Kris vs Adam, the conspiracy theory behind the AI 2009 Winner!

(logo downloaded from http://www.americanidol.com/


LOL! I was amused today. Finally someone other than my bao bei made my day today. After reading the reactions of several FB friends, I decided to track the two guys (?) who managed to elicit such strong feelings and emotions of support, disappointment, surprise, amazement and even anger. Of course it was the AI finals the past two nights. No, AI is not anymore widely known as Amnesty International. It has been replaced now by the more internationally known and accepted acronym for AMERICAN IDOL! LOL!

I dont have a TV in my room and I have known not to be a TV addict so I have stopped watching AI since I moved out of Oxley Rise apartment two years ago. I am not a singer nor am I known to be good at singing, despite being a Flip. The whole world I think has this mistaken notion that all FLIPS are v good singers. Never mind that not one of my ancestors as far as I know have ever sang publicly. With these two qualifications, I thought I would be a good judge of who should be the 2009 AI winner as I have not seen any of the shows this season 8 and I dont have v good technical background knowledge of singing. LOL!

So I went to the website, downloaded all the songs that these two guys sang and listened to Adam with his v 'A1' performance and to Kris v 'A1' performance. At some point, I must admit it was becoming difficult to choose between Adam who manages to show his versatility by giving all the songs he sang his best-est rendition, using his vocal power (or prowess?). Kris on the other hand, also showed his versatility by combining his 'next door boy' charming voice with playing either a guitar, piano or a keyboard. I have to say I have a bias for singers who can play musical instruments. LOL! But I also like someone who really knows how to make you appreciate music like Adam with his rendition of songs that make you feel like he is 'wearing' them. I guess I may not be describing it v well here but I hope you get my drift.

Anyway, back to the two guys and my conspiracy theory. In the end, I am not surprised Kris Allen won that night. He is after all a true blooded American who can sing, play the guitar, keyboard and piano v well and perform. I think when he sang Marvin Gaye's 'How sweet it is to be loved by you,' was the moment for me when the scale tipped on his side.

Whereas Adam, I think he should have just joined Britain's Got Talent, rather than the AI. He would have a better chance of winning. The Brits, I think are more appreciative of his kind and style of performance rather than the Americans. Plus, he looks more like George Michael and Boy George combined that he could have joined the contest. Of course, I am getting more biased towards Britain's Got Talent due to the influence of someone v dear to my heart as he shows me the links to some of these audition snippets through youtube. LOL!

But both guys really rocks! In their own way and for their own fans, that is. For me, it still is my bao bei with his singing voice that rocks. Must ask him later though if he had a hand in creating that Ford hybrid car they gave to the AI finalists. LOL!

Borobudur and Mt Merapi- two sites worthy of a one week stay in Jogjakarta

Mt Merapi, a very active volcano, is worth waking up at 5.30 AM so you can see the full view of the top of the mountain. We were v lucky to have the good advice by the hotel staff that we should aim to go to this mountain early in the morning so that no clouds will cover its splendor. I am always amazed at God's hands in transforming this 'big clay' into this beauty. What is even more amazing is that it spews ash and rocks Jogjakarta every three years. At least it is that predictable. As it erupted only about two years ago, we were still safe in visiting it this year. That is why, there was a big sign at the foot of the mountain that says, 'Extreme limit of tourism visit.'

We respected its space and just spent about an hour gazing at it from below, wondering how this beautiful mountain can spew so much ash that it can destroy a dike that was set up to hold off its ashes.

The other must visit site in Jogja is Borobudur, built in the 9th century. The idea is for every step you make, you are supposed to reach NIRVANA.

Posh third trip- Jogjakarta

Posh was seen at a hotel in Jogjakarta last 20 April.