Let The Party Begin!

Puerto Rico Trip

Day 1

Friday, January 18, 2019

It's birthday vacation time!

I realized that I forgot Bananaman and was sad that he would be alone on my birthday, but then he would have been another thing to pack and I'm pretty sure I had enough to worry about, what with all of the different kinds of outfits  I brought since I didn't know what we'd be doing outside of the main event.  I plan to make up for the lack of Bananaman pictures by taking pictures of other bananas and plantains.  Somehow, I"ll make up for this to Bananaman when I get home.

I stayed at Bro's house the night before so that we could wake up in the wee early hours of the morning to get to LAX for our 7:45 a.m. flight.  V belongs to the Admirals Club, so we enjoyed our free breakfast there while we waited to board the plane.  

Before Dawn

Good morning, Tower!

We had individual video screens at our seats, so all 3 of us watched movies instead of sleeping.  I watched "BlacKkKlansman" and "Tag", both of which I wasn't able to catch while they were in theaters.  It really helped pass the time for an approximately 5-hour flight.  If only the flight attendants had been a little bit friendly to make it even more pleasant, then it would have been a wonderful flight. I think that maybe with everyone looking at their screens, the attendants don't feel like they need to be personable with the people on the plane.  There I go with my psychological theories again.

Window View

Good Afternoon, Miami!

We landed in Miami and had snacks at the Admirals Club.  I like this Admirals Club thing!  I enjoyed their carrot soup and the roasted red pepper hummus.  We didn't get to spend as much time there as we did at LAX because we were between flights, but it was nice to get some free food.  None of us splurged on the menu items that were not complimentary.

View from AC

While waiting for our flight, I thought of getting empanadas at a Cuban place adjacent to our gate, but decided against it.  It's a good thing, too, because we were seated next to the bulkhead, which meant that we didn't have any space in front of us where we could put our smaller carry-on items.  This flight, although we didn't have individual screens, was still enjoyable because we were able to chat with the flight attendant whom sat down in the aisle next to V during takeoff and landing.  She asked if we were going on a cruise, and we told her the reason for our trip.  She got really excited for us, and told us about other people whom had made the journey in the last week or so.  She also told us that they were holding an annual fiesta in town, which lasts until Sunday, so we picked the perfect weekend to go to PR.  V told her that it was my birthday the next day, and she sweetly wished me a Happy Birthday when we deplaned.  She told V, "Let the party begin!"

The baggage carousel was sponsored by a casino and looked like a roulette wheel.  Bro said that we should bet on whatever number we found my bag, which ended up being MY number!  

Are they trying to tell me that the chances of my bag
 getting here is like a roulette game?

After I got my bag
V moved the other one so I could take this pic

We tried to catch an Uber or Lyft, but that is not available here, so we got in line for a taxi.  We told the taxi company rep how many people were riding, where we were going, and how many bags.  This helps her determine the fare, which she checked off on a sheet of paper so that we would know what to pay once we arrived.  I tried to give the taxi driver a $4 tip, but he didn't have the appropriate change, so he ended up with $3.  Oh well.

We checked in and I ate my free cookie, then we went to dinner downstairs at Cafe Pierre.  I enjoyed my Old Harbor Stout, which had a seasonal flavor of white chocolate.  We also enjoyed our food: Ceviche and Plantain Chips, The Havana (Cuban sandwich), and Churrasco wrap.

The Havana

Ceviche and Plantain Chips

After dinner, we returned to our room and unpacked.  My bed is a Murphy bed, and the bathroom is too intimate for my liking.  (The door is glass and opaque, and the wall between the shower and the room is glass blocks).  While you can't really see anything, there is a lot of echo and you can hear everything that's going on in there.  Maybe if there was more buffer space between the bathroom and the beds, I would mind less, but the bathroom door opens from beside the bed. They couldn't have the door open to the little hallway?  Anyway, that's the worst part of the room for me so far.  

We Skyped with the kids and went to sleep a little bit after midnight, so Bro and V wished me a Happy Birthday.  Thank you!!!

Cheers to Puerto Rico!

Next up:  Birthday in San Juan

Don't You Forget About Bee

There's been so much going on in the last month or so that I wasn't sure I'd get to see "Bumblebee" while it was still in theaters.  But I did!

