Friday, February 5, 2010

My Third Blogiversary


I'm celebrating my Third Blogiversary here at A Piece of My Mind today.

Find a seat and settle in - I've got Broadway's best to set the mood and bring us all to my favorite place in the world. The house lights go dark. The pit band strikes up and the curtain rises.

Let's go to 42nd Street!




*clapping*

Yes, Radio City Music Hall is on my Bucket List. Can't wait till I walk into that amazing theatre with my own two feet.

The house lights have gone back down from a quarter to dark. The curtains slide open. *whispers* Ooo, here she comes! Here she comes!

Princess Aurora from the Sleeping Beauty ballet, arriving at her debut ball to perform the Rose Adagio. This is such an amazing piece of dance. The role of Princess Aurora demonstrates the full range of the female dancer's technique: quick footwork, lyricism, solo presence, partnering, flexibility and solid balance. It announces both a character and a dancer capable of seizing their true potential. It's performed here by French superstar Sylvie Guillem.

(The music is quite low. You might want to turn it up.)




Sigh. *wiping tears of joy at such perfection*

I can hardly collect myself before the curtains open upon a scene from my favorite Puccini opera, Tosca. Placido Domingo, my favorite tenor, sings Recondita Armonia as he compares the woman he loves to the model he paints.

The translation from Italian into English appears as subtitles.

(Don't forget to turn down your volume!)



'Art, in its mystery, blends different beauties.' - oh, I love that.

Next up - in honour of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, here are Tracy Wilson and Rob McCall, Canada's first medal-winning ice dance pair.

Rob McCall was born here in Halifax, Nova Scotia and grew up in my own hometown of Dartmouth (which is across the bridge from Halifax.) When future hockey phenomenon and Cole Harbour son Sidney Crosby was a mere 6 months old, Rob McCall was taking home a bronze medal from the Calgary Winter Olympics.

Here are Tracy Wilson and Rob McCall with their bronze medal-winning free dance, Elite Syncopations.



Oh, I loved that little skipping thing he did toward the end! (4:40 mark) And the shuffle-off-to-Buffalo. (4:29 mark) How on earth...?

Just love that ragtime music, especially the slow one that starts at the 2:14 mark.

Now for something sophisticated from the 40's.



Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha...!

Oh no - here come the Knights of the Round Table - Ha! Ha! Ha!



No wonder I turned out the way I did. Explains everything, really.

It's amazing to find myself at my Third Blogiversary, heading into my fourth year of blogging. Thank you - all of you - for your friendship, your comments, and the joy you bring me.

As my parting gift, here is Gerry Butler on the dance floor from The Ugly Truth. Enjoy!



Janet says I knew I had found a kindred spirit. 'Ni, Ping' to you, Julia.

Wylie Kinson says Happy Blogiversary, Julia! I enjoyed the McCall-Wilson routine.

Akelamalu says Happy Blogversary Julia! You reminded me it's almost mine too! :)

8 comments:

Janet said...

I knew I had found a kindred spirit - but the Monty Python reference just confirmed it. 'Ni, Ping' to you, Julia.

And a very Happy Blogiversary :)

Wylie Kinson said...

Happy Blogiversary, Julia!

I enjoyed the McCall-Wilson routine. I think I was in a Bermuda-rum induced coma cause i don't remember a thing about the Calgary Olympics...

Akelamalu said...

Happy Blogversary Julia!

You reminded me it's almost mine too! :)

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Three, huh? WOW. Keep on rocking, my friend.

Unknown said...

Happy Third Blogiversary, Julia!

Travis Cody said...

Happy Bloggiversary!! This is an excellent way to celebrate it!

Lilly Cain said...

Happy anniversary Julia!

Love the ice dancing and the Knights of the Round Table, LOL

I look forwad to your blog - don't always get to say hello, but I've often read things on here that inspired me, so here's to wishing you many more years bringing us the best!

Lilly

Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness) said...

Congrats on your blogiversary; it is quite the accomplishment!