let's have a musical: part 2

I wasn't going to go for a second musical today, actually, but Rabbi Haas talked me into it.

His summer sermon for us at Asbury Memorial was titled "Don't Worry, Be Happy".

Trust me, that was a much-needed respite from some of the heavy politically-driven rhetoric of late.

His message was this: we are so blessed to live here in the USA, yet we are now rated #27 for 'happiest countries in the world'.

That means the USA is 7 places behind Australia and 3 places behind Lithuania.

That's because we are putting too much emphasis on the wrong things.

We should be enjoying the fresh air here, the clean drinking water, the abundant food sources, life and free discourse with our family and friends - these are all things which are not available worldwide.

However, we take those for granted and choose to stress over temporary things, like who has which political office.

We should be more like his 6-year-old son, he admonished us, and partake in activities that bring us great joy.

I have such gratitude for that message!

I'd meant to be there in person at church, but my alarm had other plans.

Still, I'm so glad to have tuned in and caught it - many thanks to the Rabbi!

(smile!)

"Into The Woods" was the musical on the line.

This time, the Tybee Arts Association was performing and the venue was the Tybee Post Theater, which means it would be pricier than the version seen in February.

Even with the 10% discount granted from the TyPostTh membership, it was twice the cost. 

Ouch.

However, I'd told Henry Dickerson that I would come... so I did, for the last performance of the play at this venue, with him running the lights.

I almost wish I had not gone, as I kept finding myself comparing this play done with adults to that done by children and finding this newer one lacking.

Yes, the costumes were pretty good...

but the stage was considerably shorter in length, meaning the different groups from the fairy tales were scrunched together.

Creative use of lighting tried to offset that, but could only help so much.

 

I did enjoy seeing Gary Shelby, Renee DeRossett, and Joel Caydoff again.

Gary was the 'Narrator' and the Baker's long-lost (and cursed) pa and was his usual funny self.

Renee played 'Milky the Cow' to the hilt, frequently improvising some shuffles to the side as she side-eyed the Baker's Wife or Jack's mother - what a riot!

I really loved those baggy overalls and big hat!  

 

Then there's Joel Caydoff as the 'Big Bad Wolf' - very nice, though I don't understand the name change from when he portrayed the 'Tin Man'.

Whether Caydoff or Cadoff, he's always rock solid!

And, while I'm on this photo, I must congratulate Gabriella Galoni.

As 'Little Red Riding Hood', she had the absolute best skipping ever seen!!!

Seriously.

I sat up in my seat every time she entered the stage, not wanting to miss a single skip from those flying feet!

I only stayed for the first act.

When intermission came, I went.

Part of me felt a little guilty for doing so, given the cost of admittance, but I was following Rabbi Haas' lead.

The first act of the adult version covered the granting of wishes come true for Cinderella, Rapunzel, the Baker, Jack, and Little Red Riding Hood.

However, Act II would show the aftermath -

the "be careful what you wish for, you just might get it" -

and I wasn't interested in those hardships.

I have plenty of that in real life.

Must better, and more satisfying, to have left when I did.

Thanks, Rabbi, for your son's message!

(smile!) 

let's have a musical: part 1

Ever since my triumphant return from the bday67 girls' trip, I've consciously sought out free events for the evenings.

That's partly because of money spent during the trip, but mostly because this is the time of year when property taxes are due. 

So instead of events, I opted for meals out with friends.

I have ended up spending almost $200 on those outings.

Ouch.

Then, on Wednesday, I found out my application for Medical Assistance (i.e., Medicaid to pay my Medicare, Part B, premiums) has been denied.

That's after finding out the teeth cleaning and bite wings are going to be hitting me for $300 instead of being covered by my plan, as that was also to have been paid by Medicaid instead of my Medicare Dual Advantage plan.

Ouch.

I have spent far too much time on the phone about that.

Now, it's Saturday, and I vowed to treat myself to a musical.

 

So I did, with Savannah Children's Theatre having a 5 PM that was perfectly timed.

Their middle school summer camp put on "Disney's Descendants: The Musical" and I was fortunate enough to get one of the last tickets!

i thank You, God.

Plus, it was at the Kennedy Building at Savannah State University, so there was no problem with parking.

i thank You, God.

I really needed this today.

It was a two-act show with lots of sassy children of both the "evils" over on the Isle of the Lost as well as the children of the "goods" in the Kingdom.

i thank You, God, that I was paying attention when the four little blondes ever talked about the TV series this was based upon.

