Day 2: Seattle

Day 2:  Seattle

QOTD

In too deep, can’t think about giving it up

But I never knew love would feel like a heart attack

It’s killing me, swear I never cried so much

Cause I never knew love would hurt this fuckin’ bad

The worst pain I ever had

Weather:  Sane as yesterday, starts in low 50s and overcast, by mid-afternoon low 60s and sunny

In-house FC

DB and S go for a walk with Chloe the dog and THB rides the elliptical; the NYT with Grape Nuts and fruit, THB is right at home!

THB is on E-ville committee chaired by Ann

Ann is BAM featured artist, this piece is in the lobby

Kathy Venter

Akio Takimori

With S driving, we hit BAM (Bellevue Arts Museum) and The Henry (museum on UofW campus) with lunch at Cactus in between. BAM usually has very interesting to above average shows and today is no different: large ceramic figures on one floor and a great crafts show (with figurative plates) on another.

How spicy was it?

Cactus: spicy brisket tamales with cole slaw and a spicy lemonade (cilantro, jalapenos) for THB, DB has an unusual chile relleno (red chile!) with tamarind-strawberry lemonade and S has tortilla soup and half a salad, $58 total.

DB and THB on UofW

The Henry has a side benefit: we revisit the cherry trees on the tail end of peak blossom period on the campus. In full bloom, the trees attract people from all over, including Japan. They are special. And, The Henry includes a James Turrell skyspace, where we spend some time basking in Turrell’s genius.

Dinner at home, a cider and crab sandwich tasting. Oh, first we had a cider cocktail. THB had a hard time standing after that, it was very good and very strong and very tall. 

Part of Tieton Cider Works line-up

Then, if THB remembers correctly, we tried two different types of ciders with two different seasoned crab sandwiches, and the dry cider was great with the non-mayo crab sandwich. Chocolate and brandy/cider after dinner drink. Is it a wonder that these postings don’t make sense?

Finally, here are some pics of S&C's collection (not nearly all); maybe, just maybe, those of you who have been to E-ville and/or the beach can see why we are friends!

Chester

Bob

Leslie

Bennett

Gaylen

Terry x 2

Richard

Hank

Akio (sideways?)

Meg

Deborah

Kenna

Joe

David

Iris

Chester again

Cynthia

Marilyn

Bennett again

Day 1: E--ville to Seattle

Day 1: E-ville to Seattle

QOTD

Holy Spirit rain like Seattle

Overtake my life

Like a flood

Like California shake

What’s not like you

I just want a heart like yours

Weather: low 50s at noon, low 60s by later afternoon, clear and very pretty

On a 10am flight out of Oakland on Alaska via American. When they start announcing boarding plans, upwards of 80% start a long line in front of the boarding gate. Why? THB thinks everyone is so used to Southwest, they automatically start to get in groups. Turns out that Alaska boards by row numbers, ones in the back first. THB and DB get on with first group (after the “qualified” pre-board categories) and have no trouble with carry-ons fitting in overheads.

One couple was at the desk during the entire time we were there, then left without a car

NOT our car

THIS is our car

Rental car from Fox: they are bargain basement, even though located in same communal new building at SeaTac with 15 other agencies. At the check-in desk, they post the pre-sell gas/gallon charge. Downstairs where the cars are parked, the posted pre-sell gas/gallon charge is different. Is there an arbitrage position here? At least THB gets a car with all the mirrors attached:  the first one on offer apparently had a few side-view mirrors hanging by threads.

THB and DB are staying with S&C in their Seattle house; we’ve also stayed with them in Tieton where their orchards are located. They are making great cider, check out their web site and order frequently: Tieton Cider Works 

If you want to see S&C's picture and fruit, head to: Harmony Orchards

Inside and out at Bar Sajor (SAY-ore)

Lunch with S at Bar Sajor in Pioneer Square.  We share naturally leavened bread (expensive at $5 for four slices, it does come with “cultured butter and flake salt” which THB uses liberally); chicory salad with lady fiddleheads; fennel sausage with flatbread (THB kind of meal: two kinds of bread) mukazuke vegetables and pork sauce; savory cabbage, toasted garlic and yukon gold potatoes and a sunnyside up egg (the egg is not on the menu, so a big surprise); two glasses of cider, one of kombucha (say what?) on draft, $90.

 

Half a delivery at Bar Sajor

THB does not count this as a NP visit

Unfortunate home of Super Bowl champs

Next Year: Levi's Stadium?

A bit of gallery shopping, a stop for tea and coffee and hazelnut meringue cookie, $10.

 

Sister spot to Bar Sajor, down the street

What a full loaf looks like, sans butter

Then to S&C’s place to rest-up and get ready for dinner (amidst some art purchase consultation).

