Catching up...plus Disney in 19 days!

Well, I’ve had a series of blog posts written and ready to post, but I think they were getting a little long, so I’m going to shorten them up to one five pointer post….

1.      Two weekends ago we went to the Ian McFeron Band show at The Triple Door. Brian had a Sounders game to go to, so he met up with me and a couple of my friends at the show later. I have seen Ian and the band play…gosh, I don’t know…SO many times…and as noted many times in this blog, TTD is my favorite place to see pretty much any show, but particularly Ian…plus, the food is delicious. And it was just such a fantastic night! It had definitely been too long since the last time I had seen them play…but this show had to be at the top of my list, if not my favorite. Great setlist, good mix of new songs and old favs, the energy on stage was so fun (Ian kicked his guitar stand over! He said later that he tripped, but I’m pretty sure he gave it a big old kick). I’m looking forward to hearing more of the new music…and just really felt excited about the band and where they are headed. NOT TO MENTION…they really are some of the best people I know. It just makes you happy when those kinds of people do well, you know.

2.      My jeep was broken into again. I first realized because the door was locked. I don’t lock the doors of my jeep…the key doesn’t work to unlock them. Then I sat in my seat and my feet barely touched the pedals…it had been moved back. And then finally, whoever it was had torn the middle console open…it was previously locked and impossible to get into (my key didn’t work for it either). As far as I know, there was nothing in it…certainly nothing I have added in the past 10 years anyway…I hope there was a family of spiders that jumped out at the thief though. I’m sure they got nothing of value…as the jeep was broken into over the winter, and I have added nothing new…perhaps some granola bars. It’s just annoying and makes me feel weird…that there is a person standing just outside my house that breaks into cars. Ish.

3.      I went to a mer-themed bridal shower last weekend- mer as in mermaid, ocean, sand, shells…it was put together so well! The decorations were fantastic…from the food-including a sand castle shaped cake, to the photo ‘booth’ that had shell crowns and other props, to the yummy seafoam punch and beautiful champagne/jello beverage. The champagne and jello drink was probably my favorite…it looked so pretty…the blue jello floated on the top, while champagne bubbles seeped around it…plus, it was champagne and jello…yum. (stole this pic from a blog) Very much looking forward to this wedding at the end of the month! 

4.      Oh my gosh, my Disney World birthday trip is happening! And it is happening in 19 days! I am so flipping excited. I can’t wait to step outside of the airport and smell that Orlando air…it really feels like a second home and makes me feel 19 (that’s how old I was when I lived there on my internship). It blows my mind that my internship was almost 11 years ago. I met some of my favorite people and friends on that internship. Sighh…yes, I can’t wait to smell the Orlando air. 

5.      Speaking of the birthday trip and how 11 years have gone by, etc…I am turning 30 this year-next month actually. That is pretty crazy. I don’t feel 30 (whatever that means, it isn’t like 30 is even old)…but all the same, I don’t feel 30. I feel 24 maybe…like I’m still figuring things out and excited about whatever might be next. It has been a relief to me, as I’ve gotten older, to realize that grownups don’t have it all figured out either. I remember when I was about 6 years old and would be hanging out with my mom’s cheer team (they were in junior high) and thinking they knew everything. And when I was 8, and learning how to dribble the basketball between my legs from my step-dad’s high school team, and thinking they knew EVERYTHING. And then, when I started college and I made friends with people who were done with college- wow, they must know everything now. And as I reached each of those ages that I had been looking up to, I realized I still didn’t know everything. What a relief. Anyway…where I am going with all of this rambling, is that I haven’t been too concerned with the big birthday coming up. Feeling pretty fine about it…I love birthdays. Then I started having bad dreams. Dreams that were clearly driven by anxiety over the birthday. BUT, they have mostly stopped since the birthday trip to Disney World has become more of a reality (money paid, reservations made- rather than just talking about it)…I think it makes me feel better to know that I am celebrating this birthday in my favorite kid place.

