2007 Top Ten

A recap for y'all, of my favorite moments this hippo-filled year.

10. Mr. Bananaman starting a new tradition.

9. Catal Wine Dinners turning me into a wine snob and making me get rid of all of my Chardonnay to replace it with Sauvignon Blanc.

8. Elvis eating at Chili's during the blackout.

7. "Toss, Toss, No Hands!"

6. V's Bacon Lettuce and Tomato Tops Sandwich after seeing "Ratatouille" at the El Capitan.

5. The formation of Caught Knapping

4. Talking to Seth Green about MILK and the glory of their chocolate croissant bread pudding.

3. DCI Finals at the Rose Bowl

2. Rockapella liking my shoes

...and the number one reason that this year made me happy:

1. Bro, V, Brady and Auntie Milda moving back to California. I love my family.

Thanks, everyone, for good times, and may next year be filled with as many and more wonderful memories!

DLR LotD 12/28/07

Disneyland Resort Line of the Day
Friday, December 28, 2007

"We can sew your toes together while you watch the movie!" -- Cindy, to Ryan, at Catal, offering "Mamma Mia" viewing options

DLR LotD 12/23/07

Disneyland Resort Line of the Day
Sunday, December 23, 2007

"'Beowulf' -- now with 100% less Tom Hanks characters!" -- someone (Mox? Glenn? JeffG? I can't remember), at Whitewater

Choirs Clashing

OMG. I love this too much!

I didn't think that anyone would make me love Patti's choir as much as I do, but Nick's choir doing "Flight of the Bumblebee" a cappella totally made the competition a tough choice for me. Good luck to all of you tonight!

One At A Time

As of yesterday, the Walgreen's shopping trip total is now 3.

So who's going with me next?

;)

DLR LotD 12/14/07

Disneyland Resort Line of the Day
Friday, December 14, 2007

"Even the OTHER Ryan doesn't get my order right!" -- Sherry, to Ryan B, at Catal

DLR LotD 12/09/07

Disneyland Resort Lyric of the Day
Sunday, December 9, 2007

"I am stuck on bindi, 'cuz bindi's stuck on me!" -- Glenn, at Plaza Inn, to the tune of the Band-Aid jingle

Rockapella-Peace on Earth

The video's a little shaky, but Hello!!! J.T. is SINGING!!!

Reno, The Afterglow 12/03/07

1) We all now have our own little Gingerbread Men as a memento, because Pella's brown suits remind KP of the cookies.

2) Karla: "Does it have a cute butt?" Sherry: "I don't know! It's a cookie!"

3) Wendy and I have decided that we need to do the "Chocolate Mint" spa treatment when we inevitably return to the Siena...so that we can be relaxed and liquored up for the Pella concert.

4) I won tip money on a Mermaid slot machine at Harrah's.

5) Our Airport Husbands shared a seat on the plane for both flights.

6) My new theory is that after each Meet-n-Greet, Scott goes back to his hotel room and writes everything down, so that he can remember the facts for next time he's in town. Such as:
"Wendy's husband Jeff works at _____." or...
"Sherry loves drum corps." or Wendy's notion...
"Jeff kissed Karla on the cheek."

7) Gingerbread Men are allowed in the Women's restroom, Wendy. ;)

8) The Reno airport has a corner where you can sit in rocking chairs and pretend you're at a lodge.

9) What is up with the stray yellow M&M's???

10) Wendy was a NKOTB fan, too!!! AND she collects Hippos!!! OMG, that's why we're friends!

Rockapella in Reno 12/02/07 Highlights

Wow--too much to tell...but here are some of the tidbits.

1) Jeff Thacher kissed Karla on the cheek....and she proceeded to tell complete strangers, including waiter Blake, who played along with us.

2) Scott, to Sherry at ONT: "Thanks, Honey, for saving my place in line!"
Sherry: Speechless.
Wendy, upon hearing the story: "I want an Airport Husband!"

3) George was still holding my bag of cookies when I saw him at the airport, so that he could eat them when he's feeling better.

4) Scott telling me that his son is probably going to join a drum corps.

5) Realizing that the boys were staying in our beautiful hotel...and seeing Kevin in the lobby.

6) Scott not being able to find his pitch for the re-entrance into "WitWiCS?".

7) John likes my earrings.

8) Jeff being on FIRE for his solo...and Sherry can't stop staring at his pants.

