My Next Favorite Blog

Awkward Family Photos.

My two current favorites: The Rear Window and Bon Family Blowout.

Randomness

Best South Park Quote: "Look, nobody likes having to rise to a challenge, but competing against other people and getting in their faces and saying 'Ha ha, I'm better than you' is part of life. "

My new favorite bumper sticker: "What the fuck is wrong with you people." I don't know what it was for or who it represented, but I don't really care.

Worst (or best?) We Are the World Cover

Tired

My mom was here from last Wednesday until this morning.

We had a great time and I look forward to her coming back. But I am exhausted. We covered a lot of ground while she was here. We spent one afternoon in Seattle, another day putzing around town, and another in Vancouver (where we may have spent longer but there was a Canucks game that night, and the last thing I wanted to do was get stuck in Canadian hockey traffic). The last day, though, was really amazing.

We went whale watching.

When we began to make the plans months ago, Mom wanted to whale watch. I did some research and found out there is such a thing as whale season. We settled on a time and made plans. But, it turns out whale season where I live starts next weekend. Other areas--like places on various islands and Canada--are running now. But in my town? No. At the last minute I found a guy based on Orcas Island (Outer Island Expeditions) who ran whale tours year round. After a lot of finagling and changing plans, we nailed down a time and location.

He picked us up on a beach on Lummi Island. It was plain cool. He just pulled right up and we climbed on the boat. I had no clue that could be done. We spent three and a half hours on the water, most of them at the base of the Straight of George. The J Pod of residential Orca whales was in the area and in no hurry to go anywhere. There were between 30 and 40 whales. They would pull together in a group, they would spread out. They jumped. They slapped their tails. Simply put, it was amazing.

Mount Baker

Earlier when I talked to Beau, the captain, he asked what our goal was for the tour (Outer Island tries to personalize each trip). Mom wanted to see whales, and I just wanted to get out on the water. We got both. We could hang out on the back end of the boat (I don't know what it's called in boating terms). We could climb up on the very top (the view was amazing). While out on the water we had spectacular views of the whales, but we also had a clear views of Mount Baker and the Canadian Cascades.

Whales with the Canadian Cascades in the background


Whales and Canada, Part II

I've heard people talk about how incredible it is to whale watch and they speak of it in almost hushed tones. Now I understand why. I could have spent all day out there, standing on the boat just watching the wildlife and taking in the view.

It was one of those days that reminds me why I live here and why I love it. Now I can't wait until I get another chance to get back out on the water.

I took some fuzzy video with my digital camera. It is far from perfect, but you can see the whales in motion.

The Last Year of my 30s

I have officially entered the last year of my 30s. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I has so happy to say good bye to my 20s. But my 30s? I've liked my 30s. I like being 30-something. I'm not sure how I feel about 40-something. But, yes, I am officially 39. And it seems very odd.

I stretched my birthday out over several days. A friend and colleague made me vegan red velvet cupcakes and brought them to work. I was surprised at how many people had never had red velvet before. And my friend kept referring to the frosting as Spackle (he had to use Tofutti "cream" cheese). But they were good. And RED. Always awesome.

I had an appointment for a haircut and color on Saturday. What was supposed to be a trim turned into a major cut when my stylist said, "So, I've been thinking about your hair..." And we cut at least four inches off giving me an inverted bob. I've had this cut many times as it is what I call my "safety cut," but this turned out really well. I was iffy at first, but I'm diggin' it.

I went to dinner that night with a couple of friends. We went to one of the fanciest places in town where I announced to the waiter that it was my birthday and I intended to drink. And I mean drink. I started with a margarita. It was fine and all, but I think they forgot to add Tequila. I moved on to the blood orange martini. And not only was it pretty, it was good, and they definitely added liquor.

Blood Orange Martini

So... this place has a rotating menu and they had a few vegetarian options--one that could be made vegan and one that couldn't, plus, they could make me something not on the menu (tempeh and quinoa). I went with the item on the menu. Simply put, it was tempeh-stuffed celery root over pureed truffle potatoes with roasted cauliflower and a mushroom rus. Butter was substituted with olive oil. And you know what? It was awesome. Also, by this time I was on drink two if not three, so almost anything starchy would have tasted good. I also had a salad with ginger candy and a balsamic vinaigrette. Also excellent.

Tempeh-stuffed celery root with pureed truffle potatoes, roasted cauliflower, and mushroom rus

There weren't any vegan deserts on the menu, but they brought me some peppermint sorbet over ginger candy paired with some warm blueberries. I don't think I would ever think to put any of those things together, but it was yummy.

Peppermint Sorbet and Warm Blueberries

We had a good time and made plans for a road trip to Corvalis, Oregon so one of my friends could find a place to live (she is leaving us for another job) along with future plans to meet in Portland in the next year to celebrate the completion of her third Masters degree.

After I got home I watched Grease 2 (it was on TV; dear god, what a terrible movie) and drank a half a bottle of Three Buck Chuck. The cats decided they needed to eat about 7:00 this morning, so the raging hang-over I woke up with reminded me why I don't drink like that anymore.

But, I had a good birthday. I was reminded why I don't think I ever want to leave the West coast and that hippie towns, despite their overabundance of dreadlocks, do indeed rock.

Next year for my birthday? Vegas.