The World Magic Awards

I can't tell you how much fun I had this past Saturday attending the World Magic Awards in LA with DeDe and Jesse. Though leading up to the day was a bit stressful, it was all WELL worth the stress. My first awards show, magic show and red carpet experience is something I'll never forget. All the 'behind the scenes' stuff is so interesting! 

(I wish we had digital cameras back in the day, and I could put up a photo of us back in middle school as easily. We'd probably be doing a similar pose like this after a duet on the karaoke machine singing a Martina McBride song. How fast time flies by....)

Through windows on a train

"Are you listening to my announcements. I don't just make them to hear myself," the conductor lady said to a passenger on my first Amtrak train ride. "We are stopped here waiting for a train to go by because we don't want another collision."

WELL THANK GOODNESS!! .... I said to myself in my seat.   

It was a very early Monday morning. My alarm clock went off at 4:45 a.m. to have enough time to get ready before I had to board my train to Santa Ana, California — the nearest stop to Whittier Law School located in Costa Mesa. 

First I must say that the train is way more comfortable than flying. The seats are bigger, there is more foot space (even a foot rest!) and bigger windows. From San Diego to Oceanside I had a view of the ocean. We were literally on top of the ocean. The other parts were...well...desert.

And the most interesting people get on the train. As much as I wanted to sleep, I couldn't. 

On the second stop, a 16-year-old sat next to me with his buddy across the aisle. The first thing I heard him say was, "I stopped drinking because I was drunk for three months." He currently attends AA meetings. The rest of their conversations intertwined with some "For sure Dude" comments. (a popular phrase in california....) 

On my way back to San Diego, the people behind me (who had just met on the train) were talking about their troubled days hazed behind the effects of drugs. She's been clean for a couple months. He said he's done crystal meth once or twice, but if he had to do anything he'd do coke. He bought her a Bloody Mary and himself a beer. They parted ways in San Diego. 

My interviews at the law school went well. I roasted a little in the sun while waiting for my taxi to take me back to the Santa Ana Transportation Center. And the cab driver kind of made me car sick. I swear he crossed four lanes in under five feet, and took the on-ramp like we were on a roller coaster. 

I'm eager to make more trips like this — especially by train. 

Back in the game

You probably can't see me very well, but that is me in the blue shirt out in right field. I played my first softball game in 8 years two weeks ago. Needless to say I was a little scared. I didn't know if I'd remember how to catch a ball, much less throw a ball. 

So yeah, I joined a co-ed softball team out here in California. And as much as I did it to have a fun time and meet people....my teammates mean business. I struck out my first two times at bat and blamed it on being used to fast pitch — which is so true. :-)

My third time at bat was with 2 outs and a person on first and second. Well at least this time I hit the ball. But the line drive to shortstop was caught and ... out three. I was just excited to hit the ball. My teammates were bummed that we didn't get the extra runs. 

So at the end of the day we lost the game, but I had a great time. Fawn subbed the game for a girl who couldn't make it. Mind you she informed me that she will no longer be playing, but will definitely come to the games to watch with Greg and Shawn. So I do have my own cheering section. Greg came to this game and took some pictures. 

Everyone on the team is really nice. We even have an older lady on the team. I'm looking forward to my second game this Sunday. I did text one of the team members to make sure they still wanted me on the team....

He said "yes" and will soon be sending the game time. I better get to the batting cages. :-)

Fun times in Big Bear

This is an old video Fawn put together when we all got our snow fix up in Big Bear, California. I think this was in February. Old news, yes. But all in good fun none-the-less.

A Boat, Friends and a Camera

The Bahia Belle took us out on the Mission Bay waters in San Diego last Saturday night. The $10 ferry boat ride provided us with first — something to do on a Saturday night, second a fireworks display courtesy of Sea World and third — cocktails and endless laughing. 

Props to Shawn Michael for finding out about this wonderful boat tour. Basically people, the boat goes back and forth between two resorts — one in Pacific Beach and the other in Mission Beach. Each way is about 30 minutes. So we hopped on the boat around 7 p.m. and traveled back and forth till 11 p.m. 

I was on my best behavior...wearing flip flops this time and not heals. If I were writing this blog a year ago, you would have heard about my mishap on a boat. 

Actually it was Shawn Michael's work Christmas party and my mom was along because we had just drove cross country from Wisconsin. Well let's just say I was bleeding, bruised and embarrassed. AND, I ruined my favorite dress. 

Anyways, this time Fawn Elizabeth was wearing the heals. But I guess she isn't as clumsy as me. Thank goodness. So before the fireworks display we had a cocktail and kept saying how cool it was to be on the boat and why did we never do this before. 

Probably at about the 9 p.m. stop, more people got on. Just in time for the fireworks. 

During the fireworks, Fawn Elizabeth and I ended up doing a photoshoot. First I wanted a picture of me and the beautiful display of bright colors. It took a couple of tries. Then we needed a photo together. Then a group shot. Oh and for what ever reason I got a photo with a random guy on the boat in which Fawn later said "Aww...what a cute wedding photo." I laughed and scurried away. We then took some other crazy shots. The camera was doing some amazing things. 

But it was about that time to scoot off the boat. The cocktails were getting too expensive and our pockets were almost empty. 

Our last stop — a midnight snack at good 'ole Santana's Mexican Restaurant. Ugh, why didn't I just say no?

That's right

POOLSIDE + WINECOOLERS = ENDLESS FUN

The infamous BEACH CRUISER

Shawn's sister visited from the Cheese State about a month ago. I've been slacking on updating my blog with photos. Here's Shawn and I posing with our awesome lime green beach cruisers overlooking downtown San Diego.

'Oops I forgot the milk!'

SoSo fresh and so clean clean. Remember that song? Well that's what comes to mind when I think of this new grocery store that opened up down the street — Fresh & Easy. 

Me, Shawn and Fawn took a field trip there last night — opening day. What were we thinking? It was so crazy busy you could hardly walk down the isles. I swear California people have a fascination with grocery stores. This will be my 2nd opening day experience since I moved here one year ago. Shawn dragged me to the Von's opening day a couple months back.

I trekked as slowly as I could knowing it would be hard to probably get Shawn and Fawn out of there. Made my way down every isle. I was impressed with some of the prices and their various selections. I went crazy and bought a non-name brand chocolate pudding. It was yummy. 

Fawn got a whole basket full of veggies and fruits. Shawn got various items, even a bottle of wine and some Ratatouille. I chose a really cheap pizza for dinner - $1.30. It was delicious. Shawn hated his Ratatouille, but Fawn ate it. She's likes pretty much anything. 

After Fawn and I checked out, we had to wait a little while on Shawn. Then I realized I didn't have my gallon of milk with me. I think the lady that checked out before me put it in her bags. So the nice man let me go get another gallon and walk out. 

I think I'm done with grocery store opening day's. They didn't even have any yummy food items to taste. And that's the best part!