Thanks to S for this one!

My pirate name is:

Captain Ethel Bonney

Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. You can be a little bit unpredictable, but a pirate's life is far from full of certainties, so that fits in pretty well. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
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Self-Entitlement

Yesterday there was a theme - it seriously came up after 3 different, unique interactions, with different people involved in each.

Entitlement.

People who come into the room with that air of arrogance and expectation. It's one thing to be confident. Another to be rude.

Didn't have a good day? The self-entitled person feels like it is not their own responsibility to have a good day. It's the responsibility of everyone around them to make their day good. The self-entitled person doesn't wear the right types of shoes to an event - fashion over function. The self-entitled person doesn't listen to the explanation - they just jump to the blame game. The self-entitled person doesn't try to understand. They become the victim of a situation out of anyone's control. They twist things into what sounds like a conspiracy against them. There is no benefit of doubt.

Self-Entitlement.

I can't even write this post without throwing around a bundle of cliches. People who think the world revolves around them. People who treat others with manipulation and condescension. Who do not show humility and understanding.

The people I know who seem truly happy have an awareness of others and humble themselves in the presence of others. They do not sacrifice their integrity in doing so - this isn't about self-deprecation. It is about listening. It isn't about placing blame. It is about personal responsibility.

It isn't just a set of behaviors.

It is an approach to life. A personal philosophy based on a set of beliefs. And it really does change the way we interact with the world - with friends, significant others, colleagues, strangers, family. Happiness is a choice.

Googling Candidates

You know how when you type in commonly searched for terms, Google likes to suggest what you may be searching for based on what other people search for?

This doesn't say much about the candidates - but it says a LOT about people who are searching for information on them.

Here's what I got:

On my impending move

I'm obsessed. I mean literally, everything I do, every drive I take, every social encounter, every shopping trip - I relate it in my mind (and often verbally) to my move. To my new place. To the location. To this space that is going to be mine.

I've lived in "the hostel" (does anyone even still call it that?) for 5 years. A little over actually. We moved in around the 4th of July, 2003 - pretty much one year after I graduated from college. It's the end of August, 2008. When I moved into my current situation, picked a room, etc - I had no idea I would still be there 5 years later.

In those 5 years, we have never had our rent raised. What I pay (and have paid for 5 years on a monthly basis) is half of what many of my peers pay for rent. A 3rd for some. And probably even a quarter for a handful. It has allowed me to save for a down payment. It has also taught me incredible patience in shared space. And I have truly had some of the most respectful, cool roommates ever. Seriously. Little pet peeves of mine aside, they've all been great! All 14 (+2-3 significant others that might as well be counted) of them (in this house alone - that doesn't include the college years!)

But I'm ready to move on.

I'm ready to have my own fridge. And freezer. With an ice-cube maker! My own stove top that I can keep as clean as I'd like. My own kitchen. Every drawer and cabinet = MINE! My own counter tops that I can put anything I'd like on! My own candles and knicky knacky things.

For years now (seriously... years...) my Mom has been buying me things for the home for my birthday and Christmas. And we have an understanding. Some things I take with me. And other things, well, they stay in their box and go in the attic. For when I have my own place.

See, while I've had great roommates, that doesn't mean we should leave nice things out. It's beyond their control if they have friends over and something breaks. Or someone doesn't know to hand wash something (like my stainless steel teapot, which has terrible water stains now). I haven't wanted these nicer things my Mom has gotten me to be ruined my the day to day wear and tear - inevitable in a house of 5 20-something adults. And we've been a party-house too. Things are just more likely to break in that type of situation.

So the time is near that I'll go to my parents and my Mom and I will start taking things down from the attic. We already have an understanding that there will be a few things that I've probably already "outgrown." A trend from a few years back that will feel like mere clutter now. But, for the most part, these goodies include things that I'm really excited about. Like nice mixing bowls. Pots and pans. A kitchenaid standing mixer I bought myself about 6 years ago for half price. Flatware. Baking sheets.

It'll be like Christmas all over again! Several times over!

