Make up your mind!

When I looked out my window this morning it was so pretty!  Blue sky and puffy white clouds.  But on the way in to work the darker clouds moved in and now it's not nice at all!  Even looks like it will rain.  That's not supposed to happen so let's hope these clouds are just temporary.  I don't want to have to run in the rain today.  I'm very tired and it's going to be hard to shake off this groggy feeling, especially with the sun hiding. 

I had company for dinner last night and then stayed up WAY too late watching "Necessary Roughness".  Well, as of this Sunday I won't have to watch that show to get my football fix!  The Hall of Fame game, the first preseason game, is on Sunday and I am going to be watching.  My fantasy league, the one with my nephews, won't be drafting for another month but I was doing a practice draft yesterday and got caught up in a little smack talk with some of the other drafters.  It was pretty funny.  I don't usually go in for that type of thing but I was feeling frisky yesterday, I guess.  Anyway I ended up agreeing to join another league with some of these guys.  No money, just for fun.  They want to draft early, as in this weekend.  Actually they wanted to do it next Monday but because of the time difference the draft would be starting at 3:30 my time, which wouldn't work since I am at work.  I'm trying to get them to switch it to this Sunday or maybe the following Sunday.

I had hoped that finally getting the tournament and dinner thingie sorted would make my hives disappear.  But that hasn't happened, although they are much improved.  It's that other thing out there that is keeping me itchy.  I was really hoping for news from Pamela yesterday but ... nope.  I have no choice but to be patient.  It's not easy.  I'm pretty tired of it and very ready to move on with my life.  I have so many things I need and want to do and my hands are tied until this is sorted.  Frustrating is what it is.  Perhaps that's why I have such a short fuse these days.  Maybe I'll try screaming into my pillow tonight. 

I thought my head would explode!

Yesterday morning was pretty good.  I got to talk to the golf pro who was very understanding and helpful.  I guess it's not that unusual for these things to not come together.  My guys will still be able to golf and all will be well on that end.  I'm still playing phone tag with the caterer but hopefully will get to speak to her today.  I can't imagine that they would want to do a buffet for 25 people but we'll see.  That is a big load off my mind and I was ready for my run at noon. 

Ah .... it was perfect weather!  Not too hot, but warm enough for the running skirt.  Nothing spectacular but a nice, solid run.  I got my things together for lunch and as it was cooking I was going through my email.  And then I saw it -- the email that erased all the goodness I had reaped from the run.  As a little background - every year I ask the School of Medicine and the Dental School registrars for a list of the incoming first year students with their undergraduate major.  I use this information to put together our dissection table groups so that we don't end up with more than one non-science major at a table.  The Dental School had their list to me a few days after I asked for it but the School of Medicine was much slower.  Finally, after being promised the list for a week I got an email from the admin of the registrar saying she was unable to give me that list because of FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) regulations!  I lost it.  It was all I could do to keep from going downstairs to the Dean's Office and stomping my feet.  The fact that I was in my running clothes .....  I dashed off a few emails, had a cooler head translate for me and finally I did get the list.  But really!   What next?  It is the simple idiocy of the people following regulations blindly that makes me crazy.  Some little admin who comes in and decides that I can't have the information I need to do a very simple part of my job that is for the good of the student.  Gahhhh .... I shouldn't have started thinking about it again!

Let's think of better things.  I put in a fare watcher for air fare to London and Paris in November and every week I get an email with the lowest fares listed.  And guess what?  That stupid Icelandair is ALWAYS the lowest.  It's not like it used to be when you could sometimes snatch up a bargain ... a real bargain .. if you were watching carefully.  Now it's pretty much the same with very little fluctuation.  I like their schedule, but their bare bones flights are not for me.  Maybe I will compare a couple of better airlines with them but factor in a few of their upgrades - which aren't considered upgrades on other carriers.  And then schedule will be the final deciding factor.  I'm not in any hurry.  It's just interesting.

I was planning on watching some Olympics coverage last night.  I have seen a few events, but watching alone is not very much fun.  I knew I wanted to see the swimming and gymnastics last night but the way they are doing the coverage on NBC is very annoying.  And they don't put on the really good events until the last hour which is just too late.  I get bored and sleepy watching that much TV.  However, I do believe I can get it OnDemand but only after it was shown.  I can look for it tonight or tomorrow night.  Anyway - I spend most of my time scanning the crowd, looking for a certain silver head.  So far no luck. 

I worked more on my socks while I watched synchronized diving.  Crazy sport but pretty amazing all the same.  It's noon knitting and I've got some errands after work so I drove in today and I heard on the radio that some badminton doubles teams were disqualified for trying to lose.  I need to read up on that.

Oh ... and did you notice the craziness on the web yesterday?  Yahoo mail was down for hours!  And later in the afternoon I couldn't connect to the iTunes store.  Very strange.  But now ... work!

Catch up

Yesterday the sun never really came out and it was a bit chilly.  I was SO tired from lack of sleep both Saturday and Sunday nights and the lack of sun didn't help.  I had a few checks I had to get to the bank and I was going to run back, but I wanted to stop at Trader Joe's - I have been craving their marinated tuna for ages - so the run went by the wayside and I had a little shopping trip instead.  On the way to the bank I got a phone call from my real estate agent.  I had been practically sitting on my hands all morning, not wanting to bother her and knowing that she'd call if there was any (good) news.  So imagine how my heart took a jump when I saw her name come up on my phone.  Good news?  Pretty good.  There are two parties very interested in the house and she's expecting an offer or two this week.  I have to keep my expectations down.  But oh my goodness ....   Well that put a bounce in my step, sun or no.

I was planning on watching some more Olympics and knitting last night but honestly, after dinner I could barely keep my eyes open.  I was saying to somebody on the phone earlier in the evening that I was not sure I could stay awake past 8:30 and honestly, I didn't make it much past that!  I was down!  I know I was asleep before 9 and except for a few minutes around midnight when Tink woke me to get off the bed, I slept straight through until 6:30 this morning!  I feel SUPER this morning.  Well rested and (dare I say it?) pretty darned happy.  Looks like I am coming up to that corner.

On the weekend I started another project.  I was poking through some magazines - I had gotten the new Interweave Knits Fall Saturday but nothing jumped out at me.  I wanted to use some Noro I had rediscovered lurking on my yarn rack.  None of the new patterns from the first issue of Noro Magazine were right for the Kureyon.  Actually I was looking through Ravelry to find something suitable for a couple of skeins of Noro Kureyon Sock but then found the Argosy Wrap by Vyvyan Neel that uses Kureyon worsted.  I don't like the colors she used but it's an interesting construction and it suited my mood.  No, you're totally right.  I do not need another wrap or scarf or shawl or stole.  But I really enjoy making them so I will just do what I like to do and give them away.  It's the process anyway.

I made the calls to the golf pro and to the caterer yesterday but both of them were out for Monday.  Hopefully today I can tie up that loose end and send the couple of dozen people who are actually interested in the event an email with details. 

I would like to take some pictures of that recliner chaise and get it listed for sale tonight.  Will I get around to it?  Stay tuned ......

All these new sounds!

The first thing I noticed when I got into my  new office today was the sound of the crows and just now I heard a seagull.  Not exciting birdsong, by any means.  But music to my ears.  I'd like to do something to improve the view directly outside my door when I have it open, like now.  At present I look across the room at a blank wall -- well, blank except for two pieces of paper giving instructions on how to use the FAX machine and what is acceptable to put into the shredding bin.  So obviously then I do see the FAX machine on a wooden cabinet, the shredding bin to the left and then a counter with paper cutter and various staplers and cabinets holding office supplies.  A nice scenic poster above the supplies counter would be nice.  But first I should get something for my office wall.

I had quite a busy weekend and the weather was nice through it all.  Friday evening I went to dinner and for a wander around Ballard, which is one neighborhood I am considering for my next move.  The restaurant was very interesting Mexican - but not typical.  The food was excellent.  I heard from Gregg that evening on the way home that the guy, Michael, who was going to play guitar with us on Sunday had run into a snag and couldn't make it until after 6 because he had a new job.  That meant getting the acts shuffled around.  I didn't need any more aggravation so I just put it out of my head.  Either he would make it or not - out of my hands as well.

I just wanted to relax on Saturday but that was a little more difficult than it should have been.  I got Tink walked and ran a few errands and then my plan was to kick back, work on lyrics and maybe do laundry.  Mike was going to come by to crash on the couch so I got something for dinner and was looking forward to a fun evening, and early to bed.  BUT that didn't seem to be in the cards.  My new neighbors downstairs were exceptionally noisy and their music was playing loud all day, driving me crazy!  In all the time I've lived here, with at least two separate tenants below me, I have never been bothered by noise.  Finally when I was about to scream with the incessant thump thump thump I went downstairs and asked them to turn it down.  She said she would but it didn't make much difference.  And then I learned why when she and her boyfriend knocked on my door about 7:30 to inform me they were throwing a surprise party for a friend.  Oh joy.  It was going on nonstop until 3 am.  Thank goodness Mike had some ear plugs in his car and the combination of that and the fan going at least dimmed it enough so I could sleep through most of it.  But I didn't wake up feeling too great yesterday.

