Friday, September 9, 2011

Bye Y'all

I thought about deleting this blog, but I'm not ready to do that yet so, for now, I'll just say good-bye and leave it here for others to stumble upon. It's been fun and I thank each and every one of you for reading and for your comments.

Sometimes we just have to say good-bye and part ways. It's usually when reality slaps us in the face with a truth we never wanted to face. It hurts, but that's life - without the fantasies.

As an aside: You can lie to others and maybe never be found out - but the one person you can't lie to is yourself. Well knowing you, as I have, maybe you can. Oh, and now I know why you didn't want me to publish what I had originally written about the dcsc2 LAN. Like I've said many times before, you're so transparent.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

America's Got Talent - The Results and Only Four are Left

First, I have to say, I'm amazed that through all those dumb, stupid acts the final 10 displayed talent. I can't imagine getting so close - like one step away from the finals - and going home.

When Smage Bros. were called on stage, along with iLuminate, I was hopeful, even though I knew America voted for iLuminate. I'm not sure where the Smage Bros. will take their motorcycle act, but I'm sure America will hear more of them.

Whilst I enjoy iLuminate's talents, I'll be disappointed if they go all the way. Even though Howie considers them to be the "Second most fun I have in the dark."

I wonder how much influence the judges have on the voting? Last night they weren't thrilled with Miami All Stars, and only Piers raved about Lys Agnes. Neither of them went through and I wonder if the judges' critique had an impact?

Lys stood, tears welled in her eyes, as if she foresaw her forthcoming fate in some crystal ball. She was kicking herself for taking a risk, but shouldn't. Her future doesn't lie in the hands of this show and she will undoubtedly realize a successful career in the industry.

As for Miami All Stars - oh my, ya gotta love 'em. The leader of the pack gave the most exquisite thank you in his Lantino accent that it choked me up a bit.

With only a 1% difference in the votes, Poplyfe and Landon Swank took the stage next. Magicians have never seen the final 10 so, it was unlikely America voted for him, even though he's talented. Poplyfe, of course, is my favorite. I just love the sincere sweetness that radiates from the lead singer. There were no mixed emotions here. If one of them made it, it had to be Poplyfe for me. And it was :D

I lost track of who was still standing during the "entertainment" part of the show. Nick, the skit wasn't funny. Not blaming you, but the writers, obviously. And Howie, seeing bare skin on your head is, frankly, enough. America isn't ready for the Full Monty.

Much more impressive was Il Divo, the classical cross-over quartet, who had the judges standing and Piers smiling at the end of the song "Wicked Game." If you've never heard them do "Mama" it's worth a visit to YouTube.

Following their performance the next two acts, Silhouettes and West Springfield Dance Team, were called on stage. I don't want to take anything away from West Springfield, but this was a no-brainer for me. If Silhouettes hadn't won, I'd be unable to write this post due to shock.

The heart-breaking news for me came when Landou Eugene Murphy, Jr. and Anna Graceman awaited the results. They're both such talented vocalists in their own right. Who do I really want to see move on, and why?

Murphy has a wife and kids. He's struggled most of his life as a car washer. He's not getting any younger and this might be his last shot at fame. Then, again, certainly some agent spotted him and he'd be signed to appear in Vegas despite the results.

Anna is only 11 years old. She has her whole life ahead of her and finishing in the top 10 is certainly not failure. She's supported by her parents, so wouldn't need the money, except for maybe her college education. And headlining in Vegas, might change her too much at such an impressionable age.

Yeah, I had to go with Murphy and when Nick announced Landou Eugene Murphy, Jr. I was happy until I saw the emotional tears streaming down the cheeks of an 11- year-old, heartbroken kid. Chin up, Anna, your life is just beginning, even if your soul is a thousand years old.

And to think, when I was a toddler, singing and dancing my heart out on stage, family and friends thought I was so talented. LOL! Yeah, I would have gotten buzzed by all three judges shortly after the beginning. Unless, of course, it was on cuteness. Hey, where was Little Miss Perfect when I was a kid?

