It's Been 6 Long Months....

I'm baaaa-ack!

Once again, here I am (after 6 months this time) trying to figure out why I haven't been blogging.

The truth is, I have no excuse for not blogging - and chances are, you wouldn't care about the excuses anyway.

A lot has happened over the last 6 months and a great deal of it will probably find it's way into my blog.

However, as I went back and reviewed some past posts, I noticed that very few of them live up to the name, The Screaming Meanie.  So, moving forward, I plan to put a wee bit more "mean" into The Screaming Meanie.

If you like it, that's great!  If not, well, maybe you need a thicker skin?

Now, what should I blog about first?

A Case of G20 Police Envy?

Last weekend, while the rest of Canada was watching the excellent police work/police brutality (depending on your point of view) at the G20 Summit in Toronto, the fine men and women who serve and protect my community were busy creating controversies of their own.

Ok, well maybe "controversy" is too strong a word - but dammit, they pissed me off!

I've lived in my house for 2 years.  It's in a townhouse complex where we have assigned parking.  But my house faces the street so most of the time I just park in front of my house.  Sometimes I park facing west (the correct way), sometimes I park facing east (the incorrect way).  It really depends on where I've come from.

For 2 straight years, parking has never been an issue.  Until last Sunday morning.

Last Saturday when I arrived home I parked facing east.  No big deal - like I said, I've done it hundreds of times.  But when I woke up in the morning, I had a ticket for parking the wrong way!

For those of you who are self-righteous and follow every rule, yes, I was parked facing the wrong way, so yes I deserved the ticket.  And yes I know that just because I've gotten away with it for 2 years doesn't mean I should be surprised that I did get ticketed.  Besides, it's a relatively inexpensive ticket.

None of that is what I'm upset about.

What pisses me off is the cars that race down my street at all hours of the day!  And it happens every single day without exception.  I live in a neighbourhood that is home to a ton of children, and there's a high school just down the road.  Yet I've seen cars blow right through the stop sign at the end of my street, and witnessed almost a half dozen serious close calls at the corner where another street feeds onto my street.  One of these days there WILL be an accident at that corner.  It's not a matter of "if" but "when".

We've called twice and asked the police to put a patrol car at that corner to slow down the traffic (and I know my next door neighbour has complained too).   Their response on both occasions - "I'm sorry, we simply don't have the manpower".

Really??  So what you're telling me is you don't have the manpower to ticket speeders and in all likelihood, save a life or two.  But at 4:00am on a Sunday morning, you have plenty of manpower to ticket cars that are parked the wrong way?? 

Is there something wrong with me that I don't understand this logic?

*sigh*

Screaming Confession #3

I live with my Mom.  There, I said it.  Yes, I'm 38 years old, and I live with my Mom.  But, it's not as bad as it sounds.  Ok, maybe it is, but not really.  Uhhhhh, just, read on.......

When my beautiful-ex-bride and I separated in 2003 (and I use the term "beautiful" with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek), I moved into an apartment near her house so I could be close to my kids.  It wasn't a great apartment, but it was affordable - a small 2-bedroom unit on the top floor of a four floor walk up which was a pain in the ass when I did my grocery shopping.

After rent, utilities, gas, insurance, and child support was payed, there was very little left over every month.  And by "very little" I actually mean "nothing" was left over!  I lived that way for years.  I never went out much, and dating was problematic as I rarely had money.  Any woman I did date usually had to pay (sorry DA).  But, this was the life of a single Dad who had chosen not to "shack up" with someone just to make his financial life easier (I'm a wee bit of an idealist and believe that type of move should be done for love, not money).  

I could have gotten a roommate (which would have meant getting a bigger place), but I had two small kids and a teenage daughter - how much of a background check can you do to ensure that the person living in your house can be trusted around the three people who mean the most to you?

Then, 2 years ago, my Mother, who was in a relationship that was breaking down, suggested she move into my apartment with me.  Say what?!??  Move into my wee apartment?!??  Something told me that wasn't going to work.

However, I did believe that she was on to something.  I mean, if I was going to live with anybody, my Mom seemed like the perfect person.  I knew I could trust her with my kids (and I knew that they would love the idea as they adore their Gramma), we get along great, and financially it would be a lot better for both of us.

