I feel all out of sorts right now. My collar isn’t sitting right, the printer is too loud, the air is running and I can’t hear my radio.
What a start to a Monday morning. Plus my coffee is cold and it’s not even 10 a.m.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
They would not listen, they did not know how.
I was going to crack out another random blog for you, but on “Sunday Morning” they reported that today was the day Vincent Van Gogh died many years ago. So I'm going to give you the blog that I wrote a month or so ago about my favorite Van Gogh piece: Starry Night.
There's something about Starry Night that has always captivated me. The first time I remember exposure to it is art class when we had to do our own depiction--was it in paper or tempera paints? Of course then there was that "Boy Meets World" episode and Mr. Hagen's Starry Night tie. I don't think I ever studied it formally--we tended to study form and function over history. My high school art teacher wasn't smart enough to cover it. I do remember it in our World History book.
But why Starry Night? Maybe because all the art we studied in Spanish class was so rigid and overtly religious centered with very realistic styles. Even Picasso’s dramatic depictions didn't strike me the same. Maybe that's because Picasso is so much ingrained in our culture that it didn't inspire me when I was first exposed to his works.
There's a whimsical quality to Van Gogh's paintings, not just Starry Night. Van Gogh used colors very much ingrained in my internal palette: deep blues, purple, splash of bright colors like yellow and red. The painting simultaneously feels very vast and intimate. Sometimes all I can see is the looming sky, frightening with its swirls. But the glowing stars are also comforting with a village nestled under them.
And that shape in the foreground. Sometimes I wish it wasn't there obstructing my view, but without this large looming spine, the picture would lose its balance. I don't always see the object (and what exactly is it? rocks, fire?) sitting there. Somehow I look past it. I wonder if that's how Bob Ross (that guy on PBS) got his inspiration for the big dead tree or ugly bush right in the middle of his beautiful paintings. Maybe all this time he was taking his cue from Van Gogh. And here I thought Bob was a radical.
Jenny bought me Starry Night for Christmas and then two of his iris paintings. Well, that sealed the deal.
Another reason I think Starry Night draws me in is because it seems mosaic, and I've always had a fascination for mosaics.
When Trading Spaces came on, I contemplated what my fantasy room would be. After some time it became clear that it would be a Starry Night room, though in what form, I could never picture.
But then it came to me. Why try to recreate this masterpiece in a different form--emulate it. So we bought sponges and the richest, darkest blue and purple we could find and the yellow closest to starlight. Without any guide other than my love for the painting, I sponged this dark blue paint on the wall. Soon I figured out how much was the right amount of paint on the sponge and just how much pressure to apply.
It was a leap of faith, one that consumed me and soothed my soul for seven days. I'm so proud of my room the transformation it underwent.
To go to the New York Museum of Modern Art (MoMA for those familiar with the term) and stand before this painting was truly great. I've stood in front of many other paintings wondering how it would feel to see this one. When the real moment came there were no choirs of angels singing or epiphanies--but I was awestruck and captivated. I wanted to stay there longer to study it, so my only disappointment came when I knew I had to keep moving.
I floated through the rest of my day--for I had been so honored to stand before Starry Night.
There's something about Starry Night that has always captivated me. The first time I remember exposure to it is art class when we had to do our own depiction--was it in paper or tempera paints? Of course then there was that "Boy Meets World" episode and Mr. Hagen's Starry Night tie. I don't think I ever studied it formally--we tended to study form and function over history. My high school art teacher wasn't smart enough to cover it. I do remember it in our World History book.
But why Starry Night? Maybe because all the art we studied in Spanish class was so rigid and overtly religious centered with very realistic styles. Even Picasso’s dramatic depictions didn't strike me the same. Maybe that's because Picasso is so much ingrained in our culture that it didn't inspire me when I was first exposed to his works.
There's a whimsical quality to Van Gogh's paintings, not just Starry Night. Van Gogh used colors very much ingrained in my internal palette: deep blues, purple, splash of bright colors like yellow and red. The painting simultaneously feels very vast and intimate. Sometimes all I can see is the looming sky, frightening with its swirls. But the glowing stars are also comforting with a village nestled under them.And that shape in the foreground. Sometimes I wish it wasn't there obstructing my view, but without this large looming spine, the picture would lose its balance. I don't always see the object (and what exactly is it? rocks, fire?) sitting there. Somehow I look past it. I wonder if that's how Bob Ross (that guy on PBS) got his inspiration for the big dead tree or ugly bush right in the middle of his beautiful paintings. Maybe all this time he was taking his cue from Van Gogh. And here I thought Bob was a radical.