America's Got Talent - Finally the Finalists

It seemed to take forever to get to this stage, where talent abounds. From 100,000 acts (most of the dumbest talent I've ever seen) down to 10. But they couldn't have started the show with a better opening.

I believe that some people simply feel deeper than others and they absorb all the emotion that vibrates throughout our planet. There is no better example of what I'm talking about than Michael Grimm, last year's AGT winner.

He opened tonight's show with "Stay With Me" and I could feel the song, because he sang it with every fiber of his being. He doesn't sing, he experiences a song - lives it - in such a way that his audiences are drawn into his time in space.

To perform a heart-wrenching song with such emotion, when you're sitting on top of the world, just goes to show how talented he is and how much he really deserved to win last year. And I knew it from the first time I saw him perform. :D

Fortunately, they didn't follow his opening with another singer. They opted to bring out the Miami All Stars, who blew me away last week. This week, not so much. The football theme in honor of NFL Kick-Off Week, felt more like a cheer than a dance. The mascot, a chicken, was just cheesy.

But they weren't the only talent to take a risk. A gigantic risk was taken by Lys Agnes, a singer who last week fused rock with opera, did it again this week with an Arrowsmith song, "Dream On." Love the song, love her, but not too sure I liked her switch from soprano to contralto. Frankly, I wish she had sung the song in her normal register, which is fantabulous. The dream catcher she stood in was awesome cool, though. And, no, Sharon, not at all like Cher, who has a one-octave range.

Whilst her performance had magical overtones, Landon Swank brought the real magic. In a New York style apartment setting, he appeared like a suave and debonaire gentleman, conjuring a tablet in his hand, that when put in his mouth, turned into a ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww goldfish. Yeah, he spat it in a glass. Double ewwwwwwwww. Then, he put his hand through the glass aquarium and released da wittle fishy. I've got this one figured out, but I can't give away the secret. :D

What I can't figure out is how an 11-year-old can sing with the same emotion as Michael Grimm, unless her soul is much older than her years. Anna Graceman, sang, sans piano, "True Colors." I don't think it was quite as good as previous performances, but she took a risk by separating herself from the piano.

Next up...Silhouettes, who hit the nail on the head this week by telling a story in dance, of why Americans should be proud. "Believe" which they spelled out at the end of their exquisitely picturesque dance earned them a standing O.

And from the beautiful to the daring, the Smage Bros. were next on stage. Frankly, I'm beginning to believe that the kid who doesn't ride is the bravest of all. Tonight he was hit in the head and leg, as the motorcycles zoomed around the stage, up and down the planks and wheelied across a slender, metal bar. Their act is nothing short of jaw-dropping, breath-holding entertainment.

But the one act that never fails to entertain me is Poplyfe, who also received a standing O, after their Michael Jackson medley. Both last week and this week, they took a risk by performing songs made popular by all-time great artists and amazingly turned 'em out even better.

The one act, who I believe, didn't even deserve to be there from the start - West Springfield Horror Dance Team - is finally getting old to the judges. Their gory, zombie routine tonight was, as the judges said, "predictable."

Now you might call Landou Eugene Murphy, Jr. predictable, as well. He's a crooner and there's not much a crooner can do, but croon. Of course when you croon with a voice like Sinatra and perform with the style of Dean Martin, all to a big band, it's more than just singing. He made the stage come alive with "Kick in the Head." Wonder if Vegas has any crooners? Even Piers said that the one act he'd shell out money to see is Murphy, to which Sharon said, that's saying a lot coming from someone as tight as Piers.

Last to perform, and an act which I've always viewed as "just another glow in the dark act" really lit up the stage tonight. iLuminate was electrifying, but I'm sure it doesn't translate as well via satellite.

There were 10 very talented and deserving acts tonight - well nine. But only four are going through and this time it's all on America's shoulders. *sighs* I'm just glad it doesn't rest on mine. Although, I know I'm voting for Poplyfe.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

How Forgiving Are You? Or Are You Forgiving At All?

