My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year)

 

Tonight we heave the ragged, messy corpse of 2010 out the window and welcome in a fresh 2011.  What with the craziness of the holiday season I failed to put together a “retrospective” of the year, but there are a few standouts from this, the last year of the first decade of the 21st century.

2010 was the year in which I started this blog and in these ten months I have, including this one, made 137 posts.  It was a year in which I saw the president speak,  made my French and German professional oratorio debuts, and visited a legit haunted house.  

This summer the General and I packed up everything I had, left Ann Arbor in the rear view mirror, and headed back to Texas, where I had the best welcome a kid could wish for.  I have had the pleasure of making new friends, reconnecting with old ones, as well as working with a great crew at a new store.

I even gots me some culture in the big city and made some time to hob-nob with the gallery elite when I wasn’t fabulously crashing corporate parties. Yeah… you should be jealous!

So here’s a fond good-riddance to 2010 and a hearty hello to 2011!!!

 

Artist: Regina Spektor

Mystery Dance

 

There was a picture of my mother at Christmas this year that reminded of Suren Manvelyan’s engrossing pictures of the Armenian National Ballet Ensemble, and I thought now was as good a time as any to put them up!

   

You can see it, right? One is a genuinely fascinating piece of art, and the other one is a blurry happenstance!

 

Now, this isn’t the first time I’ve featured this artist; some of you may remember an earlier post of her close up photography of the human eye. Click here for the full portfolio of the dance ensemble.

 

 

 

 

 

Artist: Elvis Costello/ Album: My Aim is True

Keep on Truckin’

 

Christmas this year seemed to mimic last year’s stuck-in-a-blizzard-while-driving-to-west-Texas (the stories I could have told if I had my blog back then) theme of awfulness as far as the transportation aspect of it all was concerned.  I got home at 12:30am on Christmas morning from the second of two Christmas Eve services and was up until about 2:00 finishing up packing and wrapping presents. Awake at 5:00 and off by 5:45, thinking: “Allright! I’ve got my coffee, I’ve made some CD’s for the trip, and the General is runnin’ great!!!”

Cut to about three and a half hours later when the old warhorse gets wounded in battle and the transmission blows in Ennis, TX.  Luckily dad came to the rescue (as dad’s so often tend to do) and picked me up so I could make the festivities at Matt and Joanie’s!!

We were all lucky enough to be joined by my aunt Brynda, uncle John, cousins John and Katy, as well as my granddaddy Dan for the holiday.

   

 

Me looking on from the peanut gallery as Joanie put it

 

Even Daisy got to come up and celebrate… much to Scout’s chagrin.

  

“I promise I’ll behave!”                                                        “Heh heh heh”

 

One of the joys of going up to Richardson was getting to spend time with my nephew, Luke.  Not that everyone else wasn’t interesting, but there was really no competing with the most adorable 2 year old EVAR.

As I mentioned previously, I got him a couple of books (Even Monsters Need Haircuts and a German-language version of The Very Hungry Caterpillar I got while on tour this last summer) as well as a giant, stuffed Memo Nemo.  I think it was a hit!!

 

   

My meager attempt at artistry! Also, the reason I was up until 2:00am

 

Daisy looking on and mother apparently floating whispily about

 

It’s exhaaaaauuuuusting opening all those presents

 

One of the biggest hits of the weekend was the Play-Doh set up in the play room.  There were many hours spent molding animals on those tiny tiny tiiiiiny chairs.

Joanie, who is about a week away from welcoming Mr. Roberts No. 2; Luke, our master sculptor; and myself

 

      

             I LOVE this picture!!!!                                     Playin’ it cool with a snake right in front of him

 

When talking about Play-Doh creations I can’t help but think about one that my friends Jeremy, Chris and I made one weekend out of boredom in Ann Arbor.  This time it isn’t so much of a snake as it is a worm taking a vacation at the beach with a cocktail, paisley umbrella, bow tie and sunglasses. Forgive the poor picture quality, it’s from my old phone.

