Right now I’m in Panera for the second time today. I was here for the first time when I met my friend Leigh for lunch, which was a luxurious hour of quickly devouring a chicken Caesar salad so that I could spend the rest of my lunch telling Alex to a) quit jumping on the chair b) quit pulling on the blinds c) quit interrupting, please quit interrupting, it would help Mama a whole bunch, sugar, if there could just be NO MORE INTERRUPTING.

Finally I just handed him my cell phone and said, “Do with it what you will. Punch buttons to your heart’s content. Just don’t hit the green button and we’ll be fine.”

And my cell phone idea was clearly brilliant, because as a result of it Leigh and I had EIGHT WHOLE MINUTES of quality adult conversation. What a treasure.

After lunch A and I made a quick trip to the library, ran home so that I could change clothes, went BACK by the little man’s school because I forgot to drop off some stuff the first AND second times I was there today (it was our third! exciting! trip! to the schoolhouse!), then headed over to my friend NK’s house so my boy and her girls could play while I sat on the sofa and stared off into space.

Oh, I kid. I’ll have you know that I managed to form a few words and maybe even some sentences.

So now A and his daddy are enjoying some time together, and Mama here has retreated to the well-lit, sufficiently Wi-Fi’d haven that is Panera. And I plan to sit here until I’m tired of sitting. Or until I’m tired of writing. Or until I’m just plain tired.

Hallelujah.

How are y’all?

Oh, how I adore it when we get to the phase of the competition where everyone is singing two songs. My level of happiness if off the charts, I tell you, because THIS IS ALL VERY EXCITING.

I will try to calm down a bit before I start talking about the actual performances.

I JUST NEED TO GET THE CAPITAL LETTERS OUT OF MY SYSTEM FIRST.

AND ALSO: I NEED ME ONE OF NEIL DIAMOND’S SPANGLY SHIRTS.

WOOT.

All better now.

Jason Castro - “Forever In Blue Jeans” - This is not one of my favorite songs - and I think the lyrics are sort of dated - but it was good to see Jason back in his comfort zone with guitar in hand. I’d have to consult the honorable FryDaddy to know for sure, but it sounded to me like he never found a range he was comfortable with in this song. And honestly, it was kind of boring. Perfectly nice - but kind of boring.

“September Morn” - HEY. WHAT THE HECK WAS GOING ON WITH PAULA EVALUATING THIS PERFORMANCE BEFORE IT EVEN HAPPENED? I mean, I know she could have taken notes during rehearsal or whatever, but I do think it was unfair for her to pretty much tell the world, “What’s coming up isn’t going to be very good” before we even saw it. That being said, Jason seemed really uncomfortable, and part of me wonders if he’s not ready to fly, fly away from the Idol coop. I’m just sayin’.

David Cook - “I’m Alive” - He’s just good, y’all. Even when I don’t love the songs he sings, I love to hear him sing them. Because he can sing anything and put an original twist on it. The end.

“All I Really Need Is You” - Well done with the thoughtful half-grin at the beginning of the song, Mr. Cook. And as far as the actual song, he delivered once again. He’s consistent, original and super smart about his performances. Love him.

Brooke White - “I’m A Believer” - Is it me, or has Brooke seemed really nervous the last few weeks? She seemed sort of hesitant at the beginning of this song, and like Jason, it felt like the song wasn’t in her range. I kept thinking of “The Partridge Family” when she was singing - and she didn’t seem comfortable at all.

“I Am, I Said” - I think Brooke is totally at home behind a piano, and I actually really liked this performance. The first part of the song especially came across as totally sincere - I even had goosebumps. Total rebound on Brooke’s part. Good for her.

David Archuleta - “Sweet Caroline” - For some reason this whole performance felt dated to me, almost like Bobby Brady was trying to win a talent show so he could replace the family portrait that Jan hit with her bike when she wasn’t wearing her glasses.

“America” - Eh. I wanted to like it. I feel like I should have liked it. But I just didn’t like it. I’m sorry.

Syesha Mercado - “Hello Again” - Okay, THIS was a modern take on a Neil Diamond song, which is exactly what Jason, Brooke and David A. were missing in their first songs tonight. I don’t think she hit it out of the park, but it was a solid double. And what in the sam hill am I doing using baseball metaphors? I have absolutely no explanation.

“Thank The Lord For The Nighttime” - LOVED this arrangement - it felt retro, not dated, and yes, there is a difference. I thought Syesha’s performance was fun, but I’m not sure it was her strongest…sometimes the song felt a little big for her. BUT, she was having fun, and for that reason alone it was enjoyable to watch.

Should go: Based on tonight? Jason.

Will go: I have no idea. I just know that it won’t be either of the Davids.

Best of the night: David Cook

If you’d like to add your AI post to the mix, just add the link to your specific post (not your general URL) below.

Thanks, internets!

Okay, internets.

Melanie, Travis and I are recording a podcast this afternoon.

So far we have all of one potential topic. ONE. UNO.

And granted, we usually don’t have some fancy outline with Roman numerals and stuff (oh, make no mistake: Roman numerals are VERY fancy), nor do we try to be, you know, EDUCATIONAL, but it’s always nice to have some conversational springboards.

So.

Does anyone have any lighthearted questions you’d like for us to answer? Something along the lines of TV / music / family silliness / movies / general trivia / just please oh please nothing involving science or history?

You have two hours to complete this mission. Because we’re recording at 3 o’clock central.

Fire away.

This is very, very cool.

(link via Anne on Twitter)

I just found this email in my inbox:

Hi, boomama.

eDiets (eDiets) is now following your updates on Twitter.

You may follow eDiets as well by clicking on the “follow” button.

Best,
Twitter

What? As if I don’t have enough pressure?

And now I have somebody called eDiets “following” me?

I feel that this is horribly unfair.

And also: I guess I’d better put down the cream cheese.