ASK Musings

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Seattle Archive

Tuesday

31

August 2010

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Missed Connection

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When I would go running in London I figured I was taking my life in my hands. I don’t think pedestrians ever have the right of way there; even if the light were green, I was in the crosswalk, and was using a walker or a wheelchair, I’m pretty sure I’d be at fault if a car ran me over. Since I was a couple of miles from the nearest park when I lived there, on my short run days I’d run along the street, and knew I had to pay attention or risk permanent disability (although at least the hospital bill would be covered by NHS).

But now I’m in Seattle. I still pay attention and run with the knowledge that drivers may not be paying attention to pedestrians, but it’s Seattle. People don’t really honk unless they are actually preventing an accident. I feel that if someone were to walk into traffic and set up a lawn chair in the middle , cars would just drive around them, and possibly shake their head a bit.

This morning I went for a run. It was (and still is, actually) raining fairly hard, so I was being extra cautious. Plus, in the back of my mind is the fact that today is my last day of health insurance coverage under the horrible GHI, which costs me over $400/month. Starting at midnight I am covered by a new, better, health care company, and I’d rather not need to put in a claim with that wretched GHI if I can avoid it.

At an intersection near the end of my run (complete with signals and a crosswalk) I waited for it to turn green and then started running. A car turning left must have been focused on the oncoming traffic and trying to beat a car, because it turned into me. As in, I had to actually jump out of the way, and even then my arm still made contact with the side of the car, and it missed my foot by about an inch. The car kept going, although about ten feet away the driver slowed a bit for a second – I’m assuming the driver was checking the rear-view mirror to make sure I wasn’t lying in the street.

The silver lining? I was so pissed that I sprinted the last half mile of my run.

Tuesday

24

August 2010

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COMMENTS

A tale of two (or three) cities

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Being back in Seattle is great. Riding the bus home from doing some work for my friends’ law firm causes my breath to catch a bit – the views stunning. Yesterday I got to see a lot of folks at a lovely BBQ my new roommates threw to welcome me home. I’m finding a few jobs to apply for, and finally, FINALLY secured private health insurance, which means no more COBRA at crazy high prices.

Today, however, for the first time I really started to feel the reality of not living in London anymore. I went through this when I left NYC – suddenly not being able to call up Jon Mark when something ridiculous happened, or not being able to meet up with Kathleen for brunch the day before a race. It’s a shock to the system and even though London was where I wanted to go after NYC, that didn’t mean I didn’t really miss my NYC family. I still do, all the time (and especially at Thanksgiving).

And now I’m feeling the same things. Seattle is where I want to make my home, and I’m so happy to be back, but that doesn’t mean I don’t really miss my friends in London. I met such wonderful people there – people who I learned so much from, and with whom I had such great times. Obviously I’ll work hard to be sure I see as many of them again as possible (graduation in December!), but again, I can’t just call Kate and Richard up to go see a movie for Orange Wednesday, or text Alissa to meet me at reception to go get coffee. And the eight-hour time difference is really, really tough. If I’m not up and moving early on the weekends, it gets too late to call or Skype.

I’ve moved a few times in the last dozen years, and have been lucky enough to make such good friends in those places. I’m lucky to have this problem, I realize. And as time goes on I know I’ll get used to communicating primarily via Skype and Facebook instead of texts and Mondays at the George, but right now, it’s still a bit sad.

Wednesday

21

April 2010

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Spring Break Part III – Seattle and San Juan (the island, not the city in Puerto Rico)

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I flew into Seattle via Denver on the 8th, and had a very nice and easy time of it. If you fly United I recommend changing in Denver, especially if you come in via an international flight. The baggage claim / re-check is rather convenient and stress-free.

I spent the first two evenings with my friends who kind enough to take me in when I move at the end of the summer, and I brought with me a suitcase full of my winter clothes to leave with them. Friday Renee and I did what we seem to do best when I visit: shop! We also had lunch with her mother, and then finished the day with some Beatles Rock Band (or Guitar Hero?) and dinner with Megan.

Saturday I got to see baby Jesse and oh man, she has grown quickly. I realize that’s what kids do, but it was amazing to see. It was also great to spend time with Jamie and Mike, as we strolled around Greenlake, went to a local waffle house and enjoyed the beautiful weekend weather. Sunday evening I met up with a couple of friends from college, then headed up to visit Reagan.

