Journal

The Weekend (Smokin Aces, Phantom, Taxes)

So we headed over to Chris and Holly's and I dropped Shannon off for Holly's Bridal Shower and picked up Chris. I felt extremely outnumbered (We were). We headed off to the Jordan Creek to see the movie Somkin' Aces. It was an interesting movie. The characters were very creative and interesting, the plot was fairly simple but combined together in a hurricane like fashion making it very fun. Chris seemed to really enjoy the shooting of the 50 caliber gun. Afterwards, we stopped by the Apple Store and Best Buy before heading over to On The Border for dinner.

Now I had been there before and wasn't exactly pleased with the service or the food (especially the desserts). So I guess this is our second visit. After drinking a couple of shots of tequila, I was shocked and appalled that by default they wanted to combine higher end tequilas with other things and make margaritas with them. This is sipping tequila, not mixing tequila...but whatever I guess. Both of the ones I had (the names I forget) were quite good.

We finally got our table and sat down and quite a bit later the girls joined us. Holly's mom, quite a number of her friends (first meeting), Chris, Shannon, myself and a couple of babies...apparently a miscount happened along the way, because we were a couple of seats short. So we split up...what was odd though was that a large group showed up a bit later and they made accommodations for them... Anyways 3 people at our table (Chris, Holly and myself) had the Carne Asada Sterak Tacos. In the description they use words like "Overstuffed" and "Jalapeño" which was kind of hard when there are just a few paltry strips of steak...or at least beef. I tasted no Jalapeño...at all..neither did Chris and when I mentioned that it was supposed to have it, Holly was surprised that it was supposed to have it. It does not bode well. I guess fajitas are what you are supposed to get there...cause everything else is unimpressive.

For dessert, Chris, Holly, Holly's Mom, Shannon and I headed over to Gelaterie Stam and had some wonderful gelato. I had this orange cream with dark chocolate (as did Shannon) it was fantastic! I love that place.

Afterwards, we all headed home.

The next day, I got up a bit early, got ready for the day and headed to Target to pick up a few things (Shannon exercised and took a shower), like laundry and dish washer detergent, etc etc. It was interesting cause it seemed that almost everything I bought was on sale.

I came home, we put the things away and then we both headed out to go to the grocery store. We bought light, since over then next two weeks I'll be gone for a large chunk of them, along with Shannon. At home again, we put the groceries away.

Since we had gotten our last tax form the previous day, I went ahead and got our taxes going. Of course we used TaxAct. And it was pretty easy. After filling out our forms answering a few questions, I had the taxes done! And Filed! I found it a bit odd that if we filed separately for the state we would've had to pay in a couple of dollars, but if we filed separately on the same form (wtf does that mean?) then we get a nice chunk of change back? Oh well, who can know. Pop's said it had to do with making up for some inequities...anyways We're gonna use the money to pay off some wedding debt and the rest to start some improvements on the house and get some paint and what not to make it our house instead of really just my house.

Afterwards we had a bit of time, and then headed off to the Civic Center to see The Phantom of the Opera. We had great seats (row E), which I suspect was because it was the big football game Sunday...so it was probably not the first choice of a lot of people...but it worked out for us (being that the timing works out that we can at least partially go to two weddings). Phantom was a lot of fun. cool pyrotechnics, people popping out of all sorts of places. Stuff falling from the ceiling. There was one fire burst so big that we could feel the heat from it. I heard a lot of the music before, because one of my older sisters had the cast recording of it. I enjoyed it...I think I enjoyed the Lion King more, thought, but in an entirely different way. We didn't go out for dinner to save a few bucks.

Great weekend!

I'm sorry Ms. Jackson

I'm sorry Ms. Jackson, but you and your record company....

Anyways, Shannon got the new Janet Jackson CD for Christmas. I'm not a fan, but it's for her, so...what can I do?

Anyways, I'm loading it on my macbook to put on my iPod and it goes across just fine. But in there, since it apparently was bought was at Best Buy, it had an offer to get free extended tracks. So I figure, why not, Shannon may like them, I'll get 'em.

First bad sign, they're mwa files (windows media audio). So I figure hey, I can move 'em over to my work laptop, convert 'em (itunes for windows is supposed to do it or at least that is what I read). Convert 'em, bring 'em back, it's all good.

Oh no, because they are "protected" content, I have to also reinput the code that I used to download them, in Windows Media Player.

