Fish Soup For the Soul

---

Editor’s Note: Fish Soup for the Soul is the page on my blog where my guest bloggers and I can post our rants and raves. It’s where I’ll write about the frustrations and rewards of running a Fan Site, or anything else that comes to mind. It won’t follow any rules or format and will probably be completely random at times. I hope our readers will relate.

So, why did I name this page Fish Soup for the Soul?

Back when David Archuleta did one of his first interviews (watch here) for American Idol he was asked the question, “What’s the grossest thing you’ve ever eaten?” David answered, “This one Fish Soup my grandma made.” For some reason that answer stuck with me. Maybe because I can imagine David smiling and eating it anyway so he didn’t hurt his Grandma’s feelings. Sometimes in life we have to do things we don’t particularly want to, in order to do what’s right. That’s Fish Soup for the Soul. Try some. It’ll stick to your ribs.

---

Gosh, I love Music

~ Janel 8-18-2011

Remembering Legends

I first want to start by thanking David Archuleta for the numerous times of encouraging his fans to reach for their goals and dreams. From his words in Chords of Strength of having to overcome singing in front of others to his pronouncement on his recent Asia tour to go for your dreams, do what your heart tells you he has inspired me to do the same. Though my goal is not to make it big as a singer, it has been to sing again, to feel courage to sing in front of others or at least share my voice with others. I’ve been doing that and David is a part of that boost of confidence I have.

As I’ve been singing again, I’ve been covering songs of some artists who are no longer with us. They were legends, at least to me, and I’m sure to others. I was thinking about what it is that creates a legend. Is it someone who is famous and leaves a mark in history, making them known to most everyone, or could it be someone who might be known but not to everyone, but still leaves a mark on those fans who know him or her? I think it’s both.

I am sure we all have that certain singer or group who we have grown up listening to and whose lives or paths cross our own making them important in our own personal histories. For me, some of those groups or individuals are still living and are legends, known to so many. But for those who are no longer with us, there’s almost an empty sadness. Glad that their music from the past is still there to listen to, but there’s also a longing for them to still be alive and gracing us with new music.

 

 

 

I don’t want to focus on how or why they passed away, but rather celebrate the life they had, and what better way than to continue listening to or even cover the songs they sang. Legends in my life were people like Mary Travers. Growing up with songs from the Peter, Paul and Mommy album and their other albums as well, I always loved her voice and loved singing along like “Puff the Magic Dragon” and “Mamma’s Taking Us to the Zoo Tomorrow”, or “If I Had a Hammer.” Karen Carpenter is another. Though sad the way she died, she left quite a mark on the history of music. Her voice is unmistakable and beautiful. I love covering her songs. “Yesterday Once More” and her Christmas song “Merry Christmas Darling” were my favorites. But, the one person whose music made the most impact on me was John Denver. I always loved the country/folk genre and nobody did it better than he did. I’ve enjoyed so much covering beautiful songs of his like “Country Roads”, “Annie’s Song” and others. I was very sad when he died.

I think about other legends no longer with us like John Lennon, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson who made huge impacts on the music industry. Their songs will continue to be played and covered by others for generations to come.

Then, there’s David Archuleta, our living legend. He’s another page in our musical history. We hope and pray he’ll be gracing us with his beautiful music for generations to come as well. He is, in my opinion, the best singer living, and the most gracious to his fans, and humble and nice to everyone. It has and will continue to be an honor to be his fan.

This is for you Janel ~AFD

---

---

David Archuleta’s Music: Where the Sweet Spot Is

~Kizzi June 12, 2011

Certain songs David sings, or the same ones in a new venue for that matter, just hits one’s sweet spot. You know, the place in each of us that has that creative, artistic, musical yearning that can only be filled by whatever it is a music fan is looking for. To find that ultimate listening experience.

In acoustics, the sweet spot is the place where the music is heard at its best. It embodies an optimum combination of characteristics and qualities of the listening experience.  As music fans, that can be different for each of us.

Some musicians use spectacle to get the fans jump started to the sweet spot or maybe they are creating the sweet spot for the fan, I don’t know exactly, but spectacle definitely creates need.

Not David, though. Spectacle doesn’t appear to be part of his performance repertoire, to date.

