Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Out an About in Victoria
We listened to some great live music, I accidentally squished a caterpillar, we ate hot dogs, shopped a bit, had a few pints, then took the adorable water taxi back to our place.
It's chillier than expected today- our phones report high 50s, even through forecast was for mid-70s
Beautiful day to walk around a beautiful city!
Monday, June 29, 2015
High Tea and Cocktails at the Empress Hotel
I remember walking around the Empress Hotel, thinking how beautiful it was. My Mom must have explained what High Tea was to me then, because I remember thinking how fancy and special that would be.
Today, we had High Tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. It was just as delicious and special as I thought it would be.
My ten-year old self is very happy. I checked off a bucket list experience that I've been wanting to do for 35 years!
Bonus: we had cocktails at the Bengal Lounge after. :)
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Seattle Road Trip #2!!
This time, we're going to Victoria BC with Reeves and Paula. My parents gifted is their time-share condo in Victoria for a week as our Christmas present.
We drove together from Bellevue, stopped in Port Gamble for lunch, then made our way to Port Angeles to catch our ferry.
We're about to board the ferry in our car now. See you in Canada!
Second-Chance glassybaby Seconds Sale!!
I couldn't resist when I saw that they had a LOT left over and that they would be bringing some of them to sell at their Madrona store this morning at 8:30.
I called Gina (who also couldn't make it yesterday) and we made plans to go together.
Success! We arrived at 8:30, no lines, a few people and a large table full of glassybaby seconds.
Lee Rhodes (Founder of glassybaby) was in the store and greeted us immediately. I hadn't seen her in several months, so it was a nice treat to catch up with her.
I managed to show a certain amount of self-control, as I only bought gifts, and none for myself. So, no photos of my goodies from today. :)
Gina had success, too! (She came with me to the seconds sale in January, but we all left empty-handed).
All that, and I was still home by 9:30. What a fun way to start the day!
Friday, June 26, 2015
Flower Power
Update from the plane:
Flight attendant just asked me why I had flowers in my hair. He asked if I was getting married today.
I told him that I just came from the Castro in San Francisco, and that I am celebrating *many* marriages today. ❤️💛💚💙💜
Uber Pride!
Even Uber's App is celebrating Pride!! My driver and I were talking about the Supreme Court Ruling and about Pride weekend on my way to the airport, when he asked, "So, why are you leaving?"
Fair question.
LOVE WINS!!
Today is an amazing and historic day!! Equality and LOVE for ALL!!! Happy Pride!!
Why yes, I am going to wear my fabulous rainbow flower crown all day long: down to the Castro, to the airport, on the airplane, back to Seattle, around Bellevue....
If I can't stay in San Francisco all day to celebrate Marriage Equality and Pride, I'm just going to have to take the party with me.
Can't stop smiling! I feel like my Facebook Feed is the Happiest Place on the Internet today!
I just came back from the most epic walk around the Castro (before I leave for the airport in an hour). I bumped into several friends, one whom was leading her group on the Cruisin' the Castro Tour. I also saw a group of school kids on a field trip in front of the Harvey Milk Civil Academy. They were getting a lesson on Harvey Milk and the History of Gay Rights.
"No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right."
- THE US SUPREME COURT
Why yes, I am going to wear my fabulous rainbow flower crown all day long: down to the Castro, to the airport, on the airplane, back to Seattle, around Bellevue....
If I can't stay in San Francisco all day to celebrate Marriage Equality and Pride, I'm just going to have to take the party with me.
Can't stop smiling! I feel like my Facebook Feed is the Happiest Place on the Internet today!
I just came back from the most epic walk around the Castro (before I leave for the airport in an hour). I bumped into several friends, one whom was leading her group on the Cruisin' the Castro Tour. I also saw a group of school kids on a field trip in front of the Harvey Milk Civil Academy. They were getting a lesson on Harvey Milk and the History of Gay Rights.
"No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right."
- THE US SUPREME COURT
Matt Alber Concert
On the Eve of Pride Weekend, and hopefully a favorable Supreme Court Ruling on Gay Marriage, I got to experience an incredible and magical evening at a Matt Alber concert in San Francisco. I even had the opportunity to spend time in the green room before the show with Armistead, Cleve Jones, Matt Alber and his (adorable) band of musicians.
It's an amazing life, and I'm enjoying every minute of it.
Before the show with Chris, Armistead and Curt
Armistead and Chris
Armistead and Trina
Matt Alber and his band with Armistead before the show
With Cleve Jones, the founder of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt
Armistead, onstage and accompanied by Matt Alber and his band, reading an excerpt from his new memoir.
Matt Alber and his band
Matt Alber
Hanging out in the green room with band member, Patrick, who is a band/drum corps/guard person!
after the show with Armistead and Matt
It's an amazing life, and I'm enjoying every minute of it.
