I just read this brief story, and wrote the following to the reporter in response. Not really sure why I was so motivated; it's just one of life's little mysteries. In any event: Drive Safely!!
"Ms. Jennifer Sullivan,
Thank you for your report about the Lynnwood man arrested for his 15th drunk driving infraction. I believe it's critical to continue reporting on such phenomena in order to battle the complacency that comes with otherwise generally sucessful programs instituted by our local governments and groups like MADD.
Upon reading your report, I wondered: 1) how does this man NOT have a breath-ignition contraption in his car, and 2)what are the relevant state and local statutes that apply to this repeat offender?
I understood from your report that his previous 5 convictions make him eligible for felony charges, but I'm simultaneously aghast that it takes FIVE convictions. How is it that such a law is so apparently lenient? Afterall, driving while drunk is nothing less than operating a large lethal weapon with impaired judgement.
Is there really nothing else to keep this particular hazard off the same streets I use?
Thank you for your work.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Walsh
Seattle"
Monday, December 31, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Christmas 2007
Started the morning off opening prezzies; a shout out to Santa, who was very very thoughtful this year. And isn't Paul cute sleeping under the tree?
An atypical white Christmas in the great Northwest
We invited some friends over for a potluck Christmas which, while being a tad more complicated than we anticipated (weather, cooking times), ended up really nice. Dicie, Julia, Aaron, and Jeannie were a pleasure to spend the evening with sharing food, drinks, the massage chair, and other lovely goodies.
Paul made an amazing turkey, which was quite the trussed up little birdie. He roasted it - after a day of soaking in a brine - breast-side down, so all the juices soaked down into the breast meat. SO. GOOD.
It kind of looks like the turkey pooped out the onion.
We destroyed the kitchen a little, but I've seen far worse chaos.
Nonetheless, a tribute to the gods of kitchen destruction (Jeannie, is there such a god/dess?); a carcass and some desicated stuffing:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I hope everyone's Xmas was a good one. I went to bed feeling really blessed to have the family and friends that I do, thankful for all of the obvious and invisible luck that has visited my life, and really pleased at the time I've been able to spend with so many great people this holiday season. The fact that I miss so many people just goes to show how fortunate I feel to even know them...
And that's not just the tummy full of carbs talking.
An atypical white Christmas in the great Northwest
We invited some friends over for a potluck Christmas which, while being a tad more complicated than we anticipated (weather, cooking times), ended up really nice. Dicie, Julia, Aaron, and Jeannie were a pleasure to spend the evening with sharing food, drinks, the massage chair, and other lovely goodies.
Paul made an amazing turkey, which was quite the trussed up little birdie. He roasted it - after a day of soaking in a brine - breast-side down, so all the juices soaked down into the breast meat. SO. GOOD.
It kind of looks like the turkey pooped out the onion.
We destroyed the kitchen a little, but I've seen far worse chaos.
Nonetheless, a tribute to the gods of kitchen destruction (Jeannie, is there such a god/dess?); a carcass and some desicated stuffing:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I hope everyone's Xmas was a good one. I went to bed feeling really blessed to have the family and friends that I do, thankful for all of the obvious and invisible luck that has visited my life, and really pleased at the time I've been able to spend with so many great people this holiday season. The fact that I miss so many people just goes to show how fortunate I feel to even know them...
And that's not just the tummy full of carbs talking.
Really insightful observations on political process, media, and the candidacy of Joe Biden in the NYTimes. Quick, and worthwhile. Also, gives the most complete list I've seen of who the two parties' candidates are.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Happy Haiku Day!
Sure, most people think of December 22 as the shortest day of the year, but I see it as a greand opportunity - it's National Haiku Poetry Day!!
Aside from composing and posting haiku today on my other somewhat-literary-mostly-prose-style blog today, we hunted down a Christmas tree. It took going to 5 different places, but we finally found Bruce. He goes by Sheila on the weekends, and is now bedecked in purple, red, and silver ornaments.
We also had an unexpected but beneficial client meeting today and look forward to sleeping in as late as possible tomorrow. Have a great day!
Aside from composing and posting haiku today on my other somewhat-literary-mostly-prose-style blog today, we hunted down a Christmas tree. It took going to 5 different places, but we finally found Bruce. He goes by Sheila on the weekends, and is now bedecked in purple, red, and silver ornaments.
We also had an unexpected but beneficial client meeting today and look forward to sleeping in as late as possible tomorrow. Have a great day!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Possibly my favorite t-shirt ever
I am persuaded by the dark side's elegantly made point.
And that's right, it glows in the dark.
And that's right, it glows in the dark.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Iowa Democratic Debate
{Pour yourself a nice beverage and get comfortable. This is going to take a while.}
I just listened to most of the Democratic party Presidential debate in Iowa. As in previous election cycles, I am amazed at the media's continued insistence on labeling certain candidates as 'front runners'
It's as if there's a built-in myopia, possibly bred from having a two party system; we don't seem to be able to count higher than 3. (I am forced to wonder if Italians and citizens of other multi-party systems have the same counting problem.) Mass media's focus on only 2-3 candidates is not only unnecessary because of the unbelievably well qualified field of Democratic candidates, but such blindness is also a massive disservice to our nation regardless of party affiliation.
The media's role in a democracy is to help create a well-informed electorate, and one could arguably assert that the deliberate exclusion of certain candidates/candidate views is truly contrary to the media's own reason for existing in a democratic state. Of course mass media also provides entertainment and other, apolitical information, but when media outlets engage in earnest political coverage, a higher standard must be met.
In fact, I would assert that this imperative is stronger now than at any other time in our nation's colorful political history for at least two reasons.
1 - There have never before in our nation's history been so many opportunities to communicate to the electorate. I recognize and am truly thrilled that I live in a time that I don't have to rely on word-of-mouth to decide who to vote for. The concurrent vitality of electronic, broadcast, and print media has created more opportunities to get candidate information out there. It is, then, unconscionable to me that media outlets themselves limit who we hear from, or for how long.