Not gonna happen. I barely use Windows Media Player to play files that are native to Windows Media Player, Why would I want to have content in there?

Thanks for excluding the growing Apple Mac market, Janet Jackson and Virgin Records.

I guess we'll just have to miss out on these four tracks.

Music played on my iPod during the day of our Wedding (Including the reception)

You are gonna have to click in on this one...

Name Artist Album Last Played
Almost Paradise (Love Theme From Footloose) Ann Wilson & Mike Reno Best Of Love 09/23/06 07:34 PM
How Much I Feel Ambrosia Best Of Love 09/23/06 07:30 PM
Give It Up Haley Bonar Lure The Fox 09/23/06 07:25 PM
Donal Agus Morag-The New-Rigged Ship Various Artists Celtic Odyssey 09/23/06 07:23 PM
The York Reel-Dancing Feet Various Artists Celtic Odyssey 09/23/06 07:18 PM
Johann Pachelbel, Canon Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Albinoni- Adagio - Pachelbel- Canon 09/23/06 07:15 PM
Two Way Action Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire The Swimming Hour 09/23/06 07:11 PM
Falling For the First Time Barenaked Ladies Maroon 09/23/06 07:06 PM
Everytime You Go Away Paul Young Power Of Love 09/23/06 07:03 PM
Bryson-Bell - A Whole New World Walt Disney Pictures Aladdin Original Motion Picture Soundtrack 09/23/06 06:58 PM
Rubina's Blue Sky Happiness Joe Satriani The Extremist 09/23/06 06:54 PM
Peer Gynt Suite 1 - Anitra's Dance San Francisco Symphony conducted by Herbert Blomstedt Grieg - Peer Gynt Suites; Nielson - Aladdin 09/23/06 06:48 PM
MX Missiles Andrew Bird The Mysterious Production of Eggs 09/23/06 06:45 PM
Stay Forever Ween White Pepper 09/23/06 06:40 PM
Sonny Brogan's Mazurkas (Live) The Chieftains The Celtic Harp 09/23/06 06:37 PM
Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You) Pet Shop Boys Discography 09/23/06 06:34 PM
All You Need Is Love The Beatles 1 09/23/06 06:25 PM
<-- Andrew Bird Weather Systems 09/23/06 06:21 PM
Always With Me, Always With You Joe Satriani Surfing With The Alien 09/23/06 06:04 PM
Power Of Love Luther Vandross Power Of Love 09/23/06 06:01 PM
You Don't Know My Name Alicia Keys Diary Of Alicia Keys 09/23/06 05:54 PM
Freak Me Out Weezer Make Believe 09/23/06 05:48 PM
Learning To Fly Tom Petty Greatest Hits 09/23/06 05:44 PM
Burnin' Down The Mountain [Bonus Track] Steve Vai Flex-Able 09/23/06 05:40 PM
Walls (Circus) Tom Petty She's The One Soundtrack 09/23/06 05:36 PM
Sweetbreads Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire Fingerlings 09/23/06 05:31 PM
Friday I'm In Love The Cure Galore 09/23/06 05:27 PM
Master Fade Andrew Bird Fingerlings 2 09/23/06 05:23 PM
Heuliadenn Tonioù Breizh-Izel The Chieftains Celtic Wedding: Music of Brittany 09/23/06 05:18 PM
Morghan Meaghan Various Artists Celtic Odyssey 09/23/06 05:11 PM
First Song Andrew Bird Weather Systems 09/23/06 05:08 PM
Conventioneers Barenaked Ladies Maroon 09/23/06 05:03 PM
All of This Blink-182 Blink-182 09/23/06 05:00 PM
Weather Systems Andrew Bird Weather Systems 09/23/06 04:55 PM
Am I Allowed Haley Bonar The Size of the Planets 09/23/06 04:48 PM
Planxty Burting (Live) The Chieftains The Celtic Harp 09/23/06 04:44 PM
Dañs Bro-Leon The Chieftains Celtic Wedding: Music of Brittany 09/23/06 04:39 PM
Listen To Your Heart Roxette Look Sharp ! 09/23/06 04:37 PM
My Best Friend Weezer Make Believe 09/23/06 04:31 PM
Love Will Never Do (Without You) Janet Jackson Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 09/23/06 04:28 PM
I Can Dream About You Dan Hartman Power Of Love 09/23/06 04:23 PM
Arthur's Theme Christopher Cross Power Of Love 09/23/06 04:18 PM
Fake Palindromes Andrew Bird The Mysterious Production of Eggs 09/23/06 04:14 PM
Tonight, I Celebrate My Love Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack Power Of Love 09/23/06 04:12 PM
Unchained Melody The Righteous Brothers Power Of Love 09/23/06 04:08 PM
Carolan's Concerto (Live) The Chieftains The Celtic Harp 09/23/06 04:04 PM
Car Wreck Haley Bonar The Size of the Planets 09/23/06 04:01 PM
The Only Living Boy in New York Simon & Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled Water 09/23/06 03:57 PM
Day at The Beach Joe Satriani Flying In A Blue Dream 09/23/06 03:53 PM
Together William Shatner Has Been 09/23/06 03:51 PM
Existentialism On Prom Night Straylight Run Straylight Run 09/23/06 03:45 PM
Carolan's Ramble To Cashel Various Artists Celtic Odyssey 09/23/06 03:41 PM
19-2000 Gorillaz Gorillaz 09/23/06 03:38 PM
Flutes Of The Chi Ween White Pepper 09/23/06 03:35 PM
11:11:00 AM Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire The Swimming Hour 09/23/06 03:31 PM
Skin Is, My Andrew Bird The Mysterious Production of Eggs 09/23/06 03:25 PM
Skin Is, My Andrew Bird Fingerlings 2 09/23/06 03:22 PM
(What's Your) Angle? Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire Oh! The Grandeur. 09/23/06 03:17 PM
Banking On A Myth Andrew Bird The Mysterious Production of Eggs 09/23/06 03:14 PM
Core And Rind Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire The Swimming Hour 09/23/06 03:09 PM