Before the show with Chris, Armistead and Curt
Armistead and Chris
Armistead and Trina
Matt Alber and his band with Armistead before the show
With Cleve Jones, the founder of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt
Armistead, onstage and accompanied by Matt Alber and his band, reading an excerpt from his new memoir.
Matt Alber and his band
Matt Alber
Hanging out in the green room with band member, Patrick, who is a band/drum corps/guard person!
after the show with Armistead and Matt
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Noe's Microsoft Badge
This is Noe's Microsoft Badge, circa 2000.
When Noe was itty-bitty (under six weeks old), Dick used to bring her to work.
This was before she realized that she didn't actually like people (except for me and Dick).
She has since retired. ;)
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Dinner with my Family
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Sleep Over!!
Score!
Volunteered to give up my seat on my United flight. Was put on an Alaska Airlines flight scheduled to leave 1 hour, 45 min later. Given a voucher for $400!!! It will pay for most of my flight to Madison, WI for the State Street Review Reunion in September!!! Score!!!!
Bonus: wasn't able to squeeze on a work out today, but it's all okay! Between running around at my apartment this morning, then running through two different terminals at the airport, I managed to get in over 7,000 steps. Not bad considering I hadn't really gone anywhere yet. :)
New Glasses!!
The frames are pretty cool (I think). Dick helped me pick them out. You can tell from the photo, but the frames are blue and match my hair. :)
I usually only wear glasses when driving, at night, and when watching a movie or show, so if you never knew I wore glasses, that's why.
I also got the sunglasses clip for them, which is a first for me. We'll see how they work out.
I'm happy with the deal I got on them: the store is in my building, and offered 20% off frames for residents. On top of that, the whole shopping center offered a $50 gift certificate for any of the restaurants in the building if you spent a certain amount during the first two weeks of June. Score!
Raggedy Ann in Fremont, Seattle
When my Sister and Graham were out visiting us in Seattle last year, they went to Fremont and found a sculpture of a little Raggedy Ann doll and took a photo of her for me.
Dick and I went to Fremont a few months ago, but I was unable to find her. I knew she was part of a larger sculpture, but I couldn't figure out which one, or where it was. (I didn't try very hard, I realize now.)
We found her yesterday! SO cute.
She's part of a sculpture called "Late for the Interurban", a statue honoring Washington icons J. P. Patches and Gertrude.
Now that I know the story behind the sculpture, I think it's really fantastic, and I regret not taking a photo of the full installation.
Here's an article about it.
From the article:
From 1958 until 1981, J. P. (Julius Pierpont) Patches hosted one of the longest-running children’s TV shows in American history, on KIRO TV in Seattle, and left an indelible impression on hundreds of thousands of Western Washington children who grew up watching him. The life-sized statute, designed by artist Kevin Pettelle of Sultan, is on the south side of North 34th Street in Fremont between Fremont and Aurora avenues N. The event, dubbed J. P. Patches Day, was organized by History House of Greater Seattle, located in Fremont.
about the Raggedy Ann doll:
The ICU2-TV set was placed a short distance behind the statue, with a small collection can (for donations to Children’s) and a sculpture of Esmerelda the rag doll tucked discreetly behind the set.
Dick and I went to Fremont a few months ago, but I was unable to find her. I knew she was part of a larger sculpture, but I couldn't figure out which one, or where it was. (I didn't try very hard, I realize now.)
We found her yesterday! SO cute.
She's part of a sculpture called "Late for the Interurban", a statue honoring Washington icons J. P. Patches and Gertrude.
Now that I know the story behind the sculpture, I think it's really fantastic, and I regret not taking a photo of the full installation.
Here's an article about it.
From the article:
From 1958 until 1981, J. P. (Julius Pierpont) Patches hosted one of the longest-running children’s TV shows in American history, on KIRO TV in Seattle, and left an indelible impression on hundreds of thousands of Western Washington children who grew up watching him. The life-sized statute, designed by artist Kevin Pettelle of Sultan, is on the south side of North 34th Street in Fremont between Fremont and Aurora avenues N. The event, dubbed J. P. Patches Day, was organized by History House of Greater Seattle, located in Fremont.
about the Raggedy Ann doll:
The ICU2-TV set was placed a short distance behind the statue, with a small collection can (for donations to Children’s) and a sculpture of Esmerelda the rag doll tucked discreetly behind the set.
Ricky and Adrianne with the Fremont Troll
Ricky and Adrianne were all ready to leave for their flight yesterday. We had breakfast, and were getting ready to leave for the airport when they received a message that their flight was cancelled!! Apparently, there were some serious thunderstorms in Chicago yesterday and both airports were cancelling flights.
It was a bit stressful, but Ricky and Adrianne were able to make other flight arrangements, but not until Tuesday morning, and were able to contact their work to have their positions covered.
