Out Of This World In Many Ways

Walt Disney World

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

EPCOT

My foot felt better in the morning, but I didn't go for a walk as I had planned when I packed for the trip (I had planned to walk every morning because I had a 10K to walk on Sunday and didn't want to slack off).  Linda and I went to the All-Star Food Court for breakfast, and I got a cinnamon roll.

We took the shuttle to EPCOT for our Magic Morning day.  There were a lot of topiaries all over the place because of the HGTV Flower & Garden Festival opening the next day.  Test Track was down, but we got fast passes for later in the day.

Topiary at Entrance -- Time for BBQ!

Our first ride of the day was Mission: Space.  Hello, Gary Sinise!  We chose the Spinning option, although it didn't spin nearly as much as I remember from my first time (I was there for a soft opening in August 2003, and there were many people getting sick then).  I did feel like my face was peeling off, though.  We sent video to each other and to Bro from a program that looked like we were running from aliens on the moon or Mars or whatever.  

Test Track was up when we were done, so we got in the Fast Pass line, but the screen we were using froze when we were designing our car.  We ended up with a default red one instead.  The ride was fun, and there was a lot of interactive stuff available afterward, like using your car to race others on a digital track, and taking pictures which I never actually saw because I'm lame.  Our car reached a speed of 64.9 mph.

Designing Our Car

Yay!  The Jammitors!  They are EPCOT's answer to our Trash Can Trio, and they're fun, too.  I got a sticker.  I was happy.

Jammin'!

Linda needed to see dinosaurs, so we went to the Universe of Energy.  I was thankful for the long-ish ride because we were sitting down after standing up for a while in the morning.  Ellen DeGeneres makes me giggle.  A dinosaur snorted at us.

Pluto and Linda

We shopped around World Showcase, and marveled at the menus showing the special food for the Festival, but none of it was available yet, so that was a bummer.  Or maybe that was a good thing, because we were preparing ourselves for a wonderful dinner that night already.  Anyway, around World Showcase....in Africa, there was a wood carver, but his name was not Andrew, as the sign told us.  He was actually Andrew's brother, named Justus.  He was carving an elephant figurine.  I had my eye on the hippos, and decided to come back later.  By the time we came back, though, Justus was gone, and I decided to wait until Animal Kingdom for hippo stuff.  I also wanted a wall hanging of 4 cool animal masks, but refrained from getting those. We took a lot of pictures of topiaries.  Here are just a few more of them.

My Favorite Topiary

The Longest Topiary

The Coolest Topiary

The fancy restaurant in France had a long wait, so we bought our lunch at Les Halles De Boulangerie et Patisserie.  Yum!  Yes, it was all baked goods, and everything looked divine.  We stuck to our Dining Plan, which is really cool because it includes a drink, an entree, and dessert.  Not everything is on the dining plan, but you can always add stuff if you'd like.  I bought a Croissant Du Jamon (ham croissant), a Frangiopone (almond pastry), and a decaf cappuccino.  The CMs at the counter (most of them) were actually from France, so I made sure to say "Merci!"  Yes, folks, I took 3 years of high school French so that I could thank people in Orlando, Florida.  We sat outside when someone offered us a table because they were leaving.  Merci beaucoup!  Linda had a Napoleon for dessert and it was nice and flaky, like my croissant.  If I lived in France, I'd be fat on croissants and food made with lots of butter.  

Japanese people took this picture for us.  I'm not kidding.

We walked around World Showcase some more, and took pictures of more topiaries.  I heard drums again, so we stopped in Japan and listened to Matsuriza.  They play Taiko!

TAIKO!!!

 I was happy again.  Then, of course, more drums were playing when we arrived at America.  We stopped to watch the full show of the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps.  It was really neat to see them gather a bunch of kids and have them recite the Pledge of Allegiance.  We then went inside to see The American Adventure, and who should be performing in the lobby but the Voices of Liberty!  Drums and a cappella in one day?  Heaven!  I was tired and fell asleep during the actual show.  As we were leaving, one guy said that one of the American Spirits looked like Burt Reynolds.  

Feeling Patriotic

Smokey the Dragon in China

Back to walking around World Showcase....we bought some jewelry made of beads, which themselves were made of recycled Disney paper.  Even the "bag" that Thais used was actually a Disney map, taped up into a little paper bag.  So neat!  Thais was very nice, and said that everyone thought that the beads were Brazilian because her name tag shows that she's from Brazil.  She wants to come to Los Angeles some day in the next year or so.  Yeah, come on over and visit!

In Germany, we bought our Dining Plan snacks at the Caramel shop.  I bought a Werther Chewy Caramel.  Danke!  (That's pretty much all the German I know.  That and "Schadenfreude").Then I decided it was time for me to have some alcohol, so I got a mango margarita in Mexico.  When we sat down to have our snack, I also downloaded a panorama app and took this lovely picture.

View of the World

We then went to The Seas, which I hadn't seen since they added the Finding Nemo effects.  They're pretty much the same ones that were added to Disneyland's submarines, but on this ride, we ride in clam shells.  We checked out the animals in the aquarium, and saw that a dolphin exhibit was about to start, so we watched Rainier match figures of Atlas, Wall-E, and a ferris wheel to whatever the trainer taught him.  Rainier loved showing off for everyone.

Then we walked back to the entrance, and couldn't figure out how to get to the Boardwalk.  We talked to a security guard, then after walking a little bit, decided to go back into the park to catch the boat to our destination.  Oy, if I had just planned this better, we would have done much less walking, but I guess I got my exercise in for the day after all.  We found a restroom at the Boardwalk Inn and changed into more appropriate clothing for dinner, then went to the restaurant.

