Simple Gifts 04/11/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, April 11, 2014

All of those fun internet personality quizzes

From what I can glean off of my FB activity, I am:

Musical Instrument:  Tympani
Flower:  Carnation
"Frozen" character: Sven
'80s Boyfriend: Jake Ryan of "Sixteen Candles"
March Magic Team:  Fantasmic Dragons
Historical Era: Biblical Times
Haircut I Should Actually Have: Long Bob
Strong Female Character: Mulan
Mythical Creature: Centaur
"Grease" Pink Lady: Sandy
"Sesame Street" Character: Cookie Monster
Classic Rock Band: Pink Floyd
American Presidnet: Barack Obama
"Big Bang Theory" Character: Leonard
"Harry Potter" Character: Hermione Grainger
"Star Wars" Character: Princess Leia
Muppets Character: Janice
City I Should Actually Live In: Cape Town
Mental Age: 19
Classical Music Composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Color: Red
Spirit Animal: Raven
Travoltified Name: Sorley Smotckins

Simple Gifts 04/10/13

Simple Gifts
Thursday, April 10, 2014

Stephen Colbert taking over Late Night when David Letterman retires

Congratulations, Stephen!!!

Simple Gifts 04/09/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Fried tilapa for the whole office, courtesy of our office manager.  

Simple Gifts 04/08/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Tying in "Captain America: Winter Soldier" occurrences with "Marvel: Agents of Shield", so I can yell "WHAT?!?" at my TV for an hour.  

Simple Gifts 04/07/14

Simple Gifts
Monday, April 7, 2014

Needing stuff that happens to be on sale in the store where I'm shopping.

Simple Gifts 04/06/14

Simple Gifts
Sunday, April 6, 2014

Evan Williams Honey Bourbon as a snack

Simple Gifts 04/05/14

Simple Gifts
Saturday, April 5, 2014

Finding the Rockapella headshot at The Coach House

Dated 04/03/97

Simple Gifts 04/04/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, April 4,2014

A day off to recover after a great wine dinner

DLR LotD 04/03/14

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Thursday, April 3, 2014
Special Edition: Brewer-Clifton/Palmina wine dinner at Catal

Welcome:  2012 Palmina Tocai Friulano, Honea Vineyard*
"Swig!" -- Jenn, to Sher, during pivotal moments in her story

Catal Terrace

Amuse Bouche: Chicken pate terrine, apricot mostarda, toasted pistachios
2011 Palmina 'Subida' Tocai Fiulano, Honea Vineyard
"Wine is weird." -- Sher, noting the difference of the Subida taste before and after eating the pate

First Course:  Black cod, arroz negro, sugar snap peas, mango, coconut-lemongrass foam
2010 Brewer-Clifton '3-D' Chardonnay, Santa Rita Hills
"Toddlers, tears, and tantrums." -- Chrystal, telling us her mantra when dealing with her son's very loud and repetitive request for his Buzz Lightyear costume while in line for Astro Orbiter

Mmmm....mango

Second Course:  Duck breast, duck confit cigar, hon-shimeji mushrooms, kale, dark cherries, anise jus
2011 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills
"Wine is edible art." -- Chrystal, elegantly speaking about everyone's different reaction to wine pairings.

Third Course: Spiced pork belly and scallop, parsnip cream, beet beurre rouge, root vegetable potpourri*
2011 Palmina Barbera, Santa Barbara County*
"I have a special relationship with bacon." -- Ron, to Sherry

I asked Chef to please make this part of the regular menu

Fourth Course: Grilled New York strip, smoked short rib and onion marmalade ravioli, violet mustard, Romanesco, thyme jus
2008 Palmina Nebbiolo, Santa Barbara County
"It's the Happiest Wine on Earth!" -- Chrystal

Wish I still had room to finish the ravioli.  Quite tasty.

Dessert:  Ginger-buttermilk panna cotta, local strawberries, candied pistachios, shortbread cookie crumble
"That's not a doughnut.  That's a piece of dough eating strawberries for breakfast." -- Ron, looking at Jenn's picture of the Strawberry Donut from The Donut Man

I love that we had 2 dishes with pistachios

"GRAPPA!!!" -- multiple people at our table, ready for an aperitif of Amaro Nonino Quintessential*

Chrystal, still ready to drink us all under the table with grappa

*my favorites

Thank you to our table mates:  proprietors Steve and Chrystal Clifton, Bill, and distributor Ron Striewig of Wine Warehouse. Thanks also for the hospitality, Matt, Valerie and Leah, and to Chef Steven Mary, thank you for the wonderful food!