The silver lining is that we got an extra day with them in Seattle!
We drove to the Fremont neighborhood, where I had wanted to take them over the weekend, but ran out of time. We had delicious pie at "Pie", then strolled around.
Here's Adrianne and Ricky with the Fremont Troll!
It was a bit stressful, but Ricky and Adrianne were able to make other flight arrangements, but not until Tuesday morning, and were able to contact their work to have their positions covered.
The silver lining is that we got an extra day with them in Seattle!
We drove to the Fremont neighborhood, where I had wanted to take them over the weekend, but ran out of time. We had delicious pie at "Pie", then strolled around.
Here's Adrianne and Ricky with the Fremont Troll!
Monday, June 22, 2015
More photos from Adrianne & Ricky's visit
We've been having a really great time with Ricky and Adrianne.
I took them for a stroll around Downtown Bellevue Saturday late afternoon. We went down to Downtown Bellevue Park, then further down to the Meydenbauer Beach Park. It was really a gorgeous, clear day, and was probably around 80 degrees.
Ricky (who agreed to be in a photo!) and Adrianne getting their feet wet in Lake Washington.
Sunday morning, we walked over to Din Tai Fung and got there at 10:00am, just as they opened! There was a pretty long line when we arrived, but they managed to seat everyone once they opened the doors. Dick and I hadn't been there for weekend brunch before, so we ordered the soup and small dumplings which are only available on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Really yummy! We introduced A and Ricky to all our favorites: The juicy pork dumplings, broccoli, spicy noodles, etc., It was delish!
soup and small dumplings at Din Tai Fung
Sunday afternoon, we hopped on the 550 bus from Bellevue and took it downtown. Our first stop was the Starbucks Roastery and Tasting Room. Ricky and Adrianne shared a Siphon Flight of coffee (three different kinds of coffee) and really loved it! They were hopped up on caffeine for the rest of the afternoon!
We walked from Starbucks Roastery to the Molly Moon's ice cream in Capital Hill. This was our lunch, since we were still pretty full from brunch. :) So yummy.
Now that we were hopped up on caffeine and sugar, we walked down to Pike Place Market. It was pretty crowded, which is to be expected for a Summer weekend, but still fun to stroll through.
Ricky and Adrianne enjoying their coffee flight
Ricky and Adrianne are both big board game gamers. They like to seek out game stores when they travel, and found a couple of good ones in Ballard and here in Bellevue. As a thank you gift for staying with us, but bought us a few games that they thought we'd enjoy.
We spent about four hours playing mostly one of these games on Saturday night! Yep, we're addicted and loved it. It's very simple, but sper fun! The game is called "One Night Ultimate Werewolf". We played again Sunday night - very fun!!
"One Night Ultimate Werewolf" set up
Adrianne was drinking a martini, and appropriately drew "The Drunk" card
I took them for a stroll around Downtown Bellevue Saturday late afternoon. We went down to Downtown Bellevue Park, then further down to the Meydenbauer Beach Park. It was really a gorgeous, clear day, and was probably around 80 degrees.
Ricky (who agreed to be in a photo!) and Adrianne getting their feet wet in Lake Washington.
Sunday morning, we walked over to Din Tai Fung and got there at 10:00am, just as they opened! There was a pretty long line when we arrived, but they managed to seat everyone once they opened the doors. Dick and I hadn't been there for weekend brunch before, so we ordered the soup and small dumplings which are only available on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Really yummy! We introduced A and Ricky to all our favorites: The juicy pork dumplings, broccoli, spicy noodles, etc., It was delish!
soup and small dumplings at Din Tai Fung
Sunday afternoon, we hopped on the 550 bus from Bellevue and took it downtown. Our first stop was the Starbucks Roastery and Tasting Room. Ricky and Adrianne shared a Siphon Flight of coffee (three different kinds of coffee) and really loved it! They were hopped up on caffeine for the rest of the afternoon!
We walked from Starbucks Roastery to the Molly Moon's ice cream in Capital Hill. This was our lunch, since we were still pretty full from brunch. :) So yummy.
Now that we were hopped up on caffeine and sugar, we walked down to Pike Place Market. It was pretty crowded, which is to be expected for a Summer weekend, but still fun to stroll through.
Ricky and Adrianne enjoying their coffee flight
Ricky and Adrianne are both big board game gamers. They like to seek out game stores when they travel, and found a couple of good ones in Ballard and here in Bellevue. As a thank you gift for staying with us, but bought us a few games that they thought we'd enjoy.
We spent about four hours playing mostly one of these games on Saturday night! Yep, we're addicted and loved it. It's very simple, but sper fun! The game is called "One Night Ultimate Werewolf". We played again Sunday night - very fun!!
"One Night Ultimate Werewolf" set up
Adrianne was drinking a martini, and appropriately drew "The Drunk" card