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[gmgr]

--------con't from yesterday---

Frump


--CHAPTER II--

THE INCIDENT


It is early in the competition--
the contest still on the small stage.
Everything is new--
the contestants still feeling
their way through.

In his "getting to know me" video
before his performance,
David defines himself as a word nerd
and speaks of how he enjoys crosswords
and learning vocabulary.
It certainly gets my attention.
An Idol with an affinity for words?
Smart! Interesting!

Then he sings "Alright Now."”
He's feeling good, frosty,
tossing picks to the audience--
excited and happy--
giving a really nice show.
Randy and Paula love it.
Then Simon--trying mightily
to make some derogatory comment,
being a real frump and throwing ice
on the party--finally comes up with:

"That video was very uninteresting.
You need to do better. Your problem is
that you don't have a lot of charisma."”

David has a very keen mind.
We can see in his face the instant
(it only takes about two seconds)
he has the perfect retort, then he says it:

"Fortunately, I don't need to impress
you with my charisma. I need to impress
these guys," as he points to the audience.

Cheering. Applause. Someone got Simon.

It is an impetuous but natural response
from our quick-witted word nerd.
He isn't thinking about some adverse reaction.
David is just playing with words and
enjoying the feisty banter.
Unfortunately, he does not know Simon.

Simon, who feels his importance,
obviously does not like to be bested
or put down in a "wit"”contest,
especially by an arrogant kid and
before an audience of millions.
He is probably embarrassed.

He is definitely angry.


--------------continuation tomorrow

[gmgr]

------con't from yesterday


Sacrilegious


-CHAPTER III-

SIMON'S SNIT


David is feeling good--a smug little smile
teasing the corners of his mouth.
He knows he has won this exchange.

Simon--his voice icy--strained:

"David--the way this works is,
you and I have a conversation
and then the public chooses.
It's called an opinion."”

David blinks.
This is not a good reaction.
His chin goes up, defensive,
he realizes he's in trouble--
"Absolutely"--”
and is trying to smooth things over
and mollify Simon.

Paula purses her lips and rolls her eyes at the exchange.

Seacrest to Simon: "You look annoyed."”

Simon--now more emphatic--being a real prick:
"I'm just a bit irritated at the pointing
out the rules of the competition.
I think I know by now the rules of this competition."

Seacrest: "He didn't mean any disrespect."”

David--scared now: "No. Not at all."”

Simon rolls his eyes. There is no positive comment.

As Seacrest gives his call-in numbers we see David,
solemn, his expression pained,
feeling chastised--
his vitality and energy drained.
Then a brief wan smile and it's finished.

This was all unnecessary.
It embarrassed and frightened David
in front of a studio full of people,
his friends and family,
his hometown fans,
and a vast TV audience.
It could have affected the voting and
lessened his chances of making
it through the round.
David had to be thinking all these thoughts--
and he had just given
a fine performance of "Alright Now."

Simon should remember
that these contestants are not professionals.
They are just kids with talent
and they are really vulnerable.
But Simon sees himself as THE American Idol icon
and demands proper respect for his status,
especially from the AI contestants.
Since the Hollywood audition,
Simon had wanted to take David down.
This small bit of "back-talk" then,
this sacrilegious lack of veneration
for himself, the AI deity,
was just the opportunity
Simon had been seeking.
And he seized it.
He drew blood from David that night
and continued throughout the next week.

As we shall see, this contention
nearly ruins the competition.
However, at this point
neither of our participants know it.

---------continued tomorrow------

[gmgr]

---------Con't from yesterday------


Aborigine


CHAPTER IV

MELTDOWN


There are a few reports
of David in a meltdown
just before going onstage.
It occurred early in the show.
The reports referenced only one source
however, so the truth of it is a little tenuous.
However, given all we now know
of events, of David's personality
plus some additional information to come,
it is possible, maybe even likely,
that after the experience with Simon
it did happen.
Let's examine.

Imagine, if you will, it is early in the competition--
the week of the third round--just before "Hello."
Last week, after "Alright Now," David was
castigated before millions for a "not so bad retort."”

David to Billboard reporter, speaking of the incident:
". . .and I didn't say anything bad and I certainly was not trying to be demeaning toward him in any way. . ."
*(see entire quote below)

And continue to imagine David's chagrin
as all during the week Simon has been repeating
in public, to reporters, that David is cocky and arrogant.
That had to take its toll--leave him worried and afraid
about what might happen when he is next on stage
and confronting Simon.

