things around the new neighborhood (north seattle)

I know I am nowhere near as convincing as Amazon when it comes to the nicer things in life for a Seattlite, but we just signed a couple year lease at our new place and I thought I'd share a couple reasons why:

Richmond Beach Park has beautiful trails and beach
access... but barely a close second to Lincoln Park

There are lots of close parks and walking paths
to chose from

There are so many interesting trees and plants
growing in the neighborhood -- I like to snap
pictures while out for a walk 

A school in the neighborhood has this tree whose
branches are obscenely burdened by thousands of
itsy-bitsy tiny apples. 

Found this guy outside the window of our
workroom one Fall morning.

quick catch up for the last 8 months

A lot has changed since I last posted. I'll try to summarize.

We weren't able to settle things to our liking at the old
house, so we moved to a bigger place in North Seattle,
where I can actually have an office. This picture shows
my niece covering our front walkway with roses as
a housewarming gift. But it's Seattle, so even though it
was June, it rained 4 hours later and -poof- it was gone. :( 

There's a big sun-room that used to be a front porch, which
John filled with plants. I got a grape vine that's grown the length
of the sun-room, and then some, in just the first few months.

There's a large covered back porch, something we've missed
so much since we left our house in Reseda, CA.

There's a big old man Willow tree right smack in the middle
of the private back yard. 

My new manager role has required a lot more travel than
I'm used to -- flights to the East Coast have been required
every other month since April. Little discovery: FL not
my favorite state ever.

We have a new addition to our family. Looks like a rat,
yet named after an angel -- the one and only angel --
Castiel (from Supernatural). 

Despite being one of the cutest things you've ever seen, he
exploded on the scene bearing fart-bombs (running into
the room, farting and dashing back out) and herpes (he's a
shelter baby). 

Lucifurr was NOT AMUSED.

*Little note: I'm totally downplaying the chaos and mayhem.

Our little girl has grown up and decided to move out on her own,
At 38 years old, my nest is half empty. 'Nuff said.

However, we all try to "keep it real" and not take life too seriously.

Cuz. Yeah.

ignore the fan-girl squeee

September 14, 2013, update:
I am so glad I spent 1.5+ hours in line, in the middle of the street in downtown Seattle right outside the Paramount Theatre, for the chance to watch this event. My sister and her girlfriend joined as well.

It was my favorite part of PAX 2013.

Here's a little video I cobbled together from videos I took before I was laughing too hard to bother trying to memorex the moment.




July 19, 2013:  I just learned that Patrick Rothfuss, favorite author (Name of the Wind and A Wise Man's Fear) and entertainer of mine, will be coming to the Penny Arcade Convention (PAX) in Seattle this year.  My entire family, as well as my sister's, has made an annual pilgrimage to enjoy this con's barrage of cos players, crowded vendor halls, sneak-peeks of upcoming new games, gaming rooms (where I once spent hours discovering Bejeweled, of all things), gamer & nerd panels, concerts and -- simply -- all things nerd. It's a magical 3 days, even for a non-gamer like myself. And the addition of one of my favorite authors to play in a live D&D game means I'm going to have to give watching this event a try, too.



It'll be a new one for me, but since I used to love playing D&D, it can't be too bad watching someone else make a fool of themselves in front of a huge crowd, right? :)

japanese salaryman style karaoke

According to the website, Seattle's "Rock Box" (located off Pine Street in Capital Hill) offers the experience of "Rocking like a salary-man".  Well, this salary-woman had seen enough Japanese and Korean TV shows where a group of people sing really bad karaoke in a private room -- slamming back drinks and appetizers --  that she really wanted to try it, too.

And since it was my birthday, and everyone had to do what I wanted, it was done. And I loved it!

Anyone who's read my blog for any amount of time knows that my family is not just big into music, but also musical (unfortunately, that doesn't include me...)  With a 10+ year age range difference in attendees, we had a pretty eclectic mix of tunes blasting, including:

• Queen
• Frank Sinatra
• Phantom of the Opera
• Bonnie Tyler
• The Lonely Island
• Dean Martin
• Air Supply
• David Bowie
• Morrisey
• Fun.

There was more, but three drinks in three hours have pushed them from my mind.  Some of the raps I never knew in the first place, but that's alright.  I actually got roped into singing a couple duets myself, which I never thought would happen.

It turned out to be surprisingly affordable, despite appetizers, multiple drinks all around and a private room for 7 people. I'd definitely recommend it.

