bidding adieu to 2015!

Most beautiful ball of fire in my world,
dipping toward the horizon
as we bid adieu to another year!

Monet, Monet, Monet, Monet - MONET!

Tying up loose ends today was I!
"Good Morning, Starshine" had started my day, with the lovely Beverly D'Angelo's hair whipping in the wind of the convertible. Yes, indeed, "Hair" was on the telly!
What better accompaniment could I have wanted as I drank my coffee from my Elvis mug and ate my breakfast on my Elvis plate?
Well, to have Elvis in the building, of course!
So, I freed him from the cellophane in which he has resided, still folded up, since I brought him home from the Georgia Elvis Festival...in 2013. Bad enough that I had transported The King in the trunk instead of giving him shotgun. Poor guy...
He certainly looks great in my dining room! Las Vegas duds and all!
Now, that is the way to start a new year - in the "Love Me Tender" arms of the world's most gorgeous "Teddy Bear"!
He's nearly life-sized, too.
(smile!)

Next on the agenda: a trip for some culture, baby!
With the O'Jays song running though my head, no doubt doubly inspired by both the movie yesterday and the art exhibit I was off to view. "Monet and American Impressionism", with six of Claude Monet's originals, was at the Jepson and I had not yet been to visit.
Tsk, tsk!

With a nod to the visit
to that museum at this time
last year, I just may have to
make this an annual event!
(Great idea, Paul and Cathy!!)
Again, I went to see the
Bird Girl and took a photo with her!

Again, I went to the
"I Have Marks To Make" exhibit,
now celebrating its 21st incarnation.
With works created locally by
folks recovering from strokes
and other brain damage,
it's quite an inspiring testament
to the power of the human spirit
to overcome obstacles.
Bravo!

And for the first time,
I viewed the flowers in "Champ d'avoine",
painted when Monet was 50 years old.
(That's me with the replica painted on a museum wall for us posers!)
I admired the rushing water in "Rising Tide At Pourville", painted eight years earlier.
Next, I saw the sepia tones he'd used for "Bridge at Argenteuil on a Gray Day", painted six years before that.
I then marveled at "Waterloo Bridge", painted in 1903, when he was 63 and suffering from failing sight.
Amazing! By thinking of his works in chronological order, I could see the development of his style through the decades. That helped me admire the man, as well as his art and his reflection in those works.
Perspective - what a difference it makes!

Next stop: gasoline! I found a penny by the pump, too!
(Thanks, Mama!)
I went ahead and bought my lottery tickets, so the next time you see me, I should be debt-free!
(smile!)

A slunch was needed now...where to go, where to go?
The Chromatic Dragon beckoned! They're having a big celebration tonight, Lasers vs Longswords, but that was still hours away, so there wasn't a big crowd there yet. I dined on Starfox Barrel Rolls, consisting of corned beef and sauerkraut in egg roll wrappers - very good! I even have some left for breakfast tomorrow!
The Uncle Chuck hot dog (all beef... get it?) was topped with good chili - just what I wanted!

Now, after getting the fixin's for hoppin' john and greens for tomorrow, I'm catching up on some year-end stuff here. Later, y'all!
See ya next year!

day trip of las tres amigas to bluffton!

Honestly, when I think of me and Sandy and Barbara, the phrase "the three amigas", or some variation thereof, pops into my mind!
This time, we were off to yet another movie not destined to be shown here in Savannah. Of course!
"The Big Short", about the housing market collapse last decade, was our target. Cinemark was our goal.
I had tried to convince them to come to Bluffton for movies, and more, but I'd had no luck until this winter break. Finally!
We had a great time, together, even though the movie brought tears.
Well, maybe those were only on my part. I well recall that period in time - very scary.
Good to know I had two friends there with me today when the movie brought back those memories.
The best thing about the movie?
How ultra-super-sexy-hot Brad Pitt has become! His 52 years look GOOD on him! Ooh la la! We were all in agreement on that!
Not that he had enough screen time to be called the "lead actor" in the film. All together, he probably was onscreen ten minutes.
The movie was truly an ensemble piece, with no one person having top billing. I have no idea how the folks in the business will decide which of the guys might get a "Best Supporting Actor" nomination.
For instance, Steve Carrell, playing financial analyst "Mark Baum", gave the absolute best performance I have ever seen from him. Barbara agreed. Neither of us have ever been a fan of his work, so this one performance completely revised our opinions of his talent.
Christian Bale was absolutely incredible as the one-eyed financial wunderkind, Michael Burry. He wore the role so well that it was hard to believe this was the same man who had played the Dark Knight.
All three of the actors portrayed men in the tough moral position of being profiteers from the dire, economy-destroying decisions by stupid, greedy bankers.
Rock and a hard place.
(Not that any of them gave money back to all those who lost their pensions, their homes, their jobs, from the collapse of the real estate bubble. So, pot, meet kettle.)

