Dec 22, 2002 2:30:56 PM



The party last night was a blast. Very few of our friends showed up, even from our board gaming circles. But we did get several SuperTrump folks, a visit from Mister Brett (who kicked our collective asses at Cancellation Hearts, a game whose spiteful evilness seemed to envigor him), and a trip into the late-night zone courtesy of Hunters and Gatherers (Carc BC). I really should get some little cards so I could do my Frontier game. We wound up having two situations where tiles were drawn that were unplayable last night ... very unusual. Thank goodness so many of Nina's invitees made an effort to come - we would have been very short-handed otherwise!

I'm going out of town tomorrow for a week so I'm going to take a break from blogging. I also got an email from a friend of mine complaining about my comments in his blog, and my mental discussion about "What does he even have a blog for anyway?" made me wonder what the purpose of my blog is. I've got into a strange situation where there are some things I've been thinking about very frequently in the past couple of weeks that I don't really feel comfortable posting here, like I would if I were writing in a real diary, but that I would like to think through in the way I would if I were writing my thoughts down in a diary and that I would also like to talk to some people about. And it's not because I'm worried about what kind of feedback I might get that I don't want to write it here ... but in some ways it is. It's stuff that I really do what to talk and write about about, but there are some people I don't even want to know what I've been thinking about until my position on it has been thoroughly worked out. I don't even know who I feel like talking to about it. Most of the people I'm closest to read this (in part a shameful commentary on the pitifully small circle of friends I have), but it's such a political sticky wicket that it seems to call for much more internal dialogue for the time being.

So if I don't feel comfortable posting it here, why do I write this anyway? Why does my other friend write his? If this entry stays on top for a long time I may still be puzzling over the issue, or I may have just decided that this whole thing has been a big waste of my time and a big freaky ego trip, solving neither my need to reflect on my life nor a more bizarre need to communicate with others.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 22, 2002 2:30:56 PM [Link]

Dec 21, 2002 3:10:06 PM

It's Saturday and we should have been cleaning for an hour already. People are going to be over here in an hour and a half for our "Saturnalian Game Revels" night and the place is a pit. 8 hours of non-stop cards, mah-jong, and board game craziness! I'm looking forward to it, except I wish I had a maid and maybe a lick of housecleaning motivation in my body. We had a few Christmas errands to run today and they took longer than they should of, no doubt because of the spontaneous visit to the Lake City Value Village that yeilded the "Dallas" role playing game. I can't WAIT to give THAT a spin!
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 21, 2002 3:10:06 PM [Link]

Dec 20, 2002 1:15:37 PM

Took a fruity-patootie web test today that analyzed who I was based on my selection of colors and shapes. What a load! The results are so not like me at all ... but I could imagine they would be amusing to other people. (See results at "link"/"more.")
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 20, 2002 1:15:37 PM [Link]

Dec 20, 2002 9:49:56 AM

Trent Lott stepped down as Senate Majority Leader today. What joy! I was imagining writing a letter to him last night saying, "Nice job, bigot." On the radio as I was waking up today, they said, "You can apologize all you want to but if what you said revealed your true thoughts no words can make that go away."
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 20, 2002 9:49:56 AM [Link]

Dec 20, 2002 12:03:39 AM

I have just attended the most astounding potluck ever. Rice pulau, lumpia, sticky rice, curried potatoes, stuffed cheesy potatoes, rice with wine sauce, barbequed pork, meatballs, two different kind of home made egg rolls, homemade *Gulab Jamun* and *Kheer* (ooh baby!), chocolate mousse and fudge and thumbprint cookies and rice krispie treats ... this is where an ethnically diverse workforce REALLY pays off! Plus I ran into Kevin (?) that I used to work with at Onvia. What a surprise!
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 20, 2002 12:03:39 AM [Link]

Dec 19, 2002 9:55:32 AM

The interview at Solucient yesterday went well. I could tell the woman I interviewed with didn't want me for the particular position on her team she was trying to fill (something about doing SQL queries that would fill a whole page), but she was going to recommend me to "backfill" for the people she'd stolen off of other teams. That suited me fine since the project she was working on stressed me out just listening to her talk about it. Too much attention from the company, too much hassle dealing with "yet another" software development ideology.

