Tonight's AI performances were a mixed bag! I think the dueling David's should sail on through to next week. And although her first song was a mess, Brooke redeemed herself with I am ... I said! Unlike last week, she earned the right to move on.
My bottom two . . . Jason and Seyisha. I like Jason for his uniqueness but it's time. And Seyisha had a pretty good first song but I didn't like her second performance as much. I do think Jason & Seyisha are good singers but you have to be great to pull out the win and that means standing out and making each song your own. Oh god, I'm sounding like Paula. Yikes.
Now, if only America can get it right . . . I'm crossing my fingers!
And that's my recap of tonight's performances. Keep on rocking AI!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Finish the things I started . . .
Well, guess what? I'm still sick and it sucks! I've come to realize that this is not your ordinary cold but something much more devious. It is intent on lingering and hanging around and it's not very quiet about it from the sounds of my nagging cough which seems to always sound off just as I am about to fall asleep. I decided to call in sick today and elicit the help of a professional... my doctor. I have an appointment for later in the afternoon so I can get some antibiotics and hopefully say adios' to this Nasty old flu.
So as I sit here with my laptop, venting in cyberspace . . . I thought I'd try to finish my Venice report until my next distraction, of course.
Next distraction . . . I'm getting ready to start my logistical planning for my Spain trip. Thanks to a couple of great trip reports and a number of interesting threads on Slow Travel, I've made a decision on the apartment in Seville and Granada. I'm still deciding on my Madrid hotel. For whatever reason, Lisbon in Portugal is still calling out to me in a big way! I think it is from reading another Slow Traveler's Blog, Deborah. She has some pretty amazing things to say about Lisbon and it's a city by the ocean too! It's one of those "I want to see it all" deals again. Old habits die hard. I know that I should just stick with one area to get the most of my experience, but I feel like seeing Portugal on this trip. And don't think I have forgotten about my little idea to take a ferry over to Africa! That's still on my mind.
I'm a firm believer in that No Opportunity Wasted (NOW) attitude towards life and so I want to make each of my trips count! It doesn't have to be this big grand challenge or adventure (although every now and then it's great to throw a little of that into the mix), it just has to be new, different and fun!
I think my final decision will come down to gut instincts. I have three weeks to play with which if I'm here sitting at home seems like a rather long time but when traveling it doesn't seem as long.
Okay, enough distractions . . . back to my Venice report. I was just writing about my fun Giovanni Moro shopping experience in San Marco . . .
So as I sit here with my laptop, venting in cyberspace . . . I thought I'd try to finish my Venice report until my next distraction, of course.
Next distraction . . . I'm getting ready to start my logistical planning for my Spain trip. Thanks to a couple of great trip reports and a number of interesting threads on Slow Travel, I've made a decision on the apartment in Seville and Granada. I'm still deciding on my Madrid hotel. For whatever reason, Lisbon in Portugal is still calling out to me in a big way! I think it is from reading another Slow Traveler's Blog, Deborah. She has some pretty amazing things to say about Lisbon and it's a city by the ocean too! It's one of those "I want to see it all" deals again. Old habits die hard. I know that I should just stick with one area to get the most of my experience, but I feel like seeing Portugal on this trip. And don't think I have forgotten about my little idea to take a ferry over to Africa! That's still on my mind.
I'm a firm believer in that No Opportunity Wasted (NOW) attitude towards life and so I want to make each of my trips count! It doesn't have to be this big grand challenge or adventure (although every now and then it's great to throw a little of that into the mix), it just has to be new, different and fun!
I think my final decision will come down to gut instincts. I have three weeks to play with which if I'm here sitting at home seems like a rather long time but when traveling it doesn't seem as long.
Okay, enough distractions . . . back to my Venice report. I was just writing about my fun Giovanni Moro shopping experience in San Marco . . .
Sunday, April 27, 2008
The Musical Rhythm of Faith & Hope . . .
I've been nursing a really bad flu over the past few days and today is the first day that I've actually felt a little better. Wow, that bug hit me like a ton of bricks!
