Harmonic Journal 10/30/15

Harmonic Journal
Friday, October 30, 2015

"Buddy Holly" by Weezer

Rest In Peace, Al Molinaro.  

Harmonic Journal 10/29/15

Harmonic Journal
Thursday, October 29, 2015

"Romeo and Juliet" by Sergei Prokofiev, as performed by the 2011 Phantom Regiment in "Juliet"

Harmonic Journal 10/28/15

Harmonic Journal 
Wednesday, October 28, 2015

"Hey Deanie" by Eric Carmen, as performed by Shaun Cassidy

Harmonic Journal 10/27/15

Harmonic Journal
Tuesday, October 27, 2015

"It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over" by Lenny Kravitz

Harmonic Journal 10/26/15

Harmonic Journal
Monday, October 26, 2015

"Supergirl!" as performed by Krystal Harris

Harmonic Journal 10/25/15

Harmonic Journal 
Sunday, October 25, 2015

"The Lord Is My Light" by Christopher Walker

Stay Gold

Dallas Comic Con Fan Days

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Irving Convention Center

Irving, TX

Sunday at Comic Con, despite the shorter day, had a lot in store for us!

Celebrity Q&A with C. Thomas Howell

CTH's panel was in a smaller room than the ones I attended the previous day.  It was nice and intimate, and I was on the aisle in the 3rd row.  He walked in with the interviewer.  CTH was wearing sexy mirrored aviator sunglasses, but he took them off before I could get a picture of him wearing them.  His dad is a stuntman, and his family is full of stunt people.  He's pretty much the only actor out of the bunch.  He happened to be on set when someone asked him to read from a script and then was asked to interview with Steven Spielberg.  One catch: he needed to know how to smoke cigarettes.  So his dad taught him how to pack the cigarettes, how to hold a cigarette, and how to smoke, which he learned in the car on the drive to the interview.  His interview went well, but when he was asked to smoke, he had sat on his pack of cigarettes, so he had trouble lighting a bent one.  They gave him the part.  This was the interview for "E.T."  Steven Spielberg was really smart and had a trailer set up that had all kinds of video games inside.  He told the cast of boys that they would only be allowed to play in the trailer once they finished their work that day.  CTH said that all the guys had their lines ready every day so that they could play.  He said that he learned a lot from Rutger Hauer, whom said that he "doesn't play bad guys."  This kind of freaked out CTH because of Hauer's many iconic villainous roles, but he understood later on when he played the villain in "The Hitcher".  When talking about "Red Dawn", he said that Patrick Swayze told him that it would be their last movie together (this was their 3rd).  Swayze just knew that three was enough for Hollywood, and they never worked together again, although they stayed close.  CTH said that Swayze excelled at everything he did, but the one thing that CTH was better at than Swayze was riding a horse.  Swayze was jealous of CTH's horsemanship, especially when they filmed the sequence in "Red Dawn" where he shoots while riding a horse and the horse rears up.  CTH said that wasn't planned, and the horse did it on his own, but pretended like he meant to do that when everyone praised him. Also, he said, "Wolverines!" during the panel, which made us cheer.  He said that the cast of "The Outsiders" was isolated in a hotel in Tulsa because people went crazy when they heard that the book was adapted into a film script.  People still found them, though, and tried to be with them.  I love that he mentioned "Secret Admirer".  Someone asked him about "Soul Man", and he said that it would be really difficult to get done today, because it's really tough to get a movie done with a white man playing blackface, unless he's Robert Downey, Jr.   It was a great Q&A!  I was only annoyed by one woman whom, after CTH answered her questions, still talked to him like they were having their own Q&A session.  No follow-up questions, lady!  Ugh.  Everyone was very respectful, though.  Is it wrong that I loved that he was able to curse all over the place because of the intimacy of the room?  BTW, CTH, your secret is safe with me!  ;)

Celebrity Q&A with Bonnie Wright

Angela was at the Shawn & Aaron Ashmore Q&A while I was at CTH, but we met up for this one.  Bonnie Wright is now a documentary producer.  How old am I?  Most of the questions she was asked were about her time on the Harry Potter films.  She said that the other kids playing the Weasley family acted like she was their real little sister, and they were all like family.  When asked, though, whose death affected her the most in the movies, she did not mention Fred.  She said it was because he teased her too much.  Her favorite spell was Reducto, because it would make things break and explode.  

Autographs

I wanted to get my picture with the Outsiders signed by both of them, because I had lost my mind by that point.  I told C Thomas Howell that I was really happy when I saw him on the season premiere of "Sleepy Hollow", but then he died.  He said, "Yeah, I've been getting a lot about that this weekend.  I'm going to try to get a part where I don't die."  Angela asked him to sign with something other than black ink because the background of the picture is dark.  He asked which color.  I said, "Stay gold, Ponyboy."  So he wrote "Stay Gold" in what else?  GOLD.  