Flying Fish Cafe is a favorite of our friends, so when we were making our reservations in advance, we planned our days around the available restaurants, as well as the Magic Hours for the resort guests.  Flying Fish was the first reservation we made.  It was the only one on our list that takes up 2 dining plan points, but we didn't plan on using any on the first night, so we saved it for this night.  We were not disappointed at all.  Not during the entire evening. While we were looking at the menu, I was trying to point out the Mac and Cheese.  Linda thought I said "Korean Cheese".  Is there even such a thing?  Our server, Tony, was wonderful to us. The decor was whimsical.  The food -- Oh my goodness, the FOOD!  So here's what we had, and as per our dining plan, we had a drink, an entree, and dessert.  I also added soup because I just couldn't resist it.  

The Fish are Flying with Parachutes!

Sherry's soup:  Soup of the Day:  Roasted Butternut Squash Bisque with Florida Rock Shrimp, Winter Squash, Leeks, 5-spice Creme Fraiche, Prosciutto Cracklins and Mustard-Chive Oil.  So, so worth paying the extra coin.  I now don't want any other butternut squash bisque but this one.  

Bisque of Joy

Entrees:

Linda had Native Rainforest Pepperberry and Wattleseed-crusted Kurobuta Berkshire Pork Tenderloin with Leek, Fontina, and Truffle-laced Trofie Macaroni & Cheese, Grilled Aspargus with Kiln-dried and Fresh Black Mission Fig, Port Wine, Balsamico, Bermuda Onion, and Trumpet Mushroom Compote.  Linda was very happy.  I had a taste of the Mac & Cheese, and it was way yummy.

I had the "Surf and Surf" Oak-grilled Herb-glazed Florida Coast Cobia and Laughing Bird Shrimp "Scampi" with Wilted Greens, Caramelized Cipollini Onions, Young Squash and Carrots, with an Elephant Garlic and Vermont Butter Sauce.  Divine.  I wasn't able to finish all of my vegetables, but I did a pretty good job with it.  I wanted to make sure to save room for dessert.

Surf & Surf

Desserts:

Linda had Caramel-Chocolate-Brioche Bread Pudding with Vanilla-Praline Gelato, Spicy Pecan Brittle, and a Cinnamon Anglaise Sauce.  I did not try it, but she enjoyed it very much.

I had the signature Flying Fish Cafe "Caramelized Banana Napoleon" with Crisp Phyllo Banana Mousse, Creme Caramel, Exotic Fruit Coulis, and Bitter Chocolate.  It was beautiful.  It was delicious.  We were in foodie heaven.

So. Very. Yum.

Tony and Sher

Tony told us that we were the happiest customers he's ever had, so we totally made his day.  I asked him if the Executive Chef was present because I wanted to pay him my compliments, and he didn't think so.  I don't know how Tony missed him, because he's, like, 15 feet tall or something.  Tony opened his eyes and found Chef Tim, and brought him to our table.  We raved about our dinner and told him about our friends recommending the restaurant.  He remembers our friend because our friend doesn't like cilantro.  So he calls our friend "Mr. Cilantro".  Linda and I now call ourselves "Mr. Cilantro's Entourage".  I asked to see the menus again so that I could write down whatever we had, and Tony let me take both the regular and the dessert menus home.  Yay -- free souvenirs!  

One Last Look

After basking in our happiness for a while, we took the Friendship boat back to EPCOT.  While on the boat, we were told several times when the last boat would leave.  As we got off the boat, one of the passengers asked the CM, "What time is the last boat?" just to be funny.  I laughed.  I was happy and full.  

We walked to the area between Japan and USA to wait for Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.  If I wasn't already so happy and full, I totally would have bought the pumpkin spice funnel cake that was being sold nearby.  It smelled really good, and the combination of pumpkin and funnel cake was quite tempting, but I couldn't eat any more that night.  We had a great spot for Illuminations, and we enjoyed the show.  Thank you to my friends for the viewing spot recommendation!

Linda, waiting for Illuminations to begin

We were so happy that we didn't care much about our long walk back to the shuttle.  I was on a quest to find highlighters (to highlight where we'd been on our maps), and we stopped in the last store by the park exit.  CM Michele gabbed with us for quite a while about weather and her experience of being terrified on the Dinosaur ride at Animal Kingdom.  She was amusing.  We were tired, and when we got back to our hotel, put our feet up against the wall.  Ah, that felt good.

This was my favorite day of the entire trip.  I heart EPCOT.

Happy Girls on a Happy Day

Line of the Day:  "Her face is kinda messed up."  -- Little Boy at Snow White and the Seven Dwarves Topiary

F is for Florida

Walt Disney World 

Hollywood Studios

Monday, March 4, 2013

Happy Birthday, Cindy!

I got up at 4:00 a.m. to go to Linda's and pick her up.  I couldn't remember the numbers of her address in the proper order, so I passed her house before calling her and turning around to get to the correct driveway.  We parked at The Parking Spot on the roof, which requires you to use your entrance card again for the cheaper rate. We talked to the guy in the elevator about "accidentally" closing the door on people for whom we actually didn't want to wait.  We didn't ride the same shuttle as him, though, because it was red and gold and mentioned the Trojans on the back, and I refused to get on, since there was another perfectly good shuttle bus right behind it.

LAX wasn't very crowded, even though it was a Monday morning.  I wanted to get there early in case the federal sequester would affect the staffing, but it was OK.  I somehow got myself in line behind a family with full-size containers of shampoo, and they were pretty much unpacking a bunch of their carry-on luggage to get it all onto the x-ray belt.  It's good we got there early, or I might have been even more annoyed than I was already.  Oh, and yes, they got through with the full-size items, and also re-packed on the other side of the x-ray machine.  I bought a kid's lunch at the La Brea Bakery kiosk for later.  As the Virgin America attendant called the different boarding groups ("A for Awesome"), I eagerly awaited what they would call us, being in boarding group F.  He disappointed me and called All Boarding Groups instead.  So, of course, I had to mention to the guy that I wanted to hear them call us something, and they said that they were supposed to say "famous" or "fabulous" or "fantastic" but forgot.  Hmmm...perhaps "F is for Forgetful".  Actually, I wanted them to say some other "F" word/phrase, but that was just between me and Linda.  The interior of the plane was pretty. I like the pink lighting and the leather seats with the pillow-ish headrests.  I had an issue with the touch screen, but that's because I'm hella lame.  I ended up adding way more music than I needed to my playlist on the Virgin screen, but that's OK.  At least I didn't have to worry about missing the last part of any movie, as Linda was afraid the guy in front of us would do as he watched one of the Spider-man movies.

