ahh, the beautiful blue trim on the garage
Monday, December 22, 2008
It stopped snowing
Gina went out and took a few shots this morning.
ahh, the beautiful blue trim on the garage
ahh, the beautiful blue trim on the garage
Sunday, December 21, 2008
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Friday, December 19, 2008
FOTO FUN all around
Gina's cousin Margaret has fine tuned this photo...
click on it to make it larger and more readable.
Have at it... everybody..
Bus hanging over I-5 near Denny overpass
Bus hanging over I-5 near Denny overpass click on that...
we don't handle the snow and ice well at all, here in Seattle.
we don't handle the snow and ice well at all, here in Seattle.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Snow Day in Seattle
A biking friend stopped by to visit.
Rock had some more fun photoshopping my pictures.
I could use a hug, though.
Lance Snowman
Jeez, do my feet look HUGE in this picture ? esp. compared to my skinny little legs?
Refreshing Dip
Isn't this just the coolest? no pun intended.
Many thanks to our buddy Rock (aka Surfer Dude) for digitally playing around with the blog photos. He is gifted in so many ways.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Ed's Christmas Lights
Our first stop on the night we got home from Maui was at Ed's (and his little dog, Katie) house. To see how many lights he put up... as you can see, zillions. Actually, it's an apt. bldg, and fortunately, there is a vacancy in the upper apt.
Ed is a gym member, extraordinaire... I think he logs more hours in there than us.
Ed is a gym member, extraordinaire... I think he logs more hours in there than us.
Maui News
So, here's the narrative to go with the photos that I posted yesterday.
The trip started out perfectly. We left the house in the dead of morning, 5:00am. Got to the car park, no problem. Opened the trunk to give suitcases to shuttle dude. OOPS, "where's my green suitcase?!" In my sleepy stupor I made sure I had my coffee mug, the newspaper, the garbage to take to garage but I HAD LEFT MY SUITCASE IN THE DARK LIVING ROOM !!!
Fortunately, I was travelling with Mario Andretti. We hopped back in the car and set out to get it. Trying to plan for contingencies all the way. Traffic was pretty heavy but no back ups (we were way early for our flight) Mario/Gina was able to drive 80+ the whole way, in and out of lanes, zip zip zip.... The intersection at Ravenna and 65th, the light didn't want to turn green so of course she ran it.... (and we worried all week that it was a red light camera intersection and we'd have a little gift in the mail when we got home- it isn't, we didn't) Got the suitcase, 80 mph all the way back. Got to the car park and the same shuttle dude was there. He thought we must live close by, when I said Green Lake, he was totally impressed. We didn't need to worry about exercise that day, the heart rates had been elevated enough. And we still had time to go thru the way long security line, and relax and wait for our flight.
So, we made it just fine to Maui. And our vacation went as it usually does. Here is a typical day's agenda:
6:00am wake up
7:00am running or a spin class
8:00am laps in the pool
9:00am select chaise lounges, drink coffee and read newspapers poolside
10:00am apply sunscreen
11:00am Lupe delivers first Heinekin to me
12:00pm we move to the tables for lunch and crib game
1:00-3:00pm fool around in pool, keep lookout for whales, talk sports with Jerome the bartender
3:00pm move down to beach for an hour of swimming, wave thrashing, people watching
4:00pm to the room for a bit of Rachel Maddow show, shower
5:00pm head to dinner (we actually tried a couple new places, and they are permanently on our list now)
7:00pm try to watch tv
8:00pm zz zzzzz
We did go do a bit of snorkel-less snorkeling. Which is perfect for me. Otherwise I spend the whole time concentrating on my breathing and not the fish. And we saw the big turtles swimming very near us. I think Gina could have touched him. (her?)
On Saturday we broke the routine and we drove to Wailuku to run a 5k race that I had read about. It was a fund raiser for a local HS kid who has cancer. We met the kid, Jarron. He was impressed that we came all the way from Seattle to run in his race. Talked with a couple of the local runners. It was a really nice time. We won a couple raffle gift certificates, which we re-gifted to Lupe and our spinning teacher.
The state of the economy was evident. The hotel was at about 50% occupancy. Which is a real drag for the staff, but nice for those of us staying. That week is usually slow but not that bad.
No rain all week, so it was perfect.
