Shaken, Not Stirred
The first Saturday in September was really hectic. People running left, running right. Which for me means I was chaffeuring celebreties my daughter to SAT prep and then to my sister-in-law #4’s house to clean the pool. I took my laptop and fiddled with tax stuff, while she worked on the pool. When she finished we sped home and cleaned up for the evening. Threw on jean’s and polo only to be criticised, “You’re wearing that.” So I stepped into a nearby phonebooth and came out looking like this.
No more criticism. So, what do you think? Why the zoot suit on a Saturday night?
Because we were off to listen to the music from the James Bond movies. The Houston Symphony put on a pops performance. And dang if we were not late. I expected to have to stand in the lobby until the intermission. I dropped off the missus and kids at Jones Hall entrance. Then I drove to the parking lot and rushed to the hall. We had tickets for the balcony so I had to walk up a thousand steps.
The ushers were really nice making sure I got up to the nose bleed lobby as quickly as possible. I panicked as I am walking along and I could not remember how to turn off my mobile phone. I could hear the music from Goldfinger playing as I finally made it to the balcony. Finally, turned my phone off and the usher sat me down in an empty seat in between songs.
I missed the first two songs which were from Bond films. Then they changed to some other movie themes, which have heroic characters. First up was Batman Returns. That is quite an impressive tune and I would not mind to purchase this sound track. It is much better than the lame Superman Returns theme song the orchestra played next. The program recovered with the Spiderman movie theme. After listening, if I had the choice to only have one song to listen to over and over, I would pick Batman Returns.
Intermission came after that tune. So I found my missus and the kids. Waved at the kids as they sat in a different section and then went to find our seats. This is how it looked from where we sat.
If you squint real hard you can see the stage from up here. To make the remainder of the evening more delightful, the man sitting next to me reeked so much of garlic that I thought he was Korean. Really funky. I hope his date likes that. If I had not lived in Korea and developed a taste for Korean food I might have passed out.
When the program resumed, the conductor introduced the orchestra’s new assistant concertmaster. I could not find the program so I cannot provide her name, I just remember she came from Bulgaria. They got off topic for her introduction to Houston and played some gypsey tunes, which featured her on violin. I cannot recall the composer either, just recall that he was a violin virtuoso, who composed music that allowed him to show off. And this lady was up to the task, and I am uncertain what was hotter, her little red dress or the strings on her violin?
Then next section of the program consisted of Henry Mancini tunes. The first pair came from some ancient TV shows and they called it Mr. Lucky meets Peter Gun. You could tell the trombones were having a good time on this tune. After that they performed the Inspector Cleauseau tune, another Mancini piece, and because the conductor said he liked us, he led the orchestra in the Pink Panter theme. At this time I will admit my ignorance, I never realized there were two songs from that movie before.
After that the program finally returned to James Bond tunes. And the orchestra played a really nice medley from the basic Bond theme, Live or Let Die, Your Eyes Only and a few others. Really sounded nice, despite the couple chatting next to my wife, and the woman humming behind me. I need to make more money so I can afford a box.
Then they finised the set and the conductor walked off. He returned for an encore and they played Mission Impossible. That is an awesome song live. So much energy. Makes you want to get in your car and drive 200 miles per hour. And then it was done. Before I forget, Oceanskies, they had five double bass performing with the orchestra on this evening. As we exited the balcony, I looked down to see entry foyer below.
We really enjoyed the concert. Except my son. My daughter kept waking him up. I think the smile on my missus face shows how happy she felt at the end of the show.
Still wish I had wore my polo shirt. I actually saw a dude there wearing a t-shirt and jeans. Probably some rock n roll disc jockey, as his hair was down to his waist too.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Nice, nice! You look smart, the missus looks lovely, the orchestra sounded good. I like soundtracks, particularly is played by the orchestra. Love the big band sound.
SA: Mama Kat!!! How are you? Been missing you lady!
September 10th, 2007 at 11:41 am
Awwww, you look so smart with zee suit on, and your Missus? What a pretty woman.
I had to laugh when you mentioned nose bleed. When hubby told me once he had to watch a ballgame from the nose bleeder section, I gave him a look and right away he explained to me why it was given that slang.
SA: Thank you for the compliments. Heck, we almost need oxygen for those seats.
September 10th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
wow…what ya wonderful weekend! Haha….both yur ladies must be trilled with that concert. Prob yur son left her girlfriend behind?? Btw SA, there is a tag for you on my blog
SA: Okay. Will do the tag soon!
September 10th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Waaaaa go concert wor!! Nice nice!!
September 10th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
heh! u look absolutely great! i need a suit too! so i look a few hundreds times smarter!
SA: Thanks. You need a suit for interviewing too. Once you graduate and all.
September 10th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
quite the life, orchestra and all! been awhile since I went to an orchestral performance. gotta do it one more time soon…
SA: It was a lovely day. You have such a beautiful venue for these offerings in Sydney.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
I usually wear Polo T-shirt and jeans to concert hall, so long as I wear covered shoes. It is quite alright except unless the concert is a concert where everyone is expected to dress very formally.
