Harry Potter Marathon

So this weekend ended up having some unplanned free time and ABC Family Channel decided to have a Harry Potter marathon weekend.  We took the challenge and yesterday we watched the first 4 movies.  Now for a point of reference, Harry Potter began as a series of seven fantasy novels (which became 8 movies) written by the British author J. K. Rowling.  

The series, named after the titular character, chronicle the adventures of a wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main story arc concerns Harry's quest to overcome the Dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who aims to become immortal, conquer the wizarding world, subjugate non-magical people, and destroy all those who stand in his way, especially Harry Potter.

Note how even just the movie posters show a sense of lightness and color at the beginning and slowly grow darker and more ominous as the series goes on.  It was interesting seeing them in succession as we did yesterday and today.  It was fun to do once, but I do not plan to redo this adventure anytime soon.  The weaving of stories and sub stories was amazing and I understand that when she set down to write the books she knew the entire main plot line from the get go.  It is amazing at what this series of books and movies has done for youth focused writing.

Black Friday Is Just Crazy

This has to be one of the most insane things Americans do every year.  Started back in the 1980's this annual ritual has gotten out of control.  It is no longer just a day, but for several businesses they now call it an "event" that lasts for days.  I have never gone out and shopped on Black Friday and I do not plan to do so.  And seriously, what would cause a person to get all dressed up and go out shopping starting at 8pm Thanksgiving evening or else at 5am Friday morning?

I was watching the morning news and it was stunning to see that less than 25% of the public actually participates in this insanity.  They shared that 76% of the public avoids shopping on this day.  Another fun fact is that while the day before Thanksgiving is the 2nd busiest day for pizza delivery during the year, the day after is one of the slowest for them.  Go figure.  I think maybe Damon and I will do pizza, but he likes that icky pineapple on his!

However You Celebrate...

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Yes, it is a rather different holiday weekend than I had planned, but with the love and support of Damon, family and friends it is going to be just fine.  Enjoy your day.

Not Quite As Planned

We got up bright and early today and headed north arriving at border at 10ish.  I, up to this day, have been in Canada about 30 times since getting my papers allowing me to travel freely to Canada and to vote once again.  In fact, earlier this month I voted thus why would I think anything is wrong?

 

Alas, somehow, someway, my conviction flagged at the border and after sitting in a cold office and drilled for nearly two hours - how did I cross the border so many times - like is that not your job to figure out Mr. Border Agent... 

So I was declined but told if I wanted to pay $1,000 I could get a one-time temp Visa and apply for a permanent one costing another $1,000 for future trips.  Another option would be to sit in a jail cell until Monday for a hearing or return to the US.  Jodie and Rob were AMAZING and drove me back to Seattle and Damon as well, and then turned around to head back as they are now doing the cooking and my job as well.  They finally got shopping done and to the condo just before midnight after starting off at 7am on first attempt. 

 

I plan to inquire what had happened.  It was never a problem.  I am no longer welcomed in a country for something I did 22 years ago and have paid my fines and did my time.  One pissed off guy!  Happy Thanksgiving indeed!

An Amusing Picture

My friend Markie went to Hawaii last week and posted this picture on his blog.  Would you call them Hawaiian Gnomes?  I find them quite amusing.  Have a happy Tuesday!

This Is Just Wrong

A friend posted this Thanksgiving Cake he saw in a local grocery store.  Now I understand it is a turkey, but at the same time it has a sort of pornographic overtone to it as well.  I was amused when I saw the picture and you do have to pause when you give the picture a look.  Now this was a good laugh as this has been a rather stressful day in that the entire office is being drug tested with no warning.  Not my favorite thing, but the owner insisted that it be done.  Yes, a drug test is just something I never pondered being thankful for, quite the way to kick off Thanksgiving week.

Movies, Naps & Chinese

What is it about Sunday afternoons and naps.  A true gem of life.  But before the nap comes a bit of work to be done.  Groceries delivered and then a egg scramble with lox, capers and cream cheese!  Damon had a bagel and it was a lovely brunch indeed.  One thing Damon does love as much as naps is watching movies.  Today it was "Red2" and "Monster's University" plus he would have gone for a third if I had agreed.  I did not.  Now, I have to tell you if you get a chance to see "Red" or "Red2" they are both quite the action flick plus I do love Helen Miriam.  Yes, you have to dredge through Bruce Willis, but he is tolerable.  Now I must tell you that in this case the second movie was as good as the first.  That cannot be said for "Monster's University" which is a prequel to "Monster's Inc."  which was quite funny.  The prequel was painful and I really did need a nap after enduring that movie.

