American Idol: The I Ain't Here Edition

I shan't be around a television tonight for AI, but I'm starting this open thread so you guys can have at it in the comments. Or not. Whatevs. I'll post links to the individual performances tomorrow.

Some Help for RIP Dallas

The economy is tough, I know, and getting together a "grass roots" effort to make sure the powers that be build a hotel is tiring. There just is no "fun" in fundraising. And paying for music? An expense you just don't need. But you keep getting called out on it, which is probably embarrassing for an organization that has, up until now, done so well at avoiding such things. So I am here to help. I'm a giver. This is a list of songs that are part of the public domain. This means you - yes you - can use them for the low, low price of free. Now, it's just words and sheet music, no recordings, but I know with all the 200 or so people you have at the ready (with what, 400 more on call?), you can probably muster up a fine group of people to hum these tunes. Maybe there's even someone there with a guitar, or a glockenspiel or a triangle? Maybe a squeezebox or a couple of spoons? Don't say I never did anything to help the pro-hotel groups.

Fits of Journalistic Nostalgia

A conversation with a pal brought up this story, about the first interview I ever did. I was in eighth grade, and it was for the school paper. I cannot for the life of me remember the teacher's name, but I remember I was assigned the story because she was new to the school, and had been teaching at a consulate school and then a local school in Mexico. In the course of the interview, I remember asking her about culture shock, and she told me the story about their little dog, Pepe, who they had adopted after moving there. They had a housekeeper, and occasionally her mother would come and make them fresh tamales. In the area they lived in, fresh meat was so scarce that the local butcher would run up a red flag when he had some. So they, uh, ate what meat was available. One night, the teacher came home to a big, steaming pile of tamales. She ate several, and then began calling for Pepe...to no avail. I think you know where that was headed. I told the whole story in my piece, and it was, I suppose, the first hard-hitting expose I did - on the dog-eating science teacher. So what was your first interview?

Does It Have to Be One Thing, Or the Other?

Over the weekend, there was a tiny little kerfuffle that I may have had a hand in. What kind of surprised me - and it's not the first time someone has said this about this blog - is that apparently you can't do anything serious (like write about healthcare reform, the convention center hotel, or suicide) if you're also going to write about the frivolous - like American Idol and recipes. My blog, I believe, is pretty much a reflection of me. I like to cook. I get semi-geeky about American Idol, mostly because I used to be a music critic, and mostly because I enjoy train wrecks. But I also covered county, city and state government for years. I covered murders and corruption cases. A series on meth production made one major seller paranoid enough to leave town. I'm not bragging, I'm just trying to explain that I'm not one or the other - so why should my blog be? And before I say the following, I need to explain that I'm not one of those rabid, bra-burning feminists. I'm what I like to think of as a happy ala carte one, mostly because I think some of the arguments we have about gender inequality only exacerbate the problem. But that being said, I can't also help but wonder if I were male, and Rangers games and grilling technique took the place of American Idol and recipes, if the same people who criticize me wouldn't just love it, or at least find it acceptable. In other words, are they put off by the lighter fare, or is it that a dame would have the temerity to throw some brainy fodder out there?

Ah-hahahahaa

and heeheehee.

Just To Be Completely, Totally Clear

Although the Vote No guys keep telling us all voting no on Props 1 and 2 means you're for the hotel, let's be completely, totally clear: You can vote no on Prop 2 and still vote yes on Prop 1. Aside from the sentiment behind them, the two are different propositions altogether. Really - knock it off, Vote No. It's plain old misrepresentation to tell people a no vote on both means you're for a hotel. You do realize that, by doing this, it could conceivably backfire as well. People could extrapolate that voting yes for both means you don't want the hotel. So what if there are more people than you think that really, really hate the hotel? This could mean that while the hotel is defeated, the city is also saddled with Prop. 2 - a pretty asinine waste of ballot space, as I've explained before. So do the right thing, guys. Voting no on Prop 1 means you want the hotel. Voting no on Prop 2 means you want the city to run efficiently, without having to hold referendums for small expenditures. See? That wasn't so hard to explain.

In A Fit of Nostalgia....

Is It Just Me, or Is This Misleading?

So I took a real good gander at the Vote No! Web site today - and noticed immediately Angela Hunt's photo on it. Now, let's begin this by saying the Vote No! site is for both Prop 1 and Prop 2, and urges a no vote for both. But that being said, it doesn't do much on the front page to distinguish between the two. So just on first glance, it looks like Angela Hunt is urging people to vote no on both. And we know that's not true. While yes, she does urge people to vote no on the harebrained Prop 2, she's decidedly on the Vote Yes! side of Prop 1. But she's also popular. She's known as being one of the smartest city council members and - to me - it looks as if they're trying to capitalize on that popularity by hinting she's for everything the Vote No! camp stands for. Couldn't they have used a picture of someone else? Update: Angela Hunt responded in the comments, and reports the photo has been removed. And another update: Wilonsky has more at Unfair Park.

OK, OK, Enough Already...

Who knew turning off comments would create such a, well, thing? A to-do. A phalanx of perspicacious refugees looking for a place to mix-and-match letters and words in semi-coherent sentences? And that's fine. We all has a sad because Frontburner doesn't allow comments anymore. Yes. We do. But let's also admit that, if they turned them on at 1:15 p.m. today, we'd all be back over there, some with their snarky tinfoil hats in hand, ready to go at it again. So really, enough with the "Frontburner sucks." No, it actually didn't suck. It was quite fun there for a while. Right now, it's kind of like hearing that woman behind you have her really loud cell phone conversation while you're waiting in a line. Yeah, it sounds halfway interesting, but you know you're missing half the conversation, so you tune out. So yeah, I'm bummed. But I'm bummed because it was a great place to converse, and now it's gone. The same way I'd be bummed if Half Price Books on Northwest Highway burned down. Would I visit the site of its burned out hull every day and mourn it's passing? No. If I had a bad experience there one time, would I show up and take a whiz or a dump in the parking lot, whilst waving a single digit? No. For one thing, that's gross, but another? Well, let's put it this way - I had this teacher that once pointed out that the biggest insult you can give your enemy is to just not care about them at all. Hate takes time and effort. Indifference takes little at all, and is by far less flattering. But Frontburner sucks? Always sucked? Really? Then why have a sad about it at all - call it a crummy blog that you'll never visit again and be done with it. Because right now, a lot of people are getting the window smudged with their nose and hand prints.

The Hotel Vote's Little Sister, Prop. 2

While the hotel vote - Prop. 1 - has been getting most of the press, Prop. 2 is equally important in many ways. Now, I don't mean for this to be a long post, but I did want to point a few of those ways out, and also why I think it was able to get enough signatures to be added to the ballot. Whether unions were behind its genesis or not, a lot of people signed this because the signature gatherers - I know, because I was approached by five, at least - presented it as an extension of the hotel issue. People all het up about the fact that the city decided to spend millions on a hotel that may or may not bring money to the city and may or may not lose money for the city were more than happy to sign something that would mean the city couldn't spend their tax money on such gestures again without taxpayer approval. At least, that's how it was presented to me. Every time. But Prop. 2 isn't just about the hotel. This hotel. The one everyone's got an opinion on. It's about slowing city business down to a halt every time they want to offer incentives to a developer to help revitalize downtown. Some incentives are good for bringing life to forgotten areas of Dallas. For instance - and this is just off the top of my head - wasn't the Urban Market born in part with city incentives and subsidies? Maybe this would have more relevance if it was a higher number, I don't know. But $1 million? That's the equivalent of not being able to write a check for more than $1o without your spouse's approval. In other words, and to be completely blunt, a colossal pain in the pants. To me, making sure my tax money is spent wisely is the job of the city councilperson. Don't like how your city councilperson voted on things? Vote a new one in, and encourage others to do so as well. Don't like how your mayor runs things? Vote in a new one, and encourage others to do so as well. That, my friends, is the provision already in place to combat the reasons behind Prop. 1 and Prop. 2. And sometimes, it works rather well. Much better than having the city ask my permission to write a check for more than $1 millon. One more thing, thought of on my way to work: If I were (and I'm not saying which side I fall on) in favor the hotel, and if I were (and I'm definitely not, don't have the hands for it) the mayor who brought it up and is championing it, the fact that there is enough hate for this hotel to essentially generate two referendums would give me pause. One, sure. Two? Maybe people really don't like this.

