awesome concerts

See - all it takes is some uplifting classical music to bring the spirits up. "My" choir just had their first concert of the holiday season, and it was truly something special. Our program of motets, progressing through the centuries, was well attended and well sung.

The opening piece, "Spem in Alium," written about 1567, was sung by eight small groups of 10 members each, with the groups surrounding the hall and the concert-goers, putting the listener inside the sound.

Next, "Laetatus Sum," by Monteverdi (1640), swapped the small choirs for 8 soloists and full choir, along with strings and harpsichord. The soloists were at the front of the hall, while the choir entered quietly into the back. As we do not sing until measure 180 or so, the effect was amazing - most of the audience didn't even know we had entered the hall until our first "Gloria!" hit the rafters.

We followed that with "Singet dem Herrn"(1722) (Sing to the Lord), by Bach. A unique double-choir piece, with counterpoints, call and response sections, and a fast fugue.

After a short pause for the cause, we returned to the stage for the second half of the presentation with "Warum ist das Licht gegeben dem Mühseligen?" by Brahms, 1877 (Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery). A beautiful a capella piece for the full choir, this pleading motet really lifted the program to its fullest of the night.

We finished with two motets from the 20th century - first, "For lo, I raise Up," by Charles Stanford, opens with some serious anger issues from the composer, but finally shows the compassion of the Lord by the end of the piece. Finally, an unusual piece, "Motetum Archangeli Michaelis" by Swedish composer Bengt Hambraeus, showcases the church organ, with the lyrics almost secondary to the music.

We were lucky to perform these twice in the past weekend. If you live in San Diego, I urge you to check out our website, www.lajollasymphony.com, for our upcoming performances. Next up:

our very popular Messiah Sing-Along. Even if you've never sung before, you can make music with us. We seed the audience with the entire choir and sing the Christmas portion of the Messiah with you! This community performance takes place December 14th, at 4:00 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seaton Catholic Church in Carlsbad. Call 858-534-4637 for ticket information and reservations. We'll even rent you a score for the evening.

The end of the month...

...is closer than you think.

I think I've been subscribing to the "If I have checks in the checkbook then I have money in the account" mantra for way too long.
It's not that I'm extravagant. Heavens, no. But with a family of six (eight if you count the pets) and only one full-time income, something has got to change. This fershtunken economy has really put us in a pickle and I'm now wondering what will happen in the new year. It's almost enough to figure out a way to get the life insurance payoff now instead of waiting until I'm 99 or so.
(don't worry - it's not a cry for help. just the ramblings of a concerned parent)

Oh well - you don't come here to hear me wallow in self-pity. Better blog next time. promise.

Costumes -

...why when I was your age I put on some old jeans, a flannel shirt, put freckles on my face and went as a HICK. We didn't go out to some Hall-o-weener superstore and pay 39.99 for a crappy piece of black crepe with a little red color thrown in for good measure! If you want a costume you can get your butt into our closet and look for goofy clothes from years gone by. Can't find it there? Then check garage for the Halloween containers - I know that last year's costumes are still in there, and they're still good. So what if you've been a Jedi for the last 5 years...no one cares!
You want a really good costume? Strip down to your tightie-whities, put a red blanket around your neck and go as Captain Underpants. Funny and cheap. Besides, you're 17 now. That's a bit too old to go around begging for candy. Shouldn't you be snogging some senior chick at a Halloween party tomorrow night?

Tastes in Music: One

I have a pretty eclectic taste in music. Aside from modern Country and Western and hardcore gangsta rap, I'll listen to just about anything. However, after perusing my ginormous CD collection this weekend, I have come to the conclusion that I do have one musical genre that has permeated my being - tribute albums and cover bands/singers. While the original is always enjoyable to listen to and sing along with, there's something about having a new interpretation of an old favorite that makes me dash off to Itunes to see if it's available yet. I hope to bring you some of my favorites in the weeks to come. This week, a cover singer that is older than dirt, but brings something new to the table.

Album title: Paul Anka Rock Swings
A collection of classic rock, pop, and alternative music as interpreted by the one and only Paul Anka.

Sounds odd, doesn't it? It thought so, too, until I heard an excerpt from his version of Bon Jovi's "It's My Life." It starts out with a big band number and segues into the opening lyrics as smooth as silk. That one song made me buy the album, and I wasn't disappointed at all. This gem of an album contains 14 tunes, from pop to classic rock, with some suave alternative thrown in for good measure.

The slower songs lend to Paul's vocal style quite nicely: "True" by Spandau Ballet, "Everybody Hurts" by REM, and "Eyes Without a Face" by Billy Idol showcase his amazing range. His campy version of "Lovecats" by The Cure is playful, yet cheesy, as is his rendition of Van Halen's "Jump."
But when he moves to the alternative side of things, it's as if he's not quite sure what to do with the lyrics. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana is a bit of a challenge to get through. And then there's "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden. Hearing Anka sing "...boiling heat, summer stench..." is just creepy.

