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Tuesday, March 29, 2005
crap
it is hailing!
.: posted by Zemlet 1:21 PM
Monday, March 28, 2005
Arrived in Seattle
Well, we have arrived and all our stuff made it in record time, like the day after we did. Except our master bedroom, most everything went into storage, which was sad. My dishes want out out out of their boxes and want to have a party where people eat off of them. So part of me wants to get a new house right away so everything can come out of the dark storage unit of ugly concrete and into something with windows and light. I love my stuff and want it back. Now.
On the other hand, staying in Laurelhurst is sooooo nice. I could just stay and stay and stay. It is like permanent vacation. We set up our offices downstairs from Britta and Kevin's work areas in the little house by the lake, which is down the hill from the big main house (everything is on a steep hillside overlooking the lake). When we are working, there is this great communal office-y feeling. When we are playing, we play the same computer game together so we can all yell at each other: heal me! no don't run over there! kill that one first! my god your undead warrior's hair looks awful! (This is where the conversation turns into something that is only interesting to people who play World of Warcraft) I just started an alt that is a mage after playing only melee tanks, so it is quite different. Plus I have all these new powers I keep forgetting about, so often times, the yell from upstairs last night was "sheep it! sheep it! sheeeeeep it!!!" Lois can sure be cute when we are all dying. (OK now back to the regular talk everyone will understand.)
So here is the view from where my desk overlooking Lake Washington. I included some of my lamp in the pic to prove this is certainly my desk. This blog isn't all fake with photos found on corbis or whatever. The right shows the shore that you walk down to from the porch you can see on the left hand photo. The left hand photo shows the boat house and their docks. I'll post more pics later. No really I will. Ha.
Britta has expressed interest in taking a documentary film class. I said I'd take it with her. I could make a documentary about her and she could make one about me, I suggested. Great, says she, I want to make my documentary about someone who only drinks Guiness beer for a week. Uh oh... what did I get myself into? So I just want to say in advance, that if my posts get a little different... I blame the Guiness. In fact, I think that could be a permanent excuse for quite a lot of things. Oh I would love to go do that, but... Guiness... you know. (Damn since I am using that word over and over I sure hope it is spelled right.) I feel Britta has a certain fixation with people drinking things and feels compelled to capture that on film. Her last film featured Cedar drinking an entire mug of maple syrup. And YES he certainly threw up and YES she included that in the movie. That was the bulk of the footage, come to think of it. Then he beat everyone at Halo. Not much of a surprise ending, actually. Then what will be next? A shotgun retrospective? Someone drinking apple juice and eating cranberries juxtaposed with someone drinking cranberry juice and eating apples?
It just occured to me to explain who is who up here. (Asterisks indicate who also plays World of Warcraft.) Here are the main characters:
me* (me)
Jonathan* [aka J, J-dog, Jon, Surge, Splurge](my fiancé) gah! the F word!
Britta* [aka B] (J's sister, whom we are currently living with)
Kevin* (Britta's husband, uh, whom we are also living with)
Liz (J's Mom, who we are not living with at all in any form, but who visits)
Here are guest stars that show up at the house regularly, many of whom are long-time pals J and B went to college with here in Seattle ("and" indicates couples): Wolfe* and Lois*, Cedar and Ali, Aaron* and Katy, Frasier* and Leslie, Vivian, Robert and Reneé, Slinkie*, Kate, Rowan* and KK*. Hopefully I will soon have my own new friends to add to the regular cast of characters.
Since we've been here, we have been way too busy. In addition to all the moving crap going on, we went to a party for J's boss and there was Easter tea, where I helped out a lot. I made all my favorite little crustless sandwiches, Britta made some really lucious poundcake, and Lois, Liz and Vivian made other treats. I unpacked the tiny stash of tea I had set aside for travelling with and people commented on how many different teas we had. I had to laugh when I realized this was only a fraction of the different types in my full collection. It made me feel useful and part of the family to be able to help out a lot, and the party went great. Britta has a bunch of different tea cups she has obtained over the years, so even though there were over 15 of us, everyone had their own, unique cup, which was totally fun to see who picked what. They also have a hot water on demand tap thingee, so we didn't fiddle with teapots or anything, folks just grabbed more hot water when they needed it. Unlike most of our eat-fests here when people grab a plate and shovel down before heading to the entertainment room, everyone sat together for a while in the dining and living rooms and chatted and ate slowly. Very enjoyable.
