Long Beach, California

The Aquarium of the Pacific

Our trip to the LBC lead us first to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Jeff, Marleen, Terrance and I all headed up together. Marleen and Terrance dropped us off at the aquarium while they drove around visiting Marleen's old stomping ground. (She lived in Long Beach for several years.)


Aquarium of the Pacific


Lobby at the Aquarium

Coming from the public zoo and aquarium design industry I had wanted to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific for a long time. My old boss, Steve, from Lyons/Zaremba Inc. actually designed much of it before he was with LZI.


Black Tipped Shark

The aquarium if fairly small but was packed full of tourists celebrating "Southeast Asia Day" on Saturday. Though it was hard to navigate through the crowds, the exhibits themselves were beautiful and packed full of wildlife. I especially loved the baby shark exhibits. They had one still in it's egg sack but spliced open on the side and placed against the glass so you can see the baby shark growing inside. That was the coolest thing I saw. I also enjoyed the octopus, sea dragon and jelly fish exhibits.


Reef Aquarium


Mmmm King Crab


Mudskipper

Being a fish geek of sorts, I never get tired of visiting aquariums. Most of the photos came out badly, either too dark, blurry or with terrible glare but I will post a few that came out ok.


The Boat Show at the Harbor in Long Beach


The Light House in Long Beach


The Queen Mary

After a margarita, Jeff and I met back up with Terrance and Marleen for the real reason for our trip to Long Beach, the haunted Queen Mary. It's opening weekend for their annual month of terror at the Queen Mary Shipwreck and tickets were a steal.

Every year they convert parts of the ship into a series of mazes (six total), night clubs, food stands, live bands and entertainers. Ghouls run amok scaring visitors at every turn. For those that know me, I LOVE HALLOWEEN and all the haunted houses, scary stories and movies that go along with it. Last year I wrote about our trip to Knotts Scary Farm in the Blog.

We hit all six mazes, some were better than others but overall were quite impressive. They convert the ship's boiler room into a haunted house, which is cool because the amount of detail (twisted metal, steel and rivets)could never be duplicated in a conventional haunted house. The shear vastness is impressive. The best haunted maze went through a series of storage rooms (it was very Freddy Kruger). They staggered the groups as you entered so you get the impression of being completely alone and lost. Very scary and worth the entry fee alone. Cameras weren't allowed so I don't have any photos inside but I managed a few photos of the ship. The Queen Mary is also a hotel. I'd love to go back after Halloween to get a real tour of the ship and its history and maybe spend the night. Random fact: The Queen Mary is longer than the Titanic by 137 feet. Yikes.


The Queen Mary

We Won 1st Place - IIDA Intergalactic Glam Fashion Show

Well we did it. The Jain Malkin team put in hours of hard work and planning, which ultimately paid off as we won 1st place on Thursday at the Haute Couture IIDA Fashion Show. The show, whose theme was Intergalactic Glam, was a fund raiser for Dress for Success. It was an amazing opportunity. Only 14 teams could participate (many were turned away) and each team could only have 5 core members able to compete on game day. Our competition included some of the biggest architecture firms in the country.


Cosmic Girl Team with Sponsor, Arcadia


We had 45 minutes to grab fabric (provided) and put together an outfit. We were allowed to bring accessories as long as they fit in a 5 gallon bucket. We had to provide our own music and write a script for the MC to read. Hundreds of people attended.


The Winning Design

We were the last team to walk the runway, with Kelly as our model (Dr. Ella Fitzpatrick). Marleen was her faithful sidekick Zalonia and I participated as a prop, an extraterrestrial representing "Menacing Alien Territory". Other members of the core team included Kristen (our fabric grabber) and Jamie (the gal with the creative vision).


Kelly and Marleen after the show.

After 3rd and 2nd place were awarded I was nervous but tried to remember it was for a good cause and the competition was fierce. To my delight, however, we were awarded the honor of 1st place. I have to admit, it felt so good to be recognized. The team worked so hard, meeting at least once per week and often several times each week to plan the outfit, tweak the music and amend the script. You go girls!


First Place Trophy


Jeff and I after the show.


Kelly and Jamie


Casscia and Marleen


Marleen and Kristen

Ninja Cat

Hi family/friends! I don't have much to talk about today but I did just watch a hilarious cat video on YouTube. I have to post it because it's really worth the view. I'm going to New Jersey this weekend so I should have lots to post about next week. Hope everyone is doing well. Jeff will have photos too, from his trip to Mt. Rainier.

-Christie

An Incomplete but Unforgettable Show

In Memory Of LeRoi Moore, 1961-2008, DMB, originally uploaded by phlyersphan.