 

That would be a box of orange tic-tacs on the right hand side, in case anyone was interested.  WE COLORED OUTSIDE THE LINES!

 

Monday, Matt was nice enough to drive me back to Ennis to get my car checked out at the local Ford dealership where we met a gentleman in the service department with a certain penchant for abbreviations.  “Okay gents, gimme just a second and we’ll get a diag started and see if we can figure out what’s wrong with your tranny,” which quickly prompted this text conversation with my friend, Will:

Me: Looks like I’m going to have to get a new “tranny” as the Ford guy puts it.

Will: So what’s a new tranny cost these days?

Me: I dunno, about $2,700 and a new tube of lipstick?

I ended up just driving back to Crockett at 35mph (those cars behind me were NOT having it) so that I could get it checked with someone we actually knew.  Unfortunately the General did end up having to get an organ transmission transplant but some very generous family friends of ours were kind enough to loan me a car, of which I have decided to temporarily name the Colonel, so that I could get back to Houston and, more importantly, back to work.

Even with all of the travel travesties I am so thankful for such a wonderful group of family and friends.  The holidays can be a stressful and even sad time for everyone involved, but at the end of the day all you can do is value the time you have together.

So thanks to everyone for the presents and the food and the festivities and the roadside assistance!!!

 

Artist: The Temptations  / Album: The Temptation Collection

Cabaret

 

And now for something entirely non-holiday related… I watched Blazing Saddles for the first time the other day (well, the first time in my “adult life” where I could actually get the humor), and for some reason I had no idea that Madeline Kahn had a cabaret number in the movie.  Some of you may remember my love for her in a previous post about Clue: The Movie.  For her performance as Lili von Shtupp she was nominated for an Academy Award.  (And to be clear Oscar nominations for comedies, especially Mel Brooks comedies, are basically non-existent). Unfortunately none of the videos of her cabaret performance, “I’m So Tired” are available for embedding but you can follow this link to see it on youtube!

 

Since we’re on the subject of cabaret music, and since it is dreadfully grey and rainy outside, I thought I would put up a couple of my other cabaret favorites.  Given my love for the genre I could fill several blog posts with clips but I figure most of you didn’t even follow the first link so I won’t clutter you’re browser up with too many other ones.

Last year when I was doing auditions in New York I was staying with my friend Jamison, and as a thank you for housing me I took him to see German-born (aren’t they all) cabaret singer Ute Lemper at Joe’s Pub.  Basically it was one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to.

(Not from Joe’s Pub, btw)

 

As long as we are talking about Jamison, here is his favorite Kurt Weill song as sung by the immeasurably talented Teresa Stratas.

Biscuit be CRAY CRAY!

The lyrics are too good and too depressing not to put up as well:

It was almost to the end of the world
That my wandering boat
Straying at the will of the waves
Led me one day
The isle is very small
But the kind fairy that lives there
Invites us
To take a look around

Youkali
Is the land of our desires
Youkali
Is happiness, pleasure
Youkali
Is the land where we forget all our worries
It is in our night, like a bright rift
The star we follow
It is Youkali

Youkali
Is the respect of all vows exchanged
Youkali
Is the land of love returned
It is the hope
That is in every human heart
The deliverance
We await for tomorrow

Youkali
Is the land of our desires
Youkali
Is happiness, pleasure
But it is a dream, a folly
There is no Youkali

And life carries us along
Tediously, day by day
But the poor human soul
Seeking forgetfulness everywhere
Has, in order to escape the world
Managed to find the mystery
In which our dreams burrow themselves
In some Youkali

Youkali
Is the land of our desires
Youkali
Is happiness, pleasure
Youkali
Is the land where we forget all our worries
It is in our night, like a bright rift
The star we follow
It is Youkali

Youkali
Is the respect of all vows exchanged
Youkali
Is the land of love returned
It is the hope
That is in every human heart
The deliverance
We await for tomorrow

Youkali
Is the land of our desires
Youkali
Is happiness, pleasure
But it is a dream, a folly
There is no Youkali

But it is a dream, a folly
There is no Youkali

 

Finally, so as not to leave you too utterly despondent, here is a charming parody of cabaret music by the British comedy troupe, Fascinating Aida, that my friend Jeremy introduced me to.  It’s basically a road map on how to sing this style of music absolutely correctly.