She took me to San Juan Island as a belated birthday present. Such a great adventure! We drove up to the ferry, and took it across over to Friday Harbor. We stayed in a beautiful place overlooking the harbor, patronized a local Mexican restaurant and rented a DVD (the Illusionist) and just relaxed. Tuesday we got up early and drove around the island. We started at the American Camp, which was set up to deal with the Pig War conflict of 1859. We were the only ones hiking around, and the views were phenomenal. We spotted a fox, but possibly the best was a rock that was in honor of one Robert, best known for Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Procedure. Reagan and I are complete dorks, as that was a major high point of the trip. We made our way up the coast to a park where we could see the tails of some porpoises. It was peaceful and very cool, and I think at one point we could even hear them ‘talking’ to one another. Finally we headed up to the British Camp, then back to Seattle.

Wednesday Jamie, Jesse, Mike and I went to the Tulip Festival. It was an early bloom, so there were not many fields, except at Tulip Town. We also visited an Alpaca farm, which was awesome. Seriously, alpacas kick ass. They are so adorable.

Thursday I made my way to the airport, when part four of my adventure continued …

Tuesday

22

December 2009

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But baby it’s cold outside

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I seem to have dodged many a weather bullet this past week. I got out of London in time to miss the snow (and accompanying travel delays). I somehow managed to be in NYC when the weather was great, sandwiched between two snowstorms. Seattle was wet and windy but nothing out of the ordinary. And now I’ve made it back to my parents’ home, so even if I get stuck here past my return date, it won’t be such a big deal, as I have another two+ weeks after Christmas to get back to London for school.

My visit to Brooklyn was sweet but of course too short. Herman and Kathleen kindly opened their home (and super-comfy double-decker air mattress) to me. After 14.5 hours of travel door to door, I spent the first few hours back in the States getting things in order – finding a US SIM card for my cell so I could communicate with people, stocking up on the antiperspirant they don’t sell in London – before dinner at Chilis and Chocolate, a favorite Oaxacan / mole restaurant. Tuesday (after waking up for the day at 3:45am) I stopped by the office to have lunch with friends and coffee with my former boss, before some final prep for the cookie party. Herman spent the weekend baking so we could carry on the holiday cookie party tradition, which also served as a great way for me to get to see nearly all of my NYC friends. I was exhausted (a six-hour time difference is tough), but I started to feel a bit like how I imagine the grandmother feels at a big family gathering. Content to just sit in the corner and watch everyone interacting and laughing, not needing to chat. Just feeling good being around all the people. 

Wednesday I dragged my (slightly lighter, thanks to the distribution of some holiday gifts) suitcases back to JFK, and spent 12 hours door to door getting from Brooklyn to Bothell, Washington. I rented a car (and managed to spend the whole trip driving on the correct side of the road) and headed up to meet Reagan and Lon, who treated me out to a lovely Italian dinner. Seriously, the theme of the week has been Food I’ve Been Missing. Thursday Reagan and I wandered the shops, finishing up some holiday shopping before I met up with Jeremy for a late lunch (more Mexican – woo!). I got to Jamie and Mike’s to see Jesse, who was not in good form. Poor girl was not a happy child, and after about six hours of on and off crying, melting down, and just general sadness (accompanying the mad cookie-baking and candy-making that Jamie and I were engaged in to prep for her Sunday party) we all piled into two cars to head to the ER at 11 that night. All is well – baby was fine when I left this morning – and that definitely kicked me right onto Pacific time. Friday was filled with more baking, party prep, and just good, relaxing time with Jamie, Mike and Jesse. Saturday I ventured over to West Seattle for time with Renee and Kevan, and dinner with Megan and Mike (who are engaged – congratulations!). Finally, Sunday was Jamie’s party. I hadn’t been to one of her Christmas parties since college, and it was so much fun. I got to see some college friends, and even meet the new girlfriend of another friend (who, I can safely say seems super nice, which means I can continue to honestly say that I really like all of my friends’ partners!).

This morning I had considerably less travel time – just six hour door to door – getting from Seattle to Danville. It’s so good to see my sister, and be with my parents. And it’s even better because, waiting on my bed when I walked in my old room was …

A SLANKET

That item is amazing. It’s seven feet long. It’s fleece. There’s a little hand pouch on the front and a foot pouch on the bottom. Both my sister and I fell asleep in our respective slankets by 9:30pm.