I am not opposed to spectacle, if that is part of what the artist feels must be a part of their musical canvas to create the experience of the song. Art, after all, is all about feelings and is in the hands of the creator and received in the eye and ear of the beholder.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aqzJsXhYTM[/youtube]

But Mr. Archuleta, he is aiming for those sweet spots that already exist within the listener, a most elusive target. Definitely the harder road to travel….finding his muse, his message, his art and delivering it.  Not creating an artistic target and then filling it.

The most fascinating thing is the ‘sweet spot’ is different for different listeners.

My current sweet spot is (*drum roll*)…… Blackbird from Myrtle Beach. The smoky tone, the yearning, the vibrato, the lyrics, and the repetition of “Blackbird fly”…

…into the light of the dark black night.

---

The Business of Music, Part 1: Anatomy of a Successful Musician/Songwriter

~Kizzi Sept 21, 2010

So I have resisted for a while researching the business side of the music industry because it seemed too much like work. I just wanted to enjoy being a fan without thinking about business.   Not anymore.  My curiosity has peaked.  (See Sidebar below for personal outlook if that’s of interest, lol.)

So, here is part one of a 3 part article on The Business of Music……..

There is a lot of literature and web sites out there filled with info, opinions, experiences, and the like about the music business.  I combed through quite a bit and read some books, yes lengthy books, to get a feel for the topic.  So while, I’m no expert on the music industry, here is a fan’s review and observations, admittedly from a rank amateur.  If you have some better source, please say so.  I have no ego invested in this. LOLZ.

David Hooper has a primer called “14 Qualities of Successful Musicians, Songwriters, and Music Business Professionals.”  He also has a website and an online radio blog/show.  He runs a promotion and marketing company out of Nashville called Kathode Ray music.  He says his job is to help the music professional sell their music, get more people to their shows, and make more money.

The pros is that he has had success in marketing successful musicians, ran a label, and his book “14 Qualities…” makes quick sense plus it’s short and to the point.  It’s more anecdotal experience, common sense and basic truths than any great secrets revealed.  Of course, remember, he is in the business to sell books and his services essentially to budding musicians and music business professionals.  Still all in all, it had a ring of truth to me amateur that I am.  It reminds me of Richard N. Bolles bestseller, “What Color is Your Parachute?” which is a practical guide for anyone in terms of career success.

So what does a successful musician/songwriter, in general, need to possess and display in characteristics, actions and values?? —–>  Click on continue reading…over there, yes, down a little and to the right….

They…

1. Take New Risks – essentially about concentrating on putting energy behind what will happen when things go right, versus concentrating on what could go wrong.
2. Are Bold in Actions – have the ability to  make quick decisions and follow through with the decision thoroughly.
3. Are Fearless – Go for the gold, it’s worse to appear as if you are not sure of yourself.  He says a singer can go out on stage, miss changes, be off key and otherwise “screw” up a song and the majority won’t question anything if one acts like they know what they are doing.
4. Drop the Ego – admit quickly when the song, performance isn’t working.  Listen when others are saying it isn’t working.  He goes on to talk about the all stops pulled passion and conviction successful artists give in performances and squeeze out every last drop and give it to their fans.  That performing is all about the fans.  That a lot of musicians believe it’s about them and they are the center of the universe but those musicians are “idiots.”  He says successful musicians know its all about their audience and the musician giving, giving, giving until they can give no more and when the collective, loyal fans say a song/performance “sucks,” it really does.
5. Are Not Attached to Songs – as in cannot tolerate change/or see someone change the song or admit it if doesn’t work.  He says “when it comes to songs, change happens.”  Others will record it and “change lyrics, phrasing and melodies.”  Producers may change arrangements and radio stations (if one is lucky enough to have radio play their song) will edit to make it fit their schedule.
6. Lose the Intellect – basically he is saying learn from past experiences but don’t get caught in them nor the rules.  Don’t take anything as a given, don’t go through the motions, don’t play it safe – innovate and experiment.  He likens it to “jump(ing)off a cliff all the time and build(ing) your wings on the way down.”
7. Get Others Involved in the Business (Don’t do it All Themself) – Lots of examples.  More on this in Part II about what comprises a successful team for a musician.
8. Don’t Give Room for Negative People – i.e., surround self with people who are focused on why things work than why things don’t work.
9. Don’t Move or Work with Lazy People – essentially everyone on the team has to work as hard or harder than the musician.
10. Let Their Purpose and Vision Be Clear to Themselves and Whoever is Watching Them – successful musicians know what they want and everything they do is a step toward that.
11. Embrace Competition – in terms of being innovative and forward moving in business dealings and in ones music evolution – ever evolving, don’t get stuck because someone copied them.
12. Get Trained on New Skills – have to be innovative musically and develop well-rounded business skill sets.  The musician is the boss of the business and has to know what their people are doing or who you need to hire and the scope of what they need to do.
13. Get/Are Involved in Charity – Charity events involve promoters, newspapers, magazines and other media.
14. Are Grateful – basically that the musician is in control of his outlook and it’s a choice to be happy and thankful even for the smallest things.

