This episode is pissing me off.
Thanks for reading

I'll probably summarize my thoughts on the album in a post to be made later but I wanted to say that I did get to go to the Hard Rock last night to see the show and have my cd booklet autographed.
( You're my inspiration as I stand alone against the world )

So I was looking at DCook's ipod thing on usatoday.com and I'm stoked that he has the following bands on his ipod.
Anberlin
Doubledrive
Stephen Lynch
Metallica
Oasis
Patton Oswalt
Acceptance
Jimmy Eat World

The good news is that my friend I got in. Although it happened in the weirdest way! For the record, I just woke up because I was wiped. I got home around 12pm and passed out.
We, my friend Patricia and I, left my house about 1:45am and made it down about 4am. There weren't that many people in line by the time we got there so that was awesome. It really wasn't that cold! I was surprised. The GMA studios is on the corner of 44th and Broadway and we had a good view inside once the techs came out and started checking the equipment.
I was facing the the window and Kyle came out and I said loudly "IT'S KYLE!!" who looked like he just rolled out of bed, which was to be expected. He sat down at the drum kit and started playing. No one else came out before hand until they did sound check. We got pushed up the line a little so we couldn't really see the sound check but we could hear it through the windows.
About around 7am, the audience coordinator Samantha came out and separated the line into those who had confirmed entrance and those who didn't.
Patricia and I were part of the those who didn't line :( Though the confirmation line wasn't too long the studio only holds about 80 people. Samantha came back to our line and said she didn't know if they'd be able to get too many standbys in so Patricia was kind of bummed (it was her first David Cook experience) and I kept telling her to think positive. The two girls behind us seemed resigned to the fact they wouldn't get in. I was talking to my friend and was all like "I did not get up at 11pm last night to not get in!" lol
They were letting the confirmed people in and before they considered the standbys Samantha came out and asked if anyone watched the "Colbert Report" and I raised my hand because even though I'm not a religious viewer of the show I've seen it. She had Patricia and I and two other girls follow her in! There ended up being about 10 of us in that group and she directed us to the far side of the stage to wait and none of us had any idea what was going on because the studio was pretty packed by then. She came and got us again and we followed her upstairs to the part of the studio where they do the sit down interviews and explained that we were going to be the studio audience for when Stephen Colbert was interviewed by Diane Sawyer!!! Patricia and I looked at each other like "WTF?" and were laughing. We all had to laugh when Stephen said something funny, which wasn't hard because he is funny. That was really cool. I knew my hours and hours of tv watching would pay off! LOL
Meanwhile at the end of the interview Diane Sawyer said that she and Stephen would duet on a christmas carol downstairs.
We all went back downstairs and hung around for a bit and Samantha came and told us to either go back to our original standing places for those of us who she plucked from the original audience and for Patricia and I and the two girls from the standby line she placed us along the sides in the back :( The view wasn't that bad but there was a good amount in front of us and while I'm fairly tall Patricia isn't.
Then they had a few segments including the pregnant man, a guy named Heath Smith who lost over 1/2 his body weight and a family with sextuplets. It was interesting. We saw Samantha making her way over to us and she was asking "Where's my 10 from the Colbert interview??" so I raised my hand she told use to go stand by the fake fire on tv just behind the two stools where Diane Sawyer and Steven Colbert were going to be singing their duet!! OMG! We were going to be tv!
Knowing the band set up I asked if I could stand on the far side of the fake fireplace and one guy was like "Sure!". I made sure I'd be on the Neal side :) We kept marveling that we were going be on tv, of no choice of our own but exciting nonetheless.
DCook + his boyz were up on the stage during this whole thing because they had them play the bumpers, going into and out of commercial break. He sang part of "Heroes" and something else. I was too excited. So they set up the shot with Colbert and Sawyer and David Cook came down and stood directly across from me, like clear shot view like no other! I couldn't help but stare at him and he knew it so he stared back. I swear this was not all in my head, however crazy it sounds, LOL. He averted his eyes as I did mine for a few seconds then I stared at him again and smiled and he looked back at me and he smiled back. I couldn't f'n believe it. He was less than 10 feet away from me! Anyway the segment started and Diane and Stephen had a little bit of banter and they started singing "Deck the Halls" to which David jumped in and was singing along a bit. We all sang when the "Fa la la la la" part came on. I could see myself and Patricia on the camera monitors and was blown away. I was on fucking Good Morning America standing just behind and the the right of DAVID COOK!!!! I am on camera with DAVID COOK!!!.
HERE is the link if you want to see that part. My friend standing right behind Diane and she's wearing a black top with jeans and has the red hair. I'm standing next to the girl in the Ugg boots to her right wearing jeans and a red Adidas hoodie looking awkward. Never in a million years did I think I'd be on tv!
Sorry, I digress.
The sing-a-long wrapped up and David was making his way back to the stage and this pushy lady who was wearing a "David Cook's Rockin' Grandmas" shirt butted her way in front of him and begged him to sign her shirt so she could take a picture of it and send it to God knows who. A few people kept bugging him for autographs until finally he said "I gotta go" because they needed him back on stage.
They didn't make us move again so Patricia and I had an awesome view of the stage, straight on. The only inconvenience was the cameras which occasionally swayed in front of us during the taping. Patricia ended up standing on the rolled up rug behind us to give her some height. Again, I pretty much right in David's eye line and Neal was just right there too! I got some good shots of both of them, one of Andy who was mostly blocked by the camera. I know I got some Kyle pics and maybe Joey was in some as well. I'll be uploading those shortly.
They played "Light On" of course and it was amazing. I was just so happy that we got into the studio and my friend got to see David live for the first time.
After the show was over, people hung around to get pics/autographs with the guys but left the studio to stand at the stage door. We were right in front and we did see them come out but they headed right towards their ride but of course some people insisted David stay and do autographs and pics. Neal, Andy, Kyle and Joey were long gone into the car by then. Poor David. I would've loved to have to gotten my pic with either him or Neal but I let it go because I didn't want to impose and push my luck :)
I started out this whole thing by telling Patricia that anytime I travel anywhere it turns into an unexpected adventure. Not only did we get in but we got to see Stephen Colbert do his interview and we got on tv. It's never boring with me! She said on our next adventure I have a lot to live up to because the bar is set pretty high now, lol.

