George Eliot

I don't have any pictures of Hash, but I took a video. My hamster is a strange little thing. When in his cage he's quite energetic (as you will see), but once out he soon becomes almost catatonic. He'll just sit there unmoving. Anyway, go here to see him: http://www.dropshots.com/day.php?userid=98626&cdate=20060409&ctime=131227

We had this magnificent thunderstorm the other day. It was none stop thunder and lighting for at least 10 minutes. I've never heard it thunder like this. It was very cool. I took some videos on my camera. And I managed to capture a lightning snake. The videos are here:

http://www.dropshots.com/day.php?userid=98626&cdate=20060409&ctime=131245

http://www.dropshots.com/day.php?userid=98626&cdate=20060409&ctime=131245

http://www.dropshots.com/day.php?userid=98626&cdate=20060409&ctime=131323

I have to pictures of the lightning, one is as it was taken, the other has been edited a little. The camera made it look very blue, but it was more gray.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/Kaydaa/Img_4275.jpg unaltered

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/Kaydaa/ee55db32.jpg altered

We went to see the play Les Miserables. I have enjoyed the music very much, and since it was in the area... Carmella, Dad, and I went. It was playing in Detroit, at the Fisher Theatre. It's amazing how big cities, no matter how dirty and crime infested they are close-up, are so pretty from afar. There is something about tall buildings hazed in blue. As we drove into the city, I saw this one very tall and pretty building. It had a spired top and I took note of it. Turns out it was the Fisher Building we were going to! The inside was just a beautiful. Big arching ceilings and marble floors. We arrived a few minutes before they opened the doors. Dad bought us a program, said it was a must for attending a play. The theatre was a very big but it was pretty. Are seats were up at the very top, but it was still a good view. However as we were being seated, the usher told us that only 200 people were going to be at the nights show. He said once it got closer to opening curtain, we could move down. I'm so thankful we went on a weekday, when attendance was low. We were able to sit much closer in amazing seats. I worried some at first. The stage seemed so small, there was only room for a few people. It turns out, the big screen behind pulled up. The stage wasn't very wide, but really deep.

Let me give you a little story one the play. It is set during the early 1800's, just before the French Revolution. The story follows a man Jean Valjean. He has been imprisoned for stealing. Having served his time his is let out on parole. Valjean finds life on parole hard, and steals once again, this time from a Priest. The Priest shows him mercy and claims him for God. Valjean vows to lead a good life. He raises a young girl Cosette, a promise he made to her mother on the woman's death bed. However, he has broken parole, and must dodge the officer looking for him Javert. The play the jumps 10 years, to show the life of the poor in France. It follows young students as they try to rally the people, to fight for thier own freedom. I'd say more, but that would give away the ending, I hope I haven't said to much already.

The play was magnificent. The singers were brilliant and the performance beautiful. Every part was acted so well, making you feel for the the characters in front of you. The notes hit by the women were incredible. Cosette had the most stunning notes, in "Heart Full of Love" higher than any others. But it was Eponine's solo that I liked. Right near the end of "On My Own."she sang a particularly stunning note, and then all was silent. The effect was almost haunting. Several of the female characters had to sing laying down, but the still hit every note. My favorite character was little Gavroche, played by eight year old Athony Skillman. He ran all over the stage and was very good at the part.

The stage effects were cool. During Javert's solo "Stars" the back of the stage lit with stars. The set that was run-down Paris, turned to become the barricade. A brilliant white light was shone on characters who died. One of the most haunting scenes was "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" It sung as a lament over lives lost. During the song, the men who were dead, walk forward, to watch their friend as he sang. They then turned and walked back into the shadows. The lighting was such, that the shadows first grew and then shrank as the disappeared. One thing that was cool, most of the stage was on a large turntable. It could simulate walking, yet allow the actor to stay at the front of the stage. It was also used to show both sides of the barricade.

One thing that has me thinking is my reaction to the characters. The parts I did and didn't like. It makes me wonder why.Why do I like Eponine, the thief and beggar, and not Cosette the proper young lady. Why Valjean the thief and convict, and not Javert the strict police officer.

All in all it was a wonderful night.

Note: The life of the poor in France at the time the play is set is rather rough.So included in the play is harsh language and bawdy behaviour. And just so you all know, I don't agree with that.

Well, I guess that's all for now. Sorry it's so long.