Without delving deeply into these 14 qualities here, I think we can all agree that David displays, possesses many of these attributes already.

What jumps out at you?  Do you agree? Disagree?

Sidebar – a little more about my motivation and background in writing this:

The business of managing the bottom line, although in another industry, occupies the majority of my work life.

I like making money, morally and ethically.  I like looking at all the mousetraps around me, even the most successful ones, and, then deconstructing it , rebuilding it, thus creating the better mousetrap or maybe not a mousetrap at all, setting the mice free and making something new, different, better.  Instead of thinking “who moved my cheese,” we get to think, I have the cheese right here.  It’s fun and it’s totally doable – just have to find the right formula and people and execute.

And so, writing this is about looking for the right formula, the info that is sound and appears that it will actually work when it comes to the music industry.

This is just a journey into an industry that I have no expertise in.  Thanks for joining me.

And if you find some better information or sources, please highlight them.

I have no ego invested in this.  lolz.

---

David Archuleta – Getting His Groove On

~ by Kizzi 4/10/10

In the last 60+ hours, the flow of events in the David fan world has gone from agreeable hovering to light speed with David Archuleta’s exquisitely notable performance of John Lennon’s iconic anthem, “Imagine.”

Organic, yes. It is as if, with this performance, I see clearly for the first time the direction David has chosen for his music. I felt his personality, his dreams, his emotions, his vulnerabilities, his courage as if they were set out, deliberately, for all of us to hear, to see, to share.

Frankly, I felt like I was sitting in Carnegie Hall when I listened to the performance Wednesday evening. It was that extraordinary.

Why?

David is gettin’ his groove on. He says: “I want to show people that I’m in a new phase right now. It’s a new time for me!”

He’s getting his act together – He is giving opinions galore. He has reminded me through his growth, yet again, of one of life’s maxims: that by facing one’s issues, whatever they are, one can then blast through them and better understand their truths.

And, we heard much about his new undertakings, new attitude, in his break-out interview with Ryan Seacrest on Thursday. Ironically, it is Seacrest, himself, (the one who told Larry King that David was not an easy interviewee and to have extra questions prepared) telling David Thursday morning, that David should have his own talk show. And that is another major seismic event in L.A. Listen Here.

When David speaks as eloquently and beautifully as he sings, he will be a highly sought interviewee. He already delivers his message, who he is, with magnetic pizzazz. His charisma transmits exponentially through the radio and TV waves.

I cannot tell you how impressed I am with his public speaking progress. It takes a lot of courage and self-awareness to achieve this kind of growth. Well done, David, well done!

He’s getting things done – new single, memoir to be published June 1, new album, new time for him, and, it appears, there is much more on David’s agenda that will be revealed as time rolls forward.

He‘s in control of his life – he says he speaks up for himself, he has to. He has taken the reins of managing his career.

He’s getting the most out of life – David is a shining example of someone who thrives on the “in between” times. He appears to have looked between the sights, heard between the words, felt between his heart and mind… and we, his fans, get to hear his magic, his wonder, his spirit, his essence in his music.

David reminds us, yet again, of our own power, our own magnificence, our own spirituality.

---

12/23/09

David Archuleta – Something More

“Sometimes it can get like a little, like, whoa. Sometimes I’m, like, what is it that people are so interested in? Because I just feel like I’m me. It’s interesting when people take an interest in you and want to talk to you and be around you and get a hug from you and follow you to the shows. It makes me feel like there must be something more that’s involved with this, because it can’t just be me.”

