Hey kids, it's Sideshow Joe!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Black Cat Ball

Silvie and I went to the Black Cat Ball dinner and auction at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, benefitting Purrfect Pals, a no-kill cat shelter in Arlington (from whence came Cookie, Toot Toot and Little G). We had a ton of fun bidding on the silent auction items (we actually walked away with a trunkload of goodies, having won 5 of the auctions!) and supping on the delicious vegan dinner and tasty wines. A great evening... can't wait for next year!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Pumpkin Push '09

I ran the Pumpkin Push at Seward Park for the second consecutive year. I had been expecting an improvement on last year's time, as I had been running three days a week around our neighborhood the past couple of months; and I did finish 2:20 better than last year! I was very pleased. My time was 29:06; not bad, considering the punishing hill in the middle of the course. Just as in the most recent St. Pat's Dash, I had plenty left in the tank for my finishing kick, sprinting like a nut to the finish line (the guy on the loudspeaker even remarked on my break-neck speed at the finish). I was very happy to be able to finish strong; but my speed at the end meant that I had done a terrible job pacing myself, and probably could have improved on my time with a stronger pace during the race. Oh, well. It's still a work in progress....

Whew!!! That was tough!

Lucifer Sam, Siam cat

Well, we added another kitty to the brood... a rescued kitty we named Sammy (properly Lucifer Sam after the Syd Barrett Pink Floyd song). He is quite a nut, full of energy and just a bit mischievous. He's very cute, though, and a great addition to the family.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Family Visit '09!

My mom and bro paid us a visit in August. We had a great time hanging out and doing some fun things around town. [insert pics w/captions here]

Mom and Brian shopping for yummy fresh fruit at Pike Place Market

Cookie was thrilled to find a new personal spa technician

Silvie ready to party at the Evergreen State Fair

The fair was a lot of fun, especially the Western Heritage Center

On the way to the fair we passed by the scene of a horrible accident - apparently these guys were Civil War reenactors or sometning. Tragic.

Silvie looking cute by Lake Washington, Seward Park

Adjust that camera angle... and that neck angle, too!

Sweet Little Buford

Our sweet little Buford (aka Toot Toot) passed away after sudden, severe pancreatitis. He was only about 4 years old. He was really the sweetest little boy ever. He was cuddly, fluffy and soft; a wonderful companion and snuggler. He had the sweetest disposition with humans and fellow kitties. He is missed every day!

Friday, August 14, 2009

Phish at the Gorge

Silvie and I caught Phish at the Gorge on Friday, 8/7. Phish is winding up its reunion tour, and I wasn't planning on catching them. I had spaced on the announcement of the Gorge dates, and tickets sold out (predictably) quickly. A few days before the show, I bought tickets from someone at work, at cost, and we headed off on the 2 1/2 hour trip to George. The weather was perfect and we were both stoked at seeing Phish. We arrived early to check out the parking lot scene, but, as this was a back-to-back situation, the main activity was in the far-off camping area. Still, Sil and I had fun enjoying the limited scene in our lot before heading into the show.

It has been stated many times before, but the Gorge is really an amazing setting for a show. It was my second time at the Gorge, and the weather was much milder than the time we saw Sasquatch (in '04 or '05, I think it was). It was great to be among the Phaithful, and Silvie had a fine time people-watching. Phish played for about 3 hours, and the show definitely rekindled my appreciation for these guys. The setlist was spare as each song was jammed out thoroughly. Standouts included "Possum," "Fluffhead," "Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley," and the encore, "Slave to the Traffic Light." This was my 7th time seeing Phish, and Silvie's 1st, and we agreed that if they should come to the Gorge again, we'd definitely do the whole weekend.

Silvie looks ready for the show...

...but Joe needs a few more beers first

View from the lawn

Another view of the stage and gorge beyond

Fine weather and a not-yet-full lawn

Phish took the stage the very instant that the sun disappeared

Phish, opening with "Down With Disease"

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Lake Tahoe

Silvie and I were invited by friends Ken and Marie to spend a week with them at their timeshare in south Lake Tahoe. This is a very nice resort located at the Heavenly ski area, at some 7200+ feet above sea level. Ken and Marie have one week in the summer and one in the winter. Silvie and I were excited about the trip, and it turned out to be even better than expected. We drove down and back which meant that two days of the trip were essentially all travel. We drove through Reno on the way down and had to navigate the windy route up the mountain in the dark (with misleading suggestions from the GPS!). Ken and Marie are an easy-going couple, and they know the area quite well, so we spent several days being tour-guided around the beautiful lake. We drove completely around the lake, toured the Pope estate at the Tallac Historic site, visited Squaw Valley, ate at great restaurants, swam in the lake, won some moola at the casinos, walked the doggies, and hung out and enjoyed the pleasant weather and gorgeous surroundings. Ken and I hiked a couple of thousand feet to the top of one of Heavenly's peaks, and Silvie and I went star-gazing at night. We really had a wonderful time and are very grateful to our hosts (we'd gladly accept another invitation to visit!).