American Idol: The Comment All You Want Edition

Much like Frontburner's comments, American Idol's theme today is disco. Last week, the judges used their only save of the season on Matt Giraud, which means this week two people go home. Wait - did Simon pick that shirt out of the discard pile? And with pretty much no ado, we're hearing Lil Rounds singing "I'm Every Woman." I'm still meh. Her backup singers are outsinging her. She's mostly riffing. And screaming. Paula loves it, of course. Randy agrees with me. It was big, it was grand, but it didn't show off her vocals right. Kara says she's been waiting for her to sing Chaka Khan. But she doesn't think it was worth the wait. Paula says she was on complete vocal rest yesterday. Lil didn't tap into her "inner goddess." Simon says she looks sad. He also said this is probably gonna be her last week. Ouch. Kris is up next - with his guitar. He's doing "She Works Hard for the Money." You know, I never thought of a bluesy, acoustic version of this song, but it's actually good. If he could keep the John Mayer faces to a minimum, I could really see him giving Glambert a run for his money. Kara just keeps repeating his name. She thinks the risky arrangement paid off, and she's impressed. Paula said it had a classy Santana vibe. And then something about men buying women's clothes. IDK. Simon said it was a polar opposite of Lil's, in that it was original, well thought out and not karaoke. Randy called him dawg. And dude. And said he was ready for the big time. Danny is doing Earth, Wind and Fire - "September." I'm getting a distinctly karaoke vibe from this. I mean, seriously, you come on and do this, compared to Kris and knowing Glambert is coming? Oy. When I watch Gokey, I think karaoke meets praise night at the local Baptist church. Randy was worried about his choice. But he said he turned into something that worked for him. Kara was also worried. But she thinks he's an incredible vocalist. Not sure he's memorable. Paula likes that he showed his vocal ability. And his voice is sexy. Simon agreed with everyone. Didn't get star power from the performance. He didn't do anything special. Allison is doing "Hot Stuff." Holy leather Batman. She's like, 17? Oy. And this arrangement. Not sure about. She's taking it rock. The beginning, unsure. But at least she's showing she wants to try to compete with Kris and Glambert. And ya know, it's growin' on me. Randy didn't love the arrangement, but thinks she's one of the best singers in this competition. Kara agrees about the arrangement. But she thinks she picked the right song, and that she's one of the best singers. Paula says something about compromise...likes the arrangement because it was authentic. Simon thinks she's always gonna be the underdog, but he th0ught it was a brilliant performance. Glambert is all cleaned up again, with the suit and the non emo hair. He's singing "If I Can't Have You." But he says he's tweaked it. He's turned it into a ballad. The judges will probably like it. It's kinda like if Celine Dion and Air Supply tongue kissed. Randy thinks he's ready right now. And that he's the hot one tonight, "Amuricah." Kara thinks he's brilliant. And inspiring. Like her boobs. Paula never questions her visceral response when he performs. She felt his pain, and thinks he tore his heart out and left it on the stage. Simon thought he would've done Donna Summer. He loved the originality and that it's memorable. Matt is doing "Staying Alive." Hmm...I dunno. Unless he picks it up, he's not really showing much range. I will say it's different from the original arrangement, but still...hmmm...not that memorable. Randy didn't love the arrangement or song choice, but he thinks he can really sing. He says this group is the most talented group in some time...really? Did you develop amnesia from last season? Kara thought it was song. Paula says he picks songs like she bowls. And this was a strike, not a gutter ball. Simon didn't like it. In the real world, he said, it wasn't that great or original. Anoop is singing "Dim All the Lights." OK. Everyone. SLOWING IT DOWN DOES NOT MAKE IT AN ORIGINAL ARRANGEMENT. I mean, it may be a different one, but they better not make it a practice, or it will become really, really obvious. That being said, I'm not sure I love this song. It feels like I'm trapped in an elevator. A nice one, sure, but still an elevator. Randy didn't love the arrangement, but thinks he can sing. Um, yay? Kara thought it was great and thought it sounded like it could be on the radio. Paula likes his growth. Uh? Simon completely disagrees with them, and thinks it was mediocre at best. So, who will be the bottom three? I'm thinking Lil, Anoop, and possibly Gokey or Giraud. Of course, for some reason, people like to not vote for Allison, too, so she could end up there, too. If she does, and is one of the two to go, will Simon, et. al, regret giving Matt G. the save last week?

In the meantime...

At a loss as to where to find your old Frontburner comment friends? Well, there's always right here, or Trey, or here .... or even here...or here...or here...or here... I also highly recommend here. Any other now former FB commenters out there on the Internets?

In Memoriam: Frontburner Comments

Today, D Magazine publisher Wick Allison announced that Frontburner, the magazine's blog, would no longer allow comments on posts. I can't say I'm really surprised. If pressed to deliniate a time frame, I'd have to say that in the months leading up to the 2008 election, commenting on Frontburner became somewhat like that scene in Forrest Gump where Forrest, Bubba and the rest of the soldiers are following Lt. Dan, cautiously walking, ready to jump behind bushes and into trenches at a moment's handwave of possible gunfire. More often than not, you'd lob a comment onto that road, and hope that nothing blew up. Lord knows that I've been the butt of many a diatribe in the comments section of Frontburner. And yes, I've admitted before that it was annoying, and brought down the level of conversation - partly because it discouraged the non-trollesque commenters from putting in an appearance, and partly because so many times comments were completely deleted, leaving giant, gaping holes - much like if I decided to black out key words in the last chapter of a Harry Potter book. But I do take issue with Mr. Allison essentially calling the experiment a failure. It was not. It produced hilarity. It produced good, salient points. It produced, many times, at least one little corner of the print product. Commenting made readers feel engaged with your product. Sure, I can drop Wick Allison an e-mail, but having done so, well, let's just say I do know that the chances of a reply are slim to none. Not to mention he is completely devaluing the importance of comments. It drove visitors to the Web site. Now, anyone can simply add Frontburner to his or her RSS feed, and since there are no comments to read, will never have the need to come to www.dmagazine.com. I do know having to delete comments and constantly monitor things is a hassle, and with a smaller staff, something that can be difficult to do. But I also know that Wordpress offers several comment approval options, as do many of the other blog options out there. Gawker requires you to basically audition to comment, which is also an option. But don't discount the power those comments had. They corrected instantly when erroneous information got out. They gave you instant feedback. And, more importantly, they gave you a relationship with your readers. In fact, Frontburner is what made me subscribe to D. I wonder how many others did so, as well.

Oh, Really?

Today, Trey Garrison looks at the people behind R.I.P. Dallas. If you're unfamiliar with their work, they've done this overwrought Web site here, and then they've also put signs up all over Dallas - illegally, I might add.

What do you do when you start repeating yourself?

Call yourself Steve Blow, and keep your job. That's what. Has he officially run out of ideas?

Just Plain Wrong Headed

Give all the explanations you want, either side, for why the convention center hotel should or should not be built. But there's one that's been floating around that opens up a slippery slope - and one that could very well defeat the exact reason the Vote Noers say we need to build the hotel - to drive business and development to downtown. Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price is the most recent proponent to use this bite-you-in-the-butt reasoning, per DO scribe Sam Merten's paraphrasing:

Price, who Haynes referred to as "our warrior," said the person who has the most to benefit from killing the hotel doesn't even have a vote because he's not a citizen of Dallas (italics mine).

OK. So are we saying now that people and businesses owners who are not Dallas citizens (and therefore cannot vote) do not have any say in what happens in the city they do business in? Are we going to take their tax money for our coffers, but deny them any say? I think that this is what the original, Colonial-era tea partiers had in mind when they threw their protest. So are we now going to travel down this slippery slope where we tell businesses the only time we really want to hear from them is when they write that check to pay taxes? Nobody denies that Harlan Crow has a dog in this hunt. But you know, there are plenty of people on either side with ulterior motives. It's what drives politics, and you'd have to do a complete blood draining followed by a transfusion of pure O neg to get that to change. So let's just drop this particular argument, and go to the meat and potatoes. I mean, is it really all that necessary if the Vote No group's quiver is as full of fully delineated arrows as it claims?

American Idol: Dude, Tarantino?

Cold open with Quentin Tarantino? What was that? Randy Jackson is in a Bill Cosby sweater. Also, the banter before this whole thing starts? Shoot. Me. Or. Them. Whoever, really. Theme: Songs of the Cinema, guided by Quentin Tarantino. Oh dear. And it's also a big ol' schmoozelschnitzen for his new movie, "The Inglorious Basterds." First up, Allison. She's singing, "Don't Wanna Miss a Thing," by Aerosmith. Can I just say Little Miss Kool-Aid Hair is the one of the few contestants this year who doesn't sound like she wandered off a Carnival Cruise ship? But this ain't so good. Oh look, Katie Couric. And Little Stevie. Was that Chevy Chase? Paula says she's possessed by Adam. What the what? Simon says she's the girls' only hope in this competition. OH, and only two judges are commenting per contestant because they went over or something. I zoned out during the explanation. Uggggggggghhhh....Anoop, dahling, "Everything I'd Do, I'd Do It For You?" Really? And again, why is QT giving musical advice? Couldn't Anoop have picked a power ballad that was more current, and less something I heard in the elevator? Randy: Dawg. Dawgitty dawg Anoop dawg dawwggggy.....you found your zone dude, dawg, dawgy. Kara: First, look at my boobs. You've found your place. Pop songs, and adding something something. They were coming from your heart. Simon looks like he wants to die. Glambert is doing "Born to Be Wild." QT thinks he's a rock star. Glambert said something about electronica. It's really kinda U2-y and Duran Durany with some old-skool INXS, with a touch of Geritol, because this song is hella old. Seriously? No new songs? I will say, Glambert's got the metal band yelp going. There's a tranny in the audience blowing kisses. If that's not a tranny, I apologize, you're a very handsome woman. Paula: You're shakin' up this whole competition, fortune rewards the brave, fantastic.... Simon: Vocally incredible, downside is like watching the Rocky Horror musical in parts. Simon liked it, but last week was more original. Matt Giraud. Five bucks he's singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" or something 500 years old. GEEZUS. Another Bryan Adams. "Have You Ever Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Loved a Woman?" Matt's behind the piano. Given the song, this isn't sucking as much as I thought it could. I still don't wanna hear it, but I'm not using Kleenex to wipe the blood from my ears, either. Randy: Said it was interesting. Rough at the bridge. The thing for me for you...MANGLED MANGLED MANGLED. Randy. Stop. Seriously. "You fell down something something for me for you." Kara: Does he do a rock song or a pop song? Tonight a rock song, she says. What the what? What kind of new age Kara Math works that out? Danny Gokey is next. Iron your jacket much? "Endless Love." Oy. SERIOUSLY THEY'VE MADE SONGS AFTER 1990. YOU CAN SING ONE IF YOU WANT. Meh. I am meh about this performance. Paula: From the opening I wasn't sure that the key should've been lowered. It's a magical place. You pulled something something something. Simon: Can't fault the way he sang the song. Was disappointed that he did such a traditional version. Kris is next. He's going to be making John Mayer faces to "Falling Softly," from the movie Once. FINALLY, a current song. It's actually a song that's suited for his voice. Do we have our dark horse? So far, this is my favorite of the night. Randy: Dawg. Dawg. Check it out man. Dude, for me, for you tonight. I don't know. It never quite caught on for me. Can't you do some Mariah Carey? Kara: Difficult to pick an obscure song like that, but for me, it was one of your best moments ever. Paula just peed herself. Lil Rounds is going to be doing "The Rose." In related news, Tammy at the pool hall also picked this song for Karaoke Night last week. Let's see who does better. Judging from the video, it's going to suck. She's flat. AGAIN. Seriously. How did she manage to stay in key for the 6.3 seconds it took to audition initially? Like I said last week, she's gotta blow 'em out of the water, and this ain't doin' it. I can think of things that would've been possibly better. Something from the Chicago soundtrack. Something from Little Shop of Horrors. Even "I Will Always Freakin' Love Yoooooooouuuuuuuuuu." But she's flat. It ain't song choice so much as it is her bucket's got a hole in it. Paula: Compliments the songwriter. Ouch. No actual criticism. Just the song was pretty. Simon: I think that you're getting this completely wrong. It was too soft for you, too middle of the road. There are no excuses anymore. You are not the artist we met seven or eight weeks ago. Now Lil is sassing Simon. She ain't helpin' her cause. OK, bottom three? Anoop and Lil, and then possibly Allison or Matt. I could also see Gokey in there, but I'm pretty comfortable with the four, really. What do you think?