–David Archuleta, December 2009

He runs offstage with a jump and a wave, and the moment the house lights come up, your heart drops. It’s over. How can it be over that fast? Weren’t you just chanting his name, jumping up and down, screaming at the top of your lungs while under the impression that he’d acknowledge your scream above anyone else’s? And as you gather up your belongings and scoot out of your row into the aisles, you look around and smile. You know exactly why you’re involved with David Archuleta.

What is it that people are so interested in? At first speculation, it’s his voice. Let’s look at David as a tree. Funny, yes, but a good analogy. The purity in his voice is the roots of the tree that grow and entangle themselves into the dirt depths of your soul, cleansing it and creating new life and new ties. These are roots that cannot be taken up; the purity will always be there, and unless the tree is physically uprooted, it cannot be moved.

From the roots, we move to the ground. The solid ground on which the tree stands is his morals and his character. “I just feel like I’m me,” David says. With a firm and unrelenting declaration, he clarifies that while he does not fall into the majority of teenagers his age, he still falls into the category of the average teen—goofy, talkative, excited, and curious. His character, though the surrounding environment may run it dry, though it may flood it with care, though feet may tread all over it, does not give up or cave in. The tree still stands unyielding on his morals and character.

From the ground, we move to the trunk. The trunk is the strongest part of the tree, the part that keeps the tree upright, keeps it from wilting, falling over, or wavering. The trunk of the tree consists of two ‘f’s’—family and faith. Consistently, frequently, David speaks of his family and how much family means to him. He says home is where the family is. He loves them unconditionally, even though they are probably the average set of siblings and have their quarrels and differences. But then there is his faith. David has placed a steadfast, strong faith in God, and it shines through every pore of his body. The spirit of God just radiates from the passion with which David sings. Need an example? Watch any performance of “Prayer of the Children.” David is a mouthpiece for God’s word. In that particular song, he is pleading for someone, anyone, to hear the prayer of innocent children looking for a better life, a safe home, and someone to help them feel joy again; it is not just his physical being pleading—it is a plea from someone not of this earth. The trunk of a tree upholds the tree. David’s family and faith upholds his life.

The trunk then gives life to the branches of the tree. These branches represent David’s music and career. Branches of a tree grow; they reach out and stretch to the ends of the earth, eager to grow. Every day, David’s career grows. Every day, there is a new interview, a new review, a new concert, and new information that places David in a more prominent position, a more well-known position, and a respected position. When children climb trees, they climb up the trunk and sit on the branches to see from new heights, to observe from a new vantage point. Inquisitively, people hear of David’s music. They immediately climb the tree, unconcerned with the roots or the trunk, and sit on the branches to hear his music. It’s a breath of fresh air—no screaming, no cursing, good messages… the music is unlike anything they’ve ever heard, and it’s not just from the music itself—it’s the voice. And soon, they begin to look down at the sturdy trunk that is upholding the tree. They slowly climb down the trunk, feeling every groove in the bark, noticing how large and strong the trunk is, and once their feet hit the ground—the solid ground of moral and character—they notice that the roots are dug deep into the ground. Like a chain reaction, they quickly become a frequent visitor to the tree. And then they bring a friend. That friend brings a friend. Soon, it becomes a daily visit full of excitement and wonder with new surprises every day.

But what makes the tree big and beautiful? What gives the tree its color, its shape, its liveliness? The leaves do. Each leaf is completely different. They may all look similar, but they each have one individual characteristic that makes them special to the tree. Each leave is attached to the same tree; sometimes the leaves touch, sometimes they flutter to the ground and get raked up. But each leaf is a part of the tree. Likewise, each fan is a part of David. No matter how big or how small, we are all significant to David’s career and music. He holds each one of us, but if we want to let go, we let go and fall to the ground. Yet he still appreciates the time you’ve spent with him.

What’s more, some leaves share a branch in the same way that some fans share a bond. David said: “It makes me feel like there must be something more that’s involved with this, because it can’t just be me.” David is the base of the interest, the root of the interest. Without him, there wouldn’t be new friendships or frequent traveling. Ever since we became fans, we find ourselves traveling all over the United States to places we never thought we’d visit. Those who were previously afraid of flying have braved an airplane just to be surrounded by friends while seeing David’s concert. Friendships formed online turned into lifelong personal friendships—and no, your online friend did not turn out to be an ax murderer. Our families and friends think we’re crazy, but we live in a whole alternate universe. We take off work, we skip school, and we get to the venue by any means possible. We sing loudly, we dance without inhibition, we cry with meaning, we hug like we mean it, and we smile constantly. This is how we know that the interest goes beyond David—the friendships we have formed speak volumes upon how he has affected our lives. We will never be the same. Friends that we’ve met through him will never flutter off of the tree.

