Conjunction of The Stars

March 8, 2008 saw a conjunction of the stars on the Malysian political landscape that would be worthy of a PhD thesis and perhaps a fictional writer's better-seller. No best-seller in Malaysia (I am referiing to writings in English here) because one would be a fool to think you can rake in millions using the colonialists' bequeathed language, however rich.

To say that there was any single Malaysian out here among 25million who could have predicted the 140 to 82 BN versus Opposition combined outcome in the 222-arliamentary seat apportioning, I won't believe that guy! Not een among the most PKR leaders had harboured more than 20 MP seats, yet they scored 32. (I hope I got this right -- my mind hesiatedon recall, it could read 31; never ind, here we are not arguing accuracy. Most PKR leaders pre-March 8 said it would have been fantastic they could get from 10-20, and were looking at four-five years down the line for the real Winds of Change.

The "American Idol" finale between two Davids also witnessed a conjunction of stars that threw up a "surprise" otcome. Most of the audience (numbering 70,000?) in the Nokia Theatre were crying out SAchuleta's name on his fadoing notes of the Beatle's optimistic song that youths allover the world have/had/will adopted/adopt as a sort of world anthem for

p
e
A
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e.

I do. I too watched over TV the finale, and I could not have "imagine"-d the younger David losing to elder Cook, who did cook up a storm, but that surely lost out to a tsunami. That was the general concensus if anyone used the "vibes" in the air as a counter.

But when you buy ONE lottery ticket among let's say 7million tickets sold, your chance of striking is still a 1-in-a-7million chance, compared with your neighbour who bought 2 tickts, he had 2-in-7million chance.

So when you leave the American Idol judging to millions of people who sent in their choices in a four-hour-period, it's a conjucntion of stars which went against "normal" expectations -- which upset even the three offcial judges -- Randy, Paula and Simon, who by any standards, could be deemed to be experts in this very specialised field. YET ...

So when against all odds, you strike the 1-in-7million lottery, you could feel what was the impact on the new American Idol, DAVID COOK.The verdict came onthe heels of 97.5million votes! And that sort of numbers could throw off any ordinary human being's individual mind when they coalesce into that "defining" collective will I terms as the COTS.

Ending on a political note, when friends asked Desi "Do you believe that DSAI will enter Parliament and crowned the Prme Minister by the next Malaysia Day, September 16, 2008?",

my guarded answer is always:

WAIT FOR THE CONJUNCTION OF STARS.

PS: See no exclamation mark after STARS? 'Cos it is "guarded", by the gods, angels and devils and whatever spirits that tread quielty, or loudly, among the stars.


**************************************************

Borrowing from one Philip Lim, writing for the NST, in his review as it reflected the status of AI -- which now as I typed, I realised it coincides with the initials of Anwar Ibrahim! -- finale pretty well.

NST Online » Features


American Idol 2008: King David rules!
By : Philip Lim

2008/05/22

An overwhelming support for rocker David Cook. (NST Online » Features
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American Idol 2008: King David rules!
By : Philip Lim

2008/05/22
An overwhelming support for rocker David Cook.

After 97.5 million votes were counted, David Cook won by a comfortable margin of 12 million. It may have shocked David Archuleta’s fans but the voters have spoken. PHILIP LIM looks back on the night of the grand finale.

BY the time, David Archuleta finished his third song, Imagine, everybody at the packed Nokia theatre in Los Angeles, including the judges, thought the title was his to lose. However when the numbers were crunched, a tsunami of votes swept into David Cook’s corner.

For Archuleta’s fans, it was a big disappointment but there’s no denying the numbers. Cook cried on receiving the good news. It was too much of a pleasant surprise.

The road to the title was long and arduous but the two Davids were almost household names on finale night with millions in America and millions more around the world watching them.

David Cook took to the stage first with I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. He was eminently good with this song. His showmanship was faultless when he sang amid the audience and when he danced on the crescent-shaped table behind the judges.
Everybody loved it. It was reminiscent of what Season 5 Idol Taylor Hicks did on his road to victory. From the applause that reverberated across the hall, the verdict was clear, Cook had nailed this one down.

Randy Jackson quickly said: “It was a great way to start the duel.” Paula Abdul looking resplendent on the big night added: “We have found David Cook. Amen.”

Simon Cowell’s comment was the icing on the cake. “It was phenomenal.” So it was unanimous. Great song and marvellous performance.

