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Below are the most recent 25 friends' journal entries.
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| Monday, December 21st, 2009 |
cahwyguy
|
7:40p |
Three Unrelated Things
- One thing I forgot to mention in my review of Mary Poppins: When they were singing "Feed the Birds" and spreading the imaginary breadcrumbs over the orchestra pit, I was thinking "Feed the Musicians..."
- We had a White Elephant gift exchange at work today. It's no fun when you end up with the gift you gave last year.
- In other security news: Santa's Naughty Database has been hacked. It must be true. I got the link from Bruce Schneier.
|
dragonluk
|
2:22p |
Time and Tide
Time and Tide (wait for no man).  Last week, I was out sick with swollen lymph nodes. I foolishly thought I could get ahead while away from the day job, but the antibiotics proved too nauseating. I spent my time zoning in front of the computer or in bed. I'm behind on my art projects (more than usual). I'm hoping that the next couple weeks will be more productive. Current Mood:  okay |
evilben
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2:04a |
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| Sunday, December 20th, 2009 |
bluejogger
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10:54p |
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cahwyguy
|
6:12p |
Magic at the Ahmanson
 This afternoon, we went to see "Mary Poppins" at the Ahmanson Theatre. It was a magical production, with stagecraft that was miraculous, spectacular effects (including Bert dancing on the top of the proscenium arch, upside down), highly energetic music, wonderful dancing, and great performances. So where to begin in my review... Let's start with the story and the music. Mary Poppins, as we all know, started life as a series of books by P. L. Travers. Disney optioned those books, chose a few of the stories, and made it into the 1964 movie with Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, featuring music and lyrics by Richard and Robert Sherman. Those who have read stories about that production know that the heart of the movie's story was the bird woman, but for most, the focus is on Mary Poppins. George and Winifred Banks are mostly incidental comic relief (in fact, P. L. Travers never liked the suffragette angle that Disney introduced). For the musical version, the book author (Julian Fellowes) went back to the original books and drew in some characters not in the movie; he kept most (but not all) of the Sherman songs (notably, "I Love To Laugh" is not in the musical), rearranged them to form a new coherent story, and then extended some songs and added new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe (as I recall, various contractual things prohibited the Sherman Brothers from adding additional material). The new story focuses much more on George and Winifred -- not that they have a lot of action, but the focus is on the transformation of the entire family. The story has resonance for today's time: dealing with layoffs from work, dealing with decisions made with respect to the pursuit of money, dealing with finding out what is important. But don't think this has become an adult story. Far from it: Fellowes retained the charm of the original, and except for the opening scene of Act II, the play is remarkably light and fast paced. The energy of the song and dances helps quite a bit with that. The staging of the play is remarkable. People appear out of nowhere, and you can't see how they did the scenic transformations. The set design is amazing, both in how pieces fit together and work together. More importantly, there is magic on the stage. They do Mary's carpetbag of magic holding trick, and I can't see how it was done. Other things pop in and out, and all I can think of is that Disney has a talent for distracting the eye while they create the magic. In the second act, they even have a scene where Bert dances up the wall, across the top of the proscenium arch (upside down), and then down the other wall. Yes, you can see the rigging, but that just gets him up: it doesn't turn him upside down and let him tap. That's the talent. That's the magic. I was amazed. The cast for this is no slouch. The main leads were imported from the London cast and originated the roles, and were spit-spot perfect: Ashley Brown as Mary Poppins, and Gavin Lee as Bert. The remainder of the cast were equally strong: Karl Kenzler (George Banks), Megan Osterhaus (Winifred Banks), Jane Carr (Mrs. Brill), Ellen Harvey (Miss Andrew, Queen Victoriea, Miss Smythe), Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Robertson Ay), Mary Vanarsdel (Bird Woman), Mike O'Carroll (Admiral Boom/Chairman), Katie Balen (Jane Banks), Carter Thomas (Michael Banks), Brian Letendre (Neleus), and filling out the ensemble and various other roles: Michael Gerhart, Dominic Roberts, Nick Sanchez, Q. Smith, Tom Souhrada, Tia Altinay, Carol Angeli, Gail Bennett, Kiara Bennett, Brandon Bieber, Troy Edward Bowles, Elizabeth Broadhurst, Geoffrey Goldberg, Emily Harvey, Eric Hatch, Tiffany Howard, Kelly Jacobs, Sam Kiernan, Laird Mackintosh, Vanessa McMahan, Koh Mochizuki, Shlia Potter, and Jesse Swimm. I can't really single out people, because this was a well-oiled ensemble that worked very strongly together. The production was directed by Richard Eyre assisted by Matthew Bourne, who did a wonderful job of keeping and mantaining a lot of energy. Choreography was by Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear (assisted by Geoffrey Garratt), and was spectacular (especially in the "Step in Time" number, as well as numerous other ones). The amazing scenic and costume design was by Bob Crowley, assisted by Rosalind Coombes and Matt Kinley. Technical direction was by David Benkin. Sound design was by Steve Canyon Kennedy, with a remarkable lighting design by Howard Harrison (I should note the production made heavy use of moving lights and some remarkable projection effects). Makeup was by Naomi Donne. The excellent orchestrations were by William David Brohn, with music supervision by David Caddick and musical direction by James Dodgson, working with a mostly local orchestra. THe production was produced by Disney Theatricals and Cameron Mackintosh. [Note: I'll be editing in the links to this post later -- most likely Monday evening] Upcoming Theatre: Today was our last scheduled theatre production in 2009. I hope you have enjoyed the 2009 reviews that I wrote. We'll be going to at least one movie over Christmas, so look for a review of that. Turning to 2010, January 2010 will bring another episode of Meeting of Minds on 1/17 (currently unticketed), as well as “ Lost in Yonkers” at Rep East (starting 1/22, currently unticketed). Another interesting show, although we would have to make a weekend of it, is Duncan Sheik’s “ Whisper House at The Old Globe in San Diego, running January 13 through February 21. February 2010 will also bring “ The Andrews Brothers” at Cabrillo Music Theatre on February 13. Lastly, February will also bring “ Camelot” at the Pasadena Playhouse (although they haven’t sent out the dates yet), with Noel Coward’s “ Fallen Angels” in March 2010. Disclaimer: In light of the upcoming rules, you should know that nobody paid me anything to write this review. In fact, I receive no remuneration for any reviews I write. |
cahwyguy
|
9:30a |
CTTS
I was just talking to my daughter about a white elephant exchange we're doing at work tomorrow. I told her this was the opportunity to get rid of something that was annyoing her and she wanted to silently disappear. She turned to me and asked if she could wrap me up. :-) Current Mood:  amusedCurrent Music: Forever Green (Celtic Dance): The Emerald |
cahwyguy
|
6:52a |
Birthday Wishes for ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) bellwethr
OK, Folks, you know the drill. Allright everyone, let's gather in front of our large, 13", Black and White TV set, and join Sheriff John in singing the Birthday Cake Polka for bellwethr... but wait... the Sheriff's not on today. Instead, we have a funny looking group of three guys, and they are singing: Once a year we celebrate
With stupid hats and plastic plates
The fact that you were able to make
Another trip around the sun
And the whole clan gathers round
And gifts and laughter do abound
And we let out a joyful sound
And sing that stupid song
Happy birthday!
Now you're one year older!
Happy birthday!
Your life still isn't over!
Happy birthday!
You did not accomplish much
But you didn't die this year
I guess that's good enough | So let's drink to your fading health
And hope you don't remind yourself
The chance of finding fame and wealth
Decrease with every year
Does it feel like you're doing laps
And eating food and taking naps
And hoping that someday perhaps
Your life will hold some cheer
Happy birthday!
What have you done that matters?
Happy birthday!
You're starting to get fatter
Happy birthday!
It's downhill from now on
Try not to remind yourself
Your best years are all gone | If cryogenics were all free
Then you could live like Walt Disney
And live for all eternity
Inside a block of ice
But instead your time is set
This is the only life you get
And though it hasn't ended yet
Sometimes you wish it might
Happy birthday!
You wish you had more money
Happy birthday!
Your life's so sad it's funny
Happy birthday!
How much more can you take?
