WE LOVE BRITTANY MURPHY

BRITTANY MURPHY is gone and nothing can bring her back to us.
I had the privilege of meeting Brittany she was about 19 or 20.  I believe she had just booked the gig with KING OF THE HILL and began her amazing voiceover career as Hank Hill's ditzy niece Luanne.
She did a total of 231 episodes of King Of The Hill, not to mention the film career starting with Clueless, Girl, Interupted, 8 Mile.  For those who speculate about her death and only write to sensationalize her passing, I say this....God help you if you ever lose a sister or daughter.

My heartfelt condolences to her father and brother. 

Just a bright funny comedian who shall not be forgotten. 

At least in my heart.  Rest in peace sweet girl.

 

I LOVE CHANTICLEER "AN ORCHESTRA OF VOICES"

There is a healing quality to great music.  Tonight opened my heart to the spirit of Christmas.

It's been quite a week since I last posted to this blog.
My job ended last Friday, I was part of a fundraiser on Sunday and tonight I was given a gift of finally seeing the 12 men choral group known as Chanticleer.  Based out of San Francisco, this amazingly talented group of men performed tonight at the Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles.
This is an annual concert for them now.  I was given a front row, center seat behind them in the balcony area.  Being less than 50 feet from them with perfect accoustics it didn't matter if I was seeing the back of their heads.  In a number of performances they were in a circle.  The sound created when 12 men from counter tenor to bass sing in pitch perfect harmony is mesmorizing.  I've been trying to see these guys perform for about 2 years now.  Tonight's concert was perfection.  If you didn't get the spirit after hearing them perform the "Medley of Chirstmas Spirituals" then you must have a lump of coal as a heart!  Amazing!

They had two encores.  In the first encore they performed the Ave Maria.  That'll make you tear up.  Then in the second encore they left us with a perfect 12 part harmony version of Silent Night.
That made me cry.  Perfection. 

For you Choral music nuts that I know from High School and College, check out the website on the "Chanticleer" link above and click on NEWS, then Online Press Kit.  It will contain a doc you can download that will give you English translations of the Gregorian Chant, Latin, German and Spanish.

After the show I bought the new Best Of Chanticleer album and some of the guys sign it for me.

Okay, you know I'm a SyFy, BBC America geek and now I'm a Chanticleer groupie!

I LOVE PREP & LANDING

Well the folks at Disney have done it again.
They have created an instant classic!  I LOVED this show last night.

I am sure they are going to rerun it this weekend.
Catch it if you can.  Or go right now to HULU and watch it with "limited commercial interuptions."  Either way I am sure you are going to love this and laugh as much as I did. 
Dave Foley of "Kids In The Hall" fame does the voice of Wayne.  Enjoy!

 

SARAH CHALKE from SCRUBS is the voice of MAGEE the flight controler for Santa.

TUESDAY is SONG DAY: GET HERE by Oleta Adams

TUESDAY IS SONG DAY
GET HERE by Oleta Adams 
Songwriter:  Brenda Russell

For very personal reasons this is one of my favorite love songs. 

I guess today I am feeling very nostalgic and a bit overwhelmed by life. 
Oleta's album "Circle Of Life" marks a huge turning point in my life. 
It was the album I listened to the most when I left behind my life in Florida and moved to California.

Music has that effect on me.  It is a benchmark to the significant events in my life. 
So when I listen to this song, I remember what I had to walk away from in Florida. 
Then I remember the yet formed life I was creating in California back in the fall of 1993. 

I am both sad and yet resolved to know that my life has been what it is through the daily choices that I have made.  And as I move into this holiday season I find myself observing more and more the daily choices I make in the present moment that will eventually shape the fabric of my life.  Today I choose LOVE and resolve to do so each and everyday through this holiday season.  For me there is no other choice but to love all those around me, even when they don't love themselves.  I have to be the example of love and I am grateful that I'm still here to carry that message. 

Oleta Adams has one of those amazing voices that is instantly recognizable. 
Rich, warm and it washes over you like a warm bath.  This is one of her best songs. 

This was our song.