I can't believe it's been a year already since my last DMB post but here I am again writing about my most favorite day of the year... I believe this to be my 15th show, though admittedly I have only been able to log 13 because a couple of the shows were so long ago I can't remember the dates and the ticket stubs have been long missing.

Attending this year's show held greater importance for me as founding member and saxiphonest, LeRoi Moore passed away unexpected on Tuesday from complications stemming from an ATV accident. I didn't see it coming as I had heard he was on the mend and found out early Wednesday when I logged into my email at work finding several emails from friends who figured I hadn't heard the news. Personally, I didn't think the show would go on but am sure I'm not alone when I say it was a communal healing experience for the band and all the old time fans.

Speaking of old timers, I have to admit this years crowed was better then it has been in years. Maybe because I had just been complaining to Denise at work about how the crowed just doesn't "get it" like they used to. Well they got it this year as everyone around me was feeling the vibe, singing and dancing in unison.

This years show, though incomplete without Roi, ranks in my top 3 of all time for its mix of somber notes, heart stopping classics, out-of-control covers and sheer goofy Dave moments. The seats we had were phenomenal too, probably the best in the last 5 or 6 years. (Shout out to Lauren for the ticket hook-up!)

This year I brought my friend Vero with me as she has never seen DMB before and actually told me this was her first American concert. She said she had a really good time as was impressed with the band's instrumentals. (Basically my reason for bringing newbies every year is to show off their talents in a live setting... the way it's meant to be enjoyed.) I always find it interesting to know which songs people like when they have never heard the band before. I've listened to each song a thosand times so I hear them differently then someone listening for the first time. Vero was especially fond of Dreaming Tree and Don't Drink the Water... Vero happens to have very good taste.

My favorite part of the show was... well there were two. No 1. When Dave broke into Burning Down the House. Words can not explain how cool and totally unexpected that was. Bob Lefsetz described the band performing Burning Down the House better than I can...

And just like a modern jet, everything was working. It has to in order to move. And boy was the band moving. Musically. There were no dance steps, everybody was almost rigid in his place. But Carter's arms were churning, Dave was spitting into the mic like he was seventeen, and he needed to show the bullies, who he was, where he was coming from.

(That link is to a candid article about Roi's last day. Very touching if you're a fan reading this.) I can't find a video from last night so I'm grabbing one from the performance at Alpine Valley.



The No. 2 favorite moment was Dave's silly dance onstage to Danny Barnes playing the banjo during Corn Bread. I'll post a YouTube video but I can't guarantee how long it will be up on this site before it's removed from YT.



Here's the set list from last night

Friday Aug 22 2008
Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre


Bartender *
Old Dirt Hill *
Eh Hee *
Water Into Wine *
Sledgehammer *
So Damn Lucky *
Stolen Away On 55th & 3rd
Crush *
Sugar Will *
Everyday *
Ants Marching *
Dreaming Tree *
Burning Down The House *
Lover Lay Down *
Corn Bread *+
Two Step *
__________________

Louisiana Bayou *
Don’t Drink the Water *


Show Notes:
Send good thoughts for LeRoi
* Jeff Coffin
+ Danny Barnes

Here's a short tribute video to LeRoi.

Warning: Drunken Shopping May Be Hazardous to Your Wallet

i D o l a t r y, originally uploaded by js wright.

Ok, I admit it. I’ve been terrible about keeping up my blog but I’m starting anew! So for those few of you who are interested in the goings on of Jeff and myself here in San Diego you can once again get your fix. :P Yesterday I got a call from my friend (and coworker) Vero who in a sad sad voice pleaded with me not to be mad at her. I couldn’t imagine what she might do to upset me. She’s not one to be intentionally hurtful and I’m not one who allows things to bother me. Then she told me that she bought me a new Macintosh laptop (I’ll call it a “MacTop” for short.) Well, didn’t buy it FOR me so much as bought it while establishing a new no-interest line of credit though the International Bank of Veronica. Otherwise, she bought it for me with the caveat that I could pay her back as I can afford it. You may wonder what may provoke someone to do this sort of thing.

Well, I have been using a hand-me-down desktop Mac that I bought off my old company in what was probably 2001. It’s old and slow and I, evidently, had been singing the praises of the MacBook Pro so-much lately that Vero had offered to buy it for me a few weeks ago on her no-interest credit card so I could have it and not have to worry about paying it back right away. It was very thoughtful but with several trips coming up for me in the next year I knew I really needed to focus on saving. Even so, I guess I talked about this MacTop quite a bit and maybe even had a certain sparkle in my eye as I envisioned myself at Starbucks sipping my Iced-grande non-fat soy latte and updating my numerous weekly blogs. I politely declined her offer and then thought about just buying it for myself. Online, I selected the computer, the free iPod that it comes with and all the software that I needed and then totally choked at the payment screen. I decided to leave the page open and to go eat lunch. If I still wanted the computer after lunch I would buy it. This was about 3 or 4 weeks ago.