Jenny bought me Starry Night for Christmas and then two of his iris paintings. Well, that sealed the deal.
Another reason I think Starry Night draws me in is because it seems mosaic, and I've always had a fascination for mosaics.When Trading Spaces came on, I contemplated what my fantasy room would be. After some time it became clear that it would be a Starry Night room, though in what form, I could never picture.
But then it came to me. Why try to recreate this masterpiece in a different form--emulate it. So we bought sponges and the richest, darkest blue and purple we could find and the yellow closest to starlight. Without any guide other than my love for the painting, I sponged this dark blue paint on the wall. Soon I figured out how much was the right amount of paint on the sponge and just how much pressure to apply.
It was a leap of faith, one that consumed me and soothed my soul for seven days. I'm so proud of my room the transformation it underwent.
To go to the New York Museum of Modern Art (MoMA for those familiar with the term) and stand before this painting was truly great. I've stood in front of many other paintings wondering how it would feel to see this one. When the real moment came there were no choirs of angels singing or epiphanies--but I was awestruck and captivated. I wanted to stay there longer to study it, so my only disappointment came when I knew I had to keep moving.I floated through the rest of my day--for I had been so honored to stand before Starry Night.
Pictures (top to bottom): Starry Night at the NYC MoMA
Swirl on my north wall (complete with Iris
Painting, though not a van Gogh).
Close up of wall to show "brush strokes." I used a round sponge with
little circle grooves to dot on my yellow texture for stars as the first layer.
The second layer I used a flat sponge with broad groves to emulate his brush
strokes.
The last picture is a corner of my room...two walls meeting. I continued my purple swirl onto the next wall, similar to the continuing swirl in the painting.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
If I could, I'd only want to make you smile
I don't have any organized thing to blog about, so I'll just chat with you. It's like the Fireside Chats ... except there's no fire by my side and I'm not-so-presidential.
Last week I ascended--my first since NS13 roll out. I should have counted how many times I had to go back and get healing items. It wasn't pretty. So much for my "Defeated in One Try" wand of Nagamar collection.
I'm been in a huge M*A*S*H* phase lately. Almost every night I watch one or two episodes. In June I started from the beginning, and am at Season Six. Now we finally have all the seasons. I'm not sure if I ever saw the last episode.
I checked out Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix from the library last week. I want to read it and 'Half Blood Prince again before I read 'Deathly Hallows (hollows?). I think I might get them in. But it might be close. I reserved my copy of the new one about two weeks ago, and I'm number 47. For whatever reason they had two lists, and the other one was 141. I just need to finish the Robert Ludlum book I'm reading and get to Harry.
Last week Hok got kicked off So You Think You Can Dance?. Oh well, I guess. There are still the other ones I like. Wade hit on the head with Lacey, she's very talented and a good performer. But she's also one-dimensional. With her and Danny, I think the judges (at least Mary) won't kick them off, unless they really mess up. Mary said when Danny and his partner were in the bottom three, "You're not going home this week." If I was Nigel I would have kicked her under the table. You can't say that until they do their solo...because that's what you're supposedly judging them on.
Each time when I log into blogger, the dashboard gives me an overview of my writing history. X posts, last edited on such and such day. This morning it told me that I've made 130 posts. I've been blogging for two years, so that's about five posts a month. Which is about right. I wish i would have way more than that, but it's lack of inspiration and lack of typing time that limits me.
What have I been doing with myself? Writing, reading, working, watching M*A*S*H*, working on my tan ... yup. Oh yeah, and adventuring.
Last week I ascended--my first since NS13 roll out. I should have counted how many times I had to go back and get healing items. It wasn't pretty. So much for my "Defeated in One Try" wand of Nagamar collection.
I'm been in a huge M*A*S*H* phase lately. Almost every night I watch one or two episodes. In June I started from the beginning, and am at Season Six. Now we finally have all the seasons. I'm not sure if I ever saw the last episode.
I checked out Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix from the library last week. I want to read it and 'Half Blood Prince again before I read 'Deathly Hallows (hollows?). I think I might get them in. But it might be close. I reserved my copy of the new one about two weeks ago, and I'm number 47. For whatever reason they had two lists, and the other one was 141. I just need to finish the Robert Ludlum book I'm reading and get to Harry.
