Erincita

Thursday, July 25, 2002

It's amazing how the weather in Seattle seems to rely solely on Uncle Scott's presence. Each day he was here it was simply gorgeous. A little to hot for comfort in the middle of the day, but it made for perfect evenings to sit on the porch and enjoy drinks and conversation both before and after dinner--which brings me to the food! For those of you who do not know much about Scott, or at least my relationship with him, we are bent on tradition. They vary depending on location, but when he's in Seattle they include: lunch at Spud's on Alki Beach, at least one barbeque, hitting Pike Place Market for fresh produce and sea air, lunch at the Red Robin, a movie, breakfast at Noah's Bagels, and of course, late-night talks about life that seem to be oh-so-philosophical simply because we're so exhausted by the time we go to bed. Scott made steak one night and salmon the next. This time I took down the recipes (the most important ingredient is love). Scott kind of stood in for Dad one night and met Phil. Much to my pleasure, he is making a good impression on everyone. Mom is really warming up to him and said I should invite him over for dinner anytime. She likes his company and he brings out some kind of maternal instinct in me that puts me on my best behavior. He was here for steaks on Sunday and came over last night as well, when I made spaghetti. He had taken the day off for a doctor's appointment and I've decided that only on special occasions should I see him on a workday--like tomorrow: it's the opening day of "Goldmember"!!! Movies aren't always my deal, but I'd like to see a comedy with Phil. It's good to see him relax and laugh when he has to work so hard all the time.

5:25 PM |

Saturday, July 13, 2002

Looks like Dana beat me to it. It's a great comfort to know that people are reading at all, so I'll try to play a little catch-up for Sarah's sake. After alot of heat and no air conditioning, it appears that we might have a cooler day, perhaps with a little rain. Oh, and before anyone asks, there is no news on the job front. I suggest not asking if you want to keep from getting your head snapped off (my sincerest apologies to Dad and Uncle Scott). Although things appear to be going smoothly and Mom is sweet to keep my spirits up about it, I worry that all this anticipation is going to end up in horrible disappointment. It's the Purcell syndrome: "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst". Few of us are born optimists, so we do better at the latter part of that advisory. It's been nice living at home again. Mom and I are getting used to each other. I have to give her props for being so accomodating when it comes to treating me like an adult (because I don't always act like one). She lets her opinions hang in the air and lets me make my own decisions and I think she trusts my judgement, more or less. One of my favorite things is how she will allow me to do the shopping and let me make meals, though I've hardly cooked at all since it's just the two of us for awhile. She and I are both trying to slim down a little so she bought 5 heads of romaine at Costco to eat throughout the week. She's done a wonderful job with the house. All of the pictures are hung and the furniture is in place. We will worry about Dana's furniture when we come to that bridge, but for now she's thrown herself into landscaping ideas. I must admit that she has a knack for decorating and efficiancy. I'd expect nothing less from my mother, she's the best. :-)
I love it when Dana spends her days off with me. We saw "Road to Perdition", another movie directed by Sam Mendes ("American Beauty"). I'm a fan of this director. I have not been so thoroughly entertained and moved by a movie in a very long time. Paul Newman is as good as ever, and need I mention Tom Hanks? Wonderful actors. Look closely at Tom Hanks' nose though. Either he got a bad nose job or the makeup artists thought he'd look more serious with a big noggin. After the movie we went to the mall and I finally bought a pair of jeans I've had my eye on. Only $25 for a pair of LEI's. They're tight because they're discriminating. The line does not go higher than a size 13, and though the sizes run small, they run long too. Considering that most size 0 girls don't have legs as long as mine, I'm not surprised that they don't sell particularly girl. I think they're made for those who wear high heels all the time and still want the jean cuffs to reach the ground. It's a nice look, but I don't need the extra height.
Today I get to spend the day with Phil. I think our relationship is relegated to "non-serious", but I can say for myself that my feelings haven't changed. To put it most simply, I love him but simply cannot accomodate to all of his differences. I can accept them but will never be able to adopt them as my own (I'm mostly talking about his belief system here). While I have the luxury, I'm pushing them aside and enjoying all his wonderful qualities and similarities we share.
Last Sunday Mom, Dana and I were invited to dinner at Kathy Robbs' house. I've known her kids, Chris and Carolyn, since I was 4 so we've kind of grown up together. Chris and I have been spending some time together and getting to know each other all over again since dinner. Like me, he's changed a great deal since we went away to college. He's extremely confident and articulate, very verbal and opinionated (that's also familial). I appreciate these qualities. He has a way of putting forward his views but not making me feel like mine are less valid than his. We've talked politics and religion, and how they do (and maybe shouldn't) overlap. I went bowling with him Monday and met his circle of friends, made up mostly by his bandmates and their significant others. They were nice and I liked them, but I didn't fit in to well with my lack of tatoos and piercings. I enjoy Chris's company though, at least in small doses. It's awkward to have to get to know someone as an adult when you stopped knowing thim in elementary school. I guess if people grow apart, they can still grow back together. I've seen the same phenomenon with my childhood best friend, Sako. We'll never be as close as we once were, but somehow we both came to the same place, Christ, while we were apart, and that bond is stronger than any I could imagine. I would still do anything, and I mean anything in accordance with God's will, for her.
That's all for now, I hope I've answered any questions! Chao mis leadores.

9:26 AM |