But your friends are hungry
So just cut the stupid cake |
[Yes, it's here. The 5th Annual Birthday Song Poll. So, if you want to make sure that the Sheriff sings the song you want, please fill out the poll. Note that if you want the birdie to be able to inform the Sheriff about your birthday, you need to make sure your birth month and day is in your profile, and it is visible to your friends. If you are a Facebook user and on LJ, please make sure I can connect your Facebook name with your LJ name. If you are a Facebook only user, you can’t vote in the poll until Facebook does OpenID, so get an LJ account!] Current Music: Got Everything (South Frisco Jazz Band): Brother Lowdown |
evilben
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2:04a |
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| Saturday, December 19th, 2009 |
otaku_tetsuko
|
5:44p |
A very stressful week
Monday: Val had her wisdoms out, and this actually went pretty well - today she only has discomfort from the lower one (her other lower never came in), and there is some bruising on her jaw, but otherwise she's doing really well. Tuesday: My 13 Year old Sheltie made it clear that he couldn't wait until the weekend for the Last Trip to the vet, and so I had to take him down to Pottstown before going to work. It was very, very hard. A horrible day altogether. Wednesday: Face looked like I'd been socked in both eyes from crying, but otherwise not too dreadful. Just generally hard. Thursday: Steven's car broke down on the way to work, had to get out early and wait for the tow truck (God bless the inventor of the Flatbed Towtruck!) so he could get a ride in the rest of the way with his boss and be able to pay for what needed doing. Except - it needs a new engine, and this car just wasn't worth the investment. So he needs a new car and we are trying to manage our schedules to carpool and this makes it hard for Steven to work extra shifts and they are short-handed right now. Friday: Steven's boss informs him that he will be made a supervisor when we get back from Arkansas the first week of January. This means a substantial raise, so now he can afford a used car loan instead of trying to find something for under $3000, which was the most he had been able to afford. Also, Val's friend had lost her job and was about to lose her 2004 Elantra, so if the bank will just CALL already and say he has the loan, she will sell it to Steven for what she owes on it. Nice car, very low mileage. So, on the way home from work Friday the application went in and the rather dim person at the help desk said he should hear today, but he hasn't.... Today: Nothing from the bank as of 5:30 pm (this bank DOES work weekends). But it has been snowing since 6 am without ceasing. There is about eight inches on the back patio, rather less out front, but we haven't gone out at all. I am making cookies and getting ready for Christmas as much as I can without going out to finish the shopping... and I still have to get ready to drive down to Little Rock the Tuesday after Christmas to see Lon and his family. Much preparation there that isn't getting done so far... So we have survived, and even ended on a pretty positive note, but heaven shield me from more weeks like this one! May peace attend you, one and all. Current Mood:  exhaustedCurrent Music: Go Tell it on the Mountain (GLAD) |
corronerbob
|
12:19p |
Reverse karma perhaps?
So this week was pretty bad... Monday I woke up at midnight and could not, for the life of me, get back to sleep. Work went very slowly, and Val had her wisdom teeth out, so she was all hopped up on Vicodin. Tuesday started at 330 in the morning. Ace, my puppy, went out with the other dogs, but the older one attacked him, for his treat we thought. After I went to work, he attacked Ace again, so he was put down later that morning. Depressing day. Wednesday wasn't so bad, though. Worked with my manager and talked with him for a while about why I want to be a supervisor, the responsibilities of a supervisor, and then we talked about history for a while. Went home and Val had a few friends over, and we all talked about tabletop gaming. Thursday, however, was pretty bad. On my way to work, my car died. They think it threw a rod or something and it needed a new engine. It's an older car, and probably not worth fixing, so I spent the day looking at used cars. I hate car shopping. But towards the end of the day, I was talking with some friends, and they are willing to sell me one of their cars on the cheap, $1,000 under bluebook. Still a little concerned about how much I was able to get from the bank, I told them I would see if I could get what they were asking. Friday was pretty uneventful in the morning, but around 1pm I got a call from my manager telling me that one of the other supervisors had just given his two weeks notice, so when I come back from my new years vacation in Arkansas, I will be a supervisor at the other site. This promotion means I can afford a larger loan, so I can help the aforementioned friends out and buy it from them for the amount that they still owe on it, instead of them taking the hit. I'm just waiting to hear back form the bank on a yes or no! I am feeling confident Current Mood:  thoughtful |
ladysashi
|
12:22a |
Is it just me...?
I'm not feeling particularly Christmas-y yet, and it's T-minus 6 days and counting until Feliz Navidad. I still haven't put my tree up yet (a first for me... it usually goes up at the beginning of December), I haven't sent out any cards (and I have some nice recycled paper stock ones, too), and I only just started shopping for gifts. I felt much more festive last year, despite all the tragedy of 2008. In comparison, 2009 has been relatively calm (aside from the drama at my last job, which was thankfully resolved in April). My stress levels are at an all-time low, I'm really into the writing thing (making progress even!), and I've even been on a health kick this year - losing 25 lbs. (and still counting), doing the kung-fu thang, working out some. So, what's my frickin' problem? *sigh* Maybe I just need to sit and watch "It's A Wonderful Life" followed by any of the Ranklin-Bass holiday productions. Should I throw down "The Muppets Christmas" too, just for shites and giggles? Blah. I'm Scrooged! HELP! Current Mood:  blah |
| Friday, December 18th, 2009 |
cahwyguy
|
8:48p |
iPod Update
Well, my new iPod (160GB) is synched and loaded, so I have lots of space for musical goodness. My wife is getting my old iPod, and I'm already ripping some of her preferences into the music library (I cloned mine to her computer, and then let her delete what she wants), and will start her new (my old) iPod synching there. |
dragonluk
|
2:54p |
My writing fu is particularly weak today. :\ Current Mood:  infected |
ladysashi
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2:38p |
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ladysashi
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1:34p |
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whswhs
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8:34a |
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evilben
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2:04a |
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| Thursday, December 17th, 2009 |
ladysashi
|
11:01p |
Dear Santa
 Dear Santa...