I have a love/hate relationship with my current bedroom. Remember how I said I never thought I'd be living in it for as long as I have? Well, think about how you treat a space that's temporary. Or more - how you mistreat it. I've never felt truly organized. Truly settled. As a renter, I just haven't wanted to make the "investments" in painting it, etc - to make it something I truly love. It isn't a "bad" room by any means. In fact - it is a gem. I am excited for K to move into it and hopefully really make it her own!

I will move into my new place and it will already have the finishes and paints that I picked out! It is the exact floorplan I wanted. I'll have my own outdoor space (still not sure what I'll put out there, but we'll see!).

I will have my own bathroom. My own shower. My own sink. My own medicine cabinet. My own outlet in the bathroom to charge my sonicare and to dry my hair. My own hooks to hang clean, fresh, matching hand towels! Mine, mine, mine, mine, mine!

I will be short walking distance from twenty bus routes. I can easily, easily walk to Eastlake, Fremont, Lower QA, Belltown, Downtown, and Cap Hill. Not to mention the Denny Triangle. I can always walk to Whole Foods, but beyond that - there's a QFC and Safeway within flat-walking distance. I'm basically equidistant from a few TJ's. I'm kitty-corner from a hardware store. I cross the street twice to get to my gym (no excuses not to go!). Uptown Espresso will be an oasis when I want to get out and experience a third place. I'll be a few blocks from the lake and what is soon to be one of the coolest parks in the city.

I. Can't. Wait.

Sure, my financial situation is going to change drastically. I am preparing myself to stay in a lot more. To cook more. To be a little more domestic with my time. In my place.

I was recently asked what will make the place "mine." And I keep thinking about the art I'll hang on my walls, and the color schemes that are so predictably me. I. Can't. Wait! I can't wait for the little organizational things - finding places to keep things. Places to display things.

I can't wait to have friends and family over to share my space. And let their presence define it just as much as my own tastes will.

I have so many decorating and organizing ideas. I'm sure I'll be writing more about them here in the weeks to come!

My Omnivore 100

From here:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi (not to my knowledge, but sounds good!)
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses (again, not to my knowledge, but i'm down for stinky cheese)
17. Black truffle (does oil count?)
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes (I've had cranberry wine - great for the holidays!)
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes (fresh from the vine baby!)
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras (hard to believe i haven't, although now i am worried about the morality of it all)
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl (an SF must)
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar (sounds like a good
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more (just a sip!)
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala (favorite of mine!!!)
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal (but i wouldn't any more!)
56. Spaetzle (aka German mac 'n' cheese!)
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake (all of the above!)
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette (not per se)
71. Gazpacho (is a dish best served cold!)
72. Caviar and blini (but not together?)
73. Louche absinthe (not Louche)
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum (I'm sure I have, but can't recall specifically)
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant. (can i assume a 25 for $25 works for this? or rover's?)
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor (omg, but NOW i can't wait to try some!)
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

On Organic Processed Foods

McCain. Too Easy

McCain. Too Easy
Originally uploaded by The Searcher

Had to share this one.

Reunited

I remember being in high school, sitting in my parents' guest room, watching a made-for-TV documentary about people getting together for their 10 year high school reunion. This was back when The Real World was about the only reality TV show around. I don't remember a lot of details, except that I was in the thick of it all and here were people who had 10 years on me. They had 10 years to change. They had 10 years to remain the same.

In the last couple years I've asked a lot of people about their 10 year reunion experiences. Some say it was great. Others say it wasn't worth it. A lot of people didn't go. Many say 20 is better.

I've always planned to go. I've always known that it was an event I would attend and probably even be involved with planning.

In many ways, this weekend was exactly as I'd imagined it. People were complimentary of one another. There was a lot of "You look great!" I try not to dwell in shallow superficiality, but I am not above a little vanity/ego-boost at this type of event. Of course I enjoyed the positive feedback. People gravitated towards the people they knew in high school - but at the same time, they reached out and spoke to whomever.