The weather was again great [which I am hoping means that a lot of people came to see my house - but no word yet] and after a couple of walks I got ready and headed up to Snohomish for our gig.  It actually turned out fine.  Good even, in some spots.  Gregg and I both forgot the second set of lyrics on the last song, but made the most of it.  What can you do?  It happens.  My favorite part was when the second guitar player started playing with us.  He is awesome!  And I got to finally sing Adele's arrangement of the Cure's "Lovesong".  It went over better than I could have hoped.  Mike recorded it on his phone so I will have to give a listen and see .... I mean hear ... how it sounded out there.  It was a fun fun night.

And now back to reality.  First thing I need to deal with the lack of participants for the golf tournament and dinner.  I will call the golf course this morning.  I think the caterers are closed on Monday but I'll give them a call as well, just in case.  And then a good run this afternoon after a walk to the bank.  It's not very nice today but the plus side to that is that it's not very hot either.  And fingers crossed all over the world that I get some GOOD NEWS this week!!!

From my NEW office!

It's 3 o'clock and I have finally finished moving into and arranging my new office.  Light!  Natural light!!  Fresh air!  I might even get an orchid for the window sill.  I am happy.

I have turned a corner these past couple of days.  My hives are on the run - practically gone!  The golf tournament and reunion dinner has been driving me crazy and I finally had to make a decision.  I gave an ultimatum to the group - speak up now or it's too late.  I have gotten a couple more but I am going to have to call the golf course and caterer on Monday and change things drastically.  First of all it was suggested to me that 5 foursomes would be a good number and in fact, if I don't count myself (which is another sigh of relief since I was NOT looking forward to showing everyone how bad I am) we have only two foursomes.  Eight people when I was expecting 20!  Further, I had booked with the caterer and said we would be expecting a minimum of 40 people.  We have 22.  I suspect we'll have to lose our deposit.  I am going to email everyone - all 26 of them - on Monday after I talk to the caterer and golf course and let them know that we will be meeting in the restaurant and everyone can order off the menu.  It's a shame David has to lose his deposit but really, I did everything I could.  There is a multi-class picnic this weekend and I suspect it has stolen some of our thunder.  Ah well.  Now that I've made those decisions I feel as if a weight has been lifted.  I will feel better when I make those phone calls.  Maybe I'll do it tomorrow instead of Monday.

Yesterday I was working from home, since I had no office, and I was doing a little housework.  I have been thinking a lot about moving in November when my lease is up - maybe October.  Since this situation is now going to be going on for probably another year, there is no reason for me to stay in this bad apartment.  I want to find a nicer, quieter place.  And I have done a little bit of searching and realize that if I want the space I have now I couldn't really afford to live in an urban area, or not a nice one.  As I was vacuuming my office I was thinking about how much I hate that reclining chaise my ex-husband gave me and how little time I actually spend in that office.  If I get rid of these things I don't use I will be quite comfortable in a smaller, thus nicer, place!  I can get rid of that HUGE and heavy oak roll top desk and get something smaller and more ladylike.  Get rid of that gigantic dining room table I've been hauling around for years and get something cute and small.  And my books.  There is no reason in the world for me to keep hauling those around either.  The only time I touch them is when I move them!  I will keep the reference volumes and sell all the novels.  If I want to read one sometime I will download it to my iPad!

This is such a revelation.  How do we get so stuck?  Why did I think I had to keep all that big furniture?  I will start slowly - I am not going to empty my apartment all at once.  For sure I'm getting rid of the dining table, big desk, chaise and most likely my big purple comfy chair and ottoman.  And most of the books.  I will want to have that all taken care of by October.  I need to check to find out if my lease is up at the end of October or the end of November.  If it's the end of November then it's going to be a bit of a challenge since I want to spend the last part of November in Europe.  But I'll figure it out.  First thing to do is find a building I want to move to.  The rest will fall into place.

Now - here I am.  MUCH happier than I was earlier in the week.  I can't really say why.  Nothing has changed except my attitude and goals.  The hives are still here but on the way out.  Things are looking up again.  Yay.  Now fingers crossed for the house to sell this weekend and then everything will be perfect.

I wouldn't go back

I wouldn't go back to how things were 16 months ago.  Not for all the money in the world.  This isn't a pity party, just an observation.  But sometimes it is crazy difficult to be alone because you can't ever get a break.  [Well, unless you check yourself into a loony bin.]   It would be so nice to be able to say,  "Could you just take care of things for a few days?  Walk the dog?  Plan the meals?  Do the shopping and the laundry?  I just need a little break".  That's what was going through my mind yesterday.  But I chose my path and this is the price I pay.  Totally worth it.

I guess in a way I got a break.  A few breaks.  First,  the sun shone all day and it was lovely and not too hot.  Then, I had a super awesome run at lunchtime.  I was fast and strong.  When I got home, there was no bad news in the mailbox!  Hooray!  All good things.  I was invited out to eat at my little local Indian restaurant, which is yummy.  So all in all a good day.

The night however -- I swear I must have woken up four or five times!  The first time I woke up was very strange.  I could smell a sweet coffee drink.  I mean, it was so strong that I swear that's what woke me up.  I just can't figure out where it was coming from.  My best guess is the people in the apartment below me.  It was warm so it could be they had a fan going but still ... it was as if there was a tray of coffee in my room.    I don't know what else woke me - probably just random noises.  A siren once.  Noisy people getting out of a car in the parking lot.  I can sleep in a bit tomorrow and I most likely will do that.

Gregg is coming by tonight to rehearse a bit rather than having me drive all the way up to Snohomish.  That's nice of him.  He left a message last night that he has been in touch with another guitar player who will be playing with us.  That'll help fill out the sound.

Noon knitting today and then for most of the rest of the day I'm going to have to concentrate on getting all my stuff packed up and ready to go.  Lucky I can take that kind of time now.  In a few weeks it would have had to wait.

From an office torn apart

Yesterday I started dismantling my office, getting ready for the move.  When I leave tomorrow I have to be ready for the mover so he can put my big things in the hall on Thursday.  I have one cart load of books that I've got to find a place for this morning before I can do anything else.  I am hoping I can pop them onto the shelves in my new office.  Maybe I can just stack them there because I don't think Marcia has done much with her preparation yet.

I had a very nice run yesterday afternoon, after slacking off for more than a week.  I was surprised that my pace was so good.  It's going to be nicer today, so maybe it's time for shorts again.  It is July after all.  The end of July! 

I am sorely disappointment in the response I've gotten - or rather not gotten - with regards to the golf tournament and dinner.  The fact that there is a multi-class potluck picnic this coming weekend may have something to do with it.  I just don't know what to do!  I can't wait much longer before confirming or cancelling with the golf club.  And we'll lose our deposits which is bad.  Maybe I can get a couple of foursomes out golfing and have the rest of the people just meet us in the restaurant and order their own dinners.  I guess I'll give it another day or so before making the decision.  I sent out a big email yesterday as did my co-host.  We may yet get some late comers.  It's just .... I just don't need any more stress right now.  I've got to find something fun to look forward to, which will keep my mind off this other stuff.

Name change has stalled.  I want to get my picture taken and get my new passport but whenever I remember it happens to be a day when I've got a hive (or three) on my face.  They are slowing down - thank goodness.  Hopefully they will be all gone soon.  I crave a really hot hot shower.

It was a bland evening - dog walking, dinner preparation and sock knitting.  I finished up the gusset stitches and am now working on the foot.  It seems strange that the only project I have going now is a pair of socks!  I'll remedy that when football season arrives.

Why I hate musicians

Well ... I guess that is a bit broad.  I don't hate ALL musicians.  Or  not all of them all of the time.  Right now I am extremely disappointed in one in particular.  I was having a lovely weekend.  Friday night I went up to rehearse harmonies with the bass player and Gregg.  It was fine and we got a lot of work done.  We figured then a couple more full band rehearsals - one on Sunday for sure - and we'd be ready to go for the benefit this coming Sunday. 

It was that kind of weekend - good things and then bad things.  Saturday was a gorgeous, sunny day and I had a fun time out at the Bite of Seattle, which I haven't attended in years and years.  The music was good, the beer cold.  All in all a great day.  Then I got home and picked up the mail and found a really nasty surprise in there, thanks to my ex.  Talk about sucking the fun out of a day.  So instead of doing laundry I just did some grocery shopping and relaxed on the couch and watched a movie, looking forward to my Sunday band rehearsal.

Sunday morning as I was having my breakfast I got a call from Gregg.  The bass player had just called him to say he didn't want to do it after all!  Just like that, one week before we're set to perform!  Oh I was SO mad!  I am still so mad!  Gregg couldn't get him to give a reason, but the drummer spoke to him as well and finally got it out of him - he didn't want to do the work to learn any more songs.  Unbelievable.  So that means we will just be a duo and definitely not be going 45 minutes.  That's just such a selfish move!

So blam!  There I had an entire day stretched out before me that had previously been filled with band rehearsal.  The laundry got done, the errands got done and it was still not noon.  Tink got a couple of nice long walks and I listened to my audiobook while we walked.  I am getting near the end of it but must make it last until the 25th.

I just wanted to pout and be grumpy but I ended up realizing that the bad guys win if that's how I'm going to act, so instead I picked up my socks and worked on the gusset stitches, which is always a long and tedious process.  I am more than half way through now.  Had a nice dinner and today I'm going to be able to run, which should feel really good. 

Things will get better.  They always do.  Just .... I'd rather it be sooner than later!

Soggy cuffs

Boy is it ever coming down this morning!  A thunder storm with lots and lots of rain.  I guess this is what it has been doing in London for a while.  It has made the news here, since Seattle is supposedly known for being so rainy.  Actually here it's not the yearly rainfall - New York City gets more than we do - but it's the number of cloudy days that really get people down.  Anyway, it's warm and soggy.  I regret my choice of pants because they are long enough to soak up rainwater and I am wet. 

