Cafe Karina - American Idol - The first three finalists

Yesterday I gave you a quick recap of the live performances of the first twelve contestants. I held nothing back, told you who my favorites were, and who it was that I thought were less than stellar.

But, tonight it's not about what I think, it's about what America thinks. And for the record, I don't vote for American Idol contestants. Pretty much EVER unless I feel really strongly about someone. I just sit back, watch, share my opinions with you all, and hope America doesn't screw up too badly.

So, that being said, who will make it through tonight? Three people will make it to the top 12 this week. The guy and the girl with the highest votes, and the third highest vote getter. But that does not mean all hope is lost for the remaining 9, because there are 3 Wild Card spots left to be filled at the end of these three weeks, so they just need to sit tight and wait...

Let's get to the results, shall we? Ryan does his usual bit of stalling and torturing the contestants, but I'll skip right to who stays and who goes, because otherwise I might be forced to start talking about how much Tatiana annoys me and how Ryan's jokes about Simon aren't funny and just fall flat...so yeah, results...

Not making it to the top 12 tonight are Casey Carlson, Stephen Fowler.

The first one making it through is Alexis Grace, the girl with the rockstar name.

Also not making it through: Ricky Braddy and Jackie Tohn, and Anoop Desai.

Michael Sarver, the "roughneck" has made it through. (and here I say a little "YAY" because I love him).

So, there is one more spot left...so, America, what did you do? Did you do it right and put Danny Gokey through, or is the Sanjaya curse in full swing and has Tatiana made it over him? UGH...let's just get to it before I get sick thinking about it...

But first a quick visit from Michael Johns and Carly from last season, singing "The Letter". Hmmm...Michael Johns...yummy.

Back to the results, not making it through as well Stevie Wright, Brent Keith and Anne Marie Boskovitch.

Which leaves us right where I thought it would...with Danny Gokey and Tatiana Del Toro. SERIOUSLY? UGH...please let's just get it over with.

And I breathe a high sigh of relief, not just because Danny Gokey has made it through, but because the odds of Tatiana getting one of those three wildcard spots? Well, I sure hope they are slim...

There you go...That's American Idol this week.

Cafe Karina - American Idol - The Live Shows Begin

I love American Idol. LOVE LOVE LOVE this show. I love the talent, love the music, love the emotions of the show. The real show, the actual singing portion of the show. Not the ridiculous audition process, with the insane contestants and the over the top costumes, but the talent, the singing.

So, this week I finally get excited, because starting tonight, the singing begins.

That being said, AI is not without it's faults, because it is a reality show looking to keep it's ratings high, and as much as I'm all about the talent, there are a lot of people out there who watch for the shennanigans instead. Those people are the ones who voted week after week to keep Sanjaya in, and for them, we have the Tatian'as and Norman whatshisface's of the world.

Still, even though I expect to be fully annoyed by the twists and turns of the show, I'm still really looking forward to the talent. And I'm looking forward to blogging about it all here, discussing it and arguing it all with you.

This season they're narrowing it down to our top 12 a little differently, breaking the remaining 36 constestants down to three groups of 12, and letting America vote. Each week the girl and guy with the highest votes will move on, along with the third highest vote getter (be they male or female), after 3 weeks, that leaves us with 9 finalists, and three "wildcard" spots to be filled, I assume, by the judges picks.

Tonight's group of 12 already contains some of my favorites, so I'm already expecting to be disappointed in the very first week by having some of them not make it through. That being said, I'll hold tight for those "wildcard" spots, hoping they'll save the ones who are unjustly voted off.

I won't begin my "recaps" in earnest until the top 12 because it'll just be too much to keep up with, with 36 contestants. But, here are my quickie thoughts on tonight's performances:

Jackie Tohn: What the hell was she wearing? Damn, the 80's are back. Her performance? Was good. Not great, not good enough in my opinion, but good. She's original, I'll give her that. She could be fun on the show, but...eh.

Ricky Braddy: Who is this guy? Poor guy, he got no face time during the weeks leading up to this show, so that's a mark against him, he's really got to deliver in his performance. And that he does. I don't know if it'll be enough to keep him in the game with the fans, but he was fantastic.

