So You Think You Can Dance!!!!

I'm so excited! This has turned out to be the best television week ever!!!! We had the season finales of Bones and House in addition to the Idol finale. And now, So You Think You Can Dance starts! I just finished watching the House finale and had a good cry so now I'm ready to laugh! Bring on Sex!

It's two hours!!! Awesome! Hello Cat!! I missed you!

They had auditions in DC this year. I really wanted to go and watch but they just don't let anybody in and I didn't think I could pass as a contestant. The wrinkles and the extra pounds would have given me away.

But this show is about the LA auditions. The judges will be Mary Murphy of ballroom fame and Nigel Lithgoe of Idol fame. Joining them today is Mia Michaels. One of my favorite choreographers! I love the park bench dance from season 2.



For the new people, the contestants get one minutes on stage. They are either given the boot, told to stick around for a round of choreography, or given a plane ticket to Vegas! Vegas is where they work the kids for a week before they decide on the top 10 guys and the top 10 girls to compete for our votes and the title of "America's Favorite Dancer".

I had a whole recap of the show but it was a little boring as auditions can be so I thought I'd give you a couple of high lights instead of the full blown post.

The second guy is a little slimy dude from Italy. He just got naked! I hope he sucks. Well, the music sucks and he looks like he's going to strip. He should talk to David Hernandaz from Idol. Oh yeah, he sucks for the most part. Nigel asks Mia how successful Jonathan is going to be in America and she says "Not very sex..." instead of success!! LOL!! Everyone is laughing now except Jonathan. This is turning into something not so funny. But he is staying for the choreography.

Sex is back with his mom! Yes! This is his third year. We find out that he REALLY thinks he can dance. I blame his mom. I will say that he did get better from season 2 to season 3. Let's see if he can keep the trend up for season 4. I think he peaked season 3. Mia agrees with me. She also says that she would miss Sex if he didn't show up every year. I would too! Nigel brings the hammer down on him and sends him away.

The age thing might not have been a problem for me. Someone that was 45 auditioned. I liked her! She left her husband to find happiness. You go girl!

Another guy is returning from last year. He had some sick moves and he still does. His name is Phillip Chbeeb. Here's a video of him. It starts slow but it's worth the wait.



He's going to have to go through choreography.

Some guy auditioned in his tighty whities. BAD. Nigel had the line of the night. They asked him why the underpants and he said something about being a clean slate because he knows they (judges) like to mold and shape dancers. Nigel: "I didn't see any thing I wanted to mold there."

Travis Wall is teaching the choreography! Slimy guy is going home. Phillip is going to Vegas along with 17 other dances from day one.

Day two was boring until the last guy. OMG! I've never seen anything like this guy!



I don't know how long he'll last but I look forward to seeing him again.

Did you watch?

Idol hangover

It's a day later and I have a few other thoughts.

1. I LOVED IT!

2. Yes, it is right up there with season 5.

3. The SYTYCD dancers were not featured AT ALL. If you're going to promote them being on the show, use them. I hope this doesn't turn people off of the show (which starts tonight BTW).

4. Can this be the last year of performers on the show that do not perform with the kids? Jonas Brothers and George Michael I'm looking at you! (Former Idols do not count.)

5. I am satisfied with my post from last night so I'm going to call Idol done until January!

6. How long are we going to have to wait for David Cook's CD?

I haven't had a chance to go around to all the blog and read them and I may not until this weekend so don't get mad at me. I have to blog on SYTYCD tonight (although it might be a little short since it's auditions). My MySpace page got phished so I have to change all my password EVERYWHERE (just to be safe). And I need to eat, which I am going to do right now.

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by this blog this year for American Idol. I hope you'll keep me on your favorite blogs list and check back often!

Take Care!

