An Asian supermarket just opened last week at the mall next to my office, in one of those larger spaces where a Penney’s or Macy’s would normally be. The one thing this area needs is a grocery store, so I thought I’d check it out during my lunch break. I’m not sure if it’s because the store just had its grand opening or whether it will always be like this, but I have never felt as socially overwhelmed as I did when I walked through the front doors. Just think of Uwajimaya (another Asian supermarket in Seattle) on a Saturday and combine it with REI during a sale. It was that crazy. Not only is it a supermarket but there’s also a food court inside, adding to the mayhem as customers jostled in line and cashiers shouted out numbers so the next hungry buyer could move forward.
I was hit by at least three carts steered by little old ladies. And I didn’t even have a cart. My heels probably have dents in them. After about 10 minutes of wandering around the store looking for tahini so I could make edamame hummus, something in me flipped and I ran out the side exit. The hummus can wait until tomorrow.
On enablers and doomed friendships
Netflix has been a pretty good friend to us through the year or so we’ve paid for their services. But lately… Netflix has been a JERK.
We’d lately gotten into a show called “Party Down”, a comedy originally airing on the cable network Starz. Netflix even recommended it to us based on what we’d already watched – they know us so well. It’s a tad creepy. Anyway we’d watched the first season and were one episode into the second when, without warning (or maybe they had been posting a warning and we didn’t see it), Starz decided to remove the show completely from Netflix. This came on the heels of Starz’ decision to cancel “Party Down” from its lineup since most of its lead actors were moving to bigger and better projects. So not only were we beginning a friendship that was already destined to end, but our means of participating in that friendship was destroyed.
Starz, how dare you remove your product from the clutches of the mainstream. I hate to break this to you, but there are plenty of people out there who refuse to pay for your channel and would’ve never seen the show without Netflix. I will not forget this.
Netflix – YOU ENABLER.
The establishment has forced us to take drastic measures, so we will still be enjoying “Party Down” through other means.
We’d lately gotten into a show called “Party Down”, a comedy originally airing on the cable network Starz. Netflix even recommended it to us based on what we’d already watched – they know us so well. It’s a tad creepy. Anyway we’d watched the first season and were one episode into the second when, without warning (or maybe they had been posting a warning and we didn’t see it), Starz decided to remove the show completely from Netflix. This came on the heels of Starz’ decision to cancel “Party Down” from its lineup since most of its lead actors were moving to bigger and better projects. So not only were we beginning a friendship that was already destined to end, but our means of participating in that friendship was destroyed.
Starz, how dare you remove your product from the clutches of the mainstream. I hate to break this to you, but there are plenty of people out there who refuse to pay for your channel and would’ve never seen the show without Netflix. I will not forget this.
Netflix – YOU ENABLER.
The establishment has forced us to take drastic measures, so we will still be enjoying “Party Down” through other means.
Midweek Tidbits
I am the poster child for childhood phobias induced by movies. I saw "Jaws" at a young age and for years couldn't watch footage of sharks or even look at images of them without having to look away. I can now handle pictures of them (my heart rate still increases) and have since snorkeled in the ocean without having to make a hasty exit, but the movie did impact me for life. And then there was "Psycho"... I couldn't close the shower curtain for months after watching it.
You've heard of Spell Check? What about Tone Check?
"Hansel and Gretel" to be remade by Michael Bay. Looks very Tim Burton-esque.
A pink sari: the new gang symbol in India.
Does anyone else find it disturbing that the world's most expensive coffee is made from the excrement of this animal? Apparently Muslims do.
You've heard of Spell Check? What about Tone Check?
"Hansel and Gretel" to be remade by Michael Bay. Looks very Tim Burton-esque.
A pink sari: the new gang symbol in India.
Spin me a tale
I’ve participated in my fair share of spinning classes (stationary cycling) at the gym but hadn’t been to one in months until last night – it was everything I remembered and more. Burning quads, dripping sweat and an instructor warning us that we are not to leave our bikes, even for water – raise your hand and he’ll refill your bottle (heaven forbid if you actually forgot your water bottle). While most of the class members are ordinary joes like you and me, I’ve identified certain types of people you tend to find in these classes.
1. Lance Armstrong 2.0
He doesn’t wear a helmet but he will wear his skin-tight bike shorts, butt padding included. He’s probably supplementing his training for an upcoming race and will surely outshine the rest of us, and maybe even the instructor too. He usually sits front and center – the leader of the pack.
