During the past couple of weeks, I have had the good fortune to attend a couple of excellent musicals. In high school, I competed in drama tournaments. In college, I majored in speech and drama and, even though I have not pursued acting in adulthood, I have maintained an appreciation for the magic of live theater.
While in Las Vegas with my daughters, I bought tickets to Mamma Mia at the Mandalay Bay Theater. I saw Mamma Mia a few years ago with Hubby and I suspected my girls would love the show, too. Mamma Mia was delightful and much to my pleasure, my daughters agreed. I noticed that most of the women in the audience over the age of 50 were having a difficult time staying seated during some of the ABBA songs. The only reason I didn't jump out of my seat and dance to Dancing Queen was to avoid embarrassing my children!
Last weekend, Hubby and I treated one of our daughters and her boyfriend to a matinee production of Spamalot. My daughter is a Monty Python fan and can quote each and every line of the movie, Monty Python and The Holy Grail. So, when it was announced that Spamalot, the musical production of the movie, was coming to Tulsa, she pleaded with us to get tickets.
Hubby and I had seen The Holy Grail years ago and we decided we should watch the movie again to refresh our memories of the plot, characters, etc. It has little plot, the characters are silly, and there are no musical dance numbers. So, we wondered how could a successful Broadway musical come from nothing? Much to our surprise, the musical is hysterically funny, witty, colorful, and energetic!
While in Las Vegas, I noticed that Spamalot is showing at the Wynn Hotel and stars John O'Hurley as King Arthur. You may remember John O'Hurley as Mr. Peterman, Elaine's boss on Seinfeld. Now that we have seen Spamalot, I wish we had seen it in Las Vegas, too.
This weekend, Hubby and I are going to a community theater production of The Wizard of Oz which is directed by my dear friend, Kyle. The play has received rave reviews and I am looking forward to seeing what Kyle has done with one of my all-time favorites stories. Kyle's dog, Ozzie, is starring as Toto. Even Ozzie has received glowing reviews.
By no means do I claim to be a theater critic, however, I just know what I like. And I liked Mamma Mia and Spamalot a lot! I recommend that anyone who loves to laugh, tap toes to music, or sing along to ABBA oldies of the 70's, should make a point to see Mamma Mia and Spamalot. As the words from one of the numbers in Spamalot suggest, experiencing a theatrical music production will help you to Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Monday, July 9, 2007
MAMMA MIA! WE HAD SOME FUN!
Isn't it strange that while waiting impatiently for something big and exciting to happen, suddenly in warp speed, it happens, it's over, and only memories remain. Well, that's how it was with my trip to Las Vegas with my daughters. I waited, what seemed like forever, to blast off for three days packed with fun, entertainment, food, shopping, walking, and unbearable heat. Then, suddenly it's over and we were back in Oklahoma City. The mother/daughter getaway was over.
There were the big things about Las Vegas that we made plans for, i.e. our hotel room at Planet Hollywood, shopping at The Forum at Caesar's Palace, walking the Strip. However, it is the unexpected little things that create the fondest memories of our vacation to Las Vegas. What, you ask, are the "unexpected little things"?
Oh please, let me explain!
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. Need I say more? A fleet of new double-decker buses runs up and down Las Vegas Blvd. 24 hours a day. The Duece, as each comfortable, air-conditioned bus is called, provides a great way to see the sights along the Strip. A day pass costs $5 – a real bargain for Las Vegas. We rode the bus downtown and as lady luck would have it, we encountered some of the Strip's finest examples of humanity along the way.
One of the passengers on the bus was a self-appointed comedian. He had a joke for everything and everybody we saw on the Strip. He finally got off the bus and with a big, friendly wave from the curb, he disappeared into the crowd.
Shortly thereafter, we arrived at the downtown bus terminal and changed buses. At the next stop we picked up three loud, foul-mouthed, and belligerent people. One of the guys popped off at a handicapped guy who was struggling to get off the bus. A verbal argument ensued. The crippled guy kept on moving and fortunately, no one was hurt. At the next stop, the jerks got off the bus. It was embarrassing to me because two prim and proper English ladies were also on the bus and they were equally embarrassed. I facetiously commented that they represented America's finest.
One last experience that riding the bus provided was seeing all the brides and grooms in front of the hotels and wedding chapels on the Strip. At the Graceland Wedding Chapel, we saw the bride in her white wedding dress walk to a water faucet on the side of the chapel, bend over with her butt high in the air, turn on the water, and then drag the garden hose to the back of the wedding chapel. WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS SHE DOING? Dousing the groom? Washing the truck? It was just too much for me to even imagine!
In Las Vegas everything is so over the top. Even a simple ride on the bus can be entertaining. And for only 5 bucks, it's certainly worth every penny!
There were the big things about Las Vegas that we made plans for, i.e. our hotel room at Planet Hollywood, shopping at The Forum at Caesar's Palace, walking the Strip. However, it is the unexpected little things that create the fondest memories of our vacation to Las Vegas. What, you ask, are the "unexpected little things"?
Oh please, let me explain!
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. Need I say more? A fleet of new double-decker buses runs up and down Las Vegas Blvd. 24 hours a day. The Duece, as each comfortable, air-conditioned bus is called, provides a great way to see the sights along the Strip. A day pass costs $5 – a real bargain for Las Vegas. We rode the bus downtown and as lady luck would have it, we encountered some of the Strip's finest examples of humanity along the way.
One of the passengers on the bus was a self-appointed comedian. He had a joke for everything and everybody we saw on the Strip. He finally got off the bus and with a big, friendly wave from the curb, he disappeared into the crowd.
Shortly thereafter, we arrived at the downtown bus terminal and changed buses. At the next stop we picked up three loud, foul-mouthed, and belligerent people. One of the guys popped off at a handicapped guy who was struggling to get off the bus. A verbal argument ensued. The crippled guy kept on moving and fortunately, no one was hurt. At the next stop, the jerks got off the bus. It was embarrassing to me because two prim and proper English ladies were also on the bus and they were equally embarrassed. I facetiously commented that they represented America's finest.
One last experience that riding the bus provided was seeing all the brides and grooms in front of the hotels and wedding chapels on the Strip. At the Graceland Wedding Chapel, we saw the bride in her white wedding dress walk to a water faucet on the side of the chapel, bend over with her butt high in the air, turn on the water, and then drag the garden hose to the back of the wedding chapel. WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS SHE DOING? Dousing the groom? Washing the truck? It was just too much for me to even imagine!
In Las Vegas everything is so over the top. Even a simple ride on the bus can be entertaining. And for only 5 bucks, it's certainly worth every penny!
Monday, July 2, 2007
DISPOSABLE RELATIONSHIPS
I have identified relationships with some of my immediate family members as "disposable relationships". Wanting to understand my feelings concerning these relationships and at the suggestion of another family member, I have decided to work it out through my journaling.
Before writing however, I felt sure that someone out there has addressed "disposable relationships" so I "Googled" the term. Immediately, I made a hit on a blog by the Ignorant Intellectual. The blog entry was precisely on target and asked the same questions that I have asked, discussed the same issues, and came to the same conclusions.
I wouldn’t attempt to restate Mr. Intellectual’s analysis because I couldn’t do it more eloquently or succinctly than he. His article precisely addresses the issues swirling about in my head but what about those in my heart?
HOW DO I COPE WITH KNOWING THAT I AM DISPOSABLE TO SOMEONE I LOVE?
Okay, you are thinking, this woman is in dire need of psychotherapy. That may be true but until I find myself on the shrink’s couch, I’ll just vent here for the entire world to see.
We live in an age of disposable diapers, razors, and eating utensils. Disposable items are convenient, healthier, easy to use, save time, and usually there are performance advantages. However, this phenomenon has not only taken over our material world but also our personal lives, as well.
Is it easier to dispose of another person just because they have become inconvenient? Is the other person consuming too much of YOUR time? Do they not perform or please as they once did? Is it healthier to throw away the old relationship and replace with a new and improved model? Is the other person damaged or obsolete?
There are just too many reasons for disposing of another person. Some are legitimate reasons, however, most are not.
In my situation, I believe I have been unfairly dumped and it’s no surprise that the other parties will not discuss it with me. So, I’m left to sort it out on my own. I may never fully comprehend why and how their minds and hearts can be so insensitive towards me but it does make me aware of how I should treat others who are important to me.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO TREAT PEOPLE AS DISPOSABLE OBJECTS. JUST REMEMBER THAT ONE MAN’S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURE.
Before writing however, I felt sure that someone out there has addressed "disposable relationships" so I "Googled" the term. Immediately, I made a hit on a blog by the Ignorant Intellectual. The blog entry was precisely on target and asked the same questions that I have asked, discussed the same issues, and came to the same conclusions.
I wouldn’t attempt to restate Mr. Intellectual’s analysis because I couldn’t do it more eloquently or succinctly than he. His article precisely addresses the issues swirling about in my head but what about those in my heart?
HOW DO I COPE WITH KNOWING THAT I AM DISPOSABLE TO SOMEONE I LOVE?
Okay, you are thinking, this woman is in dire need of psychotherapy. That may be true but until I find myself on the shrink’s couch, I’ll just vent here for the entire world to see.
We live in an age of disposable diapers, razors, and eating utensils. Disposable items are convenient, healthier, easy to use, save time, and usually there are performance advantages. However, this phenomenon has not only taken over our material world but also our personal lives, as well.
Is it easier to dispose of another person just because they have become inconvenient? Is the other person consuming too much of YOUR time? Do they not perform or please as they once did? Is it healthier to throw away the old relationship and replace with a new and improved model? Is the other person damaged or obsolete?
There are just too many reasons for disposing of another person. Some are legitimate reasons, however, most are not.
In my situation, I believe I have been unfairly dumped and it’s no surprise that the other parties will not discuss it with me. So, I’m left to sort it out on my own. I may never fully comprehend why and how their minds and hearts can be so insensitive towards me but it does make me aware of how I should treat others who are important to me.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO TREAT PEOPLE AS DISPOSABLE OBJECTS. JUST REMEMBER THAT ONE MAN’S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURE.
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