b*i*r*t*h*d*a*y*s

I was able to leave work in good hands for the first time in a long time, knowing I could enjoy my birthday vacation completely!  on the Friday before we flew out, Janet, Joyce and I joined Nana for her birthday dinner - steak and lobster, her favorite! - and had a very enjoyable time.

day 1

at 3:00 in the morning the shuttle van picked Joyce and I up and took us to San Francisco for our 7:00a.m. flights, first thru LAX, then on to Orlando. We landed in early evening, and had a fun shuttle driver take us to the hotel. We were so tired - I'd been up for 37 hours with very little dozing-off happening on the plane - so we just had an early dinner and turned in. We knew we would have a very full week of activities!

(all of the pictures are click-able, to see a larger image)

day 2

slept in a little, then got brunch, and headed off to Downtown Disney. we wandered around taking in all the sights, doing a little shopping, and stopped for drinks and to watch a game at the House of Blues. I tried the moonshine drink called Dolly, which had maraschino cherries embalmed in more moonshine - WOW! It was good, but powerful! The weather was nice - for Florida in October. It was in the 80's and luckily the humidity was low. We wandered the entire length of DD then caught an uber ride home. One of my co-workers recommended using them, since taxis are usually more pricey. Since tomorrow would be an early day, we had dinner early again, and turned in early.

  

day 3

caught a gray line bus tour at 8:00a.m. that drove us out to the Atlantic coast of Florida. or the Atlantis coast, since that is the shuttle that we would tour!  three bus-loads of folks just like us made the hour-plus drive, listening to interesting facts brought to us by our fascinating and fun tour guide and driver. Once at the Center we wore ourselves out going through all the exhibits, riding the tour inside the Center grounds around all the launch pads and viewing areas. We even got to touch a moon rock!

after several hours of space travel, we hopped on the bus again and rode out to a little dock on the St.Johns River where we took an airboat ride out into the swamps to find alligators! We saw only one, but just being able to ride on an airboat was the real attraction. It was quite a full day by then, and the tour bus driver and guide even dropped us off not at the hotel but the restaurant down the street so we could have a lovely steak dinner.  We were close enough to walk back to the hotel from there - - keeping a wary eye out for 'gators who like to prowl after dark, we were told by our guide. Too funny.

day 4

this was the day we would finally go to a Disney property! we chose EPCOT first, and of course the one ride we really wanted to go on was already FastPass'd-out, and every time we looked at the app to see what the wait was like, it never got below 40 minutes.  but we got to watch Captain Eo (Joyce has never seen it!), we road the boat ride thru the Mexico pavilion (very restful), and we designed a sports car for the Test Track.  the Food & Wine Festival was in full swing, so as we wandered around the various countries, we got to sample amazing food, and fine beers and wines.  we stumbled upon a Sugar Ray concert too, which started moments after we got there - - we were even able to get good seating even though we hadn't camped out like many of the tweens had done. When the concert was done we were just walking when we saw Aurora, Sleeping Beauty, in an alcove posing for selfies and signing autographs! And her line only had a couple people in it!! It was meant to be, so we posed with our Princess. the hotel shuttle bus picked us up at 10:00p.m. and we finally got to bed close to 11:00, completely wiped out. But happy.

day 5

between the heat, the activities and our need to still catch up on missed sleep, we took this day off to sleep in, have leisurely meals, and sit/tan by the pool.

day 6

we went to our second Disney property today, our Birthday! and we chose Animal Kingdom!! we started out by watching a 40 minute musical version of one of our favorite movies, Finding Nemo. we were not two feet away from some of the performers as they entered the stage! then we wended our way over to Mt. Everest, and rode that coaster - which much to our surprise goes backward for part of it (not good!) On our safari ride, we came up behind an obstreperous rhinoceros who would not yield the roadway to us for about 7 minutes. there were quite a few vehicles behind us waiting also when he finally moved along. We then got an uber ride over to Universal Citywalk where we shopped in a few of the shops before our birthday dinner reservation at Hard Rock Orlando. Our waiter was wonderfully attentive, and had the whole restaurant wish us happy birthday. We then had margaritas at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, and Joyce found this wave outside a surf shop. Another uber ride home after a very full day.

