JulietSimms

 

JulietSimms

Skylar Laine Eliminated from the American Idol Season 11

Skylar Laine

After narrowly missing it last week, Skylar Laine is eliminated from American Idol season 11. It was a tough call for her and her fellow contestant Hollie Cavanagh, who also belonged to the bottom two this week. Lucky for Hollie and her good looks she was saved eventually. Now its an even fight between girls and boys as two remains from each gender.

Four contestants remain and has the chance to battle it off in the finals. The remaining contestants are as follows: Phillip Phillips, Joshua Ledet, Hollie Cavanagh and, of course, my ultimate favorite, Jessica Sanchez. Before the elimination, each contestant performed Songs from the 1960s and from a British Pop singer. Skylar performed Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival for her solo 1960s song, (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher by Jackie Wilson for a 1960s group performance and You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Dusty Springfield for British Pop.

You could check her performances here:

Songs from the 1960s (solo) - Fortunate Son

Songs from the 1960s (trio) - (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher

British Pop - You Don't Have to Say You Love Me

Now, I guess it's about time Skylar goes home cause many of her critics really lambasted how she sings country. I guess Skylar Laine's elimination just gives the remaining four, who are more deserving by the way, greater chances to finally achieve the title of this year's American Idol. I just hope it would be Jessica Sanchez. So keep voting on for Jessica, everyone. Let's make her dreams a reality.

New Trailer and Pictures for The Amazing Spider-Man (May 3, 2012)

The Amazing Spider-Man

I've always like watching movie adaptations of comic books from Marvel and DC. They almost always entice me to think I am very special just like the superheroes. What's wrong with thinking you're special right? And as a treat for us superhero movie fanatic we have here a new trailer from The Amazing Spider-Man just released last May 3, 2012.

Just when we thought we already had our fill of the movie through its first trailer, we have once again experienced the awe after seeing some new clips, especially the funny side of Peter Parker. No offense to Tobey, but I can't seem to find some hilarious moments when he acted out as Peter, unlike Andrew Garfield. I am very sure Marc Webb has done a very good job of making this movie feel very different from its predecessors.

So to ease your pain, here is the new trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man:

Luckily, I have snagged a new poster and some images from the net and they are most definitely very appetizing.

The Amazing Spider-Man is a reboot of the old series that was directed by Sam Raimi. The story will relive the high school days of Peter Parker -- Spider-Man minus his costume -- and his struggles to find his identity. This is the arc where the original trilogy most definitely didn't focus on much and it's nice to see a younger Peter in action. He will face the Lizard, who will be played by Rhys Ifans, as the villain of this movie. If you could remember Rhys played the twisted Xenophilius Lovegood in the Harry Potter series. CGI aside I thinks he very unrecognizable and very villainous that is.

Isn't this new trailer of The Amazing Spider-Man a nice way to urge us to watch the movie on its release this coming July 3, 2012? I am so excited.

4 Finalists Advance for Grand Finals in The Voice Season 2

The Voice

After just a few days of taking leave I already missed a week of my life after the four finalists for The Voice season 2 has already been revealed. Thanks to the collaboration of the Judges and the viewers, after summing up there scores and votes, only four remain to compete in the Grand Finals of the show.

Now each coach has only one vocalist to represent them. I was only stumped when two Judges played safe -- sorry Christina and Blake -- and as always only Adam and Cee Lo made a stand for whoever they think will bring victory to their teams. There were a torn feel to the show as some are happy their favorites advanced to the show while the four others went home with tears on their eyes.

Get to know the 4 finalists for The Voice Season 2:

Team Christina: Chris Mann

I always hate it when Christina plays safe for her team members. At this instance, where is the gut feeling and urge of the heart that she always talks about. Although when she gave both Chris and Lindsey an even score of 50/50 I was little sympathetic of her goals that she needs America to decide for her team. This is of course a nice strategy because she should have chosen wrongly and the public chose for the other she would have regretted it.