[More pictures to come.]

king county metro changes 2011

 While I'm very relieved that King County Metro won't be cutting 17% of their routes, I am deeply disappointed that the city is moving backwards with regard to public transit, rather than forward. We're trying to cut traffic and create a green, sustainable city and cut carbon emissions... by cutting public transit? We show our humanity and altruism... by cutting out our downtown free-ride zone? 

I realize the country is really struggling economically. But what I don't understand is that--rather than cutting some of our war spending--we, the middle-class and the poor, have to suffer to try to make up for stupid decisions by the rich in this country.  This is a perfect example. 

Metro's statement:

Council supermajority agrees to vote for $20 charge to avert Metro service cuts

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced this morning that a supermajority of seven County Council members have agreed to support the proposed $20 congestion reduction charge to help fund Metro for two years.

They are supporting the charge in combination with additional actions to increase the transit system’s efficiency.

Approval of their agreed-upon legislative package would avert a 17 percent cut of Metro bus service. The Council is scheduled to take action next Monday, Aug. 15.

Read the County Executive’s news release»

The agreement announced today would do the following:

• Develop a new transit incentive program that will offer bus tickets to people when they renew their car tabs.
  People can either use the tickets to try transit or donate the ticket value to a pool that human service agencies will use to provide mobility for people in need.

• Phase out the downtown Seattle Ride Free Area (RFA) in October 2012. The City of Seattle pays Metro $400,000 a year to support the RFA, but that covers only about 18 percent of Metro’s $2.2 million annual cost to operate the RFA. Phasing out the RFA will increase fare revenue for Metro. Other advantages:
  - The transit system will be simpler—riders will always pay when they board.
  - Passengers heading away from downtown will get off the bus at any door, making deboarding easier and faster.
  - Metro expects a decrease in the number of people who board downtown and don’t pay when they reach their destination.

• Increase the pool of funds that provides discounted bus tickets to human service and homeless programs.
  Metro sells human service agencies deeply discounted tickets worth nearly $2 million annually. Metro will either increase the current ticket allocation or further reduce the discount, while giving the public the option of donating their transit incentive tickets. Metro will seek the advice of human service agencies on how to best help those in need. This enhanced program will assist those who have relied on free service downtown--and give them the ability to travel outside of downtown with the tickets.

• Move ahead with "right-sizing" transit service, consistent with the aim of Metro’s strategic plan to build a more productive, cost-effective transit system. In communities where Metro’s fixed-route buses serve few riders, Metro will deploy lower-cost, more efficient Dial-a-Ride Transit (DART), community access transportation services, and vanpools. Metro will reach out to community organizations and local residents to help shape “right-size” transportation strategies.

• Consider routes that carry more riders due to the effects of highway tolling as candidates for added services.
  This is consistent with principles to enhance Metro’s productivity developed by the Regional Transit Task Force and adopted in Metro's strategic plan.

While the temporary congestion reduction charge is in effect, the County would continue working with state and regional leaders on a long-term funding solution for transit. 

For updates and background information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/metro/future

cryptonomicon by neal stephenson (book review)

Cryptonomicon
by Neal Stephenson
For more reviews, check out Goodreads.com

Another amazing book from Neal Stephenson, with the usual emphasis on "mathematics" yet again from another interesting angle... encryption and code-breaking.

Now I'm the first to tell you I "hate math." I passed it in school, sure, but without passion. This guy has that burning passion in spades. What Stephenson's books do for me--among other things--is reintroduce math in all its complicated glory, each book a presentation of a different branch on the same theme. The framework (mathematics) is the same, the same ol' ho-hum. But in each book, he'll take you down a different path that leads to something fascinating and only recognizable to a fellow mathematician as its original form. And I have no trouble finding these diverging paths absolutely fascinating.

All this, astonishingly enough, written in such simple, straight-forward language that even a newbie like me has no problem following. Stephenson's really got a way with words. I find it kind of unfair how much talent he has in both sciences and language. I never realized this about myself before, but apparently I subconsciously believe a person should only excel in one of those areas, and I'm a jealous, jealous bitch. Ahem. (This is also where I'll brag that he lives in Seattle, which, ya know, goes to say something.  About something. Like, Seattlites are all arrogant snobs.)

Anyway. True to form, Stephenson uses that branch (in the case of Cryptonomicon, encryption) as a means to explore the effects it's had on society and history (or, like his other book titled The Diamond Age, the future). Usually in a meandering way... but always exploring so many concepts page by page that even though the story is complicated, difficult, sometimes a little boring*... you still don't want to miss out on the next concept he's going to open up for you. Like a school textbook you actually want to read.

