highlights of 2020
this is just a quick review of the year. to see the full details, keep reading after the Highlights, including many many pictures!
january
ventured into a movie theater to see the quirky knives out! had a cast party with my beloved Nutcracker family, for the last time. watched our football team make it to the super bowl!!
february
while the super bowl was in Miami, I went to the watch party at the local team stadium, and ran into a co-worker, who shared a table with me. the food was excellent! too bad the ending wasn't. got involved with our theatre group, helping with the junior production's costumes for freaky friday, a musical version of one of my favorite kid movies! also helped Janet at another of our favorite venues as a bartender and as a stage manager.
march
had so much fun working on freaky costumes and as a dresser during the production. got to see each of the two cast's performances one time, and was surprised by the producer when he pulled me onstage to give me a thank you send-off - with flowers and wine - as he announced my move to AZ. then, the pandemic hit, and I had to start working from home.
april
to create virtual proximity, I'm participating in - and even co-hosting - Friday karaoke happy hours with co-workers around the globe! making light of the pandemic through our mutual love of music!
may
our leadership authorized us to spend the company's money in our neighborhoods, to support local restaurants and rideshare drivers. for Mothers Day I even got a great brunch with an adult bev to go! otherwise, I'm enjoying cooking my own amazing meals too.
june
passages became more challenging. attended a virtual retirement party for a theatre friend. also, our favorite bartender passed suddenly after surgery. this pandemic has made even the most ordinary activities a huge challenge. my hair-style is maintained by getting it cut every six weeks or so. it had been months, and my long shaggy hot hair had become unbearable, so I cut it myself! extreme times and all ... had virtual opportunities to attend local city council meetings, as well as staged theatre readings.
july
had a stealth visit with my hairdresser - back door, cash in hand - and she provided damage control over what I had done the previous month. she said to me "you are so brave" which I think meant the Southern "bless yer heart!" made a big pot of mole for Fourth of July and listened to my neighbors blowing up illegal fireworks for days. started to make lists of activities that might be open in preparation for what will possibly be my least spectacular decade birthday. more virtual theatre activities, and one attempt at virtual karaoke.
august
lots more virtual theatre activities, and one live in-person, albeit outdoors - brunch with two dear friends on the patio of a local eatery! this pandemic will not deter us!!
september
my favorite KJ had started hosting safe, masked karaoke in his back yard, and I joined for Labor Day. unfortunately during the visit Joyce called me to say she had had a stroke and was in the hospital! stupid pandemic wouldn't even allow me to travel to go be with her. luckily she recovered so my ordeal so far away was short-lived. more work virtual events to attend, as well as virtual cooking!
october
a 2-week in-state quarantine prevented me from spending our birthday with Joyce. instead I went for an outdoor venue opportunity in central California. the drive along the coast, the stop at the "pink hotel" for lunch, and finally to my coastal inn for a short vacation to the other "wine country." because they have to control customer volume, you have to make a reservation to get a winery tour. my final evening I spent at the new art installation of magical lights in a field, best showcased after sundown. I opted for the VIP package and thoroughly enjoyed this destination!
november
politics, ugh! so glad this election is over! but I did get a chance to attend a live webcast with the actual Broadway Genie!
december
more virtual karaoke with co-workers, but also helped to coordinate a virtual holiday party. and we had a virtual paint and sip party too, where the organizers sent you the items you need to create the painting. for Christmas I created a delicious vindaloo and house-made raita, and safely sheltered in my pandemic pod. let's hope the next year is full of recovery!
read about the whole year in greater detail below and in the Older Posts.
d e c e m b e r . 2 0 2 0
holiday blessings ...
had the opportunity to co-host two karaoke sessions at work, singing holiday songs with co-workers around the globe. music makes the heart feel light! and, as usual I was on the planning committee for our team holiday party, and this year they made me the MC for our first ever virtual gathering. no ugly sweaters this year, we had a festive hat contest. we also had a comedian magician join in at the top of the event. to wrap up, I came up with a pass the story game where we talk about a dream vacation in a "suddenly - tall tale" where everyone has to continue the story from the previous person's telling. It was mostly hilarious, once people got in the spirit of it.
the admin community had an end of year party too, where we gathered online for another wine and painting session. here was my finished result.
