A crazy Memorial Day Weekend

Hello,

Since I have the world's greatest job, I had a 4 day weekend. Friday I went with two of my kids to see the local Triple A baseball team play, the Salt Lake Bees. They got killed but other than that it was a cool experience. It was military appreciation night and the 20 newest Navy people were inducted into the Navy. Then they had fireworks, that was cool. That sappy Lee Greenwood song, "God Bless The U.S.A." played. It made me appreciate how lucky I am to be living in America. Although I was thinking how 9/11 did revitalize Lee Greenwood's career. (Hmm, was Lee Greenwood really behind 9/11?)

Saturday I just chilled until 7:30 then I went and picked up two of my kids and we watched "Daybreakers" last night. It was okay. They stayed over last night. Then we went to two parks today and had pizza. It was alright. I love my kids but they really wear me out.

I continue ripping through "The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest". That's seriously one of the best trilogies of all-time. It makes me so sad the author has died, I just think he's such an amazing author. I love the character he created, Lisbeth Salander, she rules. Although at the end of the previous book she was almost killed. For at least the first 185 pages so far, she's been confined to a hospital bed without a computer. That's not the computer hacker and overall fireball Lisbeth Salander that I know and love.

Here's my NBA Finals analysis. Who cares? Seriously I'm cheering for both to lose, is that possible?

themusicaddict

The World Cup

Hola,

The World Cup is right around the corner and I'm getting very excited. The World Cup this year is in South Africa and it starts on June 11th. The first game for the United States will be on June 12th, they'll be playing soccer mad England. The last time these two sides (the soccer word for teams) played they in the World Cup they made a movie about it. The following thanks to wikipedia.com, "The game and the U.S. team were profiled by author Geoffrey Douglas in his book The Game of Their Lives (ISBN 0-8050-3875-2), which was made into a film of the same name (later renamed to The Miracle Match)." I'm hoping for something to happen similarly this quadrennial.

I finally got my hands on the final installment of Stieg Larsson's "The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest". I've started reading it already, I'm to page 112 so far. The main character is Lisbeth Salander, named the #98th all-time character in the most recent Entertainment Weekly. (For those of you wondering Homer Simpson is #1.) It's another great novel so far, I'm sad that Larsson has passed away. He was an excellent author.

In the NBA playoffs tonight I'm cheering for the Suns to win.

themusicaddict

"American Idol" finale

Hello,

I'm sorry I'm stealing Matt Rogers joke, was Lee really the de wyze choice to be this year's "AI" winner, it's second to last season on the air as a relevant show. I don't know about you but I really got the sense how tired of a show this is now. Then with Simon leaving, it won't stagger along that much longer, will it? I don't even know if I'm going to watch it next year. With Simon leaving, "AI" has officially jumped the shark, if it hadn't already. And was it only me or did it seem like who won the show this season was besides the point?

DeWyze is officially the whitest person ever to win "AI". He looked so nervous last night, the white boy can't dance and his voice didn't sound that good last night. He's also stiff as hell and has absolutely no stage presence. He's almost the complete opposite of Crystal Bowersox. I think that was the peak of his career. He's going to be going downhill from here.

I didn't really care that Crystal didn't win, I think she's going to continue the recent trend of a non winner doing a lot better than the winner. Like Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry and Adam Lambert. Somebody pointed out at ew.com that did you notice that none of them were on the show last night? I did like Kris Allen's performance of "The Truth" though, I got to give the guy props. He really has some good songs, I'm actually starting to warm up. I'm also glad we didn't have to put up with Adam Lambert. David Archuleta appearing was enough, one over hyped singer per show is more than enough.

Also tonight is the season and series finale of "Flashforward". I love that show and will be watching the finale as soon as I get home from work. I hope Mark and Olivia Benford end up back together, that is unless Olivia Benford ends up with me :)

themusicaddict

Stone Temple Pilots

Hello,

The Stone Temple Pilots return with their first all new music in over 10 years with their self-titled CD tomorrow. Currently it's streaming at billboard.com for free. It has been there a few days, I don't know how much longer it's going to be there. The CD sounds exactly like you think it would sound like, why mess with what was a successful formula apparently. Does that mean its bad? No I'm liking it, but I consider myself a Stone Temple Pilots fan.

The first night of the big "AI" finale starts tomorrow. I haven't watched it in a few weeks, but many people I have talked to think Lee Dewyze is going to win. (As long as it isn't Adam Lambert, Kris Allen or Danny Gokey). I think this will be the second to last year of the show. The formula is just tired now. They aren't going to be able to replace Simon. It makes me nervous who they are going to pick, the producers don't have an especially good track record. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Kara DiaGuardia all are terrible. I do like Ellen Degeneres though. I don't think they could go wrong with the very appealing Shania Twain. I think Neil Patrick Harris would be good also.

