Top 16- freakin' amazing!

While I was watching (late) last night- I realized I had about 12 minutes to get in as many votes as possible. Top 16 dancers - hot stuff! Okay, so not all of them - just a few of my favorites. Here's my rundown in the quickest version possible! As always - if you want to see the clips- visit Tapeworthy (see link to the right) where they are all available.

Best Couple - Mark and Chelsie H. -Hip-Hop - This is to me the equivalent of Season 2's Umbrella Hip-Hop with Ivison. I love how these two pull off so many different styles and are just the perfect couple together. Chelsie is the best at being a character among the females and Mark is just such a great performer! He is alive on that stage! I think his oddness just makes him ideal to match Chelsie's school girl perfectness!

2nd Favorite - Joshua and Katee - I've officially crossed over. I like Katee. I honestly feel badly for ever disliking her. SYTYCD screwed her personality in the beginning and she has been fantastic in every style so far! I love how she is pushing herself to be so good at everything. Joshua is just amazing! His cheeks for sure filled out the pants! I'm amazed by his all around abilities. ---They may never have to dance their solos ---
Least Favorite - Chelsea and Thayne -- sorry, I think they try hard. They are great contemporary dancers, but the quick-step is never good for anyone!Except Lacey and Kameron! Sadly- this is 3 weeks in a row that I'm not in love....please send someone home!

Also on the dog pile- Comfort and Chris. I thought Chris tried hard. Really hard. He's just so ....thick! I just don't think he's straight enough to be raw and not gay enough to just go for it! Comfort is pretty fantastic. Her solo will save her.

Who is going home: Chris/Thayne and Chelsea/Comfort

Other notes:
I still love Jessica. There's just something about her - and that seemed to have been noticed by Adam Shankman. I think she's fabulous but has lost all of her confidence by being trounced by everyone's love for her partner. Didn't anyone else notice that HE DROPPED HER ON HER SIDE in that drop spin? I do believe he is the #1 male dancer. He's just that crazy good. He looks good in every style and honestly- you can't say enough good about that guy. And - He's a gentleman! BUT what he doesn't do well is showcase his partner. I think its choreography partly- but I feel like he could really help Jessica along.It was much better tonight though. And her whole goofing off thing is only because she's nervous. You can tell. Who doesn't try to giggle when they think they are sucking it up! Twitchington was hot again. If they aren't safe...my name isn't spelled with an i instead of a y. I love how great their personalities are together. Just too fun! I love that Kherington is now wearing frames! Matt and Kourtni - I really liked their dance. It was different, but a ton of fun!!! I loved it. Matt is just too cute to me! I love his almost cartoon like features! Kourtni is growing on me. I feel like they are a great team! The new choreographer was way too out there w/ the hair---but I think she's going to be awesome for the show. I'd like to get to know her a little more before passing judgment. Courtney and Gev - They look great together. I think they try to make Gev too much like Dominic but Gev is way way way cuter than Dom. He's a sweet guy and very very likeable. I adore Courtney! I think she's fantastic and can't wait for them to make the top 10 and then hopefully she'll stand out even more with slightly stronger men. I think Gev is doing awesome for what he is doing though, and I would kind of like to see him partner with Kherington! I think they would be cute and she could bring out his goofy side. They get an A for that performance! It just looked so hot! I will continue to pray for Jessica that they don't get in the bottom...I still miss Rayven!
Final Note- Nigel was the worst looking of the judges...thank you Mary for making yourself somewhat better looking. I like the bedazzled look better than the stone ages.

Top 18 Results

SYTYCD - RIP OFF WEEK!

Thoughts on performances/show - WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH MARY. I believe general consensus states that she looked like something straight out of the flintstones this week. Mia, you're a super BEEEYOTTCH! Even if you look more feminine this year- you're still the same whench you have always been. Don't sparkle those blue eyes---they should be red! Did Ms. Deeley not accept your love? I hate when you are a judge...please, please, PUH-LEASE stick to Choreograpy! Nigel (NAH_GEL according to Comfort) - get over yourself and please never ever ever, ever ever, ever ever - grab yourself on national tv again. I'm sure if Chris had been TOLD to do that- he would have. It was not a part of the choreography! Even if he was off- you should for sure not be trying to do it yourself. Dude, you're old (insert shiver of disgust and terror here)!

I have not been a Susie fan at all along this season, but I still feel she was totally ripped off in this weeks eliminations. Her solo by far trumped Chelsea T. I mean, I wasn't voting for or against Susie, and I'm not SAD to say goodbye, but i still felt she brought way more to the solo than the other girls. Comfort was pretty great though -- Bye bye Susie.

