BTW - Thank You Everyone

Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday via phone, Facebook and even, *gasp,* in person.

My Birthday Weekend

This weekend was both a bummer and quite fabulous.  The bummer part, well, I was going to drive down on Thursday and hit downtown L.A. Friday – that didn’t happen.  I was told I might have to come into work, so I stayed in town to see if I would get called.  I ended up hanging out at home until about 11ish and then headed down.

I did manage to get CreepyKid to go clothes shopping, I don’t know what’s wrong with that girl; however, I must admit after three hours my patients wanes.  Maybe we could do three, two-hour stints – but I can’t go for the three-hour plus marathons.   BUT – she ended up with four pair of pants, a new set of under-things and a business casual outfit..she just needs shoes.

After that it was down to L.A. where I visited family and went out to dinner….Olive Garden, when you’re there you’re loud, well, at least we are.

Off to Sis’ place so I could get ready for class and be close to it.  Sis had the morning off so we went to breakfast and she took me out to purchase some things for my costume.  It wasn’t downtown L.A. but I DID find some things that were old-fashioned and so appropriate I was sure my teacher would lay the smack-down on them.  However, at class she said it was her favorite brand. *SCORE*

Dance class was nerve wracking, but I managed to hit the points I wanted…get the OK for a slight costume color change and was told my dance skeleton was good.  I did get pointers for a better order for the end of the routine…and then the command “get thee to youtube.”

I had a wonderful evening, went to the Cheesecake Factory ate dinner and read a book.  Yes, I did have dinner alone…so what.  I looked cute, read my book, ate whatever I wanted and stayed based on my desires…sounds fabulous, no?

I decided NOT to go to the reunion, it wasn’t worth the $$ for me to have a drink and hang out with folks I didn’t like 20 years ago.  Oh, don’t get preachy…they didn’t like me first.

I did, however, sleep fitfully and miss the separate breakfast with people I did like, I was regretful for that, but brownies from Portos, a dozen birthday brownies to share, picked me up…as did the iced-coffee.  I picked up CreepyKid and headed to the picnic that afternoon.  Picnic was boring for me…there were too many classes meeting that day, I would’ve preferred a singular class…or the class on either side, but they went from the 70’s through the late 90’s…not what I wanted, really.

I did end up going to lunch with a couple I knew from HS…they’ve been together all this time – so cute.  Their son was adorable, high energy for me, but I’m used to my low-key family.

Since lunch was late there was no family dinner, but I did get a brownie…and some lovely and thoughtful gifts.  I took brownies to Sis’ place since she didn’t make it to the parents’ place, but she wasn’t home.  Sad.

It was a long drive home and I fell asleep hard…it was a really long weekend.  Luckily it's a short week this week.

I was playing a computer game with CreepyKid last night, our conversation went something like this:

Me: Hey, now that we have this condom do you want to go back to the bar and have sex with that hooker?

CreepyKid: Sure!

WoodTurnerD: She probably forgot

CreepyKid: Oh no, I wouldn’t forget that.

Bridal Showers and True Blood

Went to a bridal shower the weekend of the 30^th, a toy-party was included as part of the entertainment.  I don’t know why I can’t keep my mouth shut about certain things…but it became the Elsa and Creepy show, one day I’ll learn…not sure when that day will come, but it will.  Had a blast, was glad to see all my friends, and even noted that the bride-to-be seemed pretty composed.

Then it was off to House of Geek to crash a party and hang out….I drank too much, which always seems to happen when I go there.  But it was a good time…so, no complaints, and I don’t get hung over, so it’s all good.

I spent the evening at Elsa’s house…went to brunch and had a nap…then dinner and watched TiVoed episodes of TrueBlood….man I miss my Dish. *sigh*

I didn’t get home until late that night AND had to get up early for work the next day, but it was well worth it.

Sis: I don’t know what went wrong with my friend; I treated her just like I treat you and our cousins.

Me: So you flirted with her mercilessly?

ComiCon

OK, a little late, but figured I owed a run-down.

It was a great time.  Saw a number of panels (Mythbusters, Zombie panel for Dead Island, and a few others), but have a hard time thinking of them as anything other than infomercials for whatever product they’re stomping.

Stayed with the same person as I did last year, our guild’s potter – always friendly and inviting…and as she opened our home to all of us, a bit crazy.

The drive to and from wasn’t bad, the parking situation while catching the trolley – well, that was an issue.  Qualcomm Stadium parking attendants on Friday told us it would be $15 to park every day, so I picked another parking area only to find that it was a tow zone.  Luckily my car wasn’t towed or ticketed and then later found that Qualcomm wasn’t charging for their parking so we were able to park there the rest of the run.

On a crappy note, that night while on the trolley some guy decided he couldn’t just wait while we were stopped for 20 minutes.  Yes, it was frustrating, but come on, you can’t behave?  He started screaming and then shoved everyone in the trolley’s isle to disembark.  All the yelling and shoving, CreepyKid got knocked to the floor and she was in a state of panic…crying, frightened…when I asked her later she said she assumed he had a gun and he was going to start shooting.  Guess I did my job as a parent to frighten her into a stupor.

I didn’t see as many people I know as I thought I would…but then again, I spent less time on the floor and more in panels…and sitting down to eat – yup, I actually sprung for real food.

I ended up spending a little money at the Con, but managed to keep it reasonable.  I did my shifts, I behaved, and hopefully will be able to do it next year.