If you're planning to visit, check out this blog. Nice discussion about the food opportunities in Seattle, sure to warm the hearts of the franc-o-philes in my life. :)

http://seattlebonvivant.typepad.com/

My ceiling looks like swiss cheese.

I had absestos removed from the ceiling throughout my built-in-1968 home. Since the absestos was over the hazardous limit, I didn't want to just scrape down the popcorn ceiling on my own. So, I hired Crown Delta, located in Seattle; very nice people, they did a good job. However, removing popcorn (especially when it's been repeatedly painted for close to 40 years), damages the ceiling drywall paper. Hence, the picture.

To fix this, the ceiling needs to be skim coated (with a layer of drywall mud). If you want to try this yourself, you dilute the mud with water so that it has the consistently of curdled milk; very heavy and vicious liquid, not drippy. Then, you apply a thin coat to the ceiling, let dry, sand. Continue to repeat the process until you have a smooth ceiling. It takes a steady hand, time, and strong back muscles (as you're looking up at the ceiling a lot). Aside from your time (which has value), it will cost about $500 (or less) for a 2000 sq ft house. In addition to water, you'll need "mud", tools, and sand paper. There are a couple machines that you can rent to speed the process, usually about $200 a day, but it really takes 2 people to operate them properly.

Anyhoo, I'm hiring an expert for the public rooms of the house. They'll be in, next week, to correct the ceiling condition. I've piled all my furniture into the master bedroom (it's quite crowded), and I've moved into the shopping for lighting phase. (I'm still puzzling over what to do with the non-functioning intercoms embedded in the walls of every room; current status, denial.)

The Quest for Light
I saw the following chandelier at CostCo, and I really really like it. A LOT.

It has nothing to do with the style that I planned for the house, and it is more money than I've ever spent for a non-electronic item. Still...I'm going to buy it. You'll be able to see it from the front door, as you enter. And, behind it will be a view of the (currently in need of help) backyard, so it will be set off nicely.

To me, it seems elegant, yet warm and approachable. I would like my house to look like that, eventually. Odds are good that it will end up to be casual, comfortable, and eclectic.

Either way, it will look different. :)

The lights are on!

Being without power for an extended period of time, I had an epiphany. I do NOT like to camp out!!! I greatly enjoy hot water, heat, and lights. Without electricity, there is no computer, no internet, no cable tv, no microwave, no oven, no hot water...

My neighbors were great - they checked on me every day. I learned to build a fire in a gas fireplace. I also learned that my house (effectively) has no insulation (R11) and a gas fire does not generate any significant heat. Ikea candles burn well, but very quickly. And, it is impossible to have too many matches.

THANK YOU to puget sound energy for turning the lights back on. Next time, maybe it could be a little quicker than 4-5 days...just a suggestion. :)

Good luck to the 99,000 people that remain without power.

Ever feel tired?

It's 1128.13 miles from Renton to Simi Valley. If I was to drive that, it would take 17 hours and 19 minutes (according to mapquest). Via plane, it's about 7 hours - 4 in the air, 1 waiting to fly, and 2 driving across LA (unless hah! traffic is light). I've traveled farther (and longer), in the past.

To be somewhat precise, I've already traveled more than 26,000 miles this year. Yes, primarily in a plane (driven by someone else, thankfully), but still...

Above are some pictures of the snowfall (taken from The Cherry Pit diner) in British Columbia on Monday, after American thanksgiving.

Travel Schedule Update

Team H - 12/25; A&M - 12/26; Team K - 12/27; R&M - 12/28; D&S - 12/29