Sunday, February 01, 2009

An overwhelming and heartfelt thank you

I am humbled by the response to my last post. I also want to assure everyone that I am good (though that word doesn't even come close to the feelings I am having today) and haven't felt this good in a long time. Writing this made me release it out into the wild and no longer hold on to it, letting it fester and eat me alive. It's a piece of freedom to me.

I am afraid to post more for fear that all will think I am terribly sad. I am sad I don't get to have Alistair anymore. However, if I write how this all went, I will be a much more peaceful person. I love sharing it with all of you because I have been INCREDIBLY blessed to have all of you in my life helping me through this.

I think you deserve to know it all. Some of you have heard bits and pieces of this and I'm not really sure how to present it in a coherent manner. I don't want to post only the sad parts of my life over the last year and four months, I want to share the great things too. The memories, the revelations, the difficulties. It's a bit of my therapy. The world is opening up to me in a way I never imagined or thought was possible and sharing each of these things opens it a bit wider.

Alistair and I always loved adventures. Even little adventures and so this experience is just another adventure. Some of it is wonderful, some of it is completely mundane, some of it is very sad and scary, and some of it is things I am not proud of. But all of it is me, all of it is true, and all of it is freedom. Freedom to be sad, freedom to be happy, freedom to dream, freedom to remember, and freedom to be open to the next adventures.

I love your support, feedback, comments, and I want you to continue to do so. But just to repeat and be clear - this is my therapy and it is my gift to you so you all have the whole story and not just the pieces I felt okay to share with individuals. Please don't be sad, please don't be burdened, please just share in my journey to the freedom of the next adventure.

gosh - that was a bit preachy. okay - done with preachy. Love you all, thank you all and I hope in any small way, it touches you to hold what you love close, always say I love you and often, and to know it's okay to let things go.

hasta la pasta - my next post? my blind date with genius.

When a bus ride changes your life

I was married for almost 6 years. Then I wasn't anymore. An unwilling widow. One voice mail, one bus ride, one phrase, "he can't honey, he can't" and my life changed.

In case you don't know how I met Alistair, it was on a blind date. I knew that night I wanted to marry him and spend the rest of my life with this man. I married him exactly one year to the day that I met him - April Fool's Day. It was just right. In the same way I knew I wanted to marry him, I knew he wasn't with me anymore.

September 7, 2007 I was riding the 15 down to the car dealership. I was really excited because I was going to be signing the papers for the new silver volkswagen jetta and starting on my way to Montana to drop it off for my husband, Alistair, where he was finishing his PhD. He was so excited. It was finally a car he had picked out and it was the right color, the right car, the right everything. He always felt he never got the right anything. So it was a big deal in our life.

The bus was packed with standing room only and I had been lucky to get a seat near the back of the bus. My phone vibrated, screaming to tell me I had missed a voice mail. I hate voice mail, so ordinarily, I wouldn't have checked it, but I had been trying to call Alistair all day. I wanted to tell him I was on my way to get the car since the last thing I told him the previous day was that I would call him when I was on my way. I figured I had missed his call while I was in the elevator at work (it happens with really bad reception and thick earthquake proof walls). So although HE hated LEAVING voice mails, I had left him several that day and I thought perhaps he had at last graced me with his voice.


It wasn't unusual to not hear from him on a Friday. He had school: teaching, seminar, classes, pizza with "the group". So, when the voice mail turned out to be from his professor, panic set in, though I didn't really need to know much more.

When I heard Mike's voice, Alistair's professor, asking me if Alistair was home with me, I already knew my life had changed. My whole body had this horrible aware sensation. Every nerve ending felt alive, but only in a survival way like having been suddenly awakened out of horrific nightmare when you aren't really sure if the dream was real or not. I knew why I felt that way, but I was avoiding the reality, even in those first few moments. There is always a chance that I could be wrong. Even though I knew my husband, even though I knew how he lived, and even though I knew how he played with his life, still, I wanted to believe there was a chance. Never in my life did I want to be wrong more than in this moment.

A poor young man on the bus must have realized my distress since he bent over and stopped me from rocking in my seat and asked so very gently, "can I help you?". All I wanted was to get off the bus. I think I kept repeating that, "i just need to get off this bus, i just need to get off this bus." It was hard to breath and hard to see and I was very warm. There isn't much to remember from then until the phrase, though I know hours went by.

