My cup runneth over

I'm on Facebook now. Sorry, LJ--no hard feelings.

Check it out!  It's Penn of Penn & Teller!  (If I look goofy, it's because he reminds me of my high school boyfriend, Andrew). 

(The previous entry was done via my T-mobile Wing, which was fun but time-consuming. Now I'm back home at my computer.)

Random notes on my trip:

4/6: After I slept a few hours on Chrissy's floor, we got up at 2:30am and caught the 6am flight to Vegas; I swapped seats so a man could sit next to his fearful fiancée. Chris and I got our rental car and attended the 10am service at the UU Congregation of Las Vegas (one of Nevada's two UU churches), had tasty 2-for-1 brunch at Bighorn Casino ($5 total!), checked into the Monte Carlo, napped, and got 2-for-1 Haagen Dazs treats.

We drove to the Rio to see Penn & Teller, and they were awesome. Penn said he's an atheist; Chrissy said they're involved with the Brights, which I'd like to learn about. Penn did a good deed by telling the crowd that psychics are total B.S.! In the lobby Chris questioned Teller (yes, he does talk), and I got my goofy pic with Penn. Those guys have performed together over 30 years, and they've sure aged well!

Back at the MC Cafe we split a tropical chicken sandwich (grilled chicken & papaya salsa), played slots, and stayed up 'til 1am.

4/7: Swam in the MC pool (lazy river, wavepool, hottub), had my first Honey Frappecino (yum!), saw my beloved lions at the MGM Grand lion habitat (one of the trainers lay down and cuddled with a full-grown lioness!), enjoyed Hawaiian dancers at the Hawaiian Marketplace, got some souvenirs, and had a terrific sandwich at the New York New York deli. We had a "tall food" dinner at the critically acclaimed Hash House a Go Go, and it kinda sucked.

4/8: Chris developed a nasty cold, but before losing her sense of taste we ate at Rosemary's, a wonderful gourmet restaurant many miles from the Strip. I dropped Chris off at the hotel and drove to Circus Circus where I savored free circus acts and wandered the Adventuredome (the world's largest indoor amusement park). For $1 I rocked out on a drum simulator to Prodigy's "Firestarter". Checked out Slots of Fun and the Sahara, and took sundries to Chris. Spent lots of time debating over what souvenirs to get friends.

4/9: Chris could barely breathe, so I took her to a walk-in clinic where she got an inhaler and codeine cough syrup. We checked out of MC and went to Ellis Island Casino to use their generous coupons (2-for-1 menu item, and 4 free drinks in the bar). Drove downtown and checked into the Golden Nugget. Chris rested while I played in The Tank, the hotel's amazing new $30M pool and three-story waterslide that winds through a 200,000-gallon shark tank! I later enjoyed the Fremont Street Experience including $1 shrimp cocktail, $1 frozen chocolate banana, and trippy light shows on Viva Vision, the world's largest video screen that spans several blocks.

4/10: Chris chilled downtown, and I took the car back to the Strip to see Dirk Arthur's Xtreme Magic featuring big, breathtaking illusions and exotic cats. At Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mile shops I bought a 10-minute massage and a "moonshine" flavored daiquiri in a 44-oz tall souvenir flask (I figured I hadn't really experienced Vegas until I walked down the Strip nursing one of these babies. :-) Feeling a bit tipsy, I sat outside the Paris and chatted with a nice bartender. Checked out the Flamingo's lovely bird habitat and swimming pools, the Mirage's beautiful aquarium, Treasure Island's dramatic pirate ship battle, and the Bellagio's fountain show. Everything in Vegas is designed to make you go "WOW!" It's really more exciting than relaxing.

4/11: We checked out of GN. At the Winn I signed up for the player's club and gambled just enough to get us two complimentary buffets that were to die for. I went back to Planet Hollywood to see Gregory Popovich Comedy Pet Theater (more at www.comedypet.com) featuring cute performing cats and dogs rescued from animal shelters. Popovich reassured the audience that he only trains the animals to perform what they naturally enjoy doing, and Human Society endorsements were posted on the walls.

Here are some of the drinks I drank on this trip (note: most were small free drinks that casinos give gamblers): chocolate martini, malibu & coke, mai tai, B-52, grasshopper, margarita, mudslide. Yummy yum yum.

Aside from feeling sorry for my sick sister and lonely doing things on my own, it was a great trip.

Our third year in a row, my sister and I are spending the week in Vegas for fun. On Sunday night we saw Penn & Teller, and I got my picture taken with Penn! He looks just like a guy I dated in high school.

