I have been reading all your thoughts about David and being a Word Nerd, and this is, for sure, a section I would love him to read.

Not only because we have expressed the love and admiration we feel for him as an artist and as a human being and how he touched our souls in so many different ways, but also how we became a community rather than just a fan base. The amazing, caring, fun people he brought together who appreciate and share many of the good qualities we see in him.

Thanks to all of you for sharing your feelings in such a sincere and open way.

Actually I think I'm a real nerd at words...My husband makes fun of me because I read things wrong all the time, like when this bank had problems and closed for a while, when they re-opened for business, the sign said "Hurray, we're open". I thought it said "HURRY, we're open"...You probably had to be there...
Anyway, I agree with marly5 on what it means to be a word nerd, and that is supporting David. I picked him from the first audition as my favorite. There was just something in his voice and his presence that struck me. Every week, we couldn't wait to see what he would sing and how he changed things up. Just amazing...His personality is so wonderful too, so sincere and a genuine guy, you just want to be his friend and support his amazing talent. I voted every week and the final night, I voted until my battery died on my phone. I think I got like 40 votes in. I saved all the AI shows on my DVR and still view them. If I could figure out my dvd burner, I could free up some space...Another thing I did was to buy an ipod shuffle, something I never thought of doing. I am so glad I did. When I take my daughter to the amusement park and she rides rides that I won't ride, I wait and plug in to DC and a few other favorite songs. We are so excited to be going to the Cincy show. We have great seats on the floor.
Thanks for having this space to discuss our favorite star...
I'm happy to be a new member.
Kelly

What it is to be a Word Nerd.
For me, being a Word Nerd means I'm connected to a community of people worldwide who appreciate David Cook -- as a musician, songwriter and person. We come from all walks of life with different ages, backgrounds and talents. While we don't often know the real person behind the username, we know that we have one common bond. It's actually a very cool concept, and I'm glad to be part of it. Word Nerds are passionate. They are compassionate. They are generous. They are opinionated. They are hilarious! They have a way with words (and pictures and videos and graphics). They understand each other. They love all things DC.

How I came to be one.
I never watched American Idol before Season 7. While I love music, American Idol struck me as just another ratings-grabbing reality TV show rather than a place where true talent could be found. I started watching sporadically starting with the Top 24 shows because my 82-year-old father-in-law tuned in every week, and my husband and I wanted to have another topic of interest to discuss with him -- everything from "so who is going to get voted off" to "whose performance did you like the best/worst." (By the end of the season, my father-in-law could only shake his head in disbelief when he found out I voted for four hours for David Cook.)

Week after week, I became more impressed with this Midwestern guy named David Cook. He was the show's true rocker and embodied the style of music I most appreciate. His vocal range was amazing. He had stage presence. He appeared to have a good heart and soul. He was highly articulate. And, hey, he liked crosswords. (Note my username that reflects my interest in the topic!)

By the middle of the season, I found the American Idol online fan forum and started lurking in the David Cook section. I began replaying all his performances. I learned about his past music and bands. I became addicted. Only a few weeks before the season ended, I finally gave in and joined the fan forum. I got my Word Nerd number. I added my thoughts for David into the sentiments thread. I came up with a Word Nerd name. I spent more time online. I voted. I got others to vote. My husband thought I'd gone mad, and now he's going to drive three hours with me to an American Idol Tour stop. I guess when I find something I'm passionate about -- I go all out! Like many other Word Nerds, I know and notice tons of random DC stuff that I often feel my head is gonna 'plode!


I'm thankful that I discovered David Cook and his music; and that I joined this great group of Word Nerds. I look forward to supporting David on his musical journey ... and I'm privileged to be along for the ride!

This adventure is to be continued ...

I agree Made, this journey has been so amazing, not only because of Cookie, since he started it all, er...ummm...actually he would say it's all Andrew's fault..., but also because we have created a family here...we are so not just a fanbase...and I too, crossword, can't wait to see how this adventure continues...

Here's my story......

I liked Mr. DC from the start but I wasn't in full blow ocdcd yet. I knew he was one to watch After Day Tripper, my interests were definatley peaked and I started lerking on the AI board and got AH. I started falling for him as an artist after that, then somewhere I read about his brother....

Not to go into DC's personal life or anything too much but my brother (22yrs old) also has brain cancer. Knowing firsthand how hard it is to watch a sibling fighting this battle while you sit there feeling helpless and guilty gave me a new found appreciation for David on another level. This man has the fortitude to work through these feelings and move forward, putting on an amazing show each week and to follow his dreams!

After I found out about my brother, (it's really complicated and he's in a bad way, he needs 24hr. care) I pretty much quit my life; I dropped outta medical school and isolated myself away to just my family. Well DC has inspiried me to start accepting my brother's disease and all things that come with it. DC and all you word nerds have helped me find some joy and goodtimes! I thank the wonderfully amazing brave David Cook everyday for helping me realize that it's ok to do things for yourself sometimes and it's ok to let go of all the guilt and sadness (a work in progress but at least it's progress :0 ) Well needless to say I am now a full blown WordNerd, I love the man not only for his mind blowing musical talent but for the inspiring, strong, kindhearted man that he is.

DC and you all mean a great world to me! Sorry for the long post..

Those of us who posted in the "reminisce" thread about our Word Nerdness were asked if we would re-post here. Here's my "story".

