The World of Scott Mindeaux

And Then There Was Maude…

Bea Arthur passed away today. She was 86.

Some knew her as Maude and most of us as Dorothy on the Golden Girls…for which she won Emmy’s for both roles.

She started in theater, then to Broadway, then to TV. In 2002 she returned to Broadway to play herself.

She was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 2008.

Goodbye Bea…you will be missed.

This was one of the funniest moments on the Golden Girls. When I saw this on TV the first time I was laughing so hard it hurt!

American Idol 8 – Top 7 Again??

That’s right, we’re at the Top 7 AGAIN! Last week, Idol judges made history by invoking a SAVE for Matt Giraud. That’s great, but that means that TWO contestants will be going home tomorrow night.

We learned last week that we will be singing Disco tonight. Are you ready? I am!

Lil Rounds
I’m Every Woman – Chaka Khan

While looking very “Donna Summers” Lil performed a little Chaka, Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan! Being first up she has the audience clapping and she’s working the stage for sure. Paula is dancing and hands in the air. The performance sounds good, but it’s very true to the original song. Is it enough to make the judges happy? The audience has gone wild!

Randy said she got the party started, but he says again “What kind of artist are you” question. Kara goes on to say that America has been waiting to hear her sing Chaka Khan but might be little too late. Paula applauds her on a strong vocal despite her voice yesterday. Simon said it will be the last week we’ll see her.

Kris Allen
She Works Hard for the Money – Donna Summer

Kris has his guitar in hand and he was worried it was disco week. He’s really switching it up and took a CLASSIC disco song and while the words are that song, the feel of the song with his acoustic guitar is definitely NOT disco and I LOVE IT! Kris sing, sing, SING! I have never heard anything like that and it was AWESOME!!!

Kara said he took a real risk and it paid off BIG TIME! Paula said it had a classy Santana feel. He showed his originality. Simon said it was a polar opposite to Lil’s performance. It was well thought out, not karaoke for sure and was FANTASTIC! Randy said he knows who he is and that he is ready for the big time. Amazing he says.

Danny Gokey
September  – Earth, Wind and Fire

Ok, don’t laugh, but you’re looking a bit “George Michael” tonite! haha. I’m dancing here in my seat and enjoying it, but not sure this song was “the song” to wow the judges. It was a solid performance for sure, just not making a connection with you and the song.

Randy was concerned about the song choice. He said it really worked for him tonite. Kara was worried too. She’s impressed that his pitch is right on and a solid performance. However she is worried that people won’t remember the performance. Paula liked his agilty and brilliance. She said he has a sexy voice. Simon agreed with everyone. However as a performance, didn’t feel there was any “star” power there. He thinks right now things should be way up on the ladder.

Allison Iraheta
Hot Stuff – Donna Summer

Here is another one I”m worried about singing “disco”. She is dressed up very risque against a red staircase. She has taken a classic disco song and gave it a bit of a rock edge to it. The smokiness in her voice works very well with this arrangement. Way to go Allison – you made this song your own and the judges will appreciate this as well. Simon will probably say it was all yelling, but everyone else will like it.

Randy has two things to say. Personally he didn’t like the arrangement but she is one of the best singers. Kara didn’t like the arrangement either. While a good song, slowing the tempo might have been an error. Paula said the word compromise doesn’t exist in her vocabulary. She liked it. Simon said it was a brilliant performance. Wow…

Adam Lambert
If I Can’t Have You – Bee Gees

Adam is all sported out in a suit and now has feedback on his mic! OH no! He said he wanted to sing a song that had some kind of emotional connection. Was this being sung to an old flame or someone current in his life? Adam has decided to do a ballad version of this song. For those who know the song, he has really made some changes in the arrangement. I have no words for this performance, i have goosebumps again.

Randy said at this point of the competition he is ready right now to win. He is hot. Kara said he is brilliant. Every week he ups it and the most memorable performance. Inspiring. Paula felt his vulernability in the song – brilliant, awesome and fascinating. Simon said he was expecting him to sing Donna Summer and he was surprised and that his performance was immaculate.

Matt Giraud
Stayin Alive – Bee Gees

Ok Matt. Looking good tonite. Vocally you are on top of it for sure! Its nice to feel the beat of a dance back up there. You look like you’re having a fun time up there. I’m ok with it, but I think you could have done something much different tonight. Is it enough to redeem yourself from your save last week? I don’t think so.