In an effort to make myself feel a little productive today I decided to go through my Venice videos. While doing so, I stumbled upon a few clips that I took of the Santa Maria della Salute Church (Our Lady of Health).
I remember on my first visit, I went to light a few candles and attend mass. As I finished lighting my candles I decided to take a photo and a video clip when I heard the church bells begin to ring. I thought it was cool and continued filming. Within seconds more bells chimed in and the next thing I knew there was this remarkable musical rhythm of bells ringing all around me.
The Salute is shaped like an octagon and the acoustics are simply amazing. It's like the sounds flowed everywhere. Right then and there I knew that the Salute Church was going to be one of my favorite churches in Venice. And call it fate or a mere coincidence but my apartment was located within ear shot of these beautiful bells and only a two minute walk away! It was awesome!
Here's what I heard . . .
In an effort to make myself feel a little productive today I decided to go through my Venice videos. While doing so, I stumbled upon a few clips that I took of the Santa Maria della Salute Church (Our Lady of Health).
I remember on my first visit, I went to light a few candles and attend mass. As I finished lighting my candles I decided to take a photo and a video clip when I heard the church bells begin to ring. I thought it was cool and continued filming. Within seconds more bells chimed in and the next thing I knew there was this remarkable musical rhythm of bells ringing all around me.
The Salute is shaped like an octagon and the acoustics are simply amazing. It's like the sounds flowed everywhere. Right then and there I knew that the Salute Church was going to be one of my favorite churches in Venice. And call it fate or a mere coincidence but my apartment was located within ear shot of these beautiful bells and only a two minute walk away! It was awesome!
Here's what I heard . . .
Monday, April 21, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
And then there were six . . .
Although Kristy wasn't one of my favorites on AI, I was really sad to see her leave. I also wasn't too surprised that Brooke was in bottom three because I think her performance on Tuesday wasn't one of her best. Hopefully, she'll do better next week. To her credit I thought Kristy demonstrated great composure having fun with Simon in her finale song. Hopefully, she'll go on to have a great career in Country music and get her poor horse back!
Well, I'm off to Vegas this weekend with a friend for the big B2V event. Don't expect me to blog or report back though because whatever happens in Vegas . . . stays in Vegas! (sorry, but I couldn't resist).
Distractions . . . I have been playing around with Google Video over the weekend as I was still trying to finish my report. It has been fun re-living all the events of my trip, but I'm finding that there are some things that have been easier for me to remember and others that have been more of a challenge. I've actually had to do a bit of research just so I can get the names and locations down correctly. Note to self: Make a better effort to take notes on my next trip!
Anyhoo, one of the things that took no effort for me to recall, was my first experience with Acqua Alta in Venice! Just before I left for Venice I had read about the potential for High Waters. I had even seen photos and videos of this condition but it did not come close to actually being there and experiencing it first hand. So naturally, I took a few video clips of it.
I thought I'd post this little tidbit on the High Waters (better version with more clips and photos of San Marco Square will be forthcoming). The location was on the corner near my apartment. Earlier in the morning I was awaken by these loud sirens and I didn't understand what they were until I read the above link's explanation of what I had heard. I heard it and then went back to sleep and actually woke up a little later than usual.
When I walked out in preparations to start another day of sightseeing I immediately felt something was different. I couldn't hear the splashing of the canal waters that I normally heard each morning. Why? Well, because the water had risen more than two feet and was actually spilling over onto the street. I literally stood on this corner mesmerized by everything. I was probably there a good 30 minutes before I composed myself to walk the other way towards the Salute stop. And then I headed over to San Marco to see more "High Waters." How could I not?
Well, I'm off to Vegas this weekend with a friend for the big B2V event. Don't expect me to blog or report back though because whatever happens in Vegas . . . stays in Vegas! (sorry, but I couldn't resist).
