Yanni

First of all, for those of you who follow I apologize for the delay in this week’s post. The internet at my house decided it was the end and abruptly died.

This morning the service expert came out and called it – so I have a shiny new little box and a boosting signal. (You can’t stop the signal!)

So – without further delay – here is this weeks post.

Last weekend I was able to experience the treat of my lifetime. I went to my second concert ever (I know, I’m not as hip as everyone else out there) at the Fox Theatre, as an usher, but I was able to see it for free. For those of you who haven’t heard of him or his music – or simply don’t know who he is – one word:

Yanni.

Back in the 90’s he helped revamp the general interest in music along with Enya.

Yanni’s music is classic, soft and wonderful. In recent years he has begun adding singers to his repertoire. All of the music is still fantastic. If you haven’t been blessed enough to listen – GO SNAG AN ALBUM!

There’s a few of them at your local library for sure. And if you’re a musician, there’s piano books (though, after seeing him play, I feel highly underqualified for performing any of his works ever again). Some of these can be found at your local library as well.

Though, I’ve taken the time to add some youtube links (yay!!) of some of my personal favorites.

(Links listed below.)

Music is a wonderful way of expressing yourself, of connecting with emotions, and feeling something on the inside. It’s a way to understand life, to connect dots, to study by. Without music I life would simply pass on as a dull and dreary existence.

Take the time to pass on some music – sharing sounds with those you love, or appreciate – this is what makes memories last.

In the Morning Light

So Long My Friend

To the One Who Knows

Almost A Whisper (one of my personal favorites!!)

Before I Go

In the Mirror (another of my favorites)

First Touch

Enchantment

Felista 

Secret Vows

To Take Hold

What artist/play/musical/movie should I review next month? List your favorites in the comments below!

Bonus Track: In the Mirror - feat. Nathan Pacheco and Chloe

(This was part of the '08 tour where singers came on tour and, well, sang with Yanni (who is on the piano.)

Post-Chocolate

I've been finding it rather - well, tedious - after so many weeks to find time during the day to blog.

You'd think with all those "Idea!" posts about how to blog going around, it would be easy to find things to write about. That's not the problem -

I am now starting to lack the desire to write this blog.

I know, I know - I was all pumped and enthused about doing this. Thought it would be a great idea - find a way to make myself some extra cash - amuse whoever stumbles across this.

I even had a plan for each week - indicating what sort of post each week would be about. the first week would be a basic, the second would be a theatre related post, the third about food, the fourth a list or something.

However - I didn't really do much cooking this past week - unlike my post last week (go try that recipe!).

Perhaps I'll try and post today about finding the drive to continue posting.

No matter how difficult it gets to continue with a blog - there's always a way to sort through it. I mean, sure one of my posts was made around 11:55 PM, but I got it done before the end of the deadline.

Let me tell you - finding a drive to blog each week can be tough. I know that there's a few hundred people out there who can get an entire month's blogging done in one day, that way they don't have to worry about it each week like I do.

(Then again, I do like a challenge, and tormenting myself needlessly.)


If you want to start blogging: do it.

If you think you can't: look at me, I have no drive, but I am.

If you have people who tell you negative things about it: Ignore them. You can do anything you put your mind to.

If is a strong word - but If is only temporary.

If becomes two words "I Did".


This is a post to help boost you up!

This is to tell you - you can do it!
You can achieve anything!

Tale as Old As --

Last Wednesday I was able to usher the phenomonal touring production of, "Beauty and the Beast."

I have been dying to see this live ever since I realized it was amazing - well, since I snagged the original cast album (OBC) with Terrance Mann.

The production was everything I'd hoped it would be .... that is until I realized they had taken numbers out of the show. I was sad to see they removed both, "No Matter What" and "Masion Des Lunes" from this touring production. I was actually looking forward to those songs! *fist shake*

Not only that but the final battle completely skipped out on the castle workers fighting and scaring off the villagers! I was ready for Lefou's little screams!


But - I can't knock it even though it took things out. It was still an epic production - and the scenery was FANTASTIC! The closed curtain that had a beautiful blooming rose on the moon, the swirly set floor, the moving staricases, the doors of the village that turned and moved!

It was all so - magical.

(It had to be be done.)


I HIGHLY reccommend going to see this if it is anywhere near where you live. You will not regret this!




*Possible extra post this week to better elaborate on this post, because I'm a fickle one and managed to be busy all day long until the beloved hour of 11:55.

**Maybe

*** (^)^

Love - Lust - Nope

Okay – so we’re in the wonderful month of pink and red; hearts and chocolate; wine and roses.

Unless, like me, you are single with no chance of (or much cares for that matter) of getting into the whole dating game by the time Singles Awareness, er, I mean Valentine’s Day rolls around.

With only 12 days to prepare (well, 11 for any men out there reading this) there’s dozens of things to help with either preparing to have a wonderful night out, or a wonderful night in.

This post will be for those who plan to spend this night home. Alone.

Candles in the window

All kids aside, there are plenty of things to help keep your spirits up while all of your non-single friends are out at fancy restaurants, drinking wine – or champagne if your beau is super fancy.

Here I will list a few things to do, at home while cuddling with your favorite bottle of bubbly.

1.   

     1.    Netflix

This one is obvious. So obvious I had to add it.

This time of year there’s going to be lots of lovey-dovey flicks to watch on the Flix. I would recommend the following:

“Desk Set”, with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. A wonderful old-fashioned flick (in color) with tons of wit and sarcasm.

“High Society”, Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. Sinatra, ‘nuff said.

“How to Marry a Million”, Betty Garble, Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe.

All three of these are in color, but are old fashioned, clean with wonderful endings and lots of fluff.

22.       Fancy Dinner for One

You don’t have to go out to have a fancy meal. There are lots of recipes on the internet. 

Seriously. 

Have you seen Pinterest?

Far too many on there to count. Because of that, it’s super easy to find and plan the perfect meal (okay, all you dating people. You can use this one too.)

With all the ease of cooking and baking at home, it will taste just like one of those super fancy restaurants. The plus side, if you’re cooking for one, you can make for “two” and have super delicious leftovers the next day. (While your other friends are doing the walk of shame.)

33.       Have a girls night in.

Now I know Galantine’s Day is on the 13^th.

But what if you spread the love over two nights, instead of one? On the 13^th gather your friends at for a night out on the town. Grab some drinks, a fancy dinner, but the 14^th?

Stay in, watch a few movies, order in some pizza. Oo, better yet – have a chocolate bar!

And, no, I don’t mean a small, 12 piece individual wrapped bar.

I mean, lay out a chocolate spread: chocolate sauce, individual wrapped chocolate bars, chocolate cake, chocolate cheesecake, chocolate soda, chocolate ice cream.

The chocolate is endless!

Is anyone else craving chocolate . . . . ?

45.       Sleep

If you can’t beat it – sleep through it.

While some of these may not be for everyone, there are plenty of single activities around that you can get yourself involved in. Doing a book blub date night – try an action novel.

Whether or not you’re going out or staying in, there are plenty of things to avoid doing on this wonderful Singles Awareness Day.