Day: 12/11/2012

Blogger of the Year 2012 Nomination? Wow…

/ Marilyn Armstrong / Leave a comment

Another awardee struggles with wondering to whom he can pass the award … You know guys, not everyone is especially sympathetic to the lament that you’ve gotten too many awards!

Mikes Film Talk

I’ve just been notified by Tyson over at Head In A Vice that he has nominated me (or more accurately my blog) for “Blog of the Year 2012” award. *again, just hear announcer Gary Owens (Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In) saying the words quoted.*

Wow.

This has to be my favourite award nomination. Although it has a bittersweet tang to it, because Tyson also nominated Marilyn over at Serendipity and John over at WRITTEN IN BLOOD which are two of the nominees I would have chosen. Cue face palm.

I should quickly explain that the  nomination is my favourite not because of the award itself – which is grand, don’t get me wrong here – but because the “penalty” for accepting the award is that you have to pass it on to three more bloggers who deserve it. When I read the rules that Tyson provided I was…

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The State House Dressed for the Holidays

/ Marilyn Armstrong / 2 Comments
Boston State House - Night

Boston State House – Night

Boston is genuinely beautiful at night. The only other city I’ve lived in that exceeds it is Jerusalem and she is in a class of her own… and an entirely different experience.

New York is exciting, but it’s not (mostly) a pretty city .Impressive, almost overwhelming … but Boston is elegant. It has vistas. It’s a good place to visit … and a good place to live, too. Except for the weather. And the parking and traffic. But hey, you can’t have everything.

Boston at night ... by the Statehouse, across from the Common.

Boston at night … by the Statehouse, across from the Common.

Holiday Visit to the Boston Pops

/ Marilyn Armstrong / 8 Comments

We were so lucky to be given the gift of five tickets to the Boston Pops. Garry and I, my daughter-in-law Sandy, Kaity and her friend Steph had our own table in Boston’s gorgeous symphony hall where the ghost of Arthur Fiedler still hovers in the wings.

The Girls

Symphony Hall

Balcony filling

Arthur Fiedler was such a fixture in Boston for so long that it seemed that he would live forever and when he passed on and it was time for the Boston Pops to get a new conductor, it was hard to imagine that Keith Lockhart, who seemed such a kid when he first came to Boston … how could he fill those great big shoes?

Waiting

Filling the balconies

But Keith has done beautifully as conductor of the Pops, taking it in new and delightful directions. He has brought a level of energy and excitement … and a sense of joy and fun … that has kept the Boston Pops the première destination for a holiday musical experience.

The Choir is ready

Sing!

The choir was the same all volunteer Tanglewood Choir from years before, bringing their own passion and joy to the show that is always a delight.

String Section

Strings

I think people under-estimate how difficult some of the music done by the Pops really is. Here’s a taste for you.

Their version of “The 12-days of Christmas” is a tour de force. Constant changes of key, speed, rhythm …. well, it’s amazing and so much fun. You can download a full version of it, or get the entire CD.

Let us not forget the traditional performance of “The Night Before Christmas,” with incredible projected illustrations. Preceded by a visit from … guess who … Santa himself.

Keith and St. Nick

Lead in to 12 Days of Christmas with Santa

I got so many great pictures of the concert … and I did it all with my little point and shoot Canon because it was the only camera I had with a long enough lens. It did an astonishing job. I have a lot of respect for these little Canons. Over the years, they have served me very well indeed.

No way to put all the photos all into a single post, but there will be more to come! Meanwhile, enjoy the season, enjoy the music, and enjoy each other!

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