The nap was so wonderful and upon waking up I was suppose to make dinner, but just was not in the mood and so after discussing it with Damon we agreed to order in Chinese.  He does love his shrimp fried rice.  I had won ton soup and some sesame chicken and life was good.  A short week ahead as we head off to Whistler, BC on Wednesday for a few days.

Ah The Weekend

I was pondering what to do this weekend, the first of Damon being back in town.  It proved to be one that did not have us doing a whole lot.  This morning proved to be one of getting simple chores done and making brunch for us.  Scrambled eggs and bacon - cooked crisp.  Nothing fancy, but then it really does not need to be.  Damon finished unpacking and getting settled in for his 2+ month visit and we have carved out space in the closet as well in the main room.  It should prove to be a very nice set-up.

Jodie & Rob arrived early afternoon and Rob proceeded to fix my TV.  Something about the video card and all.  Leave it to Rob to have all the tools with him to get the project fixed.  Amazing at how it all seems so foreign to me and yet he did an amazing job.  After that, it was some games and Damon played "A Christmas Story" game for the first time.  He did quite well for never having seen the movie - but that will change over the coming weeks.

After their departure we had a quite dinner and watched some television and go to spend some alone time.  A perfect ending to a very enjoyable day.

50 Years Ago...

President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy walked down the steps of Air Force One as they arrived at Love Field in Dallas less than an hour before the president was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963.

The President & First Lady as they drove through the streets of Dallas, just moments before history changed course forever.

President Kennedy's flag-draped coffin lay in state at the Capitol Rotunda on Nov. 24, 1963. 

Three-year-old John F. Kennedy Jr. saluted his father's casket, three days after the president was assassinated. Widow Jacqueline Kennedy, center, and daughter Caroline Kennedy were accompanied by the late president's brothers, Senator Edward Kennedy, left, and Attorney General Robert Kennedy.

One Week & Counting

Another year of magic kicks off next Thursday morning at the 87th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, with its signature giant balloons, whimsical floats and performers taking over the streets of New York City.  From its modest beginnings in 1924, the annual parade has become a holiday tradition featuring some of the world's most beloved characters and attractions.

 In all, more than 50 balloons -- including Christmas SpongeBob Squarepants, Finn and Jake from "Adventure Time" and Toothless from "How to Train Your Dragon" -- and nearly 40 floats will roll down the streets, with new additions from Cirque Du Soleil, "Despicable Me," Royal Caribbean, Lindt Chocolate, and SeaWorld.

Over the years I have gotten to see the parade both on TV as well as live.  In fact, there were two years I lived in New York City and volunteered to work on the parade.  One year I got to oversee the dressing of the Pink Panther balloon and the next year was Garfield.  Then you walk the entire parade unit in reverse (without the balloon as it is already up at Central Park West) at 4am!  The second year I worked the parade was amusing in that it was snowing and so we had to sit there in the snow and pull on the ropes to keep the snow off the balloons.

Countdown To Thanksgiving Has Begun

I am amazed at how many commercials there are for Thanksgiving this year.  From food items to décor and everything in between.  Also, I remember that it used to be that Thanksgiving was followed by "Black Friday" and it was a huge shopping day.  Well, now more stores than ever are going to be open on Thanksgiving and I saw a commercial for Sears referencing that this weekend is going to be a Black Friday event.  So now it is an event.  This was only further confirmed by Hyundai as they have a Black Friday event that starts today and goes through December 2nd.  OY!  So in light of this I have to add some humor on this hump day.  I ran across this ad for TV dinners...it speaks for itself but oh the memories it does conjure up.

How Long Is A Score In Time?

A score is twenty years and so the Gettysburg Address was delivered 87 years after the founding of the United States of America.  Why am I sharing this?  Well, today mark's the 150th anniversary of that famous speech being delivered by Abraham Lincoln.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.  

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. 

Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863

Monday Memories



So today I was thinking about when I lived down in the International District and how I so enjoyed going to Shanghai Gardens for lunch or dinner, often with friends.  I do miss that place.  Up near where I live is another place called Snappy Dragon which has some good dishes and I enjoy going there with my friend Helene when she is in town.  Damon loves Chinese food and so when he gets here later this week we will likely have it at some point.  Alas, I cannot have it nearly as often as I would like in that there are the noodles and rice plus all the deep-frying that is done. 

 

Funny how memories pop into your mind and just hang there for a while.  I was watching several Christmas movies over the weekend on the Hallmark Channel (Thank you Jodie for getting me hooked!) and I started thinking back to all the wonderful memories I have of growing up at 697 Indiana Street where we had a lot of fun and people over during the holidays.  My sister got a reel to reel tape recorder one year and I still hear "Chris got crayons" as Dad gave his narrative of the day and how we all "fared pretty well this year" as was a favorite line of his. 