Commenters ...

Commenters over on TDMN's Metro blog are kind of eating Steve Blow's known-to-be-extensive, two-hour lunch.

Saturday Morning Whisky

to go with your tango and your foxtrot. Here you go.

Uh....

back to you, Trey.

Head Slapper of the Day: State Rep. Betty Brown

*smack* From the Associated Press:

The Texas Democratic Party demanded an apology Wednesday from state Rep. Betty Brown, R-Terrell for suggesting Asian-descent voters should adopt names that are "easier for Americans to deal with."

American Idol: The Results Show Edition

Forget Flo-Rida, Seacrest! OMGSABCDEFG it's Mario Lopez! So, after reviewing the performances, I predict our verifiable two in the bottom three will likely be Scott and Lil. Allison, although the judges liked her, could end up in the three because she seems to land there every week. Kris Allen had a weak performance, so he could be there, too. Adam, obvs, is fine this week again. Simon gave him a standing O. And that's not a euphemism. Apparently, right now, SeacrestOUT! is implying Simon is old. By playing Frankie Avalon. And then Avalon comes out and serenades Simon with "Venus." Because Simon is old. The cheesy group number is a song from the first year of Idol. Crap. It's "Can't Get You Out of My Head." EVERY time this song is played, I have to powerwash it from my brains. I adore the Anoop/Kris bumper car sitch with Scott, as they bump him around the stage like a shuffleboard whatsit. And can I just say that I don't get the love for Lil Rounds? She may have a good voice, but she's tone deaf. Even now, she's off. OFF. WAY OFF. Like, in Oklahoma when you meant to go to New Mexico, OFF. And juxtaposed with Allison's open of the number, she sounds even worse. Prediction: If Allison gets voted off tonight, the judges will use their save. Now the Ford commercial. They stole Britney Spears album concept and her song, but it's supposed to be an old time magic show. Director: Scott has no idea if he looks menacing. Something tells me that this is not the first time Adam has worn blue false eyelashes, either. "You'll strike a pose, and it'll be kinda magical." OK, can I direct the next one? I can do that, for gosh sakes. This is the most boring Ford commercial ever. And that's saying something, considering Bill Ford used to do them. The mayor of Kalamazoo, Mich., is in the house. Why they didn't open with that, I don't know. Totally buried the lede there, SeacrestOUT. Randy thinks Adam was the bomb last night. Kara didn't try to count anything, thank beezus. Paula says he knows who he is. Adam is safe. Duh. Least. Suspenseful. Moment. Ever. BTW, WTH is up with Paula's gloves? Anoop is in the bottom three. Kris is safe. Hmmm...if Lil and Scott aren't in the other two seats, there is no justice in Idol land. SeacrestOUT just asked who will fill the other stools. Uh..dude...poor choice of words. Am I the only one who immediately thought of a dirty diaper? Flo Rida. I learned today that Flo Rida has a published number, and responds to texts. I do not know who the girl with the goat voice is. But I want to learn to skip in stilettos like that. Without, you know, dying. OK, I do not know what ROOTS stands for. Still. Flo Rida, enunciate. He's really sweaty, too, IJS. Danny is safe. Matt will be safe, because that gives three left to make sweat for good telebishuns.... Hah! Called it! Matt is safe. Now for Scott. Called it! Scott is headed to the stools, too. Can we call them something else? Please? Allison and Lil are last. Allison, of the Kool-Aid (OH YEAH!) hair, is safe. Lil's in the bottom. If they save Lil, I will throw something. Probably. Maybe. I dunno. But I will be irate. Dude...sweet yams are 57 cents a pound. And, btw, the food that I've eaten at Cotton Patch has NEVER looked like that. OK...we're back. And Kelly Pickler is going to sing something. What is with the backup singers? They're not with her, or she's not with them. And she sounds kinda nasal and screamy. Now comes the part where she flirts with Simon. Pickler, you did this last year, and Simon gave you the same look, like you farted in his face. Good god. Someone turn her mic off. Ok, the three. Lil is safe. It's between Anoop and Scott. Ok, now I'm torn. As much as I think Scott needs to go now, the thought of having to listen to that tragedy that was last night's performance one more time makes me die a little inside. I wonder if it's Anoop, if the judges will save him? Anoop looks pissed. Scott looks puzzled. Scott has the lowest number of votes. Anoop is safe. But now we have to listen to ... the Lido deck. He's a thoroughly charming third choice for wedding singer, but American Idol, and someone you'd burn your one save on? Not so much. Where'd Randy go? I see Paula and Kara and Simon. This bodes ill, I think, for his chances of the save. And OMG that tragic high note. I has a sad. STOP. Oh, and Paula, Kara? HE CAN'T SEE YOU DANCE. Oohh...Simon just said two people think he should stay, and two should go. Boys against girls? FIVEBUCKSSAYSYES. Simon's thinking they may want to use that save on one of the others. Paula and Kara say he did well before.... Simon tells him it's over. Was it the right choice? Yes. He was a really nice guy, obviously, but as the weeks progressed, the difference between him and say, Adam and Alison, and even Matt and Kris, becomes obvious. Lil Rounds? Pull something awesome out next week, or you'll be gone, too.

American Idol...Had a Meeting Last Night So This Is What You Get, Edition

I had a meeting last night. Missed Idol. Tonight's the results show, so I'll live blog that instead. But here you go. Adam Lambert Allison Iraheta Matt Giraud Kris Allen Danny Gokey Anoop Desai Lil Rounds Scott MacIntyre

Moment of Something...

Zac Efron's Pool Party from Zac Efron

Bad sign...

Fark makes fun of Plano ISD.

We all know ...

We all know what this guy would say about this.

Beyoncé - New Music - More Music Videos

Know Any?

Trey Garrison wants your tips for his new feature, "Good Cop/Bad Cop." He explains here.

Head Smack of the Day

The DMN reports that Farmers Branch has spent $2 million since 2006 on its ill-advised rental ban. And it will cost more before everything is said and done. I think we can honestly say it wasn't the most fiscally conservative windmill the city could've tilted at, considering the course of wisdom likely would've been to keep an eye on another city's case as it made its trek through the judicial system up to the Supreme Court, and then tailored the ordinance accordingly. As the bills mount up, will we see a massive turnover in council seats come the next election?

How Do You Save the Dallas Morning News?

