Everyone's doing it: popping frozen meals into microwaves like the soul-scoured astronauts in 2001:A Space Odyssey. You see your coworkers in the break room scarfing their 'gourmet' 'cuisine' from those little plastic trays every lunch break. Heck, you probably have Hot Pocket crumbs all over your Atari T-shirt right now as you read this.
Check out HeatEatReview.com to find out what's good and what's not. After all, you are what you eat, and if your 'meal' is going to be doled out by a robotic lunch-lady machine two thousand miles away and shipped to you like a frozen brick by a long-haul trucker, it might as well be good.
The problem: After five incredible fun-filled days showing my sister Judy and husband Al around Seattle, how could I make the sixth and final day even more show-stopping and memorable than anything that came before? How could I put a glorious cherry on top of their first visit ever to the 'Paris of America'? It's not easy, but I'll tell you how. You have to put yourself in the hands of the most gracious, generous and classy individuals on the planet. That's right: a PRIVATE BOAT CRUISE with Anne and Marv Peterson on their amazing 35' boat, the CIMARRON.
This awe-inspiring boat ride was one of the greatest times of my life. Judy & Al felt so special going on this unique and personal tour of Lake Union and Lake Washington. Anne, my co-worker at Children's Hospital, and her husband Marv 'The Coolest Guy In The World' Peterson, made us feel like royalty on a four hour journey of bliss.
It started off with me moronically looking for them at the wrong dock. After a round of phone calls confirmed me as a doofus, the Petersons had us sit tight, and picked us up in the boat, right where we were. (which was quite far away from the right place.)
We docked at Fisherman's Terminal, the site of the largest fishing fleet in the northwest, and had yummy fish at Chinook's restaurant. Anne & Marv introduced us to the Chinookie, a sweet-tooth's dream cookie for dessert. A thorough tour of Lake Union followed, then it was off through the Lake Washington Ship Canal for a gander at Bill Gates' home. I just could never thank the Petersons enough for this magical experience - one that I'm sure Judy & Al will remember forever.
Afterwards I took Judy & Al to the Ballard Locks, where we saw gigantic salmon in the fish ladder. Then, a short car ride up and down Golden Gardens, and a final stop at Archie McPhee's, and we were completely done. All that remained was their trip to the airport, where reportedly Judy 'cried halfway there'. I'm happy to report they arrived home safe and sound, and loved their week in The Emerald City as much as I loved showing it to them.
Tillicum Village. Tuesday the 21st - In the continuing quest to show my sister Judy and her husband Al the time of their lives during their six day visit (they had never been in Seattle before) we started off at The Ram in University Village, where Al enjoyed an ice cream dessert that looked like a baked potato. Then it was off to Pier 55 on the Seattle waterfront for a delightful cruise across Puget Sound to Tillicum Village on Blake Island, to feast on whole Chinook salmon cooked over an alder-wood fire on cedar stakes in the traditional Northwest Coast Indian style. A beautiful Native American show followed, then we cruised back to Seattle and did a bit of souvenir shopping.
Pike Place Market was our destination of choice on Monday the 20th. Afterwards we toured some frou-frou shops near Westlake, and then monorailled it to the Seattle Center for a gander at the International Fountain. A brisk rollercoaster ride left Al & I breathless.
Another awesome day. After a brief pick-me-up at Starbucks, Judy, Al, Kathryn and I enjoyed watching the Seattle Mariners beat the White Sox. And afterwards, we picked up Janet and went up to the Tulalip Casino for gambling, buffet dining and live music.
My only sibling,Judy, and her husband Al are in Seattle for the next six days. They've never been here before and I had an awesome day showing them around. After showing them where I live and work, we rode the ducks (a wacky Seattle tour on an amphibious vehicle) and had a great meal at the Space Needle restaurant before taking the monorail to a nightcap at Von's. What a day!
Richard Dawkins- The Enemies Of Reason Society appears to be retreating from reason. Apparently harmless but utterly irrational belief systems from astrology to New Age mysticism, and clairvoyance to alternative health remedies, are booming. Evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins confronts this epidemic of irrational, superstitious thinking. He explains the dangers the pick and mix of knowledge and nonsense poses in the internet age, and passionately re-states the case for reason and science.
Zeitgeist, the movie, is a harrowing and extremely well made agitprop documentary about the shadowy forces that have sought to control you since before you were even born. It's a glossy masterpiece of paranoia. By the time it concludes you may find yourself donning a tinfoil hat, moving into a cabin in the woods and writing manifestos. It has a running time of two hours, but is designed to masterfully suck you in. And ultimately it has a message of Love overpowering The Man - and really, what's not to like about that?
"Wow, that was an interesting video. Most seems like total crap but really got me thinking about things. If even 10% of the content was true I'd have to re-think my whole outlook on life and the world in general." -xdibblerx, Digg "This is probably the single greatest documentary movie you will ever see, and I am not kidding. Nothing can be said to prepare you for what you are about to see. You must just see it and you will understand. Zeitgeist is broken up into 3 parts to watch. You MUST see all 3 parts." - calgary911truth.org "This is the best-produced documentary of THE BIGGER PICTURE of the systems of control: religion, false-flag terror and fractional reserve banking...... .....The argumentation & evidence are compelling, as is the fantastic soundtrack. Amazing work. " - Acrobat740 "I just watched the most eye opening video of my life. I challenge any and all to view it -- and come back with your take on it..." - nanobriga "Just watch it. make up your own mind afterwards, but just watch it. I am not blinded by fear and only learned a few new things, but WOW what a collection of information.... "-BrapAllgood, Digg
Death, the Grim Reaper, descends upon a very old woman. She seems ripe enough to be harvested, but appearance can be deceitful; this is one old woman who knows how to cope with death.
Crazy Kimono Doll Assault. Use the left and right arrow keys to rotate, and fire your gun with the left mouse button. Keep an eye on the radar - these creepy dolls will kill you fast if they get in close.