Archive for May 2nd, 2009

travel day

May 2, 2009

Thanks to my savior for the lending of the car. Returning the car was one of today’s chores goals.
The others were Ashlan returning several friends to Canada. Ashlan then returning to the US. The one friend that stayed behind from the returning to find her way downtown and hopefully back again, all while having english as not a first language (Korean=first). Getting a ticket for Monday’s Mariners game to a card store friend that has been supplying Carl’s habit for many years and is getting ready to close up shop. Getting Carl to the Mariner’s game in time for batting practice. Getting Ashlan to the Mariner’s game in time for the game.

Notice that many of these have destinations with implied travel involved.
So add to the list an 8 mile walk, bus rides, 2 lanes of I-5 closed in close proximity to our house, and it’s Opening Day of Boating Season which means they close exits and cross streets on one of the few other bridges across water in close proximity to our house.

We have traveled much, without going very far, and are weary for our efforts.
Many sights have been seen including an unsecured load flying out of a pickup (luckily the next vehicle took sane evasive action and actually picked up the offending load to return it to the driver of the pickup), speed humps, and a wedding in progress. We saw a lot more, but I am weary and the day is not done yet. Laundry from the onslaught of visitors has begun and must continue to be attacked. And now it is raining – harder than it has for much of the day.

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May Day Baseball

May 2, 2009
Ashlan

Ashlan

Well, it has happened.

We have no more teenagers in the house.
At 10:04 PM today the blessed event occurred.

We were thinking/hoping that the Mariners would break the tie and win the game over the Oakland A’s.
It was the bottom of the 9th, game tied at 7-7. Mariners have the bases loaded with 2 out. It is 9:58. Jose Lopez steps up to the plate. 9:59 Ball 1, 10:00 Ball 2, 10:01 Strike 1 (looking), 10:02 Strike 2 (looking), 10:02 fouls one off, 10:02 fouls another one off, much walking around the mound, 10:03 foul ball 3,4,5, 10:04 foul ball, it just continues. Finally after 14 pitches at 10:08 Lopez hits a single and the MARINERS WIN!

Carl & I were sitting in our right-field seats with our friend Mark. Ashlan and 8 friends (1 from UBC but a Seattlite, and the other 7 UBC houseguests) were sitting in left field. Earlier in the game we delivered cupcakes to celebrate the event, and gave Ashlan a card with instructions to open it at 10:04. She said that she would, even if it meant opening the card as she was driving home. I was sooooo hoping the game would end right at 10:04. Saw her open the card. (Foul Ball) [The card was not really anything too special, but Ashlan thought it was going to say “Mariners Win”. It did have a few baseballs, but I was not confident enough to make that prediction.]

It was a very satisfying win, and a great last at bat. Ashlan said it was better to win the battle with a single than to time it perfectly with a walk off walk.

So – after a whole 15-20 minutes at home, Ashlan and her buddies are back out for their last night in Seattle. Looking at the nighttime skyline. They spent a good part of the day in the zoo looking at creatures, including a siamang that was checking out some ducks in his/her enclosure. Apparently 2 males were fighting over a female and trying to get with said female. The Siamang was really interested and kept following them around.

We love her and are happy that she had a good birthday with friends.

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