I haven't been able to run all week!  I did get up to the bank yesterday so at least I got outside for a while.  I was so busy, the day sped by.  I need to take some time soon to get my office packed and ready to move.  This must be done by Wednesday end of day because Thursday I will be working from home and my office will be emptied so that the floor can be washed. 

I haven't picked up my socks since noon knitting.  I was so tired yesterday I didn't do anything but slob about on the couch, half watching TV and talking on the phone.  I've got a busy weekend coming up.  Let's hope the rain is done by the time I have to drive all the way up to Gregg's in Snohomish tonight.

The move is coming up

I was met at my office door this morning by a maintenance man who wanted to take a peek to see what picky little things he was to get done before the computers are moved into my luxurious space.  The pain in the behind who is moving his computers in here had complained about a couple of holes in the ceiling -- which is very high.  Afraid some asbestos will come leaking down on his computers or something idiotic like that.  Also there is a piece of baseboard missing.  When I moved in here after the department was remodeled I wanted to have all of the shelving brackets removed, the ceiling lowered -- not really lowered you understand, but have a real ceiling installed to cover the duct work -- and the room painted.  But there was no money for that kind of thing so the best I got was a floor wash.  Now this boob needs to have the ceiling patched and the baseboards tidied up for his computers.  But he is a scientist and so can make more demands than I. 

It was noon knitting yesterday and so no running.  I was planning on a walk up to the bank and a run back today, but note the past tense.  One of my more troublesome faculty members - the one I think is the main cause of my stress which caused these hives - needs a one-on-one tutorial for my new virtual microscope annotation system and wants it at 11:30.  Granted, this annotation system is not intuitive nor is it documented.  The company provided a demo showing all of the ways one can use the annotation system, but you are left to puzzle it out on your own.  For someone with a little computer knowledge or experience it doesn't take too long, but she will not take the time to learn it on her own, so I have to write out a tutorial and then go through it with her step by step.  This is the same woman who sat by me when I was teaching her how to make some other html pages and talked over me continually ... "Yup.  Uh huh.  Got it.  Yes.  Mmhmm.  Right."  Then she gets to her office and calls me every 5 minutes with questions that I had already answered and that she had in print in front of her face.  [Ooooo, I'm feisty this morning, aren't I?]

Tomorrow evening I am going up to Gregg's and he and I and the bass player will have a vocal rehearsal to just work on harmonies!  That is going to be SO much fun!  It is so nice to sing with people who actually know how to sing and can pick out their parts.  And then on Sunday again we will have a full band rehearsal.  The following week I am hoping we can have at least two more full band rehearsals.  We got a great spot on the 29th.  We will be playing at 5 pm.  That might sound really early, but since it is a Sunday people are going to be out early, wanting to get home at a decent time.  So 5 is perfect!  I am so looking forward to this.  And I am going to start asking Gregg about recording so he can maybe get someone up there to make a nice one for us.

Is humiliation really all that helpful?

I suppose because my immune system is a bit compromised because of stress - witness the hives - I am destined to catch every single little bug that crosses my path these days!  I wasn't here Monday much past 11 when it became apparent I would be much better off at home.  I was pretty much back to normal by yesterday afternoon.  Now I need to play catch up.  Perhaps getting organized should be first on the list.

On the weekend I had forgotten to get dog food so I had to go out yesterday afternoon and thought I'd take the opportunity to run my car through the car wash.  It really needed it, since I park under trees.  I didn't have any cash, but supposed that either I could get some at the car wash at an ATM or from the cashier when I paid.  But the cashier wouldn't give me any cash, saying he was unable to do so for another couple of weeks - which made no sense but I was not willing to argue.  I simply said that I needed money to tip the attendants but he just looked at me and shrugged.  Very helpful.  I went through the car wash and had to pass the tip jar without putting anything in it.  Thankfully there was no one standing right there.  Ah, but they are quick.  They checked, of course, and before I could get around the corner and into the traffic, which was rather thick, the news had spread.  As I sat at the corner waiting for a break in the traffic I had to endure the calls of  "CHEAP"! coming from the guys washing the next car in line.  I had to sit there for a while and endure this since the traffic would not give me a break.  I finally put the window down and yelled back, "Hey!  It's not my fault!  He wouldn't give me any cash".  That shut them up - most just one guy - but really, I didn't need that kind of attention.

I did get the heel turned on the first pair of top down socks I've had on the needles in ages and ages.  I brought them in for noon knitting today.  I think next time I get some free time and am at odds I'll make myself finish another project.  And speaking of finishing I still need to press block that Elsie cardigan.  I could have used it today.

And here's my final thought.  No news is NOT good news.  It's just no news.

Malodorous bus passengers

One can usually spot them - the folks who may not be smelling springtime fresh - and take a seat upwind, so to speak.  I was fooled this morning though.  And I don't know if this is a blessing or not, but a couple of stops after I got on and took my seat, a woman got on wearing WAY too much (cheap) perfume.  The combination was unusual, to say the least.  However it did mask the worst of it so I guess I shouldn't complain too loudly.

Last Friday the weather turned and we were treated to a thunder storm.  It ruined my plans for a walk up to the bank and a run back, since it was pouring.  Saturday morning was much the same.  It wasn't actually raining when we went out for our morning walk, but the thunder was grumbling and I cut it short because it looked like rain was on its way.  I took a quick trip to the grocery store and was ready to get laundry going but I was met in the vestibule by a maintenance man who informed me that the water would be shut off for the next few hours to replace a water tank.  So no laundry.  I should have taken myself back out and gone to to the nail salon, but work is being done on Northgate Way and it's a nightmare.  Plus, truth be told, the work of keeping a positive attitude in the face of all this and that and the other nonsense is tiring.  I just didn't have it in me to get out and fight the traffic and so instead thought I'd go through my WIPs or pick out a new project to start.  But that didn't work either.  Nothing was speaking to me. I ended up loafing on the couch reading the Grisham novel I had started about NFL football in Italy.  It was a short read and lead me to some lovely daydreaming.  Not productive but it soothed my soul I guess you could say.

Saturday was a sleepless night.  I stayed up late late late finishing that book and wasn't asleep for long before the wind kicked up again and the blinds were rattling like crazy.  I had to shut them finally because it kept waking me up.  But the worst was done and I ended up sleeping until 9:30 Sunday morning!  Oh and then I was truly sorry I hadn't gotten my nails done because I had to get Tink walked, then do my nails and be up at Rusty's for a rehearsal at 1:30.  With a little hustle I got it all done and we had a pretty good rehearsal.  Not great because I had mistakenly thought that the bass player and drummer had been given CDs of the songs last week.  Not so, therefore we had to waste time teaching them the songs instead of working on harmonies.  We will be getting together at least two more times before the 29th, I sincerely hope. 

I need to run today.  Let's hope the rain holds off. 

Where is everybody?

I am sitting in my office.  It's 8:15 and I can't hear a single soul walking in the hall, or talking anywhere.  Ah!  There, I just saw someone walk by.  Otherwise it is silent.  The chairman and his wife are going to be gone for a few weeks - traveling to a meeting in Berlin and then vacationing, so his secretary is also gone.  Probably most of his lab will be out, taking their summer break at the same time.  And it seems that many people are taking vacation time or at least a long weekend.  It's spooky!  I thought for a minute there that I had forgotten a holiday.

The move to my new office is set for the 27th - two weeks from today.  However, we are going to have to move my big furniture out into the hall on Thursday so that the custodial staff can wash the floor before the next occupant moves his stuff in.  Talk about a piece of work!  This guy ..... he's rather new here - maybe been here a year - and not making any friends, that's for sure.  He will be using this office for his computer servers which are currently in a windowed office that the department supervisor is going to move into, and I will be taking her office.  He is afraid that there will be glitch when his servers are moved and therefore asked that he move them a week early into my office just to be sure everything goes smoothly!  Believe me when I say that I always try to get along, I don't make trouble and I am super accommodating.  But one has to draw the line somewhere and I had to tell the supervisor that it was not something I was comfortable with.  This space is cramped as it is and it would be next to impossible to get my things OUT if we had all of his stuff IN.  Ah!  Good point, she says.  The IT guy has told him several times that there will be no problems, that it is the same subnet as he is currently using, but that's not good enough.  He came to my office yesterday to take some measurements and see the space.  When I assured him he would not have any trouble with his servers he threatened me!  Shaking his finger in my face -- "Well, if they don't work I'll have to move them right back to that office"!  As if I was in charge of the move.  As if that was a something I was concerned with.  Then he looks at the ceiling and asks me if there is asbestos up there!  At this point I'm just looking at him like he's crazy -- which I think he is.  A few minutes later the supervisor came to see me and told me what a pain he is, and how rude.  I can believe it.  He told her the space smelled "smoky".  Smoky?!?  I had just opened a new box of tea, so perhaps that was what he was smelling.  He's a jerk.  The good news is that since my office has to be emptied on Thursday she said I could just take the day off.  Nice.

I drove up to see Gregg last night and to run over our songs.  He lives 45 minutes away, way up in Snohomish.  It's beautiful, but what a terrible commute!  I got back around 10 and of course wasn't in the least bit tired.  Tink enjoyed the company, we had a nice little walk around the garden and I watched some TV.  It's about time to start thinking about my next project.  Maybe I'll make that Henley.  I wore my Rondel top this week.  I sure love that top.  And I have the same type of yarn to make the Henley.  I'll check it out tonight maybe.

