There have been several things that I've wanted to post about during the week, but I was spent from my gigantor travel blog. I didn't expect it to become the monstrosity that it was.
So, I'll catch up with a Week in Review.
Monday
iTunes had a 4 track + video She Wants Revenge live album and since I really like the band, I purchased it. Let me just say, save your $4.99 and go buy lunch at Taco Bell. It's not that the music was bad, it was just identical to the studio version. It was recorded live someplace in LA, but it didn't have any of the live feel, no sounds of the crowd, no "You rock, LA," none of that. Great band, but if you already have these songs, there is no need to get this.
Tuesday
The kids are on spring break, so I stopped work early to go with my family to the DoubleTake exhibit at the Experience Music Project. I always enjoy going to art museums and have gone to several with the kids. The art work is from the personal collection of Paul Allen and the art is paired (or grouped) in a way that asks the viewer to compare and contrast the artwork. It was a really neat exhibit and made you think about different works of art.
This also was the first exhibit that I've been to with an audio commentary. At times, I wasn't sure what I thought of it. Basically, in the exhibition room, there were all these people with a thingy stuck to their ear and hardly any whispered discussions of the art. In the end, I think it was nice, because there were so many different pieces of art that the commentary helped bring focus and attention to the things to compare and contrast.
Afterwards, we ate at a nice Vietnamese restaurant, Huong Bihn, in the International District in Seattle. It was really good. I think it was the first Vietnamese place I've been too.
Thursday
Google Calendar was released. I've been waiting for this for a while. I am a huge fan of the company Google. They make some of the greatest most flexible tools available. I imported my Outlook Calendar into it and have been using it side-by-side (because sync'ing isn't available yet).
Heather has wanted to be able to see my calendar and now we've got a good tool to do that. I also created a calendar for each of the kids to better keep track of their boatload of events.
I totally recommend Google Desktop Search, Gmail, Google Earth, Google via SMS and Google Calendar. Heck, Blogger is even a Google tool. Leave me a comment if you'd like me to share my calendar with you.
Friday
The end of the week is here. We got a lot of work done, but at the same time it was a frustrating week. I tire very quickly of people who are out of the loop and don't follow their own project's progress and then say how they are going to run to various Executive VPs because their isn't enough capacity when they change the scope of the project at the last minute.
Today was a rough day because Heather wasn't feeling well and Chase threw up more times that I can remember during the day. Three times in our bed. Not in a bowl on our bed, but on the bed itself. Sucks.
The day ended on a high note, when Alec went out to get the mail. The first issues of Maxim, Stuff and Blender that Heather got for me. Woo-hoo! It's gonna be a fine weekend!
Friday, April 14, 2006
Monday, April 10, 2006
Sunday in Vancouver
Forecast: I don’t know, but it is raining.
Everybody woke up this morning around 8:30, which was surprising considering how late the kids stayed up. I went across the way to Starbucks again (can you figure out my morning routine while traveling?) and then we had a lazy morning in the hotel room, getting ready to go out.
We checked out of the hotel at about 11:30 pm (only 30 minutes before the check out time) and headed to Dim Sum. Heather found what was reviewed as the Best Dim Sum place in Vancouver, but it was also not in a very good neighborhood. Several of the reviewers made comments about their car getting broken into. Luckily, but not for us, this restaurant had a parking garage. Not for us, because our Expedition is 6' 5-3/4" tall and the garage was listed as 6' 6". We found some street parking, after driving around the block a few times.
The Dim Sum was good, though there were more fried entrees than steamed entrees. It was really good, but we didn't get as many steamed dishes as we wanted.
The rain stopped before we left Dim Sum and headed to Gastown to check out a dinosaur
exhibit and a live history of British Columbia, BC Live. Both exhibits were interesting and it was funny how they portrayed the Americans (both gold rush miners -drunken - and the president - buffoon) and the Queen of England (ditzy). It was humorous and informative on the history of BC.
I fed the meter a few times so that we could check out the sights in Gas Town. For the first time in a long time, I was hit up by panhandlers and some dude lit up a spliff while walking down the street. Gas Town is home to a Steam powered clock, which is kind of interesting. Gas Town is also
home to many tourist shops. I had been quite pleased with us not buying any touristy crap, but that was shot down in the streets of Gas Town. I think we stopped at three tourist trap stores and bought stuff. It was good to try (note the use of try) to use up our Canadian dollars (I think I've got $12 CA in my pocket now and only $2 US - what is up with that?).
It was about 4:30 when we finally left Gas Town and decided we would do one last thing in Vancouver - eat - before we headed home. Heather found a really cool restaurant, Feenies, whose chef was an Iron Chef winner. I'll start by saying that it was a very cool restaurant and worthy of it's own separate posting (especially if I blogged about the Stanwood Grill).
Feenies was a hip and trendy bistro. All the staff was young and cool and there was a birthday party party for a bunch of 20 or 30 somethings. The decor was colorful and modern and the wine rack built into the wall had a clear glass back, so you could see through from the bar to the dining room. It must be a popular place, we walked in at about 4:50 and they had to check their reservations pretty hard to be able to squeeze us into a restuarant that had only one other party in it. We were told we could have the table until 6:30 - we took the table knowing we weren't going to be that long.
Prior to 5:30, they still serve from the afternoon menu. They are pretty adamant about it, there was another party, who got there about 5:10 and really wanted to be served from the dinner menu. They ultimately stalled until 5:30.
The food was excellent. Heather had a red and gold beet salad with lobster. It was really, really good. I didn't know that she was such a fan of beets - I'll have to make them more often. I had cured salmon with pickled shallots, creme fraiche and brioche. It was really good. We were warned when we ordered that they were appetizer sized (remember the Byte Bar and Cafe, Erik?), but we ordered anyway, knowing we had a long drive in front of us. The kids had a sausage dog and a nice angus burger.
This place (and probably its big sister), Lumiere, are places to visit again. If I end up in Vancouver again or pass through, I'm stopping there. Five stars. Two thumbs up. Little man jumping out of his chair. Totally bad ass restaurant. Eat here.
We headed out of Vancouver about 6 pm and headed home. The drive south was uneventful. We had about a 15 minute wait at the border. All my documents (recall, I had birth certificates for all, Heather's passport and my expired official passport) were in an envelope ready to hand to the border guard. We got up to the crossing and she extended her rubber gloved hand and asked for ids. I handed her the envelope and she pulled back her hand like I was giving her a poisonous snake. She wanted them out of the envelope, with which I complied.
She wanted to know where we went, if we were all US citizens and where we lived. Easy questions. She asked if we bought anything in Canada. Duh, of course we did. "Touristy souvenirs," I said.
"Any alcohol, tobacco, tylenol or codeine?"
I stalled out there. Heather had some flu-like symptons and I bought Sudafed - the wrong stuff for her symptoms - at the Safeway across the street. "I bought Sudafed."
It seemed like she was thinking for a while, making me sweat it out. "Your okay," and handed back my packet of ids.
We made it back!
About 9:00 we got back into our neck of the woods and decided to stop for dessert at Claim Jumpers in Redmond. I've never been to a Claim Jumpers before, but I had been told that the food and desserts were "good and huge portions." Our service sucked - we waited a long time to be asked what we wanted, when the waiter got to us, he was all excited that he had an easy dessert only table. Chase, Parker and I got our desserts so long before Heather and Alec got theirs, that the kids were able to eat half of their brownie. When Alec's ice cream pie finally came, it was half melted and the waiter said something about losing Heathers pie, so they upsized hers to the larger on. Except, they only offered one size.
My carrot cake and Heather's deep dish apple pie were disappointing. The apples had no flavor and the carrot cake was bland and so-so. The kids brownie was really good, though. And even better on Monday night.
Claim Jumper's did not impress me. I probably won't go back.
About 10:20 pm we got home. Overall, it was a great vacation and enjoyable. I saw lots of MINI Coopers, people watching was great, the break from work was needed and we had fun. I posted a bunch of pictures on my flickr account (I actually used up my free uploading space this month - I might have to upgrade), so check them out, too.
I hope you enjoyed this travel blog - it turned out to be much longer than I intended!
Everybody woke up this morning around 8:30, which was surprising considering how late the kids stayed up. I went across the way to Starbucks again (can you figure out my morning routine while traveling?) and then we had a lazy morning in the hotel room, getting ready to go out.
We checked out of the hotel at about 11:30 pm (only 30 minutes before the check out time) and headed to Dim Sum. Heather found what was reviewed as the Best Dim Sum place in Vancouver, but it was also not in a very good neighborhood. Several of the reviewers made comments about their car getting broken into. Luckily, but not for us, this restaurant had a parking garage. Not for us, because our Expedition is 6' 5-3/4" tall and the garage was listed as 6' 6". We found some street parking, after driving around the block a few times.
The Dim Sum was good, though there were more fried entrees than steamed entrees. It was really good, but we didn't get as many steamed dishes as we wanted.
The rain stopped before we left Dim Sum and headed to Gastown to check out a dinosaur
exhibit and a live history of British Columbia, BC Live. Both exhibits were interesting and it was funny how they portrayed the Americans (both gold rush miners -drunken - and the president - buffoon) and the Queen of England (ditzy). It was humorous and informative on the history of BC.I fed the meter a few times so that we could check out the sights in Gas Town. For the first time in a long time, I was hit up by panhandlers and some dude lit up a spliff while walking down the street. Gas Town is home to a Steam powered clock, which is kind of interesting. Gas Town is also
home to many tourist shops. I had been quite pleased with us not buying any touristy crap, but that was shot down in the streets of Gas Town. I think we stopped at three tourist trap stores and bought stuff. It was good to try (note the use of try) to use up our Canadian dollars (I think I've got $12 CA in my pocket now and only $2 US - what is up with that?).It was about 4:30 when we finally left Gas Town and decided we would do one last thing in Vancouver - eat - before we headed home. Heather found a really cool restaurant, Feenies, whose chef was an Iron Chef winner. I'll start by saying that it was a very cool restaurant and worthy of it's own separate posting (especially if I blogged about the Stanwood Grill).
Feenies was a hip and trendy bistro. All the staff was young and cool and there was a birthday party party for a bunch of 20 or 30 somethings. The decor was colorful and modern and the wine rack built into the wall had a clear glass back, so you could see through from the bar to the dining room. It must be a popular place, we walked in at about 4:50 and they had to check their reservations pretty hard to be able to squeeze us into a restuarant that had only one other party in it. We were told we could have the table until 6:30 - we took the table knowing we weren't going to be that long.
Prior to 5:30, they still serve from the afternoon menu. They are pretty adamant about it, there was another party, who got there about 5:10 and really wanted to be served from the dinner menu. They ultimately stalled until 5:30.
The food was excellent. Heather had a red and gold beet salad with lobster. It was really, really good. I didn't know that she was such a fan of beets - I'll have to make them more often. I had cured salmon with pickled shallots, creme fraiche and brioche. It was really good. We were warned when we ordered that they were appetizer sized (remember the Byte Bar and Cafe, Erik?), but we ordered anyway, knowing we had a long drive in front of us. The kids had a sausage dog and a nice angus burger.
This place (and probably its big sister), Lumiere, are places to visit again. If I end up in Vancouver again or pass through, I'm stopping there. Five stars. Two thumbs up. Little man jumping out of his chair. Totally bad ass restaurant. Eat here.
We headed out of Vancouver about 6 pm and headed home. The drive south was uneventful. We had about a 15 minute wait at the border. All my documents (recall, I had birth certificates for all, Heather's passport and my expired official passport) were in an envelope ready to hand to the border guard. We got up to the crossing and she extended her rubber gloved hand and asked for ids. I handed her the envelope and she pulled back her hand like I was giving her a poisonous snake. She wanted them out of the envelope, with which I complied.
She wanted to know where we went, if we were all US citizens and where we lived. Easy questions. She asked if we bought anything in Canada. Duh, of course we did. "Touristy souvenirs," I said.
"Any alcohol, tobacco, tylenol or codeine?"
I stalled out there. Heather had some flu-like symptons and I bought Sudafed - the wrong stuff for her symptoms - at the Safeway across the street. "I bought Sudafed."
It seemed like she was thinking for a while, making me sweat it out. "Your okay," and handed back my packet of ids.
We made it back!
About 9:00 we got back into our neck of the woods and decided to stop for dessert at Claim Jumpers in Redmond. I've never been to a Claim Jumpers before, but I had been told that the food and desserts were "good and huge portions." Our service sucked - we waited a long time to be asked what we wanted, when the waiter got to us, he was all excited that he had an easy dessert only table. Chase, Parker and I got our desserts so long before Heather and Alec got theirs, that the kids were able to eat half of their brownie. When Alec's ice cream pie finally came, it was half melted and the waiter said something about losing Heathers pie, so they upsized hers to the larger on. Except, they only offered one size.
My carrot cake and Heather's deep dish apple pie were disappointing. The apples had no flavor and the carrot cake was bland and so-so. The kids brownie was really good, though. And even better on Monday night.
Claim Jumper's did not impress me. I probably won't go back.
About 10:20 pm we got home. Overall, it was a great vacation and enjoyable. I saw lots of MINI Coopers, people watching was great, the break from work was needed and we had fun. I posted a bunch of pictures on my flickr account (I actually used up my free uploading space this month - I might have to upgrade), so check them out, too.
I hope you enjoyed this travel blog - it turned out to be much longer than I intended!
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Saturday in Vancouver
Today's Forecast:
High 55
Low 42
Precipitation: 90%
Saturday started off being a mostly cloudy but nice day. While Heather and the kids were getting dressed, Alec and I headed across the street to one of the local Starbucks to bring back coffee (I won’t drink hotel room coffee). I paid cash, and when I exclaimed, “Oh, cool. The two dollar coin,” I probably displayed some of my tourist-ness.
We headed out a little before 10 am (we are on vacation) and went to Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe for Breakfast.
We easily found parking a block away, used my $2 coin to pay for parking and walked up the street to the restaurant. There were people clustering in and out the door, so we felt okay about where we were.
It turns out that they don’t take names, but just form a line. The girl at the door told us it would be about 15 minutes for my (home) Party of Five. We hung out on the sidewalk waiting our turn; smaller parties were seated quickly. About 10 minutes into our wait, another party with five people in it came. As our kids would range on the sidewalk, when the ?manager? came out, he looked at the other group and asked them if they were the group of five that was next. We spoke up that it was actually us and were seated shortly there after. I’m not so sure about this line thing instead of names.
Sophie’s is a funky little breakfast spot with an outdoor patio. The walls are covered with old records, baseball pennants, metal lunchboxes and toys. It as the typical breakfast menu of eggs, pancakes, waffles, eggs benedict (my choice), but no kids menu. It was recommended as a good place to take kids, but I think that was due to the funky décor. They did give us crayons to color with, though.