Open Letter

Dear Dumb ass in the beat-up red car:

Yes, I heard you yell "pig" at me while I was walking (aka exercising). You were driving so fast that I didn't get to yell my equally witty response of "I know you are but what am I!" I know I'm overweight why do you think I was out there walking, Einstein. I'm doing my best to lose weight and get in shape and your words of discouragement are NOT welcome. Next time, do me and every other overweight person in the world a favor and drive you and your buddy off a f-ing cliff!

To the two other guys in nicer cars, thanks for the whistles! THAT'S the kind of encouragement I need!

Thanks!

PS - To the asshole riding his bicycle on the sidewalk that nearly ran me over...RIDE IN THE F-ING ROAD LIKE YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO!! JERK! One more thing, tuck in your shirt next time. I REALLY don't want to see your butt-crack again.

One show Ends...Another Begins

Tonight is the end of Season 7 of American Idol. The Best. Season. Ever. NOT. The best season ever, IMO, was Season Five (BTW, I didn't watch season one or two). That was the season I became total invested in one contestant from the beginning all the way to the final three, Elliott. He wasn't the cutest thing but, man could he sing! During the season, the stylist had their way with him and he actually became pretty darn hot. I loved him and his mom (God rest her soul). I still have his version of "Trouble" as my ring tone.

To me, the past two seasons have not lived up to the greatness that was season 5. The finale last year was just plain sad. I did enjoy Prince, as I always do (the Super Bowl that one year was awesome), but I don't think he said a word. He certainly didn't sing with any of the contestants. He came, he sang, he left. Only the top three got to sing with stars and, other then Blake and Jordin, Sanjaya was the only other contestant to have a solo! Try and tell me he wasn't the best thing during season six.

That brings as to this finale. According to MJ, we're in for a pretty good show (crossing-fingers). The highlight for me (other then the contestants singing) is going to be the So You Think You Can Dance dancers!! Which brings me to the meaning behind this post title. Idol may be ending but So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) starts tomorrow with auditions!!! This show has been a molten hot lava bomb for the past two years and I hope it continues. It should be safe because 1) it's a summer show, 2) doesn't command the viewership that Idol does and 3) it has already won awards. I'm hoping these things will keep Nigel from messing with it.

While watching the AI finale tonight and you find yourself watching the dancers more than the singers, please consider tuning in tomorrow. I do have to say that the auditions are similar to Idol auditions so you have crappy dancers along with good ones. This show also has a few people that try out every year. The one to watch for is Sex and his mom...at least I hope he brings his mom. If auditions aren't your cup of tea, stay tuned here and I'll let you know when to start watching again. Vegas week is a good time to start (similar to Hollywood week).

I'm not sure how much I'm going to live blog tonight. I want to try to enjoy the show first and then comment later. I'll post a few things but look for a bigger post later tonight or tomorrow.

T-minus 12 minutes and counting until the finale and the crowning of David. Which David is going to win is up in the air.

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97.5 million votes!

Group number with SYTYCD dancers - all white

The group number was pretty good except not enough dancing! Darn it! The camera works sucks big time sometimes.

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Pomegranate is so hot right now.

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David and David duet

Movie pimping to the max - The Love Guru. Cool "Sitar Hero!" I couldn't help myself. Mike Myers makes me laugh. This is going on WAY too long.

Syesha and Seal - not so hot together

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Jason by himself - nervous but sounded good

Ford Escape Hybrids for the Davids

Girls group sing in red

Dance moves still suck - where are the SYTYCD dancers?

There they are!

Donna Summer!

Ryan dancing!! Too funny!!

Hot!

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Carly and Michael - The Letter (love this song) would have liked it better if it was just Michael

Jimmy Kimmel!

Sanjaya in the House!!!!!

Guys group sing in black

Michael is a little shouty

Bryan Adams! He needs a sandwich. Way skinny. How old is he anyway? He was cute in the 80's.

Where are the dancers?

Bo Bice is in the audience. I thought he was performing?

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DANCE

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New WDW American Idol Experience

David Cook and ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man - AWESOME!!!! A MUST SEE!!

I'm regretting not watching this on Tivo because I have to pee!!!

