Today was the time for one of the highlights of the Season;
The John&Jan Holiday Party (aka known as the evening of "RSVP school")
Always an enjoyable evening with a great mix of people, wonderful food and some good brews/wine. I'm not religious, but it is sort of a "blessing" to have such great neighbors!
Thanks Guys for your wonderful hospitality and lets make sure we make 2007 just as good as 2006!
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Christmas Zoo
If you haven't gotten our Christmas Card, don't fret. Not one else has gotten it either - yet. They are coming off the Costco printing press any day now, and will soon be on it's way, wow!
Getting 2 dogs, 3 cats and a wife into the same picture is not the easiest thing to do - especially when the wife is about to head out shopping...
Last year, we had the camera hooked up to the PC and took some 100+ photos in order to get "a few" decent ones.
This year, due to "Canon issues" (software no longer supporting remote shooting), we had our neighbor over as a "trigger finger". John is not slow, but he is nowhere as fast as a PC running at full speed. Hence, the "photo samples" to pick from were not as plentiful this year. On the flip side, I don't think we've seen John laugh as hard in a long time, and as a result the camera moved around a bit. A benefit not given when using a tripod :-). Taking these few photos was a real adventure, not the least for wife who escaped with only a few (cat) scrathes this time.
Honorable mention here is for sure Canon's support. A gentleman spend well over three hours on a call with me Friday(?) evening (un-installing, cleaning/rebuilding registry, etc). Just that simple call likely cost Canon more than what we paid for the camera back in 2002, but the fact that support IS there when one needs it - and very dedicated support that is - has guaranteed that Canon will have me as a return customer even for the next camera. I never got your name, or more likely forgot it, but I know you were heading out for a whiskey after you were "done" with me. If you are reading this, Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Apart from that, Christmas has been great (as every year). It is a truly magical holiday, regardless where you happen to be. A holiday with food, family and friends. Thanks to EVERYONE for wonderful company, food, drinks, and chats. Especially a huge thanks to Magnolia for making a Swedish "jul" buffet as close as anyone can get to "mama's"! Many years since I had one like that last time (and you are not even born/raised in Sweden - amazing).
And the of course to John and Jan for making us part of your family. We would not be here if it wasn't for you guys!
And when typing this, our mailman Steve stopped by to drop off some cards and a package. He is truly a great guy. Always happy (even in today's pouring rain), comes to the door to greet the dogs and hand deliver packages, and never in such a rush that we cannot take a few moments and reflect over life and living. USPS at its very best, truly!
(for more photos, look at the 2nd posting "Christmas Zoo - more pictures")
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you; Family, Friends, and Strangers!!!!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you; Family, Friends, and Strangers!!!!
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Christmas Ztorm
We've just "recovered" from a little wind. Experts say it was the strongest gusts we've seen around here since the 60ies, and of course it left some damage in its wake. The weathermen (and girls) had accurate predicted this a few days out. We had a small precursor that blew down some stuff (neighbor's fence) and gave us a little feel of real autumn.
That was on Tuesday. Thursday afternoon I was in downtown Seattle for a meeting. Stepped outside Westlake Center to catch the bus home around 3.50 PM. It was raining, and yes it was wet, but it was truly manageable - still. My bus never came, but there were endless buses passing indicating "To Terminal", "East Base", and a lot of other unreadable messages. While it was raining harder, the wind also picked up. After not too long it was raining horizontally! After the 45+ minute wait (getting soaked up to you know what, despite both umbrella and long gore-tex jacket), the bus finally got there. I was lucky, the door opened up just in front of me, the bus was full, and there was really no room for anyone. Two stops later, the driver announced that he was not stopping anymore to pick up people. Sort of a nice announcement, but it did nothing to help the people waiting for the next bus out in the rain. and, heck, our bus was stopped most of the time anyway. Instead of the 20 minute ride to South Kirkland Park&Ride, it took over 2 hours this time. Gridlock bonanza!
I felt sad for the woman sitting next to/under me, since I had to stand the entire way and was dripping fresh "Chateau Nortwest" destilled water directly on her knee. She got soaked, but did not seem to mind. Maybe my (rain) water was better than the alternative, getting soaked from several other directions since the bus was so cramped we really had no choice. Once in Kirkland and picking up the truck, it took another two hours to get home north along the lake (normally 5-10 minutes).
I was up most of the night, following the ever increasing wind, and seeing us (and everyone else) losing power at exactly 12.50 AM Friday morning. It was sort of interesting to see "civilization as we know it" die at literally the flick of a switch. A few areas in downtown Seattle had power, but well over 1 million power customers were "cut off". Most of the Eastside was in the dark, apart from those that had generators. In a way actually a very pretty sight since all other activity stopped as well.
With a good load of firewood, high efficiency fireplace, food stuffed away and a (natural gas powered) hot water heater that never fails, we could have continued for a while. Wife started to get grouchy when it was getting too dark to knit or read in the evening hours, while I could just sit and watch the flames in the fireplace. It is so peaceful.
In any case, peace was not back in the household until I realized I had old Petzl headlamp among the climbing stuff in the basement. But, shortly after that, PSE also reconnected the power to us. We were lucky though. Many are still out.
As a footnote one should probably also stop to ask how a strong country like the US, can not manage to get its power grid at least up to some basic standards. This was "just" some wind. What happens next time if there are actually "targeted efforts" to really cut and disrupt power to the population, instead of "just some wind".
In any "natural event", there are also tradegies to be found in its wake. I feel for those who lost family members and friends, but at the same time I simply do not understand why people do certain things, not expecting some dire conesquencies:
- Putting generator inside the livingroom (one fatality)
- Putting generator inside garage with garagedoor closed (four+ fatalities)
- Putting a charcoal grill inside bedroom (one fatality)
- Walking dog over fallen powerlines (one fatality + dog)
On top of that, thousands of people did not have batteries, candles, food, or simply got upset just because their cable TV did not work, or god forbid, the remote control did not open the garage door. In situations like this it is best to; 1) be prepared; 2) help others in need; 3) chill out and wait for it to pass. There's really not much one can do to battle the "forces of nature". They always win anyway.
We got our power back Saturday night but could see the "poor souls" over at Finn Hill still in the dark and for many are still out. A few pictures of the carnege left in the wind's wake...
That was on Tuesday. Thursday afternoon I was in downtown Seattle for a meeting. Stepped outside Westlake Center to catch the bus home around 3.50 PM. It was raining, and yes it was wet, but it was truly manageable - still. My bus never came, but there were endless buses passing indicating "To Terminal", "East Base", and a lot of other unreadable messages. While it was raining harder, the wind also picked up. After not too long it was raining horizontally! After the 45+ minute wait (getting soaked up to you know what, despite both umbrella and long gore-tex jacket), the bus finally got there. I was lucky, the door opened up just in front of me, the bus was full, and there was really no room for anyone. Two stops later, the driver announced that he was not stopping anymore to pick up people. Sort of a nice announcement, but it did nothing to help the people waiting for the next bus out in the rain. and, heck, our bus was stopped most of the time anyway. Instead of the 20 minute ride to South Kirkland Park&Ride, it took over 2 hours this time. Gridlock bonanza!
I felt sad for the woman sitting next to/under me, since I had to stand the entire way and was dripping fresh "Chateau Nortwest" destilled water directly on her knee. She got soaked, but did not seem to mind. Maybe my (rain) water was better than the alternative, getting soaked from several other directions since the bus was so cramped we really had no choice. Once in Kirkland and picking up the truck, it took another two hours to get home north along the lake (normally 5-10 minutes).
I was up most of the night, following the ever increasing wind, and seeing us (and everyone else) losing power at exactly 12.50 AM Friday morning. It was sort of interesting to see "civilization as we know it" die at literally the flick of a switch. A few areas in downtown Seattle had power, but well over 1 million power customers were "cut off". Most of the Eastside was in the dark, apart from those that had generators. In a way actually a very pretty sight since all other activity stopped as well.
With a good load of firewood, high efficiency fireplace, food stuffed away and a (natural gas powered) hot water heater that never fails, we could have continued for a while. Wife started to get grouchy when it was getting too dark to knit or read in the evening hours, while I could just sit and watch the flames in the fireplace. It is so peaceful.
In any case, peace was not back in the household until I realized I had old Petzl headlamp among the climbing stuff in the basement. But, shortly after that, PSE also reconnected the power to us. We were lucky though. Many are still out.
As a footnote one should probably also stop to ask how a strong country like the US, can not manage to get its power grid at least up to some basic standards. This was "just" some wind. What happens next time if there are actually "targeted efforts" to really cut and disrupt power to the population, instead of "just some wind".
In any "natural event", there are also tradegies to be found in its wake. I feel for those who lost family members and friends, but at the same time I simply do not understand why people do certain things, not expecting some dire conesquencies:
- Putting generator inside the livingroom (one fatality)
- Putting generator inside garage with garagedoor closed (four+ fatalities)
- Putting a charcoal grill inside bedroom (one fatality)
- Walking dog over fallen powerlines (one fatality + dog)
On top of that, thousands of people did not have batteries, candles, food, or simply got upset just because their cable TV did not work, or god forbid, the remote control did not open the garage door. In situations like this it is best to; 1) be prepared; 2) help others in need; 3) chill out and wait for it to pass. There's really not much one can do to battle the "forces of nature". They always win anyway.
We got our power back Saturday night but could see the "poor souls" over at Finn Hill still in the dark and for many are still out. A few pictures of the carnege left in the wind's wake...
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Christmas LightZ...
Last year I promised myself to NEVER - ever - put up (beautiful) icicle lights again! They are just too much hassle to warrant the end result.
Well, I almost kept my promise. Light decorations this year are a bit more low key, and a few strands of last year's of icicle lights ended up in the garbage (DOAs). But did eventually decide to put up one strand on the railing by the front doors. Once up, of course 2/3s of it was dead, aaaargh! Down again, up with the last known good strand, and voila! It works! So, this will be the small and slow departure from the tradition of decorating with icicle lights.
Why might someone ask? Well, even if you take time to orderly take them down and store them, they still seem to be tangled up once they are to be used. And when it comes to the "icicles", they defy gravity and hang in all other directions then down. Furthermore, troubleshooting these lights is more work than it is worth. So, no more!
But we finally have seen LED lights come out on the market, and this year also first time at a reasonable price. As long there is mechanical contact in a strand, the LEDs should work year after year. On top of that, they are much more energy efficient so we're not going to provide any additional heat for the crows. But LEDs is for next year when rood and gable are "done" and we can have fixed "anchors" for the light strands. Should speed up and facilitate the "hanging of the lights" and possibly also get the wife out to help...
Well, I almost kept my promise. Light decorations this year are a bit more low key, and a few strands of last year's of icicle lights ended up in the garbage (DOAs). But did eventually decide to put up one strand on the railing by the front doors. Once up, of course 2/3s of it was dead, aaaargh! Down again, up with the last known good strand, and voila! It works! So, this will be the small and slow departure from the tradition of decorating with icicle lights.
Why might someone ask? Well, even if you take time to orderly take them down and store them, they still seem to be tangled up once they are to be used. And when it comes to the "icicles", they defy gravity and hang in all other directions then down. Furthermore, troubleshooting these lights is more work than it is worth. So, no more!
But we finally have seen LED lights come out on the market, and this year also first time at a reasonable price. As long there is mechanical contact in a strand, the LEDs should work year after year. On top of that, they are much more energy efficient so we're not going to provide any additional heat for the crows. But LEDs is for next year when rood and gable are "done" and we can have fixed "anchors" for the light strands. Should speed up and facilitate the "hanging of the lights" and possibly also get the wife out to help...
Monday, November 27, 2006
More Znow and iZe...
For once, forecast was pretty accurate. The snow we got yesterday evening sort of melted away (pretty nice day actually) but later in the afternoon, the skies opened up and snow was falling again. It was a lot, and it was wet. It came just in time for the evening commute, and once it stopped (snowing), the cold air rushed in. Everything just frooze, everything! Not just water, everything! Traffic grinded to a complete halt since the moisture on the roads turned into a nice solid - and slick - sheet of ice.
It was sort of fun to see how a little bit of moisture can completely bring this rugged part of the US to a total standstill. Not sure why that is, but rain (in a city known for its rain) creates havoc in traffic. Snow, in a city that sits at the foothills of the majestic Cascade Range, does it in even worse. I guess people are just not thinking.
When it's icy, 4x4 does not really help, nor does feverishly spinning the wheels in hope of getting some traction. But, I guess most people never tried, or was taught how, to drive in snow and on ice. Gentle "movements" (steering, accelerator, brakes) are always best and once you actualy do get some traction, it is not that much different from "normal" driving - s long as all movements are s-l-o-w.
Judging from the interviews on TV, people think they need a big, heavy, SUV in order to drive in snow, but the very opposite is almost more correct. The heavier the vehicle, the more mass to control, to skid, to loose control over, and eventually "ditch". I drive a big SUV (Toyota LandCruiser) and I always joke that the only benefit you get, is that you can get much farther before you get stuck. I.e., longer to walk back out!