Song Of Foot Andrew Bird Music Of Hair 09/23/06 03:06 PM
Wishing For Contentment Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire Oh! The Grandeur. 09/23/06 03:03 PM
Pathetique Andrew Bird Music Of Hair 09/23/06 03:00 PM
How Indiscreet Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire The Swimming Hour 09/23/06 02:56 PM
Dora Goes To Town Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire Oh! The Grandeur. 09/23/06 02:51 PM
MX Missiles Andrew Bird Fingerlings 2 09/23/06 02:45 PM
St. Francis Reel Andrew Bird Music Of Hair 09/23/06 02:41 PM
Pathetique Andrew Birds's Bowl Of Fire Thrills 09/23/06 02:38 PM
Glass Figurine Andrew Birds's Bowl Of Fire Thrills 09/23/06 02:33 PM
Vidalia Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire Oh! The Grandeur. 09/23/06 02:30 PM
--> Andrew Bird Weather Systems 09/23/06 02:27 PM
(Untitled) Andrew Bird The Mysterious Production of Eggs 09/23/06 02:25 PM
Indiscreet Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire Fingerlings 09/23/06 02:24 PM
Trimmed + Burning Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire Fingerlings 09/23/06 02:20 PM
Depression-Pasillo Andrew Birds's Bowl Of Fire Thrills 09/23/06 02:15 PM
Sovay Andrew Bird The Mysterious Production of Eggs 09/23/06 02:12 PM
The Greenhorn/Exile Of Erin/Glasgow Reel Andrew Bird Music Of Hair 09/23/06 02:07 PM
Fatal Flower Garden Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire The Swimming Hour 09/23/06 02:03 PM
Sovay Andrew Bird Fingerlings 2 09/23/06 01:58 PM
Way Out West Andrew Bird Fingerlings 2 09/23/06 01:53 PM
Action/Adventure Andrew Bird Weather Systems 09/23/06 01:48 PM
Minor Beatrice Andrew Bird Music Of Hair 09/23/06 01:44 PM
Banking On A Myth Andrew Bird Fingerlings 2 09/23/06 01:34 PM
Measuring Cups Andrew Bird The Mysterious Production of Eggs 09/23/06 01:30 PM
Headsoak Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire The Swimming Hour 09/23/06 01:27 PM
Waiting To Talk Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire The Swimming Hour 09/23/06 01:23 PM
First Song Andrew Bird Fingerlings 2 09/23/06 01:19 PM
Swedish wedding march Andrew Birds's Bowl Of Fire Thrills 09/23/06 01:14 PM
Masterfade Andrew Bird The Mysterious Production of Eggs 09/23/06 01:12 PM
Ratitat/Peter's Wolf/Oblivious Reel Andrew Bird Music Of Hair 09/23/06 01:08 PM
Coney Island Shuffle Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire Oh! The Grandeur. 09/23/06 01:02 PM
Action / Adventure Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire Fingerlings 09/23/06 12:57 PM
Satisfied Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire The Swimming Hour 09/23/06 12:48 PM
Lull Andrew Bird Weather Systems 09/23/06 12:44 PM
Candy Shop Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire Oh! The Grandeur. 09/23/06 12:39 PM
Gotholympians Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire Fingerlings 09/23/06 12:36 PM
Nuthinduan Waltz Andrew Birds's Bowl Of Fire Thrills 09/23/06 12:31 PM
Feetlips Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire Oh! The Grandeur. 09/23/06 12:28 PM
Cock O' the Walk Andrew Birds's Bowl Of Fire Thrills 09/23/06 12:25 PM
Case In Point Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire The Swimming Hour 09/23/06 12:22 PM
Oh So Insistent Andrew Bird Music Of Hair 09/23/06 12:13 PM
(Untitled) Andrew Bird The Mysterious Production of Eggs 09/23/06 12:09 PM
The Naming Of Things Andrew Bird The Mysterious Production of Eggs 09/23/06 12:03 PM
Way Out West Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire The Swimming Hour 09/23/06 11:58 AM
Dear Old Greenland Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire The Swimming Hour 09/23/06 11:54 AM
Happy Day Andrew Bird Fingerlings 2 09/23/06 11:48 AM
50 pieces Andrew Birds's Bowl Of Fire Thrills 09/23/06 11:45 AM
A Nervous Tic Motion Of The Head To The Left Andrew Bird The Mysterious Production of Eggs 09/23/06 11:35 AM
Why? Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire Fingerlings 09/23/06 11:30 AM
Tables And Chairs Andrew Bird The Mysterious Production of Eggs 09/23/06 11:26 AM
Ides of Swing Andrew Birds's Bowl Of Fire Thrills 09/23/06 11:21 AM
Minor Stab Andrew Birds's Bowl Of Fire Thrills 09/23/06 11:13 AM
Eugene Andrew Birds's Bowl Of Fire Thrills 09/23/06 11:08 AM
Richmond Woman Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire Fingerlings 09/23/06 11:03 AM
Spanish For Monsters Andrew Bird Fingerlings 2 09/23/06 10:59 AM
T'n't Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire Fingerlings 09/23/06 10:56 AM
Skin Andrew Bird Weather Systems 09/23/06 10:51 AM
Depression Pasillo Andrew Bird Fingerlings 2 09/23/06 10:48 AM
L Andrew Bird Weather Systems 09/23/06 10:43 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Albinoni- Adagio - Pachelbel- Canon 09/23/06 10:33 AM
Gamle Norge (Der ligger et Land) Einar Steen-Nøkleberg GRIEG Piano Music Vol. 5 - Norges melodier, EG 108 Nos. 1 to 63 09/23/06 10:29 AM
Shalom/Saalam Matisyahu Youth 09/23/06 10:29 AM
Girl Beck Guero 09/23/06 06:16 AM