Welcome to Orlando, Sherry!

When we arrived in Orlando, what should greet me in the airport lobby, but a picture of my girl Ariel!  We followed our directions to get to the Magical Express line, where we met Zeenat  (her name rhymes with "peanut") and Jan.  I don't know why I didn't get a picture of Zeenat.  She was really cute and friendly!  We got on our bus and I ate my kid's meal (PB&J sandwich with carrots, a little brownie and apple juice), and I saw a guy get on with his luggage.  This sent me into an immediate worry mode because I thought that ME was supposed to get our luggage for us.  I knew that they would deliver to our room, but I was worried that we had misunderstood and we were supposed to pick up our luggage first.  But no, everything was fine.  You know I had visions of us being without luggage a la Liz in Boston.  Then I got jealous of all of the people on the Disney Cruise Line bus because I wish we could do that, too.  But that will be for another day, I hope.

Rock Inn

We arrived at the All-Star Music resort, and met Ryane, whom was on her third day of training at the hotels.  Her trainer was Edward, and they were both very nice.  Ryane really likes Earl of Sandwich, but since we now have one in Anaheim (yay!), we didn't plan on going there.  She circled it for us on the map anyway.  :)  Linda and I had made our reservations for our dinners ahead of time, and Ryane told us how to work the rest of the dining plan that we had purchased.    We then put in a good word for Ryane and Edward, and headed for the dining area to get our refillable mugs before walking to our room at the Rock Inn.  The room felt even farther than it actually was because we had walked around the wrong side of the building, and my left foot/ankle/knee was really hurting by this point.  We considered getting a wheelchair for me, but I decided that I'd be OK for the evening.  I love all of the musical themes in the room, so much so that I hopped into the shower to show off the curtain.

Cue music from "Psycho"

This looks really familiar

We walked to the bus stop and got in line with a woman whom was standing by herself.  We had decided to make Hollywood Studios our first park since the Magic Hours for resort guests were in the evening for this day, and we didn't really need to spend the whole day there.  After all, we come from the land of the real Hollywood, so it's not much of a big deal to us, except for the rides that we don't have in Anaheim.  

Sorcerer Mickey Topiary

At DHS, the Sorcerer Mickey topiary looked like Elphaba from Wicked. After figuring out the map (honestly, why was this so hard for us?), we made our way to the Tower of Terror.  Yes, I know that we have one in Anaheim.  But I love Florida's version.  I rode it in 2003, and it was the first Tower I ever rode, so I was a bit disappointed when the one in DCA wasn't the same.  While in line at the Tower, we talked to a guy and his son about the ride.  They had never experienced it, so I coyly said, "It's an elevator."  Tower of Terror is not as creepy here in the line as it is in Anaheim, because there is only one floor, and the ghost girl or whatever isn't running around behind the walls.  The ride itself is way better than ours.  I know that an elevator isn't supposed to move horizontally, but that is what makes it so awesome for me.  Linda conceded that WDW's is better than DCA's.  This would be the last time that she would concede as such.  Yes, it was only the first day, and the first ride.

Riding the Elevator

We didn't have reservations for the evening because we were saving one of the dining plan credits for the next night's restaurant, which required 2 points instead of just one.  So we ordered gourmet hot dogs at Fairfax Fare, which looks like LA's Farmer's Market, but a lot smaller.  Linda's hot dog had mac and cheese with bacon and truffle oil on top.  Mine had pulled pork and cole slaw on top.  They were yummy.  Linda ended up getting free hot chocolate because their machine broke down and she had to make it out of a package by herself.  So they gave her 2 of them.  I don't know what it is with Linda getting hot chocolate for free <giggle>.

I wasn't sure that we should do a coaster ride right after dinner, but we both felt OK and we were too hungry to wait until after the coaster to eat.  So then we went to the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, which was pretty much a walk-on because of the Magic Hours (we had to show our Key to the World cards to get in line).  KICK ASS!!!  The cast member dude at the end of the ride yelled at us, "YEAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!" just like a rock n roll fan should say.  This became the line of the day (LOTD was done in tweets for the trip, and will not have its own separate blog entries).  I so totally love that ride!  We got a picture of us on the ride, and I also bought a cool shirt for myself with snaps down the back.  It's black and white and totally me.

Aerosmith in the studio

Linda is a huge movie fan, so she wanted to go on The Great Movie Ride.  I only cared about going on it so that I could see Joseph Fiennes for a second.  While we were walking to the attraction, music from the score of "Shakespeare In Love" was playing around us, and I was very happy.  I got even happier when they showed the snippet of the movie at the end of the ride.  Our tour guide was Rebecca, and we got held up by the gangsters.

That was really all that we wanted to do, as I didn't really feel the need to see The Little Mermaid show (they didn't have any during Magic Hours anyway).  But we saw people in a line at one of the studio set entrances, so we asked what it was about.  The CM told us that it was The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow, and there were some really cool special effects, and Johnny Depp shows up and it looks as if he's really there.  Well, OK, then!  It was pretty cool, but the singing mermaid was a bit creepy because it just showed her head instead of her whole body.  I didn't feel like Johnny was actually there, but that's OK.  I was amused by his Captain Jack-ness, and my favorite line was when he talked to the Jolly Roger head: "Thank you, Inexplicably Floating Skull in the Sky."

Linda needed to take a picture of a dinosaur before we left.  The dinosaur was pink and big and I have no idea why he was in that lake, but it made her happy.  

We took bus #2 back to the hotel.  The most crowded one.  But our luggage was there and we were happy.  I iced my foot in preparation for the next day of much walking, while writing in my brand spanking new pretty journal.  

