The Phantom of the Opera -- A movie review

First let me say this...I have listened to the score from this musical since I could walk...ok maybe not that long -- but since my earliest days. The Music of the Night was one of the first pieces I ever heard that left me -- breathless and teary and insanely in love with music -- as more than something you listen to.

OK all that being said....

I love the beginnning...I loved the ending both are very mysterious and very much done toward the BOOK. If you love this musical its hard not to love this movie.

The music is very well done although honestly I could do without the electric guitar in the Main theme.


The acting/singing.../bittersweetsigh....

The Phantom played by Gerard Butler lacked depth in his voice...but was still very good. Its hard to live up to Michael Crawford's depth in my eyes.

Christine played by Emmy Rossum was OMGWTHINcredible...I am once again hindered by the fact that I never really liked Sarah Brightman's voice -- I mean she sings beautifully but lacks the spirit in her voice that entire thing is about Ms Rossum felt the role and did beautifully.

Raoul -- played by Patrick Wilson was good. He at times lacked emotion in his face that I felt like someone sooooo in love should possess. I mean his singing was beautiful but had little or no expression in his acting.

Miranda Richardson played Madame Giry and was a scene stealer as well as the young girl who plays her daughter (I'm not sure of her name) Both were WONDERFUL.

The company was incredible in their performances of Masquerade and Prima Donna.

The set was WOW...wonderful...very Joel Schumacher very strange very elaborate.

The costumes were simply incredible...I loved them. Masquerade was so beautiful -- like a painting

The website -- very good. If you go you can hear what I'm talking about....
The Movie Website

Overall: 4 Bravos out of 5
I would see this again. I hope next year for Christmas I get the DVD. I loved it...LOVED IT. I want to see it again.



Things to note:
People in the theatre clapped at the end
The man behind me sang every word for the first 45 minutes...he isn't any Michael Crawford either.
I would have chosen the Phantom at the end -- not Raoul. I don't care how mauled his face his -- he could sing better

I can't WAIT!

Do you have it?

Do you have "it"? "It" is the thing that you feel when something changes you, moves you...I get "it" usually when I hear certain pieces of music or read a poem or book. Its a sensation that once you get it, you can't forget it. You must have it again. Your soul changes. Is it God changing us? A spirtitual revolution so to speak? I hope you know what I am talking about...Its living something so beautiful you can't put it to words....I hope you have FELT music not just heard it. You've read words that affected you beyond your imagination....You saw a painting or photograph that SPOKE WORDS to you....(I blogged about this once before)...Wow.

PLEASE PLEASE write here if you know what I'm talking about. You can do it anonymously. This is something that has been in my life a long time and although its WIERD writing down this - this thing - I know it exists. I know people who KNOW what IT is.

Remember: Things exist that we cannot see.

Acceptance Speech

Thank you...Thank you so much.

[applause]

Thank you...

[polite laugh]
[more applause]

Thank you...

[flash smile]

Wow...Thank you so much. I am just in disbelief. [place hand over heart - as if exaspirated] I had a wonderful time working on this incredible project and have so many people I would like to thank [pause] on a personal level.

Of course, my family and friends...for putting up with me...and encouraging me during the difficult moments but who also are the most joyous tonight. [specify family and friends][politely point out husband and sister]

I'd like to thank the people who voted for me to get this incredible award. [list known votes]

Also, I wish to thank my agent for helping me land this awesome adventure [mention agent & agency]

To all the people behind the scenes...thank you so much. [list people]

[look down at fabulous pink gown -- smooth out skirt]
And to Vera Wang for making me this fabulous dress (ok i'm kidding about this one)

I'd also like to thank the visitors of The Lovers, The Dreamers and Me who's constant hits to my blog continued my interest in writing.

And finally to ___________________, with whom I shared this dream and then made it real. (can't wait to meet you)


Remember: Always be prepared.

Merry Christmas

To you, your families, and loved ones -- wherever you and they may be.

love,
Ally


Remember: Only 365 shopping days left until NEXT Christmas

You want a what with what?

Um order number 34 is ready...

grande', non-fat, decaf, extra hot, add vanila, double shot, soymilk, caramel Macchiato with a little whipped cream on the top?

My sister and cousin and I are at Starbucks at the Mall of Georgia (the 5th largest mall in America) and this man all alone comes up and orders such a concotion. I'm standing there thinking this guy must be very complicated in real life. To have more adjectives describing your coffee than coffee beans to make the coffee is an issue. But I was laughing so hard...it was contagious. My sister and cousin started laughing...others started. WOO HOO we're all cracking up.

The next order was

HOT CHOCOLATE
and in true starbucks form...."Extra Hot" was added at the end. MORE LAUGHTER!

Remember: Life is complicated...make it simple.

