HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

NOVEMBER 19, 2010 WEEK 4

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOW: PART 1
Cost: $9.50

Harry Potter what can I say!  We have watched him grow up on the screen for years.  From learning how to use his wand, to finally dealing with his muggle family and getting his first kiss. 
In this movie we see Harry dealing with many internal struggles.  One major problem is dealing with the fact that all his friends are trying to help him, themselves and their families by getting rid of Voldemort but dying or getting hurt in the process.  He feels that inside he is the one who caused this war with the dark lord and that he should be the one to take care of Voldemort...alone. 

I would have to say that I loved the movie even though it was just a little slow for my taste.  There were three major fighting scenes and the rest was the internal struggle and then lashing out at others.  I definitely have to say that I almost cried at the end.

We arrived at the movie theater a half an hour early so we could grab a good seat.  But FIRST the best part of going to the movie theater POPCORN!  While waiting for the line to die down we made a contest of trying to find the best Harry Potter costume.  I saw plenty of Hermione's, Harry's and even a bunch of quitich players.  All were good but I would have to say that my favorite was Bellatrix!!! Sadly it cost us more on food than on the actual movie tickets.  Once our arms were full we searched for the perfect seat.  And searched, and searched. This took about ten minutes and three different theaters to finally find the perfect seat which everyone knows is the back corner next to the stairs, duh!  I'm not going to give everything away but in the end everyone in the movie theater was clapping!  Can't wait to see the final movie!!

NOVEMBER 19, 2010 WEEK 3

UNIVERSITY ORCHESTRA CONCERT WITH IOANNIS POTAMOUSIS                    Cost: $10.00

Since the holiday's are just around the corner (3 days),  I have decided to make this weekend a double header!  That way I'm not trying to cram in all the holiday fun and my blogging activities into one ridiculously LONG weekend.  I am sure that I will be doing something this weekend but we shall see if its blog worthy!
Dr. Ioannis Potamousis is described as "The New Colossus of the Keys" by the Pasatiempo.  He has won several piano contests internationally and has performed for many large and distinguished audiences around the world. Such places include New York's New Amsterdam Symphony, The Collegium Musicum of Cologne, Germany, The Summit Festival Orchestra, The Athens State Orchestra, The New Jersey City Symphony Orchestra and The Rutgers Symphony Orchestra.  Yeah..he's pretty amazing to listen to as well!
Well I didn't get to see all of his performance because of an address error that night.  I left a half an hour early to grab a bite to eat before the concert.  When I arrived at the university, I drove to the address posted 42 North Prince Street.  Not finding anything there but a normal house, I drove around campus, then I walked around campus asking anyone about the concert.  Most of the students were very nice and even escorted me to a building in which they thought it would be at, however in the end I found out that the concert was not at the university itself but instead in the middle of Lancaster!  So I walked as fast as I could back to my car, drove into Lancaster and parked at the parking garage across from the building.  All of this would not have been possible if not for a student who was setting up a booth in one of the buildings. When I finally arrived I asked how much longer he was playing for and I got the answer 20 minutes.  I was a little disappointed but I still wanted to see him play so I snuck into a seat and FINALLY got to see him play!  HE WAS AMAZING!!  He plays with such passion and he even makes it fun.  While you watch him he moves his head and facial expressions to the music.  It was like he was connected to the piano and they were one!  Nice.

After the concert there was a buffet of cookies/candies and sparkling cider.  I totally went for it!  Yum... chocolate chip.  Even though I didn't get to see the whole show, from what I did see was amazing and honestly I would go back to see him play again.

NOVEMBER 13, 2010 WEEK 2

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA AT THE GIANT CENTER IN HERSHEY, PA
Cost $45.00

My significant others parents decided to take the entire family (All 9 of us) to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra!!!  It was amazing! 

In the beginning of our journey we had a major ordeal just getting there.  With bathroom breaks, getting gas, and smoke breaks we, according to Mike's dad, WERE LATE!  Even with all the pit stops along the way still had enough time to get in the door, grab a beer and get to our seats. 

I didn't know what to expect with this concert.  I only heard one or two holiday related songs but never anything else they did. 

I will have to say that once the concert began my eyes were glued to the performance.  Laser lights everywhere, computer generated images on screens in the background, fire, fog filling the stage and moving stage parts with lights and performers everywhere!  I also loved the fact that they used two different stages (one main in front and a second smaller in the back).  This made it easier for the people in the back (like me) to see more of the performers faces.  The orchestra was amazing, the crazy drum solo amazing and the guitar rifts were....let me see AMAZING!  Most of the music was in the holiday spirit but there were also several songs from their other CD.

Two downfalls I had with the concert was the story teller and the length of the concert.  He spoke so slow that I completely tuned out and missed half the story.  I had so much stimulation from all the lights and fastness of the music that the story faded in the background for me.

With the length I would have to say that it was the audiences fault because the concert started late and they had a second concert after us.  This made it hard for them to get all the songs in and have a break so they cut out our break out all together.  This wasn't very good for Mike and I since we were drinking but we took our own little break.  Three hours! It was LONG but good!

After the concert we all enjoyed a great meal from Houllihan's.  Took us an hour to get a table but it was worth it! Everything was delicious!

NOVEMBER 5, 2010 WEEK 1

THE SCHOOL FOR HUSBANDRY AT MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY
Cost $18.00

Love it!  I almost missed the first couple of minutes because I had to drive from Carlisle to Lancaster.  When I arrived I ran to the box office and grabbed my tickets, found the elevator and quickly walked into the theater.  It was packed,(SOLD OUT)!  I had help with the usher to find a seat which consisted of a group of people moving down so I could sit on the end. 
The play itself was amazing!  The actors/actresses were ok.  The main character stood out and was a master of his craft.  As for any food/drinks they provided candy bars and soda/water.  I got a kit kat at our ten minute break and got a chance to check out the building (small and cozy).  At the end of the play we got a chance to meet up with the actor/actresses which was a real treat.  What a great evening.  Being on a campus again made me soooo happy and I realized that I need to be near that kind of brain stimulus.

 

Next week Trans Siberian Orchestra…J