OK, so- I'm rather NEW by comparison to the "original" Word Nerds...but, I signed up for the AI Boards in April and the only thing I did initially was add DC as a friend. I've watched the show for 4 years...NEVER voted. I'd been watching since auditions this year and knew this guy from Missouri (my home state) was gonna be BIG no matter what. He made me cry for NO REASON when he sang. He made me FEEL music again. I'd get on the AI Boards occasionally and find out what was in store for that evening or to peek at photos and stuff AFTER a show and honestly- I don't really know what made me go to the forums at all. I just remember being there one day- and going HOLY MOLY these people are nuts!!! Not in a bad way- just not MY way. A GOOD kind of nuts because, when I thought about it...it wasn't that they were NUTS- it was that they were DOING what DC made them FEEL. If you KNOW me- you know that this is a very foreign concept for me. I'm very strategic and controlled. Very pensive. Very structured and planned. I'm FAR from spontaneous and almost NEVER impulsive (except about FOOD! and my kid.) I started VOTING for DC after signing up on AI's forums and never looked back.

So, here I am- lurking around the AI boards and thinking that I've come across some very special people here. I'm reading posts about donating to different causes (which then disappear the next time I want to read them- grrrrr). I'm reading about people helping perfect strangers get to shows. I'm reading about people MEETING him at different events and how AWESOME and KIND he is in person. I'm reading about gifts being sent to DC and signals that he's given while on the show- and I'm trying to remember "did I SEE that??" (Cut to me rewinding performances and going "OMG- he REALLY did that!!!") I'm hearing about dog tags, flowers, jewelry and understanding that he's CONNECTED to these people. Immediately I'm like - I WANT IN!!!!!

This was about the time that the finale gift was being discussed. I had seen pics of the dog tags, the flowers, heard stories about Syesha's jaw dropping when the flower delivery was made. I had to be involved...somehow involved. But, I didn't want to just DONATE...I wanted to DO something. I wanted to DO what DC had made me FEEL.

I felt so fortunate to have come across such a unique group of people (at least unique in the sense that I'D NEVER seen anything like this) and I felt like it was such an honor to be included in a group that basically said- "It's from all of us- no matter if you contribute or NOT- no matter WHEN you signed up, no matter WHEN you became a Word Nerd- NO MATTER WHAT."

I started posting about having an idea for part of the gift- and got VERY few responses. I realized that it was late in the game and that it was VERY close to the deadline that was set for contributing- but, I just felt I had to be a part of this gift. So, I bumped my post. I posted again. I got pics of what I thought I wanted to do- a GIANT personalized fortune cookie (4"x4"). Still few responses. But, the responses I DID get were all positive. I pm'd Megan. I pm'd Sue. Both (gift gurus) said it would be fine to include but that it HAD to be there by Monday morning so that Michael could deliver it. It was Friday at NOON and I had to act or forget it. Do or Die if you will.

So, I thought- how do I feel about David? What has he given me every week? How about these PEOPLE that I've met because of him??? I don't really know what came over me except to say that the excitement- the BUZZ if you will that came from the people putting this gift together was just absolutely contagious. I emailed 7 different fortune cookie companies in 30 minutes and found one that would do the personalization IMMEDIATELY- put it in a box and have it delivered to Michael's shop on Saturday so that he wouldn't be "waiting" for deliveries. The $20 fortune cookie- turned into a $75 cookie with the rush delivery- but, I still say it was worth every penny! Even though I NEVER told my husband!!! (shhhhhhhhhh)

It said:

A Cookie for our Cookie- David Cook FTW
We see OUR next American Idol! Rock on- with LOVE,
The Word Nerds

I called Michael to tell him it was on it's way and to be looking for it. He was SOO sweet. He had such a cold that week but, he was just so excited and astounded at the outpouring that people were showing for David Cook. He said he'd look for it and he'd call me when it arrived. Cut to Monday afternoon (Delivery Day) and EVERYONE waiting for Megan to get off work so that we can have an update. I'd pm'd her for the picture I KNEW she'd receive from Michael of his/our hard work. Wink She sent me the pic. My phone rang and it was Michael telling me that our fortune cookie had arrived on time and that it was in the basket behind the dark box (the COOKIE Jar) that was on the ground in the picture. I was ecstatic. I ran around my house squealing...

From that day on- I have only missed TWO days of at least LOOKING at Word Nerd happenings. I went from controlled planner with NO extra time for friends and nonsense to crazed Fangirl in no time flat!!! I'm loving every minute of being a part of such a WONDERFUL, KIND, LOVING group of people.

I thank David Cook for MANY MANY MANY things these days!!! I'm PROUD to be a Word Nerd for countless reasons!

Thanks again Stacy, lovincook, huntwork (and thanks to Stacy for reminding me) owie15- all of you that put the Signals and Sentiments stuff together. It's another FANTASTIC contribution to David's journey. I know we are all thrilled to even get to be a part of it! Remember- it's from ALL OF US NO MATTER WHAT!!! Wink

PS...I went to the original thread after reading all the posts here so far and found my little addition to the book. First of all I was astounded to see it was STILL going and on page 97!!! Second, I found my post after a little digging and it made me *sniff* and *tear*. Oh what HE does to us!!!!

