Posted by Sarah @ 08/23/2003 09:12 AM PST

Alright, now that that is over...

My biggest and best surprise was last year at the All-District Chorus concert. This was a HUGE deal for me, because freshmen usually didn't get into Districts. But I did get in (beating out a bunch of older girls), and ont only that, but I was the number 3 Soprano 1 in the District, surrounded by seniors. I was thrilled and super excited.

But when the day of Districts came, I got a call from my dad, who had been on a business trip, saying that he was stuck in an airport in Chicago, and wouldn't be able to get a flight out to see me perform. I was crushed, and was in a bad mood for the rest of the day.

My group got up, we performed, we bowed, and then they dismissed us to the audience. I looked out and the very first person I saw was my dad, standing there, covered in snow, holding flowers. He had literally run from one airport to the other (roughly 5 miles) so that he could catch a flight to see me. It was a very cool father-daughter moment.

And I have absolutely no idea about the trivia question...

Posted by Sarah @ 08/23/2003 09:18 AM PST

I'm back from vacation to Chicago and northern Wisconsin. I had a rather incredible surprise yesterday, my first day back, when I was out running errands. I was caught at a RR crossing and just happened to turn on Rush Limbaugh, and was stunned when he started talking about a case my sister-in-law is prosecuting in Milwaukee, and which she had JUST told us about a couple of days before. Rush quoted my sister-in-law several times. I was flabbergasted. My sister-in-law is now being sought by every conservative news org on the planet, which, if they knew my family's political predilictions, is incredibly funny.

Posted by JMK @ 08/23/2003 09:36 AM PST

Well, the Trivia Contest is back, and
it is true to form-completely baffling.
Last night I saw the motion picture
"Camp." I appreciated the theatre in-
jokes (the "Virginia Woolf" during the
end credits was priceless) but the
movie itself was not entirely
satisfying. Vlad, the golden boy
hero, is evil, the way he manipulates
people. And he gets off way too
easily. It made me very angry at him
for doing that to the other characters,
particularly Michael. (Michael oddly
got better skin whenever he went
onstage. Makeup? Maybe.) All in all,
a rather odd picture.
And I didn't appreciate getting only a
smidgen of "I'm Still Here" and ALL
of "Turkey Lurkey Time." The latter is
not nearly as good a song as the
former.

Posted by Hapgood @ 08/23/2003 09:46 AM PST

Good morning everyone. I think the best surprise I have ever received was at the end of my freshman year in college - some of us in the dorm had become quite close, and I was the first to be leaving. I was awoken at 3 am (my flight was at 7) by my dorm-mates with a surprise chocolate cake, and an impromptu party commenced. It was very cool.

I can't really think of any AWFUL surprises I've had..

Hapgood, I agree about the character of Vlad. I did not care for him either, and wish the movie had focused more on Michael or some of the more interesting characters.

From yesterday - WEL - I meant that I was listening to the Broadway cast recording of Hairspray, not the movie soundtrack. Is it true that you are not supposed to refer to a cast recordings as a soundtrack? In any case, I adore the OBC recording of Hairspray - I went to see the show quite a few times and only saw the movie for the first time recently. I may just have to go ahead and buy the soundtrack to that, too.

Posted by irn @ 08/23/2003 10:02 AM PST

I once picked up this vision of feminine beauty named Dil at a bar. Imagine my surprise...

Posted by The Guy From The Crying Game @ 08/23/2003 10:09 AM PST

The biggest and best surprise was probably in my first year in college. My parents bought me a used 1976 orange VW Super Beetle. I loved that car and drove it into the ground. I drove it to Centralia College (from Olympia, WA) for two years then to Bellingham for three years when I went to Western Washington U.

The worst surprise was not for me specifically, but about two and a half years ago, my supervisor Norma called a meeting of our department (there are five people total) and said that she was going to retire in a month! There was no warning. I mean, it was a good thing for her to retire and she went out on very good terms, but it was just so unexpected. Her supervisor, Judy, in her finite wisdom, decided NOT to hire a replacement while Norma was still working there. Norma had to try and train Judy to do Norma's job and Judy would only be able to take in a couple of hours at a time and then have to leave. Norma was not able to tell Judy even half of what she needed to. It wasn't until three months after Norma left that they finally hire this guy from Texas (originally from Mississippi) named George (now two Georges in one department). He's a great guy, but there are still things, a year and a half later, that he doesn't know about and basically has to reinvent the wheel.

Yesterday, I and my family took the day to celebrate my dad's birthday. We all went to Powell's bookstore in Portland, Oregon. The driving was fine until we got to the bookstore. It was on the left, but there were NO LEFT TURNS ALLOWED! We had to go almost a mile past the store before we were able to make a left turn to double back! And the parking was really funky. It's inside the Powells building itself, up very steep one-lane ramps. But we made it. My dad had a great time and that's what counts (a "Putting It Together" reference).

Allan, regarding your post yesterday (actually, this morning at 03:47 AM PST): Wouldn't you get bored with the same positions after 20+ years??

Posted by George @ 08/23/2003 10:50 AM PST

So many clues....where to start???

Surprises, I hate surprises, so there have only been a few in my life....but I will ponder that question.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/23/2003 10:54 AM PST

Oh, the only thing that I got at Powell's was the script to SWINGING ON A STAR: The Johnny Burke Musical. It was the very first show that I ever saw on Broadway (the one time that I have ever been to New York) and I just loved it. So, it has a special place in my heart. Now, if they could just publish the complete vocal score!

