Catch up

I know I've been bad about posting lately, but... that's because I got a job! That's right - I actually have a real job now. Despite how the whole interview process went, they hired me.

Let's back up a bit. Last Wednesday was the 4th of July. I had big New York plans to go out to a nice dinner and then go to the river to see the huge fireworks show. David and I met up with some people and had an amazing dinner at Pete's Diner (or Pete's something). Apparently, that's where "Gift of the Magi" was written. Anyway, it was really good.

Afterwards, we headed down to the water to see the show. There were so many people there it was rather ridiculous, but what was worse was the weather. It started to rain. Of course, everyone took out their umbrellas then, which totally defeats every reason in being there. Luckily, it stopped raining for the twenty minutes the fireworks went off.

Thursday, I started my job. It went fairly well. I did an interview and the doctor was much nicer than the other I spoke with. I was still really nervous, but much better. Friday I did almost nothing because the client wanted to listen to the interviews that day, and they didn't think I was quite ready for that. I don't blame them.

Tomorrow, Monday the 9th, you need to watch the Early Show on CBS. Or record it so you can fast forward to the Kelly parts. Watch it and look for me! There's almost no chance I won't be on there - I was pretty close to the stage, and I saw the camera pan across me multiple times. But even if I wasn't going to be on it, you should still watch just for Kelly.

Where my iPhone?

My tryout at the research company started and nine, and I assumed it would be over by around noon. I arrived early, of course, and actually had to wait about half an hour for some people to show up. They talked to me for awhile and then the first thing they had me do was listen to some recordings of interviews with doctors. Then they talked to me some more and set up an interview for me to conduct. Needless to say, I was incredibly nervous and it showed. The doctor could have been nicer, which would have helped a lot. Some of the questions I had to ask were a little repetitive, only requiring slightly different information, but when I would ask a similar question his response would be "Well, I already told you that." Blah.

After the actual interview (which was recorded), I had to go back and listen to it while writing up a report in Excel. My interview will be reviewed by people in the office and my report will be reviewed by the woman the owns and started the company. As I was writing my review, I was pulled back into the conference room where I had an "informal" interview with some of the other employees. They were actually really nice and that was my favorite part of the day.

I finally turned in the report and left around two. They actually gave me a little compensation for working so long, and I immediately went out and spent it (which, before you judge me, is something I rarely do and was very much needed).

Day Off

So it turns out the job I really wanted has been offered to the other guy. I'm not really surprised, though - it was a business job and he had his master's in business. It's sad, but I shouldn't worry about things I have no control over. However, I was their second choice out of all that applied, which is great and all but still doesn't get me a job.

The heat has been almost unbearable this week so I met David downtown to buy a new AC unit. When we got home, we attempted to install it and to do so we had to take out the broken one first. After checking, it was clear whoever installed it didn't put in supports so we got the super to help. He held it as David opened the window, but if you're familiar with window units at all then you'll know the majority of the weight is outside. Since there were no supports, you can guess what happened. The whole thing quickly fell out the window (7th floor) and smashed onto the pavement. It's just a miracle that no one was down there since it easily could have killed someone or totaled a car. Not only did the idiot that installed it not put in supports but didn't bolt the shell into the window frame like you're supposed to, either. Needless to say, we're going to hire someone to install the new one.

Tomorrow I go to work half a day at the research job. I'm kinda nervous, but we'll see how it goes. That's about it. Still have yet to hear about the third apartment we've applied to get.

Heat Wave

Between the outside temperature, the AC being broken in the living room, and the AC not working on the subway today I think I've lost five pounds of water weight. Nope - three pounds. Just weighed myself.

This morning was spent looking at apartments all over Washington Heights. Gone are the fabulous apartments in Inwood, but whatever these are closer and just as cute. There were three potential cute ones and one that needed new hardware and an entirely new paint job to be acceptable. One of the nice ones didn't accept out-of-state guarantors, another had already been applied for, and the third already approved us to apply. Obviously, the best choice here is to go for the one that already accepted our paperwork. It's owned by the same people that rented the other one we wanted that was taken by the people who were willing to pay more. That's why we don't need to go through the application process again. But that doesn't mean we'll get it for sure. And with the way luck's been going regarding apartments...

The nice lady from the temp agency called me today. She wanted to talk about the interview yesterday, which is something I wasn't too excited to discuss. I waited awhile to call her back, but when I did she made it seem as though the people that interviewed me liked me. I don't quite understand that, but she said maybe they were the type of people that didn't let on to how they liked their applicants. Whatever. I'm going to go in there on Friday to work half a day as a type of second interview.

It's so crazy hot here, I'm really ready to go down to the store right now to buy another window unit.

Hurry Up and Wait

After the fabulousness that was the Kelly concert, I headed back here to get ready for my interview with the medical research place. Luckily, I allotted myself enough time to get back here afterwards and get down to where I needed to be.

Whenever someone had asked me about a previous interview, I never really know what to say. I didn't know if it had gone well or not because I didn't really have a good sense of what a "bad" interview was like. Now I do.

I went in for my appointment at 3:30. I was a little early and got there about ten minutes before that. The person I was supposed to meet with was in a meeting so the interview didn't start until 4:00.

Before, I've never really been nervous about an interview. I mean, I've been a little nervous inside, but I don't think I've ever showed signs of it. I did today. I was actually interviewed by two people - both high ups in the company. We sat at a conference table in a secluded room with me at the helm.