  

day 7

the hotel shuttle bus dropped us off at Sea World just before the park was to open. as we waited in line before 9:00a.m., the flamingos all had their heads tucked under their wings. when the chain jangled and opened up the park to us, that was the signal to the flamingos that they should also wake up! We went over to the manta ray and dolphin enclosures where we got to see them all getting fed. We caught the dolphin show, watched the orcas practice their behaviors, and shopped. A lot. I refrained from buying the giant house slippers shaped like flamingo feet - - I don't think they would have fit in my luggage! After walking through the shark tank, we had lunch at the Shark Grill, with a wall of aquarium to watch the many sea creatures watch us. Eat.

day 8

I picked up a rental car for 24 hours, so that Joyce and I could take a longer drive, northeast, up to Daytona. all this weekend they have an airshow called Wings & Waves, and the star attractions are the USAF Thunderbirds! it was very crowded, so I dropped Joyce at the beach's entrance, and went to find parking. on my way back to her, I found a young man who was renting beach lounges and umbrellas, so I had him deliver one to Joyce (whom he had already noticed on one of his deliveries - of course!) while I went to get us something to drink at the (very crowded) bar on the beach. after the 4 hour air show, we didn't jump right into traffic; we grabbed dinner and watched college football at Neptune's Grill - - yummy! We were so sunburned and tired!  The traffic had thinned a little, so we headed home, and Joyce took a few pictures of the Daytona Speedway as we drove past. And because we have picked up so many souvenirs, on the way back after filling up the gas-tank, I had to stop at the luggage discount center and get a new suitcase (for 70% off at least!) so that we could bring home all our treasures.

  

day 9

time to head home. I dropped the rental car off and got an uber back to the hotel. the airport shuttle picked us up at 2:00, for our 5:00p.m. flight (we got in a little more shopping at the airport shops, the things we forgot to get in the parks). We landed in San Francisco around 11:30, and finally got home around 1:00 ... just in time to go to work in 7 hours! But it was all worth it!!

What a Happy 25th & 54th Birthday!

for a 30 minute music video of our happy adventures, connect to my dropbox at: this link here! 

counting down to F L A

july * august * september

planning continues for our birthday week in the Southeast. we'll be visiting the Mouse, Shamu, and Atlantis, a shuttle by the sea. hopefully we'll get to see some family too!

in the meantime, lots of stuff was happening. my favorite karaoke jock is moving to Colorado, and Wednesday nights won't be the same again. we had three final weeks to sing together and reminisce, and then he packed his life into a truck and drove away. I wrote him special lyrics to "Fire & Rain" letting him know how much all of us will miss him.

at the theatre, our costumer for Gypsy emailed me and said if I was bored, she'd be more than happy to give me some stripper costumes to work on.  heheh. I spent several nights over three weeks - about 44 hours totalled - altering, ripping, repairing, and creating costumes (lots of costumes!) for this great show.  My two most favorite sets of costumes were the glamorous showgirl costumes in the last Gypsy strip scene, and the red-white-blue costumes for June and Louise - both sets, since that was the scene where in a strobe-lit dance number, they transitioned from kids to adults. Awesome!! It always got applause when the regular lights came up. Besides sewing, I also house managed at several performances.

had several opportunities to get to the Levi's Stadium! Yay!! first, as a Faithful 49, I bought a ticket to a pre-season game against the Chargers. took lightrail downtown to avoid the $40 parking fee (lightrail is $4 round trip) and got there minutes before they opened the gates. first thing I did was buy a ticket to the Museum, which is open the first hour to only game ticket holders. so we had the place mostly to ourselves for a good amount of time.  I took hundreds of pictures. of course. my seat was in the Intel end zone, in the sun for the whole game. and we won! only waited in the lightrail line for 10 minutes, and the drive home took about 70 minutes, with all the stops and the crowds. but I got a seat, so it wasn't bad.

