Friday "My Town" shootout--Angels!

This week's FMTS theme is "Angels" chosen by Kim in Chicago.

Head here to see the other participants' fantastic shots!

My thought on the theme this week was that there are angels all around us, just not in the usual conventional ways; common, ordinary people around us, doing uncommon, extraordinary things. (makes me think of the Michael W. Smith song "Angels Unaware")

I only have one this week, but we all have angels like these in our lives:

Whenever we need them, rain or shine, day or night, they show up, ready to be angels to people really in need. When they're not saving lives, they're making our commuities better places.

Thank you, angels!

Friday "My Town" Shootout---Christmas!

This week's FMTS theme was suggested by the blogger team--Christmas Around Town! Head here to see a great write-up by Ginger.

And... head here to see the other participants great photos!

Being a musician, my holidays are dominated by musical performances. Earlier this week was the final dress rehearsal for a production of "The Nutcracker" I'm in, and I was lucky enough to actually be able to watch it, since my part was being covered in the pit!

A nutcracker sentinal stands guard at the end of the stage...


One of his infantrymen watches the action on stage...


A panorama shot of the opening... the scrim becomes transparent as the light onstage comes up...


The Nutcraker makes its first appearance. Herr Drosselmeyer demonstrates it for the anxious children...


The Nutcrakcer comes to life and prepares to battle the mice (with our two "Clara"s marking their spots!)...


The end of Act I... the Kingdom of Snowflakes...



The opening of Act II...


The SugarPlum Fairy looks a little distressed, since this is the last dress!


Ah, all better!


Finale of the Entrance to the Land of Sweets...


Clara and the handmaidens await the next dance...


...the Arabian Coffee dancers!



The Mirlitons (AKA Dance of the Reed Flutes)...


Chinese Tea...


...and the energetic Trepak! (this little guy in the middle is amazing!)


And the famous "Waltz of the Flowers"...






The Nutcracker Grand Pas de Deux...



Finale with all the dancers...



The Spanish Chocolate dancers...


And the company bow with the SugarPlum Fairy and her Cavalier front and center!


Lining up for the final exit...


And Herr Drosselmeyer makes a final appearance... was it a dream or not??

Friday "My Town" Shootout--weather!

I'm back! It's the holiday season, and with all the wonderful holiday music, SOMEONE has to play the concerts! :P Being a music teacher as well as what I call an "amateur professional" musician, I have a Christmas concert tomorrow, as well as starting my annual run of playing Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker", and this is all on top of all the performances with my students. Woo! Just a FEW things going on here!

Head here to see a wonderful write up on the topic, which was chosen by Emma in Arizona.

It was kismet that weather was the topic this week... SNOW fell here in the San Francisco Bay Area!! It RARELY snows here, and it's EVEN MORE RARE that the snow actually sticks! As in it sticks about once every 30 years!

This first picture was taken with my camera phone outside my classroom... our poor environmental science classes' garden! Maybe they were growing SNOW peas. ;)


All the surrounding mountains had a blanket of snow... gorgeous! I only wish the clouds cleared more so I could get a good shot! (look off in the distance here)


Unfortunately, rain came in today, which will probably wash away all the snow that's left. :(


My favorite shot of the week:


And this has NOTHING to do with weather, but it was TOO FUNNY not to share! As seen on the message board of a local church:


Lastly, a "preview" of next week. Tonight was the final dress rehearsal for "Nutcracker", and my part was covered, so I took the opportunity to actually WATCH it! (a novel concept for a musician!) The famous Waltz of the Flowers:


Have a good week, shutterbugs!

I'm still here....

... but extremely busy! Being a musician, this is the busy season for me; I think that there are only 3 days this month where I don't have something on.

I promise I'll have something up for this coming Friday!