FEBRUARY 2009 GUESTBOOK André Rieu Fans
Welcome To The February Guestbook
André Rieu Fans And Friends
André Rieu Fans And Friends
AndreRieuFans.com BLOG
Fans & Friends Around The World
Fans & Friends Around The World
Andre Rieu Fans and Friends: FEBRUARY 2009 GUESTBOOK André Rieu Fans
Hey all, Happy February! only 79 days until my Andre Rieu concert! thanks
-Jeff
Only 78 Sleeps!
Good Afternoon, all you dear Fans!
The day does not have enough hours, as you know!
I just happened by here and wanted to at least leave a short note. - In California we have had very mild winter weather. I feel sorry for whomever lives in the North and East from here. But Spring WILL come.
Have a very good Sunday!
Hermina
Hi Hermina: So glad you 'see' you! I ordered a Max Raabe DVD & CD the other day, and it made me think of you!
I wonder how our summer will be, because you are so right, we have had a mild winter.
Happy February to all......long time for us to wait to see Andre and the JSO.....our date here in Australia is October
Dreadful fires over here where we live and deliberately lit 28 homes gone already and the firefighters ae trying to keep it away from the power stations..thousand have been without power in over 45C heat...not good at all
Happy Days
Joy & Bernard
Happy February everyone! I hope all of you have a wonderful month.
Joy I am sorry about the fires in your area. It is so sad when someone deliberately does this. They have no idea how many lives they destroy. I hope the firefighters will get it under control and all will be safe. Take care. Hugs to you
Joy, I've been reading about the fires in Australia. I am so sad. I keep you and all your country in my best wishes and prayers.
Want some snow from here? We got plenty and also arctic cold but lovely sunshine, cannot wait for Spring to come so I can put my garden in again and sit outside, go for long walks in the Botanical Gardens, some like snow, I only like it on Xmas cards but not for driving, but Hermina you are right, Spring is just around the corner, February is a shorter month and then it will be Spring again.
Inge, California is having what feels like spring instead of winter. I am thinking of putting in my tomatoes next weekend. I don't know what is up with our weather.
I love Botanical Gardens. They make great day get aways. I have been wanting to go to the Mendocino Gardens. Where do you go?
Sally, I go to the Botanical Gardens only a hop away from our house. We have a ticket for the whole season. To walk through the Gardens takes 2 hours and that is a brisk walk. There is the Chinese-, Japanese, Indian-,Alpine, Hancock-Gardens and so much else, every 4 weeks a change in the growing plants, super and lots of benches , even forest, you can be alone if you want to be with nature and lots of birds and chipmunks and squirrels. The occasional muskrat, or rabbit, also some idiots leave their cats behind and smuggle them in. When I feel low, I go there for a long walk and have a coffee at the snack bar, go home with new ideas from the gardens for my little garden at home. I had no idea how to grow a garden , but I learned it from the B.G. I often ask just the people there working , even about Bonsai trees, there are 3 big collections in the Gardens, one in the Chinese-, one in the Japanese- and one in the Tree house Gardens. Inge
A very elegeant and lovely pic for the February month. Hello to all here on the fan site and have a cheeful and sunny February.
love peace
and
grace
xxoo
I wish everyone a very good February!
We all seem to be having weather issues. I'm so sorry to hear about the fires in Australia. It's not acceptable when someone deliberately sets them. So many innocent people are hurt, and their homes destroyed.
45C is so hot...I feel so bad for you.
On the other side of the world those of you in the midwest, I know you have been having ice storms. I feel for you too.
I hope everyone gets cooled off and warmed up soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Only 18 weeks for our concerts here in the Pacific Northwest. It's been a while and I'll sure be happy to see André and the JSO again!
February is a month of romance, what better way to celebrate than to listen to the beautiful, romantic sounds of André's music!
I have been watching the DVD of Andre at the Royal Albert Hall in London. I noticed Suzan Erens in the audience. I stopped the DVD when I thought I noticed her and I'm pretty sure it was Suzan. I was so surprised to see her in the audience and she was really enjoying the concert.
YES, YOU ARE RIGHT, IT IS HER. GOES BACK SINCE A LONG TIME WITH JSO.
I think I saw Celine Saleh there too. I miss her and her wonderful voice.
I wonder why Tanja Derwahl was not in the JSO in Australia? I hope she is ok.
What a pity! In Brazil there isn't Valentine's Day.
IT's Summer in Brazil now. I think it's the same like Australia.
I don't know Australia yet, but I hope to go there any day.
I'm sad about the fires in Australia. I wish that is already finished.
Ester, we can share Valentine's Day with you, and you can help us learn about Brazil's customs.
Thank you very much for sharing Valentine's Day with me. I'm glad to help you about the Brazil's customs. Please, ask me about you want to know. I'll be ready and happy if I can help you.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone. I hope it will be a day filled with Love and Music!! Big hugs
Regarding the new CD which André is releasing next week to help the 2009 Bushfire Appeal, due to our contact at Universal Music we were able to get a copy of the artwork for the album. I also was told that they are going to start pushing this on Monday via Play MPE because there have been "many requests for it".
Great Job Jeanine Ann!
This is a World Wide effort by Andre to assist the Bushfire Victims.
Ester, I would like to know more about your carnival, what it's like, etc. What are the customs that you like?
Ester, I would like to know about the Christo.
Tem você nunca sido ao " O Christo" ? É isto uma estátua? Pode um entrar n?
I find it so beautiful.
Tonight PBS is pledging again, they get cheaper every time, now the tickets are 2OO.--$ for a pair, of course they do not say anymore where they are, haaaaaaa! But what gets me all the time that nobody on PBS can pronounce the name of André Rieu, they always say: Andre Re-you. A name is a name and cannot be translated to an other language.
Hi Inge, In New York they say André Rooooooooo. I always say Re-you, isn't that correct? Hugs
How does everyone else pronounce André's last name? Australians sound like Re-uh.
Hey Jeanine Ann,
Ya my pbs also says andre rooooo. I say it re-you I know i am saying right becase when i met the orchestra they kept asking me if i was excited to meet "the" andre rieu. I thought that was funny. Thanks
-jeff
I always pronounce it Re-you also. I've heard so many pronounce it that way, and I'm quite sure that I heard André pronounce it that way as well. I've been pronouncing it Re-you for a very long time.
Everyone in Australia seems to pronounce it different ways too. While he was here I tried to listen carefully when Andre said his name. I am sure he calls himself And-ray Ree-err.
I can manage the Ree-err bit but find it hard not to say On-dray.
Hope that makes sense.
I laugh every time someone asks Andre if they pronounced his name correctly. No matter what they said...he always says.. Yes, Perfect!
I must laugh too Sally. I especially think it is funny when they say Rooo in N.Y. Maybe that is some of the husbands who are not fans saying "I Rooo the day when my wife found Andre Rieu. : )
It really is the most difficult name. Why couldn't he have been Harry Smith?
Well here we are in February, I see that the little groundhog has seen his shadow, so we know he's always right.
The name is French, not Dutch , you best ask Hermina Kohlstadt, she explained it once to Margie Worman, when she told everybody in the GB from André, that it is pronounced "Re-you", in German it would sound like Riö, but in English there is no such sound , so you just have to listen to André himself and then say it right.
Hi Jeanie! Your comment reminded me of something that you can see on the "Live in Australia" DVD. Between the "Sportpalast Waltz" (aka Snow Waltz) and "O Mio Babbino Caro", you will see two Aussies holding a sign: ANDRE "KANGA" RIEU. At the Sydney concert, there was an Aussie lady that brought home-made cookies with "KANGA-RIEU's" on them. And they were good cookies! Cheers, Ed
Hi Ed, I saw that sign but at the time I did not know what it meant. Thanks. Bet the cookies were good. Hugs
This is from Diana & Bob
I Always Wondered What the Words Were.....
hahaha it made me laugh. Haven't we all said these exact words?
sure sounds familiar, almost like an echo from my past.
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! She is good!
This man is just SO impressive!
Pilot becomes hero among librarians, too
-- By AP & wire reports
Posted: 02/03/2009 01:01:05 AM PST
FRESNO -- Hero pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger of Danville is now every librarian's hero, too.
When the US Airways pilot's plane ended up at the bottom of the Hudson River on Jan. 15, so did a book he had checked out from the library at California State University, Fresno, through his local library near Danville.
Sullenberger contacted library officials and asked for an extension and waiver of overdue fees because the book, probably also a little waterlogged, was in the airliner's cargo hold when the plane went down.
Sullenberger, who helped save the lives of his 150 passengers when he and his crew glided the crippled plane to an emergency landing, has been attracting national attention for the past few weeks.
He popped up at Sunday's Super Bowl, president Barack Obama's inauguration and a hometown welcome party attended by a couple thousand people.
He and his crew are set to give their first media interview Sunday on the CBS show "60 Minutes."
Fresno State library officials said they were struck by Sullenberger's sense of responsibility and did him one better.
They're waiving all fees, even lost book fees, and placing a template in the replacement book dedicating it to him.
The book's subject?
Professional ethics.
I so admire this man. He is truly a man of honor.We will try to watch 60 Minutes for sure, but I just know he will be saying, "We were just doing our job".
Yes, he certainly is one to be admired. He's an amazing man. It always brings a smile to me when I see someone like this man who has saved these lives, who's so concerned about someone else that he doesn't even think about the why's or even what he has done. He's supposed to be on Larry King on Monday here. I hope I can watch it, to see this guy.
You're right Shirley, he's probably going to say he was just doing his job.
He's a hero as far as I'm concerned.
The is a great story. Sully is such an inspiring person.
Just read that Resie Vahsen has "quit her job" at ARP. I always notice her and I don't like when people leave. I do like to see new talent, but don't want the "old" talent to leave. She is so talented. She has done some amazing work in clay. She says she is learning a lot of classical music so imagine she has something in mind.
That's how I am Virginia. I can take the changes, but I miss the familiar ones and always want to see them again.
Well, I would stay on longer, but my Australia dvd came today!!!!!!
It came, it came, it came!!!
Hi everyone,
Just want to show you what I found in the music store. It is a statue of Johann Strauss. It has a marble base with his name and was made in Italy. I little piece of the violin (the scroll) was knocked off but I think I can fix it with a small Christmas ornament. I never saw one before. Hugs
Jeanine Ann, you said you found the statue at a music store...I assume by that statement, that's it's now resting nicely in your house on a nice little stand?
I just watched André in Australia. It's fantastic! I loved it! I loved all the emotions, the happiness and of course the wonderful music. They played some really great music and the humor is great as always. André...well, what can I say...he's absolutely the best!! The JSO. Tenors, Sopranos, everyone was perfect as always! I loved the ending...oh my, I'm going to have to watch this one many times. The Australian people are wonderful!
We Know, Marlene. !!!
Seriously though, it is one of the great Andre DvD's. The whole concert package was so very cleverly put together. We are such a young nation, certainly too young to have developed any traditional music of our own. Classical music has never been much in favour with the average Aussie, hence our beautiful Opera House very rarely see's a capacity audience of 4000. But this is a brilliant mix of the "best of Andre" mixed with the best of the heart tugging "Aussie diddlies". So many times, Andre,the JSO and the audience blend as one and it is difficult to ascertain who is the entertainer. It is as much a documentary of 36,000 people unashamedly letting their emotions run free, as it is an Andre concert. The lady uncontrollably sobbing through the Pavrotti tribute. The young lass reliving her obvious love of The Phantom through Mirusia's song and the proudness of Mirusia's Mum and Dad at seeing there daughter up there. The elderly lady obviously stirred by a precious memory during the lone recital of Amazing Grace and the massive tear letting as 100 pipes and drums joined in with Manoe. Andre was starting to crack during "adieu", was this the realisation that he had achieved his dream.?? Waltzing Matilda was just too much, the river of tears streaming down Andre's face was the ultimate tribute any star could pay to his audience.
