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BizB
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Hot Date
2007-05-27 |
Last night, I had a hot date with BBCK.
Our date included dinner and a show.
For the dinner portion, we had originally discussed going to Smokey Bones. Unfortunately, it appears that the Smokey Bones in Maumee has closed for good. That was one of the two small disappointments that we experienced in an extraordinary evening. We decided to go to Cracker Barrel, instead. We turned heads as we walked to the entrance of the restaurant with me in my suit with the maroon pin-stripes and BBCK in her Easter dress.  (full size) The old people that Cracker Barrel pays to sit and talk in the rocking chairs were so stunned, they stopped gabbing to look up and admire us. I felt like a rock star. When we entered, I had to tell BBCK that when she's on a date, she needs to at least give the boy a chance to hold the door for her by not rushing to open it, herself - no matter how excited she is to be there. We were seated immediately and the waitress appeared almost instantly to take our drink orders. Nicki, our waitress, almost seemed pushy when it came to taking our order. I kind of liked that. She asked if we were ready to order our meals when she took our drink orders and again when she returned with our drinks. Both times, and another time after that, I informed her that we would need a few more minutes, not because I hadn't figured out what to order, but because we needed to take our time with dinner so we wouldn't arrive at the show too early. We played the triangular peg solitaire game  taking turns to see who could improve their score. In reality, we did more and more poorly with each attempt. Mensa candidates, we're not. BBCK took in some of the artwork on the walls near our table and asked "Is that Leonardo whatshisname?" She had seen an old advertisement for a Leonard brand refrigerator that said LEONARD along the bottom. I explained the picture and that it wasn't a Da Vinci. She asked who Leonardo Da Vinci was and I did my best to tell her. Next to the Leonard add, there was a picture that looked a bit like the famous American Gothic. BBCK pointed out the similarity between the two images and asked who painted the more famous of the two. I couldn't think of the artists name on that one but I wasn't disappointed because I did know the name of the next exhibit at the Toledo Museum of Art and I could play into that. The next exhibit, starting June 28th, will be Andy Warhol works. The styles of the 2 artists are similar in some ways. BBCK wants to go.
On Nicki's next return, we ordered our dinners. BBCK had battered shrimp with applesauce on the side. I had a chicken salad sandwich with slaw and fries. When BBCK's plate arrived, she provided some foreshadowing to the evenings events by uttering, "I don't know why I ordered this. It's not going to fill me up." When BBCK picked up her next-to-last piece of shrimp she almost dunked it into her applesauce by accident.
"I almost dunked my shrimp in my applesauce."
"That could be gross."
"I've tasted gross stuff before, at school."
"Like what?"
"Hot dogs in ranch dressing and other stuff."
"Gross. But who knows, you may dunk that shrimp in the applesauce and find that you've just discovered a great new combination that nobody has ever thought of."
"Hmmmmmm, maybe I'll try it." She said popping the next-to-last shrimp into her mouth.
That conversation ended there and something else caught my attention. A few minutes later, I noticed that she had spit something out onto her plate. It was, of course, a battered shrimp dipped in applesauce. I wanted to make sure she was full enough, so I offered her the last of my french fries and my pickles. She took the pickles and ate one of them. She passed on the fries.
When we finished, we went shopping in the Cracker Barrel store and we found some goodies to take to the show. BBCK got a label-maker that prints the letters on a roll of bubble gum. I got a pocket size Etch-a-Sketch. We mixed and matched flavors to come up with 10 of those sugar sticks that they always have at the Cracker Barrel.
The hallway from the Museum entrance to The Peristyle is lined with art from local artists. Some of it is quite good. Some of it, like the one called "Just a few lines" is something that a 3 year old could do. We took in quite a bit of that art as we made our way toward the stairway which would lead us to the Will Call window where we'd pick up our tickets. At the Will Call window, the lady asked my last name. As she dug through the box of envelopes which appeared to be in alphabetical order, I dug for my driver's license to show proof of identity as the sign to the right of the window indicated. The lady glanced up from her filing efforts and informed me that she didn't need to see it. I said, "Oh. Then, the last name is Jones." Without missing a beat, she said, "I'm sorry, I don't have any for that name." I love it when people play along with me.
Having secured our tickets  in my coat pocket, we went back into the lobby of The Peristyle and browsed the tables set up there-in. One table had Museum membership information; one had souvenir programs, CDs and tee-shirts; another had coffee, juice and cookies; and one other table which we didn't browse appeared to be sponsored by a local TV station. We made one purchase at the coffee table and walked away with a $2 bottle of apple juice and a $2 cup of coffee. Thanks to Starbucks, only the price of the apple juice seemed absurd. As we walked away from that table, BBCK asked if we could go back down to the hallway where the local art was displayed. We went. After taking in some more fantastic works, I checked my cell phone for the time. It was 7:30, so I told BBCK that we needed to go find our seats.
