It Must be Tuesday Night

Hero's Come Back

2007-05-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

I have no clue what they're saying, but this video/song rocks so damn hard. It makes me want to fight in slow motion.

Watch "Hero's Come Back"

If You Have a Heart

2006-04-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

You will visit this page to support a ~~good~~ great and just cause:

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Has Anyone Seen Any Green-Grey Underpants?

2005-08-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

Late post? No way.

3 mile trek to Snow Lake. 6 miles round trip.

The initial shock of doing something other than sit in front of a computer was quite daunting. Moderate difficulty? Graham, you liar. But as the hike went on, we all (I think) got used to it. The group eventually split up into its normal sub groups with the speed walkers club (Warren & Pete) blazing forward, inbetweenies (Jarold, Kristie, Anabelle, and Graham (although Graham and Anabelle transitioned between the inbetweenies and speed walkers)), and the caboose (Gavin and Pat). It was a very pleasant walk except for the man eating flies that were everywhere.

The views of the lake were well worth it though. The water was still, sitting on dark rock, creating a mirror for the clouds to look at themselves as they passed overhead.

Gotdamn, walking up a 3 mile hill is tiring. Gotta wash this dirt and sweat off somehow. I know! Let's all strip down and jump into the freezing lake!

Cold? This isn't cold. You want cold? Try The River Thames.

So the Brits happily wade and swim into Snow Lake.

My lovely of course is from the land of no lower than 70 degrees fahrenheit. Ever. She can't get past half a foot deep into it. She's right though. This lake is cold.

Pat: "Come on California and Hawaii!"

Kristie's frozen and won't move so I strap her on like a backpack and we wade into the water. We're in about 10 minutes and it's time to get out. I told you, it was cold.

20 feet into the bushes to change.

Jarold: "Ewww. Look, someone's underwear."
Kristie: "Gross."
Jarold: "Let's toss it into the bushes."

That'll teach them.

Pat is the last to leave the lake. Yorkshire-ians like the cold, I guess? He goes diggin into his backpack for his change of clothes.

Pat: "Has anyone seen any green-grey underpants?!"
Kristie: "..."
Jarold: "Whoops."

Check it out: The Snow Lake Flickr Set.

That's Called Kickin' Your Ass!

2005-08-11T23:59:00.000-07:00

Today was fun. Went to Queen Anne for a game of tennis. Got my ass whooped by The Magician. 6-0, 6-2. That's called kickin' your ass. Although, at least this time, I only managed to hit ONE ball over the fence.

After a great burger and beer at Pike Pub and Brewery, it was off to Gameworks for Thursdays $10 play all the video games your mommy wouldn't give you quarters for extravaganza. Oh man, I wish I'd brought Kristie's camera for this. There was much hilarity that went on that night. The best games were the ones that required some kind of movement recognition. For example, there were sims for everything -- Skiing sims, row boating sims (that apparently, if you're Pat, you row faster when the game tells you to slow down), and ridiculous biking hangliding sims. There was this awesome game where you play a cop and the game detects your movements so you actually duck behind objects and pop back out to blast the baddies. It's too bad we didn't have our cameras to capture how goddamn stupid we looked playing all these things. But Pete did get some footage with his phone of Pat(video) and I(video) duking it out a la Virtual Fighter. And that, Pat, is what's called KICKIN' YOUR ASS.

Sayonara Belltown Roomies

2005-08-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

This post is quite overdue, so I apologize.

My pillow and sheet remainin the cabinet underneath the television on the 15th floor of the Centenial apartment complex in Belltown. Gone are the days of crashing on the couch after a night out with the other Telecan piss-heads.

"Le Renard D'argent" was the first to [reluctantly] return home to the UK. Nick's sendoff included, of course, a trip to The Lava Lounge for some drinks, but surprisingly no shuffleboard. Then it was off to Fronteir Room for some more drinking and a game of urinal chalkboard graffiti. Ended the night at some place new – Viceroy. All in all, a very tame sendoff for one of the original piss-heads. A far cry from days past.

Two weeks later, we send off Mr. Carroll. Another quiet evening. No hangover the following Friday – a disappointment for some, I’m sure. The plan was simple. Meet up at fisherman’s for some dinner, drinks, and the sunset. Well, all was good until our very capable /sarcasm waiter, “Reef,” decided to take it upon himself to police our drinking. The food was mediocre and Pat was refused beer:

Pat: May I have another Pilsner?
Reef: We’ll see about that.

