Merilee...

Now for all of you not named Merilee, you can ignore this blog (or read it for all I care). Mer, I promised you yesterday that I was going to blog last night and update everyone on our wonderful trip to Disneyland. Paint the picture, if you will, on the happenings at the "Happiest Place on Earth". Well, something happened last night that changed my plans. Namely, the Suns were on TV and since it was in Sacramento it was a late start. I actually did remember what I had told you and I had to weigh that with the fact that I just wanted to sit my butt on the couch and watch the game. Being a guy, that decision was easy. Sorry Merilee, I truly am. Rest assured, though, but Kim will not let me go much longer without blogging. I know, I have a disease.

Disneyland

Hey, I thought I would check in before we left town, since Brian seems to have given up on the blogging. We are going to California today. Joe is excited about Disneyland, but I am more excited about the beach. Yes, I know it is November, and the beach will be cold. I am so looking forward to it! This has been a rough month for me. After tearing my calf muscle and being hit in the face by a giant metal ladder, and nearly breaking my nose, I think I deserve a break. I'll post some pictures when we get back!

The Yellow Boat

Tonight Joseph, Brian and I went to Hamilton High School to watch their theater production "The Yellow Boat". My nephew Adam (Stacy's oldest) plays the lead in the show. He was so amazing. I've seen every high school play Adam has been in, and this was by far the best. He was made to play the part of Benjamin Saar.

Let me give you a brief history of this play. "The Yellow Boat" was written by David Saar. It is based on the true story of his son Benjamin Saar. Benjamin was born a hemopheliac, and grew up with constant blood transfusions, and during one of them he contracted AIDS. He was a gifted artist, and nearing the end of his life Benjamin used his drawing to communicate his feelings, and as a release for his pain. He passed away at the age of eight.

This is a replica of the actual piece of artwork by Benjamin Saar. When he was young his favorite bedtime story was a story his parents told him about 3 boats - A red boat, a blue boat and a yellow boat. They all set sail together. The red and blue boats returned, but the yellow boat left and never came back. He sailed away to the sun. As a child, Benjamin always said he was the yellow boat. This is a drawing of his yellow boat sailing up to the sun.

This play made me laugh, and cry, sometimes both at the same time. It focuses so much on who Benjamin was and how he dealt with his lot in life. Adam is so perfect for this role. It must have been hard to play a 7 year old, but he did a great job. After all, any of you that know him knows that he is a kid at heart. Also, during the hospital scenes where he is being poked and prodded, I couldn't help but think that Adam could probably relate. I kept having flashbacks of him when he was a 5 year old boy in the hospital, newly diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. He was poked and prodded and tested so much.

I have to say that I am so incredibly proud of Adam. He really suprised me at how good an actor he really is. And, to any of you out there in blogland who live in close by, GO SEE THIS PLAY! You won't regret it. Thursday, November 8th at 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton High School is the very last showing of it. Tickets are $7.00 at the door. Kids 10 and under are free. It will touch your heart.

Joseph and Brian loved it too!

Halloween

For all things Halloween, make sure to visit Joe's site. He did a great job posting about all we did for Halloween this year. There are lots of great pictures. We didn't want to duplicate everything here, so we are directing you there.