MY David Sentiment:
David,

Words can not express the absolute joy that we feel for having had the honor of sharing part of your journey with you. For many of us you've given us something that was missing. It differs from person to person- but, you've united us in this cause and I think that some lifelong friendships have been forged. For me personally- you've given me back the excitement I once felt for music. For years now- it was just a random grouping of songs heard once too often and now- I patiently await the day when I can hear YOUR songs on the radio over and over and over again! Thanks for giving back in every way you can...you are really an inspiration.

Thanks for the ride- can't wait for more of you!

The REAL Cookie Diet Word Nerd - #1666 ruby2466 Mitsy

PS...Congratulations! Staying true to yourself paid off!! No one can honestly look you in the eye and say that you DON'T deserve this!!! Your time has come.

Thud

_________________

~signature courtesy of Nightlyt
~Keeper of THE Size 13's

i have just read this whole thread and am so touched by all the stories knowing that wow i believe i maybe an original wordnerd because i was apart of all the gifts. i remember getting ready to watch american idol with my aunt because we watch it every year together and then watching david sing living on a prayer and my aunt and i saying hes awesome. i even thought to myself i hope he wins. i dont remember when i actually first started posting on the ai boards because i remember registering a while before the season started and not posting but something came over me and i went on to read everyones thoughts and just had to start posting because these people are people that have the same opinions as i do about DC and know what i am feeling. it was a great feeling. i remember the little contest we had between the different contestant forums trying to get the most post and topics and i started me first thread about coming in to rest from posting and it really took off. i might some really great wordnerds that keep that thread alive with me. i remember the first time a helpful wordnerd taught me how to post a pic and we all know what happened after that. i remember picking my phone up to donate money for idol gives back just because this guy inspired me to, i remember sending money to help get adam to the finale, i remember ordering flowers for a guy i didnt really know, i remember sending money for the other group gifts, i remember sending money to help another wordnerd go to a concert and sending magazines with DC in them to a fellow wordnerd in malaysia and i remember thinking if i never watched DC i never would have tapped into my giving part of my personality as much as i have done lately. I believe i am better person because of how much DC has inspired me and so many other wordnerds. i have never donated anything before this season of idol. participating in all the gifts and other projects will be something i will always remember. i have become friends will a fanbase that has been so amazing, caring, loving, helpful, and so many other things to me that i am so greatful to be associated with the wordnerds. so thank you to all wordnerds and sorry this is so long. i just wanted to share this with everyone!!

OMG, I just teared up reading that for some reason. What does it mean to me to be a WordNerd? It means that I am not alone in my obsession with David Cook, which is really comforting to me. I mean, if you listen to someone sing and within 5 seconds you are crying, you start to wonder if you're alone, LOL. How did I become a WordNerd? Well, when I heard his performance of Music Of the Night, I really saw that whole other side of him, and I was hooked the next day. And now, here I am, middle of July, a whole 3 months after his victory, and getting more obsessed and in love with David Cook every day.

SORRY FOR ANY MISTAKES - I'M FROM BRAZIL AND MY ENGLISH IS NOT-SO-GOOD AS I WOULD LIKE

What it is to be a Word Nerd.
For me being a Word Nerd is to be part of a huge and worldwide group of friends - a true family - who loves David for all his qualities: as a brilliant artist and a amazing-awesome-wonderful human being.
To be a WN for me is to admire each day more and more, his talent, his amazing voice, his wonderful performances,
his kindness, his huge warm-heart, his sympaty, his open smile, his sweteness, his angel face, his charming eyes...
To be a WN for me is to have him as a tattoo inside my heart and my mind...forever and ever.
IT' S A EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME !

How I came to be one.
I watched AI seasons 5 and 6 since the auditions - which can be very funny !
My husband in fact likes more the auditions because they are trully comic sometimes !!!
I'd followed both seasons 5 e 6 and I'd like Chris Daughtry was season 5 winner !
When season 7 begun I saw the auditions trying to guess who the judges will aprove or not.
When David had his audition I told me husband - he'll stay ! And thanks God - I was right !
After that I begun to follow each week performances and at each one I became more and more a fan
of the talent and the amazing, versatile and strong voice from DC.
At each week I was eager that wednesday comes - that's the day brazilian TV exbited AI episodes, with one week of delay - in special to see his performance. And at each week I became more and more confident he'll be in the finals and at the TOP 3 show - I'm sure he not only be one of the two finalists but THE AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 7 !
At each music he sang during the season - he'd showed how brilliant singer and performer he is - a true star !
If a had to choose one of his performances I can't - all were amazing - different styles but all had touched my heart
in a very special way - with no exceptions !
And then when the final result night came I stay in the internet after midnight to see the result as soon as it was announced in usa - I could not wait till the other week when our TV would exibits the episode...
I expoloded with pure joy when I knew it was him the winner.
Next day I ran to the computer to see if someone has already posted a video of the result.
When I saw Ryan announcing he had won the season my heart almost stopped !
I had tears in my eyes when I saw him (a WN) without words to express his happiness - his emotion -
the tears rolling thru his amazed and smiling face.
It was - no doubts - one of the happiest moments in my life !

Hello DAVID "is that you I was looking for "...
You sing the "The Music of (MY) Night"...
Now that you are the AI, we are "Happy Together"...
You will "Always be my baby"...
You are your WNs world, "The world we know"
"The first time I saw his face" I knew he will go far...
I'm always "Hungry like a wolf" to see you singing every day...
Every time I see you singing I feel that "I'm (more and more) alive"...
I always knew you can "Dream Big" cause you future will be winning the season and be a star...
Since then "I don't want to miss a thing" related to him...
I'm now truly having "The time of my life" being a WN, a passionate fan of David,
a Cougar for Cook - Word Nerd - Word Hero...
DAVID YOU ARE MORE THAN AN IDOL.. A PASSION - MY HERO....

