Raincharm’s Weblog

The ground was wet, but the air was not.
So we walked to the dentist. A biennial weekend event. Good reports today, except that at some point I am going to have to get my wisdom teeth pulled. All of them most likely. I think I may wait a year…

The next item up was a trip to the Seattle Art Museums Earth Day activities at their Sculpture Garden. We drove to the Seattle Center and walked from there. (Carl is in a boot, so walking the several miles from home was not really an option. The 1/2 mile walk was much more in our current comfort range.)

We knew there was an invasion planned for the 5 hour window of family earth day activities, but did not know when. There was a schedule once we arrived, and it was about 40 minutes until the premier show. So we walked a few blocks to find a coffee shop, and then back. We found a few chairs where we could enjoy our coffee and watching the families with small children doing different types of art, mostly  centered around reusing materials.

And then we discovered that our seats were almost directly next to the “stage” area. Good fortune for us. Most seated themselves on the floor, and we eventually found ourselves standing to get a better view. The first act was Vicious Puppies. A hip-hop group of young men. They were pretty good, and I expect several of the youngsters will be attempting their moves later today. Then the reason we chose to join the crowd this morning.

Nick Cave Sound Suits.
The suits are currently on exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum. And while the suits are displayed for all to see, in the exhibit there are just videos of the suits in action. Today we had the opportunity to see them for ourselves. [They have been invading places around Seattle, but we knew they would make an appearance today, taking the luck out of the equation.]

Soundsuits – Seattle Art Museum Sculpture Park Invasion

And please note – this is my first YouTube upload, and link.
Not quite at the embedding yet.
The video is about 7 minutes long all told.

There is to be a March to the Center of the Earth in May. It is a “parade” starting at the Art Museum, just for a few blocks – followed by live music, art making, tours and general fun at the Museum. All are welcome, and wearable art is requested. We figure we can use this as an opportunity to get rid of a fair amount of junk bits and pieces of things that have accumulated around the house.

I am excited at this prospect.
Plus, I always enjoy a parade.
Just ask Potty Princess Ashlan.

The Tennessee Smokies season has begun.
Rey is in the midst of the first homestand, and still holding up, but needing his sleep.

From what I gathered, the season started on Wednesday and it has been 10-11:30 PM homecoming, with the next work day starting at 9 AM. Today was an early ending day – but only because the game was rained out. So tomorrow is a double header. He starts tomorrow at 9 AM, but on Sunday he gets to delay arrival until 11 AM.

Being the good mother I asked him if he was eating OK. He allowed that his normal lunch fare (balanced) was being maintained, for the most part. And something that I didn’t know is that they bring up the pre-game meal to the workers as well. He said that yesterday was “Mystery Mexican”. They (the upstairs crew) could not tell what it was, so he took a pill (lactaid) because he couldn’t tell whether it included cheese as an ingrediant. He is still not sure if he needed the pill.

And the storms that tore through Oklahoma and Arkansas are on their way. I think the main body was heading further south, but it sounds like it will be a stormy night. Obviously the rain was already there – the game was rained out. I noted that he could not control the weather, and he told me that he could – but chose not to.

And, as with most minor league teams – everybody helps with the tarp. Whenever it rains they pull the tarp. Everybody. They all have tarp clothes and tarp shoes because the wet soil in the infield stains  everything a muddy red color. And it does not wash out. He showed me their newest piece of official Smokie staff clothing tonight (via SKYPE).

A weekend of four events:

1.  Practice a little bit of little soccer with one of Carl’s kids. She has a good kick, can run fast, and has new pink cleats. So it was fun, as long as she wanted to be involved. After a bit the game became chosing who was on which team, rather than the team play itself. I see her as a manager in the future.

2.  Seattle Sounders: These games are a real hoot to attend. But, since Ashlan was in town, she and her friend went. They were treated to a WIN (first of the season), and two goals for the good guys right in front of them. Also some exceptional goalie saves by Kasey Keller, the Sounder’s goalie. This is Kasey’s last year, but he is playing really well, and could likely go on longer if he wanted. Sounders win 2-1.

3.  Kindergarten age – 1st game: Went to watch Saturday’s practice child play on Sunday. She chose not to demonstrate the skills that she does possess for the most part. Little running. When she did kick the stationary ball you could see the skill is there. Overheard her asking the coach/ref, while play was continuing, “Why did they ….” I suggested an essay after the game might be the way to go. Existential Soccer.

4. The future game that I must play this evening. I believe the women will be short staffed once again. And it will probably be raining. And cold. I love soccer. I love playing soccer. But I want to be warm and light on my feet. Just not feeling it right now.

Off to baseball. It is,after all, the Mariner’s opening weekend.

Well the Mariner home opener was last night.

It was a great time. That is until the 4th inning – which lasted about 4 hours.
If you take away the 10 runs (yes, a touchdown and a field goal) scored in that one half inning, the Mariners won 3-2.

But before the game, Carl was at the game with Jet – and I got to the game with Jim, John and Kaelie (sp?). Kaelie is John’s 5-year old daughter. Because I was new and different, and interested in her, she actually pretty much listened to me. Held hands walking (we bused and walked), sat next to me at batting practice, and walked away with 2 baseballs bulging in her pocket. (I am not sure exactly what happened with Carl and Jet, they left as I arrived)

Then a tribute to Dave Neihaus, the Mariners announcer – from the beginning, until he passed away in the off-season.

Lots of people we don’t see during the off-season. 
A few that we do see regularly.

Blinding Beard and Cross-Eyed Poet

Ichiro!

And some that we never see except at the park.

All-in-all, still a good time.