You smile and look around. There are all of your friends, gathering up their belongings too, shaking their heads in disbelief at what they’ve just heard. They run up to you and start talking a million miles per hour about how incredible the show was. You look back to the stage where David was just standing. You know exactly why you’re a fan.

Written by Kelsey Dibiase

---

Original post 11/2009
~by ArchieFanDoc Cure ODD -But Do You Wanna?

Got 14K?

OK – anyone wondering what AFD was doing while Fan Scene was under reconstruction? You know because ——> over there is my usual state of being.

I was really struggling with some serious David Archuleta Fan Scene withdrawals.

David would tweet about what he had to eat – and I would start googling items for one of my food related posts — but then remember – what, wait a minute – no Fan Scene ……… whaaaaaaaaaaaa. SusanM or China would send me a great article on David and I would hurry to the “back room” to put it up and remember – what, wait a minute – no Fan Scene ……….whaaaaaaaaaaaa. My heart would start pounding, I would break out in a cold sweat, a sense of doom and gloom would come over me. I seriously needed some Fan Scene “CQ” patches — but they don’t make those!
I had the David Archuleta Fan Scene blues in a bad way …I am talking bbbbbbbbbad.

Then I found out about this place for internet addiction called reStart! It only cost $14,000! What a bargain.

reStart is the first inpatient rehab clinic in the US and recently opened up for internet addiction in the state of Washington (ironically awfully close to the Microsoft headquarters). Now internet addiction is actually some very serious stuff and an increasing problem – so I don’t mean to make light of it – but I thought it would be interesting to look at some of the things that are being offered and see how it relates to all of us with Obsessive David Disorder.

It all comes down to dopamine in our neuro-circuitry — but doesn’t it always? So what is dopamine? It is one of the neurotransmitters playing a major role in addiction – including my AFS ODD.
As a chemical messenger, dopamine is similar to adrenaline. Dopamine affects brain processes that control movement, emotional response, and ability to experience pleasure and pain. I prefer the pleasure over pain by the way, thank you.

From an article on Slate.com “The Powerful and Mysterious Brain Circuitry that Makes us Love Google, Twitter, and Texting” :

Berridge has proposed that in some addictions the brain becomes sensitized to the wanting cycle of a particular reward. So addicts become obsessively driven to seek the reward, even as the reward itself becomes progressively less rewarding once obtained. “The dopamine system does not have satiety built into it,” Berridge explains. “And under certain conditions it can lead us to irrational wants, excessive wants we’d be better off without.” So we find ourselves letting one Google search lead to another, while often feeling the information is not vital and knowing we should stop. “As long as you sit there, the consumption renews the appetite,” he explains.
Actually all our electronic communication devices—e-mail, Facebook feeds, texts, Twitter—are feeding the same drive as our searches. Since we’re restless, easily bored creatures, our gadgets give us in abundance qualities the seeking/wanting system finds particularly exciting. Novelty is one. Panksepp says the dopamine system is activated by finding something unexpected or by the anticipation of something new. If the rewards come unpredictably—as e-mail, texts, updates do—we get even more carried away

More carried away ????? well that sounds like me. Maybe it sounds a little bit like you too. Well I do not have 14 G’s – nor the time for the 45 day stay – but I am working on some balance in my life and I hope you do too. Soooooo, while we want you to visit Fan Scene – like DAILY, maybe twice, thrice times a day — for all your David Archuleta news but until they come out with those Fan Scene CQ patches — do try to go out and smell the roses, tip toe through the tulips, dance amongst the daisies — soak up the sun and build up your Vitamin D levels – and stimulate your pineal gland and increase your serotonin levels – so you don’t need that dopamine high.

AFD will still be surfing the net
and twittering away
and texting
and emailing
and posting on AFS
and
and
and
– but I am going to look like this from now on – yes, it can happen!

