Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The Clean House


The Clean House

This guest post from Lenny Mcknight

There’s nothing like coming home to a clean house which is why I finally broke down and hired a housekeeper. I love being able to do it all myself but with the promotion I’m going to have to cut way back on the time I spend at home and really up my hours at the office. Shelly seems really great though and I love how clean she gets everything in my house from the microwave to the baseboards. I went to securitychoice.COM/ before I hired her so she and I have had to pick a password she can remember so the police don’t get called every time she comes over to clean! Even my neighbors were alarmed the first time she pulled up in her huge van! Anyway, I totally trust her and it’s been great to find someone through referrals rather than just online because I don’t have to worry about her taking anything or not doing a really good job. I hope we get to keep her around for years to come!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

CreditSesame

Find the best mortgage rates for your credit at CreditSesame!  If you are considering refinancing your home or taking out a loan, it is important to find the best rates available for your current credit level.  CreditSesame can help you do that.

I am currently in the market for a new car, so taking out a loan at the best credit level possible is very important to me.  I have been shopping around for a while, and I know it is important to find a lender I can trust at a credit rate that works for me.

It is free to get started at CreditSesame.  Check it out today!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Check out some great Comedy Movies!

Canada Post offers great comedy movies at excellent prices.  They have tons of movies ranging from series such as 30 Rock and Two and a Half Men to movies like The Break Up with Jennifer Aniston and Music and Lyrics with Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant.  In addition to those movies, they offer choices such as The West Wing, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and my mom's absolute favorite series (and a truly hilarious show), The Big Bang Theory!  They also have my favorite comedy series, How I Met Your Mother.  Canada Post has seasons one through five, plus all types of How I Met Your Mother apparel, for true How I Met Your Mother fans like myself!

Canda Post offers great prices and excellent deals for Canadians and people living outside of Canada.  Check out Cananda Post to see great deals on hilarious, timeless comedy movies!  I am certain you will find something you love.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Enjoying the Casino on a Cruise


Enjoying the Casino on a Cruise
The article written by Victor Flowers

There are so many reasons that I love taking cruises. Cruises are such great vacations and I recommend them to anyone. I think the coolest thing a person can do in his or her life is take a cruise. I highly recommend a cruise for any person that wants a truly relaxing and laid back vacation.

Before I leave my home, I always set mySecurityChoicehome security alarm system. I truly love going on cruises and think they are the best vacations ever. I love going to the casino especially when I am on a cruise. I have a natural luck and always seem to make tons of money when I play the slots at a casino on a cruise. I think it is so amazing that ! my luck has not run out yet! I have won thousands of dollars by playing the slots at the casinos on cruises. I have never really lost that much money playing at a casino on a cruise. When I go on cruises with my friends, they are always so jealous to see how much money I am able to earn from playing the slots on a cruise. I am able to make so much money when I play the slots at a cruise. I am so proud of my great slot abilities! I love cruises so much and they are so fun.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Test post


Friday, April 8, 2011

Pia Eliminated, Haley and Stefano Thank Their Lucky Stars

Ryan started the show last night by encouraging us keep watching because "the results may shock you."  We wouldn't expect any less, Ryan.  But, shockingly, they DID shock us.  (Let's see if I can say "shock" as many times during this post as Ryan did last night.)

The night went through a series of bizarre motions, from a group of snarky TMZ editors poking fun at the Idol team (and a lot of the Idols dishing it right back - good for you!) to a half-naked 63 year old Iggy Pop bouncing around the stage belting out "Real Wild Child," and then Russell Brand giving the Idols confidence lessons (which appeared to be simply encouraging them to sit in the judges' seats while Brand attempted unsuccessfully to prove to America that he could be funny).

And then it was time for Kieran to dim the lights.  The final two came down to Pia Toscano and Stefano Langone, and most of America was already hearing Stefano's name when Ryan announced that the person heading home was Pia, not Stefano.  Even Stefano was shocked, whispering, barely audibly, "Really?"

The judges' mouths dropped, Randy threw his head in his hands, and Haley Reinhart grinned smugly from the couch.  But seriously, how did Pia get voted off before Haley and Stefano?  Even they were blown away.

What ensued next were tears from the judges, most of the other idols, and Pia herself, but only after she had finished a well-selected and brave performance of "I'll Stand By You."  Ryan used this as a teachable moment, reminding us all that this is why we need to vote.

Pia was one of my favorites and she should have at least made it to the top three, if not to the winning spot.  I was really happy that the judges used the save on Casey Abrams, but I think Pia is a stronger singer.

The biggest upside to this is that now Pia can go on to make a record without Idol taking a huge cut of her royalties, as they do with the winner (although looking at our past few winners, I'm guessing Idol hasn't made much off a singer in a while).  Hopefully we will be hearing more from her soon.  Even still, it shocks me that she went home so early.  My father said when he tried to vote for her, he kept getting connected to an automated system in a different language.  I guess there was either a glitch or people assumed she was safe, or, perhaps people didn't vote for her because of her bizarre outfit during the Wednesday performance (Gwen Stefani, why did you make those poor girls wear those terrible outfits?) or because people disliked her because of how pretty she is.

I'm not sure what is going on with Idol lately, but I am concerned that with the way people are voting (and not voting), we may end up with another dud winner like last year.

Were you sad to see Pia go?  Did the elimination shock and surprise you?

Thursday, March 10, 2011

American Idol 3-9 - Lots of Highs, Just a Few Lows


Lauren Alaina kicked things off with a fun, upbeat rendition of Shaynia Twain’s “Any Man of Mine” (a favorite off mine).  She had fun with it, but didn’t do anything that blew the judges away.  Like usual, Lauren sounded great, but it seemed like she was performing at just half-mast for what she can achieve.

