Wanna See

I really would love to see this. Previews begin March 19, so tickets would make a really good birthday present!

My New @aa.com Email Address

I’m excited about the US/AA merger, really I am. I mean, to be employed at the world’s largest airline. That’s quite something.

But I have to tell you, I felt a little weird upon reading the below email.

Admittedly my email address will now be easier to type. Previously, whenever I had to type it in I always misspelled airways. I’d usually transpose the “r” and the “i”. It will be hard to misspell aa, you know? It doesn’t matter if I transpose letters. Lol.

Still, I’ve worked for US Airways for a combined total of 20 years. Losing the name is not easy. With just my email address folks knew what company I worked for. Now, it looks like I work for Alcoholics Anonymous!

But really, I am excited about the merger. It might just take me a moment to embrace the new email address.

To: Cheryl Ann
Subject: Your New @aa.com Email Address

Congratulations!Your email has been transitioned to @aa.com!

As part of our efforts to combine systems, your @usairways.com email has transitioned to your new @aa.com email address.

Although your email has changed, you will still be able to receive email at your previous @usairways.com address.

Breakfast at Tiffany's, A Man's Perspective

From: Chris
To: Cheryl Ann
Sent: Sun, Jan 19, 2014 1:39 pm
Subject: Breakfast at Tiffany's

This was a weird movie, and I felt lost during it on several occasions. Realizing it was based on a Truman Capote novel makes that somewhat less surprising. 

I liked the idea of spending a day doing things they'd never done before. 

The characters reminded me of Sally and Cliff in Cabaret, at times.

Mickey Rooney's character is an absurd, racist caricature, and completely unnecessary to the film. 

Initially, I was wondering, Why did she let this guy in her house, why did he stay and why was he so curious?

So much smoke at the party at her house. How did none of them start coughing? And how did she always have a cigarette, even when arrested?

That poor wet cat. :-(
----
There is a wildness, spontaneity and craziness about Holly that made me both annoyed by and attracted to her at the same time. And that realization bothers me somewhat. Maybe I'm like her husband, wanting to nurture the wounded, wild animals that I'll never be able to tame or keep once they're well. Which is just as well, since the taming would likely remove the wonderful aspects that made them special in the first place.

I understand the point the movie was trying to make and the closing scene with Fred/Paul drove that home, though his character was somewhat flat. I didn't see enough of a reason why Holly would be in love with him. Though, the why is probably less important than Holly allowing herself to need anyone or anything.

Most memorable quotes:
"You like me baby, you know you do"

"It's useful being top banana in the shock department."

"I don't want to put you in a cage, I want to love you."

"You call yourself a free spirit, a wild thing, and you're terrified somebody's gonna stick you in a cage. Baby, you're already in that cage. You built it yourself."

Irate Customer

A customer was denied a change fee waiver for a date change requested on a booking he made on the web. His response to our rep was…

“Well I am just going to fly American from now on!”

Um, okay.

A Book Report, "Game"

This book is the first book in the Game Trilogy by Swedish author Anders De La Motte. I got this one and the second book, Buzz for free from Netgalley. I've read this one. I'm not sure if I want to read the second one.

The premise is interesting. HP picks up a cell phone he thinks someone left on the train. It's sleek, shiny and state-of-the-art so he fiddles with it before deciding to look for its owner. The phone comes to life and asks HP if he wants to play a game. For stealing a fellow passenger's umbrella, HP will be awarded points. This seemingly harmless prank soon escalates into more egregious stunts, placing HP and others in danger.

I found it very difficult to relate to, or even like, HP. He's an immature stoner without any likable qualities. Continuing to play the Game for the money is certainly understandable, given HP's existence. But the author makes it clear that it's less about the money and more the adrenaline rush he receives from knowing his escapades are being watched and rated. He's an absolutely despicable character.

Ultimately I got sucked into the book. Who is behind the mastering of these Games? Why are these Games important? I'm sure the sequel will move the story toward that unveiling. I just don't know if I care enough about learning the answers.

Goals for 2014

So I know I didn't do too well on my 2013 goals. Some of them were pretty lofty goals. This year I'm going to work toward more realistic goals.

See a minimum of 5 Broadway shows

I'm modifying this 2013 goal by removing the NYC restriction. This means shows I see at DPAC, or Charlotte's Broadway Lights Series or in NYC will count!

My 2014 Reading Challenge is to read 60 books

With having read 57 books for both 2012 and 2013, I feel 60 books is a nice stretch. You can follow my progress on Goodreads.

Read 3 books off the BBC Reading List  

I still want to work on theBBC Reading List. Last year was pitiful, but I think it was more my unrealistic goal. This year's goal should be doable. It's one more than I read last year and only one a quarter.

Attend 3 Festivals

Wine, Renaissance, Apple, Honey Bee, etc. The idea is to celebrate with a community of people!

