Last weekend Olivia and I went to the Pioneer Day Commemoration concert with the Tabernacle Choir. It's my mom's last year in the Choir, so we were excited to go and hear her sing. I'm sure I'll offend some fans here, but I was less than thrilled about the special guests--the Osmond Family. Don't get me wrong... I have nothing really against them, it's just that I'm not a groupie like most of the people that were there that night. I think I just missed the Osmond craze when I was growing up and never really caught on. There is something to be said for swirling disco lights against the pipe organs though, I'll give them that. And Olivia said, "Mom, this isn't a Choir concert, they are rock stars!" When one of the Osmonds asked if we remembered seeing them on the "Andy Williams Show" Olivia came back with , "No, I saw them on Oprah!" You can see what generation SHE is from. I swear, there were about seven standing ovations--by the last few I just stayed in my seat, defying all those Osmond-lovers around me who were flicking tears as they realized they were in the presence of their heroes.
The concert reminded me of Christmas 1996 while I was in the MTC. All of our leaders kept telling us about a great surprise they had for us on Christmas Eve. They were keeping it all hush-hush and I was convinced (hoped) that the Prophet (or at least a member of the First Presidency or the Twelve) was going to come and speak to us. I was very excited at the prospects and looked forward to being spiritually uplifted on such a special day. As we walked into the big auditorium, we saw a set of studio microphones set up instead of a pulpit. I turned to my zone and said, "Just watch, I'll bet the Osmonds are here."
Sure enough, Donny and Marie and the "Osmonds: Second Generation" came to entertain us, complete with Santa Claus. Really? You can't see it from the picture, but Marie's skirt had a slit in it that was so high... and she was flirting with the Elders (who were all sickeningly love-struck) and even sat on the MTC President's lap. Not at all appropriate (not at all judgmental, am I?). To say I was disappointed would be a major understatement. Since then, I haven't been able to think of or talk about the Osmonds without feeling a little bit ripped off.
After the concert the MTC gave us a Christmas present--a very generous group had donated thousands of silk ties, and since they ONLY had ties, they gave one to the sisters too. We thought we were so clever actually wearing the ties (there isn't a rule against that in the Missionary Handbook is there?). In the picture are my comp Hermana McLaughlin, Hermana Jenks, me (not sure what the look on my face is), and Hermana Angle.
This last photo is purely so you can see what a dork I am--why is it that I thought GQ poses were so funny back then? And the quality of the photo is amazing, no?
**Are you an Osmond-lover?
**Don't you wish you got a cool tie too?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Christmas in July
Posted by Lisa R.D. at 3:40 PM
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10 comments:
This totally makes me laugh; Spencer and I just watched the Choir/Osmond's on Sunday night and after a few minutes I left the room. I thought it took away from Pioneer Day and from the choir. I've heard all those songs, and seen all that dancing way too many times in the last year or two. Maybe they'll stop touring and be done (crossing fingers).
Don't you remember that song "Soldier of Love" that was released anonymously? I must admit I was a big fan of that song. I wasn't an Osmond fan until then. Now, not so much. Marie is enough to drive me crazy especially with all her dolls on the QVC. Who buys those? Thanks for the blog, it made me laugh.
You are funny! I loved seeing your "Hermana Cole" days. Classic. I hope you still have that tie. It would be a great thing to pass on to Coleman, don't you think? We have a MoTab choir member in our ward and were offered extra tickets that they had. I had to turn them down because the Larsen side of the fam was all going camping that weekend...what I didn't mention was that we weren't going along. :)
This lady in my ward loves, I mean loves Donny Osmond. I just don't understand!!!! But I love the old missionary pics and love the ties. Nothing like a little naughty Osmond to spice up the MTC!
I'm not a fan. I think it would be great fun to see Donny on broadway, but mix it with church stuff (especially the MTC!!) and I get all bugged.
You kill me. Thanks for not standing during the standing ovation. More than the tie, mostly I just wish I could be a sister missionary in the mid-nineties!
LISA! I am an Osmond lover! I try not to admit that, but I really am. OK! So, since I don't have your email address, I was wondering if I could ask you a question on here. I need to know of some good books. I want to read more, but I don't want to read crappy books. You seem to read a bunch so maybe you could give me some suggestions. I like mysteries and stuff like that. Can you help me?? Here's my email: laura.capua@gmail.com Thanks Lisa!
I love the pictures. I saw the Osmonds when I was 12. IT was in Seattle (where I grew up) and it was the weirdest thing I have ever seen. It a "testimony" meeting and after each one bore their testimonies everyone clapped and cheered. I was very dissappointed as well. I didn't feel the spirit, the cheering was so distracting.
Don't you just love those Osmonds. I had the same experience you had. Sad to say I did recognize some of the songs (because I probably heard them on Oprah)
Oh Lisa. I laughed forever to see my geeky MTC days with you. OH the great bonding we did. Remember how Lesli (sorry Les) was just drooling over the Osmonds. I was so pissed off and I totally wanted to ask Maria if she had on any undewear because that slit was way high. Donny, on the other hand, actually bore his testimony and shared a scripture. So I too share in the "not too impressed with Maria" thought. As for that tie, it rocked. I have got to go find my tie now...Love you girl. The x-Hermana Angle.
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