AUGUST 2008 GUESTBOOK
Andre Rieu Fans & Friends
Around the World
Welcome to the AndreRieuFans.com
GUESTBOOK
Tonight on Ovation:
Friday, August 1, 2008
10:30 PM
First there was Eddie Everywhere; now there's Andre Everywhere. These days you can't walk into a record shop without tripping over a great big cardboard display case full of Andre Rieu DVDs. But Ovation (which some days seems as though it's simply rotating Rieu's entire DVD catalogue on some kind of carousel set-up) has gone all the way to Rieu's mother country for this rather fawning, 90-minute documentary. It appears to be a special (i.e. very long) episode of a Dutch program called TV Show Op Reis. It does a good job of filling in Rieu's back story - he got his first violin at the age of five, he founded the Maastricht Chamber Orchestra, and so on - but it gets disconcertingly simpering when visiting him on an extravagant concert set and at his extravagant home. Why this should be so is a bit of a mystery; after all, the bloke who's doing all the fawning is the same one who started the show by saying that the Dutch don't like their stars to get too big. Rieu, left, for his part, seems pretty pleased with himself as he gives his eager guest a look at his big glass trophy cabinet. He does, however, display a touch of modesty. "These are all business," he confides, pointingout the least-prestigious statuettes. "Record companies think them up to boost sales." The most interesting part of the show is the remarkable story of how Rieu first made it big in the Netherlands with a live TV ad at half-time during a big football match between a Dutch club and a German one. Rieu wasn't even a certainty to take the field - if the German club was in front at the break, the mood in the crowd would be ugly, and a recorded ad would be broadcast. As it happened, the Dutch team scored a thrilling goal moments before the break, the crowd was on a high and the scene of Rieu playing on the pitch as 60,000 delirious, flag-waving football fans sang along became an instant sensation. The rest, as they say, is history. How lucky we are that the Germans didn't score!
Hi everyone. I didn't see a guestbook so I quickly put one together. I am sure Sally will fix it up for you. At least we have something to write on. Have a great day. Hugs
Thank You Moderator Jeanine Ann!
Trés Bon!
You are welcome Sally. Here is the beautiful photo which goes with the article. Sally did such a nice job with the revision that I didn't want to undo anything : )
Yes, it is quite perfect isn't it?
Marlene, I know you are talking about that photo and I agree. Love those blue eyes (and everything else). Gorgeous photo.
What a great way to welcome in August! Thank you Jeanine Ann.Can you believe another month gone? Now here we are in the "dog days". So what better way to start the new month, no "dog days" for us, not with this "cool cat",André.We went to the VA this morning, while Dan got checked out I chatted with a vet & his wife. Gave them an André flyer because we had talked about nothing good to watch on TV anymore, so I said get some of this guy's dvd's to watch. It will be refreshing.Maybe another new fan?
You are right Shirley, Andre is one cool Cat and you know how much I love Cats! Good for you Shirley talking to a potential fan. Once they watch him they will be hooked. They even may get that contagious Andre bug we all have. Hugs
judith you made my day today and yesterday.I read what happened to you at the grocery store and I have been laughing ever since. I HOPE THINGS ARE BETTER FOR YOU TODAY. CONSTANCE
Do you remember Inge's Beautiful Mini's?
Look at her newest Victorian (Classical) Room! Notice that violinist?
Oh this is just beautiful! Yes, I did notice that violinist! What a gorgeous job she does. Thanks Sally. Hugs
Yes, I think she does a beautiful work with these mini's.
Oh how beautiful this mimi is. The talent on this web-site abounds with all
multi talented people. Well, if anyone was carefully reading my answer to Jeanine Ann yesterday, you would have been proud of me and how together I was,
not bouncing off the walls. WELL, now with the NEW August posting - I got a pot full of hormones starting to boil over again. Sally and Jeanine Ann, you both are a great team; therefore I will try and keep myself composed. I didn't say I would 'promise', but I will try.
Chow everyone, another beginning of a Wonderful Filled André Rieu of August surprises!
Welcome to August everyone, I had a great start. Got all comfortable (obviously too comfortable) on the lounge, remote in hand, ready to watch and record "Andre's Life Story". You guessed it.!!! ZZZZzzzzzzzz... Woke up with the sun peeping through the window.
Missed the lot, even the repeat at 4am.
Oh well, I have 3 more chances before the weekend is over. Will set alarms to go off at 3 min intervals.
Oh Grayeme, you fell asleep? I guess you should have set it up on timer. It is good you have another chance. Good idea about the alarms. Do you have enough clocks? : ) Hugs to you, hope you get to see it.
Finally, I have just watched "The Andre Rieu Story" on Ovation Channel. This is a marvellous documentary, so much never before seen footage, basic grassroots stuff, and, so many beautiful and rare moments. I hope for everyones sake that, Ovation or someone, makes this available for everyone. I am really stuck for words to describe it. Maybe a coffee, its 5am in the morning here, might help me think clearer on it.
In Australia we have been hearing rumours, but at the end of the documentary, Andre himself announced that the Third Concert in Melbourne in November, will be telecast "LIVE" worldwide. Get that coffee.
Oh Grayeme, it sounds wonderful. You really enjoyed this. How fabulous you were able to be up and watch the special on André! I can imagine the fans in OZ … all smiling today! J
Oh I wanted to tell all of you that the new photo book arrived today and it is sooo beautiful! It has the most fantastic photo of Andre on the cover. It is fairly large and would make a nice photo to frame but then I would need two of them : ) I hope all of you have it ordered. Hugs
I ordered mine last week but not with priority mail so it may take another week or so to get here. Now I can't wait to see it!
Same here Kay. I ordered 3 of them, 2 as gifts but used regular mail. It always seems longer to reach the West Coast, but that's ok, I'll be here when it arrives.
Gosh Jeanine Ann...I want to see it now!
Well if you can wait until tomorrow I will scan it and put it here for you. I think I will order another one so I can frame one. : ) I am crazy I know. Hugs
Well Jeanine Ann, you are certainly not "crazy"! I wasn't going to order one but you all have convinced me ok? I really came on here to tell you all about this neat movie we just watched, maybe some of you have already seen it? It's called AUGUST RUSH. It's about a young boy who believes he will find his parents through his music. It's such a charming story, the kind that fairytales are made of. It took me several minutes to get into it, but as I stuck with it it just captured my attention to the end.
I've been wanting to see that movie ever since it came out. I have never heard any "reviews" of it until now Shirley. Thanks for writing about it...now I will have to see it!
Marlene, I think you will like it if you just stick with it. I almost quit watching it at first because of the type of music, but as the story revolves you will understand.
