Raincharm’s Weblog

Going back to Tuesday and the Mohai exhibit. I’m not really sure what the neon is from. The next picture is Quincy Jones visiting his and the kid’s alma mater, Garfield High School.

And since we were in South Lake Union, a picture of south Lake Union.

Yesterday was our first in-person Mariner game in a while. They lost.😐, but it was still a fun game. The pitcher, Paxton, a Canadian, struck out 16 batters. Our group puts up “EH” cards for each strikeout. (Rhymes with “K”, Canadian, it’s a joke) He kept us busy!

Sometimes life just gets too busy to take care of niceties, like wishing your daughter happy birthday.

On the other hand, by waiting a day I got some pictures to share.

Allen prepared a 5 course meal for the birthday girl.

Our present arrived and fits their huge tub!

I am sitting in the sun, next to the boat pond at Mohai in South Lake Union.

The idyllic setting is only slightly interrupted by the sound of helicopters keeping tabs on the demonstrations going on several blocks to the south. They normally start out peacefully, but can morph. There is usually a group of anarchists organized to create problems and break windows. I am hoping for the best.

I bused in from work. Carl, on the other hand, chose to go to the Mariners batting practice and then drive north to meet me. This requires traversing the area of the demonstrations. I believe he is trying to go over the problem areas (on the viaduct).

If he takes too long I will go to the museum. Spoke too soon, he is arriving.

The photos of Al Smith is the display we are here to see.

And then there is the continued development to watch. And into the show.

Returning from Tacoma via public transit I contacted Carl to meet me at the UW light rail station so we could walk home together.

We ended up meeting at the Drumheller Fountain on campus.

Note Mt. Rainier in the background.

And cherry blossoms.

The walk was lovely, with a stop at Trader Joe’s for tortillas. It has been a long time since we were home when it was warm enough to enjoy a beer on the back deck. And it was warm, so we did. Carl has begun concocting the tacos and bringing out tomatoes, lettuce and cheese for me to prep.

Lovely evening.

We paused work’s break neck pace today to attend one day of a water utility conference. As a speaker no less. Of course I only spoke for about 10 minutes of our 30 minute slot. [Earthquake resiliency planning] It almost felt like playing hooky. And for my effort I received a parting gift, and got to attend several other talks.

The most interesting find though, was bathroom art! In the stall.

I don’t know that I have ever used a camera in a public restroom before.

I bused down to Tacoma, and am busing back. Nice day, so I plan to walk the last few miles.

When morning is announced by a natural alarm clock, beating a rat-a-tat-tat on a chimney cap.

The sun’s location can be discerned through the clouds.

THE MOUNTAIN IS OUT.

Eight-person sculls are on the water.

Maybe spring will get here yet.

The sun is actually partially visible as I write, but this month, barely half over, is already the 4th wettest on record. There has been snow around, but not like other parts of the country. Just COLD. The damp cold.

April has also had its good points! We were graced with a visit from Rey and Becca – the best highlight.

Dinner at Din-Tai-Fung was a new experience. Becca served as our resident expert.

Carl and the boys chased the Mariners to San Francisco to split a pair of games with the Giants.

Speaking of the Mariners, they were here for a few games, and then gone. Given our weather, I was glad. They have been back for a few more – fun to a point. There have been nice folks around to chat about the game. [Most coming now are there for the baseball, not the sun and beer, so more actual baseball talk. Not that sun and beer are a bad thing, but sometimes there are “fans” that don’t really know who is playing, or that there’s a game going on.] And we could certainly use some more sun and warmth at the game. We are going to the game tonight and I spent time this morning gathering clothes well beyond what I will need at work.

Work continues at a breakneck pace.

And speaking of work, we stopped by one of our water storage tanks on the way to the office. Work includes earthquake and safety retrofits, which require emptying the 2.25 million gallons that normally reside inside. So for those of you who wonder what it looks like inside a water storage tanks…

Normally a family holiday, I ended up working a half day. Meeting with folks in town for just one day. And it’s a night game (the better to enjoy the cool spring temperatures), so time to get home well before we had to leave.

