IMC highlights

This is why I love this place.  Enough said. :o)

Loving it!

So I'm here!  After the seemingly endless countdown of months, weeks, days, and hours, I'm back at IMC for the summer.  It is SO good to be here.  I have met up with most of my friends from last summer, so that has been awesome, and I've met a lot of the new staff members.  Kendall and I have finally reunited, which is amazing and just so so wonderful!  Just now, as I was starting this post, he came into the staff lounge and we had a little 30-second visit before he went back to work.  It's just little things like that, those little "moments" that we can't ever have when we're apart, that make the days here so happy. :o)  I have a staff meeting in 40 minutes, and I've just connected to the wireless network here this morning, so I figured a quick blog update couldn't hurt.

There are a lot of great new people here this year, and I'm really excited to get to know them and work with them this summer.  I love that at this point I don't know what our little inside jokes will be or what crazy happenings will go on this summer... but I know that we're in for a good run.

Pictures to come (amazingly enough, I've been here for almost a full day and I haven't taken one picture yet!)..... stay tuned.

Farewell, U of S!

5 years flew by.  I started as a first year Music Education student in September 2003, and now, in May 2008, I have officially convocated from the University of Saskatchewan with 2 degrees in Education and Music Education.  It has been an amazing ride.... countless exams, papers, hours in the library, study parties, midterms, tears, triumphs, recitals, concerts, juries, rehearsals, hours spent cooped up in practice rooms, choir tours, recording sessions, etc. etc.... and on May 27th, it all came to an end.  Here are a few photo highlights of convocation:

I have been meaning to take a picture by the big U of S sign on College Drive for 5 years.  What better time to do it than on my last official day as an undergrad student?

On the day before convocation my mom and I went to campus and took a few photos in my gown and hood.  It was a beautiful, sunny day, and the campus looked so beautiful.

I had to pay a non-refundable $20 deposit to rent the gown, so I figured I'd get my money's worth by laying in the grass.  Dry clean THIS!  Haha.

The beautiful Thorvaldson building

These blossoms were gorgeous, and smelled so pretty!

Again, getting my money's worth by climbing trees in my gown.

This is on the day of my convocation, outside the doors of Convocation Hall (where I played my 4th year saxophone recital, sang in Greystone Singers concerts, played in Wind Orchestra concerts, attended countless recitals and performances, etc.).

Auntie Diane came from Winnipeg to celebrate with us!

My brother-in-law convocated with his Masters in Agricultural Economics on the same afternoon as I convocated from the College of Education/Dept. of Music.

Shaking hands with the Chancellor

One last pose with Ivy after the ceremony. :o)

These girls are some of my closest friends.  Love them all!  Kirby, me, Brianna, Jasmine, Jana, and Sarah.

Jana and Sarah

Hugs!

Karyn and Nook

Sarah, Jana, and I posed for this picture, and then a photographer from the university came to take a picture of us taking a picture of ourselves (does that make sense?).  Then we signed model release forms in case the university chooses to use that photo for marketing purposes.  So who knows?  We may show up on some U of S brochure or something.  Neat!

After the ceremony and reception.  Farewell, U of S!

- Lauren Campbell, B. Ed./B. Mus. (Mus. Ed.) with Great Distinction.

The countdown is SO on!

Less than 3 weeks now.  In fact, I will be there in 2 weeks and 3 days, to be exact.  SO excited!!!  I love this place.  I love working there.  I love being surrounded by music 24 hours a day.  I love summer.  I love him.  I love my friends.  I LOVE IMC!!!!

Random thoughts in point form at 2:35am

- Skype is awesome.  I'm chatting with my friend Stewart who has just moved to Yellowknife, and it's so clear that I could swear he's in the room with me.

- Note to self: Silver Clouds are good.  Make these at home.

- I love teaching private music lessons.  I have recently discovered that teaching beginner piano can be really fun.

- If anyone gets sentimental at the Greystones concert tomorrow night I think I might cry... tomorrow is the last concert at the end of 5 years in that choir.  2 international tours, countless hours of rehearsal and pieces of amazing repertoire, and even more amazing friends...

- Yodeling is weird.  Thanks for the weird video, Stew.  Haha.

- I love knowing that some of my friends will be a part of my life forever, no matter what.