This may very well be the only DvD to ever feature the majestic palace stage, the most ambitous undertaking by any artist anywhere in the world. It certainly has something for everyone and is a great keepsake for the 290,000 Aussies that saw their dream come true in 2008. I have lost count of how many times I have watched it.
What a shame that the opera house is not more well attended.It's probably one of the most well known architectural masterpieces in the world. The Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge are two of the things I always associated with Australia. What is the most popular music in Australia, and why is it that Andre became such a big hit there. I'm not sure if the people I've heard were actually from Australia, but the likes of Men At Work, Olivia Newton John, & others I can't recall right now, the BG's?
Thats a good question Shirley. I think the Aussie music scene is pretty well a mirrored version of the American. In modern times the Charts in US - UK and Australia are pretty well the same as far as "pop" goes. But back in the beginning, I guess because of our Anglo-Saxon heritage we were stuck with the English and Irish/Scottish patriotic, folk songs and ditties. But as the world got smaller and technologies became available we rode the same train as America through the Big Band era and on to the 50s/60s. Of course since then pop music has been pretty well universal in the western world. We have niches of fans for all genre of music, just like America. I guess like anywhere, "pop" is always the biggest, because that is where the biggest current dollar is. But I always think that most people don't move far from the music era to which they grew up in.
Classical music has always been very down the list here (until Andre came along). The 50s/60s has always remained very popular in Australia and radio stations that use this as their base are amongst the most successful here, even in the cities. 70/80/90s music is kept alive by the more modern FM staions and is obviously more popular with the 30/40 age group. Country music in Australia is huge, our Tamworth Festival being one of the worlds best. However there is a distinctive line drawn with country music fans between Aussie country and American country. And, never shall the twain meet. Both are big in Australia. Over the years Australia has produced some very big international stars as far back as Dame Nellie Melba and Gladys Moncrief. Some that come to mind are Olivia Newton-John and the BeeGee's as you mentioned, Little River Band, Savage Garden, Skyhooks. Helen Reddy, Peter Allen, Frank Ifield, Rolf Harris and of course Kylie Monogue.
Why did Andre become so big in Australia ???. I guess that is something we will continue to discuss on this blog for years to come. For us oldies I think Andre re-kindles a lot of our older memories and to a degree lets us relive our younger days. But that does not explain the large % of people under 30 that attended Andre's concerts. Just look at the number of young people on the Melbourne DvD, they certainly don't look to me as though they have been forced to be there by Mum, Dad or Granny.
I've wondered myself, why André is suddenly so popular, especially in Australia. Aside from the fact that I think he's the greatest
And with the large population of Baby Boomers, André is getting this chart-topping rating. Of course, he certainly deserves it. It's almost like a snowball rolling downhill...it gets bigger and bigger.
I feel that the younger people who are attending André's concerts, most have been introduced to André's music by their "baby-boomer" parents, or is it grandparents
However, having said all that...personally speaking...I've never been as happy with a musician as I have with André. He plays all the music that I love and whether or not statistics have anything to do with anything, the emotion and feelings he puts into his music is something that cannot be compared to. I believe that André is popular because his music affects our spiritual side and his music, the way he plays it, touches your heart and soul, and it's almost like all his music is literally from Heaven above.
I agree with you. I enjoy listening to André and never get tired of him and his music. He puts so much of himself into his concerts and his music. The music is so wonderful and he makes his concerts so enjoyable and fun.
We also had a thriving home grown music industry started by the rockers in the 1950s - Johnny O'Keefe, Col Joye, Dig Richards, Judy Stone, Patsy-Ann Noble and Johnny Chester (and several others) are names indelibly associated with the youth of people in my age group but no doubt are a mystery to anyone who didn't grow up in Australia in the 50s and 60s. It was a fun time to be growing up though, even my children tell me they envy us the music. I hate to admit it but I'm still in love with Johnny O'Keefe.
I was thrilled to realise I had the same, almost forgotten, feeling of anticipation and unbearable excitement I used to feel before they appeared on stage when we went to see Andre's concert last year. Who would have thought a classical musician could make me feel like that again - but then, he is extraordinary, isn't he?
I agree. The building alone is worth going to see. And to see it filled with beautiful music as intended would be above wonderful.
Along with supporting our favorite big name acts, I hope people remember that every big name, started as an unknown, and support their local artists.
You never know when a lump of coal is going to turn into a diamond.
The Opera House is well supported, it is just that it does not have a large capacity. The interior of the Opera House is made up of 4 different venues, the largest being The Concert Hall (capacity 2680). The actual Opera Theatre seats 1500 and the Drama Theatre 550. Then there is a Studio Theatre that seats up to 350.
They do have open air concerts (really great there harbourside) and these can accomadate about 4000.
What I meant in my previous post was that these smaller venues are normally sufficient for the demand on classical music.
http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/about/venues.aspx
Sally I love that - "You never know when a lump of coal is going to turn into a diamond".
I hadn't heard it before but how true it is.
Yes Marlene, the statue is now resting on a table in my house!! They took some money off since it was damaged and I looked all over the internet before I bought it and could not find anything but a bust type statue so I thought I will fix it. It was not very expensive but I thought with the marble base and the bow can be slipped out of his hand if you want, it was a good deal. It just fits with all my Andre things. : ) Hugs
My André in Australia came a few days ago and I agree. It is a terrific concert.
Great find Jeanine Ann.
Jeanine Ann, Lucky you, A great find. I haven't been on the web this week & have much to catch up on. Have watched "Live in Australia" several times and loved it. The Australian people gave him a wonderful reception of love and you could see the love for them in Andre's eyes as he teared through "Waltzing Matilda" Lucky them for having him around so long. God Bless.
Did everyone who gets Ovation Channel notice how many times Helmut Lotti is on in early February? I think Grayeme was right when he said we are going to see a lot of him in Australia this year.
There's only one new concert (Latino Songs)unfortunately. It's like pulling teeth waiting for his concerts. I'm hanging out for My Tribute to the King.
Yes, I caught a double/header on Monday,
"Out of Africa" and "The Crooners". "Latino Love Songs" is a very nice one Jill.
I wish Helmut would tour here. and there. and here again.
Photo of the Day!
Just a weather comment for our area. Last night we had a dusting of snow and not more than 10 miles away they had 1 foot of snow. Official snowfall was 0. Isn't that amazing! The National Weather Service is already writing papers on this strange occurrence. Hugs
Jeanine Ann, the "weather" and "amazing" go hand in hand at the moment all over the world. Look at London !!! And here in Australia we don't know what to expect next. Temperatures way over 100F for days on end in our south and bushfires. Our north is having the most torrential rain and flooding seen in living memory. One town up there received 28 inches of rain in 4 days. That is 2 feet+4 inches, alotta lotta rain. Now the lows and cyclone that caused it all have moved back to sea and are threatening to reform into new cyclones and come back again. We pray not !!!.
We are booked to fly up there on Saturday morning with our grandchildren, so we are watching developments with an eagle-eye.
Well, he doesn't look like a plain old Harry Smith does he? (With apologies to all the Harry Smith's out there)
Well, now you've done it Jill.!!! lol
What an interesting guy Harry Smith was.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Everett_Smith
Well that serves me right for picking a name out of the air!
Maybe I should have called him......oh never mind. I'm sure to open a can of worms??
Andre is smiling a learning he's going to be a grandad hope he still keeps touring though.
Question for anyone: I just noticed that Lead Cello, Tanja Derwahl is NOT in the "Live in Australia" DVD and I do not recall seeing her in Sydney either. Does anyone know her status ?? Also missing from the photos at the Oberhausen Concert (last week) is Carla Muffioletti. Anyone know what she is doing these days ???
Ed, Tanja was having a break from Andre at the time of the Australian Tour, but she is back with him now.
Carla has been away from Andre for about 12 months doing her own thing with "The Strings" and "Platin Scala".
She is returning to Andre for the US/Canada Tour starting on 17th April.
Hoping like mad she will also accompany him to Australia in October, but have no update on that as yet.
Grayeme just ask her on her own web site, she will answer you.
Thanks Inge, actually I did email her yesterday.
Carla is a big favorite and it is great news that she will be on the US tour.
Outstanding! Looking forward to the US/Canada Tour. Thanks.
Has anyone received the DVD of Andre's "Greatest Hits" I have pre-ordered it on Amazon to be released in March. I know it is a collection of 30 years on stage and I have most of the songs already on different DVD/CD's but thought this would be neat to have our favorites all together on one DVD/CD. My husband was a pilot for the Marine Corps for 30 years, went down with a jet that had engine failure, had a broken back & his guardian angel & God got him out before the engine blew, he did two tours in Viet Nam, flew 500 combat millions and at the age of 79 still works for the Marine Corps as he LOVES his work & LOVES OUR Country, but jokingly he says "I have to keep working to pay for all the Andre Rieu stuff my wife buys." He loves Andre'music as well as I do and is thrilled that Carla will be in Baltimore, Md. May 14th as she is his favorite. He wrote to Marjorie to thank her for the words to "Lost Heroes" as it is a great tribute to our Men In Uniform. God Bless
My apologies, I should have said a tribute to our men & women in uniform. In case anyone hasn't heard the song Lost Heroes, Marjorie Rieu wrote Lost Heroes and on the DVD Live in Dublin it is played by Andre on the beach & sung by a woman and the words are so touching and Andre has big tears down his check at the 911 site. So touching.
I just ordered mine today on a pre-order. It will be released March 3. Hi Marguerite, it is so nice to see you here. That was truly a miracle for your husband. A HUGE thank you to him for his service to our country. God bless you both.
yes i play it over and over brilliant
Hello Marguerite, I'm waiting on the "Greatest Hits" also. It's due to be released in March, so I don't believe that anyone has received it as yet.
Give a big "thank you" to your husband for being such a great Marine for so many years. My uncle was a Marine and was very proud of that.
Yes, we all have to keep working to keep up our insatiable appetite we have for anything "André Rieu"!
Congratulations to Andre and Marjorie, they will be wonderful grandparents!
Grandchildren are the best gift ever.
Marilyn Bas: Just read your comment. Tell me this is true, and how/where do my fellow fans get such wonderful news??
Certainly Andre and Marjorie must be over the moon with the most joyful news a parant can receive. I have three grand-children, and I love each one to bits, we have such fun when we are all together. Thanks for sharing such uplifting news. What with the world that has nothing but bad and sad news lately.
Hi, I have not posted in ages but thought this was exciting, figured everyone knew. It is Marc who is having the child with whom I am not sure. I guess Andre mentions this in an interview which I have not seen.
Yes, That is great news but tell us which son is married and his wife is expecting a child/grandchild. Thanks
Pierre is married, but it's Marc who is going to be the father. Don't know anything about his girlfriend.
Hey guys,
Sorry I havent been on here for a while! I have been very busy. Wow when is Andre and his wife going to be grandparents?? They will be perfect.
Thanks
-Jeff
Today I went after a long time in the GB from André and flew over the names back until Jan. 22, then I got tired. I noticed that no NARISA from Japan was in it anymore, did she give up?? she used to write faithful every day, now I noticed there is a Danielle Bliquy, every day 3 times in it or more, she mostly starts with: Mon prince adoré, or mon prince d´amour, or my prince de something else, but mostly the other writers are from USA or Australia, very few Germans, did not see any Canadians and a few Dutch, I guess everything gets boring, I do not even read it anymore, it is always the same thing.
