Stories for Boys by Greg Martin

The Seattle Public Library downtown had a special author event at 7 p.m. last night in the Microsoft Auditorium. Greg Martin who wrote the memoir, Stories for Boys was here in Seattle and there was a staged reading performed by Book-It Repertory Theatre. I must say that the actor who played Greg Martin was outstanding and I can see him on stage or in movies because of his depth of emotion in character. What a privilege to see this amazing event!

I'm so glad I went. I haven't ventured out at night on the bus but I thought I would try it and it worked out great. Most people have told me that it's not safe to ride the bus in the evening but I really wanted to go to the library and I knew it would still be light when I got home so I didn't see the problem. Now I know that I can ride the bus, the best bus 41 that brings me in the tunnel under Benaroya Hall, walk two blocks to the library, and come home safely without any problems. Easy as pie. I had such a wonderful time. I should have looked at the schedule closer to see if I could have stayed later.

I stayed to listen to Greg Martin but he was just answering personal questions about his memoir. I would have wanted to hear about his writing process. He teaches at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and he taught for a short period of time at the North Seattle Community college. He teaches creative nonfiction.

I must say though that if he really thinks that his boys haven't read his memoir, he's in denial, which he learned from his mother.

There is so much amazing talent here in Seattle, so many events, so many opportunities to learn and grow. I'm so grateful to be here in Seattle. I love it here. Everything that anyone could want is in Seattle plus it has perfect weather. It has all the cultural events, the arts, the museums, great restaurants, the BEST library. All is good. We have a great mayor and a great governor. I'm so impressed with everything here.

Cash and Carry

I have discovered a new grocery store where I love to shop. It's Cash and Carry, "where restaurants buy better." It's like Costco without the yearly fee, and without the gifts and clothing. Ninety percent of the shoppers own restaurants. Great prices and fresh produce keep me coming back. I really enjoy getting the package of romaine hearts, English cucumbers, tomatoes, shredded carrots, bell peppers, and salad dressing for a large salad every day. What I am surprised about is that the produce is not only cheaper but is fresher than if I buy any where else. Every time I walk down a new isle that I haven't discovered, I find more neat stuff and bargains. It's close to my apartment and I save money. I bought a whole box of tomatoes and made fresh pasta sauce. I baked the cut up tomatoes with handfuls of garlic cloves, cut up onions, bell peppers, black olives, and lots of basil and olive oil. Then I blend it in my food processor. Delicious and so good for you. I find great buys on pasta, beans, brown rice, and everything. I love to cook but I don't have anyone to cook for so I freeze it. I would bake homemade bread but I sure don't need to be eating it. I miss making pies and cakes but I don't need to be eating that either. I eat enough as it is.

I shop at the one at 13102 Stone Avenue North which is behind Staples on Aurora in North Seattle. The phone number is 206-364-1737.

Husbands

In the last three days, I overheard two amazing husbands. The first was at See's Candies at the Northgate Mall buying large boxes of chocolates for his wife and mother. He was carefully selecting the chocolates and made sure it was going to be nice. I said that I bet his wife sure loves him! Today I overheard another handsome man in Target talk on his cell phone to his wife telling her that he loved her. It's nice to know that there are these wonderful men out there and that they exist. This kind of attention and gestures go a long way with women and any woman who doesn't appreciate them are nuts! I bet they take their wives out to dinner and are thoughtful and kind. I bet they go dancing and plan vacations and surprises. I bet they appreciate all that their wives do for them and tell them. It sure was nice to see and hear.

I always like to see when people are good to each other and when people are kind to one another. It makes me happy.

Waking up thinking about.....................

This morning I was thinking about working at Joann Fabrics. I worked last night from 5:30 to 9:15. I asked the manager on duty what she wanted me to work on and she said to work on the red sale fabric area so I finished squishing it over to help the person in charge of fabrics. Then I asked the supervisor if she wanted me to start moving all the flat folds into the red sale fabric area because she had mentioned the day before that it needed to be done. I finished it and it looked good.

So what do I wake up thinking about? I wish I had asked the supervisor if I could start moving the utility fabrics over and everything over until the fabric at the top could be brought down. She had mentioned that it needed to be done. I wish I had asked what was on top...calico or flannel? I wish I had started on it because it needed to be done. I was also thinking about this morning that I want to go in and check on the novelty fabric section again to make sure it isn't messed up.

Silly since I only worked 11 hours this week and I only work 3 hours next week. I like to work and earn money. I guess I need to look for work where I can earn more money and work more. There are six people who work full time and the rest of the 26 employees work part time. Everyone wants and needs work so I am grateful for the hours and a part time job. When the remodel is finished, there will be more work and more hours given to everyone.

