The Post That Wasn't

Last night, we were supposed to be at the Dallas Stars game, the game they won, at the American Airlines Center. I got some very nice tickets to the game from someone who gave the tickets to the staff where I work. We would have seen the Edmonton Oilers taking on the home team and lose 4-2, but we didn't go.

We didn't go because S is sick. S has been sick for quite some time. He's been having gastrointestinal issues for about two weeks. But, more than that, he's had a fever for five days. A fever. Yes. A fever. For five days.

But, S has a very thick head. You could drop him from a tall building and his head would be in tact sort of thick. He's stubborn in ways I cannot completely explain. And S doesn't like to go to the doctor. In fact, he hasn't taken the time to get a primary care physician. So, when he gets sick, he has no doctor to even really go see, because you see, you can't just call a doctor up to see him or her when you're sick. No, you need to establish a relationship with a doctor before that - you know, have an annual physical. Keep in touch. Be listed on said doctor's roles. You know, to actually get an appointment when you're sick.

So, S has to go to the immediate care center. He didn't go there after a week of gastrointestinal distress. He didn't go after a day of fever. Or two days or three. He went to work those days. Then, he'd come home at night and get in the bed until morning. Repeat. But, finally, yesterday, he found his way to the doctor at the immediate care center. They took his blood. Twice. They put him on serious anti-bacterial drugs. Two of them, and something to help the gastrointestinal distress. Three pills. And they sent his blood off to see if the bacteria found inside him - which was at such high levels, they felt it required more testing - indicates signs of an ulcer.

Yes, he's sick. He's really sick. And he has a thick head. A very thick head. So we didn't go to the Stars game.

I feel very guilty about the game, however. I called S at 3 to ask him how he was feeling and to see about his meds. And to sign off on the game, so I could give the tickets to someone else. He said, at that point, I am sure while covered in four layers of blankets and in a feverish stupor, he said, "maybe we can still go." Yeah. Right. Thick head. So, I didn't call anyone about the tickets.

When I got home, thinking we were going to press on to the game, he had come to his senses. There was no way he was going to the game. One hour and a half before the game began, I called some friends to see if they might want to go with me to the game, or could use the tickets themselves. Not a whole lot of time to allow for giving the tickets away. On a Thursday night. To what I am sure was a great game.

We weren't there. We missed the game. No one was able to use the tickets. They went to waste. Complete waste. What a shame.



And, you my friends, have one measly photo to see today - of the tickets. Not of the great shots, the fights, the skates, the nachos I would have eaten, the Edmonton fans, the advertisements or even the coaches. I guess I could have taken a sad photo of S - but, well, I value my camera equipment.

And S - he's still sick. But hopefully on the mend. We'll hear about whether he shows bacterial signs of an ulcer today. And we'll get him well. Now that he saw the doctor. I'm very glad he's on the mend.

No signs of the head thickness going away though - that seems to be untreatable and inoperable. It's good to know what won't change. It's reassuring, right?



Happy Friday. Happy Weekend!

Visions of LA

I visited my friends Mark, the Cheese Fry, and Faleena, a few years ago in LA while I was there for a conference. I forgot to take my camera. So, I purchased one of those disposable cameras with a flash. And, amazingly, a couple of the photos came out OK.

Only a couple.

I thought this was a nice one of the whole valley.

What's that down there - it's the Hollywood Bowl!

I previously mentioned my trip to the Hollywood Bowl here. That was part of this trip - I went to the Hollywood Bowl by myself the night before I caught up with Mark and Faleena. It was a magical night - so cool. I highly recommend it. Go there. See whatever they've got going. I'm jonesin' to go back. It was so great.

A random beach shot.

I'm not sure which beach this was, because they took me to a couple of different ones. But, doesn't it sort of look like a 50's vacation postcard? The water is so blue! The people are little ants having fun! I thought it was exceptional for the disposable camera.

And, the Santa Monica sign.

