just laura

As Dieter pointed out yesterday, I have been slacking quite a bit on my blogs. What’s there to say?

* In truly tragic news, yesterday morning I found out a beloved friend/relative just committed suicide. I think I’ve had 20-30 friends and classmates die during my high school and college years, but it never really gets any easier, especially when it’s the suicide of a young person who is intelligent and fun and clever and perfectly rebellious and has so much of life left to live. Dealing with depression isn’t easy, and while suicide is not the answser, at least I know he’s out of his darkness. I’m still pretty shook up, so there’s not a lot more I can say on Jim’s death right now… other than my prayers go out to the whole family. I’ll be heading out to the funeral this week in the midwest and will be back in Seattle late Thursday evening.

* Yesterday brought both tragic news and gorgeous weather. The news kept me in bed most of the day, but the weather finally convinced me to get out of bed mid-afternoon. I celebrated the accomplishment and the weather by wearing a t-shirt and sandals for the first time since last fall! I also made my way down to the Pike Place Market to surround myself with cheerful people in the hustling-bustling crowd. It was therapeutic to make the familiar trek to the market and felt good to be surrounded by people. All of my favorite vendors and familiar staff were there, though the crowd was full of strangers and tourists like usual.

* What else to say on this Blog that’s been sorely neglected for the past few months? Well, it’s carnaval time around the world and Seattle doesn’t seem to do any giant celebrations. I’ve got to say this makes kind of bummed. I think sometimes we all need a place to don a mask, let the music fill your soul, dance around all night with a bunch of crazies, and let go of all worries and inhibitions. Even if it is just for one evening of the year, I think it’s necessary. The Austin annual Carnaval Brasileiro celebration happened a few weeks ago and they already have pictures posted from the 2003 shindig! It makes me think I need to take a trip next year to someplace that celebrates Carnaval… be it Austin, Venice, Rio, or anywhere else.

Well, after some research just now, I just now found a link to one Carnaval event in Seattle, but the website is way lacking. It lists a band, but doesn’t say if it’s a party or just a concert, doesn’t have pictures to help illustrate either. It’s at the Northgate Music Theater… which I’m not sure is the kind of venue to support a huge party or not. Either way, I missed it for this year, despite looking in the papers for a Carnival every week, winter and spring, since moving to Seattle. Ah well, I should know to go online for info. My bad… So, if anyone out there has been to the Seattle celebration, do let me know.

* Sarah, Stephanie, Dieter, and I went out for Thai food this week… yum! Kwanjai rocks and my massaman curry was fabulous.

* I took my seeds in hand and headed down to my P-patch this week so I could finally start my little plot in the community garden. Sadly, none of the sunny little plots had numbers on them so I had no idea which one was mine. I’ll assume it was one of the plots overgrown with weeds, but who knows? Either way, I sent an email to the P-patch folks so hopefully someone can direct me to the right place. I’m ready to plant! First up on the list are lettuce, chard, and peas! Yeah!

Okay, I think that’s enough catching up for this week. I’m hoping to get some errands run today (like picking up my license plate from the dealer and packing for the funeral), so I’m going to sign off now. Hope everyone is well.

I’m home from the funeral in Iowa. I’m tired of thinking and hurting. I’m tired of trying to focus.

I’m offering a reading link before I get food or pass out. The following letter, reprinted in the NY Times, was quite powerful… in my opinion at least. The following letter is the text of John Brady Kiesling’s letter of resignation to Secretary of State Colin L. Powell. Mr. Kiesling is a career diplomat who has served in United States embassies from Tel Aviv to Casablanca to Yerevan. U.S. Diplomat’s Letter of Resignation

I should also mention I got lots of fruit tonight at Pike Place to use in my new food dehydrator. Wohoo! Let’s hear it for the cute market boy who gave me a great deal… 3 mangos, 1 pineapple, and 1 red pepper for only $2! Let’s hear it for the same cute market boy for coming after me at the next booth to throw in another mango for free! Maybe Rebecca was right… maybe he was hitting on me? Hmmm… might just have to go back next Friday and find out. :) Anyone have advice to pick up Market guys? Is it wrong to hit on retail workers? How does one hit on a market boy? Do share!

