Tam Is Dead Tam Is Dead Tam Is Dead Tam Is Dead

No, I'm not dead. There's too much debt I have to pay off before I can die. My computer at home is just a piece of shit. I don't even try to get on it anymore. So posting will be few and far between.

New things:

Brit is now 4 years old as of last week. Ugh. At least she's turning into more of a lady than ever before!

I'm spending more time at home, mostly because I'm broke and can't afford to drive my car more than I have to. Sometimes I get so stir crazy I find things to organize like my spice rack. Two weeks ago I took everything out of Britain's room and put everything back where it should be. I was a Lysol commercial.

Matt and I are better than ever. He's a great husband. Sometimes we even hold hands in public.

Britain takes swimming lessons now. She is no longer afraid to go in past her bellybutton.

I am going to Chicago this weekend with Matt's parents and Britain to visit The American Girl Doll Mansion. Can you feel the excitement rushing through my body? Why the hell are American Girl Dolls so damn expensive? The closest thing I ever had to a doll was the 2 for $1 barbie dolls at Dollar General and it took all of 3 days to buzz all their hair off. I DID enjoy playing with my one and only Cabbage Patch Doll, Katrina Lynn and I'm ashamed to admit I carried her around until I was 13. But I AM excited to see Chicago. It's been a favorite city of mine since I found out Fred Savage grew up in a suburb nearby. And I've never been. Plus his parents are totally footing the bill! Matt's parents, not Fred Savage's.

I've decided the people I have no interest in hanging with are not worth my time and I'm tired of pretending I can put up with you and your tantrums. This does not mean that the people I haven't seen in forever and miss hanging out with are in this category such as Kristen B., ron r., Erin F. and Monica A.

Matt's 10 year reunion from high school is coming next weekend. Man, I remember mine like it was yesterday, before electricity and iPods.

All the pictures I've taken recently are stuck on my memory card. I will upload soon.

Until then, Bloggys...

Adam LAMEbert

If anyone can text me on how Kris Allen is doing Tuesday night, May 19 and the phone number to vote for him I would greatly appreciate it. Matt and I will be at a Springsteen concert in Pittsburgh and he won't let me stay behind in the hotel just to watch "that guy". I am of course DVRing back home, but I really want to vote.

YES

I can't believe it! I am so happy he's still here. But really: Allison got a bum rap. She's gone and Kris and Danny are still there? Crazy! And am I the only one who doesn't understand the phenomenon that is Adam Lambert? That fucker needs to switch it up. Damn!

Oh, Kris. You live to see another week! Congrats!

Ain't No Sunshine When He's Gone

Since I probably won't be seeing him for awhile past tonight, I wanted to post some pictures of Kris Allen. You know, because he holds a guitar so nicely.

And he totally looks like my husband... Bonus!

Update...er Downdate

I'm not getting very much sleep. When I am sleeping, I'm not really sleeping.

I can't stop eating. I've gained control the last two days but I've also gained ten pounds in the last two weeks.

I wish I didn't know so much about you. I'd rather be left in the dark. Ignorance is bliss; it's true. I know so much, in fact, that I don't even know you anymore.

When looking at the history of people who visit my blog, someone keeps checking my site for the Erie Idol winner. In case you were wondering and don't know already, I did alright but was soooooo very nervous and unprepared. I didn't get too many final pictures that night because it was such close quarters and I felt dumb for taking pictures. I made Kim do it! HAHAHA But I will post some when I get them uploaded. The top 5 out of the top 20 that night moved on to the second round. I didn't make it to top 5. Someone who sang the same song as I did (Total Eclipse Of The Heart) made it to top 5 because she came with her own disc, practiced more and sounded better and deserved it, simple as that. The woman that won Erie Idol was totally deserving and sounded just like Melissa Etheridge though I hadn't heard her perform an Etheridge song. It was a great night with so much talent. I was happy to learn I was one of only 2 or 3 other rookies. The rest of the finalists had competed in Erie Idol at least once before. Some of the top 20 had been in it 3 other times!!! I will not be competing next year. It's hard to find a babysitter when almost everyone you know wants to come out and root you on. Although, I'm so glad I did it. I still can't believe I made it that far. I was seriously surprised every time they called my number and wasn't surprised at all when they didn't. Congrats again to all the finalists! You felt like an extended family.