One of the better cars for snow driving is a traditional front wheel drive like the old Saab 900. Big wheels, long suspension travel, decent ground clearance, a lot of weight over the wheels with traction, and still not not too heavy of a car. In one of those, I'd challenge almost anything out there when the white stuff is falling. A Subaru AWD is not to bad either, but it needs to have decent sized wheels, like to Outback models.
Don't get me wrong, the LandCruiser is a fantastic vehicle, but like all big trucks, when it gets slippery, you really have to slow down! No modern systems/gizmos can beat the laws of gravity!
Some "unbiased" reporting on today's snow here.
It was sort of fun to see how a little bit of moisture can completely bring this rugged part of the US to a total standstill. Not sure why that is, but rain (in a city known for its rain) creates havoc in traffic. Snow, in a city that sits at the foothills of the majestic Cascade Range, does it in even worse. I guess people are just not thinking.
When it's icy, 4x4 does not really help, nor does feverishly spinning the wheels in hope of getting some traction. But, I guess most people never tried, or was taught how, to drive in snow and on ice. Gentle "movements" (steering, accelerator, brakes) are always best and once you actualy do get some traction, it is not that much different from "normal" driving - s long as all movements are s-l-o-w.
Judging from the interviews on TV, people think they need a big, heavy, SUV in order to drive in snow, but the very opposite is almost more correct. The heavier the vehicle, the more mass to control, to skid, to loose control over, and eventually "ditch". I drive a big SUV (Toyota LandCruiser) and I always joke that the only benefit you get, is that you can get much farther before you get stuck. I.e., longer to walk back out!
One of the better cars for snow driving is a traditional front wheel drive like the old Saab 900. Big wheels, long suspension travel, decent ground clearance, a lot of weight over the wheels with traction, and still not not too heavy of a car. In one of those, I'd challenge almost anything out there when the white stuff is falling. A Subaru AWD is not to bad either, but it needs to have decent sized wheels, like to Outback models.
Don't get me wrong, the LandCruiser is a fantastic vehicle, but like all big trucks, when it gets slippery, you really have to slow down! No modern systems/gizmos can beat the laws of gravity!
Some "unbiased" reporting on today's snow here.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
First Znow!
November this year has so far been a month to remember. We are on a good running for the wettest month EVER (over 15" of precip), and to top that off, we actually got a fair amount of snow late today. Not often we actually see it here in the lowlands, but so good to see it. Reminds me of winters in Northern Sweden, or in the French Alps. Actually miss - living in - the snow more than I really remember.
Took the wife and the dogs first to Home Depot and then up to Rose Hills so they (dogs only) could romp and run around in the white fluff. Cool to see them so happy. Will likley have to take a day and do some snowhiking with Phoebe up at the pass this week. She'd love hat!
Forecast calls out for bitterly cold weather over the next days so this could be an interesting week!
Took the wife and the dogs first to Home Depot and then up to Rose Hills so they (dogs only) could romp and run around in the white fluff. Cool to see them so happy. Will likley have to take a day and do some snowhiking with Phoebe up at the pass this week. She'd love hat!
Forecast calls out for bitterly cold weather over the next days so this could be an interesting week!
Thursday, November 23, 2006
ThankZgiving...
...is day of feasting. As "always" we did not have to take that many steps across the street to join John&Jan and their family&friends for a great feast. The bar war sitting higher this year after the "risgrynsgröt" article. But, I hope I was able to deliver - again.
As for John, anything he touches turns in to a great meal. Yes, he does have good helpers, and he spends time, but at the end, it is always good. Thanks guys for another splendinf evening!
For Americans, this 4-day weekend is just as sacred -and filled with food - as the long Christmas holiday in Sweden. There is one big difference though. As where in Sweden one can rest and relax on the 25th and 26th of December after feasting on the 24th, Americans are up before dawn in order to get the best "deals" on the very first day of the holiday shopping (day after Thanksgiving, aka "Black Friday").
I read some articles that people had started lining up at 12.30PM on Thursday afternoon in order to get "that" laptop or "the" game console. Heck, is it really worth screwing up the only real extened weekend of the year and forego all the food and friends, for an electronic "gizmo", that can just as well be bought a few days later. Or even better, when one really needs it.
As for John, anything he touches turns in to a great meal. Yes, he does have good helpers, and he spends time, but at the end, it is always good. Thanks guys for another splendinf evening!
For Americans, this 4-day weekend is just as sacred -and filled with food - as the long Christmas holiday in Sweden. There is one big difference though. As where in Sweden one can rest and relax on the 25th and 26th of December after feasting on the 24th, Americans are up before dawn in order to get the best "deals" on the very first day of the holiday shopping (day after Thanksgiving, aka "Black Friday").
I read some articles that people had started lining up at 12.30PM on Thursday afternoon in order to get "that" laptop or "the" game console. Heck, is it really worth screwing up the only real extened weekend of the year and forego all the food and friends, for an electronic "gizmo", that can just as well be bought a few days later. Or even better, when one really needs it.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Holiday Zpirit
Took the bus to downtown Seattle today to meet up with Magnus for a stroll in town and a lunch (as well as to pick up a new phone).
Grizzly day with rain, but it really did not matter. Downtown Seattle is a great place to be before the holidays. One can really "feel" the spirit and with many shops already decorated for Christmas, it looks like Santa will be coming this year again.
Even in the pouring rain it was a nice stroll through downtown and up to Magnus and Marie's place. Got to see and test the new Squeezebox. Seem to be a great device for finally getting all mp3s off the computer and into the living areas. Maybe Santa will bring one...
Grizzly day with rain, but it really did not matter. Downtown Seattle is a great place to be before the holidays. One can really "feel" the spirit and with many shops already decorated for Christmas, it looks like Santa will be coming this year again.
Even in the pouring rain it was a nice stroll through downtown and up to Magnus and Marie's place. Got to see and test the new Squeezebox. Seem to be a great device for finally getting all mp3s off the computer and into the living areas. Maybe Santa will bring one...
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Zwedish Cultural Imperialism...
...can one read about in in today's Seattle Times:
It is a little story about a very loved dish on the Swedish Christmas table...
It is a little story about a very loved dish on the Swedish Christmas table...
Friday, November 10, 2006
WorldZ beZt car...
Toyota have a reputation for making great cars. Maybe not the sexiest, but nevertheless a car that takes one from point A to point B in some type of class.
When it comes to the LandCruiser, this is also valid in roadless terrain. Few cars, possibly with the exception of the LandRover Defender, have seen such diverse conditions in all the four corners of the world as the venerable LandCruiser.
But like all mechanical beings, they break down or get worn out. For possibly two years, I've had an issue with the starter (solenoid) not being 100% realiable. Initially, it was more like the battery needed to "juice up" since the car always would start at 2nd or 3rd attempt. But, once in October of this year, luckily in the garage, it just would not turn over. Glad it happened when it did, could have been on a distant forest service road, or worse, on vacation far away.
Some quick research pointed to the starter contacts being burnt out. Normally happens on the LC after some 70K-90K miles. I guess it was my turn.
On any and all vehicles, pulling the starter is done in 30 minutes. But Toyota in the development of their DOHC V8 engine (that first showed in the Lexus) decided to put the starter on top of the engine between the cylinder banks, under the intake manifold. Not a bad position, since it is pretty well protected and sits high up so you can ford a stream w/o having to worry about water getting into the starter. The only drawback though is when you need to do some maintenance on the starter - such as right now! The normally 30 minutes takes about 4-6 hours in the shop. Oh well, I was in no real rush anyway.
A couple of good posts from Tundra Solutions and IH8MUD.com provided more than enough info to tackle this job. And, parts totalling only about $30 made this an easy decision compared to dragging the truck to the dealer (~$900).
I did post some feedback on Tundra Solutions, but for those who do not want to venture away from this blog, here are some pictures from the surgery...
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Election Day
Well, in a few days I hope to have some scattered comments and ideas on this years election, an election that finally went the "right" way. Still hope for this country!
Monday, October 30, 2006
The BIG chZill...
Last night was the first time this year it turned out to be really nippy outside. After a pretty nice, but cold, day mixed with thunder, rain, and hail, the clear skies in the evenung sent the mercury down into high 20ies territory. In October? Yikes, I have not yet winterized the boat...
Evening ended with an excellent dinner over at John&Jan's. Thanks guys! As always a great treat and a wonderful evening!
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Fall dayZ
Even though we actually did see some (serious) amounts of snow the other day at the pass (OK, maybe not compared to parts of the Rockies, they've gotten several feet...), the weather in town has been all but wintery. Past couple of days have called out for shorts, and today, just back from mowing the yard and the leaves, it feels more like a great day in September. Sky is light blue, sea planes coming and going, not a cloud in the sky. Think it is time to take the dog for a run! This will not last...
After nice run with the (BIG) dog, we went over to Woodinville for a GREAT evening of fun and food with and for Magnus. He has after years of indecision, finally decided to go back to the motherland and settle in Gothenburg. This was really his last night wit the "gang", even though we sort of chickened out at the end and decided to return to (or with) spouses to respective homesteads. Could have been a great night out on the town, but this was just not the time. Everyone was tired (thanks to the Bergenheims' great cooking - big thanks).
Magnus, we wish you the best of luck in your (new) homeland and especially in your new profession. We sort of know you will not show in the Seattle area anytime soon, but it will not surprise us if you DO show up in the (southern) US again.
Apart from that, it was a great evening at Stefan & Yvonne's house. Good food, friendship, wine, desserts, cocktails, you name it! Just too sad we do not do this more often.
After nice run with the (BIG) dog, we went over to Woodinville for a GREAT evening of fun and food with and for Magnus. He has after years of indecision, finally decided to go back to the motherland and settle in Gothenburg. This was really his last night wit the "gang", even though we sort of chickened out at the end and decided to return to (or with) spouses to respective homesteads. Could have been a great night out on the town, but this was just not the time. Everyone was tired (thanks to the Bergenheims' great cooking - big thanks).
Magnus, we wish you the best of luck in your (new) homeland and especially in your new profession. We sort of know you will not show in the Seattle area anytime soon, but it will not surprise us if you DO show up in the (southern) US again.
Apart from that, it was a great evening at Stefan & Yvonne's house. Good food, friendship, wine, desserts, cocktails, you name it! Just too sad we do not do this more often.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Electrical inZpection
Prior to all the work, had called the city to inquire about my expired electrical permit. The lady was nice and asked "are you ready for inspection?". Told her "no, have not even started the work yet, should I pull a new permit?. Did not want to start w/o a current permit." She tells me to "hang on a minute".
She comes back and tells me "go ahead and if you are ready within the next 20 days or so, just call for an inspection, you have the number?. Don't think there will be any extra charges."
This was great news. No need to pay yet another fee...
So yesterday I called the inspection "hot line" and asked them to come out today. When he (most of them are males) showed up, turns out it is the same inspector who signed-off on my furnace installation, more or less exactly a year ago. He remembered me (I did not remember him but didn't tell him...). In an case a good guy.
Took him out to the newly installed ground rods, explained what I'd done, then to the inside and the SE panel. "Looks good, you did a good job, where's the paper so I can sign?". Handed him the old permit, got it signed and he left, after putting a new sticker on the meter box.
Only left now is re-sealing of the meter. PSE is about to come out today or tomworrow.
She comes back and tells me "go ahead and if you are ready within the next 20 days or so, just call for an inspection, you have the number?. Don't think there will be any extra charges."
This was great news. No need to pay yet another fee...
So yesterday I called the inspection "hot line" and asked them to come out today. When he (most of them are males) showed up, turns out it is the same inspector who signed-off on my furnace installation, more or less exactly a year ago. He remembered me (I did not remember him but didn't tell him...). In an case a good guy.
Took him out to the newly installed ground rods, explained what I'd done, then to the inside and the SE panel. "Looks good, you did a good job, where's the paper so I can sign?". Handed him the old permit, got it signed and he left, after putting a new sticker on the meter box.
Only left now is re-sealing of the meter. PSE is about to come out today or tomworrow.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
First Znow...
Today we saw the first snow fall up on the pass. Early, just as last year, and seem to have been a good dump. Wonder what the ski season has up its sleeve? Same/just as good conditions as last year? The experts calls out for a "la ninja" year with warmer temperatures, and wetter conditions, than normal. If the pass is high enough, it might be good...
Friday, October 13, 2006
Electrical GremlingZ...
Part two.
Friday. Mike is coming back to hook up John&Jan's hot tub (across the street). Since he was heading back, I had decided to tackle the BIG wire. Rather get it over and done with. Mike warned me that it would be tricky to pull new wire through all the floor joists. Recommended me to drill up the wholes a bit, something I was not looking forward to. They were hard to get to as they were, but now I had to clean out everyting underneath them as well.
But, Mike left a surprise. He dropped his heavy duty angle drill and a few serious drill bits. The drilling was done in less than 20 minutes. Wow!
