Tonia - if it&#39;s any encouragment to you - I did SE Asia four months after having extensive back surgery.  There was no way in Hades that I was missing out on that cruise&#33;  Granted, some things had to be adjusted and acoomodated for, but I still did it all, inculding a seven mile hike through the Forbidden City and climbing the Great Well.  Where there&#39;s a will, there&#39;s a way&#33;<br />
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You must be getting the rain we we supposed to becasue we are sunny and bright.  The snow dropped really low last night, down to the 1500&#39; level and it&#39;s still snowing up in the Sierras.  <br />
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Okay, SMB, you have my sympathies - grading wrodl history essays until 4 a.m. has to be some sort of punishment that I&#39;m sure you don&#39;t deserve.  What grade/level do you teach that you&#39;re breaking now?  our break doesn&#39;t hit until april, like your wife&#39;s.  Not that it matters, but I like to think that I&#39;m still &#39;there&#39;, if you know what I mean.<br />
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Teacup, if your grand daughter needs any help or has questions with tech theater, let me know.  i&#39;d be glad to try and help out.  I also an a set designer (our adopted son just received his MFA in set designer and is working on Broadway at the moment) as well as a playwright.  If she wants to really have an &#39;in&#39; with technical theater, have her check out &quot;The Backstage Handbook&quot; by Paul Carter   You can order it through Broadway Press, 3001 Springcrest Dr., Louisville, KY 40241.  Last time I got a copy, it was running about &#036;19, but it&#39;s been a few years.  It is worth every penny invested in it.<br />
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Have seen both &quot;42nd Street&quot; (great tapping) and &quot;Once Upon...&quot;  Both are great shows, thanks for the advice.  I&#39;d completely forgotten about them and we are always looking for a Christmas musical.<br />
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Robert - opps, should have made it more clear - we are talking about doing a dinner a few days before we leave as a celebration/bon voyage party.   Sorry, my bad.  We have yet to sail out of Galveston.  We have primarly done the South Pacific as it&#39;s a little closer to home for us.  <br />
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Thanks for the heads up, Keith&#33;  Ah, to be 16 and just hitting the road again...sigh...to be 40 again.  ehck, I&#39;d settle for 45 again&#33;<br />
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Mimi - hope to hear more from you soon.  This is a really friendly place to nip in for a bit.<br />
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Cheers&#33;<br />
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Charlie