The 2nd and final step: The Verdict

My American Idol checklist:

-Wristband: Check

-Song choice: Check
I decided to sing Fooled Ya Baby.

-Outfit: Check
As I was trying things on in the dressing room last night (I procrastinate- don't judge me), I took pictures and sent them to my mother for her input. This was the winner:



And of course I wore my sexy bright red shoes, dark blue jeans, black/red earrings, and a cute black bracelet to tie it all together.

-Nerves: Check

-Make new friends: Check

-Warming up the vocals in the hall with the new friends: Check

-Getting REALLY hungry and waiting in an hour long line to get food: Check

-Getting a little too excited from seeing Ryan Seacrest in person, who I don't even like in the first place: Check

-Make it through round one: _____ unchecked.

After waiting in the arena for about 5 hours, watching many crazy people in costumes make it through, some really good singers and some not-so-good singers make it through, and some INCREDIBLE singers get turned down, it was finally my turn to sing (as well as the 3 other girls in my line). I gave it my all (which is all I could ask for), and they called us all forward and said "You all are very talented, but, unfortunately, there are a lot more factors that go into picking someone than just talent. So I'm sorry, but we're not going to put any of you through."

As I walked down the "hall of shame" I really wasn't upset or bitter at all. Eh. I knew there was a very very small chance of making it, so I wasn't surprised. Thanks for all of your good luck wishes and your support!!

-Having a fun experience and having a day off work: Double check.

Maybe I should have worn a chicken costume.

Step 1: wristband

I have heard, before, that waiting is the hardest part. I beg to differ.

Waiting sucks, yes. What is worse than waiting, you ask? Well I am here to tell you:

Getting in line at 4:30 in the morning (like a crazy person) so I can be one of the first to register, waiting in that line until 7:30, when the doors finally open, only to find that I had forgotten my birth certificate and passport (which you CANNOT register without at least one of them), calling Justin (16 times) to see if he'd wake up and hurry and bring it to me, but of course he left his phone on vibrate UPSTAIRS, so he was unaware of my panicked state of mind, and then resorting to driving home to get it, and then driving BACK to the venue to get in line again, and finally getting my wristband at 8:15 (after about 2,000 people had already gotten theirs).

But I finally got my stupid wristband.

I needed that beauty sleep.

And I could really use a manicure.

Narrowing it down

Alright. First off, a big THANKS to everyone for your input. It means a lot :)

Second, I've now narrowed it down to the top 2 songs: "Smile" and "Fooled Ya Baby." Which one I end up singing may be a complete last-minute decision (like right after I say "Hi, my name is Ashley and I will be singing "_______________").

Third, from the advice of Erica, and from my fairly bare wardrobe that completely needs a makeover, I was able to put together a little "outfit." Now, I could be totally crazy in thinking this is cute. So this is where I need a bit more advice. Does this look completely hideous?


Before you say "yes," read on.

All of these things are currently in my closet. I do not need to pull money out of the area I like to pretend it comes from to buy more. So keep that in mind as you are criticizing.

Ok, so I figure that red is a power color, which is good. And the red and black are pretty cute together. I would probably get some really cute red/black earrings. Now as far as shoes- I can't decide. Do I want to be dressy with the Jessica Simpson shoes or should I be more casual with the punk-ish shoes?

Or should I bag the whole outfit and start from scratch?

As requested.

Ok. Like I said, I do what my friends (and mom) tell me to do... AND I've been told I should upload clips of the song(s) I am thinking of singing. So what do I do? Upload clips.

[Confused? Read previous post.]

Since I didn't have a lot of time to record them yesterday (at my friend's recording studio), some of them are not up to par (a bit flat) and I would have liked a re-do. But at least this will give you an idea of what I am planning to sing.

Which one should I "wow" (or scare) them with? (And if they like me, supposedly they will ask for a second or third song. So, if you could rate them on a scale of 1-4, 1 being the best, it would be helpful).


"Smile" by Nat King Cole:

boomp3.com

"Fooled Ya Baby" by Nikka Costa:

boomp3.com

"Somedays Ya Gotta Dance" by the Dixie Chicks:

boomp3.com

"Impossible" Christina Aguilera:

boomp3.com

As far as what to wear? I thought I knew, but I really don't. I'm getting my hair done on Saturday (it REALLY needs to be re-done, but this is just a good excuse to get it done, now). But clothes? I have never been a fashion expert. Erica, this is where I need your help.