Right now I'm sitting in the Golden Nugget where my poor sis is trying to sleep. Yesterday she came down with a dreadful cold that has required two prescriptions and kept her hotel-bound. I feel sad that she's suffering so much (especially on her vacation) and lonely 'cuz I've had to venture out a lot on my own. And shopping for specific items (like inexpensive water and smoothies) has been a challenge. At least I've enjoyed what Vegas has to offer, including free drinks and $1 shrimp cocktails.

I hope Chrissy feels better in the morning so we can have fun as a team again.

"God bless America." Does that mean "God damn everyone else"?

"1 cross + 3 nails = 4givn." Salvation by torture & murder = 1 awfully gruesome theology!

"If you're living like there's no God, you'd better be right." Yeah, a threat really inspires me to love your punitive Daddy.

I love the radio version of Timbaland's The Way I Are, but the video has this adorable extra verse:

Your body ain't Pamela Anderson,
It's a struggle just to get you in the caravan,
But listen baby girl,
Before I let you lose a pound I'll buy a bigger car,
So listen baby girl,
I love you just the way you are, the way you are

I was happy to attend Cup Half (Full) Con this weekend as a sponsor for one of Shoreline's Coming of Age boys. The conference was run by SPAG (the Social and Political Action Group), a bunch of dedicated teens at University Unitarian Church. I was impressed by the well-planned activities and 65 spirited young people who came from as far away as Canada, Oregon, and Spokane. The theme --Cup Half Full-- was about spreading joy and love in the world, and we did that in many ways:

• Carrying IPODs with speakers, we split into groups and serenaded the neighborhood with such upbeat songs as Dancing Queen, I Believe in Miracles (You Sexy Thing), and Yellow Submarine.
• Some of us took outdated election signs, covered them with new positive messages, and put them back on the streets.
• In a nighttime outing called "Ninja SUV Ticketing," fake tickets with environmental messages were left on SUV windshields.
• One group set up an advice-giving booth at Green Lake.
• One group--the Compliment Squad--went around Seattle giving compliments and hugs.
• In a morning workshop, many of us enjoyed Dances of Universal Peace, some watched and discussed The Secret, others discussed positive language, and still others learned about suicide prevention.

The list goes on and on!

In addition to all these activities, there were the traditional touch groups, dancing, games, cuddle puddles, an amusing coffeehouse (talent show), an angel wash, and yummy food. This con rivaled the young adult cons I've been to, and made me wish I had grown up UU!

On Sunday, I conquered a high ropes course with my church's Coming of Age youth group. I had done a couple ropes courses before but didn't think I had the guts to do it again. Well, I did! The experience gave me some bruises, a full-body ache, and an exhilarating sense of pride in myself and in my 13-year-old initiate, Evelyn, who felt the fear and did it anyway. Yea, Evvie! :)

If I hear the radio announcers say "cuddle up with that special someone" one more time... *ominously shakes fist*

At 5:30 am I was awakened by a friendly text message from one of my exes: "Happy Valentine's Day." I replied, "You, too. You actually woke me up from a sad dream about my most significant ex, so I thank you!" He wrote back, "So your least significant ex stopped you from dreaming of your most significant ex? How very ironic :-) "  I apologized for my unthinking remark and reassured him of his significance.

Also, today was my last day working for Northlake UU Church, a position I'm sad to give up.

Also, I had one less Valentine to purchase due to my grandaunt's passing. I've been feeling distressed that my family hasn't been more distressed about our loss. The night Annie Elva died, my mom cried for about 10 seconds then whipped out a pad and started writing a to-do list. I've only shed a few tears, myself. I'd actually feel more comfortable/ less guilty if I were bawling in bed.

In case you'd like to see the "tough old bird" who was my grandaunt, here's a TV clip on YouTube.  Happy Valentine's Day, Annie. Even if I can't cry yet, know that I love you. <3

Just two days ago I took my grandaunt, "Annie" Elva, to a routine doctor's appointment and to check out an assisted living facility. Today, out of the blue, Annie died.

My mom, sister, and I went down to her apartment to talk to the police & coroner. Annie was slumped over in a chair, apparently just-bathed and about to get dressed. I kissed the top of her head before they took her away. I'm still in shock.

*sigh* My first experience of a family member's death. Annie was a funny, cranky old spinster with a tender heart for cats, dogs, and other animals. Her body may have degenerated over the years, but her mind remained sharp.

Our family could use your good thoughts/prayers/hugs. I'll light a candle for Annie on Sunday.