It wasn’t a good end of week. Bogdi and Roxana’s grandma passed away on Thursday night after a long battle with cancer. The funeral was today. Had to skip work to attend it – which is sure to get me in trouble with HR – but I wouldn’t have thought of missing it.

I usually don’t get overly personal on my blog – especially about somebody else’s personal problems – but I knew her for a good while and it’s because of her family that I am here today. During my last years in Romania I was the link she had with the loved ones here and I always used to visit her before and after each of my trips to the US. I was very happy when she finally came here and got reunited with the rest of the family, I only wish it would have been for longer. She was a wonderful, loving person and always treated me like one of her grandchildren.

Rest in peace grandma, you will be missed.

Many months ago I found out about an upcoming concert: the music from Lord of the Rings performed live to film by an orchestra and chorus. I’m a big fan of movie scores and soundtracks – I have quite a collection of them, especially by composers like Hans Zimmer, Mateo Pascual, John Williams and Howard Shore. All three Lord of the Rings movies are in there, so going to see this live was a no-brainer.

I had two tickets – figured I would have someone to accompany me by now – but when that fell through I invited a friend to join me. Some colorful characters were in front of the theatre, including a Gandalf (who had to leave his staff at the coat check ) and some hobbits. I read that even Stephen Colbert was there.

The concert was absolutely great. They played the whole first movie (theatrical edition) with only the voice and fx tracks – the latter wasn’t very loud, so the music and voice was always over it. The solo parts were especially beautiful, as well as the chorus. The only disappointment was that people kept clapping when the credits started – at the names of the actors – while “May It Be” was being played. I understand you like the actors – I do too – but we went there tonight for the music. Clap after that finishes.

Anyway, it was a great experience. I’ll go next year when they’ll do the same thing for the second movie.

A few pics with me and the gang, in this Flickr set. More as I have time, or they upload their own.