Wednesday, May 7, 2008

MAY 7, 2008

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
David Cook began the night with his big rock voice set to gruff for Duran Duran's "Hungry like the Wolf." After his three competitors sang, Cook was back on stage for a take on The Who's "Baba O'Riley." It started slow and cool, and built to a screechy peak. He was okay, but not great.

Syesha Mercado did a classic take Creedence Clearwater Revival classic "Proud Mary." Mercado next did a version of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" that stayed sweet and low until the soaring finish. The second song was much better and may launch her to next week.

Dreadlocked Jason Castro had his guitar going to a reggae beat for Eric Clapton's "I Shot the Sheriff." Simon said, "Stand back, that was utterly atrocious. That is a song you just don't touch. It was like a first-round audition massacre." Castro next strummed his guitar to Bob Dylan's "Mister Tambourine Man," and dropped some lyrics in the middle of the song. Simon said, "I'd pack your suitcase." I'd agree.

Favorite David Archuleta was the last of the Final Four to perform. He did Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" with a kick of gospel and soul that soared to a high-note end. Randy said, "There is one guy trying to win." Archuleta ended the night with a sugary sweet croon of Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender." Simon said, "You crushed the competition tonight."

Here's your elimination prediction...
Bottom Two: Jason, David Cook (not a misprint)
Out: Jason

DANCING WITH THE STARS
Mario was sent packing on the night that Dancing With the Stars celebrated it's 100th episode. The R-&-B star didn't get the news until the end of the show -- after a first hour reviewing the Top 10 dances of show's first five seasons, and a second hour filled with celebrities recalling their favorite moments of the past seasons, dances by former contestants, and a live performance by Rascal Flatts.

With Mario gone, Kristi Yamaguchi, Jason Taylor, the wounded Cristian de la Fuente and Marissa Jaret Winokur, who survived despite registering the lowest score of Monday night's competition.

THE PERFECT GIRL CONTRACT
A men's magazine released this "contract" for the perfect girlfriend. True, we can't really have a "contract" for our relationships (or can we?) but at the very least this will help give women some insights into the male mind. Take a look...

Clause 1: Dates
*The Lady will eat more than a side salad.

*The Man will not be expected to plan every date. He will be chivalrous, but he will not be the cruise director of the relationship.

Clause 2: Dialogue
*The Lady will never discuss an ex-boyfriend.

*If The Lady wants something or wants to know something, she will ask. There will be no hints or guessing games.

*Any cute nicknames that The Lady has devised for The Man will never be spoken in public.

Clause 3: Extracurricular Activities
*The Man will be guaranteed at least one Guys' Night per week, chosen at his discretion. He will also retain at least two extra "floating" Guys' Nights per month in case of an important sporting event or should an impromptu post-work visit to the bar arise.

*The Lady can never be angry with a man for attending Guys' Night.

*The Lady will not call The Man more than once per Guys' Night.

What would you put in a contract that MEN needed to sign?

CHECK YOUR KIDS PROGRESS
How many times have your kids told you they were doing well in school... and then you get their report card and find out they never even showed up to class?

Now parents don't have to wait until the end of the semester to find out how their kids are doing. 49 states already use online software that gives parents direct access to school records whenever they want. Here's how it works...

Teachers upload information into a database that tracks each student. Then parents log on to the system and check their child's progress... and it's not just their grades.

The software allows Big Mother to see if little Jimmy goes to class, turns in homework... even whether he attends choir practice or not.

Call your child's school to see if they participate in this program.

BAKERSFIELD... NOT SMART?
Bakersfield is on another hot list, but this time at the end of it.

A study was conducted by the American Business Journal to look at the brain power in the top 100 metropolitan cities.The findings were based on education levels and job income. They suggest we're not the sharpest tools in the shed.

Bakersfield ranked 99 on the brainpower list of the 100 largest cities in the U.S. Five Central Valley cities were in the bottom ten.

The American Business Journal does the study every year based on education. In Bakersfield, 7.5 percent stopped at an associates degree in college, that's a two year degree. Ten percent have a bachelors degree and less that five percent of Bakersfield residents are considered brainiacs with graduate or professional degrees.

Richard Chapman from Kern Economic Development Corporation said Bakersfield brain power is due for a boost."I think with the 20,000 folks moving in per year the education level is starting to bump," said Chapman. "Plus, we're bringing in higher value jobs."

Top five cities on the list are Madison, Wisconsin, Washington, San Jose, Bridgeport, Conneticut and Boston.