The Lazy-J Web Blog

Pioneer Trek July 2011

2011-11-16T23:50:00.000-08:00

So, the Lazy-J Blog lives up to it's name...I have been unable (ok- too lazy) to document all of my 2011 travels. I know, such a disappointment to all my followers (and by followers, I mean myself). But after such detailed accounts of the first part of the year I feel that I need to at least put in a few words regarding my other 'trips'.

First: Trek

Trek was certainly a unique experience. Very different from my European spring. Basically, I dressed up in full pioneer gear and for 3.5 days I was a camp nurse, trekking through Eastern Washington with nearly 100 teenagers and leaders. Great experience! I have a newfound respect for all that those pioneers suffered and accomplished. It was also an amazing opportunity to get to know the kids (especially those needing my skills- haha!) and the other leaders (one benefit of being an 'adult'- ice cold Diet Coke when no one is looking). I had my first ever interaction with poison oak (did you know the hematoma and blisters from that plant can last nearly a month!!) and I stopped counting my mosquito bites somewhere after 50...(suffice it to say, ankle length dresses do not actually protect your legs from insect bites as much as one might think.)

You never know what you'll run into in the middle of nowhere.

Best part of the trip? The hour long shower when I got home.

Jaime's Journeys- The Old World- Day 3

2011-05-02T22:20:00.000-07:00

Vive La France!

Day 2 & 3 promise to arouse my romantic sensibilities more than ever before. Today I head to The City of Light- gay Paree!

The day starts early (4:45AM- anyone who knows me knows that this is a feat in and of itself). Heath kindly accompanies me on the bus as far as the tube stop for which I am grateful as there are some rather sketchy characters (for lack of a better word) on the bus at 5:30AM. We debate whether they are early risers or are left over from Saturday night's activities. I think the latter.
A quick bus ride and a short train ride and I arrive at Heathrow airport with plenty of time to spare.

*A side note: Being this early to the airport is a rare occurrence for me so I decide to kill time perusing the isles of Boots Drugstore. As I pass the foot care section I notice they sell gel cushions for sore feet. As I think about it, my feet are slightly sore from walking the last few days. I would hate it to get worse and distract my attention from the experience ahead of me . I decide to buy not just the gel cushions for the balls of my feet but also cushions for my heels and gel bandages for the sides of my feet. I am determined that nothing will hinder my complete enjoyment of Paris!

I finally board my plane and 1 hr later I arrive at Charles de Gualle airport. I step my foot on French soil for the first time! A train ticket is purchased and after a little confusion about where and how the train is actually boarded (thank goodness for the kind and patient French employee- I am suddenly very aware that I am THAT ignorant, American tourist...note to self: it might be nice to familiarize myself with a few of the more common French phrases before my next trip), the train is finally boarded. It's off to the city....an accordion player is in the same car and starts to play a tune- seriously, this is straight out of an old movie!
Upon completion of the train ride, I find myself in a mall? I pass several stores, some familiar, some not, and I see a light in the distance....

Yes, it is La Pyramide Inversee! I can't help but get excited!

I could study this fascinating structure forever but the first priority must be finding the hotel so begrudgingly, I leave.

As I step out into the daylight I feel like I'm walking right into the canvas of a van Gogh masterpiece.

Breath-taking!

First things first. To the hotel, Tonic Hotel- fortunately just a few blocks from Le Louvre.

My cute little room is charming...has a very European feel to it!

With the luggage dropped off it is time to take in the scenery:

The Seine

French Foreign Legion Headquarters?
Or not....
(for Jack: note that there are Double-Decker buses in Paris too!)

Ahh....Notre Dame....you are more magnificent than imagined!

I'm dying to look inside but the line is enormous....I'll have to settle for the outside today.

Can gargoyles be endearing?

The weather is perfect...low 70s and the sun feels amazing on my skin....and the scenery....the ambiance is nearly overwhelming....perhaps it is time for a little rest before moving on....

But things are happening in other parts of the city. A crowd is gathering here, complete with a band (well, a few tubas and trumpets anyway). What could possibly be happening?

It's a rollerblading race past Notre Dame, of course. You would think this would snap me out of my French fantasy but oddly enough it seems to fit.