Jenn and I are already planning to do a road trip to Lompoc to visit the winery and cook Filipino food.  Maybe we'll get to see Steve play with his band, Fast Mojo, while we're there.

Happy Anniversary!

Simple Gifts 04/03/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, April 3, 2014

Doughnuts during our 5.5-hour conference call.  Seriously, I NEEDED that maple bar.

Simple Gifts 04/02/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Breakfast burritos from the boss, even when she's away from the office.

Simple Gifts 04/01/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, April 1, 2014

I won a bag of ground coffee today at the Music Club business meeting!  Cinnamon Hazelnut....mmmmmm.

Simple Gifts 03/31/14

Simple Gifts
Monday, March 31, 2014

Pixar postage stamps

Dauntless

I like having a 3-day weekend! Today I got some of my steps in by walking to the movie theater to see "Divergent".

• I have respected Shailene Woodley's acting talent since I saw her in "The Descendants".  She did a great job here, too.
• Four.  Hummina.  Hello, Theo James!
• "I don't want to be just one thing. I can't be. I want to be brave, and I want to be selfless, intelligent, and honest and kind. Well, I'm still working on kind."
• Ashley Judd, taking names.  I like that she plays strong characters.
• Tony Goldwyn still makes me think that he's going to have Patrick Swayze killed, so I still think he's sinister, even when he's not.  Sorry, Tony!
• Dude, what is it with this film and the cutting of the hands?!
• I wonder what I would have done in Tris' place when it came to choosing her faction, as well as facing her fears.  I guess I'd like to think that I'd be brave, but would I leave my faction?  I don't know.  
• The way their tattoos were applied, it didn't seem painful.  I know that all of that detail and the very dark, filled-in tattoos actually hurt the way they're done in our current world.
• I guess I have another book series that I need to read.  I really liked the premise, and I'm looking forward to more installments.
• What is beyond the Chicago gates?  Interesting.
• Hey, that's my friend's sister Sophia Lo in the credits! She did digital composition.  Yay, Sophia!!!
• According to the site's aptitude test, I am Divergent, scoring highest for Amity (kind) and Dauntless (brave).  Hey, maybe I *am* brave, after all!
• For the record, in order of the highest scoring faction to the lowest:
• Amity (kind)
• Dauntless (brave)
• Erudite (intelligent)
• Candor (truthful)
• Abnegation (selfless)
• (Erudite and Candor were almost a tie)

Simple Gifts 03/30/14

Simple Gifts
Sunday, March 30, 2014

Hugh Jackman, singing as Wolverine via the music of Les Miz.

Simple Gifts 03/29/14

Simple Gifts
Saturday, March 29, 2014

The beautiful, baby-filled belly of my godsister.  

Simple Gifts 03/28/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, March 28, 2014

Another person on my team said that my staff loves me.

Simple Gifts 03/27/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, March 27, 2014

Happy Hour laughter with some of my favorite co-workers

Simple Gifts 03/26/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, March 26, 2014

My favorite part of a rainy day: when the clouds open up and rays of sunshine beam through.

Simple Gifts 03/25/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Perfect weather for a good walk.

Simple Gifts 03/24/14

Simple Gifts
Monday, March 24, 2014

An employee telling me that I'm the best manager she ever had. 

Little does she know how much that means to me at the moment.

Simple Gifts 03/23/14

Simple Gifts
Sunday, March 23, 2014

The ability to stand for 6 hours of volunteering.

Congrats to Monrovia HS Color Guard and Arcadia HS World Guard for placing 1st in their divisions!

Simple Gifts 03/22/14

Simple Gifts
Saturday, March 22, 2014

Upside-down pictures of hanging bats = Bat Dance Off

Simple Gifts 03/21/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, March 21, 2014

March Madness Brackets fun spreading to drum corps shows and Disney theme parks

Simple Gifts 03/20/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, March 20, 2014

The wagging tail and happy sprint of lost dog Princess when she saw her owner's car today.  