Beacon Development has filed to have their master plan review meeting on January 15. This is making me crazy. I can't believe the lot across the street from me is zoned for such huge developments. I am gyrating wildly trying to find the key that will push the county away from this half-baked proposal and back onto a good development that will grow 12th Avenue the way we want it to ... and not stick huge apartments across the street from me. (OK, around the corner, whatever.) I am thinking about contacting Pacific Magazine, writing more letters to county flunkies, whatever it takes. Bill Z is calling the woman who developed the Rhianna (and is on the board of the Seattle Housing Assistance Group) and Larry Gossett today (who got a report from Gina Mares-Kurtz yesterday) to get a status report. When I talked to Councilman Conlin's rep yesterday, she spefically asked me about why I thought the county wasn't planning on doing the 12th street development and "What about the lost opportunity for housing from Beacon?" The answer to the second was, of course, tough beans, they shouldn't have been given a contract before the master planning process was complete.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 19, 2002 9:55:32 AM [Link]

Dec 18, 2002 11:30:15 AM

Well, it looks like I will make it at least until tomorrow here, so I need to figure out what to make for the potluck tomorrow. I was planning on lasagne but maybe I should find something that would require less ingredients be bought, like the infamous "cheesy ham and noodle bake."

I found a funny link while surfing my guilty pleasure blog, but the pictures on the site made me think I should wait until after work to look at it.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 18, 2002 11:30:15 AM [Link]

Dec 17, 2002 10:02:28 PM

It looks like the project I've been working on at ATT is so very bad that they're going to let us go tomorrow until some point after they think the code is really looking good. At least that is my assumption given that they told us to stop testing a little after 5 today and that they were sending the code back to the development company. My guess is that they won't want us back until after New Year's. It's too bad. I really like those folks. We were talking about a team lunch with "regifting" Santas the Monday before New Year's. On the other hand I'll get unemployment for the week I'm in Detroit if this happens. I just need to get my resumes off Sunday night so that I'm all legal for the unemployment folks.

Also, I have an interview at Solucient tomorrow. I wonder how that will go?

Updated with real link!Ooh, I found the perfect Christmas present for all of my friends. It's informative, it's different, and best of all it's free!
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 17, 2002 10:02:28 PM [Link]

Dec 17, 2002 9:34:38 AM

I put in about 10 hours yesterday, partially because once I was unblocked I was a testing dynamo, partially because I've got an interview at Solucient Wednesday and I needed to get a few extra hours for the week. I'm pleased to say that the results of yesterday's testing lead me to believe that there is no real danger of the US software industry being supplanted by Bangalore developers.

My commute home was the best yet yesterday - only 40 minutes. I think rain is a major factor in the commute time.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 17, 2002 9:34:38 AM [Link]

Dec 16, 2002 9:14:44 AM

I heard today on NPR that Bush said he wouldn't stand in the way of Lott doing the right thing, whether it was resigning from his leadership position ... or resigning. Wouldn't that be nice?

The program is ready to test. This should be a busy week!

I forgot to mention -- a side effect of employment appears to be weight loss. Now wouldn't that be nice?
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 16, 2002 9:14:44 AM [Link]

Dec 15, 2002 7:11:52 PM

Today was a very slack kind of Sunday. We skipped the classical concert that would have been at 3 (it just seems depressing to support a group whose leader dislikes me so much) and basically spent from 1 to 6 doing Christmas shopping here and there, with a brief break at Linda's for lunch. Now I've got a chicken roasting in the oven and I'm going to be taking the dogs for a walk soon. I was going to send an email out to all of the people who signed the whale park petition, but none of them gave their email addresses! I can't imagine how we're going to push the county to do the right thing if I'm going to have to rely on personal phone calls. Man oh man, this is eating me up. I wish I could get a good email campaign going with other people but I don't know how.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 15, 2002 7:11:52 PM [Link]

Dec 15, 2002 12:08:25 AM

I am so mad about how things are turning out for this whole housing project thing. The county has managed to set it up so they don't lose a lick of space, but they've lied to my neighborhood left and right about how they were interested in getting us involved in the process. They just wanted to stall us so they could go ahead and do exactly what they planned. I feel like I've really wasted my time over the last six months. Sure, it looks like some of the park is going to be preserved, but only so it can catch all the garbage the people in the apartments are going to dump in it.

