The Aht, XXXIX Style

This year's Hygienic -- Hygienic XXXIX -- thankyouverymuch -- was different for us. On Saturday night, we eschewed the usual. We did something completely different. We did not go to the art. We did not go to the music. We did not do the ush.

We stayed right in downtown New London; of course we did. But. We went to the Symphony.

My God was it good. Mistah and I still have violins and violas playing in our heads and in our hearts and on our stereo today. It's like magic, watching all those peeps make the music and make Mozart come alive, a quarter of a millennium later. Happy Birthday, Wolfie! We swoon.

But one tradition we did keep alive. We went to see the Aht on Sunday. And it was brilliant.

The Dorothy

The Vinny

The Kimmie. (Hi Preston!)

The Schleck

The Crash

The McNabny

The Eccleston

The Dumas

Venus on a Half Shell

Aht Lovah

The Scarlet

The Wesley-McLaughlin

And all the other pieces. All the artists we don't know? Man, they showed up, too:

What a weekend of art and music and Mozart and food and love and violins. And violas.

And Hygienic XXXIX Winter Arts Festival continues until February 10 . . .

What a town for Aht-Lovahs.

Hamilton Hangover

Recent days start here

I just can't even. I know you know this, everyone knows this. But really? It *is* all that. It was. My girl and I had been looking forward to this date for months, ever since the day the stars had aligned to provide an instant of great fortune for this a certain verified fan in the form of an opportunity to purchase very expensive tickets to Hamilton right here in San Diego. 

We got a little dressed up, cuz we fancy.

We grabbed a bite at our fave Indian spot across the street from the theater

And then? It was time. 

fangirl without shame

The bartender said, here's a HamilTEN 

obligatory

Our seats were great, front row of dress circle on the aisle = no obstructing heads

We laughed, we cried, we sang quietly under our breath. We (I) cried more. We (I) spilled a little and used up my tissues.

afterglow

We (I) sang very loudly in the uber ride home, permagrin firmly on face.

Bottom line, people? Go see Hamilton. It's worth it, I promise. If nothing else, you'll have an excuse to Rise Up!

and dress like a 12 year old boy for work the next day

All day yesterday Clara and I texted back and forth with screenshots of the songs we were crying to. She told me to stop crying at work, but I didn't listen.

Doors Open

Over the last few years, we seem to come across a day in January that is a gift from the gods.

Yesterday was that day.

We've had some numbingly cold days around these parts this winter. But yesterday? I was sweeping our godforsaken kitchen floor, opened the deck door to give myself room, had an epiphany, opened *both* doors, and mopped the gd thing.

I know, I know. Mopping is for boys. That's what my mom always taught us, at least.  And it is a lesson well-learned. But I was home, and in the moment, and I jumped on the opportunity, and I didit.

And then? The doors stayed open.

And also then? Bloodys were drunk.

And also then? We were out on the fool deck until the sun sank.

Photos? Not too many. But a moment in time during this long January stretch of winter?

 Brilliant.

I mean, this was last week . . .

 . . . last week!

 And I know yesterday isn't indicative of how it is going to be from now on . . .

. . . but we have hope. Hey, we have a new moon! And we have a purple sky.

And winter is practically half over.

napping with strangers

I’ve been on a movie viewing tear lately. I love everything about going to the movies. I don’t care who I go with. I almost prefer going by myself, a much loved practice that began back in the days of needy babies and toddlers whose dad tended, during football season, to park himself on a soft surface for timespans that boggled the mind. It was a wise move to remove myself from that scenario, and the kids were no worse for the wear after being abandoned intermittently for perfectly acceptable spans of time.

Movie going in this new and improved life of mine is hit or miss. I am lucky enough to be on the invite list for a local promo company and receive regular invitations to free screenings of pre-releases. I have a small crew of friends who like to join me for these, and they know that I am ruthless with the axe if they no-show on me. I would be pained to lose my place of prominence with the promo peeps! This past year I freebeed to:

Allied  (forgot I saw it and started it on demand just the other night. Watched Battle of the Sexes Instead, which was good but slow to the point of almost boring)

Before I Fall, (creepy unsettling lesson about how to not be a dick to your friends)

Everything Everything (meh, girl in the plastic bubble)

Home Again (liked!)

Wonder, (Julia Roberts, barf)

Bad Moms Christmas (the first one was funny/awful. this one was just awful)

I think that's it. No real stand outs, even though I have notoriously low standards for being entertained, but I liked Home Again.

The kids and I sometimes look for something that all 3 of us will enjoy, but that’s a rare and elusive outcome. We are considering Jumanji though, because the trailer cracks me right up. Oooh don't you love trailers? I'm going to link all of them.  My girl is always down for a movie, and gets mad when I go without her. So don’t tell her that I saw all of these, okay?

Call Me By Your Name

Gorgeous, beautiful, simple, complex, lovely, lovely, lovely.

Ladybird

Oh my God. You should see Clara making fun of the way I cried through this one. I was/am wrecked.

Molly’s Game

So good – fast and smart and interesting.

3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Holy shitballs, this movie. Just go see it.  Inspired a viewing of Fargo the following night. #TeamFrances 

The Post*

Last night the kids were with their dad. I met a friend for drinks after work then when I got home I decided to check the $10 offerings at the fancy theater right down the block. There was one seat left for the 7:30 showing of The Post, so I nabbed it and ran down there. I got nice and cozy in the leather recliner, sipped the beer I'd slipped into my purse, and promptly fell asleep. I'm pretty sure I snuggled up on the stranger next to me, and positive that I snored. Sigh. So that's still on my 'to see' list. 

I really need to see I, Tonya and The Greatest Showman. And every other movie in the world. Who's in?

Seriously Chilly Serious Scenes of Serious Winter

The snow has melted . . .

. . . but before it did?

Man, was it snowy around these parts . . .

. . . that's what happens when it snows.

It has since rained, and all the snow has melted . . .

. . . but now the Big Freeze has returned to us.

When the snow melted it seemed like Winter might be waning a bit . . .

. . . but I think Winter may have other ideas.