Simple Gifts 03/19/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Absentees mean that I get to have lunch with a co-worker that is usually with those absentees.

Simple Gifts 03/18/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, March 18, 2014

A heartwarming music club meeting, which included an inspirational story of a volunteer being thanked, one by one, by students with flowers and a word that describes her; as well as a thank you from the orchestra director, for the music club's support through his recovery from heart surgery.  Tears!

Simple Gifts 03/17/14

Simple Gifts
Monday, March 17, 2014

Star Wars: Tiny Death Star

Simple Gifts 03/16/14

Simple Gifts
Sunday, March 16, 2014

A nice note of thanks in the church bulletin.  

Simple Gifts 03/15/14

Simple Gifts
Saturday, March 15, 2014

A quiet day at home, catching up with some of my shows

DLR LotD 03/14/14

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Friday, March 14, 2014

"I feel like I'm on a Disneyland commercial!" -- girl sitting behind me, on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Simple Gifts 03/14/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, March 14, 2014

Annual Passholder Preview of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad's return

Simple Gifts 03/13/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, March 13, 2014

LEGO Master Builders

9/11 Memorial under construction in LEGO NYC

Simple Gifts 03/12/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Girl Time with my sister-in-law

Thanks for a great Spa Day, V!

Simple Gifts 03/11/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, March 11, 2014

The nephew wanting to ride stuff with me at the Disneyland Resort

Astro Blasters

DLR LotD 03/11/14

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

"This is a special place." -- Miss O, at the lounge

Simple Gifts 03/10/14

Simple Gifts
Monday, March 10, 2014

Getting Facebook likes on my photos from members of Rockapella when they're not even tagged in or featured in those photos.  

Simple Gifts 03/09/14

Simple Gifts
Sunday, March 9, 2014

Liking most of the teams on The Amazing Race All Stars.

Simple Gifts 03/08/14

Simple Gifts
Saturday, March 8, 2014

Strawberry Donuts at The Donut Man

Jean Bon Bon = 24601

O.M.G.  L O V E !!!

"More singing?"

Simple Gifts 03/07/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, March 7, 2014

Making pacts with fellow interviewee friends

Simple Gifts 03/06/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, March 6, 2014

Chatting with an old friend after our Zumba class.

Chrissy was my very first friend at our elementary school.  I had joined Highland Oaks in the 4th grade, and was a bit scared to meet people on the first day of school.  She doesn't remember the gesture, but that day, she introduced herself to me, and  then proceeded to introduce me to everyone in our class.  It is thanks to her example of kindness that I introduce myself to new members of whatever group I'm in at the time.   

Simple Gifts 03/05/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Drum Corps show announcements time!

DLR LotD 03/04/14

Disneyland Resort

Line of the Day

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

"Fare thee well, my nameless friends." -- Thor, at Innoventions

Carl Howard III, Sheril, and Mawnekah

Simple Gifts 03/04/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Being treated to special offerings from the chef at our favorite restaurant. 

Happy Birthday, Cindy!

Simple Gifts 03/03/14

Simple Gifts
Monday, March 3, 2014

The Sarah Michelle Gellar Reddit AMA

"Excuse me, my husband is a JEDI!"  
Also, she chose Angel.  That's my girl.  

Simple Gifts 03/02/14

Simple Gifts
Sunday, March 2, 2014

Seeing my friend on TV at the Oscars

Toujours Belle

Last night, I saw Susan Egan in her "The Belle of Broadway" show at the Arcadia High School Performing Arts Center.  I had seen Ms. Egan as Belle in "Beauty and the Beast" at the Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles.  I miss that theatre.  I bought my tickets through Goldstar, and my seat ended up being in the 5th row, center.  Nice!

