The One About "The Idol Bug"

hey!!  i know that probably no one is reading this anyways but hey, that's cool!!  I'm just letting anybody know that I will be back to this blog soon.  I was going to write today but I got sidetracked with starting a new, separate American Idol only blog!!  I realized that was what I really had interest in writing right now and whoever reads this knows it gets really lengthy so I've directed all my American Idol attention over to this blog:

"The Idol Bug"

http://idolbug.blogspot.com/

If you love American Idol, I hope you read it!!  I also started it because I finally found Idol blogs to follow and  wanted to do what they did.  My blog won't be much different than the others but I did what I wanted and I can guarantee that mine looks the coolest!!  So at least check it out to see what it looks like!!  Thanks!!

-Lindsay

The One About Alex Lambert!!!!

Today’s blog isn’t really gonna have specific segments because everything relates!! You could consider this a “special edition” if you want... haha. So here is my Ramble Session/Main Story/TV Talk/Story of the (Past Few) Day(s)!!

I love this picture!!!!

As you can tell by the title, this post is dedicated to Alex Lambert. There was a huge loss to American entertainment last Thursday. Alex Lambert was eliminated from American Idol. I will explain why it has devastated me, all the media revolving around it, why he is gonna be awesome in the future, basically everything about him... (I have about 30 mins to write this before starting to watch American Idol. I’ll get to why I’m still going to watch it tonight in a little bit...)

You can call this an obsession, because it kinda is, but I have good reason: On American Idol, and anywhere else, he had THE most unique voice!!! No one can argue that it was amazing because it came so naturally to him, you could tell. Yes, his stage presence was a little awkward, but that was because he had no prior experience in front of large audiences, and besides, it made him all the more adorable because he was so “real."  He was so much more than just my favorite contestant...  He was what I looked forward to seeing and hearing each week!!  Anyways, by the second week, even the judges said, he had gained so much “experience” and he looked and sounded great!! However, by the third week, for me at least, his performance was kinda boring, but you still couldn’t deny that his voice was there!! It was a complete surprise elimination. I had spent all day that Thursday nervous and anxious to find out the results. I was scared because his performance was a little boring (and performance is what America seems to care about...) and other, previously horrible contestants stepped it up a bit!! Some friends tried to reassure me that day that he would probably be fine. By the time the results show came on, I was an absolute wreck, I was so nervous!! I’ve never been that nervous for a show before (I don’t think I was even that nervous during the David vs. David finale 2 years ago!!). I was really only nervous because it was the vote deciding the Top 12!! (People that get eliminated before Top 12 are usually never ever heard of again!! Top 12 is such a good launch into the music industry sometimes!!) I was so ready to feel relief from my anxiety by the end of the show (Yes, they waited for his elimination until the end of the show!!), but unfortunately, that isn’t how it ended up. Instead I went to bed in tears!! I was more devastated by this than I’d ever seen myself before. It didn’t help that Alex was crying on the show too (See how real he is?!?!).

What's not to love??

The next day I was still sad. It was horrible. It still is horrible. On Friday, I found a petition online trying to get Alex back on the show. (http://www.change.org/actions/view/bring_alex_lambert_back_on_american_idol) The woman who created it was trying to get the attention of Fox and everyone associated with American Idol. Apparently, she had 400 signatures after just 2 hours of being put up right after his shocking elimination. At this moment, the creator has sent in the petition to Fox and it has 15,625 signatures and counting every minute!! I signed it because it actually means something to me. The petition made news all over the internet the past few days. I really hope that it would make an impact and bring him back, but since there is such little time between contestant performances week to week, I am not getting my hopes up (or at least not trying to...) for his return. American Idol would be stupid, however, if they did not at least address this petition on tonight’s show because of how big an impact Alex’s elimination had on people all over the world (Yes, I mean all over the world!!). Please read what the creator has to say by going to the website. There is another link on her page of what she actually sent out to American Idol. I support this act 1000000%!!! She also explains many of the same things I could just repeat on here so please just visit the site because I agree with everything she says about it!!

Weren't expecting that now, were ya??  Check out those arms!!  hahaha

I kinda developed a little "debate" type thing in my head (haha) for reasons why Alex should be allowed back and why others might be opposed:

My Side: He should be brought back because they have had a Top 13 in the past so why can’t they do it again?? Alex deserves it way more than others in the Top 12 if this show is based on vocals!!

