Happily Ever After In Seattle

Aces, Charles. Aces.

2012-01-27T22:37:00.000-08:00

Well...it's over. Chuck is over. ::sniffles::

Did I like the finale?
Without revealing any spoilers:
yes and no.

I am in the camp that was frustrated by the vague ending. I'm a hopeless romantic and would always prefer that sappy ending as the camera fades to black. Besides, it's taken five years for these beloved characters to get where they are. An ending that threatened to negate all of that was heartbreaking.

However, after reading reviews like this one and this one, I began to see the point of why they took the story where they did and why they didn't give in to the easy fix. Even I have to admit there was a depth to the chosen ending, and perhaps Chuck and Sarah deserved that after all. (Besides, even the writers admitted in an interview that they believe everything eventually returns to the good ole days...so I am, too.)

There was a lot about the finale that I really loved, though. All the nods to past episodes, giving every character a chance to show how they've grown and to bow out in glory, the flashbacks to earlier favourite episodes, the poignant use of Chuck and Sarah's theme in the soundtrack, the fact that Zach and Yvonne frequently looked like they'd actually been crying all day long:

How do you not absolutely fall in love with the show all over again?

Goodbye, Chuck.
Thank you for five fabulous seasons.
You will be very missed.

Creature of habit

2012-01-21T22:22:00.000-08:00

If you read my INFJ personality description, you'll find a strong emphasis on order, control, and routine. And there is a reason. Without it, I struggle to cope.

Since the holidays, I've had a pregnancy, a miscarriage, two highly stressful shake ups at work, the biggest snowstorm in our area in twenty-six years, and losing electricity for several days during the sub-freezing temperatures of the aforementioned storm.

Overall, I think I've done pretty well keeping a brave face, but the stress is becoming more than I can handle, and I'm starting to feel my world crumbling around me. I could've sworn today was the 12th of January. It's the 21st, and I honestly have no idea where those other 9 days went. I feel like I've been operating in survival mode since before Christmas, and I'm losing my will to fight any longer. Other people respond to this sort of feeling with by booking a beach holiday or a massage. Me? All I want is a normal day. Followed by another. And another. And another...

I need a day where my biggest decision is whether to watch reruns of Friends or The Big Bang Theory. I need my usual meal plans, my normal workouts, my typical sleep cycles. I need to stop being forced to concern myself with icy roads, angry bosses, failed pregnancies or how I'm going to take my next shower.

I'm desperate for a little bit of normal...

Snow, Sherlock and Steven

2012-01-18T23:58:00.000-08:00

So, apparently my city made national news today.

Why? Because my city looks like this:

4-12" of snow isn't much for cities like Chicago or New York, but for Seattle, it's epic. We usually get 5" annually. We simply aren't prepared to handle this kind of weather whatsoever; the entire city is closed down. Everyone I know is stuck at home, hiding from the snow and ice.

(UPDATE: after this photo was taken, our 6" of snow became water-logged with rain, re-froze into solid ice, and was then covered with several more inches of snow. As ice weighted down our many trees, they toppled all over the city, and seemingly everyone within 30 miles of Seattle -including us - lost power in their homes. In 28°F/-2°C, we lived next to our fireplace until it became too cold, sought refuge with family, then opened our home to other family members once our power came back on. That mess was followed by wind storms and flooding. We're only just today getting back to a sense of normal from a series of snowstorms that started nine long days ago. I am very much OVER winter.)

I used that time to catch up on the second season of Sherlock (feeling ever so naughty watching bootleg uploads of a show not available in my country while the rest of the world is protesting SOPA. Oops.) I thought the first two episodes were good, but expectedly so. And then, I started episode three, and now my mind in blown, and I once again, along with the rest of Britain, want to strangle Steven Moffat. (Seriously, between Doctor Who and Sherlock, I don't know if I want to hug him or slap him. If it weren't for the redemption of Coupling, I'd probably do the latter.)

Moffat doesn't get all the credit, though. Cumberbatch is once again divine, especially since his Sherlock was given a far wider character arc in this series. Mark my words, the entire world is going to adore Martin Freeman as much as I do, especially once The Hobbit comes out. I enjoyed the interesting take on Irene Adler. But I found the most fun in Andrew Scott's Moriarty. I was riveted whenever he was on the screen, and I love it when that happens.

Okay, no more talk about the series, or I'm sure to let some spoilers out! The good news is that there will be a third series and that it's already done. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go figure out which clue I missed in the big cliffhanger ending...stupid Moffat...

Puccini in our heads

2012-01-17T20:05:00.000-08:00

Ya know,
if I eventually get to the point where we realize
that kids just aren't in our future,
I'm gonna do something insane,
like go back to school and study the things I love,
like literature, voice, design, art or history.

Because...why the heck not?

Maybe I'll even realize my quiet dream
of being a college professor someday.

PS - I love this movie...
and Barbra Streisand.

Love me? WHY?!

2012-01-15T00:04:00.000-08:00

I don't know if you've heard, but they filmed Tennant and Tate's Much Ado from last year! The full digital download is already available (though I haven't been able to verify that it works outside Region 2 yet), and a DVD has also been rumoured. Furthermore, a teaser clip of one of the best fifteen minutes has already been uploaded on YouTube. I nearly wet my pants watching this scene live in London last spring. I'm thrilled I'll soon be able to own my own copy!

Nothing left for me to do but dance

2012-01-12T22:03:00.000-08:00

Apparently,
the "real world" simply doesn't have time for a miscarriage.

Within days, my husband was moved to a 30-day rotation on third watch
that left my insecure self on my own pretty much all the time.

And this week, my office has exploded in a
corporate-level workplace shake-up that would put
Mahatma Gandhi on Xanax.

So I've resorted to my one sure-fire stress-busting method:
dancing unabashedly around my house to loud music.

My current anthem: Canned Heat by Jamiroquai.

Call it juvenile, but I don't care,
cuz it's working.
You should try it sometime.

"...all these bad times I'm going through, just dance."

To honor a child I'll never meet

2012-01-10T16:09:00.000-08:00

I’m tired of being sad; it's exhausting. I must sound bipolar at this point, but that is the unadulterated truth of where I am today.

It doesn’t mean I’ve already forgotten. Far from it. I still have a lot of ugly things to face, and I don't intend to hide from them. There will be difficult days, there will be emotional breakdowns, there will be struggles. I will allow them to come, be patient with my healing and forgive myself when I slip.

But today, I had a realization that slapped me in the face: if this precious, lost child were to stand before me right now, what kind of person would I want them to see staring back at them? For the first time in a long while, I felt absolute certainty:

I choose to honor this child that I’ll never meet
by consciously deciding to be the kind of person
that child would be proud to call his/her mother.

It is said that tragedy can remind you of your blessings, and when I look around me, I see blessings everywhere. Our heartbreak - harsh and unjustified though it may be - does not negate our joy. Instead, it adds depth and appreciation to the story of our life. If my husband and I choose to focus only on the pain and confusion, all the good gets washed away, and we are the ones who suffer. We will always carry this scar, but we choose to make it a reminder not only of hurt, but also of hope. To honor the legacy of our child, we choose to continue to live the kind of lives that would be deserving of that honor.

Dear Baby,

People may never get to meet you,
but when they meet your parents,
they'll know how special you would've been.

We promise.

Stage two: Anger

2012-01-09T10:39:00.000-08:00

What stage of grief is anger? Cuz that's where I am. I'm angry.

Most people think that means I'm angry at God, but that's not really it. I've had a strange acceptance of what happened. He still has it all under control, and while it really sucks, there was most likely a biological reason for what happened. Our baby was very young; most likely still a blastocyst. It must not have been viable, so God allowed biology to simply do what it's supposed to do in that situation. And I believe that if I allow myself to grieve and try not to become bitter, this lesson can make me a stronger, better person overall.

But grief is a process, and right now, I'm angry. Angry at ignorant people that have lost their sensitivity filters. Angry at constant Facebook updates filled with photos and videos of healthy, happy babies. Angry at the entire world seemingly filled with new mothers and their perfect little newborns. But most of all, I am very angry at society's crappy expectations of pregnancy and miscarriage.

Over the last year, I've felt pretty alone in our fertility struggles. It always seemed such a taboo subject to discuss with your friends, many of whom wouldn't understand anyway, as they complained about being "pregnant again, and how the $#@& did that happen?!?!" Yet, when I found out I finally was pregnant, I immediately felt a new kind of alone, like I would be a total fool to tell anyone for two more months. And yet, still, when I found out I'd lost the baby, I felt a whole new kind of alone, tucked away in my home, shamefully hiding the fact that I was heartbroken and in a great deal of physical pain, all because, "Had a miscarriage" isn't exactly a socially acceptable Twitter update.

And that is the point of this entire post:
all that solitude is a giant load of crap.

Women struggling with infertility should be able to find support. Women elated yet terrified at discovering they're pregnant should be able to find support. And most of all, women whose body is miscarrying a beloved child, a heartbreaking process they have absolutely no control over, a grief that can be as deep and palpable as losing a friend or family member, should, for the love of God, be able to find support, lest the solitude, heartbreak and confusion eat them from the inside out.

For whatever reason, the entire world seems to treat pregnancy like some sort of disease, beginning from the moment a woman's test reads positive. The first thing a pregnant woman is met with is a strong admonition to keep her big mouth shut until after her 12th week. However, most doctors don't even want to see a potentially pregnant woman until weeks 8, leaving her to navigate arguably the most difficult trimester armed solely with the paranoia of the internet and whatever giant book she happened to find at her local bookstore. Personally, I had killer headaches, constant nausea, ridiculous hot flashes, horrible constipation pains, and utter exhaustion, unable to take any of my usual medicine for any of these symptoms and unable to go to the doctor because I'm not far enough along yet...but I'm supposed to act like nothing is going on?! The stress of hiding it started to become more stressful than the actual symptoms themselves. So while I understand not making some major foot-in-mouth announcement right away, I firmly believe it's important to find emotional and physical support during your first trimester.

For the record, I immediately told a small number of close friends and family when I discovered I was pregnant, and I don't regret it for a second. They helped me survive the physical symptoms while I attempted to continue with my life as if nothing had changed. They helped me survive the "Oh my goodness, I'm going to be someone's mom!" freak out moments. They helped me survive the suspicion that my spotting was more serious than the pregnancy books would have me believe. They helped me survive my miscarriage. And most importantly, they're helping me survive my heartbreak. If I had to do this by myself, I'd be a blubbering mess.

I do view the 12-week "deadline" differently now, though: those first 12 weeks must be viewed very logically and very scientifically. While this is the beginning of your child, while fertilization has already programmed the gender, eye color, everything into that cluster of cells, while this is still the promise of a precious person and absolutely priceless to you, those first 12 weeks are too volatile to get too attached. That is what that cutoff is really all about: emotional survival. That might seem cold and heartless, but while I consciously want to and plan to try again when we're finally able to do so, the thought of doing this again terrifies me. The only way I'm going to get through another positive pregnancy test is to remain detached until that glorious 13th week, when the baby finally stabilizes and the probability of miscarriage crashes from 30% to 3%.

I've also had a lesson in sensitivity lately, especially when it comes to social media. My feed is absolutely stuffed full of babies by my friends who are justifiably excited to share their life with others. And while I understand their joy and am truly happy for them, I just want to scream at them for being so freaking insensitive of what others might be going through. And then, some friends made me realize that concept isn't limited to just babies. My posts about how wonderful my husband is could be received in the same knife-stabbing way by someone who is still searching for love. No matter what the subject matter - babies, life partners, jobs, homes, etc - everyone, including me, needs to think before they speak/type and consider being sensitive to the perceptions of everyone else.

Furthermore, if I may make a suggestion to the medical community as a whole: a woman who has been rushed into the doctor's office for a miscarriage should never have to sit in a waiting room surrounded by healthy pregnant women, happy pregnancy pamphlets, and worst of all, newborns, hearing them cry while simultaneously feeling her own uterus cramp as her body disposes of her own baby, doing her absolute best not to have a complete emotional breakdown right there in the doctor's office. That is one thing we can and should control.

Sometimes life sucks...

2012-01-04T23:01:00.000-08:00

This was supposed to be a joyful post
revealing our little secret:
four positive pregnancy tests.

I was keeping track of my experiences
in posts that I planned to publish
after our first prenatal doctor appointment next week.

I'm afraid you won't ever read those, however.

Long story short:
we rushed to the doctor's office early on Wednesday
confirming we had indeed miscarried our first baby.

I'm taking it hour by hour nowadays.
Some hours are actually okay.
Some...not so much.

I'm not sure of much right now,
except that I have some pretty awesome friends and family
and the single most wonderful husband
this world has to offer.

I really am blessed.

Please excuse me if I don't post for awhile.
Online is a difficult place to be right now.

Egotistical maniacs with inferiority complexes

2011-12-12T11:16:00.000-08:00

I can relate to this.

Oh my goodness oh my goodness oh my goodness
oh my goodness oh my goodness oh my goodness
I can relate to this.

In fact,
this is why I've earned over 100 college credits in vocal music,
and yet my degree says Interior Design on it.

My appreciation for both artists and this song
has just increased a hundred fold.

Scarecrow and Mrs. King

2011-12-07T22:27:00.001-08:00

I've been on a huge nostalgia kick lately, mostly a bunch of TV shows, music and movies I grew up with. I find it interesting to see in retrospect the things that influenced how I see the world today.

For example, a little show called Scarecrow and Mrs. King. I honestly used to think my sister and I were the only people religiously watching the syndicated reruns on the Family Channel. However, I've since discovered it was very popular at its peak and still has a strong cult following today.

