My K-Box - 27 April

Out of boredom, I've recorded two songs with a little help from technology :)
- Mariah Carey's Bye Bye
- Jennifer Hudson's I Am Changing from Dreamgirls OST

The Equation of Success

** Two things **

#1 - Love it!
#2 - Absolutely love it!

That sums up how much I love E=MC². Was supposed to get it on the 15th itself, but too busy with work and all other things, but finally bought it on Friday and I've been listening to the CD non-stop! I'm totally addicted to E=MC² now, I feel like wanting to be familiar with all the songs so that I can sing with the lyrics in my head.

The first thing I heard the moment I load in the CD was her signature high-pitch vocal in Migrate, a perfect introduction to my E=MC² journey. That's for sure will annoy the shit out of the haters, but but I love the way it all started. Migrate and Touch My Body are probably not the best tracks because I grew to love MORE of E=MC². Personal favorites include:
- Cruise Control
- I Stay in Love
- I'll be Loving You Long Time
- I'm That Chick
- Bye Bye

These are the perfect synergy of Mariah's ballads and the fresh, groovy R&B tracks. I'm That Chick in particular is a catchy track blended with the 70s beat. Absolutely gay, love it the first time I listened to it. I'm sure this would be one of the tracks that goes to the DJ, making the queens scream and alive at Marketplace.

The album closes with the last cut I Wish You Well, another worth-mentioning track in E=MC². Beautiful, beautiful piano ballad with a clever layering of gospel-tinged vocals and Mariah's octave leaps. Reminds me of Fly Like A Bird from the previous album.

Well, this is it. The album that I'm waiting for. While I'm having a perfect time with the E=MC², I'm very upset with the quality of the packaging... thanks to the local printers and manufacturers. The cover of the one I'm having is torn, and the poster has obvious and very bad folding marks. Swear it really looks like either it has been opened before and someone has got no clue how to fold things back, or the local manufacturers use banglas that can't fold banana leaves for nuts! Definitely exchanging it for a new one...

Muka Macam Congkak

Let's blog in Malay :)

Pernahkah anda melihat muka orang macam congkak? Bayangkan kulit anda gelap dan kasar seperti kulit pokok, serata muka dipenuhi lubang yang cukup besar untuk mengisi tujuh biji getah... Tontonilah Congkak untuk gambaran yang lebih jelas.

Siapalah yang dapat menjangka bahawa saya sudahpun menonton Congkak, sebuah filem seram tanahair yang baru bermula tayangan pada hari ini.

Sebenarnya, saya amat tertarik dengan filem ini selepas dijamu trailer yang memaparkan aksi-aksi menghalau hantu. Apalagi dengan filem seram buatan Malaysia yang dikatakan semakin matang dari segi penyampaian, dan pada masa yang sama filem Cina dari Hong Kong bertambah buruk.

Ceritanya begini - Kazman dan sekeluarga pergi bercuti di sebuah rumah yang terletak di kawasan perkampungan yang agak terpencil. Setibanya di rumah tersebut, pelbagai peristiwa ganjil berlaku, termasuk anak dirasuk hantu, anak yang seorang lagi syok bermain congkak, terserempak dengan nenek yang nampaknya tidak pernah bertukar baju dan sebagainya. Sehinggalah seorang pakcik yang kebetulannya pandai menghalau hantu datang menyelamatkan ahli keluarga Kazman daripada diculik hantu.

Memang ada kebenarannya. Kualiti filem Congkak bukan sahaja jauh berbeza jika dibandingkan dengan hasil produksi filem tempatan lain, tetapi juga menggabungkan special effects dan adunan bunyi yang cukup berkesan bagi mengejutkan para penonton, terutamanya tangisan hantu yang cukup seram.

Barisan pelakon pula agak memuaskan. Saya berpendapat sedemikian mungkin kerana tidak menaruh harapan yang tinggi sebelum menontonnya. Maklumlah filem buatan Malaysia tidak patut dibanding dengan filem Hollywood.