Set List that I can remember (she changed up stuff from that which was printed in the program):

• Broadway Medley-- We were introduced to accompanist Dr. Stephen Cook, whom had an illness recently that led to an ear infection that ruptured his eardrum.  OUCH!  So he was playing with one ear, and the monitor was set up for him to listen on the side with the ear that worked.  Poor thing.  SE talked about working with the Arcadia High School theater students in the past couple of weeks, and that they are the future of theater.  
• My Lifelong Love -- This song was written by one of SE's favorite composers, Georgia Stitt.  SE said that she joined musical theater so that she could meet boys.  I love the lyrics of this song, as she goes through joining the band to be near the smartest boy in class, and at the end, she realizes that it's the music that is her lifelong love.  I loved it so much that I went home and bought the song, sung by Jesse Tyler Ferguson, from Ms. Stitt's CD.  
• Almost There/NYC -- SE talked about going to New York City upon the urging of a teacher.  Songs were from "Princess and the Frog" and "Annie".
• Show People -- from AHS' upcoming production of "Curtains", a show which I've never seen, but SE states is hilarious and an uptake on "Oklahoma", sung by Arcadia Stage.
•  Maybe This Time -- from "Cabaret".  SE states that she was the longest-running Sally Bowles, mainly because the other people whom played the part were big movie stars and had other things to do.  She said that this song means a lot to her because at the time she performed it, she was going through the same things as Sally, being young and looking for love.
• Disney Heroine Medley -- SE talked about how she liked that the more recent Disney heroines didn't wait around to be saved by a guy, and did OK doing their own thing and saving the world on her own.  She talked about "Frozen" and how her girls won't stop singing it.  The medley included Part of Your World, A Whole New World, and Colors of the Wind.  As soon as the intro to Ariel's song started, I beamed, and SE did not let me down.  It was just gorgeous and I cried Sherry-loves-this-song-too-much tears.  I don't think I was the only one who wondered, though, "No Belle song?"  
• I Won't Say I'm In Love -- SE said that Disney actresses had their signature part, like Jodi Benson had Ariel, Judy Kuhn had Pocahontas, Paige O'Hara had Belle, and Lea Salonga had Jasmine AND Mulan.  "I hate her," she said playfully.  At the time that Disney was auditioning for the part of Megara, they were casting someone who could be Barbara Stanwycks' The Lady Eve.  Since SE had seen every old movie from the 30s and 40s, she knew exactly the cadence of speech that they were looking for.  But since she was playing Belle at the time, they didn't want her to audition.  She kept pressing on until they finally let her audition so that she wouldn't annoy them anymore with her pleading.  She walked into the studio and all of their heads were down, looking at the drawing of Meg, not looking up, so that they would only hear the voice that they hoped would match the drawing.  SE recited the audition line, which was Meg's introduction to Hercules.  One by one, each head popped up and they said, "Susan?!"  11 months later, she got the part.  Things take so long in animation that Michael Eisner saw SE on the Disney lot 9 months after the audition and told her that he heard her tape and she was great.  So here was Megara, and she had a great heroine song, but they realized that this wasn't Meg's personality, so they cut it (ooh, I found it!).  Instead, they had her sing a song of being in denial.  Some of the girls from Arcadia Stage joined her as they played the Muses.  
• You Can't Stop the Beat -- sung by SE with Arcadia Stage.  She also calls it "You Can't Stop to Breathe".  :)

INTERMISSION

• Wide Open Spaces -- from "Curtains", performed by Arcadia Stage
• Everybody Says Don't --  from "Anyone Can Whistle"
• Secret of Happiness -- very pretty song, from "Daddy Long Legs"
• If I Only Had A Brain / Lion Tamer  -- from "The Wizard of Oz" and Stephen Schwartz.  I had never heard Lion Tamer before.  
• (a song about pretending to like things that a boy likes because she likes him)  SE: "Remember when I said that I joined musical theatre to meet boys?"  Laughter ensued.  She said that she went out with anyone whom would ask her out just so that she could see if she would fall in love, and she did whatever they did so that she could expand her horizons.  I wish I knew the title of this song, wherein she pretended to like opera, skiing and sushi.  It was funny.
• For Good -- from "Wicked".  SE sang with this with Alana Deblase a senior at AHS.  Alana was dressed in green (Elphaba!), and she was really, really good.  The future of Broadway.  
• Baby Mine / Nina Doesn't Care -- the first song from "Dumbo", the second an original by Ms. Egan.  SE said that she searched the musical theater library and the Disney library for Mom songs, but all she could find was the mom in Gypsy (not a good role model), and one sung by an elephant.  Disney moms either die or are already dead by the time the story starts.  So she wrote her own, about her daughter.  It's funny and touching, and there I went, crying again.  Here's the official video.

