Dating Advice: What American Idol Can Teach Us about Attracting Women

When used correctly, arrogance can be an amazing tool to help you attract women. When you’re slightly arrogant, females want to find a redeeming softer side to you. If you're too arrogant or rude you will blow your chances.

Let's look at Simon Cowell for a minute. When we first saw Simon on American Idol our first instinct was to hate the guy. We all said, "What an arrogant bastard". Now us guys thought that and probably never gave it a second thought, but women around the world starting digging deeper. They thought, "There's got to be something more to this guy". Then as the season went on Simon began to give credit where credit was do. What began to happen was incredible. Whenever Simon gave a compliment, the audience and all of America (particularly women) began to cheer like crazy. Why did this happen? The reason is because people were so excited to see that redeeming quality they were searching for shine through. They knew there was some good in this guy. They found themselves wanting to like him. Randy Jackson who never played the mysterious, arrogant role at all didn't get nearly the same response when he gave kudos to a contestant.

The key is to balance this confident arrogance with a sweet, vulnerable side. You can actually create a pattern with women where they'll start being nice to you and doing all kinds of favors for you just to see that redeeming side of you peek through. It's an amazing thing to watch when it's done right. Personally I hate the idea of playing the arrogant role because I'm genuinely a nice, humble guy but it really works so I do it anyway. It even annoys me that women react well to this kind of attitude but unfortunately it's a fact of life.

Remember not to be mean for the sake of being mean. I wouldn't go as far as Simon, who actually crossed the line sometimes and became mean. Remember - you don't have months and months on a TV show to redeem yourself like he does so you can't afford to go as far with it as he has. But done properly, arrogance can really work for you.

A simple way you can begin to create the kind of dynamic that Simon does is to start calling girls out on things. Start "breaking her chops" in a playful way. When they are being lazy, call them lazy. If you don't like her outfit, say, "I'm not really feeling that. You should wear something else". Please don't take this as a cue to go out and be MEAN to women. Instead it's a cue to go out and be HONEST with women. Her behavior will actually begin to cater to making you happy and she’ll start working hard to bring the complimentary side out of you.

Networking With Fiber Cables

Fiber cables form one of the most important parts of the networking industry today. Fiber cables are composed of one or more transparent optical fibers enclosed in a protective covering and strength members. Fiber cables are used to transmit data by the mode of light. Various types of fiber cables available are multimode duplex fiber cables, single mode simplex fiber cables, single mode duplex fiber cables, and plastic optical fiber cables.

There are many fiber optic cable manufacturers who manufacture full line of fiber cables in both single mode and multi-mode, simples, duplex and multi-strand. Several manufacturers provide low cost, quick-turn, high volume fiber cables and fiber cable assembly solutions.

Cables with complete assembly of fibers, strength members and jacket refer to fiber cables. These fiber cables come in variety of forms depending upon their usability and place of use. It is important to identify the exact requirement of fiber cables whether they would be easy to install, splice or terminate, etc. This is necessary as it ultimately decides the cost of installing the fiber cables.

Fiber cables are required to protect fibers from external hazards. Thus before installing the fiber cables one should always assess the place of installation of fiber cables. Fiber cables required inside the house or a building are not exposed too much of hazardous condition thus simpler form and not-so-tough fiber cables can be used for installation. But if the fiber cables are to be installed for longer distances and outside premises then the cables should be robust. They should also be installed well beneath the ground to protect them not only from ground digging, water logging but also from prairie dogs.

Fiber cables comes in different types based on their usage patterns as well. The zip cord and simplex fiber cables refer to those used for desktop connections. Simplex fiber cables are one fiber, tight-buffered and jacketed. A zip cord is actually two simplex fiber cables joined by a thin web. On the other hand fiber cables made of several simplex cables are breakout fiber cables. This type of fiber cables is strong, rugged and larger. They are also a bit expensive but prove to be economic where distances are not too long and fiber count required is less.

Small fiber cables required for dry conduit run, riser or plenum are known as a distribution fiber cables that needs a breakout –box to be broken up or terminated in a panel box. They contain several tight-buffered fibers bundled under same jacket.

Aerial fiber cables are good enough for outside installation where as armored fiber cables are used for under-ground wiring where rodents are a problem. These fiber cables have metal armoring between two jackets to prevent rodents from tampering the cabling connections.

Loose tube fiber cables are perfect for plant trunk applications to prevent fibers from moisture or water. They can be buried directly in ground but must be handled carefully to prevent damage. Ribbon fiber cables have twelve or more fiber cables packed together laid in a rows. They are also a plant fiber cables which are gel-filled and are good for water blocking.

All fiber cable manufacturers manufacture different fiber cables but their product literatures should be carefully studied so as to assess which type of fiber cables they specialize in.

-Beyond-Coupons

Nurse Assistants and Communicable Diseases

Communicable diseases are those that can be transferred from one individual to another. These include the common cold, tuberculosis, the flu, and HIV, herpes, measles, chicken pox, lice, and strep throat. Are of these are highly contagious. For those who already have medical issues, their immune system has a hard time fighting off anything else, so they are very susceptible.

Communicable diseases spread by human waste including saliva, stools, urine, blood, and other bodily fluids. Airborne droplets from the nose and mouth are also a common transmitter.

Since communicable diseases often spread like wildfire if not properly contained, it is everyone’s responsibility to do all they can to maintain their own health. Washing your hands often is a very good place to start. Most germs can’t survive soap and water. Nursing Assistants are encouraged to wash their hands more than most people because they are in constant contact with other people.

As a Nurse Assistant, it is your responsibility to immediately notify your supervisor if you develop the symptoms of any communicable disease. They can then determine a course of action. It may be recommended that you don’t come to work until the communicable disease has run its course. Depending on the disease, you might be able to continue working with a respirator to prevent passing it to anyone else. In some cases, it may need to be reported to the health department.

Some communicable diseases can be cured with antibiotics such as strep throat. Others including the common cold will have to run their course. You can do your part by remembering to wash your hands, taking your vitamins, being current on all immunizations, and getting an annual flu shot.

Learning about these types of diseases is an important part of the Nursing Assistant program. Most medical facilities train all new employees in the area of communicable diseases. There is also ongoing training. While preventing the spread of communicable diseases is important in any work environment, it is especially important in a medical setting.

Each medical agency will have different processes and procedures for handling the spread of communicable diseases. Make sure you are well trained in identifying them, noticing the onset, and knowing how to handle each type of situation. Epidemics of communicable diseases require emergency procedures to take place. It is very important that you agency trains all employees in that area as well.

Nursing Assistances come into contact with bodily fluids of patients on a regular basis, and this is the most common method that they are infected with communicable diseases. You should always use rubber gloves when doing tasks such as changing soiled bedding and clothing and empting bedpans. The use of a sterile disinfectant while cleaning is important as well. If you do get bodily fluids on you, immediately was the area with soap and water, then report the incident. Your report needs to include what took place and what bodily fluids you came into contact with.

Communicable diseases are an area many people don’t know much about. It is important that Nursing Assistants do some research on their own to make sure they fully understand the health risks involved with coming into contact with communicable diseases. While it is very rare, there have been reports of Nursing Assistants being infected with HIV and other potentially deadly diseases.

Behind the screens of American Idol

If you have ever been interested into diving into the beast that is American Idol there are a lot of fascinating tidbits that you can learn. While most people think that the whole show is about fun and excitement it is often unknown just exactly, what the contestants are put through, and also how much time is spent in rehearsals, contracts that have to be signed, and even the minor details of living away from home for a very long time. Struggling to emerge from the entire experience as the American Idol has sent numerous potential singers back home crying, while a precious 7 have emerged victorious.

The primary thing that most people do not realize is the bulk of contestants do not actually get to see the judges when they first audition. Do you really think Simon would sit through millions of auditions? I would love to personally see that happen, in reality though because the time of the judges is severely limited for each city they stop in contestants are first required to audition with additional personnel from the show. Once they have passed this stage they are moved along to actually audition with the judges. As you can imagine, it is around this time that a few unique people are allowed through for the sheer opportunity to provide some great entertainment when the auditions are released for television.

Additional bits of knowledge that is often not known is that once contestants get to Hollywood they are spending very little time sleeping, even less time seeing the sights and the bulk majority of waking hours either rehearsing or else they are doing another audition. This is I suppose designed to see which contestants have a flair for going without sleep and still keeping their voices. There have been numerous contestants’ crash and burn during this part of the show, and while it might seem cruel, it could serve as an indication of what a tour schedule could look like.

Other surprises that are waiting in store for contestants is the requirement to only choose from songs that have been preselected. Many feel that this is unfair, but honestly in a world that is overflowing with lawyers and legal loopholes it is likely one of the few measures of protection that American Idol can be offered. By limited the song selection to only those songs that they have approved they are able to ensure that they are not accidently infringing on the copyright of another artist that they do not have an agreement worked out with.

A final surprise in store for many contestants is the contract that they are required to sign. American Idol has a habit of not allowing contestants to talk to the media until after they are voted off the show. However, this contract extends a bit further. In fact, contestants are not allowed to sign with any other recording company until a minimum of three months after the season finale airs. This can seem like a huge drain for many contestants, however it is typically non-negotiable. However, the contract usually does permit contestants who have been booted to sign with a new recording contract if they receive permission from the show early in writing. Taking the time to get this approval is not always worth the effort, but it is something that is required if someone wants to really try hitting the album beat while they are still fresh in the minds of viewers.