I admit I was egging more for Lindsey, but even her votes cannot save her as Chris still gets majority of the public votes. Chris man got 54 of the overall votes for Team Christina and Lindsey obviously got the remaining 46 percent. A four-percent lead is all it takes to send Lindsey away. I even got a feeling that Lindsey was kind of dismayed after subtlety walking out the stage, leaving Christina looking for her.

Team Adam: Tony Lucca

Adam almost always makes me wanna rejoice. I rejoiced that he made a stand on whom to choice for his team that will represent in the finals. But I wasn't really happy when he chose Tony Lucca. Giving a 60/40 score in favor of Tony, Katrina already had 20 points to beat. That's a very long way to achieve if we are to put poll results into the equation.

Tony had had his fill during his Mickey Mouse club days but haven't really got a break the way his co-stars had. But I guess his voice is very common that their is no really character to it. But that's the beauty in it since the public likes pop and pop is common. Unlike Katrina unique tone and sometime raspy voice, only a few would go for it since it is an acquired taste.

Team Blake: Jermaine Paul

Now another play safe Judge is Blake. Blake who was given a chance to choose between Erin and Jermaine, but opted to let the public do the choosing. But no matter how hard Blake ran away from the responsibility Erin is still a miles away from Jermaine. An overall total of 123 points for Jermaine over Erin's 77 is a sure sign that America really loved the former than the latter.

Jermaine Paul is surely one of the best contenders of this season, but I am not really sure if he could follow on Javier Colon's lead. He may have beaten Erin, but he will have a hard time fending off other finalists. If he wants to win, he will have to exert double effort and get out of his comfort zone. This time the public does not want a repeat of the previous year's contest and would want something fresh, something new.

Team Cee Lo: Juliet Simms

Among all four Judges, laid-back Cee Lo I guess has the greatest attachments to his team members. He has taken care of his vocalist very well and they have excelled to their maximum potential you would think they are already really stars. But Cee Lo is never playing safe since he favored Juliet by giving her 60 points over Jamar's 40. From the looks of it Jamar was a little disappointed, but who would not be?

Juliet is my favorite also among Cee Lo's team and this just makes me happy seeing that she has a very considerable lead against Jamar. Both of them are on the same genre and only one must go on to the finals. Will a rock star win this year's the Voice or would the public still go for the pop?

Will they match their predecessors or will they surpass their achievements. This season gives us a variety of artists, each different from each other. Just like what Christina said it will be like comparing apples with oranges.

So to sum up the four finalists for The Voice season 2 that will face off in the final round are Chris Mann for team Christina, Tony Lucca for Team Adam. Jermaine Paul for team Blake and Juliet Simms for Team Cee Lo. Who do you support? Do you think he or she really got what it takes to be called The Voice?

Expectations and Goals with Regards to My Stay in Cebu City

Cebu City

Here at last at the Queen City of The South after a tiresome and head-ache inducing travel. I am not here for vacation or pleasure trip, but to work my ass out. This is more or less my fifth time to Cebu City and I was a little shocked that the city has changed a lot. Many vacant areas before are now plagued by tall and monstrous buildings. Where were the trees and grasslands that I used to name and love?

Anyway, since I have mentioned here earlier that I am gonna be here for work and that means I have to stay for quite some time, I have set a list of some of my expectations, goals and future destinations. In order to keep me grounded and focused, I must remind my self of the things that I have to do here.

Here it goes:

Work and Work More

If I had been industrious and hard-working in my Iloilo days then I have to exceed those achievements. I don't want to repeat the mistakes I have done in relation to my work. The previous year was a nightmare to me and I hope this change of environment could somehow reboot my once very proactive nature. I need to work double and be the employee my company expects me to be.

In order to do this I have to shed away my laxity and complacent behavior. Yeah, I have to get the things done in a very efficient way, but now that I am here I have to think out of the box and be aggressive to do not only the things assigned to me but also other things that could help alleviate the company I am working with.

Save and Be Thrifty

Now that I am far from home I have almost no one to turn to when I budget fails me, or if I fail my budget rather. Extra lock on my wallet to ensure I could achieve this goal. Maybe refraining from these and those things that I might see as a luxury from time to time and giving value to whatever I have spent on. This means I have to take care of my things as well. So goodbye the-hell-I-care attitude.

