Take Me Out to the Ball Game

This Saturday I went to my first Angels game in quite a while (at least one where I wasn't hosting a group of clients in a suite).  It was a lovely day - not too hot up in the stands, and the clouds seem to clear over the stadium just for us.  Any weekend where I get to guzzle down beer and eat pistachios in good company is a winner for me, there something I really enjoy about being in a baseball stadiums.  A nice bonus: Billy Currington played out on the field afterwards, which was the cherry on top.  It was actually my third concert in less than a week - I really need to make an effort to go to more shows, it makes me happier than anything - live music feeds my soul.











Dapper Day

Yesterday, a few of us headed to Disney's California Adventure to celebrate Prestyn's birthday. I made a reservation at the Carthay Circle restaurant (it's nearly impossible to get in unless you've made a reservation a few days in advance), and decided to do it up. The Disney parks were unofficially hosting "Dapper Day" at this time - meaning the majority of people in the park were wearing formal clothes, often from another era entirely. While that sounds like fun, our motley crew considers "dapper" being showered and anything more than that is just too much work. I haven't laughed that hard in ages (my stomach was hurting that evening) and I'm so glad we were able to get together, it felt like it had been such a long time!

p.s. if you like yourself at all, order the fried biscuits if you head to Carthay Circle (two orders, just in case)

Note: I haven't edited any of these photos because for the most part the light was just fantastic

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a sparkling mare

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Dustin's indecisive face

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my delicious Manhattan

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"I look great, I don't know what you're talking about" - Becca

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Prestyn + Pimm's Punch

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the light of my dreams
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instagramming (duh)

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Cheers!

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yes, we go to fancy places and order burgers, as you do

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my cavatelli pasta + braised lamb (yum!)

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we love each other a lot, clearly

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the opposite of dapper (L to R - Prestyn, Dustin, & me)

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the lobby of the Hollywood Tower Hotel

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entry to Alice's Mad "T" Party

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Carsland in the distance

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when we laugh, we laugh hard (in line for California Screamin')

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ended the night with ice cream from Clarabelle's

A Love Letter to the Happiest Place on Earth

This isn't going to come out right, as I have a way of mucking up my words, but posts about Disneyland are sort of my love letters to it.  A way I can memorialize all that it stands for me: friendship, solace, and magic.  It's a familiar place, one that I feel comfortable in (a rarity for my awkward, anxious self) and one where I can take a break from reality and enjoy myself.  I've spent time there bonding with my little brother, rare afternoons where my father took time away from work to be with me, laughed with my friends until my stomach hurt, and stolen kisses in the darkness of rides.  This place will always remain special to me, and I hope that I can one day share it with my own child.  Now let's get on with this entirely-too-long post, shall we?

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Bonus! Two awesome GIFs!
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Magic

Sometimes you have ones of those days where you laugh until your stomach hurts, and you can't believe how blessed you are to be surrounded by such amazing people.  I've had many of those days lately.  Last weekend, I made it out to Disneyland both days, as a couple of my besties renewed their annual passes.  The park was all dressed up for Christmas, and that always makes my heart so happy.  I've got so much love and laughter in my life lately, and I'm so grateful for it.

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photo by Joseph Meyer
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photo by Joseph Meyer
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photo by Joseph Meyer
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photo by Tiffany Novak
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photo by Tiffany Novak

HalloweenTime at Disneyland

While I love plain ol' regular Disneyland, one of my favorite times of the year is when Disney dresses itself up based on the time of year.  I especially enjoy Christmas at Disneyland, but Halloweentime is also so fun and festive!  The pumpkins and orange and yellow decorations have really put me in a Halloween mood.  I didn't take too many pictures, but here's a peek of some of the decorations.


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photo taken by Disney castmember
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The Happiest Place on Earth

Before I went home, I called my family and tried to make them promise we would go to Disneyland.  A couple weeks passed and it was about time to go home, but THEN my lovely, generous mother surprised me with a trip (even after I was being mean old cranky pants).  Having a pass while growing up, it feels like another home to me.  I have so many happy memories there, and I'm really grateful I had another chance to go.

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