Only 23 more days till the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival!

Trivia can shared at cocktail parties: At the funeral this Wednesday, the minister spoke of the history of Amazing Grace. He told us the author was once a slave ship master as well as the eventual founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. It gives even more meaning to a song that is already super powerful. Think of the first verse we all know so well… “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me…. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.”

Of course, after hearing that, I wanted to learn more. What powerful words written by a man suffering such a powerful addiction… However, when I got home this weekend and researched online to find out more, I found he was only half right in the trivia he shared with the crowd at the funeral. The song was penned as a hymn by John Newton back in 1772. He was indeed a former slave ship master. However, the song wasn’t written about finding sobriety, it was about finding his faith, which happened for him during a violent storm at sea during his slave trade days. John Newton changed his ways, educated himself, became a preacher, and led an anti-slavery movement during his later years. Newton wrote the song about his own transformation, but is not to be confused with Dr. Robert Smith, founder of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935. “Dr. Bob” did write some famous words of his own, namely the self-titled Alcoholics Anonymous, the famous guidebook that started the entire self-help movement, as we know it today.

While I was pretty excited by the idea of a recovering alcoholic writing Amazing Grace, I’m content to know the real history. I think both men did amazing things, with powerful results lasting long after their deaths that will continue to effect generations to come with their sincere, moving messages.

Amazing Grace lyrics by J. Newton

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)

That sav’d a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears reliev’d;

How precious did that grace appear,

The hour I first believ’d!

Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come;

‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promis’d good to me,

His word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be,

As long as life endures

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease;

I shall possess, within the vail,

A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,

The sun forbear to shine;

But God, who call’d me here below,

Will be for ever mine.

Anyone have a floor or know of a friend’s place these boys could sleep at? Dave and Scott are two guys running across country with no support vehicle, just looking for a floor to crash on. Find out more or offer a floor on www.runtheusa.com…

I’ve had my car for a month now, and yesterday I doubled the miles in one day flat when I took a little drive up north. I was planning to hit Deception Pass near Anacortes, but got distracted in Burlington by the many shopping opportunities. Yes folks, it’s true… I bought new jeans for the first time in over two and a half years! I now own three new pairs and one from a resale shop. :) Woohoo!!! That’ll do wonders for replacing my many holey pairs that I’m too embarrassed to wear to work. Yeah!

In other news, I’m debating a road trip to San Diego during UW’s spring break week. I’d love a vacation, especially somewhere sunny, but I’m just not sure if I want to drive that far in my new car. Who knows… I guess that’s one of the reasons I bought it, right? Opportunity for road trips. We’ll see and you’ll definitely know if I make up my mind and decide to go. Take care!

Many congratulations to my good friend Ivy and her groom John who got married this weekend in Houston!! Best wishes to the happy couple for many fabulous years to come!

Tonight I’m wishing Alyssa many happy birthday wishes today and all throughout the year! :) Hopefully, somewhere in Austin, Alyssa is enjoying being pampered for a day for her birthday! Oh! And apparently last week was Kim Z’s birthday… though I had no idea! Anyway, happy late birthday to Kim! Kim’s living in Dallas but is actually on a client in the Seattle area for the time being. Hopefully one of these days Brian and I will be able to take her out for a night on the town. Till then, cheers!

Tonight is the first night Maggie and I plan to start running after work. It’s cold and windy and is raining out, but that’s okay. Who said running was supposed to be fun anyway?

