seattlejo.com

I stayed up till 2 last night. Practice for tonight, right? It’s going to be a quiet night here. Miss Jerilynn is joining us, while Jeffrey has to go to work. Aron, Patrick and Miss Bit will be home. Miss Thing and  Leah will be off to parties so the crowd at home will be smaller then normal. I’m looking forward to the chance to catch up with Jerilynn and for a quiet evening. We’ll pull out some games, eat some food, and just hang out. Doesnt sound too terrible does it?

In the meantime, I’m going to make some cookies, and do a little cooking in prep for dinner tonight.  The dinner theme is “mini things” Mini polish sausage, mini burgers , mini chicken sandwiches, mini cornbread, sausage cheese balls and  then cookies for dessert. I think it will go over well.  But if anything is going to get made, I need to put the computer down and move away from it.  So on to productivity in 3, 2, 1…..

Despite Seattle’s snowpocolypse we were able to have a very nice Christmas. Aron and i managed to complete all of our shopping for the holiday and half the week by carrying bags home on foot.  Sunnie made it over on Tuesday and has been with us since.

The joy of Christmas is in the gifts for the children. We’d canceled gifts among the adults and promised to concentrate on the girls. My meager budget meant that  my purchases were small  For Jasmine this meant a first edition annotated illustrated copy of the hobbit. For Mhari it meant a very full stocking with beading supplies, art projects and various other doodads.  The big win for her was the Didj that Patrick got, it’s an edutainment device that i think will make roadtrips  more enjoyable for all.
Jasmine’s favorite was her new copy of Forbidden Kingdom which she watched immediately after opening.

Which isnt to say that the no gifts rule didnt get violated. Sunnie gifted me with a starbucks card and became my coffee sugar daddy. (A position that you too could hold if you wanted. ) Patrick gifted me with an ipod touch, which of course has me feeling guilty and spoiled at the same time. We’ve agreed it can stand in for a promised birthday trip to Portland that we’ve not been able to coordinate yet.

Barb arrived about 4:30 and was greeted by cups of boozy tea and scotch. She quickly warmed up from the walk down. Appetizers of bacon wrapped dates were devoured (God I love these)  along with stuffed mushrooms, crackers, cheese and a spinach dip . Dinner worked out very well. The tomato bisque was well recieved, though it did make Patrick’s stomach revolt later.The green salad was ok, but would have been better with the goat cheese. Since I’d gotten two roasts, I was able to take one out at rare/medium rare and one out at well.This was served simply with green beans and Yorkshire pudding.

We made our way away from the table and played a game of apples to apples while digesting. Far to soon for my tastes everyone else was ready for dessert (i was stuffed) I happily dished out the trifle, and we munched on the fruit and chocolate brought by my guests. Shortly after dessert I headed downstairs to get ready for bed, as it was clear that campus was going to be open this morning and I wanted to be up and out early incase there were transit issues. (there weren’t any)
And that my friends was Christmas. i hope yours was merry too.

Fancy a bike ride to the post office?

From 111NIKON

Cars buried

From 111NIKON

This is her kind of weather

From 111NIKON

The bus I tried to take to work it  took quite some time to move on. I decided to not risk getting stuck in the Udist and emailed in.
One of my leads called me and said he would take my shift instead. 

From 111NIKON

I’d like to offer a few pieces of advice for my fellow bus riders in light of our wintery conditions.

1. if you will be busing , dress warm
• Now is the time to bundle up. You might be at the bus for  a while, you might have to walk a bit. Sturdy shoes. A shirt , sweater and your winter jacket. Warm pants. Long underwear is nice if you have it. Thick socks. Sturdy shoes. If you have to toss work shoes in your bag and change at work so be it. You’ll be comfortable on the bus ride
2. Look alert
• When waiting for the bus be alert. You never know when your bus is going to be on a reroute and turn right in front of you. If you live near a hill, or on a side street and no buses are coming, you might walk to the nearest arterial to see if the bus has been rerouted . On my way to work yesterday the 48 took an unpublished reroute that avoided a particularly nasty hill that had already claimed 3 buses
3. Ignore bus schedules
• This one surprised me yesterday. There were actually people checking the paper schedules at the bus stop to see how soon the bus would arrive. During good weather those are rarely accurate, let alone during a snow storm like we had yesterday.
4. Get on the bus that shows up.
• The bus you can get on is worth more then the bus that might be coming. Yesterday on the way in, i grabbed a 48. We stopped by stops that had people waiting for the 316, 16 and 355. The 48 was there though and making it through.  It would have made more sense for these people to get on the bus and try to get closer to their final destination. For example the 316 and 355 are downtown routes. It would make sense to take the 48 to 45th and walk to the i-5 stop to catch something else, or try for a 70, 72. 73 from the University District. Trying to go to Wallingford on the 16? then take the 48 to the 44. Trying to go downtown on the 16? then follow the previous advice.
• Seriously if the bus is going in the direction you wish to go  give it a try and get a little closer to your destination.
5. Check the Metro website regularly
• Even my bus tools of mybus and onebus away are going to be unreliable during incliment weather.  Check the metro website for the lastest news and be aware that even that may be wrong.

