George Awards- "I'm musical. It means if you hit me in the head with a pipe, I make a noise"

 

Warning

This is not a post for children.  Kids, take a hike.

This post contains bad, foul, filthy and unacceptable language - the words that “will curve your spine, grow hair on your hands and maybe, even bring us, God help us, peace without honor.”

This is also not a post for those adults who are offended by this type of language.  Do yourself a favor, and go read some of my cute stuff before moral outrage can kick in.
Just about everything else on this blog is clean…Stupid sometimes, but clean.
End of Warning.

Belmont Avenue Comes To New Jersey- September 10, 2026

I am not sure how many years, I have been trying to take Mom to see Dion when he played at MPAC in Morristown. Its gotta be well over six, since the reasons I had to not follow up on the idea ranged from weddings, to recitals, to illnesses to Covid shutdowns and a few other things. I feel like it is appropriate that it finally happened in "The YearTM." 

More Christmas Music Trivia

Since I can’t help myself, and accidentally knocked out this list while making the new Halloween one, we return to Christmas Novelty Song Trivia this year!
 
Once again, since “can’t help myself” is genetic, Anabelle has concocted another Rankin Bass Marvel Figure Christmas Special Tribute. This time out, it’s the 1975, clunkily named The First Christmas, the Story of the First Christmas Snow, ("White Christmas" was taken. You'd think they'd have checked that.) Anyway, it stared Angela Lansbury, who I , sadly, do not have a Marvel action figure of.

The Secret Concert- October 10, 2025

Rosa has been a fan of Peruvian singer Eva Ayllón since long before she met me. I've found her some CDs and videos over the years but they have been very hard to come by up here.

Recently, when I, once again, commented that she had no "wish list" (HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE!) She said she would like a recording of her more recent concerts. While trying to hunt for them, searching generally on the web in the early summer for "Eva Ayllón concert"  I found absolutely no DVDs or Blu Rays available. However, I did notice she was going to be appearing not only in New York city but also at the Shea's Performing Arts Center at William Paterson University in Wayne!

The Bride of Halloween Music Trivia

I obsess way too much about both horror films and novelty music to have gotten every song I thought of into last years list. 

As usual, there will be a ridiculous amount of other trivial information written into the questions, many of which have two parts. Plus, they all have a bonus question (which may have two parts as well), because I can't help myself. Feel free to give yourself one point for each part. Heck, give yourself however many points you want for each part. It's not like there are awards, and I'm certainly not keeping count. I'd like to think if there was going to be comparisons with anyone else, everyone would use the same scoring method out of basic human decency. 

On second thought, just stick to one point each.

The Tap Remains the Same

There have been a boatlaod of "decades later" return sequels in recent years. Some are celebrations, some are returns and some are passing the torch. 

Spinal Tap II- The End Continues, is, by far, the best in show (see what I did there?) for this type of follow up film.

Music is Magic

I've been convinced music is magic for a while. I've alluded to it multiple times in hopes it would inspire me to explain myself. 

So far... nothing.

But - as that is also what I had planned for today- here goes!

Moving On...

 

Yet another season  has passed for the great service provided by the Moving Company of Danceworks.

Y'know, It's Hard Not To Like This, Okay - December 19, 2024

Due to Anabelle having an afternoon final the last possible day, I continued my trend of enjoying "other people's" shows at the most famous venue in this country. Rosa and I went to see Andrea Bocelli's 30th Anniversary tour the second night he was at Madison Square Garden. She had wanted to see him since before we'd met, and the timing, location and everything else had never worked out before. Because of the ticket magic she had conjured for Anabelle, we had a credit in Ticketmaster when this show was announced. 

Christmas Music Trivia!

Christmas Time is famous for two things in our home.

Action Figures and weird music!

To be honest, the whole year is famous for those two things. 

However, Christmas Time is when we advertise it more.

But first, here's the usual guest writer and figure poser to kick off the season- 

The Marvel Holiday Actors are here as per usual to put on a show, this year bringing to life the Rankin Bass Classic Jack Frost. Since I (Anabelle) hadn’t discovered the absolute MAJESTY that is Jack Frost when we did the Rankin Bass setup that one time, we went full force into it this year. Here are all the roles:

Halloween Music Trivia!

Due to trying not to have an aneurysm by needing to finish writing a review of Agatha All Along overnight for Halloween after a double size finale, I started posting Halloween Musical Trivia Questions on social media.

Technically there were only five days worth, but since I can't help myself and added a bonus question to each one, its a Top Ten.

A Rare, Cool Moment in My Life- June 13, 2024

Last year it was announced that Niall Horan- "The Show: Live on Tour" would be playing Madison Square Garden. He is Anabelle's favorite singer. Following the Taylor Swift mess, she and Rosa did much online jiggery pokery  (mostly Rosa, she excels at that) when the tickets dropped and first scored her a 100 level seat in the stands for Friday's concert, but then a floor seat for the Thursday performance. The Friday ticket was sold off at list price, because we are not evil.

LIVE! From Morristown New Jersey!

I gotta admit, it was pretty cool hearing the actual Dancing With the Stars announcer say that when we saw the travelling stage show back in January. 

(Photo credit to Rosa, which should be obvious since it's clear what the photo is of.)

A Little Hop of Showers

That title would have worked better if it rained. Then again, the day wouldn't have.

It certainly has been the summer of funny stage tragedies for us. This one was planned further in advance ,however. Earlier in the summer, Anabelle and Rosa had a "Manhattan Day" to go see a Yayoi Kusama exhibit.

Teacher Tributes: Instrumental Music

There are few things in life that give a feeling of greater accomplishment as part of a group as being in a band when everything is clicking.

There are also few things that provide as good an example of how important teachers are to students enjoying what they're doing and learning as my time playing the saxophone.

It's Only a Model... Shhhhhhh.

I think I've set a record for going from: 

"Not knowing a thing exists,"

to

"Mourning the fact that others won't be able to experience the outstanding talent, thought provoking content and emotion now that a thing is over."

A Swiftie Tilting World

 Short version- Ticketmaster sucks. The American Dream Mall people do not.

Long version-

Everyone Needs a Little Mayhem in their Lives

Given the lack of involvement of Kirk Thatcher, I did not have high hopes for the Muppet Mayhem ten episode series. (That is, before Anabelle texted me through her first viewing before coming home and watching it again with us, because it was that good.)

I did not know going in that Bill (creator/ performer of Clueless Morgan, Pepe, Bobo, Johnny Fiama, Big Mean Carl) Baretta was a developer and writer of the show, or I would have gone in with more excitement and expectations of a return to form.

Disney World 2022 day 5, August 6- Ratat-oompah

Moving in New Family Directions

Anabelle is two years out of High School, but I still have the privilege to help the Danceworks Moving Company bring joy to those who can't get out to find it on their own. This is because both nieces are in the Senior Company (Aah! how did that happen), my sister is an employee, and now my nephew is in the Junior Company. When certificates were handed out, Miss Chris made a cool nod that he's the first ever male dancer in Moving Company and a trailblazer. The rest of the Company erupted in cheers because Miss Chris is awesome and fosters incredible bonds between the dancers.