Pinewood Derby

Sunday was our Cub Scout pack's Pinewood Derby. Conveniently, Dylan and Connor each got a second place.



They both had block-style cars - Dylan's was a double-ended Frankenstein, and Connor's was a Lego brick with flames painted on the side.



The track



Finish line!

Alpine White

This TV ad for Nestle's Alpine White candy bar ran in the late 1980's. I remember it vividly because I loved the music. Then a few years later I found out that the music is performed by Sophie B. Hawkins, whose other music I also love.

I never had an Alpine White candy bar, but it was really cool to hear this song again.

Fowl Diorama

This month's book project for Dylan's 4th grade class was to construct a diorama depicting a scene from a graphic novel. He chose Artemis Fowl, and a scene in which time stops in a sphere around a mansion, trapping Artemis inside.

He used a milk carton for the mansion, cotton for the clouds and trees, and an old bass drum head for the time-stop sphere.

I think Dylan's finished project turned out great!

Singing Valentines

The Northridge first-graders presented their music program this week, and this being Valentine's week, they focused on songs about love. It was very cute and mercifully short. Connor is on the left end of the back row.

The cafetorium at Horizon is a great performance space; however, it was a bit small for this particular event. With about 100 students performing, it was standing room only for the spectators.



My favorite song was a new take on "I'm a Little Teapot", in which the teapot slowly loses appendages (handle and spout), until it discovers that it's a sugarbowl!

More McCartney

"It's Over" is off Jesse McCartney's last album, Departure. I really like this video, which depicts the story told in the song - he's "deleting" an ex from his memory.




"I'm Leavin'" is another song off Departure. This is a live performance recorded for a radio station, and he nails this vocal, proving that he's more than just a pretty face.

In fact, he's a Grammy-nominated songwriter now, too. He co-wrote Leona Lewis's "Bleeding Love", which is nominated for Record of the Year.

Click here to watch the steamy music video he made for the song.

Hot Desk

The Hot Desk is a talk show produced for ITV Mobile and hosted by Mel Blatt and Nicole Appleton, AKA Mrs. Liam Gallagher. They interviewed Liam for their first episode, and he recently made a return visit for a second interview.

Liam is notoriusly bad mannered, but here he's charming and funny. Perhaps the presence of his wife improves his behavior. My favorite part starts at 5:35, where he gives the one-word answers.

See how much you understnad of his broad Manc accent.

Song of the Moment

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Jesse McCartney - "How Do You Sleep"

Jesse McCartney is my new PYT, and this song is just about all I've been listening to for over a week. I obsessively watch the video at work, and I wake up with the song in my head.

I know, I know, I'm the wrong demographic for this song and this singer. I can't explain why lately I'm drawn to these new young artists. Maybe I suffer from the Benjamin Button syndrome...getting younger over time. The funny thing is, I know that my 20-year-old self would have HATED this.

In addition to being a terrific song, I also love this video for its stylish look and clever editing. Jesse's crisp suit and dark aviators are ultra-cool, and the slow-motion plays up a physical quality that I admire - precision and economy of movement. Check out the folding chair walk-over and the microphone flip after his bow at the end. Watch it in high quality from the YouTube site if you can - the whole thing just looks great in sharp detail. To quote Jodi - "HOT!"

Dance Weekend

Got back yesterday from Minot for State High School Dance Competition. 40 teams, 700 dancers, 127 performances. Whew! I like being a part of putting on this event, but it's also a relief when it's over.

Here's a clip from the Jam Session, which is how we pass the time while waiting for results. I liked this one because it got the whole crowd going.

Snowdrift

Brad's brother, Rod, lives in northwest Mandan, where the winds blow in from across the open prairie. With all the snow this season, the street and yards have been turned into one giant snowdrift.

The same thing happened in the blizzard of 1997. Back then, the local news did a story on him using a front-loader to clear his driveway. The story got picked up by other news outlets and made it all the way to Paris, France, where my uncle and aunt were living and saw it on TV.

I wish we could make headlines for something besides our outrageous weather.

Glasvegas

Glasvegas - Geraldine
We caught this performance on Letterman recently. I found it interesting, but not that compelling. However, I know if they had been around in the late 1980's, I would have been TOTALLY into them.

Wanted - NIN

I got the DVD of Wanted for Christmas. Love this movie. It's not the kind of movie that I typically like, but maybe a little diversity is a good thing for me.

If you've got five minutes, here's a very well-edited clip, which is a fan vid of scenes from the movie set to "Every Day is Exactly the Same" by Nine Inch Nails. The song is used in the movie, and it suits it perfectly.

Dino-tastic

Connor's Cub Scout den took in the grand opening of the new dinosaur exhibit at the Heritage Center this month. Don't they look adorable in their uniforms?

I also took Connor around to the other exhibits, which he really enjoyed. In the exhibit about children through the ages, I swear there's a picture of Mitch Albers in the 1980's, right next to the jelly shoes.

E A D G B E

A guitar lesson in their pajamas. How adorable.

Winter Show

Here's a shot from today of all my dancers in their seats just before our Winter Show started. The whole show went quickly and smoothly, and I'm so relieved that it's done. All my teams danced really well and seemed to have fun.

GO JFK!

Where The Hell Is Matt?

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This video moved me. It demonstrates simply and effectively how dancing can bring joy to people all over the world, and how similar we humans are despite our differences.

Matt Harding is a former video game developer who has made three such videos. This one includes clips from 70 locations in 42 countries. His own dancing is intriguing, but I really like how he joins in with the Indian women at 2:30.

Student of the Week

Connor was Student of the Week just before the holiday break, so Brad made an appearance in his first grade classroom to play marimba and hand percussion. He played a few Christmas songs and the theme from Star Wars, but the biggest hit was Hedwig's Theme from Harry Potter. Connor's teacher, Mrs. Vetter, was thrilled, and the kids were entertained.

The event must have made a big splash at the school because the next day several 5th grade girls excitedly told me at dance class that Mr. Stockert had played in Mrs. Vetter's room. Hopefully it is something Connor will always remember, too.

Ringing In the New Year

I snapped this on the way home tonight. I've always loved how the state capitol adds a magical touch to New Year's Eve.

From Us To You

Season's Greetings

File under: awesomely geeky holiday entertainment

E-Trade Baby

This TV commercial always makes me laugh.

"Whoa."