Saturday morning I slept in a good deal, being tired from a busy week in the Navy. I don't remember details, but I know I managed to get my finances in order with the bank, get my laundry done, and I know I watched some Inspector Gadget (1983) from Netflix and heartily enjoyed the theme music and the character Amazon Annie in one of the episodes. (Speaking of those kind of things, I watched Wreck It Ralph for the first time the other day on board... and I loved it! So funny! Made me smile when I walked past the arcades last night at the theater. And Sunday on Duty, I watched Battleship on my laptop as well... and that was silly!)
But the main event Saturday was at Chrysler Hall downtown for a Symphony performance of Beethoven's Fifth... along with a concerto for the oboe by Mozart, and a very mundane piece called Apollon Musagete by Stravinsky. I was so tired, I dozed during Stravinsky... but the rest was so interesting and well done, I was wide awake. I had a lovely seat too... just a few rows back on the right hand side... a front-row seat to watch the cellos! It was solid fog when the concert got out... and since the housing people decided 11pm on a Saturday night was a good time to do maintenance on the power, they took it down again. I spent the night onboard instead of being driven crazy by the fire alarm beeping.
Monday afternoon, I slept for five straight hours once I got home. When I woke, I decided I wanted to finally go see the new Thor movie, so I went to the cinema cafe in Hampton, and enjoyed a late night showing. Got some things for the ship at the grocery store on the way home, then discovered a way to rip my DVDs to a computer format when I settled back in. My hours are all out of whack!
Tonight I went for a quick bike ride between making pies and watching The Mikado (1939) on Netflix. Also got to talk to lots of my family, and finalize everything I want on the ship for a while.
Jw
Showing posts with label symphony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label symphony. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
Laundry, History, and Ballet
Well, goodness, since Wednesday morning, much has happened. Most importantly though, I have a new niece, a very cute little girl named Jonna, that was born very early Wednesday morning (April 17th). I've only seen three photographs (that I got via email on my phone today), and I can't wait to meet her in person! Meg sent me a text that morning that I didn't see until after class. I called Mike right away, but he had received it too... I ended up waking him from a nightmare, so that was alright. Dad called as well to make sure I knew, so overall, it was a very pleasant morning.
In the rest of the day, I managed to clean my house (mostly sweeping), re-stock the bird-feeder, trim the grass, eat a sandwich, finish all my laundry, and read the book of Colossians while I waited. It beats watching General Hospital any day of the week. I was subjected to a TV talk show while folding my laundry, though. I felt tangible relief when I walked out the open double doors to my car.
That evening I missed watching a movie because I spent the whole time coming up with an idea for Saturday after I bought a ticket to the ballet for Friday. It was quite an idea, and came to me after considering how far the Tides away games were (central NC and near Atlanta). Compared to those places it wasn't far, but for a day trip it would be ambitious. 9 hours of driving... but you'll read about that in Saturday's post. I was very excited as I told Mike about it that night. It was a beautiful, cool spring evening too, so I went outside to talk.
Thursday after class I decided to go to Hampton (just across the bridge/tunnel). Tried out the Hampton History Museum and Visitor Center... I had reservations about going... thought it would be mostly visitor center. But I was very mistaken! It was a very impressive walk-through of Hampton's early history. I really enjoyed the short film they showed about one of the first photographers of the area who had a studio. Besides the myriads of portraits (the samples of which are always interesting) the guy also documented the area with his glass plates. Fun little surprise. And not only that, but they had a temporary exhibit upstairs of Civil War artifacts from the area. This was also quite interesting and even poignant, with articles such as the frock coat of a local son who was killed in a battle just outside his hometown and brought home to be buried. God, I could not imagine. Something I thought very interesting were two photographs of a church next to a window. One pre-dated the war, the other showed its destruction... and looking out the window, the church stands before you.
I continued on from Hampton to Newport News where I picked up a few things at Walmart (like a stool to put drinks on next to the couches) and had an old-fashioned burger at a little take-out place next door. Then I continued down the street to the archery range where I had the lanes to myself for most of the time.
Friday's class time was practically non-existent. I went home and changed, stopped by the library, saw my ship coming in off shore, and still arrived at the Norfolk Indoor Pool by 10:30. I had all five lanes of that to myself as well! Did a continuous thousand yards for the first time... ever. It wasn't lighting fast or anything, but I certainly enjoyed twenty solid minutes of fine cardiovascular exercise. After taking a shower at home, my friend who just got out of the Navy was on her way back home from taking care of her car in Florida, so she stopped by for lunch. We shared Lipton's chicken noodle soup and a couple grilled cheddar cheese sandwiches for a delightful time together.
After she left, I watched a rather odd 90s movie about the WWII home front in Louisiana that I found at the library. And after that, I watched an old favorite, Ever After, as well. And then it was time to go downtown for the first major performance of the 2013 Virginia Arts Festival: The Birmingham Royal Ballet's performance of Coppelia. This was very colorful and funny too! The sets were gorgeous (and probably very expensive) and the story was unlike any ballet I had ever heard of. A crazy old man makes life-like dolls to confuse the rest of the town and cause distress between a young couple. And everything ends up alright in the end, except for the doll. :) I had a wonderful seat near the back with a full view. Before everything started I noticed a British vice admiral come in, and soon after saw what I found online to be the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, who was also in attendance.
Jw
In the rest of the day, I managed to clean my house (mostly sweeping), re-stock the bird-feeder, trim the grass, eat a sandwich, finish all my laundry, and read the book of Colossians while I waited. It beats watching General Hospital any day of the week. I was subjected to a TV talk show while folding my laundry, though. I felt tangible relief when I walked out the open double doors to my car.
That evening I missed watching a movie because I spent the whole time coming up with an idea for Saturday after I bought a ticket to the ballet for Friday. It was quite an idea, and came to me after considering how far the Tides away games were (central NC and near Atlanta). Compared to those places it wasn't far, but for a day trip it would be ambitious. 9 hours of driving... but you'll read about that in Saturday's post. I was very excited as I told Mike about it that night. It was a beautiful, cool spring evening too, so I went outside to talk.
Thursday after class I decided to go to Hampton (just across the bridge/tunnel). Tried out the Hampton History Museum and Visitor Center... I had reservations about going... thought it would be mostly visitor center. But I was very mistaken! It was a very impressive walk-through of Hampton's early history. I really enjoyed the short film they showed about one of the first photographers of the area who had a studio. Besides the myriads of portraits (the samples of which are always interesting) the guy also documented the area with his glass plates. Fun little surprise. And not only that, but they had a temporary exhibit upstairs of Civil War artifacts from the area. This was also quite interesting and even poignant, with articles such as the frock coat of a local son who was killed in a battle just outside his hometown and brought home to be buried. God, I could not imagine. Something I thought very interesting were two photographs of a church next to a window. One pre-dated the war, the other showed its destruction... and looking out the window, the church stands before you.
I continued on from Hampton to Newport News where I picked up a few things at Walmart (like a stool to put drinks on next to the couches) and had an old-fashioned burger at a little take-out place next door. Then I continued down the street to the archery range where I had the lanes to myself for most of the time.
Friday's class time was practically non-existent. I went home and changed, stopped by the library, saw my ship coming in off shore, and still arrived at the Norfolk Indoor Pool by 10:30. I had all five lanes of that to myself as well! Did a continuous thousand yards for the first time... ever. It wasn't lighting fast or anything, but I certainly enjoyed twenty solid minutes of fine cardiovascular exercise. After taking a shower at home, my friend who just got out of the Navy was on her way back home from taking care of her car in Florida, so she stopped by for lunch. We shared Lipton's chicken noodle soup and a couple grilled cheddar cheese sandwiches for a delightful time together.
