Our work conference room overlooks Elliot Bay from our offices on the 17th floor. I usually sit on the window side, facing in. However, I took the opportunity to sit facing out yesterday during a long meeting.
While I was enjoying the gorgeous blue skies and lazy water, watching the occasional jet approaching the airport for a landing, the parasailers crazily drifting behinds boats, and the ferries running back and forth across the Sound, I looked out towards 2nd and University and there around the 20th floor of the building on that block, a lone red balloon on a string floated with gentle purpose towards the sky.
I always wondered where those escaped balloons went after letting loose of a tiny fist. They make it at least to the 30th floor, where I lost sight of it. Beyond that, I still wonder.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
What did I say about being clever?
Using the word "whilst" in a blog post is an attempt to be clever.
Note to self: Don't be clever.
Note to self: Don't be clever.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Rules for Naps
I posted this to another on-line spot back in 2007. I think it bears repeating.
Rules, or guidelines perhaps, for Naps, in no particular order. Disregarding them will result in a low quality nap.
1. The best naps are taken purposefully. Plan ahead.
2. Naps are most effective when taken semi-dressed, preferably dressed normally waist-up, but without pants - just underwear - and no socks. If you're the commando type, put some underwear on for the nap. You'll be pleased. Being a naked sleeper myself, I find these clothing rules hold true only for naps.
3. Naps should be taken in a bed, but on top of some of the usual covers. Only the upper-most bed covering, or preferably a throw or quilt, should be used.
4. Naps should be taken where dappled sunshine or light rain are accessible, but not directly in them. The best naps are taken in that odd, afternoon bedroom shade and quiet. The lightest breath of a breeze from an open window occasionally licking your cheek is a bonus.
5. Naps are even better if taken while someone is fixing something in the kitchen that you can eat when you get up since you'll be hungry, and you can't quite make out the chit chat or what the thing is being cooked, but you know it will be good.
6. One if not two cats must be present to watch over you for safety reasons.
7. Whoever said power-napping meant one of those twenty minute dozes was cracked. Power napping, in fact, is the ability to pass out for 1-2 hours, but have just the occasional drizzle of wakefulness. This allows for a good sleep, with the ability to still appreciate the dappled sunshine or light rain and breeze. This also allows for smelling updates on whether the food being cooked to be consumed post-nap is actually complete, signaling the end of the nap.
8. While spicy chicken sandwiches and frosties from Wendy's can replace the thing being cooked in the kitchen, it isn't really a great substitute. Try to employ a cooking relative or friend to be active in the kitchen during the nap.
9. A potty break is essential just pre-nap to avoid nap disturbances.
10. Under no circumstances answer the phone, the bell, the IM, the telepathic implant, whilst napping.
11. Team napping will result in snuggling, which results in snogging, which results in you-know-what. Nap alone, in separate bedrooms.
12. Submitted by Kyle: I've found that napping mid-day while fully clothed (even shod!) can be very successful IF, and ONLY IF you are watching a documentary narrated by Leonard Nimoy and/or have a nice, meaningful book such as "The Four Agreements" open and laying across your chest.
Your additions are solicited and welcome!
Rules, or guidelines perhaps, for Naps, in no particular order. Disregarding them will result in a low quality nap.
1. The best naps are taken purposefully. Plan ahead.
2. Naps are most effective when taken semi-dressed, preferably dressed normally waist-up, but without pants - just underwear - and no socks. If you're the commando type, put some underwear on for the nap. You'll be pleased. Being a naked sleeper myself, I find these clothing rules hold true only for naps.
3. Naps should be taken in a bed, but on top of some of the usual covers. Only the upper-most bed covering, or preferably a throw or quilt, should be used.
4. Naps should be taken where dappled sunshine or light rain are accessible, but not directly in them. The best naps are taken in that odd, afternoon bedroom shade and quiet. The lightest breath of a breeze from an open window occasionally licking your cheek is a bonus.
5. Naps are even better if taken while someone is fixing something in the kitchen that you can eat when you get up since you'll be hungry, and you can't quite make out the chit chat or what the thing is being cooked, but you know it will be good.
6. One if not two cats must be present to watch over you for safety reasons.
7. Whoever said power-napping meant one of those twenty minute dozes was cracked. Power napping, in fact, is the ability to pass out for 1-2 hours, but have just the occasional drizzle of wakefulness. This allows for a good sleep, with the ability to still appreciate the dappled sunshine or light rain and breeze. This also allows for smelling updates on whether the food being cooked to be consumed post-nap is actually complete, signaling the end of the nap.
8. While spicy chicken sandwiches and frosties from Wendy's can replace the thing being cooked in the kitchen, it isn't really a great substitute. Try to employ a cooking relative or friend to be active in the kitchen during the nap.
9. A potty break is essential just pre-nap to avoid nap disturbances.
10. Under no circumstances answer the phone, the bell, the IM, the telepathic implant, whilst napping.
11. Team napping will result in snuggling, which results in snogging, which results in you-know-what. Nap alone, in separate bedrooms.
12. Submitted by Kyle: I've found that napping mid-day while fully clothed (even shod!) can be very successful IF, and ONLY IF you are watching a documentary narrated by Leonard Nimoy and/or have a nice, meaningful book such as "The Four Agreements" open and laying across your chest.
Your additions are solicited and welcome!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Eleanor Rugby
Oh my. Dean and I happened upon a rugby game on tv last night - the first we had ever seen. All we knew of rugby was the scrum, and that didn't seem very interesting.
As our man Keith Jackson would say, "Whoa Nelly!"