Rolled out the cable, made sure there were no kinks or twist, since that'd be inpossible to correct w/o pulling it out again. Calling down the wife, she at least could help me feed this monster while I pull and feed it thorough the new holes. To my surpise, this was easier than pulling Cat5e cable. This "monster" was in location in less than 10 minutes and wife could return to her books.
Now only termination left and house - from this perspective - will have left the 60ies and entered the 21st century...
Friday. Mike is coming back to hook up John&Jan's hot tub (across the street). Since he was heading back, I had decided to tackle the BIG wire. Rather get it over and done with. Mike warned me that it would be tricky to pull new wire through all the floor joists. Recommended me to drill up the wholes a bit, something I was not looking forward to. They were hard to get to as they were, but now I had to clean out everyting underneath them as well.
But, Mike left a surprise. He dropped his heavy duty angle drill and a few serious drill bits. The drilling was done in less than 20 minutes. Wow!
Rolled out the cable, made sure there were no kinks or twist, since that'd be inpossible to correct w/o pulling it out again. Calling down the wife, she at least could help me feed this monster while I pull and feed it thorough the new holes. To my surpise, this was easier than pulling Cat5e cable. This "monster" was in location in less than 10 minutes and wife could return to her books.
Now only termination left and house - from this perspective - will have left the 60ies and entered the 21st century...
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Electrical GremlingZ...
...is something we have not had many of. When we bought the house I went through the entire electrical system to make sure it was at least properly "connected" (poor connections easily overheat and is a real fire danger). That said, even though it was safe, it was time for an upgrade.
A few years ago I did install a new sub panel, to take care of newly installed circuits in and around the garage. That panel has served us well since we've added circuits and protection along the way. But the feed to the panel has been severely underdimensioned (still safely protected though).
In order for doing the properly, we really needed to replace the service entrance (SE) panel as well. But, I had no intentions on working around a hot meter panel. Pugest Sound Energy wanted over $300 to disconnect me at the transformer, with no guarantee of a re-connect time. Time to find a good electrician!
Thanks to a neighbor (Scott) we did find not a good one, but a great one!. He did the heavy lifting (working on the hot meter panel and connecting beefy 250 kcmil wires to the new panel) and leaving me to do everything else. Perfect. It cost me less to have Mike Morgan to all this, than just to have PSE disconnect me out in the street.
Mike also brought in 90 feet of #4/3+1 so I finally could get a good feed to our sub panel. Should have done this years ago, when he cable was only about a $1/foot, now it is closer to $4/foot. Copper prices have risen sharply in the past year...
Looking at the big (and heavy) spool... Well, I'll do this some other time. Not really up for this one right now. We did put the spool in the garage and left the sub panel on its existing 30A circuit, to be forgotten for now.
This being an older house, one could not be sure that the wall studs were sitting on 16" cc. and of course they were not so a bit of chiselign was needed for the new panel to fit. Also decided to remove the old meter box (hidden inside the wall behind new meter panel). This turned out to be the toughest job of the day, since we did not want to remove the siding, but just cut through this box and "pull it out of the way". These boxes are however designed for protection, and it was a long fight until we finally had it out. I patched up the wall and covered the exposed area with a moisture barrier and a layer of primer.
From here on, it was pretty stright forward. Mike installed a huge elbow and routed new wiring into the new panel. Man, as I glad I did not try to do this part on my own.
By the time Mike left, I was terminating the old circuits into the new SE panel, adding pig tails in cases they were not long enough. Yurgen (neighbor) came over and held the light for a while and also when I placed the meter back in location. Always good to chat for a while in good company!
The only drawback of this, is that I totally forgot about the Steinklinkers meeting this same evening. I had picked the micro brewery (Big Time Brewery in the U district), but had to concede and call in "can't come, need to finish the wiring, else wife will be VERY grouchy".
About 8.30PM that evening, meter was back in its place, house was powered up and all was "just like before". Funny, these small upgrades, so badly needed, but once done, you really do not know they are even there or remember all the hard work.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
BzzzT: OASIS (KOAI) is gone
Was just going to the OASIS web site to point it out for some friends in Sweden, and see it is "dead"!
According to news reports, ths tation "flipped" (aka changed format) in the hour between 4 and 5 PM on Monday October 2nd. And this w/o any preceeding rumors. Changing a radio "format" from smooth jazz to hip-hop, is like spraying graffitti over Mona Lisa!
I moved to DFW in 1993 and OASIS quickly became part of my life. 107.5FM was number "one" on the dial in my cars, albeit the music selection was a bit "thin" in the early years. If you listed one full day, it sounded like all the records had been played at least once. That changed over time though, and many are the fun events/parties arranged by OASIS. Many of them at Sambuca in Addison.
In 1998 I left DFW and moved to the Seattle area. Many visits earlier I had found KWJZ, a great station that unfortunately has somewhat poor reception in the area where we live along the lake (Washington). Price we pay for a beautiful topography...
Upon any visit to DFW afterwards though (about every two months..) 107.5 was on the dial long before leaving the new rental car garage at DFW.
Oh well, with OASIS gone, one less reason to visit the DFW area...
For those left in DFW, CBS Radio needs to understand that LOYAL listeners (aka current customers) are more valuable than the "lure" of a younger more movable audience, that will not hang around for too long anyway. I hope that the (new) radio format quickly dies and that DFW get back its only TRUE radio station - aside from KERA/NPR.
According to news reports, ths tation "flipped" (aka changed format) in the hour between 4 and 5 PM on Monday October 2nd. And this w/o any preceeding rumors. Changing a radio "format" from smooth jazz to hip-hop, is like spraying graffitti over Mona Lisa!
I moved to DFW in 1993 and OASIS quickly became part of my life. 107.5FM was number "one" on the dial in my cars, albeit the music selection was a bit "thin" in the early years. If you listed one full day, it sounded like all the records had been played at least once. That changed over time though, and many are the fun events/parties arranged by OASIS. Many of them at Sambuca in Addison.
In 1998 I left DFW and moved to the Seattle area. Many visits earlier I had found KWJZ, a great station that unfortunately has somewhat poor reception in the area where we live along the lake (Washington). Price we pay for a beautiful topography...
Upon any visit to DFW afterwards though (about every two months..) 107.5 was on the dial long before leaving the new rental car garage at DFW.
Oh well, with OASIS gone, one less reason to visit the DFW area...
For those left in DFW, CBS Radio needs to understand that LOYAL listeners (aka current customers) are more valuable than the "lure" of a younger more movable audience, that will not hang around for too long anyway. I hope that the (new) radio format quickly dies and that DFW get back its only TRUE radio station - aside from KERA/NPR.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
TerrieoriZt
Well, today it happened. Our Yorkshire terrieorist, Herbie, BIT Jan (neighbor) when she walked in to the house, just like she does everyday. She's certainly no stranger that one need to scare away! This little bratty dog managed to bite her up on the thigh, leaving a big blue bruise. Was that as a thanks for taking us out last night on my b-day? BAD DOG!
Terriers have a nasty personality. No wonder they have named Mr. Bush's nemesis, terrorist, after them. Is there a dog that can be as "yappy" as a terrier? Or as aggressive?
A dog that weighs hardly 10 lbs should just accept their position in the pecking order (Phoebe, the cats, and then Herbie) be happy with the food and housing provided. Not make a mess (peeing inside, barking, being overly "tense", etc, etc) and being generally just a nuisance!
An example. In the morning when about to be let out for "doing duty" (what's not already been done overnight in the kitchen...) he can go nuts. I manage to have him be quiet and sit down - orderly - before basement door opens up to the backyard. Wife just lets him "run out", barking his lungs off, waking both me and neighbors in the process.
The BIG (real...) dog, Phoebe, she just sits nicely, waiting for the "command" to let her out. She's happy with that and knows she will get out. No need to get railed up over that. Door will not open any faster just because one is barking - just the opposite!
But, if anyone tries to approach the house, or worse, the front door, unannounced, Phoebe will show who reqally onws this house. No strangers are passing by her! GOOD DOG!
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Zelebrate in a ZeaPlane
This day showed how nice it is to have friends around.
Best Neighbor - and friend - called and asked if I was interested in getting up in a SeaPlane for a ride over Seattle and Puget Sound for my birthday. When offered like that, a fun event and great company, it's hard to say no!
No idea how many hundred times I've flown in to Seattle, many times coming in straight over our house, across Lake Washington, and then a nice descent just east of downtown. The views are spectacular. Just as they are when taking off to the SouthEast and passing along the SW flanks of Mt Rainier.
How different can it be from a SeaPlane? Turns out a lot!
We met at Kenmore Air's "terminal" at the SW corner of Lake Union. I've been here many times when out in the boat, amazed that the SeaPlane pilots always manage to find a strip to land on or take off from as they come and go (they've got a hectic schedule during the summer). This on one of the busier lakes in the nation, massive number of powerboats, kayaks, yachts, sailboats, ships, and all other traffic on Lake Union. Today, it was our turn to find out, sort of from "above", if we could take off in the midst of it all.
As we waited for our flight, we managed to sneak over to Starbucks for a little "wake me up", it was after all only late morning.
The Seaplane was fairly large, 9 passenger seats, and then one for the "co-pilot" (in this case Tanner). Pilot puttered out a little bit to the east, past the little sail race, and pulled the throttle. For being a single engine propeller plane, it was still fairly quiet onboard, ever under full throttle. Not as much of a "tin can" feeling as the smaller private single engine planes I've flown before. Up on a plane and shortly thereafter, up in the air. As I seen so many times from below, pilot took us to the NW above the ship canal and Fremont/Ballard. Pretty view over Queen Anne Hill, and even better over Discovery Park and Magnolia. A long loop down over Elliot Bay, rubbing shoulders with the high-rises in downtown and then over Seattle and out over Lake Washington. Flying by "home", can see it "down there" even though I was on the wrong side of the plane. Across the lake again and on out over Northgate (the mall is massive!) and a new loop over Ballard and Wallingford. A couple of really nice views over the zoo, back out over Lake Washington again and then looping around over the SR-520 bridge to prepare for descent and landing on Lake Union.
Even though the ride was pretty short (~30 minutes) it really gave a great sampling of "everything Seattle"; all the major neighborhoods, the views - only better, the lakes and the sound. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who is not afraid of heights!
Back on the "ground" and ashore, time for lunch. John decided to drag us up on Capitol Hill for a brew and a bite to eat. Very good fish&chips and ever better OktoberFest brew.
During our "fun" daytime activities, wife was home studying for her test. She was "allowed" to join us for the evening though. John&Jan had planned dinner at one of their favorite watering holes, "Purple Cafe" in Woodinville. As soon as I see goat cheese, polenta, and meat on the menu (not necessarily eaten together), I know I will not leave a place hungry! Not the case tonight either.
As always, an evening with good friends, good chat, good food and some good wine, things can not go wrong!
Thanks John&Jan for a wonderful b-day (and wife of course for breakfast in bed and presents).
Monday, September 25, 2006
Zeattle Tunnel?
I'm not an engineer, so my comments here need to be reviewed by experts, nor am I a commuter and use the viaduct on a daily basis. Heck, I don't even live in Seattle. I'm an Eastsider with a love for this region! I "found" it in 1994 and moved here a couple of years later, making the Puget Sound area "home"!
As wonderful as this area is, it is also amazing how hard it is to make "real" decisions on badly needed public projects. Be it mass transit, new roads, schools. Is it something in the air that makes it harder to make decisions here than in other parts of the country (or the world)?
For some $4+ billion we can reclaim our waterfront, just like San Francisco did in the early 90ies. For some $3 billion, we can replace the existing elevated freeway with one that is deemed safer and more modern. Tough choice. Money is needed for a massive amount of public projects in the state, not just along Seattle's once wonderful the water front.
Therefore, why is it so expensive to build a tunnel in Seattle?
Gothenburg, Sweden, just opened up a major underground tunnel along its water front. It is a modern 6-lane traffic tunnel, a bit shorter at about a mile, but it was built for 3.2B SEK (~$450M), or a fraction of the projected cost in Seattle. The first project decision was made in 1991, 1995 the budget was set to 1.8B SEK (~$250M) and the construction phase was to last 4 years. When the construction finally started in 2000, completion was scheduled for fall of 2005. Well, as any large project, it took longer time and turned out to be more expensive. The tunnel finally opened up in June of this year, 6 months late and 400M SEK (~$60M) over (the final) budget. About half he cost increase over the 6 year project is attributed to increases in labor and material costs.
Sweden is NOT an inexpensive place to build in, salaries are high (as are the taxes), and I dare to say that the end result might have a even higher quality than similar projects in the US. So question remains, why so expensive in Seattle?
Gothenburg finally got out of the quagmire of indecision and got its tunnel. Was it worth it? Was the money well spent? I dare to say that the vast majority will love this new tunnel. It gives downtown Gothenburg a chance to reconnect to the waterfront - sounds familiar - and yes at a high cost, but looking back through history, people will instead ask why this was not done earlier! In fact, Gothenburg is now on its way of planning a major "under-the-city-tunnel" for light rail and express trains. It start to sound more like Paris!