They immediately started asking questions, which was fine except for one thing. One of the guys interviewing me, a native Italian, kept looking at me funny. I don't know if it was my weird tan line from missing a spot of sunscreen at pride, but he looked at me the entire time like I was a freak.

The same guy kept asking me the same questions over and over again, too. He wanted to know why I wasn't pursuing a job in the marine science field (a fair question). So I answered honestly. He kept looking at me funny - I don't know if he didn't like what I was saying, or if he didn't believe it, or if he just thought I was wrong for the job but it was really off-putting. Anyway, he would ask me a different question then go back to the marine science thing multiple times. Again, I don't know if my answer just wasn't satisfactory or if he was worried I'd leave this position as soon as I found a marine science job or what.

They also made a big deal out of the fact that I have never had a "real" job before. When it was finally over, I just had a bad feeling about the whole thing and left feeling like a loser.

What made it even worse was the voicemail I had on my phone after the interview. It was David saying we didn't get the other apartment we liked. Apparently, someone else just had to have it and even though they had worse credit than us and applied after we did they got it. They got it because they were willing to pay more than the asking price for rent per month.

So David went out today during my interview to look at more places with the broker. It sucks because today's the only day he could do it so if he finds something amazing I won't be able to see it until we move in. I trust him, of course, but I'd also like to know what's going on. But at this point, I just want a place. And a job.

My Kelly Experience

I'm not in a great mood now, but I'll do my best to re-create this morning happily since I was in a fine mood then. I woke up this morning at nine in order to make it down to the Early Show's plaza by 10:30. First thing I did after I forced myself out of bed was to quickly pull up iTunes and download My December (with pre-order bonus!). I listened to it while I got ready, of course.

In an attempt to go to the store before heading down to the studio, I ended up leaving at around 9:40. Sadly, there were no stores anywhere near where I would be. I was hoping to pick up a physical copy of the album just in case Kelly decided she wanted to sign things for fans afterwards.

Anyway, I arrived ten minutes early as did the person I was meeting, luckily. We promptly got in line and sat down. I read online that the concert started at noon, but a guy holding up a sign for the concert said 11:15. Half an hour later, everyone stood up and pushed toward the front of the gate (we were right by the stage but still not in the crowd area yet). So we stood. And waited. And waited.

Forty-five minutes later, a girl started giving out wristbands - of course everyone in the crowd went crazy trying to get one despite the poor girl's promise that everyone in the waiting area would get one. After everyone had wristbands, they started letting people in the crowd area. Not people from the waiting area, mind you, but other people from who knows where. I don't know why they got to go in first, but they did. Everyone in the waiting area booed them. Kelly fans are classy.

Finally, after two hours of waiting we were finally let into the stage area. Then there were, of course, lots of sound checks and false alarms. So thirty minutes later, one of the new correspondents for CBS came out and talked to us. She said the band was going to run through "Never Again" and then Kelly would come out for a sound check. Then she would go back in and come out to actually perform.

Despite having lots of people in front of us, we made it relatively close to the stage. Kelly finally came out and it was a little... surreal. I've never seen her so close in person. She did about thirty seconds of "Never Again" then went back inside. We were instructed to cheer like mad when she came out again (like we wouldn't have anyway!).

Kelly went on stage and performed "Never Again" for real this time. I was a little in awe and busy taking pictures and making videos on my phone so I didn't really get into it. Next, she did a short interview with the correspondent and performed "Sober."

Now, I really love "Sober." It's one of my favorite songs off My December. I made another quick video to remember it forever and started getting into the performance. And I swear - she winked at me. I was maybe ten feet away from her and she was looking directly at my and winked at me (me!) while singing. She actually winked twice during "Sober" - once at me and once at someone that doesn't really matter. So when you watch this performance (and you will!) watch for her to wink near the beginning of the song and know it was at me.

Next, she surprised the audience by performing another song off My December, "How I Feel" (we thought she was only going to do three song - I'll get into that in a second). By this point, I was really getting into it. I didn't know the lyrics so I just kinda bopped along. I don't know what I looked like in the crowd shots, but I'm sure it must have been entertaining to watch.

We were told before she even came on stage that she was going to sing "Since U Been Gone," which is why everyone thought that was going to be her third and final song. So after "How I Feel" she performed her Breakaway hit. Of course, loving this song, I sang along to it and made an attempt at jumping during the chorus without stepping on the little girl standing behind me.

Apparently, the first taping of "Never Again" wasn't satisfactory so they did it again. After just hearing "Since U Been Gone" I was all pumped up and feelin' it. I sang along to "Never Again" as well. So you have to watch, if just to laugh at how silly I look in the audience singing and bopping along. I'm close to the stage and pretty visible so I'd be really surprised if I wasn't on TV at least once. The concert airs on the 9th on July during the Early Show. Hopefully, they'll show the second performance of "Never Again."

Afterwards, it was almost 1:30 and time for me to go home to ready myself for my interview even though I wanted to go get coffee. Kelly signed things afterwards, which made me kinda sad I couldn't get a copy of the CD, but oh well. It was still an amazing experience.

In the picture, if you look at the tall, amazon girl with the pulled back hair you can see a shorter girl behind her. I was standing behind that girl, though my position changed a bit throughout the performance. If you look at the right side of the stage, you can see the CBS news correspondent - Hannah Storm, I believe. Click it to view the larger version.

