Rockstar Recap: Final Elimination
I can’t even begin to get my head around tonight’s finale. I predicted it last night, but I was so hoping I would be wrong.
The show started off with Brooke announcing the bottom two: Magni and Toby. I was hoping they’d be the top two so I was a little disappointed. You didn’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that Magni was going to be the first to go. You didn’t need them Magni. You’re too good for them.
Toby knew his time was limited and after the three remaining contestants performed, it was pretty clear that Toby’s time was coming to a close. Watching the faces of Supernova made it obvious. When Lukas performed they were all like "yeah, crush it" and when Dilana and Toby performed they were just like (to steal a word from Toby) EVS or whatevah.
Just like my worst nightmare, they sent Toby packing after they pretty much told him he was the best person. Yeah, that made a whole lot of sense.
With the two goth fairies left, it was obvious they were going to choose Lukas. Although I was silently pulling for Dilana, I knew it wasn’t meant to be. Lukas was chosen as the one. And without further delay, and because it’s been a letter writing kind of week, I give you my letter to Supernova.
Dear Gilby, Jason, and Tommy (aka Supernova or soon to be "Superfailure"):
What were you thinking? Apparently, your years of rocking hard and boozing it along the way have damaged your brain cells, particularly the ones related to auditory issues. Do you not see the way Lukas seizes across the stage? Are you not aware of the growling that is emitted from his mouth? Do you not know that Toby sang that Supernova song 100 times better than Lukas will ever sing that song? Are you not aware that sparkly blue eye shadow died along with Madonna’s lacy hair bows?
Do you honestly believe that Lukas is best for your band? A large majority of rocker fans are female. FEMALE, as in WOMEN, you know the opposite sex that you like hanging around. The majority of girl rock fans like guys like Toby: built, hot, sexy. Girls do not tend to go for guys like Lukas: troubled, traumatized, wears more make-up than the average drag queen, short on stature and on talent.
Do you not see the GLARING difference between the two? Can you not hear it? Are your ears that damaged from all the hard rock? Are you having some vision issues, because I mean, come ON! But then again, maybe you guys aren’t into girls anymore? Not that there’s anything wrong with that. . .
But may I be the first to say, "Ewww," because I can not think of a grosser couple than that. Except maybe Britney and Kevin.
Appearance and sexual orientation aside, did you not read the lyrics of the songs they wrote? You see Storm’s lyrics, they rocked. Toby’s lyrics made sense and had a catchiness about it. Lukas’ lyrics? There’s a difference between being "catchy" and being ridiculously repetitive. Lukas is the latter, just in case you weren’t sure.
The only thing I’m happy about is that now Toby is free to go make his own music without you guys and your bouffant hairdo’s (Gilby) and your tattoo on the neck that looks like a hickey (Tommy) and your happy little catch phrase "Crush It" (Jason). And in case you’re wondering. . .
YES, I’m just a TAD BIT BITTER about the whole thing, and the fact that I wasted a summer watching this show for such a disappointing and predictable outcome. And just in case you weren’t sure, I will NOT be attending any of your shows or buying any of your music. I guarantee you that the House Band that’s opening for you will be a bigger draw. This is one show that’s going to make people think, "Huh, if I leave now I can still catch Letterman."
Sincerely,
One seriously annoyed and confused BLACK BELT MAMA
P.S. EVS (and in case you forget what that means. . . WHATEVAH and please do picture that being said to you with the attitude of a jaded teenager.)
Rockstar Recap: Week 11
Thankfully my parents are on the opposite side of town tonight and are not privy to my Tivo remote. I’ve been able to kick back (as much as a mama of a toddler who’s still awake can) and enjoy the finale week of Rockstar.
Ryan came back for an encore of his back seat song. He seems less (to steal a word from Lydia) "angsty" now. He said he’s recording and releasing his song and he seems like a happier person to be out on his own. I think that was the goal of a lot of these contestants, so that they can follow in Marty Casey’s footsteps. He and The Lovehammers have played numerous venues and have grown exponentially in popularity. Your own band and a big increase in popularity sounds like a dream come true for these contestants and I think that’s why a lot of them were there in the first place, Storm Large for one.