2 - If our nation is going to continue to have such a forward-leaning stance on 'supporting democratization' in other countries, then we should demand that the machinery of democracy is put through it's paces. Our system can not be a beautiful grand piano sitting in the corner for all to admire, we have to actually play the damn thing for people to hear, to become inspired.
My rundown on the debate, as much for anyone else's consumption as to help remind me what I think of these people when voting day comes:
* Dodd impressed me with cogent statements, optimism, and awareness of the issues upon which he was asked to speak. I would like to learn more about how he differs from the other candidates - y'know, aside from being an underdog - on any key policy or leadership issues.
* What the hell was up with the guy from New Mexico? He sounds like I would if I were campaigning - too honest, too humble, too easily able to focus on the wrong thing. I'm a really smart and great person, but I'm no President. And neither is he.
* Clinton just sounded too shrill, too angry all the time, like she was going to bite anyone who got up in her grill. And this hogwash about "all her experience"?? She was a freaking politician's wife for 8 years, and since then has served as a Senator for less than a decade, whoopdeefreakindoo. When I think about the vast experience many of the other candidates bring as Leaders in their own careers, not adjuncts, she looks like an age-aspirational middle schooler, trying to dress like the high schoolers do. And, I'm not sure I'm ever going to get over her vote to essentially abrogate Congress' power to declare war over to the Executive Branch. When I listened to the Senate hearings on Iraq at the time, I knew it was wrong then, and her vitriol at the current President doesn't make up for bad past judgement.
* Biden just hit it outta the park, which I really was not expecting; again, who would've known, given that the media just doesn't report on this guy? Anyway, I know he's an odd cod with a history of "speaking bluntly", as he puts it, but it became overwhelmingly clear with every statement he made that he had been wrestling with and working on each of these issues for decades. He never seemed unprepared, he seemed to be able to speak so calmly, without sounding like he was campaigning. Just sounded really smart, really competent, and totally unflappable.
* Obama was all over the map. Some really strong confident answers, some where I couldn't figure out where he was going or why... He seems to lack depth on some issues, which some might say is synonymous with lacking 'experience'. Perhaps that's true. I will say, however, that it is clear that he gives great consideration to key issues, and I would assume that he would select advisors who would be permitted to develop equally thoughtful policy suggestions.
* Edwards. Umm. Passionate vanilla. Is that possible? And if it's possible, is it bad? Kind of like Gore with more zest. I think our country could do far, far worse. Of course, he voted the same as Clinton on the whole let's-give-the-Executive-Branch-the-power-to-make-war thingy, but there's something about his lack of nastiness about it that makes him seem less like a whiner and more like someone who's going to just move on and do what he can now. It's still a strike against him.
* Oh yeah, that was his name, Bill Richardson. The guy from New Mexico. Despite all his experience, he sounded like a child among gladiators.
If there was anyone else, they didn't make a good enough impression.
And I notice Representative Kucinich was not in the debate. It's too bad, because I remember during the last Presidential election, he made some key points very elegantly. Is he going to be relegated to the "Where is he now?" category? Admirably, Esquire magazine recently dedicated quite a lot of space to covering him in, what I thought, was a very even-handed way. Don't know enough about him to know if I would vote for him, though. I say drop Richardson and include Kucinich.
Scheduled Presidential Debates for both parties
And here's how you know when you'll be voting in your state for some of these people.
If you read this whole thing, you deserve at least a cookie and a bathroom break.
I just listened to most of the Democratic party Presidential debate in Iowa. As in previous election cycles, I am amazed at the media's continued insistence on labeling certain candidates as 'front runners'
It's as if there's a built-in myopia, possibly bred from having a two party system; we don't seem to be able to count higher than 3. (I am forced to wonder if Italians and citizens of other multi-party systems have the same counting problem.) Mass media's focus on only 2-3 candidates is not only unnecessary because of the unbelievably well qualified field of Democratic candidates, but such blindness is also a massive disservice to our nation regardless of party affiliation.
The media's role in a democracy is to help create a well-informed electorate, and one could arguably assert that the deliberate exclusion of certain candidates/candidate views is truly contrary to the media's own reason for existing in a democratic state. Of course mass media also provides entertainment and other, apolitical information, but when media outlets engage in earnest political coverage, a higher standard must be met.
In fact, I would assert that this imperative is stronger now than at any other time in our nation's colorful political history for at least two reasons.
1 - There have never before in our nation's history been so many opportunities to communicate to the electorate. I recognize and am truly thrilled that I live in a time that I don't have to rely on word-of-mouth to decide who to vote for. The concurrent vitality of electronic, broadcast, and print media has created more opportunities to get candidate information out there. It is, then, unconscionable to me that media outlets themselves limit who we hear from, or for how long.
2 - If our nation is going to continue to have such a forward-leaning stance on 'supporting democratization' in other countries, then we should demand that the machinery of democracy is put through it's paces. Our system can not be a beautiful grand piano sitting in the corner for all to admire, we have to actually play the damn thing for people to hear, to become inspired.
My rundown on the debate, as much for anyone else's consumption as to help remind me what I think of these people when voting day comes:
* Dodd impressed me with cogent statements, optimism, and awareness of the issues upon which he was asked to speak. I would like to learn more about how he differs from the other candidates - y'know, aside from being an underdog - on any key policy or leadership issues.
* What the hell was up with the guy from New Mexico? He sounds like I would if I were campaigning - too honest, too humble, too easily able to focus on the wrong thing. I'm a really smart and great person, but I'm no President. And neither is he.
* Clinton just sounded too shrill, too angry all the time, like she was going to bite anyone who got up in her grill. And this hogwash about "all her experience"?? She was a freaking politician's wife for 8 years, and since then has served as a Senator for less than a decade, whoopdeefreakindoo. When I think about the vast experience many of the other candidates bring as Leaders in their own careers, not adjuncts, she looks like an age-aspirational middle schooler, trying to dress like the high schoolers do. And, I'm not sure I'm ever going to get over her vote to essentially abrogate Congress' power to declare war over to the Executive Branch. When I listened to the Senate hearings on Iraq at the time, I knew it was wrong then, and her vitriol at the current President doesn't make up for bad past judgement.