We walked the 2 miles to light rail and rode down to the stadium. Yes, we were early. Early enough to be at the front of the lines to get in.

The bonus, and reason for the early arrival, is seeing many friends and fellow baseball enthusiasts. Carl got a lot of love from the workers.

And yours truly.

I should know better by now, but I think I am a few layers short of comfortable. I have borrowed a vest from my carpooler (also at the game), and a jersey from Carl. Both could leave back to their owners, but for now I am warm.

Carl got two balls in batting practice.

Not the only fez in the house.

Opening ceremonies. Felix warming up.

And a flyover.

Now on to the game.

Meanwhile, back at the house there is a marathon easter egg prep session underway. These are destined for a egg hunt in Portland.

Jj

Kingdome’s birthday and demolition day was yesterday.

Getting ready for Opening Day.

In the meantime we continue to walk

and work. [Waiting at the park and ride for my carpooler, watching the latest apartment/condo take shape.]

And prepare the house for visitors.

A few years is the answer to the question of how long does it take to hang artwork that has just been hanging around.

Carl’s been busy prepping for Easter.

I don’t know how I feel about the food looking back at me.

I did not ride in a carpool this week. I did drive, but it is not safe to drive and blog.

Last weekend was sunny. Not really too warm, but sunny. Today was similar, but a little shorter on the sun.

The three weekend days all included walks. (Maybe tomorrow too, but that hasn’t happened yet.)

Spring has sprung, even if it hasn’t quite arrived.

The first walk had a goal – watching a 3-inning jamboree game featuring Garfield High School baseball. It was a 4 to 5 mile walk to Soundview field at Whitman Middle School. We were warm on arrival.

We introduced ourselves to parents in the bleachers, inquiring whether they had a child playing. Most did and returned the question to us. “Not this year, but 12 years ago,” was our answer. This year’s version is in better shape, based on our small sample of innings.

We were chilled to the bone after our time on the bleachers. Soundview may have the nice view, but it comes with the cool breeze.

Along the way we passed the first place we lived in Seattle. Hideo joined us in making the first floor of the house home. The house was fine, but we remembered why we avoided buying a house too far north in Seattle, no sidewalks.

The hated front yard holly tree is also gone. No bare feet when we lived there.

Based on Saturday’s experience, Sunday’s included an added layer. Our walk focused on the water, literally, but was a much warmer environment. We walked across the 520 floating bridge and back. A bit over 6 miles, and much more pleasant for walking than the I-90 bridge. This path is wide enough for two people to walk abreast and still have room for another pedestrian and a bicycle.

And there were plenty of both on the first really sunny weekend in a while.

View from the halfway point. (Pathway is on the right (north) side.)

Boats and planes that float.

There was also plenty of wildlife to observe. (Great blue heron and an immature bald eagle)

Do you think the eagle’s eyesight is better than the camera below?

Returning to the Seattle side we were just in time for the bridge to go up.

Funny story here. As we were coming up towards the bridge we could hear the bridge tender’s voice, “Please clear the bridge. I can’t raise the bridge until you clear the bridge.” We could then see there was a nun on the other side of the traffic lanes, on the bridge side of the pedestrian gate arm. Apparently she was crossing the bridge and had not quite made it to the crossing arm location when they were lowered. Being mindful of following rules, she was patiently stopped and waited at the barrier. I don’t think she knew or understood that the big voice was directed at her. As we arrived, a waiting bicyclist dismounted and crossed the road to guide her under the gate arm. She continued on her way and the bridge opened.

Today’s walk was focused on a minor errand and trying to shake the lingering time change blues. The chosen route was essentially to, around, and back from Green Lake. There was a crew race (races) underway. I am not sure of the level, but there were 4-man and 8-man boats. UW was participating, but also teams I didn’t recognize immediately as a college.

And in parting, farewell to Professor Hawking. Fittingly on Pi Day.