Don't Eat the Baby

From our visit with the Tyneses and their delightful progeny:


They are inspiring in how active they remain, visiting museums, zoos, plays, parks, etc., determined not to get in the habit of staying in just because they have a baby.


It was a visit made all the better by it being at the Continental, my favorite breakfast place in all of Seattle. The lovely Greek woman who runs the place (along with other family) has always reminded me of a younger version of my grandmother. But now that I was there with a baby, I could see their similarities even more clearly. She greeted the baby with as much delight as if it were her own grandchild, and did everything she could to make sure the parents had what they needed to keep the baby comfortable.

I found myself missing my babcia, but in a good way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last night, at Seattle's Town Hall, Mike performed with Reggie Watts for the first time in a brand-new show whose shtick was as simple as it was gratifying. The title of the piece was "Frequently Asked Questions: Mike Daisey and Reggie Watts Explain the Meaning of Life." Index cards were circulated through the packed house (800 people!) on which folks wrote down questions like, "Is it ever a good idea to buy things off of infomercials?" and "Why do I make out with people I'm not even attracted to?"

Reggie and Mike shared the stage brilliantly, as if they'd done this many times before. Each has such a strong presence, but neither overshadowed the other. At times Reggie would play the piano to underscore Mike's answers or create an ambiance on his Magic Looping Machine, or break things up with a bit of understated physical comedy.

Some of my favorite moments: Mike's extended fantasia on the perils of bees and sharks, Reggie's songs answering the questions, "Why won't he marry me?" and "If prostitution is the world's oldest profession, what was the first prostitute paid with?" (The answer is stones, though it turns out to be much more complicated than that.) I also liked Mike's quick answer to "Why are Americans so bad at history?" ("Because it hasn't happened to them yet.")

They also dedicated a whole section to the gazillion Sarah Palin-related questions submitted. Reggie set the sonic mood while Mike simply read off question after question, providing no answers, but reassuring everyone in the house that we, at least, were all on the same page.

Oh! And to the question "Why do I make out with people I'm not even attracted to?", Mike chided that questioners should always leave phone numbers. With the next basket of questions came an index card bearing only a phone number. When Mike read it out loud, the house fell apart. Unlike the other cards, which were tossed to the floor once read, Mike carefully folded it and put it in his pocket. Later, at the bar, we made him call her. He left a message, but our mystery girl never appeared.

Wedding Prep

Photos from the actual wedding to come, but first: a round-up of shots from the days just prior.


The bride getting her nails done with her MOH, Lynn.


Jesse, member of her wedding party, helping prep food for the rehearsal dinner. (The groom cooked everything, and it was plentiful and delicious.)


The bride, dancing up a storm a few nights before, at her bachelorette party.


Two more bachelorette party revelers, sisters Sarah and Emma. (I used to babysit them! But then I kicked Sarah's front tooth out. Long story.)


Ruth and Sarah at Sephora, buying makeup for the big day.



Isn't she gorgeous? That's not just the bride-to-be: that's my little sister.

Yoga Bitch in $150 Yoga Pants

Suzanne's been getting a lot of press for her upcoming Seattle run of YOGA BITCH, which will be at Bumbershoot over Labor Day weekend, and then will run for a month at Re-Bar from September 19 through October 11.

I adore Suzanne and I adore this show: It's smart and silly and sexy and just a whole lot of fun. (Admittedly, I did direct it, so I may be a bit biased.) We've mounted it in New York, London, and Maui, and now I'm excited that my family and friends in Seattle will get a chance to see it.

Oh, and here's a great preview piece from the Seattle Weekly.

Pacific Northwest, I'll be there tomorrow. Get the rain out of your system now; my little sister's getting married on Sunday and she'd appreciate not having her up-do un-done!