Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Strange World
1. Sad. Robert Goulet died yesterday of a rare pulmonary fibrosis while waiting for a lung transplant. He was 73. I loved Robert Goulet. My husband and my kids would make fun of me about this. They would laugh when I'd play his Christmas album. I do not know what it was. Nobody else my age ever gave him more than a passing thought but have I said this already? I loved Robert Goulet. On my 40th birthday, my husband surprised me with an evening in downtown Seattle which included a make over, dinner, and a night in a hotel. One of our nieces came to our house to take care of our kids who were 4 and 7 at the time. But the highlight of the evening was attending "On a Clear Day" starring Robert Goulet. I was thrilled to death to be able to see him sing in person and he did not disappoint. His voice connected into the pleasure center of my brain more than any other male voice. 73 does not seem that old anymore so I am heartbroken. He was still performing as recently as Sept. 20th.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/10/30/obit.robert.goulet.ap/index.html
2. Also Sad and Strange. My daughter sent me a link to some disturbing news. I will not repeat the link or mention names because so far this story has not been picked up by our local media and this is for the best. The story has, however, been all over the east coast. The Valedictorian of Kaley's high school graduating class was a math wiz and he was accepted into MIT. He is a sophomore there now. Since Kaley was Salutatorian, she was seated with him during the end of the year graduation practices and the ceremony. Although, he wasn't in her group of friends, she certainly knew him. Three weeks ago this boy broke up with his girlfriend of 8 months. She managed to obtain a key to his dorm room and in the early morning hours last week, attacked him while he slept by stabbing him 7 or 8 times. When police arrived, she was still in the hallway and admitted her crime. The boy was hospitalized and will fully recover---at least physically. The father was quoted as saying something like, you can protect your kids and send them to the best schools to prepare them for the best life but you never know what will be thrown at you. Horrible!
3. Sad, Strange but Funny. Here we go again. "I am not gay. I have never been gay. Really, seriously, I insist, I am not gay. ......Really, believe me. I am not gay." A republican man from Spokane in our state legislature is involved in a sordid scandal that involves extortion, meeting in an adult video place, dressing in lingerie, and having sex with another man. Oh, did I mention? He has stated emphatically, "I am not gay!"
http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_103107WAB_curtis_extortion_wed_LJ.1c4416c49.html
Downtown Seattle last night. Jim Bates/Seattle Times
Happy Halloween. Especially to my babies out there in the world!
1. Sad. Robert Goulet died yesterday of a rare pulmonary fibrosis while waiting for a lung transplant. He was 73. I loved Robert Goulet. My husband and my kids would make fun of me about this. They would laugh when I'd play his Christmas album. I do not know what it was. Nobody else my age ever gave him more than a passing thought but have I said this already? I loved Robert Goulet. On my 40th birthday, my husband surprised me with an evening in downtown Seattle which included a make over, dinner, and a night in a hotel. One of our nieces came to our house to take care of our kids who were 4 and 7 at the time. But the highlight of the evening was attending "On a Clear Day" starring Robert Goulet. I was thrilled to death to be able to see him sing in person and he did not disappoint. His voice connected into the pleasure center of my brain more than any other male voice. 73 does not seem that old anymore so I am heartbroken. He was still performing as recently as Sept. 20th.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/10/30/obit.robert.goulet.ap/index.html
2. Also Sad and Strange. My daughter sent me a link to some disturbing news. I will not repeat the link or mention names because so far this story has not been picked up by our local media and this is for the best. The story has, however, been all over the east coast. The Valedictorian of Kaley's high school graduating class was a math wiz and he was accepted into MIT. He is a sophomore there now. Since Kaley was Salutatorian, she was seated with him during the end of the year graduation practices and the ceremony. Although, he wasn't in her group of friends, she certainly knew him. Three weeks ago this boy broke up with his girlfriend of 8 months. She managed to obtain a key to his dorm room and in the early morning hours last week, attacked him while he slept by stabbing him 7 or 8 times. When police arrived, she was still in the hallway and admitted her crime. The boy was hospitalized and will fully recover---at least physically. The father was quoted as saying something like, you can protect your kids and send them to the best schools to prepare them for the best life but you never know what will be thrown at you. Horrible!
3. Sad, Strange but Funny. Here we go again. "I am not gay. I have never been gay. Really, seriously, I insist, I am not gay. ......Really, believe me. I am not gay." A republican man from Spokane in our state legislature is involved in a sordid scandal that involves extortion, meeting in an adult video place, dressing in lingerie, and having sex with another man. Oh, did I mention? He has stated emphatically, "I am not gay!"
http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_103107WAB_curtis_extortion_wed_LJ.1c4416c49.html
Downtown Seattle last night. Jim Bates/Seattle Times
Happy Halloween. Especially to my babies out there in the world!
// posted by Janet @ 8:49 AM
0 comments
Sunday, October 28, 2007
A Challenge!
My last post was a picture of my daughter and her boyfriend. In her words, she described the photo as "ridiculously cute" and suggested I put it on my blog. I obliged.
On Friday night, we attended our annual Halloween wine tasting party. As part of the celebration, everybody comes in costume. Dave and I dressed as crazed folk. My goal was to look like a creepy church lady with heavy make up and bright crooked lipstick. People at the party did not think I looked icky so I did not know if I should be insulted or not. Oh well. The mink stole with whole heads, clawed feet, and tails was creepy enough all on its own. However, Dave achieved his goal just fine!
But daughter dear, here is the challenge to you. I think we are a "ridiculously cute" couple and you should put the picture on your face book. Ha! Gotcha!
Happy Halloween
My last post was a picture of my daughter and her boyfriend. In her words, she described the photo as "ridiculously cute" and suggested I put it on my blog. I obliged.
On Friday night, we attended our annual Halloween wine tasting party. As part of the celebration, everybody comes in costume. Dave and I dressed as crazed folk. My goal was to look like a creepy church lady with heavy make up and bright crooked lipstick. People at the party did not think I looked icky so I did not know if I should be insulted or not. Oh well. The mink stole with whole heads, clawed feet, and tails was creepy enough all on its own. However, Dave achieved his goal just fine!
But daughter dear, here is the challenge to you. I think we are a "ridiculously cute" couple and you should put the picture on your face book. Ha! Gotcha!
Happy Halloween
// posted by Janet @ 12:51 PM
2 comments
Friday, October 26, 2007
At My Daughter's Request!
My cutie pie who I miss a lot sent me this photo. She requested that I put it on my blog. I assume it is a cell phone photo or maybe computer--who knows?
Jeff and Kaley
My cutie pie who I miss a lot sent me this photo. She requested that I put it on my blog. I assume it is a cell phone photo or maybe computer--who knows?
Jeff and Kaley
// posted by Janet @ 1:04 PM
7 comments
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Only In Seattle
Lists. I found some lists including our fair city and I always find these to be fun.
1. Only in Seattle do we often rank in the top ten but not always. Naturally, we have the most coffee shops and the best coffee but that is not all. Evidently, we are just "sort of " attractive. I found the list prepared by Travel and Leisure Magazine comparing 25 cities and here is how we did. They ranked cities in several categories that supposedly comprise attractiveness: Attractive, Friendly, Stylish, Intelligent, Worldly, Active/Athletic, Fun, Diverse, and People(overall).
Attractive: 12th out of 25. San Fran is 7.
Friendly: 11th out of 25. San Fran is 14.
Stylish: 12th out of 25. San Fran is 3.
Intelligence: We are NUMBER 1, of course. San Fran is 5.
Worldly: 5th out of 25. San Fran is 2.
Athletic/Active: 5th out of 25. San Fran is 6.
Fun: 14th (ouch) out of 25. San Fran is 9. (lighten up people!)
Diverse: 10th out of 25. San Fran is 2.
People (overall): 3rd out of 25. San Fran is number 1.
http://www.travelandleisure.com/afc/2007/category/1/subcategory/2
To Sonia and SusanG who read my blog and who happen to live in the San Francisco area, I bow down to you. You beat us in most categories except we are friendlier; we are more intelligent; and we are more athletic. But hey, it is close and we really are all quite gorgeous.
2. Only in Seattle do we blog more than the rest of the country. Well, to be honest we are not first here either. Austin and Portland beat us but we tied for third with.......San Francisco! And where did I find this information? On a blog, of course---the Citizen Rain blog on the King5 website which provided the link.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/departments/online/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003662280
3. Only in Seattle is it 70 degrees, clear, and sunny one day (like yesterday) and pouring down sheets of a fine drenching soaking rain the next (like today). Yesterday, my friend and I walked our dogs along the Snohomish River in Everett. I did not bring my camera, unfortunately. But we could see Mt. Baker in one direction, the Cascades in another and even Mt. Rainier was visible. I was wearing a short sleeved t-shirt, shorts, sunglasses and sun block. Apolo was wild as if it were a spring day. In addition, we saw a large salmon leap out of the river and down river a ways where the water was more clear we saw an even bigger salmon. In a way, it felt like we had stepped into another dimension.
