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.

American Idol: Top 5 Revealed After Elise Testone Is Eliminated

Elise Testone Eliminated

The list of contestants that made it to the top five of the eleventh season of American Idol was finally revealed. After gaining the lowest votes this week, Elise Testone was sent home and ending her tenure on the show. This week, the contestants performed a song by the Queen and another song of their personal choice, but America has decided that Elise Testone's performances of I Want It All and Bold as Love are not enough to lock her a spot on the top five.

Only two gentlemen remain among the five contestants and the three ladies are surely on the move to gain a spot to the finals. My personal favorite, Jessica Sanchez, slammed the stage with Bohemian Rhapsody, followed by Skylar Laine's performance of The Show Must Go On. Joshua Ledet's Crazy Little Thing Called Love gained him favor from the audience and the judges, followed Elise Testone, who easily knocked out I Want It All. Amazing performances followed also from Phillip Phillips and Hollie Cavanagh as they performed Fat Bottomed Girls and Save Me, respectively. Check out their performances if you haven't seen them yet.

Here are the official top five contestants of this year's American Idol:

Jessica Sanchez

One of the younger contestants, Jessica is ready to continue her dream to fame. Lucky she didn't win on America's Got Talent because her fate would have been different. This is a perfect avenue for her should she win the contest. This Filipino-Mexican power vocalist is surely one of my favorite.

Skylar Laine

Skylar Laine is not really my personal favorite, but she really knows how to showcase her country style music. She has always been consistent on the show and was placed only on the bottom three once (make it twice this week). I believe she also deserves to take a spot on the top five finalists.

Joshua Ledet

This guy is another powerful performer who gained the love of the judges upon performing Runaway Baby on one of the previous episodes. Although that love was not enough to save him from belonging to the bottom three from the weeks performances. Fortunately for him he was saved and able to survive the show until now. He once again received a standing ovation from the Judges, which I might add always happen to him.

Phillip Phillips

I confessed earlier that Phillip Phillips is also one of my favorite, together with Jessica. This rock star as I also said before is the only remaining contestant who didn't belong to the bottom three even once. He has escaped the grilling through his powerful performances that earned him a lot of cheers from the ladies. Although I have to say, this week his performance was a little choppy, but still a lot better that Elise's.

Hollie Cavanagh

This lovely piece of specimen has definitely made her way through the contest with the support of the male fandom. Although I think Hollie is quite playing safe that is why there is really no remarkable performance that I could remember from her. I can't remember any instant that she would belong to the extremes, because if she did I would certainly know.

The contestants' personal choices of songs for their second performance were surely the meter for this week's show by showcasing their capabilities through the song that they think will bring them more votes from the public. Jessica Sanchez performed one of my all-time favorite song by Luther Vandross, Dance With My Father. Joshua Ledet's rendition of Ready For Love and Skylar Laine's Tattoos on This Town followed her performance. Once again Elise Testone set the crowd on a blaze with Bold as Love, followed by Phillip Phillips' The Stone and Hollie Cavanagh's The Climb.

After their performances and when the results came in, the bottom three are as follows: Skylar Laine, Elise Testone and Hollie Cavanagh. Ryan Seacrest later on revealed that Elise Testone is hereby eliminated. Do you think Elise's elimination from American Idol is acceptable? Who will make it to the top four, and who will eventually be named as this year's American Idol?

Ubi-Camera: A New Way of Taking Pictures With Your Fingers

Ubi-Camera

At least once in our lives we have somehow created an imaginary camera through four of our fingers. We created a rectangular frame with our thumbs and index fingers and simulated the clicking sound of a real camera. This is mostly for fun of course, but we can't deny we almost believed that these gestures were for real.

Thanks to the efforts of the researchers at Japan’s Institute of Advanced Media Arts and Sciences, we maybe able to make this once-fun-gesture a new feat of technological reality. They have come to develop a new prototype of a finger-framing camera called Ubi-Camera. The project has still miles away to perfection, but at least we have a very clear path on what's going to happen in the world of photography.

