The Friday Five & the Weekly
Jul. 31st, 2022 11:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
supernutjapan1 Who is the messiest person you know?
Alex. LOL Julian is probably the neatest among my kids. Audrey is like hubby. The way she deals with her stuff is not to organize, but to leave it all in the living room so she can keep her bedroom clean(er). Alex...needs work.
2 What is the most useless talent you have?
I have double jointed thumbs. Completely useless.
3 What is the most interesting thing you’ve read or seen this week??
Interesting is what you say about something that is not boring, but is not brilliant. Those kinds of things are hard to remember, they make such a low impact. I've been reading the Martian Chronicals by Ray Bradbury. So far, it seems like this might qualify for the term.
4 If you could get a ticket to any show or event, what would you want a ticket to?
I'd like to go to CATS. In English.
5 if you could live in someone’s head for fifteen minutes, who would you want it to be?
My dog! :D I would love to really find out what she is thinking/feeling.
We had an incident yesterday, where hubby was out drinking with his friend and he couldn't get in touch with his mom so Alex and I went by car to see if she was ok. It was just something wrong with her phone. She wasn't lying on the floor unconscious as we feared, so we were relieved. But it had me looking up resusitation to make sure I knew it. I was talking with Alex afterwards and found out he had learned CPR for his driver's license. I thought it was pretty cool that that is a requirement for driver's licenses here. Also relieved I could ask him to do it if push came to shove. I only did CPR in highschool and that's long time ago.
The chorus festival last Sunday was pretty fun. We had never participated in this festival before. We started out early, meeting at our station at 7am. We practiced a bit at a practice hall near the festival hall, got dressed there and loaded ourselves into taxis. Our group was the only one with dresses on. I guess because we didn't get to get dressed (or practice) at the hall because of COVID, all the other groups wore costumes that could be worn normally outside. We were required to write comments for all the other participating groups. I took turns with another member of our choir. I was also in charge of carrying the placard of our choir up to the stage (from the audience, due to COVID). All the groups were super friendly and nice in their comments. We also had comments from "judges." Most were very positive. Especially with regard to the altos, which I was, soo that was really nice. The sops have some work to do with their high notes. All in all, I think it went pretty well. Here's a picture:
One of the songs was a latin song by Ko Matsushita called Tota pulchra es. Basically a song about how the Virgin Mary was the perfect woman/mother. Aside from the words, the music is beautiful. The piano part is superb. Here is a link
The other is a Japanese song - also composed by Ko Matsushita, lyrics are a poem by a poet, Shuntaro Tanigawa. Part of a set of songs called On a Quiet Rainy Night. Here is a link. The song translates something like this:
I want to sit like this forever.
Listening to my new sadness sink quietly
Taking advantage of the scent of the God I do not believe
Picking up a leaf of a country far from home
Gazing at the slideshow of past and future
Believing in the warm sofa of the blue ocean
And, most of all, loving myself
I want to sit quietly like this forever
I sang this song imagining myself and the others of the choir at some European city, crouching on the beach, hands around our knees, watching little pebbles sink into the waves, carrying whatever sadness - maybe a disapointment, maybe loneliness, a breakup, .... with it. And maybe, in the distance, a cathedral or little church where we've just been and emersed ourselves in the faith of ages.
Again, the piano part in itself is enough to melt the brain. You don't even have to listen to the words LOL
I've been watching Blacklist. I am really enjoying it but I don't like the main girl Elizabeth (Liz). She is such a typical American hero girl. She's so stupid and emotional, and also not really a badass LOL I was sad but also kind of happy when she "died" and it was just her husband LOL But now she is back. Anyway, I am hooked. It is getting more interesting with Tom's past coming to light as well. I really like him.
Alex. LOL Julian is probably the neatest among my kids. Audrey is like hubby. The way she deals with her stuff is not to organize, but to leave it all in the living room so she can keep her bedroom clean(er). Alex...needs work.
2 What is the most useless talent you have?
I have double jointed thumbs. Completely useless.
3 What is the most interesting thing you’ve read or seen this week??
Interesting is what you say about something that is not boring, but is not brilliant. Those kinds of things are hard to remember, they make such a low impact. I've been reading the Martian Chronicals by Ray Bradbury. So far, it seems like this might qualify for the term.