also invited Janet to participate in a fun run that ended up with the finish line inside the stadium! That was exciting. The following day I had bought a ticket for a Stadium Tour. Got to sit in the Club Seats - for about 5 minutes while the guide told us pertinent facts about the stadium. After that I settled in at the Tailgate Bar for a Bloody Mary and to watch the game. Great fun!

read and sang at Temple several times, which is always a blessing. shows I've seen with or starring friends: Crazy for You in Saratoga; the comedian Dave Coulier at the San Jose Improv - my waiter was adorable, and when I left he called me a cool mom; Moonlight and Magnolias with "my son Aaron" playing David O. Selsnick! (this is the fourth production I've seen as it is one of my most favorite comedies); Great American Trailer Park Musical with one of my fellow 1776 ladies as the star.

counting down to "independence" – january / february

much of my time not at work has been spent in rehearsals and memorizing the various aspects of my role in 1776. this is definitely one of my most difficult parts I’ve ever played. what a wonderful group of ladies – not a diva among them.
 

 
fell sick for three days during the rehearsal schedule, but I was only one of many who missed days due to illness – it seemed all sorts of “plagues” descended on our cast. football clashed with many of our rehearsals and performances, as our boys in red-and-gold were making another mad dash for a Super game. they didn’t make it, but they went up to the bitter end fighting. Yeah team! we had a show on that “super” Sunday, and the crowd was rather sparse, naturally. so Cathy, our fearless leader, made jokes about the “other” event, and we had a terrific show anyway.  so many of our performances were well attended, and many of our patrons were wiping away tears at the end, and complimenting us on what a tremendous show we had. a great many of my friends were able to make it. Janet LOVED it. Joyce said of the three productions she’s seen this one was the best. Nana came to see it one afternoon by herself (Janet dropped her off and then I took her home by way of dinner at 3 Flames. good times!)
 

 
after 17 performances over four weekends, we closed our exceptional show and now have memories to last a lifetime!
 

 

 

 
and one more great thing about doing a show downtown - - I discovered a new restaurant; I first ate there on their fifth day of being open! a Cajun place in walking distance of the theatre. needless to say I became a frequent customer, and ate and drank my way through their whole wonderful menu!

when I wasn’t performing at one theatre, I was helping out at another. the costumer for our Junior Production, A Little Princess, needed sewing help (and sanity breaks!) so I would swing by there and help her out when I wasn’t in “my” show. our costumes were awesome if I do say so!

march / april / may / june

then less than a month after 1776 closed, I was going thru show withdrawals, and auditioned for a comedy, Agatha Crusty and the Village Hall Murders.  was cast and had a swell time with my housemate performing in that silliness for four weekends.

took a tumble in the lobby at work, and for the first time in 30+ years of working, I had a workman’s comp injury, with all the site nurse visits, occupational health site visits, physical therapy.  I did everything right so I wouldn’t have to endure that process for any longer than I had to, and was cleared after 6 weeks. No fractures or broken bones thankfully. Just major spectacular bruising (no short dresses for several weeks!)
 

 caught a Sabercats game, courtesy of work, and went with two of my co-workers. Spring horse races brought us the potential of a Triple Crown winner – the first in 36 years. Nana and I watched all the races together, and cheered for our “local horse.” sadly, a crowded field and an injury during the race caused our young star to fall back to tie for fourth.  but he was exciting to watch!

in general

shows I’ve/we’ve seen with or starring friends: live stage productions of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes; Forbidden Broadway; Arsenic& Old Lace; Farewell Fitzgerald; Jesus Christ Superstar; Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; Bonnie & Clyde; The Farnsworth Invention (about the invention of television!) watched the Oscars in our historic, large domed theatre, all dolled up in my Hollywood duds, and felt like I was in the Kodak with all the other stars; watched the last showing of a movie on the big domed screen (yup, the Oscars dome) and the movie they picked was Raiders of the Lost Ark – a truly momentous experience (and our hostess even conducted a marriage ceremony after the movie for some long-time “dome-ees”); caught an Intel-sponsored pre-screening of How to Train Your Dragon 2.   

sang at Temple numerous times, helped out with Liturgy, and read Torah and Haftarah on various occasions. each time I feel honored and blessed to be sharing the joy and inspiration I feel with the words and music of Our King. celebrated Passover and Easter at both of my houses of worship – a double blessing!

