... around these here parts, or so it seems.  I've been busy playing over on Facebook (if you know me personally, then you probably already have my FB info) (if you don't know me personally, there is a large possibility that I won't give you my FB info, because I'm a teacher and stuff...) and getting things done around the house while on my summer break from school.

I've got plenty of other things going on, like physical therapy sessions to strengthen my lower back, and tutoring one student on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  There's a whole buncha other things thrown in there, as well, but nothing to write home about.

Tonight, I'm going to a Lake Erie Crushers game with some friends.  Good, cheap fun!  ($14 gets me a seat for the evening plus a hotdog, some popcorn, and a soda!)  They are an independent league and not affiliated with MLB as far as I know.

Anyway, just thought I'd give a quick update to my otherwise boooorrriiiinnngggg blog.  Now it's time for a quick little nap before the game -- PT kicked my ass today!!!

Well, my friends, it’s been a very long time since I’ve really posted anything of personal value here on this blog.  I did my American Idol updates (why, I’m not sure… just out of habit, I guess.  I doubt anyone read them or cared, but I guess I did my unofficial, unassigned job) and that was about it.

Well, there’s a really good reason or two behind all of that.  First off, this school year has been crazy, to say the least.  I think that’s about all I’ll say on that for now, besides the fact that my job changes from year to year, and I always feel like I have to reinvent the wheel each and every year, so I always feel behind.  Always.

Second, I’ve been having major back issues since February 1^st – Super Bowl Sunday, to be exact.  (Yes, I know I just used a trademarked term).  I cheered my Steelers on to their SIXTH Super Bowl WIN while in major pain.  I woke up that morning and could not sit, stand, or walk, let alone lay flat in bed or on the floor.  At that point, the doctor said it was sciatica (my sciatic nerve was being pinched on the right side), and that physical therapy (PT) would be pretty much all I could do for it.

So I worked through it.  I couldn’t do much of anything but go to work and PT.  It was slowly progressing to the point where I could walk upright without major pain medication or much pain, and things were getting good.  Jon and I made our annual trip to Las Vegas at the beginning of April and had a nice time, and I was virtually pain free the entire time – and even did a good bit of walking (among the sitting poolside in the sun, soaking as much of it in as I could).

Then, on April 22, I tripped over Lilo, my cat (BTW, I almost never do that), and finished the job: I now had a herniated disc in my lumbar region (L5-S1, to be precise).  Of course, before I knew what exactly was plaguing me, there was lots of crap in between it all.  I woke the next morning, back at Square One, only worse.  I struggled through the next few days, including a candle party I was hosting at my house.  I visited my doctor again that Monday, and she decided it was time to do an MRI, as we needed to see what exactly we were dealing with.  Of course, I had to play the Insurance Game and find out where I could go and if I needed a pre-certification for an MRI.  Thank God that I didn’t need a pre-cert, because I was in so much pain that Wednesday, that they were ready to call an ambulance for me at work.  I barely made it to the MRI place, where, thankfully, Jon met me and I went in for the MRI.  That was the most relief I had had in about a week – that hour and a half on the MRI bed.  But I paid dearly for it – it took me at least 30 minutes to get from the MRI bed to the dressing room to change back into my clothes.  Yes, it hurt THAT bad.

The next day, the doctor got the FAXed report that stated that I had a herniated disc.  Hallelujah!  I had a name for what had been plaguing me and sucking the life out of me.  Now, what to do?  I called the back surgeon my doctor referred me to… and the earliest he could get me in just to examine me?  The end of June.  Yes, the END of June.  I was like, “Ummmm, NO.  Thank you.”  I didn’t know who to go to – I don’t know one back surgeon from any other, and I didn’t really want to pick one blindly.

To make a long story short, I relied on a few personal friends’ references and went with a surgeon from a local clinic that is known for its orthopedic surgery – hands, knees, shoulders, spines… and they were able to get me in the following Tuesday – again, hallelujah!  I was originally supposed to see the nurse practitioner, but they called me back later in the day (after I presume they received the FAX of the MRI report) and added me to the surgeon’s schedule at the end of the day.  Basically, I was to be the reason he didn’t get home in time for dinner that day… and it was because of what was on that report.  I was a little scared at this point, but in so much pain.  Luckily, my primary care doctor also upped my pain medication (in the form of a patch), and thank the bebby jeebus that it worked!  Before long, I was walking around in a slight fog, but I was mostly pain-free.