In the wake of another round of devastating layoffs at the Dallas Morning News, one might be hard pressed to find any silver lining that hasn't already been sold for scrap to pay for A.H. Belo bonuses. But maybe there could be, if there was a dream scenario where someone actually stopped and thought about not only the good of the company, but also the good of the community it serves. As I've said before, I do not think the demise of the Dallas Morning News came solely - as some insist- on it's politics. I do think that some of it comes from its hypocrisy - and I point to the fact that every rah-rah convention center hotel story never mentions that the DMN parent company stands to benefit greatly if the hotel is built, because the property it owns adjacent to the site will go up in valuation. I mean, heck, it doesn't have to mention it in every story, I suppose. I'd be happy if its editorial board saw fit to add it to its missives occasionally, and if the metro desk would insist it be added to anything its columnists put out. But I digress. I said this last year, but it's still true - technology and our industry's failure to be early adopters of it is responsible for, in my opinion, 60% of the crisis we're now facing. Instead of partnering with established leaders in technology, we insisted the Internet was a fad, and eventually the hubbub would die down. So aggregators came along and left us in the dust. This is the past, however. I do think that there will always be somewhat of a market for the dead tree version of a newspaper. But producing one and maintaining the status of Dallas' only daily may take some reversal in mindset for both management and subscribers. In short, the DMN is going to have to go backwards to go forward. It's going to have to embrace the notion that people want a community feel from their newspapers, as evidenced by the fact that many community newspapers are faring far better than their large metro counterparts. That's not to say that they haven't been affected by the economy as well, but they can weather the storm far better because their communities are invested in the paper. The bigger the paper, the bigger the egos, the bigger the disconnect between writer and reader. How do you keep that connection? How do these small weekly community papers do it? Subscribers see themselves in the paper - literally. They don't just see their communities represented, but they can actually see their names in the paper on a semi-frequent basis. Think of this: In Dallas, there are people who will never see their names in print. Ever. They'll never do anything wrong, and since the DMN doesn't offer more than the perfunctory acknowledgement of a sparse set of milestones, there's a good chance they'll never see themselves in the paper. So run the honor rolls. Run the birth announcements from the hospitals. Run them only in the paper, not online. Having worked at a small paper, I can tell you that our best-selling issues were the ones that contained the honor rolls. Mothers like seeing their kid's names in print. Period. Secondly, embrace this pared-down version as a positive if you work it right. At one of my first papers, everyone did everything. Yes, you had a beat, but you also knew how to cover a city council meeting. You knew who your county commissioners were. Everyone had to know where to find the police reports at the station. Everyone had an obit day, which meant you didn't have to hire an obit clerk. Everyone had to take turns being the reporter on call on the weekends. You had a Sunday package every six weeks or so (it rotated among all the reporters), and a Monday profile, which also rotated. And with that smaller, streamlined staff, the paper managed to put out major award-winning stuff. You can cover a beat and engage in enterprise reporting at the same time. I know for a fact it can be done. I come from a place that sounds almost mythical - a place with three major metro dailies in a metro area smaller than Dallas proper. But it happens. All are doing as well as can be expected in the economy, and you're not hearing about massive layoffs, either. So how do you save the DMN? You realize that there's no need for scads of columnists and editorial board members. You realize that to keep the ship afloat and on course, everyone must row, together, which means that you become a general surgeon and not a brain surgeon. The valuable reporter in the new reality newsroom is water - you can pour him or her out and she will travel to the things that need the coverage, filling in ably. In other words, there is no room for ego in the new news room.

Sometimes...

Daddy just needs to drink.

Question of the Day:

Can you blog about both entertainment-related subjects (such as American Idol) and serious subjects (like the economy and politics, etc.) without it diminishing one or the other?

The Fact of the Matter

Nobody, I'm sure, that is sitting around trying to look busy while waiting to find out if DMN HR is going to call your name and give you a box, will want to read this right now. In fact, I'm actually encouraging you not to. Not for a week, at least. Take a few days to let what just happened digest. If you indeed got laid off, take a nice, long long weekend and enjoy things you probably didn't get to do much of while you worked your derriere off at the company that just let you go. If you are safe, well, lordy. Because it's the safe ones that are going to have some tougher decisions to make in the next few months and year. Do you stay at a job that may indeed do another round of insane layoffs where people who do very little keep their jobs, but very talented journalists are let go? Do you continue to stay in a medium that is amassing more and more casualties on a daily basis? Someone who commented on another blog - on a post about today being the RIF day for the DMN newsroom - was called a jerk for pointing out that it's time to grow up. Well, he's kinda right. Let me say right now, I adore writing. I loved reporting, and if the economy was more amenable, I'd still be in the trenches. But there comes a time when you just have to face facts. If you have a family to support and a mortgage and two car payments and college tuitions to save for, it may very well be in your best interest to ask yourself, "Am I a journalist, or am I a reporter at the Dallas Morning News?" If it's the former, you'll be fine. You'll find a way to keep being a journalist, whether it be helping a company craft its public persona, going back to school to teach future journalists, or any of the other jobs that are out there for people who are good with words. You may stay at the DMN knowing you're gambling on getting laid off at some point, or having to work heinous hours doing the work of three, but you'll be amassing options. If it's the latter, it's time for a gut check. While the two are not mutually exclusive, of course, if your entire identity is tied up in working at the Dallas Morning News, you're setting yourself up for a fall, my friend. Such a thing is conducive for sticking your head in the sand, only to have it yanked out one day by a middle manager with a list, who hands you a box so you can clean out your desk. You will be shocked. You will have no Plan B. You will wonder how this happened, while the people around you bite their tongues to keep from asking how you didn't see it coming. You will be shocked to find out that jobs for straight up journalists are hard to come by, unless you're willing to go back to journalism's roots and work at a small weekly. Don't get me wrong - in either scenario, getting laid off sucks. There's no feel-good story with an RIF. And while you may not have control over when it happens, you can have control over how well you are prepared for it. And that, folks, is being an adult about it.

Oy ..

Back to you, Jim.

Today?

I may talk righteously indignant smack about certain DMNers, but today, according to the Associated Press, is the day companywide layoffs start. I'm guessing the DMNCuts blog will be fired up and following the sad news today. So everyone (including you, Steve Blow) good luck.

Dear Amanda Cobra:

You are my hero of the day. That is all. Me

Dear George Rodrigue:

I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Kettle. You probably know him, because you called him black a week or so ago. Well, he'd like to tell you today that you need to legally change your name to pot, because you're black, too. Hugs and kisses, Me

American Idol: Quit Saying Dawg, For the Love of Pete

Dinner is simmering, and the theme is songs that make you seem current or hip hop or country or something. Top 40 or something. Whatever. This is quite possibly the most karaoke group of individuals in Idol history, and that's saying something when you consider this is the same show that birthed the "Soul Patrol," or whatever horrible thing that was. Anoop picked Usher, and a song I've probably scrubbed from my brain three summers ago. No somebody liked it, btw. Except Paula. She wants him to work on his stage presence, "instead of a lot of stuff going back and forth." Randy no likey. Simon thought it was a complete and utter mess. I don't remember it, because I nodded off. It gave Simon a headache. Megan Joy? I'm not even sure what that was. Oy. Paula is about to call her pretty. That means you sucked. I think she just told her to take a bus ride. I don't know. And she needs to rip the heart out of someone. And feed it to Paula. Apparently. Simon said she was boring. Randy said it was like watching paint dry. They keep saying she needs to lean toward Amy Winehouse, Adele and Duffy. Hi! I've been saying that for THREE WEEKS. Danny is singing "What Hurts the Most," by Rascal Flatts. Beginning? KARY-EFFING-OAKE. Second thought? Train wreck. If every judge likes this, I will quit drinking this delicious confection of alcohol in this here glass. If there's any left. I plan on chugging it really fast, just in case. Paula liked it. But I'm pretty sure if a lamp came out, she'd love it. The camera just cut to a tranny holding an "I love Danny" sign. Crap. Simon likes it. Paula liked it. Gaw. Randy liked it. Mother eff. Ok, Kara, I hate your guts, but if you can do me a solid and NOT INTERRUPT MY PLANNED EVENING OF DRINKING THINGS, I would appreciate it. I will also quit making fun of you. I hate Kara. He moved everyone? Now I need to drink. OK, I'm scrolling back, and I've realized that I said I'd quit drinking that particular drink. I will. I will switch to a new one. Allison is singing "Don't Speak," by No Doubt. She said she grew up listening to No Doubt. I just felt myself die a little inside, and this tiny voice started saying that I'm old. To shut it up, I'm going to drink something. I'm meh about this. I am. She started out decent, but she seems a little off... Randy made fun of her dress. Kara said she sounded forced, and it wasn't her best. And then she pooped in her seat(I hate Kara). Paula says her intonation masturbates. Something about a karate chop. Simon says he can't ignore the outfit. "Tonight's theme is Halloween," he said. She sounded like someone's precocious daughter trying to be a rock star, he said. Um, yeah? Isn't that the point? Simon said she shouted the song. Randy disagrees, dawg. Scott is singing "Just the Way You Are," by Billy Joel. Which is way current and really up to date. He says it's just going to be him and the piano. Radical change. OK, his hair is less short bus. I will say. The stylist got a hold of him, and convinced him that someone that can actually see his head should comb his hair. But musically? Still church talent show. Of course, the judges are probably going to love him. And then I'll need to drink again. Kara: I think you made a very smart choice. I'm going to now say something that allows me to point repeatedly at my boobs. Paula: I'm most proud of you because you're blind. It has nothing to do with your challenge, it has everything to do with what makes me forget about that challenge, so much so that I suggest you dance around more and lose the piano. Simon: Your best performance by a country mile so far. It's a different Scott. Randy: One of the best of the night, dawg. Dawg. Dawgitty dawg dawg dawg! Matt Giraud is doing The Fray, "I Found You." He sounds like he's trying too hard. And kind of goaty. He's getting better as the song goes on, but still goaty. The swaybots are scaring me. I don't think I'd want to be surrounded by all those dudes and 10 year old girls. It didn't totally suck, I guess. Kind of timberlakean with a dash of suck. Paula: I like it when you rip it. We know who you are! Simon: You should be happy Matt, b/c we don't like you this week. Hah! Simon. Agrees. With. Me. This was just uncomfortable Randy: Check it out, dawg. It wasn't the great song for you (for me.) He thinks he should've done One Republic or Timberlake. Kara: Look at my boobs! Oh, and you sucked it this week. Lil has been getting nailed by the judges. That's what SHE said. She decided to go with Celine Dion, "I Surrender." Did I mention my intense hate for Celine Dion? Look! It's Lil Rounds, and her wig. Randy: Young it up. Kara: Singer that can just let it out. Oh, and look at my boobs. Paula: I don't want to see an adult contemporary Lil Rounds. I want to see the joy something something. Simon: Safe song. Quite similar to a wedding performance. Suggested "One," by U2. This was honestly so old-fashioned. All your personality is being sucked out of you. Lil's little kid wants to punch Randy. Or so she said. Instead she gave Randy a big hug. Adam is doing "Play that Funky Music White Boy," from 1976. He's kept the Elvis hair. He's slowed down the song and further funkified it, which is odd since the song already had the word funky in it. It's like Lenny Kravitz and Adam Levine had a baby song, but then it did some heavy narcotics. Everybody loved it, you can see it. Paula: True something something shatters something. Steven Tyler, Mick Jagger, Adam Lambert. Simon: That was very brave. It was original. Randy: You worked it out. You are definitely in the star zone baby. Kara: Every week, I cannot wait to something something. It was like Studio 57 up in here. Which is like Studio 54, but the velvet rope restrictions are looser, and the strongest drug you get is whatever's in Paula's cup, and she ain't sharin'. Kris is going to put "Ain't No Sunshine" in the John Mayer Song Transmogrifier, and make guitar faces on the stage. Only with a piano. He's trying to have a moment. I've just realized what his face reminds me of, when he sings. Randy: Right now in this moment, you've been slaying 'em dude. So creative, so cool. Lovin' you! Kara: I can count! See? Paula: You took a 30 year old song and made it like I'm hearing it for the first time. Simon: Said he brought some confidence this time. Very good arrangement. So that's that. Who's in the bottom three? I'm thinking Megan, Scott, and Allison or Anoop. Who are you picking?