Not that it's that revolutionary of a shot, but I liked it. I like how all the birds appear to have lined up atop the sign for the photograph. Very nice of them. And, it was a pretty day. And, it's an old sign and I like old things.

It strikes me that none of these photos required a flash to come out well. Perhaps the flash was not all that it was sold to be. Or, maybe I didn't try to shoot at night. I don't remember. But, it does go to show that you don't need much - or much know how - to get a couple 'a decent photos for the vacation scrapbook. If you're into that sorta thing.

So, there you go. A few randomly decent photos from my trip to LA with the disposable camera. The rest is just fun memories!

Butterflies

Last summer - yes, people, I didn't take these photos of butterflies in February - my mom and I took an impromptu visit to a butterfly garden. We set out to have lunch and then ran over to the garden on a whim before heading back to her house one day.

So, I only had the purse camera with me. But, I got some interesting shots nonetheless of the little insects, and I figured I'd randomly share them with you today. Why today? I have no idea. Just happened that way.

This is the little caterpillar incubator.

Once the caterpillar is in the chrysalis, they hang here until the butterfly emerges.

There were all sorts of butterflies and moths throughout the garden.

And all sorts of greenery, too.

I really like this one - the leaves and the insect.
It looks like he's landed on a foreign planet or something.
I might try to play with this one and see what I can do with it.

It really was a pretty place, and a nice little impromptu visit.

I grow Lantana like that flower pictured there in my front flower bed each summer.

This guy was not on a beautiful leaf, but rather on the plain white windowsill.
But, he was so pretty, no?

And it seemed like he was posing for me.

So there you go - a February teaser to let you remember what summer is like. See you tomorrow.

Movie Houses of Dallas - First in an Occasional Series

Dallas has several old movie houses that have been converted into something else, or are still used as cinemas. Since they are all decked out in neon, I thought they might make a good occasional series here at Ate Up Amateur. First up - the Casa Linda Theater.





I gathered lots of the information in this post on that link above - the Cinema Treasures website, as well as on Wikipedia.





The Casa Linda Theater was the second movie theater in the country opened in a shopping center like Casa Linda Plaza, in 1945. It is no longer open - it closed in 1999.

It had been changed from a one screen theater to 4 screens before it closed. There has been widespread speculation that it will reopen as a movie grill or something like that, but so far there has been no movement. So, it sits here, as you see it, with it's lights on and nothing inside.






Interesting in the comment posts on the Cinema Treasures website, the son of the architect, C. Sidney Milam, said he remembers going there as a kid and that his dad officed on the 2nd floor of the theater for a while. The entire shopping center was originally done in a spanish style, which still can be seen today.

Also of interest, the arch above the marquee is not lit up anymore, but in historic photos I find on the internet, this too was lit up, with the name of the owner - "McClennan 3 Theaters". I guess they took that down when they vacated.






Also in the comment section are listings of all sorts of interesting facts, like there used to be two "crying" rooms that were taken out when new air handlers were installed. And, several people lay out the economics of fixing the place up, stating it is fiscally impossible to save.

According to some of the factoids, this was one of the first theaters to offer patrons 100% digital sound. It also was said to have superb acoustics because it had no parallel walls.







You can tell it was a well loved part of this neighborhood, as there are numerous comments about how great it was. S grew up in this part of town and remembers going there when it was a four screen theater.







I just love how the neon lets off that glow. And, how the way it is used harkens back to an era before my time that seems simpler and somehow more perfect. It's nostalgic. Old. I love old.

So, I'll post some other movie houses of Dallas in the future. Watch this space.

Trying to Strum it Out

Me with the new guitar, Christmas 2005

I started taking guitar lessons after the first of the year. I figured it was about time for me to share with you what I've been up to in that regard.

I received this lovely guitar three years ago, Christmas, when my fabulous husband S bought it for me. It was one of the best presents I think I've ever received, because he bought me something I really wanted without me overtly asking for it. I know, men, you find this completely unnerving and ridiculous, but we women like the thoughtful gifts you come up with when we don't ask.

