greeted by "Decent Days And Nights" at the start of each day, here are the highlights of our trip:

England (London):
- Billy Elliot the musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre
- Tiny hotel room with an even tinier bathroom
- Cliffs of Dover on the way to ferry into Europe (Port Calais, France)
- Ferry was huge - parking below and three levels of retail shops + cafes! (Pammy nearly got run over trying to catch the coach during deboarding)

Belgium:
- Pitstop, first taste of Belgian chocolate

The Netherlands (Amsterdam):
- Canal cruise
- Red Light District and "Coffee Shops" (I wanted to get an "I love Coffee Shops" shirt, but there was none left in my size)
- Bicycles: Lots and LOTS of bicycles!
- Anne Frank House

Germany (St. Goar, Munich):
- Rhine River
- Birkenstock
- Beer steins
- World's Largest Cuckoo Clock
- Hofbrau Haus (Pork knuckle and enormous pretzels!)
- German beer YEAH!!!
- Bike tour
- Glockenspiel (11 minutes of your life that you cannot take back *HEHEHE*)
- Canal surfers
- Rory's storytime about Hitler
- Rory's lederhosen
- Toilet seats that rotate during self-cleaning

Austria (Innsbruck):
- Swarovski crystals
- Golden roof

Italy (Venice):
- Gelato, gelato, and more gelato!
- Three words you need to know: Ciao, Grazie, Prego
- Three signs to look out for while getting lost in Venice: Al Rialto, Per San Marco, Per Academie
- Gondola ride
- Murano glass-blowing and Burano lace-making
- Little frogs that look like poop
- Must emphasize "cafe" with latte, else you get just milk *HEHEHEHE*
- An Italian cappucino = an American cafe latte, with regards to taste.

Switzerland (Lucerne, Stanserhorn):
- Swiss alps
- The lovely smell of cow manure, cows with cowbells
- Mt. Stanserhorn and marmuts
- Very brief glimpse of Lake Como
- 15 minutes of a terrential downpour + hail
- Lovely cruise on Lake Lucerne
- Chocolates of all kinds

France (Paris):
- Musee de Louvre et jardin
- Tour Eiffel
- Champs Elysees
- Latin Quarters
- Arc de Triomphe
- All the croissants and crepes you can eat :)
- Moulin Rouge
- Rory's storytime about Napoleon
- Sean's squeezing in our ginormous coach into a narrow entry way at the Louvre
- Sean catapulting coach into the famous roundabout!
- It is worth paying Euro 1.50 for a clean toilet.

Parting words from Pammy: "My gelatos were worth every Euro!"
Parting words from Emma: "Avoid sitting next to a coughing old couple on a plane"

American Idol Season 8 (Week 10)

And then there were three. And in the end it should be Adam and Kris.

1) Adam Lambert - Terrific on both songs. He knows how to pick apart a song, highlight the hooks, and makes smart calls on where he puts his signature changes.
2) Danny Gokey - Didn't care for the first performance (Paula picked a bad song, sorry). Vocals good on the second song, but performance lacked sincerity. He likes to hear himself talk, and it is rather irritating...
3) Kris Allen - I would've loved to see some creativity on the first song... it was very blah to me. But he absolutely delivered on the second song - he actually made me like a song that I detest hearing on the radio... now THAT takes an artist! :)

American Idol Season 8 (Week 9)

Am catching up with my DVR once more - a week late! Generally I was a bit bored with the Rock Week performances... it was the Adam & Allison duet that was the highlight for me.

1) Adam Lambert - Not extraordinary, but consistently good -- he can do no wrong.
2) Danny Gokey - awful on the screeching - sounded like a dying animal!
3) Allison Iraheta - boring solo performance, but lots of energy on the duet :)
4) Kris Allen - love the song, but nothing really creative.

American Idol Season 8 (Week 8)

I always look forward to how contestants would perform on Big Band week. Some of the very best musical scores and jazz-infused tunes are from this genre... lots of brass & percussion, and clever harmonies. If you can't appreciate the fantastic melodies that came out of the 40s/50s, then you simply cannot be a complete musician. This is that one genre where you need to appreciate the voice behind the words, and the artistry within the lyrics themselves.

1) Adam Lambert - I can't help but chuckle everytime he opens his mouth, because it continues to confirm that he is simply too good for this competition.
2) Danny Gokey - actually for the first time, I liked his arrangement more than the other four performances (yes, even more than Adam's - whoa, did I just admit that?!?)
3) Allison Iraheta - a little Gershwin with an edge. Nice. What's sad is that she can't get enough votes. Maybe it's coz she looks like that lucky troll with the red hair that the grannies bring along to Bingo night?
4) Kris Allen - didn't dazzle me, but his talent on interpreting simple songs and peppering it with a unique style, now clearly shows. And it is very refreshing to see a different kind of brilliance.
5) Matt Giraud - he totally missed the mark. Some stuff in there I actually cringed at. One who cannot hold a solid note for five stinkin' seconds, riffs. A purist will not riff on a powerful note.