Fast forward nearly 25 years later, as I sit here happily married to my best friend, and I can't help but credit Lee and Amanda for teaching my starry-eyed 10-year old self a thing or two about the mushy stuff. They are easily one of my favourite on-screen duos of all time.

It's definitely true;
they just don't make 'em like they used to.

Tell me you like my hat!

2011-11-27T17:55:00.000-08:00

I fully understand there is much that could be said about Tom,
about Scientology, about their truly rubbish Irish accents...

and it could be because I was a very impressionable
12-years old when it first came out...

But Far and Away came on TV the other night,
and I remembered just how much I love that movie:

One of my favourite John Williams' scores, too!

In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams

2011-11-25T19:00:00.000-08:00

This Great Performances documentary about the few months leading up to opening night of "In the Heights" is excellent.

It also reinforces my disappointment that I missed both the Broadway production and the national tour.

"Lights up in Washington Heights..."

Pasta Fagioli

2011-11-18T20:42:00.001-08:00

Oh my goodness, this stuff is good. It's not the type of soup I usually gravitate toward, but the picture on Pinterest looked tasty. So I gave it a shot, and YU-UM. It's perfect for a cold night, and it's stuffed with protein and starch, so it'll fill you up well!

Photo courtesy of Fake Ginger
The following is the recipe as I made it, based on the original recipe found here.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 carrot, peeled & chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 lb mild Italian chicken sausage (casings removed)
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
4 cups low sodium chicken stock
1 can cannellini beans, rinsed
1 cup elbow macaroni
Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
OPTIONAL: red pepper flakes
OPTIONAL: handful of chopped green onion for garnish

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until it just begins to soften, about 2 minutes. Add celery and carrots; cook, stirring frequently, for another 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add the sausage to the pot, crumbling as it cooks. Cook until the sausage is no longer pink. Stir in herbs. Stir in tomatoes and stock. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.

Stir in the beans and macaroni. Simmer for 6- 8 minutes or until pasta is tender.

Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese, green onion and red pepper flakes, if desired.

(Oh, by the way, this makes four huge bowls!)

Girlfriends

2011-11-15T19:33:00.000-08:00

Barbra and Judy:

Carol and Julie:

Love Stories and a birthday

2011-11-08T17:27:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, my girls and I went to see Love Stories at the Pacific Northwest Ballet. A bit of Swan Lake, a bit of Sleeping Beauty, lots of really huge calf muscles.

Some of the pieces were good, others were really great. I thought I'd enjoy the more traditional pieces, but that turned out not to be the case. I was impressed with Afternoon of a Faun, but my favourite was the Balcony Pas de Deux from Roméo et Juliette. While I can appreciate the other dances, I found Roméo et Juliette more emotional and sensual than the others, and I tend to gravitate toward that anyway.

If you live in Seattle and enjoy ballet, this one is enjoyable enough. I will admit I prefer the full story ballets, like Coppelia or the Nutcracker, but these departures can be fun, too!

Oh, I went to the ballet for my birthday, cuz I'm 32 now. For some reason, 32 seems a lot older than 31, though I still feel like a kid. Oh well...happy birthday to me!

Give my regards to Broadway

2011-11-08T16:29:00.000-08:00

This bad little blogger is very sorry for getting so behind on updates. Top priority to tell you about would have to be last weekend in New York City.

I know you're thinking, "Wait. Wasn't there a huge, freezing nor'easter that thrust half the East Coast into winter last weekend?"

The answer is yes. Yes, there was. And yes, my sister and I were all up in it, unprepared, very cold and, unfortunately, eventually sniffly. Click here for an accurate representation of that crazy day.

But it's New York, and snow doesn't get the Big Apple down. In fact, that single blustery day provided us with some unique travel experiences, such as seeking refuge in the madness of the Bloomingdales as hundreds of people threw down for rain and snow boots. Or snow swirling around Times Square at night. Or watching my sister become an expert in hailing and stealing cabs in desperation to keep warm and dry.

The other two days we were there, we savoured the city under crystal clear blue skies and stunning sunshine, justifying all the songs celebrating autumn in New York. So, in a way, we were lucky. Two seasons in a single weekend!

My favourite parts of the weekend, however, were the shows. We saw two bonafide Broadway shows, and they were absolutely spectacular!

Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway

Anything Goes
(with Sutton Foster!!!)

Thank you, New York, for a wonderful long weekend.
You're definitely one of my favourite cities,
and I simply must visit you more often!
(I'm just going to bring boots next time!)

Splendid fellows, all of you

2011-11-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

The thing about Doctor Who fans:
we're generally a bit geeky.

But geeks tend to know their way around video editing software,
and there are some really good fan videos out there.

Like this one.
I challenge any Whovian not to just love this:

(And for anyone that misses Ten as much as I do,
this will give you warm fuzzies.)

I love you...is the thing.

2011-11-03T17:09:00.000-07:00

The other day, I picked up the fourth season of Mad About You at the library as a cheap form of therapy and relaxation. Imagine the irony when I realized I'd inevitably brought home the entire season when Paul and Jamie decide to try to conceive a child.

At first, I thought about just turning it off. I intended to escape this pressure, not dwell on it. And then, they made me smile. I could relate...far more than the first time I saw the show. In a good way, too. As each episode passed and Paul and Jamie took their steps along their journey, I went with them, letting go bit by bit of my own struggle. By the end, with a lump in my throat, I realized something. All this time, I've been so aware of what we're lacking that I've totally missed what we already have: each other.

If there is one thing going right in my life, it's my marriage. If you were to ask me to describe it or to tell you why or when or how or even if, I couldn't. It simply comes down to loving the other person, and Paul puts it perfectly when he says, "I just really...I love you...is the thing." In a period of complete unknown, that is the one thing of which I am certain, and I'd be a fool to take it for granted.

Furthermore, the more I watch Mad About You, the more I appreciate it. Sure, it's a silly TV sitcom. But it's the closest representation of a real marriage I've ever seen - funny and boring and ironic and messy and confusing and wonderful - and I love them for that.

Carmen

2011-10-22T09:35:00.001-07:00

"People's reactions to opera the first time they see it is very dramatic. People either love it or they hate it. If they love it, they will always love it. If they don't, then they learn to appreciate it, but it will never become part of their soul."
- Edward Lewis

Last night, I attended the opera for the first time, and yes, I loved it...but let me qualify.

Last night wasn't my first experience with opera. I've sung many operatic pieces as a vocal student. I've seen a televised version of Verdi's La Traviata in high school. At first, It took a bit for me to get into it, but by the end, I was captivated.

Attending the opera last night renewed my interest in a sung libretto by talented singers. The skill level was impressive. The songs are undeniably fabulous, and it's enjoyable to recognize so many of them. Also, to be able to sing with that much power for three solid hours would require vocal powerhouses! I also enjoyed the dancers (Pacific Northwest Ballet, perhaps?).

However, Carmen itself is a bit too...well, it's too French for my tastes. I didn't like her character at all. The story was aggrevating. All in all, the characters' behaviour was too much like watching an early version of Jerry Springer. Thank you, Bizet, but no thank you. I think I'll stick with the Italian operas.

On a lighter note, this faux Carmen Facebook page cracked me up!

I look forward to another try with Madame Butterfly next summer. I already know that story (well, I know Miss Saigon...). Perhaps I'll enjoy that one a bit more. And if Seattle Opera ever does La Traviata, I will most definitely be buying tickets to see it!

Relatable

2011-10-19T20:41:00.000-07:00

So, last night,
I watched all four episodes of that new show, Whitney...
and laughed my head off.

I could really relate to her.

The insurance form scene cracked.me.up.

But the relatable character of the season
goes to Jess of The New Girl, hands down.

Seriously,
I could invite these two characters over
for a girl's night tomorrow.

Voyager, and a Gabaldon intermission

2011-10-17T21:35:00.000-07:00

I did it! I finished Voyager! WHEW!

1,059 pages - a personal best!
Finishing it today, however, is ironic, as I pushed hard to turn the last page before the new Philippa Gregory book comes out tomorrow. However, after doing a bit more research on Gregory's novel, I've decided against it...at least for the time being.

I'm still going to take a break from Gabaldon, however. Voyager ended in a good place to pause this grandiose story. I'm going to go read some other things for awhile, and I'm pretty sure one of these is coming home from the bookstore with me tomorrow:

Lionheart
by Sharon Kay Penman

The Book Thief
by Marcus Zusak

The Greatest Knight
by Elizabeth Chadwick

After nine months and 3,000 pages of Gabaldon,
these tiny things will feel like restaurant menus!

A healthy eating manifesto from a budget conscious food lover

2011-10-17T11:04:00.000-07:00

CONFESSION: I love food. And I don't think there is anything wrong with that. If we weren't meant to enjoy our sustenance, we wouldn't have taste buds. However, loving food can make it challenging to eat healthy.

When I started this blog, I was setting out on a search to find a balance between health and taste. It's taken me several years of experimenting (and frequent frustration) to develop my own rules of thumb, but I'm now to the point where it has become second nature, and honestly, easy to manage. So I thought I'd share, in case anyone else is desperately searching for healthy food moderation.

Make it myself.
Yes, it's more work-intensive, but this single rule is the most impacting. Homemade will almost always be healthier than pre-made. I can even eat gluttonous dishes on occasion. My homemade 5-cheese mac and cheese with bacon bits has far less of an impact on my body than a single "healthy" chicken wrap from McDonalds. Homemade isn't a prison sentence to bland food, either. It might take awhile to master your kitchen skills and build a recipe collection that fits your taste, but if I can do it, anyone can. Trust me: I could barely slice a tomato when I started, and if I don't like something, I simply won't eat it.

Nothing you can order through a car window.
Let's face it: sometimes you just don't have time to make a meal. In this case, I force myself to go to places that require me to get out of the car (ie grocery store delis). Anything it's possible to obtain through a drive-thru is guaranteed to be chock-o-block full of preservatives. (Exception: Starbucks Protein box)

A serving of fruit and/or veggies with every meal.
Strawberries in my morning cereal, a handful of grapes for a snack, snap peas with my lunch, steamed broccoli with my dinner. Prep is the key to this one; make fruits/veg an easy option, and you'll surprise yourself with how easily you'll stick to it.

Real ingredients only.
Preservatives and refined sugars are the enemy. Absolutely no boxed meals; no Tuna/Hamburger/Pasta Helper, no Kraft Mac N'Cheese, no Rice a Roni. No soda (no, not even diet), no frozen burritos, no huge bags of candy, no seasoning packets, no hot dogs. If you can't pronounce the ingredients, put it back on the shelf and walk away. It's okay if you can't afford the higher priced organic brands, either; neither can I. Just keep reading labels and choose wisely.

If there is a healthier option, choose it.
Buy hamburger with a lower fat content (or substitute ground turkey/chicken), buy the lower sodium soy sauce and chicken broth, vegetarian refried beans don't have lard in them, use turkey bacon instead of fatty pig bacon, avoid cheap white bread, grilled is better than fried, etc. Also, don't be fooled by ad campaigns and catch phrases. "Multi-grain" doesn't always mean healthier.

If you're hungry, EAT!
Exercise moderation with this one, of course. Choose healthier snacks and remember dehydration and boredom sometimes masquerade as hunger. However, I watched my coworker give herself diabetes because she never ate, justifying her poor nutrition by complaining about "belly fat". Food is fuel, and your body needs it. Hunger is a valid feeling and should be addressed properly.

Water - drink it.
This one is so simple and has one of the biggest impacts, yet it's the one I struggle with the most. Why? I don't like water; I find it boring, and I so infrequently feel thirsty. I'd rather have iced tea or coffee. Water honestly slips my mind. But even I will admit it is important and makes a major impact on one's health, especially during certain parts of a woman's menstrual cycle (something I'm very well-acquainted with, being on cycle day 41 right now....#$%$@%&$#@#$!!!!).

Splurge a tiny bit every day.
I reward myself on a daily basis with one small thing I really want. Sometimes it's a latte in the morning, sometimes it's a mini chocolate bar after dinner. I splurge with awareness, intention and moderation; it's easy to lose track of how many Milk Duds you've consumed when you're not paying attention. I also keep healthier splurges on hand; my favourites are dark chocolate, banana chips, black licorice and fruit strips. But whatever I choose, I allow myself to have it without any guilt. That way, my cravings never turn into obsessions. That only makes you miserable until the craving has grown beyond your control, and you finally cave and binge on an entire platter of Cinnabons in a single night...not that I've ever done that... ::blush::

This may sound like too much effort, which brings up my other confession: I am a chronic meal-planner. If I didn't take the time to create a sheet of paper that told me not only what to make when, but assured me that we do indeed have all the ingredients on hand, I'd grab takeout and order pizza way more often than I'd like to admit. Instead, every Sunday consists of choosing which meals to make on which days and creating one mother of a shopping list and stash of coupons for three separate stores/markets. Once I'm home, I wash/cut/prep all the healthy snacks for the week, so I have absolutely no excuse not to eat them. The whole process takes 3-5 hours of each Sunday, but then I'm done for the entire week.

The best part of sticking to these rules is that breaking them every once in a while isn't so bad. Autumns were made for Pumpkin Spice lattes. I'd be a fool to go to NYC in 2 weeks and not eat pizza. The onion rings at my Dad's birthday dinner last weekend were divine. Going out to a great restaurant should never be accompanied by feeling of guilt. As long as you only break the rules occasionally, enjoy it and don't worry; you'll work off the extra calories over the next few days. Again, it comes down to moderation.

