Spent part of the morning working on the hockey schedule, then went to an out-of-town rink to ref a triple header (youth-women’s-women’s).

The games were fine, not too aggressive. Major problem being the rink was waaaay colder than usual, due to unusually cold exterior conditions.

Stopped for coffee on the way home, planned out my household chores for the evening. Got home, ate dinner, then promptly fell asleep on the couch.

Getting ready for sleep now, because tomorrow will be nearly identical to today.

The youth hockey regular season will be over in just another week, so I’ll be able to do more “fun” things in the future. 2 years ago

Definitely NOT the way I’d prefer to spend a Saturday- in a memorial service for my cousin’s father-in-law.

However, I did see many relatives, and was able to catch up with a few of them.

(On a lighter note, I had the previous day off from work and went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium with a friend. It was a very enjoyable day.) 2 years ago

The Casual Book Club started off with a whimper, as several people were late or no-showed. Lunch, when it finally happened, was pretty good. I had sashimi and fried tofu in broth (it was better than it sounds), and later, at the coffee shop/book club meeting, affogato (ice cream with a shot of espresso) .

We had a good time at the meeting, as we had decided on a book swap. I ended up with two books, which I haven’t started reading yet. Will talk about those later in my goal Read More Books.

In the evening, I went to a “Sound of Music Singalong” with a new friend. We had a great time, singing and laughing and booing the Nazis, oohing and awing the von Trapp children, and hissing the Baroness. My very favorite song is “Lonely Goatherd.” I only wish I could sing as high as Julie Andrews!

Edit: Just found this great video of Julie Andrews and the Muppets singing the “Lonely Goatherd.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjSjB-3xPVM 2 years ago

Now that I have a membership to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, I’m hoping to go at least once a month (it’s a 1.5 hour drive, and I’m not a great driver). The best part of the membership is that I get a guest pass, so I can take a friend with me.

The day didn’t start out well. I overslept and was late to my friend’s house by about an hour (yes, I called). I parked the car on the street, but when she saw where I had parked, she suggested I move to the driveway.

Unhappily, I couldn’t get my car started. Her husband checked it out and thought it might be a dead battery, so he gave it a jump, and we went to get a new one.

Finally we were on our way, several hours later than planned. We got to Cannery Row at about 230 and decided to go directly to Bubba Gump’s for lunch. We had a nice leisurely meal, with (of course) lots of shrimp.

Even though there was only an hour left before closing, we decided since we had passes to go to the MBA. We got to see the penguin chick- already growing so large that the only way to identify it is its grey feathers, played in the touch pool, and saw the kelp forest feeding.

We will definitely go again for a longer visit! 2 years ago

I woke up feeling terrible, with pains in my stomach. I feared it was a recurrence of the gall bladder problem I’d had, but it wasn’t as severe. I took an antacid, and went back to sleep. Thankfully, in an hour I was feeling more or less normal.

I ran some errands, then had lunch at a restaurant recommended to me by someone in the Breakfast Meetup (now defunct). I enjoyed scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and wanted the dessert special, but ended up with something else due to the server’s mistake. I didn’t realize it until later, but it was a good dessert anyway (the “Elvis Special” – white cake with peanut butter and chocolate filling, and sauteed bananas with caramel sauce on top). I took half the meal and half the dessert home for later.

Later I was invited to Stanford for the football game vs. Wake Forest (N.C.). I was happy for the invitation, from the two gals from the birthday lunch, as I haven’t seen live football in many years. Actually the last time I went to football was the Cal-Stanford BIG game, at the old Stanford Stadium about 10 years ago, and I was rooting for Cal.

The game was fairly entertaining, as Stanford dominated. We watched the half-time show, in which the non-conformist Stanford Band gave a very strange show about devils, theology and philosophy, then left, as Stanford had a commanding lead already and it was almost 10 PM.

This reminded me that last fall I had a goal to go to a 49ers game, so perhaps this year I can make it happen! 2 years ago

While most Americans were remembering a different 9/11 event, I was celebrating my mother’s 82nd birthday.