Bagaimanapun, jalan cerita dan adegan tertentu masih boleh diperbaiki. Ceritanya sebenarnya amat ringkas. Cuma dipanjangkan dengan adegan suspens supaya penonton terkejut secara berterusan. Congkak (dan nenek yang bermuka seperti congkak itu) cuma sebahagian kecil sahaja, padahal keluarga Kazman diganggu oleh pelbagai makhluk halus dengan alasan bahawa rumah tersebut dibina di atas tapak di mana pelbagai upacara pernah dijalankan. Saya kira, upacara ilmu hitam. Ini agak serupa dengan filem seram Thailand "The House".

Ada bahagian-bahagian tertentu yang tiada tujuan atau penjelasan munasabah. Contohnya, Kazman memerlukan panduan ke rumah tersebut dan bertemu dengan seorang makcik. Isteri Kazman kemudiannya mendapati bahawa makcik ini telahpun meninggal dunia dua tahun lepas. Tiada perkembangan langsung berkenaan makcik ini seterusnya. Selain itu, kenapa mereka perlu menghadapi dugaan sebegini? Sebab tak puasa? Sebab tak sembahyang, atapun kerana keluarga ini tidak alim pada agama memandangkan anak-anaknya tidak memakai tudung?

Pada pendapat saya, unsur sebegini perlu diperinci lagi supaya cerita ini dapat diperkembang dan membentuk plot yang lebih mantap. Sekadar memeranjatkan penonton tidak mencukupi. Suspens perlu dibina bukan sahaja dengan penggunaan teknik tertentu, tetapi di dalam cerita tersebut.

Rujukan terbaik yang mengandungi unsur ini tidak lain tidak bukan filem-filem seram dari Thailand seperti Shutter. Bukan sahaja dari segi mutu cerita itu sendiri, tetapi cara penyampaian dan perkembangan plot yang begitu kreatif sekali. Filem seperti ini juga selalunya memberi sudut pandangan yang berlainan dengan perspektif yang wujud di masyarakat kini. Seringkali mencungkil daya pemikiran penonton dan mengganda perasaan ingin tahu sepanjang perjalanan ceritanya, sehinggalah penjelasan yang selalunya mengaitkan beberapa peristiwa dan memberikan penamat yang di luar jangkaan.

Apa yang bijak berkenaan cerita Congkak adalah penggunaan tema yang berkait rapat dengan tradisi masyarakat Melayu Malaysia. Bagaimanapun, seperti yang dikatakan, congkak cumalah sebahagian kecil daripada filem ini. Ada juga adegan atau skrip tertentu yang agak lucu seperti, "Anak aku dah hilang. Bini aku tengah terapung..." said Kazman ketika bercakap dengan bomoh penyelamat.

Selainnya boleh dirumus bagi menyampaikan pengertian bahawa makhluk halus dan penunggu memang wujud. Dalam erti kata lain, mesej dan nilai cerita Congkak boleh diperkemas lagi. Walau apapun, Congkak merupakan suatu hasil yang agak membanggakan. Inilah titik tolak bermulanya peralihan zaman bagi filem seram tempatan.

Somewhat Accurate?

Went to Facebook today and tried out some personality tests. Pause right there. Why would people need personality test in the first place? We should know ourselves well, true? Or is it just one way to reaffirm that what we're doing, how we're behaving and what we're thinking are alright? I would be bloody lying if I say I don't need that. Sometimes, I just need some reassurance, especially during times when everything doesn't seem to be right, when I'm feeling helpless and the direction I'm seeing is only one way, the same old way i.e. pointless.

Anyways, back to the personality test. I've taken (and removed) numerous tests people created on Facebook, but I have to admit that this is a special one. It gives me a stronger reassurance of who I am, and I tend to agree with it.

Idols Pimped

It looks like the show knows exactly who to play-up and who deserves more attention from the stylist. There's an obvious difference between Carly Smithson, who wears nearly the same shit every week, shocking audience with her 99cent worth sleeveless T and David Cook, who has cool jackets, matching hairstyles and a more vibrant-look week after week.

