Two more cute pictures!
Posts tagged family and friends
The “Over the Rainbow” Flight
Nov18
2006
Written by Randy Corman
2006
Written by Randy Corman
I just returned from four days in Wichita Kansas. It was windy when I flew in Tuesday, but pleasant and sunny when I left on Friday. The city of 300,000 is surrounded by seemingly endless well-kept farms on Kansas’s legendary rolling praries. The people I met were caring, friendly, and good-humored, reminding me of my parents (who were both from Kansas). I love how Kansans celebrate the Wizard of Oz in so many of their shops and restaurants. One can purchase Wizard of Oz calenders, figurines, t-shirts and ruby slippers many places, anywhere from Barnes and Noble to the local drug store. I bought a nice Chritmas Ornament of the Scarecrow, my favorite character from the story. As I was going though the shops, I remembered my older brother Roger reading me all 14 of the original Oz books when I was eight year old and he was twelve. Good and Bad witches, the Wizard, the sawhorse, the red hen, Pumpkinhead, Ozma of Oz…the zany and sometimes frightening characters went on and on in book after book. Very similar to Harry Potter today…what a great book series the Oz books are. And what a great memory with my brother…thanks Roger!
As I was flying back to Seatttle, it occured to me that I was leaving Kansas to go back to the Emerald City. Perhaps United Airlines should advertise the route as the over-the-rainbow flight.
Much travel in the last three years
Nov04
2006
Written by Randy Corman
2006
Written by Randy Corman
A month ago I wrapped up my work on my latest management assignment, and transitioned from a position that was the most travel intensive I’ve ever held. Ironically, all this business travel came at a time when I was also making numerous vacation trips with the family (visiting Katie in Orlando, taking Andy on a senior trip to Europe, going with Cathy to see our exchange students in Tokyo, etc.), so the airports all fade together at this point.
All told, I made four trips to Japan, three to Taiwan, one to South Korea, one to Singapore, four to Germany, one to Austria, one to Sweden, and one to France. I also visited New York City, New Orleans, Mobile, Atlanta, Orlando, and Las Vegas. This does not include the transfer stops and layovers at Denmark, England, Neatherlands, and Tokyo so many times that Narita feels like a second home to me.
Some highlights were showing Tokyo to Cathy, and Paris to my son Andy. Cathy and I also had fun taking in shows on Broadway and in Las Vegas, and experiencing the last pre-Katrina New Orleans Mardi Gras (including The Preservation Hall Jazz Band). Also, catching up with our exchange students in Japan numerous times really makes them seem like family, and they were always such gracious hosts and tour guides. At one point our student Kishiyo joined me on my return trip to Seattle, to visit with our family again.
Other cool memories were staying in the Imperial Hotel where Marilyn Monroe and Joe Dimagio honeymooned, and in Taipei adjacent to Taipei 101, the tallest builidng in the world. I missed Brad Pitt by a day at the Repongi Hyatt in Tokyo , but my collegues who arrived a day earlier caught up with him in the business lounge, as he was promoting the opening of Helen of Troy. I also got upgraded to a super fancy $4000 per night suite (or should I say ‘sweet’) in Taipei -one Nicholas Cage had just stayed in- after they ran out of stadard Business-class rooms.
I managed to vist all the world’s Disney Theme parks in one year, in Anaheim, Orlando, Paris, and Tokyo. (before they opened the new one in Hong Kong.)
Here are some of my favorite photos from these journeys..
TOKYO CITY VIEWS:
TOKYO STUDIO GHIBLI
TOKYO DISNEYLAND
SINGAPORE
TAIWAN
GERMANY
FRANCE
DISNEYLAND PARIS
SWEDEN
AUSTRIA
LAS VEGAS
NEW YORK
NEW ORLEANS AND THE GULF COAST
ORLANDO AND DISNEY WORLD
SANTA CRUZ CALIFORNIA
Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze
Oct31
2006
Written by Randy Corman
2006
Written by Randy Corman
Images from the Carpinito Brothers pumpkin patch and corm maze in Kent! Their two mazes have a total of over 4 miles of confounding trails! My family had a great time there on Saturday.
A Fun, Fun, Fun Beach Boys Concert!