Angela and I both got autographs from Ralph Macchio.  He saw the photo of us, and said, "I remember you."  I asked, "Because I said 'Ohmigosh!"?  He said yes.  I couldn't even talk anymore, because OHMIGOSH, he's the damn Karate Kid, and he remembered me from the day before.

Then we just stood there for awhile, and I told Angela that I really wanted a picture of CTH with his sunglasses (they were on his table).  She somehow got me to get the nerve to go back to his table, and she told the volunteer that I forgot to pay for a selfie as part of my package with the autograph.  Thanks for treating me to that, Ang!  I asked CTH if I could get the picture with him wearing his sunglasses, and he was happy to oblige.  He even took THREE pictures with us!  One with just me, then a CTH sandwich, then with just Angela.  It was soooo sweet of him!  Also, he hugged me and said my name, and I might just take him away from my best friend Mich because she's married now and I'm not.  (CTH was her crush when we were growing up and I loved Scott Baio).

Ponyboy Sandwich

With Angela

Hi, Sexy Shade man!

Angela wanted an autograph with Michael Rooker, but he wasn't there yet and it was taking a long time, so we met the Ashmore twins.  She got a great "Sexy Sandwich" picture with the 2 of them.  She also got an autograph from Bonnie Wright.  I asked Ms. Wright if she was wearing jewelry from her parents' designs, and all of her jewelry was from them.  Angela had her sign it to her daughter so that she can have it later.  Sweet.  Michael Rooker finally arrived, and I reminded him that we bumped butts.  He kept calling us "baby".  Unsurprisingly, I'm good with that.  I came thisclose to getting his autograph to commemorate the moments we shared, but I already did enough damage to my pocketbook due to those Outsider boys.

I forgot to write in the post for Saturday that Angela got an autograph from Steve Blum.  I know him from Star Wars Rebels and attended the Rebels panel at Star Wars Celebration.  He did a voiceover recording for her that combined 2 shows of which hubby Ryan is a fan.  So cool.  

All that was left was shopping, and we got some mash-up artwork from David Wong.  I also got a pair of Star Wars earring to wear in December.  :)  

Well, that was fun.  It wasn't crazy like San Diego CC, and I'm glad for that.  It kind of eases me into maybe going to another con out here in So Cal.  

Thank you, Ryan and Angela, for the fun!

Harmonic Journal 10/24/15

Harmonic Journal
Saturday, October 24, 2015

"There Is Nothing Like A Dame" from South Pacific, by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein 

Bite Me!

Dallas Comic Con Fan Days

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Irving Convention Center

Irving, TX

Last weekend, I was lucky enough to be treated to a trip to Dallas to visit fellow PellaPusher Angela and join her in attending Dallas Comic Con Fan Days.

We were unable to go to the event on Friday night, so our Con Weekend started on Saturday.  I was disappointed to miss the James Marsters Q&A, but later events made up for it.    We went to dinner at Tio Carlos Mexican Latin Grill.  I enjoyed my mango margarita, as well as the Brisket Enchiladas.

Mmmm...mango.

Autographs from James Marsters  
Angela and I used our VIP passes to get to the front of the line to see JM.  She had a cool Vampire Spike toy for him to sign, and she also bought one of his photos.  The volunteer was really cool and helped us figure out which ones to choose, and also told us that JM would have cool stories about the photos we chose.  I don't think that JM ever told me the story about mine.  He asked me where I got my Sunnydale HS Slayers Club shirt.  I told him that a friend gave it to me.  THANKS, DODIE!!!  He said that he loves seeing new merchandise about Buffy.  I was really happy to meet one of the principal players from my favorite show!  I had also paid for a Selfie with him, and I love this picture.

Getting cozy with James Marsters

 While I waited for Angela to talk to JM, Michael Rooker bumped into me when he was returning from a Selfie with one of his fans.  He said, "I butt bumped you."  I said, "Let's do that again!" so we did.  Yeah, that was kinda awesome.  JM told Angela that the photographer told him to do a pirouette or something while he was wearing his awesome black leather coat.  JM told the photographer that Spike would not be dancing like that.  The photographer asked him if he wanted to leave.  JM said yes.  Photographer told him to just spin around.  Then the picture was taken as the coat is open, and it's very, very cool.  He signed both of our pictures "Bite Me!"  Awesome.  While all of this was going on, Rooker saw that my bag had fallen off my shoulder, and put it back on for me.  Sweet.  JM said that he was excited to be sitting next to Michael Rooker because he is a fan himself.  JM was very nice, and we were really happy that his volunteer was not like that of another celebrity, whom was being talked about all around the con about being way too strict and not giving her celebrity time to talk to the fans. 

This is us after meeting JM.  Such happy faces!

