What a great New Year's Eve!
Will sent out an email yesterday inviting everyone over to his house for a casual party. So after my heating guy left I headed over there for games and champagne.
Larry and I beat everyone in Taboo. We were unstoppable; what can I say.
Ron left his party early to be with me at midnight (isn't he great), and after a wild ride through the streets of Orange County and Long Beach, made it to Will's house at 11:58. So it was perfect! I wish he hadn't driven so recklessly, but I am glad he was there. And I don't suppose there was anyone else out on the street at that time.
It really was a great way to see in the new year, and I was very happy at midnight. A nice feeling to start the year with.
I was going through my calendar and looking over all the events of last year, and I thought I'd give you the highlights. (Not every movie and every restaurant...just the highlights!)
So enjoying looking over my 2003. I'm off to dress for a New Year's Day Thanksgiving Dinner party!
January - Spent New Year's Day walking around Laguna; a gorgeous day
Started at my new position in my new department
Auditioned for the Pageant
Bought a new microwave
Had a birthday party for Ron
Spent two days at the Bellagio for Ron's birthday
Had an amazing dinner at Blackstone's
Had a romantic gondola ride in Venice (well, the Venetian, anyway)
Saw Fidelio in San Diego
Saw Abduction at Opera Pacific
Joined the choir at church
February - Spent the night in San Diego with Ron's friends
Bought a new garbage disposal
Spent President's Day eating lunch in Santa Barbara
Spent Dad's birthday at Oysters
Saw Salome at Opera Pacific
Saw Proof at SCR
Saw Kiss Me Kate at OCPAC
March - Went to a Fat Sunday party
Had all the plumbing in my house revamped
Put together an Ash Wednesday service
Spent a beautiful weekend in Santa Ynez
Went to the emergency room and was out of work for a few days
Bought eyeglasses for the first time in 17 years (I still prefer contacts)
Bought a new television
Started rehearsals for Trovatore
April - Performed in a Mozart and Vaughan Williams choir concert
Put together a Maundy Thursday service
Spent an exhausting weekend organizing Easter things at church
Flew to Catalina for lunch on Easter
Had our one-year anniversary
Tech week for Trovatore
May - Performed in Trovatore
Saw Jenny Chow at SCR
Saw Intimate Apparel at SCR (so to speak)
Took Mum shopping at the Orange Circle for her birthday
Spent a hot but relaxing weekend in Palm Springs
Spent a beautiful day walking around Santa Ynez
June - Saw 42nd Street at OCPAC
Took Dad to the pub for Father's Day
Saw a great Titanic exhibit at the CA Science Center
Saw David Spade at the Irvine Improv
Went to an Angels game
Went the Five Crowns for my birthday
Ron threw me a beach party for my birthday
Spent the weekend in Catalina for my birthday
July – Worked at the Pageant
Saw OP's Traviata at the Hollywood Bowl
Saw Aida at OCPAC
Spent two evenings in traffic school
Spent three days visiting a friend in San Francisco and Napa
Went to an Angels game
August – Worked at the Pageant
Spent a melting weekend with friends in Phoenix
Saw The Producers in L.A.
Went to a Sound of Music celebration and sing-along at OCPAC
Spent a great day wine tasting in Temecula
Started work on my kitchen
September – Finally closed on my refinance
Went to a wonderful Labor Day dinner party at David Kim’s
Rich and Heather's wedding
Went to an Angels game
Started teaching dance classes
Continued work in my kitchen
Car was broken into, vandalized and burgled
Got a new cell phone, “Flippy”
Ricardo became a citizen and threw a big party
Won front-row tickets for a Seinfeld show
Saw Nicholas and Alexandra at L.A. Opera
Attended the choir retreat
October – Got my web site up and running!
Auditioned and went through callback after callback for Twelfth Night
Spent three days at a church camping retreat
Continued work in my kitchen
Installed a new thermostat for my house
Bought a high-tech Hepa vacuum
Spent a beautiful Halloween night walking around Balboa
November - Went to Uncle Paul's 95th birthday party
Went to Michael's 50th birthday party
Finally bought my 50's diner stools
Had new tile installed in kitchen and bathroom
Put together a Thanksgiving service
Had a wonderfully relaxing Thanksgiving Day
December - Performed in a Winter Solstice concert
Bought my laptop
Spent a luxurious three days at the Bellagio
Had my first massage
Spent a day at Knott's Berry Farm
Saw Christmas Carol at SCR
Started rehearsals for Cosi fan Tutte
I didn't drive recklessly. I drove with great enthusiasm! :)
There weren't many cars out on the road at that hour. Just me and the cops. The way I see it, they can't give me a ticket unless they catch me first.
I love looking back over my calendar to see what I did during the year. It helps belay the fear that I've wasted twelve months of my life. And it feels good to realize I flew 20 Angel Flight missions, etc.
Posted by: Ron at January 3, 2004 01:15 AM