Back to the show. . .Toby performed first and sang the hell out of "Karma Police" by Radio Head. There’s really nothing to say about it other than that it was very good. He then had Magni come out and play guitar for him for his original tune "Throwing it Away." It’s a very catchy song and it felt like he should just have his own concert right now. I wanted to hear what the guys had to say about him, but I got a little distracted by Gilby Clark’s bouffant hair do. Is he playing a role in the upcoming "Dreamgirls" movie by chance? Or is there a Rockstar Supreme’s show coming up that he’s planning on auditioning for just in case Supernova becomes a Super flop?
Speaking of flops, Lukas performed Cold Play’s "Fix you". He was wearing enough sparkly blue eye shadow to supply all the teenagers of the 80’s and then some. I truly believe he was trying to be the punk Mick Jagger with that performance. When he performed a stripped down version of "Headspin" I changed my opinion from last week. It shouldn’t necessarily be called "Mumbling in a Microphone". Perhaps the stripped down version should be called "Growling in a Microphone" because that is exactly what he did with this version. I’ve got some new lyrics for him though. How about this: "You make my ears ache. Your eyelids are caked. Why? Why? (growl). The ending of his set was completely anti-climactic which means he is so going to win.
Dilana. . . What the heck was that tonight? She performed "Roxanne" and actually sang it and her voice was good. She apparently laid off the Lukas lessons because the Marlboro Man was at home tonight (until the original song). Her performance of "Roxanne" was nothing short of amazing, but she wrapped her set up with "Super Soul" and I was super bored. As Gilby says, her lyrics are too literal and the song is just dull. Although "Roxanne" blew me away, she won’t win. Remember Gilby Clark’s comment about her song writing skills from a few weeks ago. It shows in her original and they will pass.
Magni wrapped up the night with Deep Purple’s "Hush." It was exciting! His confidence has only grown over the past few weeks and he made himself a serious contender. His original "When the Time Comes" is good, but as Supernova said, it’s not exactly memorable. What was memorable was Magni’s guitar performance in Toby’s original song. If Supernova goes with one of the crazies, Toby and Magni should start a band together. That would truly rock.
I’m sticking with my guns and I’m going to say Toby wins as I did back at the start (Check the archives if you don’t believe me. I’m too tired to link to it.) Keep in mind however, that my fantasy football team lost this week when Larry Johnson of all people choked. . . so it’s been a bad week. I’m prepared for it to get worse. Lukas would seal the deal.
The Letter I Did Not Write
Filed under: Growing Pains
September 11, 2006
Dear "Mrs. M.",
"Big I" is my first child in school so I’m pretty new at this. I wasn’t sure what to do even though I strongly knew what I felt like doing. . .
. . . but I wanted to make you aware of what happened today. Big I had a problem on the bus. A girl named Spawn of Satan Suzie blocked her from sitting with another little girl on the bus, and when Big I sat down anyway, little biotch Suzie then used her body to push Big I off the seat. Big I ended up sitting by herself and when she got off the bus she was very upset and I was freaking livid and thought I was going to need some blood pressure medication immediately to keep myself from turning into the Incredible Hulk.
I just wanted to make you aware of this since Big I tells me the hateful wretched little brat Suzie is also in her class. Big I said that the bus driver did not see what happened. However, when there are only a few children on the bus I would like to think that he would see what was going on, especially before the bus was in motion as the kids are getting seated. In other words, why the hell wasn’t he paying attention??? AND, he better be paying attention from now on or else I’m going to take care of business.
I have talked to Big I about what to do in this situation should it happen again ("Firmly tell the little brat not to ever touch you again, and then if she pushes you again or tries to get in your way, you have my permission to take her down any way you know how."), but I would like to think that this will be the first and last time or else I’m going to get on that bus myself and personally crack some skulls.
If you could please let me know who would be the best person to contact regarding issues with the bus so I can scream my head off at them and take my frustrations out on them, I would greatly appreciate it. I didn’t want to speak to the bus driver when he drops Big I off, because I’d prefer not to discuss it in front of the other demonic monsters kids. Thanks so much for your time.
