Showing posts with label 40 hrs/week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 40 hrs/week. Show all posts

Friday, September 17, 2021

Let It Be Everly

The Everly Set

Saturday, August 21, 2021
Scherr Forum Theatre
Thousand Oaks, CA


Bro, V, and I decided to have dinner somewhere near the venue, and we were disappointed that Umami Burger is no longer at that location.  So Bro found a Brazilian place that was not churrascaria, and we agreed to try that out.  They had a table available outside, and we were happy that we could sit there and observe other tables of patrons with their dogs.  One of them was a silver labrador retriever, which I had never seen one of before.  He and another dog, a husky mix, played a little bit with each other.  They were both adorable, and somehow Bro refrained from stealing one of them.  I wasn't able to get a good angle to take a surreptitious picture, so that y'all could see the adorableness.

Oh, and the food!  The food was quite yummy.  Moqueca is named for their specialty dish, which is a type of stew.  Due to food restrictions, I refrained from ordering that dish, but Bro and V really enjoyed theirs.  I had the Pastelzinhos (beef empanadas) and a side of Banana Frita.  We also ordered special cocktails.  I had a caipirinha, which was kind of like a mix between a margarita and a mojito, and I was happy.  We were all happy!  We would like to go back there again to try more stuff, like dessert!

A Toast to A Great Find!

Complementary toast with fixings. 
One of the fixings was spicy.  
I ate the eggplant one, which was not.

Moquecas with Shrimp

Moquecas with Seabass

Pastelzinhos 

Banana Frita


We then went to the Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center, and after we parked, I had to get a look at the poster for the current season,  because look!

Looking forward to February!

The Scherr Forum Theatre is the smaller theatre located downstairs from the larger one where we saw "The Book of Mormon".  KP and Wanda were at their seats, and KP said that she had already seen Sean three times when she was in the lobby.  Their seats were front row house right, and our seats were front row house left.  Bro's seat was on the farthest left, and I'm glad he sat there because I wouldn't have liked to sit next to the wall. I guess they can't have an aisle there if the performers use that space as a walkway from the stage.  




I learned a lot about the Everlys during this show, but I didn't take any notes, so I won't be listing each song.  
  • We probably wouldn't have The Beatles or Simon and Garfunkel as we know them without the Everly Bros, because both groups wanted to replicate the Everlys' tight harmonies.
  • Jack does all of the rock 'n' roll moves because he is young and energetic, while Sean mostly stays stationary with his new hip.
  • The guy in tonight's band playing the bass guitar, Jon Spurney, won three nights on Jeopardy!  I knew I had seen him somewhere before. 
  • We do not know why one of the drums was just laying down on its side.
  •  Drummer Nick Potters played the melodica.  APPARENTLY, V also has one that I don't think she's ever shown me.
  • The Everlys had to sing right next to each other because of the microphone for so long that a lot of tension built between them and they didn't speak to each other for about 30 years.
  • Sean and Jack changed costumes just for the last song.
  • They performed their last song without mics, like Rockapella!  So nice to hear "Let It Be Me" that way.
  • We asked why there was a guitar on stage that was never played.  Jack told us that it is there in case Sean breaks one of his strings, which happens often.
We talked to them at intermission when we bought our Everly Set CDs.  Sean seemed to remember me once I told him my name.  He said that when I had requested "Fliptop Twister" for a personal YouTube video during the height of the pandemic, he had to go over the song because it had been so long since he last performed it.  I had requested "Home", "Fliptop Twister", and "What A Wonderful World (That Would Be)", as a dedication to Bro, since SEan is his favorite Pella member.  We had tried to get him to do a house concert at Bro's house, but that didn't work out.  Maybe when things are less crazy and he has some time to stay around, we can do it.  

Afterward, they had a bit of a meet and greet, and JT's bro, Andy, was there, so KP asked  Andy to take our pictures.  Thank you, Andy!

TA-DA!

As per usual, we were among the last ones to leave.  It was great to see Sean again, and also great to be at a concert!  