From 111NIKON

I’m happily tucked into a table at trabant, a cup of chai and snow blowing outside. In about 10 minutes I’ll wander over to work for a few hours. Then its a hot dog and the challenge of getting home. The bus on the way in was rerouted but I left in plenty of time to make it ok. I could have staying home but opted for the adventure of coming in. I hope you enjoy your seattle snow day.

This might seem obvious, but I never followed the normal path to college. My senior year I spent more time trying to work two jobs and “keep it together” then I did pouring over college brochures. I won’t say I didn’t dream a little. I had information from Seattle Pacific University sent to me  and considered, but never applied.

A few years after my graduation I considered it again. I was looking into further information on colleges and was considering  institutions  where out of state  tuition was as cheap as  Illinois’s instate  tuition.  This included Arkansas  and Alaska. (I worked at Kinkos at the time and even considered transfering for work while I was at it. ) College waited a few more years though.

Now I’ve worked long and hard to get where I am. I’ve made some personal changes and am working to immerse myself in my student education. I work part time at a student job. I pay attention to the events on campus, and have adjusted my schedule next quarter so I can participate. I am taking a class next quarter that allows me to direct and improve the program I am in. I am connecting to my classmates more and engaging in my classes more. I’m taking the time to be a student.
Even in High school, from the time I started working, I didn’t take that time.

I’m not going to to go live in the dorms. I won’t be dashing off to some frat party. I wont pick up a drinking habit, indulge in irresponsible relationships until I spiral out of control and have to drop all my classes for the quarter. I suppose I could, but that’s not my goal.

i want to explore my education in a hands on manner. I want to be part of real experiences that change my world view and increase my knowledge.
So now I want to go study abroad. I want to spend a few weeks studying in a remote location. I like the idea of an experiential process where I am immersed in what I am learning.  If the situation allows I want to take the chance and do it. I want to take a chance and explore a culture outside my own and have a hands on experience towards my education. I plan on taking advantage of the Capstone Project opportunity next year. I’m investigating the possibility of doing an internship over the summer. And I’m looking into going study abroad.

I’m looking at a short course at Schumacher College. (They dont have summer class listed yet, but I’m sure they’ll have something interesting. I would be on my own financially to arrange this one. i’m also looking at official UW Exploration Seminars. Perhaps business and information technology in Germany? Coffee study  in Costa Rica?  Food and Fuel in Brazil? Sustainable/intentional living in India?  I’m going to apply to a couple of them and see what I can get into and what I can do about financial aid.  The opportunities are rich and I hope to be able to  take one.

Public transit is like a roll of the dice. You never know if you’re going to come up with  an experience that leaves you regretting getting on the bus and being stuck in small quarters with your fellow man, or if you’ll leave the bus wishing your ride had been longer so you can continue the conversation you were having.

Last night I felt like I had rolled the dice and came up sixes. First there was the conversation at the bus stop, at 45th and 15th ave NW. Since the Nicklesville Camp has moved to the UCUCC Lot, the bus stop is right in front of it. I had an older lady waiting with me and she asked me if i knew anything about the encampment. We talked a little about it and it came out that I was Christian and had spent a short time homeless. This turned into a very surreal conversation about Christianity, having ones own path and not trying to recruit people to our denomination. She was sweet, and was interested in my ideals on everything. Rangning from what it was like to be homeless  14 years ago in Chicago, to what my thoughts were on euthenasia and abortion. She was a nice older lady, Catholic in belief and our brief conversation seemed to energize her. Stepping on the bus, I was glad for the warmth and the natural end to our conversation. She’d given me a lot to think about.

As the bus rounded greenlake a couple got on bearing a large pan, clearly come from a potluck sort of thing. I smiled and asked if they had brought enough for everyone. They said sure but i had to provide my own fork. We laughed and I went back to my knitting. The woman of the couple then began asking me about my knitting. She bemoaned the lack of knitting resources that she had  and I jumped at the chance to help her. I explained about Pac Fab (and my fabulous girlfriend who works there. ), and told her of the new Non-profit yarn shop (A New Yarn) and of Fiber Gallery’s Clinic night.  “Do you know of a stitch and bitch?” Sort of , but not one I go to. I gave her a business card of a friend, with information of a meetup group and my email written on the back. I waved cheerily as I got off the bus, inviting Kristin to contact me if she had any questions.

