Original Post Date: April 15, 2007
I'm having "one of those days." Except that today has been okay until about 15 minutes ago. My day went from "Meh" to "BOOOOOOO!!!" just like that!
1. We had cheesecake for my dad's birthday, and there was some left over. From where I was sitting at the table, I thought I could see that there were several pieces left. Enough for me to wait to have a piece until my dinner digested. Well, unbeknownest to me, my mom saw that there was one small piece left. Instead of saving it for me, she cut it in two and gave half to my dad and half to herself...in addition to the pieces they already had! It wasn't until after they were done and cleared that I went noticed the empty cheesecake tray on the counter. I quickly opened the fridge. No cheesecake in sight!!! I immediately vocalized my distress (i.e. I started whining about lack of cheesecake.) My mom said "Well, it was just a fraction of a piece that was left." And I said "SO?! I would have eaten it!!!" I SAY BOO!!!!! There's no cheesecake, no popcorn, no ice cream in the house. And no milk, so I can't even make pudding or something!!!!!! Again....I SAY BOO!!!!!
2. The rule around here is that if you make dinner (or help make dinner) on Sunday, you don't have to help clean up. Well, I made dinner today. All of it, except the salad. And guess who had to clean up. Yep, me. Everyone was leaving for various things and I'm the one at home. 'Cept the dishwasher is full, so it's running. And I don't feel like washing the dishes by hand. So they are sitting in the sink. I might do them later, I might not. However, while I was rinsing off a ladle, so that I could put it in the dishwasher, it turned just right under the running water and sprayed a ton of warm water right out of the sink and on to my shirt. Great. JUST GREAT!!!!
3. Did I mention there's no popcorn or ice cream or milk in the house? Mmmmyeah.
So that's how my day went from "Meh" to "BOOOOOO!!!!" in a matter of minutes. I'm going to go watch "The Amazing Race" now. If Charla and Mirna get "Phil"eminated, then my day will get infinitely better!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Light in the Piazza
Original Post Date: April 7, 2007
It was a little strange seeing "The Light in the Piazza" today. Normally when I see shows at the Buell, I'm seeing them for the first time. They've already been on Broadway and the whole world has seen them but me. (That's obviously an exaggeration, but it feels true.) Well, not this time!!! I saw the show in New York last year! Not only that, I saw the Tony Winner, Victoria Clark! And if you've ever been inside the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at the Lincoln Center, you know that it's a smaller space with a three-quarter thrust stage. Nothing like the Buell. When I saw the show in New York, we were in about the 6th row. Today, we were at the top of the top balcony. Super far away from the stage. You lose quite a bit of the show from that far away, especially because so much of the heart of the show is in the facial expressions. Oh, and we taped the show when it aired on PBS and so I've seen it from that perspective several times!
All that aside, "The Light in the Piazza" is an amazing, gorgeous show. I seriously run out of adjectives when I'm trying to describe it. The emotional depth of the story, combined with the beautiful music by Adam Guettel, make for a phenomenal show. Everyone should see it...though don't go in expecting it to be a traditional love story. Sure, there is *a* love story in the show, but it's practically a secondary story line. The main story goes much deeper.
I tried really really hard to keep cast comparisons out of my mind while watching the show. Christine Andreas played Margaret (the role that won Victoria Clark the Tony). I've never been a huge fan of Andreas, mainly because I don't like listening to her on the cast recording of "The Scarlet Pimpernel." I never liked her singing voice very much. She did an admirable job as Margaret, but it seemed like she was trying to copy Victoria Clark a little too much. She did have a few moments that were all her own, though, but for the most part it seemed like a charactiture. And she seemed to have a hard time with the North Carolina accent. However, she still had the emotional power in the final song to bring me to tears. (Nevermind the fact that I always bawl at the end of that song.)
Katie Clarke played Clara. We saw her in the role in New York. She really nails that complex role. I won't give too much away. It's better for first time viewers of the show not to know what Clara's deal is. Trust me, though...Katie Clarke is amazing!!!
David Burnham was Fabrizio, and at first I was little less than impressed with his singing voice. Then, suddenly, he opened up on some high, emotional notes and I was hooked! He did a great job! I got to meet him in the lobby after the show and I bought his new CD. He's a really nice guy!