While I don’t think it’s the woman’s place in society to have to be the gatekeeper, I do kind of like this idea of the sex boycott…

Last night I went to two Meetups downtown and met tons of cool folks! Not only was there a vegetarian meetup at 7pm where I met Erik, Tanya, and John, there was also a photography meetup where I meet Tanya, John, David, Mike, Mandy, Caroline, Nadav, Heather and friend. The veggie one was pretty entertaining and we chatted about failed relationships and meeting people. The photography one was pretty fun too… got some ideas for a new camera and got to see some great portfolios of the folks there. Hopefully John will email me and tell me about the camera he’s selling. Hopefully Caroline will email too and make me run some day. I’m off to work now… let’s hope I’m not too late.

My Friday Ritual

When I lived in Capital Hill I used to love wandering down to the Market on lazy Saturday mornings. It was fantastic to be around all of the people, get a fresh juicy peach, and sample some honey raspberry almonds. I always made time to stop and drool over my favorite fish boys like Dan, Russell, and Anders. They’re pretty darn sexy, and the fantastic Bear can bring a smile to anyone’s face. The produce was fresh and local and cheap, and the flowers grown nearby were always gorgeous and hard to resist! I loved checking out the artists section to see what local folks were making, and I’d always leave with some fresh avocados and tomatoes so I could make guacamole when I got home to my apartment. Of course, if I hadn’t eaten yet when I was down there, chances were good that I might have to stop with a friend to get a tasty treat from Piroshky-Piroshky or from Daily Dozen Donuts… yum! I’m no longer a Capital Hill gal, and I no long live on Pike a few blocks up from the market, but I still love going to the market! I still try to go once a week and it still is a fabulous time. And while I can’t eat piroshkies or donuts anymore, that’s probably for the best…

Crazy small world! Anita just posted about the Brides of March getting married today to the monorail (on the Ides of March). Crazy enough, this guy Brian emailed this morning saying he couldn’t garden with me today because he was marrying a group of people to the monorail tonight. Who knew everything was so connected?? Anyway, I don’t have a dress yet, but I hope to marry the monorail tonight too! Anyone care to join the group? Read more on it, or call Ivan with questions (206-818-2495). Apparently the co-ed group of brides will gather at the Seattle Center at 4pm, marry the monorail around 6:15, and shop afterwards at Nordstrom’s. Should be quite entertaining!

It’s 8am on a weekend, and I’m going jogging in the rain? What’s wrong with me??

Well, I survived running this morning! Many thanks to Caroline for motivating me! I’m now off to pick up Erin and head to Anacortes. We’re going to drive out to Deception Pass and see what there is to see. :)

Anacortes with Erin was much fun! It was actually sunny for most of the day, always a plus! Later this week I’ll post pictures of the trip and of the Brides of March festivities! Promise!

Btw, get a load of this guy! Dieter’s trying to sell his bike and this is just one of the many, quality young men bidding on the parts:

From: “Steve B”

To: geckels@hotmail.com

Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 21:37:09 -0800



what part of seattle do you live in or the bike sho pis in im a washington that lives near oregon. vary intreasted in the deal. all i real want is the rims and forck all pay 500 for them inless there thrashed. I know i cant beat this price. been trying to bulied a well biled sun tomaces double wides itll run me almost a thou down in oregon. so plese email back also was woundering if that forck will fite a 200 super v 400

Wow… he managed to get at least 27 of 87 words incorrect. Amazing…

Just finished two more days of all-staff Dismantling White Privilege/Anti-Racism training for work. I’m physically exhausted from the sessions, and they’ve got my brain reeling double time. I’ve been to more than a few AR trainings and have a good feel for historic reference and why we’re where we are today. I understand and work to dismantle institutionalized racism, white privilege, and the systems of oppression we keep in place to perpetuate the power class. These past two days of training haven’t given me new education on the topic. However, I’ve gotten new perspective in some areas. Anyone seen the movies “Color of Fear” or “The Way Home”? I’m no longer trying to understand why I have white privilege or how the institutional systems in our country are inherently racist, I’m beyond that and have been reflecting more on my decisions… subconscious decisions I’d never questions and just accepted as status quo or my “choice.” Needless to say, my brain’s reeling and I’ve got a lot of processing that’s going to be going on for quite a while. Seems I need a safe outlet to process… maybe I’ll actually have to bust out a real paper journal or something. Don’t want to unload all of life onto friends and neighbors… I doubt everyone would have the time or energy. Nor do I desire to unload my entire personal quest for understanding into cyberspace (no offense to the friendly folks who visit my blog and stay for a while, but it’s easy to post a quick blog and not explain fully my thoughts or feelings, leaving open my ramblings for misinterpretation – something I’d rather avoid). Hmmm… crazy thing is, it’s white privilege that affords me the luxury of getting to process through this at will. It’s white privilege that some people remain ignorant their whole lives and never choose to examine how racism affects us all, and how everyone one of us co-creates our realities. Race hasn’t been something I’ve had to struggle with every day of my life, but racism it is something I am actively working to dismantle. If it weren’t tiring and exhausting, I probably wouldn’t be doing all I could.