As you can see, while the show appears to be all fun and games from the episodes that are released, it is actually far from it. For those who manage to be successful at winning the show the hard work is well worth the effort. For those contestants who are determined to actually make something of themselves regardless of how far they get into the show it is something that can be a bit of a hassle, but it is still worth the bit of effort to go onto the show and see what happens.

Who Really Wins at American Idol?

If you have ever stopped and watched the show, you have no doubt noticed that there are several people who manage to be extremely successful without actually winning the show. With this in mind, how is it possible for people to ultimately be successful if they do not win? Yet at the same time, there are several people who are capable of winning the show but yet never manage to find ultimate success. The horrible reality is most people are not capable of finding true success on the show.

With so many people trying out for American Idol each year it is extremely important to locate the best talent in the country. At times, this can be really easy to do, however on other occasions it can be much more complicated as people struggle to determine which contestants are really best. With a large number of contestants, there are plenty of opportunities to learn exactly what it is that you are looking for in a musician. Nevertheless, while we as viewers are afforded the ability to truly select what we want for the American Idol, it is much harder for the contestants to determine what they need to do to be truly successful.

For many idols, the dream of being truly successful is extremely hard to actually fulfill. For other contestants it is something that is extremely easy to accomplish. For example, contestants such as Chris Daughtry are capable of pulling the audience into their performances, which can make it extremely easy to go on to a truly successful recording contract. As you have no doubt noticed, there are several former American Idol contestants who have been faced with extremely bad commercial success after winning the show.

One of the best examples of this is the small size of the careers of winners like Fantasia, Taylor Hicks and even Ruben Studdard. While artists like Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks and even Kelly Clarkson have gone onto astronomical success. The newest winner, David Cook is just getting started after winning and it is unclear just how successful he will really be. With a truly great appeal it is possible that he can go onto become the next Carrie Underwood, but he could turn out to be the next Taylor Hicks instead.

Regardless of which end of the spectrum each contestant falls, there is nothing at all that guarantees success. Of course, the show itself always takes pride on ensuring that at least the winner is offered a recording contract, however much beyond this is left to the actual contestant and the type of music that they select to pick out. Many people might think that each of the winners will go onto huge success, but as prior indications have shown, this is sometimes far from the actual truth.

For the contestants who are lucky enough to find total success it is a great accomplishment. However, it is very important that the other contestants not be ruled out as well. There are often times when the contestants who do not actually win the show go on to be much better commercial success than the actual winners. Just take a look at Season 5; while Taylor Hicks was the actual winner, Chris Daughtry has been much more successful. This could even lead you to question whom ultimate won the show, while Taylor walked away with the number one position, Chris has walked away with awards, more money and much more commercial success.

Watching each contestant develop into someone that you are actually interested in watching grow professionally can be a lot of fun. There are several times when it is lots of fun to watch the underdeveloped contestants grow into actual artists. With plenty of opportunities to prove themselves, American Idol does allow plenty of great artists a perfect springboard for their musical career, how they choose to use their springboard varies, but after being sent home as a 4th place contestant I’m sure Chris Daughtry would agree that winning the actual contest is not all that matters.

Signed, Sealed, And Delivered: From Chicken Soup For The American Idol Soul

Excerpt from Sanjaya Malakar
Top 10, Season 6

Singing is everything to me and my sister. It's in our blood and in our souls.

The first time I remember performing was during an assembly when I was four. I sang, "I'm a Little Teapot." But my mom told me that I really preferred doing Fred Astaire dance moves and singing songs like, "Steppin' Out with My Baby." I guess I have an old soul. When you're hardly out of diapers, you usually prefer songs from Barney. I preferred songs from Singin' in the Rain. My mom said she thought maybe I was the incarnation of Fred Astaire.

I was never like everyone else in school either. I wasn't much of a student; I preferred to entertain. My second-grade teacher moved my desk outside the classroom because I would spontaneously burst into song and distract the other kids. She thought that if she put me where I could still hear her, but I didn't have an audience, I might be able to learn something. I don't think it worked, because school is still not my thing. If my sister gets a B, she feels like she's failed; if I get a C, I think, Wow, cool. I passed.

When I was eight we moved to Kauai, and my mom put us into Children's Theater. My first show was Oliver! and my second was Bugsy Malone. I played Fizzy the janitor. I had a solo, and every night when I would hit the high note, I would receive a standing ovation. You've gotta love that more than social studies.

At first, my mom didn't want me to audition for Idol. She thought I wasn't ready and that I should wait a year. I couldn't understand why; she'd always been so supportive of me, but I realize now that she somehow knew that once I stepped into the world of American Idol, I would never be able to just walk through a shopping mall or go to a concert or do any of those normal things ever again.

Before our first audition, while we were in the big arena, two ladies on the American Idol staff asked Shyamali and me if we were brother and sister. We told them we were, but we didn't audition together or make a big we're-brother-and-sister deal. We even had someone in line between us.

I didn't make it through the first round but my sister did. I love Shyamali so much and was so happy for her. I believe that there's a master plan, and I thought that my making it through just wasn't part of it.

Then the strangest thing happened.

Shyamali went in for her second audition with the executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe. When he put her through, he said, "So it looks like you're going to be in competition with your brother."

"No," she said. "Sanjaya got cut."

Nigel looked confused for a moment and then called over his assistant.

After asking her some questions, he said, "What? Well, find him!"

Apparently, those ladies who had seen us in the arena had told him, "When you audition the Indian girl, she comes with a brother."

So I went in and sang for Nigel.

"You have to work on your stage presence," he said, "but I'm going to let you through."

I stood there in shock for a second and then ran out to tell my sister. We were ecstatic.

When I sang in front of Paula, Simon, and Randy, they asked who I thought was a better singer.

"Shyamali," I answered honestly. They said they thought she was the better performer, but I was the better singer. I still disagree. I have a more powerful voice, but my sister has this smooth, sultry jazz voice. She sings perfectly.

It was hard in Hollywood when I got through and my sister didn't, but I know that she'll be a star. She'll just get there in a different way — and I'll do everything in my power to help make that happen.

Throughout my journey on Idol, there have been a lot of ups and downs, triumphs and disappointments. But the hardest part has been the judges' comments. Nobody likes to hear, "You're horrible," or, "You look like a bush baby." Getting that kind of criticism night after night, week after week, could wear anybody down.

I decided that I wasn't going to let it get to me. Instead of taking their words to heart, I took the constructive criticism and left the rest. I just wouldn't put the negative things in my head. At a certain point I decided, I'm going to do this for myself and the audience. I'm not even going to try to get the judges' votes. I'm just going to be myself and hope America likes me.

I think America does. And that's good for a lot of reasons.

My mom says it's good because I don't represent the black community or the white community — but rather the brown community — which includes pretty much the majority of the people in the world. I think it's good for people to see someone like me. It's good for people in more isolated communities to feel like they know, and like, someone who is different from anyone they've ever met in their real lives.

And then there’s my name. Sanjaya is Sanskrit, and the vibrational quality is supposed to bring to the person who speaks it the love and protection of the universe. So even when people say, "Sanjaya stinks; he should go home," they're drawing a good and positive vibration to themselves.

Who knows, I might even be making a difference for people on some higher level. I like that thought.

And one other thing . . . Stevie Wonder is my role model. He never let his apparent "disability" get in the way of his success, and he has always stayed true to himself in his life and his music. I wish I could have sung Stevie Wonder on the show, but the judges said it was too big for me. I think if I sang "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" they would have liked it — but it's cool. I have a long career ahead of me, and I know that someday, somewhere, I'll get to sing some Stevie. I think maybe I'll wear my pony hawk when I do.

(Reprinted with permission from Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul: Stories from the Idols and their Fans that Open Your Heart and Make Your Soul Sing).

(Note to iSnare Editor: Our client Debra Poneman is author of the book Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul. The book contains first person accounts of the hit TV show from contestants, fans and behind the scenes crew members. The piece above is from one of the contestants, Sanjaya. We have Debra's permission to offer these excerpts from her book to iSnare.)

Life After American Idol

While you may have never stopped and thought about it, there are some rather stark differences between the careers of many of the previous winners for American Idol. Most people start out trying to truly be the best singer that they can be, but somewhere along the line a few of the American Idols have somehow moved far off the straight path and ended up somewhere between oblivion and barely known. Yet at the same time, there are a few American Idol winners who have gone on to create truly powerful careers that have launched them into the true success that the show was originally intended for.

Each year there are thousands of people all around the country who audition for the show. Each year there is only a single winner selected at the very end, but this is not and has never been a true indicator of the success that the winner will find after the show is over. For example, how many people really hear about Taylor Hicks, Ruben Studdard or even Fantasia? The sad reality is that all of these singers start out searching for success, but somewhere along the line, they have moved far away from the success that they dreamed about.

