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January 7th, 2010
07:37 pm - Travelling
Some interesting travel tips here: http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/travel/10pracsave.html?emhttp://www.getaroom.com/
We have used Kayak.com to optimize flight costs, and several people I know have given thumbs up to bing, but I hadn't even heard of http://itasoftware.com/ which the airlines use or http://www.farecompare.com/.
Also had never heard of the airlines refunding the difference in flight cost, which you can apparently find out with http://www.yapta.com/
I tried Priceline last summer and liked it. Next time I might try http://www.getaroom.com/ which the NYT says, "offers a new twist to this gamble that may be more agreeable for risk-averse travelers. Unlike these other discounters, Getaroom tells customers the name of the hotel and price before booking. But it offers an even lower rate through its call center — typically 10 to 25 percent off — to travelers willing to pay for the room before finding out just how much of a discount they’re getting."
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January 5th, 2010
03:25 pm - 10 Things about Movie Theaters
Yahoo posted a good insider article about movie theaters, which you can find HERE.
Some of them you probably already know, but it's interesting to read about some of the changes, too.
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November 19th, 2009
05:21 pm - Some bad financials working their way through...
"The Mortgage Bankers Association has announced that 9.64% of all mortgages are now delinquent, and this delinquency rate breaks the record set last quarter. The records are based on MBA data dating back to 1972. The delinquency rate does NOT include loans that somewhere in the process of foreclosure. If you combine the current foreclosures with the delinquents, you get a whopping 14.41 percent."
from The Consumerist
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November 16th, 2009
11:08 pm - Jury Duty -- another temp job lead?
Some places apparently allow you to volunteer for Jury Duty. Apparently, applications are up, because people are looking for temp jobs. If you're interested here's the article from The Consumerist.
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November 13th, 2009
05:22 pm - Some job openings
I spotted a pamphlet detailing government part-time census jobs for $17.50/hour. Website HERE. Or call toll-free 1-866-861-2010.
Also, if you're looking for money, many retails outlets are already hiring holiday help. One friend is working the graveyard shift doing inventory, so you can earn some extra money on top of your regular job.
Best of luck to everyone seeking a job or more hours!
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October 27th, 2009
04:42 pm - Finally finished my voting
Voter Recommendations for WA state/King County
Mostly, I went along with Grubb Street except I chose Tom Albro over Max Vekich for Port of Seattle Position 4. I already explained in my primary endorsements why. (Cheat sheet at the bottom for those who don't want to go over to Jeff's blog.)
City of Seattle
Wow, I've been following this one closely, since Seattle has such an impact on the region. While Michael McGinn has great people skills and his heart in the right place, his budgeting and administration skills are lacking and those exactly what's needed during this worst fiscal crisis I've experienced in my life. Want him instead being the anti-Tim Eyman proposing good initiatives and going against bad ones, which would play to Michael's strengths.
However, I have yet to find anything that would compell me to vote for Mallahan except that he's an unknown and Gov. Chris Gregoire (who I love) endorsed him. Maybe his biz experience would be good, but who knows? So, only can hope for the best but kind of fear that Seattle will be screwed.
City of Kirkland
I recommend Joan McBride, Brad Larssen, Karen Tennyson, and Doreen Marchione for Kirkland City Council. And a YES vote of Propositon 1, which will raise the utility tax to cover revenues. Hopefully this will help provide much needed revenue AND encourage people to save more energy.
Ashamed to say i started doing research on the school district and hospital commissioner votes, decided that I'm too sick to put in the time and won't vote in those elections unless I hear compelling reasons from someone soon as to who I should choose. There just wasn't enough info on the web to decided and I've learned to not trust the voters pamphlet.
Cheat Sheet
No on 1033 (another Tim Eyman mess)
Yes on 71 (US always best when we live up to our promise of equality)
Yes on all King Co amendments (Trusted Jeff on this one, since I was too sick for research)
Dow Constantine for King Co. Exec (Shudder at the thought of Susan hutchison)
Bob Rosenberger for Assessor (Most on Jeff Grubb's recommendation, though I did some research to concur)
Anne Ellington Court of Appeals (per my primary notes)
Rob Holland Port #3 (per primary notes)
Tom Albro Port #4 (per primary notes)
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September 18th, 2009
04:10 pm - Geeky fun
"I gave them a Jedi church business card." among the great quotes in this very funny story about the founder of the Jedi church in Wales vs. Tesco (British grocery chain).
This is why I love non-fiction more than fiction most of the time. No one would find this believable in a fiction book yet there it is, at the grocery store.