Another one of me, 3 years ago.

I wanted a guitar because I felt there was something wrong with the fact that I have a music degree and don't know how to play one - the quintessential American instrument. My grandmother played one. My brother Steve, of course, plays one. And, I love folk music, especially American Roots music, so it's one of those things on my list of things to learn.

The guitar in it's case.

Anyway, I tried to teach myself off and on, but it wasn't working. So, I set out to find a teacher about six months ago, and had some issues finding one I felt would work. But, I now I have, and he comes to my house and teaches me guitar for 45 minutes every Monday night. Today is guitar lesson day!

The guitar's neck.


The front of the guitar.

I practice almost every day, and I'm really enjoying it. And, I think I'm doing OK, because my teacher keeps piling on the new stuff. I hope to get S to take some photos of us during a lesson sometime, you know, if my teacher isn't in the witness protection program or anything, so you can experience my lesson with me. Won't that be a snore!




The guitar S bought is not just any guitar - it's a Martin - a classic brand of guitar made in the USA. This is a characteristic S has that can sometimes be annoying - he doesn't do anything halfway. In college, I mentioned wanting a fish - I was thinking a goldfish in a bowl. I got a 10 gallon aquarium as a present. Actually, his "over-doing" got me started with my photography hobby - I asked for a camera for my birthday and he went out and bought me an SLR. I had to learn to use it since he paid all that money, and a hobby was begun. To him bigger and more expensive is almost always better.





So, of course, when he bought a guitar - he didn't get the one at Target - you know - let's see how this goes and then maybe get a nicer one later is not his cup of tea. Nope, he went out and got a Martin. Now, it's a "starter" Martin, for sure - not one of their really fancy models. But, it's still a really nice instrument. It makes a nice sound - has a mellow tone - and has great action on the strings. All the more reason for me, after three years, to get on learning how to play it.

My book. And my tuner, too - oh, and there's a pick there as well, on my music stand.

I'll keep you updated on my progress with the guitar - once I know how to play an actual song, maybe I'll post a video - woo hoo. Maybe S can Heely while I play. Now, THAT would be worth watching!

The guitar on it's stand before my lesson.

Happy President's Day to those of you with a holiday. No holiday for me. See you tomorrow.

Jefferson, TX

After our trip to Greer Farm, we headed over to Jefferson, TX to check out the quaint downtown area full of antique shops. This little East Texas town is very close to the Louisiana border, and this was evident. It seemed like Texas, but it also seemed a lot like Louisiana. A border town, indeed.

This is the courthouse.

And the Barber Shop

It was closed.
No opportunity for a trim.

Here's a shot of the main drag.
You can see, it was a little overcast.
And these photos were with the purse camera.

You can see the Louisiana influence in that old building.

The town had a lot of character - bricked streets were characteristic.

I really liked this old sign.

The bikers apparently congregate here on the weekends.

This was in one of the stores - what every home needs - a tapestry of our new President.

Over there's another cool old building.

And this park was nice, with it's pretty gazebo.

On down the bricked street was this cool looking statue.
I had to walk down to see it.

I should say that if you are looking for serious antiques - furniture, collectibles, art - you should definitely take the drive to Jefferson. They had LOTS of stores full of genuine and very nice antiques. It was really quite impressive to see so many nice antiques all in one place.

On the way to that statue up there, we also passed the local Roman Catholic church.

It matched the quaintness of the town.

So plain and pretty.

Look at that cross!

So, we enjoyed our little side trip to Jefferson. Another lovely Saturday activity. Check it out sometime!

Oh, also - Happy Friday the 13th.

And, tomorrow, as my good friend Chris calls it, Happy "Singles Awareness Day". Happy Valentine's Day - hug the ones you love and make sure they know how much they mean to you. Get warm and fuzzy. It's only one day.

And I'll see you next week.