You can dance if you want to...

I've seen many Nutcrackers in my time and still love the story! I love Clara's battle with the Rat King, I love the Spanish dance and the Russian dance..oh and the Chinese...oh oh and the Arabian! The whole second act is amazing, and so is the first. The Snowflakes are always beautiful, and even if they aren't the music is stunning. I even love the Fantasia versions, who couldn't love the little mushrooms or be entranced by the angel fish.

Each production is different and offers a new take on a timeless classic with endless fantastic interpretations. This is traditionally the biggest show of the season gets the most financial and creative attention. Each production reflects the talents and focus of each company, so no two Nutcrackers will ever be the same making it fun to see over and over again. The choreography of the Texas Ballet is incredible, the Austin Ballet is...awful actually, and the Denver Ballet is hilarious.

This was the funniest version I have ever seen. The mice were hilarious, the Russians were amusing, and the highlight was the Chinese dragon that had every kid in the audience laughing.

Alex liked it too!

Now for the harsh part, their focus on comedy was apparent. Clearly this was meant as a family event. However, I do not think that kid-friendly conflicts with challenging choreography. The Spanish dance was forgettable, as was the Marzipan. Dances that are traditionally duets were trios, and the additional dancer was never beneficial. The Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier were disappointing at best. Actually no, the were even more awful then their terrible choreography. They first had a two minute dance, then the Fairy danced for a minute, then the Cavalier, and the two of them again. I was surprised by the Cavalier's sloppy performance since his bio boasted his training with the Kirov Ballet Academy. The only greater waste of time was the female dancer in the Russian trio who was literally wearing heels and did no dancing whatsoever. And yet the greatest annoyance was this, they called him the Mouse King! He is the Rat King, has always been, will always be, can only ever be The Rat King. Having been a mouse with rats and a rat king, I have a big ole soft spot for these guys. And despite this terrible faux-pas, it is because of them that I can wholeheartedly recommend this show.

I would absolutely recommend this as a family outing. The mice/rat are hilarious! The Dragon was fun! This is a great first ballet for anyone, and a perfect first experience for any kid to be introduced one of the most beautiful art forms.  

Also they had a photographer available to take Christmas photos, so that was fun.

Now we come to bring thee honor...

Graduation season has come and gone, another year of young minds eager to learn from their own mistakes unleashed onto the world. My high school graduation was long, I didn't know most of the people, and I spent most of the time reading 'Dante's Inferno' which I had hidden under my robe.

The principal began the ceremony by letting us know that "As [he] was working out at the gym this morning, [he] thought of all of [us]...."

The salutatorian mocking that great man by reminding us we were "world class mavs" (a phrase thrown at us at every morning announcements, football game, soccer game, and chess meet), and mentioning a local radio morning show because "they said they would give me 50 bucks if I did." And then our rather red and irritated principal got back up to wag his finger and tell him to "take this more seriously."

Some people, however, had pretty awesome speeches...and I have gathered my three favorites here. I would suggest to any principal or valedictorian to use a large projector and play one of these at their next event...you could even voice over whenever they mention the school name and get the computer class to photoshoot the school mascot and colors into the video. If nothing else steal the transcript outright and you too can be as brilliant as these three comedians.

Coming in at number 3 is Ellen Degeneres at Tulane.

Second, but not first, is Eugene Mirman at Lexington High School.

At least make it to 2:45 on this one...gold, comedic gold.

And always the greatest, at number 1 is Conan O'Brien at Dartmouth.

You can be my hero...

I met Stephan Pastis.

Comics are even more hilarious when read by the creator.

Signing my calendar on the "wonderful day we met"

Witty. Handsome. Creative. Dreamy.

I met my hero.

If music be the food of love...

We finally made it to the Dallas Symphony. Alex, Doug, his girlfriend, and I made out way downtown to pick up our tickets.

oops..we forgot to double-check that our seats were next to each other ::Hello Katie::

Try to find Doug.

We got to sit together! 

Excited for the performance!

The first half was good, Mozarts last great Concerto No. 25. The pianist was really into the performance. He had a towel on the piano to wiped his forehead after the complicated bits. At the end of the performance, he flapped his coat and abruptly got up. It was like, "oh..wha..oh..its over?..ok well ok."

Fear not, the love-birds were not parted for long, at intermission they moved to the two free seats next to us...And quickly proceeded to play on their phones..kids these days.

Katie just had oral surgery, and felt a little self-conscious about her smile..so I leveled the playing field.

During the intermission...and occasionally during the performances, it was highly entertaining to people-watch. Note to self: if I force a kid to sit through an hour of classical music, do not sit him where the entire audience can watch him fidget. Highly distracting, yet highly entertaining.

Stravinsky has got some serious game. 'The Rite of Spring' was an extremely well written piece, and the Dallas Symphony did it justice. The bassonist was incredible, I never knew a bassonist could be incredible.This particular musician had been the lead bassonist for twenty years!

Although there is no photographic evidence, I will admit that we ended our evening with wings at Hooters. Eh, I prefer Buffalo Wild Wings.