The next morning, we learned that Don Everly had passed during the night.  I think that the Everly Set unknowingly played him a great send-off.  May you rest in peace, Mr. Everly.  Thank you for your music and for influencing so many people.  I also hope that your family, especially son Edan, stays strong.  He was very nice to us when we met him at the Frankie Avalon show.

Next show for me to see at this venue: ROCKAPELLA!!!!!

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

PusherPix 12/13/16

PusherPix
December 13, 2016

A couple of folks treated me to lunch today at Morton's for Christmas.  My entree: a delicious Crab Cake BLT.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

PusherPix 11/30/16

Pusherpix
Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Salad bar potluck at work today for a going-away party.

I made a pretty plate of food!

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

PusherPix 11/29/16

PusherPix
Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Made a Welcome Basket/Survival Kit for the new Assistant Manager

Monday, November 28, 2016

PusherPix 11/28/16

PusherPix
Monday, November 28, 2016

Is this why so many people came in my office today and I got so little else done today?

Saturday, September 3, 2016

PusherPix 09/03/16

PusherPix
Saturday, September 3, 2016

Spent a good chunk of the day at the work place to finally move my stuff into my new office.  I finally have my own door!!!!!

Monday, August 22, 2016

PusherPix 08/22/16

PusherPix
Monday, August 22, 2016

Cleaning out the former boss' desk so I can move in.  Found these.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

PusherPix 08/03/16

PusherPix 
Wednesday, August 3, 2016

My fellow promotional candidate said that she was going home and having a drink after work today.  So I had one, too.  BTW, there is now a new bottle of Fireball in the freezer, thanks to Linda.


Tuesday, August 2, 2016

PusherPix 08/02/16

PusherPix
Tuesday, August 2, 2016

I didn't know that today was Ice Cream Sandwich day until I got home.  But I was happy to accept this Häagen-Dazs bar from a co-worker today.

Friday, June 24, 2016

PusherPix 06/23/16

PusherPix
Thursday, June 23, 2016

Graduation gift from my boss

Friday, May 27, 2016

PusherPix 05/27/16

PusherPix
Friday, May 27, 2016

Free cupcake from the management of my office building. My lips were stained blue, but I felt patriotic as I ate the star-shaped sprinkles.

Friday, May 13, 2016

PusherPix 05/13/16

PusherPix
Friday, May 13, 2016

Our management team showed appreciation for our staff today by treating them to make-your-own sundaes.  Of course, we treated ourselves, too!

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

"Mamba. Out"

Well, today was the day.  After 20 years on the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe "Bean" "Black Mamba" Bryant retired today.  

I almost bit everyone's head off at work when my lunch time was being squeezed shorter and shorter by meetings.  I had already planned to take my time at lunch to walk to Staples Center, take pictures, buy stuff, and soak up all of the #ThankYouKobe atmosphere.  I finally got out of my meeting and high-tailed it on down to Staples.  A LOT of people were there, and they seemed to have posters in their hands, and someone was raffling off something, maybe tickets to the game, I don't know.  I didn't have time to find out.  I was on a mission, and I only had 25 minutes to do it.  Oh, let's be cute and say it was 24.  :)  I took a couple of pictures and quickly walked through the store to check out the merchandise.  Wow.  The entire store had been transformed to the "24 Collection".  Everything was KOBE and the Lakers.  Maybe they had some Clippers and Kings stuff in the closet, I don't know.  There was some of that in the art gallery portion of the store, but not much, and we weren't allowed to take pictures of anything in there anyway.  Had I gone with someone to the store, I would have asked them to take a picture of me at the photo op, but that's OK.  I kept liking stuff that was way too expensive, but found cheaper stuff that wasn't really cheap, but whatever.  I'm wearing my brand new Kobe tank top as I write this.   I wanted to go to the Metro station because they had renamed it "Kobe Station" for the day, but I needed to go back to work for yet another conference call.  Why must work interfere with the enjoyment of life?