After she left, I watched a rather odd 90s movie about the WWII home front in Louisiana that I found at the library. And after that, I watched an old favorite, Ever After, as well. And then it was time to go downtown for the first major performance of the 2013 Virginia Arts Festival: The Birmingham Royal Ballet's performance of Coppelia. This was very colorful and funny too! The sets were gorgeous (and probably very expensive) and the story was unlike any ballet I had ever heard of. A crazy old man makes life-like dolls to confuse the rest of the town and cause distress between a young couple. And everything ends up alright in the end, except for the doll. :) I had a wonderful seat near the back with a full view. Before everything started I noticed a British vice admiral come in, and soon after saw what I found online to be the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, who was also in attendance.
Jw
Friday, April 12, 2013
Sunday and Beyond
Last Sunday, I caught up on my posting, but failed to write about the day itself. In the afternoon, I picked up a friend from the ship who's getting out of the Navy soon, and together we went to the Virgina Symphony in Virginia Beach. It was a short, kid-friendly, afternoon concert called "Up, Up and Away" with space and flight-themed music. They acted as if everyone was on "Virginia Symphony Airways" flight, and the conductor even wore a captain's uniform. "Flight attendants" came out in the beginning to show us where the exits were and how to use the program. They started with Ride of the Valkyries, which caused a delay in our taking off the runway, then Flight of the Bumblebee, as the captain conducted with a fly-swatter. Suddenly, we were in space for the Star Wars Suite (Rebels, Yoda's Theme, Imperial March) then came back down to earth's atmosphere to come across E.T. on a bike, and a floating house from Up. They finished with the Suite from How to Train Your Dragon. Goodness! How fun is that?!
From the symphony, we drove directly to church, at the new one I was introduced to last week. We were very early, enjoyed just sitting and listening to the worship band's rehearsal while we talked. Kristin and Dan came and sat with us, and afterwords, they had a huge potluck for everyone... pulled pork or beef sandwiches and baked beans. It was very delicious. And the sermon was wonderful too. More on Colossians about God's will for our lives, firstly, that we belong to him, and then that we surrender every area of our lives as if everything we do for family, work, friends or society is for him; and how that compliments those areas in the end.
This week I've taken it pretty easy... finished up my last two puzzles and watched lots of movies (Jarhead... I was forever curious... now no more, Guys and Dolls... which I heartily enjoyed, and to follow it up, On the Waterfront... which has to be Karl Malden's best role ever, and to finish, Toy Story 3... which I missed in theaters because I joined the Navy - and still hadn't seen for some reason - ... who knew an animated story could be so moving. I actually cried in the end... they did a great job wrapping up that story.) Tonight I've got Virginia City (Errol Flynn, Randolph Scott, Humphrey Bogart, 1940) to try. I also managed to stop being lazy today, and actually did a workout at the gym on base to see where I'm at for next month's test. I did the best I've ever done... 132 calories in 12 minutes... which is an Excellent, I think.
Nothing too exciting in the way of food this week, except for last night when I treated myself out to the Ship's Cabin for scallops and hot bread. I got to sit outside, it has been so warm here! I loved hearing the ocean as I read more in the Caine Mutiny while I waited for the food.
Oh, and after I mowed my lawn Monday night, I found this toad trapped behind the wire under my fence and set him free... so glad I didn't hurt him with the mower!
And while driving around this week, I've listened to the first half of 1776 by David McCullough. I love it! I'll have to get John Adams on audio as well sometime.
Jw
From the symphony, we drove directly to church, at the new one I was introduced to last week. We were very early, enjoyed just sitting and listening to the worship band's rehearsal while we talked. Kristin and Dan came and sat with us, and afterwords, they had a huge potluck for everyone... pulled pork or beef sandwiches and baked beans. It was very delicious. And the sermon was wonderful too. More on Colossians about God's will for our lives, firstly, that we belong to him, and then that we surrender every area of our lives as if everything we do for family, work, friends or society is for him; and how that compliments those areas in the end.
This week I've taken it pretty easy... finished up my last two puzzles and watched lots of movies (Jarhead... I was forever curious... now no more, Guys and Dolls... which I heartily enjoyed, and to follow it up, On the Waterfront... which has to be Karl Malden's best role ever, and to finish, Toy Story 3... which I missed in theaters because I joined the Navy - and still hadn't seen for some reason - ... who knew an animated story could be so moving. I actually cried in the end... they did a great job wrapping up that story.) Tonight I've got Virginia City (Errol Flynn, Randolph Scott, Humphrey Bogart, 1940) to try. I also managed to stop being lazy today, and actually did a workout at the gym on base to see where I'm at for next month's test. I did the best I've ever done... 132 calories in 12 minutes... which is an Excellent, I think.
Nothing too exciting in the way of food this week, except for last night when I treated myself out to the Ship's Cabin for scallops and hot bread. I got to sit outside, it has been so warm here! I loved hearing the ocean as I read more in the Caine Mutiny while I waited for the food.
Oh, and after I mowed my lawn Monday night, I found this toad trapped behind the wire under my fence and set him free... so glad I didn't hurt him with the mower!
And while driving around this week, I've listened to the first half of 1776 by David McCullough. I love it! I'll have to get John Adams on audio as well sometime.
Jw
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Two Long Weekends!
Well, I've somehow kept busy enough to keep away from here for over two weeks after pulling in from ten days out. So... it's been a while.
Way back on Saturday morning, the 23rd, just after 8am, I found myself back at my car after over a week at sea and a long night of standing watch. It is always such a pleasant feeling to find yourself back on land and back with familiar things. The first thing I saw in my car was a Virginia Symphony ad for a pops concert that very night in downtown... an evening with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. I had left it there so I wouldn't forget about it, I suppose. Well, the first thing I did, even before going home was to head over to my favorite diner, the Sandfiddler Cafe, for my favorite... western omelet with hash and pancakes. After resting at home for a while, I headed out to Virginia Beach for a DVD player (for my new TV) and a couple frames for a couple puzzles that I didn't feel like breaking up.
The concert ended up being very crowded at the Chrysler Center downtown. I barely made it there in time because it was so hard to find parking. Ended up leaving the car at the MacArthur Center Mall garage, then walked the block or so back to the symphony. Then when I finally got to my seat in the back row, there was someone sitting in it! She got up and mentioned that she was only sitting there to be next to her friends, so I offered to take her seat, wherever that was (the one I bought was the cheapest price in the house, so it wasn't too magnanimous of me). She gave me her special seating in the second row on the extreme right... a view to die for, right behind the piano so I could even see the fingers fly! What a trade!
As for the concert itself, gosh, did I enjoy it! They're celebrating their 20th year this year and still have all their original members... I did want to swing in the aisles, as the flier advertised I would, when I heard them play. They were very energetic, and played very light, happy, jazz, swing, big-band and Dixieland sounds. At intermission, I ran out to the foyer and bought their new album Rattle Them Bones before the table got swamped. And I've been listening it in my car ever since. I was surprised by a sweet love song half-way through the album on the way home that they didn't play at the concert... called It Only Took a Kiss. Immediately, I was swept away with it as it plainly described my own love with Michael.
Sunday the 24th I took pretty easy. I finished the Sleeping Beauty puzzle I had started before the underway... then I watched the first episode of Horatio Hornblower, made a very quick trip back to Best Buy to return the B/R player that wouldn't respond in the menu screen for a cheaper, but more reliable DVD player (saving $30). I started another puzzle (backyard birds this time), watched the extras disc of Sleeping Beauty to test out the new player, and ended up watching the entire "making of" film and found it very interesting. Interviews with the artists and actors, and lots of neat pictures and footage of what they went through to bring it all together. Actors in costumes, going through the motions for the artists. Casting selections, and inspirations for characters. Then I made a delicious dinner of shrimp, scallops and asparagus, and watched the live feed of Mike's church in Norman for service that night at 7pm, my time. I even saw him shake hands with people on screen during the meet & greet part.
Monday the 25, I turned 30 years old in the morning while working on a couple checks on the Sonar Dome at work. No one remembered, but before I came in, I had a message from my parents and husband on Facebook... what more could you want? :) And then I was let off early because of the evening class I had to attend, starting at 6:30 pm, lasting for 4 hours. So it was about noon-ish when I got groceries and gas at the commissary. Since I woke up late that morning, and had to rush to work, I made an excellent breakfast for lunch when I got home around 12:30. After that I worked on my puzzle, took a nap, and managed to stop for Burger King before making my way back to base for my class in Divisional Safety Petty Officer training. Oh, joy!