God, what can I do now? I'd really like to get an email chain letter going that I could send to everyone I know and get them to make phone calls and such. But what would get them to take action?
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 15, 2002 12:08:25 AM [Link]

Dec 13, 2002 9:38:16 AM

I came home last night to a call for a phone screen from Solucient. How very pleasant ... especially after discovering they are half the distance away that this place is. Which is kind of unfortunate ... the people and the working environment are very nice. Actually, there's a river running right behind the building with a nice pathway next to it that I'd like to check out if the rain ever stops falling. I've heard there's a large bunny colony near here ... it would be fun to watch them. There's a cute brown spotted white one that hangs out near the door and begs for treats. I've thought about taking him home with me so I could find a better place for him to live, but between the dogs and the phone wires it's probably not a good idea.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 13, 2002 9:38:16 AM [Link]

Dec 12, 2002 11:42:23 AM

Note to self: write article about Whale Park for community newsletter. Send list of questions to Gus.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 12, 2002 11:42:23 AM [Link]

Dec 12, 2002 9:09:26 AM

I realized today that complaining about your commute is a Seattle way of visiting with each other. But it's like the weather - the only acceptable approach is complaining. And, as a matter of fact, bad weather and bad commutes go hand-in-hand.

Anyway, it's dry and sort of clear today, and it only took me 40 minutes to get here. So yay.

And in honor of the holidays, I present http://www.e-sheep.com/Saturnalia/ .
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 12, 2002 9:09:26 AM [Link]

Dec 11, 2002 10:28:14 PM

It took me an hour and twenty minute to make it home today. Most of the way I was driving about 10 miles an hour. What a nightmare. This will keep me from wanting to stay at this job. Well, that and my old boss over at Solucient writing to see if I was still available.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 11, 2002 10:28:14 PM [Link]

Dec 11, 2002 4:34:21 PM

Mmm, started thinking about my mom's no-bake graham cracker and marshmallow fruitcake. Maybe I could make it this year ... this recipe (see "more"/"link") looks pretty close. And so does this one (and the site doesn't drop a bunch of crap on your computer when you visit it).
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 11, 2002 4:34:21 PM [Link]

Dec 11, 2002 11:43:25 AM

I got a little lecture today about why I should be glad I didn't get the job in Fremont. It was quite a surprise and very different from the feedback I'd been hearing from my friend who's still there. Disadvantages were listed as: lack of accountability of the department to the org, extremely long working hours for low pay, inability to move up in the org or to get real challenges/learning experiences. I was told that this job was really better, although of course there's the question of stability. Hmm.


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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 11, 2002 11:43:25 AM [Link]

Dec 11, 2002 9:17:21 AM

How is it that a trip to Fred Meyers to buy Christmas presents and gloves turned into a nearly $100 spend-a-ganza that resulted in only one present and a huge pile of warm weather gear for me?
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 11, 2002 9:17:21 AM [Link]

Dec 10, 2002 4:44:07 PM

I'm having a mighty hard time sticking to the topic here. I had to turn off IE for a while and tell myself I couldn't look at it again until I'd finished reading a document. I feel like an internet addict but I think the situation is actually related to what appears to be the start of development (surveying) on the Whale Park site. This has got me pretty riled up and I have sent off a score of letters (I was up later than I meant to last night working on one to Sims). I feel so powerless.

