Little Notes

Sometimes truth is funnier than fiction! I love this AP Report which appears in today’s Inquirer:

Anchorage, Alaska — So far, it’s only the trainers at the Alaska Zoo who seem to be breaking into a sweat.
They’ve so far made little progress trying to coax Maggie, a somewhat cantankerous African elephant, onto the world’s first treadmill for a pachyderm.
For two months, Maggie’s trainers have used her favorite treats — watermelon, apples, carrots, peanuts in the shell, banana slices and sweet potatoes –to entice the 8,000-pound (3,600 kilogram) elephant into exercising on the $100,000 (euro 78,000) piece of equipment.
“She has two feet on the treadmill and has touched a third one on it,” zoo director Pat Lampi said Tuesday. “Every six inches forward is a new goal. There are a lot of steps to go.” Maggie’s trainers and zoo staff aren’t discouraged.
“It is just a mater of getting that fourth foot up off the concrete floor,” said elephant trainer Rob Smith. [...]
The zoo’s program for Maggie included doubling the size of the elephant house and installing new heating, light and ventillation systems, including upgraded radiant heat in the concrete floor. Her outdoor paddock was doubled in size.
Feeding stations were placed high so that she now stretches for her food. Treats are hidden around her enclosure to help keep her busy. She’s provided bitch logs to strip the bark off.
The extra activity and a diet have helped Maggie shed about 1,000 pounds (500 kilograms).

My comment:
I have shown this newsclip to my daughter with strict instructions for her to buy my favorite treats and hide them around the house so that like Maggie, I can be enticed to exercise. I, too, have a treadmill. It’s covered in cobwebs and dust, and it sits in my video room forlornly, waiting for me to come down and plug it in so that it and I could have a longer life.

I apologize for all the grammatical errors, mixed-up tenses, and awkward descriptions in the entries below. I wish I had time to edit but then that wouldn’t be live blogging, right? Now I know that PLDT WE-Roam may not be quick enough for live blogging but it can do a passable job especially since it allows me to blog right here on our conference table while watching the TV set a few feet away. Sure beats moving our desk top PC around!

So pardon the grammar errors, and sit back and read the show! Start from the very beginning, when Elliot took the stage for the very first time. Sigh! Sob! Hikbi!

Taylor sings “Try a little tenderness” and dedicates it to his Soul Patrol. I like it when Taylor seems to be sitting down when he sings. He dances in that quirky way that is totally his. He sings his heart out and impresses the audience. His ending features him in an epileptic dance. But he succeeds to enchant the judges! Randy gives him a new name…”have a good time funky Taylor!” Paula says he did incredible and she waited the whole season for Taylor to sing that Ray Charles song.  ”Smart choice of song, good performance, a hideous ending, but I’ll see you on Tuesday!,” says Simon. Taylor keeps on saying “Soul Patrol, Soul Patrol” as Ryan gives out the number.

So that’s that. As I said, I’m an Elliott fan but sadly he did not rise to the occasion. Poor song choices, restrained performances. There was no magic in the same intensity as the audience saw and felt with Taylor and Kat. I hope he stays but if solely based on today’s performances, he would have to go.

 

 

Elliot picks “I believe to my soul”, a Ray Charles song. He starts off strongly. He also looks better in a white blazer with vertical lines. I think he might have made a mistake choosing a song that very few recognizes. The audience wasn’t excited by it and neither was I, and I’m an Elliot fan, sob! Randy says “I dont believe this was the perfect song for you but you certainly can sing, man!” Paula echoes the same thought but points out that Elliot nailed the Ray Charles song. Simon says “your songs cannot carry you through next year. However, you are a great person, a great singer, and you will make your mom proud of what you’ve achieved.” Poor Elliot! Sob, sob, sob!

Kat chooses “I’ve got nothing but the blues”. She lsays she oves the song and doesn’t want to be compared with anybody so she chose an old song. In black boots and a black mini dress, Kathy sings jazz and has fun doing it. Crowd gives her a standing ovation. Randy says “this is ok.” Paula says her magic was somewhere over the rainbow, that was your element, but you did a good job tonight.” Simon says it was okaybut would have preferred the middle song to be her last song.

 

2nd Round isn’t over, Taylor Hicks is next. Governor Bob Riley of Alabama read fax of Randy Jackson which tells the Governor that he is a member of the dog pound. “You are so beautiful” by Joe Cocker was the song choice of Randy for Hicks. Taylor starts off well and you feel every note as he sings it. Very tender, and simply sung, then a dramatic falsetto before the powerful refrain. I love it! Randy says “you did the song proud! Congratulations, bro! ” Paula was just as enthusiastic. Simon says “for me that was far and away your best performance.” Taylor pokes fun of Simon and says “he’s happy!, he’s happy!” Indeed, everyone was happy with Taylor’s poignant performance! I now get the blues just thinking of Elliot’s chances. Sigh!

Mayor Wilder announces judges’ song choice for Elliott. It’s the classic “What you won’t do for love”. Elliott seems more relaxed this time. He was smiling. He wore a dark long sleeve shirt with dark pants. Much better than the first performance. Randy says he was a little sharp most of the song. Paula says Elliot has an amazing soul. Simon says it wasnt the best song in the world but Elliot sang it pretty good.