4 If you could get a ticket to any show or event, what would you want a ticket to?
I'd like to go to CATS. In English.
5 if you could live in someone’s head for fifteen minutes, who would you want it to be?
My dog! :D I would love to really find out what she is thinking/feeling.
We had an incident yesterday, where hubby was out drinking with his friend and he couldn't get in touch with his mom so Alex and I went by car to see if she was ok. It was just something wrong with her phone. She wasn't lying on the floor unconscious as we feared, so we were relieved. But it had me looking up resusitation to make sure I knew it. I was talking with Alex afterwards and found out he had learned CPR for his driver's license. I thought it was pretty cool that that is a requirement for driver's licenses here. Also relieved I could ask him to do it if push came to shove. I only did CPR in highschool and that's long time ago.
The chorus festival last Sunday was pretty fun. We had never participated in this festival before. We started out early, meeting at our station at 7am. We practiced a bit at a practice hall near the festival hall, got dressed there and loaded ourselves into taxis. Our group was the only one with dresses on. I guess because we didn't get to get dressed (or practice) at the hall because of COVID, all the other groups wore costumes that could be worn normally outside. We were required to write comments for all the other participating groups. I took turns with another member of our choir. I was also in charge of carrying the placard of our choir up to the stage (from the audience, due to COVID). All the groups were super friendly and nice in their comments. We also had comments from "judges." Most were very positive. Especially with regard to the altos, which I was, soo that was really nice. The sops have some work to do with their high notes. All in all, I think it went pretty well. Here's a picture:
One of the songs was a latin song by Ko Matsushita called Tota pulchra es. Basically a song about how the Virgin Mary was the perfect woman/mother. Aside from the words, the music is beautiful. The piano part is superb. Here is a link
The other is a Japanese song - also composed by Ko Matsushita, lyrics are a poem by a poet, Shuntaro Tanigawa. Part of a set of songs called On a Quiet Rainy Night. Here is a link. The song translates something like this:
I want to sit like this forever.
Listening to my new sadness sink quietly
Taking advantage of the scent of the God I do not believe
Picking up a leaf of a country far from home
Gazing at the slideshow of past and future
Believing in the warm sofa of the blue ocean
And, most of all, loving myself
I want to sit quietly like this forever
I sang this song imagining myself and the others of the choir at some European city, crouching on the beach, hands around our knees, watching little pebbles sink into the waves, carrying whatever sadness - maybe a disapointment, maybe loneliness, a breakup, .... with it. And maybe, in the distance, a cathedral or little church where we've just been and emersed ourselves in the faith of ages.
Again, the piano part in itself is enough to melt the brain. You don't even have to listen to the words LOL
I've been watching Blacklist. I am really enjoying it but I don't like the main girl Elizabeth (Liz). She is such a typical American hero girl. She's so stupid and emotional, and also not really a badass LOL I was sad but also kind of happy when she "died" and it was just her husband LOL But now she is back. Anyway, I am hooked. It is getting more interesting with Tom's past coming to light as well. I really like him.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-31 06:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-07-31 11:06 pm (UTC)Did you understand the Latin in the song? Mr. Matsushita is Catholic and has written various church music. I'm glad you enjoyed the imagery! The piano part is rolling and the song is partly 4.5 beats per measure and helps to imagine the waves.
The restrictions of being unable to dress at the hall made it difficult to wear anything formal. For some of the groups, it may have just been their "style" though.
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Date: 2022-08-01 02:32 am (UTC)I'm not sure why restrictions on dressing at the hall would prevent anyone from wearing formal attire, unless it was some kind of costume that you would never wear out in the street but only to perform. Otherwise, most women change into their formal or evening clothing at home and stay out all day or night, as the case may be. My idea of formal, for me personally, is suits and ties, but my previous statement would still hold, especially for those of us who love antique menswear! It would take forever to change! haha
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Date: 2022-08-01 03:41 am (UTC)I'm sorry, I just realized why it might be difficult to understand. You live in in a place where everyone travels by car. Roads in downtown Tokyo are crazy. Narrow, crowded and very hard to find parking. Most people travel by train. I guess groups could rent a bus, but because this is a Tokyo festival, all sIngers live in Tokyo. It is cheaper and more reliable to use public transportation.
