Raincharm’s Weblog

You know how over the weekend you can let certain things slip your mind?
Especially when it is in the 90’s, and where you live it doesn’t get into the 90’s.
And then you walk 32+ miles in the 90’s.

Conversation at work on Monday morning.

Scott: “So, are you going to be at the Public Meeting tonight?”
Me: “Yes, it’s kind of my thing.”
Scott: “I wasn’t sure if anybody else was going to help out.”
Scott: “It’s OK to put the signs out front isn’t it, I saw that they had been printed.”
Me: “Sure, … I think Janet has some A-frame boards.”
Scott: “And you know how to unlock all of the doors?”
Me: ” Yeah …. wait, the public meeting is at 4 PM.”
Scott: “No, the one starting at 6:30 PM”
Me: ” Which one?”
Scott: “About the office expansion.”
Me: “Oh, yeah – is that today???”
Me; “I can be there.”

Me: “Ashlan, I have a meeting tonight. You may want to look for another ride home, because the meeting does not start until 6:30.”
Ashlan: “OK” … punctuated by a look of, “Can’t you figure out what you are doing. Now I run the risk of having to stay in a place where I am being well paid for what I do, but am bored to tears by this time of the summer, and ready to be out of here at 4:30.”
Me: “Try Jim, and  I think Janet may be heading downtown after work, and there is always the bus.”

The issue was two public meetings, the first at 4:00 – for which I was mostly prepared, and the second at 6:30 – which I had completely forgotten. I didn’t say much of anything at the 1st, but had a presentation in the second.

3 people showed up for the 1st (out of the 74 properties) – not too bad, and didn’t expect a showing. 3 people showed up for the 2nd (out of 500 mailers, but only got about a dozen at our first required meeting on this subject a year ago). And one of the three at the 2nd meeting was really there for the 1st meeting. So I took her into my office and figured out what she wanted to know.

Home –  left at 7 AM, returned at 8+ PM.
Did not go walking, or riding. Content to sit in my chair and vote the King County way – BY MAIL.
I hate not being able to go to the polls.
But I did get a call from Sarah Palin on Sunday.

OK – now I am rambling.
“Ashlan, are you ready yet?”

I left around 7 AM, and returned around 12:30 AM.
Not bad for 14 miles.

It is good to be done because it is a hot day today – in the 90’s.
Finding shade was a big thing on the second half of the walk.
Finishing this back-to-back means that I am probably getting close to being in shape for the real thing.
Hopefully the real thing will be a bit cooler. Not that I am complaining, because it was not raining. And we all know that complaining causes blisters.

Of note:
Spilled a cup of coffee on my clothes on the way to the walk. Went home and changed – and left again.
No coffee yet … hmmm I know what I am doing next.

Beat the bridge on the return trip. We were approaching one of Seattle’s drawbridges, and I noticed a rather tall sailboat very close. 3 of us turned up the steam and made the bridge deck before they started to lower the gates.

Did have to walk home from the walk as nobody was available. Nobody will be mowing the lawn later this afternoon.

For me – shower time.

Today started early – not O-dark thirty, but about the same time I usually leave for work.
Half a cup of coffee, finish the dishes and head out the door.

Met with 15 like-minded folks and we set off in the cool air.
Nice that it was cool to start, I believe it is about 90 degrees out right now.

The walk was billed as 17 miles, and went from Green Lake, through Ballard, crossing the Ballard Locks to Magnolia, through Discovery Park to Magnolia Park, lunch and reverse the course. Beautiful sights and the tourists and boats in equal numbers at the locks.

Most incredible was that one woman I met had just returned from their cabin, just west of Brimley.
Small world!

She is from the Soo, although her family moved when she was young. But the extended family stayed.
The name is Robert Gollinger. I am thinking he is about my Mother’s age – give or take a year. Evelyn Splan, with brother Joe. For those of you from the north – let me know if those names mean anything to you.

Finally got through the 17 miles, but since I had no car it was one more mile to home.
Really hot … need a lake. But will make do with a cold washcloth.

