Oct 06, 2004 15:34
Oh boy, oh boy...I'm SO ready for Fall. I've finally made up my mind that I hate summer. I don't like living in perpetual sunshine, I just like to visit it. It drains me and makes me uncomfortable and sweaty and sticky and it hurts my eyes. The crisp Fall air I've been teased with at nights this week (I KNOW, but it's relative you Coloradoans ;) ) has flagged the highly anticipated annual Pulling Out The Sweaters From The Closet Festival that is marked with candles, reading, creating and an overwhelming urge to return to something dark, warm, and moody.
The last 1.5 months has been a whirlwind. G-ma G-funk came for a visit, and we had a wonderful time together. I cooked her a lot of meals for her which she loved, and actually lost two pounds while she was here. A feat for one on vacation who loves to eat. Our big day out was to the LA Zoo, and I pushed her up and down the hills so we saw every last enclosure. We shared a Gardenburger and a plate of fruit with a side of fries (our nasty for the day) overlooking the giraffe enclosure. I got some time alone to spend with them, as the bull seemed to appeciate my attention the most away from the crowd around the youngin'. It reminded me of evenings spent with the two Giraffes at the World Wildlife Zoo in Phx that summer long ago and made me miss volunteering with the animals.
Following her visit was the buildup to my brother's wedding. Mom and Dad came that Monday and I made Seafood Linguine for them, and then we had dinner the next night at Cafe Piccolo for their 30th Anniversary. More friends and relatives arrived the next day and on Thursday the festivities began. Most everyone was staying at the Marriott at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Two stretch Lincoln Navigators picked us up Thursday evening and (I'd say whisked were it not for the bumper to bumper traffic on the 55) carried us off to Lucky Strike Lanes at the Block of Orange. It was SO much fun to see the friends and family of two people come together so well. One of the bridesmaids and I carried the party on afterwards, when we got back to the hotel at one of the local pubs.
The next day was crazy. We had an itinerary, and it became a running joke of a response to ask if it's in the itinerary. "Hey, I have take a piss!" Hold it, it ain't on the itinerary!! was the usual response. 6 huge jocks were the other groomsmen, but they were a load of fun. I had to be ready by noon, take a limo over to the Four Seasons where we had the Presidential Suite waiting for us to get ready in. The view was amazing. Then we went poolside for some pictures. I felt like I was famous walking around the Four Seasons with 2-3 photographers and 2-3 videographers all rushing about us...
Best wedding day jab:
"Hey, you goin' to the BBQ?
BBQ? What BBQ?
The one where I'm gonna slap my meat on your grill."
I hope the videographer (poor girl) got that one. Then we all piled in the limo to head out to the site.
The setting for the ceremony was amazing. I'd try to explain, but I wish I could hire larabesque to. It was at the Pelican Hill Golf Resort in the Newport Coast area of Newport Beach. The lawn where the ceremony took place, and the reception tent was out a ways toward the ocean and separated from the main clubhouse facilities. It overlooked part of the golfcourse, and the rest of the view was dominated by the horizon of the ocean. It was amazing.
A string quartet played as guests arrived in shuttles from the parking lot. Water, lemonade and small sandwiches (yummy cucumber ones!) were served as you arrived. The ceremony got underway rather quickly, and I was the first to walk down the aisle, escorting my grandmother (G-ma G-funk) to her seat. And began the tears. I held up alright, but it definately got things started. When Amy came out, she was devistatingly gorgeous. I lost it a little more, and tried my best to keep compusure, but there was a videographer right next to me and right in front of me, and despite them focusing on other things, I know I was in the frame. Then it came time for my Dad to sing. He sang "Annie's Song", by John Denver, accompanied by the quartet (his first time for that), and that was the end of it for me. Well, not quite...after the ceremony, anytime someone asked me something, instead of talking all I could do was open my mouth and cry. But I was happy, just VERY concerned about how I was going to give my speech ON video WITH a microphone.
But it came, and it passed, and I conquered. I was really nervous, but read it verbatim from my notes which I know is terrible, but I warned everybody that I was going to, and had I not, I would have just blanked. After that I could relax. And dance, which of course I did. But it was amazing. The food was wonderful (all 4 courses of it) and everyone had a good time. But I did lose my camera. NOT FUN.
I'm going to stop for now, because I'm a bit exhausted just writing this mcu, and I think I need to ease back into it. But up next, Ranch Times, Sting concert, SCISSOR SISTERS!!!! and being abducted by aliens. For Real. I'm not kidding.