So, together we found a very spacious townhouse, and made it our own.  And it's worked beautifully!  Not only has it been better for both her and I, but my kids have reaped the benefits as well.

We've been able to do things that I never could have done had I maintained my autonomy living in my apartment.  We've been to concerts, Canada's Wonderland, Great Wolf Lodge, Blue Jay games, and taken several day trips - not to mention being able to eat out from time to time or even go to the movies more often.

Yeah, the dating thing is a wee bit tricky - I traded in being broke all the time for the stigma of "living at home in Mommy's basement".  And honestly, it used to concern me.  That is until I read an awesome quote in Randy Pausch's book The Last Lecture.  To paraphrase that quote, what kind of woman would be attracted to a 38 year old man who lives with his Mom? - "The right one"!

I know what people think when you tell them that you live with your Mom - but maybe you need to consider that perhaps I don't live with my Mom - instead, it could be, that she lives with me!

JC's Top 5: The Summer 2010 Movies I'm Looking Forward To Most

With the first of the big summer blockbusters being released this weekend, I thought it only appropriate to provide a new JC's Top 5.  So, here in descending order, are the movies I'm most looking forward to seeing this summer season. 

5. The A-Team

Release Date - June 11

This movie looks like a total cheeseball flick, but I loved the TV show when I was a kid, so I'm hoping to love this movie now that I'm an adult.  Lots of guns, big explosions, tons of fights - really, what's not to love??  I'm not so sure Liam Neeson was the right choice to play Hannibal, and I'm more than a little nervous about Quinton "Rampage" Jackson as B.A. Baracus, but as far as I'm concerned, Bradley Cooper as Faceman, and Sharlto Copley as Murdock, was simply pure casting genius!!  I love it when a plan comes together. 

4. Robin Hood

Release Date - May 14

10 years ago Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe teamed up and created what, in my humble opinion, is one of the ten best films of all time - Gladiator!  This month they're back with their take on the classic tale, Robin Hood.  Watching the trailer, it looks like a cross between the aforementioned Gladiator and and another of my favourite movies, Braveheart.  Let's face it, Scott + Crowe = Pure Awesomeness!

3. Iron Man 2

Release Date - May 7

Ahhhh, the first of the big summer blockbusters - and I can't wait!!!  I didn't see the first movie in the theater because quite frankly, I wasn't interested in Iron Man.  Yes, I'd heard how great it was.  But still - I had ZERO interest.  When it was released on DVD, I rented it for my kids - and OH. MY. GOD!  Did this movie kick ass or what?!??  Now, I'm giddy with anticipation waiting for the next chapter in the Iron Man franchise!  Only 2 more sleeps!!

2. Predators

Release Date - July 9

I was a huge fan of the original Predator with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and I know I'm in the minority, but I actually really enjoyed Predator 2 as well.  So when I initially heard that there was going to be a Predators movie, I was 50% excited, and 50% worried that we were going to get the same kind of crap that we saw in AVP and AVP2.  However, the movie is based on a script that Robert Rodriguez (producer) wrote back in 1994 and is considered a direct sequel to the 1987 original, ignoring the events of Predator 2 and the AVP movies.  And I'm pretty sure it's going to get an 'R' rating which is fantastic news!!  From the look of the trailer, and the character featurettes that have been released through the official website, this movie looks like it is going to be freakin' amazing!

1. The Expendables

Release Date - August 13

If action movies could produce an orgasm - this would be the one to do it!  While I have been looking forward to this particular movie for the last year or so (I just about died when they moved the release date from April to August), I have been waiting for a film like this my whole life!  The movie features the who's who of the 80's and 90's action movies - Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, Eric Roberts, Mickey Rourke, Danny Trejo - and oh yeah, a killer cameo scene with Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger.  Really, need I say more??

Boston Rob and Evil Russ - Two Peas in a Pod

I was talking to a friend of mine a couple of days ago about this season of Survivor.  Inevitably, the conversation turns to Russell Hantz - or, as I like to call him, Evil Russ!!  Mwuhahahahahahahaha!!

You either love Evil Russ or you hate him - there seems to be no in between with this guy.

Me??  I love him.  My friend??  She hates him.

But then she went on to say how much she LOVES Boston Rob and wishes he was still in the game.  Well, I wish he was still in the game too - not only because I had him in my pool, but because Boston Rob is good television (the battle between Evil Russ and Boston Rob could have been Epic).

