November | 2008 | LaurenKaz's Xanga Site

Month: November 2008

Gluttony. We Haz It.
Yay, so its certainly that time of year. You know: the I-Can't-Believe_I_Ate-the-Whole (fill in the blank)...and actually lived to (not) regret it time of year. Celebrations started out relatively healthy on Thanksgiving proper with my bro who brought tilapia, red snapper and the most gorgeously thin asparagus spears. Okay, so the quart o' Ben&Jerry's Cherry Garcia wasn't exactly on the low triglyceride diet but one can always excuse one's lack of discipline with the "its the holidays" excuse. Always. Explains a few things, non? Festivities continued on Friday when we took the outlaws to a local surf&turf where I surfed with a prawn cocktail and Himself partook of the prime rib, absolutely mandatory as its their signature slab o' meat.

Saturday was when all control flew out the window with a vengence: a mini Turkey Fest brought to you by catigerz and greel08, the Host and Hostess with Da Mostest. Joined by gojeannie, Tommy, D's little bro and sis, a PHUN-tastic time had by all! Here are catigerz and greel08 manhandling (but in a good way) the moist birdy goodness aka the Turkey:



There was too much fud to completely recount but here are some of the highlights: gojeannie's pumpkin pie with THE perfect crust, her vat o' mashed potatoes (I agree with gojeannie: ain't never seen no bowl o' taters so big; it was like the iceberg that hit the Titanic) and ultra-tasty stuffing; catigerz's dee-vine turkey (perfectly cooked), gravy (I demonstrated to her that it was so rich, it was quite capable of supporting a spoon) and better-than-Dino's spinach salad, mixed fresh veggie platter with (omg!) sugar peas (omg!) and so on.

Wow. Didn't even mention the cannister of buttah cookies. My bad.

Entertainment was amazing as always but here's the real kicker: Himself not only participated in the games but covered himself in glory! I was gobsmacked—here's the guy whose hand/eye coordination for video games like Tetris and Super Mario completely s-u-x. He not only survived Buzz but even won a round! Then it was on to RockBand2 and Himself was holding his own on the bass line. Color me flabbergasted!

And there's our girls!

Johnny drums like a pro, both he and Stella sing semi-professionally; Donnie and Jeannie croon most awesomely (you can see that genetics does win out with those 4); Tommy can belt out the hits including songs he doesn't even know (Timmay!); we already know that catigerz is a karaoke pro but she spent most of her energy on fud and house prep and so, was merely relaxing...





Here's something for the Life is Not Fair category: Johnny tackling a plate o' taters almost bigger than he is. His new best friend, Yelli, is there to lend some encouragement (as in, I'm encouraging you to hand over platefuls of turkey, buddy).


Johnny looks unconvinced.

Definitely rounding out the evening were (some of) the Kidz. Especially worthy of props was Viggo—he has gone from being totally feral to a (sometimes) lap kitteh. Amazing!

The handsome Maven

Mr Innocent (Who.....moi?) Yelli

The Elusive Viggo

Sweet Mosely

Heading home, I was reminded of how different life in the valley is compared to us: the tule fog had us slowing down to a crawl. In town, I was probably driving <10 mph...it was CREEPY to not be able to see intersections or the dividing lines. It got so thick towards the freeway "on-ramp" (the longest stretch of unlit pre-freeway road you're ever gonna drive) that I thought we should go back. It was impossible to even find a place to turn around, however, so on and on we went. Here's what we saw looking through the windshield:

Getting on the freeway, conditions got better and better as the fog lifted with the higher elevation we achieved. Soon, all of the cars started drivingthisfast because it was such a relief to see road!

Thanks again, catigerz and greel08...it was a FAN-tastic Turkey Fest! (more partay photos posted on Facebook)
- 11:19 pm
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Our Northwest Travels Continue...REI Rocks
In a gutsy move, Himself decided to pack his compooter shtuff and bring only the clothes on his back, planning to supplement his vast (not) wardrobe by shopping at REI, the "world's premier outdoor gear store." As luck would have it, their flagship store is located in Seattle so off we went, little knowing what wonders awaited us. Suffice it to say, there can't be more than one REI of this magnitude—not only in size but in design.



Strolling in the park-like entrance, you are encouraged not to take the inviting graveled path...because you could get runned over by customers testing bikes. REI obviously takes outdoor gear very seriously.



Wending your way past streams and waterfalls, you ascend stairs (taking the elevator would be a tad embarassing, considering the great physical shape of the average REI customer) to the top level where—how civilized!—an espresso cart awaits.



