Ohhh, what a week, what a week...
1. I'm going to go ahead and begin with Michael Jackson. On Thursday, when the news came out that he died and people were posting all over Facebook and Twitter, and I was walking down the street in my neighborhood hearing MJ music blasting out of apartment buildings, I was a little bit annoyed. Yes, it is totally sad that someone died. But, every single one of these people would have been posting something negative about him if he was in the news for a different reason (as he has been)...so I decided I didn't want to write about it here. BUT, then today...I feel different. It's weird. It makes me feel old. I think about how my nieces and nephew will have no memory of a living Michael Jackson, and that is really strange. I feel like my dad when he talks about Elvis Presley. We have lost such a pop icon...it's sad. And it's also sad that poor Farrah Fawcett's death was completely overshadowed. Tough/weird day yesterday.
2. Have you read To Kill A Mockingbird lately? Like, since 9th grade when you had to? You should definitely go read it again. It is an amazingly good book. The voice of Scout is so perfect...such a child- figuring things out, assuming one thing and learning another...the cover says it's a "coming of age" story which always sounds so hokey...but Harper Lee writes Scout so beautifully- it doesn't have an ounce of "coming of age" corny. And then, of course, it hits on racism and the segregation in the south...in such a sad way. I found myself unable to blink on my bus ride home the other day because I knew the tears were pooling up and if I blinked, they would be running down my face. And the relationship between brother and sister, father and children, friends...sigh, it really is such a fantastic book. I remember liking it in 9th grade...it definitely wasn't one of those school books you have to force yourself to get through the assigned chapters each night...but I don't remember it being SO good. Which is why I am re-reading all those school books. Really though- go buy a copy (don't even check it out from the library...go buy it), and re-read it. Next up...hmmm, perhaps Great Gatsby?
3. Enjoyed a delightful Happy Hour at Chapel on Tuesday with some of the old radio folks. It was fun to get together and chat with people I don't see on a regular basis and catch up...and I was so excited to go to Chapel. Back in my National Promo Dir days, a group of us used to go up there almost once a week for their happy hour...they have a huuuge list of fun flavored martinis that are $5 (used to be $4 though!) and then some food items. I doubt I'll make it back there for quite awhile...because well, I just don't go out very much...but if you are in search of a new locale...you should give it a try. It's on Capitol Hill and it's a cool building...and the drinks are pretty strong (I had ONE martini...and chatted for about three hours and could still feel it a bit...granted, I'm a total lightwight...but still, only one.)
4. Oh man, I bought the last season of Gilmore Girls on DVD last...ummm, like, day after Thanksgiving or something...and JUST found it, so I have been watching an episode every night in bed before I fall asleep. I heart the Gilmore Girls. You know this...I am Rory, and my mom is Lorelai. I watched the CUTEST episode last night. Christopher (Rory's dad) and Lorelai have started dating again and he tells her he is going to take her out but won't say where (a surprise...I love it)...and he picked her up in some old convertible car (to which she replied "enjoy my hair now, because it won't look like this for long" I can vouch for that after driving with the jeep top down)...he drives her out to the middle of nowhere (she is trying to guess all along the way and has turned NYC dates into "are you going to murder me" dates...and he pulls up in front of this old abandoned barn and has set up a movie to play on the wall...like a drive in movie...and has packed all her favorite movie treats and they watched some old black and white movie. Sigh...sooo cute. THEN, same episode!, Logan (who I flipping adore) is working in London so he and Rory are working on doing this long distance relationship thing...and he calls her and tells her to go up to the roof because there is a meteor shower that he wants to "watch with her" (which, by the way, is cute enough on its own)...but instead- he is THERE, with a table all set up for dinner...surprise! Oh, I love it. And this is why I don't have a boyfriend. :-)
5. Good luck to all the Rock and Roll marathoners this weekend! I soooo wish I was running the half..next year, next year. Carb load up tonight, make sure you bring lots of packets of goo to slurp down on the course, drink your water...and have fun, enjoy the music! Those of you not running (probs most of you!)...I wouldn't plan to go anywhere tomorrow....check out the race course to find out which roads will be closed and how to get around town...pretty sure it will be a nightmare.
Have a great weekend!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Friday Five 6/19
Thank goodness this week went by faster than last's...I actually think last week might STILL be happening somewhere. BUT, here is your Friday Five for THIS week...woo.
1. Thank you rain gods. It's about time. We were one day away from setting a record for days without any rain. I know I have been praying and hoping for continued sunshine due to the condition of my jeep (and it's lack of a functioning top), but the humidity that was happening here was ridiculous. This is the Northwest- we don't do humidity...we leave that miserable, sticky, gross feeling to you east coasters, and southerners, and mid-westerners. Not over here in the west. And certainly not here in Seattle, where air conditioning doesn't really exist. But rain it did- I was slightly surprised at the lifting of my heart, as I was frothing milk and pulling espresso shots, to see the rain start falling outside our store. Yes, my heart...it lifted. It is still a bit humid- but it is a tad better. The sky is overcast and I am happy.
2. Ohhh, the jeep. The jeep, the jeep. So I spent a good deal of time searching for the parts I need to keep the soft top from flying off as I drive (as it currently does)...Finally, I found them. I went to a jeep dealership, they helped me find the right parts and they have been ordered. The parts haven't arrived yet, so I can't drive in the rain...I put the top up temporarily (didn't put the windows in though...I haven't checked out the status of the inside since it started raining. I'm sure it's fine.) But, the parts are ordered. Sigh of relief. Let me tell you a little bit about the pride I felt when I drove into the jeep dealership. I pulled in, someone came out to meet me and asked how they can help me. And then asked what year my jeep was...and was blown away by the good condition it's in for how old it is. Then we walked in, and a whole group of the guys that worked there grouped around me and started talking about how the Sahara edition (what I have) was THE jeep to get back in the day, and how cool it was to see, and they all wanted to go check her out. Yeah...all you jeep naysayers...she is rad. The jeep people know.
3. I started and finished The Golden Compass this week. And I really liked it! The dads and I watched the movie last year in Barcelona...I didn't really know much about it, didn't even know it was a book (a trilogy, actually)...and someone left the book at my store, so I took it home and read it. Pretty fast. It has that sort of Lord of the Rings feel to it (not as good)...the whole innocence vs evil, magic, monsters- good and bad, twists and turns, etc. I have heard the first book is the best of the three, which is always a little disappointing to hear, but I am still planning on checking out the other two. If you haven't yet, I recommend the read. Now I have started my first re-read of To Kill A Mockingbird. Very excited.