Insanity

To do list:

Mail 4 christmas cards - complete
Wrap 43 million presents
Make tumblers for SIL and BIL (sister in law and brother in law)
Wrap 43 million presents
Make bread for neighbor's party - complete
Wrap 43 million presents
Finish up trail mix baking - complete
Wrap 43 million presents
Pick up spare set of contacts - complete
Wrap 43 million presents
Make one more lb of fudge for family
Wrap 43 million presents
Take a shower sometime today - complete YAY
Wrap 43 million presents
Do laundry for travel
Wrap 43 million presents
Mail out tumblers for SIL AND BIL
Wrap 43 million presents
Go to the library - complete
Wrap 43 million presents
Finish up computer repair for sister - almost complete downloading service pack 2 ICK
Wrap 43 million presents
Write in my blog - FINISHED

One down 43 million to go. YAY ME



Remember: Take time to play in the snow...but stay warm!

Its the MOST wonderful time...of the year....

I hope you have found yourself basking in the spirit of Christmas.

I just wanted to take this time to say why I enjoy Christmas. First of all, I'm just happy to be a Christian. And for clarity that doesn't mean I am perfect -- far from it actually. Its very simple really...it means that I believe in Jesus and that he was sent by God, died on the cross, was ressurected - all just to save me from eternal hell. What did I do to deserve that? I personally can't think of one thing I did to deserve it -- what a gift.

I know many people who have issues with religion. Seriously I was one of them -- especially in college. But I'm telling you -- don't get bogged down in the Disney protests or gay marraige debate. That is not what being a Christian is about...An author named Lee Strobel has written several good books on this topic...and I suggest them if you have never thought about it.

The Case for Faith: A Journalist Investigates the Toughest Objections to Christianity
by Lee Strobel

The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus by Lee Strobel

I hope you have a great day today...

Remember: To achieve the impossible dream...try going to sleep. (by Joan Klempner)

My happy hoosband

My husband and I at a Christmas Party....we had a great time. Hello he danced!

Looking Glass

I see you through a looking glass,
Someone so awesome yet unreachable...
To me you are larger than life
But also vulnerable and kind.
Bittersweet moments pass between us and
the pieces of you, create for me
a color that dances beyond my reach....
I am halted by the clear
obvious glass between us.
As time engulfs our lives...
The brilliant colors will fade...
And we'll have our memories of
what was once so beautiful.



I wrote this quite a while ago....as part of a story I didn't finish....

1000 HITS! Since November 15th! YAY Thanks for reading!

Driving down the road with the top down...

Its 30 something degrees....the wind is howling....and my sister and I are flying down the interstate dancing, singing and having a blast in my car with the convertible top down. It was great to be us!

Ok my sister and I are rarely together. And when we're together, we're certainly never alone just hanging out (she has two small baby girls). Well this past weekend we got to drive from where we grew up to my house. And we took the saab and rode with our wooly coats and the top down the whole way...listening to LOUD music. I am telling you -- we got beeped at and waved at...its like the fun was contagious.
hrmmm...either that or people thought we were insane. And today? It SNOWED hahhahahah!

You have to make time for fun in this life. If people think you're wierd or crazy, so what. Its hard to really let yourself go as an adult because you know right from wrong, you know what you should be doing....So those times, when you can -- just drive with the top down and have a good time.


Remember: The best way to predict the future, is to create your own...(not my quote)

At this point...it was cold...I'm sure of it.

5 Showers a Day?

I have a serious temperature control problem. I am cold all the time. Its hilarious. My temperature is a good 97.0 normally. While lounging around my house in sweatpants and a sweatshirt, I usually have a blanket around me and over my head. My husband calls me a Jawa. As soon as the blanket is off I'm freezing. Shower 1. Then there is the REAL shower...when I step out I am so cold! Shower 2. Then there is the whole bed heater thing. About 30 minutes, before I go to bed, I turn on my little bed heater it warms my groovy sheets (I love my sateen wamsutta 450s) and snuggle in to a warm bed. But when its time to get out -- AICK Shower 3. Then I walk into my toasty bathroom that is heated started at 4AM by the little timer that heats up my bathroom. But when I walk out -- brrrrrrr Shower 4. Then finally under my desk sits my little own personal heater....and it is on high all day long. When I step away from my desk -- AICK shower 5. I live in a false sense of warmth. AICK.


Remember: If you love someone...tell them you love them. Its so important.

Life is good...when you're 4.

Um ya breadbags, snowmen and a big A on your hat...