It was interesting going to 2 of the 3 events. The bar night at The Great Nabob and then the banquet at the Muckleshoot Casino (in a banquet room, not the casino itself.) First, let me say the obvious... though many drank in high school, it was wonderful to be of legal drinking age and beyond those early years of excessive imbibing. Drinking is a lovely social lubricant.

I live all of 2 minutes from the Great Nabob. I tried not to be too early, but I knew K would be there, and I didn't want her to be alone. It started at 7 and I was there at 7:05. As I approached the bar my mouth got dry. I got butterflies in my stomach. And then I asked myself, "Who are you trying to impress?" I just wanted to see others and hear people's stories.

I walked in to see familiar faces. All ladies (initially). All people I had actually felt really close to at one time or another. And all hella cool girls. Who live/work in Seattle. It didn't feel like a reunion. It felt like friends (now) getting together for a drink. It was comfortable.

More people trickled in. Some faces brought back a flood of memories. Others I barely recognized. But all in all it was a relaxed space and before I knew it, it was 1:00 am and the night had come to an end.

I spent all of Saturday morning making final tweaks to the slide shows. Over 300 pictures were submitted. It was fun going through them. Trying to remember how people were back in the day. Seeing life's little adventures now. As someone joked, people went through and found their skinny pictures from the last 10 years. But actually, people were really real about it all. I didn't get the sense that anyone was trying to show off or be "that guy/girl."

Those who have started families were proud to show their significant other and their kids. There were some really precious pictures of families.

Then there were the single folks, proud that they haven't settled down yet. I know I fall into that category - so happy I didn't get married young to the wrong person (for me) just because that's what people do. There are a few people who did get married and are divorced - and I know they'll have no problem finding love again if they so choose.

I was impressed with how cool people were. In a down-to-earth way.

Saturday night, J and I made the trek down to the Muckleshoot. I'm very passionate about my lifestyle and my choice to live in the city. If you know me now, you probably know this about me. So I'll leave those related remarks out of this. The event was great. Truly quality. There were these great little "where are they now" booklets - I haven't read through it all the way yet, but so much fun! What a great idea. In our invitations, we all got a little survey about how we pay the bills, who we share our life with, etc. Everyone's HS picture was placed next to their little update. It was really cool.

There were some prizes given for who has lived the farthest away, who has been in TV/movies (E won for her KCTS pledge drives - I love it!), who was the most pregnant, etc.

Then I had the sobering task of introducing a little memorial for WEC, who passed away in January. It felt really awkward, as people had just won a Starbucks giftcard and there was a level of excitement. Then I started the slide show and (even after several questions with the tech guy at the casino) - there was no sound. It took me a long time to pick a song. I had literally spent weeks trying to think of what would be appropriate - not too sappy. Not too "romantic." I decided on Jack Johnson's cover of the White Stripes' We're Going To Be Friends. I figured that was one relationship more people in that room could relate to, when thinking about W. It is a short song - all of about 2:00 min. You could hear a pin drop, then the music blasted in. It felt incredibly awkward - however - everyone seemed to understand the situation and seemed okay with it all.

It was a good weekend overall. Today is the family picnic portion. I would have been there if I didn't have to work on Sundays. And if I had kids. Although, even without kids, it would be fun to meet other people's families.

Wheatus

Not many songs use my name without making Xmas references... so I have a random affinity for this song. And I love culturegraphs and the like.

From a few days ago...

Sometimes the bus smells like exhaust. Sometimes like the sweet
shampoo of the girl who was running late and didn't have time to dry
her hair. Sometimes it is the slight odor of body mixed with the
permeating spices from homecooked Indian food. Sometimes it wreaks of
last night's alcohol. This morning it smells like fresh baked
cookies.

My earbuds dangle past my sterling silver raindrops, winding and
binding and twisting to my clip-on source of entertainment. Eclipsed
by the rubber grip of my Puma shades, resting on my ears and the
bridge of my nose - so I don't squint. It is hard not to walk to the
rhythm. To the beat. To the drums. To the bass. It is hard not to
hum along and mouth the words and bust a move.