Heather ordered French Toast, Parker and Chase, waffles, Alec, Kit’s breakfast with bacon, eggs and two pancakes and I got Eggs Benedict. The food came quickly but wasn’t notable. The sausage that came with Heather’s French Toast was a very fine grind and had a different flavor. Neither of us found it very pleasant.
Overall Review: Sophie’s is a funky breakfast spot, popular with the locals, but the food isn’t so great. Eat there for the funky décor, but that is about it.
After breakfast we drove to Stanley Park – kind of like the Golden Gate Park of Vancouver. It was a nice park, lots of people biking, running and roller blading. We didn’t stop and drove through the park. People in Vancouver seem pretty fit and fashionable.
You could see across the water to the shipping docks in North Vancouver. There were brilliant colored piles of sulfer and shipping containers. We didn’t stop, so I didn’t get any photographs, with the exception the one I took while driving.
From the park, we headed to Granville Island,
basically a giant public market. We wandered through there, ate a snack and I was able to take lots of photos of the foods on display. Every time we’d walk through the vegetable markets, I’d get waylaid by the colorful displays.
Parking was free, albeit harder to find.
We took a roundtrip on an aquabus. These cute little boats take people all over False Creek. It is a pretty neat little public transit system.
Overall Review: The market was just another public market – lots of stuff to buy but nothing unique. It was great for people watching, a bite to eat and photography. The aquabus was a neat way to see the waterfront and not too expensive. The micro tour was worth it.
We went to the Capilano Suspension bridge after that. We didn’t have any coin of the realm left, so Heather went to try to get change. Parking would have cost us $3 CA, but I found a parking receipt with time still left on it, so parking was free there too! Admission was steep and as I charged $60 CA, I was asking myself what exactly am I paying for?
Sixty bucks to walk across a gorge on a suspension bridge? I’m cheap, so I wasn’t so thrilled. The park ended up being pretty nice and very well done. There were boardwalk trails through out the park, photo spots and all kinds of catwalks and suspension bridges through the trees. There were very nice displays of the history in the area. 
Heather doesn’t do well with heights and especially heights near our kids, but she did well with them.
Overall Review: Expensive, but worth it. Nicely done park and display of history.
We left the park at about 5:45 or so and decided to head to Shannon Falls in Squamish. A quick check on the GPS showed that sunset was around 6:58 pm, so we’d be able to get there before dark. The drive to the park was on the Sea to Sky Highway. It has an incredible view of the sound and the mountains and the road was very curvy. It made me miss my MINI. It would be fun for a long, international rally.
We drove in about 6:30 and the park closed (the sign said they locked the gate) at 7 pm. Heather checked the map and saw that the falls were pretty close to the parking area, so we decided that we would stay. Again, we had to pay for parking, but this time it was only $1 CA for an hours parking. You’ve got to pay for parking everywhere here!
The falls were very scenic and I was able to get photos before the sunset. I didn’t see how high the falls were, but I’d guess that they were in same area as some of the falls in Yosemite. This particular park had lots of trails too for day hiking.
Overall Review: Pretty nice place. Cheaper parking and it seems like a great place for a day hike.
It was just before 7 as we left Shannon Falls and decided that we needed to look for someplace for dinner. The navigation system showed that the Howe Sound Brewery was pretty close. That was the choice for dinner.
As we drove through the little town, towards the sound, we drove past lots of closed restaurants. There was hardly anybody out and we got worried that the brewery might have been closed. The Brewery is also home to a nice hotel. The pub was off limits to people under the age of 19, so we headed into the restaurant to eat. It was nicely decorated and the menu looked pretty nice.
We were seated and very promptly the kids were brought plates of vegetables – pretty nice thing for them – and a packet of things to color. Points for being kid friendly.
Heather ordered the warm seafood salad from the specials and iced tea and I ordered a Santa Fe Chicken sandwich with a side of ale and cheddar soup and ale. At the last minute, we added an appetizer of yammer jammers, yam french fries. They were probably the best part of the meal.
Heather didn’t really like her salad, some of the shrimp were canned and her iced tea was a fruity tea, which she doesn’t like at all. We ended up trading beverages, so I got to drive the curvy road back (which is enjoyable). My sandwich was bland – pretty far from Santa Fe, I should have guessed and my soup was forgotten.
Overall Review: The food wasn’t worth the trip from Vancouver, though the scenic views of the mountains around the sound make up for it. The food was surprisingly inexpensive.
As we left the restaurant, it started to rain (remember the forecast), and it rained all the way back to the hotel. We got back at about 9:30 and got ready for bed. Heather and the kids watched TV until it was quite late and I read some. I ended up forgetting to take out my contacts and when I did, I dropped one (but I didn’t realize it until the next morning).
High 55
Low 42
Precipitation: 90%
Saturday started off being a mostly cloudy but nice day. While Heather and the kids were getting dressed, Alec and I headed across the street to one of the local Starbucks to bring back coffee (I won’t drink hotel room coffee). I paid cash, and when I exclaimed, “Oh, cool. The two dollar coin,” I probably displayed some of my tourist-ness.
We headed out a little before 10 am (we are on vacation) and went to Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe for Breakfast.
We easily found parking a block away, used my $2 coin to pay for parking and walked up the street to the restaurant. There were people clustering in and out the door, so we felt okay about where we were.It turns out that they don’t take names, but just form a line. The girl at the door told us it would be about 15 minutes for my (home) Party of Five. We hung out on the sidewalk waiting our turn; smaller parties were seated quickly. About 10 minutes into our wait, another party with five people in it came. As our kids would range on the sidewalk, when the ?manager? came out, he looked at the other group and asked them if they were the group of five that was next. We spoke up that it was actually us and were seated shortly there after. I’m not so sure about this line thing instead of names.
Sophie’s is a funky little breakfast spot with an outdoor patio. The walls are covered with old records, baseball pennants, metal lunchboxes and toys. It as the typical breakfast menu of eggs, pancakes, waffles, eggs benedict (my choice), but no kids menu. It was recommended as a good place to take kids, but I think that was due to the funky décor. They did give us crayons to color with, though.
Heather ordered French Toast, Parker and Chase, waffles, Alec, Kit’s breakfast with bacon, eggs and two pancakes and I got Eggs Benedict. The food came quickly but wasn’t notable. The sausage that came with Heather’s French Toast was a very fine grind and had a different flavor. Neither of us found it very pleasant.
Overall Review: Sophie’s is a funky breakfast spot, popular with the locals, but the food isn’t so great. Eat there for the funky décor, but that is about it.
After breakfast we drove to Stanley Park – kind of like the Golden Gate Park of Vancouver. It was a nice park, lots of people biking, running and roller blading. We didn’t stop and drove through the park. People in Vancouver seem pretty fit and fashionable.
You could see across the water to the shipping docks in North Vancouver. There were brilliant colored piles of sulfer and shipping containers. We didn’t stop, so I didn’t get any photographs, with the exception the one I took while driving.
From the park, we headed to Granville Island,
basically a giant public market. We wandered through there, ate a snack and I was able to take lots of photos of the foods on display. Every time we’d walk through the vegetable markets, I’d get waylaid by the colorful displays.Parking was free, albeit harder to find.
We took a roundtrip on an aquabus. These cute little boats take people all over False Creek. It is a pretty neat little public transit system.
Overall Review: The market was just another public market – lots of stuff to buy but nothing unique. It was great for people watching, a bite to eat and photography. The aquabus was a neat way to see the waterfront and not too expensive. The micro tour was worth it.
We went to the Capilano Suspension bridge after that. We didn’t have any coin of the realm left, so Heather went to try to get change. Parking would have cost us $3 CA, but I found a parking receipt with time still left on it, so parking was free there too! Admission was steep and as I charged $60 CA, I was asking myself what exactly am I paying for?
Sixty bucks to walk across a gorge on a suspension bridge? I’m cheap, so I wasn’t so thrilled. The park ended up being pretty nice and very well done. There were boardwalk trails through out the park, photo spots and all kinds of catwalks and suspension bridges through the trees. There were very nice displays of the history in the area. 
Heather doesn’t do well with heights and especially heights near our kids, but she did well with them.Overall Review: Expensive, but worth it. Nicely done park and display of history.
We left the park at about 5:45 or so and decided to head to Shannon Falls in Squamish. A quick check on the GPS showed that sunset was around 6:58 pm, so we’d be able to get there before dark. The drive to the park was on the Sea to Sky Highway. It has an incredible view of the sound and the mountains and the road was very curvy. It made me miss my MINI. It would be fun for a long, international rally.
We drove in about 6:30 and the park closed (the sign said they locked the gate) at 7 pm. Heather checked the map and saw that the falls were pretty close to the parking area, so we decided that we would stay. Again, we had to pay for parking, but this time it was only $1 CA for an hours parking. You’ve got to pay for parking everywhere here!
The falls were very scenic and I was able to get photos before the sunset. I didn’t see how high the falls were, but I’d guess that they were in same area as some of the falls in Yosemite. This particular park had lots of trails too for day hiking.
Overall Review: Pretty nice place. Cheaper parking and it seems like a great place for a day hike.
It was just before 7 as we left Shannon Falls and decided that we needed to look for someplace for dinner. The navigation system showed that the Howe Sound Brewery was pretty close. That was the choice for dinner.
As we drove through the little town, towards the sound, we drove past lots of closed restaurants. There was hardly anybody out and we got worried that the brewery might have been closed. The Brewery is also home to a nice hotel. The pub was off limits to people under the age of 19, so we headed into the restaurant to eat. It was nicely decorated and the menu looked pretty nice.
We were seated and very promptly the kids were brought plates of vegetables – pretty nice thing for them – and a packet of things to color. Points for being kid friendly.
Heather ordered the warm seafood salad from the specials and iced tea and I ordered a Santa Fe Chicken sandwich with a side of ale and cheddar soup and ale. At the last minute, we added an appetizer of yammer jammers, yam french fries. They were probably the best part of the meal.
Heather didn’t really like her salad, some of the shrimp were canned and her iced tea was a fruity tea, which she doesn’t like at all. We ended up trading beverages, so I got to drive the curvy road back (which is enjoyable). My sandwich was bland – pretty far from Santa Fe, I should have guessed and my soup was forgotten.
Overall Review: The food wasn’t worth the trip from Vancouver, though the scenic views of the mountains around the sound make up for it. The food was surprisingly inexpensive.
As we left the restaurant, it started to rain (remember the forecast), and it rained all the way back to the hotel. We got back at about 9:30 and got ready for bed. Heather and the kids watched TV until it was quite late and I read some. I ended up forgetting to take out my contacts and when I did, I dropped one (but I didn’t realize it until the next morning).
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Crossing the Border
The drive was uneventful until we got to the border where traffic piled up a bit more. We lucked out and the border guards opened a new lane, which we were the first ones into. We pulled up and the guard asked us a few questions:
“How many people are in the car?”
“Five.”
“Where are you from?”
“Washington.”
“May I see id for everyone in the car?”
I handed him a packet of birth certificates, Heather’s passport and my expired official passport.
“Why do you have an official passport?”
“I was in the military.”
“Past tense?”
“Yes.”
“Where are you going?”
‘Vancouver.”
“What’s in Vancouver for you?”
“We are going for the weekend.”
“Do you have anything that could be dropped off in Vancouver?”
I’m thinking to myself, I’ve got kids, they could lose their own heads if they weren’t permanently attached.
“No.” Ohh, living dangerously.
“Enjoy your weekend.”
He sent us on to our way in to Canada.
Heather said that this crossing was much more serious and had a lot more questions than when she drove to Alaska.
The border crossing on I-5 (Canada 99) leaves you in Surrey, one of the communities around Vancouver. The roads to Vancouver all take you through city streets, through neighborhoods.
With all the darkness, it doesn’t really seem like there is a city in front of you. As we found out, there are also a series of hills that hide Vancouver from you. We passed under the river and the city was before us – we could see some tall buildings finally.
We drove into Vancouver and drove past a Dollar store. Heather commented that is was such a great deal – really it is like an 89 cent store (there’s that joke again, but this time from Heather).
We found our hotel and checked in. It’s a nice hotel, clean and well apportioned. Priceline calls it a 3 star, it is a fine hotel, nothing special to it. We have to pay extra for parking in their garage (6’ 9” tall, funny not 2.07 m tall) and our Expedition just fits in.
It was about 9:45 when we got in our room and promptly went to bed.
“How many people are in the car?”
“Five.”
“Where are you from?”
“Washington.”
“May I see id for everyone in the car?”
I handed him a packet of birth certificates, Heather’s passport and my expired official passport.
“Why do you have an official passport?”
“I was in the military.”
“Past tense?”
“Yes.”
“Where are you going?”
‘Vancouver.”
“What’s in Vancouver for you?”
“We are going for the weekend.”
“Do you have anything that could be dropped off in Vancouver?”
I’m thinking to myself, I’ve got kids, they could lose their own heads if they weren’t permanently attached.
“No.” Ohh, living dangerously.
“Enjoy your weekend.”
He sent us on to our way in to Canada.
Heather said that this crossing was much more serious and had a lot more questions than when she drove to Alaska.
The border crossing on I-5 (Canada 99) leaves you in Surrey, one of the communities around Vancouver. The roads to Vancouver all take you through city streets, through neighborhoods.
With all the darkness, it doesn’t really seem like there is a city in front of you. As we found out, there are also a series of hills that hide Vancouver from you. We passed under the river and the city was before us – we could see some tall buildings finally.
We drove into Vancouver and drove past a Dollar store. Heather commented that is was such a great deal – really it is like an 89 cent store (there’s that joke again, but this time from Heather).
We found our hotel and checked in. It’s a nice hotel, clean and well apportioned. Priceline calls it a 3 star, it is a fine hotel, nothing special to it. We have to pay extra for parking in their garage (6’ 9” tall, funny not 2.07 m tall) and our Expedition just fits in.
It was about 9:45 when we got in our room and promptly went to bed.
The Stanwood Grill
The Stanwood Grill is in (you guessed it) Stanwood. While we were on the freeway, the Nav System said it was only 4 miles away, but once we got directions it was more like 7 miles. Lesson Learned: Navigation system gives locations in straight line distance and directions in road distance. We stuck it out and drove to Stanwood.
Along the way, we saw several old barns. If the lighting had been better, I would have stopped to take pictures, as I really like old barns.
Downtown Stanwood is cute and we quickly found parking, although the Stanwood Grill looked like it was a pretty big draw for the Stanwood-ians. We were quickly seated, the kids got kid’s menus and crayons (Alec got both a real menu and the kid’s menu!) and started checking things out.
The Grill had several steaks, chicken and some shrimp dishes and a few pasta dishes. I was torn between the Smoked Salmon Penne and the special Sweet Chili Grilled Prawns. I went with the Prawns; Heather went for the Prime Rib. Heather horned in on this Big Beautiful Blonde I was eyeing and ordered their Seasonal Beer to drink. I guess that meant I was driving after dinner, which is always okay with me, so I had their Lemonade. Fresh squeezed Lemonade, which was quite good.