It is extremely important to remember that anytime you are working to build a career that you have to work at it, and several of the former American Idols have forgotten this very important consideration. Several American Idols have gone onto create truly amazing careers, after all how many people have not heard of Carrie Underwood? While Carrie Underwood certainly leads the pack in terms of success, it is certainly not the only contestant who has found success. Other winners of American Idol such as Kelly Clarkson have also found a great deal of success in the show, and after the show.

Looking over all of the actual contestants and their careers it has appeared that there are some who find greater success ending the show as the runner up, rather than as the actual winner of the show. For example, Katharine McPhee has found more success in the media while Taylor Hicks has started slipping further into darkness. This is just another example of some of the earlier castoff’s doing much better than the winner.

Overall the absolute best person to emerge from the show was Chris Daughtry, while his time on the show was special, his time since the show has been an even greater success. With the creation of the band Daughtry where he is the lead singer, he has enjoyed the benefit of selling over 3.2 million copies of the debut album. Additional honors that were passed on is the usage of a Daughtry song as the closing song each week for Season 6 when a contestant was sent home.

All across the various seasons there have been several contestants who have gone on to create albums and find some level of commercial success. Josh Gracin the former marine from season 2, as well as Jennifer Hudson from season 3, Kellie Pickler from season 5 who has found success in country music. All of this points heavily towards the success of the American Idol is not simply based upon their actual success after the show, but rather how heavily they try to actually pursue a successful music career.

Watching from the failures of other idols it is really easy to see how quickly someone can slip into fame, or how easily they can disappear from the spotlight. Making sure they make a fabulous impression on the world in terms of record sales is much harder than anyone ever imagined, and the winners of American Idol are certainly not immune to the problems that many artists face when selling records. Getting the biggest response from the audience will not always guarantee a true commercial success, but those who are determined to make it big like Carrie Underwood certainly have a great shot at the success.

Vote For The Worst Changing American Idol Forever

Anyone familiar with American Idol and that is just about anyone who is not living underneath a rock is familiar with the staying power of Sanjaya Malakar. The seventeen year old has become famous for his ability to stay in the talent contest although he possesses the weakest singing voice, thanks to campaigns from websites like Vote for the Worst, and the backing of media powerhouse Howard Stern.

The grassroots campaign to keep the mediocre singer within the contest have increased the popularity of the show with stories running in popular celebrity weeklies such as Star Magazine and the National Enquirer, and scores of stories on television. According to the show, they received their highest number of votes this season, 33 million, probably due in part to the Malakar controversy.

Simon Cowell, usually the most truthful of the judges has vowed to quit if the young singer wins. In fact most of us will lose if Malakar actually wins, because I cannot think of anyone who would actually buy an album created by the creaking voiced crooner.

The present controversy does shed some light on the weakness of the American Idol system. While it was the premise for Americans to vote for the person they felt was most talented, those with less than altruistic motives can affect the results of the show if they have a big enough following. Perhaps it is time that the creators of American Idol address this by making some much needed changes on how the contest winner is chosen.

Another fan favorite show, Dancing with the Stars, allows both the audience and judges to have a say so in the outcome of the show which should equal the playing field for contestants. However, this too does have its problems as the celebrities with the biggest fan bases sometimes seem to garner the lions share of votes. In the past season country singer Sarah Evans continued to plod along week after week even though she was by far the least talented of the performers, at least in the dancing department. A large contingency of country music fans tuned in to vote for her every single week and she only left the contest after issues in her personal life arose.

Though the system is flawed, there is a much better chance of getting a better winner when both judges and fans have a say in the outcome. Contestants who have large fan bases, or get large amounts of sympathy votes cannot guarantee an overall win. The same thing can be said for a contestant who just does not seem to strike the fancy of the judges, and can be sent packing prematurely though they deserve to stay and compete.

Judges are after all people and they will of course have their favorites. Dancing with the Stars message boards have been lit up with the prospect that the judges have been much too kind to former NBA star Clyde Drexler though his dancing has improved very little since the onset of the season. The voters of course can take him to task and can create a level playing field. The same can be said for American Idol.

It is doubtful that many would have remembered Sanjaya Malakar after this season of American Idol. However, now he will either be known as the face of the person that killed Idol, or the reason that the rules were chanced. Either way, Malakar has helped to change the television show American Idol forever.

American Idol Do Not Vote For The Worst

The premise of a show like American Idol is to find the best singers in the country and let them go toe to toe in a karaoke style contest in which viewers of the show vote and have a say in the outcome every week. The show has been popular since the first season, and former idols winners and losers for that matter have gone on to achieve great success. Former loser Jennifer Hudson recently won an Academy Award, and season one winner Kelly Clarkson is a best selling artist and Grammy Award winner.

Recently their has been a call to arms to vote for the worst, which at this point happens to be Sanjaya Malakar, a moppet haired guy with no discernable singing talent. This is of course a fine mess and there are a few problems with voting for the worst:

Motivation

The self proclaimed king of all media, Howard Stern, is requesting that his listeners vote for the worst contestant, the aforementioned Malakar. There should be someone questioning the motivation of Stern. Is her completely bored, after earning a truck load of money after switching to satellite radio? Rumor has it that that the company may be going out of business and perhaps Stern wanted some listeners to trickle over after the controversy.

Another company, website Vote for the Worst is trying to make a name by piggybacking on the success of American Idol. There is of course tons of information on what they perceive to be the problem of American Idol, the unfair practices of the judging process on how contestants are picked and moved on throughout the contest.

The fact that there are t shirts with the logo of the company being sold begs the question of whether or not their reasons are altruistic. They make the argument that they care about the great contestants being passed over for a myriad of reasons. I wonder if they are donating their profits to this undiscovered talent.

Ruining American Idol

While voting for the worst contestant may seem like fun at first, it can have long term effects on American Idol. Maybe Stern wants to see how much muscle he actually has to see if he can actually get his legions of fans to follow his edict and determine the outcome of the American Idol race. If it holds perhaps Stern can put his evil genius to good use and help elect the next president in 2008. Yet Idol will be ruined in the process.

Viewers like to look at A.I. in the beginning of the season to see the misfits and delusional people who think they may actually have some form of singing talent. However, we all know that we could not look at a series of terrible singers all season long. Viewers will begin to tune out in droves if the only option is to tune in week after week to see only the most mediocre of contestants. Not to mention the unfairness of booting legitimate singers such as Stephanie Edwards. They deserve their time to shine as well and are being robbed of the chance by a cruel grassroots campaign.

Singers like Sanjaya Malakar and Antonella Barber belong between the pages of Star Magazine and the National Enquirer in their Where are They Now section. In the meantime, tune out Stern and the opportunists from the website Vote for the Worst. Let them hawk their merchandise elsewhere or by piggybacking on hard work of someone else.

Trying out for American Idol?

As everyone knows American Idol is a television program that has singers competing with each other to win the coveted title of American Idol. The show was conceptualized on the lines of Pop Idol from U.K. Even now American Idol is produce by U.K. producers Ken Warwick and Simon Fuller who also produced Pop Idol. The first ever episode of American Idol debuted on June 11, 2002 with its first season attracting a lot of enthusiasm around the country and record television viewers. The show aims to discover the best young singing talent in the country through a nationwide search for the singers. The search is usually performed in six to seven cities every season. The candidates are filtered into few hundreds from thousands. The contestants are further filtered in Hollywood round and ultimately 24 contestants go to the semifinals of which 12 are males and 12 females. The contestants are further reduced to 12 in the final round. From there on a singer is eliminated from bottom three contestants each week until the last episode when only two singers remain from which the winner and the runner up are selected.

Many youngsters dream about getting a break in American Idol and also try hard to get there. Some fail and some come out with flying colors. But we should realize there can be only winner at the end the day and everyone performing in the program cannot be an American Idol. Apart from the singing talent one also need to have the personality to win the competition. In addition to having a beautiful voice you need to have the rhythm and command over different tunes. Knowing how to dance along with singing is also a huge advantage over others who can't dance.

If you are planning to audition for American Idol do not forget to read and if possible memorize the information provided on fox television's idol website. There are lot of frequently asked questions and answers on this website. You can clear many misconceptions you have by reading the information provided. The eligibility criterion to get into the competition is that you should be a citizen or permanent resident of the country and you should be between the ages of 16 and 29.

Some of the previous winners of the American Idol gives an advise to the aspiring contestants to really put everything you can into the song you are singing. You should feel the lyrics when you are singing a song and the expressions should show on your face. Also they advise rehearse the songs you choose over and over again until you perfect it and sing the same song in front of the judges with full confidence and capture their attention and imagination and leave them wanting to hear more form you. Remember focus you attention on getting though the current round and each time you make it into next round you have an extra chance to show your talent and you are that much closer to the crown.

Also remember you may be asked about your role models. Try to come up with two or three names. And how you describe them? You should fine tune your verbiage and if possible try to come up with some interesting words to describe those personalities but only if you are comfortable, do no use it if you feel that you will end up getting embarrassed. Also be prepared to tell about yourself concisely. Part of the job is to dress well, get fashionable if possible but never under dressed. Also be honest, respectful and truthful to the judges. It is also seen that the judges often like contestants who dedicate songs to their friends or family members. Also taking few voice-training classes greatly increases the chances of making it into American Idol. If one follows the tips discussed above there should be no stopping you in landing on the sets of American Idol and who knows you might be the next American Idol.

