It's All Happening!

I decided I wanted to spend some one on one time with my sweet Cesar. It's been a while, and the last few times we've hung out it's usually at his place - since I wanted to do something different, I woke up nice and super early and stood in line to get tickets to see "Bring it on: The Musical." It's still on Previews, and it'll be open at the beginning of August, so I figured there'd be less chances that Cesar has already seen this one, not to mention that I don't think this is one that he would choose to see right away.

I was the second in line, which wasn't too bad. Cesar had no idea what we were doing, and so he was totally surprised! He suggested dinner before the show, and so we were at Victor's Cafe in the Upper West. Coincidentally, it was Restaurant Week!

We had so much food! Also, I had forgotten that Mami was taking her GED Test just down the block - I would've called her to share our meal. We - well, really, I - downed a carafe of delicious Sangria.

Since on Tuesdays Shows start early, we hightailed it out of there close to 7pm, and essentially ran down to the theater, just like old times. The show was pretty much as I remember it from Los Angeles, but I enjoyed the songs a little bit more the second time around, I think.

Also, we got up and walked around during the intermission, and while doing that ran into Lin Manuel Miranda, and we - well Cesar - got to tell him we thought he was awesome and super talented. I touched his shoulder. It was awesome.

I really enjoyed the show a lot more from up close. The cheerleading routines were pretty spectacular, and the actors are just as great. They were pretty consistent with their work, which was commendable, too. I related to the storyline a little bit more this time around - it's less about cheerleading and more about trying to make it through High School. Really, a smart move from the producers and creators: great way to get younger viewers interested on Broadway.

Happy Fourth of July!

Took a short vacation from work, grabbed my mother, grandma, my niece Chanti, and Mi Cariño and took the bus up to Massachusetts to visit my brothers. It's the Fourth of July! I usually spend it up there and this was the first time that Mi Cariño was coming along, so I was nervous as hell. To say the least. But it ended up being a most excellent "long weekend."

Most afternoons were spent in one of my brother's backyard, hoping to avoid the mosquitoes. Mi Cariño and I also got to take a trip to Boston with my oldest of friends, Fabi, to enjoy some hanging out time. On the Fourth itself, we drove around to see the town's fireworks and then stole away to find some delicious local ice cream at Jaylee's Ice Cream and Go Kart Store.

Gotta love spending time with the family. Happy Birthday, America!