From the Inside Out

Family, food, fun, and fireworks — those are the earmarks of a great birthday party, and Independence Day has to be the biggest one of the year. Where else can you see 306 million people joining together to celebrate one birthday?

Yes…yes, I know. We aren’t celebrating a human birth, but I don’t think that makes the celebration any less important. This birthday bash happens to be the one day each year where we set aside our political and moral differences. We proudly come together as one to celebrate the birth of our magnificent nation and the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. We also pause to remember those brave men and women who fought for the freedom and liberties we so richly enjoy today.

I’ve always loved Independence Day. Maybe it’s what the day represents — freedom. Maybe it’s because I usually spend the day in the pool or on the lake — two of my favorite pastimes. Maybe it’s because of the fireworks. No matter what age you are, those never get old. Maybe it’s all of those things.

I’m getting excited just thinking about it. We’ll be “parading” in the morning, swimming in the afternoon, and meeting up with family to shoot off fireworks at night. It’s going to be a blast — no pun intended…okay, maybe it was a tiny bit intentional.

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate the birth of our country, don’t forget to thank God for allowing you to be a part of this great nation. And while you are at it, say a few prayers for the people who are still fighting to preserve our liberty. May God keep them safe and continue to bless the “land of the free and the home of the brave.”

Opening night for McKinney Repertory Theatre’s production of Hartburn Hotel is one week away! We have only 5 more rehearsals until we perform — exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.

This weekend, we’ll be participating in the McKinney parade, assisting with stage set-up, and painting the flats (backdrops). They still need people to help on Sunday afternoon, so if you want to volunteer, let me know.

While it’s been hectic trying to keep up with work, rehearsal, remembering lines, and learning piano songs, it has also been a blast. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. And, it will be even better when we get to perform. The audience response always makes it worth the effort. That’s why we keep doing it again and again.

Our director invited a few people to the rehearsals, and their reviews have been great so far. It’s fun to look into the audience and see them laughing and smiling at the antics on stage. Tonight, we even had some people “booing” the villain and cheering for the “hero.” I’m sure it’ll be even more fun when we add the popcorn for them to throw at us…can’t wait!

In the mean time, here are a few more “behind the scenes” pictures to quell your curiosity.

Gary getting ready for his scene with Ma

Ready for the chase scene?

Getting a few notes from Eric (our director) at the end of the night

Many believe the sound barrier is similar to an invisible wall in the sky, but it is really invisible? When a plane gets close to the speed of sound, a unique visual phenomenon occurs.

Check out these new pictures released by the US Military showing an Air Force F-22 Raptor during a supersonic flyby.

A spectacular spray of vapor often accompanies the breaking of the sound barrier. It has also been witnessed during space shuttle launches and nuclear explosions.

Experts say there is no visual sound barrier, but why does this stunning cloud occur? It’s called a vapor cone or a shock collar, and, if you’re a scientist, you probably call it a Prandtl–Glauert singularity.

According to Live Science, “the visual phenomenon is caused by a layer of water droplets trapped between two high-pressure surfaces of air. In humid conditions, condensation can gather in the trough between two crests of the sound waves produced by the jet.”

The effect doesn’t always occur with the breaking of the sound barrier, but it often does. Even if this cloud isn’t the physical representation of the sound barrier being broken, it’s still pretty cool.

Plus, it gives you a great idea of what it might look like if a wall of sound actually existed in the sky for us to pass through.

The 2009 World’s Ugliest Dog Champion was crowned on Friday at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in California. Pabst, a boxer-mix rescued from a shelter took top honors in a surprising victory over former champion, Rascal who had dominated the contest for more than seven years.

Pabst’s owner, Miles Egstad, was stunned at his dog’s win, “I don’t think he’s that ugly!” But Pabst’s under bite and sweet personality soon made him an audience favorite. He swept all three rounds of the competition and took home $1,600 in prize money along with pet supplies and a modeling contract. Not too bad for an ugly mutt with bad teeth, eh?

Another dog won the pedigree category — Miss Ellie, a blind 15-year-old Chinese Crested Hairless. Her tongue hanging out of her mouth (see pic below) cracks me up — it’s hilarious! Personally, I think Miss Ellie is much more hideous than Pabst, but I guess there’s truth to the saying that beauty (or ugliness) is in the eye of the beholder.

The last two days are simply a blur in my mind. It’s 2 am, and I just finished working. I’ve been going non-stop between work, rehearsals, and work this week! Last night, I met with the professional organist who will be playing during our show. He’s amazing, and I have a lot of work to do in order to be able to play with him. That’s the difference between a professional and an amateur — but I’m doing my best to contribute where I can.

I’m playing a tune from the “Sound of Music” at one point during the show, and it made me think of the video below. Since I’m exhausted and don’t have time to write a proper blog, I thought I’d share it with you tonight. It was filmed at the Antwerpen’s Central Station in Belgium. The performers only met for a few practices and pulled off a really cool routine for unsuspecting passengers. Enjoy!