It's all in the timing

I just missed the bus this morning.  If I had gotten out of the house even half a minute sooner I would have caught it.  It's not usually an issue if I miss the 316 at 7:20 because there is a 16 that comes at 7:27.  But this morning it didn't show up!  So because of that I missed the 48 that I typically catch which gets me to the office a little before 8.  Not a big deal, just a lot of time standing around at the bus stops.  I still have a few hours left to listen to "Wolf Hall", which I am enjoying even more now that I have a clearer understanding of those characters.

This evening I am going up to Gregg's to start working on our set for the benefit on July 29.  On Sunday we will rehearse with the whole band and I am looking forward to that a lot!  Gregg has put together a fine set list.  It is a bit more country that I would like, but since we are playing the Oxford I know it will go over well there, since it is kind of a country place. 

I don't know when I'm going to carve out some time to get to the driving range, but I'd better get serious about it if I want to golf in August.  This tournament and dinner thing is coming up in about 5 weeks and I'm getting nervous about having enough people signed up.  I got two more in the mail yesterday, but only one golfer.  I'm going to have to be a little more aggressive, which is not fun.

I got all the fringe put on the Aristida yesterday afternoon.  It's lovely and I should get a lot of use out of it this winter.  I definitely have enough yarn left over to make some gloves, or mittens I should say, which I will do when I get finished with the socks I have growing on my number 2 needles.  There is no hurry.

Late start

Monday night I stayed up WAY too late, finishing up the book about Henry VIII's wives.  Fascinating read and I couldn't put it down.  I was sorry to have it end.  So I was pretty tired last night.  I went to bed at my normal time but I woke up at 1:30 and my thoughts started spinning and I was awake for a couple of hours.  I read email - there was a nice surprise in there.  I read some news on my iPad - I know you're not supposed to use electronic devices when you have insomnia but I always do anyway.  Finally I put everything away and spent some time in my happy place, standing at the window and looking out at the lake.  That calmed me down and I went to sleep finally, but turned off the alarm this morning.  I feel great so that extra little hour of sleep helped me out.

I had a  pretty good run yesterday, although the best part about it was that my hives disappear while I'm running.  It's the craziest thing.  I won't be able to run today though since it's noon knitting.  I brought my scarf and the fringe to go on it.  I have found that if I have knitting chores like finishing, it goes much quicker if I bring it in and do it while I'm chatting.

I did bring my mystery package slip to the office yesterday and no, there is not a package for me.  He said we have a new mailman - or mail woman - and things have been a little weird. 

The sunshine is here, summer is here.  It is supposed to get warm today.  I know it is going to be a big issue in my new office, not having air conditioning.  But I think it will be worth it.

I had a good news/bad news type of day yesterday and I am trying to cope.  Usually I wouldn't advocate this, but putting it out of my mind completely seems the only way to cope successfully.  It is what it is, and it will turn out how it does and I have no control.  That's the tough part.  But I'm up for it.  

The mystery invisible package

When I was going through the mail Saturday evening I found a notice from the USPS saying that a package had been left with the front desk on June 30th, while I was gone.  I'm not expecting anything ... a surprise!  The office was closed by that time and closed also on Sunday, so yesterday morning I phoned to let them know I was back and to make sure they hadn't returned the package, since it had been a week since the notice was put into my mailbox.  However, when I came by the office after work there was no package for me.  It could be that the mailman had written the wrong apartment number on the slip.  It's a mystery and it's driving me crazy!  I am going to take the notice back to the office tonight, just to double check.

I snapped a picture of the tremendous, ugly hole in the hedge this morning.  It is not very bright today, but you can clearly see the outline of a big truck.  What is not clear is the depth of the ugly hole.  I sure wish they'd assign that spot to someone so it wouldn't be visible all the time. The only thing that kept that idiot from going right through was the tree trunk - not visible here but you can see a branch at the top of the picture. That kind of wanton destruction just makes my blood boil!

The weather was not as nice as predicted yesterday (big surprise? Not really) and even though I wanted to run, I decided to take a check up to the bank and do my name changing business up there at the same time.  The checks for the golf tournament/reunion dinner are coming in at a trickle and I get them in the bank as soon as I can.  Now there's the bank done - which leaves a few credit cards, utilities, passport -- quite a bit left to do.

The Arista shawl was dry last night so I cut the 159, 9" pieces of yarn for the fringe and started putting it on.   That is an extremely tedious project by the way.  I got nearly half way done and put it down.  I will try to finish it up tonight so I can take it to noon knitting on Wednesday.

Sunday Gregg gave me a  nice song list for the upcoming fundraiser gig in July and now we need to start rehearsing.  I think I'll go up Thursday evening and then we can have a full band rehearsal on the weekend.  He chose some good songs - some we did last time we worked together and a couple from the first band we were in together and then a couple new ones, "Lovesong" being one of them, which I have been wanting to sing ever since I heard Adele's cover of it.  Lots of work to do.

I got the word yesterday - I will be moving to a new office July 23rd!  It will not be perfect - that area is notoriously hot and stuffy when the weather gets hot because the air conditioning just doesn't work very well, but the idea of having natural light is just too tempting.  And as I said, I can always close my door - it has a window with blinds I can close for privacy, plus the windows that open onto the courtyard!  Hoorah!!

Nice while it lasted

Obviously, I can't be on vacation all the time.  Which is really too bad, because it seems that when I'm not on vacation I am destined to be covered in hives.  I wasn't home for more than a few hours before they started popping up again!  It is crazy!  And they are coming in exactly the same places they were the last time, as well as a few more new ones.  It seems to me that I am feeling much less stress than when I left but my body says not so.  I am acutely aware of the mountain of things I have before me.  Maybe when I feel I have better handle on the immediate future I'll calm down.  In the meantime, I will look forward to my run this afternoon and know that at least for that time I'll be feeling better.

I can happily report that my little horseback riding adventure did not knock me down as I had feared it would.  I was a little sore for a couple of days - nothing major. I'll bet I'll be more sore after running today.  It's been two weeks -- or maybe more.  It is beautiful and sunny and warm.  Shorts for sure today.

I didn't do much of anything  Saturday after getting home except put my house back together and have some dinner.  Yesterday was devoted to chores.  I had two suitcases to unpack, a mountain of laundry, doggie walking and bath time and I even got my Aristida shawl blocked out.  Tonight I need to cut 159 pieces for the fringe and it'll be done.  And yes, I'm keeping it myself.  It would be much too hot for my sister.  Maybe I can find a nice cotton or silk blend .... maybe rayon ... and make a second one for her.

Oddly, we had a little thunder storm last night and Tink was going crazy.  She doesn't bark or whine, but she tries to get as close to me as she can, which sometimes means she tries to crawl INTO me.  That hurts.  And it was hot so she was panting even though the fan was going full.  Of course who can see the little scratches she made when I'm covered in welts?  Not an issue.

It was rumored before I left that I may be getting an office with a window!  That's the good part.  The bad part is that it would be in a very busy and consequently noisy area.  I don't care though.  If I get offered the space I am going to take it.  It has been too long since I've had natural light.  If the noise is really bothersome I can always close the door to the office, which is something I can't do comfortably here.

Well, I'd better start digging in.  And counting - only 20 weeks until my next adventure.

It is going to hurt tomorrow

Thursday morning we picked our niece up at the airport. She is on her way to a one week flight school camp in Arizona and Kelli thought it would be nice to treat her for a few days. Yesterday was low key - lunch, shopping and BBQ dinner. Today we went on a trail ride. It was wonderful, but it has been ages since I have been on a horse so I suspect I will feel it in the morning. In the meantime I am taking a little nap. Sophie is at Magic Mountain with her uncle so we will have a good few hours to kick back. If not for the book I downloaded I might have done a little knitting. As it is, I have ignored my knitting. I only have 20% left to read. I don't think it is going to end well. ;-)

Hot shower!

Oh how nice it is to have a proper hot shower! Today was the third day in a row and I still appreciate it. 4th of July holiday notwithstanding, we are just kicking back at home. Last evening we saw "Ted" at the theatre and it was so funny! Then a quiet night at home. Kelli was ready for bed early but I have been so enthralled with this book about Henry the VIII's wives. I wish I had read this before I went to Windsor! I read late into the night. I would have looked for many things at Windsor had I had this book before that visit.

Who are these people? - mini travel rant

I know people get attached to their pillows. In fact, I looked it up. However, a grown person who takes their pillow onto an airplane with them should be ... Well I don't know what the punishment should be, but come on! That is just stupid. Using my iPad this morning so excuse the lack of paragraphs. We are now back in California after a really wonderful long weekend in Flagstaff. We saw the Grand Canyon on Sarurday and the little folk festival on Sunday. The hotel was so nice. There were rabbits and chipmunks and squirrels. It was like being in a forest with a nice restaurant. We didn't have a flight out until the afternoon so we spent some time at the book store before we took off. I have been reading ... rather, listening to historical novels lately with King Henry the VIII and his wives as prominent characters and I wanted to learn more so I downloaded a book and it served me well since our flight was delayed out of Phoenix. Lazy morning today. Maybe a movie this afternoon. But coffee now!

