LJ Idol, Week 30: "Playing to Win"

[dslartoo]

I'm a sucker for a feel-good story. I admit it. I'm cynical and sarcastic, but I'm a sarcastic cynic with the damp, squishy heart of a romantic.

And so it was with a big upwelling of emotion that I watched, with interest, a link that a friend sent me earlier this week, 19-year-old Andrew De Leon's recent appearance on "America's Got Talent". This

Comments

[jem0000000]

Inspirational. :)

[dslartoo]

I don't know so much about "inspirational", but I do hope it gives some people a kick in the ass. Maybe that's sort of the same thing. :)

Thanks!

cheers,
Phil

[n3m3sis42]

Holy shit, dude. I guess I was the last person in the world who hadn't seen that video. How awesome is that kid?

The thing that struck me the most about his performance was that he had never sung for anyone before that, but somehow he still knew he was that good. Which you said, but that was what struck me before I read what you said. You know, after I watched the video and cried. Just wow.

[dslartoo]

It's always nice when I can actually turn somebody onto a new video or Internet Thing that they haven't actually seen. Particularly if they get around as much as you do. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

But yeah, how awesome is he to just GO for it with absolutely no feedback and no training. You gotta know you're good!

cheers,
Phil

[pixiebelle]

I somehow missed this video but WOW. This entry seriously moved me. Like, I have never felt like I was good at anything. Ever. I totally understand how that boy felt up there and to see him blow them away just moved me to tears almost. Because I know how amazing that must have felt for him.

Your entire entry spoke to me, which is hard to do in the world of Idol where emotional entries are so common. But this one really spoke to me and how I am with myself... so thank you for that.

[dslartoo]

It was my hope that this one would hit a few people in the solar plexus, the kind of punch that really gets your attention. Not because I wanted to make anybody cry, but because I wanted to remind people who are talented and awesome that they ARE talented and awesome, much more so than they ever think. You, incidentally, are definitely somebody I would count in that category. :)

I am glad that Annabelle is improving, sort of. It seems as if she's making forward progress, anyway, even if it is of the "two steps forward, one step back" variety. Poor doggie. Y'all are still in my thoughts.

Thanks for dropping by!

cheers,
Phil

[notodette]

Wow, thanks for linking me there. Amazing.

It is the year of the water dragon, I've heard. They tell me that means go big or go home. Let's do this shit.

[dslartoo]

Now *that's* the attitude we should all have. Good on ya!

Glad you enjoyed the piece, and the link. Thanks for dropping by.

cheers,
Phil

[m_malcontent]

Great voice. As an (amateur) actor I would like to see him ditch the contacts. The eyes can also be an instrument to convey meaning. Cool entry.

[dslartoo]

Truly has it been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. I agree that if he's going to do this professionally that losing the contacts might be a wise idea -- but on the other hand I think it's cool that he refused to bend even that much. :)

He does have a fine voice and I hope he goes far with it.

Thanks for coming by!

cheers,
Phil

[noodledays]

I felt the same way. I loved him and his performance, but depending on how far he goes, I really hope he loses the contacts at some point (soon). :D

[dslartoo]

I think it was cool that he wore them onstage, kind of like the rest of his clothing -- just a general "hey, this is the way I am, deal with it". I do agree that he'll probably want to ditch them at some point because the eyes really are a very expressive way to communicate. And I don't think he'll mind it much, either; he was just making a statement.

cheers,
Phil