We abandoned Andrew home alone, and Mali under Olivia's care along with Zoë and Hannah, and headed off to Portland's Pearl District with the usual suspects: Paul (41) and Nancy, Alana, and Pablo and Rocio. The Vault Martini bar caught Paul's eye and we had a few crazy drinks crowded around the fireplace. It wasn't raining! and we weren't wearing heels, so Paul, Pablo, and I walked to our appointment at Basserie Montmartre for dinner and some live jazz. Nancy drove the ladies in Alana's supercool new Audi A6, since it was about half a mile away.
Dinner was delicious, the music was good, and I drank too much wine.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Roadhouse
Last night Mali and I went with Susy to a going-away party Susy organized for a co-worker at McMenamin's Cornelius Pass Roadhouse. Mali and I left for a break and went to the nearby Nordstrom Rack and bought her some shoes. Andrew didn't come with us - he was busy playing DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) at Carly's house with Carly and Kylie. David is going to pick us up a copy of the Xbox version.
We came home and watched three episodes of Gilmore Girls. A pretty typical evening.
We came home and watched three episodes of Gilmore Girls. A pretty typical evening.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Home
Home again! Susy and the kids are off today, because it's Oregon. I have some work to do, but not a ridiculous amount since I worked like a maniac up in Bellevue all week. We may get to do something fun this afternoon.
I finally got to see Rylin last night, though only for a few minutes. Long enough for her to tell me I couldn't sit with her, or read her a bedtime story. But she did give me a very cheery "Good Night." Dalton was a lot of fun, showing me his geology books from the library.
I finally got to see Rylin last night, though only for a few minutes. Long enough for her to tell me I couldn't sit with her, or read her a bedtime story. But she did give me a very cheery "Good Night." Dalton was a lot of fun, showing me his geology books from the library.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
in Bellevue
Yesterday in the middle of my meeting I got the little chat indicator in the corner saying Mali sent me a message: "Hi Dad." We had a nice little chat while words of energy trading resettlement bounced all around me. But I was talking to my little girl! Very cool.
I did not get to Dave and Susan's house in time to see Rylin, and just barely saw Dalton as he went to bed. I got distracted at the mall, where I went to spend the $100 gift certificate I got from AREVA a couple of years ago and never get a chance to spend it. Here's the completely useless but fascinating thing I bought.
I did not get to Dave and Susan's house in time to see Rylin, and just barely saw Dalton as he went to bed. I got distracted at the mall, where I went to spend the $100 gift certificate I got from AREVA a couple of years ago and never get a chance to spend it. Here's the completely useless but fascinating thing I bought.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Sunday's basketball
Mali asked me to shoot hoops with her Sunday. I thought that was a great idea. When we went out back, we discovered everything coated in green slime like the inside of fishbowl. Apparently that can happen after 30 days of rain. I borrowed a pressure washer and cleaned it up, but we didn't get much playing in.
Now I'm in Bellevue for meetings with a customer. It did NOT rain Monday morning, which made the drive in very unusual for a Winter commute. Usually it seems every Winter trip up here is in the rain.
I got to Dave and Susan's just in time to say good night to Dalton. Rylin was long in bed, not feeling well - possible teething issues.
Now I'm in Bellevue for meetings with a customer. It did NOT rain Monday morning, which made the drive in very unusual for a Winter commute. Usually it seems every Winter trip up here is in the rain.
I got to Dave and Susan's just in time to say good night to Dalton. Rylin was long in bed, not feeling well - possible teething issues.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
And another thing: Movies
We continue watching Gilmore Girls, now on Season 4's DVDs, courtesy of Andrew's Carly. For some reason, we all like that show.
Before last night's GGs episode, while Andrew was out DDRing, we watched Treasure of the Sierra Madre, which I'd gotten from the library. About all we can say for it is now we can cross it off our list. It was okay for an old movie, though definitely too long. Now we know where the line "We don't need no stinkin' badges" comes from.
