A Night at the Ballet--again

Went to the girls annual year-end ballet recital last Saturday and Sunday, so I thought I would share my annual thoughts with you. As the girls get older, they get a little more involved, which makes it easier for this dance-challenged grampa to get through the evening. This year Jeslyn had 3 different dances, tho 2 of them were on Saturday afternoon before the performance I attended. Jolie actually had one of the leading parts. The theme for the evening was “Night at the Museum,” and she was one of the 3 who simulated dancing through the various exhibits at the museum as a bridge between dance numbers.

The Saturday performances were primarily group numbers, and it started with one called Modern Girls. I found nothing to ridicule in this number.

Next was little ones called “Little Romans.” The little ones have a demonstrator and they are to mimic the demonstrator, which helps them remember their routines. This number could probably have been renamed “Little Romans Around the Rosey.”

Then there was “Walk Like an Egyptian,” which made me realize how much I had underestimated the dance skills of Steve Martin, though Jolie and friends did the head-bob very well when they were done.

Then there was “Women of Sparta,” and things began to spice up a little. I kind of expected them to ask for John the Baptist’s head on a platter after their number.

That whole set, by the way, was grouped under the heading “Museum of Ancient Times.” The next set was grouped as “Museum of Natural History.”

The first number was “Jungle Animals” which consisted of about a dozen girls in leopard costumes dancing to Guns 'n' Roses', “Welcome to the Jungle.” The music was great.

Next came Jeslyn’s number. She was dressed as a mermaid for the number “Under the Sea.” I’ve always enjoyed fish doing the bunny hop. There was also a time where Jeslyn was channeling her Uncle Tim, as some of the girls in her group were a little lazy on their spacing. Jeslyn thought that to be egregious enough to stop point out to each girl where they should be dancing, while continuing to dance herself. I must say she pulled it off quite well while managing to ensure that everyone in the audience knew who was really in charge. (We have movies of Tim in church plays mouthing everyone’s lines in addition to his own).

Next was a song called “3 little fishes”—although all 9 of them looked little. They had fish hats and tried to make fish lips. This was also one with a demonstrator, and had the added feature of one little fish who considered herself an echo—her movements were about two measures behind everyone else, as if to say, “if you missed it the first time…”

Then came Jolie’s dance, and again grampa was not quite ready for this. The number was DINO, and my 10-year-old princess came out in a very grownup outfit and performed a very grownup routine that would have made many high school cheer/dance advisors proud. She was on-beat, shaking things I wasn’t ready for her to shake, and loving every minute of it.

There was then 5 toddlers with their parents, “performing” a number called “We are the dinosaurs.” Very cute. Our friend Chelsea did much the same with her daughter Evie last year.

Then the advanced dancers did a number called “Museum Painting” and while dance lovers I’m sure were thrilled, it was formal enough to help me remember why these programs are not at the top of my excitement list.

The “Museum of Modern Music” section included 3 dances that I liked very much. The music was The King’s “Jailhouse Rock,” Billy Joel’s “Still Rock and Roll,” and something called “Smooth Criminal’” which, if it wasn’t Michael Jackson, it should have been. There are only about 3 boys in the program, and two of them were in the Elvis number. I hope if they ever are incarcerated, they wear different uniforms. I just think the ones covered with glitter are going to get them all kinds of unwelcome attention. It was during this segment that I began to notice something I hadn’t paid attention enough to notice before. While everyone in the program could be correctly called a dancer, there are a few that are elevated enough to be called “performers”. It’s not enough for them to remember the dance moves, they are able to express the joy they feel in being in front of the crowd. There was one girl in the MJ number that I fully expected to break out her moonwalk before the number was over.

There was then a number called “Unstoppable,” where we went back to Tutus, and was rather formal, though the choreography reminded me of a Jets-Sharks dance from West Side Story.

Then there was a dance to something that has a formal name I’m sure, but someone of my age and musical taste thinks of it only as Allen Sherman’s, “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah.” They never got to the “take me home” part, though.

There was a finishing segment that was more formal again, the motif being Monet paintings. Again, I was able to distinguish dancers from performers.

The last demonstrator number was called “flowers” about 10 little girls, one of whom did absolutely nothing. She played with her fingers, she played with her dress. When it was time to go, she was still on stage right when everyone was exiting stage left. Finally the demonstrator came to get her, led her over to the dad who was playing Monet, and the little one performed the most perfect curtsy one could imagine. So, rather than being a misfit, she was obviously a specialist!!

Then one of the dance academy graduates performed the only solo of the night, called “Dying Swan,” which of course we all know was originally created in 1905 by Michel Fokine for Anna Pavlova. Again, with my expertise, the number could have been called, “Stand on your tiptoes for 3 minutes.”

So, at the risk of losing my man card, I can say I kind of enjoyed this year’s recital, and not just when my grandgirls were dancing. I have a greater level of appreciation and expertise than when they first began dancing (a lesser level would have been impossible!!) So, I think I could now make an informed vote on who should win Dancing With The Stars. If I watched it. Like that’s going to happen.