Artist: John Kander, Fred Ebb/ Album: Cabaret

Have an Eggroll, Mr. Goldstone

 

My non-traditional traditional feast Christmas Eve continued with the choir members of the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in between our 6:00 and 10:30 services.  Because there are a couple of hours to spare betwixt the two, some of the choristers go out to eat at a Chinese restaurant just around the corner from the church.

You know the Chinese and their traditional Christmaspalms… THEY LOVE THEM!!

 

 

I also snagged a couple of pictures of the sanctuary and organ:

  

 

A little pre-game action in the locker-room and on the field:

  

 

And finally a group shot of the other soloists and our fearless leader, Stephen:

(You may remember Molly and Julia from an earlier post about their opera production at U of H!)

 

Artist: Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim/ Album: Gypsy

A Seafood Song

 

Christmas Eve this year was the scene of two rather untraditional—yet traditional in their own rights—holiday feasts.  (More on the second one in a later post).

First a little back story about my friend, Will.  Now, Will and I were good friends in the 7th grade at Crockett Junior High School but his family moved away before the next school year (I know, how selfish of them) and we never really reconnected until a couple of years later after the advent of Facebook, and even then it was basically just “oh hey, look, we’re both on Facebook.”  Another couple of years passed and I was getting ready to move to Ann Arbor for grad school.  On a whim I took a gander at my friends list to see if I knew anyone living in Michigan.  Lo and behold, Mr. Kuhn himself was actually living in that very city!  This is most likely how that conversation went:

Me: “Hey so… I know we haven’t really talked in about ten years buuuut… are you living in Ann Arbor?”

Will: “Oh hey! Yup, been here for just a little while.”

Me: “Ummmmmmwwwhat the hell are you doing there?!?”

Will: “My boyfriend is in the school of music and I am working while he finishes his degree.”

Me: “SHUT.UP! I’m moving to Ann Arbor AND going to the school of music!!!”

And thus our friendship was re-kindled.  (As a side note, he was also responsible for getting me hired at the Pottery Barn, so I have him to thank for the dark circles under my eyes).

All this to say I have stayed very much in touch with him even since we have parted ways a second time.  Though he just finished a masters in Entomology from Virginia Tech we still manage to see each other during the holidays, what with his parents living only 45 minutes from Crockett and 1 1/2 hours from Houston.  In fact, his grandmother lives a stone’s throw away from where I work and she was kind enough to invite me to their annual pre-Christmas shrimp feast!!

Naomi had quite the feast set up and I am so grateful to have gotten to see Will and Aaron and the rest of the fam!

Crustacean Christmas!!!!

 

Josephlielmo, Googlielmo and Aaron

 

“Well hello there… what are you doing later tonight?”

Unfortunately I had to head out sooner that I had wished in order to get over to the church for the first of two Christmas Eve services… but hey, I’ll take three hours with good friends over none at all!!

Artist: The Divine Comedy/ Album: Promenade

Letters That Cross in the Mail

 

This is a really fascinating video from The New York Times about residents of a Chelsea apartment in New York who started receiving hundreds of letters addressed to Santa and decided to try and fulfill all of the requests!

 

Artist: Barbra Streisand/ Album: Lazy Afternoon

The Doctor is In

 

Now I know a lot of people have set-in-stone traditions on Christmas day.  Some open presents first thing in the morning.  Some make gingerbread houses. And for some, the decorations are stripped down before anyone is allowed to get tucked into bed that very night.  Besides all the regular family/reason-for-the—seasoness of it all, December 25th means one thing: the return of the Doctor!!  (Here’s where my nerdiness really shines through, by the way).  Doctor Who is a long running BBC sci-fi show about a space/time traveling alien and his (usually) female Earth companion.  The series began in 1963 and has appeared in various forms ever since.  The most recent regeneration came in 2005 with the ninth Doctor and every Christmas night BBC airs a special that I hastily download that evening (there being a sizeable enough time difference across the pond)!  No, seriously, though, I love it a little too much.