 

Hope this causes you to take pause and let your mind wander and think of a favorite memory that makes you smile, it can make the day go just a little bit better.  Enjoy.

Sunday Sunset

This is a stunning picture taken down in California by a good friend.  Brad has a natural knack for taking great pictures and every once in a while he shares one that he fines truly stunning.  I think he made a good choice this time.  It is amazing what nature can create for our enjoyment. 

It has been a quiet weekend in that I decided since I had been so sick last week I would just hang at the apartment.  I did for the most part, but did have to run a few errands.  I left the apartment just past noon and it was scary at how empty the streets were.  I then realized that kick-off of the Seahawks game was going to be just about half past one.  Guess a lot of people were at parties and at the game.  I enjoy watching, but will not stop my life for a football game.  I even fell asleep as I was watching the 4th quarter but knew they would likely be winning and they did.  But oh did the nap feel good.

Since I have been sick I noticed that my appetite is just not there.  I really have to force myself to eat food.  How odd.  I do not see it as a problem at this point, but more of an observation.  After not eating real food for nearly a week, it is challenging to get back in the saddle and I decided to start with some simple chicken breasts and veggies.  Next week I will try salad and see how it goes.  With Damon's arrival on Wednesday it will be fun cooking for more than one again.  Seems I get more creative at that point.

Back In 1965...

The Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT) was announced to the world as a concept developed by Walt Disney near the end of his lifetime. This planned city was his intended purpose for the property purchased near Orlando, Florida, that eventually became the Walt Disney World Resort. Its purpose was to be a "community of the future" designed to stimulate American corporations to come up with new ideas for urban living.

In describing his city, Walt Disney is quoted as saying: "EPCOT will take its cue from the new ideas and new technologies that are emerging from the forefront of American industry. It will be a community of tomorrow that will never be completed. It will always be showcasing and testing and demonstrating new materials and new systems." (October 27, 1966)

After Walt Disney died in 1966, most of his ideas for this planned city were abandoned, and the Walt Disney World Resort opened in 1971 (above) with only the Magic Kingdom and a few hotels. The concept eventually evolved into the Epcot theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort, which opened in 1982.  A portion of the original architectural model of the concept can be viewed on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover in the Magic Kingdom. 

Thank you to Wikipedia for supplying this information.

Whispering Chimes

As we close out this week that started with Veteran's Day, I would like to share something that a dear friend sent.  Enjoy!

 

The National Veterans’ Art Museum in Chicago has an unusual work of art which you may not have even known existed!  When visitors first enter the museum, they will hear a sound like wind chimes coming from above them and their attention will be drawn upward 24 feet to the ceiling of the two-story high atrium.

 

The dog tags of the more than 58,000 service men and women who died in the Vietnam War, were hung from the ceiling of the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum in Chicago on Veterans Day, November 11, 2010.  The 10-by-40-foot sculpture, entitled Above & Beyond, was designed by Ned Broderick and Richard Stein.

The thousands of metal dog tags are suspended 24 feet in the air, 1 inch apart, from fine lines that allow them to move and chime with shifting air currents.  Museum employees using a kiosk and laser pointer help visitors locate the exact dog tag with the imprinted name of a lost friend or relative.

Rain Returns

There is just something about November and Rain in Seattle.  We get a lot of it and I love it.  Brought in the two chairs from the balcony a few days ago and good thing as the rain returned.  This morning I stopped in at the Polyclinic for a check-up and it was overcast and not too bad.  Headed on into the office afterwards and came through the tunnel that puts you on the I-90 bridge going over Lake Washington.  Well, it was like a faucet being turned on.  Wowzers, it was pouring.  Drivers were getting all freaked out and a couple decided to have an accident that was thankfully two lanes over and I got by just after it happened. 

I've been at the office now about three hours and it just continues to pour outside.  I have to laugh in that the weather man said this morning that there would be passing showers but nothing of significance.  If this is not significant, then what is?  I feel fortunate in that I do not have to walk too far in the rain.  Parked near the front door and when I get home it is undercover parking.  What I can tell you is that I do feel a bit of chill in the air.  I now arrive at work often when it is dark, but try and get home before the sun sets.  That gets to be more and more of a challenge.  And yes, I do enjoy lighting the candles in the evening for a nice glow around the apartment.