Because it was a two-day class, my supervisor (Senior Chief) let me off of work on Tuesday the 26th. Another fine birthday present, I think. I slept in, had cereal, watched Sleeping Beauty for a belated birthday movie, had Pad Thai shrimp for lunch, went to the shooting range on the Marine Corps base to shoot my own pistol for the first time (enjoyed it quite a bit although I was limited by the one clip of 15 rounds I brought with me... they were out of it at the store), then continued on directly to the laundromat in Ocean View and read more in The Caine Mutiny while I waited. More puzzling at home before the last installment of my class that night. Also got in a nice long call with my parents and sister Meg before talking with Mike.
Wednesday, I was allowed to come in late again! What a week! Slept in again! Didn't have to be in to work until 11am, so I heartily enjoyed a full breakfast. All I had time to do at work before we were let go to work out was get the divisional safety binder in order. And after the 30 minutes on the elliptical, another STG and I went to a public indoor pool in Norfolk for a wonderful half-hour's swim. I only did 600 yds, but that was because I stopped and talked with my friend more often than not. After dropping her back at her house, I returned home for a shower, then went down the street to Franco's Italian Cuisine for dinner and enjoyed spaghetti with meatballs the size of baseballs, hot bread and decaff for a treat. The next day was my duty day, so I saved half the meal for dinner on the ship (which ended up being much better than what they served!).
Friday afternoon, the beginning of my second wonderful weekend, I relaxed at home for a while, working a bunch on my puzzle and eating some pizza from the freezer for lunch. I had to stay long enough for UPS to deliver my push-mower from Amazon (which apparently required a signature - they tried to find me at home on my duty day and left a note) before I took off for Kristin and Dan's. It finally came around 6:30, so I made it over to Chesapeake around 7:15. They waited to have dinner until I got there too... so very sweet! We had pulled-pork sandwiches and coleslaw as we watched one of the TV shows they enjoy on Hulu... called "Revolutions". Then we finished the last of the John Adams series which we had started late last year.
Saturday the 30th, slept in til 8, and then we took off to have an Easter brunch with their close friends. I loved the egg & sausage casserole best... and had a good time meeting everyone. A couple notable things I enjoyed looking at at their house: not sure what type of fish this was, but the Naval Academy Press book dated from 1939! I was disappointed the Sears book did not have a toy section.
Upon returning to their house, Kristin and I watched the BBC Lord Peter Wimsey film (4 TV episodes) of Have His Carcase from 1987. This was the book I just finished reading underway, so it was great fun! It was the only L.P.W. dvd I could find at our library, but I didn't mind... liked it very much. Just like the BBC too... some scenes are pulled from the book word for word!. I think I shall see the two others with these actors before I watch the Ian Carmichael series. Then I picked up my book for a while (A Voice in the Wind - a Christian/historical fiction/romance novel that the other Lay Leader on the Truxtun lent me to read - after talking about it on watch together) before Kristin and Dan came downstairs and we watched a movie (Diamonds are Forever - forgive me) and more Hulu (New Girl) before going to bed.
Today! my brother's birthday and the day we celebrate our Lord's resurrection, the 31st, we all slept in. I was downstairs first, even after my shower, so I read some more in my book. There were leftovers from yesterday's brunch, and then I read some more and chatted with Kristin about church. While she went to go get ready for the day, I borrowed her sewing machine and sewed the crows and name tapes on a new pair of coveralls, then did more straight seams along a dark gray fleece blanket for the ship. When I finished, we broke out a puzzle on the kitchen table and nearly finished it before our Easter lunch of baked ham, sweet potato casserole, and green bean casserole. Mmm! Did more puzzle and then took off for an evening Easter service at the new church they're attending... Crosscurrent Church off Indian River Road in Kempsville.
What a surprise! It is so very much like the church I've been missing for ten months now... Mission Valley Christian Fellowship in San Diego. It's about the same size, also meeting in a classic, old-style chapel that is shared by another church. They only have a couple guitars and a drum set, and a very Biblical, down-to-earth, no nonsense way of teaching. I already met a couple nice young women my age who assume I'm coming to their small group too! They do communion every Sunday, and in the same manner as MVCF... everyone gets in two lines and comes to the front. Good Lord, praises for today's find! I said goodbye to Kristin and Dan in the parking lot, as we had drove separately, and we parted ways while getting on different ramps to I-64. Praise God! I am happy.
Jw
Way back on Saturday morning, the 23rd, just after 8am, I found myself back at my car after over a week at sea and a long night of standing watch. It is always such a pleasant feeling to find yourself back on land and back with familiar things. The first thing I saw in my car was a Virginia Symphony ad for a pops concert that very night in downtown... an evening with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. I had left it there so I wouldn't forget about it, I suppose. Well, the first thing I did, even before going home was to head over to my favorite diner, the Sandfiddler Cafe, for my favorite... western omelet with hash and pancakes. After resting at home for a while, I headed out to Virginia Beach for a DVD player (for my new TV) and a couple frames for a couple puzzles that I didn't feel like breaking up.The concert ended up being very crowded at the Chrysler Center downtown. I barely made it there in time because it was so hard to find parking. Ended up leaving the car at the MacArthur Center Mall garage, then walked the block or so back to the symphony. Then when I finally got to my seat in the back row, there was someone sitting in it! She got up and mentioned that she was only sitting there to be next to her friends, so I offered to take her seat, wherever that was (the one I bought was the cheapest price in the house, so it wasn't too magnanimous of me). She gave me her special seating in the second row on the extreme right... a view to die for, right behind the piano so I could even see the fingers fly! What a trade!
As for the concert itself, gosh, did I enjoy it! They're celebrating their 20th year this year and still have all their original members... I did want to swing in the aisles, as the flier advertised I would, when I heard them play. They were very energetic, and played very light, happy, jazz, swing, big-band and Dixieland sounds. At intermission, I ran out to the foyer and bought their new album Rattle Them Bones before the table got swamped. And I've been listening it in my car ever since. I was surprised by a sweet love song half-way through the album on the way home that they didn't play at the concert... called It Only Took a Kiss. Immediately, I was swept away with it as it plainly described my own love with Michael. 
Monday the 25, I turned 30 years old in the morning while working on a couple checks on the Sonar Dome at work. No one remembered, but before I came in, I had a message from my parents and husband on Facebook... what more could you want? :) And then I was let off early because of the evening class I had to attend, starting at 6:30 pm, lasting for 4 hours. So it was about noon-ish when I got groceries and gas at the commissary. Since I woke up late that morning, and had to rush to work, I made an excellent breakfast for lunch when I got home around 12:30. After that I worked on my puzzle, took a nap, and managed to stop for Burger King before making my way back to base for my class in Divisional Safety Petty Officer training. Oh, joy!Because it was a two-day class, my supervisor (Senior Chief) let me off of work on Tuesday the 26th. Another fine birthday present, I think. I slept in, had cereal, watched Sleeping Beauty for a belated birthday movie, had Pad Thai shrimp for lunch, went to the shooting range on the Marine Corps base to shoot my own pistol for the first time (enjoyed it quite a bit although I was limited by the one clip of 15 rounds I brought with me... they were out of it at the store), then continued on directly to the laundromat in Ocean View and read more in The Caine Mutiny while I waited. More puzzling at home before the last installment of my class that night. Also got in a nice long call with my parents and sister Meg before talking with Mike.
Wednesday, I was allowed to come in late again! What a week! Slept in again! Didn't have to be in to work until 11am, so I heartily enjoyed a full breakfast. All I had time to do at work before we were let go to work out was get the divisional safety binder in order. And after the 30 minutes on the elliptical, another STG and I went to a public indoor pool in Norfolk for a wonderful half-hour's swim. I only did 600 yds, but that was because I stopped and talked with my friend more often than not. After dropping her back at her house, I returned home for a shower, then went down the street to Franco's Italian Cuisine for dinner and enjoyed spaghetti with meatballs the size of baseballs, hot bread and decaff for a treat. The next day was my duty day, so I saved half the meal for dinner on the ship (which ended up being much better than what they served!).