More iPod Stats, Top played Artists

RankPlay CountArtist
1 223 Less Than Jake
2 155 Andrew Bird
3 143 Coheed & Cambria
4 131 Matisyahu
5 123 Atmosphere
6 114 Beck
7 112 They Might Be Giants
8 107 Brother Ali
9 105 Collective Soul
10 104 Punchline
11 93 Various Artists
12 91 Weezer
13 85 Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire
14 84 Fall Out Boy
15 82 Johnny Cash
16 75 Smashing Pumpkins
17 75 Ween
18 67 Queens Of The Stone Age
19 65 Bjork
20 65 Reel Big Fish
21 63 Gorillaz
22 56 Radiohead
23 55 The Blues Brothers
24 55 Einar Steen-Nøkleberg
25 55 Ben Folds
26 53 Queen
27 51 Pink Floyd
28 49 The Beatles
29 49 Blink-182
30 47 B.B. King
31 45 The Beta Band
32 44 Simon & Garfunkel
33 43 Haley Bonar
34 42 The Mars Volta
35 41 Panic! At The Disco
36 41 Yellowcard
37 40 Ben Folds Five
38 39 Gym Class Heroes
39 39 The Chieftains
40 38 The Beach Boys
41 37 Tori Amos
42 35 Joe Satriani
43 33 Andrew Birds's Bowl Of Fire
44 32 My Chemical Romance
45 32 The Beastie Boys
46 31 Monty Python's Spamalot
47 31 The Rentals
48 30 Johnny Socko
49 30 MU330
50 29 The Cure

Top 25 Songs on my iPod

The top 25 played songs on my iPod.

