Beethoven Concert...It's Coming!

We're Putting On A Concert!

I just returned from a rehearsal and I am tired. It didn't help that I was tired before I went and sang over 2 hours of Beethoven. Beethoven's not the toughest composer on tenors, but he has his moments.

We're singing two songs, Beethoven's 9th Symphony and Beethoven's Gloria. I've sung the 9th before, but the Gloria is tough. I thought I'd include the text of the Gloria, both the Latin and the English. It's going to be fun! The concert is Saturday, March 17 (wear green!) at the U of U. If you're not doing anything else, drop on by!

GLORIA

		Gloria in excelsis Deo. Et in terra pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis. Laudamus te. Benedicimus te. Adoramus te. Glorificamus te.	Glory to God in the highest. and on earth peace to all those of good will. We praise you, We bless you, We adore you, We glorify you.
		Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam.	We give thanks to You, according to Your great glory.
		Domine Deus, Rex cœlestis, Deus Pater omnipotens. Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris.	Lord God, king of heaven, God the almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.
		Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis. O! miserere nobis.	You who remove the sins of the world, have mercy on us. You who remove the sins of the world, receive our prayer. You who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. Oh, have mercy on us!
		Quoniam tu solus Sanctus. Quoniam tu solus Dominus. Quoniam tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe, cum sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris, Amen.	Because you alone are holy. Because you alone are the Lord. Because you alone are the highest, Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father, Amen.
		cum sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris, Amen.	with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father, Amen.
		Quoniam tu solus Sanctus. Quoniam tu solus Dominus. Quoniam tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe, cum sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris, Amen.	Because you alone are holy. Because you alone are the Lord. Because you alone are the highest, Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father, Amen.
		Gloria in excelsis Deo.	Glory to God in the highest.

Crater Lake Battle For Wizard Island...A Review

Crater Lake Battle For Wizard Island

By Steve Westover

I've never been to Crater Lake. Actually, that's not true...when my mother was alive she told me that I did see Crater Lake when I was only a few months old. Had the events that take place in Steve Westover's new novel, Crater Lake Battle For Wizard Island actually happened when I was there as an infant, I would have been in REAL trouble! 

Westover combines mystical creatures, Native American legends, the awkwardness of teenage years, and a battle for survival into a story that both entertains and keeps the reader wondering what comes next. The story revolves around a team of kids thrown together by the most unusual of circumstances. When every adult at Crater Lake and the surrounding area disappear (many of the disappearances are described in grizzly detail...) only children under a certain age remain to fend for themselves--hence the problems I would have faced as a baby if my family's visit coincided with Westover's story. The children are left to fight the elements, ancient legends, fighting zombies, and each other to survive.

Westover chooses to divide the story of 240+ pages into dozens of chapters, many only one or two pages long. It keeps the story moving and gives the reader a fast-paced experience. It took only a few hours of reading a day for a few days for me to finish the book. The book ends with a satisfactory ending as well as a set up for additional novels to come. It does, quite nicely, stand on its own as a singular story.

Though the book is targeted to a Young Adult audience, I believe adults will enjoy reading it themselves or reading it to their children. Westover masterfully paints a picture of scary things in a way that should not overwhelm children, however, younger kids--say under eight-years old--might find some of the imagery a bit disturbing. 

I enjoyed the story. If I ever make it to Crater Lake (again...) I'm sure this story will come to mind and I will wonder if the legend of Chief Llao and Chief Skell actually exists.

Funny How Things Work...

If I had my way, I would have stayed home from work (and this is not due to my supervisor, and I'm not just saying this because my supervisor--occasionally--reads my blog...). I would have liked to stay home to write.

Last weekend I had one of those weekends writers LOVE! I was able to keep my mind together and write and I wrote and wrote and wrote. I was great! Since I don't write on Sundays (except for a blog post and my journal...) today was the first day I could resume my writing.

But I did not stay home from work. I went to work and work I did. Assignments came and were completed with (hopefully...) complete exactness. And, of course, there was some time to take a break. During one of these breaks I discussed mommie blogs with Jenn, my co-worker. It was during that break I had an idea that I MUST incorporate into my latest W.I.P. Without it, the story cannot fully live up to its full potential. And, I came home and read a blog post that game me a line I'd like to use (and with permission from the blogger, I'll do my best to incorporate it...).

