A string around my finger

I've been busy and tired and sick and busy this past month and there's no reason to believe that's going to let up until the christmas/retail season has passed. Thus, as one of the primary reasons for this blog here is to keep my memories intact, I'm going to brain dump as much as I can remember now, so it doesn't get further lost down the line.

And really, all I can remember is three weeks back, which is really really sad and frightening. Maybe flickr and my e-mail can help me out here. Starting now and running backwards. Ready, steady, go:

Today was a fine day of shopping with one Morgann. We braved Bellevue "Hell" Square and spent hours walking about and "shopping". Highlight: trying on fancy dresses to stunning and hilarious results. When am I "too old" to shop the juniors section again? Highlight: Impulse purchas of what has to be the world's most fabulous zip-up hoodie for 67% off. It looks like it was made by my grandma — if dear old granny was a former Hell's Angel. (Bonus: I got it home and it's fully fucking reversible. Hotness.)

Yesterday was a bittersweet day of getting together with friends and helping J-Glo (and Kyla Tew!) pack their apartment out to a U-Haul and then down to storage pods for their move across the country to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mike and I showed up late, but made a strong showing at the end. Note to self: learn to tie some goddamn knots at some point in your life, ok?

Prior to that Dragons and I headed to Beth's Cafe (which he'd heard about from Rob) and partook of the 12-egg omelette with all you can eat hashbrowns. Heavenly! And man, does that place have a distinctly charming ambience. I have only now finished the leftovers from that massive plate o'vittles.

The night before was delicious drinks and mexican at Tacos Guaymas with Russ and Morgann (of the shopping).

The night before that, we got to see Aaron who was up in Seattle to catch a flight. I got coffee, we all got delicious sandwiches from Paseo (best ever!) and played a smidge of Wii.

And work, work, work.

Last week was Thanksgiving, for which I roasted a duck, and made some fixin's on the side as well. The pumpkin pie turned out great, all scratch, especially considering the woeful lack of appropriate kitchen implements around this place. Dragons sacrificed Big Sleep to get a t.v. on Black Friday, while I worked until I was exhausted.

Then we went to the cabin on Whidbey and proceeded to get drunk and play games with our friends for the weekend. I played exceptionally poor poker (alas!) and got sick (flu, not from the drinking). Jake, our host, was there, as was Cap'n & Mrs. Szyperski, all three Fredericksons, and Rich and Julie. Bonus: Zach Frederickson did not throw up on me and he's super cute. I think the kid may be growing on me.

I don't remember much of the week before that, but the Sunday prior (I want to say the 17th?), we went over to the Thornton-Shelton's for a going away par-tay for Glover (and Kyla Tew!). There were drinks, discussion of the definition of "crunk", and general love of friends in the air.

The week before that was getting together for Morgann's birthday, the Frank Black show at The Showbox (seen with Nick and Lindsey), and getting together with co-workers for a goodbye to one of my favorites.

The week before that, not much happened that I can remember except that I went to see For Your Consideration with Ellen and then Dragons joined us for deliciousness at the Crepe Cafe.

And the week before that I went to Tyler's Birthday thingy at Brouwers, and saw Stephen King with the my Pretty Brown Girl.

Aaaaaaaaaaand . . . that's really all I got.

Eesh. I need to commit these memories to blog more often if they're going to survive.

. . .

Earlier today I informed Dragons that we were out of beer and it would be delightful if he brought some home from being out and about. He went way above and beyond and brought back not one, but four seasonal brews to enjoy:

• Widmer Bros. Snow Plow — of which I have opened a bottle already. It's lighter and more delicately fragrant than I imagine most winter beers to be, but it's good. The bottle describes it as a "milk stout" and being "silky, smooth warmth for the winter season". It is silky and smooth, but I like a deeper, creamier goodness from my winter brews.

• New Belgium 2 Below — which I recall trying a few years past. I don't recall it being bad, so I suspect I will enjoy it while it's here. Note: The carry-case says "Wind Powered / Employee Owned," neither point of which I was aware.

• Redhook Winterhook — a friend told me the other night that it was very good, but not as good as last year's, which was awesome. My own taste-tests confirm this to be true. If luck holds out, last year's recipe may find it's way into it's own bottle, ala Black Hook, which started out as a Winterhook, but proved so popular, it was spun out as its own beer available year-round. Note: Winterhook's recipe changes every year.

• Alaskan Winter Ale — Brewed with spruce tips. I must have had this beer at some point since moving to Seattle, but for the life of me cannot remember ever downing a draught of it.

I am looking forward to demolishing this supply and re-supplying with even more tasty quaffs.