When the wife asked me if I wanted to take a one day road trip with HJ and
Young down south to Magic Mountain, I didn’t immediately jump up and click my heels with joy and pump my fist while screaming, “Hell yeah!” Why not? Well, for one, I’m not an amusement park junkie. And secondly, I hate roller coasters. If you knew me, one would think the wife was going to a place that she might not want to go. But I thought about it. The wife and I get to hang out together for a full day without the kids and pretend like we’re 21 again. Sounded like fun to me, even if I wasn’t looking forward to being suspended in the air with only a track and some wheels holding me from falling to my death.

The road trip started around 10PM to Valencia, CA as HJ and Young picked us up at our house. The wife and I were both really tired, but there’s a trick to falling asleep on the road. Actually, it’s a trick I haven’t learned, but the wife has mastered. In about 30 minutes, she was fast asleep, while I was fiddling with my IPod. I noticed HJ’s nifty new XM Satellite Radio, but since she was the DJ, I didn’t see much to it. It only seemed to play crappy music. But then Young grabbed the remote and turned the system from one that only played crappy music, into something that was keeping me awake in the back wondering what was coming out next of the box of music goodness. Though I’d been wanting a Sirius Satellite Radio system for some time, because of Young, the XM seemed like a really good alternative. However, with Howard Stern signed onto Sirius, I think that’s the route I’m going.

I’m someone who would rather drive than be a passenger. There’s something about putting my life in the hands of someone else that bothers me. But there are some people that I trust like my dad and my wife and I can doze off or read a book and not really be bothered. Young is getting there as he makes the ride smooth. But not HJ. She took over for a quick hour from Young while he recuperated, and it was a very tense hour for the passengers. I decided that I wouldn’t make her nervous, because then I would become even more nervous from making her nervous. But hell, it was 60 minutes of terror. Weaving in and out of lanes, jerky wheel handling, stop and go brake pedaling, and more. When Young took back the wheel, I was able to relax.

Young And HJ

The drive to Magic Mountain was probably about 4 or 4 1/2 hours. If you drove
straight through without stopping and without traffic, you could probably do it in 3 1/2 hours. But nature calls you know? But who knew nature would call so much? I think we stopped at every bathroom stop in between because of HJ’s leaky bladder. I lost count at 14 times. Eventually, we got to our hotel, or whatever the hell a Comfort Inn was. Since we were only there to sleep for a few hours before our amusement park jaunt, the wife was ok with getting a cheap place to sleep. And HJ did a great job with the Comfort Inn. What we learned was that the Comfort Inn was a really creative name for this place as it wasn’t really all that comfortable, nor was it a place you really wanted to stay in. We walked in and HJ, Young, and the wife cringed and immediately covered their noses in terror. They were complaining about the awful smell in the room which was compared to crap, dump, and diarrhea. I think I lost my sense of smell when the kids were born, so it wasn’t all that bad. To me, it smelled like someone went to the bathroom and just used some spray to cover up the dense smell. No biggie right? But not for my roommates. They hated the room and even thought of calling and asking for a different room. But there were a couple problems with that approach. First, who the hell were you going to call? There was no lobby. They had a “night window”, where you picked up a key for the room and that was it. Secondly, it was already nearly 3AM by then and we were too tired. I think they just stopped breathing inwardly for the night.

Now, you’d think that a married couple like me and the wife having to share a room with a couple like HJ and Young would be odd. I definitely wondered if the rumors of HJ’s bedtime nakedness would haunt us, but they didn’t. Unless she stripped after everyone was asleep, she was fully clothed. And I also wondered if the rumored hairy chestedness of Young would terrorize us, but he was also good to us and slept shirted. So all was good. There were more problems with the room as HJ found an odd hair on her pillow right when we got there. Young was worried about the lack of cleanliness of the carpets and wore slippers whenever he got out of bed. And in the shower, the arrows for hot and cold were opposite. But for a few bucks, I guess it was ok. Young even woke up and grabbed us our “continental breakfast”, which included small powdered and chocolate donuts from 7-11, some coffee cake, English muffins, and some warm OJ. But we didn’t let that dampen our spirits.

I believe we slept for about 5 hours or so. But when it was time to wake up, both Young and HJ jumped out of bed like it was Christmas morning and their stockings were full with holiday cheer. I’d never seen such joy in their faces before. And it was genuine. They were ready to do what they were born to do. Ride roller coasters. I tried not to be a scrooge and put on my best face, but I’m sure they saw that my roller coaster spirit could not match theirs. When the wife asked me if I would have a good time, my response was that if she was there, I couldn’t have a bad time. Even if I hated roller coasters with a passion. The wife is great at making me feel comfortable when I’d usually not be. However, when two people who love roller coasters like Young and HJ do, you find yourself not wanting to spoil the day. You find yourself wanting to see if you can bring your excitement up to meet theirs.