Joyce and I had a number of opportunities to get together, between our busy work and social schedules. we got tickets to the final playoff game (game 7) where the Sharks lost to the Kings.
 

 
we had Mothers Day Pizza & Beer at our favorite Pizza joint. she joined me in the Info Booth at a local Art & Wine Festival (we were also promoting the theatre group) and then we wandered the Festival and had dinner together for the rest of the day. she joined me at work for the viewing of Great America’s 5^th of July fireworks from the roof of our parking structure, and met my co-worker Mary Ann and her husband.
 

 
I bought tickets for the Legends of Candlestick game, where we saw millions of dollars worth of sports stars playing flag football, one last game on that celebrated field.  
 

we also started planning in earnest for her 25th birthday – we will be celebrating in Orlando at Disneyworld that birthday week! Yay!!

well, that’s it.  all caught up after not blogging for more than 6 months (I know, my bad! busy doesn’t begin to describe what we’ve been!!)

happy new year and highlights

highlights of 2013

     this is just a quick review of the year.  to see the full details, keep reading after the Highlights, including many many pictures! 

january

     spent new years eve at home.  Mama went through some health issues, so we were most attentive, keeping her comfortable and upbeat.  watched football, and golf, and did mending while spending time with her.  saw the movies The Last Stand, Lincoln and the new Les Miserables on the big screen.  a friend of ours from Temple passed away, and I attended his military funeral service with several congregants.  Joyce and I continued our tradition of going to the annual car show downtown.  all the playoff games were quite thrilling and that super game would become known as the Har-bowl.  Joyce and I signed on to co-produce a terrifically funny musical together this season at our home theatre.   saw friends in I Left My Heart.  

february 

     worked as a narrator on bus tours of the sili-valley.  saw friends in productions of Promises, Promises, and Looking Over the President's Shoulder.  watched the Super Game at our friend Pasha's and even made chicken ettoufee for the potluck.  sadly our team lost to the other brother.  before I knew anything about the show, I volunteered to costume Sunday in the Park with George.  my director friend was two weeks from opening his high school production and had no one to help, so I quickly reached out to all my costume resources and managed to borrow and make everything we needed, including making a gentleman's ascot!  helped make green chair slipcovers for our junior Wizard of Oz, and watched the opening night later in the week. 

march

     in the middle of costume cleaning/returning my Bug died and I had to borrow Mama's to finish my errands.  took it to a new mechanic who didn't gouge like the dealers do.  Joyce and I started planning for Zombie Prom, our fall musical co-production.  saw the kids and friends in productions of Wizard of Oz, Harvey, and Sugar (the musical version of Some Like It Hot).  job interviews at HP didn't net me any job luck.  

april

     spent the high holy days at Temple and at a new church down the street - for Easter Sunday.  Had a wonderful Passover Seder with our favorite caterer feeding us well.  Joyce and I saw the Blue Man Group - discount tix - at our downtown performing arts center.  got another discount ticket to see friends in Brigadoon.  our friend Angel was in town between deployments so he came to karaoke and sang with me.  Joyce and I got much of our Zombie staff in place.  my Sunday director asked me to costume his kids again, this time in comedia dell'arte Mandragola.  Joyce and I finished out the month by enjoying draft party activities for our team, since we're season ticket holders.

may

     read and sang several times at Temple.  also attended some Sunday services at the church down the street.  Joyce and I worked on her invitations to her upcoming college graduation - where did the time go?!  Janet lost her beloved horse Willie that Joyce had grown up with.  saw many friends in a production of Babes in Hollywood, and ushered and watched Little Women.  had a couple opportunities to sing karaoke.  Mandragola rehearsals, performances, and costuming cleaning and returns took up a lot of my waking hours.  

