<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/desertbotanical/4172311621/sizes/m/in/photostream/"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2648" title="4172311621_f21e59a772" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/4172311621_f21e59a772-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>Are there things in your life that you've always wanted to try but you put off until "next year" for whatever reason? </p>

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<p>Since I moved to my fair city in '95, I have wanted to go to the <a href="http://www.dbg.org/events-exhibitions/las-noches-de-las-luminarias" target="_blank"><strong>Desert Botanical Garden's Las Noches de las Luminarias</strong></a>.   Some years I missed the boat and they sold out.  Some years I couldn't find anyone interested in accompanying me.  Some years I found my schedule too full and procrastinated with "next year". </p>

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<p>Well...this is the year of Carpe Diem-ing, right?  I found a friend who wanted to go, and I committed to purchasing a ticket online.  No excuses this year. </p>

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<p>And then the airlines stranded my friend in a city far, far away.  Who wants to go to an EVENT alone???  I've dined alone and even seen shows on my own all over the U.S. and Canada, but attend a HOLIDAY EVENT alone? </p>

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<p>Ugh. </p>

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<p>I was going to suck it up and do it in the spirit of this blog, but...</p>

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<p>Svennykins swooped in and saved the day as my Escort/Knight in Shining Armor.  Thanks, Svenny!</p>

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<p>After a monumental traffic jam, limited parking, and Svenny swearing like a truck driver from the stress, we arrived to an enchanting setting of twinkling lights and EIGHT THOUSAND hand-lit luminaria bags.  The scenery had a sedating effect on Svenny, and he promptly chilled out.  :-)</p>

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<p>This is an evening like no other.  If you live in my fair city, you must go. <strong> </strong><a href="http://www.dbg.org/events-exhibitions/las-noches-de-las-luminarias" target="_blank"><strong>Buy your tickets online NOW</strong> </a>as they sell out before the weekend.  Las Noches de las Luminarias runs December 16th - 30th.  (Closed on the 24th and 25th.)</p>

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<p>Here are my tips for a Luminarias Night to Remember: </p>

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<ul>
	<li>The event is from 5:30 - 9:30.  Since Svenny and I are under the age of 65, we thought it was perfectly acceptable to show up at a more reasonable time of 7 p.m.  Mistake!  Go at 5:30 to avoid the traffic, park, and have time to enjoy the multitude of musical talent postioned all throughout the garden.  </li>
	<li>EAT BEFORE YOU GO!  Desert Botanical Garden rocks on so many levels, but they are in dire need of a new caterer.  If you are o.k. with mediocre food (i.e., not a food snob like me), then don't worry about it .  But somehow this caterer even managed to screw up the hot cocoa and whipped cream. HOW is that possible???</li>
	<li>Instead of spending money on crap food, get thee to the Gift Shop and support local artists and musicians.    Go early or you'll want to beat traffic at the end of the evening and never make it in.  </li>
	<li>Wander aimlessly around the garden and soak in the breathtaking sights as well as the sounds of gifted musicians of all genres.  (Svenny kept trying to reference his map, but it's dark and who needs a map??  Wander, people, wander!) </li>
	<li>On your sights and sounds tour, save Scott Jeffers and Traveler for you final destination.  Leave yourself time, and park yourselves there for the rest of the evening.  Trust me on this one.  As we approached, I joked to Svenny that I heard Charlie Daniels in the distance.  But the violin quickly morphed into something reminiscent of that brilliant gypsy scene in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VshLGLVDPq4" target="_blank"><em><strong>The Red Violin</strong></em> </a>and then evolved again into something very <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2SR_P-_98s" target="_blank"><strong>Loreena McKennitt</strong></a>-esque. </li>
	<li>You will be so blown away by Scott Jeffers and Traveler, that you will want to purchase their CDs pronto.  As of today, you have 11 days to enjoy their Christmas recording.  Please visit Traveler's website at <a href="http://travelerworldmusic.com/"><strong>http://travelerworldmusic.com/</strong></a>. <br class="spacer_" /></li>
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<p>For those of you who live outside of my fair city, what holiday events take place in your neck of the woods that you have always wanted to check out?  Please share in the comments section below. </p>