* Biden just hit it outta the park, which I really was not expecting; again, who would've known, given that the media just doesn't report on this guy? Anyway, I know he's an odd cod with a history of "speaking bluntly", as he puts it, but it became overwhelmingly clear with every statement he made that he had been wrestling with and working on each of these issues for decades. He never seemed unprepared, he seemed to be able to speak so calmly, without sounding like he was campaigning. Just sounded really smart, really competent, and totally unflappable.
* Obama was all over the map. Some really strong confident answers, some where I couldn't figure out where he was going or why... He seems to lack depth on some issues, which some might say is synonymous with lacking 'experience'. Perhaps that's true. I will say, however, that it is clear that he gives great consideration to key issues, and I would assume that he would select advisors who would be permitted to develop equally thoughtful policy suggestions.
* Edwards. Umm. Passionate vanilla. Is that possible? And if it's possible, is it bad? Kind of like Gore with more zest. I think our country could do far, far worse. Of course, he voted the same as Clinton on the whole let's-give-the-Executive-Branch-the-power-to-make-war thingy, but there's something about his lack of nastiness about it that makes him seem less like a whiner and more like someone who's going to just move on and do what he can now. It's still a strike against him.
* Oh yeah, that was his name, Bill Richardson. The guy from New Mexico. Despite all his experience, he sounded like a child among gladiators.
If there was anyone else, they didn't make a good enough impression.
And I notice Representative Kucinich was not in the debate. It's too bad, because I remember during the last Presidential election, he made some key points very elegantly. Is he going to be relegated to the "Where is he now?" category? Admirably, Esquire magazine recently dedicated quite a lot of space to covering him in, what I thought, was a very even-handed way. Don't know enough about him to know if I would vote for him, though. I say drop Richardson and include Kucinich.
Scheduled Presidential Debates for both parties
And here's how you know when you'll be voting in your state for some of these people.
If you read this whole thing, you deserve at least a cookie and a bathroom break.
There but for the grace of god go I
I suspect this guy's inner monologue right now is something like this:
"It seemed like a good idea at the time."
"I didn't quite think it through."
"I just sort of snapped."
But I have to admit that I can really sympathize with the impulse.
"It seemed like a good idea at the time."
"I didn't quite think it through."
"I just sort of snapped."
But I have to admit that I can really sympathize with the impulse.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
I Gotta Dance!!!
While showering this morning for some reason, I recalled that a few nights ago I was curled up behind Paul in bed. He moved, forcing me to move and thus wake up a bit out of a dream (apparently).
I remember declaring the following naturally, like it was exactly the thing to say at that moment: "I've got my dancing shoes on!"
I don't know what's going on in my noodle that such an otherwise forgotten event would spring forth days later in the shower, but I laughed my ass off.
I remember declaring the following naturally, like it was exactly the thing to say at that moment: "I've got my dancing shoes on!"
I don't know what's going on in my noodle that such an otherwise forgotten event would spring forth days later in the shower, but I laughed my ass off.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
"fra-gee-lay"
I think the cake we made for a party this last weekend might be my favorite yet:
That's right, we made a cake of the leg lamp from A Christmas Story, complete with small lights underneath the shade so that it actually looked like it was on.
Another view:
The whole cake (which fed 225) and at least 12 dozen cookies during a week where our basement got progressively more torn up because of water problems.... We're feeling pretty darn good about the business these days!
Now if we could only get someone to come in and do our dishes.
That's right, we made a cake of the leg lamp from A Christmas Story, complete with small lights underneath the shade so that it actually looked like it was on.
Another view:
The whole cake (which fed 225) and at least 12 dozen cookies during a week where our basement got progressively more torn up because of water problems.... We're feeling pretty darn good about the business these days!
Now if we could only get someone to come in and do our dishes.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
It's been a wet one
This last week's storm, which began with some pleasant snow fall on Saturday, turned quite unpleasant for almost everyone in the region. The excess water in our basement and garage simply pale in comparison.
Seattle Times
What you're seeing above is a freeway overpass for Interstate 5, the primary artery for traffic and commerce linking California, Oregon, Washington, and western Canada; for those of you on the East coast, this is roughly the equivalent of I-95. I-5 is completely submerged. The large, flat, grey and white building in the upper right of the image is a Walmart.
Seattle Times
This shows the flooded town of Centralia and another view of the I-5 corridor under water. It's clear there's just nowhere for all that water to go.
Seattle TimesWhat you're seeing above is a freeway overpass for Interstate 5, the primary artery for traffic and commerce linking California, Oregon, Washington, and western Canada; for those of you on the East coast, this is roughly the equivalent of I-95. I-5 is completely submerged. The large, flat, grey and white building in the upper right of the image is a Walmart.
Seattle TimesThis shows the flooded town of Centralia and another view of the I-5 corridor under water. It's clear there's just nowhere for all that water to go.
Monday, December 3, 2007
I can't stand the rain.
Our basement is flooding.
I went downstairs to get some cookie dough, and my big toe went splush in the carpet.
"no no no no no no no", said I.
Today's lesson: as I was schlepping stuff out to the trash/yard waste containers (through our partially flooded garage, mind you), I realized that just because "Nothing worth having is easy," that doesn't mean that everything difficult is worth having.
Out.
I went downstairs to get some cookie dough, and my big toe went splush in the carpet.
"no no no no no no no", said I.
Today's lesson: as I was schlepping stuff out to the trash/yard waste containers (through our partially flooded garage, mind you), I realized that just because "Nothing worth having is easy," that doesn't mean that everything difficult is worth having.
Out.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Some of my friends are right bastards
Look at the picture to the upper right.
Do you see the crazy blue water? The palms in mid-sway from the on shore breeze? The boats, suggestive of an easier, less regimented lifestyle?
Can you feel the warm coral sand between your toes? The bright, nourishing sun?
Sigh.
Right now a friend of mine is enjoying Mexico's Mayan Riviera, and in a week two more friends are heading down there as well.
