Just for the Fun of it.

A Facebook friend posted this video today and I thought, "How Random!".

Did you ever think you'd see Deborah Harry singing with Kermit The Frog?

Enjoy!

Monet, the Realist

I came across this painting, Claude Monet's "Rue De La Bavolle Honfleur".  He painted it in 1864, and it was, as you can see, well before his significant works in Impressionism came to be.

It reminds me of some of the earlier works of Pablo Picasso.  Very real, very orderly.  

I guess reality can sometimes inspire the mind discover the abstract.

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!

see more Fail Blog

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!

You Gotta Have a Gimmick

It all started with an e-mail from my friend a couple of weeks ago.

"A Friend of mine will be performing at the Triple Door on April 28th. Want to come?"

How innocuous is that?  Sure, I want to help support her friend.  and The Triple door is a nice venue.  So I said "yes".

About a week later, I asked what kind of performer her friend was.  "I think she's a Dancer",she  replied.

OK.  cool.

Friday night, we had dinner together.  I asked for more information about her friend's dancing.  Was it a troupe?  Was it a solo performance?  Was it part of a dance series?

Then came the reply: "She's a contortionist." 

A WHAT?????  

OK, Let's be open-minded here.  So she's a little bend-y.  How strange could that be?    OK.  I'm there.

So tonight, I was there.   And THIS was not what I expected.  

I was prepared for a pleasant evening's entertainment.  I arrived late, so I missed all the pre-show hoopla, the introductions.  When I was escorted to my seat, I saw a 6-foot drag queen swearing at the crowd and introducing a stripper.

Not what I was expecting on a Tuesday night.  I asked if that was her friend.  She nodded "no".  

Next came a break dancer.  He was followed by a bad magician, an acrobatic team, two more strippers, some decent jugglers, a guy with a big Velcro circle on his face upon which he stuck big felt eyes and lips and hopped around the stage, another stripper, and FINALLY, my friend's contortionist.

Pretty impressive.  She could put her head through her legs, backwards, twist her shoulders and arms in ways I've never seen before, and do it all with the elegance of a dancer.

Then, finally, it was time to close the evening's entertainment.

When the two women appeared in black leather corsets with bits of metal attached, and turned on power grinders to create sparks on themselves and each other, I LOST IT.

I started laughing hysterically.  WHAT SICK FUCK THOUGHT OF DOING THAT TO THEIR BODY?????   I couldn't get the thought out of my mind.  Jesus.  Somebody had to come up with that idea!

The 6-foot drag queen MC gave me a dirty look.  I couldn't help it.  Somebody, please, stop me now. 

I really wasn't ready for this.    

Allegory of Time Governed by Prudence

A painting to contemplate today, even though it was created in 1585 by Titian.  It hangs in the National Gallery in London and the art history books will tell you it's an oil painting on canvas.

But what else does it tell you?  Art of this period is very realistic in nature or focused on religion.

As an "allegory of time", it also shows the passage from one state of life into another.  And perhaps of one state of being into another.

Where is the Prudence in this painting?  Is it in the tempering of moods and emotions to keep from transitioning into the beast?  Or is the transition inevitable and the prudence keeps the transition's fury at bay?

And the use of light and shadows seems to echo the moods of the stages of the man's life and the animal's moods.

I want to see this painting in person some day.  It's very advanced for the period in which it was created, and a groundbreaking depiction of humanity.  

And one....... Perfect Tree.

For just a couple of weeks every year, this tree looks this way.    The pattern of the leaves will remain until the fall.

But it's the color that makes me stir inside.   This shade of green, like no other, which says "It's SPRING, dammit!  Pay attention!".

The color means the leaves are soft and pliant.  It means things have just begun.  

There is hope.

There is hope.

A Day for the Earth

One tulip says it all.  Yesterday was glorious.  

Today, not so pretty, but at least it's SPRING!

Happy Earth Day, everyone.

What a Freaking JOKE

Why did I even bother?  I signed up a month ago, and the minute they read my profile, they close communication.

I tell you, this is getting ridiculous.  

What a waste of money.

A Different Take on the "Teabagger" Protest

Yeah, this kind of put that whole tea-bag protest thing into perspective for me.

It's from a story on the anti-tax rally at Westlake Center yesterday, published on "The Weekly"'s website.

There were signs condemning the President, the tax code, anybody who was not a Republican,...

.....and these two.

I think that about says it all.

Somehow, I Thought it would be Different

There are no real primers for middle age. And it feels very strange to even write those words, "middle age".

But it's hard to deny, that I am no longer a kid.

