2wanda and i flew to Seattle on Friday to attend the nuptials of rimrunner and the darkly funny Mr. Darcy.  We caught up with her relatives Gary and Marguerite (who are friends of Bill Rieflin, and i just had to drop that name because i think it's pretty damn cool), who happened to feel unwell enough to skip the Mariners-Athletics game that night, so we went in their stead.  Not the best of games, but it was close until the end.

On Saturday, we spent the morning shopping.  I'd had an idle interest in a Utilikilt for some time, but i never wanted to spend that much money until recently.  The trip to Seattle came at a good time, because the kilts are made there, so we went to the store in Pioneer Square and were enthusiastically helped.  After that, we went to the John Fluevog store and Kimmy bought a pair of red shoes.  With my kilt instead of pants, and her sandals instead of boots, we managed to stay cool on a sunny afternoon where the ceremony was wonderful, the couple was beautiful, and the guests were all well dressed.  I was far from the only bekilted attendee (rwx also wore one), and it was, all in all, a wonderful event to wear a skirt in public for the first time.  The kilt really is everything they promised it would be. It's a hefty garment that is very comfortable and i was a little disappointed the next day when i put my jeans on.

At the reception, we shared a table with xythen and cor_tenebrarum, who were delightful people and a delightful couple.  In lieu of champagne for toasts, Tokaji Aszú was served, which idea i heartily endorsed (up to and including drinking the Tokaji left behind by the other guests at my table... whoo!).

I still feel quite at home in Seattle, despite not having lived there in over 14 years.  I realized that part of it is probably the sight of Mount Rainier to the south echoing the sight of Cotopaxi (see icon) to the south of Quito.  I wish drivers in Seattle used their turn signals, though.

I regret not being able to see more of my Seattle friends.  I hope to correct this soon.

This picture managed to capture the beauty and the sweetness that i see in my wife every day.  I wish that i'd had a better camera on hand.

It rained the day before and the day after, but the day of our wedding, ten years ago, was sunny. I love you, Kim.

If you're in the Bay Area and have the time this weekend, please drop by Blossom Hill Crafts and visit their pottery sale.  2wanda will be selling her pottery and her soap, and besides pottery you can also find jellies and photography for sale.

If not, then please enjoy mjg59's précis of fruit fly ovary extraction.

... unless it's a really handsome salad, such as the above, which 2wanda whipped up for me some time ago.

My lovely wife shows off a head of cabbage, freshly harvested from our community garden plot.

ronebofh: You know, i keep seeing the expression "bedroom community" written about posh neighborhoods that are mainly residential... what would a "bathroom community" look like?

2wanda: Probably like Los Baños or Drain.

My wife is very talented.

Via thequietquiet, a video of acrobatic ball kicking and juggling.  Fake?  Maybe, but still pretty good.

If you're curious to know what 2wanda's and my relationship was like early on, you should rent Prime, ( VORSICHT: SPOILER )

Another fine Improv Everywhere stunt (thanks, en_ki).

Lyndon LaRouche asks, "Is the Devil in your laptop?" (thanks, tritone).

racerxmachina let me know that SJSU's president issued a letter banning blood drives on campus due to the FDA's policy that bans gay men (or, indeed, any man who's had sex with another man) from donating blood.  A tough decision, but i support Kassing's rationale and i hope that his efforts (among those of other campuses) get the FDA to reconsider the policy once we get someone in the White House who isn't an utter imbecile.

Kim will be walking this Sunday for the American Heart Association.  Please donate some money to help her reach her goal.  Thanks!