Ljubljana

My grandfather on my mother's side was born in Ljubljana. Now it is in Slovenia but when he was born it was part of Austria. Boundaries have changed in Europe at different times. My grandfather, John was an engineer at the Anaconda Copper Mine near Great Falls, Montana. My grandmother was born in Czechoslovakia. Both were Jewish so my mother was Jewish but she was raised Catholic. Sad that so many people fleeing persecution had to hide by changing their name or denying who they were. Has happened a lot throughout history because of hate.

I'd love to visit Ljublijana and Lake Bled. I hope I get to do this someday.

Will I ever join a group who hates? Never!

Keeping Up Appearances

The British television BBC comedy, Keeping Up Appearances is close to me because it is like visiting my Mom. My mother was Hyacinth. It was pointed out to me by family and so I started to watch it and sure enough...yes, it's just like my mom. I'm going to start watching it again just for the fun.

Shoreline Senior Center

I just watched this great video of what goes on at the Shoreline Senior Center. It looks like this is a great group and that they're a lot of fun. I need to visit and join in the fun.

Mad Men

The popular television show, Mad Men on AMC is starting a new season tonight. I'm sure going to watch. I love this show.

After reading an article in Northwestern, winter, 2012, "The First Mad Man," I learned that the main character in this series is based on the life of Albert Lasker, known as "the father of modern advertising." He was born in Germany. In the article it said that "Lasker made more money in advertising than anyone before or after him." He built a 50-room mansion in Lake Forest, Illinois. That must be beautiful. All of Lasker's papers are housed in Northwestern's McCormick Library of special collections.

If you want to read more go to www.northwestern.edu/magazine and look for the winter 2012 issue.

Pope Francis I

I've been watching the ceremony and learning about Pope Francis I. I like him and think he was a great choice. I'm not Catholic but have thought about it at different times. I grew up as a Lutheran. I like the fact that he's a Jesuit priest, that he feels strongly about social justice, and that he loves to dance the tango. He's very humble and kind. He's seems like a very good man from what I have heard. I like the name that he picked. I've heard that when you become Pope that you have to give up your family. That's very sad. He probably has to give up dancing too.

Zumba with Christina

I had so much fun this morning at 24 Hour Fitness Northgate. I went to Zumba at 9 a.m. and Christina was teaching. She's fun and makes it fun for everyone. She's really nice because she always goes around and talks to everyone. She zips around the room when she teaches so everyone can see her moves. She's one of my favorite Zumba instructors.

Zumba is essential in my life because it is keeping me healthy. I love it. I'm grateful to be able to go to 24 Hour Fitness and take classes.

After Zumba this morning, I stayed for Body Pump and did 40 minutes. That is a great class too.

Jersey Boys

I saw Jersey Boys today at the 5th Avenue Theater in downtown Seattle. It was so much fun. I had such a wonderful time.

When Frankie Valli, played by Brad Weinstock, sang, "Sherry" with the Four Seasons, they became real. They became the Four Seasons. Brad Weinstock was Frankie Valli. I loved all the songs. It was fun. I didn't know the background of the Four Seasons. I learned that Frankie Valli's changed his last name to Valli because "when you're Catholic and from Jersey, your name has to end in a vowel!" and "Everyone in Jersey has a picture of Frank Sinatra and the Pope on the wall." The dialogue was great.

Brad Weinstock was hot off the charts great. He was the best of everyone. I'd love to see Jersey Boys again.

I thought that the time was 12:30 but it started at 1:30 in the afternoon. If I had realized I would have gone to Zumba this morning but I was planning, thinking about, and getting ready to go to Jersey Boys. I didn't want to be late.

I've been to several Broadway Plays. One year my husband bought a season pass but most of the time we saw individual plays in Portland or in Seattle or when we traveled, like the one at the Drury Lane Thearer in London. I love live theater and Broadway plays.

Jersey Boys is now my favorite. I love all the songs. I grew up with these songs...Sherry, My Boyfriend's Back, Dawn, Walk Like a Man, Rag Doll and more and more. It was glorious fun and I will remember it for a long time.

When I got home I looked up Brad Weinstock in the program and saw that Brad graduated from Northwestern University. Well, no wonder he was amazing! 

Wall Street Journal

I have a smart phone and I enjoy reading articles in the Wall Street Journal often. This morning I read one entitled, "Tactics to Spark Creativity." I think the reason why most people shut down their creative spark is because when you are pummeled into the ground for ideas and they aren't wanted, you train yourself to ignore and the creative flow stops. I get ideas all the time. I can always see ways in which things can be improved or how to make things better but I have learned that my ideas in most circles aren't wanted. Most people don't want to hear what I have to think and most people don't care. People care about themselves and just want to keep things as they are and get through the day. With this kind of attitude, you can't expect new ideas to burst forth and problems solved. However, if you constantly ask, "How can this be made better?" You get ideas and you live a life that flows forward into the future with adventure.