Labyrinth Flashback

One of my favorite time-killing websites is 

http://www.NotAlwaysRight.com  

It's a funny site in which people who work in the service and retail industry dish about some of their most memorable customers.  This recent article was especially funny to me regarding David Bowie's tights in Labyrinth...one of my favorite movies in my pre-teen years.  (And btw, Pan's Labyrinth is definitely NOT a children's movie!  Visually stunning, yes, but I hid my eyes on several violent scenes.)

May Contain Scenes Of Gratuitous Bowie

LIBRARY | LONDON, UK

Customer: “Yes, I’m looking for this movie for my daughter:Pan’s Labyrinth. I heard it was very good.”

Me: “Yes, it was very good.”

Customer: “Do you think the girls would like it?”

Me: “I don’t know, how old are they?”

Customer: “Nine.”

Me: “Uh, ma’am, Pan’s Labyrinth isn’t really a kids movie. It’s about the Spanish Civil War.”

Customer: “The what?”

Me: “The Spanish Civil War. General Franco. There’s a scene where a man gets his face beaten in.”

Customer: “But in the previews it looks like a kid’s movie, like that other movie with puppets.”

Me: “Do you mean Labyrinth?”

Customer:“Yes!”

Me: “That may be a better choice, trust me.”

Customer: *leaves*

Coworker: “I don’t know if David Bowie’s giant crotch is really safe for kids either…”

***See David Bowie sing Labyrinth's "Dance Magic Dance" here

Mike and Kaite

We just mailed off Mike and Kaite's wedding movies, which also included still frames plucked from the video and a "Growing Up Montage" which are baby and dating photos set music.  The couple chose our "Modern Edit Style" for the montage, which is getting rave reviews from many clients!

I was recovering from an ear and sinus infection while videotaping their wedding, but the beautiful surroundings invigorated me all day long!  Set in Oregon, IL, they chose an outdoor ceremony to capture the last vibrant colors of fall.  We set up a meeting spot where Mike and Kaite saw each other for the first time before the ceremony, and went to Castle Rock State Park for some photo opportunities.  Photography by Smiling Faces, DJ by WPKJ DJ services.  They also had a live ragtime band from NIU for their cocktail hour and first dance!  

Mike and Kaite were so much fun to work with, and you can tell they truly love each other!  An unexpected surprise was when Kaite livened things up with the father/daughter dance by choreographing a fun disco dance to get the party started!

Chicago Sugar Rush

I called my brother the day before his birthday and asked him what his big plans were for the following day.  He said he had to put up his paintings for an art show at Bleeding Heart Bakery.  Since he doesn't have a car, the girls and I offered to spend the day with Uncle Tim, and we had a great time.  I think we have to do impromptu road trips like this more often. 

DELICIOUS cupcakes!!!  I'm a total dork when it comes to cake decorating shows on the Food Network.  I had actually just seen the chef of this bakery in  Food Network Challenge a week before we went!  Awesome organic ingredients.  We ate some cupcakes to celebrate Tim's birthday.  I chose the Tandoori cupcake.  A little savory, a little sweet, a lot amazing!!!  Tim had triple chocolate, Beth chose chocolate raspberry and Clara chose chocolate peanut butter.  I snapped quickly while they inhaled!

At Tim's apartment we colored pictures, drank really strong coffee and stuffed ourselves into the fake fireplace.  Don't ask. ;-)

Hand soap.  Hmmm...

New photo session

I recently did some portraits of A for her upcoming first birthday!  She was adorable in her polka dot dress!  I had some inspiration strike just before they arrived for the photo session, and sent my hubby out for flowers.  It's hard to make eye contact sometimes at that age, so I thought flowers would be the perfect way to keep her attention.  Mission accomplished!

Duo of Magical Tales

We're about to mail out Children's Community Theater's DVD's and photos from last month's production of "Duo of Magical Tales".  This was a retelling of two of my favorite fairytales: Cinderella and Aladdin!  The performance was magical, and I could not believe the tremendous talent of some of the young actors!

Before I transfered to film school, I minored in theater for two years at NIU.  It was wonderful to be back at the O'Connell Theater after so many years!  The smell of sawdust from set construction instantly transported me back 10 years!  I can't wait for CCT's next productions coming soon!

(My daughter Beth celebrates her 4th birthday soon.  One of her presents was enrolling her in a tot acting class at the Bartlett Park District.  She loves playing dress up and pretending she's a princess, so now she can make some friends and act out fairy tales at the same time.  She'll be in heaven!)