Happy 2nd Birthday, Bitty!

Our Savannah, Wolfrun White Lightnin', turns 2 today. Can you believe it? She's still the baby of the house, though she'd really like to take control soon. She listens better than her other siblings, but is definitely a teenager right now. She got a brand new frisbee tonight, so she'll run to heart's content. She's very sweet and loyal, loves her "parents" equally, is cautious, barks with abandon, cuddles as much as she can, and is silly, silly, silly. We adore her and are so happy that Louise and Juniper let her come home with us! Thank you both soooooo much!!! And now to some pictures to celebrate life with our goofy, pretty baby girl. :)

Why I love this dog...

Where was I last night...and why I hate my camera

Hub and I returned from our Bandon vacation on Thursday, turned right around on Saturday and headed to the Tacoma Dome for American Idols Live. (A few Bandon photos, including a win pic will hopefully be posted by next weekend.) I've been a fan of the show from the start...there, I admitted it!...but I've never had any interest in going to see them until this year. This year, I didn't think there were any stinkers (Sanjaya, anyone?) and I thought there were at least four albums I'd buy out of the group, if not more...gotta love my iTunes.

And, I was nearly as enthusiastic about David Cook's win as Traci, parenting of future children aside. ;) I even went out and downloaded his albums with Axium and his solo album before it got pulled by Amazon. Good stuff, I'm telling you!

So, why am I hating my camera? We weren't that far away. Lowest part of the first section to the left of the stage. But my pictures are crap! And did you wonder why I mentioned my adoration for David Cook? Sure, it could be that I just wanted to really explain why I'd want to go in the first place, but oh no, it was to further emphasize just how much I'm hating my camera right now. The damn battery ran out just as Cookie took the stage. Aw, crap! I did get some video of one of the screens on my cell phone that's not much better, but I'll see if I can attach it. ARG!!!!

Have you ever wondered why the judges on the show sometimes seem to be listening to completely different singers than we're hearing at home? I understand why after this show. Some I thought were pretty strong weren't in person and others were amazingly good. Now, in reverse order, this year's American Idols...and my review, for what little it's worth.
Chikezie was really good! I have to admit I was somewhat surprised, but the AI folks got really lucky when he was voted off at number 10. He adeptly got the crowd going and, when singing songs he's comfortable with, the man has a terrific voice. Probably shouldn't have been this low.

Early on this season, I thought Ramiele had a strong voice she just hadn't really released. Maybe she didn't have good song choices or maybe she was having off weeks. That big voice just never re-emerged...and that continued last night. The song choices didn't show what I hoped was there. She should have been number 10...or lower.

I will pay money to see Michael sing again. I liked him from the start, felt he was another song choice victim, and was shocked to see him go so soon. In person, he's just as good, more charismatic, and funny! Charming man with a fantastic voice...totally robbed at number 8.

I'm not a fan of country music, though I grew up on a good dose of it. That aside, Kristy Lee really is a good entertainer. She has a more than solid voice, a spunky attitude, and an ability to put on a show. And I'd say, after hearing her in person, she was actually better than a few who came out over her, rough weeks notwithstanding.

No words truly express how amazing Carly's voice is in person. The power behind it dwarfs that of all the other competitors. If the people who handled her as a teenager had just let her do more solid rock a la Heart or Evanescence (whose songs she sang) rather than the pop crap they foisted upon her, she never would have needed Idol to be famous. She is brilliant and should have been in the top three. Please, oh please, let her put out a rock album! I will sooooo see her in person again if she does. Amazing (it bears repeating)!!!

Brooke is what she is...a singer/songwriter type whose voice may not be the strongest, but who can tell a story with that voice. Pure as the driven snow, even on stage, and cute, but also so heartfelt. I may go see her again and I will buy her album, but she probably was lucky to place this high. I still adore her!

At this point, a group number commenced with Brooke, Carly, Ramiele, Kristy Lee, Michael, and Chikezie.
On to the intermission and Guitar Hero challenge, then the show began again...

Ahhh, Jason...what do you say about Jason? Either you love him or you hate him. On the show, I decided I liked him, but only when he could sing something he enjoyed that was as unique as his voice. In person, I think the same can be said, though I wasn't overly impressed. I think room exists for lots of voices and styles, but in this kind of competition, I think Jason survived by being cute and not being the worst each week. I think, if he'll put the work in, he can be quite good, but not yet. Oh, the Dreadheads are gonna hate me! Sorry!

Poor Syesha! Her first song was rough, to say the least. Maybe I thought that because I dislike the song, but she really seemed to struggle. In between songs, she spoke a bit. That's when it became pretty obvious that her voice was giving her some trouble. The next song was better, though still rough. Moments of brilliance emerged and I know she was having a rough day, but I still think she shouldn't have been third.

People seem to think that if you like one David, it precludes you from liking the other. Not true! David Archuleta had the second strongest voice of the night. Really a lovely voice. But, for me, it comes down to whose album I'm most likely to buy and enjoy and who I'd most like to watch perform and, for now, he isn't it. He deserved to finish where he did and may have a great career. If he does, I'll be interested to see if he goes more the social commentary route or more the r&b, easy listening Clay Aiken route. It's obvious which I'm hoping for.

David Cook totally deserved to win. Oh, I said that already, didn't I? He puts on a great show, he interacts with the audience, he has a fantastic voice, and, well, he's just wonderful! Next year, when he's touring on his own to support his first album, which I will have totally and completely memorized, I will so be there and I will so have great seats...floor seats...oh, yeah, and a better damn camera. Got any recommendations for concert photography with great zoom and video taking ability? Inquiring minds want to know...and are shopping.

There was a final number with all ten of the AI folks that was quite good...no camera for that one, though. And here is one of the cruddy videos I took on my phone. Sorry about the screeching and the bouncing at the end...