Options

The weekend was good to me, albeit absent of any type of job or apartment news. Once again, all the paperwork is in for the other good apartment. Hopefully this time no one will be battling for it.

The gay pride parade marched down the streets here yesterday. Tons of homosexuals gathered at the corner of Christopher and Gay to watch the forever long line of floats, bikes, and whatever pass by them. Overall, it was really enjoyable despite the heat. I remembered to put on sunblock but didn't put any in my hair so the top of my head isn't too happy. Can't wait for that to peel.

So you know how when you see pictures of pride parades you see lots of almost naked, really hot boys doing sexually suggestive things? There was little of that. The first hour and a half of the parade (I kid not) were church floats. Church floats and AIDS awareness banners. Gay friendly churches, yes - but still not what I had in mind!

Later on, though, there were some, uh, more fun things to look at. Still nothing like what I had imagined but still. We left around 5:30-ish, and the parade was still going strong. And that's a long time considering we arrived before noon.

The temp agency called me today about the medical research job. The nice lady there said they were pleased (she used the word "impressed" but part of me believes they just say things to make me feel good. It's like when your mom tells you how awesome you are) with my personal statement and want to interview me tomorrow afternoon, which is all well and good but...

Tomorrow is Kelly day! I'm insanely excited. Kelly is performing on Good Morning America at Bryant Park (at 7am - I'm not going to that, though I did enter for VIP tickets anyway). What's even better is that she's also taping a mini-concert for the Early Show! It's first come first serve and free! I'll be there early so I can get close to the stage after getting ready while listening to My December, which comes out in like... three hours!! What's even better is that I'm having someone go with me. Excitement all around. I'll just have to rush to my interview.

Hopefully, it'll go well tomorrow - both the concert and the interview. Alas, I have yet to hear back from the job I really want. I'm slowly becoming more keen to the idea of working as a medical researcher, but it's not this job. And I know my chances for this one probably aren't so good, but it's nice to dream, right? Hah, if I actually did get this position...

Short and

I don't have a lot to say today. I called the woman from Columbia back. They're just doing phone interviews right now. I went in for my second interview for the mice job. I should hear in a week whether I got it or not. Have yet to hear about the job I really want. We didn't get the apartment.

Random Ramblings

Today will be a much slower day compared to yesterday. All that's on my plate so far is to call back the woman from Columbia that called me for the lab tech position. Hopefully, she won't want an interview today and will be fine with having one tomorrow or early next week.

I'm a little disappointed because I was told that job I really want could take months for the position to be filled. I don't really have months to wait, unfortunately. More than anything, I'm just scared of settling. I want to be sure to get a job I'll enjoy. I think that's fair.

Since I have all day to myself to do whatever, I'll probably go see the new Fantastic Four movie. David doesn't really want to see it, and I have nothing better to do. I've never seen a movie by myself before, but whatever.

I try really hard not to use names in my blog ('cept for David 'cuz I figure there's no way around that!). It's getting a little difficult so I may have to come up with a different system. Hmm...

Still have yet to hear anything regarding the apartment.

Sunlight Through the Clouds

Despite a rocky start and being relatively stressful, today ended up being a good day. First, let me backtrack to Columbia interview.

The job Columbia offered me was a lab tech job - an entry level mice husbandry lab tech job. Now, I'm completely open to entry level position. I realized I just graduated with my BS and have little lab experience, but this job... This job entails cleaning. It's a glorified cleaning job. I'd be cleaning up after all the mice. I'd clean their cages, their water bottles, their dishes. I'd also check on them to see if any were sick. But the thing that got me was the killing. I'd also kill mice, both by gas and breaking their necks - well breaking the necks of the adults. The young are too small so I'd just have to decapitate them.

Back before I had even gone to this interview (as I was walking to the medical mice death center), I received a phone call from an unavailable number. I answered it, of course, since I've given my number to countless employers. It turned out to be the person I had been waiting and hoping would call me - the person in charge of the job David's friend suggested to me. I don't want to jinx anything by talking about it too much, so I'll just say I made sure I had room in my schedule to meet with them later that day.

After I left the slaughterhouse, I trucked it downtown to meet with the person about the job I really want. Let me start by saying the office was amazing. Atmosphere is a big deal to me, and not only was this office unbelievably cool but the atmosphere was perfect. I could really, really see myself being happy there. I know I could do the job well even if I don't have any directly related education or experience. I know it!

Since I turned off my phone during the interview (my third today!), I checked my messages afterwards. I actually had a voicemail from someone else at Columbia University. I'm not sure what position she's potentially offering me, but calling her is on my list of things to do tonight. Along with emailing my personal statement of 500 words (boo!) for the medical research job and emailing the incredibly awesome lady I met with at the fabulous office.

Other than that, I just cooked dinner for David and me since he has a paper due Friday. Oh wait - apartment news. It's kinda ominous, really. The broker got back to us this morning and told David that the landlord said he'd make a decision between us and the other applicants today. Well, it's the end of the day, and he emailed David again to tell us that the landlord has yet to get back in touch with him. But - he heard from the super that a decision has been made. Back to a waiting game.

It's a Rainy Day

I had high hopes for today. I thought I'd go down to Columbia, look at the lab, do a quick interview, and have a better feeling for the job. I wasn't planning on today being a stressful day, but how often do things turn out exactly the way I envision?