- I hate it when you get a headache in one concentrated spot right on the front of your forehead.  Those kind of headaches suck (I say that as though there is a different type of headache that is pleasant or something....?).

- Traveling is amazing.  There is so much out there left to see.

- Love.  Love.  Love.  Love.  Love.

- Is there a point at which I should stop caring about the fact that I can't please everyone all the time?  Probably.  But I'm not sure if that time is now.

- My parents are cute and funny.  My dad is one of the most endearing men I know.

- I can't wait until our cottage is renovated.  I can just imagine all the warm and cozy memories we'll make there over the years.  We've already started making some good ones (including reading ghost stories by the fireplace... from Saskatchewan and New Zealand both!  Thanks Fish and Sam!)

- 2:38am might be a good time to go to bed.

- Bloggity blog blog blog.  The end.

PS - Happy Mother's Day!

I'm changing the privacy settings on my blog.  I know that most of you who read this are my friends, and you leave appropriate comments.  To the one person who is leaving racist trash (you know who you are, and I think I might too), save your breath.  You are the one who looks ridiculous in this situation.

To the rest of you, keep commenting.  I'll keep posting, but now your comments will need to be moderated by me before they show up.

People to see perform live in my lifetime:

To my faithful readers (aka a few friends who still check this blog after my return from NZ).  Here are the profiles of some of my favourite musicians - the ones that I have added to my "people to see perform live in my lifetime" list.  A lot of them never set foot near Saskatchewan, unfortunately, although I already have seen two of them in Saskatoon (and one I saw again in Winnipeg).  But, these are my all-time favourites, and so I'm sure that at some point I will travel to catch one of their shows.  Maybe I'll see Jack Johnson on the beach in Hawaii, or maybe I'll see some of them in Germany or London or Paris... but for now, they will make an appearance on my blog, including my own personal reviews of their music and some listening suggestions for those of you who may not be familiar with their tunes.

Jack Johnson

Singer, songwriter, guitarist

I love Jack Johnson for his catchy melodies and upbeat reflections on life and love.  His music is absolutely perfect for road trips, especially in summer.  I have listened to him nonstop for about 5 years now and have yet to see him perform live.  He is a very elusive man whose tour schedule takes him all around the world... but never anywhere close to me!

Favourite tunes by Jack Johnson: Better Together, Banana Pancakes, Bubble Toes, I Can Tell That We Are Gonna Be Friends, Cocoon, Do You Remember

Xavier Rudd

Singer, songwriter, guitarist, didgeridoo, percussion (one-man band)

Xavier Rudd is the master of thought-provoking lyrics and catchy tribal beats.  He is an activist in every sense of the word and communicates powerful messages about nature and humanity through his catchy melodies and groovin' beats.  LOVE him.  Saw him in Saskatoon in February 2008 and was never the same.  His voice is unique and can be recognized anywhere (by me, at least!).  His songs are full of spiritual awareness and reflection.

Favourite tunes by Xavier Rudd: Twist, Light the Shade, Let Me Be, White Moth, The Letter, Energy Song, Come Let Go, Journey Song

Denzal Sinclaire

Canadian singer, songwriter, pianist

My favourite living jazz artist.  His voice is smooth and lyrical, and sounds actually a lot like Nat King Cole.  When he sings the classics, he makes them sound brand new.  When he sings his new stuff, I fall in love all over again.  He has an impeccable ability to lay back on the beat just enough to give the line a relaxed, mellow feel without giving it a sense of dragging.  He makes everything he sing sound easy.  I first saw Denzal in Saskatoon in October 2005, then again in Winnipeg in summer 2006.  Loved him both times.  Will see him again, no questions asked.

Favourite tunes by Denzal Sinclaire: Happier Than the Morning Sun, Day In Day Out, The Art of Living, Follow You Follow Me, This Is My Lucky Day

Ani Difranco

Singer, songwriter, guitarist

Ani Difranco rocks out with powerful lyrics that have an air of feminism and an "I-don't-care-what-you-think - I'm- going-to-say-it-anyway" attitude.  She sings a lot about societal issues and life as a woman.  Her lyrics are the kind that you could read as poetry and never think that they were meant to be otherwise.  To say that she makes a statement is an understatement.  Her guitar playing is energetic and sometimes harsh, but it always fits with what she's singing.

