Lordamercy, it's been a doozy. Not bad, really, but just weird. Busy, frazzled, funny, odd, ridiculous, and then some. But filled with some really good things.
October twenty-first through the twenty-sixth has been brought to you by....
The 2 Bridges 5k with my girls, Peyton and Lindsey. We pretty much rocked it (Peyton's first race!) and I have big plans for making a little movie out of all the pictures and videos I took while we ran/walked.
Visiting Ketner's Mill for the first time and enjoying freshly made apple fritters. YES.
My most ambitious crafty endeavor yet and a time honored tradition in my personal Halloween costume history. Jason's request which just makes me all sorts of giddy and happy like a schoolgirl in love.
Breathtaking views from work that make up for what a pain in the keister it is to get up here some mornings.
A Thursday night filled with all sorts of my favorite people.
One more Halloween sneak peek. I am only an overachiever when it comes to crafting.
I'm told that the weekend ahead holds good things.
I promised you a blog post on Tuesday and then...nothing. Since there doesn't appear to be a riotous uprising in my comments demanding to know where said post might be (which is good, I can only handle so much bloggy guilt) let's just push on.
The thing is, it's not like I don't have blog posts swirling around in my head. It's just that real life, the life right in front of my eyes, was more important. And I know that might sound like a given, but as a girl who loves her social media it was actually a really healthy step for me to be OK with not blogging for a few days. The hours spent at my sewing table, the conversations on the sofa with Jason, the notes that got written, the hours across the table from a new friend- those were the voices that needed to be heard. So I listened.
You know what else I like to listen to? Songs performed by the Glee cast.
{Most awkward segue EVER. Whatever.}
This shouldn't surprise anyone who's read my blog for over a year. I was hooked as soon as it started and it's provided much needed inspiration and encouragement at times. There's a solid chunk of songs from the show on my phone, always ready for me to belt out on the way to work. So I got to thinking this morning that I should share with you my Top 5 Favorite Songs from Glee. Here we go...
5. "Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy"
You need to know that I am a huge Judy Garland fan (Wizard of Oz, natch) and a huge Barbara Streisand fan. So when Kurt and Rachel did this song, I was enthralled. I love the wardrobe nods to the original performance (you should go watch it if you haven't ever seen it) and how Rachel mimics some of Barbara's mannerisms. This song was also the start of two rivals becoming friends, and the thought of a good Judy & Barbara song bringing people together just makes me happy.
4. "I Dreamed a Dream"
Pretty much from the minute they started playing up the idea of Rachel's mother being out there, I knew that she had to be played by Idina Menzel. (Sidenote: I just heard my friend Reen give an "Amen!" ) She stole my heart as Elphaba in "Wicked," and she and Lea Michelle even look alike! It was destined.
"Les Miserables" was the first show I ever saw on Broadway and I have no idea how many times I've sung this song since the first time I heard it in eighth grade. The fact that the writers used it as a vehicle for Rachel to hear her mother for the first time made me sob when I saw it and still makes me tear up. I mean, it's her mom! And she's never met her! And they've dreamed this dream! But it's been killed! Ok, maybe not killed, but man those writers are good at the emotional manipulation.
3. "Funny Girl"
A.) It's from "Funny Girl." A Barbara song. You can't go wrong with this.
B.) It's a song that Rachel Berry would pick. "Exactly what I would have done. Barbara. I could do it in my sleep."
C.) Idina Menzel.
D.) That moment at 2:34 when the strings are swelling and Rachel says, "Miss Corcoran?...I'm Rachel Berry.... I'm your daughter." (you have to imagine it, I couldn't find a video of the actual performance from the show) AND LET THE WEEPING BEGIN.
2. "As If We've Never Said Goodbye"
I'm constantly in awe of how the writers and producers pick songs that pay homage to pop culture or Broadway and convey so many of the emotions of the characters on Glee at the same time. This one does that splendidly. Kurt has just come back to McKinley after some intense bullying made him transfer out for a while. I absolutely adore how triumphant Kurt around 2:45. And as cheesy as this may sound, that last line, "We taught the world new ways to dream," is (I think) absolutely true of the entire show.