Hi Inge, I noticed also that Narisa was no longer writing. Maybe she was upset when André did not remember her when he was in Japan. I wrote to her and told her that it is so hard for him to remember everyone because he meets so many people. For me that is to die for - having André remember my face or name or anything! I also saw Danielle. I do not know French at all so I don't know what she is saying. I love to read the guestbook. I just wish some of the questions could be answered for these fans. I tried it a few times but that is all I would be doing. Hope you have a great weekend Inge. Hugs
Hello & good day. I had noticed that Narisa no longer writes too, and like Jeanine Ann, thought maybe her feelings might have been hurt.Not so much that he didn't remember her, but that she was not acknowleged at all. But I really do understand why he can't favor one fan over another and it doesn't bother me at all. I'm sure he recognizes some and that doesn't bother me either. It's more to my liking that I remember him, not that he remembers me. I like to read the guestbook occasionally, but like Inge said, it's all usually the same thing over & over & a lot of the questions do get answered by some fan or other. I don't bother because there are those who know much more than I, and some of the questions could be found out just by checking out his whole web site. I like to check out the news and the agenda & the boutique mostly. I do wish they would update the orchestra section though, but gosh, how do they find time to even manage it all anyway! This is one busy bunch! I have thought about calling Andre, "Rocket Man"!
Someone asked which of André's sons will be a father - it is Marc. Don't know anything more. Hugs
THAT IS A SURPRISE, BUT A BEAUTIFUL NEWS!
Nice comment Shirley! You amazingly always seem to say the right thing.
I read André's guestbook if there is anything particular happening, or if he comes to my city for a concert, or when once in a while, curiosity kicks in and I peruse a few of the latest messages. I used to read it at least once a day, but like everyone has said, the comments are the same, or generally the same.
I appreciate very much that there are so many who do still read it and are actively writing in it because it's important for them, and I feel everyone should do what's important to them.
I will write if I have a particular comment, like thanking André for the latest concert I've just been to.
Being realistic I'm sure that André has more to do than to read his GB daily, and it's not important that he read my comments or even knows about me. I think Narisa was bothered that he didn't know her, but she is one in millions, and how could he know everyone?
I'm like you Shirley, in the sense that...it doesn't bother me.
It would be very nice, him doing that, but also, it would be amazing that he could.
I DO REMEMBER, SHE DID HAVE SOME HEALTH ISSUES, PREVENTED HER EVEN TO GO TO HIS CONCERT, WHEN THEY WERE IN JAPAN. I HOPE SHE IS OK, SHE DID WRITE DAILY. SHE IS A REAL FAN.
Hi Inge, I noticed also that Narisa was no longer writing. Maybe she was upset when André did not remember her when he was in Japan. I wrote to her and told her that it is so hard for him to remember everyone because he meets so many people. For me that is to die for - having André remember my face or name or anything! I also saw Danielle. I do not know French at all so I don't know what she is saying. I love to read the guestbook. I just wish some of the questions could be answered for these fans. I tried it a few times but that is all I would be doing. Hope you have a great weekend Inge. Hugs
What ever it was, that kept Narisa from writing it is a pity, because she was such an enthusiast about her country, her culture and of course André, but I think fans have to understand that they are setting themselves up for disappointment when they expect a star recognizes them or does something special for them. I remember a few years ago Narisa wrote that she had one hour in Maastricht and as she has heard André say on interviews, that fans should drop in for coffee, she took that literally and rang the bell and was sent packing, that was a big blow to her, too, but she could be ill , she was so refreshing with a soul of a believing child.
The sentences of Danielle start with: My prince of love, or my prince of dreams, or my adored prince..... the rest I do not read because to me it is toooooo much, haaaaaa, if you get my drift.
Shirley, Jeannine Ann and Marlene , you are all right, I also write only in the GB now after a terrific concert, criticism is not entering anyway, haaaaa!
I DO FEEL THE SAME AS ALL OF YOU. I DID NOT HEAR ABOUT NARISSA, JUST KNEW, THAT SHE HAD SOME HEALTH PROBLEMS, BUT IF THIS REALLY HAPPENED TO HER, I DO UNDERSTAND, MY WAY OF THINKING WOULD BE JUST LIKE HERS ,SHE LOST HER PRINCE. PEOPLE HAVE TO RESPECT THE SPACE OF THESE FAMOUS PEOPLE, RESPECT THEIR PRIVACY, I THINK, ALL FAN SHOULD KNOW THIS.
Inge, I think one of the last comments I read from Narisa, she was writing to Andre(she always made it personal)that at one of the concerts as she stood, standing for an autograph, she asked him if he remembered her & he didn't even say yes or no (but he did sign her leaflet), and he didn't even look at her, but then she did write in the guestbook a couple of times after that. I liked to read her little cultural things. Inge, you have described her well, I took it that way as well.
Hello My Well Informed Fans: I know I have seen a write up on a "new" CD or DVD coming out in March-per pre-order at
Amazon. Can you please refresh me to the correct title. I did some checking tonite and came up with a Limited Edition; but what I recall y'all talking about, it was 100 song titles?, have I totally lost it? or perhaps I am two tools short of a complete tool box??
Many thanks for helping me clear away the cob web's of my mind. htiduJ :{
Hi Judith: Great Question and it gives me the moment to show a litle known secret of the Blog....... Catagories.
You can click any catagory and it will pull up a page listing only those Entries, that are tagged with that specific catagory.
Here is the page for searching CD/DVD
Dear Sally, "thank you", as always for the quick replies we receive on this blog. Hope all is well with you. Our weather here in Western New York is really way off the charts. The other day
we had -6 degree's, today, we hit a high
of 43 degrees. Almost was tempted to bring out the ole shorts and tennis shoes. But NOT, this is Buffalo, and the weather can change in a second if you sneeze. Have a wonderful Sunday. :}
Thanks Sally for your troubles, but I looked at the sound track before and I have all those on other DVDs, so I skip this one. I got for Xmas that "Champagner Melodien" from Gold Klänge in Germany it has a DVD with 26 songs on it and a CD with l4 more, all from the other DVDs and CDs. I would not have bought it, but my kids sent it to me. I use the CD in my car. A yes, also a autographed picture from André was in it.
I'm not buying it either Inge. I want new music. I have 17 copies of each old song. I need something new.
I already pre-ordered it. I know I have all of them but I cannot help myself whenever André comes out with something. I too would like some new songs though. Hugs
Jeannine Ann, if you have all the memorabilia of André Rieu, then in 5O years you can sell it on the Antics Roadshow, or your successors, it might be worth then a lot of money, when I watch the Antics Roadshow I often am surprised how much people pay for autographed baseball or a Beetle´s record signed, so keep it all together, it might make a fortune one day. As my kids are no André fans, I told them, when they laugh at me, they shall sell it in 5O years on an auction, haaaaaaaaaa!
Hi Inge, I just may decide to take it with me!!! (haha) Just kidding. That reminds me of a priest in Florida who was talking about earthly possessions and said "did you ever see a hearse with a U-Haul?" As long as I live and breathe I will not sell my Andre memorabilia. Once I am gone my sister can have it or anyone of you good fans who want it. I don't think I will be here in 50 years unless I plan on living as long as Andre. Hugs
Haaaaaaaa, Jeannine Anne, I always say I take my miniatures with me. You know, when I had my car accident in September, the André CDs were flying through the roof, they were scratched, and some lost, but I have enough and bought some doubles in Germany on sale, so I still have enough for the Antiques Road show. Of course I plan on living l2O years, too, so I might even wear them out.
optimism in it';s full.
Greeting & Salutations my dear Shirley:
I was reading the current chatter on the site re: getting replies from André.
Well, let me clearly acknowledge to all my "fans" out there (ha-ha-ha-ha), that
I live for your wonderful words of cheer
plus your comments on what a silly/fun loving star I am. Let me tell you a little bit on how I became such a big star. Three years ago I auditioned for a
law suit after being severly injured when a 30LB double hung door which was not properly re-installed at my home fell on the top of my HEAD! I foolishly
went past that door, apparantly offended
the block of wood, and it came crashing off what should have been on a hinge. Upon having severly injuring my neck and spinal disc's, I have seen 'STARS' since. Therefore, that make me a 'star' in the making. If you see fit to write me your humble pain in the neck; I would
see to it that I answered all my phan mail. Deliriously out of my mind, just one of the bunch that suffers from severe Rieu...ittis symptoms. But, now being serious, I know how fans must feel
some rejections by not getting their so
called 'star time', so I have remedied my rejection syptoms. I now write myself emails for my heart throb André,
and in a day or two when there is no reply, I just pick myself up, dust my self off, stop crying and get back on the keyboard, and write myself such an un-believable sweet, courting, can't wait to see you again email from my one and only. It makes me like a real woman.
But, that's when I have to go and spend
30 days in isolation, bringing me back to Rieu-ality. AH, one can dream.......
Judith, you made me laugh tears, sorry, but I still hope you are feeling soon better, but humor is the best thing in any situation, especially disappointments.
Judith, you are a bright spot on any page. Your sense of humor is refreshing, you are like the elixir of life! It would be great fun to sit & chat with you sometime, but I'm afraid I would end up with my sides aching in pain from all the laughter. You, my dear, are STAR QUALITY. period.
I HAVE SEEN STARS IN MY LIFE ONCE. I NEVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE. I WAS IN MY PRETEENS, FOR SOMETHING I TOLD MY MOM NO, SHE HAD A PIECE OF WOOD IN HER HAND, GOT ME ON MY HEAD, YES I HAD SEEN STARS FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE. NEVER SAID NO, EVER SINCE. I CHANGED MY MIND FAST, THERE MUST BE AN EASIER WAY TO SEE THE STARS!
Piano, this is soo funny! I see you have a sense of humor too!
Glucklichen Tag 14.2. Valentýn infolge Andre und seine Famillie, Sally und ihren Famillie, JSO und allem Fans seit einem Osten bis zu an der Westen, seit einem der Norden an der Sud
Terzey, I got it now, you mean: Happy Valentine´s day to André and his family, Sally and her family and JSO and all the fans from East to West, from North to South. I wish the same to you, Inge
Terezie, I wish a wonderful Valentine's Day to you and your family. May your day be filled with LOVE.
Horrific News from Australia today. I am lost for words to try and explain the ferocity of the firestorms that have spread across Victoria Saturday night. As I write this it is 10.30pm Sunday night here and I have just arrived back from North Queensland.
The fires have destroyed at least 700 homes and the Death Toll stands at 84 people and rising. There are still several settlements that rescue workers have not been able to access. Here is a link to one of our News services. I need to take this in myself at the moment.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25023335-1243,00.html
I know. I've been reading about it, it's top news just about everywhere. I even heard a broadcast on NPR, about a rescue of a young woman & several children, she was talking to someone & they were trying to pin down her location. The terror in her voice was beyond belief. And to believe that some of these fires have been intentionally set! just blows my mind, what kind of person can do this, kill all these people, destroy property, devastate a whole country? What sort of monster gets pleasure from this? My thoughts & prayers go out to all the families in Victoria. This is devastation for a nation.
GREYEME! WE SURE , FEEL YOUR PAIN! TIME TO TIME, THE TERRIBLE FIRES ARE HAPPENING HERE IN THE STATES ALSO, CALIFORNIA IS SO DRY THESE DAYS, BUT SO ARE OTHER STATES. WE HAD NOT TOO MUCH WINTER YET, NO RAIN, NO SNOW. IT IS A TERRIBLE NEWS, WE SEE THEM EVERY DAY, THE LOSS OF LIFES AND SO MANY HOUSES. OUR NEWS SAID, DID NOT HAVE IT THIS HOT SUMMER SINCE DECADES. WE DO PRAY, AND HOPE SOON THE FIRES WILL BE UNDER CONTROL AND LIFE CAN GO BACK TO SOMEWHAT NORMAL.
Grayeme, the news of the fires is still bad. More lives lost. I cannot think of what is happening to the animals too. Too many people are lost and have lost their homes. My heart is crying for your country.
