What I Have Been Up To Lately....

Well, a lot has been going on the last few weeks which has kept me busy and without time to do proper updates. It started when I had my wrist surgery and it was just too difficult to get online and type with one hand. That is pretty much over but its been busy at work and at night with different things going on. I am going to try and recap a bit today but I want to break things up into different posts so don't get confused!

If all goes as I plan (and that is a big IF!) I will get myself caught up on life here and worry about odds and ends later!

Ta ta for now...

Hi all. Sorry i haven't recapped lately but i did want to make a quick post in case anyone was interested,that Creative Memories just came out with a ton of new stuff, including a bunch of DISNEY stuff and a bunch of digital stuff. I do believe you can now buy download versions of the memory manager and storybook creator plus as well.

You can check it out here: http://www.mycmsite.com/colleenf


Easiest way to see new stuff specifically is go to shop products then, new products. any questions let me know.

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Colleen-Creative Memories Consultant -- Your Life | Your Story | Your Way
CM ID # 53118294
Your source for Traditional Scrapbooks, Photo Albums, Digital StoryBooks and Custom Framing!

www.mycmsite.com/colleenf -- Visit my website for new products and ideas!
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Six Flags called and wants us to come visit!?!

That is the text I recieved on Sunday morning from my friend Jay who thought it was about time we put our season passes to good use and hit the six flags for some Sunday afternoon fun!

All in all it was a great day and Jay and I had a blast. Ben had decided to stay home and relax and thought we were crazy to go but it worked out ok. We were able to get on the rides we wanted to and still have a good time. We were able to use this special pass so we didn't have to stand in the actual line for rides and deal with stairs or such for Jay. You essentially still wait to go on the rides but in a different way (details on that can also be found on LJ).

But here, I wanted to talk about Six Flags Great Adventure and some of the changes I have noticed them making over the last year or so and what I think of them. As someone who has been going to Great Adventure for years, I think some things are great and others are not so much.

Overall the park does seem to have cleaned up its act in the sense of actual cleaning. Of course its also the begining of the season so who knows what it will look like in October! But I felt like the place looked cleaner, there were more trash cans and plenty of people walking around cleaning up.

The park has seemed to add a good amount of attractions that are geared towards kids. The addition of the Fast pass as a pay option for people is a nice attempt but I don't think it is as effective as it is in Disney World or Universal Studies. But they are learning so hopefully it will improve as time goes on.

What I was not impressed with however was the new locker/bags policy enforcement. The new thing this year is these lockers that cost $1 every time you use one and they are time limited to 2hours and all bags MUST be with a non-rider or in the lockers. While I understand the park does not want the responsibility of bags on the side of the rides and stuff, having to put items into a locker before you go in line can be inconvient when you are standing in line for 1+ hours. If you have a drink, you can't take it with you in line unless you are SURE you will finish it. What about a cell phone? Maybe you don't want to ride with it in your pocket but want to have it with you while you wait in case its needed. And honestly, $1 every time is just another way for the parks to nickel and dime visitors while they are there. So after spending $60 to get IN to the park, you now have to pay $1 at every ride if you want to have a bag in the park and don't have someone to hold it for you. I don't know but I just felt like it was a slick way to just squeeze people a little more. I mean really, was putting the bags to the side in the little bins or against a wall REALLY that bad? And if people were losing things because of theft, it still wasn't Great Adventure's responsibility. I didn't leave valuables in my bag but I often left food or drink that I already paid $20 to have. That is just my opinion.

I do think its cool they have more characters walking around and even have some specific times and locations for kids to get their photo with the characters and meet them. They also added some night time parade (they aren't trying to be Disney at all!LOL) but we didn't stick around to see it so I can't really say much about it.

All in all it was a fun time and I am sure I will be there a few times this summer!

Work

Posted a work update on LJ if anyone reading this is on my LJ list you can see it.