Last week Hok got kicked off So You Think You Can Dance?. Oh well, I guess. There are still the other ones I like. Wade hit on the head with Lacey, she's very talented and a good performer. But she's also one-dimensional. With her and Danny, I think the judges (at least Mary) won't kick them off, unless they really mess up. Mary said when Danny and his partner were in the bottom three, "You're not going home this week." If I was Nigel I would have kicked her under the table. You can't say that until they do their solo...because that's what you're supposedly judging them on.
Each time when I log into blogger, the dashboard gives me an overview of my writing history. X posts, last edited on such and such day. This morning it told me that I've made 130 posts. I've been blogging for two years, so that's about five posts a month. Which is about right. I wish i would have way more than that, but it's lack of inspiration and lack of typing time that limits me.
What have I been doing with myself? Writing, reading, working, watching M*A*S*H*, working on my tan ... yup. Oh yeah, and adventuring.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Save the Earth—or Leave Your Conscious at the Tone
For as long as I can remember, we've been warned about global warming. They taught it to us in school--the Earth's atmosphere is deteriorating, letting in harmful rays. They would eventually raise the temperature of the Earth, melt the ice caps, so on and so forth. This damage isn't something that can be fixed, but we can make changes so we don't hurt the planet any more than we need to. It was taught to us as fact.
But all of sudden (using a Seth MacFarlane phrase) in Bush's America "global warming" was a theory. Not only that, a laughable theory from the Chicken Little's of the world--giving another reason to hug a tree or prevent destruction of some natural resource which would decrease that one percent's profits. Keep buying those suv's, hummers and the like. So you're spending more than $100 to fill your tank. It's merely the cost of luxury, and well worth it. Wouldn't you say?
Last summer, a group of scientists met. From different countries, renowned each in their own field. And as far as I know, they weren't considered alarmists.
And what was their conclusion? Not only was global warming a fact, it was here. Our climate and so much more has been changed and damaged almost beyond repair. It's warmer, weather is more volatile and animals are in danger. None of it is a coincidence, all of it is really happening.
Shortly after, a documentary premiered "An Inconvenient Truth," telling us what dire conditions we have created and what will happen if we ignore it. Many brushed it off as Hollywood going political again, shock entertainment, passed off as the truth all in the name of making money.
Then we find out Al Gore spear-headed the project. Oh, well then that changes things. It's the guy who "invented" the Internet drumming up publicity, trying to re-invent an image that could get him elected. (Does this tactic sound familiar? When there's something we don't agree with or don't want to believe--we label it as an exaggerated bedtime story, meant to scare little children. People of America! Don't believe these follies! Don't fall for this story, you're much too smart for their lies! Burn the witches, women are dangerous ... er, I mean ... global warming doesn't exist, he's just trying to make a run for president! Hmmm.)
Skip ahead to this summer, Al Gore has organized a series of concerts, Live Earth, to raise recognition for global warming. The amount of negativity surrounding it astounded me. The guy who organized "Live AID" to raise money for fighting AIDS in Africa said everyone knows about global warming, why do we need recognition for it? What's the point?
The point is, everyone KNOWS about Global Warming, but we have to fight eight years of denying it exists. We need to put it in front of people. We need to show every person that they personally need to change the way they live their life. It doesn't take millions of dollars, it takes small changes. Then it takes the power of numbers: millions demanding change from corporations, industries, governments.
There was also criticism that the concerts were adding to the destruction of the Earth. Millions of people gathering, creating waste with cars, tickets, shirts, garbage---bands in buses, electrical equipment. Not only that, people were coming to hear music. Not to save the world. No one would pull anything but some good tunes from that night.
Gore said that these concerts were green. Meaning, they were different than normal, using environmentally friendly stages, equipment, etc. I can't speak to what was different. But even if one artist changed the way they will tour, they will change their lifestyle to be more green, that will help.
Sure, not every concert goer got the message--but maybe some of them did. Or maybe some will adopt some green lifestyle changes, without quite knowing why they should. It got publicity, and maybe during that more people learned little things they can change to be more responsible.
Yes, global warming was there and had a voice before Gore. But the people in power in this world don't listen to the guy next door or the small-ranking scientist. Like it or not, Gore can generate money and this money might produce results.