• AllSpark Productions!  Cool.
• Love the soundtrack!  Of course I do: I'm a child of the '80s.
• Oh, THAT'S how he lost his voice!  Origin story!
• WHY am I crying?  Isn't this a Transformers movie?  And why did I cry three times?
• Hailee Steinfeld is adorable. That shot of her cheek to cheek with Bumblebee should be framed and on her dresser.
• Hey, that tunnel looks really familiar.
• Otis kinda looks like what I imagine a young Tom Hiddleston looked like, with curly hair.
• "They literally said they were 'Decepticons'.  That doesn't raise any red flags for you at all?" 
• "I like the way they pop."
• "The darkest nights provide the brightest stars."
• I like that his screen is made of up of a honeycomb pattern.
• Why are bees making a hive on the car?  Do they do that in real life?
• "You mean you could have been a Camaro this whole time?!?"
• Love the Breakfast Club fist pump in response to the salute.
• Nice 'Vette, Charlie!

I really enjoyed this movie.  It's got heart, it's got action, and it's got '80s music!

Power Play

Today, I decided to see Christian Bale in "Vice".  I had been looking forward to seeing this movie since I saw the trailer, and based on his Golden Globes acceptance speech, what's better to see after a very inspirational hour of church?  

• So it's Batman from one universe, and Lois Lane from another universe, and I'm wondering if Superman from any universe is happy about this pairing.
• I do, however, like Adams and Bale together.  It reminded me of seeing them together in "American Hustle".
• My new theory is that the world might have been a better place if Lynne had dumped Dick and married someone else.
• Steve Carell had that Rumsfeld smile perfect.  It was kind of scary.
• I don't know enough history.  I had no idea that Cheney started as an intern at the NIxon White House.
• "So, what do we believe?"
• Bale, as usual, is outstanding in his portrayal of Cheney.  I wish he would stop doing such crazy things to his body, though, and let the makeup people do their work.  I know, I know:  METHOD.
• "We WEAR our bras!"
• I love the mid-film credits with the happily ever after...almost.
• "I need to go to the hospital."
• The scene with Alfred Molina as the waiter describing the menu was genius.
• Also genius: the Shakespeare scene.  That's right: SHAKESPEARE.
• That last scene, with Cheney breaking the fourth wall:  <shudder>  Dude, I did not choose you!

I really enjoyed this movie and its dark humor.  Great performances, and I liked the way the story was told.  Also, I learned stuff!

Street Smarts Rule

My friend Lori and I were having some girl time after church last week (she lives with 3 guys, so she welcomes this a LOT).  After brunch, we decided to see "Second Act".

• I don't know about that rainbow knit dress, JLo.
• Push it, push it good!  Wait, why did that scene happen?
• Figured out a major plot point and hit Lori before the actual reveal.  I don't usually do that, but I guess I was having an "aha!" moment and felt like sharing it.  (Not the group that performs "Take On Me").
• I wish JLo and Milo had more scenes together, because they were cute.
• "Our mistakes don't limit us; our fears do."
• I like Leah Remini, but I think there was a little too much botox going on here.
• "What did you mean by 'kinky'?"
• Do companies actually use that plant in their products?  Does the plant actually exist?
• Vanessa Hudgens is too pretty, like, for this world.

Cute movie, but not a must-see in my book.

DLR LotD 01/01/2019

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

"You should have this; you have the maid outfit." -- Cindy, to Glenn, at Catal

Happy New Year, everyone!

DLR LotD 12/31/18

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Monday, December 31, 2018

Special New Year's Eve at Catal Edition

First Course
"Spicy Squid Ink.  That's Sherry's jam." -- Cindy

Beef Carpaccio
Dungeness crab, caper creme fraiche, crispy potato

Second Course
"They made more girl dough than boy dough." -- Cindy

Dungeness Crab Cannelloni
stewed clams, ocean herbal broth, shaved fennel salad

Third Course
"That's where Tim's been this whole time: making bread." -- Sherry

Filet Mignon
roasted wild mushrooms, slow roasted onions,
green peppercorn sauce

Fourth Course
"Wait, make sure I don't have claw hand!" -- Sherry

Butterscotch Pot de Creme
buttermilk whipped cream, crushed amaretti

Trip A Little Light Fantastic

Today I wore my "Step In Time" shirt from The Academy's Mary Poppins-themed show for "Mary Poppins Returns".  I don't know what was going on with me today, but I then proceeded to stop paying attention to the drink machine and spilled all over the place, ice and all.  Embarrassing.  Then the mustard wasn't dispensing correctly and I worried that I would get it all over my shirt.  It didn't happen, thank goodness, and I made my way to the top row in the Dolby theater, which I had all to myself!  Nice!  I should have put something on each chair just because I could, but then I'd have to pick it all up later, so never mind.

New trailers to me today:  Avengers 4 (no, I did not watch it when it was first released online), and The Lion King. Oh, and Find Bernadette.  I wasn't paying attention to that one, so I don't know yet if I want to see it, but I am looking forward to the other two.  The Lion King already had me teary, as it always does with that opening music.

On to the Poppins!

