Friday, April 30, 2004This weekend...Jason Webley concert tonight at Town Hall. Pig roast and three other parties tomorrow night. Brunch Sunday. If you're interested in being social this weekend, drop me a note and join me. :)
Thursday, April 29, 2004I'm a victim.Identity Theft = funny CitiBank commercials but evil in real life. Despite the fact that I cut up all of my credit card receipts, and despite the fact that I'm holding my only copy of my credit card firmly in my hand, someone has apparently snatched my number from somewhere and they're making multiple $1,000+ charges to my account. Happily my lovely big-corporate bank chain caught on to this before I did... guess huge corporations are good for something! So they called this morning at work to alert me to problems with my account. I don't know if someone grabbed it from a recent online purchase (I used paypal two days ago to buy concert tickets?) or it some 14 year old kids dug through trash somewhere to put together snips of my past receipts. I'm thankful they found the problem and called me to report it, but I'm also pissed that someone stole my info and are leaving me without my account for a while. I've got to get a new card and memorize a new number, and hope all of my automatic bill pays don't go through while I'm in credit card limbo.
Wednesday, April 28, 2004Wohoo!Guess what?!? I get to hire someone to be an office assistant at work! I can only afford to pay for 10-20 hrs/week, but it'll be amazing to have someone who can share the work load! Know of anyone looking for some part time work or supplemental income? Have them contact me ASAP. :) Guess what else?!? I get to hang out with my favorite nun for the next two days! Yeah! :)
Thank You BookCrossing!
Ganges River, IndiaToday I found the best BookCrossing.com book I've ever found! :) It's called "1,000 Places to See Before You Die" and it couldn't have come into my life on a better day. I always babble about the need to take another trip or more vacations, but today I actually called my boss to petition for permission to hire someone else to work with me in the office. (Just got home from the office tonight about a quarter till 1am). I can't spend another summer working 80 hours weeks and driving myself (and my health) into the ground. I need some balance, I need the opportunity to vacation more than once every three years, and I think hiring a part time staff person might be the answer. That said, I also need a vacation and I'm excited to start reading this book! I glanced in the index at the T section and I've apparently seen at least 5 of the top 1,000: Trevi Fountain (Rome), Threadgills Restaurant (Austin, TX), Taj Mahal (India), Tapas (Spain), and Tower of London (England). Can't wait to decide where to go and what to see next (Teatro Colon in Argentina? Thailand? Other non-T places?). So many choices! :)
Monday, April 26, 2004Another gorgeous blue sky day
Sunday, April 25, 2004More Bush Stickers... they seem to be everywhere!Other recently spotted stickers...
Bush & Satan 2004
Bush on Mars 2004
Retire Bush 2004
Defoliate Bush 2004
Yuck Bush
Friday, April 23, 2004I once dated a boy named...That happened briefly back in lovely Round Rock High School during junior and senior years. I eventually left for college and he left for the military. I know he got out at some point while I was still in college... we ran into each other once at Mozarts... my favorite coffee shop on the lake. I lost track of him after that and don't know where to find him. My connection to that group of friends came in the form of a mutual friend's mom. She was my dental hygenist and would be keep updated on the boys every six months during my appointments. Sadly, she retired and I moved cross country and now I doubt I'll be able to find Dave again. Well, it's easy enough to find Dave Smiths... there are a billion of them. It's just harder to find the Dave Smith who was in Mr. Townsend's history class with me. The Dave who so infuriated me and simultaneously excited me. Ah... high school was an enthralling time all around.
And speaking of enthralling high school antics, I believe this week's High School Reunion TV show is supposed to be the prom on their final night in Hawaii. If anyone wants to watch it on Sunday night at 9pm, feel free to come on over. And if anyone else has ideas for how to find my old Dave (maybe though friends Binky, Nate, Jer, Tom, and Josh), do let me know. :)
Thursday, April 22, 2004Odd.Traffic is keeping me entertained today. The motorcade earlier is still the source of much debate around the office. And now, it's 6:45 and I'm still at the office... this time enthralled with watching the paramedic and police work on a large man tethered to a stretcher. There was no accident, just random emergency vehicles. One police car pulled up on the wrong side of the street and parked outside my window. An ambulance pulled up behind him and parked. And then another police car pulled up behind it and they parked too. All emergency personnel piled out of the cars and ambulance, they pulled the guy on the stretcher out of the ambulance, and worked on him for about 10 minutes. They've now put him back in the ambulance, got in their cars, turned their sirens back on, and all drove away. Odd indeed. Why not go somewhere with the patient? Why park in the middle of the U-District? Why not use the parking lot in front of my window instead of blocking traffic on the wrong side of the street during rush hour traffic? Anyone? Anyone?