Checkout the video of the said prototype and see if we are already near on seamlessly reaching this new way of taking pictures:

The camera works by inserting your index finger in a finger slot. It can determine the width of the frame through its camera and sensors, along with an IR range finder. “You simply move the focal point around by moving your fingers away or towards your face: nearer to your face for wide-angle shots or further away for close-ups. Press a button and the shot is snapped.”

Now that photography is now a craze for everyone - Instagram, DSLRs and more -- this new wave of technology will certainly excite every photo enthusiasts. Unfortunately, this device is not yet available in teh market until such times all the hurdles in the camera are resolved.

Now we only have to wish this device will be released officially so that we can have a taste of taking pictures by framing our fingers.

Latest on Life of Pi Movie Adaptation: Picture and Details

Life of Pi

From time to time we discover books that are so wonderful we cannot rest until we see them adapted to movies. And then we will be disappointed that not all from the book were translated into the cinematic view of the wide screen. There are also times where we simply don't care how bad the movie was since the book was very good just the same. So when Fox decided to adapt Yann Martel's Life of Pi to a movie, I was a little hesitant.

This story is a favorite of many and I was saddened that I will be once again disappointed with the differences between the book and its adaptation. But when news of the progress of the movie take light I was a little relieved. From hiring a great director to the latest picture from the movie, my uncertainty was slowly melting down.

See for your self why I was now a little confident of the movie -- with its latest movie picture:

This is much like a reminiscent of the book's cover featuring Pi Patel and a Bengal tiger taking a chance for survival. Here is the almost-the-same-concept book cover, if you haven't seen it yet:

Actually Pi will not be sharing the lifeboat with a tiger only, but with a few other animals, including a hyena, a zebra and an orangutan. They will have to contend with each other after the freighter that they were boarding on sank. Pi was the only human survivor of the incident. But of course, what will you get if you put together carnivorous animals and prey in one place? Mayhem, or is it not?

To be directed by Ang Lee, helmer of the amazing Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the movie was originally scheduled for release on December 14, 2012, but was pushed back a week later due to the release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on the same date. The movie is starred by Tobey Maguire who will play the narrator of the movie, Yann Martel, together with and 17-year old Indian newcomer Suraj Sharma as the lead character. David Magee is to adapt the screenplay of the movie.

Watch for your self how this encounter turns out and wonder no more if Pi will survive and live along to tell the tale or not.

Mathai and Cheesa Voted Off From Team Adam and Team Cee Lo

The Voice

It seems that the male contestants are almost always lucky in The Voice. last week two gents from Team Blake and Team Christina were saved by the public. This time America has saved yet two other male contestants for Team Adam and Team Cee Lo. Both Jamar Rogers who performed It's My Life and Tony Lucca singing ...Baby One More Time got sure spots for the semi-finals for Team Cee lo and Team Adam, respectively.

Unfortunately, for the four remaining ladies they still have to perform in their last chance performances to convince each of their Judges to pick them for the save. Will it be Katrina Parker or Mathai for Team Adam? And who will Cee Lo choose between Cheesa and Juliet Simms? Two will only remain for each team and their coaches will have to decide who is deserving to move on to the semi-finals.

Check out the battle rounds for their last chance performance:

Team Adam: Katrina Parker vs. Mathai

Katrina Parker vs Mathai

Adam was really in for a hard call after choosing between the two ladies, who in the course of time gathered their own following. It looks to me that this round is a battle for age and experience. Katrina has this advantage over Mathai and that is maybe why Adam chose the former. Adam is really pressured here for sure, because he has to maintain his last year's winning or he'll have to suffer the revenge of defeat this year. That is why I really believe that he did the right thing choosing Katrina Parker to be part of his team.