The National Assembly.

Wish I had time to have that mystery explained to me.....

There are artistic treasures literally everywhere I look.

There is too much to see....must be time for a break to take it all in. These cars are everywhere selling glaces (ice cream). For some reason I can't get enough of the pistachio soft-serve.

And the journey continues toward Les Invalides, a lavishly, grandiose abode for the surprisingly simple tomb of the great Napolean Bonaparte I (think what you will about him, he was great!)

The courtyard.

The Emperor, himself.

Inside the dome.

The Altar.

The tomb, while large, is decidedly understated.

Guardians of the tomb.

So much more could be said about Napoleon but the whirlwind tour must continue......

Interesting grounds. I don't know why but I kind of like the triangular shrubs.

Headless sculpture....not all that surprised to see this here in France.

Getting close...it is impressive!

This is fascinating! Just down from the Eiffel Tower a group is gathered. As I approach I realize that Michael Jackson is blaring and they are having a sort of MJ dance off. Hahaha! Doesn't really fit in my Paris fantasy yet somehow it works.

Finally there. It is much bigger and imposing than I had imagined.

I am finally viewing one of the wonders of the world- and I completely understand why it is one of the wonders of the world.

Alas, the journey must resume. Here I pass a Louis Vutton flagship store, one of many massive designer stores. Paris does not get it's reputation in fashion for nothing.

Arc d' Triomphe at sunset. Breath-taking. (I know I'm using that word too much but nothing else quite describes what I'm feeling...)

The Paris Opera House. The Ballet "Romeo and Juliet" is showing. If there was any lingering doubt in my mind that I would be returning it is completly abolished at this moment. I snap a quick photo (terrible quality though it is) as a symbol of the many things I must return to explore......sigh.....

And with that the evening is quickly morphing into late night. Not sure how far or what direction the hotel is, so after a quick cab ride I'm left in my little room to try to absorb all the magic of the day.

And there's still tomorrow....

Jaime's Journeys- The Old World- day 2

2011-04-26T23:28:00.000-07:00

Day 2 (I can't believe 1 day is already gone)

I am excited! Heath has generously woken up early on his day off to treat me to a jogging tour of the Royal Parks! What is also amazing is the weather- I have never been in London when I haven't been freezing cold in spite of my sweater, jacket, coat, scarf, hat....this is a London I don't know- short sleeves, and cropped pants and I am perfectly comfortable- incredible!
Now I better do a little stretching- don't want to cramp up in front of the Queen!

The first park is Kennington Park- just down the road from Heath's flat- not a Royal Park but still part of the tour. For the record, despite how it looks, I am not speed walking. I am 'jogging' (at least that's what I think I'm doing!)

Next we stop by Vauxhall City farm on the way downtown. Apparently the city started this little "farm" so city kids could be exposed to farming and have the opportunity to have a little garden. (Sounds like they may have picked up a little something up from President Kimball.)

Seriously, this is my running view- unreal! I am still not used to the fact that I am here in London!

Hey- she actually has a helmet on- that's a first!

The flowers at St. James's Park are amazing! Springtime is beautiful here!

The grounds at Buckingham Palace are also magnificent though many areas are blocked off- guess they don't want those pesky tourists to mess everything up before the Royal Wedding (can't say that I blame them!)

Hyde Park- little pause to admire the sculpture.....(and, yes, I am fully aware that I look ridiculous as my sunglasses aren't exactly 'running' glasses- but I have sensitive eyes.... I'll admit it- I'm addicted to sunglasses!)

Now through Wellington's Arch- I wonder how it will compare to the Arc d' Triomphe?

My choice of running gear pretty much screams "American Tourist"....oh, well, guess it's a good thing I'm not ashamed of my country!

Enormous Union Jack's lining the Mall- kind of makes you want to start singing "God Save the Queen!"

Drill practice in preparation for the Wedding.

Don't make him laugh....after all his years of training it would be tragic if he lost his job right before the National Celebration!

And now its back past Westminster, the London Eye, and across the Themes and that concludes the 7.5mile tour of the Royal Parks. What a glorious start to the day!