Friday afternoon, the beginning of my second wonderful weekend, I relaxed at home for a while, working a bunch on my puzzle and eating some pizza from the freezer for lunch. I had to stay long enough for UPS to deliver my push-mower from Amazon (which apparently required a signature - they tried to find me at home on my duty day and left a note) before I took off for Kristin and Dan's. It finally came around 6:30, so I made it over to Chesapeake around 7:15. They waited to have dinner until I got there too... so very sweet! We had pulled-pork sandwiches and coleslaw as we watched one of the TV shows they enjoy on Hulu... called "Revolutions". Then we finished the last of the John Adams series which we had started late last year.
Saturday the 30th, slept in til 8, and then we took off to have an Easter brunch with their close friends. I loved the egg & sausage casserole best... and had a good time meeting everyone. A couple notable things I enjoyed looking at at their house: not sure what type of fish this was, but the Naval Academy Press book dated from 1939! I was disappointed the Sears book did not have a toy section.
Upon returning to their house, Kristin and I watched the BBC Lord Peter Wimsey film (4 TV episodes) of Have His Carcase from 1987. This was the book I just finished reading underway, so it was great fun! It was the only L.P.W. dvd I could find at our library, but I didn't mind... liked it very much. Just like the BBC too... some scenes are pulled from the book word for word!. I think I shall see the two others with these actors before I watch the Ian Carmichael series. Then I picked up my book for a while (A Voice in the Wind - a Christian/historical fiction/romance novel that the other Lay Leader on the Truxtun lent me to read - after talking about it on watch together) before Kristin and Dan came downstairs and we watched a movie (Diamonds are Forever - forgive me) and more Hulu (New Girl) before going to bed.
Today! my brother's birthday and the day we celebrate our Lord's resurrection, the 31st, we all slept in. I was downstairs first, even after my shower, so I read some more in my book. There were leftovers from yesterday's brunch, and then I read some more and chatted with Kristin about church. While she went to go get ready for the day, I borrowed her sewing machine and sewed the crows and name tapes on a new pair of coveralls, then did more straight seams along a dark gray fleece blanket for the ship. When I finished, we broke out a puzzle on the kitchen table and nearly finished it before our Easter lunch of baked ham, sweet potato casserole, and green bean casserole. Mmm! Did more puzzle and then took off for an evening Easter service at the new church they're attending... Crosscurrent Church off Indian River Road in Kempsville.
What a surprise! It is so very much like the church I've been missing for ten months now... Mission Valley Christian Fellowship in San Diego. It's about the same size, also meeting in a classic, old-style chapel that is shared by another church. They only have a couple guitars and a drum set, and a very Biblical, down-to-earth, no nonsense way of teaching. I already met a couple nice young women my age who assume I'm coming to their small group too! They do communion every Sunday, and in the same manner as MVCF... everyone gets in two lines and comes to the front. Good Lord, praises for today's find! I said goodbye to Kristin and Dan in the parking lot, as we had drove separately, and we parted ways while getting on different ramps to I-64. Praise God! I am happy. Jw
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Here and There Again
Yes, Rings fans, I've been reading The Hobbit. And what a fun journey it's been... the book and my weekend.
Stayed at the Best Western in Mayport again... dropped off at the door by the duty driver. Watched the incredible end of Game 3 of the Yankee's ALDS, and both of former Mariner Raúl Ibañez's home runs to win it (in the 9th and the 12th). It was very neat because I was talking with Mike when they flew, flew away. What can be better than having your wife give you a play-by-play of a miracle win by your favorite team when you're apart? :)
That was Wednesday night! Thursday morning I picked up the Hertz car, had a great breakfast at the Third Street Diner, stopped by The Bookmark, and nearby Atlantic Beach, then stopped at the outdoor Starbucks on the corner of Atlantic Blvd and posted to my Navy Times. Dropped off my ballot at the Post Office on the way to the ferry, stopped at Singleton's for some shrimp cocktail, rode across the St John's river and went to Amelia Island to walk around and look for shells. I found a couple broken conchs, but also over a dozen horseshoe crab skeletons. Loved just walking along the edge of the surf with the wind and the bright blue sky.
Then I had to get downtown for the symphony concert... parked for half-price at the garage... and enjoyed a wonderful concert featuring the symphony's enormous pipe organ and a famous organist from Germany. It was open seating, and I was able to get one of the normally expensive, raised seats to the right... perfect for watching the fingers fly over the keyboard and the violins. There was a Bach solo to begin, then a Handel piece including strings and oboes... a modern piece by a French composer in the 30's (strings and timpani), and finally a 20-min piece commissioned by the symphony (and a couple in attendance), written by a Florida resident (also in attendance) on variations of that familiar circus song... famous as The Most Wonderful Night of the Year. I had visions of Dick van Dyke pretending to do the tight rope in Mary Poppins all night.
It was Michael's birthday, Thursday, and unfortunately, the Yankees dropped the game that to Baltimore... but we Skyped afterwords, and talked for ever and ever, just like old times... and it was really nice! Had a king bed at the Hampton downtown... and it was awfully comfy!
Got up Friday morning, not believing how much time I still had off, and had a continental breakfast in the lobby, the returned to my room to watch Hachi: a dog's tale, an updated rendition of the real thing in 1920's Japan. When the widow discovered the dog was still waiting for her husband at the train station ten years later... that made me cry. It was a sad story, but fun to watch. Since it was time then to check out, I capitulated and gave up my room.
Went to the nearby Museum of Science and History, mostly to watch the planetarium show, as it was supposed to be geared for kids. I loved the two shows they let us see... one on the night sky and constellations, and the other talking about how Earth is an oasis in the universe. Every time I remember that, and think about how huge and ordered everything is, it makes me consider how much God loves me. When I see the Earth from space (as in the animations) I think about how God condescended to come down to that little planet and do what he did. And that made me cry too... for joy. They had other neat things at the museum... a whole room devoted to Florida's marine mammals, and another with a mini zoo... and then a walk-through of Jacksonville's history.
From there I crossed the river back to downtown and checked out the toy soldier shop I found out about in a visitor's guide magazine in the hotel room. Troops of Time... finely painted tin soldiers from all sorts of periods of warfare... I ended up buying two... a WWII Sailor, and a crusader knight with a horn. The guys in there were very happy to show me everything as I was the only customer. Even gave me an orange juice to drink from their fridge while they packed them up for me.
On my way to the toy shop I passed a busy small-town sort of main street and an antique store with a 48-star flag in the window. When I stepped inside to take a look, I was amazed and pleased to find that it was a cloth one in great condition for an affordable $19. Very happy indeed! I've been wanting something like this for years! Then I had a small-size sausage and mushroom pizza at a local shop next door... a place that's been running since 1976! After finishing, I hopped in the car and decided now was a good time to go down to Marineland for the next day's adventure. Stopped at a local motel (villa) in Palm Coast. They had a rustic stone wall covering inside and out that felt very extravagant... but wasn't. :) Turned on the TV for more baseball, but found a family station that was playing a very funny episode of We Love Lucy, one of the later seasons, I presume. When that ended, I turned it over to the game just in time to see the Yanks clinch the series. After talking with Mike for a short while, I stayed up watching a couple episodes of WENN (2 for the Price of 1, and Hilary Booth, Registered Nurse)... and some snippets... I Gotta Sing, Grace Cavendish, and the beginning and ending of Happy Homecomings. It was a wild mash, but it was also lots of fun. Turns out the snippet from Grace Cavendish and the end of Homecomings both have those silly slapstick routines. It was good random planning. :)
Next morning (Saturday the 13th), after a bagel and a banana, I headed back north a bit to the Fort Matanzas National Monument, which turns out to be a bookend to the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument I saw in St Augustine the very first week! It's just down the river from San Marcos, and was built 50 years afterwords to defend that approach to the city. There was a free ferry ride across the river, and a 1/2 mile nature trail that allowed for a beautiful walk in the woods. And across the street from the monument, there was a public beach access. Took another walk on the beach and enjoyed it a bunch. Just a beautiful day! After that it was back to Marineland for a lunch (burger!) and a swim with the dolphins.
