adam lambert = indulgent

For this whole season of "American Idol", I've really liked Adam Lambert's performances. He is a great singer and has an amazing amount of control in his upper range. His vocal talent is quite phenomenal. However, I thought that tonight's performance of "Ring of Fire" was excessively indulgent and ridiculous. And also, uh, strange? Using the sitar in the accompaniment was kind of cool, but really, everything was a little "too much" for me. Plus, I don't feel like Adam shows any kind of connection with his music - everything seems really contrived and showy. I haven't connected with his personality either. Really, does the audience know much more about Adam Lambert besides that he's hungry for fame and wealth?

Each week I am increasingly drawn to Matt Giraud and Danny Gokey. I like both of their personalities and feel like they use music as a true means for self-expression. Danny and Matt don't have as much control over their vocal range as Adam, but I think that their expressivity and musicality makes them more appealing. If Adam doesn't start to show more self-expression and personality in his performances and interviews, I think Matt or Danny might win the competition.

What did other people think about the performances tonight? J thinks that Alexis will leave, and I think (hope!) that Scott will go.

yay for j!

I came across my new favorite picture of J from when he was little. Over twenty years ago, J looked like this:

Ever the trend-setter in the 80s, I think J is going for the sweatsuit cum midriff look. Isn't he the sweetest little boy?

And now, a couple of decades later, this is what J looks like on his birthday:

This past weekend we celebrated J's birthday by going on a short trip, our first getaway without little Sammy B. It was fun to wander around and do whatever we wanted. The first place we decided to visit was the Elliott Bay bookstore. If you love books, you should visit this store! I was in heaven.

We took a ferry and spent the weekend in Port Townsend, a small town that has a lot of historic houses from the 19th-early 20th centuries. We stayed at a Victorian bed and breakfast; the decor in our room even included prints of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. We ate lots of good food and got to spend some time along the coast. It was lovely.

I don't think I've ever had so much fun celebrating a birthday that was not my own. J, if you always want to celebrate your birthday this way, I won't complain.

beautiful libraries

Two summers ago, when I lived in New York City, I spent a good deal of my time doing research at the New York Public Library. I absolutely loved the beautiful architecture and ambiance of the reading rooms, even though often I was too distracted by the ceiling coffers to focus on my books! Beautiful libraries are some of the most wonderful things in the world. After looking at this site, I think that I'd like to visit the George Peabody Library in Baltimore next. Really, I want to go to ALL of them.

Which one do you like?

jerry lewis, patrice munsel, and cassius clay

So, recently I bought this DVD that had an episode from the Jerry Lewis Show. This show was a short-lived variety series that aired from September-December 1963. After watching this show, I can see why it was canceled after a few months - it was awful! The show was aired live; sometimes it was so slow-paced that I could barely watch it. The only entertaining part was when Jerry sang "improvisation opera" with his guest Patrice Munsel. Their chit-chat is rather funny too, but the singing in this clip begins at about 2:58. It is even funnier if you understand what she's saying in Italian to Jerry ("Say something!" "What do you think?" "Speak!"). And Jerry just jabbers back in Italianate drivel:



Although this next clip wasn't exactly funny, it was interesting to watch. One of the other guests on this episode was Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali). I knew that this boxer was cocky and self-confident, but it's astounding to hear him rattle on and on about how he is "so great." Start watching this clip at about 1:38 to get an idea:



Other than these two brief sections, this show was exceptionally lame. If my sister C wants this DVD for her Jerry Lewis shrine, she's more than welcome to have it.

phin and ixoj's visit

My friends Phin and Ixoj came to visit this past weekend! I didn't realize that we could cram so many activities into a few days. I was too "busy" (translation: lazy) to take pictures or order J to take pictures for me, so I only have a few photos of our fun. Here's to a great weekend with great friends!

Phin and Ixoj's visit gave us an excuse to take Seattle's underground tour. Don't be fooled by Sam's wary expression, it really was fun.

american idol predictions

J and I are placing bets on who will get through on American Idol tonight.

J's bets
Top girl: Lil Rounds
Top Guy: Ju'Not Joyner
Runner-up: Von Smith

Wild cards: Megan Joy Corkrey, Ricky Braddy, Matt Giraud

My bets
Top girl: Lil Rounds
Top guy: Von Smith
Runner-up: Felicia Barton

Wild cards: Jasmine Murray (because she's so "commercial"), Ricky Braddy, Matt Giraud

What are your predictions?

revolver

I have loved the Beatles since I was in sixth grade. My early favorites were all of the early Beatles hits, and as I got older my tastes increasingly favored Beatles songs produced later and later in the band's career. Perhaps my musical tastes evolved at the same rate as the Fab Four's tastes? Hmm.

For years, however, my favorite Beatles album has been Revolver (1966). J bought me a vinyl album record a few years ago, and it is often the record that's located on the turntable, waiting to be played. Not only are all of the songs great on this album, but I think there is a distinct cohesion and unity on this album that makes it unique. The songs go well together, and use of sitar on Love You To adds such a cool flair to the album's feel.

The songs included in Revolver are:

Side One
Taxman
Eleanor Rigby
I'm Only Sleeping
Love You To
Here, There and Everywhere
Yellow Submarine
She Said She Said

Side Two
Good Day Sunshine
And Your Bird Can Sing
For No One
Doctor Robert
I Want to Tell You
Got to Get You Into My Life
Tomorrow Never Knows

If I had to pick favorite songs, I would choose I'm Only Sleeping and For No One. What are your favorite songs from Revolver?

Here's a video clip that has the music of the first recorded take of I'm Only Sleeping. Although I like the final version, I really like the raw sound of this take.