Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Bring it on, ComiCon!
Today, I landed in San Diego around lunchtime for my first ever ComiCon. I am not here for the party. I am here for the shuttle system that will run 24 hours a day for ComiCon attendees--specifically, I will be helping those with special needs like wheel chairs, scooters, etc.
It's my first time working in this town, my first time working for this company, and my first time in San Diego--oh yeah, and my first ComiCon. I'm a bit nervous!
Having checked in and settled in at my downtown boutique-y hotel with no commitments until tomorrow at 10:00am, I find myself in a Tevye-like tailspin! I need to study the shuttle system--ON THE OTHER HAND, I have this whole town at my disposal! On the other hand, I have several work projects coming up that need some attention. On the other hand, I'm tired and alone.
The Solution in Three Parts:
Step 1: I am going to Frommer's right now and I'm going to commit to doing THREE recommended things while here in San Diego.
Step 2: I'm going to RELAX for tonight and open the bottle of wine I bought earlier.
Step 3: LATER, I will take a good look at the shuttle system and outline a work schedule around my work schedule to prepare for upcoming projects with flexibility built in for socializing with new work friends, which I am optimistic I will meet tomorrow. Hopefully, they can help me figure out my three things because after the first one, I got stumped.
Thing #1 - Tour the USS Midway.
Thing #2 - ?
Thing #3 - ?
It's my first time working in this town, my first time working for this company, and my first time in San Diego--oh yeah, and my first ComiCon. I'm a bit nervous!
Having checked in and settled in at my downtown boutique-y hotel with no commitments until tomorrow at 10:00am, I find myself in a Tevye-like tailspin! I need to study the shuttle system--ON THE OTHER HAND, I have this whole town at my disposal! On the other hand, I have several work projects coming up that need some attention. On the other hand, I'm tired and alone.
The Solution in Three Parts:
Step 1: I am going to Frommer's right now and I'm going to commit to doing THREE recommended things while here in San Diego.
Step 2: I'm going to RELAX for tonight and open the bottle of wine I bought earlier.
Step 3: LATER, I will take a good look at the shuttle system and outline a work schedule around my work schedule to prepare for upcoming projects with flexibility built in for socializing with new work friends, which I am optimistic I will meet tomorrow. Hopefully, they can help me figure out my three things because after the first one, I got stumped.
Thing #1 - Tour the USS Midway.
Thing #2 - ?
Thing #3 - ?
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Sweet Potato Salad
Can't remember where I found this recipe, so I'll post here:
SWEET POTATO SALAD
(File under : Easy, Vegan)
2-3 white sweet potatoes, chopped into small pieces
3 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp red vinegar
1 Tbsp fresh rosemary chopped (Use the Magic Bullet!)
1/4 cup red onion, chopped or sliced thin
Steam the sweet potato
Whisk the rest of the ingredients to make a dressing.
Toss.
Eat.
Yay.
SWEET POTATO SALAD
(File under : Easy, Vegan)
2-3 white sweet potatoes, chopped into small pieces
3 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp red vinegar
1 Tbsp fresh rosemary chopped (Use the Magic Bullet!)
1/4 cup red onion, chopped or sliced thin
Steam the sweet potato
Whisk the rest of the ingredients to make a dressing.
Toss.
Eat.
Yay.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Will you still love me tomorrow?
Today, I had a wide gap between departures, so there was time to come home and take a nap on the clock. Bonus!
Beki: Honey, do you realize I'm making money right now?
Randy: Good
Beki: I'm getting paid to sleep with you.
Randy: Uh huh
Beki: Do you still respect me?
Randy: I'd respect you a lot more if you'd stop talking.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
2012 Live Shows
01.27-28
THE GATHERING - Prestatyn, Wales
The Alarm
The Men They Couldn't Hang
The Last Republic
Another great time in Wales; however, the addition of Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet) on sax, tambourine, percussion, and guitar made one weird addition to the Alarm. I liken it to putting whipped cream and a cherry on top of a perfectly good steak. No thank you.