Dating Advice: What American Idol Can Teach Us about Attracting Women

When used correctly, arrogance can be an amazing tool to help you attract women. When you’re slightly arrogant, females want to find a redeeming softer side to you. If you're too arrogant or rude you will blow your chances.

Let's look at Simon Cowell for a minute. When we first saw Simon on American Idol our first instinct was to hate the guy. We all said, "What an arrogant bastard". Now us guys thought that and probably never gave it a second thought, but women around the world starting digging deeper. They thought, "There's got to be something more to this guy". Then as the season went on Simon began to give credit where credit was do. What began to happen was incredible. Whenever Simon gave a compliment, the audience and all of America (particularly women) began to cheer like crazy. Why did this happen? The reason is because people were so excited to see that redeeming quality they were searching for shine through. They knew there was some good in this guy. They found themselves wanting to like him. Randy Jackson who never played the mysterious, arrogant role at all didn't get nearly the same response when he gave kudos to a contestant.

The key is to balance this confident arrogance with a sweet, vulnerable side. You can actually create a pattern with women where they'll start being nice to you and doing all kinds of favors for you just to see that redeeming side of you peek through. It's an amazing thing to watch when it's done right. Personally I hate the idea of playing the arrogant role because I'm genuinely a nice, humble guy but it really works so I do it anyway. It even annoys me that women react well to this kind of attitude but unfortunately it's a fact of life.

Remember not to be mean for the sake of being mean. I wouldn't go as far as Simon, who actually crossed the line sometimes and became mean. Remember - you don't have months and months on a TV show to redeem yourself like he does so you can't afford to go as far with it as he has. But done properly, arrogance can really work for you.

A simple way you can begin to create the kind of dynamic that Simon does is to start calling girls out on things. Start "breaking her chops" in a playful way. When they are being lazy, call them lazy. If you don't like her outfit, say, "I'm not really feeling that. You should wear something else". Please don't take this as a cue to go out and be MEAN to women. Instead it's a cue to go out and be HONEST with women. Her behavior will actually begin to cater to making you happy and she’ll start working hard to bring the complimentary side out of you.

American Idol

Most households across America know that the trio of names – Simon, Randy and Paula, are the judges for the famed show American Idol. People tune in just to see if Paula and Simon can actually agree on something that happens or if they’re swatting at each other with annoyed looks on their faces. While some people love to watch it for the actual purpose of the show – to find talent and name that talented individual the next American Idol, others tune in just for the entertainment. Some singers almost appear to have been planted on the show as a cruel joke. Viewers love to watch Ryan Seacrest attempt to create dramatic moments and crack jokes to Simon. Whatever their reason for watching each week, it has been proven that people will continue to tune in weekly – almost as if it is an addiction.

The American Idol auditions are always good for some entertainment. Although some wannabes slip through the cracks just to get their few seconds of shame and fame, people will admit that watching the auditions can be a real treat. And every single year, hundreds of thousands of talented individuals stand in line for hours and hours just to have their few second shot at making it onto the show. Of course, more hopeful individuals walk out with rejection slips instead of moving forward. Still, American Idol has become a craze that just hasn’t faded out yet. It doesn’t matter that a few of the previous winners have disappeared off the planet, the few that have gone on to instant success have made viewers even more curious about the upcoming seasons. The craze has prompted American Idol T-shirts and stickers, notebooks, games and even a movie about two of the first season’s contestants. Whatever companies can create to cash in on the craze, they’re pushing to sell.

Towards the end of the American Idol season, the competition heats up. There are weeks that it will be on television three times in one week. There are devoted viewers who won’t miss a single moment of their favorite show but there are viewers who start to lose interest at that point. The last few seasons have had some shocking eliminations that have prompted some viewers to swear that they’ll never watch American Idol again. However, the ratings and the number so votes is always on the rise. Either those viewers still watch despite the controversy or more people are always tuning in. No matter which way you look at it, the American Idol craze is still far from being over. Each season will promise to be better than the last and more controversy is bound to surface. Isn’t that what being an American Idol is all about?

How to be a good American Idol

With so much going around about how to be truly successful on American Idol what happened to helping the little guy out who is just interested in some entertainment? Not everybody sets out with the goal of actually winning the show though. Those who are not really interested in winning find that there is very little advice offered to them. If you want to win then obviously doing your very best is critical to getting to the final rounds.

For those looking to just have some fun on the show, not worried about whether they actually win or lose it is possible to have a lot more fun. Stop and think about the contestants who had a ton of fun on the show. You are likely to think of someone along the lines of Blake Lewis. While he was an incredibly talented singer, he also took the time in each episode to inject some of himself into his performances so instead of just singing his way through each show.

If you are interested in trying to create your own special flair to the show, it is very important that you take some time to relax and actually enjoy yourself. Without enjoying the process, you are going to find that you are struggling to actually go further. The contestants who actually enjoy the process and procedures of the show will typically go very far, while those contestants who dislike the entire audition process. Putting your best efforts into the show is not always easy, but enjoying the show does not mean that you have to give up all of the creativity that you have.

For many contestants the best way to actually get kicked off the show is to go against the grain. While this is an old expression, it is extremely true. Stop and consider what you like personally in music. You probably have interests that are not that much different from many other people. This interest that you have in music means that you are apt to purchase music that is similar. If you are to go against the grain and instead pick a style of music that is not as popular, you might enjoy it yourself, but you are quite likely to find that there is very little interest from the viewers of the show.

Other sure ways to be kicked off are by disrespecting the judges. Most of the time you will notice that contestants on the show that last are extremely respectful to the judges. This might just seem like a coincidence, but do you really think that Simon Cowell would allow people to remain on the show who are completely disrespectful? It would be extremely unlikely for a contestant to remain that continuously talks down to the judges. It might make for some very entertaining television for a while, but the serious issue of disrespectful behavior would never be tolerated even if it did generate an incredible number of viewers.

The one area where you can really determine if you are going to stay or go home is in song selection though. Anyone who wants to go home badly, rather than actually win American Idol simply needs to pick out a bad song. This does not even mean picking out a song that is terrible in nature. If you select a song that is great, but it is incorrect for your voice style, and your actual singing style you could quickly turn a fabulous song into something terrible. It is very important that contestants choose their songs carefully and this means looking at all of the options available in terms of songs before actually picking something. It also means that it is essential that you select a song that will fit your personality. If you are just interested in getting the boot, you are much more free to select a song you truly enjoy, rather than something that sounds good for your voice.

Reasons to Watch American Idol

With several seasons of American Idol already over and completed and the ratings starting to go downhill there are numerous questions about why exactly people tune into the show. The truth of the matter is that everyone often has different reasons for tuning in. Whether you are interested in watching the show because you have a love of music or a different reason there is likely something that you will find enjoyable.

If most people are downright honest with themselves, they will usually admit that one of the major reasons is to see exactly what Simon will say. This is rather sad truthfully, but we are a cruel world. We tend to enjoy watching someone else be ripped to shreds while we sit on the comfort of our couch and happily admit we are happy that it is not us being criticized like that. However, in reality while some may hate on Simon Cowell badly, he really does know what he is talking about. Plus, he hates those who show up and merely play around with the competition.

Looking past Simon and trying to focus on the less evil reasons to watch the show is seeing how each of the contestants tends to evolve. Each week and they stand around in terror on the stage hoping they are safe they breathe a sigh of relief and go back to work improving. This allows them to grow substantially from their very first audition up until the day that someone actually wins the competition. If you have ever watched the show from the very beginning up until the end you have no doubt noticed that there is a significant difference. It just shows and proves to people hat it really is possible to improve and get better.

For those who are strictly watching the show for entertainment purposes you have to admit that they do get some awesome guest stars to work with the contestants. Jennifer Lopez, Dolly Parton, and so many more have all graced the stage to work with the contestants to improve but also to perform. This is a fabulous way to check out some of the newest material that the stars have to offer, but also see what they have to say about your favorite contestant. Nevertheless, you can also see how each contestant handles the songs of the week as well.

For those moments when you are just feeling relaxed and peaceful it can be fun to sit around and watch the jokes that occur. After all the cheesy Ford commercials, the banter between the judges and even the occasional attitude from a contestant is all perfectly coordinated to ensure the perfect entertainment event. Looking at the show as something that is 100% serious is usually disappointing but you are sure to find someone that you want to root for.

Another reason to watch; let us face it, everyone on that stage started as an underdog at some point. Well except for half of the season seven contestants who were already seasoned professionals. It is a lot of fun to see these underdogs who would normally never stand a chance in Hollywood actually having a chance at a music career. The mere idea of getting a fabulous career like that is incredible and can be described as a dream come true. Watching the contestant that starts out all meek and quite turn into the ultimate American Idol right before your eyes is something that is truly special. Most idols drastically change their appearance during the show, their style changes and they start to be much more confident. In the end, you are spending all of your time rooting for them and running to the phone to vote as soon as the polls open.