At the moment, I am soaked and cold because I walked Apolo. Back to reality. I need another cup of coffee. Actually, I need to make another pot. Ugh!
We are fun people! Really. We are....fun.
Lists. I found some lists including our fair city and I always find these to be fun.
1. Only in Seattle do we often rank in the top ten but not always. Naturally, we have the most coffee shops and the best coffee but that is not all. Evidently, we are just "sort of " attractive. I found the list prepared by Travel and Leisure Magazine comparing 25 cities and here is how we did. They ranked cities in several categories that supposedly comprise attractiveness: Attractive, Friendly, Stylish, Intelligent, Worldly, Active/Athletic, Fun, Diverse, and People(overall).
Attractive: 12th out of 25. San Fran is 7.
Friendly: 11th out of 25. San Fran is 14.
Stylish: 12th out of 25. San Fran is 3.
Intelligence: We are NUMBER 1, of course. San Fran is 5.
Worldly: 5th out of 25. San Fran is 2.
Athletic/Active: 5th out of 25. San Fran is 6.
Fun: 14th (ouch) out of 25. San Fran is 9. (lighten up people!)
Diverse: 10th out of 25. San Fran is 2.
People (overall): 3rd out of 25. San Fran is number 1.
http://www.travelandleisure.com/afc/2007/category/1/subcategory/2
To Sonia and SusanG who read my blog and who happen to live in the San Francisco area, I bow down to you. You beat us in most categories except we are friendlier; we are more intelligent; and we are more athletic. But hey, it is close and we really are all quite gorgeous.
2. Only in Seattle do we blog more than the rest of the country. Well, to be honest we are not first here either. Austin and Portland beat us but we tied for third with.......San Francisco! And where did I find this information? On a blog, of course---the Citizen Rain blog on the King5 website which provided the link.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/departments/online/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003662280
3. Only in Seattle is it 70 degrees, clear, and sunny one day (like yesterday) and pouring down sheets of a fine drenching soaking rain the next (like today). Yesterday, my friend and I walked our dogs along the Snohomish River in Everett. I did not bring my camera, unfortunately. But we could see Mt. Baker in one direction, the Cascades in another and even Mt. Rainier was visible. I was wearing a short sleeved t-shirt, shorts, sunglasses and sun block. Apolo was wild as if it were a spring day. In addition, we saw a large salmon leap out of the river and down river a ways where the water was more clear we saw an even bigger salmon. In a way, it felt like we had stepped into another dimension.
At the moment, I am soaked and cold because I walked Apolo. Back to reality. I need another cup of coffee. Actually, I need to make another pot. Ugh!
We are fun people! Really. We are....fun.
// posted by Janet @ 1:08 PM
0 comments
Monday, October 22, 2007
Traditional Japan v. Modern Japan
I do not think I have been anywhere in the world where the contrast between old and new is so stark. Japan's trains and technology are ultra modern. From our hotel room, to the streets, and around Kyoto the collision of ancient and contemporary was everywhere.
Kyoto at night from our room.
1. Robes v. Space Toilets. For example, in our room, the old Japanese culture of hospitality was clear. We have stayed in equally nice hotels in the U.S. and Europe but in Japan you get a whole lot more than a little shampoo. The tray next to the sink had toothbrushes, toothpaste, cotton swabs, cotton balls, small hairbrushes, combs, hair bands, shower caps, body scrubber nets in addition to shampoo, conditioner, body wash and soap. It was refilled everyday. Also, we were provided yukatas or kimono type robes to wear and slippers. In fact, the terry cloth slippers were labeled as ours to take as a gift and they were replaced with new ones each day. I am wearing them now. On the other hand, the toilet was so futuristic I feared I would be launched into space when I flushed. The seat could be heated, it had an odor control fan and spray this and spray that with the touch of a digital button.
2. Tea v. Seattle Coffee. We were treated to a tea ceremony in a Buddhist temple and yet Scarlet Johansson starred in a fancy commercial on TV for Mt. Rainier Caffe Latte in a paper cup. I gather you can buy the Starbucks-like cups at grocery stores with the instant? coffee latte already inside.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT5uRlIh78s
3. Bamboo mats v. American mops. Temples and homes still have bamboo mats on the floors but there was a hilarious TV advertisement for a mop to clean the mats that looked exactly like a mop we could buy off the TV here in America. The ad was the same as well showing struggling housewives with an old icky mop and happy housewives with the new special mop. "But wait! That's not all. You can get two for the price of one in addition to the bucket if you call the number right away."
Traditional home. They know how to do roofs there that will last 1000 years and never leak or blow away.
4. Buddha v. Jesus. Many places where we walked, we would come across a small shrine to Buddha with little aprons on rock sculptures surrounded by flowers and fruit. And yet, the theater near our hotel was featuring the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar." Posters were all over the city with the face of Japanese Jesus. The theater had a large flat screen at the entrance showing clips from the musical over and over. Since this is one of my favorite musicals, I stopped to watch. It was surreal to hear the same music being performed by an Asian cast in Japanese.
Buddhist temple with shrine (see little aprons) in the front.
5. Kimonos v. Mini-skirts. On the subways and in the department stores, I observed a lot of teenagers. They were dressed in expensive clothes which were on the cutting edge of fashion. Of course, in their hands were all colors and types of techno gadgets. And yet, frequently, we saw women out to dinner with their husbands dressed up in kimonos. Also, we saw teenage girls dressed in kimonos visiting the temples. Obviously, wearing kimonos is a regular and normal part of their society depending upon the activity. I was quite surprised.
Girls visiting a temple.
They would have wedding photos here?! I witnessed it. See the Japanese characters with English subtitles in the upper left.
I do not think I have been anywhere in the world where the contrast between old and new is so stark. Japan's trains and technology are ultra modern. From our hotel room, to the streets, and around Kyoto the collision of ancient and contemporary was everywhere.
Kyoto at night from our room.
1. Robes v. Space Toilets. For example, in our room, the old Japanese culture of hospitality was clear. We have stayed in equally nice hotels in the U.S. and Europe but in Japan you get a whole lot more than a little shampoo. The tray next to the sink had toothbrushes, toothpaste, cotton swabs, cotton balls, small hairbrushes, combs, hair bands, shower caps, body scrubber nets in addition to shampoo, conditioner, body wash and soap. It was refilled everyday. Also, we were provided yukatas or kimono type robes to wear and slippers. In fact, the terry cloth slippers were labeled as ours to take as a gift and they were replaced with new ones each day. I am wearing them now. On the other hand, the toilet was so futuristic I feared I would be launched into space when I flushed. The seat could be heated, it had an odor control fan and spray this and spray that with the touch of a digital button.
2. Tea v. Seattle Coffee. We were treated to a tea ceremony in a Buddhist temple and yet Scarlet Johansson starred in a fancy commercial on TV for Mt. Rainier Caffe Latte in a paper cup. I gather you can buy the Starbucks-like cups at grocery stores with the instant? coffee latte already inside.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT5uRlIh78s
3. Bamboo mats v. American mops. Temples and homes still have bamboo mats on the floors but there was a hilarious TV advertisement for a mop to clean the mats that looked exactly like a mop we could buy off the TV here in America. The ad was the same as well showing struggling housewives with an old icky mop and happy housewives with the new special mop. "But wait! That's not all. You can get two for the price of one in addition to the bucket if you call the number right away."
Traditional home. They know how to do roofs there that will last 1000 years and never leak or blow away.
4. Buddha v. Jesus. Many places where we walked, we would come across a small shrine to Buddha with little aprons on rock sculptures surrounded by flowers and fruit. And yet, the theater near our hotel was featuring the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar." Posters were all over the city with the face of Japanese Jesus. The theater had a large flat screen at the entrance showing clips from the musical over and over. Since this is one of my favorite musicals, I stopped to watch. It was surreal to hear the same music being performed by an Asian cast in Japanese.
Buddhist temple with shrine (see little aprons) in the front.
5. Kimonos v. Mini-skirts. On the subways and in the department stores, I observed a lot of teenagers. They were dressed in expensive clothes which were on the cutting edge of fashion. Of course, in their hands were all colors and types of techno gadgets. And yet, frequently, we saw women out to dinner with their husbands dressed up in kimonos. Also, we saw teenage girls dressed in kimonos visiting the temples. Obviously, wearing kimonos is a regular and normal part of their society depending upon the activity. I was quite surprised.
Girls visiting a temple.
They would have wedding photos here?! I witnessed it. See the Japanese characters with English subtitles in the upper left.
// posted by Janet @ 9:45 AM
0 comments
Saturday, October 20, 2007
More Japan Photos
When we travel, how we deal with breakfast is always an issue. I like to drink coffee and eat something when I get up in the morning. The first morning, we were starving. We were in an unfamiliar country and we were not sure of our options. In the hotel room, the coffee was instant and and part of the mini-bar. We never touch the mini-bar for any reason because everything is overpriced and I was not about to change our behavior for instant coffee. A cafe was open and busy off of the lobby so we entered. A huge buffet was along one wall and I noticed coffee pots on a little cart so we seated ourselves. The waiter came along and asked us if we wanted to do the buffet and we said yes. It was $25 a person we realized later but we did not care at that point.
