Christine Amsden's Blog: Christine Amsden Author Blog, page 48

AGT YouTube

I didn't do my normal run-through last night, and I can't get excited about doing it today. The truth is, I wasn't impressed with the YouTube show. Actually, I wasn't impressed last year, either, even if they did get one act out of it. This year's selection, while all basically good, did nothing to wow me. The one the judges and audience seemed the most impressed with was the guy bicycling with a black light. Clever, but seriously, it's not iLuminate. I don't even think it was as good as the act last year that began the trend. I was particularly disappointed in the show choir, because when it's good, I really like choir music. To be fair to them, the sound guy at AGT should be shot (that's a figure of speech). The background music was so loud I could scarcely hear the singers. This happens a lot, so they're not alone.

The best act of the night was the solo 14-year-old dancing around the stage, at least in terms of raw talent and just plain interest level. She was beautiful, and captivating. I hope she goes through.

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Book Review: Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal

This is one of those books I never would have picked up if not for my book club, my monthly oust from my comfort zone. And yet again, I was surprised by what I got out of the experience.

This may sound strange, but I loved the middle of this book. As Jesus (Joshua) and Levi (who is called Biff) set out in search of the wise men who visited the manger all those years ago, in an attempt to learn what it is that Joshua's father (God) wants of him, this book turns into an outlandish, at times ridiculous, and often laugh-out-loud funny adventure. The two travel the east, learning strange philosophies and religion, kung fu and meditation. The author takes liberties with history in lighthearted and often effective ways, making this something of a commentary on mankind. Joshua is portrayed throughout much of the book as one set apart, lonely and uncertain, with about as much information about what God wants of him as any of the rest of us have.

It took me some time to get into this book, not so much because the beginning was slow as because I just had to get used to the voice, and some of the outlandishness. Sections are written in modern days, with Biff in a hotel room with the angel who brought him back from the dead to write the gospel. Biff is presented as sort of a rough-edged jester, with his heart basically in the right place. He is unquestioningly loyal to Joshua from the start, which is, at times, a bit off-putting. Joshua questions his own divinity more than Biff ever does.

Without a doubt, the best part of this book was the part where it filled in the seventeen missing years of Joshua's life not mentioned in any of the gospels. It's hard to describe why it worked so well. Mostly, you just have to read it. The one-liners kept things light and amusing, but underlying all of this was a sort of human exploration of the wisdom of mankind.

I felt that something got lost once Joshua picked up his actual ministry. Before that happened, even though Biff didn't entirely understand his best friend, there was a real connection there. Joshua shared his triumphs and uncertainties with his best friend. Then, in the blink of an eye, Joshua seemed to know all the answers. I guess his father finally deigned to tell him a few things when he fasted for forty days, but I wouldn't have expected that to make him less human. The boy and young man who had been thirsty for knowledge and curious about the human condition, and especially about sex, lost nearly every scrap of humanity aside from occasional (and forced) stabs at humor. Biff's character, too, seemed to diminish at this stage, with Biff becoming more of a hanger-on than anything else.

I do recommend this, although I'm not sure who I recommend it to. I'd say anyone, Christian or not, who has an open mind about religion and spirituality? (I am spiritual, but not religious.)

Rating: 4/5

Title: Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal

Author: Christopher Moore

ISBN: 0380813815

Publication Date: February 1, 2003

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AGT 4th Quarterfinals

Tonight was tough. With the highly notable exception of Team iLuminate, I am less certain about tonight's prospects than I have been about any other night, and my accuracy has been fairly good. I wouldn't say the competition has been fierce. There were a couple of very good acts (and then team iLuminate, which blew the roof off), but the thing is, most of the acts were just plain good. Very even. I'm just not sure which way America will go on many of them, so tonight, more than any other night, will reflect more my personal preferences rather than guesses about who America will choose:

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Kinetic King

Prediction: Not going through.

Awww! Awww!!! I like this guy. He's got such a great attitude, even as the gadget he's worked without sleep for two days to build crashes and burns. Or actually, doesn't crash or burn, which would have been better. I tell you, if I didn't expect there to be a bunch more really good acts tonight, I would consider a sympathy vote, just for his great attitude and unique talent.