While this might seem like a strange set of reasons to watch American Idol you have to admit that somewhere deep inside your heart, you fit into these reasons and methods as well. Which reason is yours for watching is always a secret, but you are likely to have a few of your own. The reasons rarely matter, but what does matter is watching someone be crowned the American Idol and knowing that you were a part of it.

Vote For The Worst On American Idol If You Dare

The television show American Idol is making headlines in the mainstream media as well as celebrity gossip magazines such as Star Magazine and In Touch Weekly concerning a grassroots online campaign for viewers to tune in and vote for the worst candidate who happens to be contestant Sanjaya Malakar.

All over the media people are weighing in with their opinions. Internet message boards and forums have been abuzz with both outrage and support of the campaign started by website Vote for the Worst to vote only for the worst candidate in the karaoke like contest. According to the website owners they began the site to shed light on what they felt was hypocrisy in the amateur talent contest which seems to push those with less than stellar talent along while those with true singing talent get pushed to the wayside.

In defense of American Idol, it seems that the creators of Vote for the Worst seem to forget that the entertainment industry is after all a business. While viewers may become endeared to certain contestants there is a certain indescribable quality necessary in order to become a successful pop artist. While fans defied the practical Simon Cowell and voted for Taylor Hicks, even his fan base the Soul Patrol has not been able to boost his less than great record sales.

In truth the judges of American Idol along with the producers are looking to find someone who is more than a great singer. The person chosen has to have a specific kind of personality, has to be able to command attention to them and dare I say it should be easy on the eyes as well. The idea at the onset is to give a record contract to whoever might be the winner, and that person should be able to sell records.

The reality is that some of the biggest selling artists of today do not necessarily have the greatest singing voices. Yet, singers like Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Madonna and Jennifer Lopez are able to fill stadiums for concerts and sell millions and millions of copies of their records. It is the responsibility of the judges and producers to find the total package, and angry fans like the creators of Vote for the Worst have an idealistic view of how the contest itself should work.

While most people love singers in this years contest like Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones we all understand that contestants like Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis would probably make a better idol in terms of sales. Requesting that the people behind American Idol choose people on talent alone would be demanding that the record company contractually bound to bank on a winner whose album would not necessarily result in any significant record sales.

In the likelihood that Sanjaya Malakar should win what happens to American Idol? Sites like Vote for the Worst have done their job; they can pack up and go home. Malakar, a national punch line has to be signed by J Records, the company started by former Arista head Clive Davis. Those that were quick to rush to the phones are unlikely to pay fifteen dollars to listen to an album the lackluster singer has recorded or pay ninety nine cents to download anything produced by him either. To add insult to injury a singer really deserving of the contract is out of luck, and everyone wins, right? Vote for the worst if you dare.

Tylee: From Chicken Soup For The American Idol Soul

Excerpt from Nikki McKibbin
Top 10, Season

The 2002 American Idols Live! tour was coming to an end. One of our last cities was Seattle, and as always, we were backstage after the performance mingling with fans at what is called a meet-and-greet. I don't know why, but whenever there were little children at the meet-and-greets, they always gravitated toward me. Seattle was no different.

Tylee was the cutest little girl I'd ever seen, with her tan corduroy overalls and little bald head from her chemotherapy. Her big brother, Tre, and her mom were with her. She was only five years old and already a huge Idol fan.

From the minute she walked into the meet-and-greet room, she didn't leave my side. She hugged me and kissed me as we drew pictures together. Whatever her disease was it had to be serious, but despite it, she was such a perky and happy little girl.

Although I'm usually tired by the time the meet-and-greets are done, I was sad when this one ended because I had to say good-bye to Tylee.

With the tour over, I headed back to Dallas and looked forward to spending some time just chilling and being with my four-year-old son, Tristen. I'd hardly seen him over the last three months.

Just as I was starting to settle in and get some semblance of normalcy back into my life, the phone rang.

"Nikki McKibbin, please."

"That would be me."

"This is the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. There is a little girl you met on the American Idols Live! tour who was just given a chance to make a wish. She said that her wish was to spend a day with you. Her name is Tylee, and we don't know if you remember her, but we'd be very appreciative if you could make her wish come true."

"Of course, I remember her," I said. "How could I forget her? She was so adorable."

"If you want to fulfill her wish, you need to get on a plane to Seattle tomorrow. She's not expected to live through the weekend."

She's not expected to live through the weekend? I thought. No, that can't be true!

My mom and grandma pitched in to help me get ready. On the way to the airport that Saturday morning, I stopped and bought pants that matched Tylee's tan corduroy overalls.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® set up our meeting in a hotel suite not far from Tylee’s hospital. I don't know who was more exited when I walked in—her or me. Tylee's mom, dad, brother, stepmom, and grandmother were all there.

I almost didn't recognize Tylee when I saw her. Some of her hair had grown back, and she was all dressed up in the cutest little pink frilly dress. Pink must have been her favorite color since she also clutched a pink Beanie Baby teddy bear in her hand that she never put down.

"She carries it day and night," her parents told me.

We talked and laughed and took lots of pictures and videos. We even ate hot dogs together. She showed me a little book she had made called Nikki Notes that contained the photos we had taken together at the meet-and-greet. She had me write in it.

After a while, Tylee wasn't feeling well, so she took a nap, and her grandmother and I went shopping. I knew she loved Barbies and teddy bears, so I bought her a new Barbie comforter sleeping bag, Barbie pillow, and a teddy bear. I signed them all, "Tylee, I love you."

When we got back to the hotel, she was awake and feeling a little better, so she sat on my lap and we went through her Nikki Notes again. At one point I gave her a little tickle and she laughed, so I gave her another tickle, and she jumped off my lap and we ran around the room playing tickle tag.

Her parents and grandparents were overwhelmed with emotion. They said they hadn't seen Tylee have the strength to play like that for as long as they could remember. They said they felt like it was the best day of her life.

As we were saying our good-byes, Tylee went over to her mother and whispered something in her ear. Her mom blinked back her tears and said, "Oh course, honey, if that's what you want to do."

Tylee came over and gave me her pink teddy bear, the one she carried with her night and day.

The rain pounded the roof of my cab as I rode to catch my flight home.

Tylee lived a few more weeks.

(Reprinted with permission from Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul: Stories from the Idols and their Fans that Open Your Heart and Make Your Soul Sing).

Dating Advice: What American Idol Can Teach Us about Attracting Women

When used correctly, arrogance can be an amazing tool to help you attract women. When you’re slightly arrogant, females want to find a redeeming softer side to you. If you're too arrogant or rude you will blow your chances.

Let's look at Simon Cowell for a minute. When we first saw Simon on American Idol our first instinct was to hate the guy. We all said, "What an arrogant bastard". Now us guys thought that and probably never gave it a second thought, but women around the world starting digging deeper. They thought, "There's got to be something more to this guy". Then as the season went on Simon began to give credit where credit was do. What began to happen was incredible. Whenever Simon gave a compliment, the audience and all of America (particularly women) began to cheer like crazy. Why did this happen? The reason is because people were so excited to see that redeeming quality they were searching for shine through. They knew there was some good in this guy. They found themselves wanting to like him. Randy Jackson who never played the mysterious, arrogant role at all didn't get nearly the same response when he gave kudos to a contestant.

The key is to balance this confident arrogance with a sweet, vulnerable side. You can actually create a pattern with women where they'll start being nice to you and doing all kinds of favors for you just to see that redeeming side of you peek through. It's an amazing thing to watch when it's done right. Personally I hate the idea of playing the arrogant role because I'm genuinely a nice, humble guy but it really works so I do it anyway. It even annoys me that women react well to this kind of attitude but unfortunately it's a fact of life.

Remember not to be mean for the sake of being mean. I wouldn't go as far as Simon, who actually crossed the line sometimes and became mean. Remember - you don't have months and months on a TV show to redeem yourself like he does so you can't afford to go as far with it as he has. But done properly, arrogance can really work for you.

A simple way you can begin to create the kind of dynamic that Simon does is to start calling girls out on things. Start "breaking her chops" in a playful way. When they are being lazy, call them lazy. If you don't like her outfit, say, "I'm not really feeling that. You should wear something else". Please don't take this as a cue to go out and be MEAN to women. Instead it's a cue to go out and be HONEST with women. Her behavior will actually begin to cater to making you happy and she’ll start working hard to bring the complimentary side out of you.

Antonella Barba: American Idol Sensation

Antonella Barba is currently a contestant on the sixth season of American Idol. At the time of the writing of this article, she is in the top 16.

Barba is 20 years old, was born on November 26, 1986 and is from Point Pleasant, New Jersey. She is a 2004 graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School in Red Bank, New Jersey where she was a member of the school concert choir and a member of the school's doo-wop group.

In addition to singing, her other musical talents include playing the piano and the violin.

Before appearing on American Idol she was a junior at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C studying architecture, but has had to temporarily withdraw from school to be in California for the show.

Like Clay Aiken's fans during season 2 of American Idol who called themselves the Claymates, Antonella's fans have dubbed themselves the "Fantonellas."

As she performs each week, she can count on support and votes from her fellow students at college who gather in the college's University Center to watch the live episodes that feature her. Antonella also has the unwavering support of her parents, two younger sisters, and younger brother.

