Raincharm’s Weblog

Or how I spent my Sunday, hanging out with Wayne Drop and several friends. 

Wayne was quite a hit. Literally during the kickball game when he was “tagged” out (In kickball you are tagged out if they hit you with the ball), and later when he couldn’t quite catch the Mariner Moose’s kick and it hit him in the nose. And then there was the incident when the Matress Mania dude took a right and bowled Wayne over.

But a good time was had by all, and it got some good laughs.

Carl was there too, in his usual costume. 

At the end of the day the Mariners have been eliminated from playoff contention. We returned home to rest and contemplate a week with nothing scheduled  (except work).

Saturday was a busy day (and only 3 days ago, even though it seems much longer). First off was family work – bills, etc. Then we set off on foot for the Seattle Asian Art Museum. There was not a specific installation to see, but the lack of anything on the walls. They are getting ready for a major remodel, and all of the art has been removed. 

They had a taiko drumming group and lion dancers programmed, along with art activities. I was really hoping to hear the drums inside an empty building,  but all of the performances were outside. 

Even the camel had a good time. 

From the museum we headed down to a bus route and travelled to Wallingford for a wurst. 

After eating our fill and enjoying some music it was back on the bus for home.

Not content to call it a day, we both headed into my office for a few hours of work. And finally, there must be baseball, so we went to watch Carl’s baseball team from last year play a game. [I was able to fit a few hours at work in because the baseball game was held at one of the 3 high schools by the office. ]

Sunday was busy, but all at work. By myself. It was necessary because I had a presentation for our Monday board meeting that was not complete. I streamed some music and buckled down for a day similar to a regular work day, but without interruptions. Until I got home where work continued in a different vein. 

Wayne Drop had accompanied me home. He’s big and blue and friendly, but lacks appropriate outer wear for traveling to and from his engagements.

 I had a king-size sheet to work with, but no clear path beyond. So the evening was spent trying, tucking, pinning  (actually binder clipping) until I had a plan. 

Monday was back to the grind, including said Board meeting, that lasted until past 6:30. From there to a fabric store for Velcro and cord. And home to sew.

Pulled out the trusty 60+year old Singer Featherweight and set to creating what was essentially a cylinder with an open top. [Carl assisted with the bottom circle by holding the middle point while I drew the circle  (pin, 18 inches of string and a white fabric pencil)]

This work went on until about 1:30 am, but it’s done. [Deadline was Friday am, but the Mariners are back in town, and out of the playoffs barring a miracle finish.]

Jjjj

Our neighborhood is now in constant flux. Since we the people voted to extend light rail from the University of Washington to Northgate our neighborhood has been deeply involved. First it was several years of working out the exact route. I spent many hours working on that effort, and in the end the route that would have taken 25 homes out of our neighborhood was rejected in favor of one that took out the grocery store. 

Now it is enduring continuous construction. First up is the light rail itself. Most of this is underground  (tunnels), but there are the stations and the cross-passages, and one small sinkhole. Second, and much more prevalent, are the new muli-family and mixed use buildings. 5 to 8 stories replacing 1 and 2 story buildings. (We lived in one of these for 6 months) We call certain areas the canyonlands. Any commercial structure less than 3 stories days are numbered. And many are built with little or no parking, even though the light rail is still 4 years away.

However, there appears to be one bonus. We found a walk-up x-ray machine on the sidewalk. I didn’t even realize it was a doctor’s office. 

School has started once again.  Our kids have long since graduated,  but the impacts are still felt. For me, it is traffic related. Not as many on vacation means more going to work. And they changed the starting times for schools near our office so figuring out the impact on the last mile continues. [There are 3 high schools, 2 middle schools, and an elementary school within a mile and on the same road as our office.]

Carl’s impact is more direct. One of his kids start kindergarten today. I think he is picking her up after school, and still has her younger brother.

On the baseball front, it’s up in the air whether the Mariners will make it to a Play-on game, much less the Playoffs. But we keep going.

Yesterday we walked to the stadium and sat in foul territory for a change. Right behind home plate.

It was a nice change. Carl got to chat with one peanut vendor who keeps the memory of a legendary Seattle peanut vendor alive.

And we’re on to work. 

True to my plan I got out to do some weeding this morning. I had set a relatively attainable goal, focused solely on the planting beds around the back yard. Some of the weeds in this area are head height, coming through the fence from our backyard neighbors’ wild space. Especially blackberry vines. Before I trimmed one of the vines I happened to look at the back of the leaf. I never realized how spiny they are.

I can’t weed all day, so we went for a walk. To match the time available and change things up we started with two bus rides. We crossed the double-helix bridge to the waterfront and walked about 4 miles to Safeco Field. 

Carl had a ticket to the game, but I didn’t. So on to the link light rail for a transit ride home. 

And since then I have been having some down time. 

Anyone that reads this blog regularly knows that Carl goes to a lot of Mariner games. And he knows a lot of the workers. One of the regular seat hosts  (not ushers) is also a bit of an artist. He made this caricature for Carl.

This is a real World Series ring. From the 50s. Held by its owner. 

Washburn of the St Louis Cardinals.  We were sitting next to him at the Everett Aquasox game last Sunday (short season single A).

This weekend the Mariners return to town. It is not clear whether they will make the playoffs, much less the World Series. We don’t have much planned other than baseball. I am sure there will be some associated walks, and maybe bus to new starting locations for a change of pace. 

The weather is supposed to cooperate, and the weeds in the backyard are calling my name, so perhaps some quality time at home.