*And to that, I want to add as a caveat that I am very much a character-driven reader, when it comes to fiction. I don't recommend Neal Stephenson as a character-writer; his characters are very much vehicles for expressing ideas that interest him intensely, and sometimes they just get in the way and he has to kill them off. It's a fascinating process to watch, but tends to leave me unable to really identify with, or willing to invest myself emotionally in, any of his characters. I believe this is the root of my "difficult, a little boring" description, and not that the story is slow-paced. It's not.

This sounds like a less-than-glowing review for fiction readers, but it's really not. I highly, highly recommend Neal Stephenson books for everyone. I think you'll like them no matter your reading preference, from memoirs to history to fiction to non-fiction sciences... it's all there. All you need is... time. Lots of it.

our luck is turning

A series of bad-news blows have seriously threatened my confidence that 2011 would bring a real turn-around from the hell that was 2010. 

Last week, we received a letter from our landlady of the last 2.5 years, with whom we'd had multiple discussions of eventually buying the house, stating that she was preparing to sell the house now, so we needed to vacate by the end of February.  Since we are in no position to buy the house now, we did a little mourning dance and started looking around for a new house with a heavy heart.  The heaviness was due largely to the fact that we absolutely love the area of Seattle we are in, and we had no confidence that we could find the house we needed, with all the different requirements of our budget, family and lifestyle, in the same area. 

In a marked switch from 2010, we apparently needn't have worried.  Within a week, a house that the whole family loves fell into our hands in a number of funny, deus ex machina-like coincidences.  My hopes for 2011 have been (guardedly) restored.

Here's the list for-the-win:

Warning:  not actual fridge
Example only ;)

• The new house is half a mile down the road from where we live now, and just one street away--so I keep my 20-minute, single-bus commute to work!
• Walking distant from a park and the Sound, so I can still take my walks by the water when I need it
• The landlord really likes us, and is very laid back (big plus!) 
• It's a 1920's farmhouse, full of nooks, crannies and character
• A two story with a basement that can be turned (with a good amount of work) into a music studio for Friday night jamming and recording 
• There is a fridge straight out of the 1950's down in the basement, with those little bumps for holding individual eggs and futuristic art-deco font on the "Butter" cupboard?  Cutest thing ever.  (I predict it will hold beer, beer and... beer.)
• Double-paned windows to save on heating bills (which we currently pay out the nose for)

Living Room; stairs to bedrooms
To the far left, you can see the little door leading
under the stairs--maybe I'll hang a sign:  "Harry Potter welcome"

• The whole lower floor (living room, dining room, kitchen and bathroom) has hardwood floors
• A gas fireplace in the living room (envision: 70's Afros, shag rug and amber wine-glasses, rawr!)

Gas fireplace/Dining room

• Bigger kitchen:  we'll be able to cook together without tripping over each other (current system)
• Gas stove (far superior to an electric one)
• Small corner cupboard/counter in kitchen (not pictured below) that will be the perfect "coffee central" for a family of four coffee lovers

Kitchen/mud room leading off

• Yard, front and back, is completely fenced in, and we already have the landlord's permission to get a cat, if we'd like (we'd like, we'd like)
• The garage was remodeled into a mother-in-law place, which is currently a bachelor pad for an unknown, older man (slightly creepy), but may be available to us--if we want it--in a couple months when he moves out
• And last but not least, no indeed:  $250 less rent than we pay now

And the ugly:

Tiny bedrooms w/
slopped ceilings

• No more view of the water from our living room windows (or anywhere on the property, sadness :( )
• Tiny bedrooms with little to no closet space... I'm going to have to try to find one of those old-fashioned standing wardrobes to fit my work clothes 
• Smaller square-footage
• Walking distance from a gas-station/mini-mart (less than savory characters; a couple guys actually picked a fight with John and his brother there one night last year, right after Tiffy died, and; my teenage daughter has been harassed by men while walking in that area)
• The basement for recording/jamming studio is unfinished and needs a lot of work, and no matter how much work we put into it, the fact that several of our 6'+ brothers will not be able to stand up straight in it will not change... -_-;;
• The yard needs a lot of work (might look less overwhelming in Spring/Summer)

Ouch! I think those stones used to be a
"BBQ" central?

