Birthday Play

The quote below is my favorite quote from the musical Rent. Andy took me last night to see it for my birthday. I am ashamed to say this was the first time I have seen it on stage. Of course I have heard the score and seen the movie, but when it was originally in LA, I was a little too young to take a huge interest.

Anyway, it was fabulous! However, when we arrived we quickly realized this was one of those non-union tours that I am profoundly against. Andy asked if we should walk out, but I didn't want to. If we had known this when we purchased our tickets, we might have not bought them. Why, you may ask, am I against these tours, while I am still non-Equity? Well, if these tours played to small, lesser-known or lesser-attended houses, it wouldn't be a problem. But did I mention where we saw this show? The Pantages Theater!! One of the biggest theatres in LA. Probably seats 1500 or so. And this whole run (only a week) was completely sold out. So the producers of this tour sit around and watch their bank accounts grow while these poor, talented young performers are working their butts off every night to put on this very beloved show, for a wage far below what they deserve.

Anyway, all that aside it was a fantastic performance. Great story, great score, talented performers. For those of you who might still be unfamiliar, it is a beautiful retelling of Pucinni's opera La Boheme in an AIDS-ridden New York youth artist culture. Really makes you think about life, love and society.

NO DAY BUT TODAY!!!

The Opposite of War Isn't Peace...

It is Creation!

One More Party

Here is the Bridesmaid Luncheon and Overnighter, in Huntington Beach. We started out with lunch at Duke's-- a really nice Hawaiian restaurant with an excellent brunch. There were even musicians and a hula dancer

The Bridesmaids at BJ's for dinner

Old Fashioned

I finally got about 3 rolls of pictures developed. Andy and I are still in the dark ages and use our lovely film camera. Actually, we love our Canon Rebel G and we can't bear to abandon it for a digital. But unfortunately, our scanner is stinky, so please forgive the crude scan. =)

I'm posting a bit more than necessary so the fam can print.

Bridal Shower

Jenn's new relatives threw her a really nice bridal shower at one of her new aunt's houses

the new fam

the old fam

telling stories

Jenn's Graduation

On May 28th, my sister graduated from Cal State Fullerton. Yea, Jenn!
(that's her in front of her new car)

Darrin's Graduation

On July 6th, my bro-in-law to be graduated from the LA County Sherriff's Dept Academy. He is now a cop! Horray! We are so proud of him...

Darrin and Jenn with Brenda Adema, his mom

Darrin and his little niece

Graduation Party at Mom and Dad's house afterward

Grandpa & Grandma came, too

That's Darrin with my Uncle, Duane, who just made Ltn.

I think right there they are taking their oath or reciting the Core Values or something like that

Party Time

My sister is getting married in 3 weeks and it seems we are just having party after party. Last weekend was the Bridesmaid Luncheon & Overnighter in Huntington Beach. Last night was the Bachelorette Party in the inland empire. We went for dinner at a Fish House in Victoria Gardens and then line dancing at The Brandin' Iron. If Jenn sends me pictures, I will post them.

Next weekend is more partying, but not wedding. My mom and I have our birthday on Sunday, so we're starting early by going to the Hollywood Bowl Wednesday night, then a family dinner Saturday night. Andy and I have tickets to see Rent Sunday night, and he's trying to get off of work Sunday morning so we can have a Birthday Breakfast.

Yesterday we spent the morning rearranging our furniture! May sound lame, but it's extremely thrilling to us! We haven't rearranged our furniture in years, mostly because we only have a one-bedroom apartment, so there aren't a lot of options. But we love our new arrangement. We also rearranged the wall hangings in our bedroom. (something we've been needing to do for years!) Last weekend there was an art festival in HB, and I found the cutest little hanging french placards that read "cinema" and "theatre," both with addresses in french on them. We hung them over our sides of the bed. Super cute.

Working in an Office

There are apparently some aspects of working in an office that I have forgotten about in these last 5 years of subbing...

* You can visit the restroom whenever you need to go
*It is necessary to bring along sweater even though the weather is 100 degrees outside
* a little thing called PEACE AND QUIET!!!
*8-hour days (which I rarely do, anyway!)
* getting paid twice a month! Even in the summertime!!