Sunday Favorite: 95

Not much to report this morning except I felt three good aftershocks during the night. I slept better overall, which is good considering I hardly slept Friday night. Winston spent most of yesterday and last night under the bed. This morning he finally came out and ate. He's currently sacked out on the sofa about a foot or so away from me. Poor guy is just a wreck.

I upgraded my iPhone to the newest 7.1 iOS. Can't tell that it's made much difference.

On the other hand, I upgraded my Macbook to the new Maverick OS...not sure I'm liking it but I don't have much choice. Whereas in the previous version new windows opened, Maverick opens new pages in tabs. I learned the difficult way by closing the window and being back at a blank screen rather than the screen I started at. A little frustrating. Also, the scrolling bit is opposite so one scrolls up to move the screen down. At least I think that's what I'm doing. It probably won't take too long to adjust.

We're anticipating cooler and wetter weather this week. Something about April showers? 

Hope everyone is well. We're just hanging on, here.

BEHR HUGS

I Feel the Earth...Move...Under My Feet

Here in the 'burbs east of Los Angeles we had an earthquake tonight. Actually...several. The first hit about 8:00pm and was about a 3.6, centered approximately 4 - 8 miles away from where I live. The second hit about an hour later...it has been downgraded to 5.1 but initially was a 5.4. You may not think three-tenths is much but when it comes to earthquakes....trust me...it matters. I've felt about 3 aftershocks.

The house just now shook again, a quick jolt. My heart is pounding! I don't think I'm going to get much sleep tonight. Winston is cowering under the pub table in the dining room; I prefer him there than under the bed. 

According to Dr. Lucy Jones of the U.S. Geological Survey, after a 20-year period of seismic inactivity we're just starting to get back to the high number of incidents.

GREAT. Just what I want, a bunch of earthquakes. Thankfully I took out earthquake insurance last year!

There are folks on Facebook making jokes about these temblors but it really isn't funny to those of us who have worked hard to buy a house and maintain it. If there really is a "BIG" one, my house will undoubtedly suffer major damage considering that it was built in 1950. Even with the EQ insurance, I couldn't afford to rebuild. I would lose everything. So I don't find them funny at all.

The Caltech/USGS folks are claiming we've had over 30 aftershocks. I believe it! Thankfully nothing broke in my house except maybe the cracks in the ceiling and walls are bigger.

That last jolt happened about a half hour ago and before that it was maybe an hour or so. There is more time between events (that I'm feeling) so fingers crossed that it's over!

BEHR HUGS!

Reflections on a Life

They're starting early this year....the funerals. 

I took the day off from work today to attend the funeral of a gentleman that I've known for roughly 30 years through the local community theater. Ironically, I met his wife when I was a child, through the library summer reading program. But it was the theater where I had the honor of meeting Deac. I met his daughter and son-in-law and eventually another daughter and son-in-law. I heard stories of their two sons, met one of the daughter-in-laws, and was a guest in their home.

I learned a lot about Deac today...like "Deac" was a nickname, not short for Deacon. He was a bomber pilot in WWII, flying 35 missions over Germany. He sold tools, he was a teacher, he started a scholarship for kids to pursue acting, and he played golf. I know he was a brilliant actor, director, and set designer and one of THE nicest men to ever walk this earth. He always greeted people with a smile and a handshake. He didn't have a cross word for anyone. He was the voice of reason, the voice of experience, the voice that lives inside your head when you know perhaps you should make a different choice. 

He wasn't without a sense of humor. One of the few times I shared the stage with him, he made his entrance and introduced himself as Eugene Spettigue. The character's name was Stephen Spettigue. He made his exit and said with a straight face "I don't even know anyone named Eugene." Those of us backstage almost passed out from laughing. 

Today's service for Deac had its tears but also its laughter...Deac wouldn't want sackcloth and ashes but a joyous celebration, which is what he got. Several family members got up and spoke. My friend Roxie spoke, as a friend of the family and representative of the theater group. Perhaps the highlight was when the grandkids got up and sang "Over the Rainbow." Incredible performance...it was like listening to the Partridge Family or Brady Bunch. Only better!

At the graveside, representatives from the local VFW post provided military honors: the folded American flag, bugler, and 21 gun salute. 

During the reception after, I sat with Rosalee's husband. I was afraid that our talk of funerals and death would be disconcerting but he seemed to hold up well. In addition to Deac's family I saw many theater friends...and I can honestly say that it filled my heart to see so many at the service and reception. 