 

Top 25 Most Played
TitleArtistAlbum
Girl Beck Guero
Champion (Remix) Brother Ali Champion EP
Forest Whitiker Brother Ali Shadows On The Sun
Shalom/Saalam Matisyahu Youth
Blah Blah Blah Brother Ali Shadows On The Sun
Wake Up Coheed & Cambria Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume 1: From Fear Through The Eyes Of Mad
The Willing Well II: Fear Through The Eyes Of Madness Coheed & Cambria Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume 1: From Fear Through The Eyes Of Mad
A Favor House Atlantic Coheed & Cambria In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3
Get Fly Atmosphere You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having
Hell Yes Beck Guero
Rental Car Beck Guero
Loser Beck Mellow Gold
Late Night In Zion Matisyahu Youth
Ancient Lullaby Matisyahu Youth
Beverly Hills Weezer Make Believe
Happy Day Andrew Bird Fingerlings 2
Hockey Hair Atmosphere You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having
Rockin' The Suburbs Ben Folds Rockin' The Suburbs
Air Ben Folds Five Whatever And Ever Amen [Bonus Tracks]
Keeping The Blade Coheed & Cambria Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume 1: From Fear Through The Eyes Of Mad
Gold Digger Kanye West Feat. Jamie Foxx Late Registration
Overrated (Everything Is) Less Than Jake In With The Out Crowd
Getting There Is Getting By Punchline Action
Master Fade Andrew Bird Fingerlings 2
Fake Palindromes Andrew Bird The Mysterious Production of Eggs

 

After Wedding Music

Wedding After
TitleArtistAlbum
McAllistrum's March The Chieftains The Celtic Harp
Calliope House-The Cowboy Song Various Artists Celtic Odyssey
Alasdair Mhic Cholla Ghasda Various Artists Celtic Odyssey
Da–s-Tro Fisel The Chieftains Celtic Wedding: Music of Brittany
Heuliadenn Tonio� Breizh-Izel The Chieftains Celtic Wedding: Music of Brittany
Jabadaw The Chieftains Celtic Wedding: Music of Brittany
Studentersang (Vi f¾rdes med Lyst) Einar Steen-N¿kleberg GRIEG Piano Music Vol. 5 - Norges melodier, EG 108 Nos. 1 to 63
Ho Astrid (Og hev' du set Aastrid) Einar Steen-N¿kleberg GRIEG Piano Music Vol. 5 - Norges melodier, EG 108 Nos. 1 to 63
Halling fra ¯sterdalen Einar Steen-N¿kleberg GRIEG Piano Music Vol. 5 - Norges melodier, EG 108 Nos. 1 to 63
Friluftsvise (Se Norges Blomsterdal!) Einar Steen-N¿kleberg GRIEG Piano Music Vol. 5 - Norges melodier, EG 108 Nos. 1 to 63
Springdans fra Nummedal Einar Steen-N¿kleberg GRIEG Piano Music Vol. 5 - Norges melodier, EG 108 Nos. 1 to 63
Gamle Norge (Der ligger et Land) Einar Steen-N¿kleberg GRIEG Piano Music Vol. 5 - Norges melodier, EG 108 Nos. 1 to 63
Ciaccona Arianna Savall, Bjorn Kjellemyr, Guido Morini, Marco Ambrosini, Pedro Estevan & Rolf Lislevand Nuove Musiche
Planxty Burting (Live) The Chieftains The Celtic Harp
Sonny Brogan's Mazurkas (Live) The Chieftains The Celtic Harp
Rubina's Blue Sky Happiness Joe Satriani The Extremist

Pre-wedding music

So I meant to get this stuff up a while ago, but never got around to it, so here it is, the music that played before our wedding.