Second post today

I don't usually do a second post but I just can't help myself! I have to rant. I was getting into the security line and it was very long. A security man told the crowd at large that check point 3 was shorter, so I took off for it along with a few other people. There was a couple walking along behind me. The woman overtook me at one point, practically sprinting, you know? Like getting in front of me was going to make or break her vacation. Oh and the type! Two carry on bags, one wheeled and the other on top. Her husband had a back pack and a piece of hand baggage as well, both of them dressed for camping, her ass about three or four feet wide. As we are coming into view of the destination check point he starts whining -"That's as long as the other one!" I keep walking. Next I hear him mutter, "Quit cutting me off"! I didn't realize he meant me until we got to the line itself when his wife elbowed in front of me, "I think we were ahead of you" she snapped, and stepped back so her husband could stand next to her. You know, I am rather tightly wound these days. She has no idea who she is messing with. But...but of course I let them take their spot. Then, I go through the check point and am standing in a long, serpentine wait for the X-ray when a security guy asks if I am traveling alone and when I say yes, off I go to the employee screening and I leave the dolts far far behind. I wanted to turn and thumb my nose at them, but that would not have been nice. Now I am at the bar. They have Stella on tap and I have 30 minutes to enjoy it. Ahhhhhh.....

Just a few hours to go

I know it shouldn't be surprising because it's about the amount of time gone, not the distance gone, nevertheless I continue to be surprised that it takes me as long (an entire evening) to get packed and ready for a trip to Europe as it does for a trip to California.  The laundry and the trying on of outfits and the packing - there goes most of an evening.  Don't think I'm not envious of those people - men mostly - who can toss a few things into a duffel or a change of socks and underwear and a clean shirt into a briefcase and be ready.  Although I suppose that even those types have to take more time if they're going to be gone a week or more, just like me. 

While the laundry was going I multitask-ed and finished up the last little bit of edging around the Elsie cardigan (darling!) and after I was all done, I settled down with a glass of wine and did the last two rows of the Aristida shawl/scarf and bound off.  Oh, it is going to be awesome!  I couldn't take the time to block it, mostly because if I had pinned it out on the floor Tink would be using it for a bed by the time I returned.  I am just very proud that I got not one but two projects finished.  I will take pictures when I get them blocked.  That cardigan is just the cutest thing ever.  I am not unhappy any more about forgetting about the button holes because the edging is scalloped and it would be perfect to use as button holes should I decide to put buttons on it.  One of the knitting ladies yesterday was suggesting little pearl buttons and I agree that would be perfect.

I don't have much to get done this morning at work, but I am here to tie up a few loose ends and not waste a vacation day.  I need to hoard every last one for this fall.  It looks like I can have a week and a half in Europe in late November and still have a Christmas week with my sister if nothing comes up between now and then.  Perfect!

It is going to be hot hot hot this coming week.  It's blazing hot at the Grand Canyon, although it gets quite chilly at night.  Flagstaff is hot, but not anything like Phoenix, which I find unbearable.  I mean ... 111 degrees?  Hideous.  We will fly into Phoenix tomorrow but not go outsides.  And Sherman Oaks, where my sister lives, is in the 80s.  I can't wait for that sunshine!  It is getting nicer around here, of course.  I hope it sticks around.  I need to have a good weekend for our golf tournament and dinner coming up in August.  Looks like I am going to be playing golf after all so that means I'm going to have to start practicing when I get back.

I also need to get back in contact with Gregg so we can set our song list for the July gig.  I am so looking forward to that!  I hope we can get a better recording than last time.  I didn't even bother posting it because it was recorded on his wife's phone or something like that and was all distorted.  Next time I will get the name of the guy who does the good recording.

How being tidy is sometimes not the right thing

I don't care for clutter.  Not in my purse, not in my email folders.  I like things tidy. And so to that end, in Portland I cleaned out my purse of odd bits of paper and tossed my rail itinerary.  Last night I was tidying up my email in box and, not needing the Amtrak itinerary any more, put that in the trash folder.  Then this morning as I am reviewing things I need to take care of before I leave tomorrow I realize my mistake.  I can't get reimbursed without that itinerary.  I searched my mailbox hoping I had stored it somewhere to no avail.  Then I called Amtrak and lo and behold, they can find it by credit card number (since I of course did not have the reservation number) and they are going to re-send it.  Disaster averted.  I mean ... you know how it is when you run afoul of the ladies in finance.  They are very strict.

My ride home yesterday was at least on time and did not break down.  Coming down I found the car to be small and we were packed tightly like on a plane.  I didn't like it.  American trains are not nearly so nice as European trains.  I checked with the ticket desk when I arrived at the train station yesterday morning to see what it could cost to upgrade to Business Class where the seats are spaced further apart and are much comfier.  The man behind the counter quoted me a price that, even in my current financial situation, was very reasonable and do-able.  Then he said, "Oh it's not worth it.  Coach is not full today".  So let me ask you all now - what would you think if someone said that to you?  That coach class was perhaps not full?  That there would be an empty seat beside you?  That's what I assumed too.  He was oh so wrong.  There wasn't an empty seat in my entire car.  Thank goodness I had my audiobook.  There was a woman behind me who did not shut up the entire ride, a stinky woman next to me, a snoring guy across the way.  The good news is that I had 3 1/2 hours of uninterrupted knitting time and I got SO much done on the Aristida.  In fact, I did another couple of rows last night and now I am two rows from being done!  Amazing.  I won't get it blocked but I should be able to finish the knitting.

I arrived home to find my apartment in a mess.  The house sitter had forgotten I was getting home.  Now I know what my place is like while I am gone.  I am not impressed with her housekeeping skills.  She got her stuff cleaned up and out while I was walking Tink.  Then I had a much deserved quiet night.  Tonight it's going to be busy getting my laundry done and getting re-packed for my trip Thursday.  It shouldn't be much of a chore.  I think I know what I'm going to bring - or close enough - and all my toiletries are already packed.

So - here's the really good news.  My hives are all but gone!  I was even able to take a reasonably hot shower last night, after a week or more of cool to cold showers.  Funny thing.  I was talking to my sister and she was telling me another friend of hers had the same thing!  I don't even know of anyone who has had hives so that was pretty surprising.  I was sure suffering there for a few days. There are still a few on my back that itch, but otherwise I'm good.  I think the combination of the antihistamines, which I will continue to take for a few more weeks, and getting away from this environment did the trick.  I didn't wake up with any more this morning so hopefully they will be all done and NEVER come back!

All the planning in the world....

Doesn't help at all when it comes to the train. Or the weather. Saturday I got ready to get out of town in the morning, when it was partly cloudy and warm. Unfortunately the sky opened up and it was pouring rain! My friend Monika graciously volunteered to drive me to the train station when I parked my car with them rather than have me take the Link Light Rail and then have to walk in the pouring rain to the train. It left on time but before Tacoma we started having trouble with the locomotive and ultimately had to stop while a new one was fetched. That got me in to Portland 2 hours late. So I missed the reception. I did get upgraded to the Executive Tower, which was a nice outcome. Yesterday was the first day of the meeting. A long day with a bit too much small group interaction for my taste. But I have been doing some good networking. Also not something I always enjoy. Kate and I got out last night for a lovely long walk and a great dinner. The walk took us to our restaurant of choice which was closed! I know it was Sunday but still, their web site had not made that clear. We ended up at a rather nicer place than we had set out for and it was good. A great evening for a walk too. I woke up this morning markedly better! I am pretty happy about that. There a few more people here from the UW. A couple of deans that Kate and I joined for breakfast. Now I wait for the morning plenary talk. We have a dinner tonight and I hope to be able to get outside this afternoon. If weather permits. I did get a few rows done on the train of the Aristida. I had downloaded Wolf Hall, which coincidentally is my friend Kate's book club choice this month, and I was glad for it since the train ride ended up so long and the amount of chatter at times unbearable. I hope to get more done tomorrow. And hope the train ride is on time and uneventful.

No pictures today

This was going to be my day for a new passport picture, but that is not going to be happening.  Why?  Well, the fun with hives just goes on and on.  This morning I have one right underneath my right eyebrow, forehead and the side of my left eye.  Not huge ones and not as bad as that first one a few weeks ago, but they are definitely there.  I have too much to get done today anyway.  It can wait.  The likelihood of me needing my passport before November is slim anyway.  I'll get it done when I get back from vacation.  By then I'll be relaxed and tan and hive-free (fingers crossed).

I did get to run in my skirt yesterday, it was that warm.  But not sunny, and it's cloudy and threatening rain yet again today.   Portland is such a pretty city.  I sure hope I can get outside a bit at some point even though their weather isn't going to be much better or different than Seattle.  But in one week I'll be with my sister and on our way to our Arizona adventure!  That's what I'm going to concentrate on.

The Elsie cardigan did not get touched last night, unfortunately.   After work I had planned to get a new audiobook downloaded while I shopped in my closet and tried on a few outfits for packing purposes.  But there was something going on with my laptop and I got frustrated and hot and wow .... it is amazing now that I'm on to what's going on with these hives.  The more anxious I got, the itchier I got.  I noticed it also earlier in the day when I was emailing with my real estate agent.  I really should have asked my doctor for some tranquilizers.  Anyway I was crawling out of my skin by six when I finally got the book downloaded and found a few cute outfits, so I hopped into the shower ... a cool shower because warm water exacerbates the situation.  The cortisone cream I got at the pharmacy doesn't seem to work any better than the over the counter stuff I got, but I put it on anyway.  And then I poured myself a glass of wine and tried to relax.  It took an hour and a half for me to calm down!  This entire situation is just amazing to me, when I can step out of it. Who would have predicted that I could be in such a state for so long that I would break out in hives?  I do believe the antihistamines are helping at least a little bit, although the new ones on my face .....  There are no new ones on my arms this morning and for that I am grateful.