Posted by George @ 08/23/2003 10:54 AM PST

Good day, all, from your often-errant-and-truant-in-the-summer Long Island math professor.

This has been a very bad week for my Joe--bedridden most days with a sore neck, EMS symptoms, a throat infection, and the humidity. But today the humidity is down, and he's been outside mowing and trimming since 9:00, and now it's after two here.

He will come in achy and exhausted--but happy!

Posted by William F. Orr @ 08/23/2003 11:16 AM PST

As usual, I haven't got a clue about BK's impossibly convoluted trivia question.

But I have a quick one for all and sun-dried to answer in these here posts.

I am currently listening to a song about gay marriage. In fact, an Anglican clergyman is trying to decide whether or not to perform the ceremony. Name the show, the song, lyricist, composer, star, and half of the gay couple. Hint: the latter is well known to those on this site. Another hint: 1983.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 08/23/2003 11:24 AM PST

And as long as I seem to be the only poster on this lovely day at this lovely hour, I would like to thank DR Noel for helping me out with "Right As the Rain" the other day. I only know it from the Streisand recording. Does anyone know how it fits into the context of Bloomer Girl?

Posted by William F. Orr @ 08/23/2003 11:28 AM PST

I have NO idea of the answer to the unseemly trivia contest. Maybe next time (oh, a Kander and Ebb reference!) I'll know at least part of the answer.

WFO--is the answer one of the Falsettos musicals?

I've had a few nice surprises. The best ever was probably having submitted a bunch of entries in last semester's Festival of the Arts writing contest, expecting to win maybe one if that, and then winning first place for essay, first for short story and second for poem (and getting a pretty nice check as part of the deal too :)) Finding out I'd gotten into AADA was very nice too, although that ultimately didn't turn out so well, lol.

Worst surprise--Getting home from school one day years ago to learn that my dad had been fired from his job as an economics professor. Not a happy day for any of us.

Hapgood--I had many of the same feelings about Camp that you did. Click on my name for a full description :)

Posted by Maya @ 08/23/2003 11:54 AM PST

WFO, I, too, am never able to even remotely guess Bruce's Unseemly Trivea Contests. I do enjoy finding the answers and realizing that it does make sense.

Anyway, I KNOW THE ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS!! (for once, I know something.) In order:

DANCE A LITTLE CLOSER
"I Don't Know"
Alan Jay Lerner
Charles Strouse
Len Cariou
our very own Brent Barrett

AND did you know that our very own Guy Haines performed the title song for the benefit revue "Lerner, Loewe, Land & Friends"? He did, and the recording of that concert was produced by our very own BK!

Posted by George @ 08/23/2003 12:00 PM PST

LOL George re:Powell's bookstore...Burnside St is notorious for the "no left turns" which does make things difficult! LOL! I have a friend who forgets that you can't turn left anywhere on Burnside in downtown Portland and it just makes him so frutstrated...and that parking garage is one I avoid at all costs, scares the bejeebers out of me. It is really, really steep, I am surprised any car can make it up that parkade. But Powell's is the best bookstore don't you think...you could spend a day there and still not see the whole store, all 3 floors of it!

Posted by MBarnum @ 08/23/2003 12:12 PM PST

I just read some interesting news--Cher has definitely signed to do that "Is it or isn't it?" Mame TV-movie...

I'm not sure how I feel about this...she could be very, very good or very, very bad...

Posted by Maya @ 08/23/2003 12:15 PM PST

WOW. (wow spelled backwards)

I just finished Benjamin Kritzer, and all I can say is wow. Here I am sitting here all teary eyed thinking about Susan and Minnie and everything and wow. That was a very, very, very, very, very good book. Well done BK! The only other book that has gotten me teary eyed and made me laugh out loud in the same paragraph is Angelas Ashes, so you're on par with that, only better, because that was way too long. Time to read it again!

Oh and my worst surprise would have to have been something that I was surprised happened, not a smack in the face type-thing. When I found out I had made the show choir at my school, and that some of my older friends hadn't, they immediately started hating me, wouldn't talk to me, talked ABOUT me behind my back, got other friends to think I was being a b***h, and made it sound like I was acting "holier than thou", which I wasn't. NOt a HUGE deal, but it got on my nerves. They still won't talk to me, but I could care less, their loss.

Posted by Sarah @ 08/23/2003 12:16 PM PST

Yes, the trivia question is back.

And now I remember why I hated it so much. It's headache-inducing and for only a handful of HHW cognoscenti.

How about something for the rest of us?

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/23/2003 01:08 PM PST

Maybe we could play like some 7 Degrees of Kevin Bacon game only relate it to theatre...let's see...

In less than 7 degrees, relate Yul Brynner to Sutton Foster!

Go!

Posted by Maya @ 08/23/2003 01:24 PM PST

Hey where is everyone? Having fun in the sun?

Hey Sarah: I'm curious. Did you ever tell your friend that he sort of gave away your surprise? Or did everyone think you had no idea?

Emily: Did you change your mind and decide to go see Miss Saigon after all? There is an article about it today, mainly telling us not to expect to see the helicopter :)

Btw, I made my poutine. And it was so good. I cannot wait to make it again!

Oh, where are the Big Brother people? Nobody has talked about it for a while. And we used to talk about it every day! I am so bummed this week. I hate who won HOH and the veto. Looks like one of my favs is definitely going down.

Btw, it's on tonight!

Posted by Jennifer @ 08/23/2003 01:28 PM PST

DR Jennifer: It was so weird, the kid who said that stuff didn't even go! But he had been invited, just had other plans, so I think he was trying to clue me in on it. I told Aly that I kind of knew, and she didn't care, but I didn't tell anyone else, because I didn't want people to say, "Oh...well its not a surprise anymore.." and feel unsuccessful.

