Vacation Day

 This was supposed to be published on Thursday. Sorry! 

Yesterday I decided to give back a vacation day I'd planned for today. Initially, I thought I'd be headed up early to Philadelphia, but, Doug decided to come with for some shenanigans, and had work to do today. I figured, meh. I'll just do my job too. Plus there was something that we didn't get to successfully do on Tuesday that got rescheduled for today, rather than wait until next Tuesday. 

Regretting my decision. 

First, Phineas got really weird last night. We went to bed, and he got out of bed at 10:30 and wanted to go out. He's been going out 2 or 3 times a night as of late, but usually makes it to 12:30 or 2am before needing to go. I got him back into bed, and he got up again at 11:45. I took him to the guest room, since I couldn't turn the light on to get him to jump up. I usually do that every night. 

He was panting, shaking, not sleeping, for hours. We went out again at 2:30, 4, and eventually he went to sleep. It was hot in the house, because when we went to bed there was a wonderful breeze going through the house, and that died to stillness at some point. I couldn't get comfortable, and I was worried about him, so much so I almost went and got Doug to say we should go to the emergency vet. 

My fitbit says I got 7 hours of sleep, which I doubt fully. I think I sat wide awake from 2-5 just watching him breathe. 

Today? It's like nothing happened with him. He slept a lot, I of course did not. 

Then, the thing we rescheduled to from Tuesday did not go well. It didn't quite burst into flames but it just wasn't awesome and didn't work out great. There is more work that needs to be done, and my colleague and I are both off tomorrow. We never should have scheduled this today. We should have put it to Tuesday. But I was completely excited to get it done. Meh. 

Luckily the client's website is up, works, and while there are some refinements needed, yeah. Additionally, they're wonderful to work with, and a blessing. I just wanted things to go right for them. Should have waited until Tuesday. But. At least things are out there and 80% perfect. 

We'll regroup Monday. And tomorrow I do not have to set an alarm. Doug turned on the air conditioner around 4pm and now it is cold out. Hopefully Phin will sleep comfortably, and I will too, and it will cool off enough here in the house to get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow is an adventure day!

No picture today, but more this weekend, I'm sure! 

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours of 250. Dedicated 10

blood glucose:
9am: 171
5pm: 153
10:30pm: 172

food: 
coffee, water
10am: 2 good yogurt (berry) 
12:15: metformin; tuna fish w/celery and mayo on a diced avocado
6:30pm: mexican chicken breast
7pm: metformin+jardiance
10:30: 3 crackers+hummus

Patio

Yesterday afternoon, I cleaned the patio table and arranged the chairs. 

I wanted to do a little work outside, brought my laptop out and it was kind of messy out there. I took two calls and resolved to grab a glass of wine, put on some music, and futz. 

When we brought the set home, we just kind of plopped it down, knowing we'll have to move it eventually to weed whack the spaces between the pavers and whatnot, move the fire pit. 

But it was so lovely out yesterday, I wanted to just sit out, so I spray cleaned the glass, put all the cushions on the chairs, spiffed things up a touch. Made it usable for a minute. 

Doug is pondering what he wants to see. My vision may not match his. Ya know?

He doesn't think we need an umbrella, I kind of do. But he said when the leaves are all out, it'll be super shady all day. Hmmm. 

He thinks we need to put the fire pit by the shed and only wheel it over when we have fires. I think I would like it on the grass at the edge of the patio. 

We also may need a storage solution for the cushions for when it rains. Things don't stay fully dry in the shed, so that's not the best option. Schlepping them up and down the stairs every time we need/want them isn't an option either. Doug suggested getting some sort of outdoor storage box from Rubbermaid. He's shopping around. It could turn into a whole big thing. 

We're going to turn into the whole big yard people, I just know it. And then it'll be too freaking hot to be out there until September. Just you watch.

I'm looking at the garden, and getting ready for the opportunities. It's raggedy ass out there, kids. I'm a big fan of not doing anything to the yard for a bit, so the pollinators can wake up, get fed, buzz about, so nothing is happening this weekend. 

