Procession of the Species Weekend
So we get into Olympia about 6:00 on Friday, no thanks to really horrid traffic from 405 onward (we left at 2:15). Mike was jonesing for coffee so bad we switched drivers on I-5 and he went in back and made a pot. This is not easy. He had to hold everything, including the kettle as the water heated, so it wouldn't fly off the stove and counter when some dipshit inevitably cut us off. "Le Cafe Clique" he dubbed it (rattled coffee).
Oponn caught up with us 20 minutes later, flame-haired child in tow.
We convened at Chief's, said hi, downed a couple beers, and headed downtown. Nemo danced to the Marimba band, we trolled the crowded streets, Mike raided the Tea Lady's stash of Brit food, we got coffees at Batdorf, watched fire spinners, and I joined the luminary parade while the exhausted Sue Mike & Nemo hiked back to the RV. More fire spinners played at the edge of the lake, I hung out for ten minutes and decided they weren't going to set anything else on fire and headed back. I was wrong. As I got in, I saw flaming lanterns taking to the sky. They floated right overhead. We joined Chief for a drink and a screening of Erik the Viking. He made us taquitos and pizza rolls. Life was good. We went to bed midnight-30 ish.
Sue & Nemo slept up top in the beastie. Nemo awaoke at six AM. "I want to get down" Sue: "SHHHHH". There was no returning to sleep. Sue & Nemo took off for Wagner's Bakery. I lay in bed a bit longer and got up to make coffee. Sue & Nemo returned from their foray and gofted me with a cinnamoin roll. I roused Mike and we all headed to the Farmer's market. My mission to get tomato starts failed-GAH! so many to choose from! And I'd promised the lady in Sultan we'd be back for hers. I did brave the line and pick up a bunch of meat, namely the stuffed pork chops I missed so much which are currently in the oven. We got coffee and wandered. I picked up some cedar soap and four delicious pears.
Mike went back to bed, I helped Chief set up for the barbecue, then joined Sue & Nemo for a walk around downtown. The rusty animal sculptures in Sylvester park were great. Penguins made form propane bottles, deer from engine parts, a spring squirrel eating nuts, Fanged beasts I referred to as "tetanus monsters". Nemo was being a bit whiny, but eventually settled down and did some chalk drawing with the rest of the kids.
We parked our butts on Legion and Adams. The Procession of the Species was as nuts as it is every year, though they lack a cuttlefish, I have decided. Penguins, giraffes on stilts, belly dancers, dragons, fairies, dolphins, rhinos, a seascape, fish with CD scales, jellyfish, turtles, wolves, bears, and REAL furries! I had been wondering if they'd make an appearance. A giant fin whale, a whole heard of choreographed zebas, and "Oh the huge manatee!"
We hiked back to Chief's and enjoyed a lovely barbecue: Ribs, potato salad, orzo, bread & spinach dip... Yum. Quite the crowd showed up. Chief was a little intimidated. KC had the camera out. Nemo was running around with Oly, Jen's dog, on a leash and listening to no one but Jen. Mike & Sue went back to the beastie for back rubs.
People stared taking off around 7, then the real drinking began. Jen, Katie, Matt, Mike & I sat in the back room and talked while Cory & Chief watched Star Trek 6. Chief ... needs to stay away from wine. He was at his very surliest. Though it did end in a kumquat fight, and I got hit in the ass with a pear. Jen, Mike & I put stuff away for him. He texted the next day penitent with gratitude and apologies.
Sunday morning the flame-haired one woek us up again. I joined tham at Wagner's for coffee and a sticky bun, brought Mike a latte and an eclair. We took off and I drove to Jax's.
Mike installed Jax's new hard drive with Brian watching, Jax & I had a good talk, played with the critters, talked plants. She treated us to some nummy dinner and we headed home.
QOTD:
Emily has her 9-month-old and goes to sit down, Joel's Daschound is on the chair. "Don't sit on the weiner!... That's what got you pregnant in the first place."