And the day is still young. Now it's off to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew (or simply Kew Gardens) with Heath and George. Due to a serendipitous distraction, we miss our tube stop and get to take a quick trip on the famous Double-Decker bus. Got to admit it is kind of fun.

The Greenhouses are massive- and beautiful!

Heath gives us a tutorial
on horti-
cultural
botany...
Fascinating!
Haha!

Kind of looks like of like a giant sword fern......turns out that's because it's a tree fern. I am brilliant!

Beautiful- my little Cannon doesn't do too bad with flowers. (Don't worry- I won't post every flower pic.)

Ugly fish- looks prehistoric.

Looks like a Rhododendron....cause it is a Rhododendron. Am I sensing a pattern here?

Random Churchill display- but really, can we ever say enough?

Creepy little worms in the aquarium.... Heath and I are actually pretty grossed out as they stare at us with their beady little eyes...I think they would eat us if they could.

And the grounds are absolutely breath-taking!

Impressively large tree....dwarfs Heath and George.

Carnivorous flower- looks so innocent!

The treetop walkway...doesn't look too high....

Ok- maybe it is a little high! Don't look down.....

Don't I look composed posing for a pic as I feel the walkway sway with the wind and creek with every step....I am calm, I am calm.....

The bluebells are in bloom- perfect place for a little rest!

I feel the urge to lay down right in the middle of the blooms and take a nap...will I ever wake up?

Queen Charlotte's summer 'cottage'. It is exponentially bigger than my apartment...though honestly it looks a bit drafty and old....I think I'm okay where I am.

Cool looking Japanese structure.

And with that we are done with Kew- A truly beautiful experience!

Now I just have to wonder....what can beat today?

Jaime's Journeys- The Old World- day 1

2011-04-26T01:51:00.000-07:00

The Old World.....this all began about 6 weeks ago when I was looking at my work schedule and I had an epiphany of sorts. I noticed that I had 7 days off in a row and with a little manipulation I could stretch that week into 10 days. My initial thought was, "I wonder how much overtime I could work in that time?" Upon further reflection, however, my thoughts began to drift. I am fortunate to be at a very flexible point in life; My full-time job provides a random yet pliable work schedule. My church obligations, while occasionally time-consuming, are not usually rigidly scheduled. I have relatively few home responsibilities. And I have happily emerged from my starving student days with the resources to enjoy a little financial freedom (ok- I'm not exactly rolling in it but gone are the days of living on ramen noodles and scrounging for laundry quarters). Add to this the fact that I just happen to have a brother who lives in London with an available couch to sleep on.......These thoughts brought me to the realization that it was my duty to take advantage of my lucky circumstances and do something with my time off. One email to Heath and a quick virtual visit to British Airways and my trip was booked! Ahh....just the sound of the word 'London' is enough to send me spiraling into my romanticized fantasies of the Old World!
The following is an attempt to document the experience....

Prep Day- April 14, 2011
Ok, Prep day is also departure day but in true Jaime style (thank goodness I opted out of the morning flight in favor of an evening flight) the morning is spent rushing around doing all my last minute errands.....replace my broken camera, buy American candy for Heath, purchase a travel bag, and (most important) the essential pre-trip mani-pedi. I go with a shade called "You Don't Know Jacques"....appropriate, I think, since I have now added 2 days in Paris to the itinerary.
All that done and I'm off to the airport (almost on schedule even).
Passport- check!
Debit/Credit card- check!
Itineraries printed out- check!
Camera- check!
Boarding Pass- check!
Anything else can be purchased or done without. The next 8 hours and 20min will be spent in my nice little window seat- fortunately, no one comes to sit in the center seat between me and the next passenger- perfect, I get to stretch my legs and sleep.....next stop: London!

Day 1- April 15, 2011

I arrive surprising well rested around 12pm. Good news: I receive a text from Heath telling me that he got the afternoon off and he's meeting me at the airport- Yay! He is awesome as he drags my suitcase all through the underground, on and off the trains for me- He really is the best!
First stop- Heath's flat. It is very fun to see where he lives and catch up with his roommate George.

No, Heath is not a missionary- he just got off work and that's my suitcase he's lugging.