6.      A bonus point…this weekend was gorgeous! It amazes me how pretty this place is when the sun is out! We definitely took advantage of the weather. First, I got a last minute ticket from my pal Catie for the Counting Crows show (which has nothing to do with good weather, but is an exciting treat all the same)…they played Anna Begins, which just made my night! Then Saturday, I went hiking with Willow…we did Rattlesnake Ridge, which wasn’t as hard as I was expecting…pretty short…but really pretty at the top. We had lunch at the enemy bar/restaurant- El Chupacabra…I continue thinking I like this place, despite the fact that they are so unbelievably rude there EVERY time. And usually the food is good, but this time, my burrito was cold, so I’m officially done with them. 

7.      I decided the Zoo needed its own point… On Sunday Brian and I went to the Zoo first thing in the morning. It was a little chilly still, but a good day for the zoo. I have to say- Zoos are a little sad. The gorillas are particularly sad. You can tell they know what’s going on, and you can tell they aren’t particularly amused…especially when they take a seat and keep their backs to the crowd. There was one that settled right up to the window, in a thinking man position, and watched as a lady pulled random items out of her purse. Every new item she pulled out, he tapped the window, like he wanted something else. Also…there was a peacock just hanging out on one of the pathways. This was one of the first animals we encountered…and thought it was so amazing. I mean, that bird is beautiful. But it turns out, this particular bird is QUITE the ham. He kept putting his tail down and then, dramatically, splaying them out and posing for the crowd. He loved it. We ran into him a couple times and he was still just a-posing away. The bears were probably my highlight…I don’t think I’ve ever seen active bears at the zoo before…seems like they are always just sleeping. These two bears were wrestling with each other in the water…so you could only see their two GIGANTIC heads, with their massive teeth out, and their huge claws tearing at each other…oh my. Bears are frightening!!

Okay, okay…I’ll end there…I have more to write about…Mariners games, book club (anyone have a funny book they would like to recommend for my next book club? I can’t take another super-downer), etc…but despite the shortening of previously composed blogs, this has become incredibly long. Have a great week!!

Amazing Race!

Gum wall

My legs are SO. SORE. Particularly my calves, shins, and feet. Brian, my friends Willow and Rachel, and I did an Amazing Race Seattle competition on Sunday. When I got up and dressed on Sunday morning, I was imagining more of the obstacle/task parts of the show Amazing Race…which prompted me to put on jeans, a sweatshirt, 
and a pair of TOMS. You know, rather than running shorts, a sports bra, and tennis shoes…which turns out, would have been much more appropriate. Because we RAN all over Seattle…for just about 3 hours.

Ivar's on Pier

The event started up on Capitol Hill at Cal Anderson Park…the way the game worked is we were given our first clue, which prompted the team to find a specific location- once there, you take a picture of your team (to prove you are all there), email it in to ‘headquarters’, and then they email you back your next clue…which sends you off to a new location. The only rules were that your team had to stay together (3 of the 4 team members needed to be in the picture), and no wheels, other than a bus were allowed (no car, bike, rollerskates). As I said, we started at Cal Anderson Park…first clue sent us down to the gum wall in Pike Place Market. Most of the 

teams headed to a bus stop to wait for a bus…we decided to get a jump on everyone and just run there…no waiting for bus stops, and separating ourselves from the other teams. It worked…we were ahead of most teams…but almost 2 miles later, we were a little exhausted…with 8 more stops to go! The next clue took us to the Space Needle, and then to the Ivars on Pier 54. We still weren’t interested in waiting on a bus…we’re still running/walking/running. We knew there was one team ahead of us the whole time…this group of guys in Sounders jerseys…they were always on their way to the next clue just when we reached the current clue. And then there were two other teams right around us…one stop they’d be behind us, one stop in front of us…just depended on the route taken. After Ivars, we headed to Safeco field, 

