My little Dutch Excursion

Today started out a little rough. I woke up with this strange crick/lump in my neck, forgot my office keys, paid for parking twice because I forgot my keys and had to go back home, and drove around twice as much in twice the normal traffic (UW graduation + road construction + sunshine= yuck) with about half my normal patience due to the previously mentioned aggravations, not to mention the sad frustration of realizing that I lost my phone last night at Golden Gardens. What are the chances of finding your phone at the beach? That run-on was probably about as smooth as the first part of my day.

But then, I got a hold of an individual called Gordon who happened to have gotten a hold of my phone through his brother who had found it at the beach... Things were looking up. I just had to meet him to pick it up. So, as soon as I had the chance, I headed over to Ballard to find Gordon, and my phone. He lived basically under the bridge he said, by the water. So I found the general stretch of the road where his address should have been, but it wasn't really obvious, especially being in the industrial part of Ballard. Then I spotted a bike shop with people, I hoped, who would have an idea where this address might be. The owner of the Holland import bike shop invited me inside to google it.

What was I doing, he wanted to know? I mumbled something about my phone. We walked back out, and I waved and thanked him, thinking we were done. But instead he pointed to his bike and suggested that he was going to give me a ride instead. There was a big wooden passenger box attached to the front, so cool, I hopped in. I felt so Dutch. He asked me again about what I was doing down under the bridge, because he seemed concerned about me, because apparently nothing good goes on there. Do I repair phones? No... I explained that I was fetching mine. He just wanted to make sure I was going to come out alive or something.

Anyway, we eventually made our way down a gravelly path through a chain link corridor and a bunch of ailing cars to the shore. He saw a woman he recognized and asked her if Gordon lived nearby. She pointed down the dock to his boat. Ah, he lives on a boat, he might have mentioned that. Oh well. The bike man said goodbye, and I found Gordon in his boat. He gave me my phone. He was an odd fellow, but quite nice to have called me back about my phone. I thanked him and thanked him and was on my way, thoroughly amused by the entire phone mishap. In a way I'm glad I lost it, because, it was quite a little adventure getting it back.

Guess Who Got Out?

Well, I haven't posted since January, and I bet you thought I'd abandoned the blog now that I have an exciting life in the city. Not so, I was just waiting, building suspense. So this had better be a good one eh? Dog got out yesterday, for his first solo adventure in Seattle. He just wandered away, like he does. One minute there was a large white dog out in the yard, the next there was a black cat staring at me through the window. Not good. Cat presence means dog must be long gone. So the search began. Where would I go if I were a dog? No fresh steaming piles in sight (to roll in, not as evidence). Yes, that's would I would do if I were free for a day, go roll in pooh. At least if I were this dog, that is what I would do. I started meeting my neighbors. Have you seen my dog? Have you seen my dog? Have you seen my dog? I felt like I was living out a children's book instead of real life. The next big thing since, "Are you my Mother?"

Well, turns out about three different people had seen him and two others wanted to know if he was friendly if they found him. One woman wanted to know if he would come if she called him. I didn't really get into how it would depend on her tone of voice. But since she had two small dogs with her, I'm betting she wouldn't have too much trouble. Now, I am setting you up for a very complicated math problem, are you ready?

So, of all these people, how many of them were helpful? Figure it out yet? OK, two women tried to be helpful, and one guy actually ran into his house to ask his buddy which way they'd seen Sayers go. But all in all, nobody noticed which way he'd gone. He's sly.

I got a phone call. He had traveled down the street an entire block, and was at somebody's house. The man told me that my dog seemed very hungry. I pedaled on down to get dog, and when I got there his wife confirmed that he must be hungry. "He keeps looking for food." I didn't bother to ask how she knew what he was looking for, and just left it at, "he's always hungry." I don't know if that reassured them or not.

Anyway, this story isn't that amazing or exciting, it's just the only thing to write about at the moment. So there you have it, the furry beast is back from his jaunt around the neighborhood and he isn't even filthy.

And Now A Place to Live

Yes, it's true. As Ashley so aptly put it, Surefoot no longer runs the risk of doubling as "Surebed." By the way, Surefoot is my trusty car, who you should meet some day. He's really a nice chap. So, if all goes well, tomorrow I sign my life away and will start my new life in a duplex. A first for me. Also a first is experiencing so much wood paneling in one home. It's a little overwhelming, but I like it. It feels slightly rustic. Oh, and get this. It has dark green carpeting. It was meant to be. And if Sayers makes it out, we will slowly begin the uphill battle of keeping that carpet green instead of white ;)

So, I Moved

I know, I know. My blog is barely limping along these days with a few sad attempts lately to keep it alive. This is the latest and greatest. I moved to Seattle. Perhaps I'll have some stories to share soon.

