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Friday, January 1, 2010

this is going to be a good year

The Party:

So much fun. Katie's crew is a good bunch. They have always been warm and friendly and open to me when I have joined them on previous excursions. This night was no different. Adam, Karen, Katie and I arrived at around 9:30. Rock Band was being played in the living room, Easy the cat was wandering about, and girls were in all sorts of fancy garb. I was in tights and my polka dot jumper with my striped blazer. Got a lot of compliments and some people thought my name was Trinity. Oh well. Chatted up people new and old. Drank booze. Midnight came. I gave Tom a little kiss and a hug. Midnight went. At some point I sat down on the couch to rest, and I fell asleep. I guess the proper term would be passed out, but I wasn't out totally cold. Adam woke me up to tell me that if I ever needed a ride at any point in the night, I should call him (he was a designated driver for a couple parties). I also woke up with a blanket on me. These people are really nice. Eventually I migrated upstairs to a more quiet resting area. Katie got me at 7am and we departed. Walked to the bus stop as daylight arrived. We both brought a change of clothes so without the obvious party makeup, we appeared as any other early morning girls. Our bus driver was really nice. We got off just in time to catch a Max blue line the rest of the way home. Birds were chirping as we both got into our jammies and curled up together and watched Empire Strikes Back till we fell asleep once again.

The Day After/January First:

A groggy day. Karen and Adam stopped by again, because Karen left her stuff here. We talked about the party and the shenanigans I missed out on (apparently there were a lot of them). Then we all went to Marathon Tavern for breakfast. All though it turns out they stop serving their awesome plates of hash browns, eggs, bacon, and toast at 2:30pm. What a gyp. So we had gyros and sandwiches instead. We should have left because it took about a half an hour to prepare our food. Outrageously long.

Katie went to her Dad's. I sat at my chair and watched Skins, drank tea, and watched Doctor Who. I'm excited for the new Doctor. No more Tennant. Hurrah!

My friend Alex, a fella who was in one of the other Japan groups when I traveled there in 2005, will be in Portland in a few days. I haven't seen him since he sat next to me on the plane ride back to Los Angeles. That will be fun.

Thursday, December 31, 2009

party like its 2010

Finally, a day where I was allowed to sleep in. Got a call from Karen saying she would be by to pick me up around 3ish. Plenty of time to finish up my packing.

Came downstairs to find mom had finished my packing for me. Good times.

Breakfast was some wraps that Rubie made, more of a lunch really. They were delicious! Shrimp and vegetables. Very delicious.

The family played Blokus. I lost pretty decisively in both rounds. Oh well. Karen came right on time. I gave her a mini tour of the house and property. She agreed that it really was the middle of nowhere. We sat for burgers and then we piled all my things into her car. Nathan and Rubie departed at the same time.

The ride to Portland went really fast. We had good conversation and really caught up. I've missed my sassy girl since she has been in Kansas City. It was horribly rainy for about half the trip, but Portland is quite fair now.

We three girls got on our party clothes and party makeup. We are going to a shindig at the twins, Kurt and Cody. It should be fun. Blogging now so that I don't attempt it at 2:00am. All the public transit is free tonight to encourage safe transit. How nice!

keep clam


Hurray! Avatar!

The Prius refused to reverse so we took the truck instead. Winslow ferry right on time. Parked in expensive but convenient parking. It was very cold outside, and I only had my coat. Cold but bright.

We went to the Center House in the Seattle Center area. Ma and I ran into Rubie & co. in the women's toilet. Afterwards, they got something to eat and Nate and I got beignets and pop got a hot dog and mom got a muffin and some coffee. Sat in different parts of the place but we all came together to go to the show. We got in line at 11:25 and they let us in to the theater to queue at 12:05 and then they let us into the actual theater at around 12:20. I swapped the glasses they gave me for a smaller pair, and then I had to swap mom's pair for her. Lazy bones! We had really good seats in the center middle of the place. It wasn't one of the domed IMAX, just 6 stories by 80 feet of beautiful screen.

The effects are even more impressive when huge. All the little bits are so much clearer. Flawless computer animation. I noticed so much more. Love Avatar. I'll be sad when I can no longer see it in theaters.