Graham Nash and Brooke White - with Idol Gives Back video clips - not too bad but pitchy showed it's ugly head more than a few times. Brooke will have a good career.

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I forgot to pee!!

Jonas Brothers? I'm too old to know and Ryan didn't say.

New Kids On The Block with instruments.

They should be performing WITH one of the kids.

Yes, the Jonas Brothers

Pat and her Purse on stage to intro the bad auditions clip. I had forgotten about these people. Too bad Idol couldn't have let them rest. Except for "I am Your Brother" dude! And he's in the house in the nutty outfit. And a marching band. Did they forget that this song doesn't end? I did but only for a moment. Randy, Paula and Ryan joined him on stage.

I'm going to pee.

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That horrible "Moment of Truth" is back. YUCK.

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One Republic singing Apologize which I really like but, again, they should be singing with one of the kids. Never mind, David A. is singing with them now. David is back to licking his lips!!

Jordin Sparks - It's okay for a former Idol to sing alone. Black is slimming, gold lame is not. The dress is a cross between a prom dress from the 80's and Dorothy Gale's dress from the Wizard of Oz. I got the latest NOW CD with Tattoo on it. Have you heard that piece of crap? I unchecked that on my iTunes immediately.

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Old footage made new and funny? Gladys Knight and the pips (Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr.). Too long.

Carrie Underwood!!! Her outfit is very odd. It's a white, mini-skirt suit type thing with fluffy, shear sleeves connected with a LOOOOONG shear scarf behind her. I think it got caught in her high heels at one point. She should have ditched the scarf thingy.

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Was that David A. in a Guitar Hero commercial?

Fringe looks like my type of movie

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Top 12 group sing - black

David H got the "naked" line! HA HA! (Father Figure)

George Michael!!!!

He is looking rougher than Bryan Adams. I guess it's the lifestyle. But I still love him. I'm not digging this song so much. I wanted something dance-able. And what is up with those sunglasses? Oh! And he needs to tone down the hand gestures. I guess he didn't want to sing with the kids.

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Crap! I'm starting to sweat!

And the winner is David ... Cook!!!!!!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He's crying and I'm crying! I'm a nerd!!

Winning song - Time of My Life

That was an excellent way to spend two-hours! It was WAY better than last year but only time will tell if it will match Season Five in my eyes.

HEY! I just realized that I'm actually going to own an Idol winner's CD! David Cook will be my first winner CD and I can't wait!

What are your thoughts?

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Don't forget to watch SYTYCD tomorrow!!

Competition's over and we're just having fun

The journey started in January with auditions and now, it's almost over. David-Squared sing for votes tonight and tomorrow, it's all over until next January. It's been a long ride and I've about had it. I'm ready for this to be over. It turns out that Paula is only entertaining for so long.

So, who's going to win? Your guess is as good as mine. I would like Cook to win but it might be better if he didn't. After all, winning isn't everything just ask Clay, Chris, Elliott and Taylor. I think they would all agree and all but one would be happy about it. Poor Taylor.

If you've read any of my other American Idol blogs, you should already know that I dislike David A. greatly. He is like a young, boring, little robot. You can almost see what he's thinking: "sing these next three words, turn to the right, sing two more words, lift my other hand and bend my knees, repeat on the other side." Another thing that I hate about him is the way the producers and the judges have treated him all season. I don't think anyone, including Brooke, has messed up more lyrics than he has and he only got called on it once. That's a crock.

Well, it's almost time to begin! I wonder who is going to be in the finale tomorrow.

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Hey!! It's David Buffer!!! Let's get ready to rumble!!!!!

David Cook weighs 180 pounds and David A. Weighs 100 pounds soaking wet.

At least that was new.

The house is full of people! All the top 12 (I'm sure BeckEye is happy about seeing MJ again) and Luke Perry. Is he in the new 90210 remake? Oh wait, that's on another network.

Ryan welcomes us to the Nokia Theatre (I guess it's not the Kodak any more) and introduces the judges. Ryan tells us that each David will sing three songs and have three phone line to which we will have 4 hours to call.

