OFF!

Fresno, California

Well, we have all been talking about wanting some down time away from work and that’s just what we got this week. 

Fresno, California was home for the week and it seems as if there is literally nothing around.  The downtown area has since moved in a different direction and we were in the area that is to be revitalized in the years coming.  So, if you were up for some good sightseeing then your best option was to rent a car and drive anywhere from about two to four hours away and then you may seen something interesting.  Otherwise, it was the perfect week to catch up on literally everything else.  I mean laundry, taxes, pictures, phone calls home, sleep, just to name a few.  And there was some extra skating to be done this week whether on open ice or the power skating class.  Everyone was taking advantage of his or her personal time!

We were also finally seeing one show days again and that meant more of us spending time on the ice or in the gym.  It was nice to get back into a normal routine.  However, taking some much-needed time off was much appreciated as well. 

It was the first time in about seven or eight weeks that the crew finally saw one day off!  I really don’t know how they do it.  They have become the human form of the energizer bunny that just keeps going and going and going. 

This down time also meant that it was the prime time for contract talks to discuss what next year had in store for us.  And while some are for certain where they want to go, others of us are not so sure leaving room to be persuaded in one direction or another.  However, it is the future, so none of us really know what is about to happen until it comes down to it and actually does happen.  It’s funny how it all works because we can plan and plan and plan and that one moment never happen, but the instance we stop planning and take a step back to enjoy life, that’s when that specific moment will happen.  I guess we all just have to be open to what may come and what has yet to come.  Maybe then we will really appreciate everything that we have. 

As for now, we are must keep moving; on to Stockton, California. 

The City in Motion

San Diego, California

Welcome to sunny San Diego!  This city is known for it’s sunshine having about 265 days of sun each year, and guess what…we decided to pick the one day that was cloudy, windy, and chilly to go to the beach.  But that didn’t stop us one bit.   We were going to the beach to play some volleyball, dip our toes in the water and enjoy the family company. 

We were off to Mission Beach and well lets just say even though there were a few stand out players, it’s a good thing that volleyball isn’t our day job.  And luckily we weren’t afraid to get a little close and huddle for warmth either from the gusty winds. 

It may have been chilly and not exactly the best weather, but it was the first time the show was being built back in Ellenton, Florida over a year ago that we were all together on the beach.  I mean people that normally don’t come around on the off days were there.  It was nice to be with family and be as a family as well. 

And with some luck we had a few much warmer days to come with lots of sunshine to join; which made walking along the boardwalk on Mission and Pacific Beach and the Pier a lot more enjoyable.  That along with the fact that most of us from the east coast would be in a few feet of snow if we went home right now.  It made the sun feel that much more inviting and warm. 

Speaking of inviting and warm, it was time for another company BBQ!  You never have to worry about being hungry after one of those that’s for sure.  Ah, yummy food!

But soon enough, it was time to get back on the road and strap in for a long bus ride to Fresno, California the Raisin Capital of the world!

The Last Frontier

Phoenix, Arizona

There’s nothing like coming to the same place for the third time.  It honestly begins to feel a lot like home to be honest.  Things are so familiar and you don’t have to worry so much about how to get around and instead can focus on the more important things.  Such as how its warmer here than what it was in Las Vegas and even California and how it doesn’t get dark near as fast… thanks to the state of AZ being the only state to NOT observe Daily Light Savings Time. 

And even though we had all this beautiful weather and more sun than rain, we had very little time to enjoy it.  We were still going strong for about seven weeks now with only one day off and the crew even longer without any days off not to mention all the Monday hold-over shows.  So, its no wonder that it all hit this week and most of our bodies gave in to the stress and if it wasn’t to an injury it was to illness.

However, we survived and recovered and at least have a few good things to look back on from sunny AZ like how amazing the audiences were!  So far on the West Coast tour, this city claims the award for best audiences.  They are loud and interact with the performers and truly make our jobs easier.   Making it even a little more special, Ben Agosto, who helped us with the choreography and piecing the show together was finally able to see it; for the first time!  Sometimes there is nothing like the first time. 

And even though this may not have been my first time here, I still try to see something new each time and that’s just what happened this time around as well.  It was off to South Mountain we went.  Unfortunately, based on recent storms, the entire mountain range and park was not open to the public, but the views we were still able to see and just being in the fresh air was more than enough for me!  It still amazes me how you can be so close to the city and yet so far removed at the same time. 

Ahh…Arizona the memories you have instilled in me and the ones that are yet to come; I will be back.  Until next time, see you in San Diego. 

A Wild Ride

Las Vegas, Nevada

Welcome to Sin City. 

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

For me, it was Round #2 in this crazy city of bright lights dancing around neon signs, people dancing through the streets, bumper-to-bumper traffic, one-of-a-kind circus acts, loud music, skyscrapers, and casinos galore. 

The Strip, as it is known as, is the place to be at least for tourists.  However, natives to the area prefer other quieter places further away from the dazzling outline in the night sky.  Places like Freemont, the Hoover Dam, and Red Rock are claimed to be other sights worth your while if you want to escape city life for a little while. 

And luckily I was able to see a college friend who believe it or not is actually attending UNLV (University of Las Vegas Nevada) where we were performing, who knew just the places to go.  One of the favorites was Lucille’s BBQ and the food was amazing.  Thank goodness we went hungry because there was so much food and we ate it all!  Highlight of the night was getting the mason jar…you had to be there.  HAHA

It’s always nice to see a familiar face and comforting to know that someone is there.  Let alone, the stories that you can tell and the memories you can reminisce on together. 

And while there was always something to do or something to see, it was more about the small things this week.  Luckily, the first time around I was able to see a Cirque Du Soliel show, enjoy the nightlife that Vegas has to offer, explore the sights and views of the famous Strip, so it made sense to try to engage in other activities this time around.  No matter how many times I am in the same city I feel as if each place still has more to offer. 

Even though I don’t see myself coming back here anytime soon, I think the new journey would be to explore the outskirts of town and see what the mountains have to offer.  Maybe I would see my first mountain lion?  Who knows? 

Until next time…see you later Las Vegas.  Here we come Phoenix, Arizona. 

2016!

Long Beach, California

Three! Two!  One!... HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

I can’t even begin to believe that another holiday season has come and gone.  I mean it almost feels like it was just this time last year.  I am not really sure what it is about this year, but it just seems to be passing by quicker than usual and we were even the last ones to welcome the New Year being on the West Coast of the United States in California.  However, there was a smaller fireworks display at 9 o’clock here to welcome 2016 in on the East Coast so even though I was a thousand miles away, I was still able to wish everyone at home a Happy New Year at same time.  And even though the display may have only been 10 minutes long, seeing the fireworks in the harbor over the Queen Mary and being able to stand outside without any snow or freezing temperatures was really nice for a change. 

And just like that, the holidays were over.  The last of the celebrations took place and it was time to move on and start a new year with new dreams, goals, and aspirations.  Let’s see how well I can stick to my New Year’s Resolutions this time.  Sometimes, I make them and they last for a little while and other times I make them at different points throughout the year.  Either way, sticking with something and being able to say that I accomplished it always makes it a little more rewarding. 

Goals, aside though, I am really curious to see what this year has to offer other than the obvious.  You never can really be too sure what a year is going to hold until that very moment when things just start happening. 

One thing that is for sure though, is that we have to keep moving and we are headed to Las Vegas, Nevada!  See you in a few weeks Cali!