• There's no covered garage for the car (was remodeled into a MIL house), which will be missed when a car John and his brother are selling needs engine/body work
• It's on a "main" street (however, there are monstrous, 9-10' hedge blocking the road, so it's not a huge negative)

Anyway, enough raving.  I'm just so relieved that this didn't turn into a huge drama or negative thing that I'm all "uber share girl".  But if you don't hear much from me in February, you'll know why. 

nuh-uh!

omg, a real-life super-hero... right in Seattle? *swoon!*



Is this the hitherto unknown benefit of out-of-this-world unemployment?  How can I complain (except by screaming my ass off if I ever ran into him in a dark alley)? 

Which, invariably, leads me to my beloved Urban Ninja (II).

truism: karma's a b*tch

7 o'clock last night, waiting wet and bedraggled at the downtown Seattle bus stop for my ride home, I had the dubious honor of listening to a man, also taking shelter from the rain, reaming out a Metro dispatcher on his cell phone.  According to his tirade, he'd been waiting for 50 minutes for bus #355, and it hadn't come by, no-it-hadn't-he'd-been-standing-here-the-whole-time-don't-tell-him-it-came-by, and Metro really needed to get their act together, because it wasn't acceptable! 

Everyone around him found some fascinating point in the distance to stare at, and like me, probably wondered if Seattle-ites were the most uptight people in the nation, or just the state? Still on the phone, still ranting to the poor Metro employee, the man stalks off and crosses the street. 

Just as he reached the other side of the street, the #355 rumbled up.

My faith in Seattle-ites was restored.  Two women standing close to me started laughing.  So did I.  We tried to crane our necks--ever so delicately--to see if he'd noticed... nope, he was still clutching his phone, turned away.  Too far away to summon without a whole lot of hullabaloo.  And being Seattle-ites, we oh-so-detest hullabaloos of any sort. 

"I guess that goes to show that karma really is a bitch," remarked one of the ladies as we watched #355 rumble off along its route.

The man was marching stiffly down the opposite side of the street, still on his cell. We craned again to see if he noticed his missed ride as it passed him... couldn't really tell, but we shared a glance of unholy glee as we fought our snickers.

Karma, indeed.  Don't be an ass.

Men are not punished for their sins, but by them.  

~Elbert Hubbard

late broadcast of winterland

Dusting of snow

Gotta be careful going down those stairs...

The neighborhood 'creepy tree' again

damily rants

I'm not posting about the big Thanksgiving we had on Saturday with the whole family, because it was just too traumatic, and the last thing I want to do is rehash it when everyone else is so busy rehashing it over dinner anyway.  I'm going to stick to my assertion that this damily (Freudian-typo slip that I am just going to leave in, because though he's mostly full of shit, this amused me) is just not prepared to deal with, or ready to face, Tiffy's death.  And I for one resent feeling pressured to do so. In fact, I'm doing a lot of resenting of family drama and obligations these days, which only convinces me further that I'm not operating within normal parameters. I've become an emotional zombie, and I'm just leaving it at that.

Still un-browned/steamed

The crab pot stickers were a huge hit, though; check them out, I finally uploaded all the pictures from my camera. We got pretty quick baggin' those suckers by the end of the first package of wraps.

I hear that someone might be bringing baggies of already-shelled crab (smart move) to make more of them this Friday night at the jamming session.  Unfortunately, I will miss it due to my Holiday Party at work, but I hope they make lots and lots so I can sneak into the kitchen late at night and wallow and filch until my fingers are dripping with the delicious sauce Johnny makes, mmmm!

Speaking of my work Holiday party:  because of the economic meltdown, my employer hasn't hosted a holiday party for the last two years following my transfer up to Washington State from the Los Angeles office; rather, they donated the money to charities.  So I don't really know how they throw a holiday party in this office, being so much smaller, and so... well, Seattle-like. :D  Is it staid? Is it boring? Is it tense and snobby?  Am I snobby?!  Anyway, I hadn't decided whether to go or not until Sarah, my fellow Korean-drama-watching-friend at work, invited me to be her date since her husband wouldn't be able to make it.  Which sounded like just the thing, since I fatalistically will not bother asking and being turned down again by John. Crowds make him anxious.  (That man of mine... he'll spend hours watching Asian dramas with me, and play his guitar and sing me to sleep when I need it. He'll also spend hours making the perfect homemade pot sticker and real ramen, but he won't take me out for all the free wining and dining that we could possibly want.  Sigh. /rant)

So that's what I'm going to do. Have a party. Without Johnny or Mary. :(

seattle out of the darkness walk

In memory of Tiffy, my family and I will be joining the Seattle Out of the Darkness walk at Green Lake Park, October 10th.  While I don't believe this program could have made a difference for Tiffy, I do believe it could make a difference for others who are contemplating suicide. And since I wouldn't wish the pain of losing family to suicide on my worst enemy, I want to support this effort.

