The Summit

What a fantasic vacation weekend. I did not an ounce of work this weekend, which I haven't been able to claim since September. The cabins at Lake Cushman might just be the new Shakti, well maybe not quite, but they are beautiful in their own setting, and so absolutely quiet - a much needed break from the city.

We hiked Mt. Ellinor on Saturday - it's not long, but pretty steep and the snow provided an extra challenge. Sassy once again proved her hiking ability and sped throughout, even though she was on a leash for the most part.

This is by far the steepest hike I've ever been on and even required some scrambling at the top. But the views were breathtaking, to come up this ledge and just behold the Olympics laying in wait in front of you was amazing and a little scary.


Sass and I on Mt. Ellinor


Up, up, up.

All eyes on the prize

Watch the Governor's Race recounthere.

T-giving: Get away!

Since last year ended up being one of the worst Thanksgivings in my own personal history, this one requires much fun, less insanity and lots more nature.

The wonderful J is taking me and the Sass to a cabin by a lake, nestled between the mountains and the forest.

Amazing what a difference just one little year makes.

Good news!

Both of my conference proposals got accepted! Exciting stuff. The good news is that the STC conference is in Seattle, which is also the not so good news - no exciting trips to exotic locales, but get to stay here in Seattle and show off the town to colleagues.

Happy day.

Who's happy? Who's happy?

Well, the Irish are number one:

The index of 111 states, produced by the Economist Intelligence Unit and released Wednesday, combines data on incomes, health, unemployment, climate, political stability, job security, gender equality and what the magazine calls "freedom, family and community life."
"The results of the surveys have been attracting growing interest in recent years," the magazine says. "It has long been accepted that material well-being alone does not adequately measure quality of life. Money matters, of course, but surveys suggest that over the decades big increases in income have translated into only a modest rise in satisfaction."

Holy crap

This is just totally ridiculous, out of 2.8 million votes, Rossi is up by 19. That's right 19 votes. A lot of people I know and care about have a lot riding on the outcome of this one.

Mmmm, marionly

I just finished Our Lady of the Forest by local boy Guterson.

Now this:'Virgin Mary' grilled cheese sandwich .

Rocket the Vote

Naomi Klein (nologo.org) writing about Fallujah in her essay Rocket the Vote:

"With all the millions spent on "democracy-building" and "civil society" in Iraq, it has come to this: If you can survive attack by the world's only superpower, you get to cast a ballot. Fallujans are going to vote, goddammit, even if they all have to die first. "

Maps

Two interesting maps of note:

Red vs. Blue when population is taken into account.

Pre Civil War Free vs. Slave States.

Squirrels!

Sassy just got the best chew toy ever, it's from her Grandmom in Ohio. It's a squirrel. It's the best. 

I love my new squirrel, please don't try to take it. See that lobster to my right, take that. It is a far inferior squeaky toy.  

Not for you 

Thinking of Alaska and a sunny day where the ice never melts 

Give the people what they want

Hint, it's not intelligence.

It's tiring, being a football hooligan, all that rioting... 

Happy Sass o'ween 

If I was a rock and roll singer...

I would do so many things.

But one thing for sure, I'd follow Mindy Smith and Sass would be a Rock and Roll Queen.

Yo, that's the Queen

The Queen came out, talking tough to Blair about the US' policy on global warming.

On the rare occasions that the Queen does express a forceful personal opinion on political issues, protocol dictates the Prime Minister should raise it on her behalf with the appropriate head of state or minister - but discreetly, without compromising her. It is extremely rare for her views to become public.