Bruce Lee's gravesite

and then to Uwajimaya, then to Pioneer Square (all to specific spots at each of these locations), then to the big public library, and then we had to get to the cemetery where Bruce Lee is buried. At this point, we had been run/walk/running for somewhere between 7-8 miles (we mapped it when we got home)…we were all dying…felt that our knees were going to fall off, ankles doubled in size, joints not working as they are supposed to (somehow we just kept getting the energy to run a little bit longer…we would see a team following us and that competitiveness would kick in and make us move a little faster), and the cemetery was 2 miles away…so we hopped a bus. This particular bus was already driving right next to us when we realized we needed to catch it about a block and a half ahead…so somehow we dug down deep and SPRINTED UP HILL to get on this bus….and we made it. We were still in the front pack of teams…and then, we decided to get cute. The other front teams made a run for the front gate…we decided to try and find an alternate entrance…turns out- there isn’t an alternate entrance…and that’s when we fell behind. We missed the next bus that the other teams got on, putting us over 20 minutes behind. But at that point, we were so tired, we were okay with just sitting down and waiting. And that’s the story of Amazing Race Seattle. Very fun…so sore.

a quick check in...

Okay, I am very happy living in Seattle. The weather typically doesn’t bother me. I think the grey, rainy days help you to appreciate the times when the sun does shine (or when the snow does fall, for that matter). But I could really use a couple of sunny days to help me remember that I don’t mind this drear. I’m feeling pretty over it at the moment…I am motivated to run, I REALLY am, but not in this awful rain…I’ve even convinced myself that it will be fun to run in the rain…like being a kid and dodging puddles and not worrying about getting soaked…but then when the time comes to actually do it…ugh, it’s pouring and wretched and I’m not doing it. ->I started writing that yesterday, and then it ended up being a lovely evening last night, complete with a run and a very pink sunset. Just when I was starting to feel depressed, I got a little of what I needed to keep me going. And then it snowed this morning. 

Speaking of this morning...guess what I didn't do? The St Paddy's Day Dash. Ohhh, so lame. It's such a fun run to do...and I don't know if you remember my run last year? I ran the whole second half of the race with Detlef Schrempf...what a highlight! I knew it was coming up, and I knew it was this weekend...but somehow I never put together that this weekend was so soon. So I missed it. I'm sure Det was disappointed. 

Speaking of not realizing this weekend was St Patrick's Day...I'm currently wearing a purple sweater. WHAT? I love color themed holidays. Ugh. Luckily, I grabbed my Sounders scarf on the way out the door, since tonight is the season opener! I don't get to go to tonight's game (split my season ticket, so I only have half the games...and tonight isn't one...wah wah wah)...BUT, I do get to hang out with my pal, Olga, that I haven't seen in far too long. We need to watch Breaking Dawn...

This past week wasn't too busy...though it seemed full due to the number of games that needed to be watched each evening. 

On Tuesday we went to a RadioLab listening get-together. I love listening to podcasts at work while I file, but hadn't listened to any of the Radiolab podcasts yet, so was excited to hear one. We listened to one about Choice...which was super interesting and entertaining...definitely went home and downloaded a few other episodes for file room listening. It was also fun to listen to the podcast with a few other people- we were able to talk about it together after, which I don't think I've ever been able to do. I liked that...plus, whenever you get together with a group, there is usually food involved...and I'm always a fan of that.

Wednesday was the second game in the CONCACAF aggregate...ish. Not good, not good. We won the first match 2-1, and well, did not win the second. So we were knocked out...super bummer. And it was a pretty ugly game...hopefully they have been able to let that game go in getting prepped for tonight's season opener. (did I mention I'm bummed to not be going to the game?!)

One more week until the Hunger Games movie comes out! 

And I bought some Snoqualmie Falls pancake mix...and it is bomb. 

Okay...that's all for now. I know I had other things to write...but I need to pay attention to these basketball games! Bummed Gonzaga is out...

Sweets, sports, and SLEEP!

Yaaaawwwnnn, I have not been sleeping well lately. So tired. It probably has something to do with how bare my neck is now that my hair is all gone (I kid…I am starting to get used to the shorter hair and almost liking it now). But yes, very tired…

My mom was in town on Friday! She was attending that mentoring conference that we go to every year- Guiding Lights (I’m bummed to not attend this year…I love that conference…it was just so expensive)…so we met up for Melting Pot happy hour after work on Friday! Yummm.