I love working at Joann Fabrics because I love everything they sell. I love to knit, crochet, quilt, sew, and on and on and on. On Tuesday they started promoting sign ups for mailers. When I worked in Oregon about five years ago before my husband got really sick, I got lots of signups. On Tuesday I got 13 new signups when I worked from 2:30 to 6:30. Yesterday I only got 2 because I could see I should tone it down because the people I work with didn't seem happy with me.

I like to work hard and I like to earn money. I want to be needed and wanted and valued.

Since I am thinking about it, I would like to have a job where I go to meetings, travel, work on meaningful projects, make contributions to help, and earn money so I can afford to go on amazing vacations and travel the world. That would be nice.

So I have until Monday to think about what I will do with my time. I will plan a schedule to go to the gym, plan going to the art museum, zoo, or somewhere. Maybe I should go to the aquarium. I love exploring Pike Place Market. I never see the same stores twice except those at the beginning. I can't get over how big it is and I search for one store and I end up finding others in the maze of shops. It's fun.

I will also read books. Right now I am reading The Corrections by Franzen, next I will reread The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, and The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood for the bookclub at the library. I love to read books.

I have endless chores that never stop. I have this big list of stuff that needs to be done and I keep making lists every day when I plan my day and work on it until things get crossed off. I have to finish going through all my stuff and get rid of more to give to Goodwill since I need to move to an apartment that is around $800 a month. I found a wonderful apartment on Zillow that is 1050 square feet for $825 a month. My lease isn't up until November though. I know I will find an amazing apartment in the price range I can afford.

What I really need to do is work on my writing. I have four finished mystery novels, one finished juvenile novel and two finished screenplays. I need to work on each one, one at a time, and work on revisions and get them out there. I need an agent and editor who will say they are interested and give me revision instructions and then I would get to work merrily because I know it is not wasted revisions that will have to be changed in a different direction for someone else. I am also working on a writing course with Long Ridge Writers Group through the mail and I need to finish an assignment.

I love my life and I love living in Seattle, the greatest of all cities in the world.

Zumba with Keri

I love taking Zumba classes at 24 Hour Fitness. The last class that I went to was on Monday morning with Keri. I like Keri. She is really nice. I only stayed for 45 minutes because I haven't been doing Zumba lately and I can't do all the jumping moves. I do what I can.

Coal

I have been reading about the rivers of coal in Montana and the potential environmental disaster of moving coal through Seattle and having it shipped to Asia where pollution is already at unhealthy levels. I am wondering how this all going to play out. Just because you have a resource that will bring lots of money, the impact to the miners who will suffer from black lung and the impact on the environment where anyone has to be in proximity to the effects of the coal tells me that sometimes you should just leave it alone. Not good. Not good. I am opposed to bringing coal to Seattle. I don't want to see it.

Excellent Teacher at Northgate Elementary

I recently read an exciting article in City Arts called "Creative Class: whether or not you have a kid in school, the future depends on arts education," by Jonathan Zwickel. This article talks about Northgate Elementary where 90% of the kids are below poverty level and the exciting teacher, Zac Stowell. I am really impressed with what is going on in his classroom. The article talks about one lesson, a dance lesson. He teaches using YouTube clips to show what is possible and to show dance choreography. He gives examples of sharp and smooth moves and shows them how to use math to plan dance choreography. The challenge for the students who divide up into groups is to create a dance for a dance company. "The dance will have a pattern that is a total of 10 counts. The pattern will have 2 parts: smooth and sharp. The sharp percussion part is 2/5 of the pattern." The kids explode with promise in his classroom. All are engaged and part of the excitement of creation. Every teacher should be this great! I would enjoy being in his classroom. The beauty of this kind of multidiscipline teaching is that it teaches on many levels at once. I love it! There is exciting things going on in his classroom and this is the first teacher that I have heard about in a LONG time that I am truly impressed with. This is excellence in education.

Northgate Elementary must be a great school. All students recite in unison the Northgate Pledge, which ends in an affirmation: "I will try to do right to make my future look bright! I am a winner!" Wow! This is a great school and example to all schools!

Music

I recently bought a keyboard for $119 at Best Buy. I have missed playing the piano. I grew up with music because my mother was a piano teacher. It's fun to play the piano and I have really enjoyed myself the last few days. I steal moments to play. I was looking for music and I wonder why in the world don't they sell books of music differently. There should be books of music that are all in the key of C and then books of music with one flat or one sharp and then books of music with two sharps or two flats and on and on. The point is that when you buy a book and there is a mixture of the key of C and 6 sharps, unless you are an expert on the piano, you can't play all the music unless you practice, practice, practice. I dream of buying a book of classical music in the key of C and then I will buy 1 sharp. It will be easier.