---

Fish Soup: There’s Always Enough for Everyone

Had a great time this week. I got to see a long forgotten side of myself through the eyes of a new friend. We spent hours on the beach at night, talking about world mysteries, playing virtual “hide and seek” and scanning the stars for UFOs. We went drift fishing out on the ocean and caught a few Kingfish.

I also caught a little something for everyone and still have enough left to make soup. Who has a ladle and an apron?

Sometimes what’s best for us comes from a distance – and friendship, served neither hot nor cold, but just right, is always good for the soul.

09/28/09

---

The Looking-Glass

I don’t believe I’m alone when I say I often get caught up in David’s enchantment as he travels the world experiencing things most of us can only imagine. Sometimes watching him is like staring through the looking-glass, pondering, like Alice, what the world must be like on the other side of a mirror.

I suppose I’ve been feeling a bit nostalgic of late as I follow David’s tour through the UK with McFly. I have to confess, there was an extended period during my teenage years when I was fascinated by the myths and legends of the British Isles. My father’s side of the family emigrated from England long ago, and those tales stirred a yearning in me to someday return to that faraway land of my ancestors.

The United Kingdom captured the imagination of my youth. I envisioned a land of enchantment, full of magic and mystery, dark forests primeval teeming with the creatures of folklore. I would sit alone in my bedroom for hours, lost in the tales of King Arthur or Middle Earth. Reading was my great escape. Books allowed me to travel through the past – to those distant realms and places imagined, to see them for myself — if only through the mind’s eye.

As I grew older, I was told childish things must be put away. No more giants lumbering through the rolling, sunlit hills, and cottages of the countryside. No more adventures in Wonderland. No more magic. The characters of mythos, once alive in my imagination, faded wistfully away into the dark ambiguity of imminent adulthood.

Today I stand, once more, in front of the looking-glass, wondering what the world might have been like on the other side. My reflection has always reminded me of past regrets and my life’s dreams unrealized – but I’ve noticed lately, that sometimes, when I smile, I can still imagine the boy I was once upon a time. You see, I used to think the magic was gone, but now, I know it’s not forever. And there’s still a chance for all of all us to live – happily ever after.

---

Angels

by Gallie

Throughout history angels have been regarded as Divine or extraordinary beings possessing supernatural abilities. Countless movies, statues and paintings have been made about angels and cities have been named after them. Most of the major religions of the world believe in angels in one form or another. A Gallup Poll indicated that well over half of all Americans believe in angels. Regardless of your view, even the possibility that there are beings out there who are looking after your wellbeing, day or night, is comforting.

Maybe the existence of angels appeals to so many people because they seem to help bridge the gap between the natural and supernatural worlds. Most religions teach that angels are created beings, similar to us. They are superhuman creations with abilities far beyond our own, like being able to walk through walls, float in the air, and perform amazing feats. Who wouldn’t want to be like an angel. Wouldn’t it be great if you could transport yourself from one place to another or heal a loved one of a terrible disease. Angels also give us a sense of hope, because if they have the power to influence our natural world they can save us from that fatal car accident or guide the trajectory of a criminal’s bullet as it careens through our body. I think we’d all feel better knowing that angels are here to protect us.

Here on CDC we’ve discussed how David Archuleta has touched many people and helped them in various ways. David would probably be the first to tell you that he’s not an angel, but he has certainly restored hope that even young people can live a life of good character. One of the songs on David’s CD is called, “Angels”, and this a cappella rendition is simply amazing. You’ll see why some have said his voice is angelic.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykzC3XiWIaY[/youtube]

The fans of David Archuleta have joined together to become angels in their own way. Think about the similarities between angels and us. We are both created beings, we have the capacity to love and care for others, we protect and guard our children and others from harm and are capable of making the lives of others better. Our similarities with angels are startling, yet with one profound difference. Angels always act out of charity with a pure heart, whereas we can choose to be selfish with ulterior motives. Our potential to make a difference in this world is just about as significant as an angel, yet we don’t act on it. Now there is an organized way to act with the creaton of two websites that unite the David Archuleta fans who want to help those in need.

The two sites, incidentally both having “angels” in their title, are Angels for a Cause and Angels in the Alleyway. Angels for a Cause will highlight David’s endorsed charity, which is currently Rising Star Outreach, and help fans come together to raise money for that cause. Angels in the Alleyway will bring together, on one site, all the various charities that David Archuleta fans are supporting so you can decide where best you want to give.