In other news, I am definitely in the honeymoon stage in my job. Yesterday in our meeting I felt like I was in the scene from Ocean's 11 where all of the master criminals and other assorted wierdos are being given their assignment in the big heist. And today I'm feeling like the people I'm working with are just so very nice. I can't help but think that there will be a downhill slope soon, especially if I get my ass busted for blogging and excessive writing of non-work related emails.

It's about a wrap for today (at work), so I'm off.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 10, 2002 4:44:07 PM [Link]

Dec 10, 2002 9:37:41 AM

Note to self: send emergency email to all people on petition re: construction in Whale Park.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 10, 2002 9:37:41 AM [Link]

Dec 9, 2002 3:08:22 PM

3 PM and I'm barely conscious. If I'd been driving during that meeting I just attended I would have wrecked the car.

My fears of the commute seem unfounded: it only took me 30 minutes to get here. And then Rachel's former coworker Melanie was here. What a pleasant surprise!

Update!

ALL HAIL THE GODDESS CAFFEINA!

blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

Although of course I'm getting up every 5 minutes to visit the ladies' room ...
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 9, 2002 3:08:22 PM [Link]

Dec 8, 2002 10:20:13 PM

Vic and Phoenicia were fun, and it was an interesting cap for the weekend. I was considering not going, but I was bound and determined to do my bohemian extravaganza right, with six shows in three days. However, I've become a little corrupted along the way, as for some reason I was surprised that Phoenicia did not take her clothes off while singing "Santa Baby."

I am looking forward to having more to do during the day than just hit "refresh" and see what pops up.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 8, 2002 10:20:13 PM [Link]

Dec 8, 2002 7:30:18 PM

I'm getting a lot of hits on this page. What brought you here? Please let me know

Saw Pat Graney's new piece today. She's workshopping a dance piece based on the art of Henry Darger.
I found it very interesting, not only because I like his art (and was very curious to see how it would be interpreted in a dance piece), but also because it was a unique insight into how dance pieces are created. I suspect Pat's process is very different from other folks, mostly because she's involving the dancers so much in the creative process. (I did find a certain irony in this given that one of the people I talked to about her in the Seattle dance community said that Pat was known for "stealing" her dancers' ideas and calling them her own. Her entire process actually lends itself to doing this.) Not only does Pat have her dancers looking at the art, she's got them doing little sketchbook/collages in his style and making tiny paper dresses that look like the ones that "The Vivian Girls" are wearing.

I'll add more later, as we're heading to Re-bar for Phoenicia & Vic's Holiday Cabaret.

Updated 12/9/02 at "more"








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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 8, 2002 7:30:18 PM [Link]

Dec 8, 2002 1:37:15 AM

Damn, what a busy evening. After going downtown for the afternoon (no art museum, they close at 5), we bussed home and wound up getting in touch with Adam, who, surprise of surprises, was available for dinner. (I had a craving for Shalimar. And isn't it funny how some people can never plan too far in advance, while other people won't do a thing without a week's notice? I actually kind of dislike planning too far in advance for a lot of things ... a lot depends on how I feel on an individual evening.) The cello recital (at 8) was OK, mostly because of the company. I'm afraid that the cellist's version of Bach's 2nd cello sonata was muddy - I've listened to it enough that I'm sure it wasn't me. Oh well, not everyone can be Peter Wispelway.

Afterwards we went to the Rendezvous to see the Burninghearts Christmas burlesque show. Talk about naughty taties! I must say between the fur trimmed red velvet g-strings and the shiny red and green pasties I feel like we've really seen the gamut as far as holiday entertainment goes. (I'll give more of a review of the show later: right now I think it's time to go to sleep.)
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 8, 2002 1:37:15 AM [Link]

Dec 8, 2002 12:32:59 AM

Here's my Dina Martina review if you're intersted in reading the non-butchered version.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 8, 2002 12:32:59 AM [Link]

Dec 7, 2002 12:49:33 PM

Have you ever noticed how some people have a radiance to them? You want to flock to them like a moth because of the extreme pleasure you get from their company. I've called this element "joie de vivre" frequently, but maybe it's better called charisma. I don't know. I tend to be very struck by it if someone has it. One of my friends now has it and it seems I never get tired of her company. I can't imagine a single person in Seattle feels like that about me.