So what's next? Since I was taught in school that we should each do our own part to save, conserve and recycle I went to the Web site: http://www.earthlab.com/ to learn more about how I can live greener. You can answer questions to see what your impact on the earth is. How much carbon you're creating. Then you can learn about ways to lessen your carbon output. Easy things that aren't expensive--or that don't cost money at all (maybe even save you money!). Then, if you're so inclined, you can keep reading and taking action by changing the way you live.
I saw last week on the Sunday morning show, that it costs more money to recycle plastic bags than it does to landfill them. So the majority of the bags are going to landfill, destroying the water, killing wild life or just simply taking forever to deteriorate. Now, I'm going to make an effort to use cloth bags. It's going to be slow and a hard adjustment. But it's important. Not to mention that we have a shit ton of plastic bags laying around the house.
Okay, maybe you don't buy this because it's coming from a liberal, tree-hugging hippy. I can accept that. But you can still do small things to help make the world a better place to live. Recycle, conserve water, make the choice to use less plastic when you have the opportunity to do so. If nothing else, check out the Web site to see how you can make changes to live greener.
Your children and grandchildren will thank you.
But all of sudden (using a Seth MacFarlane phrase) in Bush's America "global warming" was a theory. Not only that, a laughable theory from the Chicken Little's of the world--giving another reason to hug a tree or prevent destruction of some natural resource which would decrease that one percent's profits. Keep buying those suv's, hummers and the like. So you're spending more than $100 to fill your tank. It's merely the cost of luxury, and well worth it. Wouldn't you say?
Last summer, a group of scientists met. From different countries, renowned each in their own field. And as far as I know, they weren't considered alarmists.
And what was their conclusion? Not only was global warming a fact, it was here. Our climate and so much more has been changed and damaged almost beyond repair. It's warmer, weather is more volatile and animals are in danger. None of it is a coincidence, all of it is really happening.
Shortly after, a documentary premiered "An Inconvenient Truth," telling us what dire conditions we have created and what will happen if we ignore it. Many brushed it off as Hollywood going political again, shock entertainment, passed off as the truth all in the name of making money.
Then we find out Al Gore spear-headed the project. Oh, well then that changes things. It's the guy who "invented" the Internet drumming up publicity, trying to re-invent an image that could get him elected. (Does this tactic sound familiar? When there's something we don't agree with or don't want to believe--we label it as an exaggerated bedtime story, meant to scare little children. People of America! Don't believe these follies! Don't fall for this story, you're much too smart for their lies! Burn the witches, women are dangerous ... er, I mean ... global warming doesn't exist, he's just trying to make a run for president! Hmmm.)
Skip ahead to this summer, Al Gore has organized a series of concerts, Live Earth, to raise recognition for global warming. The amount of negativity surrounding it astounded me. The guy who organized "Live AID" to raise money for fighting AIDS in Africa said everyone knows about global warming, why do we need recognition for it? What's the point?
The point is, everyone KNOWS about Global Warming, but we have to fight eight years of denying it exists. We need to put it in front of people. We need to show every person that they personally need to change the way they live their life. It doesn't take millions of dollars, it takes small changes. Then it takes the power of numbers: millions demanding change from corporations, industries, governments.
There was also criticism that the concerts were adding to the destruction of the Earth. Millions of people gathering, creating waste with cars, tickets, shirts, garbage---bands in buses, electrical equipment. Not only that, people were coming to hear music. Not to save the world. No one would pull anything but some good tunes from that night.
Gore said that these concerts were green. Meaning, they were different than normal, using environmentally friendly stages, equipment, etc. I can't speak to what was different. But even if one artist changed the way they will tour, they will change their lifestyle to be more green, that will help.
Sure, not every concert goer got the message--but maybe some of them did. Or maybe some will adopt some green lifestyle changes, without quite knowing why they should. It got publicity, and maybe during that more people learned little things they can change to be more responsible.
Yes, global warming was there and had a voice before Gore. But the people in power in this world don't listen to the guy next door or the small-ranking scientist. Like it or not, Gore can generate money and this money might produce results.
So what's next? Since I was taught in school that we should each do our own part to save, conserve and recycle I went to the Web site: http://www.earthlab.com/ to learn more about how I can live greener. You can answer questions to see what your impact on the earth is. How much carbon you're creating. Then you can learn about ways to lessen your carbon output. Easy things that aren't expensive--or that don't cost money at all (maybe even save you money!). Then, if you're so inclined, you can keep reading and taking action by changing the way you live.
