American Idol 2011; Winner!

I predicted correctly as Scotty was announced the winner. He was never in the bottom 3, and he has a great Country voice. I am still surprised at this young man having a deep voice and it is perfectly country.

Lauren did great too. I didn't think a girl would make it to the end. But J-Lo definitely did some heavy lifting to promote "You're the last two girls (Lauren and Haley) so I really hope you make it."

The Finale was really good too. They brought in jsut the right amount of stars to showcase themselves and the contestants. Obvsiouly it was heavy with the best talent, James & Judas Priest, Casey and Jack black, Jacob with Aretha Franklin & Kirk Franklin, Haley and Tony Bennett.
Bono and The Edge w/ Spiderman Musical cast was good. Lady Gaga went over the top with provocativeness. Marc Anthony w/ J-Lo was funny. Marc was giving her to wondering eyes as she danced around him. My one downer was that Steven Tyler didn't do a long performance, with only one song. Everyone else was significantly longer.

I hope the judges come back. I enjoyed them. Randy must come back because he's now the staple vet judge. and the voice of reason. J-Lo brings some hotness, and Steven Tyler brings the craziness. Both did some great critiquing too. The hard part was all of them were so good, it was hard to find lots of faults.

Back to Scotty, how does that one guy feel now, after rejecting Scotty from being in his group? Scotty's the winner, and you didn't even make the final 13. hahahaha. Justice and Irony served. He deserves the victory. He has some natural talent there. Its all on the up for him

San Jose Sharks 2010-2011 final wrapup

Once again, the Sharks pressed forward but were unable to get past the 3rd round (Conference finals). This time it's the Vancouver Canucks. But if you compare to last year, they got 1 game further, losing 4-1 (they lost 4-0 to the eventual Champions Blackhawks).

This year was significantly different than last year. This year all 8 teams of the Western Conference were dominant and could have won it all. Besides Phoenix (swept by Detroit), all series were competitive this playoffs.

So where did the Sharks falter? I will say it was in Round 2. Being up 3-0 on Detroit, the Sharks should have "stepped on their throats" and finished them off in game 4 or game 5. Then the Sharks would have had the same amount of rest as the Canucks. Instead, they had to battle to Game 7. All that grueling battling led to a slow performance in Game 1 vs Canucks. And it took 3 games to really get their step back.

But in the end, the Canucks were the better team. They are the Presidents Trophy winners and I can see them winning the entire thing, especially if Tampa Bay and Boston keep fighting it out.

If there is a positive from the playoffs it is the emergence of Joe Thornton. Its weird to say that the superstar emerged, but he became a force. It wasn't about points. it was about being a complete player. Offense and Defense. After this performance, you can put him in the same category of Daksuk as a great 2-way player.

What's next? Don't know. The core is still there and the goal tending shored up. Will the cap shrink or grow? Who will be here? who won't? and who will emerge?

Welcome to the off-season (BOOO), where questions will try to be answered.

American Idol 2011; Final 2 perform

We are down to the final two: Scotty and Lauren. Haley and her attitude went home last week. I must admit I've had a small let down since my favorite (James) went home and the person i didn't want to win (Haley) went home.

I also admit that rankings mean nothing. Its how many times teenage girls vote.

Here's my final rankings:
1) Scotty- most consistent this season, never in the bottom 3. Has a unique voice for such a young age
2) Lauren- i was surprised a girl made it to the finals. She has a good country voice

Honestly the teenage girls got it, Scotty will win

Now who will succeed post idol:
1) scotty
2) james
3) casey
4) jacob
5) lauren
6) thia
7) haley

The rest probably wont make it. But for now, lets celebrate Scotty win.

American Idol; top 3 perform

So i'm still disappointed James is out. And Haley still not mature. Apparently she made a disgusted face when Lauren won round 3.

So here's my rankings:

1. Scotty
2. Haley
3. Lauren

American Idol = FAILED

America has failed. They did not vote for the best talented, most consistent, best performer of the season. Everyone knows it. All the Judges know it. James Durbin brought a different style and flavor to a show that had plateaued in the last few years. James showed a different flare:

• A Judas Priest song
• A Flaming Piano
• PYRO!
• Heavy Metal genre
• Post-Apocalyptic Marching Band
• Hitting the high notes
• Exploding with emotions

None of the other contestants can do that. I truly believe the girls, Haley and Lauren, are as talented or creative or consistent to what James Durbin is right now.

And speaking of Haley, we were incensed at the lack of humility she showed when James was eliminated. She stood there with a big smile on her face thinking, "Yay! James is off, my biggest competitor is gone!" Both Scotty and Lauren felt for James's dismissal. But you rubbed it in his face. You stood on your "high and mighty" pedestal and laughed. I don't know how you made it this far. You can't do half the things James does and you're not as talented (go try to play an instrument).

