Only Hope

I think it kindda sucks if you are born on February 29 because let's face it your real birthday only comes every four years and celebrations in between are symbolic only. If I was a kid and I would find out my birthday only comes every four years I would be devastated. after all who wants to be present deprived for three consecutive years. lol

So, I must be crazy or at least that's what the song says, I am singing a Patsy Cline classic in my own way. Let me know if you like.

Vote for me on Bix.com!

This week I am highlighting my very own beautiful niece Marya. She was nice enough to sing with me the other day and she even recorded a few on her own. This is one we always request from her, she sings it so beautifully. Don't you agree?



T.G.I.F

Top 20

Last week I hit it right on the nose with my bottom two predictions for the girls. The guys came close and yet both of my bottom two are still alive. Let's see how I do this week.

Once again, the guys pulled through and did a heck of a job. Other than Danny Noriega whom I can't stand and Jason Yeager whom I think is kindda boring (count them as my bottom two) I once again will keep:


David Hernandez, "mi chica" picked him without even knowing he is from Glendale, Arizona. She said she really liked the way he sang and I too think he did really good. I think he has a good shot at advancing to next week. I'm telling you we need those parties at Westgate as they had them for Jordin last year. Fun, fun, fun.


But if what I saw last night is any indication of what is to come, then David Archuleta is clearly establishing himself as the favorite amongst male voters, definitely has the granny and mom vote, and totally having the girls scream to no end I think it's safe to assume he has the girl vote. For the second week in a row, he is my #1 pick to be our nest AI.

I'll be back with the girls in about an hour or two after they come out.

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OK, I am back and let me tell you the girls were all good but if some must go I have to pick both Alaina (I look like Carrie Underwood) Whitaker, and Kady Malloy. My favorite did not wow me tonight but she will go through so the two I really liked tonight have to be:



Brooke White may not have a chance to go all the way as I don't think she will build a big fan base but tonight she did great and I truly hope she goes on to next week.



I am not a fan of Whitney Houston or Celine Dion, nope don't like them but I am a fan of Asia'h Epperson and even though she took on a Celine Dion and I thought to myself "Why did she have to go and do that?" She is such a great singer that tonight she was my favorite.

So there you have it, that is American Idol as I saw it this week. I wonder who your favorites are?

Scattergories

Did you ever plan the game of Scattergories? It's a lot of fun, and here is a way to play in on your blog.

"SCATTERGORIES" ...It's harder than it looks! Copy and paste into your blog and try it!

**Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following --they have to be real places, names, things ...nothing made up! You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.


What is your name...........................Jose
4 Letter word....................................Join
Vehicle................................................Jalopy
City......................................................Jerome, Arizona
Boy Name...........................................Jeremy
Girl Name...........................................Jasmine
Alcoholic Drink...................................Jose Cuervo
Occupation..........................................Judge
Something you wear..........................Jogging Suit
Celebrity..............................................Jennifer Lopez
Food......................................................Jambolaya
Something found in a bathroom........Jars
Reason for being late...........................Jacked Up
Cartoon Character..............................."Joe Cool"
Something you shout...........................Jerk
Animal....................................................Javalina
Body part...............................................Joint
Word to describe you............................Joyful (If I don't say it, who will)

Nope, no tags from me, I just chose to do this because I saw it in Wanda's blog. It was harder than I thought, there were some answers that took me a while. It was pretty fun thought perhaps you'll want to try your later and see how you do.

The Baby Shower

So, my daughter's baby shower was yesterday, I said before that to me a baby shower equals great food, he, he, he. Yesterday's menu did not disappoint either. Pozole, rice, re fried beans, enchiladas, and beef. The chips and salsa and plenty of drinks too. (No,no booze) it's a baby shower after all.

My daughter is a member of a website called "The Knot" many of her friends came over plus of course a lot of family members came too. We already know that she is having a little girl, and trust me after last night this little girl will not be needed clothes for like the next year or two. Boy did she receive presents.


As you can see, the chips and salad bar was a popular stop

As most of you may already know, the new baby will be grand baby number seven for "mi chica" and I. What a joy and what a gift to see all of my grand kids running around the house, they love coming over and for us it's such a treat to have them. I just don't see my life without any of them.


Grand kids showing grandpa some love

No matter how you slice it, if you can't count on family and friends, who can you count on? The atmosphere thought the day was one of happiness and joy. I am an expert at guessing the size of the belly and yesterday was no different, I took my guess and won... well that was before "mi chica" disqualified me, something to do with you can't compete because you always win. Ummmm!


You ask how do I win so much, simple I either use the following equation:
Or the more simple approach of using your own belly. OK, actually the second is the one I use time and time again and I just keep winning.

