December 20th, 2021

Soooo, how was your weekend?  Are you ready for Christmas?  It's less than a week away now!   

We celebrated our Anniversary AND Minock Day!  It was a two-fer.   We met up in Tampa and first went out to  lunch so we could do two of our favourite things, eat, talk and laugh.  Oh that's 3 things. Sorry.  Clearly I cannot count today.  We always allow Plenty of time for the talking and laughing portion of our get togethers ;)

Because none of us live in Tampa or hang out there on a regular basis, we don't know our way around very well. So Tim did some research and found first a parking garage near where we wanted to be and also a restaurant that sounded like fun.  It was called, "The Gen X Tavern".  The word Tavern sounds like it's going to be small and old and dark.  But it was roomy and very modern and very well lit  and peppered with 80's memorabilia.  The food and the service were both good and of course the company was great.  As anticipated, much talking and laughing ensued ;)  

Eventually we headed over to the arena for the show.  We had great seats. We were in the front row and so near the stage that we could easily see facial expressions and catch some of the subtle interplay between the performers.  For me, being in the front row means that, I don't have anyone blocking my view.  Hurrah!!!!!!!!

I have no idea if you've ever seen Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) or if you ever even heard of it, but they put one one heck of a great show.   I think we've seen them maybe 5 times now total, in both Colorado and now Florida.  We have never ever been disappointed in a show.  The audience occasionally but never the show.  It is a 2 1/2 hour long spectacular performance that feels like no time at all has passed.

It turns out that this year is the 25th anniversary of TSO and some of the performers have been with the show since the very beginning.   The leader of the group, at some point in the performance always makes it a point to introduce every single member of TSO and mention their gratitude to not only the audience but also the people who work so hard behind the curtains that we never see.  I admire that.

The show is a fest for the senses.  It's amazing music and a wonderful story and a crazy light show all at the same time.  At one point snow was gently falling on the audience!    There are fireballs and fog machines and giant cranes lifting performers out over the audience and so much more.

I am finding that I really cannot adequately describe them.  Suffice it to say that we had a really good time.

Sorry that's all I have for photographs.  I was too busy enjoying  the show to take many pictures.

After their final bows and a long standing ovation we found our way back to our respective cars and then onward to the long drives home, them to the north, us to the south.   Totally worth it!!! 

Another Awesome Minock Day!