.: posted by Zemlet 11:52 AM
Fuzzy Pictures
Since folks have asked, here are photos. We didn't have photos taken the night we got engaged, because the one of us who has a camera had no clue it was going to happen. The next morning, however, I realized I should capture something for posterity, so even though Jonathan was in the bathroom shaving I snapped a pic with my Clié. The dice image was artwork hanging in the room we were in. It seemed appropriate in many ways, not the least of which is that we're getting back into traditional pen and paper RPGs. The lower right pic is the band I was presented with and the upper right is the custom ring he had made special. I'll try to get pics with the big camera that do it justice so you can see the little leaves and things in the band, which make it so special.
And yes, those are all little diamonds in the platinum foliage- he spoils me.
.: posted by Zemlet 10:05 AM
Thursday, March 17, 2005
the perfect day
I’ve talked to people about what their ideal day would be, but I didn’t really know exactly what my perfect day would be like… until yesterday. I sat down to write about it and realized I had filled over five pages, so I hit save and will now try to condense into a much shorter version. See this might not be interesting to you, but I want savor all the details later. So here is Wednesday, 16 March 2005 (aka, the perfect day):
I’ve been toying with the idea of getting my hair done and cannot decide whether to grow it long or lop it all off. Through a series of hints and conversations, I had been thinking Jon and I would get married soon, so I should grow it out for a romantic look at the wedding. After talking it over with him, however, it was starting to look like the practical thing to do would be to put our money and energy into buying a house together instead and save marriage for later. So I made a hair appointment figuring I might as well get something cute and short for summer. Wednesday is the only time my stylist can see me, which works out perfectly, since I know Jon is taking me out to dinner that night. (About a month ago I mentioned making reservations to mark the second anniversary of our first date, and he said he’d take care of it, since I arranged last year’s celebration.)
So, since I’m starting and ending in San Francisco, I decide to make a whole day of it- my last hurrah in the big city. I set out wearing my favorite black skirt and a daring red satin smoking jacket. (Hey it is San Francisco, you can wear anything.) Massato did my hair, creating a stylish, flippy chin-length ‘do, so I look fabulous. Then I go shoe shopping at Ferragamo and pick up some lovely heels that will be perfect for any impending job interviews. Then I hold court at Café Madeline, sipping cappuccino and reading a science fiction novel. Then I do a bit of people watching in Union Square and sit in the sun knitting. Then I meet up with Melissa and we take the train to the corner of Cole and Carl to hit Crepes on Cole for lunch, then dessert at Boulange de Cole Valley, which has the most amazing French macaroons and authentic café au lait. All the while, we had sometimes serious and meaningful conversation, but also laughs and celebrity gossip. Next we hit Lavande to sit in the spa chairs of ultimate indulgence.
We had originally thought to go to a knitting store and tea, but Melissa “really felt like a manicure” and was hoping to talk me into doing that instead. Hah, like I need to be “talked into” that! Little did I know she was tricking me into making my hands look nice, since she knew I’d be staring at them non-stop for the next week or so and showing them to everyone. Did I suspect? Not a thing. So we sipped tea and sat back in our overstuffed leather massage chairs while daintily dipping our toes into swirling pools of scent-infused water and having an army of giggling Asian and Pacific Island women fawn over our cuticles. Then right on time we returned to the bustle of downtown, each trying to guess at what would happen to us tonight.