Deac was a remarkable man. I knew that before today, but I'm more aware of how remarkable now. And so as the sun sets on this day, I reflect about the kind of man I am and the legacy that I want to leave. I am re-inspired.

BEHR HUGS

Behr Update

Last night - or this morning - we changed our clocks for Daylight Saving Time. I hate this "losing" an hour thing. I just wanted to sleep sleep sleep this morning. But unfortunately, I needed to get up and get things done today. I didn't get much done yesterday afternoon after I got home from SF.

So yeah...I am back from my work trip. I am so happy to be home. Winston is too. Oh he acted miffed for a while but he soon warmed up. He was so cute...he kept peeking around the wall to make sure I was still here. In the night I got up to pee and he was sitting in the hall. I picked him up and took him back to bed with me and he snuggled and sang. I totally missed that this last week.

Over all it was a good trip. There were some issues with the students in class not understanding concepts even though I explained it 5 times. I'm also not used to conducting training 5 days a week!

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency at the Embarcadero. Big beautiful hotel. Here's a view of the Atrium Lobby from my 6th floor room:

That's some weird sculpture and strands of lights that hang down over the Eclipse bar area. This lobby was famously seen in The Towering Inferno. 

I was upgraded to a room with a balcony because I was staying 6 nights. Here's part of the view from my balcony:

This is my Instagram pic taken last Sunday when it was overcast and drizzling. The prominent points of interest are the Vaillancourt Fountain and Pier 1. After I got settled in I wandered down to stroll around. Here's a picture of the famous Ferry building:

Again, this is an Instagram picture that I took. I wandered through the Ferry building and ended up eating at Gott's Roadside. I eventually wandered back to the hotel where I waited for Bear and his boyfriend who were coming over to watch the Oscars.

Oh yes...Bear has a boyfriend! I met him last year when I was last in the Bay area. He's a very nice guy and I like him. What is really nice is that he and I have become friends too. And except for the occasional odd moment when the two of them are exchanging endearments and kisses, I don't feel like a third wheel when I'm with them. And whenever they kiss or start get lovey-dovey I just say "GET A ROOM!" 

So what did you think of the Academy Awards? I like Ellen DeGeneres but found the ceremony a tad dull. I'm very happy that Cate Blanchett won Best Actress. More than that, I'm happy American Hustle got shut out. Hated that film! I haven't seen 12 Years a Slave or Dallas Buyers Club but plan to put them in my Netflix queue. I was sorry Judi Dench wasn't in attendance but I understand she's filming the sequel to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in India.

A new sight in San Francisco is the Bay Bridge lights:

I took a picture when I first saw them:

I was walking back to the hotel from having dinner in Embarcadero One and saw the Bay Bridge lights (at the very back), the Ferry Building all lit up, and the Embarcadero "tulip" lights. The Bay Bridge lights are a programmed light show, patterns of light and dark are made along the entire span. Very interesting and fun to watch.

I had the chance to eat at some favorite places - Grubstake, Mel's Diner, Gott's, Ken's Kitchen- as well as trying a new places - Fuzio, Oasis Grill, Tia Maria's. For once I didn't really worry about money; I kept reloading my BART card to go from point A to point B (I also think the fare has increased since I was last there). Because of my gout and larger frame, walking long distances isn't possible. I rode the California Street cable car with Bear and Boyfriend, which is always a treat.

So that's about it. Today I'm finishing laundry and went to Trader Joe's to restock the fridge and pantry. It's beautiful outside here in the Los Angeles area. Although we need more rain it's nice to have sunshine after spending a week in the overcast and drizzly weather of SF.

Hope everyone is well. 

BEHR HUGS

Behr Bits

I leave for San Francisco this morning. What was I thinking when I booked a 7am flight the morning after closing night of the theater?!

I'll be in SF for a week...Sunday through Saturday, doing the usual commuting to Alameda for the actual work part of the time. I'll be staying somewhere new for me...down in the Embarcadero area. Just hope I remember to get off BART at the proper station.

Tonight are the Oscars! I'm a little excited because I've seen a small handful of the movies. I'm a lot sad because I'll be SF in a hotel room and not at my friend's annual Oscar-viewing party. 

Here in the Los Angeles area we've had much needed rain. Yesterday saw colder temps, thunder and lightening, and periodic torrential downpours. It's been great. The only down side is I'm going to SF where - at last look - the forecast is for a week of rain.

So that's about it for now. I won't be taking my laptop. Just don't want to worry about lugging it around (it's a Macbook and a bit heavy). It also precludes looking at some sites like Blogger on my iPhone because it's just too damn small.

Enjoy your week!

BEHR HUGS