I was hoping for a session all alone, since I was the first to register for this time slot the day before, but 4 other women had signed up as well (one from Lebanon, and two from Germany!). First they told us all about the 12 dolphins they keep, especially the record-breaking oldest dolphin in captivity... turning 60 yrs old this February! Life expectancy is estimated at 30 years, so it is indeed remarkable. We learned a bit about their skin, how it's best to not scratch them, then we changed, got into life vests (really? the pool is only like 20 feet deep... lol), and walked out onto the concrete "beach". We got to pet, rubbing sides, belly, fins and flukes with flat hands. We got to throw her little fish (our dolphin was a female named Pebbles), watch her swim under us, and tell her to do things with trainer's hand signals (I got to make her open and close her mouth when she was right up next to me!). There were also lots of pictures taken, but we'll see if they ever upload them to their site.
After drying off and changing, I made my way to Red Lobster for dinner... of shrimp and snow crab. I read quite a bit in The Hobbit between courses of my endless shrimp scampi. LOL! Stopped by Panera in Jacksonville Beach for coffee and a cookie, and I felt fully at peace as I drove through soft rain, listening to soothing piano music. And then I made full circle, returning to the Best Western where I started out at. The Yankees went into extra innings again, due to Ichiro and Ibañez catching up the 4-0 deficit in the ninth with 2-run home-runs each, but maddeningly, lost in the 13th... because they couldn't hit anything else, while the Tigers did. Chatted and put all the pics from the weekend on Facebook... and after Mike and I finished talking, read a bit more in Bilbo's adventure with the dragon. It's hard to put down.
Today, I got up in time to take a shower before church and get there just in time after checking out. Another fine sermon from 1st Peter... and very pertinent to the congregation as they decide on a new pastor next week (it's all about what church elders should be like). A couple sitting next to me chatted me up during the "greet one another" time and ended up inviting me to lunch with their friends afterwords. They treated me out too... so very nice of them... and we chatted a long time about the Navy (he was a retired O-6 - captain-) and about our various marriages. They gave me their phone numbers, and said I was always welcome anytime! I really feel like I've been led to my new church home, if the home-port shift is for sure. They blessed me (and Mike in spirit) as we hugged and said goodbye. How good God is to me!
Afterwords, I got some orange juice from CVS to combat my little head cold (it's developed into a runny nose/cough now), then went to the NEX and bought more than I was planning (but also found a Christmas present for someone), and then stopped by Walmart to get a new cheap pole for fishing this week. And here I am at Panera again (chicken noodle soup!) while I write.
What a great time! My bank account is signing with relief that I will be back on duty tomorrow! :)
Stayed at the Best Western in Mayport again... dropped off at the door by the duty driver. Watched the incredible end of Game 3 of the Yankee's ALDS, and both of former Mariner Raúl Ibañez's home runs to win it (in the 9th and the 12th). It was very neat because I was talking with Mike when they flew, flew away. What can be better than having your wife give you a play-by-play of a miracle win by your favorite team when you're apart? :)
That was Wednesday night! Thursday morning I picked up the Hertz car, had a great breakfast at the Third Street Diner, stopped by The Bookmark, and nearby Atlantic Beach, then stopped at the outdoor Starbucks on the corner of Atlantic Blvd and posted to my Navy Times. Dropped off my ballot at the Post Office on the way to the ferry, stopped at Singleton's for some shrimp cocktail, rode across the St John's river and went to Amelia Island to walk around and look for shells. I found a couple broken conchs, but also over a dozen horseshoe crab skeletons. Loved just walking along the edge of the surf with the wind and the bright blue sky.
Then I had to get downtown for the symphony concert... parked for half-price at the garage... and enjoyed a wonderful concert featuring the symphony's enormous pipe organ and a famous organist from Germany. It was open seating, and I was able to get one of the normally expensive, raised seats to the right... perfect for watching the fingers fly over the keyboard and the violins. There was a Bach solo to begin, then a Handel piece including strings and oboes... a modern piece by a French composer in the 30's (strings and timpani), and finally a 20-min piece commissioned by the symphony (and a couple in attendance), written by a Florida resident (also in attendance) on variations of that familiar circus song... famous as The Most Wonderful Night of the Year. I had visions of Dick van Dyke pretending to do the tight rope in Mary Poppins all night.
It was Michael's birthday, Thursday, and unfortunately, the Yankees dropped the game that to Baltimore... but we Skyped afterwords, and talked for ever and ever, just like old times... and it was really nice! Had a king bed at the Hampton downtown... and it was awfully comfy!
Got up Friday morning, not believing how much time I still had off, and had a continental breakfast in the lobby, the returned to my room to watch Hachi: a dog's tale, an updated rendition of the real thing in 1920's Japan. When the widow discovered the dog was still waiting for her husband at the train station ten years later... that made me cry. It was a sad story, but fun to watch. Since it was time then to check out, I capitulated and gave up my room.
Went to the nearby Museum of Science and History, mostly to watch the planetarium show, as it was supposed to be geared for kids. I loved the two shows they let us see... one on the night sky and constellations, and the other talking about how Earth is an oasis in the universe. Every time I remember that, and think about how huge and ordered everything is, it makes me consider how much God loves me. When I see the Earth from space (as in the animations) I think about how God condescended to come down to that little planet and do what he did. And that made me cry too... for joy. They had other neat things at the museum... a whole room devoted to Florida's marine mammals, and another with a mini zoo... and then a walk-through of Jacksonville's history.
From there I crossed the river back to downtown and checked out the toy soldier shop I found out about in a visitor's guide magazine in the hotel room. Troops of Time... finely painted tin soldiers from all sorts of periods of warfare... I ended up buying two... a WWII Sailor, and a crusader knight with a horn. The guys in there were very happy to show me everything as I was the only customer. Even gave me an orange juice to drink from their fridge while they packed them up for me.
On my way to the toy shop I passed a busy small-town sort of main street and an antique store with a 48-star flag in the window. When I stepped inside to take a look, I was amazed and pleased to find that it was a cloth one in great condition for an affordable $19. Very happy indeed! I've been wanting something like this for years! Then I had a small-size sausage and mushroom pizza at a local shop next door... a place that's been running since 1976! After finishing, I hopped in the car and decided now was a good time to go down to Marineland for the next day's adventure. Stopped at a local motel (villa) in Palm Coast. They had a rustic stone wall covering inside and out that felt very extravagant... but wasn't. :) Turned on the TV for more baseball, but found a family station that was playing a very funny episode of We Love Lucy, one of the later seasons, I presume. When that ended, I turned it over to the game just in time to see the Yanks clinch the series. After talking with Mike for a short while, I stayed up watching a couple episodes of WENN (2 for the Price of 1, and Hilary Booth, Registered Nurse)... and some snippets... I Gotta Sing, Grace Cavendish, and the beginning and ending of Happy Homecomings. It was a wild mash, but it was also lots of fun. Turns out the snippet from Grace Cavendish and the end of Homecomings both have those silly slapstick routines. It was good random planning. :)
Next morning (Saturday the 13th), after a bagel and a banana, I headed back north a bit to the Fort Matanzas National Monument, which turns out to be a bookend to the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument I saw in St Augustine the very first week! It's just down the river from San Marcos, and was built 50 years afterwords to defend that approach to the city. There was a free ferry ride across the river, and a 1/2 mile nature trail that allowed for a beautiful walk in the woods. And across the street from the monument, there was a public beach access. Took another walk on the beach and enjoyed it a bunch. Just a beautiful day! After that it was back to Marineland for a lunch (burger!) and a swim with the dolphins.