I am looking forward to my train ride tomorrow.  Three and a half hours to Portland.  I shall work on the Aristida shawl/scarf.  I will be able to get well into the border chart, hopefully, if the scenery doesn't distract too much.  It is an awfully pretty ride.

A July gig

My guitar playing friend, Gregg, called last night with some great news.  He was speaking to the guy who put together the benefit we played at last year and we have been invited back and he wants us to give us more time!  He also said we could be a band rather than a duo.  This is awesome news!  Gregg was calling to tell me that he has gotten commitments from a bass player, drummer and a second guitar player as well.  I am just so happy!  Now we have to put together a set and they'll start working on it while I'm on vacation.  Then when I get back we'll have three weeks to get it down.  That just made my day. It is going to be so much fun and this band will be so much better than the one with Doug.  Not that Doug isn't a fine guitar player but his singing leaves much to be desired.

On the itch front .... no big improvement yet.   But it isn't worse.  I guess that's something.  Heat really does amplify the problem so I am hoping that I am calmed down by the time we hit Arizona because it is 90 in Flagstaff.

At noon knitting yesterday I  put the last sleeve into my cardigan and last night I tried out the edging on a pocket.  It is SO cute.  I am going to try my best to finish up the edging tonight.  I don't think I'll have time to do all of the finishing before I leave for the weekend.  Instead of normal blocking this one needs to be pressed through a damp towel.  I will probably have to wait until I get back from California.

It's still nice and warm today.  It'll be shorts running for sure.  There are so many wonderful smells along the trail now.  I can smell the wild fennel and the wild roses the strongest.  Then there are California poppies blooming, which don't have an odor, and Queen Anne's Lace.  And of course the blackberries are starting as well. 

I sent an email to my house sitter last evening and haven't heard back from her.  That makes me a bit nervous.  I guess I should give her a call today.  I booked her for this weekend and then all the time I am on vacation.  If she flakes on me ..... well, no need to go down that path now.  I'll talk to her today.

Stress related hives

Is that a real thing?  Apparently yes, yes it is.  After a sleepless night Monday I was crawling out of my skin yesterday.  This has been going on for weeks now, these unexplained itchy bumps.  At first I thought it was mosquitoes, except I haven't seen or heard any, nor have I seen spiders ... except for one.  And oddly Monday night when I was reading all of a sudden an itchy bump appeared on my forehead!  Monday and yesterday when I was running I noticed that once I got going my arms stopped itching and all the red patches disappeared, but as soon as I stopped they would come back.  I was just going crazy and decided I had better get some answers since I'm going to be away at a conference this weekend.  Luckily my doctor could see me in the afternoon and that was his diagnosis.  I feel better knowing what's up, but it's not a quick cure.  I have to take antihistamines for a few weeks and soon the itching should stop and the red patches disappear.  "Soon" is the operative word here.  I don't see much difference this morning, nor feel it, but I've got to give it a few days.  It is no mystery why this is happening with all that is going on, or not going on, right now.  But it's got to stop soon.  And by soon I mean SOON!  I did my best to relax and I had an early night, which considering that I might have gotten 3 hours the night before, not surprising. 

Today is the first day of summer and absolutely gorgeous!  Hooray for sunshine!  Let's hope it sticks around for a while.  It sure helps my mood.  And it's going to be light WAY into the night tonight because it's so clear.  I should be able to stay up and enjoy it since I got such a long sleep last night.

I'm starting to get excited about my little vacation coming up.  There is a tour of Cleopatra's things that will be stopping in California while I'm there, so Kelli and I are going to see that.  It's supposed to be pretty cool.  Otherwise we're both looking forward to our little weekend in Flagstaff and seeing the Grand Canyon.  It is super hot there.  I really have to get into my closets this week.  Since I'm leaving for Portland on Saturday and then leaving  next Thursday for California I won't have much time.  That's what I get for putting it off so long, but it's hard to get into the closet cleaning mood and moving winter and summer clothes around when the weather is so cold and icky.  Well, that's my excuse anyway.  Now I have to do it tonight and tomorrow. 

Noon knitting today and I'm going to finish sewing my sleeves into the Elsie cardigan.  Maybe even start the edging!

Where's my rain karma?

Instead of a midday break, I once again got caught in the rain for my noon run.  Also on the way to work and my after work walk with Tink.  The trifecta.  At least it's relatively warm rain.  And at least I was able to get out and run.  My stress level is still sky high and I need to blow off steam.  

I'm still very busy with a project that was supposed to stretch out for the entire year.  Unfortunately one faculty member decided that wasn't going to do, even though it is not her project.  So I've been working like a fiend trying to get as much done as I can before I am consumed with Anatomy, which will be in the next couple of weeks.  The good news is that she has been bugging me to "help".  At first I couldn't think of how exactly I could work that out, but I let it stew in my brain for a few days and came up with a workflow and tomorrow I'm going to be giving her a tutorial on how she can produce the 3 html pages and one xml page for each image she wants to review.  I am sure that she has no idea in the world how complicated it is to turn this vision into a link on a web page, but now she's going to find out.  Hopefully that'll shut her up for a while.  Right.

I had a super quiet night last night.  Except for our two walks, I didn't do much but cook some dinner and read.  It's not a bad evening, considering my busy day.  I didn't knit because I still can't figure out what's up with my allergic reaction.  It would be a drag if I was truly allergic to that yarn because it's so pretty and I was going to make myself some gloves with the left overs, which there will be.  I know I'm allergic to alpaca, but this doesn't have any alpaca in it.  It's a mystery for sure.

The name change business has stalled while I'm up to my eyes with this project.  Maybe when I get back from Portland next week and before I go on vacation I can get my picture done.  I'll have to ask again where the photo place is in the building, because that would be most convenient. 

From hello to heaven

And now I know what a "House Concert" is.  In a nutshell, there are people who host performers in their homes and invite a select group of people to attend this concert for a nominal fee.  The performer gets all of the money and free room and board.  For obvious reasons, these homes are usually quite large and well appointed, and the affair itself is quite intimate because there are maybe 40 people attending.  I can see where this could be very cool if the performer happened to be someone you wanted to see.  Unfortunately this was NOT the case Friday night, at least for me.  The man playing, Eric, obviously had a very loyal following and he is quite well thought of in his particular circle.  But that circle doesn't include me.  His performing style is like a storyteller who happens to sing.  Long, long convoluted introductions to his every song, spoken in a manner that suggested the character Forest Gump.  A very strange affectation, wouldn't you say?  Seriously.  And every single story had to include at least one celebrity or the president.  He name dropped in each and every song introduction.  The songs themselves were well written and even beautiful, except for the subject matter.  The theme was loss - loss of life and loss of love and loss of faith.  Good heavens!  Not one single uplifting song in the entire looooong evening.  I was in agony, so I took myself off on a little trip through memory lane.  I was reminded by a picture on the wall of Lake Louise - the colors maybe.  So I just remembered everything I possibly could about a wonderfully decadent visit I had there once upon a time.  And then my mind went back to a visit I had in Paris and the phrase "from hello to heaven" popped into my head!  I nearly laughed out loud, which would have been SO wrong.   It was stifled, but still I was sitting in the back, the sole person in the room smiling.

My favorite part of the evening was the last song.  His only cover song, and it was by Bob Dylan.  In this introduction he told us that we might be tempted to sing along, but resist the temptation.  As if!  He sang the song - "I shall be released" - another uplifting ballad.  And at the end in that tiny moment before people start applauding he said, "Bob".  Just "Bob".  Really?  Like we don't know who wrote that song?  See what I mean?  Just an icky guy all around.  I couldn't wait to get out of there.  It was an interesting evening and I am glad I went.  I just with the performer had been more fun. 

I couldn't get to sleep though.  Mike left around 12:30 and I stayed up until after 2. Saturday morning Tink was bugging me to get up at 7:30!  I didn't, of course.  I managed to stay in bed for another hour.  The weather was nice so we walked up to the lake.  Unfortunately Tink found something very nasty to roll in on the way up there, so I had to give her another bath as soon as we got home.  I can't get mad at her because it's just instinct for her type of dog.  I do try to be extra careful but sometimes she finds it anyway.

I worked a good bit on the Aristida both Saturday and Sunday and I have only 2 rows left on my last, fourth, repeat of the body.  Then it's 21 rows of the edging chart and I'm done.  It's going fast.  Unfortunately I think I might be having an allergic reaction to the yarn.  Both of my forearms are irritated and itchy.  I will do a search on it.  It's pretty annoying and VERY itchy.

The train is my choice for the meeting this weekend so I've got to make my reservations today.  I will have to leave a little early on Tuesday and miss the closing talk, but that's how it's got to be.  Otherwise I won't get home until after 9 and that won't do.  I've got to work Wednesday and get packed that night because I'm leaving for California and Arizona from work on that Thursday.

The rain woke me up last night and it's still going at it this morning, albeit not as hard.  Hopefully we'll get the noon break.  If not -- oh well.

Oh thank goodness!

It is a beautiful morning - sunny and almost warm.  What a treat!  I was beginning to think I wouldn't see any sun until my vacation.  It is supposed to be cloudy and raining for the weekend, but at least we have it now.  I am going to run in my shorts today for sure.  I didn't get to run yesterday because my knee was tweaky.  I missed it too!  I was so busy and I probably should have just gone for a walk to clear my head.