Cold Snap Hits Eastern Half of USA

Ah the memories this picture brought back when I got it from a dear friend back in NYC.  Rebecca was commuting into the city yesterday and sent this photo of the Manhattan skyline.  I remember several years ago...OK, so more like 25 years or so, when my sister came up to New York City for Thanksgiving and it was so bitterly cold.  We watched the parade and then went had Thanksgiving dinner at a diner.  The next day it was still bitterly cold and we went out to The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  The wind was howling and all I can say is ah youth!  This year it will be off to Whistler, but I plan on watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade since it is such a tradition.

And Now We Are Going To Try And Eat Real Food

OK, enough of the yogurt and soup routine.  It has gotten real old real fast.  Granted, when one is sick it is what you can handle and that is a good thing.  But enough is enough and so I was pondering what I could handle as far as real food is concerned.  Now mind you, the salmon I made did not turn out quite like the above.  I took a chunk of salmon and put it in a skillet belly down and seared it for a couple of minutes and flipped to skin side down and popped it in the oven for 10 minutes and just used salt and pepper.  Very plain.  Same with the green beans.  It was a simple supper and I had had some of the salmon for lunch as well.  Everything went well and I was a happy camper...until just after midnight.  Needless to say I will be going back to yogurt and soup for a while.  When will this be done and done.  It has been nearly a week!

Taking Time To Pause

It is especially personal to pause as my Mom served in WWII as did many of my relatives and for that I am extremely proud.  It is on this day that we need to pause and really appreciate al that they did for our country.  It is not just those that served in WWII, but in all wars and continue to serve our country.  Thank you.

Happy 20th Anniversary Food Network!

Last night Food Network celebrated their 20th anniversary with a multi-hour special with stories on how many of the current stars got their foot in the door and how it has changed over the years.  If you did not see it, it will likely air several more times throughout the month as most of their shows do.  It was fun to see how some of the food stars of today almost did not make it on the air and from the humble beginnings now the network is a full media tour de force.  While some of the shows now are fun, it was a blast to look back at how simple some of the productions were.  Oh to cherish the memories. 

No Post Saturday VIII

Yes indeed it is that time again and a good thing as I am pretty whipped trying to get this thing caught up with the week that was.  Headed back to bed and a good rest.  Have a nice day!

Sick Bay Touches Home

And now it is my turn.  Boy am I ticked off.  I started feeling a bit out of it during the conference call yesterday and then by 2pm my mind was like Jello.  I headed home and got into bed in good time and slept a lot.  By 6:30am this morning I knew I had been struck and was none too happy.  It was especially pissing me off as it is to be Ya-Ya weekend and this has been planned for weeks.  Tonight we were doing drinks and then ordering in Chinese food.  Tomorrow is to be a day of fun and food at Jodie & Rob's place.  Michael was to crash here and I had a parking permit for him and everything set.  Sandy and Cindy were to be over at Rob & Jodie's place.  A lovely pork crown roast had been ordered and well now it is in the freezer waiting for when we do get together. 

To say that I will be sharing a few choice words next week is an understatement.  Being sick is not something to scoff at and what just really ticks me off is how many of the staff take sick days when they are not and then feel they need to work when they are sick.  This is so not cool.  By yesterday we had 11 people out with this and now me.  Have no idea how many more are going to be out.  This is not the weekend I had planned, but it will be what it will be!

Whistler In 3 Weeks

After taking a break last year we are headed back to Whistler this year and have a good group going as it looks to be 35-40 people which is perfect.  I am quite pleased that Jodie & Rob will be going this year and acting as cooking team for breakfasts and après skis - which are like a happy hour after skiing.  Whistler Cooks is handling the traditional Thanksgiving dinner for us again and Kippy is taking care of the bus and getting everyone up there.  My job will be pretty simple in that I just have to be present in case anything goes wrong.  Then I step into action.  Damon is going to be joining me this year and it will be his first time outside of the United States.  He is quite excited. 

Instead of staying at the hotel as we have the past few years we are stepping back to the condos.  Appears members like them better, but they are a tad further to get to the slopes, but hey, it is all about making the members happy.  The four of us are going up the night before so we can be ready for their arrival and that will make for a nice get away from the office for a bit.

The Office Falls One By One

Throughout the week we have had a nasty illness attacking the office.  It began Monday with three key people being out.  Two of them decided to come back yesterday and that was not a good thing.  They were still sick and this only made it so that by this morning we had 5 more out ill.  This is the impact of returning too soon can have on others.  The excuse that you are too important is not an excuse.  No one is so important that they can get everyone else sick.  I had both of them stop by my office and one I sent home immediately as he was looking like death.  I had to force the other out as she was hacking all over the telemarketing department getting others sick.  It was not pretty.  Alas they are back today and I fear what might be in store as the week unfolds.