__________________________________________________________________________
02.27
Glen Matlock
Hugh Cornwell
@ Three Kings - Denver, CO
At the Gathering in 2011, Glen Matlock doing his solo thing, and I became a big fan of that. Last night, he played a great gig a small bar in Denver with Clem Burke (Blondie) who is easily one of the greatest drummers ever. I volunteered for Love Hope Strength and really enjoyed the show. Missing was guitarist James Stevenson (also of the Alarm) whose wife is having surgery. Wishing her a speedy recovery!
I think I was in a unique position as a fan of only Glen's solo career with no knowledge of the musical catalog of his former bands the Sex Pistols or the Rich Kids.
Headlining was Hugh Cornwell (the Stranglers) who Randy enjoyed more than I did, but I did get his comparisons to early Pretenders and there were definitely some cool musical moments there. I am a bigger fan of Glen's.
_______________________________________________________
THE GATHERING - Prestatyn, Wales
The Alarm
The Men They Couldn't Hang
The Last Republic
Another great time in Wales; however, the addition of Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet) on sax, tambourine, percussion, and guitar made one weird addition to the Alarm. I liken it to putting whipped cream and a cherry on top of a perfectly good steak. No thank you.
__________________________________________________________________________
02.27
Glen Matlock
Hugh Cornwell
@ Three Kings - Denver, CO
At the Gathering in 2011, Glen Matlock doing his solo thing, and I became a big fan of that. Last night, he played a great gig a small bar in Denver with Clem Burke (Blondie) who is easily one of the greatest drummers ever. I volunteered for Love Hope Strength and really enjoyed the show. Missing was guitarist James Stevenson (also of the Alarm) whose wife is having surgery. Wishing her a speedy recovery!
I think I was in a unique position as a fan of only Glen's solo career with no knowledge of the musical catalog of his former bands the Sex Pistols or the Rich Kids.
Headlining was Hugh Cornwell (the Stranglers) who Randy enjoyed more than I did, but I did get his comparisons to early Pretenders and there were definitely some cool musical moments there. I am a bigger fan of Glen's.
_______________________________________________________
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The Men in Falling Jeans
This is a random interruption from my vacation tales, but today I found a piece of paper that I had jotted down some notes on. I was listening to an NPR interview with Hisham Matar, the author of a novel called Anatomy of a Disappearance.
The author was saying that in Libya, the revolution was sometimes informally called "the revolution of the young men in falling jeans" because so many of those involved were young men. It was astounding to me that a trend as stupid as wearing your pants halfway down your butt had made it to Libya and may even be seen as a sign of Western-style freedom. Seriously, of all the cultural ideas you could adopt from America...you're just gonna show me your underwear?
Hashim's father opposed Khadaffi, and moved the family to Egypt but at some point, he was taken, arrested, tortured, and disappeared without trial. Hashim says he feels the deepest connection with those in small Irish fishing villages whose fathers fished alone and disappeared at sea. It isn't a kinship that my brain would necessarily leap to, but it makes a lot of sense.
For him, the connection and understanding is in the idea that one cannot give up hope until they know and at some point, certainty may become more desirable than hope. I have added the book to my reading list and am trying to figure out if there is a song I could write in there...or if it would just be a re-hash of "Hope is All I Have."
The author was saying that in Libya, the revolution was sometimes informally called "the revolution of the young men in falling jeans" because so many of those involved were young men. It was astounding to me that a trend as stupid as wearing your pants halfway down your butt had made it to Libya and may even be seen as a sign of Western-style freedom. Seriously, of all the cultural ideas you could adopt from America...you're just gonna show me your underwear?
Hashim's father opposed Khadaffi, and moved the family to Egypt but at some point, he was taken, arrested, tortured, and disappeared without trial. Hashim says he feels the deepest connection with those in small Irish fishing villages whose fathers fished alone and disappeared at sea. It isn't a kinship that my brain would necessarily leap to, but it makes a lot of sense.
For him, the connection and understanding is in the idea that one cannot give up hope until they know and at some point, certainty may become more desirable than hope. I have added the book to my reading list and am trying to figure out if there is a song I could write in there...or if it would just be a re-hash of "Hope is All I Have."