*yummmm* Butterscotch cookies..

Posted by Sarah @ 08/23/2003 01:32 PM PST

Big surprise?

The clap. I didn't know what it was. And luckily HIV wasn't a worry then.

I was too young too know about what protection was. And didn't know what HIV or AIDs was until 3 years after the first reported case.

And now because of all the meds and cocktails and inhibitors young people are forgoing protection and the infection rate is rising at an alarming rate again. Not only STDs but HIV as well. They don't seem to care because of the meds out there! They think they can live with it.

It doesn't matter that there is pills out there to save your sorry asses. You need to not only yoursleves but the people you are with and the people they are with and the people they are with.

Be responsible or celebate

Posted by The Den Father @ 08/23/2003 01:41 PM PST

Mr BK - any correct responses on the question yet?

VERY difficult!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/23/2003 01:43 PM PST

Well that was interesting...

Posted by Sarah @ 08/23/2003 01:44 PM PST

so who's the den father?

I thought we had made "announcing your true presence" a new rule...

is it possible we're breaking it already? sigh...

Posted by Emily @ 08/23/2003 01:57 PM PST

Dont feed the animals.

Posted by Sarah @ 08/23/2003 01:58 PM PST

Jennifer:

I want desperately to go to see Miss Saigon (helicopter or no helicopter)

The only problem: I am STILL trying to get people to shell out the $70+ for mezz. seats.

I refuse to go see it alone. I am not that kind of person (i.e a confident person)

:)

Posted by Emily @ 08/23/2003 01:58 PM PST

Anyone wanna fly up to Montreal next week to accompany me?

air fare is cheap nowadays..

only $200 CDN from NYC to Montreal rountrip

If I didn't live here - I'd be travelling here!

:)

Posted by Emily @ 08/23/2003 02:04 PM PST

I knew the reference was to DANCE A LITTLE CLOSER and that Brent Barrett was part of the answer, but I was going to have to look up some of the other stuff, so I'm glad someone else got there first and saved me a trip to the CD cabinet.

As for BK's trivia question, it's a masterful one. I think I have one piece of the puzzle and as I trace my way back through the other questions, my answer falls apart. That's happened three times already, so I'm going to have to print out the question and work on it off-line.

Oh, I hate surprises. Don't handle them well either, but my last ex- did give me a surprise birthday party that turned out to be quite wonderful and quite unexpected because I was going to rehearsals of MAN OF LA MANCHA I was doing at the time and thought we were going to have a quickie dinner rather than a big party. Unknown to me, he had cleared it with the director that I would be an hour late to rehearsal.

Worst surprise - when I didn't win a particular award in high school that I was certain I was a cinch to win.

OK, off to try to figure out BK's treacherous trivia.

Posted by Matt H. @ 08/23/2003 02:25 PM PST

Surprises: No thanks. (Except for those in the mail that arrived from DRs in a few countries - those I can handle).

I think there may be birthday or two out there for DRs today. Happy Birthday. (Even if you don't get to read this for a few days).

Good to have you back Mr Orr.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 02:43 PM PST

By George, I think you got it.

But I didn't know the Guy Haines connection. I went out and bought the CD of Dance a Little Closer after hearing the songs from it on Brent ("The Sexiest Man Alive") Barrett's AJL album.

And Joe did manage to finish the mowing and trimming (with his fave toy, the DR Field & Brush Mower + lawn attachment--and we have the snow blower attachment for winter!), but I helped him with blowing the grass away, and then we were interrupted by our 70-year-old neighbor who dropped by to tell us about her trip to Morrocco. And she got all motherly and forced us to quit for the day.

J is lying down by the TV, we both just showered, and I'm going to try to convince him to let me run out for pizza so I don't have to cook.

It's great to be back in the game, Cocky!

Posted by William F. Orr @ 08/23/2003 03:06 PM PST

Just to let you all know....there will indeed be a brand new Broadway Radio Show tomorrow! Sorry there was no new show this past week, but, as you call know, I was dealing with some personal things.....but all is well and the show must go on!!!

Posted by Donald Feltham @ 08/23/2003 03:08 PM PST

Sarah: That is so weird that the boy who let it slip about the party didn't even go. I guess he did want to spoil the surprise. Do you know why?

Emily: I would go with you to Miss Saigon if I wasn't already going. I know what you mean about trying to convince people to spend $70+. My sis is a theatre addict. And she was not amused when I told her that her tickets each cost $80 - we are taking her husband to his first broadway type musical!

If you end up going to the saturday matinee, email me.

Okay one last time: WHERE ARE THE BIG BROTHER PEOPLE? :)

Btw, I rented a very interesting video last night, "the Life of David Gale". I definitely will not spoil it for anyone. But I had figured out the ending and was not too surprised :(

Tonight I have rented "The Hours" and "Bringing Down the House". And I also need to watch the new DVD of "Chicago".

Jennifer

Posted by Jennifer @ 08/23/2003 03:22 PM PST

Can't think of any big surprises
at the moment, good or bad. I
live a fairly sedate life, I guess.

Actually, I guess my current
surprise is that I do believe I've
deciphered the Unseemly
Trivia Contest!!! My answers
are flying through cyberspace
to our dear BK right now. This
accomplishment pleases me
greatly, and I think I shall
celebrate by having lunch.

