The plays I saw in 2013
39 steps - Hale Centre Theatre
The lovely Emily Bell played the only female in this small cast. She was wonderful!
Lend Me a Tenor - Hale Center Theater Orem
We sat on the very front row! The lead looked almost exactly like Rick Moranis.
No Time for Sargeants - Hale Centre Theatre
Cute show. The lead was a really great.
You're a Good Man Charlie Brown - Fort Herriman Middle School
I had several students in the play and so I went to support them. I was glad to finally put the music to some context.
Mid Summer Nights Dream - Fort Herriman Middle School
Supporting students again. They put a fun twist on this one to make it slightly more relatable to middle schoolers and so the kids were all dressed in poodle skirts and leather jackets.
Ragtime - Hale Centre Theatre
Front row seats for a really moving play about life and how it affects different groups of people.
Urinetown - Hale Center Theater Orem
Front row seats that almost got me kicked in the face on several occasions.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Hale Centre Theatre
Ames Bell was such a good Dick Van Dyke.
Peter and the Star Catcher - Shakespeare Festival
So much fun. I love stories with pirates!
Love's Labour's Lost - Shakespeare Festival
A Shakespeare Comedy where the guy doesn't get the girl.
Anything Goes - Shakespeare Festival
Do all sailors tap dance on trans-atlantic voyages?
The Tempest - Shakespeare Festival
Another Shakespeare play I'd never seen before. Why don't more people do this one? Nice message of forgiveness
12 Angry Men- Shakespeare Festival
No intermission, because there are no intermissions during jury deliberations.
King John - Shakespeare Festival
The first of Shakespeare's history plays that I've seen.
Peter Pan - Herriman City Arts Council
I had a couple former students and some neighbors in this production, so Brad and I decided to catch it one night after he got home from work. They did a good job. I'm always impressed by community theater and what they can pull off in a pavilion.
Tarzan - Hale Centre Theatre
Great use of Cirque Du Soleil style vine swinging. Very athletic show.
Thoroughly Modern Milly - Tuachan
I saw this on a girls
weekend with my friend Traci. Great show, Stolworthy's (Grant and
Connie) ended up sitting right behind us and we didn't even notice until
intermission.
Richard II - Shakespeare Festival Fall show
I know why people don't do the history plays often. Curse the complete the canon initiative! I did enjoy the lecture in the grove with Fred Adams before the show started. I think I would have been totally lost were it not for his summary beforehand.
Brigadoon - Hale Centre Theatre
Emily finally gets to use her Celtic Dancing skills!
Elf - Pioneer Theater Company
6 year anniversary date. I liked the new parts almost better than the direct from the movie parts. It felt like actors just quoting the movie when they were the exact same. I did enjoy the songs and dancing though.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Books 2013
The books I read in 2013.
Dear Jo - Christina Kilbourne
My school had the kids read this book the year before I began teaching there so it was in every classroom. I had never read it so I picked it up. It's about internet safety so I wondered if it would be a good one to suggest to my students now that the group who read it originally is all out of the building. It's not. The whole thing felt like it was written in 1994 when the internet was just becoming something you could have in your home. They talked about chat rooms like people talked about chat rooms when I was 8. I was shocked to find out it had been written in 2007. If you are going to write a book for kids about using the internet safely, the first thing you should do is learn how to use the internet.
Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
My coworkers had been passing around this book last year, but I never got in on the rotation to read it. Then it came out as a movie and I had every intention of seeing it, but never did. Then the movie was released onto dvd and I thought I might rent it. The day before it came out on dvd I saw a student with the book and I told her, "Oh hey, that comes out on dvd tomorrow. I was thinking I might rent it this weekend." She asked if I had read the book and I told her I hadn't, but had thought about it. That was the point at which she pulled out her bookmark and handed me the book and told me she had read it a million times and she wanted me to read the book before seeing the movie. They promote the book by saying it's a story about being a teenager, but I was a teenager once, and it was nothing like that. I'll be honest, I think I liked the movie better.
