The World of Scott Mindeaux

Being a TVHolic

Well I finally did it.

After almost three years of saying I’m going to buy a flat screen television – I finally did it. I have been so giddy the last three days its not even funny. I sit there and flip between regular broadcasts and the HD broadcast so I can see the difference. Now that I have clarity, its amazing how much I have missed as a result.

Did you know the runway for Project Runway was carpeted??

Do you know how awful David Ono’s (Anchor ABC 7 in LA) makeup is in HD?

Did you know how much more enjoyable a show like Ace of Cakes is?

on the flip side…

Did you know that in HD, some of your channels are in the East Coast timezone?

That now I have to invest in an HD TiVo?

That my old TV (bless its heart) needs a digital converter to get signal?

I have thoroughly enjoyed that last couple of days with my new flat screen. I have re-connected my old MacMini that I have turned into a Media Center using the PLEX media center application. Some of you might know XBMC – its similar and easier to use. You can buy a DVI to HDMI converter for about $19.99 and get your mac to display on the flatscreen. You have a choice in your Display Preferences for 1080i or 1080p. It also gives me a choice between 24 and 60 hz but not sure what the difference is yet. Does anyone know? Since I last loaded Plex, there have been some upgrades to the offerings. Netflix had an update patch. I have the entry level service plan which gives me unlimited instant view videos. I also have full access to my iTunes and iPhoto and all the other movies that I get from various sources. It’s great!

I have moved my old TV into my bedroom, but I’m seriously thinking about just getting rid of it. Its an old 27″ Toshiba TV built in 1989. Has two cable inputs for two tuners, speaker outputs and s-video.

Following in the Toshiba tradition, I got the 37″ Toshiba 37RV525 1080p TV.

American Idol 9 – Top 24 Results

Are you ready?

Is the person you couldn’t stand the last two nights going home? Did America vote the right persons off? Stay tunes….THIS is American Idol!

There was a little bit of tears as we saw the first group song of the season. Moreso, I was excited to see Kris Allen and Alison Iraheta!

So the group sang American Boy - a contrast to last night’s American Woman. I’m always amused how the choreographers give them all these robotic steps. There were a few times where it looked like Casey was a little lost and other times where it looked like they were lip-syncing. My how clear my TV is! I finally bought a Flat Screen and can see every pore on those kids! First time ever I get to watch Idol in HD!

So we’re back from the break and already, Ryan askes the back row of girls to stand up. Siobahn, Haeley, Michelle, Katelyn all safe. So we’re down to Katie and Janelle.

Oh no! Janelle is going home. I was really rooting for Janelle. I know her performance wasn’t the greatest, but I really wanted her to stay. In my opnion, Haeley should have gone home. The whole time Janelle and Katie were standing there, Janelle looked very nervous and fidgety. She’s really holding true to herself and is exiting with style. Isn’t weird how the 2nd performance of their last song always sounds better than their previous performance? We’ll miss you Janelle.

Allison Iraheta is back and I have missed her so much from last year. I miss that sultry, raspy voice of hers. Tonight she sings her released single, Scars. Nicely done Alison. Scars will be added to my iTunes library for sure!

Here we go, next set of girls. Paige, Lacey, Lily and Crystal all safe. So we’re down to Ashley and Didi. I said last night that Ashley would go home. What do you think? Ashley Rodriguez goes home. Another gracious contestant.

So here we go, first set of boys. Back row, please stand up. Michael is safe. John Park is up. I think he’s going home. Did America agree? No, John is staying. Cutey Aaron is also moving forward. Here we come to Todrick and he is another I think will go home. America keeps him in. So we’re down to Tim Urban and Joe Munoz. Joe looks really nervous. I think between these too, Tim should go home. Tim will probably get girl votes. I liked Joe’s performance last night. OMG, Joe is going home. Tim is in shock and VERY surprised. So am I. Tim should have gone home. Joe I’m so sorry. Here we are listening to your final performance and again, it is way better than last night. Good luck to you Joe, hope to run into you around town. Last night you should have ditched the guitar and did the performance just like you did tonite.