Idolizing

I've been pretty absent from the world wide web, lately, and I apologize. But I am back... at least until someone walks by my office. And then I will quickly pretend like I am actually working. Oh- here comes someone.

...

He's gone. We're good.

As some of you know, and others of you don't, a few years ago I auditioned for American Idol in Austin, Texas (while I was living in Dallas). No, I didn't make it (obviously). Although, through that experience I realized that the entire audition process is not at ALL what it appears to be on the television. Shocked? Don't be.

Basically the first audition is a cattle call with thousands of people (at my audition there were roughly 7,000 people, but it's been as high as 30,000 in some audition cities) inside a huge arena, like the Delta Center (or, as it's now called, "Energy Solutions Arena." Don't get me started on how stupid I think the new name is). There are about 10-14 tables set up on the floor, 2 "judges" at each table, each table divided by a curtain. Who are these judges? Some of them are producers of the show, and others, I've heard, are "talent scouts." Auditioning is an all-day process, beginning around 10:00 (although you need to be there by 6:00 to do some dumb television things, like have everyone yell "WE LOVE YOU, SIMON!!").

As you are called up by section, 4 auditioners go up to each table at the same time, each sing their heart out for 15-30 seconds, and get rejected or put through to the next round. I saw some AMAZINGLY talented (and beautiful) singers get rejected. And some not-so-hot and not-so-talented ones get passed on to the next round (oh- and there are 3 additional rounds before you get to actually see the "Big 3." Another falsification brought to you by Fox).

So after waiting for about 6 hours, it was finally my turn to step up to the plate. The three other people in line with me were all girls, and all very talented. I was last. I belted my brains out, hoping to be "passed," but not expecting it. The judges (one guy and one girl) smiled, and the girl said "All of you have great voices, but you're not what we're looking for right now." And we all walked down the Hall of Shame.

(Here comes a co-worker. I'll be right back)

....

I'm back.

I was not at all upset or annoyed with the process- I just found out that it was not a talent competition, but a TV show. It was fun to go and experience it. After having done it once, I had said I wouldn't take the trip to go audition, again, unless they came to Salt Lake. Well, guess what? They're coming to Salt Lake. Janica called me to tell me I should audition, and of course, I always do what my friends tell me to do.

So I'm auditioning. This time, however, I will be going with a completely different mind-set . I know that it is basically luck that anyone gets through. It's possible they are supposed to only let in every 343rd person. So maybe I'll be that 343rd person. Or it might depend on which table you go to, or which hair-do they're looking for, or what color of shoes you are wearing. That said, if I'm in the right place at the right time, I'll get through. If not, oh well. I'm going for the experience and that 1-2% chance that I *might* make it.

Auditions are Tuesday, July 29th. Wish me luck.

Festivities

MORE family fun, if you can believe it. I know I can't.

Do you know why I loved the 4th of July, this year?
No, not because of our country. Good guess, though.

I have a much better reason: I had the day off and I was able to spend time with the whole fam damily. Hooray for no work!

We started off the day of Independence by going to the Sugarhouse Arts Festival. Kennedy was super excited to get her face painted.

She is totally my daughter. That is the exact one I would have chosen for myself. I'm so proud.


And, although I look it, I'm not pregnant. Horizontal stripes are completely UNflattering.


After the fun-ness in good 'ol Sugarhouse, we went to see Wall-E, which I would highly recommend. I've heard some reviews that are not in agreement with my own, but when does anyone else really know what they're talking about, anyway, right? How does Pixar make a rusty old robot so freaking cute you just want to kiss and squeeze it? I don't know- but they did it.She's standing in front of the Wall-E sign at the movie theatre, but since I am still camera-less and my phone has very limited picture-taking capabilities, the result is a crappy-quality picture with a very cute subject.

