Top 10 Harry Potter Things I Wish Had Happened, But Didn’t

10. Slytherin gets abolished/replaced with Dumbledore

Now this is something that no one really ever hoped would happen except myself. I just felt that the house of Slytherin had such a tarnished and awful history, known for producing bad wizards. I had a slight feeling the board of governors would rule to get rid of Slytherin house and replace it with another. I know that sounds a bit farfetched, but imagine if this was real life, and there was a state in a country essentially known for having bad people. Don’t you think something would be done?

What I was in favor of was abolishing Slytherin house and creating a new house, calling it “Dumbledore”. After all, Albus Dumbledore pretty much became the most important headmaster in Hogwarts history. I even thought it out: Their colors would be Orange and Blue, and their mascot would be the Phoenix. Their traits would be honesty, integrity, and devotion. Their common room would be located in a tower or in the Room of Requirement. Just an idea I had. Never thought it would come true, but I just thought it was cool.

9. Harry sees Voldemort creating a Horcrux

I know this would be gruesome and apparently a “Horrific” act must be done to create a Horcrux. But one way JKR could have revealed how to create a Horcrux is to have Harry see a memory of Voldemort creating one—either through Voldemort or perhaps a witness. It leaves a lot up to the imagination to not explain what that horrific act is, but maybe it’s better that way.

8. Harry becomes a professional Quidditch player

If Oliver Wood could become a professional Quidditch player, why couldn’t Harry? His future wife Ginny did. When he had career counseling in OotP, he told McGonagall he wanted to be an Auror. Why not tell her he wanted to be a Quidditch player? I guess he was going for something more academic, but at the same time, he still could have tried to do something he is best at. I guess he just had other things on his mind, like saving people and killing Voldemort.

7. Malfoy loses his father/Lucius Malfoy dies

It’s not that I hate the character of Lucius Malfoy, I just felt he was expendable and could easily have been killed off. I just felt that if Lucius died, he wouldn’t put so much pressure on his son to do well, and it would make Draco realize how important family and friendship is. It would have made Draco a better person and even able to form a truce with Harry, seeing as they both would have lost parents thanks to Voldemort.

6. Luna has a relationship/ends up with Neville

I’m sorry, but Luna and Neville were perfect for each other. Both were considered outsiders, oddballs, and both had “lost” at least one parent. They could have found companionship in each other and realized how similar their lives are. They even ended up with people just like them! Luna ended up with someone who works with living things (Rolf Scamander, grandson of Newt Scamander, author of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”) just like Neville (future Herbology teacher). Neville ends up with a blonde oddball (Hannah Abbott), very similar to Luna. Perhaps later in life each got divorced and then found each other. Who knows.

5. Hagrid ends up with Olympe Maxime

As soon as I read GoF, I figured Maxime and Hagrid would end up together. However, they remained only friends after DH. I didn’t imagine them having kids (both were probably too old to conceive), but they at least could have been married. They wouldn’t have to even see each other that much because of Hagrid’s job at Hogwarts.

4. Neville kills Bellatrix Lestrange

She tortured his parents into insanity, so it’s natural Neville wanted revenge. I would have loved to have seen Neville get it. He gets to do something else, however, which I guess is consolation enough. It just seemed to me that Neville would be the one to kill Bellatrix.

3. Snape apologizes to Harry

In his waning moments of life, Snape did not apologize to Harry, instead focused more on giving Harry a bunch of memories. I just wish he had had time to apologize for treating him so unfairly and rudely over their six years as teacher and student. I still feel Snape had no reason to be mean to Harry—it was his father, not him, who made Snape’s life miserable. Harry did, however, forgive him, which I personally wouldn’t have been so quick to do. I wouldn’t soon forgive a teacher who made a certain class hell for me for six years.

2. Harry kills Pettigrew

Pettigrew has always been my most hated Harry Potter character, which is why I wanted Harry to kill him. I wanted him to be at the mercy of Harry again and have Harry not give him another second chance. I wanted Harry to say, “This is for selling my parents to Voldemort!” and kill him with the Avada Kedavra curse. But, as we know, Harry actually never used that curse, although he ended up getting hit by it twice. However, I just wish Pettigrew had died at the hands of someone besides his own.

1. Harry ends up with Hermione

This is something I wanted when I read books 3-5. I thought they had such a good friendship, they hardly ever fought like Ron and her do, and if there was a mutual attraction, they would have been a great couple. Harry is the perfect husband for someone ambitious and smart. He doesn’t get jealous and would be extremely supportive. However, the Ron and Hermione romantic hints came out in HBP and Harry told Ron she’s like a sister to him. But if I was Harry, Ron and I would be fighting over who gets Hermione.

