gogo

We were discussing this with the kids before the results show last night. When it gets to the final, and they have to sing this year's version of This is My Now or whatever the hell the "songwriting" contest winner was last year, they're going to want David A and Syesha in the Top 2. Even Blake knew he was sunk going up against Jordin on the big diva song last year. David Cook could probably pull it off, but we were having a good laugh imaging Jason trying to sing whatever sappy ballad they're going to be expected to sing for the final. That, and the fact that even he knew he wouldn't have

He's been caught on camera yawning, at least twice, during what have to be very tense moments for these people. So yeah, I'm guessing he's pretty relaxed most of the time.

Everybody calm down, and let's not pile on, please. Any possible misinterpretations seem to have been cleared up, and ellsworth has a happy resolution to the Charleston situation.

I liked a few weeks ago when Randy told Jason he sounded like he was singing at a luau, and Simon asked "what's a luau?" Yeah, I find Jason to be pleasant and inoffensive, and I like that he's pretty and also that he appears to totally not give a shit about the whole deal. So I'm still rooting for him!

Hey, congrats! I'm with you, sounds to me like that request was for you folks.

I definitely prefer the one you bought. So pretty!

I meant to have your title be the one for the merged thread, but I still haven't quite figured out this whole "moderator" business. Sounds like you had a great one, Jen!

I got you a merged thread for your birthday!!!

I guess that's true, I have no idea how people who don't read VC everyday manage to keep up. I think when they played at the Fillmore here a few years ago, it was technically a "secret show". Although after sweating about whether or not they were going to actually do a Fillmore show (they were doing shows in Oakland and San Jose that same weekend) we realized later that it had been printed on the back of the tour t-shirts from the get-go, long before it was announced. Ha!

Happy Birthday!!!

Of course, I would be more than thrilled to be wrong about this.

It won't be the night before! They're in Bend, OR on the 23rd. So if you're praying, pray for a Monday night show. Although, I don't see that as highly likely, either.

I've heard of it being done before, when skiers go missing in an area where they knew they weren't supposed to be in the first place, etc. I guess the theory is that when people put themselves in a situation where they could have reasonably anticipated that this would be the outcome, they should have to pay for services which are above and beyond what would have been spent on people who weren't such idiots. I don't know that that's the reasoning being used here, but I have heard of that before.

What a beautiful picture. I'm so sorry for your loss. Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories with us.

Yeah, that was poorly phrased. I don't think it was a bit, but I do think that she needed to learn to control it better than she was. It was the lack of control over her emotions in the interviews, judging, etc., that I thought detracted from her often-decent performances. And then sometimes, her performances were just embarassingly bad.

This is my problem with Brooke. That whole "emotional fragility" bit got really old really fast. I have no opinion on whether or not she'd like to be spanked, though.

According to the rules on AI's website, the criteria is that the contestants not currently have a recording contract. Any previous professional background does not disqualify them. Some of my family were saying last year that Melinda shouldn't have been eligible for the show, since she previously had a professional singing career. But if the line is drawn, then it's drawn. Some people might not think that's the best place to draw that line, but I don't have a problem with that being the standard. If you're saying that the voting is rigged, then that's different. I don't buy it, though.

Happy 30, Oceandude!

The show isn't sold out, but at this point, you're never going to find two tickets this good through "normal channels". Row PB (second row of the pit), seats 105 and 106 (very near the center). Face + fees = $80. I'll be at the show, so can meet you there to hand off the tickets (bonus: you'll get to sit next to me and my friend Mark!). PM me if you're interested.

Um, it's hard for us to know the answer to this, because ms yvon and I have moderator options for every thread that non-mods don't have. I forget exactly what the procedure is, but try this: for a thread you started and want to close, is there a menu in the bottom left corner that says "moderation options"? I think it should be there, that should give you an option to close the thread. This should only be visible for the owner of the topic.

Just wanted to let you all know that I received a note from PP/Austin. They are very grateful for all the donations, and would like to know more about Natalie, and her time spent volunteering there. If anyone (Kate, I know it's a tough time for you, but when you get a chance?) knows more specifics about her volunteer work there and would like to PM me, I will pass on whatever you'd like to share. They've also asked who should be notified about our donations. I'm assuming Mel has contact info for Nat's family, so I'll get in touch with her. Again, thanks so much for all the support for t

Don't sweat it, j, it's sort of a rite of passage to get hassled for not using the search feature around here. Welcome to VC!

A stupid technical point: taking a digital picture of an old-fashioned paper picture is a surprisingly easy and effective means of sharing those. I would love to see some pictures, Kate, if you have the time to post them for us.

"Anyone here from Scotland?" sounds like it would be the punchline to one of those racy-for-the-1950s jokes that my Uncle Jack likes to tell (most of them take place in an Irish-workingmen's boarding house in London).