We'll be in Philly, Doug's coming with me so while I'm at Guster he'll be at ... Doug things. Walking around, sight seeing, drinking beers. We have the whole day together on Saturday and will begin our trip home Sunday. A leisurely pace, as it were. 

Digits below.

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours of 250. Dedicated 10, and dedicated 10+2

blood glucose:
8:30am: 177
5pm: 166
9pm: 154

food:
coffee, water
10am: pbj sandwich on 647 bread (low sugar J)
12:30: turkey and cheddar w/mayo on 647 wheat bread; metformin
2pm: a lot of mixed nuts. and by a lot, i mean, a lot.
wine
6:30pm: 3 italian sausages, a little bit of cheese & sauce
9pm: hummus & crackers

Set Lists and Sunshine

I forgot to post a favorite picture from Huntington. After the Guster show, I got a copy of the set list, and we had a group picture taken. This is a prized possession amongst fans of just about every band. Sometimes you get a set list from the stage with notes on it from the band. Other times, you slide up to the sound board at the end of the show and say "hi, got any set lists?" A smart band prints out a few extras. Some bands print out one and the sound engineer looks down his nose at you and says "no. I only have one, and I save that for me." 

Then they take them home, and put them in a binder up on a shelf and never look at it again.

To be honest, I have a couple of set lists, not a lot. And I've not looked at them again, tis true. But I know people who go bananas to get them and frame them and display them in their homes.. I just happened to be coming back from taking some pictures that didn't come out good, and the show was done - I heard the Guster "the show is over music" (Jump The Line, Shake, Senora) so I turned and asked. Score. Lucky. 

We've got Sean and Henry, Sara and Me, Bill behind me, and Angela (who drove down from Worcester and was going to drive home and we made her sleep in the hotel with us) and Linda. Henry was a tired little pooper by the end of the night but still eeked out a smile for us.

Someone said I needed to get the band to sign the playlist since it was our home town! But that was not a possibility. They were in a private after show meet and greet for funders of the venue and we're not them. So I didn't want to bother anyone and we left. Maybe some other time. I'll hold on to it.

Not much to report today. Today is the very first day I could work outside for a while, the sun was a little brutal, and of course the table has gotten filthy since we brought it home. I'll clean it up, and show you how wonderful it is, tomorrow. But I made a bunch of midwesterners and north easterners jealous today by being outside. It'll last a couple days and then be 900 degrees. Just watch. 

Digits below. Weird 5pm very high reading but, that didn't stop me from eating a slice of pie. Hmmm. Pie.

Digits:

exercise: x/12 hours of 250 steps;

blood glucose:
8am: 191
5pm: 213
10:45pm: 171

food:
coffee, water
10am: protein shake
11:30am: metformin; 2 turkey and bacon on low carb wheat wraps w/mayo
5:15: slice of doug's apple pie (just to get it out of the way)
7pm: metformin+jardiance. One cheeseburger, no bun, 1/2 avocado, some crunchy cheetos, 3 glasses of wine

On The Ocean Again

 Jeeeeesh, these jerks. 

Right when I feel my body and wallet can begin to think about starting to get stronger, Guster goes and announces 2023's On the Ocean Festival, 3 full days of music and shenanigans. August 11-13. Sigh. Shut up and take my money, guys. 

For a 3 day festival, it's pretty affordable. Three days is less expensive than 1 night with Peter Gabriel or Springsteen. Even though I would love to see them, I'm not spending 400, 600, 900 bucks for a seat. Sorry. 

First night there is an undersea themed "prom" for Friday night, could mean that we dress like complete idiots and just go bananas. I'd go that far. My usual "you've got to be shitting me, no I will not" attitude may take a back seat to all the dumb fun we can have. My sister wants us to get 80s themed big shoulder neon colored dresses. I reminded her of the nautical theme, and I'm thinking dresses and seaweed looking accouterments and stuff in our hair and shit. The other 2 days are full shows at Thompson's point. Praying for the kind of weather we had last year. Please, oh please. 

Anyway.  Stole this lil'illustration from their site and it is bringing me smiles. Gotta have a hobby, right? Keeps me out of trouble! blah blah blah. 