I learned that in Japan even with a buffet breakfast with American style eggs, bacon and waffles, one does not serve themselves coffee. Three cups wake me up and when I helped myself to the second cup after quite a wait from the coffee cart, I was ushered back to my seat with an immediate refill. The third cup came shortly after that.
By the next morning, we had discovered a Starbucks right across the street. In addition, during my solitary explorations, I found that within 5 minutes of our room were four bakeries. These bakeries were wonderful and had every baked good you could think of from around the world. Not only were there French croissants, but there were bagels, Hawaiian sugar buns, and American muffins, donuts and sticky buns. Everything was fresh out of the oven. Needless to say, every morning after the first, we would get our coffee from Starbucks which opened early enough for Dave to get to his meetings and eat our baked goodies that I had picked out the afternoon before. I know, I know. Not the healthiest but hey, we we were having a holiday. The antioxidant cereal, low fat yogurt, and whole wheat toast would wait for us at home.
Anyway, more pictures of beautiful Kyoto:
Lake in the park around the convention center.
I walked around this lake by myself at dusk before the first fancy sit down banquet. It was warm and humid and I was wearing open toed sandals and a skirt. I did not want my hair to go cafluey but it did anyway and I didn't want to be pitted out but most everyone at the meeting was as well. It was worth it. The thing is, everywhere I was in Kyoto alone, I felt completely safe and I haven't always felt that way in Europe.
The lake was filled with Koi.
Not only was the lake filled with Koi but I noticed another type of rather large creature following me as I walked the path. At first, I thought I was seeing water logged sticks up ended but when I looked carefully, they were turtle heads. The turtles were begging from me but I had no bread crumbs.
Another temple gate
Huge wooden timbers from ancient forests supporting the gate.
More later.
When we travel, how we deal with breakfast is always an issue. I like to drink coffee and eat something when I get up in the morning. The first morning, we were starving. We were in an unfamiliar country and we were not sure of our options. In the hotel room, the coffee was instant and and part of the mini-bar. We never touch the mini-bar for any reason because everything is overpriced and I was not about to change our behavior for instant coffee. A cafe was open and busy off of the lobby so we entered. A huge buffet was along one wall and I noticed coffee pots on a little cart so we seated ourselves. The waiter came along and asked us if we wanted to do the buffet and we said yes. It was $25 a person we realized later but we did not care at that point.
I learned that in Japan even with a buffet breakfast with American style eggs, bacon and waffles, one does not serve themselves coffee. Three cups wake me up and when I helped myself to the second cup after quite a wait from the coffee cart, I was ushered back to my seat with an immediate refill. The third cup came shortly after that.
By the next morning, we had discovered a Starbucks right across the street. In addition, during my solitary explorations, I found that within 5 minutes of our room were four bakeries. These bakeries were wonderful and had every baked good you could think of from around the world. Not only were there French croissants, but there were bagels, Hawaiian sugar buns, and American muffins, donuts and sticky buns. Everything was fresh out of the oven. Needless to say, every morning after the first, we would get our coffee from Starbucks which opened early enough for Dave to get to his meetings and eat our baked goodies that I had picked out the afternoon before. I know, I know. Not the healthiest but hey, we we were having a holiday. The antioxidant cereal, low fat yogurt, and whole wheat toast would wait for us at home.
Anyway, more pictures of beautiful Kyoto:
Lake in the park around the convention center.
I walked around this lake by myself at dusk before the first fancy sit down banquet. It was warm and humid and I was wearing open toed sandals and a skirt. I did not want my hair to go cafluey but it did anyway and I didn't want to be pitted out but most everyone at the meeting was as well. It was worth it. The thing is, everywhere I was in Kyoto alone, I felt completely safe and I haven't always felt that way in Europe.
The lake was filled with Koi.
Not only was the lake filled with Koi but I noticed another type of rather large creature following me as I walked the path. At first, I thought I was seeing water logged sticks up ended but when I looked carefully, they were turtle heads. The turtles were begging from me but I had no bread crumbs.
Another temple gate
Huge wooden timbers from ancient forests supporting the gate.
More later.
// posted by Janet @ 4:39 PM
0 comments
Friday, October 19, 2007
Holy Flying Doormats!
The Puget Sound area experienced a major windstorm yesterday. Now that we no longer have the two gigantic trees next to our house in our back yard, I actually find days like yesterday exciting. Unfortunately, we are in the midst of remodeling. Since our master bath addition will require a roof, we found ourselves with the dilema of whether to roof it with cedar shakes to match our existing roof or redo the whole roof with another product. Our house is 18 years old and cedar shake roofs have a life span of 15 to 20 years. On our street, I'd take a few years off of that number due to the proximity to salt water and storms. So yes, the answer was an entire new roof including the new addition.
Cedar shakes come from old growth forests. Canada has a lot of wilderness and very few regulations so they are tearing down gigantic trees to build our decks and roofs. Our homeowner's association likes cedar shakes because they keep our houses in harmony with one another. They have recognized that we need to approve alternatives because cedar shakes are becoming more difficult to obtain and environmentally, they are a disaster. We decided to buy fake shakes made out of recycled rubber tires. The color is a dark reddish brown. Our new roof will have a 50 year life span and we did something positive for our earth.
As of yesterday, our roof was about half done. Large piles of unattached fake shakes were up there. In the afternoon, the wind started to rip things around. I watched as a large uncarved pumpkin bounced from the top of my street, into the bumper of my car, down to the mailboxes, around a corner and into the driveway of a house about two blocks away. I kept watching it and laughing thinking it must be one of those fake lightweight decorative pumpkins but, no, it was the real thing. The wind was strong enough to send it flying.
Poor Apolo was hiding in the laundry room. WOMP! What the....? WOMP! Geez! Yep, our fake shakes are formed into sheets the size of a door mat. Actually, this is exactly what they are---rubber door mats. The door mats started flying off my roof. Two of them landed on my deck, three or four of them flew into the yard, and one went into the neighbor's yard. I was afraid to go outside thinking I'd be nailed. Immediately, I called the roofers. Within minutes a very brave man arrived and climbed on my roof during gusts reaching 40 to 50 mph and tied everything down.
By the time we went to bed, things had calmed down. The evening news was covering all of the damage. Dave and I got a particular laugh out of the story about the gigantic trees which smashed onto a parking lot of an automobile repair business destroying several cars and trucks. "Oops! About your car you brought in two days ago?!" All is still and lovely this morning. Now they say we are going to get some heavy rains. I hope they finish up our rubber roof-----SOON.
A house in Lynnwood yesterday from the King5 website. Hey, I can recommend a good roofing company. Looks like they needed a new roof anyway.
Only one fatality occurred yesterday. Evidently, a 44 year old man decided to take advantage of the windstorm by kite surfing on Lake Washington. He lost his life and that's all I'm going to say about that.
More coverage of the storm with videos and pictures here:
http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_101907WAB_storm_cleanup_LJ.18645f64d.html
The Puget Sound area experienced a major windstorm yesterday. Now that we no longer have the two gigantic trees next to our house in our back yard, I actually find days like yesterday exciting. Unfortunately, we are in the midst of remodeling. Since our master bath addition will require a roof, we found ourselves with the dilema of whether to roof it with cedar shakes to match our existing roof or redo the whole roof with another product. Our house is 18 years old and cedar shake roofs have a life span of 15 to 20 years. On our street, I'd take a few years off of that number due to the proximity to salt water and storms. So yes, the answer was an entire new roof including the new addition.
Cedar shakes come from old growth forests. Canada has a lot of wilderness and very few regulations so they are tearing down gigantic trees to build our decks and roofs. Our homeowner's association likes cedar shakes because they keep our houses in harmony with one another. They have recognized that we need to approve alternatives because cedar shakes are becoming more difficult to obtain and environmentally, they are a disaster. We decided to buy fake shakes made out of recycled rubber tires. The color is a dark reddish brown. Our new roof will have a 50 year life span and we did something positive for our earth.
As of yesterday, our roof was about half done. Large piles of unattached fake shakes were up there. In the afternoon, the wind started to rip things around. I watched as a large uncarved pumpkin bounced from the top of my street, into the bumper of my car, down to the mailboxes, around a corner and into the driveway of a house about two blocks away. I kept watching it and laughing thinking it must be one of those fake lightweight decorative pumpkins but, no, it was the real thing. The wind was strong enough to send it flying.
Poor Apolo was hiding in the laundry room. WOMP! What the....? WOMP! Geez! Yep, our fake shakes are formed into sheets the size of a door mat. Actually, this is exactly what they are---rubber door mats. The door mats started flying off my roof. Two of them landed on my deck, three or four of them flew into the yard, and one went into the neighbor's yard. I was afraid to go outside thinking I'd be nailed. Immediately, I called the roofers. Within minutes a very brave man arrived and climbed on my roof during gusts reaching 40 to 50 mph and tied everything down.