I spent a lot of time in Norway in the 70ies and 80ies. Driving through the capital city of Oslo was the same as utilizing the most precious real estate possible; the waterfront! All traffic passed in front of the Akershus Palace, City Hall, effectively cutting off the city from its water - the beautiful and majestic Oslo Fjord.
In the late 80ies and early 90ies, a new tunnel (and a system of toll plazas around the city) was built. This new tunnel is leading traffic essentially the same way we traveled along the waterfront, but now deep UNDER it. Getting rid of the cars changed the city dramatically. What used to be a congested thoroughfare lining an otherwise dead waterfront, has now turned the Norwegian Capital into a "Venice of the North".
The city has been reconnected to the water, there are parks, bars, restaurants, and people walking, enjoying their newfound city. The extremely dull Oslo of the 70ies is no more, thanks in large part to getting rid of the cars from the waterfront.
As a side note, most people also seem to accept the car tolls as something worth paying (about 20% of the toll revenue fund public transportation projects), dramatically changing the initial negative notion since they now actually see they get something in return. It is not just a fee, but a fee that provides something in return!
Hence, Seattle, and Seattleites (it is after all YOUR city) need to dare to be bold. Make a decision that is good not just for the slim pocket book of today, but also for generations to come. Whatever you do, its impact will last at least my life time!
That said, if the city can survive without the viaduct during a long construction phase of a tunnel, the city can probably manage without it all. But then again, I do not use the waterfront for commuting on a daily basis, nor do I rely on goods transported on the Alaskan Way.
But are there alternatives worth to be investigated? Just as an elevated tall bridge has been proposed, one needs to ask if the tunnel does need to be where the viaduct is today? Why can it not be built out of modular concrete sections that are being sunk out in Elliot Bay, essentially placing the route of the tunnel a bit west of its proposed location. Underwater tunnels have been built before. Such a design and location will allow for the Alaskan Way viaduct to be fully "operational" during the vast majority of a tunnel project. Maybe the savings of being able to use the viaduct will justify the added cost for a "true" underwater tunnel.
With the City Council's decision of last Friday, the city has dared to be bold, but also a bit cowardly by putting the final decision - and the political outfall - in the hands of Governor Gregoire. That is not fair!
As wonderful as this area is, it is also amazing how hard it is to make "real" decisions on badly needed public projects. Be it mass transit, new roads, schools. Is it something in the air that makes it harder to make decisions here than in other parts of the country (or the world)?
For some $4+ billion we can reclaim our waterfront, just like San Francisco did in the early 90ies. For some $3 billion, we can replace the existing elevated freeway with one that is deemed safer and more modern. Tough choice. Money is needed for a massive amount of public projects in the state, not just along Seattle's once wonderful the water front.
Therefore, why is it so expensive to build a tunnel in Seattle?
Gothenburg, Sweden, just opened up a major underground tunnel along its water front. It is a modern 6-lane traffic tunnel, a bit shorter at about a mile, but it was built for 3.2B SEK (~$450M), or a fraction of the projected cost in Seattle. The first project decision was made in 1991, 1995 the budget was set to 1.8B SEK (~$250M) and the construction phase was to last 4 years. When the construction finally started in 2000, completion was scheduled for fall of 2005. Well, as any large project, it took longer time and turned out to be more expensive. The tunnel finally opened up in June of this year, 6 months late and 400M SEK (~$60M) over (the final) budget. About half he cost increase over the 6 year project is attributed to increases in labor and material costs.
Sweden is NOT an inexpensive place to build in, salaries are high (as are the taxes), and I dare to say that the end result might have a even higher quality than similar projects in the US. So question remains, why so expensive in Seattle?
Gothenburg finally got out of the quagmire of indecision and got its tunnel. Was it worth it? Was the money well spent? I dare to say that the vast majority will love this new tunnel. It gives downtown Gothenburg a chance to reconnect to the waterfront - sounds familiar - and yes at a high cost, but looking back through history, people will instead ask why this was not done earlier! In fact, Gothenburg is now on its way of planning a major "under-the-city-tunnel" for light rail and express trains. It start to sound more like Paris!
I spent a lot of time in Norway in the 70ies and 80ies. Driving through the capital city of Oslo was the same as utilizing the most precious real estate possible; the waterfront! All traffic passed in front of the Akershus Palace, City Hall, effectively cutting off the city from its water - the beautiful and majestic Oslo Fjord.
In the late 80ies and early 90ies, a new tunnel (and a system of toll plazas around the city) was built. This new tunnel is leading traffic essentially the same way we traveled along the waterfront, but now deep UNDER it. Getting rid of the cars changed the city dramatically. What used to be a congested thoroughfare lining an otherwise dead waterfront, has now turned the Norwegian Capital into a "Venice of the North".
The city has been reconnected to the water, there are parks, bars, restaurants, and people walking, enjoying their newfound city. The extremely dull Oslo of the 70ies is no more, thanks in large part to getting rid of the cars from the waterfront.
As a side note, most people also seem to accept the car tolls as something worth paying (about 20% of the toll revenue fund public transportation projects), dramatically changing the initial negative notion since they now actually see they get something in return. It is not just a fee, but a fee that provides something in return!
Hence, Seattle, and Seattleites (it is after all YOUR city) need to dare to be bold. Make a decision that is good not just for the slim pocket book of today, but also for generations to come. Whatever you do, its impact will last at least my life time!
That said, if the city can survive without the viaduct during a long construction phase of a tunnel, the city can probably manage without it all. But then again, I do not use the waterfront for commuting on a daily basis, nor do I rely on goods transported on the Alaskan Way.
But are there alternatives worth to be investigated? Just as an elevated tall bridge has been proposed, one needs to ask if the tunnel does need to be where the viaduct is today? Why can it not be built out of modular concrete sections that are being sunk out in Elliot Bay, essentially placing the route of the tunnel a bit west of its proposed location. Underwater tunnels have been built before. Such a design and location will allow for the Alaskan Way viaduct to be fully "operational" during the vast majority of a tunnel project. Maybe the savings of being able to use the viaduct will justify the added cost for a "true" underwater tunnel.
With the City Council's decision of last Friday, the city has dared to be bold, but also a bit cowardly by putting the final decision - and the political outfall - in the hands of Governor Gregoire. That is not fair!
Free at Lazzt
After wife having "run" Phoebe through glass, resulting in 10+ stitches on her (Phoebe's) rear right paw, multiple headaches for me, a dog needed to be bedbound, although she only wanted to run, dog has finally gotten rid of bandage, stitches and can now be "her own" again.
All that for a lousy morning's run in the wrong park. Folks, don't do it. It is not worth it! A hurt dog is a really painful excercise (for its owner). Try restraining something that only wants to be happy and mobile!
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Only in Zeattle
It's already a few official days into the fall. The sun is shining from a clear blue sky and the temperature is more what can be expected in July (a normal July). Out on the boat and decide to pass through the locks and hit the sound, despite the late afternoon.
Drop wife off in downtown (needed to head home early) and swing over to West Seattle to pick up some friends. A little northerly (but warm) breeze gives a bit of a chop heading back north. We check out the Coast Guard in their small, but "loaded" boats "chase" the ferries and the large Crusie ships in and out. It is sort of fun to see this "dance" of these small boats alongside the colosses they are there to protect, but one can not stop to wonder if this is really the best way we spend our tax dollars. Is there a real threat, or are we just led to believe there is one in order to keep the country on its toes, and allow for more of the restrictive measure we are faced with every day.
As we enter Shilshole bay we can see a number of big seals feasting on the abundant salmon population. The seals toss and tear the salmon high into the air, to the excitement of the seagulls overhead. Pretty fascinating to be able to see this "artistry" almost in the middle of a major metropolitan city!
There's a bit of wait for the big lock to fill up, but it is still warm, the sun is slowly setting, and we enjoy the quiet time tied up. Only distraction is some -sshole in a vessel ahead of us who does not have the sanity to turn off his big diesel engine as we wait. He just don't seem to get the "winks" that people are tossing his way.
Well into Lake Union I take my friends down to Blackfish Marine and the little guest dock they have. Time to take the dog for a walk as well, since she has been enjoying the ride so far, but w/o any chance to do her "duty".
Take off again, just the two of us, out on a dark Lake Union. Navigation light on; check!
Despite that, and the late hour, I see, or rather hardly see them. There are still a large number of boats running around w/o any lights. Heck, even the few kayakers that are out are easier to spot than the other (power)boaters. A few of the boats are older, but I did not know that they needed to keep the "antique" (invisible) running lights as well. On a slow and clear evening like this, nothing is likely to happen, but it does not take much; more boats, rain, or a little patch of fog, in order for the situation to get dicey.
If you read this, and have a boat - ANY boat - please check to ensure that you have proper gear for your running lights and that they also work.
Dog and I get through the MontLake Cut and out into Lake Washington. It is dark, really dark, but I scan the horizon, spot only a few boats far away and decide to speed up in order to make it to the dock. Even this late it is amazingly warm. Hard to believe it is almost the end of September.
At the dock dog jumps off and walks around while I tie up the boat. It is so good she no longer, like when she was a puppy, just decides to take off on a venture. Instead she hangs around to ensure "the coast is clear".
All in all, this was just a(nother) great day in the Pacific northwest!
Drop wife off in downtown (needed to head home early) and swing over to West Seattle to pick up some friends. A little northerly (but warm) breeze gives a bit of a chop heading back north. We check out the Coast Guard in their small, but "loaded" boats "chase" the ferries and the large Crusie ships in and out. It is sort of fun to see this "dance" of these small boats alongside the colosses they are there to protect, but one can not stop to wonder if this is really the best way we spend our tax dollars. Is there a real threat, or are we just led to believe there is one in order to keep the country on its toes, and allow for more of the restrictive measure we are faced with every day.
As we enter Shilshole bay we can see a number of big seals feasting on the abundant salmon population. The seals toss and tear the salmon high into the air, to the excitement of the seagulls overhead. Pretty fascinating to be able to see this "artistry" almost in the middle of a major metropolitan city!
There's a bit of wait for the big lock to fill up, but it is still warm, the sun is slowly setting, and we enjoy the quiet time tied up. Only distraction is some -sshole in a vessel ahead of us who does not have the sanity to turn off his big diesel engine as we wait. He just don't seem to get the "winks" that people are tossing his way.
Well into Lake Union I take my friends down to Blackfish Marine and the little guest dock they have. Time to take the dog for a walk as well, since she has been enjoying the ride so far, but w/o any chance to do her "duty".
Take off again, just the two of us, out on a dark Lake Union. Navigation light on; check!
Despite that, and the late hour, I see, or rather hardly see them. There are still a large number of boats running around w/o any lights. Heck, even the few kayakers that are out are easier to spot than the other (power)boaters. A few of the boats are older, but I did not know that they needed to keep the "antique" (invisible) running lights as well. On a slow and clear evening like this, nothing is likely to happen, but it does not take much; more boats, rain, or a little patch of fog, in order for the situation to get dicey.
If you read this, and have a boat - ANY boat - please check to ensure that you have proper gear for your running lights and that they also work.
Dog and I get through the MontLake Cut and out into Lake Washington. It is dark, really dark, but I scan the horizon, spot only a few boats far away and decide to speed up in order to make it to the dock. Even this late it is amazingly warm. Hard to believe it is almost the end of September.
At the dock dog jumps off and walks around while I tie up the boat. It is so good she no longer, like when she was a puppy, just decides to take off on a venture. Instead she hangs around to ensure "the coast is clear".
All in all, this was just a(nother) great day in the Pacific northwest!
Sunday, September 17, 2006
SwediZh Election - a perZpective
After years of social democratic rulers, Sweden has finally gotten a clear election winner that stands for something new. Fredrik Reinfedlt will replace Goran Persson (the mobster) as Sweden's new Premier Minister. The 41-year old Reinfeldt is smart, well articulated, and certainly more "polished" than the man whose seat he'll soon be taking over. None of these qualities will hurt him in his efforts to "restructure" some of the Swedish government provided services (they are great, but like everything they get stale with time and in need of some minor tuning), nor will it hurt him in an international perspective. His wife, Filippa, is the leading lady in the City of Täby, where their party got the majority of the seats and will not need any "partners" to govern this time.
(photo of Fredrik Reinfeldt by Ulrika Vendelbo)
Not so of course on the national level, where Fredric Reinfeldt is forming a coalition goverment based on the "Conservatives" (Moderaterna), the "Liberals" (Folkpartiet), the "ChistianDemocrats" (Kristdemokraterna), and the "Center" (Centerpartiet).
Almost 80% of the elecorate cast a ballot, a good number even with Swedish standards, and Mr. Reinfeldt's party had its best election since the 1920ies.