Negative Argument: It’s not fair to the other contestants.

My Side: It technically isn’t “not fair” because 1) Alex is CLEARLY what America wants to see/hear!!! Just look at the petition!! And 2) he would get less time to practice than the others so there is no reason for complaint!!!

Negative Argument: Where were his fans when it came time to vote?

My Side: Well, as stated on the creator of the petition’s website, there may have been flaws in the voting system because apparently A LOT of people tried to get through to vote but the line was “busy.”

So yeah, that was basically my argument!! haha. Oh yeah, also, I don’t think its fair that there is an even Top 12 of boys and girls (6 of each) because some guys, or girls, may be so much better than someone else of the opposite gender in the competition but they would end up going home only because of the “evenness factor” which is definitely something that happened here with Alex. What if he had wayyyy more votes than one of the girls?? That’s not fair. It wasn’t that way last year so why now?? UGH!!

Awesome picture in my opinion!!  haha

Let’s see... There are also those stupid websites like “Vote For The Worst” that take pride in the fact that they get horrible singers further in the competition, but I really can’t get into that!!

I am still going to watch American Idol tonight pretty much only because I want to see if the petition worked!! I also want to see how Casey James and Lee Dewyze do, but I still don’t really even care that much!! It is probably going to be sad to watch. (Before anyone makes fun of my sadness over this I will explain my reasoning: At the end of a LOOOONG school day, I LOVE watching American Idol and when I have a favorite it is even better!! However, since I picked my favorite way too early this season, not that I regret it, the Top 12 is extremely disappointing for the most part!! I can think of 3 off the top of my head this moment that absolutely do not deserve a spot there!! Also, music is such an important thing to me and when I love it, I don’t want it to go away!! Make sense?? Ok...)

This one is just cute!!  haha

Whether or not Alex makes it back on American Idol, which I will find out in a few minutes (but will most likely be bad news), he will definitely succeed in the future of music!! He has one of the most amazing and unique voices I have ever heard (so what if I’m only 15??)!!  In interviews that he has made since his elimination, he has stated that he wants to finish high school and then definitely pursue a career in music. I, for one, can not wait until his album comes out!! I hope it won’t be too long because my ears can’t wait!! I’ll post the links to his performances below!! You should definitely watch them, but if you get a chance, just listen to it and you can hear his voice without being distracted by video.  That's just how I think about it!!  Definitely watch it too though because come on... he is worth watching!!! (He’s got the best smile I’ve ever seen!!!) haha!!

UGH, my dad was just watching last week’s infamous results show (he hadn’t actually seen it yet), and it happened to be right on Alex’s elimination and I sat there again, just a moment ago, getting nervous again and then almost tearing up as I re-watched the disappointment and tears on Alex’s face!! That was horrible to re-watch!!

I’ll end on a smiley note (literally)!! These are all pictures from his Facebook fan pages and americanidol.com, by the way, that are just too adorable to keep to myself:

Isn't that just the most perfect and genuine smile???!!!

Oh, and just an update: The petition now has 15,709 signatures!! See how amazingly fast that grew in just a matter of like 20 minutes!! It was even faster this past week!!

Clearly he's just adorable!!!  haha

Alex Lambert Links:

Petition: 

http://www.change.org/actions/view/bring_alex_lambert_back_on_american_idol

"Wonderful World" - Top 24 Performance (stage fright but the vocals are awesome!!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGEbp_qMa4M

"Everybody Knows" - Top 20 Performance (best performance!!!): 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9736vPlYO8

"Trouble" - Top 16 Performance (not the best but voice is still there!!): 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gpcnEvzlxk

"Let Me Love You" and Interview - Ellen DeGeneres' Show (3/17/10) (so cute, yet again!!  The song he sings is actually the song he wanted to sing during the Top 16 performances, but I guess the producers said that he would get more votes by singing "Trouble"  They were wrong though... dumb.):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH-4_WboGGA

Pre-American Idol "Coffee Shop" Performances

"Tired of Waiting" (with his band called "HandsThatHurt") (good song!!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoiJueDG8qo

"Barney Tribute" (with "HandsThatHurt") (funny, reminiscent!!): 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f047_OsaHbQ&feature=related

"I'm Yours (cover)" (with HandsThatHurt"): 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1oLI2pMPz4&feature=related

"Twist and Shout" (with "HandsThatHurt"): 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7stGDFaSPIA&feature=related

15,793 signatures by the point of publishing like an hour and a half later!!!  hahaha!!  That's amazing though!!