Travel somewhere I've never been

While I'd love to add some more stamps in my passport, it doesn't have to be outside the United States or even outside of North Carolina.

I may add some more if/when the mood strikes, but these are the main ones.

Goals for 2013 - Overall Results

Before I start thinking about my goals for 2014, let's take a look at my results from 2013:

See a minimum of 5 Broadway/Off-Broadway shows in NYC
This one really did seem like a no-brainer. There were so many shows I wanted to see! Unfortunately, there were too few opportunities to fly to NYC. On the dates I thought about going, the flights became too full for my comfort.
Goal Achieved: No

My 2013 Reading Challenge is to read 65 books
I came in at 57 books read. This is the same number of books I read in 2012.
Goal Achieved: No

Read a minimum of 9 books off the BBC Reading List
I read 2.
Goal Achieved: No

Places To Visit:
The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA
Goal Achieved: Yes

The Moulin Rouge in Paris, France
Goal Achieved: Yes

Walt Disney World or Disneyland
Goal Achieved: Yes

Boston, MA
Goal Achieved: No

Pittsburgh, PA
Goal Achieved: No

So out of 8 goals, I achieved 3 of them. Granted, they were 3 of the biggest goals! Still, I have to admit that I sucked at meeting my 2013 goals. Oh, the agony of defeat!

2013 Goals - Monthly Update

Here's how I did with my goals during December.

See a minimum of 5 Broadway and Off-Broadway shows in NYC
- Nope.

Read 65 books for my Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
- I read 5 books toward my goal: Sempre, Me Since You, Running, Match, The Treatment, Shining City, After Ashley, Becky Shaw.
- Total books toward my goal of 65 - 57 books. 

Read a minimum of 9 books off the BBC Reading List
- Nope. 

Visit: 
1.The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA 
- "I'll Never Be Hungry Again" (Completed April 7)

2.The Moulin Rouge in Paris, France 
- Feerie (Completed September 10)

3.Walt Disney World or Disneyland 
- Disneyland Paris counts! (Completed September 12) 

4.Boston, MA
- Nope. 

5.Pittsburgh, PA
- Nope.

A Book Report

Before and After. That’s how Rowan Areno sees her life now. Before: she was a normal sixteen-year-old—a little too sheltered by her police officer father and her mother. After: everything she once believed has been destroyed in the wake of a shattering tragedy, and every day is there to be survived.

It's those kinds of teasers that initially hook me. Many times the book doesn't live up to the teaser. This book was an exception. From the first few sentences I was caught and immediately reeled in.

Laura Weiss does a fantastic job in illustrating the desolation of depression and the devastation of subsequent suicide(s). Rarely have I been so attuned to characters in a book. Rowan's spectrum of emotion was so tangible to me there were nights I could not continue reading. I lamented along with Eli, even giving my dog extra petting sessions.

Weiss has created very real, very honest characters. She took her time with their healing and their overall journey. By the end, I was as filled with hope as Rowan and Eli.

A Book Report

"A sexy novel about two seventeen-year-olds—one a victim of human trafficking; the other the son of the man who enslaved her—who fall in love and question everything they ever believed…"

The above description is what drew me to this book. Not the sexy novel part, but the part about human trafficking. Really, how could someone fall in love with the son of the man who enslaved her?

After finishing the book, the above description isn't really all that accurate. She wasn't really a victim of human trafficking - she was born into the "slave" life. And he wasn't the son of the man who enslaved her, per se. Technically the man rescued her from her abusive Master.

The author begins with human trafficking statistics. She herself is deeply passionate about the human trafficking issue. However, this book really had nothing to do with human trafficking. If the author wanted to bring about an awareness she shouldn't have written such complacent characters.

And the characters? There wasn't a single one in the book worth my interest. It was laughable that Haven, the supposed "victim of human trafficking" turns out to be a mafia princess. From slavery, to Mafia, to Russians intruding on turfs, a kidnapping and a weak love story, this book was all over the place.

And yea, there's a sequel. I, for one, won't be wasting any more of my time with Carmine and Haven.

Email Exchange

From: Cade
To: Mommy
Sent: Fri, Dec 13, 2013 4:37 pm

I just had to get this off of my shoulders. I'm sorry about rehearsal, I'm also sorry that I'm not "fun" to certain people. I'm just a car person. I didn't want to disappoint you with the show. That's why I said yes. I know that it is important and how much you like it. So I thought I would give it a shot. But it was only target practice to me and it was probably the best thing for you. I know I'm the car geek but I never said I hated the show. I just didn't think it would be right for me. But soon I realized how much it meant to you. So I would obviously say yes. I'm sorry I don't spend much time with you but I just don't know about theatre and I'm scared to ask you and I'm scared I'll get a fact wrong and you'll laugh. I just didn't like theatre when it first came to me. But one thing is I still love you even though I don't show it.

