The Nutcracker

Ken and I had taken the girls to see a high school production of The Nutcracker a few years ago, but I really wanted them to see a good production of it. So, I did a search a few months ago and found that we have a local ballet company down in Claremont:

Inland Pacific Ballet

I purchased tickets for the family, and it was finally time to go see the play yesterday. The girls did not really remember the ballet they saw before so they weren't sure they were going to like it or not. Ken was quite the trooper and enjoyed the ballet with us even though it isn't really his style, however,  he really enjoyed himself once I purchased a program and he could read about what was going on in the ballet.

Taylor's most "favorite" memory of the ballet was the tights on the men. She felt that they were too tight and it was rather disgusting. HA!! Jordan, of course, now believes that she is a prima ballerina and is practicing her moves all the time. Mandy, sadly, wants to return to ballet lessons. I so wish we could afford to put her in ballet, but Ken and I just can't afford it with everything else we have to take care of. Even more sadly, is her father won't pay for them either (nasty statements coming.....yeah, and it's not like he sends any support ever......6 years and still waiting).

After the ballet, the girls picked one ornament for our Christmas tree so they will always have a reminder of their visit to the ballet for Christmas. I was told that I got one heck of a snowglobe from the girls and Ken is grateful that he doesn't have to take them shopping for me now.  HeeHee.

Jordan went around and got some autographs from the characters and she loved taking pictures with everyone. Mandy and Taylor were selective in their choices - they wanted pictures with Clara and The Nutcracker. Sadly, the Nutcracker was already gone by the time we were done in line for Clara. Jordan managed to get a picture with The Sugarplum Fairy even though she was supposed to be done as well.  Good for her!

We got home later than planned, but Taylor and Mandy were dropped off at home (they were both coughing too much) and off we went to Martin and Kathy's for their annual Christmas party. Martin kept giving me shit because we failed to show up last year after Sheryl refused to leave our house, and he said that since she's in Texas, we have no good excuse to miss it this year. 

The party was a ton of fun!! I enjoyed meeting Joey Lies and his wife, Maryann.  They both teach at Encore and were hired after my departure. Joey was Brian's teacher at one time, and he could not get over the difference between Ken and Brian. He kept joking around that he cannot see why Brian is as dull as he is with Ken as a father - "are all of your traits recessive?" HAHA!

Ken and I had a great time, and it was tough, but I made Ken leave the party early (after 10 pm) since he has been sick as well. Ken was still going on and on about how HE won the game for us by randomly screaming out Finding Nemo, but everyone knows it was all about me.  

Ken complained all the way home that he wasn't tired and didn't want to leave the party, but he was asleep the second his head hit the pillow. 

The Book of Mormon

Ken and I saw the Book of Mormon musical today down at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. I have been dying to see this musical since it opened on Broadway, and I was so thankful that Los Angeles wasn't made to wait too long.  As soon as tickets went on sale to the public, I was on my computer. It took just over 20 minutes to finally secure them, but I had tickets for Ken and me. 

I was so excited last night waiting until I could get up and get to Hollywood.  I was almost as excited as a kid at Christmas or the night before I would go to Disneyland.  I love the theatre - there's no doubt about it. My grandmother, Eileen, instilled a love of the arts in me. But this was going to be so much more. Some background to explain....

My mother's family joined the Mormon church when she was in her teens. She "strayed" from the church, but she rejoined when I was 7, and my life went into a tail spin from then on.  There is so much that I can say about the history of the church, the beliefs, and the mind-fucking that I endured by so many of the people, but I have always tried to keep my opinions to myself. Unfortunately, I get inundated with so many people who condemn me. In the Mormon faith, I am truly destined for hell - I had the "true church" and I walked away from it. I didn't just stop going one day. Oh no! I actually wrote a letter to Salt Lake City, Utah, and demanded that my "records" be removed; I stated that I did not believe in the Mormon faith and I wanted no part of it.

The decision to write that letter came after a lot (and I do mean A LOT) of personal reflection, study, and research. As a Mormon, I was forbidden from reading any books that weren't "approved" nor talking to people who spoke against "The Church." I sang the songs they taught me, but as I got older, they felt creepy. In hindsight, the songs for little kids are very brainwash-ish. You're not allowed to think for yourself, and the woman's role in the Mormon church is very limited. It wasn't for me, so I left. I look back now and wonder how I could have ever believed that stuff, but the indoctrination is very complete, so there are always some times when I have that little nagging in the back of my head and wonder, "Oh shit! What if they are actually right?!"  Then I go through my research again and remember that all is well.