This morning, I woke up early to call the temp agency so we could talk about the medical research position. I made sure to get up with enough time to call the agency and get ready for my 11:00 meeting at Columbia. It turned out that I needed to call the lady in charge of the research company before noon for a phone interview. That didn't leave me much time to get suited up, but I didn't really have a choice.

After talking to her on the phone, I still don't know quite how I feel about that job. She wants me to write a 500 word personal statement as to why I'm good for the position and email it to her tonight, which I would have done immediately but it was time to leave. Upon leaving, I found out the elevator in the building wasn't working. So I left, walked down from the seventh floor, and arrived at Columbia ten minutes early.

Apparently, the guy in charge of the lab told someone else to meet there at that time - I had no idea this was going to be a competitive interviewing process. I psyched myself up to be better than this other guy and talked to the security guard. He said he couldn't get in touch with the lab director and to have a seat. After waiting awhile, he told us to go on ahead upstairs and someone would meet us by the elevators. Someone did. Someone from the lab who told us the director was in a staff meeting and that we should come back at 1:15.

Now... don't they schedule meetings like that at least somewhat in advance? And even if they didn't, wouldn't it be easy to call people you're supposed to be meeting and let them know before you waste their time? It takes me a half hour to get there. That's two hours travel time I'll spend today going back and forth.

Anyway, I came back and am now writing this. I have enough time to do write and grab a quick sandwich before it's time to leave again. And the elevator is still broken, so I have to walk up and down all the stairs. Blah!

On top of that, I was all excited about getting a new phone. My "new every two" with Verizon starts today, and they have a promotion where you can get the phone I want for free with it if you order online. So today I found out that since my number isn't the primary number on the phone that I'm not eligible for the "new every two" at all. No cheap phone for me. Ever.

Fun Music Video

This is the video to the Aly and AJ song I was talking about before, "Potential Break-up Song."

It's videos like this one that make me appreciate Kelly's videos even more.

Fun Commercial

I know I said it'd be all about me now, but I can't resist posting this video - it's just so weird!

Slow Day

Not a lot to talk about in terms of job at the moment. I'm sure I'll have more to say in that area tomorrow.

All the paperwork for the apartment is in now, so it's just a waiting game. Hopefully, the landlord will let us have the place. There's no real reason why he shouldn't, the only the thing other guy has on us is that he doesn't require a guarantor. We should (in theory) know by early next week.

In completely irrelevant news, I'm quickly becoming addicted to Aly and AJ's "Potential Break-up Song." They also had the song "Chemicals React," which was a pretty big hit. Anyway, it's catchy even if I don't agree with their "thoughts" on evolution. Eh, it keeps me from listening to the leak of My December.

Addendum to Previous Post

About twenty minutes after I posted my last entry, I received a phone call. It so happened to be someone from Columbia University! Now I have an interview on Wednesday to talk all about mice colonies. I'm not sure how well this job pays or exactly what I'll be doing, but it's exciting that they called again! And I know I'll find out more on Wednesday.

Even though it has nothing to do with my major or job experience, my mind keeps wandering back to the job David's friend told me about. Not only does it sound fun, but the pay is better than anything I've applied for currently and the benefits are good, too!

As far as the medical research job goes, I'm not sure if that'll happen. It doesn't really sound like something I'm interested in, and when I called for more info at 1:00 (when they told me to call) the person who was supposed to give more info hadn't contacted the agency yet. The nice coordinator who's looking for jobs for me said she'd call as soon as she heard from them. It's the end of the day now. Oh well - we'll see what happens!

In apartment news, it seems as though someone else is interested in our apartment. Well, the one we want - but I'm going to call it "our apartment" because it should be. Apparently, it wasn't taken off the market even though I put down the deposit with the application. The broker made it seem like it would, but I guess it takes the deposit plus all the paperwork. So poor David has been running around trying to get everything he needs, and I've spent half the day on the phone with my parents trying to get what I need (since I don't have a job I'm pretty much worthless at the moment). But with everyone fighting to hard to get the place, we'll be sure to get it.

Job update?

So I've spent countless hours applying for countless jobs the past few weeks with little to no success. I had gotten one call back - a professor at Columbia University. Unfortunately, I knew after he called that I wasn't going to be hearing from him again. He wanted someone with experience working with mice colonies... too bad we didn't use mice in Animal Behavior.

After weeks of not hearing back, I decided to get some help. I spent four hours (!!) at a temp agency interviewing and giving them information so they can find a job for me. So far, they offered me a position as an administrative assistant at a ceiling subcontractor's office and one as a medical researcher. Guess which one I was interested in?

We'll see what happens with that, but in other news David and I put a deposit on an apartment. The neighborhood is incredibly nice as is the apartment itself. I wish we could go ahead and move in now, but we still have to be approved first. I guess I can wait a few weeks.

One of David's friends actually lives in the same building, which is really nice. He seems really fun and showed us around the area. He also said there may be an opening where he works - I'm actually really excited about possibly taking that job. We'll see what happens. It would be great, though, especially since then the temp agency wouldn't be taking part of my pay for the first sixty-five days of employment.

From Kelly to Me

Too much to handle? I think so. With all the crazy Kelly stuff going on now (new single, her tour being canceled, firing her management, countless TV, radio, and magazine interviews) I just can't keep up. Not with my life the way it is right now. There are better, more up-to-date sources on Kelly than me. See? I can admit it.

