My dear Bob proposed a rainy day outing to Disneyland. The Christmas decorations are up, the music is playing, and the crowds are light. I'm grateful to be here sharing it with my dear spouse!

Pulitzer prize winning composer David Lang with Long Beach Opera artistic director Andreas Mitisek at opening night pre opera talk.

Playing opera in a warehouse is fun - great orchestra, soul stirring singers, magnificent conductor, stellar crew. Long Beach Opera rocks, plain and simple. Still haven't seen the blood, though. Maybe Monday...

With Bob freezing in Yucca Valley until late Friday, I have the house to myself. Last night before I crawled into bed, I was occupied plugging in my cell phone, i-pod, and e-reader for a good night's re-charge. As I reached for my ear plugs, I saw it - a large, rather substantially built spider had claimed part of the night stand that I had been bustling around for the last several minutes. If Bob was home, I would but have to summon him and the beast would meet an instant end. As it was, I was too interested in preserving the relaxed, sleep-ready state I had been cultivating for a dramatic dive into spidery demise. Instead, I hit upon The Spider Trap. Bob made a special trip to Disneyland to buy a Monsters Inc snow globe for me one Christmas. I have always been struck by the impermiable bubble of protection around Boo, who is blissfully unaware of the (terrified) monsters behind her. Clinging to that image, I clapped a small cup over the large spider. To ensure my peace of mind, I placed the snow globe on top of the cup and went to sleep. This morning I took the spider outside. Even though the violin shape on its back revealed it as a Brown Recluse, I couldn't bring myself to squash it. Don't assign any noble motives to me, though. Despite my desire to be rid of it forever, it was just too for my shoes to stomp. I hope it doesn't come back to haunt me like Haman haunted Esther after King Saul failed to put an end to Agag. That, however, is another story.

Wow. What a talent, and so nice. Love playing with her!

The Long Beach City Council met today for round two of Municipal Band budget talks. As I lay in the hospital recovering from this morning's surgery, I wondered how things were progressing. I was really tickled, then, when fellow Muni Band flutists Patti and Eileen stopped by to bring official tidings and a get well balloon. To hear tell, it was another emotionally charged scene. When I recover a bit more, I'll watch the video online. Meanwhile, I'll remember the emotion and joy my two lovely colleagues brought with them. Thank you, friends!

I've been employed by the City of Long Beach since 1985 as a flutist with the Long Beach Municipal Band. Last night the 40 members of band were shocked to learn that, after 101 years of service to the citizens of Long Beach, the band's final concert of the 101st season would be the last one in the band's history. Do you think the 70,000 people we see every summer will miss us?

Can this be stopped? The city council has the final say.

I'll keep you posted.

Bob and I had a relaxing, refreshing time away from it all on our 7 night cruise. We're waiting comfortably in our cabin until it's time for our group to leave the ship. This is the view from our balcony. So nice!

This is the view from the jury room. Santa Catalina Island is in the background "26 miles across the sea".

Two panels have been called (including the loud chatting ladies), but I remain listening to Chuck Missler on the i-pod, doing crosswords or Sudoku, or reading a variety of books (yay Sony Reader!)

We've just been given a 2 hour lunch break. It's a beautiful day here in Downtown Long Beach. Enjoying the new experience is on the agenda for the rest of the afternoon.

I'm making the most of it!