Poor Marquis, our special little friend Marquis. I liked your tricks and thought it was great! Again- maybe ripped off since 'The Tree' did NOTHING for me with his solo. and Thayne---can you be any more yourself...at least the bows and ruffles made you interesting during performance.

Faves were - Twitchington, Katee and Joshua, Jessica (still love her even if nobody else does) and Will, Mark and Chelsie

And now we are down to 16. Sorry this weeks update is so short - not a lot of time.

Little Sisters-

Back in high school, I had a youth group leader who stood out above and beyond all other people in the world. Totally the coolest lady on earth - sporty, playful, funny, spiritual, totally an emotional basket case, and just plain awesome! She managed to be the first adult I ever opened up to (long history here), and quite possibly the most influential person in my life.

Over the years this friend has been in and out of life (never far from heart though) and will always be that person that I'm just completely drawn to. Basically, if she said drop everything and come hang out- I'd do it... unless it was a boy that I REALLY REALLY like. She manages to get me to do the most random jobs for her - crawling on her roof, breaking into the house, installing windows, and multiple times I've hauled wood. Its always a great interaction and we most times enjoy being tough as nails and more clever than the guys trying to attempt the same jobs.

Anyhow- this friend has a few kids and they've always referred to me as their Sister Dani. This confuses many, because Suz also refers to me as her sister. Funny enough, we've managed to make this random in between sisterhood work for us and most seem to get it after about 5 minutes in the same room. I've lived with them for about a month when I moved to DC, and though I loved it- I felt a little guilty when Farrel (her husband) and I would walk into the house after work and the reaction would be a little lopsided. More often than not- it was 'Hi Dad - DAANNNIII!!!' - Too funny, but i'm sure my moving out helped the ego repair once the kids were happy to see him again!

This last weekend was another adventure in hauling wood (just the girls this time since the boys were busy racing their bikes). Good times were had, but boy was I tired. I took the kids to see Kung Fu Panda, but while we were waiting- we snapped a couple pics on my phone...

I sure love that family! This coming weekend is sleepover time, and I'm sure there will be more pics from that!

'Crush' it! /Blue Crush/ SOFTBALL!

Everyone knows I'm a sports nut. How many evenings a week do I squeeze in as many athletic ativities as possible? A typical night involves any combination of gym, tennis, softball, or basketball. Crazy? Maybe a little, but I feel best when I'm moving and what a better way to be social than while exercising. You'd think I'd be super skinny by now, but I'm pretty sure my eating habits prohibit such a physique. Good thing I'm active....just imagine...okay don't... That's scary!

Anyhow, From Spring through Fall- Its Softball season. This season, two teams have split/joined forces/mixed it up/ and added a little extra flavor and came up with CRUSH! An awesome team of fun people. Here's a shot of A-Bo during his first night of Pitching. Usually Ace is the pitcher, but it looks like we have a few guys who will bring the heat (hehe- the lob is more like it). Sure- 10th batter walked 3 times in one inning to score the only 3 runs they had that inning (co-ed slow pitch rules- little confusing)- but still. He struck him out the next inning, so that was pretty fantastic. So much so - he did a nice little jig off of the field! Like a child at Christmas!

The season started out spectacularly- 2-0. Then we took 3 hits to the chin before evening up the tally. Currently, we stand 4-4, with 2 tough games left in the season. We do play in the toughest division, so I'm hoping that a mediocre record will be enough to get us through to the tournament. If not, we will take 2 months to lick our wounds and get ready for Fall season.

While I'm waiting for a set of pictures, Guh-neit has provided a few shots for our entertainment.

Check me out! I'm in the outfield, playing the rover position and standing near centerfield. Dude pops it up to the right field line and I run ALLLL the way over and catch it! Look at that- Two hands!! Whitney should be Proud! I most often hear her saying that the boys miss it when they are smug and don't use two hands to catch in the outfield....I didn't even know I did it! Funny enough, I was running so hard to get there (and luckily timed it well) that I couldn't stop running once I caught it. I continued running and ended up running it all the way to Boone at pitch. It was rather entertaining. I love that Guh-neit caught the shot at the perfect moment!!! Props to the photographer! Thanks!

It must have been a Lefty up to bat- Look how serious Yo-Yo is right now! She did a wicked good job at 1st that game. I typically prefer 1st for myself, but you have to mix it up sometimes. Outfield is good too...

2 games left!!! Go Crush! Check in later for more pics!

SYTYCD - Returns!

My summer pleasure is back- SYTYCD - the search for America's favorite dancer!! I absolutely love this show. Each week, choreographers team up with dance partners and pull together a show that brings some of every style to the screen.