Ayala is just a stride away from my office and this means I have to be extra stern to my self. I need to reinforce my self-control and throw away the impulsive side that almost always fails me in this aspect. Although I have to admit I still need to buy some books from time to time -- after a number of my books have not been returned, I have to replenish my library.

Fitness and Quest for Health

This may sound a negative approach to it, but I am a little envious of the Cebuanos. After having been catatonic for months since I stopped going to the gym, I lost some of my weight and bulk. This is a source of depression for me from time to time, which leads to my weighing lesser and lesser. I have to improve my diet plans and all.

After having discovered that soy milk does not cause me discomfort compared to regular milk I guess I might find my source of dairy requirements from here on. Protein bars and drinks, and fruit shakes must be back to my list of staple food or drinks. This is quite in contrast with my budget goal, but I guess I could work this out.

Travel More and Discover New Places

I have to do this in a way where I don't have to spend much money. There are a lot of locations here that needed visiting to experience that joy it could offer. Aside from Donsol, I heard that whale sharks are also accessible in Oslob, Cebu. This will be one of the things I have to experience in life so I am adding it to the list. This means of course that I have to visit beaches and resorts as well.

Aside from the natural environment, the man made bliss of buildings and venues should not be forgotten. Of course the nearest to my office, which is Ayala Mall, should be the first in line. Some bookstores, cafes, restaurants, bars and all others. I could I visit these without spending much? Sigh...

Strengthening My Bond to the Lord

Cebu is known to be the place where religion is a big part of your day. This will surely inspire me to strengthen my religious affiliation as well. Because at the end of it all, only the Almighty has given me strength when I am weak and down, direction when I am lost and support when I have nothing.

I might not be able to do it instantly, but adding a small portion of it day by day will eventually lead me there. So long as I know my beliefs and make a stand on it, it will not be useless. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. ~ Psalm 28:7

I really do hope I could abide by these goals and expectations. Only time could tell.

Complete Performances of the 2012 American Idol Top 6 Finalists

American Idol

While most of us are already celebrating the triumph of the top 5 of American Idol for season 11, some parts of the world are not even in the know yet that Elise Testone was already eliminated from the show. After their renditions of a Queen song and a song of personal choice, America has decided that Elise has to go, and the other two who belonged to the bottom three were Skylar Laine and Hollie Cavanagh.

The world's maybe mourning for Elise Testone's elimination, but that does not stop other fans from celebrating because their favorites are safe. I for one was happy that Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips are safe and can proceed to the next round. But for those who haven't seen the performances of the contestants last April 26, 2012, I made a compilation just for you.

Here are the performances of American Idol's top 6 finalists:

Jessica Sanchez

Jessica Sanchez ~ Bohemian Rhapsody Performance (Queen)

Jessica Sanchez ~ Dance with My Father Performance (Luther Vandross)

Skylar Laine

Skylar Laine ~ The Show Must Go On Performance (Queen)

Skylar Laine ~ Tattoos on This Town Performance (Jason Aldean)

Joshua Ledet

Joshua Ledet ~ Crazy Little Thing Called Love Performance (Queen)

Joshua Ledet ~ Ready for Love Performance (India.Arie)

Elise Testone

Elise Testone ~ I Want It All Performance (Queen)

Elise Testone ~ Bold as Love Performance (The Jimi Hendrix Experience)

Phillip Phillips

Phillip Phillips ~ Fat Bottomed Girls Performance (Queen)

Phillip Phillips ~ The Stone Performance (Dave Matthews Band)

Hollie Cavanagh

Hollie Cavanagh ~ Save Me Performance (Queen)

Hollie Cavanagh ~ The Climb Performance (Miley Cyrus)

The contestants have surely made an impression on their rendition of a Queen song, but when time came for the performance on the song they themselves chose some of them faltered. Whatevers going to happen next, let's just hope that their performances really justified's America's vote for them.