Today I found out what freedom from work can be like. I miss teaching a lot, but days like this one could make me forget that. First I went on a long walk in San Clemente, by the beach. Liz told me about this walk before, but it was more beautiful than I imagined, if a tad hot. A friendly person pulling out of the lot gave us her spot, and told us it only costs $1.00 to park all day if you get there before 9 AM! I'll remember that.
Then we went to see a movie, Mozart's Sister, a French production. It was lovely, and made me want to learn much more about the period in general and French royalty in particular.
Then $1.00 Taco Tuesday! What fun!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
More Excitement
I am beginning to enjoy my leisure time, going to the library, having lunch with friends, taking walks, adventuring. Soon I will be able to write some more poems and other things, I am sure. Priming the pump! I will also investigate volunteer opportunities so I can spread myself around to those who might be able to make use of me.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Dinner at Dat Thanh
Back in October, I had a birthday dinner at a tiny restaurant in Little Saigon. There are only about 6 tables in this tiny family restaurant, but they are usually full because of the growing reputation of this little place, specializing in rice roll spring rolls filled with home made shrimp sausage or pork sausage and salad greens. Everything in the place is meticulously made, with a masterful touch, each taste and texture carefully balanced to produce the greatest effect, and for a tiny price.
I also ordered bbq chicken and shrimp on broken rice, which was wonderful.
As if this weren't enough, the owner remembered us from the last time we were there, remembered everything we ate and who was there and where we sat, where we came from. We were thoroughly impressed by the food and all of it.
I also ordered bbq chicken and shrimp on broken rice, which was wonderful.
As if this weren't enough, the owner remembered us from the last time we were there, remembered everything we ate and who was there and where we sat, where we came from. We were thoroughly impressed by the food and all of it.
News of the World
I went to Facebook, where I viewed the destruction wrought by this storm on the site of a friend who lives in Western Mass, near where I used to live years ago. The place is terribly flooded, and in the hills, things are devastated. Those places are already poor. This won't help, especially now, when people are doubtless out of work at a high rate. They were out of work when I lived there too; in fact, I was as well for some time.
This storm may not be the huge one that was predicted, but it's bad enough, apparently. Hope things get back in shape for you Marly! I'm going to call R's parents. I'm worried.
This storm may not be the huge one that was predicted, but it's bad enough, apparently. Hope things get back in shape for you Marly! I'm going to call R's parents. I'm worried.
Summer Evening Concert
Two days in a row I have had quintessential summer experiences, at the tail end of summer. Last night R and I took in a concert. It was the Pacific Symphony playing Gershwin, Bernstein, and, in collaboration with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Duke.
I seldom go to concerts because I never had time before, but now I don't have the money, now that I have the time, R decided to go to this one, and it was wonderful.
Before we could enjoy the music though, we had to make it to our seats, and I was shocked at the mile long trek through the parking lot and up the hill with the picnic basketed hordes. Even elderly people with double canes and walkers shlepped up steep stairs that I, an able bodied person who exercises daily, found daunting, and they did it with a smile. There were few opportunities to buy refreshments, since those in the know brought their own. We didn't, since we don't as a rule like to carry more than we have to and had already had supper.
It was my first time driving into a situation like this parking lot. R seldom drives anymore because his car is close to finished, and he wants me to drive everywhere. I found it daunting negotiating this lawless parking lot, particularly on the way out, where cars zoomed, heedless, across the lot, squeezing into a single lane as we entered the road. Not at my best in night driving anyhow, I found myself having to turn left rather than right and missed two streets that might have allowed me to get home easily. We had to go way out of the way, but finally reached home.
The concert itself was a nice experience though. The well-tuned crickets accompanied soloists as they played the mostly very familiar music. The Ellington orchestra was happy to be here, escaping the brunt of the storm back in New York, and they played their hearts out for us. Families all around us raised flutes of wine and juice and consumed snacks as we sat in the blessedly cool evening air after a hot day, another hot one to come. I am glad we did this.
I seldom go to concerts because I never had time before, but now I don't have the money, now that I have the time, R decided to go to this one, and it was wonderful.
Before we could enjoy the music though, we had to make it to our seats, and I was shocked at the mile long trek through the parking lot and up the hill with the picnic basketed hordes. Even elderly people with double canes and walkers shlepped up steep stairs that I, an able bodied person who exercises daily, found daunting, and they did it with a smile. There were few opportunities to buy refreshments, since those in the know brought their own. We didn't, since we don't as a rule like to carry more than we have to and had already had supper.
It was my first time driving into a situation like this parking lot. R seldom drives anymore because his car is close to finished, and he wants me to drive everywhere. I found it daunting negotiating this lawless parking lot, particularly on the way out, where cars zoomed, heedless, across the lot, squeezing into a single lane as we entered the road. Not at my best in night driving anyhow, I found myself having to turn left rather than right and missed two streets that might have allowed me to get home easily. We had to go way out of the way, but finally reached home.
The concert itself was a nice experience though. The well-tuned crickets accompanied soloists as they played the mostly very familiar music. The Ellington orchestra was happy to be here, escaping the brunt of the storm back in New York, and they played their hearts out for us. Families all around us raised flutes of wine and juice and consumed snacks as we sat in the blessedly cool evening air after a hot day, another hot one to come. I am glad we did this.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
By the Sea
Last night was the annual Shabbat service at the beach, when the assembled multitudes, or at least a portion of the congregation, troop down to North Laguna at a small seaside park, consuming a picnic supper and enjoying a short service in sight of the ocean. Pelicans flew over as we ate and chatted, and the thundering surf boomed in the background, providing a fit accompaniment for our otherwise a capello prayers and songs.
The Rabbi and cantor brought their now full grown sheepdog to the service, tying her up on a short leash that was not, as you may imagine, at all popular with the large dog, anxious to race around and roll on the grass. Some handy children were appointed to take the dog for a long walk, and indeed disappeared so thoroughly that when the service ended, it was hard to find them so the dog and her owners could go home. As for me, I took my flashlight and found my way back to the car, parked on Robin's street. I stopped in for a short visit, then drove the long way home, marveling at the large amount of traffic still on the road.
The Rabbi and cantor brought their now full grown sheepdog to the service, tying her up on a short leash that was not, as you may imagine, at all popular with the large dog, anxious to race around and roll on the grass. Some handy children were appointed to take the dog for a long walk, and indeed disappeared so thoroughly that when the service ended, it was hard to find them so the dog and her owners could go home. As for me, I took my flashlight and found my way back to the car, parked on Robin's street. I stopped in for a short visit, then drove the long way home, marveling at the large amount of traffic still on the road.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Writing Workshop For November
I am starting to put together my 8 week creative writing workshop for the synagogue. I don't know whether anyone will sign up. It is not free, so that will probably limit the people who will sign up. Also, it's yet another evening responsibility for busy people. I may get some retired folks though.
I feel a bit odd teaching fiction when I do not write the stuff myself, but I know that in a general workshop, I must spend at least half the class doing that. I wouldn't start with poetry; I will make that the second half. I could do a little fiction, then non-fiction, then poetry.
I feel a bit odd teaching fiction when I do not write the stuff myself, but I know that in a general workshop, I must spend at least half the class doing that. I wouldn't start with poetry; I will make that the second half. I could do a little fiction, then non-fiction, then poetry.
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