See you in Maine in August, I guess! Digits below.

digits:

exercise: 12/12 hours of 250 steps,  Dedicated 10 on the nose before I stopped for a pokemon battle on my front porch!

blood glucose:
8:45am:  191
4:30pm: 171
9:30pm: 186

food:
coffee, water
10am: celery+peanut butter
11:45am: turkey+colby jack cheese on 647 white bread w/mayo
12:30: metformin
4:30: trail mix with m&ms 
5:30pm: bowl of chicken and mushroom soup by Doug; small bowl of mac&cheese
7pm: Metformin+jardiance

Leaving on a Jet Plane

I am sitting at the airport, my flight is at 6:10 and I have about an hour to kill. I've made a mental note to only fly out of Islip from now on, I had more time choices at LGA, but, security here is GREAT, and the Blue Point Brewing is right here so it's nice to sit and type, and listen to Justin Timberlake and John Legend blaring from the speakers above my head. 

On Saturday morning when SS&H were gearing up to leave,  Hen marched around the hotel lounge chanting "NO NO NO NO NO I do not want to go home! I want to stay in Funington! Funington! Funington!" 

He kind of doesn't believe us that the place is called Huntington, that we just call it Funington. I gave Sara instructions on how to get to the harbor. It was raining, she said she'd rather just hit the ground running and go. I was disappointed they weren't going to get down to the harbor after all. Henry asked me what a harbor was. 

"It's kind of like... a parking lot for boats." I told him.

"That does not sound interesting," he said. 

Well yeah. But it is kind of. And it's pretty. And it's nice to go walk around. So it's not that uninteresting, I don't think.

This morning, Linda and I were up and out the door at 11. We drove around town, by the harbor, by the house we used to live in until I was 7. A couple other notable spots. 

We were in search of a T-shirt for Henry that just says "Huntington" so he can have it for years to come. We struck out on shirts even though we enjoyed our toodleaboot, everywhere that Linda said she thought they'd have them, there were none. Luckily we got a lead on a store in town and she's going to swing by tomorrow when she goes to the dentist. 

We went to Ronnie's mom's house and then over to the cemetery. It is palm Sunday and everyone was there visiting putting these nice palm crosses at the headstones. We spent a goodly amount of time there, Mamma McD seems to be doing well, her spirits were high and she had a lot of jokes. 

After the cemetery, we went out for family lunch at a Long Island Diner. We do not have those in Maryland, and I was psyched to go and get my favorite diner foods. I had a patty melt that was kind of no good. Disappointing for diner food. I ate the meat and left everything else. I struggled with avoiding the Diner Chocolate Cake or Cheesecake slices, big as your head. Truly a struggle. Sigh.

Alright, time to fly! Talk to you tomorrow! Here's a picture from our drive about town this morning. Thanks for the fun, until next time, Funington!

digits:

exercise: 11/12 hours of 250 steps, lost 1 hour on the airplane

blood glucose:
9am: 153 
4:30pm: 202
9:30pm: 182

food:
coffee, water
9:30am: scrambled eggs, 4 sausage links, mixed together w/hot sauce
10:45am: metformin
2pm: patty melt, pretty much just ate the meat. The whole rest of it was not good and I asked for no fries, got fries, gave them to my sister. Coleslaw 
4:45pm: metformin+jardiance; 2 beers at the airport bar
6:30pm: High Noon seltzer, chex mix, cheeses, mixed nuts (on the plane)
8:00: pb and low sugar jelly on 647 bread
9:45pm: thin slice of Doug's apple pie

You can go home again - Guster and Karina Rykman in Huntington NY

The long awaited trip to Huntington is winding down. Tonight I'm smiling thinking on all the fun. Here's the recap. 

We got here Thursday night, checked into the hotel had some wine and relaxed for a bit while Sara looked for door dash options. I told her I didn't want any, but she always orders extra and I ended up with a soft taco. 

To be honest, I was indeed hungry. It was good. 

Up the next morning, Sara needed something from Walmart so we took a drive out there, traffic was stupid and we spent a lot of time goofing around in the store. 

