Julie McGuff

05:54 pm: Spontaneous Fun
So, we went up to see the Jim Henson/Muppet exhibit, and it was very nice. I wish it had been bigger, the best parts for me were a 9 minute art film by Henson called "Time Piece", and a storyboard for "King of Eight" from Sesame Street.
We passed through the Science Fiction museum and the EMP, both of which seemed pretty lame to me. Then as we were walking out we went by the little roller coaster in the amusement park. Luke had never been on a roller coaster before, but said he'd be willing to try it, so we did! It's a very small, compact coaster, but really fast. Luke screamed his head off!

Now, a brief rest, then U-Village for food and shopping. It's been a fine birthday so far.

02:10 am: July 10th
I share my birthday with:
*Nikola Tesla
*Marcel Proust
*David Brinkley
*Fred Gwynne
*Arthur Ashe
*Ron Glass
*Arlo Guthrie
*Ronnie James Dio
*Bela Fleck
and sadly,
*Jessica Simpson

01:01 am: Everyday Things
My birthday is this Friday, and so far the plan is to see the Jim Henson/Muppet exhibit, then do some shopping and eating at the U-Village. Nothing spectacular. There are people I'd like to see at the Clarion party, but we're probably going to skip it.

Vanguard was nice last Saturday, but I definately missed seeing the fireworks. I absolutely love fireworks. Had a nice conversation with C. and T. about unemployment, guilt, fear, and making the most of this endless free time we have. Luke and I have been going to a lot of local parks lately, and this past week, we ventured further away from the city. When I said how much I like little streams and waterfalls, Luke suggested going to some of the bigger waterfalls the area has to offer. He had a book for years called Waterfall Lover's Guide for the Pacific Northwest, but never really looked at it. He picked Twin Falls State Park, just off of I-90, not even an hour east of town. We went last Friday, it was warm and sunny, and the park was jam-packed with people who had the day off work. Still, it was wonderful, we wound our way up the trail next to the Snoqualmie river. Then the trail went up. Way up! It was at the very limits of our abilities, but we did it. I credit going to the gym with our being able to go as far and as high up as we did. It nearly killed us, but it was spectacular.

We bring water with us on our walks, along with the bird book, binoculars, sunscreen, hats, and hand sanitizer, all in a backpack. If we're going to a beach, we need our water shoes, and the Whales to Whelks field guide. Luke brings his camera most of the time, and I always have mine.

I dump my pictures pretty regularly into a gallery I call Everyday Things. Here is the most recent page:
http://pics.livejournal.com/juliebata/gallery/000093wg?page=4

I don't post very often, but I add new pictures in there nearly every week. Tuesday we went to Wallace Falls State Park, and took another beautiful, challenging hike. I haven't dumped those pictures off the camera yet...

04:52 pm: Happy 4th Of July
I present this stirring statement about what makes America great:




Much as I love foreworks, we're actually going to avoid all the traffic and go north to Vanguard at Stu & Andi's up in Greenwood. (Actually, if we were going to the fireworks, we'd walk from here.)

02:33 am: Typical Late Night Entry
Nearly every day for a couple of weeks, someone (or something automated) from the 919 area code has been calling me. I have not answered. A quick Google check says that's Raleigh/Durham NC, but the 919 area code also has something to do with Russian calling card scams. Interesting.


Luke's birthday was this past Tuesday. We went for sushi along with fringefaan, his mostly anonymous housemate Denys, dirtylibrarian, lara7 and her soon-to-be husband Paul. It was a very nice bunch of folks. Afterwards, we convened at our place for ( CAKE )


I had a lot more to say, but all of a sudden, I want to get back to my stupid game. It's a new one, just as stupid and childish, but much more challenging.

04:14 am: Awake As Usual
Read on the Ballard Blog the other day that there would be some super-low tides this week. So today, Luke and I drove up to Edmonds and enjoyed the tide pools at the ferry dock with dozens of other people. It was the coolest thing ever! Crabs, snails, starfish, anemones, tiny fish, sea cucumbers, barnacles, even a rat climbing around on the rocks.
We arrived as the tide was all the way out, and it came back in really fast. Still, we had a good two hours of tide-pooling before it was over. Then we went up the street to find someplace cheap to eat. I don't remember the name of the place, but it was like a midwestern supper club. They didn't seem to mind that we were wet and covered in sand. Turkey dinner... mmmm...