She hasn't been without controversy though. First, during Hollywood week tempers flared between Barba and friend Amanda Coluccio (they tried out together.) It started to look a little like the movie "Mean Girls" as Amanda got sick of working on their group performance and instead started hanging out with the male contestants which resulted in Barba getting angry and saying a few "less than complimentary" remarks that the cameras caught and, of course, showed on national television.

Then, several unflattering photos of Barba surfaced on the Internet and were quickly the topic of conversation on websites, in newspapers, on the radio, and on television. The photos that were of Antonella were private photos taken when she was with friends and at parties. The x-rated ones were later found out to be fakes. There has been speculation that an ex-boyfriend first posted the picture.

The American Idol producers officially stated they wouldn't disqualify Antonella from the competition and the judges came out in her defense, most notably Simon Cowell who said the photos were her private business and that people should leave her alone.

Although Antonella has been singing since she was in 6th grade and did well during her auditions for American Idol, her two performances on the show so far have been weak. She has admitted to being very nervous and will need to get those nerves under control if she wants to continue on the show.

She may be avoiding elimination by a popular website that encourages voters to cast their votes for the contestant they think is the worst one in an effort to sabotage the outcome of the show. Currently, Antonella is their choice.

Her life has certainly changed since she became an American Idol contestant. Last summer she was like any other college student on summer break – working a summer job and hanging out with friends and family. Now she says things are "totally surreal…..I was home for a couple of days (a few weeks ago) and I took my sisters out to lunch….and there were people asking for my autograph."

American Idol Contestants – Instant Stardom and Off

Everybody runs around talking continuously about each season of American Idol as if it is the greatest experience ever in the world. But if you have been watching the show for a while, you are very much aware that there was 6 seasons even before the most recent. This leaves 7 seasons worth of rejected potential Idols wondering around the world trying to make a life for themselves. While some of the previous contestants have gone on to do amazing things with their careers, even more have slipped into the cracks again.

Season one was the start of something huge. Not only was there two hosts, remember Brian Dunkleman? Do not feel bad, most people have no clue who he is or that he was involved. But there was also contestants such as Justin Guarini, Kelly Clarkson, and even Tamyra Gray to mention a few it was an incredible season. The overall excitement was mounting heavily but where have these contestants actually gone? Kelly Clarkson of course emerged as the winner and is still active in the music industry. Justin Guarini has made a few television appearances, and even released a few albums but his commercial success has been significantly limited. Tamyra Gray has found to date the greatest success on television appearing in several different shows. She has also recently found success in the Broadway showing of “Rent.”

Season two started with a bang, and brought with it the former marine Josh Gracin who has gone onto win the hearts of country music lovers, Carmen Rasmusen who also released a country music album and even brought with it Kimberly Locke, Clay Aiken, and the amazing Ruben Studdard. With the talent that emerged from this season it was undeniable that the show was in full swing. Ruben went on to record several albums, while Clay Aiken has found great deals of success with both albums and even on Broadway. Others like Carmen, Josh and Kimberly are not as followed, but have still received attention following their time on the show.

Season three found contestants like Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia Barrino and the notorious William Hung who while not an actual finalist still lives on in the hearts of all true fans for what not to do at an audition. Additional treasures were found in Diana DeGarmo as well. From season three, it was rather obvious that it was a bit harder to find lasting talent. Jennifer Hudson has so far emerged as the most successful contestant of the season, and after being booted in a 7th place finish she has gone onto star in Dreamgirls with Jamie Foxx and Beyonce Knowles and even win an Academy Award for her performance. Fantasia meanwhile has grabbed headlines for her strange antics, failure to appear for performances on Broadway and less than stellar commercial success.

Season four brought out all of the bad boys of rock, with Constantine Maroulis and even Bo Bice. By bringing the two rockers to the stage, it was a shift to a different style of music, and it has been these two contestants credited with inspiring season five contestant Chris Daughtry to try out. Winning the season was Carrie Underwood, who has been an enormous success and to date the most successful American Idol winner yet. The remaining contestants from the year have managed to slip back into the background with only occasional news stories, such as Vonzell Solomon the third place contestant arrested for a handgun at an airport.

American Idol Betting Odds: when will you American Idol fans start listening?

Everyone snickered a month ago when there were still 8 singers in contention for the coveted American Idol crown and at 18-1, I must have been the only person in the world that suggested you plunk down so hard earned cash on Elliot Yamin. Yesterday highly touted publications were predicting the demise of my main man.

I mean even one of my own employer’s followed up my so called perceived ridiculous statement, with a rebuttal from another writer. Hey, to each his own and it’s like I am bang on with every one of my predictions.

Let’s turn the clock back to April 14, 2006:

AT 18-1 ELLIOT YANIN WILL SHOCK THE WORLD!

Okay I admit I have hit rock bottom as I am about to write an article on American Idol, but on the flip side, you have to admit, this show has power! I have in this competition sat on my couch with my wife who loves the show and in this particular competition have seen the contestants twice. The first time I saw Elliot Yamin sing he was doing a Stevie Wonder tune called ‘If You Really Love Me” and I said then and there that the competition was over.

This guy blew the competition out of the water and even Simon had to admit the guy has the chops. This past week I watched the competition and it was the show with the “Queen “theme and this is not an easy group to imitate. I was stunned they did the voting and he was placed in the bottom three which meant there was a chance he would get eliminated. BS I cried out to my wife, but then it call hit me like a ton of bricks, the guy is short and ugly and the superficial callers, could not get past this issue.

I can't be the only one to notice that Elliott Yamin has the worst teeth on American Idol. But could his dental dilemma be due to diabetes and not poor hygiene?

But Elliott's teeth aren't the only unusual feature on the 27 year-old contestant from Richmond, Virginia. His Abe Lincoln-style sideburns make him look like a cross between an Amish farmer and street gangster. And sometimes he even looks like a leprechaun cautiously coveting his pot of gold.

But seriously, Elliott can use his weirdo/outsider/creepy look to his advantage. Think about it - if his confidence continues to grow (and it should if Simon keeps stroking Elliott's ego), he could be the unlikely long-shot that is the next American Idol.

American Idol sells the sizzle that anyone can win this competition and what better way then to select a Diabetes sufferer from a poverty stricken family to be the next winner. Believe me folks American Idol will by the show Extreme Makeover and send Yamin there and he will come out looking by Brad Pitt.

I gave you the White Sox, I gave you Mickleson and now you have an 18-1 longshot!

Now I don’t want to come across as some pompous you know what, but this whole American Idol is no different them betting on pro sports. The Phoenix Suns were buried by the public after game 5 of their series against Lakers and everyone was talking about the great Kobe and Phil Jackson for coach of the year.

After game 7 it was all Steve Nash and his posse. The Suns then took apart the Clippers in game one and everyone was talking about all the unsung heroes on the Phoenix team. I warned you that the spread of Suns -4 ½ was too low, but the guys with all the money in Vegas, knew that betting is 90% public perception. The Clippers mauled the Suns last night!

American Idol attracts millions of viewers and wants to continue that trend. They sell the American Dream that anything is possible, plus they want controversy at the water cooler the next day!

Elliott Yamin is the Steve Nash of American Idol that suggests that it is alright to “Dare to Dream”!

Antonella Barba: American Idol Sensation

Antonella Barba is currently a contestant on the sixth season of American Idol. At the time of the writing of this article, she is in the top 16.

Barba is 20 years old, was born on November 26, 1986 and is from Point Pleasant, New Jersey. She is a 2004 graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School in Red Bank, New Jersey where she was a member of the school concert choir and a member of the school's doo-wop group.

In addition to singing, her other musical talents include playing the piano and the violin.

Before appearing on American Idol she was a junior at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C studying architecture, but has had to temporarily withdraw from school to be in California for the show.

Like Clay Aiken's fans during season 2 of American Idol who called themselves the Claymates, Antonella's fans have dubbed themselves the "Fantonellas."

As she performs each week, she can count on support and votes from her fellow students at college who gather in the college's University Center to watch the live episodes that feature her. Antonella also has the unwavering support of her parents, two younger sisters, and younger brother.

She hasn't been without controversy though. First, during Hollywood week tempers flared between Barba and friend Amanda Coluccio (they tried out together.) It started to look a little like the movie "Mean Girls" as Amanda got sick of working on their group performance and instead started hanging out with the male contestants which resulted in Barba getting angry and saying a few "less than complimentary" remarks that the cameras caught and, of course, showed on national television.

Then, several unflattering photos of Barba surfaced on the Internet and were quickly the topic of conversation on websites, in newspapers, on the radio, and on television. The photos that were of Antonella were private photos taken when she was with friends and at parties. The x-rated ones were later found out to be fakes. There has been speculation that an ex-boyfriend first posted the picture.

The American Idol producers officially stated they wouldn't disqualify Antonella from the competition and the judges came out in her defense, most notably Simon Cowell who said the photos were her private business and that people should leave her alone.

Although Antonella has been singing since she was in 6th grade and did well during her auditions for American Idol, her two performances on the show so far have been weak. She has admitted to being very nervous and will need to get those nerves under control if she wants to continue on the show.

She may be avoiding elimination by a popular website that encourages voters to cast their votes for the contestant they think is the worst one in an effort to sabotage the outcome of the show. Currently, Antonella is their choice.