I pray these fires are soon put under control.
Oh Grayeme, I am so saddened by the news from your beautiful country. The news is just devastating. All those lives lost and the homes is terrible. To think anyone could have started these fires is beyond me. I am praying for you and the people of Australia. Please keep us up to date. Is this close to where you live? Hugs and prayers to you
I just read some headlines that the loss of life is over 100 now. I'm so sorry and feel for all those affected by these horrible fires!
Everytime I read about the fires, I feel so bad for those affected. So many innocent people hurt and that's just not acceptable.
It will always amaze me at how someone can deliberately set fires, that they destroy so much life and homes and of course all the animals that are hardly ever mentioned...they too lose so much.
I know that some were accidental or weather related, but, I wish that someone could explain how a person can set a fire that can destroy so much...how can they live with themselves?
My thoughts and prayers are with you all, and I do hope the fires are contained very soon.
I just got an email from a friend Val who lives in between the affected areas in Australia and he says that 103 bodies have been found and an entire town has been wiped off the map. (Val is designing stationery for my mail program) He also said that the North Queensland area is flooded and homes and businesses are gutted and the main highway is almost under water. What a sad thing. I feel so badly for the people, their lives and homes and the animals. I guess most who died never had a chance. I hope they find the person(s) responsible for this. It is really insane that people can do this. I am praying for everyone. Hugs
What horrific news about those spreading
bush/brush fires in Australia. I viewed
breaking news from the CNN channel and just was held in that terrifying trance at the carnage being left in the wake of
such a heinous crime being inflicted for
no humanly reasonable justifiable explanation for WHY? WHY? The unconsolable loss for all those lives, innocent people who have lost their loved ones, their homes, possessions. Our wonderful new Aussie friends will now have to bare the mental, physical &
emotional scar's of this crime forever.
My sincere, heartfelt sorrow and much needed prayers go out to each and every
grieving family, community and country.
It was just a short while ago, when you all gathered together for a long awaited "World Tour" Concert, where all was beautiful, happiness had abound each of your lives. Now, 'life' has so
cruely delivered the other side of the spectrum with a united deviststion. Please do not loose your wonderful true
spirits which you let the entire world share with you. "WE", all over our countries stand firm beside you, and share in your terrible losses. Together,
"we" will make it through these sad, sad
times. I will pray for each and everyone of my new friends. I hear you are a mighty, hearty, strong bunch. Strength will help console you and you will all become even stronger - more united by hearts and mind into the GREATEST people we heard about and
you have shown by your examples. I also pray for these cruel, mindless person's
involved in causing such a mass of destruction be found immediately, and are punished to the highest extent of the law - BUT, it will not end there, they have to look into the eyes of our
universal God, and they will have to make "amends" for all the deaths, damages and uncalled act of stupidity. May you all find strength in your unity,
and know "WE" your new friends will be thinking and praying for each and every
one of you as you heal, one-day-at-a-time. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.
REMEMBER: UNITED WE STAND!! DIVIDED WE
FALL !!!!
Thank you all on behalf of the Australians for your concern and well wishes. It's very hard to comprehend what is happening here at the moment and is very difficult to watch the news. The situation seems to become worse with every broadcast. I think it's the worst thing that has ever happened in Australia.
HI JUDITH! FIRST OF ALL, I HAVE TO SAY, I DO THINK, YOU ARE A WRITER! YOUR WORDS AND SENTENCESA ARE SO BEAUTIFULLY COMPOSED, THAT IS WHAT MADE ME SAY THIS. I AM SO-SO SAD ABOUT AUSTRALIA!! I DO HOPE, SOMEHOW THEY CATCH THE PEOPLE RESPOSIBLE FOR THIS, PLUS THE UNUSUAL HOT SUMMER. WHAT A TRAGEDY!! NOT THE MATERIAL THINGS, BUT ALL THE HUMAN LIVES! I AM GETTING GOOSBUMPS, THINKING AND PRAYING FOR OUR AUSTRALIAN FRIENDS, THEY ARE IN MY PRAYER EVERY DAY! GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU,
My Country
© 1904 Dorothea MacKellar
The love of field and coppice, of green and shaded lanes,
Of ordered woods and gardens is running in your veins.
Strong love of grey-blue distance, brown streams and soft, dim skies-
I know but cannot share it, my love is otherwise.
I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges, of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons, I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror- the wide brown land for me!
The stark white ring-barked forests, all tragic to the moon,
The sapphire-misted mountains, the hot gold hush of noon,
Green tangle of the brushes where lithe lianas coil,
And orchids deck the tree-tops, and ferns the warm dark soil.
Core of my heart, my country! Her pitiless blue sky,
When, sick at heart, around us we see the cattle die -
But then the grey clouds gather, and we can bless again
The drumming of an army, the steady soaking rain.
Core of my heart, my country! Land of the rainbow gold,
For flood and fire and famine she pays us back threefold.
Over the thirsty paddocks, watch, after many days,
The filmy veil of greenness that thickens as we gaze.
An opal-hearted country, a wilful, lavish land -
All you who have not loved her, you will not understand -
Though earth holds many splendours, wherever I may die,
I know to what brown country my homing thoughts will fly.
and once again, she will rise from the ashes.
Yes she will Prudence, yes she will.
I am finding this so difficult to come to terms with the senseless-ness of it all. And I don't mean the fact that some of the fires may have been the work of an arsonist. But the attitude of so many who won't heed warnings. For 36 hours before, the authorities were warning of Saturdays weather. Temperatures of 110F and 80 mph winds after most of Victoria had already sweltered for more than a week at temperatures over 100. It sickens me that "woman and children" at the very least were not "Off" the mountains.
When these events happen, and Australia has a long and well documented history of them, there is no defence, apart from get out of the area's, it is like 100 mini "hiroshimas" going off.
My heart is aching for those innocent little children who have lost their precious little lives.
As a nation we must now take a stand and demand that procedures be in place and adherred to, to ensure we never have to endure this again.
I would love to fly down there to the Evacution Centre's, hire a big screen and play Andre's "Live in Australia" DvD for them.
Wouldn't that be great. just to have a minute to think of something else, to relax a little.
Norma sent a photo of the Big Fireman who was giving water to the Koala. What a sweet, sweet gesture. When I think of the little creatures, it makes me cry.
Article with Ways to Help
HOW TO HELP
Red Cross Call 1800811700
or go to redcross.org.au
Salvation Army Call 137258 or go to salvos.org.au
NAB's relief fund Call 136622
To donate through Myer , visit a store's service centre.
Donations of clothes and household goods to the Salvation Army, Brotherhood of St Laurence, St Vincent de Paul or the Red Cross.
What a great idea Grayeme - then they could play all his other concerts one after the other. What a tonic it would be.
I heard the Red Cross collection has reached over $31 million this morning, so people are being very generous. It was nice to hear last night President Obama had rung Kevin Rudd offering assistance.
This is beautiful. Brings tears to my eyes.
Hi my buddy Jeff, lost count on how many sleeps you have left before going to see a RIEU.....LY top of the line
Concerts. Best check your car trunk be-fore going to the Concert, you just may
have a stow-away tagging along insisting
you have my ticket in your jacket pocket, double dare ya to sneak a wee bit of a smooch on Andre's cheek and blame it all on me. GO FOR IT.........
I'll be thinkin 'bout cha, as I sit here and weep my eye balls out. Xxoxoxox
Hey My buddy Judith,
Very funny lol. I think i only have 45 more days to go. I cant wait. I will take some pictures and send them to you after the concert. Thanks
take care
-Jeff
I saw last night on the news the horror in Australia, poor people, that is so unspeakable sad, all the people that were trapped and died in that inferno. I sometimes do not want to see the news anymore, nothing but chaos and destruction and bad economy, but when you see, people loosing everything even their life in a fire and perhaps even started by gangsters, then we have nothing to complain about..
Hello Marcia and all Brasil Fans.
What a Wonderful Day April 21, 2010 will be. 50 years of Brasillia being the capital of Brasil!!
That would be a good time for Andre to perform, as well as many of your local musicians. It would be a wonderful party.
Olá! Marcia e todos os ventiladores de Brasil. Que dia maravilhoso abril 21, 2010 seja. 50 anos de Brasillia que é o capital de Brasil!! Aquela seria uma boa estadia para que Andre execute, assim como muitos de seus músicos locais. Seria um partido maravilhoso.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Marcia:::
Oi, gente!
Alguém chegou a pedir o DVD Maastricht II pela internet? Quanto tempo está demorando pra encomenda chegar?
Brasília faz 50 anos dia 21 de abril de 2010. Seria uma boa data para André Rieu no Brasil...
Hi Everyone! Somebody arrived to ask for the DVD Maastricht II for the Internet? How much time is delaying pra order to arrive? Brasilia makes 50 years day 21 of April of 2010. It would be a good date for Andres Rieu in Brazil…
Marcia, gostei de sua sugestão, apesar de morar no nordeste (em João Pessoa). Acho que a cidade é bem atrativa para o evento. Só tenho receio que não tenha ingressos para "o povo". O que você acha?
Someone may have asked this before........In the "Live in Australia" DVD, there appears to be a new choir singer standing next Kalki Strivers (to the Kalki's right-hand side). The "new singer" wears a bergundy dress and has very long brown hair. Any one know the name of this young lady??
The one in the burgundy dress (without even looking at the DVD) I believe is Laura. Sometimes she wears her hair up. She has been with them for awhile and has sung solo on some occasions. If I remember correctly, she is from Chile. She is very sweet. I spoke with her in Toronto.
YES, YOU ARE RIGHT. I HAVE SEEN HER SINGING SOLO, WAS JUST OUT OF THIS WORLD. LAURA ANGEL, I HOPE I GOT IT RIGHT.
SHE DOES HAVE A BEAUTIFUL,POWERFUL VOICE, IF I AM CORRECT, SHE IS FROM SOUTH AMERICA. HAVE TO COME UP WITH HER NAME YET. GIVE ME A LITTLE TIME.
Dearest Moderators,
I could not find a better way, but this blog, to say to all Australians that, from the bottom of my heart, I feel very sorry and worried with the tragedy that is happening in this lovely country
, and I pray it comes to an end very soon.
Best wishes for all of you moderators
and Aussies, hopping God will listen to my prayers.
Altair Leal from Rio de Janeiro
check out these photos. Ian sent this link for us
http://www.news.com.au/gallery/0,23607,5037340-5006020,00.html
Hey all,
Was there something wrong with the site , I was not able to get on for a while and i have not been getting emails. No problem i am just going to re-subscribe to them . Thanks
take care
-Jeff
I haven't had any emails except yours for a couple of days either Jeff. I was going to phone my Internet Provider to see if they'd thought they were spam but it seems everyone is just quiet at the moment on Guestbook.
Normally, all emails send, or all get 'stuck'. This time my continues, and yours seemed to have stuck. ... it's just a glitch, and generally starts working after a few hours.
any photos of marjorie or pierres new wife
HORRIFIC TRAGIC NEWS FROM BUFFALO, NY-at
10:20pm Thursday evening a Continentel
Airplain CRASHED IN A FIERY DISASTER INTO A Home in Clarence Center, NY - all 48 aboard were killed and as of this time 3:34am Friday - that fire is still blazing, and that town is in a lock down.........what a terrible event,
stories coming in, some are natives of the Buffalo area......enough said. Just another tragic experience for many poor families to deal with. Lets say some prayers for these victims. I am speechless.....
Judith, this is indeed a terrible tragedy. I heard on the news that the wife of a 9-11 victim was on that plane & was on her way to a special memorial for her husband. From the Hudson miracle to this. makes one wonder doesn't it?
