Family Reunion '07

I went to my family reunion on Saturday. My dad's family met my girlfriend, which went great. She's great, but she didn't come prepared for the mental stress of the bocce ball tourney.
I hate to say it, but in the 3rd round, she had a meltdown...but we had already won 2 games, and got beaten by the eventual champions, so it's all good. Next year....
I brought an insane amount of ice cream to Birch Bay, where it was held. Everyone went nuts, which is the usual reaction. I was asked a gazillion questions about the business, which was fine, but it was strange because I was the focal point for about 12 people at one point, and they were just rapid-firing queries my way. I got overwhelmed, so I went swimming in the saltwater, which the sun-baked sand had warmed up when the tide came in.
We camped there on the property, and had a bonfire on the beach that night, which was cool.
In the morning the tide was way out again, and the blue herons were out in force- I counted 16 of them in a stretch of tidal water.
The weekend was nice and relaxing- I'm back to the real life this week, all ice cream and whatnot. Yeah.
I have today off, and I'm organizing my room, and listening to old records that my dad gave me- Aretha Franklin's Soul '69 is on right now. I love it.
And then running Green Lake in a bit.

(Sung to the tune of Devo's Whip It) Lick it! Lick it good! (Ice cream you sickos....)

Ice cream monster and animal massacres!

Sunday went rather well. In terms of sales, it was just what we expected out of our 1st day. Unfortunately, when I woke up just after 6, it was raining rather hard-not cold though. It stopped just as the market started, but it kept many people away for the day. I want to thank everyone who bought the ice cream, whether or not you know us....

In terms of realizing the first step of the master plan, it went awesome. I was excited to be part of that community of farmer's and small businesses, and just really happy in general. And not stressed out, which was the average state of being for me the last week. But we did it, and it will only get better!

The highlight of the day was feeding a one year old girl her 1st taste of ice cream. There was this look of, "hmmm.....what is this?" quickly followed by a gasp, laugh, shout and smiles. We created a monster!

I went to a nice restaurant on Saturday, Nell's, which is very close to me on Greenlake. There were seven of us, and shared bites of really everything. I think I set a new personal record for "most different types of animal protein consumed in one meal." They were:

-Tuna tartare
-Sockeye salmon
-Veal loin
-Calamari
-Black cod
-Pork Belly (yummy)
-Chicken egg
-Oyster
-Duck
-Pork tenderloin
-Kobe beef hanger steak

That's eleven. Man it was a good meal. And a great, though tiring weekend. I'm gonna go for a run now, then a nap, then....? Who knows (not the shadow)

King Leon, I did it. It can be done in a matter of months.

Opening Weekend!!!

The next few days are crazy! On Sunday, we're open for business at the Sunday Market in Ballard. I am nervous as hell, and hoping it doesn't rain, which is really something I shouldn't have to think about at the end of July, eh? But it's a reality right now....
On Tuesday, we were at the factory making ice cream from 5pm until 1:15am, and it was great once it was over. I am the kind of person that gets real worked up up inside- I psyche myself out- and then everything goes well, and it's all good again....I am really proud of myself that I made it this far in such a short amount of time, and hope everything goes well.
I am sure it will.
We're off next weekend, which is kinda good, since I will pretty busy at my (real) job, or I should say, the bill paying one. We're putting 100% of what we make back into the company. We'll just let the beast grow.

I have little time for much else, so if I seem absent, please just hang with me, and feel proud for me. The 1st step in becoming my own boss!

Soda Jerks and stuff

It's late-ish Friday night, and I'm chillaxin' after work. Well, I am actually waiting up for Dragan's radio show- I missed his 1st show last week when I was in DC. I thought that being up at 4 am was a little harsh, when I had to get up early and pack to leave for home....but it's still a bad excuse, since this show is his dream. He's on radio station 91.3 KBCS Friday nights/Saturday Mornings at 1AM to 3AM.

From the website: In Dragan’s own words, “Trans Europe Express will feature non-commercial electronic music from Europe, an eclectic mix of IDM, electro, ambient, experimental and other sub-genres of electronica. It ranges from soft ambient textures to abrasive noise.”

So if you're into abrasive noise, call Dragan. But if you're like me, you just want to hear some mutha-funkin' TIESTO! And if you're really medieval, there's even a show on for you, featuring the music of the darkest ages.

One more week until the Empire is founded. We've even looked at getting scooper hats, you know the old-fashioned soda jerk paper ones? Awesome, except they're sold in boxes of 1000....maybe good for the kids in the future....