Arrived home and heard the big news of the day. Can't say as I'm the least bit upset about it, sorry. He was good once, but I have no interest in anything he did after 1982.

01:38 pm: Pictures From The Art Car Blowout
They are in this brand new gallery here:

http://pics.livejournal.com/juliebata/gallery/00010sez

Enjoy!

10:59 pm: Fremont Solstice Festival And Seattle Art Car Blowout
It was a great day with an early start, we are wiped out and sunburned. Let me just say for the record that Art Car folks have the best dogs in the whole world!

Now I must retire for the evening with my bottle of aloe gel...

09:37 pm: I Haz No Secrets
Went to see if I could get Juliebata as a username on Facebook. I could, so it's mine. I don't know what this means, but whoop-dee-doo, there you go. If I knew the real names of some people I read on LJ, I'd add them on Facebook. Some people are touchy about real names though, and I do understand why.
Long ago, when I had a job with an evil boss, I locked anything I wrote about her. I would have been fired in a heartbeat if she ever knew about my ventings. These days, I really can't imagine anything I've said openly on LJ or Facebook, or any photo I've posted, would prevent me from being considered for a job. I'm pretty tame, I think anyone doing a name search on me would get bored rather quickly.


We saw UP earlier this week. It was a fantastic, beautiful movie, but I was emotionally wrecked after it. I felt worthless because I've never had a plan for my life. A goal, an adventure, a dream I wanted to fulfill. I'm just.... here. Nothing more.

We can't seem to make ourselves go to the gym, but we've gone for some epic walks in the last week or so. At Discovery Park, there was a small patch of wild iris ( So pretty )

We returned to Carkeek Park, and walked one of the longer trails.
( A man and his camera )

Today we went back to Schmitz Preserve Park. Pictures are still on the camera, but it was another lovely walk in perfect weather. And even bigger slugs! When we got home we made asparagus soup from scratch. Awesome!

06:33 pm: Plans For The Weekend
Tonight, possibly a walk. It's cooler than the past couple days and really breezy.

Saturday, Luke will use his truck and help someone move a big piece of furniture. I plan on going to a large community garage sale at Whittier Elementary School. Saturday night, definately Vanguard. Being social is good.

Sunday morning, we'll see Star Trek again, then have lunch.



We're wide open for the rest of the summer...

05:10 pm: A Photo Post
I've made a new LJ gallery of photos from the trip.
( Some highlights )

I didn't really take any pictures of people at the convention. I kinda wish I had, but I was a bit shy about photos while we were hanging out with some new folks. Maybe next year.

06:28 pm: They Live!
We survived our return trip! The worst thing that happened on the flight was some poor guy had his elbow bashed in by one of the service carts. He stood in the back galley putting ice on it for most of the flight. It looked horrible, and might even have been broken. Paramedics met him when we got off the plane. Ow..

My little garden survived 12 days of neglect! Hooray! Actually, the chives look pretty droopy, but we'll see if they perk up after some water. My hens-n-chicks sent out little satellites while we were gone. So cute...

It's nice to be home. We came in, threw open all the windows, and aired out the place. Unpacking, shower, laundry, lunch, LJ. I did a photo dump, and should start putting them up on LJ soon.

I'm not done thinking about Wiscon. Something happened at the very end that really upset me. At first I planned to post something about it to the wiscon community. The subject matter would cause a total shit-storm, and make possibly make trouble for someone besides me. I couldn't sleep last night for thinking about how I might try to say it (not the best thing when your flight leaves at stupid o'clock in the morning). Now after checking in with the other person, I think that instead, I'll shoot a private e-mail to a level-headed Wiscon committee member. This way, what upset me will probably be made known to the person who said it, and a 100-comment flamewar will be prevented.

In a few minutes, we'll get dressed and go out for dinner, since there's nothing much in the fridge. Hatties Hat, anybody? Love their meatloaf!

