Random Randomness

Well, it’s the Friday Eve of a rather maniacal week. February has nearly completed its arc, March is queuing up its show. This month felt solidly off balance. Busyness facilitates that sensation.

This past Tuesday my son and I went to see Roman vs Fousey. They’re two YouTube stars popular amongst near sociopathic youths, so I’ve read. My experience with these two was rather limited. Thus, I was prepared for an hour or two of insipid drivel. With such low expectations, it’s pretty easy to be up-sold. Surprise: I actually like the show. It was filled with goofiness, directed towards their core audience, but there was a very positive message interwoven. So, parents being drug to one of the other shows? Fear not! It’s alright. And massively more upbeat than the evening news.

One fun thing about the show: it was held at Seattle’s Neptune Theatre. I have a solid history there. I saw the Phantom Menace there. I’m pretty sure I saw Rocky Horror there once (my first time was at the Varsity, though). I used to work a block form there. My dad and most of my uncles grew up in the neighborhood. We parked right by Seattle Heights Community Center. Back in the day, their elementary school. The University District has changed quite a bit recently. It’s quite cosmopolitan now, but still has that student je nes se quois. The warm evening reminded me of getting to wander around the city of Berkeley (California) back in the 80s.  

The prior weekend, the Washington Beer Lovers coordinated a roving open house, featuring gobs of breweries throughout the state, including my friends’ Whiskey Ridge in Arlington. I love the owners and adore getting to spend time with them. Plus, their beer is killer. I’m not the biggest conisseur, ever since I discovered alcohol in anything but the most minute portions gives me migraines. But their “Cinful” is amazing and worth the lingering pain. Fortunately, my wife took care of the rest of the glass, saving me for certain agony. It’s good to be loved so.

In the middle of the month, I won another round of dialing for jurors. Each of the past couple of years, I’ve been summoned for jury duty. Each time it was simply calling in and being told to call again tomorrow. Oddly, I’ve done this for both Snohomish County and the City of Lynnwood. Way back when, I got to do this with Edmonds, too. I’ve never so much as walked into the county or city courthouse. It’s to the point where I just warn my team that this time I might actually need to go in. But don’t really make any plans to be out of the office.

Getting together with a few friends drove home, yet again, that I don’t get together with my dear friends enough. Yet again, I resolve to do something about that. I’ve emailed a few, so we’ll see. It’s challenging to track it all. My contact list is stupid big, with gobs of folks I’ve really lost touch with. As I dig through the thousand plus contacts and see friends and family who died years ago, the benign neglect shows though gloriously. Another of those things that’s easy to do later. Sigh…

As we head into March, I really want to see The Force Awakens a second time. Sadly, it looks like I lost my chance to see it in Imax. Oh, and there’s Deadpool! I’ve seen each Deadpool trailer several times. Must. Go. Soon. And I haven’t made my way down for the Bruce Lee exhibit at Wing Luke yet. So very many objectives; some planning must be started. Should fill the weekend with this. But there’s not much downtime, so it’ll be a challenge. As it always is.

What was your favorite part of the past month? Of this winter? Yep, spring is raising is flower adorned head. Soon we’ll be reminded that early adolescent boys need training to remember deodorant. Oh, the fates aren’t kind. Are there any upcoming things you’re jazzed about. Bike Expo is coming up soon!

May we find blessing in all our lives.

Father’s Day Weekend Fun Around Seattle, Edmonds

Well, it looks like a lovely, rainy Father’s Day weekend in Greater Seattle land. Which may be a bit of a bummer, but we Northwesterners know how to cope.

So, looking for some reason to brave the rain and depart the abode? I have a few suggestions. Oh, and let me clear, this isn’t even close to all inclusive.

  1. The Edmonds Arts Festival: this is currently in process (started this morning) and runs the entire weekend. Many events and performances on top of a ton of booths. Tomorrow you can leverage the Edmonds Farmers Market and build a full day of it.
  2. Looking for a unique gift for Dad? Just need to find something for the house? In Lynnwood, Trinity Lutheran Church has their Junktique on the 13th and 14th.
  3. Want to stay indoors? Well, you can head to the Seattle Center. Tons of stuff going on. And there’s a wide array of food choices in the Armory to make things interesting.
  4. Another indoor opportunity without heading into the City: the Hibulb Cultural Center is free for dads on Sunday.
  5. Here’s a fun and unique idea from the Historic Flight Foundation at Paine Field: “In honor of all fathers, Historical Flight will offer member rides to fathers at one-half price with the purchase of a regular membership by an appreciative relative.”
  6. Everett’s Imagine Children’s Museum has free admission for dads
  7. Don’t forget Puget Sound area staples:
    1. Take a walk-on ferry trip
    2. Hit the Everett or Fremont Farmer’s markets

There isn’t any reason to stay home (well, unless you want to). Don your rain garb and get out!