It sounds like this was an exceptional documentary.
I would love to see this, I hope they do make it available for all to see.
I can't wait to see the live telecast from Melbourne, thanks for letting us know Grayeme.
We watched tonight the "Jahrtausendfeier" that exists only on video, I wished it would be on DVD, but I will get it transfered, 8 years ago already and so many have left the JSO since then, André looked still so young. This video and the CD have never been sold in Canada and PBS has never brought this program, it is one of my favorites.
That name sounds so familiar Inge. Can you list some of the songs on it. I could be thinking of something else. Thanks and hugs. Oh that miniature room is just gorgeous.
100 Years of Strauss. I think we've got it on DVD.
Jeanine Ann, in English it is called "Celebration" the video has 2l numbers on and the CD l9, it is with the 3 Russians , the Spanish compositions, it was the New Years celebration in the Cologne Arena to great the new Millennium.
This sounds like the CD "Fiesta", one of my favorites. I've never seen a video or DVD of it. Is the video still available anywhere?
Thank you Inge very much. I think I have a CD like that. I have so many I would have to check them. Hugs
Good morning, everyone. Both of these CDs (100 Years of Strauss and Celebration) are sold as CDs on André's website. When I bought the "Celebration" CD, it was called "Fiesta".
I called PBS in Portland yesterday and was told that they would not be offering tickets for an André concert in Portland whether or not he is there???? However, they will be doing fund raising w/Live in Vienna in Sept.
It doesn't sound good as far as a Portland concert goes. So it looks like I will be going to the Tacoma Dome in Washington to see André next year. It would be fun to see a second concert somewhere if possible.Sacramento or ???
Happy weekend, Marilyn
Yes, it was also sold as "Fiesta".
Do you guys have the lOO years Johann Strauß where he tells Monica Das as a gipsy that she expects a baby? I have that on DVD but the video I bought in Germany when it came out, he said the same thing to Jet in German they were both pregnant at the time, the DVD was a gift in English and the video is in German, like it was on ZDF,ORF and the Swiss program as Eurovision.
I'm not sure, but is the same Dutch show that was shown in Australia also known as "The Andre Rieu Story." Can any of you Aussie fans tell me if this is what was shown down under?
{redacted at request of ZDF}
Kay, not sure what you mean ??? but, the show that I watched here called "The Andre Rieu Story" in Australia, is the 90 minute special of the Dutch TV programme "TV Show OP REIS" and the host and interviewer is Ivo Niehe. It was an Australian Premiere, but I am sure it has been shown in Europe. Someone may be able to tell us whether it has been seen in the USA, but I am under the impression it has not been shown there.
Sorry for the confusion, Grayeme. As far as I know, this has not been shown in the U.S.
This has never been shown in America. We would certainly know if it had.
Hi everyone. I would have loved to have seen the documentary; however, I do not have the Ovation channel. I searched for it on other channels as we have many and could not find it anywhere.
I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to where I could find it. I would love to see it.
Jeanine Ann you are right about the pics of Andre. They are indeed wonderful. He is so comfortable in front of the camera. I love it.
Inge's mini's are so adorable. The pic of Andre on the wall does indeed add a flare of fun and positive energy!
Thanks and look forward to hearing back
Much Love
Grace
xxoo
'The Andre Rieu Story" is not available from Ovation Channel as they do not have the rights to it. However, it is available from the makers of the programme TROS Netherlands TV. You can purchase copies of past programmes on Dvd at a cost of 34 Euro. On the front page you will see an item explaining how to purchase copies of "TV Show Op Reis". The link is below, but, it may pay to put - tv+show+op+reis - into Google and it will be the top result and this will give you the option to translate the page. I sound like a School Ma-am. Good Luck.
http://tros.nl/index.php?id=596
I might just add that this documentary is extremely good and very moving to any Andre fan. Apparently Andre's father was a very keen amateur film maker and some of this footage is used plus footage from TROS archives. There is much footage of young Andre and some of his days with his salon orchestra (great stuff) there is footage of Andre's father and his orchestra playing. So Much more plus the interview process is extremely open and frank. Ivo does a great job - Dutchman on Dutchman !!! What less would you expect. It really is exceptional.
Hitting a high note
LINDA MULLER
4/08/2008 4:53:00 PM
IT'S a picture of domestic quiet, far removed from the big audiences that have been applauding her performances.
Mirusia Louwerse, 23, is signing her CDs at the kitchen bench, her fanmail splayed in front of her and her laptop whirring its messages of praise and adoration.
Her mother, Henriette, is not at work while her daughter is on holidays and her father Jack is coming home early.
Their pride in their daughter is brimming and evidenced by her CDs and photographs which are on proud display around their Birkdale home.
It's been a meteoric rise but Mirusia is now a household name, at least among those who love internationally renowned violinist Andre Rieu.
Since joining him early last year, the talented soprano now has more than 120 performances to her credit and has been a featured performer in several Andre Rieu CDs and DVDs.
"It's indescribable, exciting and lots of fun. I've learnt a lot," Mirusia said.
The experience started when her Dutch aunt contacted Andre, suggesting Mirusia join his cast.
"Everything fell into place. He was looking for a new soprano when my aunty emailed him. Within an hour, he was on the phone to me, and I flew over for an audition," Mirusia said.
"It was fate - right time, right place and a good audition with a nice man.
"He's like a second dad to me."
Now based in Maastricht, Mirusia said singing was like a normal 9am to 5pm job with rehearsing in the studios every day in between tours.
"I am always away. The most I have been home is three weeks. You see a lot of the world."
Mirusia noted that world audiences had different reactions, putting Australians in the "free with emotions" category.
Certainly, the hype has started for Rieu's first Australian tour titled World Stadium Tour and involving 100 dancers, 100 ice skaters, 100 bagpipers and a full orchestra.
The Brisbane leg is being staged at Suncorp Stadium on December 3 and 4.
"We have audiences as big as 30,000 people. But it's different when there are people you know in the audience. I feel a bit nervous about this one," Mirusia said.
Thanks for this Moderator Jeanine Ann. It's good to see this here, where we don't have to go through tons of alerts emails.
Mirusia has the nicest family. And her voice is so beautiful. I am happy for her that she has some time off to enjoy her family and homeland.
Thanks for the info Grayeme. I will try my best to see if it can find it.
Have a great day!
Love Much
Grace
Following our Friendship Theme
Here is one of the best examples
True Friendship is Happy & Loving
You never forget someone who loved you.
Recipe For Friendship
Ingredients
2 heaping measures of trust
2 well rounded scoops of respect
2 generous portions of affection
2 equal amounts of sharing
Method
Stir together until lumps and bumps are dissolved.