I can't say enough about how awesome this show is. Seriously.
It was a little strange seeing "The Light in the Piazza" today. Normally when I see shows at the Buell, I'm seeing them for the first time. They've already been on Broadway and the whole world has seen them but me. (That's obviously an exaggeration, but it feels true.) Well, not this time!!! I saw the show in New York last year! Not only that, I saw the Tony Winner, Victoria Clark! And if you've ever been inside the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at the Lincoln Center, you know that it's a smaller space with a three-quarter thrust stage. Nothing like the Buell. When I saw the show in New York, we were in about the 6th row. Today, we were at the top of the top balcony. Super far away from the stage. You lose quite a bit of the show from that far away, especially because so much of the heart of the show is in the facial expressions. Oh, and we taped the show when it aired on PBS and so I've seen it from that perspective several times!
All that aside, "The Light in the Piazza" is an amazing, gorgeous show. I seriously run out of adjectives when I'm trying to describe it. The emotional depth of the story, combined with the beautiful music by Adam Guettel, make for a phenomenal show. Everyone should see it...though don't go in expecting it to be a traditional love story. Sure, there is *a* love story in the show, but it's practically a secondary story line. The main story goes much deeper.
I tried really really hard to keep cast comparisons out of my mind while watching the show. Christine Andreas played Margaret (the role that won Victoria Clark the Tony). I've never been a huge fan of Andreas, mainly because I don't like listening to her on the cast recording of "The Scarlet Pimpernel." I never liked her singing voice very much. She did an admirable job as Margaret, but it seemed like she was trying to copy Victoria Clark a little too much. She did have a few moments that were all her own, though, but for the most part it seemed like a charactiture. And she seemed to have a hard time with the North Carolina accent. However, she still had the emotional power in the final song to bring me to tears. (Nevermind the fact that I always bawl at the end of that song.)
Katie Clarke played Clara. We saw her in the role in New York. She really nails that complex role. I won't give too much away. It's better for first time viewers of the show not to know what Clara's deal is. Trust me, though...Katie Clarke is amazing!!!
David Burnham was Fabrizio, and at first I was little less than impressed with his singing voice. Then, suddenly, he opened up on some high, emotional notes and I was hooked! He did a great job! I got to meet him in the lobby after the show and I bought his new CD. He's a really nice guy!
I can't say enough about how awesome this show is. Seriously.
The Lowdown on NATS
Original Post Date: March 31, 2007
First, the best news of all: I am not allowed to compete in NATS anymore!!! Well, okay, I could do Classical if I wanted to. But Musical Theatre...nope! Why, you ask? Well, because I won category 14B! That's the highest category, so I'm done! You're probably wondering why not competing anymore makes me happy. Well, it's because I HATE COMPETING!!!! It's stress city! I don't get nervous, but I get anxious. And then I have to sit for HOURS waiting to find out about finals. And then wait for HOURS for the awards convocation. It's a headache. I much prefer singing in other venues, thanks.
Nevertheless, I competed in Musical Theatre 14B today, and I won! I'm very excited! We didn't get to do finals, because not enough people showed up. That was a bummer, because we had waited so long. And I really wanted to do my song again. I would have done "Adalaide's Lament" for finals. Oh, well! (My other song was "Home" from Beauty and the Beast. I messed it up a little. I sang the 2nd verse twice. Whoopsie! I didn't bat an eye, though, just kept right on singing!)
So anyway, I just wanted to share the fun news! I'm glad it's over. I'm also glad that NATS got moved to CSU so that I didn't have to drive to Laramie!!! Yay!!!
First, the best news of all: I am not allowed to compete in NATS anymore!!! Well, okay, I could do Classical if I wanted to. But Musical Theatre...nope! Why, you ask? Well, because I won category 14B! That's the highest category, so I'm done! You're probably wondering why not competing anymore makes me happy. Well, it's because I HATE COMPETING!!!! It's stress city! I don't get nervous, but I get anxious. And then I have to sit for HOURS waiting to find out about finals. And then wait for HOURS for the awards convocation. It's a headache. I much prefer singing in other venues, thanks.