We climbed the stairs to the upper level and made use of the first entrance to the venue. The usher that took our tickets informed us that we weren't supposed to take drinks into the seating area, but since BBCK's juice had a lid on it, we'd be OK. He then glanced down at the tickets and directed us to seating section "B" which was our row, not our section. Realizing this, we circled back to get to the right section. It was at the point where we were passing the front entrance that another usher noticed that I had my coffee, and he stopped us. He informed me that we weren't supposed to have coffee in the seating area and that I'd have to take it back outside. He told BBCK to put the juice into my pocket for safe keeping and it would be OK. So, I dumped my 3/4 full coffee cup in the nearest trash can after taking two more swigs of the tasty contents much like the smoker that takes a couple more puffs from his cigarette before he snuffs it out when entering a no-smoking area. We returned to the interior of The Peristyle and found our seats quickly.  I don't think there's a bad seat in that place. I am glad, however, that we got seats in one of the side sections. The kids that were in the floor section had a great view of the screen where the cartoons were projected, but they probably had a hard time seeing the orchestra.
We had some time to kill while the musicians warmed up, so we played a challenge game with the Etch-a-sketch. I challenged BBCK to draw a witch's hat. She said that was too hard and after I failed miserably to show her that it was possible, I challenged her to draw a coffee cup. She was up to the challenge!  She challenged me to draw some stairs. I tried to make them 3D and messed up the diagonal lines. I should have stopped at simple. There were other challenges including a toy-box and a house and a chair. I think the coffee mug was the best one.
 (full size)When the lights dimmed and the spot light followed the conductor from stage left to his rightful spot at center stage, the crowd fell silent. The first piece that they played was Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries from The Valkyries and they really set the mood for the rest of the night with that one song. That mood... awe. The conductor took a few minutes to talk about Warner Brothers and the rich history of music at that studio before they played the first cartoon. The orchestra was amazing and they made the cartoons really come to life. After about 20 minutes, or 3 cartoons, the conductor turned and gave us some more history of the show. He talked about the myriad places around the world that he has visited as he toured with the show and he gave props to the Toledo Symphony Orchestra as one of the finest he has had the pleasure to work with. He used the word "extraordinary" so many times that it became a running joke through the monologue.
When the lights came up after an hour, I informed BBCK that this was the intermission, not the end. Then, I had to explain what an intermission was. We went out to the lobby because BBCK said she was hungry. She remembered that they had cookies at the coffee place earlier and we went to stand in that line. The people in front of us had just purchased their coffee and we were next. I spied, over their shoulders, the last 2 cookies in the basket and I was relieved that there were still some available. Just before I could step up to the counter, some bitch stepped to the side of the folding table, grabbed the last two cookies and handed the guy $4, saying, "Just the cookies." I glared at her and said, "Hey! We're standing in line here for those cookies." She just looked at me like I was silly for standing in line. Dejected, we walked away and stood off to the side where I had the chance to glare at that bitch one more time as she walked past me.
Part II
The second half of the show was as extraordinary as the first. The highlight of the second half was when Ride of the Valkyries was played as part of What's Opera Doc? and Elmer Fudd stabbed into the rabbit hole singing, "Kill the wabbit! Kill the wabbit" (at 1:34 into the cartoon) to the tune, the audience broke into spontaneous applause. This time, between cartoons, instead of talking about the music and the artists, the conductor talked about the musicians and honored a percussionist who, last night, was banging his last drum for the Toledo Symphony Orchestra after 26 years. He also explained that the orchestra was wearing headphones because they were listening to a "click track" which was invented just for Warner Brothers as a way to synchronize the music with the action. Click tracks are still used, today when they record the musical score for just about anything. At the very end of the show, we gave the TSO a standing-O and the conductor returned to the stage to say a few more words. He said that in the 18 years that he had been touring with Bugs Bunny on Broadway, this audience was the first to launch into applause when Elmer sang, "kill the rabbit."
Among the cartoons that they played during the show, there was:
A Corny Concerto featuring Blue Danube, The Rabbit of Seville, This Is A Life, Long-Haired hare, Jumpin' Jupiter and several others.
The orchestra didn't play live for each of the cartoons, but they certainly covered most of them.
After the show, we stopped at Taco Bell and got a couple of soft tacos and cinnamon twists. It was 11:00 by the time I got BBCK to bed. |
 BigBro Fri Jun 08 03:11:28 PM
Sopos
You go ahead and get scheduled for a replacement to your sense of rythum and singing skill for your birhtday to POPS.
this one is on me...
Hope everything goes super well for you with both surgeries.
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 sopops Fri Jun 08 01:04:10 PM
I am told that it is ashorter time than the knees were which was only six weeks.
The Major
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 BizB Fri Jun 08 11:19:14 AM
We have "The Colonel" in BigBro because he was actually an officer in the US ARMY.
Now, we're going to have "The Major" because sopops will be like Major Steve Austin... the Six Million Dollar Man.