Don't forget to exercise, as well. However, over the past month, I've realized the 80/20 diet/exercise figure is actually true (getting healthy = 80% diet and 20% exercise). I've been totally unable to work out for the last 4 weeks due to more problems with my Piriformis muscle. But I've been sticking to these healthy eating rules, and I can feel how much of a difference it makes. I feel like getting back to normal won't be so difficult once I'm able to exercise again. And finally...

Eating healthy and exercising regularly dictates your health, not the image in the mirror.
Take care of your body and stop hating your figure. Healthy is beautiful, no matter what it looks like. Am I a stick figure? No. Is the BMI chart still lopsided? Yep. But can I keep up with a Jillian Michaels workout? Do I methodically eat healthy most of the time? Yes, and that is what really matters. For those reasons, I'm learning to become satisfied with my genetically curvy figure. Besides, I'm almost 32; there would be something wrong if I looked like the 18 year olds in the media. (My husband made a comment the other day that put it into perspective for me: "Lack of curves on a woman is indicative of youth, and the only grown men that want a young-looking girl are paedophiles. I love your sexy curves; they make you look like a real woman." A little harsh, but he made an excellent point!) You'll never find me buying crappy Jenny Craig boxed meals or the latest craze that claims it's NON FAT! or LOW CALORIE! because my hips and clavicle don't jut out like the Photoshop'd girl on the cover of Cosmo. That brainwashing stuff is a complete waste of my life. Don't temporarily change your lunch because you hate yourself today; permanantly change your thinking about your health and learn to love yourself.

To anyone else struggling with this, don't get discouraged. It is possible to enjoy your food and your body simultaenously. And for the inevitable over-emotional days, I created this Pinterest board to remind me of what is real and what matters. Maybe it'll help you, too.

Did I mention....?

2011-10-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

Did I mention I'm going to NYC for a weekend at the end of the month?

Cuz I'm going to NYC for a weekend at the end of the month.

And I'm seeing not one but TWO Broadway shows!

SQUEEEEEAAAAALL!!!

The first is a dream come true; I'm finally seeing Sutton Foster perform live on stage in none other than her Tony Award winning performance in Anything Goes! I just really hope we get the original cast, since Joel Grey is currently nursing a broken foot and Sutton tweeted "tonsilitis" several days ago. Oh, please get better!

The second show will be Hugh Jackman's Back on Broadway, a limited-run one-man show to which my sister and I simply could not say no. Check out this clip of one of his other performances.
(And yes, that is Hugh Jackman and Richard Marx singing Josh Groban, otherwise known as a Lisa Sandwich.)

Throw in some crunchy autumn leaves in the park, museum wandering, and Lombardi's Pizza, and I honestly cannot wait for this much needed girl's weekend in the city. I think it's just what the doctor ordered...

Teeccino

2011-10-12T19:15:00.000-07:00

Step one in New Lisa was kind of obvious to me - I had to cut out the coffee. Not only is it supposed to help with wackadoo hormones, it'll help trying to conceive, as well as during pregnancy.

Only I really, really, REALLY didn't want to. Coffee to me is as his blankie is to Linus. I've never experienced a headache whenever I skip my coffee, but having it is comforting to me. I honestly love it for the flavor; it's the reason I get out of bed in the mornings. It is especially wonderful on quiet mornings with my novels.

So I went out on a search for a coffee alternative. Perhaps if I could have some other hot something in a cup, I wouldn't want to cry every morning.

I was highly skeptical, to say the least. I'm a bit of a coffee snob, spending a humiliating amount of money on quality coffee weekly. (I blame it on living in Seattle.)

And then I found this:

It's called Teeccino. (Get it? Tea-cappuccino? Aren't they clever?) The ingredient list seemed odd: carob, barley, chicory, dates, almonds, dates, figs... This is supposed to taste like coffee???

And then I made some. And ate my words. Cuz it's good. It's actually good. It's not my normal punch-to-the-mouth French Roast coffee, but it's a decent substitution. And absolutely zero caffeine.

Since I'm still nursing my first cup, I still have to gauge cost and any long term digestive issues, of which I hope there will be none. But at this moment, I'm rather encouraged!

Being honest about being honest

2011-10-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

I’ve made a difficult decision: TTC is off.

Not permanently. But right now, I have to fix what is wrong with ME.

TTC is a very abstract. I can’t control it. In fact, the more I try to control it, the more it proves I can’t. That and several other recent stresses have forced my weaknesses out into the light, and it’s been like breaching a dam. I’m a complete mess. Physically, mentally, spiritually...I can’t handle my own life anymore. Not only is there no way I’m going to conceive a child under the kind of (mostly self-induced) stress I’m under, but even if I miraculously did, I wouldn’t want to be the kid raised by this hot mess.

First thing to come to terms with: admitting I struggle with Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder. The past four months have been reminiscent of the mania I experienced being on hormonal birth control; it's downright debilitating. I have to get my hormones under control; I just have to.

Second thing to come to terms with: my entire life is a manic attempt to keep up this “perfect” persona I’ve been fed since I was young. I care way too much about what people think of me, and I'm always comparing myself...with others, with my past self, with people I've never even met. If I’m not seen as the woman who can excel at anything with ease, who the heck am I? I have no idea. Inside that façade feels like an empty shell. I’m not comfortable in my own skin.

Third thing to come to terms with: I’m a control freak because I’m hugely unhappy with my situation and mammothly insecure. I can’t handle change. I get totally lost without a plan or a list. I compartmentalize to cope, and as soon as someone starts to mess with my compartments, I panic and proceed to completely unravel.

What does all this mean? I don’t know. I hate not knowing, but there’s nothing I can do about that right now. Just admitting there is something really, really wrong and taking a step back was hard enough. But I can’t move on to the next chapter in my life until there is a next chapter to move on to. And there won’t be a next chapter until I get my head on straight.

I need to give myself permission to fall apart. I need to not care. I need to look stupid. I need to screw up and accept myself afterward. I need to try doing things without thinking them through twenty times first. I need to stop punishing myself for not being flawless. I need to go grocery shopping without a list. I need to wear a skirt without shaving my legs immediately beforehand. I need to be late to work occasionally. I need to be secure that I know the truth and that is enough, no matter what others say about me or my husband. I need to learn to appreciate the woman in the mirror, no matter how she looks. I need to believe my husband when he tells me it is okay that I didn't fold the laundry. I need to invite friends over without vacuuming the whole house first. I need to breathe deeply. I need to get back in touch with the real me. I need to freaking chill out.

So, there you have it. That’s where I am. Rather lost, really. But at least now, I’m being honest about being honest with myself.

Media blackout?

2011-10-10T11:25:00.001-07:00

I'm thinking very seriously about a media blackout for 2012. It is no secret that I don't hold the news media and politicians in a very high regard in the first place. The increase in absurdity during American election years is nigh on unbearable. I'm determined to keep our household a drama free zone for all of 2012!

Here's the challange, however. I still want to watch all my favourite TV shows. (Online? On-Demand?) I still want to stay in touch with friends via social media. (Facebook? Twitter? This blog?) Finally, I still want to remain logically educated on facts of candidates and issues, because I still intend to vote in November. (Library pamphlets?)

Has anyone tried this? Is anyone else doing the same thing? Any tips?

When are you...?

2011-10-03T21:32:00.001-07:00

I used to think the, "Sooooo...when are YOU gonna have a baby? (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)" question was rude simply because it was presumptive of another person's life plan.

I now realize that question is far more than simply presumptive. There are days that question is downright cruel.

Maybe, just maybe, she only just had a negative pregnancy test that morning, her third that week, marking yet another futile month. Maybe she's struggling with feeling like a failure, and it's making her question her entire identity. Maybe your question just broke the dam of insecurity and frustration. Maybe she has to smile politely and excuse herself to go deal with the knot you just left in her stomach.

Or you could, ya know, keep it to yourself.

Phantom of the Opera's 25th Anniversary

2011-10-02T15:04:00.000-07:00

I've just returned from seeing the live HD broadcast of Phantom of the Opera's 25th Anniversary concert at London's Royal Albert Hall. It is one of the rare moments in life when you feel you can properly use the word legendary.

To me, the Les Mis anniversary concerts are especially beloved for their bits at the end, where former cast members join together and honor us with unique performances. The concert itself, while top notch, is as expected, if not lacking just a bit due to the slightly awkward concert format.

This is where Phantom soars. Firstly, forget a line of actors in front of standing microphones. Instead, this show is presented with as much stage direction from the actual play as possible. Combine that with the viewer's intimate perspective provided by the cameras, and it transports you face to face with characters that are usually yards away on stage.

The performances, however, were the biggest strength of Phantom's anniversary concert. I've seen many actors portray the Phantom and Christine over the years, but never have I experienced them with as much depth as I did with Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess. Phrases that simply slid by in other performances, such as Christine's, "...it's in your soul that the true distortion lies," are marked with a renewed poignancy. Watch for Ramin's subtleties, such as Asperger's-esque finger twitches and longing side glances that hint at far more depth of character to this tortured soul. Sierra is also far more believable in Christine's raw vulnerability that would lead to such unyielding, misguided trust.

Together, these two are simply amazing. They're friends in real life, and it shows in their intense on-stage chemistry. Their slow, deliberate, emotional portrayals breathe a whole new life into these characters. They performed "Music of the Night" as if they were savouring each and every single word. By the Phantom's final, "Christine, I love you," said through Ramin's tear-stained face, I was properly ugly-crying.

I know these two have both played these roles separately before, coming together only to reprise them in Phantom's sequel, Love Never Dies. I wonder if that is possibly why their Phantom and Christine seem so much more connected than others; they've played the other side of the coin together, and it shows.

And then, the vocals....OH, the vocals! These are some of the best stage vocalists in the world, and it shows. Ramin hits the Phantom's major belts with ease, and Sierra's "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" delayed the show with rousing applause. The culmination during the Final Lair trio will give you goosebumps, with the Phantom, Christine and Raoul absolutely singing for all they're worth.

And yes, the end includes a lovely tribute to the original and earlier actors over the last 25 years. When a humble Michael Crawford walks onstage to a standing ovation from audience and cast, eyes filled with tears and lower lip quivering, I dare you not to get a lump in your throat. Sarah Brightman also takes the stage to perform "Phantom of the Opera" with not one Phantom, but FIVE of them, including the effervescent Colm Wilkinson and John Owens-Jones.

So, yeah...I guess that was the long way of saying I liked it. A lot. I will be owning the DVD and playing it to the point of driving my husband insane. If you even remotely like Phantom - or musical theatre in general - make sure you see this concert! Hopefully, PBS will pick it up soon!

Click here for great hi-res photos of the evening!

A big, long post on sleep

2011-09-29T11:39:00.000-07:00

Let’s talk irrational problems, namely mine.

Do you remember when you were a kid, and your teacher would send you home with a letter for your parents that informed them you would be taking standardized tests soon? This letter frequently included an admonishment to make certain your child was well-rested and ate a healthy breakfast prior to the test.

Well, I remember very clearly taking that letter a wee bit too seriously. I have clear memories of being panicked that I wouldn’t get enough sleep, that I wouldn’t be able to focus, that I would do poorly on the test. The longer I laid there, sleepless, the more ridiculous my thoughts became; that I would get sick from sheer exhaustion, that my poor test score would reflect poorly on my intelligence, that my entire life’s potential hinged on that one night of sleep.

Needless to say, I didn’t sleep very well.

This sleep-related anxiety continued throughout school. I hated sleepovers at friend’s houses. As soon as the sun started to go down, the anxiety would start to sneak in, and my mom had to come pick me up in the middle of the night nearly every time. In my teens, I would sneak into the medicine cabinet and take night-time cold medicine – at least twice the recommended dose every night – just to fall asleep. (Sorry, Mom.) It became at its worst in my early twenties, during a stressful time in my personal life. During those few months, I would lie in bed feeling hopelessly alone, quietly sobbing into my pillow, mucking through each day feeling like I was at the bottom of the ocean.

I will be the first person to admit this anxiety is one giant illogically vicious circle filled with irony. I can’t sleep because I’m anxious that I can’t sleep. And if I can’t sleep, my immune system will become compromised and I’ll get sick.

That is my other debilitating fear: getting sick. This one is slightly less irrational, because the thing is, I do. The number of life-moments I’ve had to endure through exhaustion and illness outnumber the ones where I was well-rested and healthy. It makes me angry, but one has to wonder; is it because I’m simply prone to colds and flus, or is it because of the high toll the anxiety of getting sick is taking on my immune system? It becomes yet another vicious circle.

My hope lies in lots of prayer and talking through the irrationality with my incredibly patient mama. It has improved VASTLY, especially since getting married. But sometimes, it still sneaks up and catches me off guard, usually right before I’m going to travel somewhere. This stupid anxiety is a big reason why my wanderlust is taking its toll on me. I have to take four Melatonin tablets and four sleeping pills every night when I travel. Half the time, it still doesn’t work. I battled a wicked case of sleep-related anxiety for an entire month before I went to Austria in 2009. Consequently, I woke up the first morning of our holiday with the flu and had to endure a fever and clogged sinuses through the entire trip. I find myself ill so frequently when I travel that I have personally preferred brands of British and European cold medicines that we don’t even sell in the States.

I married a man who has never had a sleepless night in his entire life and very rarely gets sick at all. He could fall asleep standing up if need be; he would sleep through a hurricane. His colds last no longer than 48 hours. I envy him so much, it hurts. He can’t relate to the heart palpitations, the adrenaline, the muddled, panicked thoughts that run rampant through your unguarded, half-conscious mind at 3am. He can’t relate to arms and legs that ache with fatigue from the moment you step out of your bed in the morning. He’s never felt the deep solitude of the dark of the night. He’s never had to contend with a fever on an important day, a chest cough during a vocal performance, or a sinus infection on an overseas flight.