Bastards.
Do you see the crazy blue water? The palms in mid-sway from the on shore breeze? The boats, suggestive of an easier, less regimented lifestyle?
Can you feel the warm coral sand between your toes? The bright, nourishing sun?
Sigh.
Right now a friend of mine is enjoying Mexico's Mayan Riviera, and in a week two more friends are heading down there as well.
Bastards.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Rocks in my ears
Benign Paroxysmal Position Vertigo (BPPV) essentially means that small particles get loose in one's inner ear and press on the parts that control balance. Rocks in your ears!
Result is mild to severe dizziness, and possible nausea. Think of it as getting instantly motion sick.
One of the signature symptoms of this particular type of dizziness - and which sets it apart from other possible causes such as stroke, brain tumor, etc. - is nystagmus, which is an uncontrollable eye spasm.
Treatment is fortunately very easy, and typically involves rolling one's head in a series of movements that help the particles move out of the sensitive area of the inner ear. How great: no drugs, no surgery, no shots!
Unfortunately, the dizziness seems to fade gradually rather than stop abruptly - and every recommendation is to cease certain activities for at least a week.
Why do I mention this?
To explain: to my soccer teammates why I had to miss our last game of the season, to my friend Rob why I didn't call him Saturday afternoon like I said I would, to the very kind manager at Tutta Bella that the pizza we had there really really had nothing to do with why I was feeling ill, and to all the people waiting at the bustop at NE80th and 15th NE on saturday afternoon who saw me toss my cookies on the curb that I'm sorry I had to share that particular technicolor yawn with them. It was unavoidable.
May your universe be more upright and static than mine.
Result is mild to severe dizziness, and possible nausea. Think of it as getting instantly motion sick.
One of the signature symptoms of this particular type of dizziness - and which sets it apart from other possible causes such as stroke, brain tumor, etc. - is nystagmus, which is an uncontrollable eye spasm.
Treatment is fortunately very easy, and typically involves rolling one's head in a series of movements that help the particles move out of the sensitive area of the inner ear. How great: no drugs, no surgery, no shots!
Unfortunately, the dizziness seems to fade gradually rather than stop abruptly - and every recommendation is to cease certain activities for at least a week.
Why do I mention this?
To explain: to my soccer teammates why I had to miss our last game of the season, to my friend Rob why I didn't call him Saturday afternoon like I said I would, to the very kind manager at Tutta Bella that the pizza we had there really really had nothing to do with why I was feeling ill, and to all the people waiting at the bustop at NE80th and 15th NE on saturday afternoon who saw me toss my cookies on the curb that I'm sorry I had to share that particular technicolor yawn with them. It was unavoidable.
May your universe be more upright and static than mine.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
A Big Message
I'm not normally (awake) looking at news this early in the morning.
I suppose this will teach me a lesson.
"Hygiene enthusiast's new home shaped like a john"
I suppose this will teach me a lesson.
"Hygiene enthusiast's new home shaped like a john"
Friday, November 9, 2007
Sometimes lists are just easier - List for this week
Things that rock this week:
Bacon Salt - really, it's zero calorie bacon flavored salt. It's also Kosher, for some reason.
William Shatner's recent album "Has Been" - to my total surprise, it's a shockingly good album. Maybe because it's produced with Ben Folds, and includes Henry Rollins, Aimee Mann, Joe Jackson, and other really talented people.
Marylin Manson's Best Of disk - his version of Tainted Love is something to behold.
Paul's new job.
"The Office" - I have just started watching it this week, damn that's funny.
My friend Christy just gave me this really cool marble-solitaire game on a board (handmade by her brother) with all these beautiful marbles that she picked out. I'm hooked on the game and love looking at it.
Finding lost cds.
Voting. Voting. Voting.
New queen size 400 thread-count deep purple sheet set on crazy sale.
The Argentine Soccer Highlight show is back!
Stuff that sort of sucks this week:
Working on a massive cake (will feed 200-250) for an outdoor party when we know that it's likely to be raining... and rain is really not very kind to cakes.
Being constantly cold in the bakery - the floor is so cold that my feet begin cramping from just standing on the freezing tile.
Resultant leg aches at night.
Paul cutting off his left index fingertip with an exacto knife. It looks gnarly.
Being too damn lazy, busy, or distractable to have gotten a haircut yet.
Still don't have a job.
Bacon Salt - really, it's zero calorie bacon flavored salt. It's also Kosher, for some reason.
William Shatner's recent album "Has Been" - to my total surprise, it's a shockingly good album. Maybe because it's produced with Ben Folds, and includes Henry Rollins, Aimee Mann, Joe Jackson, and other really talented people.
Marylin Manson's Best Of disk - his version of Tainted Love is something to behold.
Paul's new job.
"The Office" - I have just started watching it this week, damn that's funny.
My friend Christy just gave me this really cool marble-solitaire game on a board (handmade by her brother) with all these beautiful marbles that she picked out. I'm hooked on the game and love looking at it.
Finding lost cds.
Voting. Voting. Voting.
New queen size 400 thread-count deep purple sheet set on crazy sale.
The Argentine Soccer Highlight show is back!
Stuff that sort of sucks this week:
Working on a massive cake (will feed 200-250) for an outdoor party when we know that it's likely to be raining... and rain is really not very kind to cakes.
Being constantly cold in the bakery - the floor is so cold that my feet begin cramping from just standing on the freezing tile.
Resultant leg aches at night.
Paul cutting off his left index fingertip with an exacto knife. It looks gnarly.
Being too damn lazy, busy, or distractable to have gotten a haircut yet.
Still don't have a job.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
What fun!
The Seattle Times is running this feature where customer service staff can anonymously write an open letter to customers: weeee! So, I submitted mine, which went as follows and was based on some of my many experiences selling clothing:
"Dear Customers,
A haircut can be a refreshing experience; you've got a new look and might like some new clothes to go with it. PLEASE just go home and shower first!