Democracy is a priviligde and voting should be seen almost as a requirement. I can still not understand the system here in the US. Only a small fraction of the population excercises their right to vote, even less really do spend any time to get educated and informed about what they are voting "for" (or against). In such a system, a people get the politicians they deserve, as is demonstrated by the current government.
Having a system where you need to register to vote is borderline un-democratic. Just the mere fact that you are a citizen, it should also - automatically - grant you the right as well as the ability to vote. Citizens should also acknowledge this right and excercise it. We would be living in a very different country - and world - if people actually did make the effort and went to the polls.
That said, King County is planning to make all elections "absentee" elections. Crazy idea!
"Voting day" is a special day and the walk up to the polling place, chatting with neighbors and friends along the way, is something special. Just putting an envelope in the mail, or worse tap the finger on an electronic "voting machine" just does not make true democracy justice.
On the other hand, local goverment works in many ways better here in the US, or at least in Kirkland where we live. It is easy to get involved, easy to get your voice heard, and you actually CAN make a difference. Maybe City of Kirkland is unique, but if so, it is a good model for how things actually can work!
Friday, September 15, 2006
Around the U.S. in a kayak?
Renata Chlumska, the beau of Goran Kropp, an adventurer who died outside Vantage in the fall of 2002, set out last summer (July 4th) to circumvent the U.S. in a kayak, on bicycle, and on in-lines. All on her own. A crazy feat? Well, maybe not for someone that has made it in to a living doing stuff that others only talk (or dream) about. Renata has done more in the few short years she been part of the "adventure circuit", than most do in a life time.
Today, Renata completed the circumvention by making it back to Seattle and docking along Lake Union's eastern shore. She was greated by an eclectic mix of Swedes, news media, supporters, as well as a few of the friends she met during her almost 15 months in the kayak.
For me it was fun since I ran into Urban Wikstrom, a buddie from the University. I had not seen him in over 16 years. He is still in the adventure business, now making a documentary over Renata's "voyage".
You can read more about Renata's adventures here.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
CatExchangeZ...
About three weeks ago, Oskar, my furry Christmas gift of 2000, did not come home. We have had no signs of him since that Monday evening, and my guess is that he was taken by a coyote. Hope it was quick!
Oskar was an indoor/outdoor cat that always came in for the night. We tried when he was young to keep him strictly indoors, but it would just not work. He went nuts! Oskar enjoyed the time outside and was always sitting along the driveway, waiting when we came home, or hiding under the Japanese Maple, stalking the birds.
Although I know some will disagree, I strongly feel cats have a better life - albeit sometimes shorter - if they can enjoy themselves in the outdoors as well. Sometime it is not the length of life that counts, but how it is lived. Oskar lived a good life!
I was not ready for a new cat, any new animal, but today; a day after coming home from MI, hours after starting Nursing School, wife came home with a "box" containing a big black cat, Louie. I should have suspected something when it took five hours to drive the 10 miles from Bellevue to Kirkland.
I gave wife the silent treatment since I did not approve of how (yet another) animal was introduced to this house!
Louie is good cat though. Although it's only been a few hours, he seem to feel at home and has no problems with the dog, 10 times his size, or the other cats! Only the yorkie tries to make a point and cannot sit still when Louie walks down the hallway. This for sure will be an interesting time!
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Back to the vet...
Wife is about to leave tomorrow for visit to brother in MI. Decided we'd better take big dog in for a check-up at a different clinic, since foot does not seem to heal. The laceration is deep, pad almost sliced off, and the flesh looks like "cow's tongue" (a delicatessen in many countries). It is not infected and looks healthy, it is just not healing.
Woodinville Veterinary Hospital is staffed by two very seasoned and skilled veterinarians (plus the fact that they a just plain very nice). We normally see Dr. Frey, but this time Dr. Marsh is there to look at the foot. Judgement is given, as he also manages rightfully so to look very concerend. "If nothing is done, this can take two-three months to heal. Everytime she puts her foot down, the two pieces of the pad moves and get no chance to "re-connect". New stitches highly recommended, but that also mean we have to put her down for a while".
We decide to have new stitches put in and manage to get an appointment for tomorrow.
Woodinville Veterinary Hospital is staffed by two very seasoned and skilled veterinarians (plus the fact that they a just plain very nice). We normally see Dr. Frey, but this time Dr. Marsh is there to look at the foot. Judgement is given, as he also manages rightfully so to look very concerend. "If nothing is done, this can take two-three months to heal. Everytime she puts her foot down, the two pieces of the pad moves and get no chance to "re-connect". New stitches highly recommended, but that also mean we have to put her down for a while".
We decide to have new stitches put in and manage to get an appointment for tomorrow.
Monday, September 04, 2006
RedHookZoo and run...
During what must have been a week moment at Everyday Athlete, I agreed with wife to run the Super Jock'n Jill half-marathon on LaborDay. I think I really only wanted the cool blue shirt, but I agreed to be signed up as well. Some of you remeber me running a half-marathon in July, only to be beaten by the wife. This time it should be different!
Over the next weeks, wife was training hard. She joined a runner's group, did speed work-outs in midweek, and distance on the weekends. Me? I was tied up digging up the yard - and enjoying the weather. I did not get one mile's training in prior to this "event".
The morning of the event, we also had a silent argument of who was to take the dog out for a walk before we left for the early start. I guess I "won" since I decided to stay in bed for another hour. Hence, wife was like a bee when we finally left to drive over to the start.
It was early, way too early for my taste, but it was later than the (stupid) 7AM start for the last race. We got there w/o problems, parked, and walked over to the start area.
I had been over (for hours) the day and evening prior at a neighbor's Labor Day party. It was fun, and a lot of new faces. Sure, a few beers, but nothing excessive. I also remembered to gulp down some serious amounts of water before going to bed. Despite the early morning, I felt sort of great.
The gun went off and the crowds were on their way. Tried to stay with wife but realized that I had a slightly faster pace this morning. Took mark a a pair running together. They seemed to be keeping a pace that I liked and decided to follow them, only to pass them after appr. 3 miles. At four miles, my pace was still just over 7 minute miles - way too fast. But it felt good so I kept it up.
At six, there was a long and devilish uphill into Bothell, it did good to slow down my pace. I knew how long this race was to be (13 and some miles), but I only had a faint idea of the actual course. After looping through Bothell, we did a number of (unnecessary) loops at the U of W, Bothell Campus. More hills! There's nothing that can kill a runner's mood as fast as "running in circles". Once down FINALLY, on the trail again, I had a very good hunch of how much I had left to run. At the ten mile sign, I stopped to walk a little and fight with opening of the two Clif Gel packages I had been using as "dumbells". I almost expected wife to catch up to me here. She had trained and was in very good shape.
A guy (father) with twins in a runner's stroller had passed me earlier. I was duly impressed over how he could drag his kids around - and keep up such good speed (as well as manage the uphills). Well, out on the flats again he was forced to slow down and I passed him easily. In fact, I passed quite a few people that had sort of glided past me earlier. Looking for the eleven mile sign, but it was nowhere to be seen. Darn, I really needed a time mark. Continue running and suddenly there is the twelve mile sign. OK, only a little more than a mile left. This feels good...
To my big surpise - again - the finish line comes earlier than expected. I do not pass any 13 mile mark as I had anticipated. The race is only 12.89 miles (20.74 km) which in my book is no "full" half-marathon. Sort of a few yards short...
But, checking the time, I pass the line at 1h48m17s. I had not seen wife passing me, could it be that I was really ahead of her all the time. Grab a bottle of water and return quickly to the finish area. As I look for her I see my old colleague Tomas just racing in to the finish line. I beat him? He has trained a lot (at least accoridng to his wife). Just as he passes, I hear my name called out and wife is sitting on the grass, only to point out that my white running shirt is blood stained. I had no idea, but it seems like the synthetic shirt has rubbed my nipples so they started bleeding. Does not hurt, but the bloodspots are more like big splashes. Ok, that was both the first and last time I run in a "non-cotton" shirt.
We moose around in the area, eat some goodies, and look for Tomas and his wife. Meet up with them, chat for a while and enjoy the wonderful weather and setting. Had originally planned to go in to Redhook and have a few beers (rehydrate) but end up heading home for a shower and some rest. All in all a great day (I beat both wife and Tomas...) :-)
Over the next weeks, wife was training hard. She joined a runner's group, did speed work-outs in midweek, and distance on the weekends. Me? I was tied up digging up the yard - and enjoying the weather. I did not get one mile's training in prior to this "event".
The morning of the event, we also had a silent argument of who was to take the dog out for a walk before we left for the early start. I guess I "won" since I decided to stay in bed for another hour. Hence, wife was like a bee when we finally left to drive over to the start.
It was early, way too early for my taste, but it was later than the (stupid) 7AM start for the last race. We got there w/o problems, parked, and walked over to the start area.
I had been over (for hours) the day and evening prior at a neighbor's Labor Day party. It was fun, and a lot of new faces. Sure, a few beers, but nothing excessive. I also remembered to gulp down some serious amounts of water before going to bed. Despite the early morning, I felt sort of great.
The gun went off and the crowds were on their way. Tried to stay with wife but realized that I had a slightly faster pace this morning. Took mark a a pair running together. They seemed to be keeping a pace that I liked and decided to follow them, only to pass them after appr. 3 miles. At four miles, my pace was still just over 7 minute miles - way too fast. But it felt good so I kept it up.
At six, there was a long and devilish uphill into Bothell, it did good to slow down my pace. I knew how long this race was to be (13 and some miles), but I only had a faint idea of the actual course. After looping through Bothell, we did a number of (unnecessary) loops at the U of W, Bothell Campus. More hills! There's nothing that can kill a runner's mood as fast as "running in circles". Once down FINALLY, on the trail again, I had a very good hunch of how much I had left to run. At the ten mile sign, I stopped to walk a little and fight with opening of the two Clif Gel packages I had been using as "dumbells". I almost expected wife to catch up to me here. She had trained and was in very good shape.
A guy (father) with twins in a runner's stroller had passed me earlier. I was duly impressed over how he could drag his kids around - and keep up such good speed (as well as manage the uphills). Well, out on the flats again he was forced to slow down and I passed him easily. In fact, I passed quite a few people that had sort of glided past me earlier. Looking for the eleven mile sign, but it was nowhere to be seen. Darn, I really needed a time mark. Continue running and suddenly there is the twelve mile sign. OK, only a little more than a mile left. This feels good...
To my big surpise - again - the finish line comes earlier than expected. I do not pass any 13 mile mark as I had anticipated. The race is only 12.89 miles (20.74 km) which in my book is no "full" half-marathon. Sort of a few yards short...
But, checking the time, I pass the line at 1h48m17s. I had not seen wife passing me, could it be that I was really ahead of her all the time. Grab a bottle of water and return quickly to the finish area. As I look for her I see my old colleague Tomas just racing in to the finish line. I beat him? He has trained a lot (at least accoridng to his wife). Just as he passes, I hear my name called out and wife is sitting on the grass, only to point out that my white running shirt is blood stained. I had no idea, but it seems like the synthetic shirt has rubbed my nipples so they started bleeding. Does not hurt, but the bloodspots are more like big splashes. Ok, that was both the first and last time I run in a "non-cotton" shirt.
We moose around in the area, eat some goodies, and look for Tomas and his wife. Meet up with them, chat for a while and enjoy the wonderful weather and setting. Had originally planned to go in to Redhook and have a few beers (rehydrate) but end up heading home for a shower and some rest. All in all a great day (I beat both wife and Tomas...) :-)
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Drainage lineZ
For some time, we had blockage in the day water drainage. During a heavy rain, we've seen some water seeping up on the concrete slab outside the basement door. In this wonderful summer, what better than to attack this and clean it out once for all.
What started with a little vaccuming down the downspout (and vaccuming through the wall of the concrete pipe), ended up being a three week project.
Once I realized vaccuming would not do it, spade, shovel and pick came out. Dug up the entire corner where the downsput goes into ground, only to find the pipes glogged by perfect "potting soil". Hence, everything that has gone down there has been broken down into this nice mulch.
But why, why was the water not flowing? Pipes were of a good size, a decent slope, and even debris should have floated away. Worked as good as I could with a small snake, only to realize some heavier artillery was needed. Went down to HomeDepot, rented their biggest and meanest snake. Took it home and attacked. Could not oven go through the first section. Spent the rest of the morning cleaning out the pipes I knew were good but gave them a little maintenance "nudge", likely not a bad idea after 40+ years.
Attacked the soil with the shovel again. After a few "tracker holes", I managed to find the pipe further down the yard, but no luck there either. I could not get through. So I tried going downhil towards the street and the city stormdrain. Got a fair distance but got stuck a few times and did not want to break the concrete pipe by being overly aggressive. And, the day was up and time to bring the snake back. No need rent one of these, just to have it sit idle in the back yard.
Next morning I started digging closer to the street. I really had no idea in what direction the pipe would run. Would it angle and run down under Yurgen's (concrete) drive way? Or, would it go straight towards the street? After three new holes, each about four feet deep, I managed to find the pipe. It went fairly straight. And from here? Straight as well?