There is always writing, scraped into the back of the hard plastic
seat. Someone's tag etched, scraped, carved into existence. I know
it isn't the same bus. It isn't the same driver. It isn't the same
name. Sometimes it is blocky. Sometimes it is bubbly.

Seattle could stand to be a little more European.

Some friends recently got back from Europe and had some astute observations on how many US citizens carry on while traveling abroad.

I had the pleasure today of speaking with a wonderful woman from Europe. She was born in Barcelona and lives in London now. It made for a lovely accent.

Her husband is in town for a conference, so she has a few days to just wander the streets of Seattle. She teaches and came into my work to learn about the city. She was very confused about whether we were private or public. Common confusion - so I explained. Then she went on to tell me how Seattle confuses her in general.

They are staying at the Westin and on her walk here she noticed no one else was out walking. This baffled her. In Europe, streets near the center of a city like this would be swarming with people. People walking, biking, eating and drinking at sidewalk cafes.

I told her, in a sheepish "not all Americans are like this" way, that this is because we rely too much on our autos.

I asked if she noticed the sizes of vehicles. I didn't even have to wait a beat, as we both looked outside at an over sized truck passing by.

I mentioned that with the rising cost of fuel prices, and other influencing factors, there is a shift happening in this culture. In a few years it will be different. We're inspired by the urban design of European cities.

She also commented on how Seattle doesn't feel very "urban" to her. She's been to Chicago and that feels like a city.

That's an interesting point to ponder as well. My answer is that we're young. And a lot of Seattle was planned with the auto in mind. This is also changing.

In a few years it will be different.

Another friend who recently traveled to Turkey recently posted about Seattle for visitors. When you're talking to someone who wants a "real" Seattle experience - what do you suggest? Let's assume they're staying downtown and are carless.

I suggested the Sculpture Park, Kerry Park, dinner along the waterfront (touristy, but good) and - assuming she went to Kerry Park, a meal at the 5-Spot (currently featuring Portland Cuisine.)

She had already been to Pioneer Square. She also plans to check out Broadway and I recommended she check out Fremont. I also suggested she make her way to the Pike/Pine part of Broadway. Let's face it - downtown Seattle is improving, but it has a long way to go. She observed (accurately) that it is mostly shopping. She wants more "life." Word.

Where else would you recommend?

I feel like such a white person writing this.

"Low-Car Diet" Day 3

I enjoy commuting on the bus. The ride from the top of Queen Anne to the bottom is fairly short. I find myself getting off about 5 blocks from work and I like the walk. This morning USE's Emerald City played as I walked under scaffolding at one of many "other developer's" projects along Denny on the West side of Aurora. I was leaving Queen Anne and facing Capitol Hill as the song gave shout outs to both neighborhoods. And there I was in my own 'hood - the one I have envisioned myself living in for years now. Reality is right around the corner.

If my life was just home -> work and work -> home... then this would be so simple. But when friends want to hang out and I want to participate in extra-curricular activities and I want to spend time with J... it gets more complicated! For example, I wanted to hear about K's trip to New Orleans. Roommate A had just texted me about going to Golden Gardens. I was canceling on L for our standing Monday workouts because of my blistered heels. So we all went to GG. But I was at work when these plans were made and I needed to go home to change. That means at least a half an hour to get home, depending on which bus I catch. And then it takes another hour to get from QA to GG. Of course - just because I am not driving, doesn't mean my friends can't drive me. I bribed K with my 2-for-1 at Coldstone to come pick me up. And then to drive me from GG to J's place.

Tuesday morning I had a meeting in the International District. I needed to get from J's place to my place, and then get on a bus that would get me to the meeting on time. I *could* have taken the bus into downtown from J's and back to my place. It *would* have taken about an hour. But - he was very nice and dropped me off on QA on his way to work. Another ride from a friend - but not my own car!

Getting to the ID is easy. Getting from there to my usual place of work is easy.

Getting to Greenlake for a soccer game = easy (even after I missed the ideal bus... and thankfully because a meeting was canceled.)