So all in all, a great time was had by all. A big thanks to "mi chica" who did all of the cooking. The food was absolutely delicious and I think it's safe to say we all gained a pound or two by the end of the day. But the biggest winner is the coming baby, she received more clothes than she'll be able to wear in a year.

Unforgettable

This week is all about the duets. I tell you, technology is just such a great thing. MusikMama from Florida posted this song on her page and left it as an open invitation to duet with her. I really love this song and accepted the invite by filling in the blanks and the following is the end result. Should you decide to click on it and actually listen to the song let me know what you think.



Hey, they fixed the spell check which for some reason had not been working for the past two weeks.

This one I posted the song in my site and Rebeca in Panama took the challenge and filled in the blanks creating this very nice duet. Too high for me as Marc Anthony's voice is higher than mine and the tone is set for people with his particular tone. I tried my best and after a few tries I opted for this rendition.

Rebeca is a very accomplished singer and has a huge variety of music both in English and Spanish. Hers is one of the best voices I heard so far. For more of her songs click here.

Alaina Whitaker

Alaina Whitaker's birthday is today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! So, I don't think she has a chance to go all the way, everytime I see her interviwed or performing I get this feeling that I am watching Carrie Underwood. Maybe I am the only one that sees this or maybe not, I just think this definitely going to be her downfall. I just can't stop comparing her looks to Carrie's.

Am I alone on this, or do you see the same thing I am seeing.

What do you think? Let me know your oppinions on this.

Top 24

PART I
THE GUYS

Not my favorite but he is cool enough. Besides he is from our home town and so I gotta root for him. We need more parties at Westgate.



So far this is the top male candidate to go really far, unless he forgets the lyrics or something like that I think David Archuleta will be around for a long time.



Without a doubt there is a lot of talent this year, the guys all proved to be pretty cool but I have my bottom two already. If you can't accept criticism you will be gone faster than you can blink your eyes. Chikezie lost his cool in the first sentence Simon threw at him. If he happens to stay for next week he'll have to bring down the house, or else Simon will bring him down.

Danny Noirega (no relation to "mi chica's" side of the family)-- (((lol))) -- This kid is out of here. Just my gut feeling, I don't think he has the girl vote or the guy vote for that matter. His only chance is the older audience and I don't know if they'll even vote for him.

Well let's see how it goes tomorrow.

PART II
THE GIRLS

As expected the girls did pretty good. I think the flu got to Simon and clogged his ears, granted some where better than others but didn't deserve some of the harsh critizism he gave them. But that's what makes Simon Simon, and let's face it Randy and Paula can give them accolades but if Simon crushes them that's it, to this contestants that is the crutique they wait for, they know that his is the one that will make them or brake them.

Here's my favorite performer of the entire show by a mile and then some. This girl can sing and actually outsang everybody else, in my oppinion not even Carly Smithson a heavy favorite came close.



Here's another favorite of mine, I think she will go far in the competition too. I am sure her father is with her cheering for her. Pretty emotional video, enjoy it.



So there you have it, those are my picks for this week. I know you are wanting to know who my bottom two are. Without a doubt Amy Davis and Joanne Borgella, unfortunately thanks to "Vote for the worse" will make sure some of the less talented contestants survive another week, while better talent is eliminated but I am hoping for the true votes to make the decission.

Tidbits of Nothing

So today in the news, Blu-ray is in and HD DVD is out. What does that mean to me? Absolutely nothing, I still don't even own a HD TV so it makes no difference to me. I for one kindda don't like the clarity of the image on the TV, although they are very clear actually nice for scenery and things like that when it comes to showing people you can see the tons of make up the have on, you can see the pores in their skin, the pimples on their faces it's just too much. Not even real life is that clear. When is it enough? Alas, I will have to buy me one in a year or two.

Actually I still own, my Sony Beta VCR and I have a healthy amount of Beta Video Cassettes. Talk about stuck in the past. lol I wonder if it's worth anything, it was released during the olypics in L.A. and it came with special olympic badges which are still pretty much intact. Just one of those things that makes me go Hummmmmm!

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Tonight is the beginning of the real American Idol competition. America aided by Paula, Randy, and of course Simon will start deciding who will go and who will stay. Three days of American Idol are still not enough, people claim that they are fed up with the show, and the judges but the numbers don't lie. American Idol continues to be king of the reality shows. I don't have a favorite yet but I wouldn't be surprised if the women start dominating like they did last year.

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Prison Break's season finalle was last night, now they are going to make us wait half a year or so to see what will happen. I hate when they go on hyatus. That is the beauty of the Mexican telenovelas, they have a beginning, a middle, and an end, and other than leaving you wanting for more on a daily basis, they never make you wait months at a time to see the next episode.

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The Weekend

Mi chica and I are adapting rather well to being all by ourselves, after so many years of being with our kids and then the last three years with our kids, their kids and their husbands our happy household of 9 is now reduced to a very happy household of two.