Katrina Parker ~ Perfect

Aside from looking glamorous in black, Katrina Parker has finnaly hit the mark with her performance of Perfect. That is no wonder why Adam Levine picked her over Mathai, who performed her good but somehow sloppy version of Cowboy Casanova. I liked Mathai as well, but her recent performance is less than perfect as Katrina's song lyrics goes. I was very happy with Adam's decision and that's maybe the best move he could make for his team.

Mathai ~ Cowboy Casanova

No offense to Mathai, but her elimination is rather good for her in order to continue her parents' dream of her becoming a doctor. Now that she has a shot of fame it would be favorable for her to study first and finish her college. She shouldn't waste time until such time that she is ready she could come back again to being a singer. I only wish the best for her.

Adam's Choice, Katrina Parker
Mathai Eliminated

Winner: Kathrina Parker
Eliminated: Mathai

Team Cee Lo: Juliet Simms vs. Cheesa

Juliet Simms vs Cheesa

It's not because Juliet Simms looked gorgeous why Cee Lo chose her but for that fact that she is one of the best performers of the night. She has definitely improved from week to week and today is not an exemption. Although I was a little sad of Cheesa Laureta's (or Cheesa for short) elimination. She is after all a Filipino who was once raised in the lovely City of Cebu, where I will be going next week.

Juliet Simms ~ Torn

Cee Lo has chosen rightly, bias aside, cause Juliet Simms could be perfect. She has the talent and the looks: the perfect package of becoming a star. Her performance of the song Torn has definitely overshadowed Cheesa's Already Gone. I cannot help but think that Cheesa's song choice is maybe a premonition of her fate in the show, which is really sad by the way.

Cheesa ~ Already Gone

In the previous weeks we see Cee Lo as being laid back and didn't even care with Christina's and Adam's brawls. I used to think he has chosen his team members because sometimes he has no choice to do otherwise or sometimes because of his co-coaches pressure. But now that we have seen who comprise his team, I do believe that Cee Lo really has the ear and the eye for spotting real talent.

I am now smiling whenever Cee Lo proves me, or the other coaches for that matter, that his team still has what it takes to become part of The Voice. They have waded their way through and proved that they really have the talent and the appeal to survive in the competition.

Cee Lo's Choice, Juliet Simms
Cheesa Eliminated

Winner: Juliet Simms
Eliminated: Cheesa

*-*

Semi-Finals is almost on its way and we have now the complete list of vocalists who qualified for the round. Who among the team members of Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, and Cee Lo Green will make it to the finals and finally have to chance to be called The Voice.

You Now Know Who I Follow For My Skinny Get Up

Skinny

For a skinny and tall person like me I always find it hard to look for shirts and pants that would perfectly fit me. If it's not too big it would be too short. That is why maybe there came a time where I don't bother any more if I look bad or not. It's a taxing thing to do, choosing your clothes.

I really dreamed of having European shops -- since they cater usually to skinny physiques and all -- around here for me to buy my clothes from, but unfortunately there are only a few. That is maybe the reason why, lately I opted for the not-so-rugged look of wearing white v-necks and not-so-fitting jeans. They are the ones that usually goes with my style and my yearning for breezy and weightless comfort.

So I surfed around the net to look for people, famous or not, that I could somewhat base my get-up from time to time. I was surprised that Winky's favorite amateur singer, Tanner Patrick, gets this kind of look as well, along with many others. Check it out here:

I have been following Tanner Patrick for a while and unintentionally get some tips on what to wear. He added to the looks a leather jacket, which luckily I have one at home. But I don't think I have to guts to wear the same. Anyway, here are some more v-neck get-ups I found:

Adam Levine

Robert Pattinson

Ryan Gosling

Joe Jonas

Dream on , John. Dream on. Try as you might copy their looks and all, but you are still light-years away compared with these veterans. I admit I don't really know how to make my self  look better that's why I look up to some famous people to get the simple, yet in look.