2. The Girl Who Refuses to Sweat
Full disclosure: I am not this girl. Don’t get me wrong, I would LOVE to be this girl but I have accepted that it will never happen. Anti-perspirant’s got nothin’ on me. Whether her lack of glisten is from not working hard enough or just great genes, you’ll find her pedaling away and probably thanking her lucky stars not to be one of the sweaty messes next to her. Oh and her eye makeup stays perfectly set and smudge-free. Jealous.
3. The Noob Who Underestimates Spinning
“You’re on a fake bike, how hard can it be?” Spinning is not for the faint of heart, especially with a great instructor. Some join the class because they remember bike riding to be a leisurely activity of their youth (this might have been me). Those who aren’t fully committed from the start tend to lose heart halfway through and make a hasty exit – you can tell by their broken spirits. Tip: don’t let it break your spirit.
Am I missing anyone else?
1. Lance Armstrong 2.0
He doesn’t wear a helmet but he will wear his skin-tight bike shorts, butt padding included. He’s probably supplementing his training for an upcoming race and will surely outshine the rest of us, and maybe even the instructor too. He usually sits front and center – the leader of the pack.
2. The Girl Who Refuses to Sweat
Full disclosure: I am not this girl. Don’t get me wrong, I would LOVE to be this girl but I have accepted that it will never happen. Anti-perspirant’s got nothin’ on me. Whether her lack of glisten is from not working hard enough or just great genes, you’ll find her pedaling away and probably thanking her lucky stars not to be one of the sweaty messes next to her. Oh and her eye makeup stays perfectly set and smudge-free. Jealous.
3. The Noob Who Underestimates Spinning
“You’re on a fake bike, how hard can it be?” Spinning is not for the faint of heart, especially with a great instructor. Some join the class because they remember bike riding to be a leisurely activity of their youth (this might have been me). Those who aren’t fully committed from the start tend to lose heart halfway through and make a hasty exit – you can tell by their broken spirits. Tip: don’t let it break your spirit.
Am I missing anyone else?
Garden Update: 12 weeks in
Midweek Tidbits
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| Volunteer Park, Seattle, Washington |
A conversation between a composer and a teenager about stealing music from the Internet.
And this is why Pixar is superior.
He lives in Seattle's Seward Park as its caretaker - what a perfect set-up. Living in the city without feeling like you live in the city.
This is why you don't get drunk - you may climb into a crocodile enclosure and attempt to ride a 16-foot croc named "Fatso."
Did you know there was actually a Battle of Seattle that took place in 1856? It was part of the Puget Sound War. Do Washingtonian kids learn about this in their history classes?
Lilith Fair
Some friends and I put rainy Seattle behind us two Saturdays ago and drove east to George, Washington, for Lilith Fair at the Gorge Amphitheatre. The venue looks out on the Columbia River Gorge and was a perfect opportunity for our sun-starved selves to soak up some rays and live music. The line-up included Sheryl Crow, Sugarland, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Colbie Caillat and Sarah McLachlan to name a few – Grace Potter was my favorite, you should check her out! I was also quite impressed with Sugarland. I didn’t know any of their music prior to the show but their lead singer was an energetic performer and super fun to watch. They did a great job rallying the crowd – so much energy!
The day started and ended with coffee – the gorge is two and a half hours away in the middle of nowhere. For a venue so large and established, we were surprised at how unorganized everything was. We looked up the venue rules on the Website before we left so we knew what we could bring – soft-shell coolers, beach chairs (they had to be low to the ground – elevated camping chairs weren’t allowed), food, etc. When we got there, we discovered that soft-shell coolers on wheels weren’t allowed so Maile had to leave the line and take the wheels back to the car. When Christy and I made our way to the front of the ticket line, the ticket people told Christy that they had just decided there should be a cooler size limit and our cooler was too big. Luckily for us, another ticket agent waved us through anyway, probably avoiding a tirade from us about why they should post these restrictions on the Website BEFORE people drive two-plus hours to get to the venue. Then, not even five minutes after we entered, we saw someone wheeling around a soft-shell cooler.
Some concert-goers were able to bring in camping chairs, blocking views. The group of girls in front of us had entered in two waves – one group was allowed through with an elevated chair, the other group was stopped and ordered to take their chairs back to their cars. WTH?
As if this wasn’t enough inconsistency, the ladies behind us noticed we were eating fruit out of Tupperware and asked us how were we able to bring that in? We said that no one said anything to us, and they told us that they had seen others in line who had to throw away any food that wasn’t still packaged from the grocery store. “Your watermelon could be soaked in vodka!” they said. Just as I was thinking that the venue couldn’t be that vigilant about alcohol control, a group near us was busted for bringing in a flask.
Watching all those talented women made me want to bring out my guitar again and re-teach myself how to play. I knew how once upon a time… and we do have a guitar so I don’t have an excuse. Step one: find the tuner.
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