Kris it is sooo good to see you. Thank you your part in helping out with the Haiti effort. Please download the song by purchasing his song from iTunes and 100% of the fees will go to the Haiti effort. It was a very moving performance Kris. Thanks again for being there on the ground in Haiti and lending a hand.

So here we go the last elimination of the night. Casey James, of course is safe. Jermaine is up. What are those? Glassless glasses? Jermaine was on my list of guys to go – he is staying. Lee Dewyze is staying. YES!! We we go and we’re down to Andrew Garcia and he makes it thru! You better bring it next week. So we are down to Tyler and Alex. Tyler I thought for sure would go thru from a popularity point of view. Alex is here too. Alex looks dejected and looks like he is prepping himself for bad news. WHOA! Tyler is going home. I think he played that 70s rocker thing too far.

It certainly is always sad to see the goodbye footage. Good night Janelle, Ashley, Joe and Tyler.

American Idol 9 – Top 24, The Boys

Well tonight we have the boys. Will they up the ante and blow the girls’ performances out of the water? Did any of them make a song change today as a result of the comments the judges made towards the girls?

It’s hard to tell if this years set of guys has what it takes comapred to previous seasons. Last season had some hard hitters, but this year I’m not so sure who that is.

THIS is American Idol!

Todrick Hall

Since You’ve Been Gone

Interesting take on Kelly’s song – it’s almost unrecognizable. Vocally I think you’re doing well. I’m just lost with my brain trying to play the original version in my head vs what I’m hearing. You looked like you were having some fun.

Aaron Kelly

Here Comes Goodbye

You’re 16 and have real potential Aaron. Your performance during Hollywood week got lost, but you picked back up and you made it thru. As I usually do, I close my eyes and just try to listen. You have some weak moments, but overall I think you sound like someone with more experience. Song choice is questionable. But great job.

Jermaine Sellers

Get Here – Oleta Adams

Sounds like you are struggling with key. Watch the pitch there Jermaine…whoa…those high notes needed some help. Now we’re just screaming. Ouch…..the pitch is awful dude. The judges are gonna rip you one. If Oleta heard that performance she’d say “Go Away” instead of “Get Here”…

Tim Urban

Apologize – One Republic

There is something very young about your voice. You haven’t developed the ability to do a vibrato. You also have a weird stage presence. The vocals are spotty, doesn’t sound like you rehearsed.

Joe Muñoz

You and I Both – Jason Mraz

Hehe…at first I thought you were singing in Español. But you’re not. I don’t know this song, but you’re performing it well – I don’t know this song, but after hearing it I want to look up this song by Jason Mraz. Nice job Joe.

Tyler Grady

American Woman

Ok….let me say first….the hand gestures…a bit gay – I wasn’t too into the opening, but when you and the band got into it, I was a bit surprised. You definitely have a voice and this was definitely a good choice for you. You have good control and you hit those notes. Maybe I was wrong about you.

Lee Dewyze

Chasing Cars

First off… he’s a cutey for sure!  Nice intro…but you’re getting a bit pitchey on the long notes. Make sure you keep your ears on the monitors. Yep…I think that if you didn’t keep going flat you would have had an awesome performance. You kinda remind me of Danny GOkey from last season. Luv the raspiness in your voice.

John Park

God Bless the Child

Ok….this is English right??? That makes two songs were I thought another language was being sung. Ok…so we’re into the next few verses. Your voice is ok and you have good control with the runs but it wasn’t exciting. I’m not sure this was the best song choice for you. Again…here we go with choosing songs that are way older than the performers. Be more recent dude….

Michael Lynche

This Love

Great song choice Michael. Its lively and you seem to be having a good time up there. You’re squinting a lot on stage and I think you were in Hollywood as well. The song was fun, but didn’t really show off what you’re fully capable of.

Alex Lambert

Wonderful World

Ok…you’re a bit stiff up there. I close my eyes and what I hear doesn’t match what I see. I don’t know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. There is something very innocent about your style and your voice sounds like it lacks experience. Way to go with the mullet!