I have to admit that I'm not a forgiving person - once I've been betrayed, an apology doesn't turn things around for me. I live by the motto, "Shit on me once, shame on you. Shit on me twice, shame on me." You'd have to be some kind of idiot to go back for more, right?

It's not that I hold onto the betrayal - no, I won't do that to myself. When I finally realize that a person screwed me over, I simply create this fantabulous scenario in my mind where, he/she suffers greatly and then dies. Yes, in my mind they must die for their iniquities. But then it's over and done, whist never forgotten. It's just easier to forgive when they're dead and gone.

My mother had a daughter once - many years before giving birth to me - who had a tribe of little bastards and one day, after many betrayals - none of which I forgot - I placed them all in a cabin up in Sedona in the middle of winter and Kaboom baybay. Blown to smithereens. The final betrayal and they've all been dead to me ever since. So, yeah, I write my little fantasy stories and it gets me through life. We all, each and everyone of us, have our ways of coping with life. This works for me.

When I was three I was raped by my sitter's brother. No biggie, because consciously I didn't remember the incident; the memory - not the event - came much later and he was no more than maybe 12 from what I recollect.

Throughout my childhood I was molested by every pervert that came within close proximity. A friend's grandfather, a man from my father's business, who "Finds great pleasure in taking a little girl to kiddyland and the zoo," (my mother was all too willing to be free of me for a day - no I never forgave her)a man who owned a little neighborhood grocery store, the father of kids I babysat with once, a customer of my father's, who would let me sit on his lap and pretend to drive the car. What a thrill for a little girl - even more of a thrill for a pervert. LOL! Oh, and let us not forget, my mother's husband, who told a 10 year old it was okay, because he wasn't her real dad. Yeah, these things happen even with the well-to-do.

In my teens, I suffered two rapes. The first by a high school friend. The other by a man who offered to help me out of a sticky situation. LOL. There were two attempted rapes in my early teens that I was fortunate to avoid. One, due to the kindness of a stranger and another due to a bottle of wine. Several years after the second rape, I encountered that "helpful" man in church. He was taking collections and sat with his wife and kids. When he came to my pew, the blood drained from his face. Wonder why? Of course if he was repentant, God can forgive him. I'm not God.

So, can I forgive all these perverts that caused me harm? Can I even make excuses for them? For the longest time I thought I was some awful person to attract these kinds of people. I know better now. I know it wasn't my fault. But the memories are still there, buried deep in my subconscious, locked safely away until something happens that allows them to escape.

They escape when I let my guard down and semi-trust someone. (Yeah, unbelievable that I have trust issues LOL) only to learn I've, once again, been betrayed. Then, I have the daunting task of gathering all those memories and locking them up again.(Do traumatized children ever really forget the trauma?).

I've never been good at relationships, because I'm not trusting; therefore, I avoid them. I remain uninvolved and uncommitted. I'm actually much happier that way. Life shouldn't be taken seriously and when one allows the seriousness of a relationship to enter their lives, they foolishly expect fairytale endings. Well honestly, folks, what comes after "...and they lived happily ever after?" The end! LOFL!

If you open the door to a person you know is untrustworthy, you deserve a kick in the ass. But what constitutes a liar or a cheat? Can you forgive little white lies? "No that dress doesn't make your ass look big." Strangely, I can't. That's a betrayal to me. How could someone who cares about you, let you go out in an outfit that makes your ass look big? I could never trust that person again. Can you forgive someone who cheats on their taxes? Well, for heaven's sake, who doesn't? But if they cheat the government so easily, what would prevent them from cheating on anything/anyone else?

Is it okay if you're in a relationship, to flirt? If you're a known flirt, which I am, and you know I am, guess it should be over-looked, right? Or is it dependent upon how far the flirtations go? If someone flirts with explicit sexual connotations and innuendos, with the same person, not just once, but over a period of months, even inviting the person to meet with them, is that flirting or cheating? Should that be over-looked, forgiven and forgotten? Dealt with? Is it an unfortunate "Mistake" if it happened over and over? Is it okay to lie (deny) about what happened for "Good reason." Can you ever trust the person again? Or are you just being a dope, who is taking a little indiscretion too seriously?