Posted by Jed @ 08/23/2003 03:35 PM PST

I am listening to Liza's "The Capitol Years". So much promise back then. I can't help feeling a little sad.
And a Newley reference from WFO. always a good thing IMHO.
I may move on to the "Good Old Bad Old Days". I suspect that much of my listening choice is influenced by HHW posts.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 03:57 PM PST

Congratulations Jed!

I am having the same problem as Matt H. Looks good until I hit the wall, crash and burn.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/23/2003 03:57 PM PST

Yep, I finally deciphered most of it, but the stars of the Broadway version I'm still working on.

Posted by Matt H. @ 08/23/2003 04:21 PM PST

Sarah - so glad you liked it. Now, you must go to amazon.com and post your review. Simply search under books for Benjamin Kritzer. Don't you think it's time to read Kritzerland now?

We already have multiple correct guessers in our trivia contest - I really didn't think anyone would get it all right. Keep trying, because don't forget we put all the winners' names into an Electronic Hat to pick the Highest Winner.

Now, where in tarnation IS everyone? We must all make up for the errant and truant and post until the cows come home. My evening plans just fell through - who wants to come over and watch a movie?

Posted by bk @ 08/23/2003 04:30 PM PST

Jennifer: Big Brother 4 viewer reporting in as ordered.

It's all so depressing now. I continue to hate Robert, the Paranoid who hates everyone in the house and who coasts, like a parasite, on the back of Jee.

Jack blew it big time. When Jee won HOH, I officially stopped giving a crap what happened in that house. I despise Jun and Alison. I'd like to see Jee and Erika make it to the final two, but who can say what will happen. Robert has claimed he thinks Erika should go, but the girls seem to believe they can stop that.

Yes, I'm bummed. I hoped something really wild and interesting might happen, but CBS apparently has no interest in the show despite the ratings this edition garnered.

Sigh.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/23/2003 04:58 PM PST

Just got back from finally seeing "Bend It Like Beckham". I know or care nothing about soccer (or as they referred to it "football") but I enjoyed the film a lot, although I could easily have done with a few less crane shots.

irn: Okay - Here is the difference. A soundtrack is when the music from a film or television show is released on a CD (or in the past a record). The soundtrack already exists so it is just a matter of editing it for release. An Original Broadway Cast --- or London, off-Broadway, Studio cast, etc. --- is when the cast of a live show goes into a recording studio and specifically records the score for release. There is a difference, and now that you know it I'm sure you won't make the same mistake again. By the way, it's a common mistake, but not one that most Hainsies or Kimlets would make.

Sarah: I'm glad you enjoyed BENJAMIN KRITZER. Just don't give too much away on this here site as some others may not have read it. And especially when you read KRITZERLAND do not give away or even hint at the ending here because it will ruin it for those who will read it after you.

Re MISS SAIGON: If I want to see a helicopter I'll go to the airport.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/23/2003 05:31 PM PST

Well, I'm not in tarnation, that's for sure!
I've been out trading dvds!
This is what I got for no money:
THE PRODUCERS
THE TENANT
ALL THAT JAZZ
INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (the special edition)
HART'S WAR (finally, my Colin Farrell collection is complete)
THE SUM OF ALL FEARS (okay, my Tom Clancy Collection is complete).
Oh, and a little something from the Land Down Under:
PUPPETRY OF THE P***S (What will those Aussies think of next?)
So, I'm settling down for a night of dvd sampling - it helps to keep me away from the computer and its woes.
btw, (by the way in internet lingo) the way my computer operating right now, the type on this site is so very, very, very tiny, one would think that fleas were typing it!

Posted by td @ 08/23/2003 05:55 PM PST

Just finished watching the DVD of Robert Wise's "The Haunting" -- twice.

Once, to revisit the film, which seemed like seeing for the first time as it IS the first time I've seen it in its original ratio.

Then, it was to hear the commentary and this one has riches galore: Director Wise, the screenwriter and ALL FOUR STARS of the film are on hand to discuss their recollections of the film. Fascinating stuff!!!!

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/23/2003 06:01 PM PST

Maya - I can't even come close!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/23/2003 06:06 PM PST

Re: Big Brother 4

Ron: Right now Erika is my favorite. I used to hate Robert. But after all that stuff with his daughter, I sort of like him a bit more.

I really dislike Jee, especially after the stuff he's done in the last few days.

I am disappointed that either Erika or Jack will probably go this week.

I have not been too fond of Alison or Jun. But I hope that they shock Jee and Robert by forming an all female alliance. They have been hinting it at. Although it's hard to know if they are serious.

Posted by Jennifer @ 08/23/2003 06:18 PM PST

Ok, another Big Brother person reporting in! I was also disappointed, but only because Jun didn't use the power of veto to help Justin. I am still disliking Allison. I don't really mind Jun for some reason. She and Allison have much of the same strategy but I think that the way Allison does it is hurtful. The horrible things she says about her supposed frien Nathan is just terrible. I think Jee has actually been playing a very respectful game. I don't feel one way or the other about Erik, although I think she is a nice gal, but I will miss Jack if he leaves...he is the one who probably deserves to win over anyone.

Posted by MBarnum @ 08/23/2003 06:44 PM PST

DR bk: I've already asked my parents for Kritzerland as a birthday present, so hopefully they'll pull through. And I'd come watch a movie, but it'd take a wee bit too long to get there, and I suspect you'd have finished it by then.

DR WEL: I won't say another word :) I have Maya to gush to, she's read both.

