A quiet but good day

I cracked an eyelid open and saw 7:30 on the clock, then closed the eye again until the snooze alarm went off 10 minutes later. Llelo came up for some snuggles and settled in to wait until I showed true signs of life. Ultimately got up around 8, let the dogs out, fed the dogs, prepared my coffee, and settled in to get some work done. I got through quite a bit of work, more than I expected, even. I guess 42 really is the ultimate answer.

I got to the spa around 6:30, flashed my id and got free admittance. I did have to pay for the body scrub and body moisturizing, though. I got my robe, cap, and towels and headed back to the locker room. After I changed I went down to the little restaurant they have. I got the chicken bimbimbap (I know that's spelled incorrectly) and it was quite tasty. I avoided those things that looked like they had spicy sauce added, and the ginger tea was awesome.

After dinner I headed into the tub room, took my shower and hit the 97 degree tub. You have to soak for at least 30 minutes before your body scrub, softens things up. When they called my number I went behind the bamboo curtain to the brightly white tiled area where they have rows of massage style tables with heavy white vinyl covers, easier to keep clean. My technician was a petite Korean woman who's name tag read Angie. You start out face down and they pull on the scrubby gloves. I quickly realized she was putting a bit more umph into the scrub than the previous time I went, either that or I'd forgotten how scrubby it was last time. It was not unlike being gone over with a sanding block, not the 60 grit, more like the 200 or a little bit finer even. They sluice you down with hot water and then start scrubbing at one foot, working their way up the leg, up the back, the first arm, across the shoulders, the second arm, down the back and down the other leg. And repeat about 3-4 times. Then on to the right side, repeat 4-5 times, then to the left side, repeat 4-5 times, then onto the back and repeat 4-5 times. Having my tummy massaged like a blob of bread dough feels really good. After you have been completely exfoliated they use those odd scrunchy balls of mesh weave stuff and soap all over to wash away all the skin bits they've rubbed off. It all feels so good and relaxing. When Angie was finished she sent me to sit in the dry sauna for a few minutes while she prepped the table for the moisturizing phase.

Angie came and got me and took me over to the mugwort pool. She then poured mugwort water all over me, it feels and smells so good. Then back to the table. The moisturizing involves having honey, olive oil, and milk rubbed all over your body. Having these ingredients massaged into your body is just delightful. Again I started face down and Angie started the same pattern as with the scrub. Then I flipped over and repeated it all on the front side. When she got to my face it was then best thing ever. There was a part of it that reminded me of the brushes when you take your car through the car wash, fwappeta, fwappeta, fwappeta starting at one side and moving around to the other. When she was finished I had been transported to a nirvana-like place. I remember thinking that was totally worth what they charged, just for the face thing! Then she placed cucumber slices over my eyes and shredded cucumber over the rest of my face and neck. It was startlingly cool and dripped down the sides of my neck. It was very hard not to giggle when she did that. She also laid warm towels over the rest of me and left me to steep for a bit. Then she came back and wiped off all the honey and milk and olive oil, cleaned me all up, wished me happy birthday, and sent me on my way.

I made my way home in a warm fog, feeling relaxed with smooth and supple skin. I finished that last package of data and packed my bag for tomorrow. In all it's been a pretty good birthday. The only down side, didn't get any chocolate cake! I'd thought about going down to Whole Foods to get a single serving one, but never quite made it that far. Guess I'll have to get it Wednesday after work.

42 - The Ultimate Answer To Life The Universe And Everything

So, it's going to be a great year then, right! I'll be 42 on Tuesday. I don't have any huge plans for the day. I'll work validating data for most of the day, all those hours I have on my projections, you know. But I do plan to sleep a little late, 7:30 or so, and I'll knock off a little early and head up to Olympus Spa in Lynnwood. It's free on your birthday! In addition to the quality time in the various tubs and hot rooms I'm going to go for the Korean Body Scrub and follow that with the Korean Body Moisturizing.

We'll just see if 42 really is the ultimate answer to life the universe and everything! Here's hoping for a great year.

Lotus Icebreaker

Gawd, what a long day it's been. Up early, early, head out to collect Kristi here in Seattle, then up to South Everett to get Ed, then North Everett to get Rocky, had to leave the dog boyz home. We were all part of a V12 crew for the Lotus Icebreaker outrigger race. For V12 they take two OC6 hulls and lash them together, very stable, very heavy, potentially very fast. They ran 5 heats of 6-V12, do you realize how many people that is??? That's 72 paddlers per heat!!! That means there were over 300 lunatics paddling out in the bitter cold and snowy, rainy conditions! I'm pretty sure we all had a great time, too. The venue was beautiful, the race was about 6 km, and Sail Sand Point took first in our heat, we were challenged by another crew for the entire race, we beat them by only 6 seconds. We didn't take first overall, but I'm still happy with our results. A full third of our crew hadn't raced before. And one of our crew never made it to the race, got lost on their way and thankfully we were able to pick up someone who had steered a boat in the previous heat.

After the race 8 of the crew (& their entrouages) went out to Dim Sum in Richmond for lunch. Mahalos to Ernie and everyone who ordered the food. It was all good, although I wasn't compelled to try the tripe or the chicken legs. I was particularly fond of the red bean pancakes for dessert, but then sweets are my favorite. Fed, dry, and warm (mostly) it was time to head south again. The boarder crossing was quite painless, only 6-8 cars in front of us. Dropped Rocky at his house, went to Costco to fuel up, dropped Ed at his car, and Kristi moved into the front seat for the last leg of the trip. We were just chatting when she said 'wouldn't it be great to go to Olympus Spa right now?' The idea of those hot tubs, steams rooms, and hot dry rooms sounded excellent to me as well and since we were still north of the spa it wouldn't even be out of our way! I had a neighbor to take the boyz out for a potty break so I had a little flexibility in my return time.

We got to Olympus a few minutes later, paid our way and headed in to hit the hot relaxation. We moved from the different temperature baths to the steam room and dry sauna, I went off to the salt room and the elvan stone room and then back to the hot tubs. Ladies, I highly recommend going, it's free on your birthday! Guys, a gift certificate here for that special woman in your life would be an excellent idea. I've had the Korean Body Scrub, it's wonderful, refreshing, invigorating, and your skin is so soft afterwards. We spent a couple of hours warming up and soaking away the tired muscles, it was great.

I got home a little before 8 pm to be greeted by the dog boyz, so utterly relieved that I had not forsaken them, that I had come home again. They worry so, well, Gus does anyway. They have been extra clingy all evening, having been neglected all day they feel they are deserving of extra loves, which they are. So enough for now, gotta go love on da boyz.