Hi Judith, I just saw this on the morning news. This is horrible. I feel so sorry for the families of everyone killed. Yes, one lady was a 9/11 widow. She is with her husband now.
How far from this town do you live Judith? Thanks for your post. Hugs to you
Over 100 Million dollars has been pledged to the Australian Bush Fires. I heard on the news tonight that Andre
Rieu is donating the proceeds of his new song to the Bushfire Appeal. We would not expect anything less from such a lovely and caring person.
13th February 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANDRÉ RIEU GIVES HIS MUSIC TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE RED CROSS DISASTER RELIEF APPEAL
Following the unprecedented success of his debut Australian concert tour in November / December 2008 and his DVD "André Rieu Live in Australia", which became the fastest selling music DVD in Australian history (and is still No. 1 on the ARIA Motorola DVD charts), André Rieu has created a song to raise money for Australians affected by recent disasters.
Moved by the terrible events that have overtaken Australia in the last two weeks, Andre felt compelled to assist in the best way he knew how, through his music. The single ‘Yours Forever’, an inspiring and calming instrumental piece, written and performed by André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra, will go on sale Wednesday February 18, with all proceeds going to The Red Cross Disaster Appeal.
André’s sincere message is simple; "I have watched with great sadness in my heart the natural disasters that have engulfed your country, and my thoughts are with each of you".
"I have always considered Australia to be my second home and I’d like to help in the best way that I can, through music. I believe music has a power to heal like nothing else and I’d like nothing more than to ease the sorrow of the wonderful people in this beautiful land".
"In the hope it will provide some comfort and relief, I give to you all my song ‘Yours Forever’. May it bring you hope and may it strengthen your spirit."
The CD single ‘Yours Forever’ will be available from participating music outlets from February 18. All proceeds from sales of the single will go to the Red Cross to assist the victims of the 2009 bushfires.
Courtesy of Universal Music
I am glad to know of all the artists that are helping. I thought Andre might do something special, he so loves Australia.
All fans need to keep in mind this is a world wide effort and everyone is welcome to purchase this special CD.
I hope everyone takes part. It is one way to help those in need due to the Bushfires.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Thanks for all of you hard work Jeanine Ann to find ot about Andre's new cd to help the people out in australia. Is it still burning down there? I wish everyone down there my best and love for the people who need it. Take care all
Thanks
-Jeff
Hi Jeff, I didn't do anything special. We have contacts at Universal and any of us could have done it. I think the fires are under control but I guess there is not much to go back to. Poor people. I really feel sorry for them. Take care Jeff buddy.
Jeff, the news about the cd was also in the Billboard Business news and also the Herald Sun.If you read the Australian newspapers you can find out a lot. I was reading a bit this morning that I found kind of funny, reminding me that even in a time of crisis, there can be a bit of humor. Seems about 200 or so people from emergency services had hurriedly packed about three boxes of clothing, and despite all the incineration of their community around them and the gas explosions of homes & businesses there was time to joke and laugh that this lady was the only one who had managed to pack some underwear.
I never thought of that. I would have left those too.
It is good people can find something to smile about. I am certain it is part of the healing process.
I saw a photo of a man who said the only thing he was able to grab was his wedding photo album. I thought..wow..there is a man who is going to be rewarded this Valentine's Day. What a sweetheart.
Jeff - The firefighters are getting on top of things at the moment, Thanks to some favourable weather and a huge effort by all. Fires continue to spring up around Victoria, but a mostly dealt with very quickly. People in all the fire area's are constantly vigilant against "ember attack". At this stage there are still 12 fires that have not been contained, mostly burning inaccessable area's, but they are constructing breaks and backburner the fires onto themselves. 60 firefighters from the US arrived this morning and a contingent from Canada will arrive in a couple of days. We still have at least 6 weeks to run in our bushfire danger period, and there are still a lot area's that are very vulnerable in Victoria, NSW and South Australia. The death toll has not been upgraded for a few days and stands at 181, but there still 120 people unaccounted for.
I think the Herald Sun website coverage is as good as any for anyone wanting to follow events.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/
I am glad for any progress in fighting the fires. I am so happy to see the fund raisers and how successful they have been. The Australians have really pitched in to help their fellow citizens, and the world community is stepping up as well.
(how I would love to see this unity without a tragic event)
"and like a good neighbor, State Farm is there"? Remember that commercial on TV? Well, I like the idea of neighbor helping neighbor, all over the world.
If we don't all learn to get along, well then I guess there's just not much hope for us is there?
Yes, good point Sally. Wouldn't it be nice to have this kind of unity every day for everyone?
We could certainly use unity in this world of ours. It's funny how people get so bent out of shape over the littlest things, and then when something catastrophic happens, like plane crashes, these horrible fires in Australia, the plant and animal life that's been destroyed, and can never be regained...the people step up to the plate and give their all.
If people could, or would, just carry this over into everyday life. It would be so beautiful.
Hans Music Spot in Australia is now taking orders for André's Special CD "Yours Forever"! Just type in HansMusicSpot.com.au to order.
My daughter Jutta just surprised me with André concert tickets in Bamberg Bavaria Sept. 9th. I mentioned that I would plan on coming around Sept. 5th because I want to go to a Miniature show in Giessen, so she went on line and found good tickets still for Bamberg and bought 3 of them, not bad for a none André fan and even her husband comes along, . That is really nice of them, that way I do save the hotel and the train, haaaaaaa! My flight is not booked yet, but the tickets are bought, hope I get a good flight, too.
Thank you Inge and all who have offered to help Diana's Mom. I too have extras of concerts and this is a wonderful way for all of us to help. I will send each of you an email with the address and coordinate a little as we have some duplicates which is fine because I can change my choices since I have several. Please read the list of contributions which Grayeme so kindly listed on the blog. Thank you so much
Inge, this is great news for you & us too since maybe you can tell us about it.(hint-hint)
Shirley, if you send me your e-mail address, I send you oodles of pictures of my minis. For our show at the end of March I made a toy shop, a women with l4 cats, lots of needlepoint in it and super nice cats and a school house, like on the country side, with 6 pupils, a teacher and lots of nice stuff.
André, I made his hole JSO in 2OO2-O4 , him alone in a knitted sweater I saw once on him, then in an other like in the Xmas message in his Xmas concedrt in the stable and one extra in his tax, one for a friend and then Carla Maffioletti I made 3 times: as countess Mariza, as Julishka from Budapest and as Olympia , the doll from tales of Hoffmann and I also made André in his Cortona suit and put him in my Carnival in Venice with an other 11 dolls.
Inge, this all sounds so wonderfully clever of you. You should send a picture of your mini's so we can all see them. You should think about making them to supplement your income.
Wow.. I can not imagine having 3 little Carla Maffioletti's on the hutch. How very interesting. Cheers to you, Inge.
Inge, I'd love to have the pictures sent.Since they don't like for us to put our e-mail addresses on here, you could have Sally send my e-mail to you. She has my permission. I know there are some pictures of some of your mini's in the "featured fans" section. I thought they were amazing.
When I sent the pix to Sally of my minis I did not have a digital camera and could not put them on line, but now I do and it is fun.
Grayeme, I can also fwd them to you, no big deal. It is my hobby and I do not make money with it, it is an expensive hobby, but my kids are grown up and now I enjoy my GOLDEN DAYS with the things I like to do and see. My miniature world is a perfect world like it does not exist in reality, I sit there, when not making any and dream, read and listen to good music.
Thank You Inge, that was very kind of you to share. What a marvellous collection, so much fine work. I can imagine the hours of pleasure they give you, both in creating and just enjoying them. Much appreciated.
Hi Inge
Your miniatures sound fascinating. I tried to find the photo Shirley mentioned on the featured fans but couldn't. What heading does it come under? They sound just wonderful.
I hadn't noticed the featured fans section before. I obviously have a lot to catch up on - I can no doubt expect a double (or triple) internet hours bill from my providor again this month. I am finding this site quite addictive...
Jill,scroll down to the bottom on featured fans and Inges pictures are under "JSO miniatures".click on that.
Thanks Shirley
I can't find 'JSO Miniatures.'
The last entry that shows up is 'Moderator Lawrence falling on his sword'.
I wonder if there are more entries not showing up.
Maybe Inge will be able to put a photo for us on Guestbook.
Jill, you will have to go to the main web site page, this is only the blog section. Try this.http://www.andrerieufans.com/index.htm go all the way to the bottom & you will find it.
Inge, Grayeme sent me a direct link so I could see your Miniatures. How totally amazing they are. You are so clever. Even the JSO music stands are perfect.
Thank you for the help Grayeme.
Shirley, you must have a fascinating house! What with the collections and all your Daniel O'Donnell CD's. I envy your friends - I'd be visiting all the time. I've always resisted starting a collection of anything, because I know I'd become obsessive about it. I have a friend who is almost at the stage of having to build another room on her house to display her salt and pepper shaker collection - thousands and thousands of them.
Marlene, I love your description of Australia "It's an adventure, rugged, sexy and beautiful all rolled into one." What a nice compliment, thank you from all of us, we need a moral boost at the moment.
Inge,I really enjoyed lookins at all your pictures. I saved them all in a folder so I can look at each one over & over. the detail is amazing. However, my practical side is kicking in here, how do you keep them all dusted? haha Or maybe you don't have dust where you live? I collect miniature tea sets & I can tell you, they do get dusty, whether they are behind glass or not, and after awhile they have to be handwashed. I think I will put them away this Spring.I collect bells too but they are not so much to clean.I think I am through collecting. I've got boxes now of glass animals, angels and bells. too many. and one year someone gave me a cute little ladybug, so guess what, i now have ladybugs all over the house!! When someone finds out that you collect anything they overwhelm you. Now I say No More!! I am through. Now I only collect cds & dvds. haha
Haaaaaaaaaa, Shirley, I know what you mean, I also have already the Mini-JSO in the basement, because in my hobby room is no place for it, I have the window already covered with 7 room boxes and in the living room is now the first one, my friends have their minis all over the house, well, I have to do that, too. To your question about the dust, oh dear that is a dilemma. I used to dust them quite often, then as they got more and more, I gave up. I do it when I change something then all comes out and gets dusted with a make up brush. I have also started to put them under glass, it helps, but not enough, the dust goes everywhere. I am a collector since I was a child, I recall my first collection as a 5 or 6 year old, was tops of tubes of cremes or toothpaste, later I collected Hummel figurines and cat mugs, but now it is only my minis and the DVDs and CDs from André are in the same room.
Jill, if you send me your e-mail address, I send you better pix than in the web here because I made better pictures after I bought my digital camera. I am glad, you like my crazy pass time, or hobby.
It's interesting isn't it, why we start collecting anything at all. I think my first started with the glass animals because I had seen the movie, the Glass Menagerie. I loved the looks of the glass & how it sparkled. I don't have a whole lot of those, maybe about 3 dozen or so, mainly because I'm limited now on where to put them, so they are in a box. Years later a friend gave me a little friendship bell & I thought, how cute, I like bells, I think I'll collect them. I don't have thousands but enough, bells of all kinds. I still like those & will probably keep those out for awhile. Next came the mini teasets. I got started on those when I was looking for a child size set to go with my teddy bears, oh yeah, I forgot, I collect those too. They too are in a chest, only to come out at Christmas time. The angels started when I found one for a tree topper, don't have a whole lot of those either, but enough. The ladybugs started same way. See, I'm not at all organized and focused like Inge. Somethings got to go!! Enough already. This is obsession out of control. So Jill, you are wise, don't start something you can't control. Besides, who wants it after you're gone. I'm at a point in my life I just want to simplify& organize. My magnificent obsessions have to end! Now it's just all "stuff". I've forgotten if I have other "stuff" somewhere because we have two sheds and an attic full of "stuff". See how overwhelmed I'm feeling? I think it's time for my cappuccino and some nice Andre music.