Both Heather’s dish and mine came with a salad; we ordered the ranch dressing. It was a homemade ranch dressing, so it was the more runny kind. It was great – which is why I maintain that Ranch dressing is what makes Americans obese. I got six Prawns, garlic mashed potatoes and a small pile of sautéed green beans and zucchini (not fond of zucchini). The were spicy and good, although not quite filling. Heather was surprised by the size of her “small” prime rib which was tender and served with a very nice au jus and creamy horseradish. I did get to sample quite a bit of it, which helped round out my meal.
The Stanwood Grill also had a very nice cocktail menu – a Vanilla cosmopolitan, a nice looking coffee liqueur and cinnamon drink to name a few. But since I was driving, I only got to look.
The kids got macaroni and cheese, a cheese burger and chicken strips. We almost don’t have to give them the menu – they kind of always order the same thing.
We left the Stanwood Grill as the sun was setting, only to find that the way into downtown was blocked by a freight train hooking up. With a little exploring, we found our way to the overpass over the train tracks and were on our way.
Along the way, we saw several old barns. If the lighting had been better, I would have stopped to take pictures, as I really like old barns.
Downtown Stanwood is cute and we quickly found parking, although the Stanwood Grill looked like it was a pretty big draw for the Stanwood-ians. We were quickly seated, the kids got kid’s menus and crayons (Alec got both a real menu and the kid’s menu!) and started checking things out.
The Grill had several steaks, chicken and some shrimp dishes and a few pasta dishes. I was torn between the Smoked Salmon Penne and the special Sweet Chili Grilled Prawns. I went with the Prawns; Heather went for the Prime Rib. Heather horned in on this Big Beautiful Blonde I was eyeing and ordered their Seasonal Beer to drink. I guess that meant I was driving after dinner, which is always okay with me, so I had their Lemonade. Fresh squeezed Lemonade, which was quite good.
Both Heather’s dish and mine came with a salad; we ordered the ranch dressing. It was a homemade ranch dressing, so it was the more runny kind. It was great – which is why I maintain that Ranch dressing is what makes Americans obese. I got six Prawns, garlic mashed potatoes and a small pile of sautéed green beans and zucchini (not fond of zucchini). The were spicy and good, although not quite filling. Heather was surprised by the size of her “small” prime rib which was tender and served with a very nice au jus and creamy horseradish. I did get to sample quite a bit of it, which helped round out my meal.
The Stanwood Grill also had a very nice cocktail menu – a Vanilla cosmopolitan, a nice looking coffee liqueur and cinnamon drink to name a few. But since I was driving, I only got to look.
The kids got macaroni and cheese, a cheese burger and chicken strips. We almost don’t have to give them the menu – they kind of always order the same thing.
We left the Stanwood Grill as the sun was setting, only to find that the way into downtown was blocked by a freight train hooking up. With a little exploring, we found our way to the overpass over the train tracks and were on our way.
An International Vacation
For the weekend, we are going to Vancouver, BC. Yes, a vacation and an international one at that. We are staying at the Plaza 500 Hotel, right across the street from Vancouver’s City Hall. Heather, the Queen of Priceline, got us the room for $45 dollars a night, (though I’m not sure if that is $US or $CA – that will be he recurring joke through this travel blog)! The sign on the door, although dated 1999, says the standard rate for this room is $325 (I’m pretty sure that is Canadian).
I prepared the kids a packing list and the night before, they laid out their clothes so that Heather could review them and make sure they picked outfits and not just two pairs of pants, three t-shirts and shoes that didn’t all go together. So, when the kids got home from school they were ready to go.
I took Friday as vacation and hardly worked at all – maybe responding to 5 emails and only took 1 phone call. I’m proud of myself for letting the rest of them ring. So during the day, Parker and I packed his clothes, packed the car and knocked over a bank for some Canadian currency. What a deal that is; $75 CA cost me only $68 US – the dollar does go further here. Now, I haven’t tried to buy anything yet, so I don’t know if things are more expensive or not.
I’m taking my GPS with me (maybe gets me more dork rating) and I’m going to keep it on all the time and keep track of where we go. Hopefully, I’ll be able to tie places and photographs together and make a nice “this was our trip.” We’ll see how it goes.
We left the house at 4:19 pm and headed out with Heather driving. As we got north of Seattle, where I-405 joins I-5, we got bogged down in traffic. We continued moving slowly north and eventually we drove further than the commuters. Someplace around 6:30, the kids started getting whiny for something to eat and Heather started poking around in the Navigation system for someplace to eat. We decided upon the Stanwood Grill.
I prepared the kids a packing list and the night before, they laid out their clothes so that Heather could review them and make sure they picked outfits and not just two pairs of pants, three t-shirts and shoes that didn’t all go together. So, when the kids got home from school they were ready to go.
I took Friday as vacation and hardly worked at all – maybe responding to 5 emails and only took 1 phone call. I’m proud of myself for letting the rest of them ring. So during the day, Parker and I packed his clothes, packed the car and knocked over a bank for some Canadian currency. What a deal that is; $75 CA cost me only $68 US – the dollar does go further here. Now, I haven’t tried to buy anything yet, so I don’t know if things are more expensive or not.
I’m taking my GPS with me (maybe gets me more dork rating) and I’m going to keep it on all the time and keep track of where we go. Hopefully, I’ll be able to tie places and photographs together and make a nice “this was our trip.” We’ll see how it goes.
We left the house at 4:19 pm and headed out with Heather driving. As we got north of Seattle, where I-405 joins I-5, we got bogged down in traffic. We continued moving slowly north and eventually we drove further than the commuters. Someplace around 6:30, the kids started getting whiny for something to eat and Heather started poking around in the Navigation system for someplace to eat. We decided upon the Stanwood Grill.
Friday, April 07, 2006
Top 100 April Fool's Day Hoaxes Of All Time
Top 100 April Fool's Day Hoaxes Of All Time
(as judged by notoriety, absurdity, and number of people duped)
A pretty funny and long listing of April Fool's Day Hoaxes. I have to say that the Europeans as a whole (especially the British and the Russians, both whom I would not have expected it from) have a pretty damn funny sense of humor.
What's amazing that none of the recent internet shenanigans are listed there, most of which I find really funny.
Enjoy!
(as judged by notoriety, absurdity, and number of people duped)
A pretty funny and long listing of April Fool's Day Hoaxes. I have to say that the Europeans as a whole (especially the British and the Russians, both whom I would not have expected it from) have a pretty damn funny sense of humor.
What's amazing that none of the recent internet shenanigans are listed there, most of which I find really funny.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Spring Soccer
Spring soccer is upon us!
Today was Alec's first soccer practice and Chase's was last week. I'm an assistant coach on Alec's team and will most likely help out with Chase's team. I really enjoy soccer and especially like watching kids learn and develop skills.
I look forward to soccer season every year and here in Washington, they have a Spring league and a Fall league. Woo hoo! Soccer twice a year!
This is going to be fun!
Today was Alec's first soccer practice and Chase's was last week. I'm an assistant coach on Alec's team and will most likely help out with Chase's team. I really enjoy soccer and especially like watching kids learn and develop skills.
I look forward to soccer season every year and here in Washington, they have a Spring league and a Fall league. Woo hoo! Soccer twice a year!
This is going to be fun!
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Recorder rehersal
Tonight, Alec performed in the 4th Grade Recorder Rehersal. His class performed Round about Morning which was composed by MC Handel and arranged by somebody else.
It turns out that most of the songs of the night (one for each of 5 classes plus 2 all as one) were composed by MC Handel. I wonder if he is like MC Hammer or something like that.
And for your listening enjoyment, Alec's class performing Round about Morning (mp3).
They did a very nice job. The recorder can be a challenging instrument upon which to cut one's teeth. So, that's not a very good comparison, but you get what I mean.
If you want, I could also post Ode to Joy!
Technical Notes: I recorded this with my camera, a Casio Exilim, in a wave format and converted it to an mp3 using MP3 Wave Converter.
It turns out that most of the songs of the night (one for each of 5 classes plus 2 all as one) were composed by MC Handel. I wonder if he is like MC Hammer or something like that.
And for your listening enjoyment, Alec's class performing Round about Morning (mp3).
They did a very nice job. The recorder can be a challenging instrument upon which to cut one's teeth. So, that's not a very good comparison, but you get what I mean.
If you want, I could also post Ode to Joy!
Technical Notes: I recorded this with my camera, a Casio Exilim, in a wave format and converted it to an mp3 using MP3 Wave Converter.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Happy April Fools Day
Check this out. This has got to be a joke - but they say "love is just another search problem" and you know there is some truth to that.
Google Romance
Happy April Fools Day
Google Romance
Happy April Fools Day
Friday, March 31, 2006
How many Junior Highs can they have
This weekend, we are staying Leavenworth for a competition in Wenatchee, Washington. The competition is being held at Eastmont Junior High School in East Wenatchee.
It turns out that there are two campuses, both labelled with Eastmont Junior High - Home of the Bobcats. They are about 1/2 mle from each other.
One of the campuses is very old and tired looking. The other is a really nice new school.
However, the Garmin navigation system, Google and MapQuest all give directions to the old school. That isn't where the competition is.
On top of being at a school where the only other people were some kids skating, our suspicions of being at the wrong place were confirmed when we got a call from one of parents on the team saying he was at the front of the school and we were too.
In order to get to the right "new" school, you had to drive right past the "old" school. It could have been mentioned in the directions.
Now, if you did your lookup by the address (which they did give in the directions), Google, MapQuest, Yahoo and the Garmin navigation all took us to the right place.
Three fifths of our team ended up at the wrong school. So did others, so I don't feel too bad about it.
It turns out that there are two campuses, both labelled with Eastmont Junior High - Home of the Bobcats. They are about 1/2 mle from each other.
One of the campuses is very old and tired looking. The other is a really nice new school.
However, the Garmin navigation system, Google and MapQuest all give directions to the old school. That isn't where the competition is.
On top of being at a school where the only other people were some kids skating, our suspicions of being at the wrong place were confirmed when we got a call from one of parents on the team saying he was at the front of the school and we were too.
In order to get to the right "new" school, you had to drive right past the "old" school. It could have been mentioned in the directions.
Now, if you did your lookup by the address (which they did give in the directions), Google, MapQuest, Yahoo and the Garmin navigation all took us to the right place.
Three fifths of our team ended up at the wrong school. So did others, so I don't feel too bad about it.
Bavarian style
We've arrived in Leavenworth and are heading out for a snack at Kristall's. Living it up Bavarian style.
69% Nerd
So this is how stuff travels through the blogosphere. A blog I read, Welcome to MY World, mentioned this Nerd, Geek or Dork test. She had read about it on her friend’s blog, took the test and posted it. Now, I too, took the test and posting my results.
Check out the The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test
Now, for what you were either 1) waiting for or 2) already knew:
Check out the The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test
Now, for what you were either 1) waiting for or 2) already knew:
| Pure Nerd 69 % Nerd, 30% Geek, 4% Dork |
| For The Record: A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia. A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one. A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions. You scored better than half in Nerd, earning you the title of: Pure Nerd. The times, they are a-changing. It used to be that being exceptionally smart led to being unpopular, which would ultimately lead to picking up all of the traits and tendences associated with the "dork." No-longer. Being smart isn't as socially crippling as it once was, and even more so as you get older: eventually being a Pure Nerd will likely be replaced with the following label: Purely Successful. Congratulations! This might actually be true, because I noticed that the totals don't add to 100 percent. But since I also noticed that I was 69% Nerd, I might actually be somewhat of a dork! Go ahead, post your comments that say you already knew this! |
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Apple releases software for volume limits on iPods
Digital Living Part IV
Apple has released new software for iPods to limit the maximum volume, most likely in response to people complaining about the potential for hearing loss due to the high (in excess of 100 decibels) volume an iPod can deliver.
The story has been carried by CNN, ZDNet, CNet, Reuters, Fox News, the San Francisco Chronicle and probably more feeds that I don't get.
This is not another blog about the great new software.
I downloaded the update, a 45 MB download, which is much larger than the previous updates have been. When I ran it, I quickly scanned over the readme and installation instructions and ran the update. Following the directions, I connected my iPod and it told me "You have the most up to date software."
Upon re-reading the installation instructions, the update is only for iPods and iPod Nanos, not for iPod Photos.
I don't get it. Am I not an iPod owner, if I play it loud, do I not have hearing loss?
I don't really want the volume control (I need to play it at full volume to use it with my crappy FM transmitter in my MINI), but I like the idea of having the latest software updates.
As a parent, I like the idea of being able to set a maximum volume on my kids portable music devices (although none of them have iPods). I have had to tell them, more than once, to turn it down - not because I don't want to hear their music (they actually have good taste in music), but to protect their ears.
Where is the update for iPod Photos?
Apple has released new software for iPods to limit the maximum volume, most likely in response to people complaining about the potential for hearing loss due to the high (in excess of 100 decibels) volume an iPod can deliver.
The story has been carried by CNN, ZDNet, CNet, Reuters, Fox News, the San Francisco Chronicle and probably more feeds that I don't get.
This is not another blog about the great new software.
I downloaded the update, a 45 MB download, which is much larger than the previous updates have been. When I ran it, I quickly scanned over the readme and installation instructions and ran the update. Following the directions, I connected my iPod and it told me "You have the most up to date software."
Upon re-reading the installation instructions, the update is only for iPods and iPod Nanos, not for iPod Photos.
I don't get it. Am I not an iPod owner, if I play it loud, do I not have hearing loss?
I don't really want the volume control (I need to play it at full volume to use it with my crappy FM transmitter in my MINI), but I like the idea of having the latest software updates.
As a parent, I like the idea of being able to set a maximum volume on my kids portable music devices (although none of them have iPods). I have had to tell them, more than once, to turn it down - not because I don't want to hear their music (they actually have good taste in music), but to protect their ears.
Where is the update for iPod Photos?
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Music soothes even the savage beast
I'm listening to Ministry right now. Loud. It makes me smile. It helps me relax.
Specifically, I'm listening to The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste.
When stuff gets to me, music helps me clear everything out.
so what.
Specifically, I'm listening to The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste.
When stuff gets to me, music helps me clear everything out.
so what.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Friday, March 24, 2006
Ice Cream in Jane's
I'm not a Jane's reader, but if I were female, I bet I would (another topic altogether), but there is a quick blog posting on some Haagen Dazs Ice Cream.
JANE's Editors Blog in JANE Blog on JANEMAG.com
I know it is a shameless plug, but I'm doing it. It helps pay the bills.
There's no shame in my game!
JANE's Editors Blog in JANE Blog on JANEMAG.com
I know it is a shameless plug, but I'm doing it. It helps pay the bills.