By the time we went to bed, things had calmed down. The evening news was covering all of the damage. Dave and I got a particular laugh out of the story about the gigantic trees which smashed onto a parking lot of an automobile repair business destroying several cars and trucks. "Oops! About your car you brought in two days ago?!" All is still and lovely this morning. Now they say we are going to get some heavy rains. I hope they finish up our rubber roof-----SOON.
A house in Lynnwood yesterday from the King5 website. Hey, I can recommend a good roofing company. Looks like they needed a new roof anyway.
Only one fatality occurred yesterday. Evidently, a 44 year old man decided to take advantage of the windstorm by kite surfing on Lake Washington. He lost his life and that's all I'm going to say about that.
More coverage of the storm with videos and pictures here:
http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_101907WAB_storm_cleanup_LJ.18645f64d.html
// posted by Janet @ 7:29 AM
3 comments
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
More Observations in the Negative Category
Again, I wouldn't characterize these observations as necessarily negative because together such factors make a trip fascinating and memorable.
1. English not spoken. I never expect my language to be spoken to me when I am in a non-English speaking nation. But, since menus, maps, signs and announcements on the subway were in both English and Japanese (not French or Spanish), my expectation was that more people would speak some English as well. We did not have trouble; it was easy to point. I did buy a new purse in a small store in a shopping mall. The clerk did not speak English but she showed me on the calculator how much my purchase was. Next, and before taking my credit card, she stated as if to warn me, "one time." I had no idea what she meant and she repeated it two more times before the sale was finalized. My best guess is that she was telling me I could not return the purse or that the sale was final and no exchanges were allowed. Maybe Nordstromized Americans try to return items in Japan and it is just not done. I really do not know.
Another incident that was heart warming happened as we were visiting some of the Buddhist temples. A group of school children who appeared to be about 7, 8, or 9 years old passed along a garden trail. Obviously, we were big white people so the children decided to practice their few words of English on us. "Hello!" "Hello." Hello!" A chorus of children's voices greeted us. And then as we passed by, "Good bye. Good bye! Good Bye." An older Japanese couple witnessed all of it and they were smiling and bowing towards us. It was great.
2. Bowing. The Japanese bow as a sign of respect. And I mean, they bow a lot. I never knew quite what to do so usually I would tip my head and smile. I walked into this large department store and it must have been at opening time. Crowds of shoppers had not yet arrived. As I went through the doors into a store almost exactly the same as the first floor of Nordstrom's, I noticed all of the store clerks dressed in blue uniforms and lined up on either side of the fragrance aisle. As I walked toward the escalator, they all bowed in succession. I kept looking behind me to see if the Queen of England had decided to shop there. Seriously, it made me uncomfortable but it is an important part of their culture.
3. Drive on the Left. No, we did not rent a car so you might ask why would this be an issue? When people drive on the left side of the road, they also walk on the left side of the sidewalk and they stand on the left side of an escalator as well. Also, the escalators seemed backwards to me with the Up and Down reversed. When you encounter crowds of people, it is easy to bump into them.....and then they bow....and you try to say sorry....but you don't speak Japanese. Clumsy--yes, I felt clumsy.
4. Candy and sweets. I did not get a picture of this and I wish I had. Everywhere were stores where you could buy huge varieties of candies. However, we discovered that it was made out of soy bean paste. It was sculpted into all sorts of beautiful shapes and colors and beautifully packaged but it all tasted exactly the same. In my opinion, it was sickeningly sweet. I loved the feel of it. It was perfectly smooth. One bite...whew! Furthermore, the little cake served to us at a tea ceremony in one of the temples tasted the same way. When you think about it, though, our chocolate is just as ubiquitous with candy, cakes, and cookies.
Green tea and sweet cake.
Enjoying a tea ceremony.
5. Gardens too lovely. The gardens surrounding the temples were spectacular. I put this in the negative column because they gave us a complex and made us realize the incredible potential we have with our landscaped yard and the un-landscaped slope behind our fence. Slopes are no obstacle in Japan. All of our natural flora is similar to theirs including rhodies, camelias, hydrangeas, ferns and moss. Of course, they make use of Japanese maples in all corners of the gardens. Hmmm. I suppose they don't call them Japanese maples in Japan.
"You want me to build what kind of water feature...?!"
"I'd have to retire to have time to do this. Are you kidding me?"
Interestingly, the fall colors have arrived in full glory in the Puget Sound area but not so in Kyoto. People told us they didn't expect the leaves to change for another three weeks. We were sorry to have been too early. It must be gorgeous.
Again, I wouldn't characterize these observations as necessarily negative because together such factors make a trip fascinating and memorable.
1. English not spoken. I never expect my language to be spoken to me when I am in a non-English speaking nation. But, since menus, maps, signs and announcements on the subway were in both English and Japanese (not French or Spanish), my expectation was that more people would speak some English as well. We did not have trouble; it was easy to point. I did buy a new purse in a small store in a shopping mall. The clerk did not speak English but she showed me on the calculator how much my purchase was. Next, and before taking my credit card, she stated as if to warn me, "one time." I had no idea what she meant and she repeated it two more times before the sale was finalized. My best guess is that she was telling me I could not return the purse or that the sale was final and no exchanges were allowed. Maybe Nordstromized Americans try to return items in Japan and it is just not done. I really do not know.
Another incident that was heart warming happened as we were visiting some of the Buddhist temples. A group of school children who appeared to be about 7, 8, or 9 years old passed along a garden trail. Obviously, we were big white people so the children decided to practice their few words of English on us. "Hello!" "Hello." Hello!" A chorus of children's voices greeted us. And then as we passed by, "Good bye. Good bye! Good Bye." An older Japanese couple witnessed all of it and they were smiling and bowing towards us. It was great.
2. Bowing. The Japanese bow as a sign of respect. And I mean, they bow a lot. I never knew quite what to do so usually I would tip my head and smile. I walked into this large department store and it must have been at opening time. Crowds of shoppers had not yet arrived. As I went through the doors into a store almost exactly the same as the first floor of Nordstrom's, I noticed all of the store clerks dressed in blue uniforms and lined up on either side of the fragrance aisle. As I walked toward the escalator, they all bowed in succession. I kept looking behind me to see if the Queen of England had decided to shop there. Seriously, it made me uncomfortable but it is an important part of their culture.
3. Drive on the Left. No, we did not rent a car so you might ask why would this be an issue? When people drive on the left side of the road, they also walk on the left side of the sidewalk and they stand on the left side of an escalator as well. Also, the escalators seemed backwards to me with the Up and Down reversed. When you encounter crowds of people, it is easy to bump into them.....and then they bow....and you try to say sorry....but you don't speak Japanese. Clumsy--yes, I felt clumsy.
4. Candy and sweets. I did not get a picture of this and I wish I had. Everywhere were stores where you could buy huge varieties of candies. However, we discovered that it was made out of soy bean paste. It was sculpted into all sorts of beautiful shapes and colors and beautifully packaged but it all tasted exactly the same. In my opinion, it was sickeningly sweet. I loved the feel of it. It was perfectly smooth. One bite...whew! Furthermore, the little cake served to us at a tea ceremony in one of the temples tasted the same way. When you think about it, though, our chocolate is just as ubiquitous with candy, cakes, and cookies.
Green tea and sweet cake.
Enjoying a tea ceremony.
5. Gardens too lovely. The gardens surrounding the temples were spectacular. I put this in the negative column because they gave us a complex and made us realize the incredible potential we have with our landscaped yard and the un-landscaped slope behind our fence. Slopes are no obstacle in Japan. All of our natural flora is similar to theirs including rhodies, camelias, hydrangeas, ferns and moss. Of course, they make use of Japanese maples in all corners of the gardens. Hmmm. I suppose they don't call them Japanese maples in Japan.
"You want me to build what kind of water feature...?!"
"I'd have to retire to have time to do this. Are you kidding me?"
Interestingly, the fall colors have arrived in full glory in the Puget Sound area but not so in Kyoto. People told us they didn't expect the leaves to change for another three weeks. We were sorry to have been too early. It must be gorgeous.
// posted by Janet @ 2:42 PM
3 comments
Not So Favorite But Still Fun Things About Japan
As I wrote previously, the cool things about our trip outweighed the bad. However, for the sake of interest, I will list a few of the negatives.
1. Expensive. I thought Seattle was outrageous but no. The hotel we were staying in was nice and since the room was paid for, I did not pay too much attention to the cost. A couple of evenings, we wanted to eat in the hotel restaurants because of tiring days. We didn't think they were that fancy compared to Seattle's Wild Ginger or Metropolitan Grill. Maybe it was the tacky plastic food or pictures of the meals that provided the assumption of "cheap." Upon close reading of the menu posted outside, we were shocked to discover it would have cost us the equivalent of $350 each for dinner not including wine. Needless to say, we found the train station food court which had some great little casual restaurants for a fraction of the price. I am assuming our room was overpriced and we picked the mid-range of the hotel choices for the meeting.