E-mail me back if you got this message.

2013 Goals - Monthly Update

Here's how I did with my goals during November.

See a minimum of 5 Broadway and Off-Broadway shows in NYC
- Nope. Nothing. Nada. Nil.

Read 65 books for my Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
- I read 5 books toward my goal: Unspoken, The Red Velvet Cake Wars, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, 
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) and Forever, Interrupted.
- Total books toward my goal of 65 - 49 books. 

Read a minimum of 9 books off the BBC Reading List
- Zero. Zip. Zilch. It was too ambitious of a goal.  

Visit: 
1.The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA 
- "I'll Never Be Hungry Again" (Completed April 7)

2.The Moulin Rouge in Paris, France 
- Feerie (Completed September 10)

3.Walt Disney World or Disneyland 
- Disneyland Paris counts! (Completed September 12) 

4.Boston, MA
- Nope. 

5.Pittsburgh, PA
- Nope.

A (Short) Afternoon at the Theatre

In 1990 several of my co-workers and I left work early to see the movie Ghost. Apart from Patrick Swayze's performance, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Whenever it's on TV, I sit and watch. It's a funny and endearing movie.

A few years ago I heard the movie was being made into a musical. Huh. Okay. The movie is so iconic. Why mess it up?

Six months ago Chad purchased season tickets to DPAC's Broadway Series which included a tour of Ghost: The Musical. When he asked if I wanted to go, I said yes. I liked the movie and I was intrigued with the prospect of the musical.

It started out promising. The two opening songs "Here Right Now" and "Unchained Melody" were nice although I was a little miffed at the video projection of Sam and Molly making love. (I got that that was where they were headed. I didn't need to see it on the big screen.) The next number, "More," was so completely out of place. It reminded me of the telephone number from "9 to 5." Sam's famous "ditto" response to Molly's "I love you" was nicely done in "Three Little Words." Sam is shot and killed and the show went downhill from there. Hospital Ghosts came out singing to Sam that "You Gotta Let Go." WTH? An ensemble of Halloween costumed ghosts? I was shaking my head in complete disbelief of the number. It was just so out of place. The subway scene where Sam first meets the aggressive ghost was the coolest thing. And then we meet Oda Mae and she was played like a badly acted imitation of Miss Cleo from the Psychic Network. And her "Are You a Believer?" number went on about 10 minutes longer than it should have. Oda Mae should be funny, not over the top. Molly's "With You" was dreadful. She was lamenting Sam's death and killing me with her awful high notes. The act one final number had me wishing I could "Suspend My Disbelief" that this show was anything but drek. "I Had a Life" and Chad and I decided to go and live it. We left at intermission.

We stopped at Tyler's Taproom for a late lunch/early dinner. We did some research on the show and found out it only played on Broadway about 6 months. Even just seeing the first Act we understood why. The show just didn't have a flow to it. Some of the numbers completely stopped the show, and not in a good way. It was just awful.

First Quarter Report Card

I'm thrilled to report with A's and B's this quarter that Cade is an:

  

Here's how Cade did:

Language Arts - A (Conduct is satisfactory)
French - B (Good attitude, good class participation)
Math - B (Conduct is satisfactory)
Science - A (Conduct is satisfactory, excellent student)
Social Studies - B (Thank you for supporting your child's education)
Beginning Chorus - A (Pleasant, cooperative student, conduct is excellent)
Beginning Visual Arts - A (Conduct is excellent, shows talent, creativity and motivation, pleasant cooperative student)
PE - A (Conduct is satisfactory)

The Official Cast List

The cast is as follows:

Asher Ellis – Bob Bradley (Father)
Cheryl Ann Roberts – Grace Bradley (Mother)
Quinn Bankson – Charlie Bradley
Ava Foster – Beth Bradley
Michael Stewart – Ralph Herdman
Molly Southern – Imogene Herdman
Chai Freedman – Leroy Herdman
Jackson Stover – Claude Herdman
Connor Riley – Ollie Herdman
Ashley Parsons – Gladys Herdman
Madison Mascorro – Alice Wendleken
Mimi Cunningham – Mrs. Armstrong
Caroline Puschinsky – Mrs. Slocum
Kim Parsons – Mrs. Clark
Sheridan Cooke – Mrs. Clausing
Peggie Kaan – Mrs. McCarthy
Adrian Quarles – Rev. Hopkins
Gillian Thornton – Maxine
Kameron Crumb – Elmer Hopkins
Elias Bankson – Hobie
Cade Kellam – David
Vivian Waye – Shirley
Salem Collins – Juanita
Kennedy Collins – Doris
Mary McBride – Janet
Ashley Peake – Laura
Simon Tonidandel – The Little Drummer Boy
Matt Mascorro, Jimmy Quander, Cassidy Wagner – Firemen
Joseph Beckwith, Jacob Ellis, Logan Horning - Shepherds
Tara Flury - Beverly
Sheridan Cooke, Riley Cullen, Matthew Arcuri, Charlotte Carter, Kaitlyn Connors, Olivia Crowell, Emi Curia, Tyson Edwards, Isabella Ellis, Grace Garner, Darron Hayes, Abigail Ingram-Edwards, Thatcher Johnson-Welden, Lauren Kistner, Anna Kummer, Shayla Penn, Ailanni Quander, Jasmyn Slater, Abigail Wagner – Angel Choir
Tara Flury, Chayenne Hughes, Ameerah Slade-McKinney – Baby Angels
Julia Cannon, Carlos Claggett, Charlee Foster, Madison Jones – Baby Sheep