9) Kevin asking Paulo if he wanted anything other than an iPod Touch, like something from a musical group, and Paulo responding. "NO." Twice.

10) Scott inviting me to his house.

Rrrrrrancho CU-camonga II 12/01/07 Highlights

Still in Rancho Cucamonga, what Scott deemed "the most festively-named land of California."

1) Rockapella likes my $10.00 Charles David shoes!

2) Kevin and John trying to do Scott's swivel hips/Elvis motions, and failing.

3) Kevin rambling on and on about eating too much on Thanksgiving.

4) The Hamburger Discussion

5) John calling my cookies "amazing."

6) Robbie rotating around on his stationary stool to watch the guys.

7) Jeff pimping me out as a photographer to other people.

8) Kevin shrugging to me when I laughed because the tenors made the wrong entrance on "Rock the Boat."

9) Taking pictures with Kenny Loggins.

10) George looking at me while singing Grinch's "Not nice." I'd melt if I wasn't so afraid that I had poisoned him.

Rrrrrrancho Cucamonga Highlights 11/30/07

Yay! Rockapella's back in town...and Scott gets to say his favorite city name several times during the show. "Two nights in a row. Who could ask for more?!"

1) Jeff, in the middle of his drum solo: "Hi, Karla. Karla, this is for you." (does his sleigh bell thing). Karla could not concentrate for the rest of the show.

2) Scott gave us a Kwanzaa lesson and then they sang a Kwanzaa song, as Scott promised last year. Very cool.

3) Scott not having his mic pack on, even though he was wearing his earpiece, due to still being shaky with the three landing attempts on their flight.

4) Four-year old Abby being pretty much bored with sitting up there on the stool.

5) Kevin's "You Ain't Gonna Get It" song that he sings to his girls.

6) Laughter in audience distracting the beginning of "Merry Christmas, Darling": Scott -- "What's so funny? Maybe they were thinking that a 'Carpenters' song would be like Bob Vila -- 'This Old A Cappella'."

7) John likes my new boots! He needs new tap shoes, though.

8) Scott likes the Rudolph charm bracelets that Linda and I showed him...which, of course, led to a whole Rudolph discussion.

9) Linda chiding George for starting "Silent Night" in such a high key. Yeah, LA, but you still got groupies out of it. ;)

10) Jeff sang an ENTIRE song as the lead!!! Awesome!

Caught Knapping

Post-Thanksgiving Thoughts:

I'm glad I'm not in any stores right now.

My nephew is a high-maintenance little guy when he's sick.

My brother's in-laws are entertaining, and dancing runs in their family...Brady's got some of those genes, too.

"Rock Band" is going to thrash my throat on a regular basis...because I aim to obtain better clothing for my avatar.

I haven't even made/bought my Christmas cards yet, which is sure to freak out all the people that are expecting my card in today's mail.

Giving Thanks

As I sit here, tending to my sweet potatoes baking in the oven and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, I have much for which to be thankful. Although I can't possibly list it all here, I'd like to at least give a mention, ya know?

I'm thankful to God for all that he has blessed me with, namely:

1) My wonderful family all being in California this year, even though we're not all going to be together. I miss you Mom, Auntie Milda, Allen, Mama and Marie, but Mom's Candied Sweet Potatoes will be here!

2) My friends. You've all been there for me through good and bad, fun and annoying, crazy and sane (though I'm not sure if there are that many sane moments from this year...or, really, ever).

3) Holy Angels Church for giving me the chance to sing my praises to God and letting me lift up the congregation in the process. At least I *hope* that's happening. :)

4) My employer for actually giving me the means for which to survive in this great, expensive-to-live-in state of CA. Yeah, there's drama there, but at least I get paid to get through it.

5) Rockapella, Disneyland and Drum Corps/Marching Bands for entertaining me outside of the house, or I'd just be a hermit watching DVDs and TiVo until I rot.

Happy Thanksgiving Day, everyone! To paraphrase something I wrote to some of my friends yesterday:
Sleep Lots, Eat Moderately, and Drink Well!

Prepping for Thanksgiving

This is a link to one of the blogs I read regularly. I'm posting it here not only to share with you some fancy gourmet preparations that I can't do myself (yet!), but also because of the hilarious comment from the blogger's father at the end. (His comment makes much more sense if you've at least read the part about the desserts).