I do know I called two people. Ciara and then Derek. First Ciara - and in fact, I don't remember if I called her and then Gus or vice versa, but I talked to one of them and said something like, "something is very wrong and I need you to pick me up from the dealership." They were in the UDistrict getting groceries. But one of them said, "we'll be there."

Then I called Derek - I told him I knew Alistair was dead. Derek told me that I was over-reacting (and he was right to say that then). I just knew it. I just felt it. Nothing was more clear to me than that during that walk from the bus to the dealership. Bless Derek for his talk with me all the way to the dealership. I don't remember really what we talked about, but only that he was reassuring.

When I got to the dealership, John, the guy who sold us the car, came up to me and said, "ah. . . we had some problems with the paperwork." You see, he was trying to be funny. We had to have the papers fly all around the country to get the proper signatures and stuff. But right away he saw that I was in distress. I said, "I'm having a personal crisis right now and my phone is running out of charge. Can you find me a charger for a razor?" He went right away to find one. I don't remember seeing him until Ciara and Gus got there. They talked to him and then took me home, to their home.

Like I said, I think hours went by. Gus made me dress in some sweats. Ciara made me drink some beer (I think I needed a shot, but beer was good to start).

I hadn't heard from Mike after speaking with him on the phone on the bus. He asked permission to have the door knocked down to see if Alistair was in there. I gave it. I needed to know.

When I called back and Mike's wife Donna answered. I'm not sure how long she was on the phone with me but it felt like forever. Hours after I had spoken to Mike, hours after I had given him permission to have the police knock down the door, hours after I had called Alistair's parents, hours after I had called my best friend to come and pick me up from the dealership, hours after she and her husband kept telling me that I couldn't be certain since no one had seen him - sure there was another answer. Hours after I already knew what no one could tell me yet. Hours after; Donna was giving me a blow by blow (and yes, it felt like a blow by blow) on what was happening. "Ok, Mike's at the door with the police. Mike's in with the officers. They're still in there. Mike's on his way out. He's walking towards me."

"Donna, please can he tell me?"

". . .he can't honey, he can't. . . "

And I was falling. . . .

falling. . .

That tie I had felt on the first night was the same tie that told me he had left me. Something he had promised not to do

ever

yet here I was.

alone.

no more tie.

floating out in the blackness

alone.

Three whole different people

So, I was looking at the last three posts I put out there and it seems like three different people. There is no context, no transition, no sense to the flow of time.

But is that really that surprising?

So, here is context to the time of flow. The Mariners win, Less than three weeks later, Alistair died. More than a year passed while I was trying to deal with Alistair dying. I spent most of it doing theater because it was something that kept me REALLY busy and where I felt needed, so the post after the "memorial" post (gawd, that sounds awful, but I can't think of another thing to call it), is the post about all my theater stuff. I have done so much in the last year in trying to heal. It really is three different people.

I suppose, if you know me, and you read my blog, you would probably put those pieces together, but those that don't, probably don't get it. I feel like I need to pick up from the Mariners game to really have anyone understand what I've been through. Though, I'm not sure I actually want to do that for others to understand. I want to do it for me. Every time I write about something, I feel better. And I want everyone to know how much I truly appreciate them for what they've done and how they've been there for me.

I know, I know, it's just another empty promise to keep posting, right? Maybe, but I figure, if I say it out loud, it's either TRUE or I'll have to make it true. I hate disappointing other people, so if some of you could keep me honest, that would be great. Though, you've all done so much for me already, I don't really get to ask anymore. I've dipped into the bank enough times over the last year and a half, I would understand if any of you thought I had over drawn a bit.

Next time, I want to tell you what it's like to have your life change on a bus.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

BusyNESS

So, after last weekend of a FABuLOUS last run of Psyche, I decided, that wasn't enough. I spent the weekend doing some great shows at the Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center.

Here are some things about what I've been up to:

For the summer, I worked on the Opera you've all heard about. Here some video of it in the park. You can actually see me in th first few minutes. I walk past the "sister" (to the right). I'm all in black.
Psyche at Cal Anderson Park

Then we did it again at the Chapel in the Good Shepherd Center. Garrett (the composer) did an interview on the radio. You can listen to it below.
Garrett Fisher interview

Ben Black (eros), took a bunch of pictures of all the people that worked on it.
All the great people of Psyche

This last weekend, I helped out some of the people I met doing Psyche to do some other really cool things. Three winds was a show with Dean Moore, a percussionist. He did some great Gong work.
Three Winds

Here's his website: DeanMooreDrums

The next night, I did another show
!!ArtsLaunch!!