We are also sad that there is no James Durbin Parade in Santa Cruz. It sucks. He got Daughtry'ed (Chris Daughtry was eliminated at the same time, top 4 down to 3.) Hopefully his career will take off like Daughtry, and Haley's will go the way of Hicks (the eventual winner... never to be seen again)

American Idol 2011; 4 perform

I think this is straight forward:
1) James
2) Scotty
3) Lauren
4) Haley

James and Scotty are both consistent. And the crowd and voters love them. They come out strong both songs.
Lauren and Haley have not been as consistant. Both are doing great, but not as good as James and Scotty. They have a weak song, then a strong song.

Today I think Haley is going home. But not surprised if Lauren does.

American Idol 2011; 5 perform

Casey was sent home last week. He said he knew it was his time. I didn't think so. Perhaps he knew somehting we didnt. An amazing performer.

This week the contestants sang twice. I gotta say that most were really good. Some came out and did great both times, but some only did once. Here's

My Rankings

1. James
2. Scotty
3. Lauren
4. Haley
5. Jacob

Jacob came out and did some un-impressive rendition of "No Air" and it was bad. Haley came out with a unreleased Lady GaGa song. Those were not winners. But they rebounded with the second song, though Haley was better and got a standing O from the judges.

James was strong with his first song, and emotional in the 2nd. Hes gotta control his emotions. But he said it, "I bring it every time". I realized that he's desperate, he's got to provide for his family. And to go home a "loser" would not provide.

With that Jacob had a bad and so-so performance. It's his time to go. Otherwise it'll be a shocker who goes home.

UFC Rankings (Exiting UFC 129)

GSP wins a gain... by decision again. and not as dominating against shields as he was with Koscheck. Aldo beat up Hominick, though Hominick survived, his face nearly didn't. No Heavywights fought. Machida is back in it, and Couture

HEAVYWEIGHT:

1. Cain Valezquez (Last: Lesner/Win ->Next: Dos Santos/Lesner)
   
2. Junior Dos Santos (Nelson/Win -> Lesner)
   
3. Brock Lesner (Valezquez (L title) -> Dos Santos)
   
4. Frank Mir (Carwin (L) -> Nelson)
   
5. Roy Nelson (Dos Santos (L) -> Mir)
   
6. Brandan Shaub (CroCop (W) -> ?)
   
7. Stefan Struve
   
8. Shane Carwin (Lesner (L title) -> ?)
   
9. Pat Berry
10. Minotauro Nogueira

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

1. Jon Jones (Rua (W Title) -> ?)
   
2. Rashad Evans ( -> Davis)
   
3. Lyoto Machida (Couture (W) -> ?)
   
4. Shogun Rua (Jones (L title) -> Griffin)
   
5. Rampage Jackson
6. Forest Griffin
7. Phil Davis
   
8. Ryan Bader (Jones (L) -> ?)
   
9. Luis Cane
10. Vladimir Matyushenko (W -> ?)
    
11. Randy Couture - (L Machieda -> retirement)
    

MIDDLEWEIGHT

1. Anderson Silva
2. Chael Sonnen
3. Yushin Okami
4. Wanderlei Silva
5. Vitor Belfort
6. Nate Marquadt
7. Brian Stann
8. Micheal Bisping
9. Dan Miller
10. Mark Munoz
    

WELTERWEIGHT

1. George St Pierre
2. Jake Shields
3. BJ Penn
4. Jon Fitch
5. Carlos Condit
6. Josh Koscheck
7. Diego Sanchez
8. Jake Ellenberger
   
9. Rory MacDonald
10. Mike Pyle

LIGHTWEIGHT

1. Frankie Edgar
2. Gray Maynard
3. Anthony Pettis
4. Ben Henderson
5. Donald Cerrone
6. Melvin Guillard
7. Clay Guida
8. Jim Miller
   
9. George Sotiropoulos
10. John Makdessi
    

FEATHERWEIGHT

1. Jose Aldo
2. Kenny Florian - next win gets him title shot
   
3. Mike Hominick
4. Josh Grispi
5. Tyson Griffin
6. Diego Nunes
7. Mackens Semerzier
8. Chang Sung Jung
9. Leanord Garcia
10. Pablo Garza

BANTAMWEIGHT

1. Dominic Cruz
2. Urijah Faber
3. Miguel Angel Torres
4. Joseph Benavidez
5. Brian Bowles
6. Micheal MacDonald
7. Ivan Menjivar
8.