Top 10 Favorite and Least Favorite Customers

As a grocery store clerk, I encounter all different types of customers—the crazy to the pleasant to the annoying—and I have certain favorites and certain types of customers I hate. First off, the Top 10 Least Favorite Customers. These are indeed in order, from the ones that bother me not as much to the ones that bother me a lot. Here they are:

10. Meticulous OCD freaks
These type of shoppers are very picky about how things are done—and will give you specific and explicit directions on what to do. In other words, these are the type of people that think they can do a better job you. They will tell you exactly how to bag things and complain when you do something against their unspoken wishes. I have some customers that tell me they want their bags bagged extremely lightly, and when I put just two cans in one bag, they say it’s too heavy. If you’re too fragile to even lift up two cans what the heck are you doing shopping on your own?

9. Cell phone addicts
Cell phone users at the grocery store only makes the list at #9 because they usually don’t really bother me at all. In my job, I have to greet and make small talk with hundreds of people, so it is nice to get a change where I don’t even have to say anything to someone who is more interested in talking to the person at the other end of their line than me. Frankly, that doesn’t bother me, because I don’t know them. My only problem is when I need to get their attention for a matter that I must address them about and they can’t hear me. Other than that, I don’t really consider it rude, but I do think they should hang up their phone in case I have to ask them something.

8. Lonely Larry’s
These are the types of shoppers that most often live alone or with pets. These people have very few people in their life to talk to, so when they go through your line they feel obliged to discuss their entire day with you—not that you care much. Of course, I have to act interested and like I care when they come through my line. These people can sometimes also fall under the type of shoppers at #4 on the list.

7. Complainers
I think everyone is annoyed by people who complain too much. I understand if some action needs to be taken (there’s a spill, there are no more produce bags, no carts, etc.), but some people find the smallest things to complain about, such as the produce not LOOKING ripe, or the carts being wet (Hey, you live in Washington, get used to it!), or their bread not soft/firm enough. I myself have learned that not everything is perfect, so I accept things for what they are and move on. Some people need to do that as well.

6. Germ-spreaders
It’s just gross when people bring their pets or shop while they are sick. They put their dogs in the child carrier section of a cart and don’t bother sanitizing afterward. They cough and sneeze all over the store spreading germs. I try to not let it bother me; I do have a strong immune system after all, but seeing these types of shoppers aggravates me because of how ignorant and inconsiderate they are towards others.

5. “I speak no English but I have needs” shoppers
I understand that some people don’t understand English. Well, sort of. Everyone that lives in the U.S. should know at least basic English. There are however some shoppers that come through my line with very little or no English and attempt to tell me they need something. It is very difficult and annoying trying to understand what they mean. If you don’t know English, go shopping with someone who does. That’s why I often see Mexican families with their kids—the parents don’t know much English, but the kids do. And sometimes, I have to talk to the kids if something arises, which is fine with me.

4. Slow as molasses shoppers
These shoppers are usually elderly, but not always. What I hate most is that they, by their lonesome, can slow up the entire store. This includes elderly people who can barely move to people who get everything wrong with WIC (Government issued checks to help people afford food and necessities for their children). I don’t link these types of shoppers to elderly shoppers, but I do link them to lazy people who probably never move at all while they are at home. Which is why Safeway came up with grocery delivery, which is what these people should probably take advantage of.

3. Impatient “Time is money” people
The exact opposite, but equally frustrating, to the shoppers above are the impatient shoppers. They try to find the fastest checker in the store because, to them, time is money. When they find you aren’t fast enough, they take the bags off your hands before you can even set them on the belt. These shoppers are always edgy and jittery and may even offer to bag their own groceries to speed up the process. Thankfully, I don’t get many of these types of shoppers, because as most people realize, grocery shopping takes time. My best advice: Don’t go grocery shopping when you have only a limited amount of time.

2. Price scrutinizers
These people can drive me up the wall. What they are most famous for at Safeway is telling you a certain item is a certain price when they have yet to put in their Safeway Club Card. Thankfully, most shoppers have shopped at Safeway before and know that, but every now and then I get a customer that doesn’t. They will insist that “those oranges are supposed to be $0.99 a lb!” and I have to calmly and patiently tell them “That’s without the club card discount, could I get your Safeway club card?” This irks me so and is all the way up at #2 because most people should know this by now. Thankfully, no one under the age of 20 really ever is one of these types of shoppers, which leads me to believe the new age of shoppers will bring people that know this certain thing about grocery shopping.

