So Many Titles For Friday Night, And You Get Them All

Birthday: The Extended Version
My Boyfriend is Better
This Probably Ruins All Future Birthdays

Lily Tomlin was scheduled to do a couple of shows in Santa Barbara the weekend after my diagnosis in May, but they were cancelled due to the Jesusita Fire that was raging through town.  Shortly after, I noticed that the shows were rescheduled for October on my birthday weekend, and I thought How fun would that be?  I mean, she's an ICON, I've always found her hysterically funny and we do share a last name.  Despite the extravagence of buying tickets to go see a major comic in a Santa Barbara venue (Ha!  We're POOR, remember?), I may have mentioned a time or SEVEN that I thought that'd be a fun thing to do.  Without any real seriousness.

So I've already told you about my birthday.  Low key, treatment, doctor appointments, cupcakes, plenty to do, thrilled at the idea of an early evening of homemade pizza and a movie with Boyfriend.  It was perfect.

But upon waking the day after my birthday, Boyfriend informed me that there would be an extended birthday surprise for me in the evening, so we would need to stay on schedule to be back in Santa Barbara, fed, rested and gussied for a bit of a late evening.  "The timing just didn't work out for yesterday, I'm taking you to a surprise tonight."  Huh.  No one had ever surprised me with anything for my birthday before.  Really.  How curious and exciting!

So I stayed on schedule, stayed low-key, took my meds when I was supposed to, and we were headed back to Santa Barbara in dressy duds at 6:30 for an unknown, surprise something.  We parked in City Lot #9, and Boyfriend led me, teetering in heels to the Lobero Theater.

Audible gasp. "HERE?  No, no, no..."  I stopped and turned to see his spreading grin at my realization.  "HOW did you do this?  This is expensive..."
"I made a friend at the theater, M, explained the situation, and she got us in."  He'd used my brain cancer, birthday and my Tomlin cards.  How many times does one have three cards for ONE situation?  A genius, that guy.  "And we're going to the pre-show party, too, so let's keep moving..."

I got to meet M and the executive staff at the Lobero to express my thanks.  So gracious.  One of the staff members even informed me that I could write a question for Ms. Tomlin on a card, and she may answer it during her Q&A at the end of the show.  My question?  Would you pose for a picture with a fellow Tomlin?

Why not shoot for the moon, right?  I mean, I was already most of the way there...

So the show was non-stop hysteria for over two hours.  I only had one mild seizure and got preoccupied with my meds once, then sailed smoothly to the end with tears of laughter and joy running down my cheeks.  Have I over-used the word gratitude yet? Yeah, probably, but don't expect it to stop anytime soon...

Suddenly the show was over, and Q&A time had arrived.  She stood at center of stage with a handful of question cards.  "Oh, Lisa - is this true?  Where's Lisa Tomlin?  Another Tomlin!  Wow!  I don't meet many of you, just once in a while..."  She was speaking to all of us, standing in ovation, but I waved my hands and said, "I'm Lisa Tomlin!"  a crazy grin spreading taking over my entire face.   WOW.

So after the performance was complete, I was graciously ushered to the green room and did INDEED get my photo taken with the lovlier, wittier Tomlin.  We chatted about the Tomlin name, and she reinterated that she really didn't meet many of us, but she was always interested in where we came from.   I even made her giggle when I told her my Tomlin parents and little brother were GOING. TO. FALL. ON. THE. FLOOR. when I told them about my evening.  I even got a Tomlin hug.  Amazing.

Boyfriend is going to have a hard time topping this one.

And I thought the orange and pink flower arrangement from my gay friends was over-the-top!