In the process of constructing mine.

Okay, so this is gonna be a long post, so bear with me. I’m up again at 3 o’clock in the morning watching my David DVD. As I was watching the TRL segment, a fan was asked why she loved David. That got me thinking about what I would say if I was asked that question.
The journey that David took was a long one, and while I was along for the ride, it actually took me a while to, as David puts it, invest my time and phone bill. I liked him from the beginning, but I never saw him as a possible winner. As you all know, if you’ve watched AI in the past, rockers generally don’t get past the top 5 or so. (Chris Daughtry was 4th but you get my point.) Anyway, at his audition, I thought he was a pretty darn good singer and he had a quiet confidence about him I liked. (Even though, in the auditions I think they should stop asking the contestants if they think they’re the next American Idol. What are they gonna say, no? And when they say yes, they wanna win, they’re labeled as arrogant. It happened to Gina Glocksen last year and I think a lot of people did the same to DC this year. Anyway...)
I’m going to skip Hollywood week, because, frankly my memory sucks and I kind of just shut my brain off during it usually since half the people there don’t make it and I get confused as to who is who. I don’t know if that made any sense.
Top 24: Happy Together
I thought it was... good. Loved the mic-twirling, fun-loving, smiling performance. Vocals were good, but not stellar.
Top 20: All Right Now
The now famous Word Nerd video, I enjoyed, because it was sort of unexpected, kind of dorky. The performance, I actually thought it was kind of, just average. Kind of a stereotypical rock song. I don’t know. Then the cringe-worthy exchange of words between him and Simon was very off-putting. I actually thought right then he was a goner. But to my surprise, he was safe.
Top 16: Hello
When I heard he was singing this song, I was taken aback. But I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Besides the song, the thing that grabbed me was his demeanor when he was getting the judges’ reviews. He was amazingly gracious and humble. I also have to say that that was the week he started doing “the bow” (You know what I’m talking about. I, for one, found it to be incredibly sexy. ) But even though I, like everyone else, loved the performance, I am ashamed to say that I thought it was a fluke and that if was to come back the next week, he would surely disappoint me.
Top 12 & 11: Eleanor Rigby and Day Tripper
I was proven wrong. He performed brilliantly. He did the bow. ‘Nuff said.
Top 10: Billie Jean

I felt the same way I did during Hello week when I heard he was doing Billie Jean. How could a rocker who harkened Doxology, Whitesnake and Peter Frampton the past two weeks pull off an 80's Michael Jackson dance/pop classic? I had never heard of Chris Cornell or his version of BJ, so I didn’t expect any of what I experienced in that 90 seconds. The music started and within first ten seconds, I was a believer. I had chills, my eyes glued to the TV, chin on the floor. I was then, now and forever...Cookified.
Top 9: Little Sparrow
Holy mother of hotness!!! Before this week I didn’t ever think of his as hot. Cute, but never hot.
I slowly became obsessed. It was the night of the Top 8 that pushed me over the edge. And again, I’ll be honest. I didn’t hate it, but Innocent did not blow me away at first. I was on vacation, with no TiVo, so I couldn’t rewind and rewatch it right away. I didn’t expect the judges to so hard on him, either. So, I went on the AI boards for the first time that season. I really wanted to know what the viewers thought. Almost nobody was talking about his performance that night. The first two pages were filled with threads about an orange bracelet that he had been wearing since Top 12. I had never noticed it, so I clicked on the first post and it had a link to an article written by a man from Florida named Charley Belcher. With that one click, I fell in love with David Cook. Tears streaming down my face as I read the article, I knew right then and there that he was the epitome of a true American Idol in every sense of the word. This show isn’t just about music and entertainment. It changes lives. Mine included. Fast forward to today, three months later. He is living his dream. He performs every night, giving everything he has. He gives back to his fans, signing autographs, and posing for pictures. Even when he is not feeling 100% he gives us 110%. He has money, power and fame. So do a lot of other people. David Cook is different. I do not believe these things are going to change him. He is not materialistic or hedonistic or greedy. He is going to use these three things that can sometimes change a person and try to bring awareness to this terrible disease that has touched his life and the lives of countless others. I believe he will, even if in some very small way, change the world. And that is why I will now and forever be a supporter of David Cook.
Ashley
Word Nerd #2849

I love hearing about how people fell in love with David (:
I got a DVD from Gen to, and I went through and watched it like two days ago. It was amazing seeing all his emotions that I fell in love with all over again. From the audition, I knew I liked him, but I definitley wouldnt have put him in the top 5 or so. Well, week after week he proved me wrong. By "Hello" I was completely "invested my time/phone bill".
But more then his music, I think I first looked at his emotion he showed on stage. And I couldnt get enough. I think thats why I like his pre-idol music so much. He wrote it, and hes singing about something that he really felt.
Now that I know so much more about him, he's such a role model. From the love he shows his family, and the appreciation he shows his fans. I am such a proud word nerd. Forever. End of Story (:

Do you guys posted these stories on About The Word Nerds section?

I already save my space there...I'm just in the process of constructing the words.