You make me laugh, but what would life after menopause be without a good collection???? I forgot to tell you I collect hand painted Xmas ornaments and others and every year I struggle with a tree from the floor to the ceiling and still cannot get them all on anymore. My daughter Sabine and I used to compete with that and she ended up decorating two trees every year. I promise myself every year not to buy an other one, but I always find a few. My son - in- law collects miniature teddies, so I often make him one or buy one, he does like you, bring them only out on Xmas. He is a teacher and the teens in his school were quite surprised that their teacher collects something like that. So, you see , we are not the only nuts. I love it and what happens when I am dead? they can either berry me with my junk or do what they want. I kept my mothers junk, even so I thought it was kitsch, but when she died, I kept it as a souvenir from her, so my kids might do the same??????? Or take it to E- bay, haaaaaaaaaaa!
Hello Inge,
could you send me some pictures too?? I would love to see them Here is my email address.
Thanks
take care
-Jeff
I passed your email to Inge, Jeff
THANK YOU INGE.
I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR EMAIL. CAN YOU ONLY SEND ONE OR TWO PLEASE? I HAVE A DIALUP INTERNET CONNECTION AND LARGE FILES WON'T COME THROUGH. THEY JAM EVERYTHING UP. IT'S TIME I UPGRADED I KNOW!
Jill, Grayeme said she will fwd you some of the miniature pictures. Inge
Here are the following sites for ordering "Yours Forever" - Grayeme said we should order quickly as they are going to sell fast. The actual records may not be in the stores until Monday as they are not being shipped out to the stores until Friday but Hans Music Shop is taking orders now.
Also JB-HFI is taking pre orders now.
http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/Product/412829
Jeanine Ann, I ordered the CD from Australia, just when I finished, I got the news letter from André´s web, but I made a mistake, I was so busy with that new order system that I forgot to put my house number in it, I hope the postman here does find me and does not send it back to Australia, well, the main thing is , I did something for the victims, if it does not arrive, I will order an other one, haaaaa!
Hi Inge, If you ordered from a record site in Australia can't you go back to the site and correct your address? But like you said you can always order another one. I will have extras I hope. I ordered one from each place hoping to get one or two. I may end up with 10 or more : )
Speaking of your collecting. I have so many ornaments and then last year I start collecting violin ornaments so I have them in glass, wood, ceramic, you name it. They would not fit on the big tree so I bought a five foot tree just for the violins. Now I should not buy any more violin ornaments but I know deep down that I will find one this year that I do not have. : ) By the way, did you ever send a photo of the Andre miniature you did in his Cortona suit? I don't remember that one.
JEANINE, IF YOU SEND ME YOUR MAILING ADDRESS PRIVATELY, I WILL SEND YOU ONE, THAT IS FROM AUSTRIA, GLASS AND A BEAUTIFUL VIOLIN. I AM LIKE SHIRLEY ANYMORE, BESIDES, ALL THE THINGS I HAVE, I AM GIVING AWAY THINGS DAILY.
Thank you Piano. I just emailed you. Hugs to you
Jeanine Ann, I did correct it , they also acknowledged it, so I think it will be o.k.
I send you a picture of the Carnival in Venice and one from André in his Cortona Suit. Have fun with your violins, I think we all have that gene of collecting.
Thank you Inge. Did I tell you I collect DVD's and CD's of Andre's haha. Guess you knew that.
Jeanine Ann, you don´t say, hardiharhar! Inge
THANKS FOR THESE SITES, I JUST ORDERED 5 OF THE CDS, SO I CAN HELP ANYBODY, OR ANY ANiMALS. KATI
There has always been an attraction to Australia. It's an adventure, rugged, sexy and beautiful all rolled into one. I know that most people all over the world have been devastated by the fires that have been raging in this beautiful country. I can only imagine what Australian people who live there, have gone through.
Thank you André for your composition "Yours Forever" single cd. Even though I do not live in Australia, I'm deeply touched by your wonderful gift of music you have given to the people of Australia.
You are able to put into music the heart and soul of what is felt throughout the world.
Marlene,I like your description, I had never thought about the "sexy" part, but somehow it fits doesn't it? The other day I had read a piece in a newspaper, "We've all lost something". In it she states(quote) "Everyone in this state, this country, and the world has lost something in these fires". I thought that to be quite true, that the whole world has lost something. When I was watching a video, memories of Marysville, how it was before the fire, I just felt such a sadness, the beauty of that place, a loss for all. Beauty destroyed is always sad, no matter where. And then there are the floods there too, is nature trying to be sarcastic? Trying to rescue some stranded cows on a small island surrounded by water. Just like here, when we have the California fires while other parts are being deluged by rains and floods. It's a head shaker isn't it? Well, Andre took us to Australia didn't he, well maybe not actually for some of us, but we have learned a lot, more than we knew before. And I'm sure that little Sam has stolen the hearts of many. Whatever it takes to help these people is ok by me. I think whenever I watch again Live In Australia, not only will Andre have tears but so will I.
Hi everyone, do you know that we can now download "Yours Forever" from Andre's Boutique. It costs $2.50 Euros and the proceeds will be donated to the Bushfire Appeal. After you pay, you will get an email with instructions for downloading the song. Great idea! Cannot wait to hear it.
Ok I just paid for a download and cannot find a link on the page. I received an email with a link which takes me to "My Account" page but there is no link there to download. Can anyone else figure it out?? Thanks
There does seem to be a hic-cup with the download site. I guess they will rectify the matter as soon as they are aware of it. Half past midnight in Maastricht at the moment so I guess it will another 8/10 hours before they know.
That is one of the "Unique" things about this "website". 24 hour monitoring and always ready to pass on information to the Fans "first hand" and as it happens.
I WAS JUST GOING TO ORDER IT & GLAD I READ YOUR NOTE. WE HAVE HAD SOME MEDICAL CHALLENGES & I HAVE NOT BEEN ON THE SITE. WE HAVE PRAYED FOR THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA & CONTACTED THE RED CROSS FOR A DONATION. I KNOW HOW CRAZY WORRIED WE WERE WHEN OUR DAUGHTER & FAMILY WERE EVACUATED FROM THEIR HOME NEAR SAN DIEGO, CA. WHEN THEY HAD THE HORRIBLE FIRES THERE, SO OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS GO OUT TO ALL AREAS THAT WERE EFFECTED.
I HAVE A REQUEST: MY EYESIGHT ISN'T AS GOOD AS IT USE TO BE SO PLEASE EVERYONE WRITE IN CAPITAL LETTERS SO I CAN READ THE BLOG AS THE WRITTING IS TOO SMALL. THE WEBMASTERS HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHANGE THE TEXT & MAKE IT BOLD SO I REQUEST YOU DO IT ALSO. I HAVE NO PROBLEM READING JEANINE ANN'S & THANKS. I FEEL I MISS SO MUCH BY NOT BEING ABLE TO READ ALL THE TINY BLOGS & IF I TRY, I GET A MIGRAINE SO THANKS IN ADVANCE.
It is extraordinary that we have all these natural disasters at the moment. It's like there's a black cloud hanging over us.
But what's stirred up our sharks? This is another amazing thing. There have been 2 people bitten in Sydney in the last couple of weeks after none for decades. I have a friend who lives opposite a beach in Adelaide (halfway across the country from Sydney) and she said the shark alarm is going off at least once a day. They've been living there for 5 years and had only heard it a couple of times until a month or so ago. I think it's all very puzzling.
Yes Jill, and all the floods, 60% of Queensland is under water, and now NSW is getting there share. What about poor Adelaide last week. Adelaide is on the Torrens River, above Adelaide is a large dam that supplies the city with water. Water from the overflow continues down through Adelaide, but is very inconsistent. So to keep the river looking beautiful a weir was constructed below Adelaide city to keep a nice depth of water in the river through the city. Last week a malfunction at the weir, released all the water and Adelaide woke up to find their beautiful Torrens nothing more than a muddy mess covered in rubbish.
Now they will have to wait for rain to fill it all again as they can not afford to release water from the main dam to fill it. I think it is the first time I have ever heard of a city losing it's river. There is a serious side to this somewhere, but, at the moment most Aussies are getting a well needed laugh about this. Sorry Adelaide. lol....
Is nature trying to be sarcastic? Good question Shirley. I wonder that myself. I also know that everything goes in cycles. I look back on history and have heard of interesting or phenomenal accurances happening with weather or with animals, like Jill was saying about the sharks.
I wonder why all of a sudden it's happening...have we cycled around to a point where we have been before? Are all these happenings more extreme than in past history? It's interesting for sure.
As far as Australia goes, I've always been interested in Australia...I've been curious and fascinated by this country as long as I can remember. I was away for a long time doing my own "life", but once in a while some series or travel program of Australia would pop up and my interest would be refreshed.
André took me back to Australia again, but in a different way...he took me back with his music…music that added a very special fascination.
I can now say that I have “experienced” Australia again…this time with the heart and soul of music.
The recent fires have destroyed so much, and it makes me wonder why something so beautiful has to be destroyed. I think it's a part of that cycle thing...unfortunately beauty is not an exception for destruction.
However, I do still see a wonderful adventure. Everyone saw little Sam, and by seeing I think the world is looking again at Australia and feeling in their hearts a fantastic people and a beauty not seen anywhere else. I feel the people of Australia have risen to meet an incredible challenge. I can only wish that all the countries of the world could rise and meet a challenge as well as Australia has.
That is a very thoughtful post Marlene, Thank You. I hope some day you get to come visit us. We would love to show you around.
Australia is approximately 32 times the size of the UK and equally as large as the USA excluding Alaska.
Thank you Grayeme. Australia has always been on my wish list and I hope that I can see it one day. I would love for you to show me around, I'm sure it would be a great time!
This is a poem written in 1891 about bush fires in Victoria & it is a wonderful poem about mateship & courage. Dandenong is just on the eastern edge of Melbourne.
"Bannerman of the Dandenong"
by Alice Werner
I rode through the bush in the burning noon,
Over the hills to my bride,
The track was rough and the way was long,
And Bannerman of the Dandenong,
He rode along by my side.
A day's march off my Beautiful dwelt,
By the Murray streams in the West;
Lightly lilting a gay love-song
Rode Bannerman of the Dandenong,
With a blood-red rose on his breast.
"Red, red rose of the Western streams,"
Was the song he sang that day--
Truest comrade in hour of need,
Bay Mathinna his peerless steed--
I had my own good grey.
There fell a spark on the upland grass-
The dry bush leapt into flame;
And I felt my heart go cold as death,
But Bannerman smiled and caught his breath,
But I heard him name her name.
Down the hillside the fire-floods rushed,
On the roaring eastern wind;
Neck and neck was the reckless race,
Ever the bay mare kept her pace,
But the grey horse dropped behind.
He turned in the saddle-- "Let's change, I say!"
And his bridle rein he drew
He sprang to the ground, "Look sharp!" he said
With a backward toss of his curly head--
"I ride lighter than you!"
Down and up -- it was quickly done--
No words to waste that day!
Swift as a swallow she sped along,
The good bay mare from Dandenong,
And Bannerman rode the grey.
The hot air scorched like a furnace blast
From the very mouth of hell;
The blue gums caught and blazed on high
Like flaming pillars into the sky;
The gray horse staggered and fell.
"Ride, ride, lad, ride for her sake!" he cried;
Into the gulf of flame
Were swept, in less than a breathing space
The laughing eyes, and the comely face,
And the lips that named her name.
She bore me bravely, the good bay mare;
Stunned, and dizzy and blind;
I heard the sound of a mingling roar --
'Twas the Lachlan river that rushed before,
And the flames that rolled behind.
Safe--safe, at Nammoora gate,
I fell, and lay like a stone.