-Lindsay

Quick follow-up here:  It's been about 40 minutes since I had first published this.  I just wanted to say this though:  Now that I'm about 5 performances into tonight's American Idol, we can clearly see that there is no Alex Lambert  :(   After writing this a little while ago, I felt refreshed and generally ok with the fact that Alex wouldn't be on the show.  (I feel like I have my say in this situation now).  However, after turning on the TV (TiVo recording...) and watching for about 5 minutes, realizing the hope of Alex on the show was over, I was getting really disappointed.  With each new interview popping up on the big screen, I keep thinking "That could've been Alex."  I can totally picture him being on the show, and I feel like he is, but then I remember that he's not, and its frustrating and sad!!  It makes me angry!!  In my head, I keep thinking "Top 6"!!  I don't know why, but I felt like maybe he'd be brought back on and that's how far he'd make it??  I'm not a psychic and I don't have those "visions" but I was kinda hoping I was right (but we all know that Alex would've made it past Top 6!!!  haha).  I can also picture Alex in those cheesy Ford music videos that are so fun to watch!!  haha.  Ok, wow!!  That was way more than I meant to write!!  Ugh, Ryan Seacrest just said "After the break, Tim Urban fans can get their fix."  What about my Alex Lambert fix??  Where is that??  This season of American Idol isn't the show I love, but I'll try to enjoy it a little!!  Frustrating.

Dear Alex Lambert, You are so talented and I am really looking forward to your music in the future!!  I'm excited for your interview with Ellen tomorrow!!  You totally deserve that spot in the show, and it's tough to get over this frustration, but it is what it is I guess...  You're gonna do great things, I know it!!  Go and be awesome!!
Love, Lindsay 

The One About Opinions

Ramble Session: I was really eager to write another “blog,” (ok so are the individual “stories” called blogs or articles or stories or what??? Posts? I’m really not sure… I’ll have to come up with a name…) but I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to write about… (Hey, its 1:11!!!!! Make a wish!! haha) I’m sitting in my Computer Apps class right now actually. I just finished my final (only 2 more to go!!). Ok, well this makes for a good new segment of my blog (Ramble Session, I just came up with that like 5 seconds ago!!!) Let’s see… What do I want to write about…? I guess you’ll find out in 2 seconds when you scroll down a little. However, it might be a few more minutes for me to actually find out since I haven’t come up with it yet!! haha!! I have about 15 more minutes until school’s done for the day (yay!!!). We are actually switching classes and entering our 3rd trimester next Monday, which would be why we have finals this week. I’m kinda sad because I really liked Computer Apps because I could just sit on the computer doing whatever for at least 20 minutes a day (it been more like an hour of free time the past few weeks, haha!!). Anyways, I should probably get to writing what you are about to read (which is quite a mind boggling concept if you really think about it…).

The One About...: I think I’m gonna scrap the notebook idea because it just takes more time to write in it and then type everything out, but the Jonas Brothers notebook will still be in my heart!! haha!! Anyways, my topic for today is Opinions!! All about how everybody has one, why everyone wants to share it, how they share it, and why everybody thinks that theirs is the best. Again, none of this is proven fact by expert scientists; it’s just my personal opinion on opinions. I will try not to be too contradictory while writing this because I may just end up sounding like I’m going in circles, but I’m gonna try my best!! So, everybody has an opinion (that is actually stated fact!!). I know that I have one that I would really like to share (which would be why this blog exists). This topic ties into why I made a blog in the first place.

Personally, I don’t voice my opinion all that often because I feel like I’m not really allowed to have one, especially at school. At school, it sounds like EVERYONE feels the need to shout out (literally) their opinion on whatever, even if it is a small matter. And if I were to join in on it, I probably wouldn’t get to explain myself, as I can on here. I’m all for hearing what people have to say, but I do not like having to listen to them scream it at me!!

Also, I find that people usually don’t have reasons as to why they may “hate” something or however they feel. This is where I agree with Judson Laipply (he spoke at our school last year. He is better known for being the “Evolution of Dance” guy that wears the orange “Crush” soda shirt and has one of the “most watched videos” on youtube). When he was at our school, he told us that he accepts peoples’ opinions and actions as long as they have a REASON as to why they feel or think such things. I think that is such a great point because it is completely understandable that people should have reasons to back up their logic. On the other hand though, I do understand that some things hard to explain, but for the most part, there is usually some method to the madness.

