Simple Gifts 02/27/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, February 27, 2014

Hearing some of my favorite pieces, as well as some cool ones new to me at the Arcadia Unified School District Vertical Band concert.

HIghlights:

• Foothills Middle School playing Korean Folk Songs, including "Arirang"
• First Avenue Middle School playing Shaker Hymn (AKA "Simple Gifts")
• Dana Middle School playing "Fluster, Cluster, Bluster March"
• Arcadia High School warming up with the Navy Hymn, and ending with Frank Tichelli's "Vesuvius"

Simple Gifts 02/26/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Warm, welcoming hugs from co-workers at my former office

Simple Gifts 02/25/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, February 25, 2014

A lunch break nap

Simple Gifts 02/24/14

Simple Gifts
Monday, February 24, 2014

Found two interview outfits and also got a cute dress for $20.00.  Bonus!

Simple Gifts 02/23/14

Simple Gifts
Sunday, February 23, 2014

The figure skating gala at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi

The gala was on last night's telecast, but I watched it today (some of it for the second time).  

My favorite images:

A Happy Mao Asada

Triumphant Davis and White

I'm The Captain Now

I didn't get to see "Captain Phillips" while it was in theaters, so I rented it on Pay-Per-View.

• Tense.  This movie made me tense, even in the confines of my comfy den.
• Tom Hanks is wow.  At the end, I found myself crying a lot more than I thought I would, which was probably due to the tension relief.  I've never been in shock, but I'm guessing that it's just like he portrayed.
• These are not the accordion-playing, rum-drunk Pirates of the Caribbean that Disney told us about.  
• Barkhad Abdi.  I'm not sure if I was supposed to feel emotions for this guy.  I mean, he's a pirate!  But I did anyway.
• Perhaps Muse should not given Captain Phillips a nickname, because it made him have some kind of affection for him.
• I didn't think that I was familiar with Henry Jackman's work, but maybe I'm just not remembering the scores for "Wreck It Ralph" and "X-Men: First Class" well.  His score did add to the intensity of the situation.  I'm getting tense just listening to it on the website.  Note to self:  don't listen to this before you try to go to bed.
• Wait.  The ship's name was the Alabama?  Roll, tide!  OK, now I want to watch Denzel man a submarine again.  Oh, the Maersk Alabama.  Still want to see Denzel.
• "You said you're a businessman!  Is this how you do business?"  Dude, I thought he was going to die right there.
• It's a shame that Tom Hanks didn't get an Oscar nomination for his role in this film, but the Best Actor race is crazy-competitive this year.  

Don't see this movie if you're looking for a relaxing jaunt on the ocean.  See it, though, if you're looking for a good movie.

The Cornhusker State

The Oscars Best Picture Nominee viewing continues with "Nebraska", which I saw at the Krikorian.  I had to get popcorn, because Nebraska = CORN.

• Didn't really see a lot of corn in the movie.
• I didn't know that this was done in black and white until I saw it.  How did I miss that in all of the clips that I'd seen beforehand?
• June Squibb is so very deserving of her nomination for Supporting Actress.  She was hilariously blunt.  I now know why Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were cheering her name at the Golden Globes.
• How does Bruce Dern say so much with so few words?  Brilliant.
• Will Forte also does a great job here, just trying so hard to deal with reality and making his dad happy at the same time.
• Stacy Keach singing "In the Ghetto".  Didn't think I'd ever see that happen, but I got a kick out of it.
• The air compressor.  Funny.  What is that for, anyway, and why was it so darn important?
• Most of the 15 people in the theater with me looked like they could have been cast in this film.  Especially the senior couple that talked to each other during the film.  
• I think I'd go nuts with boredom if I lived in Hawthorne, Nebraska.
• I really liked the character of Peg a lot, but I'm glad that he married Kate.
• I love that so many cast members were real Nebraskans who had never acted before the film.  (Take a look at the "Stories" pages on the official website).

Good film.  Very much an Academy-type film.

Simple Gifts 02/22/14

Simple Gifs
Saturday, February 22, 2014

The hot dog and bun during "Sandy" in Grease, made even better during the Sing-Along.

Simple Gifts 02/21/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, February 21, 2014

Lakers sweeping the Celtics this season, despite an injury-ridden loss-filled season.  Take THAT, Boston!

Simple Gifts 02/20/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, February 20, 2014

My manager told me that he's really going to miss me when I go back to my old office (or the other one that I'm trying to promote to).  I haven't even interviewed for the positions yet.  

Simple Gifts 02/19/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Learned a new-to-me South African hymn today.  Love the rhythms.

Simple Gifts 02/18/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Mom bringing some food for me so that I don't have to cook my own...and she cooked some of the food in my fridge for me.  

Simple Gifts 02/17/14

Simple Gifts
Monday, February 17, 2014

My favorite ice dancers skating to one of my favorite pieces of music, "Scheherazade", and winning USA's first Olympic Gold Medal in their event.

Congratulations, Meryl Davis and Charlie White! 

Simple Gifts 02/16/14

Simple Gifts
Sunday, February 16, 2014

Fast Pass: the human type as well as the paper

DLR LotD 02/16/14

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Sunday, February 16, 2014
"That's OK.  I got a lot of 'ooh's." -- Sherry, near Grizzly River Run

Simple Gifts 02/15/14

Simple Gifts
Saturday, February 15, 2014

"This Is My Song", which I chose to sing today as fitting for the Olympics.

To the melody of "Finlandia" by Jean Sibelius

(Lyrics by Lloyd Stone) 

This is my song, O God of all the nations,

A song of peace for lands afar and mine.

