Red light. Red light.

Ever noticed how traffic lights will almost always be red? Last night driving around Capital Hill the lights I always seem to catch at Pine and Broadway were inevitably red when I was coming the other way. If I am always catching the east west red, shouldn’t I always be catching the north south green? Different from the punishment light at 12 and Yesler the traffic lights in the Pike Pine corridor are merely for penance.

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The last two days I have taken Ferncliff Ave south to the ferry rather than the 305. There is no advantage to this route. Yesterday I took it after stopping off at the hardware store, today I took it because it was there and it wasn’t the 305. Trying to turn south to the ferry from west bound Winslow way is impossible during peak times. Yesterday I thought the missed timed light was a product of my imagination. While trying to do that last minute right turn through a yellow I was nearly hit by a car who didn’t even attempt to stop at the red. Today I noticed after another near miss that east bound traffic’s light remains green. With no dedicated turn lane or arrow I will no longer take the back road to work.

I would also like to thank the passive aggressive horn honker of the car I may have cut off today. After I quickly turned left with two car lengths in between us the driver of the other car didn’t honk his horn until I was well on my way. It wasn’t the sort of honk that indicated imminent danger or even mere annoyance. The honk instead seemed to say, “wait a minute did he just turn in front of me? He did! That son of HOOOONK… that will show him. Stupid motorcycle riders wanting equal rights but not wanting to follow the same rules. Wait a minute that’s bicyclists. They’re ok though, more environmentally friendly, hey look at that bird…”

Jet Fuel Dumped Over Bainbridge

I’ll start off by saying this afternoon I heard what sounded like an unusually slow jet fly over the island from the northwest to the southeast. Usually I would instantly be at the window, but I’m learning to cope with my hyper vigilance from a previous bout of quasi-ptsd. About twenty minutes later I could smell rich fuel. It reminded me of JP5 from the hanger but also smelled like motorcycle exhaust. Shortly thereafter I turned on the news for no particular reason and saw that a Boeing 777 had made an emergency landing after take off at Sea-Tac. My curiosity was affirmed when the talking head described the flight path circling the Puget Sound and Elliott bay, dumping fuel along the way. The footage showed the plane safely arrived at the terminal. My first thoughts were, “Oh boy I can’t wait to hear about this on Island Moms.”

Sure enough our community has not let me down!

Kirsten H. commented:

Someone should call Seatac/FAA, get some answers and make sure that they know what we have experienced here. The plane was supposed to dump in the Sound (which I imagine would be hard to get just right given all the land masses around here) and supposed to dump over 2000 feet to achieve evaporation. Obviously this didn’t happen. I’d call but I have a meeting shortly.

Guess we will all be hitting the soap pretty hard tonight!

Kathy M. commented:

That’s disturbing! Apparently fuel was dumped in Edmonds, the Puget Sound and on our island. I’d like to know why fuel was dumped on occupied areas AND what cleanup if any will be done and how. Does the fuel just dissipate in a few hours or does it contaminate the soil and water? I’m happy the plane didn’t crash and people didn’t die but what the heck!?

Now I could go into the obvious retorts to such comments as “I’m happy the plane didn’t crash and people didn’t die but what the heck!?” or “make sure that they know what we’re experiencing.”

The comments were posted almost immediately as the breaking news coverage continued. At first I thought it was a way for people to find drama in their lives, or somehow vicariously live through other peoples struggle, much like the swarm of people wearing NYFD hats after 911. Then I let it go…

In times like these I am always always always reminded of by far my favorite Douglas Coupland quote after all these years…

“You see, when you’re middle class, you have to live with the fact that history will ignore you. You have to live with the fact that history can never champion your causes and that history will never feel sorry for you. It is the price that is paid for day-to-day comfort and silence. And because of this price, all happinesses are sterile; all sadnesses go unpitied.”

-Generation X (1991)

The first 100 miles: Eyes

I need goggles. State law requires eye protection of some sort. However sunglasses or windshields meet this requirement. I have an open face helmet and have been wearing my sunglasses by day and shooting glasses at night. Today after going to the beach I took my time on a leisure ride around the island. On my way back home near Blakely Harbor an SUV pulled out in front of me ignoring a yield sign. The driver never maintained a constant speed yet never braked. Through every turn the SUV would meander into oncoming traffic and off on the shoulder. Every time it did sand and debris trailed behind. The dust and sand found its way into my eyes every time, no matter how far back I trailed. Through it all I kept focusing on their vanity plate that read EYE MD. I wondered if this is how they seek out new clients. Tomorrow I will pick up a pair of goggles before I scratch a cornea.

I love living here and the roads are great. On a motorcycle you can smell a lot more, from salt air to bum piss. I like to think it gives you a better sense of where you’re at and where you’re going. I find myself not want to get to my destination and taking the long way to where ever I’m going. I was told as soon as it feels like commuting, you’re doing something wrong.