OK- now that I'm free of my luggage it's time to hit the town- no time to waste!
I pass by this restaurant and take it as a good sign :)

First up, Boris bikes! Apparently, bikes for rent are a little project of the current Mayor. Technically, they are sponsored by Barclays and are therefore Barclays bikes but everyone here refers to them as Boris' Bikes. I like the sound of Boris' Bikes better anyway!

Yes, I actually ride the bike (it is too hard to capture a pic whilst riding). It is exhilarating! I can't remember enjoying riding a bike this much since I was a kid: the speed, the cool air blowing through my hair.....wait...wind in my hair? That's what's different this time- NO HELMET! And it feels amazing!! How I yearn for the old days!
*disclaimer: as a nurse I must emphatically discourage this practice- I cannot even begin to list the risks- how easily a little bump in the road can be life changing- brain injury, paralysis, DEATH! That being said, I am not a nurse this week so.....

Off we go to St. Paul's Cathedral (though I would be lying if I said that the Double-Decker buses whizzing by just inches from my helmetless head don't make me nervous).

ST PAUL'S

I love St. Paul's in the evening: such an imposing and intricate structure!

The tulips are all in bloom too, stunning even in the dark (not sure why but I'm really into flowers this trip...maybe because it's spring and there are flowers to see?)

Time to move on....Shakespeare's Globe theatre....I would love to go to a show but I'm pretty sure I've already seen this one (though it does seem appropriate for the week before Easter).

Love the Union Jack- Reminds me that I am, in fact, in London!

And now a little trip by City Hall (Heath's workplace) before the night ends.

I'm sure we are the only tourists to try to keep this sculpture upright!

And finally, the amazing view of Tower Bridge just steps from Heath's work- I am jealous!

And with that day 1 is over....I love London!

Jaime's Journeys 2011

2011-04-25T22:59:00.000-07:00

2011 is promising to be a year of travel.....not necessarily glamorous travel but travel nonetheless. The months of April/May alone promise at least 3 excursions. The following posts will be my attempt to overcome my lackadaisical attitude toward blogging in the hopes that I might retain some recollection of my fascinating, exciting, mundane, challenging, whimsical, poignant, entertaining, awkward, ridiculous, nostalgic, mysterious, predictable, ludicrous, introspective, pragmatic, and romantic adventures.

Happy "Glad it's not Felicia" Day!!

2010-08-22T19:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend we enjoyed the social event of the year thanks to my sweet niece Felicia!! The day started out pretty low key and casual- no stress this morning!!

We started our evening with a celebratory dinner at Il Forniao in Pacific Place and we were joined by the ever fun and entertaining Karen.

Isn't she glowing!?

Once we stuffed ourselves with dinner it was time for dessert....Red Mango- Yum!!

Time for a movie.......what should we see?

Should we see Salt?? (as an aside, judging from my choice of "tough girl" pose, it is probably good that I am not any kind of spy, cop, body guard, undercover agent, ect...)

Of course we are all dying to see Harry Potter....to bad it doesn't come out until November...

So we finally decided on the appropriately anything-but-romantic Vampires Suck...Kimo you are a saint for going along with us on this one!

Special Thanks to Grandpa for watching out for his grandson by taking Jack to The Last Airbender, although I've a sneaking suspicion that they both enjoyed it better that way! (Sorry about the eating pic but this is the only one we caught of you that night.)

Thanks for the fun night and memories Felicia!! We Love you!!

The Lying Down Game

2010-06-19T00:10:00.000-07:00

OK- I know this is an improper use of the word "lying" but apparently this is the name of the game- which drives me crazy!

A LAZY-J POST

2010-01-10T23:22:00.000-08:00

OK- I would be shocked if anyone is actually reading this but.....you have to admit I have lived up to the title and mission of my blog!