Afterward, we had a major decision to make.
Where to eat?
Chin Dynasty?
Cheeburger Cheeburger?
The new Mexican place, Cinco?
The one from Chicago, Hinchey's?
The Outback steakhouse?
I had billed Hinchey's as "looking like a sports bar, but with great food" and that was the winner!
The big-screen televisions all over the place definitely give it a "sports bar" feel and look, but their menu is way beyond wings and burgers. For instance, I had the Penne Pasta Galisteo - full of tomatoes, garlic, and flavor! That was eaten alongside of dessert, of course: pecan pie! Barbara had the crab cakes, with the cinnamon-sprinkled sweet potato fries - she loved them! So did Sandy, who got the fries with her huge Italian Beef sandwich. We all had to-go boxes afterward, too!

Next on our agenda?
Well, Barbara was driving, so her choice! We went to a craft store, in search of two shadow box frames to round out the pair she already had.
No luck. But she could order them!
Okay, errand done! Homeward bound were we!
And guess what? We never did get rained on!
Such a great day for las tres amigas!

dos veces con amor en chili's!

For two days in a row, I've been at Chili's with guys dear to my heart!
Yesterday, I worked most of the day on new school stuff. You see, as I will be the first to teach Chem1151 at Savannah Tech, I'm having to do everything from scratch.
New course schedule for the very different textbook which I will use for the first time.
New homework assignments to be constructed from the material in the new textbook.
It's been WORK!
I'm so glad I've had this normally idle time available for better use!

Anywho, the peace Guy had contacted me, via text, yesterday morn.
"Want to go eat somewhere?"
Heck to the YEAH!
So, we arranged for a dinner date at a favorite place.
Strike one!
The Noodle Bowl was closed.
Next up - The King And I...
Strike two!!
Also closed. Hmm... maybe Asian food is out...
Off to Chili's!
Home run!
Especially for me - Joe treated!
Chips and salsa, baby back ribs!
Woohoo!
And the good news is I'll be seeing him at least twice more during this week that he is in town. He's fixing the upper apartment in his folks' house so it can finally be rented out. The gas has not yet been turned on for that apartment, so there is no hot water for showers. So, in return for cleansing waters, I get more visits with him. LOL!

Today was another day put to good use.
Clothes? Washed and dried at Nami's laundrette!
Bed linens, blankets, afghans? Also washed and dried at Nami's!
(I don't know why, but clean clothes always take up more room than dirty stuff. How does that happen?)
When I returned home, I spread out blankets and such to finish air drying while I worked on school stuff some more.
Then Joe came over for a hot shower.
Nice visit!
After a little TBBT, it was off for some live laughs at Odd Lot!
I mean, with Odd Lot!
(smile)

No, no, no! Not that Odd Lot show! That was last week!

THIS is the show I'm talking about!
The one that was concentrating on past events of this year!
It was supposed to be PG, as are all of Odd Lot's shows. However.... given that I grew up around boys... then had eight years in the Navy in the company of boys... well, sometimes, my mind has been known to jump the track.
You know, that straight and narrow track?
Yep, that's the one!
The topic of the two-man film-noir style skit was "deflate-gate". You remember, right? It was the furor that rose up from the under-inflated football used in a pivotal game.

Well, the skit had barely started when Dorsey, in response to Zach's claim that the temperature was to blame, said "I've never noticed that temperature changes have an effect on ball size." -

and I cracked up! 

The image had leapt into my brain from the Seinfeld episode when George was complaining about ball shrinkage in the cool pool water. Seriously!

I may have been the only one who responded to his line! And I was LOUD, too! My laugh was a definite show stopper for a minute there!
Ah, well, not the first time I've stopped a show!
After that, it seemed that "ball" became a cue for laughter from me, if not from others who caught the double entendre. So, though the show wasn't truly blue...maybe some balls were!
Hahahaha haha!

After that, I flew over to Chili's to see if the Philo folk were still there.
Yep!
Connie even made sure I knew that the Kid had been asking about me!
With him right there!
Very fun way to finish the evening, with hugs all around and even an "I love you" or two!
(smile!)

7 pm on the 7th!

Christmas Day was a bit of a mixed bag.

For breakfast, I made a sandwich with the rest of the gyro from Tuesday. Dessert was the rest of the pecan brittle from Sunday. The meal was served on the Elvisware from the bfe.
Most excellent!

Amazingly, I had two presents to open!
My cousin Penny gave me a sun-moon light catcher, with a glass ball painted to glow in the dark.
Ooooohhh!!! Major coolness!!!
My outlaw Kathy gave me an Estee Lauder eye makeup kit, with more colors than I know how to use.
Oh, my!!! It's been years since I used eyeshadow!
The Melaness said she would send a package after the new year, as she has recently had reconstructive surgery and isn't quite back up to snuff.
I told her, "no worries, dearest. You know you don't need to send me anything - except love!"
My brother Smitty called to see if I'd heard from Ronnie, as he had a plate of food for him.
I replied that I had not, but I had heard from Ronnie's girlfriend on Wednesday, when he and she were together.
(Hooray for fb messaging!)