Now it was time to attack out by the street. Cleared the area, and started digging. Found a lot of "traces" that led me to what I believed would be the correct spot. But only found the city storm drain, no connection to my house. Continued further up, the site now looking like a major sewer project, and bingo! Found where my pipe "connected" to the city's big 12" concrete pipe. Continued from there to dig up towards my yard. After about three feet, I cleared enough to to be able to get the "connecting" pipe out. Turns out this one is filled with rock hard soil and also blocked by another rock were it is entering the city pipe. No wonder we have not had any water flow! Tried to vaccum the pipe clean from below and into my yard. No luck here. I just get more and more soil. Decided to continue digging.
After about another two feet, the concrete pipe just ends... What the f-ck? After some careful poking around, I also found the powerlines up to ur house (thankfully I did not attack this area with a back-hoe as planned...). Time to call for location service (they come out for free and locate all water, sewage, gas, electrical, telco, and cable lines).
When poking around more, I also find the reason why it looks the way it does. When Puget Sound Energy put our utility lines underground (late 80ies?), they must just happily have cut their way through my storm drain line and never even tried to fix it. So with no water flow, it was not surprising that the lines have clogged further up, closer to the house.
Called Puget Sound Energy for an inspection since they really created this mess. I know they'd be angry if I cut their line w/o repairing it. Now I am angry! Jay from PSE came out later that day and took some photos. He recognized the issue and promised to get back to me.
I continued digging another couple of feet, only to now eventually find the other end of my nice concrete pipe. Another run back to HomeDepot for the same snake. This time I work with the snake from below and water from above. A little bit of hydroblasting, or the fine art of hydrologic engineering. In doing this, I am able to clear out the concrete pipe so now I at least know I have a good flow and functioning pipe down towards the street. Likely managed to get about a wheelbarrow's worth of rock and soil out of that pipe. Can now focus more on the messs up by the house.
After careful evaluation, the only resonable way to go is to put an entire new line down, from back of the house, until where the "fresh" section of the concrete pipe starts. But that entail digging a trench under some concrete walkways, and digging down into the now rock hard clay - while staying away from gas and power lines.
I mark the area, do a tracer ditch in the top soil. Bring oput the pick axe and get at it. It is tough stuff. Not much dent done.
John stops by and asks if I want any help. He brings his little roto-tiller over. I seriously thought that we'd just ruing it, but after about 90 minutes of "tillering", a massive cloud of dust over the neighborhood, it is sstarting to look like a proper trench.
Bring out a few beers and thank John for his hard work. Likely saved med 4 hours of digging!
After adjusting the trench, running around town in seach of the correct neoprene bushings, adjusting the slope, and finally connectiing it all together, it is time for a "water test". Will it run the correct way, or will it backflow towards the foundation?
No, looks like everything is working just as "planned". Only work remaining is sealing the connection out in the street with concrete, backfilling the entire trench and then patch the grass and seed dead areas. While the trench was open I also ran a conduit for the coming fiber as well a new cable line up from the street.
DangerouZ Park
This morning wife was to go in for a short meeting at work. She decided to bring the dogs since "Andrea" wanted to meet them. Afterwards a drive over to the park was planned.
Just after 7AM, as I lay half-asleep in bed, my final words to the departing "party" are; "Do NOT take the dogs to the park (King County's Edith Moulton Park).
Around noon, still no wife and no dogs. I thought the meeting was just an hour, but I could be mistaken. As I enjoy a cup of coffee in the kitchen, garage door opens up and wife comes up the stairs, GUILT over her face, followed by a small yorkie and much later, a half-drugged dog that does not even acknowledge me. She (dog) just walks, or stumbles, over to her chair and feels asleep. On her right foot is a colorful bandage. I like the pink color, do not object to dogs having colorful bandages, it even looks good, but dogs rarely carry these bandages because of looks (although wife never stops to surprise me on that point).
Turns out the "party of three" went to "the PARK", dog ran off leash, stepped in some glass and almost sliced her pad off her right foot. Wife takes dog to veterinary clinic. Dog is put to sleep, pad is cleaned and stitches (four) are applied. Dogs is given a "wake me up" shot and is at least able to limp.
Later that night we replace bandage and one can see it is a bad laceration. Close she almost lost her entire pad.
BAD Wife!
Why does wife always have to take dogs/cats, or do to dog/cats, things that husbands tells wife is "no good". I have said for years that this park in particular is "no good", even though the animals love to run and rump there. It is dirty (tons of glass) and only really accessible by trespassing through a defunct apartment complex (wife used to live there before being kicked out).
Poor DOG!
This dog, one of the happier and more active dogs around, is now ordered to be still, sleep, and just not walk too much on her foot for the next two weeks. How the h-ll do you keep a large dog from not walking when you take dog out to do its duty? I guess I am to learn more since I'll be home (alone) with big dog for the next week when wife travels to Michigan.
Monday, July 31, 2006
SteelyDanZoo
I had just turned 19, home for the holidays from the military, when during a New Years Eve dinner with friends, something "Steely Dan" played through the speakers. I was confused, and no it was not the beer. I thought the band was "Steeleye Span", British folk/rock band I heard a number of times over the years but never really liked. What I heard now, I liked!
On some empty tapes I recorded what I managed to find over the following days, before returning north to the "barracks". As spring arrived up in our winter paradise, tracks from Aja and and Gaucho was played troughout our little "dorm".
Little did I know at that time the band "Steely Dan" was just about to break up, or that it would have a profound impact on my musical taste over the next three decades. The tape with Aja and Gaucho followed me to France, returned to Sweden and University and while there, found some brethren that was just as fashinated with this band's music. In the days of vinyl and mail order, we tried to get our hands on as many albums as we could. But, it was already in the mid- to late 80ies, and they were harder to come by (in Sweden). Everyone listed to EuroPop or HardRock.
Somehow, Steely Dan still followed me. Only to be challenged once in a drunken while by the loud music from Rufus & Chaka Khan.
During a layover at Schipol, (Amsterdam) in 1991, I pick up a portable Sony CD-player. I was suddenly on a quest to "replace" all my vinyls with CDs - it was the new medium and you just "gotta have it"!
During trips to Paris, walking the mega stores and some of the smaller 2nd hand outlets (not yet common in Stockholm), I managed to compile a decent collection. I again stumbled over "Steely Dan"; now on CD format it was so "easy" to drag along on long business trips. The CDs became more and more numerous and eventually I traveled "home" and with the help of my dad, built a very tall stylish CD rack in black laquer. It did not take long until it got filled.
About the same time, I left Sweden and moved to Dallas, TX. One day in the late summer of 1994 I saw an ad for "Steely Dan playing at the Coca-Cola Starplex" in the local paper. What? The band that broke up more than 10 years earlier was playing together again? Some quick research and no, it was no (Royal) scam. The band was to play at the Starplex on September 2nd, a Friday. My friends in Texas did not even know what "SD" was and showed little interest for a drive to south of downtown (back then a seedy area) for a concert with some "unknowns". Hence, I decided to go by myself ($25)!
It was a great moment! I finally got to see the band that had shaped my musical life/taste over the past decade and a half - live! I so much liked what I saw, I deciced to drive down for the Saturday night show as well, now buying a ticket cheap from a scalper outside the arena ($15).
During both these show, Walter Becker sort of spent most of the time in the background and let Georg Wadenius, a fellow Swede, lead the guitar work throughout most of the shows. I remember Wadenius from my younger days but was likely too young to appreciate him or his musical style back then. These two night though, he was a star - a guitar guru!
During intermission I walk up to the beer tent at "the top of the hill". Behind me is a kid, likely not old enough to buy beer, since he told me he wasn't even born when SD released their first record, and he had never heard of them before. But, he liked what he saw/heard. And me, never in a million years did I think that'd I be standing here, listening to a band that in my view was dead, only available on CD/vinyl.
These two concerts likely will go to my book as two of the best live performances I've ever seen.
Work came in between and I sort of lost track of Steely Dan's whereabouts (remember, this was really before the era of the internet). I travelled extensively in the US/Canada and simply did not have time to follow a band that just did an "encore".
A move to Seattle, a marriage, and a few years later, Steely Dan plays at the Gorge, in George, WA. Again, an amazing performance by the band. Donald Fagen shows a not little bit of arrogance to the audience, but some excentricity is allowed/expected from someone that makes heavenly music. The show is a great mix of old and new, and some really spiced up live acts.
The Gorge is likely one of the most beautiful settings for ANY outdoor music venue. The backdrop with the majestic Columbia River and the sunset is truly amazing. I do not think an artist has played "outdoors" until he has played "the Gorge". About three hours east of Seattle, it is still a venue that is easy to access thanks in large to the I-90 freeway that essentially goes "door-to-door".
Then, this past Friday, I was given tickets to Steely Dan at the "White River Amphitheatre". A gift from the dogs in the family (yes, really).
Wife and I start driving south mid-afternoon, only to get stuck in rush hour traffic south on I-405. It takes almost 90 minutes to travel 20 miles and finally get onto SR-167 heading south towards Auburn. Amy, Eric, and their friends are doing the same route but on the west side of the lake. They stop for Taco del Mar along the way and eventually decide to drive all the way to the venue. We've heard horror stories bout traffic around the venue, so wife and I gamble on the Red Robin shuttle from the SuperMall. Grab a quick pizza before entering the shuttle. It is a fun crowd, with a fun bus driver. A real" big mama" that is a pro at shuttling concert goers by keeping the mood up on the bus despite the horrid traffic situation. Get a call and Amy+friends are just passing the casino when we are to leave the parking lot. She tells me that they are not really moving at all. Hah, maybe we'll beat them in the shuttle!
White River Amphitheatre is a beautiful arena in the middle of the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation. But, one has to ask who the h-ck would consider placing a concert arena in the middle of nowhere with NO significant access roads? We had heard about the traffic situation (and hence the gamble on the shuttle), but it is possibly even worse than what one coould imagine. The drive is not far, possibly 35 miles, but it takes MUCH longer than the 150 mile drive to the Gorge. Just does no make sense!
Upon arriving, Michael McDonald has already opened (on time?) and is hacking away at his piano. He's got a great band. Some good old Doobie Brother's tunes as we enter the arena, just to order Chai Tea.
Any Steely Dan concert will draw an odd crowd. There's everything from old grannies, to punk not even out of high-school. But they all share a fascination for the music from some very skilled - and excentric - guys. Looking over the crowd, one sees both long pony tails - and a few mullets - in the marijuana haze over the seating area on green slope.
The concert is good, not great, but it is mainly due to Donald Fagen deciding on NO encores. When he is done playing, he is done. No matter what the audience wants. It really feels a bit cheap, but on the other hand, if that makes for good song writing, all power to him.
As far as I could tell, there were very few songs (if any) of the new material played this night. Suits me fine, but one would guess they'd push a bit for their new albums. On the other hand, they sell themselves, and in some ways the older music has more of a "bite".
All in all though, it was a great evening and even the ride home was fairly effortless. Shuttle took us to the car and we really could snooze our way through traffic!
Thanks to Dogs (and wife) for getting me such a nice present!
On some empty tapes I recorded what I managed to find over the following days, before returning north to the "barracks". As spring arrived up in our winter paradise, tracks from Aja and and Gaucho was played troughout our little "dorm".
Little did I know at that time the band "Steely Dan" was just about to break up, or that it would have a profound impact on my musical taste over the next three decades. The tape with Aja and Gaucho followed me to France, returned to Sweden and University and while there, found some brethren that was just as fashinated with this band's music. In the days of vinyl and mail order, we tried to get our hands on as many albums as we could. But, it was already in the mid- to late 80ies, and they were harder to come by (in Sweden). Everyone listed to EuroPop or HardRock.
Somehow, Steely Dan still followed me. Only to be challenged once in a drunken while by the loud music from Rufus & Chaka Khan.
During a layover at Schipol, (Amsterdam) in 1991, I pick up a portable Sony CD-player. I was suddenly on a quest to "replace" all my vinyls with CDs - it was the new medium and you just "gotta have it"!
During trips to Paris, walking the mega stores and some of the smaller 2nd hand outlets (not yet common in Stockholm), I managed to compile a decent collection. I again stumbled over "Steely Dan"; now on CD format it was so "easy" to drag along on long business trips. The CDs became more and more numerous and eventually I traveled "home" and with the help of my dad, built a very tall stylish CD rack in black laquer. It did not take long until it got filled.
About the same time, I left Sweden and moved to Dallas, TX. One day in the late summer of 1994 I saw an ad for "Steely Dan playing at the Coca-Cola Starplex" in the local paper. What? The band that broke up more than 10 years earlier was playing together again? Some quick research and no, it was no (Royal) scam. The band was to play at the Starplex on September 2nd, a Friday. My friends in Texas did not even know what "SD" was and showed little interest for a drive to south of downtown (back then a seedy area) for a concert with some "unknowns". Hence, I decided to go by myself ($25)!
