Tamie and I are dog walkers, though not in any professional sense. Rupert, our five-year-old dog, doesn’t seem to mind. We’ve been guiding him around the neighborhood his entire life, often multiple times a day. Before Rupert, we spent a decade charting routes with his predecessor, Ivan. And someday, in a distant and less slobbery… Continue reading Unexpectedly Muppetized
Tamie, Rupert, and I walked to the local farmer’s market on Wednesday for dinner. I invested $18 in an açaí bowl while Tamie got in line for a veggie crepe. Since hers was going to take a while, Rupert and I found a shady spot to wait. As soon as we sat down, a spirited… Continue reading The Açaí Was Delicious, Probably
Today was the 5th Annual Ivan Memorial Hike. Tamie joined Rupert and I for the first time this year and didn’t complain about the route once. Instead, she and I reminisced about our time with Ivan and debated which of our kids, if any, might someday be willing to hike this trail in my honor.… Continue reading Now I’m Sad AND Hungry
Tamie and I have been married for over three decades, which is why it surprised me when she asked if I'd like to share my phone number with a neighbor who’d recently inquired about walking our dogs together. “Seriously?” I asked. “Yes. He’s very friendly, and I think he’d be good company for you on… Continue reading Waitlisted
I took a sabbatical from Microsoft in late 2024. It’s a nice perk offered to long-term employees like me who are ready to step away from the office and find out how many consecutive days they can spend providing helpful process improvements at home before their spouse murders them. It’s not as many as you’d… Continue reading Counter Argument
It’s been a busy week for us. My wife noticed that a stoplight near our neighborhood was malfunctioning and sprang into action. She contacted the City of Sammamish and got the required repair forms submitted. All of them. Meanwhile, the app I use on my indoor bike trainer stopped working. So, I filed a detailed… Continue reading Does This Cape Make My Butt Look Fat?
Today I biked past an old man using a walker on the sidewalk. He was wearing a cycling jersey. Not some cheap novelty tee or faded cotton wannabe, either. A real one—aerodynamic cut, triple rear pockets, full length zipper, snug sleeves, defiant colors. He was moving slowly, but not apologetically. I wish I’d stopped. Turned… Continue reading On Your Left
Tamie and I were married 33 years ago last Friday. To celebrate, I planned a four-day getaway to the Oregon coast, complete with beachside accommodations, charming outdoor restaurants, scenic hikes, and a romantic train ride for three. This seems like the appropriate time to mention that Rupert, our 80-pound dog, chaperoned. To be clear, this… Continue reading Our 33rd Wedding Anniversary: It Could’ve Gone Worse
Rupert and I got up early to participate in the fourth annual Ivan Memorial Hike. We haven’t missed one yet. My wife has missed all four. She hates the venue for some reason, but I enjoy the climb and Rupert enjoys chasing the spirit of a dog he’s never met. It was a very good… Continue reading Upwards, Still
I’m defective. For the last 18 months or so, my left ear has felt clogged. But instead of just muffled sounds, I started hearing a high-pitched buzz. ALL. OF. THE. DAMN. TIME. It’s now become almost impossible to understand conversations in public places, especially if there is any sort of background noise (I’m looking at… Continue reading WHAT