Finally, if Bon Jovi's song is the top hit, then the number two pick would have to be "Wonderwall" by Oasis. Another big band version of a modern rock tune that will have you singing along in no time.

All in all, a fun album to sing along to, especially in the car. Might even give you some new ideas for karaoke night at the Lamplighter.

Major Geek Alert

Thank god the offspring's karate lessons were over by 8pm last night so we could be home in time for the latest episode of Star Wars: Clone Wars! Yes, damn it, I'm a Star Wars geek and proud of it!

Back in 1977, I was that idiot you saw at the front of the line every (and I do mean every!) Saturday in the summer to see the original movie. Stayed for all 3 showings, too. Met my first girlfriend in line...and eventually convinced her to dress like Leia once in awhile (I know, I know, TMI). Saw that first movie (now considered the fourth) over 100 times that year, at $1.95 a pop.

So now, the kids and I hunker down on Friday nights to watch Clone Wars together. I call it Male Bonding...the wife calls us nuts. Especially when we have light saber duels during the commercials. The show is really good. Anthony Daniels remains the only actor to play the same character - C-3PO - in every incarnation of the franchise. Plus, Tom Kenny, the voice of Spongebob Squarepants (another Male Bonding experience in my house) voices a couple of characters.

All in all, not a bad way to spend a Friday evening with the kids. And after the young Padawans are in bed, I let the wife handle the light sabre (good grief - TMI again!)
Good times....good times.

teacher + day off = fun?

Sadly, even algebra can't make that equation correct. I'm speaking of the Tuesday just past when I had to take a day off of work to care for my little one. During our latest heatwave, he spiked a fever of 103 at 2 in the a.m. and we just couldn't get him to cool off or calm down. So, being the trooper dad I am I volunteered to make the trek to the ER for some professional help (luckily, I'd already been asleep for 1.5 hours when he woke us up, so I had that going for me...)

5 hours later...I remember a time when ER actually stood for 'emergency room.' Not the "I know I'm not here in your country legally, and I won't be able to pay for this service, but I can't find a doctor to take care of my hangnail and it really, really hurts - not that you understand a word I'm saying anyway" room.

At least the doctors are nice. With four kids we've been to the ER plenty of times. They have great bedside manner, and are always ready to help you with your problem. When it's legitimate. But you sure can tell when they've had enough of the freeloaders that invade our medical system for free services and a quick 'scrip of something to take the edge off.

Today - he's just fine. The kid-drugs worked wonders and he's up and dancing around like nothing had ever happened. We were told that it was a good thing we brought him in when we did, as the fever hit 104 while were in the waiting room...that got us a quick "head of the line" pass after being there for 3 hours. Behind the hangnail lady.

One of the best things about the hospital? The coffee bar that opens at 5am. Jesus loves me, yes he does.

How to relieve that Monday Stress!!!!

Ain't nothing in this world like singing in a choir. Me, I've been in some type of choral group since ninth grade. Jazz ensamble, professional quartet, barbershop harmony, madrigal singers...the list goes on and on. Last few years, I've been involved with a large (140 member) group at a local university. Half volunteers like me, half students working on music degrees. Every Monday, for three hours or so, we lift our voices in harmonious melodies that ring to the rafters. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Hold it. Count to 7. Now, let it out slowly and keep your eyes closed. That relaxed feeling? Multiply it by 10 and you'll know how I feel during a rehearsal. Tonight we've been working on a Bach motet, "Singet dem Herren ein neues Lied," that gives me shivers, especially when the overtones ring in the upper octaves.
(motet: n. a religious song for a choir in which several voices, usually unaccompanied, sing contrasting parts simultaneously) (German translation: Sing to the Lord a new song.)
And when we basses get down to those low Es, Ds, and Cs, you can feel the risers rattle with the sound. A good thirty minutes of this and the stress just melts away. Three hours? I'm surprised I've not melted into a pile of goo.

Investment Opportunity!

With the economy fluctuating like a sine wave on an oscilloscope, I was pleased to find this nugget of joy in my local coffee house (Intermezzo, in Hazard Center. Support your non-chain java joint!). Please to enjoy...

If you had bought 1,000 dollars worth of Nortel stock one year ago, it would now be worth $49.00.
If you had bought 1,000 dollars worth of Enron stock, it would now be worth $16.50.
With Worldcom, you would have less than $5.00 left.

If you had bought 1,000 worth of Budweiser (the beer, not the stock) one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the cans for the 10-cent deposit, you would have $214.00.
The moral?
Drink heavily and recycle.

