2015 Wrap-Up

Compared to the events in 2013-2014, 2015 was a calm year. This doesn't mean dull though, plenty happened in 2015.

We kicked off the new year at a pajama party thrown by our friends Brian and Valerie, at their business, the La Dolce Vita Tasting Room in Big Bear. The year started with wine, bongo drums, and intentionally bad beat poetry. A few days later, we turned our house over to our contractor for an extensive remodel. We took the house down to the studs and added rooms. The house was originally slated to be ready for Dan's birthday last July, but due to delays, we have our fingers crossed that it will be finished by this July. Although slow, we are overjoyed with the progress. The house has been a very consuming project, with endless decisions and changes. I can't wait to have it done.

2015 was a year of travel. I spent nine nights in Las Vegas, six in Palm Springs, and three in San Diego. We drove to Utah to visit Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. International travel took us to England, France, Spain, Gibraltar, Netherlands, and Belgium. Part of that included a two week Mediterranean cruise with my in-laws and step-kids!

I served Jury Duty for three weeks on a civil case in Downtown Los Angeles. Honestly, I was grumpy when I was first picked, but in the end, the process was fascinating. A guy tried to sue a cleaning company at the South Bay Mall, after he ran through the planters in an Ikea parking lot and tripped. He was unsuccessful in his lawsuit.

Dan's father visited in July and we went to see Dame Edna at the Ahmanson Theatre. Hilarious. Dan's parents both visited us in September, and I took them to see The Object Lesson at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. I've never been so surprised and delighted by a live performance. In London, we took the kids to their first big show, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

We went to several concerts; Old 97's, Brad Paisley ( Dan's first time at the Hollywood Bowl), and Sheryl Crow. We saw Eddie Izzard at the Hollywood Bowl and had our second NASCAR Experience.

With the exception of our vacations, I stuck to a workout schedule ( 3 days a week) with my trainer at the gym. The first half of the year, I lost over twenty pounds and was fitter than I've been in years. Vacation eating and my post-vacation- "let's keep the vacation going" mentality caused me to gain back about twelve pounds. I'm still happy though, feeling stronger and healthier than last year. There is a lot of toned muscles happening and I have decent endurance! In August, I began to add pilates into my routine, which is so much fun. I really look forward to the gym on pilates days, especially with the jump board. I feel like I'm in a circus!

I've continued work towards my three year fiction writing certificate through UCLA Extension. This year, I took seven classes, and I will wrap up the program by this coming spring. Although most of my course work focused on the completion and workshopping of my first novel, I also took Intermediate Short Story and Intro to Poetry. The idea of poetry intrigued and scared me, but I rose to the challenge and found a new form of writing to love. 

The big news of the year happened around my birthday, when I learned that my novel had been nominated for The James Kirkwood Prize. I had been nominated by novelist Caroline Leavitt, whom with I took Story Structure for the Novel, last winter. I was elated and it was huge boost when I was starting to have doubts about my story. I didn't win, but that's okay, I was just so thrilled to have been picked. 

Speaking of books, I read sixty-five this year! 

2015 was mostly happy and calm. I'm grateful to have made so many happy memories with friends and family. 

Theatre Review- The Object Lesson

The Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City is responsible for some of the most exciting and ambitious theatre that I've ever experienced. Nothing that I have seen at the Douglas could quite prepare me for The Object Lesson, the most unusual show that I've ever seen.

The blurb describing The Object Lesson, does not do it justice. However, this show might be impossible to explain. It's an onslaught to all of the senses. There is just no way to prepare for the experience.

I attended the show with my in-laws, all three of us intrigued by the concept. Honestly, I thought that this would be a show attacking the culture of clutter and consumerism. I thought that I would see the show and that it would make me take a hard look at the crap in my house.  The Object Lesson touches on these subjects, but it's so much more.

As we waited in the lobby, we were given instructions. As soon as the theatre doors opened, we were told to touch all of the props and mingle. This is not a show for wallflowers, it's highly interactive.

The doors opened and we walked inside. Boxes and junk filled the space, all of the way to the ceiling. The traditional theatre seats had been torn out, replaced with a mix of old furniture and more boxes. Remember Shel Silverstein's poem Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take The Garbage Out? We had walked into an episode of Hoarders. It was a marvel.

We quickly noticed that several of the cardboard boxes were labeled with "This is a seat" and they were actually reinforced with wood. We were encouraged to grab a seat anywhere that we could find it, there was no actual stage, and move the boxes to anywhere that we would like. We took our "seats" up the stairs, to have an overview, looking down on where the stage would traditionally sit. We didn't know it at the time, but these were fabulous seats. The action moves around the entire space and rarely was our view blocked.

After securing our spot, I walked around the space, opening boxes and drawers. This was magical and delightful, although it is a contrived environment, it was like having permission to be nosy. I relished it!

 I picked up one box to find the interior written with instructions to hand the box to someone who looks nice and say, "Here, I think this is yours". I should have done it, but I chickened out. I did look through an old apothecary chest that had dozens of drawers. One drawer was filled with dolls dresses, another with old buttons, one with a handful of dirt. It was delightful. I had a big grin the whole time, and I could have spent the whole evening just poking around the set. I wish that they had opened the house earlier. 

The actor/illusionist/creator of the show, Geoff Sobelle, started his performance by walking into the center of the space and turning on a record player. He walked through the space, opening boxes and unpacking, until he had an entire living room set up. He set the tone for the show immediately, by enlisting the help of audience members, having them carry furniture and passing them boxes. No one was safe for keeping their seat during the entire show, as Sobelle often evicted people from their seats and space to fit the needs of the show. 

I don't want to give away any key moments, as the mystery of "where the heck is this thing heading" was a big part of the delight. In a general sense, the heart of the show deals with the objects that we cling to in our lives. Objects that hold powerful memories and emotions, objects that we struggle to give away, objects that we use every day, objects that drive us crazy...how we relate to these inanimate things in our lives.  Sobelle balances the poignant moments with heavy doses of comedy and wonder. The last part of the show is incredible, with Sobelle using objects and illusions to tell the story of a man going through his life. It was spell-binding. 

The Object Lesson is marvelous, a truly magical and affecting experience. Unforgettable. If you have the opportunity, don't miss it. Did I mention that the show involves salad making with ice skates? That's not even the craziest thing that happens. Intrigued? Buy tickets now!!!