This is my home, the country where my heart is;

Here are my hopes, my dreams, my sacred shrine.

But other hearts in other lands are beating,

With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean,

And sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine.

But other lands have sunlight too and clover,

And skies are everywhere as blue as mine.

O hear my song, O God of all the nations,

A song of peace for their land and for mine.

(one of the verses by Georgia Harkness)

This is my prayer, O Lord of all earth's kingdoms:

Thy kingdom come; on earth thy will be done.

Let Christ be lifted up till all shall serve him,

And hearts united learn to live as one.

O hear my prayer, thou God of all the nations;

Myself I give thee, let thy will be done.

--

Thank you for letting me lead you in song all of these years, Holy Angels.  My role in the music ministry is changing after today, but I'll always look on my time as cantor with a full heart.

Simple Gifts 02/14/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy co-workers loving the Mini Red Velvet Cheesecakes that I made for Valentine's Day.  To quote two of them saying this independently of each other: "Delish!"

Simple Gifts 02/13/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, February 13, 2014

Went to a store and didn't realize that they were going to close soon.  But I got to stock up on some stuff at 50% off!  

Simple Gifts 02/12/14

Simple Gifts

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Food trucks with yummmmy cupcakes.  Thanks, My Delight Cupcakery!

Simple Gifts 02/11/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Several of us got treated to lunch at Chili's by a retired co-worker today.  Thanks, Robert!

Simple Gifts 02/10/14

Simple Gifts
Monday, February 10, 2014

The ability to giggle with friends about stuff on TV via Facebook.   (Hope your eyes get well soon, Bob Costas!).

Simple Gifts 02/09/14

Simple Gifts

Sunday, February 9, 2013

Linda, and her "dogness", despite being a tiger.

Sherry, Is That Lego?!

I took a break from the Oscar-nominated movies of the year for a little fun with Linda at "The Lego Movie".  We saw it at the Krikorian, and there were 2 rows that were reserved.  I guess somebody had a birthday party, which is cool.  I wonder if they'd let adults do that.  That would be fun.  We sat in the row behind the reserved rows.

• It's fun to watch a movie like this when there are kids in the theater, because what makes them laugh is not always the same as what makes the adults laugh.
• "I can see everything...my eyes!"
• "Are you a DJ?"
• I love that they used pretty much every type of LEGO brick possible to make this movie.
• Listened to the full Batman-made song during the credits, and it was funny.
• I want a bat-shaped LEGO!
• I also want a double decker couch.
• Very cool cameos: Billy Dee!  Anthony Daniels!  Shaq!
• Dumbledore (DoubleDoor)/Gandalf...Michelangelo/Michelangelo
• I love how WyldStyle flips her hair.
• "I only work in black.  And sometimes very, very dark gray."
• Jonah Hill as The Green Lantern.  Perfect.
• "SPACESHIP!!!"
• "Everything is awesome!"

Fun stuff.  Linda said my mom's head might explode if she saw it.  Mom is the source of the title of this post.  She said it many, many times when we went to Legoland.  Love you, Mom!

Simple Gifts 02/08/14

Simple Gifts
Saturday, February 8, 2014

My patient, funny, loving dad.  

Happy Birthday, Dad!!!

Simple Gifts 02/07/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, February 7, 2014

Nice to see that apps I've previously paid for can be transferred to the upgraded phone without having to pay again.

Simple Gifts 02/06/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, February 6, 2014

"Bugler's Dream" by Leo Arnaud / "Olympic Fanfare and Theme" by John Williams

 Let the XXII Winter Olympics begin!!!

Simple Gifts 02/05/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Being exposed to new groups.  I heard a cool song on The Colbert Report:  "You Go Down Smooth" by Lake Street Dive

Simple Gifts 02/04/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Fun times over the years with my godbrother.  Happy Birthday, Booj!

Simple Gifts 02/03/14

Simple Gifts
Monday, February 3, 2014

A happy reaction from my staff when I told them that I would not be one of the managers changing teams this week.

Do The Hustle

Super Bowl Sunday = Sherry goes to see a film nominated for Best Picture by the Academy.  Today, I decided to see "American Hustle".

• Is it a rule that Bradley Cooper must dance in David O. Russell's films? Mandy Jo Moore also choreographed the dance in "Silver Linings Playbook".
• I also think that they used that same set from the SLP dance for the scene in which the mayor tells his constituents that he's bringing casinos to Atlantic City.
• APPARENTLY, Amy Adams' character does not own a bra.
• Great performances by all of the actors.  All four of them are well-deserving of their individual nominations.
• Robert DeNiro!  I didn't know that he was in this movie, too.  
• I also enjoyed seeing Louis C.K. in his role.  I've just recently discovered his comedy, and he cracks me up.
• "Some of this actually happened."  Oh, is THAT what Abscam was?  I didn't understand it at the time.
• Great soundtrack!  Tom Jones, Duke Ellington, Wings, and more.  Thanks, Danny Elfman!
• OMG, the hair!
• Science Oven + Metal = Another Fire
• Can we get Christian Bale to play someone with six-pack abs again?  Because I miss those.  
• The ice fishing story.  What happened?!?

Great movie.  David O. Russell and his actors have done it again.

Simple Gifts 02/02/14

Simple Gifts
Sunday, February 2, 2014

Renee Fleming singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl

Simple Gifts 02/01/14

Simple Gifts
Saturday, February 1, 2014

Sesame Balls for Lunar New Year

DLR LotD 01/31/14

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Friday, January 31, 2014

"It was fun.  I got to run after a lot of women." -- Albert, at Catal

Simple Gifts 01/31/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, January 31, 2014

Catal