Raincharm’s Weblog

It all started with a player piano roll.
Finding a box that would fit about 7 rolls that we no longer need.
We have a piano. It is a spinet, and had a player, not the old cool kind, but a modern mechanical marvel that rarely worked. Now, I am not complaining. We obtained this piano for the cost of moving it (paid piano movers). A woman Carl worked for said she had purchased it several years earlier for her niece. But the niece had indicated she was not interested, and she wanted to get rid of it. At the time we had an upright, that we had also obtained for the cost of moving from a co-worker of mine that was also moving. For several years we were a two piano family. But eventually we figured we should let another family have one, so we gave it to a friend with two young girls – for the cost of moving. We kept the spinet.

Carl does not play the piano, but he did know how to play the player. occasionally he would break it out for the kids (who plunk on the piano without the player as well). But the player had not worked for a while. When we recently had the piano tuned, he asked them to repair the player. The tuner looked at the player and said it would be difficult to repair, that the Kimball company had changed the design over and over so there were no standard parts, etc., etc.  Long story short, we don’t have a piano that plays by itself anymore, so we don’t need to few player rolls that we have. Anyone interested??? The piano still plays fine with fingers, and it is tuned!

That started a rifling through of other bits. … like I said, a small cleaning frenzy.

My mind.
Today I just had to deal with unexpected (mostly) small and medium stuff.
All OK.
Tomorrow – just have to get to the big stuff.

I unbuilt a desk last night.
Ashlan wants the desk, but without the hutch.
This is a computer desk from the days of large monitors, lowered keyboard and a printer underneath.
Good for what it is, but she preferred it sans hutch.

So – of course you have to take off the base to remove the hutch, and then reattach the desk top to the base. Not too difficult in the end. Just a matter of figuring out how things were attached. And to help me I found the original directions. No, not on the internet, but in my filing cabinet. Sometimes old habits of saving things can pay off. We bought that desk in about 1993 I am guessing. Maybe later, but it was a while ago.

Cleaning, rearranging, deconstructing, moving. All of those things have the house in a great state of upheaval. I think this would be a good opportunity to do some rearranging, painting, and of course a large throwing out party.

Almost sounds like fun. I need to leave work and get to it. But I don’t think that is going to happen, at least not until 4:30.

The final four are set.
In our families bracket we have winners and losers.
Rey is out – had all of his eggs in one bracket and it just didn’t pay off.
Ashlan who was down to very few is still standing with one – Michigan State. MSU has family ties, and I certainly was rooting for them today (even though Rey lives in the land of Tennessee).
Carl who had the most at the beginning of last week, is also still standing with one – West Virginia. Rey may be rooting for WV.
I am the proud holder of two teams – Duke and Butler. I actually have the potential to have both of the final two teams. And if you consider that I am an alumni of MSU, I have a 3/4 chance of rooting for the champion. Just have to get rid of that pesky WV.

On a more amatuer note, I had a soccer game tonight. I am hoping it is just a coincidence that both soccer games I have been involved with this year took place in the rain. Don’t want to get into this wet pattern. But I went tonight.
Felt OK, just a bit tired. We were playing a team of young athletes, but they were fairly new to soccer. I am sure they played it in school or as younger players, but their first game as a new team together. Our team of late teens to early 50s played OK. Got up 2-0 in the first half.

Some time in the start of the second half I tweaked my back. The young athletes on the other team may be new to soccer, but they can stop and turn on a dime. I can stop and turn, but it takes a boatload of dimes to describe the distance involved in slowing, stopping and changing direction. But that doesn’t stop me from trying to match their moves. We had one substitute, so I figured I would take myself out the next chance I had. I was also playing forward, an unusual position nowadays, but fun. Our best player, Dan, had the ball and was bringing it up the field. I moseyed down the field, watching the other players run up. Dan started yelling at me to go forward. Since everybody on our team knew who I was, I moved. He passed me the sweetest ball – nice pace, no bounce – and I struck it firmly with my left foot – and scored.

This is the second goal I have scored with this team. FUN! And best of all, since you can sub after a goal, I got to leave the game and stretch my back.
Final score – 4-1. A nice way to start the season.

The title should have been written yesterday.
But I was busy getting ready for our Kingdome Memories Implosion Party.