~ Author Unknown ~
Sally, this is so beautiful! I love this video and smile everytime I see it. Thank you so much for putting it up here for us to see. I love the music that accompanied it also, it is so fitting.
I would love to hear André do this song.
Shirley -- Perfectly Said. No lumps here!
Marlene -- I watched this video every day for two weeks. It brightened my day. The love is so great. What a Friendship they shared.
My 82 year old father is a fan and we have tickets for the Brisbane concert. I would like to purchase a blue and white scarf for my father for fathers day in September. How can I do this? Please add me to the AndreRieuFans.com emailing list
Hi Nan! Welcome to AndreRieuFans.com
You are amongst Friends here. Where we share Happiness and Joy, All Things André. We are a Kind & Caring group of Fans from All over the World! And we are already your friends!!
I sent you an email with a link to Andre's site, so you can order a scarf. What a nice gift
Let us know how you like the concert.
Could you also put me on the AndreRieuFans.com Email list as no one could be as bigger fan than me.
Awww, That's the Spirit Marie. Of course you will be added to the mailing list.
Welcome to AndreRieuFans.com Where Fans & Friends from Around The World all share the love of André's music and just about everything else.
You are amongst Friends.
Hi Nan, I am presuming you mean the Andre Rieu concert scarf. Please go to
www.andrerieu.com and after you enter the site go to the Boutique and you will find the scarf, I think it is under "fan stuff" and then "apparel" . Hope you both enjoy the concert. Hugs
Today is FRIENDSHIP DAY.
The first Sunday in August of every year.
The tradition of dedicating a day in honor of friends began in US in 1935. Gradually the festival gained popularity and today Friendship Day is celebrated in large number of countries including India. On this day people spend time with their friends and express love for them.
PEACE, RESPECT, COMPASSION, HONESTY, TRUST, LOYALTY, FUN,LOVE= FRIENDSHIP
GIVE A FRIEND A HUG TODAY
BIG HUG TO YOU AND TO EVERYONE
Meant to tell you, everyone should be proud to be your friend. They get a HUG everyday!!
OMG what a cute picture! Couldn't you just love them so much!!
Well, I wasn't aware of "Friendship Day", however, I appreciate friends very much. They always listen. They are always compassionate, always concerned about you, they are willing to do anything in their power to help, and anything to have fun. They share your stressful times with a heart of gold and there is always time in the day for a friend.
Friends are a special bunch indeed.
It's always easier and always more fun to make a friend than to make an enemy.
If we would treat each person we meet as a friend, think of how happy this world would be!
Take care my friends!
How Adorable! CutiePie Puppies Hugging!
Now wonder Friendship has been on my mind. I agree with Marlene, that indeed we can be friends online, even if we have not met. I've met many from here and count them as friends, some I have not met and I still count them as friends.
Thanks for this Prudence !
Hi all,
sorry i have not been n the blog latley or responding to any ones emails but my computer has been down, i am on one of my friends computers so i still have to wait to have mine fixed. please dont thing that i was ignoring you guys lol. Jeanine Ann, hows your music comming along. I know it takes along time but you will get the hang of it!
See you guys later i have reheasal now.
-Your friend
Jeff
Hi Jeff my buddy, I figured you were busy but didn't suspect computer problems. Sorry about that, I hope you get it fixed soon. That would be a disaster for me because I am always on it. My lessons are coming along. I am on ties and slurs now and I am hoping it doesn't get any harder but I guess it will : ) I am so anxious to just play songs but you know when you have a teacher you must do drills and scales that I don't particularly like but that is part of it and I am so determined. I have a picture of my Muse (Andre) clipped to my music stand so that keeps me going.
Yesterday my teacher played "Meditation" for me and Clyde since today is our 30th wedding anniversary. I thought that was so sweet of her. She knows that is my favorite. She is a real doll and she plays so nice.
Talk to you later. Hugs to all
A little something for your day!
He is playing for you Jeanine Ann. Happy Anniversary to you & Clyde.
Thanks Jeanine. I am certainly listening to Andre tonight. I took Samson and had him put to sleep today. He could have gone on longer but he was blind, having trouble getting up and down, and sometimes missing the litter box. I have to have people stay here this weekend for a wedding and he had started to hate having people here. He would get very agitated and find a place to hide so well that we thought he had gotten out. Thought I would do it now rather than wait for him to get worse. He was 19 and I had him since he was six months old. My sister went with me. I have had two cats put to sleep before and it was no problem. Well, Samson fought it and had to be given two more injections, so it was not the peaceful scene that the other two were. So now I have three angels on a shelf in the bedroom, and three plaques with three pawprints and names -- Delilah, Alex and now Samson -- on a table. After the wedding, I will get another -- I always take ones that no one seems to want and every one of them was a wonderful cat in his or her own way. Delilah had been abused and was literally thrown out into the snow while she was having kittens and someone took her into my vet's office. I knew he would have no trouble getting the kittens homes so I took her. It took her a long time to start trusting. Alex was a handsome cat who had been given up once he wasn't a kitten any more. Samson was from the ASPCA and there was a sign on his cage that said "must go by tomorrow," meaning he would be euthanized -- because they are so crowded. He was handsome, part Abyssinian and part who knows what. So now we have Benny age 13 and Eddy (Oedipuss) now 3. It was upsetting because it wasn't serene but he is at rest and has made room for another who needs a home. So guess I'll go listen to Waltzing Matilda.
Thank you for the Anniversary greeting Shirley, Judith and Virginia. We did celebrate with Andre's "Romantic Moments" while driving to Starbucks then we had steaks on the grill. It was a nice day.
Virginia I am so very sorry about Samson. I knew he did not have long but that does not make it any easier for you. You are certainly in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you will find solace in knowing that you will see Samson again and all the cats that you so kindly take care of. Many hugs to you.
Virginia, I'm so sorry to hear about your Samson.It's always painful to part with a beloved pet, but remember you gave him a good life he wouldn't have had otherwise.Thank goodness there are people who "rescue" these animals.
Hey Jeff!ou better believe you've been missed!We were about ready to send out a search party. Seriously tho',glad you're ok.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU AND CLYDE!!!
Happy Anniversary Jeanine Ann and Clyde!! I hope you have/had a wonderful day.
Now, I'm sure you played some of that nice romantic music André has played for us all!
I fully understand about the drills and scales. I just started organ lessons again after 35 yrs. and my teacher, along with fairly difficult songs, has me doing scales - scales - scales. I have learned to play Serenade by Toscelli and also Meditation. Not good, but passable. He said I was doing very good considering the length of time between lessons. Right now I m working on Leibestraum (spelling) and it "ain't" easy.