For me, I get really fired up if people don’t agree with me over some things, which hopefully doesn’t come across as screaming my opinion, so I’m sorry if it does (this is what I mean when I say I might end up contradicting myself). But it’s really not that big of a deal because I think the only thing I get personal about is American Idol, hahaha!! I do explain my reasoning for why or why not I think things though, so that’s good!!  I think part of the reason why people are so fixed on one solid opinion is because once you develop an opinion, it almost blinds you to other options or arguments.  Not so that you completely shut others out, but just so that your view is the only one you're focused on.  Does that make sense??  Actually, I just came up with my story of the day and it does relate to this “Opinions” topic!! So I’m going to finish this American Idol story when I get to that part!!

One last thing before I move on to all American Idol (you better get used to hearing about it because it is going to be constant until mid-may!!). I think that everyone thinks that their opinion is the best because in everyone’s own head, it IS in fact the best so therefore it must be the best of all!!! You can try to explain your reasoning, but usually, people are gonna stick with what they think is the best (unless you are the way I am sometimes in the sense that if I don’t have a strongly developed opinion, I can listen to one person’s reasoning, think “huh, that’s true...,” and I might agree and change my opinion. I don’t know why but that is why I am asserting my opinions strongly here so that I know what I really think when the situation occurs).

TV Talk: Ok, so Alex Lambert’s version of “Everybody Knows” has been stuck in my head all day, now that I actually know the words, haha!! The link for “Everybody Knows” video is below. He’s the cutest thing!! He does this little smirk thing when he sings and he has dimples and... it’s just so cute!! haha:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYL2-h4jypQ
He’s on American Idol tonight at 9 so please, please watch and vote for him!!! This week is sooo important because it decides the Top 12, which is like the real show, and if he doesn’t make it at least to the Top 12, hopefully Top 10, I will cry!!!!! Great, this is what happens when I get attached WAY too early in the competition!! haha. I really don’t have any other TV topics to discuss right now. A few weeks ago, I would have been going on and on about the Olympics (I will dedicate a whole post to that one day…), and in 2 weeks I’ll probably talk about Dancing with the Stars (Evan Lysacek, all the way!!!!!). Ooh, actually I know what else is on TV tonight at 9: Modern Family!!!! Wicked funny show!!! It’s absolutely hilarious!! You just need to watch it because I don’t know how to describe it, it’s just perfect!! But if you have to choose, please choose American Idol!!! (I’m recording both)

Story of the Day: My story of the day is so good for this post because it has to do with my opinion about American Idol (no way???!!! haha)!! Remember back to what I said earlier about how I get very fired up when discussing American Idol or shows like that? Well, when someone disagrees with me about favorite people on American Idol, I get defensive and feel the need to prove why my favorite is better than theirs, or at least get them to understand why my faves are my faves. Following so far?? Ok, so we all (by that I mean my only 2 followers so far, Shan and Sarah!!) know my love for Alex Lambert this season on American Idol!! Well, today, when I went on Facebook, one of my friends back from middle school (who loves American Idol as much as I do but never likes the same people) commented on my status, which was about how American Idol was on last night and how tonight’s will be better because of Alex Lambert... blah blah blah. However, her comment was about how she loves Tim Urban and Aaron Kelly. In my opinion, though, Tim Urban and Aaron Kelly are the only 2 guys who should be considered for going home this week. I found this amusing because we had like exact opposite opinions. I wrote back how I thought that Tim and Aaron were ok but nowhere near as good as others on the show, not just Alex Lambert. I thought it was a pretty calm way of saying I completely and totally disagree with you!! Again, no one wants to hear someone else scream their opinion in your face and disagree with you, so I tried to avoid doing that. Anyways, a little while later, another girl from my school comments and says how she completely agrees with ME!!! She loves Alex Lambert just as much as I do!! We both kinda thought we were alone there!! It felt nice though to know that someone felt the same way!! So yeah... That was my story!!



Thank you to whoever reads this!! I know this was very lengthy today. I’ll try my best to keep it a little shorter next time. I wonder how many times I used the words “American” and “Idol” in this post?? haha!! Sorry if it did sound a little contradictory though. I’m still learning how to describe my opinions just right. Just saying again that this was just my view of everything, and I’d love to hear your opinions on “opinions” or on American Idol (just be aware that I will fight back and defend Alex Lambert!! haha). I hope you enjoy reading these because I enjoy writing them. Time flies when you’re on a roll while typing!!! haha!! Watch American Idol tonight (it’s on at 9 tonight for some reason)!!!