Getting from Greenlake to J's place, just north of Greenlake... would have taken me an hour to bus or an hour to walk. But a very nice girl who was heading north herself dropped me off. That makes the difference between getting to his place at 9 or at 10.

I don't make a lot of round trips. I do a lot of A to B to C to B to A in my day. That doesn't mesh well with a Zipcar. It hasn't been practical yet for me to consider one. When I live and work in the same neighborhood, it might make more sense.

I got my framed print back from MQF today. It is GORGEOUS and I can. not. wait. to put it up on the walls of my new home. It'll be fun walking up Denny with it and riding the bus with it. It'll also be fun to figure out the safest place to "store" it for the next 2 months before I move. I don't actually want to hang it yet.

Did I mention it is beautiful? I love it!

I. can. not. wait. to. move.

It's going to look sssoooo good with concrete floors!!!

"Low Car Diet" - Day 1

I decided (very last minute) to participate in a program Zipcar is doing called the Low Car Diet. I've often considered giving up my car altogether and there are definitely pros and cons. Part of the program is blogging on their site - but if you know me, you know that I have more to process than just a post or two... so here I go!

Here's my car-driving profile... my current commute (5 days a week) is (approx) 2.5 miles each way. Yep, that's a total of about 10 minutes in the morning and 20 in the evening. And I have free parking at home. And free parking at work. Parking expenses alone could be a good reason to get rid of a car and I have none.

My monthly insurance (as a female, over 25, daughter of a Navy retiree, with no major reasons for it to be any higher) is barely over $70/month. This is another area where a lot of people see dramatic savings in giving up their car - but it isn't a huge expense for me. The Zipcar plan that is about $50/month + driving wouldn't save me a lot in that respect. There's another one that only includes an annual fee - the hourly rate is a little more expensive.

My car model gets, on average, 25 mpg. Gas prices are always changing, but if you look at JUST my work commute, that's 25 miles a week right there. That means only 1 gallon in a week.

Of course - my life is NOT just going to work. That's where my driving can increase.

I play on 1.5 soccer teams where games can be as close as Greenlake or as far as Seatac, Shoreline or Redmond. We carpool - so that means I only drive this on ocassion.

I have a significant other who lives about 4.5 miles from my house and 6 miles from my work. There is a (fairly) direct bus line from my work to his place. However, I would either have to transfer to get there from my house (this will change in October when I move) or take the more direct route along Aurora (which just means getting over my fear of Aurora... not everyone who stands along it is working, right?).

I have older (not 100% healthy) parents who I try to see a couple times a month who live 30 miles away - approx a 50 minute drive in good traffic. The same trip on "public transportation" includes 2 hours on a bus and 40 minutes walking. Sounds like good exercise and reading time, but come on! This is where Zipcar will have to come in handy. However, it will be harder to spend the night (which is helpful in with my parents' current health situations.)

I had a moment today where I wanted to grab something I often have in my car. D'oh! I don't have my car here. That means that when I leave in the morning, I'm going to have to know what my plan is for the day. This means planning ahead as far as soccer clothes, casual post-work clothes, gym clothes, etc. I do this a lot anyway - but on ocassion I quickly run home before soccer or going over to the significant other's place. Not to mention stopping at the store to pick something up (beer, something for dinner, etc). I think I need a good portable cooler/lunchbag that I can put in my backpack and just try to be more "prepared" for anything. The good boyscout that I am and all.

When I move, I will have 1 parking spot with my unit. I like the idea of having it free for guests - which would take coordination, but might be worth it in this neighborhood. We'll see...

I anticipate being a little frustrated in not getting to go places on a "whim" as easily. I'll have to be a little more intentional about planning ahead (as I already mentioned). And I'll have to count on friends to help me get places. (Thanks in advance!)

I sure do wish Seattle had even better public transportation options - and this is something I will likely echo a lot this month!

Western Spaghetti

Fleur

fleur2
Originally uploaded by Umbra98

I want to start playing around more with my own images - drawn or photographhed. I don't have a lot of tools, but sometimes I think a lack of tools can result in unexpected results.