Planning and participating

Last weekend I went to the ballet at the PAC here in Tulsa, and parking was a breeze, and then there was this odd little man sitting on a stool in the elevator pushing one of two buttons for theater goers so that we could forgo that arduous task up picking up or down, whew I mean, come on' who has that kind of time?  Let's see....up or down...I cannot decided, and when I do I am just TOO weak to actually lift my arm, extend my finger and assert pressure. I mean what do you put on your resume, "well I was a button pusher", interviewer: "oh like a lot of buttons"?  interviewee: "no just two", but it wasn't easy, and the pressure was immense to do it right every time"! 

Anyway, it was beautiful inside and I cannot say enough about the opulence of the red velvet seats, and the general vibe of the place, what I wouldn't give to be alone there during a thunderstorm watching a ballet.  The orchestra was hands down, flawless.  I mean it was painfully beautiful, like stir your soul to new heights of passion and intensity.  Here's the thing about this version of the classic Nutcracker ballet we saw performed; it isn't what you remember, this is one man's interpretation of that ballet, but I went in thinking it was going to be what I saw before in San Jose all those years ago, and so when I realized what I was going to be experiencing I was able to fully appreciate this ballet as a free, stand alone ballet, and stop comparing it to the classic.  So having said that; as a stand on it's own merit and with no comparison, it was stunning and immensely passionate, and visually flawless, and I could watch it another 1000 times and never get bored, and cry for the beauty of it.  The only negative, if you can even call it that, is that it bears little, if any; resemblance to the classic we older generation remember; I mean at two points during the show a car drives on stage, so you can see how I was taken aback.

Now on to the BOK Trans-Siberian Orchestra extravaganza last night...where to start?  Firstly the building is beautiful, the architecture is free flowing and there is a symmetry that you feel, a fluidity to the columns and almost soft feeling to the steel as it is all soft curves and slopes, like a woman's body, it was a sexy building.  There is a paper mache bird aloft and it adds to a sense of calm and serenity in the chaos and excitement of whatever event you are attending.  I think they could have done better with the entrance and ticket taking etc...as standing out in the cold was not entirely pleasant, but what are you gonna do?  This venue was different than the ballet, people were still streaming in to their seats at 8:30 and the show started at 8, it really bothered me, but this is the BOK not the PAC..hold please...okay I have to stop here and pick up later, massive party planning for my party here at my house tonight and then baby shower tomorrow for my friend that I am hosting at my friends large home in BA. 

P.S.  I bought Season 1 Kinect sports, and we are playing for the first time tonight so I am super excited!

Alfredo and rapids and the ballet

Much to post about last night but no time this morning, on call tonight then I am trying my second batch of cookies.

Cookies and Christmas parties

This is the recipe for the famous Neiman Marcus cookies that we recreated in my kitchen yesterday before my work Christmas party at the Wyndham last night, good times.

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 cup light brown sugar

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1-3/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder

1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1.	Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cream the butter with the sugars using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy (approximately 30 seconds)
2.	Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract for another 30 seconds.
3.	In a mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture at low speed for about 15 seconds. Stir in the espresso coffee powder and chocolate chips.
4.	Using a 1 ounce scoop or a 2 tablespoon measure, drop cookie dough onto a greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart. Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into a 2 inch circle. Bake for about 20 minutes or until nicely browned around the edges. Bake a little longer for a crispier cookie.

Cream the butter with the sugars until fluffy. Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract.

Combine the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Drop by large spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or 10 to 12 minutes for a crispier cookie.

Makes 12 to 15 large cookies.