That being said, I'm going to make this all about me and my new life. The next post and those from now on will be about me and NYC. Who knows, maybe I'll get back in the habit of posting daily! :)

Track List

Kelly Clarkson - My December

Pop allgemein, RCA INT.

Catalogue #88697069002

Release date: 22.06.07

01. Never Again (03:36)

02. One Minute (03:05)

03. Hole (03:01)

04. Sober (04:50)

05. Don't Waste Your Time (03:35)

06. Judas (03:36)

07. Haunted (03:18)

08. Be Still (03:24)

09. Maybe (04:22)

10. How I Feel (03:40)

11. Yeah (02:42)

12. Can I Have A Kiss (03:29)

13. Irvine (04:15)

14. Chivas (03:31)

Climbing the Charts

If for some reason you don't already know this (yea, I'm kinda late posting it), Kelly's new single "Never Again" is currently being played on radios all across the country. You can download a remix of it for free along with behind the scenes footage of the making of her new album if you but the special variety pack of Vitamin Water sold at Wal-Mart. Or, if you don't like Wal-Mart check out her official MySpace page.

Kelly's hot, even when made of clay

Kelly Clarkson will be battling it out on Celebrity Deathmatch airing on March 9th, 10:30 pm. Unfortunately, I don't get MTV2 so I'll be missing out but here's hoping she kicks (whoever she's fighting's) ass.

Album Title!

That's right, TBA is no longer TBA! My December was announced as Kelly's new album title a few days ago and since schoolwork's not bogging me down right now I have time to up date again!

This information comes directly from Kelly herself in a journal entry on her official fanclub site. I'm not legally allowed to post that entry, but take a look at the pictures from the photoshoot of the album cover! I think once it's all done, it'll be a hot picture.

New Song Debut

Kelly sang one of her new songs today at a rehearsal for the NASCAR concert scheduled for tomorrow before the Daytona 500. Her new song is entitled "One Minute." Check out the link for a video and be sure to watch her tomorrow!

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6MK0NNFY

Kelly <3s the Environment... and Al Gore?

Snoop, Pharrell, Peas, Chili Peppers To Perform At Al Gore Environmental Concerts

Events will take place in seven cities on 7/7/07

LOS ANGELES — Snoop Dogg, Pharrell, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Black Eyed Peas, Fall Out Boy, Akon, John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, John Mayer, the Foo Fighters, AFI and Sheryl Crow are among the artists scheduled to take part in a series of international concerts organized by former vice president and environmental advocate Al Gore, it was announced on Thursday (February 15) at the California Science Center.

The concerts are aimed at raising public awareness about global warming. The shows, which organizers have said will be bigger than 1985's Live Aid concerts, will take place on July 7 — 7/7/07 — in seven cities: London; Shanghai, China; Sydney, Australia; Johannesburg, South Africa; and cities to be determined in Brazil, Japan and the United States. The events, which will combine film, music and televised material, are expected to reach an audience of more than 2 billion people.

Participating artists also announced on Thursday include Lenny Kravitz, Bon Jovi, Paolo Nutini, Melissa Etheridge, Damien Rice, Corinne Bailey Rae, Duran Duran, Snow Patrol, Enrique Iglesias, Maná, Keane, Korn, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Bloc Party; many more will be announced at a later date, as more than 100 artists are expected to perform.

The announcement was made by Cameron Diaz, Gore, Pharrell and concert organizer Kevin Wall (who also organized Live 8 — see "Jay-Z, U2, Madonna, Pink Floyd Deliver Live 8 Highlights") at a press conference. The former vice president appeared as a presenter at the Grammy Awards on Sunday (see "Timberlake Rocks; Blige Weeps; Chicks, Chilis Clean Up At Grammys").

The announcement came just weeks after Gore teamed with British billionaire Richard Branson to announce a $25 million prize for the first person to come up with a way of scrubbing greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere, according to a Reuters report. "Man created the problem and therefore man should solve the problem," Branson told a news conference announcing the Virgin Earth Challenge.

The prize will run for five years initially, with ideas to be assessed by a panel of judges including Branson, Gore and several environmental/climate scientists. The winner is charged with finding a way to remove 1 billion metric tons of carbon gases a year from the atmosphere for 10 years — with $5 million of the prize being paid at the start and the remaining $20 million at the end.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1552503/20070215/al_gore.jhtml

Unreleased Songs

With less than a week until the concert before the Daytona 500, you'd think there'd be more news out there. But no. So instead I'll post a list of some of Kelly's unreleased songs that may be on her upcoming album:


1. Bleed for Me
2. Yeah
3. Go
4. Come Here
5. Anymore
6. Maybe
7. Don't
8. All I Know
9. Irvine
10. In These Eye
11. Can I Have a Kiss
12. Couldn't Stop
13. Traces of Gold
14. Lonely Night
15. Judas
16. Haunted
17. Get Away
18. Baby Blue Eyes
19. Hole
20. How I Feel

Kelly's Wedding

...ok, it's a misleading title. What we really have are pictures of Kelly in someone else's wedding. But still, she looks pretty!

Crossroads

It appears Kelly Clarkson is going to be reunited with Reba McEntire once again. They'll be taping an episode of CMT Crossroads together on February 22nd, which should air "fourth quarter" 2007. Don't forget Kelly is going to be on Reba's duets album "to be released in late 2007."