Angela just met her dream dude

Like my shirt?

Lunch
OK, the food from the Mad Grill truck was pretty good, but that's not what made lunch one of the highlights of the day.  As we were eating our lunch, a guy nearby was pointing out different cosplay people to his friend.  Somehow, Angela and I got into the conversation because we were helping him when he couldn't remember names.  He wore a Batman hat and jacket.  He was funny.  He called over someone that none of us could figure out by saying very loudly, "HEY!  WOMAN IN WHITE!  GET OVER HERE!  BATMAN IS CALLING YOU!"  It was hilarious.  She approached and he asked her who she was.  She said "Blue Snow".  I don't know why this was her name, as she wasn't wearing any blue, and she had underwear on her face.  Like, the crotch was over her nose, and her eyes were peeking out of the leg holes.  It was bizarre.  But Comic Con gets all kinds of folks, and we weren't there to judge.  We just liked hanging out with Batman.  You know how I am about Batman.  He even took some video with us in the background, and we took pictures with him.  Yup, I didn't take pictures of cosplayers, but I took one with a fellow gawker.  That's the way I roll.

With Batman

Celebrity Q&A: Karate Kid Reunion with Ralph Macchio, William Zabka & Martin Kove
Billy Zabka is funny and still insists that his character was the protagonist and was wronged by Daniel.  He also said that Elisabeth Shue was the only one not to go to fight choreography rehearsals, and she hit him for real plenty of times in the scene at the country club.  Martin Koye: "A lot of guys on that set would have loved to have been hit by Elisabeth Shue."

 They gave us lots of homework to watch:

• Wax On; F*ck Off on Funny or Die
• Daniel is the REAL Bully
• How I Met Your Mother "The Bro Mitzvah"  (Season 8, Episode 22)
• Sweep The Leg by No More Kings
• 
  

  

  Daniel amid Cobra Kai

Celebrity Q&A: John Rhys-Davies

JRD didn't want to sit down, so the interviewer (huge Indy fan, dressed in Indy vest) and he stayed standing, and actually, JRD paced the stage a lot while he spoke.  JRD said that while filming Raiders, Steven Spielberg did not eat the food with the rest of the cast and crew; he had his own food brought in.  Consequently, he was the only one not to get sick on that day that they filmed Indy shooting the sword fighter.  Somebody asked about "Sliders", a show that I loved back in the day, at least for the first few seasons.  The fan asked what dimension JRD would like to return to.  JRD first said that Sliders could be on the air today because the premise of different dimensions is so good; then he talked about the disappointing writing that became rehashes of movies instead of being creative and original.  I like that he says it like it is.  I miss "Sliders", but I would want to see the original cast.  JRD talked about getting his thumb cut off during "Lord of the Rings", and pranking Peter Jackson thanks to the prop department making him a prosthetic thumb.  For some reason, JRD doesn't think that he was a very good tree, but I think most people would disagree with that.  He currently has plenty of voiceover projects upcoming for video games.

Picture time!

I purchased a photo for the Outsiders Team Up:  C Thomas Howell and Ralph Macchio.  The event organizers don't give you much time to talk, as the photographers just take a picture and call for the next person in line.  The only time they'll take another picture is if someone has their eyes closed, so you have to be quick and not mess up your dang picture.  I got up there, looked at Ralph, and said, "OHMIGOSH!"  He repeated it back to me, and we all took our picture.  I said, "Thank you!" and went on my way.  Angela had her picture taken with James Marsters.  Have I told you how much Angela LOVES JM?  :)

With Ponyboy and Johnny

We had dinner at The Ranch and I had a Pumpkin Martini.  It was yummilicious.  I could hardly taste the alcohol, and wanted to have 3 of them, but I did feel it after just one, so I didn't have anymore.  The ribs were fall-off-the-bone delicious, and the Cadi-Mac'n Chz had a nice kick to it. We ordered banana fried pie and a pecan pie for dessert.  I loved my banana fried pie.  The pecan pie was also good: it had a cinnamon roll crust and Henry's vanilla bean ice cream with a bourbon anglaise.  

Mmmm...pumpkin.

Next up:  Sunday at the Con

DLR LotD 10/24/15

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Saturday, October 24, 2015

"I like looking at him, not being under him."  -- Bro, at Silly Symphony Swings

Harmonic Journal 10/23/15

Harmonic Journal
Friday, October 23, 2015

"Where in the World is Carmen SanDiego?" by Sean Altman and David Yazbek, as performed by Rockapella





Because this.