For the record, I do think the humidity killed his acts. I hope he finds another venue for his art.

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Zuma Zuma

Prediction: They have a real shot!

Wow! These men are fantastic. That's really all I can say.

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Avery and the Calico Hearts

Prediction: Might go through.

These girls are cute, but I haven't been as taken with them as others. I actually agreed with Piers who (for once) was very diplomatic with them as he said it was a bit early. They have the attitude and the moves, but I do think their voices need time to mature.

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Charles Peachock

Prediction: I hope he goes through!

Another WOW! I don't know what Sharon and Howie were smoking. I felt like I was in an episode of the Twilight Zone with them buzzing this guy and Piers loving him, but dang! This guy did bring it to the next level. He absolutely, no question in my mind, brought this show to the next level. Howie wanted what? For him to juggle upside down while hanging over a pool of sharks with lasers on their heads? At some point, the danger gets boring. (Which is my problem with straight danger acts…I doubt they'll ever actually take the contest.) We've seen that he's a good juggler. We've seen him juggle tasers in a pool of water. We've seen him set himself on fire.

And now we've seen that he's so good he ca play the piano with balls. He was not the ping pong guy. He was exciting, energetic, and fun to watch. I really hope this guy goes through because I don't know what might happen next!

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Sam B

Prediction: Not going through.

Ummm…why is this guy in Hollywood, exactly? He can't do anything *I* can't do, and let me tell you, that's not a compliment. My dancing ability can pretty much be summed up by playing Just Dance on the Wii. He's got a lot of enthusiasm, and a certain conceit, but I don't even get why his personality would put him on that stage. He's this year's WTF act for me. (There seems to be one every year, and to America's credit, they don't survive the first round.) I'm glad he's having fun, but I really have seen enough of a fat guy doing basic dance moves.

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Taylor Davis

Prediction: Probably not going through.

For the record, I think the key wasn't the problem, but it was the wrong song choice, and his voice was off at first. It was raspy, and the song needed to be smoother. I was underwhelmed.

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Melissa Villasenor

Prediction: Probably not going through.

I was disappointed in this act, because she's the last chance for a comedian to get through to round two, and I just didn't feel the funny tonight. She's talented. I normally groan at impersonations, but she does them quite well. I just didn't care for the material tonight. Still, I'm having trouble calling the acts tonight. A lot of them are very even, so who knows? I wouldn't mind giving her another shot.

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Scott Alexander

Prediction: Has a real chance.

I liked this. I was with Piers on this one — making people disappear is an old trick, but he juiced it up by having an entire singing gospel choir disappear. It was slick and well done. I'd like to see a magician in the second round, and this guy is our last chance, but I'm not sure if he'll make it through. The competition is tough.

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Fatally Unique

Prediction: I'll give them 50/50

These guys are awesome dancers, but the problem with big dance groups like this is that I just don't like the music they dance to. Where do they find these songs? I don't like to listen, which really hurts the performance. I can't feel the beat — or don't want to — and so it's harder to appreciate their great moves. The dance acts have been way above average this year, so I don't think this group will make it.

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Yellow Designs Stunt Team

Prediction: Has a good chance

I didn't think I would like this group. Most of the stunt teams like this are impressive, true, but the acts are just kind of more of the same. But they really brought together a theme and made it interesting. I wish that guy hadn't fallen at the end. It probably will keep me from voting for them, but they have a shot.

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Frank Miles

Prediction: Probably won't go through.

I liked this guy. He made me laugh more than the comedian did, so that's something. It was a shame that the trick didn't work, and honestly, as much as he pushed the danger, it's something I've seen before, so I don't know if he'll go through or not.

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Team iLuminate

Prediction: Shoe in!!!!!!!

Wow! This act not only is going through tonight, but they're my favorite for the overall winner right now. They're the only act so far that has really convinced me they belong, not just in this competition, but in the finals. WOWOWOWOWOWOW! The dancing, the choreography, the lights, the imagination….If these guys don't go through, I quit watching this season. Seriously.

