While the rest of the country may be experiencing a blustery winter, springtime has hit the Pacific Northwest early. I could wear shorts if I didn't mind blinding bystanders with my pasty white legs. I mean it's well above normal winter temperatures. Even nature is confused, as it's mid-February and the flowers and trees are beginning to bloom. The bulbs in the flowerbed in my front yard have sprouted forth a good six inches.

I find it humorous how the term "global warming" is taken so literally by people. How they argue that because 3/4's of the country is getting snow that there can't be global warming. Wasn't it just last year that the East Coast experienced one of it's warmest winters? I remember news stories around christmas where New Yorkers were in their shorts, sunning themselves. They forget about they global warming symptom of wide temperature swings in either direction.

Anyway, before I get sidetracked on global warming, I have two little stories. First, upon driving home from the gym today, I was noticing the cherry trees starting to blossom. I parked on the side street and a nice woman said "hello." She asked if I would like a bouquet of cherry blossoms. I figured why not.

We got to chatting, I found out she was from the Netherlands, then moved to Canada and finally to Seattle. She's lived in my neighborhood for about a year and is trying to build the community. Apparently the area I live in is called ZooZoo? I always just tell people I live at the top of Fremont, sort of the Phinney Ridge neighborhood, but I'm guessing we get that name because we're right next to the Woodland Park Zoo. She is trying to get our community to interact more, sharing tools, services or something to that effect.

Not until later, did I recall her saying something about the fact she is going to try and generate income off of this service. At the time I was passively listening, while thinking about something else. I remember ending the conversation short, taking the cherry blossoms, saying "nice to meet you" and not offering any money. Crap, was the service of trimming the cherry tree, making bouquet's and offering them to people passing by, a way to "generate income" or a nice gesture? I'm hoping it was a nice gesture on a beautiful day, otherwise I must have looked like an ass. But don't they look nice by my bedside table?

I'm going to use the excuse that a kid came to the door this morning to sell magazines, then I gave money to the lady pan handling outside of the grocery store. Maybe by the time I got home and was offered the cherry blossoms, I just didn't think it would be for money? Getting hit up for money all the time in this poor economy may have desensitized me. When she offered, I just thought how nice this woman was to being doing this.

So the other story. I used to live with this wonderful woman named Sarah. She had an orchid that bloomed when we were roommates. She moved out a little more than two years ago and the orchid hasn't bloomed since. But wait! For the first time since she left, it's finally blossomed. The orchid flower is amazing. Have you ever looked at one closely? It is what people call, "a gift from nature."

I'm glad all those times when I thought maybe it was dead, that I should toss it, that I didn't. I think I'll try to take better care of it.

Posted by Gary at 5:18 PM | Permalink

There is a knack to every business. There are communities of people that revolve around some very interesting things. Take people who are bargain hunters, treasure hunters or people who go to estate sales on the weekend. My grandfather passed away a few months ago and my family just had an estate sale, where we sold many of my grandparents belongings.

My grandparents were CPA's, so they had great records, including most original receipts and any appraisals. We hired Chelsea Estate Service to assist in pricing and cataloging everything in the townhouse. In truth, it's an emotional experience. Going through their belongings, picking out what items are special to you and taking them home. Since I have a small house, I don't have much room. I chose items that had more sentimental value.

So how the estate sale is run is rather interesting. First, there is an ad in the newspaper, then people go to Chelsea's for a number. This number reflects what order people can enter the house. Only 25 people are allowed inside at one time. The bottleneck seemed to be the cash register.

My job was to work the front door, handing out numbers and managing the flow of people inside and outside of the house. Oh, that and the community didn't want the street to be filled with cars, so I had to make sure nobody parked out in front. We got permission from the church up the street to use their parking. Lastly, when big purchases were made, I was the muscle to help get things to their vehicles.

Saturday morning there were about 35 people lined up outside the front door. We had about 10 or so people waiting to get in from when we started at 10:00am to about 1 o'clock. As the crowd became more manageable, I moved inside to check out the scene. Everything inside was priced to sell, but people still want to haggle. I didn't see it with my own eyes, but I'm fairly sure somebody took prices off items, just to ask and hope for a better deal in person.

Things I didn't even think about, people would come up and ask for a price. For example, to make it easier for my grandparents to get out of their leather couch, they put it up on wood blocks. A gentleman asked me for the blocks. How much? Um, let me check...

Many of the people were regulars and called each other by name. Or they would talk about seeing one another later at the next estate sale, whether later in the day or a couple weekends from now.

The second day everything $75 dollars and under was half off. I was surprised to see many of the same faces the next day. They know the drill. Huge rush in the morning and things moved fast. I think they come on the first day, buy the "must haves" then come back the following day early for the half off sale.

What I enjoyed was talking with people who really wanted what they were buying. They'd want to know the history, who my grandparents were, what type of life they led. It's nice to know some items that have been cherished by my family will now be cherished by another.

I'm not totally done yet. A few big ticket items were left that I'm still currently trying to move. I have a Baldwin baby grand piano, a persian rug, an huge armoire, a dresser with end tables, a coffee table and a mirror. I have them posted on Craigslist. Next I'm going to post them on eBay.

We're in the process of painting the townhouse, which should be just about done, then new carpet goes in and finally the staging. The house will go on the market at the end of this month. It's amazing how much has to be done.

Posted by Gary at 2:23 PM | Permalink

By no means am I a great cook, but I like to think I can hold my own. My main discipline is anything I can throw on the BBQ. Or according to my old roommate Mark, I can heat stuff up with the best of them. I also have my ten or so "go to" dishes when I need to impress, but there is definitely room for improvement.

Luckily for me, a friend of a friend has started a cooking class for men called ManCademy. As the copy states on the website, "it's a cooking class for the common man." Although I hate to think of myself as common, I'm seriously enjoying the classes. Since this is the first go around, it's men, women, married folk, couples and a few single people. I personally enjoy the coed aspect, but can see how it may be less intimidating for guys to be in an all guy class.

The chef or instructor is Chris Smith. His end goal would be to have a cooking show on the Food Network, but for now is honing his courses on some very willing ginny pigs. The first step will be putting together 10 classes and establish some paying students. I'm fortunate to have gotten in on the ground level.

So far we've had two classes, the first on knifes and appetizers and the second on utensils, salads and dressings. It's a great format because you first learn a universal cooking skill, like cutting technics or the basics to making any salad dressing, followed by making three specific items. The class has a great pace, where we first listen and learn, then watch Chris demonstrate, followed by breaking into groups and cooking.

The appetizers and wine during the three hour class also helps move things along. The other key is bringing tupperware, so you can take home what you put together during class. Last time I brought home a chicken caesar salad that I couldn't believe I made. Had to have been one of the best tasting salads I've ever made and it was just a caesar!!! All from scratch I'll have you know.

Lastly, Chris does a great job typing up the lesson plan, instructions and recipies. So far I have recreated two dishes at home to what I consider a success. They tasted great and reinforced the fact I am learning something.

Cooking should not be a chore but a fun activity you can share with your friends and family. I'm looking forward to the next installment of ManCademy.

Posted by Gary at 12:06 PM | Permalink