Nevertheless, I competed in Musical Theatre 14B today, and I won! I'm very excited! We didn't get to do finals, because not enough people showed up. That was a bummer, because we had waited so long. And I really wanted to do my song again. I would have done "Adalaide's Lament" for finals. Oh, well! (My other song was "Home" from Beauty and the Beast. I messed it up a little. I sang the 2nd verse twice. Whoopsie! I didn't bat an eye, though, just kept right on singing!)
So anyway, I just wanted to share the fun news! I'm glad it's over. I'm also glad that NATS got moved to CSU so that I didn't have to drive to Laramie!!! Yay!!!
Are you a Bookaholic?
Original Post Date: March 29, 2007
1. Do you find that you can't pass a bookstore without stopping?
2. Do you answer every question with "Wait until I finish this page"?
3. Is there a book in every room in your house?
4. Have you ever been late to work because you "just had to finish a chapter"?
5. Are any of your children named after characters in books you've read?
6. Do you constantly have to invest in additional bookshelves?
7. Do you read while waiting at stop lights?
8. Is the first thing people say when they enter your home "Have you actually read all those books?"
9. Do you buy books instead of paying those pesky overdue bills?
10. Does the library borrow books from you?
(For me, yes to 1,2,3,4,7,8 & 9) 5 may happen some day. I'm in the verge of 6.)
1. Do you find that you can't pass a bookstore without stopping?
2. Do you answer every question with "Wait until I finish this page"?
3. Is there a book in every room in your house?
4. Have you ever been late to work because you "just had to finish a chapter"?
5. Are any of your children named after characters in books you've read?
6. Do you constantly have to invest in additional bookshelves?
7. Do you read while waiting at stop lights?
8. Is the first thing people say when they enter your home "Have you actually read all those books?"
9. Do you buy books instead of paying those pesky overdue bills?
10. Does the library borrow books from you?
(For me, yes to 1,2,3,4,7,8 & 9) 5 may happen some day. I'm in the verge of 6.)
This is why I live in Colorado
Original Post Date: March 26, 2007
I went hiking today. Here is a picture I took on my camera phone:
Mmmyeah.....some people say that they can't live without the ocean. I can't live without the mountains.
I went hiking today. Here is a picture I took on my camera phone:
Mmmyeah.....some people say that they can't live without the ocean. I can't live without the mountains.
Baby Boom!
Original Post Date: March 24, 2007
This coming October, there are going to be a lot of new babies in my family. Seriously...a lot! They tend to come in packs on the Johnson side of that family. (There are 4 due in October!) I can just imagine Grandma Johnson training them all right now to be silly kids. If they come out pinching, we'll know that's true! On the Milligan side, the kids come in twos or threes. (Jake and Emily; Kayla, Tyler, and Emma.) There are three babies in the works at the moment, but one is due in the summer. Oh, and if you're keeping a count, it's not 7 babies, it's 6. One of those is on both sides of the family because he or she is my nephew or niece. We need to come up with a good name. We called Emily "Heduk Babaganush" before she was born.
Anyway...I've been so excited about all the babies, but today my excitement jumped to a new energy level. I had lunch with 3 of my friends from college and one has a 7 week old baby. I held him for soooooooooo long today. This made me so excited for all the babies coming! I can't wait to hold them! Have I ever mentioned how much I love babies? Since I won't be having my own for who knows how long, I'm absolutely loving being Aunt "Ah-lah" (Yes, Emily seems to think that I am the god of the Muslims. She can't say "Angela".) All the other babies are my cousins', but they are more than welcome to call me Auntie. I don't mind!
This coming October, there are going to be a lot of new babies in my family. Seriously...a lot! They tend to come in packs on the Johnson side of that family. (There are 4 due in October!) I can just imagine Grandma Johnson training them all right now to be silly kids. If they come out pinching, we'll know that's true! On the Milligan side, the kids come in twos or threes. (Jake and Emily; Kayla, Tyler, and Emma.) There are three babies in the works at the moment, but one is due in the summer. Oh, and if you're keeping a count, it's not 7 babies, it's 6. One of those is on both sides of the family because he or she is my nephew or niece. We need to come up with a good name. We called Emily "Heduk Babaganush" before she was born.