SO....in my ever enduring quest to be the favorite aunt, I have run into a few challenges that have seriously threatened my goal (namely, my sisters). I found myself losing serious ground at the family Christmas Party last month. As the youngest niece, Kiera is the latest pawn in this game of mine. She makes you work for the title and honestly, I just haven't been around as much as I should have been. The whole evening I had to endure her letting Aunt Lysa, Aunt Rebekah and Aunt Allison hold her while she smiled and laughed at them.
Me...lets see...she saw me eating M&Ms and since I didn't think she could have any I tried to hide them behind my back. Of course she was too smart to fall for that, which she let me know by pointing to my back and crying. Minus points for Aunt Jaime!
I was feeling disheartened. I couldn't take her shopping like I did with Kaleigh. A sparkly purse just wasn't going to impress her like it did Olivia. She didn't seem as taken with the princess stuff as was Janelle. And at this age I didn't think a trip to see the helicopter would mean as much as it did to Jack. What was I to do?
Just when I was about to despair my sweet little niece threw me a little bone. She grabbed on to my empty Diet Coke bottle and wouldn't let go in her efforts to drink it. It was then that I realized that we had a connection that no one else could appreciate. This is my girl! I am so proud!

Don't worry Lisa- I didn't really let her drink it- I'll save that for her 21st B-day!

2009-07-07T01:33:00.000-07:00

Don't worry- I'm not actually doing a new post and in so doing disregarding the title message of my blog - I just got so cold looking at the last post and thought I would put up some warmer pics from Hawaii in April Ahh... the waves were so warm, the sand so fine...
Believe it or not, it was poring rain so hard right now, we got drenched the second we stepped off the covered patio.
Kimo, Felicia and Dad enjoying paradise!
Felicia is so fun on vacation- glad she was able to come!Sorry Rebekah- the only shots I could find of you were either you chauffeuring us around or a close up swim suit shot!Yum! Nothing's better than shave ice on a hot day!
Can you guess who's feet are who's?
Okay, after posting these I think it is time to plan the next trip-- Hawaii 2010? Or maybe Hawaii Fall 2009? Hmm.....

Gotta love that Seattle weather!

2009-01-17T00:16:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am a true Seattlite in that I savor my dark, rainy days. During the few years that I lived in Utah I would find myself strangely exhilarated and happy on the rare rainy day. It touched something in me that reminded me that home was somewhere else. However, the last month or so has pushed the weather extremes, even for a born and raised Seattle girl.

First, THE SNOW

Generally speaking I do not like the snow- long gone is the potential of a snow day and spending the day sledding and making snowmen. No, now snow means the stress of wondering how long it will take to get to work, will I actually get there, will I slide into someone in my car, will someone slide into me, etc... This time around I do have to admit that it really was a magical, just before Christmas experience. Yes, my car got snowed in at work but there is nothing so pretty as real snow that falls for days and isn't a sloshy mess a few hours after it falls (the typical Seattle snow.)

Next: THE RAIN

I love my Seattle rain so I can't complain, but that led to.....

THE FLOODING

It was amazing how a little rainfall can cause so much damage and devastation. I was working the during the flooding and had the chance to fly in the helicopter over some of the flood areas. I could see house after house literally surrounded by a lake.

Next, MORE RAIN

Then of course THE FOG

I truly love this weather. There is something very comforting about a dark, misty day! I want to curl up with a good book and enjoy some hot soup..... Good thing I have months of this yet to come to enjoy!

All this said, I've found myself more that once thinking back to last June......

THE SUN:

Aah... the bright sun, the warm sand, the surf, the sandals, the lazy days....

Oahu April 2009, Here I come!!

Just to Clarify

2008-12-08T02:13:00.000-08:00

Lest anyone think for a moment from my last post that my ultimate loyalty lies anywhere in the rocky mountain region...... Here I am on the worst day in Washington Football history- still in my purple, donning my W necklace (you can't really see it in this pic but I am wearing it) It was such a dark day that I was getting condolences from strangers as I walked the isles of Fred Meyers.

That's okay though- when we're back in Pasadena for the Rose Bowl I won't just be on the band wagon- Please Steve S.-help us!! (even if you do hail from my old Alma Matter)

I was just there yesterday, wasn't I?

2008-12-08T01:21:00.000-08:00

Aah!! I'm feeling a bit nostalgic and a bit old right now! Over Thanksgiving weekend my niece Felicia came home from college- that's right, my sweet little niece who used to visit me as a little girl when I was at school. Not only is she a freshman but she is attending my first college too- BYU-Idaho. (Okay, I have to admit that when I went there it was called Rick's College- yet another reminder that I have aged.)

