songbird's crazy world

  1. Share one happy moment/memory from the holiday season.  Christmas Eve, a group of friends gathered at the Melting Pot. 2. Let's be reasonable with our expectations going into this new year, k? What is  one  thing you'd like to accomplish/improve/complete/do in 2022?  Regain my fluency in Spanish.  I was very good in high school and college, but I have forgotten much of what I learned. 3. Every January 1st (since 1976) Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse or just general uselessness ( go here to read more about how the words are chosen ). Here are the words/phrases they'd like to see banished in 2022- wait, what?-no worries-at the end of the day-that being said-asking for a friend-circle back-deep dive-a new normal-you're on mute-supply chain Which of these words/phrases do you use regularly? Which of these words would you most like t...

 And it’s a “your choice” week. The late Betty White was as well-known for her love of animals as she was for her acting ability.  In her honor, my theme this week is animals. Let’s start with dogs.    And cats    What does the Fox say?    Lions    And elephants     Thank you, Betty   

 If you like the Marvel universe, you will love Spider-Man:No Way Home.  Fun, fun movie. When last we saw Spider-Man, his secret identity had been revealed to the entire world. The current film begins with Peter Parker lamenting his fate, and requesting that Dr. Strange do something to correct the situation. Spoiler alert! Stop reading now if you don’t want me to spoil the movie, Before you see the current movie starring Tom Holland as Spider-Man, you really should revisit the Toby Maguire and Andrew Garfield Spider-Man series.   Because … you guessed it … Dr. Stranger’s magic goes awry, opening up portals to the multiverse.  Villains looking for Spider-Man start popping up — but they’re not looking for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man… The Green Goblin, Dr. Octopus and Sandman are looking for Toby Maguire’s Spider-Man.  The Lizard and Electro are looking for Garfield’s Amazing Spider-Man. Eventually all three versions of our hero meet, and must unite to save the world....

 Our annual visit to the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights.  Last year we had to be masked  both indoors and outdoors, everywhere in the zoo. This year we were required to be vaccinated and masked while indoors, but we didn't need to wear our masks outside.   We arrived during daylight, so we were able to see some of the zoo exhibits. American Bison: Sea lions: We got there at feeding time... The Madagascar exhibit: As the zoo was closing down, we grabbed some hot cocoa in a souvenir mug. . And then it got dark, and the lights came on. We saw a couple of cranes walk by You'll see Christmas trees and performers  in the Zoo center. As always, we had a wonderful evening.

 So going back to my COVID rant … Dr. Sabin, who also developed a polio vaccine, got his start by inventing a vaccine for Japanese encephalitis.  The vaccine must be repeated every three years to maintain immunity.  My friend is ignorant of science and history. We went out to eat and to the movies, and I expected to mask up.  At the Bronx Zoo, we also had to show proof of vaccination in order to enter the indoor exhibits. Went to the drugstore to pick up my prescription, and there was a huge sign explaining that they were out of COVID testing kits. More Broadway cancelations, sports teams are having difficulty. The airlines have been canceling flights, and at least three cruise ships have had minor outbreaks. We have a cruise planned for December 2022, and I’m hoping … Sigh.

 and for the last Monday of the year, it's time for the annual New Year's Eve music party. Bing Crosby is always a joy. A little ABBA    Some Johnny Mathis   Of course we include Barry Manilow    You  really need some Pentatonix    A real Scotsman to sing  "Auld Lange Syne"    So let's count it down....      

 Earlier this week I saw a TV special, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett at Radio City Music Hall.  Bennett is 95 years old and suffers from Alzheimer’s, but he came alive on that stage.  Gaga said it was Bennett’s farewell performance.   Drew and I saw Bennett in concert in  2013 .  Becca won tickets from a radio station and thought we would appreciate the show more than she would. My remarks that night: Tony Bennett is 86 now, and still able to perform a show.  He sang for a little over an hour.  Sorry to say, he's not as good as he used to be.  Very charismatic, but the voice....he's getting by on magnetism and memories.  Still very entertaining.   Though I was very impressed when, at the end of the show, he turned off his microphone and sang "Fly Me To The Moon", and could be heard in every seat in the house. Who knew he’d still be singing 8 years later? I know I’m going to cry when he’s no longer among us. And then, on Wednesday,...