I have yet to see my friend Aki since he got back, and this bothers me a little, I'll admit. I have been waiting for the Japanese gansta shit he got for me to rock, and it has yet to be seen by mine eyes. Urasai bakkaro! Korroz!!!!

Finally, I just called Morgan, whom I hadn't talked to in a a coon's age, as some say. While it was nice to hear his voice, it was an absolutely terrible time to chat, and that (without personal details) makes me sad- Morgan, what I miss most about talking with you is your insight, and I thank you more than you know for being (I can only assume) naturally attuned to that.

And finally, I will end on a truly sad note: Trever Santora will not be playing the role of "Russian Soldier #3" in the newest Indiana Jones movie being shot right outside his back door. George Lucas thought he looked too Italian. True story.

Ichiro Madness

At last night's All-Star game, Ichiro (from the Seattle Mariners for all the Kiwis reading) hit the 1st ever inside the park home run. He was named MVP, and has now won every award he could really ever win in MLB, except the World Series title.
5 years at $100 million dollars to re-sign a 32 year old player? Not worth it on the field, but considering he's such a big fan draw.....

It doesn't run on Biodiesel

I'm back in Seattle- been back for a couple of days, but it's been busy. Ice cream and thos things. We're going to have to push the release date back one week, so look for us at the Ballard Sunday Market on July 22nd. It also looks like our fruit flavor is going to be Apricot. We got a whole bunch of free, over-ripe apricots that we cooked forever till they broke down, and made this awesome, sweet-tart batch. Yummy!

Damon is booked for Seattle in October. I'm looking forward to this. Halloween party shenanigans! And I also hope I won't be so busy at work (like when Morgue came) for me to take off a day or two and do the Olympic peninsula. What do you want to do Damon?

My oldest-continuous-best friend, CP has just had all his years of toiling at the Boeing desk come to fruition. He sent me his pictures from the unveiling of the 787, the Dreamliner on Sunday. It's all composite, and more energy efficent than any other plane. But it doesn't run on biodiesel.......







He hopes it doesn't crash....but he only really worked on the storage bins, so we should be ok Chris....

DC Police State vs War Zone

Man, it has been a crazy trip thus far. I woke early to get coffee/wifi and re-connect with many out there, and to do what work I can remotely.

So here's my tale:
Once upon a time, there was an Alligator who left Seattle to travel to the sacred homelands of his his mother. The fertile, gently rolling hills of Conneticut beckoned to him, but his flight was cancelled, and he got to spend Player's Holiday (Thursday night) in Chicago. He was amazed by the 2nd Windiest City, with it's past wealth and glory hanging out at the edge of the Great Lake. He ate at Rick Bayliss' Fronterra Grill, an epicurean's delight. Traditioanl Mexican food was consumed-chili purees of perfection!

It annoys the hell out of me to write that way.....so I'm stopping that. Ok. Does anybody know that they don't make postcards of Cleveland? They don't. I found out when we had to be re-routed through there to get to Hartford.

The family was nice to see, some of whom (my cousins) were adults now, not little whiny kids. Very cool guys.
The wedding of my cousin was a dance-off supreme between me and my little sister. She thought she won, because she's so much cuter than I am. HA! That's what she thinks.....

Sunday was a nice brunch/bbq at my aunt and uncle's house in the country, and I made a nice dinner.
Then on Monday morning, Iris, Mark and I drove down to DC, through New York, New Jersey (very nice- you get to drive 85mph to keep in the flow) and such-a-short-distance-you-could-probably-measure-it-in-feet time in Delaware, then Maryland, and the Federal District of Columbia (whose license plates read "Taxation Without Representation").
DC is actually nicer than I thought it'd be. The Mall is very nice and cool at night- all the monuments are lit up, and whatnot.

Tueday I went to the Capitol, and saw probably 20% of the building. They don't let you into the chambers unless you have a ticket from your representative or senator...and I also saw the Nat'l Greenhouse and Native American Museum.
And then started drinking at 4 at dime wing night. Can anyone tell me how gross it is to know you were part of a $3 wing-fury? And half a burger.

4th of July was crazy. I cooked ribs and collard greens (Sorry Damon- yours were great, but mine were perfect.) We went to a BBQ, drank Canadian and Mexican beers, ate, bullshited, lit off fire crackers and bottle rockets, watched the big display from the rooftop of a million dollar condo, saw some guys get their fireworks taken away by the DC PD (DC is a Police State- I said so on the news-it's a long story), watched more crazy people blow up shit. It was this insane war zone in DC last night. I've never seen so much explosions in a city before. And people are just running around-the little pyros!