Monday, January 30, 2012
Vacation Journal
Day 1: Wednesday January 25
Denver to Atlanta - uneventful
Atlanta layover: We met up with Gathering friends Kelly and Megan and their Gathering friend John, who was not going to Wales this year, but actually just on his way back to Oman for work and had a layover same time as us.
Atlanta - Manchester: I've never had such awful wine on a plane, or anywhere actually (except maybe in a college dorm room in the 80's), and what's up with no tvs in the backs of the chairs? Watched Moneyball edited for airplane passengers and fell asleep, then awoke with a horrible feeling that all was not well with my body, so quite logically headed for the bathroom.
Halfway there, I remember thinking "I'm doing great. No one can tell I feel sick..." and then heard "Ma'am, are you on any medication?" as I realized that I was laid flat on the floor of the plane with flight attendants surrounding me. Someone must have caught me as I collapsed because I escaped with only a rugburn on my elbow and slight embarrassment. We asked for lots of prayer heading into this trip so if you've been praying for me to be slain in the spirit--well done; if not, how about upping those prayers for safe travels and my health?
Day 2: Thursday January 26
Caernarfon Jetlag Day!
Upgraded to a Volvo family station wagon with the quirkiest GPS ever. Randy drove very well and only swore once.
We stayed at the Travelodge for a whopping £12.00 and I tried the roasted aubergine with honey marinated vegetables at the Black Boy Inn. Both were risks that paid off.
Day 3: Friday January 27
Caernarfon Castle - a fun return visit with Kelly & Megan
On to the Gathering. Despite all the hype about Pontins being a dump, our apartment was warm and toasty when we got there, and we didn't find Classic to be such a downgrade from Club accommodation. They all need updating and a good clean, but we're not expecting the Ritz. It's punk rock after all. I was convinced for a while that we were in this EXACT apartment, but upon watching again, I see from the view that it's a different one with the same iron stain and bathroom floor issues.
The Alarm's ACOUSTIC SET was full band with the bewildering addition of Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet) on tambourine and guitar.
A very fat drunk man decided to start a personal mosh pit with Kelly and had to be manhandled away from us by security when Randy nearly punched him after several stern warnings. While we tried to handle things ourselves and without too much distraction, apparently, at least two people who were on stage inquired about it the next day to either see if we were ok or to commend us for holding our ground. The whole thing was disconcerting and a big distraction from an otherwise enjoyable set.
More to come...
Day 4: Saturday 01.28
How many Chinese food eaters can you get in a Pontins chalet? How late did we stay up?
Day 5: Sunday 01.29
Beach Walk and goodbyes to Gatherers.
Upon arrival in Manchester, we have a whale of a time navigating through Chinese New Year to the Ibis Hotel. Once settled in, I gained access to the internet and learned that my work friend Joe Leslie had died. He was a really fun and generous guy to work with, and I will really miss him. A few days later, I learned that it was some kind of stroke/aneurism that took his life.
Day 6: Monday 01.30
Three trains to Phil & Sarah Carlson's in Letchworth Garden City, followed by a great walk through the town, the cemetery, and the farmer's field, to the Three Horseshoe's Pub, where we set by the fire, drank beer, and pet other people's dogs.
Day 6: Tuesday 01.31
Day 7: Wednesday 02.01
Day 8: Thursday 02.02
Flew easyjet to Prague where we were relieved that the guitar arrived unscathed (after finally finding it in the "fragile" items separate luggage arrivals area), and met by John Waldrop who took us home to the whole family in the Skoda!
Day 9: Friday 02.03
Concert at Devicka (Day-vits-ka) Train Station facility to benefit Magdala Project! We made 21,000 Kc which is about $1,112 to fight human trafficking and help women who have been trafficked reunite with their families or build a new life. We couldn't believe how warm and receptive the packed crowd was and we are so grateful to the people of International Church of Prague for promoting and attending this concert, particularly John & Esther Waldrop. The youth group was surprisingly into it and "Life is Sweet" was a big hit with them.
Day 10: Saturday 02.04
John helped us find our way to the main train station so we could board the train to Revnice, about a 45-minute ride where we met Daniel, the main pastor at Common Grounds.