TV Talk: "Workout" aka the "Jackie Warner I am all that matters" show

I can not explain why I go back for more other than pure curiousity to see how low Jackie will go with this season of Workout. I am only half way through this week's episode Jackie has already shown her power trip of the day act when it came to the trainers having gone out partying the night before while they are all on a retreat for the "Skylab". Ok, I will admit, it was completely wrong of Gregg Plitt to not show up for training session the morning after, BUT, Renessa DID show up and she should not have had to apoligize for her actions. Jackie, the almighty that she believes she is, naturally assumes the trainers partied with the clients, which of course they did not!I could understand if they had and she was upset about that but they had no way of evening knowing the trainers were out until she made a big deal of it when Gregg didn't show up. I think Renessa said it best when she said in one of the "confessionals" that she is of age and should not have to apoligize for drinking, especially when she DID show up the next morning.

The segement with the Skylab client and her daughter with CP was a nice touch. No marketing strategy there.

Ok, so Jackie calls Don Scott the guy running the fundraiser for Doug to tell him that Peeler no longer works for her. I thought the whole exchange was stupid. She seems to be the only one who feels the need to make a point to mention the night should be about Doug's memory. Seriously? And then she is all trying to make it like she wants Brian at the fundraiser. Who is she kidding? That was strictly for the cameras because there is no doubt in my mind that she will be thrilled if he didn't go!

OMG, they just showed Jackie's workout video! It looks as cheesey as any workout video can look. All I could do is laugh.

Ok, I am watching the clip about the fundraiser now and I see all the ladies all dressed up, looking nice, as well as the men. Even as Jackie is entering she is talking about how she was looking forward to this event, got all dressed up and had Briana on her arm. But apparently all that mattered was that she was on her arm but it didn't matter that Briana looked like she was going to the mall in simple t-shirt and jeans/pants. WTF?

Jackie laughing at Peeler when he made his offer during the auction just seemed more obnoxious than anything else. She obviously doesn't know what is going on with him (its not like she would care)but when he asks to talk to her she tries to turn it and make it look like she cares. Give me a break. I don't buy it for an instance. I am not convinced she is even listening to him and then chalks it up to he is being nice because of his "buzz". I don't think it was the smartest of him to try and talk to her however I felt like she was trying to make it all him which it is obviously not.

Next week's episdoe looks like it will be another one full of Jackie embarassing her mother and making her uncomfortable-wahoo! Isn't that what every watcher wants? Actually it will be interesting to see Greg perform as well but I do feel for Jackie's mother. She is obviously conflicted and uncomfortable with her daughter's choices in life and whether or not you agree or disagree with her mother, it does just seem a bit wrong for Jackie to continually make her mother uncomfortable, especially in front of cameras. But again...its all about Jackie:)



but she doesn't seem to think that this event wouldn't

TV Talk: American Idol....And the winner is....

I am going to blog during the show then post. Winner will be at the end of the post!
And so it begins...

I thought it was strange to have the "Top 12" perform tonight. I understand the top 10 because they all go on tour but I don't know why you would include #11 and #12. Its not like we really saw them anyway but I just thouht it was strange.

The David-David performance after the opening segment I thoguht really demonstrated when they are side by side that Cook really does have the stronger voice. And he is a stronger performer.

The "Spritual advisor" was entertaining. And I thought David Cook showed he is definately more comfortable on camera than David A and could act better than David A. David A is cute...but other than a decent voice that is all he has going for him. David C. has a voice, style and even a bit charm that isn't "cutesy", its real person charm. I don't know how to explain it.

Syesha and Seal??? Didn't see that coming but thought it went well.

Jason castro singing my fave song he did!! I LOVED it. I could listen to him sing that all night!

The Ford video was cute too. Fun to see some behind the scene type shots.