Then Sunday I cleaned the floor. It's a ritual!

I get the week off! Then I start the crazy road to New York City!

Sunday, August 31, 2008

“Genius might be the ability to say a profound thing in a simple way.”

Charles Bukowski - one of Alistair's favorite authors.

Of course he was right - Alistair could say almost anything so you understood it. Genius - wonderful - chaos - love - beautiful

It will be one whole year in 6 days that we lost the most brilliant beautiful young boy. I could write all the things I think all the time about him. But if you knew him, you think those things too. He would not have wanted a bunch of sappy or happy things, but I feel the need to share with all of you my loss (and your loss too).

Here are some pictures that absolutely tell part of his story. They are actually the last pictures I have of my most beloved husband.

a boy and his cat


He loved CJ - and now he and CJ are together. Because not more than 6 months later, CJ decided he missed Alistair and needed to go and hang out. I miss them both. But I love these pictures because they remind me of really good times.

There is much to tell in what went on in the last 365 days. However, I think it'll come slowly. Thank you everyone for the patience you have already given me. I want to keep you all updated on the Ramsdale escapades. Alistair wouldn't want me to stop. So, I won't. But like I said, it'll come slowly.

Much love to everyone who have been SO supportive and have created this great family for me. I love you all and I thank you all. There are actually no adequate words to express my gratitude for your love, patience, kindness, gifts, and support. You have saved me from myself and for that Alistair would be grateful as well. He always wanted me to be great and I think I could be because of all of you.

This time coming up is actually pretty hard. But I do have to say, it's the last "first". At least I know what to expect now for the upcoming year. It's hard and I miss him. I'll keep you all posted on my journey through this.

again, love you, love me.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Mariners WIN!!!

We went to the game today - it's was really fun. See some pictures!

Seattle Mariners vs. Chicago White Sox


It was quite interesting with some folks around us. The family in front had a 14 year girl with flaming red (not natural red, but some goth red) hairdo. She was outfitted with the fishnet leggings AND gloves. It was weird - but she enjoyed he game.

The lady next me was in from San Jose to visit her son. They told me that I should take Hannah and Laura on the Ducks of Seattle trip. I think I'm going to take them - it sounds fun!

We walked at least three miles today AND I got Alistair to ride the bus. Can you believe it??? I can hardly. The last three pictures above show him on a bus. You have to look carefully, but you can see the floor and part of the door - plus his sour look gives it away.

Anyway - fun was had by both. Love you, love me!

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Getting Serious

So, I've recently signed up on facebook as most of you probably already found out (unfortunately). I didn't know what I was doing, so I guess a bunch of you got emails. I apologize with my whole heart for doing such and evil thing. Though, if you think of it - join me. Not sure why yet, but perhaps it'll turn out to be cool. I am a bit concerned because Google has this thing called Orkut which is like myspace or this facebook. . .I'll have to check that out. I'll try really hard NOT to send you spam.

Other than that, Alistair is home, so I'll have plenty to discuss with you all in the upcoming days. I do want to say that I've gotten rid of my cable, joined netflix and have found a new love for the internet. So, I'll be posting more often. Yeah, yeah, I know I've said that before, but it's true this time.

I have a goal for this Saturday - go to the bank, get an allen wrench for the bathtub, send out my dry cleaning, sweep, try to get tickets to the ball game on Sunday, check out the Young Frankenstein show. Very exciting. I'll keep you posted.

But as far as getting serious - I have never been one for discipline, but I really have to get to my exercising on a really regular basis - I'll keep you posted. I really know you are all riveted! Anyway, much love to all!

Sunday, July 08, 2007

June was CRAZY with a capital C

I thought May was busy, but let me tell you, June was CRAZY. I was trying to stay busy while Alistair was away. He was gone longer than usual this time because of his "summer job". He's mounting Leps (aka Butterflies or Moths). But here are some highlights of what happened to me!

Ciara and Gus took pity on me and took me out to dinner. Actually, I know they don't pity me - it was a newer Spanish restaurant that they had never tried. So, we had sangria and paella and several tapas. It was pretty good. The second picture was taken by staff and it is a big complicated camera - so sorry about the clarity.
Gaude


Everyone is having babies, Hellie, Tiffany, and Chuck (my boss). He brought his TWINS (yep, that's right, twins) to work to show them off. Will and Ella (fraternal twins). Carrie looks great and all the guys that turn to mush when a baby comes around it great!

