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!