I LOVE SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Its snowing here today. Our first snow of the winter. I love snow. Something about being able to stay home and snuggle and just do nothing. I knew last night that it was going to snow...it SMELLED like snow. Does anyone else out there know what it "smells" like? I love that! The flakes are HUGE...so dreamy. I remember snowy days when I was a child. My dad would make the biggest snowmen EVER! BIGGER THAN ME! The craziest thing was my mom putting BREAD BAGS over my snowboots to keep the snow out. OK MOM - what is the deal with the breadbags? My sister and I would slide all over the place. Speaking of sliding, we had this GREAT BIG HILL behind our house and we would speed down it in our rail sleds and innertubes and then about halfway down there was a "jump" so you would fly the rest of the way. What fun. Ya well now that big hill has a big cellphone tower on it.

Well if you love snow...you can be happy for me today. If you hate snow...mmm build a snowman, make a snowball, make an angel in the snow, eat it (not the yellow snow!) or do something fun. Maybe you'll like it then.

HAHAHAHAHA I found a picture of me...Breadbag proof. see below.

Remember: If you are on fire: STOP DROP AND ROLL.

The Happy Elf by Harry Connick Jr.

The Happy Elf

Seven days a week
Ev'ry week of the month
And ev'ry month of the year
He's got us making presents
And I'm happy

Ev'ry girl and boy
Gets their own kind of toy
We like to fill 'em with joy
We're workin' over time
To make 'em happy

Then on Christmas eve
We jump on big red's sleigh
We don't miss a chimney
On our jolly way

We won't stop until
Every kid gets a fill
Of Santa's brand of good will
The thrill of spilling cheer
Just makes us happy

So, if you've been good yourself
You might see the happy elf
Stop by your house and make
You very happy

The happy elf
I'm the happy elf
I'm the happy elf and I just might stop on by
The happy elf
I'm the happy elf
I'm the happy elf and I just might stop on by
I'm Santa's spy!

Holiday Blues? Make a mental cake.

BAH FLIPPING HUMBUG! AICK! WHAT? No way. Not THIS girl. In the past several months I had "derailed" in a bad way. Derailed from the REAL Ally. Part of that was because I was heavily medicated (I've had bronchitis/pneunomia for 4 weeks). I was out of my routine...And during that time, the holidays were approaching. During the holidays people seem to be at extreme highs or extreme lows. Its sad really. Some people can't find their cake. They just want the icing. For example, there was the day, I just wasn't going to put out Christmas decorations....and the day that I was just going to buy everyone gift cards and forget it...And the day I just didn't want to leave my house and see everyone's stupid decorations over the neighborhood...oh and the day I wasn't going to send out Christmas cards because honestly no one reads them anyway.

Well I was wrong. A while ago I made a decision. I wasn't going to do this or feel bad anymore. I woke up and was happy. You know THE REAL ALLY. I haven't felt like this in a while. Its amazing how finally getting out of a situation makes you feel -- well, HAPPY. WOOO HOOO. Its GREAT to be me. I keep singing that "I'm a happy elf" song in my head - ya know on Harry Connick's Christmas CD? And as you might know...we put up a tree. And then, the wreaths that make me so happy. And then my husband and I are going to this fabulous Christmas Party. And then my mom and I put up the garland all over my house -- even the mistletoe.

If you're sad this Christmas....Here is a big hug from me. But let me tell you, its not too late to come out of it. No matter what your situation. It can be as simple as making a decision to make it better. Or putting up a tree. Or a kiss under the mistletoe. I always admire people who DO things. They don't just whine about it...they MAKE it happen. Be happy with yourself. Know you're happy. Find out what makes YOU happy. That is the cake. When you meet someone or get a new job or new car or something good - that's icing. If that goes away...you've still got cake.


Uh oh...I just realized...I HAVEN'T SENT OUT MY CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!!!!!!!
Gotta run!


Remember: Be happy. Eat Cake.

Our House at Christmastime.....

Happy Home and Ben Update :)

Christmas time has arrived here...I was reluctant to put out any decorations at all this year. We're not having a big hoo ha party like we always do plus the flipping bronchitis. I guess the thing that got me...My Dad used to make wreaths for his house all by hand. He would go cut the cedar himself and then spend hours and hours making them. They smelled so wonderful and were the most beautiful wreaths in the world. His house had MANY windows and he made one for all of them. I loved seeing his house...and he decorated it much like mine is tonight.

I hope ya like how it looks Dad :) lemme know.


See house pic below.

-------------------------------------------
Ben update:

Here's the response.


******, Ben to me
More options 7:09am

Ally:

You should have stopped to say hi yesterday.
Thanks for watching for the last three years!
-Ben

Don't go Ben!

OK this story is insane....I know it before I write it down...but I have to record this event because for me personally I almost coughed up a lung laughing. (I am just now getting over the pneunomia/bronchitis episode...eek!)

A little background....