1. Shoppers from Hell
These people are the worst. They have clearly had a bad day and must do everything they can to make it so you, the checker, have a bad day too. They are so bad they USUALLY fall under #’s 10, 7, 4, and 2 on this list. They must have a perfect shopping experience or they will let you know about it. Sometimes, I call a manager to deal with them. Sometimes, I just stay silent and act as if I don’t care. Whenever I get one of these shoppers I pray that they never enter the store again. If I happen to get one a 2^nd time, I only say “Hi” and “Have a good day” without smiling. They deserve nothing more.


Well, now that that unpleasantness is out of the way, time to move on to my Top 10 Favorite Shoppers. These people either brighten my day or give me someone to talk to. Either way, if you fall under one of these categories, I like to see you come through my line.

10. People my age
It’s just nice to talk to people my own age. Plus, they hardly EVER fall under any of the categories I listed above for Least Favorite Customers. All they want is to get their food and leave. They don’t fuss over prices or complain really about anything.

9. Moms
Moms are another type of shopper I can talk to, having one myself. They usually are very patient and forgiving people, seeing as they have to deal with children all the time. Even the ones with spoiled rotten kids treat me pretty well.

8. Sports Fans
Sports fans are one of the best type of customers to talk to, especially those who share my favorite teams, the Mariners and the Seahawks. It’s easy to talk about the Seahawks and Mariners, and they don’t let their team’s misfortunes affect how they act around me. A good customer, and I love seeing all the sports jerseys.

7. Regular Customers
By “Regular Customers”, I mean customers I see all the time. I know what to expect from these people. I know how to treat them. They like me back, so they never give me a bad time. They know how deals work and how prices work, so I never have to explain it to them.

6. Sympathetic Shoppers
Sympathetic shoppers always ask me genuinely how my day is. They always express remorse that I am working. They always try to do the best they can to make my job easier, which I really appreciate. These shoppers include both men and women, and they give me the strength to get through a tough shift.

5. Pleasant people
I guess you could merge this with the above, but they are slightly different. They just like spreading their joy around. They are the complete opposite of the “Shoppers from Hell” and it’s always nice to provide a service to someone nice.

4. Coworkers
Coworkers are not only great people to talk to, but they know more than anyone how pricing and deals work, since obviously they work there. Because of that, they also happen to be some of the quickest shoppers, knowing where everything is and how to have a speedy checkout.

3. Good-looking girls
Who doesn’t like good-looking girls? *Cricket sounds* Good-looking girls are extremely nice and they—well, I won’t get into the rest. As I am a straight male, you should be able to deduce the rest of the reasoning of why I like them in my line.

2. Famous People
I haven’t had any extremely famous people in my line, but I have had Seahawks cornerback Kelly Jennings and Jason and Molly Mesnick from the Bachelor. I’ve also seen at work Walter Jones, Deion Branch, and Nate Burleson. I’ve yet to see anyone from the Mariners, but I know someday I will. They always give me something to tell others about “Hey, so-and-so just went through my line!” and I don’t embarrass them by saying I recognize them.

1. Friends/Family
I had to include this one. Friends and family treat me better than anyone. They’re very easy to talk to and it definitely helps knowing your customer. I actually haven’t had family come through my line, since family technically isn’t allowed to, or at least people you live with.

Top 10 Actresses I’d Like to See Play the Mother on HIMYM

As a huge fan of the hit CBS comedy “How I Met Your Mother”, I have thought of many actresses who I would like see play the “Mother” on the show, whenever she is revealed. I only included brunette actresses, because the it has been heavily hinted that the mother is not blonde (and probably isn't red-haired, either). Here is a list of ten, in order, from least preferable to most, that I’d like to see play the mother on the show:

10. Missy Peregrym
Positives: Looks
Negatives: Not comedic, no fuzzy feeling
Know her from: Heroes, Rookie Blue

Missy has the looks, no doubt about it. She can definitely act as well. However, she is not used to comedic roles and not too many would be a huge fan of her being the mother. I’d be ok with it, but not many would.

9. Summer Glau
Positives: Attitude, acting
Negatives: Looks, not comedic
Know her from: Terminator The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Yet another actress not used to doing comedy is Summer Glau. I just really like her. I think people COULD fall in love with her, but that’s not a sure thing. She doesn't really look like the mother of Ted’s kids, so that’s definitely against her.