On a full stomach I had a reality check and bailed on the computer. I told Vero about my moment of weakness and I suppose it stuck in her head because over the weekend, in a shopping haze brought on by one too many tequilas Vero went online and bought one… A really REALLY nice one. A day or so later, in her version of buyer’s remorse, I got the call from her. She sounded sick and even a little fearful. But honestly, how could I ever be mad? I get the computer I’ve been coveting for months and without all the guilt associated with making a large purchase for myself. It’s great!

So, the bottom line is, if anyone wants to buy me something that I really really want without my knowing about it, I won’t be mad, I promise. Just give me another 6 to 8 months so I have time to pay off my MacTop.

Christie's Walking for the Animals - May 3rd

HumaneWalk07_13.jpg, originally uploaded by fuzzles.

Hi,

I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support the San Diego Humane Society in their 14th Annual Walk for Animals, which will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at Crown Point Shores. So, please consider supporting me as I walk to raise funds for the many wonderful programs offered by the Humane Society.

I'm sure the next animal that comes through their doors won't know it is because of your generosity that the Humane Society was able to help them, but I will know.

Your contribution will not only help me reach my fundraising goal, but the money will go to feed and care for animals looking for loving homes, rescue animals in need, and educate individuals about responsible pet ownership.

I know you are busy, but supporting my efforts is faster and easier than ever. You can make a tax-deductible donation online by visiting my personal walk page, or if you prefer, you can send your contribution to the address listed below.

Whatever you can give will help - it all adds up! I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Thanks so much,
Christie
_______
If you would like to make a donation via mail, please print out this page, and inclose it with your gift. That way the Humane Society will know its to support my efforts. Their address is: San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, 5500 Gaines Street, San Diego, CA, 92110

Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://www.sdhumane.org/site/TR/Events/2008WalkForAnimals?px=1103762&pg=personal&fr_id=1050&s_tafId=4540

Click here to view the team page for Jain Malkin Inc.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://www.sdhumane.org/site/TR/Events/2008WalkForAnimals?team_id=3570&pg=team&fr_id=1050&s_tafId=4540

Justin Visits San Diego

Justin came to San Diego for a visit last weekend. It was so great to see him and hang out. Hopefully he'll be back again with Lauren in tow. He was only in town for three full days so the trip was jam packed with adventure. On Friday we walked around PB, though the weather wasn't great we saw the beach, checked out a surf store or two and did a little shopping. We also hit La Jolla where I showed Howie the sites, including the beaches and harbor seals that were back for their pupping season.

On Saturday morning Justin, being the proactive guy that he is, had arranged to meet the UC Cyclery bike club folks for a 50 mile a.m. ride all along the north county. I, of course, slept in and sipped coffee until his return. Then we hit the road again for some fish tacos at Fins and a day of exploring Balboa Park.

Saturday night was an adventure in and of itself. Jeff, Justin and I tried to get dinner at Cafe Sevilla in the Gaslamp Quarter but after an hour and fifteen minutes of the hostess telling us, "just a few more minutes", we decided to bail and find foodage elsewhere. We ended up popping into Ole Madrid and had an amazing dinner with live entertainment. It goes to show you that sometimes it's better to play things by ear then to plan them in advance.

Since dinner went so late we headed straight to the Ivy Hotel for some cocktails and good conversation. We got in line for Envy, the hotel bar and after waiting in line for an hour we realized why they call it Envy. (You envy your friends who decided to stay home for the night.) Jeff couldn't take the wait anymore and bailed so Justin and I ventured in together to see what all the hype was about. We finally made it in, skipped straight through the club and headed up to the roof deck, known as Eden, where spent the evening sipping mojitos and catching up next to San Diego's trendiest bonfire. While I wouldn't wait in line on a regular basis to get into Eden, I do think it's worth the wait when you are looking to show out-of-towners a good time. It could be especially fun on a warm summer evening.

The next morning we drove to Del Mar for brunch at the Cafe Del Mar. This was another unplanned excursion that turned out to be a lucky choice. We all loved the cafe and can't wait to go back. We all wished Lauren was there with us and pledged to take her back there when she comes to visit next. The Cafe Del Mar definitely gets rave reviews from us. After brunch we walked Torrey Pines beach. The day, which was supposed to be cold and rainy, turned out to be quite nice and we enjoyed some photos and site seeing there before we had to drop Justin off at the airport. Here are a few photos from our last day with Howie, chillin in Del Mar.



Jeff and I at Torrey Pines



Howie on the beach.



Torrey Pines Beach



Justin and I at the beach.



Howie at Cafe Del Mar



Del Mar hang glider.



Me at the beach in Torrey Pines.