Don’t Be Scared. They’re Made of Wax.

Before my firefighter and I went to see Iris from the Cirque du Soleil, in September, we went to the Hollywood Wax Museum, where you can see famous actors made of wax. And, where my firefighter and I enjoy being big goof balls when no one is looking. At this wax museum, they’re many wax actors from classic and popular horror movies. Movies that might be playing on your TV today! Movies that as I child scared me so much, I couldn’t go to bed without hiding my head under the covers and as adult where I keep (yes, present tense) the night light on to see what’s really in the hard. No matter how much they scare me, I still love watching a good scary movie any time of the year. My firefighter and I love scary movies. Here are some pictures from the wax museum courtesy of my firefighter.

At the Hollywood Wax Museum there’s no need to be scared. They’re made of wax! Thank goodness.

Like Kids at the Circus

 

My favorite thing about my vacation with my fireman, other than spending time with him, which we don’t get to do much, (oh, the life of a fire wife) was going to watch Iris from the Cirque du Soleil show at the Dolby theatre, in Los Angeles.

We got the tickets from my boss who wouldn’t be able to make the show. We had orchestra seats, best seats ever! Row G, end seats. My fireman and I had never sat that close to the stage at a show before. We were ecstatic of course.

Before the show started, actors from the show were interacting with the audience. The woman with the old film reel skirt, a man with hair so long that he used it as a whip, and one of my favorite Gloria. Gloria, a tall woman with red long hair that stood straight up in a braid, curvaceous body, wearing a purple with green polka dot dress, and extremely friendly.

Gloria’s interaction with the audience was memorable. As she walked up the row in front of us, she stuck out her big butt causing it to be in people’s faces. She then sat in an empty seat and introduces herself to the gentlemen next to her.

“Hello, I’m Gloria.”

“I’m Bill.”

“Bill, that’s a beautiful name! I have something for you Bill,” as she takes out a head shot picture of herself from her bra.

He shows Gloria his wedding ring and says, “This is my wife.”

Gloria sits on the gentlemen’s lap as she introduces herself to the man’s wife and asks them what they would like her to write on the photo while she rubs her chest against the man.

The audience that can see this can’t stop laughing.

The wife says, “Write affectionately Gloria.” 

Gloria does, as she continues rubbing herself against the man who is now as red as a tomato.

From the beginning until the end of the show, my fireman and I were like little kids at a circus. At times there were so many awesome acts happening around us that we didn’t know where to look.  I covered my mouth in amazement at what these body contortionists could do. Once my fireman had to tell me to look in a different direction so I wouldn’t miss a man throwing a broom in the air as he did tricks with it.

 

 

 

From all the shows I have attended, Iris from Cirque du Soleil show is so far my favorite. My fireman and I hope to go again soon or maybe go see the one in Las Vegas for the holidays.

Like always, I got a pin for my shadow box.  This time I got it before the show because I knew the souvenir shop would be busy when the show was over. My small but inexpensive souvenir to remember the wonderful night I was about to experience. Pin was $10.

Inspired by the show, I made this drawing of the women with the spinning old film reel skirt for my boss. I send it to her with a thank you letter for giving me the tickets and for giving us something fun and memorable for my fireman and I to do for our vacation.

 

Vacation Series: California Academy of Sciences

California Academy of Sciences was another awesome place my brother took me to see in San Francisco. When you walk into the museum you see this huge Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton, which reminded me of the movie, “Night at the Museum.”

My favorite thing at the California Academy of Sciences was the man made replica of a rain forest, created inside a 4-story glass dome. It was humid inside but absolutely beautiful! On one floor there was tropical birds and butterflies freely flying around. When leaving that floor level you had to check yourself in front of a mirror to make sure you didn’t take any butterflies with you before ascending to another level. In the dome we also saw fishes, frogs, plants, lizards, and snakes.

A popular sight to see at the museum is there albino alligator named Claude. The California Academy of Sciences building’s rooftop is like no other. It has a garden rooftop. We also saw “The Summer of Slither” a snake and lizard exhibition, which was the reason my brother wanted to take me to the California Academy of Sciences. One of my nicknames is Lizard. So, when my brother Chuy asked if I wanted to go to the California Academy of Sciences to see the snake and lizard exhibition I said, “Yes! I would love to see more of my people (lizards)!”

If you plan on visiting San Francisco, I highly recommend the California Academy of Sciences.