To be honest, David Cook didn't really shine throughout the first few weeks. That was when he wore on the most ridiculous clothes and hairdo. It might come from his own selection and if that's the case, I must say his fashion sense is then worse than Carly. Until his originality came across strongly to the audience, this man suddenly looked like he had an overnight cosmo-surgery transformation or some sort. He's actually quite hot.

Don't know if AI pimps certain contestants that they believe have the potential to win, but I seriously think they do. Katherine McPhee is a very good example. I remember that she used to wear the kind of jeans and Simon Cowell-T that mothers wrap on before heading on to Carrefour, and in the middle of the competition, she started showing half of her boobs and, even accidentally revealed her thighs.

You see... favoritism is something we have to live with all the time, everywhere we go. People just have different idea and perception about certain people for some unique reasons. If they like you, then things will get a lot easier. If they don't like you, you may end-up dreaming about this person trying to run you over with a truck. And when that happens, we always wonder if things would eventually become better... sometimes I do try to work it out, but there are certain times I feel worth giving up.

Back to the competition - so I guess my perception towards Cook has changed. In fact, I do believe that Kristy Lee Cook isn't that bad after all. She has improved week on week and we all feel that she's trying very hard to stay as long as she could afford to. On the other hand, Brooke, one of my personal favorites (a-ha! favoritism) has been very inconsistent. I still couldn't get over with the horrible performance she did couple of weeks back. True enough, although David Archuleta did really good (and still cute), she can bore me to tears. That sums up my favorite contestants for the week.

The rest, oh well... that afro has to go. Michael Johns' high note was one of the freakiest sounds I've ever heard on the tele. David Cook had the worst performance on par with Carly Smithson, and Jason Castro's Somewhere Over the Rainbow was just okay, no big deal and I didn't like that version at all.

Wonder if they've received it...

EVERY SINGLE year I've been trying to make an excuse and get away with Cheng Beng, but never once it was a successful attempt. That's one thing you can't escape living in a conservative family. This day of ancestor worshiping is like one of the major festivals among the Chinese, during which you would see Chinese drivers congesting the main roads. The kiasu families would leave the house as early as 5:30am to beat the jam, and mine was just one of those.

Panoramic view

Grandpa's graveyard

Nothing particularly different this year, except the cemeteries actually looked cleaner. People from the maintenance agencies went from one graveyard to another to collect RM30, so that we don't have to do major gardening the next year we return. Last year we paid, but ended up still have to clean-up. Honestly, I really couldn't tell whether the graveyards were being cleaned-up, or it was just my family that is as anal as I can be.

Belongs to my grandma

My youngest uncle, whom I've never met before

It's actually quite a fun exercise, considering we only do it once a year. Imagine being able to do some gardening, put up flowers, offer some food to your ancestors, sit down and catch-up with your relatives, look around at other families and see if there's any hot stuff hot enough to lose their shirts, while munching off the chicken drumstick your ancestors may have licked on... like a wonderful picnic. Not to mention, it's the only time when you can do open burning and litter wherever you want, without getting caught. The only thing I hate about it is to do all these things under hot burning sun and the jungle trekking part. Seriously, hate it.

Check out the sun!

Spotted a unique ant nest

Sometimes, I wonder if all these are real. Do our ancestors receive the things we courier to them via fire-transfer? What about the paper-clothes we burn, would there be a hole on the shirt if it isn't completely burnt? What about the money? Is it OK to burn those money or burn a bank draft instead seeing that in real life we can't send money via post? What about that food we offer? Do our ancestor really raise out from the grave and sit besides us sniffing the half chicken we are having? If that's their home, where is hell and heaven? What do they do there when it's not Cheng Beng? Does my grandpa talk to the one buried next to him? Anyways, who came up with all these stupid questions?