Then, I did something completely different - I joined Live Out Loud! for Christmas dinner at Sushi Hana! I had so enjoyed it back in May, but haven't had an excuse to go again...until now!
Very nice!
There were eight of us for dinner: Robb, Bryan, Ben, and Mike, all of whom I already knew from either LOL! or Movies in Pooler. Then three new folks: May (Mike's girlfriend); Jo; and Michele, a tour driver with Old Town Trolleys. Quite a lively group!
I splurged and had an apple-infused chilled sake - very lovely in every way and served in a martini glass! Then I splurged again for the Sushi Trio dinner! Wow! Miso soup and a ginger salad, to start, followed by three pieces each of tuna, salmon, and yellowfin, with a spicy tuna roll to finish it up. Definitely sated my appetite for seafood!
After our 2 1/2 hour visit, we headed in separate directions. Some went with Ben in search of the geocache in Triplett Park. Others headed off for diversions elsewhere... like back to Savannah, where I had a movie date with Barbara and Sandy!

The movie, "Joy", was not at all what I had expected from the previews.
I had looked forward to the new Jennifer Lawrence-Bradley Cooper offering for so long...I ended up quite aggravated at having been misled by the advertisements.
Instead of being another one in the same vein as "Silver Linings Playbook" or "American Hustle", it was just a biopic. About someone famous in the Home Shopping Network world, which I never intend to visit.
That was definitely a bummer.
Yes, it was nice to share the time with the girls.
Yes, it was nice of the clerk to load us down with "Kung Fu Panda 3" fortune cookies.
(Hey, what's not to like about a fortune cookie or two or three? Even when the fortune seems zanier than usual?)
I just didn't appreciate being duped into watching a movie about a woman who invented a better mousetrap - I mean, mop.

So, after our usual hour-long gabfest in the parking lot, I headed home to wash the taste out of my mouth and try to reclaim some Christmas spirit.
That's when I saw it.
"Bruce Almighty".
I had pulled it out a few days ago and left it on the coffee table.
Sure, let's pop that into the computer!
Great idea!!!
A healthy dram of Morgan Freeman, with a main course of Jim Carrey, was exactly the meal I needed!
Guess what?
There was even mopping in it.
Remember the scene when the sadsack first meets God?
Then, later, the two mop the floor together.
At 7 pm on the 7th, as promised at the first meeting.
Very nice.

i thank You, God, for small favors.
Or are they small miracles?

BE THE MIRACLE.

I'll try to give blood later today.
G'night to all!

merry christmas from Mama

I still have the watch, of course.

I have had it for almost forty years.

It still works, although I have not
worn it for a long time.

The dressy silver band has a sprung
spring and needs to be repaired.

Meanwhile, I also still have
this card from Mama.

Honestly, this simple card is
more valuable to me.

Her note in the card reads:

Dearest Tina,

On the Christmas that I was eighteen years old, I received this watch.

Your father gave it to me as an engagement gift and I treasured it.

Now on the Christmas of your eighteenth year I am giving it to you.

Please wear it with the blessing that the new life you're entering will be fulfilling and contentful.

You'll always be my heart.

Love

Mother

christmas party with miss gay america!

Oh, yes I did!!!
Right here in Savannah, Georgia!
As good fortune would have it, Miss Gay America 2015 just happens to be my friend Blair Williams, rock star dancer at Club One!
He was the keynote speaker at the last two Lavender Graduations at Armstrong, too.
Now, the time had come for the annual Christmas Eve Open House at the home he shares with his husband. And I was invited! Hooray!
I saw folks I haven't seen in several years!
Like Dawn and Sharmin from the days when I bowled with the Friends league. I hadn't recognized them at first, until I heard Sharmin's name get mentioned. Nice to see them again!
Then I saw some of the other dancers from Club One's Cabaret... but I couldn't have told you which girls they were without their make-up! Seriously, that stuff makes a big difference in appearance!
Such a lovely night it was, with the nearly-full moon peeking through the tree limbs as we laughed and shared tales in the back yard!
Thanks, guys!

two gallons of eggnog!

Thomas said:
Reasons to definitely come out to our holiday show tonight:

1) It will be amazing and funny and amazingly funny.
2) It's two days until Christmas. No matter what you're trying to deal with, you could use a break this evening.
3) It is our last show of the year. So if you want any sort of Odd Lot show in your life before January, you better come out tonight (Correction... our next to last show. But best to get as stocked up on the Odd Lot as you can.).
4) It is always a huge audience, and huge audiences make for big fun (also note: you should show up early).
5) It is my favorite show, and nothing would be a greater gift to me (or more warming to my heart) than to see you there.

If you need any other reasons, you may want to have your heart checked. You may suffer from Terminal Grinchness. But I believe in you. So come out to the show, won't you?

Well, as he requested so nicely, I did!

What show, you ask?
This one!

And what did I get?
You mean besides the free cookies and
cupcakes and (hot) cocoa furnished by the
Ultimate Pianoman, Chris Stanley?
Two gallons of eggnog!
That item kept making figurative appearances during the show!
Two gallons of eggnog during a blackout in New York City.
Two gallons of eggnog brought to a party.
Two gallons of eggnog to wash down the comedy!
(Thanks, Zach!)

Such a star-studded event it was!
The Rat Pack started the show,
with a tipsy Dean Martin mixing
song lyrics with his martini,
while Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr.,
tried to sort things out.
No luck there -
thank goodness!