Houston Symphony sounds good.
September 10th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
sounds like a great concert!
hahaha…why ah???how can you wear polo tees and jeans to a concert???cannot cannot… bleks
dont you look nice n handsome in a suit? u shud hv done the “james bond” pose lerrr!
SA: Cannot do the James Bond pose. My gun is bigger than his pea shooter.
September 10th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
u look cool with that outfit. and ur missus is quite pretty. Bet the concert is nice >
SA: Hi Amanda. Thanks for the compliments. Welcome to my blog.
September 10th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Oh wow…what I would give to attend a symphony! And it sounds like you had so much fun. You know, I can hear those tunes in my head as I was reading through that post. By the way, you look good in that suit. You should always wear that for a symphony, not a polo shirt and jeans. Hehehe…
SA: Where is the nearest symphony? Do you have to go to Kay El or Singapore? It was a pleasant evening. Thanks for the compliments.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
SMART!!
the number of steps you climbed… really something. looked so high i almost get feeble knees…
SA: I hate heights. Really don’t like it up there. But the music made it all worth while.
September 11th, 2007 at 1:04 am
Hi again,
Leng Chai as always.
That suit you donned on + that cute smile spells HANDSOME =) as in vavavoom. Look that the lovely smile from you wife. She was indeed very happy. That look was just priceless.
Anyway, I have figured out how to add a link and have added you. Thanks again for visiting my blog. Hopefully in no time I am going to be a PRO!
SA: *blush* Thanks so much.
Good going there. After a while all of this stuff will be so easy. Thanks for adding me.
Nicole
September 11th, 2007 at 3:09 am
Wow, this is the first time I see your family in here. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your family outing!
SA: I stick em in here now and then. They are shy lah. We had a good time. Good to get out of the house sometimes.
September 11th, 2007 at 4:38 am
That cool. But I reckon my Mark will probably fall asleep just like your son did.
SA: I snooze at these things sometimes. But this music was too moving to nod off.
September 11th, 2007 at 6:24 am
looking smart n young in ur suit!!! =D
i think ur missus would’ve killed u if u wore a polo shirt!! she’s dressed up so lovely!! =P hehe
SA: Thanks Huei. Under dressing would have had its costs down the road, I’m sure.
September 11th, 2007 at 7:02 am
You and the missus look GREAT
Esp with the smiles awww
Golden couple
SA: Thank you. Golden? Trying to smile as big as you! Very difficult to achieve.
September 11th, 2007 at 7:35 am
Mr & Mrs SA look great with those outfits
I never been to any orchestra leh..
SA: Thanks doc!
You should go when you have a chance. The music is so much more powerful at a live performance.
September 11th, 2007 at 7:47 am
Is good to dress up once in a while..you look good in the suit!!!
SA: Thanks Nicole. Hey you ever go the Sydney Opera House?
September 11th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Phhewweeet, smart couple
I love ‘For Your Eyes Only’
even if i love garlic, doesn’t mean it’s okay to breathe someone elses. yucks! what a turn off!
SA: Thank you.
Tot I was gonna die!
September 11th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
wah wah! so smart looking! The misus also so radiant wor! Must be a nice evening out eh?
I’ve went to the orchestra once in the Opera House
in Sydney and I almost zzz off!
September 11th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
You two looked fabulous and the musical sounds great too.
Your comment about that garlicky smelling neighbour was funny! Also, I didn’t know that Koreans like garlic a lot…that’s something new that I learnt
September 11th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Oooo… you and your missus looked fab! I can’t see the kids. It was a great evening. The music sounds wonderful with all those songs.
September 12th, 2007 at 3:40 am
You and the missus look really fine, dolled up for the orchestra! But where are the kids?
How come they didn’t play the famous movie themes from Star Wars one? Cheh!
September 12th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
cool, houston pops! glad you managed to catch most of the concert. also, i love the gallery seats more than down below. my opinion? sounds much better when you’re high up in the concert hall. invest in opera glasses, and you’re golden!
SA: I kicked myself for forgetting my binoculars. I am so blind that I could not locate the drumset and guitars until after the intermission. I’m so blind.
September 13th, 2007 at 10:17 am
You know why ladies like to go to this type of music performance, so that they can dress up.
SA: Looking at the lovely ladies is one of the best parts of the night too. So ho leng la.
September 16th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
awww… this is great! Is that Mrs. Jerry?! She looked wonderful… you have to sing ‘wonderful tonight’ for here..
and you also looked great with that suit.. hm.. she has to sing “have I told you lately that I love you” for you! haha..
Have a nice day, Jerry! OH btw, I have updated Yah again in case you and your readers want to know her progression. here’s the link http://www.ruangsudut.info/2007/09/update-about-yah.html
SA: Yep. That is her. Thanks for the compliment. Thanks for the update on Yah too.
September 21st, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Wow..!! so handsome lah.. SA..!! you sure made your wife happy. Yer’ll never catch PB in one of this arty farty stuff..!! he’ll rather die..! muahahhahaha!!