2. Weird Food. A visit to Kyoto's market revealed some strange stuff. The last evening there, we ate at a tempura place in the food court area. We were seated at a counter and the chef prepared everything right in front of us. It was delightful. The first food item he created was a little creature that looked like a giant spider. We watched as he threw the shrimp shell and legs into the oil and out it came looking a little scary. The idea was we were to eat it. It wasn't bad! The bug was followed by eel which we enjoyed very much. This was nothing compared to what we saw at the market.
Of course there were "normal" things like salmon and crab. But at one stand we watched as a woman put whole smoked fishes through a grater. The gratings were bagged for purchase. At another spot, I saw some brownish cooked things and when I looked closely, I realized they were deep fried baby birds--with their little necks, big eyes and everything! We visited a pickle factory where they pickle everything from radishes to peppers. I loved this place and was enjoying the myriad of samples provided until I took a handful of fried stick like things. My thought was that it was a potato french fry sort of thing but when I looked at my hand, I saw that they were recently hatched teeny tiny fish with eyes. I carried them around until I discreetly found a garbage can.
Kyoto's Market
$700 mushrooms! Yes. Who would spend $700 for a package of mushrooms?
3. No forks. Dave and I and our kids are adept at using chopsticks thanks to the Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese restaurants that we frequent in our own neighborhood. Actually, my Dad spent time in Japan during the Korean conflict and he came home with lots of gifts including chopsticks which I now have. When I was a little girl, he taught me how to eat with them. We had no problem but if you were not used to eating without a fork, you would have trouble in Japan unless all you did was eat at McDonald's.
4. Restaurants specialize. Here in Mukilteo, we have two Japanese restaurants which offer a variety of foods, You can order sushi or tempura or noodles or katsu all off of one menu. In Japan, the restaurants specialize in one main item. There are separate noodle houses, sushi bars, katsu cafes and tempura places so you have to choose. Dave would probably not order noodles but I wanted to try a noodle house for lunch. He likes tempura so for dinner we went to the tempura place.
Street where we found the noodles. Dave is eating a green tea, black tea ice cream cone so he could fill up before he ate the noodles.
More "not so favorites" later. Stay tuned.
As I wrote previously, the cool things about our trip outweighed the bad. However, for the sake of interest, I will list a few of the negatives.
1. Expensive. I thought Seattle was outrageous but no. The hotel we were staying in was nice and since the room was paid for, I did not pay too much attention to the cost. A couple of evenings, we wanted to eat in the hotel restaurants because of tiring days. We didn't think they were that fancy compared to Seattle's Wild Ginger or Metropolitan Grill. Maybe it was the tacky plastic food or pictures of the meals that provided the assumption of "cheap." Upon close reading of the menu posted outside, we were shocked to discover it would have cost us the equivalent of $350 each for dinner not including wine. Needless to say, we found the train station food court which had some great little casual restaurants for a fraction of the price. I am assuming our room was overpriced and we picked the mid-range of the hotel choices for the meeting.
2. Weird Food. A visit to Kyoto's market revealed some strange stuff. The last evening there, we ate at a tempura place in the food court area. We were seated at a counter and the chef prepared everything right in front of us. It was delightful. The first food item he created was a little creature that looked like a giant spider. We watched as he threw the shrimp shell and legs into the oil and out it came looking a little scary. The idea was we were to eat it. It wasn't bad! The bug was followed by eel which we enjoyed very much. This was nothing compared to what we saw at the market.
Of course there were "normal" things like salmon and crab. But at one stand we watched as a woman put whole smoked fishes through a grater. The gratings were bagged for purchase. At another spot, I saw some brownish cooked things and when I looked closely, I realized they were deep fried baby birds--with their little necks, big eyes and everything! We visited a pickle factory where they pickle everything from radishes to peppers. I loved this place and was enjoying the myriad of samples provided until I took a handful of fried stick like things. My thought was that it was a potato french fry sort of thing but when I looked at my hand, I saw that they were recently hatched teeny tiny fish with eyes. I carried them around until I discreetly found a garbage can.
Kyoto's Market
$700 mushrooms! Yes. Who would spend $700 for a package of mushrooms?
3. No forks. Dave and I and our kids are adept at using chopsticks thanks to the Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese restaurants that we frequent in our own neighborhood. Actually, my Dad spent time in Japan during the Korean conflict and he came home with lots of gifts including chopsticks which I now have. When I was a little girl, he taught me how to eat with them. We had no problem but if you were not used to eating without a fork, you would have trouble in Japan unless all you did was eat at McDonald's.
4. Restaurants specialize. Here in Mukilteo, we have two Japanese restaurants which offer a variety of foods, You can order sushi or tempura or noodles or katsu all off of one menu. In Japan, the restaurants specialize in one main item. There are separate noodle houses, sushi bars, katsu cafes and tempura places so you have to choose. Dave would probably not order noodles but I wanted to try a noodle house for lunch. He likes tempura so for dinner we went to the tempura place.
Street where we found the noodles. Dave is eating a green tea, black tea ice cream cone so he could fill up before he ate the noodles.
More "not so favorites" later. Stay tuned.
// posted by Janet @ 10:00 AM
2 comments
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Fabulous Evening
One of the highlights of our visit to Kyoto was the celebration of the meeting with a wonderful dinner at a Buddhist temple. Most of the 600 attendees participated in this event. It was dark when we reached the temple and our steep 70 step climb was lit by paper lanterns. The night was warm. Crickets and trickling water from the surrounding gardens hushed all the people as we entered the sacred space.
It was too dark to get pictures outside but the following were taken of a temple I had visited on my own that morning. The temples are similar.
Outside gate
Inside
As we entered, we were required to remove our shoes. Earlier in the day during my visit to a different temple by myself I had noticed how pleasant it was to take off my shoes and walk on the bamboo mats. We filed past the Buddha in the prayer area. No pictures are allowed of Buddha statues in the altar areas. Typically, there are flowers and offerings of fruit. In the next room were two women in kimonos quietly playing sitars. The banquet room was just beyond and I was astonished at the beauty of the food and the flower arrangements on the buffet tables. We were greeted with servers with trays of every imaginable color of drink.
Centerpiece
Two adorable Geisha trainees mingled with the guests and posed for photo after photo. I could tell they were not older than about 14 and we were told this was correct. Later, they entertained with a beautiful dance.
Dave and his boss from UW
Dance
At first, people were hesitant to partake of the food. It was all so artfully arranged, nobody wanted to disturb it. Carefully, the plates began to fill up. I took a little basket full of what looked like teeny porcupines. They were chestnuts and for a while I thought I was eating part of the centerpiece by mistake. I put part of it on Dave's plate to keep from feeling guilty but later I was told they were supposed to be eaten. Actually, they were yummy. The tables were filled with lobster, shrimp, smoked salmon, steamed salmon, rice and vegetables. Chefs were freshly preparing sushi at a separate table and frying tempura at yet another table. There was no limit.
Dave and his boss decided to feel intimidated by the government officials from all over the world, college presidents and Nobel Laureates. Dave's boss and I were two of very few women at the banquet. Both of them were questioning their worthiness to attend such a high powered conference. I kept telling them they were underestimating themselves because the UW is one of the leading research institutes in the world. I do not know what possessed me but I think it was because they were beginning to perturb me with all of this "not measuring up" talk. I pointed out that nobody in the room had on shoes. Somehow, the lack of footwear became humbling, equalizing and hilarious. Out came my camera and I pretended to be looking at photos I had taken when in reality I was taking pictures of people's feet. The following feet beong to movers and shakers in our country and world. At least one pair belongs to the head of a significant US government department that shall remain nameless.
feet
more feet and a Coach purse
The moment of our departure arrived. As we found our way out of the temple, I realized I couldn't find my claim check for my shoes. "This is it. God is striking me down for my irreverance for taking pictures of people's feet. And I'm in a sacred temple on top of it all...." But, my purse was new and I am not yet familiar with all of the pockets. At the last minute, the plastic tab surfaced and I got my boots back.
The evening was one of the most special times of my life and always will I remember it.
One of the highlights of our visit to Kyoto was the celebration of the meeting with a wonderful dinner at a Buddhist temple. Most of the 600 attendees participated in this event. It was dark when we reached the temple and our steep 70 step climb was lit by paper lanterns. The night was warm. Crickets and trickling water from the surrounding gardens hushed all the people as we entered the sacred space.
It was too dark to get pictures outside but the following were taken of a temple I had visited on my own that morning. The temples are similar.
Outside gate
Inside
As we entered, we were required to remove our shoes. Earlier in the day during my visit to a different temple by myself I had noticed how pleasant it was to take off my shoes and walk on the bamboo mats. We filed past the Buddha in the prayer area. No pictures are allowed of Buddha statues in the altar areas. Typically, there are flowers and offerings of fruit. In the next room were two women in kimonos quietly playing sitars. The banquet room was just beyond and I was astonished at the beauty of the food and the flower arrangements on the buffet tables. We were greeted with servers with trays of every imaginable color of drink.
