I met one of my favorite authors today!!

Jodi Picoult, one of my all time favorite authors, was in Seattle today for a book signing at the library downtown. Her latest book, Nineteen Minutes, just came out a few weeks ago and she read from the beginnin of it. I highly recommend it!! She took Q&A afterwards and explained how the book came about, what she learned in her reserch into school shootings, etc... Jodi lives in New Hampshire, and most of her books are set in New England - I discovered her last year while we lived in NH. Reading her books got me through a very cold winter back there! :-) She's so nice and down to earth. Here is a pic from today:

Happy Spring from Apt #314

I put up this egg wreath a few weeks ago, as it makes me think of Easter, Spring time, spring colors etc.... Enjoy!! :-)

Girl's Night Out: Rosebud on Capitol Hill

Rosebud was the destination for us ladies tonight, for a well earned girl's night out. Rosebud is on Pike Street in Cap Hill. It's a great wonderful local place - the menu is varied. Most of us tried the Butternet Squah Soup w/ shallots. Some had salad. I tried to the seared shallots. The lavender lamb bolognaise with fresh fettuccini was very popular in our group. We discovered a new Cabernet by Root:1 from Chile. YUMMY!!

ML actually has some raves....

I often RANT on this blog, or either just post pics of happenings in my life or complain about political issues I care about - all fair topics, but not always of the substance people are looking for. Let me take the time to post some RAVES...

For starters, the first RAVE on my mind would be the dinner I had last Saturday night with my friends Jennifer, Vonna and Adrian ( I hope I spelled that right). We dined at Veil in lower Queen Anne, and let me tell you what I delight this was (minus that parking, as I promised no rants). We all started out with a wonderful Champange cocktail suggested by our server - wonderful. It was a course menu, but I opted for 2 courses, and had the Risotto, and Duck Breast entree. My Gosh, my food was some of the best tasted in my life.... For dessert, I opted out of an "entree" and instead sipped on a Bernad-Griffin Syrah Port - very good... a new wine experience for me. Too bad I left my camera at home, as it would have caught my friends and I in pure culinary bliss! For those who have not been to Veil, please go. It's worth it!!

Is Global Warming a Scam?

Hmm... You decide. Al Gore? Hmmm.. Read here and get back to me... You may have to register on the NYT website, but it is worth it. Thanks to Dan Sytman for this link...... My take on this whole thing - it's crap. ML's opinoin it this: Yes, the earth may have warmed up a bit and Yes, there are A LOT of humans on this planet. But how much do we really contribute to climate change? Let's take an obvious example: The ice age that ended about 12,000 yrs ago.... what led to that ice age in the beginning and what brought us out of it? Humans were not in the population numbers we are now and we certainly did not have industrial revoluation at our disposal? So, how did we as a race affect the planet back then? What did we do to bring the planet out of the ice age to a "gloabl warmning" of 12,000 yrs ago? Hmmmm.... I can't seem to put my finger on it. Was it all those campfires cavemen were starting up to keep warm and cook meat? Could that have brought us out of the ice age? I mean, after all, the argument is that HUMANS have the greatest affect on the earth's environment.... If it weren't for us, clouds would not move. Weather patterns would cease to exist, right? The sun might get wind that we are more powerful than it? Seems to me that there is a bit of a flaw in this argument?

ML builds a bed!

So, as of yesterday Rob and I are finally not sleeping on the floor any more - after about 13 months. With the help of IKEA and my brother, I put thogether the bed all by myself, even without a drill - used an old fashioned phillips screwdriver and have a blister to show for it! (beofre, middle and after pics below). But man, it feels so good to not be on the floor college-style anymore. I'm inspired to keep working on the apt, esp the bedroom and get it where I want it - after living here for 9 months! HA

CA Weekend: babies, sun and fun...

Well folks, long time no blog from ML!! :-) I'm back bloggin' now, so watch out! This past weekend (Fri-Mon) I was in Sacramento for my friend Christina's baby shower (pic of the pre-festivites here) .....she's due on April 15th and in no mood for pictures, so instead, here is a pic of me and Renata. We are in Walnut Creek shopping and enjoying the 70 degree weather. It was the best vacation I've had in a looooong time - a much needed break from Seattle for sure.

American Idol on Tonight!!

OMG!! American Idol debuts tonight and the tryouts are the best part of this show!! 8pm on Fox. Apprently, Seattle was one of the worst places for tryouts! HA Awesome!!

Pacific Air Academy

PAA is where Rob works and I'm very proud of their new website. Most of the photography featured was taken by yours truely this past summer. See the main page, then click on Scenic Flights, then Photo Gallery. I got really lucky with the lighting and my camera this summer - really show cases how beautiful the South Sound is, esp around Gig Harbor and the Hood Canal inlet area...