Enjoy, and Happy Cooking, all! I need to get off my butt and start making dessert!

http://www.theamateurgourmet.com/2007/11/thanksgiving_st.html

Arcadia Day 11/18/2007

Yesterday was Brady's 1st Arcadia Festival of Bands.

Although this was only his second band review ever, he already knows how to point out flags, drums (of course!), and a drum major. He's also very good at keeping quiet when the bands pass by. We've got another fan on our hands. :)

Thanks for the great time, Santos Boys!

Why can't it just end right now?

You know when you're in a bad mood all day, then just when you think it's getting better, something comes along to f*** up the whole thing?

That's the kind of day I'm having.

I don't think I've ever wished for peace as much as I have before today and will be for at least the next year.

Ready or Not...

The PellaPosse membership is going to increase, sometime around the middle of 2008. YAY!!!!

DLR LotD 11/02/07

Disneyland Resort Line of the Day
November 2, 2007

"I'll have the pumpkin ravioli." -- Shannon, Sherry (sharing with Linda), and Dodie giving Ryan their orders at Catal

Thank you for the fun, the sharing of the awesome food, and the great company, everyone!

Tastes around BP

So I've wrapped up 5 weeks of training over the last 6 months in Buena Park, and someone has requested that I blog about my food experiences. Since that person is the only one to regularly comment on my blog, I shall reward her by indulging her request. :)

This will be in short form, since the essay form was just WAY too long.

Japanese: Sushi Ya on Orangethorpe in La Palma. Ate there 3 times, because my co-trainer wanted sushi most of the time. Tasty, but not the best ever.

Vietnamese: Went to a few places. The best one: Kim Loan on Orangethorpe in Fullerton. I've come to really enjoy Vietnamese Pho at any place, but Kim Loan has the best spring rolls and crispy noodle dishes as well. Highly recommended, and the prices are very reasonable.

Vietnamese Sandwiches: Lee's Sandwiches, which offers both Asian- and European-style sandwiches. See my blog below on the awesomeness of almonds with tuna. http://www.leesandwiches.com/index.php

Filipino:

• Pinoy Grill on La Mirada -- beef dish was salty, upo dish was bland, melon drink yummy
• Mami King on Knott & La Palma -- (chain restaurant) Very tasty pancit canton, and they specialize in noodle soups, with dumplings (shomai) and steamed buns (siopao). Went there twice, which provided a total of 4-5 meals, actually. Food cooked to order.
• Manila Grille on Knott Ave -- tasty. Both Beefsteak and upo/shrimp dishes had nice flavor. This is a fast food style place, and the parking lot is pretty much just gravel, but from the number of cars outside at lunch and dinner, I figured this would be a good bet, and I was right.

Southern: PoFolks -- SWEEEET TEA!!!!! Oh, and lots of fried food, with mac 'n' cheese noted as a vegetable.

Buffet: Asia Buffet -- located at the back of the Buena Park mall. Great variety, and plenty of seafood. My favorite dish was the fried bananas, because they were done just like my mom makes, Filipino-style. Yummmmmmm.....

OK, now I'm really hungry. Thanks a LOT, Cindy.

DLR LotD 10/26/07

Disneyland Resort Line of the Day
October 26, 2007

"Remember that geeky thing we talked about?" -- Bro, to V, at Taste Pilot's, after she tried to think of the material of Wolverine's claws.

Runner up, because I need to remember this moment:

Scarecrow at the entrance to Bug's Land: "Candy's the best. You can't wear milk or eggs..."
Kid: "You can't wear candy!"
Scarecrow: "Oh, yeah? What's your dress made out of? COTTON!!"

California Sad-Eyed Girl - Rockapella

Something to bring much-needed loveliness to the So Cal contingent of my Pella Posse: Da Boyz in Portsmouth, NH, singing our song. Enjoy.

I am Obi-Peace Walker...but my friends call me Sherry

Find out What's Your Jedi Name at LiquidGeneration.com

They Got The Beat In 'Dena!

Y'all know that I'm way behind in my trip reports, so I'll use this method to get the scoop to you until our site gets updated.

10/19/07 -- Rockapella in Pasadena, CA

1. Ashley the "Beg" girl giving a fabulous performance, causing John to laugh instead of sing, Joe B. to fall off his chair laughing, and a standing ovation from the audience.