Chuck's Babies


Then, just a few days after seeing Chuck's new babies - Tiffany decided to have one! Keira Rae has arrived. She came on June 16 at 5:30ish in the AM. Mom and Baby were great - Dad, too.

Keira Rae


I left seeing Keira Rae right after I took these photos and hung out with Ariva, and the kids (Sonya was the only one I knew right away). The others are her friends. I'd tell you there names, but some of them are not so easy to spell. But they were great - we saw High School Musical. It was done by a summer theater group of kids. The girls loved it! The young man (funny kid, really) kept telling me that it was definitely NOT High School Musical. It's an adaptation for the stage and the kids were much younger than the regular Disney show.

High School Musical


THEN I left that to meet Amy and Tiffany (Dillman, this time, not Canavan). We went and saw the Gwen Stefani Concert. IT was awesome. I only have a few pictures from before. I have to download the ones from my phone from the concert. The ones of Amy afterward are when Amy and I went shopping at the SUPER mall (it wasn't so super, but it did have a merri-go-round).

Gwen Stefani Weekend


Alistair came home a couple of days later. He was trying to surprise me, but alas, he failed. I could tell he was on the road (he kept calling me all day). That weekend we saw the pride parade they had on Broadway (the half way one, not the real one). Take a peek, but be careful, they are a little racy. . .

Pride Parade


The fourth came rumbling by (Alistair stayed - yay!!). The first few pictures you see the shows that were across the sound (it was kind of cool). The rest are some from the Ivar's show. I would like to mention that despite Alistair's asterisks by our win, Ciara and I DID win at Trival Pursuit. Alistair doesn't like it because we used the 20th Anniversary version which is a little different - but we SOUNDLY beat them. I will note that Gus and Alistair have won more times that Ciara and I, but, still, I needed to point out our win.

2007 Fourth of July


Okay - I will try (again) to do this more often. Much love to all.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

I've been busy

hey all! yes, I know, it's been awhile. I have been busy. It has been really really nice here. . . so I walked around Seattle a couple of times. This particular time I saw this horse carriage guy talking to a woman and here VERY bold puppy. It was so cute, so I thought I'd take some pics. Let me know what you think.
horseNdog


Went to Ciara's birthday party and had a great time. . .
Ciara's Birthday!


babysat Sonya a couple of times . . . Isn't she the cutest?
A Day with Sonya


took pictures of Tiffany's belly (and her husband too) . . . there are more, but I have to get them to Tiffany first before I show all the rest of you. . .


had a baby shower for Tiffany . . . it was really fun. It was at work, but what I did was have everyone bring in their baby pictures (thanks Dad by the way) and then we all had to guess who was who. . . it was pretty funny. Of the 20 or so pictures, only one person got more than 6 right - and that was Josh - he got 11, but that's still pretty good. Everyone thought it was fun. We had good food and nice conversation and Keira (Tiff's belly not to be confused with my friend Ciara) got some nice gifts. Can't wait until she gets here so I can take pics of her too. Tiff says she's dilated (is that the right term?) 1 centimeter and is 70% something (you know those pregnancy terms get me so whatever). . .
Tiffany's Baby Shower


watched my cats lay in the sun and love my new rugs in the bathroom . . . (alistair played with the kitties too when he could visit) . . . they LOVE the sun. . .aren't they cute!
kitties


I've learned how to make fabulous bread - NO KIDDING - it's great - check it out here at the NEW YORK TIMES -->

Recipe: No-Knead Bread

I tried it and will post my bread making abilities via a picture later. . . it's wonderful. Guz Perez (thank you Gus) taught me how to do it! Well, he told me about it and then sent me the website. Oh, and he lent me a covered pan to make it in. Oh. . .AND he gave me the yeast. . .so, I really owe it all to him.

Last weekend I played poker (I lost), watched the Stanely Cup (The Ducks Win - which is what I wanted), and went to a baseball game (the Mariners Win!!)!

This weekend, I'm going to Hellie's baby shower and then WHITEWATER RAFTING on the Wenachee River - how cool is that??? Hopefully I can get some more pictures out there for everyone! Then the following weekend I get to go to High School Musical with Sonya and her mom Arvia. Then the next day I'm going with Amy and Tiffany (a different one than the preggers one) to see Gwen Stephani. . . can't wait! THEN the following weekend, I'm going to go and meet Alistair in Idaho (I think. .. we haven't picked yet). Then I think I'll take a break - I'll need it for when Hannah and Laura visit in September and October. . . but hopefully I'll be doing something before then.