Sincerely,
One seriously ticked off mama "Black Belt Mama"
Big I has been going to Kindergarten for six days or so and she has been doing fine. Each morning she tells me that she doesn’t want to go, but she goes and comes home and usually has a couple positive things to tell me about her day. Last week, she even expressed an interest in riding the bus home from school and she’s been doing that for the past four days.
On Thursday, the bus pulled up to the stop and I was pleasantly surprised to see Big I sitting in a seat with another little girl. She got off the bus ecstatic and told me that this little girl was her friend and in her class. I was so happy; as was Big I.
On Friday, the bus pulled to a stop and Big I was sitting by herself. She emerged from the bus with a smile on her face, but then quickly dissolved into a heap of hurt feelings and told me that her "friend" didn’t want her to sit with her. My insides hurt just hearing the replay. She said that the little girl told her she couldn’t sit with her. She wanted to sit by herself.
So, we spent the weekend reassuring Big I and telling her that the little girl probably just wanted to sit alone. It probably wasn’t anything personal.
Yesterday, Big I got off the bus and immediately erupted into the story of how she got on the bus and tried to sit with a different little girl. The "friend"/bully girl blocked Big I from sitting and then when Big I sat down anyway, the girl pushed her out of the way and off of the seat. I stopped in my tracks on the way back to our house. "She did WHAT?" "Yeah, she pushed me," Big I said and retold the story. Big I then said, "She doesn’t want to sit by herself; she just doesn’t want to sit with me." My heart ripped in half and I could suddenly hear the blood rushing through my head.
If this were a Seinfeld episode and I were playing the part of George Costanza circa the movie theater episode (and oh how I wish it were), I would have jumped in my car, burned rubber out of the parking lot and followed the bus. I would have parked as the little "friend" emerged from the bus and then I would have followed her right up to her front door. I would have told her parent/parents how RUDE she was to my daughter and that I expect that she’ll be given a stern talking to, or else. OR else meaning, I will personally give permission to Big I to take that little biotch down to the ground if she dares push her again. I would have demanded an apology and not left until Big I got one.
Since this, unfortunately, is not an episode of Seinfeld and I can’t have a Costanza moment without being arrested, I told Big I that she does NOT have to tolerate that kind of behavior. I told her that if the girl dares to push her again she will respond in a stern and assertive voice, "Do NOT push me. That’s NOT nice" and she will sit wherever her little heart desires.
This isn’t just a minor little bus issue. You see, Big I comes home and decides to take out her frustration on Lil C and me by not listening and by pushing and being bossy with Lil C. I don’t tolerate it in this house, and Big I does not have to tolerate it on the bus.
I swore back when I was a teacher that when I had children I would not be THAT parent. You know, the one who calls the school and teacher about every little thing. But I could not let this one go. I could not let this child ruin my child’s day. So, with the help and guidance of one of my best friends who also happens to be a teacher, I wrote "Mrs. M" the email above (minus the strike-throughs and clip art of course) and got a lovely response back before Big I was even awake this morning.
"Mrs. M" replied that she will be speaking with "Suzie" personally, and that the principal will also be made aware. She thanked me for bringing this to her attention and told me that if it happens again I should not hesitate to contact her. She said she would then call Suzie’s parents. She also said she would personally speak with the bus driver when Big I got on the bus (out of ear shot of course).
Today, the bus pulled up and Big I was sitting in a seat with the two little girls. She got off the bus ecstatic. Apparently, Suzie had been summoned to the principals office. The teacher also reminded Suzie as they were lining up for the bus that she needed to be nice. When Big I got on the bus, Suzie asked Big I to sit with her. She was nice to her throughout the day. I hope this is the last issue with this particular girl. I am so thankful that Big I’s teacher is so awesome.
What I can’t help but wonder though is why little girls are so mean? Big I doesn’t have a mean bone in her body, as evidenced by her refusal to hit anyone while sparring at the dojo because she doesn’t want to hurt anyone or make anyone sad. I can’t be the only one raising my children to be kind and compassionate, right? So, where are the other nice little girls? And since when did Kindergarten become so catty?