"Consider that the various length clippings of your hair coating all the clothes you tried on and then did not buy are now unsellable - some poor schmuck on staff has to take them home, wash them, and then deeply discount them for sale to store/chain personnel. Once you rinse, I heartily welcome you into my store, and I will give you the best customer service I possibly can. Which includes getting clothes for you to try on that aren't covered in somebody else's hair. Won't that be nice?
"Also, remember that your children are *yours*, not ours. The degree of sympathy I feel for little Bobby or Susie after they've bonked their head on the inside of a clothing rack - after disrupting the shopping experience for my many other customers - will be minimal. And in the cost-benefit analysis all sales staff have to make when faced with little shrieking darlings, don't be surprised that we choose everyone else in the store (including ourselves) over you.
"I'll be nice and polite, and earnestly hope you'll come back at a better time. And, if you're honest with yourself, you know that you'll just buy something without trying it on in order to get out of the store before junior explodes, and will have to come back later to exchange it anyway.
"Many thanks, and happy shopping!"
I don't know if the times will post it, but it was sure fun to write!
"Dear Customers,
A haircut can be a refreshing experience; you've got a new look and might like some new clothes to go with it. PLEASE just go home and shower first!
"Consider that the various length clippings of your hair coating all the clothes you tried on and then did not buy are now unsellable - some poor schmuck on staff has to take them home, wash them, and then deeply discount them for sale to store/chain personnel. Once you rinse, I heartily welcome you into my store, and I will give you the best customer service I possibly can. Which includes getting clothes for you to try on that aren't covered in somebody else's hair. Won't that be nice?
"Also, remember that your children are *yours*, not ours. The degree of sympathy I feel for little Bobby or Susie after they've bonked their head on the inside of a clothing rack - after disrupting the shopping experience for my many other customers - will be minimal. And in the cost-benefit analysis all sales staff have to make when faced with little shrieking darlings, don't be surprised that we choose everyone else in the store (including ourselves) over you.
"I'll be nice and polite, and earnestly hope you'll come back at a better time. And, if you're honest with yourself, you know that you'll just buy something without trying it on in order to get out of the store before junior explodes, and will have to come back later to exchange it anyway.
"Many thanks, and happy shopping!"
I don't know if the times will post it, but it was sure fun to write!
Monday, November 5, 2007
Splendid Soiree!
FINALLY had a party at our new place. Too long overdue.
My friend Christy - whom I've known since junior high - came all the way up from Portland, which made the whole thing kick even more ass.
For those of you a few tacos short of a combo platter, she's the one on the right.
The above picture and those that follow also show Paul working out his Mayan Coffee recipe (yes, you are seeing him make and pour a flaming beverage in the wood-floored dining room of a 1908 house we don't own). It was actually very successful, and subsequent photos prove he managed to avoid any major flame-related destruction.
Helen looking cool:
And, last but not least, the winners of the Most Festively Dressed awards went to Mike (aka Corky) who went all out on his get-up....
.... and Rob, who was the only one to take the "Pants Optional" part of the evite seriously....
We know some really fun people. :-)
For those of you who felt like Paul was everywhere, you were right.
The next morning Paul, Christy, and I felt much better than we could have.
So, we took turns throwing sticky wall-crawling lizard toys onto the ceiling and playing a form of reverse darts.
Gravity totally rocks.
Win - Christy
Place - Liz
Show - Paul
Did we have fun? Just ask Darth!
My friend Christy - whom I've known since junior high - came all the way up from Portland, which made the whole thing kick even more ass.
For those of you a few tacos short of a combo platter, she's the one on the right.
The above picture and those that follow also show Paul working out his Mayan Coffee recipe (yes, you are seeing him make and pour a flaming beverage in the wood-floored dining room of a 1908 house we don't own). It was actually very successful, and subsequent photos prove he managed to avoid any major flame-related destruction.
Helen looking cool:
And, last but not least, the winners of the Most Festively Dressed awards went to Mike (aka Corky) who went all out on his get-up....
.... and Rob, who was the only one to take the "Pants Optional" part of the evite seriously....
We know some really fun people. :-)
For those of you who felt like Paul was everywhere, you were right.
The next morning Paul, Christy, and I felt much better than we could have.
So, we took turns throwing sticky wall-crawling lizard toys onto the ceiling and playing a form of reverse darts.
Gravity totally rocks.
Win - Christy
Place - Liz
Show - Paul
Did we have fun? Just ask Darth!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Halloween! Have some earwax!
Headline I read today:
"Australia's opposition leader laments ear wax eating video"
What could I possibly say that could add anything?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In other news, today is Halloween. We bought a bunch of candy last weekend and valiantly avoided eating most of it. I piled it into a couple big bowls and set them by the door for the wee kiddies.
Paul set up some fun lights and stuff on our front porch.
I put on my sequin and pink maribou cat ears.
We even have a small pumpkin next to our welcoming gnomes:
And we only got one kid. Granted, he was dressed like a domino (a '3' and a '4', if you must know) which was really cool and original. And his mom stood back from the porch looking really proud, which was also cool.
But just one kid?? Man.
This is basically how I remember Halloween, I tell you what.
Kids these days. When will they learn the value of hoarding, bargaining, and trading if not at Halloween?
Damn. Pretty soon I'll be shouting, "You kids get off the lawn!" in white knee sox and shorts.
"Australia's opposition leader laments ear wax eating video"
What could I possibly say that could add anything?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In other news, today is Halloween. We bought a bunch of candy last weekend and valiantly avoided eating most of it. I piled it into a couple big bowls and set them by the door for the wee kiddies.
Paul set up some fun lights and stuff on our front porch.
I put on my sequin and pink maribou cat ears.
We even have a small pumpkin next to our welcoming gnomes:
And we only got one kid. Granted, he was dressed like a domino (a '3' and a '4', if you must know) which was really cool and original. And his mom stood back from the porch looking really proud, which was also cool.
But just one kid?? Man.
This is basically how I remember Halloween, I tell you what.
Kids these days. When will they learn the value of hoarding, bargaining, and trading if not at Halloween?