It brought back a lot of great memories- roommates (esp. Kate and Audrey), football games, dances, lip-sync contests (yes, me- I can't believe it either), rock-climbing (or pretending in my case), scrounging for quarters to do laundry, all nighters to get homework done, all nighters getting nothing productive done, Taco Time runs when Audrey was working.... I would have posted a few pics but I am too lazy to figure out how to scan them in- yes, it was that long ago- long before digital cameras!

It was so much fun seeing Felicia though! She came back with great college stories and truly she has become such a great person!

Felicia and Jack reading books- future colleagues?

Leisure time in college now involves far more technology than it did in my day- in fact, when I was at Rick's College only 200 lucky students could sign up and get an email account.

Even on Thanksgiving break the homework still comes- there was always a professor who seemed to get joy from that-welcome to college!
This is just a little addition for Heath- the homemade rolls you missed out on by messing with Thanksgiving- maybe if you are real nice we could be persuaded.....

A Patriotic Turkey??

2008-11-28T01:24:00.000-08:00

I don't know how he did it but my brother Heath has managed to orchestrate a full on insurrection from nearly 5000 miles away. (He must be so pleased with himself!) The family was perfectly happy (even excited) about our Thanksgiving dinner consisting of going out for Ethiopian food then returning home for our favorite part- homemade pies- something we tried last year and really enjoyed (Heath too!)

It was all set until Dad came home after talking to Heath. Somehow Heath had managed to fill his mind with words like "tradition", "patriotism", "secular society", and "liberal left-wing media" I don't really know how any of these terms specifically relate to a turkey but suddenly Dad now felt it his civic duty to cook a turkey. (I wish I had pointed out that even George W. pardoned the turkeys.)

I almost had him back on the Ethiopian track with talk of the "melting pot" and such but I pushed it too far and he got stubborn and dug his heels in (I know, where do his kids get it from!) So plans changed and a traditional Thanksgiving meal it was- and I have to admit, it was pretty good!

The joke, however, is on Heath. We were actually planning on saving the traditional meal for when he got back in town but it is already done. Hope Ethiopian sounds good for Christmas Heath! Yummmm....

Happy Veteran's Day!!

2008-11-11T01:28:00.000-08:00

I can't really let today go by without saying Thank-you to all those veterans who have served and fought for our country and our freedoms. Because of you our lives are amazingly blessed. Let us all remember those past and present who have served us by defending our country.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." John Fitzgerald Kennedy

But fame is theirs - and future days; On pillar'd brass shall tell their praise; Shall tell - when cold neglect is dead - "These for their country fought and bled." Philip Freneau

"When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?" George Canning

Back on the Wagon

2008-11-06T16:24:00.001-08:00

I am very excited as I think I am finally back on the wagon. For those who know me, I can really be a bit obsessive about running- once I'm on a kick I hate even missing a day (even if I am working a 24 hr shift) and I am OCD about how far I go, how hard I run, etc... I even wore a calorie counter for several months- I know it sounds strange but I love numbers and it is really fun to see how well I've done and compare each day! It even made me more diligent with housework as I discovered that constant cleaning, like dishes, laundry, or scrubbing the floor are nearly effective as running. To add to my delight there is truly no more beautiful place to run than here in Seattle- if you haven't tried it you really should try the Magnolia Bluff- start with Discovery Park, run along the bluff looking out over the Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and finally the City- absolutely breathtaking! (I know, I sound like a commercial encouraging Seattle tourism)

Unfortunately, the last few months have been a bit lax (okay extremely lax!) I don't feel great when I am like that, physically or mentally.

Thankfully, my wonderful Airlift sister Nicole (people who don't know us well get us confused and think we are sisters- I'm complimented but really neither of us can see it), has helped me get back on track with a jog at Green Lake on Tuesday- It felt great!! I can feel my obsession returning (this better stick!) Yeah!!

Proud to Vote!!

2008-11-04T04:16:00.000-08:00

Now that I have rambled on and on about my voting frustrations I have to take a minute to express how grateful I am for that right and privilege. I love living in a country where I have the right to have my voice heard and counted. I love that I can have my own opinions and can post them here on my blog.