Source: CMT

Paparazzi Peace

Kelly was last attacked by the paparazzi on Sunday at the Los Angeles International airport:

"Kelly, 24, is set to perform Feb. 18 on a live “Tribute to America” special on Fox prior to the Daytona 500."

For more pictures, check out the source.

Source: http://www.justjared.com/2007/02/06/kelly-clarkson-airport/

Rumor Mill

According to people with inside sources, Kelly's new album (still TBA) is done. Done recording, done being mixed, etc. What's left is simply Kelly picking the track list and first single. After that, it's open to being promoted and then released whenever she's allowed. Here's hoping for some leaks...

Kelly's a Headliner

Two-time Grammy Winner Kelly Clarkson and NASCAR Team Up
Kelly Clarkson Comes in First Place with a Year Long NASCAR Contract
The past couple years when you turn on the radio, you hear a tune about someone being able to breathe for the first time, a girl singing about a broken home as a child, or a relationship gone bad but she won't let anyone see her cry. Oh. We're talking about Kelly Clarkson, the first-crowned American Idol, now two time Grammy winner.

Kelly seems to be unstoppable these days. Embarking on two tours in 2005 and a summer tour in 2006 sponsered by Ford, finally breaking away from the American Idol image and turning into a budding artist winning 2 Grammys in 2006, becoming the most successful artist on Top 40 radio, what more could she accomplish? Well for starters January 14th she landed a guest starring role on the TV sitcom Reba. Only a few days ago NASCAR announced Kelly has signed a deal for the 2007 year.

February 18th, the Breakaway star will headline the Nextel Tribute to America concert. During her segment there, she will film a 30 second clip for a commercial that will showcase her actual performance and racing footage. This clip will feature a new song from Clarkson's 3rd album due out in the Spring. This sponsership is great promotion for both NASCAR and Clarkson soon-to-be fans. For the NASCAR fans who have not been fans of Clarkson before, will fall into her captivating voice and broaden her range of fans, while promoting the most highly anticipated album of 2007. What does this mean for NASCAR? Quite the opposite. Clarkson's fans will of course follow her events, and may become NASCAR fans themselves!

"Anyone who knows me knows I'm a race fan and love NASCAR," Clarkson said.

Ms. Independent herself will become spokeswoman and ambassador for NASCAR Day on May 18th. This event gives fans a chance to support their favourite sport and help a worthy cause. Kelly will be featured in an ad promoting the NASCAR Foundation.

Broadcast live on ESPN November 30th, Clarkson will perform for the Nextel Cup Series Awards Ceremonies.

September 3rd, 2006, Kelly said those 4 famous words "Gentlemen, start your engines!"

Many artists use this ad campaigning as promotion and marketing. Clarkson's Addicted Tour was sponsered by Ford. At each show, Ford gave away a free car to one lucky person in the audience. The TV spot featured a song written by Clarkson herself years ago, finally finding a proper home, called "Go." Clarkson's follow-up to her multi-platinum "Breakaway" will be released no later than May, and Kelly has penned every or co-wrote every song. NASCAR is a great way to promote this release to showcase that Kelly is not only an American Idol, but will eventually one day be an American Icon.

I thought this was a really cute article in anticipation of her concert. I also added a countdown clock to the event, too - inspired by the KC Express.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/129299/twotime_grammy_winner_kelly_clarkson.html

DIE 10 GRÖßTEN

Guess who's been voted number one on Germany's DIE 10 GRÖßTEN? That's right - none other than Kelly Clarkson. A few quotes from the show:

"Kelly has an incredible voice."

"She's the greatest"

"Grammy is the biggest award"

I don't speak German, so I'll have to take other people's word for it. Speak German? Check out the download: www.megaupload.com/?d=K1Z9ZK8R

Source: KC Express

Smack that

Kelly Clarkson is currently featured in the February issue of Smack magazine, a popular Brazilian periodical. Of course, no new information is featured the magazine but that doesn't mean it doesn't look pretty. Take a look for yourself, or even the article if you can read it: http://www.kellypictures.net/thumbnails.php?album=385

Apparently, the article discusses her history on American Idol, general information, and news regarding TBA. Like I said. Nothing new.

Rabbit, Rabbit

February's finally here. While there's still a lull in Kelly news, February will bring in the NASCAR commercial and mini concert. That means in slightly over two weeks, there'll be a new song debuted (possibly the new single). If it does happen to be the new single, of if it's released for radio play this month, that could mean a possible April release. That would be better than "mid year" or the vague "summer" reports.

In relatively unrelated news, Kat's album (Katharine McPhee) is out and Chris Daughtry's (also self-titled) is still topping the charts. I do admit to liking Kat's "Dangerous," but I didn't even know when Chris released his album.

Kat's album, along with Avril's, is generally thought to be the reason for the delay of TBA's release date.

Kelly Clarkson Hammered (but still amazing)

This is old, but it's a slow news day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjdrc11an9E

Tidbits and Summaries

Regarding TBA:

* Fifty songs were written.

* The producer of the album is David Kahne (The Strokes, The Bangles).

* Twenty-four songs have been mixed by Andy Wallace, who has had a successful run as a producer/mixer working with acts such as Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine, blink-182, Linkin Park, Foo Fighters, System of a Down, as well as many others. He also worked on the highly-anticipated new Guns N' Roses album.

