I'm going to the winter series race hosted by Mountain Home down in Portland this Sat. I bought a second set of roof racks so that I can carry two OC1s and carpool. With the price of gas being what it is these days the idea of making such a long drive solo seems silly. The carpool I had gotten together has completely fallen to pieces. Anyone want to carpool down with me? I'll be leaving Seattle around 7 am.
I got a call from the allergist yesterday. The radiologist had finally reviewed the CT scan from last week. They saw thickening in the ethmoid and frontal sinuses. Seems I've been cooking up a sinus infection after all and the coughing is probably not due to my GERD. On the one hand that's good, I didn't want to have to add the other drugs full time. On the other hand, blah, another sinus infection. I had sinus surgery four years ago, dreadful stuff to be avoided possible, and have been having far fewer sinus infections since then. But when I get them I get them good. I think we caught this one early, hoping we can clear it up quickly,too.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Reflections on a Vase
Have you ever read the comic Get Fuzzy? As with many comics there are some days I'm left scratching my head wondering if I'm just missing something. But last Wednesday's comic cracked me up. Not sure why, just couldn't stop snickering.
And then Thursday's, too.
And then Thursday's, too.
Monday, February 4, 2008
I went into science so I wouldn't have to write
I hated English classes in high school, actually I didn't like many of my classes in high school, except photography and math. I struggled with the whole symbolism within the writing thing. Why can't it just mean what it says? An irony of my senior year was that I took lots of journalism classes to meet college entrance requirements and I never wrote a single word, not for the entire school year. I took photos for the school paper and the yearbook, they were very good, but I still never wrote a word.
When I got into college I was very resistant towards any English or writing classes. It took me three tries to pass freshman English. I went into science so I wouldn't have to do any writing. Why didn't anyone tell me this plan was so seriously flawed!?! I took a year off from college to go to Indonesia to teach English, the understanding was that I would be teaching conversation and discussion classes. Imagine my surprise when they asked me to teach a writing class. I think that may have been the turning point in my ability to write. It was after I returned from Indonesia that I finally passed freshman English.
Over the last couple of years I think my writing has really improved. I still don't keep a journal and those free association writing exercises used to annoy the heck out me back in the day. I guess I am journaling, blogging has to be a type of journaling, I guess. I try to write the way I speak, for the most part. I think it makes it more interesting. My technical writing is pretty ok. I subscribe to the less is more school of thought. Who knew I'd finally come around and bond with the written word.
When I got into college I was very resistant towards any English or writing classes. It took me three tries to pass freshman English. I went into science so I wouldn't have to do any writing. Why didn't anyone tell me this plan was so seriously flawed!?! I took a year off from college to go to Indonesia to teach English, the understanding was that I would be teaching conversation and discussion classes. Imagine my surprise when they asked me to teach a writing class. I think that may have been the turning point in my ability to write. It was after I returned from Indonesia that I finally passed freshman English.
Over the last couple of years I think my writing has really improved. I still don't keep a journal and those free association writing exercises used to annoy the heck out me back in the day. I guess I am journaling, blogging has to be a type of journaling, I guess. I try to write the way I speak, for the most part. I think it makes it more interesting. My technical writing is pretty ok. I subscribe to the less is more school of thought. Who knew I'd finally come around and bond with the written word.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
The Thanks-But-No-Thanks (tbnt) Note
This whole online dating thing is tough. On email some (many?) guys seem nice, interesting, certainly worthy of a first date. Then you have that first date, chit chat, amusing anecdotes, whatever, you have finally met in person. Now you both know the reality behind the typed words, good or bad.