I much prefer Casablanca, which we own, but Susy's never been able to watch it to the end without falling asleep. I may force them all to watch The Big Sleep, which I've also requested, as I never understood it before, but apparently the DVD has an alternate, less-cut take that makes more sense than the one shown in theaters. I may have to watch it first.
Any recommendations for MUST SEE classics?
My friend Jim, of Jim and Sandy fame, who sees a lot of movies, (with Sandy - they're very cultured) once told me he had a hard time recommending movies to me, since we saw so few. Once he realized that any movie we saw in a theater could easily be the only movie we saw all year, it was tough to tell us it was one we had to see. Something about prefacing any recommendation with "If you only see one movie this year, go see..."
Though now that the kids are older, and there are more movies with spaceships and/or swordfights, we do tend to get out a bit. We all recommend Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Mali and I loved the Narnia movie, but Susy and Andrew, who saw it while in Rhode Island, liked it but weren't as thrilled by it. We have NOT yet seen the Wallace and Gromit movie, which is probably awesome and we will probably just buy it on DVD. If you've never seen them (Wallace or Gromit), then you must go. Some of my favorite moments in front of a TV set are watching the three W&G shorts - the most famous of which is "The Wrong Trousers."
Before last night's GGs episode, while Andrew was out DDRing, we watched Treasure of the Sierra Madre, which I'd gotten from the library. About all we can say for it is now we can cross it off our list. It was okay for an old movie, though definitely too long. Now we know where the line "We don't need no stinkin' badges" comes from.
I much prefer Casablanca, which we own, but Susy's never been able to watch it to the end without falling asleep. I may force them all to watch The Big Sleep, which I've also requested, as I never understood it before, but apparently the DVD has an alternate, less-cut take that makes more sense than the one shown in theaters. I may have to watch it first.
Any recommendations for MUST SEE classics?
My friend Jim, of Jim and Sandy fame, who sees a lot of movies, (with Sandy - they're very cultured) once told me he had a hard time recommending movies to me, since we saw so few. Once he realized that any movie we saw in a theater could easily be the only movie we saw all year, it was tough to tell us it was one we had to see. Something about prefacing any recommendation with "If you only see one movie this year, go see..."
Though now that the kids are older, and there are more movies with spaceships and/or swordfights, we do tend to get out a bit. We all recommend Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Mali and I loved the Narnia movie, but Susy and Andrew, who saw it while in Rhode Island, liked it but weren't as thrilled by it. We have NOT yet seen the Wallace and Gromit movie, which is probably awesome and we will probably just buy it on DVD. If you've never seen them (Wallace or Gromit), then you must go. Some of my favorite moments in front of a TV set are watching the three W&G shorts - the most famous of which is "The Wrong Trousers."
Saturday, January 21, 2006
First basketball game
Mali scores! Mali got a rebound and calmly dribbled downcourt and threw in a bank shot like she'd done it a thousand times. Amazing. She had a couple of other good shots, but nothing fell. Her team won... I think the score was 12 to 9. We're not too careful about scorekeeping.
Andrew's day seemed very teenagerish. His friends Tiana and Kyle were over for a couple of hours working on their science project. They're evaluating the amount of electricity they can create using different fruits and vegetables. Afterwards there was a surprise party for Tiana's birthday at Isabel's house. Lots of DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) was played, and there was pizza and a spongy cake.
There was a big car accident up the hill from us, so we strolled up there to investigate. We walked up with our neighbors Dave, Gayle, and Kelsey, then spent the next couple of hours catching up with them. Everyone hibernates in the Winter, unless there's a party or something.
Andrew's day seemed very teenagerish. His friends Tiana and Kyle were over for a couple of hours working on their science project. They're evaluating the amount of electricity they can create using different fruits and vegetables. Afterwards there was a surprise party for Tiana's birthday at Isabel's house. Lots of DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) was played, and there was pizza and a spongy cake.