My great grandpa at one of the oldest cemeteries

It's Small world Don't be surprised if you happen to bump into your friends (who are still breathing and alive) at the cemetery. A few years ago, as my sister and I were lazying around while others worked to death just like the usual case, my sister said, "Na paet (pondan) on a race..." As I turned around, it was my friend and indeed she was running with a sissy boy. I kept quiet, but she continued, "Na paet lost already looooo..." Indeed, she was way behind the sissy boy. This year, I managed to capture photos of the track where she used to run. It was an abandoned area then, but now it looks like someone's going to turn it into something else. Well, no luck in bumping into her this year, coz she's definitely coordinating to avoid being caught again... Sigh... what was Cyrus doing, I wonder. And I shall dedicate this blog to her. :)

Pondan marathon happened here...

Looking >>>> Forward >>

Equation of a Great Record

There are just so many things that I'm desperately waiting or hoping to happen over the course of a month. At the top of my list of course is none other than the release of Mariah Carey's E=MC². It will be out on April 15, and boy I'm totally hyped out about it! Just reading the exclusive reviews gets me even more excited:

"Overall, it’s an accomplished effort and we reckon it will follow in the footsteps of her last album by becoming a massive worldwide hit,"
-- E=MC² Review | Mariah Buzz

"Though E=MC² feels extremely safe, there’s enough variation to signify some artistic growth... It’s only now that Mariah has worked up the courage to really spread her wings,"
-- Exclusive! Mariah Carey E=MC² Preview | VH1.com

Bangkok: Here I am, Once again

I'm going to Bangkok again. That's second on my list. If you think I'll be getting wet and ugly, partying with water there, you're absolutely wrong. I'm going to give Songkran a miss for the time being. Had it twice, and I feel the second time wasn't really that exciting anymore - plus, I lost one of the most expensive phones in the market there. Can't see how much fun I could brought back from the last trip.

Anyways, this time around, my journey will include watching Siam Niramit, one of the most grandiose plays taking the audience to a tour through Thai culture and history. Reading through the website reminds me of "The King & I" play I watched at Istana Budaya last year. Apart from that, of course, I'll be taking my retail therapy and shopping crazily for CDs, movies (Seasons Change, Ghost Station, Love of Siam), handcrafts, my camphor's running out of stock, and... facial and perhaps a daily dose of massage would be fantastic. Not so hadap for the club-scene really, but fancy to explore new bars.

Clown for the Managers
Next week, all managing consultants across offices from Asia Pacific will be here in Malaysia. I was tasked to provide them with some entertainment, putting together a sketch which involves everyone in the office. While we've got the idea to spoof one of the most popular talk shows on earth, but haven't really shared it with the rest of the team. The biggest challenge is to get that particular person to carry the most important role, but I'm not exactly sure if he would say yes to it. Asking a straight man to drag? And it feels like a lot of pressure doing this kind of thing because it involves other people's time and we don't know what would the managing consultants feel after watching it. Would they be insulted? Surprised? Would they enjoy it? Well, we'll see...

Tell me what you want, what you really really want!

Finally, the long traumatic wait came to an end. I finally got my official Spice Girls merchandise! It's a Spice Boy T-shirt! Uh-huh, slam yer body down and zig-a-zig uh.

Bought it from the online store at the girls' (or mothers) The Return of the Spice Girls tour like 2 months ago. I waited for 2 weeks, it didn't arrive, I started to get a bit worried. So I sent an email to the online shop operator, but there was no reply until 3 days later saying, "Your order has been posted last week and you should be receiving it soon." No greeting, no tracking number, no expected date of arrival, nothing. Another month passed, not a word from them. So I decided to throw BF and slapped them with this:

"It has been nearly a month now and I still haven't received the product I've ordered. Can somebody tell me what exactly happened to my package? How long does it need to take to arrive an unpopular country like Malaysia? How difficult for the package to be shipped? Is there any shipment tracking number I can refer to? Or was it being returned from the custom coz a Spice Girls t-shirt is not allowed in my country? And lastly, all I care about is the exact date when I can expect the order to arrive. I trust that the company is using a reliable courier service that can provide you with all these details. I'm beginning to wonder if this is all scam from the start... Pls explain."

