Everyone knows I am a sucker for a movie musical. Whether waiting in line for the first holiday premieres of Les Miz or Dreamgirls - or catching up on the latest episode of Glee. From a young age I was always drawn to song and dance on the screen. Thus it is with much excitement that I am noting the release of Warner Bros. Best of Musicals box set. It is a staggering collection of 20 beyond classic movie musicals that span almost a century now. It is astounding to see how this one studio has been steadfast through decades of dominion and drought. There are of course the mammoths like Wizard of Oz, American in Paris & Singin' in the Rain. But these are only touchstones. It starts back with The Jazz Singer - and not the Neil Diamond travesty - but the original talkie that started it all. And then onto early classics like Broadway Melody and 42 Street with young Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell. James Cagney tearing up the stage in Yankee Doodle Dandy - check! Ava Gardner's tearful farewell in Show Boat - check! Judy Garland's defining "Man That Got Away" in A Star Is Born - check! And for those that thought the great age of musicals died off in the 60's? Don't forget we still had The Music Man and Elvis flicks like Viva Las Vegas on the marquees. Liza Minnelli in Cabaret is there. Victor/ Victoria and Little Shop of Horrors hold their own for offerings from the 1980's. And Hairspray is also a worthy current entry. Like a kid in a candy store.
Jeffrey made a very difficult decision this weekend to surrender his cat Sophie up for adoption. We knew when moving in together it might be a difficult transition for all of us involved. Waylon was certainly up for the challenge of a new playmate. Jeff's other cat Tucker is an outgoing creature and even though independent as any cat can be, seems to adjust to any situation as long as there is food. Sophie on the other hand has always been a more aloof creature. She was fine for the first week of the move and appeared to be even more engaged by exploring the house and tempting the dog. But by week 2 we began the long process of pissing on the bed. Usually just before we tucked in for the night to find a huge pool of urine in the center or on our pillows. We tried a new litterbox and coaxing to make the fit more comfortable for her. But at times it was pointless. Thus came the difficult decision about her future. She was Jeffrey's first cat and there is always the guilt involved. But I think it important that despite the loss, it is also about finding the correct fit for a gentle and loving animal. If our mixed household is not the right fit for stability she needs, there is someone out there looking for the bond with this loving cat. I hope she will be happier in a house with less animals to compete for her attentions. But I applaud Jeff for his bravery and loss - he is a special man.
I posted this article in my blog at work the other day, but thought it was worth sharing with my home audience as well. From MyScienceAcademy.org - It is a look back in the year from science and technology and mind boggling things that have been realized. In my mind, they are beyond innovation... Brain sensors that can hack a human mind or control an artificial limb on a paraplegic. Stem cells that can prolong a life span in mice to triple their normal expectancy. Artificial leaves that activate their own electricity through photosynthesis. Genetically modified silk in worms that is stronger than steel. A real invisibility cloak that bends light reflection to provide being seen. All true - it lists 27 milestones and each of them is an achievement to be saluted.
Today is a lovely winter day spent at home in the comfort of my house. I took a voluntary day off from work because of all the extra hours I have been clocking. It is neither a beautiful sunny one or a dismal grey one. Nonetheless, there is a fresh blanket of white snow on the ground - enough to make it pretty without the hassle of a shovel or snow emergency. The house is quiet except for the purr of the furnace and music when I am choosing to play some. Dress is casual with a pair of flannel sweats. But I was most intrigued with the sound of the morning cardinals at the top of the trees on my morning ritual with Waylon. I was commenting last night how chilling it was and that it is about the time of year when I start to pine for spring. With the barren trees, they are easy to spot with their loud calls from the tallest branches. It is a small sign that warmer days are soon to come. Also a reminder to fill the feeder by the front window so I can watch them frolic.
Amazing technology has made the breaking news that infamous King Richard III has been found beneath a city parking lot in Leicester ENG. How is that for a breakthrough? The remains were unearthed in Sept. and extensive research over the last months has confirmed "beyond reasonable doubt" that it is indeed the deposed King. Those not familiar with English history of the 15th century King: He was a villainous ruler during the era of the War of the Roses between the houses of York & Lancaster. He was corrupt and ruthless in his quest to cede power of the thrown. History tells us that he was hacked and put on display at his death and supposedly buried on the grounds of Greyfriar's Church or else tossed in the river. The confirmation of genetic tests and body scars now shows that he was left abandoned in a hollow grave with no adornment. History can now rest silently.
WGI - which is the head for our indoor color guard and drum line activity, put up a new video posting today in response to the Super Bowl yesterday. Our season is just underway over the last two weekends. And hoping to tap into a bit of the game excitement - they offered up a few clips from past shows. First is Father Ryan HS which did a football themed show in 2006. And then Centerville HS color guard which did their own take off of a half time marching band show. For those outside world of pageantry & marching arts.
I know Netflix has had a steady stream of advocates and haters over the last year. I myself migrated away from cable and television long ago. I began with the little red envelopes that would come in the mail and later weaned myself off them to streaming on my computer, table and finally back onto big screen at home. But after reading a very insightful article in this month's GQ magazine, I have become an even bigger endorser. Head honcho Reed Hastings has an impressive ideology on all fronts from his consumers to the very people working in his offices. First off - he speaks that television, cable and even the film industry with its endless train of previews, season premieres and cliff hangers - leave us all in a perpetual zone of waiting - for that next episode. No one cares about prime time or Neilsen ratings anymore. Why should we not have the convenience of what we want when we want it? How easy it is to get sucked into the entire season of Ugly Betty in one huge orgy of an evening. Or the opposite; taking the needed pause when watching an epic Merchant/ Ivory film. And now that Netflix is offering it's own slate of series, they are hoping to expand the possibilities of small screen. Attracting the visionary talent that wants to push barriers without the "box" imposed by a major network. And who is to say that an ideal episode needs to be defined in 24 or 47 minutes? Can I say that I have eagerly been waiting the reboot of fan fave Arrested Development for the last 2 years and will gladly pony up my bucks for it. Or the concept of telling us what we like based on viewing algorithms so we don't bother wasting that valuable time on some corny movie that looked much better than the preview we saw at the cineplex. And then there is the work environment nurtured by headquarters. There is no limit of vacation time or sick pay. As long as the job is done well - no questions asked. "You don't have to give up your life to do your job incrdibly well" he says. He even flew his entire staff in for the Arrested Development wrap party where they all took pics on the Bluth mobile and ate via a taco truck & chocolate covered bananas from the Bluth banana stand. How cool is that!
