Edwards Cinema San Marcos

Went there on Saturday to see Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Which is not my kind of movie but it wasn’t my turn to pick.

The place is large.

Features 18 screens, stadium seating, an old-school photo booth (where you step behind the curtain and make faces), a chance to screen trailers for upcoming movies and offer advice, concession stands and to keep you from running out of energy from the entrance all the way to your screen, there are candy dispensers along the way.

Okay, that is all pretty normal.

But here is the unexpected.

A digital scale in the restroom.

Just pop in a quarter and see (with precision) how much you weigh.

Are you kidding me?

Why would anyone have an urge to weigh himself or herself at a movie theatre?

Is the number going to be the deciding factor between the large popcorn or the small? Butter or no butter? Soda or water? Splitting the pack of red vines or getting your own box of candy?

Craziness.

By the by, enjoyed the movie, glad I went.

Remembering

We were on vacation in Paris ten years ago.

In a toy shop, looking for a souvenir for my nephew.

A customer, with a thick accent, made a comment about a plane in America that hit a building.

Odd.

Must watch the news before heading out for dinner (for more escargot).

BBC World News.

Video and photos and reports.

Shocking and unreal.

Never left the room that night. Glued to the television screen. Watching in horror.

All flights were cancelled.

It would be a full week from our original ticket date before we got home.

In the meantime, a note of sympathy delivered from the hotel concierge.  Locals, who heard our American accent, respectfully commented on our loss.

A stack of flowers grew wider and taller in front of the American Embassy.

We walked there every day to stand and feel the connection.

Airport security at Charles de Gaulle was noticeably different for our departure.

Military presence. Dogs patrolling the area. Onboard we were handed a plastic knife and fork to eat our entrée, with apologies from the flight attendant.

In Dallas, it was eerie. Quiet. The terminal was practically empty as we rushed through additional security before catching a connecting flight. We were back on American soil but nothing felt familiar.

Our memories of 9/11 will always be slightly skewed.

Because of where we were and how we heard.

A national tragedy ever so slightly muted by distance.

Opa!

There is a Greek Festival in Cardiff this weekend.

At Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church on Manchester Avenue.

An opportunity to celebrate the culture.

Admire the bling.

Hit the links for only a buck.

Drink ouzo or listen to the band or learn some dance steps.

Get in line to sample baklava, karidopita, kataifi, diples and other pastries.

Pass by booths filled with sparkle – from jewelry to clothing to hand bags.

A $3 entrance fee for a quick trip to Greece.

San Diego Power Outage

It happened yesterday afternoon at 3:30-ish.

Whoosh.

The lights went out.

And everything else that required electricity.

It was abrupt.

Followed by a notable silence.

And a moment to wonder “is it just my workplace?”

Or will I step outside and see that it is far-reaching.

Which it was.

The commute home was horrendous. Traffic lights were out. Cars took turns, one by one, crossing the wide intersections.

Although the freeway wasn’t crowded (at least going south), the off ramps were backed up for quite a distance.

Once home, the automatic garage door wouldn’t open.

By 6:30 our landline was dead.

Kids played in the street until it was pitch black.

Windows and sliding doors were opened to circulate air and cool things off.

Candles and flashlights were gathered.

Used a battery-operated bike light to read a book.

Took a quick drive in the neighborhood to see….

Nothing.

But the full moon.

And what was directly in front of our headlights.

By morning the power was back on.

Kids were back in the street because school was cancelled and many workplaces are dealing with the aftermath such as getting servers up and running.

Almost back to normal.

TOMS

TOMS display at Nordstroms at UTC in La Jolla

In the life cycle of a product, there are four stages: introduction, growth, maturity and decline.

The target market is the early adopter.

Since TOMS shoes can be spotted EVERYWHERE (at least in San Diego), I have clearly missed that category.

Which is followed by early majority, late majority and laggards!

The salesman at Nordstroms in La Jolla said that they sell 300 pairs of Toms EVERY WEEK.

No surprise that the ones I want were sold out.

So I might have to go online to get my burlap shoes (far right).

Have you jumped on the TOMS bandwagon?

For every pair you buy, they donate a pair to a child in need.           

What an incredible mission statement and the shoes are really comfortable!

14 Karat Cake and Frosting

Dare you to find a better recipe for carrot cake.

This one is full of pineapple, coconut and walnuts.

With a surprise in the cream cheese frosting.

Pineapple juice.

Here is the recipe:

14 Karat Cake

2 cups sifted flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1-1/2 teaspoons of baking soda

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 cups sugar

1-1/2 cups vegetable oil

4 eggs

2 cups finely grated carrots

8-1/2 oz can of crushed pineapple (drained, reserved for frosting)

3-1/2 oz flaked coconut

½ cup chopped walnuts

Sift dry ingredients together (flour, powder, soda, salt and cinnamon) and mix well.

Add sugar, oil and eggs. Mix well. Add carrots, pineapple, coconut and nuts.

Blend thoroughly.

Pour into two 9-inch round layer pans that have been greased and floured.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

Frosting

½ cup butter

8 oz cream cheese

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 lb. box powdered sugar

Cream butter and cream cheese. Add powdered sugar, gradually. Then thin with a bit of pineapple juice (that was reserved from cake recipe) until desired consistency.

Idina Menzel at the Salk

On Saturday night there was a fundraiser at the Salk Institute in La Jolla.

The plaza between the tall towers was dressed up in sparkles and lights and round tables in front of a massive stage. No photography was allowed.

The entertainment was Broadway Star Idina Menzel backed by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra.

She came out in a long flowing yellow strapless gown and sang hits from Wicked, Rent, Annie and even a few lullabies that she and her husband, actor Taye Diggs, made up for their 2-year old son Walker.

Sitting directly across from her (albeit two stories up on the North Tower balcony) offered a perfect view of her profile. It was a bit like being behind-the-scenes.

Don’t know if it was more fun listening to her belt out a range of songs (from Poker Face to Roxanne) or watching the interplay between her and the sound engineer.

It was wildly amusing trying to decipher her sign language. Even the obvious ‘thumbs up’ signal was likely indicative of ‘pump up the volume’.

Fun night from a fascinating vantage point!