Introducing myself...

Before you begin reading my sometimes short and to the point reviews of the show, which I compose live while watching, you should probably know a little about me.

I'm an amateur composer and musician, myself, and you can listen to some of my music here:
http://music.download.com/everest/

I tend to believe I have a very good idea of what constitutes musical talent, since I play guitar, keyboards and flute, by ear. So, like Bo, I often disagree with Simon. However, since having reluctantly read Simon's book, I Don't Mean to Be Rude, But..., given to me by Bo, I now understand where he's coming from, and gotta give him props for his integrity.

Nonetheless, I listen for the ones that can move me, without making me hold my breath in fear that they'll be pitchy or forget the words. I care much less about how they look or what they wear than Simon or some other contributors here, and I tend not to defend my choices as passionately as some here. Last year I favored Katharine Mcphee through most of the finals, but I didn't yell and scream when she lost.

Aside from Simon's influence on the voting, which I often resent as much as Bo, I am disgusted with the idea of power-voting, and believe the contest would be much more exciting if each caller were allowed only one vote. It is for this reason that I've become more detached than I might otherwise be to the ultimate outcome. I simply refuse to get attached to an outcome that can be so profoundly impacted in a negative way by people who are out to screw up the results by voting for the worst candidates intentionally.

Nonetheless, I've never missed a show, and for the most part I love the way the show is produced. I absolutely love that a talented unknown can make it to the big time with a lot of commitment and hard work over a relatively short but hectic period of intense pressure - kind of like Superman making a diamond from a lump of coal...that always impressed me, too.

See you tomorrow!