I was actually dreading this day because of late I’ve had some personal issues with her that I’ve been trying to work through. Still, it was her birthday, and I wanted to do something nice for her because she always made birthdays special in our family.

We started the day with dim sum lunch (yum-o!) with my BFF and his wife. It was nice to have them because we were able to order more items to share. Everyone’s favorite was the fried calamari tossed with chilis.

Next Mom & I went shopping for her birthday present. She had been having problems with her land-line phones, which were all at least 6 years old, and were all different models. (Meaning different features and mode of use.) I decided that rather than get a couple of new cheap phones, we should get a set of four phones with an answering machine base. I went to her house and set up the phones and answering machine for her. I decided to leave one phone as is, because it was in the guest room and the cords were behind a large piece of furniture. Mom actually thanked me for buying and taking care of the new phones!

Later we went to dinner at the clubhouse where Mom lives. Since it was her birthday, her meal was free. We feasted on prime rib with all the fixings, and even indulged in cake for dessert.

All in all, it was a pleasant day and evening, and I didn’t feel the least bit put out or unhappy with Mom. Even though it was “Mom’s Day” as opposed to “Just for Me Day,” it turned out pretty well. 2 years ago

I slept in very late, too late to go to the pool (which is filled with rowdy kids by the early afternoon). I puttered around the house for most of the day, and read for hours. In the evening I went out for dinner (and ice cream for dessert!) and a little grocery shopping.

Like I said- a very lazy day. 2 years ago

My Saturday “plan,” as of Friday, was:
Sleep in until… whenever. Go for a swim at my complex. Shower, then head for Santa Cruz (the beach). Hang out in Santa Cruz, have lunch, maybe go to the Boardwalk, back home before dark. This was the plan because I hadn’t been to the beach/Boardwalk in almost three years, and the summer is quickly drawing to an end. One reason I hadn’t gone in awhile is because none of my friends ever want to go, and it’s a bit of a drive through a not-so-easy road.

What actually happened:
Friday night I got a call from a friend whom I haven’t seen in a couple of years, inviting me to see Brian Regan in concert. He’s a comedian that I hadn’t heard of, but is apparently somewhat famous (numerous tv appearances, including the Letterman Show). So I accepted her invitation to meet her and her friends for dinner Saturday night.

I still wanted to swim in the morning, but I was awakened by a phone call- Mom inviting me to lunch. So I skipped the swim (still an outside possibility for later) and met Mom for lunch (dim sum- YUM!). While at lunch, we called my nephew who is just starting college at Arizona State. Was great to talk to him, since it has been several months. High point of the conversation was my asking him what classes he was taking. He mumbled something, which later turned out to be “Communications.”

Right after lunch I received another call from a friend asking if I’d like to go to the movies with her. So swimming was finally scrapped, and we went to see “Despicable Me.” Quite entertaining, with great use of the 3-D effects. “It’s so FLUFFY!”

Got home with just enough time to get ready for the evening. I met my friend, who introduced me to her friends, a Japanese-American couple, about my age.

We had dinner at Original Joe’s (I had calamari), then walked to the concert hall. The other three folks had seen Brian Regan perform in concert before, and especially liked him because he doesn’t use profanity. Not necessarily a selling point for me, but he was really funny.

One thing different about his show was that when he came out for the encore, the audience just started yelling things at him. Apparently in his encore he takes “requests” of the fans’ favorite bits. Reminded me of the joke where a group of people know all the same jokes, and so just refer to them by number. Someone will yell out a number, and everyone else laughs. A newcomer says a number, and no one laughs. “How come?” he asks. “It’s the way you told it,” is the reply. 2 years ago

Started the day with a successful book club meeting.

After the meeting, one of my friends suggested we hang around Japantown. I got a Hawaiian-style shave ice (lime & watermelon syrups, vanilla ice cream), and we browsed the gift shops. I ended up getting some origami patterns and papers.

Later that evening, I went to my high school reunion. It was the first time I’d gone to one, even though there have been a “few” (lol). The one high school friend whom I’ve had extended contact with recently was really pushing me to go, so curiosity got the best of me and I went.