Randy didn’t like the song choice or the arrangement, but said that he can really sing. Kara said he brought disco back to the stage. She said it was solid. Paula said he took tonite. Paula said they saved him and this week he saved himself. Simon didn’t like the performance because it wasn’t special. He wasn’t a big fan tonite.

Anoop Desai
Dim All The Lights – Donna Summer

I like this song. Is this going to be a ballad throughout or will you switch it up? So far vocally you are strong. Your notes are solid. Oops..I thought you’d go to a faster beat, but it still feels like a ballad.

Randy didn’t like the arrangement and it sounded corny, but vocally you were great! Kara felt it was a good song choice for her. She loved it. Paula loves the facial hair and that real men know how to wear pink. The vocals were beautiful. Simon completely disagrees and said it was mediocre at best. He said it was horrible and in his opinion it was his worse performance by a mile.

Interesting night for sure. Who “won” tonite…clearly it was Kris Allen. Who is going home? Well my predicitons for bottom three are:

Lil Rounds
Matt Giraud and maybe….
Anoop Desai

However, it is very clear at this point of the competition that Lil Rounds is going home and so might Matt.

My Last Few Hours…

Well technically it’s about 9 hours and 40 minutes til I officially celebrate the 13th anniversary of my 29th birthday!

Back in January I actually signed up on Disney.com so I can get into Disneyland for free on my birthday. Well looks like I won’t be going. I will be at work. However, I think that maybe I will go there after dinner and enjoy the fireworks show at 9:30. I haven’t been to Disneyland since high school.

I’m really, really, really not looking forward to tomorrow…

Catching up

Whew what a week! Well my parents are gone. There were some tears at the airport but all is good. They’re happy and that’s what matters. Back at my parents house, my Hot wheels collection was found and I pilled what I could into my car. I decided I wuld unload them. So on friday I brought two boxes of them into the office and gave them away! I didn’t realize how many I had! The staff gobbled them up, but there are plenty more!

I actually have more Hot Wheels at their house. Today was supposed to be baguette research day, but I failed once again. The bakery opens at 6:30am and I wanted to get there early. I didn’t wake up until 10, the I had a haircut at Crew Hair salon and Lindsey did a nice job.

I came home to chage since its about 84 outside and sunny, sunny, SUNNY!! The weather is awesome. Changed into some shorts and flip flops and headed back out. Gonna stop by the house to pick up some more things and some stuff in the trunk of my old car. Old car you say? My parents gave me the Lexus. Its a 1994, but a workhrse and much more reliable than the Ford Taurus I had.

Well today I did spend some time thinking about the last year. I turn 42 on Wednesday and I’m feeling it. Who would have thought I was turning 42 this year! Lindsey still insists that I look like I’m in my early 30′s. Thanks Lindsey!

Well back to the sun…anyone going to MetroQ tonight in Huntington Beach?

American Idol 8 – Top 7

Here we go America, it’s the Top 7. Quentin Tarantino is in the house!! This week’s theme is songs from the movies and this week’s mentor is none other than Quentin Tarantino.

They’re changing things up a bit and Ricky and the band have moved to stage level instead of up top. In addition, only two judges will be giving feedback after each performance. The network was getting pissed they kept going over.

Ok…Matt is looking really cute tonite. I like this look. Ok…on a side note, what with both you and Anoop doing the sleeveless jacket thing? Danny is going sans-glasses tonite.

First up is Allison.

Allison Iraheta
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing from Armageddon

Watch the mic distance from your mouth, you’re popping in the beginning. Nice way to start, soft and slow. Now we’re ramping up to the chorus. It feels a bit muted, this can be a BIG song, you can sing it big but you seem to be holding back a bit. It could have been way grander in my opinion.

Paula said she was authentic and remarkable. Simon things she is the girls’ only hope in this competition. He appreciates her strength and confidence.

Anoop Desai
Everything I Do, I Do For You from Robin Hood – Prince of Thieves

Quentin wanted Anoop to really dig into the song and do some growling. I think he wanted to hear a little Bryan Adams in his voice. Anoop, once again, you surprise me. Yes, you can definitely sing a ballad. This is sung very well. Now we’re getting to the chorus, let it out dude. Nice way to end it…love the pause…excellent!

