Yay, Friends! [Part 1a]

Hey all, How goes it? So I had planned to update this blog last week, but ran into some computer complications. After contracting some viral diseases, my computer was left running slower than molasses in January and I was unable to connect to the internet. Being exiled from the World Wide Web gave me time to catch up on other things; such as playing Fallout 3 for Xbox 360. After some thorough research, registry editing and crossed fingers, I finally got everything up and running again (now quicker than ever :) So that means I can update this blog that everyone is anxiously awaiting!!! Yay! So enough nonsense, onto the blog.

3 weeks ago we were fortunate to have our third official visitor! Her name: Melissa Peick (we will refer to her from here on out as PIKE). Pike had helped us move all of our things out here 5 months ago. So she was actually our first unoffical visitor here (second to Matt of course). She got to see the before, and now the after, of our apartment setup. Even though Pike was only here for 4 days, we did enough activities for an entire week.

Our first activity of the week was what I thought to be a nice little hike up Mount Si. Located about 45 minutes East of Seattle, Mt. Si is a 4 mile hike up to 4,000 ft. After climbing the 1st mile, I began to realize that this trail is all switchbacks going straight up. We started seeing US Army soldiers resting on the side of the trail, completely out of breath. Granted they were in complete fatigues, carrying backpacks and it was in the high 80's, I began to wonder what I had gotten into. 2 miles later, I realized we still had a mile to go... not good. It's then the fact that my body is not made for endurance events came to light. It also doesn't help that I have chicken legs. My body was definitely pushing it's limits. 3/4 of a mile later we were informed we only had 10 minutes left. At this point, the trail was literally STRAIGHT up. We were on our hands and knees climbing rocks. My body was on the point of shutting down, fainting, puking, etc... But I was so close that I couldn't give up! I made it to the top and was informed that my face was ghost white and lips were very pale. BUT I MADE IT! Chrissy and Pike on the other hand were only slightly winded and ready for another 4 miles. [Must be all the marathon training or something...]

The view was phenomenal from atop Mt. Si! Even though I wanted to die at the time, it was well worth the journey up to the top. We could see clear across the Snohomish valley. Making our way down was MUCH easier although a little hard on the knees and ankles. I might consider doing this again, but I am definitely going to take my time doing it.

Friday held a completely different kind of parade. Located in the same place as the Summer Solstice Parade, the annual Zombie Walk took place in Fremont. Even though it sounds completely self explanitory, we had no idea what to expect. BRAINS, BRAINS, BRAINS was the only thing I heard all night.

Hundreds of Zombies made their way across the streets of Fremont looking for fresh flesh. Surrounding cars and crowding windows, it was truly a night of the living dead. It was a good thing there were police present incase it got out of hand. I asked them if they knew what to do and they replied "Yep, Blow off their Heads." They've been trained well.

As the sun was setting the masses had gathered around the outdoor theater. In loving memory of the King of Pop whom has recently fallen, we were taught how to do the Thriller Dance. In an attempt to set the Guinness record for the largest simultaneous thriller dance, everybody did their best to follow along while enjoying their selves. It was definitely a sight to see!

On our way out, we saw this:

The things people do... Stay tuned for the 4th of July!

Pike, are you happy I finally got this posted? One more picture for you ;)

Parades Parades! [Part 3]

I know people have been patiently waiting for the final part of of the Parades Saga. I am currently like 3 weeks behind on the blog reporting, but I have a good excuse. We've had visitors the last two weekends! Who you may ask? Well we will have to save that surprise for a later date ;) Either way, stay tuned for more and more updates since I will have more free time. Now, onto part 3!

Seattle Pride Parade

Each year this parade is put on by members of the gay and lesbian community. It began in the streets of the openly gay-friendly neighborhood of Capitol Hill and has since grown and moved to downtown Seattle. It is a gayous event (in both meanings of the word) that brings out the pride in those who may normally be looked down upon. People had filled the streets to both show support and join in the festivities. From self-defense dojo's to people on party buses, there seemed to be a mixture of everything. Once again the sun shone down to show support. I have come to believe that the Rainy Seattle stories are solely myths to keep outsiders from coming to live here...