When You Reach Me - Rebecca Stead
This was a book that was picked by my middle school "book club" that meets before school in the library. It was a quick read with an interesting concept. I knew nothing about it before I read it, and I think that is the way it should be. So if you are bored for an afternoon, this would be a fine way to spend time.
The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
The same student that told me to read 'Perks' brought me another book by her favorite author and told me to read it. The author is a man that does a popular youtube channel and so I knew who he was, I just had never read anything of his. It is a story about a girl with cancer. I was hesitant to read it. Those kinds of stories are hard for me. I ended up reading it all in one day. A friend told me she had the worst 'book hangover' after finishing the book. I had a headache from crying. I also laughed out loud often. I am torn on whether or not I actually liked it. I mean I liked it, but it was sad, and I don't love being sad. I think my next book will need to be either funny or a mystery or something. Not sad.
Matched - Ally Condie -
Matched was a good change of pace for what I had been reading. It was a semi-sappy teen romance meets dystopic society.
Warm Bodies - Isaac Marion
We listened to Warm Bodies as we drove to Las Vegas for Easter. We had already seen the movie that came out based on the book. We enjoyed the book (warning: it has some foul language) and we also enjoyed the movie, but they are different. Most of what happens in the movie doesn't happen in the book until about halfway through.
Divergent - Veronica Roth
Brad actually read this first. He loved it. Does it need more of a recommendation than that?
Insurgent - Veronica Roth
Book 2 of Veronica Roth's series. I should have waited until the third one is out to read these because now I have to wait to find out what happens. BOO.
Maphead- Ken Jennings
Nerdy book and I loved it. I wish I could make anyone who questions why we learn geography read this book.
The Dressmaker- Kate Alcott
Is it normal to get cold in the middle of the summer just because of the book you are reading? I was freezing the whole time I read this book. I love learning about the Titanic. I think if I'd known that the story was based on actual people on the Titanic from the beginning I would have been a little more into it.
Crossed - Ally Condie
It was weird coming back to this after reading Veronica Roth's books. I kept getting the stories mixed up.
Reached - Ally Condie
Fun fact. Ally Condie taught english at my high school. I didn't have her a teacher, but I'll pretend like her writing a series somehow makes me cooler.
Enders Game- Orson Scott Card
We listened to this book while driving to the condo. I'd never read it and I wanted to know the story before the movie came out. I really liked the book. I also liked the movie, even if it didn't really follow the book.
Allegiant- Veronica Roth
Ugh. Just ugh. I feel like she had a rough outline of what she wanted to have happen in the story, and then she published it.
Hyperbole and a Half- Allie Brosh
I bought this book for Nate for Christmas. But I had to read it first. Allie Brosh is really funny, but I wouldn't recommend the book to anyone who is offended by language. She has a bit of a potty mouth.
Lock and Key- Sarah Dessen
This book was darker than I thought it would be based on the cover. It was one of those books where I started caring more about the characters than I thought I would. It was pretty good.
On the Map- Simon Garfield
This one only kind of counts because I didn't finish it. It's one of those nerd books that takes awhile to get through. I eventually had to take it back to the library. But I liked it and will probably finish it at some point.
Dear Jo - Christina Kilbourne
My school had the kids read this book the year before I began teaching there so it was in every classroom. I had never read it so I picked it up. It's about internet safety so I wondered if it would be a good one to suggest to my students now that the group who read it originally is all out of the building. It's not. The whole thing felt like it was written in 1994 when the internet was just becoming something you could have in your home. They talked about chat rooms like people talked about chat rooms when I was 8. I was shocked to find out it had been written in 2007. If you are going to write a book for kids about using the internet safely, the first thing you should do is learn how to use the internet.
Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
My coworkers had been passing around this book last year, but I never got in on the rotation to read it. Then it came out as a movie and I had every intention of seeing it, but never did. Then the movie was released onto dvd and I thought I might rent it. The day before it came out on dvd I saw a student with the book and I told her, "Oh hey, that comes out on dvd tomorrow. I was thinking I might rent it this weekend." She asked if I had read the book and I told her I hadn't, but had thought about it. That was the point at which she pulled out her bookmark and handed me the book and told me she had read it a million times and she wanted me to read the book before seeing the movie. They promote the book by saying it's a story about being a teenager, but I was a teenager once, and it was nothing like that. I'll be honest, I think I liked the movie better.
When You Reach Me - Rebecca Stead
This was a book that was picked by my middle school "book club" that meets before school in the library. It was a quick read with an interesting concept. I knew nothing about it before I read it, and I think that is the way it should be. So if you are bored for an afternoon, this would be a fine way to spend time.
The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
The same student that told me to read 'Perks' brought me another book by her favorite author and told me to read it. The author is a man that does a popular youtube channel and so I knew who he was, I just had never read anything of his. It is a story about a girl with cancer. I was hesitant to read it. Those kinds of stories are hard for me. I ended up reading it all in one day. A friend told me she had the worst 'book hangover' after finishing the book. I had a headache from crying. I also laughed out loud often. I am torn on whether or not I actually liked it. I mean I liked it, but it was sad, and I don't love being sad. I think my next book will need to be either funny or a mystery or something. Not sad.
Matched - Ally Condie -
Matched was a good change of pace for what I had been reading. It was a semi-sappy teen romance meets dystopic society.
Warm Bodies - Isaac Marion
We listened to Warm Bodies as we drove to Las Vegas for Easter. We had already seen the movie that came out based on the book. We enjoyed the book (warning: it has some foul language) and we also enjoyed the movie, but they are different. Most of what happens in the movie doesn't happen in the book until about halfway through.
Divergent - Veronica Roth
Brad actually read this first. He loved it. Does it need more of a recommendation than that?
Insurgent - Veronica Roth
Book 2 of Veronica Roth's series. I should have waited until the third one is out to read these because now I have to wait to find out what happens. BOO.
Maphead- Ken Jennings
Nerdy book and I loved it. I wish I could make anyone who questions why we learn geography read this book.
The Dressmaker- Kate Alcott
Is it normal to get cold in the middle of the summer just because of the book you are reading? I was freezing the whole time I read this book. I love learning about the Titanic. I think if I'd known that the story was based on actual people on the Titanic from the beginning I would have been a little more into it.
Crossed - Ally Condie
It was weird coming back to this after reading Veronica Roth's books. I kept getting the stories mixed up.
Reached - Ally Condie
Fun fact. Ally Condie taught english at my high school. I didn't have her a teacher, but I'll pretend like her writing a series somehow makes me cooler.
Enders Game- Orson Scott Card
We listened to this book while driving to the condo. I'd never read it and I wanted to know the story before the movie came out. I really liked the book. I also liked the movie, even if it didn't really follow the book.
Allegiant- Veronica Roth
Ugh. Just ugh. I feel like she had a rough outline of what she wanted to have happen in the story, and then she published it.
Hyperbole and a Half- Allie Brosh
I bought this book for Nate for Christmas. But I had to read it first. Allie Brosh is really funny, but I wouldn't recommend the book to anyone who is offended by language. She has a bit of a potty mouth.
Lock and Key- Sarah Dessen
This book was darker than I thought it would be based on the cover. It was one of those books where I started caring more about the characters than I thought I would. It was pretty good.
On the Map- Simon Garfield
This one only kind of counts because I didn't finish it. It's one of those nerd books that takes awhile to get through. I eventually had to take it back to the library. But I liked it and will probably finish it at some point.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Books 2012
Here is my list of books I read in 2012. It's not bad considering I felt like I never had time to read. One of my goals for 2013 is to read at least one book a month. Perhaps I can even beat this past years list.
