Dad surprised Kristin and I with tickets to Aladdin.

Once we adjusted to the fact that this was really more like an adaptation of Aladdin, we were able to enjoy it. Still, taking out the carpet, Abu, and Iago...??? While understandable practically, it's just not the same. But they were clever. The singing was unbelievable, the acting was well-done, and the costumes of the second half especially were awesome. However, the special affects were nearly non-existent, and the writers must have overdosed on old Broadway showtunes. Remember, this is coming from a girl who loves the 40's and would pay to watch Singing in the Rain and Guys & Dolls weekly, but those don't exactly belong in Aladdin. I don't want to see Aladdin and Jasmine waltz, nor do I want the words "the rub" sung by the villain. Leave the rub to Shakespeare! The first half especially just seemed unfaithful to the story, and it deeply irks me when writers decide to make something their own, without honoring the original nature of the piece. You have to understand what's really at the heart of it before you try to add or adapt it. Aladdin's numerous speeches to his mom made me wonder if these guys SAW the cartoon?! That said... back again to the positive: some definitely funny moments, amazing singing, well-performed by all the actors. And maybe it was the reality that the second half really was better and seemed more in-line, or maybe it was that I had finally accepted that this was not going to be the piece we were expecting, but I completely enjoyed from intermission forward. Come to think of it, it might also have to do with the detail that Aladdin didn't mention his mom once after the intermission.

I know, we were tough critics. Aladdin was one of Kristin and my's favorite Disney movies- still is. It's one of the Disney cartoons that got released in our childhood. Plus, she wasn't blonde. We memorized all the songs, had the pajamas, played the video game (with the awesome bonus level where you flew the magic carpet and collected jewels in the stars!), we dreamt of having pet tigers and monkeys! And I'll admit, I tend toward being a bit of a traditionalist... I have perhaps somewhat appropriately earned the family nickname "The Tradition Nazi." So all that considered, it is pretty impressive that they were able to win us over some and get us laughing by the end. Favorite moment of the play "We're making music while we're fighting."  The song of three characters completely added, where their lyrics mostly mock their existence and actions. Kind of great how self-aware their part was, perhaps redeemed it a bit that they seemed like the three characters taken directly out of Guys and Dolls-- even starting out in the market just the same. :/ Being that the 5th presented that play only a few months ago, they must have expected their audience to recognize what they'd done... I hope.

The Hall of History: Boeing &UW (I just named it that). Suffice to say, we look every time. Dad gives a bit of a speech ever time, examining each picture as if he'd never seen it.  FYI: This is Denny Hall, one of my favorite buildings on campus :) I've taken dozens of photos of it over the years, many of them posted here of course.

The Chief.  We've taken many a picture with this fellow. 

'Lil Sis & Big Sis

We picked up Katherine before heading out to a lovely dinner on the water in Edmonds.   Don't worry, Kate will be seeing it on the 31st.   ;)