So after deducing what Mel was going to do for dinner (make popcorn- just kidding) we thought about what could be up with my evening. Jon wants to meet me at Powell BART at 5:45, which is incredibly early for him to be doing anything, since that is usually right when he’s getting his second wind at work. Was something else planned after this early dinner? The symphony wasn’t playing tonight, I didn’t think. So I deduced that we were probably going someplace hard to get into and all we could get was first seating on short notice. Melissa, the consummate sneak, had several plausible, and appropriately misleading suggestions, that we evaluated based on their access to Jon and proximity to the corner of Powell and Market. While I am on the cell with Jon deciding where we should meet, Melissa reminds me of the café by the entrance to Nordstrom and tells me to instruct him to get in the first BART car, since that will optimally position him by the nearest escalator. Another great deception, as Jonathan was probably already in the City, and I totally fell for it. I fell for all of it: weeks of subterfuge performance by Jonathan with Melissa as the special guest star.
So I’m at yet another café (my perfect day involves several, as it turns out, must be why I love Paris) and Jon strides up wearing my favorite shirt and a tie. (We had torn up his favorite shirt during anti-theater, but that is another story.) So we head to 5th Floor Restaurant, which is in the Hotel Palomar. It has a new chef who has radically changed the menu where the most expensive thing is a 7-course meal where you have a cute little conversation with the maitre d’ and the Chef herself creates an entire meal just for you. That is what we picked. We also chose to have custom wine pairings for each course. The meal was amazing. The best I’ve ever had- topping the Ritz in Paris and Arzak in Spain. The dishes and preparations were truly delightful and it felt so special to have something unique created just for us. It was such a sense of fun and surprise- absolutely perfect! We were so thrilled, they promised to send us a list of everything we ate and the paired wines with each course. All the staff there is so nice, I cannot recommend it enough. So I was already enthralled, thrilled, excited and I’d had 6 glasses of wine, so you can imagine the giddiness.
As the coat-check girl handed us our things, she tells us to “enjoy the show” and my eyes went wide. She immediately apologized, saying she didn’t know it was a surprise, but it worked out perfect. As we walk to the elevator, Jon tells me we’re going to see Evita and I go absolutely nuts. The bellman in the elevator lets us into the car and I’m still squealing with delight and jumping around punctuated by hugging. I tell the bellman not to mind us as it is our anniversary, so he smiles.
So then we go to Evita and it is just great! The female lead had a subtle, sensual voice that could get angry in a hurry and wasn't overpowering, which made Eva Peron seem more real. She was a fanatic, yet so serious, and gave everything all she had- that totally came across. The choices the Director made were fabulous. It was so great and I was so excited, the performance seemed to only last 20 minutes. Afterward, we’re walking back to BART, so I say I need to buy a new ticket and Jon says we have to go back to the 5th Floor. “Why?” I ask stupidly, “did you forget something?” “We are going back to the 5th Floor, but not the restaurant,” he replies. He had got us a room at the Hotel Palomar on the 5th floor and when we walked into the building the staff all said “welcome back” and the bellman, who was in the lobby, wished us happy anniversary.
When we arrive in the room, I notice Jon’s laptop all set up and my favorite flowers, tuberoses, were everywhere in the room, plus there is champagne for two standing by. He has set up his computer to play music from different things we’ve done over the last two years, such as selections from Lord of the Rings and Les Misérables soundtracks, and he starts saying that the past two years have been wonderful and he wanted to remind me of everything we’ve done in that time. Then he asked me to sit down and brought out the leaf ring from Simayof and asked me to marry him. After I said yes it took me all of a nanosecond to get the thing onto my finger, then we hugged and hugged and both of us cried. I also might have screamed when I figured out what was actually happening, but I am not entirely sure. Apparently the ring is going to be totally customized just for me with a true hearts and arrows diamond, that I have since heard from Jonathan's collaborators, that I will be quite pleased with.
I was totally surprised and completely thrilled and happy happy happy. I didn’t sleep a wink all night, I was just too excited. I still can’t believe it is all real.
.: posted by Zemlet 4:13 PM
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
cheer
My Mom sent me a self portrait she is working on to cheer me up. All the email said was "look what happen to me" with this attached. (I had to call to figure out what the deal was.) And you all thought I was kidding when I said, "I'm the normal one."
