Wonderland Burlesque's Winter Intra-Holiday Quiz

Wonderland Burlesque's 

Winter Intra-Holiday Quiz

We're between holidays; Xmas is now over and New Year's Eve is on it's way.

So, let me know what you've been up to and what you plan to do!

It's ten questions, but ones I'm dying to hear your answers to. 

Let's get started!

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1/ What did you get for Xmas?  From whom? Did you have a favorite gift?

The Boyfriend got me two things on my wish list:

A Todrick Hall Youtooz Figure: Straight Outta Oz - now completely sold out and going for over six times what they were originally sold for. 

 A Coco Peru Plushie: should be here some time in January. So excited. These will be among my prize possessions and, if I was ever to die (not gonna happen), I would be taking them to my grave with me. 

I also got a Swiffer, a mini Hoover vacuum and an extension duster. Yes. I asked for them. I love cleaning. These came from my Ex (he knows me well and is even more of a clean nut than I am) and my Mom. 

2/ Did you buy for others? What was the best gift you gave someone else; your personal favorite?

 

I got smart. I had the Ex and my Mom make a list of things they wanted (needed), then I stole the lists and went on a mad shopping spree. It was fun and easy. And basic things like a new bathroom scale, a good broom, new bedroom pillows, cashews, printer toner... things I have no problem giving because I know they will get used. Yes... mundane. But buying essentials is good for the environment - cuts down on waste, which is what unwanted items tend to end up as.

Along the way I also grabbed things for all The Boyfriend's kittens, a couple of plush blankets, and a pair of panettone (one chocolate, one traditional) for him.

My two sisters, a niece, a nephew and my work wife all received items I bought on Small Business day at a pop up shop The Ex put together at the new art studio where his store is located. Pottery, natural soap, soy candles and artisan coffees; all put together, they made for super gift baskets.

I did do something I have never done before: I mixed up the gifts for my two sisters! And yes, it mattered a bit. I saw one on Friday and one on Saturday and didn't catch the mistake until it was too late.

3/ Did you have people over, did you visit others, or did you decide to stay in and keep to yourselves?

My Mom hosted both Xmas Eve and Xmas Day. 

Xmas Eve was the sister who is one year younger than myself (we are twins for 13 whole days!), her eldest daughter and son. Her middle child, a daughter, wanted to come and bring her family, but we vetoed that because the kids aren't vaccinated and neither is the hubby. The Ex was also there. 

Xmas Day was my youngest sister and her husband, The Ex, and The Boyfriend.

4/ Did you have a special meal on Xmas day? What was it?

My Mom made meatloaf for The Boyfriend, because that's what he requested. I made mashed potatoes and vegan cornbread stuffing. The Ex brought two homemade quiches. I brought a nice Sauvignon Blanc. We had homemade pumpkin pie and cheesecake for dessert. A good time was had by all.  

5/ What was your favorite song this holiday season? Why?

This one surprised me, but I found myself looking forward to hearing it whenever it came 'round on rotation at Love 105 this year: Donny Hathaway's, This Christmas.

It pretty much captured the energy and spirit I was feeling this season. 

Originally released in 1970 on ATCO Records, it initially found little success. However, fast-forward to 2020 and the song actually cracked the Top 40 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart (#39). Written by Hathaway and Nadine McKinnor, it's already got me thinking of a theme for next year's Twelve Days Before Xmas series.

Hathaway is primarily remembered for his duets with Roberta Flack (Where Is The Love, The Closer I Get To You.) An incredibly gifted vocalist, sadly, he lost his battle with depression on January 13, 1979.

6/ Did you watch any holiday-themed movies or plan to? Which? Any good?

Single All The Way (2021)

A gay rom-com with a great supporting cast (Kathy Najimy, Jennifer Coolidge, Jennifer Robertson, Barry Bostwick). I appreciated that one of the leads was a black man (an enticing Philemon Chambers), however - the film was so white (it got uncomfortable a couple of times) and so very, very privileged I couldn't disengage my BS meter and just go with it. Though it had its charms, featuring some occasionally clever writing, it was a bit undone due to its by-the-numbers plot.

Surviving Christmas With The Relatives (2018)

Another slice of white privilege, albeit a quirky one. Joely Richardson and Gemma Whelan play sisters at odds spending their first Xmas together in the family home (mansion) since the death of their parents. There's some nice eye candy in the form of a polish construction worker caught using the shower and Julian Ovenden, interesting customs, and a few cute situations to tide you over the cringe-worthy moments (of which there are plenty). 

Oddly, the writers chose this vehicle to address teen drug use/rehab or something like that. It barely holds together, but will hold your attention. The plot feels cobbled together and suspiciously convenient, but it was nice to see Miranda alumni Patricia Hodges and Sally Phillips again.  

Father Christmas Is Back (2021)

This might have made for a lovely black comedy had somebody died, which is what I was rooting for through the whole mess. Yes, another incredibly privileged white family coming together (four sisters) for the holidays at the family mansion (I'm sensing a theme.) John Cleese, Elizabeth Hurley, and Kelsey Grammar are the name stars in this pleasant, if a bit disappointing romp. No spoilers to be found here - suffice to say that it's not a bad movie... it's just not a good one. 

7/ New Year's Eve plans? Staying in or going out? What special activities do you have planned?

The Boyfriend and I will be at my youngest sister's house just outside of Madison, WI. It will be a low-key affair; staying in, drinks, food and movies. Maybe a board game. 