Ironically, I almost welcome the sleep-deprivation that accompanies having a baby. God knows I’ve had to handle myself in countless situations while exhausted. I almost feel better qualified than most. At least your child gives you a reason for being awake when it seems the entire world is asleep. All of the sudden, there is a legitimate need staring you in the face. It’s not pointless. It’s not hopeless.

In the meantime, I continue to pray through the nights when the anxiety creeps up on me. I had the thought the other night – what if I get sick for New York? We’ll be gone three measly nights, barely enough time for an illness to incubate. And yet, here I find myself, a full month prior, anxious to the point of insomnia that I might get sick. If that isn’t ridiculous, I simply don’t know what is.

So, I’m working on ambivalence. It sounds bad, but I need to not care. Worst case scenario – I suffer from jet lag and I end up with the flu. So what? If I can’t sleep, I can take the opportunity to stare out the window at a city that never sleeps, read more of my many novels or put my fancy new smart phone to good use. And if I can climb to the Gloriette of Schönbrunn Palace or circumnavigate icy cold Stonehenge while running a fever, I can most certainly handle a couple of sniffley days in New York City.

I’m posting this for two reasons. The first is that insomnia can make a person feel SO alone, and I have a feeling that I’m not. So if I’m not, neither is anyone else suffering through it. Secondly, by admitting it to the world, I feel a little bit lighter, a little bit freer, and a little more accountable to hold my irrational thoughts in check. And most importantly, if I start to feel anxious again, I’m going to make myself read this over and over again until it goes in, because life is too darn short to worry it away.

Deep tissue massage

2011-09-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

When a wonderful friend gifted me a free massage several months ago, the massage therapist informed me afterward that I would be "a candidate for deep tissue." (READ: your ridiculously tense muscles have become one large rock-hard knot from the bottom of your skull to your the entirety of your butt, and it's no wonder you suffer from frequent tension headaches, moron.)

So when my mother-in-law gifted me another massage two days ago, I decided to go for it. Deep tissue, baby, all the way. I accepted that I could be nigh on paralyzed afterward, but with increased regularity of using heating pads, electric massagers and Aleve to try to kill headaches, the possibility for tension obliteration was well worth the risk.

I started out the day with my normal workout, having read that it warms up the muscles. I also began drinking buckets of water early that morning. And the outcome?

I loved it. I absolutely LOVED it.

Now, it did get a little humourous there in the middle when my massage therapist walked out to meet me, and he looked like Ryan Reynolds in all his strong, chiseled hot-ness. Oh good, the guy that's going to touch me all over my naked body is gorgeous. I am SO glad I shaved this morning.

But his strong hands were magical. Yes, there were several moments of brief pain, but nothing severe. It wasn't debilitating, either. I went home feeling rather noodle-doodle. It wasn't that I was unable to move or do things; I just felt more relaxed while doing them. And while I had some slight pain the next day, it wasn't bad at all. I can't believe I avoided this out of intimidation for so long!

I thought I'd post on my experience for anyone else considering deep tissue massage. My opinion: it's wonderful! If we ever win the lottery, I'm finding a way to do this regularly!

Ten years to rule them all

2011-09-21T20:32:00.000-07:00

If I had a time machine, one of the places I would most certainly go is the smoky ole Eagle and Child pub in Oxford in the 1930s. I would sit quietly and eavesdrop on the conversations coming from the table next to me, where the Inklings, including Clive Staples Lewis and John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, discussed their respective literary masterpieces.

Can you believe it's almost been a full decade since Jackson's film version of Fellowship of the Ring came out? Ten years later, and all three of those films still leave a lump in my throat.

My favourite scenes:

Fly, you fools!

Be at peace, son of Gondor

I made a promise, Mr Frodo

...it's worth fighting for.

...but I can carry you!

My friends, you bow to no one.

Chorally speaking

2011-09-21T18:06:00.000-07:00

Remember mymy vocal technique post? There is a place you get to break all those rules: choral music. And choral music is one area at which I excel...and adore.

The key to a good choir is covered control. The best choirs blend flawlessly, sounding not like 60 voices, but rather like one strong, mixed wall of sound. Every individual singer's sound must be very covered to avoid standing out, while simultaneously delivering perfect diction and exact cutoffs. To sing a covered note, tones must be very round. That is why choir singers often have their mouths open very wide. The sound comes from the back of the throat. Need to hear the difference? Click here.

Furthermore, breathing techniques are different in choral singing, as well. Unless a piece specifically calls for a rest, there should be no discernable break in phrasing. This requires all the singers to work together to breathe at different times, discreetly, quickly and unnoticeable.

Soloists and belters usually get more audience credit for their obvious vocal ability than discreet choral singers, but that isn't a fair assessment. It isn't uncommon for a choral singer to have more muscle control over his/her diaphragm than a good belter, simply because it takes more to sing a clean tone quietly than it does to holler it loudly.

But don't take my word for it; who better to ask than Gareth Malone:

Peforming a choral piece is about teamwork, and choral music is often complicated in that regard. This is why a choir is an excellent place to learn music theory firsthand. You can't use a clever stylized riff to cover a mistake; you must know what you're doing. Each voice is assigned a vocal part (soprano, alto, tenor, bass = SATB), and the most fun/complicated choral pieces to sing are broken down even further, splitting each part into first (higher) and second (lower) harmonies (SSAATTBB).

One of my favourite choirs is King's College Cambridge. Not only are they well-trained, but they are conducted by one of my favourite sacred music writers, John Rutter. Add the acoustics of the amazing King's College Chapel, and you get one of the best choral sounds available today:

Choirs don't have to be gentle and boring, though, nor do they have to solely perform choral pieces. Ysgol Glaneathwy is an excellent example of taking popular pieces written for a solo voice and singing them astounding well as a choir:

One of the best parts of singing with a choir is the camaraderie of it, the sense of breathing life into a song. Every piece begins on paper, and it takes days, weeks, sometimes months of hearing only a cluster of notes here, a measure or two there. It isn't until the first time all the parts come together as a whole that it starts to take shape, each voice is a part of a grand puzzle. When it finally comes together, the emotion and energy can catch even the singer off guard. It often seems very sedate to the onlooker, but it is an amazing high to be part of that wall of sound, surrounded with music, hitting a perfect eight part harmony with 45 other people.

I adopted many favourite choral pieces during my many years of singing choral music, but two of them stand out. It was a struggle not to become overwhelmed while singing these two stunning pieces. To this day, I remember every word and every note, and they still make me tingle a little bit!

Franz Biebl's Ave Maria:

Pavel Tchesnokov's Salvation is Created:

Definitive proof

2011-09-19T12:10:00.001-07:00

Rock stars have nothing on stage tenors:

PS - there is strong rumor they're considering him
for the film musical version of Les Mis,
presumably for the role of Enjolras.

Ramin Karimloo and Hugh Jackman...
in the same movie....
singing together???

Stick a fork in me; I'm done.

Speaking of Adele...

2011-09-16T23:37:00.000-07:00

It isn't often I prefer a cover over an original,
especially by pop-style singers on random YouTube videos, but...

I have to give these two props;
this is an amazing accapella guitar duet cover
of Adele's Someone Like You:

I think it was the originality that caught me pleasantly off-guard;
it's completely different than its predecessor.

Dare I say I almost like it better than the original.
::gasp!::

Too much of a good thing

2011-09-09T10:36:00.000-07:00

Remember how I said I might take a break from the Outlander series to catch up on some other novels I've been dying to read? Well, I just caught a wee spoiler on Diana Gabaldon's website; a confession that she is indeed saving a certain revelation for the final book...

DANG YOU, DIANA GABALDON! DAAAAANG YOOOUUU!!!!

Three-quarters of the way through Voyager, I can feel a mammoth cliffhanger coming on. But Philippa Gregory's next installment of the Cousins' War Series comes out next week, and I know I'll be at B&N the very day it comes out, proudly clutching my new copy hot off the presses. Not to mention I had the thought to read The Hunger Games and Sarah's Key before the films come out, which is soon. Besides, The Book Thief has been tempting me for months now. Plus, I'm interested in 10-12 personal recommendations from friends. That doesn't even include the books I've randomly picked up from secondhand bookstores and library sales.

When you're a fiercely monogamous reader, very short on time to read them in the first place, and totally addicted to buying and collecting books, your to-read shelf constantly looks like this:

Can I cheat on Claire and Jamie for awhile? Can I clone myself so I can read them all simultaneously? Can I hire someone to follow me around at work and on errands and read to me all day long?

I thought reading for pleasure was supposed to be relaxing...

Fairy tales, mysteries and theme songs

2011-09-08T17:14:00.000-07:00

One of my least favourite inevitable annual happenings is upon me:
It was pretty much dark when I woke up this morning.

WWWAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Fortunately,
I can be easily distracted by the new fall TV lineup!
There are quite a few promising shows coming,
but these captured my attention the most.

Mystery or fairy tale?
How about both!

Is he asleep? Is he awake?
Is he dead? Is he bonkers?

Musical theatre
and Jack Davenport?!

The
what-does-JJ-Abrams-eat-for-breakfast-anyway?
show:

And finally,
the show I can already relate to the most,
I'm talking camera hidden in my house as research for the script,
PS Zooey, will you pleeeeeease be my friend in real life????

Which new fall shows are you looking forward to?

Set Fire to the Rain

2011-09-07T13:34:00.001-07:00

Adele is one of those singers that defies the rules. Technically speaking, she is gonna kill her voice quickly singing like she does. I'm not even a tiny bit surprised she had to cancel part of her US tour due to laryngitis. She sings improperly and rides her vocal cords HARD.

But even as a vocalist, I have to forgive her. Why? Because she's good. Not only is her earthy style contagious, but her songs are really well-written. I also think her personal demand for integrity and quality is to be respected; I hope she never sells out.

Yet, while the masses seems to flock to Rolling in the Deep, I think Set Fire to the Rain is a far superior track:

Tomato Basil Soup

2011-09-04T19:26:00.001-07:00

I've found another healthy-replacement-for-a-can recipe! One of Hubs favorite dinners is Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup, but the options at my locals stores are loaded with sodium. So when I saw this recipe on Everyday Occasions, I had to try it. Just look at her photo!

(All due credit to Jenny Hobick)

...and it was de-LISH! I will admit I tweaked her recipe a bit, though. Here is how I made it:

5 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 - 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes
1 - 14 oz. can of whole tomatoes
2 cups of reduced sodium chicken stock
1 tsp of kosher salt
1 tsp of sugar
1/2 tsp of fresh ground black pepper
1/3 cup of heavy cream
1/4 cup fresh basil, julienned
Big huge handful (or two) parmesan cheese, grated or shaved

In a saucepan, saute garlic in olive oil on medium heat for 1 minute. Add the crushed tomatoes. Add the whole tomatoes one at a time, squeezing them into the pan to break them up. Add the juice from the whole tomatoes, as well. Add chicken stock, salt, pepper and sugar. Cook the soup on medium at a simmer for 20 minutes.

Reduce the heat to low and stir in heavy cream and basil. Pull off the heat.

Puree soup with an immersion blender until all the tomato chunks and pieces of basil have become a smooth soup.

Stir in parmesan cheese and let it melt. Serve with a tiny bit of parmesan and basil sprinkled on top.

Accidental discovery: Also excellent topped with Fritos!

(I would've taken my own photo...but I ate it.)

Maybe Baby

2011-08-29T22:09:00.001-07:00

I picked this Netflix On Demand flick based solely on the cast list; I had no idea the plot was about trying to conceive a child. (Though the title should've been my first clue.) I found it to be quite relatable!

My favourite part, however, was a line from Joely Richardson's character:

I don’t know why it is that women feel such a deep need to create life from within themselves, why they yearn for a time when their own flesh will bring them comfort, but I know that they do. That’s an experience, which most women, women with children, miss out on in life; the intensely female grief, which accompanies the fear that those children might never exist.

Trying to conceive a baby while watching other women get accidentally pregnant again and again can be unbelievably frustrating. This quote, however, gave me comfort that our struggles are growing a deeper appreciation for that child, an appreciation to which easily-conceiving mothers cannot relate. I'd like to dedicate it to the few women I know will understand; you know who you are.

Straight to You

2011-08-29T11:23:00.000-07:00

Saturday night, the Sis and I went to Josh Groban's Straight to You tour. You might mock me for that, but I don't care; I like him. And after Saturday night, I like him even more.

First of all, he was actually singing; no lip syncing from this guy. I have immense respect for any singer that will sing live night after night, especially in large arenas of 10,000+ people and especially those with a wide range and in multiple languages. In that case, I will gladly forgive any random flat/sharp notes. Well done, Mr. Groban.

Also, he and his band have palpable musical integrity. Many of them play multiple instruments, Josh included, and they clearly understand musicality. That simply commands respect.

Finally, Josh has a great personality. He will be the first person to admit his biggest fans are usually middle-aged women, but he doesn't care that he isn't the epitomy of "cool". He has a great sense of humor, he doesn't take himself too seriously, and he clearly enjoys what he's doing. He's very down-to-earth, and he seems to love to engage his audience directly. (His Detroit show is a great example.) Once again, respect.

The Seattle installment of the Straight to You tour offered a new arrangement of You Are Loved, a few of his beloved Kanye West tweets on the piano, a Q&A session that included several Elmo impressions, and, in my humble opinion, a really engaging and beautiful stage set up.