Re: Lingering Questions Remain, Much Like a Dingleberry

I encourage everyone to go see Trey Garrison's excellent read of the situation.

Lingering Questions Remain, Much Like a Dingleberry

Everyone finds the story of Robert Powell and Ryan Moats to be reprehensible. But, as I read over my notes from Chief David Kunkle's press conference and the media coverage, I find myself with niggling questions about this case that I just haven't seen answered. They are the dingleberries of this case, if you will. 1. Would the media have gotten all hypercoverage on Powell if Moats was an auto mechanic from the Grove, or a mortgage banker from Plano, instead of an NFL running back? I'm not asking if Kunkle's reaction would've been the same - I think it's obvious from the press conference that he would've handled this case the same. But would we have known about it if Moats wasn't who he was? 2. I thought I had a fairly good grasp of local geography and county and city lines. To my best estimation, the Collin County line is about from Bush north. The city of Dallas starts somewhere in south Richardson. Which makes this question obvious, to me and a couple others: What was Powell doing in Plano, and why was he pulling someone over - in Plano? And how would any ticket he wrote be good, considering he's DPD, and in Plano? What questions still linger for you guys? UPDATE: This may explain at least part of the second question. It seems he lives in Carrollton, which means he could've conceivably be driving from/to home? UPDATE AGAIN: Commenter Steve explains - check it out!

Kunkle on Powell, live blog

So far... 1. It seems the Plano PD officer who appeared in the tape is the one that ratted out Powell. He told his supervisor, who talked to someone at the DPD. 2. They've reviewed the tapes from the patrol car and are embarrassed. 3. The majority of the comments in various publications are the same Kunkle has had, he said. 4. "It's just extraordinarily disappointing," Kunkle said. 5. Legally, yes, he could've arrested Moats. But he shouldn't have threatened it. "I can't imagine a worse circumstance" than the one with Moats, Kunkle said. Police officers shouldn't arrest because someone made them mad, he added. 6. "I think someone whose never been through police training should know how to handle this," Kunkle said, adding that it falls under the heading of common sense. 7. Found the berating of Moats, the threats were embarrassing. The fact that hospital personnel tried to intervene and he disregarded that was also embarrassing. He may have also lied to the Plano officer about the genesis of the "pursuit." 8. Powell should've apologized for drawing down on the Moats family once he ascertained the situation, and then immediately holstered it. 9. However, Kunkle said you can't tell from the tape if he merely drew his gun, or if he pointed it at someone. He admits to drawing it. 10. There's been a recommendation made that the citation for running the red light be dropped. One of the assistant chiefs has called the Moats to apologize. 11. He likely faces administrative charges related to conduct that reflects poorly on the department, as well as something involving the threats, as well as the circumstances of the pursuits. 12. Any of those charges could lead to his dismissal. 13. Powell's record is fairly clean, with one complaint that was not sustained. 14. Assistant Chief Floyd Simpson said Powell thinks he was doing his job. "It seemed the compassion was not there," he said of Powell, "and I was hoping for a little more."

Jim Schutze...

...head combustion in 3....2....1...

Words May Fail Me...

Dear Steve Blow: In the immortal words of Wayne Campbell, asphinctersayswhat? Love, Me P.S. Some people liked it, but are legally not allowed to put a ring on it. Some people like it, but should definitely not put a ring on it.

Uh...

So today I read a story about a contretemps at the Dallas City Council meeting. It was - surprise - about the Trinity River levees and was - surprise again - involving Angela Hunt and Mitchell Rasansky, who accused Mayor Tom Leppert and City Manager Mary Suhm of flat out not telling the council about the issues with the levees. But the weird part - or rather, the part that gave me pause? Dwaine Caraway's reaction. I can understand defending people you respect. But I dunno - a simple, "I knew about it, maybe you weren't paying attention," might have been a little more on point than what the story says happened. The pause button quote:

I know a bunch of stuff that ought to be out here in the public and that would be most embarrassing and everything else," Caraway said, quickly adding that he wouldn't do so. "If we ... keep on beating them up, then I'm going to start doing some beatin' 'em up. And if I get to beatin' 'em up, it's really going to be something."

So he says he wouldn't use it, but then it sounds like he's reminding Hunt and Rasansky he has dirt on them, and would use it if he needed to. Which sounds like he would use it. Which confuses me. I mean, if it's something that would make them poor public servants, if it's something the voters should know, isn't he duty-bound to say whatever it is? Don't get me wrong, Dwaine Caraway has done a lot of good for his constituents, and you'd be hard-pressed to find another council person so involved in his area of the city. But now it feels like he knows something bad, nefarious, evil, and any/or any other word that connotates that, about these two people. And now it almost sounds like he's willing to keep it hidden - for a price. And that, sadly, is politics as usual. Say it ain't so, Dwaine.