I've procrastinated for weeks on this post. I think I'm taking it a little too seriously, right, folks? I've always loved to read and write, and this particular writing 'assignment' is just about doing me in. Here I go anyway.

What does it mean to be a Word Nerd?
A Word Nerd is a true supporter of David Cook - the man, the music. We watched his AI journey and now we watch his AI tour. We support him 110% as he grows in his musical career and we support his past music on Analog Heart.

And how I came to be one?
I was a latecomer. I joined the AI boards in May and wrote my first blog on May 21, 2008: "It'll Take An Upset!" I honestly thought Archie was going to take it all. Boy, was I in shock, right along with David C., when he won. I was thrilled!!!!! I had never voted (much) on AI before, except for a few courtesy votes for Bo Bice and Jordin Sparks. This time I, along with millions of Americans, was voting ... and voting ... and voting. And we rocked the vote for you, David.

My sister, another DC fan, introduced me to David's wikipedia page where I found out all sorts of goodies. I quickly located d-c.org and then fortuitously found this WN Forum in June, for which I am *so* grateful. I have made so many wonderful friends here, from all over the world. I immediately applied for my WN number [#2942] and shortly thereafter, my WN title: Cookie Mon-ster Proofreader Word Nerd. I was a little too late on the scene for the first round of gifts from my fellow WNs.

I recruited another DC fan to join me for the kickoff show: Glendale, Arizona 7/1/08. So exciting!!!! I wanted to meet David so badly. When the opportunity rolled around to join another WN for a 2nd show, I said I'd be happy to go with. So we did the 1st show in Utah 7/14/08. And we had the pleasure of meeting David and most of the other Top 10. And I really tried to say something intelligent. I was so nervous -- it was such an honor and it's so hard when you only have one minute to say something meaningful, from your heart. David, thank you for being you and sharing your journey with us. I look forward to the arrival of my amazon pre-order purchase: the as-yet un-named David Cook CD release fall 2008. Oh, happy day! Your Word Nerds love you, David.

wow, i can't believe i've been here for so long and never knew about this particular thread... so i'm going to try to articulate this as best i can.

what it means to be a wordnerd:

to me, a wordnerd isn't just a lover of david cook. a wordnerd is someone who wholly supports david in his highs and lows, who loves his music, but also connects emotionally with him. a wordnerd is loyal and protective and a wordnerd's heart fills with joy at the sight of david's every triumph.

how i became one:

this story starts in the second season of american idol. i rooted for clay all the way and being in canada, couldn't vote for him. i was devastated when he lost, so pretty much stopped watching. the girls at my office watch the show and i was tired of being left out, so i started watching during the top 12. and was appalled only by amanda (sorry if there are any amanda fans out there).

david didn't make much of an impression on me until "billie jean." i remember sitting on my bed thinking "is that michael jackson? no, it can't be, this version is way too slow." i had no idea who chris cornell was, just that this man singing was absolutely mesmerizing.

as the weeks went on, it became clear at work that all the girls were head over heels for david, so i became sort of their "pimp." i downloaded the episodes, bought the itunes singles, and burned them for everyone who asked. we became wordnerds before we even knew what wordnerds were (keep in mind, i hadn't seen the "wordnerd" segment before "all right now." i only saw that late into the season).

after "always be my baby," reading about david's brother, i became a lifetime convert. seeing a man cry on television has the power to convert just about anyone. this is around the time i joined the american idols forum, which i took great pleasure in, until i found this home, which i thoroughly enjoy.

as the weeks went by, i hung onto every song, every lyric. i have a history of depression and had a little relapse in about march/april, and david's music - especially analog heart, after i gave it a chance - helped me tremendously. it was my anti-depressant, in a way. it made me feel like everything would be okay.

then, "the first time ever i saw your face -" i watched it with tears streaming down my face, rewound, watched it again, rewound. it was... transcendant. the emotional connection was there already, but that song cemented it. i still can't listen to it without getting teary. at times, i felt broken in my personal life, but hearing that song, i felt as though i was being slowly glued back together. i don't know what it was about it.

my best friend and i were good about watching the show and talking about it at work the next day, and on the night of the finale, we ordered pizza, inhaled it, since we have supper fairly late, and then went downstairs to my apartment to watch it. we were super excited, buzzed, even, though we were completely worried, because the judges has so thoroughly thrown david under a bus the previous day. i had been watching those "calculating busy signals" websites all day and despite the fact that they both predicted a david cook victory, i didn't want to believe it until i heard it coming out of ryan's mouth.

we loved the guru pitka preview, and both gasped - loudly - when we saw the guitar hero commercial, rewinding it several times and wondering if archie would do the same. imagine our surprise (and slight revulsion) when he DID!

of course, the same thing happened to us that happened to a million others: my DVR cut out after "david..." i had my eyes covered but my best friend started screaming "gen, do something, DO SOMETHING!" and i was able to rewind it far enough to hear "COOK!"

needless to say, we both screamed, called a few girls from the office, and generally made a lot of noise. we were completely ecstatic.

during that time, i was steadily climbing the steep mountain back to being okay, and i was so incredibly grateful that i had some wonderful music to listen to during my hard times. i was also contemplating, though not very seriously, going to toronto to see the tour in toronto.