I made $24 babysitting tonight, and I got a birthday present! It's a silver bracelet, made up of a lot of silver plates which are connected and stretchy, and you can put little charms on each of the plates. They put a heart with 16 inside of it, an S, and an american flag heart. I was quite touched *grin*

Posted by Sarah @ 08/23/2003 06:59 PM PST

And since it's Saturday - it must be time for a new JULIANA'S JOURNAL!!!

This entry is particularly amusing as it features a surprise guest...

Posted by Craig @ 08/23/2003 07:01 PM PST

Hi and good evening all....

I'm a little puzzled by not seeing any responses back from some of the new readers like Paulie, and irn, and others, as far as posting a "roll call" bio about themselves. I too like it when folks here are open, and known, and honest as to who they are. Come on readers.....

My best surprise recently, was to be walking through Manhattan on a very important day with DR Kerry, to take a little break and sit down in the fountain square in front of the Plaza Hotel, and even though we had agreed on a "no presents" policy ahead of the trip, he gave me a small wrapped box. It contained simply the most beautiful gold and diamond ring that I had ever seen....and it was the right size. I still haven't recovered.

Posted by MusicGuy @ 08/23/2003 07:13 PM PST

I watched CHICAGO tonight on DVD. Is it just me, or did that transfer look pretty near perfect? Sharp as a razor on my set.

The ladies did a fine job with "Class," but it didn't quite have the level of sass and irony that would have made it truly hilarious. (It has always brought the house down in productions of CHICAGO that I've seen.) So, I'm glad it was cut.

Posted by Matt H. @ 08/23/2003 08:16 PM PST

Best surprise this year:

A package from a Dear Reader Down Under--the "antipathies", I believe they call them.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 08/23/2003 08:18 PM PST

Once, a collaboration with a librettist was going terribly awry. We'd agreed to write something reflecting contemporary reality, and all of a sudden, she was sending a bunch of girlfriends on a trip to outer space. (I kid you not.) The producers and the director, aware of the conflict, called a meeting at the workspace. I was SO looking forward to hashing out our problems, and perhaps ending the collaboration. It needed to happen, and it needed to happen SOON.

So, I opened the door, and they all yelled "Surprise!" and there were all sorts of friends there and all I could think was "Damn, I really wanted to fix this musical tonight!"

Posted by Noel @ 08/23/2003 08:58 PM PST

Noel-Your librettist story just made
my night!
My best real surprise? Probably
getting the call from my uncle saying
"So, you wanna see Bounce
?" Many other wonderful things have
happened, but I expected many of
them (i.e. getting cast in plays, good
grades, etc.)
Worst surprise? When I was
supposed to meet a young man who
seemed wonderful (and was really
attractive) for coffee, and he never
showed up. I waited for an our and
45 minutes. He never showed up, he
never called to explain. It's been
something like four months. We
haven't had any contact. (So I've
settled for telling the story whenever
a mutual acquaintance mentions his
name. Ah, revenge.)

Posted by Hapgood @ 08/23/2003 09:15 PM PST

Oh to have had had an uncle that would have taken me to the equivalent of "Bounce" when I was Hapgood's age.(Maybe I was never that age).

Only a few more days until I meet Jose. He is in our Sunshine state (Queensland) at present.

Loved the "antipathies" WFO.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 09:36 PM PST

IF Dear Reader Tom and I continue posting for forty-eight more posts, we'll reach one hundred.

Posted by td @ 08/23/2003 09:42 PM PST

Unless of course, one of us is practicing up on his origami.

Posted by td @ 08/23/2003 09:43 PM PST

There was just a spider the size of a small rodent on my computer. Or at least it looked it in my horrified eyes...SO gross.

If we're taking care of out E+T behavior today, does that mean we'll have a bunch of posts AND an Unseemly Live Chat tomorrow? How lovely :)

Posted by Sarah @ 08/23/2003 09:50 PM PST

td: Now, now don't chastise Tom for his origami. Dental hygiene is very important, especially at our age!

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/23/2003 09:50 PM PST

Watched Sordid Lives with friends tonight. Great film. I recommend it.

Posted by MDS @ 08/23/2003 09:50 PM PST

Life isn't fair!

Posted by Donna Meche @ 08/23/2003 09:51 PM PST

How many paper swans do I need to make before I get a Black Belt in Origami? (or do I have that confused with Oregeno?).

Shouldn't you be out there gathering figs td before the season ends and all that you can find are rotting dates?

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 09:52 PM PST

At least we can say we exceeded 60 posts!

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/23/2003 09:52 PM PST

Tom from Oz -- Don't be so hard on td! He may not be a spring chicken, but he can surely attract someone livelier than a "rotting date."

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/23/2003 09:54 PM PST

It's almost one a.m. on the east coast. Where is everyone?

Posted by The Den Mother @ 08/23/2003 09:56 PM PST

TD is a gem. One can always fantasize that he is a notable TV personality who he looks a lot like

Posted by MDS @ 08/23/2003 09:57 PM PST

Probably alseep or picking up their children from their jobs.

Posted by MDS @ 08/23/2003 09:58 PM PST

Keeping the glass clean is an effort too DR Ron. My teeth sometimes stay up later than I do. Is someone who burns Australian gum trees a pyorrmaniac?

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 09:58 PM PST

DR MDS, you must be psychic!

Posted by The Den Mother @ 08/23/2003 09:59 PM PST

tom from oz:
Do you know if Delta Airline flies to Australia or New Zeland?

Posted by The Happy Traveler @ 08/23/2003 10:00 PM PST

BB4 is just now airing...very delayed due to exhibition football (NFL).

I'm off to see what happened (hours and hours and hours ago).