I was hoping for a session all alone, since I was the first to register for this time slot the day before, but 4 other women had signed up as well (one from Lebanon, and two from Germany!). First they told us all about the 12 dolphins they keep, especially the record-breaking oldest dolphin in captivity... turning 60 yrs old this February! Life expectancy is estimated at 30 years, so it is indeed remarkable. We learned a bit about their skin, how it's best to not scratch them, then we changed, got into life vests (really? the pool is only like 20 feet deep... lol), and walked out onto the concrete "beach". We got to pet, rubbing sides, belly, fins and flukes with flat hands. We got to throw her little fish (our dolphin was a female named Pebbles), watch her swim under us, and tell her to do things with trainer's hand signals (I got to make her open and close her mouth when she was right up next to me!). There were also lots of pictures taken, but we'll see if they ever upload them to their site.
After drying off and changing, I made my way to Red Lobster for dinner... of shrimp and snow crab. I read quite a bit in The Hobbit between courses of my endless shrimp scampi. LOL! Stopped by Panera in Jacksonville Beach for coffee and a cookie, and I felt fully at peace as I drove through soft rain, listening to soothing piano music. And then I made full circle, returning to the Best Western where I started out at. The Yankees went into extra innings again, due to Ichiro and Ibañez catching up the 4-0 deficit in the ninth with 2-run home-runs each, but maddeningly, lost in the 13th... because they couldn't hit anything else, while the Tigers did. Chatted and put all the pics from the weekend on Facebook... and after Mike and I finished talking, read a bit more in Bilbo's adventure with the dragon. It's hard to put down.
Today, I got up in time to take a shower before church and get there just in time after checking out. Another fine sermon from 1st Peter... and very pertinent to the congregation as they decide on a new pastor next week (it's all about what church elders should be like). A couple sitting next to me chatted me up during the "greet one another" time and ended up inviting me to lunch with their friends afterwords. They treated me out too... so very nice of them... and we chatted a long time about the Navy (he was a retired O-6 - captain-) and about our various marriages. They gave me their phone numbers, and said I was always welcome anytime! I really feel like I've been led to my new church home, if the home-port shift is for sure. They blessed me (and Mike in spirit) as we hugged and said goodbye. How good God is to me!
Afterwords, I got some orange juice from CVS to combat my little head cold (it's developed into a runny nose/cough now), then went to the NEX and bought more than I was planning (but also found a Christmas present for someone), and then stopped by Walmart to get a new cheap pole for fishing this week. And here I am at Panera again (chicken noodle soup!) while I write.
What a great time! My bank account is signing with relief that I will be back on duty tomorrow! :)
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Two Random Days, and a Weekend Too
The first day off was last Wednesday the 26th. It's just part of our schedule to have one day off during the week... which is pretty awesome! So I took the duty van to Mayport on Tuesday night and stayed at the Best Western down the street from the base. Had Arby's for dinner, Skyped with Mike, got a pickup from Hertz in the morning. Tried out the Beach Diner in Atlantic Beach, stopped by the base to check out the ticket center, talk to the Chaplain about becoming a Lay Leader on my ship, and walked around on the beach. Went to Walmart to pick up a few things, then went back to Atlantic Beach for dinner at the seafood restaurant and another browse through the book shop next door. Returned the car, then got a ride to the base where I caught the duty van back to the ship.
This weekend, I went crazy! Started out Friday night at Town Center (a duty van drop-off point), got a room at the Hilton. Saturday morning I had breakfast in the lobby and then got picked up by Hertz again. Went to the Jacksonville Zoo... which was wonderful... especially loved the baby jaguar... the set up of the whole zoo was refreshingly simple to get around in, yet full of animals to see. Then I drove to downtown immediately afterwords for the Cummer Art Museum, which was also very neat! Pit stop back at the hotel to catch my breath, then went back downtown for the opening night at the Jacksonville Symphony. The first thing they did was stand and play the Star-Spangled Banner! I thought that was really classy! Mahi-mahi for dinner afterwords (10:30ish) at a river-side restaurant at the Jacksonville Landing, just steps down the street.
Sunday morning I woke at 8, worked out in the hotel gym, cooled off in the outdoor pool, showered, had the free hot breakfast in the lobby, and made it to the church I had spotted in Atlantic Beach on earlier visits. It was wonderful! I walked in on "Lord, I Lift Your Name On High" and then they finished worship with "Create in Me a Clean Heart", both memories from Jr. High... needless to say I felt right at home right away. Good sermon too, by one of the elders. Apparently they're between pastors at the moment.
After that it was back to the mall for lunch at Chipotle, and browsing through Best Buy. Later on (around 3ish) I decided I did, after all, want to go to the football game downtown. It was my first pro football game, and I enjoyed it well enough. Great seat... really high on the 50-yd line. But since the stadium isn't the biggest, even the top section wasn't too high. The people I sat next to were pretty normal... so that definitely was a plus. They ended up losing 27-10 to the Bengals, but I'm not really a fan... so it didn't matter. Just a fun experience on the whole, even with the pelting rain afterwords, the long walk to the car in the lighting storm and the very long wait to get out. I listened to the symphony's horn player's cd that I bought the night before... and then the compilation of Beatles love songs that Mike gave me when we were together last. Got a taxi ride all the way to the ship after dropping off the car. He gave me a flat rate, and it saved me several hours waiting.
Today, I had another random day off, so last night I came to the same hotel in Town Center and watched Monday Night Football in my room. This morning was a repeat of Sunday after I watched a couple Tintin cartoons on the TV... worked out (running and benching) then swam (all alone... the pool was so calm in the morning sunlight, the only thing that caused ripples as I soaked up the early rays was caused by my own breathing - loved watching my wedding ring sparkle underwater) then breakfast (sausage, tater-tots, oatmeal, toast, juice, yogurt) and a shower. Watched Mr. Roberts after all that, then checked out, got a taxi to the post office to send some extra stuff to Mike so I don't go crazy on the barge trying to jam it into my little spaces. The people at the Post Office went in the back and got me some blank boxes so I could ship the stuff lots cheaper. So helpful! Had KFC for lunch (yum!) then stopped by the Salvation Army Store next door just for fun. Found a couple things and went right back to the P.O. to send them too! LOL! Since my taxi ride back to the mall, I poked around in B&N and have since been enjoying the benefits of Panera Bread.
This weekend, I went crazy! Started out Friday night at Town Center (a duty van drop-off point), got a room at the Hilton. Saturday morning I had breakfast in the lobby and then got picked up by Hertz again. Went to the Jacksonville Zoo... which was wonderful... especially loved the baby jaguar... the set up of the whole zoo was refreshingly simple to get around in, yet full of animals to see. Then I drove to downtown immediately afterwords for the Cummer Art Museum, which was also very neat! Pit stop back at the hotel to catch my breath, then went back downtown for the opening night at the Jacksonville Symphony. The first thing they did was stand and play the Star-Spangled Banner! I thought that was really classy! Mahi-mahi for dinner afterwords (10:30ish) at a river-side restaurant at the Jacksonville Landing, just steps down the street.
Sunday morning I woke at 8, worked out in the hotel gym, cooled off in the outdoor pool, showered, had the free hot breakfast in the lobby, and made it to the church I had spotted in Atlantic Beach on earlier visits. It was wonderful! I walked in on "Lord, I Lift Your Name On High" and then they finished worship with "Create in Me a Clean Heart", both memories from Jr. High... needless to say I felt right at home right away. Good sermon too, by one of the elders. Apparently they're between pastors at the moment.
After that it was back to the mall for lunch at Chipotle, and browsing through Best Buy. Later on (around 3ish) I decided I did, after all, want to go to the football game downtown. It was my first pro football game, and I enjoyed it well enough. Great seat... really high on the 50-yd line. But since the stadium isn't the biggest, even the top section wasn't too high. The people I sat next to were pretty normal... so that definitely was a plus. They ended up losing 27-10 to the Bengals, but I'm not really a fan... so it didn't matter. Just a fun experience on the whole, even with the pelting rain afterwords, the long walk to the car in the lighting storm and the very long wait to get out. I listened to the symphony's horn player's cd that I bought the night before... and then the compilation of Beatles love songs that Mike gave me when we were together last. Got a taxi ride all the way to the ship after dropping off the car. He gave me a flat rate, and it saved me several hours waiting.