Don’t worry, the TARDIS’ universal translator will take care of that

 

This years special is inspired by Dickens’ A Christmas Carol but you know… in the future… in space… and with Dumbledore Michael Gambon as Scrooge.  At least I think that is what’s happening here.

DUMBLEDORE LIIIIIIIIIVVVVVEEES!!!

 

The 11th Doctor, Matt Smith, and his companion, Amelia Pond

 

So here’s hoping that everyone’s Christmas was fantastic, and as the Cybermen love to remind people:

That mean’s you, housewives!!!

 

And just for a little fun, a selection from CollegeHumor’s five re-imagined children’s classics as sci-fi books:

Dr. Who and Dr. Seuss: Probably my two favorite fake doctors.  (Well… next to Dr. Pepper, that is)

 

Artist: Clark Gesner/ Album: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Sniff, Sniff

 

Over the period of a couple of years when I was in high school and my undergrad I amassed about ten different brands of cologne. Some I wear for certain seasons, some with certain colors, and some for certain moods.  (If you ever get a whiff of Dolce and Gabbana then watch out… I’m probably not in the best of spirits.)

In a response to a friends compliment on my musk one day:

“Oh, thanks! I’m actually kind of a scent whore.”

“What?! A centaur? You know, Joseph, sometimes I really don’t get the punch lines to your jokes.”

And, although we all know I love a good bit of half human/half beast mythology, that’s not exactly what I had in mind.

I wear Burberry cologne on the 25th and it is the only time in a year I do so. My bottle only has a couple of spritzes left (I think I’m covered through 2015) and for some reason I associate that scent with Christmas. Perhaps it’s because it has an “aromatic, woody, fougere fragrance […] with dry down notes of amber, cedarwood and tonka beans*.”  Or more likely still, perhaps it just SMELLS LIKE FRIGGIN’ CHRISTMAS.  Needless to say, with limited supplies I save it for that day and that day only.

And no, this isn’t my trying to subtly hint about a Christmas idea… As I mentioned, I have about plenty of different colognes… so I’m covered. (And most likely in too much cologne.) Ba-dum-ching!  Also my hints are not so subtle.  I STILL WANT THAT WATCH!!!

 

Artist: Martin Short/ Album: Fame Becomes Me

The Booklovers

 

Ever since my nephew, Luke, was born I have given him some of my favorite children’s books in addition to his birthday and Christmas presents.  I especially like the ones for this year, but as I’m sure he’s an AVID fan of the blog I won’t ruin the surprise by putting up the titles.  That is, unless the surprise ends up to be utter disappointment like the kid in this video that’s been popping up on a lot of blogs I read.

You will READ it and you will LOVE it, Luke!

 

*Update:  I was in such a hurry on my break earlier that I forgot to add an epilogue of sorts to the video.  The mother actually disabled comments on her youtube page because she kept on getting so much nasty feedback:

After opening a whole bunch of toys, my son 3 year old came across a present with books....keep in mind that this was kinda like his first "real" Christmas....and again he's was only three years old!....let me repeat. ONLY THREE YEARS OLD... And that he could just about understand and get the concept of the whole gift getting thing. I guess much to the blame of me, the media, and every commercial out there on TV he was more under the perception that you only get "toys" for christmas. To him Books are the fun time we spend reading (no less than three) every night before he goes to bed. Let me make something clear again. HE REALLY DOES LOVE BOOKS! But I'm guessing he was "overwhelmed" after opening way too many gifts (my fault I went overboard that year) and I think he felt "tricked upon" when he opened the books.....plus the fact that we were laughing at his reaction kinda egged him on to say the Poo statement..... He really is one of the sweetest kids I know and to see this reaction (if you know him yourself) IS cute.
I have deleted a lot of very undeserved negative comments that have been posted....I understand now that without a good understanding of the back history one could make a poor assumption of him....but now i hope you know that he was ONLY THREE YEARS OLD PEOPLE and that he only thought your supposed to get toys for christmas....partly because of how commercialized this holiday has become.....we have since taught him differently..............but just for kicks were gonna wrap books again for him and see what happens....