fast-forward to about two weeks ago, when i'm desperately trying to figure out a way to get there. by that time, i was completely under his spell and reading the concert recaps made me ache to go. everything happened so fast: i got a ticket to the show on ebay for about half what it's work. i decided to take the bus. i found a friend who was willing - without ever having met me - to let me stay at her place. i got a pretty large discount on my bus ticket. i was willing to endure a very long bus trip, overnight, no less, to arrive early in toronto.

and then, saturday: the ten hours on the bus were so completely worth it. seeing the guy who had a big hand in making me feel like myself again sing live was an experience that i have a lot of trouble putting into words. the emotion he puts in his voice is remarkable. the light in his eyes when he talks to the audience is seen even from the last row. he loves us. he loves what he does. he is an incredible human being and i feel blessed and absolutely honored to have been in the same room as him, to have heard his music firsthand, to have lived those emotions.

david: you have been so incredibly generous with your fans. you made me feel like the only person in the room, even though i wasn't. you have been so instrumental in my recovery, i would be a lesser person for never having heard your music or having seen you. thank you for the incredible gift you've given us. thank you for making me feel okay again. and most of all, thank you for being you. you mean the world to me.

well im gonna look like a bad wordnerd cause im bad with words. so basically this is gonna be a short one!

being a wn means so much! i know other people share my love (love, obsession, same thing) and thats really cool! its awesome knowing your not the only one who looks at tummeh or fanbase pics (ummm i mean no i dont..) or loves to hear his voice and just see him. as a person, i mean. its an awesome thing that im not alone in this! thanks wordnerds!

and the way i became a fan was really simple. i saw his audition and thought he had a fab. voice! honestly i kinda forgot about him when it got to hollywood. but ive loved him since happy together.

living on a prayer to magic rainbows err i mean toml!

As far as what it means to be a word nerd...I don't think I can add to what everyone else has already said.


How I became a Word Nerd:

I've never been a HUGE American Idol fan. Season 6 was the first time I really got into it. I mean, every year I watched some of the auditions...and I always knew the winners of the seaons and stuff...but I never made it a point to watch every week. Season 6 I watched a few audition weeks, but then I would always forget to tune in. Around top 8 week is when I tried my hardest to remember to turn on the TV and watch.
This season was the first time I watched almost all the episodes. There were some I missed, and that's because I can't always be home on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and I don't have tivo or a dvr or anything.

Anyway, David Cook was instantly one of my favorites. From the beginning, I liked Brooke, Carly, David, David A. and Michael Johns. When Jason Castro sang Hallelujah, he was also one of my favorites. But then, as many of you, when David sang Hello, I was sold. I remember being at school and we'd be talking about American Idol and I'd talk about David Cook and how awesome I think he is and that I just love that stare that he gives during his performances, which I now know as the CFM stare. *shivers*
During the season, I always had more than one favorite (don't hate me for saying that, haha). It wasn't just David Cook, because I also loved a lot of the others. But then, something amazing happened.

Top 3 week. By this time, David was definitely my favorite...but after his performance, my love for him grew even more, and my obsession began. I was on the phone with my friend, Cecelia. About a week before, Cecelia had been to a Switchfoot concert. Both of us are HUGE Switchfoot fans, and this week we were both in the middle of a massive Switchfoot obsession overload. Every time we'd talk to each other we'd talk about Switchfoot and hilarious moments from their podcasts and so on. In the performances before David sang we were of course, talking about Switchfoot the whole time but when David came on the stage I made her be quiet so I could watch his beautiful face stare at me and listen to his beautiful voice sing to me. During the commercial before David's second performance, Cecelia said to me, "Dude. How cool would it be if someone on American Idol sang a Switchfoot song?" I replied, "OMG I know! I've always wanted that to happen!! That would be sooo amazing...you have no idea." We continued with this conversation for a while and said that we'd both scream really loud if that ever happened...and that the person who chose the song would be our hero. But then I said, "Yeah...too bad that's never gonna happen." Cecelia agreed with me, and we moved on with our conversation. And then, I kid you not, 2 minutes later Ryan and David were sitting in the chairs before David's second performance of the night. I wasn't planning on stopping my conversation with Cecelia until David actually got up there to sing...but Ryan said something that caught my attention. I heard something that sounded like "itchfoot". And then I paused. And then I said, "Did he just say Switchfoot??" Cecelia said, "huh?" so then I yelled "DID RYAN JUST SAY DAVID WAS SINGING SWITCHFOOT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?" then we heard David say "you know, I thought the lyrics were really cool...welcome to the planet...everyone's here..." and in the same instant...Cecelia and I screamed. Thankfully no one was in my house except for my little sister. We were still screaming. I just couldn't believe it...and it was like I didn't believe it. Ryan said "singing Dare You To Move..." I was soo excited...and I still couldn't believe it. And then, with his guitar in hand, David started strumming the song that I've listened to so many times...a song by a band that's been my favorite for so many years...a song I know all too well. When he started strumming that song, I finally believed it, and Cecelia and I screamed yet again again. When he started singing I yelled "AHHH! STOP SCREAMING! WE HAVE TO LISTEN!!!!!" and then all throughout the performance we had random bursts of excitement and random screams and random yellings of "OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Once he was done, Cecelia screamed "THAT DUDE IS MY HERO NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and I quickly agreed with her. The next two weeks I couldn't stop thinking about how awesome David Cook was. I remember watching the finale and I smiled every time the camera was on David Cook.
And then, something even more amazing happened.