8. Evangeline Lilly
Positives: Looks, Likability
Negatives: Known for playing Kate on LOST, not comedic
Know her from: Lost

I know what you’re thinking. WHAT? Kate from LOST on How I Met Your Mother? She could definitely pull of the motherly vibe and I can picture her as being in a band. Her only problem is that she is known for one role and therefore probably won’t be the mother.

7. Zooey Deschanel
Positives: Looks, acting ability
Negatives: Not very comedic, too well-known, more of a movie actress
Know her from: Yes Man, (500) Days of Summer, Elf

Suggested to me by my friend Tyler, so I had to include her. She isn’t a bad choice, but I don’t think Bays and Thomas want to cast someone as well known as Zooey Deschanel. However, if she did get the part, she would play it well. She is, after all, a talented actress.

6. Amanda Crew
Positives: Looks
Negatives: Age
Know her from: Sex Drive

Amanda Crew is only 24, but could pull off the role of a college student AND a member of a band. She would definitely be a risky choice, but it could pay off. She also looks like the female David Henrie, the “son” on the show.

5. Erica Durance
Positives: Looks
Negatives: Busy with Smallville
Know her from: Smallville, Butterfly Effect 2

Erica Durance is more than likely too busy with Smallville, but she’d be a great pick as the Mother, in my opinion. She really is the complete package. She is also ALREADY the third Canadian on this list (the other two being Amanda Crews and Evangeline Lilly). Not likely, but would be a good choice.

4. Rashida Jones
Positives: Comedic, Likability
Negatives: Too well known
Know her from: The Office, The Social Network

I know, very odd pick, but you know what? Surprisingly, she would fit the role extremely well. When you see Rashida on screen, you don’t really notice that she’s half black. Plus, she is a comedic actress and just as a side note, she graduated from Harvard. YEAH. However, she is pretty well-known which would count against her.

3. Olivia Wilde

Positives: Likability, Looks, New Yorker
Negatives: Not comedic, too well-known
Know her from: House, Tron: Legacy

Olivia Wilde is a New Yorker, as she was born there, so that certainly wouldn’t hurt getting on HIMYM. She’s not on House anymore, so all she is doing is movies. I think she could make a return to TV. Most people would love her as the Mother. I would.

2. Lizzy Caplan
Positives: Rocker vibe, acting
Negatives: Too well-known?
Know her from: Mean Girls, Cloverfield, Hot Tub Time Machine

Now we’re getting down to the serious contenders. Lizzy Caplan would be an amazing choice. She’s borderline too well-known, but who cares? She is able to be both comedic and serious and could definitely pull off someone who is in a band. I definitely would be thrilled if she was the Mother.

1. Sophia Bush
Positives: Looks, age, likability
Negatives: Busy with One Tree Hill
Know her from: One Tree Hill, John Tucker Must Die, The Hitcher

Sophia Bush is currently my #1 choice. She is one of my favorite actresses, and to have my favorite actress on my favorite TV show would be awesome. She is still busy with One Tree Hill, however, and she hasn’t done too many comedic roles. I’m sure she doesn’t want to ONLY be known as Brooke from One Tree Hill. Sophia is the complete package and in my opinion is the best choice for the Mother.

Educating the Public on Grocery Marketing Strategies

As a grocery store checker, I have learned quite a bit about grocery store sales, marketing, and unique and effective ways to get people to buy a product. And I’m going to explain how even though it looks like a great deal, the grocery store can still make money off of you. Here are some tactics and strategies and gimmicks and ploys grocery stores, like Safeway, use to try to get you to buy something.

- Using the word “Free” in gigantic lettering, but really, you’re not getting anything free, or even that much of a discount
Almost always you will see something like this in a grocery store, especially during any holiday season (Easter, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, etc.). It will say “Buy One Get One FREE” with the FREE being in size 148 text and capitalized and everything else size 20. They know people are drawn to the word “Free”. Who doesn’t like free stuff? But they use the word “free” in a misleading way—nothing at a grocery store is free—unless there are free samples somewhere. Instead, they advertise that if you buy one of the product (or perhaps two), you get the 2^nd one free of charge.

You see, what they really do is really sneaky. I will use Safeway’s Eating Right Chicken Breasts as an example. When they are NOT buy one get one free, they cost about $15 without the club card and then with the club card you save anywhere from 5 to 8 dollars. Pretty good deal. But then, when it’s buy one get one free, they take away the sale price, jack it up to $15, and then advertise if you buy one for $15, you get another one of equal or lesser value free. So without the buy one get one free, you could get two for about 15-20 dollars. With the buy one get free deal, you get two for about 15 dollars. They make it seem like a great deal when really, on average, you’re only saving a couple bucks. Stay away from this deal unless you want to stock up.