AND ALISTAIR??? Well, if you haven't noticed, he hardly answers his phone because he's busy with a crazy BEETLE convention. He's been working his little heart out there in Montana on beetles and making friends with other beetle lovers. I'm not there to take pictures, so none to show. Maybe I'll get him to post some bug stuff soon. He did go caving. . . in an ice cave. Unfortunately you can really only see the outside. ..
ice-cave


He just started his "summer job" mounting some butterflies. And if you know Alistair, it's a kind of torture. Butterflies. . . can you hear him berating all the butterflies in the drawer? I can. . .

more to come - it's been an exciting summer so far!


much love to you all!

Sunday, April 15, 2007

A whole month goes by!

A lot has gone on in a month. I can't believe it's been that long! Everyone is good. Alistair has been working hard at school, doing proposals, tests, and teaching. He complains about the cold, but I think a few of us know about the whole cold thing!

When Alistair came back in the middle of March, we didn't think he's be able to come back for our anniversary on April 1st, so we went out to El Gaucho (our favorite steak place) to celebrate. Cj tried to come with us as you can see.

Night out on the town

But, alas, he got away on our anniversary and surprised me by coming home. It was great. We did fabulous things, like . . . .hang pictures, pet cats. . . you all know - very glamorous stuff! Here's the fruit of our efforts.



Though, it's not the only one. And, unfortunately, I haven't spent much time on pictures, so the pictures in this one are still factory owned. Pretty sad, I know.


Here are some kitty pictures, though - Alistair and willie are best friends. Willie likes the TV more than we do. And I kid you not when I say, we didn't stage this. . . it fell there and he just didn't move, kept on cleaning him self.



Then Alistair had a lovey dovey session with Willie.

Though, I think Willie likes the furry blanket we got from Carol and Doug WAY better than he likes either of us. Here's a picture of him just hugging it. He's usually caught up in cleaning the nice blankey. It doesn't bite him (like CJ) or hiss at him (like mouse mouse) or shoo him away in the middle of the night when he's laying on your head (like me. . . and alistair). So, I guess it's the perfect friend.
In addition, I've been hanging out with this cool 6 year old, Sonya - she's the daughter of Peter Clitherow (I work with him). Technically we call it babysitting, but Sonya and I seem to have a pretty good time.
She came over to my house a couple of saturdays ago and played nintendo. . . we don't do that most of the time - but this time was special. Say hi! Isn't she cute!

Saturday, March 10, 2007

craziness!

Hey! I had a great night last night. Gus and I went to get tattoos. We've been talking about it for a week or so. And I've been talking about it for a couple of months. We went on Thursday night for some bigger tattoos, but we found that we actually needed to think that stuff out a little more. Then on the way home after watching the U Dub get their butts handed to them in a basketball game, we decided we should bond over some drum corps. So we did.

Gus was part of Orlando Magic and if anyone knows me, you know it's all about the Madison Scouts. So we decided to get corps tattoos. So last night, after work, we went out and got them! They're AWESOME! We love it. Gus got a 6 (for the 6 guys) and a bass clef.


and kp? I got the fleur de lys. . . of course!







So, take a look at the whole gallery.
Tattoos
Afterwards, we met up with Kevin (the new U dub professor) and Javier and Anna and Linda's on Pine. Fun times - definitely AWWWWESome! Much love to them!

Exciting news - Alistair is coming back for spring break. He'll be here for a couple of days. I'm super excited. We'll keep you updated on the week's happenings.

The house is coming together - I got an under the sink organizer which makes me super excited. It's the little things I guess. I'm off to get special floor cleaner - I know you're excited about it.

love to all, more pictures and blogging to come.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

A night out on the town

Saturday was fabulous. Diana and I went out to dinner at the Capitol Club - I had the burger and she had a pita sandwich of some sort (sorry Diana, can't exactly remember it). Then we headed over to Lo Fi to listen to Saundrah's new band Bad Dream Good Breakfast. Check out their music. It's really cool. I really like the website too, (the first link) - it's kind of a cool comic book/graphic novel. . .

We had a lot of fun and chatted with lots of people. There were actually three bands and it was great. Check out the pictures! You'll see Diana, Jen and Derek (they're at the end). Saundrah is in a bunch since it's her band (and she invited us!). Anyway - much love to all!