Today, I had another random day off, so last night I came to the same hotel in Town Center and watched Monday Night Football in my room. This morning was a repeat of Sunday after I watched a couple Tintin cartoons on the TV... worked out (running and benching) then swam (all alone... the pool was so calm in the morning sunlight, the only thing that caused ripples as I soaked up the early rays was caused by my own breathing - loved watching my wedding ring sparkle underwater) then breakfast (sausage, tater-tots, oatmeal, toast, juice, yogurt) and a shower. Watched Mr. Roberts after all that, then checked out, got a taxi to the post office to send some extra stuff to Mike so I don't go crazy on the barge trying to jam it into my little spaces. The people at the Post Office went in the back and got me some blank boxes so I could ship the stuff lots cheaper. So helpful! Had KFC for lunch (yum!) then stopped by the Salvation Army Store next door just for fun. Found a couple things and went right back to the P.O. to send them too! LOL! Since my taxi ride back to the mall, I poked around in B&N and have since been enjoying the benefits of Panera Bread.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Another Fine Day in "America's Finest City"
That's San Diego's nickname... and as far as I've seen, they've lived up to it.
Started off by misplacing my wallet. I had got up in time to head to church, but after wracking my brain, and heading off to look for it at Presidio Park, I realized I had stuck it in the drawer with my camera... after taking pics at the park. :)
I made it to church in a reasonable time for leaving right around when it was starting. Sat next to Emily and Kristin from young adult group for the 2nd weekend of Advent. This time we talked about Peace, and the pastor started by talking about the world's peace: the colt peacemaker (through power), the peace sign (through protest), peace of pie (through comfort), peace treaties (fickle agreements) and the peace prize (for valiant efforts). But then he talked of the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and how real peace transcends our understanding (Phil. 4:7) and can even be found in the face of death (Luke 2:29-30). And I thought it was neat that he mentioned Luke 2:14 (NIV) after Mike and I just had a long conversation about it a day or two ago (We finished Ephesians last night and started into Hebrews).
I love little churches! And the people to talk to when they have lunch served in the Fellowship Hall afterwords. Cheesy shredded potatoes and meatloaf! I'm now FB friends with Jenny, who makes or serves the meals every week. It's impossible to do that in anything bigger than this... maybe 80 people at the most. It allows for real interaction with other saints, which is exactly what "the church" is supposed to be. It's the same kind of church Robert and Julie introduced me to while I was in Chicago. And I love it!
Dropped off my Angel Tree gift, then made my way downtown. I parked at Seaport Village again, not realizing the metered parking by the Maritime Museum was free (it was only a loss of $2). But if I hadn't, I would have missed out on getting my Spiffy a Christmas present, and also missed out on the wood carvings I found: an octopus and a tropical fish... wow, are they neat... and boy, do they look nice on my wall! And on the walk to the Maritime Museum, I passed the shell of a Giant Spider Crab just sitting on the stone wall, and a Mexican guy playing his trumpet in the traditionally loud, Mexican way, so I dropped a dollar in his cup.
I was visiting the museum to look at their exhibit on "Three Voyages to Paradise": Captain Cook, explorer, Herman Melville, author and Paul Gauguin, artist. They had some neat stuff on display. I also made my way to the USS Dolphin, a research sub, and the US Navy's last diesel/electric which holds the world's deepest dive record for a working submarine. The sonar room was the first thing to see, and I enjoyed that... lots of 1960's equipment... very cool.
Made it to Symphony Hall with 4 minutes to spare before the concert started. It was Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Philip Glass's American Four Seasons, and Summer & Autumn from Glazunov's The Seasons. The guest soloist, Robert McDuffie, is touring this around the world... I got a good seat in the middle of the middle section for only $25 during their Thanksgiving sale. What a deal! As during the opening lines of the symphony performance I saw in Chicago, I nearly cried at the beginning of "Spring", it was so beautiful. The audience made it until the first part of Autumn before they started interrupting the breaks with applause... they just couldn't hold back. :) Vivaldi's Seasons were accompanied with descriptions projected on a screen above the orchestra. It definitely helped my poor imagination. :) Loved the sounds of rain, thunder & lightning. The first two composers had written for just strings with harpsichord. They had a real harpsichord for Vivaldi, and an electronic keyboard making harpsichord sounds for the Glass's American. A full orchestra with harp, percussion, winds and brass played during the final pieces.
Since there were a couple hours before small group, I stopped by Fred's Mexican Cafe for tortilla soup, rice & beans on 5th in the Gaslamp district (why not take full advantage of paying for unlimited parking?). As I sat down, I saw the Packers beat the Giants in the final seconds of the game. After all this, I had just enough time to swing by the house to pick up the cheese for the grilled sandwiches we were making at small group tonight before heading off to it.
The split pea soup was a good combination with grilled cheese... and we had a wonderful little meeting. Kind of a small group again, but we had a lively conversation. It was all about how sin (not plural) lives in us since we're stuck in the cursed world. And how trusting in the Lord gives us the ability to make the choice to deny sin's authority (Romans 7). The big conversation we had was about that age-old (and confusing) debate about wither Paul was describing a pre- or post-salvation experience. Gosh, I think that's a stupid debate. But we had a good talk about it.
Then, I finally went home, and rested. Talked to my Darling, fell asleep in my clothes, was wakened around 3:15 by Custer the cat clawing at my door and crying... so I let him in and he slept by my feet for the rest of the night.
Jp
Started off by misplacing my wallet. I had got up in time to head to church, but after wracking my brain, and heading off to look for it at Presidio Park, I realized I had stuck it in the drawer with my camera... after taking pics at the park. :)
I made it to church in a reasonable time for leaving right around when it was starting. Sat next to Emily and Kristin from young adult group for the 2nd weekend of Advent. This time we talked about Peace, and the pastor started by talking about the world's peace: the colt peacemaker (through power), the peace sign (through protest), peace of pie (through comfort), peace treaties (fickle agreements) and the peace prize (for valiant efforts). But then he talked of the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and how real peace transcends our understanding (Phil. 4:7) and can even be found in the face of death (Luke 2:29-30). And I thought it was neat that he mentioned Luke 2:14 (NIV) after Mike and I just had a long conversation about it a day or two ago (We finished Ephesians last night and started into Hebrews).
I love little churches! And the people to talk to when they have lunch served in the Fellowship Hall afterwords. Cheesy shredded potatoes and meatloaf! I'm now FB friends with Jenny, who makes or serves the meals every week. It's impossible to do that in anything bigger than this... maybe 80 people at the most. It allows for real interaction with other saints, which is exactly what "the church" is supposed to be. It's the same kind of church Robert and Julie introduced me to while I was in Chicago. And I love it!
Dropped off my Angel Tree gift, then made my way downtown. I parked at Seaport Village again, not realizing the metered parking by the Maritime Museum was free (it was only a loss of $2). But if I hadn't, I would have missed out on getting my Spiffy a Christmas present, and also missed out on the wood carvings I found: an octopus and a tropical fish... wow, are they neat... and boy, do they look nice on my wall! And on the walk to the Maritime Museum, I passed the shell of a Giant Spider Crab just sitting on the stone wall, and a Mexican guy playing his trumpet in the traditionally loud, Mexican way, so I dropped a dollar in his cup.
I was visiting the museum to look at their exhibit on "Three Voyages to Paradise": Captain Cook, explorer, Herman Melville, author and Paul Gauguin, artist. They had some neat stuff on display. I also made my way to the USS Dolphin, a research sub, and the US Navy's last diesel/electric which holds the world's deepest dive record for a working submarine. The sonar room was the first thing to see, and I enjoyed that... lots of 1960's equipment... very cool.
