Closing Washington Parks

The Seattle Times reported today on the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, who identified more than 47 state parks that could be closed temporarily or transferred to different governance to cut costs. Washington state legislature has suggested similar cuts to parks and recreation in the past.

Lawmakers eye $5 car-tab fee to keep state parks open
Seattle Times - March 30, 2009

I understand that these are tough economic times for everyone, especially state governments. But there is not much that infuriates me more than closing areas of recreation - most of all during a recession. If there is a time people have need for access to free recreation, it is now. Some of the parks they suggest closing include St. Edwards Seminary, Wallace Falls, and Fort Ebey - all parks that include constructive and free activities like camping, hiking, and mountain biking. These activities can help keep kids out of trouble, provide weekend getaways for families, and define Northwest life.

All I can say is cut costs elsewhere; do whatever it takes... do not close parks.

Let the Sunshine In

I just realized one of the best days of the year is this Sunday! Daylight Saving Time begins. That means instead of the sun setting at 6:00 PM it will set a whole hour later - giving us daylight after work in the evening for play time. Then less than two weeks after that is the first day of spring! Yippee! Time to stow away those parkas and kick that seasonal affective disorder to the curb.

What will you do with your extra hour of daylight in the evening?

If You Are Having a Bad Day...

It could probably be a lot worse... For instance, I saw this poor lady who had her window smashed out and a Honey Bucket (!!) pushed over onto her car today in Fremont! Talk about a really shitty day in more ways than one...

The Birds Lose Again

Yesterday was Superbowl XLIII: the Pittsburgh Steelers versus the Arizona Cardinals. Two historic teams with vastly different histories. The Steelers have now won a record setting six Superbowls - more than any other NFL team. This was the Cardinals very first appearance in a Superbowl. And though it was sad to see another unlucky NFC West team lose to the Steelers in football's biggest event (*sigh* for the Seahawks losing 21 to 10 in 2006 in much more unevenly matched game) - it's hard to be terribly disappointed because BOY what a game it was. Hard pounding, fast-paced, evenly matched, with dynamic game-changing plays and some of the best football players ever like Larry Fitzgerald.

I can't quite decide if this year or last year's Superbowl was better. Seeing the true underdog Cardinals give the Steelers a serious run for their money was pretty incredible. But was it really better than seeing the wild card Giants beat the undefeated Patriots? Was there a play this Superbowl better than the third down-Eli Manning-somehow-escapes-sack-throws-thirty-yards-then-Giants' David Tyree-catches-football-on-his-helmet play?!?! I'm not so sure...

Thoughts? Which Superbowl has been your favorite?

Thumbs Up, Obama!

Today was a monumental day for our nation - Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.

Though I've heard skeptics say "wait a minute, don't be excited yet, he hasn't done anything," I disagree - he and the American people who voted have already allowed our country to regain some respect worldwide. He has ignited passion and hope in millions of Americans that yes, we can make our country better. We can revamp our economy, build a working healthcare system, do our part to stop climate change, and help spread peace across nations and peoples. We will be better and we are ready. Isn't that something - something pretty incredible considering our state of pessimism and apathy for the past seven years?

So, Obama, you get a thumbs up from Seattle Swift! I am incredibly thankful I witnessed history today and took my part in voting for change.


And visit http://obamiconme.pastemagazine.com/ for some Obama poster fun!!

Crisis Situation

All I can say is, the pilot of the US Airways flight that emergency landed in the Hudson River today is the kind of guy you want around in a crisis situation. All 155 people on board were rescued, not a single person on land affected, and most passengers were even able to walk away unharmed thanks to the pilot's quick-thinking and skillful landing in the Hudson River. Any other action could have been disastrous.

And it's a good lesson to all of us who tend to zone out when the flight attendants run through safety measures for emergency water landings. My dad always said - if you "land" in water, there are probably not any safety measures you can take, but thankfully they do have such measures in place.

All 155 Escape Jet’s Plunge Into Hudson
New York Times - January 15, 2009

President of the Dangling Participle

Strunk and White could create an entire grammar lesson about the dangling participle, based entirely on Bushisms:

I remember meeting a mother of a child who was abducted by the North Koreans right here in the Oval Office. - June 26, 2008, during a Rose Garden news briefing.

I chanced upon Bushisms over the years while browsing Yahoo most popular news stories the other day (what can I say, I read news for entertainment). It's hard to believe that in just two short weeks we will no longer hear made up words like embetter or misunderestimate - or phrases like "more better" from him. January 20, 2009, may just be one of the best days in our nascent millennium - Bush will leave office for good and Obama will take his seat as president-elect. I can hardly contain my excitement.

Though I suppose, for entertainment's sake, I will miss hearing such delightful nuggets as:

Rarely is the question asked, is our children learning? - January 2000, during a campaign event in South Carolina.

Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we. - Aug. 5, 2004, at the signing ceremony for a defense spending bill.

Thanks for the entertainment, Mr. Bush, if nothing else.

Victory!

The Seattle Times reported today that Seattle will begin using salt to deice city streets during future winter storms. Sa-weet. Never again will be we completely snow-bound for an entire week of doldrums. I was waiting for Seattle to make the change - especially after ecologists pointed out that sand is actually more detrimental to the marine environment than salt. Booya!

Seattle to use salt in future storms
Seattle Times, December 31, 2008

Ph.D. in Dodgeball

Considering the United States has one of the best college education systems in the world and our entrepreneurial, individualistic spirit is supposed to be a defining aspect this great nation... why hasn't someone in our own country tried this? I will say one thing - W. has quick reflexes.

Bush shoe incident catches Secret Service flat footed
December 15, 2008

The Tipping Point

If I may draw from what I have learned working for the National Girls Collaborative Project, I believe the U.S. has reach a tipping point. Quoting the NGCP Replication Guide: "Gladwell (2000) describes the tipping point as the point at which small, targeted strategies or activities that happen unsystematically become widespread, causing a cultural shift that drives systemic and inherent change" (1).

Today John McCain declared his running mate to be Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. No longer is our presidential race simply a competition between middle-aged and elderly upper class white men. There has been a cultural shift - it is now critical for presidential hopefuls to represent more than just these white men. The glass ceiling is not simply cracked: it has been smashed repeatedly with only fragile remains still in place.

Minorities, women, and other underrepresented groups still have more ground to gain, and the wage disparity between these groups and white men still remains significant. But today is an exciting day. No matter who is elected, November 4, 2008 will be a historic time for the U.S. Either way, a woman or an African American will sit in one of the two most powerful positions in the White House, making executive decisions that shape our nation and future. We have reached a tipping point, and I am hopeful and excited for the future.

Neighborhood Night Out

I attended my first Neighborhood Night Out Block Party on Tuesday, August 5th! The Block Party was part of the National Night Out event, where communities host neighborhood parties to raise awareness about crime and anti-crime programs, as well as strengthen community interaction. Neighbors bring side dishes to share, drinks, and their own food to throw on the grill.

It was fun to see kids riding their bikes up an down the street and dogs lazily traveling from person to person searching for leftover grilled meat. I met a number of my neighbors, and I look forward to being able to wave, say hello, and chat with them in the future.

I also learned that two years ago, the alley behind my street was home to squatters who were dealing crack to their friends. This is quite disturbing, especially considering the quiet and friendly veneer of the neighborhood. Neighbors also talked of the numerous car thefts occurring in the area. Moral of the story: lock your doors, lock your car, be aware of your surroundings, and know your neighbors. I found myself a little more appreciative of our rowdy neighbors who like to party and drink Keystone Light till sunrise on the front porch. Not likely cars will be broken into when they are out there!

The Neighborhood Block Party was fun and I enjoyed the neighborhood camaraderie. I also got a chance to test a new salsa recipe before my family party on Saturday! It was delicious...

Goodbye Seattle SuperSonics!

The Seattle SuperSonics are now officially moving to Oklahoma. After long, drawn out court proceedings, name calling, and finger pointing the settlement was made to allow owner Clay Bennett to move the team. One of my favorite instances from the whole lawsuit and debate was the Sonics claiming that Seattle doesn't even like them anymore. Of course we like them, but hearing such ridiculous arguments gets a little old.

Though this last Sonics season is nothing to boast about and I am glad we will not have to hear much more about Howard Schultz suing the city, etcetera, I still want to take a moment to commemorate Seattle basketball and the city's first major league sports team.

The Sonics achieved what few Seattle teams have, a National Championship (in their 1978-79 season). Though the 1970s were considered the team's heyday, at 10 years old, watching Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, and Detlef Schrempf (who apparently is a fan of the McDonald's by University Village, right Gabs?) play the Chicago Bulls in the 1996 National Championships was exhilarating. My own city's team gave Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, Scotty Pippen, and one of the greatest teams ever in basketball a run for their money that year in the Championships. Shawn Kemp offered Seattle much entertainment and rappers still rhyme about Gary Payton.

Named after Boeing's supersonic transport contract (that was canceled only a few years after the team was named), it does not seem fitting that the Sonics will move to Oklahoma. But I guess all good things must end. At least we still have the Seahawks. And those women sure did a good job keeping the Storm in Seattle. It is unfortunate the men couldn't do the same for the Sonics.

Farewell SuperSonics, I promise to remember you fondly and hope that Oklahoma treats you well.

Here are two photos I took at a Sonics versus Lakers game on December 14, 2004. The Sonics won. I was proud we kicked butt against Kobe Bryant.