There was a big car accident up the hill from us, so we strolled up there to investigate. We walked up with our neighbors Dave, Gayle, and Kelsey, then spent the next couple of hours catching up with them. Everyone hibernates in the Winter, unless there's a party or something.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Photos - NewStuff!
Tuesdays, Sara comes over after school. Mali has been eagerly waiting to show off her new loft bed.
Here's a photo of our finally completed purple bedroom.
Here's a photo of our finally completed purple bedroom.
Back to work and school
Two Chocolate chip cookies remain, waiting for Mali and Sara's return from school. Maybe we'll make more. They went fast.
Susy and I stumbled our way to the health club this morning in the rainy darkness. A brief workout, but it's a start for a new morning workout routine. Check back tomorrow to see how routine it is.
Susy worked yesterday, so I entertained the kids. We managed to play a game of Puerto Rico - Mali's idea. She is surprisingly good at it.
Dinner was a rotisserie chicken with baked beans, green beans, and crescent rolls. Each of us did one thing: Mali the baked beans (she says she's tired of mashed potatos, a first), and Andrew did the rolls, watching them like a hawk - his first baking experience. Susy did green beans while I dismantled the chicken. Then we watched Gilmore Girls, and I made chicken stock.
Susy and I stumbled our way to the health club this morning in the rainy darkness. A brief workout, but it's a start for a new morning workout routine. Check back tomorrow to see how routine it is.
Susy worked yesterday, so I entertained the kids. We managed to play a game of Puerto Rico - Mali's idea. She is surprisingly good at it.
Dinner was a rotisserie chicken with baked beans, green beans, and crescent rolls. Each of us did one thing: Mali the baked beans (she says she's tired of mashed potatos, a first), and Andrew did the rolls, watching them like a hawk - his first baking experience. Susy did green beans while I dismantled the chicken. Then we watched Gilmore Girls, and I made chicken stock.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Breakfast
I just made a perfect omelet without trying. Apparently that is the secret. And Mali's poached egg was perfect too, except she forgot about it and finished her toast just as it arrived.
I have to work for five minutes, and then Mali and I are making chocolate chip cookies, which we will use to tempt Andrew into eating a real breakfast.
I have to work for five minutes, and then Mali and I are making chocolate chip cookies, which we will use to tempt Andrew into eating a real breakfast.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Sunday
Muppets! From the library. Tonight we watched Elton John, then Julie Andrews, with lots of Kermit, Swedish Chef, Pigs in Space, old-man hecklers, Gonzo with chicken, and Sam the Eagle. Andrew complained the whole time, except when he was busy laughing. Mostly he was laughing. Then we watched Gilmore Girls, beginning Season 4 now, courtesy Andrew's friend Carly (not Calee, Kylie, or Kyle. Those are his other friends from school. Yes, phone calls are fun. And the one with a non-homonyfic name's voice (Tiana) sounds very much like Carly's, at least when saying, "Hello, is Andrew there?")
Today we went to OMSI for the NW Animation Showcase, excellently tagged on to the Cartoon Network exhibit showing there this month.
Today we went to OMSI for the NW Animation Showcase, excellently tagged on to the Cartoon Network exhibit showing there this month.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Still Raining. Friday.
I love the rain washing everything clean. It is the mud I despise. Luckily, we have sidewalks.
Mali spends tonight at Sara's house. Susy and I spent the evening dismantling her old bed. Tomorrow we install the new loft bed, which comes with a desk underneath.
Andrew destroyed me playing Sudoku tonight. Not sure why. He is just smart and determined to always win. We race. May have been the lone glass of wine. Not that more would have helped. It doesn't take much of a handicap for him to wipe the floor with me. He often does it without a handicap.