Recognize these celebrities?
Not the adults...
the kids!
Playing "What word was that?"
was the Soucyman's daughter
and Justin Kent's son.
Kudos for the kids in the house!

Then, we had a famous duo to read
"Twas The Night Before Christmas".
Surely you recognize Jack Nicholson,
right? Maybe you need the voice!
And there to provide a counter punch -
I mean, counterpoint -
was Jason Statham, Ultimate Thug!
Yeah - that's the way you do it!

Oh, look, another famous actor!
The incomparable Christopher Walken!
He was in disguise, of course,
to keep from being mobbed
(since Sinatra was there.. lol),
but his voice was undeniable!
He sang ... recited... rhythmically voiced
"Walk(e)n In A Winter Wonderland",
that lovely Christmas standard
about sleigh rides and bluebirds!

Then came the politicians,
making their appearance,
just as they do in parades.
President Obama wanted to give us
a holiday greeting, but former
President Clinton was there
to schmooze us up!
Also, he seemed to be making plans
to live in the White House again...
very funny!

As entertaining as they were,
I was so glad when a real entertainer claimed the stage!
Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!!!
The King (of the Elves arrived with an interpreter to answer questions from the audience about Santa's helpers.
Hahahaha! Quite wonderful to behold the pelvic gyrations and song tidbits!

Then we had some more typical,
non-celebrity-enhanced work
from Odd Lot.
Here, items from the audience
were creatively combined to make...
Art!
Here, Thomas himself is part of
UnHappy Man.
C'mon, Thomas, smile!

Next up was a film noir skit,
featuring Elf On A Shelf as the
sole witness to several murders.
Dorsey was super creepy as the Elf,
made even creepier by the Soucyman's
known aversion to dolls of any kind.
Bwah ha ha!!!
Nothing like a little Christmas creep!

The show wouldn't have been complete
without some new songs, right?
You bet!
And these were from that holiday compilation,
"Songs of the Stocking Stuffer"!
I really liked the duet about
"the orange goes in the toe"
and the country lament about a burned stocking
hung too close to the fire.
And the poems later were aWeSOme!!!
Mistle TOE. MisTLE TOE!

As it is with all good things,
the end eventually arrived.
Sure, two hours had passed,
so that was $10 well spent.
But, who wanted the show to end?
Not me!
But the Ultimate Houston,
clad in a dress coat, no less,
was onstage for the singing of
"Have Yourself A Very Odd Lot Christmas"
to wrap things up with a tidy
melodious bow.

Even the Odd Lotters were captivated
by his song!
Zach, Darren, and Doug listened
from the comfort of the couch,
while Marshall stretched out
his frame on the lounger.
Behind the couch stood the emcee,
Dorsey, and the Soucyman,
soaking up the final words.

Ha!
Captivated?
Soaking up the words?
No, they weren't!
They were simply poised calmly,
waiting for him to finish
so they could surround him with hugs!!!
Most excellent!
What a great comedic family
they all are!

And they weren't the only family
there at Muse Arts!
My nephew, Michael,
and his dear Melanie,
parents of my twin great-nieces,
were there with me!
What a delightful surprise for me!
(smile!)

blacklists, roman holiday, souvlaki, and baklava!

Today, Barbara did the driving, so I was able to sit back and enjoy the Christmas lights and decorations. What a lot there were over in Hilton Head, too!
Our first stop was at a fancy shoe store. Mama would have loved it! My friend has difficult feet to fit, so this was a shop of necessity for her, not a luxury outing. Miraculously, she found a lovely brown pair that would work and be a pretty addition to her wardrobe! Success!
Next stop: the cinema!
We had gone to Coligny Theatre for a South Carolina doubleheader, but the second film never showed up. That's okay! We were still able to see "Trumbo", a film never screened in the Savannah area and on its final day there. (You can read my thoughts about it here.)
Such an uplifting tale!
Time for some dinner!
But where to go? This was the off season in this beach-loving resort community. What was close by and still open after seven o'clock?
Tasty would be nice, too.
The Frosty Frog was open! Bright lights, covered patio area! But we couldn't seem to catch the eye of the waitstaff.
Strike one!
She recalled Gringo's Diner, so we walked over there. Dark enveloped the place. They now only serve breakfast and lunch.
Strike two!
But the next one we tried was the grand slam!
Hooray for It's Greek To Me!
Such incredible service!
(Thanks, AJ!)
Such spicy eggplant!
(Ya gotta try the Melitzanosalata!)
Such lemony Avgolemono soup!
(I can still taste it just thinkin' 'bout it!)
Such savory lamb gyro and pork souvlaki! Both were served in copious amounts, sans pita, with green beans and Greek potato barely making it onto the plate.
(I had plenty of each meat for take-home!)
And such fabulous, flaky, honey-drenched Baklava to round out our meal!

Ah, yes... success!
And a lovely soft rain to blur the holiday madness as we wended our way back home through the light traffic.
Thanks for a great Tuesday, Barbara!

bollywood doubleheader!