That night we went to Janica's house for a kickin' bbq and fireworks, and we formed our very own stellar rockband and played...Rockband. We were awesome and are hoping to get signed on with a huge record label. I'm expecting her to post pictures of that, soon. (Get on that, would ya, Janica? ;) )

Last night, to finish off the lovely "no work on 4th of July" weekend, we had fun at my in-law's house.

The kids had potato sack (pillowcase) races. Apparently Kennedy was resisting the urge to take a potty break.
Papa Calvin's skill at being a mechanic sure provides for a very elegant backdrop.


She's so fast that even my amazing camera phone couldn't focus in on her. And she was being a cheater. She ran.


Justin was sick of the kids not knowing how to do it "properly," so he got in there to show them all how it was done. It was the sexiest thing I had ever seen.

Hope you all had a great 4th! I can't wait to read about it :)

Bipolar, Gemini or 4-yr old drama queen?

(Saturday morning)

Kennedy: Wake up, mom!
Me: [not sure if I'm really awake, yet] Good morning, sunshine.
Kennedy: I want some oatmeal. Will you make me some oatmeal?
Me: Uh, sure. Do you want to go play in your room for a few minutes, first? [hoping she'll say yes so I can actually sleep in for once]
Kennedy: No, I'm really hungry. I want oatmeal.
Me: Ok. Let's go.

[I groggily drag myself up the stairs to the kitchen to whip her up some tasty oatmeal.]

Kennedy: Mom, thanks for getting me some oatmeal.
Me: [smiling and commending myself for raising such a polite child] You're very welcome.
Kennedy: [noticing that the oatmeal is Blueberry flavored] NO, MOM!! I DON'T WANT BLUEBERRY OATMEAL!!!! I WANT STRAWBERRY!!!
Me: [fully awake, now, thanks to the outburst] Kennedy, we don't behave like that. Blueberry is the only kind we have left.
Kennedy: But I want STRAWBERRY! I don't LIKE BLUEBERRY!
Me: If you don't want it, you don't have to have any breakfast. This is what we have, and this is what you'll eat if you're hungry.
Kennedy: [letting out a frustrated sigh] Fine. ... Mom?
Me: Yes, honey?
Kennedy: Can I please have some bunny milk? [i.e. Strawberry Nesquick]
Me: Yes you may, thank you for asking nicely.
Kennedy: Thank you for getting me bunny milk, mom. I love you.


(Tonight)

[After playing "royal ball" with her princess dolls]
Me: Ok, Kennedy, time for bed!

[With no argument, she swiftly runs to her bedroom to pick out her pajamas and then skips to the bookshelf to pick out a book. We meet at her bed where she has 6 books displayed nicely for me to see]

Kennedy: Mom, what book do you want to read?
Me: Hm... I think we should read Mickey and the Beanstalk.
Kennedy: No. Now tell me to pick.
Me: [Dreading another princess story and wondering why she even bothers asking me what I'd like to read when she knows I'm not going to pick another freaking princess story] Ok, Kennedy, you pick.
Kennedy: Twelve Dancing Princesses [Wow. That's a big shocker.]

[After reading the longest story on her bookshelf...]

Kennedy: Ok, now put my covers on, please.
[I start to put her pink floral blanket on her]
Kennedy: NO! I don't WANT that blanket!! I want the OTHER pink one!!!!
Me: You don't get any blankets if you talk to me like that.
Kennedy: [in a really fake, sweet, high-pitched voice] Mommy? Can you please get the other pink blanket on me? Please?
Me: [Laughing. But only on the inside] Yes, honey. Thank you for asking nicely.

After I get her all tucked in, I lean down to give her a hug. She squeezes me really tight, the way I love it, and I squeeze right back.

Kennedy: [as she's still nearly choking me] *sigh* Mom- I want to hug you for a long time.
Me: Me too, Kennedy.
Kennedy: You stay here and hug me for a long, long, long time. And in the morning, we can still hug! [she says this like it's an incredibly brilliant idea she's just come up with]
Me: Oh baby, I would love to hug you all night. [I really, really would.]
Kennedy: Ok. Then do it.
[After explaining all of the reasons why I couldn't sleep next to her tonight]
Me: Goodnight, baby, I love you.
Kennedy: I love you too, mommy.


Whatever she is, Bipolar, Gemini or Drama Queen, she's mine and I love her.