highlights of 2016
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 lots of time with Mama watching football; sadly our team wasn't in the playoffs. Joyce got a new puppy, but since she's still in Arizona, I only get to see her in social media. saw two friends - Doug and Larry - in And Then There Were None playing the roles that Kermit and I played in our version Ten Little Indians way back in the fall of 1977. caught the world premier of Swift Justice, a tale of vigilante justice that occurred right here in SJ.
february
the chef/owner of my first restaurant job opened a new bistro in my neighborhood, so I went there to dine, to see him and catch up! watched the super ball game with Mama, and her team won! I started all the activity that is involved in moving. I found an apartment that is about two miles from work, so an easy commute. painted another flamingo at another Paint Nite. saw some young performers in the comedy Drowsy Chaperone. used Janet's ticket to go see our local Jazz band - front row cabaret seating! saw two friends in the 2-person show I Do, I Do - - delightful!
march
more moving, unpacking - it seems like a never-ending process. was honored with the rarely read Torah portion for leap year. our event organizers at work brought in a professional photographer so our attorneys could get updated head shots. we admins were allowed to participate as well, so I now have a wonderful new headshot with my current hairdo. saw many friends at Mulan Jr. at our home theatre.
april
attended a work proximity event at a wine bar in the foothills. read and sang at Temple several times while much of our congregation and leadership were in Israel. saw several shows: Les Miserables with the students at my high school; a staged reading of Diary of Anne Frank; another production of Crowns, which I will always try to see; and Billy Elliot, because my employer bought out all the seats for this performance!
may
Janet and I spent Mothers Day with Mama. another work proximity event took us to our local soccer team's new stadium. went to see a local band play in a small venue. the lead singer even asked me to sing with him on one song! neither Janet nor I performed with our band this season, but I went to see the concert anyway. fabulous to be able to watch the Indy 500 and the Washington DC Memorial Day Concert in my own apartment!
june
read and sang at one service at Temple. was requested to be a mentor with the summer youth program at my "2nd home" theatre. I will be playing sister Mathilda and the Caterpillar in Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr.
july
enjoyed two days off from work for the Fourth, and spent it getting my apartment more in order. got to sing at Temple with some of my favorite musicians. rehearsals ended and we held our performances for Alice. it was such a wonderful experience not only mentoring these young talented people, but also being back on stage. our interactions with the audience were special too.
august
my ops manager at work asked me to join her at the Barbra Streisand concert, since she knew I would enjoy it with her more than her hubby would! joined over 2,000 women - and men - dressed as Rosie the Riveter to break a Guinness record. our friends Ritchard and Michelle got married!
september
volunteered to do voice-over for e-readers at a work charity activity. sang at Temple twice. still spending a lot of time moving from storage and unpacking. watched a production of Spring Awakening at our home theatre.
october
Joyce didn't join me but we were connected over text. flew to LA and rented a car. first went to San Juan Capistrano, which was on my bucket list. went to see the play Billy & Ray at the Laguna Playhouse. went to Hollywood and strolled on a lot of the Walk of Fame. took a drive on Sunset Blvd. went to the Hudson Theatre and got to see Going, Going, Gone, and to meet the playwright! spent a day at Disney, getting preferential birthday treatment as an Ana at the Frozen live show. rested up for a day and saw Magnificent Seven in a darkened theatre - my eyes had been sunburned the day before, even though I'd been wearing a hat. for Birthday Dinner I went to a childhood favorite that has very few locations now, Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour. I had made my reservation a month ago to be sure I could dine on My Day. the next day I was back at The Park where I saw the Soarin' Over The World, plus rode the soon to be closed Tower of Terror. yes, I got the T-shirt this time. the next day I was mostly in The Original Park, enjoying a Monte Cristo sandwich and mint julep, and the many attractions we'll never tire of. even stood in line to meet Minnie! went back one more time on my final day in LA, to cruise downtown D, and ride the monorail. on the way to the airport I stopped at the former Crystal Cathedral and walked through the gardens. the building is closed and being renovated. safely back home I went to see the touring company production of Memphis! in our performing arts center, and the ice show Disney on Ice at our hockey arena; plus our friend Aaron was playing the lead in Music Man, so I had to see that!
november
had an interesting karaoke/baseball experience that led to me singing five songs! did another Paint Nite, of a sliver of a moon over a forest. made my first Thanksgiving dinner in my own apartment. saw friends in productions of Edith Stein and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.
december
went to see Janet play in our band's holiday concert. saw a youth created production called A Dickens of a Mash-up. and while it wasn't opening weekend, I did go see Moana on the big screen.
read about the whole year in greater detail below and in the Older Posts.