But it was not without sacrifices, or little things known as side effects.  Sure, I was pain-free, but I was in a fog (still able to function, just a little slow on the uptake), I was always sleepy and could have taken a nap on a moment’s notice – anywhere.  I had this awful taste in my mouth that would NOT go away.  My left ankle and foot were holding water like they would wither away and die if they didn’t.  And?  The gas was THE worst – I usually have bad gas (a byproduct of my gastric bypass), but this?  Was awful.  Even I was gagging… and I can usually tolerate my own stink.  This?  Was sneaking out even when I was doing my best to keep it in.  There was nothing silent about it and there was nothing stink-free about it.  Even anti-gas gels weren’t doing a damn thing.  Then there was the nausea on the first day after applying a new patch.

Each patch stays on for three days and then you peel it off and replace it with a new one.  While this shit was good, it was also miserable (but 100 times better than the alternative, which was immense pain).  I always put a new patch on at night, but the next day would be miserable with numerous trips to the restroom to throw up, even if I didn’t have anything in my system.  I was constantly nauseous and just felt ill that first day of the pain patch.  However, there was absolutely no pain.  (One day, I had two corndogs for lunch and really only got to ‘keep’ half of one.)  The second day was always minus the nauseousness, but a wee bit of the pain would creep back in.  The third day I always felt fine, but even more of the pain would creep in.  And then the vicious cycle would repeat.

Sometimes, I felt almost guilty, like I didn't really need surgery... seeing how I really didn't feel any pain with the pain patch.  But I knew that if I didn't have that patch, that I wouldn't be moving at all because it hurt so fucking bad.  I'm not even sure I can put into words how bad it hurt before the pain meds were adjusted.  There was one point where Jon thought I was just playing up the pain... but then he saw the pain in action and in my face after the MRI.  He saw the pain when it took me 30 minutes to move the 15 feet from the bed to the toilet to go to the bathroom.

But, now I can happily say that I am on the other side of the surgery and am pain-free -- as far as the herniated disc pain goes.  Now, it's all about getting back into life... slowly.  I'll address that in the next post... since this one is already longer than most of you will have sat and read.  If you made it this far, thanks for being a super trooper and reading. 

Try as I might last night to post while watching the final results of American Idol, this blog would not let me post a damn thing.  I suppose that was OK since I was dozing in and out of consciousness last night anyway.  I had my back surgery yesterday and was home and in bed by the time Idol was on, but I guess the blogging piece was not to be.

Anyway, much of the two hours (from what I saw) was silly and odd... I thought it was kinda cool that Adam got to sing with KISS and Kris got to sing with Jason Mraz.

In the end, Kris Allen was crowned this year's American Idol champ.  I'm OK with that, even though I liked Adam much better, but I think Kris is more marketable and has more of the image that AI is looking for.  Adam will sell records whether he was the champ or not.  In fact, I like the fact that Adam didn't take the crown.  Anyway, I need to make my way over to iTunes to download a few songs.

For me, this year's finale to AI was rather anti-climactic.  I don't know why that was, exactly.  It was probably partly because I was kinda out of it from surgery, and it was probably also in part that I didn't really care who won.

Anywho, I'll be taking it easy for a few days.  The only restrictions I have are that I'm not to do any bending, twisting, or lifting of anything over 5 lbs.  Right now, I do believe that my bed is calling me...

As you all know, it's down to Adam Lambert and Kris Allen.  "Glamliner vs. Guy Next Door"... Kris won last week's coin toss and chose to go second during the show tonight.  Each guy will sing three songs -- their favorite song they sang during the season, a song chosen by Simon Fuller (creator of AI), and the winner's single, which was co-written by Kara DioGuardi. 

First up is Adam, singing his fave from the season, Mad World.  (5701, 5703, 5705).  I LOVE his vocals... but I think the fog on the stage is a bit overkill.  Hey, all you Adam Haters out there, he didn't "scream" at you!!!  That should earn a vote or two!  LOVED that performance.  Randy gave him an A+.  Kara was glad he chose that song, said he rocked it again tonight.  Paula mumbled something about being proud, yadda yadda... Simon said he always thought this song was his best performance throughout the season, though tonight was a bit theatrical.