Even so, I had to pay attention during the first act to know who was who.

That made it a perfect distraction from my life.

(smile!)

Kudos to both Tenley Wright and Jamie Doubleday, as 'Mal' and her mother 'Maleficent', both of whom where in full-tilt boogie mode!

Kudos to Ethan Brandon, as 'Ben', son of 'King Beast' and 'Queen Belle', soon to be coronated and wanting to join the Isle back to the Kingdom!

Kudos to Finley Ylisto as 'Evie', bff of 'Mal' and daughter of 'Grimhilde'! 

Kudos to Emily Broom and William Johnston, both playing 'Jay' and 'Carlos', the sons of 'Jafar' and 'Cruella'!

Kudos to Wyatt Williams as 'Jane', the not-so-good daughter of the Fairy Godmother - she was a real rebel rouser!

I'll look forward to seeing them in future productions!

Now, to get home and change shirts before I'm off to a party.

I managed to slop motor oil all over myself when I gave my Saturn a drink.

Arrggghhh!

(smile!) 

yesterday, today, tomorrow

This was what I got accomplished after the movie with my brothers, as there was just enough light in the air for 45 minutes with the Ryobi.

I got all of the stage right portion of the front cut, bagging the cuttings.

Even though the clock said it was after 8:20 PM, the air temperature was still in the mid-80's, with a +8 heat index.

I had to stop every ten minutes or so to wipe the sweat from my face.

One of the neighbors was walking by and gave me a reason to stop and chat.

Then it was back to it, with the aid of the street light.

Today, I was out there again, but in the morning, about 11:30 AM.

This time, the Ryobi and I worked for almost an hour, but we succeeded in completely mowing the stage left of the front yard.

In the past, I would have left the cuttings behind, to conserve moisture.

Not any more will I do that.

The cuttings were bagged, requiring three loads to be dumped again.

When I finished up, I had a hill of grass shreds that resembled the back of a Bactrian camel.

That right hump, with the bright green, is from this morning.

The other hump, as well as the base of both, are from previous efforts to tame the yards.

All of the rain so generously bestowed by Mother Nature has truly kept the Polish millet flourishing.

This afternoon, I ventured into the heat for "Good Trouble Lives On".

Billed as a "Savannah Community Day Of Action" in memory of John Lewis, it turned out to be a rally for future politicians.

Barbara Gooby is one of those announcing her run for a local seat.

I made sure to write my "Good Trouble" for the board there, about holding politicians to their campaign promises.

On the way home, I purchased yard debris bags at Home Depot.

Tomorrow morning, my "good trouble" will be transferring that hill of grass clippings into a bag, along with more vines and brambles and poison ivy.

I also have poison for the fire ants that have been calling my yard home.

Truly, a house is a hole in the ground into which money is poured, as I told Jason Arons earlier this week on fb. 

He recently bought his first house and has been learning that the temperatures on oven dials may not be accurate. 

(smile!) 

peacock, peaock, pavo real

 

The NCG Summer Camp Film Festival didn't have one I wanted to see, but Peacock was happy to oblige!

To lure me in, they revealed that I could watch "The Bad Guys", knowing I absolutely loved this 'second chances' movie!

So I watched it, of course, with my breakfast.

Delectable!!!

But that only whet my appetite.

I wanted another kid movie, something new to me this time.

And there it was - "Luis And The Aliens", from 2018.

This wasn't my first time seeing it in the line-up there, but this time felt different.

Maybe I should give it a chance, right?

So I did... and I really liked it!

 

A trio of aliens who travel to E-arth in search of a Nubby Buddy massaging pad (that goes all the way up to ELEVEN!!!) that they saw on an intercepted TV 'mercial - what's not to like about that?

A nerdy 12-year-old boy with an absent-minded dad who's more interested in looking for aliens all night than spending time with him - that sounds like a story I want more of!

Plus there's a journalist classmate that's a girl he likes - sure, I'll watch!

I'm so glad I did 'cause it was great fun!

And guess who surprised me and showed up in this German animation?

Well, not all of him, just his voice... 

Will Forte!!! 

That's twice for him in less than a week!

That's some serious coincidence-ing going on.

Then came even more.

I joined my brothers for "At The Movies", with not a clue what movie their church had selected for this screening.

Smitty had saved a seat right beside him, especially for me - and on the side with his good eye, not his healing left one.

Right place, right time! 