The exciting (read: heartbreaking) part of our evening was an older woman with a cane who was trying to leave during the encore. The steps in Key Arena are steep and a little bit narrow and it was still dark in the arena. Our entire section saw her start to fall, grab the handrail, turn herself around 180 degrees, and continue to fall down another 5-7 steep concrete stairs backward. Needless to say, we were quite distracted and concerned during Josh's grand finale...though it was kind of poetic that Josh wailed the final rousing chorus of "You Raise Me Up" as the paramedics hoisted her frail frame onto one of their backs to literally carry her down the rest of the stairs. I still pray that poor woman is okay.

His opening act, Elew, deserves a shout out, as well. A pianist who wears superhero sleeves and doesn't use a bench, Eric Lewis plays very clever and beautiful piano arrangements of popular songs. My favourite, however, was his very simple, delicate take on Coldplay's "Clocks":

Thanks for a great night, Josh and Co; Seattle loves ya!

Dirty socks

2011-08-26T20:35:00.000-07:00

When you're trying to conceive a child,
you can't help but think what that child will be like.

Our child will so be the dirty socks kid...
and I don't mind that one little bit.

(PS - nope, this isn't an announcement.
I just find him adorable!)

Mongolian Beef

2011-08-23T19:01:00.000-07:00

I always get really excited when I succeed at a Far East recipe, since it is not my area of culinary expertise at all. However, the various Far East cuisines are my husband's preferred types of food, so I'm always trying to learn how to improve. This super easy recipe for Mongolian Beef was a sure winner.

1 lb of flank steak, thinly sliced
1/4 cup of cornstarch
3 teaspoons of peanut or canola oil
1/2 teaspoon of ginger, chopped
1 tablespoon of garlic, chopped
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of (low sodium) soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, optional
3 large green onions, sliced
2 bell peppers, sliced

Slice the flank steak, pat it dry and coat each piece in cornstarch, making sure every bit is covered. Set the steak aside.

Heat half the oil and cook the garlic and ginger for about 30 seconds to open up the flavors. Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, water and red pepper flakes; simmer for 2-3 minutes. Pour the sauce mixture into a bowl and set aside.

Pour the other half of the oil into the pan and turn up the heat; sear the flank steak strips on all both sides. Once the steak has browned, pour the sauce mixture back into the pan. Let the whole thing simmer long enough to thicken the sauce. Fold in the chopped bell peppers and green onions at the very end.

Best served over rice.

A trick to having one spicy food eater (Hubs) and one non-spicy food eater (me) under the same roof: don't add the spicy ingredient of the dish while cooking it. Plate the non-spicy dish, then add the spicy ingredient to the food remaining in the pot(s). I do this every time, and it always turns out great for both of our palettes.

Funny Girl?

2011-08-19T10:22:00.001-07:00

The stage world is all abuzz with the news that Lauren Ambrose has been cast as Fanny Brice in the upcoming remake of Funny Girl opening in LA, sights set on Broadway.

In case you aren't too familiar with Fanny, it's one of the most prolific female stage roles out there, originated by the effervescent Barbra Steisand. You may have heard of I'm the Greatest Star or Don't Rain on my Parade; that's Miss Brice. Long story short: these are big shoes to fill.

Not only are these pieces vocally demanding, but Fanny is funny and fiesty, best evidenced in my favourite Funny Girl song, "You are Woman, I am Man":

How many girls become a sinner
while waiting for a roast beef dinner, though?

Lauren Ambrose is best known for her role in "Six Feet Under", which I've never seen. I know her from her hysterically quotable role in one of my favourite college flicks, Can't Hardly Wait. "Look in the mirror; YOU'RE WHITE!" Neither, however, require any musical ability whatsoever. Like most, I was surprised and skeptical of her casting.

And then I saw this YouTube video and completely changed my tune. A bit of refining training - which I'm sure she's enduring even as I type this - and I think she stands to make an excellent Fanny. Perhaps I should even hope to see it someday:

Stereo Hearts

2011-08-15T22:49:00.001-07:00

Current sing-too-loudly-in-the-car song
that, as a music lover, I kind of adore:

My heart's a stereo, it beats for you so listen close, hear my thoughts in every note; make me your radio, and turn me up when you feel low, its melody was meant for you, so sing along to my stereo.

...and may I add that
Adam Levine was a sublime choice
for this track.

::sigh::

Bazinga!

2011-08-11T11:52:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I find myself WAY out of my element with my husband. His first university major in college was bio-chemistry. His second was engineering. His idea of fun is an entire day with his XBox and take-out teriyaki. He has subjected me to hour-long discussions on the merits of comic book characters. We have spare computer parts all over our house just in case he ever feels the need to reformat something. Our study proudly displays his hand-painted Warhammer 40K armies. Nearly every single TV series he owns on DVD begins with the word Star (-Trek, -Wars, -Gate...) His suggestion for our next holiday is always, "the moon", and he's completely serious. His college job was Circuit City. His heroes are Captain Kirk and Superman.

He got all this from his father, an engineer at an aeronautics company (yep, that's right; he is quite literally a rocket scientist) working on projects so confidential, he can't even tell us what they are. When you get these two together, they watch hours of live NASA feed and discuss every recent major development in the world of science and engineering: the CERN collider, Fukushima, the Space Shuttle, you name it. A recent family dinner turned into a scouting expedition to take photos of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Sea-Based X-Band Radar currently parked in Elliot Bay. Sometimes, they even discuss the probability of the latest superhero movie.

In short, I married a big ole geek. (It's a big reason why I love Chuck, a former geeky electronics store employee who becomes a highly trained fighting machine. For God's sake, I married Chuck.)

What I don't understand is why it's taken me so long to discover The Big Bang Theory. I've been binge-watching over the last several weeks, and I absolutely love it! Sheldon Cooper has quickly overtaken Barney Stinson as my favourite funny TV character. While my hubs has far more social skills than Sheldon, he certainly has his Sheldon moments. I think that is why this show is so funny; it's so true!

We Go Together

2011-08-11T11:38:00.000-07:00

This song is the bonus track
on the Tennant/Tate Much Ado soundtrack.

It isn't actually in the stage show,
but it's rather perfect for them, either way!

Knobbly shoulders and coffee creamers

2011-08-10T14:49:00.001-07:00

All throughout my attempts to lead a healthier lifestyle, I've always known what my Achilles Heel was: coffee. It was my comfort blanket and my stress reducer.

The problem was that I would go through a 35-ounce bottle of non-dairy creamer every week, in addition to a grande flavored whole milk latte from Starbucks nearly every single day. I love my coffee, but I had a strong feeling my coffee didn't love me back.

Step number one was to read the back of my creamer bottle, and boy howdy! This is what I saw: Water, Sugar, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, and/or Cottonseed Oil, and Less Than 2% of Sodium Caseinate, Milk Derivative, Natural Flavors and Artificial Flavors, Dipotassium Phosphate, Color Added, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Mono And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Carrageenan, Betacarotene. Color. What the heck does all that even mean? And soy? I've been drinking soy all this time?! GEEZ!!!

So, I read the back of this cute little bottle:

Nonfat milk, heavy cream, sugar, and natural flavor. MUCH better! Plus, the bottles are smaller and more expensive, so I'm financially forced to use less every day.

Step two was to clean up my Starbucks addiction. I started experimenting with different sizes and options. Now, I split my visits between a double tall 2% flavored latte and a black tea lemonade.

These two steps have halved my caloric and sugar intake with my coffee. Combined with the weight and resistance training I've been doing, my body is responding in ways it never has. You wouldn't know it to look at me (and I despise scales, so I can't give you a number, but...) I'm noticably firmer, I have way more endurance, and - this is my favourite part - my shoulders are knobblier. I can feel my shoulders!

There is nothing like realizing you're doing something right. Perhaps I will be in decent shape for having a baby after all!

(Yes, I realize I could cut out creamer and Starbucks altogether and see much more dramatic results, but I'm a firm believer that if God didn't want us to enjoy our food, he wouldn't have given us taste buds. If you're looking for that kind of fitness mania, you're reading the wrong blog!)

Sharp dressed man

2011-08-09T20:01:00.000-07:00

Yep,
this pretty much sums it up for me.
How about you?

No one even cares

2011-08-07T22:38:00.000-07:00

Last year, the number of officers killed on duty in the United States rose by a staggering 40 percent.

We are currently 217 days into 2011, and already, the percentage has skyrocketed. 111 police officers have been killed in the line of duty in the US in the 217 days of 2011...but that is not the number that angers me and breaks my heart.

45 of these fallen officers were assassinated. Assassinate: to murder by surprise attack. Murder is deliberate. These officers’ lives were deliberately ended by a surprise attack.

A single occurrence of police brutality somewhere in our country - whether or not the facts are accurate or the statistics are acknowledged – results in messages of hatred directed at me from a shocking number of people. Despite my husband never having been cited for brutality even a single time, I have become an easy target for expletives and name-calling on a constant basis. Even friends and family members I thought I could trust join in the verbal berating. Simply because my husband wears a badge, we have had to learn to endure undue judgement and vile hatred. I'd be lying if I said I haven't cried myself to sleep many times over it, but even more heartbreaking is knowing that when we have children, we're going to have to protect their innocent lives from this, as well.

Yet something far more vicious, violent and intended is literally killing a staggering number of our officers...and where is the media coverage now? Where is the righteous indignation now? These are deliberate, brutal attacks, that only begin to convey the reality that our streets are crawling with people willing to pull a trigger specifically to end a human life. Yet, just because these 45 victims wore a badge, no one even takes notice. No one is rallying to the cause.

These are people that have chosen to make sacrifices to protect us. I should know; I'm one of them. For my husband to serve this cause, we have both chosen to live a unique life that puts police service (read: public service) first. In the line of duty, my husband has helped talk a jumper off the edge of a high rise, held sobbing children who witnessed their father murder their mother, helped to capture dangerous wildlife roaming a city park, found and comforted terrified rape victims hiding from their attackers, even put himself between a crowd of people and a crazed man with a gun. And if any of the hateful naysayers ever need help, he is there, armed and ready to protect and serve. But none of that seems to count.

Every morning, I make his lunch, I kiss him goodbye, and I watch him drive off to work, praying to God that it’s not the last time.

And no one even cares...

Thirty day, shmirty day

2011-08-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

Confession: I haven't been to Zumba in months.

At the beginning of May, I got sick. Then I travelled overseas. By the time I finally went to another class mid-June, I discovered that my instructor was moving and the class was being cancelled. The thought of having to go in search for yet another class just made me tired, so I decided to try something new.

Well, not exactly brand new.

I realized that while Zumba was giving me great leg muscles and increased cardio stamina, my arms and upper body were still pretty darn pathetic. And while I spent two years cursing Jillian Michaels, I knew her 30-Day Shred could probably do the job, in the comfort of my own living room, no less.

However, my attempt in 2009 had caused me to hate that stupid DVD so much, I actually gave it away to someone. So I decided to approach it differently this time. When I attempted the 30-Day Shred two years ago, I had it in my head that I had to do it in 30 days. BIG MISTAKE. I was very out of shape, and all it did was hurt me. This workout is tough on knees, and I have a bum knee. Yet, my 30 days was ticking away, so I kept at it. WRONG.

This time, I gave myself permission to be wherever I was; to push myself, but not to hurt myself. I started Level One following the beginner workout without any weights at all. I couldn't do the whole thing without getting wicked cramps in my legs, but I did what I could. I continued to do the workout every other day, giving myself permission to skip it if my knee was bugging me. After a few days, I moved up to using the TV remotes as weights. (stop laughing) I soon moved up to 1-lb weights; I allowed myself to stay here for several weeks. Eventually, I substituted my 3-lb weights for certain exercises. The cardio was getting easier, too.

Earlier this week, I completed all of Level One, following the advanced workout with my 3-lb weights, and I had no cramps in my legs and no knee pain. (Insert squeal of delight!) It took two months. But ya know what? I feel good, I feel challenged, I feel stronger, and my muscles are actually firmer. I plan to graduate to Level Two soon, approaching it in exactly the same slow, deliberate way. If it takes me six months to be able to do all of this DVD comfortably, that is what it takes. When I do finally feel ready, I plan to do it the way it was intended: every day for 30 days.

Oh, and I figured out how to make the workout infinitely easier to endure: MUTE JILLIAN. I'm serious. Those horrible non-songs they play in the background made me feel like I was slogging though it, and I wanted to punch her skinny little head every time she said, "I don't want you to phone this in..." So, one day, I decided to mute the TV and crank up some tunes on my mp3 player instead. That single move has made it way more enjoyable!

After I finish with this endeavour, I hope to find a new Zumba class and to bring wrist weights...but that day is pretty far off at this point!

Musings of an INFJ

2011-08-05T09:41:00.000-07:00

Just because someone is non-confrontational does not mean they don't have valid and well-constructed opinions, thoughts and feelings. Just because they choose not to argue does not give anyone carte blanche to make them an easy target. A non-confrontational person isn't weak or foolish; it requires steel strength not to take the bait.

"It takes quite a spine to turn the other cheek." - Rob Bell

Lea dreamed a dream

2011-08-01T20:30:00.001-07:00

This video is amazing. It is young Miss Lea Salonga's audition video for Miss Saigon with the legendary Claude-Michel Schonberg from 1989. If you don't already know, the role of Kim in Miss Saigon made Lea Salonga. She is now considered a stage legend, one of my personal favourite sopranos ever, and here she is, singing "Sun and Moon" for the very first time. There is such a perfect simplicity to it; I almost prefer it to the original. It would later be said of this audition that "from Salonga's very first note, they already knew they had a potential Kim":

Here she is later in life singing the same song in her legendary role:

But the best part of the video is when she asks Schonberg for his autograph. She asks him to sign her poster of Les Miserables.