It has been a hard week for David
dealing with the aftereffects of a brief,
ill-considered statement.
Now it's Tuesday night and time to sing "Hello"”
and he has changed it.
The song is not Lionel Richie's original.
Will the judges like it? Is Simon still angry?
Will Simon use this as an opportunity
to malign his ability? To tear him down?

David has a following in his hometown.
But what if Simon says he is no good?
David is already building a career.
What if Simon calls him cocky and arrogant?
What if his fans are watching and they hear?
He has already destroyed his aborigine-like,
Mohawk-style haircut.
Is this sojourn onto Idol going to, also,
destroy his reputation?
Will his hometown fans reject him?
Will those who now recognize his talent
think they may be wrong?
Fans can be so fickle.


And does he really need to face this?
To possibly again be humiliated--
embarrassed--harassed--deflated--
before a gazillion people--
on the most watched TV show in existence?

All these thoughts are pounding in his head
and he's nervous, anyway, before any performance.

Reports:

"David has been completely stressed out during the entire season. During one of the first shows, David broke down and said he couldn't perform that night -- and changed his mind at the last minute."”

"Earlier in the season, just before a performance, David collapsed and said he could not go on -- though he pulled it together at the last minute."

I can imagine the scene--
David backstage and
dressed for his performance,
nervous, upset, in tears
with other Idols gathering round,
trying to be supportive--
the dressers and stylists hovering,
repairing make-up and hair,
with his mother and family attempting to comfort
and cajole and convince him he is not a quitter.
And that would be the suggestion
that changed his mind.
David has courage. He would never
quit and walk away no matter
how great the provocation.

Although circumstantial,
I believe the evidence is strong.
It is at this moment--over this seemingly
small episode--
that we almost lost David.
It would have been such a disaster.

----------story conclusion tomorrow


* Full quote from David to Billboard reporter:

"I learned a very hard lesson in week two when I sang Free's "Alright Now" and Simon referenced the pre-packaged video and I made some comment and I didn't say anything bad and I certainly was not trying to be demeaning toward him in any way but at the time, it was a speak-before-you-think kind of vibe. The lesson I learned is when Randy, Paula or Simon talks to you, unless they ask you a question, you probably shouldn't say a word. . . . ."

[gmgr]

------con't from yesterday


Mantic


--CHAPTER V--

DENOUEMENT


If David had left that night and gone home:

There would have been no “Hello”
or “Little Sparrow.”
There would have been no “Billie Jean”
or experiencing the joy of the finale.
We would not have witnessed his transformation
nor would we be “word nerds” or have all
the wonderful memories
of a summer filled with concerts
and meetings and pictures
and touching.
We would never have come to know him
and the arc of our lives would not be holding
this beautiful new dimension
which is continuing to weave its magic.
His leaving the show would have been,
quite simply, tragic
and it takes no mantic prophesizing
to understand how much our lives
would be diminished without him.

But, instead, David managed to pass by this moment
and the season went on. “Hello” became a
standard by which to judge all the others.
David grew and commanded, gained confidence
and stature.
He put this incident behind
and later even found
an opportune spot to have some fun
with it.

On a results show, David:

“Earlier in the season he (Simon) called me arrogant and smug and pompous
and I was just wondering what other adjectives could be used to say the same thing.”

Cue laughter from the audience and Simon.

And another find--
a moment to practice discretion
and deference and refine
this “very hard learned lesson:”

Seacrest:

“Simon said you looked a little smug last night.
How do you react to that?

David: (Hands in pockets, sheepish)

“I don’t.”

And we hear Simon’s raucous laughter.

This is the history, the facts, the compilation
of events that occurred and formed a part of the panorama
that has engrossed and enthralled and captured
us for almost a year.

This is what happened.


“There are a hundred stories on American Idol and this has been but one.”

[gmgr]

Doyen


They were all nervous on SNL.
And David? W-e-l-l--
I'd have to say he was VERY nervous.
After a year on American Idol,
after a summer of concerts and
singing before thousands,
after innumerable appearances
and creating a record
and tracking a single
and making a video--
he was still VERY nervous.