.: posted by Zemlet 4:36 PM
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Gnome Squad
Jon called from the Game Developer's Conference and it seems World of Warcraft has won a few awards, including beating out HalfLife2 in the best visuals category. Now that I have my mount, I have calmed my playing significantly, going back to how I used to play in my "20's" doing things more for fun or money (in order to buy cool, useless things, like my robot squirrel!) But one of my regular teaming partners, Irra, is still playing at a mad pace, so part of me wants to keep up with him, so we can continue questing together. "Irra" is actually Alan, who lives nearby and we know through Kevin. Alan, Jon and I make a good team and understand each other's playing style well. We rarely wipe, which means that all of us die, and we never fight over loot. I plan to put up a page here (eventually) with screen caps of my various exploits. It will be very boring to everyone but me.
World of Warcraft is kind of a "swords and sorcerers" type of game, like Dungeons and Dragons or something, where you can play a rogue or a warrior, human or elf, etc. and go on quests for glory. I play a human paladin with red hair who has a really large, dangerous sword, but also likes to heal people and cure them of diseases. It is interesting to play a character that doesn't just beat things up, but runs around helping people. I heal complete strangers all the time, often from hiding, which is sometimes funny. They are all about to die and the next moment are perfectly healthy wondering just what happened. Jon plays a dwarvish hunter with tamed animal pets that fight to protect her. She carries a big gun, has long red hair and is a leather worker. Her best pet is a snow leopard, but she also has a dinosaur. We play "Alliance" characters, but there is a whole other set of players on the "Horde" side, which, if you are quite reckless, you can try to fight against. This is quite a dangerous endeavor, but lots of fun, as you make your way into Horde territory as stealthily as possible (with as many friends as possible) and try to do as much damage as you can, take screen shots, and return to base.
Anyhow, the second funniest thing we've done in the game is to make gnome characters that we take on raids agagainst the Horde. Our gnomes are incredibly tiny, cute characters with pig tails and high-pitched giggles. Here is how cute they sound. All of our friends have made similarly pig-tailed gnomettes, so now there are around 15 of us- quite a sight to behold. We decided, even though we are quite tiny and very low level, to troop into enemy territory as a joke and see how many big, evil bad guys we could hug before we died. I died about 7 times during an hour of attempted hugs. The exploit is described by Slinkie on avowry.com and Jon took a screen-shot of a couple of our girls cornering a Tauren.
If anyone is considering playing, I recommend the game highly, although it is very addicting. All my characters are on the Cenarius server, so try that realm so we can hang out together. And for Pete's sake- stop killing low-level gnomes. We're only looking for a decent latté and the chance to spread a little love.
.: posted by Zemlet 2:11 PM
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
working
Hey look- I'm working:
.:fresh wedding design:. is almost done- just need to do the gallery and site map.
Plus I did a mock up for Dr. A to convince him he needs me to redesign his basic, boring site.
Now to pay some bills, run some errands, pick up something to make for dinner then work on Rich's site some more. AND I am doing laundry.
.: posted by Zemlet 3:40 PM
Doing Better
Jon took me out to dinner and a movie last night... he is so good at cheering me up. We talked about a lot of things, which always makes me feel better. He helps me remember why I am doing this and what truly lies at the end of the journey. As soon as we settle into our new home, the other plans we've been making will be set into motion.
I bought new shoes only on mine the stripe is kind of lime green. I figure I'll need shoes like these to hang out with all the athletic ultimate frisbee types up north. I got mine on sale in SF at Melissa's fave shoe store. They were only $29.90. Go me.
Laura is leaving for Vermont on Monday. I should shut up about there not being enough sunny days here, becuse she's going to be in this. Talk about knowing you are not home! Which reminds me, I need to learn to drive in the snow! Yikes. Vermont is incredbly relaxing- I hope she has a good time.
