In The Mind of A Thirtysomething Mom

She Posts!

I know, I know, I suck at updating my blog.

Would you like to know why I've been a major fail queen at doing said task?

I'll list 5 possible reasons I've not been posting; you guess which 3 one is incorrect.

1. My computer died; twice.
2. I've been on vacation, and internet connection was spotty at best.
3. Since the end of November, I've been home all day long for only 3 days due to all the dance rehearsals/performances.
4. I've been running around buying Christmas presents.
5. I've been cleaning the house to prepare for holiday company.

If you're still stumped, I'll let you know that #2 is only in my dreams.

I don't even want to admit this, but #3 is so correct I'm amazed Mr. Frog remembers what I look like.  In fact, I'm on the run for the rest of the week with rehearsals tonight, tomorrow, and Friday and performances Thursday, Saturday, and twice on Sunday.

I never thought I'd say this, but thank God for Monday!

Before you suggest I remove the girls from dance, they want to do this.

Let me repeat that:

THEY. WANT. TO. DO. THIS.

Nothing says I have to be happy about being a taxi though.  :P

As if all the Nutcracker stuff isn't enough:

• The girls had a dance performance on Saturday for their studio.  They both danced beautifully, and I'd love to share video but I can't (more on that below).

• K had a church Christmas program Sunday, so they've had rehearsals for that.  K was the smallest angel, and was the star/ham of the show!  B was a wise man in the same show and did his part perfectly.

• B has a school chorus program tonight, so I'll be dropping M off at Nutcracker rehearsal, flying to the school for that, and flying back to pick up M.

• D arrives into town on Saturday night.  Again I'll be leaving M at Nutcracker to go to the airport to pick him up, only to fly back to the venue to pick up M.

• My dad arrives next Wednesday.

• We're still not finished decorating for Christmas.

• My computer is dead, for the second time.  I'm typing this on Mr. Frog's computer, and we're both miserable about this arrangement.  All my pictures, videos, and bookmarks are on my deceased computer.  Mr. Frog doesn't get his massive gaming time once the tadpoles are in bed.  We all make sacrifices, but this one really sucks.  I can't even get the video/pictures from this past weekend off my camera.  ARGH!  The first time it died, it was resurrected with a new hard drive.  This time, it's not so easy.  

I don't know if I'll have the opportunity to get back on here and post again before the New Year.  I'll just go ahead now and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Y'all have a great one!

SYTYCD Final 4

Last week we said goodbye to Ballet dancer Melissa & Contemporary dancer Ade.  I think these were the right choices to go home last week.

Adam Shankman is this weeks guest judge. The dancers will be dancing a dance with each other finalist and will be dancing a solo.  I'll only be commenting on the pairs dancing, not the solos.  On with tonight's show!

GROUP DANCE  The final 4 danced a routine, choreographed by Wade Robson, to Boys Boys Boys by Lady Gaga-- Cute!  I liked the cheerleader/football player idea.  You can see it here.  It's the first one on that page.

DANCE #1

Couple #1:  Jeanine (Contemporary dancer) & Evan (Broadway dancer)-  Dancing a Jazz routine, choreographed by Sonya Tayeh to Heartbreaker by MSTRKRFT (feat. John Legend)-- Nice job!  They worked well together.  Watch the dance here (you can also see Jeanine's solo from this link).

M:  Powerful.  Evan was better.

Couple #2:   Kayla (Contemporary/Jazz dancer) & Brandon (Contemporary dancer)- Dancing a Broadway routine, choreographed by Tyce Diorio, to Bye Bye Love from All That Jazz-- Nice side by side turns.  Interesting outfit on Kayla.  Catch it here (you can also see Kayla's solo from this link).

M:  Lots of power!

Couple #3:   Evan (Broadway dancer) & Brandon (Contemporary dancer)- Dancing a Pop Jazz routine, choreographed by Laurieann Gibson, to Nasty Boys by Janet Jackson-- You could obviously see Brandon's choreography skills were better in this dance.  You can view it here (you can also see Evan's solo from this link).

M:  Tough and hot!

Couple #4:  Jeanine (Contemporary dancer) & Kayla (Contemporary/Jazz dancer)-  Dancing a Contemporary routine, choreographed by Mia Michaels to The Four Seasons IV:  Full Orchestra by Steve Reich-- Interesting.  I didn't think it was Mia's best piece to date, but it was good.  Watch the dance here.

M:  I liked the removing clothes idea.  That was cool.