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/23/2003 10:00 PM PST

Den Mother:

I know people in the know

Posted by MDS @ 08/23/2003 10:01 PM PST

Dear Reader Tom, after watching your fellow Australians doing their orgami tonight - they do a terrific Tour d'Eifel - I'm convinced that maybe the ancient art of origami will attract quite a few figs; whether it be fall, winter, spring or summer!
Dear Reader Ron - I'm sure that we've all had our fair share of rotting dates to know when one is fresh.
Oh, DR Den Mother - I'm here. Tom from Oz and I are usually here at this hour - posting away!

DR MDS - I'm convince that I should be doing the hotel commercials, or at least collecting residuals from the reruns of Roseanne! Now, if they'd only bring back Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman or Forever Fernwood. . .

Posted by td @ 08/23/2003 10:03 PM PST

TD: Trying to remember if you are AOL Instant messanger. If you are email what your name is on there. Or call me.

Posted by MDS @ 08/23/2003 10:04 PM PST

Does td really look like Judge Judy? I know not of the looks of American TV personalities. I was hoping td and his lanky reed like computer installer would make a connection. The world is missing out on a delightful man (I don't mean the reed like one either). We foundlings need to stick together td. Just noticed unintentional connections between reeds and foundlings. I shall be suggesting that next you climb a mountain and collect a tablet or two.

33 to go! Will there be fries with that?

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 10:05 PM PST

Greetings DR TD and DR Ron and DR Tom from Oz. Isn't anyone tired, like me?

Posted by The Den Mother @ 08/23/2003 10:05 PM PST

The name on AOL Instant Messenger (which isn't operational in this particular mode on this worrisome computer) is DaleTonyDale - -and dear readers one and all, feel free to use it sometime!
So, now DR MDS, you're gonna make me search for a phone number!

Posted by td @ 08/23/2003 10:06 PM PST

Actually he can be seen on a pizza commercial where he gets a pizza and a dvd of a film he was in delivered by the kid who used to be in Picket Fences and played chip in the LA production of Beauty and the Beast

Posted by MDS @ 08/23/2003 10:07 PM PST

TD:

Don't have to do that. I can call you.

Posted by MDS @ 08/23/2003 10:08 PM PST

I think Delta only flies at Dawn.
So you need to be Reddy!
At least the posts are continuing.
"Rainman" should have let the world know that it is always best to fly Qantas.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 10:09 PM PST

Tom from OZ~

LMAO!!!

Posted by Happy Traveler @ 08/23/2003 10:09 PM PST

I ask because my air miles are with Delta. Is Quantas or Kiwi Air (I think that;s the name) partners with Delta?

Posted by Happy Traveler @ 08/23/2003 10:11 PM PST

I'm quickly fading ... You'll have to carry on without me. Or carry off. Or karaoke. G'nite, everyone.

yawn!

Posted by The Den Mother @ 08/23/2003 10:11 PM PST

To answer our dear den mother's question. . .yes, some of us are a little tired (when you get to be 39, these things happen).

I'd forgotten all about the Pizza commercial! Get my agent on the line! I want residuals!

DR Tom - who's to say that the reedy computer guy and the 39-ish td WON'T get connected? ? ?

Posted by td @ 08/23/2003 10:12 PM PST

I always wanted to go down under to see the what happens when one flushes a toliet. The water swirls in the opposite direction to those people north of the equator.

Posted by MDS @ 08/23/2003 10:13 PM PST

DR MDS - if you phone tomorrow (well, later today) after 6pm, you might even hear me rehearsing with my accompanist Matt - who looks nothing like the stars on tv commercials.

Posted by td @ 08/23/2003 10:15 PM PST

MDS: Which of course means nothing to me! I wonder if Bill Orr ended up with his pizza.

DR Den Mother: It is only just after 3.00pm here (Sunday). This is when I am really awake. My first posts of the day are usually pre-breakfast and are prone to more typographical errors than usual.
I wonder if François is back next week. I also wonder where DR Allan is this weekend. (I guess it is about 5.00am UK time.)

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 10:15 PM PST

Oh, by the way - - I do hate surprises, except for the kind already mentioned.
I do think that one of the nicest surprises for me, though, was my parents buying the fourth edition of THE GOLDEN AGE OF LOONEY TUNES for me one Christmas; I'm sure I'll never know how they knew to buy that. . .

Posted by td @ 08/23/2003 10:16 PM PST

isn't warner bros releasing their looney tunes like disney did with Mickey Mouse et al?

Posted by MDS @ 08/23/2003 10:19 PM PST

Happy Traveler. There is no "U" in Qantas. Don't know which airlines are allied with such schemes. I don't think "Air New Zealand" and Qantas co-operate with FF schemes. Don't know anything about the "internal" FF scemes.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 10:19 PM PST

The Looney Tunes are indeed coming to dvd!
My folks bought THE LASERDISCS (!) when they were first released for my Christmas gift!

Posted by td @ 08/23/2003 10:20 PM PST

TD are you unlisted in the phone book? For the fun of it I did a reverse look up and they had no listing

Posted by MDS @ 08/23/2003 10:23 PM PST

Crossing the equator is more interesting - you can watch the water becoming increasingly confused. Isn't placing "down under" and "Toilet" in the same sentence a touch unseemly?

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 10:23 PM PST

Not only does one cross the equator but they go over the international date line (not the nbc news program)You lose and gain that day.

Posted by The Happy Traveler @ 08/23/2003 10:25 PM PST

Despite rumours "I Can't Do It Alone". Are there six willing posters to be found at this time!

