What In The World Does "Pitchy" Mean?

I'm a regular viewer of American Idol and I always hear the word "pitchy" from the judges' comments. Is this something technical that only musically- trained people understand? Does it refer to hitting notes off key? I can tell a voice that sounds good from one that doesn't, but I don't get it why some contestants are told that "they sounded pitchy all over" when to me, it was good.

Music, like beauty, can be subjective. What one person may like, another listener may not approve of. Pitchy or not, I still enjoy American Idol. Here is one of the finalists often underestimated (blame it on his youth and inexperience) but has got to be one of the best crooners for this season. I find nothing pitchy in this performance and none of the judges mentioned the word, in fairness. But he did get a lot of that comment during the previous weeks.

I just think this is one of the best performances for the Shania Twain night aside from the good-looking Casey James' number. I'm actually a fan of Aaron Kelly, the underdog, although I don't think he'll snag the title of the next American Idol. Will this week be Aaron's last? I hope not but we'll find out in a few hours.

aaron 6 @ Yahoo! Video

As Long As We Get To Kill Some Vampires

..Says Jacob, obviously directing the statement to Edward. This is yet another trailer of the upcoming Twilight Saga movie, Eclipse. I wonder if the Eclipse movie will bore again like the 2nd installment of the series did. Guess I'll have to know when it opens come June 30,2010. But this looks more action packed than the last one. Crossing fingers this will be better. The clash between the vampires and wolves kinda scare me. I haven't read the Eclipse book lying around here on my desk.

Sigma Lens 18-200mm shots

Sometimes, I wish that my hubby is into photography just so he could take great shots of me. For the longest time, no one was interested to take pictures of me except myself which was why I got into a photography hiatus. When I attempted to re-ignite the old passion, technology was so much different and everyone else was doing well in it except me.

I bought a Nikon D40 about 2 years ago to document my works as a make-up artist. I am impatient and I can't wait for the photographers' online posts to see how my work turns out in photos. But then, my shots just don't give justify to the makeups I did.

A week ago, I purchased my first lens apart from the kitlens, the Sigma 18-200mm. The Nikkor lens would have been an awesome option except that it costs Php 20,000 more than our Sigma lens. Since I won't be doing photography professionally, I decided to go for the cheaper alternative. I just need to take better pictures than I usually did.

The lens do make a difference. I couldn't keep myself from giggling as I was trying out the new lens at home. I was so happy with its output and what it could do. I can't say its perfect but I'm so thrilled with it that I want to learn more on digital photography.

My hubby, who is not into cameras, tried it himself and started shooting in the garden. With the manual settings I previously put in, he's got some nice shots which I was very proud of, like a Momma proud of his little boy. I am posting below some of his favorite captures. I just added borders and did minor editing.

I'm Pretty Sure My Cat's Been Reading My Diary

No, I don't have a cat and I don't keep a diary because I can't decipher my own handwriting. The title above was the line uttered by Brittany, the resident airhead of the "Glee" TV series, on their teaser video for next week's episode.

Tonight's Madonna Glee special totally rocked. Gotta love the Sue Sylvester Vogue number with William Schuester's name making its way to the lyrics. lol. But I still can't get over the fact that Jonathan Groff, the Broadway guy who plays Jesse St. James is GAY. I would have swooned to his dreamy good looks, until my googling spree on wikipedia boinked me into learning he's openly gay. Crap.

Next week's episode (Episode 16) entitled "Home" will have April Rhodes' (Remember the goosebump-inducing "Alone" duet with Schuester) return to the scene and starts flirting with William when she learns that he's divorced.

Sue goes on another Nazi frenzy when she demands that her Cheerios go on a diet for their interview on Splits Magazine, where she will be hailed as the Cheerleading coach of the last 2000 years.

Here is a sneak preview of next week's episode:

Vision Board

As a believer of the law of attraction and vision boards (make that vision blogs), here is something I wish to see myself in. I was initially going for the cover of Vogue but then I figured being on Forbes Magazine is way cooler. Gracing the cover of Vogue means I'm a fashion plate but appearing on Forbes makes me one of the richest and powerful people in the world, which makes being pretty and fashionable a lot easier. Lol. How to achieve it? That I don't know. The universe will find a way. Thanks to http://funny.pho.to/ for this. It's supposed to be a funny pic program which can make us goof around with our photos but I thought about making it into a vision tool  instead.