Crap! They are continuing with the fight theme. Does that mean Mohamed Ali will be in the house tomorrow? The two Davids got to chat with Clive and Andrew Lloyd Weber this week. I thought they shelved Clive?

David A won the coin toss and is going second. I had to pause the show for a moment. Did you see how scared David A. looks? OMG! That poor kid! He is even more stiff than usually. For his sake, I hope it doesn't last. For my sake, I hope it does 'cause that would be funny. Cook sure looks comfortable. Since this is an hour show and the kids are only singing a total of 9 minutes of song, there is more filling then normal which is normally a ton any way.

I've changed my mind. I want Cook to win! He is such a class act and a nice guy. When asked to say something about the other David, he said something about him always being a nice guy and as far as he was concerned the "Competition's over and we're just having fun."

They've filled Clive Davis full of oxygen and propped him up for this show so we have to hear from the crypt keeper before we can hear any singing. Oh great, more fight themed stuff. No way that's going to get old. I wonder what the producers are thinking sometimes. UNBELIEVABLY, Clive's choice is I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2. First time in the history of the show for U2 during competition. I guess Clive can still pull those old strings. David A. gets Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me by Elton John without much of an explaination from Clive. Andrew is still harping on little Davy about keeping his eye open.

David Cook (5701, 5703, 5705) was very good! He changed it up just a smidge so as not to be an exact copy but still be true to the original. Of course he added the required Idol glory note on the end so the judges should be pleased. I'll buy this. Randy calls it a great song choice and says it was hot. Paula says he has arrived. Simon calls it phenomenal!

David A. (5702,5704, 5706) well, I didn't hate it but I didn't like it either. What else is new. If you're here for an objective view point, boy, did you take a wrong turn! Randy licks his ass as usual. Paula got chills and calls it beautiful. Simon calls it the best he's done so far and give this round to him. I disagree. Now Davy's gonna cry.

Now it's time for the coronation song. The Davids got to pick from ten songs (I hear there were only 20 entered). More fight analogy, yea. David Cook is singing something called Dream Big and Little Davy is singing In This Moment. Andrew is funny and makes fun of the crappy lyrics.

David Cook (5701, 5703, 5705) was awesome and I loved it!!!! That was got to be the best crappy coronation song ever. It still had cheesy lyrics but it had me smiling and tapping my feet. Randy thinks David sang his face off. Paula babbles. Simon says the end was okay and that it didn't feel like a winning moment. The judges are REALLY pushing Little Davy tonight.

If you've never voted before, I urge you to vote tonight and vote for Cook. It's a shame that Little Davy needs so much help to win this thing. If the producers really wanted him to win, they would have sent Cook packing and kept Syesha. At least then the judges wouldn't have to work so hard.

David A. (5702,5704, 5706) well, I did hate that. Those lyrics were HORRIBLE! What's with the big anchors on Davy's jacket? Randy licks his ass as usual and pulls out the phone book line. Paula says he's on fire (I wish!). Simon calls it a better song and give this round to him as well. I disagree.

David Cook picked The World I Know and Little Davy picked Imagine.

David Cook (5701, 5703, 5705) was pretty good. He seemed a little defeated but maybe I'm just feeling that way because of the judges. Randy says it was a very nice job. Paula says he's standing in his truth. Whatever the hell that means. Simon calls him the nicest most sincere contestant they have ever had. Simon was right, he should have done Billie Jean or Hello.

David A. (5702,5704, 5706) over did it...a lot. Why did he add all those crappy runs and that melisma? Randy licks his ass as usual and declares him the winner. Paula says he left her speechless (I wish!). Simon calls it a knock-out.

Well, what did you think?

Goodbye Syesha! Hello Kodak Theatre!

Good evening everyone! I hope you are all well tonight. Before I begin tonight's Idol blog, I'd like to take a moment to congratulate Whitney for being America's Next Top Model! Finally, they picked a plus sized girl...if you can call her that. I call her non-anorexic or normal. Personally, I'd kill to be her size!