Best Father's Day Ever

There are so many ways to end the sentence, "When I get to Heaven...." Well, I've added another: When I get to Heaven, if watching videos of my life is an option, today will be one I watch over and over.

My children both still like to spend time with me, so we were planning on lunch today. As usual, the "where" was a big discussion, and we finally settled on Joe's Crab Shack in Newport. I didn't have much input in that, and that's OK, because I knew I would be with the whole family. We might not have as many "family traditions" as some families, but whenever possible we get together to eat and celebrate the milestone days. One Father's Day tradition that we had for a few years was that Jen would take, first Jolie and then both girls, to have pictures taken, and then she would use one of the prints to get me a Father's Day tie tesselated with the picture of the girls. I think I have six or seven of those. I was disappointed when that little tradition stopped, partly because annual sittings for the girls stopped happening, plus I think the place that did them went out of business. But I was looking forward to the lunch and observing my children interact with each other and my grandchildren.

The day started, as many do, with a facebook posting, and mine for the day was "blessed to have two children who celebrate their Dad pretty much all year long." Got a couple of affirming comments from a couple of my "other" girls who are a big part of my life, tho far away geographically. (North Carolina and Bakersfield).

Sunday School has become a real highlight and we had an enjoyable time affirming each other and discussing Bob's 60-mile walk yesterday (see the link on my FB page if you haven't already done so).

Met the kids for lunch, had an enjoyable time watching them and watching the wide variety of boats enjoying Newport (or Balboa) Bay while we were eating. When we were done, Jen set a gift bag in front of me, and I could see a couple of cards. This has also become a tradition, one card from Jen and Jeff and one from the girls.

I opened the one addressed to "Grandpa Rick" first-- they were going to see Grandpa Chuck and Grandpa Woody later. Here's what the card said: "Grandpa, if the wishing star offered to give us either a million dollars or the greatest grandpa in the world, we'd take the million dollars...pause...'cause we've already got the greatest grandpa in the world." Jeslyn added, "I love you grandpa Rick. You are the best grandpa ever." So what if it was redundant, one can't hear that too much! Jolie, now 10, wrote, "I love ya, gramps. You're awesome. Happy Father's Day. Jolie". Now that was cool on so many levels. I don't think she's ever called me gramps, or spelled "you" as "ya". Just reminding me we're both getting older. Note also that she said "you're" instead of "your". This puts her ahead of about 75% of high school America in proper grammar usage. Then of course there is also the recognition that her grampa is awesome.

Then came the one addressed to Dad. "Dad, every year you say something like, 'Oh, I don't want anything for Father's Day,' or "don't go spending any money on me.' Well, I just have one thing to say.....no problem. (by the way, could you reimburse me for this card? Also, the card shop was next to a shoe store, so I'll need a little extra.) Happy Father's Day from your daughter." Then Jen added, "A little funny this year, but the real message is you're always there for us and we love you, Jeff and Jen." Note first of all, again the correct use of the words "your" and "you're". I learned her good!! She managed to say with humor the message she sends me often--she can count on me. For this Dad, nothing greater in the world can be said to me.

I then noticed there was something still in the bag---and teared up when I saw a tie with the current edition of Jolie and Jeslyn's faces on it. No matter that I very rarely have occasion to wear a tie any more. No matter that I see the girls almost every day. What matters is that this was my daughter acknowledging that special bond that she and I share, and that making her daddy happy is still important to her after all these years. And this she has done. Again. We have to attend at least one formal dinner on our cruise in August, and part of my wardrobe for the evening has been established.

I've left out Tim and Anne so far, but they are a big part of my life and were a big part of my day. Again, it doesn't matter that I only saw them yesterday--I went out there for lunch and to patch some drywall for them. But they wanted to be there for the traditional lunch today, and I looked forward to their being there. So much of Tim's life is his love for movies, and we have shared many a special occasion together in the theatre. So off the 4 of us went to see Toy Story 3--Jen and the girls had seen it Friday. What a wonderful "dessert" for the feast day that was Father's Day for me. Jen called it a perfect movie on Friday, and I couldn't agree more. It really isn't a children's movie in the sense that children can't see beyond the plot to the core values that are preached in the movie--loyalty, family, friendship, and so many others. So, as my daughter's tie gift brought me to tears, so did this movie that I attended with my son and surrogate daughter. One of the added traditions and joys we have is the ritual of "debriefing" after watching a movie together. This time, there were not many critical comments from any of us (unlike the last Indiana Jones!) and I was left to marvel at the depth of my son's knowledge of roles, characters, background, etc, that is the result of his lifelong love for the movies.

So today was another, "Why me, Lord?" day. Why am I blessed with such great friends, a great wife, great kids and grandkids, and life experiences? Don't have an answer, but it's a great ride.