I know it's late for a recap at this stage so I'll probably skip the details... but I really feel like my world must be in a parallel universe. I feel like I've fallen down the rabbit hole and through the looking glass all at the same time. I've been angry all day.

I won't drink the Archuleta Koolaid NOT EVER. "I bleed when I'm cut, do YOU?" - anyone remember the original version of Stepford Wives with Katherine Ross?? I feel like I've been living that with this show this season.

In my world, David Cook as serious pipes, and every week I hear them on my insanely nice sound system, that's hooked to the TV thanks to my musician loverman (who's just hooked us into the HD world, which has kicked it ALL up in a big way.) In my world, I don't get the Archuleta LoveFest. Never have.

In my world, David Archuleta does not have the voice of an angel, but of a scared little boy whose been over-coached and safely sings everything the same. He has a nasal problem along with a sometime lisp. He keeps his eyes closed, and at times sings as though English isn't even a second language because it seems like he doesn't understand a single thing he's saying.

Last night was no different. I finally figured out why DA does all those vocal Mariah Carey like runs through every song - it's a control issue. He can't linger on certain notes (most likely because it hurts, physically) so he swoops all over the place. Problem is he isn't Mariah. (I'm not a fan of hers anyway for that very reason - the vocal master.ba.tion she does "lookie I can hit all these notes, even ones only dogs can hear...")

Elton John can sing Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me. I know. I have the album Caribou on vinyl, and was there when he sang it at sunset at Dodger Stadium in 1975. Archuleta didn't even come close so I don't understand all the praise. Why, because he ALMOST hit every note? He had no idea what he was singing.

Too late to save myself from falling
I took a chance and changed your way of life
But you misread my meaning when I met you
Closed the door and left me blinded by the light

Do you really think DA understood that? Really? So why the unadulterated praise? Because he had the lyrics on a teleprompter so he wouldn't forget them for the FOURTH TIME THIS SEASON?

His 2nd ALL ABOUT ME BEING PERFECT song was sickening. And doing Imagine again was again an insult to Lennon.

There was no contest last night. It was a a bad Sci-fi B movie where the talented guy delivers the goods in SPADES only to get thrown under the bus again and again, and the mediocre pretender takes the throne because the race has been fixed from the beginning. I'm SORRY. I DON'T HEAR THE VOICE OF AN ANGEL. But I can imagine there's no Heaven, even if Archuleta blindly sings about it anyway.

If the vote prediction sites are right, and Cook wins - then my faith will be restored. But if he doesn't, then I've allowed myself to be sucked in once again, and I only have myself to blame.

However, I do have AI to thank for introducing me to David Cook, Jason Castro, Michael Johns, Carely Smithson, Amanda Overmyer, and another Idol cast off, last years top selling musical artist: Daughtry.

I just don't think I'll invest the energy next year. I don't like being told who I should like and having things shoved down my throat that aren't to my tastes for five solid months. I prefer to decide for myself.