Alexis Grace: This girl has a rockstar's name already, and she has a great look too, but does she have enough to win the fans over? Unfortunately, her performance didn't win me over. She has a great voice, and I think she's adorable, but the song and the way she chose to sing it just didn't do it for me. And I wasn't loving the nightie she was wearing on stage either. She had a great finish, but I'm not sure it made up for the rest of the song. Of course, the judges loved her, so, here it begins, the dissent. I never do agree with the judges.

Brent Keith: As if he wasn't nervous enough, his tape breaks and he almost has to go on without the little "video" introduction. I like this guy, and he's certainly easy on the eyes. And his performance was good, but not particularly exciting or unique. I was waiting for Simon to say it was something you'd hear at any corner bar with the house band. He didn't, but he did say he was forgettable. Which, I sort of agree with...sorry Brent.

Stevie Wright: OOOH...ouch. Yikes. The girl broke under the pressure, this was a BAD performance. Just bad...and it's not that she's not talented, but...yikes.

Anoup Desai: I like this guy, and I think he's got a good voice, but this performance was weak and bland. I don't really have much more to say...

Casey Carlson: is adorable. But she was kind of weird on stage. I dont know what it was, but it was weird, with the winking and the the facial expressions and...and the song? Was a crap choice.

Michael Sarver: I LOVE this guy. LOVE HIM. I just think he's a genuine guy who you just want to know as a person. And I love his voice. That being said...I didn't love his performance. It was okay, but just that...okay.

Anne Marie Boskovitch: Hmm...yeah...I don't know. She's not bad but...eh.

Stephen Fowler: has a beautiful soulful voice. But I don't know if it was song choice or what it was, tonight was not his night. It just didn't work, he was "pitchy dawg".

Tatiana Del Toro: Ugh, do I have to? No, really, do I have to? I can't do it. With the dramatics and the melodrama and the crying and the ugh...I don't know why this girl is still on the show, and I know she'll be this year's Sanjaya and I'll have to put up wit her week after week and...oh, I so don't want to...and here's the worst part...her performance tonight? Was actually pretty damn good. Probably one of the best of all the girls in fact. No, seriously...do I have to?

Danny Gokey: Finally. Let me just put this out there, this guy? MY PICK from the minute he walked in the audition room. I love him, think he's amazing and talented and beautiful and want him to win it all. I'm saying it now, he's my favorite. This performance this week? Beautiful, flawless, LOVED IT.

If this guy doesn't get the highest votes of the night, there's no justice. That's all.

And that's where I'll end this post...next week 12 more perform and tomorrow we find out which three from tonight will make it through to the top 12.

I'll be back then...

Cafe Karina - The Bachelor - Meet the Parents

I've been REALLY sick the past few days and am just now beginning to feel better, so today's Bachelor recap is going to be short, sweet and to the point...so let's get to it...this week, Jason is going home with the final four girls to meet their families.

First up he goes up to Alberta, Canada to meet up with Jillian and meet her family. She shares some family secrets with Jason, and I begin to see that there could definitely be something there with the two of them. I've always liked Jillian, she's spunky, and fun, and real, but now I really like them together. And her parents and family? Oh, I love them. They're adorable. Real, down to earth, fun. Very fitting for Jason.

Next up is Molly's family. They too are a lot of fun, and instantly fall in love with Jason themselves. And I like Molly, but I don't see her being "the one" for him. They have lots of fun together, but I don't see the "it" there...whatever "it" is, it ain't there. I mean, I suppose it could be, but I don't see it.

And then it was time for Naomi and her family. Naomi I like as well, but with her, I definitely don't see it. As much as she tries to convince herself and Jason that she's "ready" for the family life, I don't think she is, and I think Jason has his doubts as well. And then there's her family...and the dead dove...that they decide to bury when Jason is there...and have him give the eulogy...uh...right! Run, Jason, run...far far away...between the dead dove, and mom's psychic visions, and dad's Jesus talk (don't get me wrong, I'm all about Jesus, but dude came on STRONG and Jason looks totally freaked out). Just as freaked out as he did when mom was talking to him about reincarnation. Uh...yeah...

And finally it's Melissa's turn. I love Melissa. She's been one of my favorites for him from the very beginning. However, Melissa drops a bomb on Jason. Her parents are not comfortable meeting Jason on camera, so he'll be meeting her friends instead. So, will this hurt her chances with him? Family is important to Jason, and meeting their families is an important part of his decision making process. So, how will this go? Jason meets her friends, two couples and their kids, and they all seem to get along really well. But, when Jason finds out that none of Melissa's friends have ever met her parents either, he gets concerned. Until Melissa explains that her parents are just very private people. Food for thought for Jason, for sure.