Her life has certainly changed since she became an American Idol contestant. Last summer she was like any other college student on summer break – working a summer job and hanging out with friends and family. Now she says things are "totally surreal…..I was home for a couple of days (a few weeks ago) and I took my sisters out to lunch….and there were people asking for my autograph."

A Look At The Popularity Of American Idol

Did you know the first season of American debuted less than five years ago? It made its premiere on June 11, 2002. The show quickly became a topic for talk "around the water cooler" as people discussed the singing ability of the contestants still on the show and debated who should get cut and sent home next.

By the time the season finale aired on September 4, 2002, the Fox network realized they had a big hit show. The other networks weren't concerned. Not yet anyway. That has changed though. The other networks no longer try to compete against American Idol and expect their Tuesday and Wednesday night shows that air at the same time as American Idol to take a dip in the ratings. Dancing With the Stars, another popular show where the viewers get to vote on who stays and who goes home, is not going to air their upcoming season on Tuesday and Wednesday nights like they have in the past. They are going to air their show on Monday nights and have their results show on Tuesday nights with the Tuesday night airtime being right after American Idol ends.

American Idol is now the number one show in America, by far. In fact, they could lose half their viewership on any given night and still be in the top 10 television shows.

Not watching the show can put people at a social disadvantage because discussion of the show is a hot topic almost anywhere a person goes. That's why I started watching it in season two. I was sick of everyone I knew talking about it and feeling like I was an outcast because I knew nothing about the show. Now, I'm addicted to it as are millions of other Americans. And the ironic thing is the concept for American Idol didn't originate in the United States.

American Idol is based on a British television show called Pop Idol. And yes, Simon Cowell was part of Pop Idol. Simon, along with Simon Fuller developed Pop Idol and then brought the concept to the United States as American Idol.

Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Ryan Seacrest have all been part of the show since it first aired but did you know Ryan had a co-host the first season? His name was Brian Dunkleman. Brian left after the first season. He was unhappy with his role on the show, the producers were unhappy with his performance, and Simon Cowell was openly critical of him. Dunkleman is involved with American Idol again though. He does voice over work on American Idol rewind, a show rehashes everything that happened in past seasons of American Idol – you know – just in case you missed it or want to see it again.

But why has American Idol become the phenomenon it now is? After all, it isn't the first singing competition to be aired on television. Star Search had singing competitions and was on the air for 12 years but it never became a mega hit. The key might be in viewer participation. Star Search had some participation but only from the studio audience whereas American Idol gives anyone with access to a phone the ability to be part of the decision of who goes and who stays. And the voting public gets to make 100 percent of the decision once the top 24 contestants are picked. The judges get to speak their mind each week and they hope the voters will listen to them, but ultimately the viewers decide. I think that is a big part of what has made American Idol so popular. The viewers get to make the decisions. It gives viewers the feeling of control and power.

Combined with the viewers making the decision of who goes and who stays is the contestants themselves. They are everyday people just like you and me who happen to be talented singers, usually anyway, and have not yet been discovered. Plus, the judges and producers have a good knack for not only choosing contestants who can sing but ones with personality as well which makes the show very entertaining.

There are likely very few people living in the United States who have not heard of American Idol. You almost have to be living under a rock to not know about it these days. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I think it's good. It's a family friendly show without violence unless you count Ryan and Simon's or Paula and Simon's fights.

The phenomenon doesn't show signs of slowing down. How much bigger can it get? Who knows? All we can do is wait and see.

And The Top 10, Too: From Chicken Soup For The American Idol Soul

It was the evening of January 17, 2006, and I was on cloud nine. The premier of American Idol's fifth season was about to air, featuring Chicago, my audition city. My friends, Chance and Jennifer, were hosting an American Idol premier party for me. They had made a fabulous feast and lit candles throughout the house, and more than twenty of my closest friends had gathered to celebrate and watch my debut. As I chattered excitedly with my friends, I felt like royalty. Chance had "crowned" me with a plastic tiara, while other friends had printed almost a hundred brown T-shirts that said, "Mandisa is my American Idol — All Hail the Diva," beneath a shining star.

The amazing thing was that none of them had even known whether I was still in the running. I already knew I'd been selected for the Top 44, but I hadn't been able to break my silence and share the news with my friends until tonight. When I did, the room erupted in cheers. I told them I wasn't sure if tonight's show would include my performance, but I had a strong positive feeling about it because I had seen commercials featuring my triumphant exit from the audition room.

After dinner we moved into the family room, crowding onto the couch and filling every chair. When the American Idol theme song began, I almost pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Little Mandisa had finally found the courage to stand up, leave the house, and take a chance.

The minutes ticked by, and I kept wondering when my audition would come on. I barely noticed when the phone rang, but Chance pulled himself off the couch to answer it. A moment later I saw him signaling for my attention and felt a fleeting second of irritation. Whatever it was, couldn't it wait? Then I realized that something was up.

"That was Kevin on the phone," he said. "They're watching the show in real time. You just sang."

"So?"

"So, after you left the room, Simon said something rude about your weight."

I felt like I'd been slapped. Tears stung my eyes, and a sob stuck in my throat. My emotions, at a high pitch all day, now plummeted into despair. I thought about walking out the door and not coming back. Instead, I took a deep breath, thanked Chance for the warning, and rejoined the group. My friends barely noticed my return; they were so focused on the show. And then, there was my face filling the screen.

After just a few lines of my song, the judges stopped me. Paula, Randy, and Simon all said nice things and then announced they were sending me through to Hollywood. The camera zoomed in on my beaming face, and then showed me leaving the room in a joyous fit.

My friends exploded into cheers and applause as I tried to keep my chin from quivering. That day had been so good. Why had Simon gone and ruined it?

Only a few were still watching the screen when the camera zoomed back in on Simon, but those who saw my face quickly turned their attention back to the television. Before a national television audience, Simon looked at Paula and asked, "Are we going to get a bigger stage this year?"

Paula slapped him good-naturedly and said I reminded her of Frenchie Davis, a contestant from a previous season. Simon grinned and retorted, "She's more like France."

I tried to smile when the friends who'd heard Simon turned to look at me. "It's okay," I said, my voice shaking. "I'm okay."

Dead silence overtook the room. I looked down, not knowing how to react. I'd gone from my life's highest moment to one of its lowest.

One friend broke the silence. "Simon's a jerk," he said, and immediately others came to embrace me. I accepted the sympathy, but I really just wanted to disappear. We watched the rest of the show, but the gathering now felt more like a funeral wake than a party. Those "All Hail the Diva”" T-shirts, scattered throughout the room, seemed to mock me.

But little did I know that Simon's words would turn out to be a blessing in disguise. I now believe that if Simon had been uncharacteristically kind and never mentioned my obvious weight problem, I would never have been able to touch so many lives.

Make no mistake: Simon's words hurt me deeply. I cried myself to sleep that night. But as I wept, I realized what I had to do. The people on the receiving end of Simon's comments don't usually make it to Hollywood, so he never has to face them again. In my case, I made it to Hollywood, and once there, I knew that at the risk of not being put through to the Final 24, I had to be the voice of so many people who had been hurt by Simon and weren't able to tell him what his words had done to them. And I knew that I also had to be the voice for so many women who have been held back and told they weren't beautiful because of their weight.

I made it through every round during Hollywood Week, and when the day arrived that the Final 24 would be chosen, my childhood dream of becoming a world-class singer was within my grasp. But this was also my chance to share my truth with Simon. I knew the outcome could go either way, but I also knew that being true to myself was even more important to me than the possibility of becoming the next American Idol.

I heard my name called and, like a warrior marching to battle, I entered the elevator. And as the elevator doors opened, I started walking down the long stretch we called "The Green Mile" to the lone chair opposite the three judges. I sat down, looked Simon squarely in the eye, and began.

"Simon," I said, "a lot of people want me to say a lot of things to you right now, but this is what I want to say. I want you to know that you hurt me. I cried, and it was very emotional for me. But the good thing about forgiveness is that you don't need someone to apologize in order to forgive them. So, Simon, I want you to know that I have forgiven you, because if Jesus could forgive me for all the things I've done wrong, I can certainly extend that same grace to you."

As I delivered my message, Simon's grin disappeared. Although I didn't take my gaze off Simon, from the corner of my eye I could see Randy raise his brows and Paula break into a smile as bright as the lights overhead.

In the silence that followed, Simon uncrossed his arms and hung his head. "Well, I feel about this big," he said, holding two fingers about an inch apart. "Mandisa, I'm humbled. Come here and give me a kiss."

I can't tell you how many women have shared what it meant to them that I refused to swallow his comments and just go on as if his words had never been spoken — and then forgave him as well. I just felt that if I didn't speak my truth, then his truth would have been the final word — and once again another woman who struggles with her weight would retreat with her head hanging and her heart broken. But I've always been a fighter, and my purpose in life is to shine through my integrity as well as my voice. I knew that I had to stand up for all women who struggle with their image, period.

I needed to say those words to Simon for me, but by doing so, I also hoped to help change the image of true beauty for all the young girls in our society. The possibility of realizing that goal made it worth the risk. And it continues to be worth it over and over again.