OH! I found a Syesha fan...my uncle Bill! Guess where he lives? That's right! Florida! NOW we know who's been voting for her!

Tonight on Idol we find out who gets to sing the "sure-to-be-crappy coronation song" on their new CD. I think we can all agree that it's going to be David x2 in the finale. Most blogs I read put David A. in the final spot. As much as I dislike the kid (hey, I haven't even bothered to learn how to spell his last name), I think I might want him to win. The "sure-to-be-crappy coronation song" is sure to blend well with his "Up With People" type singing style. While the thought of David Cook having to record the "sure-to-be-crappy coronation song" is starting to make me a little queasy. On the other hand, it would be nice to have the person I've voted for all season long win.

As usually, I've let my Tivo run so I don't have to listen to those phone calls. I think I might have missed one or two entertaining phone calls this season but that is not enough to withstand ALL the other ones. I may not have enough time banked on Tivo but I'm done with the pre-show babbling. I'm starting to feel like Paula!

OH! One more thing! I'm planing on blogging So You Think You Can Dance this season. Someone I know, knows a dancer that has made it to Vegas at least. She can't say anything else. That means I am two people away from Mary Murphy, Nigel Lithgoe, and, most importantly, Cat Deeley!!

Now! On with the show!

WOW! There are a lot of people in the house tonight; Michael Johns, Kristy Lee Cook, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Carly, Brooke, and pOtS aNd PaNs!!!!

Ryan tells us that Fantasia is singing live! I guess she must have gone straight there from here! Here's her picture again.

The kids are singing "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" for the group sing. As far as group sings go, this one has got to be the best sounding of the year...but that's not saying too much. I definitely miss Jason's dance stylings!

56 million votes came in last night.

Recaps.

Fantasia is performing her new song. Well, I guess I'm getting old. I could hardly understand anything she was singing. The dance move were a bit over the top. Some of those moves looked...well...I can't really put down exactly what I'm thinking but it has to do with getting ready for a certain sexual act. I'll let you think about that one. The look on Simon's face when they cut to him at the end was priceless! It was EXACTLY the look that was on my face!

Ryan call David A. out to the stage so that we can hear him talk. Oh joy. I'm sorry, I can't watch his trip home. If anything interesting happens, let me know.

How much crap are they going to show us! Get on with it! Great! A Commercial!

It's Syesha's turn for the home visit and the memory video. I tried to watch it but I can't.

Another commercial!

Now David Cook get the big talk and multi-video treatment. I'm going to watch this one! LOL! I'll admit it. I cried! That was great!

It's a shocker! NOT! Syesha is "going home" and the two Davids are going head to head in the finale.

Any thoughts on who you think should win?

Final 3: Otherwise Known as "Syesha's Last Night"

I don't know how in the hell she has made it this long! I would have NEVER picked her to be in the top three. Again, it just leaves me wondering who the hell is voting for her.

At this point, everyone in the viewing/voting audience knows who they like and knows who they are voting for so tonight's show doesn't really matter. I'm voting for David Cook. I already have him picked on Dial Idol and it's just waiting to start calling.

I have a theory that it's the text messages that really decide the winner. It goes something like this. Say you have a really big funnel with a really small opening. No matter how much sand you have in the funnel, only a certain amount is going to come out in any given time frame. Let's say the big part of your funnel has 5 gallons of water but the opening only lets water out at the rate of a half gallon a minute. After one minute one gallon of water in gone. Thus, if you only have 2 gallons of water in the funnel, you are still only going to lose one gallon after one minute. I believe phone lines work the same way. There are only so many calls that can be connect in any giving time frame no matter how fast you can dial or how many time you call. So, with that knowledge, who has the edge? Can Archie's fans text faster then Cook's? Should we ever worry about Syesha? I don't know but I bet the vote is going to be VERY close.

