Da Pony Lion

A friend of mine sent me this video today which I am ashamed to say made me laugh until I cried. Normally, regular old cat videos make me laugh. After a long, strange week, I received this video and it made the day much better than it would have been otherwise.

My friend calls it "Da Pony Lion" because it was on German television and the first time he heard it, that was all he understood of the text.


Just wanted to share the laughs.

Jean

Wicked, Wicked, Wicked

And for a change of tone, "Seasons of Love" from "RENT" - a version I hadn't heard before. :)

It's Like Christmas in the Mail

This past weekend, I got a bunch of art supplies in the mail, I ordered a necklace from Etsy and I went onto Amazon.com and bought some books and the DVD of the 25th Anniversary of the stage production of "Phantom of the Opera".  It isn't my favorite show, but I like to support musical theatre offerings that are put onto DVD.

The package I got today was a stack of books. I'm actually kind of excited to read them even though they are certainly not fiction or "fun" books.  I've been struggling with doing art and lots of other things and I know that one of the barriers is my own perfectionism that really stops me in my tracks.  After seeing Brene Brown's TED talk on Vulnerability:



Or this one:



and after taking some of my classes this year and after signing up for "30 Days of Courage" in March, I felt something moving in me to explore perfectionism, vulnerability.  The books I ordered are "The Gifts of Imperfection" and "I Thought it Was Just Me: Telling the Truth about Perfectionism, Inadequacy and Power" by Brene Brown and "Loving What Is" by Byron Katie.  It feels scary to open up some of those doors, but I feel like I need to do that.  And it is kind of exciting at the same time - like I'm finding pieces of myself and putting them back in the right place.

I will try to post some pictures of the art supplies this weekend. We'll see if I can get the pictures to work for me.

Winter Cleanse

I literally started cleaning and going through stuff about 30 minutes after I got up today and I didn't stop until about 9:00pm.  So, in lieu of a thoughtful or humorous post, I offer this video from a slam poet about teachers.  Love it.

"Just The Way You Are" in ASL

I love this song and I love this guy's videos. Lovely.

Remembering 9/11

I just watched a Dateline that will air again on Sunday at 7:00pm PST remembering 9/11 through interviews from 2001 and today.  I didn't realize how fresh it all still seems. I haven't turned my attention here in a long time and yet, when I did, fresh tears and mourning for that day, those people, and for all that has happened since.

Here is a link to Dateline:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/vp/44462897#/44462820

I looked to see if it was a link to the specific videos or if it was just a "Dateline" link, but it was hard to tell (I prefer YouTube, but I'll take what I can get).  It is worth an hour of your time.

Video on Motivation

A person at work recommended this video to me. It is pretty cool.

Rant about Embedded Video Sizes

I don't know when YouTube changed the format of their videos so that when you embed them, they are huge. I can't figure out how to get them to be smaller. That is one reason I often post videos on the "Video Inspiration" page just so that they are in one place and they don't look so weird when they are bumped up against other posts.

That's all. That's my rant.

Waiting Gifts

When I arrived home today, I was struggling to get the key in the lock so that I could run to the restroom (special share, I know) when I spotted a package by the door.  It was my brand new copy of the "Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert" that I saw in the movie theatre a couple of months ago.  I'm SO EXCITED to watch it again.  I love that I live in a time when we can have the things we love so close by and easily accessed.

I have always been one of those people who would rather see a known, loved movie than a new movie, so DVDs and videos are perfect for me. I watch movies over and over and over again. I like the comfort of knowing what is coming, that if I fall asleep, I won't have missed anything, that I can watch it again later.  Musicals are particularly great for that.

If you want to watch a couple of clips from the concert, you can pop over to the Video Inspiration page. I think I have been pretty good about adding labels so the videos are easy to find.

Other tidbits:  I am thinking again about how much the blog has changed. Last year was pretty challenging and there were lots of things I couldn't really bring to this forum. I think I got used to talking about non-essential stuff, but now, sometimes, I feel shy about bringing things up but feeling like I want to do something more.  I'm working on getting over it. :)

I bring this up because I am currently taking a writing class and I am *considering* posting pieces from the class here. I haven't decided yet.  I barely decided to say something about my writing class - it felt like something I wanted to keep to myself for a little while, but I realized I might want to post some of the pieces, so I decided I would float it out there.

Rethinking my 2011 Word and More Ordinary Joy

I'm wondering if Ordinary Joy is going to be my phrase for 2011...it is resonating with me...I'm seeing it, feeling it all around me. Earlier in the day, I had a hard time thinking of a list...now I am seeing all kinds of things, feeling them. Tears, chills, love bursting from my heart for a song, for a person I've never met...  all of this constitutes joy, doesn't it? I think so...