We got back in time to run over to have lunch with my cousin Teri and her husband who were also here on Long Island but not for Guster. They were here  to see Carl's grandkids and go to a play. They live in South Carolina. So we both basically came north and accidentally found out we were in the same place via a passing comment from her on FB. We had a lovely little visit! 

Then it was time to go over to the meet and greet with Guster fans. 

We had a nice turnout, not as big as I'd hoped. The spot we picked (Linda recommended it to me as a possibility, and it was a good choice) was a little loud, not well lit, but the drinks were good and the bar snacks were nice. 

If more people came I would have ordered pizzas and other food, but this worked out well. 

A few of these folks I didn't anticipate seeing, and I'm so happy they made it. My friend Ken brought his husband, and we'd only met once forever ago so it was fun to catch up. Great fun and a few too many cocktails, but, very happy overall with having some pre-show time with good people!

We headed over to the venue at 7ish. The show was assigned seating, which is good, rather than GA stupidity where you have to get to the rail or swim in the middle of the crowd. Seats are great. GA seats are okay. Assigned seats re the best. Linda got us 6th row on the floor. Which was outstanding. 

I didn't want to miss my girl Karina Rykman because she's a monster. In the best way.

We got in and Karina and band were melting the place. She's so good, so fun, and her guitar player Adam November is just a jam band king. Great show, great job. She runs her own merch table, so in between their sets I went over to say hi. She's so gracious, and fun. 

Pictured, Karina and me, at the merch.

My sister had bought 8 tickets for this show, I had 3.

I sold mine to Sara and Sean and so they were back behind us by a few rows. Linda had herself, me, Ronnie and our friend Angela covered with 4. She has friends that she goes sailing with, so she "forced" them to come. They were fun, and they had fun, they knew one or two songs, but all told they're hooked and want to come to more Guster shows. 

At one point I was missing Henry so I went to see if he wanted to dance and he did. We went down front on Luke's side of the stage, but then he didn't want to dance, he wanted to sit. Have to admit, so did I. These were assigned seats and the entire front row was empty. So we settled in and had a cuddle for a bit while Guster played. 

When they did "Satellite" he held my hand and snuggled up into my armpit. I could see Luke smiling down at us during the song. Sara was missing him after a bit, so she came to get him. 

The show was loud, energetic, wild, fun. Everything you could hope for. Some folks sat, but we stood and danced most of the show. It was a lot of fun. Today, Saturday, I'm very sore. Very. Sorry legs, sorry back. Hang in there, we have one more show in Philly next weekend, and we'll do good. We'll make it. I promise.

On the way out I stopped at the soundboard and asked if they had a set list. The audio engineer handed me his with a smile. I usually strike out, but dang if I don't have one now. From my hometown. Would be nice to get it signed by the gusters, but, I've got the set list.  

We walked down the street to a bar called Crabtrees because we knew their kitchen was still open. I remember years ago being up there, watching the traffic at the corner of NY Avenue and Main Street, looking down on the scene, the busyness of it all. It was so loud in there, it was hard to talk and listen. But I did get to spend time with photographer Justin Goodhart, who shot a lot of really good pictures of the show. Check them out here! 

I wasn't hungry but everyone else was. We got to hang out with other Guster fans we know, and eventually poured our way to the hotel about 1am. Angela stayed in our room, her plan was to drive home to Massachusetts (note: we are not the only crazy Guster fans in the world, she was going to drive 4 hours home at 1am. No.) I was out cold at 1:30. 

Today was a no bones day for me. Linda was up early, once she's awake she can't go back to sleep. Around 9, I got up, met her downstairs for breakfast, and we chilled in the lobby lounge. 

Sara, Sean and Henry hit the road a little after noon. I came up to the room and had a big nap. We connected with my cousin Joey (the only cousin free to come out for a visit) late in the afternoon and went to the same restaurant I took our other cousin to yesterday. It was a good choice. I love this place.

We're back in the room, it is storming out, and I'm happy to be here just relaxing wondering how many people are on this floor for the wedding party/guests who checked in this morning. I hope they are quiet!