Bizarre...A crazy intense motorcade just passed my office... 2 forest green Suburbans in the middle, flanked by one black Town Car at the front and another at the back, and surrounded by at least 22 police officers on motorcycles (I lost count after 20-something). Anyone know who's in town today that would require that much security while driving through the University District?? Do share your thoughts and conspiracy theories!Oh! And give me some feedback (validation? criticism?) for my tulip photo. :) Am I the only one who thinks it's a good shot? I'm impressed with the colors and didn't do any editing...
Wednesday, April 21, 2004I like the red tulips in La Conner
Tuesday, April 20, 2004Benefit tonight at the Sea MonsterThe old Patty's Eggnest in Wallingford is now a very cool tapas bar called The Sea Monster and tonight they're doing a benefit dinner for Self-Managed Housing Program (a great local nonprofit managed by a friend of mine that provides transitional housing to homeless folks in Seattle). I'll be at the benefit and would love company if anyone else is free!
When: TONIGHT - TUESDAY, APRIL 20TH show up anytime between 7-9pm
Where: Sea Monster, 2202 North 45th Street (Wallingford)
What: Appetizers, entrees, and dessert
Woman's singing group starts at 8pm, Steel Drum Band at 9pm
How much: $30/ person by cash, check or credit cardCall 206-525-1213 to RSVP. Look forward to seeing you there!
Monday, April 19, 2004Miss Intermission and Glamazonia at Gay BingoWeekend recap: I survived a glum Thursday and had a great time at the retreat on Friday and Saturday. The peninsula was beautiful, the team behaved beautifully, the facilitators were beautiful men, hanging in the trees was great, the quilt was lovely, and all was well in the world. Got home Saturday evening a little late (flat tire) and met up with Phil to volunteer at Gay Bingo. It was much fun, the gay men were great, and the drag queen MC (Glamazonia) was generally entertaining. Sunday Erin and I drove through rainstorms and random hail storms up to La Conner for the tulip festival. Apparently last weekend's unseasonable warm weather meant they had to cut them all down two weeks early (which we didn't know in advance). However, we were able to check out one little field that had been spared and I was able to get my fill of tulip pics for the year. Last night's HS Reunion was a bit more mellow than some previous weeks (no fights!) and Jane even came over to watch it with me. (Jane's cool... she's our new neighbor who moved from New Zealand to do a PhD program at UW). Anyone do anything fun or exciting this weekend? Anyone scared by how tall Glamazonia is compared to normal men? Anyone have advice on what I should cook for dinner? Do share!
Sunday, April 18, 2004High School...I sadly missed High School Reunion last weekend was Jens was here (Was that just last weekend? Honestly feels like forever ago). However, this weekend I made it home from my day trip in time to check out this week's fresh episode of everyone's favorite reality show about my high school classmates. It's on the WB at 9pm. Anyone else watching? Any comments? Do share!
Fashion Statement
Friday, April 16, 2004Tonight I'm glum...I don't want to work all day and night Friday and Saturday, but I'm leading our team retreat so there's really no other alternative. I'll get back in time to volunteer Saturday night at Gay Bingo. (It should be fun and I'm sure I'll be more excited once I get there. I am a self diagnosed "episodic volunteer" and generally do enjoyed helping out a random events around town). Sunday I still don't know what I'm doing... and feel like a lame-o for not being able to confirm my brunch plans so Rod can plan accordingly. It's now 2 minutes after midnight and I've yet to start my packing for the retreat (though I did do $200 worth of grocery shopping earlier in this evening). For now, while I should be packing or sleeping and getting ready to put on a high energy weekend, I'm instead staying up too late paying bills, drinking hot tea, and cleaning my apt. I'm in a funk and tonight sucks.