Last year, they went all out - costumes, decorations, a cheese and wine tasting, a huge meal, and then I did a set at the piano. It was very beautiful and a cherished memory. 

I was warned not to expect a repeat, except, I will be performing a set - with a focus on songs I've written this year along with four holiday sing-along classics. 

8/ Your drink of choice for New Year's Eve?

I know there will be champagne (my sister and brother-in-law have become wine aficionados) and I will partake, but...  need you ask? 

Gin Fizz - Beefeater Gin on plenty of ice with a can of grapefruit fizzy water. I have an over-sized martini glass sitting on their bar and plan to put it to good use. 

9/ Do you plan on staying up to watch the ball drop?  Will you  make it to midnight? Any kisses in the offing? Do tell!

I suspect we will be in bed by 10:30 pm, but may be up watching a movie. 

Kisses? Well, The Boyfriend will be there, so I plan on him planting one on me whenever we choose to usher in the New Year. 

10/ Any New Year resolutions?  (Even tiny self-made promises count.)

I want to write more. But am very lazy.

I want to sit down and actually notate all the songs I wrote this year. Many of them don't exist except on scraps of paper and in my head. They're not all winners, but there are a couple I am quite proud of and its quite a diverse lot. But I am very lazy.

I would like to sort through all the writing I've got in boxes. It's a task that feels overwhelming whenever I contemplate doing it, but needs to be done. Some of it is rubbish, but there are a couple treasures hiding among the garbage. But I am very lazy.

I would like to be kinder. And more generous with those closest to me. Sometimes I feel like a Grinch, a Scrooge. I get so bitter about my time. Selfish. I want to practice. I want to write. And that is lone wolf stuff. But there will come a time when I will wish I had been more available to them - finding that balance? Well... always a challenge, and one I am lucky to have. 

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And that's it... and enough about me.

Your turn! Let me know how you spent Xmas and what you're plans are for ringing in 2022!

Leave your answers in the comments section, or post them on your blog and leave us a link. 

Hope your holiday was spectacular.

And, as always... thanks for reading and sharing!

This Christmas - Donny Hathaway

Happy New Year - Judy Garland

Wonderland Burlesque's The 12 Days Before Xmas: Bells, Bows, Gifts, Trees

Wonderland Burlesque's 

The 12 Days Before Xmas: 

Bells, Bows, Gifts, Trees

The 3rd Day Before Xmas

Yes! Make the yuletide gay!

This is one of several holiday-themed songs Mr. Hall has gifted the world. 

It's actually an adaptation of his classic song, Nails, Hair, Lips, Heels, accompanied by a video that recreates that song's choreography. 

I must say, everything this man touches looks expensive!

I adore Mr. Hall and remain surprised that he's not an even bigger star. He's got talent to spare and can dance in heels like Fred Astaire! 

Hall gained national attention on the Ninth Season of American Idol, making it to the semi-finals. Following this, he amassed a following on YouTube with videos featuring original songs, parodies, and skits. Hall became a resident choreographer and occasional judge on RuPaul's Drag Race at the start of Season Eight. From 2016 to 2017, he starred as Lola in Kinky Boots on Broadway, and then, later in 2017, portrayed Billy Flynn in Chicago on Broadway and the West End.

Such a talent!

Hopefully, Todrick's paying his bills these days, or he will be making Santa's naughty list, for sure!

Hope you're all minding your P's & Q's and keeping track of your bottom lines!

It's so easy to get carried away in the spirit of things.

- uptonking from Wonderland Burlesque

Bells, Bows, Gifts, Trees - Todrick Hall

Of Note: ‘Low’ by Toddrick Hall

Of Note: ‘Low’ by Toddrick Hall

How does one become this talented?  This savvy?  This confident?  This accomplished?

Fierce?  Oh, child, that word does not even begin to convey the artistic force that is Toddrick Hall.

Since I mentioned Mr. Hall earlier in the week when shining a beacon on Shamir’s latest effort, ‘Call It Off’, I think it only fair to call attention to the over the top, uber sharp ‘Low’.  An original song, Toddrick is in total command here and, perhaps, one of the most talented performers/visual artists to come along in years. 

The frenetically funky ‘Low’ pops, snaps and reverberates in a manner that threatens to run off the rails at any turn.  This is visionary stuff – razor sharp and honed to a high, metallic sheen.

Toddrick takes risks without batting an eye to consequences – because in his world of art, there are none.  His confidence as an artist infuses his work with a daring unseen.  Unfettered by the machinations and manipulations of a corporate overlord, Toddrick does as Toddrick envisions.

His work is political, sexual, cultural and without boundaries.  The man doesn’t blend genders – he decimates them, rendering them immaterial. Race?  What’s that?  Corporate bullshit?  Take on Disney with a glee that borders on the maniacal.

His cultural obsessions are many (Disney, Nicki Minaj, The Wizard of Oz, to name a few) and I foresee a day when museums host career retrospectives of this man’s work because of its quality, quantity, his powers of observation and singular voice.

Hailing from that bedrock of stubborn misunderstandings, the fail state of Texas, Toddrick first made waves on the 9^th Season of American Idol.  He made the semi-finals before being cut, but  it was clear even back then that his was an original, unique, one-of-a-kind talent.

Whether or not he ever breaks through to a mass audience, Mr. Hall has secured his place in the history of art by capturing this moment in time in a bottle, shaking it thoroughly, and unleashing it in a torrent of torrid effervescence.