TGES's Blog

October 30, 2008 -- New York Post

JOSIAH Leming, a homeless singer whose mother is dying of cancer, might be blocked from releasing the album he recorded because he was a contestant last season on "American Idol."

Leming, 19, who didn't make the show's top 24, received an official letter from "Idol" threatening legal action if he puts out his record in January as planned.

"Idol" contestants must sign strict contracts with the show's producer, Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment, promising to record only with the label chosen by "Idol" - Sony/BMG. The 19 Entertainment shop also retains exclusive right of refusal for management and merchandising.

When the smash-hit show began in 2002, only finalists had to sign the contract - but now it's mandatory for all contestants.

A rep for Leming, who grew up in Tennessee as one of eight siblings, said, "Josiah was the only 'Idol' contestant ever to get a record deal who didn't make the top 24, and one of only four contestants to get a deal this year. He has personal reasons for getting his music out, threat or not."

Leming was the young man who was living in his car, performing on the road, when he auditioned earlier this year and was told by Simon Cowell during Hollywood Week, "Of all the auditions this year, this is the one I am going to remember most."

Leming is now "is racing the clock," his rep told us. "His mother has terminal cancer, and nothing is going to stop him from getting his music out while she is alive to share it. His album on Warner Records will be released in late January '09."

Leming's lawyer has shot a letter back to "Idol" producers but hasn't heard back. "We're waiting," the rep said. An "Idol" rep didn't return our calls or e-mails.

THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!! (isn't it?).  Let's all boycott AI for being such big bullies...

I just read that Mayor Funkhouser has been conducting more and more city meetings at his home, since the City Council passed the ordinance that prevents Gloria from being at City Hall.

I think I can see where this is going...

(For those overly sensitive blog readers, the following is an attempt at sarcasm!)

I think Mr. Mayor and Gloooooria, G-L-O-R-I-A should get their jammies on, and conduct all city related business from their bed, until the Council repeals the ordinance (or simply call "do overs" like they did to the voter approved light rail plan).....It worked for John and Yoko.

I just saw the footage of Doppler Don escaping from a car, while it's sinking in a lake.

My first reaction was "why would you want to do that?"  My second: "why would you want to do that again?"

I admire your courage....to be willing to do that in the name of scie...uh whatever it was done in the name of....and to do it in a lake with 0 protection from the frigid lake water.....wow!

WTG!!! 

I just read the story of a 12 year old Florida girl who was called a racist, because she wore a pink "Go Sarah Go" shirt to school.

The girl was volunteering at the Republican Party headquarters, and received the shirt as a gift from fellow volunteers.

Next thing you know, plans for race riots will be underway for all major cities in the US, just in case Obama loses the election...

It has now become evident that the Hunt family has written off the Chiefs' season, as they are now entertaining the possible trade of Tony "I-me-my" G and Larry "I-me-my" Johnson to contenders?!?

Gee, if both are so desperate to leave Kansas City, then send them to whatever team gives KC the best offer, contender or not!  And if I remember correctly, Detroit is in need of a General Manager, so why not package up Carl "screwthefans" Peterson with the two "I-me-mys" and send them to the Lions.

If the front office is writing off the Chiefs season, then maybe the fans should too.

The mating season for deer is fast approaching, once again making them an unexpected hazard on our local highways.

At last count, I've seen 5 dead dear along I-35 from Brighton to the Hwy 152 exit.

Please use caution if you see deer standing near a road; their behavior is unpredictable, and they are likely to bolt right in front of your vehicle in a matter of seconds.

Does are being chased by the bucks, and the bucks don't stop for anything.

Hopefully, this will save you and the deer from having a very bad day.

Mike Hendricks had an article in the KC Star asking how the crime in Westport can be reduced.

This is very simple......customers should STOP GOING THERE!

No customers means the owners will either take action, or insist on it.  With that, the police can focus on the real problem, the scores of underage "thugs" that have no business being there in the first place.  Once the streets are clear of these "thugs," there will be nobody left, and that will be the community's sign that it is once again safe for "normal" people to enjoy the area.

Isn't that what the community did with Bannister Mall?  It worked there!  Now they get to start over, and will hopefully avoid their permissive mistakes that created the problem in the first place.

The Westport leaders need to be allowed to enforce their St. Patrick's day policy year-round.  Close off the streets, armband customers that are old enough to be in the bars, and if someone's  under age - go away! 

Las Vegas had to do it with their "Fremont Street experience," and it worked wonders.  Now tourists can safely walk most areas in downtown without fear of getting "jacked."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26783221#26
783221

Extended Stay Hotels has put together a commercial worthy of a spot in "Super Bowl primetime!"