Mayor Villaragosa gave the message that Simon picked the song for Kat. “Somewhere over the rainbow” was the song choice. She sits on the stage, and starts acapella. Her voice soars and comes out effortlessly. Then from somewhere a classic guitar played softly in the background, as she continued singing. Clear as a bell, easily reaching high notes while seated with her legs tucked underneath, she charms the audience with the song that everyone recognizes and loves. It was magical and the crowd roars its approval. Randy says “finally, finally! this is what i’ve been waiting for! the best vocal of the season!”Paula says “your element and your magic is when you don’t go overboard.” Simon says he is very happy for Kat. “That is the single best performance of the competition today.” Even Ryan agrees. “That was beautiful, beautiful,” he tells an excited Katherine.

 

Elliott Yasmin was first with “Open Arms”, a song chosen for him by record mogul Clive Davis. IT was a so-so performance. Randy said he had problems in the middle chorus. Simon said Elliot should loosen up and could do better.

Clive Davis advises Kat Mcphee to “soar” and look for a Katherine Mcphee sound. Her first song, again chosen by Clive, is “I believe I can fly”. She looks good in a green, clingy dress which again flaunts her cleavage. She doesn’t seem nervous at all. Randy says she looks amazing. “It wasn’t quite the right thing for you.” Someone from the audience shouts, “She is incredible.” Paula says she is incredible. Simon says Randy is unfair. “I think apart from a couple of bum notes towards the end, you kinda created a moment there for yourself.”

FOr Taylor, Clive chooses “Dancing in the Dark”, a classic Springsteen song. “You got a shot at a great Springsteen classic to bring it home.” Taylor was grateful to perform a Springsteen number for the first time on Am Idol. In a charcoal grey blazer with denim pants, Taylor’s vocals did justice to the song, I think. Paula danced with him for a bit then Taylor left her on the platform to return to the stage. Randy says Taylor dancing with Paula was hot! Simon says it was ok, a bit pale compared to the original. It was okay. He turns to Paula and says, “Paula for your age, you were fantastic.” Taylor seems at ease and Ryan commended him for it.

I’ll be watching Am Idol this afternoon with my fingers on the keyboard for a live blogging exercise. So if you need to work overtime or are out-of-town and itching to find out what happened to your favorite Idol, don’t fret. Visit my blog, but beware, this blogger is a Yasmin fan!

From the technical staff of the Senate committee on economic affairs chaired by Senator Mar Roxas:

1.      Since 1 January 2006, the price of oil has increased by:
            Premium         P3.99
            Unleaded        P3.96
            Kerosene        P4.93
            Diesel             P4.89

2.      Amidst increases in oil prices, oil companies still claim a P3-per liter under-recovery, which is an indicator that more hikes are expected in the near future.
3.      In an earlier statement, LTFRB ruled out any fare increase unless diesel pump prices reach P35/liter.  However, with the price hike over the weekend, the price of diesel has reached P35.24.
4. There is an expected 30 to 40-centavo increase in the price of agri commodities as a result of the 12% VAT and 8% increase in fuel prices.

5.      Further increases in the prices of agri commodities from the Visayas and Southern Tagalog regions are expected because of the crop damages caused by typhoon Caloy, which according to DA reached P72 million.
6. Prices of tin can may rise slightly by Mid-May due to tightness of supply in the world market.  There is no shortage yet, but inventories are already stretched.

7. LFTRB stated that it will rule out any fare increases until diesel pump prices reach P35 per liter. Over the weekend, diesel price reached P35.24.

8. CHED issued Memorandum No. 14 stipulating that schools raising tuition and other fees above the 7.6% inflation rate will have to go through public consultation and get CHED’s approval. This in itself extends tacit permission to private schools to raise tuition fees as long as it does not go beyond the 7.6% inflation rate ceiling.

I will be attending tomorrow’s hearing at the Senate (1:30 pm, Pecson Room, 2nd Floor, Senate Building) to find out more about these price increases and more importantly, to blog about government plans to mitigate its impact on the public. Stay tuned!

Tomorrow, I know exactly where I’ll be between five to six pm. Right in front of our office television set, with my feet up on a chair, as I watch and enjoy the performances of the three finalists in American Idol.

According to Idol’s official website, the three finalists will perform three songs: one chosen by themselves, the second song chosen by the judges, and a third song picked by record mogul, Clive Davis. It’s fun to read the message boards of the three contenders. A visitor dropped by the Yasmin Board and riled everyone by pointing out that Taylor’s Soul Patrol is more organized and revved up to vote compared to the Yasminites’ E-Train. The Elliot fans declared that they will not let their favorite Idol down once the actual voting starts. You can read the fans’ message boards on http://www.americanidol.com.

Some of you may be wondering why I enjoy this show so much. I find it a good way to relieve stress and enjoy music at the same time. I also enjoy the dry wit of Simon Cowell, the usually over-the-top reactions of Paula Abdul, and the more reasonable, moderate criticisms of Dog Pound founder, Randy Jackson. I only hope that the Philippine Idol of ABC 5 will be just as engaging.

I think Taylor Hicks will grab the title, but not without a fight from Elliot Yasmin, who is my personal favorite. As for Kat, I have no doubt that her star will rise regardless of what happens tomorrow.