What I found curious was why she hated Evil Russ - because he's a backstabbing scumbag who lies to everybody.  My question is, how is his game any different from Boston Rob's??

Now, I didn't see Survivor Marquesas so I don't know how Boston Rob played, but in Season 8 (All-Star's), Rob lied to everyone and backstabbed anyone that got in his way (hello Lex)!  Well, anyone and everyone except Amber that is (which I actually found quite admirable).

So I'll ask again, how is his game any different from Evil Russ'??  The answer is it's not.  The only difference is, Boston Rob is sexy, and Evil Russ is......well.......not sexy.  You do the math.

American Idol Top 7 - My really, really, really quick review!

Last night was supposed to be "Inspirational Night" on American Idol.  Well, after having watched the performances, save for Lee and Crystal, the night was anything but inspirational.

Here is my really really really quick review of what went down.

Casey James

Performance - Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac
Result - Two words.....BO-RING.  Is it just me or is Casey starting to sound more and more like Huey Lewis every week??
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Lee Dewyze

Performance - The Boxer by Simon & Garfunkel
Result - Outstanding!!  I've been a big fan of this dude since week 1, and I have to say, this may have been his finest performance of the season.  My only question is, where were the most excellent bagpipes???
------------------------------
Tim Urban

Performance - Better Days by the Goo Goo Dolls
Result - Yikes!  Tim continues to prove that in a singing competition, as long as you look cute, you don't really have to know how to sing.
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Aaron Kelly

Performance - I Believe I Can Fly by R. Kelly
Result - He believes he can sing too!  Can you say, game over??
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Siobhan Magnus

Performance - When You Believe by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey
Result - Her vocals were incredible (as usual), but the performance lacked any, I don't know, oomph??  Methinks she needs to get back to something a little more dark - and for Gods sake, start screaming again!
------------------------------
Michael Lynche

Performance - Hero by Chad Kroeger
Result - Weird.  His vocals were good I suppose, but seeing Big Mike sing this grunge rock tune was just bizarre.
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Crystal Bowersox

Performance - People Get Ready by The Impressions
Result - Awesome!  Just awesome!  Is there any doubt that we are headed for a Bowersox vs. Dewyze showdown at the end??
------------------------------
Predictions

Bottom 3 - Aaron, Tim, Big Mike
Who will go - Aaron
Who should go - Tim

American Idol Top 10 - R&B Night

My buddy Sean thinks I'm obsessed with American Idol because as he says, it's the only thing I seem to blog about these days.  Well, he's half right.  Yes I've been blogging about AI a lot lately, but if I'm obsessed about anything, it's Evil Russ, Boston Rob and all things Survivor!

However, in honour of Sean (or perhaps in spite of him - heh heh), I feel I must comment on last night's Idol show.  So, here we go.....

One week ago I couldn't imagine a Season 9 show in which Siobhan Magnus wouldn't be one of the top two performers of the night, but last night I was in for a shock.  It's not that Siobhan was particularly bad, but in comparison to her performances of the last two weeks, and some spectacular performances by some of the other competitors this week, I have Siobhan finishing in a solid sixth place out of ten.  I know, how crazy is that?!??

I have to give the performance of the night to Lee Dewyze who performed Cornelius Borthers' "Treat Her Like a Lady".  The dude FINALLY came out of his shell and Simon told him that this was the night that may change his life forever!

A close second was Casey James who performed Sam and Dave's "Hold On, I'm Coming".  His vocals were fantastic and for the first time on this show, I bought him as a rock star.

If Casey was 2, then 2a is most definitely Crystal Bowersox.  MamaSox sang one of my favourite songs, "Georgia on My Mind".  She looked gorgeous (well, as gorgeous as she can look), and sounded incredible!

Big Mike (Michael Lynche) gave what I think was his best performance of the season (sorry Kara, his version of "This Woman's Work" just wasn't that good), and Andrew Garcia returned from wherever the hell he's been hiding with a brilliant rendition of Chris Brown's "Forever".

Teenagers Katie Stevens and Aaron Kelly sang ok (at least they were both in key), but their performances left me bored - as they ALWAYS do.

