Do you hear the people scream?

As a musical enthusiastic (my family uses the term "fanatic," and I've told them not to, saying "I'm not obsessed with musicals...I'm just enthusiastic about them." Whenever I say that, they laugh. They all have sick senses of humor,) I have a great interest (NOT OBSESSION) with Les Miserables. 

I just watched the movie with a few friends. Before, I'd never actually seen it, the movie or on stage, but I knew every song down to the last beat and knew the story line. Well, thought that I knew the story line. My dear father told it to me long ago, but when I saw the movie, I was in for a real surprise. Dad must have seen a Muppets version of it or something, because the way he told it, one would have thought, as I did, that the story of Les Miserables was an innocent, wholesome one.

For the first half of the movie, I kept waiting for Cozette and Jean Valjean and their puppy dog Marius to teach Javert the true meaning of Christmas!

Despite being ill prepared for this Goliath of a musical, I fully enjoyed it. I loved the deep characterizations, how the characters dealt with inner conflicts, and the ongoing theme of redemption.

But all that my friends watching it with me got out of it was how cute the French revolutionists were. Observe this conversation that I had with Della:

"My favorite character is Marius!"

"Is this because you admire his strength and willingness to sacrifice a peaceful life of ease with his true love for fighting for the liberty of his country, and because he demonstrated compassion and love to the lesser peoples of France?"

"No, I like him because he's hot!"

Here my friend Roseanne joined our conversation: "I know! I wish that I lived during the French Revolution so that I could hang out with all of those cute guys!"

I couldn't take it after that. "You guys," (yes, I call a group consisting of females "guys,"), "don't you know that Les Miserables doesn't take place during the French Revolution? No, it follows the events culminating up to and throughout the duration of the 1832 June Rebellion."

But of course, nobody fully appreciates a useful and completely applicable history lesson.

Here's an excerpt from my diary that I wrote before seeing the movie:

The Les Mis album that I have (original London cast, of course) is however, edited, because according to my dear father, there are some "inappropriate" songs in it. Apparently, one of them is sung by a couple of innkeepers in a tavern. I don't comprehend what could be the matter with this, because in all the musicals I've seen, (Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof, and various Disney films) the tavern scene is the best part! I don't quite understand how people dance and sing so adroitly when they're drunk, but somehow it works.

Having now seen it, I think that I follow my dad's thinking about this subject.

Dictator of Eritrea's Identity Revealed

Well, it's me! Duh!

But apparently, the public has been a bit...slow about uncovering the truth. Check out this recent article from the selfsame world renowned public newscast:

March 31, 2013

The secrets behind the happenings of late regarding Eritrea are beginning to be revealed. The most recent reports confirm Rosetta Ever Johnson, a U.S. citizen, as being the nation's currant dictator.

"Well, I've always wanted to DOMINATE THE WORLD, and so I've been diligently keeping a look out for opportunities to begin my reign. It soon came to my attention that-HEY, you're supposed to write  'DOMINATE THE WORLD' in all capital letters! You know, like how I always do it on my blog! Oh yes, that's more like it. Any way, it soon came to my attention that Eritrea's 'president' (cough, dictator, cough) hit the pasture recently. So I suggested to his minions or whatever they call themselves to make me their dictator! It'd save them all the trouble of electing a new 'president'  or killing each other all over deciding who was to rule next," Johnson reports,"So yeah, I've basically been dictating it from here. All I have to do is tell 'em what to do through E-mail and Facebook!"

The causes of Eritrea's unexpected and sudden economic spurt are yet to be explained, though according to Johnson, "Well, obviously the country's skyrocketing because I'm in charge of it! Get with the program here!" 

Cute Chocolate Sayings

Here are some chocolate sayings that I've seen around:

"If God wanted us to be skinny, he wouldn't have made chocolate."

"On the eighth day God created chocolate. And it was good."

"Behind every successful woman is a substantial amount of chocolate."

