12. Lacy Brown
11. Tim Urban
10. Aaron Kelly
9. Paige Miles
8. Andrew Garcia
7. Michael Lynche
6. Katie Stevens
5. Didi Benami
4. Lee Dewyze
3. Casey James
2. Siobhan Magnus
1. Crystal Bowersox (winner)

Theme: Rolling Stones

Initial Thoughts: Don’t get me wrong, I love the Rolling Stones. Iconic band with amazing songs. However, I’m a little worried about tonight’s episode being completely boring. I’m not sure why, just a feeling. I think this is going to be a hard theme for certain contests to master. I digress…

Michael Lynche Miss You – I love this guy and I love his voice, but he HAS to stop dancing. When he’s stationary and working the microphone he’s kind of sexy. But when he’s dancing around on stage he looks like the State Puff Marshmallow Man! Regardless, I think he’s got mad skillz and a cute baby. An above average performance but nothing I was wowed by. Score = 7

Didi Benami Play With Fire – I really thought this was incredible. I really think she seems more comfortable on stage now and totally believable. I know some people can’t stand her, but I think she’s THE BALM! Score = 8

Casey James All Over Now – Ok. Sigh. I’m so not on the Casey James wagon. Or should I say, I’m not all over his jock like Kara. I think he’s reasonably talented but really not that great. I wonder how comfortable he’d be with the guitar? I felt like this was a very safe choice for him and at times the vocals were pretty weak. It wasn’t horrible, but meh. Score = 5

Lacy Brown Ruby Tuesday – This chick is getting so old to me. I never really loved her, but everything she does sounds the same! There wasn’t a ton of melody to the arrangement, so she couldn’t show much off. There is nothing wrong with her vocals, I just got very bored with this and am getting increasingly bored with her. Score = 4

Andrew Garcia Gimmie Shelter – I think he was a few notes away from having a really fantastic performance. There was something weird when he was singing “war children” and I’m thinking he might have been off-key briefly. It didn’t seem to work with the backup vocals. Regardless, I really enjoy him and think it was a decent performance. Great in spots, not so great in others. I hope he sticks around. Score = 6

Katie Stevens Wild Horses – This was pretty nice. That’s really all i have to say. At times it was sleepy and boring, but overall it was alright. She doesn’t inspire or excite me, but she’s a very talented singer. Score = 7.

Tim Urban Under My Thumb - I do have to give him some props for doing something a bit different with the song. However, it was pretty average. He doesn’t have a commanding voice and he knows this, which is why I commend him for doing something that will show off his talents. However, I think that’s only going to last him a little while before he gets sung right off the stage by the powerhouses. Is tonight is night to go? Score = 5

Siobhan Magnus Paint It Black - Wow. Love it or hate it, this girl has pipes. I’m actually a big fan. I don’t want her to do Screamy McScream every week, but it’s nice to hear what she’s got. She still makes weird faces when she sings, but I can get over that I suppose. Can you? Score = 9

Lee Dewyze Beast of Burden - I can’t help but love him. He’s personable, cute and has an amazing voice. I love his tone. He’s also got some Chicago connections, so I’m rooting for my boy! I really think he’s improved the most out of anyone. He’s a bit more confident and commanding and I really hope he stays around a while. I also have a mad crush on him. Score  = 8

Paige Miles Honky Tonk – I really enjoy her and want her to do well. I liked the song choice a lot better than past choices. Had her voice been 100% I think she would have nailed this one. All things considered, she was pretty tight. Go Paige. Score = 7

Aaron Kelly Angie - So it really wasn’t terrible, but I feel like people like him more than they should. I didn’t think it was anything spectacular. However, he’s young and inexperienced and will probably get better. I don’t want to hate him, but I found this performance a bit sleepy and boring. I dunno. He is a cutie though, and quite endearing, so I can understand why no one wants to dog him. Score = 6

Crystal Bowersox You Can’t Always Get What You Want – I still think she’s the front-runner, but I’d agree with Simon: She totally lost the night to Siobhan. That being said, I’m pretty sure she’ll be around until the end. I’m predicting her to win it all. Great song choice, pretty nice delivery, but nothing crazy good about it. It was pretty safe and predictable in a lot of ways. Still, I love her. Score = 8

Bottom Three Prediction: I’m going to go with Lacy Brown, Tim Urban and Katie Stevens for the bottom. I’m guessing Lacy will go home, but perhaps someone like Tim Urban as well. When there are 12, anything can happen as the votes are saturated. Look for perhaps a surprise castaway like Andrew Garcia or Michael Lynche who might have been swept under the rug by the girls.

In case you wondered, the really amazing sausage, egg and cheese thing in a croissant from Dunkin Donuts is 16 points! UGH! How many times have I ate that little bitch? Regardless, I’ve had a few very successful weeks and I’m feeling pretty good. Saucy, really. I know things will slow down and the next 14 pounds will be a bit harder, but 16 is more than I had hoped for at his point!