1."My Man"
Lea Michelle has performed several Barbara songs in her time as Rachel, but this one is my absolute favorite. If you've ever seen the 1968 movie version of "Funny Girl", you know just how heartbreaking this song is within the context of Fannie Brice's. So there's the power of that and then Lea's incredible voice? I'm a goner. Put this one on repeat and belt it out. Totally cathartic.
It was hard to limit myself to five (and not end up with any "Wicked" songs in there), but these are the ones I come back to over and over again. A show about show choir has never made me happier...
Y'all know how I love me some Broadway, right? If not, go read here and here and here.
I looooooooove Broadway. Obviously. And so, I also love the Tony Awards. Best award show of the year, in my totally humble and correct opinion. So I was more than a little dismayed when, as my father-in-law was opening his Father's Day gifts, I glanced at their TV only to see Kristin Chenoweth (the ever fabulous Glenda in "Wicked") presenting a Tony. "Oh no!" I cried, "I forgot to set the DVR to tape the Tony's!!"
Did I mention my father-in-law was opening his Father's Day gifts? Clearly, I am a loving and doting daughter-in-law, fully devoted to giving him his shining moment.
But in my thirty years on this earth, I have matured. So I swallowed, took a deep breath, came to grips with the fact that it wasn't the end of the world and proceeded to spend another hour at Dad and Cammie's.
How does this show you've matured?, you may ask. Because just two scant years ago, I would have either jumped in the car myself or made Jason go back home to start taping them immediately. Or I would have ditched the rest of the present opening and parked myself in front of the TV, frequently telling everyone to shush.
The maturing? It has happened.
I had not gotten around to actually watching the hour and a half I did manage to tape until today. And by and large this looked like a pretty slow year on old Broadway. I mean, Xanadu was nominated for Best Musical. Are you freaking kidding me? We're talking roller skates, a muse from ancient Greece, terrible 80's fashion, Olivia Newton John songs and that's Best Musical material? I don't think so.
Still, the producers did manange to get one thing right when they honored the show that in 1996 totally rocked Broadway's world. I'm talking about "Rent". And right now, I have to say a GIANT thank you to Stuart Nelson for introducing me to the music in the first place and who is probably responsible for my Broadway obsession in general.
Watch and enjoy. And imagine yourself sitting next to me as I bounce up and down, scream, clap, sing and (of course) cry tears of joy.
I don't know if you've heard, but Halloween on Franklin Street is kind of a big deal in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
(What?! Halloween? Um, Leslie, we're in the middle of summer. You're getting a little ahead of yourself. I know, I know. Hang with me. I have a point.)
In fact, at one point I'm pretty sure that UNC was one of the top ten campuses to be at for Halloween. From Wikipedia:
Franklin Street is most notable for itsHalloween celebration which occurs annually on October 31. Tens of thousands of all age groups attend the event each year; nearly 80,000 attended in 2004. The event is not town sponsored and the town actually discourages out-of-towners from attending; yet, an influx of non-residents descend on the town each year despite the town's suggestion. In an attempt to promote order during the event the Town of Chapel Hill now closes the street to traffic after 8:00 p.m. on Halloween and directs visitors to satellite parking decks around the town, from where buses can shuttle tourists to the main event area. Attendees of the event typically dress in costume and stroll Franklin Street enjoying the wide array of festive atire and snapping photos.
When you've just graduated from UNC and are still living in Chapel Hill, Halloween on Franklin Street continues to beckon. And who was I to say no? I was living in the notorious E-Ranch with Debo, Anna and Carlye in October of 2000. Four of us. I started thinking of possible coordinating costumes for four people. Of course, Wizard of Oz came to mind, being my favorite movie of all time. There was some discussion of the four of us going as the main characters.
Ok, actually, I suggested that I go as Dorothy and the other three could be the Scarecrow, Lion and Tin Man. I think I remember Anna's response being hysterical laughter and, "So, let me get this straight. You want to be cute little Dorothy and the rest of us could be your sidekicks?!" And more hysterical laughter from all three ensued.
