To keep it brief, after the show I updated my personal Facebook with this:

“On a high from Kelly Clarkson’s show. She was bloody amazing! I especially loved her cover of Florence + The Machine’s ‘Heavy In Your Arms’ — goosebumps! Vocally the best show I’ve seen in quite some time. Oh yeah, and Fancy herself (Reba McEntire) was in the audience. I will definitely be seeing her again. Unf*ckingbelievable!”

That pretty much sums up the show, except I did leave out the fact that besides her huge pop records, she also performed a cover of Etta James’ hit I’d Rather Go Blind (as a tribute to the iconic singer’s recent passing), and a wonderful rendition of My Man, taken from the huge Broadway favorite Funny Girl.

But since Kelly’s ballads have always hit home runs in my eyes, those particular numbers stole the show in my opinion. Below you will find an acoustic, stripped-down version of the angst-ridden Never Again, the beautiful rendition of Florence + The Machine’s Heavy In Your Arms, and a lovely ballad that Kelly wrote to help the children of Africa entitled You Still Won’t Know What It’s Like.

Get ready to feel your heart skip a beat.

Last night on the subway, I sat across from an elderly homeless woman who spoke only Spanish. She had on flip flops with old socks, a thin dirty dress and several t-shirts with holes. Her legs were something awful because of the cold and living conditions she’s had to endure. Every other stop she would raise her head from slumber to ask for pesos. It actually made me tear up. I guess because seeing this really put Christmas into perspective. Everyone around her was so busy with their shopping bags and iPods and comfortable lives.

This is just a note to remind you that the magic of Christmas has nothing to do with wrapping paper or bows. And the next time you complain when you get a pack of socks for Christmas, remember that some would consider that gold.

(BTW, beware… cuteness coma ahead!)

[Related Post: It's Time We Shift Our Focus]

If you follow this blog, you will see Florence + the Machine (and Drake) on a consistent basis. They’re just that damn good. Once again, they’ve gone and outdone themselves. At BBC Radio One’s Live Lounge, the band broke out with a cover of Take Care by Drake featuring Rihanna. I was a fan of this track before, but now, it’s an absolute love affair.

Check it out for yourself.

This picture was snapped with my iPhone in Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan. From a distance, the first thing that caught my eye was Gaga’s overexposed horn-face. But then I looked closer…

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I thought this photo would stand the test of saying something heartfelt and lasting; something powerful.

It’s time we all give a little more. Be a little more. Feel a little more.

Count your blessings while your stuffing your face with pumpkin pie. And remember that not everyone has the option.

Real talk.

BTW, the video below is jawesome.

Sorry, guys. Excuse me while I get a little ADHD…

This made me laugh so I thought it might do the same for you!

Oh! And BTW, WTH?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

The second video just felt random and appropriate. Duh.

The Horrors recently hit up BBC Radio 1, covering Beyonce’s Best Thing I Never Had. The arrangement mixed with frontman Faris Badwan’s vocals sends the breakup anthem into a disheveled indie rock state of mind.

It’s random, bizarre and unexpected, and that’s what makes it so cool.

I dig.

Foster the People aren’t the only ones getting their kicks pumped. Weezer has recently been covering Pumped Up Kicks on tour, and it’s worth sharing with the world. As if the stratosphere of their instantaneous success wasn’t cool enough, the most tangible proof of their certifiable fame comes in the form of the ultimate authentication: being covered by one of the world’s most famous rock bands.

Ira Perez is one heck of a one woman show. Her voice is jazz, candlelight dinners, quiet secrets, smoky nightclubs. Another element of YouTube that makes me stop scorning the internet for a millisecond. She’s real talent, and I bless cyberspace for making her known to me.

Glad to say her talent has not gone unnoticed. She’s been picked up by a legit indie label and won the Houston Press award for Best Female Vocals in 2010. Her album is on the way, and for now she’s honouring our ears with original pieces and sundering covers.

One such cover is her rendition of Bruno Mars’ Grenade. Her low-key crooning makes the concoction all the more pensive, sensitive.

She’d catch a grenade for ya. Would you do the same?