WDW Line of the Day:  "YEAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!" -- CM at Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

The Answer

I had the day off yesterday, so I did lunch with Mich at Wood Ranch BBQ, and after some shopping, I went to the movie theater for "42".

• I liked Harrison Ford's portrayal of Branch Rickey.  He had his reasons for wanting to bring a black baseball player to the major leagues, first saying that money is green and that's the only color he cares about.  But, of course, he had another motive, and it was quite touching.
• Whenever anybody stands up for another person's rights, my heart swells.  I think that's why I love movies like this: a lot of people were behind Robinson's rise, and he could not have done it without people like Rickey.
• "He's a Methodist.  I'm a Methodist.  God is a Methodist."
• I also liked the way that Rickey asked Robinson if he could control his temper when the racist remarks were going to eventually start.
• Chadwick Boseman was a great choice to play Jackie Robinson.  He has the charisma and an awesome chemistry with Nicole Beharie.  I rooted for the 2 of them from the moment she got his call from Brooklyn.  He also had me crying several times when he reacted, or restrained himself from reacting, to the prejudice against him.
• I heard an interview about why Robinson was chosen instead of a different ball player (it was touched on in the film, but the interview revealed much more).  I was hoping to hear about it in the film, but I guess they didn't want to stray from Robinson's story.
• Alan Tudyk did a great job of making me want to punch him in the face.  Actually, all of the actors did a great job of getting me really emotionally involved in the film, whether it be my  loving the romance, hating the racism, or feeling pride for those who changed.
• The scene with Rachel seeing a White Only restroom was particularly telling, because she had never had the experience having grown up in good old Pasadena, CA.  I'm glad I live here.
• "Must have been that elongated heel bone that made him hit it like that."
• The shower invitation scene was hysterical.
• "You're medicine!"
• Poor Pittsburgh.
• Inspiring.  The audience applauded at the end.  

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and I recommend it highly.  Go see it!  Go Dodger Blue!  

DLR LotD 04/12/13

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Friday, April 12, 2013

"The pointy things are in the wrong places." -- Jenn, watching the Pinata Girls in the Soundsational Parade

DLR LotD 03/17/13

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Sunday, March 17, 2013

"Here comes Honey Blue Blue!" -- Genie, at the Hyperion Theater

Not It

Catch Me If You Can

Pantages Theatre

Friday, March 15, 2013

I forgot that I was supposed to see "Catch Me If You Can" last week, but at least I didn't plan anything else for that night.  I met up with my friends Marilee, June and Dene at the Pantages Theatre after work.  Our seats were in the 3rd row of the balcony.  I like the movie and the story, and I had seen one of the songs performed on the Tony Awards.

• This show is like old time Broadway musicals with the music, probably because it's set in the past.
• I like the way that the stage is set, with the runway, and the orchestra's positioning behind it.  Very cool.  Although the drummer seems like he's lonely because he's the only one underneath the runway thing.
• I also like the premise, that the stage show is all in Frank Jr.'s head, as he tells his life story.  "A show?"  (wink!)  
• Stephen Anthony is great in the lead as Frank, Jr.  I especially liked "Goodbye".  Powerhouse!
• Wow, he did all of that because he really likes girls a lot?
• Merrit David Janes is also great in his role as Agent Hanratty.  He really does well with his frustrated character.
• The ink bottle/glue/Swiss army knife costumes were cute.
• Marilee and I think that Aubrey Mae Davis, whom plays Brenda, looks like Megan Hilty.
• I didn't really like it when the female ensemble sang together, because it was a bit screechy.  But when the sang as individuals, they sounded fine.  I wonder if they were all just trying to outsing each other.
• "He said his name was Barry Allen?  That's the Flash!"
• Yay!  Pan Am!

That was a fun show, although I prefer John Williams' score of the movie over this.  The theatre wasn't full on opening night, which is a shame, because it is quite entertaining and humorous.

After Ever After - DISNEY Parody

It's a cappella, it's Disney, it's funny  How could I not share this with you all?  You can also buy the song on iTunes!  

DLR LotD 02/27/13

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Special Edition: The Glenlivet Scotch Dinner at Catal

Rob Roy 
"If my eyes are still a little bit dilated before the Scotch dinner, how will my eyes  know when I'm drunk?" -- Sherry, tweeting to no one in particular

Amuse Buche: Oyster with Cucumber Sorbet
"I'll just put it right down my pants.  They'll never know." -- Andrea

12 Year Old
Whipped Smoked Salmon w/Honey-thyme creme Fraiche, lemon-oat clusters
"It's been beaten and whipped, like my forefathers." -- Andrea

15 Year Old French Oak Reserve
Whisky-Spiced Poached Pear w/Gorgonzola cheese croquette, local honeycomb, wild arugula, candied walnuts, gastrique
"Are you voguing?" -- Matt, to Sherry, after hearing the word "model"

Nadurra 16 Year Old Cask Strength
Seared Day Boat Scallop and Lacquered Pork Belly w/Caramelized pineapple, vanilla-sun choke puree, crushed hazelnuts
"It's a fork." -- Sherry, to Cindy, as Cindy stared with wonder at her utensil

18 Year Old
Braised "smokey" Beef Short Ribs w/ Honey glazed carrots, "tater tots", mascarpone cream, green peppercorn caramel
"The Irish invented whiskey, but the Scotch perfected it." -- Scotchmaster Rick (I don't know why, but my notes say "Ian" -- was it a different guy than on the menu, or was I drunk?)

21 Year Old Archive
Banana-Butterscotch Brioche Bread Pudding w/Scotch-ale gelato
"Andrea, Unchained!" -- Sherry

The D Is Silent, Hillbilly

I didn't make it in time to the theater to see "Django Unchained" after work on Thursday as planned, because of an accident on the freeway.  Stupid other drivers.  But I did make it just in time on Friday night, even with the showtime being 10 minutes earlier.  Yay, me!

