Happy 2012!
Happy New Year! :D
As I posted earlier, I flew out to Lake Tahoe to ring in 2012 with fireworks and skiing. *sigh* The fireworks were there (and it was a long and awesome display of explosive color), but the snow was not. So disappointed with the lack of precipitation these past few weeks. Unfortunately, this means we might be headed for a drought this summer and the ski season has a bust so far.
I flew out to Reno/Tahoe airport in Nevada last Friday. The hotel package I had with my friends included limousine pick up (whee!) for both ways, tickets to the hotel's party which included dinner, dancing, entertainment, and balloon drop, access to the plaza area for prime viewing of the fireworks, and a huge goodie basket stuffed with fruit, snacks, and a pair of crystal candlesticks. The basket was really nice, but kind of huge and an awkward shape. I managed to somehow fit it in my luggage, so I was able to bring it home.
The plane trip there was extremely rocky and it made me a little sick. The moment we got to the hotel, I headed to the room for a nap. I felt so much better by early afternoon, and I went ice skating at outdoor rink about two blocks from our hotel. Even though there was hardly any rain/snow, it was so cold.
Early parts of Saturday was spent hiking, shopping, and walking by the water's edge. We had early dinner seating. Menu: summer salad with fruit, filet mignon, lobster tail, mashed potatoes, vegetable trio, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. It was yummy, but we were stuck at a table with a bunch of boors. It is open seating with it being first come, first served. We put our scarves and stuff on the seats to reserve our place, before joining the queue to have our pictures taken. We received framed pictures at the end of our hotel stay and that was part of the package.
When we got back to the table, other people were already seated. I knew it was going to be a little frigid when none of the others responded to our greetings. Talk about awkward. Those six people (three couples) didn't know each other either, but seemed to get along well. So we casually chatted in our little groups. The man seated next to me turned out to be okay; the small talk was generally pleasant. The man seated in the middle of six got on my last nerve. He was most obnoxiously competitive and a self-proclaimed expert on all the topics brought forth into the conversation. Someone talked about their surgery and he claimed to know someone who revolutionized soft tissue surgery and how well they treated his family. Someone brought up flying and Mr. Obnoxious was off and running about his flying adventures (he is possibly a small plane trained pilot) and vacations. He completely monopolized the conversation in that group. I completely ignored him, but I couldn't help but overhear everything because he was so loud.
After dinner, we decided to go to a coffee shop and wait for the midnight fireworks. We played card games with real cards and digital board games on my Kindle. I went up to the room for a bit before heading down at 11:45 to meet up with everyone. There was a somewhat obnoxious man who saw me all bundled up for the cold and wearing the feathers that were given out at the party. He made a couple of innocuous comments about me being ready to party. I smiled and nodded and he felt compelled to grab my arm and then keep touching my arm. It was a little creepy because I don't like being touched by strangers, but I didn't sense anything but genuine excitement about about the festivities from him. Nothing malicious.
As I stated earlier, the fireworks were awesome. They exploded right over our heads and in the distance. It was hard to know where to look because it was practically a 360 display of colorful, splintering sparks. Hugs and kisses all around at midnight. :)
On New Year's Day, I went to see a movie. That was the fourth time I saw Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, and while I really like that movie, I wanted to see War Horse. It didn't fit the schedule though. All things considered, I still enjoyed Ghost Protocol. Dinner was at a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant. The chef cooks the food right in front of you and watching the knife and juggling skills is part of the fun. It was delicious as well! :D
Our flight left Reno/Tahoe on January 2 at 6:15am. O_O I was terrified of missing our limo pick up, so I didn't sleep at all. The flight home was considerably smoother with the added bonus of seeing an absolutely beautiful sunrise in the horizon...fingers of orange scratching the deep indigo blue. Gorgeous.
I hope all of you had wonderful celebrations!
As I posted earlier, I flew out to Lake Tahoe to ring in 2012 with fireworks and skiing. *sigh* The fireworks were there (and it was a long and awesome display of explosive color), but the snow was not. So disappointed with the lack of precipitation these past few weeks. Unfortunately, this means we might be headed for a drought this summer and the ski season has a bust so far.
I flew out to Reno/Tahoe airport in Nevada last Friday. The hotel package I had with my friends included limousine pick up (whee!) for both ways, tickets to the hotel's party which included dinner, dancing, entertainment, and balloon drop, access to the plaza area for prime viewing of the fireworks, and a huge goodie basket stuffed with fruit, snacks, and a pair of crystal candlesticks. The basket was really nice, but kind of huge and an awkward shape. I managed to somehow fit it in my luggage, so I was able to bring it home.
The plane trip there was extremely rocky and it made me a little sick. The moment we got to the hotel, I headed to the room for a nap. I felt so much better by early afternoon, and I went ice skating at outdoor rink about two blocks from our hotel. Even though there was hardly any rain/snow, it was so cold.
Early parts of Saturday was spent hiking, shopping, and walking by the water's edge. We had early dinner seating. Menu: summer salad with fruit, filet mignon, lobster tail, mashed potatoes, vegetable trio, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. It was yummy, but we were stuck at a table with a bunch of boors. It is open seating with it being first come, first served. We put our scarves and stuff on the seats to reserve our place, before joining the queue to have our pictures taken. We received framed pictures at the end of our hotel stay and that was part of the package.
When we got back to the table, other people were already seated. I knew it was going to be a little frigid when none of the others responded to our greetings. Talk about awkward. Those six people (three couples) didn't know each other either, but seemed to get along well. So we casually chatted in our little groups. The man seated next to me turned out to be okay; the small talk was generally pleasant. The man seated in the middle of six got on my last nerve. He was most obnoxiously competitive and a self-proclaimed expert on all the topics brought forth into the conversation. Someone talked about their surgery and he claimed to know someone who revolutionized soft tissue surgery and how well they treated his family. Someone brought up flying and Mr. Obnoxious was off and running about his flying adventures (he is possibly a small plane trained pilot) and vacations. He completely monopolized the conversation in that group. I completely ignored him, but I couldn't help but overhear everything because he was so loud.
After dinner, we decided to go to a coffee shop and wait for the midnight fireworks. We played card games with real cards and digital board games on my Kindle. I went up to the room for a bit before heading down at 11:45 to meet up with everyone. There was a somewhat obnoxious man who saw me all bundled up for the cold and wearing the feathers that were given out at the party. He made a couple of innocuous comments about me being ready to party. I smiled and nodded and he felt compelled to grab my arm and then keep touching my arm. It was a little creepy because I don't like being touched by strangers, but I didn't sense anything but genuine excitement about about the festivities from him. Nothing malicious.
As I stated earlier, the fireworks were awesome. They exploded right over our heads and in the distance. It was hard to know where to look because it was practically a 360 display of colorful, splintering sparks. Hugs and kisses all around at midnight. :)
On New Year's Day, I went to see a movie. That was the fourth time I saw Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, and while I really like that movie, I wanted to see War Horse. It didn't fit the schedule though. All things considered, I still enjoyed Ghost Protocol. Dinner was at a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant. The chef cooks the food right in front of you and watching the knife and juggling skills is part of the fun. It was delicious as well! :D
Our flight left Reno/Tahoe on January 2 at 6:15am. O_O I was terrified of missing our limo pick up, so I didn't sleep at all. The flight home was considerably smoother with the added bonus of seeing an absolutely beautiful sunrise in the horizon...fingers of orange scratching the deep indigo blue. Gorgeous.
I hope all of you had wonderful celebrations!