Dear Santa,
This year I've been busy!
Last Tuesday I invaded Iraq, broke it, and couldn't glue it back together before Mom got home (-1012 points). In May I bought porn for neo_tanuki (-10 points). In June I had a shoot-out with rival gang lords on the 5 near LA (-76 points). In January I got in line at the supermarket at the same time as someone else and I didn't yield (-8 points). Last month I donated bone marrow to rencef in a life-saving procedure (300 points).
Overall, I've been naughty (-806 points). For Christmas I deserve a moldy sandwich!
Sincerely,
ladysashi |
Current Mood:  amused |
ladysashi
|
10:56p |
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ebenbrooks
|
11:40a |
Elana K., Creator of B5 Pins, Needs Help
I have learned via filkertom, aka Tom Smith, that Elana K., the creator of the Babylon 5 ASCII jumpgate pin, has Stage 4 breast cancer and needs help. She is trying to sell out her entire inventory of pins, both the original designs and the limited editions. She also has a pin for Star Wars fans, the ASCII Tie Fighter pin (scroll to the bottom of the page to see it). Since the jumpgate pins kinda look like rank insignia, I'm thinking of getting a pair of the smaller ones to use for costuming purposes. Or I might just get one of the larger, specialty pins (I'm torn between Starry and Blood Red). Current Mood:  sympathetic |
cahwyguy
|
11:26a |
News Chum: Things that are Going Away
Today's lunchtime news chum provides three reports on things that are going away. Will you be sad to see them disappear? Share your thoughts. - From the "Familiar Brand Names" Department: CNN has a gallery of 8 brand names that were killed in 2009. These include familiar names such as Saturn or Pontiac, Circuit City, and Kodachrome, and less familiar names such as Encarta. In some ways, I'm sad to see Pontiac go: at least they kept NUMMI alive, and that helped California.
- From the "You've Got a Friend In Me" Department: Disneyland is replacing the Aladdin show with the Toy Story show, according to the LA Times. The Aladdin show was evidnetly great because of the ad-libbing (I haven't seen it); the Toy Story show is a more static show imported from Disney Cruise Lines. No indications of where Aladdin is going, or whether it might be expanded and moved into Disney Theatricals.
- From the "What a Beautiful Doll" Department: The Ventura County Star, via AP, is reporting how American Girl is phasing out the Kirsten historical doll. Now, my daughter was never into the American Girl characters (although she did read the books early on)... what I find interesting here is the marketing angle: girls losing interest in historical dolls (except for the older girls that grew up with them), and the notion that the dolls were overexposed, and might come back at some time in the future (raising the question of whether Mattel, which owns AG, is learning from Disney... and what other properties might be periodically "retired").
Current Music: Golden Boy (Original Cast): Night Song |
ebenbrooks
|
10:47a |
SB 3590 must be defeated
I am not so eloquent as Keith Olbermann, so for those of you interested in what he has to say about SB 3590, you can watch the video or read the transcrpt of his Special Comment here.
But the salient points are thus:
Single-payer health insurance—the option that has been proven the world over to be the best way of handling health care on a national level—has been voted down.
The "public option"—the government-run, government-funded alternative to private insurance which would have, through competition, kept down the overall cost of health insurance—has been stripped out.
The "Medicare Buy-In"—which would have allowed younger individuals to purchase the same Medicare coverage provided to millions of senior citizens—has been stripped out.
However, the "individual mandate"—that is, the part of the bill which would require everyone in the country to buy health insurance or face fines and possibly criminal charges—is still in.
In short, SB 3590 is a travesty. It's a present with a big bow on it to the insurance companies, at the expense of every man, woman, and child in this country. This bill is nothing short of legalized—mandated—highway robbery. It's as if the government is handing over the already-broken health care system in this country to the Mafia.
If you're as pissed off about this as I am, please do me a favor. Contact your Sentators to demand that SB 3590 be killed. Contact the President to demand that he veto any bill that comes across his desk that has an individual mandate in it, and/or does not have one of the single-payer, public, or Medicare buy-in options. E-mails work, but phone calls work better. The Congressional switchboard is (202) 224-3121, and the White House Comment Line is (202) 456-1414. If you have long distance or mobile service through CREDO*, these calls are free.
-------
*Though the post linked here is over six months old, the offer explained in it is still valid. Current Mood:  angryCurrent Music: "Heroes" by David Bowie |
evilben
|
2:03a |
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| Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 |
ebenbrooks
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3:38p |
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ebenbrooks
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3:00p |
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