- Using an insane quantity of an item to try to get you to buy more
What you will also always see at a grocery store is a type of price that says “10 for $10” or “4 for $5”. They make you think you must buy 10 or must buy 4 to get the sale price. NOT TRUE. Unless specified on the tag saying “Must buy (certain amount)”, you do not have to buy as many as the deal says. This is just a gimmick they use to try to get people to buy more of a certain product, which I’m afraid to say, some people still fall for. All you have to do is do a bit of math. 10 for $10 is easy enough, that’s $1 each. No need to buy 10. Just buy 2 or 4 or 5, and you’ll still get it for $1 each. If you look closely (at least at Safeway), the tag will even say in small print “$1.00 each”. They must put that on there for legal reasons, but no one can control how big or small it is. Just be wary of these kinds of signs and ONLY buy as much as you need.

- If you buy this many, it is ___ each, but if you buy THIS many, it is only ___ each
Not as common as the ones above, but still used, is the “discount only if you buy a certain amount” technique. Basically, a tag will say its price if you buy one, but will display a smaller price that will say below it “if you buy (a certain amount)”. Most often, the discount will be quite small in comparison to the product. For example, every day at Safeway, wine is 10% off if you buy 6 or more. When you think about it, saving 10% on a $60 purchase of 6 wines will only save you $6 dollars. Basically, if you do the math, it is a worse deal than buy 5, get one free. I kid you not; it is a worse deal than that. My advice is simple and the same as above: Don’t buy more than you need. If you actually NEED six bottles of wine, then great you’ll save 10%. But if you don’t, then just buy 3 or 4 or whatever it is you need.

That’s all I have for now. I’m sure there are masterminds at work right this second trying to think of more gimmicks, techniques, and marketing strategies to get us to buy a certain product or to buy a certain amount. But these three are the most common and the most costly if you don’t pay attention. Shop smart, people.

Top 20 American Idols of All Time

As a big fan of the hit FOX show American Idol, I feel obliged (after a Top 20 Survivors ever) to do a Top 20 American Idol contestants of All Time list, especially since we are in the middle of the 10th season of American Idol. I will this time, however rank each contestant (out of 10) to determine the order based on four criteria: Vocals, performance factor, looks, and likeability. Vocals, looks, and likeability are obvious, but by performance factor, I mean an ability to command the stage, move around, possibly even dance, and just not only give a great vocal, but give the audience something extra to cheer for. If they tied in ratings, then whoever got further on their season breaks the tie. At the end, for fun, I listed my favorite performance of theirs. Without further ado, my Top 20 American Idol contestants of All Time:

20. Kevin Covais
Season 5: Eleventh place
Vocals: 7, Performance: 8, Looks: 7, Likeability: 10, Total: 32
I had to include Chicken Little on American Idol. He’s my age and made it onto the show the first season I personally would have been eligible. He was an extremely likeable kid and I really rooted for him. He was every nerd’s hero.
Favorite performance: Part Time Lover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXe0BO_gg-o

19. Sanjaya Malakar
Season 6: Seventh place
Vocals: 6, Performance: 10, Looks: 8, Likeability: 9, Total: 33
First off, I like Sanjaya. He’s from my home state. I always gotta show my homeboys some love. Secondly, he was a performer first and a singer second. To me, there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as your voice isn’t absolutely horrible, and his wasn’t. I enjoyed all of his performances and he inspired me to try to get on Idol someday, even if I can’t sing.
Favorite performance: You Really Got Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeYrD-MrQFc

18. Lee Dewyze
Season 9: Winner
Vocals: 8, Performance: 8, Looks: 9, Likeability: 8, Total: 33
Lee is probably up there with Taylor Hicks as one of the worst Idol winners—but I still like him. He’s not awful, but on a lot of seasons he wouldn’t have even made the top 4 or 5. He’s just ordinary, but I love his style. Also, while on Idol, he always chose really good songs. Other than that, not much else to say.
Favorite performance: Hey Jude
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf0r5Ii975Q

17. Casey Abrams
Season 10: TBD
Vocals: 9, Performance: 9, Looks: 7, Likeability: 9, Total: 34
Casey Abrams only gets a 9 for his vocals because I’m still waiting to hear something amazing from him. Nonetheless, he is still one of my favorite American Idols ever, and thank goodness he got the save. He will get further than the other two to have gotten the save (Matt Giraud and Michael Lynche). His only weakness is his appearance—which he can change. I’m hoping for a Casey-James (Not Casey James from season 9) finale in Season 10. More on James below.
Favorite performance: With a Little Help from My Friends
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-ougQ64eZ0

