Alright, I know I am probably the 50th person to steal this image from Chelsey. But Penny looks A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E in this picture!
The world as seen by a well dressed painter, adventurer, daydreamer and knowledge collector.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice
Alright, I know I am probably the 50th person to steal this image from Chelsey. But Penny looks A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E in this picture!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Little Mermaid on Broadway
Saturday morning while I watched Janice, Ian, Kate, and Emma I brought over the Little Mermaid Broadway soundtrack and the picture book I bought from the musical in New York. Two of the girls are starting dance class so I thought it would be fun for them to dance to. Ian however loved dancing to it as well. Anyway it was a hit, they loved it. And it reminded me I never did a post about the musical, though I wanted too.
As many of my friends and family know The Little Mermaid is one of my all time favorite Disney movies! She and I were even born the same year ;). (Hercules, and Mulan are my favs too). So as one might imagine I was ecstatic when I heard we were going to go see it on Broadway in New York! We were lucky enough to see all of the original cast, many of whom have received Tony Awards. The woman who played Ariel received a Tony Award for her performance in this musical. Everything was incredible...I know this may seem odd, but I thought the Stage set was spectacular! Ursula's dress had to have been at least 25grand to make.
I loved the play and the music, but I will agree with some of the critics who say it was a little theme parkish. However keep in mind this is Disney we are dealing with... And I wish they had added a few more creative touches to the musical. I found that though it truly was wonderful it felt like I was just watching the movie with extended songs. What was the name of the woman who did the Lion King on Broadway? They should have hired someone like her.
Although I do have some criticisms for the most part I loved it! My favorite songs were, Part of Your World, I Want the Good Times Back, and One Step Closer. If you are a Disney fan, and are ever in New York City I would definetly recommend it. I hope when and if I have a daughter that it is still playing on Broadway!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sorry to Drag-On On the Same Topic...
Sorry if you have been keeping up on my posts. (which I doubt, other than my family no one else really reads my blog...but that is for the best I started this blog for three reasons, to keep my family and friends posted on my life, as a means to practice my writing, and to keep a sorta journal, so the less people who read it is probably for the better) I know that as of late I have been really only writing about one thing: the rain. But I can't help it lately I have been absolutely itching to be caught in a 95 degree, smell-the pavement-rain!
Finally the earth granted me my wish last Saturday night. For about an hour and a half, minus the lightning the storm almost competed with the summer monsoon in Arizona. However, as luck would have it I happened to be working for the majority of it.:( The good news is that business at Orange Julius happened to be slower than usual that day and the two girls I was working with wanted to see the storm nearly as bad as I did. So we each took turns running out side to see it and play in it. Perhaps it was unprofessional, but it was worth it! It must have been a funny sight seeing all three Orange Julius girls completely soaked when people ordered their drinks...I can only imagine what they were thinking.
I love rain storms, I'll admit I wouldn't want it everyday, but there is something about them. I am not sure if I can even do my feelings justice with words. I love everything about a good storm. The earth right before the storm hits and the rain begins to fall, The "edge" of it. The way the leaves blow and twist in the wind, wild. The atmosphere feels different....almost unsure... It is impossible to feel tired, sad, or anything but aware, aware of the fact that you are alive. There is an energy at the edge of the storm, an energy that makes my spirit soar...I love it! And then when the rain begins to fall, I feel childish almost, free, wanting to run, dance, and splash around. Yet at the same time I feel contemplative, mediative, and even contradicting as it may sound to what I have stated, sober. I love the rain, the way it floods swirls, and creates musical rhythms on rooftops, pavements, or any surface it hits. The way it washes and leaves the earth fresh when it is through. The thunder and the lighting both intimidate and enchant me. Something about storms make me feel small a little at times too.
Speaking of small it at times makes me feel a little primal. It takes me back to the fact that I am human. Mankind, no matter how technology and advancements separate us from nature, can never separate ourselves from the need of rain. We cannot survive without it. Life began with and in water. Maybe it is this basic instinct that creates the love and welcome of a good rain storm inside me.
Anyway here are some pictures of the Monsoon in Arizona I found. Sorry I promise this will be my last post on rain for awhile....I have other things to post on, like the arrival of my new cousin Penny, oh and I probably should do another update on my duck Henry, who by the way is a GIRL!!!! Crazy huh?



Finally the earth granted me my wish last Saturday night. For about an hour and a half, minus the lightning the storm almost competed with the summer monsoon in Arizona. However, as luck would have it I happened to be working for the majority of it.:( The good news is that business at Orange Julius happened to be slower than usual that day and the two girls I was working with wanted to see the storm nearly as bad as I did. So we each took turns running out side to see it and play in it. Perhaps it was unprofessional, but it was worth it! It must have been a funny sight seeing all three Orange Julius girls completely soaked when people ordered their drinks...I can only imagine what they were thinking.