 

Artist: The Divine Comedy/ Album: Promenade

Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat

 

There’s one rather silly picture from my study abroad semester I always go back and look at during Christmastime.  Does anyone here know what a nutria is? Well for the uninformed amongst you, it’s a semiaquatic rodent affectionately referred to as the “beaver rat,” which is a name that probably doesn’t give these little fella’s enough credit.  I mean, who else in the animal kingdom would dress up as the Medici family for a good holiday dinner scene?

Lorenzo is NOT having it!

 

My dear dear friends Lauren and Meredith and I took a weekend trip to Vienna one weekend and were lucky enough to be there the same time as the Christmas market.  The same market where I bought about 12 glass ornaments that I then had to carry in my lap the whole plane ride home so they didn’t break. It’s also the same market where Lauren, Meredith and I pigged out on Viennese street food.

Exhibit A.  (Also, way to laugh in my face, Meredith

 

We also couldn’t miss out on a trip to the Schoenbrunn Palace, so here’s my Christmas card circa 2004:

Meredith, Myself, Lauren

 

Artist: Jule Styne/ Album: Funny Girl

C is for Cookie

 

Christmastime (which C is also for) also means it’s Maersk butter cookie time!!! Mallory’s dad works for the shipping company and for the past 7 years I have gotten a tin of them.  When I lived in Ann Arbor I would always fly into Houston, which meant a stop in The Woodlands on the way back to Crockett, which meant getting to see Mallory, which meant *breath* MAERSK COOKIES!

Mallory’s parents, Greg and Denise, actually got to deliver them this time because when we met up for breakfast with Santa earlier this month.  

Joseph, Denise, Greg, and the Star of Maersk

 

My favorite ones are the ones that look like braids, and my only instruction to friends eating from the tin is: “Okay, but none of the braids.”  One time my friend, Will, just laughed and grabbed three of them.  Our friendship almost ended on that day.

Ingredients: Butter, sugar, love, flour, crack, more butter

 

So… THANK YOU BELL FAMILY for feeding my sugar habit! Also, just because it’s Christmas, and according to that scene from Love, Actually, at Christmas you tell the truth, these cookies are basically the only reason I have kept up my friendship with Mallory.  She’s actually pretty boring.  Sorry you had to here it here first, Mal! HAVE A FUN TRIP TO DISNEY!!!!!

Artist: Marilyn Horne 

So this isn’t so much a song from an album as it is a song from a Sesame Street episode.  Deal with it! (Also, you might remember it from my previous post about opera singers who sang on the show)

Fancy

 

This past weekend I went to the Third Annual Tacky Sweater Christmas party held by my friend, Stephanie.  Basically the rules are thus: wear a tacky sweater and bring something to dip into the chocolate fountain.  I’m not the best costume dresser (as you may remember from my Halloween post) so I opted for a “red and green” theme.  I must say the host of the party did steal the show, though.

 

Making our Christmas card photo. LOOK HOW HAPPY WE ARE!

 

This isn’t my first round on the tacky sweater party merry-go-round, either!  Stephanie actually had her first one in Ann Arbor two years ago.

With special guest stars, Kevin Miller, Kelley Kimball and Jeremy Reger (And yes, despite Stephanie having on the exact same outfit in both pictures—HOW TACKY—they are actually from 2008 and 2010, respectively)

The irony of it all is that as I am writing this post based solely on a party with a cold-weather-clothing theme I am sitting at a coffee shop enjoying a refreshing iced coffee in EIGHTY DEGREE heat.  So… you know, Merry Christmas from Texas and all?

And it’s supposed to get warmer :(

 

Artist: Meagan Mullally (that would be Karen from Will and Grace)/ Album: Big as a Berry