Heating Up

20061127 | Seattle, WA | Snow
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

We've had our share of snow, hail and cold weather the past two days. I love the snow, but I'm ready for Seattle to lose the Midwestern temperatures and get back to just being wet. Plus I'm tired of hearing everyone's loud "where were you when the snow hit" stories.

The play Josh, Craig and I are working on is coming along well. This past weekend, Craig amazed us with a nearly complete script. We're aiming to have our draft finished by the 9th for a reading. I was excited about working on the music at the beginning, but I've lost steam and need to finish up my part of the deal...but really all I want to do is zone out in front of the fireplace.

Pick Up Our Mess

20050930 | Monkey
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

We're getting ready for our housewarming tomorrow. By getting ready, I guess I mean hiding boxes, dishes, bathroom items, unshelved books and cds, and mostly praying that my cats use their new, lidded cat box. I hope our guests are gentle on us!

Caught In The Middle

20060914 | Seattle, WA | Pierre
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

Jose and I are in the middle of moving. Lots of boxes, lots of dust mites. We've had to delay our plans because the new apartment still hasn't been cleaned. We walked through yesterday and found, among other things, a used loofa in the shower.

After Mona's Halloween/House-warming, I think we're anxious to have our own soiree. Seeing Amy Sedaris at Neumos only intensified the desire. We've already got a theme planned that suits our decrepid social life.

Wicked

20060902 | Sheboygan, WI | Jay at JMKTA State Park
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

Jose and I went to see the Wicked musical last night. There certainly was a lot of streamer dancing and magic going on. And the audience ate it up. But who am I to ruin their fun? I'm just saying I think I'd have a rough time with Cirque du Soleil.

Heat

20051029 | WA | Campfire
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

Today is gray and wet and chilly. Seattle autumn at its most typical. Almost a year ago, I went on a camping trip that made me re-think my limits of booze and cold. Nevertheless, sitting in front of a campfire sounds fantastic right now. Especially the part about being miles from town.

Passing

20060820 | Seattle, WA
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

Last Wednesday was strange. On our bus downtown, my co-worker Kerry and I saw the body of a man who had jumped from the bridge a few blocks from my work. According to later news reports, he must've jumped a few minutes before we passed. Cars were beginning to back up; his shoes were thrown a yard or two from where he fell.

I go beneath that bridge whenever I walk to work. He fell on his back; looking up and imagining what he must've seen before hitting the pavement is morbid, but impossible to shake.

Later that same day, as some of my play cohorts and I were waiting for practice to begin up near my neighborhood, a man approached carrying a 2-by-2 wooden box. He let the box slam to the sidewalk as soon as he passed us, then continued on his angry way. The box was filled with old cinnamon toast, cheerios, dry lasagna noodles, and canned tuna. A lady walking by scavenged the tuna pretty quick, but that was about the only good that came from that random act of aggression...besides a conversation starter: "Did you know that guy?"

Wisco

Labor Day weekend brought Jose and me to Sheboygan, Wisconsin for a big family reunion in celebration of my sister's second baby, Bree. Her son Ian also grew up so much, both literally and figuratively. He has two loves: music and water (of course this makes me think of synchronized swimming, but I don't think we have to worry about career choices just yet). It seemed as if Ian's clothes were perpetually wet from alternately commandeering bottled waters and immersing himself in the dog bowl. He'd also run around the house starting every musical toy within reach. He'd sway to the disharmony of ten clashing nursery rhymes and sing along to his composition with a series of little "dee dee dee"s.


20060903 | Sheboygan, WI | Ian and Dog Bowl
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

20060903 | Sheboygan, WI | Jose and Lake Michigan
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

Jose enjoyed the opportunity to see Lake Michigan, and we also had time to spend with my Milwaukee friends. Jay and Dan are doing well (and were generous enough to chauffeur us up to Sheboygan) and Amanda and Anna recently moved into their new house. After a rum drink or two at At Random, we started talking about Anna and Amanda's haunted kitchen. I'm sure their strength as a couple (and heavy remodeling) will quell any temporary discomfort.

Forgetting

20060526 | London Eye, London | Helena and Susie
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

Beautiful weather, domestic life, play practice and etc. have made it difficult to be very reflective. But a lot has happened. For example, my London co-worker Susie sent me a book of her poetry which was a very sweet present. I absolutely love when (and am envious of) people are motivated to be prolific with their creativity. Esp. since my picture-a-day promise flopped maybe three days after its nativity.

Not forgetting to mention my friend Carrie and Hai both turned 30, and I was a bum and missed both events. Who knows what birthdays I'm missing this very moment. I've never been good at sending letters out, and this is just another example.

Boxing has been good. I got some praise from Julia, which is nice since her joy in life is to make every work out feel like your legs are going to explode. She pumped up the Latin music last night, paired me up with a student I can't stand, and lo, today I feel like my muscles have been ground between a giant mortar and pestle.

Plans

20060819 | Seattle, WA | Pepe
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

I've started rehearsal for Capitol Hill High again. We've already reached Episode 3. And still, every antisocial pore of mine is against theatrical warm-ups, but by the time we finish a round of "Zip Zap," I feel energized, etc. It's embarrassing, really.

After practice, I met up with Jose for a Himalayan dinner at Annapurna. We crossed paths with both Debbie and Raissa, so we set up a MahJong night for next Tuesday. I haven't played for a few months and they both are from the old MahJong group, so we don't have to teach anyone the game.

It's getting closer to our trip to Wisconsin. I'll miss my cats while I'm away, but I'm leaving them in very capable hands and it's only for a few days. I called up Jay to meet up in Milwaukee, and I received an e-mail from Amanda yesterday. Lisa sent me a very ballad-heavy Sakis CD which will add some lovely Greek kitsch for the flight over. I'm all set!

Volunteer Walk

20060817 | Seattle, WA | Pierre
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

Instead of boxing practice last night, Jose and I walked around the hill looking for a new apartment. As we strolled through the Volunteer Park area, we could feel beady Neighborhood Watch eyes trained on us from the expansive and freshly-painted, purple "UW Dawg" porches. We made it safely back down to our ghetto after stopping for Thai food on 15th. I'm not willing to go past $1000 for an apartment, so for now we'll be staying right where we are. Besides, I've got a very heavy pottery wheel that neither me nor my friends are currently in the mood to move anywhere.

This morning I walked to work and meant to bring my camera, but of course, forgot once again. I'd like to try and take a photo a day, but unfortunately there are many things I'd like to do once a day that I never seem to accomplish; I'll just add this to the list. How many pictures of my cats do I possibly need anyway?