{A Concert in the Park with Patti}

There's something magical about sunset, about music and about time with friends.

I was recently lucky enough to combine all three when Patti and I went to see Steps Junk

Funk perform in the park. The outdoor concert was from the Sonoran Sunset Series at

Veterans Oasis Park in Chandler. You may remember I saw an Irish band there in March.

Admittedly, this was by far my least favorite of the three shows I saw there since

February, but it was still fun. The concept was cool. It combined some modern dance

(I say that loosely) with something like Stomp, street percussion style sound. They

lost two of their four members, apparently. I wanted to believe that was the problem,

but I think they needed, like, 38 more people to make it work really well.

On the other hand, every child there was totally mesmerized. They didn't flock to the

grass and dance with reckless abandon like they did for Irish folk music the month

before. But they were all in a trance, as if they were sitting in the back seat of their

parents' car, watching "The Wiggles" on DVD. The performing couple clearly had a

lot of passion for what they were doing, and it wasn't lost on the kidlets.

It was still really nice to be entertained outside on a beautiful evening in the company

of a good friend. I had a great time. I love that the City of Chandler arranges these

shows for us and encourages families to get outside and enjoy live music together.

While we were there, I took a few photos for Patti. She's always doing things for other

people, and it felt good to do something nice for her.

This was the last concert for their spring round. (That scheduling detail is a reminder

that it's about to get really hot here. Booo!) But they'll be back with more music in

the fall, beginning in September. I plan to go to as many of the shows as possible. It's

just too great too pass up free, live music in the park during the golden hour. Maybe

I'll see you there next time!

{"African Cats" In Theaters Now}

Happy Earth Day to my fellow Earthlings!

You may remember Disneynature releases "African Cats" to theaters
today in honor of this important holiday. My friend, Jeff Mitchell, is an
awesome movie critic. (Check out his site to find out who's doing what
in movieland and if it's worth your time.) He generously agreed to catch
an advanced screening of the film so he could offer my readers his
review in time for Earth Day and the weekend. What a great guy, huh?
Enjoy ... and pop over to Mitch On Movies when you have a minute.
You'll be glad you did.

(Image is Courtesy of Disneynature,
Google Images)

"African Cats" 3 / 4 stars - Sita! Mara! Layla! Kali! Fang! No, these are not the names of the latest "American Idol" contestants, they are some of the wild animals - or more specifically, cats - you'll meet in the latest feature from Disneynature ("Oceans", "Earth"). Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, "African Cats" follows the drama surrounding the lives of a cheetah and her cubs, a lion and his sons, and a large pride of other lions in Kenya. Directors Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey impress with gorgeous sweeping overhead shots of the Kenyan plains along with the smallest details of lion cubs cooing while playing with their mother on a given pristine morning.
It should be noted that earlier this year, National Geographic released a similar film, "The Last Lions", and I found it more effective than "African Cats." "The Last Lions" centered its story on only one lioness and her difficult journey, and the film's singular focus successfully generated - from me - a measurable vested interest (and strong emotional tugs) to her troublesome odyssey.
In other words, less was more.
And "African Cats" seemed to march in a rhythm where one terrible crisis occurs, followed by a cute shot of a turtle, and another hair-raising event takes place, followed by a fun scene of warthogs playing. Unfortunately, I started to predict the film's pattern after a little while. But I still enjoyed "African Cats." Fothergill's and Scholey's skillful abilities, fascinating shots and successful storytelling shouldn't be discounted. Look, any film that gets this pacifist hoping a cheetah will successfully chase down a harmless gazelle is a near-remarkable feat.

{Disneynature Strikes Again}

Earth Day is coming. Cats will prowl into theaters everywhere on April 22nd.

This will be the third year in a row that Disneynature releases one of their amazing

nature series movies on Earth Day. This year's film is "African Cats," and it looks like

it'll be every bit as entertaining and gorgeous as "Oceans" (2010) and "Earth" (2009).

David and I have made a recent tradition of going to these Disneynature productions

on Earth Day. This year, I know we'll go see it opening weekend, but I'm not sure we'll

make it on Friday. Either way, I'm excited to keep the tradition alive.

The videography, the shots, the amount of time, and the number of cameras involved

in the making of these films is reason enough to go see them. But they also weave

together moving stories about family and survival that show you things you'd

otherwise never get to witness in person.

For me, at least, these movies create an appreciation for how big and amazing this

beautiful Earth of ours is, and how it's filled with incredible beings even in it's most

wild corners. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to take care of this one

of a kind place, and what better day to be reminded of that then on Earth Day.

If you see "African Cats" during opening week, Disneynature will make a donation

in your name that will go toward protecting the Savanna and the majestic cats who

live there. I mention it here today so you have time to plan a trip to the theater.

Have you been doing anything for Earth Month? What are your plans for Earth Day?

{Lá Fhéile Pádraig}

Happy Saint Patrick's Day 2011 from Arizona!





