Labor day weekend paddle

HW520 Bridge

It's been an odd summer season but this labor day weekend was true summer, indeed. I launched from the marina at Lake Union and made my way to the arboretum. The Montlake cut (bridge), with all the boat traffic, was as choppy as ever. Things calm down once you get to the arboretum and it becomes just a leisurely paddle through the park. As I got out and turned towards Lake Washington I stopped and watched the HW520 floating bridge for a little bit...many times I had either been passing through or stuck in traffic...always wishing I'd be on the water instead...well now I was...so I savored the moment. Heading back to the marina, I always pass by shipyards and that has always been a welcome treat for me, personally. No Deadliest Catch ships this time, though...used to always spot the Wizard...but not this day.

Ballard Bridge

Tugs, Lake Union

Arboretum

Storm vs Tulsa

The NBA doesn't like Key Arena and moved the Sonics when replacement efforts didn't work out. I'm glad a local group saved the Seattle Storm from the move and, having watched a number of games this year, will say that I really like the place. Anyway...the Storm is still fun to watch. Sue Bird is a great point guard and Katie Smith shows flashes from time to time (that's when she drives to the basket). When Lauren Jackson went down, the rest of the players picked up and that actually made for more intersting games, honestly. I do wish the Sonics return. I didn't get a chance to see them since I moved here and would definitely watch if they come back.

The Teaser Flight

It's one of those things you just have to try at least once. I had a cool discount for a "discovery" flight...why not? There is that initial fear when you get on the runway (and wonder if this little thing will really get off the ground)....but the flight instructor was pretty much helping me with everything to get the plane off the ground so there was not much to worry about....as soon as we were up he gave me more control of the plane. It felt rather easy maneuvering the plane....until a bit of turbulence kicked in...and I felt fear creeping behind me again. While there's a lot of freedom in roaming the skies, I have to say right now I'm not inclined to pursue flight training. Other than the cost, it really is a lot of work...monitoring instruments, watching out for other planes, navigation, radio traffic-chatter,.....and I think that's it: it sounds more like work than a great time for me. But hell I still got a kick out of the experience and glad I did it.

Spring Training 2011

This year my brother and I came at the tail end of spring training and the plus of that is the player list had already been trimmed a couple of times (so the rosters are pretty good out of the gate). The minus is the team store...coming off of a championship year...was low on everything...most importantly spring training pins, which I had been collecting ever since we started coming to Arizona (I later got one from Ebay). Definitely more people this year...even on the road...we'd be in a Royals stadium and the Giants cheers was as loud as ever. The excitement around Brandon Belt was undeniable. He just might force his way into the team this year (or at least have a short stint in Triple-A first). We were also able to do a side trip this year...to the Goldfield Ghost Town just outside of Phoenix.

Portland

The last time Thess and I had seen Doug Beasley was in 2007 for the South Dakota workshop. It was great to meet up with him again in this year's Portland workshop. Doug's approach has always been about finding meaning in the images one creates...or moments captured. It's very easy to lose that focus and course correction really helps.

Home for the Holidays 2010

This holiday trip felt really short even though I had as much as time as last. With a lot if work down to the wire I guess it overflowed a bit into my holidays. Sometimes you just feel off or tired. Oh well, it happens. The holiday was still a great one. My nieces and nephews are getting bigger and I'm beginning to feel older than ever. I wonder how the next decade will turn out?

Thanksgiving Holiday

I remember a restaurant that once had a sign on its door that says "This is the wrong place for a diet". This was pretty much what coming home for Thanksgiving is for me :).

Spokane

I've had these Amtrak tickets for a long time and finally had a chance to exchange them for a trip with my brother to Spokane. Believe it or not, this was our first time on Amtrak :). Being on the sleeper car helped ignore the eight hour ride. I wish I could travel like this all the time instead of flying. The ride was very smooth and comfortable. Once we got to Spokane, we walked all over town, mostly Riverfront Park and downtown.