* Legendary punk bassist Mike Watt played on six tracks for Kelly's album.* David Kahne confirmed that he produced "Maybe", "Yeah", and "Anymore", which Kelly performed on her last tour.

* Kelly will debut a new SONG (not necessarily the single) on February 18th at the NASCAR pre-race concert.

* Besides the three songs previewed on tour, Kelly has also mentioned titles of "Haunted" and "Get Away" as well as "Irvine" which was written on tour in California during "the lowest point in my life."

* The following titles were listed on the BMI music publishing site. They were written by Kelly along with her guitarist Jimmy Messer, and a writer named Dwight Baker: "Can I Have A Kiss", "Hole", "How I Feel", "Judas", "This Perfect Day."

* In a recent fanclub interview, Kelly talked about her influences on the new album, naming singer/songwriters Ray LaMontagne and Patty Griffin.

* From a Blender interview: "The soft songs will be softer and the hard songs will be harder. Who the hell wants to make the same record? That's boring. It's the fricken music industry."

* No single has been announced although rumors are swirling around songs called "Couldn't Stop" and "Continuous". Take these with a big grain of salt, however as they're probably illegitamate.

* No release date has been annouced. Reports have said February, while other more recent and more official have said "late spring/early summer" as well as "around midyear."

* RCA most likely wants to focus on the promotion and release of Katharine McPhee's album, coming out January 30th. Avril Lavigne's album is coming out at the beginning of April as well so Kelly's will most likely be after that as they don't want competition between the two.

Nothing really new here, but it's a nice summary of things we know so far. Regarding the picutre, I'm not really feeling what she's wearing, but I think she looks great even without makeup. Sorry for the watermarks.

Source: http://aikenforums.com/index.php?showtopic=475269

Mixed Up

There's a rumor out there that Andy Wallace has mixed a total of twenty-four tracks for Kelly's new (still nameless) album. Personally I would love to have a double CD, but would the average consumer be willing to pay the extra cost?

User "DJ General" who posted rumors about Kelly's upcoming album has been outted as being a fifteen-year-old with nothing better to do with his life than lie to people on message boards.

Quote from David Kahne:

"we did record All I Know. I don't know if Kelly will use it right away,but I'm sure it'll be out someday. There are so many great songsthat we recorded. Kelly is amazing. You won't be disappointed, nomatter what songs she decides to put out first."

It doesn't really sound very promising that "All I Know" will be on TBA, but I would like it to be simply due to the fact that I think it would be a nice album title... even though it's not my favorite of her new songs.

Screw money, Kelly wants exposure!

Kelly Clarkson says she’s working with NASCAR for free because “I have enough money”

International superstar and original American Idol Kelly Clarkson will make appearances for NASCAR and its foundation this racing season, but she’ll do so for free.

“I got on board, not even for a big paycheck or anything, just to help out. Just have fun and do some charity work with them,” she tells Access Hollywood.

Maria Menounos, fresh off of ignoring and asking obnoxious questions of Golden Globe winner America Ferrera, was appalled at that answer, and asked Kelly, “No paycheck?” Kelly said, “People do stuff for money all the time. I have enough money. It’s all about giving back as well.”

She’ll be “the official spokesperson for the fourth annual NASCAR Day on May 18, a day when fans of the sport are encouraged to make a charitable donation of $5 to the NASCAR Foundation in exchange for a commemorative lapel pin,” E! Online reports. That represents “the biggest and most comprehensive partnership the motorsports organization has ever forged with a recording artist.” Among other things, she will “[headline] the Nextel Tribute to America concert before the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18.”

Source: http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/american_idol/2007_Jan_25_kelly_nascar

Access Kelly

Yesterday, an interview with Kelly aired on Access Hollywood. Not really any new information, but if you missed it someone was nice enough to upload it to YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEfk6f0b7ew

Top Albums of 2007

ETalk Daily listed the top upcoming albums for the year. Guess who's number one?

7. Aracade Fire
6. Coldplay
5. Sum 41
4. Maroon 5
3. Britney
2. Avril
1. Kelly Clarkson

"Speaking of Since U Been Gone, nothing will top this years release of Kelly Clarkson's 3rd disk. She's been on the rise since her debut, selling 3 million copies and an astounding 11 million with the next. Look for that album to outshadow all others when it hits shelves in early 07."

Source: etalk.ctvdigital.com/etalk/

Official News! (or lack of news...)

Except that we will be finished mixing soon, and it's going amazingly well. There's no single chosen, and no firm album sequence. No album title, or release date.

That's all going to be decided by Kelly down the line after all the songs are finished. I can tell you that it's anincredible album, great songs that Kelly has written, and pure emotion pouring out.

She really blew my mind,with her ability to express so many different emotions so perfectly. I'm sure your wait will be rewarded with analbum you'll love. And I think it's great how Kelly's fans are so loyal and have so much faith in her. It's faithwell placed.

cheers,
david

This is an official statement, which is great! But... it's basically a statement saying there's no real word on anything.

Source: http://p101.ezboard.com/fkellyclarksonexpressfrm7.showMessageRange?topicID=12385.topic&start=201&stop=220

Rumors, rumors (followed, followed)

I'm just going to list them:

1. Kelly's album has been pushed back to keep Kat McPhee's new CD from interfering with sales (um... really?)
2. It's been pushed back to avoid battling Avril's new CD
3. "Couldn't Stop" was scrapped - if it ever existed in the first place
4. The new single will be titled "Continuous"

Take all these things with a grain of salt.

