Well, it didn't kill me...

I went to the gym after work yesterday, and did the treadmill. No running, just walking on it with varying degrees of incline. I did the Alpine Trail, which simulates walking up and down two steep hills. Although it was a little over 1.5 miles, the vertical distance was an even 3 miles. It took only 20 minutes to do. My legs, especially my knees, feel great. I really need to keep myself in shape. I have a tentative coffee date this Sunday, and it sounds like the guy is really nice. We will see where it goes....

A Day At The Beach

Sheila, Amy, Kristie, Nancy, and yours truly lurking in the back. Cute waiter taking picture can be seen in the mirror.

Today I went to Huntington Beach to have lunch with some PezHeads, the Internet group that I belong to. Amy and Kristie from Alabama, were in West Hollywood to see a play about Dusty Springfield. Nancy, from Temecula, met me at Chili's in Beaumont and she drove us to the pier in Huntington Beach. The 91 just reopened at Green River, and it was smooth sailing all the way. It was rainy, but it was just starting to clear up when we got there. Sheila, who lives minutes away in Fountain Valley, was the first person to meet us there. The other two showed up, but they were already there for several minutes. They went down to the other end looking for us, then came back and found us all there. We made our way down to Savannah to have lunch. I had a grilled ceasar salad, it was quite good. All too soon it was time to go, and Nancy and I enjoyed a nice ride back to Beau-tucky. I made a spaghetti sauce for the pasta tonight, it came out quite good. Tasted almost like a red clam sauce.

It's the Weekend!

Saturday is here! I've got the run of the house, since John is teaching traffic school today. My back is hurting me a little, don't know why, only that it started last night. After I came home from work yesterday, I left my phone in the bedroom and went to get something to eat. I completely forgot about the phone until after 10 PM. By then, I had missed a phone call from Don, and a picture text message from Cuqui showing where she goes to the gynecologist office. Why would I care about such a thing? Because it's called "Beaver Medical." You can't make up this stuff! Anyway, my phone had such a low battery, I couldn't do anything with it except plug it in. After it had a full charge overnight, I still had to turn it off in order to get it to work. That was weird...
I'm going to Huntingon Beach tomorrow, to have lunch with several of my puzzle friends from the Internet. I'm going to met Nancy in Beaumont, and then we will carpool together. We are going to eat somewhere on/by the pier. It should be fun. I will be back in time to watch the Academy Awards. It's usually a fun show, hopefully the writers strike hasn't impacted it too much...

Catching Up

The concert on Saturday & Sunday went very well. We had a little cocktail afterparty at Mixie's; it is a nice place, lots of younger guys there, but very noisy (loud disco music playing). I only stayed for one drink and left. I wanted to be healthy and "all there" for the next performance.
The tile guy messed up the surround, and had to replace the tile around the tub (on the platform). It was too short, and there was no way to fix it properly. He now needs to come in and grout the repaired section.
We had a nice little mixer last night instead of a rehearsal. It was well attended, and I got to see some returning members. Was happy to see Tony back in the chorus, and it was nice hearing that Renato will be joining us again. Two guys who make me smile whenever I see them. And our new chorus member, Bunky, who learned the last concert in 4 weeks. He had been in other choruses, and he knew some of the numbers already. But he said since we sing in mixed formation, he kind of faked the parts he wasn't real sure of. Went to Streetbar last night after the mixer, and that was fun. Just gotta love the "no stress" atmosphere of the evening. I've been so tired ever since Sunday, that it was just what I needed.

Show Time!

Yesterday was our final dress rehearsal before the performance. I made a soup in the morning, and after having lunch, drove to the temple. I only gave myself 5 minutes to get there, and hit traffic on Palm Canyon just before Alejo. I think because it was such a beautiful day (75 degrees) and there was that art sale going on at the corner it caused traffic to back up. I turned down Chino as soon as I could and drove down to the temple that way. I thought I was going to be late, but as it turned out everybody from the chorus was still waiting outside to get in. We had a very good rehearsal, Los Amigos stayed behind a little to hammer out "Red, Red Rose" to make sure our technique was there. I went home, chilled out, finally scrounged up something for dinner. Assembled my outfit, tried to get my hair to do something, and drove back to the temple. Los Amigos practiced once again, and then we went downstairs waiting for our start time. We entered the sanctuary at different entrances, and walked to the stage. The children's choir was very cute, and sang the first number with us. Ray, who was standing next to me, somehow didn't show up until after that first number was over. I think all in all, the show went well. We had a good turnout, and it was a very nice audience. Los Amigos did well on the three numbers we performed. Afterwards, there was a little cocktail thing at Mixie's, and then I needed to go home and rest. Get to do it again Sunday at 2 PM.

Catching up...

