Tallgrass Film Festival 2018
Posted on November 4, 2018 by Ching under Events, Movies.
Speaking of friends we don’t get to see very much, we had the opportunity to catch up with April a couple of weeks ago. Cory and Gavin were at scout camp and so she had a weekend to herself. We had some extra tickets to Tallgrass Film Festival and she was able to join us.
I originally only had a couple of tickets for a movie screening but some folks at work who got better tickets ended up not being able to use theirs so I got upgraded. First of all, it’s a well known fact that I rarely (if ever) turn down free event tickets. It doesn’t matter how busy or packed my weekend already is, I will make it work. And, if I can’t use them, I make sure the tickets go to someone I know who will appreciate and enjoy them. LOL.
Instead of the two movie screening tickets, I ended up with four movie screening tickets and four gala tickets. It was a tall (pun intended) order for an already busy weekend but, after careful examination of our calendar, Brian and I figured out that we could use all four tickets by giving up pickle ball on Sunday. We could watch Eleven Hundred to Lubbock and attend then gala party on Saturday and then use the remaining tickets to watch the screening of White Tide: The Legend of Culebra and attend the gala party on Sunday.
The tickets weren’t marked for specific movies or parties so I figured that we could use them for any movie or any of the four gala parties throughout the film fest.
Anyway, we had to adjust our plans when Jenni asked if she could have a set of movie/gala passes for Adam. She got a Tallpass from all of the volunteer work that she’s done for Tallgrass Film Festival so she had access to everything but she wanted to share the experience with him and he didn’t have any passes. It’s always more fun to go with people so I committed the tickets to her. That meant we had an extra set left which ended up going to April.
This actually worked out better because we got to attend the movie screening and the party on Saturday with a group of people and we didn’t have to give up Sunday night pickle ball, which I didn’t really want to miss. LOL.
Here are a few pictures from our outing:
Photo of the Eleven Hundred to Lubbock cast/crew receiving their Stubbornly Independent award.
Not the best group pic because it was dark at the party (intentionally because they had lots of glow in the dark decorations that look best in blacklight); however, Brian managed to get everyone in the photo. Clockwise around Brian’s head starting with me: Michael, Michelle, Jenni, Adam, and April.
April and I took advantage of the Glam Station, which reminded me of the free makeup stations they always have that #ZINCON during the theme parties.
Here’s a picture of me with makeup artist, Tedi Stephens, of TediFX.
April got a couple of glow in the dark flowers.
Pic of me with local producer and director, Rod Pocowatchit.
Pic of me and April as we were leaving the event.
Brian and I had participated in other TFF fundraising events (Dudegrass is super fun!) in the past but this was our first time attending the film fest itself. It’s actually a ton of fun and you get exposed to films you wouldn’t otherwise get a chance to see. This will definitely be on our list of things to do for years to come.
ELEVEN HUNDRED TO LUBBOCK – Trailer from Good Kitty Studios on Vimeo.
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Chance Encounter with the Dills at the Movies
Posted on November 4, 2018 by Ching under Things to Do.
Since Brian went to see A Star is Born with us, I agreed to go see Venom with him the following weekend. The only caveat is that I didn’t want to give up Zumba that night so we ended up going straight from the gym to watch our movie.
I looked a little funny going to the movies in my Zumba sweats but but you gotta do what you gotta do. I should have known we were going to run into people. When I look the list presentable is when it always happens. It never fails.
Regardless, it was great to run into the Dills and their family. Mama Dill and Becca’s parents were with them. They went to see Night School around the same time we were there for Venom.
Brian mentioned that he ran into Mama Dill at concessions but we didn’t think anything of it. We just figured she was out with some friends or on a date or something. We didn’t realize Jay and Becca were there until our movie ended. The boys ran into each other in the men’s restroom. Brian was walking in as Jay was leaving. Our movies just happened to end around the same time.
It was serendipity! It’s always great to see the Dills. We used to spend a lot of time hanging out with them, going to various poker tournaments and stuff back in the day. These days we are all so busy we rarely get to see one another.
These Travel Junkies who are in Mexico right now were recently honored in the Wichita Eagle’s 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards as the best travel agency in Wichita. It’s been a pretty big year for these two. All of their hard work from years of growing their business is finally paying off. We are truly honored to have them as friends. Congrats, Jay and Becca!
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A Star is Born Movie Night
Posted on October 22, 2018 by Ching under Movies, Things to Do.
We’ve had a few fun movie outings with our Zumba family this year. Most recently we went to see Crazy Rich Asians and before that was Mamma Mia! 2 and I Feel Pretty. Brian doesn’t always get super excited about these types of movies so it’s nice to go with a bunch of people just as excited as I am.
Not as many came out for A Star is Born because some people had already seen it. However, our friend Alex was in town from Manhattan so she went to the movies with us. That was a special treat in and of itself.
After the movie, the plan was to go to Buffalo Wild Wings but they didn’t have enough room for us. When I told them there would 20 of us, they told me the wait would be 45 minutes to an hour. Yikes!
I called Carlos O’Kelly’s and it was the same situation. Danielle suggested we check the Mexican place. I was like, “I did. They told me an hour.” I thought she meant Carlos, which is where we normally go. She actually meant El Agave which is on the other end of the same strip as BWW. I didn’t think of it because we’d never eaten there before. As luck would have it, they had enough room for our group and we didn’t have to wait at all. The food wasn’t bad either.
Here’s a pic of our group. A couple of people who went to the movies opted out of dinner and then Rose, who couldn’t make the early movie, was able to join us for dinner. It worked out pretty well overall.