In lighter news, Monday we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day at the Pike Place Brewery. Let’s hear it for pints of Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale!

And in even more exciting news, yesterday was Dieter’s birthday!! Friends, visitors, readers… I implore you. Please leave a comment below and wish him a happy birthday! I can think of few people in my life more deserving of a happy day. Take care!

Tonight is another Blogger meetup. I plan to be down there to chat with folks… but admit last minute birthday plans might pull me away. Either way, I need to return and thank Anita for lending me her veil for the Brides on March. (Thanks Anita!) It was much fun and pictures will be coming soon!

Hmmm… I feel like I need to at least mention my disappointment in our government for starting a war today.

Despite uncertainty within the airlines right now, I went ahead and booked my flight to Austin for Kat’s wedding. :) Yeah Kat’s wedding!! So, I’ll be in town Sat. May 3rd at 10am and will leave Tues. May 6th at 7pm. Ideally I’ll get to see lots of friends around town (so let me know if you’re free that weekend). The plan also includes a day trip down to Houston to see friends there too (so Houston crowd… do keep in touch too). Take care all!

I’m still at work late on this rainy Friday night and I’m hungry! I’ve decided that I am going to take the road trip down to San Diego this week, which means I’ve got tons to do at work before I can go away for a week and leave both the team and the office unattended. Hmmm… guess once I leave here sometime after midnight I can stop at the bank to deposit my paycheck, hit the grocery store for snacks and film, drop stuff off at the library, and then go home to do some laundry and pack my bags so I’ll be ready to go when Andrew comes over tomorrow morning at 7am. If anyone has any advice for fun stuff to do in California, do let me know. We’ll be visiting friends in Davis, LA, and San Fran and will spend about 4 days in San Diego. Many thanks to David for all of his San Diego advice. Take care, all!

Today we’re in Davis, CA… our half way point on our journey down to San Diego. We got in last night and went to Froggy’s to have some drinks and experience the Davis night life (which was pretty loud and involved a lot of dice throwing). I was going off of 2 hours sleep, so I went home after the bar, though half the group went next to the Cantina for some dancing with hoochie mamas. We got to see Marta and her friend Kevin… that was pretty fun! Hadn’t seen Marta since last Labor Day when she came to visit Seattle. Anyway, this morning we’re going to eat breakfast with Marta and then head off to LA to visit Dieter’s parents on our way to San Diego, where ideally we’ll get in tonight by around 9pm. Yeah long time driving. Let’s hope today we get some sun instead of 12 hours of rain like we did yesterday. Take care!

Yesterday we did dinner with Dieter’s parents and then made it into San Diego in time to have some drinks at the local Moose McGillacudie’s Bar. Interesting place. :) Anyway, today I’m doing a quick blog from lovely Tijuana, Mexico! Well, it’s more or less lovely. It was warm and sunny for a while, though now it’s just cloudy and windy and COLD. We walked all over the city, had some lunch at a little outdoor taco hut, walked some more, had some cervaza, and are now heading back to the border. If I can find any cheap souvenir to thank Mere for loaning us the walkie talkies, I might actually buy something. Otherwise, I don’t need much in the ways of shopping right now. Hope everyone is doing well. Let’s think positive thoughts and hope for sun! Take care!

