Sunday, April 18, 2010

ACM Awards - The Final Hour

Hour 3 starts off with the award for Vocal Group of the Year. OK, they really should combine Duo & Group into one award. This award was presented to the awesome Lady Antebellum by Eddie Cibrian, aka LeAnn Rimes partner in homewreckin’! Well, it is a country music show, might as well have homewreckin’ spouses together.

Tim McGraw is performing right now. Thankfully he’s not singing that horrendous Southern Voice song or that even worse It’s a Business Doing Pleasure With You, which was co-written by the lead singer of Nickelback, that should give you more than enough reason to hate it.

Brad Paisley is just awesome beyond words. He and his wife seem like they’d be normal, down to earth, and the type of people you could hang out with. This song “Water” is probably gonna be my summer anthem. Lovin it! Matthew Mc Conaughey is just pretty much half crazy and doesn’t care, ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT! I’m guessing his daughter is 3 months old now. Gee Matthew, thanks for sharing. But glad Brad won male vocalist. HooRay! Plus, he’s one of the funniest people around. And naturally funny, not forced funny.

I’m not a big B&D fan, but I would have picked “Red Dirt Road” for them to sing. It’s the best of the 3 songs. My Daddy says it’s the one song by them he can stand. It reminds him of growing up because he lived on a red dirt gravel road. But goodness, Ronnie Dunn looks a mess like he just woke up or something. But how bad was it that his microphone wasn’t working on their final performance as a duo? I think he’ll come out with a solo album soon, right? He was almost always front and center anyway. He could be a success. I still say Sugarland should have won top duo. B&D won because it’s their last hurrah. Oh well.

I’m glad Reba is having musical success again. She went a bit too over the top in the mid 90s but then reined it back in, just like her plastic surgeon reined in her signs of aging and sagging. But her work is more subtle than Dolly & Nicole. I’m glad Carrie didn’t win female vocalist. Good for Miranda. She seems shocked & happy. I like it when people don’t expect to win.
Keith Urban came in carrying a camera and they seem to be focusing on odd and different camera work during his performance. That’s a shame because he’s a very good performer and they shouldn’t detract from this song. But the camera they are using gives it a concert video or rehearsal look instead of a live awards show.

Carrie Underwood won Entertainer of the Year? Yuck! I just am not a fan of her overall. Why you got your cell phone on? Why’d you bring your purse onstage. Give it to your mama girl!
Darius Rucker closes the show? Why? He’s become a country success and that’s good, but why is he closing it? Why didn’t Sugarland perform? Overall, it wasn’t that bad of a show I must say. I figured Taylor Swift would have won at least something. She has a lot to live up to with her next CD though. Congrats to Lady Antebellum and Brad Paisley!

ACM Awards - Hour 2

Taylor Swift kicked off hour 2 by flying over the arena in a combination tuna can/hot air balloon basket. Good thing my friend Ms. Pendergrass wasn’t there to throw stuff at her. Then she took off the dress and was wearing black to show she’s serious. Then she walked to the stage followed by people for no reason. The curtain dropped to show a choir made up of people who couldn’t make it onto American Idol or Glee. Then she danced at the end like a spastic 19 year old white girl followed by a stupid stage dive. I will say Taylor actually sounded good tonight, very good. The song wasn’t very good though, but she sang the heck out of it.

Then, an Oompa Loompa came out and introduced the new artist nominees. I didn’t know Willy Wonka knew country music. Wait, that’s that chick from that dancing show with too much tanner? Nevermind. Glorianna was great. Their harmonies are great. Luke Bryan was good as well. Joey & Rory should win for using the term “white trash”, for him wearing overalls, and for having a great kiss off song. And the winner is Luke Bryan.
Lady Antebellum is now performing “American Honey”. If it wasn’t about a woman, it could be my song. I love it, I love them. They have had some pop crossover success, but can still keep country roots, unlike some.

Then Rascall Flatts had to perform. I’ve been over them for years now. Their lead singer is too full of himself and their songs have been horrid. That stupid summer song last year was a low point. The way he sang the word “sexy” in that summer song gave me the creeps. And tonight, as that genius Randy Jackson would say, they were pitchy dawg. I mean he was really off and really bad.

Miranda Lambert won Album of the Year. Glad Carrie didn’t win, she annoys me. She was shocked, she was planning to look ticked off again losing to Lady Antebellum. But those producers need to let people talk a little bit before cutting them off. They don’t have that many awards, give people their say, DANG IT!

Jason Aldean was OK singing Crazy Town, but to me, nothing special. Good, solid, etc., but I don’t think I’ll remember it tomorrow. Miranda Lambert went soft and slow tonight instead of fierce and angry. “The House That Built Me” was achingly beautiful and sad. Great job. LeAnn Rimes still looks squinty and creepy. She wins the Home Depot Humanitarian award last year, then proceeds to leave her husband for another woman’s husband. Not very humanitarian if you ask me. Heck, I haven’t liked her for a while. Plus, she was ticked Trisha Yearwood beat her out for awards for “How Do I Live”. LeAnn, it’s not Trisha’s fault that your version sucked. This “Barbie Doll” is kinda dumb. Dierks Bentley, how’d you get dragged into this? Oh look, dancing sluts on stage. You can tell this show is in Vegas.