I'm 50% Irish and proud of it. Here's a claim to fame for ya ...

My paternal grandfather (who I never met because he passed away when I was in the

womb) was born on Saint Patrick's Day in Dublin. That was the same Saint Patrick's

Day that they held the first St. Patty's Day parade in Dublin. And the parade route

when right by the hospital where he was born. True story. I had heard of it, and it

almost sounded like folklore. But I researched the details when I was in Ireland --

went to public records and got a copy of his birth certificate -- and it turns out it

really happened that way!

Are you looking for some Irish entertainment today?

Check out Mitch On Movies. My friend, Jeff Mitchell, is a film critic. He recently

reviewed three of his favorite Irish films -- "Waking Ned Devine", "The Commitments"

and "Once." He generously loaned me his copies of the first two. So, that's what I'll be

doing tonight. :)

Have a safe and happy Saint Pat's everyone. Sláinte!

{Irish Music for Lads and Lasses}

It's amazing what music can do to put you back in touch with memories and to get

your foot bouncing and your head bobbing.

I went to see an Irish band last week. It was fun! It reminded me of our time in

Ireland, and I felt partially transported back to the pubs of Dublin. I say partially

because as I sat in a park in Chandler, the masses were not throwing back pints

and singing along with all the strength in their smoke addled lungs like they did

back in the land of green. There were no jigs danced or cigarettes being chain

smoked. (Ahh, Ireland. I do miss you.)

But the music and the energy of the band was really cool.

The band I saw was called the Knockabouts. They're from Flagstaff and they were

here as part of a City of Chandler Sonoran Sunset Concert Series. They were great.

They played two original pieces, written by members of the band that were excellent,

and then they played some old classics that I'd always hear in the pubs.













(For those of you who live in the east valley, the next concert in the park is April 14th

from 6PM-7PM. It's at Lindsay and Chandler Heights. I don't know what kind of music

they'll have, but it's a pretty park and it's fun to sit outside and take in whatever

entertainment the city arranges to throw your way.)

"For the good are always the merry,
Save for an evil chance,
And the merry love the fiddle,
And the merry love to dance."
- W.B. Yeats, "The Fiddler of Dooney"

Happy St. Patrick's Day Week!

{Selfies}

I played with photo booth (the webcam on my computer) a few times last week. :)
Nerdy. I know. But it was fun.

Hope your week is off to a good start!

{Earth Day 2010}

Earth Day ... a holiday we celebrate in this house. The Earth sustains us. Without it we could

not do, live, thrive, work, play, procreate, advance, choose, grow, learn, explore, or exist.

The amazing planet that gives us life deserves a day! Today is Earth Day's 40th anniversary.

We -- like a lot of you out there -- work to make EVERYDAY Earth Day with Earth-friendly

habits like composting, recycling, using non-toxic cleaners, buying local and in season foods,

line drying our clothes, conserving, and reusing things. But the biggest and most wonderful

thing you can do to love the Earth is to plan your meals differently.

FUN FACT: You save more water by not eating a pound of beef than you do by not shower-

ing for an entire year! Make a pledge to go veg for 30 days, and start to make a difference

each time you sit down at the table to eat. (If you don't want to do 30 days, would you commit

to going meat free one week a month or one day a week?) Okay ... I'm off my soap box.

Last year on Earth Day, David and I went to see Earth. The shots that were captured for

it and the stories told were nothing short of amazing. Just incredible. This year, we're

going to see Oceans, also by Disney, a release I've been looking forwardto for an entire

year. ***Disney will make a donation of $0.20 for every ticket sold during opening week

that will go towards saving our coral reefs.*** Check out the trailer ...

The movie isn't until tonight though. So, the dogs and I went for a sunrise morning hike at

San Tan Mountains. What a way to start Earth Day! We had an awesome time. The air was

still crisp, but the sun was warm and the energy was amazing.








Finally, I leave you with some Earth friendly & Earth Day related links:

* Planet Pals has some facts listed here that'll kinda blow your mind.

* Some interesting Earth Day Fun Facts can be found here.

* This site is dedicated to Earth Day information and events.

* Recycling 101 provided by the National Recycling Coalition, Real Simple

* Gorgeously Green, a site with ideas on how to live green and do it beautifully.

* The Ultimate Green Store for shopping in harmony with nature.

* Green and More, another green-things place to shop with lots of great ideas.

* Click here to learn the single most effective thing you can do to protect the planet.

* Earth Day crafts for kids or adults. :)

That's it for today. Happy Earth Day!!

{Simply Sweet}

Last Friday was a great day! But it was long, hot and busy, too.

I left downtown at 6:30pm, grabbed gas and waded into

traffic for my one hour commute. Ugh.

The perfect end-of-a-long-day, sitting-in-traffic-pick-me-up?

Call Aaron and Pam's house to talk to my nieces and nephew.