I wish I could have done the Virgin Megastore thing but I just couldn't. It was all going to be too much.

I think it's going to have to be standy to get into the audience :(
When I first looked at the GMA website, it said just to show up at the studio location. There was no mention of having to email for tickets, which is what it says now. I'm assuming because it is inside but I swear there was nothing about this on their site when his performance was originally announced. I emailed them anyway but it was only last week and haven't heard anything. Well, I got into The View when I did standby for that. It was to see Craig Ferguson not because I'm particularly enchanted with the show.
I just get really anxious over my friends and I getting in or not. The fact I will have to drink a lot of coffee too doesn't help the situation, lol.
We'll probably be there around 3 or 4 am. I'm not sure that's early enough.

Edit:
So it's supposed to be COLD COLD COLD so hopefully that will keep people away.
I know there are some coming in from other places out of town and also people will be anxious to do the Virgin Megastore thing.
I'm trying to come up with things to ease my mind about this. :)

Neal's online right now on his myspace. I just left a comment, lol
I love the interwebz :)

Just a few previews but if you click one of 'em it'll take you to the gallery at davidcookonline.net

I'll write a bit about my trip to the Gala and I'll try to highlight what I remember most.
I just want to thank my generous friend for providing me with a ticket for this amazing experience!

I left work early to make it down to Times Square and got there about 5pm. I parked in a garage (racketeers!) but it was just around the corner so definitely worth it.
The line was enormous, ok not that large but by the time I got in line it was about 1/4 of the block long. By the time they let the public in it was down the block! I was texting njdevilsfan because I couldn't find her.
We all got in and I found her and her crew :) some who I had met before in Providence, some I hadn't. A lot of people, besides us, were kind of hanging out around the doors to the concert area but we were shooed away by a woman basically yelling "Hey, you can't stand here!". I love New York :) really I do. So we moved into the restaurant area which had the food spread already out. I was hungry so I went and got some appetizers and a piece of pizza. The appetizers were like spring rolls, pot stickers, crab rangoon stuff like that. There were waitstaff walking around with platters which you could pick from. The main food was the pizza, mini burgers, chicken francaise, and some other stuff which I forget. I didn't eat much but what I did eat was pretty good. I had a beer as well.
After a while it I checked out the area near the red carpet and a few people were lining up at the venue doors so I suggested that we move out that way though the doors weren't scheduled to open for a bit. When they did, there was a rush but we all got down to the front, right near the stage. There was a small roped off area for people who had vip/all access passes. I guess some of them were big-wig-ish (is that a word?) and were nice. The security guy standing in front of me was cool. He told me to keep a bit of space to clear the way for people accessing the front area and I was like "ok" but then these two byatches horned in on my area. I mean really, I was gonna have to punch a bitch because she kept bumping into me and trying to move me away. I don't think so!
Finally the lady from the Elvis Duran morning show on Z100 came out to start announcing the live auction. She brought out David Wright, who just adorable! They revealed how much money initially was raised ($200,000 I think) with the live auction still to come.
To make a long story short, David Wright thanked all the David Cook fans for coming out and said it was because of them they were able to raise so much money. David Cook came out and they chatted a bit and something was said about bidding and Cook strutted his stuff on the runway :)
The live auction did well. Some guy named Stuart (Stewart?) bid 10k on one of the packages.
After that David Cook was intro'd and he came out with the band!!
I was right in front of Andy, just off to my left as you faced the stage. I didn't have a good view of Kyle (boo!!!) but saw plenty of Andy, Joey and David. Neal was on the other side of the stage which I was kind of bummed out about but hey, he was in the same room!!
You'll have to forgive me for not remembering the order of the songs but I loved loved loved "Life on the Moon", "Declaration" of course :) and "Bar-ba-sol". During one of the songs I looked up and saw Andy mouthing the words to what David was singing. It could have been during "Lie". Actually it must have been because that was when David was singing solo and playing acoustically. Anyway, soooo cute!