Sadaam Hussien..Old News, but still funny...

I find the tri-cycle so funny!!

The year in Review: 2006...

Oh my.... I was planning on documenting my whole 2006 experience here on the blog, but by the time I sat down it seemed a daunting task. So, I ignored it. But here is it, as of Jan 7, 2007
.... Most of you who read this blog know what I was up to this past year. It consisted to about 2 or 3 major life choices - re-signing my 5 yr position with AIG, moving to New England for 4 months, then moving back to Seattle, to the same apt bldg on the same floor as before, but into a 1 bedrm. And lastly joining the Enterprise Marketing team at Microsoft. So, here is the year:

• I-90 to Nashua, New Hampshire (suburb of Boston, MA) - Go Pat's...!! Woa, a snowy place for sure... I can see why LL Bean does a booming business in the East....

• Looking for job, exploring Boston and surrounding grave yards (amazing history!!)
• Sadly, my Aunt Kathleen Edlund passing away at age 63 (Thanks Naarah for letting me stay)
• 
• Taking I-90 back to Seattle via the Mass Pike back WEST
• Landing at The SOFT (again, thank you Naarah)
• Sweet wine country trip to Walla Walla, WA (again, thanks to Naarah and Jason)
• Lastly, to round out the year, the experience of hearing Beethovan's 9th Symphony with my mom on Dec 30th..

That is ML in a nut shell for '06!!

Holocaust Denial = evil

This man is a sick fuck!! Sorry people for the foul language, but not sure how else to describe him.
Click here for pics of what this Holocaust Denial group is trying to get you to forget!!!

OK Expert Panel... in your infinite wisdom, please tell the rest of us where all these Jews went? Another planet? Explain to me what Allied Troops saw in 1945/1946? Does this panel have the balls to think the troops made it up? Doctored their photos?

This topic makes me sick....literally sick to my stomach. Where is the world outrage!! How the hell in our supposed "modern" time can a panel such as this even be convened? History is repeating itself all over again, only 60 yrs later!!

Thanksgiving Fun Rob and ML Style

We headed up to Crystal Mountain for Thanksgiving, where the snow fell all day long. It was a powdery winter-wonderland! Rob took off for his favorite runs (i.e Bear Pitts), and I stayed behind on the green runs attempting to keep learning how to turn and gain my confidence. Overall, not to bad for ML. Got off the chair lift a-ok this time....no stumbling down with the next chair hitting me in the head like a Stevens Pass a few yrs ago. That really sucked. Here are some pics from before we left.....

It's Friday. Rejoice!!

These two are finally getting married!! What more could you want from your weekend...

RANT: Iran's President in an Asshole !!

See HERE for yourself. In regards to this guy, I don't give a shit about diplomacy towards a head of state. He should NEVER have been allowed to set foot on our soil to attend the UN. Damn, I wish our govt had more backbone!! This kind of stuff pisses me off. We're supposed to be the strongest nation on earth. UGH!!!

Apollo Wears a Bandana

Democrat Victory = No Rest for the Weary

Well, looks like Al-Qaeda is stepping it up a notch! They get what they want (GOP defeat), but still want more (White House blown up)....Gee, what a total shocker.

I've got no direction this week with my thoughts.....

Well, it's been over a week since a blog entry from me... I just don't know where to go with topics.... You've got flodding in the NW, the Election '06 results and the big Britney Spears bust-up..... not sure where to go with all this important info hitting me all at once. Sigh.... Perhaps tomorrow, Thursday, will give me some inspriation as to where to direct my comments.... Until then, I leave you with this:

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

From Rob, Marylyn, Janni, Apollo and Matty

Disgusting!!

Hope this father gets what he deserves. This is a disgusting, vile practice. Abhorrent!! His picture and name are right here....perhaps someone will seek him out and give him the beat down he deserves. ARRRGHHHH

Low blow...I had a moment of feeling bad for Hillary..

Came across this story tonight. This is kind of mean and a low blow.... I'm no big fan of Hilary Clinton, but jeez.... Yea, so what if she looks better now and if she had help. I doubt it was the "Millions" this article cliams. I mean, come on.....with that kind of money you wouldn't even look the same. I don't she had much done. She just improved herself with some better hair, highlights, better clothes, and some makeup. How hard is that?? It's nothing to rip on someone for.

Great Football Weekend!!

MY TEAMS WON THIS WEEKEND!!!

ROCK ON!!