April 7th

April 7, 2011

No Joke! (View out my office window this AM.)
Not to be outdone by St. Louis’ spring snow.

Home Opener for baseball is tomorrow.
It is not supposed to snow tomorrow, but yesterday and today was a bit of a surprise.

Think I might wear my long underwear.

Today – I slept in. This is what I do do on the weekends – when I need to and can.

I also came face to face with what I don’t do, usually.

Carl has been gone for several days now, so I have to try and cover some of the things he does.
He does a lot.

I did manage to do the dishes, get the garbage, recycling and yard waste to the curb, buy gas for the car, and am looking at the laundry in the basement. I have made lunch for myself, heated up dinner (and made breakfast – such as it is was).

Now, just so I don’t look too bad – there are things that I do that Carl does not, especially if it involves a major holiday meal, a vacation, or the computer.

But I do miss him, and it will be great to have him back tomorrow.

That is my day in a nutshell of very few words.

In more words – this morning I got up and made coffee.
Did a little homework, and then a little work-work as well.
About the time it was time to go to soccer, but first a phone call – —
So, I got to soccer just as the whistle blew.

Now I have not played soccer for a few months, and am not in peak shape.
But there were a few plays of note – one particularly nice tackle. I got the ball, but did end up on the ground (physics).
No substitutes, so tomorrow should be interesting from the tired leg point of view.

Run home, pit bath (TMI), fresh clothes – just finished getting dressed when my ride arrived.
Down to McMenamins for dinner with a few friends. Steak sandwich and a beer (yes me).
Then out to the Seattle Mens Chorus show, Falling in Love Again.

This was a slightly different concert than the Men’s Chorus usually put together. Two acts – the first a cabaret scene. The second, For a Look or a Touch. This is in reference to the persecution of gay men in Germany in the 30’s and through the war. It was a powerful story of two gay men – and the memory of one that went to the camps and died, and the other that survived, (and still survives) keeping the poems written by his lover before he was arrested. I learned some historical information that I never knew previously. Paragraph 175 in particular. (Of course nobody would accuse me of being a scholar of history – but still, I just really had no idea.) The production was very well staged, and the leads of both the Cabaret and Holocaust acts were superb.

What did I miss between soccer and dinner and a show?
The semi-finals of the NCAA Basketball, the Seattle Sounders soccer game, and the Seattle Mariners game.
I will now have to find out what happened while I was out and about.

OK – one thing I found out was in my March Madness Bracket I had the final four matchups wrong. And I really did try to follow one from a real March Madness web-site. Oh well – the final two are Butler and U Connecticut. (Go Butler)
Ashlan has both teams, so our winner has been determined.

The Mariners are 2-0 and in First Place. (I need to write that while I can)

The Sounders tied again – this time 2-2.

Not RANDY Johnson. He’s a pitcher (ex-pitcher). Not even Mark the Bird Fidrych. Also an ex-pitcher.

Yesterday I watched two robins outside my window at work.
I am fairly certain they were fighting, or at least trying to demonstrate dominance.
The other choice was one gender trying to fend off the other gender.

The contest involved a bit of dancing around face-to-face, and the jumping into the air with each bird facing the feet to the other, and trying to 1) scratch each other, 2) gouge each other, 3) grab the other’s foot and swing them around – do-si-do.

Today, as I was wandering around the empty office, I heard a noise as I approached a different office, I heard a strange noise. At first I thought it was branches from the adjacent bushes hitting the window in the wind. But after waiting for a gust to repeat the performance (and confirm my theory), a robin appeared at the bottom of the window – having jumped/fluttered up from ground level – attacking the window. I suppose it could have been attacking the cute little figurines (poke-people I think) located adjacent to the window. No – more likely a reflection of an offending robin.

Ain’t spring great.

So I am at work this morning, reviewing a Sewer Plan by a consultant we are considering hiring to do a similar task. Straight forward enough – and I should be able to focus and move through the plan.

This particular plan is for a City that includes a college.
It is a college town in the true sense that I think the college population represents more than 1/2 of the total population.
Anyway, several years ago we went on a college trip to this town.
We got a hotel to spend the night during our visit.
The hotel was, well, a bit strange and a bit ookey.
Carl has a college reunion of sorts (Soccer Team) planned for the fall, in Champagne-Urbana.
It is going to take place during Homecoming Week.
The planner has alerted all that hotel rooms could be hard to come by.
Carl is trying to determine whether any friends were planning to go, that we might want to try to get a joint room/suite.
If we don’t act relatively soon, and even if we do – we could end up in another slightly strange or ookey room.

It is lunch break now – but I need to get back to my plan review, and rein in my mind from wandering.
The planner of his

My work day started at 8 AM. (Really 7 AM if you count waiting for your carpooler)

My work day ended at 10 PM (Really 9:55 PM, and there was a driving, dinner and e-mail break from 5:00 to 7:30 or so)

So it is about time to catch up on the March Madness, before it is done. I am posting our families updated bracket. The colors again, for those that care:

• Ashlan = Yellow
• Rey = Purple
• Carl = Green
• Jay = Blue

Our Final Four Bracket

Those that are astute may not that Green did not advance to the Final Four.
Yellow is guaranteed a spot in the Final Two, but prefers her #8 seed to her #3 seed.
Blue is still alive, barely, with a #4 seed.
Purple is hanging on with a # 11 seed. This must be everybody’s favorite team at this point. Come on, Virginia Commonwealth University? Except, perhaps there are some that are a bit perturbed at this bracket breaker.

I would be in their camp, except that for Purple to complete the Cinderella run they must beat my team. Not quite ready to go there yet. But if I am vanquished, I will root for them to take it all.