You are not a fucking jet-setter.

I went to the park today in an attempt to launch my son’s rocket. Our success was hindered by repeated missed ratios of Vinegar and Baking Soda. I stopped in at the grocery store on our way home to indulge myself in a tasty root beer.

Of all the lines to get in I chose the express 10 or less with one customer ahead of me. I happened to get behind the fucking hipster who’s attempting to purchase a tin of mints for $2.23 with an out of state check using a passport as identification. The bearded jetsetter went on to explain that he has a local Green Lake address, then gave the cashier an east side 425 phone number.

Actively trying to remember bin number 7765 on my bulk candy I try not eaves drop too much, but it’s hard not to in a small grocery store when you’re arms length away from someone. I’m also trying not to think about how carrying a passport around isn’t fooling anyone into thinking you’re a world traveler. Spring break in Prague or that semester abroad does not make you worldly. The only thing you are accomplishing is being a pain in the ass. How many times a month do I have to hear some one whining about the passport being the most secure document in the world? All you have accomplished is being a huge pain in the ass and something tells me this isn’t the first time. Your passive aggressive “look at me” mentality sickens me. Seriously who writes a check for $2.23 for mints?

On my way out I hear a customer several check out stands over yelling over to a cashier, “I’ve been gone for three months! You’re face looks so different!” Begging the question to be asked, “Oh really? Where have you been?” to which he’ll reply, “Oh, well.” then laugh slightly to himself, “let me tell you…” I take pleasure that the cashiers response. I can hear in her inflection that she’s rolling her eyes, “Huh, I don’t know. I’ve been gone for three months too.”

On my way home I dive by the bearded hipster and his friend about to walk into a cafe. I point him out to my wife, knowing what annoyances await the staff inside.

The low low tide

The boat was running late on my way to work so I took some pictures with my camera phone and binoculars.

It is not time to unplug: it is time for moderation

Reactions to an annoying article at the Bainbridge Island Review:

You cannot have your cake and eat it too. If you want to raise your kids outside the confines of modern culture, you need to accept the social shortcomings that will stem from it. I understand the need for simplicity and not allowing our children to be caught up in a consumer frenzy every time a new thirty minute commercial emerges disguising itself as an afternoon cartoon. However, sheltering your child from something as epic as Star Wars is not emblematic nor problematic. We don’t need to unplug our children, we just need to find a harmonious balance of raising productive members of society without the social awkwardness that comes with not allowing our children to develop their coping mechanisms on the playground.

Excerpts from the original post:

“Erika Biggs said she sometimes sees kids on the Madrona School playground feeling left out because some want to play “Star Wars,” but others haven’t seen the movie.

“So a parent has to sit down and watch “Star Wars” (with the child) to enable play,” she said.

It’s an emblematic, and problematic, scenario for parents who are trying to raise their children without the heavy influence of electronic media.

Because if kids are experiencing this pressure at Madrona School – a Waldorf school whose curriculum and philosophy pointedly encourage the reduced role of electronic media in family’s lives – then what are other parents at large struggling with?”

Link: Hey, Bainbridge Families: It’s Time to ‘Unplug’ – Bainbridge Island Review

Local Family Lost Everything in Fire

My mother’s next door neighbor in Port Madison lost everything in a house fire, roads were too small and from what I have been told they could only fit 1 truck down to fight the fire, but I am trying to get things set up with the fire department or Helpline or something for people to send donations of all kinds for the family. If you would like to help or donate please contact me and I will get you hooked up with the right people. I believe the couple is an older couple with 3 grown kids who live off island, but any help they can get I am sure would be greatly appreciated. Emily

Emily the here-say that spreads like panicked wildfire on your forums drives me nuts. The lane’s were only big enough for one truck? It seems to me in order for a street to be a street it would need to be able to support a few engines, or “trucks” as you put it. Let’s see what the Bainbridge Island Review says about the incident.

Eighteen firefighters arrived to find the house 40 percent engulfed in flame. Power lines at the property were also exposed and sparking, limiting some access routes to the fire.

18 firefighters arrived. I know that our fire department is largely volunteer based but eighteen firefighters sounds like a bit more than one truck. While this event is tragic, our willingness to believe everything we hear on the island never ceases to amaze me.

Hit and Run

Hi there,
Our van (grey Honda Odyssey) was hit this morning in the Safeway parking lot, resulting in a fair amount of damage. We were parked in the center aisle, with the nose facing Rite Aid, about three spaces past the cart barn. The other vehicle left red and maroon paint on ours, and left without leaving a note.

If you witnessed this, or if you happen to notice a red/maroon vehicle with damage to the front left or right rear, I’d appreciate hearing about it (license plate number and state would be helpful). The BIPD has a case open and I’ll pass any leads to them.

