Happy Friday! Doesn’t it seem like it was JUST Friday? I feel like the weeks are flying by again, which is great…I mean, c’mon, we are almost halfway through April! Though with the weather we have had this week, you wouldn’t know what month we are in, at any given moment. We have had sunshine, rain, a little snow (!), and as I look out the window right now, hail. Here are your five for the week:
1. Okay, this might gross you out a little bit. Spiders…are taking over my jeep. I know, it’s a little bit gross, and a little bit terrifying. Every year when I put the hard top back on, I find the occasional spider here and there, because the top sat outside all summer long. This year, there weren’t any…I just figured I must have done a superb job wiping it all down. Then, about two weeks ago, I noticed a little clump of tiny little movers in the back corner…I went in for a closer look, and realized they were baby spiders. Wonderful. So I grabbed a stick, did my best to hook them and their web onto the stick and put them outside. Then I noticed a little white sack up in the corner of the jeep, so I grabbed another stick and scraped it off…when I did that, it broke open and a bunch of little baby spiders fell out (still attached by their webs)…I tried to gather as many up as I could and put them outside…knowing there would probably still be a couple stragglers. Well, on Wednesday, I noticed another little group of them up in the back corner. So, once again, I climbed back there and tried to nicely get them outside…and then noticed there were many more than I anticipated. They were pretty much all over the back of the jeep…kicking it on my emergency kit, around my toolbox, on the back seat. Sigh…so I think I’m going to have to put my good karma at risk and bug bomb the car…yuck.
2. I listened to a great “Stuff You Should Know” podcast…possibly my favorite one yet (though I did very much enjoy “what is a hangover” as well) titled, “How To Survive a Plane Crash”. While I fly fairly frequently, and wouldn’t necessarily say I’m afraid of flying, I definitely am not comfortable with it. So yes, please, tell me how to survive a plane crash. Well, turns out, of all the plane crashes that have happened- 90% of the people survive. What?! It’s because the news really only covers the big, terrible crashes. And most crashes happen during take off and landing, so they aren’t so dramatic. But there’s more…of the crashes that have happened from way up at 30,000 feet, 50% of people survived. That’s fairly reassuring. People always say you are way more likely to get in a car accident than a plane accident, but that never made me feel better, because on the chance you WERE in a plane accident, you were probably a goner…but turns out, not so. A few helpful hints to survival: when you get on the plane, count the number of seats between you and the exit. There is a good chance you will be in the dark or even underwater and you won’t be able to see the exit sign, but you can feel the number of seats. Also, people sitting in the back have a better chance of survival (bummer, I way prefer the front). Wear clothing that covers your body- long sleeves, long pants, tennis shoes, in case of fire. Ummm, what else…that’s all I currently remember- oh, don’t drink alcohol…so there you go…no more fear of flying.
3. I’ve never been an avid American Idol viewer, but somehow I seem to have kept up on this particular season. And there are actually a few of the contestants that I really like. While I don’t think he’ll win the show, or even be around to the very end, I like Andrew Garcia…there is a great video of him on YouTube doing Straight Up…he reminds me of a Jason Mraz when he covers songs…makes them fun with his guitar (which, by the way, my three favs all play guitar…I really like the addition of instruments for the performers). I really like Crystal Bowersox…she performs and you aren’t nervous about her messing up or if she will pick the wrong song…she is great. She did a Janis Joplin song- so great. She has amazing confidence as a performer. But my very fav, and who I’d love to see win, is Lee Dewyze. He has this kind of shy, unsure of himself, nervous feeling each week…and then he goes out and plays his guitar and belts it out…very Ray Lamontagne-ish. Really, really like him.
4. Check out www.dishkarma.com and fill in your ultimate meal…your very favorite restaurant selections for each of the course categories…and check out what other people have picked for their ultimate meals…fun concept…but I warn you, as soon as you log on to enter in your ultimate meal (go do it right now!), your mind will go blank…all those amazing dishes you wish you could enjoy everyday- completely out the window. So think about it ahead of time….and now, go enter them in!
5. I gave up reading the Devil in the White City- for the moment (it was over due at the library), and I just felt like it was such an effort to read. But I got a little bit ambitious with my library holds- and all three became available at the same time…no idea how I will get through them in my three week check out time…but I’ll be doing a lot of reading this weekend. Yesterday I started, and am about halfway through The Sun Also Rises, by Hemingway…I have been wanting to read something of his for a long while, and I am really enjoying it- totally accessible and easy to read. Next, I am going to tackle a long-time-to-read-but-totally-intimidated book- the Brothers Karamozov…I’m afraid I won’t get through it, but I’m going to try my hardest. And then, I have had a couple of people recommend the Count of Monte Cristo..it is unbelievably long, but everyone I’ve talked to that read it, loved it…so I don’t think it will be tough, just long.