Do I miss the screams, the fights, the nagging etc, etc, etc? Yeah, I must admit I do, but can I live without it... hell yeah! It's good to have some peace and tranquility. So far the kids are doing fine and finally learning to make it on their own. When I need my grandkid fix, I bring up the pictures in my computer and call them. Not the same as having them there with me but it'll work.

Our Saturday started quiet but mi chica and I decided to go out since the day was absolutely beautiful. We did a WalMart run to buy some escentials, then off to eat to our favorite Mexican restaurant, then off to pay some utilities, buy some water, stop for coffee at McDonalds (mi chica loves Mickey Ds coffee), then went to Circuit City to browse for DVD although we winded up admiring the new TVs and bought no DVDs, and then back to the house.


This is my beautiful niece Marya singing a couple of songs for us.

Sunday, my sister her husband and my niece came to visit. They had been wanting to come as see how I do the karaoke thing on the computer. I got them to sing some songs on line and they discovered that it is not hard at all and it's actually fun. They got some fans instantly. My sister brought food and between her and mi chica they cooked this chorizo and groud beeg dish that was pretty delicious.


"Mi chica" and my sister enjoying the recordings.
By the look on their faces they must be listening to me sing. lol

We totally had a great weekend, good fun, great food, and awesome company. What else can we ask for.

Latin Music Day

I recently met Jezie over at bix and was surprised at how well she sang. She has to have one of the best voices there, then I also found her over at SingSnap and the amount of songs she has there would take me a long time to listen. So I scanned a few and picked some of her songs in Spanish. I narrowed it down to this song because I think she did such a good job on it and it's a fun song that people can dance to. I figure today will be Latin Day so please take a listen and enjoy.

Since I just met her not too long ago I'll just let her tell you a little bit about herself.

Hi! I am a mother of 2 wonderful children with Cystic Fibrosis. My kids come 1st before any music career that I may have in mind. Before children I was singing in differnt bands and going to school for Music Education. I play 13 different instruments and I am teaching myself to play the guitar, which is different for me since I am not a string player. I am in love with a wonderful man, who supports me 110% in getting back into music and so do my children. They are my life! :)
PS. I finally got me another MYSPACE addy, I had cancelled my other one. Had to get one cuz sending mp3's to prospective bands was becoming a pain in the butt. Sending them to this website is so much easier LOL. Please check it out, it is still under construction but add me to yours if ya got one and I will add as well!! Please and Thank you!! www.myspace.com/jeziez :)

While Jezie sang a sort of techno nortena with a twist of TexMex, I decided for a typical Ranchera. This by the great Vicente Fernandez. I was having problems with the volume conrols so the sound may not be the best but you'll get the escence of the song just the same.

Kindness Pass It On!

So today is St. Valentine's Day to most know as a day to express love and friendship. Like everything else we should celebrate this day all year long, we all know tha this world needs love and friendship to be spread all over. There is an organization that may be worht looking into, it's called ACTS OF KINDNESS and they have a website www.actsofkindness.org

Not a new idea or a new concept but something worht considering nevertheless. It pays to be kind, plus it will give you that warm fuzzy feeling that your inner person always yearns for.

Here are some of the RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS that anyone can perform at any time and they are relatively cost free. Please feel free to Pass It On!

Give a flower -- Eat Lunch With Someone New -- Listen To Your Heart -- Visit a Sick Friend -- Clean a Neighbor's Walk -- Offer a Hug -- Give An Unexpected Gift -- Make a New Friend -- Pick Up Litter -- Say "Hello" -- Call a Lonely Person -- Open a Door -- Help Carry a Load -- Plant a Tree -- Pass a Kindness On -- Buy's Someone's Meal -- Cheer Up a Friend -- Thank a Teacher -- Give Blood -- Read To a Child -- Do One Kind Act Every Day -- Leave a Thank You Note -- Offer Your Seat -- Tip Generously -- Be Tolerant -- Let Another Go First -- Bake Cookies For Emergency Workers -- Tutor a Student -- Give a Compliment -- Pay The Next Driver's Toll -- Lend a Hand -- Give a Balloon To a Child -- Offer a Ride -- Celebrate The Day -- Respect Others -- Encourage a Child -- Walk a Dog -- Do a Favor -- Forgive Mistakes -- Drive Courteously -- Share a Smile

As you can see, there is no shortage of options and the outcome should always be the same, the goal is that you feel as good to pass on kindness and you may if you receive it. We have to start somewhere, so over at your end let it start with you.

No act of kindness, however small is ever wasted. ~ Aesop

Have a happy St. Valentine's Day.

Race Car and a Free Lunch

Something to do while on your lunch hour! They say God works in misterious ways, this morning I forgot to get my lunch from the refrigerator, two wonderful ground beef, bean and potatoe burritos that "mi chica" made me last night. I hate fast foods and sometimes I rather skip lunch if I don't bring some home cooked meal.