When Miss Meghan and I chatted, she was in the room with

the other kids. She asked me if I would tell the girls to be quiet

(because they weren't listening to her requests). I suggested

she take the phone into the sun room where it was quiet. She

did. So, it was just the two of us. I love those talks with the kids

-- when they aren't distracted by all the activity there, and

they can just focus on talking. We have the best conversations

then. It's awesome. Check out the part of our conversation where

the Miss Mature Meghan reminded me, without knowing it,

that's she's still a little girl.

**************

Meghan: Want me to sing you a song? (She proceeds to

softly sing a song, clearly knowing every single word. It

ended in underwear.)

Me: Where'd you learn that song? I like it.

Meghan: American Idol.

Me: Oh, cool. Well, you did a really good job singing it.

Meghan: Do you know who won American Idol?

Me: Was it Kris Allen?

Meghan: Yeah, Lauren thinks he's cute.

Me: Who did you want to win?

Meghan: Danny Gokey.

Me: Oh, I liked him, too! What do you think he's doing now?

Do you think he's making music?

Meghan: Yeah.

Me: Oh, you know what? I think they're all on tour --

where all the top ten singers from American Idol go to

a bunch of cities like Toledo and Phoenix and put on

concerts. Have you ever been to a concert?

Meghan: Yeah, I've been to Wisconsin. My dad lives there!

***********************

She didn't follow me. We went from talking about American Idol

to the concerts they're doing. When I said concert, she heard Wisconsin.

Listening, you know, in terms of her world. It was sweet. :)

{When it's 115 Degrees Outside...}

...it's sometimes best to resign yourself to sitting

as still as possible under a ceiling fan.

It's crazy hot here right now. (And will be for another

month and a half.) So, we're all spending more time

inside then out. I had to smile the other day when I

looked around my class. It's sunny here every single

day, but we're all crazy pale. :)

With weather like this, I'm thankful for good tv (even

though this is technically the off season) and an

occasional movie.


We love Entourage. Every one of these guys = adorable.

Really well written, funny, smart, quick, and believable.

It's not overacted or canned. We're Mark Walhberg fans,

and he's the EP. Not surprising that it's good with his

hands on it.

This is the first season of Nurse Jackie (Showtime).

Have you seen it? I don't look forward to this one as

much as the others, but it's solid. Quippie, dry, interesting

issues. I like it.

We LOVE the Next Food Network Star!! It's so good.
Tell me you're not missing this. If you haven't seen it,

it's basically a show where a three member panel hosts

a ten week interview of a group of cooks and chefs via

challenges. The winner gets their own show on the Food

Network. Not shabby. It's been on for several seasons,

but this is only the second one we've watched. It's down

to two finalists and next week is going to be awesome!

And then there's Weeds -- probably my favorite of them all.

God, it's just so damn good. I watched seasons 1-4 in the past

year. So, I was finally watching season 5 as it aired weekly.

David started watching it with me, and I told him he should

really consider watching it from the beginning so he had all

the background. There's so much good stuff in the earlier

seasons. I set him up on Netflix for season 1. He powered

through and watched all four seasons in a week and a half! :)

What are you watching?

Dear Earth,

Today is a special day set aside to honor you. And boy, do you
deserve it. I hope you have a really good day and a lot of people
take a few extra minutes to pay you a good turn because it
will add up and make a difference if they do.

Thank you for all the amazing things you give us everyday,
without ever having to be asked. There's always air to breath
and sun to light our way thanks to you. You cover us up at night
with a blanket of snugly darkness. You keep all the necessary
elements in perfect check so every human and animal on you
can survive, and hopefully thrive. You go above and beyond
your call of duty, and you're the only one in the whole Universe
-- that we know of -- who does it.

And you keep doing it, even though sometimes we abuse you so
very much. You don't keep score though. You just keep on
plugging away. I worry that someday we'll have taken so much
from you, without giving enough back that you'll get tired and
have to take a break from giving us all the things you do. I hope
that doesn't happen because you are so important and too
beautiful and amazing to lose.

I'm really excited because today, for Earth Day, there's a new
movie coming out. It's called Earth, and I can't wait to see it.
It's only in theatres. David and I are going to the 7pm showing
tonight. He is usually in New Mexico in the middle of the week,
but he went early so he could be back for this! How nice is that?
Speaking of nice, the people at Disney who made the movie --
they're also going to plant a tree in honor of YOU for every
ticket bought during opening week. I know you've been really
busy taking care of all of us. So, just in case you didn't get to see
the trailer for it, I've included it here:



Also, I wanted to let you know that I planted some things in your
honor this past weekend! I'm willing my thumb to be green, even
though it really isn't.



I put my new Roma tomato and basil plants in containers for
now. Once I create a space for a garden, they'll go in there.
I'm hoping to get to that next month. As it gets hotter, I may
move the new aloe plant inside. I know this is such a small
thing, but it's something that will hopefully take a little bit
of pressure off of you.

Thanks for everything.
I love you, Earth.

Samara