4. Starbucks Shared Planet...I took a Barista 200 class this week for Starbucks and learned a lot more about what Starbucks' Shared Planet initiative is about. Before the class, I had heard the term tossed around a bit in the store, but never knew WHAT it was or what we, as partners or as customers, could do to be a part of it (or even if we wanted to be a part of it...really no clue what it was about). But, I learned. And it is really pretty cool. Starbucks has some hefty goals they are planning to reach by the year 2015- which are totally doable...IF we know about the tools they have provided and USE them. Right now I feel like there isn't much being done, at a store level, to implement changes and work toward our goals. So, I decided I am going to be the Shared Planet Embassador at my store...hehe. I'll post more information about it as I get things rolling. In the meantime, if you are interested in more information- go to www.starbucks.com/sharedplanet
5. I am looking into putting together an Adventurer's Club camping trip. Those involved in Adventurer's Club thus far (it isn't exclusive...you can be part if you want...just let me know and I'll give you the login to our event calendar!) are fairly indecisive and easygoing...which is nice, but means I have to make decisions, which I'm not so good at. They don't care where we camp- ocean, mountains, islands, eastern wa, etc...if you have any suggestions of cool campsites you recommend (that aren't too pricey- remember the objectives of A.C....cheap being one- and that will still have openings this late in the year), PLEASE pass them along so I can get this trip a-going. Yay.
That's it for this week...hope yours was stellar...see ya next week.
E
1. Thank you rain gods. It's about time. We were one day away from setting a record for days without any rain. I know I have been praying and hoping for continued sunshine due to the condition of my jeep (and it's lack of a functioning top), but the humidity that was happening here was ridiculous. This is the Northwest- we don't do humidity...we leave that miserable, sticky, gross feeling to you east coasters, and southerners, and mid-westerners. Not over here in the west. And certainly not here in Seattle, where air conditioning doesn't really exist. But rain it did- I was slightly surprised at the lifting of my heart, as I was frothing milk and pulling espresso shots, to see the rain start falling outside our store. Yes, my heart...it lifted. It is still a bit humid- but it is a tad better. The sky is overcast and I am happy.
2. Ohhh, the jeep. The jeep, the jeep. So I spent a good deal of time searching for the parts I need to keep the soft top from flying off as I drive (as it currently does)...Finally, I found them. I went to a jeep dealership, they helped me find the right parts and they have been ordered. The parts haven't arrived yet, so I can't drive in the rain...I put the top up temporarily (didn't put the windows in though...I haven't checked out the status of the inside since it started raining. I'm sure it's fine.) But, the parts are ordered. Sigh of relief. Let me tell you a little bit about the pride I felt when I drove into the jeep dealership. I pulled in, someone came out to meet me and asked how they can help me. And then asked what year my jeep was...and was blown away by the good condition it's in for how old it is. Then we walked in, and a whole group of the guys that worked there grouped around me and started talking about how the Sahara edition (what I have) was THE jeep to get back in the day, and how cool it was to see, and they all wanted to go check her out. Yeah...all you jeep naysayers...she is rad. The jeep people know.
3. I started and finished The Golden Compass this week. And I really liked it! The dads and I watched the movie last year in Barcelona...I didn't really know much about it, didn't even know it was a book (a trilogy, actually)...and someone left the book at my store, so I took it home and read it. Pretty fast. It has that sort of Lord of the Rings feel to it (not as good)...the whole innocence vs evil, magic, monsters- good and bad, twists and turns, etc. I have heard the first book is the best of the three, which is always a little disappointing to hear, but I am still planning on checking out the other two. If you haven't yet, I recommend the read. Now I have started my first re-read of To Kill A Mockingbird. Very excited.
4. Starbucks Shared Planet...I took a Barista 200 class this week for Starbucks and learned a lot more about what Starbucks' Shared Planet initiative is about. Before the class, I had heard the term tossed around a bit in the store, but never knew WHAT it was or what we, as partners or as customers, could do to be a part of it (or even if we wanted to be a part of it...really no clue what it was about). But, I learned. And it is really pretty cool. Starbucks has some hefty goals they are planning to reach by the year 2015- which are totally doable...IF we know about the tools they have provided and USE them. Right now I feel like there isn't much being done, at a store level, to implement changes and work toward our goals. So, I decided I am going to be the Shared Planet Embassador at my store...hehe. I'll post more information about it as I get things rolling. In the meantime, if you are interested in more information- go to www.starbucks.com/sharedplanet
5. I am looking into putting together an Adventurer's Club camping trip. Those involved in Adventurer's Club thus far (it isn't exclusive...you can be part if you want...just let me know and I'll give you the login to our event calendar!) are fairly indecisive and easygoing...which is nice, but means I have to make decisions, which I'm not so good at. They don't care where we camp- ocean, mountains, islands, eastern wa, etc...if you have any suggestions of cool campsites you recommend (that aren't too pricey- remember the objectives of A.C....cheap being one- and that will still have openings this late in the year), PLEASE pass them along so I can get this trip a-going. Yay.
That's it for this week...hope yours was stellar...see ya next week.
E
Friday, June 12, 2009
Friday Five- Ways to Save a Buck
As I was thinking about what I would include in my Friday Five this week, I realized I have had a REALLY boring week. And that is because, in the past two weeks, I have spent a total of $20- $15 for gas and $5 for parking. I know, you are impressed/sad for me. My friend gave me the brilliant idea of Five Way to Save a Buck...so, here they are:
1. Search through the free weekly newspaper (Seattle Weekly, The Stranger) for free festivals or free classes. The Adventurers Club found a free class last weekend at a local mind/body/soul-type place. It was the first class in a series of regular, so the first one was free ($15 normally...what a steal!) We participated in some Nia. I told Rachel, prior to the start of class, that what happened in that room was not to leave that room- for two reasons- 1. I watched an online video about what Nia is, and I was already feeling uncomfortable before even arriving, and 2. I am the most uncoordinated dancer ever. It's embarrassing. Really. BUT, after going, and fully participating (it took me a few minutes to full on go for it)...I decided it was fun and definitely worth talking about. It was a lot of pretending, which I can TOTALLY do..."pretend you are wearing a cape and you have to hide inside of it, you are peaking around a corner..." Yeah, really. It wasn't the most difficult work out- though I think they were taking it easy because it was a free class, but it was definitely fun...and more importantly, cost NOTHING.
2. Make coffee beverages at home. It isn't as fun, I know. But, it helps if you find a mug that you really like...I have been collecting starbucks city mugs from all the places I've lived, and I like to drink my coffee drinks out of them, sit on my couch, and pretend the Eiffel Tower is right outside my window (I told you I am a really good pretender). Plus, I used a couple of my partner beverages (the free drinks I get when I work) to take home a few pumps of the mocha syrup or the chai syrup...so I can make a real starbucks beverage at home. You non-partners can't really do that...but maybe invest in some syrups, or chocolate syrup...or honey on top is pretty delicious (speaking of honey...I just saw some Honey Moon at QFC...as in Blue Moon...my favorite beer...I haven't had it yet, and sadly, I am babysitting tonight so will not be tasting it...but perhaps tomorrow? I'll let you know...) I digress...coffee at home, yes, saves you lots of money. Though if you had any intentions of visiting me at my store, by all means, pull out the cash and come say hello...it will make my day.
3. textsfromlastnight.com Ummm, have you been to this website yet? Yes? Well, then you know what I am talking about....tens of minutes of entertainment that is...oh yeah, free. No, you haven't? Ummm, go there right now. And be prepared to both laugh and be disgusted. In a funny way mostly though. People post their ridiculous texts from last night on the site...love it. Check it out. Totally free.