As I looked at the Rising Star Outreach website and browsed through the pictures of the people afflicted with leprosy, I imagine that we probably do look like angels to them. Some of them are missing hands and feet and their skin has been leathered by the harsh wind blowing through their makeshift homes. Their world is bleak and in need of supernatural intervention, the caring heart of an angel. The time is now so visit the sites that I’ve mentioned and seriously consider giving of your time and money to help out these good causes and be an angel to those in need.

“I always think about how those donations will help out, even if it’s not a huge contribution. That small amount can help change someone’s life one way or another, and just thinking about it gives me the chills.”

- David Archuleta-
MySpace on January 5, 2009

---

David, Babies, and Crazy Kittens

I recently got a little Siamese kitten. I was going to post a picture of him but the pictures I took are still on my camera along with the ones I took of David in Sunrise, and my goddaughter’s new baby. I looked for one online and the closest I could find was this:

It took me a long time to pick out a name for him ’cause I wanted a name that fit his personality. I considered, Spaz, Felix (as in, “If he licks” me one more time I’m gonna scream,) Scootch (because he always steals my chair, ) etc. Finally, after living with him for awhile I found my self constantly yelling, “OH! You little RASCAL!”

So “Rascal” it is.
Or, as Judith calls him: =^^=.

Let me tell you, this is no ordinary kitten. He plays fetch. He can walk a short distance on his back legs, and he’s learned how to open cabinet doors. He’s into EVERYTHING and he’s like the Gene Simmons of the cat world; he wants to Rock & Roll all night and party every day. Watching Rascal is a full-time job. If he was a kid he’d be eating paint chips and sticking forks into electrical outlets. Right now at 3:00 PM he’s sleeping peacefully, like a little angel on my pillow. At 3:00 AM he’ll be like this…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0ffwDYo00Q[/youtube]

12/10/08

---

Agent O’Snark

I’ve been trying to figure out how our friends at www.snarkyarchies.com get their information so darn fast! Amy told me she was “somewhat of a Google expert” but I think it goes beyond that. She seems to have found a way to intercept data packets before they reach my computer.

I’m convinced that Amy has somehow managed to turn herself into a self-replicating, info-gathering, cyber-super-entity similar to the Matrix Program, Mr. Smith, and is directly plugged into to the Archu-matrix.

Faster than a speeding Google alert, more powerful than a YouTube search engine, and able to leap tall barriers in a single bound.

12/10/08

---

Say It Isn’t Sow

Okay, I get bored…a lot. So I decided to make this comic based on the little pig David used to draw with his signature. This first one wasn’t meant to be THAT funny. It’s main purpose was to set up the stories to come. If you click on it you’ll be able to see it full size. I’m not so good at this yet, but hey, I had fun. Hope you like it anyway.

---

My ODD Intervention

Hmm…time to poke fun at myself today. The following conversation is loosely based on an actual event that happened at my friend’s house last night….VERY loosely based, Haha!

“Todd, we think ODD is taking over your life. Your friends hardly get to see you… we need to talk.”

“Shhh! This is the part where he busts into his falsetto Woo-ooh-woos!”

“We’re seriously going to snatch your face off if we have to hear that SNIPPIT CD one more time. It’s really hard to have a conversation with some one who’s flailing their arms and Woo wooing. You need intervention.”

“OMD! Haha! That’s awesome!
You’re joking right?”

“We’re seriously thinking about calling in Dr. Drew. You need celebrity rehab.”

“I’M FINE.
Dr. Drew? Hmm… I wonder if he knows Oprah… Oh! I missed the last woo. That one’s my favorite. Dangit!”

“Todd, you’re in denial.”

“I’m in denial? De-Nile! De-NILE! Haha!”

“Todd, enough with the baby Moses impressions already, PLEASE get out of our laundry basket. And… what’s with the 11/11 tattoo?”

“Do you know people all over the Internet have reported seeing 11:11 on clocks everywhere for years! Now I know why! I think he’s trying to tell us something in ‘My Hands!!!!’
I heard it means you’re an ANGEL incarnate! SPAZ! SPAZ!”

“Sigh. Like today for instance. Remember when we went shopping? And we agreed to let you look through magazines, oh, like Tiger Beat to see if there were any articles about David?”

