Great game! Forgettable commercials. Were the commercial spots so expensive, the advertisers didn't have enough money left over for creativity?
And I think they should be awarding the "Super Bowl"...as in a bowl that's just super! Hey--the Stanley Cup is a cup! :)
And cut your hair, boys!!
See you next year! (And I do hope to blog here before then!!)
Sunday, February 01, 2009
See?
Wow!! I'm not usually into football...but wow! Nice job, Steelers!! Amazing play! (See, I told you I didn't really care either way!)
Forget commercials!!
What a game! I guess because of Kurt Warner and the Iowa connection, I realized I was cheering for the Cardinals along with Dave. Great. Now they'll lose. I'm closing my eyes with 49 seconds to go. 43.
McGruber
We watched SNL last night...well, this morning after church actually. :) We love the McGruber skits. Not too expensive for NBC to use something they already had in their vault either! Well played!
Now we want to see the edible Pampers commercial again!! Click here.
So sorry I'm losing my (only?) reader, Patty!!! Have fun at Cosi!! Do you play Principal? I've played both parts, and I love it! Some great solos!
Now we want to see the edible Pampers commercial again!! Click here.
So sorry I'm losing my (only?) reader, Patty!!! Have fun at Cosi!! Do you play Principal? I've played both parts, and I love it! Some great solos!
Coke & Prokofiev
Nice graphics! At first I thought they were making direct references to Peter & the Wolf, the story, but Coca Cola fell short of that. Could have been super clever. Instead, it fell short. Kind of like pretty much all the commercials tonight.
Monster.com
Moose head in the boss office. Moose back end in the poorly lit unfortunate working chump's office on the other side of the wall! Funny!
I'm actually enjoying the game tonight! More than the commercials?
I'm actually enjoying the game tonight! More than the commercials?
The Boss
No opinion one way or the other. I wouldn't recognize Bruce Springsteen on the street...or on the radio. I do, however, have a question about the sax player's robe (jacket?)...what?? Dave thinks that for that kind of music, it's mainly about the robe.
Almost caught up now. Gotta love DVR!
Almost caught up now. Gotta love DVR!
The baby is back
And he's brought a friend! Still creepy? I actually liked these commercials last year. Baby commercial #1 of the night--meh.
With making dinner and looking after our own (non-creepy) baby, we're about 25 minutes behind on the game/commercials. We're hoping to catch up during half-time. Dave is putting Harry to bed now.
With making dinner and looking after our own (non-creepy) baby, we're about 25 minutes behind on the game/commercials. We're hoping to catch up during half-time. Dave is putting Harry to bed now.
Commercial batch 2
Apparently they're better between the first and second quarters of the game.
I liked the Pedrigree Adoption Drive with the various pets (ostrich running after the mailman is good!) and the Budweiser commercial with the horse playing fetch.
I guess I like animal commercials!
I liked the Pedrigree Adoption Drive with the various pets (ostrich running after the mailman is good!) and the Budweiser commercial with the horse playing fetch.
I guess I like animal commercials!
Commercial batch 1
Any worth mentioning? Maybe, if I could remember them.
Apparently the motto this year, in these economically-trying times, is: Spend millions of dollars on commercials, but don't bother with the mental energy to match the cost.
As it turns out, the game is more interesting than the commercials this year. And I don't like football.
Make it memorable!
Apparently the motto this year, in these economically-trying times, is: Spend millions of dollars on commercials, but don't bother with the mental energy to match the cost.
As it turns out, the game is more interesting than the commercials this year. And I don't like football.
Make it memorable!
Are you ready...
...for some commentary?
Observation #1
Jennifer Hudson was amazing!!
However, I don't think that's the point of an anthem. Is it surprising that this nation of over-the-top productions had an extravagent national anthem to start the Superbowl? Isn't the point of an anthem to bring the people together and raise their voices in patriotism? Is that even possible with such an arrangement, however amazing it may be?
Thoughts?
Observation #1
Jennifer Hudson was amazing!!
However, I don't think that's the point of an anthem. Is it surprising that this nation of over-the-top productions had an extravagent national anthem to start the Superbowl? Isn't the point of an anthem to bring the people together and raise their voices in patriotism? Is that even possible with such an arrangement, however amazing it may be?
Thoughts?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
20 to 30 in ten years!
I don't know if people still check this blog, so what better place to ruminate?
It's my 30th birthday today, and I feel great! I've actually been looking forward to getting out of my twenties. While 30 definitely is not old, 20 certainly is YOUNG! What a difference ten years makes. I have many friends in their 40's and beyond (including 3 out of 4 brothers...oh wait, Mike isn't 40 until next year--ha! Outted you!...wait, he doesn't read this blog, so nevermind!), and I know that 30-40 isn't nearly as much of a difference as 20-30.
Not to toot my own horn, but I'd like to reflect on some of the things I've done in the past 10 years:
1) Met my future husband when I was 20! This entire decade with this wonderful man. We've grown together and have learned a lot.
