always thankful....
started the month by watching the 49ers win a game, this one the last Battle of the Bay ever, since their opponents are moving to Vegas. one of the TV announcers made a pre-game video in our offices, and it played during the game ... Janet was fascinated by our lobby's "moving wall" and decided she might need to visit.
shows I've seen with friends ... for Aaron's birthday this year, I went to see him play Henry in My Fair Lady, which of course was magnificent. even more fun, I carpooled up the peninsula with Becky (& hubby), one of my co-stars in 1776, and we had a grand time catching up during the drive-time. I <3 my theatre family. at the high school where we have our holiday concert, the drama dept. kids were performing The Women; since this is one of my favorite golden age movies, I went to support the kids, and really enjoyed their budding performances. all female ensemble too, so good to see young women getting quality stage time. sadly, the next show I saw was very timely for the age we're in now - our theatre was performing Cabaret. and again, we say if we don't learn our history we are doomed to repeat it. what was relevant in this story is relevant today. needless to say I had a soggy handkerchief at the end of the show. some of our dancers from Nutcracker performed and lit the tree at the local mall's Tree Lighting Ceremony, and I went to watch and provide moral support. my very first tree-lighting, and it was wonderful. so many talented dancers and singers performed for the two hours that I was there. only the crowds drove me away right after our group performed. one of "my kids" from Aladdin Jr. was performing in her school's production of Music Man and I had to go see her there.
attended another open house at the local sports stadium; this time the "ticket" for entry was canned goods for our local food pantry. I brought a dozen cans. :-) while they didn't have the SB trophies out on display this time, they had a great jazz band [Party Crashers] playing lots of familiar tunes. one of our theatre friends was running the sound mixer, and we had a few minutes to catch up - he's a new papa! the food was excellent, and I got to go on a tour of a new meeting/event space which was the former green room for bands before performances.
here I am kicking up my feet in front of an autographed guitar, and getting a selfie in front of - but not going into - the home team's locker room!
Janet and I were again invited to Thanksgiving with her Pastor and his extended family. it is wonderful to be included, and to start "new" traditions.
because I'm going into tech week for The Nutcracker, I had only one opportunity to see Uptown Holiday Swing, the opening night performance. this is such an enjoyable annual musical event. it really sets the tone for the upcoming holidays. plus it was good to see and catch up with my Jafar from Aladdin, as well as my Roscoe and the other Candy from Elvis/Building! and speaking of Nutcracker, not only am I reprising my role as Grandmother, but I was also asked to play the role of Mother Cupcake, and ride the skirt with 22 little gingerbread cookies inside! this is SO going to be fun!! and, the costumers asked me again to volunteer helping with sewing of trim, and my special contribution was working on the small Russian girl dresses. lots of volunteer hours, matched by my work's monetary contribution!