Couple #5:   Kayla (Contemporary/Jazz dancer) & Evan (Broadway dancer)- Dancing a Jive routine, choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin, to T.R.O.U.B.L.E. by Travis Tritt-- That looked fun!  Check it out here.

M:  Kayla was sharp!  The dance was sexy.

Couple #6:   Jeanine (Contemporary dancer) & Brandon (Contemporary dancer)- Dancing a Paso Doble routine, choreographed by Louis Van Amstel to Tetsujin from the Matrix Revolutions Soundtrack-- It lacked power to me, but obviously I'm wrong (according to the judges).  Don't get me wrong it had it's moments, but I've seen Paso's that had me gasping for breath at the end because they were so strong.  This one didn't.  You can view it here (you can also see Brandon's solo from this link).

M:  Hard hitting!

I've kept my favorite to myself all season, but I'll share now that I really, really like Kayla.  I know everyone loves Jeanine but if you watch the dance she and Kayla did together tonight, Kayla's lines and technique are better.  At the beginning of the season, I liked Brandon.  While he is a good dancer, I just don't think he's better than Kayla.  Evan is good for what he does, but I don't think he stands up to the other three in the finals.  All that being said I'm sure Jeanine will win, but I'd really rather Kayla win.

These are my opinions, as well as M's. 

Until September!

SYTYCD Top 6

Last week we said goodbye to Salsa dancer Janette & Contemporary dancer Jason.  I'll miss Jason and his baby face.

Lil C is this week's guest judge. The dancers will again have new partners and will each be dancing a solo.  We'll also get two group dances.  I'll only be commenting on the group dances and the pairs dancing, not the solos.  On with tonight's show!

GROUP DANCE #1  The top 6 guys danced a routine, choreographed by Sonya Tayeh, to True Romance by She Wants Revenge-- Nice!  The guys really worked great together!  Super lifts.  You can see the video here.

DANCE #1

Couple #1:  Jeanine (Contemporary dancer) & Ade (Contemporary dancer)-  Dancing a Salsa routine, choreographed by Louis Van Amstel to Love Game by Lady Gaga-- That was pretty hot!  I must admit that I'm glad they edited the lyrics of the song though.  Nice costume on Jeanine.  :)  They had pretty good chemistry together.  Watch the dance here.

M:  Good.  The dance worked for them.

Couple #2:   Melissa (Classical Ballet dancer) & Evan (Broadway dancer)- Dancing a Broadway routine, choreographed by Tyce Diorio, to Get Me To The Church On Time from My Fair Lady (Matt Dusk)-- Cute!  They worked well together and the dance was just adorable!  Catch it here.

M:  They were smokin'!

Couple #3:   Kayla ( Contemporary/Jazz dancer) & Brandon (Contemporary dancer)- Dancing a Contemporary routine, choreographed by Stacey Tookey, to All I Want by Ahn Trio-- That was really great!  This was an evenly matched in technique pairing that worked exquisitely.  The lifts and leaps were perfection.  You can view it here.

M:  Great leaps!

GROUP DANCE #2  The top 6 girls danced a routine, choreographed by Sonya Tayeh, to Kick It by Nina Martine-- Awesome!  That was tight!  The video can be found here.

DANCE #2

Couple #1:  Jeanine (Contemporary dancer) & Ade (Contemporary dancer)-  Dancing a Hip Hop routine, choreographed by Tabitha & Napoleon Dumo to Move (If You Wanna) by MIMS-- Now that was hip hop!  LOVED the hard pops and moves.  Watch the dance here.

M:  Pumpin'!  Really good!

Couple #2:   Melissa (Classical Ballet dancer) & Evan (Broadway dancer)- Dancing a Quickstep routine, choreographed by Louis Van Amstel, to As Long As I'm Singin' by The Brian Setzer Orchestra-- They really need to get rid of this dance in the competition.  I don't think in 5 years they've had someone nail it.  These two didn't either.  Enhance your boredom by watching the dance here.

M:  Classy.  Good lift at the end.

Couple #3:   Kayla ( Contemporary/Jazz dancer) & Brandon (Contemporary dancer)- Dancing a Disco routine, choreographed by Doriana Sanchez, to Dance (Disco Heat) by Sylvester-- I HATE Disco.  It's dated, always the same and I can't stand it.  However, that was the first Disco routine that I've actually enjoyed!  It was filled with energy and was really good.  Great lifts!  You can view it here.

M:  Sexy and fast.

It's so hard to pick bottom people now. 

My picks for the bottom 4 are:  Ade, Melissa, Evan, and Jeanine.