Favourite tunes by Ani Difranco: Fuel, Little Plastic Castle, Glass House, 32 Flavours, Both Hands, Gravel, Not a Pretty Girl

Jason Mraz

Singer, songwriter

This guy's melodies are incredibly catchy, as are his lyrics that always rhyme like nothing I've ever heard before.  Listening to him puts me in a good mood 100% of the time.  Despite his sense of humour (seriously, check out his webpage at www.jasonmraz.com and have your speakers on, then tell me that this guy doesn't crack you up), he has a sensitive side that makes his music powerful and gut-wrenching and reflective and all of those wonderful things that music should be.  He is a bit more pop-ish than some others that I listen to, but truly can listen to him for hours on end, particularly on road trips in the summer.  Goes well with Donavon Frankenreiter and Jack Johnson on the playlist.  This guy also pulls out some really cool scat that make you wonder where he came from and where he's been all your life.

Favourite tunes by Jason Mraz: I'm Yours, Curbside Prophet, Halfway Home, Geek  in the Pink, Bella Luna, Common Pleasure, Sleeping to Dream, Song For a Friend, Who Needs Shelter, Wordplay

Donavon Frankenreiter

Singer, songwriter, guitarist

Despite his affinity for bad mustaches and silly hats, Donavon Frankenreiter is one hip cat.  While I admit that his melodies can be repetitive, it doesn't seem to bother me.  I can listen to him for hours on end, and I do, particularly when I'm cleaning my room with the windows open in the spring.  His music is fun and carefree, and perfectly simple.  His slower, more mellow stuff is fantastic as well, and is best served with a sunset and a lawn chair whilst wrapped up in a blanket on the beach at the lake.

Favourite tunes by Donavon Frankenreiter: Call Me Papa, Butterfly, Honour and Harmony, Free (with my main man, Jack Johnson!), Heading Home, It Don't Matter, Our Love, Rainbow Tree, Was It You, What Ya Know About

Rajaton

Finnish a capella vocal ensemble

These people pump out some of the tightest harmonies I have ever heard.  Their lyrical pieces are extremely beautiful and sometimes even haunting, and their upbeat tunes are incredibly catchy and somewhat silly.  Individually these people are all incredible singers, and together they form one kick-ass group.

Favourite tunes by Rajaton: Butterfly, Armahan Kulku, Dobbin's Flovery Vale, Karipaava, Poison Tree, Summer Song, We Walk In a Fog, Un-Wishing Well, You Can't Stop Me!

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

Musical group that defies explanation or any sort of genre categorization

These guys are incredible.  The group consists of Bela Fleck on banjo, Futureman on percussion (and his own invention, the "drumitar"), Jeff Coffin on saxophone, and the awe-inspiring Victor Wooten on bass.  I never thought I would like the banjo, but these guys have changed my mind.  Their work is admirable on a number of levels, as each member of this group is an accomplished and well-trained musician.  Their songs are funky, up-tempo, and are guaranteed to put you in a good mood.  I've heard they're also a blast to see perform live (hence them making the list).  Oh, and also, I practically pee my pants every time Victor Wooten plays a bass solo.  You have to hear this guy.  Incredible.  Also check out the DVD "Live at the Quick" if you ever get the chance.  Very cool video of their performance involving a Tuvan throat singer.  These guys push the boundaries all the time and do a damn good job of it too.

Favourite tunes by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones: Spain, Scuttlebutt, Stomping Grounds, Victor Wooten playing Norwegian Wood, Big Country, Let Me Be the One, Puffy, Dueling Banjos

So there you have it.  My favourites.  Also on the list, but not as high priority as the others: Kurt Elling, Regina Spektor, Missy Higgins, Ben Harper, John Butler Trio.

Who do you have on YOUR list?

I imagine this is what our faces will look like...

.... when we see each other again in only 5 weeks!  The IMC countdown begins!

Who IS that?!

"There once was a girl who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead.  And when she was good, she was very, very good... and when she was bad, she was horrid!"

This is a little rhyme that my mom used to say to me when I was little.... to me, her little curly-headed ball of busy energy.  Not much has changed since then, really, especially in regards to the hair.

SO, the other day I decided to experiment.  I have only seen my hair straight a handful of times in my entire life, and I knew it was getting really long and that I was overdue for a hair cut.  So I figured I should straighten it to see just exactly how long it really was.  It's quite a process to straighten, especially given how long and thick my hair is.  But I decided to tackle it, and an hour and 10 minutes later (an extremely short amount of time, thanks to my sister's insanely hot flat iron) I had straight hair.  Extremely.  Straight.  Hair.