Andrew and I also did a chocolate tasting tonight. We went to Safeway and bought three different kinds of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Safeway's were pretty good, but the winner was Guittard, whom I'd never heard of. We didn't try Hershey's, knowing already that they tend to run slightly flavorless. Last place was an organic brand that was on sale. They tasted... healthier, somehow. Not really the desired chocolate chip flavor. Still not bad, and probably better than Hershey's. At least Hershey's has variety, but even their dark chocalate chips (I love dark chocolate! And somebody said it is healthy!) aren't as flavorful as they could be.
I couldn't sleep and went to the health club until 3:30. I realized on the way home it was probably the chocolate that kept me awake, especially since I never (rarely) eat it.
I got some new CDs from the library today, and read the lyrics to the Stones' "Gimme Shelter" for the first time. I can't believe I had no idea what that song was about, after hearing it some hundreds of times. The chorus is: "War, children, it's just a shot away." I will have to go buy Let it Bleed now.
Susy and I watched Secretary - a Very Weird movie about a strange relationship. Good acting, and interesting. Just weird, in a very non-white-bread-suburban sort of way.
Mali spends tonight at Sara's house. Susy and I spent the evening dismantling her old bed. Tomorrow we install the new loft bed, which comes with a desk underneath.
Andrew destroyed me playing Sudoku tonight. Not sure why. He is just smart and determined to always win. We race. May have been the lone glass of wine. Not that more would have helped. It doesn't take much of a handicap for him to wipe the floor with me. He often does it without a handicap.
Andrew and I also did a chocolate tasting tonight. We went to Safeway and bought three different kinds of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Safeway's were pretty good, but the winner was Guittard, whom I'd never heard of. We didn't try Hershey's, knowing already that they tend to run slightly flavorless. Last place was an organic brand that was on sale. They tasted... healthier, somehow. Not really the desired chocolate chip flavor. Still not bad, and probably better than Hershey's. At least Hershey's has variety, but even their dark chocalate chips (I love dark chocolate! And somebody said it is healthy!) aren't as flavorful as they could be.
I couldn't sleep and went to the health club until 3:30. I realized on the way home it was probably the chocolate that kept me awake, especially since I never (rarely) eat it.
I got some new CDs from the library today, and read the lyrics to the Stones' "Gimme Shelter" for the first time. I can't believe I had no idea what that song was about, after hearing it some hundreds of times. The chorus is: "War, children, it's just a shot away." I will have to go buy Let it Bleed now.
Susy and I watched Secretary - a Very Weird movie about a strange relationship. Good acting, and interesting. Just weird, in a very non-white-bread-suburban sort of way.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Wednesday night
Mali's second basketball practice. They are already getting better. I drove Andrew to get a tetanis shot - he was due, and he got a slight cut Monday night cleaning one of our new knives.
Susy was home late, this time at a going-away party for someone. So I served up leftovers from Alana's house - parmeson chicken with bread and green beans for the kids. Mali made herself some mashed potatos, and I also had some meatball minestrone soup, also from Alana's. Now Susy's home, and they're all watching Survivor.
Today's internet find courtesy of BoingBoing but via SALON.COM: Zoe, the 15 year-old DJ podcaster from LA. Found at: http://www.zoeradio.com. I'm listening to her end-of-2005 show as I write this.
Another cool find, this time via BoingBoing as usual, a South American comic book about MLK and Montgomery, with a nice little sidetrip to Ghandi's India, at: http://www.ep.tc/mlk/.
Last night (Tuesday) Susy, Alana, and Nancy went to a wine and chocolate tasting in Portland. I took the kids, including Zoë and Hannah to A&W for dinner, where I ate tooooo many french fries. Amazing, since I didn't order any. We had coupons: everyone got to pick two items for $1 each. Everyone ordered a hamburger and fries except me and my two hamburgers which I ended up sharing with Andrew.
Paul stayed a bit when picking up the kids and we watched the first half of Anchorman on our NEW On-Demand-Cable. Coolstuff. The movie is marginal, though the on-demand bit is about-time-totally-cool where we can pause it and pick it up upto a day later. Don't know if I'll bother finishing - the movie just isn't that great.