Their main catch - flatulence, or to put it bluntly....farts! 

Extended Stay believes you will be so comfortable at their hotels, that you won't be afraid to "let one rip" no matter if you're in the lobby, the laundry room, or walking by another person's room!

I think I'll pass (gas) on this one!

Richard Wright, on of the founding members of Pink Floyd, died of cancer Monday.

His keyboard artistry provided the backbone of the Floyd's "trance" like rhythm.  Appropriately, he co-wrote several of the songs on the mega blockbuster 1973 album "Dark Side of the Moon," which has sold over 40 million copies.

Most recently, he was touring with former Pink Floyd guitarist & vocalist David Gilmour on his "On an Island" tour.

He now is up with Syd Barrett, mastering "The Great Gig in the Sky."

Rest in peace.

I'm seeing a lot of strange behavior in the animals that frequent our back yard oasis that has me very worried that it's going to be a nasty winter.

Here's just a few:

The sparrows are flocking at the feeders in groups of 15-30 at a time.  We normally don't see this kind of grouping until early to late October.

The hummingbirds are going through 2 quarts of nectar each week.  Generally, we don't refill the feeders like this until the end of September.

Large monarchs are passing through the area (migratory).  They generally peak in the KC area around the 20th of September.

The critters are doing their thing from 3-8 weeks early this year.  Does this mean Winter is going to read it's ugly head accordingly?

After watching the coverage on the KC Parks Board "putting their foot down" with regards to the Cordish Company and their enforcement of a dress code (at least they are enforcing their rules!!), the city better watch out!

If I were a Senior manager with the Cordish Company, I'd tell the city of KC to take a flying leap off a short road, and manage the Power & Light District themselves, if they are so good at it.

It would take less than 1 year, and the Power & Light district would become Bannister Mall II...

Michael Phelps will never be my hero!  Yes, he swam his guts out at the Olympic games, and I dutifully cheered for him and most other Americans.  But he will never be my hero...why?

1.  I couldn't afford to buy the "floatation assisted" swimsuits like his! ($1500 each with one to cover all body parts and the other to allow for shoulder rotation - give me a break)  I wonder how fast Mark Spitz could have gone had he been allowed to wear such a suit.

2.  I didn't receive "bounties" for winning medals at certain meets.  Back in my day, competative swimming was an amateur sport.  Most of us had to teach swimming lessons or work as lifeguards to help defray training expenses.  We also didn't get paid at the "Olympic development" level.

3.  Athletes (parents) had to pay to train at the Olympic development training facility in Colorado.  Now, they are paid to play - some are paid more than a full time physician!

4.  Most athletes in my day were students first.  None of us had the luxury of being a full time swimmer.

5.  It didn't pay to qualify for the Olympics when i was in my prime....why?  The United States boycotted the Moscow Olympics, so none of our athletes were able to attend!

The evolution of athletics to it's current status is a sad statement of our society in general...win at all costs, cheat if you can get away with it, and what's in it for me?

Whatever happened to the Amateur Athletic Uniion (AAU)?  Whatever happened to the Olympics being the "greatest gathering of amateur athletes in the world?

Today, we have to buy our heroes, in the past, heroism was earned!

The "Watchdog" in the KC Star ran an article that was asking why each of the 4 news stations had different colors to designate severe weather watches and warnings.  What an excellent question, but I would like to take it one step further.

Why is it that each of the 4 news stations in KC use different shades of RED for their watches and warnings. 

I am Red/green color-blind, and because of this, I have a difficult time in differentiating the watches from the warnings on ALL the stations.

Wonder if anyone has given any thought to this?

Just curious!

Have a nice, color coordinated day!

Last year, I was thrilled when I was able to get a "game-view" pic of a fawn and doe at the feeder.

Well, this year, we've had a much better show.

Photos are courtesy luckycharm62265.  For some other spectacular pics, please visit her photo album....there are some pretty remarkable pics out there (but I'm a little biased!!!)

Anyway, these fawns are a little over 1 month old.  We saw "mama" when she was still dragging in the middle of June.  The twins made their first appearance Sunday.

luckycharm has pics of another doe and her single fawn that came to the feeders last evening.  Hopefully she'll get those added soon.

Enjoy!

I know there has to be somebody out there in Blogland that will have the answer to this.

I've heard countless times how expensive jersey barriers are, so why is it that instead of moving or "recycling" the old jersey barriers on I-35 near the Paseo, crews are jackhammering them into rubble?

My other question is why would these crews be jackhammering them during rush hour?  What happens when shards of concrete fly into someone's windshield?

Amazing!