On Wednesday, I had a tech rehearsal for my upcoming chorus concert, "Seasons of Love". It is being held at Temple Isaiah, and the sound is quite nice there. Upon entering the sanctuary, we were asked if any of us had any back "issues". I actually just tweaked my back that afternoon. I was finally able to dig into all the returns that had been piling up at work, and must have bent & stretched funny when I was putting boxes on/off the scale under the powership desk. It's something that well ease itself back into normalcy; I just need to rest it and use lots of Ben Gay. Apparently, we need to move the piano off the "stage" for our show, and back on the "stage" for services. Unlike the past concerts we have had there, services are being held the same day as the shows. So we basically need to reset it as needed. We each have assignments, and now I handle the piano leg "cups". They are casters that fit under the piano so that it can be rolled. But they are not permanently attached, so they need to be replaced once the piano is lifted. I am also helping in moving some wooden chairs from storage to the stage and vice-versa. That's the glamorous side of show business that people rarely see! All in all, the rehearsal went very well. Have a good idea of how the show is going to flow. I screwed up my solo line in "Closer Than Ever" and I swear that I will do better. Past couple of days my voice just hasn't really been there. Resting it for now, and hoping that it will be back to normal soon. I will rehearse a little today, but I need to be in top form tomorrow. And Sunday!
When I got home from the rehearsal, I popped open a Corona (thanks, Don!) and washed down a Vicodin. Eventually got that woozy feeling, and there was "no pain I was receiving..."
My back and my knees are starting to feel much better; I hope to be fully recovered soon. Then I can attempt to destroy them again.

The Tile!

This is the work thus far. One wall is complete, and the two side needs to be done. That lovely red "helter-skelter" stuff is the waterproofing layer that needed to go on the cement board (since this is the shower/tub area). Elegant!

The Remodel

This is the infamous bathroom, one of the two being remodelled. The first two pictures show how it looked before, which never looked clean even after it was cleaned. The bottom picture is after the demo, which is a view of where the shower stall and toilet once were. The toilet is going to be in the same spot, but only one quarter turn to the left. The new doorway is where the shower stall was. The Jacuzzi tub is going in where the old entrance used to be. There will be a linen closet on the other side, facing the middle bedroom (computer room). The tile man has put up one wall of marble tile, and it is quite stunning. It's a dark brown with some veining and variations. I should take a picture, but it's a little too dark now for it to come out right. All in time...

Ghosts

Today was OK, I think my knees are starting to finally feel better. Wasn't much going on at work, and the bathroom refurbish is going, albeit slowly. Had a good rehearsal at chorus; all the music is coming together nicely. Los Amigos is kicking boo-tay with the numbers we are performing. It's gonna be a good show.
We went to Streetbar after rehearsal, and I had a couple of Scotch & sodas. Sang "Witchcraft" since they had the karaoke going on. Having good conversation with Andy, Donald, Bunky, and Alan. I really wanted to leave after my second drink and finally had my opportunity. Somebody came over and sat next to Alan. He was a cute guy, I kept making eyes at him. He was wearing a red baseball cap backwards. I really couldn't hear what he was saying. Then, like a light bulb going off over my head, I realized who he was. He was the "Australian Soldier" who I took home one night after Streetbar. He totally did not respect me and my limitations. I kind of wondered what happened to him after our "night" together, but seeing him in person just made me want to do one thing. Flee! So that's what I did. I think it was a good instinct.

The Happy Knitter

Here I am working on square #3. Only 31 more to go after this one! The folded afghan on the arm of the coach is one that I made a couple of years ago. Different pattern, different yarn...

Hmmmm...

Yesterday was weird. I came home after the gig at "Tour de Palm Springs" and watched TV while starting the new afghan project. I'm just going to have to be happy with it being a little larger than it is supposed to be. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, except that I may run out of yarn before it is done. But the yarn is soft and warm, which is what will make it so nice. I already screwed up on the first square, had to pull it all out as there is no saving it (due to the drop stitches that are impossible to rewind around the working needle). I did finally finish the square, although it has one slight flaw. One of the stitches dropped off the needle prematurely, and although I put it back on & worked it, it did not wrap correctly around the stitch. So if you look very carefully, you will see the one knitted stitch making a bar instead of what the others look like. But I'm cool with that; the Navajo would always make an error in their blankets because only the gods are perfect and man must remember to be humble.
I had an early dinner (leftover pasta) and headed over to Streetbar for Dick's (the owner) birthday celebration. The chorus agreed to sing "When I'm 64" as part of the musical line-up. I got there around 1845, after parking all the way down Arenas and walking back, just to find only Gordon, a fellow bass, there. It turns out that Alan wanted everyone there at 1830, and when there was only 7 singers, he got upset and sent everyone away. He did not want to promote our upcoming concert with a small number of singers. I think it's BS; doesn't matter how many singers are there, just as long as the sound is good. What is it with gay guys and size anyway? Anyway, it seems like it was mismanaged as the chorus could not enter the bar to sing. They were already at maximum capicity and could not allow anyone else into the bar (due to fire code). So we would have had to sing from the patio (or sidewalk!) Like, who could of heard us from there anyway? I hung out with Gordon for awhile, and then headed over to Rainbow for a draught and to listen to Lori DeNato (sp?) sing a couple of songs. Oh, well...
I really need to rest my legs as my knees are starting to feel better. All this parking and walking downtown is not what "the doctor" ordered. Sometimes I feel so torn...