We're watching Star Trek 6, Drunkass Chief gestures into the kitchen
"Who's that girl...?"
"Katie?"
"No, the black chick."
"Ohura?"
"Jen!"
"There's Mike, and this is Sarah, his other half."
"Other two thirds."
Oponn caught up with us 20 minutes later, flame-haired child in tow.
We convened at Chief's, said hi, downed a couple beers, and headed downtown. Nemo danced to the Marimba band, we trolled the crowded streets, Mike raided the Tea Lady's stash of Brit food, we got coffees at Batdorf, watched fire spinners, and I joined the luminary parade while the exhausted Sue Mike & Nemo hiked back to the RV. More fire spinners played at the edge of the lake, I hung out for ten minutes and decided they weren't going to set anything else on fire and headed back. I was wrong. As I got in, I saw flaming lanterns taking to the sky. They floated right overhead. We joined Chief for a drink and a screening of Erik the Viking. He made us taquitos and pizza rolls. Life was good. We went to bed midnight-30 ish.
Sue & Nemo slept up top in the beastie. Nemo awaoke at six AM. "I want to get down" Sue: "SHHHHH". There was no returning to sleep. Sue & Nemo took off for Wagner's Bakery. I lay in bed a bit longer and got up to make coffee. Sue & Nemo returned from their foray and gofted me with a cinnamoin roll. I roused Mike and we all headed to the Farmer's market. My mission to get tomato starts failed-GAH! so many to choose from! And I'd promised the lady in Sultan we'd be back for hers. I did brave the line and pick up a bunch of meat, namely the stuffed pork chops I missed so much which are currently in the oven. We got coffee and wandered. I picked up some cedar soap and four delicious pears.
Mike went back to bed, I helped Chief set up for the barbecue, then joined Sue & Nemo for a walk around downtown. The rusty animal sculptures in Sylvester park were great. Penguins made form propane bottles, deer from engine parts, a spring squirrel eating nuts, Fanged beasts I referred to as "tetanus monsters". Nemo was being a bit whiny, but eventually settled down and did some chalk drawing with the rest of the kids.
We parked our butts on Legion and Adams. The Procession of the Species was as nuts as it is every year, though they lack a cuttlefish, I have decided. Penguins, giraffes on stilts, belly dancers, dragons, fairies, dolphins, rhinos, a seascape, fish with CD scales, jellyfish, turtles, wolves, bears, and REAL furries! I had been wondering if they'd make an appearance. A giant fin whale, a whole heard of choreographed zebas, and "Oh the huge manatee!"
We hiked back to Chief's and enjoyed a lovely barbecue: Ribs, potato salad, orzo, bread & spinach dip... Yum. Quite the crowd showed up. Chief was a little intimidated. KC had the camera out. Nemo was running around with Oly, Jen's dog, on a leash and listening to no one but Jen. Mike & Sue went back to the beastie for back rubs.
People stared taking off around 7, then the real drinking began. Jen, Katie, Matt, Mike & I sat in the back room and talked while Cory & Chief watched Star Trek 6. Chief ... needs to stay away from wine. He was at his very surliest. Though it did end in a kumquat fight, and I got hit in the ass with a pear. Jen, Mike & I put stuff away for him. He texted the next day penitent with gratitude and apologies.
Sunday morning the flame-haired one woek us up again. I joined tham at Wagner's for coffee and a sticky bun, brought Mike a latte and an eclair. We took off and I drove to Jax's.
Mike installed Jax's new hard drive with Brian watching, Jax & I had a good talk, played with the critters, talked plants. She treated us to some nummy dinner and we headed home.
QOTD:
Emily has her 9-month-old and goes to sit down, Joel's Daschound is on the chair. "Don't sit on the weiner!... That's what got you pregnant in the first place."
We're watching Star Trek 6, Drunkass Chief gestures into the kitchen
"Who's that girl...?"
"Katie?"
"No, the black chick."
"Ohura?"
"Jen!"
"There's Mike, and this is Sarah, his other half."
"Other two thirds."