16. Diana Degarmo
Season 3: Second place
Vocals: 9, Performance: 8, Looks: 8, Likeability: 9, Total: 34
I actually thought she was really cute when she was on. I sort of had a mini-crush on her. I also loved her singing voice and she was spunky and very likeable. She didn’t have enough talent to win, but she was a favorite of mine in season 3.
Favorite performance: Don’t Cry Out Loud
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1jP1qor3ng

15. Siobhan Magnus
Season 9: Sixth place
Vocals: 9, Performance: 9, Looks: 8, Likeability: 9, Total: 35
Siobhan was the rocker chick of her year—and I liked her. I didn’t like her early on however, but after a few live performances I saw her great vocals and stage presence and I noticed how good she was. I think she was a bit of a surprise elimination at 6th—I feel she should have at least made the top 4.
Favorite performance: Paint It Black
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNvQjGPH7FM

14. Danny Gokey
Season 8: Third place
Vocals: 9, Performance: 9, Looks: 8, Likeability: 9, Total: 35
Danny was someone who I liked from the moment I saw his first audition. I just really like the bluesy sound of his voice. There was question if he was using his wife’s passing to get sympathy votes—I don’t think he was. I think he was just sharing his story so we could know him more. Regardless, I really like his voice and personality.
Favorite performance: Hero
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvn-sJiciPI

13. David Archuleta
Season 7: Second place
Vocals: 9, Performance: 8, Looks: 8, Likeability: 10, Total: 35
David Archuleta is one of the most talented runners up in American Idol history even though there have been quite a few. As soon as I saw his audition I knew I’d like this guy and see him get really far. He had an awkward stage presence and didn’t really command the stage, but he was as likeable as there can be and his vocals were usually spot on.
Favorite performance: Angels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1xIlnPA_s0

12. James Durbin
Season 10: TBD
Vocals: 9, Performance: 10, Looks: 8, Likeability: 9, Total: 36
James Durbin is my favorite Idol from Season 10, and with Pia’s shocking elimination, he is in the running to win the whole thing. His ability to switch it up and go slow- or mid-tempo (Maybe I’m Amazed, While My Guitar Gently Weeps) rivals that of Adam Lambert. James may even be able to get further than Lambert did.
Favorite performance: Maybe I’m Amazed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHdHUqnei3g

11. Jennifer Hudson
Season 3: Seventh place
Vocals: 10, Performance: 9, Looks: 8, Likeability: 9, Total: 36
Jennifer was one of those shocking eliminations. In her elimination, she, Latoya London, and eventual winner Fantasia Barrino all were in the bottom 3. That year, Jennifer was my favorite diva because of her amazing performance of Elton John’s “Circle of Life”. I mean that performance is STILL my favorite performance on Idol EVER. I knew she’d go on to do great things and I was not wrong.
Favorite Performance: Circle of Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erbr3L2NRo4

10. Constantine Maroulis
Season 4: Sixth place
Vocals: 9, Performance: 10, Looks: 8, Likeability: 9, Total: 36
Constantine was one of my favorites from Season 4 along with Carrie. I was hoping he’d be in the final with her, but it was Bo. Oh well. I just thought he has such a great stage presence and a soothing voice for a rocker. He was yet another one eliminated too soon.
Favorite performance: How You Remind Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEt8DgA3ULo

9. Allison Iraheta
Season 8: Fourth place
Vocals: 9, Performance: 9, Looks: 9, Likeability: 9, Total: 36
It seems weird to put her this high, but I just couldn’t give her any less in any category. Allison is pretty much the complete package—she just needs to practice and mature more. She’s still only 18 years old. Trust me, someday, she’ll make an even bigger name for herself.
Favorite performance: Alone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE2QyR_uaCM

8. Katharine McPhee
Season 5: Second place
Vocals: 9, Performance: 8, Looks: 10, Likeability: 9, Total: 36
Katharine is not only the best looking female to ever grace the Idol stage, she has one of the best voices as well. She should have beaten Taylor and I was so upset when she lost. My favorite performance of hers is Aretha Franklin’s “Think” because that’s when I fell in love with her. She hasn’t exactly done as well as Kelly and Carrie post-Idol, but what if she had won? Would there be a trio of Idol starlets? Perhaps. Nevertheless, Kat is still one of my favorite Idols ever—I still have a McPheever.
Favorite performance: Think
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZvfvibFup4