I had a first date last Thursday evening, we met for dinner. He was quite articulate and on email sounded very nice. I was totally looking forward to meeting him, he sounded like a 'this could be something'. In person, well, not so much. I made pleasant conversation all the while trying to compose my tbnt message. I didn't want to say "you bore me to tears" or "your looks scare me" or something equally crass or hurtful. I was thrilled that he was interested enough to come out and meet me but that was really the extent of it. I think there is an art to the tbnt message. Thanks for meeting me, but ... And good luck with your search. Inevitably my tbnt messages receive a follow up of "oh, well, I wasn't that interested in you either." Right, that's why you basically asked me out for every night this week and next, because you weren't really interested. Whatever!
The flip side is having the first date, enjoying it, and thinking "wow, this guy was interesting and I'd like to see him again" and then getting the tbnt message from him. Urgh! Crushing blow to the ego followed by what's wrong with me, why don't you want to explore this further?!? Or even worse, they drop off the face of the earth, no reply to emails, just gone. I must say I prefer the tbnt to the magical disappearing man.
Rejection is never easy, it hurts regardless of how gently it's done. Because egos can be so fragile I make every effort to be kind in my tbnt messages, I don't want to kick someone when they are down, I just want to gently direct them away from me. Although I don't enjoy receiving a tbnt note I must commend those fellows who are decent enough to send one rather than leave me to wonder what happened.
Now back to that inbox full of new messages. I reposted my ad today, I guess it was flagged and booted, probably all that inappropriate content. In my first sift through the messages I have culled out all those who have offered to 'ice my cake and lick the bowl'. If I was looking just to get laid you'd think I'd have posted in casual encounters!
I had a first date last Thursday evening, we met for dinner. He was quite articulate and on email sounded very nice. I was totally looking forward to meeting him, he sounded like a 'this could be something'. In person, well, not so much. I made pleasant conversation all the while trying to compose my tbnt message. I didn't want to say "you bore me to tears" or "your looks scare me" or something equally crass or hurtful. I was thrilled that he was interested enough to come out and meet me but that was really the extent of it. I think there is an art to the tbnt message. Thanks for meeting me, but ... And good luck with your search. Inevitably my tbnt messages receive a follow up of "oh, well, I wasn't that interested in you either." Right, that's why you basically asked me out for every night this week and next, because you weren't really interested. Whatever!
The flip side is having the first date, enjoying it, and thinking "wow, this guy was interesting and I'd like to see him again" and then getting the tbnt message from him. Urgh! Crushing blow to the ego followed by what's wrong with me, why don't you want to explore this further?!? Or even worse, they drop off the face of the earth, no reply to emails, just gone. I must say I prefer the tbnt to the magical disappearing man.
Rejection is never easy, it hurts regardless of how gently it's done. Because egos can be so fragile I make every effort to be kind in my tbnt messages, I don't want to kick someone when they are down, I just want to gently direct them away from me. Although I don't enjoy receiving a tbnt note I must commend those fellows who are decent enough to send one rather than leave me to wonder what happened.
Now back to that inbox full of new messages. I reposted my ad today, I guess it was flagged and booted, probably all that inappropriate content. In my first sift through the messages I have culled out all those who have offered to 'ice my cake and lick the bowl'. If I was looking just to get laid you'd think I'd have posted in casual encounters!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Size *Does* Matter
At least when it comes to paddle length. I went out and paddled a bit over 5 miles in the OC6 with the ladies. I used my 52" Lolo and had a little bit of a funky feeling in my elbow, I think I prefer using my 52" Axel II in the OC6. The morning was truly gorgeous, the sky was a brilliant blue, the steel grey clouds were far off in the distance. It was much warmer than I expected, I actually took off a layer, first time that has happened since October. Many on the crew were peeling off layers during our first break and also wishing we'd worn sunglasses. It was a decent workout but afterwards I was not feeling as though I had worked as hard as I could have/should have so I decided to go out on the OC1.