Made it to Symphony Hall with 4 minutes to spare before the concert started. It was Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Philip Glass's American Four Seasons, and Summer & Autumn from Glazunov's The Seasons. The guest soloist, Robert McDuffie, is touring this around the world... I got a good seat in the middle of the middle section for only $25 during their Thanksgiving sale. What a deal! As during the opening lines of the symphony performance I saw in Chicago, I nearly cried at the beginning of "Spring", it was so beautiful. The audience made it until the first part of Autumn before they started interrupting the breaks with applause... they just couldn't hold back. :) Vivaldi's Seasons were accompanied with descriptions projected on a screen above the orchestra. It definitely helped my poor imagination. :) Loved the sounds of rain, thunder & lightning. The first two composers had written for just strings with harpsichord. They had a real harpsichord for Vivaldi, and an electronic keyboard making harpsichord sounds for the Glass's American. A full orchestra with harp, percussion, winds and brass played during the final pieces.
Since there were a couple hours before small group, I stopped by Fred's Mexican Cafe for tortilla soup, rice & beans on 5th in the Gaslamp district (why not take full advantage of paying for unlimited parking?). As I sat down, I saw the Packers beat the Giants in the final seconds of the game. After all this, I had just enough time to swing by the house to pick up the cheese for the grilled sandwiches we were making at small group tonight before heading off to it.
The split pea soup was a good combination with grilled cheese... and we had a wonderful little meeting. Kind of a small group again, but we had a lively conversation. It was all about how sin (not plural) lives in us since we're stuck in the cursed world. And how trusting in the Lord gives us the ability to make the choice to deny sin's authority (Romans 7). The big conversation we had was about that age-old (and confusing) debate about wither Paul was describing a pre- or post-salvation experience. Gosh, I think that's a stupid debate. But we had a good talk about it.
Then, I finally went home, and rested. Talked to my Darling, fell asleep in my clothes, was wakened around 3:15 by Custer the cat clawing at my door and crying... so I let him in and he slept by my feet for the rest of the night.
Jp
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Out With a Bang... Or Several...
This was technically a duty day... I woke up early at 0600 to phone in muster with the quarterdeck, and then was early to pick up my bravo duty driver phone at 0115 for the 0130 turnover. And I turned it in at 0630... I read in The Kite Runner for a couple hours, and otherwise rested. I was very tired.
That was because it was a very full day. First thing I did, I went to the library for nearly two hours. I first purchased a ticket to the symphony's outdoor summer pops Tchaikovsky concert that I found out about from an email they sent me. Then I took care of re-shelving the audio books and various dvds. I left at a quarter to one, the perfect amount of time to get macaroni salad, raspberries, and hot dogs & buns at Stump's Market, across the street, then arrive at the Witte's apartment just as the BBQ was to begin. We watched The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, relaxed at their complex's pool, ate magnificently (including hamburgers and ice cream), and watched Spaceballs too.
From there I went to Old Town to hop on a trolley for downtown. I didn't know exactly where at the Embarcadero Marina Park it would be held at, and I did take a wrong turn down the first little peninsula, instead of the second, behind the convention center. Sat down on my spot of lawn ten minuted before the concert was to begin.
It started with March Slave, then the Violin Concerto (which replaced the Piano Concerto that they planned, due to the pianist getting very sick). Their concertmaster volunteered to perform it, at the rehearsal six hours before the first performance (yesterday)! And he did extremely well. The conductor said the orchestra didn't have a chance to rehearse the piece before they played it that night!
During intermission I wandered around, taking a look at the 16 theatrical cannons they had on the other side of the audience (glad of that, they were very loud). And I found an isolated spot where I could watch the rest of the concert with an unobstructed view and away from the noisy children that accompanied their parents on the designated lawn. I also signed the guestbook for the giant flag travelling all 50 states before visiting the September 11th sites on that day.
The second half of the performance they played the Swan Lake Suite, ending with the famous waltz. People started clapping between movements after the third or fourth movement (out of the seven they played). But the grand finale! The 1812 Overture! Near the end, the guns boomed, the fireworks lit up the sky over the bay (right below the half-full moon), and a dozen members of the Navy Band Southwest marched in time onto the stage and uniformly raised their horns to support the big brass ending (this I did myself once -2005-2006, I think - while in the Husky Marching Band, we were invited by the Seattle Symphony to accompany the very same part). So much fun!
Jp
That was because it was a very full day. First thing I did, I went to the library for nearly two hours. I first purchased a ticket to the symphony's outdoor summer pops Tchaikovsky concert that I found out about from an email they sent me. Then I took care of re-shelving the audio books and various dvds. I left at a quarter to one, the perfect amount of time to get macaroni salad, raspberries, and hot dogs & buns at Stump's Market, across the street, then arrive at the Witte's apartment just as the BBQ was to begin. We watched The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, relaxed at their complex's pool, ate magnificently (including hamburgers and ice cream), and watched Spaceballs too.
From there I went to Old Town to hop on a trolley for downtown. I didn't know exactly where at the Embarcadero Marina Park it would be held at, and I did take a wrong turn down the first little peninsula, instead of the second, behind the convention center. Sat down on my spot of lawn ten minuted before the concert was to begin.
It started with March Slave, then the Violin Concerto (which replaced the Piano Concerto that they planned, due to the pianist getting very sick). Their concertmaster volunteered to perform it, at the rehearsal six hours before the first performance (yesterday)! And he did extremely well. The conductor said the orchestra didn't have a chance to rehearse the piece before they played it that night!
During intermission I wandered around, taking a look at the 16 theatrical cannons they had on the other side of the audience (glad of that, they were very loud). And I found an isolated spot where I could watch the rest of the concert with an unobstructed view and away from the noisy children that accompanied their parents on the designated lawn. I also signed the guestbook for the giant flag travelling all 50 states before visiting the September 11th sites on that day.
The second half of the performance they played the Swan Lake Suite, ending with the famous waltz. People started clapping between movements after the third or fourth movement (out of the seven they played). But the grand finale! The 1812 Overture! Near the end, the guns boomed, the fireworks lit up the sky over the bay (right below the half-full moon), and a dozen members of the Navy Band Southwest marched in time onto the stage and uniformly raised their horns to support the big brass ending (this I did myself once -2005-2006, I think - while in the Husky Marching Band, we were invited by the Seattle Symphony to accompany the very same part). So much fun!
Jp
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Winter Dreams
First snow of the season today! I first saw it around 3:30 today when I walked out of church from serving some ladies from a few of the area women's shelters a Christmas luncheon.
"When it snows, ain't it thrillin'?" You bet! Now I can actually, really start dreaming of white Christmases...
Sigh. :)
The rest of today was spent finishing up all the Christmas lights - just a few more strings to go on our pillars. And then I wrapped all of my presents for people. Not too many to shop for though.
But yesterday, I had the time of my life! It was all so dream-like!
I took my mom to a fancy dinner and then to the Seattle Symphony for a Christmas present. The show we saw was called "Winter Dreams" - a collection of Handel, Vivaldi and Tchaikovsky. The first two were shortish and were the first times I've heard just strings and a harpsichord live. They were so soothing and beautiful! And then Tchaikovsky's piece was just gorgeous! When we got home - around 10PM - and after I had changed out of my fancy clothes, I felt as if the whole thing had been a beautiful dream. What fun!
Here's to dreaming about lots of white stuff!
Jp
"When it snows, ain't it thrillin'?" You bet! Now I can actually, really start dreaming of white Christmases...
Sigh. :)
The rest of today was spent finishing up all the Christmas lights - just a few more strings to go on our pillars. And then I wrapped all of my presents for people. Not too many to shop for though.
But yesterday, I had the time of my life! It was all so dream-like!
I took my mom to a fancy dinner and then to the Seattle Symphony for a Christmas present. The show we saw was called "Winter Dreams" - a collection of Handel, Vivaldi and Tchaikovsky. The first two were shortish and were the first times I've heard just strings and a harpsichord live. They were so soothing and beautiful! And then Tchaikovsky's piece was just gorgeous! When we got home - around 10PM - and after I had changed out of my fancy clothes, I felt as if the whole thing had been a beautiful dream. What fun!
Here's to dreaming about lots of white stuff!
Jp
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