Saunas and Dishwashers

Today our dishwasher died. So we went out and scouted out the dishwasher sales situation around town. We found some high prices and some better prices, but nothing too spectacular. Well, then we were talking to a not-too obnoxious salesman (which is nice) who mentioned that he has a scratched dishwasher in back on clearance. It was the model we wanted. It was a lot less money. Sweet. It has some little scratches in the paint is all.... So today we bought a dishwasher of all things to to do on a foggy Wednesday.

Oh something about saunas. I forget what I was going to say about that. We're listening to Medieval Babes and drinking some delicious Belgian style beers and having a nice evening together. I'll miss such evenings.

Here goes nothin'

Well, my friends, tomorrow is the first day of training. Marathon training that is. It's terrifying. Exciting. Daunting. Ambitious. So uh... for those of you who have done one o' these things before, perhaps you have some words of wisdom?

Snow, snow, snow

We went walking again today. Three big people and a dog inn the snow... it's been falling since about 6ish this morning and it's beautiful. But dangerous. There are some cars out braving the snow and the ice, sliding and spinning their wheels just for fun. I don't know how much their people think it a good sport, but they're all creeping about the town anyway. The world in slow motion. The snowmobiles are prancing about too, showing off I'd say. We got to see all of this on our walk downtown. The dog skated about on some ice sheets and almost pulled me down. When I did fall flat on my back, however, we weren't on any ice sheets. I don't know what happened. I was talking about bad 80's hair styling... I was up. And then I was down. I'm still opposed to excessive hair teasing. And hair spray for that matter.

What a beautiful day! White fluff everywhere.

I'm Back!

So, it seems nothing's been posted for quite some time. And perhaps anyone who reads this already knows... but I'm getting quite close to moving back to Seattle. That's the most exciting thing I can think of this morning. It's January. That in itself it not very exciting, I mean what happens in January? It's cold. Sometimes colder, like if you were in Ketchum experiencing -20. I don't recommend going out of you way to experience that. What else can we say about January? It sort of reminds me of argyle for some reason...

Burley to read Sunday booze ordinance again

This is classic:

Burley to read Sunday booze ordinance again

By Damon Hunzeker
Times-News writer

It's all about free agency versus governmental restriction of individual rights - and if you're looking forward to ordering a shot of Jagermeister in Burley this Sunday, you'll have to wait at least two more weeks.

The Burley City Council agreed by a vote of 4-2 Tuesday night to allow a second reading of the proposed ordinance that would allow Sunday liquor sales in the city. Council members Dennis Dexter and Steve McGill voted to suspend the standard three-reading rule and vote on the matter Tuesday night. Instead, it will be either voted on or postponed by another two weeks during the Dec. 2 meeting.

Several people showed up Tuesday to oppose the potential ordinance - which City Attorney Randy Stone presented as a change that will allow the sale of liquor on "Sunday, Memorial Day, and Thanksgiving."

Burley resident Tony Hart stood up and said, "A lot of traditional things go by the wayside just because somebody else does it. I've lived here for 50 years and seen the deterioration of the community."

The remarks prompted Jim Bryant, also a longtime resident, to angrily denounce Hart's position.

"I'd like to take it back to the 1800s when it was our right to drink on Sunday, when it was our individual rights to do what we wanted without people like Tony telling us how to live our lives," he said.

Others in the audience of about 25 people related the issue to religion.

"We just let our barriers down a little bit, pretty soon they're all gone," Dan Crane said, "There was a law written down 6,000 years ago about keeping the Sabbath holy. What about the other things this will bring?"

Crane went on to cite increased law-enforcement costs and, without explaining a connection, erosion of the Constitution.

Forrest Hall lectured the city council about three evils in society: drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.

The first, he said, groups the only illegal intoxicants and seemed to suggest that the latter two should follow.

Hall praised the lack of tobacco smoke in most public places nowadays and said, "Alcohol is probably the most wicked of the whole bunch. Why should we support a person who wants to sell alcohol in the first place?"

Tawnya Hale, representing Nelson's Cafe and Pilot Lounge, pointed out, as she did at the previous meeting, that the business is already paying for a yearlong license, which is useless 52 days out of the year, and that bars already sell beer and wine.

Owner Shirley Middleton said, "As for Sunday being the Lord's day, every day is the Lord's day - and people who don't realize that need to take a closer look at themselves."

The overt opponent on the city council, Vaughn Egan, said, "I am strictly against whiskey on Sunday - for many reasons, and the majority of citizens in this city know what those reasons are."

He didn't mention any of the reasons but said that he would continue to support the ban "for the rest of my days on this earth."

