Today started with the last sessions for our conference. The first one I attended covered some of the topics of the Affordable Care Act. Most of what they covered I knew, but still got some out of it. It is a complex subject, so always good to get to know more about it. The presenters could have been a bit more organized, they jumped around back and forth in their PowerPoint presentation at times. We then had a quick break with some chips and sandwiches to eat. My second session for the day was on defined benefit plans (aka pension plans). I really should have picked a different session, since everything that was covered I already knew. I guess I keep thinking I’ll get something new out of sessions that cover a topic I’m well versed in, but I guess not. I’ll have to remember that for next year. Also, the materials he handed out seemed like they were quite old and copied many times. He even used transparencies on an overhead for some of his presentation.

I relaxed in my room for a little bit after that session, which almost proved to be a bad idea, before heading to drive across town (and LA is a big town to drive across!) to go to Studio City.  I headed to CBS Studio Center for a taping of Whose Line Is It Anyway? The time on the ticket was for 6 p.m. and said to arrive by 4:30 p.m. I get there around 3:45 pm and get directed where to park. I park and go and get in line. There weren’t that many people there, so I think I’m all set. I get to the check in table and get line # 162 and was told at this point I’m on standby. Just like airlines, they over book their tickets so they can make sure they have enough people for a full audience. I was a little annoyed at this point since I had been there in plenty of time, got my ticket many weeks ago, etc. But I just went with it, since there was nothing else I could do. While waiting in line….

Quick side note – some quick tips for attending a TV show taping. 1) Arrive way early for popular shows to make sure you’ll get in. Mostly the time on the ticket is the show time, they’ll usually give you an arrival time, and then get there even earlier! 2) Bring a pen – just makes it easier if you have to fill out any forms, that way you don’t have to worry about finding one to borrow. 3) Be prepared to wait in line, and sometimes several lines. It isn’t always a quick process to get you into the studio!

Now, back to the line to get into Studio 22 at CBS Studio Center. While I was waiting I started talking to people around me, and one couple had been to Whose Line before and just missed getting into the studio – they would have been the next people in. If you don’t get in, you do get a pass that gives you priority the next time you come to a taping. They didn’t realize they had to call ahead though, so they couldn’t use it. We also kept hearing about a group for Danny – who had like 40 people there or something. We did find out the studio held 320, but with however many VIPs and/or priority people, who knew how far down in the numbers they’d get. We were all thinking back on our day and rethinking choices that we made that caused us to not get to the studio earlier – like me just relaxing in my hotel room.

They started letting some people move from this line to walk over to the studio, but we didn’t seem to be getting too much closer to the front. Then we were finally about 10 people back from the front, and the audience person said he’d be back if he found out they had more room.  He then comes and gets us and brings us closer to the studio, so that as he found room, he wouldn’t have to walk as far. A few more people go in. Then there are only 2 in front of me. Those two get to go, and then I get asked how many in my party, and since I was just 1, I got to go in as well! Finally, I knew for sure my evenings plans weren’t ruined. I know at least a few people after me got to go in as well.

We then got situated in the studio and some of the crew entertained us a bit while everyone got seated. Then the floor director (I think) talked to us a bit and introduced the producer who also talked to us. As a bonus, they were British – I forgot that the show originated in England, so makes sense that some British crew were there. They then introduced the cast and the show started.

Again, I can’t say exactly what happened, but here are some observations about a taping of Whose Line. We started right around 6 and went until 10:30, as the tickets said. There was very little down time during the taping – they tape a lot of material. For the main part of the taping, they started it as the show starts, and then just kept recording different game after game, as if it was just a really long show. They did stop one time to change tapes (I was surprised they actually still used tapes that needed to be changed!). Then towards the end of the taping time, they did a lot of re-tapes of things that didn’t come out quite right, or name brands were mentioned when they shouldn’t have been, etc. They also recorded a lot of different closings, openings, and transition bits. They’ll then piece all these together into some shows. Because of how they recorded it, I don’t know how many episodes they’ll get out of tonight’s taping session. I’m pretty sure I can tell you that the guest comic was Keegan-Michael Key and the guest star was Vernon Davis.

Ahh – to my title for the day. Although it was a long taping – at the studio for about 7 hours, and a 4.5 hour taping, it was well worth it. Very well worth it. Except for the last little bit when they were just recording transitions and other camera shots – it was almost non-stop laughing. And at times – very hard laughing. So I certainly worked my abs from laughing so hard! I had a great time. I can’t wait to see when the episodes air. They didn’t let us know anything, as they probably don’t know yet either.