Neal rocked the fuck out, that's all I have to say about that. I just love him. I do. He much hotter in person.
David really worked the stage. He came over to where we were standing and stood on the amps and was OMG RIGHT THERE!!!!!.
During the clever chats he has with the audience he mentioned that he went to dinner with DWright and DWright said that he's gonna hang out with DCook to get the chicks because rockstars always get the girls. So DCook said he was going to school him on how to be a rockstar and one rule was that he had to wear the guyliner! DWright went up on stage and the stylist/makeup artist Ramie came out and put the guyliner on him. He had this look on his face kind of like "WTF am I doing?" but was smiling and DCook and the guys were laughing at him. It was brilliant.
The whole night was brilliant.
DCook introduced the band at some point during the set and the crowd went wild mostly for Kyle aka "Peek-a-Boo", Neal and Andy. Poor Joey. Though everyone showed him love it wasn't as loud as the others, I thought.
What else happened? They played "Heroes". "Declaration" was f'ing amazing live. That's definitely a get the crowd going song. "Mr. Sensitive" is definitely not a sensitive song, lol but it rocks so hard FTW. "Light On" = Fantastic.
Damn, I can't wait until he goes on a real tour. I just can't.
So that was all. I hung out a bit with njdevilsfan and her crew for a bit after. I ran into my friend who gave me the ticket. I told her I would be right back but then I couldn't find her. I'm seeing her on monday so it's cool.
We went outside to try to find the stage door but couldn't and I finally had to leave because I had to work @ 8am and had a two hour drive ahead of me. I got home around 11:30pm but the driving made me so f'ing tired that I actually zoned out. From 6am to 11:30pm is on flippin' long day but I'd do it again all for DCook and Neal.

Up next: photos!!

I'm just back from the Hard Rock and I'm exhausted.
In short, David and the boys played all songs from the new album.
"Bar-ba-sol" will rock your f'n brains out.
I'll post more soon and upload my pics, all 100 of them. I would have gotten more but the batteries I bought ended up being crap :(

I just saw a preview for this film, which I can't wait for because it's my favorite Dan Brown book, and who is in it but Ewan McGregor!!!
I never paid that much attention to the news about filming because it was so sporadic and then the writers strike slowed production on the film.
Oh I'm so excited! Tom Hanks and Ewan McGregor!

I got a pair of dark denims and a dark turquoise sweater.
Not really rock chic but casual and classy (I think). Ultimately I bought the stuff at Lane Bryant but I went to Torrid which I'd never been too and got a set of bangle bracelets. I'm actually going to return those because I'm sure I can find accessories cheaper elsewhere.
I'm strange when it comes to clothes shopping. If I get a top that's lower than a crewneck, I feel naked, lol.
The sweater looks like ( this )
without the kabuki sleeves. They're just straight long sleeves. I couldn't find a 3/4 sleeve which is what I usually like.
Any ideas on how I should accessorize?

I called my friend and said yes to the ticket. It turns out she was given a VIP ticket (does anyone know what that means??) and she's not able to use her regular peon ticket so she's giving it to me.
I can dress casual but they want you to dress like a rocker or something? I don't know but it sounds like it will fit into my regular wardrobe.
I just might get a new pair of jeans but I have an AC/DC shirt I can wear (or I might just buy a new one at Hot Topic).
I'm shite at makeup but I'll see what I can do and what accessories I can pull together.
Ooo, this is going to be so much fun!

eta: thanks annearchy for the shopping suggestion :)
I'm also going to pop over to buckland hills mall in manchester because torrid is having a 50% off sale.

my friend offered me a ticket to the David Wright Gala. I haven't said yes yet.
Anyone who's going, do you know if it's formal or casual. I hate dressing up, in fact I'd have to buy some new clothes because I don't own anything that's presentable. I wear jeans and t-shirts every day.
I don't know if I'm going to accept the ticket.
I am going to Good Morning America the week after too.

please take a moment to vote @ fringe_lims.
Thanks :)

Light On acoustic, learn the song on guitar and best of all Neal is featured!
Jesus, the boy can sing.
Got this from davidcookai7

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO
maroonjessy5 AND wenchpixie!!!