I saw last week on the Sunday morning show, that it costs more money to recycle plastic bags than it does to landfill them. So the majority of the bags are going to landfill, destroying the water, killing wild life or just simply taking forever to deteriorate. Now, I'm going to make an effort to use cloth bags. It's going to be slow and a hard adjustment. But it's important. Not to mention that we have a shit ton of plastic bags laying around the house.
Okay, maybe you don't buy this because it's coming from a liberal, tree-hugging hippy. I can accept that. But you can still do small things to help make the world a better place to live. Recycle, conserve water, make the choice to use less plastic when you have the opportunity to do so. If nothing else, check out the Web site to see how you can make changes to live greener.
Your children and grandchildren will thank you.
Let me see that 1, 2 Step
As I have mentioned before, one of my summer viewing pleasures is So You Think You Can Dance?. I don't remember watching it the first season (and now I realize I did, after checking wiki). The popularity of Dancing with the Stars may my propelled my interest, because I didn't miss an episode last season. There were so many dancers I enjoyed--Allison, Ivan, Travis, Donyelle (Travis and Donyelle are probably tied for my favorite). Benji was okay... but he didn't excite me as these other four did.
But this year marked the return of Hok (Hokutu Konishi). He tried out last summer, and would have went far if he would have had a work permit instead of just a student visa. The episode they told Hok he had to go home, scolded him even, was heartbreaking for him, the judges ... and me. There's something about him that's charming and captivating. Born in Japan, Hok was raised in Oxford, England and is going to school in Santa Monica for graphic design. (As a side note: his accent is amazing! Not quite British, almost sounds a bit Australian ...)
He's a hip hop, B-Boy--break dancing, but so much more than the 80's spinning on your head. These boys (and girls) and pop, lock, contort, flip and spin like no one else. It's truly entertaining to watch the really skilled b-boys. And Hok has those magical qualities. I can't wait to watch him perform each night. Even when he's not taking on his own style, he brings that magic to the other genres.
He nailed his jazz number in Week 3, but is struggling with the ballroom dances. While, I didn't notice any issues with last week's waltz, Mary Murphy didn't have many positive comments. As far as I can tell his carriage is great, but it's his footwork that needs work. I plead with the dance gods to have Hok practice ballroom to perfect that technique until he has blisters! If he doesn't, it will be his ultimate downfall.
My other favorites are Neil Haskill (contemporary), Sabra Johnson (contemporary) and Dominic Sandoval (hip hop).
Benji's sister Lacey is a contestant and Travis' adopted brother Danny is also on the show. Lacey is striking and very energetic, but she doesn't hit me the way the others do. The judges love her, so I'm sure she'll go far. And other than Danny's technique, he's not very fun to watch. From the beginning, the judges have tried to put their fingers on what it was that put people off about Danny. I think it comes down to, he dances--but doesn't connect with the audience. I don't think he feels what he dances. He just doesn't have the it factor, no magic.
I also love watch what the choreographer are going to pull out of their hats. My favorites are Shane Sparks (hip hop), Wade Robson (jazz/contemporary--and maybe the most talented, innovative, groundbreaking choreographer on the show) and Mia Michaels. I'm sure I missed one or two, but I haven't seen them on the show yet.
The last reason I love the show is that it's a good cue for what's coming on the music scene. KT Tungstall's song "Suddenly I See" was the farewell for the show last year. So by the end of the summer I knew those bars by heart. I didn't even hear it on the radio until the fall. And Fergie's London Bridge was performed live on the show a week before I saw it on Yahoo! Music Videos.
But this year marked the return of Hok (Hokutu Konishi). He tried out last summer, and would have went far if he would have had a work permit instead of just a student visa. The episode they told Hok he had to go home, scolded him even, was heartbreaking for him, the judges ... and me. There's something about him that's charming and captivating. Born in Japan, Hok was raised in Oxford, England and is going to school in Santa Monica for graphic design. (As a side note: his accent is amazing! Not quite British, almost sounds a bit Australian ...)
He's a hip hop, B-Boy--break dancing, but so much more than the 80's spinning on your head. These boys (and girls) and pop, lock, contort, flip and spin like no one else. It's truly entertaining to watch the really skilled b-boys. And Hok has those magical qualities. I can't wait to watch him perform each night. Even when he's not taking on his own style, he brings that magic to the other genres.