Then it was another drive back to my hotel to wind down for the evening, get some rest, and get ready for Day 6 – whatever that may bring…

Friday was another day for the conference. It started a little earlier this morning since we had a general session for everyone to attend (although I think some people skip it.) Just a quick 1/2 hour to welcome everyone (it used to be a 2 day conference, so the Friday would have been the 1st day) and share some info. Then I went to a session that I thought was supposed to talk about how unions are changing and all of the veteran members are retiring or getting close to retiring and how to get the newer members involved and ready to take over the reigns. Instead it focused more on looking at generational differences. This was interesting to see how the different generations view things and the important events in the world that influenced them, etc. With about 20 mins left in the session, I brought up my viewpoints on how I think the different generations view unions and that started some good discussions, but didn’t have enough time to get into it too much. It was a good session, just didn’t take quite the approach that I was expecting.

After the session, I was heading up to my room to drop off my items before heading down for lunch. While I was checking my phone, that is when I found out the excellent news that the US Supreme Court has agreed to take up the case from the 6th circuit to make a ruling on the constitutionality of banning gay marriage. We are one step closer to having this issue settled once and for all. (Hopefully!)

For lunch today, we just ordered food to go from the hotel bar and ate outside by the pool. That was a nice relaxing lunch and got some nice fresh air and a little sunshine. My afternoon session was Advanced Quickbooks. This was mostly review for me, but always good to hear the information to make sure I’m not missing anything. The session again went by quickly and had a good time.

After that session I had a little downtime, so I came back to my room to relax a bit and check Facebook, Twitter, and email. We then had a reception with hors-d’oeuvres and drinks. It is supposed to be for people to mingle and get to know people from other states, but it seems like most people just hang out with people they know. They raffled off a few prizes as well. Nothing exciting but had some nice conversations. Then it was time to head out for the night.

Tonight’s plan was to see a play performed by a theatre group that I saw 2 years ago when I was out here. Theatre 68‘s current play is a musical called Serial Killer Barbie. While the play wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, I think I enjoyed it more based on what it really was. It was about a mom telling her daughter a bed-time story and based it on her time in school grades 1 to 12. It covered the topics of trying to fit in, making and keeping friends, clicks, the popular vs. unpopular kids, etc. Then at the end it twisted into that she and her friend wanted all the popular girls killed, and so they did. It had many funny moments, some sad moments, and of course happy ones – a nice range of emotions. I’m glad I went to see it. Then it was back to the hotel room and another day is a wrap!

Today’s adventures (Thursday) were a lot lower key that yesterday’s. The conference I came to California for started. So the first part of my day was the conference. I attended a session called “Stress Busters” talking about what can cause stress in your life, what that stress can do to your body, and ways to prevent, avoid, or change the stress. It was interesting and had lots of good information, but it is easier said than done to not let things get you stressed.

A group of us walked next door to Joe’s Crab Shack for lunch. When we got there, there was hardly anyone in the entire restaurant and we were seated immediately. They took our drink orders right away and had those out quickly. A few of us needed a bit more time to order, so the waitress left.  It then took her a while to come back, and then took forever to get our food after ordering. Other tables that were seated after us got their food before us, etc. Of course you always get slow service when you are on a time schedule. We were a bit late getting to our afternoon sessions, but it was OK.

In the afternoon I went to the Advanced Treasurer’s workshop. I remember when I first came to this conference 2 years ago, I was a brand new union treasurer and just figuring things out. In this session I was almost the most experienced treasurer there – lots of new people! As the treasurer workshops usually are, it was fun, packed full of good information, and went by quickly.

When that was done, I quick stopped by my room to drop off a few things and then hopped in my (rental) car to head up to Burbank to meet Matt and Claudia, and their friends Brian and David. Although, maybe they are my friends now as well, since I’ve met both of them twice now. Two years ago and then on this trip! We headed to beautiful downtown Burbank for dinner. Had a good meal at a Chinese restaurant, but one weird thing is you had to order the rice separately if you wanted it with your meal. Then we walked a few doors down to a self-serve yogurt place for dessert. On the car ride back we had very funny conversations with innocent comments that were loaded with double (and I think sometimes triple) entendre!

Once we got back to the house, we visited and watched some game show related DVDs and had an overall good time. Then it was back to the hotel for some sleep!