• Just like with other Tarantino films, there is a LOT of blood.  I'm used to that by now.
• I'm also used to the fact that I dread the bloody scenes, but QT really is talented, and I like what he's done here with his version of a Western...errr, Southern.
• I'm convinced that Christoph Waltz needs to be in all of QT's films.  He does an amazing job here, as he did in "Inglorious Bastards".  His Oscar nomination is well-deserved.  I mean, I even love the way he would fix his facial hair.
• Tom Wopat?!  That's who that was? No wonder he looked familiar.  Don Johnson, too.  Hey, that's Amber Tamblyn in the window.  I didn't catch her dad, though.  I love that Tarantino loves his pop culture idols.
• "You mean, you wanna dress like that?"
• The scene with the white bags was hilarious! "No, nobody brought an extra bag!"
• Dude, Leo, you are not a good dude in this movie.  
• "I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself."
• Also, I think this is the first movie wherein I actually hated Samuel L. Jackson's theater.  What an a- hole.
• "Alexandre Dumas is black."  Loved the reaction.
• So, um, I guess that I've now seen Jamie Foxx's man parts.
• I like this soundtrack!
• I knew it!  According to Quentin at Comic-con, Broomhilda's last name is a reference to "Shaft".

This movie is not for the squeamish, but I liked it.  I could watch that white bag scene many times.  That and listen to Waltz recite all of his lines.

C'est Vrai

I saw "Amour" at the Laemmle theater as part of my quest to see all of this year's Oscar Best Picture nominees.  Since the film isn't being shown in very many theaters, there were quite a few people there to see it, and I arrived just in time, so I sat in the second row.

• Sometimes I try not to read the subtitles when I'm watching something in another language.  I didn't need to read for all of the film, but there were a lot of words that I didn't know or didn't remember.  I need to brush up on my French.
• The film opens with the end of the story, so I'm glad that I was on time, or I wouldn't actually know what was happens since they didn't show it again at the end of the film.
• I liked the banter between the two leads (before she was too ill to speak, of course).  Just like an old married couple should be: sweet and  funny.
• I'm guessing that he's the cook, because he still kept eating pretty well after she got sick.  Then I thought of French cooking and got hungry, crazily wishing my popcorn would be replaced by haricots verts.  That would be messy, though, since I didn't have a fork.
• Ohhhhh...she was a piano teacher.
• So....what did he do with that last pigeon?
• Where did he go when he walked out the door at the end?
• I felt like she was selfish for not allowing him to take her to a hospital or a nursing home.  But his devotion to her was incredible.  It made me wonder about my parents.  I know that my mother would not want my dad to take care of her like that, but if he needed to, he would.  And here I am, crying again.  It's like his story about seeing a film and not crying about it until he told someone about it later.
• A woman arrived late to the movie and sat 2 seats away from me.  She had mannerisms that annoyed me (they were mostly audible mannerisms), and afterward, she felt compelled to tell me that this is why she loved French films: because they are so real.  Ergo, the title of this post.  
• I can see why both Trintignant and Riva are so beloved in France.  Wonderful acting.

The Obsession That Started It All

My friend Cindy gave me the book "New Kids On The Block: Five Brothers and a Million Sisters", the authorized biography by Nikki Van Noy.  Thanks, Cindy!

I finished reading the book this morning, and I really liked it because it told the story from the guys' points of view, as well as from that of the fans.  I wasn't as young as most of the NKOTB fans were when they got big.  I'm about their age, less than 5 years older than them, so my experience wasn't like a lot of the other fans whom were going through adolescence at the height of the madness, but I was still obsessed.  Many of them looked at NKOTB as the escape from whatever was wrong at school or at home.  I was done with college, so I could drive myself to venues and not look as obvious when I was stalking...er...looking forward to running into them somewhere.  I bought the teenybopper magazines with money I earned while they used their allowance.  It was different, but my level of obsession was just as crazy.  They screamed at decibels higher than what many animals can hear, and I had my alto-flavored "whoo!". Oh, Mercedes.  Such memories we had, girl.  I wonder if you think of me whenever you hear about NKOTB these days, like I think of you, wherever you are.

When NKOTB made their comeback, the fans got to feel young again, scream again, and cry tears of joy again.  Now all of us are 20 years older, and the guys are more accessible, and they've gotten to know a lot of their loyal fans.  

As I was reading, I thought of Rockapella and how thankful I am that I've been able to talk to them (kinda) at the beginning of my fandom, or at least when I started following them around to different venues.  I remember telling Barry once that I hope they never get so big that we don't get to talk to them, and he said that he felt the same way.  I'm at the point now (and I'm sure a lot of the diehards are) that I'm confident that even if Rockapella became huge, they'd still remember me and wave from the stage and smile.  But NKOTB is such a worldwide phenomenon that I'm amazed at how they remember a lot of their fans and know their stories and have reached the same intimacy that we Rockapella fans have with our guys.  It's been a lot more difficult for NKOTB because they were mobbed so much, and I admire how they all still tried to get to know their fans by reaching out to them, before at meet and greets at the malls, and now through Twitter and Facebook and their VIP tickets.  (Actually, they interact more with their fans on the social sites more than Rockapella does).

It also interested me that many of the NKOTB fans have gotten to know each other through the years and have become lifelong friends because of the group.  That sounds very familiar.  I wouldn't know some of my wonderful-est friends today if not for the Pella.  Our mutual love for the guys has allowed us to be crazy together, to cry together (in happiness and sorrow), and to have memorable trips that I'll cherish forever.  I know that the Rockapella fan community is minuscule as compared to the Blockheads, but the parallels are intriguing to me.  

I'll be seeing NKOTB in July, and I'm even thinking of seeing them twice because they've added a show in the area, but I won't go the VIP route, because that kind of money goes toward Rockapella shows.  :)  I'm excited to see them and Boyz II Men.  I'm ambivalent toward 98 Degrees, as I was toward Backstreet Boys, which is why I didn't go to the last tour, but I'm really excited about the B2M thing.  I have a much longer wait before I see Rockapella, and it makes me crazy.  But at least when I see them, I'll have a better chance at talking to them and spending time with them in my own PellaPusher way.  Until then, I'll keep myself preoccupied with my first 5-guy obsession.  And at least I'll still get to see my Posse a few times before then, too.