"I eat chocolate for you so that there's more of me to love."

Here's my version of that last one:

"I eat chocolate for myself because I take enjoyment in inflicting pain and resentfulness in others as they drive themselves to near insanity as they wonder how I'm so unbelievably thin."

The only problem with it is that it won't fit very nicely on a plaque.

Little Rosie's growing up!

I had the pleasure of seeing an old acquaintance the other day. Or rather, she had the pleasure of seeing me.

Allow me to recount the encounter in detail:

"Rosetta! Is that you? You're so big!"

"No I'm not. I wear a size 2!"

"Of course, dear. It's just that last time I saw you, you were much shorter! So, tell me what you've been up to lately, now that you're such a big, I mean, older girl."

"Well. as a matter of fact, I've just dominated a small, indigent, nation by the name of Eritrea. As an American citizen, it is likely that you've never heard of it, being an insignificant nation and seemingly unworthy of any interest. But hast it ever occurred to the American public as an excellent location where my dominion can spawn? Behold! Eritrea! And behold! Its dictator! We are Rosetta Ever Johnson, and under our rule, Eritrea prospers!" 

Seriously, guys, check out this article about it. It's published by a recognized an esteemed news cooperation:

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Eritrea, a small dictatorship located in the Horn of Africa, has recently gained worldwide attention for its unexpected spurt of economic growth. 

Reports indicate that this began shortly following the death of prior president, Isaias Afewerki. Afewerki had been in office since 1993, being that the country had no national elections since it declared independence that year. 

"The whole situation is puzzling," reports Sir Ronald Granger, world renowned economist and anthropologist, "Indeed there are no records that give reports of any currant leader of Eritrea. As far as we know, it is run by no one. And the fact that Eritrea's ample political, economic, and human right issues are diminishing rapidly is beyond any rational explanation. Honestly, the whole thing is a mystery."

Awkward....

"When I grow up, Grandpa, I'm going to name my firstborn son Michael."
"You mean after me? I'm touched, sweetheart."
"No, not after you! After Michael Crawford!"

This is an example of an awkward situation that I've recently encountered. And none of it is my dang fault! We've been over this, nothing is ever your future dictator's dang fault.

I'm sharing this to teach a valuable lesson. People tend to assume things after receiving an inadequate amount of information. I mean, just because your name's Michael doesn't mean you're who your great-grandson's name is after! This is applicable to many similar situations, so please avoid being culpable of creating awkwardness and don't flatter yourself thinking that a complement was directed towards you.

I do feel a bit bad about planning on my son's middle name being after my other grandfather's, though.

Dealing With Competition

Or, wannabe competition.

Meet the guy who thinks he can take it all. The one who's been conspiring to DOMINATE THE WORLD!!

My own brother.

This is Jean Val Johnson's face as he tells me all about his fondest dreams of world domination.

This is his face after I tell him that he can't DOMINATE THE WORLD, 'cause I'm gonna do it. 

"Hey, I'm gonna take over the world, too!" No, Jeanie, I'm actually gonna do it. I actually have a blog about it. 

He says, "Oh yeah, well let's see who can get to it first." 

Why? Why? Why?!!!!

Such a question is asked in many a circumstance in life. And I am asking it now.

My one of my little sisters just got an infection on her face. It will probably leave a scar.

Why does this have to happen to such a beautiful girl? Why?! It should have happened to someone who was already ugly. If they were ugly anyway, a bit of defacement wouldn't matter so much. Then there wouldn't be any poetic loss.

I have the most luscious hair. It shines, it flows, it sparkles.

Some people have told me that I should cut and donate it. Isn't it so nice of them to think of giving away my hair for me? That previous sentence, of course, was about as drenched in sarcasm as my two year old sister's pancake was in syrup when she poured it on herself this morning.

Ridding the world of the alluring image of my glowing face bordered by my equally astonishing hair? Is that doing anyone a favor?