To end the week of schmaltz, here is "O Holy Night."  There must be a million recordings of this and everyone has a favorite, but nobody sings it like Pavarotti!  He sings it in English and the original French.  The actual translation of the French is a bit different than the words we usually sing in English.

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O holy night, the stars are ( Read more... )

Another classic!  This was the recording we had when I was little - a cappella except for the triangle!  I always loved the line "The ox and lamb kept time..."  And the Baby Jesus, smiling at the drumming!  (one wonders what Mary was thinking, letting some kid come in and bang on a drum for her sleeping newborn, but it makes a great story!)

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Schmaltzy song for today - a classic!  And not one of those horribly over-done pop versions of it, either!

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Said the night wind to the little lamb
Do you see what I see
Way up in the sky little lamb
Do you see what I see
A star, a star
Dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy
Do you hear what I ( Read more... )

I got out ALL my Nativity scenes last night and set them up.  It's been 5 years since I decorated my own house for Christmas and some of the decorations are a bit musty, but I am so happy to be in my own little condo with my own little tree and having this time to "get ready."

A couple of years ago, I did a little LJ "series" on Christmas Carols.  I ( Read more... )

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I was lucky when I first came to the UK in that I already knew a whole bunch of folks from the Tolkien crowd and TORC.  In fact, I think it is safe to say that I wouldn't have even considered looking for a job in the UK or responding to the ad in the paper if I hadn't already known some people and seen some places and been a bit acclimated, as it ( Read more... )

Since I got to the airport in plenty of time, only to discover that my plane is more than an hour delayed....

I will miss the availability of culture that comes with living in an international city like London.  The plays, concerts, poetry readings, art exhibits - everything literally a stone's throw away.  I'll miss the Southbank Centre where there ( Read more... )

This is NOT a comprehensive list by any means - since I am sitting in an internet cafe and will be flying outta here in a few hours.  But I thought it would be good to make a start.  As I have begun to chronicle my adventures I am realizing how much I was able to pack in to these last four years!  It really has been a great ride!

Bath - went to the ( Read more... )

Copenhagen - city of bikes, boots, beer...and the incredible World Music Expo!
Rome - wonderful city, walked my feet off, saw the Colosseum, visited the Vatican and St. Peter's, got drunk on Grapa.  Worst seats ever for a ballet - but the ballet was fantastic! 
Cologne...ancient Jewish baths, biggest free-swinging bell in the world, cool cathedral, ( Read more... )

One of the things I love about being in London is that once you're here, it's pretty easy to go almost anywhere!

I've been to Athens and seen the Acropolis and some of the outlying islands - including one with no cars, only donkeys!
Barcelona, where I saw the incredible Gaudi house and the Sagrada Familia and a performance of "Tannhauser" at the new ( Read more... )