Can I say it was a blast? It was, although not the blow-out, have to apologize in the morning, kind of blast. More the great to see everyone again and remember all the great times we had there. Since the age range of attendees was 3 to 50-something, a few didn’t really have specific memories of the Kingdome. But they did enjoy the party none-the-less.

The house was decorated with so much of the Kingdome memorabilia that is usually hidden away in the house. It included a Mariner’s Kidzone banner welcoming those who attended, a life-size Ken Griffey Junior cut-out, pieces of the Kingdome (collected post-implosion), a seat bottom, a magnetic ailse-seat sign or two, posters from the 1980’s, t-shirts, sno-globes, commemorative plates, bobble-heads, baseballs, and other assorted paraphernalia.

The food included a Kingdome replica meatloaf, King”dogs”, salads, mac & cheese, strawberries galore, and a souffle that was supposed to implode. I have never made a souffle before, and neither has Ashlan. Armed with a recipe found on the internet we set off to do our best. We figured with our lack of experience, and the many tales of souffles falling at the slightest noise, that we couldn’t help but implode. So as it came out of the oven, to much heralding, it was carefully placed on the table. One of the attendees, who has a clap that may lead you to consider earplugs if you are sitting close-by, was chosen to lead the implosion. But of course, the souffle would not fall! So we ate it. To end it all there were Kingdome Cupcakes.

We were entertained by 3 tykes running amok and coloring, playing with clay (the idea had been to fashion several Kingdomes, but of course those spending most of the time with the clay had no memory of the dome), and generally running around. Those of us with ages in the double digits watched taped news coverage of the implosion, tapes from the early 90’s of Carl & Chuck calling a few innings here and there of live Mariner games, and batting practice tapes provided by our local movie maker mark. We also had Kingdome trivia and postcards sent to Carl from over 600 players, umpires, coaches and a few friends, with their thoughts about the Kingdome. This collection was started just over 10 years ago, and continues to grow, albeit slowly.

Today dawned sunny and cool, and we are enjoying the feeling that comes with having many friends gather together. That, and the leftover cupcakes.

Left work – complicated carpooling. It was raining.
One work-mate going to the game. Mate’s husband bringing son by for another work-mate to watch. Husband going to game. They have two cars, want to drop one at a park and ride, so only one goes into Seattle. Other work-mate going to Seattle. Wants a rider for carpool as the soccer game traffic was sure to snarl things. Much discussion and we all take off. Baaad traffic. What could be 10 minutes is 45.

Missed Train(Bus)
The grand plans was for Carl & I to enjoy a soccer game and then wander to the train station adjacent to the  stadium and pick up Ashlan, arriving from Vancouver. Got a call indicating said plan was kaput, since she missed the Train(Bus) by about 2 minutes. Apparently the No. 3 Vancouver bus broke down, had to wait 5 minutes for another and …..

Noodle stop. It was raining.
After meeting up downtown the 3 game goers stopped at a noodle house in the International District and got hot to-go noodles. I got 2 since meeting Carl later.

Made Train(Train) – but short of goal
Call from Ashlan – on the Train(Train) that left 45 minutes after the Train(Bus), but could only get a ticket as far as Everett. Hmmm. Supposed to arrive at 9:50 PM. We should be able to make that (quick calculations = 6:30 game + 2 hours + bus ride home + 30 minutes to Everett)

Picnic in the stadium. It was raining.
Arrived at the stadium. Once inside the lower concourse was full of people. Many took advantage of open floor space to eat dinner in the dry. So did the three of us and our noodle boxes. Mmmmm.

Soccer game. It was raining hard.
10 minutes to game time, should get to seats. Start down the tunnel to the seating – WOW, LOOK AT THAT RAIN. Back into the concourse to add a poncho layer on top of my long sleeved shirt, short sleeved Sounders t-shirt, jacket, outer jacket (longer & warmer) and scarf. Finally Carl arrives. Dry off seats with towel provided by the Sounders and sit until the opening whistle. Forgot about the pre-game festivities. About 1/2 hour to get started, which puts the plan for Everett a bit in jeopardy.

1st half – it was raining hard. The Philadelphia Union started quickly, picking off balls and looking like they meant business. But by the end of the 1st have the Sounders scored twice. My these guys can move quickly. A few missed traps due to skidding balls along the sideline, but when they string 3-4 quick passes together it is a thing of beauty.