Damn. Pretty soon I'll be shouting, "You kids get off the lawn!" in white knee sox and shorts.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
It's Friday, and the living is easy
Head cold gone
Sun's out
Just completed way cool cake
Going to chill out tonight
It's all good.
Sun's out
Just completed way cool cake
Going to chill out tonight
It's all good.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
extra extra: head cold kicks ass
Sore throat, pressure inside my head like an anti-vice.
Runny nose. sneezes. tired. resting a lot, but none of it seems actually restful. something weird about the almost hallucinatory nature of illness induced dreams. so detailed and still totally bizarre.
let's hear it for the Quils: nyquil and dayquil. now if only the meth heads hadn't ruined it for the rest of us. fuckers - I feel pretty uncharitable towards anyone who makes it harder for me to get nyquil when I'm sick, and those jerks are responsible for the *good* nyquil now being behind the pharmacist's counter. not just adding another step to getting medicine *if* the pharmacy is even open when needed, but being treated like a meth head myself - getting all my personal info recorded by some suspicious pharmacist twerp.
that aside, my sweets is now cleaning the kitchen cuz he's the best. he's going to a sleep study at a hospital tonight and tomorrow. i'll miss him, but the timing is good - not like I'm up for doing anything fun this weekend.
i'm going to nap again on the couch.
'night.
Runny nose. sneezes. tired. resting a lot, but none of it seems actually restful. something weird about the almost hallucinatory nature of illness induced dreams. so detailed and still totally bizarre.
let's hear it for the Quils: nyquil and dayquil. now if only the meth heads hadn't ruined it for the rest of us. fuckers - I feel pretty uncharitable towards anyone who makes it harder for me to get nyquil when I'm sick, and those jerks are responsible for the *good* nyquil now being behind the pharmacist's counter. not just adding another step to getting medicine *if* the pharmacy is even open when needed, but being treated like a meth head myself - getting all my personal info recorded by some suspicious pharmacist twerp.
that aside, my sweets is now cleaning the kitchen cuz he's the best. he's going to a sleep study at a hospital tonight and tomorrow. i'll miss him, but the timing is good - not like I'm up for doing anything fun this weekend.
i'm going to nap again on the couch.
'night.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Update from the Land of Unemployed Misfits: I didn't get the job, or any other job!
You may recall that on Sept 18 I wrote about getting 6 rejection letters for 1 job all on the same day.*
To continue with the theme of "Places That May Not Have Their Shit Together", I got a rejection letter today for a job that I didn't even apply for.
How awesome is that??
It only gets better when I receive a letter later the same day rejecting my application for a job I did apply for.
It was like a preemptive rejection: "We don't want you for this job, or any other!!"
I think a decade ago this kind of thing would have gotten me down - now I think it's really damn funny and it just serves to highlight how cool it's going to be to rely on my own business for income rather than the rocket surgeons currently making employment decisions.
*I still think the 6 rejection letters are funny, and I giggled today when it occurred to me to contact the agency again and inquire about the status of the position. Will keep you updated on these shennanigans.
To continue with the theme of "Places That May Not Have Their Shit Together", I got a rejection letter today for a job that I didn't even apply for.
How awesome is that??
It only gets better when I receive a letter later the same day rejecting my application for a job I did apply for.
It was like a preemptive rejection: "We don't want you for this job, or any other!!"
I think a decade ago this kind of thing would have gotten me down - now I think it's really damn funny and it just serves to highlight how cool it's going to be to rely on my own business for income rather than the rocket surgeons currently making employment decisions.
*I still think the 6 rejection letters are funny, and I giggled today when it occurred to me to contact the agency again and inquire about the status of the position. Will keep you updated on these shennanigans.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Vancouver, BC Lists
Why Vancouver, BC rocks, a list (in no particular order):
> Great food
> Most ethnically diverse city north of San Francisco
> Casper's market
> Really nice people
> True Confections, cake to die for
> TV shows anchored by average looking people, and focused on world events
> Enough affordable sushi to get Paul to stuff his mouth and then shut up about it
> Beautiful scenery all around
> Tasty drinks
> Crispy short ribs at the Cactus Club on Robson (If you've seen the "Poppler" episode of Futurama where everyone gets immediately hooked on a tasty if indescript snack, you have an inkling of the power of these ribs)
> The parity with the US dollar makes it darn easy to spend any currency
> Creperies along Robson
> They don't have our President
> Vegetarian street hot dogs
> Little Sister's store on Davie
> All the restaurants on Denman
> Stanley Park
> The Boathouse's fireplace and dessert
> Neat architecture
What kind of blows about Vancouver, BC
> Recent indoor smoking bans have perversely made walking around outside a risky venture
> It's colder than here
> The parity with the US dollar makes it darn expensive!
> The metric system
Outstanding questions from our recent visit to Vancouver:
* Why would the US border guards let a car with Canadian plates into the US that is such a POS that the two riders literally have to push it through customs with the hazard lights on?
* Is it possible to eat too much? (Experiments were suspended due to lack of intestinal fortitude)
* Umbrella or raincoat?
> Great food
> Most ethnically diverse city north of San Francisco
> Casper's market
> Really nice people
> True Confections, cake to die for
> TV shows anchored by average looking people, and focused on world events
> Enough affordable sushi to get Paul to stuff his mouth and then shut up about it
> Beautiful scenery all around
> Tasty drinks
> Crispy short ribs at the Cactus Club on Robson (If you've seen the "Poppler" episode of Futurama where everyone gets immediately hooked on a tasty if indescript snack, you have an inkling of the power of these ribs)
> The parity with the US dollar makes it darn easy to spend any currency
> Creperies along Robson
> They don't have our President
> Vegetarian street hot dogs
> Little Sister's store on Davie
> All the restaurants on Denman
> Stanley Park
> The Boathouse's fireplace and dessert
> Neat architecture
What kind of blows about Vancouver, BC
> Recent indoor smoking bans have perversely made walking around outside a risky venture
> It's colder than here
> The parity with the US dollar makes it darn expensive!
> The metric system
Outstanding questions from our recent visit to Vancouver:
* Why would the US border guards let a car with Canadian plates into the US that is such a POS that the two riders literally have to push it through customs with the hazard lights on?