1a) Was married to previously-mentioned wonderful man.
2) Traveled to 4 continents.
3) Received three degrees from three different universities.
4) Lived in 2 different countries, 3 different states, 4 different cities, and 9 different apartments or houses.
5) Won my first, second, third and more auditions.
6) Decided what I wanted to be when I grew up.
7) Got my Greencard!
8) Made friends. Lost friends. Made many more.
9) Increased the size of my family tenfold with new marriages, cousins, nieces, nephews. Lost many loved ones along the way. I'd only known one person who died before I was 20...
10) Became a mom to the most amazing little person I've ever known.
Thank you, 20's, it's been quite the adventure! Boy, 30's, you have a lot to live up to!!
It's my 30th birthday today, and I feel great! I've actually been looking forward to getting out of my twenties. While 30 definitely is not old, 20 certainly is YOUNG! What a difference ten years makes. I have many friends in their 40's and beyond (including 3 out of 4 brothers...oh wait, Mike isn't 40 until next year--ha! Outted you!...wait, he doesn't read this blog, so nevermind!), and I know that 30-40 isn't nearly as much of a difference as 20-30.
Not to toot my own horn, but I'd like to reflect on some of the things I've done in the past 10 years:
1) Met my future husband when I was 20! This entire decade with this wonderful man. We've grown together and have learned a lot.
1a) Was married to previously-mentioned wonderful man.
2) Traveled to 4 continents.
3) Received three degrees from three different universities.
4) Lived in 2 different countries, 3 different states, 4 different cities, and 9 different apartments or houses.
5) Won my first, second, third and more auditions.
6) Decided what I wanted to be when I grew up.
7) Got my Greencard!
8) Made friends. Lost friends. Made many more.
9) Increased the size of my family tenfold with new marriages, cousins, nieces, nephews. Lost many loved ones along the way. I'd only known one person who died before I was 20...
10) Became a mom to the most amazing little person I've ever known.
Thank you, 20's, it's been quite the adventure! Boy, 30's, you have a lot to live up to!!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
"Jillian is practicing excerpts in her jammies."
I have an audition coming up, and I'm finding it hard to find time to practice. Dave has had his sax quartet in town since last week, and I will finally have my husband back tomorrow. How can you make reeds and/or practice when you're looking after a baby, or cleaning up after said baby when he's asleep, or, God forbid, looking after yourself when said baby is asleep, or entertaining house guests, or cooking for said house guests, or or or or...
Recorded auditions are tough because you always have an out. I can simply not do it! No plane ticket to cancel or any face to save. Luckily I have until the end of December, but I'm going to give myself a set date at the beginning of December and go to a recording studio to do it. Cooper, you may have a reed order coming for me pretty soon!
Recorded auditions are tough because you always have an out. I can simply not do it! No plane ticket to cancel or any face to save. Luckily I have until the end of December, but I'm going to give myself a set date at the beginning of December and go to a recording studio to do it. Cooper, you may have a reed order coming for me pretty soon!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Blogging status
Maybe I would blog on this blog more often if it were more like Facebook.
Today, my status is: "Jillian is playing a concert in Cedar Rapids tonight. Yay, Petrouchka, here I come!"
I'm finally feeling pretty good about this piece. I've never played it before, but I LOVE the ballet, and I LOVE Stravinsky. And it's pretty hard! Concert #1 is at Coe College in Cedar Rapids tonight at 8pm (we are staying with my friend and colleague from the orchestra, and Dave was able to come with me to look after Harry), and concert #2 is at West High School in Iowa City tomorrow. Also on the program: William Schuman's New England Triptych and Saint Saens' 2nd Violin Concerto. Nice program! Cross your fingers for good English horn reeds!
Today, my status is: "Jillian is playing a concert in Cedar Rapids tonight. Yay, Petrouchka, here I come!"
I'm finally feeling pretty good about this piece. I've never played it before, but I LOVE the ballet, and I LOVE Stravinsky. And it's pretty hard! Concert #1 is at Coe College in Cedar Rapids tonight at 8pm (we are staying with my friend and colleague from the orchestra, and Dave was able to come with me to look after Harry), and concert #2 is at West High School in Iowa City tomorrow. Also on the program: William Schuman's New England Triptych and Saint Saens' 2nd Violin Concerto. Nice program! Cross your fingers for good English horn reeds!
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Just a quick note on etiquette
Went to Dave's fabulous faculty recital on Monday night. I think it was his best yet! Beautiful tone, extremely musical playing, and technically spot-on. Congrats, honey!
