Random Stuff in No Particular Order

I've been looking at these photos I downloaded a while ago, thinking each one would be its' own blog post.

Maybe I'm lazy, but just wanted to share some random things.

These first two are the cool chandeliers at the Gene Juarez at Northgate.  I was playing around with the lighting settings and got these two neat images:

I think they look like bubbles, kind of suspended in the air.

This is kind of a surreal shot of where I work.  The Space Needle in the background with the clear blue sky and stark white buildings and satellite dishes make a neat contrast, I think.

Dood, if you're gonna pose like this, you get what you deserve:

(Actually, that's our editor, Jeremy.  He's a pretty great guy--but don't tell him, he won't believe you!)

And this is Chunlin Gao, my acupuncturist.  She's amazing, and made me really smile a couple months ago, when her health advice to me was "Lisa, I think you need Boyfriend!".  

Don't know where you stick the needles for that one.

Anyway, thanks for letting me share some random stuff.

Gettin' Churched!

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Rick-Rolled at Folklife!

The volunteers who spend an entire year organizing this year's Folklife Festival at Seattle Center could not have had a nicer weekend for the event.

And yes, it was PACKED!:

One of my favorite moments came just as some nut job was approaching people with a huge sign about God and the end of the world and the need to be "saved".  Close on his heels was the guy pictured below:
He had, what at first look appeared to be another religious sign. 

Then, upon closer inspection, turns out he was Rick Rolling the crowd!  He'd walk up to you, and show you that Rick Astley was "Never Gonna Give You Up".  At the very bottom of his sign, it says this comment is from "Astley 1:1".  

Nicely done, Rick-Rolling Folklife guy!

MC-ing at Folklife

For the 5th straight year, I was asked to emcee at a stage at the Northwest Folklife Festival.   While that may sound prestigious, trust me, they'll take anyone. 

But, it was pretty cool to be assigned to "The Roadhouse".  That's what they re-name Fisher Pavilion during the festival, and it's home base to partner, contra and square dancing.  People come to Seattle from around the world, just for the contra and square dancing at Folklife!  

I talked to a man from Florida, a woman from Australia, another woman from Germany and a couple from England.  All planned their vacations around the dancing at Folklife.

The video above was taken during my emcee shift.  I had the pleasure of meeting this remarkable young woman named Charmaine Slaven.  Usually when you think about square dance callers, a grizzled old dude comes to mind.  Somebody who's been around since dirt was young.  

This young woman is helping to revitalize the square dance art form in, of all places, Ballard!  Her twice-monthy square dances at the Tractor Tavern are bringing 20-somethings to, of all things, square dancing!  I'm doing a feature story on her, which you'll hear in a couple of weeks.  

She sports a barbed wire tattoo around her upper arm, wears a plastic mesh farmers cap, and clog dances while she's calling the dance.  And she's FANTASTIC!  She was completely confident, and was thrilled to be teaching the steps to hundreds. 

You never know what you'll get at Folklife.  This was a very pleasant surprise.

I Talk Good

No problem with the concept.  

Nothing wrong with being nice to other drivers.

It's the GRAMMAR that's all wrong.

The word.....is NICELY.

Drive Nicely, everyone!

On the Fence

At this time of year, I am reminded how beautiful my little yard is, and how undecided I am about putting in a new fence.

The tall evergreens that block my home from my street are completely overgrown and scraggly.  

But, they provide so much seclusion, and my tiny patch of green becomes like a park.

A new fence would mean I would have to take out the big hedge, because there is no room behind them, and putting the fence in front of them would make no sense. 

 My home would have better "street appeal" with the fence, but the noise and visual pollution would increase.

Plus these guys probably wouldn't like it:
"Please, Mommy-lady", give us our peaceful little dog park yard."

Any thoughts?  

A Sure Sign of Summer

The University District Street Fair is one of my favorite events in Seattle.

I've been going since 1983, my first year in Seattle.  I bought a bowl that year from Warne Pottery.   
 It was to put spaghetti in, when I cooked it for my husband, Michael.  I loved the design so much that every year, I would return to buy another piece or two.  I have all kinds of serving dishes, a lamp, and eventually, I ordered an entire set of dinner plates from Warne Pottery.

They're not in business anymore.  I'm sorry about that because 8 of my 10 salad plates have broken!  I still have almost everything else though.

This year's street fair features a performance art exhibit of students in their "natural habitat".  The students are living in this cage for the duration of the fair, and just doing normal dorm room stuff.

Kinda funny.

Lots of artists are at the fair, as always.  These paintings were some of my favorites.  I love the colors, the moods.  The sculptures are created by the painter's husband.  

They have similar geometric sensibilities but entirely different execution.  I hope you click on the photo below to enlarge the artwork.  I loved it!

And, since it's the U-District street fair, there is also a working graffiti artist creating on the spot.  He's accompanied by hip-hop music and break dancers (who must have been on break when I took the photo!)
The U-District Street Fair started many years ago as a way to connect the merchants of University Avenue with the students and counter culture that had taken over the street.  It was a huge success, so it's continued.  It's held the weekend before Memorial Day every year.