Second number was Dream Big. Cook didn’t exactly falter on this one but if all of us were waiting for the oomph, we had a long wait. Even when the song ended, we were still waiting.

This 25-year-old from Blue Springs, Missouri, who had at the beginning of the competition declared “I am going to be who I am” didn’t fire up his engines on this one. Like some of us at home, the three judges knew it too.

Simon cut to the chase when he bluntly said: “The good news is there’s a third song.” All of us knew what he meant.

So apart from the “just OK” comments, Dream Big woke up to face some harsh realities. The second number was supposed to be something new, and Cook in black leather gear and strumming his guitar looked the part.

Millions believed in Cook and they voted accordingly. His third song, The World I know, was clearly better than his second.

His voice was better as usual. Expectations were high. After all, this was the big showdown. Cook was teary-eyed when the music ended. He had done his best and left the rest to America.

No one doubted the sincerity of his performances. The man dubbed Mr Original has clearly left an indelible impression on all those who have religiously watched him week after week.

Nobody really knew what David Archuleta was capable of right up till the final night. But his first song was the harbinger of an extraordinary evening.

Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me was one of the most stirring numbers ever performed by high school student Archuleta. He peaked on the most crucial of all Idol nights. Half way through the song, everybody in the hall, bar none, knew the sun will never again set on Archuleta.

HIs stellar performance sent a wave of warmth that embraced the hearts of all listeners. Clive Davis, head honcho of BMG America, gave Archuleta a standing ovation, along with 7,000 others in the theatre. Randy said that was one of his best performances.

“My heart is still pounding,” said Paula. Simon didn’t mince his words: “Round One to Archuleta.” No argument from anybody.

Archie (Archuleta), as host Ryan Seacrest called him, powered down the musical superhighway with In This Moment as his second song. The girls went wild. The louder the cheers, the better was Archuleta’s voice.

The song was right, the vibes were great and Archuleta was undeniably magnificent. It was a heartfelt moment that made many young people wish they had a brother like little David. I agreed with Simon, round two to Archuleta again.

Nobody in his right mind could dislike Archuleta. He has an innocence that’s refreshing and a smile that melts any trace of cynicism that dares to show up.

His third number was again a winner. John Lennon’s 1971 hit Imagine was a moment frozen in Idol time. The girls at the front of the stage went berserk.

The climax of the evening was timed perfectly with Archuleta’s last song. It left Paula speechless and she admitted it. Randy enthusiastically proclaimed: “Dude, you are exactly what the competition is all about.”

All it left was for Simon to add the seal of approval and he said: ”David, you came out tonight to win. From what we have witnessed, it is a knock-out!”

However, just before the results were announced yesterday morning, Simon changed his mind and said both Davids were equally good and he didn’t care who won.

Not me, I was aghast and could only exclaim: “What?” Personally, I think Archuleta should have been crowned the winner.

This season, the Idol contest has triggered a groundswell of response that broke all records. It has been a fun season. There have been a few unpleasant surprises but these are very much part of reality TV. What would TV entertainment be if there were no sudden twists and turns. Till the next season then, cheers.
the picture of Cook's triumph;don't wait formy portrait, it will dawn come AI 2009,and you ain't a patient!--Desi)

After 97.5 million votes were counted, David Cook won by a comfortable margin of 12 million. It may have shocked David Archuleta’s fans but the voters have spoken. PHILIP LIM looks back on the night of the grand finale.

BY the time, David Archuleta finished his third song, Imagine, everybody at the packed Nokia theatre in Los Angeles, including the judges, thought the title was his to lose. However when the numbers were crunched, a tsunami of votes swept into David Cook’s corner.

For Archuleta’s fans, it was a big disappointment but there’s no denying the numbers. Cook cried on receiving the good news. It was too much of a pleasant surprise.

The road to the title was long and arduous but the two Davids were almost household names on finale night with millions in America and millions more around the world watching them.

David Cook took to the stage first with I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. He was eminently good with this song. His showmanship was faultless when he sang amid the audience and when he danced on the crescent-shaped table behind the judges.
Everybody loved it. It was reminiscent of what Season 5 Idol Taylor Hicks did on his road to victory. From the applause that reverberated across the hall, the verdict was clear, Cook had nailed this one down.

Randy Jackson quickly said: “It was a great way to start the duel.” Paula Abdul looking resplendent on the big night added: “We have found David Cook. Amen.”