I couldn't do a thing last night, I was so burnt out.  I knit a little, watched some TV and was asleep by 10.  I slept like a rock, too.  I was going to download a book but I didn't even get around to that.  Tonight McG wants me to go with him to some sort of singer/songwriter concert at someone's house.  It could be cool and since the party I was going to was moved,  I don't have anything better to do so I might as well.  I can't remember the guy's name who is performing but he was married to Nanci Griffith who is another singer/songwriter that I don't know much about. 

Things were so crazy  yesterday I didn't even check about the passport photo place here in the building.  I think I will do it Monday.  I still have a lot I want to accomplish today plus I don't think the top I am wearing would look right for a passport picture.  It's too casual.  Not that it would really matter so much, would it? 

I keep going back and forth about taking the train to Portland or driving.   The meeting closes at 1:15 so if the train leaves soon after that I'll take it.  Otherwise I'll have to drive because I don't want to be getting home too late. The housesitter won't want to hang around either.  So -- check the train schedule today!!  Or this weekend anyway.

Fingers crossed for some decent weather this weekend.  Maybe my house will sell.  That's a good thought.

Step by step

I am working my way through this name change thing.  My new Social Security card arrived on the weekend so now I can get my passport changed.  But first, I have to get a picture taken.  I heard there is a cost center here in the Health Sciences where I can get my picture done, so I'll look into that.  I want to apply for my name change passport ASAP.  I don't like to be without a current passport. You just  never know what's around the corner.  Plus, I don't have a passport card so I couldn't even go to Canada for the weekend without my passport.  I might be able to do it today - get my picture taken that is.  I did have a terrible sinus headache yesterday and so it will depend on how I look later this morning.  Sometimes after killer sinus headaches my sinuses are a bit swollen and I don't look my best.  And heaven knows passport pictures are generally ugly enough!  My new driver's license picture turned out great though, even if I do say so myself.

Tuesday when I ran it felt like I had lead liners in my shoes!  I suppose that's because I was a little under the weather.  Also, instead of a noon break in the weather it started raining as soon as I walked out the door.  I feel pretty good today so hopefully I can have a decent run.  I still need those endorphins.  More than ever, it seems.

As a testament to my scrambled and weird state of mind, I couldn't even choose a new audiobook yesterday evening after finishing "The Yard" ... which was pretty good.  It is a brand new book, the first for this author.  I was looking at my wish list and nothing jumped out at me.  I searched for something new .... again, nothing.  So instead I think I'll buy "Playing for Pizza" for my iPad and read for a change.  I can't do that while walking the dog, but oh well.

I was SO looking forward to Andre's birthday party this weekend, but it has been postponed to the following Saturday and that's when I'll be in Portland.  Now I don't have any excuse at all for not cleaning out my closets! 

Wakey Wakey

I stayed up way too late last night playing with my iPad.  First I was watching a movie, but it was SO bad I couldn't stand to finish it.  "Hangover II".  It is so bad I wouldn't watch it on an airplane, which is saying something.  I have watched a more than a few dogs in that situation.  Thankfully with my iPad I don't ever have to be in that position again, but I digress.  It is beyond stupid and I'm surprised I lasted as long as I did with it.  No matter, I had a few other fun things on there and got caught up and before it knew it I was well past my bedtime.  So I'm a bit groggy today and a few minutes late to boot.  I have a meeting at 9 am with one of my all time favorite faculty members.  Oh I might be exaggerating just a bit.

I keep going back and forth about those cuffs I am knitting on.  At this point they could still be socks or mitts.  In another evening or so I'm going to have to decide.

McG is coming into town for a week but he's very busy so I doubt we'll be able to touch base.  He's got some vehicle trouble to sort out, then he's doing a gig in Gig Harbor on Saturday, which I absolutely will not be attending.  I already have a party for that night.  That means I may see him the following week, but I am leaving on the next Saturday for my meeting in Oregon so most likely the next time I see him will be when Kelli and I go to Flagstaff at the end of the month.  Which is probably for the best.  It'd hard getting together with him on a week night.  He always wants to go get crazy and then I have to try to drag myself into work the next morning.  Not fun.

My bus driver muttered something at me when I got on my second bus this morning.  Something about not making that stop after a certain date, which I didn't catch.  I'd better look it up and find out what's what before I end up having to walk half way to work in inappropriate shoes!

Looks like it's going to be a good afternoon for a run.  I had to miss it yesterday but I did get a long walk to the bank and back. Today we need endorphins.

Things that make me happy

• The perfect roses I found Saturday.  Are they white? Are they pink? Gorgeous!
• Having the barista at Starbucks call me by name and know that I want a tall skinny vanilla latte, please.
• The zen of knitting.
• Sunshine
• Audiobooks
• Knowing that at some point in the day, every day, I cross somebody's mind.
• Good wine.
• Crossword puzzles.
• Clean sheets.
• Running
• Vacations
• My dog.
• A good sleep.

I had a very quiet and calm weekend.  I needed to de-stress and to keep my mind off of certain things I have no control over.  I find listing things that make me happy helps in that regard.

I went out Friday night for an hour or so for cocktails and that was about it for my social life for the whole weekend.  Which was fine with me.  Saturday I had a hair appointment, ran a few errands and walked Tink.  Then I had hours to work on my Aristida both Saturday and Sunday.  I finished the second of four repeats of the body chart and got half way through the third by yesterday evening.  The rows are starting to take time now as it grows, but the pattern is fairly simple so it's not that difficult.  Plus the back sides are all purl - lace knitting as opposed to knitted lace, which is a killer with complicated pattern stitches on both sides.  Never again!

We didn't get to have much in the way of walks yesterday, which was disappointing for me.  Tink did something to her foot and was limping slightly.  I looked and couldn't find anything obvious and she wasn't in that much pain because she was happy playing ball and running around the apartment.  But when we went outside she would go to the garden to do her business and then refuse to walk any further.  And she was limping quite noticeably.  But this morning she is fine so whatever it was, it wasn't bad.

I mentioned that I finished up the last of my Shardlake audiobooks last week.  I was wrong - they did have them all and I have listened to them all.  I must confess that part of the ways I search for audiobooks is length, and those books were always right there first on the list because they are all nearly 20 hours long.  Now that I have gone through all of them the next longest on that search was another book set in England, but this time the late 1800's.  It's called "The Yard".  At first I wasn't liking the narrator because I was having a hard time distinguishing the characters, but after a bit I figured it out.  It is a little gory but the details about the time are interesting.

I didn't do any closet cleaning AGAIN!  I know ... I am so bad.  I will have to go through my things before I go on vacation because I'll be needing summer clothes.  Maybe if the weather stays nice I'll be ready to dig in this coming weekend.  It's beautiful today.  Can we go an entire week without rain?

What a slog

I am SO glad this week is nearly over!  This has been an incredibly stressful week for me.  Things are about to turn around, I can just feel it.  We should have a nice weekend, or at least not pouring rain, plus it looks like it's going to be sunny on Sunday.  That's a bonus because my real estate agent is going to do another open house and it's always best when it's sunny.  Hopefully this will be the weekend when my house sells.  I really really hope so.

I was lucky and did get my midday break in the weather so I had a nice and much needed run.  It was sprinkling when I started, but was clearing on my way back and I had good strength and wind.  It always makes me feel better.  It's nice to be able to count on that.  I do have to proctor a final today but not until 2:30 so I'm going to be able to run again to start my weekend off right.  It's graduation weekend and so there are people bustling about in their caps and gowns and colorful hoods.  The main graduation ceremony is tomorrow but some of the colleges have them today - medical school for one.

I did something yesterday evening that I haven't done for ages.  I sat in my comfy chair after my walk with Tink and knit quietly for over an hour, finishing up the first 20 row repeat (of three) for that new scarf/shawl.  It is truly amazing how calming that can be.  Just silence and my needles and my dog by my side.  It helps when it's a complicated pattern because my thoughts are just on the knitting and not on that other scary stuff.  Then I had some dinner and knit a little more, but only the easy project, and watched the first episode of "Necessary Roughness" that I had recorded.  It gives me my football fix, since it's about a therapist working with a professional football team.  Just a little run up to real football.  Tink was quite insistent that it was bedtime at 9 (!) so I went to bed with her and played with my iPad for a couple of hours and had a very decent sleep.

I keep seeing that jackass who tried to drive through the hedge Sunday night.  He parks a few spaces down from me and I see him driving into the parking lot when I'm out for our 7 pm walk.  I really want to ask him what he thought he was doing, but that's pointless isn't it?  He was obviously drunk out of his mind and the sole reason his truck didn't go through the hedge and instead got stuck is that there was a very large tree behind the hedge.  It took that tow truck driver over an hour and a half- a very noisy hour and a half - to pull him out of that spot.  I think it's better I don't talk to him.  I'm still angry. 

Here's to a good weekend for all!

Swimming upstream

The last thing that was said on the news last evening was "It's going to be raining for sure tomorrow morning".  Correct.  It is raining, and raining hard again.  I didn't get to run yesterday so I am hoping that we get our midday break so that I can run today.  Or even if it would slow down a bit.  I don't mind getting a little wet if I can only get out there and try to outrun this mood.