• Nice castle logo set in London.
• I'm going to blame TLK for getting me prepped for all of the emotion, because I almost started crying at just the first song.
• And then Michael sang his song, and I reached for a tissue because I didn't want to look like a mess after this movie since I had other stuff to do.  
• Then he threw away the snowglobe (with the Votes for Women sash on the kite!) and that did not help my sadness.
• I liked all of the music, and I really liked how they interspersed elements of the score from the original film. I almost lost it completely when I heard "Feed the Birds".
• Oh, that lady asking for directions was the original Jane?!?!
• "One thing you should know about Mary Poppins: she never explains anything."
• I figured the books in "A Cover is Not the Book" must have had something to do with P.L. Travers.  It turns out that they were chapters in "Mary Poppins".
• I beamed when I saw that Jack was calling his fellow leeries because I knew that meant a "Step in Time"-like segment was coming.  I was not disappointed!  Loved seeing some of the SiT choreography in there, too!
• Emily Blunt was practically perfect in every way as MP.  I loved all of her little looks and her fake denials of the ridiculous things the children claimed to happen.
• Nice detail during the segment on the cup, and I loved how the clothes looked like they were drawn instead of sewn.
• I would like to have a copy of Mary Poppins' shoes, please.
• I think I need to play Topsy's song on Topsy Turvy Day in a couple of weeks.
• "When the world turns upside down, the best thing is to turn right along with it."
• The original set paintings!  Still gorgeous, especially that last shot as she flies away.
• Oh, that "The Place Where Lost Things Go" song put me over the edge and soaked my tissue, especially when the kids sang it to Michael.
• "Nothing's gone forever, only out of place."
• It's just not Mary Poppins without Nackvid Keyed, and I'm glad he was there and dancing!

What a beautiful movie!  I need to get that soundtrack so I can keep on crying.

Permission to Come Aboard?

I stayed at Bro's house last night after Tita and Me day with Miss O, and forgot to pack my Wonder Woman paraphernalia to support her Justice League buddy, "Aquaman" today.  I did, however, remember my "Shape of Water" shirt, so I wore that and my Little Mermaid shoes.  Still in theme!

• Love the logo and the comics being underwater.
• Helloooo, Jason Momoa! (to be recited in Dot's voice)  I remember being in the same room as him at Dallas Comic Con.  He is a sight to behold.
• "It's Fish MAN.  What do you want?"
• "I am Arthur.  Of Lighthouse."
• Hey, I know that newscaster guy!  He's from KTLA.
• Mera reminds me of Ariel because of her hair, and the green outfit, and the whole sea thing.
• Ooh, Mera's gown was so pretty!  Nice effect with the jellyfish!
• Atlantis is beautiful and I love all of the bioluminescence!
• "Something something trident."
• Oh, THAT'S why his eyes glow like that.  I love origin stories.
• "I already got one of those."
• I love that Mera and Atlanna are so kickass.
• I would like to ride on a giant seahorse, please.
• "I got this from 'Pinocchio'."
• I don't understand why those guys in the red armor needed to breathe in water, but the others didn't.
• The slide in the desert reminded me of The Goonies.
• Yes!  Octopus playing the drums!  That makes for awesome drum solos!
• Oh!  The rightful King.  King Arthur. Excalibur Trident.  I GET IT!!

That was fun.  Maybe I'll get an Atlantean insignia now.

DLR LotD 12/20/18

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Thursday, December 20, 2018

"I didn't used to like this ride, but I think I like it now because now I know how to swim." -- Miss O, on It's a Small World Holiday

Happy 9th Birthday, Miss O!

As You Wish, Deadpool

It's a Marvel Movie weekend!  I saw "Once Upon a Deadpool" on Sunday..

• "The only f-bomb we're using around here is 'Fred Savage'."
• "Where are my pants?!"
• Say it!  "Is this a kissing book?"
• "No, you've been involuntary relocated."
• "Whoa, you fridged Vanessa?"
• Deadpool in button-down shirt, putting velcro labels on food!
• "How did you get Brad Pitt?!"  "Same way we got you."
• "I love after-credits scenes!  It feels so private! You know something. You stayed."
• Aw, Stan.  You did write some good stories.  Thank you.

Merry Christmas, Fred and Deadpool!

He's Got Radioactive Blood

Yay!  It's finally opening weekend for "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse"!!!