Wide leg trouser/ Jean look...with point shoes/ boots

OK, I know this new platform, round toe thing is in.... sometimes it is cool and all, but today I found a kindred spirit in the pointy toe/long pant trend in Naarah's sister Jada.... (Naarah, r u still in, or out to the platform/round toe?)....

Here are some great shoes: Jimmy Choo, Roger Vivier, Manolo Blahnik, and Christian Louboutian,

OH Lordy.. Click here

Oh Boy, this is as un- PC as it gets....from MadTV before they got "PC"

Our little bird feeding station

We are getting lots of Finches, Junco's and Chickadee's. Only one hummingbird so far. As you can see here, Apollo is lovin' it.

Seahawks, Sun and Kickin' it with a beer!!

I Support the Pope!!!

Get over it Muslims!!

Don't Offend Muslims....if you do, you are Hitler..

Ok, let me se if I get this correct: Iran's president can say he wants Jews/Isreal wiped off the map and there is no worldwide outcry.....Yet the Pope only quotes something SOMEONE ELSE said and the Muslims are again in a tizzy over it. And again with the Crusades!! Muslims bring up the Crusades every chance they get. UGH... Get over it!!! OH, and let's not forget the whole "the pope is Hitler" thing...that goes along with the same thinking that Bush is Hiter too. People who make comments like that don't even have any knowledge of what Hitler was all about. Idiots!

More Chuck Norris for your reading pleasure....

Guns don't kill people. Chuck Norris kills People.

There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of animals Chuck Norris allows to live.

Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.

The chief export of Chuck Norris is Pain.

There is no chin under Chuck Norris' Beard. There is only another fist.

Chuck Norris has two speeds. Walk, and Kill.

The leading causes of death in the United States are: 1. Heart Disease 2. Chuck Norris 3. Cancer

Chuck Norris drives an ice cream truck covered in human skulls.

Chuck Norris is my Homeboy.

Chuck Norris doesn't go hunting.... CHUCK NORRIS GOES KILLING

Here is my Islamo-fascist Terrorist Ass kicking Dream Team

Charles Bronson, Predator, Chuck Liddell of the UFC, Steven Segal and Jean-Claude Van Damme!!

UPDATE: Naarah made the excellent suggestion of having Chuck Norris on back-up duty. Chuck, you're on Ready 5!!

Cindy Sheehan is NUTS!!

This woman is so crazy. She has a new book coming out. READ HERE for some highlights. For the love of Gos Cindy, just GO AWAY!!

Andre Agassi

For those of you who don't know, Andre Agassi is my all time favorite tennis player! I've followed him since he first arrived on the tennis scene. Back then, I was in middle school and just picking up a racquet, fantazing about being some hot shot tennis player. I worked hard and achieved the honor of being captain of my high school team senior year. I still love tennis and definitely need to get back into it full time.
Anyway, PLEASE root for Andre tomorrow, as he head's into his 3rd round match of his final US Open and coming retirement. I believe God blessed NYC with rain today so Andre could have one more day of rest.
GO ANDRE GO!! KICK ASS ON SUNDAY!!! 8m PST on CBS!! Be There!!

FOX News journalist is mental....

One of the FOX News journalists who was kidnapped is sympathetic to his abductors. HUH?? I don't even know where to start with this! All I can say is this guy is nuts. Yes, if you are kidnapped, held against your will for days on end and then feel ANY sympathy for your captors, then you are totally mental!! What a person should feel is rage, anger, feelings of revenge, etc...THOSE are normal feelings - not sympathy. Sigh. This guy should just move to Berekley - he would fit in there.....

Enough said.

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American G. I.

One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

courtesy of an email from my mom......

Kerry Can't Let Go

It's taken about 2 years, but Kerry has finally found someone to blame for his 2004 loss....and he's not looking into the mirror.

Islam rocks! Sign me up!!

Those men in robes and beards in Saudi Arabia want to restrict women even more. Now they want to impose restrictions on where women can pray in Mecca. Wow, this religion is awesome! Here are some other things women cannot do in Saudi Arabia: can't drive, can't wear regular clothes in public (have to look like black ghosts at all times), can't go anywhere without a husband's or male head of household's permission (i.e leave the house, leave the country) and cannot study for a profession without a male relative's permission.
Nice. Can I move there??!!

I went flying yesterday!!

Tacoma Narrows Bridges

Here is a cool shot Rob's dad took from the helicopter last week:

Flying the Friendly Skies

By now, I'm sure most of you have heard of this CRAZY woman who brought a flight down in Boston. Read here for some first hand accounts of this whack-job's in-flight behavior. Nice! I'm sure here kids are very proud of her.