Thursday, April 15, 2004Tis the season...I'm hoping to make it up to the Skagit Valley sometime soon for the annual tulip festival. Maybe this Sunday with Erin? Maybe Friday April 23rd when I have another Friday off from work (I think Fridays are less crowded)? If anyone's up for a trip, let me know and we can carpool. :)
Wednesday, April 14, 2004Happy Days...Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! Yesterday was my parents' 36th wedding anniversary! Mom sent me an email about their celebration: "We had a quiet anniversary - Dad was sheet rocking the dinette in the new house and I was preparing our taxes!" It apparently wasn't all work... she did mention that he sent her flowers (awww). She closed the email with "36 yrs - sure has gone by fast!" With all of that excitement, how can it not? ;)
Happy Birthday Floozin! Happy wishes go out to my favorite Suzan in the whole world who turns 27 today! Yeah!
And in other news... I'm no longer caught up in the idea of attempting a long distance relationship. So while it would be hard to say we were "dating" earlier (can you date from half way across the country?), I can most definitely say I'm single now. I do think Jens would make a lovely travel partner (I'm still trying to convince him to go to Brazil with me), but I'm more interested in finding a nice boy in Seattle who can go to shows, cook dinner with me, or just hold my hand. :)
And that's it for today and news that fit to print. :) Hope everyone is well!
Tuesday, April 13, 2004Other bad trends...After cleaning out my closet for a few weeks, giving clothes away on Freecycle, donating to Lifelong AIDS Alliance thrift stores, and selling on Craigslist and Buffalo Exchange, yesterday I took a precarious turn in the wrong direction. I took the remaining stack of clothes to a clothing swap last night for the Burning Man crowd intending to finally empty out my closet. However, instead of coming home empty handed, my resolve was weak and I ended up with a bunch of neat new stuff... including some new Nike running gear, Banana Republic skirts for work, and a few Gap shirts. Who knew the average Burning Man gals were so classy? Be proud though... I did pass on hundreds of other items including cute capris, funky costumes, pretty vintage dresses and other random nonessentials like food graters and leather pants. :)
Yummy...I rarely drink coffee. In fact, I haven't really drank coffee since I was in Minnesota two months ago visiting Jens. However, I did drink a fabulous mocha yesterday at the Scarlet Tree when we went out for breakfast with Jens' family. Then today Janine offered to buy me a mocha a few minutes ago from Cafe Appassionate and how could I say no? It's so yummy I don't even want to heat up my leftovers and spoil the fabulous mocha taste. Hmm... this is not a good trend.
Monday, April 12, 2004We're still cute...Jens and I had a fun, laid back weekend exploring Seattle despite his cold and sore throat. He was a bit tired, but with a few naps was good to go. We went to Pike Place and the waterfront, did a walking tour of Fremont (I live in the Center of the Universe), saw Capital Hill, Greenlake, and the U-District, ate Brazilian (wow!), Thai, and Indian food, met up with his cousin and his uncle (both nice guys named Steve), hung out at Gasworks Park (above), did a bbq at Golden Gardens, did drinks at the Buckaroo (made new friends), went to the Ballard Locks and the salmon ladder (didn't see many fish), visited the EMP, and even had time at home to watch a movie on a relaxing Friday night (he'd never seen Best in Show!). This afternoon it was time to drop him off at the airport as he needed to head back home to the Twin Cities. Alas... he's quite a nice boy and it was fun while it lasted. :)
Sunday, April 11, 2004Golden GardensYesterday was perfect weather... sunny, 70s, and gorgeous! We did a picnic/bbq at the beach and I had a great time mingling with lots of friends from many different parts of my life (I think we had 20+ people who stopped by). Everyone who was curious got to met Jens, and everyone else got to focus on grilling, sunsets, kickball, and conversation. :) It's always fun to get multiple groups of friends together, and even more fun when they all get along! (Many thanks to Brian and Stacy for bringing out their little grill!)
Saturday, April 10, 2004Amazing electrical pole...
Friday, April 09, 2004Good FridayJens is in town this weekend and we spent the day exploring downtown, the Pike Place Market, Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe, etc. We're now resting up before heading out to a park. Ah... it is a good Friday.
Brian requested more pictures... so here are some of Mary's cutie pies!
Thursday, April 08, 2004Summer Nights at the PierSo the Pier lineup is finally public news! They're going to have quite a fun group of artists this year... Mary Chapin Carpenter, David Byrne featuring the Tosca Strings, Macy Gray, Cyndi Lauper, Indigo Girls, Linda Ronstadt with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, B.B. King and friends, loveably wacky Chris Isaak, Liza Minnelli, Gipsy Kings, Jonny Lang/Keb’ Mo’, Travis Tritt, Boz Scaggs, and The Robert Cray Band/Buddy Guy. Not bad, eh?