After we got the OC6 put away I brought out the OC1 and put it together. GPS-check, water bottle-check, new paddle-check. Yes, I finally got the opportunity to use my new paddle, a 50" Helium, it has a smaller surface area than the Axel II blade. It isn't yet part of the Kialoa catalog so I can't include a link for it. OMG! It was a beautiful thing, so light, and I finally realized how big a difference the correct length paddle makes. I've been using the Lolo on the OC1/OC2 and it's felt pretty good, but the Helium feels great. Everything was flowing smoothly, I was hitting a really good rhythm ... and then my cell phone rang. Typically I wouldn't stop to answer the phone, but remember yesterdays post? The CL ad, new string of first dates, etc. It was one of the guys, we had plans to meet this afternoon and I wasn't expecting to hear from him unless there was a change, so I thought I should answer it. He wanted to push back our meeting by an hour if that was ok with me. Sure, no problem, means I can paddle a bit longer, too. OK, phone put away, get back into the rhythm, long, smooth, reach it out, rotate, new paddle feels great. I went north 30 minutes and then turned around and came back, the return only took 25 minutes, went nearly 5 miles. Wow, what a great paddle, both the physical object and the act. That had to be one of my better workouts. Size really does matter, the smaller length and smaller surface area works great for me on the OC1.
Went down to Seward Park to meet that Craigslist respondent, brought the dogs along. I figured if I was going for a walk they should be able to take advantage of it, too. We met and started walking around the loop road chatting the whole way. I found him very easy to talk to and pauses in conversation didn't seem awkward, that's always nice. I hope I'll see him again.
After we got the OC6 put away I brought out the OC1 and put it together. GPS-check, water bottle-check, new paddle-check. Yes, I finally got the opportunity to use my new paddle, a 50" Helium, it has a smaller surface area than the Axel II blade. It isn't yet part of the Kialoa catalog so I can't include a link for it. OMG! It was a beautiful thing, so light, and I finally realized how big a difference the correct length paddle makes. I've been using the Lolo on the OC1/OC2 and it's felt pretty good, but the Helium feels great. Everything was flowing smoothly, I was hitting a really good rhythm ... and then my cell phone rang. Typically I wouldn't stop to answer the phone, but remember yesterdays post? The CL ad, new string of first dates, etc. It was one of the guys, we had plans to meet this afternoon and I wasn't expecting to hear from him unless there was a change, so I thought I should answer it. He wanted to push back our meeting by an hour if that was ok with me. Sure, no problem, means I can paddle a bit longer, too. OK, phone put away, get back into the rhythm, long, smooth, reach it out, rotate, new paddle feels great. I went north 30 minutes and then turned around and came back, the return only took 25 minutes, went nearly 5 miles. Wow, what a great paddle, both the physical object and the act. That had to be one of my better workouts. Size really does matter, the smaller length and smaller surface area works great for me on the OC1.
Went down to Seward Park to meet that Craigslist respondent, brought the dogs along. I figured if I was going for a walk they should be able to take advantage of it, too. We met and started walking around the loop road chatting the whole way. I found him very easy to talk to and pauses in conversation didn't seem awkward, that's always nice. I hope I'll see him again.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Cake Seeking Icing - 41 (Seattle)
I'm not sure if *you* have all made up your mind about me, but I cannot decide if I'm crazy or just want to live life on the edge. Last Wednesday night I posted a personals ad on craigslist. I figure my life is pretty darn good, finding a nice guy would be icing on the cake, hence my post title, it's the same on my ad. If you want to see it you'll have to go look for it. I have tried eharmony and match, have had some first dates a couple of second dates, I just haven't found my icing yet. I really like icing, it makes an already tasty dessert even better. I tried to be pragmatic in my ad, not sound like I'm desperate to get laid, not sound too crazy, and set no limitations on what I was looking for, aside from gender=male, and having heard that some guys like to send photos of their penises in the first communication I requested that they not do that in the initial email. I included the photo I have to the right. Bring it, let's see what happens.
