Natures Garden Snips

Here's my rose bush getting dead headed this morning.

Ragtime at the Majestic

Last night, thing 2 and I went to see the Corvallis Community Theater's (CCT) production of Ragtime. This was a large production and they pulled it off beautifully. The strong opening number pulled me into the show. I was halfway expecting to not enjoy the story, as I knew it was about race relations and had a dark theme. What I mean by that is... when I go out I want to be entertained and keep things rather light-hearted. I still have not seen Schindler's List because of this. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed myself, the story line, the actors and the musicians. Strongest musicians... Tuba, cello and clarinet.

Congratulations to the production team for pulling off a wonderful show!

The Happy CH

My Favorite Band...

My favorite band was eliminated last night. I'm sad for them because they didn't show off their best work...oh well live and learn.

Mystifying judges comments included "I don't know who you are. You play so many different types of music... you need to find an identity." Translated: You're too versatile. In any other music competition, this would be a good thing.

The other judge said he liked the first piece better than the second. I agree with this. Their second tune was not well received by the audience. They had a guest "singer" join them. He basically screamed into the microphone... you couldn't understand anything.

If they had picked a piece that would have featured their guitarist and drummer they would still be in the competition. Their musicianship far outweighs some of those who are still in the competition.

No sour grapes here. They will continue to play great music and like every other music group in the world, the will play some crumby stuff too.

Still a Hooray! Hooray! fan,

ch

Benton County Teen Idol Pre-Review

Tonight brings the next installment of the Linn Benton County Teen Idol contest. It's no secret that I'm a Hooray! Hooray! fan... That band is fun to watch and they have loads of charisma. The pieces they write are filled with meter and dynamic changes that keep the audience engaged in the performance. They also play several different styles... last week they performed a Led Zeppelin piece and then a blues work as well. When I hear bands play the same style over and over, I tend to get bored. I look forward to hearing what they come up with for this evening. It would be wonderful if this band made a CD, I would buy it.

There's 3 other bands who are also playing this evening. One seems as though they are community college students. They asked the audience to stand up. I didn't like that. If their music moves me to dance, then I'll stand. In the meantime, please don't ask for adulation's... I'll give them freely when deserved.

Another band, Idacrast did fairly well. The bass player interested me the most...not because of his hopping around, I just liked the bass line. This is a pretty good band.

The final band last week sang so completely off pitch, I felt bad for them. Interestingly, the judges had nothing to say about that. Perhaps they understand that this is really an OK band that just had an off night.

Regarding the judges... I notice a big improvement in their critiques from 2 years ago, as they are becoming slightly more critical. I would like to hear more specifics from them to the performers. "Pitchy" is not a specific area in which one could look to and improve. The students need to know where and how (specifically) they could improve. I am exceedingly happy that these people volunteer to do this (most likely thankless) job. And true, as a serious musician, I will be more critical than the average fan in the audience...sorry!!

The face of Jesus?

Well, I wouldn't have believed it could happen in my own home, but I've got proof. As thing 2 was preparing her after school snack, she peeled back the foil lid on an unopened cream cheese container... We couldn't believe our eyes.

Uncanny. I think I'll post it on eBay!

ch

Am I Typical?

Mothers day is just around the corner. It's one of those holidays that I don't pay much attention to, and as such, or just in addition to, neither does my family.

That's fine with me... As I age, I find that I really don't care much for holidays. This really hit home this past Christmas. I was not excited about buying presents. I'm not (nor is my family) Christian, so why do we celebrate Christmas? Is it peer pressure, because we as parents feel this is a fun thing for kids? Easter is another one of those holidays that I have no connection to whatsoever... I liked coloring eggs with my kids when they were younger, but that was about it. Easter actually creeps me out a bit... and here is where I might get some not so friendly comments. Easter to me is a time where Christians celebrate a man rising from the dead...seriously, ewweee. I have NO desire to be a witness to any sort of dead rising from the grave. And don't get me started on "eating flesh and drinking blood..."

Valentines... forget it. Love me today, love me tomorrow, that's all I ask. Oh, and maybe dinner out now and then.

Same with Mothers day... If I'm your mom, you can love me on all days. But if you insist on buying my a present, I'd like to have a Wii.

~ch