Saturday, April 12, 2008

How How Why Why Why?

I originally chose to see this play because of the poster of a flying Dachshund, and it doesn't hurt that the tickets are $10 at the Seattle Repertory Theater. In any event, maybe it's because we hail from the same state, or his shrewd self-deprecation or acumen for storytelling, or because, by virtue of my new job, I get to take care of folks like him, but I really enjoyed "How How Why Why Why". Kevin Kling, a regular contributor to NPR who likens himself to the Hunchback of Notre Dame, was born with a left arm abnormality and, to add insult to injury (or vice versa, as it were) sustained a motorcycle accident in 2001, rendering his right side paralyzed. He tells the story of his rehabilitation, coinciding with our nation's recovery; illustrating his physical trials (including a funny story for the title of the play) and the pain he endured and joy he ultimately experienced, culminating in a week's preparation for a cocktail weenie and tears over the taste of an apple after a year of a TPN. He paints a picture of his childhood and my home; from the dry wit of the people to the farmland I may as well have grown up on, to that fateful intersection of Lake and Lyndale where his accident occurred. His anecdotes are spot-on, endearing, Prairie Home Companion-esque. Twangy-but-clear Simone Perrin, mostly on accordion, peppers the show with greats like Nina Simone's (Willie Nelson's, Rosie Thomas's) "Let it Be Me" and throughout the evening, the author looks over in admiration, closes his eyes, smiles, and nods his head in approval. "How How Why Why Why" is a story of hope, of recovery, of perspective, joy and regret; a reminder that we don't choose our fate, and, like a Dachshund, to have a "can do attitude" even if you're in a "can't do body". 

Sunday, April 06, 2008

List

So while at a pre-Burlesque party tonight, I saw a to-do list on the hosts' refrigerator. I think that's a good idea. On my drive home from West Seattle, I decided that I need a list of things to accomplish this year (or within the next seven, let's be honest), and to keep me somewhat accountable, here it is, for all the internet to read.

1.   Play the guitar that's sitting in my room (I actually just did, it wasn't pretty)
2.   Live greener
3.   Learn to sail (Center for Wooden Boats, here I come)
4.   Read the Bible cover to cover
5.   Try to ski
6.   At least attempt to train for Alex's "Lowest Expectations" Triathlon in August
7.   See whales! Lots and lots of whales! (San Juans, May 9-11!)
8.   Read the classics sitting on my bookshelf
9.   Obtain real estate in Seattle
10. Take advantage of the tuition reimbursement my job gives me

I think that's good for now...

Saturday, April 05, 2008

I'm back

Oh hi there.

It's been a long time. 

So, to catch up... I moved to Seattle last July. I live in a really beautiful house right next to Volunteer Park with two MDs (coincidence). I love it. Seattle is a dynamic place; it's majestially beautiful. On my walk to work in the morning, I hear a piano through stained glass windows under the canopy of sycamore trees. There's seriously a woman who walks down my street singing songs to her baby in French. And I *love* being able to pick sage from my garden in February. Right now I am knee-deep in lenten roses, hyacinths, daffodils, and muscari. The Scarlet Pimpernel tulips are next! 

Things have changed in my life. I drink coffee now. I ride the bus every day. I do yoga. I shop at farmer's markets all the time. I understand myself a little better. I am more forgiving of myself. I have a great group of friends (we're a bunch of transplants from California, Iowa, Idaho, Texas, and Virginia, mostly) and we have the best time exploring the city (mostly gustatorial!) and the greater Northwest in general. I don't know what I would do without them. There's so much to do here, and I love it. 

I changed jobs in January. It actually wasn't a choice of mine, and I face new, great challenges every day. I work with orthopaedic and plastic surgeons but practice really autonomously. I have to know a lot. It's hard. But it's great experience and I will benefit from it. The patients I see literally have had their lives come down around them, and it's gratifying to be an active part of their healing.

Lastly, my church is amazing. I go to Mars Hill, which just opened a campus downtown. My pastor, Mark, is a genius and challenges my faith and my capacity to grow and understand every week. I attend a community group in First Hill and have met and formed relationships with some really amazing, inspiring folks. Plus, we make really good tacos together. 

My sister is getting married in June in Minnesota so I'll be home then, which will be nice. 

So basically I'm livin' the good life in my favorite city. If I'm not studying at home, you might find me walking around Greenlake, or down at Alki Beach, or Pike's Place Market (or the University Farmer's Market), or eating pho at Than Brothers', or wine tasting at EVS every other Saturday, or checking out music at Sonic Boom or Easy Street Records, or seeing a show at the Moore! or at the Crumpet Shop, or down at Gasworks Park, or dreaming about sailing whilst staring at the Puget Sound, or revisiting my Norsk roots in Ballard, or on the ferry to Bainbridge Island, or up in the Skagit Valley or the San Juan Islands whalewatching or down on Mount Rainier or in Portland! Or looking for a cat at the Humane Society or trying to find a place to buy (eep!)!!!