2. Scott doing a double-take from the stage when he saw me.

3. George telling me his favorite song to sing is the wicked bassline in "Paper Doll," which he changes all the time.

4. Scott thinking aloud about rewriting a lyric in "California Sad-Eyed Girl", and taking suggestions ... during the show. (I like "ooh, Pasadena" myself).

5. Jeff wearing sneakers with his suit.

6. Six-year-old Daniella wearing a vintage Rockapella shirt.

7. Jeff calling me a "lovely girl" ... and then ignoring me.

8. Jeff's cricket noises prompting the house lights to go dark.

9. Kevin talking at length about the beef jerky/Sasquatch commercials at the meet-n-greet.

10. George calling me "Sweetness". (Melt-o-rama!!!)

Thank you to all of you for joining me...especially new push-ees Dodie & Mox. I hope you join us again! I'll see the rest of you in R.C.!

Thoughts from 10/18/07

All I know is that if I was a college student and John Williams was conducting me in my symphony orchestra, I'd at least look up at him every few bars while he's conducting us.

That's probably one of the few times that those Trojans will ever do what a Bruin tells them to do...and on Trojan grounds, no less. They should do it more often. ;)

I loved his comment that it was nice to conduct his film scores "without the distraction of spaceships and horse's hooves."

My favorite anecdote: After watching "Schindler's List" for the 1st time before writing the score, JW was so emotional that he had to take a walk around the property for a few minutes before continuing with the production meeting. When he returned, he said to Spielberg, "Steven, you need someone far better than me to compose this score. I'm just not good enough for it." SS replied, "Yeah, but they're all dead."

I don't know if I'll ever get to watch JW from just 15 feet away again, so I'll cherish this night always.

Thanks, V!

DLR LotD 10/14/07

Disneyland Resort Line of the Day
October 14, 2007

"Isn't there one with a LLLAbel?!" -- Sherry, to Glenn, at Department 56, trying to decipher some kind of candy corn

Is that LEGO?!

Do-It-Yourself Hallowe'en Edition:

http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/LEDMinifigs

I'd propose this for a certain party being planned, but sharp objects and alcohol should not be in the same room, if one wants to avoid a trip to the ER.

New Word 10/12/07

New Word added to Sherry's Dictionary:

"Yummiful": adj. Completely Delicious

Example: That pumpkin ravioli looks yummiful. Mmmmmm.....

Mariah or Leann? I'll take either one's voice instead.

If you'd like to see what celebrities I supposedly look like, take a look:

http://www.myheritage.com/FP/Company/face-recognition-results.php?temp=22bfe074ifoxiv90&server=Server6&database=2&startYear=1800&endYear=2005&loadMethod=myFiles

Which one (if any) do you agree with? Who are most of those people?!

Who do you supposedly resemble? Check it out for yourself and have fun!

DLR LotD 10/07/07

Disneyland Resort Line of the Day
October 7, 2007

"Are you theriouth?" -- Mr. Ranger Dude at Storyteller's

DLR LotD 10/05/07

Disneyland Resort Lines of the Day
In Shifts!

Shift 1: "You would need to take those nachos to opera afterward, and they'd all share it in order to finish off that thing." -- Sherry, to Linda, at Tortilla Jo's Cantina

Shift 2: "You should have called." -- Ryan, to Sherry, at Catal, before receiving a sound beating

Shift 3: "OOOOHHHHHHHH!!!!!" -- Brady, lots and lots of times, while pointing to each pumpkin he saw at Disneyland

DLR LotD 09/27/07

Disneyland Resort Line of the Day:

"I didn't think pomegranates were that small." -- Liz, to Sherry, at Catal

OR ??????

Thanks for a great time, LB! Even though you made me go into that frightening store....but the hippo made up for it later. :)

Tuna Rules!!!

What Ellen had for lunch today:

http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2007/09/what_did_ellen_have_for_lunch_2.php

My response:
Ohmigosh, I had tuna for lunch, too! It wasn't as healthy, because it was on a freshly-baked croissant, but it was extra yummy because there were almonds in the tuna. I've now decided that all of my tuna sandwiches will now have almonds.
Maybe that's my version of your rocks, E.
******************************************
I guess I just needed to tell you all about my awesome sandwich today. Geez, I must be bored, because I felt that Ellen and her fans needed to know, too. Somebody, help me!!!!

Memorable Moment 9/23/07

The dolphins made Brady cry, and my hippo got wet.

The Ultimate Answer

Forget 42. The meaning of life is "Hippopotamus."

Heroes are Short

I'm just sayin'....because so am I.