It was a great moment! I finally got to see the band that had shaped my musical life/taste over the past decade and a half - live! I so much liked what I saw, I deciced to drive down for the Saturday night show as well, now buying a ticket cheap from a scalper outside the arena ($15).
During both these show, Walter Becker sort of spent most of the time in the background and let Georg Wadenius, a fellow Swede, lead the guitar work throughout most of the shows. I remember Wadenius from my younger days but was likely too young to appreciate him or his musical style back then. These two night though, he was a star - a guitar guru!
During intermission I walk up to the beer tent at "the top of the hill". Behind me is a kid, likely not old enough to buy beer, since he told me he wasn't even born when SD released their first record, and he had never heard of them before. But, he liked what he saw/heard. And me, never in a million years did I think that'd I be standing here, listening to a band that in my view was dead, only available on CD/vinyl.
These two concerts likely will go to my book as two of the best live performances I've ever seen.
Work came in between and I sort of lost track of Steely Dan's whereabouts (remember, this was really before the era of the internet). I travelled extensively in the US/Canada and simply did not have time to follow a band that just did an "encore".
A move to Seattle, a marriage, and a few years later, Steely Dan plays at the Gorge, in George, WA. Again, an amazing performance by the band. Donald Fagen shows a not little bit of arrogance to the audience, but some excentricity is allowed/expected from someone that makes heavenly music. The show is a great mix of old and new, and some really spiced up live acts.
The Gorge is likely one of the most beautiful settings for ANY outdoor music venue. The backdrop with the majestic Columbia River and the sunset is truly amazing. I do not think an artist has played "outdoors" until he has played "the Gorge". About three hours east of Seattle, it is still a venue that is easy to access thanks in large to the I-90 freeway that essentially goes "door-to-door".
Then, this past Friday, I was given tickets to Steely Dan at the "White River Amphitheatre". A gift from the dogs in the family (yes, really).
Wife and I start driving south mid-afternoon, only to get stuck in rush hour traffic south on I-405. It takes almost 90 minutes to travel 20 miles and finally get onto SR-167 heading south towards Auburn. Amy, Eric, and their friends are doing the same route but on the west side of the lake. They stop for Taco del Mar along the way and eventually decide to drive all the way to the venue. We've heard horror stories bout traffic around the venue, so wife and I gamble on the Red Robin shuttle from the SuperMall. Grab a quick pizza before entering the shuttle. It is a fun crowd, with a fun bus driver. A real" big mama" that is a pro at shuttling concert goers by keeping the mood up on the bus despite the horrid traffic situation. Get a call and Amy+friends are just passing the casino when we are to leave the parking lot. She tells me that they are not really moving at all. Hah, maybe we'll beat them in the shuttle!
White River Amphitheatre is a beautiful arena in the middle of the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation. But, one has to ask who the h-ck would consider placing a concert arena in the middle of nowhere with NO significant access roads? We had heard about the traffic situation (and hence the gamble on the shuttle), but it is possibly even worse than what one coould imagine. The drive is not far, possibly 35 miles, but it takes MUCH longer than the 150 mile drive to the Gorge. Just does no make sense!
Upon arriving, Michael McDonald has already opened (on time?) and is hacking away at his piano. He's got a great band. Some good old Doobie Brother's tunes as we enter the arena, just to order Chai Tea.
Any Steely Dan concert will draw an odd crowd. There's everything from old grannies, to punk not even out of high-school. But they all share a fascination for the music from some very skilled - and excentric - guys. Looking over the crowd, one sees both long pony tails - and a few mullets - in the marijuana haze over the seating area on green slope.
The concert is good, not great, but it is mainly due to Donald Fagen deciding on NO encores. When he is done playing, he is done. No matter what the audience wants. It really feels a bit cheap, but on the other hand, if that makes for good song writing, all power to him.
As far as I could tell, there were very few songs (if any) of the new material played this night. Suits me fine, but one would guess they'd push a bit for their new albums. On the other hand, they sell themselves, and in some ways the older music has more of a "bite".
All in all though, it was a great evening and even the ride home was fairly effortless. Shuttle took us to the car and we really could snooze our way through traffic!
Thanks to Dogs (and wife) for getting me such a nice present!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
SonicZoo
Sometime last week, Sonic's owners lead by Howard Schultz (CEO Starbucks) announced that the (Seattle Professional BasketBall) team had been sold to a group of investors from Oklahoma. After that announcement the emotions in the Pacific NortnWest have been running high.
First, I applaude the Seattle City Council for taking a hard stance on the KeyArena. In my view - and others - it's a fine arena. No need for some $200M+ infusion of capital and renovation. Seattle area has so many more needy projects; Alaskan Viaduct, SR-520 bridge, bike lanes, transit system ,etc, etc. The list can be made long.
But, as most people don't understand these days, "Professional" sports is just that. It is no longer "sports" but big business. No fault in that, even though a pure "home team", built out of the younger generations training for a "club" feels better. Such a team is more anchored in the community, and cannot just be lifted and "sold" (out). You would have to sell the kids with that as well.
But, that's not how it is done in America. Sport is big business and teams relocate to the market where the teams owners can generate the most profit. Nothing wrong with that. Any business would do that, and the "Staff" is small enough to tag along. Think about relocating Microsoft. It'd be a major brain drain as people would hesitate to follow the company to Oklahoma City. A sports team is easier. Players and coaches are tied by contracts. They follow (the $$$).
In Sonic's case, I feel no "evil" toward Howard Schultz & Co. The loss of Sonics is sad for Seattle but paying what the owners wanted to remain here, it'd be plain stupid - given all other priorities. As for the fans, yes sad for them, but this is business, not sports. If the teams felt they needed a higher profit, raise ticket prices and see if that works. Likely outcome would be that the fans would shun the team all together and go/do somewhere/something else.
And here is the core in this issue. Seattleites has a plethora of activities to choose from. We live in the most amazing part of the United States. In North America only Vancouver B.C. can provide even a challenge. We are not a city that is without options, should we have no professional sports teams. The audience/fans have so much to choose from, be it skiing, sailing, boating, hiking, fishing, "hanging out", traveling, music, movies, golf, local politics, food. The list can be made long.
I used to live in Dallas, TX. The options were (due to natural/geographical and meterological restrictions) limited. Once could play golf/tennis (when it was not too hot outside), go to the movies, restaurants, etc, but that was pretty much it. Hence, the market for professional sports was much bigger because people in general had nothing better to do. Seattle is a VERY different "market". The options are far greater, and hence the "competition" for the audience - and its dollars - is much more pronounced. Possibly not such a great "market" for a sports team.
On top of that we have a topopgraphy that makes traveling harder and more congested (compared to Dallas, Oklahoma City, houston, etc, etc). That shrinks the available market even more. Few people would travel from Chehalis to see the Sonics, since that could be a major undertaking, while a trip from Ardmore, OK, to American Airlines Center in Dallas, would only be a long "swoop" down the same (open) freeway.
In the text above I have assumed (?) that the Sonics are leaving. Only time will tell if that is true or not. Whatever happens, they'll be missed, but Seattle, Starbucks, and Howard Schultz lives on. After all, it's only business...
First, I applaude the Seattle City Council for taking a hard stance on the KeyArena. In my view - and others - it's a fine arena. No need for some $200M+ infusion of capital and renovation. Seattle area has so many more needy projects; Alaskan Viaduct, SR-520 bridge, bike lanes, transit system ,etc, etc. The list can be made long.
But, as most people don't understand these days, "Professional" sports is just that. It is no longer "sports" but big business. No fault in that, even though a pure "home team", built out of the younger generations training for a "club" feels better. Such a team is more anchored in the community, and cannot just be lifted and "sold" (out). You would have to sell the kids with that as well.
But, that's not how it is done in America. Sport is big business and teams relocate to the market where the teams owners can generate the most profit. Nothing wrong with that. Any business would do that, and the "Staff" is small enough to tag along. Think about relocating Microsoft. It'd be a major brain drain as people would hesitate to follow the company to Oklahoma City. A sports team is easier. Players and coaches are tied by contracts. They follow (the $$$).
In Sonic's case, I feel no "evil" toward Howard Schultz & Co. The loss of Sonics is sad for Seattle but paying what the owners wanted to remain here, it'd be plain stupid - given all other priorities. As for the fans, yes sad for them, but this is business, not sports. If the teams felt they needed a higher profit, raise ticket prices and see if that works. Likely outcome would be that the fans would shun the team all together and go/do somewhere/something else.
And here is the core in this issue. Seattleites has a plethora of activities to choose from. We live in the most amazing part of the United States. In North America only Vancouver B.C. can provide even a challenge. We are not a city that is without options, should we have no professional sports teams. The audience/fans have so much to choose from, be it skiing, sailing, boating, hiking, fishing, "hanging out", traveling, music, movies, golf, local politics, food. The list can be made long.
I used to live in Dallas, TX. The options were (due to natural/geographical and meterological restrictions) limited. Once could play golf/tennis (when it was not too hot outside), go to the movies, restaurants, etc, but that was pretty much it. Hence, the market for professional sports was much bigger because people in general had nothing better to do. Seattle is a VERY different "market". The options are far greater, and hence the "competition" for the audience - and its dollars - is much more pronounced. Possibly not such a great "market" for a sports team.
On top of that we have a topopgraphy that makes traveling harder and more congested (compared to Dallas, Oklahoma City, houston, etc, etc). That shrinks the available market even more. Few people would travel from Chehalis to see the Sonics, since that could be a major undertaking, while a trip from Ardmore, OK, to American Airlines Center in Dallas, would only be a long "swoop" down the same (open) freeway.
In the text above I have assumed (?) that the Sonics are leaving. Only time will tell if that is true or not. Whatever happens, they'll be missed, but Seattle, Starbucks, and Howard Schultz lives on. After all, it's only business...
Sunday, July 23, 2006
SummerZoo
Over the past two weekends, Kirkland has again shown why we love this place so much.
Weekend of July 14-16 had the "Kirkland Arts Center SummerFest". A great showing of what this community is like in the summer. The marina was full, boat all over the lake, kids playing and swimming at Marina Park, dogs juimping in and out of the water. All surrounded by a large number of artists, vendors, and people strolling. A great addition to this year - and something I hope can happen on a more regular basis - was the wine tasting in the Marina Park Pavillon. Can a location for a glass of wine be much better...? Do we really need to wait until next July for that?
This weekend, downtown was again filled to the rim. This time with crowds and cars. Antique cars, customs cars, muscle cars, bikes. You name it. Even for those who are not specially fond of automobiles, it is hard not to enjoy and be amazed by the excellent paint and body work displayed on these "summer vehicles". I have soft spot for the small British convertibles, as well as the deLorenas of course. Even though they got a good challenge this year by some modified deThomaso Panteras.
The event was much larger than in past years, and I dearly hope it was a success for the organizers as well, so we can expect it again - next summer!
Weekend of July 14-16 had the "Kirkland Arts Center SummerFest". A great showing of what this community is like in the summer. The marina was full, boat all over the lake, kids playing and swimming at Marina Park, dogs juimping in and out of the water. All surrounded by a large number of artists, vendors, and people strolling. A great addition to this year - and something I hope can happen on a more regular basis - was the wine tasting in the Marina Park Pavillon. Can a location for a glass of wine be much better...? Do we really need to wait until next July for that?
This weekend, downtown was again filled to the rim. This time with crowds and cars. Antique cars, customs cars, muscle cars, bikes. You name it. Even for those who are not specially fond of automobiles, it is hard not to enjoy and be amazed by the excellent paint and body work displayed on these "summer vehicles". I have soft spot for the small British convertibles, as well as the deLorenas of course. Even though they got a good challenge this year by some modified deThomaso Panteras.
The event was much larger than in past years, and I dearly hope it was a success for the organizers as well, so we can expect it again - next summer!
Saturday, July 22, 2006
SummerZissle...
Walking into the kitchen on Friday afternoon, looking at the thermometer in passing. It's displaying 99.9F. And this in an area that's been in shade all day. Walking over to the bedroom (north side) and checking there as well. 99.8F! In Kirkland, along the shores of cool Lake Washington?
Upon entering the kitchen again, the digits decide to move past 100F! 30 minutes later, they settle on 101.7F. A remarkable temperature in this part of the country.
The family has a somewhat mixed relationsship to the temperature. Wife is hot and complains about the weather. She succumbs to the basement and decides to make that her bedroom until the temperatures are back to normal. One dog follows her down as well. A couple of the cats and big dog decide to "stay the course" and follow me around. They are not comfortable, but it is clear that they prefer my company (?) over to giving in to the heat. Just as an option, I leave the door open to the garage so they can sneak in and benefit from the cooler temperature down there, or enjoy the cool concrete.
I have decided not to complain about the heat. Does no good (cannot change it...), this is still nothing compared to the years in Texas, and in a not too long time, we will have forgotten all about this and complain about the rain/cool temperatures. Hence, better enjoy it while we can, even though it IS hot!