Councilman Dennis Curtis, while voting in favor of a second reading, said, "If a man wants to sell hay on Sunday, I could care less. I've always been for commerce."

http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2008/11/20/news/minicassia/149144.txt

how'd he do that?

sayers is getting older. perhaps that explains it, or perhaps he really is my dog after all. i took him out the other day, and when it came time to go home i told him to get in the car. "kennel" in dog speak. so, he made an amazing leap into the back of the car (car mind you, not the truck). and then he slipped, or something, and fell out of the car right onto his back. his clean, white back mind you. the one that had just been bathed mere hours before. of course we were in a parking lot, landing in parking lot grease puddles. yes, that is my dog. i told him he was a good pooch, try it again. i'm still not sure what happened the first time.

We're Outrageous

first of all we had a yard sale in the middle of november and everyone was freezing. but they came. but, our prices were enough to scare them away. one woman just walked off the property at the idea that we would want fifty cents for an assortment of fabrics. there were probably several yards there, but apparently our high prices were enough to make her take her business elsewhere. she was only willing to pay a quarter. she was rather upset as we called after her that a quarter would be fine... and didn't look back. of course there are the people who seemed shocked that so many things were "only" a quarter. it's amazing to me how many people thought they were getting deals and yet how many people thought they were getting ripped off. my favorite of the day was the guy who got upset because we did not provide him with a box to take his hangers from the free pile after the sale was over. who complains about lack of service at a yard sale? when it's over? and it's free?? seriously people. you confuse me.

In the Media...

ya know, i heard somebody on some newsy show say, "money is a tool, not a lover." it's sort of obvious, but also sort of a good point.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

October 11th, and there is snow on the ground. Craziness... but it's really beautiful. I could handle snow and flowers all winter. Too bad the flowers can't. But they're being pretty brave out there, I have to say.

toes

so, i have to make this quick. but a girl just walked by me wearing shoes with individual toes. like toe socks, but toe shoes. one question: why?? it makes me want to wiggle my toes just thinking about it.

on sale

so, if you know me, you probably know that i rarely pay full retail price for anything. i don't try particularly hard, since i find shopping to be rather painful in most circumstances. i keep a mental list running of things i need or will need in the near future, and when i see a good deal... lisa and mike are the same way. for example, we went grocery shopping today and ended up buying some $44 worth of food. we saved over $72. so if we were to pay full retail we would have shelled out well over $100. but we're not into that. often we go to the grocery outlet and save more than we spend, but today was special. we ran across the street (more like a game of frogger on this arterial) for convenience and were drawn in by the deals. and i admit, i splurged.

it is almost october after all, so who needs a 2008 calendar? well, for ten cents, i went for it. wild flowers, come on. i am already scheming some uses for the pretty pictures once the year ends. i threw another ten cents at a pack of gum and was happy to find the only non fruity flavor in the basket. in my opinion, gum and hot tea should never be fruity. there was the thirty some dollar steak we got for $5 or so.

now, i am a little ashamed to admit this, but baby food was such a good deal (14 cents for a 6 oz. jar of apple sauce) that i almost went for it. i was pretty close, i mean big people eat apple sauce too. i like apple sauce. but then i got to thinking about it and looking closer at it and decided that it might be a wee bit over-processed for my taste. more like mush than sauce. so i passed. but then i left the store and started reconsidering the baby food, because couldn't you use the baby stuff in baking... and no one would notice? and then you could offer your special treat to people, and tell them it was made of baby food. or not.

thwarted

the accumulation process can only go so far before it instills a desire to purge. so, today, having had quite enough of all this acquiring of this n'that lately, i was determined to find as many things (starting in my room) that i could to get rid of immediately. it's wonderfully therapeutic. let's begin with the things i know i'll never wear again. how about several pairs of pants that, no matter what i do, will not stay put without a belt, which only makes things worse by bunching them up around my waist. having thyroid is great, but the down side is... i lost my butt and my clothes don't seem to fit anymore. if you happen to see it, will you kindly send it on its way back home?

anyway, i found some pants to give away, some shirts to retire, and a few things that probably should just be thrown away... like the pair of pants i've been wearing since 1998 that don't really have much other than their gumption holding them together at this point. so, i was finding some good stuff... getting a fairly decent pile going when lisa came around. i told her i had some stuff she might want to take a look at before i donated it. so what does she do? first she offered me a sweater that she had shrunk, thinking it might fit me for some reason, though last i checked... there is no conceivable way of stuffing a person over the age of eight into a sweater that small. so then she tried her next move in her ploy to thwart my purging process. she pulled out a long, black wool skirt she thought might fit me, that she no longer felt the need to hang onto for herself. she'd bought it at a thrift store a few years ago. it's handmade. it fit. ooo.... pretty. ahhh!!! i give up, i'll take it.