I wish I had it. I don't know what my problem is. Some people burn like candles. I think I must burn like hair. I found out today that the company that I wanted to work for so badly in Fremont has eight positions open for which I would be technically qualified. And I found out today (from an extremely reliable source) that I won't be getting any of those jobs because the head honcho thinks I'm the wrong personality fit for the team. Specifically, I'm too talkative. I think that's an indirect way of saying I'm too pushy or assertive.

It reminds me of back when I was in eighth grade and I had a crush on this high school boy who called me motor mouth. He was nice about it but his brother wasn't, and I was teased a lot and in a very unfriendly way.

I remember that during the interview (with six people) that most of them hardly said a thing, and I wound up trying to fill up the huge silences, and I even worried that I should just sit back and let them talk more. But I didn't. I figure the reason why they weren't interested was probably more specifically when Honcho was in the room and the guy who was doing the interview asked me a technical question, then told me that his answer was the right answer, and I insisted that mine would work fine too in a slightly different environment than the one he was used to using. That tiny exchange has bothered me ever since it happened.

I feel like I should just throw in the towel. I'm washed up. My time has passed. Fuck, what am I good for? I can either be happy or be the kind of person who stays employed. I guess when you considered how spotty my career has been the last four years it's obvious that there's something wrong with me. I guess that's how Jaimie at Twice Sold Tales wound up being a small business owner. This kind of sounds like a pity party but I'm just feeling pretty disgusted with myself right now.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 7, 2002 12:49:33 PM [Link]

Dec 6, 2002 5:19:32 PM

Fer crap's sake, how come I didn't get on my bike today? Well, I wound up talking to The Boy's grandmother for almost an hour, I spent half an hour talking to the HR guy at Getty, there was the shower, and heck, suddenly it was 1 PM and I still hadn't made it to Koraku. But I did finally, at 1:40. Then I hit Uwajimaya, supposedly to go to WaMu, but suddenly I was sucked in by the new calendars in Kinokuniya and there went another hour. And now the sun has set and it's completely dark, and my big accomplishment was finishing The Tower of Stoney Wood, which had a typically ambiguous McKillip ending. But it made me happy to read it. I even spun out finishing it for a few days just to savor it more.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 6, 2002 5:19:32 PM [Link]

Dec 6, 2002 10:52:56 AM

I can't believe how lucky I am that my last day of unemployment is SUNNY! I want to go on a bike ride and (of course) have lunch at Koraku. I was planning on going to the art museum, and it would probably be a good idea but with weather like this it's hard to plan on going indoors. But what I am really supposed to do is get my contract taken care of with Hall Kinion. I want to do a hundred other things, though. First in line is of course not having to start this job on Monday.

I got a good start on avoiding reality last night at the Mandarin Gate. Lordy, I sang six songs, swing danced (poorly) with Maya, and got the KJ to blush (or so he said). Let's hear it for the table of Somalis who just wanted to drink! And let's hear it for the Suffering Bastard, newly christened my Official Mandarin Gate "usual."


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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 6, 2002 10:52:56 AM [Link]

Dec 5, 2002 12:26:09 PM

Did you know that Ran is four hours long? I didn't. I'm tired now and didn't even go to karaoke. But it was cool seeing my blurb in the Stranger. I want to do more! [How tired was I? So tired that apparently I forgot what movie I went to see, even though the part about there being seven samurai was an integral visual theme in the movie.]
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 5, 2002 12:26:09 PM [Link]

Dec 5, 2002 11:30:08 AM

I have got SO MUCH DAMN STUFF to do today. From calling Licata's office, to changing the oil, to getting new wiper blades for the car, to that hulking pile of dishes in the sink (I swear we've washed every plate in the house at least once since Thangsgiving), I feel like I am never going to get it all done. Plus I need to read my Hall Kinion contract and then drive it over there. Aaack!