Then I tried to leave work on time but people kept making me work.  I mean, what?  But at least I left relatively early for me.  I saw a lot of people walking toward Staples as I walked in the opposite direction, jealous as all heck.  Then the Gold Line was delayed, and I tried not to lose my mind.  People!  I need to get home to watch the game!!!  But I made it, and I got to watch the video tributes and cry.  Of course, I cried. My favorite written tributes by former Lakers were those written by Derek Fisher and Magic Johnson.  I liked the videos showing him at such a young age, the Nike commercial of those who hate him as he conducts them like a maestro, and the pre-game video.  Probably my favorite part of watching that video, though, was seeing his smile on the split screen.  I was a mess and the game hadn't even started.

Then the game.  The Lakers had a difficult time just getting the first basket.  But they finally got one in, and trailed for most of the game.  But Kobe was Kobe.  He finally started getting the ball into the basket, and he was off and running.  I was incredulous at how tough he was.  He was still carrying the team on his shoulders.  He got to 40 and I was amazed.  Then 50 and I was screaming.  Then 60 and I had lost my mind, along with everyone else in the arena.  SIXTY.  His last game.  And he ends it with an assist.  He, the selfish one. And they won after being behind for almost of the game.  What a storybook ending.

I remember when Kobe joined the Lakers.   I was, like, "He never even went to college.  Does he even have the team fundamentals that you need to learn there?"  He was a punk to me.  Then he met Vanessa and I thought that he'd lost his mind because he was so young, but it was love at first sight for him.  Then the allegations in Denver, and I was disappointed, but he eventually rose above it, and I forgave him eventually.  Besides, he was put on this earth to play basketball.   And play he did.  

My favorite player of all time is Michael Jordan, because of his work ethic and his competitiveness.  It is for those same reasons that I have admired Kobe and his determination, his will to get his team to win those games.  He ain't bad to look at, either.  Kobe is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and I was lucky to witness him in person and on TV.  

One of my favorite moments was actually off the court.  During a press conference after the Lakers won the championship over the Celtics, he was asked how much he wanted to win.  Prior to that press conference, Kobe had played it cool, acting like it was no big deal, like they just needed to take one game at a time, no matter the opponent.  Not on this day.  Kobe admitted that he lied to the media.  That this is what he wanted the most.  As a diehard Lakers fan himself, Kobe NEEDED to beat the Celtics and get the championship. I loved his honesty at that moment.  It's what a diehard fan like me thought he should approach that series.

Hearing Kobe in the post-game press conference, I got tears in my eyes as he talked about how much he loved Magic, and how much his statement of Kobe being "the best to wear the purple and gold" meant to him.  We forget sometimes that our favorite players had their own favorites.  Also, I love hearing him speak Spanish and Italian.

Thank you, Kobe.  Thank you for staying in LA for all of these 20 years.  Thank you for the drama.  Thank you for your determination, your competitive spirit, your frankness, and your talent. Thank you for bringing LA the 5 championships.  Thank you for making me scream at my TV.  Thank you for everything you've brought to the game of basketball.  Thank you for making so many kids happy by granting so many wishes.   You deserve the accolades, and now, you deserve a wonderful retirement.  Turn the page.  I look forward to seeing your next fairy tale come true.

Congratulations and best wishes.  In your own words, "Mamba. Out."



Wednesday, March 16, 2016

PusherPix 03/16/16

PusherPix

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

View from my desk at twilight.  Pardon the reflection.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Pusher Pix 02/23/16

PusherPix

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Couldn't get my regular place to stay on business, so I'm in a place where you get your own cottage.  Not the best location, but it's gated, and look how quaint!

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Simple Gifts 12/30/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Last day of work for 2014

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Simple Gifts 10/15/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, October 15, 2014

A nice farewell lunch for our regional manager

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Simple Gifts 10/14/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Being treated to lunch by our regional manners, former and new

Friday, October 3, 2014

Simple Gifts 10/03/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, October 3, 2014

Treats of food from my co-workers

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Simple Gifts 09/30/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Office potlucks