Don't think I have seen this posted: Oregonian review

http://www.oregonlive.com/music/oregonian/...coll=7#continue

better late than never...another Portland fan meets DC

The saddest thing I can report is that I.somehow.missed.the.flashdance.moment.in.person. I had seats on the first level, so I was mainly using binoculars during Cook's set. I had them trained on him the entire set until my niece asked to use them. Guess which 30 seconds that was? Thank Jebus for Utube. The rest of the set was great, but seemed to be over so fast.

The brightest moment came after the show, when I got a chance (however brief) to meet Skittles! I absolutely suggest going to where the bus/fan area is after the show. It was super easy and we only waited about 45 minutes for the Idols to start rolling out. There weren't even that many people there and we got right next to the bannister thingy. Carly came first (gorgeous in person), then Archie (super cute and sweet) and Kristy (whatevs). Then who should come strutting out (and start on our end) wearing his baseball hat sideways all rap star like (fool): Mr D.! There was a lot of screaming. Then some person asked Cook loudly "if he was dating anyone," and if so, "was it that lovely Kim Caldwell from season 2?" He looked slightly peeved, and why not, since the lady obviously knew the answer to her question already. He replied, "yes, she is a sweet, sweet woman." And then he was standing right in front of me! With smudged guyliner! And orange shirt! And mesmerizing shiny piles of bling!

He was obviously hurried and had already established that he wouldn't be doing pictures. I had grabbed the People magazine couch picture on my way out and sheepishly shoved it towards him, saying, "would you mind signing this even though it is totally objectifying?" He laughed, bowed his head, and obliged. He then said, "people were asking me why I look like that and I said I was just so tired when I did that shoot, I was almost asleep." I said, "well lack of sleep is obviously a good look for you." Grin, look down. I realized later that I A) never complimented him on the show, winning AI or anything else besides his sexy (bad fan), and don't think I really looked him in the eye once (really bummed about that one, damn shyness). I remember casting my eyes upward and being face to face with the mesmerizing shiny bling. Seriously, I think it hypnotized me...

Some other observations:

1) He looks younger in person, and not as tall as I expected
2)The belly is barely apparent, and he is just generally a lot leaner than I expected
3) He seems more, I don't know, "dude like" in the flesh, like just some young post-college kid who got lucky on a tv show (drink!)
4) It was probably just the hurriedness, but he was a lot quieter and more serious-seeming than I expected

Castro and the rest of them came out later (Castro skipping, literally) and he was super sweet and goofy. David had to "borrow him" for some purpose I couldn't understand down the line (some fan request, I presume). They are obviously pals. The last person to come out (and by far the most chatty) was MJ. He looks and acts exactly as you would expect. I decided I would get him to sign too, so I said "I know this is kinda weird but this David Cook article is the only thing I brought." He grabbed the magazine and proceded to loudly read the headline "Sexy and Sensitive" in David's direction. He then says "it's amazing how much better looking you get after you win American idol." Guffaws all around. He signed "I love you, David Cook! MJ". He then went to my niece who had a magazine picture of the top six and he says, "where am I? Oh, I see, this is after I was voted off, hrumph." He is a kidder, that one. I also heard him down the line talking about their golf game saying "he kicked David Cook's ass," and
shouted, "You can't win everything, David." Ohhh...Mavid. Cute.

In conclusion, some tips for you would-be bus stalkers:

1) Leave the venue as soon as you can to get to the fan area-but realize that they don't always start at the "front" of the line. They started at the end at this show.
2) If you don't know where it is, ask security. We did, and they were super nice and helpful
3) Remember to compliment your Idol, and not just go into bling overdrive
4) Pick one thing you really want to say and rehearse. You won't get much time and it is over quickly

Portland, Oregon show this Friday! Anyone going to early to catch the buses?

Just wondering if anyone was planning on going to the Rose Garden early (probably around 12:00 or 1:00) to greet the buses and the David Cook and friends tour participants? I want to go, but would like to have a pal!

XM Top 20 Radio download

courtesy of someone from TWOP (it is edited without the songs in between):

http://www.mediafire.com/?znhkwfzuocl

Erik and Kathy morning show podcast?

Does anyone have this? I can only find the little snippet that is like 15 seconds long. Must have DC fix!