Seattle Day 1

We got our rental car, a nice safe Volvo, from the itty bitty airport and drove towards Seattle. We are staying across Lake Washington in Bellevue for the first two nights. Timmy wanted Pizza so we jumped of the freeway and drove until we found Bellevue Square. It looked like a nice new shopping mall and we thought for sure we'd find a pizza joint. Turns out we found an awesome one called Pagliacci Pizza where I took this picture! A Vespa on display! Daddy happy.

We checked into our hotel. After a little bickering about the fact that we didn't have our two-room suite, they gave us the Olympic suite which is sweet! I'm sure it won't compare to our next hotel, but better than a regular room! Tim and I took well needed afternoon naps and showers after going non-stop for 1 1/2 days. Clean and refreshed, we then decided to start our fun part of the day at Seattle Center.

We started with the Experience Music Project which is so very cool. It is the curvy silver building. We bought a family membership which was cheaper than paying individually. The place is filled with music history and has an amazing studio where you record an album for free. After going from sound proof room to room and adding each piece (keyboards, vocals, drums, guitar, etc.) you can listen to your work and buy it if you like. We didn't buy, but we may go back and try tomorrow since we have a year long membership!

Next we had some appetizers and milkshakes (Timmy had a beer - shock) at Revolution Bar & Grill and then looked at all sorts of memorabilia at the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame. It is in the same building as EMP and the membership covers both. While I'm certainly not a Trekky or anything like that, there was some really amazing stuff and like EMP, very interactive and media overloaded. For you F.O.D out there, they currently have on display the hat worn by the Wicked Witch of the West in 1939 and the batman suite worn by George Clooney. Not sure why those two things stuck out, but anyways.

Everyone hates me for it, but I can't resist the madness of these cutesy cut-out tourist trap photo opportunities. This particular one was the back of a park bench in front of the musical fountain by the Key Arena. We walked all around the various buildings and attractions at Seattle Center before meandering a few blocks down to the Olympic Sculpture Park and by pier 70. I really enjoy going off the beaten path and through the fabric of the city.

At dusk we went back up to the Space Needle and took some fantastic sunset pictures. Timmy hates the exterior elevator and crouched in the corner like always. He'll have to do it again tomorrow because I bought the 24 hour tickets so we can see the sights during the day as well.

We were beat and didn't even desire dinner so we drove back to the hotel and crashed around 9:30. I got up at 6:00 and did a few hours of work (yuck) before writing this post. I'm going to try and avoid it for the rest of today, in fact, my PDA is on silent so I can't even tell when I get an email. I backdated this post so it appears at the end of the correct day. My boy and my baby are still sleeping.

Hope all is well in your part of the world!

Bellingham

We arrived safely. Tiny airport. Check out the woman handing luggage out the window...not even a belt in baggage claim.

Old School Air

We've boarded the flight. Despite open seating (think Southwest) and being in the last boarding group, we are seated together.

Skybus is old school with ladder steps and all. Whitney does not approve of this budget air selection I've made.

Grumpy

We have collected Miss Grumpysleepyhead and are on the way to the airport.

Vacation - Go!

After working all day, we're enroute to gather Whitney! One hour into the trip, Timmy doesn't look amused. He's driving and of course I'm still buried in my email to tie up loose ends at work.

Mansion Update

Roof and Windows!!! The house looks great.

Blogging a bit light because we're getting ready for vacation tomorrow! Our new roomie moved in last night. Having some drinks and treats with the dogwoods.

Late...

This is why I was late to work today - why do people do these stupid things? I planned to be at work by 9:30 so this clearly happened a train or two before mine. They say there were 16 buses to help, but I waited FOREVER and there were no cabs. If it wasn't so freakin' muggy I would have walked the rest of the way.

My replacement power cord came today for the video camera! Now I can actually download the videos to my MacBook and edit the good stuff from Costa Rica with my new software. Macs are compatible with everything digital, except JVC. Didn't know it was going to be such a hassle, but all is well now!

1/2 Devil

Yes, Anthony is alive.

