How I Spent My Summer Vacation

This is how I spent my summer vacation:

I got to visit Mom and Dad's cats, and in turn they got my luggage to lay on.

I spent time with the family including my two nieces.

I made the trip to Warsaw to see a couple of shows at Wagon Wheel.

I got to reestablish my annual tradition of going to Taste of Chicago and seeing the Broadway in Chicago Preview Concert for my birthday.

My favorite!

I also got to experience the new Art Institute of Chicago's Modern Wing.

I went to Cedar Point with a Wedding Singer friend.

I played Oliver! for Ross Summer Theatre, but more importantly for Trish.

I went to New York to attend the NFA Flute Convention. It was my first time actually attending and not working for the Woodwind. Above is a picture of James Galway being condescending to 2000 flute players. Below are the 2000 flute players attempting to break the World Record for most flute players playing a piece simultaneously.

While is New York I got to meet and puppysit for my friend's new puppy: Rory Calhoun.

I also saw a couple of shows. Yes I'm obsessed with Next to Normal!

Avenue Q one last time before it closed on Broadway.

Also my first time seeing Hair. Well now I've seen it!?

But mostly I used any excuse to spend time in Chicago!

I saw some shows in Chicago including Water Fools at Navy Pier with Heather. It was no Dogtroep!

I also went with Mom to the Harry Potter Exhibition one last time.

One has to be careful of flying Ford Anglias.

I was a criminal and took a picture inside the exhibit!

I also took the Broadway in Chicago theatre tour. I actually got to take pictures inside my favorite theatre: The Oriental Theatre!

I also went to the Lyric Opera's concert in Millennium Park at the Pritzker Bandshell. This was a Friday night about a month before I was going to return to tour. Little did I know then that my world would turn upside down within 48 hours.