Speaking of yum…Lent is in full swing and this is the first time in, oh I don’t know how long, that I’m still eating sweets. I didn’t give up sweets. In fact, I didn’t give anything up, or add anything. I have even eaten meat on Fridays. I’ve NEVER not done anything for lent…in elementary school I used to give up going on the bars at recess on Thursdays (the bars were my jam…I was quite impressive on them…there was no way I could’ve completely given them up…so just on Thursdays- that was the day I had girl scouts and so would be wearing a dress…it seemed like the most appropriate day to give up swinging upside down). I feel like I should feel guilty about not doing anything, but I don’t (although I did spill to my mom almost immediately upon seeing her ‘I had chicken in my burrito today and I’m eating sweets!’). I have been feeling a little rebellious against religion lately…really not wanting to feel connected. Not in my faith- feeling great there, but just with religion. I am pretty sure it has to do with all the republican campaign stuff all over the place…I just don’t want to have any kind of connection with some of the things they are saying based on their religion.

Moving on…we went to the Sounders game on Wednesday…the CONCACAF game that I posted about in my last blog. That article I linked to helped me understand what a big game that was…I still struggle totally understanding the way soccer teams work because their schedule is so different than other American sports seasons. They have their regular MLS season, and then various other ongoing tournaments…like the Open Cup and CONCACAF…and they are all of equal importance…I always feel like the season should be most important and worry about players getting injured during the side tournaments, but really, all are important. Sounders won…which was huge- they have to go down to Mexico and play game two of the aggregate, and as long as they win or tie or stay within one goal with two goals scored, they will advance (advancement is the team with the most goals between the two games and if there is a tie, then away goals break the tie…so many rules!). I am really enjoying soccer more and more…though I wish the flopping wasn’t a part of the sport…it really takes away from how impressive those athletes are.

Ohhh, and March Madness is almost here! Can’t wait! Though I’m so sad the Huskies didn’t get in…but jeez louise- can’t believe they lost to Oregon St in the Pac 12 tourney. Uhhh! Such a disappointment. No excuse for missing free throws. Brian and I were sitting on the couch watching the tournament seeding on tv and waiting/hoping for Washington to be announced…never was. Go Gonzaga!

AND…we went to a Stealth game on Sunday. The Washington Stealth is our professional lacrosse team up in Everett. I love going to those games…they feel a little less structured than other professional sports games (not because it is unorganized…just has a different feel), there is loud music, I don’t really know the rules of the game…but it’s all very fun. Brian and I were on the Kiss Cam! We didn’t kiss when it landed on us…we made disgusted faces. Silly, silly.

And finally, despite not giving up sweets for lent, I have decided it’s time to get back to healthy habits. I have developed some bad habits over the last year…or more accurately, have quit most of my good habits. I haven’t been running as much as I should be (as evidenced by the 35 minute run I did this weekend that my legs are still sore from), and I haven’t been eating good-for-me foods for some time. Time to get creative with vegetables again. And not eat burgers on a regular basis- those should be a treat, not a standard. Desserts as well…a treat, not a norm. I need to get more sleep…I used to be a morning person! Now I wake up feeling awful….I have known this change needed to happen for a while, but then Friday night, in the middle of the night, I woke up to one of those unbelievably awful and paralyzingly painful calf cramps. I actually get these semi-often (I think more than most people?)…and I thought, okay…my body is letting me know it is missing something…whether it be regular exercise for those muscles, or necessary vitamins, I don’t know (apparently it could be that my blankets are too heavy, but whatever)…the nice thing about working on being healthy is that your body actually feels better. There is a noticeable difference just in the way you feel throughout the day. Looking forward to that. And sunshine.

Alright, that’s all for now.

Catch up!

Oh man, so much going on…if I go into any detail about the recent happenings (I make it sound like there have been exciting happenings…nothing overly exciting, just busy), this could turn into a novel. I’ll be brief…

•  Last potluck we went to, I made almond croissants from scratch. From scratch, I said. I had blisters on my hands from the hundreds of hours rolling butter into dough. (okay, not hundreds of hours, but it felt like it)…they were delicious, but not as good at the ones in a bakery…and for the amount of work…won’t be doing that again. Croissants- from scratch!

