Blossom Asian Bistro

One more good place to eat for those of you still in (or going to) Renton!

Self Portrait

Taken at the Cha Cha on my farewell to work pub and club crawl on Capitol Hill.

The Spot

We had Happy Hour drinks at this place for my farewell. It was a good Happy Hour place for people in Renton.

Sip Dao Thai

We found a good thai place in Renton. At least the soup was good and spicy. I guess I won't be going there much anymore (not that I mind not driving down there!). Oh, I just realized that yesterday was my one year blogiversary! Woo Hoo!

Cameras

I saw these while house hunting the other day. I'd sure like to get to know these people!

Two Things Challenge: National/International

This is a bit of Czech crystal that has been passed down through our family. My dad was born in Czechoslovakia, raised mainly in Italy, lived in England, and finally ended up in the U.S. becoming a citizen of this country. He truly represents the idea of "international" and I, being a first generation American, represent "national." Here are his feelings on inauguration day:

I am an immigrant. Nearly 53 years ago, when I was 19, I left my continent, my country, my city, my friends and family, and my way of life for a journey into the unknown. It was not easy. Since then, I have made my way in the new home, not brilliantly but, I hope, with honor and with harm to no one.

Over the years, I have often been a severe critic of this country, wondering whether perhaps I should not move elsewhere, maybe New Zealand, or Chile, or Canada. The country's actions and attitudes and, it seemed, core values were simply beyond tolerance.

No more. Now, in the midst of a catastrophic economic crisis, I have seen nearly 2 million people of all races and faiths, among them a 105-year-old woman, make a pilgrimage to their city, Washington, in many cases traveling thousands of miles, there to fight traffic and checkpoints and crowds in the bone-chilling pre-dawn darkness, all in order to stand for hours on end in the bitter cold, with good humor, peace, and tears of joy, to witness history in the making, to greet their new President, whose very presence on the steps of the Capitol was so improbable as to defy belief. For me, these actions by ordinary people have amply overwritten those of politicians and corporations driven by partisanship, stupidity and greed.

So now it is time to say: only in America could such a thing happen. Only in America could one witness such an outpouring of enthusiasm, such commitment, such a desire to pick ones self up and start anew, such an ability to reinvent not only ones self but truly the country as a whole. There is hope again.

It is also time for me to say, with tears in my eyes: I am proud to be an American at last. I have come home.

All the pretty lights

These lights hang over an outdoor area at one of the clubs I frequent.

A Job in Paradise? Why Not?

This will be my last day sitting in this spot. I'm thinking about applying for this job as a replacement.

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Someone's cube decoration.

That Sinking Feeling

Overseeing Cubeville

It's possible that this fish is overseeing empty cubes because we were all in a conference room watching the inauguration. Let's hope our new leader is effective in implementing the change this country and it's people so desperately need!

Foggy MLK Day

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Did you have to work? The business that leases one of our buildings at work obviously had it off as the back parking lot where I normally park was empty! It seems no one from my company parks there. We did not have the day off. In fact, no company that I've ever worked for gave us this day off.



The fog was around in the morning and here it is again in the evening with my lonely car.

Puppies!

Skateboarding



Agility training

Fog!

I love fog. Unfortunately, it's usually around in the morning these days and I'm driving to work which doesn't give me much opportunity to take photos of it.



I did take two night shots, however, which is rare.



In the background of this shot is one of the high rises downtown. All you can see through the fog is the light and a bit of the flag.

Two Things Challenge: Paper/Plastic

Plastic. Bobo was guarding my co-worker's cube so she could get some work done uninterrupted.



Paper. This sign was put on Bobo's head to warn another co-worker to keep his feet off Bobo.

The Path Not Taken?

Which of these photos do you prefer?

After the Rains

Frosty Glass

Nothing like a beer in a frosty glass.

2:10

Don't you hate it when you wake up in the wee hours and you can't get back to sleep? Especially when it's a work night?

Brunch is Best

We ate at Hattie's Hat for brunch. An old, well established Ballard bar and restaurant.



I love the big fish tank in the middle of the room.






I love the extra note on the bill, "January 20th is not so far away!"

Keep Your Hands Free!

Seen in the IKEA parking garage.

Two Things Challenge: Partial/Whole

Whole. We ate at the Thai restaurant Jamjuree. I thought these photos of our plates represented the challenge well.



Partial



As a bonus: Empty

Are you calling me a Basket Case?

We decided to try out this little place in Skyway for lunch.



It's next door to some scary places...



The fried chicken sure is good!



And there are other options we didn't get around to trying!

Another lunchtime adventure

We ate at a place called Moragote Thai Restaurant in Renton. The food was only so-so, but the decorations were fun!



A rock fountain that was haning on the wall.

Things that make me smile

I got flowers at work today!

It was that kind of Monday morning...

Seen in my co-worker's cube.

Tiny Space Needle

Bolt in 3D

I saw Bolt today. I love animated films where they really get the movements of animals right. They did in this one. I enjoyed it.



This is the first movie I've ever seen in 3D!

Quitting Time

Off to the Movies...

These two shots are from The Reader. I can't say too much about the movie without giving it away. I did like it, though after seeing Doubt and Slumdog Millionaire, it paled a bit in comparison. It is also very much a character driven movie like Doubt. Each character has many shades of gray and the other characters with many shades of gray have to interact with them. Fascinating if you like studying people! If you see Doubt, make sure you see it with someone (or know someone who has seen it) so you can discuss it. It really becomes better after discussion!