Casey James

Heaven

Oddly it sounds like you’re struggling a bit with this song. It’s like you’re holding back. I guess I expected a little bit more from you tonight. this was a subdued Casey. You rocked it during Hollywood week. You’re a looker for sure, but you sound good too.

Andrew Garcia

Sugar We’re Going Down

Let’s end the night with a bang! Can you deliver? Ok…so I feel a bit lost. You seem to know the song, and feel comfortable..but I’m not sure it showcases your full vocal range. Was this a safe choice for you? The performance was ok…nothing spectacular.

So who needs to stay and who needs to go home?? Home: Todrick Hall and Jermaine Sellers. However Tim Urban and John Park have a chance to go home too.  Tyler will stay for eye candy factor. Lee should definitely stay. Another keeper is Casey, of course.

Tune in on Thursday for the results. Thursday 4 people go home, 2 girls and 2 guys.

Filed under: American Idol

American Idol 9 – Top 24, The Girls

Well we are finally at the LIVE episodes of American Idol.

Welcome to the Top 24!

Are you excited??? Do you think we have a good group this year?? Well don’t forget to vote at the end of each performance show and vote for your favorites! Tonight we have the girls from the Top 24, then the boys will sing on Wednesday night. Results night will be on Thursday where 2 girls and 2 guys will be sent home.

Paige Miles
Alright Now by Free

It’s gotta be hard being first up. It was a little shaky at the beginning but I think you got your swing. You’re not nervous anymore. Great first song and great last note. It didn’t “WOW” me, but it was ok. OK, no need to share that you need to pee….

Ashley Rodriguez
Happy by Leona Lewis

Wow and I don’t mean in a good way. THis song is so “low” for your range it seems.

Janelle Wheeler
What About Love by Heart

I was disappointed…you are one of my Top 4, but that wasn’t very good tonight. This song was too big for you. Stick to the folk-type songs. Your Hollywood performance was AWESOME! Tonight was not.

Lilly Scott
Fixin a Hole by The Beatles

Now this is the FIRST real performance tonight. The song choice was a bit obscure, but you did great.

Katelyn Epperly
Oh Darlin by The Beatles

There was no theme tonight, but yet these youngsters are picking songs older than themselves. The song is boring. THe singing is good, but I’m bored.

Haeley Vaughn
I Want to Hold Your Hand by The Beatles

Ok, another Beatles song tonight. Its a bit different that you are mixing up this song. This is such a widely known song that when you depart, it almost feels like a mistake. I think you’re having some tempo problems too. But it was kinda fun.

Lacey Brown
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac

I luv this song. The beginning was a bit uncertain. But once you got into it, I liked it just a bit – but I don’t think it was right.  It seems that it could have come down a bit in key. Ok, the male background voice was annoying in a couple of places. At the end you looked like you knew you didn’t do well.

Michelle Delamor
Fallin by Alicia Keyes

I thought I knew this song and I do, but the first few bars I was a bit confused. Now its coming back. Stop with the stage theatrics..concentrate on the singing. It feels like you’re rushing this song. THis song isn’t meant to be slow and deliberate.

Didi Benami
The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson

OMG…I just had a flashback to last year with Megan Joy Corkery . Regardless I liked it. It was real, genuine. Nice job Didi. The last note was a bit pitchy tho. None of he judges liked it. I did.

Siobhan Magnus
Wicked Game by Chris Isaak

A little Chris Isaak eh?? I was skeptical at the beginning, but you did the long note and I was hooked. I think when you settled in you sang better. Great vocal control.

So far, one of my favorites tonight. Siobahn’s guy friend in the audience was cute btw!

Crystal Bowersox
Hand In My Pocket by Alainis Morrisette

Well she cleaned up. This is a great song choice for her. I think the judges will agree that she was able to bring a bit of Crystal to the song and not a copycat. I think the harmonica was distracting. You should be singing, not blowing.

Katie Stevens
Feeling Good by Michael Bublé

Last performance of the night. Hot and sultry is how it’s going to be eh? There were some pitch problems and some uncertainty in your voice. I like your voice. Once the tempo picked up your started to rock. I think you held back a bit…it was safe. Katie’s brother is cute in a geeky kinda way! Yummm!