The idea of going as group characters being shot down, we all pursued our own individual costumes. I, of course, stayed the course and went as Dorothy. Just a more...how shall I say?... grown up version of Dorothy. Debbie had the perfect dress hanging in her closet, never having been worn, and I created my own ruby slippers. I wasn't dirty or anything, I just wasn't this version from when I was in 3rd grade:
I don't remember what Debo decided to go as. She may have vetoed Halloween that year. She would break with convention that way, back in The E-Ranch days. I do know that Naoshi went as Santana. This would end up being really funny later on in the night...Debo? Feel free to remind me in the comments.
Carlye and Anna headed to the fabric section of Wal-Mart and let their imaginations run wild. The result? Anna as Pocohontas and Carlye as a Wood Nymph.
Except that for most of the night up on Franklin Street, Anna and Naoshi costumes were mistaken for Cheech and Chong. Seriously. If I remember correctly, Anna's feelings were seriously injured. And why wouldn't they be? When you create a costume from scratch in an attempt to be a noble Native American and are mistaken for a high, unemployed, idiotic pothead, wouldn't you be mad too?
...do you suppose there is such a place, Toto? There must be. It's not a place you can get to by a boat or a train. It's far, far away...behind the moon...beyond the rain..."
The Wizard of Oz is making its annual appearance on TBS which makes my heart swell with happiness.
My kids are elbow deep in construction paper, glue, wire hangers, and other various and sundry craft items as they create "Hanger Characters" as an in-class project for Shiloh Day. I love these kinds of projects and so do they. Their creative juices start flowing, they look at each other's and offer words of encouragement or suggestion. There is sweet comfort as they rummage through the box of fabric, ribbon, and paper that Grandmother used to use to create all her gorgeous Christmas decorations.
And just now, in unison, they all started singing the chorus to "One Short Day". Yes, lengthy project time means they want music to work by and the most requested music these days is the Wicked soundtrack. Several of them have bought it now and most of them have quickly picked up the words, as kids will do. As I watch one sweet girl halt in mid color, throw her head back and sing with all her heart, I catch a glimpse of what it must have been like to know me in fourth grade.
I'm a little bitter today because I did not have one single trick or treater last night. NOT ONE. And this was after I spent over $10 on the good candy. What constitutes the good candy? Milky Ways, Three Musketeers, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, and Kraft Caramels. The Milky Ways and Three Musketeers even have glow in the dark wrappers! But no, not one child darkened the doorway of the Cactus Ranch. And so, I am now left with a giant bowl of chocolate that Sarah Jo keeps walking by, looking in and then saying, "No! No, I'm not going to eat this!" But then she goes and fixes a few Break & Bake cookies and eats those anyway. We all have our particular chocolate fix.
However, joy and rapture, there was an occurence yesterday afternoon that pretty much makes up for all of that. Many thanks to my dear friend Lisa (famous in her own right, but also wife to the famed Mr. Jimmi Mac) who clued me in to the fact that Shoshana Bean was performing on Martha's new talk show on TLC. Who is Shoshana Bean? Only the woman who plays one of the best characters currently on Broadway - Elphaba from "Wicked"! She performed "No Good Deed" and it gave me goosebumps all over again.
I taped it and showed it to my kids this morning as a special post-Halloween treat. Ok, I'll quit with the "Wicked" now.
Right now, as they work on a Dynamath magazine, three of my boys are singing songs from the soundtrack to "Wicked." We've spent the last couple of weeks listening to it at lunch and Nick went out and bought it for himself last night. Eighteen more lovers of Broadway in the world. My work is done.
"So if you care to find me, look to the western sky. As someone told me lately, everyone deserves the chance to FLY! And if I'm flying solo at least I'm flying free- To those who'd ground me, take a message back from me: Tell them how I'm defying gravity..."
So sings Elphaba, also known as the Wicked Witch of the West, in "Wicked" which is quite possibly THE best show I've ever seen on Broadway. I was completely entranced for all 2 hours and 30 minutes, mouth gaping in awe of the talent before me. I had wondered if listening to and memorizing the entire soundtrack would spoil it for me. Not a chance. And the ending! I'm not going to give it away but when it happened I was like a little kid, hands clapping in joy and then pressed to my face in delight.