Whew. If you made it, good for you. This is binge-blogging fer sure.
3 more days in DC, filled with many museums and monuments.
Have fun kids.

The Other Coast

Got a whole grip of stuff to take care of for the Empire. Some of it was done today (btw- got the machine delivered, and it's all shiney stainless steel) and there's more to do while I'm away.
Which leads me to the fact that I'm heading out East for the next 10 days. 1st will be Hartford CT, and the wedding of my cousine Miles. Also included in that whole shebang is seeing the family on the other coast whose curse it is to see me every few years. Then on Monday, there's a long drive down to DC, where I'll be on the Mall for the 4th. Drunk. Probably pretty drunk, actually.

While weddings (and drunks) are mentioned in this post, I'd like to say congrats to my friend Leon and his girl Laura, who have gotten engaged. It's time to start thinking about the wedding feast's menu I'll be cooking.....

Good on ya, Leon.

weekend bonzai!

Whew! What a weekend! So chocka full of stuff.
Friday night, at work, I ate the most decadant thing I've ever had. Well, definately the most decadant in a long time. I won't say what it is, because it will ovewhelm most of you. It was apeshit crazy good.
Then I went out with Angie and saw Whitetrash Whiplash, who unexpectedly rawked. The guitar player fell from about 8 feet up during the freebird guitar solo- and kept playing. I then slept until 1pm.

I went to Carta de Oaxaca, which is very good, and will be on my "go back and have pozole again list." Oh, Ballard- you have some good Mexican restaurants.

Saw "Eagle vs Shark" which was easily the best film I've seen this year. Truly great stuff. Thank you New Zealand for that one. I highly recommend it to everyone that loved Napoleon Dynamite, and not to those that loved "Blade 2."

I then continued my gastronomic delights by having a banzai Japanesh dinner, consuming sushi of various types, sukiyaki, broiled black cod collar and takoyaki- basically chopped octopus dumplings with ponzu sauce. Yum.

Uhh....what next? Oh yeah, Sunday morning I went on an 8 mile hike to Rachel Lake in the cascades (12 miles past Snoqualmie pass). It started nicely, following a stream and passing through alpine meadows in a canyon. And then the end of the canyon was met, and a relentless ascent began, up over 1500 feet, and over the snow line. It was raining on us, and then all of a sudden, it was snowing on us. We hurredly ate our lunches in the quiet-snow-lake place, and more or less bolted down before we completely froze. It got warm quickly, which was nice, and finished 5.5 hours after we started.

And then Dustin cooked me dinner, featuring the 10 pounds of cherries he bought for $10. Cherry Sauerbraten (braised beef shortribs with cherry-shiraz sauce), crushed potatoes (last time he ever cooks purple potatoes), greens, and for dessert: cherry cobbler and cherry ice cream. And wine. Good wine. And applejack. Good applejack.

And sleep.

Bing Bang.

So Tuesday night dodgeball was pretty good. It's a fun game for sure, but it lacks the same fun-loving crowd that brought me into the group, and have all moved on. I heard there's another group, consisting of hipsters, playing earlier in the evening on tuesdays. I might check that one out, if I get off work early enough.

Solstice came and passed, nothing notable, but at least I'm not my brother Isak, who just went to Fairbanks, Alaska for his summer job. Where it won't get dark for another 2 weeks....good thing he's working 12 hour days- it'll help him sleep.

I went to karaoke last night, and perhaps I have a new spot. It's an Irish pub, and they have an average sized collection, but with some ecclectic selections. I sang splish splash. Lyrics to this childhood favorite can be found here. What other song has the line, "bing bang, I saw the whole gang, dancing on my living room rug."

Anyways, gotta go. I have to get ready for my trip back east next week this weekend, and plan on seeing, "Eagle vs. Shark" if I have time. Which I'll make for the movie.

1st night of Dodgeball

Yessiree Bob, it's the 1st night of dodgeball to be played by me since last summer. I am looking forward to it, and have been for the last couple days. It is truly one of my great regrets that the game wasn't conveyed as a mission to NZ. It really was too hard to find a spot, eh Morgue? Well, there's always the future.....

I went on my longest and toughest run yesterday, and it wasn't my legs that were sore afterwards, but some mirrored spots on my ribcage. Apparently, if one breathes too deeply, it'll get you sore.....hmm.