Of course, the pressure lets off in the evening! First, there's happy hour at Dragonfish tonight, with a possible play and then karaoke afterwards; Friday there is likely Dina Martina (or Drunken Puppet Revels at the Rebar), followed by Annex's Spin the Bottle at Oddfellow's Hall; Saturday is either a cello recital or the puppet thing, followed by the Burninghearts burlesque show (NAUGHTY OR NICE) at the Rendezvous; and Sunday there's the Vivian Girls/Henry Darger dance thing Pat Graney's doing at 2 PM, plus Phoenicia and Vic at the Rebar at 8. Christ, I guess it's a good thing I finally got a job.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 5, 2002 11:30:08 AM [Link]

Dec 4, 2002 5:25:57 PM

I have been SO BUSY today. The architect came over at 9, I went to Sound Mind and Body (to get a gift certificate but I wound up talking neighborhood politics) at 11:30, then walked around Capitol Hill (to drop my tax form off at the [THREE HOUR INTERRUPTION HERE - I DO MEAN BUSY!] Stranger) and got slices, then came home at 2 PM. It was type, type, type (and research) the Early Music Guild newsletter, talk to Seattle Neighborhood rep Darlene Flynn, Squire Park Community Council President Bill Zosel, King County Executive's office rep Leslie Harper Miles, and (finally) DCLU guy Mark Troxel, all about the plan to get the county to build on 12th street instead of on the Whale Park. Jeez! Can't a girl get a day off? And then I was talking to Nina about plans for the big party on the 21st (the "Saturnalian Revels"). I'm beat, and it's only 5:30!

Tonight we're going to the 7:30 Seven Samurai at the Crest, and then hit the Sea Dog for what will probably be my last trip in a long time. Sob. I don't want to go back to work.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 4, 2002 5:25:57 PM [Link]

Dec 4, 2002 12:08:42 AM

OK, it's foggy outside again (not too much). I am making ham and bean soup and kind of killing time before I go to the market research thing at 1. My other plans for today are calling city council and bugging them about the county's development plans; writing a letter to my neighbors to get them to lobby the county to get a real proposal together to present to the city (re: a mixed-use development on 12th); and writing my own letter to the county. Oh yeah, and at 7 PM there's another EMG meeting.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 4, 2002 12:08:42 AM [Link]

Dec 2, 2002 10:40:26 AM

I finally figured out what happened to my favorite">http://www.drizzle.com/~thinman/blogger.html">favorite guilty pleasure blog (as opposed to my pure pleasure blog): she has changed to actual blog software, which was making it hard for me to anonymize my way in. So I finally got my fix today, once I figured out the secret to seeing her stuff. It was as tawdry as ever-hardly worth the trouble. I went back to "pure pleasure" so that I could read about someone who I actually found interesting, as opposed to just entertaining.
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 2, 2002 10:40:26 AM [Link]

Dec 1, 2002 3:49:12 PM

So, as part of my Day of Writerly Frustration, I decided to pitch my "Tap Dance Christmas Carol" to the Stranger ... and they accepted it! Oh my gawd! And offered to (gasp) pay me for my humble musings ... I am ecstatic! Soon I can throw away my life of BoBo indulgence and return to the pit of poverty from which I crawled as a writer! Ooh baby!

In other news, the weekend has been wasted away in a manner that I find just this side of spectacular. Today we ... walked the dogs at Marymoor, picked up some storage containers at Target (with the strong intention of being productive really soon), bought bird food at the bird shop near 520, then ... went to the Broadway Market, where we sought fruitlessly for discounted tickets to Phoenicia and Vic (tonight at the Re-Bar). Now we're looking at doing some dishes and playing some more Carcassonne over hot chocolate and leftover chocolate pecan pie while the turkey carcass is boiling into soup on the stove top. What overachievers we are!
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Posted by webcowgirl @ Dec 1, 2002 3:49:12 PM [Link]