and Happy Birthday to Me (and Tom Petty)

Above is the homemade card I received today from my sister Valerie and her family, Larry (husband), Julia and Holden (their children).

Unbelievably, I got yesterday and today off of work. And today being my birthday, I am thankful for many things, but especially that I have the day off. Lynn sneakily left one of those helium balloons, along with birthday cards, on my stairs this morning.

That's the card Lynn got for me, along with some chocolate. Thanks, Lynn! In the picture above, I photoshopped the wrinkles out from under my eyes.

Seattle Autumn Throwdown: New England, You're Going to Fall!

Seattle has steep hills, like San Francisco. All over there are stairs built right into the hill.

More Sights of Seattle

This is the view from the top of the hill just up from where I live. My car is the very last one on the right. If I was Marc Rutter, I'd have an arrow pointing to it.

This is a beautifully tiled bus stop.

Seattle has many artistic sculptures around town. You never know when you'll run into one. This one is near a curvy, concrete walkover.

SEATTLE-d ! (And Happy Birthday Jackson Browne)

Hi folks. I've been in Seattle for four weeks! In that time I've moved into my new place, started a new job, and learned how to get around the city (basically).

As I indicated in a previous post, the job and the living space fell into place with astonishing swiftness. Whoosh indeed. I applied online and one hour later, Jill the HR person called asking if I was still interested. Less than two weeks later she offered me the job. She dazzled me with her excellent follow-up, great communication and "let's get moving" attitude. I was excited to learn that she worked in the very building where I did my computer training, in Renton. I couldn't wait to meet her! She was as nice as could be, but in the presence of this HR Rock Star, I felt like a babbling fool.

Two days after I got my job, I found the perfect place to live. Just like that. My mind continued to be blown when Lynn, the homeowner, agreed to defer rent payment until I got my first paycheck (!). I would have stopped there on the gratitude spectrum, but each day continues to reveal another layer of good fortune. How much gratitude can a person can feel? Will I burst open and rain confetti upon Seattle?

Below is a pictorial view of my life in Seattle so far, categorized and titled thusly so. And because I'm so grateful, like Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize, I'll keep my acceptance speech short. Deep thanks to my family and friends who accepted me and "got" what I was doing on my 10 month journey, even though it flew in the face of everything "rational." Even fewer got it during the entire four years. For that I thank Mom, Sam, Val, Mike, Drea, Mag, Annie, Zee, and Joyce.

And yes, I will be keeping up with the blog. Let the next chapter begin!

Seattle-d My New Place and Roomies

Here's Lucia and Tommy and a new doll I picked up in Sacramento.  Also, this is a card that Andrea Bekemeyer made for me a few years ago. I've been lugging it around for inspiration. 

Here are two of my 3 housemates, Larry and Lynn (with her dog Anna). With Jeff, the third, it's hard to schedule a photo shoot. 

Seattle-d Where I Walk

This is Seward Park, a few miles from where I live. It's a peninsula surrounded by the waters of Lake Washington. This is where I walk nearly every day, on a beautiful path along the lake.Can you see Mt. Ranier behind me?

Seattle-d My New Hood

Here's my neighborhood branch library. Thanks to Larry Browning, Sue Zieman, Randy Bartel, Rob Phair, Annie Brunelle, Ron and Claire Silverstein and Kris Lea for sending USPS mail to me at my new address. Mission Accomplished. Library card successfully issued. Check out that crazy ship sculpture that spins in the wind.

Below the library pics, is McPherson's, the local produce market. Amazing prices on organics, plus some other interesting places in the neighborhood.

Seattle-d Sights of Seattle

I'm rusty on captions, so here's what you're seeing:

I-5 from down under, near the U of Washington. Look to the right, see the space needle in both shots.

Lenin statue in a neighborhood called Fremont

"Center of the Universe" sign, also in Fremont.

All the rest are from Gasworks Park. In the first one, look to the right, you can see the Space Needle across the water. That balancing girl was amazing.