O love! thine arms were about me then,
Thy warm tears called me to life again,
But -- O God! that I came alone!
We dwell in peace, my beautiful one
And I, by the streams of the West,
But oft through the mist of my dreams along
Rides Bannerman of the Dandenong,
With the blood-red rose on his breast.
What a wonderful piece of poetry, Denise. The Poet, Alice Werner, really has me intrigued as it appears that she never visited Australia. I wonder what incident prompted her write about Bannerman, she certainly has a good understanding of the area and captures the spirit of such a deed magnificently.
Thanks Denise.
I agree entirely Grayeme. There is so little information about Alice Werner available. How did she come to write such an emotive poem about our country? A mystery indeed.
This is so sadly beautiful. Thank you.
André Awarded
Vienna, February 16th 2009
André Rieu gets an award from Dr. Petra Stolba, president of “Österreich Werbung”, for all he did to promote the Austrian music culture all over the world – and especially in Australia.
Dr. Petra Stolpa praised the artists performances: “André Rieu is a true ambassador of Viennese waltzes”. “The granted award is just a gesture, to express how much we appreciate his commitment to Austrian music – the enthusiasm André Rieu shows in his concerts exceeds every imagination. Austria takes great advantage of Rieu's love for our country and our culture.”
hey all,
I just finished listening to Andre's new song that he composed for the australian people, Its incredible!!! If you havent heard it yet i recommend you do it now! As you listen you could just picture australian and what people are going though, its a great song of hope. Thanks
-Jeff
Well all I really want to collect anymore is dust! And only that because it keeps coming back! I am the oldest child of three, so anything I had from my grandmother has gone to family, I've enjoyed it, now it's their turn. As for the rest of these "collections" they will go into boxes and my daughter can worry with them when I'm gone.
As for the "Yours Forever"cd, twice I tried to download but something goes wrong, but then I get the notice of the charge on my bill. I had already ordered one from the music shop,so it will come I'm sure, but it cost me about $10.00 and that's ok too, but I would rather have just sent the money directly to the Red Cross or the Wildlife fund like I already had. So I'm pretty sure I'll get at least one cd. I know it will be beautiful, I wouldn't expect anything less.
I DO THE SAME SHIRLEY, DUST IS KEEP COMING. I DID THE SAME, MONEY TO RED CROSS, THAT IS WHAT THESE POOR PEOPLE NEED THE MOST. OTHERWISE, I DID ORDER 5 CDS, JUST WILL GIVE THEM AWAY. I THINK, THIS IS GREAT HELP.
Shirley I thought exactly the same, the lO.--$ would have been better than the 3.5O for the CD, the rest is shipping and handling. I also wait until it comes then I still have a surprise.
You girls really do have self control. There are some of us who don't. I want the surprise Now! The cover will be the icing on the cake when I get it. : )
Ok, I couldn't wait until I got my cd of "Yours Forever"...Something overpowered me and I clicked away until I had the download ordered. Control was way out the window. I don't know, it's kind of scary.
What I would love to say is Jeff, you are right...it's absolutely beautiful, incredible, fantastic and I loved it!
I downloaded it as well Marlene. Isn't it amazing, how, because you know what it is meant for, you can close your eyes and the music paints a picture.
I would love to have a talent to do things like that. I can not even successfully choose my own house paint.!!!!
Marble Bar in Western Australia is the holder of the longest heatwave record in the world when temperatures of more than 37.8 degrees celcius (100 fahrenheit) were recorded for 161 consecutive days in 1923/24.
I got the same overwhelming feeling Marlene and I just had to hear it. It is really beautiful like I knew it would be. It is serene and calming and hauntingly lovely. You can feel the love in it that Andre has for his Australian fans. I would expect no less of him. What a wonderful gift, a gift of himself.
Don't worry Marlene there is no such thing as control where Andre is concerned. You are not alone : )
"Yours Forever", a soothing ointment for wounded hearts. Thank you André
Good morning everyone. You will not believe this but I became a Grandma last night at 11:00. Micetro was in the living room and she let out this scream and I quickly took her into the bathroom where her first kitten came out! After that we went through 3 more births. Needless to say we didn't sleep much. It was over around 1:30 am and then I sat with her until 2 and figured that was it. She had one black, one tortoise and 2 gray tabbies. I have a photo here but you cannot see much. I will take another today when you can see the kittens. She is a kitten herself. So glad we cancelled the spay surgery last Sunday, something just told me to wait. Mother and kittens are doing fine. Can't say that about us! : )
OH MY GOODNESS! CONGATULATIONS TO MICETRO & GRANDPARENTS. NOW YOU ALL DESERVE A NICE REST.
Ok everyone, here they are. The little black kitty is under the other.
THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL! WOULD YOU TRANSLATE, THESE LSDK, STUFF TO ENGLISH? i DO SEE THESE TIME TO TIME, AND HAVE NO IDEA OF THESE IN FEW WORDS THINGS, YOU AND SALLY PUT IN SOMETIMES.
Micetro & Grandparents can be proud. They are beautiful kittens. I wish I could hold and cuddle them, dear wee things.
Micetro must have thought she went to Heaven when she found her home with you. She had found a safe, warm place for her babies.
Congratulations to Grandma, mother and 4 babies, just like my daughter´s Kira, she had also 4, mother black, 3 black kittens and one tiger, she kept two and two went to my god daughter. Are you keeping the kiddies?????
Hey Jeanine Ann,
What beautiful kittens!! Congratulations!! Enjoy them while there little they grow up fast. Thanks
take care
-Jeff
Thanks everyone. Boy were we surprised! At least Micetro knew about it. They are so sweet, I would love to cuddle them too but not yet. To answer Inge, no we will find good homes for them because we already have three. Hope I don't get attached to any of them : )
YOUR STORY HAS MADE MY DAY JEANINE ANNE.THEY LOOK JUST BEAUTIFUL. I'LL ENJOY SHOWING MY GRAND-DAUGHTER WHEN SHE COMES TODAY.
Thank you Jill. I hope she enjoys the photos! They are so cute. Hugs to you
Jeanine Ann, Congratulations to Micetro
and you. What beautiful cat/kittens. I know you will enjoy them so much.
Thank you Marilyn and Judith. The kitties are so beautiful and Micetro is such a good mom-cat. This is new to us so we are in for another adventure. Hugs
As soon as you touch them you will be attached to them. But if you can't keep them you will find them really good homes. It's so hard. What a surprise! At the moment I have three males so don't have to worry about them. They are all "fixed." I can't believe you had no idea! She is so lucky you took her in. God knows where she would have ended up. Joey is now a great tree climber. This summer will be a challenge to keep track of him. Lots of luck with the new babies.
They are soooo cute Jeanine Ann! I love kittens. It would be hard for me to give them away, especially after I held them. I know...you would have...seven! haha
So, you didn't know Micetro was going to have babies? Then it's a nice surprise for sure.
Congratulations on your growing family!
Austria's Ball's start the 2009 season & ignore current economic conditions:
Congratulations Gram-"maw" and Gram-"paw". What a wonderful surprise to have your baby kitten to bestowe upon you. I think this is a paws-itively happy time for all your fur babies. I was siting here trying to come up with some names, how about? KEE - MOE- DOE,
didn't the three famous Andre girls sing that song in "Wonderland"? Just another two cents from the peanut gallery. Should we start cutting kitty coupons for you to help off set the meow meals?? I would just love to cuddle all the little additions. I like happy news. Good luck Jeanine Ann.
Bill, if I win the lottery, I will before I die attend a ball in Vienna, but I would take my hole family with me and my husband would have to learn how to dance, haaaaaaaaaaa! I dreamed of that since I was a teen.
Inge I know what you mean about the dancing part. My husband cannot dance but I give him so much credit because he gets up there at every concert when Andre plays Blue Danube. He knows how badly I want to dance so kudos to Clyde. I watch the Vienna dancers and I just feel this urge to dance like that. Hugs
A Vienna ball or the last night at the Proms would suit my fancy just fine!
Jeanine Ann, Vic also would like to please me, but the waltz is a disaster with him, if I dance a waltz with him my hip is after the dance in pain, so I rather not do it at all. He loves music but he cannot sing or dance, just listen and enjoy, thanks heaven my kids have inherited my love for singing and dancing, my father was also a zero in dance and loved music, my mother danced with others and he watched.
Hello, all you Fans!
It is impossible to please all the people all the time, as you very well know yourselves. In other words, I cannot be on this site each and every day. I am happy if I achieve it once a week. PLEASE FORGIVE ME, IF YOU CAN !!
What do you think about the picture above?
I filed it under "ART".
Sally, I have NOT heard from you for a l o n g time. Are you OK?
I wish you all the best a life can offer -- until we hear from each other again.
Cordially,
Hermina
Hello Hermina,
If you want to get a photo on you must first email it to Sally or one of the moderators. Sally is doing fine. So nice to hear from you. Hugs
Hello, dear Jeanine Ann !!
Here is the picture, I hope it works:
Could you please insert it into my mail at the very beginning?! Thank you very much!
By the way, where do I find correspondence regarding NARISA on this website????
Also, thanks so much for responding. Good Luck to you always!
Cordially,
Hermina
Dear Hermina, You must EMAIL (use the email I sent to you to reply) me and send me the link through my email address. I clicked on your link but I got an error message. Do you have the picture that you can send to me as an attachment by email? If not send the link again but please send it to my email address that I gave to you. Thanks much Hugs
Dear Hermina,
We finally got your picture to come on the blog. Thanks so much, it is so cute. We all need a laugh now and then! Hugs to you
Sorry Hermina, forgot to tell you that we have no information on Narisa here on the blog. You would need to go to Andre's website and write on the Guestbook and see if she answers you.
Hugs
Why, I used to date someone who looked just like that
HA Hermina good one. Looks like one of my bad hair days.
How original ! I love it.
Hi Hermina, I just sent you an email.
I am glad to see you and hope you are doing well too. ?
Hello, EVERYbody!
It makes me very happy that you like the picture. Yes, it produces smiles, and that is its purpose.
Sally, I will be writing you separately. Thanks for the response.
Now, you all, have a splendid time, until we hear from each other again.
Hermina
Hello Hermina! Thanks for the cute picture! Yes, we all need a laugh now and then.
Hey all,
That was very funyn Sally, it really made me laugh. LOL Cute picture Jeanine Ann, where could you everr find that? Thanks
-Jeff
Hi Jeff, I didn't find the picture, Hermina found it. It is really cute.
Hi
Can someone from Australia please tell me if they know when "Your's Forever" will be selling in the shops.I went JB HI on Saturday and they didn't know when it will come in. I can't afford to download it from Andre's website as I get charged by my bank a currency conversion charge.
It was to be in stores on the 23rd. So by the time you read this, it should be there.
I had thought brick and mortar stores were taking advance orders.
It is available at all the usual outlets now. Most got their stocks today.
Will this be sold as a CD on André's website? I am not seeing it there now.
The lull before the storm. Andre has just one more concert in Stuttgard next Friday, before they all have a couple of weeks break. Then the start of the Tokyo tour on March 28, which then heralds in the Canadian/US Tour starting April 17. After an overload of gloomy news lately, it will be nice to have some concerts reports to read from all the fans lucky enough to be going to an Andre/JSO concert in the coming months.
Just checked at my JB Hi Fi again today it's still not in and they don't know when it wiil
Where are you Kirsten?? - they are certainly at JB-HiFi stores in Brisbane and Melbourne. I bought some this afternoon in Brisbane.
Hi Grayeme I live in Perth WA. Maybe I will ring another store in the morning
It might take an extra day to get over there too, Kirsten. I know they only arrived at my store here mid-afternoon today.
Good luck with it.
