Jane is in the choir and they decided to use this time to go to Vienna and Budapest to explore other realms and their musical roots. Oddly they scheduled the trip so as to miss as little school as possible -- a departure from the past. Jane was going to room with Jill IMG_0370 and seemed happy IMG_0371 to have her tags on her bags IMG_0372 while Benjamin created this leaf concoction IMG_0373 for her to bring along. They did the brother and sister poses with choking IMG_0374 and odd looks IMG_0375 before getting it right IMG_0376 the third time by which time I had recorded this boy IMG_0377 who Lucy wanted to see. Matt Traylor IMG_0378 was there as was Els'peth IMG_0379 and so the journey could begin.

After their departure, I waited a few days and then set the table for a luncheon IMG_0380 with distinguished colleagues IMG_0381 Steve Gubster (Physics), Kyle Vanderlick (Chemical Engineering), Rachel Gbarra (Comparative Literature), Eduardo Cadava (English), Volker Schroeder (French and Italian), Danny Kahneman (Psychology and WWS) and Sharad Malik (Electrical Engineering) reading left to right and again IMG_0382 to see if the second picture was better.

This done, on Thursday, the first true teacher shopping day, Ben and I took the car IMG_0383 to stop 37 IMG_0384 in lot P6 IMG_0385 and headed cross country. Once there we were served hummus IMG_0386 as Dan IMG_0387 and Ben IMG_0388 checked out the grapes IMG_0389 and Sylvia IMG_0390 tried to open her eyes IMG_0391 before suggesting that we check out the local playground. Once there Ben went up the ramp IMG_0392 down the corkscrew IMG_0393 and finally settled for the swinging thing IMG_0394 where he made a trip across IMG_0395 IMG_0396 IMG_0397 IMG_0398 before climbing up and through the spider web IMG_0399 IMG_0400 IMG_0401 IMG_0402 on the way back to the apartment. After looking IMG_0403 from two directions IMG_0404 at the Albertson's pickets, we decided it was time to take photos IMG_0405 of the liquids as Ben installed the new bell in the collection IMG_0406 and we sat down to soup IMG_0407 bread and butter IMG_0408 kugel IMG_0409 and Grandma's famous meatballs IMG_0410 while I had an enchillada IMG_0411 and Ben's survey IMG_0412 led to conversation with Dan IMG_0413 IMG_0414 before he completed it.

The next morning, as Ben enjoyed his breakfast IMG_0415 I took this artistic pear picture IMG_0416 and then we headed back to the swings IMG_0417 IMG_0418 IMG_0419 before realizing that a trip to Sears was necessary so that Diana IMG_0420 could sell us a battery IMG_0421 and we could be assured IMG_0422 that Dave IMG_0423 wouldn't have a work threatening accident while installing it.

Next we parked the car IMG_0424 at SeaWorld where Ben studied the schedule IMG_0425 and we headed first to the Pets Rule show IMG_0426 IMG_0427 IMG_0428 IMG_0429 IMG_0430 to see amazing animal tricks. On our way to the next show, we stopped to see the seals IMG_0431 IMG_0432 IMG_0433 IMG_0434 IMG_0435 before going to the Fools with Tools show IMG_0436 where two sea lions IMG_0437 IMG_0438 put on a show for us with a ball IMG_0439 balanced on their nose IMG_0440 and a dive into the water IMG_0441 a lap of the pool IMG_0442 climbing IMG_0443 and discussion IMG_0444 IMG_0445 before trying to get into the ferret's house IMG_0446 and doing a final strut IMG_0447 before the show ended.

Next we went to the dolphin show where we sat in the Soak Zone IMG_0448 for the performance as the musician sang IMG_0449 and the barker tried to sell dolls IMG_0450 as the trainers assembled IMG_0451 and the dolphins IMG_0452 appeared and assumed odd postures IMG_0453 as they made their way IMG_0454 and assumed even better postures IMG_0455 while I kept missing shots IMG_0456 IMG_0457 IMG_0458 of their jumps until I got a good one IMG_0459 so that after a few extra pictures IMG_0460 IMG_0461 IMG_0462 we could say good bye IMG_0463 and head off to see the star fish IMG_0464 which raised Ben's appetite IMG_0465 IMG_0466 IMG_0467 for a ChipWich (aka cookies and cream on the left coast).

The final event was the Shamu show. There was a buildup IMG_0468 and people were ready in the soak zone IMG_0469 as the fog came IMG_0470 and the whale rider IMG_0471 IMG_0472 IMG_0473 IMG_0474 set up this final picture IMG_0475 for me so that we could go home to dinner.

Ben IMG_0476 was ready as my quiche IMG_0477 pasta IMG_0478 and vegetables IMG_0479 came to life.

On Saturday, we drove out to Rancho Bernardo where Ben and Sylvia IMG_0480 were joined by Rob IMG_0481 and then Linda and Anne IMG_0482 arrived to receive the flowers IMG_0483 IMG_0484 Janet had brought. So our table was Ben IMG_0485 Sylvia IMG_0486 Sylvia (vice Dan) IMG_0487 Larry IMG_0488 Janet IMG_0489 Linda IMG_0490 Anne IMG_0491 Irv IMG_0492 and Rob IMG_0493 with this banana (vice David) IMG_0494 finishing the group. Ben had the cheeseburger IMG_0495 Sylvia had the salad, IMG_0496 Larry's dish was too far away IMG_0497 Rob had the seafood salad IMG_0498 and I had the pasta IMG_0499 all brought by our friendly waiter IMG_0500 who also brought me this elegant chocolate sundae IMG_0501 IMG_0502 and Larry the butterscotch version IMG_0503 that looked even better.

On the way home, we stopped at the grocery store IMG_0504 where there were no pickets and then Ben settled in to play his new game IMG_0505 as Dan IMG_0506 and I spoke. We then headed off to dinner where the noodles IMG_0507 were better in this light IMG_0508 and worse without a flash IMG_0509 but Dansyl seemed happy IMG_0510 and Ben and I IMG_0511 IMG_0512 seemed even happier though I didn't do a good job of keeping my eyes opened IMG_0513 IMG_0514 even as the dumplings IMG_0515 beef IMG_0516 tofu IMG_0517 and moo shu chicken IMG_0518 came. On Sunday, we took a final picture of the bell collection IMG_0519 before heading to the airport and getting another Cinnabon picture IMG_0520 before having this breakfast IMG_0521 on the plane.