But I am back not for Idol, but for all of my fans who wanted to know what else I obsess about. So now that Idol is on hiatus, let me fill you in on what has been occupying my time.
MUSIC
I fortunately went to Nashville again this year for the Country Music Festival and let me tell you -- there is NOTHING like all country, all the time. Down by the riverfront, live country acts, in the bars, live country cover bands, on the streets, country music blaring, at night a concert of all the top country acts. It was the best time ever. 6-8 Acts each night like Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill (who did sound good live!), Sugarland (my fave), Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert and more and more. And they even surprised us with two acts. The first was Rascal Flatts and I have to say that I have liked them but never understood why they are such a big act. However, hearing them perform live with all of the swelling melodies, the waves of emotion, I got it - it made sense. They carried me along. And then the second surprise was definitely just for me -- KEITH! He came out Saturday night and performed with all the energy he could muster. It was the highlight of the trip. Can you imagine? I go down there expecting to see tons of acts but knowing that Keith is not one of them, and then they have Keith perform as a surprise -- they really know how to keep their country fans happy. Plus Randy Travis performed which reminded me of the first country song I loved -- he sang it when I was little on the Grammy's -- Forever and Ever Amen. It was before I even knew about country music but the melody was super catchy and I was singing it around the house. My sisters' thought I had been possessed.
TV
So little to watch right now so if any of you have On Demand, I suggest the following. Pick a series you haven't seen and watch it. I just caught up on the whole season of Tudors which had fallen to the way side because my DVR was going to explode -- such an amazing season. Of course you know Anne Boleyn is going to get her head chopped off, but I was still dreading it and hoping it wouldn't happen. Watching Big Love now -- another that couldn't compete with network TV. But it is so well acted - really fantastic.
I watched the Bachelor re-run marathon on VH1 - it was so funny in the beginning. The girls actually did not want to date the guy or do anything on TV that would embarrass them. Such a difference from the acting and drunken girls on nowadays. Oh and Nashville Star is interesting. I can't stand Billy Ray Cyrus at all, but Jewel and John Rich fighting is pretty fun.
And I have another confession. With all the hype over the past 6 months and the fact that I think the actors and actresses on the show look really good and the fashion stir that has been created is exciting, I decided to try to watch Gossip Girl. I did not expect good things to happen. You can all read back to my entry about how I felt about the show. But I have to admit something. On second viewing, when nothing else is on TV, after watching 4 episodes, I have to say something -- I like it. Yikes it is true, but I like it.
Okay, who am I kidding, you can read the small font -- I LIKE GOSSIP GIRL. I don't love it and I don't know how long this will last, but right now? I like it. It is over the top and not realistic and melodramatic, but it is fun to watch - guilty pleasure.
I think that is all for tonight folks, more to come soon -- hopefully I will have seen all of the summer movies I want to see and can give you my thoughts. What have you been watching / reading / listening to? Would love to hear from you!
Just remember...don't be ashamed of your obsessions...