On the Kennedy Center Honors tonight, Oprah Winfrey was honored. I was moved to see her story, to see pictures of her grandmother, to see her beginnings as Miss Fire Prevention, to hear the funny stories, to see Sidney Poitier getting older (as we all do). Then, Jennifer Hudson came on and sang "I'm Here" from Oprah's musical "The Color Purple".  Not only is the performance stunning, as Jennifer Hudson always is, but the lyrics moved me to tears. A world view, a knowing that is deep and truthful and yearning for believers. I believe.


Lyrics: (they print musical lyrics in all caps in the scripts...)
I DON'T NEED YOU TO LOVE ME,
I DON'T NEED YOU TO LOVE.
I GOT . . .
I GOT . . .
I GOT MY SISTER.
I CAN FEEL HER NOW,
SHE MAY NOT BE HERE, BUT SHE STILL MINE.
I KNOW SHE STILL LOVE ME.
GOT MY CHILDREN.
I CAN'T HOLD THEM NOW,
THEY MAY NOT BE HERE, BUT THEY STILL MINE.
I HOPE THEY KNOW I STILL LOVE THEM.
GOT MY HOUSE.
IT STILL KEEP THE COLD OUT.
GOT MY CHAIR
WHEN MY BODY CAN'T HOLD OUT.
GOT MY HANDS
DOIN' GOOD LIKE THEY S'POSE TO,
SHOWIN' MY HEART
TO THE FOLKS THAT I'M CLOSE TO.
GOT MY EYES.
THOUGH THEY DON'T SEE AS FAR NOW,
THEY SEE MORE 'BOUT HOW THINGS
REALLY ARE NOW . . .
I'M GONNA TAKE A DEEP BREATH.
GONNA HOLD MY HEAD UP.
GONNA PUT MY SHOULDERS BACK,
AND LOOK YOU STRAIGHT IN THE EYE.
I'M GONNA FLIRT WITH SOMEBODY
WHEN THEY WALK BY.
I'M GONNA SING OUT . . .
SING OUT.
I BELIEVE I HAVE INSIDE OF ME
EVERYTHING THAT I NEED TO LIVE A BOUNTIFUL LIFE.
WITH ALL THE LOVE ALIVE IN ME
I'LL STAND AS TALL AS THE TALLEST TREE.
AND I'M
THANKFUL FOR EVERYDAY THAT I'M GIVEN,
BOTH THE EASY AND HARD ONES I'M LIVIN'.
BUT MOST OF ALL
I'M THANKFUL FOR
LOVING WHO I REALLY AM.
I'M BEAUTIFUL.
YES, I'M BEAUTIFUL,
AND I'M HERE.

[Source of information - www.angelrecords.com/colorpurple/lyrics.pdf]

25th Anniversary Concert at O2 Movie Event

Now that I have time and a little more energy, I wanted to take some time to focus on the fantastic evening I had on Wednesday at the "Les Miserables" 25th Anniversary Concert movie event.  I LOVE Fathom Events - showing Opera, theatre, competitions, art events, anniversary showings of old films - what a fantastic idea! I love that someone thought of this. If people are able to see unfamiliar types of events for affordable prices, they might fall in love with an art genre that they would never have been exposed to otherwise. This goes back to the whole idea of listening to your parents music or to the radio - you hear things you might not choose to listen to but then you might be inspired to explore.  With iPods and headphones and backseat DVD players, there has to be another way to expose people to different types of entertainment, different music genres, etc.

The "Les Miserables" concert was beautifully filmed, beautifully staged and had an incredible cast of talented actors and singers.  The gentlemen who played Valjean, Javert, Thenardier and Enjolras were BRILLIANT singers. Lea Salonga was very good as Fantine - passionate, beautifully sung. The woman who played Eponine was outstanding. My favorite cast member in this production was the boy who played Gavroche. He was a FIRECRACKER!  Charisma poured out of him - he could act, he had great physical presence and he could sing. It made me long for the old "Little People" song from the original version of the show.

Even in concert version, I was moved to tears. Just being immersed in this beautiful show again was such a great experience. I found myself remembering moments in my life when those songs and the show were pivotal - lots of memories of Roby and NYC.  It felt like being at a live show. The audience was electrified, too. People clapped and cheered in the movie theatre and seemed very emotionally invested. It felt like a room full of people you know because we all shared one thing - love of this show.

After the curtain call, Cameron McIntosh came out and said a few words along with Alain Boubil and Jean-Michelle Schoenberg (the French composer and Lyricist) and Herbert Kretzmer (English language lyricist).  Then they brought out the 1985 Original London cast members.  Thankfully, Michael Ball was there (the BEST Marius ever cast in the role and still able to sing the part better than anyone else) and Colm Wilkinson.