Megan 2.0 was very disappointing.  Didi Benami performed "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted", and if I'm being honest, I have to say it really wasn't good.  But, seeing as how there's a good chance she could be the Other Other Future Mrs. Meanie, how can I say anything negative about her performance??  Uhhhh, I think I kind of just did.  Whoops.

Tim Urban.  My God, can we just get rid of this dude already??  He can't sing.  He can't dance.  He can't even take constructive criticism.  I can only hope that this is the week America finally wakes up and tosses him off the show!

Ok, here are my predictions:

Bottom 3 - Tim Urban, Didi Benami, Katie Stevens

Voted out - Tim Urban (there will be no judges save wasted on this guy)

Sucks To Be You.....

Sucks to be you.  That is the message that Bonnie Preece had for her ex-husband after winning a 20-million-dollar jackpot in Canada's Lotto 6/49 draw this past weekend.

Preece's story is fantastic!  Here is a 49-year old woman, struggling to make a living working as a cashier at No Frills, takes the bus to work because she can't afford a car, and had $80.17 in her bank account as of Sunday.  From all accounts, she sounds like a wonderful woman - she works with seniors, rescues animals, and is well respected by her employer - in other words , exactly the type of person you hope would win the lottery.

And let's be honest, who among us hasn't dreamed of sticking it to our ex-spouse by winning the lottery and then saying something really mature like, "Na-na Na-na Naaaa-na" or even better, "sucks to be you"?!??

I know I would love to, but for now I'll have to live vicariously Bonnie Preece.

The New Future Mrs. Meanie?

Is it too soon for me to start looking for a new Future Mrs. Meanie??  I suppose there's no right or wrong answer to that, but while I have been on a few dates already - some good, some not so good, some down right puzzling, I'm a firm believer in seizing opportunity when it strikes!  Which is why now is the perfect time to be "on the prowl", as over the last week, two Oscar winning actresses have suddenly become available!

That's right, apparently both Kate Winslet and Sandra Bullock are both single - or in Sandra's case, she's about to be.  Oh, and that sound you heard??  That was the sound of thousands of men around the world letting out a collective - "woo hoo"!

I'm not sure why it is that as a gender we men automatically think we've got a shot anytime a Hollywood Starlet becomes single, but then again, who can explain why we think it's funny to teach our kids to pull our fingers?  The reality is though, we stand a better chance today than we did a week ago!

Kate and her husband (American Beauty director Sam Mendes) have split amicably after 7 years of marriage, while Sandra was "Blind Sided" by her husband's (Monster Garage star Jesse James) alleged affair with a tattoo model! 

But, at the end of the day methinks the "why" is not nearly as important as "how" - as in, how exactly does a regular guy go about picking up an Oscar winning actress?? Any thoughts?

American Idol Top 12 - Rolling Stones Week

One week after the shocking departure of Lilly Scott, Alex Lambert and Katelyn Epperly, the Top 12 Idols took to the big stage to perform the hits of the Rolling Stones.

Now, I must tell you, I'm not a big fan of the Stones (blasphemous I know) but I was interested in seeing how badly this (mostly) untalented group of Idols could botch  the tunes from one of the most iconic bands in the history of rock n' roll.

But you know what?  For the most part the Idols (with a few exceptions) weren't too bad this week.  For my personal reviews, read on.

Un-Freakin'-Believable!

Siobhan Magnus

Siobhan sang Paint It, Black and what can I say other than Wow?!!?  Her performance was dark and haunting and her big note at the end was incredible!!  How the hell does she do that??  I was already a big fan of this girl but after this performance, I am an uber-fan and am really really rooting for her!  I honestly got chills listening to her sing!  Unbelievable!  Simon said it was the standout performance of the night while Kara said she was having Adam Lambert flashbacks.

The Other Standouts

Didi Benami

Megan 2.0 had her second strong week in a row, and in my humble opinion had the second best performance of the night.  She showed off her darker side singing Play With Fire.  She stumbled a little bit with the lyrics but managed to recover nicely.  I'm really hoping Didi sticks around for a while because I think she has real potential!  All the judges seemed to be in agreement that this was a great performance.

Crystal Bowersox

Can Crystal do any wrong??  I think of all the Idols, Crystal is the one most ready to be a star!  In fact, while I was watching her perform You Can't Always Get What You Want, I was thinking it's like watching a rock star already!  She actually kind of reminds me of a Rock n' Roll Jewel.  Weird comparison I know.

