the history of the world, my sweet--
California was lovely! And no, we did not get attacked by tigers. We were at the San Diego Zoo on Christmas Day, where there were pandas and capybaras and lionesses chillin' in the sunshine.
Also, we stayed at the hotel where Some Like It Hot was filmed. Sadly, my dad did not wear stockings to commemorate this fact. (The hotel TV had a special channel for movies that were either filmed on the premises or had some connection to it, which included The Wizard of Oz and about three hours of its attendant extras, and no explanation as to why.)
All in all, Christmas was very relaxing and low-key, with nice weather in California and interesting activities around New Year's when we got home. I had some very thoughtful and lovely presents, one of the best of which was a dressmaker's model in roughly my size. She's now been adjusted to my size and a few inches below my height, and I'm thinking of calling her Vera. ;D
*`-,--
Also, seven days into the new year, I've seen five movies (three in one day, yesterday)! In theatres! There was Juno, which was fun and whose dialogue sort of bowled me over. There was the triple bill of The Meaning Of Life, Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem, and And Now For Something Completely Different yesterday with heerojf, which rocked more than it had any right to.
And then there was Sweeney Todd.
I've seen the musical on stage. I've seen it on PBS. I've seen Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone, and Christine Baranski as Mrs. Lovett, and the woman who played Gram on Dawson's Creek as the Beggar. It was basically my introduction to the horror genre and Stephen Sondheim in one fell swoop when I was a stupid teenager, and I've had a soft spot for it for a very long time. So I was sort of nervous about seeing it, especially since the reviews have been so wildly mixed.
And I may go see the movie two or three more times.
Setting aside the fact that my very DNA seems to react the moment Tim Burton's name appears anywhere on a screen, I thought it was really well-handled, well-performed, and well-sung. Taking out the chorus was, I think, a wise move, which made things more intimate. (I was sad that they cut my favourite verse of "A Little Priest", but the lyric is possibly the most difficult one in the song, so eh.) Of course, because I am shallow, I was a happy little meltylump in my seat when Johnny Depp and Alan Rickman started singing "Pretty Women".
But the very best part was what happened after the movie.
Now, my cousins Catherine and Stuart were visiting up until earlier this morning, and they both saw the show in its original incarnation and highly recommended the movie. Between the three of us, we know all the words. My aunt Jean (Catherine's mother, and my mom's sister) also saw it on Broadway, and is no slouch with Sondheim lyrics herself.
Here are some examples of what happened when I got home from the theatre.
[We're all watching "How It's Made" on Discovery]
Me: Well, yeah, it's not an exciting show, but it's nice to know how some of this stuff actually goes together.
Catherine: ... o/~ When you get it... if you get it... good, you've got it!
[We sit down to dinner]
Catherine: We might have taken the beef stew out of the slow cooker a little early.
Aunt Jean: ... o/~ These are probably the worst pies in London...
[In the morning]
Catherine: Dang, I have to reboot my powerbook.
Aunt Jean: When you do, there's an email...
Catherine: I can't really do anything until it's finished booting.
Me: ... o/~ Wait! What's your rush, what's your hurry--
[We discuss going out to dinner]
Stuart: o/~ Mrs. Mooney has a pie~ shop--biz'ness never better using only pussycats and toast, and a pussy's good for maybe six or seven at the most, and I'm sure they can't compare as far as taste!
Me: o/~ Mrs. Lovett, what a charming notion--eminently practical and yet appropriate as always--
Stuart: o/~ Well, it does seem a waste!
*`-,--
Hope everyone's new year is relaxed, and that your winter Festives (Festivi? Festivuses?) were enjoyable!