4. I know you have been wondering, since the beginning of my post, "Eryn- if you have spent $20 in the last two weeks and only on your beloved jeep...what are you eating?" Well, let me tell you about a little bit of deliciousness called gourmet box mac and cheese. Step 1. Take your preferred brand of box mac and cheese (kraft, annie's, trader joe's, safeway select, etc), prepare as directed on the box. 2. Go through your veggie drawer and pull out those vegetables that haven't quite gone bad yet (but are prob getting close?), throw them in the boiling water for the last 2 minutes of noodle boiling, 3. Search through your pantry for the emergency stash of tuna fish you have in the back, and throw that in the fully mixed dish. Voila...gourmet mac and cheese with all your basic food groups. This is also a fantastic meal option while touring around the country in a bus with a band...It's delicious. (I haven't really been living on that for two weeks...I've actually only had it once...though other similar creations have been discovered with random ingredients in said fridge and pantry). Your welcome.
5. So it's a beautiful, sunshiney day...and you really want to go out and enjoy it...but you know that if you go outside, you will be tempted to get some ice cream, perhaps at Molly Moon's? Then your super friend texts and asks if you want to stroll around Greenlake. Brilliant. Amy and I made ourselves some delicious coffee beverages at my apartment (if you are confused, refer to point number 2 in this issue of the Friday Five), and then walked over to Greenlake and around the lake and then back to the apartment. Awesome friend catching up time, vitamin D intake, and a false feeling of partaking in a work out. So good. Then Amy decided she REALLY wanted a Mighty O donut. So we hopped in the jeeper (still topless folks, the sun has not left me yet!) and turned the summer mix CD up, and did some dancing, singing, and mostly feeling rad and drove up to Mighty O. Ohhhh, closed. Luckily, Zoka is right across the street. Amy and I shared the largest slice of Key Lime pie in the world. Save money tip...share with a friend (unfortunately for Amy, she didn't actually save any money because she bought the full piece...I just ate half of it).
And that's how it works, kids. Today was payday...I just treated myself to a store-bought coffee...mostly because I have three hours to kill on Mercer Island between babysitting jobs...I figured I should purchase a drink instead of loitering.
Have a great weekend!
1. Search through the free weekly newspaper (Seattle Weekly, The Stranger) for free festivals or free classes. The Adventurers Club found a free class last weekend at a local mind/body/soul-type place. It was the first class in a series of regular, so the first one was free ($15 normally...what a steal!) We participated in some Nia. I told Rachel, prior to the start of class, that what happened in that room was not to leave that room- for two reasons- 1. I watched an online video about what Nia is, and I was already feeling uncomfortable before even arriving, and 2. I am the most uncoordinated dancer ever. It's embarrassing. Really. BUT, after going, and fully participating (it took me a few minutes to full on go for it)...I decided it was fun and definitely worth talking about. It was a lot of pretending, which I can TOTALLY do..."pretend you are wearing a cape and you have to hide inside of it, you are peaking around a corner..." Yeah, really. It wasn't the most difficult work out- though I think they were taking it easy because it was a free class, but it was definitely fun...and more importantly, cost NOTHING.
2. Make coffee beverages at home. It isn't as fun, I know. But, it helps if you find a mug that you really like...I have been collecting starbucks city mugs from all the places I've lived, and I like to drink my coffee drinks out of them, sit on my couch, and pretend the Eiffel Tower is right outside my window (I told you I am a really good pretender). Plus, I used a couple of my partner beverages (the free drinks I get when I work) to take home a few pumps of the mocha syrup or the chai syrup...so I can make a real starbucks beverage at home. You non-partners can't really do that...but maybe invest in some syrups, or chocolate syrup...or honey on top is pretty delicious (speaking of honey...I just saw some Honey Moon at QFC...as in Blue Moon...my favorite beer...I haven't had it yet, and sadly, I am babysitting tonight so will not be tasting it...but perhaps tomorrow? I'll let you know...) I digress...coffee at home, yes, saves you lots of money. Though if you had any intentions of visiting me at my store, by all means, pull out the cash and come say hello...it will make my day.
3. textsfromlastnight.com Ummm, have you been to this website yet? Yes? Well, then you know what I am talking about....tens of minutes of entertainment that is...oh yeah, free. No, you haven't? Ummm, go there right now. And be prepared to both laugh and be disgusted. In a funny way mostly though. People post their ridiculous texts from last night on the site...love it. Check it out. Totally free.
4. I know you have been wondering, since the beginning of my post, "Eryn- if you have spent $20 in the last two weeks and only on your beloved jeep...what are you eating?" Well, let me tell you about a little bit of deliciousness called gourmet box mac and cheese. Step 1. Take your preferred brand of box mac and cheese (kraft, annie's, trader joe's, safeway select, etc), prepare as directed on the box. 2. Go through your veggie drawer and pull out those vegetables that haven't quite gone bad yet (but are prob getting close?), throw them in the boiling water for the last 2 minutes of noodle boiling, 3. Search through your pantry for the emergency stash of tuna fish you have in the back, and throw that in the fully mixed dish. Voila...gourmet mac and cheese with all your basic food groups. This is also a fantastic meal option while touring around the country in a bus with a band...It's delicious. (I haven't really been living on that for two weeks...I've actually only had it once...though other similar creations have been discovered with random ingredients in said fridge and pantry). Your welcome.
5. So it's a beautiful, sunshiney day...and you really want to go out and enjoy it...but you know that if you go outside, you will be tempted to get some ice cream, perhaps at Molly Moon's? Then your super friend texts and asks if you want to stroll around Greenlake. Brilliant. Amy and I made ourselves some delicious coffee beverages at my apartment (if you are confused, refer to point number 2 in this issue of the Friday Five), and then walked over to Greenlake and around the lake and then back to the apartment. Awesome friend catching up time, vitamin D intake, and a false feeling of partaking in a work out. So good. Then Amy decided she REALLY wanted a Mighty O donut. So we hopped in the jeeper (still topless folks, the sun has not left me yet!) and turned the summer mix CD up, and did some dancing, singing, and mostly feeling rad and drove up to Mighty O. Ohhhh, closed. Luckily, Zoka is right across the street. Amy and I shared the largest slice of Key Lime pie in the world. Save money tip...share with a friend (unfortunately for Amy, she didn't actually save any money because she bought the full piece...I just ate half of it).
And that's how it works, kids. Today was payday...I just treated myself to a store-bought coffee...mostly because I have three hours to kill on Mercer Island between babysitting jobs...I figured I should purchase a drink instead of loitering.
Have a great weekend!
Monday, June 1, 2009
June 5th!
Hello Summer! This week has been H-O-T-T! Hope you all have been getting outside, with a thick layer of sunscreen on. Here's the Friday Five...