Wow… haven’t had time to post much since I’m on vacation, but am hitting another internet cafe so now’s my chance. :) When I last wrote we were in Tijuana, and I posted before we hit my favorite new bar Toritos. While we were heading back to the border, one of the club promoters on Ave. Revolucion was trying to lure us inside with cheap cervazas and 2 for 1 margaritas. That didn’t influence me much since every bar there has similar offers, and some even offered “free massages for the ladies”. However, when we put his arm around my shoulders and told me about the mechanical bull they had inside, I was hooked! Even better, when I asked about the cost, he said it was free! That’s right… a bar with no cover, 2 for 1 drink specials, an outdoor patio, and a free mechanical bull? It’s like we’d crossed over the border and gone to heaven!

As some of you may remember, when Dieter came to Austin for the Christmas holidays in 2001, he was expecting mechanical bulls at every bar in Texas. We were both disappointed to find no bars had them anymore… too much of an insurance liability apparently. From time to time since then, we’ve heard rumors about places that still have them, but every one I looked into told me they had to get rid of theirs too. Well, apparently Mexico is the final resting place of the mechanical bulls that were all removed from US bars. And even luckier for us, they were free! Dieter, Wouter, and I all got to ride and had a fantastic time! Andrew reluctantly tried it too, but it was as though it were a self fulfilling prophesy… he got injured when he was thrown off and ended up with a sore back and a small cut on his elbow. Despite that minor setback, I think it was definitely worth the experience!

Guess I could quit rambling about the mechanical bull and post about other happenings. After returning to our hostel in the historic Gaslamp Quarter, we fixed some dinner and some folks tried the nightlife again while others of us spent an easy night relaxing in the hostel. We’re right in the middle of tons of clubs and restaurants, but it seems like the crowd is a bit older, or maybe it’s mostly conventioneers who hit these places. I do like the street performer who stands nightly on the corner across from our hostel… he sings and plays a portable keyboard. My favorite lyric from him, that he shouts/repeats regularly, is “There ain’t no party like a buck naked party!” Fun area for nightlife. :)

Yesterday was warm and sunny and we spent the first half of the day at Balboa Park. If you’ve never been, it’s worth checking out. It’s the nation’s largest urban cultural park and has 10-15 museums, lots of gardens, and is full of beautiful sculptures and architecture. I hit one art museum, but spent most of my time there wandering the grounds and taking pictures. (Am still bummed my camera was stolen and am operating off a old, old one my parents used to have. However, any chance to take pictures is a good one… even while knowing the quality and resolution and memory are all super low). Anyway, after we left Balboa Park, we headed to Mission Beach to lie in the sand and enjoy the ocean. Apparently, Mission Beach allows open containers of alcohol on the beach… tons of folks were drinking all over the place. There were surfers, kite surfers, and a few swimmers brave enough to try out the cold water and strong currents. However, despite the sun, the winds were quite gusty and we were covered in goose bumps. So, after about an hour on the beach, we headed to La Jolla beach to catch the sunset. (At La Jolla, we not only caught the sunset, but we also caught the tail end of a bikini modeling shoot. Needless to say, the boys were quite excited to see the model change from one bikini to the next while the photographers swarmed all over her). After it got dark, we made our way back to Gaslamp for a huge dinner at Buca Di Beppos.

And of that note, we’re brought right back up to today, where I’m sitting in a E Sports Arena, a stadium seating movie theater that converted to a gaming center. The movie screen now lets geeks play Nintendo and Sega games on the big screen, and the hundreds of computers guaranteed I’d have a place to check my email. It’s a nice facility, but I’d prefer to not have men next to me shouting at their football games, talking to their online chess, or trying to start up conversations with me about my “pretty” typing style. Hmmm… price to pay for a quick connect, convenient location, and low cost. :) Anyway, I’m off now to check out Old Town and maybe do some shopping. Hope everyone is well. Take care!