BrickCon 2010

The kid in me will always have a soft spot for Lego bricks (for some reason I am unable to say "Legos" like the kids...I guess I'm old school?). I know I'm biased...my favorite display was the Golden Gate. There was, of course, a lot of stuff for sale. One interesting discovery was a store selling custom molds of guns. Wow....can you imagine your village folks carrying AK-47s? (yes, there's a custom mold for more than a dozen types of guns). I didn't buy any of these new molds....I went instead to the grab bins where you can pick and cram all the pieces you like into a plastic ziploc bag for fifteen bucks :). I have no idea what I'm building, but I was like a kid in candy store. I'll see if I can update this post later with whatever it is I end up building.

Nisqually Delta

Probably the last trip I join with any group this summer. The day was again a blessing...cloudy skies, light breeze, manageable currents. Yum! Sadly we missed a whale one fisherman told us he just saw on the way back...did see seals and eagles though....

Wollochet Bay

The day was just right...no wind, not too hot...water's calm....nice! I went with a group and given most were in doubles, I had a bit of an advantage and could leisurely pace along.....and more importantly, have lots of time to enjoy the scenery :). The day after though...I felt really sore...but more so with my torso than my shoulders or arms....which I feel is a good thing. But really, I'm just bent out of shape!

The LA Reunion

LA is California, but it's also SoCal. Having spent more of my US years in the bay area (ok, NorCal), I did notice. The freeways are faster, more "competitive", the heat is...well....SoCal heat..., Sunset blvd, the people (ala John McClane....."california!"). I came over to meet up with friends from college. I came a day early, so I spent the day driving around...Topanga, Santa Monica, and then San Juan Capistrano. 'Tried to stop by Pinks Hot Dogs...but the lines were just crazy (around the block crazy)!

June gloom turns to July scorcher

The weather gods heard the people...so June gloom is now behind us and now comes a scorcher of a July ;).

Lilith Fair 2010

In my brief holiday trip back to the bay area for Independence Day, I saw the 2010 version of Lilith Fair. This time Shoreline was not as crowded and we enjoyed our lawn spot without any crowding or too much noise. Instead, all the free space became a dance floor for a lot of people :) ....and oh yes, when you sit in grass, you will smell "grass" every now and then ;). I guess that never changes.

Commencement Bay

A gloomy day isn't necessarily a bad thing. It makes for a pleasant kayak trip :). I went down to Tacoma to join a group that was paddling through Commencement Bay. We launched from Foss Landing. The floating dock looks really new and was an easy put out.

Juneuary

So I've been telling everyone that Summer has been a tease because it only shows up every few or so days (or weeks)....today's the official start of summer and....well....she aint here.

Memorial Day weekend

It's one of those long weekends where you just want to hibernate...wake up late, watch tv, drift into and out of bed. Eventually I got up and cleaned up the place. But really, I didn't do much...the only accomplishment maybe is finishing an entire season of Lost via my Roku player. I think it was Saturday night when I spotted this thing in the pool...kinda helps describe the long weekend...in some sorta kinda way.

The season begins...

Finally got my lazy a** to the marina on a warm Sunday. I initially came out with the Andromeda, but my body was having a bit of a challenge getting used to balancing on the water again so I went back and pulled out the Cadence...and felt much better. "Maybe just an hour or so to get the feel back..." I told myself.....well I ended up doing last year's usual route going all the way and around Lake Union. I'm a little sore right now, but glad I finally kicked the season into gear :).

The Venetian Hotel

Harrah's had been my mom and dad's "Vegas hangout" for a long time, but recently they've decided to switch to the Venetian. The place isn't brand new, but still in good shape compared to other hotels in the area. The rooms are very nice...lots of TV screens (3...yes there is also one in the bathroom...you can watch while in the tub.....no, I used the shower stall :) ). There is a large living space...sofa, extra tables, etc. The curtains are motorized (yes, I played with em ;) ). Nothing unusual to report...we just gambled and ate like tourists :).

Team Coco in Seattle!

I wondered how Conan would pull off a tour gig and was certainly not dissappointed! The performance is very much like a late nite show with comedy and music (Dave Matthews made a surprise appearance)....but it was also part pep rally and reunion of sorts. I loved how they managed to get Triumph (the insult comic dog) back and the texas ranger lever! Tonight I'm sure stands out for Conan as its his birthday and he's not a total stranger in Seattle, having married one of its residents :) several years back. Anyway, glad to see the army that is Team Coco in attendance ;).