1. Adventurer's Club went on their second excursion on Saturday. We drove up to Granite Falls 
to hike to Lake 22. It was about a three mile hike each way...and it was challenging enough that we were sweating, but not too much that we couldn't chit chat along the way. It was really a beautiful hike, though, you get so used to staring at the ground to
avoid stumbling over rocks, sometimes you forget to look around. The last half mile or 3/4 mile was snowy, which we weren't expecting. And it was that melty snow that I think will probably be dangerous to hike on in the next couple of days. We made it though. And the view at the top...of the mountains and the still mostly frozen lake and the trees...sooo pretty. We realized we had a problem when we reached the top though, looked around...no where to pee. And enough people around to make it difficult to hide behind a tree. Willow and I risked our lives, in the treacherous snow to find a semi-hidden spot. All was well. This weekend, Adventurer's Club will try a Nia class at Green Lake...combo yoga, dance and martial arts...I'm sure I'll look foolish.
to hike to Lake 22. It was about a three mile hike each way...and it was challenging enough that we were sweating, but not too much that we couldn't chit chat along the way. It was really a beautiful hike, though, you get so used to staring at the ground to
avoid stumbling over rocks, sometimes you forget to look around. The last half mile or 3/4 mile was snowy, which we weren't expecting. And it was that melty snow that I think will probably be dangerous to hike on in the next couple of days. We made it though. And the view at the top...of the mountains and the still mostly frozen lake and the trees...sooo pretty. We realized we had a problem when we reached the top though, looked around...no where to pee. And enough people around to make it difficult to hide behind a tree. Willow and I risked our lives, in the treacherous snow to find a semi-hidden spot. All was well. This weekend, Adventurer's Club will try a Nia class at Green Lake...combo yoga, dance and martial arts...I'm sure I'll look foolish. 2. Some of you know about the Disneyland that my step dad has built in the backyard of my 
parent's house. I hopped in the ol jeeper and headed down to Bonney Lake Saturday night to hang with my cousins and enjoy the crazy backyard party house that has been built since I moved out. It's amazing. So, Ron built a series of sheds along the back fence that look like an old mining town...one of them is storage, and one is a full on bar. Fully stocked. Heater and airconditioner, flat screen tv...and any booze you can think of. There are still plans in the works to add on a wine bar, and possibly a pub of sorts. outside of the "town" is a pond, with waterfalls draining into it on both ends. (I helped build the dock!) He has also put in a giant fire pit....that draws the neighbors over every weekend. And most recently, they bought a new hot tub and put in a whole outdoor kitchen area, with a big ol BBQ, sink, fridge, etc. It's amazing. Such a cool place to hang out and have people over.
parent's house. I hopped in the ol jeeper and headed down to Bonney Lake Saturday night to hang with my cousins and enjoy the crazy backyard party house that has been built since I moved out. It's amazing. So, Ron built a series of sheds along the back fence that look like an old mining town...one of them is storage, and one is a full on bar. Fully stocked. Heater and airconditioner, flat screen tv...and any booze you can think of. There are still plans in the works to add on a wine bar, and possibly a pub of sorts. outside of the "town" is a pond, with waterfalls draining into it on both ends. (I helped build the dock!) He has also put in a giant fire pit....that draws the neighbors over every weekend. And most recently, they bought a new hot tub and put in a whole outdoor kitchen area, with a big ol BBQ, sink, fridge, etc. It's amazing. Such a cool place to hang out and have people over. 3. While I was home, I enlisted my aunt and cousins, who were in town visiting, to help me take the hard top off my jeep and throw the soft top back on, so I can fully enjoy the weather. We got the hard top off, and then I realized I was missing a couple pieces that attach the soft top to the jeep. Crap. No idea where they are. Hoping to find these pieces at a junk yard or something? I don't really know how that works...I need to look into it. Yikes. But can I just tell you how I have totally fallen back in love with my jeep over the last week. Swoon. I love having the top down. It does nothing for my hair...I will be sporting a ponytail from here on out...BUT, it is so fun! There is a lot of pressure to listen to good music though...everyone can hear and judge. So far I have had Ben Lee and Will Hoge in rotation...I made a summertime mix that I need to burn onto a CD. While I am completely loving it...the worrier in my started thinking about what might happen if I got in a car accident and my jeep flipped over. I mean, really? Doesn't that sound horrible...would the whole car just land right on top of me. I've been told that's what the "roll bar" is for...right, like that's going to keep me safe. Ish. Or what if a truck in front of me kicks something up from the road and flies in and hits me in the eye...and I am blinded and driving out of control...and then the jeep flips over. Oh the scenes that go through my head. :(
4. I had lunch with my Grandma on Thursday afternoon...for my birthday (she lives in Arizona for half the year, so she wasn't around on my actual birthday). We went to Greenlake and ate outside, grabbed some ice cream and strolled around the lake. Turns out, I don't know why I never put it together, but she grew up right up the street from Greenlake. She and her sisters used to walk down there everyday in the summer and hang out...it's where she learned how to swim, and later had her first job as a lifeguard there. She drove me by the house where she gre up, and showed me where the meat market was, the bakery, etc. It was cool listening to her stories and watching her as she thought back on those days, as we strolled. Very fun...thanks Grandma!
5. I got a Sonicare this weekend, from my mom, for my birthday (this birthday has really stretched out...just as I like it!). When I went to the dentist for my cleaning a few weeks back, they told me that I should get a Sonicare...while I DO floss everyday, people just can't do the same as the sonicare can. SOOO, I tried it out...and holy hell, I've never drooled so much in my life. I quickly realized the problem...my mom's makes a beeping sound every 30 seconds, indicating she should move on to the next section; mine doesn't. It just goes for the full two minutes. So I brushed each section of my mouth for two minutes...which may have been a bit much! I have figured it out since then...not nearly as much spittage gushing into the sink. I know, it's a lovely picture in your head, isn't it?
Well, I hope you have a fantastic weekend...be safe...wear sunscreen!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Last week of May
1. Last Friday I went to one of the Seattle International Film Festival movies...I've never gone to any before, and I got some free tickets from the Mountain....figured I'd check it out. I saw Nurse.Fighter.Boy. The movie was great. It was about a single mom with sickle cell. The relationship between the mother and the little boy is so well done- sometimes I feel like the relationship development is lacking in movies- in comparison to books anyway. The casting was spot on...the little boy was so perfect...kind of like that little kid in Australia. And there was a really amazing soundtrack that just fit the scenes perfectly. While I enjoyed the movie, the part of the film festival experience that was so cool, was the director was there. He just flew in, introduced the film, and then did a Q and A after. I LOVE hearing people talk about their passions...hearing him explain why he included this part or that scene, or why he left certain parts out, or where he found a particular song, and how he spent the entire month of last May in the studio editing from 8:30am-3:30am. He has that much love for what he does. That is so inspiring to me. Cool experience...I'd like to think that I'll make it out to a few more.
2. On Saturday, the Adventurers Club had their first outing. We made plans to check out the Folklife Festival. For a few reasons having to do with our mission/goal (we haven't actually discussed a mission or goal, but these are what I imagine they would be if we had), 1. It's free. The Adventurers Club strongly believes in free and cheap...finding such events is really all part of the adventure. 2. Ohhh, the people watching. Seriously, have you ever been to Folklife? It should be called a hippie holiday, or, I don't know, some other alliteration involving hippies. 3. Food samples. When thinking of Adventurers Club, I didn't initially think about food samples...but really, what activity isn't enhanced by free morsels of yummy? We could do a club meeting at Costco on the weekend and call it a successful adventure.