Instantly sucked in. It has all the criteria to be a sport -
Things happen.
It is played outside.
It is played outside and does not stop when it rains.
People end up with bruises.
Major sponsors are trucks, beer, and outfitters.
The best part was when two players were down on the field with injuries - and the other players just kept playing!
I think we have found our football off-season sport.
In other news, I am loving going to Green Lake three mornings/week for a walk and yoga. This morning, the sun broke as we were practicing and we laid in savasana in the rising sun. I heart outdoor yoga.
As our man Keith Jackson would say, "Whoa Nelly!"
Instantly sucked in. It has all the criteria to be a sport -
Things happen.
It is played outside.
It is played outside and does not stop when it rains.
People end up with bruises.
Major sponsors are trucks, beer, and outfitters.
The best part was when two players were down on the field with injuries - and the other players just kept playing!
I think we have found our football off-season sport.
In other news, I am loving going to Green Lake three mornings/week for a walk and yoga. This morning, the sun broke as we were practicing and we laid in savasana in the rising sun. I heart outdoor yoga.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Parkour
Since I was a child, I would sometimes dream of moving without effort, running through a forest, jumping stones without stopping, climbing walls, dodging trees. The smooth action was soothing and meditative.
The French burgled my lizard brain, creating parkour. While it is more often practiced in an urban setting, I still prefer my dreamy, green, pastoral landscape.
The French burgled my lizard brain, creating parkour. While it is more often practiced in an urban setting, I still prefer my dreamy, green, pastoral landscape.
Farewell, Jimmy Dean, and thanks for all the sausage
Jimmy Dean, famous for a coal mining ballad and tasty breakfast protein, died Sunday at his home.
Obit
This started me thinking about people who became known for one thing, particularly in the arts, and then were also successful doing something completely unrelated (unless you find country music and sausage inextricably related).
Sadly, Kenny Rogers was the first person to come to mind, having branched out in to chicken restaurants and unfortunate plastic surgery.
That's all I can think of now, and I suck at googling, so I wasn't able to cheat and just look them up on Wikipedia either.
In other news, it is a sign of the end times that someone spent time generating a "news article" because Brad Pitt trimmed - not even shaved, just trimmed - his beard.
Obit
This started me thinking about people who became known for one thing, particularly in the arts, and then were also successful doing something completely unrelated (unless you find country music and sausage inextricably related).
Sadly, Kenny Rogers was the first person to come to mind, having branched out in to chicken restaurants and unfortunate plastic surgery.
That's all I can think of now, and I suck at googling, so I wasn't able to cheat and just look them up on Wikipedia either.
In other news, it is a sign of the end times that someone spent time generating a "news article" because Brad Pitt trimmed - not even shaved, just trimmed - his beard.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Who knows how to make love stay?
Kaia ate through another one of my Kindle cords, so I can't access any e-books. I have also been in a reading funk, not sure what I want to pick up next. I was in my closet the other day and something reminded me of a great Tom Robbins quote, "Erleichda!" which roughly translates to Lighten Up! It was apropos of the moment, but why I don't know. That prompted me to pick up and commence rereading Jitterbug Perfume, probably my favorite novel.
That has caused me to consider just rereading great books for the rest of the year. SJP was on Studio 360 Sunday night and mentioned she just read A Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin, which I have read at least 3 times, and is an amazing read. Now that I have lived in New York, I would have a different perspective on the book, and I think I might reread it as well. It would be a great 7 months of nostalgia, but then I worry about all the time I could have spent reading new books. Such a quandary.
I was reminded of another great Tom Robbins quote this morning, "Who knows how to make love stay?" Al and Tipper Gore are separating after 40 years of marriage. Separating. After 40 years. Al and Tipper Gore. Huh? Am I being punked?
What keeps a relationship going for 40 years or 50 years or 60 years? What makes a relationship change so significantly after 40 years that they chose to end it? It is incomprehensible. I was counting on having all of that worked out after 40 years. We have to work on our romantic relationships that hard after even 40 years? I figured by then we would be worn down in to comfortable ruts at that point - rutted, but meandering across life's prairie in parallel.
And Al and Tipper Gore?! They are liberal royalty! If they can't do it, who can. Do relationships last forever only through inertia? Who knows how to make love stay?
Or, is another Tom Robbins quote more telling, "We spend more time looking for the perfect lover, instead of creating the perfect love."
That has caused me to consider just rereading great books for the rest of the year. SJP was on Studio 360 Sunday night and mentioned she just read A Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin, which I have read at least 3 times, and is an amazing read. Now that I have lived in New York, I would have a different perspective on the book, and I think I might reread it as well. It would be a great 7 months of nostalgia, but then I worry about all the time I could have spent reading new books. Such a quandary.
I was reminded of another great Tom Robbins quote this morning, "Who knows how to make love stay?" Al and Tipper Gore are separating after 40 years of marriage. Separating. After 40 years. Al and Tipper Gore. Huh? Am I being punked?
What keeps a relationship going for 40 years or 50 years or 60 years? What makes a relationship change so significantly after 40 years that they chose to end it? It is incomprehensible. I was counting on having all of that worked out after 40 years. We have to work on our romantic relationships that hard after even 40 years? I figured by then we would be worn down in to comfortable ruts at that point - rutted, but meandering across life's prairie in parallel.
And Al and Tipper Gore?! They are liberal royalty! If they can't do it, who can. Do relationships last forever only through inertia? Who knows how to make love stay?
Or, is another Tom Robbins quote more telling, "We spend more time looking for the perfect lover, instead of creating the perfect love."
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