Next is Kris, who is singing his fave from the season, Ain't No Sunshine.  (5702, 5704, 5706)  I LOVED this performance of his during the season.  He's playing the piano during this one.  Once again, I loved this song from him.  Randy said that was one of Kris' best performances ever.  Kara mumbled something about intimate connections.  Paula mumbled something about "Allenizing" a song... whateves.  Simon said he wasn't sure last week that America made the right choice in having Kris in the final... and Simon took that back after this performance.

Adam is now singing Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke -- Simon Fuller's pick for him.  All I can say is that Adam's singing is EFFORTLESS.  And, people, that is NOT screaming!  It is VERY controlled!  Damn.  That was amazing.  Randy said that was unbelievable.  Kara said that might have been his best performance and interpretation of a song.  Paula screamed something about it being the best she's ever heard him sing.  Simon said that Adam is back in the game.

Kris is now singing What's Going On by Marvin Gaye.  He's playing the guitar this time around.  I wasn't overwhelmed by this song... I liked Adam's song better.  Randy said the song was a little "light" for this point of the competition.  Kara said something about creating change... Paula said that Marvin Gaye is proud (isn't he dead?), Simon thought it sounded like three friends in a bedroom strumming their guitars and playing Marvin Gaye... not for this point in the competition.

No Boundaries is the winner's single.  Kara co-wrote the song.  Just for the record, I hate these songs.  David Cook's was the only one I could semi-tolerate...   All I can say is that Adam's voice has an amazing power.  Or something like that.  Love the voice, the song was eh (the SONG, not Adam's performance).  Randy said that Adam can sing anything... but that wasn't his favorite Adam performance.  Kara said that she was proud of him singing a song she co-wrote.  Paula can't find words.  Simon said that Adam has been one of the best, most original contestants that's ever been on the show, and Simon feels that they have found a star in Adam.

Now Kris is singing No Boundaries.  Hey, no instrument!  OOOh, I think he forgot the words!!!  I'm thinking this song is very pitchy for Kris.  Either that, or he was whining.  Randy said that Kris should be very proud of what he's done in the competition... the key was a bit high in that song.  Kara said that the song was in too high a key for Kris.  Paula said Kris did an amazing job to get where he is now.  Simon said that Kris' highlight was his first song tonight, and that Kris thoroughly deserves to be standing on the stage tonight.

We've already been warned by Ryan that tomorrow's results show/final WILL run long, so set your DVR accordingly, if that's what you do.

In my opinion, Adam outsang Kris... but I think that Kris might make a better Idol.  Adam will definitely make it on his own, no matter the outcome of this season.

Oooookayyy... Interesting opener.  They had Ben Stiller, some dude from SNL Bill Hader, Hank Azaria, and Jonah Hill (Super Bad) introducing the fact that the American Idol desk is now in the Smithsonian.  Jordin Sparks and Katy Perry are joining the show tonight.

We start off with Alicia Keys asking for people to text something to some number to donate money for people in Africa.  A boy named Noah from Rwanda came on and sang a song in English (you had to listen carefully)... 

Danney Gokey is first up.  He made the trip to Milwaukee to his hometown.  Quite emotional.  Back to the couch he went.

Next, we head to Conway, Arkansas with Kris Allen.  Damn video editors made his very emotional, too. Banished to the couch until further notice.

Jordin Sparks too the stage looking pretty damn good (and a little more grown up, too).  

Adam Lambert came out (!) and we took our video trip to San Diego to his hometown.  Not nearly as emotional as the other two, but Adam's more of a rocker dude anyway.  Aaaannnd over to the couch he goes.

And now, Katy Perry is taking the stage... Jon and I predict that she will not be good live.  She sang her new single, Waking Up in Vegas.  She. Is. NOT. A. Live. Singer.  We saw her on the Grammys and she sucked ass live.  She's doing a little better here, but she is also not moving around quite as much as she did on the Grammys.  Still, she's off-key a good bit.  Still like the song... the studio version.

OK, finally, some results. The finalists are Kris Allen and Adam Lambert.  Danny Gokey leaves us tonight.  To make a album and be his own positive self.  I don't believe that Kris deserves to be in the final.  I think Danny belongs in it, but that's not how things worked out.  So now, Danny will go on to be fantastic on his own.  And I look forward to Adam kicking Kris' ass next week in the final.