There's no shame in my game!
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
The internet contributes to the softening of the brain
In previous entries, I have sung the praises of using Safeway.com for grocery purchases. One of the nice features is that if you place your order prior to 9:30 they have same day delivery available. Actually, if you place your order prior to 9:30 and if they have available delivery slots, you can get same day delivery.
Well, this morning, I got up early, planned menus for the week and got the order in. When I went to check out, not only were all of the Tuesday slots taken, but all of the Wednesday slots too! I've never seen it booked that far in advance - though the $10 coupon they emailed me probably triggered a lot of people to order this week.
I was at a loss - I really didn't have time to go shopping, but we needed food. We had less than a cup of milk and no bread - cereal and peanut butter and banana sandwiches are pretty popular amongst the under 5 foot crowd in my house. Plus, I really like cooking and cooking with my kids, which I can't do with out food.
This evening, after eating dinner (yes, we went out to Panera, since Chipotle wasn't open yet), I went to Safeway. This is the first time in probably two months that I've been to a grocery store to buy a full week's worth of food. Yeah, I've been in for a block of cheese or chips and soda before a kid party, but shopping for a week's worth of food takes organization.
You buy the canned food first, then the produce (so it isn't smashed by the cans) and then the refrigerated and frozen foods (so they don't get temperature abused). You need to have a list that is organized the way you think about the shopping trip. I had my print out from the online shopping - it was organized alphabetically, not the way I think about shopping (hard stuff first, then smashables, then cold stuff).
I found the shopping trip difficult. I couldn't find anything and had to wander all over the store. I think the kids were being rambunctious, but I also attribute a lot to the fact that I'm out of practice shopping. I've gotten used to the weekly shopping trip being a 15 minute sit down in front of the computer - not wandering through the store for an hour...
This is one of the negative side affects of the internet - I'm losing my grocery shopping skills!
Well, this morning, I got up early, planned menus for the week and got the order in. When I went to check out, not only were all of the Tuesday slots taken, but all of the Wednesday slots too! I've never seen it booked that far in advance - though the $10 coupon they emailed me probably triggered a lot of people to order this week.
I was at a loss - I really didn't have time to go shopping, but we needed food. We had less than a cup of milk and no bread - cereal and peanut butter and banana sandwiches are pretty popular amongst the under 5 foot crowd in my house. Plus, I really like cooking and cooking with my kids, which I can't do with out food.
This evening, after eating dinner (yes, we went out to Panera, since Chipotle wasn't open yet), I went to Safeway. This is the first time in probably two months that I've been to a grocery store to buy a full week's worth of food. Yeah, I've been in for a block of cheese or chips and soda before a kid party, but shopping for a week's worth of food takes organization.
You buy the canned food first, then the produce (so it isn't smashed by the cans) and then the refrigerated and frozen foods (so they don't get temperature abused). You need to have a list that is organized the way you think about the shopping trip. I had my print out from the online shopping - it was organized alphabetically, not the way I think about shopping (hard stuff first, then smashables, then cold stuff).
I found the shopping trip difficult. I couldn't find anything and had to wander all over the store. I think the kids were being rambunctious, but I also attribute a lot to the fact that I'm out of practice shopping. I've gotten used to the weekly shopping trip being a 15 minute sit down in front of the computer - not wandering through the store for an hour...
This is one of the negative side affects of the internet - I'm losing my grocery shopping skills!
I did a good job!
Check out the stylish way I did my daughter's hair this morning!This hair style got a "Good job" from my wife. This is such a rare occurance; I can't remember the last time it happened!
Friday, March 03, 2006
They're back!
A few weeks ago I blogged an article about stolen artificial legs, evidently the stolen prosthetics have been returned.
Hopefully this is the case of someone doing the right thing - not setting her up for later.
Hopefully this is the case of someone doing the right thing - not setting her up for later.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Low hanging clouds of smoke and fire alarms
A few weeks ago, my Food Network newsletter had a bunch of pizza recipes and I caught an Emeril cooking show where he made some pizzas. I got the bug and decided to make a pizza.
I downloaded a recipe for a Roasted Garlic White pizza which sounded really good and Friday evening, I set off to make it. It was a whole pizza from scratch, roasting the garlic and making the sauce and crust.
I've made pizzas in the past and not had successes with the crust. I've had them grow larger than I expected and stick to the towel covering them, but I was sure this was going to be different. I had just watched Emeril do it!
The sauce tasted great (garlic and a touch of cayenne pepper for some spice) and the garlic roasted up nice. But the crust was not good.
At first, it was too moist and sticky. I got it to not stick to me, the board I was rolling it out on and finally got it on the pizza peel and assembled the pizza. Fresh mozzarella, fontia cheese, crumbled bacon - boy, I was getting excited for it.
I got ready to slide it into the oven and on to the pre-heated stone and I couldn't get it off the pizza peel. I called Heather for help and we got some spatulas to help slide it off. But the crust was too delicate. It was mangled.
Then, in the very hot oven, cheese began to melt and run off. A chunk of crust had broken off and was burning on the bottom of the oven. We pulled out the racks and pulled out the crust, but the damage was already done. Smoke was pouring out of the oven. On the good side, it imparted a nice smoky flavor to the pizza.
On the bad side, it filled the whole house with smoke. The smoke alarms were going off, eyes were burning, it was terrible.
The mangled pizza cooked up okay and in the end, it tasted very good, but it just wasn't the eating experience that I like to have.
I've got to figure out how to make a good crust or just cheat and buy a pre-made crust.
Today, the oven is on clean cycle and the piercing smoke alarms have been going off again. I got them shut off before Heather got home and to my surprise, she brought me a scale model of a MINI Cooper to help make up for the bad dining experience. She's the greatest!
I downloaded a recipe for a Roasted Garlic White pizza which sounded really good and Friday evening, I set off to make it. It was a whole pizza from scratch, roasting the garlic and making the sauce and crust.
I've made pizzas in the past and not had successes with the crust. I've had them grow larger than I expected and stick to the towel covering them, but I was sure this was going to be different. I had just watched Emeril do it!
The sauce tasted great (garlic and a touch of cayenne pepper for some spice) and the garlic roasted up nice. But the crust was not good.
At first, it was too moist and sticky. I got it to not stick to me, the board I was rolling it out on and finally got it on the pizza peel and assembled the pizza. Fresh mozzarella, fontia cheese, crumbled bacon - boy, I was getting excited for it.
I got ready to slide it into the oven and on to the pre-heated stone and I couldn't get it off the pizza peel. I called Heather for help and we got some spatulas to help slide it off. But the crust was too delicate. It was mangled.
Then, in the very hot oven, cheese began to melt and run off. A chunk of crust had broken off and was burning on the bottom of the oven. We pulled out the racks and pulled out the crust, but the damage was already done. Smoke was pouring out of the oven. On the good side, it imparted a nice smoky flavor to the pizza.
On the bad side, it filled the whole house with smoke. The smoke alarms were going off, eyes were burning, it was terrible.
The mangled pizza cooked up okay and in the end, it tasted very good, but it just wasn't the eating experience that I like to have.
I've got to figure out how to make a good crust or just cheat and buy a pre-made crust.
Today, the oven is on clean cycle and the piercing smoke alarms have been going off again. I got them shut off before Heather got home and to my surprise, she brought me a scale model of a MINI Cooper to help make up for the bad dining experience. She's the greatest!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
I now know why they don't stop
Since moving here to Washington, both my wife and I have noticed that people don't pull over for emergency vehicles. I've confirmed my observations with other California transplants as well.
The first time I almost got run over when I slowed down for an ambulance, I assumed that maybe the law was different in Washington. In California, U-turns are allowed, except where they are expressly prohibited. On the other hand, in Washington, U-turns are illegal except where the sign says you can make them. But not pulling over for emergency vehicles, come on. That had to be the same.
This morning, on my drive to work, I now understand why.
This was on the back end of a police cruiser (yes, I just busted out my camera at the interstection and took a picture of the cop car - Copwatch, call me if you need me). The only time you see it is once the cruiser has passed you, which won't happen if you don't pull over. If they want to make a reminder like that, it has to go on the front of the car and printed in reverse. Now it is perfectly clear - they want you to pull over, but haven't been able to get in front of everybody to tell them that.
Funny thing, I saw another sticker just like this on a Jeep Cherokee with fire department stickers on it at the grocery store this evening.
The first time I almost got run over when I slowed down for an ambulance, I assumed that maybe the law was different in Washington. In California, U-turns are allowed, except where they are expressly prohibited. On the other hand, in Washington, U-turns are illegal except where the sign says you can make them. But not pulling over for emergency vehicles, come on. That had to be the same.
This morning, on my drive to work, I now understand why.
This was on the back end of a police cruiser (yes, I just busted out my camera at the interstection and took a picture of the cop car - Copwatch, call me if you need me). The only time you see it is once the cruiser has passed you, which won't happen if you don't pull over. If they want to make a reminder like that, it has to go on the front of the car and printed in reverse. Now it is perfectly clear - they want you to pull over, but haven't been able to get in front of everybody to tell them that.
Funny thing, I saw another sticker just like this on a Jeep Cherokee with fire department stickers on it at the grocery store this evening.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
February MINI drive
On Saturday, Alec, Chase and I went for a drive with Puget Sound MINI. It was a lot of fun - we started in Auburn and tooled around some curvy roads there and then took some backroads through some small towns, through Tiger Mountain and ultimately into Issaquah to XXX Root Beer (one of the last in the country).
It was a lot of fun to get to meet other MINI owners and see their cars. The drive was fun, because I got to see new parts of Washington and as it was a clear day, the views of Mount Rainer were great.
I recorded the route with my GPS and saved it with photos in Google Earth. Check it out! Playing the route isn't the same as driving in a MINI, but you get the idea of where we went. There are pictures embedded as placemarks along the way.
It was a lot of fun to get to meet other MINI owners and see their cars. The drive was fun, because I got to see new parts of Washington and as it was a clear day, the views of Mount Rainer were great.
I recorded the route with my GPS and saved it with photos in Google Earth. Check it out! Playing the route isn't the same as driving in a MINI, but you get the idea of where we went. There are pictures embedded as placemarks along the way.
Why does it always happen at night?
Why do kids always get sick in the middle of the night?
Why does the smoke alarm back up battery always die in the middle of the night (and then it chirps every two minutes until you replace the battery)?
Why???
Why does the smoke alarm back up battery always die in the middle of the night (and then it chirps every two minutes until you replace the battery)?
Why???
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Girl's Prosthetic Leg Stolen a Second Time
Girl's Prosthetic Leg Stolen a Second Time
There is something wrong when somebody steals some one's prosthetics. It is akin to knocking over a guy in a wheelchair or not holding the door for a blind person.
But when it happens a second time? Somebody is just messing with her.
It's just wrong. It's not like somebody else could use them? Is there another 16 year old girl missing a leg - who miraculously has a new one the next day?
Not right.
There is something wrong when somebody steals some one's prosthetics. It is akin to knocking over a guy in a wheelchair or not holding the door for a blind person.
But when it happens a second time? Somebody is just messing with her.
It's just wrong. It's not like somebody else could use them? Is there another 16 year old girl missing a leg - who miraculously has a new one the next day?
Not right.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Lazy Saturday
This weekend is going great! Saturday morning had a very nice start to it and the weather was great. So, while Chase was at swim practice, Heather, Alec, Parker and I went for a walk in downtown Issaquah.
We walked down a trail from the pool and community center down to Front Street. Along the way, we saw some modern art and a whole lot of pregnant ladies, which are art themselves.
There is an inactive rail line in Issaquah and it looks like they've made a small train museum out of it and Alec and Parker enjoyed playing on the train tracks. Hopefully, they know the difference between real tracks and old tracks.
As we walked back to the pool, to pick up Chase, we stopped at the Fisher Brothers Butcher and bought some beef jerky and German hunter's sausage. Again, that place is so cool.
We headed to lunch at Su Casa, which has been recommended to us as the best Mexican restaurant in Issaquah. It was pretty good. It is a family run place - we were seated by the daughter, who really knew her stuff. They were out of the kids menu, but she was able to tell us what was on it and make recommendations for our kids. As to the grown ups, the food was very good and the plates very large. I'd have to agree the restaurant was very good.
We headed home and were trying to figure out
how to spend the rest of the afternoon. With the great weather we've been having, the peaks in the Cascades have been calling to me. They must have been calling to Heather too because she said that she wanted to go to a road that we can see on a mountain side.
The road is pretty distinctive and I'd found it on some topo maps I had bought, so we headed out for a Saturday drive. It was great, we took some small backroads (202, Tolt Hill Road, 203) which took us to Highway 2. We headed down Highway 2 towards Skykomish and then to some National Forest Roads. Very quickly we got into thick trees and one lane dirt roads. It was great to get off the pavement onto dirt. Since it is still wintertime, the road soon became a trail (really ruts in the snow). As we got to the intersection where the road started heading up the hillside to where we can see it from our house, it hadn't been traveled enough to have ruts, I decided that we should turn around. The map did show that it probably wasn't passable too far, because it was shown as a seasonal road (and the winter season was "winter activities/snowmachines").
At the turnaround point, there were several cars parked. We had arrived as one guy was putting his cross country skis on top of his car to head home and another guy (in running shorts) came running down the trail we had wanted to drive up. Definite hard core winter people.
It was ironic, because the kids had come straight from swim practice, still wearing flip-flops. Parker was wearing shorts. But I wasn't going to do anything stupid and get us stuck - I've been stuck enough in Alaska.
We turned around and instead of heading home, we went to Steven's Pass, hoping to see sunset. The mountains are high enough around the road that there wasn't much sunset to see, so we stopped at the ski area for dinner. Again, funny looks from the skiers in their snow gear and my kids in shorts and flip-flops.
After dinner we headed back, through the small towns and back roads of Washington. All in all, it was a great drive - about 4 hours and 159 miles. I'm so happy Heather got the "let's go there" bug. I really like being so close to the outdoors here in Washington, it is a great place.
We walked down a trail from the pool and community center down to Front Street. Along the way, we saw some modern art and a whole lot of pregnant ladies, which are art themselves.
There is an inactive rail line in Issaquah and it looks like they've made a small train museum out of it and Alec and Parker enjoyed playing on the train tracks. Hopefully, they know the difference between real tracks and old tracks.
As we walked back to the pool, to pick up Chase, we stopped at the Fisher Brothers Butcher and bought some beef jerky and German hunter's sausage. Again, that place is so cool.
We headed to lunch at Su Casa, which has been recommended to us as the best Mexican restaurant in Issaquah. It was pretty good. It is a family run place - we were seated by the daughter, who really knew her stuff. They were out of the kids menu, but she was able to tell us what was on it and make recommendations for our kids. As to the grown ups, the food was very good and the plates very large. I'd have to agree the restaurant was very good.