Susy was home late, this time at a going-away party for someone. So I served up leftovers from Alana's house - parmeson chicken with bread and green beans for the kids. Mali made herself some mashed potatos, and I also had some meatball minestrone soup, also from Alana's. Now Susy's home, and they're all watching Survivor.
Today's internet find courtesy of BoingBoing but via SALON.COM: Zoe, the 15 year-old DJ podcaster from LA. Found at: http://www.zoeradio.com. I'm listening to her end-of-2005 show as I write this.
Another cool find, this time via BoingBoing as usual, a South American comic book about MLK and Montgomery, with a nice little sidetrip to Ghandi's India, at: http://www.ep.tc/mlk/.
Last night (Tuesday) Susy, Alana, and Nancy went to a wine and chocolate tasting in Portland. I took the kids, including Zoë and Hannah to A&W for dinner, where I ate tooooo many french fries. Amazing, since I didn't order any. We had coupons: everyone got to pick two items for $1 each. Everyone ordered a hamburger and fries except me and my two hamburgers which I ended up sharing with Andrew.
Paul stayed a bit when picking up the kids and we watched the first half of Anchorman on our NEW On-Demand-Cable. Coolstuff. The movie is marginal, though the on-demand bit is about-time-totally-cool where we can pause it and pick it up upto a day later. Don't know if I'll bother finishing - the movie just isn't that great.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Monday now Tuesday
I noticed Mali seemed unusually tall this morning, so we measured the kids. She's grown 2.5" since last May. Andrew 1.5" This explains why Andrew seems to be not growing: It is just his sister is doing all of her growing right now. I think she grown an inch since Christmas.
We were all up late last night, after Mali wanted to try playing Puerto Rico, and Susy shocked us all by agreeing to play. So after the inevitable strain of teaching/learning new rules, we had a very good game.
We were all up late last night, after Mali wanted to try playing Puerto Rico, and Susy shocked us all by agreeing to play. So after the inevitable strain of teaching/learning new rules, we had a very good game.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Weekend Update
Friday: Up in Bellevue for work. Made it to Kirkland for first poker game in John's new poker room. His almost 2-year-old Daniel took one look at me and said, "Funny hat!" Which is amazing since I wasn't wearing one this time, but I was when I last saw him two months ago.
Saturday: Made it home from Kirkland at 4:30. Locked out of the house, so poor Susy had to get up to let me in. Then I was up with Mali at 9:00, making us poached eggs on toast. Nice to be home. I spent the morning cleaning out my office, which is still a disaster. I'm going to paint the walls blue. With paint.
Saturday night we joined the neighborhood gang at Alana's to meet her friend Cheryl who is up from Scottsdale. Incredible chicken parmeson - no need for a knife. I wonder if there's leftovers... Went home early, as I was tired for some reason.
Paul and Hannah were late returning from skiing. Zoë got her cast off! but still isn't ready to hit the mountain (again.)
Sunday: Kyle came over at noon and he and Andrew played Age of Empires. Susy and I took Mali to Fred Meyer and returned the jeans that didn't fit and bought her a couple more pairs. Spaghetti for dinner, then Andrew and I played San Juan, the card version of Puerto Rico. Simpler and faster, and works okay with 2 players.
Saturday: Made it home from Kirkland at 4:30. Locked out of the house, so poor Susy had to get up to let me in. Then I was up with Mali at 9:00, making us poached eggs on toast. Nice to be home. I spent the morning cleaning out my office, which is still a disaster. I'm going to paint the walls blue. With paint.
Saturday night we joined the neighborhood gang at Alana's to meet her friend Cheryl who is up from Scottsdale. Incredible chicken parmeson - no need for a knife. I wonder if there's leftovers... Went home early, as I was tired for some reason.
