It's no secret that musicals (particularly old musicals) contain some of the cheesiest and most ridiculous lyrics in the world. (And check out this cheesy and ridiculous promotional photo that I found for the 1954 film "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.") Don't get me wrong, I love old musicals. But ever since I married J (who has never seen or listened to many musicals), I am increasingly aware of the silly lyrics that I sing around the house.

Of all the musicals, I think that "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" takes the cake for having the silliest lyrics. I have always chuckled at songs like "Lonesome Polecat" (coupled with the axe-dancing performance in the film) and "Sobbin' Women." But for some reason, I never realized how silly some of the other lyrics are in that show. A few months ago, I was singing in the kitchen, when J interrupted me and said, "Wait a sec. Did you just sing, 'Bless your beautiful hide?'" And honestly, for the first time in my life, I realized how utterly ridiculous that song sounds.

What are your favorite cheesy musical lyrics? Can you think of a musical that's cheesier than "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers?"

I thought our far-away friends and family members would like to see Sam's scooting skills. He's been scooting/semi-crawling for about a month, and he loves to explore the house. Although his "exploration" (ahem, mess-creating and the-putting-of-small-things-in-his-mouth) leaves me constantly on my guard, it's fun to have him scoot around. He loves his new-found mobility.

Last night while lying in bed, I said to J, "Wow, today was the best day that I have had in a long time. It was a great day."

He said, "Hey wait, didn't you have a good time when we went on our trip last weekend?"

I answered, "Yeah, I did. But this is different because I didn't plan on having a great day. I planned on having fun when we went on our trip. Today I didn't expect anything unusually great to happen."

Unexpected "great days" are the best.

Here are the reasons why my day was so nice:

• Two surgeons agreed that my mom is ready for surgery! She is scheduled for an operation at the beginning of next month.
• Target has darling Eeyore toothbrushes for babies and toddlers. I can't help but smile when I see this little tiny toothbrush. Now Sam is ready to start brushing!
  
• A professor from a local university contacted me, asking what survey and upper-division classes I am prepared to teach. He and his colleagues are trying to plan courses for the next academic year, and he mentioned that he was especially "intrigued" by my background in Portuguese/Brazilian colonial art. I was floored. I have worried that my extremely specific focus would make me unappealing to many art history departments. I'm so happy that someone is interested in what I have studied! Although this professor has not offered me an adjunct position or anything, I'm terribly pleased that someone might consider to hold a seminar on Colonial Portuguese/Brazilian art.
• I discovered a website for The Hispanic Baroque group. This is the first academic group I have found which has interests similar to my own. I have had trouble finding many American scholars that are interested in my field, but it looks like there are several universities in Canada which have like-minded scholars. Yay for Canadians!
  
• I received a package from Ixoj and Phin which contained my birthday present - new orange shoes! This was an especially unexpected surprise, since my birthday isn't for a month and a half. After seeing the tattered condition of my current shoe pair, I think they decided to send me a present early. Thanks, friends! It's just what I wanted.
  
• Before going to bed, I discovered that the well-respected art historian W.J.T. Mitchell is coming to lecture at Seattle University in a few weeks. Mitchell is one of the most prominent art historians/theorists that is practicing today. We studied some of his work when I was in graduate school. I'm very excited to hear this lecture.

What kinds of things turn your normal days into great ones?

For this whole season of "American Idol", I've really liked Adam Lambert's performances. He is a great singer and has an amazing amount of control in his upper range. His vocal talent is quite phenomenal. However, I thought that tonight's performance of "Ring of Fire" was excessively indulgent and ridiculous. And also, uh, strange? Using the sitar in the accompaniment was kind of cool, but really, everything was a little "too much" for me. Plus, I don't feel like Adam shows any kind of connection with his music - everything seems really contrived and showy. I haven't connected with his personality either. Really, does the audience know much more about Adam Lambert besides that he's hungry for fame and wealth?