The piece de resistance for me was having 4 different Jean Valjeans sing "Bring Him Home" together.  They had the current Valjeans from the Barbican and Queen's companies, Colm Wilkinson and the concert Valjean sing together. It is so beautiful. 

The Four Valjeans sing "Bring Him Home"


I really only had two complaints:

1.  I wish the entire show was still intact - this seemed to have some edits. I am hoping that most of the edits were for the concert and not permanent changes.

2. As I stated in a post a couple of days ago, Nick Jonas was not good. I felt badly for him - he was surrounded by these classical and clearly trained singer and he sounded like he had a clothespin on his nose.  His voice is much too thin for the part of Marius. Unfortunately, no one has ever been able to sing the part like Michael Ball could. I always thought it would be impossible for someone to sing Valjean as well as Colm Wilkinson, but I have never heard a bad Valjean. I definitely have my favorites, but I have never heard it sung badly - even in the high school production I interpreted.  Marius - that's a whole other story. From the original Broadway Marius (forever captured on the OBC recording and on the 1987 Tony Awards show performance) on down to this guy, the Marius' have been thin voiced and unconvincing. Shame, really, since he has some powerful music to sing.

Here is Michael Ball singing "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" from the 10th Anniversary concert:




Anyway, all in all, it was the highlight of my week. Actually, it was the highlight of the Fall for me, I think. I am hoping, hoping, hoping that this will be sold on DVD like the "RENT" Broadway closing DVD and all the other "Les Miserables" videos. I can't wait to have it in my hot little hands!

Art Saves Lives

This is an incredible video demonstrating the power of art and hope and showing the indominatable human spirit.

FWWE Day 6: It Does Get Better

You must read this.  If I thought I could do it better, I would try, but I can't.

Growing up in this world is hard enough, when you add any kind of difference, it just makes it that much harder. Roby was suicidal at times when he was a teenager. I never really understood that inclination - I just never considered suicide an option, but I alway had supports around me and that makes all the difference.

If you know someone who might need some support, reach out.  If you want to know more, check out Dan Savage's YouTube channel for "It Gets Better" - videos to reassure young people who are struggling with their sexuality or struggling with other people who are not accepting their sexuality.  I have seen some of the videos and they are really inspiring. Hopefully, lots of kids are getting the hope they need to get through the tough years.  Here is a story on Savage's idea.

This story was all over Facebook a couple of days ago. I started writing a post, but I think I wasn't quite ready to go there. Sorry for the delay.

Make a Pledge

I'm pretty sure I have written about this movie at least once before, but I decided to mention it again.

"Waiting for Superman" opened in New York and Los Angeles yesterday and will go into wider release in October. Aside from the fact that this is a compelling documentary that examines the current trajectory of American public schools, it is also an important film about social justice and the responsibility we all have as adults, as Americans, to educate our children and prepare them for a future that is becoming more complex all the time.

I cannot think of a more important film to see - regardless of your political leanings, regardless of your parental status. Whatever this film does, it will at least initiate a conversation about a topic that people don't really want to discuss, much less look at with any depth. I know that Oprah did a couple of shows in it this week and the Facebook CEO donated $100 Million dollars in a Challenge Grant to help schools in Newark, NJ.  The winds of change are blowing, but maybe if we help them along, they will get up to the force we need and really start transforming education for our children and for the fate of the country.

Here is a trailer to tempt you:


Here is a clip of an interview with a man named Geoffrey Canada who appears in the film and is helping to publicize this important issue. All four of his children have been or are attending public schools.


Pledge to see the film when it comes to your town. Portland, OR is #20 on the Pledge list.



**Please Note:  While this may be considered by some as a political issue (left vs. right, Progressives vs. Conservatives), I think it is an issue of what is best for children. I DON'T believe that privatization of all schools is the answer, I don't believe that Unions are to blame, I don't think that this is hopeless.

I worked in public schools for 9+ years in addition to my own public school experience. I know what a difference good teachers can make and I know how much damage bad teachers can do. I interpreted in a school where EVERYONE in the school, from the principal to the custodial staff, KNEW that the teacher in my classroom should have been put out to pasture YEARS earlier.  Not only was this person a poor leader, s/he was mean, ineffective and the students were afraid of him/her. When this teacher would start yelling at the students, the kids would start to eat each other alive when they realized they weren't the target. They were so relieved it wasn't them and so desperate to stay out of the line of fire, they would have thrown their best friend under the bus.

I know that special education is something that hasn't really been looked at carefully by charter schools and people who are interested in charter schools, but ultimately, this is something we have to start thinking about. We have to think about how many kids are in special education and we have to think about whether or not we are really serving this population of students effectively. One size doesn't fit all in these situations.