Woohoo!!!
Today, Barbara and I journeyed to Pooler. It was a rare occasion: two fresh new movies from India were screening during the same week!
Hallelujah!!!
It was a Christmas miracle!
The two films couldn't have been more different in appearance or setting. That was good, so we didn't overdose on the experience! But both were romantic at their hearts and both preached about acceptance of others, regardless of family rivalries or difference in religion.
Hallelujah!!!
Both featured absolutely incredible dance numbers, too!
"Dilwale" had a fairly contemporary setting, with lush use of color. It was another romantic pairing of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, as the star-crossed lovers Kali and Meera. The timeline jumped back and forth fifteen years, between their ill-fated romance and that of their younger siblings. Very nice!
Here's a video of one of the most romantic musical numbers, ever!



After that lush overload of testosterone and estrogen, some real food was needed to restore our energy. In the scant hour between the two, we dined on shrimp ceviche around the corner at Jalapenos. Refreshing and tangy and loaded with protein - just what we needed!

Back to the Royal Cinemas for our second dose of Bollywood! Set in the mythic times of legends, "Bajirao Mastani" was a different vision in every way. Set in the 1700's, the tale followed Bajirao I and his love of two women who he called wife: Kashi, a Hindi, and Mastani, a Muslim. The bfe would have loved it: no happy ending here. Bajirao and Mastani died, he on the battlefield, she by the hands of his older son.
But from the very beginning, the opulence and use of gold was almost overwhelming present! Lavish sets with subdued tones, fierce battle scenes, even fierce dancing!
Seriously! I had no idea that Indian cinema had cock rock!
But here is the proof, y'all!



Who cares that the guys were all wearing skirts? Such masculinity leaped right off the screen and dared to be questioned!
Hot damn!

Fabulous way to end a Monday!
Thanks, Barbara!
Good to see you, too, Carolyn!
Enjoy those videos... I sure will!
(smile!)

family gathering!

Somehow, I selected the same date used for the family gathering last year!
This time, though, the date fell on a Sunday. The gathering was a little smaller, but we all had a loving time together!
I had opted not to put up my tree, as the 1-year-old twins would be here and I didn't want to tempt them unnecessarily.
(smile)
Rudolph and company still laid siege to the top of my entertainment center, though. Not out of reach, as it turns out...all the girls had to do was point and their Aunt Chelsea would grab for them!
Very funny!

Or their cousin Caitlyn would
place it in their hands!
Such helpful kinfolk!
That's okay, I had left plenty within reach for their entertainment!
Here, Leila is dancing to the 'Bominable's tune while the yellow star in his hands flashes to the beat!
"Have A Holly, Jolly Christmas", indeed!

Alyssa preferred Yukon Cornelius
and his song about "Silver And Gold"!
How very nice that the girls
didn't fight over the boys!
(smile)
How glad I was that I put
fresh batteries in them!

Here, Leila is checking out the calendars and holiday-themed note pads on my Panamanian coffee table.
(That table is older than their parents!)
Alyssa is looking at Chelsea stretched out on the couch, trying to catch a nap.
She is probably wondering why her young aunt didn't check out the quieter guest room instead!

Great-Uncle Smitty!
Or should that be
Great-Uncle Harvey?
Leila thinks he's
just fine either way!
Such good ham he and Great-Aunt Mary brought!
And yummy cookies, too!

And look what else Great-Aunt Mary and Cousin Christy brought???
It's a kitchen just for the little girls!
The doors to the oven and fridge
even open and close, open and close,
open and close!
Caitlyn once enjoyed it, but she's a big girl now - she'll be NINE in just ten days!

Hooray! Mama Melanie arrived!
First, she had some of the ham,
a bit of Christina's macaroni-n-cheese,
and a big spoon of the squash
dressing casserole!
And a piece - or two! -
of Christy's soft pecan brittle!
Very yummy!
Then, time to play with the girls!

Was that a yawn?!
Oh, no, another big ol' yawn!
Time for Leila and Alyssa
to go home and have
little naps, y'all.
Bye, G'Aunt Tina!
Thank you for the calendars!
Thank you for the party!
(smile)

christmas with the bfe! party at connie's! the black nativity! ugly sweaters at club one!

Such a event-full day
I have had!
The bfe and I had our Christmas dinner at Carlito's, as that seems to be "our" spot.
(smile)
His treat, too!
And there were presents!!!
His theme was:
"F-Grrl's gotta
have coffee
...cups!"


He even gave me an Elvisware set, with a cup and a saucer! There was even a Christmas ornament!
I gave the J-Dawgg an Arbor Day Foundation tree...which he envisions being planted in a favorite National Park in Virginia.
(smile!)

I was home briefly before heading out again!
This time, it was a Christmas cheer gathering at Connie's on Isle of Hope! Kevin made it before me and was so glad to see me there - everyone else was so much older than him! Honestly, I think he forgets the two-decades I have on him.
(smile)
I had some lively conversations with an older neighbor and his wife, who had spent some time in Panama in the mid-1960's. Then there were other get-to-know-ya talkings with others there while having some munchies. Very nice little party!

My next stop: the 7 PM performance of the Performing Arts Collective's 6th annual production of Langston Hughes's musical, "Black Nativity"! I think I last saw it at Muse Arts, in 2011, with just Abeni Dance in it. This time, the stage at Savannah Arts Academy was full of dancers!
The performance of "Mary Did You Know?", in which several of the cast took turns singing the query, was especially poignant.
Great job, by all!