So, how forgiving are you? Or are you forgiving at all?

You can post your comments anonymously. But please do comment. Too often people read and think their comment or input isn't important - it really is.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

LuckyFool Breaks the Avilo Curse at It's Gosu LAN #3

Don't know how Luckyfool is feeling now after finally beating avilo 2-0, but I'd think he's feeling pretty damn happy. I have to admit that Lucky's games have gotten better, even though avilo played with less patience than usual and made some major mistakes.

I can make lots of excuses as to why avilo lost in today's event, but I really do think he jinxed himself - No Hat - No Green - No Sleep - Little Practice - No Sassy - No Cyberground. (Learned the real reason he was jinxed. Sup Son?)

Most of the DC area LAN tournaments have quit CyberGround because they were being unfair and because it was small and "stinky," according to some of the players. They're using Netolic facilities in Annandale, VA. now. Avilo has attended two there, this one and the one sponsored by dcsc2, where he took second.

But this is about Lucky's win. He was to the point where he never thought he'd beat Avilo and tonight he was on a roll, even though he lost to HwangSin twice. The first game HwangSin dropped Lucky to the loser's bracket 2-0. But he faced him again for 1st place, after beating ices, avilo and wbc.

Of course, I wouldn't miss an It's Gosu LAN tournament, even if they do bring in their pros to take the win. Guess it's their money and they wanna keep it in the family. LOL! Actually, I said that in chat and Ayesee countered with, they bring in the pros because other players enjoy playing the pros. Guess I'll have to talk to the "other players." hehe

So even though Lucky lost to HwangSin in the finals 3-0, he came in second and can go home flying, because he beat avilo, who, unfortunately, went home in fourth.

The top three -

HwangSin - Protoss (ez) Gold
Luckyfool - Terran Silver
wbc - Protoss (ez) Bronze

Avilo - fourth - the only this he ended up taking home was his date, so the night wasn't a total loss - hopefully :D

Since I haven't been hanging around the SC community much, I have to say that I enjoyed seeing the It's Gosu group and chat was fun and funny as usual. Redmagejr and Ayesee are great casters. And Zyori, formerly from Hypercrew, sat in so Redmage could take a break. Ayesee doesn't get a break.

Fireminx, Redmage's gf was suppose to be there, but came down with the makins of a migraine - not fun. She popped up in chat though and she's as much fun as her lesser half. (kidding Redmage)

My3000Ride, was first to greet me and I just smiled from ear to ear. He's one of mods, who apparently reads my blogs, but never comments. *glares* Hey, as long as he lurks and laughs it's okay with me.

Orion was in chat too, but a very different Orion than when I first met him. Subdued in comparison. Now I'm worried.

It wasn't until much later that Voss showed up, but Minx and I had fun teasing him behind his back about George Clooney. Hey, Voss, didn't know you have a poster of him hanging over your bed. LOL

Mumbles, one of the other mods, tried giving oral instructions - and they weren't voice lessons; however me thinks he needs more practice. But it was pretty funny.

All in all, despite the fact that avilo was probably feeling pretty down after the tournament, it was a great event. And yeah, from this day forward, watch out because avilo will probably come back like a beast - and that goes for you IG guys, too. :)Alls I can say to It's Gosu is bring it!

For replays of today's event go to: http://www.itsgosu.com/ you might have to navigate around a bit, but it's worth the effort.

Also for Zyori, who's making his own way since he left Hypercrew, go to http://www.zyori.tv/

And lastly, if you're a Terran fan and like watching exciting ladder play, with great commentary and super silliness, avilo's still showing off with his nukes @ http://www.twitch.tv/avilo#/w/1606084208/2

See you guys @ the next LAN.