Hi Roberta, so nice to hear from you. I am dying to play "Meditation" and "Serenata" and I want to get the music for "Traumerei" ever since I heard Andre play it. Oh Liebestraum (dream of love) haven't heard that for years. It is so pretty. I guess it is not easy. Good luck to you. Hugs
"Happy Anniversary" Jeanine Ann & Clyde,
just a simple thought for your Happy Day
"The more sand that flows through the hourglass of our lives, the clearer we should see through it." May your day be filled with happiness & surprises."
Hello everybody, Been busy and away for a while! Our first grandchild is due in about three weeks!! Hope everyone is enjoying the summer despite the earthquakes, Fires, hurricanes etc.
All my best to everone
DJ (Almost a grandpa) Bob
Hi DJ, yep been missing you too! 3 weeks huh? Be sure and let us know. Glad you're back.
I was just about to email you, ask if the baby has been born! Soon, I bet Grandpa, Grandma, Mommy & Daddy are all excited!
I just forgot to show you photos of our daughter's Baby shower. It's at the following site:
Grandpa Bob's Photos
Just left click on the first picture and it will enlarge, then in the upper right hand of the smaller frame you will see "next" to see all the photos in the larger size.
My best to all!!
DJ (getting excited) Bob
GOOD NEWS FOR THOSE GOING TO MANCHESTER. Got a call from PBS this morning and they are reducing the price of my tickets by $100. I assume they are doing something proportionately for all levels although I didn't specifically ask. The story was that Andre came back with a completely new deal after they started selling tickets. So it probably does make sense to complain to PBS and Andre's guestbook even if they don't publish the comments. Manchester was out of line with even most of the other venues and it's not a nice venue. When one starts out at $500 for two tickets and then adds in dinner and hotel and probably some "exploring" the next day, it ends up being $1000 for one concert and it's just too much. We might have considered driving the two hours home after the concert but now we'll stay.
A Little something for your day.
As refreshing as a soft breeze on a Spring day.
Yes Prudence especially after cutting two lawns in the high heat! Hugs
I couldn't ask for anything more!
Thank you Virginia! This is great news. Perhaps some who thought ticket prices (thank you gifts) were too high, can now afford to attend a Concert. I think your calling to inquire about this & writing to Andre did some good.
And this is a good time to remind everyone, call your local PBS stations to see if Andre will be scheduled in your city.
Sacramento and Fresno will both begin taking pledges in September, but there are still no definite dates, prices or venues at this time.
I received the new book My Dreams Come True yesterday. It's beautiful!! I hope he never stops dreaming!
Good for you Virginia! Unfortunately the closest places for me will not be included in next years concerts, but I'm glad you got your tickets already. I heard ,on the news, someone talking about ticket prices to some of our sports events and believe it or not,some of the prices are $2,000 a ticket!
To all who might be concerned: I AM NOT DECEASED.
We had primary elections yesterday. When we went to vote & they checked for my name it was not there. the number was but not my name.So the lady called the county courthouse, they had me listed as deceased! Same thing had happened earlier at our library. I got a letter from the library addressed to "the estate"of (my name). I called to let them know I was still here. seems another lady with the same name, only she went by Sue, but her name was really same as mine. It was she who had passed. Now I knew there were three of us in the local area but never dreamed such confusion over a name would be possible. So if you read in a paper that you are deceased don't believe it til you look in the mirror! So please, don't cancel me out. I'M STILL HERE! BTW, I did get to vote, we got everything straighened out.
Well Shirley I for one am certainly glad you are not deceased. These things happen and in a way it is kind of funny especially when you can say I am still alive. The first thing I do is check the obits and if my name is not there I figure I am ok but maybe I had better check the mirror too. So happy to have you Shirley. Hugs
Yes, you're standing there thinking, "Well, I'm not in heaven,"....(and with all this rain it's certainly not hell). And if I look in the mirror I'll know it's not a heavenly face. My mother had someone come up to her once at a dance recital and say, "Oh, hello, I thought you were dead." How's that for a greeting?
Wow, that's a tad surprising!. I hope the person caught themselves and made nicer after that. Shocking to think others are saying you have passed on.
My mother and 2 of her sisters strongly resemble each other. I cannot count the number of times people could walk up to my mother and say, Hi Viva, it's been so long, how've you been? After a while instead of saying "I"m Virginia, would say, "Fine, blah blah, Tim & Tom are Fine, schools good, work is good, how is your husband"? ...
Then when she would see her sister Viva, she would tell her.."Oh by the way, you saw Gertie and Bea last week and fill her in on 'their' conversations.
hahaha.that's really funny! Someone said that to me I'd probably say, no, I always look this way. Anyway, I came on here to make a comment but saw your message Virginia & had to laugh. Now, where was I? oh, have you ever thought about songs without words? I heard the most beautiful arrangement of "The First Time EVER I SAW YOUR FACE",only the melody was played by an orchestra. It was brillant. Now I like Roberta Flack singing it, but this was so different & it brings tears to your eyes. Now I'm all mellowed out!
READING THIS STORY, SHIRLEY, I AM HAPPY THIS TIME I DO NOT HAVE TO SEND MY FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS! I AM HAPPY, THAT YOU ARE HERE. STRANGE THINGS COULD HAPPEN IN LIFE! KATI
NOW, SHIRLEY, IF YOU WANT TO SEND ME FLOWERS, IT IS OK, BECAUSE I AM DEAD. IF YOU HEAR WHAT I DID, YOU WILL AGREE. THE EDGE OF MY GRASS UP FRONT BURNED OUT, TOO MANY 100S AND 99S, SO, I WENT DOWN ON MY 4 AND CUT OUT THE DEAD GRASS AND ALL ABOUT 18" X 22' WHAT A JOB??? PUT A NEW EDGING IN THERE, COVERED IT WITH PLASTIC, AND I HAVE TONS OF GRAVEL ALL OVER IN MY LANDSCAPE, TRANSFERED SOME AND JUST FINISHED. I DO NOT EVEN KNOW, WHAT MY NAME IS! HOW AN EARTH THOSE PEOPLE DO LANDSCAPES DAY AFTER DAY? KATI
Oh Kati, that's bad if you don't remember your name! you are a glutten for punishment aren't you? Yard work is not easy for sure, I mowed the front lawn this morning but decide to wait til later to do the back, at least til it cools down a bit. I think next year I'll hire someone to do the grass.If we're not careful we'll both expire before our time!