But now he is the leader, the instigator,
the reason for the band's existence.
He carries RESPONSIBILITY for others,
for his band members and his producers,
for his label and writers,
for himself and to his family and friends
and his millions of fans.
He may not be the oldest,
but he is the doyen--the head--
the One that all turn to and
point to and from whom all demand
PERFECTION.

It makes all the difference.

[gmgr]

Opine


Now I understand why you were apologizing.

"We're trying to make this video
appeal to as broad an audience as possible.
You know--a boy meets girl, boy gets girl
kind of vibe."”

Those were your words, sort of,
and when you said them
I saw a small red flag
and I thought:
"He doesn't like it."”

Tomorrow I'll inveigh against the producers and opine
on the colossal mistakes they are making.
(I'm old so I have no qualms about speaking my mind.)

Just don't be too embarrassed, Sweetie.
You looked great and sang great
and I really like that the Mohawk has
disappeared--again.
I know that video was not your decision.
It was some producer who
has his/her "Davids" confused.
I'll still buy it for I support
your every endeavor.
But will I again watch it?
No. Never.

[gmgr]

Imprimatur


Let's call a spade a spade.
That video was not David.
And it was bad.
We do David no favors
by pretending it was anything other.
David is sophisticated, mature,
sexy and honest.
That video was "none of the above."
It may have been filmed well,
I'll give that to the director,
but the story was atrocious.
Even I could write better.
Just give me thirty minutes.

Did any of the so called experts
now surrounding our David
and managing and expanding
and growing his career
ever listen to "Light On?"”
It's a beautiful song
filled with anxiety and desire
and heartbreak and longing.
It's a song about vulnerability
and responsibility and fulfilling
one's duty
even when leaving your loved ones
and facing some "great unknown."”
The song is just much too heavy
for a lightweight story
about pre-teen angst
while sipping on a soda.

It's important that EVERY output, EVERY performance
bearing David's imprimatur be something
that will lead him forward and will advance
him in the eyes of those he needs to impress.
He can't build a career as a rock star
with some pre-teen, high school mentality.
A video like this diminishes him in the eyes
of those rock aficionados
who will form the basis of his success.

Couple this latest debacle with the
lack of promotion before his single,
the lack of radio play after its roll-out,
the timing of its release--in the midst of
several well-known artist outputs--
and I have to wonder,
who are these people guiding
and leading and helping David?
I've been content up to now
to give them the benefit of the doubt,
but my confidence in their ability
has taken a nose-dive quite precipitous.
I know they have big names and compelling histories,
but they are hurting David, not supporting him.
Do they really know what they are doing?

I can't help but ask.

[gmgr]

Putrefaction


Have you ever seen a barnyard hen
when one of her brood is threatened?
I have.
It's not a pretty sight.
Her feathers stand up,
her wings are aflap.
There is a cacophony of raucous
and strident and virulent
squawking.
And the unearthly beam
emanating from her eyes
as she charges the menace,
willing to fling herself into
the very jaws of death,
would dissect and cleave
and slice up your flesh.

This is what I may become soon
as I am witnessing the yellow
flags of caution
and am beginning to perceive
some danger building.
The latest signal was the video.
For the music world can be incredibly
cut-throat and,
although there are good people
around and in it,
there are others who only want to
make money off of an artist.
And they will if they can.

So my white hair is electrified and
standing on end.
And the demonic glint in my eye
cries a fair warning
to any degenerate of loose
moral turpitude or putrefaction
that would misuse or abuse
our David.

For he is one of my chicks now.
And he is beautiful and good and decent.
So like the old mother hen that I am,
I will guard and defend him
and battle and contend for him
until my last breath ends.

[VirginiaCookie]

I was so relieved to read what you opined about Light On's video! I was afraid I might be the only one who really really did not like it.....at all..... I thought it's whole concept was too corny, too adolescent and an inappropriate reflection of the lyrics. I don't think I have mantic powers, but I must say I saw this coming...especially after taking a look at the "Ricky Martin style" cover photo...So, I also wonder, who gave the imprimatur to this "overcomercial" version of David? You are right gmgr, they are not helping him grow and develop his true potential...not like this...they are only putrefying and corrupting his artistic essence.