Alternately, if someone owns up and pays for the damages in the next day or two, I will not press charges.

Thank you for your help,
Ben

After reading this post I was going go on about how though unfortunate your car was hit and someone didn’t leave a note you’re delusions of the police department having a case open and you choosing whether or not to press charges amused me. I was also going to write about how I’m sure an officer came out and took an accident report that will no doubt be filed away somewhere as a service to the insurance companies rather than on the desk of a gum shoe ready to solve his next caper. Then you posted the following and I don’t think there is much more I could say.

Well…never mind.

I woke up at 3AM this morning with realization that I had backed into some bushes at the farm the day before yesterday (darn the subconscious anyway!). Went and had a look just now, and sure enough, the other “vehicle” was a small pump handle tucked into those bushes. K then noticed the damage when she came out of Safeway yesterday.

Boy do I feel dumb…

Happy new year to all,
b

Happy new year. I’m looking forward to more of the island mom posts. When we first moved here everyone in their welcomes would always ask, “have you gotten on island moms yet?” Our neighbor was the only one who warned us of how ridiculous it gets. When we asked her for more detail she only added, “oh you’ll see.” Six months later after some initial frustration it’s all still very amusing. Here’s hoping your mild bouts of tragedy and struggle make you feel alive all through the year.

~cheers

How are the roads?

Disclaimer: I grew up in Michigan. I learned to drive in February’s inclement weather and find it terribly amusing/annoying to watch the region shut down for a few inches and seeing everyone lose their minds.

OK – Sat. morning – how are the roads into town? We NEED to go in and get food and get prepared. I haven’t left the house since Wed. I live near Battlepoint Park and will need to take Arrowpoint to Miller or Battlepoint all the way down to Miller or perhaps Tolo as I think Battlepoint was still closed yesterday, but I’m wondering how in the world Tolo could be better than Battlepoint? Please help! Thanks!

Carrissa

Just wondering if anyone has heard how the roads
are in town. My husband tried to get to the ferry
from Stetson Ridge and after sliding through 2
intersections, he came home. Has anyone been out
and about?

It seems to me that you don’t NEED to go in and get prepared. First it’s too late, sure there is another storm coming and the national weather service has issued a blizzard warning, but you can’t get prepared three days into snow fall and road closures. Second, if you really NEEDed to go in you already would have, the buses have been running all over the island this entire time. I’ve driven my Sonata around the island for days now, I only got stuck on a back road off of a back road, but you know what? I pushed my self out, it wasn’t that difficult and it took less than five minutes. Third, if you have an internet connection and the ability to post ridiculous cried of volunteer victimism then you’re probably fairing pretty well.

What happened that we suddenly became unable to take care of ourselves? After seeing terrorist attacks, massive black outs, martial law educing hurricanes, and crippling regional winter storms how is it that you still find yourself so adequately unprepared and unwilling to do anything about it other than post message-board topics from the comfort of your home?

A few months ago I met someone who expressed concern over the island’s ability to endure a major natural disaster. She was concerned the class gap has forced emergency personnel off the island. She wondered if the city didn’t pay their fire and police enough to live on the island who would be left to respond to emergencies? If the working class has disappeared from the island who is left to man the volunteer fire department? She was concerned the upper middle class could not protect itself. As long as posts like this continue I’m afraid she may be right.

Snow Day: Everybody panic.

Disclaimer: I grew up in Michigan. I learned to drive in February’s inclement weather and find it terribly amusing/annoying to watch the region shut down for a few inches and seeing everyone lose their minds.

That being said, to the guy idling his eighty thousand dollar mercedes 4WD SUV with new chains on all four tires into the parking lot near Pegasus… you are a jack ass. If you’re going to make a spectacle of walking on the treacherous parking lot ice and slowly make your way through the island’s thoroughfares you should have just stayed home. I suppose in someway this might be our collective struggle against nature in an over comfortable post industrial lifestyle, something to remind us all that we’re still alive. In the end though, it’s just snow. It isn’t news worthy. It happens every year.
When people such as yourself make a grand spectacle of overcoming the slightest setback nature has to offer, you remind me of the ridiculous hipsters that walked the streets of San Diego during the wild fires a few years ago. When I lived in San Diego it wasn’t uncommon to see the thirty somethings getting out of their Lexus sports cars donning respirators in an effort to show the world that they couldn’t be held back, and that nothing was going to get in their way.

One more thing Mr. Guy who idled into the parking lot with his overcompensating ride, you put the tabs on your plate on wrong, you’re not supposed to put this years sticker over last year’s month. It makes me wonder how you’ve managed this far in life being either too self absorbed or lacking such an apparent attention to detail and yet you are the pinnacle of upper middle class.