We headed home and were trying to figure out
how to spend the rest of the afternoon. With the great weather we've been having, the peaks in the Cascades have been calling to me. They must have been calling to Heather too because she said that she wanted to go to a road that we can see on a mountain side.The road is pretty distinctive and I'd found it on some topo maps I had bought, so we headed out for a Saturday drive. It was great, we took some small backroads (202, Tolt Hill Road, 203) which took us to Highway 2. We headed down Highway 2 towards Skykomish and then to some National Forest Roads. Very quickly we got into thick trees and one lane dirt roads. It was great to get off the pavement onto dirt. Since it is still wintertime, the road soon became a trail (really ruts in the snow). As we got to the intersection where the road started heading up the hillside to where we can see it from our house, it hadn't been traveled enough to have ruts, I decided that we should turn around. The map did show that it probably wasn't passable too far, because it was shown as a seasonal road (and the winter season was "winter activities/snowmachines").
At the turnaround point, there were several cars parked. We had arrived as one guy was putting his cross country skis on top of his car to head home and another guy (in running shorts) came running down the trail we had wanted to drive up. Definite hard core winter people.
It was ironic, because the kids had come straight from swim practice, still wearing flip-flops. Parker was wearing shorts. But I wasn't going to do anything stupid and get us stuck - I've been stuck enough in Alaska.
We turned around and instead of heading home, we went to Steven's Pass, hoping to see sunset. The mountains are high enough around the road that there wasn't much sunset to see, so we stopped at the ski area for dinner. Again, funny looks from the skiers in their snow gear and my kids in shorts and flip-flops.
After dinner we headed back, through the small towns and back roads of Washington. All in all, it was a great drive - about 4 hours and 159 miles. I'm so happy Heather got the "let's go there" bug. I really like being so close to the outdoors here in Washington, it is a great place.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Cooking themes
Two weeks ago, I decided to have a theme for the dinners that week. I chose Comfort Foods. It kind of started with the contribution of the Gorgonzola Mashed Potatoes at our dinner with Roger and Gina.
Monday night was mushroom risotto.
Tuesday night was Chipotle Macaroni and Cheese. The kids really like it, even though 1) it is spicy and 2) it isn't Kraft from the box.
Wednesday night was polenta and grilled sausages.
Thursday night was lasagne.
Friday was back to the usual friday night pizza.
But it continued. For my birthday, I received a crepe pan and a grill pan with panini press. So all this week, I've made panini. Panini for dinner, panini for lunch when I've worked home. It is great. I've printed up all the panini recipes from cooking light and am looking for more. Heather isn't usually big on sandwiches for dinner, but she seems to really like panini. Which is good, because they are easy, fun and good to eat. I really like the gooey melted cheese!
Monday night was mushroom risotto.
Tuesday night was Chipotle Macaroni and Cheese. The kids really like it, even though 1) it is spicy and 2) it isn't Kraft from the box.
Wednesday night was polenta and grilled sausages.
Thursday night was lasagne.
Friday was back to the usual friday night pizza.
But it continued. For my birthday, I received a crepe pan and a grill pan with panini press. So all this week, I've made panini. Panini for dinner, panini for lunch when I've worked home. It is great. I've printed up all the panini recipes from cooking light and am looking for more. Heather isn't usually big on sandwiches for dinner, but she seems to really like panini. Which is good, because they are easy, fun and good to eat. I really like the gooey melted cheese!
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Not so good day
Today was not a very good day.
My day was not unique for my work group, so I don't write this for any empathy or sympathy. I'm hoping for some kind of catharsis (this is the first time I have also ever used catharsis in writing). We've been working for about a week on a forecast model that many people in the company are waiting for. Some days it seems futile and some days it feels like we are working in circles. Some days it feels like we are working against each other, although we are all working for the same goal.
When you have a bad day, you do different things to make you feel better.
Traffic was pretty thick today, so I couldn't drive fast - and living in Washington, fast isn't very fast. But while I was driving, I listened to White Zombie. Loud. It was nice.
At my kids swim practice, my daughter and I went back out to my car. Walking through parking lots with kids can be nice, because they'll let you hold their hand. They may think that you are just holding them to keep them safe from cars, but having a little hand in yours feels really nice.
My day was not unique for my work group, so I don't write this for any empathy or sympathy. I'm hoping for some kind of catharsis (this is the first time I have also ever used catharsis in writing). We've been working for about a week on a forecast model that many people in the company are waiting for. Some days it seems futile and some days it feels like we are working in circles. Some days it feels like we are working against each other, although we are all working for the same goal.
When you have a bad day, you do different things to make you feel better.
Traffic was pretty thick today, so I couldn't drive fast - and living in Washington, fast isn't very fast. But while I was driving, I listened to White Zombie. Loud. It was nice.
At my kids swim practice, my daughter and I went back out to my car. Walking through parking lots with kids can be nice, because they'll let you hold their hand. They may think that you are just holding them to keep them safe from cars, but having a little hand in yours feels really nice.
Assorted Thoughts
POG
In the dining facility in college, they had a juice blend called POG. Not only did it have a great name, it was very good too! It was a blend of Passion Fruit juice, Orange juice, and Guava juice. I was at the grocery store the other day and saw some. As you can imagine, I bought it. It is a hit at home (except for with my wife, as she has gotten us on a 100% juice kick, where it is only 11% juice).
Cocktails
Chartreuse and soda is refreshing. Chartreuse has an herbal taste to it, but it is cut nicely with soda, plus it has a green tint to it. It has a Hemingway feel to it. I can imagine him sitting in a sidewalk cafe, writing in a journal, drinking Chartreuse and soda on a hot European afternoon.
My little boy is really a small man
This morning, I was going upstairs to check on my daughter's progress with getting ready for school. As I came up, he was just walking out of his room, waking up. In true man fashion, he was still half asleep scratching his butt. It was hilarious.
In the dining facility in college, they had a juice blend called POG. Not only did it have a great name, it was very good too! It was a blend of Passion Fruit juice, Orange juice, and Guava juice. I was at the grocery store the other day and saw some. As you can imagine, I bought it. It is a hit at home (except for with my wife, as she has gotten us on a 100% juice kick, where it is only 11% juice).
Cocktails
Chartreuse and soda is refreshing. Chartreuse has an herbal taste to it, but it is cut nicely with soda, plus it has a green tint to it. It has a Hemingway feel to it. I can imagine him sitting in a sidewalk cafe, writing in a journal, drinking Chartreuse and soda on a hot European afternoon.
My little boy is really a small man
This morning, I was going upstairs to check on my daughter's progress with getting ready for school. As I came up, he was just walking out of his room, waking up. In true man fashion, he was still half asleep scratching his butt. It was hilarious.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Your rights and responsibilities as a citizen
Today, I exercised my right and responsibility as a citizen... for the third time since we've moved here. We've almost been here six months and there have been three elections. Every other month!
In California, they say they have mob-rule politics where any one can get an initiative on the ballot with some signatures. Even the govenor uses it to get around the Legislature.
But here - it is just crazy.
Two of the three votes have been municipal elections, but can't they just roll them up all into one? I'm sure that an election, even one with only two questions has to cost money...
I just don't get it!
In California, they say they have mob-rule politics where any one can get an initiative on the ballot with some signatures. Even the govenor uses it to get around the Legislature.
But here - it is just crazy.
Two of the three votes have been municipal elections, but can't they just roll them up all into one? I'm sure that an election, even one with only two questions has to cost money...
I just don't get it!
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Photo retro blog
I downloaded a bunch of pictures of my phone and here are some photos that I should have posted on the spot, mobile-style
Enjoy!!
At the Post Office
Some people don't like to take their kids to the Post Office because of the long lines and the grumpy employees. I say take them and put them to work! We were sending 60 Christmas letters - we did have to alternate tongues. The second photo was taken just before he dropped the whole pile.
The only picture from Snowboarding
At the gas station
See that icon on the bottom row, second from the right? What does it mean? I understand the international NO symbol - but is it saying no putting the gas pump in the car? Huh?
Enjoy!!
At the Post Office
Some people don't like to take their kids to the Post Office because of the long lines and the grumpy employees. I say take them and put them to work! We were sending 60 Christmas letters - we did have to alternate tongues. The second photo was taken just before he dropped the whole pile.
The only picture from Snowboarding
At the gas station
See that icon on the bottom row, second from the right? What does it mean? I understand the international NO symbol - but is it saying no putting the gas pump in the car? Huh?
Monday, January 30, 2006
A nice dinner with friends
Sunday evening, Roger and Gina, a high school friend of mine and his wife came to our house for dinner. It was great, because it was the first time that we'd had them over since we moved to Seattle.
It was great evening, starting off with cocktails and conversation. I didn't plan enough time for the socializing before dinner, but everything rested well in the warming oven.
Roger wrote about the dinner in his blog, so I won't repeat that. He wrote very nicely about it and I just have some other things to add from my perspective.
The Soup
The Roasted Butternut Squash Soup was from my Tra Vigne cookbook. I roasted the squash the day before at 11 am, and as I started cooking, I thought to myself that a cocktail would be nice while cooking. Maybe my wife and friends are right, maybeI do have a problem. The recipe called for a dollop of marscapone cheese, which I had never used before. It was really good - much better than sour cream.
The Meat
There is a butcher in downtown Issaquah, Fisher Brothers, that I think is the greatest store in the world. They have smoked fish and meats, all kinds of pork and chicken sausages, every cut imaginable of beef and more. The place smells so great as you walk in. I also have a problem there - I can't just go in and buy a cut of meat. I'll always walk out with breakfast sausage, bacon and some more meat. After a very Dude Where's My Car "and then... and then... and then..." I give the guy my card so I'll stop buying stuff. It's a dangerous place. Sunday morning's breakfast was huge (bacon, chorizo, breakfast links), baked goods from a new chain bakery and 8 eggs (between the 5 of us) cooked three different ways.
The Potatoes
There is a chicken and port sauce recipe that I like to make that uses about a 1/4 cup of Gorgonzola cheese and about two weeks later, I was always throwing out brown disgusting Gorgonzola cheese. I had mashed potatoes with mix-ins (horseradish, wasabi and of course, garlic), so I thought to myself that it would be a great way to use of the Gorgonzola cheese. It was a hit. I'm sure other, much better cooks than I have done it before, but this was something that I thought up on my own.
The Dessert
Molten chocolate cakes. Decadent, elegant and delicious. And worrisome. The last time I made one of these (a single serving for myself, when my wife had gone to bed early and there was no dessert for the kids), it didn't come out well. It was a molten pile of chocolate pudding. You can see, I had some concern when I decided to make them - in fact, I almost called the Chef whose cooking lesson yielded the recipe (she gave us her phone number for that very purpose). But I didn't call her and I went ahead with them. They turned out okay - the kid sized ones were a little over done and for some reason, two were less cakey and more molten (the one's Heather and I got). But they were still good. After the meal, it took me a while to eat it all - but it was good, I wasn't going to let it get away.
I really enjoy cooking and I really enjoying sharing it with friends - and they are great friends to share with. All the prep work was fun and it was a straight forward meal to prepare and have ready to eat whenever we were ready.
It was great evening, starting off with cocktails and conversation. I didn't plan enough time for the socializing before dinner, but everything rested well in the warming oven.
Roger wrote about the dinner in his blog, so I won't repeat that. He wrote very nicely about it and I just have some other things to add from my perspective.
The Soup
The Roasted Butternut Squash Soup was from my Tra Vigne cookbook. I roasted the squash the day before at 11 am, and as I started cooking, I thought to myself that a cocktail would be nice while cooking. Maybe my wife and friends are right, maybeI do have a problem. The recipe called for a dollop of marscapone cheese, which I had never used before. It was really good - much better than sour cream.
The Meat
There is a butcher in downtown Issaquah, Fisher Brothers, that I think is the greatest store in the world. They have smoked fish and meats, all kinds of pork and chicken sausages, every cut imaginable of beef and more. The place smells so great as you walk in. I also have a problem there - I can't just go in and buy a cut of meat. I'll always walk out with breakfast sausage, bacon and some more meat. After a very Dude Where's My Car "and then... and then... and then..." I give the guy my card so I'll stop buying stuff. It's a dangerous place. Sunday morning's breakfast was huge (bacon, chorizo, breakfast links), baked goods from a new chain bakery and 8 eggs (between the 5 of us) cooked three different ways.
The Potatoes
There is a chicken and port sauce recipe that I like to make that uses about a 1/4 cup of Gorgonzola cheese and about two weeks later, I was always throwing out brown disgusting Gorgonzola cheese. I had mashed potatoes with mix-ins (horseradish, wasabi and of course, garlic), so I thought to myself that it would be a great way to use of the Gorgonzola cheese. It was a hit. I'm sure other, much better cooks than I have done it before, but this was something that I thought up on my own.
The Dessert
Molten chocolate cakes. Decadent, elegant and delicious. And worrisome. The last time I made one of these (a single serving for myself, when my wife had gone to bed early and there was no dessert for the kids), it didn't come out well. It was a molten pile of chocolate pudding. You can see, I had some concern when I decided to make them - in fact, I almost called the Chef whose cooking lesson yielded the recipe (she gave us her phone number for that very purpose). But I didn't call her and I went ahead with them. They turned out okay - the kid sized ones were a little over done and for some reason, two were less cakey and more molten (the one's Heather and I got). But they were still good. After the meal, it took me a while to eat it all - but it was good, I wasn't going to let it get away.
I really enjoy cooking and I really enjoying sharing it with friends - and they are great friends to share with. All the prep work was fun and it was a straight forward meal to prepare and have ready to eat whenever we were ready.
Friday, January 27, 2006
What do they need it for anyways?
Postal service reports 2-cent stamp shortage
You know, I don't understand why they need the extra 2 cents. Postage keeps increasing every couple of years and I keep sending less and less snail mail.
And then on top of it all, they are running out of the stamps?
Do they not want us to send letters at all?
Save a tree, send email.
You know, I don't understand why they need the extra 2 cents. Postage keeps increasing every couple of years and I keep sending less and less snail mail.
And then on top of it all, they are running out of the stamps?
Do they not want us to send letters at all?
Save a tree, send email.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
An entertaining blog
This blog came up on the Web Clips in my Google Desktop and I was intrigued. There was a post entitled 10 Reasons Why Geeks Make Good Fathers. With a title like that I had to read it - I'm a geek (not fully by her definition, but close) and a father.
She covers topics of how great her family thinks meat is (she became vegetarian) and her kids and ...
She's local - someplace up here in the Greater Seattle area.
Her blog is entertaining. Check it out.
Welcome to MY world: January, 2006
She covers topics of how great her family thinks meat is (she became vegetarian) and her kids and ...
She's local - someplace up here in the Greater Seattle area.
Her blog is entertaining. Check it out.
Welcome to MY world: January, 2006
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Blue skies, nothing but blue skies....