• Nice pixelated Columbia logo!
• "Let's start at the beginning one last time..."
• I love how the film plays with the different renditions of Spidey through the parallel universes.
• "I don't think you know what puberty is."
• "The costume always fits...eventually."
• "Child dressed in a Spider-man costume, dragging dead hobo through the streets..."
• "...I'm going to grab a bagel..."
• I don't know why Spider-Ham didn't sing the Homer Simpson Spider-Pig song, because that would have been awesome.
• "Where is that wind coming from?  We're in a basement."
• "Blue? Purple."  "NO!"
• I love the way Miles designed his suit using spray paint.
• I really liked all of the comic book-style imagery.
• This Aunt May is soooo cool!  Yay, Lily Tomlin!
• Fun seeing Peter B Parker and Miles walking up and down the sides of the buildings.
• "Can he say that?  Legally?"
• "What's 'Comic Con'?"
• "Take that off, show some respect.  Spider-man does NOT wear a cape."
• Excellent throwback to the 1967 show.

This film did not disappoint.  I hope it sticks around in the theaters for a while so I can see it again on the big screen.  He is, after all, my favorite Stan Lee creation.  

Thank you for bringing Spider-man to the world, Stan.  Excelsior!

This Is A Story About A Thief

I saw "Robin Hood" this weekend.  Not the animated film which I think I've never seen in its entirety, not the musical, and not Russell Crowe's film, which I've never seen and might not ever see, but I don't know.  The one with Taron Egerton.

• Why do I love seeing archery fights so much?  I guess because they require more skill than guns.  Awesome arrow work, especially during the training session.
• Always enjoy seeing Ben Mendelsohn as a baddie.
• What I love about Marian is that she's not stupid.  "Well, it fooled everybody else!"
• OK, so I get that Jamie Foxx is John, but when do they start calling him "Little John"? Because he doesn't seem shorter than Robin.
• I don't remember Little John having only one hand in the other stories.
• I really liked Tim Minchin as Friar Tuck, mostly because of his humor.
• Oh, that's how I know Jamie Dornan!  He was the Huntsman in Once Upon A Time.  
• All of the people wearing the hoods reminded me of the scene in "The Three Amigos".
• Hmmm...looks like this is set up to be the first of a series.  I guess it makes sense that someone needed to become the new Sheriff of Nottingham.  I can go with that.  Origin story!

I'm glad I got to see this in the theater, because I really did enjoy the action scenes.  

Doing It For Themselves

I was looking forward to seeing "Widows" when I saw the trailers, and was happy to get a chance to see it last week.

• Oh, Viola Davis.  You are the best at expressing raw emotion.  That primal scream that you needed to let out just told it all.
• So this whole gangsters-and-politicians thing.  Is that in every big city?  Does it happen in small towns, too?  Yes, I already knew about Chicago gangsters.
• Dude was going to get my forever hate if he had killed the dog.
• Robert Duvall can still play a real a$$hole at his advanced age.  I wanted to trip him.
• Hey, I know that lady!  She can SAING!
• Daniel Kaluuya's character frightened me and made me want to hypnotize him back to being a good guy.  Would you like a cup of tea?
• Movies teach me things.  Next time I want to have a private conversation in a sauna, I'm going to add lots of water to the hot rocks.
• Me:  "Wait.  What is HE doing there?"
• Me later: "Ohhhhh...."
• Love what Veronica did with her share of the money.

That was quite a ride!

DLR LotD 12/09/18

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Sunday, December 9, 2018

"He's in Heaven Jail." -- Cindy, to Sherry, at It's a Small World Holiday

Wreck It 2: The Internet Bugaloo

I saw "Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph " on opening weekend with Linda and Glenndy.  Glenndy had already seen it, and wanted to see it again so they decided to accompany us.  There was a man in the audience dressed as Ralph, and his daughter was dressed as Vanellope.  At first, I didn't recognize the outfit, and was, like, "What the?"  Linda told me he was dressed as Ralph, and not Jethro from the Beverly Hillbillies.

• Love that opening castle logo!  I wish it had digital rain like on my Disney Emoji Blitz game.
• Funny seeing Felix and Calhoun with all of their new Sugar Rush kids.
• Wonder Woman leads a gang and is an awesome street car driver.
• My favorite scene, of course, involves Ariel.  I bought pajamas of the outfit she was wearing as soon as I got paid.  I also already have the little Funko figurine because I saw it when I was in the movie theater today.
• Those princesses, I love them.
• "Are you guys okay? Should I call the police?"
• "We can't understand her."  "She's from the other studio."
• "The reason I came to your neck of the face..."
• The build-up to "A Place Called Slaughter Race" is hilarious!
• That's a lot of Jethros.
• Being Rick Rolled was much better than seeing a sneak of Frozen 2.
• Pancake, Milkshake, Pancake, Pancake, Pancake

Oh, no!  Another movie I want to see again before it leaves theaters.  When am I going to find all of this time?

Wands Ready

I wore my Hogwarts sweatshirt when I went to the theater to see "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald".  I also wore my Oreoboros shirt because I'm Slytherin house, and the shirt not only has a snake on it, it's green!