Lea's next defining role would eventually be Eponine from Les Mis:

Just last year, she sang the role of Fantine in the 25-year anniversary concert, 21 years after that first audition video:

Seeing that video with the knowledge of what the future holds for her is like watching a fulfilled dream unfold before your eyes...

Ugly society

2011-08-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

Marilyn Monroe was rumoured to be a size 12.

How is that for perspective?

Interpretive Dance

2011-07-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

Whenever I need a laugh,
I can always count on David Armand's
Interpretive Dance segment on Fast and Loose:

Yet another British TV gem!

Summer with a green straw

2011-07-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

My new love,
Starbucks Iced Shaken Black Tea Lemonade,
sweetened:

Why did I not try this earlier?!

My crazy underground garage

2011-07-29T11:17:00.001-07:00

Sorry I've been absent, readers. Truth be told, I went a little crazy. Actually, I went a lot crazy. I had to laugh at this Pinterest pin I found and can totally relate to:

It started last Friday. I woke up grumpy, but it made sense considering what point in my cycle I was. Oh yay, PMS time. Okay, fine. I'm totally used to it. It doesn't define me; I just deal with it and if eventually goes away.

But then, it got worse...and worse and worse and worse. Saturday, I was unsatisfied. I wanted to be anywhere but in my normal life, but I didn't know where that was. I ended up driving around aimlessly looking for anything that would make me smile, punctuated only by bursting into tears at Starbucks. Sunday, my family kidnapped me to a day of fun distraction, thank God. But by Sunday night, I felt like I was sliding back into my hole.

Monday was ridiculous. Save a couple hours of getting groceries and a single explosion of tears in the kitchen, I spent the entire day sitting on the sofa staring aimlessly at nothing. Seriously. I just sat there. I didn't have the energy, motivation or desire to do anything, but then I'd give myself a guilt trip for not doing laundry or paying bills like I should. The thought of my hard-working husband having no clean boxers to wear tomorrow because I simply didn't wash them only sent me into guilt-ridden tears again.

See? Ridiculous.

It all culminated Tuesday night when I screamed expletives at my husband through tears that just would not stop. I've never done that in the twelve years I've known him. The worst part is the look on his face; it was as if he didn't recognize me, and I couldn't blame him. I didn't even recognize me.

There were several moments when I almost called one of many beloved friends and family and asked them through sobs to please just come over. I've gone totally mad, and I just don't want to be alone right now. The only other time I've ever felt this completely out of control was when I was on the pill, and it's the reason I stopped taking it. I hate hate hate hate hate hormones.

Then there was the utter exhaustion. I've been beyond tired, which doesn't help with the emotional part. I've taken a nap every day this week, and I get hit with constant jaw-popping yawns whenever I'm awake.

So now, you're probably thinking what I did: maybe it actually worked. Maybe I'm pregnant. I couldn't decide if that was good news or bad. On one hand, it would be an explanation for my temporary insanity. On the other, I knew there was no way I could keep this up for three more days, let alone three more months. I found myself hoping I wasn't pregnant. If it was just PMS, it would go away in a couple of days. Please God, don't let this be a pregnancy symptom...

I waited until this morning - cycle day 30 - to take one of those early detection pregnancy tests. It was negative.

A kind coworker has been a lifesaver this week. "You know, I'm going through the same wild mood swings, and I don't even have a uterus anymore! This could be the stress of working here." She has a very valid point.

I guess I shared all that to reach out to other women that can relate. The worst part of being out of control emotionally is feeling like you're alone and you are actually going crazy. You're not. These crappy weeks and stupid emotions do not define us. Even if you feel uncertain about everything else, take that to heart. This too shall pass.

So, this is your cue, Aunt Flo. Really. Any time, now. Let's get this show on the road. I'd like to move on with my life.

Borders and Bridgewater

2011-07-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

Seeing Borders close is not easy for me,
but finding Emma Bridgewater on sale makes it a little easier:

Dancing on the edge

2011-07-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

After 31 years of life,
I've adopted Hot Chelle Rae's lyric
as my new motto:

I don't know if I'll make it,
but watch how good I'll fake it!

PS - I think we all owe a thank you to the band
for teaching us all how to pronounce Galifianakis.
You know you called him
"the bearded guy from The Hangover"
just like I did...

Satisfied

2011-07-20T12:42:00.000-07:00

I adore these lyrics:

Did you say it?
Did you mean it?
Did you lay it on the line?
Did you make it count?
Did you look them in the eye?
Did they feel it?
Did you say it in time?
Did you say it out loud?

Cuz if you did, hun,
Then you've lived some.
And that feeling inside?
That's called satisfied.

Dinna fash, Sassenach

2011-07-19T21:43:00.000-07:00

I just finished Dragonfly in Amber,
and now I'm even more hooked than I was after Outlander.

“I will find you,” he whispered in my ear. “I promise. If I must endure two hundred years of purgatory, two hundred years without you—then that is my punishment, which I have earned for my crimes. For I have lied, and killed, and stolen; betrayed and broken trust. But there is one thing that shall lie in the balance. When I shall stand before God, I shall have one thing to say, to weigh against the rest...Lord, ye gave me a rare woman, and God! I loved her well.”

Yep, you guessed it;
I'm already curled up with number three:

In the meantime, my list of other books to read is growing like mad. I adore Claire and Jaimie, but each of these novels is mammoth, and I might need to change it up a bit after Voyager. (Of course, I said that after this one, and look what happened...bloody cliffhanger endings!)

Anticipating

2011-07-17T21:16:00.000-07:00

15 September for the UK:

October 18th for the US:

Making memories of us

2011-07-16T21:22:00.001-07:00

Hubs and I had a hipster wedding reception
filled with old standards from Ella, Frank and Dean,
with one single exception:

Our first dance.

It may have seemed out of place at the time,
but to this day,
I absolutely love the country song we chose.

The lyrics are still perfect,
and hearing it on the radio
makes me fall in love with him all over again.

I'm gonna be here for you from now on,
this you know somehow.
You've been stretched to the limits,
but it's alright now.

And I'm gonna make you this promise:
If there's life after this,
I'm gonna be there to meet you
with a warm, wet kiss...

One of my favourite flashmobs

2011-07-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

The scene:
The guy eating on the balcony in a green shirt is Lin-Manuel Miranda. He wrote and stars in the Tony Award-winning play "In the Heights", whose tour is preparing to open in LA. He is casually having a meal in LA's City Walk when, all of the sudden, people start performing the show's signature song, "96,000" (which, by the way, is excellent).

Watch as the crowd grows and he realizes this flashmob of 300 singing and dancing fans is meant specifically for him:

Shutter Island

2011-07-15T20:57:00.001-07:00

Confession: I read movie spoilers.
Yep, I'm one of those people.

Okay, I don't read every movie spoiler; in fact, I don't read many movie spoilers. I really only read them if I'm skeptical of the film. Sometimes, the spoilers confirm my suspicions, sometimes they unexpectedly make me want to see the film. There are a few films that make me regret reading the spoiler first, but not many. A good film far exceeds a summation of its plot.

I just finished one of my pre-spoiled movies: Shutter Island. I decided to read the spoiler since the trailer was so friggin' creepy, but the plot and its twist piqued my curiosity. So after curling up on the sofa and watching a psychological thriller by myself at night (NOT smart, Lisa), I've come to the conclusion that Shutter Island is a film made so well, it almost didn't matter that I knew what was coming.

While being all about mental problems, this film is not cheesy, it's not a slasher flick, and it's not overdone. The mystery is riveting and the characters are complicated; just how I like it. And while I can't call myself a proper DiCaprio fan, he always blows me away with his performances. Dang you, Leo; this one was well done, too.

The thing that really struck me about this movie was how similar it is to Inception. And I loved Inception. I'm not the only one who noticed either. Check this fab trailer mashup:

The new season is approaching!

2011-07-14T20:51:00.000-07:00

I'm getting really excited about
the 2011-2012 season in Seattle's performing arts!

Among the shows I'm looking most forward to:

July
Comedy of Errors,
Seattle Shakespeare Company

August
Josh Groban,
Key Arena

November
Love Stories,
Pacific Northwest Ballet

December
Rodger and Hammerstein's Cinderella,
5th Avenue Theatre

January
Joshua Bell
with the Seattle Symphony

February
Disney's Beauty and the Beast,
The Paramount Theatre

March
Mamma Mia!,
The Paramount Theatre

May
Madame Butterfly,
Seattle Opera

I'm pretty sure music and theatre are quickly becoming
my stuck-in-Seattle-while-trying-to-procreate focus...

I need your vote!

2011-07-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

There are only two more weeks left in the Wanderlust contest to win a Million Miles! After 28 July, the finalists go to the judges. I'm number seven for British Airways Executive Club members; I actually stand a chance to win! Will you vote for me? It's super simple; no registration required!

To vote,
CLICK HERE!

Then click on the round red postcode.
Done!

Much thanks to ya!

Vocal comparisons

2011-07-09T10:27:00.001-07:00

Vocalists have types. When you train for vocal performance, you must first choose which type you want to learn. Someone who has a degree in jazz might be able to scat like Ella, but they turn into a beginner newbie when handed an aria from La Boheme. Why? Because the muscle dynamics of each type of singing are vastly different from all the others. However, with today's focus on television "talent" shows, the Glee phenomenon and cross-marketing, these lines are getting horribly muddled.

I personally get the most frustrated when this shows up in the theatre. Proper theatre singing is characterized by exceptionally good dynamics, most especially power and clarity. However, lately, there has been a rash of pop singers ending up on Broadway and West End stages in what can only be a marketing ploy to sell more tickets to a new demographic. This does not, however, mean they qualify for that stage.

The most obvious case of late is definitely Nick Jonas as Marius in the 25th Anniversary concert of Les Miserables. Pop singing is all about being hip, and I'm sure Nick Jonas is the current definition of hip. However, while Nick's airy riffs may excel in a pop arena, but they are deemed bad form on a theatre stage.

A good theatre singer will have to stand 9-12 inches from a standing mic because their projection is so powerful. Additionally, a good theatre singer's posture is going to appear very comfortable; all the correct muscles are being used properly for support. Their stance will be steady; breath will be coming from the diaphragm, not the lungs. The head will be facing forward and the chin will be in a natural position, not tilted up or jutting out; they're not relying on throat muscles to carry the sound. The tongue will be placed comfortably behind the teeth, because theatre singing is very forward and must come from the front of the mouth, resonating in the nasal passages.

Here is a comparison for you. Nick's Marius suffers from poor diction, short phrases and weak vibrato from an exhausted diaphragm, compensating by keeping his chin forward to gain support from his neck, face strained to open his nasal passages because he's singing through his nose:

And now, the same song by the effervescent Michael Ball. His diction is crystal clear, his stance is strong, his projection is loud, his quieter volume is well supported, long phrases come with ease, his strong vibrato and clear breath support is proof of a strong diaphragm:

Here is another comparison. The first video is a vocalist who could probably win American Idol or open for Britney, but she's not ready for the stage. Her singing is very stylized, she is relying heavily on her throat muscles for compensation which is why her tongue is pushed forward a lot, and her upper notes in her head voice are very unsupported:

In contrast, the second video is Sierra Boggess, a talented theatre singer demonstrating how this song would be sung properly. Notice how she is not exerting herself even half as much, and yet she is producing a significantly stronger sound:

This rule even applies to strong singers. For example, Jordin Sparks is one of my favourite R&B singers; her diaphragm strength is a force to be reckoned with. But her version of "Breathe" from "In the Heights" is very stylized, as if this was a music concert, and that can be distracting on the stage:

Comparatively, Arielle Jacobs delivers a very "theatre" version of the song. Just a little stronger, just a little cleaner, and it lets the emotions of the character come through. It just works better:

Another comparison of good vocalists demonstrates the difference between film and theatre. Rita Moreno is a good singer, but she is mic'd in the film version of America and doesn't need to be as dramatic:

On the other hand, Karen Olivo's Tony Award-winning stage performance of the same role is stronger and more dramatic because she can't rely on cameras to help her convey the role:

My last comparison is almost cruel, but it is also the easiest to see. I'll start with David Hasselhoff's "This is the Moment" from "Jekyll and Hyde". Notice his unsupported "rock star" stance, the complete lack of vibrato, the short length of his phrases, and how long he holds his consonants. It's almost as if he is yelling instead of singing (and I'm not even going to address his tone problems):

On the flip side, there is Keith Jack's version. Straight, calm stance, strong vibrato, proper phrasing, strong volume, supported sound, and comparatively, he looks like he is not even trying:

A lot of people think you're either born with the ability to sing, or you doomed to sound horrible all your life. I don't agree; it is all in the training. I think these comparisons show how even good singers don't sound good unless their properly trained and properly placed, and lessons in how to do those things are available to anyone. Singing is simply learning to control a specific group of muscles, and anyone that is willing to tone and exercise them regularly will surprise themselves at what kind of sound they can produce. Just be honest with yourself. If you study blues vocals, don't think that means you have what it takes to sing opera, or vice versa. But if you want to learn another vocal type, put in the work and make it happen. Anyone can do this.

Aladdin, the Musical

2011-07-08T12:52:00.001-07:00

Last night, I was fortunate enough to see the very first performance of Disney's new musical, Aladdin. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, as I haven't seen any of the Disney stage musicals and I wasn't sure how they were going to manage some of the trickier interpretations. However, I was impressed by most of their solutions and overall, I really enjoyed this show. As with many first performances, there were a couple of hiccups and performances were a little rushed, but I'm sure they were all nervous and they'll get all the kinks worked out soon. All things considered, they did a great job!

