July 20th

Well, let's see. I forgot to write in my journal so here is the 20- second breakdown of the last few days.

1. Rocked the show at CBS with a big time leap off the drum kit and a freak out during the guitar solo.

2. World War III with J.D. after the show.

3. Realized that if J.D. were not in here then this mansion wouldn’t be as fun because he is crazy but fun to hang with.

4. Went to Levi’s Denim store and got tons of free clothes. Got a handmade pair of punk shorts.

5. Went running with Deanna for one hour and then went swimming

6. Got a care package from my nieces, candy for all the singers. How cool is that!

July 21st

The elimination round is the toughest part to go through. You get prepared to sing, perfect the songs and hope you’re not on the chopping block each week. There is a huge sense of relief when your name is not called. But if you do get called then you have to out perform the other two of your friends. Pretty rough! Each week you must say a quick goodbye to a new friend and it is rough, but there is a good feeling inside because you are still surviving and getting to live in paradise another week.

I just made it through the elimination another week and feel confident. Neal was eliminated on this weeks show. That outcome hit me like a truck. Neal was the last person I thought would be in the bottom three. He had to sing "Suicide Blond" and he told me that he did not want to do that tune. I thought he nailed it in his unique 70's rock style. INXS said that he was a great performer but vocally wasn't the right person for the band. I know that Neal and I will be friends for life when this whole Schmigzer (Brandon's word) is over. Last night I just wanted to chill and get my head together so I laid off the booze. I helped Suzie and Ty with some lyrics and arrangements to a song "Trippin' Down the Avenue." I laughed my ass off when I went into my room and caught Suzie stealing a pair of my shorts out of my dresser. I literally caught her digging through my clothes and when she turned around she freaked out. The new saying around the mansion is "Check out Suzie's freak out!"

I took an hour long jog with Deanna and really enjoyed it. We don't talk we just run fierce for an hour. We push each other to make it the whole way. I dig her chill vibe and feel comfortable just hanging with her in silence. Ty came up with my house nickname: "Marty Maw." I have never had a nickname before and I kind of like it.

J.D. has been apologizing to me for the dig at the last performance show. He has got a lot of possibility but needs to chill a bit or run the risk of becoming a caricature of himself.