Damn I'm broke. All of the sudden I noticed it. I used to have such a nice cushion but my spending has been bad lately. I buy a lot of shit... like Starbucks and 8 dollar martinis, 4 bathing suits for Britain and dinner for the whole fam because we have no groceries and/or I get home too late to cook something. My credit cards are the highest they've ever been. It all started with my car. I guess I probably should have waited to buy a gas guzzling SUV that costs me a paycheck every month.

I wish I saw Kristen more. Hell, I wish I spoke to or emailed her more. If it weren't for YouTube, I wouldn't even remember what she looks/sounds like.

I was asked to sing a song ("The Rose") last weekend at my Grandma's church. I used to go there all the time when I was a kid. I really did love it. When I got up there on stage, all I could think about was the great times with my Papa and I broke down at the end of the song. Top 5 most embarrassing moments of my life. At least some of the other people were crying too.

It's All For You Damien

Britain has not been following the rules I taught her to live by. She's been down right evil the past year. I warned Matt that age 3 is far worse than that "Terrible 2" farce. Age 2 has nothing on age 3. And I am beginning to think she is possessed.

HORNS!

Top Ten Reasons Why Britain Is The Devil's Spawn

1 Britain can scream at a level that can't even be heard by dogs...in a packed grocery store...full of perfect children who stay in shopping carts and don't open food before it's paid for therefore being the child that all mommies tell their children never to act like.



2 She kicks and punches her teacher. I think she is most possessed while in preschool because it takes place in a basement room of a catholic church.



3 Matt is totally handsome enough to be the Devil.



4 Cleanliness is next to Godliness which explains why she removes all the water from her bath and onto my bathroom floor and doesn't let me brush her hair or her teeth EVER without a throw down. This also explains why she insists on trying to wear the same outfit everyday.



5 Her cheeks get bright red from the heat that radiates from her body on a 30 degree day. She likes to run around in a pair of dress up shoes and nothing else. Her favorite drink is water with ice.



6 I have seen her horns and she has a devil's hoof print on her back. It used to look just like a heart but it has now separated into two hooves. This is not sarcasm. This is no joke.



7 She is banned from coming with me to watch the big girl's little baby sisters (triplets). She amused herself by screaming so loudly they cried in fear and pain. Or they saw through her disguise.



8 Her favorite moments in movies or TV shows are when people get hurt, fall down or get knocked out. She will laugh out loud.



9 She is the most misbehaved when I have a very important meeting/phone call/Starbucks appt.



10 She has been entirely EVIL in the car on the way to Matt's parents, spouting I HATE YOUs and YOU'RE NOT MY MOMMY while unbuckling her car seat and rolling down her window to chuck books and toys out of my moving vehicle. But when we get in the driveway of their house, she has transformed into the sweetest little girl you've ever seen. Even her pigtails are in place. And they believe not a word I say.

"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."

Top Twenty

I'm sorry I didn't get to post the pics on here yet from the semi finals. P.S. If you want to check out all the pictures you can visit MY MYSPACE under pics in the Erie Idol album. I'll post just a few but I don't really have time to post all I really should...that's because I'm practicing, bitches

.......FOR FINALS!!!!!!!!! Top Twenty!

They are holding the finals tonight at Jr's Last Laugh at 9 pm. The top twenty singers now sing to be in the top 5 at the end of the night and those 5 get to perform a 2nd song. Then the winner will be determined. It's a 1 and 1 millionth chance I'll win but a 1/56th chance I'll be top 5 so I'm pretty psyched. Seriously, I am so happy I did this and made it this far. It's pretty amazing!

My family and friends are the best!! Countless texts, emails, comments. Kristen and Ray came from Cleveland, holding a total kick ass sparkle sign (see above). The chicks of '96 did more than represent (see below). My cousin David and his girl Ang came from Pittsburgh. My Grandmother's birthday is today and she's on the guest list when she should totally be playing on 5 dollars all night at the casino. And dude, my Grandma was at The Cell Block! Half the crowd is related to me and most of them haven't missed a single performance. And I am by far the person with the most audience support. It's great! Thanks everyone for so much backing.

Easter Britain

Britain had a pretty great Easter. Not only did she win the GRAND PRIZE at the Easter Egg hunt on Saturday at the Kingsley United Methodist Church but she was in the Erie Times for it. Plus she found her Easter basket in the bathtub before Matt could take a shower and unknowingly step right into it in his morning stupor. That Bunny is tricky.

Is The Economy To Blame?

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What The EFF Is Going On?


*Warning Turn down sound for first link
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Is That Pat Benetar?