Season 2 - the year of Ivison, had me hooked by a great group of performers. Season 3 was just as addicting, though I may have felt a little less connected to the contestants. Season 4 looks to hold me on the line with both the performances and the contestants. Last night the top 20 performed. USUALLY, there is a stand out front runner as well as a stand out bottom two! As of last night- I don't have a bottom two! I do have a few front runners for favorites- but honestly, they were all fantastic! I was stunned. I had actually hoped that a few would fall flat on their faces. I even thought the pairings were much more fair this year as well. There are no completely awful couples.

So here they are- my favorites:

Top girls-

Rayven -

Just fantastic! Love her personality. The ballerina brought the hip-hop! Can't wait for more!

Jessica -

I think she's the fun one this year, and will be fantastic when she leaves her hair down....the tango-not a cute look for her (two words: spray tan -Please!)

Kherington -

This girl is CUTE! I love that she is partnered with Twitch! The two happiest people on the show, together *sigh*

Least favorite -

Susie- okay she reminds me of a man but is an okay dancer

Katee - I still just don't love her. She was awesome with Jacob, but otherwise, just not my favorite.

The rest of the girls fade into the middle for me - so far!

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Favorite Guys:

Twitch-

I'm sure he won't be the best at everything, but I sure hope he sticks around until the top 10. Dude is awesome, happy, fun, and a great partner. Have I mentioned I have a crush! I want to see him on the tour!

After this, its a tie between William and Thayne for likely to be the best. William is strong, hot, and contemporary (always good at everything) - Thayne reminds me of Benji (winner season 2) and I think he has the partnering ability (and hips) to make anything work.

Dark horse, but amazing - Joshua

He carried Katee in their hip-hop and will literally be the only reason the couple stays around. I just hope he can shine in other styles.

Honorable mentions: Jamie and Mark - both excellent in their own thing. I hope Jamie gets a west coast swing night and Mark for sure did Mia proud with his quirkiness.

Least favorite Dudes:

Gev - i think choreography may have hurt him, but also I just don't think he's that great. Tiny white guy (can you say DOM). - probably only safe because his solo will rock.

Chris - Definitely not a tree, but not really standing out either. Pack your bags- your solo will not keep you going!

Matt & Marquis....who are you and what dances did you do again? either of you could go and I wouldn't mind either!

Best Performances:

Chelsea & Mark - I think Mia did wonders with them!

Jessica & William - I think had the HARDEST dance of the night and were fantastic, mostly!

*special mention to Joshua- He was phenomenal. Also Rayven- You rocked as well! Your partners just didn't keep it up!

Worst Performances:

Matt & Kourtne - I just don't care about you two!

Courtney & Gev - sorry about your choreography - def. not your fault.

Prediction: Susie/Marquis, Courtney/Gev (NOOOO), Matt/Kourtne

Want to see the performances? Check out my favorite tv blog to read - http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com/2008/06/so-you-think-you-can-dance-20-reasons.html

Bballers 'Slash' way to the Vball championships!

So, let it be known... I Dani, will never declare myself to be a volleyball player. I enjoy playing (at times), but certainly am not what I would deem as great/excellent/awesome. I'd say Average skills but lots of athleticism! Now my friends Oakley and Yo-Yo are a different story! They are true Vballers!

Over Memorial Weekend- I just happened to be on a volleyball team for the Duck Beach Tourney! Basically, Yo-Yo asked if I would help her friends out for the day and be on their team (I'm sure I was not the 1st person on their list of subs, but whatev). I said yes! I figured- a day at the beach playing vball couldn't be all that bad! 3, maybe 4, matches and we'd be done, right?

Our team turned out to be a team of all Bballers- and only about 1/2 were great at Vball (that'd be Schmidt and Dees). Team atitude was that we would just have fun! No expectations...just play! Apparently that worked for us. Team after team went down for the count! We 'SLASHED' through the rounds and into the main tournament. Even more shocking was that our superstar pals did not make it to the tournament. Mind you- they had a much MUCH more difficult path than we did, and you could see it in their faces that they were a little disappointed with how things were going....

They were however our biggest fans and kept encouraging the bballers to play hard. Thanks to a few special fans - we were also supplied drinks, snacks, stretches and even an occasional rub down (Thanks A-bo).

Team Slash - yes, that was our official name - made it to the championship! We lost the firstgame, won the 2nd, and though we put up a good fight, we just couldn't get past the team that took home the title.

Regardless of our final loss, we still felt like we were awesome. For saying we had a guy who couldn't hit down (though looking at the pictures- he looks a little like hercules)and a girl who has no real volleyball love (though more for beach than regular for sure) - we represented Bballers everywhere!

Lets hear that team cheer one more time---- 'ssssssssslaaaash! :-)

In the very end--a some took it harder than others....