The Letter I Did Not Write
September 11, 2006
Dear "Mrs. M.",
"Big I" is my first child in school so I’m pretty new at this. I wasn’t sure what to do even though I strongly knew what I felt like doing. . .
. . . but I wanted to make you aware of what happened today. Big I had a problem on the bus. A girl named Spawn of Satan Suzie blocked her from sitting with another little girl on the bus, and when Big I sat down anyway, little biotch Suzie then used her body to push Big I off the seat. Big I ended up sitting by herself and when she got off the bus she was very upset and I was freaking livid and thought I was going to need some blood pressure medication immediately to keep myself from turning into the Incredible Hulk.
I just wanted to make you aware of this since Big I tells me the hateful wretched little brat Suzie is also in her class. Big I said that the bus driver did not see what happened. However, when there are only a few children on the bus I would like to think that he would see what was going on, especially before the bus was in motion as the kids are getting seated. In other words, why the hell wasn’t he paying attention??? AND, he better be paying attention from now on or else I’m going to take care of business.
I have talked to Big I about what to do in this situation should it happen again ("Firmly tell the little brat not to ever touch you again, and then if she pushes you again or tries to get in your way, you have my permission to take her down any way you know how."), but I would like to think that this will be the first and last time or else I’m going to get on that bus myself and personally crack some skulls.
If you could please let me know who would be the best person to contact regarding issues with the bus so I can scream my head off at them and take my frustrations out on them, I would greatly appreciate it. I didn’t want to speak to the bus driver when he drops Big I off, because I’d prefer not to discuss it in front of the other demonic monsters kids. Thanks so much for your time.
Sincerely,
One seriously ticked off mama "Black Belt Mama"
Big I has been going to Kindergarten for six days or so and she has been doing fine. Each morning she tells me that she doesn’t want to go, but she goes and comes home and usually has a couple positive things to tell me about her day. Last week, she even expressed an interest in riding the bus home from school and she’s been doing that for the past four days.
On Thursday, the bus pulled up to the stop and I was pleasantly surprised to see Big I sitting in a seat with another little girl. She got off the bus ecstatic and told me that this little girl was her friend and in her class. I was so happy; as was Big I.
On Friday, the bus pulled to a stop and Big I was sitting by herself. She emerged from the bus with a smile on her face, but then quickly dissolved into a heap of hurt feelings and told me that her "friend" didn’t want her to sit with her. My insides hurt just hearing the replay. She said that the little girl told her she couldn’t sit with her. She wanted to sit by herself.
So, we spent the weekend reassuring Big I and telling her that the little girl probably just wanted to sit alone. It probably wasn’t anything personal.
Yesterday, Big I got off the bus and immediately erupted into the story of how she got on the bus and tried to sit with a different little girl. The "friend"/bully girl blocked Big I from sitting and then when Big I sat down anyway, the girl pushed her out of the way and off of the seat. I stopped in my tracks on the way back to our house. "She did WHAT?" "Yeah, she pushed me," Big I said and retold the story. Big I then said, "She doesn’t want to sit by herself; she just doesn’t want to sit with me." My heart ripped in half and I could suddenly hear the blood rushing through my head.
If this were a Seinfeld episode and I were playing the part of George Costanza circa the movie theater episode (and oh how I wish it were), I would have jumped in my car, burned rubber out of the parking lot and followed the bus. I would have parked as the little "friend" emerged from the bus and then I would have followed her right up to her front door. I would have told her parent/parents how RUDE she was to my daughter and that I expect that she’ll be given a stern talking to, or else. OR else meaning, I will personally give permission to Big I to take that little biotch down to the ground if she dares push her again. I would have demanded an apology and not left until Big I got one.
Since this, unfortunately, is not an episode of Seinfeld and I can’t have a Costanza moment without being arrested, I told Big I that she does NOT have to tolerate that kind of behavior. I told her that if the girl dares to push her again she will respond in a stern and assertive voice, "Do NOT push me. That’s NOT nice" and she will sit wherever her little heart desires.