And then we come home to 20 degree weather.
Mahalo for listening to my stuff.
The trip started out perfectly. We left the house in the dead of morning, 5:00am. Got to the car park, no problem. Opened the trunk to give suitcases to shuttle dude. OOPS, "where's my green suitcase?!" In my sleepy stupor I made sure I had my coffee mug, the newspaper, the garbage to take to garage but I HAD LEFT MY SUITCASE IN THE DARK LIVING ROOM !!!
Fortunately, I was travelling with Mario Andretti. We hopped back in the car and set out to get it. Trying to plan for contingencies all the way. Traffic was pretty heavy but no back ups (we were way early for our flight) Mario/Gina was able to drive 80+ the whole way, in and out of lanes, zip zip zip.... The intersection at Ravenna and 65th, the light didn't want to turn green so of course she ran it.... (and we worried all week that it was a red light camera intersection and we'd have a little gift in the mail when we got home- it isn't, we didn't) Got the suitcase, 80 mph all the way back. Got to the car park and the same shuttle dude was there. He thought we must live close by, when I said Green Lake, he was totally impressed. We didn't need to worry about exercise that day, the heart rates had been elevated enough. And we still had time to go thru the way long security line, and relax and wait for our flight.
So, we made it just fine to Maui. And our vacation went as it usually does. Here is a typical day's agenda:
6:00am wake up
7:00am running or a spin class
8:00am laps in the pool
9:00am select chaise lounges, drink coffee and read newspapers poolside
10:00am apply sunscreen
11:00am Lupe delivers first Heinekin to me
12:00pm we move to the tables for lunch and crib game
1:00-3:00pm fool around in pool, keep lookout for whales, talk sports with Jerome the bartender
3:00pm move down to beach for an hour of swimming, wave thrashing, people watching
4:00pm to the room for a bit of Rachel Maddow show, shower
5:00pm head to dinner (we actually tried a couple new places, and they are permanently on our list now)
7:00pm try to watch tv
8:00pm zz zzzzz
We did go do a bit of snorkel-less snorkeling. Which is perfect for me. Otherwise I spend the whole time concentrating on my breathing and not the fish. And we saw the big turtles swimming very near us. I think Gina could have touched him. (her?)
On Saturday we broke the routine and we drove to Wailuku to run a 5k race that I had read about. It was a fund raiser for a local HS kid who has cancer. We met the kid, Jarron. He was impressed that we came all the way from Seattle to run in his race. Talked with a couple of the local runners. It was a really nice time. We won a couple raffle gift certificates, which we re-gifted to Lupe and our spinning teacher.
The state of the economy was evident. The hotel was at about 50% occupancy. Which is a real drag for the staff, but nice for those of us staying. That week is usually slow but not that bad.
No rain all week, so it was perfect.
And then we come home to 20 degree weather.
Mahalo for listening to my stuff.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Lupe ! Here it is !!!
Lupe is one of our favorites at the hotel ( and Robert, Allison, Keisa, Jerome, Eddie, the latte ladies, Linda, well, we like them all ) Could it be because she knows when to bring my first Heinekin? No,no she's really a nice woman. And we've got running in common. She does a few races there. I get exhausted just watching the miles she puts in at work.
The Westin staff Christmas party had a "Dancing with the Stars" contest. We'd asked Lupe if she wanted to join us for a 5K race on Saturday. She declined, cuz of the party the night before. Later Jerome tells us the whole story.... Lupe is one of the dancing contestants !
We stopped by the party that night to watch. We are practically family there (well, we think so). It was really fun and the dancers were all great. Lupe was paired up with Trent, a very talented and handsome young guy. They did a great job, and we found out later they actually won the contest. It's all very funny because Lupe is such a sweet and shy gal. It must have been totally out of character for her to do this.
We had won a gift certificate in the raffle prizes at the race so we awarded that to Lupe .
My photos SUCK ! The lighting was for the stage. And of course I don't know how to use the special features of the camera that might offset the back lighting. And cuz we were essentially crashing the party I didn't think I could stroll up to the stage and snap away. I softwared them up as best I could. She wanted to see them, so I told her she'd have to suffer thru the blahhgg to see them.
the video screen catches Lupe
Poodle skirt flying
The Westin staff Christmas party had a "Dancing with the Stars" contest. We'd asked Lupe if she wanted to join us for a 5K race on Saturday. She declined, cuz of the party the night before. Later Jerome tells us the whole story.... Lupe is one of the dancing contestants !