I have a question to all those who donate DVDs to Diana Height. Do they have to be in PAL????????? mine are in NTSC but with an uncoded player they can be played, please let me know, otherwise it is no use to send them. Inge
Hi Inge, I emailed Diana and she said the DVD's she saw were PAL but her mother is getting a new DVD player since it was destroyed. I asked her to try to find out what kind she is getting. It is safe to send PAL or CD's. It is only the video which must be PAL. I will let you know when I find out. Diana is just overwhelmed at all the generous fans who have offered to replace her Mom's Andre collection. I have a Live in New York extra CD which is still in the wrapper which I will send to her.
ALL FANS, please check your DVD's and if you already offered to replace and they are not PAL please let me know and we can revise the list. Thanks, Jeanine Ann
Jeanine Ann, I must have had my stupid hat on this morning! I did mail my music to Diana, but I grabbed the dvds instead of the cds. So now she will be getting 2 dvds that are not PAL. What a dunce I am.They're already in the mail. I guess I could go ahead and send the cds later if need be, It only cost $2.54 to mail them.
Jeanine Ann, tell her to get an uncoded one then she can play all systems. As soon as I know, I send the two DVDs. Inge
Dear Fans
I just read at Carmens Web Site that she will be with André & JSO in Maastricht this year and at the Australian Tour 2009.
These are great news.
Regards
Adriana - Blumenau/Brazil
It's always great to see & hear Carmen! Good news indeed.
I really don't think the Pal/NTSC bit is a problem. Particularly as Di's mum is getting a new one,in Australia, 95% of our DVD players come from Japan and they are all uncoded and Pal/NTSC compatiable.
Thanks Grayeme, then I shall send the two DVDs on the way tomorrow.
Alan Jones Interview with André Rieu
(Click on André's Photo on left)
http://www.2gb.com/index.php?option=com_homepage&id=1&Itemid=44
WHAT A WONDERFUL MAN, WITH SUCH A BIG HEART & WHAT A WONDERFUL SONG HE WROTE. YOU CAN FEEL HIS LOVE FOR AUSTRALIA WHEN TALKING WITH ALAN JONES & THE FACT THAT HE CAN'T BE THERE TO HELP. I PRAY ALL WILL BUY MANY, MANY COPIES OF THIS SONG AND GIVE TO OTHERS WHO NEED UPLIFTING BY THIS WONDERFUL MUSIC. GOD BLESS ALL.
I just finished listening to this interview and the music of "Yours Forever". Actually I listened to it twice. It's very good and heartwarming to listen to.
It's hard for everyone to hear of all the devastation that has taken place and is still happening...I heard this morning there are still some fires burning and they are expecting warmer weather again. I hope and pray that there will be no more fires and loss of life or structures.
"Yours Forever" is so beautiful, I can't wait to get my cd.
André is quite a special guy for composing such a special song, and I believe that his intention for healing music, is a fantastic success.
I have just bought Yours Forever it is absolutely beautiful. I have already played it 100 times lol
Andre is the best in the world
That makes my day Kirsten, I was having thoughts of Perth being left out again.
It was worth the wait, I am sure.
My 2 DVDs for Diana are on the way, hope she can use them: New years eve in Vienna and the one in front of the Hofburg in Vienna .
Hi Everyone
Hurry back, Sally. We miss you,
Get well rested Sally, remember your health is more important.
I am leaving now to mail my two DVD's. They are PAL so definitely no problem.
Received an advance copy from Denon Classics a copy of "André Rieu's Greatest Hits. It is 1:39 hours and consists of 20 songs from 14 releases of Denon Classics. It commemorates André's 30 Years On Stage.
It begins with his DVD "100 Years of Strauss" where he plays Oh habet acht from The Gypsy Baron. There are many of our favorites on this DVD. We did have a track listing on the blog but if anyone missed that list I will put it on again for you. I was very happy to see "The Gladfly" which is one of André's most beautiful melodies and "You Are My Hearts Delight" another of my favorites. "Toselli's Serenade", "Ode To Maastricht" and "Song Of The Volga" are also featured. I really like it because it brings a lot of my favorites (and probably yours) to one DVD.
It is due to be released March 3rd.
I HARDLY CAN WAIT, TO HEAR AND SEE OUR FAVORITES.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A Wonderful LADY WHO HAS HELPED US ALL WITH THIS WONDERFUL SITE & WITH MANY OTHER THINGS. I PRAY THIS WILL BE YOUR BEST BIRTHDAY EVER. I CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR MY DVD GREATEST HITS FROM AMAZON. MARCH 3RD WILL BE HERE SOON. LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR WEB PICTURE FOR MARCH. YOU ARE VERY TALENTED & CREATIVE & THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOU DO FOR US ANDRE FANS. GOD BLESS YOU, CLYDE & THE KITTENS.
Thank you so much Marguerite for your lovely birthday greeting. You are such a good friend. Big hugs to you.
Lots of special birthday wishes. Have a
wonderful time.
THIS MAY BE A DUPLICATE OF WHAT I JUST SENT AS WHEN I SUBMITTED IT, IT WENT AWAY SO HERE GOES AGAIN. JEANINE ANN, A VERY, VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A WONDERFUL LADY WHO IS SO HELPFUL & UNDERSTANDING TO ALL OF US ANDRE LOVERS. TELL CLYDE YOU DESERVE CHAMPAIGNE & CAVIAR AS WE CAN'T GIVE IT TO YOU SO WE ARE COUNTING ON HIM TO FILL IN FOR ALL OF US. I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO MY DVD OF "GREATEST HITS" WHICH I PRE-ORDERED FROM AMAZON. MARCH 3RD IS ALMOST HERE. I DON'T CARE IF I HAVE THEM ON OTHER DVD'S, IT WILL BE NICE TO HAVE OUR FAVORITES ON ONE DVD. I RECORD THE ONES ON PBS SO WHEN I WANT TO LISTEN TO A FEW SONGS BEFORE RETIRING I JUST GO TO THE SAVED ONES ON THE TV, GET MY ANDRE FIX AND OFF TO SLEEP.I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR MARCH PAGE & NEW PICTURE. YOU ARE VERY TALENTED AND CREATIVE WITH THE WEB PAGE & I APPRECITE ALL THE TIME YOU SPEND ON IT TO GIVE ALL OF US OUR ANDRE FIX FOR THE DAY. LOVE TO YOU, CLYDE & THE KITTENS
Hey all,
Jeanine Ann, Thats really cool they sent you a unreleased dvd. Also i found some one selling another violin on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ANDRE-RIEU-SIGNED-VIOLIN-COMES-WITH-COA-PHOTO-PROOF_W0QQitemZ140303009132QQihZ004QQcategoryZ61QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Sorry the link is so long. lol I cant believe all of the people selling Andre Autographs, they are all comming out of the cracks. Thanks
-Jeff
Spring concerts are drawing near. You might want to check your local PBS schedules, we happened to catch Live In Vienna last night on our station.Spring pledge drives are always very successful when they feature Andre Rieu. The host said that back several years ago, when they first introduced Andre they were overwhelmed with call in pledges. Is it no wonder they like to promote him?
Thank you Shirley, Live In Vienna has always been my favorite. The music is spectacular and I can feel that beautiful warm summer evening. I watch it often. Hugs
I would like say a very special thank you to moderator Jeanine Ann. She has been a "right arm" for this web site. Her birthday falls on the 29th of this month, and since there is no 29th this year, and this is the last day of the month, maybe we get to leave her two birthday wishes?
Thank you so much Shirley. You are so kind and special. The little I do I do for our dear André and for you the fans and to help Sally with all that she does. Love you all. Jeanine Ann
Jeanine Ann, as one moderator to another, I would add my appreciation for your contributions here as well. And Happy Birthday wishes to you.
"
When twilight drops her curtain downAnd pins it with a star
Remember that you have a friend
Though she may wander far".
Hear' Ye - Hear' Ye !!!
Thank You Jeanine Ann and have a wonderful Birthday.
Thank you so much Grayeme for your great birthday wish. I am so thankful for all my friends. Big hugs to you.
Thank you so much Prudence for your beautiful birthday wish. Big hugs to you
Thank you so much for your birthday greeting Piano. Canno wait for your present. You are so kind. Big hugs to you.
Hey Jeanine Ann, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
Sorry its so late in the day for the greeting. I hope you have a day full of Music (andre's of course lol)
Take care!!
-Jeff
Thank you very much Jeff. My birthday is really between tomorrow (Sat) and Sunday. There is no 29th this year so I can celebrate a few days. : ) My sister and her husband are having Clyde and I over to their house tomorrow for cake and coffee. That will be fun. We will have music also! Big hugs to you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM ME TOO JEANINE ANN.
I HAVE ANOTHER FRIEND WHO SHARES YOUR BIRTHDATE AND SHE THINKS IT'S GREAT BECAUSE SHE CELEBRATES FOR THE TWO WHOLE DAYS, INSTEAD OF JUST ONE.
GO FOR IT!
Thank you so much Jill for your nice birthday wishes. It is nice that I can celebrate 2 days. Two days of cake and everything that goes with it. Big hugs to you.
Enjoy your day(s). Mine as you know is 1/2 and it sort of got lost in the Christmas shuffle. I mean I did have a cake, but I got the feeling my mother just held out a Christmas present and gave it to me on my birthday. Seriously, do something you really want to do. Joey is outside probably in a bush. I guess I have to go find him. He totally ignores me when I call. How are the kitties? Thank you, Jeanine, for all you do on the site.
Last day of February, where I live is cold today,26°, by the end of next week will be about 75°.My Andre tulips are showing through the ground now, hope they won't be blooming any time soon. Jeanine Ann, you can now celebrate for two days.
Anyway, these are just a few of my thoughts for this last day of the month. Have a good one everyone.
HELLO SHIRLEY. YES, ALL AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN KNOW BLINKY BILL. THE STORIES WERE WRITTEN BY DOROTHY WALL. HE'S A SWEET LITTLE FELLOW.
Hi Jill, well I wish I'd known about him when my daughter was little. she would have loved him too.We've always read a lot and I used to buy, here, the little Golden Books"& a lot of them had stories similar to Blinky Bill. I love that name, any clue as to why that name was chosen? Blinky is so cute, the only "blinky" word I ever knew was what we used to call half spoiled milk. We would say "this milk is tasting a bit blinky isn't it?
I am planting Tomatoes this weekend. Give them a good start so I can enjoy them early and keep them until next November. It is alternating between rainy and bright sunshine here.
Shirley, I'd be happy to have 26. It's 17 and I am freezin. Two sweatshirts on,
scarf around my neck and I am in the house. Sun was out earlier, NOW cloudy and getting darker and colder. AND, MAY I add to Sally, planting already? WOW, by the time it warms up here it'll be August. Watched the Australia DVD for the first time today, what a show, I sat still for 2hr 8min, I was happy, smiling, laughing, having a great time for the end of February. Could you tell me why I was expecting to see Mirusia dressed in Aussie wear and singing some of those songs they just played???? Can some one set me straight...could be brain freeze???? Have a wonderful evening 'all' my friends.
JUDITH, JUST A LITTLE MORE TIME AND IT WILL GET BETTER! YOU AND ME MUST THINK ALIKE, I WAS EXPECTING THE SAME THING FROM MIRUSIA? JUST BEING AUSTRALIAN.
Judith, I think Mirusia did wear some aussie gear in the Maastricht dvd, but I really liked her red dress in the Australia one. Hey girl, are you getting snow yet, we have been most of the afternoon now. 26 is enough for me, especially since we just had a 77 a few days ago. And tomatoes, yum,yum.not for us yet unless we get the store bought ones and they are never as good. But I have to say, Sally has made my mouth water for a BLT, I've got half a tomato left in the fridge & I know what I'm having for supper. Dan can have a TV dinner, he doesn't like tomatoes anyway.