He nailed his jazz number in Week 3, but is struggling with the ballroom dances. While, I didn't notice any issues with last week's waltz, Mary Murphy didn't have many positive comments. As far as I can tell his carriage is great, but it's his footwork that needs work. I plead with the dance gods to have Hok practice ballroom to perfect that technique until he has blisters! If he doesn't, it will be his ultimate downfall.
My other favorites are Neil Haskill (contemporary), Sabra Johnson (contemporary) and Dominic Sandoval (hip hop).
Benji's sister Lacey is a contestant and Travis' adopted brother Danny is also on the show. Lacey is striking and very energetic, but she doesn't hit me the way the others do. The judges love her, so I'm sure she'll go far. And other than Danny's technique, he's not very fun to watch. From the beginning, the judges have tried to put their fingers on what it was that put people off about Danny. I think it comes down to, he dances--but doesn't connect with the audience. I don't think he feels what he dances. He just doesn't have the it factor, no magic.
I also love watch what the choreographer are going to pull out of their hats. My favorites are Shane Sparks (hip hop), Wade Robson (jazz/contemporary--and maybe the most talented, innovative, groundbreaking choreographer on the show) and Mia Michaels. I'm sure I missed one or two, but I haven't seen them on the show yet.
The last reason I love the show is that it's a good cue for what's coming on the music scene. KT Tungstall's song "Suddenly I See" was the farewell for the show last year. So by the end of the summer I knew those bars by heart. I didn't even hear it on the radio until the fall. And Fergie's London Bridge was performed live on the show a week before I saw it on Yahoo! Music Videos.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Thank you, Jonathan Larson
My first exposure to RENT was in 8th or 9th grade when the high school chamber choir sang "Seasons of Love" (SoL) It was one of those songs we all fell in love with, sang randomly and would gather in the back of the theatre to listen to.
I only wish our choir teacher would have given us the story. I can understand not telling us the musical's content, but they could have told us about Jonathan Larson, it's writer/composer.
I think my choir sang SoL and "Without You" during my junior year.
the next time I saw something about RENT, Neil Patrick Harris was a guest on the Rosie O'Donnell show. I had a crush on him since his Doogie Houser days and I hadn't seen him since he stopped playing that young MD.
He had black fingernails, and I don't remember the famous black and white scarf, but I can can picture him in it now. I loved the song he sang (though I can't remember which one it is). Then the ensemble sang SoL. They talked a little about the play and I remember wanting to see it, because of the songs I knew. But I was also not quite sure about the content--they had Doogie Houser wearing black fingernail polish after all.
I got any songs from RENT I could find that afternoon. It must have been a slow day, because all I could find was SoL, "Without You" and "Santa Fe." And out of context, "Santa Fe" was so odd I didn't think I'd like the full musical.
Skip ahead about four or five ears. Rent, the movie, is released. I saw the cast on The View, and it was a lucky experience because I'm never home to watch it and really haven't watched when I am home for years for various host reasons.
The cast sang SoL and it all came flooding back to me. Then they talked to the cast about the story, the phenomenon and Jonathan Larson. It was Larson's angle that made me want to know more. So during the summer I checked it out from the library.
I watched it alone at first, I wasn't sure if mom would like it. Before that first viewing, I was excited, eager and nervous all rolled into one. I had known about this for so long and finally had the chance to truly experience it. I didn't know if I would like it or if it had been built up too much and it would be a natural disappointment.
But it didn't let me down one bit. I watched it again right after I finished--something I've only done for a handful of movies. The next day I told mom she absolutely had to watch it. She did, and loved it too--but she didn't cry like I did.
I start crying at "Without You" and would continue to sob through to the credits. While I wasn't expecting that kind of reaction and waterworks, but I thought she'd do something. Finally I got her to watch the documentary, and then I got tears from her at "I'll Cover You, the reprise."
I went online and bought the soundtrack before I even had to take the movie back to the library.
As i write this, I realize I'm talking about my experience with Rent and not the greatness of Jonathan Larson, like I had intended. But I guess that's fitting, because I couldn't write anything that hadn't already been said. Brilliant, innovative, ground breaking, stubborn--the embodiment of an artist. And taken from us too soon. Yet another quality.
But is the lore created from the tragedy? If he had lived, what would have that done to the legend, hype, popularity and experience that RENT spawned in those early days ... and all the fans captivated in the years following?
Then on the other hand, it's such a shame he didn't get see everyone he touched, or the success and validation of his work. Just think of everything of he could have done ...
And I think that hurts just as much.