Lee Dewyze

Simon is bang on with Lee - if he only realized how good he is, he could own that stage!  Lee sang Beast of Burden which I thought was a bit of an odd song choice for him, but, he made it work.  I still think Lee is a dark horse that will only continue to gain momentum each week.  While I'm kinda sorta moving into the Siobhan camp, I still have one foot firmly planted in Lee's corner.  I love this dude - in a non icky kind of way of course.

Pretty Good

Aaron Kelly

Aaron surprised me this week.  I have not been a fan of this kid at all, as I find he's been brutal week in and week out - a poor man's David Archuletta if you will.  But, he actually did a good job this week singing Angie.  It certainly wasn't a star making performance, but miles better than anything he did in the semi-final rounds.  It should be enough to keep him out of the bottom three this week.

Casey James

I have to admit, I just don't get this dude.  I want to like him, I desperately want to like him.  Seriously, what's not to like??  He's a rocker, plays a mean guitar, has a great voice, and women love him!  But, while he's got all the tools to be a great rock n' roller, somehow he just doesn't make it work.  He sang It's All Over Now, and the performance was pretty good, but I just don't buy him as a blues rocker.  Randy, Ellen and Kara all loved him, but Simon (clearly the voice of reason) agrees with me and said it was like an "audition performance". 

Michael Lynche

I thought Big Mike did a pretty good job with Miss You, but his performance (and I mean specifically the dancing) was a wee bit weird.  When I watch Idol, I'm looking for a star, and while Michael sounded good, he didn't do anything with the song that would make me want to purchase his performance.  Again, Randy, Ellen and Kara all loved him while Simon found his performance corny.

Paige Miles

Considering Paige was suffering from laryngitis, I thought she did a great job singing Honky Tonk Women.  Here's a thought - maybe Paige should suffer from laryngitis EVERY week as this was easily her best performance!!  Having said that, she still has a looooong way to go in order to catch up with the likes of Crystal Bowersox and Siobhan Magnus.  Just sayin'.

Could Have Been Better

Lacey Brown

Oh Lacey.  Lacey, Lacey, Lacey.  Lacey has an awesome look (what's with those eyes???  Wow!), and I desperately want her to give us a performance to remember.  At times her version of Ruby Tuesday was very good, and at other moments it was a train wreck.  I really believe she has so much more to offer, but for some reason she's not giving it to us.  I can only hope that she gets another chance to show us what she's got, but I have a hunch that her goose is cooked.  Just out of curiosity, does anyone know why she keeps sitting on the edge of the stage during her performances?  Anyone?  

Katie Stevens

Katie - the girl who should never even have been in the Top 12 (yes  I'm still pissed that it's Katie and not Lilly) - had her best performance of the season so far.  The problem is that Katie had set the bar so low for herself it really wasn't all that difficult to top her previous performances.  Her version of Wild Horses was ok at best, but she should be safe from elimination as she generally received positive feedback from the judges.  

It Just Wasn't Good Dawg

Andrew Garcia

Andrew at one time looked like an early front runner for the Idol crown, but since the live performances started, he really hasn't been that good.  This week his version of Gimme Shelter was especially bad.  He stripped the excitement right out of the chorus and turned a great song into a boring song.  I'm predicting a trip to the bottom 3 for Andrew this week although I do think he'll live to sing another day.

Made My Ears Bleed

Tim Urban

I don't think there are enough adjectives in the dictionary to describe how bad this dude was.  His reggae version of Under My Thumb (which isn't a great song to begin with) was Gawd Awful!  I think Simon said it best - Rolling Stones fan across the world were turning their TV sets off.  While Tim is clearly the weakest and least talented of this group, he'll probably be safe from elimination.  In fact, I don't even think he'll be in the bottom 3. Damn teenage girls.

Predictions

Bottom 3 - Lacey, Paige, Andrew

Who will go - Lacey

Who should go - Tim

American Idol Top 12 - America Gets It Wrong

So, the American Idol Top 12 is set.  My question is, how did America manage to screw up the vote so badly??  Does anyone really think that Katie Stevens is better than Lilly Scott??  Anyone???