08:40 pm: Home Tomorrow
We've had a very nice time in Oak Park, and tomorrow we return to Seattle. If all is on schedule, we'll land around noon. Then the pricy cab ride, and home at last. Hopefully, my little garden will still be alive. We've been very bad in that we didn't do any excercise while we've been on our trip, other than a lot of walking yesterday. We took the train downtown, and did the Field Museum. I hadn't been there for nearly a decade, and last time I was, I didn't get to see the animal and bird exhibits at all. I loved how old they were.

Today, we went back downtown, and saw Nigel R., who works in the Sears Tower. We had lunch in a buffet restaurant that was like a midwestern version of my Seattle favorite Market Fresh. Then he took us to the 67th floor, and we enjoyed the view while we chatted. I haven't seen Nigel in several years, I thought it was maybe five, but it could have been longer.

I may have a Wiscon report at some point, when we're home and settled and on our own network again. I had a great time, but also quite a few moments of "OMG I'm not worthy!" I said there was no drama, but as I read the other con reports coming in, I see that there was some that I was oblivious to. I just didn't travel in the circles that were affected by it.


Anyway, think happy airplane thoughts for us tomorrow morning!

02:17 pm: Checked Out
We are now back at my folks relaxing and doing laundry. Wiscon is over- *waaahhhh!* This was probably the best Wiscon ever, mainly because it was so easy for us. Easy travel, nice time with the folks beforehand, and we got the best hotel room in the entire place. We threw a popular, well-attended party (thanks again rdkeir), and had many compliments on our Sunday dress-up outfits. I went to interesting panels and had great conversations with new people. Add in fine weather, wonderful meals, no plague and very little drama, and you get a great con!

I always add a few people after Wiscon, if you're wondering why I added you, it's because I had a conversation with you, or I've seen you in comments in other people's journals, or the Wiscon community. For a brief time, my usual feeling of being too chicken to add new people because I think I'm too boring goes away. I add people till it comes back. I've got about a day, so I better hurry...

11:38 pm: Best Wiscon Ever
It was really nice to get dressed up and go to all the parties, and not have to worry about tending to our own. We had conversations with cool people. I showed them my superpower.

My feet hurt, but we looked awesome!


Bed now...

12:14 pm: Advanced Cat Yodeling
I expect this will be all over the internet today. ( Read more... )

Saw Star Trek yesterday. It was a lot of fun. I'm glad to have read so many spoilers, because if I hadn't known about the whole time travel dealie ahead of time, I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much.

Much to do today, so off I go to it. Think happy, non-crashing airplane thoughts for us tomorrow morning.

08:04 pm: Street Fair Finds
We went to the gym this morning, very early for us, then went to the U-district street fair this afternoon. The 44 bus takes us practically door to door, couldn't be easier. The funniest thing I saw was ( this )
Luke had a chicken skewer and noodle plate, I had cajun salmon. Mine could've been hotter, temperature-wise, but so far no ill effects. We shared a strawberry/lemon smoothie, and a fabulous funnel cake. I love street fair food! Mmmm...
When we got home, I laid our purchases out on the table. ( Not the best lighting, but you get the idea.. )
A new tie-dye for Luke, two jars of Indian simmer sauce, a jar of garlic aioli, three bars of really good soap, a jar of porcini salt, and a pack of rosemary, garlic and mustard rub.

Now we're home, I'm nursing a "too-much-sun" headache, and Luke is working on the LJ party stickers. Tomorrow, we're going to see an early matinee of Star Trek. The first time I've been to a movie theater in 3 1/2 years. Then later- a parade!! Wheee!!

11:27 pm: Clothing Purge
We've been getting rid of things left and right. It was time for a spring closet inspection, which led to a ton of clothes for Goodwill. That in turn, led to much more room in the closet. So I went to the storage locker and brought home all the boxes that had clothes in them. Anything I really want to keep, we have room for now. I had a box marked "dresses and jeans- too fat for". I tried on everything I could, and looked like an overstuffed sausage casing in most of it. I've gone up and down in weight over the years, but I'm pretty sure I won't ever wear size four jeans again. I don't need to keep them anymore. The only dress I kept for posterity was, of course, the ( Red Dress )
I could not possibly get rid of the Red Dress, it has too many great memories attached to it. Everything else though, went out the door. I tried something on, enjoyed the feelings it brought up, then said goodbye and let it go. I have to accept that I look the way I do, and I have to find new clothes that fit and flatter the current me. I can't hang onto those tiny jeans and hope for a return to my body of the distant past.