Before a fabulously growly version of Joe Cocker’s “I Get By with a Little Help from my Friends,” Casey Abrams told us he “want[s] to be felt.”  Well we felt it (but maybe not in the way he was implying).  He killed it.  Casey is one of the few that really shows that he feels what he is singing, and the way he gestured to the chorus, indicating his “friends,” was cute and campy – just like him.  The judges loved it, and Jennifer said she was “watching somebody important.”

Our white-toothed Paul McDonald sang Ryan Adam’s “Come Pick Me Up” (that’s “Ryan with an R,” folks).  Paul did his usual skipping-stoke dance moves all over the stage, complete with chicken arms (watching Ryan imitate this was priceless).  The judges turned into broken records (“I hope America get it,”) and Paul echoed the same sentiment after the commercial break.  I love Paul’s voice and his character, so personally, I hope viewers get it too.

Pia Toscano did an incredible version of Celine Dion’s “All By Myself,” hitting all the right notes in a strong, confident voice.  The judges loved it (and who couldn’t love her gold dress and matching bronze nails and eye shadow?).  Pia has killed it two weeks in a row now, and she nearly brough J. Lo to tears.  Definitely one of the highlights of the night.

James Durbin followed Pia with Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed,” starting off by finally showing us his beautiful voice (yes, it’s good even when he isn’t screaming!)  During the middle, he hit a few of his crazy high notes.  He paid tribute to McCartney very nicely, and added some nice “oldies” to the mix (if you consider music from the ‘70’s an oldie).  Randy told James, “You’re one of my favorites,” and Steven and Jennifer continued to heap on the praise, telling him that he “could do anything.”  On a side note, a noticeable different about Paul today?  No tail!

Haley Reinhart went next, and got grouped with Paul McDonald as a singer America might not get.  She sang Leann Rimes “Blue,” complete with yodels.  Steven said that the “country-western part of America” would love it, Jennifer liked it, but Randy suddenly had a loss of words, stumbling around before finally belting out, “It was a little boring!”  He proceeded to say “boring” four times, “sleepy” twice, then laugh awkwardly.  It was weird.  I thought Haley was good but I agree with Randy – snooze.  That being said, this was my favorite of her performances to far.

Jacob Lusk sang R. Kelly’s “I Beleve I Can Fly,” (a very appropriate-for-Idol sort of song) with racing clouds behind him and a choir of blue-robbed singers flanking his wings – I mean sides.  He has an amazing voice and, as with Haley, this was my favorite performance of his so far.  Steven said, “I can’t even judge it – that’s how good you are,” which gave me the impression he wasn’t paying attention (with all the yawning, the little red fan he kept flapping around, and visibly reading his stage notes, I wouldn’t be surprised).  Randy patted himself on the back for discovering Jacob and told Jacob he was “excited every time [Jacob] hit the stage.”

Oh Thia.  We all loved Thia last week (and I’ve loved her quirky personality and gorgeous voice since her audition).  But tonight, Thia Megia did a weird version of Harry Chaplain’s (and then Michael Jackson’s) “Smile.”  The beginning was great, but it got weird and soft rock-jazzy halfway through.  The judges felt the same way, although Randy compared her to Adell, yet he wished the entire song had been like the beginning. 

Jennifer’s critique of Karen Rodriguez began with “You look so beautiful tonight,” – and we know that is never a good sign.  Karen sang Selena’s “I Could Fall in Love with You Tonight,” which was slow and awkward to watch.  J. Lo asked Karen if she could hear herself while she was singing, but told her she was one of the strongest and deserved to continue on.

Scotty McCreery showed off his crazy good country voice yet again, tonight with Garth Brooks’ “The River.”  He has an amazing voice and I know I’ll be hearing this kid in the future on all the country stations.  The crowd loved it, the judges loved it, and little Scotty was beaming ear to ear.  Aww.

The wildcards were, well, unnecessary.

Ashton Jones clearly took Randy’s comment (that she reminded him of Diana Ross) to heart.  The only thing about Ashton that reminds me of Ross is her big, beautiful hair.  But Ashton took it to the extreme, in a Ross-esque satin one shoulder gown, swaying dance moves, and what I assume she thought was Diana Ross’s voice.  It fell flat for me, but the judges gave her some half-hearted compliments.

Stefano Langone oversang Stevie Wonder’s “Lately,” jumping all over the stage and belting out words in a way that ended up being just painful to watch.  He seemed to be out of breath in places, but he hit a few good notes.  The judges were inexplicably dancing along with this bumpy ride, and they praised him for changing up a ballad to fit his own style.

I so want Naima Adedapo to be successful (she cleans toilets at a concert venue! The irony!), but I didn’t loved her yelling, off-tuned version of Rihanna’s “Umbrella.”  She high kicked and danced all over the stage.  Steven called her “pitchy” but said she “brought flavor.”  J. Lo didn’t care how pitchy she was (what?  This is American Idol, right?), but Randy righted the world with, “I do care about the pitchiness,” but he still “loved the whole reggae thing.”  Naima, we love you – fix the pitch!

Something new: Randy mentioned that it was season 10 about 47 times.  (Yes, we get it, Randy).  In addition to that, the show was pre-recorded (what?  No longer live?).  I’m not sure why the change.  Also, there was much more of a focus on the producers and how they coached the singers (so far, so good).  And finally, American Idol has become superstitious, cutting number 13 and instead giving Naima number 36.  Huh?

Who was your favorite?  And who do you think is going home?

 
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