Universal Experience

Lisa arrived early and we headed off to a sound stage at Universal Studios, about 10 miles from the house. When you live in one of the tourist capitals of the world you tend to forget that people come thousands of miles to visit the attractions. The promised crowds did not materialize, but we spent a pleasant day chatting, enjoying the snacks, and provided lunch. It was part of their diversity program--this month's theme was women. The woman who invited me was super nice asking when we left if I'd be up for another event in the future. Did I mention the compensation was two, one day passes to both parks for each of us. I've not been to the park for too many years tocount. Lisa is having fun being my assistant. A turkey wrap, apple, veggies with dip, and a brownie the size of two decks of cards made up the box lunch. My only complaint was that my camera takes terrible pictures indoors, thus, this is the best I could do.

Turns out we could roam the park at will today. Lisa walked out the side door onto the street that leads to the Blues Brothers show, one of her favorites; she caught the 2:15 performance! All in all it was well worth the time. As you are well aware from following my exploits, one thing definitely leads to another.

I forgot to mention something from my recent doctor's visit that may prove interesting. As he was scanning through my ridiculously huge chart he said he noticed my B-12 was low on a blood test--news to me. He suggested it could explain my neurological symptoms which I was skeptical about. Turns out he may be on to something because when I got home I researched it, finding it can cause peripheral neuropathy. My, oh my. We agreed that I'd start on B-12 vitamins looking for improvement. I can't report any changes just yet as I took my first one last night. Maybe my previous doctor moved on so I would have some fresh eyes poring over my medical records?

Wouldn't you know it--there's not been a drop of rain since the downpours over the weekend.

Tomorrow the MINI gets fixed and the federal taxes get paid. Our CPA called last night to tell me the damage--not too bad.

Before I forget my few minutes of fame, turns out I was on TV on Saturday. One of Bruce's coworkers mentioned she saw me, as did my MINI salesman when I was there yesterday. I knew they filmed me at the show, but that's all I knew.



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Listening to: Ozomatli - (Who Discovered) America?
via FoxyTunes

I've Been Nailed

Driving to the set up on Friday night a warning light came on in the MINI, never a good feeling. Turns out I found out today that I had a nail in my tire, fortunately the run-flat tire was not ruined because they are seriously expensive.

During the inspection the mechanic noticed a coolant leak, a much more serious problem underscoring my belief that nothing happens coincidentally. He was willing to fix it right then and there, but my appointment time was nearing and I had to take off. Additionally I saw the new MINI Clubman and boy is it cute. It's about 9 inches longer than mine with a fancy two door opening in the back; they even have a new color, milk chocolate! I'll be returning on Thursday afternoon to fix the other problem.

I always go out to my old hospital for tests because I know I'll be treated well--today was no exception. Arriving at lunch time is not the best time to see old friends, however you can't have everything! Lying on my back for 2 1/2 hours was the hardest part aside from the IV. The technologist said I'd probably be bored, honestly I wasn't. It is pretty cool watching the radioactive material go from your arm to your heart, down the aorta, and taken up by the liver then excreted to the gallbladder. I'm not sure if it was normal or not because a few things looked weird to the tech, but they are possibly normal anatomical variations--we should know something in a few days. I brought my Shuffle along to keep me company, chatted with the tech--the time went by pretty quickly. While doing my radiology training in 1971 I rotated through Nuclear Medicine which students today no longer do. Memories of those challenging days came back as I watched the scanning. Of course today's camera is more sophisticated, but really not by as much as you'd imagine. When I trained there were only two imaging modalities, x-rays and nuclear medicine. Today the revenue sources have expanded greatly with the invention of medical sonography (you think of it as ultrasound), CT scans, and MRI. When MRI was first around it was called Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging, as you are well aware, they dropped the nuclear part from the name.

Tomorrow the show goes on the road once again. Nearly done with the packing up in the rain, a woman from Universal Studios came by, apologizing for the late notice, but asked if I'd be willing to come out to one of their sound stages for a one day event for the 13,000 employees. Hmmmm....free lunch, free tickets to Universal, possible sales...really a no brainer. Lisa will be my sidekick. I'll set up similar to the little market with browse baskets, a table easel, and my upright easel for the larger prints. What can it hurt?

Driving home from Mr. Rogers this evening I saw a new sign where the Urban Target is being built--a TJMaxx is going in one mile from the house!!! I'm not a big cell phone user but this news required an immediate call to Maureen...darn it, she didn't pick up!

I took Bruce out for pizza and wine last night with company funds to thank him for all he does to ensure our success. My sweet boy got up to catch an early flight to Pennsylvania where he'll be till Thursday night. boohoo!
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Listening to: Nina Simone - Feelin' Good (Joe Claussell Remix)
via FoxyTunes

April Showers

As the title implies, we had showers, not just puny showers, I'm talking massive, tent and display destroying storms, which Bruce saw at least twelve when he arrived on Sunday morning to set things right in our tent. It was sad. That said, we could have made out much worse than we did. Friday night it sprinkled while setting up the tent, but the real rains came around 2 on Saturday. I was by myself after Bruce got things hung, and managed pretty well closing the tent. Unfortunately I did not manage so well conducting business. Dave tells me not to beat myself up over it, so I'm trying not to, but I screwed up two of the credit card sales. Two ladies will soon be surprised to know they got their prints for free.

I did meet a really nice woman during one of the storms--she holed up in my tent with me for about half an hour; we chatted like we'd known each other forever. Another neat thing is seeing folks who don't know what I'm doing these days. Several former Valencia classmates, old high school classmates, some of the kid's friends, and two of the doctor's I worked with came by the booth. My friend, Dr. Tom Quinn, and his wife Teresa were so complimentary. I think I've mentioned that I used to do all the doctor's wives mammograms,she was no exception. He is one of the best radiologists I ever worked with in my 30+ years taking x-rays, which just between you and me, pays much better than my current gig.