To be continued …

The Hot List

1. Boseph Bice- It’s Bo time.
   
2. Carrie Underwood – She showed last week why people loved her to begin with.
   

The Defeated

1. Lindsey Cardinale
   
2. Mikalah Gordon
   
3. Jessica Sierra
   
4. Nikko Smith
   
5. Nadia Turner
   
6. Anwar Robinson
   
7. Constantine Maroulis
   
8. Scott Savol
   
9. Anthony Fedorov
   
10. Vonzell Solomon

There’s a good chance that this is going to be my final American Idol show wrap up post, mostly because I’ve found that it’s so hard to watch the show and have the energy to write about it within a decent time frame. So, unless I start doing this another way, you might want to have a moment of silence for this report. One second was good enough for me. On with the show.

Since it’s a two show finale, I decided to group both shows in the same report. All I really care about on the second show is who wins anyway, so I’ll just add the results at the bottom.

So Vonzie is out. I’m sad as she was my favorite of the three, but going into this thing, from the very start, you had a feeling Boseph and Carrie were going to the end. And here we go.

Ryno held a coin toss to see who would go first and after the first one went down the drain, it looks like Carrie wins the toss and Boseph goes first. I almost forgot to mention. Young Randall is back.

Boseph sings first and he’s singing a real life ballad. There’s no rocker voice on this one. It’s straight up ballad. I’m not even sure what the song is called, but it’s pretty good. I do wish Boseph would cut that hair a little bit as it’s getting close to Crystal Gale styles. Ok, maybe not that bad, but it’s getting there. It wasn’t the best song as it was slightly boring, but it was well sung. Randy says he didn’t love the song but it didn’t matter because he still did it well. Paula says that she told Boseph that he’d be in the finals. You’d think she wouldn’t say that after the Corey Clark deal, but oh well. Paula says it all sounds good to her. Simon, wearing a suit jacket says it was a dreary song. Young Randall doesn’t have much to say about Boseph, but he did say that Paula was as hot as an English Muffin.

Carrie with her first song is singing another song I’m not aware of. Ouch, I do not like her voice here. I don’t like her outfit either, but what else is new. She picks it up at the end, and it’s much more inspirational than Boseph’s song. Randy says he didn’t love her song either but she picked it up at the end. Paula says she sang it beautifully and the audience loves her. Simon says hers was better than Boseph’s. Young Randall says she needs to shake her ass a little bit. Even though I told him it was a ballad, he said it didn’t matter. He wanted to zoom zoom zoom and a boom boom.

Boseph is singing a song he did earlier in the year which I forget the name of. He rocked it and there’s nothing more you can say about it. Randy and Paula both loved it and Simon says that it’s now a competition. Young Randall says Paula is looking as hot as leather bus seats, whatever that means.

We’re back to Carrie and she’s singing Martina McBride’s Independence Day. And it’s not like I’d know it unless Ryno just told me. This is totally her vibe and she looks very happy singing these kind of uppity country songs. Even more than the country ballads. Randy says it was an amazing vocal. Paula uses the word brilliant. Simon says it wasn’t a great vocal and it’s now tied. Young Randall says he wants some independence from his girlfriend so he can go to shake Carrie’s moneymaker.

Boseph is going back to the ballad, which is a huge mistake. It’s more of Boseph’s specialty when he does go to the slower songs in that it’s slightly inspirational. And it takes advantage of the fullness in his voice. But I’m not sure this is the way he needed to go. I wanted to see more rockin’ out from the long haired Boseph Gale. It was a good performance though. Randy says that he’s forever in his dawg pound and made him love the song. Paula says he went outside of his range and she fell in love with the song. Simon says it’s been an absolute pleasure having him on American Idol. And Paula is out and out rooting for Boseph now. Young Randall says he’s got a song for Paula to love.

Carrie’s last song is next. And predictably, it’s another ballad. The singing might be really good on this show, but everything is so slow and boring. Boseph’s song is better. Carrie hits a huge note at the end that will make the judges happy, but I was just not satisfied with the song in general. The crowd loved it. Randy says she has the dawg pound standing ovation. Paula says she’ll never face anything more scary in her life and says congratulations. But she’s still rooting for Bo. She didn’t say that but you know she feels it. Simon says she’s done enough to win this competion. Young Randall says that while he’d rather vote for Paula, he thinks Carrie is the champ.