Hello Mr Bill, did you ever get my note regarding your last hiking trip? Sure woul love to hear how things went this time with all the modifications you made
I have to tell you, I did something the other day on a dare, with no time to really give much thought to this bright idea. But I did it and I am glad. Never did this in my "youth", but my son-in-law got a new motor cycle, and the rest is history. I jumped on and we cruised for nearly an hour and a half. Hair blowing, laughing the whole time. I will never forget that day, best dang time this biker mama had in a long time.
Sure gave my neighbors something to talk about when I go to pick up my mail.
Stay tuned for my next wacky dare ya..
Had I given this a second to think, I'd never have done it - it's an impulse thing. Yahoooo....
As Paul Harvey would say...."and....now....for the rest of the story"
However the "rest of the story is still unfinished. the doctors are still testing me, cause something is wrong.
BILL, WE WANT TO KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY! I AM GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING. KATI
Bill and Kati, did I miss something?
BILL, NEVER SAID WHAT IS WRONG WITH HIM, WHEN I FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME, I WILL LET YOU KNOW. WORKING ON IT. KATI
Kati, I hope all is ok. I think nothing is wrong that winning the lotto won't cure! It's time for us all to VACATION.
And Bill just needs to stay on TerraFirma and not in high altitude, low oxygen. No more Head in the Clouds. Until that is the Dr ok's it.
WILL BE SMARTER ON THE 19TH. INSTEAD OF GIVING ME A NICE BREAKFAST, THEY WILL GIVE ME A "RUBBER HOSE TO SWALLOW" MEAN PEOPLE, I AM SURE IT IS TASTELESS!! HAHAHA!! KATI
yuck. tell them you have a lot for friends so they better be nice!
It's been a long time since I said I have a new Photo Show. It is about the baby shower for our daughter:
Bob's Photos
Or:
More Photos For photos only
DJ (Almost a Grandpa) Bob
Hi DJBob, thanks so much for the great photo show. I loved those two cakes. Looks like she got lots of nice gifts. The time is getting close isn't it. I forget the due date but I thought it was August. The "more photos" I cannot get because I just today deactivated my Facebook account since they had so many bad pages on Andre. Don't know if you saw them but they are so bad and downright disgusting and defaming Andre that I emailed them and told Facebook to take the sites off but they did nothing so I deactivated my account. Is there another place I can see the 'more photos'? Thanks DJBob, we are looking forward to the big day! Love and best wishes to you and your family. Hugs
Hey all,
I am back! finally i fixed my computer so i will be suscribing to all of the blogs so sorry abot the comments on all of the blogs lol. thanks!
-Jeff
Do you think André was singing..
Don't You Step On My Red Suede Shoes?*if you look around our sites, you will find what this is about .
Thanks Sally, for reminding me to look around here a bit. I hadn't seen these and André really looks like he's having fun. I think he has some blue suede shoes that he likes very much too...and doesn't he look great in jeans!!
You Found it Kay!
Just goes to show me that a man can wear Red shoes, and if that man has confidence, he can pull it off. Not too many men around like that.
Sure did look like fun.
FOR ALL THE CLASSICAL MUSIC LOVERS, MIGHT TO NOTE,THAT AT TONIGHTS OLYMPIC CEREMONIES, THERE WILL BE A BEAUTIFUL PERFORMANCE BY A CHINESE CONCERT PIANIST NAMED LANG LANG. HE IS KNOWN ALL OVER THE WORLD, PERFORMED ALL OVER ALREADY, PLAYED FOR PRESIDENT BUSH, THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND, AMONG OTHERS. WON NUMEROUS AWARDS OVER THE YEARS. THE CONCERT HALLS AND SYMPHONIES HE PLAYED AT JUST TOO MANY TO MENTION. HE HAD A BEAUTIFUL CONCERT , ONE DAY PRIOR THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP OF SOCCER IN VIENNA AT SCHONBRUNN PALACE, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF ZUBIN MEHTA. MIGHT WORTH TO CHECK IT OUT. TONIGHT ON NBC. KATI
Thanks for this Kati. I love to hear Piano music. And Lang Lang is a delight. (I think Moderator Prudence sent me info on Lang Lang too, says Webmommie as she shuffles her emails...looking round at the disarray..)
Isn't it wonderful to see athletes from all over the world come together?
Thanks for reminding me Kati. I do plan on watching. I was looking at some pictures on Yahoo & it looks like it will be a very colorful spectacular. I especially look forward to Lang Lang & Mehta.
I DO NOT THINK MEHTA WILL BE THERE, I DO NOT KNOW, HE WILL PERFORM WITH THE CHINESE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, I DO NOT KNOW, WHO THE CONDUCTOR WILL BE. KATI
Oh, I'm sorry I misunderstood Kati. I think now you are talking about when Lang Lang played at a different concert.There are several u tubes of Lang Lang I think. I thought he was great.
SEE SHIRLEY, THAT IS YOUR ENGLISH!!HAHAHA! MEHTA DIRECTED HIM IN SCHONBRUNN IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR. KATI
Dressed in his trademark Versace jacket and plain T-shirt, his Liberace quiff all a-quiver, Lang Lang is China's first true international musical star.
His bright red Steinway piano, assured technical virtuosity and eccentric playing style have made the irrepressible musical prodigy an Olympic favourite in China even before the Beijing Games have even begun. For Lang Lang is to perform before the eyes of the world at the opening ceremony of the Games on 8 August.
He suffers none of the inherent shyness that plagues the country's big names when they leave to work abroad. Part of this is because of his excellent English, but a lot is down to his vivacious personality. Asian artists are still accused of being big on technique but low on emotion, but Lang Lang's abilities fly in the face of this stereotype. A restless figure, Lang Lang brims with self-confidence, almost bravado, but he is truly in his element when playing the piano.
"I just love to perform, I love the light, I love the time when I'm on stage, and I feel comfortable. I feel probably better than I do at home," he says.
His playing style is unquestionably odd. Just as the genius pianist Glenn Gould would hum along while playing Bach's Goldberg Variations, Lang likes to sing along, as well as jump around, his gifted fingers gliding along the keys, occasionally pummelling out chords with his fists, taking a kung fu approach to Tchaikovsky and Beethoven. Imagine Jerry Lee Lewis playing Rachmaninov, or Daniel Barenboim possessed by the spirit of punk, and you get the picture. Lang is no cold fish.
And his technical skills have won plaudits from the great names of classical music, including his mentor Barenboim, who he visits for masterclasses every year in Berlin.
