The 12th man

So I was going to continue my account of my first week in Washington, but I must sidetrack a bit and talk about today's events.

I awoke to a VERY RAINY and windy day. I went downstairs and made 2 pots of coffee since it felt like that kind of day. I made fire,....fire goooood.  I then went outside to bring the wood up to the house for the days warmth,  I sat by the fire and drank my cup of joe and enjoying the quiet of the house and the sound of the rain falling against the roof since everyone was still sleeping. It is now 9am and no one is up which is odd but decided that the weekend and everyone sleeps in. Well the next thing I hear are  the people getting up and talking about the big game and how we are going to watch it without cable. Being still new to this environment I asked what game. What game? Oh yeah you are from LA...The only game in town of course...THE SEAHAWKS! Personally I am a 49ers fan and knew that game was later on today but I got caught up in all their excitement.

We tried in vain to get the game on the computer but to no avail . With the game getting closer one of the owners of the farm had the smart idea to rent a condo in Roche Harbor to watch the game. My friend Scott and I went to get the snacks for the game.  So you know, there are only two markets on the island. One of them does not have a name on the building. I am figuring that either you must be a resident of the island or you go hungry since there are also no commercial chain ANYTHING on the island. No markets, fast food, restaurants and heaven forbid a Starbucks or Coffee Bean. Upon entering the store, there was a sea of Seahawk jerseys, hats and even a few people with painted faces. Okay, Washington people are really into the games. We bought bags of chips and salsa, sodas and frozen pizzas and drove off to Roche Harbor one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen, which will be described later in full description but that would take away from today.

Entering the condo we had a party started.. My friend Scott, one of his partners, the office manager and her two twin 11 year old boys, who proceeded to tell me the whole story about the stadium and how when the fans start yelling it can register as an earthquake at the university. I then asked the question what the flags that had the number 12 on them meant. The kids, in tandem which only twins can do, explained that only 11 players are allowed on the field and Washington fans are player number 12. The fans help the Seahawks win. After watching the game and seeing how this island of San Juan feels about football I truly understand the meaning of the 12th man.

Great game, fun time and a lesson in football made my day. Question is this....If the 49ers win today and they end up playing the Seahawks next week, will I be the 12th man or just odd man out....I guess time will tell.

New Beginnings

Leaving home is never easy. Leaving a state you have lived in all your life proves to be more difficult. Surprisingly enough, for me not really having a place I could call my own and being in a state that no longer had available jobs made the decision to leave my beloved state of California very easy.

I had the chance to visit the beautiful state of Washington, where if you don't like the weather just wait a minute. Coming from 80 degree and sunny in December to 32 degrees and rainy you would think would be an adjustment but I LOVE IT!. When I stepped off the plane at Sea Tac airport, I found myself transported to another world. Being on the tad dramatic side you would assume I was embellishing a bit, but you would be oh so wrong. Driving through the heart of Seattle and smelling the fresh brewed coffee wafting in the air, seeing the space needle and all the greenery I felt like I was home. Hell they had me at coffee.

Continuing my drive through Seattle it is true what the theme song of Here Comes the Brides stated...The bluest skies you'd ever see is in Seattle....ah I loved Bobby Sherman.  They could also say that the greenest greens are in the state of Washington too.  Headed to the ferry I passed many towns with Indian names I could not pronounce but were extremely beautiful. Tall trees, rustic buildings so different than the metal and steel buildings of Los Angeles. The air was so crisp and clean that my lungs had no idea what hit them. They were dancing for joy along with my feet. As I got closer to the ferry I could hardly contain my excitement. I mean what can be better than being in a place surrounded by water and the main source of heat is a fireplace with the fragrant smell of burning pine logs. Unfortunately I arrived at the ferry at night so my description of the ride will have to wait, but I could see the ports with the twinkling light reflecting from the water. My excitement knew no bounds when we hit the last stop....San Juan Island and the town of Friday Harbor. Driving through the night I was able to see the lights of the stores in the city.It reminded me of Main Street in Disneyland. No fast food, no pizza places, a theatre with only two movies playing, I guessed I was no longer in Kansas, I mean California.  Pulling up to the farm where I would be staying was a sight to behold. Strings of white lights surrounded the fence and driveway, which I was about to enter. I felt like I was coming home....Please let this be true!