Carrie is singing that sappy song Temporary Home. As usual, she has parts where she oversings, even though the arrangement is simply and beautiful. Pull back some or you’ll get to the point where you shout on every song like Martina. The flower petal rainshower at the end, ugh. But I don’t like flowers. But that being said, she seems like a sweet girl. On to the final hour!

ACM Awards - Hour 1

Miranda Lambert & Carrie started with CCR’s “Travelin’ Band” joined by Brad Paisley on some KICK BUTT guitar. Miranda can do good attitude. Carrie just looks like she’s playing slutty dress up and has painted on attitude. She always dresses like a slut though. John Fogerty which was cool, but you couldn’t understand a word he was saying and he looks like he went to Bruce Jenner’s plastic surgeon. When Charlie Daniels came out playing the fiddle though, I thought it was just a big long Geico commercial.

I love Reba hosting the show. She got off a good Tiger Woods/Jesse James joke. She’s sassy and gave a “Bless her heart”. Can’t beat that! She needs her own show again. What’s up with Nicole Kidman’s forehead? It looks like you could show an IMAX movie on it. She’s in her 40s and her forehead looks like that naturally? I don’t think so.

Why is Cher at the country music awards? She’s CREEPY these days. She better watch out with those cheekbones, she’ll put an eye out. Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins sang “Hillbilly Bone” which wasn’t too bad. Deep down, we all hick! Then Billy Currington sang “That’s Country Boys Roll”. Yeah, I know a lot of guys like that. And then there’s Kenny Chesney. He annoys me. I will not go to see his movie, especially 3D? Seriously, why does a concert movie have to be in 3D?

Song of the Year went to Lady Antebellum for their 1am drunken booty call song “Need You Now”. I was rooting for it or “People Are Crazy”. I didn’t know until a month or so ago her mom was the woman who sang with Reba on the “Does He Love You” song, the one with the video where the boat blew up at the end. I do love Lady Antebellum though, CONGRATS! But that one co-writer looked like he was 12. He wouldn’t know about a drunken booty call at that age. But he thanked his wife and daughter, so I guess he isn’t 12. But seriously dude, look older somehow.

Then Laura Bell Bundy performed. She was on a soap opera and has starred on Broadway. That was a very Broadway production of an unmemorable song. It was too much about dancing and performance. Plus, she isn’t a big enough star to get a full performance on a major awards show. Her record company must have pulled some HUGE strings.

Toby Keith’s tribute to Waymon Tisdale was touching without being sappy. I liked the use of Dave Koz
on the sax too. Glad to see Zac Brown Band out in the Middle East playing for the troops instead of in Vegas.

Single of the year went to Lady Antebellum again. I think it’s gonna be a HUGE night for them. “I Run to You” is still my ringtone. I downloaded their new CD. They are awesome! The song “Hello World” on there is BRILLIANT!

Hour 1 ended with the announcer saying something I’d never thought I’d hear on the ACM Awards “LL Cool J will introduce Taylor Swift”. Seriously LL, CBS is making you do this I know. Say no or tell them “Mama’s gonna knock you OUT!” But I do like Taylor, I want to make that known. It’s just that when I hear Taylor Swift, LL doesn’t automatically come to mind.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Just a hometown boy, born a rolling stone

Well, it's been a week and a half since I put thoughts to blog, but is anything really going on or worth writing? I'm just as busy at work as ever. I NEED a vacation. I mean, it's becoming a necessity. At least I'm not at the point where every little thing is annoying, but then again, that could be fun. I've never been a ticking time bomb, that'd be fun to try. God help Beaver Dam Road and New Freedom, PA!!

I did make it home and I got to spend time with family and friends. I got to see church friends, hang out with some friends I don't get to see enough of, ate supper with my parents and my aunts, and took mama out for her birthday. Yeah, nothing funny happened. Just saw folks. What, you were expecting humor? Funny stories? Goofiness? What, I can't just go visit folks in a normal non-funny fashion. I'm human dang it! Wow, I do need a vacation haha. But no, it was normal. Food, food, bowling, Yogurt Mountain (which I wasn't all that impressed with. It's way too overpriced. I don't care how many flavors and toppings they have. I saw boys fix theirs and have to pay 8 bucks. You have to be flipping kidding me. For that price, that cup best be dipped in gold, or crude oil). Went to Red Lobster for the first time in a long time. It was ok, but the little hostess/manager chick came over telling us we were lucky enough to participate in a survey and we could bring in the receipt for a discount. Oh GOODY! First off, you have a nasal annoying voice. Second, don't come barging in on our family meal to give us some stupid dog & pony show about that stupid survey. Third, on our way out, she puts her hand on my aunt's back in the way you'd help an old lady across the street and said "You are going to fill out that survey ok?" I was waiting for Sandra to turn around, cuss at her, then slap her. I would have smiled.