To those of you travelling, or who have friends and family travelling, I hope the weather and the transport cooperate and get all to their destinations safely. In case I don’t get a chance to post before then – MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sunday

14

June 2009

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Seattle – Day 8

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Ending on a high note.

 Saturday Renee, Megan and I met up in the morning to start a ladies day of shopping while their repsective men drank. I mean, we drank, too, but it was in between stops to help the Seattle area economy. We had a great lunch at Palomino – I recommend the spicy ginger mohito – followed by a couple of hours wandering and chatting.

 The five of us grilled and ate dinner outside – the weather was perfect for it. Then J stopped by for a beer and the we hit up 13 coins, where a great jazz band was playing in the Night Owl lounge.

 I can’t put into words how wonderful this trip has been. I know I have an exciting adventure ahead of me in London, and I am so nervous and thrilled about it. But it’s also really nice to feel good about deciding to come back to Seattle when it’s done. I’ve been trying to come home for a couple of years, but it just hasn’t been quite right. Soon, it will be.

Saturday

13

June 2009

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Saturday

13

June 2009

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COMMENTS

Seattle – Day 5

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Wednesday was a bit of a challenge. Reagan and I managed to have a LOT of fun, but there was a bit of break – I lost my bank card, so that was about an hour of making sure it was lost and not stolen, that I still had money in my checking account. and that I could cancel the card without it screwing other stuff up. After we sorted that out, we got back to having fun. Despite the “oh no” moment, it was a very relaxing day.

Saturday

13

June 2009

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Seattle – Day 7

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Bremerton? It’s not the same place as Whidbey Island. That is one important lesson I’ve learned today.

Renee, Jamie, Jesse and I took a trip up to Whidbey Island today. We managed to take an early turn, buy tickets for and actually take the wrong ferry. We ended up about 20 minutes into a drive before we realized were indeed in the very wrong place. So we went back to the ferry, back to the port, and drove the rest of the way to the correct ferry, and over to Whidbey Island. We went to a cute town called Langley, and wandered around a bit before heading back into Seattle. Some pictures are attached.

Saturday

13

June 2009

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Seattle – Day 6

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Okay, it’s totally official – I really enjoy riding a motorcyle. Shhhh, don’t tell anyone. Doesn’t go with my super lady-like image. Wait, what? 

Today Jeremy and I took a ride out to Snoqualmie falls. I hadn’t been there in a while – when my family and I visited Seattle a couple of times when I was younger we’d go to the Salish Lodge and get the seven course brunch. It’s really quite lovely up there – I’ve posted a few pictures here of the trip out.

Wednesday

10

June 2009

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Seattle – Day 4

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I rode a motorcycle.

 Tuesday was, as the theme seems to be, excellent. Started with an early morning hanging out with the baby, then a run around Green lake – which, by the way, always surprises me with how big it actually is.

 My friend Jason and I then met for cocoa. Literally met. Well, we’d allegedly met in college, although I don’t recall (reflects poorly on me, not him!). Anyway, after a few months of emails we were finally in the same city at the same time, and of course had to meet up to debrief on his recent half-marathon experience.

 I headed back up north and met up with J. He has a motorcycle and said he’d give me a ride. Assuming I didn’t freak out at first. I’ve always thought they were a bad idea. But now? Dude. So fun. We went down through the city and out to Alki. It was a sunny, lovely day, and being a weekday it wasn’t packed. The ride out and back was great, as was the hour or so we got to spend just hanging out enjoying the view.

 Then, I headed way north (to Bothell, which my friend has now said seems to be a euphemism for really anything between north Seattle and Canada) to meet up with Reagan and Lon for a relaxing evening. Seriously – it was great. We went out for dinner, then watched “Extras.” I’d seen the Orlando Bloom one and had forgotten how funny he is in it. Still makes me cringe though.

 Usually by now I’m on a plane back to NYC (likely a red-eye). It’s so nice to be able to just enjoy my time here with my friends and not be racing around. The days are full but not frenzied. I haven’t looked at a school book since Sunday morning, but that’s okay. Plenty of time for that when I get back to NYC…