* Is it possible to eat too much? (Experiments were suspended due to lack of intestinal fortitude)
* Umbrella or raincoat?
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
SolstTHIS!
Some new friends helped us thumb our noses at the arrival of the first day of Fall by taking us out on some ridiculously overpowered jet skis. Cruising around Puget Sound off of Shilshoe, with the sun making a perfect midday arrival, I came to think that every day could be like that and things would be just fine.
You can take the girl out of California, but you can't take the Cali out of the girl.
Anyway, I'm hoping to get a few pix to throw up here sometime soon from that grand watery adventure (resulting, I might add, in multiple sore limbs, whiplash, and a new appreciation for how stupidly cold water can be before it even thinks about freezing), and I owe a shout out of appreciation to the fellas working on the Alucia who let us come play with their toys!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ALSO....
This weekend Paul attempted to make Mexican coffee, as we saw it done in Akumal. For those who don't know, this is a flaming drink with rum, brandy, coffee, and Mexican 'crema'(a delicious artery clogging dairy product that has me fully in its grasp).
Here's the set up.
And please note that the fire extinguisher is nowhere to be seen in these pictures because it's right next to me
Going for flame...
ANY flame?
It was not to be... so sad. :-(
We'll just have to try again later.
You can take the girl out of California, but you can't take the Cali out of the girl.
Anyway, I'm hoping to get a few pix to throw up here sometime soon from that grand watery adventure (resulting, I might add, in multiple sore limbs, whiplash, and a new appreciation for how stupidly cold water can be before it even thinks about freezing), and I owe a shout out of appreciation to the fellas working on the Alucia who let us come play with their toys!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ALSO....
This weekend Paul attempted to make Mexican coffee, as we saw it done in Akumal. For those who don't know, this is a flaming drink with rum, brandy, coffee, and Mexican 'crema'(a delicious artery clogging dairy product that has me fully in its grasp).
Here's the set up.
And please note that the fire extinguisher is nowhere to be seen in these pictures because it's right next to me
Going for flame...
ANY flame?
It was not to be... so sad. :-(
We'll just have to try again later.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Toast for all!
I love toast, always have. I've gone through phases with more or less butter, jam, apple butter, or cinnamon and sugar. But always toast is da shizzle.
So, I'm paging through the fashion section of a recent Esquire where they have quotes from this actor guy, and he says that toast is the perfect food. It gives you energy, makes you feel like you've eaten something substantial, and won't weigh you down.
So, here's toast for us all!
(Folks, I'm posting this at around 1 am. Toast can seem really profound at 1 am.)
So, I'm paging through the fashion section of a recent Esquire where they have quotes from this actor guy, and he says that toast is the perfect food. It gives you energy, makes you feel like you've eaten something substantial, and won't weigh you down.
So, here's toast for us all!
(Folks, I'm posting this at around 1 am. Toast can seem really profound at 1 am.)
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Webcam Really Working Now - Woo Hoo!!!
Click on the Webcam link on the upper right of this blog page ("View Webcam") to see if the light's on.
Light ON = Come on over...pop by...swing through...drop in...hang out...loiter around...lounge about...crawl, um, under(?)
You get the idea.
Light ON = Come on over...pop by...swing through...drop in...hang out...loiter around...lounge about...crawl, um, under(?)
You get the idea.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
"Okay, okay, I get it! I didn't get the job!"
So I'm applying for a bunch of federal, state, and local jobs. All in all, the application process isn't too bad since a lot of it is automated.
Kind of nice, really, to live in an age when employers prefer to get resumes online.
Anyway, the flipside of that automated convenience was highlighted yesterday when I opened my email and saw multiple messages about a job with DHS I'd applied for. Not 1, not 2, not 3, but 6 separate messages letting me know I didn't get the job.
I think the funny part is that the messages weren't all duplicates - there were 3 different versions! One version said I was qualified but not the most qualified, one said I was qualified but not selected and that my resume would remain on file, and one said that I was not qualified and why don't I go jump off a cliff or something.
One job, 6 rejection letters, no waiting.
The bigger question this brings to mind is this: should I be concerned that for a single position, a federal agency appears to have three different HR departments making decisions? Can such an agency really be adequately handling the security of our borders, ports, imported commerce, and so on in conjunction with other federal agencies? And aren't Republicans - who created DHS - supposed to be in favor of smaller government??
Eh, what do I know. I can't sleep because I'm stressed about trying to start up our cookie business, so I'm watching Women's World Cup at 5 am...
Go USA!
Kind of nice, really, to live in an age when employers prefer to get resumes online.
Anyway, the flipside of that automated convenience was highlighted yesterday when I opened my email and saw multiple messages about a job with DHS I'd applied for. Not 1, not 2, not 3, but 6 separate messages letting me know I didn't get the job.
I think the funny part is that the messages weren't all duplicates - there were 3 different versions! One version said I was qualified but not the most qualified, one said I was qualified but not selected and that my resume would remain on file, and one said that I was not qualified and why don't I go jump off a cliff or something.
One job, 6 rejection letters, no waiting.
The bigger question this brings to mind is this: should I be concerned that for a single position, a federal agency appears to have three different HR departments making decisions? Can such an agency really be adequately handling the security of our borders, ports, imported commerce, and so on in conjunction with other federal agencies? And aren't Republicans - who created DHS - supposed to be in favor of smaller government??
Eh, what do I know. I can't sleep because I'm stressed about trying to start up our cookie business, so I'm watching Women's World Cup at 5 am...
Go USA!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Webcam Update
Okay, the first attempt didn't work, so we're trying something else, which involves wirelessly networking our laptop with the main 'puter, and setting up the webcam through the laptop to capture images live... but we still haven't figured out how to get it all on to the blog live.
If you have knowledge on how to do this, we will reward your assistance with cookies. Or cake. Or maybe something healthier.
In any event, stay tuned.
If you have knowledge on how to do this, we will reward your assistance with cookies. Or cake. Or maybe something healthier.
In any event, stay tuned.