Along the promenade to the entrance are wood columns featuring plaques with the names, locations and elevations of famous peaks and Swiss clocks set to that local time (Tibet, anyone?).



And yep: that IS a 2+ story rock wall behind the glass.

Walking through the entrance which sports clever door handles, you enter an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G place.

The architects must've had the most fun ever designing a space with an industrial aesthetic (open with exposed ductwork) while reflecting Nature through the materials (wood, metal and stone) and even a nod to National Park lodges like the Ahwahnee with a massive (working!) fireplace.





Sprinkled throughout the store are cool touches like a hiking boot tryout area and the most awesome kid's treehouse EVER.



And just across the street, making this Shangri-La even perfect-er, resides one of those coffee houses where cappucino foam has been elevated to an art form.



These creations are not done using implements like toothpicks or knives. NOPE: accomplished through the magically skillful pouring o' espresso. Dunno if the Seattle Starbucks baristas are similarly talented because you can bet yer (hiking) boots we didn't darken their doorstep whilst wandering around Coffee Central.
- 3:05 am
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Happy B-Day, Gojeannie!

Although you're already getting the best present ever (well...in a month or so), Happy Birthday wishes to the bee-yoo-tiful mom-to-be!
- 6:24 pm
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Adventures in the Great Northwest
Traveling back in time to play Xanga Catch-up, Himself and I finally took the twice-delayed vacation to parts north in October. It was—as always—So. Much. Phun.

Met up with Linda and Jer in Seattle—since more friends were joining us in a couple of days, why not hang out in Cool Central (Northwest) instead of burning daylight driving to the Olympic peninsula and back? Exactly. Settled ourselves in the Residence Inn on Lake Union. If you ever get the chance to stay in Seattle, we can't possibly recommend any joint more. True, its not located in downtown proper but besides offering suites with 2 bedroom/bath sets, a sizeable living room/kitchen common area and killer deck overlooking Lake Union, there's a complimentary buffet breakfast each morning. And a waterfall in the lobby. And vending machines with ice cream bonbons. Plus it came to just about $150/couple a night. Yep, life almost can't get much better than this (we're eating right next to the waterfall, goshdarnit):

BTW, the Marriott's idea of a breakfast includes make-your-own-waffles, eggs, sausages, bacon, oatmeal, fruit juice, coffee, toast, muffins, cold cereal, daily specials like biscuits&gravy, etc., etc. <burp>. Of course, you have to get your pies downstairs before 9am but oh well.

Ahoy...Space Needle ahead!

Tragic but true: on vacation but its still work-work-work.

How'd you like this Photoshop-stitched panorama? The shots were done sans tripod so it came out pretty good if I say so myself (and I do). It provided such entertainment for Himself, there'll be puh-lenty more panoramas later on. In fact, the glamour will probably pall by then. Prepare yourself.

Elliott's: the Nirvana of Oysters

Linda discovered that contrary to common sense which dictates one steer clear of tourist traps like the plague, there's an Oyster Emporium Extraordinaire located on Pier 56. Strewth, Elliott's Oyster House sits on the waterfront next to such ubiquitous travel destinations as Simply Seattle souvenirs. Besides sporting a 21-foot oyster bar with a list updated twice daily (the complete list reads like a Who's Who of the bivalve mollusk world), the absolutely unparalleled draw of Elliott's is their Happy Hour: from 3-6pm, raw oysters cost 50¢ apiece (you read that right: FIFTY FRACKIN' CENTS EACH), going up a measly 20¢ every half hour. Were the four of us going to park our collective asses at the aforementioned bar, imbibe martoonis and down oyster after oyster? You betcha.

With such a magnificent destination planned, we whiled away the early afternoon hours strolling downtown.

Gawdknows one needs sustenance to maintain one's energy while waiting so we stopped for a bite at the charming bistro, Bacco.

Wandered through an alley approaching Pike Place Market and espied one business sporting a unique exterior finish. And no, that's not Play-Doh.

Harkening back to his podunk roots, Himself stopped to purchase the most un-subtle touristy tee possible. Well, I suppose Himself could've done worse by getting one of those fish-tossing shirts with a suggestive phrase. I suppose.

Then the magic hour(s) approached and we hastened down to the waterfront in anticipation of entering Nirvana. All said and done, we consumed 7 dozen oysters, who knows how many martinis and lurched out to the street for around 100 smackers including generous tip. That's for 4 (FOUR) people eating way more shellfish and drinking way more vodka than 4 (FOUR) people really should! If only Elliott's rented out sleeping bags and sleep masks, life would be p-e-r-f-e-c-t....