The Mackinac Bridge was recently designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

Mackinac Bridge

The bridge is almost 5 miles long and is considered the third largest suspension bridge in the world, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. And yet they almost always show the other bridge San Francisco when needing a picture of a suspension bridge. Or the Tacoma Narrows Galloping Gertie bridge that collapsed.

Good to have the recognition that it deserves.
I took the ferry before the bridge, but admit that at 1 year old when the bridge opened, I think my ferry memories are really of the crossing between the two Soos (Sault Ste. Marie that is).

We still play the “Who can see the bridge first game” when we travel north. Not so much on the southward trek. Maybe because it meant we were leaving the cabin, or that it was only an hour into the trip.

Missing that trip this year … but enjoyed the vacations we did have, so am only complaining a little bit.

We got to see Joe Pug and Levon Helm in concert tonight, at the zoo.
Carl, Jay, Ashlan, Mark S., Eve S., Lillian S. and Kevin.

The concert was great.
The musicians really seemed to be enjoying playing with each other, playing off of each other, and just being there.

Ann Arborites – notice that Joe Pug is playing at the Ark on October 14th.

The girl took me out for a walk after work,
so I took her out to dinner.

And now we are watching a movie, “Loved One.”
It is a really funny, and very different show.
This is from the 60’s. Worth an evening.

House needs work.
Work needs time.
Need time to workout.

Baseball? Mariners fire their Manager and several coaches.
Mariners turn their first triple play at Safeco Field.
I am not there.

Harry, my Dad

Well – I did try to wish my father a Happy Birthday – which was yesterday.
But I failed.
Apparently, some time ago I wrote down a phone number incorrectly.
I spoke with a nice woman named Terry, but no Harry at that number.

I will continue to try, and just had a thought where I might have the first hand provision of said number that I jotted down incorrectly in the phone book.

So the rest of the weekend has been packed with a few activities.

Walking.
Just came to the realization that the Seattle 3-day walk is only about 6 more weekends away.
ANYONE THAT WANTS TO HELP ME REACH MY GOAL – SEE THE LINK ON THE RIGHT.
Thank you.

Yesterday’s walk was 18 miles, maybe a little less.
It was the first really long walk I have done in several months.
I was still strong at the end of the walk. But at the end of the 15 minute car ride following I was really stiff.
And at the end of the Mariners game that followed the walk and the car ride I was really tired.

So this morning I got up and went walking again.
This time only 6-7 miles.
I picked up Carl at church (he left earlier) and we walked to a birthday party.
An 8 year old, with a party on 8/8. Seems appropriate.

Then Ashlan picked both of us up and off to the Mariner game. (They WON!)
Met a really nice man sitting next to us. Similar thoughts about baseball, and it was a pleasant way to pass the innings.
We also had a few sightings of the Blue Angels as they winged their way to and from the air show over Lake Washington. The hydro races were also in full swing, but I do not know who won, or if they are done yet.

We are back home for a few hours, and then off to the Seattle Sounders game (soccer).

Life on a busy Seattle weekend.
Housework?
Well Carl did do some laundry, and dishes, and folded Ashlan’s laundry …

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16 miles that is.
The Prius is sitting at 999,984.
Tomorrow is a work day.
Work is 22-25 miles away (depending on the route).

Ashlan will get to witness the event, but Carl won’t (unless he decides to accompany us).

It has taken us slightly less than 6 years to achieve this number of miles driven.
But even with a new car in the driveway, the Prius is still the travelling car of choice.

I plan to get it detailed to celebrate.
The only other cleaning it has received, based on my recollection, is a series of car washes provided by Orchestra or Lacrosse kids looking for funding.

The car has a few bumps and bruises, but it still purrs.
We didn’t celebrate the Mazda’s 100,000, and after a mere 5,000 more it was gone (through no fault of its own, I might add).
Celebrate while you can.

The little brown Honda passed 100,000 on the way to work as well. I don’t remember the exact spot for 200,000, but I do remember the champagne celebration, and that the kids were a bit confused by it all.