1/26/10     5 lbs
2/2/10        2 lbs
2/9/10        1 lb
2/16/10     2 lbs
2/23/10     2 lbs
3/2/10        0 lbs (boooo)
3/9/10        2 lbs
3/16/10      2 lbs

Total:           16 lbs

Sorry for the lack of updates! This week I weighed in and lost another 2 pounds. That puts my total loss at 12 pounds total. I’m pretty happy with Weight Watchers so far and am hoping my progress continues. Something I learned this week: Chipotle is deceiving. I got a burrito bowl, hoping it would be healthier. The whole thing was 19 points! I had chicken, black beans, tomato salsa, lettuce, cheese, quac and sour cream. Now, Obviously the points are in the last three right? I had it again and took out the quac and cheese and it became 13 points. That’s still a lot of points! The rice and beans pack quite a bit of calories. Chipotle always seems healthy, but it’s quite dangerous as you can see.

Anyway, here’s the breakdown of weekly progress.

1/26/10     5 lbs
2/2/10        2 lbs
2/9/10        1 lb
2/16/10     2 lbs
2/23/10     2 lbs

Total Loss  12 lbs

I need to send a little love in the way of my boo Jason Mraz this week. If you aren’t aware, Jason picked up too (very much deserved) awards this past weekend. Jason one Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for Make it Mine and Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for Lucky (with Colbie Caillat). I’m so excited for him and send congratulations and love through the ether-waves/blogosphere/whatever. If you know me, you know that I have a bit of a love affair with him. I also read his blog and you should probably do the same.

Congrats Jason! Above is Traveler/Make It Mine from his live dvd recorded in Chicago. I was, of course, in attendance.

I should have blogged last week, but didn’t. Oops. As you might remember, I have a current goal to lose 30 lbs before my 30th birthday. I’m using weight watchers with coworkers as my catalyst. I’m happy to let all of you know that last week I lost 5 lbs after my first full week with weight watchers! Today was my second weigh-in and I lost an additional 2 lbs.

I’m pretty happy with the results so far. Weight Watchers, to be honest, isn’t terribly difficult. I have just found that I’m more deliberate about my eating, the time I eat and definitely what I eat.

As a “diet,” I certainly don’t feel hungry or even like I’m on a diet.If you’re thinking about Weight Watchers as an option, give it a whirl.

1/26/10     5 lbs

2/2/10        2 lbs

Total Loss  7 lbs

I wrestled with whether or not I would write about this. Ultimately, I feel it might help me hold myself accountable. So here goes. I joined weight watchers (OMG I said it). A few people from work wanted to do it and I promised I’d join in the fun if they did. Well they did. If you know me personally, you’ll know that I’ve gained a little weight since I quit smoking almost 3 years ago. It’s been extremely gradual, so most have barely noticed. However, I have gained 30 pounds in the last 3 years. No joke.

As I look the ripe age of 30 in the eye, I can’t think of a better time to get back in shape and stay healthy. So my goal is to lose 30 lbs, before I turn 30 years old. It’s a very achievable goal, as I have 6 months to do it. I weigh in every Tuesday (doing it online and not going to meetings) so I’ll update on here every week. I’ll try not to go to overboard with the weight loss talk, but I’m kind of excited.

As many of you know, I’ve been taking piano lessons for the last 4 years. I also took when I was younger, but the gap between caused me to lose a bit of skill. I’m starting to get more confident playing harder pieces, which has been delightful.

Regardless, today’s “ditty” pick is a bit unconventional, but I wanted to share a bit of the classics with my peeps. Beethoven has been a favorite of mine for a long time, especially his sonatas. I’ve recently grown a strong liking to the Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31, No. 2, especially the third movement. It’s commonly known as The Tempest. All three movements are wonderful, but I have a tendency to go crazy for Beethoven’s third movements. I’m not sure why. The above video is Wilhelm Kempff (one of my favorites) playing the third movement. Gorgeous!

I’ve included the other two movements after the jump. Listen to them in order if you feel so inclined.

1st Movement

2nd Movement

There are many theories floating around about why the above picture is reality. The ultimate irony (and not the funny kind) is that a Republican replaces Ted Kennedy’s seat in a year in which health care reform could be stalled by a single vote. This reform, as you know, was something Kennedy fought for, for years.

I won’t spend a ton of time talking about this election, but I certainly hope the DNC does.

“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

-Psalm 46:10

I draw my ears, my eyes, my heart and my soul to the devastation present in Haiti. Like others (I imagine), the images we’ve seen are very hard to swallow. I’m left feeling helpless as I watch hundreds of thousands of displaced people seeking the aid of the world. What is one to do when helping seems so insignificant. I’m reminded of the hymn, Be Still My Soul, when I’m longing for answers to questions that seem completely out of my grasp.

As I make health kits through the United Methodist Committee on Relief and donate to the American Red Cross, I still sit here wondering what else can I do. I’ll certainly find ways to continue to help through various organizations, but is that it? Will that suffice? Perhaps all that is left is stand still, and pray. I can do that.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
sorrow for forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

God bless the people of Haiti, those who have perished, those who have survived and those who have lost everything. God bless the people of the world for their prayers, their aid and their hope.