The first song, Arabian Nights, hooked me. It is a strong opening number, a throwback to the days of full ensemble choreography numbers. Another trick I was impressed with was the "A Whole New World" flying carpet scene. Of all the solutions a production can come up with for a flying carpet on stage, their solution is clever and enchanting. And while there were some distracting technical difficulties last night, I'm sure it will be even more enchanting once it is flawless.

There is definitely an element of Disney about the whole thing, almost as if it is something tangible you can pour into a syringe and inject under the skin. The music is fanciful, the colors are colorful and the general demeanor is happy and bouncy. The script takes a great deal of freedom, almost destroying the fourth wall of theatre. The Genie reminds audience members that he'll sign autographs at the stage door after the show, and at one point, the characters even refer to the show's program. There are also a lot of current pop culture references, though I'm not sure how much of that is James Inglehart's fun improvisation. It all adds to the fun and the humor of the show.

Speaking of James Ingelhart, his Genie is fabulous! For someone redefining the role of an animated, blue Robin Williams, he does a great job keeping your attention. If he can continue to grow and hone the role as the show gains attention, I think he stands a decent chance to be nominated for a Tony for this role someday.

Adam Jacobs' Aladdin is pretty perfect; he IS Aladdin. His lighter tenor voice fits this Disney role really well, but he still gets to prove his vocal worth with Aladdin's new ballad, "Proud of Your Boy".

Jonathan Freeman...what else can you say? He was the original voice of Jafar in the film and he's reprising the role on the stage. He's magnetic to watch, and his Tony nominated talent just oozes out. Don Darryl Rivera, playing Iago, the sidekick, only adds to the antagonist hilarity. They play well off each other. Check out their duet, Why Me?, on last month's Spotlight Night.

There are several new characters and new songs in comparison to the film. I really enjoyed the three sidekicks, especially the vintage-styled song, Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim.

Okay, the one thing that bugged me, and it bugged me on the Spotlight Night, too: Courtney Reed's vocal range. I think she's a talented actress; I really do. Visually, she is the perfect Jasmine, and she is fun to watch on stage. But these particular songs obviously stretch her to the top of her vocal range, and her style has a pop sound that can be really distracting. Especially some of the high notes of the key song, A Whole New World...as a soprano myself, I really struggled to get over that. I honestly hope she was just nervous, because I want her to do well, but last night was just not her night.

Overall, this is a great show. I think audiences are going to love it, and I think it's going to go all the way. I hope to see these guys in the audience at next year's Tonys, and I can't wait to say, "I saw the very first one!"

Operation Blue Bedroom is ON!

2011-07-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

This evening,
Hubs and I are going to go pick up this bed:

Not only is it made by a quality manufacturer and fits my dream bedroom perfectly, but we're getting it through a seller on Craigslist for less than 30% of what it retails for!

Now I just have to find matching accent pieces
for an equally great deal, and we're set!

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

UPDATE:
The seller never showed.
(insert sad face here.)
Back to the drawing board.

Chicken Salad

2011-07-04T14:10:00.001-07:00

I've been in the mood for chicken salad lately, but I'm really picky on what goes into chicken salad (ie. apples, grapes and nuts in chicken salad make me gag). So I decided to try the throw-ingredients-in-a-bowl tactic to make my own. And whadaya know, it worked and is quite tasty!

Now, to remember what I threw in the bowl...

1 full rotisserie chicken, pieces pulled from the bone and chopped
2 stalks celery, sliced
4 green onions, chopped
1 TBSP fresh dill, chopped
1 tsp dried parsley
1 cup olive oil mayo
2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tsp Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Fold it all together, and slap it between two slices of whole wheat bread with some roma tomatoes and crisp lettuce. Nom, nom, nom!

Quick update and some gratitude

2011-07-02T23:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone for your support on my last post. I'm doing much better.

As it turns out, my body was self-correcting its hiccup the entire time. Once I realized that, I also realized that was the big thing that was bothering me. How could I apply what I was learning to a body that wasn't behaving? However, now that it seems to have balanced out, I feel like I can cope with the other challenges. I also now realize I was extraordinarily premenstrual when I typed the last post! You'll be glad to know that sanity has returned!

Hubs and I are going back to Plan A: having fun with it. Oh sure, we'll utilize what we've learned to benefit our attempts, but we're going to try really hard not to let the paranoia dictate our experience. I can be a total control freak if I don't hold myself in check, so I've taken some steps to do just that. I've decided to keep a box of ovulation strips in the cabinet in case I want to double check my timing, but I'm not going to temp daily or chart anything. I've also cancelled my reservation on the fertility book. All that stuff will be there if and when we need it.

I'm also considering booking a short getaway this fall, because one of two things could happen. Either Murphy's Law kicks in and we end up pregnant, possibly forcing us to cancel the trip, OR...well...we get a trip out of it!

Okay, let's try this one more time. From the top...

DPO and mittelschmerz

2011-06-30T17:08:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last two weeks getting a crash course in the realities of the female reproductive system. I am now in the what-the-bleep-have-we-taken-on? phase. I certainly hope this shock happens to every couple trying to have a baby. After spending half my life paranoid of becoming a mom too early, I'm gobsmacked at the reality of babymaking as a thirty-something.

Unfortunately, this is exactly what I didn't want to happen, especially this early in the game. My expectations weren't unreasonable; I completely understood that it takes a healthy couple a full year on average to conceive. But in my mind, it was going to be a year of frequent, fun, loving, romantic encounters.

And then I learned how short the monthly fertile window really is.

Yes, I said "Fertile Window". That's another part of this phase: learning all the terminology. You see, two months ago, I simply wasn't on my period. Now, I'm on Cycle 2, CD 19, 4 DPO. Once you've heard the obstacles one must overcome to conceive - especially after 30 - you can't un-hear them. All of the sudden, all the paranoid women that used to seem slightly crazy start to make sense, and you find yourself wondering why you aren't doing what you can to minimize these challenges. This is how I came to possess Taking Charge of Your Fertility with lots of page markers and several boxes of sticks to pee on.

It certainly doesn't help that my Former Evil Gyno's condemning but flippant mention that, "Well, you should be tested for PCOS," keeps playing in my head, especially since my cycle is still wonking out. This month, not only am I heavily spotting again, I'm cramping, too. (Apparently, the Germans call this mittelschmerz, just in case you didn't think I could work a random German word into a post about my lady parts.) This could mean something really good, something really bad, or absolutely nothing at all. But to find out which, all I can do is wait.

That's the one thing I'm absolutely certain of in this endeavour: waiting. Wait for your period to end. Wait for ovulation. Wait for your husband to get home from work. Wait to see if your attempts were successful. Wait. Wait. Wait. I hate waiting. Trying and failing I can handle. Sitting around wondering without being able to take any sort of action is my own personal torture.

Needless to say, I'm feeling overwhelmed. I'm feeling really overwhelmed. Someone please tell me this is normal.

A finished patio

2011-06-26T16:55:00.000-07:00

(otherwise known as We're Out of Money)
I'm calling the patio pretty much finished...for now, at least. GEEZ, outdoor stuff is expensive! We'll have to add to it over the next several years to create my original idea of a moss and twinkle-light covered forest oasis, but for now, it's a perfectly lovely place to enjoy some sun!

(If you need a reminder, the before photos and our first update.)

Our wood dining set has proven to be a great investment,
and a friend has offered to refinish it to a deep espresso color for us.

We finally have a proper grill!
I can't wait to use it on steaks and chicken!

I love our solar lights;
they're a great finishing touch!

Some hanging candle holders give the space a whimsical feel:

The flowers provide much needed color
and soften the edges of the hard concrete.

Our outdoor rugs are one of my favourite investments;
they add a lot of substance to the space.
We even found a spot for our
Shakespeare in the Park folding chairs:

Lies and illusions shattered

2011-06-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

I hope this helps you as much as it helped me.

HEALTHY FEMININE CURVES ARE BEAUTIFUL!

A slight delay and some surprises

2011-06-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

According to our little plan, Hubs and I have officially been "not preventing" since we returned from London nearly a month ago. However, that translates to exactly nothing since my usually-regular cycle decided to go completely wonky. At the risk of oversharing, I've just finished three weeks of nonstop spotting/bleeding. I'm not too concerned, though; it's actually pretty typical after a long-haul flight. In hindsight, the idea of conceiving a child after 23 hours in a dehydrating airplane cabin wasn't the brightest idea in the first place. So basically, my news is no news. You heard it here first.

In the meantime, I've realized how much I'm looking forward to revealing the pregnancy to loved ones. I love knowing that for a tiny period of time, I'll be the only person on the planet that knows, and I'll get to surprise everyone with the news. There are so many YouTube videos chock-o-block full of ideas. And since we're nearly the last in our group of friends and family to start a family, I have a feeling we're really going to catch people off guard!

To all of our friends and family,
reactions like this are warmly welcomed.
Screaming is good.

I always love the dads that are truly surprised:

Or the dad that announces his joy to the entire restaurant:

Then, of course, there are the
"there are how many in there?" twins reveal videos.
(I don't need to have one of these.)

Or the two sisters that made their announcements simultaneously.
(No, Sarah. This is not my next brilliant idea.)

This one, however, is my favourite.
Revealing to her husband that she's expecting
after years of infertility.
Simple, sincere, perfect reaction.

Doctor Austen

2011-06-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

This is just fun!

(Not to mention one mother of an edit job!)

Murray Hill

2011-06-16T22:24:00.000-07:00

Remember this obsession?

I found the bedroom set I want.

Isn't it absolutely sublime
(as well as entirely out of our price range)?

Zimmer's Honor

2011-06-16T21:48:00.001-07:00

How have I missed Zimmer's score for "The Pacific" until now?

It is amazing,
especially the main theme, Honor:

Just gorgeous.

Fist pump to Vancouver

2011-06-15T22:57:00.000-07:00

Since I have a few readers from Vancouver, Seattle's neighbor city, I just want to send out a note of encouragement. I understand what it is like to be ashamed of something that happens in your city; where a disgraceful minority dominates the headlines and tarnishes the reputation of an otherwise lovely place. You're a gorgeous city with gorgeous people, and while you'll be dragged through the headlines for awhile, it doesn't define you.

Additionally, I tip my hat to the Vancouver mayor for calling a spade a spade and strongly supporting his city's first responders in their difficult jobs. I hope they get every single one of those that broke the law...especially those that did it for an umbrella and a can of Pringles.

Keep the faith, Vancouver.

Shakespeare High

2011-06-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

On the want-to-see list:

Favourite Tonys moments

2011-06-12T22:18:00.001-07:00

Hugh and Neil sung together...

...the lovely Miss Foster WON!

...and even I have to give it to Daniel Radcliffe.
Brotherhood of Man was a scene stealer!

A weekend in NYC sounds perfect right about now.

Deep breath

2011-06-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, you just need
to take a deep breath and chill:

Opus 36, Dustin O'Halloran

January Rain, David Gray

Delicate, Damien Rice

Frail, Jars of Clay

Glorious 39

2011-06-09T20:55:00.000-07:00

Ooh, this one was so close! It is a story about a woman who begins to suspect her beloved adopted aristocratic English family has very sinister ties to Nazi appeasement during the first few weeks surrounding Britain's declaration of war on Germany in 1939. Most of this thriller combines the refined English-ness of Agatha Christie with psychological Hitchcockian suspense that keeps your eyes glued to the screen. I really enjoyed most of this movie.

It was the end; the end just sorta fizzled out like water on a fire. With two solid hours of growing tension, I was primed for an explosive climax, whether it be a major triumph of good over evil or a bittersweet cathartic commentary on society. Neither happened; those last few minutes failed to deliver. They provided a small twist, but it paled greatly in comparison to the nailbiting story it was trying to wrap up. Insert disappointment here.

The cast list, however, make this film still worth seeing. Director Stephen Poliakoff calls it his "Brit Pack": Romola Garai, Charlie Cox, David Tennant, Jeremy Northam, Bill Nighy, Jenny Agutter, Julie Christie, Hugh Bonneville, Christopher Lee...it's as if the UK Film Council exploded, and performances meet expectations. The sets and costumes of this period piece are also delicious to watch, as well.

Another reason to see the film deserves mention: the history of appeasement. Nowadays, we only read victorious stories of surviving the Blitz and defeating the Nazis...but hindsight is 20/20. At the time, looking forward into the unknown, the idea of going through another violent war so soon after the first World War would've been terrifying. It's a choice I am grateful for, but it must have been a very difficult one to actually make.

MAJOR WARNING: animal lovers are going to have some trouble with a particular sequence of scenes in the middle of this film. It addresses the fact that many English were forced to euthanize their pets upon fleeing the cities. I thought the scene of crying people handing over their cats in the lobby of the vet was bad...until the main character walks through a storage room, of sorts, with already euthanized animals literally hanging from the ceiling in bags. That is immediately followed by the bags being tossed onto large bonfires. Dead human bodies, I can handle; dead cats and dogs, not so much. You've been warned.

Starbucks We Love You Fridays

2011-06-05T10:20:00.000-07:00

Attention Seattlites! Starbucks just wrapped up it's third of five We Love You Fridays designed to thank the city that started it all. Frankly, these are fabulous deals, but so far, every Seattlite I've talked to has no idea this is going on.

Every Friday at 3pm, participating Starbucks locations are handing out vouchers for free tickets to major Seattle events during the summer. The past three have been the Seattle International Film Festival, the Seattle Aquarium, and a Mariners game. The next - and last - two are tickets to West Side Story at the Paramount and admission to the Seattle Art Museum. Totally free; you don't even have to buy a coffee to get a voucher.

The rules and regulations are pretty simple:
1. almost all participating locations are within Seattle city limits or in immediate suburbs
2. one voucher per person, so bring a friend/family member/coworker/random stranger on the street
3. vouchers are given out on a first come, first serve basis, and once the shop is out, they're out
4. vouchers can only be redeemed for specified dates, but they do provided several options to choose from.