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My top five picks this week:

***** Team iLuminate *****

Zuma Zuma

Charles Peahock

Yellow Designs Stunt Team

Scott Alexander

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Call me Christine

Names are a strange thing. They carry within them the power of self-identity, even though this is something they were probably never supposed to do. Who are you? You'll probably answer with your name. Who am I? Christine.

For those of you who remember Babylon 5, you may recall a scene in which Delenn is "tested" by a representative of the Vorlons. They ask, "Who are you?" and she gives her name. She is punished, because that doesn't answer the question, so next she tries her title, her occupation, her parentage…none of it is the answer to the question.

No more is Christine truly the answer to who I am, but it's all I have.

As the name is tied integrally to my self identity, I have real trouble when people try to call me something else. The least offensive is Christina, as it is usually a matter of mis-hearing or mis-remembering. Christina, after all, is a more popular form of my name. It still isn't my name.

What's worse is when people spin their own nicknames for me — Chrissy, Christy, Chris — these are not my names. Christine may be an inadequate answer to, "Who am I?" but these aren't even an adequate answer to, "What are you called?"

This isn't about formality. It isn't about snobbery. It's just about my name. Actually, I don't respond well to "Ms. Amsden" either, although it works just fine in a formal letter or review. When I see it, there is an extra split-second in which I have to remind myself that the writer is talking about me.

Why is Christine my name? Why don't I just decide to go by a nickname? I have no better answer than because my parents named me Christine, they called me Christine, and I have never had a reason to question their naming. Some people, for one reason or another, are called to become their own namers, either because the name their parents chose never suited them, or else because they went through a significant transition and no longer feel connected to their childhood names. This isn't true for me. I am not the same person I was as a child, but the name has followed me through each gradual shift that brought me smoothly from who I was, to who I am.

So, please, call me Christine. It may be just a name to you, but to me, it is a link to my self.

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Tips for Writers: Inspiration on Endings from Jim Butcher

Tuesday night, I attended a Q&A and book signing with Jim Butcher. I went as a fan, not a writer, and most of the questions he answered were fan-based questions about characters and plots. He received a surprising number of questions from people who seemed to want spoilers. (Really? Don't you want to enjoy making discoveries as they happen?)

One person asked him an interesting question about how the series would eventually end. Apparently, this particular fan has had a lot of bad luck with disappointing endings, particularly in regards to sorcerers. I'm not sure I agreed with his premise, but I was very glad he asked the question, because Jim's answer helped me figure out what's been bugging me about the end to my urban fantasy series.

Basically, and please forgive the paraphrasing, by the end of a story, especially an epic journey, the main character should be uniquely qualified to overcome the final challenge.

I love it! Well, I hate that it means I'm going to have to rewrite the last two books in my series from the ground up, but hey, none of them have been published yet anyway.

It took me a couple of days of thinking to apply the advice to my own story. At first, I wanted to reject the idea because I'm not writing the kind of action/adventure/superhero story he's been writing. My Cassie Scot series is about a woman coming to accept herself for who she is, and not who she thinks she should be. It's a romance between her and a man her family hates. Each book is a mystery, and Cassie the detective.

Yet, in my original ending I had her taking on a "big bad guy" almost single-handedly. It doesn't follow from who she is nor what she can do. It obliterates my points that not everyone has to be the biggest and the baddest thing out there to be a hero. I won't tell you how I've changed the ending, because, as I already said, do you really want spoilers? Suffice to say, it's better. I have that buzz going on that tells me I'm on the right path. (Or is that just me?)

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America's Got Talent Third Quarterfinals

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Ian Johnson

Prediction: Not going through

He's good with a yo-yo, no question, but I don't see it as a Vegas act. Plus, he dropped the yo-yo a couple of times.

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Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.

Prediction: See you next round!

I don't usually like this style of music, but somehow, this guy brings it. He really is a study in contrasts, and I thoroughly enjoyed his performance.

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Purrfect Angelz

Prediction: Not going through

I liked this act. They were entertaining. I liked the song choice. I just think I've liked a lot of other acts a lot better.

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Monet

Prediction: Might go through.

She's 12?!?! She does have a lot of passion, but I didn't think her voice was spot on, and as tough as the competition was tonight, I don't see her going through.

