Spent the past days cleaning up the desk, filing away papers, paying bills, and generally getting the office closer to being just that, an office. Sometimes I wonder I how I managed to keep it in order when I was traveling all the time (but I did).
By the way, swung by the Swedish Cultural Center for the first Pancake Breakfast of 2008. Always yummy!
After that took the dogs for a walk through Pike Place Market and downtown. Phoebe just loves to venture where there's tons of (friendly) people. As it is January in Seattle, it started squalling after a while and we ventured back to the car and home to make a fire. I bet however that this was a great day on the slopes, but no point in heading up during the weekend, fighting the crowds when the week seem to be even better - and less crowded.
Less crowded, one of the better skiing days of late, was up in Alpental on Superbowl Sunday 2006. Empty slopes, sunny skies, and perfect snow. Can it be better? All football fans couched in front of their TVs, leaving the mountain for "us" to enjoy!
Showing posts with label Living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Living. Show all posts
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Monday, August 13, 2007
NorthweZt Economy in the Tank?
Seattle Times in their Sunday's edition yesterday had the "monthly" housing statistics from the NW Multiple Listing Services. In our small area, the median price for the sales that closed in July had gone up 40.4%, compared to July of last year - over FORTY precent. In real numbers this mean that the median sales price this July was $824,900, compared to "only" $587,475 last year.
OK, the "population" size is small, there was 83 closed sales this July compared to 64 July last year, an increase of just under 30%, nowhere close to anything to draw conclusions for the larger market in general, but it is still an indication that this remains an attractive area, and people are willing to pay top $$$ to live here. 98033 is becoming the new "90210" and as per one definition, I guess we are a "real-estate oasis".
My take is that there is a larger number of larger "Kirkland Boxes" that have been sold this year. This is newer/brand new homes, with their floor area maximized - literally - to the utter limits of what is allowed on a certain lot. Most of these houses are large, with minimal yards and setbacks. I guess people like it that way and pay for the sheer interior space. But are they pretty? Far from!
There is somewhat of a housing slump in large portions of the nation. I have steadfast told everyone over the past years that we (Pacific NorthWest) have been "smarter" in that we have not seen any dramatic price increaes, but instead a slow and steady pace over a longer time. I guess I have to eat my own words this time. Just hope that the crazy increase does not lead to a similar sudden drop. Well, August data will be out in a month. Let's see what comes out then.
BTW, when I say "slow and steady pace", I just noted that the sheer tax assessment of our house has doubled since 2002. Yikes, also means that the tax bill has more than doubled...
For a better view over all of King County, check out the following post. Not as rosy, but far better than the nation as a whole.
OK, the "population" size is small, there was 83 closed sales this July compared to 64 July last year, an increase of just under 30%, nowhere close to anything to draw conclusions for the larger market in general, but it is still an indication that this remains an attractive area, and people are willing to pay top $$$ to live here. 98033 is becoming the new "90210" and as per one definition, I guess we are a "real-estate oasis".
My take is that there is a larger number of larger "Kirkland Boxes" that have been sold this year. This is newer/brand new homes, with their floor area maximized - literally - to the utter limits of what is allowed on a certain lot. Most of these houses are large, with minimal yards and setbacks. I guess people like it that way and pay for the sheer interior space. But are they pretty? Far from!
There is somewhat of a housing slump in large portions of the nation. I have steadfast told everyone over the past years that we (Pacific NorthWest) have been "smarter" in that we have not seen any dramatic price increaes, but instead a slow and steady pace over a longer time. I guess I have to eat my own words this time. Just hope that the crazy increase does not lead to a similar sudden drop. Well, August data will be out in a month. Let's see what comes out then.
BTW, when I say "slow and steady pace", I just noted that the sheer tax assessment of our house has doubled since 2002. Yikes, also means that the tax bill has more than doubled...
For a better view over all of King County, check out the following post. Not as rosy, but far better than the nation as a whole.
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!
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!
Monday, December 19, 2005
Weekend away in Znow...
Spent last weekend at a lovely place on the south slopes of Mt Rainier. Apart from being secluded, we were given the best wrap/massage one can imagine. Supposedly the mud in the wrap was "Moroccan Silk Mud", direct from the Atlas Mountains! The weekend was also the tail end of the very cold weather we've had for a while. Well, now all you up north, everything is relative, we rarely dipped below 25F, -4C, but is was cold for this part of the world where we normally have very mild and wet winters. The "wet" part came straight back after the weekend. We are now soaked and it is unseasonably warm. I really like white and cold winters (what I experienced in northern Sweden), but I also have to admit that this is not too bad. If it gets much colder, heating bills skyrocket due to the shoddy building standard/insulation levels here. Well, that part (insulation levels) will hopefully be fixed by next winter.
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