2nd half – it was raining harder.
It was also a little colder. A few people had left and that lowered the cushion of warmth provided by all the other bodies. Not really too cold, however. My layers were doing their job, helped a lot by the poncho. (Thanks Shelley)

Bus home – It was raining.
We made it to the bus tunnel, with all of the other soccer fans, and packed onto our bus home. Usually we get an express bus. I guess after 9 at night they mostly run locals. So, after a while we were making some progress towards home and dry clothes. Call Ashlan. Inform her I will definitely be late. Walking the four blocks from the bus Ashlan calls. She is in Everett.

Dump outer layers. – It was raining lightly.
First things first – get off the wet outer layer of jackets and ponchos. Going to change pants too.
Phone rings – Ashlan says the train station closes at 10 PM and she will be outside. It is 9:45 and there is no way I can be there before 10. Find directions to the Everett train station, forget changing clothes and jump into the car. Brought the leftover noodles.

Finally rendezvous. Sprinkling lightly?
Two phone calls on the way north. (Yes, I had my earpiece in – not breaking laws here). Gave her my coordinates. The last call I was almost in sight. Turns out there had been a creepy man hanging about. Said something to her once (she just smiled in reply). Whenever he was around or staring at her she would call. The security guard had said they had cameras on the front area, and she hoped he was in an office watching. She did let him know she wasn’t entirely comfortable. (He also said to stand on the spotlights in the pavement as they gave off some warmth) A family in the same area helped for a bit, and there were a few taxis about (don’t know if they would have been helpful, other than getting into one). A cleaning lady was in view in the station part of the time. I suggested next time she offer to help clean if they let her stay inside. But I am finally there.

Home. Rain almost done.
Sports – BUTLER WINS. My No. 5 continues over a No. 1. My No. 1 Duke plays today.
Chat for a bit, but really time to get out of all of the wet clothes.

Morning. Up – sprinkling on and off.

Happiness.
Driving to work, I was just feeling happy. First time in a bit, getting kids home safe is always good.

Eagle flying with crow in hot pursuit.
Along the lake drive spotted an Eagle. Always nice. It was fairly low and right over the road. It finally turned out over the lake and the crow left, back to its own doings.

Work

Late to bed
And early to rise
Makes you grumpy, listless
and having red eyes.

Spring has sprung and we are looking forward to warmer days. I don’t know why I can’t grow plants like my Mom. Maybe she got the gene because she was born at the start of Spring.

Green Thumb Gene Relaxing

Happy Day Mom.

Today I basically watched basketball, did a little filing and other homey stuff. Did not help the world in any discernible fashion. tomorrow will be a more productive day I’m sure.

Only two more teams through on Friday. – Duke (a 1 seed) and Maryland (a 4 seed)

Now Saturday has been interesting from a basketball perspective. So far I have lost my 2 seed Villanova, but my 9 seed Northern Iowa took out Ashlan’s No. 1 seed, Kansas. Washington (an 11 seed) continued by knocking off Carl’s No. 3 seed New Mexico, and Butler (No. 5 seed) prevailed over upstart Murray St. (Ashlan again).

I still have to have my No. 1 seed Duke take on Cal (Ashlan again), and more importantly Maryland (No. 4 seed) play Michigan State (No. 5 seed). Now I am a bit torn on this one, since it is MSU. But MSU is for Ashlan (again – we seem to be locking horns alot).

One other interesting bit of our family bracket is that Rey has all but 1 team left in the West, and only my Butler remains as a threat to Rey. I don’t know if that is the best strategy. But then there really wasn’t any strategy in our drawing so …

We took a walk in the 60+ degree wheather today in which we

Walked past the husky baseball game (when the husky basketball game was starting)
Found a baseball that was dry (past the fence is a Lake Washington inlet)
Found a new (to us) nature preserve to explore (Union Bay Nature Preserve)
Climbed a fence to get out to the road, it was short, but still my shoes did not fit into the chain link so I had to balance on my hands on top of the fence.
Found a new Liquor store and bought Carolans and Crown Royale. (2/3 of a Duck Fart)
Walked up through the Ravenna ravine and saw where a friend had been doing ivy removal work earlier in the day.