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Captain and Maybelle

Prediction: Not going through.

They're good at what they do, but I didn't really want to watch this.

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Lys Agnes

Prediction: My favorite — hope she goes through!

Fabulous! I was a little worried about her from the audition, because she was just so emotional. But this was terrific. What I look for with opera, especially in a foreign language, is to understand it. She brought it to life with her acting and singing. I COMPLETELY, 100% disagree with Piers on this one. She was my absolute favorite of the night, and I hope she goes through.

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Professor Splash

Prediction: Might go through

Apparently, he broke a world record. What he's doing is crazy dangerous and impressive, but I don't need to see it again. It just doesn't make an act.

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Top Five:

Seth Grabel

Poplyfe

Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.

Lys Agnes

Hmmm…that's only four. I'm really having trouble predicting the last. Let's go with Professor Splash, because the judges are fascinated with him.

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Book Review: Kiss of the Highlander

***Warning: This title and my review are not fit for children.***

This is pure, no-holds barred, romantic fantasy at its most basic and primitive level. This entire series is one of those guilty pleasures for me, because if you try to think about it with logic, it falls apart. But if you just let go of your disbelief and your inhibitions…wow!

Our hero is a 16th century Scotsman, every inch of tall, dark, and handsome. He's got a manly Scottish accent, a dark possessive streak, an intimidating sense of power (physical and magical), and raw, primitive sexual energy. He's been asleep for five centuries, but now he's loose on the world, and on Gwen's heart.

Gwen is short, bookish, idealistic, and innocent. She's attractive, but it's clear this book is written for women. Gwen is our identifiable heroine, the woman who shouldn't be able to get the man every woman drools over, but does.

There's a certain energy in Moning's writing that is difficult to describe unless you read it. It's the energy that really makes the difference between a thrilling book and one that falls flat. There's magic, there are twists and turns, and a few really well-done moments, but mostly, there's just this pervasive energy.

Rating: 4/5

Title: Kiss of the Highlander

Author: Karen Marie Moning

ISBN: 044023655X

Published: September 4, 2001

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America's Got Talent 2nd Quarterfinals

), but it's not my favorite thing to watch. And as the judges said, it could have been tighter.

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Dani Shay

Prediction: Probably not going through.

I've been interested in Dani since her first audition, and not because she's a celebrity lookalike. I was initially drawn to the fact that she sang AND wrote her own songs. In Vegas, she choked while performing her own song and got a second chance with a cover song that she sang very well. Tonight, she sang a song I don't know, which is rough. She performed it well, making it into a little story, but I'm uncertain about her. Her voice is quite good, but there are better singers in the competition. Her performance is quite good, but there are better performances. I'm not sure what she brings of her unique self to the competition at this point, now that the judges have naysayed her using her own songs.

I do hope she does well, whether she stays in this show another round or not.

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Geechy Guy

Prediction: Might go through.

He's a comedian. I laughed. That's usually a good sign. I did agree with Howie that comedians have a tough sell on this show. They have a couple of minutes to develop their personality and make people laugh. This guy does one-liners, which, actually, fit pretty well into a minute and a half. And I laughed, more or less, at each one he delivered tonight. None of them had me cracking up, but they were all amusing.

I hope he does well, whether he goes through to the next round or not. (Don't worry about Piers. In case anyone wasn't sure, this season he's clinching the fact he has no sense of humor.)

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Daniel Joseph Baker

Prediction: Probably not going through.

This is one of those tough calls where I just feel like there was a disconnect between my experience and everyone else's — or at least, with the judge's. The guy's good. He's a performer. And a character. Loved the piano and the outfit. I'm not sure what the "fierceness" was all about. And I can't honestly say he's a favorite of mine, though I can't say why. I even feel (and I recognize I don't know what's truly inside a person, but this is still my perception) that he's a bit unnatural. That the face he puts on is a bit forced.

Still, he seems like a nice guy, and I hope he does well.

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Rhinestone Ropers

Prediction: Not going through

This was a let down after their first performance with the guns and the knives. I'm not sure what they were going for, but they lost me fairly early on. It wasn't entertaining.