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August 30th, 2009
10:04 pm - Just add Cassis
I'd put off drinking the Illinois vignoles wine (yes, you read the state right) for two years. Mostly, it was bought on a whim and I new it was a bit too much like alcoholic grape juice to drink unless I was really in the mood.
Last week, I realized that if I just added Cream de Cassis, it would make a good kir (white wine + cassis). I was so right.
Yesterday, Wolf brought home some hard cider that tasted too much like unsweeted green apples for me. I my glass down after one sip and walked away. Wolf, however, remembered my trick and added some cassis. While not technically a kir, it added the right amount of sweetness to make it yummy.
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August 25th, 2009
10:52 pm - RIP Senator Ted Kennedy
I would say my level of respect for Sen. Kennedy was one of appreciation rather than adoration. Still, I find myself feeling his death today as the Kennedy politcal dynasty becomes fully past rather than present.
I also have to say I'm very worried about what this means for health care reform. Senator Kennedy was one of its champions and I think his loss has already negatively recalculated the health care debate.
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August 16th, 2009
02:57 pm - My Watercolor Palette
My Friday project. More details on my art blog if you're interested.
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August 15th, 2009
August 14th, 2009
04:48 pm - Publisher's Camp/ Cowgirl Camp
Wolf took off this whole week and while others were at Gen Con, we both went to work at home trying to get ahead of the curve for Open Design/Kobold Quarterly. To be productive, this meant the little one went to Cow Girl Camp the whole week. Hence the theme that Wolf and I were at Publisher's camp.
Had some especially good meetings. Only downside -- they generated more work so our to-do lists just changed items rather than shortened.
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August 3rd, 2009
01:49 pm - Primary Voting Guide
Just a reminder that fewer people vote in the primaries. It's almost like ballot stuffing to vote in them, since your vote is less diluted. Also, some elections, esp. judges, are decided in the primary; the main election for them is a formality.
Of course, the problem with primaries is that there's less reliable info out. Hence, I rely heavily on endorsements from groups I trust for my decisions. I've listed the group endorsement in parentheses to help you.
Shelly's Voting Guide for King County
King County: Dow Constantine (Jeff Grubb and The Stranger both endorse)
Court of Appeals Div 1 Dist 1 Judge 3: Anne L. Ellington (per King Co Bar rating "Exceptionally Well Qualtified" vs. Opponent Kelly's "Not Qualified")
Port of Seattle Commissioner, #3: Rob Holland (per WA Conserv Voters)
Port of Seattle Commissioner Position #4: Tom Albro (per WA Conserv Voters & the Stranger. Disagree with Mr. Grubb here.)
City of Kirkland: Matt Gregory (per Muncipal League. While I liked Karen Tennyson, felt she wasn't as viable as a candidate and wanted someone to defeat Amy Walen who is running a fairly big campaign.)
While I can't vote in these elections, here are two I have an opinion on:
Shoreline: Janet Way. I worked with her in the past. Would vote for her if I could.
Seattle: Greg Nickles -- despite the snow debacle he is still overly the most effective. Worked with Michael McGinn and like him personally. He's good at talking people into things, not nearly so good at running an effective organization as he thinks he is.
King Co Dist 9: NOT Reagan Dunn. I've met him, and "Deer in the Headlights" applies here. He gets by on solidly hewing to the Republican planks and avoids Palinesque fire and brimstone statements.
Helpful Endorsement Sites
Jeff Grubb's endorsements are HERE.
Wa Conservation Voters list found HERE
Municipal League ratings HERE.
King County Bar Assoc is HERE.
The Stranger endorsements here.
I rarely bother with The Times endorsements, because they lean too heavily to the right for me. Though the Stranger often leans a bit too left (like mayoral endorsement for Mike McGinn), I still consider them.
I pretty much ignore the Voters Guide, because it's easy to be mislead by a well-written statement masking a candidate that you'd never ever vote for if you really know what (s)he were like.
Non-partisan Offices
Let me state once again that I HATE that candidates no longer declare a party for most of these positions that really are partisan. It becomes a way to hide where you stand and makes it one step tougher to choose candidates for the smaller elections that you don't have much to go on anyway. Jeff Grubb agrees with me.
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July 31st, 2009
06:08 pm - Art Shows & Personal Best
Art Shows
I spent time at two different art shows, the biggest and best being the juried Bellevue ArtFair. Got some ideas for framing, displays, and more. Wish I had time to pitch a tent and do a show, but having a three-year old, I'll just have to put one more item in the "When My Child Goes to School" list.
Productivity
This week, the temperature in my area reached 107 degrees (official temp Redmond, WA), which was a personal best! It's the highest I've ever experienced and I believe the highest recorded here. Seattle reached a record-breaking 102/103. My productivity as well as everyone else's nosedived as everyone in the area sought air conditioned public places for a few days.