American Idol Season 8 (Week 7)

Although the theme this week was disco, I found it to be a week where we got to see the personality of every contestant actually come through their performances, regardless of whether the performance itself was terrific, mediocre, or awful. Out of the seven performances, there were only two I didn't really care for...

1) Adam Lambert - a song the Bee Gees wrote for Yvonne Elliman. I love the Bee Gees' songwriting and melodic ingenuity. To me the Bee Gees INVENTED the good part of "disco". I have always wanted to hear a melancholy rendition of this tune, because it is in fact lyrically a melancholy song! BRAVO!
2) Danny Gokey - didn't hate it, and strangely, it was distinctly Danny. I do like his voice.
3) Allison Iraheta - again, not bad. Right pick. Pammy and I looked at each other, and said "hot sauce"? HEHEHEHEHE... please enunciate Allison :)
4) Anoop Desai - this is ONE tune that should not have been slowed down. No.
5) Kris Allen - fantastic arrangement. If the voting gods say no to Adam in the end, it is because they are reconsidering Kris.
6) Lil Rounds - I have seen enough.
7) Matt Giraud - unfortunately this is the kind of song and arrangement that suits him best. This is the best he can do for himself.

American Idol Season 8 (Week 6)

Quentin makes great films, and his movie soundtracks are terrific -- but his opinions have no place in a "singing competition". Actually looking at Quentin sometimes makes my stomach curl...

1) Adam Lambert - who can even sing like this?!? He is unbelievably good.
2) Danny Gokey - one of my favorite tunes, and there were spots where his voice was distinct and made a hair or two stand on my neck.
3) Allison Iraheta - not bad... but never compare her to Adam.
4) Anoop Desai - this pleaseths me.
5) Kris Allen - when I first heard this tune on the radio, I didn't love it instantly.. it sounded different and odd. The second listen I found it to be outstanding. Kind of how my opinion of this boy has changed. Kris is like love at second sight, not first.
6) Lil Rounds - "Just because you can sing, doesn't make you an artist!" - Pam snapped at the TV after watching Lil. Yes, please no more extra Rounds.
7) Matt Giraud - too many runs and riffs can RUIN a song, Mr. Sourface. Learn this now.

American Idol Season 8 (Week 5)

Will have to cut this short, so I can watch the results show saved on the DVR:

1) Adam Lambert - standing O well deserved! Very haunting rendition of a beautiful song.
2) Danny Gokey - HUH?!?
3) Allison Iraheta - I remember that Constantine sang the same song, which became his one memorable performance. Allison did an even better one, though I won't tag it as THE memorable performance for her.
4) Anoop Desai - ok.
5) Kris Allen - didn't hate it actually... but didn't love it. Still, should keep this dude around a little longer.
6) Lil Rounds - must go.
7) Matt Giraud - this is pretty much the kind of stuff he ought to be singing.
8) Scott MacIntyre - continuing stomach pains...

American Idol Season 8 (Week 4)

So far I am pleased that contestants who never passed muster with me have been voted off. I must rant about this new Get Out Of Jail Free card that the judges get to hold this season. So let me try to understand the logic here: probably wrong song and/or performed badly, judges most likely hated it, and the rest of America sent a message that they hated it. Then the judges get to hear the same miserable performance all over again, and maybe have a change of heart? I sez let every contestant pick a song they think can shamwow the judges with (something hopefully never before seen), perfect it on the side, then put it in their back pocket. Then when it's their turn on the cutting block, pull it out! At least it's a real second chance to redeem yourself.

1) Adam Lambert - enjoyed watching this white boy play that funky music right!

2) Danny Gokey - well well well... actually showcased his distinct voice and range... proved he can be still and just sing. Very nice.

3) Allison Iraheta - delivered her usual style, though a little boring and distracting this week.

4) Anoop Desai - Usher? Are you kidding me??? Of all the R&B songs in the universe, he picks something bleahhh.

5) Kris Allen - first performance of his that I really dug. I saw a glimpse of a creative artist. Now that I've seen the potential in this boy, I am curious to see more... so keep him in.

6) Lil Rounds - no originality, nothing in her that makes me take notice.

7) Matt Giraud - he irks me a lot now. Such a sour face. Unlikeable.

8) Megan Joy - she's proven she has nothing to give. Annoys me. Needs to go.

9) Scott MacIntyre - please no more, hurts my feelings.