A new friend I made on LiveJournal feels that she has to go on hiatus because of the way she's been treated for expressing her opinions about the election.
I made a comment in response to her post in which she expressed her unhappiness with the election results.
I'm going to post the conversation that took place after...
16tosvo: Here from another users journal but I just want to say "AMEN!" to what you said. I honestly can't wait until he takes office and people see who he really is.
I wonder if they know during his career he voted 92 times to raise taxes.

shibbyfangirl:And raising taxes is a bad thing? Look at Europe. All the countries with high taxes have free health care, small yet prosperous economies and generally happy people.

Sometimes people have to sacrifice things for the greater good, and that includes raising taxes when you need money for wars or education or whatever...world war 2? victory gardens? buying war bonds to support the effort? scrap metal drives? people sacrificed things and went without just to help the country. Raising taxes a little bit, especially on people who are rich and can afford it (the over $250,000 a year bracket) makes sense when we're in a war, our economy is in shambles and we need to improve health care.

Just my two cents.

16tosvo:I respect your right to disagree and know I won't change your mind but I just have to say a few things and then I'll leave it at that.
Funding wars for the good of America and it's citizens with higher taxes I have no problem with but as Judge Judy once said, don't piss on my shoe and tell me it's raining. The government votes more and more funding for the troops yet little of that actually gets put into the war effort and they don't supply the military with the equipment they need to fight and stay safe. That upsets me.
Yes, I do look at Europe but just because it works for them does not mean it works for America.
You want to raise my taxes? Prove to me your spending my money wisely instead of throwing it down the black hole that is big government. Then we can talk. I'm tired of taxpayer money going towards projects that are not viable and yes, both Dems and Repubs are equally responsible. The government has more than enough money if they would just cut spending. We've all had to tighten our financial belts, why should they get a pass? That will only come from a smaller government, which is a key tennant of conservatism.
Education is another area that has MORE than enough money. You know where that money goes? It surely doesn't go towards the students and schools. It goes towards adminstration. While our children suffer to keep up with the world in education, principals and their cohorts are voting to give themselves raises and crying for more money because they don't have enough money to spend on actual education and students. That's a load of bull.
It's the fat cats getting fatter off the money of the people. It's disgusting. Another example of taxpayer's money being wasted on trash.
Universal healthcare is a farce. People seem to forget that healthcare is not a right. It's a benefit and responsibility. Employers offer healthcare because often they feel it's the right thing to do, not because it's mandated. Last time I checked the constitution there was nothing that said all Americans are due healthcare. Least of all do I want the government coming in and saying what treatments I can and can't have because of cost or patient care history. If it comes to be, God forbid if either of my parents or brother gets seriously ill and any of them are not deemed a viable risk to spend money, time and medication on because they are older. It's likely to become systematic euthanasia. You might as well leave them on the mountaintop for the wolves to devour. I'm not joking when I say that. Because of government mandates and cost of care, doctors and hospitals would have to pick and choose who they treat and it may not be the person you want it to be.
Personally I don't feel we know who Obama is. He says and does things that make people enthralled with him but those people throw aside severals facts including that he's associated with known terrorists, has a sketchy citizenship situation, has not seriously commented on national security, and worst of all voted against a bill that would protect newborns who survive abortion attempts. He supports late term and partial birth abortion in which the unborn child's brain stem is crushed or in the case of late term, when the baby is ripped from the womb piece by piece.
I've said my piece. If you've read the whole thing, I thank you for doing so and allowing me the courtesy to express my feelings.

That clip of the woman who believes that now Obama is elected he'll take care of her mortgage and putting gas in her car??
Good luck getting your money!!

I'm very disappointed.
So when do we change the maps to read "United Socialist States of America"? Just curious.
I can live with Obama being elected but that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it. Can everyone stop championing him as ONLY African-American. He's bi-racial. He was raised by a single WHITE mother. In all seriousness I wouldn't care if he was a little green man from Mars. I still don't know what he stands for and his lack of experience scares me. He scares me and even more so that he was able to convince millions that he was the man for the job.
McCain was very gracious in his conciliatory speech and he should take Cindy on a nice long vacation in Tahiti to get away from it all.
I just don't know. The next 4 years will reveal the folly that was this election.
What makes me even more sad is that here in the state of Connecticut, the same old people with the same old policies were voted into office and those policies in the past have not gotten us anywhere or made this state better.
I refuse to feel defeated though. I know the Republican party can bounce back from this and learn from its mistakes.

I know I do these quite often but I've updated the layout for davidcookonline.net. The beige/orange one was giving me a headache! lol
This one is nicer, I think.
Check it out and let me know what you think :)