• I Dreamed A Dream -- from "Les Miserables".  This was Susan's favorite musical, and she was going to be Fantine on tour, but she also got a television role, and they paid more.  She was hilarious when talking about the role of Fantine, because you start off all depressing, sing your song, die, sit backstage for 2 hours, then come out for one song to tell Valjean that it's great on the other side, and then you get to be 3rd last at curtain call.  I would have loved to hear her sing this in my favorite show.  She shared that the musical theater community was amused when the big deal about the movie was that they were all singing LIVE on camera.  "We do that EIGHT TIMES A WEEK."  
• Seasons of Love -- from "RENT", sung by Arcadia Stage.  One of the girls was clearly upset during this song, but she was fine when it was over and her friend hugged her.  I wonder what that story was all about.
• Belle -- sung by SE with Arcadia Stage.  A video played behind them, which was off-center, then when they finally fixed it and played it again, the song was almost over, and SE talked about the people we were seeing.  APPARENTLY, Burke Moses actually WAS Gaston, because on opening night, he gave her flowers with the note, "It's been your pleasure".  Ha!  This April will mark 20 years since "Beauty and the Beast" premiered, and she will be at the big anniversary in NYC.

ENCORE

• Momsense -- Hilarious, to the tune of the William Tell Overture.

MEET AND GREET

I was in line in front of two theater people, one whom has played Belle and was understandably nervous to meet Susan Egan, and the other whom was just really loud and my ear was still in pain for an hour or two after leaving the theater.  

Ms. Egan signed my program (I kicked myself for not bringing my CD or $ to purchase one there), and I told her that my 4-year-old niece sings "Home" at least twice a day.  She thought that was awesome and sweet, and then she lamented that her daughters had never even heard the song.  I told her that she should really play it for them because it's a great song and she sings it beautifully.  She took a selfie with me (I didn't know how to work it on my phone, so she fixed it for me, and now I know!).  She's amazing in so many ways!  Thanks for such a great show, Susan!!!

Sher Dreaming of Susan singing "Home" with her

Human Interest Story

The last of the 9 Academy Award Best Picture nominees:  "Philomena".

• Judi Dench reminds me of my friend Kathie from church.
• How can Steve Coogan's character not believe in God?  He's Sexy Jesus!
• Loved the performances from both actors.
• I think I cried more during this movie than any of the other 8 films.  Or maybe as much as when I watched "12 Years A Slave".  I laughed more while watching this movie than the other one, though.
• "What about Anne Boleyn?  That's a lovely name, but somebody already had that, of course."
• They did a really good job finding a person who looks like she could be a young Judi Dench.
• The Jayne Mansfield/Jane Russell discussion was hilarious.
• "What if he's obese?!"...."Because of the size of the portions!"
• She has a titanium hip, like my mom!
• Beautiful cinematography.  I was especially impressed with the images of the convent in the winter.
• "F**k**g Catholics."

I'm glad that this was the final movie of the bunch for me.  It was wonderful, and I like finishing on a high note.

Simple Gifts 03/01/14

Simple Gifts
Saturday, March 1, 2014

Live tweet sessions and Meet and Greets

Gimme Drugs

A little fall of rain can't stop me from my quest of seeing all 9 of this year's Best Picture nominees.  Last night, I trekked on to Pasadena to see "Dallas Buyers Club".

• Great performances by Jared Leto and Matthew McConaughey.
• They both got so very thin, though.  Yikes.
• Before the thinness, though, Rayon was pretty.
• Dude, that cell phone was HUGE.
• Those butterflies looked like monarchs, but the caterpillar didn't.  
• Interesting to see Ron's perspective about the gay community change during his ordeal.
• "Watch what you eat and who you eat."
• "I prefer to die with my boots on."
• "God sure was dressing the wrong doll when he blessed you with a set of balls."
• So did he go back and do more bull riding later on.
• My favorite part was when he got the house.  Just sweet.

Simple Gifts 2/28/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, February 28, 2014

A brother whom was there with me for all of the first experiences of my obsessions: Rockapella, Drum Corps International, and the Disneyland Annual Passport.

Yup, they're all his fault.

Happy Birthday, Bro!!!

Bro on his Wedding Day

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