A True American Idol audition

My American Idol audition wristband.

written by: stacia_doss.
Last year, I got a taste of what it was like to experience the hectic, annoying process of auditioning for American Idol. Well the photo illustrates my plastic, Glad-wrapped wrist band. I am giving this a whirl again. I said "why not!" since the show is basically coming to audition in the city I live in. This time I am entering the process with different expectations.

1) I got my wristband extra early the first day they began handing them out. Doing so will guarantee me an earlier audition. Tickets are distributed with the wristbands. Last year, I was unaware and came when I could (late). There was no line, so I wondered where all the people auditioning were. The smart ones had gotten their bands before the late time I arrived, and I received a nosebleed ticket. Therefore, I spent about 12 hours waiting to audition. My ticket last year was in section two hundred something. This year it's 115.

2) I know when to wake up on audition day...and it certainly won't be at 3:30-4a.m. like last year. We didn't actually even enter the building until about 8:30-9 or so, and the auditions began pretty late. All the screaming and pointless waiting outside is just for t.v., folks. So I'm sleeping in a bit this year. The audition is my main goal, so that's all I'm really trying to do (minus the cheering and sitting in the heat part).

3) (As photographed), I wrapped my wristband with Glad wrap, because I was told it wouldn't get wet this way. It's fading a little and the lady put it on quite tightly. Tuesday can't come fast enough!

I'm hoping that this time I don't get the short end of the straw and that I don't end up at a table that is looking for "weirdos" with little to no talent like I did last time.

This post right here pretty much explains the WHOLE process, and I've been through it. So, I'm confident about going into it a different way this time around!

Five Ways President Obama changed HER life..

I thought this video was interesting, so I'm sharing it. Nice to hear something positive about the leader of our country. I was able to catch last night's Presidential Address by President Obama announcing the "sooner than some expected" date for the withdrawal of troops. I am a little curious to see how this is going to work and the ultimate result it will have on the economy/families across the country. Hopefully it's just as positive as this woman's life has become.

Congrats, Mavs...special shoutout to the benchwarmers.

Sunday night, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat 4-2 to become the 2011 NBA Champions. The team came together to make history, giving Dallas its first championship in franchise history. I know I haven't blogged very much about The Finals..I might not have discussed them on T.W.S. at all, but the team's victory is certainly something worth mentioning.

In my web browsing today, I found this really cool clip. Jimmy Kimmel and Usher teamed up to make this hilarious song and video. You'll see some players you haven't seen in a while.."Benchwarmers."Notably, I caught a glimpse of former Grizzlies player, Hasheem Thabeet.

Enjoy. :)

Dwayne Wade: My Life as a single NBA Dad (Re-post)

I found this article on Newsweek's website to be pretty touching. Check it out below.

Photo courtesy of: blackcelebkids.com

"There are a few words that come to mind when I think about the past couple years of my life: challenging, rewarding, transformative—they roll off the tip of my tongue in an instant. In the span of a year my two good friends LeBron James and Chris Bosh...(read more)

NBA fans will miss you, Kazaam.

We've seen him play a genie.
We've seen him demonstrate the meaning of "Taco Bell syndrome."

We have even seen him rap a diss about Kobe Bryant.

We have seen him in a Lakers, a Heat, and a Celtics jersey (+ a few more).

We've seen him miss repeated free throws..more than anyone could have imagined.

We have seen him on Shaq vs. attempting to play other sports.

And (my favorite), we've seen Aaron Carter proclaim "how he beat Shaq," dunking on Mr.O'Neal in a video.

Unfortunately, we have to say goodbye now to the entertainer (NBA fans). Shaquille O'Neal announced today that he is retiring from the NBA (Via Twitter). We will miss you, Shaq, and all of your memories. If you have any other Shaq memories to contribute, feel free to comment.

Get your laugh on with JT.

In case you missed SNL on Saturday night with Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga, check this funny video out.

Enjoy.

NBA postseason of hope and uncertainty

article by:stacia_doss.

Darrell Arthur(MEM) guards Russell
Westbrook(OKC) as he drives in for the
shot.

What a great winter and spring the Grizzlies had! They ended their victorious NBA postseason Sunday night, when the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated them 105-90 to close the series. But the high of how far the team came didn't end in Oklahoma City.

As the team arrived in Memphis, the players and coaches were greeted by over 1,000 fans welcoming the Grizzlies home at Wilson Air. The welcome only further stressed the echoing words that followed the team throughout the 2011 Playoffs: Believe Memphis. Fans truly showed that they still believe, and that's something the team has needed for a long time. Things should only go up from here. Congratulations, Grizz!

After the Oklahoma City Thunder's hard fought series win over the Memphis Grizzlies ended on Sunday, the team packed up to face the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas on Tuesday night. To no surprise, Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 48 points. His efforts propelled the team to a 121-112 victory over the Thunder. Kevin Durant respectively had 40 points, with eight rebounds and five assists. Thabo Sefolosha helped with two steals.

On the other side of the scoreboard's top player stats, though, were contributions mainly made by players other than Nowitski. Tyson Chandler had eight rebounds, Jason Kidd had 11 assists and three steals. JJ Barea was also a key player in Dallas' Tuesday night win. The key to an OKC win on the road will have to be somehow stopping Nowitzki's thunder, but with the help of his starters and bench, he seems unstoppable. The two teams will face off again for Game 2 Thursday May 19 at 8p.m. Check this out.

 AP Photo: Derrick Rose (CHI) guards Dwayne Wade (MIA)
challenging a tough shot.

In other NBA news, many anticipated the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls match up. Carlos Boozer and Derrick Rose met the likes of the Heat's "triple treat" which includes Chris Bosh, but more recently named "dynamic duo" of Lebron James and Dwayne Wade. The result was a Bulls 103-82 win in Chicago Sunday night.

In the regular season, Chicago won over Miami in all three games that the teams met. However, the stats overall were extremely close. None of those games were won by much more than a few points. But Sunday night told a different story. The next game will be Wednesday night at 7:30. Will Miami pull through or will Chicago ultimately win the Eastern conference finals?