No news until I send another short but not quite sweet note, "What's happening to my order???????????" Then I got a respond giving me (ohh, finally) the tracking number and indication of the date they had it posted. When I checked with Pos Malaysia, the shipment was already being returned back to Germany, where it all started, due to incomplete address. I was like, oh my fugod do I have to go through all of that again? Der dumme Deutsche actually put the house number, at the back of the Street. For example, instead of "No: 3, Jalan Jerman Bodoh", it became "Jalan Jerman Bodoh 3".

Another email weagain giving them my address, follow it and not mess with any of the alphabets or numbers. With all that, I finally got it. It looks cheap. Like one of those 'She's A Bitch' with an arrow pointing left 100 Thai Baht T-shirt from Chatuchak market, but I Absolutely love it!

I wouldn't have bought it if it's not just for the nostalgia, coz I love Spice Girls that I swear I will fly to the nearest most affordable country to watch the reunion concert (given that Beyonce was warned to cover-up in Malaysia hence her concert was canceled, I think Mel B and Geri would never ever going to be here unless they have their breasts removed). Too bad, they've made enough money to cover their milk powder and gotten tonnes of luxury bras and panties for life.

I am truly disappointed with the fact that the whole tour sounded like a half-past job, no commitment to their fans kind of thing. Whatever it is, we can't change anything, but in my humblest opinion, their solo careers flop to disaster. No matter how much I love them as a group, I'm not necessarily crazy over their solos. Come on, Victoria never had a 'career' in singing and yet looks like someone's wife people call a disease patient, Mel B lost her recording contract, and the No: 1 spot on Dancing with the Stars despite doing quite well, Geri was alright only with her one-gay-hit-wonders, Emma's Downtown probably gives Petula Clark heart-attack and more wrinkles, and last but not least... Mel C... she and her endless "focusing on my solo career" is all fantasy.

They should just get back together, stay the same, do more fun stuff, earn more money, and... hire Paula Abdul to choreograph their videos...???!!

Time to Evolve

Out of loneliness and boredom, today' I've decided to change the layout of my blog. Big deal, it's an evolution.

Face it. Things are changing. People have changed. Judging by the results of the election, we are about to see more changes, which I believe something that people of the country is hoping to achieve. I'm not gonna dwell on that. To me, I don't really care. Even if the opposition wins, it's not like they're going to recognize our Angkasawan Negara marrying the man of his life tomorrow.

Anyways, while working on the new layout, it just got me thinking about how much life has changed . Of course, there are a list of things I'm proud of. However, recently I see a difference in the dynamic of my friendship. It's one thing that I feel tough to make myself comfortable with because it is one of the things I treasure most in my life. And it's affecting me.

Back then, we used to hang out together almost every night. There were so many things to talk about, or even if nobody's talking, it felt like the communication still exists. It's all different now, just because of a silly drama happened just before CNY. Everyone are so rigid in the way they say things, for fear of offending others. Everyone have to take into consideration other's feelings so much. Just a wrong choice of word would end up stepping on the sensitive side and someone's temper. It's becoming like work - if I say this, what would the client think? How would the client respond, and what would be my best answer?

Well, yes... even friends need to be careful with words, respect each other and be a little more understanding. As how we've been through. But as I keep doing it, for about barely 3 weeks now, I just feel things are not real anymore. It's fake that I couldn't tell you that I don't like hanging out with you seeing the father-just-died kind of look in your face! It's so fake that I have to apologize for what happened and take the responsibility of making you feel better. It's absolutely fake when I have to call you and pretend that everything is OK and we are moving on . It fucking fake when I have to accept it that you need more time to regain the cheer in you?!!?

Obviously, things have changed. I don't know if it's just me, but all I'm hoping to know is that if you are going to continue to behave like this. I can't take it, I don't care about the rest of them, but honestly, why should I call you a "best friend" anymore when you don't even care how difficult it is for me to put up with this nonsense?

Our relationship have certainly evolved - net friend -> friend -> clubbing kaki -> just friend -> buddy -> best friend -> BFF -> more than just BFF -> a pissed off BFF -> ??? Whether it will come back as a cycle, or progress into another form altogether... frankly, I am giving up hope. Unfortunately, not everything will come back to how it used to be. Exactly like my blog. The moment I save the new template, the old one is completely wiped out.