“Yeah? Haha.”

“Well, we didn’t know we were going to have to wait an extra half hour while you checked Good Housekeeping and Field & Stream.”

“OMD! That reminds me!
Have you guys heard David sing ‘A House Is Not A Home’ or ‘Nature Boy??? SPAZ!!’”

“FORGET IT! JUST FORGET IT!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!”

“See, I knew you guys we’re overreacting. I’m hungry. You hungry?
Who’s up for some Thai Food?”

11/02/08

---

A Day Off For A Change

I’m taking the day off from Fan Scene today to drive down to Sunrise, Florida with a friend to hear Barack Obama speak. I don’t normally attend political rallies but I want to see history in the making. Even if Obama doesn’t become our next president he’s still the first African American presidential nominee in our country’s history. Today he’s speaking at the Bank Atlantic Center, the same arena I saw David on the American Idol’s Tour.

10/29/08

---

Dream Meditations on the Archuleta Plateau

Last night I dreamed about David Archuleta. Now you’d think that after more than four years of running David’s Fan Sites I’d dream about him all the time, but I don’t. In fact this was only the third time.

The first time was back in 2005. Lupe called and offered to fly me out to Salt Lake City to see David perform at Abravanel Hall. I would’ve loved to have gone. But I’d invited friends from Illinois to come visit me here in Florida and I’d already bought their tickets and made arrangements. I couldn’t disappoint them. Besides, I was working for a non-profit organization and Abravanel Hall was a black tie affair. I couldn’t afford to rent a tux even if I could’ve gone. I had to decline an invitation from the Archuletas which would have been a great opportunity for us to get to know each other better.

That night I had my first dream: I was in the Archuleta’s house sitting around a coffee table playing Monopoly with the family. Everyone was laughing and having a good time. I didn’t even care that I was losing as usual. I’d brought my guitar and wanted to share a song with David that I’d written. I don’t remember anything else about the dream but that.

The second time I dreamed about David was when he was on American Idol. There was some concern on the message boards at the time that David didn’t really have his heart in the competition, that he wasn’t competitive enough to win. If you’ve ever seen the movie “The Princess Diaries,” there’s a scene where Mia’s friend Lilly is trying to convince her to accept her rightful title as the Princess of Genovia. Lilly tells Mia she’ll have a better platform from which to promote her charity/social causes once she becomes the Princess of Genovia. I’d been thinking about that a lot, so in my second dream David and I were outside of some school talking on the bleachers. Our conversation was straight out of that film.

The third dream, from last night, was the strangest of all. I was back living in the mid west but I was lost somewhere downtown. I saw what I thought was a familiar building and decided to go in for directions. I entered and walked down a flight of crumbling concrete steps to a record store in the basement. Strangely once I was inside the store, instead of getting help, I started asking if they had David’s new CD. The guy behind the counter said all they had was some promotional material and showed me a white CD he’d received that wasn’t available to the public. I asked him if I could at least see it. He handed it to me and I opened it. At first I thought there were no pictures, only words.

The inside cover reminded me of a couple of LP’s my older sister used to have in her collection. I don’t remember if it was the Beatles or Led Zeppelin, maybe both, that used to have – how do I explain this? – like a cardboard wheel attached to the cover that had various “windows” cut out. When you took your finger and turned the wheel you could see different parts of a background picture through the window. I took the unusual white CD in my hands and turned the wheel inside the cover, trying to get the full picture, one window at a time.

The background scene wasn’t at all like something I’d expected. It was a scene from the old children’s cartoon Pokemon and full of characters. I was trying to figure out the meaning, much like I did with my sister’s albums sitting on the floor of her bedroom when I was a kid, then the next thing I know a girl came out from the back of the store with something in her hand. She showed me a promotional poster they’d received and asked if I wanted it. I was excited and thanked her, then immediately started wondering if I could get David to sign it so I could give it away. I neatly rolled up the poster and headed back up the stairs and out of the store. Once outside I forgot all about trying to get home, thinking of nothing but the poster and the smile on the face of the person who would own it.

I woke up this morning wondering if all the time we put into Fan Scene is making any difference for anyone at all, or if it’s all just a dream.

10/28/08

---

Coming Soon...

 ...a Cartoon of Enormous PIG-nificance!

---