Vacation Series: Japanese Tea Garden

The first place my brother took me in San Francisco to see was the Japanese Tea Garden. You would never think such beauty was hidden in such a busy city. Admission was only $7.00, a cheap admission price for a quiet, relaxing, and peaceful experience. I enjoyed every second in the Japanese Tea Garden. The landscape, architecture, Buddha statue, and the arched bridge all breath taking. My favorite part was the $3.00 Japanese tea with free fills! One of many great experiences I got to share with my brother. Thanks Chuy!

Vacation Series: Souvenirs

Shot glasses, magnets, key chains, postcards, pins are some of many souvenirs people get as a small token to remember their trip. My favorite souvenirs to collect are pins with the sharp little point behind it. I use to collect shot glasses but had no place to display them. I decided to collect pins of my trips instead, which was better since I’m not a big drinker. Not only are pins small but also very inexpensive, usually under $10.

I have collected pins from my museum trips (Getty and The Museum of Tolerance), from cities I have visited (San Diego and San Francisco), from plays I have gone to see (Mary Poppins and Wicked), and others have sentimental attachments (Navy pins for my siblings). Some pins are also from trips family and friends have taken and they were nice to help add to my collection.

The best part of collecting pin as souvenirs is that I can display them in a shadow box. I love using shadow boxes because they have many functions. I like how nice and organized they look behind the glass of the shadow box. They’re almost like badges of honor from my trips.

What types of souvenirs do you collect from your trips?

Vacation Series: Downtown Brentwood and Me

The day after my arrival to San Francisco my friend dropped me off at Downtown Brentwood as she headed to work. I really enjoyed this time with myself, 8 hours, as I had no obligations to rush home like I usually do when shopping and to worry about not having enough time to do what I wanted.

My first stop was Savers thrift store, which was the only place opened at 8 in the morning other than the coffee shops. I’ve never enjoyed thrift store shopping like I did that day. I was in there for at least 4 hours, trying on vintage clothing, looking at shoes, fabric, everything! I was in thrift store heaven! I sent a good $60 and probably would have send more if I weren’t thinking about how it was all going to fit in my luggage. I felt kind of guilt spending that much but soon realized that the heck with it, it’s my vacation and I deserve to enjoy myself.

For breakfast/lunch since I didn’t have breakfast I had pupusas at Amelia’s Mexican Restaurant, which my friend recommended for having good pupusas. Other than pig skin tostadas (tostadas de cueritos in Spanish) pupusas are my second favorite Mexican food dish. The beans and rice weren’t great but the pupusas were!

With a content belly, I got a pedicure and manicure at Donna’s Salon. I hadn’t had a pedicure in over a year and never had a manicure. That was another nice, relaxing and enjoyable experience.

I also went to Century Theater, a sister theater of the one at home, and watched a “Captain America” for free! I ended up watching 3 movies on my vacation, which is more than I watch at home and I work at a movie theater.

I’m back!

I was gone for a week up north on my much-needed vacation. I visited my brother and my college friend.  I saw four places from About.com's Top Ten Attraction in San Francisco. Everyday was an adventure!

Places I saw:
- Downtown Brentwood
- Stanford University
- The Japanese Tea Garden
- The California Academy of Sciences
- Fisherman’s Wharf Pier 39
- The Winchester Mystery House
- Movie on the Beach, Santa Cruz

I missed my hubby and my dog Belle very much during my vacation but I had a great time! I will be posting on each of the places I visited and the delicious places I ate.

San Francisco Here I Come

(source)

I just booked my ticket to San Francisco for my one-week vacation! I will be visiting my little brother, Chuy, and my college bud, Maria. To add to the excitement it will be my first time going on a plane by myself. The last time I was on an airplane, I was 13 and going to Mexico with my parents. I’ve never been to San Francisco either. Chuy will be my tour guide in San Francisco and the Alcatraz Prison and Golden Gate Bridge is on our site seeing list.

Here’s a list of the Top Ten Attractions in San Francisco according to About.com:

1. Golden Gate Bridge

2. Japanese Tea Garden

3. Exploratorium

4. Fishman’s Wharf

5. Alcatraz

6. Cable Cars

7. Chinatown

8. North Beach

9. Alamo Square

I’m curious to see what else my brother has planned for me and if they include more of the places on the list above.

Have you ever been to San Francisco and what is your favorite thing about it?