This creature is stirring

Yay, the Internet is working! I'm on Ed's computer and it's Christmas Eve. I hope everyone is well and happy and is with family and/or friends.

This morning we drove up to Temple Square to watch Music and the Spoken Word. My Dad pretty much has to see it when he's here. Watching today I was struck by the difference between this concert and their big huge Christmas concert, which I saw on Dec 16th.

The biggest difference was Sissel. She was the guest performer and I cannot say enough about her. She was amazing--her voice, her clothes, the way she just looks like the nicest, most talented person in the world who would just come to your house and be your friend and sing to you sometimes. I kind of couldn't even breathe when she sang--her voice was like crystal drops from heaven. And she made it look absolutely effortless, as though it's just normal to sound like some sort of angel every time you open your mouth.



She was not there this morning.

The children were, though.

For some reason a whole bunch of people thought that a great idea would be to bring their toddlers in to see Music and the Spoken Word in the hopes that the shrieks of their howler monkey children would make it into the broadcast so that listeners in the farm houses of Nebraska could hear them. I could not believe it. The website clearly states that children under 8 are not invited to performances. I understand that people with really mature and well-behaved 6-yr-olds might want to stretch the rules. And, you know, whatever. But I cannot believe the people who just sat there while their kids screeched. They had a section designated for the people with kids, which maybe is out of the recording equipment's range. But I could hear them. It was pretty much constant. And it almost made me lose my Christmas spirit, I tell you.

The other funny bit was when they finished and everyone in the audience leapt to their feet to give a standing ovation. You already know how I feel about that. I gave a standing ovation at the Christmas concert, because it really was that spectacular. This was just a normal Sunday. Afterwards the announcer said, "Thank you for that generous response." Which I'm pretty sure is his version of an eye-roll.

So, bottom line: Just because something has the word "Mormon" in the title, that does NOT make it some kind of free-for-all for your kids to ruin. Not that I blame your children, because it's not their fault. It's yours.

Other bottom line: Sissel is amazing, and Sissel + Mormon Tabernacle Choir = standing ovation.

Third bottom line: Merry Christmas!!!