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party! Of course, that means I got more mileage from my ugly sweater, as well as half-price admission to watch the girls sing and dance at Club One. Ooh la la, y'all!

christmas cabaret and chewbacca!

What a fabulous "Throwback Thursday" this has been!
What?
Not familiar with that term?
Check it out!
I was able to travel back in time twice
in a single evening!
It all started at the Lucas, at the Christmas Cabaret.

The first half of the show was Christmas standards, but the second half delved into the 1980's for some... well...
unusual holiday songs.
Like Trae Gurley in 1984-era Michael J. Fox mode, singing Wham!'s "Last Christmas" and tossing hearts around!
Hilarious duo with Jenny Woodruff!
They both have such great comedic timing!
Speaking of timing, I had made a list -
and checked it twice! -
prior to my shift as usher tonight.
What was so important?
Why, the screening times of "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" at the four (of five local) cinemas offering it on Thursday night.
I wanted to see the movie prior to its official opening today, to get a jump on the crowds. After all, it's been 38 years since the saga first hit the silver screen, lighting up the world with its New Hope.
38 years.
That's two generations, y'all, of folks steeped in the legendary tale of Luke and Leia and Han Solo... and Chewbacca, the ultimate 'bominable!
I was all of 19 years old when "Star Wars" opened in Great lakes, Illinois. The guy who took me to see it had already seen it six times.
It had only been open for a week.
He had insisted that we sit in the very first row at the cinema.
Excellent advice! I was absolutely absorbed into the science fiction tale, soaking up its mythology like it was part of my psyche! Ultimate GOOD versus Ultimate EVIL - wow!!!
And here it was, back again, with the old players again active in their roles! This time was different, though. They had aged, much as had we in the audience. But now, the sense of awe they had brought to our lives for all these years was also evinced by the other actors in the new film.
Repeatedly, the questions were reverently asked. "You know Han Solo?" "You know Princess Leia?" "You know Luke Skywalker?"
How very nice for that sense of awe to be intact after all these years!

hello KISS kitty!

At last!
I have held onto these four KISS kitty tins ever since I saw them two months ago!
I had $10 to 'spend' at Toys-R-Us, in return for using their card to feed my movie habit. I spotted some excellent Halloween cards, then...there they were. 'Hello Kitty's wearing masks!
KISS masks!!
How perfect for my ex!

Did they have the masks of all four of the band members?
There was Gene the Demon... several of them.
And there was Paul the Starchild! Only two of them!
What about Ace the Spaceman? Got him!
And Peter the Cat?
What about that?
One!
Only one!


That's okay, one was all I needed to complete the set!
And they were on sale, too!
So, I bought the foursome for the ex, as well as two more Demons for the bfe and Jim, the PFS guy.
Those latter two were delivered by the middle of last month.

The full band, though,
had to await proximity
to December 20th.
Today was close enough!
Into the mail they went,
to pounce down
in Saginaw by Friday!
This card was deemed
the perfect companion
for the cats!
I had written inside:
"Hope your new year
rains (birthday)
cats and dogs
for you!"
Hahaha ha ha!

Even the Christmas card
continued the running gag
I had created!
Timing, folks,
it's all about the timing!
That birthday dog
and this Christmas card
just happened to be
in my stash of stuff
when my brain started
pulling things together
this morning.

But what coincidence brought this back to mind?
Clearly, I had ripped this "Mother Goose & Grimm" panel about "Hello Kitty" from the funny pages back in May.
Seven months ago.
How did it happen to come into my hand for inclusion in the package?
Serendipity? Good fortune? Timing?
Coincidence?
As long as it brings good cheer to his 51st!

i thank You, God!

grateful for new challenges!