I only wish our choir teacher would have given us the story. I can understand not telling us the musical's content, but they could have told us about Jonathan Larson, it's writer/composer.
I think my choir sang SoL and "Without You" during my junior year.
the next time I saw something about RENT, Neil Patrick Harris was a guest on the Rosie O'Donnell show. I had a crush on him since his Doogie Houser days and I hadn't seen him since he stopped playing that young MD.
He had black fingernails, and I don't remember the famous black and white scarf, but I can can picture him in it now. I loved the song he sang (though I can't remember which one it is). Then the ensemble sang SoL. They talked a little about the play and I remember wanting to see it, because of the songs I knew. But I was also not quite sure about the content--they had Doogie Houser wearing black fingernail polish after all.
I got any songs from RENT I could find that afternoon. It must have been a slow day, because all I could find was SoL, "Without You" and "Santa Fe." And out of context, "Santa Fe" was so odd I didn't think I'd like the full musical.
Skip ahead about four or five ears. Rent, the movie, is released. I saw the cast on The View, and it was a lucky experience because I'm never home to watch it and really haven't watched when I am home for years for various host reasons.
The cast sang SoL and it all came flooding back to me. Then they talked to the cast about the story, the phenomenon and Jonathan Larson. It was Larson's angle that made me want to know more. So during the summer I checked it out from the library.
I watched it alone at first, I wasn't sure if mom would like it. Before that first viewing, I was excited, eager and nervous all rolled into one. I had known about this for so long and finally had the chance to truly experience it. I didn't know if I would like it or if it had been built up too much and it would be a natural disappointment.
But it didn't let me down one bit. I watched it again right after I finished--something I've only done for a handful of movies. The next day I told mom she absolutely had to watch it. She did, and loved it too--but she didn't cry like I did.
I start crying at "Without You" and would continue to sob through to the credits. While I wasn't expecting that kind of reaction and waterworks, but I thought she'd do something. Finally I got her to watch the documentary, and then I got tears from her at "I'll Cover You, the reprise."
I went online and bought the soundtrack before I even had to take the movie back to the library.
As i write this, I realize I'm talking about my experience with Rent and not the greatness of Jonathan Larson, like I had intended. But I guess that's fitting, because I couldn't write anything that hadn't already been said. Brilliant, innovative, ground breaking, stubborn--the embodiment of an artist. And taken from us too soon. Yet another quality.
But is the lore created from the tragedy? If he had lived, what would have that done to the legend, hype, popularity and experience that RENT spawned in those early days ... and all the fans captivated in the years following?
Then on the other hand, it's such a shame he didn't get see everyone he touched, or the success and validation of his work. Just think of everything of he could have done ...
And I think that hurts just as much.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Summer Rain
This morning I woke up to thunder. What I should have done was wake up and start exercising, but I rolled over and went back to sleep. I'm working on it. By the end of the week I hope actually start getting up. Baby steps.
I love summer thunderstorms. All summer long we're bathed in sunlight and can hardly go anywhere without sunglasses. But when a storm rolls in, it slowly gets darker. Storms of other seasons simply difuse the light, making it overcast and dull. Somehow the color seems to seep out of our surroundings. But summer storms simply turn off the light. Everything remains as vivid and brilliant as before.
Summer storms are also a relief to hot, muggy weather. Again, a switch is thrown and it becomes cooler. Most like our summer storms are a relief to dry water. Which causes another reason to rejoice. We don't have to water flower beds and gardens. Whoo Hoo!
So we have the cool weather, perfect to go puddle jumping and we also have a fantastic light show. Thunder and lightning are nature's fourth of july, especially when you're in the comfort of your home.
What can I say, I just like the rain!
I love summer thunderstorms. All summer long we're bathed in sunlight and can hardly go anywhere without sunglasses. But when a storm rolls in, it slowly gets darker. Storms of other seasons simply difuse the light, making it overcast and dull. Somehow the color seems to seep out of our surroundings. But summer storms simply turn off the light. Everything remains as vivid and brilliant as before.
Summer storms are also a relief to hot, muggy weather. Again, a switch is thrown and it becomes cooler. Most like our summer storms are a relief to dry water. Which causes another reason to rejoice. We don't have to water flower beds and gardens. Whoo Hoo!
So we have the cool weather, perfect to go puddle jumping and we also have a fantastic light show. Thunder and lightning are nature's fourth of july, especially when you're in the comfort of your home.
What can I say, I just like the rain!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)