Glee Returns

The cast of "Glee" recently guested on the Oprah Winfrey Show to promote the second season of their top-rating musical TV Series. It's one thing to watch them sing on their show and another to  hear them perform live in a talk show like Oprah's. It's like "oh, those are really their voices.. cool!"

Lea Michele, who plays the annoying but talented Rachel Barry doesn't seem as irritating as her character when answering interviews.Her star power comes from sheer talent, good looks and years of performing on Broadway since she was 8 years old. She got to play the young Cosette of "Les Miserables."

Cory Monteith, the Canadian hearthrob essaying the role of Finn the quarterback, doesn't play football in real life and unlike the veteran performer Lea, he is new to singing. His favorite sports are hockey and basketball and he really plays the drums.

Glee Second Season will be airing starting April 13 in the US and April 14 for us here in the Philippines. I can't wait to watch the new episodes and listen to new songs they will surely be sending to the hit charts.

Here is a video of them singing live to "Somebody to Love" on Oprah. Whoa..Goosebumps.

Baby James Endorses Manny Villar

Who would have expected that Baby James, the nephew of Presidential bet Noynoy Aquino, would shout the name of his uncle's closest rival during a campaign rally in Bacolod? The cute toddler of Kris Aquino greeted the crowd with a warm hello, after then he blurted out: "Villar!" Kris, who was carrying Baby James immediately handed him over to his yaya, appearing amused and embarrassed at the same time. The crowd roared in laughter. Baby James, aside from his charisma, apparently has a killer sense of humor.

The other Presidential candidate that Baby James endorsed is Manny Villar, whose TV commercials seem to have worked its magic on little kids. Even Ruffa Gutierrez shares that her kids Lorin and Venice are singing to Villar's jingles at home. Who knows how many more kids out there are rooting for Villar?

Manny Villar, in another video, who was surprised at the unanticipated support from an Aquino family member,  thanked his little "fan" for the free endorsement .

KRIS: "Say hello to everybody"

BABY JAMES "HELLO"

KRIS AND FANS " NOY-NOY"

BABY JAMES "VILLAR"

KRIS " No i'ts a NO... Go na...

Bleeding Dance

If couples who are fighting would dance to this instead, who needs a law for violence against women? This is a dance interpretation of Leona Lewis' Bleeding Love performed by Mark and Chelsea at So You Think You can Dance. Amazing how a dance can poignantly interpret pain, a bleeding one at that.

Atty. Adel Tamano For Senator

He's on the top of my list. His pretty face may either work to his advantage or yield the opposite effect. I hope people will see beyond his exteriors and get to know about what this guy can do for our country. Please spend your votes wisely and include him in your senatorial list.

American Idol Season 9 Pinoy Lookalikes

I'm a fan of the number one US talent show but with the frequent brownouts in my city for the past few months, I've been missing out a lot. Still, I can't help but notice the semblance of 2 of the finalists from American Idol Season 9 with some of our  local celebrities.

First is the charming Siobhan Magnus, whose special skill in hitting banshee-high notes effortlessly is often compared with Adam Lambert's. Her looks isn't anywhere close to Adam, although they're both pretty. :) She reminds me of a local star who used to be married to Benjie Paras, Jackie Forster. I don't know where Jackie is right now. I don't seem to see her anywhere in showbiz  anymore. The last I heard she studied to become a freelance hair and makeup artist/ image consultant.

                                                                Siobhan Magnus

                                                               Jackie Forster  

                                                                      

The next is Tim Urban, who along with ousted finalist Alex Lambert are stuck in the 60's or 70's, as evidenced by their old-fashioned hairstyles. With a few more members, they could revive the Beatles band- with Alex being the younger Paul McCartney. But if he comes to the Philippines, he could star as Tom Taus' missing brother in the remake of "Cedie, ang Munting Prinsipe." Tom, Antoinette Taus' younger brother, I presume is not so munti (little) anymore and I don't have a clue where is he is now.

                                                                       Tim Urban

                                                                         Tom Taus, Jr
Photo credits: AmericanIdol.com