It's funny. I was always the youngest one in the newsroom. People would marvel at my abilities "at such a young age". I thought it was weird that I was working with people all the way "in their 40's", while I was just "in my 20's".

How the heck did I get HERE?

But maybe I should celebrate the fact that I've MADE IT HERE.

Every day I read news stories about a 46-year-old-woman, a 47-year-old-woman, a 48-year-old-woman who has been involved in a fatal car crash, a terrible diving accident, a house fire.....those designations used to seem so impersonal. Now, they're ME! Wow.

They tell me that drug and alcohol abuse is rampant in people in their mid-40's. I think lots of people have a hard time dealing with this time. Bodies change, reproduction systems slow or shut down, and I don't even recognize myself in the mirror. Inside, I'm still me. But outside? Wow. wow.

wow.

But the "middle" of anything is a transition.

When I was doing counseling, my therapist always used to ask me to visualize the 75 year old Lisa looking back on my life and reflecting on the issues I was spending so much time dealing with in the present. The 75 year old Lisa could always use love and compassion to see the situation, admire the much younger Lisa and see beyond the problem.

I'm gonna be really cool when I'm 75.

Getting Lost

This is a trailer for "Riven", the sequel to "Myst". These games came out in the late 1990's and took over my imagination. I remember spending many hours lost in the story, the mystery, and the beautiful and very advanced (at the time) graphics.

I never had to shoot and kill anyone or do anything violent. I had to search my brain to solve the many puzzles, but there was never any blood.

LOVED these games! Did you ever play them?

Going Home

This is a portion of a fresco owned by the J Paul Getty Museum which the museum is returning to Italy.

The AP describes it thus:

"The 35-by-31-inch fragment showing a landscape was donated to the museum in 1996. Spokeswoman Rebecca Taylor says the museum noticed last year that it matched another piece of a wall painting that a private collector was returning to Italy.

Taylor says experts decided the two fragments came from the same fresco and Getty officials decided to return their piece.

Taylor says the piece had been on display but wasn't a highlight of the collection.
The Getty has returned more than three dozen ancient artifacts that Italy claimed were looted from archaeological sites. But Taylor says the wall fragment is not believed to have been looted."

There are also 3 other works of art, including a stunning black-figure Grecian urn that will be returned.

We're seeing many works of art returned to their home countries these days as goodwill gestures.

It's interesting to see, and important for classic collections. But I also wonder about the practice because often, these antiquities in America are the first exposures of young people to tangible history.

I hope some stay in their current homes.

Really, I WOULD Make My Bed....

......if it weren't so cluttered with sleeping pooches!

By the way, the blue and white quilt was an acquisition from Ohio Amish country.  It's so well made, hand-stitched, and I probably should be displaying it rather than keeping it on my bed.

But, the Amish are all about using their art in their daily lives, so I guess I'm being true to that mission by doing so.

Plus, the dogs seem to like it so much!

THIS is a Movie Theater?

A couple of months ago, I received an invitation to "Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas" at Redmond Town Center.

I didn't have time that weekend to go to this plush, new theater to see a movie, so I just forgot about it.

Friday, I received another e-mail, saying I could visit ANY time, so I bit. I went to see Duplicity at 2:15 Saturday afternoon.

Tickets are more than $25 each, and food and liquor are extras. ( think later shows cost more than earlier shows---the website is EXTREMELY elusive)

But THIS is what greets you in the lobby:



The service is impeccable. And the artwork on the walls is beautiful. There are sculptures everywhere, servers who cater to your every whim, bag check, very nice private restrooms, and elegance everywhere.

This is the menu. If you click on it, you can enlarge it. I had the Chinois Asian Chicken rolls or whatever they were, and this amazing 3-serving dessert with carrot cake, banana cream pie and chocolate mouse in tall shotglasses. WOW! They also had Coke Zero...and a full bar. Didn't take advantage of that.



And, THESE are the seats:


They recline electronically, the table in the center of each two chairs has a "call" button for the servers. They gave me a blanket, in case I got cold. And there was a big storage bin underneath the arm rests of each chair.

So how was the move? Fantastic! And it was great being served with my feet up.

Would I pay those prices for it?

Well.....maybe if it was a VERY special occasion with a VERY special someone.....

Sure was fun!

High M-pact Players

The vocal group M-Pact formed in Seattle a number of years ago. They now tour around the world. Today they returned to The Center for Spiritual Living, where the group began.

I loved them!!! This is a performance late last year.

Can't a Black Man get a BREAK?

How the HELL have I missed 12 Other Episodes of This?

AND he's FRENCH!!