Cocksucker.

Ended Matt’s sendoff at The Viceroy, which was cool because Kristie could get in and hang out (and drink if she’d have chosen to).

When we finally make it out to the UK, guys, it'll be so on again.

I should also mention that the Prince of Darkness also left for the UK. However, I have a feeling we may see him again out here before this is all over. So instead of a long(ish) sendoff entry, here’s a picture of Tez himself:

San Diegans in Seattle

2005-08-01T23:59:00.000-07:00

James and Stacey drove 20+ hours from San Diego to visit for a few days. It's always great having one of your best friends from home come visit to see the mess you've made of the new city you're living in. They were here for only 5 days so we were pretty restricted to mostly touristy type stuff.

On Saturday, Kristie and I took James, Stacey, Matt, and Lucy to Woodland Park Zoo. It was a very good zoo. Compared to the San Diego Zoo, though, it seemed a little small. We covered basically the whole zoo in 2 to 3 hours. The exhibits we visited, though, were quite good. Got some good photos of a brown bear, and a couple of gorillas. It was awesome being able to mix both old and new friends and have everyone get along quite well.

On Sunday, James, Stacey, Kristie, and I all drove up to Vancouver, Canada.

Man, did I ever mention that Washingtonians drive slower than your grandma? So I’m doing 81 on the freeway and this cop catches me on his radar from like half a freakin’ mile away on the opposite side of the freeway. I had no chance really. Completely unfair. Apparently the speed limit was 60 on that stretch of freeway. Don’t you just love how freeways can just jump speed limits like that from 70 to 60 MPH without much warning? And these cops will exploit that, let me tell you. It was also July 31st. Last day of the month. Quota time. So no talking my way out of this ticket, especially not with that California license plate on my car. And that’s how Jarold got his first ever speeding ticket. But I digress.

In Canada, someone thought it’d be hilarious to have not only the 1 and 99 freeways, but to also have 1a, 1b, 99a, and 99b freeways as well. That shortened our 2 and a half hour drive up to Vancouver to a mere 5 hours. But it’s all good. Whatever. We got to Capilano Bridge and some nice girl gave us her tickets so we didn’t have to pay the $25CAD cover charge. You know, there’s something about walking across a hundred foot suspension bridge with 100 other people at the same time that spells safe.

I must warn you, no running or jumping on the suspension bridges. I guess it hurts the trees.

Apart from the suspension bridges, we didn’t really do anything touristy in Canada land. Just a lot of shopping, coffee drinking, and having a certain 19 year old buy alcohol for the sake of being able to.

Fisherman's Revisited

2005-07-24T23:52:00.000-07:00

For the sake of keeping this blog from becoming "The Poker Blog" where I bitch about my skill in losing, I'll only briefly mention that this week all of us "veterans" were utterly destroyed. I won't mention by whom (Kristie).

Anyhow, on Saturday I somehow managed to go shopping and not actually buy anything. A huge accomplishment of will on my part. I was almost successful, however, in coaxing Kristie into buying the same jacket in two different colors. This shopping sickness isn't something a guy should possess.

Back to The Waterfront since Kristie has grown quite fond of it. Some 7 o'clock photos were taken showing how late the sun goes down here. You all in England may not be impressed, but those of us from closer to the equator are quite amazed (yes, with a Zed, deal with it) by a 10 PM sunset.

Had some dinner at Fisherman's again with most of the Teleca gang. Warren got a new camera that both Matt and I are lusting for just a little too much. Pat always seems to bring the entertainment wherever we go. Between the mashing of crackers after already dumping them into the clam chowder, and asking the waiter for a tablecloth, much laughter ensued:

Waiter: Is there anything more I can help you with?
Pat: Yes. Do you have a blanket?
Waiter: ...uh...no, sir, we don't.
Pat: Because it's quite chilly. How about a tablecloth?
Waiter: ...I wouldn't wrap myself in one of those.
Pat: Well, in Sweden they give you blankets.

LoFi

2005-07-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

Work was helli...wonderful today. A lot of unreplied to emails were sent and not much actual resolution of anything happened.

It was alright in the end since I got to meet up with the lovely bird from Blockbuster after work. I took her to the waterfront since she'd never been. We then met up with Matt and Nick for dinner at The Fisherman's Restaurant. Beautiful day. Hopefully summer will bring many more.

Charisse and her friend Lucianne picked us up and took us to a place only the cool kats know -- LoFi. Freestyling and some of the best breakers outside of NYC.