To the Chinese, the 26-year-old musician from the north-eastern city of Shenyang, a steel town famous for building tanks and trains, rivals the basketball legend Yao Ming and hurdler Liu Xiang in their affections. His innate feel for popular culture, with daring references to kung fu and video games peppering his discussions of the great composers, has made classical music accessible in China in a fundamental way. He has been filmed playing Chopin using an orange.
"I play piano like a multi-media website. You have the pictures, you have the scores, also you have the harmonies, it's like you're playing with computers, but obviously with heart," he told the Asia Society last year.
This message certainly works with China's 30 million piano students, and his legions of female fans, see his appearance at the opening ceremony as the true highlight of the Games. He won great domestic plaudits for his work to help the victims of the Sichuan earthquake in May, and he will auction the red Steinway to raise money for that cause.
"You are the pride of the Chinese nation, and the pride of the whole world! I will always enjoy your music. In the music sky you are the brightest star forever!" wrote one online fan. Other internet users urged him to continue with his efforts to "win glory for our country."
Lang Lang started playing aged three after being inspired by an unlikely musical star. "When I was two years old I was watching Tom and Jerry and the cat was playing Liszt. Tom was my first teacher," he said.
Aged five, he won the main Shenyang piano compeition and gave his first public recital. At nine he entered Beijing's prestigious Central Music Conservatory where he dazzled his teachers, and by 13 he was playing Chopin's 24 Etudes at the Beijing Concert Hall. A single child of the one-child policy era, his parents suffered under the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). Lang's father, Lang Guoren, played the Chinese two-stringed violin known as the erhu and was head of the local traditional orchestra, but the reforms meant he became a police officer. Lang's mother, Zhou Xiulan, a former dancer and singer, became a telephone operator.
Footage on YouTube shows Lang playing a duet with his father at Carnegie Hall, the elder Lang playing the erhu. Lang's father was the textbook driving force, putting unbearable pressure on his son at times to be the best in the world, according to Lang's autobiography. Success meant a way out of dire poverty in Shenyang.
It paid off when Lang left China with his parents aged 15, after he won a place at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, famous for its work with exceptionally gifted young musicians. He got his first big break internationally aged 17, when he performed Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No 1 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Since then, the only way has been up.
He was the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic, performing with the British conductor Sir Simon Rattle, as well as the Vienna Philharmonic and all the leading US orchestras. Last year, at the Prince of Wales's invitation, Lang Lang performed a concerto commissioned in memory of the Queen Mother.
This year he has duelled pianos with Herbie Hancock at the Grammys, and has worked with Adidas to make a training shoe that has his name in Chinese written on the side, and a piano pedal graphic on the insole. Lang Lang's name has a trademark sign beside it at each reference on his website. This is the classical artist as global brand and his marketing abilities are nearly as accomplished as his professional skills.
Not everyone believes Lang's assertion that musical performance is about balancing emotion with being in control, and his flamboyance has irked members of the musical establishment. Anthony Tommasini, chief music critic of The New York Times, has described his playing as "incoherent" and "hammy", although he has been more positive of late.
The opening ceremony is being orchestrated by Zhang Yimou, China's most famous film director, whose previous public performances in opera can lead us to expect a lot of red and emotion.
Lang will be a central feature in the ceremony that night. It's a fair bet that he might play The Yellow River Concerto, a huge hit with local audiences. Whatever we can look forward to, do not expect understatement.
By Clifford Coonan in BeijingBeautiful May Rose shares this Power Point Photograph creation with us.
Macao by May Rose
That was beautiful! Thank you May Rose. Hugs to you
Thank you May Rose! It was beautiful. I enjoyed seeing the pictures and of course, hearing André's music made it even more enjoyable.
Amazon just notified me that shippment of Andre, Live in Vienna, has been delayed till the week of Oct 3-7,2008
Has anyone else received this same notification?
Hi Bill.........I recevied the same notification.. Not sure why the delay. I decided to wait until Amazon ships mine, will save several pennies doing this........Have a good day. It is lovely in Colorado, the heat wave is over for now....... Nettie May
May Rose, thank you so much.I was finally able to watch it. How beautiful and Andre's music sets it off perfectly.
May Rose, this is my very first time I was able to view these beautiful Power Point Photograph creations. They were breathe taking, I felt so special to be able to finally see these photo's. I am not set uo for video or sound, BUT this has really made this Friday very special
I send you my heartfelt "thanks" for such beauty. As for Andre's music, I keep his treasured melodies in my heart and mind always.
"HELP PLEASE" - sorry if I am popping up on the wrong site, but didn't know where to post this question. I memtioned
at least over a week ago that I had replaced my printer with "new" cartridges. Printer still does not print/work. All I get is the three red buttons that continue to blink - the ON button continues to blink. Checked all
plug in's. Any suggestion on what I may be doing wrong?? Many thanks for your time in diagnosing. Ink on my fingers..
Judith, you might need to clean your print heads. Also, your printer could need to be calibrated and an alignment.
If it is under warranty, call the manufacturer. If not, do the above if you can. If not, send me a private email and I will try to assist you. In that private email if you want, you can send your phone number. I can call Sat or Sun.
Pull out that Printer book too. If you don't have the booklet that came with your printer, you might find one online on pdf. if you do, please email one to me as well.
~Sally~
Sally@AndreRieuFans.com
Hi Judith, first of all check to be sure you have the correct cartridges and are they inserted right. Take them out and re insert them. Did you try to print a test page? When you take the cartridge out make sure you have not touched the brass contact points so they are not contaminated. If you are sure the cartridges are in correctly shut the printer down and see if it works after that. What kind of printer is it?
I think if it needed cleaning the printer would work but the print job would be bad.
HP Printers have the heads on the cartridge, so there is a new one with each change. Many other printers don't have this.
Clogged heads could prevent printing. And it could print but leave streaks and the like.
Yeah, do make certain they are installed correctly, but I was assuming this is not the first time new ink was installed.
Also, some places that 'refurbish' print cartridges, use ink that is larger, or lumpy, and this causes trouble.
But there are many many options, reasons and some times they are easy, sometimes.. not so...
HAVE TO READ THE MANUAL AND START ALL OVER! IT WILL EXPLAIN SOME TROUBLESHOOTINGS ALSO.KATI
Kati, did you watch the opening ceremonies last night? I was a little disappointed that Lang Lang didn't have a more prominent segment, but overall it was surely a spectacular performance by all the performers. They said there were more performers than athletes. Guess what...today we are getting rain, glorious rain! After heat indexs of 110 this week this is a welcome change. Hope Judith got her printer figured out. I had that happen one time and I just ended up unplugging the printer for awhile. When I reconnected everything it worked fine. I guess it depends on the printer too. Well I'm off to be out & about, even in the rain, gotta get that kitty some vittles.
