In September 2005, I went to Chicago, Illinois, to audition for American Idol. Even though it was really cold, really rainy, and really windy, and I got cut in the first round, Mom and I had a great time. Below are some of the photos from the adventure.

The day before I left, I was backing out of my driveway to go to work, and I saw all these signs on trees in my yard that my friend Diane had hung early that morning. Because it was a bit rainy (an omen of my Idol future), Di covered the signs in plastic.

In order to be an Idolitioner or an Idolitioner's guest, you have to have a wristband. People wait in line for these all
day and night. However, it is possible to receive a wristband anytime between 6:00 A.M. before the day of auditions all the way up to the moment of auditions. This photo shows Mom's wristband (green), and mine (pink or red, depending on your perspective).

Mom and I had a little time to kill on Thursday evening after getting our wristbands. Because she used to live in Chicago, Mom knows all the sites. One of our adventures was going to Lake Michigan. I was happy to see that it looks a lot like the ocean, unfortunately minus sand and seashells. I took this picture of the choppy lake with Chicago in the background. This picture also shows the most fun I've ever had in Chicago.

Audition Day weather was nothing short of miserable. The temperature was in the 50s, it was raining, and there were
30 mph wind gusts. We waited in a huge line in this weather, and then sat in the stadium in the same miserable conditions (overall, six hours). Mom and I wrapped up in our coats to stay warm. I even safety-pinned my hoodie around my face. You can imagine that the weather was not great for the hair and makeup. There are no pictures of waiting to audition (or of the 16,000 other people there), because we were too cold to get cameras. At 12:20, my section (140), was called to audition. I removed all of my "stay warm" layers and headed to the check-in tent. Mom took this picture of me waiting in line (again). It's so blurry because the cold was making her shake.

This picture (also blurry because Mom was shaking from the cold), is of my actual audition at table 11 (my lucky number, or so I thought). The rain had stopped at this point, but there was a fairly consistent 20 mph wind, and the temperature was still in the 50s. Those conditions made singing pretty difficult. However, I felt like I did a good job. I sang a 30-second clip of "Ain't Too Proud To Beg," which was a last minute change. I wanted to sing something upbeat because I thought it would be more cheerful in the dismal weather. I was second to sing in my group of four. After we finished, the judge said, "I know it's cold out here, and I appreciate you coping with it all, but I'm going to have to pass this round." My wristband was cut, and I was escorted out of the stadium.

I was disappointed that I didn't make it past round one; but overall, I had a great American Idol experience. I understand that they are going to cut really good singers. Hey, even Vonzell (Top 3 in Season 4), was cut in Season 2's round one auditions! I will probably try again next year, and would recommend that everyone who is eligible give it a try. I met lots of nice people, and had some of the first fun I've ever had (and probably ever will have), in Chicago. It's an experience I won't soon forget, and not everyone can say they've had such an experience in their lives! It just seems that I'm meant to be in Bedford this year. Instead of being the "next American Idol," I'll just be the next "next American Idol!"