Thank you, Jordan, for your help and leadership today.
With her, I spent six hours at Savannah Tech College, preparing solutions and collecting materials for two sections of Chem1211 lab and one section of Chem1151 lab for the spring semester.
Why?
Because I will be teaching those labs!
I will also be teaching two lectures in Chem1211 and one lecture in Chem1151!
That's right: I will have a full course load again!
How did this all come to pass?
Well, it began with a chance meeting between Suzy and Jordan, over at Armstrong. Jordan had come over to visit and Suzy had suggested me to teach Jordan's classes in the spring.
Jordan's son is due in mid-January, but you never know with babies just when they'll arrive.
(smile)
On September 24th, I first spoke with Jordan about the possibility of my teaching for her in the spring. Then I sent my curriculum vitae and FSU transcript to the head of the Mathematics and Natural Sciences Department, Becky.
On October 2nd, I was part of the LOL! group for the comedy show at Club One. Whaddaya know? Another teacher was there, too! Wendy taught at Savannah Tech, as it turned out, and knew Jordan, too... and knew I was being considered for the position.
Well, alrighty then!
But, maybe not. There was some concern about an Adjunct Instructor being allowed to teach a full course load.
Time passed.
Then, a week before Thanksgiving, things started moving forward! I spoke with the department head, Becky, and we set up a meeting.
Not for me to give a presentation or anything like that.
Just a meeting, face to face.
On November 24th, I met with both Jordan and Becky at 10:30 AM, for that face-to-face sitdown.
I talked about my style of teaching the material in an order which was more conducive to learning, rather than the order in which chapters appeared in the textbooks.
I talked about the changes I had made in the labs to better correlate with the order in which the students learned the subject matter.
I talked about my use of five tests and Mastering Chemistry and Desire2Learn, so the students had multiple opportunities to make grades and to know those grades.
All of this was integrated with my answers to Becky's questions. Just normal conversation, not an interrogation or a planned speech.
An mere hour later, Jordan took me upstairs to see the lab facilities, then downstairs to Human Resources. There, Beverly gave me the employment application and the background check release forms. I filled out the latter right then and there, had Beverly notarize it, then I took the application home to fill out.
Apparently, I was in!!!
By December 2nd, the background check was done. I was most definitely in!!! I picked up the Employment Packet, with its many, many forms, with a big smile on my face!
I even met with Becky the next day to find out more about MyLabsPlus, their combination from Pearson which allows both generation of homework assignments (like Armstrong's Mastering Chemistry) and the gradebook (like ArmstrongeClassroom). I definitely need to practice with that program before school starts.
The very next day, at the reception for the tree planting at Armstrong, I overheard a bit of talk concerning Savannah Tech at an adjacent table. I missed part of the conversation, as I was talking with the young Marine about his time in Okinawa. However, I clearly heard the young woman tell her two companions: "Becky said, 'After our conversation, I just hired her!'"
Becky? Savannah Tech? Was the young woman talking about me?
Wow...
Honestly, after applying for two positions at Armstrong two years ago, I was familiar with the process there. If selected by the search committee, you meet with several people in the department, maybe go to lunch, then present a mock lecture and be prepared to answer questions. After that, you wait for the search committee to verify the result.
Was the job hiring process so different at Savannah Tech? Or had my decades of teaching experience spoken for me, so that process had been shortened?
However it may have come to pass, I am most grateful for the result.
I am a new hire at a new school and I will be teaching a full course load in the new year.
Hallelujah!

i got a koozie!

Today was the day for the College of Science and Technology Christmas Luncheon, Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest, and Pirate Gift Swap, all rolled up in a single event!
This year, there was even WINE on the buffet!
And BEER, too!
And several of the gifts brought for swapping were alcohol-based, as well! (There were two bottles of wine and a pint of Jagermeister, all of which were "stolen" up to the maximum number of times before going home with winners.)
Crazy.
I arrived late, but still in time for the gift swapping.
That's the best part, anyway!
I had meant to bring a gift to exchange, but I had decided not to at the last minute. After all, I was almost an hour late by the time I arrived!
So, I was able to enjoy the fun without being part of the frenzy.
(smile)
I did add some good words about the muscadine Butterducks wine to John Kraft. (It was being dissed for being "local". He ended up 'stealing' it back after it had traveled off twice.)
I was noticeably taken aback when the hard liquor appeared on the scene... and when it was stolen twice, too.
I laughed with all when Delana Nivens got the talking skunk hat! Then laughed more as it was stolen by two in the biology department!
And I loved it when Hong Zhang selected the rubber chicken when his turn came to grab a gift! Why?
The man smiled! Truly smiled!
And he repeatedly gave that goofy five-year-old-boy-with-treasure smile every time he was asked to proffer the chicken - and squeeze it! - as others considered stealing it.
I was so glad he never had to relinquish that bird!

The highlight for me was when Suzy Carpenter paused to speak with me on the way back to her seat. I had thanked her for recommending me to Savannah Technical College and told her I had the job! She had said "Good for them! You're one of the best teachers we have and it's our loss that you will be going there. Sometimes, we don't do a good job of recognizing talented people in this department."
With tears in my eyes, I had nodded.
She knew.
How very good to be appreciated!
Thanks, Suzy!

i want a pony!

Honestly, that's what i told Santa when he asked what i wanted for Christmas.
He and Mrs. Claus said, simultaneously and incredulously, "A pony?"
And i had added, "Yes, a Mustang pony!"
I had no idea my brain was going to say that.
But, with recent car woes, i guess my mind was working on solving that problem for me!

Where was I?
At the second of two back-to-back Christmas parties, my dear!
The first was over in Beaufort, the annual MENSA Christmas party hosted by Ann and Paul. They have a lovely, sprawling old home near Pigeon Point Park. It's always a catered affair, with quite tasty food!
The Monday night trio was there, of course! (Kevin now has an equation to determine if a movie is good for a date night... or so he claims!) Susan and Ron were there, as was Mark, all of whom are South Carolinians! Rick and Celeni and Kathy, formerly of the now-defunct Tuesday trivia, were also present! There were others, too, that I don't really know, but we had a nice afternoon of mingling and munching!
[Sidebar: We may also have decided upon a new place for the monthly meetings, thanks to me! The local chapter has been floundering of late, since the closing of Pad Thai.
Celeni had tasked me and Barbara with finding a new home for the group's dinners, then she set about pooh-poohing such entries as Chili's and Applebee's. Asian River, the stop-gap measure currently in place, has met with low attendance and no favor, but it seemed that Asian food was still the desired option.
Then, all of a sudden, I had it: The Noodle Bowl! And they can definitely accommodate groups! After all, I was there for two of the peace Guy's birthday parties. Celeni is happy again!]
I don't make it to this party every year, but I was sure to be there this time! Barbara and Cedric had both given me ample notice of its schedule, so I had made sure to have the time open.