SHIRLEY, YOU WILL NOT GOING TO BELIEVE IT, THERE WAS THE BIGGEST STORM IN THE AREA, KNOCKED OUT POWER, NO TV, JUST FLOODING LOTS OF RAIN. I JUST TURNED THE TV ON, TEN MINUTES LATER WAS GONE, I HAVE SEEN NIOTHING! I WAS SO MAD! KATI
Gosh Kati, I'm sorry, what a bummer.How long was your power out? That happened to us , I think last week. Our power was out for 3 hours. We've had a steady light rain all day & I did something I rarely do, I took a nice nap. So did Jazz.
SHIRLEY, THE WHOLE EVENING WAS SHOT! THEY DID KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE WANTED TO WATCH THE OPENING S, THEY TRIED EVERYTHING, THEY SAY, NOTHING WORKED. JUST UNLUCKY, MOTHER NATURE! KATI
Sally gesundheit aus Kyjov. André Rieu na ORF 2 23.8.2008 20,15 Uhr und 1,35 Uhr 24.8.2008. Allem Fans sagen lassen, als uns nej . . . . . . Violinist André Rieu aus Maastricht 2008. Terezie P.
ZAUBER DER MUSIK: ANDRÉ RIEU - DAS GROSSE OPEN AIR AUS MAASTRICHT 2008
Für sein neues Sommerspezial kehrt André Rieu genau an den Ort zurück,an dem vor 30 Jahren seine bemerkenswerte Karriere begann - nach Maastricht, seiner Heimatstadt.
Auf dem schönsten Platz der Stadt,dem Vrijthof, präsentiert er vor 10.000 begeisterten Zuschauern sein neues Programm, das wie immer vollgepackt ist mit berühmten und beliebten Melodien,Evergreens und mitreißenden Hits der populären Klassik.
Mitwirkende
André Rieu
Johann Strauß Orchester
Mirusia Louwerse
Carmen Monarcha
Suzan Erens
Sébastien Parotte
Ber Schillings
Platin Tenöre
100 Kinder der Musikschule Maastricht
Männerchor Maastrechter Staar
Jagdhornverein Edelweiß
Arrrrg!! Where is CARLA??
Grampa Mike
I JUST GOT AN UPDATE ON MY 5 YEAR OLD FRIEND KENJI. HE IS THE ONE WITH NEROBLASTOMA A TYPE OF CANCER.WHEN 1ST DIAGNOSED HIS TUMOR WAS THE SIZE OF A GRAPEFRUIT .HE HAD 6 MONTHS OF CHEMO AND RADIATION TREATMENTS BEFORE HE HAD HIS SURGERY 3 WEEKS AGO, BUT AS HIS AUNT SAYS HE HAS ALONG WAY TO GO.KEEP ON PRAYING FOR HIM. CONSTANCE OX
Constance thank you for the update on Kenji. Bless his heart, 5 is so young to have to be going through all this. We certainly will keep good & positive thoughts for him.
He is in my prayers Constance, and so are you for caring. Love and hugs
More mumblings from the old guy.
I have been going over my Rieu DVDs (I now have 10) trying to decide which string section is the prettiest. I could eliminate the double bass section immodesty. Finally came down to the viola and cello sections, The cello section won because two of the violists very seldom smile. A smile makes such a difference.
Grampa Mike
Oh Mike, you are looking at this with a man's perspective! Please, you can't eliminate Franco or Frank!
Of course I am looking from a man's perspective since that is hat I am. I a, mot sure that Franco or Frank would appreciate being called "pretty." Handsome maybe. I must admit that the double bass section is quite masculine,
Grampa Mike
Hi Grampa Mike, sure I know what you mean. I was only borrowing the word "prettiest" from someone else. All the men are handsome, I meant if you are looking for the best part that would be the Maestro in my humble opinion. Take care Grampa Mike. Hugs
Thank you Terezie for sharing this. I am sure that it was a beautiful concert, I so wished that I could have been there!
Mike,
I dissagree even tho this your opinion. Just because they dont smile does not mean they dont like what they are doing. They are just focused on the music. When i preform i might no always smile but i still have the upmost passion for the music. I love to smile and laugh but there si a time and a place, i am not saying i am a snooty violinist because non of us our. but depending on the song and the difficulty makes that diffrence of fascial expression. I hope this makes you think a little more about the person playing the violin not the apperance while playing the instrument. thanks
-Jeff
Jeff, you make a good point, but I'm not sure Mike meant they didn't enjoy what they were doing, only that he was looking for the "prettiest" section and he chose the section with the most smiles.Honestly, I think Andre has some of the most beautiful people in his orchestra, period. One who I think is so beautiful but doesn't smile a lot is Joelle Tonnaer. She has that sultry, smokey, serene look & I know she certainly enjoys what she's doing whether she smiles or not. And Jeff, what you say is true, maybe some just don't smile as much but that doesn't affect their playing.
TO SMILE OR NOT TO SMILE, THAT IS THE QUESTION.
"You've gotta have heart
All you really need is heart"
I agree with Jeff, it depends on what song you are playing. There are songs during which Andre does not smile and they are obvious songs like Ave Maria, Song of the Volga, Meditation, Nuns Chorus, America The Beautiful (in concert) and probably more I cannot think of. Playing violin, cello and viola takes a lot of concentration (probably other instruments do also). I like to look at the eyes rather than the smile because the eyes mirror the soul and that music is deep in your soul and you can tell how much love a person has for their music just by looking into those eyes. When Andre doesn't smile - watch his eyes. They speak volumes. Hugs
A pause during "America The Beautiful". See what is in those eyes - love and respect.
Hello everyone, I agree with Jeff and Jeanine. Some pieces require lots of concentration or they are serious "deep"
pieces. There are many variables to consider.
I hope everyone is having a great Sunday.
Hugs, Marilyn
Well if Grandpa Mike is looking for the "prettiest" part of the orchestra - He is standing in front of it. : ) : ) You knew I would say something!
Wow - I didn't think my observation on smiling would stir up so much discussion.
I am sorry, but I think smiling is important. The cello section manages to smile as does the lead violist. To me it is an indication that you like what you are doing. And if you don't like what you do, why do it?
André smiles most of the time. There are times he doesn't smile with his mouth but with his eyes and always with his music.
Grampa Mike
Hello everyone, I hope you are all having a nice Sunday! At present, my Sunday is nice and peaceful
...shhhhhh...don't tell anyone, please!
I will have to get going soon enough.
I'm listening to André. There is nothing like André music to have a nice peaceful morning with.