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 10:25 PM PST

It looks like there is Tom, TD, MDS and Happy Traveler

Posted by MDS @ 08/23/2003 10:27 PM PST

I remember the joy of travelling east by ship From OZ to the Panama Canal and having two days the same. Ground Hog Day lives.It was on board a clipper ship as some might think. Has anyone seen the "Flying Dutchman" recently?

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 10:29 PM PST

I was going to go to bed, I really was, but I'm thinking about too much.

What if a toilet was on the crossing point of the International Dateline and the equator? Woud the water just shoot straight up? Because its defying all sorts of time there...

Posted by Sarah @ 08/23/2003 10:30 PM PST

Maths is not me. Isn't that FOUR? Where is our Maths Prof. Mr Orr when he is needed.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 10:31 PM PST

Tom from OZ. If one only had 10 days to vacation in Australia where would you recommend them to visit. (Not necessarily the touristy things)

Posted by MDS @ 08/23/2003 10:33 PM PST

I guess the water would flush yesterday or tomorrow but not in the present as it would be far too confused. It's hard enough to know what use we make of all those hours saved with "Daylight Savings". Does anyone withdraw them from the bank to use in winter?

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 10:34 PM PST

Happy 100!

*does a 100 dance*

Posted by Sarah @ 08/23/2003 10:35 PM PST

Now that we are at 100 are we quitting?

Posted by MDS @ 08/23/2003 10:39 PM PST

Tasmania, (it is very beautiful and easy to drive around), The Daintree Rain Forest area of Queensland, Outback Queensland towns such as "Charterville" and Central Australia (a trip on the train from Adelaide to Alice Springs would be worthwhile). The Great Barrier Reef is a must but not the tourist area of the "Gold Coast". Sydney is a beautiful city as is Perth. The problem with OZ is the distance bewteen "must sees". (New Zealand is a better destination for that length of time - Paradise!)

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 10:40 PM PST

At least we can relax. i sahll be back later. It is after all a civilized hour in OZ - afternoon tea time.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 10:42 PM PST

Where are the proof readers?

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 10:43 PM PST

You have to capitalize the "I" at the beginning of the sentence there, and the correct spelling of "sahll" is "shall." ;-)

I'm still here. Actually, I haven't been here all day, so I'm actually here for the first time today. Even though it is Sunday in the E-zone.

Posted by Paulie @ 08/23/2003 10:48 PM PST

Dr Music Guy tries to pull surprises all the time and usually succeeds. To his chagrin, I'm not all that fond of surprises and do not express the proper excitement ahead of time. I can be very spontnaeous-- when I plan to be. However we always seem to be full of surprises for each other and to each other ---even after all this time.

A much earlier good surprise was when ny friends in High school gave me a surprise party for my 16th birthday. My "girlfriend" threw the party which gave me an opportunity to see so many of my friend from so many different circles. (I can be so naieve at times) The best part was AFTER the party when my boyfriend and i had a chance to get together. Being this is a family site, I won't go into details of the other surprises of the evening, but the Randy Vicar probably has a pretty good idea (that is, if he wasn't already there himself). The real surprise came the following Monday at school when we tried to expalin receiving so many hickeys even though we hadn't had a chance to be with our "girls" too much that evening. Surprise, indeed!

I do love trying to surprise other people (alwyasin a good way of course) like with Lyn's ring-- or at the holidays. I find it a real challenge and very satisfying when I succeed. What's even better is when the recipient actually understands it (after all ican get pretty obscure sometimes).

Posted by Kerry @ 08/23/2003 10:56 PM PST

Just home from a lovely rendezvous with dear reader Jane, and blow me over with a corn dog if we aren't over 100 posts. I'll have complete details of said rendezvous in tomorrow's notes.

Posted by bk @ 08/23/2003 11:13 PM PST

DR Tom from Oz: What is dear old Mary Qantas doing these days? I noticed she designed Claire Bloom's constumes for "The Haunting". She was quite big in the 1960s, was she not?

I've spent several weekend days the past few weeks sorting through stuff, making piles of things I want to keep and getting rid of the stuff I don't want.

Tonight, I began going through the piles left behind and decided I didn't want to keep them after all.

It's ALL OUT THE DOOR! I'm SICK of it! No more clutter!!!!!

(Well, some of it went out...I'm not THAT sick of it).

I am serious about the clutter, though.

For all those suffering oppressive heat in recent weeks, we finally got a taste of what you've been going through.

It very nearly reached F 80 degrees here in Oakland today. Whew! That's practically heat stroke weather for us! I hear we'll reach 80 tomorrow. Guess I'll have to fire up the AC.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/23/2003 11:21 PM PST

All right, Tom from Oz! How long do those afternoon teas last, anyway?

Put down that second sandwich and start posting again!

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/23/2003 11:33 PM PST

DR Ron, I think the talented Mary went on to star in the TV show "Qantum Leap". She still has clothing outlets in London I think. Probably in CarnaCee and CarnaDee streets or behaps she has gone down market to CarnaZee (which only makes sense to Americans I think!. CarnaZed does not really seem to fit)

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 11:38 PM PST

DR Tom from Oz:

I see how you are! All stuffed, are we, with good kit and now full of beans?