Ok, girls singing...WTF is Amanda doing there to begin with? Let's not talk about how she sucked and looks completely bored and angry with the world for having to be there. I think she is mad she had to do anything since she got booted before top 10 and watching her tonight I can't figure out how she got to stay as long as she did! At least all the other girls look like they are having fun with it-and none of them are in the finals!At one point in the segment it looked like Amanda didnt even sing at one point! You could tell she totally did not give a s--- about being there, they even showed her walking abd she was looking down.

Carly and Micheal Johns-eh. She is still annoying but looks like she is trying harder to not make faces while she sings, although she still does it when she sings high notes. I am convinced they have been with voice coaches and acting coaches since they got the boot-prep for the concert because they are all better performers than they were and "no pressure" only goes so far because they still performing in front of more people than ever. I imagine they have had a few weeks to reherse too!

Jimmey Kimmel was entertaining. Got a few good laughs.

Top 6 guys performance was a fave song of mine so that was cool. And I think a good choice in songs. Then they bring out "the finalists" and I am sorry but yeah David A can not sing that song from the top 6 guys, I am sorry he is just too young. David cook can sing that song with meaning, it doesnt have the same effect with David A.

Jordin's Disney commercial tells me too things. One, American Idol is BRILLANT. I can't believe it has taken them this long to hook up with Disney with the demographic they sell too and two, when David Cook wins tonight, it seels the deal for me that David A will have a Disney contract by sun up!

David Cook and ZZ Top-AWESOME. I thouht it was fantastic and I think its fantastic he got to perform with such an icon. He must be in heaven from that alone!

Brook White also did fantastic with Graham Nash. It was a perfect song for her and she did fantastic. I imagine that was quite an experience for her too. They really have done a lot for the contestants I think this year.

Jonas Brothers...yeah, I just don't get it. THey are not bad but not really anyone I listen too but the little firls in the audience seem very happy. And they ARE from NJ!

The clips of the bad auditions were funny. Reminded me of the girl who was going "actressing" although I do almost feel bad for those people because they seem to really believe they were better than they are. The big thing with the Brother forever guy was nice with the USC Band and all. It must have been quite an honor and exciting for them! Ben enjoyed the cheerleaders too! Although I really do think that Paula and Randy are such attention whores to go up on stage with the band. Simon was the smart one to stay put:) I think its because they have nothing else and Simon does have other "gigs".

One republic "apoligize" is a good song for David A but it is still not as cool as ZZ top for David Cook. That was awesome. But I did enjoy the One Republic segment.
Although David A is just not anything close to as good at performing as David C is land as andrew llyod webber says, David A needs to OPEN HIS EYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jordin Sparks, last year's winner performed and did a good job. Jordin is only a year older than David A and has such a difference maturity and stage presence. THAT is what it is-David A has no stage presence and when he is not singing he is boring to watch. He is cute/adorable but not entertaining. He seems too young to have really developed a strong personality-I think he IS his fathers pawn-I dont care what the news says and I think that hinders him b/c he can't make his own thoughts/decisions so he is just a bubble with whatever someone else tells him to do.

Quick shot of Blake Lewis in the audience-wahoo! It looked to me like he had the word COOK on his knuckles!

The Aretha Franklin and the "Pips" thing was hilarious. Much better than the stunt with old footage they did last year with Elvis. This was really funny.

Ok, the contestants all perform again and my goodness was Amanda awful. She didn't look good, she didn't sing well and looked not only uncomfortable, but unhappy to even be there. Everyone else looked like they had a good time. It seemed to me she was a sour puss all night. All the boys looked well in their suits! The guy in the white feathers singing Brother Forever was better than Amanda.

At the end of the evening when it was really time to find out the winner and they asked the judges for their last comments I thought that Simon's comments were awesome. Not only did he state that it was closer than they thought when he went back and watched but he apoligized to Cook for verging on being disrespectful too him. He did not have to do that and the fact that he did shows character.

But without further ado, the winner was announced and that winner is...DAVID COOK!

And America got it right!