So, today, Ken and I arrived early enough to get a wonderful parking spot and to grab a bit to eat before our Matinee showing. We took the pictures before going into the theatre, and I was totally excited.  Of course, the first picture Ken took was NOT of me in front of the marquee.  

I sat in the Mezzanine section of the beautiful Pantages Theatre and anxiously awaited the start of the musical.  I snuck a picture of the stage, and I have to say, the moment the musical started, I was hooked. There was some funky music playing while lights twinkled over the Moroni statue. Ha! That was an awesome way to start things out!

There was only one inaccuracy about the Mormon faith throughout the entire musical: the musical portrayed that the missionaries get their "callings" to what area of the world to preach to while at the Missionary Training Center. I'm sure it was done that way to make things shorter and easier to follow, but everything else that was talked about and sung about was totally accurate.  I have to say that the special musical number about "The Scary Mormon Hell Dream" was not only hysterical, but it reminded me of the times that I was frightened into submission as a child. Then there was the musical number to just "Turn it Off" meaning that rather than deal with horrible things that happen to you and having actual feelings, just "turn it off" and you'll be OK.  Talk about nailing some ideas!!!  I remember being told that I was being "over-emotional" about the abuse I was suffering at home and then being given some "strategies" in order to help me "move on."

Holy shit!! This musical was fucking fabulous!!! I laughed throughout the entire musical, and I truly loved the end - honestly, it was great. The point of the entire thing was done in the last few minutes, and it was to stress that no matter what the religion and what they believe, the point is that we are to help one another, be there for one another and as long as others' are made to feel better about themselves and empowered without trampling on others, nothing about the religion should matter.....no matter how silly it sounds.

Ken spent the entire time on the drive home asking the same question, "They really believe that?!" He would ask about specifics, and I was happy to answer his questions.  I was once the Really Good Mormon Girl, so I remember the answers.  I know that there have been changes over the last 18 years to certain ideas, but the core is still the core.

When we stopped for fuel, I was giggling with delight over my car: it turned 100,000 miles today!! Whoo-hoo! 

This little car will be paid off next month, and I will always love that Ken bought it for me and the girls when I had nothing else. He believed in me, and gave me a hand when I needed it, and I will always treasure my little Chevy.

Grandma Eileen and Cats

There is no way to describe how amazing this woman was.  As a typical American child, I never fully appreciated her while she was with us, but I sorely miss her since her passing.


There are so many items of knowledge that she gave me: 

• always sing if you feel like it
• animals will always need your love - they will never put themselves before you (meaning we should strive to be better people)
• always have a love of the Arts - if is better with the Theatre in it
• men will always look at your cleavage, so pad it if necessary or accent what you've got (my Pops was really not happy with this piece of information)
• you can't take money with you, so spend it and have fun
• your children are only with you for 18 years, so do your best, realize you're going to make mistakes and then be there for them when they leave so they will come home later

Because of these wonderful words of wisdom and some other crazy things, I am the woman that I am today.  While the family still disregards me, I love that my Aunt Mia (Eileen's youngest child) dedicated a bottle of red to my Grandma and it has a great picture of her on the bottle:

So, because of Grandma Eileen, I was more than thrilled at being able to go see Cats at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles.  Ken and I were going to be in the area that day, and my brother just happened to catch that Cats was back in LA.  I immediately got online to check out tickets, and Ken said to get them. 

Finding the words to describe my feelings is difficult.  Not only was I able to see the last play that I saw with Grandma Eileen, but I discovered that I was there on opening night.

I'm sure Grandma would have been disappointed that I was not dressed appropriately for going to the Theatre, but at least I made it there.

The musical was amazing.  I thought I had loved it when I was younger, but I can tell you that I never truly appreciated it when I was a child.  Now, I understand what is involved from a cognitive sense about singing while performing, the skill needed for the dancing, etc.

Ken and I loved that there were various celebrities in the Theatre with us such as Debbie Mansur, Doris Roberts, and JoAnne Worley.  Ken was not as star struck as I thought he would be, and he was definitely not impressed with the Red Carpet, but I thought it was great that all of these people and events were at his first professional event.

There were a couple parts that made me "emotional" as I remembered when I had been at this musical with Eileen.  I managed to hold back the crying, but I thought of and felt my Grandmother with me while there.  Awesome day and awesome memories.  

Thanks Grandma for inspiring my adulthood!