So, it seems I am not going to starve after all. For starters there were some goodies in the kitchen this morning when I came in. Cakes, pies, muffins etc., which along with a coffee they hit the spot. Then one of the trucking companies I use invited me to go check out their NASCAR race car. They are going to have the car and car hauler on display in a nerby company.

While there, they will feed us and probably throw some goodies our way as well. So for now this is part one of a two part post. I will let you know how it went later on in the day.

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R+L Racing
17
Ford Fusion

Matt Kenseth


OK, so now I am back an with a full stomach. Sandwiches with chips and soda pop was the menu. Not bad at all, specially since we were hungry. They did have the Ford Fusion on display along side the car hauler which by the way is pretty impresive too. I took a few pictures so enjoy some of them.

Super Bowl Table

LOL - Here's my attempt at decorating our dinning room table for Super Bowl Sunday. What do you think?

Shakespeare Works

Richard Wells (The classical actor), Toni Jourdan (The smart actress), and Jospeh Nenesh (The contemporary actor).



My sister in law sent me an email asking if we were interested in attending one of the many free activities at the Avondale City Hall Amphitheather. The City of Avondale offers a series of free concerts in a setting that is 100% designed for the complete family. While the concerts are held every third Thursday of the month this event was the first of it's kind and it was held Fridy night.

The name of the show was "Shakespeare Works an Introduction". While their little story was going to be based mostly on "Romeo and Juliet" they were to introduce excerpts from "Midsummer Nights Dream", and "Henry V", and "Hamlet".

Here's the complete program:

PROLOGUE
The Prince of Verona & The Audience

ACT I
THE TEMPEST
The Mariners on the ship.
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ROMEO & JULIET
The Capulets' Party

ACT II
MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM
Demetrius, Herminia, Lysander in the forest
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ROMEO AND JULIET
Romeo and Juliet, the moon in the garden

SONNET 130

ACT III
HENRY V
King Henry before battle
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ROMEO & JULIET
Romeo, Mercutio (his friend), Tybalt (a Capulet)

ACT IV
HAMLET
Hamelt (considering ghosts, murder and suicide)
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ROMEO & JULIET
Romeo, Juliet in the Capulets' cementery

EPILOG
ROMEO & JULIET
Capulets and Montagues, after finding their bodies

The show wasn't really a serious look at Shakespeare as it was more as an introduction to his works and they kept asking for audience participation, mostly kids. The kids were the performers during the battles, the dance, the prop movers and shakers while they did "The Tempest" and it just gave them a chance go out with the family and do something other than just sit at home and watch TV or play with their video games.

You are invited to bring yoursef snacks, drinks (non alcoholic) coffee, and of course your own chairs and blankets.



While some of us wanted to keep warm, and comfty. Others were wearing shorts, t-shirts and going bearefooted on the grass.



As part of the audience participation, they gave us glow-sticks and in this picture I am proudly holding my weapon. For one of the battle scenes, proudly hold my mighty sword.

Was the play fun? No not really but it was fun getting out of the house and enjoying part of our afternoon with the family. We decided that the concerts should be better and will try to attend next month.

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Face

Vote for me on Bix.com!

This really was an appropiate song for the day after Super Bowl. Super Bowl came and with it the rain. It rained as if there was no tomorrow and then just as fast as it came it left.

So the forecast calls for a great warm sunny weekend and I for one will welcome it.

Tough Loss

Thank God I am not a die hard sports fan and not a true Patriots fan either. Yes, I did want for them to go all the way but it was not to be. In the meantime I am not heart broken or frustrated, my team already took care of that earlier.

So at least we had a good gathering, great food, the weather was great, the kids experienced the NFL Experience over at Westgate and "mi chica" and I relaxed most of the weekend, in that effect the Super Bowl did what it was intended for, it gave us the setting for a great Sunday.

Unfortunatley thre are die hard fans that at this point are all bent out of shape (EC), and this loss will stay with them for a long time to come. It may take another 50 years until the Patriots go undefeated and get this opportunity again, or it may happen next year, you never know. In the meantime I wait for my cards to at least make the playoffs again.

Welcome Back Amy

Two weeks ago I dedicated my Friday post to Amy. She was at the hospital undergoing some surgery but I'm happy to report that she is back and has already sang a couple of songs in the karaoke sites. That shows she is in good spirits considerring the circumstances.

I have invited her to be todays guest and she graciously accepted, so without further ado here is Amy singing for us. Enjoy!

Visit Amy at Bix.com!

For a little bit more about Amy click here.

In keeping in tune with Amy's rendition of "Renegade" I'll post this Peter Frampton song. There's more errors than I care to count but it was a fun song from my teen age years.

Visit me at Bix.com!