Lisa came to help out on Sunday and what a huge help she was. She handled the transactions ensuring everything was done correctly. Unfortunately she didn't use up too much energy with that task leaving plenty for the real work--taking it all down in the driving rain, carrying things to the van(about a block away I might add), in general working alongside Bruce like a trooper. I did not stand idly by mind you, but I'm no match for Lisa in the strength department these days.

Enough said about the show.

I forgot to tell you that Maureen went to Peru for a week, returning around 2:30AM today. I missed her terribly as I'm so used to talking to her nearly every day. She has graciously assumed the role of family matriarch.

Danny is doing remarkably well following surgery. He went home so darn quick I never even got flowers ordered! He and Lisa are two tough cookies.

My HIDA scan is scheduled for tomorrow at noon. What say they discover the source of my problems, shall we?

Speaking of Roseanne Cash

Inspiration

Every Child is an Artist

I can't remember if I felt artistic as a child or not, it was so long ago, however I'm having fun now.

As is always the case I can't take a good picture when I need to although I won't take all the blame. Last night when we met the girls and boys for a birthday dinner at Season's 52 I begged for a picture. They were embarrassed forcing yours truly to rush the shots--the inevitable outcome-- blurred shots which was too bad because they all looked so glamorous! Bruce began building that restaurant some years ago but moved onto other projects; for those of you unfamiliar with the concept it serves not only yummy food but a delight for the eyes as well.

I must tell you it is VERY hot here this week--84 degrees as I type this. The sun feels particularly hot although I'll be happy if it hangs around for the weekend as rain would not be welcome during the show. When Fiesta in the Park began more than 20 years ago I never dreamed I would one day have a something to exhibit there. The truth is that there are lots of poorly done crafts with some art thrown in but it normally brings huge crowds which statistically should be beneficial. What with the gloomy news daily about the economy buying art is not first on most folks minds but we'll take a wait and see attitude.

Good health news: Mr. Roger's sons lymph nodes are all cancer free. I hadn't mentioned before about Lisa's husband having prostate cancer but now you know. He had the surgery yesterday and incredibly he's already gone home to get some sleep. If you've ever been a patient you know that sleep is not an option unless heavily drugged. His doctor seems to think he got it all. We'll know more in the coming days.

Speaking of Lisa she helped me at the show on Sunday arriving early with the van. Judy helped on Saturday, returning to help us load it all up on Sunday afternoon. The saying "no man is an island"is so totally true in my life. Without all my wonderful families support, muscle, and encouragement this little venture called "Out & About Photography" would be just a dream. Thank you my dears.

The furniture arrives tomorrow at noon; good thing as there is china and glasses strewn about the living room at present. Furthermore I'm using one of my work tables to hold stuff which we'll definitely need for the weekend. The folks we gave our old stuff to lost everything when they overextended for farm equipment; the crops failed leaving them with no income. I'm pleased as punch that another family will be able to eat at our table.

My test is scheduled for Tuesday morning--let's think positive shall we?



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Listening to: New Radicals - You Get What You Give
via FoxyTunes

Tire Falls From Helicopter Into Ga. Home - New York Times

Tire Falls From Helicopter Into Ga. Home - New York Times
Amazing!

Spamtastic!

So much has happened in the last few days, here's a recap:
*Spamalot exceeded my expectations by a mile. I laughed so hard, and left feeling great. Always look on the bright side of life!

*Yesterday Amy and Jonathan came to get the hutch to complete the dining room set. Forgive me if I already mentioned they are a young couple down on their luck with six children. Needless to say they were thrilled. This is the last picture I'll be taking of the set. What a nostalgia trip cleaning out the hutch; the drawers held many of the "boys" childhood cards, awards, and letters from Matt when he went away to college at age 17. In a word, I have the sweetest sons one could ever hope for. The promised delivery tomorrow is rescheduled for Friday.

*We managed all the activity just fine. You already know how time consuming the set up is, we did what we could on Friday afternoon before hightailing it back to Orlando for Spamalot. Aside from Bruce calling at 11:30pm on Sunday seeking a ride for the clan, Wrestlemania went off beautifully. Taking cabs had been the plan all along, apparently the cab never arrived to deliver them home. As you can imagine, I'd been was fast asleep since 8:45pm when the call came through. Bill and Dave are nearly 6' tall, five adults in a MINI is really something--good thing we only live about 2 miles from downtown! They had a blast.

*Sales were good for the size of the crowd. One thing for sure, people are thinking twice before spending money which is a good thing. The picture from yesterday shows the honorable mention I received which carried a $200 prize--my first award!

*Bruce's Vero job naturally came in on time, but you expected that didn't you?

*Today Bill and Dave turn 29--Happy Birthday sons. Did I tell you Bill was #1 in the state for his position with Wachovia last month?

*Speaking of sons, Matt just received a nice promotion as well as large raise! He's on his way to Madrid as I type.

*Spring cleaning continues around here with the carpet cleaner returning to clean the kitchen tile and grout. My word, it looks like new!

*Lastly, Bruce witnessed a shooting on his way to Midway Airport in Chicago last week. He'd stopped to get gas, saw some graffiti he thought I'd like, and pulled out his camera. Next thing you know he sees a young man running across the field with the sound of SIX gunshots in the air following him! How fast do you think it took him to get back to his car? He managed to get the shot however (anything for his sweetie).

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Listening to: Feist - Past In Present
via FoxyTunes