Here are some pictures of food.
I had the chicken mole. I actually liked it and would probably have it again if we find ourselves over that way.
Brian had a combo plate.
This is Jeff and Amanda’s dinner. I forgot that Jeff skipped the movie also but met us for dinner. I think Brian would have much rather skipped the movie too. I thought it was excellent but quite depressing.
I had El Agave’s version of a pina colada. I forget what it’s called but it was yummy.
We originally planned to go to karaoke after but it seemed like people were too tired to go and Brian hates karaoke so I didn’t press it. Specially, since only a couple of people were really interested. We ended the outing after dinner but I thought it was a great night overall. I think everyone had a good time.
Since Brian was a good sport about it, I agreed to go see Venom with him this past weekend. I wouldn’t normally go to these types of movies but I always find myself entertained when I do.
BTW, this is a perfect example of give-and-take in a marriage. We see my movies sometimes and then we see Brian’s movies sometimes. That way no one feels jilted or jipped. Though, I must admit, Brian is the more generous one when it comes to giving in our relationship. I’m constantly dragging him to do things with me — things he wouldn’t normally do. He seems to have fun, though. And it’s always his call. I never force him to do anything he doesn’t want to do.
That’s the update for today. Until next time! GNG.
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The Dead South at Nortons
Posted on October 21, 2018 by Ching under Events, Things to Do.
Brian had been looking forward to seeing the Dead South for some time, specially since he missed them on their last visit to Wichita. We almost missed them again this time because the tickets sold out really quickly. But then the organizers opened up a hundred more tickets, which I just happened to see so I snagged a couple of tickets for me and Brian. Although, we almost ended up with four tickets because he just happened to be looking at the tickets online at the same time I was and had the exact same thought — better snag the tickets now before they sell out again. Thankfully, rather than keeping it a secret and surprising him with the tickets later (which was originally part of my plan), I opted to call him and tell him what I’d done. My being horrible at surprises and keeping secrets actually saved him from having to click the button and completing his own ticket purchase. Disaster averted — whew! We are so eerily in synch sometimes.
Fast forward to the day of the event when it was raining nonstop all morning. We were quite worried about it actually because the show is outdoors. We all know what happened at Journey. Leading up to concert day, we were worried there would be way too many people because of all the tickets they sold. So, on the one hand, the weather looked like it was going to be crappy but, on the other hand, that might make the event less crowded because some might get turned off by the weather and stay home or do something else instead.
We were so concerned about the weather that Brian called Nortons that morning to ask about their rain plan. He was told the show would continue — outside — rain or shine. So then we were scrambling to figure out our own plan. We actually talked about wearing the $5 ponchos we got from Dick’s for the Journey concert — amazingly, we still have them. He left it up to me to make the call since I was coming from the house. Our plan was for me to take a car over and just meet Brian at Nortons. He was going straight there from work.
The rain had stopped but it was still quite gloomy. The ponchos weren’t warranted though, so I left them at home. The weather turned out perfect and the sun even came out briefly before sunset.
Here are a few pictures from the Dead South show last weekend…
We got there early to have dinner before the show. I skipped lunch that day so I was starving. Brian had some beer and was in an excellent mood.
Here’s a selfie of the two of us from early in the evening.
The sun came out for a bit.
Here’s a picture of my handsome husband enjoying the beautiful night and opening acts — Del Suelo and Whiskey Shivers.
Thought I would share this picture because you can see my office building in the background. The venue is just steps away from the office.
Speaking of office, I ran into an old coworker at the show.
It turns out that Cody is good friends with one of the guys we met that night.
Obligatory drink pics followed by the obligatory event selfie.
Pics of the band — the Dead South.
Here’s a short video of the Dead South performing Brian’s favorite song by them.
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Kansas State Capitol Tour
Posted on October 14, 2018 by Ching under Things to Do.
I had the opportunity to tour the Kansas State Capitol building in Topeka with my coworkers a couple of weeks ago. Here are some of my favorite pictures.
We started with the dome tour. This is us looking at all the steps ahead of us.
We climbed the 296 steps to the top of the dome!
We made it to the top!
We ran into State Senator Oletha Faust-Goudeau while we were waiting for the second part of our tour to begin.
Here we are admiring all of the art on the walls.
It was interesting hearing the stories of how the paintings came about. The murals depict scenes in history and yet there’s also so much history in their making.
Here, Chuck and Mark marvel at a mural.
Here’s the Kansas Supreme Court.
They did an amazing job of remodeling the State Capitol and restoring the building to its old glory. All the details are simply impeccable.
This mural by the courtroom entrance commemorates the Brown v. Board of Education case. It’s one of several massive works of art throughout the Capitol.
This next chamber is the Representative Hall.
All the desks are set up for electronic voting.
This next one is the Senate Chamber.
Then we got to tour the beautiful library.
We also got to see the governor’s ceremonial office with a stuffed buffalo head above the fireplace. This is the office where the governor holds public signings like proclamations. The real/working office isn’t part of the tour.
View of the rotunda from the hallway.
View of the dome from inside.
Here’s another view of the dome.
Picture of the amazing details you’ll see throughout the building.
The Kansas Historical Society’s Darren Wade gave us a fabulous tour.
After our tour our team went to HHB for more team building. Selena organized a fantastic afternoon for our team. As team building events go, she really knocked this one out of the park.
I couldn’t wait to tell Brian all about it. He was so jealous that now he wants to go to Topeka and take the tour also. LOL. Anyway, that’s all for now. GNG.
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