We have a real crisis. This movie opens a conversation. What are we willing to do? What are we willing to expect?  What are we hoping for our children? Our nation? That's why I'm interested in the movie, in the conversation. I am not here to bash teachers. I love teachers. Good teachers. Teachers who care. And most do. But we have a much bigger problem than that...

Friday Fragments

One of the blogs I enjoy visiting is Kristin's The Goat. She participates in a meme called "Friday Fragments" by Mrs. 4444.  Every once in a while, I really feel like I have a bunch of little things to post but nothing long enough to stand alone.  Today is one of those days, so I decided to join in the fun.

Mrs. 4444's Friday Fragments appear on her blog, Half-past Kissin' Time. Pop over and see her FF post today!

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Here is a link to a great blog post I read. I found it when I was linking Skirt! to my "Four Word Self Help" Blog Tour post yesterday. I think it is a common thread running through the minds of a lot of people out there. I don't even use Twitter and it tires me out...Facebook and I have a love/hate relationship. (I can't wait for the movie "Social Network" to come out - story of the Facebook creator(s).

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On a completely NOT related topic, I heard a bumper song on the radio several months ago and I didn't know the name or the performer, but it kind of pops into my head every so often. Every time I hear it, I remember the chorus, "Take me away, Take me away" (I suspect that is why it attracts me - sounds like a Calgon commercial). Well, I heard it while I was in my car about two days ago, I googled the words "Take me away" and came up with lots of things that WERE NOT the song I was looking for. I knew I would recognize it when I saw the performer...I mistakenly thought maybe it was sung by Nicole Scherzinger (sp) or a girl group or something. Finally, last night, I pulled up YouTube and it was the first song that showed up after I entered "Take Me Away" in the search. The song is called "Pocket Full of Sunshine" by Natasha Bedingfield. So I don't forget it again, I am posting the video here:

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As I listened to it last night, I realized that there is something I really like about her voice and I also listened to "Unwritten". I know the song was horribly overplayed, but I still like it.

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I found some NEON paint colors at Michael's last weekend, so I'm hoping to do some painting this week in one of my art journals. I have been too tired to do it this week, but I'm looking forward to the weekend and some time to make a mess!

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Friday Fragments is what is called a Blog Hop. I can't get the link to work right now, but I will keep trying and make the appropriate changes. Seems Mr. Computer is having some issues today.

Recognizing the Good

Here is a "flash mob" event that took place this past Saturday up in Seattle.  It is a "Glee" themed flash mob.

Speaking of which, here is a video of the Jamie Oliver Food Revolution flash mob.

Good clean fun!  I think it is amazing what people can do.

"Glee"ful

By far the best GLEE song of the season:



And the second best scene this year:

Return to Innocence

I had a nice weekend - Saturday party, today long lunch with an old friend.  Nice to catch up.

This song was playing in my mind, so I decided a video was in order today.  Happy Listening.

Enigma - Return to Innocence

Happy 40th Birthday, Sesame Street!

I'm pretty sure that I started watching "Sesame Street" within 2-3 seasons of the show starting. I remember watching it when I lived in Denver, the very first place I ever lived. "Sesame Street" and "The Electric Company" with Rita Moreno and Morgan Freeman were two of the shows that live most strongly in my memory - and "The New Zoo Revue"(sp). My sister was into "Mr. Rogers" and although I thought he seemed nice enough, I thought he was BORING.

So, in tribute to "Sesame Street" and the Children's Television Workshop and all the good they did for kids and literacy and many other important topics, here are a few videos to job your memory.

Here is the original 1970s "Sesame Street" theme song video:



Here is the old version of "Menomena" from the 1970s, too. I love the mouths on the girl puppets when they get annoyed with his scatting. This boy muppet looks like the first version of Animal who was on "The Muppet Show" later.



C Is for Cookie - in honor of Cookie Monster, who apparently will be retiring so they can have the Carrot Monster so that kids will not want to eat cookies (because Cookie Monster is the only reason kids want cookies, you know. :( )



Cute Kid with Kermit - ABCDEF...Cookie Monster


Inch Worm from Season 3


and one of my favorite characters - Grover!! I loved him when I was a kid. I always loved the book "The Monster at the End of this Book" with him in it, too.

Some videos that highlight my week:

"Ragtime" at Portland Center Stage (if you live in Portland, go see this show)


The Sparrow (posted by a friend on Facebook this week. Watch it - it is worth it.)


The Fun Theory - The Piano Staircase (Why don't we do this anyway? Fun is needed in the world.)


The National Anthem sung by some amazing young ladies