Possibly going home:  Evan and Melissa

If you'd like to participate in this Bloggy Carnival, please post the link to your specific SYTYCD post in the box below. 

These are my opinions, as well as M's.  Click on the links below to read what others have to say!

Until next week!

SYTYCD Top 8

Last week we said goodbye to Jazz/Contemporary dancer Randi & Contemporary dancer Kupono.  I'll miss Kupono and his abs.

One of the best choreographers in the world, Wade Robson, choreographed last week's group number to So Much Betta by Janet Jackson.  Good stuff!  

Mia Michaels and Ellen Degeneres are this week's guest judges. The dancers will again have new partners and will each be dancing a solo.  We'll also get a group dance.  I'll only be commenting on the group dance and the pairs dancing, not the solos.  On with tonight's show!

GROUP DANCE  The top 8 danced a routine, choreographed by another great choreographer, Travis Wall, to Let It Rock by Kevin Rudoff (feat. Lil Wayne)-- Travis pulls out another great routine.  Loved the glow strips on the costumes.  Too cool!  Watch it here (go to 4:40 to skip the intro)

DANCE #1

Couple #1:  Janette (Salsa dancer) & Evan (Broadway dancer)-  Dancing a Jazz routine, choreographed by Sonya Tayeh to Move by CSS-- Interesting costume on Janette.  I'm so not feeling the chemistry between these two.  I liked the dance from her, but not him.  I'm over Evan.  I think he needs to go now.  Feel the lack of chemistry for yourself by watching the dance here.

M:  Good & energetic

Couple #2:   Jeanine (Contemporary dancer) & Brandon (Contemporary dancer)- Dancing a Waltz routine, choreographed by Hunter Johnson, to May It Be by Hayley Westenra-- BORING!!!!  Both the music and the dancing made me want to curl up with a blanket and snooze for awhile.  No really it did.  I thought Jeanine looked great in yellow, but other than that I got nothing from the dance.  Catch up on your sleep by watching the dance here.

M:  Missed the dance due to a potty break.

Couple #3:  Melissa (Classical Ballet dancer) & Ade (Contemporary dancer)- Dancing a Cha Cha routine, choreographed by Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin, to Yeah (Como Goza Mi Morena) by Chino Espinoza Y Los Duenos Del Son-- It wasn't hot like I expected it to be.  It was actually rather boring.  You can view it here.

M:  Good and sexy!

Couple #4:   Kayla ( Contemporary/Jazz dancer) &  Jason (Contemporary dancer)-  Dancing a Broadway routine, choreographed by Tyce Diorio, to Mr. Monotony (from Jerome Robbins Broadway) by Kim Criswell-- It was nice and jazzy.  I think they work well together.  View it here if you'd like.

M:  Sexy and really good.  Jason has stepped up his game.

DANCE #2

Couple #1:  Janette (Salsa dancer) & Evan (Broadway dancer)-  Dancing a Rhumba routine, choreographed by Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin to Heartless by Kris Allen-- Well duh she's got the Latin part down, she's Cuban!  I wasn't impressed with the dance though.  It wasn't as sexy as I've seen other Rhumbas.  Evan totes can't pull off sexy.  It just doesn't work for him.  Feel free to watch it here and see what you think.

M:  Sexy & good.  Janette was great.

Couple #2:   Jeanine (Contemporary dancer) & Brandon (Contemporary dancer)- Dancing a Pop Jazz routine, choreographed by Laurieann Gibson, to Battlefield by Jordin Sparks-- That was just horrible!  I don't see what the judges see.  Let me watch it again, hold on....Nope, still not seeing it.  The choreography is wicked, but I don't think they pulled it off.  Jeanine did better than Brandon IMO, but I still didn't like the dance. You can watch it here and decide for yourself.

M:  Awesome!

Couple #3:  Melissa (Classical Ballet dancer) & Ade (Contemporary dancer)- Dancing a Contemporary routine, choreographed by Tyce Diorio, to This Woman's Work by Maxwell-- HOLY COW!!!!  This dance was raw, powerful and just great!  I'm not a fan of a dance being related to an issue, but I didn't mind this one.  Having a friend who has been through the trials of breast cancer twice, and beaten it both times, I got this dance's message loud and clear.  This dance brought every judge to tears, it was just that good.  I agree that Tyce should get an Emmy nod next year for this.  The leaps and lifts in this dance were incredibly beautiful.  You can see it here.

M:  Pretty good!