Sep23
2006
Written by Randy Corman
2006
Written by Randy Corman
Growing up in Califonia, I always loved the sounds of the Beach Boys. Their song “Surfin Safari” inspired my first efforts to surf at Redondo Beach in my teens…”Lets go sufin now, everybody’s learnin how, come on a safari with me…..”
Never able to purchase a 409 (“she’s real fine my 409”), I used to satisfy myself by singing outloud to Cathy “she’s real keen my 318 “(referring to our 1968 Plymouth Belvedere)…
One of the first concerts Cathy and I attended in our teens was a fantasitc, sunny, spirited Beach Boys concert in Berkely California. Man they made the place rock. And even back in 1978, they were appealing to multiple generations, as parents were dancing with their kids at the concert.
So needless to say we really enjoyed seeing them perform last night at the Puyallup fair. They sounded the same as ever, since two of the original lead singers Mike Love and Bruce Johnston are still with the band, and the Beach Boys have a history of people coming and going that dates back to 1964. Their band had incorporated some younger talent as well, and we saw some very hot guitar playing and drumming last night.
I had just been born when the Beach Boys recorded their first hit Song “Surfin” while the were young adults living in Hawthorne California.
In the 80’s their drummer Dennis Wilson drowned, and was given an honorable buriel at sea funeral arranged by Ronald Reagan himself, to appologize for a hurtful comment his Interior Secretary James Watt had made saying the Beach Boys were a bad influence. It turns out, Ronnie was a fan. In the 90s, Dennis’s brother Carl passed on. Through the years their brother Brian Wilson has struggled with anxiety attacks and resultant addictions, but never stopped turning out such prolific and inspired music writing that put him in the top echelon of all-time musical genius. Cathy and I were forntunate to see Brian perform with the band at the concert in our teens.
I attended this concert with my wife Cathy, kids Andy, Kenny, Danny, Susie, and Katie, son-in-law Brandon, our friends Debra, Jake, and Mike (from next door), and Susie’s friend Emma. We also stumbled upon our friend Vera, who joined us in watching the concert. The Beach Boys played nearly all their Endless Summer hits. The encore included Kokomo, Good Vibrations, and a sing along of Help Me Rhonda where the crowd provided the chorus. Fun times!
Busy Summer
Sep03
2006
Written by Randy Corman
2006
Written by Randy Corman
A few readers have noticed that I’ve spent less time online the last few weeks. It has been such a beautiful summer, and here is a glimpse as to what I’ve been up to.
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Teaching my son-in-law Brandon how to tie a tie!
Our visiting Japanese exchange student shows us he is indeed an expert rider; on our mustang on Devil’s Elbow Road ( a fantastic trail if you have not yet found it).
Visiting at the ground breaking for the Landing
Our Newfoundland hits her sixth birthday, so it’s time for a new watering dish!
Ribbon cutting for Treasure Casino’s reopening under new management…a very professional and courteous staff, and authentic Chinese cuisine, will make this a popular spot!
Yard work, yard work, and more yard work! I probably made a dozen trips to local transfer stations, recyclers, and donation centers this month.
Adding some artistic flare to our mud-room entrance…can you tell that I used to work in a theatrical scene shop in college?
When the thermometer tops 80, that hammock starts looking pretty good!
Pony Rides at St. Matthews Lutheran Church Block Party
Aug26
2006
Written by Randy Corman
2006
Written by Randy Corman
Last Sunday St Matthews Luthran Church in the Highlands had a huge block party for the neighborhood. Free entertinement, food, games, inflatables, pony rides and more. My wife and I helped with the Pony rides. I captured these nice pictues of Cathy in the process.
Took a break from my LiveJournal
Jul31
2006
Written by Randy Corman
2006
Written by Randy Corman
As you can see, I took a break from council business this last weekend. That’s me in the front chair looking at some of my family and best friends, at South Whidbey Island State Park. (My lovely bride was seated next to me, but she stood up to take this picture.)
I’m back in civilization now, so I will be able te reengage in Council activities. Send me an email at racorman@comcast.net if you have ideas for articles you would like to see, or comment on a previous article below.
Thanks.
Randy
My Daughter accepted a summer Job at a local hotel!
Jul21
2006
Written by Randy Corman
2006
Written by Randy Corman
She looks so professional in her uniform I had to show her off….
My wife and I once lived in this beautiful Renton hotel for a week before our daughter shown above was even born. The years go by so quickly!
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