Enough of that! On with the show!

Ryan introduces us to the High Schooler, the Actress (YUCK), and the Bartender. I don't know about you but a bartender is much more handy to have around then the other two. Which one will be the next American Idol?

Ryan then tells us how important voting is before he introduces the judges...again. Oh look! Something shiny! It's Paula!

As with other years, the kids are each singing three songs. One that one of the judges pick, one that the producers pick, and then the kids get to pick their own. The producers pick used to be a Clive Davis pick but I think they got tired of propping him up once a year.

We see the mayor of the city the David A. is from and he has a HUGE, pointy mustache! Does he think it looks good? I always wonder about that kind of stuff. The Mayor reveals Paula's song choice of "And So It Goes" by Billy Joel. I love this song. I love Billy Joel. I do NOT love David A. This does not bode well. Hated the echo crap in the beginning. Hated the arrangement. It was already a slow song, it didn't need to be any slower. Randy kisses his ass and calls it dope. Paula calls it beautiful. Simon calls it predictable but not outstanding.

For some reason, I think that the person that has gone first on final three night as gone home the next. I seem to remember that Elliott had the first spot and I was not happy about that. I'm not sure but if that is the case, that trend will be broken now. I don't think I'll get my wish and have Little Davy leave tomorrow.

Syesha's song is "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys picked by Randy. I'm not a fan of Alicia Keys or Syesha so this doesn't bode well either. My problem with Syesha is that we've heard her before. She sounds like a number of better singers and doesn't really have a sound of her own. She did an okay job on an okay song. Randy says she did an amazing job. Paula is proud and says she looks stunning. Simon wishes that Randy had picked a different song. Me too Simon, me too!

Simon picked "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" by Roberta Flack for David Cook. This should be good. And it is! I'll be buying that when it goes on sale. It started out soft and then built like most every song he does. That's okay, I like it that way! This is predictable too but, at this stage of the game, it's going to be hard to pull off a surprise. Randy calls it predictable and slams Simon. Paula calls it her favorite songs and David her second favorite singer of the song. Drink some more Paula. Simon calls it his best performance to date. "First Round: Cook and Cowell!"

Mrs. Cook in the house!

David A. get some chair time. His choice is "With You" by Chris Brown. Oh joy. Another "Up With People" type song. How many times can his kid mess up with words and not be called on it? Everyone else that forgets lyrics gets reamed but not the golden, gaspy, frog boy! Unfair! Randy didn't believe it. Something about "My Boo"? Paula babbles. Simon is glad he didn't do a ballad but the song wasn't really him.

Syesha is in the chair. She picked "Fever" by Peggy Lee. Good song! Too bad she is still talking and not singing yet. She annoys me. She's pulling a Haley/Kat McPhee move. Bringing out the sex, brings out the vote. Everything on the stage was just too distracting. I didn't like it. Randy calls it interesting and well sung. Paula is surprised by the song choice. Simon says she will probably regret the performance and calls it cabaret.

I can't wait until the season finales for Bones ad House!!! Sealy will not die! But I don't really care if Amber does.

David Cook picked "Dare You to Move" by Switchfoot. Whoever and whatever that is. Am I just really old? Oh! I've heard this before! This is not my favorite by David. It seemed lie he started off-key and then got a little shouty. I won't be buying this tomorrow but I'm still voting for him. LOL!!! The "Cougars for Cook" sign is too funny!!! Have I ever told you that my sister is a Cougar? Well, maybe another time. Randy name drops and says it wasn't his best. Paula was distracted by David and his guitar. Simon says all three of them had an okay middle round.

The producers picked "Longer" by Dan Fogelberg for Little Davy's last song. OH! This crappy song. He has never been in love in his entire short life. How can he sing a song about it and be believed? That was a serious close-up at the end and I must say, Davy, sweetie, you need some man-scaping! Randy licks his ass. Paula calls it lovey. Simon thinks he song it well but it was a bad song. I agree with Simon that the song sucks.