Mortality, marriage, mom; y' know, every day stuff
Yesterday was our 5 year anniversary. It was a pretty chill day, we didn't really do anything special to celebrate (had a friend over for dinner for unrelated reasons), and I'm coming to think sometimes that the simple act of making it for any length of time together is remarkable, much less doing so happily.
As a nod to how tenuous things can be, I should note that he saved my life a couple weeks ago when I choked on dinner. I remember thinking at the time that it would be a really dumb way to die, and that I had no control over what happened next. Strange, but I was nowhere near as panicky as one might expect of a control freak like me - at least, I didn't feel panicky. Not really sure how I looked.
That and developments concerning other people both just made me sit back and realize that even finding someone to share a few laughs with is a big friggin victory, much less making it to 34 years old (35 this month!) with almost 9 years with that same someone.
So, I'm declaring this whole life endeavor a success, and everything else that comes next is bonus.
Unrelated, but cool nonetheless:
How cool is my mom? She just let me drag her through setting up a gmail account and a blog over the phone because I want her to start writing about all the books she reads. I think it's so cool that she's only days from turning %*# and she's joining the blogosphere! Check out her blog at the link at the bottom of the page.
As a nod to how tenuous things can be, I should note that he saved my life a couple weeks ago when I choked on dinner. I remember thinking at the time that it would be a really dumb way to die, and that I had no control over what happened next. Strange, but I was nowhere near as panicky as one might expect of a control freak like me - at least, I didn't feel panicky. Not really sure how I looked.
That and developments concerning other people both just made me sit back and realize that even finding someone to share a few laughs with is a big friggin victory, much less making it to 34 years old (35 this month!) with almost 9 years with that same someone.
So, I'm declaring this whole life endeavor a success, and everything else that comes next is bonus.
Unrelated, but cool nonetheless:
How cool is my mom? She just let me drag her through setting up a gmail account and a blog over the phone because I want her to start writing about all the books she reads. I think it's so cool that she's only days from turning %*# and she's joining the blogosphere! Check out her blog at the link at the bottom of the page.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Soccer and sleeplessness
Argh, so tired.
Womens World Cup (WWC) is currently going in China, and we stayed up until after 4 am this morning watching games broadcast live.
High point: watching the German team set a new WWC record by scoring a high of 11 points against Argentina in the opening game. 11 points!! (Sure, that meant that Paul and I lost a bet to John on how many goals would be scored overall, but what a wild game.) That kind of thing just doesn't happen in soccer often, so it was a fascinating cringe-fest, especially since the Argentine goalie was solely responsible for two of those goals.
She had a bad, bad night.
Low point: Watching the US women play to a 2-2 tie against North Korea; Since when did DPRK have enough food to feed 20 women to play a sport, and how did they get them to play so well? Here's hoping the US team is able to pick it up in later games.
Either way, our neighbors must wonder what we're cheering about so loudly at 3 am. Yeah, we're THOSE people.
Finals on September 30th. Games on espn and CBC... possibly other channels that I don't know about.
Womens World Cup (WWC) is currently going in China, and we stayed up until after 4 am this morning watching games broadcast live.
High point: watching the German team set a new WWC record by scoring a high of 11 points against Argentina in the opening game. 11 points!! (Sure, that meant that Paul and I lost a bet to John on how many goals would be scored overall, but what a wild game.) That kind of thing just doesn't happen in soccer often, so it was a fascinating cringe-fest, especially since the Argentine goalie was solely responsible for two of those goals.
She had a bad, bad night.
Low point: Watching the US women play to a 2-2 tie against North Korea; Since when did DPRK have enough food to feed 20 women to play a sport, and how did they get them to play so well? Here's hoping the US team is able to pick it up in later games.
Either way, our neighbors must wonder what we're cheering about so loudly at 3 am. Yeah, we're THOSE people.
Finals on September 30th. Games on espn and CBC... possibly other channels that I don't know about.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
This ain't no deep fried sissy soft shell crab
My spousal unit is happy.
That's right, those are just the legs. He got those at the grocery store today, brought em home and cooked em up. A little bit of butter....mmmmmmm.
Really really happy.
For those of you not familiar with the bounty one gets with King crab, these pictures are a good illustration.
That's right, those are just the legs. He got those at the grocery store today, brought em home and cooked em up. A little bit of butter....mmmmmmm.
In other news ---------------
Absolutely perfect weather today, which was fortuitous because I had a soccer game in th early evening. It felt really good to get back out there after 2 weeks off. Getting psyched about Women's World Cup starting up tomorrow; Germany vs. Argentina. We're going to try to make some German or Argentine food.... but it could always end up being pizza if we're lazy.
Had a work meeting Friday night on our porch swing. Mixed up some froofy drinks, set up a tray of chips and salsa, and had a grand time swinging in a late summer evening discussing next steps for Jet City Cakes. So THIS is why people go into business for themselves.
Well, that and the night sweats. We're starting to think about making cookies a more key part of the business, but we have a lot to think about on that. Lots of friends have offered their help and insight; that support has been unexpected and pretty cool.
Finally, this is a cake we did last week. It's of a friends' house, and I contributed a good amount of the detail work. (That's code for "admire the detail on the brick chimney and penants")
Friday, September 7, 2007
Come on over if the light's on!
I'm totally excited: we just set up our webcam so anyone can check if we're up for visitors.
Check out the link at the right ------------>>>>>>>>
If the neon cocktail light is on, come on over!
Check out the link at the right ------------>>>>>>>>
If the neon cocktail light is on, come on over!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Welcome to the first posting!
I've some new-found freedoms of late, and have decided to enjoy them by putting together a blog.
The title - A Small Slice - is meant to suggest that this won't be a dumping ground for every minor event. Rather, this space will be for jotting down small slices of life, the key moments or developments that resonate.
Links and comments are welcome and appreciated!
The title - A Small Slice - is meant to suggest that this won't be a dumping ground for every minor event. Rather, this space will be for jotting down small slices of life, the key moments or developments that resonate.
Links and comments are welcome and appreciated!
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