Luke and I each had a box marked "t-shirts to keep forever". My box had a lot of Tiptree award shirts, some that were never worn. They've been shipped off to the Tiptree auction coordinator for Wiscon. Shirts like this come up for auction every year, they're pretty popular, so hopefully they can be recycled back into the fannish community.
Luke's t-shirt box was much bigger than mine. When I said he should look through the box, he said to just toss the whole thing. I made him go through it though, and we're both glad he did. He used to keep his old shirts in a cedar chest, which seems to have preserved them very well. When we moved out of the house in 2006, we had to empty the cedar chest just to be able to move it, then at the apartment we needed to use it for other things. At the time Luke said he couldn't bear to get rid of any of his old shirts, so they went into a big box in the locker. My plan was to hopefully have Luke get rid of a few, and put the rest in a smaller box. I took each shirt out and laid them flat on top of eachother. Luke told me the story behind every one. An idea for a photo project came up. Luke got his camera and set up the good lights in the living room. I peeled the shirts off one by one, and he took a photo.
This is the result. I think it turned out awesome! Most of the shirts will continue to be kept till the end of time, but he did manage to let go of enough to put the keepers into a smaller box.


I have a huge list of things I need to buy for the trip, things to do before we leave, and things I can't forget to bring to Wiscon. Every day I cross a few things off, but think of new stuff to add to the list. Yesterday, I went to Goodwill to look for a new fancy dress. I tried on about ten dresses, but found a really, really nice one, and shoes to match. It was kind of gratifying to see two of my old dresses that I gave to Goodwill a week ago, hanging on the rack! Selling for $9 each. Whaddaya know...

I was also looking for some sort of plant stand for the balcony. All the tables were either too long or too wide, so I just bought this old fish tank. I flipped it over and put stuff on top. ( Looks fine, I sure hope they survive.. )
Eventually, we can put something decorative inside the tank if we want.

That's all I got for now.

02:19 pm: Strange Desires
Now, I'm not that much of a girly-girl. I seldom wear makeup, dresses, or pay attention to traditional feminine trappings. Never in my life have I given a moments thought to the purse I carry. My current one is black leather, and has the right size and configuration of compartments I prefer. I think I've had it for nearly a decade.
Yesterday, Luke and I went to the U-Village mall just for the heck of it. We got a few books, bought some fancy chocolates, and had a pizza. While browsing in a store called Fireworks, I saw these cool purses, made out of woven seatbelts. I want one. Badly. I have never before cared one iota about purses, and suddenly, I see a purse I want more than anything. Anything! Even though it's insanely expensive. Even though it does not have the configuration of compartments that I consider essential. I want this purse! WHY?!

Today at the Ballard farmers market, I found myself buying plants. I am usually a certified plant-killer. Any living thing in a pot of soil under my care is destined to die a dry, neglected death. But today, we bought a basil plant, some rosemary, and a little pot of chives. They join some cute "hens & chicks" on our little balcony that I picked up two weeks ago. ( They are cute though, aren't they? )
I want to have some plants around. I'll try not to kill them. I don't get it! What's happening to me?!?

06:08 pm: Our Exciting Wiscon Schedule
Tuesday, 5/19: Fly into Chicago, preferably without crashing, take Van Galder bus to Madison, arrive at parents house. Eat mom-food, sleep.
Wednesday: Spend day with folks.
Thursday: Arrive at Concourse hotel, lunchtime-ish.
Friday: LiveJournal party!
Saturday: NOT bakesale! Anything we want.
Sunday: Anything we want.
Monday: Anything we want. Hot-tub in evening.
Tuesday: Check out of Concourse, go back to parents house. Last evening with mom-food.
Wednesday: Van Galder bus to Chicago, arrive at Luke's sister's house. Catch up with Luke's family.
Thursday or Friday: Possible jaunt to downtown Chicago museum-y places.
Saturday, early: Fly back to Seattle, again with the not-crashing.

We still have to work out logistics of LJ party shopping, as we may or may not have a car. (rdkeir, please e-mail me!)