Continuing my walk home, I was glad for my little sojurn on the bus, and the chance to connect with people.

—-
OFFS Meter.

Have you heard of my OFFS meter? OFFS = Oh For Fuck Sake. Many little things can set it off. Snowpocolypse this year is one of those things. It’s not like I don’t like snow, I just believe it should be enjoyed at the right time and place. Take a day go to Ranier, bring hot cocoa, a camp stove to warm up some soup for lunch and bundle up. Finish the night at home with a pot of chili or a fondue night and wine to warm you up. Enjoy the snow in its best form, for sledding and snowshoeing and  snowball fights and forts.
In or urban environment it’s just a pain in the ass,  Though I’ll admit its  pretty.

Todays OFFS Meter moment? Schools are on a 2 hour late start. No we didnt get any more snow last night, and yes there has been over 24 hours to prepare for this. Luckily Patrick can take Miss Bit to school so I can head off to work at my regular time.

—-
Despite what you might think reading the above, I’m  happy. In fact, as I’ve been amused at my friends doing the 8 day Happy Meme I was considering sharing with you what makes me happy over the next 8 days.

I can’t.

You see, my default setting is happy. I look at my life, my house, my job and think “Life is Good.” (or LIFE IS GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Little things make me happy: I have a great cup of coffee this morning. <—– Makes me happy.
Medium things make me happy: I have plans for Christmas dinner that are coming together beautifully. <—-Makes me happy!
Big things make me happy: i’ll be celebrating my 7th anniversary with Aron in January. <—– Makes me happy!

See. If I lsted out all the little things that made me happy, you would think I’m a goof. Even if it was just for 8 days.  So I’lll pass on the meme for now, and revel in my goofy happy state.

I love Christmas! I was delighted last night to realize the stack of magazines that are on the bottom rack of my bookshelf are my Christmas magazines. This means recipes for fruitcake, cookies, appetizers, foodie gifts, decorating ideas and more. Some of these magazines are as old as 1996 and they have made it through every magazine culling so far. 

I’ve not done any real holiday decorating as of yet, and will be doing no holiday shopping. Christmas for me is not about gifts. Once again, the family has canceled gifts among the adults and will only be showering presents upon the kids. It’s better that way you know? The girls will be grateful for whatever they get. For the adults, its about gathering together, eating good food and a little bit of solidarity as a family. With a household as busy as ours, its not often that we are all in the same part of the house for an extended period.

There will be holiday music. A Muppet Christmas Carol, Chipmunks, Barenaked Ladies and more. Perhaps we’ll pull out the board games, or just challenge each other on Mario Kart. Company of close friends and family to be enjoyed.

This is my Christmas, low stress , lots of food.

My domains might go down for a couple of days. It’s no big deal, they should be back by the 15th. If you use either my @seattlejo.com email you will want to use my @gmail.com email instead.

Thanks for your patience.

A writers list I am on was discussing the slow blogging movement and one of the other writers shared her  dislike of blogs with the list. To sum up, her point was that blogs make anyone who can put a few sentences feel like a “writer” Blogs often leave no thought unshared and it is akin to 1000 monkeys with typewriters.

I can see her point. My blogs do display my vanity streak, but I also think that blogs themselves are not to blame. The internet is instant gratification media. From email communication sent to wide distribution lists, to the first newsgroup soapbox, continuing with the advent of the personal website and now the blog. Remember geocities? Remember Tripod? Remember the websites with the flashy flashy graphics and far to more personal information on them then you ever really wanted to know about your fellow net neighbors?

I remember taking a course i the mid 90s where the instructor told me the publishing industry considered anything published on a website to be “a portfolio clip’ What was true then and what is true now is that the ability to publish over the internet does not mean your work is quality. Just like the vanity book publishing you see, they are merely examples of stamina (in the writing) and a budgt (in the cost of publishing,maintaining a host etc)

There is value in this media though. Sure some blogs are dull as doorknobs and the writer should be hit with a grammar handbook repeatedly. (Looking at myself with the latter) on the other hand blogs can be informative, inspiring, and educational. You have to treat it like any other media source though, question your source and assess the true value.

In the end the new media revolution will not be televised, nor will it exclusively use any one media. In the end i bet blogging is part of the recipe.