Or maybe I haven’t read the papers lately. I was busy saving the world.

Now, that Skechers-sponsored billboard of David Cook on top of one of those steel buildings in Edsa contained little to no details of the concert. Just May 16. No mentions of the venue, time and place. Weird.

But for your benefit here are the concert and ticket details from the Ticketworld:

Date: May 16, 2009
Time: 8:00 PM
Venue: SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds

TITANIUM:
PhP 12,425.00

PLATINUM:
PhP 6,215.00

VIP:
PhP 3,625.00

GOLD:
PhP 2,075.00

SILVER:
PhP 625.00

BRONZE:
Php 315.00

Archuleta and Cook

The rumored January 27 concert of David Cook came to pass like the Y2K apocalypse that wrought no damage except on some freaks’ credibility and ability to read the future. (Well, who can?) Now, local AI fans started the new year with disappointment. Who wouldn’t be when the American Idol of Season 7 himself confirmed it over a radio station last year? But, of course, the artist really had nothing to do with the change of heart. It’s the producer’s prerogative. Whoever it was, well, better luck next time.

An officemate told me that actor Jomari Yllana’s production outfit called Fearless is bringing in American Idol’s two Davids, Cook and Archuleta, in a concert this summer at the SM Mall of Asia. It is scheduled on the 2nd week of May. Hmm. If that’s the case, BETTER SELL TICKETS NOW!!!

By the way, we had dinner the other night at Salt & Pepper. It’s a resto along EDSA, Greenhills (near Annapolis) owned by a discount furniture company. Try their kebabs. It’s yummy.

In watercolors

No one knows for sure when or where inspiration comes. Today, I just woke up from an hour of sleep, played David Cook CD, looked at his photos and decided to pull out that small watercolor pad from those old boxes. Voila! Here’s  David Cook in watercolors. My gift to all Cookies out there.

I just love things monochromatic. Most of my portraits lately were done that way. Somehow experimenting in one color tone fascinates me. I’ll try to have these drawings framed next year before they all start turning yellow.

It's cooked!

In the coming days, I have this feeling I’ll be out working late that would make travel during the holidays seems like an overdue Christmas wish or an empty stocking. But regardless how Christmas might turn out to be, I am glad things are better than before and life has never been this good.

And when you have a new thing around, like the latest David Cook album, it definitely feels like New Year already

American Idol David Cook released his self-titled debut album last November 18th. Cook co-wrote 9 songs and songwriters Chris Cornell, Brian Howes and Cathy Dennis contributed as well. His first single, Light On, was co-written by Chris Cornell, lead singer and songwriter for Soundgarden and Audioslave and producer/songwriter Brian Howes. Cook’s album is currently ranked at #4 in Amazon sales, and about burst the charts in the coming weeks. I’m glad there’s Paypal today.

While brother has been busy buying stuff like a giant Whirlpool, Danze faucets and a vacuum cleaner (hmm…for the cats?), I settle for a more tamed line-up. The latest David Cook album, a new dress/suit (ehem) and a laptop (coughs) make up my Christmas wish list.

And New Year has a list to take care of its own. Like the David Cook Manila concert they say in January.

Honestly, I have been out of the Cookie loop for quite some time. I have been busy minding the problems of the universe I couldn’t even find time to relax and stuff my ears with David Cook songs like “The Truth” and “Always Be My Baby” nor listen to the radio. We were on our way to Quezon City yesterday to buy acne products at Godiva Quezon Avenue when Kleng-Kleng broke the news of David Cook holding his first non-US concert next year. David Cook is coming to Manila!!!

Talks about this year’s American Idol winner and his first Philippine concert spread like wildfire over the internet and caught every Filipino Cookie fan in a frenzy. The news first leaked from his recent interview over Canadian radio Chum FM. David Cook’s concert was tentatively scheduled on January 27, 2009.

Now we’ve got something to look forward to. This is going to be bigger than Daughtry.

Cook has been dishing on his crush on Caldwell on live television. He invited her out to dinner before thousands of viewers. Larry King Live and LIVE with Regis and Kelly even had a smitten David Cook in their episodes. Late last month, paparazzis caught them together at a steakhouse.

Blonde hottie Caldwell landed 7th in American Idol Season Two Finals and was a 5-time Star Search winner. She is currently on the cover of Supermodels Unlimited May/June 2008 issue. Sheer beauty and talent got Cook hooked.

The blossoming love affair has not yet been sealed with air tools as nothing is really written on stone. Only time will tell when, where and how the story will unfold. In the meantime, let the two have their good times together while jealous fans go nuts about it. You see, everyone wants to be around David Cook these days.

Twenty-five-year-old David Cook from Blue Springs, Missouri may only have choir background and a couple of band gigs in his resume but his amazing creativity and cool style won him 56 percent of record smashing 97.5 million votes in America. That’s 12 million strong over teen balladeer David Archuleta.

Cook, whose creative and powerful versions of Billy Jean and Hello become the hottest downloaded tunes in the planet, broke down to tears last night after Simon Cowell put him down three times in favor of Archuleta.

Cowell’s remarks would have sealed Archuleta’s fate with the crown but it only gave people reason to rally behind Cook. The world reknown speed-dialing power of hyperactive teens and encouragement from their aging grandmothers could not beat America’s love for an underdog.

Archuleta is an extremely talented singer for his age but his youthful shyness may have turned off mature crowds who gave their hearts and votes to a more stable and confident performer in the likes Cook. But days prior to the finals showed it could be anybody’s game. Both guys have always been winners.

Now let me go back to fixing my patch panels.

Now, that’s tricky. Who is it going to be? Is it Mr Cook or teen Archuleta?

I never had an accurate American Idol prediction all my life. I had my heart powdered to dust when Constantine lost in Season 4, Chris Daughtry in Season 5 and Melinda Doolittle in Season 6. But this year I got it all right(!). Two Davids ended up sharing the stage. Whoever wins the heart of America gets to wear the crown. Should I say “gosh”?

Whatever happens, both guys already have their sterling careers mapped out for them. Cook and Archuleta have carved their names in the history. Networks of fans rally behind them like HDMI switches routing differences towards a single direction. No one is going to lose. The only thing that would separate them is the title. It’s nothing but just a ticket to get started. Chris Daughtry never had it but look where the journey took him.

I’m rooting for David Cook but I really do think it’s going to be David Archuleta.