Otherwise the formal wear - our dresses anyway, are long flowing evening gowns that would be very difficult to wear even driving a car. It would be like driving with a wedding dress on. We travelled a short distance by taxi and it was quite enough.
Most singers here will usually take the clothing to the concert hall and dress there. I thought that was pretty standard worldwide. I guess none of the other groups thought of getting dressed at another location close by like we did.
Some womens groups wore nice blouses and skirts, like one would wear to church. We did similar things before making our dresses. Not too formal for train travel.
no subject
Date: 2022-08-01 04:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-08-02 11:40 am (UTC)Thank you!
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Date: 2022-08-01 07:03 pm (UTC)lol - we joke about what our dog is thinking. She's such a nut!
I'm glad to hear that your MIL was fine. It definitely can cause your mind to worry when you can't get ahold of someone.
The Blacklist will suck you in for sure. My favorite character is Red played by James Spader. I just love the way he delivers his lines & his expressions.
Yes, Tom is an excellent character.
I know what you mean about Liz. I get wrapped up in her emotional storyline though. You'll see what I mean as the seasons unfold.
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Date: 2022-08-02 11:56 am (UTC)I have another question. I'm right at Season 5 ep 10 or something and Liz is remembering asking Tom's supposed mom (I'm not taking Red at his word on this) to take care of her daughter and they are talking of some law suit where Tom took the stand for his "mom" against his "dad" and I'm like... I never saw that. I'm quite sure he never told his "parents" the connection, plus his "dad" supposedly died in a plane crash, right? So is this all a dream or memory manip???! That would help Red keep his little secret from Liz. If their memories were manipulated and both Tom and Liz were alive but just were kept from the truth somehow. Don't answer that. I just really want to know if I am ever going to see Tom again. Yeah... the more I think about it, the more I feel that he is coming back. Red must have done the death trick to him. But if he's not, tell me now.
I love Red too. Of course. But his secrets are really making it hard. And his little stories are soooo long LOL
Yay, though, Liz has finally become a badass. LOL
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Date: 2022-08-03 03:40 pm (UTC)I hate Liz even more for putting him in prison. And for leaving her daughter for so long. 🤬
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Date: 2022-08-03 04:34 pm (UTC)I lowkey enjoy Ressler also ;)
I don't want to spoil anything for you but if you want any more clarifications, ask away! I can't say I'll always know the answer but I'll do my best to find out. Plus, I can always ask my husband as he's an avid fan of the show as well & probably remembers stuff better than I do lol.
Enjoy!
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Date: 2022-08-09 02:23 am (UTC)So, finished up to the end of Season 8. That's all we have on Japanese Netflix at the moment. I see that Season 9 is out though. I don't really know if I want to continue with this. Liz continues to be my least favorite character. She's "dead" but I am supposing that this is again a ploy so she doesn't have to kill Red.
After Liz broke up with Tom in Season 1, I was just waiting for her to get together with Ressler - they did have a fling, that didn't last, (and Tom was awesome) but now it's getting more and more likely that they will end up together somehow. I wouldn't mind seeing that I guess. S10 in the works *groans*. I just want to see how it ends LOL
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Date: 2022-08-09 07:11 pm (UTC)I had followed Megan Boone but she kinda bored me lol.
They did have a spinoff called The Blacklist: Redemption but it only lasted a season. It had more action than drama. I don't know if you'd be interested in checking it out if you wanted something else to watch.
I like to get to the end of series but if you're wanting more action, continuing on may not deliver for you. I get invested when I can identify with characters & get on an emotional journey with them.
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Date: 2022-08-10 11:14 am (UTC)Me too, and that girl is making it mighty difficult LOL
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Date: 2022-08-01 07:46 pm (UTC)Wouldn't we all love to know what is going on in doggy brains? XD
I was talking with Alex afterwards and found out he had learned CPR for his driver's license. That is really cool.
Glad the festival went well ^_^
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Date: 2022-08-09 02:28 am (UTC)Also, weird :D I liked Fahrenheit 451 and there were references to it so that was interesting.
Thanks!