I love rain storms, I'll admit I wouldn't want it everyday, but there is something about them. I am not sure if I can even do my feelings justice with words. I love everything about a good storm. The earth right before the storm hits and the rain begins to fall, The "edge" of it. The way the leaves blow and twist in the wind, wild. The atmosphere feels different....almost unsure... It is impossible to feel tired, sad, or anything but aware, aware of the fact that you are alive. There is an energy at the edge of the storm, an energy that makes my spirit soar...I love it! And then when the rain begins to fall, I feel childish almost, free, wanting to run, dance, and splash around. Yet at the same time I feel contemplative, mediative, and even contradicting as it may sound to what I have stated, sober. I love the rain, the way it floods swirls, and creates musical rhythms on rooftops, pavements, or any surface it hits. The way it washes and leaves the earth fresh when it is through. The thunder and the lighting both intimidate and enchant me. Something about storms make me feel small a little at times too.
Speaking of small it at times makes me feel a little primal. It takes me back to the fact that I am human. Mankind, no matter how technology and advancements separate us from nature, can never separate ourselves from the need of rain. We cannot survive without it. Life began with and in water. Maybe it is this basic instinct that creates the love and welcome of a good rain storm inside me.
Anyway here are some pictures of the Monsoon in Arizona I found. Sorry I promise this will be my last post on rain for awhile....I have other things to post on, like the arrival of my new cousin Penny, oh and I probably should do another update on my duck Henry, who by the way is a GIRL!!!! Crazy huh?



Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Little Penny Grace-----The newest member of our family!
Follow up on the Monsoon!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Rain Dances and Such
Its funny today was a beautiful sunny 95 degree day, and I found myself a little sad, missing the rain I am so accustomed to at this time of year. In Arizona where I used to live, the end of July to the the beginning of August was known as the "monsoon" season.
It was the only time in my desert home when it truly rained. "Rained" is a pathetic understatement, it poured. We are talking streets flooding, moats in front of your house, for a couple of weeks you almost feel like you live in Venice Italy.
I loved the warm summer rain the monsoon brought for many reasons. It allowed for exceptional puddle jumping. It made the earth smell wonderful afterwards! To this day one of my favorite scents is the smell after it rains, especially when rain has found fresh soil. Some years the monsoon would arrive later and when school began there were many times when we were allowed "late days". Another thing that I loved about the monsoon was that it always awakened life in the desert. One example that I remember very vividly from my childhood were the (as Iyan the little boy I watch would put it) humongous Sonoran Desert Toads that would only really appear during the rainy season. These toads were enormous! To prove it I even looked them up, at average they are 7 inches long and often are bigger! They are the biggest toads in North America! I remember when I was little I would used to chase them and try and catch them believing that some were actually princes trapped in toad bodies. The monsoon also brought many wild flowers after.
However the number one reason why I loved and love the monsoon were the incredible thunderstorms it brought every year. Days of lighting dancing through the sky! I remember when I was little I would take out all of my stuffed animals, beanie babies, and other toys, pull out a chair on our back porch and watch the storms.
Well it is late, I believe I have rambled long enough for tonight. I wonder how the Monsoon is this year, I hope it is as wonderful as I remember it being. Maybe some other little kid is taking their stuffed animals out and watching it right now. It is the season. In any case if some one is I envy them.
It was the only time in my desert home when it truly rained. "Rained" is a pathetic understatement, it poured. We are talking streets flooding, moats in front of your house, for a couple of weeks you almost feel like you live in Venice Italy.
I loved the warm summer rain the monsoon brought for many reasons. It allowed for exceptional puddle jumping. It made the earth smell wonderful afterwards! To this day one of my favorite scents is the smell after it rains, especially when rain has found fresh soil. Some years the monsoon would arrive later and when school began there were many times when we were allowed "late days". Another thing that I loved about the monsoon was that it always awakened life in the desert. One example that I remember very vividly from my childhood were the (as Iyan the little boy I watch would put it) humongous Sonoran Desert Toads that would only really appear during the rainy season. These toads were enormous! To prove it I even looked them up, at average they are 7 inches long and often are bigger! They are the biggest toads in North America! I remember when I was little I would used to chase them and try and catch them believing that some were actually princes trapped in toad bodies. The monsoon also brought many wild flowers after.
However the number one reason why I loved and love the monsoon were the incredible thunderstorms it brought every year. Days of lighting dancing through the sky! I remember when I was little I would take out all of my stuffed animals, beanie babies, and other toys, pull out a chair on our back porch and watch the storms.
Well it is late, I believe I have rambled long enough for tonight. I wonder how the Monsoon is this year, I hope it is as wonderful as I remember it being. Maybe some other little kid is taking their stuffed animals out and watching it right now. It is the season. In any case if some one is I envy them.
Monday, July 21, 2008
I Heart Old Movies
Funny Face is one of my favorite movies of all time. Audrey Hepburn was genius in it. Perhaps I am hopelessly cheesy deep down inside but this is one of my favorite scenes in the movie.
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