David Cook became the American Idol.
The whole season, I never got on the AI boards because I didn't know how awesome it really was. I usually don't join message boards. The only one I'm really a big part of is my favorite band's message boards. So, unfortunately I missed out on all the squeals of excitement when he'd do the signal or wear certain things or the dog tags. Even though I wasn't on the boards, when David won, this incredible feeling of excitement that I cannot describe came over me. After sharing my excitement over the phone with Cecelia, I went downstairs to get on the computer. I decided I'd look up pictures of David Cook. And oh boy...I think you get what I'm trying to say.

After that, I decided I'd check out the American Idol boards just for the heck of it, and BAM. I was blown away. I read about a lot of things that night. I read about Word Nerd numbers and I read about titles and I read about the dog tags and the flowers and the signal and I thought "Holy crap. This is amazing. This guy really must care about his fans." I wanted in. So, within 2 days I became Melodically Euphoric Word Nerd #2030 and a full fledged obsession began. David wasn't my hero just because he sang a song by one of my favorite bands, there were now so many other reasons.

I couldn't get enough! I began watching videos of his performances on youtube, and watching all the interviews I could, and melting when I saw pictures of him. The same things I know you all have experienced. I was blown away by his charisma and his amazing voice and the way he cares so much about his fans, and everything else about him. I quickly found the signal & sentiments thread and wrote a long letter expressing my love for David Cook. Even though I didn't join until after the finale, I feel like I've been a part of this for more than that. Even though I wasn't, I feel like I was a part of the flowers, and the dog tags, and everything else. All of you guys have just blown me away. You're all so amazing and so nice and I love all of you. I'm so happy to be a part of the Word Nerds and I'm so happy to have discovered the amazing person that is David Cook and I'm so happy I can talk about him with you guys.

I then discovered this forum. The Word Nerd home. I quickly found myself being so unproductive in other areas of my life and getting less sleep than normal because I'd spend countless hours here on the boards. I LOVE YOU GUYS! YOU'RE ALL SO AWESOME!!!!!! We really do have an incredible connection with David. Every day, I'm still blown away by him and all the things he does. He's such an amazing person and all of you know the reasons why. If I listed them all here, it would never end.

I love David Cook.
The end.

Time and again, I come here and read all that you have written about your involvement with David and the Word Nerds and how all this "movement" changed out lives forever. It's like a bath of fresh air, a renewed feeling of belonging, an outpour of love and a source of new energy that fills me up oh in so many ways. This is the Word Nerds parallel to what the Sentiment thread is. This is were we share our love and admiration towards David but also the "plethora" of feelings that go through us just to be a part of this amazing community called the Word Nerds.

And each time, I leave this home within the Home, it makes me even prouder than I am of David and all of you and assured that "destiny", as Gwen said, brought us all together.

"Amigos para siempre" - "Friends for Life"

by Sarah Brightman & José Carreras
I don't have to say
A word to you
You seem to know
Whatever mood
I'm going through
Feels as though
I've known you forever

You can look into my eyes and see
The way I feel
And how
The world is treating me
Maybe I have known you forever

Amigos para siempre
Means you'll always be my friend
Amigos para siempre
Means a love that cannot end
Friends for life
Not just a summer or a spring
Amigos para siempre
I feel you near me
Even when we are apart
Just knowing you are in this world
Can warm my heart
Friends for life
Not just a summer or a spring
Amigos para siempre

We share memories
I won't forget
And we'll share more,
My friend,
We haven't started yet
Something happens
When we're together

When I look at you
I wonder why
There has to come
A time when we must say goodbye
I'm alive when we are together

Amigos para siempre
Means you'll always be my friend
Amigos para siempre
Means a love that cannot end
Friends for life
Not just a summer or a spring
Amigos para siempre

I have been putting off writing in here because I am not good at it but I would like to post something so

What it means to be a Word Nerd
Being a Word Nerd to me means Respect, Love, & Support for David.


How I became a Word Nerd
I have watched american idol from season 3. I really wasn't a huge fan. I never went to a message boards, youtube, cellcerts. No, I was never totally hooked until this year.
Well I noticed David from the begining and the more I saw & heard, the more I liked. So I started watching every show, reading everything I could find online about him. I fell in love with not only his voice but his personality & his heart as well. I decided one day when I was at ai.com to look at the forums & OMG I found people like myself, that were so into him!! It was an awesome thing I lurked around on the board for awhile & then I just had to give in & thats how I became a word nerd. I am so happy I did because all of you are so awesome & so is David. I am proud to call myself a word nerd. And I am glad that he loves his word nerds
Angel

What does it mean to be a Word Nerd?
Well to me it means following David on this amazing journey he has begun and supporting him every step of the way the best I can(buying his cd's merch,going to shows if I can and helping spread the word about his talent!).It also means making new friends that are fellow fans and joying forces to become the best fan base an artist can have!