Centerpiece
Two adorable Geisha trainees mingled with the guests and posed for photo after photo. I could tell they were not older than about 14 and we were told this was correct. Later, they entertained with a beautiful dance.
Dave and his boss from UW
Dance
At first, people were hesitant to partake of the food. It was all so artfully arranged, nobody wanted to disturb it. Carefully, the plates began to fill up. I took a little basket full of what looked like teeny porcupines. They were chestnuts and for a while I thought I was eating part of the centerpiece by mistake. I put part of it on Dave's plate to keep from feeling guilty but later I was told they were supposed to be eaten. Actually, they were yummy. The tables were filled with lobster, shrimp, smoked salmon, steamed salmon, rice and vegetables. Chefs were freshly preparing sushi at a separate table and frying tempura at yet another table. There was no limit.
Dave and his boss decided to feel intimidated by the government officials from all over the world, college presidents and Nobel Laureates. Dave's boss and I were two of very few women at the banquet. Both of them were questioning their worthiness to attend such a high powered conference. I kept telling them they were underestimating themselves because the UW is one of the leading research institutes in the world. I do not know what possessed me but I think it was because they were beginning to perturb me with all of this "not measuring up" talk. I pointed out that nobody in the room had on shoes. Somehow, the lack of footwear became humbling, equalizing and hilarious. Out came my camera and I pretended to be looking at photos I had taken when in reality I was taking pictures of people's feet. The following feet beong to movers and shakers in our country and world. At least one pair belongs to the head of a significant US government department that shall remain nameless.
feet
more feet and a Coach purse
The moment of our departure arrived. As we found our way out of the temple, I realized I couldn't find my claim check for my shoes. "This is it. God is striking me down for my irreverance for taking pictures of people's feet. And I'm in a sacred temple on top of it all...." But, my purse was new and I am not yet familiar with all of the pockets. At the last minute, the plastic tab surfaced and I got my boots back.
The evening was one of the most special times of my life and always will I remember it.
// posted by Janet @ 1:00 PM
3 comments
Friday, October 12, 2007
More Comfortable in Japan than Nascar Country?
I will admit I was a little anxious about going to Japan. As I have described previously, I am a person who does not like to be too far out of my comfort zone. My expectation of this trip was that I would be entering a culture vastly different from ours. How would this tall pale American handle the streets of a large Asian city? When I travel with Dave to meetings, I spend a significant amount of time exploring on my own. Amazingly, Kyoto felt more familiar to me than Charlotte, NC. The North American cities I am most intimately acquainted with are Seattle and Vancouver, BC. In addition, we have been to Honolulu many times over the years and more recently to San Francisco twice. I did not realize the pronounced and subtle Asian influence on these cities until this week.
In North Carolina, I could not understand the accent at times. They are prolific jay walkers. And although the food was outstanding, I had a significant stomach ache from the fat the second day there. Overall, the easy factors about Japan outweighed the difficulties. The following is my list of why Japan was a pleasant place.
View from our hotel room--I slanted the camera to get more in.
1. Toilets: Plenty of public toilets are everywhere and they are spotless and private. Larry Craig would have trouble in Japan giving his signals because the stalls have partitions and doors floor to ceiling. Unlike many places in Europe, you never have to pay or tip anyone or put coins in slot to use a restroom.
2. Plug-ins: In our hotel, the plug ins were the same as ours. The computer could be charged and I could use my electric hair accessories just the same as at home. At least twice in Europe, I almost started fires trying to use an electrical adapter with a curling iron.
3. Money: Lucas will verify that in many of our travels I get frustrated with the money--especially the coins. For some reason the Yen was simple for me. The numbers are big but you just put in a decimal point. For example, a tempura menu may say 3940Y per person but this translates to $39.40. A 1000Y bill is equal to $10. The coins were well marked making it easy for me to buy an apple.
4. No tips: Tipping is not expected in Japan. Culturally, they provide service to guests without reward and it is always excellent and never done for the buck. Taxis, bell boys, and waiters are not tipped.
Mmmmmm! Noodles.
5. People are helpful: At times in our travels, Dave and I are like bulls in a china shop and this trip was no exception. It took us a while to figure out the tickets in the train and subway systems. For example, when we took the airport express and the bullet train, we had three tickets each for the entire trip. You are supposed to put all three tickets in a little stack at the same time through the automated ticket thingy. If you do not, a red alarm bell rings. At least three times, we set off the red alarm while people were lined up behind us. Very calmly, an extremely nice and wonderful Japanese person would come and open up the machine to reset it, check our tickets and wave us through. All the while, the people behind us waited patiently without even a hint of exasperation on their faces. They do everything in their power to keep you from feeling embarrassed.
6. Store clerks: The clerks do not hover while you shop. They do not invade your space, call you "honey", pressure you to buy, or think you will steal anything. If you do indicate you have a question, they immediately respond.
7. No bargaining: They do not bargain. The prices on the items are what they cost and all tax is included. This is true even in the market areas.
8. English signs: Most everything is labeled with English subtitles underneath the Japanese characters. Explanations of statues and shrines at tourist sites all have English along side Japanese. Clear maps with an English "You are here!" are located at crucial spots all over the city.
9. Plastic food: Even the fanciest restaurants have realistic plastic food displays at the entrance demonstrating their menu. When you order, you have a clear idea of exactly what you will be eating. However, Dave and I did not always think the plastic models were all that appetizing.
Looks real but it is not.
10. Transportation: Trains and subways are spotless and clearly marked. The Kyoto conference center was quite a ways from our hotel. The meeting provided a shuttle bus but only once per day early in the morning and it took 45 minutes. We figured out the 20 minute subway ride and within a day, I was taking it all by myself back and forth between the hotel and conference center. Actually, our hotel was part of the train station complex which included a shopping mall and restaurants. Even so, it was one of the most quiet places we have ever stayed.
Kyoto Train Station---view from our hotel lobby.
Kyoto Conference Center
11. No jay walking: Yes! When the red light indicates no crossing, people do not cross. They obey the traffic signs. You don't feel stupid standing at the curb with no cars coming waiting for the light to change---this is what I am used to.
12. People line up: Everywhere people line up in a civilized manner and wait their turn. Nobody cuts in. It is like this getting on and off the subway or picking out goodies in a bakery. This is an integral part of Seattle society as well and it is wonderful.
I will admit I was a little anxious about going to Japan. As I have described previously, I am a person who does not like to be too far out of my comfort zone. My expectation of this trip was that I would be entering a culture vastly different from ours. How would this tall pale American handle the streets of a large Asian city? When I travel with Dave to meetings, I spend a significant amount of time exploring on my own. Amazingly, Kyoto felt more familiar to me than Charlotte, NC. The North American cities I am most intimately acquainted with are Seattle and Vancouver, BC. In addition, we have been to Honolulu many times over the years and more recently to San Francisco twice. I did not realize the pronounced and subtle Asian influence on these cities until this week.
In North Carolina, I could not understand the accent at times. They are prolific jay walkers. And although the food was outstanding, I had a significant stomach ache from the fat the second day there. Overall, the easy factors about Japan outweighed the difficulties. The following is my list of why Japan was a pleasant place.
View from our hotel room--I slanted the camera to get more in.
1. Toilets: Plenty of public toilets are everywhere and they are spotless and private. Larry Craig would have trouble in Japan giving his signals because the stalls have partitions and doors floor to ceiling. Unlike many places in Europe, you never have to pay or tip anyone or put coins in slot to use a restroom.
2. Plug-ins: In our hotel, the plug ins were the same as ours. The computer could be charged and I could use my electric hair accessories just the same as at home. At least twice in Europe, I almost started fires trying to use an electrical adapter with a curling iron.
3. Money: Lucas will verify that in many of our travels I get frustrated with the money--especially the coins. For some reason the Yen was simple for me. The numbers are big but you just put in a decimal point. For example, a tempura menu may say 3940Y per person but this translates to $39.40. A 1000Y bill is equal to $10. The coins were well marked making it easy for me to buy an apple.
4. No tips: Tipping is not expected in Japan. Culturally, they provide service to guests without reward and it is always excellent and never done for the buck. Taxis, bell boys, and waiters are not tipped.
Mmmmmm! Noodles.
5. People are helpful: At times in our travels, Dave and I are like bulls in a china shop and this trip was no exception. It took us a while to figure out the tickets in the train and subway systems. For example, when we took the airport express and the bullet train, we had three tickets each for the entire trip. You are supposed to put all three tickets in a little stack at the same time through the automated ticket thingy. If you do not, a red alarm bell rings. At least three times, we set off the red alarm while people were lined up behind us. Very calmly, an extremely nice and wonderful Japanese person would come and open up the machine to reset it, check our tickets and wave us through. All the while, the people behind us waited patiently without even a hint of exasperation on their faces. They do everything in their power to keep you from feeling embarrassed.
6. Store clerks: The clerks do not hover while you shop. They do not invade your space, call you "honey", pressure you to buy, or think you will steal anything. If you do indicate you have a question, they immediately respond.