Randy was concerned before he performed, but he thinks he has found his zone the last few weeks. He loved the emotion and that he was totally in tune. Kara said he found his place. Kara said it was his best vocal ever.

Adam Lambert
Born To Be Wild from Easy Rider

Quentin didn’t get to hear the entire thing and anticipates that it will be awesome. In true Adam style he comes out on the stage full of energy. The song does that alone. He comes out blazing hitting those high notes. Adam really knows how to work a stage. A true performer for sure. Dude..those high notes are unbelievable! Fuck yeah! No way!!

Paula says he dares to dance in the path of greatness. Fortune rewards the brave and that he was one of the bravest ever! Simon said vocally, incredible. On the other side it was a bit Rocky Horror show.

Matt Giraud
Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman from Don Juan de Marco

Quentin offered Matt to make sure he annunciates. His vocal range totally fits within Bryan Adams own range. This is a great song. The vocals seem good. Quentin was right that if you sing this well, this will be one of your better performances.

Randy said the performance was interesting. He liked the beginning then it kinda went a bit weird. He felt it too many flourishes. Kara felt he is still trying to figure out if he is a rock guy or a soul guy.

Danny Gokey
Endless Love from Endless Love

Interesting bit of advice, don’t channel thru his hand gestures. I like it except I think you’re inserting your little vocal flourishes in a little TOO much tonite. This song is beautiful and holds by itself, the extra things seem gratuitous. Overall it was good.

Paula wasn’t sure if the key was right for him at the beginning, but it came together in the middle and ended well. Simon said he can’t fault the way he sung in, but disappointed in a traditional version of the song, he was bored. However, he knows its important to him personally and congratulated him.

OOOh new Star Trek trailer!! nice!

Kris Allen
Falling Slowly from Once

Quentin felt he was the one betting the most tonight. The song feels like its a bit too low for you in key. Maybe bring it up a bit? The opening lines seems a bit monotonous for me. We’ve reached the chorus and its a bit better. I’m bored though, I’m sorry.

Randy said it never caught on for him. He said there were pitch issues. Kara said difficult to pick an obscure. She said it was one of his best moments.

Lil Rounds
The Rose from The Rose?

Quentin said he is a big fan of Lil. He offers for her to commit to the beginning of the song as much as the switchup. The beginning was true to the song. A few pitch issues and rushing. When you switched things up it got too weird for me. Seemed like you were lost in there too. I don’t know. This could be your last week.

Paula didn’t really say much. Simon felt the song was too soft and too middle of the road. There were nice moments and there are no excuses anymore. He doesn’t feel she is the artist they knew 8 weeks ago. She got defensive on stage.

So who is going home. I think this IS Lil’s last week. However, joining her in the bottom will be Matt. But he will go on.

I’m Not OK With It…

My parents are moving away. Not just moving but moving overseas. For the last day and a half a full size cargo container has been parked in front of the house and they have been filling it up with furniture, with boxes with everything! Over the last 30 hours I have been seeing pieces of “history” put into the truck. The house is starting to look void of anything that was “the house”. This was the house I grew up in.

• The pictures of me from being a kid on up are gone. Packed.
• The photo albums. Gone
• The mismatched plates and silverware my parents insisted on keeping. In a box.
• My room that became my mom’s. Empty
• The piano I took all those lessons on. First on the truck.
• The pictures over the couch that have been there for 20 years. Gone in a flash.
• All the arguments from the past lingering in the air. Blown away
• All the hugs, all the fights, all the memories…still in my head

I guess I still have that. But I really don’t want them to go. I mean my parents will be half way around the world. I’m being selfish I know. It’s what they want.

The house is a mess. It’s a big nightmare. In addition to my parents stuff leaving, all my sister’s stuff is moving in. You see, my sister and her family moved in over a year ago and they will continue to stay there even after my parents leave. We also have been dealing with the death of a friend of the family. It has been on all of our mind, especially my parents who are the most closest to him. They were going to Las Vegas on Sunday, but they are going on Monday. The wake is scheduled for Monday afternoon. My mom and dad are going to pay their respects.

On Wednesday they leave for the Philippines. Wednesday will be a long day.