WEIRD.

Call it narcissism, call it what you like, but I had to take a million photos to document this rare occurrence.  I changed my profile picture on Facebook and was flooded with comments.  My friends described the change and my new hair as:

- glamorous

- gorgeous

- very strange

- SO LONG!

- very nice, awesome, hot, etc.

- weird

- crazy

- SO different!

- beautiful

And comments included:

- "It's just not Lauren... you need your curly hair that reflects your BIG personality!"

- "I'm guessing that took some effort to accomplish"

- "Don't cut it... and straighten it every day!  It's so pretty!!!!  Even if the straightening process takes like 3 hours.... I DON'T CARE!  Do it anyway!!!!"

- "Oh my God, your hair is freaking me out.  Where's Lauren?  PS - You look exactly like Cher."

- "Holy straight, Batman!  And LOOOOOONG!  Wow!"

etc. etc. etc......

So, what do you think?

Yeah, weird.  I thought so too.  I have my curls back now, and I feel much more myself... although the straight hair was fun while it lasted.  Next stop, braids!

A long overdue list of KIWI SLANG!

I have honestly been meaning to do this for ages.  Now I figure I may as well do it before I forget about it again!  So, when I was in New Zealand I didn't ever hesitate to ask my friends to repeat an unfamiliar word and to provide a definition... then I'd scribble it on a receipt or a napkin, and then when I got home I'd write it down in my journal.  So, here is my comprehensive list of kiwi slang!

Pommy = British

Bugger = (I'll leave this one out... you kiwis know what it means! haha)

Boot = trunk of a car

Bonnet = hood of a car

Knickers = underwear

Hard case = funny, cool (i.e. Before we met, Brendan P told Fish: "That Lauren seems like a hard case."  What a perceptive fellow!  Haha)

Root = sex

Ute = utility vehicle

Pigeon hole = mailbox

Eftpos = debit/credit machine

Choice = awesome, sweet, cool

Refill = loose leaf paper

Tea = supper

Supper = late after-dinner snack

Knackered = really tired

Oy/oi! = exclamation to get someone's attention (like "Hey!")

Tomato sauce = ketchup

"I reckon" = "I think (so)"

Interval = break (i.e. recess, intermission, etc.)

Dairy = corner store

Trolley = shopping cart

sms = text message (stands for "short message service")

Jersey = sweater

Gumboots = rubber boots

Heaps = tons, lots, etc.

Flatmate = roommate

Lollies = candies

Rubbish = garbage

"Go to the toilet" = go to the bathroom

Singlet = tank top

Trousers = pants

Beanie = toque

Togs = bathing suit

Lounge = living room

"At the mo" = "at the moment"

"Sweet as," "funny as," etc. = very sweet, funny, etc.

Pash/snog = to kiss

Hire = rent

Naff = passe, out of fashion, lame

Jandals = flip flops

Torch = flashlight

Lamp = lightbulb

"Jokes!" = an exclamation (i.e. "You're kidding!" - often preceded by "Ahh," i.e. "Ahh, jokes!")

Pram/pushchair = stroller

Queue = lineup

Fringe = bangs

Indicate = signal (in a car) - ("Be a mate, indicate!")

Plat = braid

Nappy = diaper

Gutted = defeated, disappointed, deflated, etc.

Fortnight = 2 weeks

Sussed = figured out, cased, etc.

Musos = musicians

"Monday week" = a week from Monday

Petrol = gas

Scroggin/scrummy mix = trail mix

Muesli = granola (i.e. muesli bars)

Hash key = pound key on a phone - #

Ring = phone, call, etc. (i.e. to ring someone)

Carpark = parking lot

Bottle shop = liquor store

Give way = yield

Arvo = afternoon

Skux = stud in the making, young potential hottie (haha)

Notes = bills ($$ as opposed to coins)

Mate = friend

Tenor horn = euphonium/baritone

Gob = mouth

Wag = skip school

"Ahh, true?" = an expression like "Oh, really?"