A Book Review

I’m finding e-books on my Kindle frequently contain formatting errors. Usually it’s the page format that’s off with the page number and page title appearing in the middle of the “page” on my Kindle. In this instance, any word spelled with two f’s, the f’s were omitted. So office appeared as o ice, suffice appeared as su ice, etc. It was a tad bit difficult to read.

Here’s the book description from Amazon.com:

Charlotte Graham is at the center of the most famous kidnapping in Chicago history.

The task force of FBI and local cops found her two abductors, killed them, rescued her, but it took four very long years. The fact she was found less than three miles from her home, had been there the entire time, haunts them. She's changed her identity, found a profession she loves, and rebuilt her life.

She's never said a word--to the cops, to her doctors, to family--about those four years.
A family legacy has brought her back to Chicago where a reporter is writing a book about the kidnapping. The cops who worked the case are cooperating with him. Her options are limited: Hope the reporter doesn't find the full truth, or break her silence about what happened. And her silence is what has protected her family for years.

Bryce Bishop doesn't know her past, he only knows she has coins to sell from her grandfather's estate--and that the FBI director for the Chicago office made the introduction. The more he gets to know Charlotte, the more interested he becomes, an interest encouraged by those closest to her. But nothing else is working in his favor--she's decided she is single for life, she struggles with her faith, and she's willing to forego a huge inheritance to keep her privacy. She's not giving him much of an opening to work with.

Charlotte wants to trust him. She needs to tell him what happened. Because a crime cops thought was solved, has only opened another chapter...

Yeah, it sounds like a really interesting read. Unfortunately there’s too much going on. About a third of the book involves Charlotte selling coins to Bryce. Ms. Henderson provides detail upon detail upon detail upon detail about the coin selling business. It completely bogs the story line, which is particularly unfortunate.  I found myself skimming most of these pages.

Then we learn Charlotte has inherited a lot of money. A. Lot. Of. Money. She doesn’t want a single dime of it. Bryce knows there’s a lot of good that could be done with the money so he and Charlotte marry and Bryce takes on giving the money away to various charities.

In between all this, a reporter is writing a book about Charlotte’s kidnapping. She’s never told anyone the details, because the kidnapper is still at large. As if that’s not enough, we learn two of Bryce’s friends are looking into a cold case – a baby that was kidnapped around the same time as Charlotte.

Whew! Like I said, there’s a lot of stu  (see what I did here? Deleted the double f’s? Lol.) happening in this book. The additional plotlines tended to reduce the natural flow of the book. Charlotte’s kidnapping is resolved but in no way satisfactory to the reader.

What I did like about the book was Charlotte’s struggle with her faith. God forgives and Charlotte has trouble with Him forgiving the men who kidnapped and hurt her. It’s a very real struggle and Ms. Henderson handles it beautifully through Bryce.

I received this e-book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

Upcycled Halloween Arrangement

2013 Goals - Monthly Update

Here's how I did with my goals during October.

See a minimum of 5 Broadway and Off-Broadway shows in NYC
- Arrrgggghhhh! Still no plans!

Read 65 books for my Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
- I read 4 books toward my goal: Romance, The Darkness of Shadows, Seduction and Four To Score.
- Total books toward my goal of 65 - 44 books. (According to Goodreads, I'm 13 books behind schedule. Good grief!) 

Read a minimum of 9 books off the BBC Reading List
-I think I'm ready to admit that this was an impossible goal. 

Visit: 
1.The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA 
- "I'll Never Be Hungry Again" (Completed April 7)

2.The Moulin Rouge in Paris, France 
- Feerie (Completed September 10)

3.Walt Disney World or Disneyland 
- Disneyland Paris counts! (Completed September 12) 

4.Boston, MA
- Nothing planned. 

5.Pittsburgh, PA
- Nothing planned.

Halloween Costume Teaser

Putting the final touches on the most important piece of my costume.

Have you guessed who I'm going to be yet?

Halloween Costume Teaser

I'm getting ready for Halloween tomorrow! Can you guess what I'm going to be?