Well, round 3 of Erie Idol down, semi finals and finals (fingers crossed) to go. This time we actually took pictures and now there is documented proof that I wore animal print, neon pink nail polish and a lace belt all in one outfit.
I was first to sing which made it both nerve-wracking and relieving all at the same time. I think I did great but effed up the lyrics. Also I couldn't down enough water beforehand and it felt like my throat was closing up at the end.

There were so many people that showed up, whether they knew one, two or numerous people in the competition! It was a good thing that I decided to sing another high energy song (Joan Jett's I Hate Myself For Loving You) because it seemed everyone else decided to do a slow song that evening.

Awhile back, my mother called the day after I made it through to this round and reserved the balcony area at Oasis. This is why Diana gets whatever she wants. You cannot tell my mother no. She will not accept nor acknowledge anything less than her ultimate outcome. That woman must have called Oasis 10 times making sure we had the right count and I had a thrown to sit on. They did draw the line at a crown. Some of the chicks of '96 came. Here's my BFFs from high school Mary (in pink) and Shelly (in virgin white) with their husbands Mike (no hat) and Chris (hat).

My sister Theresa showed up with her husband and invited her BFF from high school Wendy and Wendy's boyfriend Dan out as well. Wendy was celebrating her CANT SAY THE NUMBER birthday in a few days and decided to celebrate early with shot....

after shot....

after shot...Here's my brother in law Mike no doubt wondering what the hell he just consumed.

Jillian showed up with her baby daddy Kevin and their two friends in tow. Andrew and Andrew's wife, I wanna say Jen?, who were actually there to see another contestant. Anyways, when they get there the first thing out of Jen's? mouth to Kevin was "Oh my God, is that Pat Benetar?" with an eye roll towards me. And Kevin retorted, "No, that's Jill's best friend." HAHAHAHA Yes!

Jillian is awesome for many reasons but one reason she was legendary that night was because while I performed, she stood right behind the judges to see what they were writing about me. Stealth! It was pretty good except for one judge. We've named him Simon. He gave me a 5 out of 10 on stage presence. I would have to agree and I've been working hard on it since. Thanks Simey!

Shelly, Jill, Mary and I.

The chicks o' 96 are always a shoo in for best (worst) embarrassing pictures in public.

Theresa (after a few shots) wasn't afraid a no cuppage.

And my uncle Denny and my father were there for the whole thing. Awkward!

Matt and his favorite aunt Sandi (Chase) Staab.

My father in law Glynn and Granny Chase.

See Blogtopia, don't worry about us. We're good. Love Is A Battlefield.

My father is hilarious! He made signs for people to hold up. None of the people pictured came and my father in law that DID come was pissed he wasn't made a sign. I'm not the favorite daughter in law anymore.

This was Sandi's reaction to the other singers.

"WTF is she singing?"

My dad, although he came with the signs, was a total traitor clapping for the other contestants. DISCLAIMER: I realize sarcasm doesn't always convey on here. I have no qualms with my father or anyone else clapping for the other finalists. If you have the talent to be in this competition and you're good at what you do, you deserve the recognition and the encouragement. People have actually told me "these people are not your friends, they are your competition". I have never been, nor will I ever be, competitive to that degree. I can't stand that attitude of having to be better than everyone else. I give credit where credit is due. That's how my 'rents raised me. If they had a Miss Congeniality award in this contest, that's what I would win. That's just who I am. I'm Pat Fucking Benetar.

My mom in the green and my aunt Marge.

Lori, my sis Michelle and Mike: Honorary members of the Tam Fan Club.

Michelle, you look frightened.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Mike Mahler never takes a bad picture.

Too cute!

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This is Laurie (I'm dancing with her) who is another contestant that made it to semi-finals. The biggest reason I like Laurie is because she is "just there to have fun before she gets too wrinkled" and because she is "trying to get out of a sleepover for her daughter's brownie group which happens to be the night of the finals." Honestly though, we clicked right away and she has a great voice but doesn't exactly know it or care to rub it in your face.

My sister in law (and my buddy band buddy) brought her boss Therese (Sassafras Street Hair owner) and Therese brought her daughter, Stephanie. Her head doesn't always float like that.

"Buddy Bands! Hey... They work."Therese picked this guy up at the bar. Actually that's Bob, her boyfriend. They are totally going steady.

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Granny in her infamous yellow hat. Quite possibly the cutest picture ever.

When they called the numbers of the contestants who made it through, they called my number last! I was so sure I was gone. But then...

Semi finals Bitches! April 10 (Good Friday) at 8:45 pm. Bring it Cell Block! But please leave your gats at home.