Perhaps, I've underestimated the fact that the reaction of one person - attitude, behavior, everything - could change the unity of a friendship. Which brings to the conclusion that I am not that person.

Worst Top 12 in AI History

Top 12 Emerged.

To say that the results were surprising, I don't think so. And I really feel the quality of the contestants have gone down so much. They are inconsistent, giving America and fans around the world mediocre, if not ridiculously terrible performances. Carly Smithson (who was named "Lying Heifer" by VoteForTheWorst), Michael Johns, Kristy Lee Cook, Chikezie, David Cook, Syesha Mercado... oh dear, these people are bad from the very beginning. These are crap. Just feel that their only role in AI is to be eliminated. Man, how I wish the show would just pull a Donald Trump's stunt firing these jokers all at one go in the boardroom. Now that is what I call surprise.

The most disappointing contestant to me is Ramiele Malubay - I expected so much from her, but her performances so far were like my asshole trying to make the last dump. It feels good, but halfway through the last bit just get stuck, you just have to wash it off. Pity! And boy, she was fake I can't believe it - when Danny Noriega was eliminated, she took away the entire show and cried until the end. Come on, did somebody just died? Really fighting hard for airtime.

I think I can never accept the rocking nurse for what she is. When I imagine trying to sing the way she does, I feel like constipated. And her hairdo, especially the one she had 2 weeks ago, that is what I'm going to wear if my office ever throws a Halloween party.

One thing I find surprising this year is that the good ones are actually quite boring. David Archuleta is excellent, but too much of her mellow side would seriously put me to bed. Once a week, is a lot, can get overdose. Brooke White was exceptionally great in her last 2 performances, she surprised me. However, if she does the same acoustic thing again next week, she will be in the same list as the losers for not showing how much a versatile singer she is. And I'm still disgusted by Jason Castro's hair.

Now, the star of the week - David Hernandez - gay stripper, big deal??? She has this gorgeous body and look that every gay men wouldn't mind having on bed just for one night. But honestly, she was inconsistent as well, and I really think "It's All Coming Back to Me" wasn't an ideal song for her. Too much screaming. Now that the sissy sassy Noriega is gone, the gay votes should turn to Hernandez. Who knows, when she's famous we'll get to see a lot more skin than what's available on the Internet today.

American Idol Top 24 Kicks Off

Gents: Second Half of the Show Tells It All

The men get to show off first this time around. Sometimes, I feel all competition needs a winner so they don’t pick 12 best singers for the same show. If he’s good, that one’s good and all 12 of them are good, then the show won’t be exciting anymore. All good comments from Simon Cowell will definitely make AI a lame show, which explains his blunt criticisms and insults to the losers are my favorite source of entertainment.

I didn’t manage to catch the first half of the show, but there were indeed some good (and I mean averagely good) ones. Though, I find the male finalists this year were rather gayish. A few of them, should go with the ladies.


The Mardi Gras of American Idol
Championing the Queen of AI07 title from last year’s AJ Tablado was Danny Noriega, singing Jail House Rock with her "swagger" and "attitude". What'-ever! Simon was right – she screwed up the song, Elvis would probably wake up from his grave hearing that. She annoyed me so much when she tried speaking like one of the Dreamgirls, and came out attempting to “bring the house down” with that kinda song. Come on, there are a bunch of gay singers out there – Elton John, George Michael, Steven Gately – she could easily do one of their songs, do it better, be honest to America and nail it.

Garrett Haley appeared as another confused gay who probably lost her identity in front of the camera. Honestly, she really looked scary with that kind of 1980s hairdo. She’s exactly like the same species of Steve Tyler that speaks like Michael Jackson, sings like N’Sync, attempting a Britney’s hit. The whole package is soooo wrong. No idea where she gets the inspiration, but I’m convinced that she wanted to perform Renee Olstead’s Breaking Up is Hard to Do cover, instead of Neil Sekada’s. Don’t lie, girlfriend.