After two hours of fluff, a “what the hell” moment from Carrie as her hair has been straight all year, and all of a sudden, it’s curly, a segment making fun of the Paula Abdul/Corey Clark ordeal in a bit that simply makes the kid look like an idiot, Kenny G and Anthony Federov on the same stage together, Scott Savol with the Blake Highsmith “round head” hair cut, and an adorable Vonzell sighting, it’s finally time to see who won this thing. I’ve been rooting for Boseph more so than Carrie, but for some reason tonight, I’m rooting for Carrie. Young Randall rubbed off on me.

And the winner is:

Carrie Underwood

I think it was me and Young Randall at the end turning on Boseph to get Carrie over the top.

I’ll leave you with this.

Mama told me one day it was gonna happen
But she never told me when
She told me it would happen when I was much older
Wish it would’ve happened then
Is this the end?

For one last time, Seacrest is out like gout!

Past Shows

Show 1
Show 2
Show 3
Show 4
Show 5
Show 6
Show 7
Show 8
Show 9
Show 10

A few final thoughts before my wrap up on the last show. If you didn’t know, Yahoo’s Contender Site had a live webcast of three fights picked by the fans. Remember Kevin Fraza, the guy who left the show because he got chicken pox? Well he beat Brent Cooper in the first fight. Cooper was the very religious man who was beaten to a pulp by Anthony Bonsante. In the second fight, Bonsante took on Ishe Smith, the man who I thought was the best fighter in the whole competition. Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith made minced meat out of Bonsante, who tried to infuriate Smith by grabbing and pushing and bodyslamming him. I never liked Bonsante and he showed that he’s simply a journeyman. I didn’t see the last fight which was Jimmy Lang defeating Tarick Salmaci.

I still think the fact that NBC put this show up against the first part of the American Idol finale showed they didn’t have faith in it. But guess which one I watched live? I’m glad they showed the third place fight between Jesse Brinkley and Alfonso Gomez live. It was utter hysteria listening to Sly Stallone and Sugar Ray do color commentary. They both were saying that Alfonso was going to lose after the first round, then it was all of a sudden that Jesse was going to get knocked out. Stallone did color like he was a fan watching the fight. I was waiting for him to say, “Look out!” Gomez showed that he was a true Rocky like figure as he looked so small next to Brinkley, but still took the fight to him and won easily.

By the way, I’m a hip hop fan and had no idea who the rapper was that performed right before the introductions. Let’s see, we can’t get Jay-Z because he’s retired. Eminem is busy. So let’s get this guy who no one has ever heard of. I’d have settled for MC Hammer.

Fight Time

• Peter looked way too happy while Sergio had his game face on during the introductions

Round 1

• Sergio looks skinny and fast, while Peter just looks built and in shape
  
• Peter looks like he just hits harder
  
• Sergio is taking the fight to Peter throwing a double uppercut
  
• Peter actually looks slower than I thought he would
  
• I’d give the edge to Sergio, even though Peter cut him

Round 2

• Sergio throws punches from all kinds of angles
  
• The pace has slowed down a little
  
• Peter’s using his strength advantage a little better than in the first round
  
• Sergio throws punches in bunches as they say
  
• Pretty boring round in general, but Peter controlled the action mostly so I’d give it to him, even though he did hit him after the bell

Round 3

• I have a feeling Sergio is going to get tired with Peter leaning on him
  
• Stallone can’t think of anything to say so he asks if there should be a rematch, but we’re only in round 3
  
• Peter looks to be figuring out Sergio’s style as he’s not getting caught with surprise punches like he was in the firts two rounds
  
• Peter controlled the round so I’d give it to him again

Round 4

• Sergio is able to get some small uppercuts inside as they fight closer
  
• It looks like Sergio is just sitting on the ropes waiting for Peter to get tired
  
• Sergio just may steal this round, one that was very much like the last, but Sergio hit a few more big shots
  
• I’ll give it to Mora

Round 5

• At this point, Sergio looks in better shape
  
• Sergio looked at someone in the crowd and then threw a nice shot that stung Peter
  
• Then he threw like 6 unanswered shots in a row, only to get too cocky and ate a few shots himself
  
• Stallone reiterates that he wants to see a rematch, but I think he’s marketing now since his show wasn’t picked up by NBC
  
• Sergio jumps to southpaw at times
  
• I’m going to resist Sergio’s late combinations, and say that Peter controlled the round and won it

Round 6

• Sergio is going to steal this round because while he might not be hurting Peter, he’s still hitting him
  
• I’ll probably give it to Sergio only because he threw and landed more shots

Round 7

• I have it tied right now so the guy who wins this next round in my eyes is the winner
  
• These guys are not holding anything back
  
• Sergio definitely looks like the fresher fighter in the last round
  
• Sergio is going to steal this fight with this round
  
• Peter is exhausted
  
• Peter looked in bad shape at the end of the fight
  
• I think Sergio has it
  
• The judges were smoking crack as they all had Sergio the decisive winner even though it was a close fight

The Champ Is Here

If you’ve ever read this ragged excuse for an online journal/web log (it’s really not journal like is it?), you’ve seen me mention a man by the name of Blake Highsmith. Now I will throw a few good natured insults at Blake, but only because he can take it. And also because he loves seeing his name in print. But the true Blake is a great friend and a truly honest and good natured guy. However, this post isn’t about him. It’s about his best friend, Lt. Ken Ballard, who died on May 31, 2004.