My flight is tomorrow afternoon at 6pm ish. We have some time to drive around Huntington and look at the greatest hits before we have to peel out. I'll relish that. Sometimes when I'm here I am happy for how fun a place this is, I don't remember it being this fun. I have a lot of baggage about this town, but this weekend was nothing but joy.

Enjoy some pictures I took (in addition to Justin's set up above). All of them are here, but I'll share a couple faves. 

Friday digits

exercise: 12/12 hours of 250 steps;  several dedicated 10s, lots of dancing. Lots.

blood glucose:

9am: 175
4pm: 205 
xpm: forgot to take before bed, also, took the medication after getting back from the concert so the reading would have sucked

food:
coffee, water
9am: 2 hotel eggs (done like egg mcmuffin style, but no mcmuffin) 2 pieces of sausage and i think it was turkey. hot sauce
11am: baby bell cheeses; metformin
2pm: corned beef egg rolls, 3 beers
5-7: cocktails, chicken nuggets
12am: metformin+jardiance
1am: taco bell soft taco w/ground beef

Saturday digits:

exercise: 10/12 hours of 250 steps; 2 long walks in town

blood glucose:
9am: 174
4pm: 133
9:45pm: 186

food:
coffee, water
9:30am: one egg "omelet" with cheese in it, and 4 sausage patties (small)
11:30am: metformin
2pm: nuts
4pm: nuts 
6pm: metformin+jardiance
7pm: cheesesteak egg rolls, pig in blanket, 1 stuffed clam, large chopped salad w/steak and hardboiled egg, 3 glasses of wine

Huntington I am in you

This morning, I woke up around 7 and fed the dog, and went back to bed. The joy of a vacation day. I finished laundry, read emails, I got pokey and dicked around before finally getting myself out the door to go to Target for some snacks for the trip, and get a haircut at my favorite spot. 

I went to my favorite girl, and we had quite the chat and catch up. I hadn't been to see her since May 2022. The last haircut I got was on vacation in August and that was in Massachusetts, so I was overdue. She did my bangs right but overall, it is kind of too short, I'm slightly disappointed, but, it's hair, it grows. I'll be fine. I'm sure I'll like it when I can style it the way I want. 

Sara and Sean got me at about 5:30 and we made pretty great time. Even with a goodly long-ish stop to eat we got to the hotel at 11:15. Sara was terrified to drive through NYC, but I told her she didn't have to.  She would just have to drive on the George Washington Bridge. She basically bricked, which was funny, but I patiently guided her to 95 North, 95 North, you got this, keep right, shift left... you got this. I'm incredibly proud of her because I know how very very much I hate driving that road. 

The hotel is amazing. Downtown Huntington never had a hotel, for a million years. You'd have to stay down 110 towards the LIE. But now there is a wonderful and beautiful hotel in what used to be Town Hall. Fully Restored, Gorgeous. And I'm so excited to walk out the front door tomorrow and go look around my hometown.

My room is huge. Linda was going to stay here with me tonight but opted to stay home. I'm alone, in peace, and quiet at 1:30am, very much looking forward to fun and shenanigans tomorrow.  

Oh yeah, and Guster. That too.

I should get some sleep. Or something. So we can do fun and wonderful things on Friday. Look out, Huntington. Here we come. 

digits

exercise: 6/12 hours of 250 steps; missed 1pm getting my haircut. Sat in a car. Not sure of Dedicated 10 but I spent a lot of time walking around Target and the mall go get to the haircutting place.

blood glucose:
9am: 183
5pm:  205
11:30pm:  183

food:
coffee, water
11am: some roast beef slices
11:30: Metformin
2:15pm: 2 good yogurt, meyer lemon; apple slices w/peanut butter
7pm: Wendy's - dave's double, skipped the top of the bun. 10 chicken nuggets; metformin+jardiance
Car snacks: some mixed nuts & baby bells
12:30am: soft taco w/ground beef from Taco Bell
wine & zero sugar ginger ale.

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

I want to go to NY, like, now. 

