"What are YOU doing this weekend?" (Photo by Veronica ML) Ah, the lazy days of summer are here. Wait -- "lazy?" We Americans are lazy enough already, according to this month’s American Journal of Medicine. That means it’s time to get out, get active, and to take advantage of some summertime activities! Nothing on your calendar? No problem! Ours is packed through the season. Here are just a few ideas for just this weekend: In major metropolitan areas, of course, there’s always something going on. If you’re anywhere near Chicago, this weekend is "Taste of Chicago," with free admission and filled with food and music. Speaking of music, everyone in Dallas is likely lined up for the "American Idol" auditions. If you missed registering in Texas, get your plane tickets now for one of the upcoming auditions in Los Angeles, Orlando, or Denver. Are there events geared toward those who want to get or stay fit this summer? Certainly! Remember the "Seinfeld" episode where Kramer swims in the East River because the pool is too constricting? It turns out there's a gaggle of like-minded New Yorkers who are swimming around Liberty Island today. If you can't make it, don’t worry; they have more events scheduled. Of course, you don’t have to live in the big city to find cool things to do. Wherever you are, you can still participate in "Take Your Dog to Work Day" (provided your employer approves, of course!), Some folks in Petaluma, California, however, will be skipping work with their pooches to visit the Sonoma-Marin Fair and enter the "World’s Ugliest Dog Contest." If the thought of big crowds and rats on leashes makes you want to just stay home -- or if you’re just saving all your energy for the Fourth of July weekend -- you can still get involved by watching other people push the limits of hockey, golf, or pure speed. Just don’t say you’re bored!

Directory categories: American Idol, Recreation in Manhattan, Chicago Travel Guides, Activities for Dogs, Sports

Archived under: American Idol, Animals, Boredom, Calendars, Chicago, Cities, Contests, Dogs, Eating, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Food and Drink, Health, Outdoors, Pets, Recreation and Travel, Regional, Seinfeld, Sports, Summer, Swimming, Tourist Attractions, Travel, Vacations

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Season Five winner Taylor Hicks This past weekend saw the Broadway debut of "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken. It may be exciting for fans, but is it the beginning of the end for the squeaky-clean crooner? Other former contestants Fantasia Barrino, Ruben Studdard, Frenchie Davis, and Tamyra Gray have also trod the boards lately, with little success. It seems the Idols of yesteryear are not the superstars we thought they'd be. Within the past month, Studdard, Taylor Hicks, and Katherine McPhee were all dropped by their record labels because none of their albums had gone platinum. Meanwhile, Jordin Sparks had the lowest-selling debut album of any Idol winner (but apparently she's available for weddings and bar mitzvahs). Kelly Clarkson, the show's biggest star and first winner, feuded publicly with mega-producer Clive Davis about the songs she wrote for her third album. Davis wanted her to use the same writers from her smash hit, "Breakaway," but she refused. Davis may have been right: Sales were way down, and Clarkson was forced to cancel her arena tour and scale back to smaller venues. But fans need not despair; there are still two Idols left standing tall. Season Four winner Carrie Underwood continues to gain popularity and win awards. And Chris Daughtry was one of 2007's ten top-selling artists -- and he finished Idol in fourth place, proving that you don't have to win to have a successful recording career. Let's just hope Sanjaya doesn't test that theory. Suggested Sites... ABC News: American Idols: Where Are They Now? - see what's up with 13 past contestants and winners. ABC News: "Idol" Stars for Real, or Just Reality TV? - article discusses the current value of the show and its contestants. Vote for the Worst - the site that made Sanjaya a star. American Idol Official Site - with this season's updates and videos.

Directory categories: American Idol Season 7, American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry

Archived under: American Idol, Broadway, Celebrities, Clay Aiken, Entertainment, Music, TV

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