December
15, 1988
Ahhh ... Christmas in Seattle ... drizzle,
temperatures in the 40s and aimlessly wandering herds in the shopping
malls. Christmas lights strung upon the local residences in the
rain, just doesn't harbor the same aesthetic feeling, as they do in a
blanket of fluffy white snow. Christmas "SPIRIT" is
the main ingredient in making this season what it is, right? ... NOT
the local setting. Guess I'll just have to continue listening to
Bing Crosby, drinking that eggnog and writing those letters to the BIG
GUY in the red suit. Dear Santa: I would like two feet of fresh
powder on the slopes to ski on for Christmas ... oh, yeah ... don't
forget the keys to that red Ferrari, too, while you're in the
neighborhood!
Traditionally this letter is devoted to updating all of you on what
Alan's been up to in the past year. Well ... I've been flossing
regularly (I threw that in for you, Janet). I spent a week and
half interfacing with Collins Avionics in brutally EXCITING Cedar
Rapids, Iowa. The highlight of our journey was flying from there
to Tucson, Arizona in the company president's personal biz jet (keep
your #!@% feet off the couch, Scott!). Tucson was 110 degrees
... but cruising around in the new red Mustang convertible rental was
"cool".
Did lots of skiing again this year with two trips to Whistler/Blackcomb
in Canada, eh. Seems they've heard of our infamous
"Ski-To-Die" ski club up there ... guess we'll have to find
ANOTHER resort next year to avoid prosecution! New sports
attempted this year were jet-skiing in Lake Washington and
wind-surfing in Canada ... next year "hang-gliding" (this
could be my FINAL Christmas letter)! Ice skating for the first
time in around 15 years was an adventurous endeavor... couldn't
understand why the rink cleared out shortly after I entered.
"Whirlyball" collects my vote for most unique sport ...
teams of five in BUMPCARS in competition on an electrified court with
hi-li racquets, a whiffle ball and motion-sensitive goals at each end
... pure unadulterated FUN!
Attended the Puyallup Fair pig races ... "Sir Gruntsalot"
took the checkered flag by a snout! Halloween at the Paramount
made the "most memorable party" category ... 1500 costumed
bodies meandering about a large ornate 60 year-old theater.
Witnessed some incredible feats of "illusion" with David
Copperfield and experienced an entire season of innovative
performances by the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Patronized a few
of the local establishments embibing with friends and attended several
concerts as well (George Winston, Michael Strickland and yes ... Bruce
Springsteen). Along with a majority of the Seattle populace, I
enjoy watching the Seahawks play WHEN they decide to ("can you
say "inconsistent"?"). So much for my Mr.
Rodger's impersonation.
Minor abrasions, various bruises (most involving the hammer and the
thumb) and countless splinters accompanied this year's residential
project completions. Major modifications to the bi-level deck
and the addition of a rather large hot tub (the ultimate social
accessory!) tops this years list. My roommate of last year
departed before completing the basement, so Alan has been diligently
chipping away at those tasks left (staining woodwork is current on the
agenda). I purchased a nice oak pool table a while back but haven't
reassembled it yet ... awaiting drywall finishing. There IS one
finished bedroom down there ... soon to house a roommate with plans of
bartering manual labor for rent.
"New Wave" (feline marauder) is still terrorizing the
regional vicinity. A few months ago while laying the foundation
for the hot tub, I spent several hours after work leveling and raking
an 8x8 foot section of sand as a base for the foundation I awoke the
following morning and decided to survey the previous evening's
accomplishments in the daylight. It appeared that overnight
"New Wave" had invited over every cat in the neighborhood to
demo the "world's largest litter box"! A vision of
"kitty dissection" briefly danced through my head. It
took a couple of hours of scooping to clean up the aftermath of her
PARTY (beer bottles, catnip and half-eaten cans of 9-Lives scattered
everywhere!") ... can you BELIEVE kids these days?!?
Exercising their annual visitation rights, the parental units got
to see a bit of the beautiful Oregon coastline, complete with 6 inches
of overnight mid-August SNOW at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood.
Highway 101 parallels the western coastline from Washington state down
through most of California ... recommended scenery for all you road
warriors. Oregon also has excellent skiing at Mount Bachelor ...
the destination of my Christmas vacation road-trip next week.
Well, it's time to finish wrapping those presents so Santa (a.k.a.
UPS) is able to deliver them on time to those who still ADMIT to being
related to me. With this letter finished, I'm outta here ... so
I bid you "Merry Christmas 1988" and best wishes in the
upcoming millennium.
With all DUE respect,
