She Likes It

2008 Holiday Season

the unusual is becoming usual
Alki Beach, December 2007

It has certainly been an interesting couple of weeks around here: XBox red-ring, snow, unexpected visits, ice, cabin fever, and more snow. Through it all, I have been to work maybe a total of 1 day in the past 10. And yet, I have probably driven more than in the past year or two put together. Luckily, I managed to stay accident-free, despite a couple of dicey moments including the white-knuckle exit ramp experience I had going to the airport last Saturday to rescue my sister and her family. The three of them squished into our little apartment and spent a few nights with us before escaping into a rental car to try to salvage their planned vacation to Montana. I was nervous about their drive, but they made it safely and are, I'm sure, enjoying snowboarding and a full sized bed much more than being trapped with us and Cassie-Passie.

Thus, compared to the days leading up to it, the Companion Cube's and my Christmas was incredibly low-key. Games were played, food was et, calls were made, and presents were opened. While we were snug in our little apartment, the snow outside has been steadily disappearing. I never thought I'd be so happy to see rain and the dirty, sludgy mess of melting ice-snow mix. But I am. Life can get back to normal: meaning I think I'm trudging up the hill to see my favorite purveyor of cocktails this evening.

Except, I just looked out the window and it is indeed snowing again. Bah!

Winter 08

It is cold this winter. Cold. Cold. Cold. There is only one way to combat this cold: Booze. Specifically, the Companion Cube's family's recipe for winter warmth with the silly-silly name of Boilo. It's a kind of wassail, you know, warm spiced whiskey. Yummm.

Last year, while my parents were here, we went to Waji and they purchased me these lovely tea cups that have been perfect boilo conveyances.

It's nice to be prepared. We were so prepared that I insisted on the Boilo making about 1 hour before it started to snow here. Yes, I'm that good.

I wish I was good enough to know to stay home today.  The clouds are sailing past the window and I'm wondering if this conference call I'm on will end before the snow starts falling again. 30 minutes to go, then pack, bus, home and Boilo.

Bracketology (lunch madness)

I think the meatball sub is going to take it all this year today.

Friday recap

Lenticular Clouds
Mt. Rainier from my window, December 2008

So, yeah, I celebrated the hell out of Repeal Day last Friday. The good news is that I managed to stagger home before doing any serious damage to myself.  Although there are reports that I did manage to fall out of bed that night. Hey, don't ask. How a person falls while already laying down is a mystery to me, too. 

Maybe there was something to that Temperence Movement. Oh hahahaha. You know I'm kidding. I'd never be the same without my vice of choice. I mean really, where would I get all those great stories about trying to impress people by tripping over my feet in dramatic ways without my friend the bottle?  Oh, I kid again, I do all my best falling and acting like an idiot whilst sober. I only drink to forget. 

Which reminds me, sometime on Friday night I lost my new hat. The fabulous new hat that the Companion Cube bought me at the Vancouver train station.  The fabulous new hat that my 4 year old neice thought was too silly and thus asked me to take it off. I didn't even get a picture of it yet. I am sad, but hopefully it is having fun riding around in the back of some cab or spending time at Vessel asking for another Ramos Gin Fizz - which is what I rounded my night off with. Yum.

Also on Friday, I went over to Barrio - the new place that our pal, Keith, has moved to. Had several tasty beverages up there and am looking forward to our new Friday routine, especially since Barrio is pretty well located next to some great spots up on the hill.  And it'll be SO convenient when someone magically finds us an affordable yet bigger apartment to move to.

Happy Repeal Day!

Don't have much to say today, except to remind peoples that you should exercise your cocktail drinkin' rights today.  Remember:  Someone a long time ago fought for your right to paaaaarrrr-teh!

Hello, December

Round and Round
November 2007, Seattle Waterfront

Is it me or does it seem like 2008 just flew on past? It truly doesn't seem like a year has passed since my sister and her family were here for Thanksgiving LAST year and they just left again for THIS year. Sigh. Vancouver was great, but I'll post about that later after I've uploaded some pictures.

I think the meal turned out pretty well. The turkey sandwiches we had for dinner last night (and will have for a while given the amount of leftovers we have) were pretty tasty. I hope my guests had fun. There was a lot less drinking and a lot more Go Fish playing than the usual drink-pusher fest my get togethers tend to be. We didn't even think about cracking the Meeker of wine I have in the fridge. Imagine that!

So now that the holiday season is officially upon us, it is time to get a tree! The one we had last year was so tiny and adorable. I can only hope to match it in its greatness this time around. The Companion Cube, in his grinchocity, has suggested we wait two weeks, but in the words of the immortal Veruca Salt: I want one NOW.