American Idiots

File this under the category of "Things I Am Slightly Ashamed of Liking...But Not Ashamed Enough to Keep Me From Blogging About Them."

Last night, in our ongoing quest to reach higher and higher echelons of mindless pop culture dorkdom, Bittle and I saw the "American Idol" top 10 in concert. This was two days after we finally got around to seeing Twilight: Eclipse, so you can imagine the number of brain cells we've left starving in just the past week alone.

The performances were surprisingly good (they're all far less amateurish and sound much, much better than they did on TV), but that wasn't really the point; the point was, we were two Bittles, out in the world together, laughing hysterically at things no one else would probably find amusing. It's always nice to have periodic reminders that while two children (mine) and a Ph.D. program (hers) may have taken a big chunk out of the time we get to spend together, they've had zero impact on our Bittleness.

Surrounded by people ranging from 'tweens to grandparents, we got our money's worth of entertainment from the people-watching alone, and I truly feel you haven't lived until you've seen two elderly women rocking out to Siobhan's rendition of Christina Aguilera's "Fighter." Hands down, though, our favorite fellow audience member was the Beret Guy a few rows in front of us, who showed absolutely no hint of shame or self-consciousness as he danced, jumped, and generally boogied his way through every single performance with the enthusiasm of a puppy on Jolt. I guess if you have the guts to sport a beret AND attend an "American Idol" concert in the same night, you've got to be way beyond worrying about what people think of you...which makes you AWESOME, as far as the Bittles are concerned.

Although we were mostly there to see Lee DeWyze, the contestant who completely blew us away was Casey James, who tore it UP on five different guitars and sounded fantastic:

Poor Casey...his existence must be so difficult. Not a bit attractive, without an ounce of talent. Let's have a moment of silence for what must be his infinite struggle to get chicks, shall we?

In a moment of ultimate hysteria (for us, at least), he called Mike Lynche back to the stage for their duet of Bryan Adams' "Have You Ever Really Really Really Ever Really Really Ever Really Really Really Really Loved a Woman" (I'm pretty sure that's the exact title of the song, and only 1-2% of the actual number of times the word really is used during the chorus). I realize this is supposed to be an incredibly romantic, sexy performance, but both Bittles find it impossible not to giggle at the song, the performance itself...just the whole situation, really. (Really really.)

Adding to our amusement was Casey nodding emphatically as Michael sang his verse:

Michael: "To really love a woman/Let her hold you/Till you know how she needs to be touched..."

Casey: [strumming along, nodding]

Me [narrating for Casey]: "Yes, you definitely need to do that."

Michael: "You've got to breathe her/Really taste her..."

Casey: [more strumming and nodding]

Bittle [narrating for Casey]: "Yes, that is what she will require."

Giggles, giggles, giggles...and all the while, Beret guy was really, really, really feeling the groove. It was an evening of complete, mindless, idiotic perfection. I know you're judging me, but it was so worth it.