My One Year Blogiversary

Hi! (big hug) So glad you could join me. Today I'm celebrating the one-year blogiversary of A Piece of My Mind, which debuted on February 5th, 2007. I started it up on an impulse, triggered by my dad's imminent passing. The old wisdom of 'why wait?' seemed very clear to me then. So I posted my very first blog entry.

Though 2007 was an incredibly difficult year in many ways, it was deeply satisfying in others. I had a strangely high amount of wishes come true for me last year. And starting this blog has led to many hours of delight and true joy.

I want to thank all of you who stop by and read this blog. Thank you for all the comments, the hugs sent, the prayers, the good wishes. This is for you -


















Come with me to my favorite place in the world. Let's go find our seats. Let the celebration begin!











Fireworks display




A fun kick-off to the program. And now - I'm barely able to sit still for this one - here is the final scene of The Merry Widow, in the photo featuring a personal hero of mine, Karen Kain. I've always LOVED the music in this scene, and the absolute joy that overtakes the reunited lovers. When I think of a celebration, this scene often comes to mind. Oh, here they come, here they come!















Celebration waltz from 'The Merry Widow' by the Hong Kong Ballet.

Sigh. I could watch that over and over and over.

What's up next? A Busby Berkeley extravaganza! First up is a song by Veree Teasdale, Spin a Little Web of Dreams. Then it segues into a little Everywoman of The Depression Era vignette, and at 2:10 into the segment, the showgirls arrive.



Busby Berkeley extravaganza









Those sure were skimpy little feathered bikini things, weren't they? I love that Jazz Age sense of riotous fun. And the harp-girls - loved them too!

Next up - more celebrating - what could be more joyful than cheerleaders shaking their pom poms around? Here we go!



Cheerleaders

Pom Pom routine












And what comes after cheerleaders? A marching band, of course. Here is His Majesty the King's Guard's Band and Drill team from Norway, performing at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo 2007. I saw them last July and they're excellent. It was cute, too, seeing all the young Norwegian soldiers walking around downtown while the Tattoo was on. How could I tell they were Norwegian soldiers on tour? Well, let's just say Halifax generally isn't populated by tall, white-blonde haired young cuties like these guys.



Marching Band







Oh, I love me some military precision drill teams. Remember me - the peace-loving diplomat whose heart beats fast whenever I watch any sort of warrior action? Don't bother trying to figure me out. Just go with it.

Stepping up to the podium, Yuri Temirkanov conducts the second half of the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky. Real cannons go off at the end, and everything!



1812 Overture









And as a special thank you to all of you, my program ends with the final performance from The Full Monty. Thank you for making my life so much richer. Hugs, hugs, hugs!



The Full Monty

starring Robert Carlyle