Here Comes the Sun Bros?

Well, you know me.  I'm all about the Pella.  Rockapella members, past and present, I love them all.  Today I received, as probably some of you also did, an email from CSL4 alerting of this new project, Sun Brothers.

Take a look at the website, and view the video.  You'll see 2 familiar faces, and the other two, not so much.  But their voices meld wonderfully together, and I am looking forward to the next installment.

It looks like they'll be singing on the same day and same venue as Rockapella on February 10 in New Bedford, MA.  Oh, how I wish that I could be there, not just to see my guys, but also possibly my new additional guys!  (I do like to support all of their extracurricular projects, because it keeps a fire in the creative belly for Rockapella Proper).  But I'll be walking briskly in Santa Monica that morning, and that would be an expensive trip anyway.  

So to those of you that are going to the show: let me know how it goes!  

Website:  http://sunbromusic.com/

Oh, Scott.  You're so dreamy with all of that yellow and blue and Tampa-ness.  :)  I miss you!  Also, Steve, thanks for smiling at me through the camera (in my imagination).  Miss you, too!

I shall go to bed now and dream of my boys, playing in the sun, singing a cappella to me....maybe while they are all wearing capes.  And Speedos.  ACK!  Now I can't sleep at all, because I'm giggling as I type.

Good night!

In The Bayou

"Beasts of the Southern Wild" is no longer playing in any movie theaters near me, so I rented the DVD from Redbox today.

• My goodness, it's no wonder this child was nominated for an Oscar.  Quvenzhane Wallis has the eyes and the talent of an old soul.
• I'm trying to understand these folks that were stranded in the Bayou.  Their lives are just so very different from mine, and I don't understand why they wouldn't want better ones if offered.  I guess they're afraid of that which is different...or they just can't bear to leave what's left of their homes.
• "Once there was a Hushpuppy, and she lived with her daddy in the Bathtub."
• I was ready to smack that father many times, then he ended up breaking my heart toward the end.  Dwight Henry sure had me feel sympathetic for him.
• Loved the part where the beasts bowed to Hushpuppy. "You're my friend, kinda."
• Since I was watching this at home, I became easily distracted, and thought that I might need to watch the movie again before returning it.  However, there I was, crying at the end, so I guess I actually was paying attention.
• Great.  Now I'm hungry for catfish and hushpuppies. :)

I thought that the movie was well done, but I'm biased and I wish that Ben Affleck would have been nominated for the Best Director Oscar over this one.  The images are not for the faint of heart, so be prepared.

3.14

I had some time before meeting up with friends in the OC, so I watched "Life of Pi".

• GORGEOUS.  The vibrant colors, the amazing cinematography, everything.  Just gorgeous.  I'm glad that I saw it in 3D.
• I'm a fan of Ang Lee's again.  Not that I stopped since "Crouching Tiger..", but that was the last one of his that really affected me.
• Hippo!  Aw, poor hippo.  Hippo again!
• Wow, that's a lot of damn meerkats.  Cute little things.  I loved watching them during our trip to San Diego last year.
• Oh, Richard Parker, you scary thing.  I liked watching you catching the flying fish.
• I liked all of the actors playing the different ages of Pi.  
• Is it me, or was that carnivorous island shaped like a human lying down on his/her back?  It reminds me of my recurrent nightmare of my youth, where the foothills were actually King Kong waiting to wake up.  (While reading about this, I now know that the island is in the shape of a supine Vishnu).
• Whales are really, really big.  
• Also, hyenas have creeped me out ever since I saw "The Lion King".
• Ooh, those luminescent jellyfish.  Have I told you that this film is gorgeous?
• I really liked all of the ways that the different religions were referenced.  "Thank you, Vishnu, for introducing me to Christ."
• "But Columbus was looking for India!"
• "Above all, don't lose hope."

Isn't that what life is all about?  Hope and faith?  If it's not in yours, I pity you.  Go see a wonderful movie like this one.

00:30

V and I took some time away while the kids were being watched by my parents, and watched "Zero Dark Thirty".

• Jessica Chastain is amazing.
• "I'm the motherf*&%er who found this place."
• Poor cute monkeys.
• I was scared when that desert rendezvous was happening.
• Harold Perrineau saves the day!
• It's crazy to think of how long it took them to find UbL, and how long it took until they finally took action.  I got frustrated with Maya every time she changed the number on her boss' window.
• Kathryn Bigelow really is good at these kinds of movies.  I wasn't totally in the mood to see this movie, but I'm glad I did.  Much like when I watched "The Hurt Locker".
• So what happened to the guys that blew up the downed helo?  Did someone pick them up later?
• Those really were quiet helicopters, compared to the usual noise made by regular ones.
• Wait.  Isn't Area-51 supposedly non-existent?

Great movie.  I did cry once, at the point when it is finally confirmed that they got him, and they show her reaction.

Excelsior

After having lunch for the first time at Earl Sandwich (yummy!) with Adrienne and her friend, Linda and I saw "Silver Linings Playbook".  I really had no idea what the movie was about, but it was on my list of Academy Award-nominated Best Picture nominees to watch.

• When "My Cherie Amour" played in the therapist's waiting room, Linda and I giggled.  We had just been talking about that song at lunch!
• Maybe I was really tired or something, but the camera work during some of the film made me feel dizzy.
• Loved the scene at the dinner table when Tiffany and Pat are comparing medications.
• Oh, Julia Stiles!  THAT'S who that was!  It bugged me throughout the whole movie, and I only knew from the credits.
• Wow, Chris Tucker.  Haven't seen him in a while!  I liked his role.  
• Bradley Cooper does a great job with his role and the many emotions he portrays.
• Jennifer Lawrence is awesome.  I loved how tough her character was, yet she was also vulnerable.
• So when Tiffany first runs into Pat while out jogging, I thought, "Katniss is stalking him."
• OMG, I love that short coat that Tiffany wears through much of the movie.
• What the heck with that crazy random dance, man?
• Eagles fans are crazy.  Eagles fans that are bookies are crazier.