Dinner at a local spot, Bar Cantinetta. We have eaten at the first of three Cantinetta’s, in Wallingford, and it was terrific:  same tonight. Shared plates all around: insalada mista, marinated spot praws with avocado and crimini, radicchio with pancetta and garbanzo beans, pecorino baked on a cedar plank with crostini, risotta with beets (sharp red color!), garganelli with tonno and tomato (very lightly sauced, excellent), cannelloni with rapini cream (bright green color!) filled with pork sausage and ricotta (excellent), chocolate olive oil cake (one or two bites by the others, then THB got about 85%), bottle of Italian white, $90/couple. Highly recommended!

Inside and out of Bar Cantinetta

40 Days (not years) On

40 Days On

QOTD: 

It hit me like a heart attack
when you finally left me girl
I thought I'd never want you back
But I don't wanna live in a world without you

For those of you keenly interested, THB is still feeling great, and completed two weeks of cardio-therapy (mild exercise while wearing a heart monitor).

During THB's convalescence, a new kid came to town

Here’s the latest from the one month check-in with Doctor Wulff, the cardiologist who installed the stent:

Spoon Rocket?

·    Only the slightly elevated levels of treponin (sp?) from blood work indicated THB had a heart attack (it is a very sensitive test that picks up even a gram of deterioration). Per the doc, in a court of law THB could say "THB did not have a heart attack" and five years ago that would sure have been true. So, very mild, too mild to say for sure there was any loss of heart capacity.

·     The doc cleared THB to go back to his exercise regimen and so THB has officially graduated from the cardio therapy sessions (my "nurses" at the exercise class will be very disappointed).

·    THB does not need to change his diet, the meds (beta blocker, statin, baby aspirin and something to help the stent from being rejected) are way more powerful and will do more to keep THB's health under control. Heavy sigh: THB gets to keep eating those pastries!

·    THB is perfectly okay to fly (which is a good thing, because THB and DB have already paid for the flights on 6 trips, one each for the next 6 months). 

Meals delivered to your door, fast

·    And now the big one: THB may not have failed the stress test! Yes, THB did fail, the result was in enough doubt that Doc Wulff consulted one of his partners, and the partner said: THB's okay. Doc Wulff did not agree, and he was right, THB was blocked. So, that close to going home without a stent after opening the wrong door. 

The original instigator of angina

Clearly, now that THB is feeling good, it is obvious to THB had he had been sub-par for the last 6 months (yes, THB knows, some of you thought that was just the same old "normal" and a few insightful souls could see the "change"), though no way to know what it was or how severe it was until the "angina" episodes started.

THB climbs back up on the horse

THB will need to keep a watch out for any falling off (hmmmm...off the horse?), mostly if physical fatigue sets in again in slowing down increments.

11 Days On

QOTD1

Dobbs: "If you're the police where are your badges?"

Gold Hat: "Badges? We ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges! I don't have to show you any stinkin' badges!"

QOTD2

Baby says she's mine, you know
She tells me all the time, you know
She said so
I'm in love with her and I feel fine

 

THB had his one week check-up with a Physician Assistant, and here are the main points:

1.     Yes, THB did have a heart attack (not sure when), and the part of the heart that is associated with the blocked artery is weaker than normal; it is very likely that, barring any further complications, the heart will regain normal functionality

2.     The implant of the stent is called an invasive procedure, not surgery

3.     The groin is healing nicely, vitals are all good, the bruise is normal (if not picturesque)

One of THB's b'day gifts

4.     THB is now cleared to do normal activities (like lifting more than 10 pounds), so for now that means taking walks (with my lovely wife) at a comfortable pace (not running, not ambling)

5.     As soon as contacted, THB will sign up for a 12 week cardio-therapy program: three days a week and exercise while being monitored; assuming there are no issues while being monitored, then THB gets to jump back on the home elliptical

Detail shot

6.     THB has an appointment with Doc Wulff (he did the "procedure") in one month, standard procedure

7.     In two months, there’s a blood test to make sure the new drugs aren't affecting the liver or lipid indicators, also standard procedure

Another detail shot

8.     In three months, THB gets to have an "echo" test; unlike the stress echo, this test is the one they do while you're at rest, another standard procedure

9.     In about 90 days, THB’s "piece" in the groin should have dissolved; THB can feel it if he probes for it, it is very slightly sensitive when touched

 

THB and LB will be visiting this park in early June

Two More Anecdotes:

·       More people go to ER with chest pains than for any other reason and most people are having heartburn/indigestion, not heart problems

·       After you recover from a heart attack, you are more like to outlive others because you’re now being watched carefully and you are paying more attention to your risk factors

About as good as it could be: THB is feeling fine, eating and drinking and carousing the usual amounts...all good, all the time!