To quote Kermit the Frog from The Muppet Christmas Carol (love that film, mainly because of Rizzo the Rat) only one more sleep ‘til Christmas. The older I get the less magical it seems to be. I have not really even been in the mood to watch my favorite Christmas films this year. What it comes down to you really need to have little ones around all excited about Santa Claus and the season to get you all excited about it as well.
I have decided that next year I really need to do more service to bring the true spirit. One of my favorite Christmas’ was when I was a senior in high school and I was a volunteer Salvation Army Bell Ringer. Every Friday night and Saturday day I rang the bell (actually I sat next to the bucket while a little musical bell played Christmas songs) at the local mall through the Christmas season. It was so fun to see the little kids come up and put pennies in. Ever since I was a little kid I loved doing the same thing and I can not pass a Salvation Army bucket and still not put money in today. Even though my family participated in a Sub for Santa project this year I really need to focus more on the Savior. So if anyone can think of a great service project let me know.
Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and to quote Bing Crosby from White Christmas that at this time of year may we “count our blessings instead of sheep.”
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
White Christmas
No, this post has nothing to do with the weather. Every year as part of our Christmas gift my parents treat my oldest sister and I to a Christmas performance. This year we went and saw White Christmas at the University of Utah’s Pioneer Theater.
The film, White Christmas (1954) starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye is one of my favorite holiday films that I watch every year. So I pretty much know the film by heart and love it. But I still enjoyed the play. The sets were top notch, the choreography fun (I do love tap dancing), and the actors did a descent job (a nod to Tally and Kaitlyn). The script was a little different and so were the characters but I kept an open mind. I’m so glad that they kept the “Sisters” routine that the guys perform it’s one of my favorite scenes.
Just a few observations: John Shuman who played Ezekiel did a great interpretation of Pa Kettle. Mary Driggs who played Martha was more Ethel Merman than Mary Wickes but the character worked. I also thought it was interesting that they threw in “I love the Piano” which is from another Irving Berlin film Easter Parade.
I’m glad we have this new family tradition now that we are older it always helps me get into the Christmas spirit. Plus, we stopped off at Baskin Robbins for a nutty coconut shake afterwards. I do love those shakes.
The film, White Christmas (1954) starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye is one of my favorite holiday films that I watch every year. So I pretty much know the film by heart and love it. But I still enjoyed the play. The sets were top notch, the choreography fun (I do love tap dancing), and the actors did a descent job (a nod to Tally and Kaitlyn). The script was a little different and so were the characters but I kept an open mind. I’m so glad that they kept the “Sisters” routine that the guys perform it’s one of my favorite scenes.
Just a few observations: John Shuman who played Ezekiel did a great interpretation of Pa Kettle. Mary Driggs who played Martha was more Ethel Merman than Mary Wickes but the character worked. I also thought it was interesting that they threw in “I love the Piano” which is from another Irving Berlin film Easter Parade.
I’m glad we have this new family tradition now that we are older it always helps me get into the Christmas spirit. Plus, we stopped off at Baskin Robbins for a nutty coconut shake afterwards. I do love those shakes.
Friday, December 10, 2010
The Tourist
The film felt like an Alfred Hitchcock film starring Cary Grant with Jean Louis doing costumes. To those who may not understand that compliment, let me explain. A light hearted suspense dealing with a mistaken identity of an average American man, running from the law and the men out to kill him but does it all for the love a well dress woman. So, very much like North by Northwest with a twist.
I never understood why guys find Angelina Jolie attractive but when she is dressed with class and style as in this film, I finally get it. Just a note on her wardrobe, when the film starts out she is wearing white, then slips into grey, ending the film wearing black. (Costume designer Colleen Atwood deserves a nod for that). As for Johnny, I could have done without the goatee. But even though he may not have looked good (sorry the last time I found him attractive was when I was a kid watching 21 Jump Street), he did a good job playing the awkward reserved man in love spurting out the funny lines while in danger.