Syesha has to sing "Hit Me Up" by Gia Farrell. This doesn't seem like a singer's song. It seems like a dancing song. The producers screwed Syesha. Randy calls it okay. Paula doesn't know if it's going to be enough to get he into the final two. Simon calls it forgettable.

The producers are making David Cook sing "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" by Aerosmith. I liked this song oh about ten years ago! It's a little over done at this point. The arrangement was a little strange for me and I thought the string section could have dressed up a bit. After all, they are on national television! It was better than the last song but the first song was the best of the night. Paula gives him the standing O. Randy started to say something when my Tivo switched over to Reaper. A couple of weeks ago, I stopped Tivo from recording Reaper so I could get the last couple of minutes of Idol and BOY was my husband mad! He has not let me forget about it either. I'm not doing that again. Reaper is a WAY funny show! Check it out sometime...if your not really religious.

Bottom two for me were Syesha and David A. DUH! Winner of the night was David Cook with Simon's song choice.

Does Syesha leave us tomorrow or does David A.?
Is there even a CHANCE that David Cook will go home?
And how close do you think the vote will be?

Until tomorrow!

Why would someone have that?

The following story is true, only some of the names have been changed to protect my invitation to next year's party!

Every year, a person we'll call "Doug", comes into the office to get an invitation made for his Apple Blossom party. He lives in a house on the parade route. In this town, if you live on the parade route, you MUST have a party. And every year, he invites me and Angie and we never go.

On Friday night during the Fireman's Parade, Angie and I decided that we would walk to Doug's house and check it out. Turns out, our seats are only a block away from Doug's. We show up at the house and see Doug and some other people we know. We chatted a bit and then asked Doug if he would gives us a tour of the house or if we could wander. He said we could wander around. So we did.

Before I go any further, I should tell you that, at this point, I had about 1 1/2 to 2 liters of Sangria.

Doug lives in a huge, old house that is awesome! To protect my invite for next year, I won't be posting a picture of the front of the house but this is the view from the front porch.

I made Angie stand on the porch and pose for me.

We went in and started looking around. As I said the house is awesome. Doug spent a lot of time and money fixing it up and it shows. The first floor has a huge entry way, living room, dining room, kitchen, and a bar/staircase area. I found the stairs to the basement and Angie and I headed down. The entire time Angie kept saying that we shouldn't be there. I was under the firm belief that if there were places that Doug didn't want us to go, he would have given us a tour.

Angie and I went back upstairs and onto the second floor. The bedrooms were all connected. I don't know why but I think it has something to do with the maids being able to move quickly between the rooms back in the day. Angie again, thought that we shouldn't be there...until I found the bathroom! The bathtub was very elegant so I made Angie get in!

Angie was headed back downstairs when I found the door to the attic! Here's a little video.

You can't see much but the audio is pretty funny.

After I took the video, I caught something strange out of the corner of my eye and here it is.

Why would someone have a male mannequin in their house?

Well, we left and showed the other people we were sitting with, including my husband, the picture.

Fast forward to the end of The Grand Feature Parade on Saturday. I talked my husband into walking past Doug's house to see what was going on (Angie wasn't with us this day). Doug had a live band! So we joined in the fun. I, again, had consumed large amounts of sangria and my husband had drank a lot of beer by this time. We were having a good time. Dancing, eating, drinking, falling down, etc.

At some point, my husband went into the house and did this.



He brought the top half of the mannequin down to the second floor and placed it on the roof of the porch and put the bottom half in the window of the attic (it's a little hard to see). Up until this time, Doug was absent. As soon as Mike did that, Doug came back. He had a good laugh but not as good as we did!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and step-moms out there!

Here's my non-smoking update:

I have been quit for 3 Months, 2 Weeks, 1 Day, 15 hours, 46 minutes and 52 seconds (105 days). I have saved $578.46 by not smoking 3,169 cigarettes. I have saved 1 Week, 4 Days and 5 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 1/27/2008 12:00 AM