Paul and Hannah were late returning from skiing. Zoë got her cast off! but still isn't ready to hit the mountain (again.)
Sunday: Kyle came over at noon and he and Andrew played Age of Empires. Susy and I took Mali to Fred Meyer and returned the jeans that didn't fit and bought her a couple more pairs. Spaghetti for dinner, then Andrew and I played San Juan, the card version of Puerto Rico. Simpler and faster, and works okay with 2 players.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Mali starts basketball
Mali had her first basketball practice of the season tonight. I am again an assistant coach. Practices are at 5:00 at Mali's school, which makes it easy.
Andrew is thinking of playing Spring soccer, depending on the team he can get on.
I made soup for dinner: Italian stewed tomatoes with some of Susy's leftover spaghetti sauce and the leftover bean/corn/onion/feta salad. It turned out really good. Andrew had a steak sandwich and Mali had mashed potatos. Then we all did Math homework until bedtime.
Andrew is thinking of playing Spring soccer, depending on the team he can get on.
I made soup for dinner: Italian stewed tomatoes with some of Susy's leftover spaghetti sauce and the leftover bean/corn/onion/feta salad. It turned out really good. Andrew had a steak sandwich and Mali had mashed potatos. Then we all did Math homework until bedtime.
TV, Sony, 27". And a big new dryer.
Yes, we do have a new TV. It is a measly little 27" because that is all my to-beautiful-to-hack-up entertainment center will allow. At least we got a Sony with a BEAUTIFUL picture. It is also HDTV, once the Comcast folks come Saturday to set up our digital cable.
We also have a new dryer. It is a Kenmore Elite 7.5 cubic foot capacity (large). Very nice. Susy was happy it had a light inside, which I thought was silly, but I love it.
Sadly, of course, the dryer has problems (nothing is ever easy.) The Start button is unnecessary, as the dryer starts up without pushing it. I finally contacted Sears service only to have me tell them their computers are down so they can't schedule anything. I will try again this morning.
We also have a new dryer. It is a Kenmore Elite 7.5 cubic foot capacity (large). Very nice. Susy was happy it had a light inside, which I thought was silly, but I love it.
Sadly, of course, the dryer has problems (nothing is ever easy.) The Start button is unnecessary, as the dryer starts up without pushing it. I finally contacted Sears service only to have me tell them their computers are down so they can't schedule anything. I will try again this morning.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
School starts
The kids were giddy this morning before leaving for school. They wouldn't admit to wanting to return, but they couldn't stop giggling at breakfast. They were making me crazy. It is not so fun returning to work when you work at home. Though it was peaceful around here for a change. Once they left.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
skiing
I went skiing today with Paul and Hannah. Hannah the powder pup is an amazing skier for a 7 year old. The weather was horrible at first, windy with an icy snowfall. After lunch the sun came out, and it was the best conditions I've skiied in over a year. Now I am a very sore boy.
Followed that up with the 3-ring circus here at home:
Paul came over to help repair our expensive and finely made bed with cheap screws that sheared off. Pablo and Paul and I then examined my new 32" HDTV which will never, ever fit in my entertainment center. It gets returned in the morning. And they also helped me carry the old drier out to the street for pickup today.
Followed that up with the 3-ring circus here at home:
Paul came over to help repair our expensive and finely made bed with cheap screws that sheared off. Pablo and Paul and I then examined my new 32" HDTV which will never, ever fit in my entertainment center. It gets returned in the morning. And they also helped me carry the old drier out to the street for pickup today.
New Year's Eve
Party at Pablo's with silly hats. Lots of great music and crazy dancing. And I'm tired fo writing about great food. Paul made Lobster Thermadore which would have been great if you even just liked lobster.
Here's a couple of photos. Go to www.Flikr.com/photos/OregonDad for others I thought interesting enough to upload.
Here's a couple of photos. Go to www.Flikr.com/photos/OregonDad for others I thought interesting enough to upload.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