Source: various message boards

Gentlemen, start your engines!

Kelly races into NASCAR deal

Chris may have a budding association with the bull riders, but Kelly Clarkson's becoming the NASCAR queen for 2007.

In a "landmark collaboration," Kelly "will be integrated into all aspects of NASCAR." Now that sounds ominously vague -- will she be dropping the checkered flag? Serving on Dale Jr.'s pit crew? But rest assured, her integration consists mainly of "an at-track concert, TV spot, charitable endeavors and NASCAR's Awards Dinner."

"Anybody who knows me knows I'm a race fan and love NASCAR," Kelly is quoted, striking a harmonious note. "I look forward to hanging out with the fans, drivers and the entire NASCAR community."

She'll start by headlining a pre-Daytona 500 Fox special Feb. 18, the NEXTEL Tribute to America. (Previous musical guests have included Clint Black, Five for Fighting, and Brian Wilson, who sang Good Vibrations ... instead of the clearly more appropriate Shut Down or 409.) Then she'll film a 30-second NASCAR commercial that will include a new song from her next album ("due mid-year," according to the release).

She'll be spokesperson and ambassador for the fourth annual NASCAR Day May 18, appearing in another ad to promote the occasion (which may yet become a national holiday). And she'll perform at NASCAR's 27th annual Champions Banquet in New York Dec. 3, which will be aired live on ESPN.

This isn't Kelly's first venture into the (bewilderingly to me) vastly popular world of NASCAR. My dad loves it, but I personally get bored of watching cars drive around in circles for hours. I don't really care, though - I'll watch the whole Daytona 500 if I get to see even a mini Kelly concert. I'm a little sad about the "mid-year" release comment, though. I at least want an album or single name!

Source: http://blogs.usatoday.com/idolchatter/2007/01/kelly_races_int.html

Timber!

MUSICAL HIT MAN
January 13, 2007

He produced some of 2006's biggest hits, but Timbaland's Grammy Award nominations are actually for best pop collaboration with vocals for Nelly Furtado's "Promiscuous" and best dance recording for Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack." He also got a nod for his production work on Timberlake's "FutureSex/LoveSounds," which is up for album of the year.

Still, Timbaland doesn't mind being passed over in the producer of the year category. "It's Rick Rubin's time," he says. "I never really realized how much he's done. But he's got 12 nominees on the list, from Johnny Cash to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Hats off."

Describing his 2006 sound as global, the body-building producer says that he has drawn his inspiration from "India to China. I'm outside of the box." Last year also saw the blooming of his collaboration with studio right-hand man Nate "Danja" Hills.

"My style is totally different so nobody can adapt to what I do," Timbaland says. "But I brought him in and showed him how I work, and he caught on pretty quickly."

Hills adds, "When we come to the studio neither of us knows what we're about to do. We might have a million ideas floating around. We just go back and forth. Once we find one we love, we just pile a bunch of stuff on top of it. It becomes a jam session.

"When Timbaland hits the road this month with Timberlake, he will continue with his busy production slate via a mobile studio on the tour bus while Hills holds down the fort in Virginia Beach, Va. He is also putting the finishing touches on a star-studded new solo album, expected this spring via his Mosley Music imprint through Interscope.

But for now Timbaland seems most enthused about working with two decidedly non-R&B acts—Kelly Clarkson and Coldplay.

"It takes a lot to really excite me," he says. "But I am excited about Coldplay." ••••

—Hillary Crosley

Here's hoping Kelly's going to work with him on his album and not the other way around. Honestly, I don't want Kelly to be one of those female pop artists that has a rapper in at least one track. Come on, Kelly - don't be stereotypical.

Source: http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003528301

Kelly plays 'Kelly' on Reba

Kelly guest-starred in last Sunday's episode of Reba on the CW. The episode is available online (if you know the right place to look). Overall, I found it entertaining... well, as entertaining as Reba can be. The Kelly parts were great - I'll go out on a limb and say that Kelly was born to play herself.

Couldn't Stop

The currennt buzz in the community is all about the new single. The rumor, as posted by "DJ General" on the Pulse Music Board, is that it could possibly be titled "Couldn't Stop." He also posted, however, that he only heard a 1:47 clip and is unsure of the actual title. He claims to work for a radio station that has "close ties with Kelly" and that the lyrical quality of the clip is "extreme." That's not really a big surprise, though. We'll see if this actually ends up being the first single soon (hopefully).

In later posts, he claims these are some of the lyrics:

I saw you standing there (with that look on your face)

You were ready (I had to go)

I questioned you (surprise, no answer)

Nothing is as easy as it seems

Source: http://pulsemusic.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=news&action=display&thread=1151087430&page=63

Avenue Q

I've only seen one play on Broadway, and let me tell ya - if I saw Kelly there I couldn't focus on the production. Apparently, she recently saw Avenue Q (on Monday, I believe) with some of her friends and family. I think she looks rather good for her lack of make-up.

Photo courtesy of www.broadway.com

Kelly-tastic

I've decided to chronicle the events leading up to Kelly Clarkson's third (and as of yet untitled) album for the fun of it. And because I'm a KC nerd. I'm doing this mainly for myself and for fun, but if someone out there actually learns something from reading my blog or enjoys it, then great!