I was very grateful when the guy in the music area gave me a book of music. He said it couldn't be sold because it was left behind. It's fun to play the songs that are the easy ones.

My mother refused to give me piano lessons because she said I had no talent because I could play by ear. I created my "symphony" at 5 which was only a few bars long but it was a big deal to me. I have always loved music. I had to steal lessons and teaching by watching the students who came into our front room and listen. Sometimes I sat next to the student on the piano bench but I had to be very quiet and not say a word. I know how to read most music. I'm not used to playing 5 flats and 5 sharps but I could with practice. I have a big block with music because I was not allowed to thrive and blossom. I should start taking lessons but I can't do everything I want to do and I certainly can't afford to do everything I want to do right now.

Ljubljana

My grandfather on my mother's side was born in Ljubljana. Now it is in Slovenia but when he was born it was part of Austria. Boundaries have changed in Europe at different times. My grandfather, John was an engineer at the Anaconda Copper Mine near Great Falls, Montana. My grandmother was born in Czechoslovakia. Both were Jewish so my mother was Jewish but she was raised Catholic. Sad that so many people fleeing persecution had to hide by changing their name or denying who they were. Has happened a lot throughout history because of hate.

I'd love to visit Ljublijana and Lake Bled. I hope I get to do this someday.

Will I ever join a group who hates? Never!

Keeping Up Appearances

The British television BBC comedy, Keeping Up Appearances is close to me because it is like visiting my Mom. My mother was Hyacinth. It was pointed out to me by family and so I started to watch it and sure enough...yes, it's just like my mom. I'm going to start watching it again just for the fun.

Shoreline Senior Center

I just watched this great video of what goes on at the Shoreline Senior Center. It looks like this is a great group and that they're a lot of fun. I need to visit and join in the fun.

Mad Men

The popular television show, Mad Men on AMC is starting a new season tonight. I'm sure going to watch. I love this show.

After reading an article in Northwestern, winter, 2012, "The First Mad Man," I learned that the main character in this series is based on the life of Albert Lasker, known as "the father of modern advertising." He was born in Germany. In the article it said that "Lasker made more money in advertising than anyone before or after him." He built a 50-room mansion in Lake Forest, Illinois. That must be beautiful. All of Lasker's papers are housed in Northwestern's McCormick Library of special collections.

If you want to read more go to www.northwestern.edu/magazine and look for the winter 2012 issue.

Pope Francis I

I've been watching the ceremony and learning about Pope Francis I. I like him and think he was a great choice. I'm not Catholic but have thought about it at different times. I grew up as a Lutheran. I like the fact that he's a Jesuit priest, that he feels strongly about social justice, and that he loves to dance the tango. He's very humble and kind. He's seems like a very good man from what I have heard. I like the name that he picked. I've heard that when you become Pope that you have to give up your family. That's very sad. He probably has to give up dancing too.

Zumba with Christina

I had so much fun this morning at 24 Hour Fitness Northgate. I went to Zumba at 9 a.m. and Christina was teaching. She's fun and makes it fun for everyone. She's really nice because she always goes around and talks to everyone. She zips around the room when she teaches so everyone can see her moves. She's one of my favorite Zumba instructors.

Zumba is essential in my life because it is keeping me healthy. I love it. I'm grateful to be able to go to 24 Hour Fitness and take classes.

After Zumba this morning, I stayed for Body Pump and did 40 minutes. That is a great class too.

Jersey Boys

I saw Jersey Boys today at the 5th Avenue Theater in downtown Seattle. It was so much fun. I had such a wonderful time.

When Frankie Valli, played by Brad Weinstock, sang, "Sherry" with the Four Seasons, they became real. They became the Four Seasons. Brad Weinstock was Frankie Valli. I loved all the songs. It was fun. I didn't know the background of the Four Seasons. I learned that Frankie Valli's changed his last name to Valli because "when you're Catholic and from Jersey, your name has to end in a vowel!" and "Everyone in Jersey has a picture of Frank Sinatra and the Pope on the wall." The dialogue was great.

Brad Weinstock was hot off the charts great. He was the best of everyone. I'd love to see Jersey Boys again.

I thought that the time was 12:30 but it started at 1:30 in the afternoon. If I had realized I would have gone to Zumba this morning but I was planning, thinking about, and getting ready to go to Jersey Boys. I didn't want to be late.