Downloading the new White Stripes album right now, and I got tickets to their show at the Paramount in September. It'll be the 1st time I've been there since my very 1st concert ever: James Brown. That was on Halloween night, age 16 with Trever Santora, 3rd row. The Godfather of Soul in full effect.

I also want to post something the aforementioned Morgue posted on his blog. It's a seemingly excellent high school teacher's argument on why smoething has to be done on climate change. I know it won't change any of this blog's reader's minds, since you're all down with the good side, but it's still an interesting concept.

Her foot got stuck in a TV.

So the last week went by without blogging? How'd that happen? Well, it's been a mix of exciting social events, the work thing, and interesting personal life developments....I don;t think I can recall the majority of the things that have gone on past, say Friday.
CP left town for the bay area and left me in charge of his dog and all personal major posessions. I used them well. You know chicks really like whippets?
It was also TD's birthday, which was a banger at Porta with the dance-off, loud music, happy rendevous between folks, and regretably weak drinks/long lines. (if there's 2 things I hate about packed bars it's those 2 things!) After hours unveiled TD's newest and by far best gift he received this birthday- a new TV which replaced his old one which had finally crapped out on him. It had started limping along about 2 months ago, and needed to be quickly switched on and off to "warm er up." And that got to take so long, that Tom would just go straight to bed when he came home, as opposed to fall asleep in his chair under grandma's afghan. So, yeah we got a good used one on Craigslist, and broke the old one. And then Angie jumped off a chair, and got her leg stuck in the TV. Yes. It got stuck, and ate her flip flop. And she left blood on the floor like a wounded deer.

I think it's finally safe to say there's no chance in hell that those boys are getting their security deposit back.

And Saturday was the solstice parade- you know, the major city event where dozens of people ride their bikes around naked? It was the 1st time I'd seen it, and in addition to the aforementioned fun, the bands, floats and just crazy people were a great time. Drinking outside and people watching. It was nice. I'm gonna have to be in it next year, but clothes on, and just going crazy.

Today my dad came up with my brother Isak, and we shot pool (my dad is apparently a shark- I never knew), ate burgers and watched Tiger play at Leny's Place. And then threw the frisbee....A relaxing day.

Ok!!! Enough, I must run!

Oly, it's in the water!

Went down to my hometown this weekend for my dad's birthday/returning stateside party today.
Last night I helped him move around all the stuff- the idea is that he's turning my former bedroom into the "media" room. He's ready to upgrade the TV to HD, and has the computer there (which is a needier replacement IMO) and also he'll record music in there if he likes....we watched Sleeper, the Woody Allen classic. It's so good because of his neurotic rants, and the scene where he beats down the pudding is my favorite.
*******BREAKING NEWS*********
WE INTERRUPT THE REGULALY SCHEDULED BLOG POST DUE TO AN AMAZING FIND ON YOUTUBE WHILE LOOKING FOR THE AFOREMENTIONED PUDDING SCENE.
Woody Allen Interviewing Billy Graham. It's pretty funny, and there are 2 parts.
*******WE NOW RETURN YOU TO THE REGULAR PROGRAM***************
So yeah, we had the party and drank piña coladas and had burgers and chicken. It was great. Man, that Billy sure took all the wind out of my post........whew.......
I've started running, but not because Damon might be here in October........

In the News

Sorry I haven't written much- I know you come here for the best insight, ever. But it's been an odd week, and we're hitting some crunchtime stuff with the ice creamery. I'll write something good this weekend- I promise.
Ow! PARTY!
( I have no idea where that came from)

War Chests.

It's so hot, it makes you want to eat ice cream. I went to the farmer's market by my house today, and got Okanogan strawberries (still 1 more month for the Western Washington ones) and Chelan cherries. They might have rushed them to the market a few days early, but they're still good. And people just GAVE UP THEIR MONEY WITHOUT THOUGHTS OR CARES for them. I know I did. I saw one stand where the cash was coming in so quick, they just threw it in a crate, making an impressive War Chest of twentys......

I then walked around Green Lake for the 1st time since moving to my new place. It was full of the beautiful and not-as beautiful people.

258

I just saw my dad for the first time in 258 days. He has returned home from travelling since the beginning of the year, and obviously for most of y'all, I was gone since September.
It was for only perhaps 45 minutes, but we ate ice cream (Empire Brand Double Brown & Cocoa Nib with Choco Swirl) and he showed me the list of things he's planned for the house.
It was excellent. I am going to bed now, a'ight?

There's Zombie Fish in the water!