Distractions . . . I have been playing around with Google Video over the weekend as I was still trying to finish my report. It has been fun re-living all the events of my trip, but I'm finding that there are some things that have been easier for me to remember and others that have been more of a challenge. I've actually had to do a bit of research just so I can get the names and locations down correctly. Note to self: Make a better effort to take notes on my next trip!
Anyhoo, one of the things that took no effort for me to recall, was my first experience with Acqua Alta in Venice! Just before I left for Venice I had read about the potential for High Waters. I had even seen photos and videos of this condition but it did not come close to actually being there and experiencing it first hand. So naturally, I took a few video clips of it.
I thought I'd post this little tidbit on the High Waters (better version with more clips and photos of San Marco Square will be forthcoming). The location was on the corner near my apartment. Earlier in the morning I was awaken by these loud sirens and I didn't understand what they were until I read the above link's explanation of what I had heard. I heard it and then went back to sleep and actually woke up a little later than usual.
When I walked out in preparations to start another day of sightseeing I immediately felt something was different. I couldn't hear the splashing of the canal waters that I normally heard each morning. Why? Well, because the water had risen more than two feet and was actually spilling over onto the street. I literally stood on this corner mesmerized by everything. I was probably there a good 30 minutes before I composed myself to walk the other way towards the Salute stop. And then I headed over to San Marco to see more "High Waters." How could I not?
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
A Star is born . . . .
Tonight, David Cook established himself as a true Artist and the person to beat in this season's AI competition. He completely blew me away with his interpretaton of Mariah Carey's mega hit, "Always Be My Baby." And IMHO, no one else (not even my other favorites David A and Brooke) came remotely close to David's performance tonight.
At this point regardless of whether or not he ultimately wins Idol, I think David Cook will go on to have a brilliant career in music.
By the way, as much as I really like Michael Johns, I think his departure last week was not a huge surprise to me. Sad, but no surprise.
I think the dueling Davids will sail on through to the next round. It's a real toss up for me who goes out tomorrow!
Well, that's my recap . . . keep on rocking AI!
At this point regardless of whether or not he ultimately wins Idol, I think David Cook will go on to have a brilliant career in music.
By the way, as much as I really like Michael Johns, I think his departure last week was not a huge surprise to me. Sad, but no surprise.
I think the dueling Davids will sail on through to the next round. It's a real toss up for me who goes out tomorrow!
Well, that's my recap . . . keep on rocking AI!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Southern California Style . . .
This weekend was the big 5K Run event and it was a blast. More than 1,000 people attended and even Mother Nature smiled down on us with clear and blue skies.
Music was provided by the very hip DJ V.Red from Muziq Unlimited. Dudes you guys are awesome!
Even after running 3.1 miles there was a whole lot of dancing going on like the very cool how low can you go, Cha Cha Slide! So much fun!
To keep the program going the very funny actress/comedian, Kym Whitley, kept us laughing with her quick wit and hysterical one liners! She was so funny! 
And to top it all off, we had the great pleasure of listening to the very smooth and soulful singer/songwriter, Ms. Teena Marie!
She sang her hit Déjà vu and even got her funk on singing "Square Biz" with the help of Kym and DJ V.Red! Teena even broke out into a bit of booty dance with Kym Whitley! So cool!
This was pure fun . . . Southern California style! What a great way to kick off Summer 2008! Whoo Hoo!
Music was provided by the very hip DJ V.Red from Muziq Unlimited. Dudes you guys are awesome! Even after running 3.1 miles there was a whole lot of dancing going on like the very cool how low can you go, Cha Cha Slide! So much fun!
To keep the program going the very funny actress/comedian, Kym Whitley, kept us laughing with her quick wit and hysterical one liners! She was so funny! 
And to top it all off, we had the great pleasure of listening to the very smooth and soulful singer/songwriter, Ms. Teena Marie!
She sang her hit Déjà vu and even got her funk on singing "Square Biz" with the help of Kym and DJ V.Red! Teena even broke out into a bit of booty dance with Kym Whitley! So cool!
This was pure fun . . . Southern California style! What a great way to kick off Summer 2008! Whoo Hoo!
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