Nick woke up today with a calf injury. Must have been all that breakdancing from last night.

I Thought it was a Crocodile!

2005-07-04T23:58:00.000-07:00

The weather today couldn't have been more perfect.

Went out to the waterfront for some extra boring people watching. The people weren't much to watch. Mostly just a bunch of middle-aged, out-of-shape people eating way too much. Americans, basically. We did, however, visit the only beach in downtown Seattle -- a 30 foot stretch of gravel along the hawaii-like 43 degree (6.1 degree C) water. 40+ year olds splashing around. Sexy indeed.

Afterwards, had some drinks with Shaun and his lady friend Jenny at our favorite drink-outside-when-it's-sunny spot -- Kell's. Following that, had some lunch with Nick's parents at Sport's Bar and had a nice chat about Raccoons and Yellow Bellied Marmots (I still don't know what those are BTW).

Cab ride up to N 36th and Freemont to meet up with Pete and Beth (welcome back from Canadia, eh!) for some more drinks before heading over to Gaswork Park for the firework show. I'm not exaggerating when I say there must have been at least 30k people there. I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea to have a giant inflatable head of one of our nation's most treasured symbols of freedom, but I guess nothing says Independence Day like a decapitated Lady Liberty. Oh, and an even better idea was the 10 port-a-potties that were supposed to service all 30k+ people at the park.

On the bright side, the Lake Union firework show was the best ever firework show I've ever seen in my life.

We really didn't think things through when going to watch the fireworks at Lake Union. Most importantly how we were going to get a cab ride amidst the thousands of cars congesting the streets. So we didn't and instead decided to walk. We were a little unsure of which streets exactly to take so Pete consulted his handy road atlas. This, however, is when the scatter-brained "local" decided to be "helpful" and give us "directions" on how to get home.

"Helpful Woman": Hey, what are you looking for?
Beth: Just exactly where we are.
Pete: Seattle Center.
Do any of you speak English?
Jarold: ...
Eric: ...
Matt: ...
Yes.

Then a series of incoherent directons were given followed by us walking away very quickly.

On our ten thousand mile trek home, the members of the speedwalkers club (Pete & Beth) managed to get 30 or so feet in front of us. With a steady stream of cars going along the street, we see that Beth had decided it was a good idea to run into the street. What's going on here? we think. We finally catch up and Pete points out what Beth is running from -- a racoon. Oh, it all makes sense now. Beth was startled by the raccoon!

I saw its white nose which looked like teeth so I thought it was a crocodile!

o_O

Poker Sucks

2005-06-10T01:58:00.000-07:00

What the hell is it with all the poker losing? I mean, sheeeeit. Just no love in Seattle from the poker fairy for Jarold.

Both games, The Doctor went operating early on (thanks for that classic line, pete) only to eventually lose both games.

I noticed a certain Peter Cudmore didn't update his Read 'em and Weep standings. Could it be because the mighty hath fallen? Does it hurt so much to put another's name in the big, bold H1 size text at the top of the winner's mountain? Even Matt's erratic betting tactics weren't quite random enough to save him this night.

The beginner's magic rule is still valid, though. Stacey had "never played before" and seemed to take everyone's chips quite quickly. Oh, I've only got two pair. TWO pairs of twos. Oh, does that win? Hmmmmmm...you know, the way she shuffled cards like a Las Vegas Venetian black jack dealer should have been a clear hint.

But Stacey's "beginner's luck" didn't help her against the wrath of Eric who cleaned up both games and is now the current winnings leader with a profit of $100.

The last game was funny to have the 3 Americans left in the game. It is after all Texas Hold 'em and not Wales Hold 'em.

Oh, and Warren, you really shouldn't talk smack to people in the game when you've already been eliminated. I can't remember what Warren said to Stacey, but the conversation went something like...

Warren: [insert smart-alecky statement to Stacey]
Stacey: Do you remember how fast you got out?

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Comments Are Now Open to the Public

2005-06-09T22:54:00.000-07:00

Nothing exciting happened today...scratch that. The sun came out today and all the Washingtonians celebrated by (much to my displeasure) exposing their pasty, hairy white legs in their one pair of shorts. You'd think we'd elected a competent president the way people were smiling, finally being able to don their over-priced shades they bought the last time the sun had shown itself that one day last summer. 'Twas a sight indeed the sun.