Couple #4:   Kayla ( Contemporary/Jazz dancer) &  Jason (Contemporary dancer)-  Dancing a Hip Hop routine, choreographed by Shane Sparks, to They're Everywhere by Izza Kizza-- YES!!!!  Shane is back and better than ever!   LOVED IT!!!!  This is the kind of hip hop I love, even if most don't get it.  LOVED the ending!  I guess I'm a little sick like Mia.  :)  You can see the video here.

M:  Awesome!.

It's so hard to pick bottom people now.  If people vote based on the solo dances verses when they dance together, these are my picks for the bottom.

My picks for the bottom 4 are:  Ade, Melissa, Evan, and Janette.

Possibly going home:  Evan and Melissa

If you'd like to participate in this Bloggy Carnival, please post the link to your specific SYTYCD post in the box below. 

These are my opinions, as well as M's.  Click on the links below to read what others have to say!

Until next week!

SYTYCD Top 10

Last week we said goodbye to Contemporary Ballet dancer Caitlin & Hip Hop dancer Phillip.  Totes didn't see Phillip leaving, that's for sure.

Tabitha and Napoleon D'Umo choreographed last week's group number to Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes.  

Debbie Allen is this week's guest judge. The dancers will have new partners and will each be dancing a solo.  We'll also get a group dance from both the top girls and the top guys.  I'll only be commenting on the group dances and the pairs dancing, not the solos.  On with tonight's show!

GROUP DANCE #1  The top 5 girls dance a Bollywood routine, choreographed by Nakul Dev Majahan to Dholna from the Pyar De Geet soundtrack-- Nice job girls! 

Couple #1:  Kayla ( Contemporary/Jazz dancer) & Evan (Broadway dancer)-  Dancing a Viennese Waltz routine, choreographed by Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin to Kiss From a Rose by Seal-- Nice lifts!  Those were great!  I love her dress.  They make a cute pair.

M:  Graceful, pretty, & good.

Couple #2:  Janette (Salsa dancer) & Ade (Contemporary dancer)- Dancing a Hip Hop routine, choreographed by Tabitha & Napoleon, to Love Sex Magic by Ciara (feat. Justin Timberlake)-- Pretty good.  Loved the fall back Janette did in the middle of the routine.  They make a good pair. 

M:  Energetic, sharp, I liked it!

Couple #3:  Jeanine (Contemporary dancer) & Jason (Contemporary dancer)-  Dancing a Contemporary routine, choreographed by SYTYCD Season 2 Runner-Up Travis Wall ( I wanted him to win over Benji.  Yup, still bitter about that one), to If It Kills Me by Jason Mraz (The Casa Nova Sessions)-- HOLY COW!!!!  I need a cigarette and a cold shower after that dance!  It was so emotional, raw, and powerful!  Incredible & beautiful aren't good enough words.  Travis is a true choreography genuis.  Just damn.  You can view this dance here.  Great chemistry between these two!

M:  Did they KISS????????  Dude!

Couple #4:   Randi (Jazz/Contemporary dancer) & Kupono (Contemporary dancer)-  Dancing a Paso Doble routine, choreographed by Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin, to Dies Irae by Karl Jenkins-- I liked the wig on Randi.  I think she could totally rock brunette hair.  :)  I didn't get the power from Randi.  I got it more from Kupono, but even then it wasn't much.  Didn't like their pairing though.

M:  Sexy, sharp and good.

Couple #5:    Melissa (Classical Ballet dancer) & Brandon (Contemporary dancer)-  Dancing a Broadway routine, choreographed by Tyce Diorio, to Aquarius from Hair (The New Broadway Cast)--  Nice moves.  The flips and lifts were great.  I just don't get all the love for Brandon, but their pairing was pretty good.

M:  Graceful, good lifts.

GROUP DANCE #2    The top 5 guys dance an African routine, choreographed by Jeffrey Page to  Balant Funk by Ayanda Clarke and Shawn Kelly-- Um yeah Evan, I'll agree with you that you're not African.  :)  Nice job guys!  It's great to see those abs!

I how two of the bottom 3 pairs last week right.  I was surprised Phillip & Jeanine were in the bottom and more surprised when Phillip went home.  I like his personality.  I'm just gonna list who I think will be safe and who may be in danger of going home; IMO.

My picks for safe are:  Jeanine & Jason.

Possibly going home:  Evan, Randi, or Kupono

If you'd like to participate in this Bloggy Carnival, please post the link to your specific SYTYCD post in the box below.  (Mr. Linky seems to be fritzing out right now.  If he reappears, feel free to leave your link!)

These are my opinions, as well as M's.  Click on the links below to read what others have to say!

Until next week!