The Out of the Darkness Community Walks are 3-5 mile walks taking place in over 200 communities across the country this fall, with the proceeds benefitting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). By walking in the Out of the Darkness Community Walks, you will be walking with thousands of other walkers nationwide to raise money for AFSP's vital research and education programs to prevent suicide and save lives, increase national awareness about depression and suicide and provide support for survivors of suicide loss. In deciding to walk you are taking us a step closer to making suicide prevention a national priority.

 

Where: Green Lake Park, Seattle, Washington
Starts: 10/10/2010 @ 9:00am
Ends: 11:00am
Check-in Time: 8:00AM to 9:00am
Registration Cutoff: 10/09/2010 11:45pm
Donation Cutoff: 12/31/2010 12:00am
Contact: Jo McNeal
Phone: 425-482-0965
E-mail Address: jmcneal@afsp.org

emotional motes

Trying to catch my breath. Enjoying cafe au lait from the beautiful Belle Epicurean Parisian bakery & cafe in Seattle. I can't yet vouch for their sandwiches, but their croissants and desserts are heavenly.

A major theme in my life this last year has been boundaries.

[Boundaries are good]

I like boundaries. I've always liked them, and I learned through my early adulthood that losing them in relationships, or never having them, can only be damaging. My parents, siblings and I have begun meeting monthly to discuss a book on boundaries--among other things--we've all been reading. How lack of them have affected us and how to put them in place in a healthy way throughout our lives. I don't think many families, parents and children, would have the love, mutual respect and trust to meet and work out painful things in their pasts the way mine are, and I'm really proud to be part of it.

Not being able to set appropriate boundaries around oneself is a recipe for emotional exhaustion, at best, and at worst, a whole host of hurt that I'm not interested in putting myself through. Unfortunately, we don't always have a choice.

~ * ~

These foolish flowers by my front door have been duped into thinking Spring is eminent... valiant stupidity. We've had a couple weeks of mild weather, and now I'm afraid we'll have a cold snap that'll kill everything that's struggling to bloom all throughout my yard, and doom us to an ugly Spring once she finally rolls in.

commuter's sunrise

Since moving to Seattle, I've enjoyed the most beautiful morning commute. I thought I'd share pieces of it, and at the same time, introduce my amazing holiday gift from John, Mr. Nikon COOLPIX *bows*.

And now, for his debut:

Here, I am on the bus wandering through West Seattle on my way to the West Seattle Bridge.

And here, the bus pulls onto the bridge, and you can see the Port of Seattle and behind it---beautiful downtown.

There is an actual sunrise/sunset feature on Mr. Nikon, which I felt took the best representation of one (that I've taken). No more of the flash bleaching it out, or the lack of flash making it a dark burnt blur. Here's some examples.

Good John. Good Mr. Nikon COOLPIX, who fits neatly and snugly in my purse for just such occasions. Good fellow bus commuters, who didn't bitch or moan about my early morning interruption of their normal, comatose ride. I am happy with the world right now. I'll post more about that, later.

my bus-stop gargoyle

This morning when I got to my lonely, wind-swept bus stop, there was a friendly grin to greet me:

This little Gargoyle was perched so cheerfully on the bench in the dark, grinning up at the street light. I felt quite a bit less lonely waiting for my bus.

it was 12.2 degrees this morning

Nothing short of a massage on my hip would induce me out during lunch break...



By the time I'm done shedding layers, my hour will be up. Damnit.

off to pax for the long weekend

On my way to PAX for the weekend. 3 days trailing my teenage geek-children, nights watching Jonathan Coulton in concert, dancing with more geeks and drinking too much at the hotel bar with friends and family (not the teenage ones).

If I survive the gobbs of fun *yawn*, I'll let you know.