I always think these big festivals down at the Seattle Center sound like a good idea...and then I get there, and remember how much I HATE the ridiculous crowds. Where it takes an hour (not an exaggeration) to get from point A to point B...which usually takes 5 minutes. Willow was certain she was going to catch swine flu, due to the close quarters and gross coughers...instead she was pooped on by a bird while we sat and ate our lunch. We saw so many accordian/washboard/banjo combinations of bands huddled together on the sides of the paths. And we caught some great bagpipe music, along with some Morris dancing (for those of you who don't know, as I didn't), this is the old Shakespeare kind of dancing with bells tied around your shins or shoes. Ohhh, the Morris dancers looked like they were having a ball. It was a good time, but definitely not a place I wanted to step foot at for the rest of the weekend. And I didn't.
3. On Sunday afternoon, I picked up a couple of musician girls at the Amtrak station. They are friends of friends of friends and would be playing a show in Seattle that night, and I offered them a place to stay while they were in town. It was a fun couple of days. You know how I loooove playing tour guide and showing people how great my city is, and it certainly helped that the weather was amazing. Truly, there is nothing more beautiful than Seattle in the sunshine...I think that's why it has to rain all the time...otherwise, why would anyone live anywhere else? :) Okay, okay...enough. So the girls (Lauren Zettler and Allison Weiss...check out their music) playing at the Skylark Cafe in West Seattle. They played before this other band- Lady Danville- who were actually pretty rad. I would def recommend checking them out...they are based out of LA, and had a lot of energy, interesting instrument usage and pretty cool harmonies. And totally great people...we hung out with them for awhile after the show...headed over to Alki and did the whole bonfire on the beach, with a ukulele (of course, why not?)...one of the guys told the most ridiculous ghost story, and we went around the circle telling our high and low of the day (though we actually did it Obama-style and did our thorn and rose of the day.) On Monday, we got up, and went to breakfast out at Easy Street. The girls have been doing a daily video blog while on tour, over breakfast...so they were in need of a good breakfast locale...and Easy Street it was...and they bought hoodies and tshirts, and then saw the Cupcake Royale sign from across the street...so we wandered over there and they bought two cupcakes each...documenting the whole thing on camera...as well as purchasing the "legalize frostitution" sticker. They spent the day at the EMP and then we went to Bimbo's for dinner. Yum. After Seattle, the girls were off to Vancouver, Canada for their last show of their mini tour.
4. I got bullied out of the pool at the gym today. I'm not a stellar swimmer...don't have any form, I don't like to put my face in the water (I can't stand not being able to breathe...especially when working out!), and I am about as slow as they come...BUT, I pay for my gym membership, I follow pool rules, and I should be able to throw a little variety in my workout and swim. Well, when I got to the gym (at 10am, mind you...I figured it would be an empty pool time), there was one free lane available, so I started my workout. Then someone else came and joined the lane...so there were three of us, and they wanted to do laps in a circle...which means I get lapped...over and over because, like I said before, I am the SLOWEST swimmer on the planet. I was feeling a little pressure to not get in these serious, goggle and swim cap wearing swimmers way...finally, someone left in the lane next to me, so I hopped over there...and then another no-nonsense, speedo-wearing swimmer jumped in my lane, and proceeded to turn the lap pool into a wave pool with his crazy thrashing and splashing. I nearly drowned...in the 4 feet of water. So I got out...ten minutes short of finishing my workout. So I went home and jumped on OnDemand to do a workout video. I opted for Carmen Elektra's Striptease. Wow, even in my completely empty apartment, I was embarrassed. Fun though.
5. Seriously California...WTF? I generally don't get into political arguments because I know that there is no use trying to change someone's mind about their belief system, and it just ends up being frustrating for both parties....but I'm really sad/angry/confused that California voted down gay marriage. I honestly don't understand how that happened, or really how it is even an issue. It is such blatant discrimination...I am just so baffled by the fact that it is even an issue. How many people get divorced every year? And they want to talk about the sanctity of marriage? How about we just let people that love each other do so...good grief. Really, just thinking about it gets me so angry...read this: Rob Thomas, of Matchbox Twenty wrote about the issue and pretty much says exactly what I think about it...check out the article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-thomas/the-big-gay-chip-on-my-sh_b_208183.html
And on that uplifting note...hope you enjoy the sunshine and have a great weekend!
2. On Saturday, the Adventurers Club had their first outing. We made plans to check out the Folklife Festival. For a few reasons having to do with our mission/goal (we haven't actually discussed a mission or goal, but these are what I imagine they would be if we had), 1. It's free. The Adventurers Club strongly believes in free and cheap...finding such events is really all part of the adventure. 2. Ohhh, the people watching. Seriously, have you ever been to Folklife? It should be called a hippie holiday, or, I don't know, some other alliteration involving hippies. 3. Food samples. When thinking of Adventurers Club, I didn't initially think about food samples...but really, what activity isn't enhanced by free morsels of yummy? We could do a club meeting at Costco on the weekend and call it a successful adventure.
I always think these big festivals down at the Seattle Center sound like a good idea...and then I get there, and remember how much I HATE the ridiculous crowds. Where it takes an hour (not an exaggeration) to get from point A to point B...which usually takes 5 minutes. Willow was certain she was going to catch swine flu, due to the close quarters and gross coughers...instead she was pooped on by a bird while we sat and ate our lunch. We saw so many accordian/washboard/banjo combinations of bands huddled together on the sides of the paths. And we caught some great bagpipe music, along with some Morris dancing (for those of you who don't know, as I didn't), this is the old Shakespeare kind of dancing with bells tied around your shins or shoes. Ohhh, the Morris dancers looked like they were having a ball. It was a good time, but definitely not a place I wanted to step foot at for the rest of the weekend. And I didn't.
3. On Sunday afternoon, I picked up a couple of musician girls at the Amtrak station. They are friends of friends of friends and would be playing a show in Seattle that night, and I offered them a place to stay while they were in town. It was a fun couple of days. You know how I loooove playing tour guide and showing people how great my city is, and it certainly helped that the weather was amazing. Truly, there is nothing more beautiful than Seattle in the sunshine...I think that's why it has to rain all the time...otherwise, why would anyone live anywhere else? :) Okay, okay...enough. So the girls (Lauren Zettler and Allison Weiss...check out their music) playing at the Skylark Cafe in West Seattle. They played before this other band- Lady Danville- who were actually pretty rad. I would def recommend checking them out...they are based out of LA, and had a lot of energy, interesting instrument usage and pretty cool harmonies. And totally great people...we hung out with them for awhile after the show...headed over to Alki and did the whole bonfire on the beach, with a ukulele (of course, why not?)...one of the guys told the most ridiculous ghost story, and we went around the circle telling our high and low of the day (though we actually did it Obama-style and did our thorn and rose of the day.) On Monday, we got up, and went to breakfast out at Easy Street. The girls have been doing a daily video blog while on tour, over breakfast...so they were in need of a good breakfast locale...and Easy Street it was...and they bought hoodies and tshirts, and then saw the Cupcake Royale sign from across the street...so we wandered over there and they bought two cupcakes each...documenting the whole thing on camera...as well as purchasing the "legalize frostitution" sticker. They spent the day at the EMP and then we went to Bimbo's for dinner. Yum. After Seattle, the girls were off to Vancouver, Canada for their last show of their mini tour.