: )

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/23/2003 11:44 PM PST

Sorry for my absence Ron.Miss Vickie MUST NOT be confused with the clutter. I have been busy drinking tea and preparing a surprise parcel for BK which I shall post tomorrow. The post shall be at the Post Office and not here. Hello from Fosca & Magnus. We have rain glorious rain. We still need another 40 days and 40 nights of rain to get our water storages back to average.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 11:44 PM PST

DR Tom from Oz:

Fear not for Miss Vickie! She eluded my haul-out, although she does possess an uncanny knack for positioning herself directly in my path when I have an armload and cannot wave her off. She sits there looking at me while I treat her to a few colorful verbal barrages I learned in my Navy service.

She seems oblivious, at best.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/23/2003 11:48 PM PST

Did Kit Carsen sing "Hand Me Down That Can Of Beans"? I know the Serendipity Singers had beans in their ears. Which reminds me (for some obscure reason), I have pre-ordered "A Mighty Wind". I think there may be a connection there somewhere - and not just with the beans (which do not necessarily justify the ends).

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 11:48 PM PST

I've known children who put beans in their noses.

Their parents had to take them to hospital for extractions.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/23/2003 11:50 PM PST

I did not realize that your Navy years were served on a barrage.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 11:51 PM PST

I can see I'm getting silly. It's time for some major nighttime meds and bed rest.

I trust all will have a good night.

DR Tom, next time we speak it will be Monday in Oz. Sigh.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/23/2003 11:51 PM PST

DR Tom From Oz:

Aircraft carrier -- barrage -- both very nearly the same thing.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/23/2003 11:52 PM PST

Goodnight Ron. Goodnight John Boy.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/23/2003 11:56 PM PST

Why did the kids put beans in their ears?
No one can hear with beans in their ears!

Posted by Hucklebee @ 08/24/2003 01:27 AM PST

I work with a woman whose motto is "NO BEANS UP YOUR NOSE!"

When I was a young child (about 10 or 11 years old), I actually put a dry lima bean in my ear. I don't remember why I did, but I do remember that I had specifically made the decision to do so. Anyway, I couldn't get it out. My mom couldn't get it out. We had to go to the hospital (Madigan Army Hospital, which is about 20 miles north of Olympia, where we lived) to get it out. I'm pretty sure that my parents were not too happy about having to do that. I learned my lesson, though. I never put another bean in my ear (or in my nose, either)...well, so far.

Posted by George @ 08/24/2003 02:28 AM PST

Can it be that it is Sunday?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/24/2003 06:42 AM PST

*sniff sob sniffle*

It's the last day of freedom...

I plan on doing absolutely nothing. I'm going to sit by my pool all day long, only getting up to check up on this here site, which will soon be the most popular website on the internet.

All of the incresingly silly posts last night were fun to read :) Especially DR Kerry's surprise taha

And BK, do you mind me asking exactly HOW one gets blown over with a corn dog?

Posted by Sarah @ 08/24/2003 07:08 AM PST

The Nitty Gritty Dirty Band snag "Hand Me Down That Can of Beans."
Kit Carson was married to Karen Black, who sand "Memphis" and "Rolling Stone" in NASHVILLE.
Elliot Gould was in NASHVILLE (as himself), as was Julie Christie.
Julie Christie was in DOCTOR ZHIVAGO with Omar Sharif.
Omar Sharif starred in a movie with (or two) with Elliot Gould's ex-wife, Barbra Streisand.
Barbra has been known to sing a few songs in her career, but, I don't think that "Hand Me Down that Can of Beans" was one of them, although, she did sing the lyrics of Alan Jay Lerner in ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER.

Posted by td @ 08/24/2003 07:16 AM PST

And BTW, to answer Maya's challenge frokm much earlier on yesterday:

1. Yul Brynner starred opposite Constance Towers in 1978's revival of "The Kind and I".
2. Constance Towers had a repeated guest appearance on the hit sticom "Fraiser" later in her career.
3. Another Broadway star who has a guest role on "Fraiser" is Harriet Harris, who played the role of "Mrs. Meers" in the Broadway musical Thoroughly Modern Millie from April 2002 until August 2003.
4. The lead role in Thoroughly Modern Millie is Millie Dillmount, played by Sutton Foster.

There you go, Yul Brynner to Sutton Foster in less than 7 degrees. :)

Posted by Sarah @ 08/24/2003 07:32 AM PST

Godd Morning Dear Readers..... ...It is early Sunday, even though this post will be appearing at the tail end of saturday's posts. I just thought I would add a hello for now. I considered posting my own "Six Degrees" list, which is actually only 2 degrees of separation between Dear Reader Susan, and myself....and we didn't know it all these years.

But I think I'll wait until dear BK has awakened, rubbed the sleep from his eyes, put on something seemly, and opened the Living Room officially for this Sunday.

Until then kids, sshhhhh....don't make noise in the house.

Posted by MusicGuy @ 08/24/2003 08:14 AM PST

By dredging up a surprise party from eons ago, I did NOT mean to imply that was the best surprise i have ever had. There have been far too many (most of them from DRMusicGuy) to list them.

One was being whisked to the airport, flown to LA< picked upi by wonderful friends and driven to see the Queen Mary (the ship not anyone we knew). We toured the ship, had a lovely dinner looking out across the bay and then went the to the newly built Long Beach Center for Performing Arts to see a production of Carol Channing in "Hello Dolly!" You could have bowled me over with a corn burrito!

I do love receiving surprise packages in the mail though!

Posted by Kerry @ 08/24/2003 08:23 AM PST

Sarah --- Gush all you want here about the Kritzer books. Just don't give away any plot points.

The Warner Cartoons 4 DVD set will be out in November. I'm sure it will be used as a tie-in with the new half cartoon/half live WB film BACK IN ACTION.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/24/2003 08:55 AM PST