The Power of Nazi Progaganda

September 3, 2015 - I visited the "State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda" exhibit at the history museum.  I brought my "nice" camera into the museum - but the lens cap must've jammed because I wasn't able to get it off!  However, I was able to get a few photos with my phone:

An early dramatic poster of Hitler's name and face conveyed the sense of strength and determination that Germany needed.

Photographs of Hitler practicing oratorical poses to produce a dramatic effect

A copy of Mein Kampf

I took part in the phone tour throughout the exhibit and received a couple phone calls and was texted some provoking questions about the Nazi's use of propaganda and its power today.

The Nazi Party was brilliant in how they employed the latest technology and art to sway public opinion:

The Hitler Youth

This table illustrates the laws in place used to track your genetic family tree to determine whether you were Arrayan enough to be a citizen of the third-reich and be permitted to marry.

Caricaturing the Jews as being the masterminds controlling the Allies

Jews were eventually forced to wear this star that said "Jew"

There were photos that someone took from their front yard of Jews wearing this star and being led to train cars where they were never heard from again.

The Nuremberg Trials

Ashley's 1950s Birthday Party

August 28, 2015 - This evening finds us at an awesome 1950s themed birthday bash!

Before we get started, a quick shoutout of thanks for most of these photos to Micaiah (- and anyone else who randomly grabbed my camera and took photos :P). 

Well, let's get this posted started off right with some photos of the birthday girl, Ashley:

Everything was decked out for this 1950s ice cream social Birthday party.

Everyone looked so great in their Classy clothes.  

Thankfully I don't think I saw any pink shoelaces, but blue suede shoes would've been a nice touch.

Oh, and I loved that we were able to play some 50s Doo-Wop music.

Want to feel like you're down "at the hop?"  Try out my Spotify playlist from the party:

Features some of my favs from Bobby Darin, Elvis Presley, The Chordettes, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke and a few odd ends from other decades.

Yes, same photo.  Different angle.

Forming into a circle for English Country Dancing

Food!  Cupcakes, popcorn..and ICE CREAM with tons of toppings. 

 Why take a selfie by yourself...

...when you can get a selfie with a friend?

Why take a selfie with a friend if you can...

...get a selfie with two Good Friends?

Hugs

We watched a couple episodes of I Love Lucy:

Haha, the iconic Lucy and the Chocolate Factory episode. :)

I'm hearing "Glow Little Glow Worm"

Uh, Ricky tried to make dinner, which ended in disaster.  However, it did inspire me to try my hand at making dinner the following night, though I only cook once in a blue moon. I made fettuccine alfredo and chicken parmesano - without making a mess in the process may I add - and it actually tasted fantastic. But, no, I didn't wear an apron. ;) 

Jiving to the "shim sham" as we were twistin' the night away

Oh, great, "Glow little glowworm" is still stuck in my head.  I need to think about some other songs...

Well, I wish that I could stay just a little bit longer but we can't rock around the clock, in the still of the night, and you can't come go with me.  So, it's time you send me home on Route 66 and for me to say goodnight sweetheart, goodnight.  We certainly had fun, fun, fun! 

Nope.  Glow-little-glow-worm is still in my head.  I guess I can't help myself!  

Mama said there'd be days like this...

Oh, and kudos to those who noticed that the bold words were placed alphabetically as a guide to how I would sort and post the photos.

Dance Videos

Laura's Waltz
 

The Last Dance

 Comical Fellow


 Irish Washer Woman


Greater

End-of-Summer Ball - Dancing Videos

August 21, 2015

Caleb and Luke

Amber, Caleb, Molly, Luke, and Josiah chatting after ending the evening with "The Duke of Kent's Waltz" - set to the theme of the Pirates of the Caribbean...boy, I wish I had that on video! :)

(Oh, and Micah's in the photo too.)

Bare Necessities

 Comical Fellow

 The Scottish Polka

End of Summer Ball - Dancing Videos II

Well, thanks to Rachelle Howard, I have a few more dancing videos I can post from the End of Summer Ball last month.  I'd made a previous post with a few videos, but now I've also uploaded the Duke of Kent's Waltz, Trip to Town O (though we really didn't go anywhere), Auretti's Dutch Skipper, The Ragg, Yellow Stockings, and the Virginia Reel.
I'll also be posting "Lovely Nancy" and...drumroll...video of the "Sparrow Waltz" or "Pirates Waltz" or "Capt Jack's Waltz" or whatever it's called!

Oh, great.  Guess what's in my head now...


Duke of Kent's Waltz




Trip to Town O





Auretti's Dutch Skipper

 

But, I'll be true...

 The Ragg

 

...to the song I sing...

Yellow Stockings


   

...and live and die...

...a pirate king!

For he is a pirate king

Hurrah for our pirate king!

And it is, it is a glorious thing

To be a pirate king!

Disclaimer: I no way endorse or condone the highly illegal endeavors of unscrupulous maritime captains who "sink a few more ships that a well bred monarch ought to do."  

However, when you've once heard Gilbert and Sullivan it's hard to clean your mind of it.

Red Belts!

Benjamin and I received our red belts from Whole Armour Martial Arts a couple of weeks ago.  So, our next test will be for our black belts.  The black belt test will be demanding and intense and will require us to spar against our teachers and other black belts.
As we’ve progressed, I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to being more involved in teaching the younger students and the lower ranks.