But seriously, Piers, lay off. You gave your opinion. You didn't have to interrogate and ridicule the guy! See, all you're doing now is making us feel sorry for the guy, so we may vote for him out of pity. And, I mean, there was a horse. Everyone loves horses.

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Dylan Andre

Prediction: Not going through.

The strange thing about this act is that before the judge's comments, I thought he was about as good as all the other singers who had gone so far tonight. There have been a lot of good singers, but none that had that something special. They seemed to think

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Landon Swank

Prediction: I hope he goes through!

I like this guy. I liked his trick. I've seen it before, but I don't think that's the kiss of death for a magician. (Like some judges I know.) I felt a little sorry for this act because I saw they were having prop trouble and were fixing their setup rather than rehearsing. I could tell. I thought it needed a bit more practice. BUT…and this is a big BUT…I love this guy. His balloon trick was one of the neatest magic tricks I've seen and I really hope he goes through. I want to see more of that, and I want to give him more chances. He's a good magician. Even tonight, with all the difficulties, that much was obvious.

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Smage Brothers Riding Show

Prediction: Probably going through.

These guys are great at what they do. It was dangerous, they did it almost perfectly, they've got serious talent. Especially given the standing ovation they got, I'd say they're going through.

I will say, personally, that I don't tend to be a fan of shows like this, especially on a small stage. It seems to me that what they do belongs outside where they have room to get up to speed on those motorcycles. But I have little doubt we'll see them again.

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Thomas John

Prediction: Not going through.

He's entertaining. I basically like him. But he dropped the pins.

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Steven Retchless

Prediction: Hope he goes through!

Well, I for one thought it was obvious how much strength a pole dancer would need to have. This guy is a gymnast. He does his moves gracefully and with incredible strength.

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Mona Lisa

Prediction: Probably not going through.

They're good singers. Once again, I didn't feel anything special was there.

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Silhouettes

Prediction: Shoe-ins!

Brilliant! Different! I love what they do and have never seen anything like it. I liked their audition piece a little more than tonight's, but I don't care. I want more! More! More!

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So, to sum up, I think the top five will be:

Silhouettes

Steven Retchless

Smage Brothers Riding Show

Landon Swank

Geechy Guy

I also predict that if spots 4 and 5 go to Geechy guy and Steven Retchless, leaving the judges to save one, Piers' head will explode.

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Book Review: Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor

Short, sweet, and poignant.

Six-year-old Holly stops speaking after her mother dies in a terrible car crash, leaving her orphaned and in the care of her two uncles, Mark and Sam. Mark, who never wanted children, steps up and falls easily in love with the little girl, though he worries about her. Then one day, Maggie, the owner of a toy store, works some magic and helps Holly find her voice.

This wasn't a long book — I read it in about two hours — like a Lifetime movie for women, except better. Mark was a wonderful hero, initially in a relationship with the wrong woman. Maggie is a widow who is afraid to fall in love again, which I didn't find quite as interesting, but she was lively and I could see they were well-suited.

I thought the ending was a bit rushed, but overall, I recommend this to romance readers who want something they can finish in one sitting.

Rating: 4/5

Title: Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor

Author: Lisa Kleypas

ISBN: 0312605862

Published October 26th, 2010 by St. Martin's Press

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AGT The Results

Can I just be honest for a minute? I hate the results shows on America's Got Talent. An hour of nonsense during which all I want to know is, "Which of the 12 acts are going through?" The long, drawn out pauses before announcing the winning act always drove me crazy, but that is nothing compared to creating an entire, hour-long show, with completely random acts performing in between results.

I didn't watch it last night. I waited until this morning, fired up the show on hulu, and skipped to the results. I had to watch several commercials in between each result, but it still only took me 15 minutes, instead of an hour.

So…I just watched the results show on hulu, and saw two small surprise, based on my predictions. The Fabulous Flores Family went straight home, while the Fiddleheads got either 4th or 5th place, and a second chance. The bigger surprise, though, was that the Miami All Stars also got 4th of 5th place, and needed a judge's save. They did go through, but I fully expected them to slide through on America's vote. I was not at all surprised that the judges chose to save that act.

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