I can not wait to see him in concert this summer. And I think David singing the winnin song was awesome. I really enjoyed the song he sand (and even bought it on itunes today!LOL)

All in all I felt like I enjoyed this years finale more than last years. It could be I just don't remember much of last years but for a two hour finale to find out one thing that takes 10 seconds, I felt this finale keep me interested and for that, I am glad!

Til next season....

TV Talk: American Idol Final Showdown Performance!

Tonight is it....Its the final showdown on American Idol! It is David vs David and neither of them were ever in a bottom three the entire season! I am pulling all my love for David Cook! The show has this whole "boxing" theme going and I think its a perfect fit and its entertaining too!

Tonight is 3 performances each. David A won the coin toss last week and opted to go 2nd in performances.

Judges advice prior to the show....Randy/Paula=useless, Simon...has the only thing useful to be said.

Round 1: Songs picked by Clive Davis!
David Cook singing "I still haven't found what I am looking for" gave me the chills. I like the stlye he added to such a classic song. He looked like he enjoyed himself, natural, and was a good performer with the song. I thought it was great! And Simon thought it was phenomenal (The others liked him too!)

(On a side note, I just say Luke Perry must be his children's god to have got them front row cushy seats for the American Idol Finale!)


David A. singing "Don't let the sun go down on me" starts of sitting on the stairs. Sweet voice, its the type of song that does well for his style. Very standard, doesn't really bring too much of his own style into it but it is not a bad performance, we know he has a good voice but he just doesn't seem as comfortable on stage as DC. And he bounces a lot :) Without bias I do not think it was as good as DC but it definately was not a bad performance. Judges said: Randy-called it the best of the season, Paula-yada yada (she just uses cliches) and Simon-said best he done so far, and gave round one to DA (whatever!)


Round Two 10 fave song entries, each picked one they liked. These are NOT the winning song from the song competition.

David Cook singing "Dream Big" . My first instinct, I could definately hear it on the radio. I think its interesting that they take a song and put it out there that no one has heard before. I think he choose a good song with fitting lyrics and he did it well. I liked it and could see jammin in the car on the way to the beach:)
Judges: Randy-didn't care for song but thouht he did well, Paula-yada yada, Simon-called him lightweight, didnt feel like a winning moment for him and paula did make the point the song was not the "winning song" that simon compared it to.

David A singing "In this moment" Nice job but didn't leaving me with a lasting impression and I didn't feel the same way about hearing it on the radio as I did with David Cook's song. The Judges loved him and gave round two to David A as well although to me it really seemed like they were trying to push the audience for him. I didn't feel the crowd was even into it as much as they were with David C but that could just be the way it was shown on TV.


Round 3 Personal Choice
David C singing "The World I know". David C choose to pick a song he had not performed for his personal choice.I do believe someone said that it was refreshing because it was not common for contestants to do that. I thought he did a good job. Simon was disappointed he didn't choose one of the songs he had previously sung but David explained he thought it was better to do something new.

David A singing "Imagine"-again:)Choose a song he sung well the last time. Understandable why he would do it. I think it was a safe choose and I understand why he would choose it. In all honesty, that song I thought he originally performmed wonderfully and got me to keep an eye on his progress. However I do think it says a lot for a contestant's overall maturity and talent to take the "safe" route vs trying to learn 3 new songs instead of 2. Just my opinion. The judges of course LOVED him again and said it was a knock out night. I thought they both performed well and I do not think it was a "knock out". But we will find out tonight!

While watching last night I had more comments but I forget them now-sorry! I was too busy trying to get our American Idol Tour tickets to think about blogging. I did see some polls on tvguide.com today and the 4 polls I saw, 3 which were ones people voted who won each round and 1 poll was who should win, all 4 of them showed people voted that David Cook won all three rounds AND should win tonight, and those polls were not close. I can only hope that the people who voted in those online polls are the same people who phoned in their votes last night. I know I did. And I even stayed up late to get some votes in after the young kids who call in had to go to bed, it was a school night ya know!