So it was not what I expected. Not as awful as I thought it would be, but not as wonderful as I hoped. I was a bit embarrassed that I didn’t remember a couple of people who remembered me. And I was a bit disappointed that there weren’t others there that I did remember.

I guess I had to go to say I didn’t chicken out. But to tell the truth, it was just OK. 2 years ago

Met with a friend for lunch at Murphy Avenue in Sunnyvale. She brought another friend, and it was great fun. We ate at a Persian kabob restaurant and the other friend and I talked about our adventures in Greece.

Afterwards we went window shopping at an accessories (clothing) shop and Leigh’s Books, a used book store. (I’m becoming very fond of used book stores!)

Next we went to a coffee shop where I had a delicious pear tart and chocolate-raspberry coffee before heading up the Peninsula to my games.

Games went well, nothing notable, which is a GOOD thing in rec league hockey!

On my way home I talked with a friend, then I got mochiko chicken at L & L Hawaiian BBQ- oishi! 2 years ago

Saturday was my BFF’s birthday, and he usually has a BBQ at a local park. He’s been doing this nearly every year since I’ve known him (over 20 years).

The day was pleasant, perfect weather. I brought the cake, way too big (but the 1/2 sheet was a special price), and his 1 1/2 year old nephew managed to knock it over. Fortunately, it was after everyone had enjoyed a piece! (yum- chocolate cake, chocolate icing, sliced banana filling!)

It was a bit sobering to realize that of all the guests, I was the only single adult there. And, of the people I already knew, I’ve known them all since they were single.

I was OK during the party, though, because I was looking forward to a date I had lined up for the evening. Too bad, it fell through. :`(

I went home and fell asleep way too early, and slept way too long. I guess I needed the sleep also, so it was good/bad I had the time for it. 2 years ago

The first session for annual training for USA Hockey officials was held this day in San Jose. This session was for beginner (level 1) officials, but I was asked to be an instructor.

So, this would fall under the category of “things that can’t be done on any other day,” sorta. I did volunteer to do this because it is an honor for me to be asked. And it does fulfill my training requirement (all returning officials must attend one session) kinda. Turns out there was a lag in scheduling between the national office and the local group, so I have to go to another session for testing.

The day went pretty well. We had a mixed group of teens and adults. A lot of the teens were very enthusiastic and frequently participated in discussions.

I met one 12 year old whose mother said he’s been asking to be a referee since he was 5! He’s also been officiating games for the younger kids at his local rink. WOW! Kids usually want to grow up to be Wayne Gretzky or Joe Thornton, NOT Kerry Fraser or Bill McCreary.

At the end of the day we have an on-ice session, and I helped out there as well.

After a full day, I was pretty tired, but went out to dinner with my BFF and his wife, whom I hadn’t seen in weeks.

Crashed at home, went to sleep uncharacteristically early, and slept in late today.

Turned out to be a pretty good day after all, even if it wasn’t all “just for me.” 2 years ago

I work two jobs and often find my “off” time is filled with a lot of things I don’t particularly like doing. So I decided I’d only do things on Saturdays that I want to do, with the exception of urgent tasks, or things that can’t be done any other time/day.

My thinking is that if I have a day for “Me,” I’ll work harder to do those other tasks on other days, knowing my day is just around the corner.

Yesterday, I:
-Had lunch at a new (to me) restaurant, the Palace Cafe. I had a delicious sandwich with brie, tomatoes, bacon, and aioli on whole wheat/walnut bread, with a salad made of artichoke hearts, chicken, prosciutto and spinach. The rest of the menu looked really tempting, so I’m definitely returning to this place.

-Went to a used bookstore on the same block. Browsed for quite awhile, saw several books for future purchase, will be returning here also!

-Took a nap. This was a big deal for me, since (a) I never take naps, and (b) there were several household “To Do” items. But I was glad I took the nap.

-Played hockey. Had fun even though we lost (again).

-Invited a couple of hockey friends to have dinner with me.

-Stayed at the rink for awhile, chatting with another hockey friend.

-Chatted online with another friend.

I hereby declare the first “Just for Me Day” a resounding success!2 years ago