Tuesday, April 06, 2004One Day, One City, One Website, No Limits24 Hours on Craigslist is the new documentary out about Craigslist and all of the glorious, crazy stuff one can do with the site. "An Ethel Merman drag queen searches for the perfect backup band for her Led Zeppelin covers. A suburban professional woman assembles a diabetic cat support group. A couple seeks the perfect rabbi for their marriage. An aging, would-be mother finds her ideal sperm donor. Doors for sale, one night stands, compulsive roommates, transsexual erotic services. The mundane and the sublime, the ridiculous and the profound, all come together to paint a portrait of a thriving, humanistic community in the midst of an ever-accelerating culture."The film premiered a couple of weeks ago in Austin during SXSW, and hopefully it'll soon be making it's way through film festivals around the country. :) I've found roommates, bought a futon, sold clothing, found a running partner, got free coffee tables, and found a movie partner (saw Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind... a very interesting movie, as you'd expect from Charlie Kaufman who also did Adaptation and Being John Malkovich). Let's hear it for Craigslist!
Monday, April 05, 2004Crazy!I just got a classmates.com message from my best friend in middle school... Brandi Kendrick! I didn't see her too much in high school (I guess we kind of drifted apart), but out of the blue I got a note from her today! How crazy is that!? I think about my old friends from RR all the time... especially lately with the crazy Reunion show on TV. Every Sunday night after the show I'm always tempted to book a flight and visit Austin to see friends and eat at Chuy's. (Yes, I've been meaning to visit, but the timing never seems quite right). I don't have Brandi's contact info, so I don't know how to reach her again, but hopefully she'll check her Classmates.com account and mail me back! :) What fun!
Sunday, April 04, 2004More Spring Cleaning...Just gave away some stuff on FreeCycle... such fun! Lots of jeans and cords - free if anyone wears sz 8. Also attempting to sell a few things too. Just posted a few pairs of new shoes for sale on Craig's List if there are any readers who wear women's 9.5. :) (Doc Marten Mary Janes, hip little sneakers, sandals). Also posted some suits and dresses that I don't really need since work is so casual (size 6 & 8).
Saturday, April 03, 2004I'm surviving...Today was 68 degrees and sunny. I did breakfast with Dieter (who bought me my meal), Kevin (Dieter's cousin), Andrew (the birthday boy), and Jacob (who gives the world's coolest free cab rides). :) I'm also the new owner of an internal frame backpack, courtesy of Keith from Freecycle (sweet!). Spent the afternoon soaking up the sun at Green Lake (so nice).Yesterday I spent the day doing planting and trail work at the Cheasty Greenbelt. The weather was gorgeous and I was more than happy to spend the day outside. Yesterday evening was another lovely dinner with Vlad. As always, he's quite insightful and tends to ask the really hard questions...
And tomorrow is either going to be the World Rhythm Festival or a nice drive to Burlington. In the evening, it's time for another exciting episode of High School Reunion... featuring my Texas high school and my classmates! Tune in this week to see Lenny get a Hall Pass and a make over! Wohoo!
Friday, April 02, 2004Are you registered to vote?
Thursday, April 01, 2004Old habits are hard to killOnce I started staying late earlier this week, I haven't been able to stop. Somehow I'm unable leave work at a decent hour. There's always tons to do, but somehow I'm addicted to this place again this week. Argh. Must get home soon, if for no other reason than to fix myself something decent for dinner so I can take the last of my antibiotics. :) G'night...
Out with the old...Today was mandatory spring cleaning at work. We were given pizza and cookies and the whole staff was ordered to clean out our offices and files for the rest of the day. No one was too excited about this, but I personally enjoyed it. I've always got a super long "To Do" list at work and rarely is cleaning out past files a priority item. Needless to say, my organization is now 10 years old and I don't think some of these files have been revisited in a very long time. I thought it was pretty fun to see what old partners we had back in the day. I had fun reading personnel files about past projects. And most of all, it was fun and empowering to throw tons and tons and tons of stuff into the recycling boxes and "to be shredded" piles. :)
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