 

Here we go.... we're getting down to the wire, my AI friends.  Tonight, each finalist sings two songs: one is a song that one of the judges picked for them and the other is a song they chose for themselves.  This could prove to be interesting.  Each contestant gets three phone numbers.

Danny Gokey -- Paula chose Terence Trent D'Arby's Dance Little Sister.  He's making this song sound like it's his own song that was written for him.  That's a good thing.  Lots of energy... and of course, Paula is up and dancing.  Anyway, that was a fun performance!  Randy thought it was dope.  Kara didn't like the dancing.  Um, Kara, who cares?  Moving on...  Paula loved it.  Simon thought the dancing was desperate (huh?) but vocally, very good.  (5701, 5704, 5707)

Kris Allen -- Randy and Kara chose One Republic's Apologize.  Kris is behind the ivories (playing the piano).  He's having some pitch problems in the beginning... (We need some Timbaland in the background... zzzzz)  I didn't like the performance; I thought it was boring.  Randy said the song showed the future that Kris can be as a performer.  Kara felt that he needed to be hitting it out of the park -- she wanted him to make it more his own and take more chances.  Paula was, of course, proud of him, yadda, yadda, yadda.  Simon said something to Kara about choosing the song for him and then blaming him for doing the song.  He thought it was a competent version of the original, but not stellar.  (5702, 5705, 5708)

Adam Lambert -- Simon chose U2's One.  (Simon had to call Bono of U2 to get permission for Adam to do the song!)  This sounds like a completely different song -- I like that it's stripped down.  Someone please shut the background singers up!  I don't want to hear them -- they're off-key!  Anyway... this was fantastic.  Randy didn't like Adam going off of the (known) melody.  Kara said that Adam proved that he could take a song, change everything up, and make it unbelievable.  Paula thought it was brilliant and superb.  Simon thought it was a brilliant, brilliant performance.  (5703, 5706, 5709)

Danny Gokey chose to sing Joe Cocker's You Are So Beautiful.  His voice is perfect for this song.  He did have some pitch problems in the beginning... but once the pace of the song picked up, he recovered.  Randy said that Danny just showed that he really (times 3) can sing.  Kara said the performance was stunning.  Paula said Danny left all of them breathless.  (I am still breathing....)  Simon said he would call it a vocal masterclass. (5701, 5704, 5707)

Kris Allen chose to sing Heartless by Kanye West.  (Huh?!??)  This may be a little too recent for my liking...  Actually, this is kinda working.  He's playing the guitar and singing... but I feel that sometimes, his singing suffers when he plays the guitar.  Kris needed this performance to save him.  Randy said that Kris' version was better than the original.  Kara said that was what she was looking for with Apologize.  Paula said that the song kept Kris relevant.  Uh, ok.  Simon thought it was a lame song choice for Kris, but he thought it was an excellent performance.  (5702, 5705, 5708)

Adam Lambert chose to sing Aerosmith's Cryin'.  BIG song...  (SHUT THE BACKGROUND SINGERS UP ALREADY!!!)  His singing is just effortless!  I wasn't totally fond of the arrangement, but Adam just sang the hell out of that song.  Randy said that Adam is one of the best that they have EVER had on that stage.  Kara said it was amazing.  Paula said that if Steven Tyler was a mentor, he wouldn't have anything to mentor Adam on.  Simon said that Adam deserves to be in the final based on talent.  (He said to make sure to vote... not to assume that Adam will make it in.)  (5703, 5706, 5709)

WOW.  I'd better get to voting...  I can't have Adam not be in the final.  If I had to choose, I'd say that Danny and Adam should be the final two.  Kris' second song was a hell of a lot better, but not enough to save him, I'm afraid.  Tune in tomorrow night....

 

We start off with the group singing Alice Cooper's School's Out... with Slash on guitar.  I have to say that Slash sounded pretty damn good!  Anyway, at least Danny Gokey can laugh about his missed scream-note at the end of his song.

...Aaaaannnd, now we have Pauler Paula Abdul sang her new song, I'm Just Here for the Music.  Ought to be interesting.  Although she was lip synching, I have to say that she can still bust a move.  It wasn't a bad song -- lots of voice effects, but it was good.  And now, No Doubt is on, singing Just a Girl.  Um, Gwen Stefani is actually singing... because she sounds like crap (she should... she's jumping all over the place... but she also is not known for her live singing.)  I still love Gwen and No Doubt.  At least she didn't cop out and lip synch again.