American Idol: Let the Live Blogging Commence

OK, lemme say first that I didn't roll in until 7:17 because of a Braum's related culinary emergency. So I'm starting with Kris Allen's performance on Motown Week. First, has Smokey Robinson made a deal with Satan? I don't think he's aged in 30 years. As for Allen, no, Kara, he didn't do James Taylor. He did John Mayer doing James Taylor. Sure, it was pleasant, but when is someone gonna call him on that? Simon just read Paula's lines. "Believe in yourself?" Really? Up next? Scott, at the piano, of course, despite Paula's request last week that the blind guy move around the stage more. After the break, Scott basically says he's not gonna dance around the stage because he'll die. So he sings "You Can't Hurry Love." Smokey liked it. I think it sounds like every damned thing he ever sings. My prediction? America kept him on just long enough for him to be able to be on the tour. He goes this week, or next. This just sounds Branson-esque. "I think you pleased both Simon and I," Paula said. That's all I could actually understand. But I know Simon doesn't look pleased. "Oh dear," he said. Simon hates it. Dear lord...I almost always agree with Simon. I clearly need to start wearing my black t shirts tighter. Holy moly. Randy agrees, too. "Hotel sounding," he said. Kara was glad he brought tempo, but he raped the melody or something. I dunno. I tend to zone out when she talks. Paula and Simon get into it, and then Paula gives Simon a coloring book and crayons. Then SeacrestOUT explains to a clearly flummoxed Scott what the heck is going on. And I feel like I need a Silkwood shower after watching all that. Now Megan, who has kind of this Duffy thing going with her voice, maybe with a little Adele in there. She's gonna sing, "For Once in My Life." I know it may not be the most popular choice, but I really like this girl, if she could get past the weird dancing thing she likes to throw into everything. Wait..is she barefoot? Anyway...Paula's dancing, but I'm pretty sure she dances to the toilet flushing. Whoa...Randy says it's a train wreck. Kara doesn't either. She thinks she should've done "My Guy." Paula, "Your stunning beauty just takes my breath away...." but she agrees that it wasn't the right song. Simon hates, too. C'mon guys...it wasn't THAT horrible. OK, during commercial, I should discuss my usual Idol blogging from last year. It was a performer by performer breakdown, complete with quotes from the judges and handicapping for the results show. I promise to do that next week, but this week, it's gonna be pretty freeform. And I really mean next week will look like last season's blogging, because I adore trying to figure out what Paula Abdul is saying. I'm nearly always wrong, but the results are hilarious. Also, I have to say that so far, I really don't think this crowd is as strong as last seasons. By this time last year, there was a clear, definitive front running group. This time, I feel meh about everyone. Last year was the dessert buffet - Ooh! Cheesecake? Eclairs? Black Forest Cake? SIGN ME UP. This year? Green bean bar. Anoop has stones. He's going to sing "Baby, Baby." IN FRONT OF SMOKEY. I don't think Smokey hates any of them. As for Anoop's beginning? Meh. It's starting like Smokey on Hycodan. Sure, he can hit the notes.....but. Meh. Kara: There are moments in your chest...wha? What? You can sing. You have a skill set. (I don't like Kara. There, I said it.) Paula: You're crazy? Your delivery, its sweet its tender. I'd like the teriaki chicken now. Simon: I think you looked as if you were half asleep. Randy: You used the serious Anoop dawg. Michael Sarver - from Jasper, Texas - was sick, didn't go to Detroit. But Smokey came to him. Smokey said his performance was a little weak. Again, pretty much this ENTIRE group makes me feel like I'm enjoying the Lido deck on a Carnival Cruise line. I wouldn't jump off the boat and swim away out of hatred, but I wouldn't rush the stage, either. They bore me. I blame Kara. I've decided it's her fault. You can't talk me out of it. Paula says it sounded Las Vegas lounge-y. "You really need to be driving that song...and not let the reverse happen. I'm sorry Michael, I love you very much." Simon: I have no idea what you just said...Michael, I couldn't wait for it to end. Ouch. He said Michael has no shot at winning with that vocal. "That was below par." Randy: The song was too big for you. Dawg. Kara: blah blah blah artistry. I'm chewing my own face. blah blah blah Lil wants to do "Heat Wave." It's actually a good choice for her. Smokey loves it. Whoa...Lil Rounds with Brill Building hair. Dude. And now she's kinda off. She's really off. But Paula's dancing...or maybe she's got gas. As for Lil...thanks, but can you move over slightly so I can reach the crabcakes on the buffet before the ship shuts it down? Randy: This song for me for you....the front of the song was torture for me. It wasn't the right kind of song for me for you. Note to Randy: That syntax is crazy awful. Kara: You look great. Blah blah blah. You're a diva...If you don't nail it this week....blah blah blah Hold on! I'm enjoying the sound of my voice right now, so quit booing me. Paula: I disagree completely. I do agree with the fact you look beautiful...Like I heard a song for the very first time. Simon: It was an authentic tribute to Motown. It sounded like it was too fast. I don't think it gives you a moment. Simon says she's one of the best singers of the competition. Bar is low. Adam (who alternately makes me want to stab myself in the eye with a pickle fork and applaud), is singing "Tracks of My Tears." Holy crap. He looks...normal...Not like he ran away with Pete Wentz's flatironed hair. Adam cleans up well, and this is easily heading toward the best performance of the night. It's low-key, nonbombastic, and his experience is showing here. He may be this season's David Cook, which could at least make things more interesting. And he gets a standing O from Smokey. Kara stood up. Kara: One of the best performances of the night. Blah blah blah... Paula: you have that gutted instinct...I love the clean look. Very handsome and classy. You are it! Again, she didn't tag him, so it's not the game, I guess.... Simon: It was THE best performance of the night. You tonight really have emerged, to me, as a star. Randy: You can pull it down and straighten it out... Now it's Danny Gokey. He's gonna sing, "Get Ready." Smokey gave him some advice about not letting the backup singers do the heavy lifting. Which Gokey ignored, apparently. I think Smokey was right, and has what - a bajillion years of experience in arranging and songwriting and Gokey just sang in front of Mariah Carey's guitar player, a song writer and a woman who once danced with a cartoon....but sure, DIY, Gokey. Paula: You undeniable, always reliable...something something week? Weak? Simon: I thought that was clumsy and amatuerish. Randy: It wasn't your best performance, I loved the energy. Kara: blah blah blah danny fan. Allison is gonna sing "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." Dear Allison, Kool-Aid is not a hair color. Did she get dressed in the dark? Or maybe Scott dressed her. "Does this make me look stupid, Scott?" Scott: "No, I don't think you look stupid at all." Really, Allison and Adam are probably the strongest contenders, in my opinion. That child has a set of pipes on her, if she can get away from my personal pet peeve (the Mariah Finger Z in the air), I'll love her. Randy: You're one of the dopest singers in this whole thing this season. Kara: Oh My God. blah blah blah America..singing for 400 years...blah blah blah...you can't teach that! Look at me! Paula now has a mustache, apparently drawn by Simon. "You are awesome...you belong in the competition...." Simon: You are a survivor. That was really one of your best performances you've ever done. Dear lord...did anyone get a screen shot of Kara and Paula looking like a pre-makeout, Skinamax thing going on? And finally, who goes tomorrow? Who's your bottom three? I'm thinking Sarver, Scott and possibly Matt or Lil. Comments are open!

Someone really has a hate for...

Rod Dreher. Apparently a recent post on homosexuality has really peeved Instaputz.

Ruh-Roh

So now what?

Wherein she takes a brief break from the salt mines...

Sorry for the delay in posting - actual work began eating into my time to write. I promise to get cracking in the next few days. In the meantime, in light of city council candidate Charles “Chazz” Redd's newest campaign photo, I give you a new list of people now qualified to run for Dallas City Council: 1. Sylvester Stallone 2. Chuck Norris 3. Harrison Ford 4. Frank Drebin 5. Angelina Jolie 6. Lt. Dan 7. Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore 8. Stewie Griffin Can you think of any more? Comments are open.

Lazy Weekend: Easy Chinese Chicken Dinner

This makes enough to feed five field hands, a basketball team, or two people for three days of dinners. Since ordering Chinese food in the same amount would be cost prohibitive, try this more economical option instead. Easy Chicken Chinese Dinner 3 boneless chicken breasts, rough chopped into cubes 1 small or ½ a large onion, rough chopped into cubes 1 cup of fresh mushrooms, sliced 1 can of bamboo shoots, drained 1 can of water chestnuts 1 tsp of garlic powder ½ tsp of cumin 1/8 tsp (in other words, a light sprinkling) of red pepper flakes 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp soy sauce 2 tbsp olive oil or peanut oil, or corn oil. In other words, oil. 2 tbsp corn starch 1 ½ cups chicken broth Any other veggies, in ½ cup increments – broccoli, carrots, bell pepper. Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok. Add chicken and onion, and cook until chicken is browned on all sides. Add mushrooms and any fresh vegetables, cook for about 10 minutes. Add garlic powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, lemon juice and soy sauce, and stir. Add water chestnuts and bamboo shoots, stir. Cook for about 5 more minutes. While that’s going on, mix the corn starch and chicken broth in a container you can seal – then shake it until you don’t see cornstarch on the bottom (a jar works well). Pour slowly into the pan at medium heat, stirring and being careful to not let it clump up (if it does, just add a teaspoon or so of broth or water, and stir some more). You probably won’t use all the mixture, because you’ll need enough room to stir. When the mixture has thickened, take it off the flame. Serve with rice.

Lazy Weekend: Italian Turkey Meatloaf

This meatloaf recipe is low-fat, nutritious, and really good the next day as a sandwich meat, with a little marinara. I usually serve it with a salad and some kind of risotto or pilaf. What's nice about it is you can put it together the night before, and then pop it in the oven about an hour before you want to have dinner. It's great any time of the week because of that, but it's also nice on the weekend, because it basically has five ingredients. Italian Turkey Meatloaf 1 pound ground turkey meat 1 package Jennie O Italian Sausage, spicy or hot ½ cup grated romano cheese (reserve two tablespoons) ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning 1 8oz can of diced stewed tomatoes, drained (reserve ¼ cup) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray loaf pan with olive oil spray. Mix turkey meat, turkey sausage, seasoning, cheese and tomatoes, then form into a loaf in the loaf pan. Drizzle on the rest of the tomatoes on top, and sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top. Bake for 45 minutes. (Note, if you're pulling it out of the fridge after making it the night before, you may need to adjust how long you bake it. Trial and error, my friend.)

Lazy Weekend: Glorious Morning Bread (Or Muffins. Whatevs)

The nice thing about lazy weekends is the fact that sleeping in is the vital part of one. You wake when you want, and automatically feel hungry. This quick bread can be whipped up in a total of about 35 minutes or so (unless you're a slow reader, and have a shaky grasp of basic units of measurement - in which case, you need to be studying, not reading blogs), and is so good you'll forget it's also nutritious. Yes, I do start with a muffin mix from a box. Sure, you can start from complete scratch, but that would be work, and then it's not a lazy weekend. Glorious Morning Bread 1 box bran muffin mix (I prefer Hodgson Mill's version, which can be purchased at Central Market) 1 egg 1/2 cup milk 2 mashed bananas 1/3 cup real maple syrup (don't be a putz and use stupid Karo or Log Cabin. Not. The. Same.) 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 cup golden raisins 1/2 cup finely shredded carrot Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour (or be a smart person and use Baker's Joy) a loaf pan. Mix the egg and milk together, then add the mashed bananas, then the maple syrup. When blended, add the muffin mix and cinnamon. When blended, fold in the carrot, and then the raisins. Pour into your loaf pan. Bake for about 20-30 minutes, checking every five or so after 20 minutes by sticking a toothpick in the center. It's done when the toothpick is dryish, but make sure you haven't hit a banana piece or something.

Not Really, Not At All

I've been informed by a few regular readers of Frontburner that their much ballyhooed change will be the announcement that I've been hired as editor. My official response: Nope.