I really enjoyed this movie, and I laughed quite a bit. Yeah, I cried, too.

DLR LotD 01/18/13

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Friday, January 18, 2013

"Bananaman is such a slut." --Dodie, at Catal

DLR LotD 01/01/13

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

"I heard a 'ding ding' and I came running." -- Ryan B, responding to Cindy's servant bell

Happy New Year, everyone!  

DLR LotD 12/31/12

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Monday, December 31, 2012

Special New Year's Eve Catal Edition!

Amuse Buche:
"You're really being a slut tonight." -- Sher, to V

First course:
"It's for in case you weren't here tonight!" -- Sher, to Ryan B

Second course:
"But then you had that one tasty bit. Not a person." -- Cindy, to Sherry

Dessert:
"Here, do it into my phone." -- Cindy

Happy New Year!

DLR LotD 12/30/12

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Sunday, December 30, 2012

"I don't want to be here!!!!"  -- Miss O, many, many times before she finally calmed down, on It's A Small World Holiday

Barney vs. Marshall

OK, all of the Les Miz business has reminded me of this clip of "How I Met Your Mother" stars Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Segel singing "Confrontation".  I only wish that the audience would have let them finish the song, because it's awesome.

I love these guys.  I love this song.  Enjoy!

Merry ChristMiz!

When I first found out that a movie version of my favorite musical would be made, I was a bit apprehensive about it.  I was worried that they would butcher it and I would hate it.  But then they released the trailers, and announced that all of the singing for Les Miserables was done as the cameras were rolling (instead of being recorded in a studio and lip-synced on camera), and I was eager to see the movie.  So here we are, Christmas Day / Opening Day, and I made sure to see the film.  The showing that I aimed for sold out while I was in line, so I took the next time, and it seemed to have sold out, too, because the theater was packed.  I was armed with my tissues!  Here we go!  I took a deep breath, and...wow.

• The opening scene of the prisoners/slaves pulling the ship into the dock was more than I ever imagined it to be when I saw this on stage.  Their ships were that big?!  No wonder Jean Valjean was described with the strength that he had!  
• Hugh Jackman.  My goodness gracious.  His portrayal of 24601 had me crying already when the bishop saved him....and I cried in almost every scene in which he was sang.  AMAZING.  When he hit the last note in "Bring Him Home" and held it there, I wept for his triumph.
• Also:  Anne Hathaway.  I never doubted that she could sing this thing, because I've heard the quality of her voice in little things, like at the Oscars.  She hit this out of the park and into outer space!  The emotion she exuded made me love the character of Fantine more than I ever did before.
• Amanda Seyfried, with her beautifully lilting soprano voice was quite a lovely Cosette.
• Russell Crowe does not have a Broadway-style voice.  His voice is more pop/rock, so I would have preferred someone else in this role, but he held his own.
• While we're on the word "own", let me just say that Samantha Barks remained true to my favorite character of Eponine, which makes sense as she sang the part for the theatre version's 25th Anniversary Concert.  Loved her "On My Own" and everything else she did.
• I like this Eddie Redmayne guy.  He's cute.  Also, he had a great story about telling Tom Hooper a long time ago that he could ride a horse for "Elizabeth I", and when put to the test, he fell off.  It took Mr. Hooper many years to hire him again, and when he did, he placed Redmayne on a horse, probably as an act of retaliation.  I like Redmayne's voice, too.
• Ah, the Thenardiers.  Sasha Baron Cohen is hilarious as usual, and he and Helena Bonham Carter are a much-needed comic relief for the story.  I do wish that they could have done a little bit more with them stealing stuff at the wedding reception, though.  I love how, in the stage productions, she has silverware and stuff falling out of her dress.
• Aaron Tviet also has a very nice voice as the ever-earnest Enjolras.
• The new song, "Suddenly" is a nice addition to the score, and I'm glad that they shortened "Turning", because that song always seemed too long for me when sung on stage.
• Colm Wilkinson!  YES!!!  I'm so very happy that he got to play in this movie.  His voice is pretty much what made me love Les Miz in the first place, as I have listened to him over and over and over again on the CD.  
• Oh, wow, Frances Ruffelle was in this, too?  I wish I could have recognized her, the original Broadway Eponine.
• Ugh, the exit music is blech.  It was hard for me to sit through, but I stayed out of respect for the film. 
• What is up with that huge elephant statue?
• Because I'm a purist, I know how a lot of the diehard Les Miz fans feel about this cast, and the singing.  But I think it should be given a chance despite the Hollywood treatment.  The acting is top notch, the sets and cinematography are amazing, and it's still a great story.
• Bring tissues!  I cried buckets, partly because it's my favorite musical and they were doing it justice, and partly because of all of the raw emotion.  INCREDIBLE.

I need to watch something lighthearted now.  Oh, look!  "The Princess Bride" is on the Sundance Channel right now!  "Anybody want a peanut?"

DLR LotD 12/19/12

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

"She's singing again." -- Jenn and Sher, many, many times, after Sher bought her niece's birthday gift.

DLR LotD 12/12/12

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

"I feel like I'm going to fly away." -- Dick Van Dyke, at a rainy Candlelight Procession

Luscious Harmonies

Take 6 - "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Lewis Family Playhouse - Rrrancho Cucamonga, CA

As I drove to church for Mass, I saw that that the street on which my alma mater is situated was full of school buses.  It made me melancholy, because I really wanted to go to the SCSBOA Marching Band Field Show Championships taking place there that night.  (It's been 6 years since they've been in the championships, and they were competing on their home field, and, well, look at this promo!).  But it was drizzling.  And I had a ticket to see Take 6.  When I heard the rain pouring outside during Mass, I figured that it was a reminder that I really, really like Take 6, and it's inside, and I would get to see my friends.  But I did come very close to calling Liz and telling her to bring Joe with her to use my ticket.  