OK, here we go... the seats to stage right are for the Top Three. 

Kris Allen is SAFE -- TOP THREE

OK... everyone quiet now... Daughtry.  New album, Leave This Town, due in July.  CANNOT. WAIT.   Tonight, we get to hear the first single off of it, No Surprise.  I really liked the song and CANNOT WAIT for the album.  LOVELOVELOVE his voice.

Adam Lambert is SAFE -- TOP THREE

Danny Gokey is SAFE -- TOP THREE

Allison Iraheta is going home tonight.  I look for a decent album from this young, soulful rocker.  She is still a mix between Kelly Clarkson and P!nk, in my book.  I think her farewell rendition of her song was better than it was when she first performed last night.

Next week, we'll hear two songs from each finalist -- one is a judge's choice and the other is a personal song choice.  Also, we'll see footage of when the Top Three went home to visit their hometowns.

It's rock week, and Slash is here to be the mentor.  You might think this is odd... but Slash is a rock god, and he is also classically trained.  (I know!)  Each finalist will sing one song, have two numbers, and there will be two duets with the finalists.

Adam Lambert is singing Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love -- GREAT song for Adam... of course.  WOW.  I was blown away.  It was EFFORTLESS for him.  EFFORTLESS.  Randy said it was HOT.  Kara said Adam is a ROCK GOD (not sure about that).  Paula said it was PERFECT.  Simon said it was one of his favorite performances of Adam's.  Simon also said it would be very difficult to top that performance. (5701, 5705)

Allison Iraheta sang Janis Joplin's Cry, Baby -- She has the perfect voice for this song.  I liked it very much, even though I don't like Janis Joplin.  Randy didn't love the song.  Kara liked the bluesy rock thing.  Paula liked it and said Allison would have the role if they ever did a biopic of Janis.  Simon thought she had complete confidence on the stage, but that he thought she was trying to sound too much like Janis.  Anyway, not as "hot" as Adam's performance, if you ask the judges.  (5702, 5706)

Duet #1 -- Kris Allen and Danny Gokey sang Styx's Renegade -- This is an interesting twist for the show.  I love this song... this performance was good, but not necessarily a fave.  I'd have to say that Kris was a bit stronger of a singer on this song.  Also, these two guys have yet to perform their individual songs yet... so nerves might have been in play.  No votes... just fun.

Kris Allen sang the Beatles' Come Together -- He sure as hell had fun performing this song.  I don't think the performance was what it needed to be to compete with Adam and Allison.  Maybe it was song choice... I don't know.  I can appreciate the fact that he was playing the guitar and singing... but the singing lacked because he was too busy playing the guitar.  Randy appreciated that Kris picked something that allowed him to be himself.  Kara was not blown away, said Kris is a softer side of rock.  Not really sure what Paula said.  Didn't make a whole lot of sense.  Simon didn't like it at all -- he said it was like eating ice for lunch... leaves you with nothing when you're done.  I kind of agreed.  Not Kris's night.  (5703, 5707)

Danny Gokey sang Aerosmith's Dream On -- I think this song is suited to his voice.  Hey, I now know what some of the lyrics are!  (I could understand Danny!)  He didn't quite hit the scream-note at the end, but I really liked the performance.  Randy said it was alright for him, but gave him an A+ for effort since it's not Danny's normal thing.  Kara said she thought he took the "swagger" comment too far, but commended him for taking a risk and doing the song.  Paula muttered something incomprehensible.  Simon said the last note was like watching a horror movie -- a scream that was over the top.  (For what it's worth, Danny hit the note in the session with Slash.) (5704, 5708)

Duet #2 -- Adam and Allison sang Foghat's Slow Ride --  I really liked this duet!  The problem was that it showed how much more polished Adam is over Allison.  They both sounded great, though!  The judges agreed that the two of them should do a duet on their albums when they come out.  Again, no votes.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

In the FINAL THREE:  Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, and Danny Gokey.

Going Home:  Kris Allen

Tomorrow night: Performances by Chris Daughtry (YES!!!) and No Doubt.  Looking forward to it!!!

The Top Five performed some melody... these performances are getting better as they trudge through this season, as one would imagine, but they're still kind of dorky.  That would be why I don't need to go see the American Idol concert tour over the summer.

There was a piece about the five finalists making birthday cakes and having a food fight in the kitchen -- Danny and Allison had birthdays within the last week.  Can you say TIME FILLER???!??