I've made a "favorites" list with all the beautiful songs of André's that I love so much. The list is long.
Ok, just wanted to say hello and wish you all a beautiful day!
Downloads explode CD sales ~ News from Australia
THE CD single is drawing its last gasp, with sales of downloads finally exploding in Australia.
Half-yearly sales figures issued by the Australian Recording Industry Association reveal digital singles are outselling the CD version by 20 to one.
Rihanna was the first artist to debut at No.1 on the ARIA singles chart this year on download sales alone, with her smash hit Don't Stop The Music.
Phenomenal growth in legal download business in the past 12 months has slowed the overall decline in music sales in Australia.
Revenues slipped only four per cent for the first six months of the year and the industry remains optimistic about arresting the decline in the lead-up to Christmas.
There are many blockbuster releases due in the next few months including new records from AC/DC, Metallica, U2, Kings of Leon, Miley Cyrus, New Kids on the Block, Snow Patrol, The Killers and Dido.
But with an estimated one billion songs ripped from illegal file-sharing sites each year, artists and their labels are still missing out on millions of dollars annually.
While the CD single seems doomed, album buyers are still embracing the physical format with the shiny plastic discs accounting for 95 per cent of sales.
There was also a surprising 13 per cent increase music DVD sales, with more than two million sold, almost single-handedly by flamboyant classical performer Andre Rieu.
I am writing on behalf of an 85 year old, most delightful lady. This lady has no computer and has been trying in vain to find an address where she may send a letter to express her delight and enjoyment in Andre's music. She is now an avid collector of his CDs and DVDs. If someone could please get back to me with an old fashioned mailing address that I could pass on I would be extremely grateful.My friend, who now turns her TV off at night to just listen and fill her soul with Mr Rieu's music, is seriously considering saving up and flying to Australia to just be at one of the concerts advertised there. This is an 85 year old widow! Thank you for time and consideration. Kind thoughts to you all .. Regards.. Kaye, New Zealand
Hello Kaye, welcome to Andre Rieu Fans.com I think it is very nice of you to write on behalf of your friend. I also think it is wonderful that she would travel to Australia to see Andre's concert. She will certainly have a wonderful time.
You can use the following postal address for your friend's letter:
Andre Rieu
P.O. Box 1329
NL-6201 BH Maastricht
The Netherlands
I am sure that Andre would be delighted to know how much your friend loves his music. I really hope she can fly to Australia and gets great seats. Love and hugs to you and to her.
I would like to invite SA fans to contact me. I think it is necessary that we build a database for when Andre [hopefully] comes to SA which will enable us to arrange a fanmeeting or to get together to enjoy this wonderful man's music. I have never seen any performer better than Andre and his orchestra. I am a fan since 2000 and because he was not known in SA, I could manage to get some of his music on the German channel to which I was subscribed to. We are now lucky in SA to get his music in all our music shops.
Kind regards
Dot
Hello Again Dot:
I'm sure many wonderful Fans in S.A. will want to get together for an André Rieu .. Lunch .. Dinner .. DVD Concert & Dance .. whatever you come up with.
I was at a Fan Gathering in San Jose not long ago. It was held at a resort living community, and we had over 200 people there. Most of the other groups I have gotten together with have been smaller and more intimate, with from 5 to 15 people. No matter the number, they are always fun.
Have you Fans been watching the Olympics? I could not help myself, I got caught up in the Michael Phelps Phan Mania. All of the swims were Thrilling to watch.
And Torres, the 41 year old woman. Wow!
The French, The Aussies, all of them, Super!
Yes, I have been watching some of the games. I especially like the swimming, the gymnastics & the beach volleyball.
Phelps is amazing. I like some of the articles that are a bit offbeat, like the behind the scenes stuff. I like the story about the volleyball girl who lost her wedding ring in the sand & how they did finally find it.( Would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.) The different stories have really been interesting.
The Olympic Creed I find interesting too, we could all learn a bit from this.
"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."
That is an excellent saying. And so true. I recall a race, a marathon where the last finisher, was so far behind everyone, by the time he came to the arena, they were preparing for closing ceremonies, but he came, staggering, barely able to shuffle a foot in front of the other, but still moving. The setup crew had to show him where to 'run', and he all but walked across the finish line.
He knew other's had dropped out. Some always do. Things happen.
He also knew HE was going to finish last of the finishers. But he finished. He ran the entire race. He was an Olympian. I stood and cheered for the man as he crossed the line.
*Remember Eddie the Eagle?
I've watched "at" them...not too much though. Can't sit down long enough to watch anything much. Some of my local friends have been keeping me up to date. Heard a lot about Michael Phelps, he's quite a swimmer!
Hooray! Yes, and the 41 year old gal...my hat is off to her! I'm so impressed with all she's done! I believe that everyone can be proud of her.
I commend all nations and their efforts in the Olympics.
I loved it when Dara Torres helped Therese Alshammar of Sweden, who suffered an equipment malfunction 'ripped suit'. Dara held up the race, asked the other swimmers to be calm for a moment, and told the judge Alshammar had a ripped suit and could they wait just a moment.
The judge did not have to wait, she could have called for the start, Dara did not take the blocks. Alshammar came out in a new suit, everyone took the blocks and because of Dara Torres, Alshammar got to swim in the semi's.
That was a gracious display of sportsmanship.
That was nice wasn't it Sally. Our pastor had a homily today on something like that which happened in Seattle. There were 9 young girls and boys in the special olympics and when they got the command to run, one little boy fell and he started to cry. When the others heard this they stopped in their tracks and went back to him and one little girl kissed him and said "this will make it feel better" (he had hurt himself on the asphalt). They then linked arms and walked to the finish line. This is what it means to be a good person, a christian person and a special person. "The meek will inherit the earth", not the bullies, not those who want to be top dog, not those who walk over everyone else to get to the top, not those who discredit their neighbor or lie about their neighbor. Hope everyone is having a great day. Hugs
Well Jeanine Ann, the view from the top is probably great but I don't think I'd be happy there.
I'd be looking down on everyone else. Besides to get to the top I'd have to kiss a lot of the bottom.
Hello again, It has been a while since I last wrote but, I love all the letter & photos that I see all the time.
So a BIG thank you to all of you that keep me entertained.
I have tickets to see Andre and the JSO in November at the TELSRA DOME on the 15th NOV. this year and can hardly wait. It shoul be the best concert ever.
I have a question though,
Can we take photos at the concern?
I cerainly hope so. Could you please let me know
Love and thanks again Toni.
Hello Toni, nice to hear from you again. All of the concerts I have be