We stopped by the party that night to watch. We are practically family there (well, we think so). It was really fun and the dancers were all great. Lupe was paired up with Trent, a very talented and handsome young guy. They did a great job, and we found out later they actually won the contest. It's all very funny because Lupe is such a sweet and shy gal. It must have been totally out of character for her to do this.
We had won a gift certificate in the raffle prizes at the race so we awarded that to Lupe .
My photos SUCK ! The lighting was for the stage. And of course I don't know how to use the special features of the camera that might offset the back lighting. And cuz we were essentially crashing the party I didn't think I could stroll up to the stage and snap away. I softwared them up as best I could. She wanted to see them, so I told her she'd have to suffer thru the blahhgg to see them.
the video screen catches Lupe
Poodle skirt flying
Did someone mention Hawaii ??
a typical sunset view from our room. ugh.
Black Rock, at the Sheraton. We went snorkeling (minus the snorkel). Saw the fish, and the TURTLES !! no, those are not Gina's dansko's
waves crashing, Molokai in the background
scenery
Snorkel tour folks blocking my view.
off for an open water ocean swim, back in 20 minutes.
pool boredom
gina slides with style
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wild life , it wasn't all at the pool bar. And we did see whales not far off shore.. that's always a highlight!
atr slides !
Gymnauseum, part 3
So, last night was a party (back at the Bath House Theatre). A pot luck thingy to have the gang say good bye to the staff (Chris, Kat, Laura and Mac) . Fortunately, Chris and Laura were there. Kat was working at her new job. Although it seemed as if everyone was waiting for Mac... phone messages said "he's on his way" . But it was nice to see a lot of folks. There was of course some bitching, and it will go on , I'm sure, human nature being what it is.
Gina and I were gone for the first 10 days of the takeover so had nothing to add to the mix.. I did get the scoop that on one of the first days, one of the staff let the jacuzzi overflow, into the men's locker room. nice. There is a lot of equipment moved around. Apparently a 'well run gym' has all the weights piled up in a corner, and 17 ( I exaggerate) benches right next to each other. Might be a bit dangerous if 2 people were using adjacent benches... clunk .... Well, not so dangerous if it was me, as I use those colorful little single digit weights. But Rock, or Gina... Look out neighbor, I'm working my lats !!
For such a lousy transition phase one would think that customer service would be top priority with these guys. And the easiest thing to do is to say hello and introduce oneself to members as they come thru the door. Not happening. We made the effort yesterday. And it was painful/awkward. And as for the qualified staff behind the counter, one guy was sketching cartoons (Gina likes him cuz his artwork is good) and the gal today... reading a book. Maybe she's trying to keep up with members as this is a pretty literate group that works out there. Or maybe she's avoiding talking to anyone cuz she knows we're all pissed off.
Anyway, I managed to get a decent workout in.. Actually lifted some weights and did some core work. November was disastrous for my routine and Hawaii didn't help.
Gina and I were gone for the first 10 days of the takeover so had nothing to add to the mix.. I did get the scoop that on one of the first days, one of the staff let the jacuzzi overflow, into the men's locker room. nice. There is a lot of equipment moved around. Apparently a 'well run gym' has all the weights piled up in a corner, and 17 ( I exaggerate) benches right next to each other. Might be a bit dangerous if 2 people were using adjacent benches... clunk .... Well, not so dangerous if it was me, as I use those colorful little single digit weights. But Rock, or Gina... Look out neighbor, I'm working my lats !!
For such a lousy transition phase one would think that customer service would be top priority with these guys. And the easiest thing to do is to say hello and introduce oneself to members as they come thru the door. Not happening. We made the effort yesterday. And it was painful/awkward. And as for the qualified staff behind the counter, one guy was sketching cartoons (Gina likes him cuz his artwork is good) and the gal today... reading a book. Maybe she's trying to keep up with members as this is a pretty literate group that works out there. Or maybe she's avoiding talking to anyone cuz she knows we're all pissed off.
Anyway, I managed to get a decent workout in.. Actually lifted some weights and did some core work. November was disastrous for my routine and Hawaii didn't help.
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