7. No bargaining: They do not bargain. The prices on the items are what they cost and all tax is included. This is true even in the market areas.
8. English signs: Most everything is labeled with English subtitles underneath the Japanese characters. Explanations of statues and shrines at tourist sites all have English along side Japanese. Clear maps with an English "You are here!" are located at crucial spots all over the city.
9. Plastic food: Even the fanciest restaurants have realistic plastic food displays at the entrance demonstrating their menu. When you order, you have a clear idea of exactly what you will be eating. However, Dave and I did not always think the plastic models were all that appetizing.
Looks real but it is not.
10. Transportation: Trains and subways are spotless and clearly marked. The Kyoto conference center was quite a ways from our hotel. The meeting provided a shuttle bus but only once per day early in the morning and it took 45 minutes. We figured out the 20 minute subway ride and within a day, I was taking it all by myself back and forth between the hotel and conference center. Actually, our hotel was part of the train station complex which included a shopping mall and restaurants. Even so, it was one of the most quiet places we have ever stayed.
Kyoto Train Station---view from our hotel lobby.
Kyoto Conference Center
11. No jay walking: Yes! When the red light indicates no crossing, people do not cross. They obey the traffic signs. You don't feel stupid standing at the curb with no cars coming waiting for the light to change---this is what I am used to.
12. People line up: Everywhere people line up in a civilized manner and wait their turn. Nobody cuts in. It is like this getting on and off the subway or picking out goodies in a bakery. This is an integral part of Seattle society as well and it is wonderful.
// posted by Janet @ 7:55 AM
1 comments
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Where or Where Do I Begin?
A few hours ago, we were in Japan. And also, a few hours ago, at the Tokyo Train Station, we unbelievably ran into a relative of ours. Dave's niece's husband from Helena does quite a lot of business in Japan and we know this, but you just do not expect to run into anyone you know in the biggest city and train station in the entire world! Yet we did---right on the platform waiting for the same airport express train. Unfortunately, we had a tight connection and we were in the wrong spot for our assigned seats so all we could do was say hi quickly and marvel at the coincidence.
Dave was invited to attend the Science and Technology Forum in Kyoto, Japan as a representative of the UW. Since I no longer have children at home, I decided to see what Japan is like. We managed to get my ticket with frequent flyer miles and of course, Dave's airfare and the hotel was covered. How could I not go? It would have been insane of me to stay home. I loved almost every minute of the trip except for the very last train connection which we kind of messed up. My children know how I get under these circumstances. It happened on our way home and we made it so it was just a tiny glitch.
The meeting was attended by some extremely important people from around the U.S. and the world. The subject was climate change. I have said this before on this blog and I will repeat: Among reputable scientists world wide, there is no dispute about the fact of human caused global warming. Any effort to discredit the existence of the disastrous climate change that is rapidly occurring is ludicrous. The doubters are in essence telling us the world is flat because they have an economic or political agenda. People, Noah is calling for us to get on the ark. Ignore him at your peril.
Luckily, I was able to come and go freely into the tightly guarded conference center. All meals were provided and I attended a banquet, a lunch and an exquisite dinner at a Buddhist temple. Dave would say to me, "Over there is the president of Harvard and that person is the president of MIT. Oh, and that guy? He has a Nobel Prize in Physics. That woman is the Health Minister of France. And you should have seen the security here when the Prime Minister of Japan spoke!" Always after a statement like that Dave would then say, "I don't know why in the hell I'm here, frankly." I knew why I was there. It was my job to check on whether the Nobel Prize winning physicist could use a pair of chopsticks. I am happy to report that he can but I'm better.
Kyoto is gorgeous and I will have more stories in the days ahead but here is a taste of what is to come.
Yes! We were actually there in front of one of many Buddhist temples.
Kyoto---taken by Dave yesterday.
Bullet Train or Shinkansen Nozami. Picture taken "today."
We flew into Tokyo which was a 10 hour flight going but only 8 hours coming home. At the airport we boarded an express train which took an hour to get to the Tokyo Train Station. At that point we boarded the high speed Nozami which whisked us to Kyoto in 2 1/2 hours. We had no problem when we arrived in Japan managing all of this but for some reason upon the return today, it did not go as smoothly. Oh and yes, we left Tokyo at 3:30 PM, Thursday, October 11 and we arrived in Seattle at 7:30 AM, Thursday, October 11. I must admit, it is a little weird to experience the same day twice in two different countries in the world.
A few hours ago, we were in Japan. And also, a few hours ago, at the Tokyo Train Station, we unbelievably ran into a relative of ours. Dave's niece's husband from Helena does quite a lot of business in Japan and we know this, but you just do not expect to run into anyone you know in the biggest city and train station in the entire world! Yet we did---right on the platform waiting for the same airport express train. Unfortunately, we had a tight connection and we were in the wrong spot for our assigned seats so all we could do was say hi quickly and marvel at the coincidence.
Dave was invited to attend the Science and Technology Forum in Kyoto, Japan as a representative of the UW. Since I no longer have children at home, I decided to see what Japan is like. We managed to get my ticket with frequent flyer miles and of course, Dave's airfare and the hotel was covered. How could I not go? It would have been insane of me to stay home. I loved almost every minute of the trip except for the very last train connection which we kind of messed up. My children know how I get under these circumstances. It happened on our way home and we made it so it was just a tiny glitch.
The meeting was attended by some extremely important people from around the U.S. and the world. The subject was climate change. I have said this before on this blog and I will repeat: Among reputable scientists world wide, there is no dispute about the fact of human caused global warming. Any effort to discredit the existence of the disastrous climate change that is rapidly occurring is ludicrous. The doubters are in essence telling us the world is flat because they have an economic or political agenda. People, Noah is calling for us to get on the ark. Ignore him at your peril.
Luckily, I was able to come and go freely into the tightly guarded conference center. All meals were provided and I attended a banquet, a lunch and an exquisite dinner at a Buddhist temple. Dave would say to me, "Over there is the president of Harvard and that person is the president of MIT. Oh, and that guy? He has a Nobel Prize in Physics. That woman is the Health Minister of France. And you should have seen the security here when the Prime Minister of Japan spoke!" Always after a statement like that Dave would then say, "I don't know why in the hell I'm here, frankly." I knew why I was there. It was my job to check on whether the Nobel Prize winning physicist could use a pair of chopsticks. I am happy to report that he can but I'm better.
Kyoto is gorgeous and I will have more stories in the days ahead but here is a taste of what is to come.
Yes! We were actually there in front of one of many Buddhist temples.
Kyoto---taken by Dave yesterday.
Bullet Train or Shinkansen Nozami. Picture taken "today."
We flew into Tokyo which was a 10 hour flight going but only 8 hours coming home. At the airport we boarded an express train which took an hour to get to the Tokyo Train Station. At that point we boarded the high speed Nozami which whisked us to Kyoto in 2 1/2 hours. We had no problem when we arrived in Japan managing all of this but for some reason upon the return today, it did not go as smoothly. Oh and yes, we left Tokyo at 3:30 PM, Thursday, October 11 and we arrived in Seattle at 7:30 AM, Thursday, October 11. I must admit, it is a little weird to experience the same day twice in two different countries in the world.
// posted by Janet @ 3:18 PM
3 comments
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Amazing, Amazing, Amazing
It may be raining and dark and snowy up on Stevens Pass, but I have heard from my kids and they are doing well. When my kids are happy, I am happy and my mind is then open to thoroughly enjoy this morning's front page Seattle Times article.
First of all, an update on my children: Lucas is in Dublin, Ireland taking an intensive course to become certified with an internationally recognized certificate to teach English as a second language. He is staying with a host family. When he arrived at nearly midnight last Saturday, a full swing Irish party was in progress at the family's home. Actually, it was a birthday party for their 21 year old son thrown by the parents but Lucas thought it was pretty cool to walk into Irish music, whiskey and beer right off the bat. He has begun the course and is finding it a challenge but right at his level.
Kaley, on the other hand, auditioned for Whitman's opera. They do an opera every other year and this year it will be Cosi fan Tutte by Mozart. This is one of Kaley's favorite operas and she has been talking about trying out for it since last spring. The leads were pre-selected and filled by seniors and staff leaving 6 girls and 6 boys left for the chorus. The 12 chorus parts were picked by audition. In true Kaley form, she practiced and practiced the soprano part having been recently told she is a soprano. However, when she arrived at the auditions, she realized a good percentage of the more than 20 girls were trying for the soprano parts. She decided to switch to the alto part and sight read the music on the spot. So after never having practiced the audition piece, she got in. This is soooo Kaley!
Now, to the paper this morning: Note to my brother's wife who reads this blog--make sure my brother sees this! I loved this story this morning. A photographer in Alaska captured a wolf fishing along side the bears for salmon. Not only was she trying to catch the fish, she was enormously successful at it. Fifteen salmon became her victims in about an hour. She would run back into the woods with her prey and the guess is she was perhaps handing them off to another wolf to take to a den of pups. Evidently, this is unusual for a wolf to be fishing right with the bears and to be so prolific.