With the parade's conclusion, spectators formed their own parade of sorts. Through the streets of Seattle marched tens of thousands of people in a pilgrimage to the festival grounds surrounding the Space Needle. Once there we were treated to a plethora of food for the masses as well as live music there for our enjoyment. To top everything off there was a humungous dance party at the giant fountain [See Folklore Festival Post]. Water sprayed from the fountain not only to cool those burning from the dance dance fever, but also to create beautiful rainbows of support. We could not ask for a more beautiful day!

Parades Parades! [Part 2]

Welcome back for Part 2!

So as some/most of you may know, Chrissy has been diligently training to run a Half Marathon. A Half Marathon = 13.1 miles [that's crazy]! I personally don't know why anyone would want to put their body through that but I am very happy for her and completely support her ridiculous decision. She is a better person that I am :)

For the last 2 1/2 months sh has been training hard 5 days a week. Beginning with a "light" 4 mile run, she began working her way up week by week until she eventually ran a 13 miles mock marathon. I remember the day that she did this when she came back and collapsed on the ground. Her face had a look that said "Just Shoot Me" and "I'm going to throw up". A couple weeks later she was then fully trained and ready for the real race.

It was an early morning (5:15am to be exact). Competitor #20684 was primed and ready for action. The Tukwila starting line was packed full of eager and anxious participants. This scene can better be described by the song "Going The Distance" by Cake.

Reluctantly crouched at the starting line,
Engines pumping and thumping in time.
The green light flashes, the flags goes up,
Churning and burning, they yern for the cup.

The scene was set as the streets of Seattle were filled with 25,000 Runners. Some were running the Marathon some were running the Half Marathon. Some were prepped to hand out waters or precious electrolytes. Some were suited in full race gear while others donned costumes more suited for Halloween. Some were sitting on a grassy knoll awaiting for support with a camera in their hand, myself being the latter of those.

Chrissy ran the marathon with Kristin. She said that it was nice to have another person to talk with along the way. I suppose it would get a little boring running for 2+ hours without nothing to do [maybe I should have gave her my Gameboy]. After taking pictures and cheering her on at the 6 mile marker, I rushed downtown to Qwest Field (home of the Seahawks and Sounders) to watch her make the last 1/10th mile. She did so with a smile on her face. I'm so proud of her!

She was able to maintain a constant 10:00 minute mile pace throughout the entire race without slowing down once! She finished with a time of 2:12:34. And she didn't even look like death afterwards. She was treated to a free lettuce wrap from P.F. Changs as well as a gaggle of gifts for running. This concludes part 2 of our saga.

On a side note [or more importantly] I found the biggest box of Captian Crunch ever (with Crunch Berries of course)! It was like two of the biggest size boxes you can buy put together. And the best part was that it was only $3.79. It's been about a month and I still have some left. Awesome

Parades Parades! [Part 1]

I know everyone has been anxious to hear what has been happening in the happiest city of Seattle. It has been very busy here the last couple of weeks. There has been so much going on that it has taken awhile to get everything together. It has also taken awhile to go through the 300+ pictures per parade. So look out later this week for a couple more updates as I get everything together.

Part 1 begins with the Summer Solstice Parade. This is a joyous celebration commemorating when the tilt of the Earth's Axis is most inclined toward the Sun, causing the Sun's apparent position in the sky to reach its northernmost extreme. In Leymans terms it basically means the longest day of the year. Appropriately enough the sun was out in full effect giving us all a pleasantly warm 82 degree day.

Taking place in Fremont (aka North Seattle), the parade began with the thousand person naked bike ride. Yes, you read that correctly... naked bike ride. Since this was a "family" event, the bikers were required to wear body paint. This lead to some very creative designs to cover up some very unattractive body parts. It was pretty cool to see and a lot less obscene than you might imagine. In fact 2 of our friends, Matt and Kristin, had joined in the festivities. They said it was a really happy and fun experience.

The rest of the parade entailed numerous floats, ferries, bands and bikes. The floats varied from homemade creations made from recycled goods to professional constructed structures big enough to carry entire Rock Bands. With a smile on the face and a twinkle in the eye of every person there, the parade was a great success. You can't help but have fun at an event like this.

The parade made it's way through the streets of Fremont en route to Gasworks Park located on the northern part of Lake Union. At the end of this Solstice Rainbow was a plethora of authentic ethnic foods as well as a giant grassy knoll for people to relax and soak up the sun. There was even a giant balloon ball that was rolled down the hill to entertain the kids who were lined up like Bowling Pins. Fun, Fun, Fun.

Stay Tuned for Parts 2 & 3!!!!