I was out of the country for the first one, too bloody jet-lagged to care about the second, but finally made it to the third. I was surprised how super simple it was to get free Mariners tickets. The Southcenter Starbucks I went to wasn't even crowded. I plan on visiting on the remaining Friday afternoons, as well.

Gotta love free summer stuff! We love you, too, Starbucks!

What a glorious feeling

2011-06-01T19:42:00.000-07:00

Quite possibly the greatest shower curtain ever.

Doodle ooh doo, doodee doodle ooh doodee...

Uncharted

2011-05-31T17:56:00.000-07:00

I was going to post the proper Uncharted music video
simply because it's my new sing-too-loud-in-the-car song.

And then I found this new video.

Ingrid Michaelson, Vanessa Carlton, Ben Folds, Adam Levine,
Pharrel, the fabulous lip-syncing guy from YouTube,
a cross-eyed Josh Groban with a banana....

I'm honestly not sure which I like better;
the song or this video.

CHECK IT!

(PS - I may have the tiniest crush on Adam Levine...)

Stone of Destiny

2011-05-30T20:50:00.001-07:00

This is definitely a fun flick...even though adorable Charlie Cox has a rubbish Scottish accent!

I found this movie inspiring. You see, while I am a rabid Anglophile, I adore the Scots. It's an American thing; many Yanks simply love all things Scotland. We love your accents, we love your shortbread, we love your tartans...we even love Nessie. Perhaps it's that many of us have Scotch names in our family trees and blood in our veins, myself included.

I think, however, it runs a bit deeper; a sort of the enemy of my enemy is my friend kind of thing. Both of our nations have had a bit of an argument with England over who is going to call the shots in our countries. Not only has Scotland's battle has been far longer and more gruesome than our own, they are still fighting. Americans can identify with that, and we feel duty bound to support our Scottish friends.

So Scotland, America tips her hat to your Parliament and your Stone of Scone. Keep flying your blue flag high; the world wouldn't be the same without you.

(Now if only someone could explain to me why Craig Ferguson thought a move from Glasgow to Los Angeles was a good idea...)

Copy of that, too, right here...

2011-05-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

I've arrived home from holiday to discover the stupidest woodpecker inhabiting this planet seems to have mistaken our metal chimney for its new home.

I am usually an advocate for all of God's living creatures, but have you ever heard what it sounds like when a woodpecker pecks on a metal chimney?

SERIOUSLY.

Choose your caption

2011-05-29T17:32:00.000-07:00

a) Someone is clearly having trouble letting go of the United Kingdom,

b) Why I should never be allowed near a DVD store with a credit card
(also applies to music and book stores),

c) How the #$%&*% am I going to admit this to Hubs?!

One Day

2011-05-29T15:28:00.000-07:00

I haven't read the novel,
though I know the ending.

I'm still on the fence on whether or not
I'm going to like it.

I guess we'll see...

Much Ado About Nothing

2011-05-27T11:26:00.001-07:00

I'm at a loss for words to properly convey how much I absolutely loved this show! Not only is it two of my favourite actors performing two of my favourite characters in one of my favourite Shakespearean plays, but they took it to a whole new unexpected and brilliant level of downright fun!

While this production remains true to the backdrop of an Italian villa, they bumped the timeline up a bit and gave it a far more modern vibe. Benedick arrives on stage driving a golf cart decked out in Union flags, the party has strobe lights and a DJ, and Hero's masquerade mask is that of Princess Diana. (I'm not even going to spoil the surprise of Benedick's costume!) It sounds awkward, but it works, a true testament to the idea that Shakespeare's works stand the test of time.

This production also adds an extra element of farce to the comedy, as well, especially to the two scenes setting up Beatrice and Benedick to fall in love. By the time David Tennant delivers his "I will be horribly in love with her!" speech, he is covered from head to toe in white paint. I think he even had some in his mouth. Catherine Tate's Beatrice overhears her ladies while dangling twenty feet off the stage from a wire attached to her pants. These clever additions leave you absolutely in stitches from laughter!

While I went into the Wyndham Theatre with high expectations, the performances actually exceeded them. David Tennant is just as explosive in person as he is on the TV screen, and his Benedick was spot on. He clearly has a strong grasp on delivering Shakespearean lines, utilizing vocal inflections and pauses as strong as the words themselves. I especially loved that he played the role in his glorious Scottish accent.

I have a whole new appreciation for Catherine Tate, as well. She cleverly applied familiar responses from her established TV characters where applicable, and even though a brief flub of one line sent the entire theatre into red-faced laughter - David included - her tearful portrayal of Beatrice's emotional pain during the wedding scene had me absolutely riveted. I found myself wondering why she's never let herself go like that before. That girl has been holding out on us!

As with all Shakespearean productions, there are songs; songs with no music. It's always interesting to see how the production team translates these musical numbers. This one excels musically with a sort of rockabilly vibe, complete with choreography by the entire cast. One party scene even turns the whole theatre into a thumping club.

I highly recommend this show! It officially opens on 1 June. Anyone that can get tickets, GO! You won't regret it! Now, I hope they record it and release it on DVD worldwide. (hint, hint to the powers that be!!!)

Love Never Dies

2011-05-27T09:51:00.000-07:00

I left the theatre after Love Never Dies really torn. If you weigh the show on its own merits, it's strong. It has some great songs, and the plot is interesting. However, if you weigh the show against its prequel, it starts to lose ground quickly. Fans of the original are not going to be too happy. (WARNING: this is just gonna be chock-a-block full of spoilers, so don't read ahead if you don't want to know what happens.)

In order to make this new plot work, the writers changed many key traits of our beloved characters. Demure Meg becomes a racy burlesque dancer, brave and debonair Raoul becomes a drunk gambler, and the Phantom and Christine's relationship turns into attempted justification for Stockholm Syndrome.

To me, the beauty of the original Phantom was the ironic catharsis at the end. The single beam of light on the mask of the tortured, murderous villian who grew a conscious at the very last minute and did the right thing. It is one of the most powerful final scenes in theatre. The viewer is supposed to feel pity for the villian, but he is still the villian.

So, to me, to decide that Christine eventually returns to him later for a night of passionate baby-making only to have the Phantom leave her the morning after completely undoes the poignant ending of the original. Furthermore, to have the rest of the plot unfold as if the Phantom is the new hero trying to rescue Christine from Raoul's drunken rage...whaaaattt??? Who's play am I watching?! It's as if the original play never even existed.

And the ending...well, the end just sucks, plain and simple. WRITING FAIL, Sir Lloyd Webber.

However, when disconnected from its prequel, this play starts to show its strengths, namely some new classics from Sir Lloyd Webber and the superior performances of this stellar cast. You know when you're listening to West End caliber talent; they're simply unmatched in skill.

I didn't have too wait long for the song I was most looking forward to, 'Till I Hear You Sing. I had goosepimples within seconds, tears in my eyes by the end. Hearing the amazing Ramin Karimloo sing that song from only yards away was one of those few moments in my life I will always remember:

Another strong contender is Devil Take the Hindmost. Lloyd Webber has always excelled at writing multiple melody lines for multiple voices, and both this song and its reprise are no exception. The original has two strong male voices arguing in song, and I just love it! (Have I mentioned I adore Ramin Karimloo?)

And while I do not approve of the direction Beneath a Moonless Sky took the plot, the song itself deserves a nod. It is a passionate love duet if ever one was written, and Ramin and Sierra perform it beautifully:

Overall, Love Never Dies was a wonderful night at the theatre. And as long as I view this play completely independent of the original, I really do enjoy it and plan to buy the soundtrack soon. Thanks to YouTube, my husband is already sick to death of some of these songs.

Insert contented sigh here

2011-05-27T09:05:00.001-07:00

Ice cream cones on sunny Brighton Pier
Breezes and grandeur at Blenheim Palace
A brisk hike at chalky Seven Sisters
Bobbing along the Thames to maritime Greenwich
Nearly blowing away at blustery Windsor
A little Phantom, a little Shakespeare
Contentedly wandering five award-winning museums
Tea and antiques in the Cotwolds
Soft hymns sung in grand cathedrals
Strolling the mall, the Serpentine, the South Bank
Buying a little Bobby Bear from Harrods...just in case.

It was a perfect English escape.

If you're interested,
head to my travel blog for more details
over the next several days.

National Police Week 2011

2011-05-13T22:11:00.001-07:00

To every one of my friends that are officers, to all the men and women who help my husband come home every single day, to those who volunteer their time and support to departments struggling with budget cuts, and to every police spouse and family member reading this, I extend my most sincere thanks to you for the sacrifices you all makes every single day. I am proud to be standing alongside men and women that have chosen to answer calls for help, take action when action is needed, and choose to do the right thing, even when it isn't easy.

May you never find yourself at the end of that one gun or knife you didn't see. May you never have to use your family action plan because you and your loved ones have been threatened. May you never contract a disease or a parasite answering a call. May you get a shift that allows you to hug your children every single day. May you never have your words twisted by media more interested in ratings than truth. May your name never be in an End of Watch dispatch. May your spouses never have to hold a folded flag.

A sincere and proud Police Week to you all!

Surprising scores

2011-05-10T10:44:00.000-07:00

I love it when I watch a film with low expectations
only to discover that the score is delicious!

My latest surprises:

The Conspirator

2011-05-02T09:50:00.001-07:00

It is my opinion that Robert Redford did a beautiful job making a vital statement in an understated way with The Conspirator. It is a reminder of something that applies just as much today as it did then.

I appreciate that this movie doesn't try to irrefutably answer the unanswered questions surrounding President Lincoln's assassination. This plot doesn't put Mary Surratt on trial; it puts the US justice system on trial. Mary Surratt is by no means a victim, but neither are the judge and jury. Instead, the film reiterates our collective obligation to always conduct ourselves honestly and fairly, especially when circumstances seem greater. We should never let the way things seem dictate how we make our decisions, personally or as a country. Things are never black and white, and we must be prudent not to let ourselves get lost in the gray, or we're no better than those we are accusing.

Of course, hats off to James McAvoy; is the man capable of a bad performance? His American accent was spot on throughout almost the entire film. Robin Wright's quiet performance just reminds everyone how much we've all liked her since she was a princess bride. The sets and costumes were obviously done with great attention to detail. Having visited Ford's Theatre and the house where Lincoln died only months ago, I was impressed by the accuracy of the entire film, especially one shot in particular. I won't give it away in case you don't know your US history, but there exists a historic photo of the actual event, and it's pretty much bang on target.

As a police wife, I found myself convicted regarding Alexis Bledel's character, the main love interest. She stood by her companion...until things became too difficult, until peer pressure became too strong. She left him on his own with nothing but his convictions to do the right thing no matter what. While I could completely relate to her pleading for him to just walk away, in the end, she was wrong. We can't just give up when life becomes too difficult.

Bedroom, part deux

2011-05-01T22:53:00.000-07:00

One of my major to-dos for this summer is our bedroom. The paint colors on the walls when we moved in weren't right for us, and I'd always thought we'd just use the matte chocolate brown we'd had before. Not only do I still love the color, but we don't really have a lot of extra money for a whole new scheme in our bedroom.

And then I started daydreaming. Dang it.

I've become completely enamoured of a much softer look. Ice blue walls, clean white molding, deep espresso wood stains, crisp white bedding, soft white sheers. Something a little bit like this:

This would require, of course, starting at square one. We can't afford to do that...but isn't it pretty?!

Tortellini Florentine Soup

2011-05-01T20:21:00.000-07:00

The tastiness of this soup surprised me! It requires a bit of prep (grilling and shredding chicken, cooking tortellini), but it comes together really quickly once you're ready.

Ingredients
9 oz three-cheese tortellini, cooked al dente
28 oz reduced-sodium chicken broth
10 oz Alfredo sauce
2 cups grilled chicken breast, shredded
1/2 cup julienned sun-dried tomatoes
3 cups (lightly packed) fresh baby spinach
1 oz Parmesan cheese, shredded

Directions
In medium pot, combine broth and Alfredo sauce. Stir in shredded chicken and tomatoes. Heat just to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Add cooked tortellini and spinach. Cook 1-2 minutes to heat through and wilt spinach. To serve, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Makes approx. 6 servings.

One of these days, I'd like to master making my own Alfredo sauce to cut down on preservatives...

Indulging

2011-04-29T08:13:00.000-07:00

I tried to play it cool; I really did.
But the closer it got to the wedding,
the more my raging Anglophile came out to play!

Loved the pomp.
Loved the circumstance.
Loved the trumpets announcing the Queen's arrival.
Loved the uniforms dripping in regalia.
Loved the trees lining the abbey's nave.
Loved the tiny Queen's standard on her Rolls.
Loved William and Harry saluting the Cenotaph
on the way to Westminster.
Loved all the wacky hats and fascinators.
Loved Philippa's dress.
Loved the page boys.
Loved Becks in tails.
Loved Wills visiting the campers.
Loved the choir singing Rutter.
Loved the flags lining the Mall.
Loved the abbey exploding with music.
Loved the crowds singing along outside.
Loved the red carpet across the black and white checkered floor.
Loved the horse-drawn carriage; loved the procession.
Loved hearing the bells.
Loved the awesome ceiling shots inside Westminster.
Loved seeing it all work like one glorious production.
Loved sharing my favourite city with two billion people for a day.

And yes...
loved, loved, loved Kate's dress!!!

Most importantly,
I love that I'm going back in less than three weeks!

In case you missed it, some highlights:

...and a few fabulous photos of the day!

My warmest congratulations
to the brand new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge!