It Is What It Is

Happy Halloween!!

Don't let the ghosts and goblins get you! 

The Theatre....(please pronounce in an English accent for better effect)

This weekend was a weekend of "theatre going."  Friends of Youngest and I were in local community production of "The Sound of Music."  We attended with another friend and her daughter and had such a delightful time.  I love going to musicals!  They just make me happy.  Our little friend played one of the Von Trapp children and did such a fabulous job.  It was her first time being in a "musicale" and she loved it!  I get chills each time I hear the "nuns from the Abbey" sing "Climb Every Mountain."  I've been having the soundtrack playing in my head all weekend.

Last night, Youngest and I had another double date with a mom and her daughter and attended one of the area high school's production of "The Drowsy Chaperone."  I had never heard of this show before and was intrigued.  Interestingly enough, when this show was announced last Spring, I then noticed twice over the summer, two area universities were putting on this very show during their summer season.

If you ever get the chance to see this show- GO!  It's not very often that you get the opportunity to see a show that you have NO IDEA what it is about.  Not a remake of a movie or a tried and true Broadway production...This show was so creative and the talented young performers made it even better.   It's a musical within a comedy-  a  show within a show- current day to past times.  Very, very fun...still smiling about it.

In a few weeks, Youngest will be performing in her school's Junior production of Seussical.  We are looking forward to this with much anticipation.  Again, another very fun show.

On a completely random note, I know I mentioned a few months ago that I was starting the "30th anniversary of my Senior Year of High School."  Well, it's official- I received via Facebook- the date of my 30th High School reunion.  I'm excited and depressed all at the same time.  Excited because I have never attended any of my reunions- and I will not miss this one!  Depressed because- well I can't believe it's been thirty years! 

 

Random Acts of Rudeness and other stuff

How is it that we have become a society where it is okay to be rude for no other reason than you just felt like it?  What happened to "a polite society?'  My mother (just as mother's from all time) taught me that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.  Nowadays, many folks think it's okay to say whatever is on their mind, "because-they're just keeping it real." 

No- it's not real- it's rude.  I get frustrated when strangers share whatever is on their mind-regardless of the content or the appropriateness because they feel since it's just their opinion, it's okay to be offensive. 

Maybe it's because we as a society are so embedded with a reality tv mentality.  One where we say what we want to get a reaction and every conversation has the ability to turn into a cat fight.  Or that it is okay to start arguments in public and yell obscenities among the general population. 

I know I'm going on a rant, but I witnessed something today that really took me back.  I was sitting in a doctor's office waiting room.  There were two other people sitting and waiting along with me.  An elderly woman walks out of the office area into the waiting room and then out the office door to the parking lot.  Five minutes late she comes back in and says to the gentleman waiting, "Is that your big , blue truck parked in front?' 

"Yes, is something wrong?" 

She then proceeds to start YELLING at this man, she does not know- ending with "Maybe you shouldn't drive such a big a%$ truck, unless you learn how to drive it!"  And then slams out the door again.

This man jumped up, clearly embarrassed and heads for the door.  The other woman waiting stands up and looks out the window and says "I don't know what her problem is, he's parked evenly between the lines."

The man comes back in, still looking sheepish.  He says to the both of us, "These spaces are tight, but I am parked between the lines." 

The other woman agrees with him and says- "She's just rude, I wouldn't worry about it."

Now, a couple of things come to mind.  We all have been in the situation where we go to get in our car and some nimrod has parked too close and makes it incredibly difficult to get in our car.  Yes, it's frustrating.  But, is it worth going into a building and calling a person out on it?  I can see if the other car is parked unevenly between the space lines or even crooked, but when a vehicle is parked perfectly between the lines, it doesn't constitute a federal offense if it's difficult to get into your car.  Annoying, sure.  But, walking into a public space and causing a scene, no.

This woman clearly felt entitled to her rant.  A decade ago, probably not.  Unfortunately in our world today, it's the norm. 

Next random thing that really got me going today...the "homeless" people who stand on the corner or at the end of an exit ramp asking for money.  I feel for these folks, I really do.  I admit sometimes, I am skeptical if they are really homeless or if this is their way to make some extra spending money.  Admittedly, I have on occasion passed a couple bucks here and there.  However, the guy I saw today ticked me off.  He wasn't holding up a homemade cardboard sign.  He was holding up a professionally made vinyl sign.  If you have the energy and know how to have a "homeless" sign made, have the energy and know how  to go get a job. 

Okay, I feel slightly better now. 

What's been ticking you off lately?  Witness to any random acts of rudeness?  Share please, it's good for the soul.

For your listening pleasure

I've been doing a lot of listening lately- to audio books that is....I journeyed down the Young Adult aisle and happened upon some really great stuff.

1.

 This is the story of Alice Bliss.  A coming of age story told through the eyes of a 15 year old girl whose father has just been sent to Iraq.  She's at a crossroads with wanting and needing her mother who is emotionally unavailable due to her own issues in dealing with her husband being gone.  Throw in  your first love and finding support where  you least expect it- and you have Alice and her small town.  This story made me anxious,  as I felt the utter loss and helplessness one would feel when their loved one is sent off to war.  I cried right along with each and every member of Alice's family. 

I would not recommend this novel for the younger teen set, due to some of the adult themed story lines- but if your young teen is emotionally mature, have them give Alice Bliss a try.  For that matter, your adult self should, as well.

 

2.

Fifteen year old Carly has grown up in a family of wealth and privilege.  She has always tried to remain the grounded one among her friends at her private school.  Her sister has also been her biggest supporter and confidante.  Then over a course of the summer, younger sister, Anna grows breasts and becomes the most popular girl on campus.  How do Carly and Anna handle one another's changes- especially when you throw some boys in the mix?  These are questions the girls must handle among other high school stresses. 

Author Lauren Myracle has written many other young adult novels, including the tween set- "Eleven," "Twelve," "Thirteen," and "Thirteen Plus One."  This book would be totally perfect for the Junior High reader.  It does deal with peer pressure, puberty, friendships and family.  It was an enjoyable "listen" as the narrator was perfect for this age group.

 

3.

Youngest is a big fan of this author.  I often struggle with if the subject matter is appropriate for the junior high set.  Although most of Sarah Dessen's stories are about high school age themes, they are written in an appropriate matter and never stray too far.  Honestly, I loved this story. 

Maclean is a girl who is still struggling with her parent's divorce.  She lives with her dad who is a restaurant consultant and they move around, a lot.  Maclean loves to reinvent herself with each move, until she finds herself in a place that she thinks she'd like to stay.  Maclean is an endearing character.  The love she has for her dad is heart warming and although you want to be mad right along with Maclean at her mother, you root for them.

All three of these authors- I would personally read/listen to again.  It was a nice diversion from my usual audio choices.  However, next up- an epic journey is about to begin for me as I start book one of the Ken Follet Trilogy-

I'm actually quite excited to begin this series.  I've been resisting starting since the other two novels aren't out yet and I have hard time with waiting ...especially when it comes to books.  But, once I saw this on the shelf at the library, I knew I had to snatch it up.  I'll let you know what I think, once I'm finished.  I'm sure I won't be disappointed.  As you know, Pillars and the sequel still rank on my all time favorite novels list. 

That's what's been playing in my ear- have any of you been listening to anything I should check out?  What about reading?  Share with me people, I feel out of the loop.  Glad to be back with you.

 

 

 

I'm still here- I just have a lot going on.....work/life balance is hard...

Thanks for stopping by- keep coming back- I'll be back soon and more frequent.  I promise.