Evidence of a Past Life

Few of my current acquaintances are aware of this fact: Earl Weaver, the winningest manager in baseball, once asked me who he should start in a Baltimore Oriels game against the the Oakland A's.

We were at dinner after having our publicity shots for Earl Weaver Baseball taken at the Oakland Coliseum (oh, there was a game that afternoon, too).

Earl asked me who he should start in the game the next day. I kid you not!

I believe I left that choice up to him.

DCA Sights

I've begun to realize that I use blogging as a balm for my frayed spirit, especially after extended exposure to freeway insanity.

Since I'm currently unemployed (until Thursday), I have had little need for the tranquil escape offered by sitting down to the computer and creatively venting.

Instead, my keyboard has been covered by drool as I sit, eyes unfocused, trying to come to grips with the free time that I have so desperately needed.

So today, instead of a brilliant post, I give you the sights of Disney's California Adventure.

Meanwhile, I'll be having my own California Adventure. I hit the freeways again on Thursday...

Memorial Day - Remembering

Thanks to Jack's Shack for linking to this excellent article by Peter Collier in the Wall Street Journal editorial page.

I am ashamed to say that I have not been taking Memorial Day seriously.

Thank you to all who have served and are serving.

Thank you also to your families.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

God bless you.

Pre- Muni Band Bar-B-Que

Bob and I traveled to Fountain Valley this afternoon for a Pre-Muni Band Bar-B-Que at Greg's house.

The first Muni Band concert is 30 days away.

Like all good musicians, we have to get warmed up.

Greg, the Muni Band stage manager, does a mean carne asada.

Can't you just smell it?

Oh, there was little UFC action thrown in as well.

My favorite part?

Greg, one of the manliest men I know, couldn't wait to show us this newly bloomed flower in his back yard:

We'll start the band's 98th season on June 26.

See you there!

You Know You're a Geezer When...

...you'd rather take pictures of rollers coasters than ride them.

Care to share any of your geezer moments?

I'll check your comments after I wake up from my nap...

Buzzed

Calling all Space Rangers!

I got extremely lucky on Buzz last week.

Okay, I didn't score 1,000,000.

I'm a flutist, not a shootist!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Bob and I carpooled up to Whittier with my brother Ken this afternoon.

It's my mom's 73rd birthday (I asked her if it was okay to put her age on the blog. She said, "That's my age. Why try to hide it!")

We headed for the California Grill.

Here are Dad and Mom:

Here are Dad and Mom with my baby brother Ken:

Here I am with Bob:

We had a really good time.

What a privilege it was to treat Mom to dinner.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Finding Nemo

My paternal grandmother's name was Mabel.

As a young person new to talking, "Mabel" was more than my pre-FlutePraying mouth could skillfully articulate.

What came out when I tried to address her was "Nemo".

That moniker stuck.

That's why I'm more than a little nostalgic about the soon to be re-opened Submarine ride at Disneyland.

By the way, Grandma Nemo tried to ride the old Submarine ride. There was one problem. She was highly claustrophobic. As my dad remembered last week, she got about waist high down the ladder into the sub, then had to be excused.

So when I finally do get the opportunity to board the "Finding Nemo" sub, I'll be thinking of her.

I know where to look for her. She's in heaven.

Oh, and that other Nemo?

They found him too...

Pirates World Premier Preparation

I can't say that I've ever seen scuba divers in the Rivers of America...

Dogs of the Central Coast

I have more piratey pictures from Disneyland, but first things first.

I've long been promising a "Dogs of the Central Coast" blog post.

Wait no more!

Meet the head dog:

Penny (above) belongs to my sister Christy and her family. A rescue dog, she currently resides in Atascadero, California.

Next meet Chassie in her running shoes:

She was named after the car part.

She currently resides in Templeton with my niece, SLO Lurker Bethany, and Bethany's husband Tim:

There is a new addition to the Dogs of the Central Coast.

Meet Olive:

Olive is also a rescue dog. Originally named "Jasper", Olive currently resides in Paso Robles with my niece Heather and Heather's husband Matt (not pictured - he was coaching a game):

Olive and Penny have their second meeting:

Penny was so patient and kind with Olive. Olive got brave and started chewing on Penny's beard. Penny took it like the patient "aunt" that she is.

Here is Grandma Christy with the latest in doggie grand dogs:

I love my doggie grand nieces!

Next up, more Pirates...

Happy 2nd Anniversary to Us!

Bob and I were married 2 years ago today on May 14, 2005.

Here we are 2 years later:

We're spending a few days as tourists.

I was born and raised in Southern California, but I have never spent the night in a hotel near Disneyland. We figured it was about time to do just that.

We happened upon the Disneyland Band during their noon concert in Town Square on Main Street USA.

Our friend Kurt was conducting today.

We'll see a lot more of him in 42 days during the Long Beach Municipal Band season.

We got handed tambourines and got to play along with the band.

(I wonder if I violated Musicians Local 7 rules - I didn't get paid for playing and I'm a dues paying member!)

We saw Kurt later in the Pearly Band in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle:

There's a new film coming out next week:

Guess what! The world premier is at Disneyland this Saturday.

Here is the big screen under construction:

Here are some piratey details:

Here is where the lucky guests will view the premier:

The screen is set up right in front of Tom Sawyer's Island:

After lunch at the Blue Bayou Restaurant (yes, it's in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride) we headed for our nice hotel:

We have a corner suite on the 6th floor.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing.

We'll continue our touristy adventures tomorrow.

I'll keep you posted!

Happy Mothers Day!

My brother Ken hosted our Mothers Day brunch at his lovely home again this year.

Ken and I bustled around in the kitchen while Mom relaxed.

Mom couldn't resist helping with the finishing touches:

I took a moment to nosh while Mom zoomed around the table:

And a lovely table it was:

Here's a picture of Bob for his mom Nellie in Oklahoma City:

And here is the Southern California contingent of the Mason clan:

Happy Mothers Day!!!