I know, I know. The world is on edge as it awaits my Top 10 Moments of the year known as 2015. In suspense the world will be no longer, as HERE I present that list.
10. The Disneyland Parade
For ten months and ten days of this year, I belonged to an esteemed group of Deluxe Annual Passholders for the Happiest Place on Earth. Unfortunately, the cost of this club crept up so high this year that I had to give it up. But not before catching the park’s reiteration of the beloved Electrical Parade. Disneyland’s Paint the Night is the Electrical Parade on caffeine, steroids, and heroine, cranked up enough to prevent any dozing off, ennui, or even blinking to patrons along Main Street. It thrilled and dazzled and delighted this OG park-goer.
9. My Job’s Emergency Response Truck
I work hard not to mix work and blog, but exceptions are necessary in life. As is the case with this accomplishment – a many-year quest to procure a response truck to be used for public health emergencies, such as spills of hazardous materials. Not only did it make it here this year from a plant in Wisconsin, but it survived me driving it a half mile in the business loop near our offices.
8. Learning I’m a Mee-Mah
You’ve heard about my work family – the daughter, the son, the son-in-law, the wife, the sister, the nanny, the gardner, the two baby-daddies and others. This year, I found out that my family is growing with BOTH of my work kids telling me they were expecting. One was a happy surprise, the other an utter shock – but both announcements thrilled me. Since these new babies already have women lined up to claim the title of grandmother, I’ve decided to be their Mee-Mah – even better than a grandma because it’s ME!
7. Drake’s Hotline Bling
Not really a single moment, but every time I hear the song, my parts get all glittery and golden. The memes just made the song, the video all the more special for me.
6. Austin
Speaking of Drake, I had an especially awesome time jamming and shouting to the aforementioned Bling tune at the 20-somethings dive Barbarella in Austin. Getting my tipsy boogey on only capped a phenomenal and fun eating escapade with my girls, the Scarf Sisters. Hopefully, 2016 will offer another chance to pretend I’m a millennial on the dance floor.
5. The LA Marathon
It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t fast. But it was over after many, many hours. With a full marathon strongly checked off my bucket list, I don’t know if this lifetime of mine has another one in it. There is always New York, I suppose.
4. Straight Outta Compton
I went to the theater expecting to like the movie. But I left the show post-orgasmic, as if I’d just had an out of body experience, complete with buttered popcorn and a ginormous diet Coke. Four hours after seeing it once, I was back again that evening, and then once more a few days later. I was especially enamored by the portrayal of Ice Cube by his son, O’Shea Jackson, Jr. Thankfully, the DVD will be released next month so I can relive this moment – and my youth – over and over and over again.
3. The Force Awakens
Unlike Straight Outta Compton, I’ve only managed to see this movie twice so far, but it doesn’t mean I wasn’t mesmerized by it. This fan girl was in from the first strike of notes of John Williams’ famous overture along with the opening crawl. I call the ending a thing of beauty, just the tease to satisfy me and keep me itching for the next installment.
2. Meeting Oprah
I won’t say where or how or why or when, but I met Oprah this summer. Even better, I had a drink with Oprah. Perhaps I took three shots of tequila just to have a reason to linger in her presence. It was a wholly wonderful and surreal experience that left me on a Harpo high for weeks.
1. Time with my Parents
My mom and dad are getting older. Their health has been better. A few months back, I thought I might only have my mother for a few more days, perhaps even hours. But God is good. And though the reality of our parents aging is something that the bulk of us need to deal with (if we’re lucky), it’s a stressful and difficult thing. So I’m thankful for my family for giving me the time, the flexibility of going up north to visit when needed; happy for my friends who’ve offered support, a drink, a few minutes of their time to talk; and the many who’ve prayed for my parents, for me over this period. I am indeed a blessed human being.
Happy New Year to all seven of my faithful Dianderthal readers, and here’s hoping for another two or three fans in 2016!
Honorable Mentions… or, oops – these actually should have made the list but I’m too lazy to go back up and add things and re-order and all that.
Goodbye Hijinks
Four of my closest colleagues moved on this year – to retirement, to grad school, to fancier positions. Each time, we had fun sending them off in a way only the Long Beach Health Department (specifically, the Epidemiology and Emergency Management divisions) could – with sad poetry, with a flash mob, with a one-act play, and with a hip-hop performance. I can’t wait to see what awaits my departure if I ever leave.
New Restaurants
This is Dianderthal, so I’d be remiss in not mentioning any food on this post of highlights from the year. I was fortunate to find several local favorites, now considered regular spots for me: Long Beach Creamery, The Attic, Working Class Kitchen, California Fish Grill, and Manaow; and enjoyed the likes of Shake Shake, Gabbi’s, Blue Cow Kitchen, Little Jewel of New Orleans, and La Vida Cantina. While I didn’t make it to some of the places on my 2015 list, I’ll be sure to have many a tasty adventure with the revival of Ladies Who Dine for 2016.
Concerts and Tournaments and Events, Oh My!
Hardly a weekend (or a weeknight) went by without something to do. As always, I enjoyed watching my kids work it in volleyball, on the drums, and on stage dancing. Also, I made it to the Hollywood Bowl (to watch Erika Badu) and to a Dodger game, and completed quite a few races besides my marathon this year. I’m tired and out of breath and in need of cold water just thinking of all the activity.
Big Regret
As I wrote on this blog, I gave myself a goal of sending out at least one written correspondence to a dear friend, a colleague, an admired stranger each week. I think I only made it to early March. But let me give it another try in 2016. I’ll keep you posted on how I do!