(smile!) 

Both of my brothers were already there, as well as their wives and Peyton.

Very good!

So, what was the movie? 

It was "Encanto", the first animated movie they'd ever chosen for the adult audience of "At The Movies" - wow!

My guess is it's also the only musical they've ever used for these sermons. 

Amazingly, this film was also chosen because of its message about Latino family life and forgiving each other's gaffes - wow!

That last part is true for all families, though, isn't it?

It certainly holds true for mine.

 

The minister said this was chosen to acknowledge the brown population of their congregation, though I had not seen any there.

Like Asbury Memorial, the membership is mostly white, with some black, but hardly any brown or other ethnicities.

Still, I'd wager more of my church's people had seen this movie at least once than had those at Compassion Christian East tonight.

I was the only one of the six of us who had seen it, and that was once.

As soon as I got home, I looked for it on Peacock, but it isn't there.

I'll use my Comcast $1 Movie Night reward to rent it from Disney this weekend.

Seeing these slivers of the story made me want the whole thing!

(smile!)

Meanwhile, I'll look forward to next Wednesday's screening in that locale.

They have a theme going about magic and spirit-bestowed talents, not that they've said that in so many words.

Still, I recognize a theme when I see it.

I'm an analytical chemist and spotting patterns is my forte.

(Yes, and so is sprinkling puns whenever I can!) 

Yes, I'll look forward to next week... and to seeing my family again, too.

(smile!)

flights of a*list fancy

 

No dances this time, just pure, unadulterated flying in many forms!

Amazing!!!

I also find it amazing that AMC has all the movies in order for once - hooray!

flying through the air 

"Superman" was seen first, and that was on Friday with Carolyn.

It was already her second time with this new version. 

We watched it in Big-D, of course, as was befitting such a legend as the man from Krypton.

David Corenswet is six years older than Christopher Reeve had been when he starred in that role in the 1970's.

Let me say that I believe Sam Johnson would have approved.

No, this is not like that movie had been, nor is it like "Man Of Steel".

However, it has a lot of heart and a lot of new energy, especially between Corenswet and my man, Nicholas Hoult, as Lex Luthor.

I look forward to seeing this again, soon!

flying while driving 

Over the weekend, I figured out I could have a theme with this A*List.

That's why all the other movies are ones I've already seen, ones that I know have a tie to that brand-new movie.

Brad Pitt's character in "F1" loves being behind the wheel of a race car.

He lives for that rare feeling of being so in the moment that the only thing that matters is the movement of the vehicle as the sole entity in the world.

I totally get that.

That feeling of escape from Earth's bounds is what made driving to my vacation spots part of the joy for me.

flying on a dragon 

I'm sure that Hiccup knew that joy, too.

Why else would he whoop and holler astride the back of Toothless? 

Yes, I had just seen "How To Train Your Dragon" for last week's Tina Tuesday, but this movie simply had to be part of this quartet.

Yes, most definitely!

flying in outer space 

Little "Elio" and his animated movie also needed to be on this A*list, and pretty much for the same reason.

Such child-like glee he exhibited as the aliens drew him up in their tractor beam to their ship!

Such absolute mirth bubbled out as he tumbled and flew in the wormhole!

Such a total lack of fear that child had in new surroundings!!!

(smile!)

In fact, that's what is needed to experience true flight: a lack of fear based on a firm belief that every little thing is going to be alright.

I seem to have lost sight of that truth.

I shall strive to remember it.

Joy is necessary for breathing.

paramount +1 film festival for rainy days (but not mondays)

 

This has been the usual for us ever since Wednesday.

Pouring down rain in the middle of the afternoon, sometimes accompanied by thunder and lightning.

By 6 PM, it's dark enough outside that I have to turn on a light to be able to see what I'm doing.

The roof is just fine, thanks.

(smile!)

Fortunately for me, Comcast gave me a week of free viewing of the movies on the Paramount + SHO streaming channel.

I found out on Tuesday morning and that's when I watched "Monster Summer", partly because it had Mel Gibson as a retired cop.

As I soon discovered it also had a special treat for me: Patrick Renna, the kid who had been The Great Hambino in "The Sandlot"!!!

He was again playing baseball, this time as the umpire for the little league team in Martha's Vineyard.

Very good mystery movie!

Oh, it had Mason Thames, too, which prompted me to see "How To Train Your Dragon" again at AMC - sweet!

I have a new appreciation of his acting skills.