Harmonic Journal 10/22/15

Harmonic Journal
Thursday, October 22, 2015

"Concerto for Orchestra" by Bela Bartok, as performed by the 2010 Santa Clara Vanguard in "Bartok"

Harmonic Journal 10/21/15

Harmonic Journal
Wednesday, October 21, 2015

"Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry, as performed by Marty McFly and the Starlighters, in Back to the Future

Harmonic Journal 10/20/15

Harmonic Journal
Tuesday, October 20, 2015

"Theme from 'Laura'" by David Raskin and Johnny Mercer, as performed by the 2010 Blue Devils, in their show "Through A Glass Darkly"

Harmonic Journal 10/19/15

Harmonic Journal 
Monday, October 19, 2015

"Old Time Rock and Roll" by George Jackson, as sung by Blaine Mitchell and Blind Joe on "The Voice"

Harmonic Journal 10/18/15

Harmonic Journal
Sunday, October 18, 2015

"Save Me" by Remy Zero

Harmonic Journal 10/17/15

Harmonic Journal
Saturday, October 17, 2015

"You're the Best" by Joe Esposito

Harmonic Journal 10/16/15

Harmonic Journal
Friday, October 16, 2015

"She's Gone Country" by Alan Jackson

Harmonic Journal 10/15/15

Harmonic Journal
Thursday, October 15, 2015

"Theme from 'Dallas'" by Jerrold Immel

Harmonic Journal 10/14/15

Harmonic Journal
Wednesday, October 14, 2015

"Exultate Justi" from Empire of the Sun by John Williams

Happy Birthday JeffG!

Harmonic Journal 10/13/15

Harmonic Journal
Tuesday, October 13, 2015

"Wish I Woulda Let Ya" by Steve Dorian

Harmonic Journal 10/12/15

Harmonic Journal
Monday, October 12, 2015

"Da Doo Ron Ron" by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector, as performed by Shaun Cassidy

Harmonic Journal 10/11/15

Harmonic Journal
Sunday, October 11, 2015

"Tokyo Robots" by Scott Leonard

Happy Birthday, CSL4!!!

Harmonic Journal 10/10/15

Harmonic Journal
Saturday, October 10, 2015

"Baila Esta Cumbia" as sung by Selena

Harmonic Journal 10/09/15

Harmonic Journal
Friday, October 9, 2015

"A Whole New World" by Alan Menken, as sung by Brad Kane and Lea Salonga

Harmonic Journal 10/08/15

Harmonic Journal
Thursday, October 8, 2015

"Boys of Summer" by Don Henley

Harmonic Journal 10/07/15

Harmonic Journal
Wednesday, October 7, 2015

"All I Have to Do is Dream" by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, as performed by the Everly Brothers

Harmonic Journal 10/06/15

Harmonic Journal
Tuesday, October 6, 2015

"To Be In Love" as sung by Minmei from Robotech

Harmonic Journal 10/05/15

Harmonic Journal
October 5, 2015

"Stars" by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, as sung by Shelby Brown on The Voice

Harmonic Journal 10/04/15

Harmonic Journal
Sunday, October 4, 2015

"And So It Goes" by Billy Joel, as sung by The King's Singers

Bring Him Home

Linda and I watched "The Martian" in 3D today.  I think it's really cool that this movie premiered the week that liquid water was found on Mars in real life.  

• Happy Days!  Aw, The Fonz.  I love that my favorite show as a kid played a part in this film.
• The disco music!  Especially ABBA and "I Will Survive" (in the credits).
• Wow, those storms on Mars look really dangerous.  Like they could cut you.  
• Potatoes.  Every day.  Reminds me of my time in Poland.
• The opening scene reminded me of "Gravity".  Also the scene toward the end.  I suppose that all movies dealing with being stranded in space will remind me of that movie, and now, this one.
• I was also reminded of "Apollo 13", when NASA is trying to figure out what Mark can do with what he has available by trying it out on their model.
• "Mars will come to fear my Botany powers."
• "I'm gonna have to science the sh*t out of this."  Go, SCIENCE!
• What, no mention of Marvin the Martian?
• Matt Damon did a fantastic job, as did the rest of the cast.  
• The cinematography was gorgeous for Mars, Earth and space.  
• I think that I might have typed those same words when reacting to all of the craziness, especially regarding his crew members not knowing what was happening.
• My favorite meme these days on FB: "From Saving Private Ryan to Interstellar to The Martian, America has spent a ridiculous amount of money to retrieve Matt Damon."
• Love the "The Lord of the Rings" reference.
• "I'm the Director of NASA."
• I cried 3 times.  OK, maybe 5.

Great movie.  I look forward to reading the book. 

Harmonic Journal 10/03/15

Harmonic Journal
Saturday, October 3, 2015

"Keep On Smilin'" by Wet Willie, as performed by Rockapella

Harmonic Journal 10/02/15

Harmonic Journal
Friday, October 2, 2015

"Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift

Harmonic Journal 10/01/15

Harmonic Journal
Thursday, October 1, 2015

"House of the Rising Sun" as performed by Rockapella