Each week I am increasingly drawn to Matt Giraud and Danny Gokey. I like both of their personalities and feel like they use music as a true means for self-expression. Danny and Matt don't have as much control over their vocal range as Adam, but I think that their expressivity and musicality makes them more appealing. If Adam doesn't start to show more self-expression and personality in his performances and interviews, I think Matt or Danny might win the competition.

What did other people think about the performances tonight? J thinks that Alexis will leave, and I think (hope!) that Scott will go.

I came across my new favorite picture of J from when he was little. Over twenty years ago, J looked like this:

Two summers ago, when I lived in New York City, I spent a good deal of my time doing research at the New York Public Library. I absolutely loved the beautiful architecture and ambiance of the reading rooms, even though often I was too distracted by the ceiling coffers to focus on my books! Beautiful libraries are some of the most wonderful things in the world. After looking at this site, I think that I'd like to visit the George Peabody Library in Baltimore next. Really, I want to go to ALL of them.

Which one do you like?

So, recently I bought this DVD that had an episode from the Jerry Lewis Show. This show was a short-lived variety series that aired from September-December 1963. After watching this show, I can see why it was canceled after a few months - it was awful! The show was aired live; sometimes it was so slow-paced that I could barely watch it. The only entertaining part was when Jerry sang "improvisation opera" with his guest Patrice Munsel. Their chit-chat is rather funny too, but the singing in this clip begins at about 2:58. It is even funnier if you understand what she's saying in Italian to Jerry ("Say something!" "What do you think?" "Speak!"). And Jerry just jabbers back in Italianate drivel:



Although this next clip wasn't exactly funny, it was interesting to watch. One of the other guests on this episode was Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali). I knew that this boxer was cocky and self-confident, but it's astounding to hear him rattle on and on about how he is "so great." Start watching this clip at about 1:38 to get an idea:



Other than these two brief sections, this show was exceptionally lame. If my sister C wants this DVD for her Jerry Lewis shrine, she's more than welcome to have it.

My friends Phin and Ixoj came to visit this past weekend! I didn't realize that we could cram so many activities into a few days. I was too "busy" (translation: lazy) to take pictures or order J to take pictures for me, so I only have a few photos of our fun. Here's to a great weekend with great friends!

J and I are placing bets on who will get through on American Idol tonight.

J's bets
Top girl: Lil Rounds
Top Guy: Ju'Not Joyner
Runner-up: Von Smith

Wild cards: Megan Joy Corkrey, Ricky Braddy, Matt Giraud

My bets
Top girl: Lil Rounds
Top guy: Von Smith
Runner-up: Felicia Barton

Wild cards: Jasmine Murray (because she's so "commercial"), Ricky Braddy, Matt Giraud

What are your predictions?

I have loved the Beatles since I was in sixth grade. My early favorites were all of the early Beatles hits, and as I got older my tastes increasingly favored Beatles songs produced later and later in the band's career. Perhaps my musical tastes evolved at the same rate as the Fab Four's tastes? Hmm.

For years, however, my favorite Beatles album has been Revolver (1966). J bought me a vinyl album record a few years ago, and it is often the record that's located on the turntable, waiting to be played. Not only are all of the songs great on this album, but I think there is a distinct cohesion and unity on this album that makes it unique. The songs go well together, and use of sitar on Love You To adds such a cool flair to the album's feel.

The songs included in Revolver are:

Side One
Taxman
Eleanor Rigby
I'm Only Sleeping
Love You To
Here, There and Everywhere
Yellow Submarine
She Said She Said

Side Two
Good Day Sunshine
And Your Bird Can Sing
For No One
Doctor Robert
I Want to Tell You
Got to Get You Into My Life
Tomorrow Never Knows

If I had to pick favorite songs, I would choose I'm Only Sleeping and For No One. What are your favorite songs from Revolver?

Here's a video clip that has the music of the first recorded take of I'm Only Sleeping. Although I like the final version, I really like the raw sound of this take.