Please do not leave Iris unattended

...so we had an impromptu Sunday Funday...filled with drama.

Happy Birthday

Timmy didn't eat and has fallen out. I tried to mobile blog a pic but it didn't work. Don't judge, I know what you're thinking.

Mezza Luna...having fun.

KUNT Action News

According to TVSquad.com, the FCC has approved the call letters K-U-N-T for a local Wailuku, Maui TV station. KUNT Weather Watch? KUNT On Your Side? KUNT Live Digital Dopler? KUNT Sports News? How would you like to be a KUNT Anchor? I need to stop. Who at the FCC approved this?

Bionic Woman?

I knew that Isaac Washington was canned from my Grey's Anatomy, but I didn't know he landed a role on "Bionic Woman" during the same time slot as the new Grey's Anatomy spinoff, "Private Practice." According to a post on Everything Jersey (don't ask how I got there) by Alan Sepinwall from The Star-Ledger, this is the case. Check out the complete July 26 Post here.

Strangely enough, I was actually doing tourist search crap and I ultimately remembered to hunt down the gophilla.com gay tourism commercial. It is very well done, so I put it here for all to see since you don't all watch LOGO where it is frequently played. Philadelphia has done a great deal in recent years (according to friends) to promote the gayness of the city. Having only been there once, (this year,) I'd say they are on the right track, but have a little ways to go. I do like the city. Check out the commercial. It is short.

Take It Like A Man

Morning Chirrens.

I was browsing the web because that's what we do when we can't sleep, right? Hector's sister, Suzette, blogged about this band and I'm cracking up at their video. According to Suzy describes their music as, "Pop songs mixed with a bit of rock, a dash of electro and a side of cheese. :) I like that side of cheese. It's genius." I completely agree.

Dragonette's MySpace page describes the transition from, "...singer-songwriter, Ani Di Franco, Lilith Fair, Jewel-type music… tamponics!" to, "...dirty, hook-heavy, electropop monsters...depicting a world of guilt-free promiscuity and sexual predators on the prowl." What's not to like about that? They also make an analogy to singing over Pat Benatar tracks during the transition. Even though I'm not really sure how to take it, they do mention her. And we all know how I feel about my Pat!

Take a quick look at this video. It has a spoofy 70's porn vibe to it. Fun. Nice work Suzy in discovering them!




You can also see their full website here:

Flying Spaghetti Monster

You really need to check this site out. The link is to an open letter to the school board, but click over to the actual blog home page too. Hilarious.

Friends of Corn

FOC ... coming to your neighborhood.

Nellies...again

We've powered through the day.

shot?

Tisha looking innocent while her director casually dines in the background. We're doing shots. No fun to leave work and join friends when your management is eyes in the winder.

Hate Crime

You've got to watch this video. Thousands of people are attacked every year because of their sexual orientation, and there's still no federal hate crimes law to protect them. This video is a powerful statement on hate crimes, and I was compelled to share it. It was created in conjunction with the "True Colors Tour" where Cyndi Lauper raised awareness about HRC and hate crimes



You can also see the information directly on HRC's website or do a YouTube search for hate crimes and you'll see lots of powerfull videos. Time to go to work!

Their wet kisses show they love you!

You have got to be kidding me. Click this link to see the Love 'n Licks Puppy. According to the website, there are only 4 steps and if you click the link you can hear how the dog sounds when it shows the wet love.

1. Love me: I bark!
2. Love me more: I bark louder & wag my tail!
3. Love me EVEN more: I kick my leg!
4. Love me most: I give you wet puppy kisses!

A toy that licks...how many emotionally disturbed children will this create? I guess it isn't any worse than Baby Alive - the first doll I remember that ate and actually pooped. My cousin Starla loved this doll. Watch the video on the website - it shows the doll in "action." Ick.

Bye Bye VB

I was asked to remove it so I did. If you scroll back June 30 to see the bridge video, it is gone. It may be more fun to capture the adventures of strangers. See my previous mobile blog for reference if you have any doubt that this can still be blogworthy!