This week hasn't started off well. Monday I had a hideous bad headache. I didn't feel like cooking so I had something called "broasted" chicken. It's just fried chicken, but it was pretty dang good! Tuesday, I lost my billfold at work. Then I found out my employees didn't really know the word "billfold". Is it really that southern? Well, that meant I couldn't go to the grocery store to buy stuff so I'm glad I had stuff at the apartment. Oh, I had a pig out session when I got home. I was tired & frustrated. Tonight, since I'd already eaten bad and missed the gym this week, I said forget it and got a $10 pizza from Pizza Hut after choir. Yeah, I think I need to hit the gym again. If I don't, at the rate I'm going, I should be beach ready by 2037.

Other than that, things are ok. Celebs are still annoying me. Tiger Woods, Jesse James, all their sluts and the lawyers representing those sluts just need to shut up and leave the public eye. Kate Gosselin, nobody cares anymore. You are now Stepford Wife creepy. American Idol, except for Crystal and sometimes Lee, this season pretty much sucks. Andrew, I'm glad you are gone. Your look scares me and your singing is bad. AI has really gone down this year. That's sad. At least some shows are good. The Good Wife is AWESOME. Glee came back strong too.

OK, yeah, I need a life. I need friends up here. That's what going home helped me realized. All of my friends are online. haha. Thank goodness for Facebook. LOL, it is weird how many people mentioned my Facebook when they saw me. Is that good or bad? Well, anyway, I'll try to find some friends and some activities soon. But first, I really need a vacation. A beach, a tan. AAAAH! Oh, and politicians, y'all can join Tiger, Jesse, Gloria Allred, etc and get the heck out too. I'm glad I don't live in Alabama, there are some real wackos running for office this year on both side. Good grief! OK, will that do for now? Want more, just ask, give a topic even :-)

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days...

Well, the weather is FINALLY warming up and you know what that means. Uh-huh, POLLEN & ALLERGIES!! But after this winter, I'll take a day full of sneezing instead of shoveling some snow. But now that it's warmer, the apparent spring traditions are coming out. There is a local ice cream store here in Mayberry. I haven't yet gone even though it's within walking distance. But there are reason why. It's only been open a couple of weeks, for the first week I had a bad toothache, then I was out of town, now I'm trying to be a little better and go to the gym.

Yes, you heard me correctly, I had a toothache. Got a root canal. It didn't hurt at all. Shocked me too. I was at work that morning. The most painful part was the bill, thanks to my sad dental insurance. I'm glad my medical insurance is good, because my dental ain't.

But yes, I've joined a gym. I'm even going!! I just finished my final free personal training session. She taught me how to use the machines, gave me some exercises I can do anywhere, so I have a bit of direction. My first week at the gym, I lost 4 pounds. Hopefully I can keep them off. I have more than 4 pounds to lose!

Oh, back to spring traditions, they've been selling stuff on the side of the road recently. The past 2 weekends, someone has been on the side of the road by the interstate selling flowers. Seriously? Besides Jesse James and Tiger Woods, does anyone really have that much of a floral emergency? And, if you need flowers that bad, head to the grocery store, or steal them out of someone's yard like God intended. Someone was also selling OYSTERS on the side of the road. OK, it's bad enough that people sell shrimp a couple of hours inland back in Alabama. At least you cook shrimp. If you aren't right next to the water, why the heck would you buy oysters, especially from THE SIDE OF THE ROAD? Seriously, why don't they call it salmonella on the half shell. Oysters scare me anyway though. They look like phlegm.

On to the serious portion of my blog. It seems like a lot of people are in a state of flux, or change, or hardship, etc. I have a friend right now battling breast cancer (ROCK ON HEATHER!!! You are in my thoughts & prayers), another friend still battling cancer (Keep fighting Susie!!) one friend changing jobs and moving cities (I'm coming down to watch the Braves with ya Brandon!), a beloved pastor leaving his church to move to another one (albeit closer to his grandchildren), people with loved ones dying, others facing illnesses and family issues. These are real issues, these are real problems, real challenges. THIS is real life. Yet, even though those of us in the real world face this, we have politicians being rude to each other while dealing with our nation's issues? They are worse than the characters in "Mean Girls". What's worse, this filters down to the loudmouths on TV and radio which filters to loudmouths in everyday life. Why can't things be discussed in a polite and mature manner? I say if you can't discuss politics politely, you shouldn't discuss them at all and I will head up a council to see if you can keep your voting privilege.

But, back to reality. Talk to your friends, see if they are in need. They may just need you to listen, to say hey, to spend time with them. Treasure your friends. Enjoy the time you spend around people. You never know when you won't get to spend time with them. I'm coming home this week and I have lots of missed time to make up for. That's been the toughest part of this job, leaving my friends. But I still bug you enough through facebook and texts I hope :-D

I hope you had a great Easter (the holiday about Jesus Christ's resurrection, not that commercial for candy that society tells you it is now). I had a nice low key one here, church, home to fix lunch and wash clothes. Now, I'm watching women's basketball GO STANFORD!! And Monday night, even though I picked Duke to win it all and think Coach K is fantastic, I would still love to see Butler win.