My kids are cooler than me

I'm a very old school person. Ask anyone. I'd rather listen to classic rock, watch TV Land or Nick at Nite, and prefer Kirk to Picard.
But...someone please tell me how in the heck my 10 year old kid snagged an Ipod before I did!
Me? I'm still groovin to my CD player...and even the occasional cassette tape. But my #3 son gets an Ipod? Granted, he' s probably loaded it with Spongebob and Disney songs (unless the Sainted Wife has secretly added a Green Day song or two), and can only use one ear bud at a time.
But really...a 10y-o with an Ipod! Someone hand me my AARP card quick!

That Was the Week That Was

Summertime was so nice. No driving kids hither and yon, no extra curricular activities to interrupt my after-work catnap, no schools sending home letters every other day asking to support this cause and that booster club. Now, with two in elementary and two in high school, the fall is shaping up to be one long day after another.
Monday choir practice
Tuesday Boy Scouts and the Improv group
Wednesday bowling, band practice, and religious ed.
Thursday after school study groups and play rehearsals
Friday karate practice
Good Lord where did my week go? Not to mention my gas.
And my money.

My feet are worn out...

and I just can't bear to walk from the Teacups to New Orleans Square.

Let's hear it for The Mouse. The Disney execs, in their infinite wisdom, have declared 2009 as the Year of Celebration at their parks. Throughout 2009, you can get into Disneyland, Cal. Adventure, or Disney World FOR FREE on your birthday. That means our family can go six times next year. Two days in a row in September.
And we'll save enough to buy two churros and one frozen lemonade. Hurrah!

Vampires Suck

...but in a good way.
Now that Sopranos is over, my Sunday nights have been taken over by the new HBO show "True Blood." Saw the preview info at this year's SD Comic-Con, and was interested enough to give it a try. When I found out the show was based on a series of Southern America Vampire Novels though, I almost passed it by. Were the vamps raised on blood and gumbo? Was Paula Dean going to stop in with her recipe for blood sausage? I figured it was going to end up being very romantic and not a guy show at all.

After the first two episodes, all I can say is Holy Shit! I'm hooked. Anna Paquin does a good turn as the prim and proper Sookie. Stephen Moyer is quite engaging as the lead vamp, Bill Compton. And Lois Smith as Sookie's grandma is just as cute as punch. Wait, this sounds too girly - where's the guy stuff in all this mush?

Sex. Rough, breast-bouncing, ass-slapping sex my friends. Humans with humans. Vampires with humans. Vampires with vampires. Chained to the ceiling bondage humping. Just look for the two little puncture wounds on the inner thighs of most of the women in the show and you'll know who's been biting whom. And where...

This show gets two fangs up.

my bad

What the? Two posts down?
Well, thanks to a little scooter bird, I've been advised not to post 'sensitive' information about work on here. Just in case, donchaknow.

all night chicken

Don't get me wrong. I'm a tolerant person. Live and let live - that's my motto. Unless you get on my bad side. Then I'd rather let you say hello to my little friend. And take your car.
Now, along with being tolerant, I'm also not a bigot. I understand that different cultures behave in different ways from mine. However...when their culture begins to infringe upon my basic rights as a homeowner, then they'd best be ready to have me come over and complain. Or send the cops.

The Hmong neighbors next door raise chickens. In the city limits. Against the law, so I've been told. And I've told the cops. And the cops have told them. Many times. Just doesn't seem to sink in. Apparently today is some big Hmong festival day. So last night (and I mean all last night and into this morning) there's been a chicken fry. Killing, plucking, chopping, quartering, marinating, frying. Over open flames. My living room, nay my entire house, smelled like the fire pit at Mission Bay after a few pallets had been set ablaze. My first trip to their fence at midnight to ask them to tone it down and douse the flame worked - for about an hour. Then, assuming I had met Mr. Sandman, they started up again, not realizing my Sainted Wife was still up.

My second trip to the fence at 2am had a bit more vitriol behind it, and they politely refrained. Until 7am this morning when their caravans of relatives pulled up, acquired every available on-street parking space, and fired up the pit in earnest. We've been neighbors for 10 years. Didn't even have the decency to send a few wings and thighs my way for our trouble.

Better go... I think I see the cops coming again...

giving up control

I wonder if my parents felt like this when I got my driver's license?
Watching Number One Son take off down the street w/o me in the passenger seat as friend and confidant (more like nagging back seat driver) was one of the hardest things to do today. He passed his test yesterday, making only 6 errors during the drive - compared to the 12 I made waaayyyy back in 1976.
Now the only things I have to worry about are: higher insurance, buying more gas, snogging in the back seat, and the inevitable "Dad - I think I'm lost!"
Hide your daughters - Wild Red's kid is on the prowl!