Not a Promising Sign

When even a former president can't get his paper delivered properly by the DMN, what does that bode for the rest of us? It seems that Laura Bush has told People that their neighbors are bringing the paper over every day, because the DMN has been slow to deliver it.

They even have to rely on the kindness of friends to get the local paper. "The only thing we don't have are the newspapers. It has been slow to get The Dallas Morning News delivered," she says. "People bring the newspaper to us later in the day. It's just not being delivered yet."

What, pray tell...

Have I been e-mailing about that caused Gmail to throw this up on my screen?

Obama's on the Telebizshuns

And I shall live blog. We're gazing on MSNBC, which is rolling out a people meter. Wonkette is advocating drinking your way through this. 8:02 p.m. - SCOTUS walks in. Ginsburg is so not dead. Suck it, Bunning. 8:03 p.m. - Olbermann points out Ginsburg is here. Chris Matthews says you have to be careful when you talk about someone's health. 8:04 p.m. - Can I just say Michelle Obama is kinda smokin' tonight? Are you supposed to be smokin' for the whatever address of the whatsis this is? 8:05 p.m. - Bang Bang Nancy's wooden hammer goes down on someone's hand! Cabinet is walking in. OK, seriously, when did Hillary Clinton start walking around with that wide eyed, just-been-goosed look? And I'm sorry, Vilsack sounds like something else. Something more juvenile, something near nether regions of men. IJS 8:07 p.m. - Rahm Emanuel is in the hizzie! Please, please, please drop an F-bomb, Rahm! 8:08 p.m. - Chris Matthews says that his embargoed copy of Obama's speech has him trying to step away from his inherited shitstorm, and doing something else. Indeed. He's supposed to say if he had been president earlier, none of this shit would've gone down, and we'd all be bricking our homes in bars of pure gold. WORD. 8:10 p.m. - Note to Olbermann: Reckoning is not a strong, dangerous word. Regurgitation is a strong, dangerous word. Flatulence is a strong, dangerous word. Pregnant is a strong, dangerous word. Now Obama's been introduced. People are touching him. This is why I could never be president. I don't want 40 freaking people rubbing on me. It also puts the kibosh on a porn career, btw. 8:13 p .m. - Awww...big hug for Ginsberg. Olbermann is marveling on the kiss between Obama and HC, and how crazy astronaut diaper lady crazy that is. 8:15 p.m. - Obama speaks. People clap. Congress glad they didn't approve Bush's suggestion they install this in chambers. A bit of confusion about who's supposed to talk first - Pelosi or The Obama. 8:17 p.m. - MO got the giggles when The Obama introduced her. How cute. BTW, Pelosi - the costume department from "The DaVinci Code" called, they want their monk outfit back. Obama says we're in a recession. Obama says we'll rebuild and recover. Everyone claps! Woo! Recover! "The weight of this crisis won't determine the destiny of this nation." Unless everything continues to go to hell in a handbasket, and China forecloses on us. 8:20 p.m. - I do not like the people meater. There is no meat, and no people. Just red and blue lines that don't do anything. Oh noes! The country flatlined! Get the cart! 8:22 p.m. - Lenders suck, Obama says. Good news: Obama wants to find everyone a job. Bad news: It may involve the phrase, "Do you want fries with that?" Woo! Economy something something investment something act is now law! The Republicans won't get up. Obama gave them the stink eye. Guess who's getting flaming bags of poop on their doorsteps tonight? Apparently, bipartisanship only works when the Republicans are in charge. Wee! Tax cuts. But they're for poor people, so the Republicans don't like them. McCain is looking at Obama, and his blue line went down. That sounds dirty, which makes it sound way more interesting than it actually was. Basically, nobody likes you, John, and you should just get over it. 8:26 p.m. - Obama is going to kick Tom Leppert's ass. 8:28 p.m. - Obama says the banks are fraidy cats, and he's going to have to make them wet. Or something. Honestly, I was busy watching Pelosi make faces. Business loans for entrepreneurs. Finally, I can start that newspaper. 8:29 p.m. - Americans can refinance their mortgages, unless they're speculators or dumbasses. 8:30 p.m. - Wall Street is gonna have to put on their big boy pants, and deal with the fact that banks won't be getting no-strings bailout money. Finally, Republicans stand and clap. Pelosi is totally doing sudoku back there. 8:32 p.m. - Bush's bailout sucked major donkey butt, and Obama's bailout is better because he's not going to govern out of anger, and he's gonna solve the problem. Or something. Bailout is "not about helping banks, it's about helping people." 8:34 p.m. - Utopian Economics for Dummies. Obama wants to reform the outdated U.S. regulatory system. And he wants to reduce national debt. He's going to submit a budget to Congress, or a vision for America. It's not going to solve every problem, so go get the cheese to go with your whine. 8:37 p.m. - He wants to be a catalyst for free enterprise, something something. New Deal! FDR! NEW DEAL! He's focusing on energy, health care and education with the budget. This makes everyone happy in the chamber. Yay! Basically, the U.S. is stupid because we don't promote clean energy, and America should lead in this instead of letting China do it all. Or Japan. Or wherever. He wants to build the bat-trees here, you dig? Clean energy needs to be profitable. Wants to do cap and trade on carbon, like those crazy Canucks. Pelosi's crazy rolling eyes are bothering me. Auto industry won't die, because it can't. So there. "This is America. We don't do what's easy, we do what's necessary to move this country forward." Health care expenses cause bankruptcies. People are losing their health insurance. Jill Biden is worried. Health care reform is important. Everybody is up and clapping. "A-hole. That was my idea. Good luck with all that, these are crazy bastages," Hillary Clinton is clearly thinking. 8:44 p.m. - Obama's gonna cure cancer. "Shit," every congressman just thought, "He wants me to work.Next week? WTF?" Obama says health care reform must not wait another year. I think I heard Hillary Clinton snort. 8:46 p.m. - People have to go to college to get jobs. It's a prescription for economic decline, Obama says, because other nations are freakin' smarter than us. Obama wants to educate your baby in utero. Obama wants us to commit to a year or more of higher education, so he doesn't have to be ashamed of us. "Dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It's no longer quitting on yourself, it's quitting on your country." Play the patriot card! If you volunteer, we'll send you to college. The something something bill is named after Orrin Hatch, who looks kinda surprised, and Edward Kennedy. Everybody loves that. 8:51 p.m. - The National Debt is bad. Everyone applauds. "See, I know we can get some consensus in here." "With the deficit we inherited" somehow gets everyone up and clapping and cheering. Schumer wet himself. 8:54 p.m. - we're rooting out waste in senior citizens. That's all on you, Obama. If your family makes less than $250,000, you wn't get a tax increase. You'll get a tax cut, bitches! Ooh...not everyone gets up and claps. Will go back later on the replay on CSPAN and find out which legislators hate poor people. 8:57 p.m. - Obama says he's gonna examine both wars, and find a way to leave Iraq to its people. Everyone claps and stands again, and the camera pans on McCain, who clearly thinks, "Crap, they like that. FINE, I'm standing." Yay! Soldiers! Big claps! Standing O for soldiers. Budget increases the number of soldiers and Marines, and expands care and benefits for vets. Obama ordered the closing of Gitmo, and says we have to be an example. "Living our values doesn't make us weaker, it makes us safer and it makes us stronger... The United States of America does not torture." Unless, of course, it involves pre-empting a night of TV to make old white guys stand up and sit down repeatedly. 9:02 p.m. - The eyes of peoples are upon us, but the camera is aimed at Chesley Sullenberger. Inspiration comes from ordinary Americans. Bank dude gave his $600,000 bonus to the people who worked for him. He gets a standing ovation. Greensburg, Kansas, is being rebuilt to maximize green energy. Tornados provide opportunity. Michelle Obama is sitting next to some kid at some South Carolina school Obama visited where a train goes through it 11 times a day and there's no roof. She typed a letter to Congress asking for help. "We are not quitters," she said. And now she gets a hug from MO. And a standing O. "Every American sitting here tonight loves this country and wants it to succeed," he tells the chamber. "Crap," all the sitters think. "Way to make me look like a schmuck, Barry." Is Pelosi smiling because she likes what Obama's saying, or because he's done? 9:08 p.m. - God...he's done. Am I liveblogging the GOP Fungasm to follow? No.

My deep breath of the day...

Jai Ho - Slumdog Millionaire (English Subs)
Uploaded by aka71691

Re: What Say You, Dallas?

Like I said, not a bad idea.

So True...

Dear Sons of Hermann Hall,

or, for that matter, anyone who knows anyone there: Please call me back. Please. Please? Hugs and Kisses, Me

MoveOn: Cornyn "Hanging Out with the Arsonists"

In my inbox today, comes this latest beg for money from MoveOn.org. Only this one's directly targeted at the constituents of one John Cornyn, the Texas senator who decided to be in New York instead of at a stimulus cloture vote. Apparently MoveOn is gearing up to launch an ad lambasting Cornyn for that decision. In part, the e-mail said:

In the midst of an economic crisis caused largely by Wall Street greed, our senator skipped this week's vote on the stimulus plan so he could meet with—wait for it—Republican donors from Wall Street. Sen. John Cornyn wasn't just fiddling while Rome burned — he was actually hanging out with the arsonists. He showed us that congressional Republicans aren't fighting for their constituents who got laid off or watched their retirement savings disappear or lost their health coverage. They're just looking out for their big-money corporate friends.