• I don't know why anyone thinks they can just transport Grindelwald without someone using polyjuice potion.
• Let me open my dress so you can enter the Wizarding World.
• I really like the beasts in this series, and in this film my favorites are the Scottish Kelpie and the Chinese Zouwu.  Their movements must have been really difficult to create.
• The other reason for the shirt: the reveal of Nagini, which I already knew about because I saw a spoiler.
• "Her eyes are like a salamander's."
• I love the casting of Jude Law as young Dumbledore!  
• Aw, Leta.  Interesting that she's so different from Bellatrix and doesn't seem prejudiced against those whom aren't purebloods.
• There has always been a storyline about purebloods versus muggles since the Potter series, but in this series, it's much more pronounced.  I find the issue of this brand of racism even more interesting given today's political environment.  
• I'm looking forward to seeing how Dumbledore and Grindelwald came to the point of being "closer than brothers".  
• That last reveal, though: it BLEW MY MIND.  The next film can't come soon enough!  

Great movie.  I hope I can see it again before it leaves theaters.

Everything

I saw "Beautiful Boy" a couple of weeks ago.

• Timothee Chalamet slays me, man.  How is he so brilliant?
• I know parents would do anything for their kids, even going out into the pouring rain to find them all drugged out in alleys.  Steve Carell does a great job of portraying one of those parents.  
• I think that what really got to me was the flashbacks to Nic as a child.  I mean, you really don't know when a kid is so small that they're going to end up this way, and all a parent can think sometimes is "What happened to that kid?"  How do you deal with that huge change?  
• It's Steve and Amy, together again!  Aw, I miss "The Office".
• I kind of wish we had seen more of Maura Tierney's character's struggle.  What would she have said if she had caught up with Nic when she was following him in the minivan?  I don't really know.
• I had no idea that this was based on books written by father and son David and Nic Scheff until I saw the credits.  Very interesting how they were able to put both sides together.
• "Let it Enfold You" was the poem recited during the credits.  I need to read that because I don't think he had enough time to read the whole thing.
• "Do you know how much I love you?  I love you more than everything."  Oh, dammit, I'm crying again.

So, well, yes, I cried buckets of tears.  I really liked this movie, although I think it would be too painful for me to watch several times.  

DLR LotD 12/01/18

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Saturday, December 1, 2018

"...and a baby was consumed...no, not consumed...CONCEIVED in the womb of his mother, Mary." -- Chris Pratt, at Candlelight

Candleholder

Pratt Pratt Pratt

Lantern holders

Candelight Choir

Candlelight Orchestra

The awesome ASL interpreter

Dapper Dan/m-pact member Drew,
singing "Silent Night"

DLR LotD 11/27/18

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Wednesday, November 27, 2018

"What is it about this ride that gives me such satisfaction?" -- Jennifer, at AstroBlasters

DLR LotD 11/11/18

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Sunday, November 11, 2018

"I don't like the word master ... macerate." -- Cindy, at Catal

Somebody to Love

I was going to attend "Day of Days" today at Universal CityWalk, but needed to run an errand in the morning, so I wasn't able to do so.  Instead, I saw "Bohemian Rhapsody" in Dolby while it was still available in that format.

• Nice instrumentation of the Fox Fanfare!  I was all smiles while it played.
• I didn't know that Freddie Mercury was a designer until today.  Well, that explains the outfits.
• Rami Malek's portrayal of Mercury was incredible.  Loved it.
• I tried to figure out who was playing Deacon for the entire movie, because I recognized his face.  Then I saw his name in the credits and realized it was because I know his face as a child.  Joseph Mazzello of "Jurassic Park", you are all grown up now!
• The scene with Mike Myers was great.  I loved the reference to kids not wanting to sit in their cars, banging their heads to "Bohemian Rhapsody".  Dude, that's WAYNE saying that!  Party on, Wayne.
• Oh, Mary, I feel your pain.  I cried through that whole scene, probably because it hit too close to home.  
• I cried a lot during this film. The first time was when the audience was singing "Love of My Life".  I'm glad the band talked about how that felt, because I have always wondered what it must feel like to hear thousands of people singing your song back to you.  I've always been amazed by anyone that can write an original song.  That is the height of creativity to me.
• I absolutely enjoyed the making of "Bohemian Rhapsody", especially the editing with the rooster crowing.
• "Who even is Galileo?"
• "It's America.  They're prudes in public and perverts in private."
• "You look like an angry lizard."
• "I am the lead singer, not the leader of the band."

I'm glad I saw the movie in Dolby.  The drum beats made my chair shake.  I really enjoyed the film and will probably see it a lot when it gets aired on TV.  Now I need to get some Queen CDs.  How is it that I don't have any yet?!?!