Today and tomorrow are going to just drag. I'm distracted and full of anticipation. I want to go up by train and just apologize to Sara that I'm an impatient jerk and had to leave. But I am going to stick to my plan. I hate when people change plans on me, so I don't want to change plans on anyone else. 

Still. The heart is powerful strong. 

Not much else to say. Hearing of people who've been laid off at my org and I'm stunned at some of them. I can't even talk about it. Heartbreakingly bummering. 

Anyway, mostly nothing today, looking forward to tomorrow. Maybe a haircut! Who knows! 

goodnight.

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours of 250 steps, dedicated 10+3

blood glucose:
8am: 158
5pm:  153
9pm:  154

food:
coffee, water
10:30am: 2 good yogurt, meyer lemon
11:45: metformin
noon: BLT Salad (rather large, I must say!)
7pm: grilled chicken thighs, fajita style on low-carb wraps w/ cheese, salsa & sour cream
9pm: 10 Reese's peanut butter cup minis. ramekin mixed nuts. 

White wine

 

Home Alone and Back at It

Linda left around noon. I kind of wanted her to stay until tomorrow and then leave, with me going with.

I'm going up north with Sara et al on Thursday but I would have preferred to go with Linda for some more Linda time. 

Going today wouldn't be an option because Phin would be all alone tomorrow, in his kennel, for like... 9 hours. So. Wednesdays are a bad day for the poor bean if I were to leave today.

She has to be up there by tonight so she can do something for her office in person for tomorrow. If I went with her, I'd have to stay at a hotel, too. Not that I'm opposed to it. She doesn't have room for guests right now, so I'd have her dump me at a hotel, I'd get some Marriott points somewhere (heh) and then go to the hotel we are staying at on Thursday to check in. 

I could work from hotel just like I am working from here. 

We're still on the original plan, Sara et al on Thursday afternoon. Initially Sara told me Thursday morning, but, now it is "after work" and I asked her "How long after work? Do you mean.. .5pm? or 8pm? Because if it is 8pm I'll take the train. It's farther than you think when driving."  

She says close to 5 but I'm groaning a little I hate getting anywhere too late. I wanted to be up there between noon and 5. I also wanted to get up there with time to have some fun, but it may be straight to bed to be honest.

I took the day off for Thursday thinking we'd be traveling, but. I may as well work. Or not. Whatever. Maybe I'll keep my vacation day. I'm not sure just yet what I want to do.

Anyway. Not much else to report. Just another workday of boring life, back here at the house. Thankful for another short week. Thankful for a job, to be honest. Even if I'm not overjoyed with things. 

Photo here is from my friend Ang, from the Guster group. The final night of their run in Florida, they decided to nod to some Florida politicians and people who don't like drag. On Twitter people are like "that's not drag that's just an asshole in a dress," and it just makes me laugh because I think of Milton Berle, Monty Python.... Assholes in Dresses. 

And here's another one. My hero Ryan. 

Digits below.

digits

exercise: 11/12 hours 250 steps ... somehow lost the noon hour because I was chatting with a friend on Slack. Dedicated 10+2 pokemon walk.

blood glucose:
8 am: 205
5pm: 171
9:30pm: 178

food:
coffee, water
8:15am: Protein shake
11am: 2 toll house cookies (baked to send home with linda!)
11:30am: Metformin
12:30pm: the rest of the chicken salad (probably a cup and a half)
2:45pm: thin piece of bbq chicken left over from last week
4:30pm: 2 toll house cookies
7pm: chicken parm

white wine

Great Escape - Florida Guster Tour 2023

 I'm hoping I can capture the fun I had. 

Linda and I had an uneventful travel day on Wednesday, as noted. Thursday we got up, got pedicures at a very nice salon with super nice employees. We called a couple places in the area who were booked or could take us at 2 or 3pm. That was way too late. So we got taken care of, got shiny toes and clean feet. Florida feet! And we walked down the road to a brewery with a full bar for lunch.