Leaves They Are A Fallin'

After a fairly calm October that had a lot of fog we rolled into November with a pretty hefty storm this past Saturday that had wind gusts up to 65 mph around the Seattle area.  While my building did not loose power a big chunk of the neighborhood did.  All has been restored but oh my there are leaves EVERYWHERE!  Heck, some even found their way up to my balcony and I am on the 6th floor of the building.  The streets are clogged with them and on the drive home yesterday you could not escape the harsh noise that those leaf blowers make.  There had to be dozens of them at work.  How annoying.  

Alas, people are scrambling to get as many leaves cleaned up as possible to avoid potential flooding as another storm is approaching with a lot of rain.  It is slated to arrive by Thursday.  But in the mean time we do get to enjoy the changing of the seasons as the trees shed their leaves and brace for the onslaught of winter.  And yes, the drive home gets darker by the day with the sun setting now before 5pm.  Candles to make for a lovely glow in the evening.

Monday Morning Blues

The first full day of being back on standard time and the blustery weather has past and oh yes, it is the start of the work week.  Lucy is sick today.  She is our controller and this is the second week she has been sick over the weekend into the work week.  I worry about that girl.  I wore a blue shirt and was kind of feeling in a blue mood the whole day.  By the way, to find the above image I Google searched for blue things and what an array of images popped up.  There is just something about waking up on Monday and feeling ick.  Not sick, just ick.  It is not until about Wednesday that I get that feeling I will make it through the week. 

After slogging through the day, and let me tell you it was a lot of slogging.  I was glad to head for home.  There were at least three different phone conversations that just became totally muddled and the person began sounding like Charlie Brown's teacher.  Each time I just had to  interrupt and say, "It is not making sense, either let's talk tomorrow or email what you want to say."  Sometimes my mind just gets to overload and I want to scream.  The last call before my departure was from the wonderful Mr. Owen, my boss.  He was trying to figure out all these charges on the company credit card and was just sure that someone is trying to rip him off.  He started off challenging the $8,000+ charge to Whistler.  Well, that was noted on the email to him last week (thankfully) and was payment for the condos when we go up at the end of the month for Thanksgiving.  Then there were tickets for Halloween in Phoenix and some games he had insisted we buy on Amazon.  Each item I took time to go and look and see what was going on.  No there were no unanswerable charge questions. 

I think I may have shared that I have discovered a new way to drive home that I take when exiting off I-5 at Lake City Way.  Well, now that has been extended to a new venture that cuts my drive time down to just under 30 minutes and at the same time costs $3.70 in toll for the 520 Bridge.  But some days it is just worth it.  So I depart the office and head north on I-405 and exit onto Hwy 520.  Over the bridge on Lake Washington and then take the Montlake Blvd. exit.  That leads to 35th Avenue and I then take that all the way to 125th and turn left, then right and I am home.  Quite relaxing and it was then time to enjoy an afternoon nap.  Oh the day that was.

Time To Roll Back & Hmmm Football

This morning at 2am we went through the semi-annual ritual of changing the time on the clocks.  Now I do not know about you, but I sure as heck was not up at that hour.  I just moved all the clocks back an hour before heading off to bed.  The only exceptions are the computer and my cell phone.  Now the computer does it automatically, but my cell phone had to be powered down and then turned back on to be correct.  Alas, it is all done and done and we can move on with our day.  Now that means the Seattle Seahawks playing Tampa Bay at home no less.

Before the game began Seattle was favored by like 28 points and Tampa Bay is win less for the season and who would have known that by half-time Seattle was down 21 points.  What got old real fast was how the on air commentators kept saying how Seattle has never come back from such a deficit over and over again.  Now mind you, I was not a happy camper in the I felt Seattle was playing pretty sloppy.  But somehow, someway, they fought back and tied the game up to go into overtime.  They did end up winning by a field goal in overtime, but it was a win, not a victory by any means and that is the second time in a row that they won ugly.  Not a good thing.  Yes, a win is a win, but it was not a good win.  And so we march on as Seattle is now 9-1 for the season.

Indeed It Is A Blustery Day!

The weathermen told us yesterday it was coming and indeed it has arrived.  There have been power outages around the city and even in the neighborhood, but thankfully not our building. 

It is days like this when not having to go out is such a good thing.  The groceries have been delivered and my voting is done.  Did clean up the apartment a bit in preparation of Jodie & Rob's arrival.  But really not doing a lot other than enjoying the weather and all the swirling leaves.