will i ever have an occasion to wear a long black skirt? sort of doubtful, but i am now fully prepared... and slightly less than successful in paring down my excess...

a very exciting post

so, i lied. this isn't even worthy of being called post material... but i need your help. my cell phone had an adventure and didn't come out so well in the end, so while he's recovering (don't tell him it doesn't look good), there's a new guy. he's still getting the hang of things and could use some assistance. he doesn't know all your numbers yet. he's a little overwhelmed with all the responsibility and it's still his first day. so go easy on him and just this once give him your phone number(s). you know the email address.

of mice and men

i have had 'of mice and men' sitting next to my bed for weeks, telling myself that i should and will read it. it's short, it's a classic, and it's a book i can read and get rid of (which is ideal at this point). yet, for some reason, i never have to urge to pick it up and start reading. there is actually a stack of books next to my bed which i intend to read and discard. perhaps telling someone else about my stash of books will prompt me to actually crack the dusty things and absorb something from them. if you've read 'of mice and men' and tell me i'm missing out, i'm quite sure i will suddenly blaze through it, wondering what took me so long. and if you tell me it wasn't that great, i will may continue to glance at it occasionally, promising myself to one day look at the inside.

weird

in a wave of strange happenings, i am feeling the urge to blog a bit.

today i was at the store and the girl forgot to give me my change. i didn't notice at first, so i went back a few minutes later for my ten dollars. they called a manager who said it was store policy not to give it back. i protested and asked to speak with the manager, who then came out to tell me in person that i could not get my change back, even though the cashier admitted that she had forgotten to give me my money. she said i could come back to collect it tomorrow, if the till is over. i protested. she said "store policy" many times. i was extremely irritated. supposedly they'll call me if they find an extra ten dollars lying around. yeah, right.

then later on today the amazing lincoln street trio decided to walk down to the park to see what the jamaican festival was like. we've been hearing about it on the radio for weeks. yes, you read that right. jamaican-themed festival, in twin falls. we got there and saw throngs of people, so i was excited. maybe some good food, fun music. well, a few people were standing around drinking beer and talking. a few loud shirts, one or two articles of tie dye, and not a dread lock in sight. there were a bunch of tables set up, and some people sitting and talking around them. no music. no food. there was, however, a giant tent with tables and baskets wrapped up: a silent auction. tell me, what is jamaican about all of this?? do jamaicans dig silent auctions? perhaps the items in the baskets were somehow related to jamaica. very confused, we dragged ourselves away from the raging party, while everyone else continued in their wild partying, periodically checking their auction items and sipping on beer.

so, hungry, we decided to make dinner. we pulled out a bunch of food from the refridge and decided that we had the makings for steak and bratwurst burritos. i was feeling rather carnivorous tonight and drooling over the idea of some meat, multitudes of meat in fact. grill. burritofy. eat. mmm, it was tasty. oh, but then, what's this? mike is standing up holding his throat. choking? yes. i was contemplating the heimlich when he stuck his head over the railing into the flower bed. i thought he was trying to puke. alright! yeah! i'm thinking, puke it up buddy. but then he pulls this long pink stringy thing out of his mouth, about six inches long and declares that he got it. apparently. i guess he decided to swallow sans chewing and got it stuck halfway down his throat. this next part i am thinking about censoring, but heck... no. then he fed it to my dog, despite my protesting against it. needless to say, sayers enjoyed it thoroughly and sat nearby hoping for more. fortunately mike supplied no more semi-digested treats this night.

ah, what a day.

la fiesta

monica was in town yesterday, so we went to dinner, along with some other friends. la fiesta. i'd never eaten there before, but i was in the mood for mexican, so i was excited. for some reason the black bean soup sounded good, even though it was 90 some-odd degrees outside. but, travesty of travesties, the waiter came back to tell me there was no more soup. popular item. so i settled for a shredded beef taco, skip the beans and rice. man oh man, that was a delicious taco. and what made it even more delectable was the bill. my total came in under $2. which leads me to the question, why pay an extra $4 for rice when you can fill up on chips. freshly made, free chips. that was a darn good dinner, and one of the cheapest dining out experiences i've ever had. i figured i should leave more than the usual 15-20% tip...

oh, and after dinner we went to the thursday night summer concert in the park. there was a bit of a seventies theme with the music. it was also "crazy hat" and "crazy shirt" night. we were vastly outnumbered by senior citizens, but that is what makes the summer concerts so great. only one left this year... does that mean summer is slipping away?