Still Scary After 40 Years

My friends and I decided to see "Halloween".  I wanted to see it in the daytime because I don't like walking out of a scary movie into darkness.  I brought Gloomy Bear to have something to squeeze when I got scared.  I learned this technique from Cindy, whom brought her tauntaun.  Linda brought Frankenweenie to keep within the holiday theme.

Our Protectors

• Dude, I don't know why people feel the need to antagonize serial killers.  Because they don't have enough reason to just up and kill you?
• Just because someone is paranoid doesn't mean that nobody is chasing after them.  I mean, did Karen not think that everything actually happened?  I'm glad she got her training, though.
• Why did he feel the need to drop all of the teeth in front of her in the bathroom?  I mean, were they a gift?  Eeewww.
• I think that it would be perfectly reasonable in Haddonfield to cancel Hallowe'en if their serial killer was on the loose again.  
• "No. He was not her brother, that's something that people made up."
• "Send Dave first!"
• So doctors just carry scalpels with them everywhere?  Even psychiatrists?  Hmmm...Maybe it's for protection during the therapy sessions.
• Michael is still alive, you know. They didn't shoot him to death, lop off his head, stake him through the heart, AND burn him.  So he ain't dead.

...and now I'm wondering if I'll be able to sleep soundly tonight.

Man And Symbiote Combined

Last night, I finally got a chance to see "Venom" while it is still in theaters.

• I like seeing Tom Hardy do humor.  I also like knowing that it's him before the ending credits roll.
• I really enjoyed the scene in the restaurant.  "That's dead."
• I don't think any kind of lawyer should give their laptop password to anyone else.  There is too much confidential material they use for their jobs.  So what I'm saying is that it's her fault that he saw the files.
• "I'm really sorry about your friends."
• Wouldn't the LIFE foundation have a ton of security cameras around?  How do they not know that it was Eddie who had the symbiote?
• "Mask!" "Copy!"
• So, when Venom eats a person, does Eddie taste that?  Because yuck.
• "Outstanding! Now, let’s bite off all their heads and pile them up in the corner."

That was fun.  I don't know who Woody Harrelson is playing in that credits scene, but he reminds me of The Simpsons' Sideshow Bob.  I'm looking forward to "Into the Spider-verse" even more than I already was due to that sneak peek!

Smallfoot Exists, Suckers!

I finally had a chance to see "Smallfoot" while it was still in theaters.  I saw some trailers that I hadn't seen before, and I liked hearing the reactions from the kids in the audience.

• Fun music.  I especially liked "Perfection".  So upbeat and happy!
• The scroll of Invisible Wisdom.  Ha!  "It's not wisdom, and it's definitely not invisible."
• It took me almost all the way through the movie by the time I noticed that the yeti do not have noses.
• I did, though, notice that they all had blue lips, like I would have if I lived in the cold like that.
• Love the imprint of Migo's face in the snow when the snowball rolled down the mountain.
• That rap!  Not very good lyrics, but it was Ice, Ice Baby.  Loved seeing the backup singers in the credits, too.  I think I would like backup singers the next time I karaoke.
• Yetis and bears understand each other, but yetis and humans need to communicate via sign language.  There's your nature lesson for the day.
• "Let it Lie".  Oh, now I get the title.  "Now you know, now you know, now you know..."
• Holy wowness!

That was fun.

DLR LotD 10/20/18

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Saturday, October 20, 2018

"Those are some pretty scary-looking nipples there." -- Glenn, at Steakhouse 55 Hallowe'en Tea

She Is Rich in Beauty

I went to the Walt Disney Concert Hall last week to watch Gustavo Dudamel conduct the L.A. Philharmonic for Sergei Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet".  This was my first concert to watch in the WDCH, and my ticket was only $20.00, so I was very excited!

I arrived early so that I could take the free tour of the hall, which is open to all ticketholders of the evening's show.  The guide showed us examples of Frank Gehry's different architectural decisions, such as his wanting to expose the structure as much as he could. 

All of the walls are curved, not straight.

 If you are able to walk up the five flights of stairs, you can also walk around outside the top of the hall.

 Lillian Disney loved gardens, and there is a garden that has been established as a State park, so anyone can enjoy it, not just concert goers.  The garden includes 6 types of trees, which all bloom at different times of the year so that whenever you visit, you'll see a tree with flowers in bloom. (One of the tour participants said that the lady who brought all of the trees to the hall saw trees in the gardens of people's homes, and asked if she could purchase them for the concert hall.)    There is a beautiful sculpture made of Delft porcelain called the "Lilly Rose".  Lillian and Walt collected items made of Delft porcelain. 

Closer look at the porcelain

Much of the architecture has elements of water / fish.