An empty martini glass is a sad sad sight... What you don't realize: this is the only one of 5 shots that wasn't blurry to the point of being unrecognizable or causing seasickness.

Himself hunted down two of the awesome shuckers (okay, I just had to say this: they were bad mothershuck--) (shut yo mouth) (a thousand pardons) who were taking a well-deserved smoke break...and perhaps resting their Carpel Tunneled wrists. They seemed a tad alarmed at being forced into a photo op, immediately scuttling back to the dark safety of their oyster bar.

[Slight segue: we seem to have a Walrus theme tying together our Seattle trips. The last time, we wandered by the Arctic Club, a fabulous old hotel that was undergoing major renovation so we could only marvel at the exterior:



This trip, we went through the Looking Glass and tumbled down a rabbit hole to find Wonderland, the likes of which the Walrus and the Carpenter would certainly approve of. Certainly there were enough oysters for the both of them!

Good thing the theme wasn't mushrooms...]

It WAS rather shocking to exit Elliott's after almost besting our accumulated lifetimes' oyster ingestion in one sitting to find it was still daylight. What to do, what to do? Go back to the hotel, watch a movie, digest-digest-digest and then top the evening off with a snack, silly. Just so happens that right across the street from our hotel is Chandler's Cove with yet more seafood and drinks <belch>.



The Boyz are just funnin' with those stink sticks. If possible, Seattle is more paranoid about public smoking than the Bay Area.

Linda might be reaching her bursting point in 3...2...1.

Jerry is verklempt at having to check out of our little slice o' heaven the next day.

He's SO dramatic.
- 5:22 pm
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The New NEW Elixir of the Gods
It was both a sad and glad day in Mudville when LaurenKaz realized that, by golly, Diet Cokes really DO taste like a chemical stew. This revelation came about having imbibed a better Elixir of No-Sugar Goodness: Diet Hansen's Sodas. Current favs include Black Cherry (just the right mix of sweet&tart) and Creamy Root Beer (tastes like an RBF) (seriously).

No lie, they use bonafide and genu-wine Natural Flavors; in the case of CRB, ingredients include licorice root extracts, Madagascan vanilla, wintergreen and anise. WHOA. Given they're at the very end of the list, one can almost assume we're talking parts per billion = waving the ingredients over the cauldron, not unlike vermouth and martoonis.

Lowdown: Diet Hansen's Sodas are sugar-free and aspartame-free; they contain no artificial colors or flavors, no sodium, no caffeine and no preservatives. Oh yeah...they're gluten free and dairy free.

Are those last two items actually issues for diet sodas??!? Who'd a thunk.

Sammy Samperson Update
(AKA: Sammich, Samurai, Samwise Gamgee, the Sam-ster)
Its true: Sammy is a Superior Kitteh—not only darn-darn cute but perhaps even smarter than Tobiko...which is saying a lot (but don't tell Tobi; she's still my fav) (shhhh...and don't tell the others that little factoid) (my, our den is a hotbed o' secrets, ain't it?).

Finally took Sammy in for his way overdue snip operation as we didn't want him to wander off (Eddie), pick fights (Mr. Shithead) or spray everything in sight (Jorge—and he came to us already neutered but "set in his ways"). Was reluctant to sabotage the rapport building with Sammy as it took F-O-R-E-V-E-R to get in some pets.

Figured he might come back from the spa totally pissed off but nothing could be farther from the truth: the lil feller is now a total lap fiend . Still fearless (is the only one who doesn't mind getting rolled by the massive Jorge when they're "playing") (everyone else runs away in abject terror...which is exactly what Jorge wants) and realizing the bully potential that kitties have.

The Rule of Paw: once you run, you're a victim so the object is to stand your ground and find someone weaker to pick on.

No Email. No Internet. No TV.
NO. WAY.
Its rather odd how many projects ~~can~~ ~~could~~ should be completed when one is cut off, virtually speaking, from the outside world. You know: the projects always put on the back burner while something else "more important" (read: interesting, deadline or actual emergency) takes precedence. We had a confluence o' crap happen recently: server meltdown, burnt-out TV/TV-monitor combos...all conspiring to make one focus on non-tech shtuff.

Like updating one's Xanga after several months and blithely posting (after access returned, natch) with ne'er an explanation. Will follow up later...promise!

So here's the really puzzling aspect of gaining Quality Project Time: still not completing much more than before. Go figure.
- 2:57 pm
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Month: November 2008

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