Last December, I was invited to tobyMac's Winter Wonder Slam Concert in Nashville. I was sitting in the audience when a mom and her two little girls came up to me. The precious girls, who I guess were about ten, stared at me with big brown eyes and nearly blinding smiles. Moved by their awe, I gave them each big hugs and signed the tickets they held in trembling, outstretched hands. Then one of the girls got up the courage to speak. She looked at me and proclaimed in a high-pitched voice, "You are sooooo beautiful!"

As I looked deeply into that young girl's eyes, I knew that I had changed her perception of beauty, and I hoped I had made the rest of her life a little easier for it.

As they turned to go, the mom stopped and whispered in my ear, "You have no idea what it means to me to have a role model like you — a woman who is not only beautiful, confident, and honest, but who also loves the Lord. Thank you for giving my girls someone in this crazy world that they can really look up to."

As they walked back to their seats, a huge smile took over my face, and I thought to myself, That, and the Top 10, too.

Nurse Assistants and Communicable Diseases

Communicable diseases are those that can be transferred from one individual to another. These include the common cold, tuberculosis, the flu, and HIV, herpes, measles, chicken pox, lice, and strep throat. Are of these are highly contagious. For those who already have medical issues, their immune system has a hard time fighting off anything else, so they are very susceptible.

Communicable diseases spread by human waste including saliva, stools, urine, blood, and other bodily fluids. Airborne droplets from the nose and mouth are also a common transmitter.

Since communicable diseases often spread like wildfire if not properly contained, it is everyone’s responsibility to do all they can to maintain their own health. Washing your hands often is a very good place to start. Most germs can’t survive soap and water. Nursing Assistants are encouraged to wash their hands more than most people because they are in constant contact with other people.

As a Nurse Assistant, it is your responsibility to immediately notify your supervisor if you develop the symptoms of any communicable disease. They can then determine a course of action. It may be recommended that you don’t come to work until the communicable disease has run its course. Depending on the disease, you might be able to continue working with a respirator to prevent passing it to anyone else. In some cases, it may need to be reported to the health department.

Some communicable diseases can be cured with antibiotics such as strep throat. Others including the common cold will have to run their course. You can do your part by remembering to wash your hands, taking your vitamins, being current on all immunizations, and getting an annual flu shot.

Learning about these types of diseases is an important part of the Nursing Assistant program. Most medical facilities train all new employees in the area of communicable diseases. There is also ongoing training. While preventing the spread of communicable diseases is important in any work environment, it is especially important in a medical setting.

Each medical agency will have different processes and procedures for handling the spread of communicable diseases. Make sure you are well trained in identifying them, noticing the onset, and knowing how to handle each type of situation. Epidemics of communicable diseases require emergency procedures to take place. It is very important that you agency trains all employees in that area as well.

Nursing Assistances come into contact with bodily fluids of patients on a regular basis, and this is the most common method that they are infected with communicable diseases. You should always use rubber gloves when doing tasks such as changing soiled bedding and clothing and empting bedpans. The use of a sterile disinfectant while cleaning is important as well. If you do get bodily fluids on you, immediately was the area with soap and water, then report the incident. Your report needs to include what took place and what bodily fluids you came into contact with.

Communicable diseases are an area many people don’t know much about. It is important that Nursing Assistants do some research on their own to make sure they fully understand the health risks involved with coming into contact with communicable diseases. While it is very rare, there have been reports of Nursing Assistants being infected with HIV and other potentially deadly diseases.

Cable Telephone Service, Yank My Dish!

Here again is another example of the Cable TV advantage! Cable TV provides your Digital Cable TV, High Speed Cable Internet, and also Cable Telephone Service! Some call these three services bundled together the {Triple Play}. This saves the consumer much money purchasing these three great services together as a bundle. And also think of the convenience, One Wire One Bill!

With Cable telephone service, you get a lot more bang for your buck. Included with most Cable telephone services are call waiting, caller ID, voice mail, call waiting with caller ID, three-way calling, call forwarding, and many other service options at no extra charge. Just try getting those options from your land line service such as Verizon at no extra charge?? Good luck! Verizon would nickel & dime you and make that monthly phone bill far more expensive than Cable telephone.

A big advantage to digital cable phone service is it’s similar to your digital cable TV. The data is compressed, which results in much less bandwidth being used than your old analog service.

Cable TV telephone service has the advantage of better voice quality, dependable service, much cheaper monthly bills than a land line, and still One Wire One Bill for all your cable services!

Something to note is in many cases, your cable digital phone service is separate from the High-speed internet service being offered by many cable companies and does not rely on TCP/IP traffic or the Internet.

With cable phone service you can always reach the people you care about most, family, friends, or business and hear them in a very crisp and crystal-clear sound, whether they’re in your neighborhood or around the world. With cable telephone everyone is much closer.

Plus the typical cable telephone calling plans gives you unlimited nationwide calling in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Many people can keep their current phone number they now use, so everyone can still stay in contact and always know where to reach you.

Simplify your life, why have so many separate bills? While Vonage, SunRocket, and Packet8 are more desirable and affordable than your old land line from Verizon, it can’t get any easier or more affordable than subscribing to a bundled service package such as Triple Play.

Contact your Cable TV provider today, for Cable Telephone, High-Speed Cable Internet, and of course your Cable TV needs.

Keep things simple, One Wire One Bill!

Will Rogers-"Always drink upstream from the herd."

American Idol Season One - Where Are They Now?

If you've watched American Idol in the past, you may be wondering what has happened to the singers from American Idol Season One. Here is a brief look at how some of the more popular contestants have faired:

Top Ten Finalist – Ejay Day

Ejay performed along with the other finalists on the 2002 U.S. American Idol tour. He’s sang at several events for boxing champ Muhammad Ali and assisted in writing Raven-Symone’s song “Pure Love” for her Undeniable album. Currently, Ejay is performing on the cruise ship Explorer of the Seas.

Top Ten Finalist – Jim Verraros

Jim has been active in both music and acting since American Idol ended. Jim recently released his album Rollercoaster, featuring the dance hits “I Want You” and “You’re Getting Crazy.” He starred in the 2004 film Eating Out and is set to reprise his role in Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds.

7th Place – Ryan Starr

Despite finishing 7th, Ryan has been one of the busier contestants from Season One. Her single “My Religion” peaked at #7 on the American iTunes Top 100 and she plans to tour in 2006-2007. She made guest appearances on several shows and also appeared in the VH1 show The Surreal Life in 2004. She also starred in the movie Ring of Darkness.

6th Place - Christina Christian

After American Idol, Christina guest starred on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and is now a correspondent for the TV Guide Channel.

5th Place – RJ Helton

RJ Helton made the top 10 as a wildcard choice. RJ signed with Gospo-Centric Records and released an album, Real Life, in 2004, which made the Billboard Christian Top 20.

4th Place – Tamyra Gray

Tamyra had a reoccurring role in Boston Public that allowed her to sing as well. She also guest starred on Half and Half, Las Vegas, Tru Calling, What I Like About You, and All of Us.

She co-wrote and sang duet with winner Kelly Clarkson on “You Thought Wrong.” She appeared on Season Three of American Idol and co-wrote the song “I Believe” which was a number one hit for Fantasia Barrino. She received writing credit for “If You Were Mine” and “The Lover in Me” on Jessica Simpson’s A Public Affair album.

In 2004, she took to the stage with the Broadway show “Bombay Dreams.” She had a supporting role in 2005’s The Gospel and one song on the movie’s soundtrack.

3rd Place – Nikki McKibbin

Nikki signed with 19 Management and RCA Records after her American Idol success, although she is currently under contract with Astral Records. Her single “The Lie” reached #1 on the Idol Waves online radio station.

She has appeared on several reality shows, including Fear Factor and Kill Reality and appeared in the made for television movie The Scorned.

Runner-Up – Justin Guarini

After coming in second, Justin starred in the unsuccessful movie From Justin to Kelly with winner Kelly Clarkson. He secured a deal with 19 Management and RCA, but he had to wait until Kelly’s album was released before he could work on any solo projects. Because of this contractual obligation, he had to refuse a guest role on Friends, a role in The Fast and Furious, and a modeling contract for Tommy Hilfiger.

When his self-titled album did come out nine months after his American Idol success in June 2003, it flopped and he was eventually released from his contracts. His second album Stranger Things Have Happened was released in late 2005.

He appeared on stage in the musical Good Vibrations at Vassar College but declined to accept continue the role. He’s been in several independent films and is involved in many charities such as Support Music Education, Habitat for Humanity, and Children’s World Organization.

Winner - Kelly Clarkson

The most successful of all the American Idol contestants, Kelly signed with RCA and released two singles. “A Moment Like This” shot to #1 on the Billboard charts. In 2003, she released her debut album, Thankful, that certified double platinum, selling over 2 million copies. Her single “Miss Independent” reached the Billboard Top 10 and earned her a Grammy nomination in 2004.

Her second album, Breakaway, produced four top 10 singles and she won the Grammy award for “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance” and “Best Pop Vocal Album.”

She’s appeared on Saturday Night Live, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and The View and she is scheduled to headline an HBO concert featuring her greatest hits in February of 2007