Blake would tell me how proud he was of his buddy, who was fighting in a war that maybe Blake didn’t really believe in. But it didn’t stop him from supporting his pal. He would send gift boxes over to Ken to help him pass some time, communicate with him, and just having nothing but great things to say about Ken. I’d catch Blake daydream, probably thinking of what his best friend was doing, and hoping for his safety. This was the “best man in your wedding” kind of friend, the one who you told your most personal secrets to. And on May 31, 2004, it all changed. I have received permission from Blake to post his journal entry of his feelings about his best friend’s passing and will post links to Ken’s website as well as the original place that Blake posted. Blake has promised an update to this article sometime in the near future and I’ll post it here as well.

In Blake’s words:

My Best Friend, My Brother, My Hero

On Monday, May 31st, 2004 my life changed forever. On that day, I got the call from Ken’s mom, that my best friend and brother was gone.

Over the last week I’ve sat and cried; cried in pain, in denial that my best friend in the entire world has been taken from me, that what I had been told was an impossibility, that I was going to wake up from this bad dream and none of it would be true. But it was. As I sat there with this pain in my heart, I was also remembering the last twenty-three years of my life with Ken and of all the happiness and joy that makes up each of these memories.

I remember all of the birthdays, his and mine that we got to share. I remember all of the fun we used to have together, whether it was water fights, improper use of bathroom tissue, or him hanging his body outside the passenger window of my truck yelling at people on the street.

I remember all the times that Ken was there for me. A best friend and brother in the truest sense, growing up, he always looked out for me no matter what, he would always listen whenever I needed to talk, and he never hesitated to be a shoulder to cry on if the need arose.

Over the last week, I’ve sat and thought about what Ken meant to me as my friend and as my brother in life. I’ve struggled to find the words that would do our friendship justice, that could sum up everything that Ken was and will always be to me.

And over the last week, I’ve found solace in the fact that I don’t need to find the words. I have seen what Ken’s friendship, his love, his strength, and compassion truly means, not only to me, but to every person that he’s touched in this life.

As I stand here today in front of everyone, I feel blessed and honored that Ken was in my life and to know that he had such a positive impact on everyone else in his life.

Ken … you are my best friend, my brother, and my hero. My life will forever be changed because you were in it.

I miss you and love you.

Ken’s Website

Now that Sergio Mora predictably beat Jesse Brinkley to set up the championship fight, I’m a bit sad. There’s only one more show left and that’s Tuesday’s finale. Since NBC did not pick up The Contender for next year, this is it. The show only lasted one season and what a great season it was. I haven’t had this much fun with reality television since the second year of Survivor. I’m definitely picking this up on DVD when it comes out.

Sergio Mora presents a bit of match-up problem for big hitters. He’s able to stay away and make them chase him and when they get tired, he’s able to hit some big shots to steal rounds, kind of like Sugar Ray Leonard later in his career. Sergio gave Ishe Smith, who I thought was the best fighter in the competition, the fits and did the same to Brinkley. However, Peter Manifredo Jr. isn’t just a puncher. Manifredo is nearly the ring technician that Mora is, and hits much harder. However, The Latin Snake probably has the edge in foot and hand speed. I think that if Manifredo doesn’t get frustrated early on, he’ll probably win easily. But if he buys into Mora’s ring psychology of showing his mouth piece, lowering his guard, and simply showing up the other fighter with the bolo punches, he can lose some close rounds because of the judges looking at the latter part of the round more closely. If I was a betting man, I’d put my money on Manifredo. I think he’s more ring savvy and just has the experience on his side. He’s the better boxer and fighter, but thus far Sergio has beat the supposed better boxers and fighters. Can he do it again? It wouldn’t surprise me to see him steal the fight, but I think Manifredo won’t let it happen. Peter Manifredo Jr. by decision would be my guess.

The Contender finale is going up against part one of American Idol’s two day finale and I doubt it will dent the Idol rating much, but my eyes will be on the Sylverster Stallone/Mark Burnett show as it’s simply the better show. Too bad NBC gave up on it. Now there’s nothing on that network for me to watch.