Mufti = non-uniform, casual

Docket = receipt

RTD = coolers (stands for "ready to drink")

Squab = foam mattress

Op shop = 2nd hand store

Diary = day planner, agenda

Metal road = gravel road

Layby = rent-to-own

Ginger (rhymes with singer) = someone with red hair

Hundreds and thousands = sprinkles (for baking)

There you have it!  Have I missed anything? :o)

Scrapbooking

I have slowly become addicted to scrapbooking.  Does anybody else do it?  If so, have you discovered the joy that is brightly coloured ribbon?  It makes the pages look SO much cuter, and it frames the pictures nicely.  Right now I'm in the process of scrapbooking my New Zealand pics.  It's a HUUUUGE job, but it will look great when it's done.  Over the past couple days, in an attempt to avoid studying for final exams (of which I have completed one... of four...), I have successfully scrapbooked my pics from Castlepoint, Mt. Ruapehu, the WYC hoedown party, the Canyon Swing, and Milford Sound.  I still have a TON of photos to go.  I think this project will take me at least 2 scrapbooks.  I've already done my Australia ones though, so I'm cruisin' in that regard!

Cheerio!

Yours truly,

Martha Stewart (that's right, I'm crafty!)

Reflections on gas prices and other old blogs

I forgot that at one time I had another blog on xanga.com, so I decided that I should go back and read this stuff to see how my brain worked in my first year of university.  I found this, and it cracked me up:

*****

Thursday, May 20th, 2004

Last night I dreamed of gas prices.... sad, no?  But really though, gas has just jumped to 95.9.  NINETY-SIX FREAKING CENTS PER LITRE!!!!!  My car used to cost no more than $30 to fill... now it costs $45.  Enough of the gas price hikes already!  You know it's getting out of hand when you actually dream about it.  *sigh*

(Gas now costs $1.23.9 per litre, and my car costs nearly $70 to fill.  My, how times change.  In other news, here's another funny thing I found in my old xanga... I wrote this one while I was working at IMC in 2004):

*****

Saturday, June 12th, 2004

Today there was this gorgeous sunshower, and I was watching it from inside the Burdick Centre where I was selling tickets... and sitting by the window was this middle-aged lady with a salmon-coloured fringe shirt and thee most ridiculous hair I've ever seen, eating a sloppy joe.  It was really quite amusing, because the background was so gorgeous... it almost reminded me of one of those "Inspiration" posters, where there's a beautiful nature picture and an inspiring quote... only there was a sloppy-joe-eating lady instead.

*****

Friday, July 16th, 2004

I get a real kick out of Mr. Alme.... he's always so chipper!  He said to me the other day, "Lauren, my father always told me, 'Son, if you want to be successful, surround yourself with good people!'"  Then he pointed at me in that very Alme-esque fashion, and was like, "YOU! are that person!"

*****

Thursday, July 8th, 2004

QoD: "Oh man, other end!  Geez Kevin, you have to outsmart the trash bag!  These things are tough.... they are smarter than the av-er-age Kevin!" - Kevin, talking to himself, trying to open a garbage bag yesterday in the concession stand.

*****

Ahh.  I just sent a bunch of messages to my friends on Facebook to share with them some of the silly quotes that I had written about them from 2004... so funny!  I've shut down my account now, but had fun going through the old posts before I got rid of them.  Random entertainment on this Thursday afternoon.

Geographical look-alikes?

I didn't realize the similarity until watching the weather on the news last night.  Of course, we all know what my favourite country of New Zealand looks like:

But did anyone ever stop to realize how similar our own Canadian maritime province of Nova Scotia looks?  I can't believe I didn't notice it before now.  But here it is.... New Zealand on an angle (aka Nova Scotia, Canada):

Speaking of New Zealand, I'm planning my next trip there.  I don't know when it will be, but it will be sometime during summer (aka NZ winter), and will likely involve one or more friends (Jana, Grace, etc.).  Jana and I are meeting for coffee in about 3 hours, and we're already planning cool things to do in NZ like skydiving, the Nevis bungee jump, glacier hiking, the Auckland Sky Tower jump, etc. - all of those things that I wanted to do while I was there the first time but never got around to doing.  Well, I did the glacier hike... but I'd sure do it again.  I miss that place.  I can't wait for NZ Round #2!!!!

So many assignments.....

.... so little time.

I'm in my last week of classes as an undergraduate music student, and let me tell you, is it busy!  I had an extremely busy week last week, putting in 8 hours a day of group work from Monday to Friday (on top of classes, of course).  I have 2 more papers left, and I'm not sure how I'm going to finish everything, to be honest.  So I suppose I should go figure that out instead of blogging.