Unless Fox just continues to drive "AI" in the ground the 10th season should be the last. Here's a good article from billboard.com about the flagging fortunes of "AI".

http://www.billboard.com/#/news/can-american-idol-be-saved-1004093058.story

Also it's good to see the Archuleta know how to vote online. That's the only reasonable explanation I can figure out why he's the leading vote getter for the all-time male "AI". It's certainly not his illustrious career. Other than this blip he's thankfully fading into obscurity. Seriously people think he's better than Daughtry, David Cook, Norman Gentle, my butt.

The season and the series finale of "FlashForward" is Thursday night. Hopefully I won't be the only one who will miss this show.

themusicaddict

"Hallelujah"

Hello,

"Hallelujah" is just a great, great song. I can't believe I hadn't heard this song until Jason Castro sang it on "American Idol" 3 years ago. Speaking of "AI", Simon picked this song for Lee Dewyze. I heard he did a pretty amazing performance of this song. I just watched it on youtube.com. His version was okay. Jeff Buckley's version gets a lot of praise, but I think his version is kind of boring.

Jason Castro's version is much better than Lee Dewyze's version.



(I apologize that you have to hear Randy Jackson at the end of this clip.)

I think my favorite version of this song is by the relatively unknown Allison Crowe.



Here are the lyrics:

"Hallelujah"

Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you
To a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Speaking of "American Idol" this season's final two is set, it's going to be between Crystal Bowersox and Lee Dewyze. I like Lee but does he really have a chance? Crystal is one of the few "AI" contestants I've ever looked forward to their first CD. I'm very excited it. Not too many "Idols" I say that about.

Speaking of which Alexis Grace, when is your first CD going to be out? She has music available on her myspace.com page. However a lot of it is from the performances she did on "AI".

Good night, themusicaddict

Good/Bad

Hello,

I finally heard from my attorney yesterday, our judge has the paperwork. My attorney says that the divorce should be final in about 1 or 2 weeks. This is the ultimate in bittersweet and good/bad. I've accepted that the marriage is coming to an end, but that doesn't mean I'm happy about it. I still love the soon to be ex-wife very much and wish the best for her. On the other hand I had such a feeling of lightness after hearing from my attorney. I know there are many women out there who I will love as much as the ex, I just hope I find that person.

The job is going good. My boss doesn't live in Utah. She has flown into Salt Lake City to finish my training. She seems to be pleased with my performance so far. I love my job. Although this week I have to work almost 40 hours, 5 days and only get a two day weekend. Yeah, I know what you're thinking, "quit your whining". Okay I will. I'm so grateful I found this job.

I renewed my napster.com for 3 more months using mycokerewards.com points. I also received 15 free downloads. I bought two songs by the Time- "Jungle Love" and "The Bird" and replaced some songs that didn't play right. (Thanks Mom, Dad, brother and sister-in-law for letting me have your points.)

I also was rocking out to Dio last night, he has a couple of live CDs available on napster.com. The man could rock and did. One of the best rock vocalists of all time. He still have a very strong voice even in his mid-60's. Ronnie James Dio is vastly under appreciated but he'll be missed by those of us who have been big fans of his.

themusicaddict

"Law and Order", "Cold Case" and "FlashForward", Ronnie James Dio

Hello,

I come to mourn the end of some shows that I've enjoyed but will not be back next season. After 20 years of excellent detective stories and multiple spin off series "Law and Order" is coming to an end. Another show that I love is almost guaranteed going off the air, that show is "Cold Case". From what I've read though that show is almost assuredly gone.

Then a non surprise to me this will be "FlashForward's" first and last season. Why am I not surprised? Is it because of show quality? No. It's because I'm bad luck for a lot of shows. I get into a show in it's first season, hype it up and many times people not enough people watch the show. It then gets canceled. I'm intrigued to watch "Glee", but you are probably thinking don't start watching it.

There are some shows I don't get into until the second or third season. For instance "Mad Men", I love that show. It took me a few years to get into "E.R." and I was a big fan during the middle seasons. Then came the lame last few years. Also "American Idol" I didn't really get into until the 6th season. I use to live for that show, I then got busy and have realized I can live without it.

Unfortunately I thought "Battlestar Galactica" looked lame and never watched it. Once it ended I started getting into it. I still have only seen the first season though. It would be nice if it was made available on Comcast On Demand. (Hint, hint)

Books: I'm currently reading Mary Karr's "The Liar's Club", her first of 3 memoirs. I'm enjoying it, it's a lot better than the last book I read, "The Postmistress". It's still not one of the those books it's so engrossing that you just can't put down.

Speaking of mourning I just found out one of my all-time favorite singers has died. That's the amazing Ronnie James Dio. He's been battling cancer. The article on ew.com said he died "at the reported age of 67". It's hard to believe he could be that old and sing that well. Here are 10 of my favorite songs of his. (Yes I know he was with other bands, but honestly I think his solo work was the best work he did.) My two favorite of his songs are "The Last In Line" and "Egypt- The Chains Are On". Other great songs of his "Stand Up And Shout", "Holy Diver", "Shame on The Night", "Straight Through The Heart", "We Rock", "One Night In The City", "Shoot, Shoot" and "All The Fools Sailed Away".

R.I.P. RJD



Have a good Sunday, themusicaddict