4. I got bullied out of the pool at the gym today. I'm not a stellar swimmer...don't have any form, I don't like to put my face in the water (I can't stand not being able to breathe...especially when working out!), and I am about as slow as they come...BUT, I pay for my gym membership, I follow pool rules, and I should be able to throw a little variety in my workout and swim. Well, when I got to the gym (at 10am, mind you...I figured it would be an empty pool time), there was one free lane available, so I started my workout. Then someone else came and joined the lane...so there were three of us, and they wanted to do laps in a circle...which means I get lapped...over and over because, like I said before, I am the SLOWEST swimmer on the planet. I was feeling a little pressure to not get in these serious, goggle and swim cap wearing swimmers way...finally, someone left in the lane next to me, so I hopped over there...and then another no-nonsense, speedo-wearing swimmer jumped in my lane, and proceeded to turn the lap pool into a wave pool with his crazy thrashing and splashing. I nearly drowned...in the 4 feet of water. So I got out...ten minutes short of finishing my workout. So I went home and jumped on OnDemand to do a workout video. I opted for Carmen Elektra's Striptease. Wow, even in my completely empty apartment, I was embarrassed. Fun though.
5. Seriously California...WTF? I generally don't get into political arguments because I know that there is no use trying to change someone's mind about their belief system, and it just ends up being frustrating for both parties....but I'm really sad/angry/confused that California voted down gay marriage. I honestly don't understand how that happened, or really how it is even an issue. It is such blatant discrimination...I am just so baffled by the fact that it is even an issue. How many people get divorced every year? And they want to talk about the sanctity of marriage? How about we just let people that love each other do so...good grief. Really, just thinking about it gets me so angry...read this: Rob Thomas, of Matchbox Twenty wrote about the issue and pretty much says exactly what I think about it...check out the article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-thomas/the-big-gay-chip-on-my-sh_b_208183.html
And on that uplifting note...hope you enjoy the sunshine and have a great weekend!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Memorial Day weekend? Already?!
Hey....can you believe it is summer time? How crazy that this weekend is Memorial Day weekend? This year has been zipping by...probably because I am old now. People always say as you get older the time goes by faster...and it is just flying...I guess since I am in my late twenties now(wait, no, no...I forgot, I'm only 22, nevermind)...I can tell I'm getting older because of that AND because my knee has been hurting- I'm guessing from the rain (isn't that why old people get aches and pains- the rain?). Here is your Friday Five for the week:
1. I went with Ian and the band over to Banks Lake last weekend for a Blues festival. There were definitely some funny moments on the trip (playing a drinking game in the van without drinking because we didn't have a radio, being told by the merch guy next to me that the lube they sell is the best effing stuff there is- yeah, they sold lube-, hula hooping contests, etc) But what really stuck with me from the weekend was how unbelievably beautiful our state is. I always think of Seattle-the city- as being so great...with the mountains to look at over the puget sound, but driving over to Banks Lake...seeing geology in action (that might be an oxymoron)...it was all fairly breathtaking...I'm glad I wasn't driving or we may have ended up over a cliff. On our way home, we stopped at the Grand Coulee Dam, which is just so massive and impressive (until you read about all the damage it has done to the fishing industry here, and how the native americans haven't had a first salmon ceremony since 1940.) Sad. BUT, it is the largest electric power producing facility in the US (fifth in the world).
2. I got a new bed this weekend. Well, I got the mattress and boxspring- and I guess it isn't really new- it was my little brother's. New to me. And a real bed. Not the blow up mattress that I've been using for the past couple of years. What is going on with me? I painted my room, made a work desk space and now HAVE A BED? Wowza. I'm undecided on my thoughts of the new bed though. I kind of miss the inflatable. I'm going to give it a little bit longer, but I might switch back. It isn't UNcomfortable, it just isn't that great...though I can hide my closet doors underneath, instead of keeping them propped against the living room wall. So that's useful. We'll see.
3. I went to the Mariners game on Monday. Can I just tell you, I LOVE baseball games. Like, there was definitely some skipping going on as we got closer and closer to Safeco. I haven't been to a game yet this season (don't ask me why!), and I got a last minute invite from Jen and her work peeps. Grabbed some peanuts from a crazy karate chopping, yelling man (how could I buy from anyone else?!), Amy and Jen did the hot dog thing...I just couldn't bring myself to pay $9 for a hot dog...maybe if I liked hot dogs even a little bit, I would do it for the sake of the game, but I don't like them, I don't like ketchup or mustard, and I have had my fill of unknown meat for a little while (scrapple in philly...yikes). Despite my love of the Mariners and the whole baseball experience in general, I was SEVERELY disappointed by our fans. The stadium was pretty empty. People weren't that into it. While I was already aware of our city's lame-o sports fans, especially after having lived in and experienced the awesomeness of Chicago fans, it still made me sad. My friend Amy reminded me that Seattle people are lame in other arenas as well-such as concerts...we have a reputation of being too cool to have fun at the show...people standing around with their arms crossed, looking bored, at shows that they actually are really enjoying- they just don't want to show it. Lame. C'mon Seattle...have some fun, support your teams (I miss you Sonics!), dance a little!
4. I read a really interesting article in the June edition of the Atlantic. It was talking about a long term study that has been going on, figuring out what makes a good life- what makes people happy over the long run. Dr Vaillant took a group of Harvard college students- 72 years ago, and has followed them through their life, checking in on their physical and mental health, work successes and failures, marriages and divorces, children and grandchildren...long term studies like this don't happen often- mostly because of funding. The study has found some interesting information...such as: regular excercise in your college age years predicted late life mental health more than physical health; Your cholesterol at 50 actually has nothing to do with health in old age; pessimists suffer more physically than optimists; alcohol is actually the horse, not the carriage- in general it was not the hard time that lead to the alcoholism, it was that that caused the problem in the first place- Vaillant talks a lot about the negative effects of alcohol use; and finally, when he was asked "what have you learned from this study?" he said "the only thing that really matters in life is your relationships to other people." He talks about how relationships with people matters more than intelligence or social class in succesful aging- and in particular, he found, was relationships with siblings. Interesting. Go call your brother or sister right now. The article has a ton more information (it's long), and I totally recommend reading it: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200906/happiness
5. I got a library notice yesterday that my held copy of "Perfect Fifths"- the final book in the Jessica Darling series (remember, the books I was reading while walking down the street and nearly running into people?) was waiting for me to pick up. Woohoo...I skipped (okay, I didn't skip...that's hard to do uphill) on up to the library after work today and picked it up. Yay for taking the bus to work and being able to read on the way home. I have much planned for this Memorial Day weekend, but I am sure I will find moments here and there to slip in some time with my favorite fictional snarky pal, Jessica. Can't wait...how's it all going to end?!
Hope you all have a great weekend- be safe! Until next Friday....
1. I went with Ian and the band over to Banks Lake last weekend for a Blues festival. There were definitely some funny moments on the trip (playing a drinking game in the van without drinking because we didn't have a radio, being told by the merch guy next to me that the lube they sell is the best effing stuff there is- yeah, they sold lube-, hula hooping contests, etc) But what really stuck with me from the weekend was how unbelievably beautiful our state is. I always think of Seattle-the city- as being so great...with the mountains to look at over the puget sound, but driving over to Banks Lake...seeing geology in action (that might be an oxymoron)...it was all fairly breathtaking...I'm glad I wasn't driving or we may have ended up over a cliff. On our way home, we stopped at the Grand Coulee Dam, which is just so massive and impressive (until you read about all the damage it has done to the fishing industry here, and how the native americans haven't had a first salmon ceremony since 1940.) Sad. BUT, it is the largest electric power producing facility in the US (fifth in the world).