Good luck to you, pops. That's quite a birthday present.
How long is the recovery time for this surgery?
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 Betty Boop Fri Jun 08 07:55:38 AM
We got home safe and sound but were tired. I had an eye check-up and all is fine there. Fron there I saw the doc about my sore throat and am on antibiotics for that now. POPS had an appt. with the bone man yesterday and will have his hip replaced on 6/13. He could have tried another shot but his pain has been too consistent and the shot would only last up to 6 months anyhow so we opted for the surgery and get it over with. Now is a round of pre-op appts etc.
We want to say a big thanks to the whole family for making our trip so much fun. Seeing all of you again was the perfect medicine for me especially. Luv y'll. 
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 coach td Sat Jun 02 06:53:35 AM
The only cookie issues around our house are with my wife and daughters. One thing you can count on here is cookies never go stale. They are either making, buying, or eating 'em.
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BizB Fri Jun 01 07:06:50 PM
Odd. Now Coach TD is experiencing the cookies issue.
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Fri Jun 01 07:02:42 PM
It shouldn't have been a suprise but it was a good one. Congrats to you BBCK. I hope your summer schedule is action packed. 
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BizB Fri Jun 01 08:24:14 AM
Not your failure on the preview link. I never moved that file when I changed hosts. I'll have to check to see if I still have it around in one of my back-ups.
BBCK is receiving that same citizenship award today! She doesn't know it, either.
I've got the basics set up for the summer fun runs site. I just need to clean it up a bit and add some content. I have the calendar function all ready to install. I'll just need to set the active/inactive dates once we figure out when we'll be running.
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coach td Fri Jun 01 07:35:04 AM
Thanks for all your help. I'll be at mass and kid pick up today. My oldest is receiving the citizenship award. It's a secret and a big deal. She's a challenge a inspiring at the same time. You'll find out soon because she says she's running this summer and cc in the fall. Tap, tap, tap, we'll see.
Btw I get a failure when I click preview. I assume I'm missing something. Hmmmm.......
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BizB Wed May 30 07:42:41 AM
I can make it on Sunday.
According to 'fer, we're all getting together tonight at my house for dinner. I didn't find out about this until yesterday around 8pm, so forgive the late notice.
You're all welcome to come. It'll be pizza or subway or something else that I don't have to cook. I'll make a fire in the fire pit and we can eat on the deck.
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 MRS FROGGIE Tue May 29 10:38:18 PM
Fer and family stopped over yesterday. Nice!! Young lady is really getting to be a big girl. It was very nice to have them over. We really need to have a get together. How about this Sunday? We will fire up the grill and make bergers and dogs with all the picknic trimmings. We don't care if it rains, cuz we can put the grill in the garage. Ok, so what do you all say? Let us know so we can get started on it. Fer said that they can on Sunday. They don't work that day. We are really looking forward to seeing Mom and Pops. Hope you can come everyone.
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Betty Boop Tue May 29 10:13:56 AM
All packed and ready - well, as ready as I am going to be. Will be off toward Orlando in a little pit. See you all tomorrow.
Call Big Bro and find out about dinner tomorrow evening for Alan's b'day. Either he or San mentioned it when we last spoke with them. Thanks.
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BigBro Tue May 29 10:11:43 AM
Why on earth are you planning to stay in a hotel? Please come and stay with us. We are just as close to everything and you would not be imposing on us at all. We have exta room now and it would give us a chance to see you even more...
Eureka road connects with 275 not 75.
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BizB Mon May 28 01:04:12 PM
Eureka road takes you from DTW to I75 and it's easy to find. Really easy and really well marked. There was no construction south of I275 that I can remember. When I last drove to/from DTW, I had no problems with construction at all.
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sopops Mon May 28 10:47:45 AM
Biz> You mentioned that there was construction on 75 on the way to DTW . What is the best way for us to get to Toledo? We have reservations at the Country Inn Suites on Dussel Drive so coming down 23 could be an option. What abt construction on 23? I remember there is now a connection between the airport and 275 is it hard to find?
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BizB Sun May 27 01:19:14 PM
I thought of our Liberace concert many times throughout the evening knowing that this was BBCK's Liberace. Every time she sees a Bugs Bunny cartoon or even the WB opening to a movie, she'll remember that concert.
Good times. Good times.
I hope it rains for you, though it doesn't look like it will.
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sopops Sun May 27 01:13:56 PM
BB asked me to tell you that it appears the fire is out, so we can relax. You are a lucky dude to have such a pretty date. I still remember going to concerts with my Mom.
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Betty Boop Sun May 27 12:56:27 PM
I have such pride in my son and his daughter! What a lovely memory for BBCK. Do you remember our trip to see Liberace?
We have a fire going on here on the east side3 of Rt. 19, behind the church somewhere. Lots of dense smoke. We are praying cause everything is a tinder box here in Citrus.  See you soon.
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