Then I found out when the Christmas Party was for my church.
Sunday, December 13th.
6 PM.
Well... that's doable!
Tight, but definitely doable!
And I did it, too!
What did I wear?
Well, as the high today was a quite lovely 78 Fahrenheit, I wore the raspberry shift with the rainbow-hued trim! That had belonged to Mother Pat, from her winters in Kauai. My mother's fancy Christmas tree pin adorned the upper left, near my heart.
(smile)
And such lovely comments I have received for my bright attire!
Now, to wait for Christmas Day...
and a pony under my tree!

lauri's birthday!

Birthday parties are such fun, aren't they?
In the photo, taken by the restaurant owner, are we party girls! From the left: Barbara, Alisa, Erica, Reggie (from New York), Christa, Lynn, Lauri, and me.
The younger of the "Sweet Caroline girls" was hitting the half-century mark and the older one of them had arranged this gathering to help her celebrate it.
What a great daughter-mother duo they are!
The site was a new restaurant - new to me, at least - and it was rather fancy, too. I had checked out The Grey's menu online, to get a feel for the prices.
The good news? The menu had prices.
The bad news? Those prices were a bit steep.
I decided on the smoked collards and the ash-roasted sweet potato. (I had some fresh, hot roasted chicken from the Food Lion before Barbara picked me up.)
I also opted for the Fruit Crisp, sans ice cream, to accompany my vegetarian meal. Thin, thin, thin apple and pear slices, alternating the crisp of the one with the soft of the other, mingled with crispy bits, and reliant on the natural flavors instead of sugar. So very good with the greens and sweet potato!
And to drink?
I started with water... but then I looked at the drinks menu. Argentine wines? No, alas. However, there was an Amontillado, so... in honor of the Poe story featured at this year's film festival, I ordered a glass.
Money well spent, y'all!
The combination of the eight of us women in the private dining hall, the finely crafted food, the expert handling of our group by headwaiter Jason, and the overflowing joie de vivre gave us a night to certainly cherish.
Good choice, Lynn!
Happy birthday, Lauri! I hope your Arbor Day Foundation tree will flourish in its new national forest!

gold bars and ugly sweaters!

Chalk one up for the good guys!
Arthur Toussaint Jones IV was transformed from a Cadet to a Lieutenant today...and I had the good fortune to be there for the pinning of the gold bars onto his uniform. Hooray!
That pinning was done by his grandparents, parents, and siblings.
Then, for the Silver Dollar Presentation, his dad came up to give him his first salute as an officer. Arthur gave him, an NCO (non-commissioned officer) retired from the US Army, the silver dollar, to never be spent but to keep in case a favor is ever needed from the new officer.
Pretty cool tradition!
I sat with his maternal grandparents at the following reception and we had quite a nice chat! I made sure his whole family knew what a caring student he had been, even helping another ROTC cadet pass the class. That was quite a feat, as she had been failing at midterm!
The most unusual event at this ceremony?
The other cadet receiving her commission was openly lesbian.
The one who gave her the first salute? Her wife.
Best of all?
No one got up and left. No one protested.
No one even batted an eyelash about it.
Folks took photos and gave applause just as they had for Arthur.
We've come a long way, baby!

After the reception, I stayed at the school and took care of some paperwork. I also blogged a bit, finishing up some drafts and publishing them.
No need to go home as I had a Christmas party in 'North Florida' at 7 PM!

Yes, indeed, time once more for the Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater and Naughty Santa Party in Georgetown!
Last year, I wore a black sweatshirt with a Velcro message: UGLY SWEATER!
Guess what? I even won a prize for it!!!
Creativity gets you bonus points with Dawn, that hostess with the mostest!

This year, I decided to go more toward the Beastie Boys side of life.
Why?
Because... you gotta fight...
for your right...
to paarrrr-Taayyy!
No prize for the design, but that's okay.
No one leaves her house empty-handed!
I didn't bring any cookies, but I sure came home with a pile of 'em!
Plus a coloring book and crayon set from the gift swap!
And a bag of candy!
Thanks, Dawn!

Many thanks, also, for the heads up again.
For this party, she had texted me on November 10th.

her: What do you think of a cookie swap/ugly xmas sweater party on Saturday, December 12?
me: I know i have a big 5-0 party for my friend Lauri that night.
her: Gotcha, it's like the only date that works with my crazy schedule.
me: Heard. This time of year is pretty hectic every weekend.
her: Think I'm gonna do on the 11th.
me: I think i can do that!
her: OK, save the date then. It's officially going to be Friday December 11. Start time 730-ish.
me: Yeah! Thanks, you're the best!

She really is a fabulous chick!
Now, to look forward to the Soup Party at her place on January 23rd!
Guess how I know?
(smile!)