I was appalled at the behaviour of some of the students in the audience though. There were quite a few non-music students in the audience, so maybe they'd never been to a "proper" concert before, but I find that hard to believe. A couple of girls in front of me (I was in the front row of the upper section) were talking at full voice. Giggling with each other. One girl had a binder and she ripped the velcro open. All while Dave was playing. They were down-right rude. Before the last piece, I stood up, walked up to them, crouched down and basically told them to shut up. I don't normally hesitate in shushing loud audience members, and I was planning on being polite and short in my request. I was so mad though, that by the time I got to them, I really let them have it. (This is me though, I'm never rude to people who are rude!) So let me repeat what I told them, and if you find yourself at a concert or recital, this is what you need to know: We can hear you. You can't talk AT ALL during a concert. Save it for between pieces or at intermission or after the show. (Added note, I didn't say this, but I thought it: This is not a DVD you've popped in at home. This is a live human being who is playing his heart out FOR YOU. Well, not for you...you need to just stay home next time.) Back to what I told them: It is not only distracting for the other audience members around you, but for the performer on stage as well. You are being far too loud, and you need to stop it. And (to binder girl), we could hear your velcro. Very loudly. So just stop. Thank you.
I was appalled at the behaviour of some of the students in the audience though. There were quite a few non-music students in the audience, so maybe they'd never been to a "proper" concert before, but I find that hard to believe. A couple of girls in front of me (I was in the front row of the upper section) were talking at full voice. Giggling with each other. One girl had a binder and she ripped the velcro open. All while Dave was playing. They were down-right rude. Before the last piece, I stood up, walked up to them, crouched down and basically told them to shut up. I don't normally hesitate in shushing loud audience members, and I was planning on being polite and short in my request. I was so mad though, that by the time I got to them, I really let them have it. (This is me though, I'm never rude to people who are rude!) So let me repeat what I told them, and if you find yourself at a concert or recital, this is what you need to know: We can hear you. You can't talk AT ALL during a concert. Save it for between pieces or at intermission or after the show. (Added note, I didn't say this, but I thought it: This is not a DVD you've popped in at home. This is a live human being who is playing his heart out FOR YOU. Well, not for you...you need to just stay home next time.) Back to what I told them: It is not only distracting for the other audience members around you, but for the performer on stage as well. You are being far too loud, and you need to stop it. And (to binder girl), we could hear your velcro. Very loudly. So just stop. Thank you.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tagged!
Well, I've been meaning to post something on here for a while now, and Patty has given me a good excuse. (And I have a few moments of peace, with the boy sleeping, so why not now?)
Six things you didn't know about me:
1) One of the things I hate most in this world is wringing out defrosted spinach. Is there no simpler way?
2) I aspire to be an organizer. My current method of file/important document/any object in the house retrieval involves the questions "what was I wearing the last time I saw this?" or "what was the colour of its box?"
3) I always wanted to be a children's book author. I may still attempt this someday!
4) I have my doctorate in oboe performance, and I love teaching oboe, but I have nine piano students and zero oboe students.
5) I too, have never done drugs of any sorts. I have never even been offered any, even though many of my friends in college had the occasional puff. Was there something about my look that said "good girl"?
Wow, I thought that was 6, and I was about to post...ok...
6) In Elementary school, I tried to start several clubs, including the "colour" club, where we were supposed to wear certain colours on certain days of the week (I remember Friday being "purple"), and the "ant buster club", our mission being to stomp out all the ants in the playground (the term "wouldn't hurt a fly" wasn't applied to me very often). None of my clubs drew many members, nor did they last more than a week or two.
Tag!
1) Karmen
2) Robin
3) Kerry
4) Shauna
5) Mary
6) Elizabeth
Six things you didn't know about me:
1) One of the things I hate most in this world is wringing out defrosted spinach. Is there no simpler way?
2) I aspire to be an organizer. My current method of file/important document/any object in the house retrieval involves the questions "what was I wearing the last time I saw this?" or "what was the colour of its box?"
3) I always wanted to be a children's book author. I may still attempt this someday!
4) I have my doctorate in oboe performance, and I love teaching oboe, but I have nine piano students and zero oboe students.
5) I too, have never done drugs of any sorts. I have never even been offered any, even though many of my friends in college had the occasional puff. Was there something about my look that said "good girl"?
Wow, I thought that was 6, and I was about to post...ok...
6) In Elementary school, I tried to start several clubs, including the "colour" club, where we were supposed to wear certain colours on certain days of the week (I remember Friday being "purple"), and the "ant buster club", our mission being to stomp out all the ants in the playground (the term "wouldn't hurt a fly" wasn't applied to me very often). None of my clubs drew many members, nor did they last more than a week or two.
Tag!
1) Karmen
2) Robin
3) Kerry
4) Shauna
5) Mary
6) Elizabeth
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Wicked gig!
I have now officially accepted a contract to play an extended visit with the touring production of "Wicked" from September 23-October 18, 2009. I LOVE that musical! Of course, I'm a little bummed I won't be able to see it! Maybe I could take a trip to Chicago sometime in the next year...hmmm...30th birthday present ideas, anyone?
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