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Back in Action

It's been awhile. But those that know us, know we've been busy with life. But to get back to what's important and filling everyone in on that! You all know I did a play, so check out the pictures



We had a great view of the New Year's celebration! It was quite tame, I assure you. Our friend Gus came on over and we all had a great time playing poker and watching Rob n Big (check it out on Mtv - really - I recommend it - it' s a little weird watching friends on a tv show, but they're quite endearing to watch (if you can believe that on Mtv). At any rate - here's a look at our view



Alistair went back to school the week after New Year's. He called me to tell me the car didn't work and that it was 15 below (and no he assured me that was NOT the wind chill reading). Apparently you shouldn't leave your car in Montana for two months to have snow pile up on it and roast in wonderful negative degree temperatures. . . .what do you think?

Well, if that wasn't bad enough, the West Coast has been getting winter (someone things the East Coast needed a break this year with all those 70 degree days!). I woke up on Tuesday morning to snow on Capitol Hill. Normally, when it snows here, it doesn't stick to the roads, but the roads were covered! As were the cars and everything else. I walked to work instead of taking the bus. Mostly because I got almost all the way there before a bus passed me, but also because I saw the lack of control Seattle drivers (bus driver or no) when they put their breaks on - and when you live on a hill, gravity does lots of work! On my way, I took some pictures. The last ones are of a couple making a snow man at the bike park just above the freeway. It was cute. Check it out



If you click on any of the pictures, they should take you to a link to my Picasa folder on Google (they're the best).

As for the rest of my time. I've really been working pretty hard. But I want to try to get to more of the city and do things here. So, I've gone to see a movie or two. I saw the Departed (completely recommend - even Marky Mark was good). I was invested emotionally in the characters and I think that's a little difficult when you have a cast of people like Leo, Matt, Mark, Martin and Jack - I mean, other than Jack, they haven't done anything really amazing - and even Jack's a questionable. But it's a script that doesn't follow the typical Hollywood formula and that's refreshing if not just a little unsatisfying from a closure standpoint (see every romance movie with Hugh Grant). I learned it's a remake of a Hong Kong movie Infernal Affairs which is apparently very very good - so if you're interested in a foreign film, check it out. The bottom line is that you need to see The Departed. It's not for the squeamish as there is the love of the old blood packet nor is it for the persnickety - according to the trivia at imdb.com, the variations of the f-word is used over 230 times. . . that aside, really, it's a very good crime drama.

I've also seen the newly out David Lynch movie called Inland Empire. David Lynch of Blue Velvet, Wild At Heart, Mulholland Dr., and the most widely known Twin Peaks fame, does it again in this new film. It starts out very oddly, so oddly, in fact, I start to think I may not be able to pull out any understanding (it involves lifesize bunnies. . . is there much more to say there?). However, then it delves into the real story. Not surprisingly, you see Laura Dern. Now, for the most part, I only believe Ms. Dern has any money is because of Mr. Lynch - and not exactly rightly so. . . he apparently has some very bizarre fetish for the woman that completely escapes me. But I do have to say - she's good - really good in this film. So good, in fact, that during the movie, I was actually actively thinking, "she deserves a nomination for this film."

It gets dicey in the middle of the 3 hours. Now, I'm not sure if it was because it was about 2am when I started to nod off, or if it was because the film was a little beyond my reach at this point. I'm going to chalk it up to a little of both because I slapped my face awake for the last 45 minutes and didn't miss a beat about what the movie was possibly trying to convey. Now I say possibly because David Lynch (as my friend and co-worker Saundrah said so eloquently - and truly) lives in a dream state. Nothing really makes that much sense, but at the root level, it relates to something that happened before. I read a review from a Portland reviewer that recommended seeing it several times (see Mulholland Dr.) and it will become a great favorite of yours. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but I could see it again (maybe not until 3pm on a school night) and I like it. It was interesting.

But really, I saw it at an unreasonable time - and why you ask? Well, Mr. Lynch was in Seattle all day yesterday. He was giving autographs and introduced the movie at 7:30pm followed by a QnA. Now, I WOULD have gone to the 7:30pm show had it not been SOLD OUT for several weeks. So, alas, I was stuck going to the late late show. For those of you that now start to worry about me being alone at night - fear not, I had a friend along! Back to the important part you're missing. David Lynch ALSO introduced the midnight show - though now QnA followed as 3am "is past his bedtime" (as quoted by the hosting artist sponsor). Isn't that past EVERYONE'S bed time on a Wednesday? Oh well, something cool and interesting to do here in Seattle.