I enjoyed Paul Bettany’s character and can I just say it’s amazing what a well tailored suit can do for a man. And kudos for casting Timothy Dalton as head of Scotland Yard, he fit the role perfectly. Rufus Sewell role, though minor, was also well done. The film was enjoyable. It was funny, had action, a little romance, beautiful scenery and a great cast. I highly recommend it. Plus they threw in a Muse song in the closing credits for good measure.
I never understood why guys find Angelina Jolie attractive but when she is dressed with class and style as in this film, I finally get it. Just a note on her wardrobe, when the film starts out she is wearing white, then slips into grey, ending the film wearing black. (Costume designer Colleen Atwood deserves a nod for that). As for Johnny, I could have done without the goatee. But even though he may not have looked good (sorry the last time I found him attractive was when I was a kid watching 21 Jump Street), he did a good job playing the awkward reserved man in love spurting out the funny lines while in danger.
I enjoyed Paul Bettany’s character and can I just say it’s amazing what a well tailored suit can do for a man. And kudos for casting Timothy Dalton as head of Scotland Yard, he fit the role perfectly. Rufus Sewell role, though minor, was also well done. The film was enjoyable. It was funny, had action, a little romance, beautiful scenery and a great cast. I highly recommend it. Plus they threw in a Muse song in the closing credits for good measure.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Christmas Open House
For the last nineteen years my parents have opened their home the first Monday of December to the neighborhood and ward to come celebrate Christmas with them. I think it is a magical event, even though at times it can seem a little chaotic with over 150 people, majority of them kids, in our downsized home. We may go a little overboard with the decorations but the kids love it and it sets the mood for the evening.
The first stop is the candy shop- the dinning room hutch with several glass jars of candy to fill your treat bag. Then comes the reindeer food (Santa’s reindeer are well feed in our neighborhood). The best moment is when the children come around the corner and they see the toy shop (the kitchen table filled with dollar store toys) and their eyes light up and they literally run to the table. Of course it takes time to pick the perfect toy and you might have to trade once or maybe five times till you get the right one. But after the big decisions are made, you can celebrate the victory with lots and lots of food. The last stop of the evening is you pick up a family Christ center gift that we have put together because that real reason to gather friends together to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
So after weeks of planning, cleaning, and decorating the evening comes to an end. We discussed that maybe next year will be our last open house, but then we realized that we would really miss it and it would not be Christmas without it. So here’s to next year and the years to come.
The first stop is the candy shop- the dinning room hutch with several glass jars of candy to fill your treat bag. Then comes the reindeer food (Santa’s reindeer are well feed in our neighborhood). The best moment is when the children come around the corner and they see the toy shop (the kitchen table filled with dollar store toys) and their eyes light up and they literally run to the table. Of course it takes time to pick the perfect toy and you might have to trade once or maybe five times till you get the right one. But after the big decisions are made, you can celebrate the victory with lots and lots of food. The last stop of the evening is you pick up a family Christ center gift that we have put together because that real reason to gather friends together to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
So after weeks of planning, cleaning, and decorating the evening comes to an end. We discussed that maybe next year will be our last open house, but then we realized that we would really miss it and it would not be Christmas without it. So here’s to next year and the years to come.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
ABBA
I have decided that everyone is an ABBA fan if they admit it or not. As soon as Dancing Queen, Fernando, or Mamma Mia starts playing there you are singing along without even realizing it and you have a smile on your face. I have memories of Dancing Queen being played at every college dance I went to.
Thursday night AJ and I went to “Original London’s West End” production of ABBA Mania at U of U. First of all I have to state that we were actually part of the younger crowd as to oppose to last week’s Neon Trees concert. There were people my parents’ age dancing their hearts out and I thought is that going to be me thirty years from now at a The Cure tribute concert (as AJ and I discussed).
The performers did a really good job. I had to YouTube ABBA and see if that is really how the group danced since I have only really listened to music, and yep they did a correct tribute to the band. I enjoyed the music, but for once the audience was a distraction.