This isn’t just a minor little bus issue. You see, Big I comes home and decides to take out her frustration on Lil C and me by not listening and by pushing and being bossy with Lil C. I don’t tolerate it in this house, and Big I does not have to tolerate it on the bus.
I swore back when I was a teacher that when I had children I would not be THAT parent. You know, the one who calls the school and teacher about every little thing. But I could not let this one go. I could not let this child ruin my child’s day. So, with the help and guidance of one of my best friends who also happens to be a teacher, I wrote "Mrs. M" the email above (minus the strike-throughs and clip art of course) and got a lovely response back before Big I was even awake this morning.
"Mrs. M" replied that she will be speaking with "Suzie" personally, and that the principal will also be made aware. She thanked me for bringing this to her attention and told me that if it happens again I should not hesitate to contact her. She said she would then call Suzie’s parents. She also said she would personally speak with the bus driver when Big I got on the bus (out of ear shot of course).
Today, the bus pulled up and Big I was sitting in a seat with the two little girls. She got off the bus ecstatic. Apparently, Suzie had been summoned to the principals office. The teacher also reminded Suzie as they were lining up for the bus that she needed to be nice. When Big I got on the bus, Suzie asked Big I to sit with her. She was nice to her throughout the day. I hope this is the last issue with this particular girl. I am so thankful that Big I’s teacher is so awesome.
What I can’t help but wonder though is why little girls are so mean? Big I doesn’t have a mean bone in her body, as evidenced by her refusal to hit anyone while sparring at the dojo because she doesn’t want to hurt anyone or make anyone sad. I can’t be the only one raising my children to be kind and compassionate, right? So, where are the other nice little girls? And since when did Kindergarten become so catty?
Remembering Ronald Tartaro
I remember everything about September 11, 2001. Our baby was just five months old and we were visiting relatives in western Pennsylvania, not far from the site of the plane crash in Shanksville, PA. When we turned the TV on and saw the horror of what was going on; I remember thinking that my life would never be the same. I remember crying and wondering how we would even get home. At least we were all able to go home. I remember the ticker going across the screen on CNN that began listing more and more names of those who had perished. It was so sad. I remember recognizing one of the names as someone I had gone to college with; but most of the names were just that. . . names. So many names.
Ronald Tartaro was one of those names and would not ever see home again. Ronald was 39 years old, an Executive VP for Fred Alger Management, which was located on the 93rd floor of the World Trade Center North Tower. Ronald Tartaro and his wife, Karen met at a party where she beat him at Trivial Pursuit. They were married in 1993. Karen had worked at Fred Alger Management and helped Ronald to get a job there as well. She left shortly after they were married to raise their family. They had three children together: two daughters and a son. Karen describes her husband as being "the most honest person she knows." She also said that he was "logical" and "reasonable" and that "he always did the thing that made the most sense."
Ronald was a first generation American, born of Croatian immigrants, and was the "star of the family." His family says that from a young age he was already making plans for his future. He had big plans for himself and from a young age was a happy person and sweet to others.
He loved the water and spent time as a child fishing and learning how to sail. He graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in 1983 and followed it a year later with an M.S. He was an immediate success in the financial district and continued to move up through the years. He was in the process of building a larger house on several acres in NJ for him and his family.
One of the family’s great loves was getting outdoors and cycling. Ronald and Karen started off riding a tandem bicycle together and from what I’ve read about them, were as in sync on the bicycle as they were in their marriage. With the addition of their girls, they added a bike trailer; and when their son arrived, he took over the trailer and their eldest daughter rode a bicycle attached to her Mommy’s.
Ronald Tartaro’s other great love was sailing and his dream was to buy a sail boat and sail around the world. He wanted his family and friends to accompany him on different legs of the trip. His wife says that he almost had his sailboat funded.
I’d like to think of Ronald Tartaro as having that sailboat he wanted so much in life. I’m going to think of him as sailing above us all, watching over his wife, his daughters, his son, his sister, and his parents, patiently waiting until he can finally take them on a trip around the heavens.
Special thanks to The New York Times, CNN, The Columbia Spectator, and Newsweek who were all great sources of information about Ronald Tartaro. To read the other tributes that are part of the 2996, go here.
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