-Lindsay

The One About the Creation of my Blog

I’m going to start out my blogging experience by explaining what got me started with this idea and what is to be expected from my blog.
Ok, so I think it was March 1, 2010 (not that long ago, I know) when I was assigned to write an essay for my Computer Applications class on my opinion of the future of education. Of course, my mind started whirring and my fingers were attacking the keyboard with such determination to convey my thoughts. By the time I was done with what was supposed to be only 1 page, I had 2 whole pages (which may not seem like much of a difference, but for this class, not much was really expected from the start, haha)!! This got me thinking... hmm... what was that guy’s job in Runaway Bride (which I had just watched a few nights before)?? A columnist?? All of the sudden I was seriously considering a new possible profession for when I get older (my original thought is graphic designer).

Obviously I won’t become a columnist right now, but what if there was someway I could still get my thoughts out about things happening right now...Ta Da!! This wonderful invention called a blog!! (I actually got the idea of a blog from reading one from a family friend that was all about the Olympics!!)

I have always liked the concept of research papers in which you were supposed to share your strong ideas, but no one likes having to actually do the research and quote sources, so a blog is perfect for that because there is no research involved!! I decided I would start as soon as possible by writing my initial thoughts in a notebook, where I will also keep a list of my ideas for topics to write about, and then typing it out as soon as I would get the chance. So, I grabbed one of the untouched Jonas Brothers notebooks (Yes, it is Jonas Brothers... I will talk about them later...) that I got for Christmas (but have yet to find another use for) and started writing this exact story.

Next step: Think of a clever, or somewhat interesting, name for my blog. After considering many possibilities, I finally decided to follow in the footsteps of one of my favorite TV shows: FRIENDS!!!!! (I also give some creative credit to my friend Rachel who has done something similar with the “Friends” titles!! Love you, Rachel!!)

What to expect out of my blog: Each day will include one main story, which may be my opinion of a serious topic or maybe just an opinion or general story about whatever I feel like writing about. Also, I will include two smaller segments. One of which will be where I basically just share my viewpoints on some of my favorite shows (mostly American Idol from now until May!!) because, honestly, TV is one of my major interests, and I do have things to say about it, haha!! The second segment will be my “Story of the Day” where I will share a funny or memorable story or two from my day. I want to do that because anyone that talks to me daily (Mom, Dad, Leah, Sarah, Shann, Shan) knows that I have PLENTY to share by the end of the day, haha!!

TV Talk: I love American Idol. It is one of my favorite shows!! It is still early into the 9th season but I have already picked out my favorites!!!
1) Alex Lambert – he has an amazing voice, he’s very “real,” and he has a cute smile!! haha

here's his video from this past week:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYL2-h4jypQ

2 & 3) Lee DeWyze and Casey James - They’re both great. I like Alex a little better though!!
I will have plenty more to say about American Idol over the next few weeks!! For now though, vote for Alex Lambert!!!

Story of the Day: During gym class today, we went outside because it was just beautiful out. Almost 60 degrees!! Anyways, while we were outside, a few of us were kicking around a soccer ball (we were allowed to do whatever because we pretty much had free time after taking a test). I looked over and I saw a woman and 3 little kids. A moment later, I realized that it was my 2 year old brother with his daycare provider and 2 little girls from his daycare. I was so excited to see him because he is the cutest little thing!! Talk about a nice surprise!! Once he and his daycare provider recognized me, he ran over to me with his arms open wide shouting my name (which, in his little voice, sounds like “did-zee,” hahaha). I gave him a huge hug and kiss, but I didn’t want to hold on too long because to others it must have looked a little strange for me to be hugging little boys around the school grounds, haha!! I was near tears though. I felt so loved by my little brother!! It definitely made the rest of my day (which included a math final) so much happier!!

Ok, well I think that this is a good start... I will be back, hopefully every few days, to share my opinions and views on various things. Again, this is something just for me to be able to express my thoughts. If you do not agree with me that is perfectly fine. In fact, you can comment and tell me what you think. But please be aware that I am not taking aim towards anyone or trying to hurt feelings in the process. I want this to be something that both you and I can enjoy!!

- Lindsay