And Tim Urban over Alex Lambert??  Now I know that Alex Lambert ain't exactly Adam Lambert, but Tim Urban isn't exactly Keith Urban either.

In fact I think all 4 contestants that were voted out this past Thursday deserved spots in the finals (Lilly, Alex, Todrick Hall and Katelyn Epperly).  The four that should have gone were Katie, Tim, Aaron Kelly and Paige Miles.

America's vote isn't the only thing screwed up this season - what the hell is going on with the judges??  Kara has not only inherited the seat abandoned by Paula Abdul, but she seems to have inherited her bizarre personality as well.  And what's with the conflicting advice the judges are giving the contestants from week to week??  One week the judges are complaining that the contestant didn't bring anything different to a song, and then when somebody does change up an arrangement (hello Todrick), they're squawking because the song didn't need to be changed.  Is it any wonder that their performances have been flat??  They don't know what to do!

Oh, and isn't it great that the judges love all the contestants so much??  I mean, it seems like after every performance the judges say, "I didn't like your song choice, it didn't work for me (dawg), but I really like you"!  That's wonderful - but next season, maybe you could pick people you don't really like all that much but that actually have a little thing called talent??  Just sayin'.

Ok, here are my predictions for the remaining 12.

And the winner of American Idol Season 9 will be......

Lee Dewyze!  This dude doesn't have the greatest voice, or the greatest stage presence - yet.  But, he reminds me of David Cook.  That is to say that his voice is good enough and he is one of the most well rounded performers in the competition.  He's also making smart song choices by picking songs that young Americans are familiar with and like.  Plus, he's someone that the teenage girls and the predatory American Cougar can really get behind.  He's my choice to win this season and has been since the first week.

If not Lee then......

Crystal Bowersox.  Crystal is hands down the best all around performer in this competition and in my opinion should be the winner.  The only thing that could possibly get in her way of the Season 9 crown are the teenage girls and Cougars of America.  See above.

Siobhan Magnus.  In my humble opinion, Siobhan has the best voice in the competition!!  This girl may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but her voice is like a gift from God!  Her problem will be that she is not as well rounded as either Crystal or Lee, but, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see her put everything together over the next several weeks and win the whole thing.

Won't win, but my personal favourite.....

Didi Benami.  Didi is like a cross between The Other Future Mrs. Meanie, Megan Joy (Season 8), and Brooke White (Season 7) who were two of my personal favourites in their respective seasons.  And no, I didn't just like them because they were hot, but, it certainly doesn't hurt.  Didi has an interesting and unique voice, and I'm really hoping she can get deep into this competition.  She has no chance of winning, but a top 5 finish certainly isn't out of the question. Oh, and from here on in she shall be known as - Megan 2.0.

Overated, and eventually America will clue in......

Casey James.  Quick, somebody buy this dude a personality!!  He may be a great guitar player (some are saying the best the show has ever seen), but his voice isn't great.  It's not bad, it's just bland I suppose.  But the real problem Casey has is his stage presence.  His smile on stage looks nervous and fake, and he is incredibly wooden when he performs.  The fact that Kara and the rest of the female population in the States thinks he's gorgeous will carry him into the top 6, but, I think he'll get weeded out by the true talent in this competition.

Michael Lynche.  His version of Maxwell's, This Woman's Work, had the judges raving and brought Kara to tears.  Oh please Kara, must you be so dramatic??  It actually wasn't even that good.  It was super pitchy and his falsetto was atrocious.  Having said that, America loves Big Mike!  And I must admit, I think this cat is Uber-Cool, and while I'd love to hang out with the dude, I just don't think he's a great singer.

Straight Up - Needs another hit, and fast.......

Andrew Garcia.  I feel sorry for Andrew.  Everything he does from now on will be compared to his Hollywood week performance of Paula Abdul's Straight Up.  He actually hasn't been all that bad during the semi-final rounds, in fact he's been much better than most of the guys, but he hasn't come close to duplicating his Hollywood Round performance and that seems to be hurting him.

Underrated, but America won't clue in......

Lacey Brown.  This girl has a great look and a great voice, but she hasn't been picking the right songs.  I think her failings in the semi-final rounds could be her undoing during the final rounds, however I do think she deserves to crack the top 10 and secure a spot on the Idols Tour.