First message arrived 15 minutes after I posted. Dang, that was fast. This first guy seemed quite nice. We exchanged a number of emails that night and ended up going to dinner Thursday evening. He was a lot more attractive over email, talking in person to him he just seemed kind of eh, bland. Now I need to write him a thanks-but-no-thanks email. I just got another message from him this evening asking me out for tonight. I have got to write that no thanks email.
The next message arrived 20 minutes after posting. Very brief, thought the way I ended my post was very funny, deadpan. I wrote back asking if he was looking for someone to spend time with or just reading for amusement. Got back a nice response, he is looking for someone and included the bulk of an ad he'd posted. Turns out I'd read it before, but was too daunted by his list of activities to actually write him. We have plans to meet tomorrow for a walk at Seward Park.
Then an hour after there was the guy with herpes. Thanks for your interest, move along. And then the guy who wanted me to show him my penis, it would be our little secret. ScoobyDoo sounding "huh?!?" Little did he know, I'm a blogger and this would be posted, hehehe.
Two hours post post a guy wrote asking if I like punk music. That was it, the extent of his message. We have now exchanged a couple of messages. Just going along for the ride to see where this one goes.
Thursday morning I got my first penis picture. I told a friend about it, she asked if it was nice, the pic and/or the penis. Sorry to say he was a thumbs down for both. Not sure if he thought he was being cute or was just an ass. Didn't want to stick around to find out. Noon Thursday got a message from a guy willing to relocate from Northern California if things were to work out!?!?! What, are there no women in NorCal? Or have they all shot him down already?
Midnight Thursday brought a very long message from a non-native speaker of English. He had a lot to say and I'm still trying to piece together what to write back to him. Friday got a nice note from a guy in Federal Way asking 'what breed is your dogs?' Big plus points for asking about the dogs, small minus points for poor grammer. I did write him back, we'll see where this one goes, too. And finally around 7 pm Friday evening I got a message from a 26 year old guy. I'm not sure what to think, on one hand had I gotten busy early in high school I'm old enough to be his mother, on the other am I ready to be a cougar?
I can already tell this is probably the first in a series of postings. See what happens when paddling practice gets canceled! Stupid wind!
First message arrived 15 minutes after I posted. Dang, that was fast. This first guy seemed quite nice. We exchanged a number of emails that night and ended up going to dinner Thursday evening. He was a lot more attractive over email, talking in person to him he just seemed kind of eh, bland. Now I need to write him a thanks-but-no-thanks email. I just got another message from him this evening asking me out for tonight. I have got to write that no thanks email.
The next message arrived 20 minutes after posting. Very brief, thought the way I ended my post was very funny, deadpan. I wrote back asking if he was looking for someone to spend time with or just reading for amusement. Got back a nice response, he is looking for someone and included the bulk of an ad he'd posted. Turns out I'd read it before, but was too daunted by his list of activities to actually write him. We have plans to meet tomorrow for a walk at Seward Park.
Then an hour after there was the guy with herpes. Thanks for your interest, move along. And then the guy who wanted me to show him my penis, it would be our little secret. ScoobyDoo sounding "huh?!?" Little did he know, I'm a blogger and this would be posted, hehehe.
Two hours post post a guy wrote asking if I like punk music. That was it, the extent of his message. We have now exchanged a couple of messages. Just going along for the ride to see where this one goes.
Thursday morning I got my first penis picture. I told a friend about it, she asked if it was nice, the pic and/or the penis. Sorry to say he was a thumbs down for both. Not sure if he thought he was being cute or was just an ass. Didn't want to stick around to find out. Noon Thursday got a message from a guy willing to relocate from Northern California if things were to work out!?!?! What, are there no women in NorCal? Or have they all shot him down already?
Midnight Thursday brought a very long message from a non-native speaker of English. He had a lot to say and I'm still trying to piece together what to write back to him. Friday got a nice note from a guy in Federal Way asking 'what breed is your dogs?' Big plus points for asking about the dogs, small minus points for poor grammer. I did write him back, we'll see where this one goes, too. And finally around 7 pm Friday evening I got a message from a 26 year old guy. I'm not sure what to think, on one hand had I gotten busy early in high school I'm old enough to be his mother, on the other am I ready to be a cougar?