And then it was time for Jason to make his decision...time for the rose ceremony...who would Jason send home?

After some deliberation, Jason is ready to hand out the roses, and the first goes to Molly. Next up is Jillian, and finally, Melissa. It is Naomi who will be going home. No shocker there for me.

And that's it folks for this week. Next week the final three head to New Zealand with Jason for the romantic overnight dates. It's getting close to the end, which means the drama is bound to get heightened.

What do you think...who's your' pick for Jason?

Cafe Karina - The Bachelor - Birthdays, Busts, Bears and Bitching

Welcome to Candid Karina's first edition of Cafe Karina - The Bachelor Recaps.

It's Episode Three of the Bachelor, and there are still plenty of Bachelorettes for Jason to choose from. Who will be sent home without a rose tonight?

There will be group dates, solo dates, and some women who will not even get a date.

The first date of the week is with Stephanie, single mom. Today is her daughter's birthday, and Jason surprise her with a visit from her daughter. Their date turns into a family outing, and Stephanie show's her mommy side, and her family side. The two of them have a great time on their date and I'll admit, I wasn't sure about Stephanie in the beginning, but she's definitely grown on me, and with this date, I could see the potential there between her and Jason. She ends the date receiving a rose, but not just any rose, a lego rose. Too cute.

The next date is a group date, and Jason is taking eight women with him. On this date are Melissa (who's already had a one on one with him), Shannon (the stalkerish dental hygienist), Nikki, Naomi, Erica, Jillian, Megan, and Kari (who I don't think I've ever seen before...where has this girl been?) and they're all going to make "casts" of their busts for a breast cancer awareness charity. An excuse for Jason to feel up a bunch of girls all for a good cause. Also an excuse for Jason to keep his shirt off for half of the episode. No complaints here.

We also get to see a little bit more about the girls' personalities...some which we could have done without knowing about, to be honest. That chick Megan? I just don't like her. I think she's completely full of herself, and is one of those people that likes to hear herself speak about all the good she does, but probably spends more time talking about what she does, then actually doing it. She really comes across as very fake for me. Melissa I really like, I think she's sweet and real. Shannon still freaks me out a little bit. Did anyone else hear the crickets chirping when Nikki and Jason were speaking one on one? Jillian I'm really beginning to like as well. She's goofy and fun, but down to earth and real too. And obviously Jason agrees, because he gives her the rose for the group date.

The next date is a solo date with Natalie. Natalie the high maintenance chick is late for her first date with Jason...not a good start. And yet, the perfect date for her includes a necklace and bracelet that are brought in by bodyguard in a locked briefcase...worth over a million dollars. If you're wearing a million dollar necklace, then I suppose a trip on a private jet to Las Vegas is almost to be expected right? Right...from a jet to a helicopter flight over Vegas. Now that's a date! But here's my question, how is this helping Jason "find out if there's more" to her with this date? It's sort of a superficial date, isn't it? As they're walking in the restaurant Jason says "walking in with the girl everyone is looking at it felt good"...superficial. So, he decides to dig beneath the surface, and all she can talk about is clothes and bears. Bears?? Really? Bears? The date wraps up with a private performance by Kate Voegele and some dancing. But, besides the fact that he's obviously attracted to her and wants to like her because he's attracted to her, there's no actual chemistry there. He's just not that into her. Natalie doesn't get the rose, she's going home. And she does not take it well at all, which really kind of shows her true colors as just a bit immature and not at all gracious. Granted, I'd probably be pissed too, but she showed an ugly side which I'm sure made Jason glad he sent her packing.

Back at the mansion, once the rest of the girls find out Natalie is gone, they get really nasty. In the meantime, Jason, spured on by Natalie's remarks about there being "mean girls" at the house, is on a mission to find out the truth. He's also, apparently, on a mission to kiss as many girls as possible in one evening.

The stress of the drama between the girls in the household begins to be too much to handle for some of the girls...namely, Shannon, the stalker. I'm sure she's a really sweet, real girl, but she still completely freaks me out.