Several months ago Golfer Barbie and I were watching the noon news in our conference room while downing chick-fil-a salads...and we were like... "Wow Ben (the local weather person @ noon)is sooooo cute." One of the men that works in our office just could not get over us *SWOONING* over Ben. (I didn't swoon...just agreed) He is very handsome and seems to be so nice. I mean -- seriously. Take a look:



See? Not kidding. Just that wholesome look. Golfer Barbie and I decide that he is just the type of guy she needs. And this goes on for several months. So it came to be that every time we were in the conference room for lunch we watched the weather. The weather here is just so interesting!

Well, one day I was driving off site and I see Mr. Weather God Ben in his shiny silver BMW. I got on the hotline to Golfer Barbie and said -- I just passed Ben going into the studios. She screams out - TURN AROUND. Go give him my phone number!!!!! It seems from that point on...the Ben thing just started to spin out of control. NO I DID NOT TURN AROUND AND GO STALK HIM -- jeez -- for the love! I am not REALLY insane.

Ok so Ally's Birthday arrives...and everyone is insisting on watching the weather. Well that isn't unusal, obviously, but we had so many people in for my office party. My former boss came back and I remember thinking...we can live without Ben for one day. It had really gotten to be a joke -- talking about Ben everyday at lunch. And we played it up -- big time. :) Well it turns out that my newer boss had asked Ben to say Happy Birthday to me on camera during the noon news. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to do so and sent an email stating he would send me a signed photo. When I read the email I almost passed out from mortification! But he was very kind and simply apologized that there was not time.

I got over the email incident, but unfortunately, the photo never arrived. A few months later the most horrible thing happened. Ben announced he was leaving to go to a station in Detroit! Golfer Barbie and I were completely devestated. The weather just -- wouldn't be the same! We started to turn bitter. We were angry. How in the world could Ben ditch us like that for the smog captial of the world? He was leaving the love of his life (Golfer Barbie) behind...He was surely confused!

Well, about 4 weeks ago, our Team Leader said we needed to have a quick meeting. GB (golfer barbie) and I just looked at each other...I get nervous when unscheduled meetings are called. Its never a good thing -- and if you work in Corporate America you know what I'm talking about. So we all stand around in one of our programmer's office and the Team Leader says..."Harry has something he wants to say." Well golfer Barbie and I just look at each other with this FEAR of something bad...and suddenly Harry reaches out to us two brown envelopes. What was in the envelope you might ask? A picture of our very own...of BEN! He had signed them -- Dear Alyson, Thank you for your kind words...I about died. But I appreciated it and somehow my face color went back to normal from the beet red it had turned.....

Happily, for several weeks we've been enjoying our Ben photos...(see below) and life is good...except that he's still leaving the station. The city is in mourning...but is learning to cope. Our Department lunches went back to normal and we were learning to like the new weather GIRL (BLEH!)...some of the guys obviously enjoy the weather more now -- than Golfer Barbie and myself. ANYWAY....This leads us to today....

We had our holiday luncheon today at one of the more prominent restaurants in town because our secretary was retiring and its her favorite place to eat...so we are there forever and I need to go to the restroom and golfer barbie does too. Yes girls always travel together...this restaurant has several dining rooms and we were in a private one. GB and I walk out and are admiring all the pretty holiday decorations when suddenly she gasps. I look to my right and right there -- in the flesh -- only TWO FEET AWAY -- TWO FEET -- WAS BEN!!!!!!!!!!! Golfer Barbie is suddenly possessed and does an about-face and practically makes record speed back to our dining room while I am left standing there gaping at him. I find my feet and follow her...but the moment was over. We had now made total and complete fools out of ourselves and will never be able to face Ben ever again....

How does this story end? Well the entire office got a complete jolly out of our flushed faces and total mortified states and well...we left. As we were walking out I stepped on the back of one of my co-workers shoes and Golfer Barbie tripped over her own feet. It was just like a horrible movie. We will never see Ben again. His last day doing the weather was yesterday....


Remember: We were stupid...be smart -- at least have your picture made with the guy with your camera phone!


UPDATE: I have written to Ben and told him about this site [bitefingernails]

This is what I said:

Dear Ben,

I wanted to share a little story with you that I have written. Its a
true story which involves you (indirectly) and I think you might
find it -- mildy amusing. I am the "Ally" in the story...and Golfer
Barbie is really "Brandy". We are quite normal but this completely
INSANE story was so funny I wanted to share it with you.

http://justally.blogspot.com

Thank you for all you have done for our area. You will be missed.

Good luck in Detroit!
Ally

My Picture from Ben....

Golfer Barbie's picture from Ben......

You Were There for Me

When I cried,
You helped me laugh..
When I couldn't breathe
You opened a window.
When I needed a friend,
You held my hand.
When I was lost,
You drew me a map.
When I had an empty place,
You filled it.
When I was alone
You were there for me.


Remember: Don't make promises you don't intend to keep.

The Dense Foilage in my living room...

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! How lovely are your branches....