As for 17 y/o David Archuleta, she was better than the rest of the male (and gay) contestants, but I thought she was only average. There were some glitches here and there, and one part of the song was obviously inaudible. She’s young and cute, appears very confident on-stage, shy, but the way she nudged Ryan Seacrest with her elbow was soooo gay! I bet gay viewers are spending more time on the Internet Googling for her profile and photos, or checking out her Myspace by now.

Best of Both Worlds Never Exist
That said, I find Jason Castro’s performance was quite original and different. However, his hair was the most disgusting thing I saw on tele that day. There could be bugs hiding in there, and other contestants who stand beside him would probably get a taste of the smell – of unwashed hair. Michael Johns on the other hand has a manly look, but I thought he was overdoing the song. The screaming was unbearable to me. 29 y/o Luke Menard too (what a lucky bitch his wife), but unfortunately he delivered the worst performance. Yet, he claimed that he would be remembered. Well, he was right in a way, I remembered him for the wrong reason.

The rest of them, though there was a cute one, I couldn’t really bother keeping track considering that Archuleta’s performance which was nothing near Elliot Yamin’s first performance, was termed by far the best of the night by Simon. And the spastic contestant whatever his name is... forget it.

Ladies: Too Much of Underwood
Thanks to www.rickey.org, I managed to catch up on the ladies' round. Well, I must say that I am very disappointed with the quality of the female finalists this year. The white chicks out-sang the black divas... What happen? And there were just too many of them got carried away thinking that they're Carrie Underwood or something.


Nevermind the singing, Kristy Lee Cook appeared as a boring version of Carrie Underwood in need of help. Alaina Whitaker on the other hand has a pleasant voice, but she was pulling cheap votes just because it was her birthday, making her look like Carrie Underwood without brains and breath. Kady Malloy though sounded powerful, but unfortunately she forgot to switch off Carrie Underwood impersonation that night.

Carly Smithson - nope, not Underwood, but she looked like Cher screaming in front of her mirror when her powder cracks. I must say she has the best voice among the rest, but doesn't really know how to put it to full use.

Original My Foot!
Apparently, nurse Amanda Overmyer was appreciated as the one with the most originality. If she comes to my ward giving medicine, I would probably scream, or press the button and request for another nurse. The term 'originality' seemed to get more and more subjective as I continued watching. When Paula said to Brooke White "originally", I went like, "where?" Come on, if I keep hearing the song she sang that night and it still reminds me of a chicken nugget commercial, that's no originality.

Where Have All the Black Divas Gone?
Somehow, I have extremely high expectations on black female contestants. Fantasia Barrino, Melinda Doolittle, Jennifer Hudson, La Toya London, Mandisa, Paris Bennett. These people had truly set the perception that black equals soul, powerhouse, solid, quality! Unfortunately, that was not the case.

Asia'h Epperson was described best of the night. I don't know, she sounded like she over-cried the night before, causing stuffy nose. Oh my, why am I not surprised. I totally forgot about her father. I believe Syesha Mercado can do better, but she just need to control, control, control! And that afro hairdo gotta go coz they don't stay very long in AI history - Jennifer Hudson, Nadia Turner, Suzy Vulaca. On a contrary, Alexandrea Lushington was... a little bit unique, in the sense that it wasn't powerful when she pulls a high-note, which was not a black-singer standard. Just, weird. The best so far was Ramiele Malubay, but I expected more from her not forgetting that she's tagged with a 'race' too. Solid, stable, consistent performance. Not bad for a petite size. Just hope that she didn't end-up like Jasmine Trias.

Some Sense Out of America
As I was checking out the results, finally saw some sense out of America. I think Joanne Borgella deserved to be voted out because the screen is always a limited space for viewers. Needless to say Colton Berry and Garrett Haley were just two weird things that came into AI by accident. Amy Davis, who cares about her singing? Everyone was paying attention to chick's hot family member! Wonder who he is, so cute!

Let's hope for the best for next week.