7. Clay Aiken
Season 2: Second place
Vocals: 10, Performance: 8, Looks: 8, Likeability: 10, Total: 36
Clay is one of those Idols that probably should have won. He lost narrowly to Reuben Studdard. Although I didn’t watch his season when it aired, I have watched all of his performances by now and I have to say he is one of my favorite contestants ever. He loses points though on his geeky looks and his stiff stage presence. It’s just that whenever I hear his voice I’m like WOW! I wish I had that voice!
Favorite performance: Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhgoSRIxgB8

6. Blake Lewis
Season 6: Second Place
Vocals: 8, Performance: 10, Looks: 9, Likeability: 10, Total: 37
Hey Brian whatcha doin putting Blake as the sixth best Idol ever? I’ll tell you what! Blake just happens to be from right where I live on the east side of Puget Sound in the great state of Washington. His performances weren’t awesome vocally but always entertained, since he could also beatbox. His style, flair, and dramatics made him well-liked. I was very disappointed when he didn’t win.
Favorite performance: You Give Love a Bad Name
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4IGm9E4W9g

5. David Cook
Season 7: Winner
Vocals: 9, Performance: 9, Looks: 9, Likeability: 10, Total: 37
One of the best rockers American Idol’s ever had, David Cook is also one of the most popular as well, spawning fan groups such as “Cook’s Crue”. He really impressed me in season 7 and for a while, I didn’t know whether to root for him or Archie. In the end, I went with Archie because I connected more with him. However, that’s nothing on David Cook, he will still be one of my favorite Idol’s ever.
Favorite performance: Eleanor Rigby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlsE97oPJYc

4. Chris Daughtry
Season 5: Fourth Place
Vocals: 10, Performance: 9, Looks: 9, Likeability: 10, Total: 38
Daughtry is the greatest rocker to ever be on Idol. Period. I just call him Daughtry now because of his successful band with the same name. Anyway… CHRIS… he just amazed me every week on Idol, especially when he went all ballad on America with “What a Wonderful World”. One of my favorite American Idol performances ever. Dude could sing any song, really. He should have won, with Katharine coming 2nd.
Favorite performance: What a Wonderful World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZampv-VFNU

3. Kelly Clarkson
Season 1: Winner
Vocals: 10, Performance: 9, Looks: 9, Likeability: 10, Total: 38
The first winner of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson is without a doubt still one of the best. She’s sort of dropped out of the spotlight recently, but she had an immediate impact after she won the crown of the first American Idol over Justin Guarini. She is widely known to be one of the greatest Idol contestants ever.
Favorite performance: A Moment Like This (Winning Performance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6RUur0f7lM

2. Adam Lambert
Season 8: Second place
Vocals: 10, Performance: 10, Looks: 9, Likeability: 10, Total: 39
Some part of me wants to declare him the best Idol ever, but I can’t because he didn’t win. But he is in my top 3 favorite Idols ever because of his amazing range, stage presence, and just pure domination. His failure to capture the American Idol crown was probably the biggest finale shocker ever. Adam is just an electrifying singer that many would kill to have his voice.
Favorite performance: Tracks of My Tears
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XpISZJsRBU

1. Carrie Underwood
Season 4: Winner
Vocals: 10, Performance: 9, Looks: 10, Likeability: 10, Total: 39
What CAN’T Carrie do? She is a smalltown farmer girl from Oklahoma, as likeable and pretty as they come, with such a beautiful voice. She was born to sing. I remember when watching Season 4 I was actually rooting for Bo in the finals for two reasons. I wanted a guy to win to continue the girl-boy trend, and two, I was rooting for the underdog. But I was very happy Carrie won. In my opinion, she is THE best American Idol contestant ever.
Favorite performance: Alone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMBSDpB3WB8

Our Sports May Be Bad, But At Least We’re Not Cleveland

If you have read my blogs, you have probably heard me complain about Seattle sports and how bad we have it here. Sure, the Mariners and Seahawks have never won championships, but at least we have hope. At least we know those teams are capable of captivating our city and competing and getting far in the playoffs. Right now, the Mariners are in rebuilding mode and the Seahawks somehow made it to the playoffs in the middle of their rebuilding mode. But hey, at least we’re not Cleveland.