Linz doesn't drink beer so we need a place that at least has wine. This place checked the boxes: beer, wine, cocktails, food, yes. We had a great time hanging out talking with the bartender and this guy at the bar about 90s rock, Guster being in town, the venue where we were headed, all our favorite bands, and what shows we went to that didn't turn out great. I left her a giant tip, Linda left her secret money, and the guy picked up our drink tab even though I told the bartender I'd pick up his. We took up a lot of her real estate, and time, but there was only one other person at the bar and he was thoroughly entertained by us. A slow Thursday in Orlando shouldn't have to make for a piss poor money day for her. 

We headed up the street, a little day drinking drunk, and my friend Peri had mentioned to me that a friend of hers owns a Cat Café in town. Well. Sure! Why not. Let's go pet CATS! Something I can't do with Doug! 

We got coffee, and petted cats. Sobered up a little bit while having fun. I met this sweet little tortie who let me love on her, but reminded me of her murder mittens when I got a little too adoring. 

Back to the hotel, Ginger met us there and while she and Linda got caught up, I went out to dinner with Peri and her husband Keith. They had free tickets to see the Gusters and were happy to come with us. 

While on line for the bathroom at the pizza joint, I noticed the Guster poster on the bulletin board. Sold out show, that night, "Steal it!" says Peri. "I should ask for permission!" I replied. She dissuaded me - and rebel that I am, I did. 

When I bought the tickets, I got them for myself, Linda, Ginger, Sara, Sean and Henry. I read on their website that it was a GA floor with balcony seating. So I thought hell yeah - Ginger (with MS) and Sara (with probably a very tired Henry) could hit the balcony. We could go to the floor. 

No. 

You had to buy the balcony seats and they were extra money. 

Damn. 

Here we are with an 8 yr old, on the floor. I'm such a bad auntie!! Sara and Sean weathered it well, as did Henry. 

We had room to dance and Hen could go over to the wall, and sit down with his book and color - and we all took turns staying focused on him. And we were down front. And it could have been so much worse. Kind of a win overall, but, I know it could have been better. News you can use for the future, kids.

Peri and Keith had to leave before the end of the show because she had to be up at stupid thirty, but they got to see Brian kill the bongos on Come Downstairs and Say Hello, and Ryan put on his backpack with the light, and went out into the crowd to sing "Doin' it by myself." They missed the ping pong balls at the end, and Ryan caught one in his mouth which sent the crowd into hysterics. 

They've been digging out "Lost Classics" on this tour and so we got treated to the song Great Escape during the encore. Not a lot of people in the audience seemed to know it, but one guy with huge long curly hair was dancing like crazy, so I ran over to him and we busted it out, his girlfriend and his two friends were laughing hysterically at us as we just went bananas.  

All told, a super friendly fun crowd, great show. 

We got back to the hotel and I think we didn't get to sleep before 2. 

Friday morning, I was supposed to go over to one of my stations for a site visit. I woke up to pee at 8, and I was partly tempted to go back to bed, and go to his location maybe while Ginger and Linda were getting dressed and ready. But I sucked it up and said ... alright. You are up. You are awake. Do this. I picked up my laptop to email the guy with an ETA and he literally emailed me right that second to say he wasn't going to be in office. I could meet the GM and station manager. Nah son, I was coming here to see YOU. So we extended our regrets, and I went downstairs for coffee with Linda. We sat out on the patio in our jammies, no one there, 9am, slightly too cold to hit the pool. Not enough coffee to be ready to jump in on it just to do it. 

Another vacation where I brought my bathing suit, and did not use it. Ha. 

We were on the road at noon, driving down to our friends in the Palm Beach area. Linda and I would stay there Friday and Saturday nights, and Ginger's apartment is about 2 miles from where they live. 

First, here is their dog Cooper and he is my new Best Friend Ever. 

M&J came to see Guster with us in Ft. Lauderdale, the club is a tiny cramped little space, and we opted to not go get first in line, but sit at the bar next door, order pizza, and chillax. I kind of wish we'd gotten on line early. We were in the corner by the bathroom, the space is weird, and the show, while great, was kind of bizarre. M&J had never seen Guster so it was fun to bring them with. 

