Ready for the APOCALYPSE!

Circumstances being what they are at the moment, I'm sort of stuck in Burbank while the docs try to figure out which chemo regimen is going to work, as our trial-and-error approach these days seems to favor the error and prolong the trial.

But as frustrating as the whole cancer thing can be at times, I can always think of someone who has had more trials than myself, and for much longer: our brave heroes from the Star Wars movie and book saga, who seem to have to save the whole galaxy at great self-sacrifice about once every six months. And at increasingly advancing ages. Their latest effort to rid the galaxy of all evil is chronicled in the new novel Star Wars - Fate of the Jedi: Apocalypse, by Troy Denning.

Being stuck in Burbank, I reached out to good friend Mike (and daughter Sydney) in Sacramento, and asked them if they might be able to attend the author's book signing, since his one and only California appearance was to be at Barnes & Noble, Arden Fair, Sacramento. I've never met Mr. Denning in person but by all accounts he's a very nice guy, and I've enjoyed his enthusiasm for Star Wars and its characters in interviews I've read.

So imagine my shock and delight when I discovered I had, indeed, through some sort of teleportation or dual-time continuum anomaly, attended the book signing - even posing for a picture with Mr. Denning himself!!

Mike and Sydney reported that Mr. Denning was extremely gracious and took time with everyone who attended the event. Here are Sydney and Mr. Denning, with the ever-watchful 501st standing guard.

Hey, here I am with Princess Leia and a Stormtrooper!!

So once again, I can't thank Mike and Sydney enough for braving a kooky Star Wars crowd on a school night. And for taking me along. You guys are the best.

May the Force be with you!!

BREAKING NEWS: Kids Win Spelling Bee

Deacon and Maren have won their 4th and 2nd Grade spelling bees, respectively.

I think that's how you spell respectively.

They'll both go on to the WELS Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 24th.

Blue and White Day

Spirit Week concludes with Blue & White Day!

Daddy painted faces this morning. Here's Maren with her own design (lightning bolts on cheeks, St. Paul's logo on chin. Dot on nose).

Deacon... same as last year!

Deacon and Trent had the stylish headwear!

4th Grade.

2nd Grade.

That wraps up Spirit Week. More catch-up coverage to come very soon!

Sports Day

Today is Sports Day!

Our team was down one man because Deacon is sick and didn't make it to school today. So here's Maren, ready for Karate!

In Deacon's classroom... Tebowing!

Deacon's Class (minus Deacon).

Maren's class.

Tomorrow is Blue & White Day - we'll have a full report!

Dress-Up Day

Spirit Week continues today with Dress-Up Day!

Deacon and Maren, before school.

Deacon's class

Maren in class

Maren's class.

Tomorrow is Sports Day. The AFB will be on the scene!

Pajama Day!

Spirit Week is here again!

Today is Pajama Day. Here are Maren & Deacon on their way to school...


Deacon's class! Not sure how he balanced that pig on his head.

Maren, ready for serious study!

Maren's class!

Tomorrow is "Dress-Up Day". Check back for full coverage.

The Bronson Caves

UPDATE 10:10 AM 2/20/12: Derek informs me that both Charles Bronson and the Bronson Caves were named for Bronson Street in Hollywood. Charles Bronson was born Charles Dennis Buchinsky in 1921 and changed his name to Bronson, referencing the Bronson Street Gate at Paramount Studios, upon embarking on his acting career.

ORIGINAL POST:

Yesterday Derek took the kids on an outing to the Bronson Caves in Griffith Park. Thank you Mary for the tip! The caves were a hit.

I don't think they're named for Charles Bronson, but they are man-made and have been used in a lot of movies and TV shows. One of them was, indeed, the Bat Cave.

Maren, Jeni and Deacon and a big rock.

Entering the Bat Cave!

The "Bat Cave" is actually a tunnel. They could drive the Batmobile in on one side and shoot out the other for production purposes.

Maren steps into a smaller cave... undoubtedly following in the footsteps of Captain Kirk, as this location was regularly seen in Star Trek.

Cave-dwellers.

The most important items for exploration of any kind: SNACKS.

The kids with another iconic landmark!

Deacon found this stick and wanted to pose...

...like a Tusken Raider. (Star Wars was not filmed in Griffith Park.)


Nature girl.

Maren and Jeni, in the background of someone's important photo shoot!


Deacon noticed this animal footprint. Sharpie placed for scale. Perhaps Derek brought his Sharpie along in case anyone wanted autographs.

Maren, again! We have to take a lot of pics of her right now since she's missing a front tooth.

The kids, havin' fun.

Cave Man.

Kids in the Bat Cave.

Jeni takes a break.

Armed with palm fronds and lollipops, ready for action.

Good thing, too - those coyotes always take an interest in Maren!

Kids and cactus.

So that was the big adventure of the weekend! Still to come: Deacon's Birthday and the Superbowl!

Breaking News: Maren is 23

In truth, Maren and Jeni have NOT aged into their twenties but you would not have known that yesterday, after their 80s Dance Party Makeover.


Jeni was heading to her school's 80s-themed dance, and naturally Maren invited herself along. A few minutes later, after locating a scarf for her sideways-ponytail and some of Daddy's old socks to be transformed into legwarmers, Maren was ready to do the Safety Dance.


In pursuit of authenticity, Maren begged to put on a little makeup. It was shocking how a tiny bit of mascara and electric blue eyeshadow changed her face.


Kathy channeled her inner Debbie Gibson, too!


Ready to party like it's 1984!

Our I.T. Department has recently resolved some technical issues, so hopefully I'll be able to put up posts covering Deacon's birthday and our Superbowl celebration very soon. Until then...

Where's the Beef??

(The only 80s catchphrase I could think of at the moment...)

Old Home Week!

From January 19th... Derek and I were celebrating Grammie's safe arrival in Burbank (after a scare involving a possible blown tire on her aircraft) at Chipotle in Burbank when we ran into current and former Disney co-workers Brent, Mary and Kevin!

It was great to see everyone. Even Dolph Lundgren made the reunion, which was of special significance to Brent, Mary and Terri. Special thanks to Grammie for taking this pic.

Lots of stuff coming here on the AFB, including full coverage of Deacon's 10th Birthday and his whale watching adventure!