Tanner up top




• My cousin Tanner won state for his weight class in wrestling! He won last year too, but then was injured during all of football season…still pulled off the victory. Last year in the finals, he pinned the guy in under a minute…this year we were on the edge of our seat the entire 3 rounds…felt like I got my money’s worth. What a stud!

•  I went on a trip last (long) weekend! I went to Berkeley/San Fran/Oakland for my long time pal Rachel’s 30^th birthday. What a treat of a weekend it was! A brief outline…there was wandering down cute college-y streets, window shopping, relaxing and reading (!), discovering that Oakland isn’t scary, making new friends, fancy dress up dinner at Chez Panisse (this gets its own bullet point), and just getting an extended visit with Rachel, who will be off on another exciting adventure soon

Chez Panisse

•   But back to Chez Panisse. Oh my- the food…the service…the ambiance…the company…everything was just unbelievably perfect. We thought we were going to have to sit at two tables (8 of us, small restaurant), but they figured it out and got us all into one. We shared a couple bottles of wine (accompanied by non-pretentious, but smart wine conversation), we shared oysters that were a little bit magical, I got an asparagus appetizer…and then a pork shoulder over some polenta sitting in this sauce/juice stuff that, as Rachel said about pretty much everything she ate, ‘made you believe in love’. We passed around the table one of each of the desserts…I mean, the whole thing was just everything you could have asked for.

• My 4^th/5^th grade basketball season has come to an end…we had our last game last Tuesday and then our banquet on Thursday. Wow, I feel like I learned a lot between the first season I coached and the second. I was/am so proud of the team…they improved so much throughout the season, and I actually think we were one of the top teams in our league. But even if we weren’t, their hustle and heart out on the court made it fun to watch every game. I’m REALLY going to miss coaching! Until next year…

• Sounders season is back! We went to the free game last Wednesday…in the fuh-reeeezing cold. Super fun…we won 2-0, and looked pretty good…definitely a little rusty playing with each other (plus new players), but they were going after everything. Just recently they traded two of my favorite players- Fucito and Neagle…which bummed me out. Big game this week (Wednesday) in the CONCACAF tournament (quarterfinals)…tickets are still available!

•  I got my hair cut this weekend. It is very short. I’m sure I’ll get used to it. And it will grow. But for now…it’s very short.

Okay, I’m going to stop there…

Happy Valentine's Day!

A special Valentine’s Day edition because, ohhhh, I love Valentine’s Day! I curled my hair, put on a skirt, pulled out the pink heart necklace my mom made for me…I didn’t do Valentine cards this year… the disappointment. I didn’t see any at the store that I liked…that’s not true- there was a great Bieber pack- but I didn’t get them. And then I was going to bake some kind of special treat to bring in to the office…but was distracted by The Voice last night on TV. So no valentines and no treats…boo. I did find a darling card with a frog on it that opened up to tell Brian what a special guy he is…I’m pretty sure it was meant for an 8-yr old to get from his grandparents…but I got him some new glow in the dark darts for his nerf gun…so I’m pretty sure it was appropriate.

Last night The Head and the Heart was on How I Met Your Mother! Not the actual band, but their song…so cool! Brian recognized it after about two strums. It wasn’t my favorite HIMYM- though usually the specials- this being a valentines episode- aren’t, I mean, even the return of Slutty Pumpkin wasn’t great. But, so cool to hear Rivers and Roads start playing…yay for them. 

And in other wonderful love related news…Governor Gregoire signed the equal marriage law for Washington! I am so proud of our state for doing the right thing and caring about equal rights. As of now, the law goes into effect June 7^th, though I think it will likely make its way to the November ballot…so there is still a bit of a journey. I know everyone has their particular issues that are important to them, and this one is definitely a huge one for me. I was surprised at the emotion I felt when it was signed…one of my co-workers said ‘To think that my kids will not ever know anything other than we are all the same’…still a long way to go, but important things take time. So great!