I can already tell this is probably the first in a series of postings. See what happens when paddling practice gets canceled! Stupid wind!
To Mosh Or Not To Mosh
Just got home from the Toasters show. Still awesome after all these years. I think the last time I saw them was 1998 maybe 1999. There were four opening bands, I arrived about halfway through the third band (Knock Me Down), they had a heavy punk sound but were pretty good. They cleared the deck for the fourth band (Ideal Green) who took for freakin' ever to set up and do a sound check and they sucked! It was bad, out of tune reggae/ska and they looked about 12, ok more like 17-18, but still. And they had a rapper buddy who came up on stage for a few 'songs', he sucked, too. Don't get me wrong, I like reggae, ska, and even some rap, but these kids have a lot of work ahead of them.
The Toasters got their gear on stage and were sound checked in maybe 15 minutes, it had taken the last guys over 30. Immediately the Toasters had the crowd jumping, me too! I remembered many of the songs they played from shows at Lupos Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, RI, they had a bunch of new ones, too, all rockin' good. The line up was almost completely different, Buck was the only member I recognized, but then he is the Toasters. He does most of the writing, singing, and plays lead guitar. I remember there were at least 7 guys on stage, sometimes 8 or 9 then. Tonight there were only 5, a striped down and lean Toasters, but they brought it.
Studio Seven has an interesting configuration, the bar is upstairs and you can look down over the mosh pit. It is also an all ages venue, at least it was for this show. I met a friend and we went upstairs to drink through the pain of the fourth band and stayed up there through the Toasters set. Perfect viewing of the mosh pit. It hurt just to look at them. I think the average age was probably 17 and they were slamming and pushing and having a grand time of it. Back in RI I would dance so enthusiastically I typically made an appointment to see my chiropractor the next day. There was no way I was setting foot in there tonight!
I got a new Toasters t-shirt, mine are all relegated to the sleeping quality, pretty ratty looking, and their newest CD, One More Bullet. I ordered a couple from their website and I couldn't remember which ones. Thankfully, their newest wasn't part of my order. I even got a photo with Buck taken with my cell phone, just have to figure out how to get it to my computer now. Any suggestions? In all a wonderful time was had by all. Hopefully the ringing in my ears will subside by morning! And now off to bed.
The Toasters got their gear on stage and were sound checked in maybe 15 minutes, it had taken the last guys over 30. Immediately the Toasters had the crowd jumping, me too! I remembered many of the songs they played from shows at Lupos Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, RI, they had a bunch of new ones, too, all rockin' good. The line up was almost completely different, Buck was the only member I recognized, but then he is the Toasters. He does most of the writing, singing, and plays lead guitar. I remember there were at least 7 guys on stage, sometimes 8 or 9 then. Tonight there were only 5, a striped down and lean Toasters, but they brought it.
Studio Seven has an interesting configuration, the bar is upstairs and you can look down over the mosh pit. It is also an all ages venue, at least it was for this show. I met a friend and we went upstairs to drink through the pain of the fourth band and stayed up there through the Toasters set. Perfect viewing of the mosh pit. It hurt just to look at them. I think the average age was probably 17 and they were slamming and pushing and having a grand time of it. Back in RI I would dance so enthusiastically I typically made an appointment to see my chiropractor the next day. There was no way I was setting foot in there tonight!
I got a new Toasters t-shirt, mine are all relegated to the sleeping quality, pretty ratty looking, and their newest CD, One More Bullet. I ordered a couple from their website and I couldn't remember which ones. Thankfully, their newest wasn't part of my order. I even got a photo with Buck taken with my cell phone, just have to figure out how to get it to my computer now. Any suggestions? In all a wonderful time was had by all. Hopefully the ringing in my ears will subside by morning! And now off to bed.
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