Idol (Pre-Game) Thoughts

It's the finals folks. This is big. Big enough to warrant a pre-game show.

My thoughts:

• Kris needs to bring his A-game. No defense, just offense, no mishaps.
  
• Kris also needs to do Kris. No copies, just original interpretations. Kris doing what Kris does best.
• Kris also needs a little help from Adam. I hate to say it, but I think Adam needs a bit of an off night for Kris to have a chance.
• I know I shouldn't root against people, but I kinda hope Adam has an off night.
• I can't wait to see what the judges do to top all their previous spotlight-stealing antics. It's the finals. Better be big people. And, who knows (fingers crossed), it may be Kara's last chance . . .
  

So. What do you think? Can Kris pull it off? I think I feel a poll coming on. Yep. I do. Cast your vote to the right. Whatever your pick, good luck tonight.

Cupcake Cravin'

Move over Magnolia. Make room for Billy's Bakery. H and I stumbled on this spot today and remembered that Hill saw them on Food Network. Well, anyone who knows us knows we never pass up an opportunity to try a Food Network gem.

Verdict: Way better than Magnolia. Icing was better. Cake was better. Yum. As far as we could see though, no banana pudding offering (which by the way is the only thing worth getting at Magnolia). Can't win 'em all I guess.

Thanks Hill. We owe you one.

Deets: Billy's Bakery | 184 9th Ave. @ 21st | www.billysbakerynyc.com

Idol Thoughts

Apologies for the tardiness, I'd never make it as a journalist with all those deadlines (PS. anybody see the final jeopardy this week about where the word "deadlines" comes from?). Enough stalling, let's get down to business.

Thoughts on the week:

• Watching Simon duke it out with Randy and Kara was better than watching a classic boxing match. "Down goes Frazier!"
  
• Simon was absolutely right. Tell Kris what song to sing and then rail on him for singing it? Bad form.
• While we're on the subject, Randy and Kara are worthless. Randy used to be semi-cool but I think Kara brings him down. Neither of them are as nuts as Paula, but at least she's nuts enough to be entertaining.
• The crazy weird double-date vibe at the judges table this season makes American Idol look more like Elima-Date then American Idol.
  

Deep breath. Let it go. They're only judges making millions of dollars for being idiots. Let it go.

• I'm glad Kris is in. That version of Heartless was pretty sweet.
• Is anyone else at least a tiny bit worried about Kris' wife? Something tells me all this fame just might go to that kid's head. C'mon Kris, do the right thing.
• I'm okay with Danny being gone, he was getting kinda old. But it would have been so sweet to watch Lambert get kicked off one show away from the finals. I just don't like how inevitable it feels . . . especially to him.
• I'm glad the season is almost over. I feel like I did at the end of every semester in college. Great classes. Learned a lot. Homework sucked. Can't wait for summer break.
  

Native Tourists

Break out your I heart NY T-shirts folks . . . it's tourist time!!!
Our friend Jeff made his maiden voyage to our town last weekend and left it to us to show him around. What better way to see the city then to get our quack on with a good ole' fashioned duck tour. H looks quacktastic next to her first quackmate and Barnacle Bonnie (tour guide) in the back.

Duck tour verdict: two thumbs up. Plenty of sites, no sore feet. Gotta love it.
Jeff was an A-1 travel mate. Even turned down Grimaldi's at the sight of the line. Bold move brother.

Jeff's favorite? The Central Park Circus (or so we like to call it). Who needs Barnum & Bailey when the weather warms up and the buskers (hollatcha Kage for teaching us the term) hit the streets--er--parks? Luckily our favorite musical roller derby was out and these guys were kind enough to strike a pose for the posin' photojournalist (caution: some images may not be suitable for small-ish children).


But the best pose award has to go to these two. Much preesh for doin' what you do gentlemen.

Finally, another perk of the morning duck tour--the Hudson all to yourself--and, luckily, the fog that is.

Thanks for the memories Jeffrey. Come back anytime.

Idol Thoughts

I want to give a special thanks to Jed for inviting me to be the American Idol editor in chief for the blog about tonight's show.

Here are my thoughts...

1. The whole show was weird. Nothing exciting. Nothing unusual (besides the weird part.)
2. Adam Lambert's make up is applied better than mine.
3. I thought the last lady standing (Allison) did a great job. That being said, it NEVER fails that when I really like someone's performance, the judges didn't like it. So, no surprise that they thought it was a "poor song choice."
4. Is anyone else annoyed that the judges use "poor song choice" for criticism??? I think if we played back every show from this season the phrase "it was a poor song choice" would be heard from at least one judge.
5. Paula needs more clothes. And less Simon flirting.
6. Was anyone else bored with Ryan Seacrest and his introduction of the stage falling apart? I think the whole show is falling apart.
7. I am becoming a bored fan. I am sorry folks...the truth has been spoken. I am bored with AI. Anyone else?

Now, let's hear your thoughts.

Photo Op

1. The tulips at 59th and 5th are one of my favorite things about spring in NYC.

2. It rained last night into the early morning.

3. Scott Kelby (my photographic guru, thanks to my brother Matt, my other photographic guru) says just after rain is the best time to take pics of flowers.

4. Yep, it's photo time.

A few peeps have asked for photography tips and tricks. Disclaimer: I'm by no means an expert. But I'll share a few things I've learned so far. Here goes.

Why I like it: Tulips on a back-drop of cabbies--juxtaposition of nature and metropolis. I love that about NYC.

How to do it: First, get low. Don't shoot down on flowers (says Kelby) because everyone sees them that way. Second, set the ISO low. Low ISO = clear pictures. Clear is a must for flowers.

Why I like it: tulip (cool flower) + The Plaza (cool building) = cool photo.

How to do it: Get low and do the same with your aperture (if your camera gives you the option). Low aperture = fuzzy background.

Run-On Sentences

She did it! H ran her first 5k. Today was the Revlon 5k Run/Walk, and H ran it like a champion. Total time: 39' 45". I was like a proud coach waiting for her at the finish line as she blew by the competition.

Next up: NYC marathon . . . just kidding.