February 7, 2014
This is sort of going to be a double post, since I didn't put anything out yesterday.
On Wednesday we were treated to a wonderful experience at Paramount Studios that included a welcome that really you only see at the movies, or at least on a movie set. We first got on buses, with Jason and I riding in the van, behind them and Anthony Netto with Angelica right behind us in his truck. Now this wasn't your everyday regular caravan, it was a California Highway Patrol escorted caravan, with lights and stopped traffic and everything. Heck, even in Anthony's truck, where the paramobiles were, there were red and blue lights flashing (Anthony had set up the lights a few weeks back, and now he got a chance to use them). The officers were great and did a wonderful job of controlling the traffic. Some people proved to be the typical California drivers, as they attempted to jump into the line, but the officers managed to get them out. Fortunately, no tickets were issued, as far as I could tell.
We pulled into the Paramount Studios lot and were given priority parking and then walked over to this black "gate". The gate slid aside, kind of like an opening to a movie, and then there were all these people and a marching band waiting there to greet us. The walk into the garden like area was really fun, with so many people shouting, "Thank you!" and holding signs of welcome. Then we have to go around another wall/gate and we finally see the garden area. The tables are all set and we are given a number of welcomes by several different people, and fortunately all their speeches were short. They had a bunch of different celebrities to greet us and a really nice part was that Jason and I actually know some of them. I think Tom Arnold was the first person I was able to speak with, and I reminded him of where we had met prior (Ames, Iowa, for the Special Olympics, back in 2006). I also saw Kelly Carlson, and Joe Mantegna, both of whom made it a point to come over and give us a hug and say hello. Actually, the rest of the day and into the night Kelly was coming by to make sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. It was good to see Dan there, with her, as he is a great guy and a Navy Seal to boot. I attempted to get some pictures, and will do my best to get some of them up, over the next several days. Even Bob Hamer was there, and we hadn't seen him in a few months.
There was a special showing of the movie, Forest Gump, and as you might guess, Tom Hanks was even there. The only down part was that he didn't stay very long, and so I didn't get much of a chance to talk with him, or even get an autograph. The movie was fun to watch, and they have remastered it with digital and in watching it I remembered a bunch of the stuff about the movie that made me enjoy it the first time. Once the movie was over we all came out to enjoy a great dinner and have some time to socialize again with the rest of the people and more celebrities. Finally, the day was coming to an end and it was time for the big show and performance by the Lt. Dan Band, with Gary Sinise. Jason was feeling good still, so we went to go see the show, out on the back lot, at Paramount. Getting to the show was another walk through crowds of people and this time we had like a ticker tape effect with all this blown confetti coming down on us. Gary put on a wonderful show and we were able to stay for about eight of the songs, and then Jason was ready to get going. The experience was very positive and both Jason and I had a great time. I think that having Linda there would have made it better, so if there is another show to be invited to I am hoping that she is able to go with us.
Speaking of Linda, tomorrow morning I will be flying up to Livermore to go help her with the work on the house. Once the work is done we will be headed back down here to San Diego and help Jason with the rest of his transition with the Marines, and more immediately with the recovering from his upcoming surgery. I don't know how well I will be able to keep up with the updates on the blog, while up in Livermore, so please accept my apologies, if I should have days without updates. Actually I would really like to get the next two updates in, as it will bring me to the 900 post on this blog. Thank you, for all the continued prayer and support. Take care and stay positive.
On Wednesday we were treated to a wonderful experience at Paramount Studios that included a welcome that really you only see at the movies, or at least on a movie set. We first got on buses, with Jason and I riding in the van, behind them and Anthony Netto with Angelica right behind us in his truck. Now this wasn't your everyday regular caravan, it was a California Highway Patrol escorted caravan, with lights and stopped traffic and everything. Heck, even in Anthony's truck, where the paramobiles were, there were red and blue lights flashing (Anthony had set up the lights a few weeks back, and now he got a chance to use them). The officers were great and did a wonderful job of controlling the traffic. Some people proved to be the typical California drivers, as they attempted to jump into the line, but the officers managed to get them out. Fortunately, no tickets were issued, as far as I could tell.
We pulled into the Paramount Studios lot and were given priority parking and then walked over to this black "gate". The gate slid aside, kind of like an opening to a movie, and then there were all these people and a marching band waiting there to greet us. The walk into the garden like area was really fun, with so many people shouting, "Thank you!" and holding signs of welcome. Then we have to go around another wall/gate and we finally see the garden area. The tables are all set and we are given a number of welcomes by several different people, and fortunately all their speeches were short. They had a bunch of different celebrities to greet us and a really nice part was that Jason and I actually know some of them. I think Tom Arnold was the first person I was able to speak with, and I reminded him of where we had met prior (Ames, Iowa, for the Special Olympics, back in 2006). I also saw Kelly Carlson, and Joe Mantegna, both of whom made it a point to come over and give us a hug and say hello. Actually, the rest of the day and into the night Kelly was coming by to make sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. It was good to see Dan there, with her, as he is a great guy and a Navy Seal to boot. I attempted to get some pictures, and will do my best to get some of them up, over the next several days. Even Bob Hamer was there, and we hadn't seen him in a few months.
There was a special showing of the movie, Forest Gump, and as you might guess, Tom Hanks was even there. The only down part was that he didn't stay very long, and so I didn't get much of a chance to talk with him, or even get an autograph. The movie was fun to watch, and they have remastered it with digital and in watching it I remembered a bunch of the stuff about the movie that made me enjoy it the first time. Once the movie was over we all came out to enjoy a great dinner and have some time to socialize again with the rest of the people and more celebrities. Finally, the day was coming to an end and it was time for the big show and performance by the Lt. Dan Band, with Gary Sinise. Jason was feeling good still, so we went to go see the show, out on the back lot, at Paramount. Getting to the show was another walk through crowds of people and this time we had like a ticker tape effect with all this blown confetti coming down on us. Gary put on a wonderful show and we were able to stay for about eight of the songs, and then Jason was ready to get going. The experience was very positive and both Jason and I had a great time. I think that having Linda there would have made it better, so if there is another show to be invited to I am hoping that she is able to go with us.
Speaking of Linda, tomorrow morning I will be flying up to Livermore to go help her with the work on the house. Once the work is done we will be headed back down here to San Diego and help Jason with the rest of his transition with the Marines, and more immediately with the recovering from his upcoming surgery. I don't know how well I will be able to keep up with the updates on the blog, while up in Livermore, so please accept my apologies, if I should have days without updates. Actually I would really like to get the next two updates in, as it will bring me to the 900 post on this blog. Thank you, for all the continued prayer and support. Take care and stay positive.
Jason must be doing better to be able to be up that long. The more I read the more amazed I was that he was still going strong after all that time being up! Just write in when you can. It's all good!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many passages that just overwhelm my heart as I read the words. Praying so that they comfort you as well!
Psalms 73:23-26 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.