Crazy Idea that Could Happen if We Would Just Apply Ourselves

Clint Eastwood for Governor of CA.

Make our Day.

Blackout Lessons continued

I can't believe I forgot this one:

Elvis lives, eats at Chili's, and is now the spokesperson for Reese's Peanut Butter & Banana Candy.

What Kind of Jedi/Sith are you?

I'm Obi-Wan Kenobi!

http://www.youthink.com/quiz.asp?action=take&quiz_id=1013

Happiness of the Day 9/8/07

I told S. G. to get chocolate croissant bread pudding at MILK, and later he chewed my gum.

Blackout Lessons

After 53 hours of a blackout on my block, I've learned:

-- SCE needs to get with the times in this computer age. (Just because I can't use my own computer doesn't mean that I can't have other people look up information for me).

-- My gas oven still won't work without power, because there's an electric component to it.

-- Enough imagery of those less fortunate than I am can get me through quite a bit of torture. (How can I complain of 2 days of heat when there are people in the African heat who've never even heard the hum of an air conditioner?) OK, at least until my blood pressure starts elevating and I start to suffocate.

-- StickNClicks are a wonderful invention, and nobody should ever take ice for granted. No, not even penguins.

-- I love reading a good book, outside, with a nice breeze flowing in the warmth of summertime.

-- The etched design on my shower door makes a really pretty design in the shower with the right amount of lighting.

-- As always, in a time of crisis, my friends and family prove to me that I have surrounded myself with awesome people.

Thank you to all of you for getting me through the Blackout of 2007 (hopefully, today's additional few hours have been the last for at least this year).

DLR LotD 09/03/07

Disneyland Resort Line of the Day
Monday, September 3, 2007

"Banana?" -- various volunteers, to about 13,000 exhausted runners at the Finish Line Refreshment tent

DLR LotD 09/02/07

Disneyland Resort Line of the Day
Sunday, September 2, 2007

"I found Nemo." -- Sherry, in the Tiki Room

Monday Merriment

Dinner at Los Gueros, a quick shopping trip to H&M, and treats from Leonidas.

What more could a couple of gals ask for from such an impromptu evening?

Not much else, I tell ya.

Thanks, Jenn!

Springfield Sherry

courtesy of http://www.simpsonsmovie.com

South Park Sherry

Courtesy of http://www.sp-studio.de/

What I did on my summer vacation

Watched this live and in person!

http://www.myfoxla.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=4036799&version=1&locale=EN-US

Drum Corps on KCAL9

Thanks, KCAL, for bringing attention to the events this week!

http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=45418@kcbs.dayport.com

Jessica the Hippo

I'd like a massage at the end of every day, too!

Funny things to read while on the road...

Seen on the back of a motorcyclist's T-shirt today:

"If you can read this, the bitch fell off."

DLR LotD 07/17/07

Disneyland's 52nd Anniversary Celebration & Wine Dinner Edition

Pre-park:
"Do you think that says 'Rubella Baby', or 'Rebel Baby'?" -- Sherry, at the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure

In park:
"It's a Loser going on Screamin'." -- Cindy, learning ASL

CATAL WINE DINNER

Hors D'Oeuvres:
"He actually is 'Jim Spears', because we found out his real name is William Spear." -- Ryan, advising of another Catal proofreading tragedy

First Course:
"I had nothing funny from that verse." -- Sherry, trying to figure out a LotD

Second Course:
"He knocked over your cherry." -- Cindy, to Sherry

Third Course:
"They should make this Communion Cheese." -- Cindy, enjoying a parmesan crisp

Main Course:
"No, really, I don't want a new one." -- Sherry, to Ryan

Dessert:
"How about your nephews?" -- Glenn, to Ryan, regarding Sherry's intentions

...and the Lyric of the day:
"Spider-Pig, Spider-Pig. Does whatever a Spider-Pig does." -- courtesy of The Simpsons Movie and Sherry's repetitive mind

It's back! Yay!

http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/wsopc/series.jhtml

DLR LotD 07/13/07

"That's cool that it's the same chef from Patal that owns the restaurant..." -- V, talking about MILK, after quite a few sips of her "rum" drink at Storytellers

DLR LotD 7/4/07

Disneyland Resort Line of the Day
July 4, 2007

"Real flies. Not, like, Jeff Goldblum." -- Sherry, describing unwelcome guests at the party