Thursday night AJ and I went to “Original London’s West End” production of ABBA Mania at U of U. First of all I have to state that we were actually part of the younger crowd as to oppose to last week’s Neon Trees concert. There were people my parents’ age dancing their hearts out and I thought is that going to be me thirty years from now at a The Cure tribute concert (as AJ and I discussed).
The performers did a really good job. I had to YouTube ABBA and see if that is really how the group danced since I have only really listened to music, and yep they did a correct tribute to the band. I enjoyed the music, but for once the audience was a distraction.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Neon Trees
So this past year every time Neon Trees has come into town (3xs that I was aware) I have not been able to go see them, until last Tuesday. I have loved them since February and just by chance I saw they were playing at SLCC last week and luckily AJ said yes she would go with me. Neon Trees come to Utah often because they hail from Provo and even though they are growing in popularity they remember where they started off and are proud of it.
First let me just say I am glad I am no longer in high school. So the majority of the people attending were probably college students, but the conversations going on around us while we waited in line to enter just made me think high school. Yes, AJ and I were towards the older end of the scale of people attending but we think we found around five people older than us.
Because it was a small venue we had great seats. In the end the concert was not one of my favorites I have attended this year but still enjoyable and I am really glad I went. What I liked: the lead singer loves the crowd, they have a girl drummer (I wonder if Watts was her inspiration), and of course their music. What I did not like: the stupid SLCC mascot that would not get the hint to get off the stage and the blaring lights that concerts now must have to show that they have succeeded and can afford special effects.
First let me just say I am glad I am no longer in high school. So the majority of the people attending were probably college students, but the conversations going on around us while we waited in line to enter just made me think high school. Yes, AJ and I were towards the older end of the scale of people attending but we think we found around five people older than us.
Because it was a small venue we had great seats. In the end the concert was not one of my favorites I have attended this year but still enjoyable and I am really glad I went. What I liked: the lead singer loves the crowd, they have a girl drummer (I wonder if Watts was her inspiration), and of course their music. What I did not like: the stupid SLCC mascot that would not get the hint to get off the stage and the blaring lights that concerts now must have to show that they have succeeded and can afford special effects.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Happy Halloween!
My favorite part of Halloween is passing out the candy and looking at all the costumes. My favorite this year was this little Yoda who was brave enough to come to our door even though there was a bunch of teenagers there at the time. Our family likes to not only give out candy but something else. We have given out play dough, big plastic rings, mazes, etc. This year it was little game cards with Disney characters. We decided to let the kids choose which one and it was so much fun having them tell me why they picked Cinderella over Sleeping Beauty and such. I like it when I am passing out the candy and saying wait a minute I also have a game for you to choose and their faces light up and they say “cool” or “awesome.” I hope they think of our house like I think of the lady who lived behind us when I was a kid and she gave out nickels. I thought that was the best thing ever to get at Halloween.
Halloween also means lots of decorating, just not at our house. For the past couple of years my family has been in charge of decorating the attic at the library for our Halloween program "Scary Stories in the Attic". It is fun and my family really gets into it. It took us three Saturdays to set it up this year but I think it was worth it. This year we had a mad scientist lab to loosely go with our teen book festival yesterday that had a steampunk theme since Scott Westerfeld came along with 19 other teen authors. Yeah, our library rocks! I left my camera in the attic but I will post pictures next weekend of what you missed out on.
Halloween also means lots of decorating, just not at our house. For the past couple of years my family has been in charge of decorating the attic at the library for our Halloween program "Scary Stories in the Attic". It is fun and my family really gets into it. It took us three Saturdays to set it up this year but I think it was worth it. This year we had a mad scientist lab to loosely go with our teen book festival yesterday that had a steampunk theme since Scott Westerfeld came along with 19 other teen authors. Yeah, our library rocks! I left my camera in the attic but I will post pictures next weekend of what you missed out on.
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