Simon Cowell’s comment was the icing on the cake. “It was phenomenal.” So it was unanimous. Great song and marvellous performance.

Second number was Dream Big. Cook didn’t exactly falter on this one but if all of us were waiting for the oomph, we had a long wait. Even when the song ended, we were still waiting.

This 25-year-old from Blue Springs, Missouri, who had at the beginning of the competition declared “I am going to be who I am” didn’t fire up his engines on this one. Like some of us at home, the three judges knew it too.

Simon cut to the chase when he bluntly said: “The good news is there’s a third song.” All of us knew what he meant.

So apart from the “just OK” comments, Dream Big woke up to face some harsh realities. The second number was supposed to be something new, and Cook in black leather gear and strumming his guitar looked the part.

Millions believed in Cook and they voted accordingly. His third song, The World I know, was clearly better than his second.

His voice was better as usual. Expectations were high. After all, this was the big showdown. Cook was teary-eyed when the music ended. He had done his best and left the rest to America.

No one doubted the sincerity of his performances. The man dubbed Mr Original has clearly left an indelible impression on all those who have religiously watched him week after week.

Nobody really knew what David Archuleta was capable of right up till the final night. But his first song was the harbinger of an extraordinary evening.

Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me was one of the most stirring numbers ever performed by high school student Archuleta. He peaked on the most crucial of all Idol nights. Half way through the song, everybody in the hall, bar none, knew the sun will never again set on Archuleta.

HIs stellar performance sent a wave of warmth that embraced the hearts of all listeners. Clive Davis, head honcho of BMG America, gave Archuleta a standing ovation, along with 7,000 others in the theatre. Randy said that was one of his best performances.

“My heart is still pounding,” said Paula. Simon didn’t mince his words: “Round One to Archuleta.” No argument from anybody.

Archie (Archuleta), as host Ryan Seacrest called him, powered down the musical superhighway with In This Moment as his second song. The girls went wild. The louder the cheers, the better was Archuleta’s voice.

The song was right, the vibes were great and Archuleta was undeniably magnificent. It was a heartfelt moment that made many young people wish they had a brother like little David. I agreed with Simon, round two to Archuleta again.

Nobody in his right mind could dislike Archuleta. He has an innocence that’s refreshing and a smile that melts any trace of cynicism that dares to show up.

His third number was again a winner. John Lennon’s 1971 hit Imagine was a moment frozen in Idol time. The girls at the front of the stage went berserk.

The climax of the evening was timed perfectly with Archuleta’s last song. It left Paula speechless and she admitted it. Randy enthusiastically proclaimed: “Dude, you are exactly what the competition is all about.”

All it left was for Simon to add the seal of approval and he said: ”David, you came out tonight to win. From what we have witnessed, it is a knock-out!”

However, just before the results were announced yesterday morning, Simon changed his mind and said both Davids were equally good and he didn’t care who won.

Not me, I was aghast and could only exclaim: “What?” Personally, I think Archuleta should have been crowned the winner.

This season, the Idol contest has triggered a groundswell of response that broke all records. It has been a fun season. There have been a few unpleasant surprises but these are very much part of reality TV. What would TV entertainment be if there were no sudden twists and turns. Till the next season then, cheers.

UPDATEd Saturday 12.00 May 24, 2008: wit' a snippet from The Associated Press just to show you how I spoli my ER! So Stay Tuned wit' Desi so I don't commit Hara Kiri on this ***My Blue Heaven, OK!:) *** turned a li'l brownish by slowly ripening Pu-erh tea!"Health Is Wealth", my MUM taught me, so stay yummy wit' me.

"...By strict "Idol" standards, being rebellious turned out to be worth the gamble for Cook, whose hip and scruffy style and ability to work the camera with a soulful gaze also proved to have overwhelming appeal. There were moments of tears, too, after Tuesday's performance and again after yesterday’s win.

Cowell, who seemed to dismiss Cook and his chances of winning on Tuesday, offered an apology in the moments before the winner was announced, saying he was too harsh and that it "wasn't quite so clear cut as we called it." Cowell even let on that, for the first time, he felt either finalist would have been a worthy winner.

Archuleta, 17, was the prodigy who consistently dazzled the show's judges and thrilled screaming young fans. He would have been the youngest "Idol" ever if he'd won, beating last year's winner Jordin Sparks by mere days..."