For your listening pleasure, Jonathan Coulton:


Edited to say: Monday "morning", after PAX. Not only did I drink too much right before the Jonathan Coulton concert and had to run back to the hotel room to be sick and miserable before Paul and Storm even made it to the stage, but my camera was also stolen right out of my purse in the bar while I was busy drinking too much. So I have no pictures to share! (I mean, I do have a video of my lengthy and slightly boozy--yeah, we'll leave the description at that!--attempts to get my 14-year-old daughter to dance with me to the warm-up band... but I won't be sharing that.) How can I be in my 30's and still be learning my alcohol limit? Maybe starting in my mid- to late-20's had something to do with that.

That camera was my birthday present from my husband several years ago. I don't care if it was ancient, the picture quality kicked ass on a newer camera that I got. I'm picture-less, concert-less, clueless and pissed.

health insurance reform rally in seattle

Stand Up for Health Insurance Reform at Westlake! (Health Insurance Reform Now)

Join Congressman Jim McDermott, along with Organizing for America, Health Care for America NOW!, SEIU, UFCW 21, the Washington State Labor Council, WashPIRG, FUSE, and Planned Parenthood Votes for an evening rally at Westlake Park.

We will release the full list of speakers and acts once confirmed.

Please join us as we send the strongest signal yet to Congress that Washingtonians support strong Health Insurance Reform.

Time: Thursday, September 3 from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Host: Dustin Lambro
Location: Westlake Park (Seattle, WA)

4th Ave & Pine St
Seattle, WA 98101

More information here.

letter from congressman jim mcdermott

I received the following reply from an email I sent to the Washington congressman Jim McDermott:

Thank you for writing me about the need for health care reform. I appreciate the time you took to write on this most important issue. As you know, our current system of health care coverage is miserably inadequate, leaving millions of Americans without an affordable way to get the coverage and the care they need. I have advocated a system of universal, guaranteed health insurance since 1972, when I made my first speech about it in the Washington State Legislature. Here in Congress, I have introduced HR1200, the American Health Security Act, every session since the 103rd Congress.

More and more families face increasing financial burdens as their premium contributions to employer-sponsored insurance increase sharply. Others are losing their coverage entirely as jobs are changed or lost. When a family member suffers serious illness or injury, many families go bankrupt trying to ensure their loved one receives the care he or she needs. I believe all Americans should have the certainty of comprehensive coverage and appropriate care. While I am disappointed with the health care reform parameters established by President Obama, especially his statement that a single payer system of coverage would not be on the table, I do think it is crucial that the Congress take action this year to enact substantive reforms of our health care system.

H.R. 3200, the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, was recently reported out of the House Committee on Ways and Means, of which I am a senior member. Under the legislation, all insurance plans offered to American consumers are required to provide their enrollees a certain minimum level of benefits. I am especially concerned that this package include generous coverage of women's and children's health needs. The legislation also prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, ensures that all plans are subject to guaranteed issue and renewability, and eliminates lifetime benefit caps. These insurance market reforms are long overdue, but they will not resolve all of the accessibility problems in our system. It is also essential that we include in the reform structure a strong public option: a coverage plan offered by the government to provide individuals and families with an attractive and affordable alternative to private insurance products. The public option must be a non-negotiable component of this health care reform effort.

Please be assured that as this bill moves forward, I will strongly oppose any efforts to weaken the public option. America's private insurance plans have long dominated the insurance marketplace, with very unsatisfactory results; millions of Americans are uninsured or underinsured, and millions more are finding that they simply cannot afford the ever-increasing costs of the coverage they have. These problems will not go away; on the contrary, they are worsening steadily. We simply must make significant changes in our health care system, and those changes must include a strong public plan of coverage.

Thank you again for your thoughtful comments. I hope you will continue to share your views with me.

Sincerely,

Jim McDermott
Member of Congress

I don't know what HR1200, the American Health Security Act, is, so I'll have to do some research. But it's good to know our congressman indicated support for the single payer system of coverage, and more practically, that he'll resist efforts to water down the public options. That gets my vote.

helping women succeed in the workplace

I had the opportunity yesterday at work to stand up and take a leadership role in the creation of a women's networking/mentoring group for the Seattle office. Though my company has many awards and recognition around Diversity efforts, these nationally driven efforts can apparently be neglected on a local level. The creation of this group has been something I've agitated for since I transferred from Los Angeles--where this network was stronger. I couldn't understand after my transfer why Seattle was lagging--we're tough chicks, sure, but that doesn't replace the affect of the good ol' boy network.

I am extremely excited to not only take a leadership role in which I would have some say in the direction the group takes--networking for mentors and educational panels vs. spa-days, pls thx--but also to see who around me was similarly inspired to take this on.

Opportunities, opportunities. :D