My favorite book was probably The Bloggess's book 'Let's pretend this never happened'. She is hilarious. I took it with me to Peru and would read chapters out loud to Matt and Erin and Mom when we had down time. They all loved it so much that I bought it for Erin for her birthday when we got home.
- The Importance of Being Earnest - Oscar Wilde
- Always a favorite. Love the book, the play, the movie. Everything about it is hilarious.
"But you have just said it was perfectly heartless to eat muffins!"
"I said it was perfectly heartless of YOU under the circumstances. That is a very different thing."
"That may be, but the muffins are the same!”
- Amazing Grace - Eric Metaxas
- I also liked the movie version of this book. I always feel smart when I read a historical non-fiction novel. This one is about William Wilberforce and the fight to end slavery in England.
- Impressions - Liz Anderson
- This book was written by my good friend and co-worker Liz. I'm so proud of her. Even though I only met her once the book was finished I'm still inspired by the work she put into it. It surprised me in a few places with the directions she took it.
- Sarah's Key - Tatiana De Rosney
- A book club choice by both of my book clubs. No surprise on why. It was a good read. Also a good movie. Interesting to think about the effects of concentration camps on those left behind in Paris and other cities.
- Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Jamie Ford
- I liked this book, I like learning reading a story that is secretly teaching me about history at the same time. :) Probably only the second book I've ever read about the Japanese Internment camps.
- Stealing Lincoln's Body- Thomas J. Craughwell
- This one took some time to get into. The whole first half didn't seem to flow, but in the end it was really interesting to read about the plot to steal Lincoln's body from it's tomb.
- Unbroken - Laura Hildenbrand
- Another WWII book. I read a bunch of them this year. This book made me so mad at the Japanese soldiers. Then in the end I realized if he could forgive his captors then I should be able to let it go as well.
- Extranormal - Suze Reese (Jen Perry's mom)
- This was a quick read. High school drama makes for good time filler while you fly across the country.
- Let's Pretend This Never Happened - Jenny Lawson (The Bloggess)
- I love the Bloggess. I'm excited for her next book to come out.
- Copper Sun - Sharon Draper (I wonder if we are related?)
- I am surprised this book is read by 8th graders. It is always hard for me to read about slavery. This book had some details that were hard to read about.
- Bossypants - Tina Fey
- Tina Fey is hilarious on tv and in print too.
- The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
- We actually listened to this one on audiobook as we drove to my family reunion. I enjoy Dan Brown books.
- Okay for Now - Gary D. Schmidt
- This book made me so sad for the main character. He has so many things going against him. It reminds me that I can't be quick to judgement.
- Small Steps - Louis Sachar
- The sequel to the book Holes. A quick read during Thanksgiving break.
- Prisoners in the Palace - Michaela MacColl
- Historical fiction about Queen Victoria's upbringing.
- Boy in the Striped Pajamas - John Boyne
- A story of the Nazi Concentration camps from the point of view of a German child.
- Life as we knew it - Susan Beth Pfeffer
- This is book one in a 3 book series. I will probably never read the other 2 books. This book is about the end of the world and all sorts of natural disasters that happen when the moon gets knocked off of balance. It made me decide that my emergency plan is just to die in any emergency. I can't handle the anxiety of trying to survive something like that.
My favorite book was probably The Bloggess's book 'Let's pretend this never happened'. She is hilarious. I took it with me to Peru and would read chapters out loud to Matt and Erin and Mom when we had down time. They all loved it so much that I bought it for Erin for her birthday when we got home.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Plays 2012
Time for my yearly wrap up of our theater experiences!