American Idol Season 8 (Week 3)

Just caught up with my DVR, been avoiding any Idol news & clips of this week's performances. In my opinion, you need to BRING it when you try to sing a Motown classic -- my favorite tunes were produced during the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Oldies but goodies, and a huge part of my love for simple, well-written, and original tunes. They just don't make 'em like this anymore...

1) Adam Lambert - unplugged with a touch of class. This season is Adam's concert. All the other contestants are just "guests".

2) Danny Gokey - I got what I expected from him. He'll put a little extra riff here and there, scream out the song, dance around. It's all the same.

3) Allison Iraheta - Excellent choice, works with her edgey style.

4) Anoop Desai - very nice vocal, but boring.

5) Kris Allen - nothing special, guitar was just a prop.

6) Lil Rounds - everything she does is too copy-cat, no originality.

7) Matt Giraud - not bad...

8) Megan Joy - after singing a few lines, I wanted to puke. I thought she was gonna pick something that would showcase her jazzy voice. There may not be a next time...

9) Michael Sarver - he has to go. I would have preferred Alexis to him for the Top 10 tour.

10) Scott MacIntyre - Please stop talking about being true to yourself, because YOU are boring. Who is voting for this guy that he's still in? Vote for an artist who doesn't sound monotonous!

America Idol - Season 8 (Week 2)

So just need to rant a bit: why do the contestants, especially this season, feel compelled to talk back to the judges when the judges are giving their opinions?!? Who cares what the reason was behind why you picked a certain song, performed it a certain way, etc. If you didn't quite deliver, learn from it. Just smile, say thank you, and let the music roll. I hate it when they respond like "if I get another chance, next week will be different". EVERY WEEK should be treated like there is no next week, and that you will be judged by America on this performance alone! Feh!

1) Adam Lambert - brilliant range. "Ring of Fire" arrangement may have sounded weird to some ears, but not to mine -- it is pure artistry, talent, and singing ability. This boy deserves to win.

2) Danny Gokey - sounding just like last week, and the week before, etc. I still like the fellow though. Do something different please.

3) Allison Iraheta - ok, I know what to expect from her in the following weeks.

4) Alexis Grace - she's starting to annoy me.

5) Anoop Desai - VERY VERY nice. Finally realized this is a singing competition. I was reminded how this is the only country song I actually know and like. Willie Nelson wrote a very simple but timeless song.

6) Kris Allen - he'll live.

7) Lil Rounds - still doesn't do anything for me.

8) Matt Giraud - okay, but nothing special.

9) Megan Joy - actually her best performance. Lose the quirky, needs to focus on the unique singing style.

10) Michael Sarver - he has to go. Lose the chip on your shoulder, boy.

11) Scott MacIntyre - he may have the sympathy vote, but he bores me to death.

American Idol - Season 8 (Week 1)

I think this "Top 13" ploy was just a stunt to boost TV ratings. Oh well, it's a recession, FOX needs to pay their bills, so fine.

So as you can guess, I don't agree with the final group of contestants, in fact with several of the "Top 36", but I think the judges did a decent job whittling down the remaining contestants to make for an entertaining season at least. I would have sworn off Idol altogether if Tatiana, Nick, and Nathaniel made it through to the final cut. They all annoyed me to no end.

I would have liked to hear more Ricky -- in fact, if he made an album I would probably buy it. He's got a certain sweetness to his voice that none of the other contestants possess. I would have liked to see if there is a song out there perfectly suited for Von once he learns to better control his upper register. I would have been interested to see Ju'Not put his spin on other songs.

Ok, enough rambling. Here's how I stack the Top 13:

1) Adam Lambert - my pick to win this competition from the very beginning, since his audition. For a singing competition, he is the first contestant on Idol (with David Cook being a very close second) who is truly in a different stratosphere from the other contestants. Amazing chops.
2) Danny Gokey - I really like this guy. There is nothing extraordinary about his tone, but he puts a package together very well.
3) Allison Iraheta - very Kelly Clarkson. I just wish she wouldn't speak. Just stick to singing.
4) Alexis Grace - she's good to have around, like Allison. She will be outsung by everyone else, but she may pull off a memorable moment. Who knows.

I will reserve my complete opinion on everyone else for now, since they haven't really captured my attention. Just a few words maybe...

Anoop Desai - he actually has a nice voice. He'll probably rock the Bollywood vote.
Jasmine Murray - I wish she would phrase better. She has that annoying pop in her voice that I hear all the time from the new crop of young singers.
Jorge Nunez - he can win. In Puerto Rico.
Kris Allen - I'm baffled why he's around.
Lil Rounds - Nothing unique. Seems I've heard this kind of singer a hundred times over.
Matt Giraud - he's just filler.
Megan Joy - she's not versatile.
Michael Sarver - he has a nice tone that can come out depending on the song... he might have a moment.
Scott MacIntyre - I don't enjoy watching him sing. Sorry.