Day 1: Wednesday January 25
Denver to Atlanta - uneventful
Atlanta layover: We met up with Gathering friends Kelly and Megan and their Gathering friend John, who was not going to Wales this year, but actually just on his way back to Oman for work and had a layover same time as us.
Atlanta - Manchester: I've never had such awful wine on a plane, or anywhere actually (except maybe in a college dorm room in the 80's), and what's up with no tvs in the backs of the chairs? Watched Moneyball edited for airplane passengers and fell asleep, then awoke with a horrible feeling that all was not well with my body, so quite logically headed for the bathroom.
Halfway there, I remember thinking "I'm doing great. No one can tell I feel sick..." and then heard "Ma'am, are you on any medication?" as I realized that I was laid flat on the floor of the plane with flight attendants surrounding me. Someone must have caught me as I collapsed because I escaped with only a rugburn on my elbow and slight embarrassment. We asked for lots of prayer heading into this trip so if you've been praying for me to be slain in the spirit--well done; if not, how about upping those prayers for safe travels and my health?
Day 2: Thursday January 26
Caernarfon Jetlag Day!
Upgraded to a Volvo family station wagon with the quirkiest GPS ever. Randy drove very well and only swore once.
We stayed at the Travelodge for a whopping £12.00 and I tried the roasted aubergine with honey marinated vegetables at the Black Boy Inn. Both were risks that paid off.
Day 3: Friday January 27
Caernarfon Castle - a fun return visit with Kelly & Megan
On to the Gathering. Despite all the hype about Pontins being a dump, our apartment was warm and toasty when we got there, and we didn't find Classic to be such a downgrade from Club accommodation. They all need updating and a good clean, but we're not expecting the Ritz. It's punk rock after all. I was convinced for a while that we were in this EXACT apartment, but upon watching again, I see from the view that it's a different one with the same iron stain and bathroom floor issues.
The Alarm's ACOUSTIC SET was full band with the bewildering addition of Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet) on tambourine and guitar.
A very fat drunk man decided to start a personal mosh pit with Kelly and had to be manhandled away from us by security when Randy nearly punched him after several stern warnings. While we tried to handle things ourselves and without too much distraction, apparently, at least two people who were on stage inquired about it the next day to either see if we were ok or to commend us for holding our ground. The whole thing was disconcerting and a big distraction from an otherwise enjoyable set.
More to come...
Day 4: Saturday 01.28
How many Chinese food eaters can you get in a Pontins chalet? How late did we stay up?
Day 5: Sunday 01.29
Beach Walk and goodbyes to Gatherers.
Upon arrival in Manchester, we have a whale of a time navigating through Chinese New Year to the Ibis Hotel. Once settled in, I gained access to the internet and learned that my work friend Joe Leslie had died. He was a really fun and generous guy to work with, and I will really miss him. A few days later, I learned that it was some kind of stroke/aneurism that took his life.
Day 6: Monday 01.30
Three trains to Phil & Sarah Carlson's in Letchworth Garden City, followed by a great walk through the town, the cemetery, and the farmer's field, to the Three Horseshoe's Pub, where we set by the fire, drank beer, and pet other people's dogs.
Day 6: Tuesday 01.31
Day 7: Wednesday 02.01
Day 8: Thursday 02.02
Flew easyjet to Prague where we were relieved that the guitar arrived unscathed (after finally finding it in the "fragile" items separate luggage arrivals area), and met by John Waldrop who took us home to the whole family in the Skoda!
Day 9: Friday 02.03
Concert at Devicka (Day-vits-ka) Train Station facility to benefit Magdala Project! We made 21,000 Kc which is about $1,112 to fight human trafficking and help women who have been trafficked reunite with their families or build a new life. We couldn't believe how warm and receptive the packed crowd was and we are so grateful to the people of International Church of Prague for promoting and attending this concert, particularly John & Esther Waldrop. The youth group was surprisingly into it and "Life is Sweet" was a big hit with them.
Day 10: Saturday 02.04
John helped us find our way to the main train station so we could board the train to Revnice, about a 45-minute ride where we met Daniel, the main pastor at Common Grounds.
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