Alright…have a great weekend!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Happy Easter weekend
Look at me go…two weeks in a row. Here are the five for this week:
1. Did you hear that the Seattle fireworks show was cancelled for this year because, as hard as One Reel worked, they couldn’t find a sponsor? Did you hear how the community has come together to save it? Yesterday, Dave Ross challenged local businesses- with the help of Tom Douglas’ initial $5000 donation, to raise money to save the show. Now, that’s a hefty challenge…we need to raise $500,000 to put on the show (whoa!)…But Starbucks and Microsoft each offered up $125,000 if the rest of the community could raise the other $250,000. And the donations have been rolling in…last I checked, we were $14,500 short…which I think is unbelievable! Here is a link to the businesses that have donated: http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=75&sid=304928 . Very cool to see the community coming together to save a tradition!
2. The Marty Riemer Show is back! Well, for a half hour each day, on your computer anyway. No, they aren’t back at the radio station. But, Marty and Jodi have created a half hour long webcast/podcast (if you are on live, you can actually watch, otherwise you can download the segment, just like any other podcast), Monday-Friday, 9:30-10am. Yesterday was the debut…and it was sooo great to hear them back at it again. It is very similar to a radio show- they are just chatting it up, joking around, talking about news, interviewing guests, etc…but for a very brief 30 minutes. Yesterday they had Chris Mays, the creator and previous Program Director for The Mountain on the show. She did a little music segment- introducing some new music she is digging (I never doubt her music recommendations- she is amazing!). I’m excited to have that 30 minutes at my desk each morning to listen to the show, laughing out loud (resulting in funny looks from my co-workers). You can check it out at: www.martyriemer.com
3. I have been a super lame live music girl this week. I had three shows on my calendar and didn’t go to any of them. I was planning to go to the special added Round on Tuesday, at Neumos. But I am housesitting in West Seattle and after having gone back and forth two full times that day already, I just didn’t have the energy for another trip back into the city. I love West Seattle, but I don’t think I could live out there. Then Wednesday John Mayer was in town. I had a REAL tough time not going to that show…I just couldn’t justify paying a huge chunk of money (those fees KILL me) for an arena show…sigh. But I love John Mayer so…(I know, I know…I promise, I have tried to hate him…I just can’t do it). Luckily I had a couple of long distance pals to chat with that evening to keep my mind off the great show I was missing…though I couldn’t escape it the next day on facebook. And then last night, Patty Griffin was in town. And I opted out of her show (those darn ticket fees), but I am sure she will be back for one of the fun outdoor summer shows later this year (fingers crossed). Hopefully my concert going lameness will not carry over to next week- as I have a Brandi Carlile show on Tuesday.
4. Do you get today off from work? Good Friday? It has never occurred to me that people get this day off…I don’t think I have ever worked anywhere that has taken the day off. Though really, we SHOULD get a day off for Easter. Easter is always on a Sunday, so we don’t…but even when Christmas falls on a weekend, we get an extra work day off. I feel like Christmas and Easter are the same level of holiday, right? Christian holiday made commercial? I hadn’t thought about it until people were complaining on facebook this morning (what would I do without facebook to keep me updated?) about having to be at work. And then a notice went out at my work that we could leave at 3 today. So, is it a holiday? Should parking be free today? Meanwhile, my teacher mom has been on Spring Break this week, and has been texting me from her local wine bar, as she kicks back with some wine and cheese and a book. Sounds lovely!
5. Last little bit of news…ummm, the health care reform passed! I have always been on board with having health care for everyone, just on principle and feeling like it is important to take care of people, etc. But not really ever getting really into what that means and how it will affect me or people around me. Now that I’m working in HR, and have been helping out our Benefits department quite a bit, I have been learning more about it. They had me sit in on a conference call about how the new health care plan will affect our insurance, and basically just broke down what it means and when certain aspects will kick in. REALLY interesting, and I feel like I know 100x more than I did before. Even after learning more about it, and seeing how it will affect MY own wallet, I still feel like it is important. I am certainly willing to pitch in more to give families the opportunity to see a doctor for more than an emergency. I do think you should develop a good relationship with your doctor now though, because there is going to be a huge increase in patients and reduction in time doctors have with patients.