We didn't hang with Rubie's family after the movie. We split and left Nathan behind. Just went back home. No more business in Seattle. Except for Ivar's! Two orders of fish and chips and some fried clam and chowder for pa! They forgot half our order and dad went back to get it. Delicious and had a good time. I love fish and chips soooo much.

Napped most of the way home.

Called Karen to confirm our mini road trip. I am sorry to leave some of my family member so suddenly. They are genuinely hurt by my abrupt departure, but I really don't want to stay here any longer.

Hot tub. Soda. Relaxing.

Ma, Pa, Nate, Rubie, and I looked at home movies for about an hour and a half. So much footage. Lots of film of me being cute and Nathan trying to get attention. We were so adorable.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

mmn

Another nothing day. I did get up before noon, but I didn't do anything. Sat around the house. Poked at the fire.

Got in the hot tub later.

Sat in bed.

Just felt really tired and withdrawn all day.

I'm going back to Portland on the 31st. I can't stay here any longer.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

farewell to marilyn

Grandma's Memorial was today.

It was a lovely affair. We left the house later than planned, but were still the first ones there. We had enough time to comfortably lay everything out and get the food ready. All that. We being ma, pa, Nate, Rubie, and myself.

The guest arrived in a good and steady flow. Grandma Eleanor and Grandpa Joe, Brynne & Dan, Kirie & Mark, Celia, Ben & Averie, Jeanette & Liam and Jonathan, Randelle, Linda, Carmen, Justin, Rolfe & Allison, Hans, and tons more I sort of remembered and sort of didn't.

I haven't been in a church in a long time. Marilyn's memorial was held at her Episcopalian Church. A cozy little place that was well heated.

Talked to people. Hugged relatives. Caught up with people I haven't seen in a while.

The pastor read a little, we sang a bit, Carmen sang Ave Maria. It was beautiful. People told beautiful stories of Marilyn's life and her kind spirit. She really was truly amazing. I didn't like it when people brought up Alzheimer's though. That was not her life to me. She was a darling to the end, but that isn't what I will remember of my grandmother. I have had so much support from my family, so much support for my artistic pursuits. I am so grateful for that. For someone to be exactly who they were, all the time. Ahh. Yeah.

After the service, it was food time. A wonderful buffet was laid out for us. I got a plate early and scarfed. Sat at the kids table with Averie, Justin, Rubie, Nathan, and Eleanor & Joe Sr. Okay the latter two are not kids. Took pictures with the canon. Chatted with lots of people.

It all came together in a quite neat fashion. And then it was over.

I could go into more detail, but most of the people who read this blog were there.

Went home. Hot tubbed. Went to cozy up in bed early.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

wake up shy trilly, wake up

Woke up at 7am to the dog barking at something. Went downstairs and whistled for Holly. She came running, I gave her some pets, then closed the door.

Got up at 9:30. Dad made waffles. Mmm. And bacon.

Made another shirt modification, I think I should have used the fabric for a skirt or something. Oh well. Practice is good. I also made an apron with some help from mom. Seam practice and making strap practice and pocket practice. Looks good. Just needs a neck strap and it is all set! And I did all that before showering.

Ma, Pa, and myself went into town. Got tickets for Sherlock Holmes ahead of time and then filled a cart at Costco. So much stuff. So much plastic cutlery and disposable bowls and food and drinks. And fruit leathers! I could eat a hundred of those.

We got to the theater right as they were cleaning up from the last showing. We got to pick our ideal seats, but unfortunately the Army advert gave mom motion sickness, so she moved to the back corner. I stayed put and just watched the movie. It lacked a certain oompf. A quality that just brought it to be a little bit more. There was some wit and neat action, but something about it wasn't right. Acting was good, costumes and music was good. I don't know.

Drove home. It was icy. Unloaded the car. Nathan and Rubie showed up about five minutes after we got home. Chatted. Then ate a modest chicken and polenta dinner. Then hot tub! It was a good soak. A little overheated because the temperature difference between the air and the water was about seventy degrees.

Tomorrow is Grandma Marilyn's memorial.