2. I got a new bed this weekend. Well, I got the mattress and boxspring- and I guess it isn't really new- it was my little brother's. New to me. And a real bed. Not the blow up mattress that I've been using for the past couple of years. What is going on with me? I painted my room, made a work desk space and now HAVE A BED? Wowza. I'm undecided on my thoughts of the new bed though. I kind of miss the inflatable. I'm going to give it a little bit longer, but I might switch back. It isn't UNcomfortable, it just isn't that great...though I can hide my closet doors underneath, instead of keeping them propped against the living room wall. So that's useful. We'll see.
3. I went to the Mariners game on Monday. Can I just tell you, I LOVE baseball games. Like, there was definitely some skipping going on as we got closer and closer to Safeco. I haven't been to a game yet this season (don't ask me why!), and I got a last minute invite from Jen and her work peeps. Grabbed some peanuts from a crazy karate chopping, yelling man (how could I buy from anyone else?!), Amy and Jen did the hot dog thing...I just couldn't bring myself to pay $9 for a hot dog...maybe if I liked hot dogs even a little bit, I would do it for the sake of the game, but I don't like them, I don't like ketchup or mustard, and I have had my fill of unknown meat for a little while (scrapple in philly...yikes). Despite my love of the Mariners and the whole baseball experience in general, I was SEVERELY disappointed by our fans. The stadium was pretty empty. People weren't that into it. While I was already aware of our city's lame-o sports fans, especially after having lived in and experienced the awesomeness of Chicago fans, it still made me sad. My friend Amy reminded me that Seattle people are lame in other arenas as well-such as concerts...we have a reputation of being too cool to have fun at the show...people standing around with their arms crossed, looking bored, at shows that they actually are really enjoying- they just don't want to show it. Lame. C'mon Seattle...have some fun, support your teams (I miss you Sonics!), dance a little!
4. I read a really interesting article in the June edition of the Atlantic. It was talking about a long term study that has been going on, figuring out what makes a good life- what makes people happy over the long run. Dr Vaillant took a group of Harvard college students- 72 years ago, and has followed them through their life, checking in on their physical and mental health, work successes and failures, marriages and divorces, children and grandchildren...long term studies like this don't happen often- mostly because of funding. The study has found some interesting information...such as: regular excercise in your college age years predicted late life mental health more than physical health; Your cholesterol at 50 actually has nothing to do with health in old age; pessimists suffer more physically than optimists; alcohol is actually the horse, not the carriage- in general it was not the hard time that lead to the alcoholism, it was that that caused the problem in the first place- Vaillant talks a lot about the negative effects of alcohol use; and finally, when he was asked "what have you learned from this study?" he said "the only thing that really matters in life is your relationships to other people." He talks about how relationships with people matters more than intelligence or social class in succesful aging- and in particular, he found, was relationships with siblings. Interesting. Go call your brother or sister right now. The article has a ton more information (it's long), and I totally recommend reading it: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200906/happiness
5. I got a library notice yesterday that my held copy of "Perfect Fifths"- the final book in the Jessica Darling series (remember, the books I was reading while walking down the street and nearly running into people?) was waiting for me to pick up. Woohoo...I skipped (okay, I didn't skip...that's hard to do uphill) on up to the library after work today and picked it up. Yay for taking the bus to work and being able to read on the way home. I have much planned for this Memorial Day weekend, but I am sure I will find moments here and there to slip in some time with my favorite fictional snarky pal, Jessica. Can't wait...how's it all going to end?!
Hope you all have a great weekend- be safe! Until next Friday....
Friday, May 15, 2009
Friday Five back in Seattle
Happy Friday! I know I said I was going to post another blog in between Fridays to keep my trip updated, but well, I didn't. I hope you were okay with that. Here's my Friday Five:
1. I am supposed to be in Chicago right now. I have never cancelled a trip like this before. It's sort of strange. Sort of like I am in two places at once right now- Harry Potter time-travel like. It's like when you are a kid and you stay home from school, and then realize that school is still going on even if you aren't there...I feel like my Chicago trip is still going on, even though I am sitting at my Starbucks right now, getting ready to work. Man, I wish I could be in two places at once...that would be sweet. I would get so much more done...and be able to visit so many more people. Anyway...I'll be making a trip out to Chicago later this summer sometime...I wasn't giving the trip the proper attention it needed for my return to Chicago. I need to do the normal Eryn planning...Cubs game, perhaps a concert, def a few skillet cookies, etc...oh how I miss that city. In a I'm so happy to not live there anymore kind of way.
2. With my unexpected time in Seattle, due to my cancelled trip, I was hoping to be productive and get ish done. I hadn't made any plans- no babysitting, nothing. BUT, in typical me fashion, I have already filled up pretty much the entire weekend. Ugh. I mean, good, yay! I picked up a shift at my Starbucks today and then I am booking it immediately from work to my apartment where Ian and the band are picking me up for a trip out to Eastern Washington- Electric City to be exact...did you know such a city existed? for a show. We are staying overnight in said Electric City...I'm looking forward to it...though am slightly stressed about leaving so quick after work...I'm sure I will forget to do something important. I thought it was going to be this blog that I wouldn't be able to get to, but since I had to drive to work, I had to get here an hour before my shift (to be able to find a parking spot...curse you downtown parking), so here I am a-writing away.
3. I went and saw Little Ashes last night...the Harvard Exit theater was doing a free screening, so Olga and I headed over to Capitol Hill for the movie. I don't know what I was expecting...all I knew about it was it is about Salvadore Dali, that it was made fairly low budget without the intention of going to major theaters- but due to the current Robert Pattinson craze, it found its way there (the movie was made before he made Twilight, but is just coming out now). After having seen it, I can't really say that I LIKED it, but I think that is just because it was a heavier movie than I was expecting. I'm not sure why Robert was cast in the film- he has to fake the spanish accent when everyone else in the cast is much more natural, and he is very awkward- which DOES work for the Dali character, except that after being super awkward in Twilight, I feel like it is just him, and not his acting skills. The movie was a little bit slow. It dealt with the Spain during Franco's time and how people that were part of the resistence were just taken out to fields and killed in mass numbers...which is just really hard to think about. I know it isn't a new concept in our world, it has happened numerous times in history (and still is), but more than the actual killing, it just really upsets me how these people are killed so anonymously, just one person in such a huge number. How easy it is to forget that each and every one of those people had friends and families that loved them...they weren't just a number, they were real. This movie really showed that. I do think I recommend it...I also recommend reading Ghosts of Spain- it's a book I read while I was living in Barcelona that talked about all the stuff that went on during the Franco time. Crazy.