Alright…I will leave you with that. Have a great weekend- Happy Easter and Passover! Oh, and during the time I wrote this blog, the local businesses of Seattle have reached their goal, and the fireworks show is officially back on!
1. Did you hear that the Seattle fireworks show was cancelled for this year because, as hard as One Reel worked, they couldn’t find a sponsor? Did you hear how the community has come together to save it? Yesterday, Dave Ross challenged local businesses- with the help of Tom Douglas’ initial $5000 donation, to raise money to save the show. Now, that’s a hefty challenge…we need to raise $500,000 to put on the show (whoa!)…But Starbucks and Microsoft each offered up $125,000 if the rest of the community could raise the other $250,000. And the donations have been rolling in…last I checked, we were $14,500 short…which I think is unbelievable! Here is a link to the businesses that have donated: http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=75&sid=304928 . Very cool to see the community coming together to save a tradition!
2. The Marty Riemer Show is back! Well, for a half hour each day, on your computer anyway. No, they aren’t back at the radio station. But, Marty and Jodi have created a half hour long webcast/podcast (if you are on live, you can actually watch, otherwise you can download the segment, just like any other podcast), Monday-Friday, 9:30-10am. Yesterday was the debut…and it was sooo great to hear them back at it again. It is very similar to a radio show- they are just chatting it up, joking around, talking about news, interviewing guests, etc…but for a very brief 30 minutes. Yesterday they had Chris Mays, the creator and previous Program Director for The Mountain on the show. She did a little music segment- introducing some new music she is digging (I never doubt her music recommendations- she is amazing!). I’m excited to have that 30 minutes at my desk each morning to listen to the show, laughing out loud (resulting in funny looks from my co-workers). You can check it out at: www.martyriemer.com
3. I have been a super lame live music girl this week. I had three shows on my calendar and didn’t go to any of them. I was planning to go to the special added Round on Tuesday, at Neumos. But I am housesitting in West Seattle and after having gone back and forth two full times that day already, I just didn’t have the energy for another trip back into the city. I love West Seattle, but I don’t think I could live out there. Then Wednesday John Mayer was in town. I had a REAL tough time not going to that show…I just couldn’t justify paying a huge chunk of money (those fees KILL me) for an arena show…sigh. But I love John Mayer so…(I know, I know…I promise, I have tried to hate him…I just can’t do it). Luckily I had a couple of long distance pals to chat with that evening to keep my mind off the great show I was missing…though I couldn’t escape it the next day on facebook. And then last night, Patty Griffin was in town. And I opted out of her show (those darn ticket fees), but I am sure she will be back for one of the fun outdoor summer shows later this year (fingers crossed). Hopefully my concert going lameness will not carry over to next week- as I have a Brandi Carlile show on Tuesday.
4. Do you get today off from work? Good Friday? It has never occurred to me that people get this day off…I don’t think I have ever worked anywhere that has taken the day off. Though really, we SHOULD get a day off for Easter. Easter is always on a Sunday, so we don’t…but even when Christmas falls on a weekend, we get an extra work day off. I feel like Christmas and Easter are the same level of holiday, right? Christian holiday made commercial? I hadn’t thought about it until people were complaining on facebook this morning (what would I do without facebook to keep me updated?) about having to be at work. And then a notice went out at my work that we could leave at 3 today. So, is it a holiday? Should parking be free today? Meanwhile, my teacher mom has been on Spring Break this week, and has been texting me from her local wine bar, as she kicks back with some wine and cheese and a book. Sounds lovely!
5. Last little bit of news…ummm, the health care reform passed! I have always been on board with having health care for everyone, just on principle and feeling like it is important to take care of people, etc. But not really ever getting really into what that means and how it will affect me or people around me. Now that I’m working in HR, and have been helping out our Benefits department quite a bit, I have been learning more about it. They had me sit in on a conference call about how the new health care plan will affect our insurance, and basically just broke down what it means and when certain aspects will kick in. REALLY interesting, and I feel like I know 100x more than I did before. Even after learning more about it, and seeing how it will affect MY own wallet, I still feel like it is important. I am certainly willing to pitch in more to give families the opportunity to see a doctor for more than an emergency. I do think you should develop a good relationship with your doctor now though, because there is going to be a huge increase in patients and reduction in time doctors have with patients.
Alright…I will leave you with that. Have a great weekend- Happy Easter and Passover! Oh, and during the time I wrote this blog, the local businesses of Seattle have reached their goal, and the fireworks show is officially back on!
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