I arrived at the venue with plenty of time before the doors opened, so I went to the restroom to turn around my mayo-stained shirt.  Dangit, that's one of my favorite shirts!  But at least it's a turtleneck and it doesn't matter which side goes in front.  I met up with Wendy, Jeff, Aura, Aura's mom and Aura's friends, and Liz in the lobby.  Wendy and Jeff had scored front row apron seats for us (right side of house).  THANK YOU!  Liz and I informed each other about whomever were new members to us.  I told Wendy that Liz and I were at the same Take 6 concert when I saw them for the first time in the early 1990s, but we hadn't met each other yet.  Liz and I were meant to be friends.  :)  Wendy and Jeff had never seen them before.  I told her that they would have audience participation, just for Jeff.

Take 6 took the stage, and as soon as they had sung their first chord, I had forgotten all about the band championships and got into the Christmas spirit.

I did not take notes during the show, but here is the set list and what I can remember the next day.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Yup.  First chord.  

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Weird not to hear Kevin Wright singing the lead on this.

Hark The Herald Angels Sing

This is one of the first Christmas songs I had ever heard them sing, from their "He Is Christmas" CD.  Claude enjoyed saying "Rancho CUC-amonga!"  What is it with the high tenors loving the name of this place? ;)

Let It Snow

Claude said that he grew up in Buffalo, which is known for snow, so he thought they should bring some musical snow to So Cal for Christmas.  He even showed us how to imagine the snow with some finger motion. 

Grinch

Claude told Alvin that he wanted to sing bass on this one, and asked if they could both sing bass.  So they each sang lead on every other verse.  Since they took it at the original tempo, I wasn't very jarred about them not being Rockapella with Santa Hats.  Their rendition is jazzy, like the original, but with much better harmonies.  Claude could hit those low notes, and the high ones at the end.  Crazy range.

The Sugarplum Dance

Mark arranged "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" from The Nutcracker.  I was hoping that it wouldn't be like Scott's arrangement on "Simply Having..." because I try to keep the groups separate from each other.  Mark did not disappoint me one bit.  Their arrangement is amazing and totally virtuoso for all of them.  

I'll Be Home For Christmas

A tribute to our troops.  Mark was looking for mistletoe to point to, but there wasn't any.  I liked that he enunciated "presents under the tree", because it makes more sense than "presents on the tree".  Wouldn't the tree fall over if all of the presents were on its branches?

One

This is not a Christmas song, but it is the title song from their new CD.  I wish they had their actual CDs in the lobby instead of stuff that they only produced.  I have some catching up to do on their CDs.

Alvin is from So Cal, and said he's been trying to get the guys to tour here for a long time.  Thanks, Alvin!

Stand By Me

Always a crowd favorite for the a cappella groups.  Joey sang lead, and pointed to a lady that she should stand by him on stage. She didn't.  I almost got up myself.  I mean, he was RIGHT THERE!

Old School stuff that included Earth, Wind & Fire, Nat King Cole, The Doobie Brothers, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson

At this point, some of the guys shared their musical influences.  The Nat King Cole was pretty much just Claude doing an impersonation of "When I Fall In Love", all by himself, while sitting on the piano bench.  Loved their "Taking It To The Streets", and they sang Stevie's "I Wish", which is just so Stevie/T6.  Then Khristian shared that he was born in 1982 and wouldn't know an 8-Track if it hit him in the face.  His influence was Michael Jackson, and he danced and sang and talked like MJ.  He did snippets of a bunch of songs, and frightened the women sitting front and center with the crotch-grabbing scream.   Can't remember who on stage told him, "This is a family show."  He was great, though.  He also played some piano during one or two of the other songs, which, I think, is the only time a piano was used in the show.

So Much To Say

Ah, the song that I first heard them sing live.  But oh, what a change they made!  OMG, the vocal acrobatics with the scatting and the vocal percussion and the melismas!  Good golly, Miss Molly, they have arranged this song to new, explosive heights, and I am happy to go up there with them!

Joy To The World

Back to Christmas songs now.  APPARENTLY, they have 3 Christmas CDs.  Why did I only know about one?  

Sweet Little Jesus Boy

So pretty, and it's Mark's favorite.  

Lamb of God

Joey did some preaching, and we all went right there with them.  This song is gorgeous, and has a bit of the old Danish "Holy Holy Holy" in it.  Nice.

Encore:

Come On

Yeah, because we weren't all crazy enough (we were), here we go with some call and response.  YEAH!  

They announced that they'd be signing CDs.  I stole a set list from the stage, and confessed to Alvin that I did so, but he didn't mind, and they all signed it.  What's cool about their set list is that each song has the key that they used.  Aura said that she never saw anyone use a pitch pipe, and neither do I, so some of them must have perfect pitch.  They're so totally amazing!  I told Mark that he sings my favorite Take 6 song, "Something Within Me", and the first time I heard him sing it, he was sick.  I told him that I said that night, "I wish I could sing like that when I'm sick!"  They're all very nice, but I was too shy to ask for pictures.  I was kind of the same way with Rockapella, although I did get a picture with them the first time I met them at a meet and greet.  Oh, Pella, how far we've come since then!  :)

We bid goodbye to Aura and Liz.  Wendy, Jeff and I went to Cheesecake Factory, and who shows up but Aura and her guests!  Aura's mom told us that she went crazy when she saw Rockapella and they sang "Folger's".  So THAT'S where Aura gets her fangirl-ness!  Later, we ended up leaving at the same time, too, and they said that the Kibble brothers were sitting at the next table.  Cool!  I probably wouldn't have been able to eat if I saw them there.

So here I am now, feeling the Christmas spirit like I'm supposed to be doing.  It's the most wonderful time of the year!