Who know if I would have had this epiphany had I remained at home. So, if I had stayed home, I would have had a "Win-Win" day, but since I went to work, it was a "Win-Win-Win" day.
Pleaes excuse the picture--really has nothing to do with anything.

Friends On A Shelf...

Friends On A Shelf

A couple of days ago I saw a lifestyle story online. The story centered around toys that were at one time extremely popular. Beanie Babies, Cabbage Patch Dolls were just a few of the toys that gave parents fits--especially around Christmastime--because they were so hard to find. The story can be found: HERE.

I didn't think much of the story. I think we all know about fads that are here today, gone tomorrow. Toys seem to be something the media loves to talk about...it makes for good television at Christmas.

This morning my wife and I visited a friend in the neighborhood. In their house they have a bookshelf full of Beanie Babies and the story came back to me. We complimented them on their collection because it was a good one. I realized that to the people who have assembled these colorful toys could care less about how much they have depreciated in the past decade. They just love them and enjoy having them in their house. And, after all, isn't that the only thing that's really important?

(I realize Chuck is not a Beanie Baby, but I couldn't not include him...)

The Boy & The Lego Magazine...

The doorbell rang. Our neighbor came over with our mail in hand (an incorrect delivery...). Bill, ads, other stuff, and two Lego Magazines--one of the few things not addressed to either me or my wife. I took the mail, thanked Lawrence and wished him a good night, then I brought the bundle of semi-recycled papers into our room.

I quickly scanned the items and at the bottom of the pile were two magazines--identical, but addressed to different siblings. "Hey," my wife said and she named the children who received mail. "There's some mail here for you."

The younger of the two that received mail arrived first, which is his way. "A Lego Magazine!" His words filled the room and halls of the house. "Really?!" Came the screams of the youngest, and perhaps most excited of all the children. "A Lego Magazine! A Lego Magazine!" He was apparently really happy about his older brothers getting a Lego Magazine.

Next came our oldest--the one who has had his name the longest on the Lego Magazine mailing list. He arrived with the youngest. "Here you go," I said as I handed my son his publication. "Hey!" the youngest said. "Can I see the Lego Magazine first?"

"No," he said.

Time passed and dinner was prepared. Everyone congregated around the kitchen, except our youngest. He was busy, busy reading a thing of wonder that arrived tonight when our neighbor dropped by.

The Blank Page...

Each night for over a year I've looked at this screen. My computer waits for me to respond; it waits for me to write and every night I see the same thing...a blank page. Some nights I have a definite idea of what I want to write about and I can't wait to get the words and pictures into the computer. Other times a photograph or a webpage sparks an idea that eventually becomes a blog post. Other times...I look at the blank page for awhile.

There's always things to write about...the kids, work, hobbies, church, something has always come to mind. Recently there was a time when I couldn't for the life of me think of what to write about. To be honest, I can't remember which post it was, but it is one of my posts. Hopefully it doesn't stand out.

Back on February 25th I had a contest...my first. I decided to relinquish ownership of my Lagoon Cookie Jar. The contest details stated the contest would end on Leap Year Day (which it did...) and the winner would be announced on my blog post the next day (which it was not...). So I'm taking this post to announce the winner of my little contest.

And the winner is:

Danyelle! 

I'll be contacting you to see how to get this wonderful piece of Americana art to you.

Thanks everyone who checked out the site (tonight and all the other times...). Have a wonderful evening and we'll see what tomorrow's blank page brings...

Something A Little Different...

The other day I began a new story (a logical question here is why don't I ever finish one of these stories...?). The story is requiring me to write about a character a little different from myself...basically she's a 20-something mommie blogger.

Now, I sometimes read mommie blogger blog posts. There are some very VERY talented writers out there, and not only writers, but creative and crafty and artsy women as well. My cousin Alicia is one of these writers. You can access her blog: HERE. 

I try to read a lot of these blogs and the jury's still out whether or not I can pull this off. I'm about 10K into the story and hopefully I'll be able to get some writing done this weekend--hopefully I can double that word total.

So I need to assume the personality of my heroine and try to think like she does which will hopefully translate onto the printed page. Chapter 3 is coming up where she confronts the evil protagonist. Of course she will triumph in the end (or will she...?). Wish me luck!