Let’s talk about tonight’s performances, because I’ve turned in my paper and I’ve got the time to opine.

Anoop
Meh. I like Usher on tape, but not live. Anoop did it better. That being said, it’s a worthless song.

Megan
In case you didn’t know, she’s the target of VotefortheWorst.com this year. Nuff said.

Danny
I’m so bored with you.

Scott
Blindy does it again. Just when I wrote him off as a pity pick for the Top Ten (yes, I’m a d-bag), he does something right. Billy Joel is a smart choice, although he’s only aiding the pigeonholing. If he sings Ray Charles next week, it’s over.

Alison
Tired.

Matt
I liked it. The judges didn’t. What do they know?

Lil
Not her best, but she’s picking crap tracks.

Adam
Blah, when does this little show-within-a-show come to an end?

Kris Allen
God, yes. Good, good God, yes!

While I’m at it, can we talk about Paula whipping out music theory terms every chance she can? And misusing them? Oh, and by the way, Kara–it’s “Studio 54″ not “Studio 57.” Kthanksbuhbye.

So Russia suggests it. Then China. Now the UN.

But luckily our President understands why equalizing everybody’s economies will only pull ours down to their level. And get this–that is an anti-socialistic viewpoint! He rejects the calls for a single global reserve currency. Phew!

Btw, my portfolio was up significantly today. One of my stocks is now earning me money again!

Today, housing sales figures were posted and they were big. There was a 5.1% increase in home sales last month, the biggest monthly gain in over five years. The news says it’s a response to bargain hunters capitalizing on foreclosures (prices were still low, so we’re not out of the woods yet). My hair-brained theory? People bought houses shortly after Obama was inaugurated thinking things were going to start getting better immediately. I would love to see the data to know whether home sales spiked in early February. I’m betting there won’t be a similar bump when the March figures are announced, since reality will have set in by then. But maybe I’m the moron…

Another potentially good story today is that Geithner’s finally got a plan to deal with bad assets and BlackRock is willing to enter into a public/private venture. Any other firms want to step up?

Lastly, President Obama said the AIG-specific tax of 90% on bonuses is not a good idea. I’m sure that made other folks on Wall Street unclinch their sphincters a little. He’s a constitutional law scholar, so I am glad to see he’s going to sometimes take unpopular but just stances like this. There are other ways to deal with this issue than violating the Takings Clause or anything like that.

The confluence of these three things today sent the Dow on a skyrocket of 500 points. My portfolio is far from turned around, but it was nice seeing only green today (no red!) when I logged into Google Finance.

More to come…?

WARNING: Foul, NSFW language. That being said, she creatively continues to earn my respect.

City: Arlington, VA
Neighborhood: Crystal City
Address: 2301 Jefferson Davis Hwy

Yes, it’s a corporate chain, but it’s in my building and I lived here for six months without eating there. One word summary? Sucks.

The space in this particular Legal Seafoods is limited and poorly utilized. Round tables are mashed against square tables and pushed into corners, making it impossible to take or leave your table for any reason without asking folks at their table to stand up and clear a path. Yes, this happened to me.

The food isn’t well-presented. Given the price tag, they could’ve done better than plating my salmon on a bed of rice and handing me veggies 3 minutes later. The waiter was also kind of a weirdo. Overall, not a noteworthy experience.

I’ve also found better seafood at local restaurants like Chadwick’s.

Ray’s Rating: C-

I admit I haven’t watched since Kelly Clarkson snuck through season one without injury. This year’s slate of finalists has been quite strong, but I wasn’t hooked until Michael Jackson week. And now, with the prospect of Mike actually showing up before the end of the season, I’m tuning in every week (via DVR of course).

Ray Likes: Michael (“Cornfed”)
It’s his blank but caring face and earnest vocal. Plus he actually enjoys it. That being said, he’s not superstar material.

Ray Enjoys: Alison (“Jailbait”)
She’s sixteen and she sounds sixty. Nuff said.

Ray Acknowledges: Anoop (“Anoop”)
Not superstar material, but he’ll move a few mp3s on iTunes in the Adult Contemporary category for awhile.

Ray Loves: Kris (“Mouth”)
On his way to Jason Mraz country, but with a smarter look and deeper smile. Excellent vocal chops, without trying to oversing too much. Not an outstanding singer, but usually makes smart choices, which is what I call the “Madonna instinct.”

Ray Supports: Matt (“Timberfake”)
If he didn’t look like Justin Timberlake’s little brother, he would be untainted by comparisons. But they’re there. Excellent singer, great presence, clearly loves what he’s doing.

Ray Despises: Adam (“Xandir”)
S-H-L-O-C-K

Ray Dislikes: Danny (“Deadwife”)
Smug. Knows he’s going to win. Different pair of glasses every show. Great vocals, but Robert Downey Jr. wants his DNA back.

Ray Tolerates: Lil Rounds (“Lit-tle”)
She can belt, but she lacks control on the softer stuff. Plus her stylist is out to lunch!