One of the only paintings in the hall,
with the blue as the Pacific Ocean

Fish shape above the third level walkway

After the tour, I ate a sandwich from one of the bars, and enjoyed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc as I listened to a talk about Prokofiev and the music being played tonight.

My seat was behind the orchestra, where the LA Master Chorale would normally sit during a performance.  I was really happy to get my seat because I'd be able to watch the maestro's facial expressions as he conducted the orchestra. 

   I was also in a great position to see the "french fry" pipes of the organ up close. 

 We were also behind the percussion section, so I could see some of the instruments that are normally blocked from view by the rest of the orchestra when you watch from the traditional vantage point.

Triangles of different sizes!

I was also in a great position to see the "french fry" pipes of the organ up close.  

I was in Orchestra Geek Heaven!  Even more so when the musicians took the stage, the concertmaster guided them to tune with each other, and Dudamel turned around to face them.  

I am familiar with some of the main themes of "Romeo and Juliet", although I had listened to it in its entirety.  I had also never seen the ballet (I've only seen "The Nutcracker").  The setting for this ballet was very interesting because the dancers didn't have a traditional-sized set, due to the orchestra taking up most of the stage.  The dancers also did not dance throughout the evening; instead, they danced through the major portions of the story, like the ball when R&J meet, the balcony scene, Romeo's fight with Mercutio, and the death scene.  (Oops!  SPOILERS!)  Rather than the traditional tutus and tights, the dancers wore more contemporary clothing, like flannel-looking outfits and modern street clothing, along with sneakers.  I figured it must be difficult to point one's toes in sneakers.  

At one point, the side doors opened, and a smaller ensemble played music from the wings of the stage.  Actually, I think it happened at two points, but I only noticed the music the second time.  I saw the doors open, and thought the dancers would enter the stage, but they didn't, so I guess that was the first time the small ensemble performed.  

An actual cameraman appeared on stage, and when he backed up into the wings, the dancers followed, and video was shown above me (behind the orchestra) and above the sound booth for us to see the dancers continue to dance in the backstage area.  It was amazing to see how they used the different areas of the WDCH for the dancing.  I was most impressed with the balcony scene, as Juliet led Romeo from behind my section into the garden where we had toured earlier. 

Where part of the pas de deux took place

The pas de deux was made even more gorgeous because of the beautiful natural scenery of the garden and the amazing architecture.  It was like the hall itself was a character in the ballet.  I loved it!  The death scene was appropriately performed by the dancers in the area below the stage as Romeo danced with a presumed-dead Juliet.  It was kind of odd but sad as she was lifted up like a rag doll.  Romeo brought her back to the stage and killed himself, then when Juliet woke up, she danced a beautiful solo and we got to see her facial expressions during bits of it, which was a nice touch.  

I recognized some of the musicians from seeing them perform at the Hollywood Bowl, like the trumpet soloist and the violin soloist from the John Williams concert.  I delighted in seeing the bow used in different ways, not just with the horsehair side, but also with the wood, as well as pizzicato.  I wished that I was the one playing all of those beautiful runs, difficult as they probably were.  I smiled when the percussionists got to play the triangle and the snare drum and the tympani...OK, every time they played.  

I was very aware that due to my seat almost straight across from the conductor, people in the audience could see me and it made me try to stay alert, even in the sleepy parts.  I was glad when the family seated next to me left at intermission because I don't know if they were aware of the people seeing us nor did they seem particularly educated about how long it takes to perform a ballet.  I wished that the women in front of me hadn't left because I needed to cover my legs lest I flash the audience if I uncrossed my ankles. This would have been OK had it not been hot due to the lights beamed on the orchestra. Whew, I was warm!

I had a wonderful time and look forward to the next time I get to experience a concert in the hall.  Maybe from a traditional view...but I'd be happy to see it from that same seat, too.   

Bravo!

“I have more care to stay than will to go.” -- Romeo, Romeo and Juliet

Never Stop Doing Right

Cindy had an extra ticket for a special screening of "The Hate U Give", and I was a willing recipient!  Yay for free popcorn and drinks, too.

• OK, I never knew that Tupac's Thug Life was an acronym for "The Hate U Give Little Infants F*cks Everybody.  Now I do, and you do, too!
• Amandla Stenberg does a fantastic job in this movie, covering all of the emotions of her character.
• "Sounds like Hailey saw 'Straight Outta Compton' again last night."
• K.J. Apa reminds me of a young version of Ty Burrell.  Oh, that's where I've seen him!  He's Archie on "Riverdale".  I've only seen one episode.
• "Hoedom is universal."
• "We've been together our whole lives, so we've still got time."
• "Don't let anybody make you be quiet."
• "If you don't see my blackness, then you don't see me."
• "Did Sekani know?"
• Russell Hornsby was also great as Starr's dad.  Actually, they all did a great job!
• "I would tell him to put his hands up."  Chilling.  The world is just wrong.
• I've been craving fried chicken ever since I saw the scene in the restaurant.
• I'm going to need to see Anthony Mackie as Falcon before I like him again, because he was not a nice person in this film.