Have a fantastic day…lots and lots of love!

basketball and pancakes

Oh my, longest week ever. I have been thinking ‘tomorrow’ is Friday for two days now. But, finally, tomorrow really is Friday. I have a basketball game tonight, but mostly I am looking forward to getting laundry done this evening. It is so overdue…and my room/bathroom are such disasters. The thing that is nice about having to spend time doing laundry, is there is all this down time in between loads…great for reading and not feeling guilty about not doing something else…because I actually AM being productive.

Last weekend Brian and I met up with his parents for a high school basketball game. Brian’s old high school is having a great season and it was their last game of the regular season AND they were playing an undefeated Mountlake Terrace. What a fantastic game!! It was so fun to watch. I don’t think there was ever more than a 4 point differentiation…it was just back and forth and back and forth…and then Shorewood came up with the upset! There was the school band playing the same high school basketball band songs, and the students in head to toe school colors. Sitting in the parent section reminded me of the years and years Mom and I went to the Federal Way Eagles boys games (my stepdad was the asst coach)…I idolized those guys…it was like they were in the NBA for me (and some of them actually did end up there). When I got to talk to them at practice, I was in awe. Makes me laugh to think about that they were just high school kids, but like celebrities to 8 yr old me.

Speaking of basketball and my nostalgia…could it actually be possible that Seattle will be getting an NBA team again? As early as next season?! Ohhhh, boy do I hope so! How I have missed the Sonics these past few years. I guess there have been some serious talks about building a new arena that will host the Sonics and an NHL team. I was listening to some news on the radio about it and how Gary Payton is doing his best to make it happen, etc, etc…so that his number can be retired here…always comes back to Gary.

In more basketball news…my team played the best team in our league earlier this week…and we were AWESOME. I think we ended up losing by a basket…my girls weren’t intimidated in the least…they were defensive monsters and rebounding fools. I just love watching them play…they are so aggressive.

Last weekend I helped out at the Jr Storm clinic the Boys & Girls Club held…I was in charge of the Rebounding station. There were SO many kids…they were expecting 50, and there ended up being over 80…which is great…but it sure was loud! I was definitely losing my voice in the 30 minutes the kids were rotating through my station.

The running plan hasn’t been so good this week…and the weather has been ideal for running…but, as previously mentioned, this week has just been going on and on and on and by the end of the day Brian and I just can’t find the motivation to put on the running shoes and get outside. We did manage to go for a quick run on Saturday…to Red Mill for burgers. Which cancelled the run out…but hey, a short run before a burger is better than no run before a burger, right?

Ohhh, quick side note…We started the 3^rd season of West Wing and guess who is on for a couple of episodes? Connie Britton…aka Tami Taylor…aka Mrs. Coach…from Friday Night Lights. That was exciting to discover. I love when my favorite characters in one favorite show appear in another favorite show.

Last night was movie night, and in honor of February- the love month- we watched Romeo and Juliet…the ‘97 version with Leo and Claire. I hadn’t seen that since high school, I think…and the soundtrack totally brought back memories…I loved that soundtrack and listened to it all the time. I made heart shaped pancakes (see pic), but the inspiration came from this…my version wasn’t quite as impressive…but still cute and pretty easy. I just used a frosting decorator tool that I got for Christmas from Target. Since there isn’t much batter in each pancake they cook super fast, so I kept the stove temp really low, like a 3…and then they were ready to be flipped in less than 30 seconds. Brian made his specialty- home made whipped cream. Cut up some strawberries, some chocolate syrup….mmmm.

I read an article yesterday about the top five things people regret as they are dying (a nurse starting keeping track of the conversations she had with dying patients)…interesting and always a good reminder.

1.      I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. I love this one, and try so hard to make sure I think about this with every decision I make. I think so many people get caught up in what they are supposed to be doing…keeping to some kind of ‘timeline’, how their kids are supposed to act, the amount of money they should be making, what their family looks like to others, etc…rather than just doing what works for them.

2.      I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.

3.      I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

4.      I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

5.      I wish that I had let myself be happier. It is a choice.

Okay, I know…this has gotten very long. Hope your week was a little faster than mine…have a great weekend.