She is going to be in charge of making sure I leave the house every day, which should also make me feel better. If I only had a better coffee shop to visit, I would never stay at home. I surely will not have THAT problem in Seattle. Slinkie spends time at Cafe Zoka, which is a clear candidate as a good hangout for me. (Slinkie is very smart, as he dubbed me the "best girlfriend ever" last week.) Other places to check out include Cranium's Cofee & Colletibles which is, apparently, where the smart people hang out? It reminds me of Gaylords because it is really near a Starbucks, so you can hork the wireless conection from Starbucks without actually having to set foot inside. All great coffee shops should be totally packed and right across from a Starbucks that is empty. On Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, they signed several petitions to oust Starbucks, but decided to let them stay when everyone figured out we could mooch their wireless from our favorite drinkeries. As far as bars go, I will definitely have to check out the Dubliner and the Triangle in Fremont.
OK now to get some work done... feels so good to be able to! More later.
.: posted by Zemlet 12:53 PM
Monday, March 07, 2005
Wrong
What is wrong with me? I have zero motivation do to anything. Perhaps I am not getting enough sleep, or there is too much to do or too little? My house is a horrible mess and I need to start going through everything so we can pack it up to move. We are moving insanely soon, and I am uneasy about the whole thing. Perhaps I just cannot adjust to it, so part of me has decided to shut down in some sort of form of protest? Some chemical in my body is conspiring to make me tired and blasé so I'll be forced to stay? Every day I tell myself I'll get it together tomorrow. Tomorrow. Tomorrow. I am running out of tomorrows!
And everyone asks if I have a job lined up in Seattle or know where we're going to live. No. For the last time NO. I have no clue what is going to happen once this month is over, so please stop asking. I still can barely believe we're really doing this. I know I should be doing something, but I have no idea what. I am somehow blocked from accomplishing things and I cannot figure out why. I feel so horribly disorganized and I am usually not a disorganized person. All I can come up with to explain is that there is something wrong and I'm not sure how to cure it.
A new job? A big nap? Getting some of the things on my ever-growing to-do list done? Leaving town and hiding? Asking someone to force me to get things done? A long walk where I get incredibly lost and then miraculously find my way back?
I am usually so incurably happy. Why can't I figure out what is wrong? I keep hoping once the worst of this escrow period is over, these feelings will vanish. Once I can see the future more clearly, I'll be able to start preparing myself for it. Perhaps I will start to feel the familiar tug of ambition, or hatch a crazy idea that needs to be fulfilled. Hopefully something soon will pique my interest and bring me out of the stupor I find myself in.
I have read enough yarn blogs from knitters who never finish projects and don't want to be those people. I bought a bunch of yarn for a new silly project recently, so I made myself finish the 2nd cashmere fingerless glove. Now all I am working on is the lacy, silk/mohair scarf intended to be an xmas present (so I have plenty of time!) and this new project, which will be a very strange piece of clothing.
Gah, why am I talking about stupid knitting projects, when I have so so much more that I really should be doing? It says on the forecast that it will actually be sunny tomorrow. Perhaps that will make me feel better.
.: posted by Zemlet 5:32 PM
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Party
Well I thought I would be all counter culture like those people who wear pants and a skirt at the same time and use myVite (also known as DaVite) instead of e-vite. Well I totally screwed it up on top of it looking horrible. I guess I don't have what it takes and should leave my hair the color it is. Perhaps I'll have to redo the whole damn thing on e-vite, so if you get two, I am sorry for being lame. Anyhow if you would like to come to our party and your invite was eaten by a mailer daemon or something, feel free to e-mail me for the exact address and to RSVP. Here are the details:
The rumors are true: we're moving to Seattle. But, not without a big, California-style party to say goodbye! Please join us for food, games and prizes with better odds of winning than in Vegas. Come try your hand at Fish Tossing, Seattle Trivia and Guess That Coffee to win gift cards, coffee accessories and Nirvana CDs. There will also be the traditional haiku contest. Feel free to take BART, as we are right around the corner from the Pleasant Hill station. (That way you can help us drink all the booze in the cupboard, so we don’t have to move it.) There is street parking on Coggins Drive and we live in a multi-condo complex where our series of buildings is called Wayside Commons. When you enter, turn right, look for a roundabout surrounding a fountain, then mailboxes, then a pool and you’re there.