Great, great movie with a powerful message. I'm adding the book to my reading list. Thank you, Cindy!

One Giant Leap

After getting some much-needed work done (yes, on a Sunday - ugh!), I rewarded myself by watching "First Man" in IMAX.

• Great sound effects.  I felt like I was in the spacecraft / aircraft, it was incredibly realistic.
• Very nice shot of the reflection of the horizon on Armstrong's helmet in the first scene.
• I knew that some men died in NASA's efforts to finally get to the moon, but I hadn't thought of how it must effect the other astronauts whenever it happened.  They were very brave to carry on toward the goal.
• Claire Foy did a great job of being the strong wife, afraid for her husband and for her kids.
• "Your dad's going to the moon."  "Ok.  Can I go play outside?"
• "Somebody got a Swiss Army knife?"
• Even Ryan Gosling's fingers are sexy.  There.  I said it.  Also, he's a great actor, and I cried along with him after the funeral.
• I especially liked the part of the score when they were piloting the Eagle: it was very intense, unlike the rest of the score, which was subdued.
• Love that they showed part of JFK's speech.  This video was shown in my leadership training earlier this year, exemplifying a leader with vision.  "We choose to go to the moon."  Quite inspirational.
• "We make all the mistakes down here so that we don't make them up there!"
• "Roger, Tranquility, we copy you on the ground. You've got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We're breathing again. Thanks a lot."

I wish that I could hear from my parents what they thought of the moon landing.  I asked them about it, and they said we had just immigrated and didn't own a TV or a radio.  I wish I could've told y'all that I was listening / watching along as a baby, but no.  I'll just have to make do with movies like this one, as well as the real footage.  What an amazing feat.

Check-In Time

This morning, I decided to see "Bad Times at the El Royale" after work tonight.  

• I knew this movie would be violent, but I still jumped at the sound of the first gunshot.  
• "What is this, some kind of pervert hotel?"
• I thought at first that Jon Hamm was going to be like Don fake Draper, then I realized that he was a good guy, and then I got sad.
• "Why have a bell?"
• For those of you that get confused, this Jeff is Bridges.  Not the other one.  He does a fine job, as usual, but I did want to hear him sing along when Darlene sang.
• Yes, I am willing to watch Chris Hemsworth walk around shirtless.  I will make that sacrifice.
• How?  How did this intense movie make me cry near the end?  
• I love hearing good singers sing a cappella.  Cynthia Ervio was great!
• I also enjoyed Lewis Pullman's Miles.  I couldn't figure out his deal at first, then it made sense to me and I liked him more. 
• Rose was creepy.  She didn't even cry about her sister, and she was wearing boots with what looked like a nightgown.
• Ah, there's the portion of the score we heard at the LOST concert, when they did an encore.  Nice.
• Loved hearing the different reactions from the audience throughout the film, because they mirrored my *gasp*, giggles, and "WHAT?!?!"

I enjoyed this movie, despite the creepy girl.  Great acting, great music, and lots of surprises.

Celestial Birth

The much-anticipated new "A Star Is Born" opened this weekend!  I wasn't able to see it until today, but was able to snag a seat to watch it in Dolby.

• I already knew Lady Gaga could sing, but WOW! She can act, too.  Splendidly.
• How is this possible?  Bradley Cooper was already an amazing actor.  Now he's directing, writing, producing this movie, singing, AND writing songs?!?!  He just couldn't stick with handsome?  AND he's Rocket?  WHAT?
• I love that Gaga was able to get her Little Monsters community into the film.
• "I think you might be a songwriter.  Don't worry, I won't tell anybody.  But I'm not very good at keeping secrets."
• "I'm wearing my Jackson titties!"
• Tears.  So. Many. Tears.  Some happy as dreams were achieved, some sad.
• Sam Elliot, I wanted to hear you sing, too.
• "The one I idolized was you."  Dammit, I'm crying again.
• "Music is essentially 12 notes between any octave.  12 notes in the octave repeats.  It's the same story told over and over.  All that the artist can offer the world is how they see those 12 notes."
• One of the first things I did when I got home was purchase the soundtrack on Amazon.  I really liked all of the songs.

Sigh.  I think it's better if I just keep listening to the soundtrack, and not watch the movie over and over because I might get dehydrated from all of the tears.  Loved it, though.

DLR LotD 10/07/18

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Saturday, October 7, 2018

"He tells his friends, 'My head will be in Genie's crotch tonight.'" -- Sherry, to Cindy, during Paint the Night