Upon entering the kitchen again, the digits decide to move past 100F! 30 minutes later, they settle on 101.7F. A remarkable temperature in this part of the country.
The family has a somewhat mixed relationsship to the temperature. Wife is hot and complains about the weather. She succumbs to the basement and decides to make that her bedroom until the temperatures are back to normal. One dog follows her down as well. A couple of the cats and big dog decide to "stay the course" and follow me around. They are not comfortable, but it is clear that they prefer my company (?) over to giving in to the heat. Just as an option, I leave the door open to the garage so they can sneak in and benefit from the cooler temperature down there, or enjoy the cool concrete.
I have decided not to complain about the heat. Does no good (cannot change it...), this is still nothing compared to the years in Texas, and in a not too long time, we will have forgotten all about this and complain about the rain/cool temperatures. Hence, better enjoy it while we can, even though it IS hot!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
KirklandBoat on the Zea
With a day that can only be described as PERFECT, we pulled in to the marina late last night. Friends in town from out of state, first time I've seen them in years. What could be better than "taking on water" and showing them Seattle from the "other side"?
Some minor issues with carburators delays departure, but once out on the lake, engine is running better than ever. Smooth "sailing" along the shores. Does a run past Bill Gates' house (Annie desperately wanted to see it) and then over towards MontLake. No wake, no wind, and the lake is as smooth as a mirror.
Checking out the house boats along Lake Union before heading for the locks. Only two boats ahead of us and less than a 5 minute wait. Wonder what the sound will look like?
Out there, it is just as nice as the lake. No winds, no wake, and just some smooth and tall waves from a passing ship. Fun roller coaster ride!
We hit Bell Harbor Marina and find a guest spot on the "reservation". $10 for 4 hours is not that bad. Meet up with friends and family at Marriott (within a stone's throw) for a sunny and lazy happy hour with snacks and beer.
Before departing, and picking up another crew member, a pass by Marriott's "lounge" to get some freshly baked cookies and fruit. Fear the time is a tad late for a safe passage back, but turns out it could not be better. Wind has picked up a tiny bit, but just to provide more of a salty breeze (so different compared to boating on fresh water) and also to give us a clear view of Mt. Rainier. No wait at the locks and the ride back home across the lake is as good as the ride out. Back "home" around 10PM and it is still HOT, with really no relief stepping in to the water. Can a Kirkland evening really be any better than this?
Sunday, July 09, 2006
CraZy Run...
My wife decided some time ago that we should run the half-Marathon of the SeaFair marathon. She has been pretty good in training regularly, I haven't. Probably gotten 10-15 miles totally in over the past few months, but that's it. Exercise have mostly been "walking the dog".
So, low and behold, today was the day. Wake-up at 6 AM(ouch!), chased out of the house at 6.30 AM in order to find a parking spot and be on the line to see the start of the Marathon at 7 AM. We missed that with a few minutes but were on time for our start at 7.15 AM.
Crowded field, quite a few that looked like they should not run, and quite a few that one gladly could run after... In other words, it's a mixed field.
Wife starts out way too fast for my taste, but I keep up and somewhere around the 4 mile mark, wife is no longer to be seen (behind me). I tell myself to run my race, not someone else's (it is easy to spick up speed way too early), but find a group pf people that seem to have a good pace.
I feel good, gaining on people on the up hills, and loosing some going downhill. At 8 miles, time is 01h07m. Wow, With just about three miles to go, I should be crossing the line at about 1h30m. Not bad for a guy who has not trained at all.
Coming down towards Richards road, heading north towards I-405 freeway and Bellevue downtown. I can almost see where the race is to end. But here, lesson one. Remember how long a half-marathon is. It is NOT 11 and some miles, but 13+ miles. In order to match that distance the organizers have sneaked in a "detour" (at least in my mind) and the course heads south, AWAY from the finishing area. I start to loose steam (maybe more mental), and also a bit concerned over cramps. Slows down a bit, not sure it helps but it feels good. Once the course turns north again, I remember how far it is to the finishing area from here. I get really tired. Start walking, streching my calf muscles until someone bumps my back with a "no walking" alert. Wife has caught up, and she is steaming towards the end. I try to keep up but realize that I have nothing left to keep up that pace for another mile or so. I remember to "run my race", and that finishing behind wife (=shame) is much better than not making it at all.
All in all, I cross the line at a respectable 01h52m03s, better than the race I did back in 1999 when I actually trained a lot. Not too far behind wife either, she only beat me with about 30 seconds.
We finish early enough so see the winner of the full marathon cross the line. He is a very small and thin guy from Kenya, and in about a time that is mine +30 minutes, he has run the double distance. Amazing. Wife goes up to congratulate him, and we figure he should have a pack of "groupies" and staff following him. But no, he just sits on the curb, catching his breath, drinking some water and looking like this is a day like any other day. We later see him leaving the area, still alone, no groupies in sight.
Oh well, another beautiful Sunday in the Pacific Northwest. I might be talked into doing this again, something I most likely will have forgotten, should the opportunity occur...
So, low and behold, today was the day. Wake-up at 6 AM(ouch!), chased out of the house at 6.30 AM in order to find a parking spot and be on the line to see the start of the Marathon at 7 AM. We missed that with a few minutes but were on time for our start at 7.15 AM.
Crowded field, quite a few that looked like they should not run, and quite a few that one gladly could run after... In other words, it's a mixed field.
Wife starts out way too fast for my taste, but I keep up and somewhere around the 4 mile mark, wife is no longer to be seen (behind me). I tell myself to run my race, not someone else's (it is easy to spick up speed way too early), but find a group pf people that seem to have a good pace.
I feel good, gaining on people on the up hills, and loosing some going downhill. At 8 miles, time is 01h07m. Wow, With just about three miles to go, I should be crossing the line at about 1h30m. Not bad for a guy who has not trained at all.
Coming down towards Richards road, heading north towards I-405 freeway and Bellevue downtown. I can almost see where the race is to end. But here, lesson one. Remember how long a half-marathon is. It is NOT 11 and some miles, but 13+ miles. In order to match that distance the organizers have sneaked in a "detour" (at least in my mind) and the course heads south, AWAY from the finishing area. I start to loose steam (maybe more mental), and also a bit concerned over cramps. Slows down a bit, not sure it helps but it feels good. Once the course turns north again, I remember how far it is to the finishing area from here. I get really tired. Start walking, streching my calf muscles until someone bumps my back with a "no walking" alert. Wife has caught up, and she is steaming towards the end. I try to keep up but realize that I have nothing left to keep up that pace for another mile or so. I remember to "run my race", and that finishing behind wife (=shame) is much better than not making it at all.
All in all, I cross the line at a respectable 01h52m03s, better than the race I did back in 1999 when I actually trained a lot. Not too far behind wife either, she only beat me with about 30 seconds.
We finish early enough so see the winner of the full marathon cross the line. He is a very small and thin guy from Kenya, and in about a time that is mine +30 minutes, he has run the double distance. Amazing. Wife goes up to congratulate him, and we figure he should have a pack of "groupies" and staff following him. But no, he just sits on the curb, catching his breath, drinking some water and looking like this is a day like any other day. We later see him leaving the area, still alone, no groupies in sight.
Oh well, another beautiful Sunday in the Pacific Northwest. I might be talked into doing this again, something I most likely will have forgotten, should the opportunity occur...
Saturday, July 08, 2006
MarineShop cloZed on a weekend?
Saturday is wife's birthday. Apart from all the "regular" stuff, we also plan for a run into Seattle for some birthday feeding.
On the way to "downtown" I manage to convince the driver to pass by Newport Shores and Mercer Marine. I am in dire need for some gaskets and seals for my newly cleaned carburetors.
Hitting the marina, just to find Mercer Marine CLOSED!
If you are in the recreation/leisure business, boating is still recreation for me, how come you actually dare to have a place closed on weekend day, a day when most boaters are looking for "stuff".
And, Mercer Marine being the only Volvo Penta dealer around, I really have no other choices than to return on Monday.
But, this still bugs me. I guess a call to Volvo Penta of North America is in place. I'd be happy to represent them, but these days, most of the stuff can be found on the internet from more or less scrupulous e-tailers in Florida.
However, I think Volvo Penta could be much better represented in the Seattle area than by these guys. Closed on a Saturday? They must be kidding!
(Note added on Monday 07/10/06:
Biked to Mercer Marine. With only one customer ahead of me, there is still a bit of a wait. The guy who eventually comes to help me out is friendly, but I can almost tell I know as much or more about boat engines and drives as he does. After scanning through their inventory, I leave with only about 10% of what I came for. The most important I got though; the gaskets for the high-pressure fuel line. All the other gaskets are in good shape, and can be replaced when the season's over and boat is undergoing winter maintenance.
Note to self: Next time in need of boat parts, don't even bother to bike/drive to MercerMarine. Better getting on the phone and order stuff from elsewhere. Likely faster, but MUCH cheaper. Sad, since I really like to support the local merchants, but I hope that someone reading this is nice enough to pass the message to Mercer Marine.)
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Planning CommiZZion's meeting
Last night's meeting at the Planning Commission was a disaster.
Not for the hard work of the commission members, but for the lack of respect some people in the audience showed others with dissenting views - as well as the rules of the meeting.
The meeting was essentially all about looking at rules/regulations to curb the construction of "monster houses" that are totally out of "wack" in the neighborhood(s). One such regulation that was disucssed was the FAR, Floor Area Ratio. Essentially limiting the amount of square footage one can build on a certain lot. For some people living on smaller lots, it did not sit well. Others, me included, wanted more stringent regulations in order to prevent "over building" on smaller lots.
Kirkland is changing on a daily basis these days. The value of the land is such that most builders/developers do not see any rationale in keeping a smaller, older, house and remodeling it. No, in order to be "marketable", it has to be a new house with 3,000 (new) sqf or more. Realtors at the meeting claimed that "anything esle cannot be sold". Surprises me when I see old ramblers, in all shapes and qualities, selling for anything north of $600K and not staying on the market very long.
I have nothing against these big houses - as long as they are also given big lots - and a design that somewhat blends in with the surrounding neighboorhood. That said, there are some good examples on mega houses, "out-of-neighborhood-style", that have been nicely designed in to the surrounding area. A few of them (Tuscan style) can be found along Waverly Way.
But, squeezing big houses in close together on tiny lots changes an open neighborhood, and the city, in a way that is hard to revert from. Once that change has taken place, and all open space is gone, I dare to challenge those who wanted to "preserve" property values in the first place by building bigger. Once we have changed our beloved city, and allowed for all the trees, the open spaces (I am not saying parks), the sight lines of lakes and mountains, the city is no longer the same. The increased density have created something few of us longer like, less love.
When I hear comments like "I can not build 4 bedrooms on same level as the kitchen", I think immediately that the lot is too small, or the rooms are too big. It is a tough choice, but if you want the lake and city view, very short walk to downtown Kirkland, you will have to buy two smaller lots and combine them for the big house. Or give up one of the "desires", or move, or ...
Not for the hard work of the commission members, but for the lack of respect some people in the audience showed others with dissenting views - as well as the rules of the meeting.
The meeting was essentially all about looking at rules/regulations to curb the construction of "monster houses" that are totally out of "wack" in the neighborhood(s). One such regulation that was disucssed was the FAR, Floor Area Ratio. Essentially limiting the amount of square footage one can build on a certain lot. For some people living on smaller lots, it did not sit well. Others, me included, wanted more stringent regulations in order to prevent "over building" on smaller lots.
Kirkland is changing on a daily basis these days. The value of the land is such that most builders/developers do not see any rationale in keeping a smaller, older, house and remodeling it. No, in order to be "marketable", it has to be a new house with 3,000 (new) sqf or more. Realtors at the meeting claimed that "anything esle cannot be sold". Surprises me when I see old ramblers, in all shapes and qualities, selling for anything north of $600K and not staying on the market very long.
I have nothing against these big houses - as long as they are also given big lots - and a design that somewhat blends in with the surrounding neighboorhood. That said, there are some good examples on mega houses, "out-of-neighborhood-style", that have been nicely designed in to the surrounding area. A few of them (Tuscan style) can be found along Waverly Way.
But, squeezing big houses in close together on tiny lots changes an open neighborhood, and the city, in a way that is hard to revert from. Once that change has taken place, and all open space is gone, I dare to challenge those who wanted to "preserve" property values in the first place by building bigger. Once we have changed our beloved city, and allowed for all the trees, the open spaces (I am not saying parks), the sight lines of lakes and mountains, the city is no longer the same. The increased density have created something few of us longer like, less love.
When I hear comments like "I can not build 4 bedrooms on same level as the kitchen", I think immediately that the lot is too small, or the rooms are too big. It is a tough choice, but if you want the lake and city view, very short walk to downtown Kirkland, you will have to buy two smaller lots and combine them for the big house. Or give up one of the "desires", or move, or ...
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