It doesn't help that I had to work Sunday, albeit only for a few hours.  Yesterday felt like Friday and ... well yes, it was only Wednesday.  The good news is that I have lots and lots to do.  It would be worse if there wasn't much on my plate.  We count our blessings where we find them.  I'm digging. 

The Elsie cardigan is that close to being finished.  I got one of the sleeves sewn in yesterday at noon and the second one pinned in.  Maybe tonight I'll do the edging.  Last night I worked on the mystery project.  I wanted to do a few rows on the new Aristida Shawl that I started on the weekend for my sister.  But since I have just started it I really need to concentrate on it and therefore it's not TV knitting, or even listening to music knitting.  Hopefully that'll change after another repeat.

This morning I need to dig right into a tough project.  I really wanted to do it yesterday afternoon, but the IT guy was working on my new server and I couldn't do it!  That's so frustrating.  I was on a roll and wanted to keep at it.  I received an update to some software I am using to make a new virtual microscope that will let us see our annotations on the iOS version pages.  I am hoping it's going to be a simple install and I won't have to do a lot of fussing, but regardless, I think I'm going to have to add a line of code to all of the iOS pages that I've made so far and that's going to be tedious at best. Wow ... I'm a complainer this morning, aren't I? 

On the positive side -- in three weeks I'll be heading out for my nice little vacation with my sister. And maybe we'll get a break in this rain soon.  I can hope, can't I?

Just a peep

I think I saw a bit of sun through the clouds this morning.  It just may stay around a bit today.  I have noon knitting so I won't be out at lunchtime, but maybe it'll stick around until after work.  That would be pleasant.

I missed my run yesterday, much to my chagrin, needing those endorphins as I do.  The rain had stopped, there was a perfect window of opportunity.  However, I had agreed to help a friend with lunch for her meeting.  I was supposed to keep a look out for the caterer in case they got lost.  So I stood around for 40 minutes and finally poked my head into the meeting room only to find that they had delivered the lunch earlier.  grrrrrrr .... At that point there was no way I could run.  My stomach had been grumbling and growling for 30 minutes.  Days like that there's nothing for it but just get on with the rest of the day.  I took myself down to the cafe because the microwave in our lunchroom is broken.  I can't truly remember when is the last time I took lunch in the Rotunda, but I did yesterday.  I got a nice selection from the salad bar and found a place to sit and played Scrabble on my iPad.

My afternoon was super frustrating and I very much missed having my run.  I have been reading and working with several programs to learn how to make an ePub document.  It is very complicated if you want to do it so that something other than Apple products can read it.  I would love to just be able to pop my stuff into iBooks Author app, but not every student uses an iPad or iPhone so I have to make sure the documents are for the rest of the folks as well.  It's frustrating and hard work and I haven't even yet gotten to the truly fiddly bit.  I am preparing three separate chapters that contain most of the types of pages we have in the entire syllabus so I can hopefully just do one big troubleshooting session and then know what I need to do for all of the problems I will encounter.  Well, that's the hope.  It rarely turns out like that though, does it?

I had a nice quiet evening, cooked a nice little dinner and took Tink for her 7 pm walk and then did a little knitting on my mystery project.  I don't know if it'll be gloves or socks, but it's something I can pick up when I'm between other more difficult selections, like now.  I wanted to finish up the movie I had started the night before, so around 8 I turned it on and all was going well.  But then a notice popped up that my friend Emma, who is having a holiday in Sweden, had just posted some pictures on her facebook page and I wanted to take a look.  I put the movie on pause, went to look at the beautiful sunrise pictures of Sweden, and when I came back the movie wouldn't let me restart it!  I was over the limit.  If I had kept on watching without  hitting pause I should have been okay, but my curiosity ....

Oh well.  I packed it in for the night and went in to watch a couple of episodes of Firefly in bed in my iPad.  That is so comfy!  And I slept great and am very happy that nobody was trying to drive through the hedge.  Now I've got to finish this cup of tea and head down for the LAST meeting of the year ... the academic year ...woohoo!

Hurry up summer!!

We seem to have slid back to early spring.  Yesterday was cold and cloudy and drizzling.  And it's still at it this morning.  It's raining hard.  I sure am glad I've got my vacation to look forward to.  I know for sure I'll get plenty of sunshine and hot weather as well.

I did a little bit of reading about Seattle and towing charges.  Here's a good article, if you're interested.  The original  - the one that I remembered but hadn't read closely - was from last November and this is a follow up.  I was surprised to read that Seattle's towing charges are about 4 times as much as New York City's!  It's just outrageous and now I'm going to drop it.

I was very tired yesterday but still went out for my run, since at that time it wasn't raining and I could. I have now gone more than 300 miles since I started using this app.  I can hardly wrap my head around that.  I was invited to join some people for dinner - faculty visiting for the AWARE retreat - but I just couldn't face it, having been up for hours the night before with all that nonsense with the truck driving into the hedge.  I didn't even knit on anything.  I made a nice little dinner and turned in early to watch a movie on my iPad.  Unfortunately I couldn't make it much past 9:30!  I was that tired.  I'll have to finish it up early tonight because it was a rental movie from iTunes and you have to finish watching within 24 hours of when you start.  I slept like a rock, thankfully, and only woke up because of the rain and went right back to sleep.

It's hard going when the sun is so scarce.

A very challenging weekend

My new license arrived Friday so this morning I am at the Social Security office to get my name changed. It is going to be a wait so I may as well be productive. People are lined up outside and they don't open for another 3 minutes. It is cold though and drizzling so I am in my car until the doors open.

Saturday morning Gregg called to say he was going to a jam session at Rusty's and would I come? Nope. I hate jam sessions. I don't play guitar so what am I supposed to do? Hope they know some of my songs and want to play them? Anyway I already had plans to have a girlie knitting afternoon at my friend's condo. Now I wish I had joined Gregg.

You know how people are always talking about their Bucket List? Things they want to do before they die -- which is pretty silly if you think about it. Of course it is before you die. Who makes a list of things to do AFTER you die? Anyway there are also certain things we all hope to avoid. So far I have avoided having my car towed, but that ended Saturday. I had misunderstood the parking directions and when I came out my car was long gone.

A few weeks ago there was an article in the paper about towing in Seattle. I didn't read it but it was about how people get snared in this trap of not being able to get their car because of the exorbitant fees. I had no idea just how crazy until then though. Thankfully my friends live near the tow yard so they drove me there as I was on the phone trying to figure out how much and when I could get my car. Unbelievable as this sounds they were closed on the weekend and the answering service was paging the driver as we drove north.

The base fee is $300 just for picking up the car. Then as soon as they drive into the yard it is 1/2 day storage fee, PLUS an obscene "after hours" charge, tax ...... Oh, and cash only. Now you can see how people get trapped. I was SO angry. What a racket!! It took 3 hours from the time I found my car gone until I made it home.

I am going to look up that article today. Something should be done about this. I know that it was my mistake and the tenant had a right to have me towed. But the excessive fees! It is outrageous.

So I was just fuming all night and I had to get up early Sunday morning to pick up things for the meeting. By the time we were done the sun was out and I had a busy afternoon with chores. I didn't get around to cleaning my closet. I was still so mad about the towing that I treated myself and started a new project. I got my cardigan nearly done Saturday. I just have to sew in the sleeves and do the edging, so it is okay to start a new project. I made a good start.

Last night about 10:30 some drunk idiot tried to drive his truck through the hedge right outside my bedroom window! His truck got high centered and had to be towed. A theme. That noise went on until after midnight. Crazy.

I have been enjoying the audiobooks of the Shardlake series but I am now on the last part of the last book. I will be sorry to finish. On my next trip to London I really want to set time aside to look up some of the historical places I have been reading about. I meant to do that last November but somehow time just slipped away. As it does.

But it is not slipping away now. I have been here 40 minutes. It is slow going. And not the best of company either. But worth it. Soon I will be able to get a new passport!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

First one in

I turned off my alarm this morning and woke up 30 minutes late.  I didn't rush, since I've nothing urgent on my plate this morning, and I arrived to work 30 minutes late AND the first one here!  It's like a ghost town around here.  The medical students had their last final yesterday and summer session doesn't start for three weeks.  Very quiet.  Very boring.

It's now officially June so I can call this weather June Gloom and be accurate.  Gloom-B-Gone is unfortunately out of stock everywhere.  I did get a break yesterday afternoon and did my errands and run without the rain, which was nice.  I needed the run for sure.  It did make me feel good.  It must have rained all night because the streets are wet this morning, but it's not raining now and I did see a glimpse of blue sky, so maybe we'll have a decent weekend.  One can always hope.

I am looking forward to a moderately busy weekend.  I might be rehearsing, but have yet to hear from Gregg about that.  He wanted me to join him at the drummer's house as a surprise.  I am not entirely sure that's a good idea but we'll see.  Saturday is errands and then a nice afternoon with the girls.  Sunday I have to get up early and pick up coffee and pastries on the way to work for a meeting that starts at 9 am.  Yes, Sunday.  We have meetings annually with the other faculty from our sister sites who teach the same first year courses to the medical students at their Universities to set the common exam questions for the coming year and talk about all sorts of other tedious things.  Every other year the School of Medicine gets in on the act and holds talks and meetings for all of the faculty jointly during the week, so we have to hold our course meetings on the weekend.   Sunday morning is it.  The good news is that I'll be done at 11 am.  The bad news is that there are two courses I work with and they are holding their meetings at the same time on two different floors and wings. 

Fingers crossed for some sunshine this weekend.  I need some.