So guess BOLO that ad, and let us know if you hear it on the airwaves around here. A sneak peek is here.

Dear Various and Assorted Handwringers:

Michael Phelps took a bong hit. There are pictures of it on the Internets. I know this has caused untold amounts of consternation, and even one oblique tie-in to the Mexican drug cartel. But for a second, let's forget the "Just Say No" vs. Woody Harrelson statistics and medical reports and such that throw into doubt exactly what kind of life-wrecker - or scotch on the rocks on a Friday night - marijuana is. Everyone feels they have equally compelling arguments for and against, and it's not really the reason all the brouhaha was stirred up to begin with. Let's address another issue - all these people talking about how he's a role model. OK. His feats this summer were amazing. But he's also 24-years-old, and due for a few mistakes. I would think parents - at least the kind that think about it for a second - would see this as a teaching moment. I would also think that we'd all rather have a fallible role model that admits his mistakes and deals with them honorably and gracefully than the alternative. The very definition of role model implies it's someone you can emulate, someone you can follow. Who here can actually be perfect - or even wants to be? So why do we expect our role models to be perfect? But more importantly, I submit this for your consideration: If your child starts smoking marijuana because Michael Phelps did it, is the problem Phelps is a bad role model, or that you're a bad parent?

Please, Less Talky-Talky, More Music, Grammys

I wasn't gonna live blog this, but it's come to my attention that whoever is writing the Grammys is actually writing in verbal diarrhea. I think they hate famous people. It's the only thing that explains the horrible, horrible solo banter I was just subjected to by Dwayne Johnson, formerly "The Rock." Making him recite the lyrics to Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl?" Really? And while U2 rocked it, I have to say I found it vastly amusing that Al Green got tired of that whippersnapper Justin Timberlake taking over HIS song, and began engaging of some vocal acrobatics that left the poor former NSyncer screaming into his mic. So far, they've given out one statue - Best R&B album, Jennifer Hudson. It was presented by Whitney Houston, who I swear used to be able to open her eyes wider. So now you're caught up. And there's Simon Baker, who looks just like Buddy Holly. Uh-oh, and you're Mary Tyler Moore. He introduced Coldplay, and thankfully, didn't talk any more than necessary. And may I just say thank jeebus 60 minutes came on before the Grammy telecast to tell me that Coldplay is an awesome new band, and its lead singer is married to some actress named Gwyneth Paltrow? It's what all the kids are listening to today! Keith Urban says something about Gene Autry winning a lifetime something something. NOT AN ACTUAL AWARD. Grammys, you've been on for half an hour now, and you've given ONE AWARD. Seriously? Urban also introduces Carrie Underwood, who raided both Stevie Nicks and Princess Leia's wardrobes, pulled a Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink, and came up with uh, that. She also has a blinged microphone. I'd kinda like the mic. They're gonna make Sheryl Crow and Leann Rimes speak something heinous off the teleprompter. Oh yay! Another award. Freakingfinally. Country Duo/Group Performance with Vocals - "Stay," Sugarland. Jennifer Nettles was cute - pointing to her mom and mouthing, "This is my mama," to the camera. I also have to warn you people - due to some DVR thing I have yet to completely comprehend, I'm going to stop everything at 8 and watch Desperate Housewives. You'll be on your own. Feel free to make snarky comments, or not. If it's still on at 9, I'm sorry. OK, so Coldplay just won song of the freakin' year for "Viva La Vida." Sure, great song, but can we let someone else win? Like Adele? Or Estelle? or not Coldplay? Have these people heard "Chasing Pavements?" The lyrics are GOLD. Now Kid Rock singing something southern rocky, shocking, I know. Kid Rock makes me want to shower. I mean, I just did, and I feel greasy five seconds into this medley. I need to bathe.... Oh. Yay. Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus. I. Cannot. Contain. My. Excitement. I think we also have just realized who is the better singer. Ms. Cyrus - less "goofy faces," more vocal training. Miley looks like she's in pain, too. I think it's because she can hear herself. It's also four minutes til I go DH, then perhaps I'll come back at 9. Mock liberally in the comments, if you like, as I said before. OK - one more thing from Twitter, courtesy Ana Marie Cox: " anamariecox RT @sissenberg: "Miley Cyrus doesn't impress me, but I acknowledge she'd be cute if she fell down a well." (Welcome Sasha who is HILARIOUS.)" Made me laugh out loud.

What Say You, Dallas?

In a time of budget shortfalls in Dallas, all that irritation about Dallas becoming a nanny state with its raft of smoking bans may dissipate like so much Marlboro smoke, experts say. According to an Associated Press article today, many municipalities that just last year were discussing smoking bans or beefing up existing smoking bans have tabled the discussion because of the possible drop in tax revenue that would come from masses of people receiving just one more reason - besides saving money - to stay home and cook and drink as opposed to hitting a restaurant or bar for a night out. In other words, there are some cities out there that have decided that a wholesale ban of smoking could be knee-jerk and ill advised. Sure, the ban makes some constituents happy, but you know what makes more constituents more unhappy? Not having city services they've become accustomed to, or seeing those services reduced because of budget concerns. Long Beach, Calif., is mulling over the possibility of easing restrictions it already has in place. Kansas is finding passing a smoking ban to be a contentious issue. And, as the AP article explains, Atlantic City, N.J., Colorado and Wyoming are also having longer discussions about possible bans. I still say that cities are missing a huge revenue opportunity. Instead of banning smoking altogether, why not create a smoking establishment permit. It could be a set, uniform fee - or a fee based on a percentage of yearly or quarterly receipts. The permitted restaurant or bar can put their certificate near the entry, which alerts nonsmokers who feel strongly about it that it's an establishment that allows smoking, and they can choose to go elsewhere. The permit could possibly even be contingent having extra ventilation. It seems like it would be a way to make nearly everyone happy, and even help generate some additional revenue for the city. It also allows the businesses to make the decision themselves to allow smoking, and allows patrons to make up their minds themselves about where they'd like to eat or drink. Anyone else have any suggestions?

How To Save Your Newspaper

On Time.com today, Walter Isaacson has an interesting piece on the state of the newspaper biz. His take? Sooner or later, newspapers are going to have to ask their online readers to pay for content. And he validly points out that naysayers should think about other industries that have managed to get their users used to paying for online content - for instance, Apple.

He says: In addition, our two most creative digital innovators have shown that a pay-per-drink model can work when it's made easy enough: Steve Jobs got music consumers (of all people) comfortable with the concept of paying 99 cents for a tune instead of Napsterizing an entire industry, and Jeff Bezos with his Kindle showed that consumers would buy electronic versions of books, magazines and newspapers if purchases could be done simply.

Its an intriguing idea, I think. Isaacson goes on to talk about the fact that newspapers could likely charge a nickle per article, or even a slightly higher fee for all-day access, or a whole newspaper's worth of articles. So what do you think? Would you be willing to pay for something like what Isaacson describes?

Lazy Weekend: How to Roast a Chicken

So today, I was thinking that perhaps we could talk food. See, I like to cook - a lot. But I also like to read books, catch up on the ol' DVR, and being lazy. Weekends especially tend to beg for that.

Ideally, you can do both, if you pick the right thing. Saturday or Sunday can be your lazy day and your impressive feast day if you just pick things that can be cooked with little supervision, for a long time.

So this week, I'll tell you how I make a roast chicken that looks quite lovely, tastes even better, and doesn't require a lot of kitchen time. You can serve it with a nice salad, or go completely homestyle and make mashed potatoes, gravy, and a veggie or two, depending on how deeply you wish to plumb the depths of your inner sloth.

Perfectly Roasted Chicken

Roasting chicken (a whole fryer will work, too)

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp dried rosemary

1/2 tsp lemon pepper - not the neon yellow kind, but the kind you can buy at Whole Foods

1 lemon, quartered

1 small onion, in eighths

1/4 cup olive oil

First, you need to take anything that might be in the cavity of the chicken out. Then rinse chicken with cold water, inside and out, and pat dry with paper towels before preparing.

Lightly salt and pepper the inside of the chicken. Put the lemon and the onion inside the cavity, then tie the legs together with twine. Any leftover onion or lemon can be placed in your roasting pan to flavor the juices.

Brush (or spray, if you have one of those fancy olive oil spray doohickeys) a very light coating of olive oil on the outside of the bird and put it in the roasting pan. In a bowl, mix the salt, pepper, lemon pepper, rosemary, garlic powder and onion powder together. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the chicken.

Roast at 350 degrees for 2 1/2 hours or so, depending on how big your chicken is. I like to look for the legs and wings to be falling away from the bird. Tent some aluminum foil over the roasting pan for the first 1 1/2 hours, then take it away so the skin can get crispy. Baste every half hour to 45 minutes, using the pan juices (the first baste may not have enough of that, so use some olive oil. Yes, I know butter may be what your granny uses, but I don't have time to give advice on performing your own angioplasty.)

Take the chicken out when done, and let rest for about 10 minutes before slicing.

The Method: The lemon in the cavity works as a steam cooker, which means the chicken stays extra tender and juicy. This whole thing will also work well on a turkey. When I do that, I double the amounts on the spices required, and use oranges instead of lemons.

The nice thing about this is that leftover meat can be used for soup later that week, or even the next day in quesadillas, chicken fettuccine, salads, or fajitas.