(I have no idea if I used the words "opined" and "imprimatur" properly...I'm getting rusty )

[gmgr]

Progeny


As the long expected birth approaches
and we face, ready to embrace,
your creative progeny
our minds race
as we search for you
and for your thoughts
and seek to know you
through the snippets of songs
from your new album.

These small tastes enchant us.

I was so relieved to read what you opined about Light On's video! I was afraid I might be the only one who really really did not like it.....at all..... I thought it's whole concept was too corny, too adolescent and an inappropriate reflection of the lyrics. I don't think I have mantic powers, but I must say I saw this coming...especially after taking a look at the "Ricky Martin style" cover photo...So, I also wonder, who gave the imprimatur to this "overcomercial" version of David? You are right gmgr, they are not helping him grow and develop his true potential...not like this...they are only putrefying and corrupting his artistic essence.

(I have no idea if I used the words "opined" and "imprimatur" properly...I'm getting rusty )

Word usage is fine, VC. Commercial has two "ms". Great use of so many of the "words of the day". How are things in Argentina? Is it springtime?

[gmgr]

Gustation


In dreams--
senses exploding--
we see him
and hear him,
touch then awake
and smile
for there,
beyond aroma,
beyond simple gustation
are smell and taste
and remembering
the dream.

[gmgr]

Careen


Rock music,
the exemplar of our culture,
from its starting point
its sounds and words and
thought patterns
moved outward to an extreme,
beyond the tastes of the majority
who believed that “good” rock was over
and so left then watched as rock
came fumbling and stumbling
and careened back toward the center--
and yet, and yet we notice,
not all the way back--
not a return to the beginning,
just toward it.

This movement, out to the edges,
back toward the center,
expansion then contraction
is seen throughout the progression
of history.
It is the pattern of politics
and social mores and societal “values.”
It is life as we live it.

David is in the era
of the centering,
a normalization that, for him,
should prove quite successful
before rock music begins, again,
to march outward, toward the extremes,
to lead and reflect the reaching,
the forward searching of a
society, its culture and its people.

[gmgr]

Cram


Do you know how long
all this has been going on?
It began last January,
almost a year ago,
with an innocent
look at a show
I had seen for six years
with little interest or fascination.

Then by April one contestant
had me booked, hooked,
tied up, totally Cooked
reeled in and locked
and it still has not stopped.

I've never been a "fan"”before.
Does this go on forever?
For over six months now
--every day--
I have written, watched,
inveighed, played
and I'm still trying to cram in more
of David!

This is all very peculiar.

[gmgr]

Humdrum


So here I shall end these days
of writing and versifying.
It has been a merry time.

My life has changed.
I've left behind the humdrum
existence of one my age
and found another calling
that beckons with excitement
and fascination and with challenge.

David has done this for me.

I am now immersed in music
and writing lyrics and verse
and songs
and have found an outlet
for some creativity
that had never before appeared.
To hear the sounds in my head
I had to buy a Yamaha keyboard
and resurrect some training
that had been long forgotten.

I'm still amazed at what has happened.

There are some who are encouraging
me to take this forward
and find some space to shape
and leave a bit of myself
on a small part of our world.
I want to try.
It requires a lot of attention
so I'll not come here again.

Thanks to all those who read my offerings
and to those who said they
enjoyed my thinking.
Your words were assuring
and a part of this transfiguration.
I am grateful.


This is all your fault, David.

[VirginiaCookie]

It's 11 PM here in Argentina, and I´m sitting in my bed, PC on my lap, listening to the new CD and not being able to stop the involuntary saltation produced by these wonderful new songs.....but suddenly the words I read in the screen make me seat still with a perplexed look on my face...

Reading your verses, thoughts and reflections over the last months has been a pleasure, P, I will surely miss it (but I'm very glad you'll be doing something creative because I'm sure your heart and soul still have a lot to give).

Love,

Virginia

[davidcook17]

it's funny because Ive always talked like this (avid reader...the vocab gets picked up along the way)...but people give me blank stares.

haha i feel the same way

[NowWereCookin]

LOL same here and whenver I tell people I am a word nerd they go.... why? You like to call yourself a nerd? Then I tell them my obsession over DC and then the get it (most of the time.)

You have David's tuxedo shirt? Cool, I reall want one where can I order it or was it only a one chance thing? I have the bracelt I bought at the concert I wear it everyday!