Today felt more like summer in the Pacific NW. I was able to work more on content for a new website I'm creating with a coding-genius and friend, Anne Trent. Also practiced a bit more on Roman capitals.
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July 8th, 2009
03:34 pm - Prehistoric Art
An unusual place to find art keeps coming up for me: National Geographic.
1. Prehistoric Hand Prints
After analyzing handprints in prehistoric cave paintings, they've discovered that many of them are done by women. Indicating that many of the actual paintings are probably also done by women, which isn't what was commonly taught. The older theory being men coming down and painting hunting figures as part of a religious ritual.
2. North America's Oldest Art
A 13,000-year-old mammoth bone etched with a figure of a mammoth.
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July 4th, 2009
12:09 pm - Good legacy from East/West Germany
Someday, I'd like to do one of the very civilized walking tours of Europe where someone else schleps your stuff while you walk unencumbered between B&Bs for the night.
One intriguing tour would be the wildlife sanctuary and green belt left behind in the former divide between East and West Germany. It's a one of the few good legacies of the cold war detailed HERE in this Guardian article.
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July 2nd, 2009
10:47 am - Heard by from Senator Patty Murray
Some of you might recall that I wrote my federal reps/senators about the proposed banking regulations and Glass-Steagall Act.
To those naysayers who always say that their views don't matter and there's no point in participating in government, I'll point out that Senator Murray (or at least one of her staff) took the time to reply back to a degree that shows that my letter was personally paid attention to. It shows that if you do care about something, you should write/phone in to your elected officials because they do listen. Pointing out why you care, offering a solution, giving some details all help your cause.
While I don't believe one letter is going to change things immediately, at least not in most instances, having enough people write in about something will. Conversely, if no one writes in about an issue, if only the lobbyists are heard, then things will not be changed to your liking most of the time.
Here's Senator Murray's response:
Dear Ms. Shellyinseattle:
Thank you for contacting my office. I appreciate hearing from you regarding your views on reintroducing the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933. The views of Washingtonians are very important to my work in the U.S. Senate.
Please know that I will keep your thoughts in mind and encourage you to be in touch. Do not hesitate to contact me again to express your views on this or any other issue or if I may be of assistance.
I hope all is well in Kirkland.
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June 29th, 2009
02:56 pm - Betrayed!!!
So the little one is in swimming lessons for two weeks. They started rough with lots of crying and choking me and just screaming in my ear before she relaxed enough to have fun.
Mostly, the teacher has been building up the kids comfort level with the water. Building them up -- for betrayal! Just before class ended, all the moms geared up to do one quick dunk of the kids before they realized what they were in for.
All the faces afterwards were priceless. She did a bit of revenge on me, though. She held on so tight through the lesson that my hands started to go numb at times.
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June 28th, 2009
06:03 pm - Eastside Seattle help needed
If you know of a good engine/coolant/radiator repair place near Kikrland WA, please let us know what it is.
Thanks.
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June 22nd, 2009
02:52 pm - Saturday Night Date and MapMyHike
Date Night
Saturday night, Wolf & I joyfully dropped Heidi off at a Kids Night Out while we went for a hike through blueberry fields and parts of the Bellevue greenbelt. It felt like we were in the countryside complete with a fresh produce stand at the end, which would have been even better if it had been open that late at night.
MapMyHike
MapMyHike worked well for figuring out good walks, though I couldn't get the map to print well. For locals, the U-pick blueberry patch is part of the Lake Hills Loop hike. Phantom Lake had some nice views from a couple of docks, and the water lillies were almost in bloom. There's also the Lake Hills Library along the route, which would have been nice to visit if it had been open.
Top Gun Seafood Restaurant
Afterwards, we were quite chilled from hiking after the sun was going down.
So hot pots at the Chinese restaurant Top Gun were fantastic to warm us up. Got to view King Crabs both lived and served up in splendor. Meal presentation was great whether it was ours or any other table. Ambience isn't bad, though not especially romantic. I think we were the only all-Western table in the restaurant at the time. They serve excellent dim sum during the day. It's located close to Paizo, if you're near there, and appropriate it was our Paizo friend P. is who introduced us to this great Chinese restaurant.
Factoria Mall
We had enough time before picking up the little one that we briefly stopped by the Factoria Mall so Wolf could show me exactly where the Children's Museum is. Both Wolf and my playgroup vouch for this museum, and I'll have to take Heidi there some time.
An entire section of the mall right around the museum has imploded. About 15 empty store spaces. Impressive in a very eerie way.
Almost all businesses that are still open have all moved to the other side, clearly to make that section feel more inhabited and to help keep their own traffic up.
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