So who were my favorites tonite? Definitely Siobhan Magnus. Next will be Lilly Scott, Haeley and Crystal. However, I hope Janelle doesn’t fall off this week.  Who scared me? Katelyn and Ashley.

Don’t forget we have the boys performing on Wednesday night. I hope and pray they do way better than the girls did tonight.

Filed under: American Idol

American Idol 9 – Top 24 Revealed

OK America, it’s that time of year and you know I go a little crazy for American Idol. Generally I stay away from Idol all the way thru the auditions and Hollywood week and start off with the reveal of the Top 24. It has been a long few weeks, but we are here and ready to for the real competition to start.

We have 12 girls and 12 guys – let the games begin! Games??? Not the Olympics, it’s American Idol time.

Some stats:  6 contestants are from Texas. The oldest, 26 year old Michael Lynche. The youngest, Aaron Kelly and Haeley Vaughn both 16.

GUYS

John Park
21, Northbrook, IL

Jermaine Sellers
25, Joliet, IL

Joe Munoz
20, Huntington Park, CA

Lee Dewyze
23, Mount Prospect, IL

Todrick Hall
24, Arlington, TX

Michael Lynche
26, Astoria, NY

Aaron Kelly
16, Soneston, PA

Casey James
27, Fort Worth, TX

Tyler Grady
20, Nazareth, PA

Alex Lambert
19, North Richland, TX

Tim Urban
20, Duncanville, TX

Andrew Garcia
24, Moreno Valley, CA

GIRLS

Didi Benami
23, Knoxville, TN

Haeley Vaughn
16, Fort Collins, CO

Katelyn Epperly
19, West Des Moines, IA

Crystal Bowersox
24, Elliston, OH

Katie Stevens
17, Middlebury CT

Ashley Rodriguez
22, Chelsea, MA

Lacey Brown
24, Amarillo, TX

Lilly Scott
20, Denver, CO

Janell Wheeler
24, Tampa, FL

Siobhan Magnus
19, Barnstable, MA

Paige Miles
24, Cypress, TX

Michelle Delamor
22, Miami, FL

So my favorites from this group? Janell Wheeler, Andrew Garcia, Casey James and Lilly Scott. Will these 4 make it to the Top 12?

My least favorites? I honestly not a big fan of Tyler Grady. There is something about him bothers me. I think its his jeans. But honestly I’m not a fan of this musical style and voice.

So who are the gay boys this year? Jose Munoz, I think. Cutest in the Top 24, Lee Dewyze and maybe Tim Urban if he’d cut his hair!

Macworld Day 3

I had a weird night last night so getting up this morning was a bit hard. I’m not going to get into it.

First let me get this off my chest. To the guy eating his late lunch in the session, please don’t choose to eat FISH in the class. It smells in here. You obviously didn’t buy your lunch here at the conference. To the guy to the right of me…stop fiddling with your bag of chips, it makes alot of noise. You’re trying to be discreet that you can’t open your bag, so stop trying. Oh good, you got it. Now, stop playing with your empty bag, its distracting. Ugh.

Today was the following classes:

• Administering Macs in Exchange 2003/2007 and 2010
• Demystifying Digital Asset Managment
• Adobe CS Administration

In addition, the expo show floor opened. I was pleasantly surprised to find lines of people lined up for their badges to get into the show. What was disappointing was the show floor unfortunately. Now the show flow was crowded, but it was because everyone was squeezed in. This year only the North Hall was sused and even the entire hall wasn’t used. The aisles were full of people looking at new software, but not seeing the big hitters like Apple, Quark and Adobe it seemed to be sparse. I walked the floor and had to get out. I started to feel anxious and trapped and had to get out in the open. It was weird.

Fellow blogger, Rebel Price, aka Jeff Tabaco was at the show at the same time and we had missed each other by feet it seems. He has posted pics on Facebook and I saw that and saw that we missed each other on the floor.

Tomorrow I will be in classes all day. Happy Friday.

p.s. to everyone out there…it is Macworld, not MacWorld or Mac-World or Mac World. It’s amazing how many don’t spell it right on their materials. Amazing.