Today, I went into work later than usual because I had a follow doctor appointment for my shoulder. It was great – the sky was blue, the sun was out and the roads were dry. I got to wear my sunglasses and I didn’t bring a coat with me today.
Because I was going in later, the traffic was much lighter and I took advantage of the dry roads (read: my MINI got to stretch out some – boy does it handle curves nicely).
I got to work just a few minutes before my first conference call and I was sharing with some co-workers some thoughts about the nice day.
I got to work, planning out lunch. I had these great plans: I’d find a restaurant and eat lunch on the patio (a great change from my desk) and enjoy the sun.
My conference calls ended and I looked up. The rain had returned. What is up with that? And to make matters worse, this rain is forecast to continue for some time.
Because I was going in later, the traffic was much lighter and I took advantage of the dry roads (read: my MINI got to stretch out some – boy does it handle curves nicely).
I got to work just a few minutes before my first conference call and I was sharing with some co-workers some thoughts about the nice day.
I got to work, planning out lunch. I had these great plans: I’d find a restaurant and eat lunch on the patio (a great change from my desk) and enjoy the sun.
My conference calls ended and I looked up. The rain had returned. What is up with that? And to make matters worse, this rain is forecast to continue for some time.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Children of Heaven
Today, we watched the movie, Children of Heaven. From the description, it didn't sound like it would be a very good movie, but I needed to be flexible with Heather, because the next movie in line to watch is The Devil's Rejects.
Children of Heaven is about two young Iranian children and how the brother inadvertently loses his sister's shoes. They end up sharing his shoes so that they can go to school (she in the morning and he in the afternoon).
While that in itself sounds pretty boring, the children are great actors (you can really see and feel the attachment to her only pair of shoes) and the story is touching. The brother enters a foot race with the hopes of winning a pair of shoes that he can exchange for her.
The movie showed a very nice interaction between a brother and sister and also showed some of the vast differences between the 'haves" and the "have-nots" prevalent in other countries. The director so builds suspense that we, literally, we on the edge of our seats (well, couch).
When you are looking for a foreign film, and a touching film, I'd recommend it.
Next, Rob Zombie's second movie. We'll see how that is!
Children of Heaven is about two young Iranian children and how the brother inadvertently loses his sister's shoes. They end up sharing his shoes so that they can go to school (she in the morning and he in the afternoon).
While that in itself sounds pretty boring, the children are great actors (you can really see and feel the attachment to her only pair of shoes) and the story is touching. The brother enters a foot race with the hopes of winning a pair of shoes that he can exchange for her.
The movie showed a very nice interaction between a brother and sister and also showed some of the vast differences between the 'haves" and the "have-nots" prevalent in other countries. The director so builds suspense that we, literally, we on the edge of our seats (well, couch).
When you are looking for a foreign film, and a touching film, I'd recommend it.
Next, Rob Zombie's second movie. We'll see how that is!
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Big O Tires
My MINI developed a slow leak in the right rear passenger tire. No worries, though, they are run flats. Today, after my kids swim practice, I stopped by Big O tires to get it repaired. They worked for about 40 minutes, and some of it was pretty hard work, because run flats are difficult to get back on the wheel - and didn't charge me a dime.
I expected to pay a little for the repair, something like $10.
I was impressed. They made a Big O customer out of me.
Wal-Mart wouldn't do that for me. In fact, Wal-Mart once did nothing to a tire, because they couldn't repair it. They gave me back my car with a flat tire and thought nothing of it - because they couldn't repair the tire. They didn't even offer me the option of buying a new tire. I got to Wal-Mart after their shop had closed but before the cashier had gone. And I couldn't do anything with my car.
I expected to pay a little for the repair, something like $10.
I was impressed. They made a Big O customer out of me.
Wal-Mart wouldn't do that for me. In fact, Wal-Mart once did nothing to a tire, because they couldn't repair it. They gave me back my car with a flat tire and thought nothing of it - because they couldn't repair the tire. They didn't even offer me the option of buying a new tire. I got to Wal-Mart after their shop had closed but before the cashier had gone. And I couldn't do anything with my car.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
More on Snowboarding
A few more thoughts on snowboarding:
- When I was in Alaska, I had a soldier in my platoon, PFC Walton. Every winter he'd go snowboarding and break his shoulder. He'd be out of commission for about three months. When Bernie was picking me up off the ski slope, I was laughing to myself about PFC Walton. Bernie had to think I was going into some kind of shock with my senseless ramblings.
- I also got some bad-ass pants. My old skool German Army wool pants just won't fit me any more (another sign I'm getting old) so I bought a pair of Burton Ronin boarding pants. Cargo pockets, crotch venting, waterproof-breathable fabric in an olive drab color. Nice.
Snowboarding
For Christmas, my wife got my son and I a 3 pack of snowboard lessons, rental and lift tickets. It is a really cool gift and I get to spend some quality time with my son.
We took advantage of the long weekend and on Monday, went to the Summit at Snoqualamie for our first lesson.
It was a beautiful day for skiing. It snowed all day long, with a light breeze, so there was fresh powder all day long. Now, snow in Washington is wet, so a good jacket and pants was important.
The ski area is close, only about 45 miles from our house and is a pretty good place to learn to ski. Even on the holiday, the lift lines weren't long. The instructor was good and at the end of our lesson, we both felt pretty good about riding down the green hill.
We rode up and then came down. For the first time on snowboards, it wasn't bad. It took us a while to come down (or at least get up after falling down) and then we took a break for lunch. We were re-energized and warm.
Before our second run, I told Alec that we should stop half way down and take pictures of each of us snowboarding (it would make a great blog entry). I was able to get off the chair without falling this time and we headed off down the hill. I felt really good and in control. In fact, I saw something on the ground about 20 feet up the hill from a father and son team who looked like they were picking up all their equipment after a crash. I stopped and picked up the thing, it turned out to runaway strap and took it down to them. I was able to stop and ask if it was theirs, but it wasn't. I started off again (all of this without falling, mind you) and ended up going a little too fast.
I lost control and fell, my arms all akimbo and I felt my left arm twist around and a great pain in my shoulder. I ended up sitting on my butt, holding my left arm, with a dislocated shoulder. The pain was pretty severe and I couldn't get up. I ended up crashing just below the ski lift, so there were several people who asked if I needed help. I asked a passing ski instructor to tell Alec to wait for me because I got hurt and then I waited for the ski patrol. I couldn't even stand up on my own.
A guy named Bernie helped me off the hill and got me to the Ski Patrol shack and there I sat for a few hours waiting for the pain to subside. I came to the conclusion that I wouldn't be able to drive home (the MINI is a 6 speed manual) so I called Heather to ask her to come get us.
While she was willing to come get me, it also happened to coincide with a playgroup she was having at our house. It also happened to coincide with I-90 opening and closing because of the continuing snow. It took her 2.5 hours to drive what took me 45 minutes in the morning.
By the time she arrived, the ski area was closed and another Ski Patroller, Rob (I think, my brain was addled with pain) was helping me stretch my arm and relocate it. While it never klunked into place, my arm moved over to the right place and the pain subsided.
Heather took me to the Urgent Care and I've got follow up appointments with Orthopedic surgeons. I never did pick up a birthday cake for Parker that day, since we were going to come back and celebrate his birthday. We did open presents after the Urgent Care.
Today, I'm sore. My muscles are sore from snowboarding and my shoulder is sore from being out and back into its socket.
I'd recommend avoiding dislocating your limbs.
We took advantage of the long weekend and on Monday, went to the Summit at Snoqualamie for our first lesson.
It was a beautiful day for skiing. It snowed all day long, with a light breeze, so there was fresh powder all day long. Now, snow in Washington is wet, so a good jacket and pants was important.
The ski area is close, only about 45 miles from our house and is a pretty good place to learn to ski. Even on the holiday, the lift lines weren't long. The instructor was good and at the end of our lesson, we both felt pretty good about riding down the green hill.
We rode up and then came down. For the first time on snowboards, it wasn't bad. It took us a while to come down (or at least get up after falling down) and then we took a break for lunch. We were re-energized and warm.
Before our second run, I told Alec that we should stop half way down and take pictures of each of us snowboarding (it would make a great blog entry). I was able to get off the chair without falling this time and we headed off down the hill. I felt really good and in control. In fact, I saw something on the ground about 20 feet up the hill from a father and son team who looked like they were picking up all their equipment after a crash. I stopped and picked up the thing, it turned out to runaway strap and took it down to them. I was able to stop and ask if it was theirs, but it wasn't. I started off again (all of this without falling, mind you) and ended up going a little too fast.
I lost control and fell, my arms all akimbo and I felt my left arm twist around and a great pain in my shoulder. I ended up sitting on my butt, holding my left arm, with a dislocated shoulder. The pain was pretty severe and I couldn't get up. I ended up crashing just below the ski lift, so there were several people who asked if I needed help. I asked a passing ski instructor to tell Alec to wait for me because I got hurt and then I waited for the ski patrol. I couldn't even stand up on my own.
A guy named Bernie helped me off the hill and got me to the Ski Patrol shack and there I sat for a few hours waiting for the pain to subside. I came to the conclusion that I wouldn't be able to drive home (the MINI is a 6 speed manual) so I called Heather to ask her to come get us.
While she was willing to come get me, it also happened to coincide with a playgroup she was having at our house. It also happened to coincide with I-90 opening and closing because of the continuing snow. It took her 2.5 hours to drive what took me 45 minutes in the morning.
By the time she arrived, the ski area was closed and another Ski Patroller, Rob (I think, my brain was addled with pain) was helping me stretch my arm and relocate it. While it never klunked into place, my arm moved over to the right place and the pain subsided.
Heather took me to the Urgent Care and I've got follow up appointments with Orthopedic surgeons. I never did pick up a birthday cake for Parker that day, since we were going to come back and celebrate his birthday. We did open presents after the Urgent Care.
Today, I'm sore. My muscles are sore from snowboarding and my shoulder is sore from being out and back into its socket.
I'd recommend avoiding dislocating your limbs.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Beat at Chess
My son, who is nine years old, beat me playing chess Thursday night. This is note worthy because it is the first time that that he has done this un-aided. I enjoy playing chess and it is cool that we can enjoy it together.
Edit: I need to figure out how to better post from my phone so they stop getting cut off. Sorry about that!!
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Mobile Email from a Cingular Wireless Customer http://www.cingular.com
Sunday, January 08, 2006
The failed expedition to Cedar Butte
The guide book I bought has photographs and Heather saw a photo of Mailbox peak as seen from Cedar Butte and she said that she would like to hike up that trail. So, this weekend, we decided to try it out.
The trail head is a little more than 1/2 an hour from our house and it was a 3 mile round trip. I figure that it would take us about 4 hours to walk it with our 3 year old.
Heather and Alec had an activity at 3 PM, so we knew we need to make an early start in order to get back.
Saturday night, I packed up everybodies day pack with water, lunch, a warm layer, so that in the morning, we'd be ready to go.
I woke everybody up at 7:30 and we were on the road by 8:45. We found the trailhead and headed out. The weather was a little bit colder than it was last weekend, but not bad.
Well, we got about .3 miles into it (I had my GPS humming) and Parker decided he had had enough. Basically, his complaint was that it was too early and he was still sleepy. We made the not to hard call to turn around and went back to the car.
We didn't make it to Cedar Butte, but we turned it into a North Bend Outlet store trip. I ended up with a new Pea Coat, a down vest, a chef's jacket, my daughter got some hiking boots and my wife got a bunch of sweaters. Oh, yeah, and I got the credit card bills. But, still, it was a fun trip.
Once we got home and some lunch in the kids, I asked Parker what would have made it better. He would like to go again, but just later in the day. That's cool - he still likes hiking and getting out there.
We'll go again. Maybe we'll wait until later in the spring time, so the view will better, but we'll be back. Heather wants to see view and I want to hike more. Maybe for the winter time, we'll stick to the lower elevation trails, less terrain and better weather. We're getting started into this hiking thing.
The trail head is a little more than 1/2 an hour from our house and it was a 3 mile round trip. I figure that it would take us about 4 hours to walk it with our 3 year old.
Heather and Alec had an activity at 3 PM, so we knew we need to make an early start in order to get back.
Saturday night, I packed up everybodies day pack with water, lunch, a warm layer, so that in the morning, we'd be ready to go.
I woke everybody up at 7:30 and we were on the road by 8:45. We found the trailhead and headed out. The weather was a little bit colder than it was last weekend, but not bad.
Well, we got about .3 miles into it (I had my GPS humming) and Parker decided he had had enough. Basically, his complaint was that it was too early and he was still sleepy. We made the not to hard call to turn around and went back to the car.
We didn't make it to Cedar Butte, but we turned it into a North Bend Outlet store trip. I ended up with a new Pea Coat, a down vest, a chef's jacket, my daughter got some hiking boots and my wife got a bunch of sweaters. Oh, yeah, and I got the credit card bills. But, still, it was a fun trip.
Once we got home and some lunch in the kids, I asked Parker what would have made it better. He would like to go again, but just later in the day. That's cool - he still likes hiking and getting out there.
We'll go again. Maybe we'll wait until later in the spring time, so the view will better, but we'll be back. Heather wants to see view and I want to hike more. Maybe for the winter time, we'll stick to the lower elevation trails, less terrain and better weather. We're getting started into this hiking thing.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Resolutions, old and new
A few years ago, I decided that I wasn’t going to make a long list of resolutions that there was no way of accomplishing and I decided that I would set some objectives for the year.
The first year I did this, I did okay – I met some objectives, I met some a little late and some slipped altogether. But I felt good about what I accomplished.
I was also using my PDA to keep myself organized, so naturally I put my objectives in there.
So, why am I telling you about 2004 resolutions? Is this some kind of super-retro-blog? Nope. As far as I can tell, I didn't change my objectives for 2005! I guess I was capitalizing on the success of the prior year. So, in 2005, I had the same resolutions:
Books - I made this goal. I should read even more.
Road Races I ran in 3 road races - while that counts as a successfully met objective - as the year went on, my times only got slower. Oh well.
Vitamins - I don't think I took more than a handful of vitamins (not all at once, but over the course of the year). Not so good - considering my high cholesterol and heart problems.
Income Taxes - I was close on this one. What kind of dumb idea is it to have the deadline be probably one of the most important holidays in a committed guys year. The taxes were done by the end of February. This year, this one will have to be done quickly, because with a new mortgage, I hope that we've got a lot coming back to us!
Exercise - I did well, for a while, with the help of my friends. We were running at lunch time, 3 days a week and it felt great! I've since moved and haven't figured out how to work it back in. Our new physician is going to push the issue, because she wants to ensure that I keep my cholesterol down. If I can't do it on my own, she is going to push the drug option very stongly. I really don't want it to come to that. This one is important for this year, for some other reasons, which will get detailed later.