Peace and blessings,
GM

New Album Info


GET HERE LYRICS

You can reach me by railway
You can reach me by trailway
You can reach me on an airplane
You can reach me with your mind
You can reach me by caravan
Cross the desert like an Arab man
I don`t care how you get here
Just get here if you can

You can reach me by sailboat
Climb a tree and swing rope to rope
Take a sled and slide down slope
Into these arms of mine
You can jump on a speedy colt
Cross the border in a blaze of hope
I don`t care how you get here
Just get here if you can

There are hills and mountains between us
Always something to get over
If I had the way
Surely you`d be closer
I need you closer

You can windsurf into my life
Take me up on a carpet ride
You can make it in a big balloon
But you`d better make it soon
You can reach me by caravan
Cross the desert like an Arab man
I don`t care how you get here
Just get here if you can

I don`t care, I don`t care
I need you right here right now
I need you right here right now right by my side yeah
I don`t care how you get here
Just get here if you can

I LOVE THE RAIN IN LA

There is something about this city when it rains.  We find out really quick who is from the mid-west and knows how to drive in any kind of weather other than the usual bright southern California sunshine.  I am always amazed at the local TV stations that broadcast 24/7 news about "THE STORM OF THE CENTURY!" or "STORM WATCH 09!" with such dramatic flair, like they are just waiting for a hillside to collapse so they can get ratings and have some story to cover for the next week. 
For me personally I like to just sit and listen to the rain.  I did so this morning for a brief moment as I opened up  my sliding glass door to my balcony with the view of the hills to the south. 
(Singing to the theme of Green Acres:  "I just adore a valley view!) 

I miss the rain.  Growing up in Kentucky I miss hearing the rain on the trees.
It's a comfort to me when it rains in Southern California. 

I like it later in the evenings when all the freeways have cleared out and you can drive through the city with hardly any other traffic on our otherwise very congested freeways and blvds.

And not to mention what it does to the air.  The air is crisp and cold after a hard rain in LA.  Each winter when it does rain the air is so clean and at night the temperatures drop very low.  Snuggle weather.  (I just need to find someone to snuggle with!  Hummmm) 

And to tell the truth, we need the snow in the Sierras and upper elevations to replenish the water supply.  So bring on the rain.  I'll just drive a little more defensively to avoid all those kids out there who have never driven in the rain. 

Holiday Viewing THE FAMILY STONE

THIS CAST IS AWESOME!

Love this movie!  THE FAMILY STONE is one of those ensemble comedies that turns around and gets you!  So watch this movie and "let your freak flag fly!"

Sarah Jessica Parker is hysterical as Meredith.
Sarah was nominated for a Golden Globe but didn't win and I don't know why.
Pay close attention to Diane Keaton when she first appears on screen.
And the end of the movie upon reflection, you will realize why she is probably one of best actresses of our time.  She is amazing.

Enjoy this holiday film and get ready to laugh and cry.

Peace and Blessings,
Gerry

CHRISTMAS WILL BE CANCELED...

...UNLESS I FIND MY RUDOLPH!  Just watching RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER on CBS tonight.  Santa decides to cancel Christmas because of the weather.  Then he comes out to tell all the elves and sees Rudolph's red nose and decides to go ahead.

I have fond memories of this show from childhood and from getting to play "CHARLIE" in the box in our fundraiser show last year.  ("But nobody wants a Charlie in the box!)  There are days where I feel like I am on the "island of misfit toys."  The season doesn't really start unless I watch Rudolph and finish with IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE.  I can't get through this movie without crying.  Jimmy Stewart really does give one of the best performances of his long career.

CANCELING CHRISTMAS
I've canceled Christmas this year.
Next to no presents will be bought and only a few little cards will be sent.
(Okay I pulled out the Happy Holiday doormat that I bought last year at Home Depot on a discount.
And I will drag out my Red Chili lights because well I love them.)

But the biggest gift I am going to give is to bring myself out of debt.  So no travel for now, no concerts unless they're free, no eating out or charging anything.


I've cut up the credit cards and I'll use them as confetti on New Years Eve.
And next year.....well we will see.

SSHHHH! IT'S A SECRET!

Why any straight man didn't watch THE VICTORIA'S SECRET FASHION SHOW tonight on CBS is beyond me.   My goodness gracious new mama HEIDI KLUM struttin' it down the runway!

And congrats to new Victoria's Secret Angel Kylie!
I only watched for 15 minutes and now I'm feeling very confused inside!  LOL

Oh wait.  I just realized what I will be wearing for Halloween next year!  Better start waxing now!

Would you pay $1 MILLION for this bra?  My oh my missy!