Rose Parade 2014

My third outing at the Parade but first driving in and sitting in the stands. I will NEVER drive in again. What a complete pain, poorly organized (no good ever comes from having human beings direct traffic, I swear). But, Ma and I did make it to our seats, which were excellent. The weather was gorgeous and warm. The floats were beautiful (although no crazy special effects as in past years). The bands are always so much better in person, and for Ma a brand new experience. After the parade, we tried to get to the post parade shuttle parking area, but wasted a bunch of time circling around not being able to get in and gave up. I suggest you not do the post parade until Jan 2nd. Mei went to the decorating viewing and that might be a better way to spend time.

We got back and had some za jiang mien (which makes everything better), and turned on the TV to watch the parade reruns on channel 5 so we could hear the commentary and learn who was on the various floats. It also shows the special performances that happen in front of the TV stands that we don't see on the route.

Photos here.

Christmas 2013

Photos from various holiday related activities, including the Venice Boat Parade party at Amy's, my first annual Christmas party in Mar Vista, Christmas Eve dinner at the 3's, present opening at Mei's, and post Christmas drive down to LA with Mei, including stop at Pismo Beach butterfly grove, Endeavour visit and Little Tokyo lunch with Jeremy Lian.

Subset of the photos here.

NYC Christmas

I had a week back from Thanksgiving and then headed to NY for a project. It was cold and we had a packed schedule, but we did get to Eataly again (yum) and Trattoria del'Arte (also yum) and Carnegie Deli (excellent open face beef with gravy). Saw Neal Degrasse Tyson and Bill Nye the Science Guy in the hotel bar having drinks in tuxes, and was too nervous to go up to them. Sigh. I was able to squeeze in a stroll to see some of the decorations along 5th Ave as well as the Rockefeller Ctr tree.

Photos here.

Thanksgiving

I drove up to the Bay Area to spend a week with Mei and family and join Gugu's Thanksgiving dinner. I was able to squeeze in a visit with Tegan across the Golden Gate and it was such a beautiful day I stopped to photograph it on the way back. I had my first American Girl shopping experience with Neve, did a Turkey Trot with Mei and the kids, and met some interesting new people at the Thanksgiving dinner.

Photos here.