Game's Afoot : HCT (January)
Zorro : HCT (February)
CSI: Provo Decaffeinated DNA : Desert Star Theater (February)
Addam's Family Home Evening : Desert Star Theater (March)
Aladin : Tuachan (August)
Merry Wives of Windsor : Shakespeare Festival (August)
Scapin : Shakespeare Festival (August)
To Kill a Mockingbird : Shakespeare Festival (August)
Wait Until Dark : Covey Center for the Arts (September)
9-5 : HCT (September)
Hamlet : Shakespeare Festival (October)
Les Miserables : Shakespeare Festival (October)
Stones in his pockets : Shakespeare Festival (October)
Oliver : HCT (November)
This year we again saw a lot of really good shows. My family went to Desert Star Theater to see CSI: Provo and we went with Brad's family to see Addams family home evening. At the end of the shows they announce people's birthdays and anniversaries and at the end of Addam's FHE they announced that Shauntel and Ryan (Brad's sister and her husband) were expecting a child and wanted everyone to know. This was hilarious because they aren't and we all knew they weren't, but someone found out they were going to be there and told them to announce it so it surprised us all. The Shakespeare festival was great. We broke the trip up into 2 parts and saw some of the shows in August and then went back in October. The first time we went we saw 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. I could remember parts of what happened as they were happening, but was glad to see it since the last time I had anything to do with it was when I read the book in high school.
It was fun to see 'Hamlet' and 'Les Mis' again when we went back to Cedar in October. I love both of those shows and would try to take any opportunity to see them. I have seen the new movie version of 'Les Mis' twice already and I love it too.
In the "almost theater" category this year I am going to include my trip to Peru. While in Peru we saw several great productions by locals. Mostly they performed traditional dances and played their Peruvian flutes. We also got to see several songs performed by the children at the school we went to. While on our way home we stopped for a day in Mexico City. We floated around the canals of Mexico City in a gondola while a mariachi band played songs for us.
We got season tickets to the Hale for Christmas and already have tickets booked to see Emily in 39 steps and Ames in Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang. We are also going to see Lend Me a Tenor at HCTO. So exciting!
Game's Afoot : HCT (January)
Zorro : HCT (February)
CSI: Provo Decaffeinated DNA : Desert Star Theater (February)
Addam's Family Home Evening : Desert Star Theater (March)
Aladin : Tuachan (August)
Merry Wives of Windsor : Shakespeare Festival (August)
Scapin : Shakespeare Festival (August)
To Kill a Mockingbird : Shakespeare Festival (August)
Wait Until Dark : Covey Center for the Arts (September)
9-5 : HCT (September)
Hamlet : Shakespeare Festival (October)
Les Miserables : Shakespeare Festival (October)
Stones in his pockets : Shakespeare Festival (October)
Oliver : HCT (November)
This year we again saw a lot of really good shows. My family went to Desert Star Theater to see CSI: Provo and we went with Brad's family to see Addams family home evening. At the end of the shows they announce people's birthdays and anniversaries and at the end of Addam's FHE they announced that Shauntel and Ryan (Brad's sister and her husband) were expecting a child and wanted everyone to know. This was hilarious because they aren't and we all knew they weren't, but someone found out they were going to be there and told them to announce it so it surprised us all. The Shakespeare festival was great. We broke the trip up into 2 parts and saw some of the shows in August and then went back in October. The first time we went we saw 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. I could remember parts of what happened as they were happening, but was glad to see it since the last time I had anything to do with it was when I read the book in high school.
It was fun to see 'Hamlet' and 'Les Mis' again when we went back to Cedar in October. I love both of those shows and would try to take any opportunity to see them. I have seen the new movie version of 'Les Mis' twice already and I love it too.
 |
| Mom's new boyfriend is Billy Shakespeare |
In the "almost theater" category this year I am going to include my trip to Peru. While in Peru we saw several great productions by locals. Mostly they performed traditional dances and played their Peruvian flutes. We also got to see several songs performed by the children at the school we went to. While on our way home we stopped for a day in Mexico City. We floated around the canals of Mexico City in a gondola while a mariachi band played songs for us.
 |
| Our own personal floating mariachi band |
 |
| Some of the students singing us a song. |
We got season tickets to the Hale for Christmas and already have tickets booked to see Emily in 39 steps and Ames in Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang. We are also going to see Lend Me a Tenor at HCTO. So exciting!
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