Menu will be California Cuisine with inspirations from Spain and Mexico:
Hand Made Corn Tamales with a variety of Salsas and Guacamole
Basque Pinchos: Olives, Bread, Cheese, Machengo with Quince, and Frittata
Mini Tostadas: Pollo Limon, Ceviche, Arroz con Cilantro, or Frijoles Negros
Rincon Blue Margaritas
San Sebastian Sangria
Variety of Local Beers and Wines
The open house starts at 6PM on Saturday, March 19th: arrive whenever you want and stay as long as you like. Feel free to bring any pals or relatives you like, as we always have too much food. Dress is "California Casual". We will probably start “Guess That Coffee” around 8PM followed by the fish tossing. Seattle Trivia and haiku formulation will carry on all night with winners announced around 9 or so.
.: posted by Zemlet 12:26 PM
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Fairy Name Generator
Fairy Name Generator is a link my Mom sent me, or one that was linked to from it. Kooky. My fairy is apparently called Moth Willowfly and is decribed as a caster of weird dreams who lives close to crystal caverns and stalagtite grottos and is only seen at midday under a quiet, cloudless sky. Well the last part is true. I waited until today got just sunny enough to go out and drove around with the top down on my car. I went to the store, which seemed innocuous enough of a passtime, but I spent the whole time worrying that favorite items would not be available out of state.
I know there are many craft quality beers in Washington state, but I will miss Firestone Walker Double Barrel Ale, which I am sure they will not have. Now that is not my favorite beer in the whole world (my favorite is Tanglefoot Ale, which is only served in parts of England) but seeing that got me wondering about a whole lot of things I won't have access to anymore. Needless to say I broght home two loaves of my favorite sourdough bread, San Luis Sourdough. Oho... becuase I looked for that link, I see that they ship their bread anywhere! So I guess I will be mail-ordering bread, masa, queso fresco and other must-haves. And I'll just have to pick up a few cases of Double Barrel Ale at BevMo (another thing they only have in California) and whatever we don't finish at the going away party can travel with us and live in Britta's wine cellar for a time. Who knows, the next time I visit California, I just might compain about the lack of Red Hook on tap.
OK I just realized that getting bread in the mail sounds kind of odd. It is almost hilarious when you realize we don't even own a toaster. But I am going to do it anyway. And someday I will find a perfect, fancy red toaster oven and me and my sourdough will live happily ever after. So there.
.: posted by Zemlet 3:30 PM
If only...
... I had my camera last night! For Eric's (and some winningest coach from North Carolina's) birthday, we all trooped over to Art's Crab Shack in Oakland. Located at 4031 Broadway (right across from Mama's Royal Cafe!!!) and open until 1am, this place is as Oakland as it gets. I wish I had my camera because I cannot start to explain this place. It is like our version of Seattle's Northlake Tavern only it attacts all types and colors of people. I have been trying hard to put a sentance together to describe it and all I come up with are words and phrases, so here they are:
Ghetto
A Bottle of Courvoisier (for the "ladieszth")
Plastic Bibs
Suede Magazine
George & Weezy
Oakland Raiders
Neon
X-tra Large Deep Fat Fryer
This place had several things in common with a olde tyme gas station, namely that you pay in advance, and there is lots of grease. But damngirlhowsyomomma the food was so good! Best crab I've ever had. I had no idea walking in to this windowless den of sin that not only would the food be so delish, but that I'd think over $100 for a family sized bucket of crab would be a good price. And I am serious about paying in advance, it was kind of funny. Melissa actually asked for a wine menu, which was the highlight of my evening, and after the waitress gave her a really strange look like she didn't quite understand the words coming at her, we were told there was White Zinfandel and Merlot. (All you fans of the overly-popular Sideways can have a good laugh now.) For beer, the only non-Milwaukee brand was Corona. We had so much food, we literally had to stack things on top of each other on the table. We ordered three appetizers (inlcuding uber comfort hush puppies) not realizing each was going to be like 20-30 pieces each, plus they brought grilled garlic bread, then the actual crab arrived. But again, any sins this place had were wiped away by the food... the seasonings on the crab and the texture were perfect and man oh man did they have a way with mushrooms and all things fried.
.: posted by Zemlet 12:21 PM
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