Cleveland, Ohio is a great city. But they have terrible sports teams. I feel for them, I really do. Let’s get right down to it. The Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team is 15-61 which is bad enough for the worst record in the NBA. To top it all, this is the season after mega-star Lebron James spurned them to join the Miami Heat. Every Cavalier fan felt heartbreak at “The Decision” made by Lebron James. If you’re a Mariners fan, you probably remember when A-Rod signed with the Rangers in 2001, right? Well, multiply that by 10, because that’s how it felt for Cavalier fans. Losing a great player in basketball is way more impactful than losing a great player in baseball. The Cavaliers saw their playoff and championship hopes slip away with that signing. At least the Mariners shoved it to A-Rod the following year and won 116 games. And now, the Cavaliers, like I said, are the worst team in basketball. Lebron didn’t win them a championship and he probably never will.

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Indians are just getting their 2011 campaign started, and wouldn’t you know it, they are in a rebuilding mode too. “Stars” Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner have been plagued with injuries and inconsistency, and I use the quotes because you can hardly call them stars anymore. Their best player is Shin-Soo Choo, who is a former Mariner and one of the most underrated players in the game. However, if you’re a baseball fan, you probably remember that the Indians used to sell out every game in the 90’s and early 2000’s when they had players such as Manny Ramirez, Omar Vizquel, and Jim Thome. They had sellout crowds EVERY… SINGLE… NIGHT at Jacobs Field. Now? Well in just their second game of the season, the Indians drew a crowd of—GET THIS—9,853. The Mariners have never drawn a crowd that small in their history if I’m not mistaken. Only 9,000 fans? The Indians have clearly lost a huge part of their fanbase and might be a while from contention again.

The one bright spot in Cleveland sports, if you can call it that, must be the Cleveland Browns. Who knew that would someday be the best Cleveland team? They didn’t exactly have a great season in 2010, but they beat some good teams such as the Patriots and are on the rise. They may have found their quarterback of the future in Colt McCoy, but time will tell. They have team president Mike Holmgren leading the franchise and he is widely known as one of the best football minds in the game. They hired a new coach Pat Shurmur just this offseason—and many believe he is the coach that will get the Browns going in the right direction.

Cleveland, I feel your pain. We Seattleites have suffered just as you are right now. We know what it feels like to lose a star because you’re not as big of a market as somewhere else. We know what it feels like to be great for a while and then become one of the worst. We know because we have experienced firsthand. All I can say to you Cleveland is what optimists often say at a time like this: Things can only get better. Good luck to your sports teams. I sincerely hope the Cavaliers win a championship before Lebron James and I hope Mike Holmgren has success with your Browns. Good luck from a Seattle sports fan.

The Seattle Mariners: Destined to be a bottom dweller or turning the corner?

Easily the greatest seven years in Mariners history were from 1995 to 2001. In that seven year span, the Mariners made it to the playoffs four times, made it to the ALCS three times, and had a combined record of 616-499 with a winning percentage of .552. If you take away that brief period in Mariners history, the Mariners are 1906-2362, with a winning percentage of .446. The question is: Was that a sign this team is capable of a dominant run, or was it just a fluke span of winning for a team that is destined to always be a loser? You take away those seven years, and the Mariners are suddenly the laughingstock of the league.

A lot is riding on not just this season, but the next season as well. It’s not so much about the wins and losses but more about how the young players develop. If most of the young players turn out to be busts, then our future is probably doomed yet again. If some of them turn out to be very capable everyday starters, then the possibility of another playoff berth looms large. The Mariners have had their turn over the past 10 years, switching GM’s and coaches like it’s a game of musical chairs. However, it is this group in the front office right now who will either carry us back to the playoffs or lose their jobs. I’m not just talking about current manager Wedge and general manager Zduriencik. I’m talking about the chairmen and guys even higher up, such as Chuck Armstrong and Howie Lincoln. They’ve got one last shot.

Boy oh boy I hope 1995-2001 wasn’t a fluke. This team, its current stadium, and its fans, are all here because of those years. If the Mariners fail to turn it around in the next few years, I fear the ballclub will lose a lot of its fans. They already are, as fan interest is dwindling due to the common trend of losing this past decade. But if they fail to turn the corner in a few years, even the diehards will say they’ve had it. Even I will say I’ve had it.

I’m giving the Mariners until 2015. That’s four years. I’ll be 26 when they play that year. If the Mariners don’t make it back to the playoffs by then and don’t look like they will soon, I will stop following them. Sure, I’ll root for them in my heart, but I won’t watch their games or buy merchandise or go to games. I refuse to support a loser. I refuse to constantly be tortured by poor front office decisions and poor on-field execution.

You have four years, Mariners. Four years to figure out if you’re going to shed that “cellar dweller” tag and become a contender. Four years to put the pieces together. Get it done, or I’m through.