Newly-minted Top 10 finalist Jacob Hoggard chatted with Eye on Idol the day after the results show, sharing his thoughts about stepping into the Idol spotlight and pursuing other long-term goals.

Idol: First of all, how did you sleep last night? Did you sleep well?

Jacob: I did. After I came home from the show I called my mom and some family and then I went to bed.

Idol: What did you eat for breakfast?

Jacob: Oh, the hotel brought us breakfast. It was really cool. I actually snuck into the buffet and took a bunch of yogurt, but don't tell anyone.

Idol: Have you been eating any different while this whole thing is going on? Have you been eating lighter to kind of cool the nerves?

Jacob: I don't think I can eat light. I have the metabolism of, maybe, eight horses. The food here has been just spectacular. Oh and everyone else, all the other singers are like, "Don't eat dairy it's bad for your voice." I've been slamming back yogurt like there's no tomorrow.

Idol: So, your mom was your first phone call to break the good news. How many other calls did you make?

Jacob: I called my mom and my buddy and one of my friends from home. I called [my] drummer -- drummer-boy Brandon. The guys [in the band] have been so supportive. It's just been the funnest thing.

Idol: How has your perception changed about Canadian Idol since you first made the Top 155 and now having made the Top 10?

Jacob: I think there's a bit more dedication now, into the Top 10. And I think I am taking it a level up as far as seriousness goes just because I'm a lot more focused. Before, just like the other competitors, you kind of disappear into the crowd and now there's really a spotlight on you. It's almost an encouragement to work harder. Nothing much will really change, I mean, I'm myself still. It's so incredibly flattering just to sit through interviews and be in demand for a phone call or an interview or a television spot. That's one of the neatest things, and of course, to anybody who's never had that happen to them it's such an amazing experience. I'm so flattered and thankful.

Idol: Do you think you could get used to this?

Jacob: Um, I don't know. I really miss home and I really miss normal life -- as much as my personality sometimes contradicts my long-term goals. I can't even believe I can say that word.

Idol: Well, I see one of your long-term goals is to have your own construction business.

Jacob: Oh yeah. Eventually I want to be established as far as that goes. I mean everyone has crazy pipe dreams of being the big rock star and stuff, and that's great. That's such a cool thing if you can actually buckle down and focus on that. For me, I have goals and I want to be punctual with those goals...to attain some security with a job and work hard at life.

Idol: You've got some time before competition for you resumes again. Do you go back to working Monday through Saturday?

Jacob: Monday through Saturday. I'll be working Monday morning with my tool belt on and I'll be ready to keep going. And I need it too because I haven't been working. I still have bills and stuff to pay for.

Idol: Is there anything that you saw in your performance that you would change in the next, to do better as you move forward?

Jacob: I looked at the performance on Wednesday and I thought, "You know, I really should've worn Rollerblades." Honestly, I walked away from that performance actually very content. That, for me, was the biggest part of it. Even if I didn't advance, the fact that I did well, for my standards, means the world to me. That, I think, is the most important thing because even though this is a competition - of which I hate competing. I don't like the feeling you get in the competition against other people. I just don't like being posed against other people. As a performer, the biggest thing for me was that I gave everything I had and it worked out well.

Idol: And, what would be the first thing you'd buy if you won?

Jacob: It's actually kind of funny because the first thing I thought about purchasing was a small herd of sheep.