Invest for the kids college - Not proud of this one. Didn't do much here. This will be room for improvement in 2005 - we need better defined financial goals and a plan to reach them. Do you see a 2005 resolution coming?
Enough of 2005. Look forward - always forward!
Objectives for 2006
Firstly, I'm not sure how I feel about publicly posting my 2006 personal objectives. This could end up being a good thing, because I am committing to so many more people (than just myself, I guess) that I will do some things. But then at the same time, if I fall flat on my face, that could be problematic, as well. So, here goes nothing.
Happy New Year!!
The first year I did this, I did okay – I met some objectives, I met some a little late and some slipped altogether. But I felt good about what I accomplished.
I was also using my PDA to keep myself organized, so naturally I put my objectives in there.
So, why am I telling you about 2004 resolutions? Is this some kind of super-retro-blog? Nope. As far as I can tell, I didn't change my objectives for 2005! I guess I was capitalizing on the success of the prior year. So, in 2005, I had the same resolutions:
- Read 3 books
- Run in 3 road races
- Take vitamins daily
- Complete income taxes prior to 14 February
- Exercise at least 3 times per week
- Invest for the kids college
Books - I made this goal. I should read even more.
Road Races I ran in 3 road races - while that counts as a successfully met objective - as the year went on, my times only got slower. Oh well.
Vitamins - I don't think I took more than a handful of vitamins (not all at once, but over the course of the year). Not so good - considering my high cholesterol and heart problems.
Income Taxes - I was close on this one. What kind of dumb idea is it to have the deadline be probably one of the most important holidays in a committed guys year. The taxes were done by the end of February. This year, this one will have to be done quickly, because with a new mortgage, I hope that we've got a lot coming back to us!
Exercise - I did well, for a while, with the help of my friends. We were running at lunch time, 3 days a week and it felt great! I've since moved and haven't figured out how to work it back in. Our new physician is going to push the issue, because she wants to ensure that I keep my cholesterol down. If I can't do it on my own, she is going to push the drug option very stongly. I really don't want it to come to that. This one is important for this year, for some other reasons, which will get detailed later.
Invest for the kids college - Not proud of this one. Didn't do much here. This will be room for improvement in 2005 - we need better defined financial goals and a plan to reach them. Do you see a 2005 resolution coming?
Enough of 2005. Look forward - always forward!
Objectives for 2006
Firstly, I'm not sure how I feel about publicly posting my 2006 personal objectives. This could end up being a good thing, because I am committing to so many more people (than just myself, I guess) that I will do some things. But then at the same time, if I fall flat on my face, that could be problematic, as well. So, here goes nothing.
- Lose 10 pounds - When we put our house on the market, we cleaned our house and then for about 45 days only ate out. And most of that was fast food (or Fat Food, as it is sometimes known in my household). I gained ten pounds out of it. I've kept it pretty steady at that, no more during the holidays, but I'd really like to get it off. There is a pair of DKNY trousers that I have that my wife really likes, and I just can't fit into them. Not that they are tight, they just won't fit. I would like to be able to wear them, since my wife likes them so much. This will go together with my next objective.
- Exercise, more - So, any more exercise than I am doing now will be an improvement. I've got to figure out how to work more running into my life style.
- Keep my cholesterol low enough to stay off drugs - my new doctor told me that THEY have lowered the acceptable level for cholesterol. I really want to avoid taking the cholesterol drugs - I don't wanto start something and have to do it for the rest of my life.
- Hike - I really enjoy hiking. Where we live in Washington is so close to the public lands. We have so many trails that are less than an hour from our house. Mostly, the kids like it and we've gone hiking every weekend this year! Hey its that joke - it is only the second weekend!
- Finish the income taxes before the end of February - a much better deadline, this go around.
- Read at least 3 books - I'll keep this one on the list. I've already gotten started, reading The United States of Walmart.
- Develop some financial goals as a family - we've got three kids and college is already inside our ten year horizon. I'd love to retire (inside the ten year horizon too, would be super-cool). We are saving, but it just needs direction.
- Keep in better touch with my friends - about mid-way through 2005, I realized one of my significant shortcomings is not keeping in touch. I looked for and found several old friends from my time in the Army and got back in touch. Now that I've done that, I need to stay in touch.
Happy New Year!!
Monday, January 02, 2006
Good things
Good things come from Livermore (like my wife) but Wente Sparkling Wine is not one of them. It does make for a good mixer (try a French 75 or a Kir Royale).
Sunday, January 01, 2006
End of the year hike
Just recently, I spent my REI dividend and purchased a couple of guidebooks for camping and hiking in Washington, and on New Year’s Eve, we went for a hike in the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. It was really convenient, less than 30 minutes from our house.
We stopped for white gas, soup and a topo map on the way there. We got soup and fuel, but no map. The guidebook said that there were trail maps, so I hoped for the best and just went with it.
We hiked from the Red Town Trailhead up to the Coal Creek Falls and then back again. The weather wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great, either. The skies were cloudy (contributing to dark photographs) and the temperature was about 45 degrees. It sprinkled on us off an on and the puddles on the trail kept the kids happy.
We started out on the Red Town and Cave Hole Trails, both of which had the elevation gain at the beginning of the hike. Since we were diverging from the “Easy” trail in the guidebook, I had a little concern that the kids might get too tired from the start.
We stopped for lunch a little past the Coal Creek Falls. Since it was in the depths of winter (winter in the North West, that is) I brought my backpacking stove to make a hot soup lunch. Since it was a little cold, the hot soup and hot cocoa were nice and reinvigorating.
After lunch we headed back, by way of the Quarry Trail back to the Red Town Trail. There is a meadow that is being restored and the way it was described with the native flowers, it would be very pretty once it comes into bloom.
All in all, we hiked about 2.65 miles in about 3 hours, including our stop for lunch.
The park was really nice and there are many more trails that I hope we can explore. Before next time, I’ll buy the topo map of the “Issaquah Alps” so I have a better map. The kids all had fun, so it will be something we do again. Our proximity to the outdoors is something that I really like about living here in Washington.
We stopped for white gas, soup and a topo map on the way there. We got soup and fuel, but no map. The guidebook said that there were trail maps, so I hoped for the best and just went with it.
We hiked from the Red Town Trailhead up to the Coal Creek Falls and then back again. The weather wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great, either. The skies were cloudy (contributing to dark photographs) and the temperature was about 45 degrees. It sprinkled on us off an on and the puddles on the trail kept the kids happy.
We started out on the Red Town and Cave Hole Trails, both of which had the elevation gain at the beginning of the hike. Since we were diverging from the “Easy” trail in the guidebook, I had a little concern that the kids might get too tired from the start.
We stopped for lunch a little past the Coal Creek Falls. Since it was in the depths of winter (winter in the North West, that is) I brought my backpacking stove to make a hot soup lunch. Since it was a little cold, the hot soup and hot cocoa were nice and reinvigorating.
After lunch we headed back, by way of the Quarry Trail back to the Red Town Trail. There is a meadow that is being restored and the way it was described with the native flowers, it would be very pretty once it comes into bloom.
All in all, we hiked about 2.65 miles in about 3 hours, including our stop for lunch.
The park was really nice and there are many more trails that I hope we can explore. Before next time, I’ll buy the topo map of the “Issaquah Alps” so I have a better map. The kids all had fun, so it will be something we do again. Our proximity to the outdoors is something that I really like about living here in Washington.
Friday, December 30, 2005
On the Battlefront
My son just bought Star Wars BattleFront with some of his Christmas money. I guess since they are on BattleFront II, the price was pretty low.
He is still on Christmas break and basically played it all day long. After I have gotten home and finished dinner and the dishes, we have been taking turns playing.
I have forgotten how much fun a good video game is to play. Every night since he has gotten it, time has flown by and I have had to make a concerted effort to ensure I go to bed in time to be able to get up for work (the kids are on vacation, but alas not me).
I really like the game - the game play seems realistic, tactics seem to work and the interface is pretty nice.
It also seems like a good way to spend time with my son, playing games together! Talk about quality father-son time!
He is still on Christmas break and basically played it all day long. After I have gotten home and finished dinner and the dishes, we have been taking turns playing.
I have forgotten how much fun a good video game is to play. Every night since he has gotten it, time has flown by and I have had to make a concerted effort to ensure I go to bed in time to be able to get up for work (the kids are on vacation, but alas not me).
I really like the game - the game play seems realistic, tactics seem to work and the interface is pretty nice.
It also seems like a good way to spend time with my son, playing games together! Talk about quality father-son time!
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Broken Arrows - the Movie
Check this movie out. It turns out that it is partially funded by Google. Evidently, the producer and the Google guys are good friends. Looks like an alright movie.
Yeah, I am a big fan of Google and things Google related, but I also like movies about hitmen and it looks like there is enough love story that my wife would enjoy the movie too!
Here is an article from the San Francisco Chronicle about it as well.
Yeah, I am a big fan of Google and things Google related, but I also like movies about hitmen and it looks like there is enough love story that my wife would enjoy the movie too!
Here is an article from the San Francisco Chronicle about it as well.
Monday, December 26, 2005
Long time, no posting
It has been a while since I posted last (bar some quick mo-blogging) and have some updating to do.
Work Stuff
I’ve written that work has been up and down - it has been like a roller coaster. I’d fallen behind on some key projects. It was the kind of “behind” that would make me think twice about sitting down and reading a book on the weekend. My team started a new status reporting process. It was great – it helped me focus on the right things.
With the new-found focus, I actually made some headway on the projects that I was behind on. I felt really good about where I was with them.
As the week before Christmas was winding to a close, I was feeling really good about the few days off. No work to think about, I knew what I had to do when I got back – I was ready to relax for several days. I finished up solving a problem that one of the plants was seeing – they were seeing a difference between our financial plan volume and the field forecast volume. Unfortunately, it was due to an error that I made. Everything I planned on doing that last day slipped out the door. It really sucked and I lost sleep over it this Christmas weekend.
Cooking
All of us, the kids included, like Indian food. I read a quick recipe for something Indian inspired, had most of the ingredients for, including homemade Garam Masala, so I tried it out. The food turned out just the way I wanted to, the color was right, the taste was right, it was perfect! Heather and the kids were really hungry when they got home and they loved it. This also happened on the same day that I made the great headway on the two projects. It was a great day and I wasn’t sure which was better, my great day at work or the reaction to my cooking.
I’ve tried all kinds of new things recently. I really like things with mint and during the holiday season, Peppermint Bark is prevalent. So, I tried to make some (no recipe) and it came out pretty good.
My mom sent me a recipe for Truffles, which I really like. I’ve never made them before and I gave it ago. Chocolate and raspberry go well together, so I bought some Chambord at the state run liquor store. I made Chambord truffles, Kahlua truffles, mint truffles and plain chocolate truffles. I ended up with a bunch of them and we gave them to the neighbors.
Heather found a Prime Rib dinner recipe on Martha Stewart.com. I’ve never cooked a prime rib before nor have I made Yorkshire puddings (something else I really like). I bought the prime rib at a local butcher, Fischer Brothers Meats. It was one of the coolest stores I’d been in. As I walked in, I was enveloped in the smell of smoked meats. They had smoked salmon and beef jerky – and that was just where the line ended. The serving line followed the meat counter and every step along the way there was more excellent meat. I had to wait while they cut me some short ribs and I saw breakfast sausage. Heather like that more than bacon with a nice breakfast so I decided to buy bought that too. Then I saw the slabs of bacon – they would cut it to order for you! It was a dangerous place to be. Recognizing that, I left with what I came to buy (the prime rib and short ribs) and the impulse purchased breakfast sausage.
Christmas
The kids woke us up at 7 am Christmas morning and the power promptly went out. I’d like to think that across the state, other kids were waking up their families and turning on all the Christmas lights, which caused a power drain. We pulled out candles and drove on. About 9 am, the lights came back on, so we finally got our Christmas morning coffee.
Monday was a company holiday and I played chess with Alec, Go Fish with all the kids and went for a walk again. Even though I had to work some, it was a very nice couple of days.
Work Stuff
I’ve written that work has been up and down - it has been like a roller coaster. I’d fallen behind on some key projects. It was the kind of “behind” that would make me think twice about sitting down and reading a book on the weekend. My team started a new status reporting process. It was great – it helped me focus on the right things.
With the new-found focus, I actually made some headway on the projects that I was behind on. I felt really good about where I was with them.
As the week before Christmas was winding to a close, I was feeling really good about the few days off. No work to think about, I knew what I had to do when I got back – I was ready to relax for several days. I finished up solving a problem that one of the plants was seeing – they were seeing a difference between our financial plan volume and the field forecast volume. Unfortunately, it was due to an error that I made. Everything I planned on doing that last day slipped out the door. It really sucked and I lost sleep over it this Christmas weekend.
Cooking
All of us, the kids included, like Indian food. I read a quick recipe for something Indian inspired, had most of the ingredients for, including homemade Garam Masala, so I tried it out. The food turned out just the way I wanted to, the color was right, the taste was right, it was perfect! Heather and the kids were really hungry when they got home and they loved it. This also happened on the same day that I made the great headway on the two projects. It was a great day and I wasn’t sure which was better, my great day at work or the reaction to my cooking.
I’ve tried all kinds of new things recently. I really like things with mint and during the holiday season, Peppermint Bark is prevalent. So, I tried to make some (no recipe) and it came out pretty good.
My mom sent me a recipe for Truffles, which I really like. I’ve never made them before and I gave it ago. Chocolate and raspberry go well together, so I bought some Chambord at the state run liquor store. I made Chambord truffles, Kahlua truffles, mint truffles and plain chocolate truffles. I ended up with a bunch of them and we gave them to the neighbors.
Heather found a Prime Rib dinner recipe on Martha Stewart.com. I’ve never cooked a prime rib before nor have I made Yorkshire puddings (something else I really like). I bought the prime rib at a local butcher, Fischer Brothers Meats. It was one of the coolest stores I’d been in. As I walked in, I was enveloped in the smell of smoked meats. They had smoked salmon and beef jerky – and that was just where the line ended. The serving line followed the meat counter and every step along the way there was more excellent meat. I had to wait while they cut me some short ribs and I saw breakfast sausage. Heather like that more than bacon with a nice breakfast so I decided to buy bought that too. Then I saw the slabs of bacon – they would cut it to order for you! It was a dangerous place to be. Recognizing that, I left with what I came to buy (the prime rib and short ribs) and the impulse purchased breakfast sausage.
Christmas
The kids woke us up at 7 am Christmas morning and the power promptly went out. I’d like to think that across the state, other kids were waking up their families and turning on all the Christmas lights, which caused a power drain. We pulled out candles and drove on. About 9 am, the lights came back on, so we finally got our Christmas morning coffee.
Monday was a company holiday and I played chess with Alec, Go Fish with all the kids and went for a walk again. Even though I had to work some, it was a very nice couple of days.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Sushi, stress & sunglasses
Things are good!