4. On a lighter note, a friend at Starbucks and I have been talking about going out and hiking and doing outdoor Pacific Northwest type stuff, and then how there are so many Seattle things that, as residents, we just don't do. So we decided we should make regular excursions...and then took a step farther and decided we needed to create a club. Yup, nerd alert. So we are going to try to get in the first meeting of our adventurers club this weekend. I'm pretty sure we will have a secret handshake, secret code words and a song by next week. Maybe even matching sashes. I don't know. I am excited about having an excuse to plan adventures...keep things interesting...be prepared for Seattle visitors...that kind of thing. Another thing I really want to find, and I don't know if it is going to be with this group or not, but I am just going to throw it out there in case any of you readers are interested- I really want to start playing a sport again...I'm getting so bored with running. I miss playing team sports...but I'm just not that into drunk kickball-which is the only team sport I know people who participate in. So, if you have a team and are in need of a player, or if you have been hoping to get involved in something...lemme know! I really want to!
5. And finally, a recap of the east coast trip. On Saturday Luke and I ran some errands while Jessica was at work, and then made the ever-important stop at TWIST, again. Oh man, do I miss twist! Jessica and I talked yesterday and she said they got a new wild blueberry flavor yogurt...mmmm. Sunday Jessica and I went to yoga at her store (she works at Lululemon) and got coffee and hung out. Then we grabbed Luke and all headed out to an lovely outdoor sculpture park. The sun decided to finally make an appearance for my visit (thanks sun). It was really nice to just wander through the trees and chat and enjoy art. It was a really pretty place...very picturesque (we did, in fact, get some pics...but I can't find my camera cord to take them off my camera...argh). Then I headed back into Philly for a last visit with my Philly pal, since I was flying out of Philadelphia Monday afternoon. I experienced the friendliest Starbucks EVER there, in Dave's little neighborhood. And he took me to his favorite little diner, Bob's...which was adorable...and then forced me to eat scrapple, without telling me what it was. I knew it was something gross, but I couldn't remember exactly what...so I tasted it and then was informed that it is basically all the scraps of the unwanted parts of animals mushed together in a loaf, held together with some cornmeal, and then cut into slices and fried. Yeah. And the Philadelphians can't get enough of it.
Alright...I have about 15 min til work, so I am going to sign off here...have a great weekend.
1. I am supposed to be in Chicago right now. I have never cancelled a trip like this before. It's sort of strange. Sort of like I am in two places at once right now- Harry Potter time-travel like. It's like when you are a kid and you stay home from school, and then realize that school is still going on even if you aren't there...I feel like my Chicago trip is still going on, even though I am sitting at my Starbucks right now, getting ready to work. Man, I wish I could be in two places at once...that would be sweet. I would get so much more done...and be able to visit so many more people. Anyway...I'll be making a trip out to Chicago later this summer sometime...I wasn't giving the trip the proper attention it needed for my return to Chicago. I need to do the normal Eryn planning...Cubs game, perhaps a concert, def a few skillet cookies, etc...oh how I miss that city. In a I'm so happy to not live there anymore kind of way.
2. With my unexpected time in Seattle, due to my cancelled trip, I was hoping to be productive and get ish done. I hadn't made any plans- no babysitting, nothing. BUT, in typical me fashion, I have already filled up pretty much the entire weekend. Ugh. I mean, good, yay! I picked up a shift at my Starbucks today and then I am booking it immediately from work to my apartment where Ian and the band are picking me up for a trip out to Eastern Washington- Electric City to be exact...did you know such a city existed? for a show. We are staying overnight in said Electric City...I'm looking forward to it...though am slightly stressed about leaving so quick after work...I'm sure I will forget to do something important. I thought it was going to be this blog that I wouldn't be able to get to, but since I had to drive to work, I had to get here an hour before my shift (to be able to find a parking spot...curse you downtown parking), so here I am a-writing away.
3. I went and saw Little Ashes last night...the Harvard Exit theater was doing a free screening, so Olga and I headed over to Capitol Hill for the movie. I don't know what I was expecting...all I knew about it was it is about Salvadore Dali, that it was made fairly low budget without the intention of going to major theaters- but due to the current Robert Pattinson craze, it found its way there (the movie was made before he made Twilight, but is just coming out now). After having seen it, I can't really say that I LIKED it, but I think that is just because it was a heavier movie than I was expecting. I'm not sure why Robert was cast in the film- he has to fake the spanish accent when everyone else in the cast is much more natural, and he is very awkward- which DOES work for the Dali character, except that after being super awkward in Twilight, I feel like it is just him, and not his acting skills. The movie was a little bit slow. It dealt with the Spain during Franco's time and how people that were part of the resistence were just taken out to fields and killed in mass numbers...which is just really hard to think about. I know it isn't a new concept in our world, it has happened numerous times in history (and still is), but more than the actual killing, it just really upsets me how these people are killed so anonymously, just one person in such a huge number. How easy it is to forget that each and every one of those people had friends and families that loved them...they weren't just a number, they were real. This movie really showed that. I do think I recommend it...I also recommend reading Ghosts of Spain- it's a book I read while I was living in Barcelona that talked about all the stuff that went on during the Franco time. Crazy.
4. On a lighter note, a friend at Starbucks and I have been talking about going out and hiking and doing outdoor Pacific Northwest type stuff, and then how there are so many Seattle things that, as residents, we just don't do. So we decided we should make regular excursions...and then took a step farther and decided we needed to create a club. Yup, nerd alert. So we are going to try to get in the first meeting of our adventurers club this weekend. I'm pretty sure we will have a secret handshake, secret code words and a song by next week. Maybe even matching sashes. I don't know. I am excited about having an excuse to plan adventures...keep things interesting...be prepared for Seattle visitors...that kind of thing. Another thing I really want to find, and I don't know if it is going to be with this group or not, but I am just going to throw it out there in case any of you readers are interested- I really want to start playing a sport again...I'm getting so bored with running. I miss playing team sports...but I'm just not that into drunk kickball-which is the only team sport I know people who participate in. So, if you have a team and are in need of a player, or if you have been hoping to get involved in something...lemme know! I really want to!
5. And finally, a recap of the east coast trip. On Saturday Luke and I ran some errands while Jessica was at work, and then made the ever-important stop at TWIST, again. Oh man, do I miss twist! Jessica and I talked yesterday and she said they got a new wild blueberry flavor yogurt...mmmm. Sunday Jessica and I went to yoga at her store (she works at Lululemon) and got coffee and hung out. Then we grabbed Luke and all headed out to an lovely outdoor sculpture park. The sun decided to finally make an appearance for my visit (thanks sun). It was really nice to just wander through the trees and chat and enjoy art. It was a really pretty place...very picturesque (we did, in fact, get some pics...but I can't find my camera cord to take them off my camera...argh). Then I headed back into Philly for a last visit with my Philly pal, since I was flying out of Philadelphia Monday afternoon. I experienced the friendliest Starbucks EVER there, in Dave's little neighborhood. And he took me to his favorite little diner, Bob's...which was adorable...and then forced me to eat scrapple, without telling me what it was. I knew it was something gross, but I couldn't remember exactly what...so I tasted it and then was informed that it is basically all the scraps of the unwanted parts of animals mushed together in a loaf, held together with some cornmeal, and then cut into slices and fried. Yeah. And the Philadelphians can't get enough of it.
Alright...I have about 15 min til work, so I am going to sign off here...have a great weekend.
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