Matt Giraud was asked to stand on the right side of the stage.

Danny Gokey was asked to stand on the left side of the stage.

Allison Iraheta was asked to stand on the left side of the stage.

Kris Allen was asked to stand on the right side of the stage.

Adam Lambert was asked which group he belonged in -- that on the right or the left of the stage.  He decided to go to the left with Allison and Danny.  Ryan moved Adam to the right side of the stage and he became part of the Bottom Three:  Matt Giraud, Kris Allen, and Adam Lambert.  Not what I expected.

So, to sum up -- Danny Gokey and Allison Iraheta are SAFE.

To add some suspense and make us wait, Natalie Cole sang a Rat-Packy song.  She looks AWESOME for being 59!  I don't know if it's good genes and hard work (on her part), or the good work of her people.  She also sounds pretty damn good.

Taylor Hicks (who?  LOL) sang Seven Mile Breakdown from his new album The Distance.  The Season 5 winner sounded pretty damn good, but then again, it was a song that was perfect for him -- kinda bluesy and a little bit of rock.

Wait Time is over.... Kris Allen is SAFE.

Jamie Foxx performed one of his songs from his platinum album, Intuition. Good beat, a little all over the place for me, but whatever.

On to the business.... 

Adam Lambert  is SAFE.

Matt Giraud is GOING HOME.  (Just a week or two delayed...)  At least he now knows that his life has changed for the better and he will have a career ahead of him.  I think he can sing, but that he wasn't right to be THE American Idol.  Good luck to Matt!

NEXT WEEK:  Rock 'n' Roll with guest mentor SLASH!!!  Can't wait!!!

 

Here we go again!  Songs from the Rat Pack tonight.  (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, etc.)  Two numbers for each contestant tonight... I'll be marking them in my notes, just for my reference.  BTW, the mentor was a mystery... until now.  It is Jamie Foxx... I was questioning his mentorability (new word), but apparently he is classically trained and has many musical accomplishments under his belt.  This should be interesting...

Kris Allen sang Frank Sinatra's The Way You Look Tonight --  It was nice... I'm not really a fan of this arrangement.  Love the way Kris makes the songs his own, but this arrangement was not my fave.  Randy loved it.  Kara loved it.  Paula exploded all over it (loved it).  Simon thought it was good, but thought it was a little bit "wet" -- whatever the hell THAT means.  (5701 or 5706)

Allison Iraheta sang George Gershwin's Someone to Watch Over Me from the musical, Oh, Kay! --  Her voice is perfect for this song.  I'm really liking this performance!  Very nice!  Randy thought it was da bomb.  Kara loved it.  Paula searched for the words to say that she loved it.  Simon thought it was a great performance, but he felt she could be in trouble tonight (based on the fact that we have to hear 3 others yet) (5702, 5707)

Matt Giraud sang Sinatra's My Funny Valentine -- I thought he was singing it in a halting manner... and I didn't like the change of key.  He can sing, but I didn't particularly like this performance.  Randy said it was a hard song to sing, and that he found it a bit pitchy... and it basically had some problems.  Kara didn't feel that Matt was the leader of the pack with that song.  Paula goo-ed all over it.  Simon disagreed with Randy and said that he was brilliant.  I don't agree with Simon.  (5703, 5708)

Danny Gokey sang Frank Sinatra's Come Rain or Come Shine -- Great voice for this song and this kind of music!  He truly made this song his own, and I loved it!  Randy said that Danny could have an album of songs like that and could win.  Kara said he had that "Rat Pack Swagger" and loved it.  Paula had to go change her underwear -- said it was stellar.  Simon said that Danny came out to win tonight (and that the arrangement was superb) and that it was outstanding.  I agree! (5704, 5709)

Adam Lambert sang a song from a musical, Feeling Good --  From a musical and technical standpoint, his performance was outstanding.  However, I'm not a fan of the song.  Overall, fantastic (despite not liking the song).  Randy thought it was great.  Kara needed to go change her underwear.  Paula needed a shower and a cigarette.  Simon likes Adam's confidence and says Adam is in it to win it. (5705, 5710)

Bottom Three:  Kris Allen, Matt Giraud, Allison Iraheta (at this point, SOMEone has to be there)

Going Home:  Matt Giraud  (It's past his time.)