This made me feel warm today. Credits for the wording go to http://skirt.com/... which I decline to fully endorse, yet prefer to simply give credit where credit is due and acknowledge occasional perusal.
Since having more time to spend (wisely...hopefully), I have come to fear mind rot...especially if it's before my mid-40's when most statistically reach the height of their intellect. Hence, I've been trying to tackle one topic per day that stupefies me. Today: time and space.
Just typing these words builds my self esteem: relativity, Einstein, absolutism, luminiferous ether, endurantism, perdurantism...my computer fan is having trouble keeping up. Who knew that time doesn't necessarily have a direction or that it flows or that "do you believe in time travel" shouldn't be answered in one word? Then there are the catchy quotations...but for the one that resonates: "Nothing troubles me more than time and space; and yet nothing troubles me less." ~ Charles Lamb.
Perhaps I should recalibrate tomorrow's topic: emulsion...or return to the "word of the day"...or quotes...or logic problems...or trying to clear my head while sipping tea...
Earlier this week while mulling over an ethical dilemma concerning a road sign, I started to think about what piece of public property I desired the most. Easy. It is this manhole cover, which taunts me daily. So, I called Seattle City Light Customer Service to see if I could acquire one, who transferred me to the 911 equivalent of water, who transferred me back to customer service (peeved that I had no emergency), who transferred me to Neverland, who informed me that none were for sale and that theft was somewhat of an issue. And no, posters are not available.
To date, my efforts to learn about manhole covers seem to be in vain. A friend suggested I check with the foundry. Well I've yet to find one in the US...much more, the one that makes this delightful design. Who knew that they cost approximately $500, that they had three parts to them (lid, concrete innards, and underside), and that hanging one on my wall was likely not anticipated by the building's engineers. I'd settle for one posing as a coffee table top!?
In the meantime, I'll walk around this function piece of art out of positive regard. And plus...if people are stealing them, that must mean there's a market? I prefer to believe it's an under-supplied under-developed market that doesn't compensate based upon weight. I can wait...errr...will wait...until this desire fizzles.
To date, my efforts to learn about manhole covers seem to be in vain. A friend suggested I check with the foundry. Well I've yet to find one in the US...much more, the one that makes this delightful design. Who knew that they cost approximately $500, that they had three parts to them (lid, concrete innards, and underside), and that hanging one on my wall was likely not anticipated by the building's engineers. I'd settle for one posing as a coffee table top!?
In the meantime, I'll walk around this function piece of art out of positive regard. And plus...if people are stealing them, that must mean there's a market? I prefer to believe it's an under-supplied under-developed market that doesn't compensate based upon weight. I can wait...errr...will wait...until this desire fizzles.
I am thankful that I lived long enough to experience the following during Thanksgiving weekend:
- To be able to go in a straight line on a skateboard while considering my gracefully-challenged state.
- To eat off my father's plate when he became too full...very short-term role reversal...smile...
- To find something my mother had lost. This will probably never happen again...her statistical record for being able to remember where she saw the missing item is near impeccable.
- To feel more like a twin with my sister Lorenda than ever before...she even taught me how to purl.
- To witness 5 am madness at Wal-Mart...very curious expose on humanity.
I found these instructions online this morning...they amused me. A sari appears to be a fine solution for mobility, femininity, and style. Perhaps like curry, this too will catch on? I hope so.
33 and 1/2 minutes of bonding in the Winter Pineapple Classic 5K and obstacle course proved to be quality entertainment for our Saturday! We did well...especially for a team dubbed "Curiously Slow"! 
After 12 hours of executing plans and meticulously scolding people who adjusted their blinds, WaMu successfuly lit this 3,300-candy-corn tall (new unit of measure) jack-o-lantern. Community service? Time and energy well spent? Smile. If only this were taken on my camera!
Sadly, I've deleted all contacts and calendar items in my beloved phone. Hence, your contact details could be useful!
"The person who made this must have been rich" ~ 5ish-year-old boy
Anyone up for decorating one next year? The odds look good for those with great ideas....hopefully us!? http://www.pigsonparade.org/
Anyone up for decorating one next year? The odds look good for those with great ideas....hopefully us!? http://www.pigsonparade.org/
These fine ladies and myself hiked 3 miles up to Wallace Falls Saturday. A few moments after this picture we enjoyed a moment of inspiration: a Weiner Dog 2.5 miles in and 800? ft. up...5 inch legs...do the math...smile. Perspective.