Now that you've been brought up to speed - I'll keep you all posted. Tomorrow night I have tickets to In DisDress Now: Redux. It got a Stranger Suggests for this week, and it looks good and it's only for two more nights. So, I'll let you know how it is. There's a one act festival on Sunday I might crash. . . but we'll see. Then I'll check this out next week - a musical about a brain aneurysm - it's based on the author's real diagnosis (apparently incorrect diagnosis). That'll take me right up to Feb 1 - and guess what I'm doing then?????

I'm visiting the FAMILY! Super excited to do it too. Hannah's got a basketball game on the Monday and Laura's birthday (and the superbowl) are on that Sunday. Plus I'll get to see Grandma, Mom, Dad, Pat, Joe, the boys, and Paul - and I hope to see many more!

Much love - I'll update you on my theater experiment tomorrow night.



Monday, August 07, 2006

HOT! HOT! HOT!

super hot a week or so ago. And the cats were REALLY hot. So, theyDon't think we got off scott free in the heat wave. I forgot I had these pictures. It was super look like a bunch of seals on a haul out (you know, when the seals need to sun themselves!).

So, no worries, we were suffering like you!
As for the air show, we got a couple of great pictures. Some with the mountain behind them. Take a look.

Pretty cool! We got to see it from our house! Absolutely beautiful. But during the middle of the show, Alistair saw a fly in the house and decided to go on the hunt. The funny thing is, he went in his underwear. A deadly bug man on the hunt!

Very deadly. He got him, but alas, Alistair isn't the killer we all thought him to be! He let the poor fly off the hook.

That was the weekend. All movies, a fly, and a few planes. Hope all others are well! Much love from the Ramsdales on the serious escapade of fly hunting.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

A week of surprises

Last week held a couple of surprises for us. Here's Alistair's scar. It was originally only about 1/2 inch long and more towards the middle of his chest. After the surgery it was this big. He held up pretty well during the surgery (Doug and I got to see it!). They gave him some topical anesthetic (10 needles full!) and the doctor says in his experience Red Heads always need more anesthetic than most! I guess so. He bruised, but all is well for now! Here's his "scale" picture so you can see how big it is in relation to everything else.

We went out for his birthday on Saturday instead of Friday b/c his surgery happened on Thursday and Al was a little tired. This is the crew before we went out. . . doesn't everyone look dapper? I'm usually behind the camera, but Carol took a good picture of Alistair and me (this one is a little bigger than the rest, so MOM - if you want to save it, it should be a little easier than the rest). It was a lovely dinner. Carol and Doug looked adorable as well!
Since Alistair was still recovering, he was a little difficult to make laugh. But Carol kept doing a German impression that HILARIOUS and Alistair was laughing quite a bit (you can see her here wispering in a German accent as well). It made the night. Well, the vat of mashed potatoes I got to bring home wasn't bad either. So, it was a pretty good birthday dinner!

Carol and Doug's visit was very nice and I'm glad they came.

If you've read the recent posts, you'll notice we put in an offer on a condo as well. So that was a good surprise over the weekend. We've gone back and I'm sure we'll love it there. It's closer to work and closer to where Alistair and I like to walk around and hang out.

Then today, Alistair was RUDELY awaken by the Blue Angels! He took some great pictures. They're here for the weekend SeaFair and practice over our house. He'll be taking some more tomorrow. You can see the red tower in one of the pictures, so you can see how really close they were. He says that these pictures weren't even of the closest they came. . . he didn't start taking them until the middle of the "show".



So, surprise after surprise. Hopefully the next few weeks are a little less exciting. We're going to get Alistair into an apartment in Montana and he'll be teaching soon (and going to school). So, it's off to the next adventure.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

A new place to live

So. .. we've put an offer in on a condo. And this time, we're not turning back. There isn't much to say b/c the pictures show it all. It's FABU. The counters are beautiful, the tiles are great, the floor is wood and there is a fire place. PLUS, get a load of the view. Here are some pictures. . .










































The move in date is on August 28th. We'll keep you posted. Here's the deal. It's a one bedroom, BUT we do have a couch that can fold out into a bed. . .. so you can still come and visit. But it's in a fabulous location. . . a couple blocks off of Broadway.