How I Came To Be A Word Nerd.
Well first I have to admit I am not really a fan of American Idol,it's a kool show,but I like to see artist do their own music,but it was pretty kool how David changed the feel of the songs up to make them more suited to his style!
Secondly I have something else to admit I am a huge Bon Jovi fan and have been for 19 years and up until I discovered David Cook I thought NO other artist would ever captured my attenion,steal my heart and always leaves me wanting more,but much to my surprise David has!
I have my best friend to thank for becoming a fan.She is a big American Idol fan and she kept trying to get me to watch the show going on and on about David C. and how I had to see/hear him.It took me until the last two shows to finally listen to her.So I watched and was like wow,great voice,very easy on the eyes,but wasn't sold just yet cause I wonder what he could do for original music.So I went on an internet hunt and discovered a little album called Analog Heart,that sealed the deal for me!
I never thought I would be amazed, memorized,addicted/obsessed with another artist but David C,just totally blows by mind!His voice brings tears to my eyes it so beautiful.His lyrics are witty,brilliant,genuine and heartfelt and uplifting.Watching him perform is amazing his passion and love of music is very evident as well as his love,respect and apperication for his fans!
David C. is an amazing artist and even more of an amazing person,he is down to earth,intelligent,honest,modest,caring,charming,handsome,and at times goofy or as I like to say,cause this man has left me speechless more times then I count and the word that keeps popping in my head is amazing,yep to me that is the perfect word for David!
So that is my little story of how I become a Cookie fan/Word Nerd and why I will forever be hopelessly but happily hooked on Cook!Looking forward to his new album and more AMAZING things from him and having the Time Of My Life watching his career unfold in front of my very eyes!Rock on Peeps!

What it means to me to be a wordnerd:

To me, a word nerd is part of a collective (had to use that word, Collective Soul, favorite DC performance! Andrew Cook’s fave too), supportive David Cook fanbase, but also a word nerd has gone that extra step to be in the core of it. I think that you, David, have the makings of a “legend”, and twenty years from now I believe I will still be proud to be a “W”!!

I would have been much sooner but, #$%&* it, I just found the right thread recently.

How I came to be one!!

Even if nobody ever reads this I think it is good to get this out.. I became a word nerd sometime during April after listening to "Music of the Night", however, I still didn't hadn't been on the message boards much and didn't know what a David Cook word nerd was. As mentioned above, it took me awhile to find this website. I have never taken the time to be active on any message boards before.. barely checked my email.

Likewise, I had never, ever watched an episode of AI until this spring. I had heard of your story through local press coverage and knew the basics of how your audition came to be and how you had been a musician for awhile, etc. I filed it in my mind and that was it until April 9.

My friend sent me an e-mail which had arisen out of a local fanbase here in Blue Springs. “How to vote for David Cook and Why”. It told the story of Lindsey Rose and a little more about you. I thought to myself.. “you mean we have a humanitarian going down to the wire from our own little Blue Springs? This is awesome.” So I decided to try and watch. I seldom watch TV before ten.. four kids, enough said.

Honestly I didn’t do a very good job catching your performances consistently until late April. I saw a little here, a little there, and liked what I saw very, very much. I started to feel my heart quicken and me holding my breath when you sang.. I was starting to root for you and decided I might just vote but it took me a few weeks to do it. I hate to admit it but I don’t remember which song it was that I first saw. I remember seeing “Innocent” and thinking, wow your voice is grainy and gorgeous and you have range and depth and I love the song. When you wrote “Give Back” on your hand I thought.. this guy is either really smart or really deep. Well David after a few more times watching more closely, I realized both were true. A young man with an old soul. You had my full attention. By then it was top 6 or so and I began DVRing AI. I looked up past performances on-line and saw so many awesome qualities shining from you. I thought.. "A rocker with character and integrity like a breath of fresh air.. and incredible talent... is storming the AI bubble. And he grew up less than a mile away. Wow." I was so thrilled that you were advancing to the finals.

Friends and I began discussing your journey, etc. and I realized you had sang MUSIC OF THE NIGHT. My immediate thoughts.. I MISSED THAT?!?!?! DAVID SANG MY FAVORITE SONG FROM A MUSICAL, EVER???? IT’S SO DIFFICULT!! HOW DID HE DO? I found it the AI video and was REALLY impressed at how you carried it off. Left me wanting more, though. Needed to hear the full version, see how it sounded with the polish. WELL. Let me just say listening to the studio version on my PC may have been the most memorable moment of my music-listening life. I have seen Phantom three times, have played almost the entire score on the piano, and I couldn’t believe what I heard. My breath caught in my throat. Your voice reached in and squeezed me right in the heart and I was tearing up over a song. I was so happy for you because I realized the FULLNESS of what you can do. You are worthy of whatever fame and success you achieve, David. Don't let it go to your head.. HA.. When you sang “First Time” I was stupefied and blubbering as if you were my own son or something! My brother, who is more cynical than I and who had that song in his wedding many years ago, watched you sing it. He dropped his jaw. You give us goosebumps David. We love it. Needless to say I voted for four hours straight. LOVED watching the prediction websites sway your way while we ROCKED THE VOTE!!! God, that was the most fun I had all summer long. THANK you for that.

When you won, I was backstage while my daughter rehearsed for a musical she was in and my friend and I started whooping and hollering and disrupted practice! Driving home from practice with several kids in the car, we rolled down the windows, cranked your music and yelled “David Cook” down 7 highway! I couldn’t imagine how Blue Springs could even look NORMAL right then. I wanted to get out and dance in the streets for you!!! I guess that makes me certifiable (LOL).

P.S. Since then my sons and I have run in to your brother a few times and he is every bit as sweet as you are. And David, when you stopped to compose yourself at BS South May 9 (remember your entrance) my older daughter and I were there and you made me cry too (again). I love you for that and for all the fun you have given me this year and for being you. Don’t stop believing. You can accomplish many great things. You have awesome fans who will never ever leave you.
“W”.
3301~ Kim