In other news, I have recently been exposed to Scott "The Doctor"'s genius. Get your minds out of the gutter, you twats. I'm talking about "Borrocks." What is "Borrocks?" How can I put this...well, if you don't like that last email your boss sent you...Borrocks! If on IM your girlfriend tells you her girl friend is getting married and you might be suspecting she's...Borrocks! When your best buddy emails you about his trip to Florida and the 20 women he bagged. BORROCKS!!!

It's wit meets sushi. It's genius. It's Borrocks!

Trombipulator

2005-06-04T23:34:00.000-07:00

So I get lost because Seattle's got two sets of every street. There's a University Ave/Street/whatever on one side of the 520 with its corresponding 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. streets, and another with matching numbered streets on the other. Luckily people here are nice and gave me directions to University and 41st on the other side of town. Did I mention that people up here are nice? Like genuinely nice? Not everyone, but a good deal. To the people of San Diego and the rest of Southern California, the world doesn't revolve around you. Yeah, sorry.

Anyway, met up with the UK guys down in the University area. There's this place called Big Time Brewery and they've got this beer called The Trombipulator. 10% alcohol of pure joy. It's so awesome that they don't sell it in pitchers. You can only order by the pint, and if you can't say "Trombipulator" when ordering, they close your tab. No joke. Ah, but there's a workaround. Just as for "The Trom."

Anyhow, we go to Pioneer Square later on that night and Nick and Pete accompany me to find a parking spot. It's a few blocks away, but no big deal. So we're walking back, j-walking, like normal downtown patrons.

Why aren't all those people crossing? There aren't any cars about at all.

OH.

Hello, officer

Officer 1: So you boys mind telling me why we have these crosswalk lights?
Jarold: I uh...um...
Officer 2: Any reason why we shouldn't make you guys pretty car hood decorations?
Pete: ...
Nick: ...
Well, uh...sorry?
There are a lot of drunk drivers around be careful.
Will do! Thanks, sir.

And thenceforth I was known as "J-walk" at the poker table.

Oh, and I think I have a poker name for Warren. "Tiger." Aparently, the American pronunciation is the only one understandable in Thai Restaurants.

More pics from that day (pre-Pioneer Square)
on my fotopage.

Checker Chess and Poker

2005-06-03T22:54:00.000-07:00

Actually, no checker or chess. Just poker.

Sometimes being the veteran poker player isn't such an advantage. For one, you've got to teach everyone how to play. Two, the n00bz you're playing against are like baby rattle snakes -- unpredictable with uncontrolled venom. They call you when you're sure they'll fold and they'll fold after committing a 3rd of their chips. I mean who stays in with an 8, 3 off suited? MATT CARROLL DOES. And apparently is rewarded with a 4 of a kind. TWICE. The perfect poker players really -- those baby rattlers.

But poker's really about hanging out with the friends and drinking some beer. At least that's what the losers say.

Check out Pete's site for a couple pics and his [in]famous Read 'em and Weep standings. And this guy was the one who asked me what the order of the hands were as he raked in all our chips (and eventually cash).

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that most of us have poker nicknames now:

Nick "Le Renard D'argent" Denny (The Silver Fox. Yes, we know it really means "The Money Fox," but we're using it as money being a silver piece. Quite a play on words, no?)
Scott "The Doctor" Belmonte
Matt "Big Boy" Carroll
and Jarold "J-walk" Espiritu (I think that's the tentative one anyway)

Meeting The Man

2005-06-03T18:51:00.000-07:00

Ah yes, The Man. AKA the spicest hot sauce this side of the Mississippi.

You see, here at MS we have this team lead and he seems to be a nice guy and all, even offering to take an extended lunch out to a popular barbecue joint - Dixie's. Awesome. Or is it? I kid you not, after Gene Porter (friendly guy, owner of Dixie's, and maker of "The Man") slopped an over generous 1/3 teaspoon (1/3 teaspoon? Is that it? Come up and try some, then. I dare you) on my plate, I barely touched the stuff with my fork and it felt like a forest fire was set ablaze in my mouth and was going to engulf my whole head.

I'm glad the other blokes had a good laugh while I proceeded to drink half the tub of water and used a small tree's worth of napkins to whipe the unending sweat beading from my forehead.

Oh yeah, and have your money and order ready when you get to the register or you'll be made a fool. Think "No soup for you. One year!" The experience is absolutely terrific.

Next time you're in Redmond (or even the Seattle area), Go meet The Man.