So here are the stats surrounding our anniversary:
Good friends, Sonja, Bruce, and Sarah, invited me to go to with them to Bard on the Beach in Vancouver, BC. Timon of Athens was the selected play. Here's a provocative line to try on the masses: "...you fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time's flies..."
Anyway...good people...good times...
If you ever find yourself bicycling on Bainbridge Island and see this sign, shifting down quickly would be quite appropriate!Ah...did the tortoise really have the advantage over the hare?
The blue line highlights our trek across the Irish isle. 1700 km and some good memories later, we now know which parts we'd enjoy returning to. This trip also helped to develop a healthy appreciation for the color green, assertive Irish people, and vegetable soup (otherwise known as the 'soup of the day').
A plethora of adventure was added to the trip by driving on the left side of road (when the roads were two lanes wide), using a stick-shift, lacking visibility, and herding sheep and cattle!
The town of Dingle and the Dingle Peninsula were both picturesque and quaint. Perhaps our best evening of comfort food (please tell me how to make nut loaf), Irish music, and sleep was enjoyed here! 
Dingle seascape. If you'd like enough scenery shots for 10 monthly Ireland calendars, Katie or I will gladly accommodate your request.
The Irish fondness for brews is exemplified by the multiple advertisements for Guinness, produced in Dublin. Cheers...to the health of it!?
Did I say green...and picturesque? This sheep proves that 'king of the hill' is all a matter of perspective.
Kylemore Castle (1868) in Connemara National Park was tranquil and postcard-worthy. Sadly, the wealthy owner's wife died seven years after it was built, so it was rarely lived in. 
Could we pause for a brief moment of silence in honor of the best salad Katie or I have ever savored? 
Strandhill in County Sligo, renowned for ideal surfing conditions, is a seaside town with a great feel. Katie and I woke up during a short jog on this beach.
Li'l Bo Peep...minus a staff, plus Chacos...and not so little. Slieve League cliffs on the west coast of Donegal claim to be the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Great views...but truly by this moment, I sadly was growing numb to beauty.
While poor quality video, perhaps you will get the feel for this stringed instrument recital at a pub in Bunbeg, Ireland.
In Donegal County, Katie and I climbed Mt. Errigal, which is situated above Gweedore. Do these locations not sound like they should be in J.R. Tolkien's writings? 2,466 vertical feet was good for lung expansion after days of lackluster exercise. We made friends with an Irish gentleman, Pat, during our climb, who assured us that Northern Ireland was quite safe (contrary to everyone else we had previously asked...whew).
Street signs in Ireland and Northern Ireland proved most curious. Other examples include: "Tree Surgery"; "Speed kills, 121 people were killed on Galway County Roads in the Past 4 Years"; and "Slow - Elderly Crossing". 
Katie's connections in Belfast came through and provided a lovely evening, including singing hymns old and new. 
For a country pulsing with passion and tragedy, it was most physically expressed via murals in West Belfast, where much of the Northern Ireland conflict blood was shed.
Our black cab taxi driver, Norman, provided fine commentary and pens for us to write on the Peace Wall.
And this is why I am glad to be home and perhaps shall stay for a while..."the queues were appalling", the Irish would say with a upward tilt at the end of their sentence...
Perhaps this is the closest I will get to feeling like a baby horse?
Driving ranges...why after achieving a nice straight shot, can I focus on that hope, as opposed to the underwhelming quantity of hooks and slices? Twisted. So, golf pros...any advice for a numb right pinky finger?
Seattle to the family reunion in Bellingham gained another 110 miles on my bike and a healthy appreciation for weather forecasters! Seeing this sign on the Centennial Trial prompted an innate response to increase speed!
We spent a day at Larabee State Park, frolicking in the tidal pools and hiking a bit. The park is known for it's beautiful salt water honeycombed carvings of Chuckanut sandstone.
The destination!
The Schober clan...or most of it...mid 'lake day'...