"The Nice Guys" was viewed on Wednesday.

Ryan Gosling plays the worst PI ever 

(so says his daughter, 'Holly', whose most def more astute), while Russell Crowe is a hitman whose been reduced to settling squabbles between kids.

For hire, of course.

They pair up when it turns out they're both looking for Amelia, the last one still alive who was associated with a porn movie.

"Confess, Fletch" was an homage to Chevy Chase's character,  performed with exactly the right touch by Jon Hamm.

No longer an investigative journalist, he's all about the art now, except this time the paintings are missing.

Loved the scenes of Rome!

All of those had been new to me, but I followed them with two I'd seen years ago.

"Chocolat" from 2000 was chosen because Rev. Billy Hester recently finished a four-week ZOOM study that used it as the base of discussion.

I keep hoping those taped studies will show up on youTube. 

Then there's "The Naked Gun: Files From Police Squad!" from 1988, chosen solely because the remake with Liam Neeson as Lt. Frank Drebin, Leslie Nielsen's bumbling cop.

I have to wonder if the name similarity between 'Neeson' and 'Nielsen' is meant to be an inside joke... I think I'll take it as one!!!

Speaking of inside jokes... three of these movies had tropical fish tanks!!!

Right place, right time, for me!

Those movies were: "The Nice Guys", "Confess, Fletch", and "The Naked Gun".

Very nice!!!

On to the last four movies.

"Gasoline Alley" was made in 2022 and is almost a one-man movie - and neither Bruce Willis nor Luke Wilson are that man.

Devon Sawa is the lead, a tattoo artist accused of killing "The Four Beauties", a quartet of call girls given that moniker by the media.

Bruce Willis mostly is called upon to just be in a few scenes, with a few lines to give his aging detective a bit of life. 

I was sad watching him, as I've loved him ever since "Moonlighting"...

but aphasia has made him seem more than just 3 years older than me.

It's still a good movie with a good story.

After that, I wanted something completely different and "Extra Ordinary" was that.

I knew no one in this quirky Irish film about a driving tutor whose side hustle is helping to exorcise ghosts for folks in the township.

Well, I thought I knew no one until Will Forte showed up as a former rock star in need of a virgin sacrifice to jump start his career again.

This was definitely good for a few laughs!

Today, I watched "A Walk On The Moon" and "The Courier", both set in the 1960's.

I didn't choose them for that reason, but there they were, a gift on a rainy day.

(smile!)

Diane Lane and Liev Schreiber were a Jewish couple in the summer of 1969, vacationing with their family in the Catskills, as they have in years past. 

Their daughter, born when they were both teens, is now 14 and the mother is starting to feel like she's missed out on life.

So when 'the blouse man', a traveling salesman, innocently flirts with her, she takes him seriously and they have an affair that begins on the night of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing and runs right on past the Woodstock music and art fair several weeks later.

Viggo Mortensen is appropriately dreamy in the 1999 film as the counterpoint to the staid working man that her husband had become.

I recommended that one to Sandy!

(smile!)

"The Courier", set in the early 1960's, turned out to be one that I'd seen before.

With a similar vibe to "The Bridge Of Spies", this one has Benedict Cumberbatch as a salesman called to duty by MI-6 to go to Moscow and interact with a colonel there who is trying to prevent a war.

The timeline runs from the erection of the Berlin Wall in 1961 to the Cuban missile crisis in late 1962, then beyond.

Nice to end this film festival with two history lessons!

(smile!)

birthday celebrations once more!!!

Most of the Kameron crew missed out on this rainy Friday.

I almost did, but Tony called to make sure I was coming!

That's because Smitty and Mary were there after all!

Smitty's eye doctor is so pleased with his progress that she has freed him up to drive again!

When she saw him this morning, she found the retina had reattached itself and is healing nicely, even though he still cannot really focus with that left eye.

That's going to take at least six to eight weeks, as long as all goes well.

The good news is, she's so confident of his healing that she doesn't need to see him again until August!!!

Hallelujah!!!

Hence, the Friday Fiesta at Jalapenos of Sandfly was on!!!

That meant time for the donning of the sombrero!!!

That meant the singing by Claudia and the other waitstaff!!!

That meant the shot of birthday tequila for Smitty!!!

What a celebration... I'm so glad I was there!

Thanks, Tony, for the call!

Thanks, Mark, for walking me to my car in the muddy back lot!

i thank You, God, we were all together!!!