I've been to several Broadway Plays. One year my husband bought a season pass but most of the time we saw individual plays in Portland or in Seattle or when we traveled, like the one at the Drury Lane Thearer in London. I love live theater and Broadway plays.

Jersey Boys is now my favorite. I love all the songs. I grew up with these songs...Sherry, My Boyfriend's Back, Dawn, Walk Like a Man, Rag Doll and more and more. It was glorious fun and I will remember it for a long time.

When I got home I looked up Brad Weinstock in the program and saw that Brad graduated from Northwestern University. Well, no wonder he was amazing! 

Wall Street Journal

I have a smart phone and I enjoy reading articles in the Wall Street Journal often. This morning I read one entitled, "Tactics to Spark Creativity." I think the reason why most people shut down their creative spark is because when you are pummeled into the ground for ideas and they aren't wanted, you train yourself to ignore and the creative flow stops. I get ideas all the time. I can always see ways in which things can be improved or how to make things better but I have learned that my ideas in most circles aren't wanted. Most people don't want to hear what I have to think and most people don't care. People care about themselves and just want to keep things as they are and get through the day. With this kind of attitude, you can't expect new ideas to burst forth and problems solved. However, if you constantly ask, "How can this be made better?" You get ideas and you live a life that flows forward into the future with adventure.

Jack and Elizabeth at Disneyland

My grandchildren, Jack and Elizabeth Bennett have been at Disneyland all week. They've been having a great time as you can see by the smiles on their face. I've been getting texts from my daughter, Gretchen and a few great photos like this one.

HT Market

I enjoy shopping at HT Market. I went there this morning to buy bitter melon, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and papaya. I love to buy dragon fruit there but they don't have it anymore. I guess the season is over. It is a delicious fruit from Asia that looks like a red artichoke with a mild melon fruit inside that is white with tiny black seeds. I shop here at least once a week to buy bitter melon and other things. It's a great store.

HT Market
10008 Aurora Avenue North
Seattle 09133

Pakistani Indian Grocery Store

I enjoy shopping at the Pakistani Indian Grocery Store in my neighborhood. I went there today to buy a few things. They sell things from all over the world that you can't find anywhere else. I buy this great soap made from olive oil that is really creamy and nice. I buy great pasta from Italy that is the best I have had anywhere. They have a great selection of teas and legumes and beans and rice at great prices. They also have delicious mango juice in the refrigerated section. I bought two bottles today. I enjoy shopping here and I will shop there at least once a month. I've been there twice so far. The first time, I witnessed someone threaten the owner so I will go there to support this store at least once a month.

Pakistani Indian Grocery
122323 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle 98125

24 Hour Fitness

I just came back from 24 Hour Fitness. I have a membership and I enjoy taking Zumba and Body Pump classes. It is interesting that these classes are under GROUP X and not under 24 Hour Fitness so that when an instructor fails to show, 24 Hour Fitness says it isn't us. The reason I have a membership is because of these classes. Today I went to take a Zumba class with Mariam. She's a great instructor and I enjoy her classes. I understand that sometimes an instructor can't make it because of traffic or something. BUT 24 Hour Fitness is creating a problem for 24 Hour Fitness when they don't have a solution in place if an instructor doesn't show up. It is their name on the door. I suggested more than once that some of the trainers should be certified in Zumba so they can give a class if needed. They can take classes from Zumba International. www.zumba.com. Now I'm not so sure that this is the answer either because the trainers want to make money as trainers and if they have clients at the time, they can't drop everything to pitch in for Zumba.

So I was thinking that a better solution would be to have a large television screen to show a Zumba video of the instructor who is supposed to be teaching. I think the television screen would be great during regular classes too. It's hard when you are in the back of a crowded classroom because you can't copy the movements. I like to stand in the middle so that I can keep my eyes glued to the feet of the instructor to copy the movements. In the back, I can't see. In the front, I'm too close.

If an instructor doesn't show up, then all the management of 24 Hour Fitness has to do is pull down the screen and Zumba starts with the instructor everyone came to see. The instructor should get paid and people who come won't get mad at 24 Hour Fitness. People pay money for a membership for these classes and it is a waste of their valuable time to have this happen. It is a big mistake for 24 Hour Fitness not to be in charge of GROUP X and take responsibility for it.

It would be so great if this could happen because instructors could make more money and there could be more Zumba classes during the day. Everyone would be happy, especially me! I really love taking Zumba classes but I need more of them on a regular schedule every day. I like taking 2 Zumba classes a day. This would be perfect! This solution would be a good one for everyone. It would also bring in more people who want to have memberships because people want more Zumba classes. My favorite Zumba instructors are Niel, Marco, Daniel, Mariam, Jewel, Christina, and Cindy.