Anyway...I've been so excited about all the babies, but today my excitement jumped to a new energy level. I had lunch with 3 of my friends from college and one has a 7 week old baby. I held him for soooooooooo long today. This made me so excited for all the babies coming! I can't wait to hold them! Have I ever mentioned how much I love babies? Since I won't be having my own for who knows how long, I'm absolutely loving being Aunt "Ah-lah" (Yes, Emily seems to think that I am the god of the Muslims. She can't say "Angela".) All the other babies are my cousins', but they are more than welcome to call me Auntie. I don't mind!
Oliver
Original Post Date: March 23, 2007
I had the privilege of seeing Greeley Central High School's production of Oliver tonight. I say privilege for two reasons: 1st, because I got in for free. My sister designed their set (which was gorgeous, by the way). 2nd, because it was a fabulous show!
I don't see as many high school shows as I used to, but it's always fun to go and see young performers who are just learning the craft. Now, you have to understand, Central is the Arts Magnet High School for Greeley. These kids I saw tonight are the best of the best. Seriously, these kids were great! I was most impressed with The Artful Dodger. (My program isn't handy, so I don't know anyone's real name.) His accent was spot on, and I understood every word. His movements were unhindered and he looked totally at home on the stage. Very fun to watch! I also have to commend the chorus. Because of my background, I always watch them more than the leads, especially when I know the show. Everyone was in character and it was fun to see them do little things when I'm sure they thought no one was looking. Well, I was looking...and they were delightful! A few other cast members worthy of note: the kid who played Oliver had a beautiful voice! He did a marvelous job. The girl playing Nancy had great characterization. She is such a multi-layered character, and she's difficult for a high schooler to tackle, but this girl did a great job. And of course, Noel Johnston as Fagin. Noel is retiring after 37 years of teaching and his farewell to the school (and the theatre program) was to play Fagin. He was an absolute delight! He captured Fagin's good nature and spineless-ness perfectly!
And finally...and this is something that goes all the way back to my high school days...a show isn't truly awesome unless I cry (this, of course, does not apply to comedies.) Well...I cried tonight. I got a little teary when Nancy died, but it wasn't until Oliver is reunited with his grandfather that the tears truly fell. Such a touching scene!!!!
All in all, a great show. I thoroughly enjoyed my evening. Thanks, Greeley Central!
I had the privilege of seeing Greeley Central High School's production of Oliver tonight. I say privilege for two reasons: 1st, because I got in for free. My sister designed their set (which was gorgeous, by the way). 2nd, because it was a fabulous show!
I don't see as many high school shows as I used to, but it's always fun to go and see young performers who are just learning the craft. Now, you have to understand, Central is the Arts Magnet High School for Greeley. These kids I saw tonight are the best of the best. Seriously, these kids were great! I was most impressed with The Artful Dodger. (My program isn't handy, so I don't know anyone's real name.) His accent was spot on, and I understood every word. His movements were unhindered and he looked totally at home on the stage. Very fun to watch! I also have to commend the chorus. Because of my background, I always watch them more than the leads, especially when I know the show. Everyone was in character and it was fun to see them do little things when I'm sure they thought no one was looking. Well, I was looking...and they were delightful! A few other cast members worthy of note: the kid who played Oliver had a beautiful voice! He did a marvelous job. The girl playing Nancy had great characterization. She is such a multi-layered character, and she's difficult for a high schooler to tackle, but this girl did a great job. And of course, Noel Johnston as Fagin. Noel is retiring after 37 years of teaching and his farewell to the school (and the theatre program) was to play Fagin. He was an absolute delight! He captured Fagin's good nature and spineless-ness perfectly!
And finally...and this is something that goes all the way back to my high school days...a show isn't truly awesome unless I cry (this, of course, does not apply to comedies.) Well...I cried tonight. I got a little teary when Nancy died, but it wasn't until Oliver is reunited with his grandfather that the tears truly fell. Such a touching scene!!!!
All in all, a great show. I thoroughly enjoyed my evening. Thanks, Greeley Central!
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