I am thankful for the soldiers who have fought over the years to ensure my rights. I feel so lucky to be able to walk up the street or simply sit in the safety of my home and fill out my ballot however I want, not having to explain myself to anyone. I am an American and yes, I am proud to vote!

Voting Woes!!

2008-11-04T02:12:00.000-08:00

I know, what could possibly inspire me to overcome my lazy attitude toward blogging and post at 3 AM. Well.....

It just so happens that this afternoon I found myself doing my civic duty and filling out my ballot. I actually look forward to this duty and right of mine, generally speaking. However, today I found myself getting more and more frustrated (and not just because I had the news blaring in the background with every last minute campaign commercial they can cram into the 11th hour.)

First, I started with the initiatives- on one I had a definite opinion- the rest I had to wonder- what are our elected officials doing down in Olympia? Can't they debate amongst themselves make a few of these decisions? As much as I try to research the issue I'm not going to be able to adequately evaluate and balance every pro and con in the few hours I spend on my ballot. They have been elected to do just that. Heath once said that he thought our elected officials were getting lazy, passing every decision on to the, at best, semi-informed public so they wouldn't have to face scrutiny. I'm starting to see his point.
On to the King County charter amendments. More of the same.....

Next, President-

Not really all that hard. Seriously, after all these months is there really anyone who still doesn't know who they are voting for? Whatever you believe it's not like these guys are all that similar. Who are these "undecideds"? Do they really exist or are they just something the media made up to keep us tuning in to their months and months of the same old rhetoric?

Next up, Washington State Governor. I just have to say- EMBARRASSING!! I have always been proud of my state but I am utterly embarrassed at how trashy the race has been. If I saw Rossi's face in a commercial, is was usually an anti-Rossi commercial by Gregoire. Anytime I saw Gregoire I could bet it was Rossi's anti-Gregoire commercial. Mudslinging and trash talk (I am grateful to have learned that Rossi is actually in favor of battering women or something to that effect- he denies it now but Thank-You Chris for enlightening me- don't worry, Rossi has done the same for you too!) Anyone ever see Chris Farley's Black Sheep? Eerily reminiscent of our current race- except far more civil...
Okay, more state and local offices, and then.......

The Judges!!!! I can see exactly why our founding fathers set it up to have the Supreme Court appointed by the Executive. Seriously, I feel like when I vote I need to make a good faith effort to know what I am voting. Has anyone else had difficulty finding out anything about the judges running for office? How exactly am I supposed to choose? Nicest sounding name? Best Hair? At least when the President chooses a nominee for the Supreme Court he has a panel of experts to help find out everything they can about the person. I refuse to vote for someone I know nothing about so I decided I had a better option.....REBEKAH HUNTER for Washington State judge!!!

Surrender!!

2008-10-13T03:25:00.000-07:00

I give up, I give in, you win!! (Winston would be so proud!)

After a very tense, extended, yet fruitless negotiation process, the President and Prime Minister (ie. Rebekah and Heath) have joined forces and formed an alliance against their own spokesperson (me) and officially went on strike. (You wouldn't think this would bode well for them as surely public opinion is more likely to support the one who tells them what to think ie. the SPOKESPERSON!) They have utterly refused to update their blogs until I have posted.
My first impulse was to dig in my heels- "Never, Never, Never give up" came to mind- after all, you can't give in to ultimatums and threats and still maintain your self-respect or standing in the world (or at least the Pritchard et al. world.) Plus, by the mere act of writing a post, I am in effect going completely against the theme and title of my blog- a point which surely could not have been lost on my astute opponents!
Regrettably, I have been overcome by their combined powers of persuasion and the fear of losing my #1 source of entertainment (especially while at work.... wait, I mean during my required-by-law scheduled work breaks.) Yes, their blog entries have not only entertained me but even more importantly, they have instructed me wisely on what to think and what opinions to adopt- priceless- who else would be willing to selflessly tutor a simple, un-opinionated person like myself? I am left with no other choice but to acquiesce. So here it is- the under-anticipated first official Lazy J posting.

Sadly, I'm sure I would be a great disappointment to our good friend WSC- giving in to public pressure against my own principles.....