Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Maybe

I might transfer to the Renton/Tukwila campus, 25 miles north of Tacoma, in May.

I'd be closer to Seattle, although I'm not sure that's a big deal to me. Tacoma is more my speed.

I'd be leaving an office where gasping, tear-streaming laughter is a daily occurence. I honestly don't think I have laughed as hard and as often in 20 years as I do in my current work environment. That's hard to leave. Also, I am doing well at my job in Tacoma. But... I might have the opportunity to do even better in Renton.

Unassuming as Tacoma is on the surface, it's full of funky tea shops and views from bridges, and a myriad of other little hidden treasures. I'm not sure I'm ready to leave it.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Sweet

I hardly ever listen to the radio. When would I? I walk to work, I'm not the type who plays a radio while I'm working, and I just don't listen to it at home. In fact, half the time when I'm at home, 14 stories up, I just open the window and listen to the pleasant ambient noise.

The radio in my disposable car no longer works. Have I ever talked here about my disposable car? No? Ok, it's a 1992 Buick Le Sabre with 184,000 miles on it. I bought it last April for $1,100 and just shrugged and said however long it lasts, it lasts. It's lasted almost a year. It drives beautifully, has no body damage, and I have a feeling it will last at least another year or two. The radio is starting to go, but given a choice between that, and driving virtually for free, I can live with that.

A few weeks ago, when the radio still worked, a song came on that I'm pretty sure I hadn't heard in at least 20 years. It was like running into an old friend. You're going to laugh when I tell you the song: "Action" by The Sweet. I've since downloaded "Desolation Boulevard" and listen to at my desk all the time. It makes me unreasonably happy. "Set me Free"? How could I have forgotten that song? It's...beautiful. It is, really, amidst all its hard-driving misogyny.

As mentioned, when "Action" came on the radio it just slayed me. As many people have pointed out to me (in a nice way, thank God), I have a story for everything. And yes I have a story associated with that song. A memory, actually from the archives. My friend Nancy was in the front row of some talk show (Merv Griffin? Someone of that 1976-ish ilk). The featured guest was some big, bloated bodybuilder in a red speedo. His claim to fame was that he could blow up a rubber hot water bottle until it burst. So in the tape Nancy showed me of the show, there was Mr. bodybuilder in all his blonde, blow-dried glory, heaving back and forth to the song - you guessed it- "Action". Yes, the bottle burst before the end of the song. I have no idea what the point of all this was supposed to be. Maybe his next trick was to put out a campfire with a mightily- gushing arc of pee. Who knows. When his performance ended, the camera panned to Nancy applauding. She thought she looked nerdy since she sort of bounced in her seat in a "Gee, that was so fabulous!" sort of manner. When you look like a cross between Cher and a supermodel you can get away with such things.

So that's my "Action" story.

My friend Christy often jokes with me "And you remember this...why?"

Good question. I just do.

In 16 more days I wiil be finished with my masters degree. I can not begin to tell you how happy this makes me.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Smoke on the Water (Ok, Fog)


Stadium District

My nephew asked to see more pictures of Tacoma. Here are some 'exactly the way it is' pics from my neighborhood. When I look back (2 months from now- a year from now- who knows with my life) on what it was like to live in Tacoma, I want a window back to exactly what it was like to live in the Stadium District.





Saturday, February 16, 2008

First- And Not Last- American Idol Post

I loved Kyle Ensley. I thought "Love Grows Where my Rosemary Goes" was an amazing song choice, and I don't think the performance was "corny". I am sad that he didn't make the top 24.

My favorite so far is David Archuletta. His voice is classically pure and beautiful and he's adorable. I know this makes me sound old, but I like teenagers who are clean cut and polite. After all of his Thank you, thank yous after he was selected for the top 24, he turned to the judges as he was leaving the room and said "Have a nice day!". He's earnest. I love earnest people.

I also like the Joplin-esque Amanda,Shyesha, and the keyboard player with the long blonde hair.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Birthday / Best Italian Restaurant Ever

Saturday night a group of us from work went out to dinner to celebrate Faauu's 41st birthday. We had a great time, and the restaurant- Marzano's- was amazing. Faauu is at the head of the table. Also present are a very large trying-to-hide Wendy Sue, Christy (best next cube neighbor ever. She has a great sense of humor, and actually enjoys it when I sing Eddie Grant's 'Electic Avenue' with my special emphasis on the Rastafarian-accented "Good God!" line), LaTosha, and her husband Fredrick. We all have a great time at work together. Everyone is starting to look for new jobs. I probably won't be far behind, since one of the main things keeping me at this job is how much fun I have at work.

This shot captures the dynamic of Faauu and Latosha's friendship.

Gearing up for a major weight loss effort is not the best time to discover how absolutely delicious an infusion of cream makes a pasta dish.

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