 

Wedding Before
TitleArtistAlbum
Shalom/Saalam Matisyahu Youth
Wedding Day at Troldhaugen Edvard Grieg 25 Wedding Favorites
Hornpipe (Water Music) George Frideric Handel 25 Wedding Favorites
Johann Pachelbel, Canon Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Albinoni- Adagio - Pachelbel- Canon
Johann Sebastian Bach, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Albinoni- Adagio - Pachelbel- Canon
Air on the G String Bach Bach - Greatest Hits
Sleepers, Wake Bach Bach - Greatest Hits
Brandenburg Concerto 3 - Allegro Bach Bach - Greatest Hits
Sinfonia, from Cantata No. 29 ('We Thank Thee, Lord'), BWV 29 J.S. Bach - Michael Murray Organ Bach Organ Blaster
Prelude and Fugue in G Major ('Great'), BWV 541 J.S. Bach - Michael Murray Organ Bach Organ Blaster
Studentersang (Vi f¾rdes med Lyst) Einar Steen-N¿kleberg GRIEG Piano Music Vol. 5 - Norges melodier, EG 108 Nos. 1 to 63
Ho Astrid (Og hev' du set Aastrid) Einar Steen-N¿kleberg GRIEG Piano Music Vol. 5 - Norges melodier, EG 108 Nos. 1 to 63
Halling fra ¯sterdalen Einar Steen-N¿kleberg GRIEG Piano Music Vol. 5 - Norges melodier, EG 108 Nos. 1 to 63
Friluftsvise (Se Norges Blomsterdal!) Einar Steen-N¿kleberg GRIEG Piano Music Vol. 5 - Norges melodier, EG 108 Nos. 1 to 63
Springdans fra Nummedal Einar Steen-N¿kleberg GRIEG Piano Music Vol. 5 - Norges melodier, EG 108 Nos. 1 to 63
Gamle Norge (Der ligger et Land) Einar Steen-N¿kleberg GRIEG Piano Music Vol. 5 - Norges melodier, EG 108 Nos. 1 to 63
Prelude In C Stuart Hamm Kings Of Sleep
Sonata In D For Two Pianos Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Mozart For Your Mind
Swan Lake - Waltz Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Tchaikovsky's Greatest Hits
Four Seasons- Autumn- Guitar concerto in D - Adagio Antonio Vivaldi Vivaldi Greatest Hits

Bringing back memories

So we went to the Des Moines Community Orchestra's performance today. It brought back a lot of memories of my childhood. They started off with Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns. I remember that we had a tape of this and would listen to the songs of the animals and dance like the animals with my brothers and sisters (we were very young).

They also played Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev. Images of the Disney cartoon danced through my head.

They did a wonderful job. There were a few other selections (PDQ Bach (Beethoven/Schickele), Aaron Copland, George Kleinsinger), and they were good too. But I hadn't heard them before, so it was a new experience.

It was the most full I've ever seen one of their performances. Lots of kids. Most left before the second half, which is two bad.

Honeymoon day 7 (10/1/2006)

We were both getting tired of Disney. But luckily we had bought tickets earlier in the week to the House of Blues (Orlando) Gospel Brunch. Food, gospel music, good venue? How could it be bad? It wasn't, it was amazing. I was moved. I'm not really all that into the whole God thing, as most people know, but I was touched and I would have to say that if church was like this, I'd go once maybe twice a month. The food was good too...The cornbread muffins, which were laced with some peppers, were quite tasty. It was a mixture of Sunday Brunch type food, and southern comfort food (creole, bbq, etc). They had us get up, dance, clap our hands and do what the spirit moved us to do. It was something else.

Before and after, we went to the Disney arcade, called Disney Quest. They had classics there, and newer modern games, including some VR games...which...we tried...or at least tried to try. I don't know if it was the head gear or the vision or what, but most of the VR games made me feel like someone was stabbing me in the back of the head, so we avoided them. After we got tired of playing video games (and it got crowded, we called it an early day and went home to pack. We spent most of the rest of the day being lazy.

We did discover, however, that in all that we bought, we didn't have enough space in our luggage and carry ons to actually pack all of the things that we had. Even trimming the fat where we could, we still didn't have near enough room, so I wandered over to the gift shop and bought another suitcase...a nice disney one too *sigh* Oh well, we were able to bring back all the things, which is good.

We went to our final Dinner at the Maya Grill, and we were so full from brunch (even eating as late as we were), we didn't even make it through the main course before we had to throw in the towel.

We went back to the room and finished packing.

We took a paltry 18 photos on the 7th day.