Shouldn't even be in the finals.......

Aaron Kelly, Katie Stevens, Paige Miles and Tim Urban. 

Of these four young contestants, I think Paige and Katie have wasted their potential, while Aaron and Tim have simply wasted my time.  Katie looked incredibly promising in her audition (and had the pre-requisite American Idol sob story to all but guarantee success) but has stumbled ever since. Paige Miles has a great voice, but she is an awful performer. Aaron Kelly has been compared to David Archuletta, and while I agree that Aaron is just as boring to watch as David, at least David could, you know, sing. And as for Tim Urban, this dude is simply a train wreck! But, he's cute, and in America it's more important to be adorable than talented.

It would be wonderful if Aaron and Tim were the first two voted out, but sadly I don't think that's going to happen.  It will most likely be Paige and either Katie or Lacey.  Pity.

Pants On The Ground

Last weekend I was out at a club and saw some of the dumbest looking people I have ever seen.

First, let me make it clear, I wasn't at the club because I was having a "hey-I'm-single-now-so-I-have-to-hit-a-club-and-find-a-new-woman-fast" moment - that's what dating sites are for (and that is a blog post unto itself). No, I was there to celebrate the 40th birthday of a childhood friend.

If you've ever been to a club, and I'm assuming most of you have, then you know exactly what the atmosphere was like - music playing at an ear-splitting decibal, people packed in so tight you couldn't pick your nose without bumping into somebody, and lots and lots of alcohol was flowing generously around the bar.

However throughout the night, I couldn't help but wonder, have we learned nothing from General Larry Platt??

If you don't know who General Platt is, he is the dude who sang the song, Pants on the Ground, during an American Idol audition a few weeks back. The gist of the song is that young men today look like fools with their "hats turned sideways and their Pants on the Ground".

Well the club I was at was full of these dumb asses and most of them were out on the dance floor. It was clear that they were having a good time (with their hats turned sideways), but they really should have thought twice before doing whatever it was they were trying to pass off as dancing - they just looked ridiculous!

But then again, what do I know?? Not only did the young women of the club seem to be impressed by the Tom Foolery (isn't it great when you can work "Tom Foolery" into a blog post?), but they actually seemed to be attracted to these dougheads!

*sigh*

There can only be two explanations - a) the women are young and still haven't figured out what a man is yet (I believe the correct term is "naive"), or b) and this is far more likely, the girls were so fueled with alcohol that even this guy would have looked great shaking his ass out on the dance floor! Actually, a couple of the guys actually looked like him!

Yeah, yeah, I know - you're going to remind me that when I was young, I had long hair and looked pretty goofy too. Well, you'd be half right.

Yes I had long hair, but we did it to look tough. Whether it worked or not, who knows. But these young men today don't look tough at all - they just look STUPID!! Lookin' like fools with their Pants on the Ground!

The "Ex" Future Mrs. Meanie

*sigh*

I never dreamed I'd be posting a blog entry on this subject, but after more than 5 years together, I have come to the realization that the Future Mrs. Meanie and I in fact no longer have a future, so I have decided to walk away.

Now I know I'm the Screaming Meanie, so by definition I should say something nasty about her to justify my decision to leave, however out of respect for the love we shared, I am not going to use this blog as an avenue to bash her or make her look bad.

What you need to know is that we both did everything we could to make our relationship work, it's a decision that I didn't take lightly, and that my reasons for leaving are valid.

The hardest part of our break up for me will be not seeing her children any longer. I have been around both of her kids since birth (the Ex-Future Mrs. Meanie and I have known each other for 13 years) and I have grown to love them dearly. But since I have no parental rights to them I have no visitation rights either. I can only hope that one day we are both able to get past our bitterness so that we can spend time with each other's kids.

Of course I can't rule out the possibility that one day the Ex-Future Mrs. Meanie and I might become friends again, but I don't think it's likely. We've tried being "just friends" in the past and we always wind up getting romantically involved. I think we're doomed to having an all or nothing relationship.

While the biggest emotion I am feeling today is relief, the Ex-Future Mrs. Meanie did provide me with a lot of fond memories and I will always be grateful to her for them. She's helped me grow as a person. She's helped me to become a better man. She's helped me experience love in ways I didn't know were possible. However as I'm finding out, sometimes love just ain't enough.