Then Lauren tells Jason that Megan and Erica are the two trouble makers in the house, and Megan eavesdrops on the conversation, so you know her claws come out.

The rose ceremony takes a turn, Chris asking the girls to open up, speak candidly and say what needs to be said before Jason makes his decision. And so, the drama begins. The girls get ugly, Shannon gets sick, and I think Jason gets wise to some of the inner tension in the house. Of course as Shannon is getting sick, Megan is calling her a bitch...really? Pot? Kettle...Unfortunately that does not happen in front of Jason for him to see...of course.

And then Jason starts handing out roses. The first goes to Molly, the second to Lauren, then Melissa, Naomi and Shannon. At this point you can see Erica, Nikki and Megan shaking in their boots. And Kari? Well, noone ever really sees or hears from here, right? Nikki gets the next rose, and with with one rose left, it goes to Megan. WHAT? Oh Jason. Silly silly boy.

So, it is Erika and Kari who are going home tonight. Such is life.

Nine girls left...what will happen next week. Come on back, let's discuss. What did you think this week?

Combined Forces

I love blogging.  Love everything about it.  Meeting new people, having an outlet to share my thoughts, feelings, and trivial tidbits with all of you, love the comments (few and far between that I receive, they are still always appreciated and valued), love the relationships that are formed, and the way it allows me to be creative.

I love blogging so much that at one point I realized having just one blog wasn't going to suit me any longer, because I wanted to be able to spread my wings a bit.  

Candid Karina has always been my main blog, the one I use for my personal tales of woe or funny circumstance.  Here at Candid Karina is where you get to know the real me.  

But the real me is a writer, a poet, and at times a photographer, so I branched out and started posting at Creative Karina as well.  There I would share with you my prose, my photography, and other muse inspired works.

The real me is also a bit of a pop culture junkie, so I opened up Cafe Karina, and served up a weekly fare of television show recaps, book and movie reviews, and other random fare.

This was all working beautifully, until suddenly my real life caught up to me, and blogging time was cut shorter, and shorter and shorter.

Suddenly, I could barely keep up with one blog, never mind three.  Not even mentioning my guest writing appearances on blogs such as SheWhoBlogs and Inspired Bliss.  

All this going on and suddenly I found myself overwhelmed and practically ready to throw in the towel.  Was I ready to give up blogging forever?

The answer to that question is a resounding NO.  Of course not.  The thought of giving up blogging makes my heart beat fast and my palms get sweaty.  That is simply not an option.

But what was I to do?  Because although I blog for me, more so than for anyone else, I also realized that the quality of my blog posts were deteriorating.  I just wasn't feeling the love anymore, and therefore wasn't giving my all.  And because of this, I'm sure you, my dear readers, were also losing a bit of the love.  (It's okay, I get it, I wasn't really producing praiseworthy content here).

I want to keep doing this blogging thing, but I want to bring back the level of blogging I was proud to present to you during my "peak".  I want to look back on my blog posts and be able to think "Yes, that was worthy of pushing the "publish post" button".

So, what to do?

And then it hit me.  I'm going back to the beginning.  One blog.  One place where I share my thoughts, be they personal, creative, or pop culture related.  One single venue, all efforts combined.

As of this moment, Creative Karina and Cafe Karina are merging with this blog, Candid Karina.  They are not closed, they're simply moving in.  You can now find all your Karina content in one location, how handy is that?

Let's see how this works, but I for one am excited to be back to focusing on what's important, which is the writing, the sharing, and the relationships.  Hope you enjoy the changes as well.

As for Inspired Bliss and SheWhoBlogs?  I'll continue to post there as well...but I'll let you know here whenever any of those posts are up.

So, first up here at Candid Karina?  Come on back tomorrow night for the next installment of Cafe Karina's Bachelor Recap.

Monday Musings

Today is the first Monday of 2009. Something about that jsut makes me want to get all organized and productive and stuff...don't you feel it? It's a new day, a new week, a new year...so much lies ahead of us just ready to be conquered.

Well, at least that's how I feel today.

So, I figured no time like the present to re-launch my Cafe Karina blog, which has been dormant for a few months now. I have lots of goodies in store for you this year over there, so I'm inviting you to take a quick gander over there and see what's on the menu.

I'll be back here at Candid Karina with a full post tomorrow though, so don't stray too far, okay?

Happy Monday!