All good things must come to an end.

Our last Sycamore Talent Show!

And such talent - young kids break dancing, people singing, magicians, comedians,

and a skit about how to change a diaper.

Our children used to participate by reciting poetry

and playing instruments.

This year our last student was the kid in white
who helped with the mics, music stands, and props.

A grand finale with the school song!

Celebrating together

After exchanging valentines we had a regular Saturday (soccer, relaxing, playing), but in the evening A. had a friend over so we had dinner and watched a movie.  It may not have been romantic, but it was lovely!

When work is play

In order to be prepared to use the department's new 3D printers in the lab D. thought he should bring them home and practice.  He is lucky that his work is fun, like visiting a science museum, he once said.

First he made some calibration prints and then made matching pieces from the two printers.  Next he let A. have a turn, who was having fun coming watching the creation being made.  R. had much more fun manipulating the software.

Success!

The first useful thing he made was a replacement part for my bicycle bags.  The bags hook on the rack and a piece slides onto the side, giving it more stability.

The piece that slides across the horizontal part slid right off
and the company does offer replacement pieces.

I think D. did a great job making a match.

Next up was time for something more complex.  Just as one can get knitting patterns online, a person can get 3D printing patterns, too.  D. got one for a Maker Faire Robot Action Figure.

Feel free to send your suggestions!

Are you awake?

Some people in the family can wake up on time without an alarm, but I am not one of them.  Pre-surgery I would set an iPod on running days and my watch on swim days (since I was going to take it off to swim anyway).

Now that I sleep with my good ear on the pillow I can't hear any alarm.  My first post-surgery alarm was to set the iPod and have D. poke me, but I realized that method won't work if he is at a conference or elsewhere.  I looked into vibrating watches (which are more expensive on websites with deaf people as target audiences compared to websites geared toward people trying not to wake up spouses).  A lot of people said they were good for reminders but no as effective for waking people.

I was curious about vibrating alarm clocks and mentioned this to a friend who offered to give me hers, one they had when they were searching for ways to wake a teenager.

I couldn't understand how it worked, but that is because the photo doesn't show the cord that runs between the clock and the paddle.  I also didn't understand how it could work if it were under the pillow.  It has been a pleasant surprise to learn that it is very effective, even if it puts D. out of a job.

Performing Arts

I have often heard about the Inland Valley Repertory Theatre, but I had never made it to a performance until this week when we went to celebrate a friend's birthday.  Even though they use the dinner theater there is no meal and there isn't even dessert served.  Perfect!  We enjoyed the performance and did not sing along aloud.

Next up was A.'s new (to him) orchestra, Claremont Youth Symphony Orchestra.  

They performed in Little Bridges (a.k.a. Mabel Shaw Bridges Hall of Music), 

which is a beautiful setting with wonderful acoustics.

I enjoyed the music and the commentary before each piece.  I was amazed the director did not point out that the Norwegian Dance No. 2 was used in an Allan Sherman song!

We can't forget the visual arts.  Passing the art museum after the concert 

we spotted this piece, "Project Series 49: Sam Falls". 

Good to get some culture and all close to home!

Visitor

Visiting my sister in San Francisco without the family was a great vacation and last weekend it was my turn to host my sister.  The pickles and smushed penny machine were a hit.

We started the visit at Union Station.  She took the bus from LAX and I took the train and we met at the fish tank near the red line.  We took the red line to Pershing Square and thought of our dad

who liked to buy Thrifty ice cream for 25¢!

Lunch was at the Grand Central Market, but we did not wait ages and ages for Egg Slut and we didn't have the country's best iced latte.  We meant to walk to The Last Bookstore, but first ended up at the Central Library, which has a great gift shop.  We resisted temptation.  We also resisted temptation at the MOCA gift shop.  The Broad had no scaffolding up but doesn't open until September, although the paper had an article (with a picture) saying you could get a sneak preview next weekend.  After all that it was nice to simply sit on the train instead of sitting in traffic.

That night the kids and the cool aunt went to see Comedy Sportz at the high school.

One family member is almost an honorary member.

The next day was spent in town, walking to the village, going to a soccer game, and having dinner with the extended family.  And that was enough!

Our last day was spent at The Getty Center.  The weather was great and it was not crowded.  After the introductory movie we took an architectural tour.

I wish the guide had not pointed out that one part of the building is held up by these spindly columns.  He then explained why it was okay, but I don't want to think about it.

We also learned about the top floors using sunshine to light the gallery, which was new at the time.  I don't understand how this works, either.

I had known about the fossils in the travertine and was happy to find one.

I thought we had been told there was no modern art,
but there is sculpture garden that I had not seen before.

It was a beautiful day to explore and relax.
I look forward to more visits.

A Discovery!

For a long time there was a scrapbooking store in the village, but it closed within the last year.  The small drugstore expanded into the space, but I thought it would be more of the same and had not visited.  That is why it is good to have company and do a bit of exploring.  You'll never guess what my sister found!

A smushed penny machine right here in Claremont!

The one with a tree says, "Claremont - the city of trees and Ph.D.s"

I'd love to hear where you have been surprised to find a smushed penny machine.