june

     spent a week living with Mama while "someone" was out of town.  that gave us lots of time to go to Temple, go to Elisha's grad party in Santa Cruz, and watch Janet play in her String Ensemble and the community band.  Joyce was busy with finals and I was busy with Zombie meetings.  our friend Woody joined all of us for Joyce's graduation ceremonies, both indoors and outside.  saw friends performing in Funny Girl and Boeing, Boeing, and sang karaoke a few times.  did some more bus tour narration as well.  Joyce and I got discount tickets to the amazing Green Day's American Idiot.  got to wish Daddy happy day for his 75th!  Joyce is moving to her dad's for a few months ... I'll miss being able to see her regularly.  wrapped up my two-year term as president on our theatre's board ... whew! 

     two amazing things happened toward the end of the month.  after a marathon afternoon interviewing with 15 people for over two hours at Intel, they made me an offer 8 days later and I would start working there the following month!  AND... I auditioned for an all-female production of 1776 - up against 80 of our theatre community's best female performers - and I was cast as one of the 26 performers!!   

july

     wrapped up my final narration bus tour duties.  got to be "the best usher ever" at a sing-along Sound of Music.  had some really nice readings and singing opportunities at Temple, and lovely services at the church down the street.   went to another audition, this one for Noises Off, but didn't make the cut.  since it was in Pacifica, and the drive may have been the death of the Bug, perhaps it was for the best.  saw a cute junior production called Wonderland; ushered for an outdoor production of Twelfth Night; also ushered and saw friends in 9 to 5; saw friends - the entire cast - in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.  Joyce visited a couple times when she was transporting stuff back and forth to/from her dad's.  working at Intel feels just like working at HP - so far that is.  

august

     at work, my managers have discovered my abilities to clearly instruct, and to learn processes quickly, so they have already tasked me with training our team on a new process!  saw friends in The World Goes 'Round, and ushered several times for Pippin.  Joyce made more trips back as she helps her dad pack for a move to Arizona.  we also went shopping in preparation for football season.  sang and read at Temple, and enjoyed Sunday services down the street.  

september

     Zombie Prom kept us busy much of the month, with meetings, auditions, rehearsals.  but we're doing it together and that's the best!  sang at Temple for the Yom Kippur service.  went to SF to see the touring company of 1776. 

october

      for our birthday, Joyce and I went to a Sunday night home football game and we won!  we spent "the day" starting at Dennys - free breakfast - then went to SF to Pier 39 and the Hard Rock, and then to all seven floors of Macys Union Square.  we had another birthday dinner night at Black Angus.  ushered and watched several friends perform in Les Miserables.  Joyce joined me at work for a "tailgate" in our corporate auditorium, catered by our favorite BBQ restaurant.  

november

     Zombie Prom played all month to small but enthusiastic crowds.  rehearsals began for our groundbreaking production of 1776.  saw friends in Making God Laugh.  

december

     went to see two holiday productions with friends, Decembrance and Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite.  at work, I helped organize the holiday party, and even volunteered to be "referee" of the gift exchange, which apparently gets quite competitive!  watched our football team doing really well.  saw Saving Mr. Banks, Frozen, and Grudge Match on the big screen. 

     read about the whole year in greater detail below and in the Older Posts.

d e c e m b e r . 2 0 1 4

day to day our lives are going well - - busy with work, but we have good health, and people who love us. our football team is doing ... ah-maz-ing!  we are hoping for another super bowl run [cross fingers or whatever other stupid-sticion football fans have ;-) ]  Ana commandeered the remote again at her favorite Israeli restaurant with her dear friend, and they watched yet another '9er victory on Monday night TV!  She also finally got back to karaoke, to sing a couple Christmas songs before the end of the year. And she went to see three movies, a couple with that same dear friend visiting for the holidays - Saving Mr. Banks, Frozen (again) and Grudge Match - all excellent and/or fun movies.

at work, Ana played a significant role in organizing the holiday party ... including being the "ref" at the party game, a variation on the usual elephant gift exchange game!

we hope you enjoyed / survived the holidays and will let us know what you're up to too!