I live for fly-bys

So, I've been hanging out here in Seattle for a couple months now and we're finally moving into winter (a season I'm particularly fond of...in case you don't know me). As you can probably tell, I haven't had many posts in the past few weeks...mostly because I haven't been doing too much....so I figured, there's no sense in boring everyone.


Luckily, Julie flew through town (with camera in tow -- hah, all these pictures were stolen)...and there's nothing I love more than seeing people I love for mere hours....because at this point...I'll take what I can get. The picture above is me, enjoying a lovely meal at the Cheesecake Factory. It was scrumtrulescent.


Here's Julie, Christine and I after our lovely lunch. You might be thinking that I'm exaggerating about having people visit....but it really is the highlight of my month. I don't have too many pals here, so it's always nice to see people who understand my dry, sarcastic, crass humor...and you know, my lack of wit.


After our lunch date, Julie walked me back to work....like we're dating. As you can probably tell from my very swanky metropolitan outfit, I work downtown. No big deal. Haha...but it was great to see Julie, and I can't wait to see my next visitors: Colin in December, then Julie & Kathy in January! HOORAY!

Naches Peak with Mom & Dad!

While my mom and dad were in town, we took the opportunity to head out of the city and down to Mt. Rainier National Park. As I mentioned in my previous post, Mt. Rainier is an active volcano about 54 miles southeast of Seattle. The most recent major eruption was in the mid-1800s, but it also erupted 5,000 years ago, producing lava flows that traveled all the way to Puget Sound! Ok, your history/geology lesson is over now.


The trail we took was a large loop around the nearby Naches Peak. The trail was pretty moderate, but gave us AMAZING views of Mt. Rainier.


The trail was up at the alpine level, with small trees and small alpine ponds/lakes. Needless to say, the weather was perfect....not a cloud in the sky all day.


The picture above is of my parents and I with the mountain in the background. As you can see, the view was absolutely gorgeous...and the mountain wasn't bad either. Hah. (I crack myself up).


I can't tell you how many pictures I took of that mountain. It's embarrassing, actually...so I'll keep the number to myself. Anyway...there were actually a fair amount of people on the trail, and I could see why: beautiful day, gorgeous views of the mountain, and the Bournes: win-win-win.


I think my Dad was contemplating his next conquest.


The picture above sorta looks like my Mom stepped onto the set of the Sound of Music. But don't worry, she didn't make me any clothes out of the hotel curtains.

An autumn cruise around the Sound

After visiting Tacoma with my parents, we headed back to Seattle for a harbor cruise the headed out to Blake Island...a tourist trap....think Plymouth, only with more indians, and shittier performances.


My mom has been extremely lucky the two times she's visited, and gotten beautiful weather. The water was calm, and I even got some sun on my face....which is more than I can say for the entire summer I spent here....hah, too pasty to function.


The picture above is of Mt. Rainier, which is an active volcano 54 miles southeast of Seattle. It's about 14,400 feet tall and sticks out pretty well since it's the tallest mountain...err, volcano...around.


After our action-packed harbor cruise (we saw seals!)...we walked around Pike Place Market. It was a long day...but I was really glad to have my parents in town. I miss them a lot, and it's hard being so far away all the time.

Sandy and Jim take Tacoma!

After dropping Colin off at the airport Thursday morning, my parents arrived in from Boston for work/play. I couldn't be happier to see them, and I really miss them a lot when they're not around. After a long day at work on Thursday, I headed over to the Grand Hyatt downtown in Seattle to meet up with my Dad who was at a regional candy meeting. Soon after, we were off to pick up my mom from the airport!


On Friday, we headed to Tacoma with the RCI candy group (Retail Confectioners International) to tour Brown and Hayley's chocolate factory. B&H are famous for their Almond Roca....which is very delicious....duh. After touring the factory, we walked around the Glass Bridge and took some pictures.


I think calling it a "glass bridge" is incredibly misleading....because, it's pretty much just a normal bridge....with glass sculptures on it. ....don't get me wrong, the sculptures were pretty awesome....but they should think about re-naming the bridge so people don't get their hopes up...haha, like myself.


The picture above may not look like much, but it was actually a really cool conglomeration of these huge blue glass blobs....haha....like a lamppost, covered in blue glass chunks. Mmm, after typing that...I realized it doesn't sound as impressive...and I blame that on my illiteracy.


I thought these signs were a nice touch....those clever Tacomians...with their wit, and their glass bridges.

Adieu Colin!

Colin signed a professional basketball contract with the White Devils of Cottbus, Germany in September. He signed a contract on Monday, and was gone by Thursday morning...so needless to say, it was a whirlwind trying to get him packed and saying goodbye.


I went out to eat that week with Colin, his parents, and Martin. The dinner was great, and afterwards....Colin showed his mom how to read text messages...since he would probably be making limited phone calls from Germany.


Afterward, we were feeling saucy...so we had a photoshoot. Hah...not really, but Colin's parents insisted on taking several pictures...like he was off to his first day of Kindergarten. Can't you just feel the love in the picture above? No? Fine.


Martin, who I'm convinced is Colin's boyfriend, also came out to dinner and joined the fun family photoshoot. I know, we're a crazy bunch.

On a more serious note, I'm really proud of Colin. He's worked hard to get where he is today, and I'm excited to be able to watch it all unfold for him. Congratulations Colin!!

A Fair with a name I can't pronounce

The Matteson family has a strong tradition of attending the Puyallip Fair every year south of Seattle. Obviously, I've never been....since I'm a newbie to WA...and since I still have fond memories of the Fryburg Fair in Maine....I said, what the hell, let's do this!


The fair is pretty large, and they have everything from animals to rides to hobby tables where you can see someone's collection of Mr. Potato Head figures....weird. I even saw a case of yamikas that were signed by celebrities....it was pretty ridiculous.


I've been hearing about this fair for....at least the past 18 months, but more specifically....I've been hearing about their scones. Don't ask me why, but the Matteson family is obsessed. Don't get me wrong, they were delicious...but I much prefer a pizza from Town Spa in Stoughton, MA. To each, his own.


The fair was a good time, and the best thing about it...was that Colin heard from a team in Cottbus, Germany that they want him to come over and play for them this season! So, obviously...it was a good day, between the basketball contracts, the Weird Al billboards, the fair scones, and me kicking Colin and his Dad's ass in the jumbo slide....those suckers.

The definition of po-dunk

On the journey to the Second Beach, we drove by Forks, Washington....which is now the famed location of the tween-sensation Twilight movies. I've developed a lot of sympathy for the people of Forks, because that town is Twilighted-out.


I'm not so sure I would take pride in the fact that my hometown is the location of one of the most ridiculous teen obsessions since Pokemon...but I guess they're milking it.


Apparently, all you need to make a city is 3,000 people and a hit-teen movie.


Needless to say, the trip didn't last long in Forks....not only because it takes 2 minutes to drive through the downtown area...and but also because we didn't want to get eaten by a vampire.


I had a great time on the Peninsula...and I'm excited to come back and camp a little....hopefully with better weather, but I won't hold my breath.