Ray Can’t Watch: Scott (“Blindy”)
It’d be one thing if he was Andrea Bocelli, but Scott is really just a little awkward when he sings and he struggles more than most of the other contestants to reach the impressive notes. I’d sit through a whole set at a night club though.

Ray Doesn’t Get: Megan (“Weird B@#&%”)
Why? How in God’s name is she in the Top 10?

I cannot stand Adam Lambert from “American Idol” this season. At all. He just oozes sleaze to me and the fact that he was a professional singer before getting on this show just pisses me off.

Plus he reminds me of someone. I can’t quite put my finger on it…

With Bush out of power, I have found very little to complain about on here lately. I promise some biting commentary on the battle for the Republican spirit soon when work and school begin to simmer again.

Just so everyone is clear on this, because I know it’s very important that you are all up to speed on this breaking, earth-shattering and utterly significant news: Yes, I’m going. And I snagged seats here:

I will be on the floor, dead-center, for Michael Jackson’s opening night comeback concert. It’s the Elvis ‘68 Comeback Special times a thousand! I assume I will be surrounded by celebrities from all corners of the globe too. It is the culmination of the most exciting year of my life so far! If I was any more excited, my head would actually burst.

Granted, I blew half of my savings during an economic crisis. Max, you are right, Suze Orman would NOT approve. But I didn’t have a lot of time to process this or start saving for it separately. And now, seeing what comparable seats are going for on eBay, I am EXTREMELY lucky and, frankly, quite wise to get up at 3am to buy them Wednesday. If I had waited to do it on eBay later, I wouldn’t have been able to afford them at all! That being $aid, the pro$pect of going to multiple $how$ while we are in London for that week now $eem$ minimal, to $ay the lea$t. Tickets are selling for more than $1000 each now…in the nosebleeds.

The other exciting news, beyond my own good fortune, is Michael Jackson’s. What started as a 10-show engagement at the 02 Arena in London grew to a 17 then 28 then 36 and now 44-show engagement. All presale tickets have sold out and concert dates now stretch from July 8, 2009 to February 12, 2010. I don’t think anyone anticipated the latent but enormous demand to see him in concert, not even the man himself. Rumor has it he is “ecstatic” and is back in the US rehearsing, newly energized.

The statistics? Ticket buyers come from 202 countries. There are roughly 20,000 seats in the venue. 36 shows are scheduled so far. Average retail ticket price is $150. You can see where this is going…

More good news: Randy Phillips of AEG Live!, the promoters working with MJ, says that a new album will drop before, if not DURING, the first concert (meaning they would distribute it directly to concert attendees).

Such luck I have! I would really like advanced notice for the date my bubble will burst. I think I deserve that much.

Unfortunately I didn’t get a presale code at my rayharmon.com address. So ray@rayharmon.com will not be purchasing Michael Jackson tickets tomorrow morning at 3am EST.

Fortunately, I did get a presale code at my work address and I was wise enough to register Dave’s email (without his permission) and I got a second presale code there too! At 3am EST tomorrow morning, I will be wide awake with my credit card in hand, ordering tickets for two Michael Jackson concerts!!! Really…

Or perhaps “surreally…” It’s truly surreal. I don’t know that I’ve processed any of this the way I would have 10 years ago. I’m sure the moment the stretcher unfolds and the roadies lift me up into an ambulance in July, it will feel real. But right now, I have a sense of doubt he will show up (not a sense of doubt that it would be a great show)–I also am completely distracted by work.

Regardless, I’ll be leaving the country for the first time. And from last July to this coming July has been the most amazing year of my life. I hope that the July 10 “book-ends” (luckily winning then using an Obama rally ticket on that date in 2008 and seeing Michael Jackson in 2009 on that date) are only the start of a new chapter, not the end of a series.

Happy 27th Birthday to me; it will definitely, definitely be.

While there may be a chance he takes the show on the road, it’s not a chance I’m willing to take. And frankly, what better way to spend your birthday than standing in a sweaty crowd of Europeans on opening night of Michael Jackson’s comeback concert tour? He’s Elvis and Beethoven rolled into one.

So Virgin Atlantic has tickets for $834 per person. I found a Novotel near the O2 Arena for about $1200 for 6 nights. And then there’s the concert tickets themselves, which will be expensive, since I absolutely will not be skimping on this “once in five lifetimes” opportunity. And I also want to go to multiple shows.

Yeah, really…

This wire just went out to all the right places, as did Michael’s UK hotel information (with a request for fan presence while he’s in town to stir up excitement). Check out the message:

Attention Fans!

AEG Live is inviting you down to The O2 Arena in London for a very special announcement from Michael Jackson.

Access is granted on a first come, first served basis.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Michael Jackson to Make A Special Announcement
WHEN: Thursday, March 5th
TIME: Suggested Arrival Time is 1pm.
Press Conference Starts at 4pm.

WHERE: The O2
Grand Concourse
Peninsula Square
London SE10 0DX

Source: Sony

Is this for real? Am I going to have my passport expedited so I can see him in concert before either of us dies? I tell you what–I will take an entire week off and catch as many shows he does as I can. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS LIFE LATELY!?!?!?!