I realize that for a select few of us, musicals make perfect sense. Of course I'm going to break into song now, in the middle of this street, to express my happiness! And I will be joined by others who will dance around me in perfect unison. Of course I will slip into a corner and sing a song of wistful envy and no one else will be able to hear me. Of course I will finish my story with a heartstring tugging song that eloquently sums up all my thoughts.
But why do they capture me so? I think I just am able to slip off into that imaginary world more easily than some. It has never been hard for me to put myself into the shoes of another character and feel their feelings. Musicals tell grand stories. Stories of hope, love, anger, bravery. The characters may be real or imaginary, but the musical itself captures the essence of those stories. And those are stories that we live out day to day. John Eldridge would also say that those stories remind us of the Gospel-of a fall and a redemption. Combine all that with my adoration of music and voila! A lover of musicals am I.
I realize that this is now the second entry about things of Oz. Let me assure you that I am not completely obsessed. But, it is part of my own personal definition of a Drama Queen. A Drama Queen is passionate. She feels things deeply and is not afraid to express them. And my friends assure me that this is indeed who I am.
"I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow, If we let them and we help them in return. Well, I don't know if I believe that's true but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you... So let me say before we part, so much of me is made of what I learned from you, You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart. And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have re-written mine by being my friend...Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."
I've seen two Broadway shows in two days and here's what I've learned:
- Suffering with all the other tourists in the TKTS line and smelling dead fish wafting up from the South Street Seaport is worth it when you get great seats for a Broadway show that day.
- Christina Applegate can sing AND dance! She's currently starring in " Sweet Charity" and she's doing a fabulous job. I am now envious of the dumb blonde from "Married With Children."
- If you want to feel three years old again and have someone cheer you on and then clap for you when you use the bathroom successfully, go see "Wicked" at the Gershwin Theatre and visit the second floor ladies room. I'm not kidding people. The attendant cheered and clapped. For all of us. The whole time. It did keep the lines down though.
- "Wicked" is quite possibly one of the best shows to ever hit Broadway. Buy tickets now and we can roadtrip together in the fall. I'll even treat you to Tastee-Delite afterwards.
- We should all feel a little more love for the Wicked Witch of the West. Turns out she wasn't so bad after all. And my girl can sing!
- Janet Ray and Deidre Coles MUST do a musical for the Trinity play next spring so that I can fulfill all of my Broadway fantasies!
There's so much more that I've done, but I'll have to buy you a cup of coffee and tell you all about it later :)
P.S. Yesterday, I was two feet away from the guy who plays JR on "All My Children"!
"Well, I guess I've learned that if I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I shouldn't go looking any further than my own backyard. Because if it's not there, I never really lost it to begin with...there's no place like home!"
Vacation is snuggling on a couch in Kiawah Island, South Carolina with my 4 and 7 year old cousins to watch "The Wizard of Oz." There is nothing else to do, no other pressing agenda than to settle in with these sweet girls (after they have fought over who sits where, of course) and watch our "most fav-oh-wit movie evah."
It really is my most favorite movie, has been ever since I was captured by the color, spectacle and wonder of Oz. I wanted to be Dorothy on a grand journey with faithful friends and a cute dog. Well, maybe I just wanted that fabulous dress and ruby slippers. My mom made that possible on Halloween when I was 8 years old. The dress was perfect, just like Judy Garland's, with a white blouse and the trademark blue gingham pinafore. And thanks to two bottles of Wet and Wild nailpolish, I had my ruby slippers.
Now it is my turn to watch it through a child's eyes. The girls narrate the entire viewing and punctuate it with question after question. Madison and I discuss the witch and the flying monkeys and agree that it is violently unfair when they take Toto away. After I explain (again) why the Winkie soldiers are chasing Dorothy, Abby nestles into the crook of my arm and murmurs, "I love my Leslie." Does it get better than that?
I realize that my 8 year old wish has come true. I am in the middle of a grand journey. Many faithful friends accompany me. I don't have the cute dog yet, but as the Wicked Witch says, "All in good time, my pretty, all in good time!"