My sushi leftovers didn't kill me!
The last few days in the Northwest have been clear and this morning I had wear my sunglasses, the sun was so bright.
I'm looking forward to this weekend as work has been stressful and I've fallen behind. We've reset some priorities and that has been helpful. It will be nice to relieve some stress this weekend.
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This was from a mobile posting at my kids' swim practice. I apologize if you read this in it's incomplete form.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Living on the edge
For lunch today, I had leftovers from yesterday's lunch. That in itself is not unusual. However, yesterday's lunch was sushi.
It was boxed up and refrigerated very quickly, but it is still raw fish, and now day old raw fish.
It was still tasty.
If this should be my last posting, learn from the error of my ways.
Good day.
It was boxed up and refrigerated very quickly, but it is still raw fish, and now day old raw fish.
It was still tasty.
If this should be my last posting, learn from the error of my ways.
Good day.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Turkey Sandwiches
I really like Turkey Sandwiches after Thanksgiving. I think a lot of it has to do with the way I make them and the memories associated with that. I make my Turkey Sandwiches the same way my Grandma did.
You start with one piece of Wonder Bread (and only Wonder Bread), with butter and another with mayonnaise. The butter side gets cranberry sauce and the mayo side gets the Turkey and a piece of lettuce is placed between the two sides.
How do you like Turkey Sandwiches?
You start with one piece of Wonder Bread (and only Wonder Bread), with butter and another with mayonnaise. The butter side gets cranberry sauce and the mayo side gets the Turkey and a piece of lettuce is placed between the two sides.
How do you like Turkey Sandwiches?
Friday, November 25, 2005
Opposable Thumbs
I quite like my thumb and truly realize why we are better than monkeys and apes because we have an opposable thumb. In order to help my wife make the mushroom gravy, I was finely chopping 12 shallots. About mid-way though the 12, I chopped my left thumb, right across the thumbnail and side of my thumb. I yelled some expletives (some I didn't even remember saying, Heather has since informed me), applied direct pressure and went to bandage myself up.
A quick wrap with gauze and a secure taping (entirely covering it, which is hard to do with only one hand) and I was back to chopping shallots. Well, I did wash the knife first.
Having my thumb all wrapped up made it more challenging to continue chopping, pick things up and open containers. Imagine my chagrin when I realized how important my left thumb was to unbuttoning my pants when I had to go to the bathroom. I've also learned that my left thumb is important to the way I tie my shoe laces (I end up wrapping one of the loops around my left thumb in order to tie them tightly). I almost asked my 6 year old daughter to tie my shoes for me.
I've also wondered how many emergency room visits occur on these big cooking holidays for sliced fingers.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and keep your thumbs out from underneath your knives. Especially if they are recently sharpened!
A quick wrap with gauze and a secure taping (entirely covering it, which is hard to do with only one hand) and I was back to chopping shallots. Well, I did wash the knife first.
Having my thumb all wrapped up made it more challenging to continue chopping, pick things up and open containers. Imagine my chagrin when I realized how important my left thumb was to unbuttoning my pants when I had to go to the bathroom. I've also learned that my left thumb is important to the way I tie my shoe laces (I end up wrapping one of the loops around my left thumb in order to tie them tightly). I almost asked my 6 year old daughter to tie my shoes for me.
I've also wondered how many emergency room visits occur on these big cooking holidays for sliced fingers.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and keep your thumbs out from underneath your knives. Especially if they are recently sharpened!
Monday, November 07, 2005
Kids these days
I am writing this from the Fall City library and it is funny. The same reason that I am here brings several of the youth of Fall City - the internet connected computers. Today, I went on a MINI road trip and the end destination was Fall City to meet my family for an event at the library.
As I got here early and needed to do some work, I just went in to the library, logged in and went to work. But there were also a bunch of kids here, ostensibly doing homework.
But they too, were drawn to the computers. Instant messaging was providing them a great deal of entertainment and chatting about who had asked who out and who grabbed who's butt. They were fooling around, laughing, knocking each other's heads together.
As I was sitting here watching kids be kids, all I could think of was how this would drive my mom crazy.
As I got here early and needed to do some work, I just went in to the library, logged in and went to work. But there were also a bunch of kids here, ostensibly doing homework.
But they too, were drawn to the computers. Instant messaging was providing them a great deal of entertainment and chatting about who had asked who out and who grabbed who's butt. They were fooling around, laughing, knocking each other's heads together.
As I was sitting here watching kids be kids, all I could think of was how this would drive my mom crazy.
You are a hero until you drop the F bomb at the dinner table
Today I went to lunch with a high school friend of mine, Captain Dave Carrico. He just returned from being deployed for a year in Iraq. It was great to catch up with him, hear about his experiences in Iraq and just get another person's out look on life in general. We just chatted for about a two hours over lunch at a pizza place south of Fort Lewis. It was really cool.
The military has changed so much since I have gotten out, but at the same time, so much has stayed the same. They are making such great use of technology to keep American son's and daughter's alive. But no matter what, it still requires soldiers on the ground in order to accomplish the mission.
It strange listening to him talk - his speech patterns were so military and he was ending his period of active duty to go back to a cubicle in some tech company. Things that are so commonplace in the military (ending phone calls with "Out", the F bomb as an adjective, the 24 hour clock) that aren't used in the civilian world were a now a part of Dave. In fact, the title of this posting comes from some briefing they got in order to help them come back to the civilian work place.
After lunch, I dropped him back off at his afternoon out processing station. One more day and he'll be back on his way to the Bay Area.
I'm glad that he made it back safely and that his unit didn't lose anyone when they were over there. Citizen-soldiers like him make the world a better place for all of us.
The military has changed so much since I have gotten out, but at the same time, so much has stayed the same. They are making such great use of technology to keep American son's and daughter's alive. But no matter what, it still requires soldiers on the ground in order to accomplish the mission.
It strange listening to him talk - his speech patterns were so military and he was ending his period of active duty to go back to a cubicle in some tech company. Things that are so commonplace in the military (ending phone calls with "Out", the F bomb as an adjective, the 24 hour clock) that aren't used in the civilian world were a now a part of Dave. In fact, the title of this posting comes from some briefing they got in order to help them come back to the civilian work place.
After lunch, I dropped him back off at his afternoon out processing station. One more day and he'll be back on his way to the Bay Area.
I'm glad that he made it back safely and that his unit didn't lose anyone when they were over there. Citizen-soldiers like him make the world a better place for all of us.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Colors of San Francisco
Two weekends ago, I was in San Francisco for a friend's wedding. Sunday morning I walked around North Beach, the Financial District and the Embarcadero and took some pictures.
The day was perfectly clear with a blue sky - impressive for the end of October. Everything was light so nicely and the colors just stood out.
I've just signed up for a flickr account, so check out some of my photos!
The day was perfectly clear with a blue sky - impressive for the end of October. Everything was light so nicely and the colors just stood out.
I've just signed up for a flickr account, so check out some of my photos!
Installing a microwave
This weekend, I installed a microwave. Wow, you think, I took a microwave out of a box and slipped it into a cut out in a cabinet. Well, it was not a simple task. Firstly, I failed to measure the depth of the cabinet. The microwave we chose was about ¾” too deep. After a few calls, I got some guidance to cut the wall board in the back of the cabinet to make the cabinet deeper.
The wallboard was quick and easy to cut, so I slipped the microwave into the opening, drilled the pilot holes and screwed it in. There was a bracket that was supposed to go in, over the top of the microwave and across the opening. Well, again, a failure to measure, the opening was 1-1/4” too narrow. Now, it was wide enough to fit the microwave, but it needs more space for ventilation. That called for removing the microwave and some more trimming.
I carefully measured (and re-measured this time) because I would be cutting the cabinet facing. I marked it and drilled holes at the corners and started cutting. I haven’t mentioned yet that we have oak cabinets and I was cutting by hand. Each cut was only about 16” long, but cutting oak by hand isn’t exactly the most fun thing. I was also using my keyhole saw because of the small cut I was making.
I put the microwave in again and finished it all up.
What I didn’t share at the beginning was that a week ago, I discovered the fact that it was too deep for the cabinet. So, in the course of installing this microwave, I put it in the cabinet about 8 times.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
iTunes and Videos
Part II of Digital Living
I am on a trip this weekend; I’ve gone to San Francisco to go to a friend’s wedding. Because I was out of town so much recently, I haven’t caught up on watching the few TV shows that I am interested in. I remembered that I wanted to transfer the last episode of Lost from my Tivo just before I left.
Tivo To Go transfers are pretty slow; they take longer than the show to transfer and I didn’t start my Lost transfer in time, and at the quality we are recording them, an hour show takes 1.8 GB. I don’t have that much disk space on my laptop right now. So, when I got to my hotel, I purchased the particular episode from the new iTunes Music store. It only cost $1.99 and was only 143 MB.
While it easily fit on my disk, it wasn’t optimized for full screen viewing. When watching it in full screen, I would get that large pixilation effect and sometimes a stutter. When I watched it at double size (about 4x6), it ran very smoothly. Now, it wasn’t the greatest, but it balanced file size and picture size. I’m glad that I was able to watch that episode.
I continue to be amazed by the way that the digital world changes the way we live.
I am on a trip this weekend; I’ve gone to San Francisco to go to a friend’s wedding. Because I was out of town so much recently, I haven’t caught up on watching the few TV shows that I am interested in. I remembered that I wanted to transfer the last episode of Lost from my Tivo just before I left.
Tivo To Go transfers are pretty slow; they take longer than the show to transfer and I didn’t start my Lost transfer in time, and at the quality we are recording them, an hour show takes 1.8 GB. I don’t have that much disk space on my laptop right now. So, when I got to my hotel, I purchased the particular episode from the new iTunes Music store. It only cost $1.99 and was only 143 MB.
While it easily fit on my disk, it wasn’t optimized for full screen viewing. When watching it in full screen, I would get that large pixilation effect and sometimes a stutter. When I watched it at double size (about 4x6), it ran very smoothly. Now, it wasn’t the greatest, but it balanced file size and picture size. I’m glad that I was able to watch that episode.
I continue to be amazed by the way that the digital world changes the way we live.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Buying groceries online
Living on-line has gone one step further for my family. This week, I purchased groceries on-line from Safeway.com. I have wanted to do it for a while, but this week the conditions were just right for it.
Work has been pretty hectic, the previous weeks were pretty rough and they culminated with a week long meeting at the company headquarters. I got back from this meeting and all I wanted to do was catch up on sleep, but we had things that we had to do. And there wasn’t time for shopping for groceries.
It was pretty cool. I was able to type in my shopping list, in my terms and it did a pre-search and returned results for each of my items. I could then refine those results and pick the item I was looking for.
Most of the items had pictures, so I could validate that they were the right one with what I would pick off the shelf. I was able to find everything I was looking for and it didn’t take too long (only about 20 minutes). Now, if you were just browsing, it would take a while – it works best if you know what you are looking for.
I selected a delivery time and waited. It was kind of exciting waiting for my delivery. I had ordered some frosting for some really good pumpkin muffins that my wife made and that helped build the excitement.
The delivery was a little late, because the maps of my neighborhood show a road that doesn’t go through as connecting. There were 3 items that they were out of stock on and my frozen things were still frozen (much more frozen than had I driven them home). I only got 3 produce items (1 orange, a bunch of cilantro and some shallots – none which really require “picking”).
I only have two complaints, both of which are really my fault. The first was the cilantro was bagged and tied shut. Four days later, still closed up, it started to get slimy. My fault for not taking it out of the bag. There was another item that I just picked the wrong size on. Again, my fault for not reading better.
Buying groceries on line will probably be something we do more of with all the activities that we are involved in. I really enjoy cooking, I find it very relaxing, and not having to get groceries will free up more time for cooking, among other things!
Your first delivery is free and they have a tiered pricing plan. Delivery for purchases over $150 is free, a four hour delivery window is $5.99 and a two hour delivery window is $9.99. Check it out!
Work has been pretty hectic, the previous weeks were pretty rough and they culminated with a week long meeting at the company headquarters. I got back from this meeting and all I wanted to do was catch up on sleep, but we had things that we had to do. And there wasn’t time for shopping for groceries.
It was pretty cool. I was able to type in my shopping list, in my terms and it did a pre-search and returned results for each of my items. I could then refine those results and pick the item I was looking for.
Most of the items had pictures, so I could validate that they were the right one with what I would pick off the shelf. I was able to find everything I was looking for and it didn’t take too long (only about 20 minutes). Now, if you were just browsing, it would take a while – it works best if you know what you are looking for.
I selected a delivery time and waited. It was kind of exciting waiting for my delivery. I had ordered some frosting for some really good pumpkin muffins that my wife made and that helped build the excitement.
The delivery was a little late, because the maps of my neighborhood show a road that doesn’t go through as connecting. There were 3 items that they were out of stock on and my frozen things were still frozen (much more frozen than had I driven them home). I only got 3 produce items (1 orange, a bunch of cilantro and some shallots – none which really require “picking”).
I only have two complaints, both of which are really my fault. The first was the cilantro was bagged and tied shut. Four days later, still closed up, it started to get slimy. My fault for not taking it out of the bag. There was another item that I just picked the wrong size on. Again, my fault for not reading better.
Buying groceries on line will probably be something we do more of with all the activities that we are involved in. I really enjoy cooking, I find it very relaxing, and not having to get groceries will free up more time for cooking, among other things!
Your first delivery is free and they have a tiered pricing plan. Delivery for purchases over $150 is free, a four hour delivery window is $5.99 and a two hour delivery window is $9.99. Check it out!
Chip
I'm a little bummed. On the way to the airport today I got a chip in my MINI's windshield. I guess that it is bound to happen. Bummer.
--
Mobile Email from a Cingular Wireless Customer http://www.cingular.com
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Friday, October 14, 2005
The Seattle Times: Local News: Crash victim's insurer should have a heart
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/dannywestneat/2002560033_danny14.html
After reading this article, there are a few things that come to mind:
1. I thought that occurrences like this were why we have insurance.
2. I do agree that her insurance company should pay out.
3. I hope that my insurance coverage isn't like this.
After reading this article, there are a few things that come to mind:
1. I thought that occurrences like this were why we have insurance.
2. I do agree that her insurance company should pay out.
3. I hope that my insurance coverage isn't like this.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Why we need wi-fi
I lead a training session at work last week. What a tangled mess of wires. See why wi-fi is such a great technology ? More and more collaboration is key in the workplace and wi-fi can help!
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Too much fun for one day
This morning, the whole family ran in the Issaquah Rotary Run at the Salmon Days Fair. Parker wanted to run in the 5K, but was then too tired to run in the Kids 1K.
Later in the day, the Alec and Chase went across the street to play and he wanted to do something. Parker and I went to Krispy Kreme and got a donut. By the time we got home...
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