"Share your M&Ms. There are bags and bags of them all over the place. If you give one of yours, even one of the green ones, you will not be lacking. Now apply this to time, concern, touch, interest and being vulnerable." ~ Hugh Elliott
It's all about the medal...smile! 'Twas a bit peculiar to have one's age and sex written in permanent marker on one's left calf....and then to be passed effortlessly by an 'M 15' or an 'F 53'...incentive!
Japan...again it was the contrasts that provoked thoughts: modern yet traditional; simple yet comfortable; fluid yet steadfast; and relaxing yet stressful! We learned to bow to express thanks, apologies, greetings, departures, and whenever else it seemed appropriate. I will certainly miss this respectful gesture...oh and the ritualistic bathing in onsens!
Japanese script...after these days, I have a new found respect for people who can read these characters. They appear to be an art form and often fall like willow branches on signs and in books.
A look down on the largest metropolitan area in the world with over 30 million residents: Tokyo.
A Tokyo street from one of the many times we were lost. Curiously not all streets are identified at intersections and addresses are based on the date the structure was built, rather than the location. All this on top of the fact that most retail is transacted through shops and restaurants that are quite small by U.S. standards and thereby, often unknown by residents.
A somewhat revolting photo from our early morning foray to the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. This is the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world, handling more than 400 different types of seafood from tiny sardines to 300 kg tuna and from cheap seaweed to the most expensive caviar. 15.1 billion yen are exchanged here every day. It is no small marvel that more tourists are not injured (or worse) by the mechanized moving carts!
Giddy and perhaps a litte too gleeful about water, tea, and juice vending machines on every-other street corner.
Another Japanese garden...restful, thought-provoking, and plentiful.
Purchasing a melon flavored snow cone on the touristy entrance to the Sensoji temple in Asakusa, Tokyo...200 yen was never better spent! Hmmm...commercialization and religion...a logical yet perverse combination.
A pagota...I could likely fill an entire blog space with pictures of the pagotas, gates, bells, lecture halls, and main halls of the Buddhist temples or the torii, kamainu (guardian dogs or lions), purification troughs, halls, and stages of the Shinto shrines we visited.
"Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company." Zen Haiku
One of the hazards of not being able to read Kanji script is determining exactly what you are purchasing. In any regard, some of the small markets were works of arts themselves.
A trip to the Ueno Park zoo in Tokyo (for a panda viewing) redefined my symbol for obesity. Just don't ask about the penguins.
How could we not take the opportunity to paddle a swan boat around Ueno Park...reminiscent of Sun Lakes exploits when we were younger (and could steer better)!
Before departing for Kamakura, we enjoyed a kabuki play...somewhat bizarre theater...perhaps an English interpretation could have been useful?!
Kamakura is a small beach town surrounded by mountains on three sides and Sagami bay on the fourth. I would have loved to have time to learn to surf the friendly waves here!
Japanese cemetary...crowded yet elegant.
Great Buddha at Kotoku-in located in Kamkura. Curiously, visitors are allowed to take pictures of his hollow innards.
Amy negotiating the Kanji symbols with the clerk in Hakone on our staple of onigiri (rice triangle wrapped in dried seaweed, filled with ume, kelp, or bits of meat). Mini-marts (yes, 7-11 and am/pm) are a source of quality food there...and chocolate...another staple!
Mt. Fujiya hotel in Hakone by Miyanoshita built in 1878 describes itself as "the first and finest in resort hotels in Japan". The onsen was grand, though it is hard to beat a good futon and buckwheat-hull-filled-pillow in a simple ryokan.
Umbrella locks in Hakone-Yumoto...what a novelty!
These vermillion torii line the hiking paths through the bamboo forest on the hill leading to the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. This is one of the better-known shrines in Kyoto, and because of such was featured in Memoirs of a Geisha.
Sushi via conveyor belt in the heart of a sushi-loving country...delectable!
Warm evening in Kyoto on the river.
The Tabohashi family...being in their home on Sunday in Kyoto was both special and an experience!
After jogging to make the the bullet train from Kyoto and successfully navigating the Tokyo station in the allowed 10 minutes (seemingly record-breaking for a foreigner) for the connection to Chiba, Lucile and Sumako met me for lunch. Lovely...though I would have loved to spend more time with them!
Documentation that we are still smiling after 10 days together, a multitude of curious experiences, 12 hours of travel, and 20 hours without sleep of any quality (another smile).And so...here is my respectable bow to you for reading this far...
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