When I was a kid, the Golden Retriever we had from the time I was seven until I was 23 years old----yes, he lived to be 16---was a terrific fisherman. My Dad never used a net when he fished along the Missouri River. Laddie would be at his side and when my Dad would hook a big old trout, he would yell, "Fish on!" Laddie would plunge into the cold river and expertly deliver up a beautiful rainbow trout without a tooth mark on it. As such, I am not surprised that wolves are equally as capable as a spoiled Golden Retriever who would sleep on couches and beds.
What is fascinating is that the wolf and the bears seem to have no problem with each other fishing in the same place. Wolves have been known to attack bear cubs and I wouldn't think an adult mama bear would necessarily be too friendly to a much smaller wolf. Humans always underestimate animals, in my opinion. Also, we have always been told to not feed salmon to our dogs. Our vet has told us this and so has the person at the fish counter at my favorite store. My dog has had severe diarrhea that I attributed to salmon scraps. I guess the wolves' digestive systems are hardier than their domestic cousins.
Enough about this incredible animal story. Here are the pictures to prove it. How lucky was this photographer??? His name is Paul Stinsa.
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=wolf04&date=20071004&query=catch+of+the+day
Paul Stinsa/Special to the Seattle Times
Paul Stinsa/Special to the Seattle Times
Paul Stinsa/Special to the Seattle Times
Paul Stinsa/Special to the Seattle Times
It may be raining and dark and snowy up on Stevens Pass, but I have heard from my kids and they are doing well. When my kids are happy, I am happy and my mind is then open to thoroughly enjoy this morning's front page Seattle Times article.
First of all, an update on my children: Lucas is in Dublin, Ireland taking an intensive course to become certified with an internationally recognized certificate to teach English as a second language. He is staying with a host family. When he arrived at nearly midnight last Saturday, a full swing Irish party was in progress at the family's home. Actually, it was a birthday party for their 21 year old son thrown by the parents but Lucas thought it was pretty cool to walk into Irish music, whiskey and beer right off the bat. He has begun the course and is finding it a challenge but right at his level.
Kaley, on the other hand, auditioned for Whitman's opera. They do an opera every other year and this year it will be Cosi fan Tutte by Mozart. This is one of Kaley's favorite operas and she has been talking about trying out for it since last spring. The leads were pre-selected and filled by seniors and staff leaving 6 girls and 6 boys left for the chorus. The 12 chorus parts were picked by audition. In true Kaley form, she practiced and practiced the soprano part having been recently told she is a soprano. However, when she arrived at the auditions, she realized a good percentage of the more than 20 girls were trying for the soprano parts. She decided to switch to the alto part and sight read the music on the spot. So after never having practiced the audition piece, she got in. This is soooo Kaley!
Now, to the paper this morning: Note to my brother's wife who reads this blog--make sure my brother sees this! I loved this story this morning. A photographer in Alaska captured a wolf fishing along side the bears for salmon. Not only was she trying to catch the fish, she was enormously successful at it. Fifteen salmon became her victims in about an hour. She would run back into the woods with her prey and the guess is she was perhaps handing them off to another wolf to take to a den of pups. Evidently, this is unusual for a wolf to be fishing right with the bears and to be so prolific.
When I was a kid, the Golden Retriever we had from the time I was seven until I was 23 years old----yes, he lived to be 16---was a terrific fisherman. My Dad never used a net when he fished along the Missouri River. Laddie would be at his side and when my Dad would hook a big old trout, he would yell, "Fish on!" Laddie would plunge into the cold river and expertly deliver up a beautiful rainbow trout without a tooth mark on it. As such, I am not surprised that wolves are equally as capable as a spoiled Golden Retriever who would sleep on couches and beds.
What is fascinating is that the wolf and the bears seem to have no problem with each other fishing in the same place. Wolves have been known to attack bear cubs and I wouldn't think an adult mama bear would necessarily be too friendly to a much smaller wolf. Humans always underestimate animals, in my opinion. Also, we have always been told to not feed salmon to our dogs. Our vet has told us this and so has the person at the fish counter at my favorite store. My dog has had severe diarrhea that I attributed to salmon scraps. I guess the wolves' digestive systems are hardier than their domestic cousins.
Enough about this incredible animal story. Here are the pictures to prove it. How lucky was this photographer??? His name is Paul Stinsa.
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=wolf04&date=20071004&query=catch+of+the+day
Paul Stinsa/Special to the Seattle Times
Paul Stinsa/Special to the Seattle Times
Paul Stinsa/Special to the Seattle Times
Paul Stinsa/Special to the Seattle Times
// posted by Janet @ 7:47 AM
0 comments
Monday, October 01, 2007
Return of the Rains
We didn't have enough of a summer for me to build up my vitamin D and absorption of sunshine to fight off Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I upped my melatonin and pulled out the bottle of B-complex vitamins this morning. It was dark all weekend and it poured rain yesterday. Unfortunately, we are in the midst of a master bath remodel and the contractor has been trying to get the thing up with the roof before the NOVEMBER storms. It seems the rainy season is here a month early. And since our entire roof has outlived its cedar shake life in this part of the country, we will be having a new roof installed covering our entire house. The rush is on to get this done this week as well. Whew!
At least last night we made a wonderful discovery. Our favorite Indian food restaurant in Edmonds closed this past summer. We have been heart broken because Indian food is a regular part of our lives as is teriyaki and Chinese. There is a good place near Dave's office in Seattle but that is too far to go on a weekend. On Saturday, when we made a crab run to Central Market in Mill Creek, we saw the Clay Pot Grand Opening sign. Since the weather last night was miserable, we decided to treat ourselves by going out to dinner and spicy Indian food was the answer. It was terrific---white table linens and candles but not outrageously expensive and still casual. The menu was extensive and the food was yummy. We completely enjoyed ourselves.
Here are some photos of our expansion! Keep in mind, I merely wanted to retile our bathroom but my husband wanted a big fricking spa bathtub so that is what will be in the middle of this addition.
The beginning one month ago
Inside Kaley's closet : This was a fascinating discovery. As part of our remodel process, we were trying to figure out how to add another bathroom. Our house is too big to have only two main bathrooms but there was no place logically in our floor plan to add another entire bathroom. Our powder room isn't big enough to add a shower so we didn't know what to do. Shockingly, while Dave was measuring, we discovered a secret room behind the closet in Kaley's bedroom. (Actually, he could not figure out how as a scientist, his measurements could be five feet off. It was like an incredible gift!) There is no floor but the space is big enough to add a tub/shower, vanity, toilet and a small walk in closet. And it is perfect because her room is the second biggest bedroom in the house so this will create another bedroom/bathroom suite at the opposite end of the house from the master bedroom.
Taken from outside this morning
From inside the current bathroom: With all of the rain we have had, I don't see that we even need a bathtub here. There is enough water to have a pond.
We didn't have enough of a summer for me to build up my vitamin D and absorption of sunshine to fight off Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I upped my melatonin and pulled out the bottle of B-complex vitamins this morning. It was dark all weekend and it poured rain yesterday. Unfortunately, we are in the midst of a master bath remodel and the contractor has been trying to get the thing up with the roof before the NOVEMBER storms. It seems the rainy season is here a month early. And since our entire roof has outlived its cedar shake life in this part of the country, we will be having a new roof installed covering our entire house. The rush is on to get this done this week as well. Whew!
At least last night we made a wonderful discovery. Our favorite Indian food restaurant in Edmonds closed this past summer. We have been heart broken because Indian food is a regular part of our lives as is teriyaki and Chinese. There is a good place near Dave's office in Seattle but that is too far to go on a weekend. On Saturday, when we made a crab run to Central Market in Mill Creek, we saw the Clay Pot Grand Opening sign. Since the weather last night was miserable, we decided to treat ourselves by going out to dinner and spicy Indian food was the answer. It was terrific---white table linens and candles but not outrageously expensive and still casual. The menu was extensive and the food was yummy. We completely enjoyed ourselves.
Here are some photos of our expansion! Keep in mind, I merely wanted to retile our bathroom but my husband wanted a big fricking spa bathtub so that is what will be in the middle of this addition.
The beginning one month ago
Inside Kaley's closet : This was a fascinating discovery. As part of our remodel process, we were trying to figure out how to add another bathroom. Our house is too big to have only two main bathrooms but there was no place logically in our floor plan to add another entire bathroom. Our powder room isn't big enough to add a shower so we didn't know what to do. Shockingly, while Dave was measuring, we discovered a secret room behind the closet in Kaley's bedroom. (Actually, he could not figure out how as a scientist, his measurements could be five feet off. It was like an incredible gift!) There is no floor but the space is big enough to add a tub/shower, vanity, toilet and a small walk in closet. And it is perfect because her room is the second biggest bedroom in the house so this will create another bedroom/bathroom suite at the opposite end of the house from the master bedroom.
Taken from outside this morning
From inside the current bathroom: With all of the rain we have had, I don't see that we even need a bathtub here. There is enough water to have a pond.
// posted by Janet @ 9:20 AM
5 comments
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