So to me, this fair is a sign that summer is on its' way.

Another Day....Another Celebrity

This is Taylor Hicks, an Alabama boy, and the winner of season 5 of "American Idol". 

He came into the studio today to talk about his appearance in "Grease", playing at the 5th Avenue Theater today, and I have to say, he couldn't have been nicer.

Taylor Hicks had earned a bit of a reputation shortly after taking the "Idol" crown of being a real head case.  But none of that was evident.

He played the harmonica on the air on request, congratulated us on turning on an FM frequency to compliment our AM frequency, posed for endless photos from staff, said he'd do an extra taped interview as he waited to go on TV for his interview about 30 minutes later and said "yes", "yes", and "Yes!" to every request.

At one point, I overheard him talking about gratitude, and how he felt so lucky to be in this position. 

Way to go, Taylor Hicks.   You got it.

Night Club Two Step

Walter Dill, the guy who really taught me to dance, has started to post videos of the dance styles he teaches. This is "Night Club Two Step" danced with his daughter Twyla. I remember this one was a little difficult to learn because of the sweeping side-to-side of the footwork.

But, for the follow, (the role danced primarily by the woman) the lead cues are relatively simple. They echo the kinds of moves in waltz or Foxtrot.

And, while I don't expect anyone (except for, perhaps Kristin) to watch it all the way to the end, I hope you check out Walter's other stuff on YouTube. It's a great way to brush up your skills, or check out a dance you've only heard about.

Seattle Radio- Circa 1984

I stumbled upon the KMPS Alumni site tonight, and I thought I'd share some of it with you.  

Wow!  I was doing news in the afternoon and Ichabod Caine was the DJ from 3 to 7 pm in, I think, 1984 here.  We were taking listeners on the Seattle Underground tour.

It was great fun, and Ichabod was making jokes the whole time.  I was just so flattered to be included.  He always used to try to talk to me before or after the news, and I always told him that "I have no personality".  

I was married to Mr. Brooks at the time, and he was so ANGRY because Ichabod had his arm around me in the photo!!!    I also remember that jacket.  My Grandmother bought it for me at the factory outlet store where she was a clerk.  It was brown and the lining kept ripping, but nobody noticed. 

Wow!  25 years ago.  

I know for sure that this one was taken in 1986, at the McDonald's on Bellevue Way.  I was now working the morning show with Ichabod and Don Riggs.  This was a remote broadcast to commemorate Don's 50th birthday.

We all made fun of him because he was so "old".  Wow.  Ichabod's gotta be near 60 now, and, well, I'm not in Don Riggs country yet, but it's looking awfully close!

No computers....just little pieces of paper with the news copy on it.  The carts with the audio were played back at the studio by a producer.

FFinally, this photo was taken in 1987, I think.  

KMPS used to do a "Listener Appreciation Picnic" at the King County Fairgrounds in Enumclaw.  It was a BIG DEAL.  We had nearly 50-thousand people turn out to see, I think it was Johnny Cash this year.  It may have been Reba, I'm not sure.  It was a free day of music for listeners, and the air personalities kept things moving.

The others on stage were PM drive DJ Dewey Boynton, whom I was working with at the time, Becky Brenner, a DJ then, now program director at KMPS, me (who couldn't look at this photo for years because I thought I was SO FAT!!) and Ichabod.  

We had a lot of fun doing lots of events in those days.  I was also a street reporter and anchor, and did a few commercials.  

Country radio took up my first 5 years in Seattle.  It used to be that every station had to have a news department.  Those FCC regulations changed during my tenure, and I was let go in 1988.  Only Don Riggs remained in the news department.  He stayed until last year.  

20 more years!  Now THAT is longevity. 

BIG News

The t-shirts had already been printed.

The celebratory luncheon was planned.

The Power-Point presentation was already set to go.

A lot of work and thought went into this.

And now......KOMO News Radio on FM.

It's.   About.  Time.

Meeting Stacey Keach

One of the coolest parts of my job is interviewing famous actors, politicians and musicians.  It doesn't happen very often, but I really enjoy it when it does!

Yesterday, Stacey Keach came into the studio.  He's in town playing Richard Nixon in the play "Frost/Nixon".  

Because we're an all-news radio station, the interviews are VERY short.  If we get 5 minutes, it's an extreme luxury.  Usually it's closer to 3.  

Keach understood this and made the most of his 3 minutes, was kind and gracious, and gave very thoughtful answers to our questions.  Here's a guy who literally detested Richard Nixon and yet, said he found a way to give him humanity and humor as he embodied Nixon's persona for the play.  

And doesn't he look great!  I mean, the guy had a stroke less than two months ago, and here he is, on stage, and doing what he does best.

Me & Mike Hammer.  Who'd of thunk it?

Pomp and Puppy-dog

I know.

I have no life.

Can I Have My T-Shirt Back, Please?

Three things.

1. Dudley needs a haircut.

2. He needs to get out of my t-shirt.

3. Pink is definitely his color!