On the edge of my muggle seat

Great news: I just received a special delivery at work: My copy of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." Oh happy day!

Not-so-great news: This morning, before receiving said special delivery, I agreed to accompany the association's executive director to a workshop in Shoreline tonight. That is to say, I just sacrificed my evening, which would otherwise be dedicated to devouring HPatDH. Oh sad day!

The book is sitting on my desk, taunting me. It is everything I can do not to lock my door and start reading right now.

If you, blog readers, are Harry Potter fans, too, I wish you happy reading!

Ten reasons to feel happy

Today is a good day for the following reasons:

1. It is gray, rainy and cool. Not exactly the ideal summer day, but perfect nonetheless. After a few days of suffering through the arid heat of Phoenix, a measured dose of PNW rain is just I what I need. Sure, I'll be wishing for the sun in a few days, but for now, I'll take the clouds and the raindrops.

2. SMH liked the birthday presents I gave him this year. My husband is thoughtful and romantic and talented at picking out gifts for me. I do not share that talent, and I somehow always fall short of any great ideas. But, finally, I hit on some gifts that resonate with his interests/personality, including a tool belt (a great accessory to match his rapidly developing DIY skills) and Icky Thump (first track: um, hello, prog rock?).

3. My boss is downright wonderful. Not just "I can tolerate my boss because he is not a complete jerk" but "My boss is an outstanding, classy human being who supports his employees, constantly gives positive feedback, brings energy to the job, and has a sense of humor." (He appreciates the humor of -- and therefore can quote -- Best in Show, the SNL cowbell skit and the SNL Star Trek convention skit. Are you kidding me? If I had to choose a boss, I would choose this guy!) I am not saying this to kiss ass because, though he knows I blog, he doesn't know my web site...at least, I don't think he does.

4. Over the past week or so, I have heard from a slew of old friends, who despite my pathetic record of correspondence, still seem to like me. I don't know why they don't write me off. I deserve it. But still, they send me e-mails and call me and make me miss them something awful.

5. I am making new friends here in OlyWa. One of my first nights here, I broke down over a bowl of clam chowder (topped with crab, it's good that way!), confessing my greatest fear: that I'd never form any friendships here. But we're meeting people -- nice, cool people. The kind of people who make me grateful for having the nerve to move across the country.

6. In a matter of weeks, we will have a second-floor bathroom. Our house is currently in a state of utter chaos, with holes in walls, floors torn up, furniture out of place. plastic hanging everywhere. But soon, very soon, we will no longer have to go downstairs for all our bathroom needs. (Note: See me after we get our next bill to check on my mood.)

7. I am baking up a storm. In a feverish baking spree (known as "elf mode") last night, I made brownies, meringues and truffles. And, in my search for Fleur de Sel (which I never did find), I found out which store in OlyWa sells star anise.

8. I had a positive travel adventure last week. While flying to and from Phoenix, I saw the following out my airplane window:
- A very close-up view of Mount Rainier.
- The Grand Canyon
- A forest fire in California (OK, I know that is nothing to celebrate, but how often do you get to see that from above?)
- Mount Shasta
And, as we flew into SeaTac, and I saw the Sound and the mountains and the trees, I thought to myself, I love where I live.

9. I am eating healthier (brownies, meringues and truffles notwithstanding). The unfortunate fact that I am no longer running regularly is balanced by the fact that I seem to be off the evil sugar addiction.

10. This morning, I saw the following quote from Anne Frank: "Isn't it wonderful that no one need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world?" Bittersweet, but it kind of made my day.

Birthday greetings

A big, ginormous HAPPY BIRTHDAY to SMH.

It is very sad that we are 1,450 miles apart and cannot celebrate together.

But believe me, SMH, the best birthday present is that you don't have to be here in the fires of Phoenix with me.

You are getting to do things like shoot the Tigers/Mariners game, while I am having to do things like spend an evening (outside) at "Rawhide, the 1880's Western town, steakhouse, saloon and shops in the heart of Wild Horse Pass" (description: "Step back in time where the Wild West comes to life with old-time hospitality, delicious chow, old west shootouts, and lots of fun attractions.")

Seriously, who's getting the short end of the stick here?

This is your list of things to do:
- Enjoy the day as a bachelor.
- Forego the endless house projects and do something fun.
- Don't be sad about turning another year older.
- Sing this little ditty to yourself: "The greatest adventure is what lies ahead..."

Heat = whinge

I am writing from Phoenix, Arizona. In mid-July. Need I say more?

Yes, it is miserable. Intolerable. Unbelievable. Who in their right mind decides to live here?

The temperature today was 108 degrees. "It's a dry heat," some say, to put visitors' minds at ease, I guess. But I assure you, a dry 108 degrees still feels like a fiery inferno.

Whinge, whinge, whinge.

A conference for work brings me to Phoenix. Unlike last year's conference in Chicago, when I thoroughly enjoyed my free time strolling around the wonderful Windy City, this year's conference has one theme: Spend as little time outside as possible. So, I am a slave to my air-conditioned room, to the television, and to the laptop, which my boss has generously lent me.

Whinge, whinge, whinge.

This puts OlyWa's 99-degree day on Wednesday in perspective. Our PNW "heatwave" lasted two days this week. And, my fellow Midwest natives, speaking of whinging, you would not believe the storm of complaints that the heat set into motion. With your constant barrage of "hazy, hot and humid" conditions, you would laugh these PNWers out of town.

...Which leads me to wonder, am I unable to tolerate the Phoenix conditions because I have become a soft PNWer? Am I complete wimp? I suspect I already know the answer.

Steve from Cincinnati

...Not to be confused with John from Cincinnati, who apparently is also a surfer. SMH got to try his hand (or feet) on the surfboard last weekend, when we went camping with friends at Kalaloch. How did he do? Aside from a cracked rib, I'd say pretty good.



Friend/surfer Dave lent SMH and the other fellas an extra wetsuit and his surfboard. Each took a turn with the board.




Three-year-old Eloise shows up the guys, with the help of her dad!







Eloise wonders, "Dude, what's up with these amateur surfers?"

This little girl:
Cracks. Me. Up.

There were six children on the camping trip -- all funny, all cool. Yay for kids playing on the beach all day.









Loki made a few new friends at Kalaloch, including Eloise and Angus.

Karla's making me laugh

I owe friend Karla a shout out.

If you didn't know, Karla is one Ballsy designer.

Aside from making me yearn for a weekend, or two, or three, in NYC, Miss Karla made me howl with laughter last week as she reacquainted me with the joys of Gawker Stalker. I had kicked the GS addiction for a while, but am now off the wagon (or would that be back on the wagon?), checking the site obsessively for new additions. The "Trey Macdougal" sighting is making me laugh especially hard today. Karla assures me she will make her own contribution sometime soon (but, Karla, make sure it is not about a Richard Belzer sighting).

My old friend is also lighting up my life these days by sending me references to Freaks and Geeks. The fact that she not only appreciates the minor characters but is able to cite obscure quotes from them puts her a notch above ridiculously cool.

Karla is doing very well for herself on the LES (which is no surprise), and I expect someday soon she will be the subject of a GS entry. Just don't forget the little people, Karla.