26 September 2009

back to work

The past few weeks have been abuzz as I've been getting ready to head back to school. We had our welcome week this week. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were orientation days, and Thursday was the first day of classes. There has been a great deal of objection to and consternation about the recent budget cuts, fee increases, and furloughs, so on Thursday, much of the campus engaged in a walk-out/teach-in sequence of events. You can read about the protests here.

Alas, I was unable to take part in the protests because I was in tech for If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, a children's play based on the book of the same title. We started tech on Tuesday and opened yesterday. It's a lovely little play with some fun moments. I saw the opening performance yesterday, and the kids from all the school groups really loved it!

Also, since Sarah had a hiatus week this week and I was in tech (curse you again, universe!), her mom came out to spend some time. They did a lot of shopping, but they joined me for the opening of my play on Friday morning. Then, after the play, we headed into LA for an afternoon at LACMA. We saw a bunch of interesting pieces (my favorites were the room of Giacometti sculptures, the Klee painting, and the huge Benton painting), and then we headed to AOC for tapas. Our menu there included some incredible cheeses, salads, and seafood dishes. I think my favorite was the salad with arugula, fried prosciutto, figs, melon, and mint. Mmmmmm!

This morning, it's a bit back to normal with a run, some work, and some hanging with Sarah. It's Saturday, after all, and I jump back into long days at the U on Monday. Wheee!

11 September 2009

Getting back to business.

Even though I've spent most of the past few days at home, this has been a very busy week. On Tuesday, I went to the first rehearsal for the next play I'm designing. On Wednesday, I went to two capoeira classes AND did a lot of work on school and the play. Yesterday was a day full of working from home, though I did get out to do some shopping in the afternoon (new shampoo - fun times!). This morning, I got up for capoeira, and am working from home again.

In the next few hours, our new mattress will be delivered. When it comes, the delivery men will also haul off the old bed (box spring, mattress, frame). The bedroom is currently disassembled, so that I could run a vacuum over the floor before the new bed arrives.

For the past few days, I've also be severely limiting my caloric intake. I think I'm at somewhere around 1200/day, give or take. Tonight, I'm rewarding myself with some fish tacos!

08 September 2009

A(nother) lawyer in the family

Congratulations to my brother-in-law Ben, who just passed the Bar Exam. He's now officially a lawyer! Hooray Ben!




Last week, my folks flew out for a few days of a visit at the beginning of a monthlong vacation. On the evening of the day they landed, we walked down to the beach at sunset for a nice dinner on the shore:

From Mom & Dad's visit to CA, September 2009


From Mom & Dad's visit to CA, September 2009


The next day, we drove down to San Diego for a few days of sunshine and visiting with Vince and Sue:

From Mom & Dad's visit to CA, September 2009


On Friday, we drove back to LA, where they did some furniture browsing while I fought what I think was food poisoning. Sarah was able to join us on Saturday, and we had some nice meals and did some more furniture shopping.

On Sunday, I was finally feeling better, but alas, it was time to see them off. I wish I hadn't gotten ill right in the middle of their trip, but these things happen. From here, they're driving north along the coast, all the way to Seattle, where they will board an Alaskan sea cruise. They can see Russia from their cabin!

Bon voyage!