On an unrelated note, I'm addicted to iMovie.  I'll post one of my new creations sometime in the next little while once things start to die down here.  Until then, off I shall retreat into my paper-writing corner of the world.  Here I go.  Right now.  I'm going.  Yep.  Going.  To write a paper.  Right now.

Right.  

Better Together

There's no combination of words that could fit on the back of a postcard

No song that I could sing, but I can try for your heart

Our dreams, and they are made out of real things

Like a shoebox of photographs with sepia tone loving

Love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart

Like why are we here?  And where do we go?  And how come it's so hard?

It's not always easy and sometimes life can be deceiving

I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together

Mmm, it's always better when we're together

Yeah, we'll look at the stars when we're together

Well, it's always better when we're together

Yeah, it's always better when we're together

And all of these moments just might find their way into my dreams tonight

But I know that they'll be gone when the morning light sings and brings new things

For tomorrow night you see that they'll be gone too, too many things I have to do

But if all of these dreams might find their way into my day-to-day scene

I'd be under the impression I was somewhere in between

With only two, just me and you, not so many things we got to do

Or places we got to be, we'll sit beneath the mango tree now

It's always better when we're together

Mmm, we're somewhere in between together

Well, it's always better when we're together

Yeah, it's always better when we're together

I believe in memories, they look so, so pretty when I sleep

Hey now, and when I wake up you look so pretty sleeping next to me

But there is not enough time and there is no, no song I could sing

And there is no combination of words I could say

But I will still tell you one thing...

We're better together.

- Jack Johnson

Spontaneous road trippin'

I wasn't kidding when I said this.  The wait was getting so difficult that now halfway between January (when I saw Kendall last) and June (when I'm going to see him again), we've decided to meet up... coincidentally, we're meeting halfway between Saskatoon and Minot in a small city in south-eastern Saskatchewan.  He's on spring break visiting family right now, so we couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a spontaneous road trip while we're 7 hours closer together than we usually are.

Hurry up, tomorrow!!!!!

To everything turn, turn, turn...

... a time for change.  Yes.  Change indeed.

The blog needed a new look, so here it is.  Pinkish-purple instead of green.  I'll see how I like this one... maybe it will inspire me to blog more often.

We had our first show for Music Theatre tonight, and it was great!  The audience was responsive, and our energy was pretty good especially considering it was our first show.  Tomorrow will be even better!  :o)  My parents, sister, and grandparents were all in the audience tonight, which was awesome.  I'm so glad I got this opportunity to perform with such a fun group of people and in such a fun ensemble before I finish my university career.

It's 2:45am though, and I should get some sleep.  Cheers!

New (musical) beginnings

I can't believe I haven't blogged about this yet.... crazy!  This news is exactly 1 week old today.... but still very, very exciting!  I got the most FANTASTIC birthday present last week, 1 day before my actual birthday: a full-time contract to teach Grade 7-12 band (or for my New Zealand friends reading this, Year 8-13 or Form 2-7), senior choir, jazz choir, and likely junior choir, jazz band, and handbells.  On the non-music side of things, I will be teaching 0.3 in other subject areas, still TBA.  I am thrilled about this position, and I can hardly wait to start in August!  The school is Rivier Academy, which is in my hometown (bonus!).  SO EXCITING!!!

The front view of Rivier

The music room - my new home!!!

This is perfect, as I was JUST starting to miss answering to "Miss Campbell...." :o)

Thank you, Internet.

Picture this: I'm looking for a lead sheet for the bossa nova tune "So Danzo Samba" so that I can sing it at the next gig with our U of S Jazz Ensemble.  So, I type exactly that into a Google image search (which worked when I looked for a lead sheet for "Lullaby of Birdland"....), and this is what the search came up with.  How this is related, I have no idea.

(The caption under it read "A bulldog in a bikini.  One does not see that every day."  Well, that is very true.  And I still don't have my lead sheet for "So Danzo Samba," but at least I got a good laugh out of the deal.)

*Edit:  I realized that I spelled the title wrong.  It's actually "So Danco Samba"... but I still don't understand the bulldog in lingerie?

She's looking great after surgery, isn't she?

(Sorry Lauralea, but I did warn you!)