I went camping up in the Cascades, out past Index and Goldbar on Hwy 2 this weekend. I went with some friends, and we got a very late start on Friday night, and the fact there was traffic in the middle of nowhere (why?) didn't help.
We hit the trail at about 9pm, and it was a 3 mile walk. I'm glad it was an easy one, with 500 feet gain.

We arrived at this lake in darkness, with only one other campsite (which turned out to be some drunk yelling at his kids for a whole day. He sucked to say the least.) filled and we got set and ate dinner over the fire. The next day it was alright weather wise, and we just lounged about, and checked out the lake area. It was just off the mountains, and was (when filtered) the best damn drinking water earth could provide perhaps.

Rain came after our big bon-fire bonanza complete with hotdogs, smores, bourbon and ghost stories (zombie fish). Sunday was damp, and I mostly stayed close to the fire after going swimming (ok, it was really a jump in, a yelp of "holy shit!", and a race to the shore and fire.) and doing the requisite camp work, like getting wood, which was scarce due to the rain. Sunday was curry night, and drama filled with some yahoos getting drunk and firing their guns. I will add that (some) are in the military, but that doesn't make it any better. But I did come away with 2 genuine MRE's, complete with 3600 calories in a meal. And tons of sodium. It's what you need for combat I suppose. Or you could live for 3 days off one.

And the hike back in/stuck in traffic/eating at Zeke's burger shack/hey the weather is really nice in the city!

I can't see myself going to the wingoff. I think I'll just eat those wings with CP......

Worst. Applicant. Ever.

I know this is pretty bad, but today an old resume cover leter was exhumed from the "I cannot believe this!" file. It was brought for comparison against a new challenger. I must note that PLENTY of terrible resumes come through ANY kitchen, due to English as a second language, or just plain dumb people. But I wanted to post this actual, and incredible piece for your amazement.

And if you read this, you are as bad as I am....

"Seeking long-term employment opportunity with Restaurant working the Kitchen-back of house, saute cook most looked aster, of course a desire. I have exceptional prior kitchen friendliness, not kitchen suddeness. Learning and training is an ongoing practice and I excel doing so. Education is my priority; student living, of course is a necessity. I take responsibility for all my tuition and school costs which includes; room, health and trasportation and student fees. I have a career interest analysis wisdom and virtue; also, I should mention I am an avid outdoorsman and rich at all of it. You can most notably recognize, I (name blacked out), and asses the formulation as a whole and extract the following qualitites, because you will notice that each division is evident, apart of who I am today and will be tomorrow. I have desire to achieve a task within a comfortable time fram, I possess the strength to achieve a reasonable request, competent and responsive to upper management. Prefer shared deadline as a team rather then forced to be singled out. Find that I get along with all races, genders and personality types; except for, backstabbers, gossipers and cowards. I am responsible and courteous, I expect nothing but championship quality, unless otherwise expected. Have experience researching controversial issues, current affairs, bibliographies, popular culture etc. I enjoy a fast paced heated enviroment with value and intensity. I excel with interactive busy work tasks, and pursue small and large business fundamental objectives. Don Dellilo writes... that, all of the hand written and word processed excess documents thrown out, are to be valued later not disturbed as garbage before..."


Really.

Why Morgue Owes me like 10 bucks!

Morgue accidently sent me nearly 8 gazillion texts. Actually it was about 75. From 6:08 to 6:22 on 5/12.

So really it's only $7.50. I'll let you buy me a beer at the next Mariners game we go to.

Also, Aki Ulmer owes me a Daewoo DVD player in my NEW (read: to be replaced in about 3 years....) 1983 Alfa Romeo Spyder (to replace the one he totalled). Damn the man that took that ride from me on a nice sunny day like today!

Damn him to Japan......

1st day off in 2 weeks!

Oh boy oh boy. I got to do NOTHING today. It was nice.
I went to a house party with a bad theme. I won't divulge what is was-I shouldn;t encourage it. But I dressed up as Andre Agassi. With the earrings and racket. There was plenty of the usual, except I found I am a complete natural at guitar hero 2. I now have something else to buy to waste my time on. And I look forward to it, for some reason.
This morning I ate at my new favorite breakfast place: Señor Moose Cafe in Ballard. Traditional Mexican breakfasts and coffee that was very tasty.
And I've lounged about all day, sleeping and listening to music. Thinking about ice cream.....

And still I haven't done a damn thing with my room. Leon, be proud that I was intimidated by the massivesness of Ikea, and left with NOTHING. I am building my bookcase this week I hope.