On the Mend?

Yesterday, Friday, wasn't too bad. Still problems with the right knee, gets worse as the day goes on. I put the Ace Bandage knee support on; it basically looks like a corset (waist cincher) that slips on over the knee. Kind of helps. Better if I don't bend my knee when I work, but then it looks like I have a wooden leg. No gym for awhile.
Today is the "Tour de Palm Springs" which is a charity bike-a-thon. The Caballeros performed the "Star Spangled Banner" at the start of the two durations. I just missed getting there to sing the first one, and then was able to sing the second one at 0800. I put on the knee brace and my leg functioned just fine. Got some complimentary coffee on the walk back to my car (which was parked all the way over behind the parking garage by the movie theater).
I can't get the gauge right for the new afghan I'm trying to knit. I keep using smaller and smaller needles, but the test swatch keeps coming out too long. It has to be exactly 8 1/4" by 8 1/4" since they are sewn together at angles. I could cast on less stitches and that would take care of it. Can't understand why I can't get it closer to what the instructions say. Of course, that could explain why that sweater I made for Don came out so big. I'm just a big knitter. ">

Bury my heart at Wounded Knee

OK, so I was doing real well yesterday, but today my right knee is killing me. It's not the tendonitis, but rather a sharp pain on the side of it when I walk a certain way with it. I'm hoping some rest well help. Lots of liniment and ibuprofen to give it some relief. I dropped off my Tux at the dry cleaners at lunchtime. That way it will be ready for me next week. Gotta look spiffy for the perfomance next weekend. Stopped by Alfredson's on the way home from work to get some celery for my homemade lentil soup. Was glad to get out of there quickly as my knee started to have sharp, shooting pains. Why is it always something?!!

Slug No More

Today I finally went back to the gym. After my bout with tendonitis, and that stupid cold, I decided to go back to the gym this week. I was all ready to go Monday, but I got that stupid migraine at work. Had to wait until it cleared my head. I was a little tentative about running on the leg, so I started with a fast walk and worked my way up slowly to 7 MPH. I couldn't last too long, so had to step it down once I hit 1 1/2 miles. I did finish the 3K, but that last quarter mile or so MY OTHER LEG started to get "tight." I guess that's to be expected since I have probably been favoring it ever since the injury to the left knee. But I made it through, and felt really good afterwards. There was a cute guy next to my locker when I came out of the showers, and he had a really nice butt on him. But of course, no words exchanged. Not even a glance by him. Oh, well, those locker room romances never seem to work out anyway.

Super-Duper Tuesday

I get a kick when the local news refers to it as Super "Duper" Tuesday. Only in the desert...
Looks like Hillary is kicking tuckus....sorry, Don.
Had rehearsal today, although I'm pretty good with the music I really need to buckle down and saturate myself with it. Not much time left at all.
OK, so I went to vote in the primary today. Due to a mix-up, I was forced to vote Republican. Somehow, a misspelling of my name is now the only registered name I have. And it's designated as a Republican. So I got to vote on the propositions (or whatever they're called) and somebody for president. I was thinking of Huckabee, since he has a snowballs chance, but then decided upon Ron Paul. I got a good chuckle out of that.

Our Superbowl Commercial!

Just when you thought....

I was finally feeling better after that stupid cold/flu thing I had. I feel like I'm about 99% better. Went back to work today, doing good, not as cold as it has been, then about 1030 or so I get hit with a migraine. I took my homeopathic stuff which I had in my desk drawer. The ocular thing got worse, and I decided to take an early lunch. Had to stop at Arco on the way home; had less than an 1/8 of a tank of gas left. Finally got home, but the eye thing cleared up by then (thankfully!) Made lunch and just spent an hour at home. Got that stupid headache now, took some "pain-stoppers" when I returned to work. Was yawning a lot, which is another side effect of the "M". Now I'm back home, and UPS just delivered the yarn I ordered from Lion Brand so I can make a new afghan. I really like the wool-ease yarn, it's soft, warm, and easy to care for. I'm making a scarf right now for my LL Bean jacket. Oxford gray is the color. I just have one more segment to go on it. It's pretty neat; has 4 different pattern stitches worked in sequence. And the best part is it will match my jacket. Yay!

Sing! Sing! Sing!

Well, today was an all day rehearsal at St. Paul's. We love, love, love singing in that room in the back. It has a gabled ceiling, and the sound just rings in the room. Our concert is two weeks from today, and we need to fine tune. I need to learn a couple of more numbers. I'm pretty good with them, but haven't dedicated nearly enough time to learn all the notes (and some words!)
Need to clean Callie's litterbox and do some overdue laundry. A trip to the grocery store is probably also a good idea. Feeling a little drained right now; just need to recharge my batteries. A lazy day tomorrow, I can feel it coming on now...

Cool clip; Two of my favorites at once