I think M wasn't really into it. He said he liked it okay entertainment wise, and getting to see Brian play the bongos was probably the best part of it for him. I know this style music isn't his thing. J is more of a jam band kind of guy and I think he truly enjoyed it. We heard a rumors that the band was going to come hang out at the bar after the show, but we were very ready to leave until Brian (the drummer) came out to see folks, and we weren't getting rushed out like the last time we were there in 2018 (or 2019?) so we got to say hi to him. 

Remarkably so, he says to me "so hey, what's going on with your job? Are you laid off or are you safe?"

So let's just stop there for a minute and realize that this famous rock star who did a huge rock and roll show just now asked about my life, my job, my colleagues, and how I was doing. I let him know I was safe, but things were weird and wrong. He asked what exactly happened, and I told him I'd love to talk more about it with him,  but right then wasn't the time - he had adoring fans lined up to see him. What a mensch.

We didn't keep him long - lots of adoring fans lined up to see him. But super sweet to have him come out and greet us. We headed back to M&J's place, and the following morning we went out to brunch. 

Fancy and nice brunch. 

Lots of horse ridey people just waltzing into fancy nice restaurant in their filthy horse pants and dirty clothes. J told me "no one on earth likes to be seen more than an equestrian." Too true. 

We hung around the house with Cooper dog and chilled. M made us some wonderful Mai Tais with the original recipe - or one of them. Delightful way to segue into dinner. We stopped at a brewery nearby for a pint (or two) and then went to fancy dinner. 

We had a wonderful time talking about our first concerts, and what we grew up with music-wise in our families. Bedtime came thankfully, we were wiped out! 

Sunday morning, we knew we were going to be headed to the airport. Our flight was scheduled to start boarding at like 4 something, and so M&J made plans to go see a neighbor family who just got brand new puppies, and we had a huge playdate. 

The owners are getting ready to socialize them with more people and dogs, as they get a little bigger, and we were the perfect assemblage of humans to have over! And what a time we had! 

This is Jon with Linus, and E, the owner's youngest, with her new baby!

The little black one is Lucy, They are littermates, and the family would have brought all the puppies home together if they could. 

Cooper was very very confused by the puppies. He's only ever met big dogs. He weathered it well, and was gentle. But ran upstairs a couple of times to get away. I love their vicious biting play they did with each other. 

We had to get to the airport, so Ginger came over to get us. We went out to lunch to spend a little extra time with her. My only regret was we didn't get a chance to connect with her son and say hi. I was looking forward to that but he went to work. 

Mimosas. Smiles. Friendship. Joy. 

After a lovely brekkie lunch, we started to head for the airport and learned our flight was delayed, so we had even more time to spend together. We went back to Ginger's new apartment, which is super cute and I loved it. Had a sit out on the patio (in the heat!) and a great chat. 

We got to the airport with time to spare, and discovered our flight was more delayed. 

And again delayed. And. again.

We were supposed to board at 4 something and didn't get on the plane until almost 8pm. I kind of was hoping they'd just cancel us, and we'd get a hotel, and I wouldn't care how much it was, and we'd use our bathing suits... ha. 

But we made it home, Doug picked us up at 10:30. We were happy to get back home. 

That's our first big Guster adventure. They did two more shows in Florida, but we passed on them. Logistics and getting from point A and B to C and D were going to be a challenge. And hotels in Key West were stupid expensive. We missed a couple fun gigs, but we had fun friend, puppy, family time. And that's as valuable. 

This weekend, Huntington NY. Can't wait. 

Digits for Monday below this picture of us with M&J and Cooper Dog.

digits

lost track of everything while in Florida.
I will say I tried. 

Monday digits:

exercise: 12/12 hours 250 steps; dedicated 10 pokemon walk

blood glucose:
8:30am: 160 (vacation blood sugar, always over 200! get home, first morning, 160). 
4:30pm: 165
11pm: 205

food:
coffee, water
8:30am: protein shake
10am: celery and peanut butter
11:30am: some chicken salad (probably 2 or 3 forkfuls?) 
noon: metformin
4:45pm: 2 baby bell cheeses
6:30pm: metformin+jardiance
7pm: burrito w/ steak, guac, sour cream, some rice, some chorizo sausage dip w/some chips. Vodka tonics