April 1

I finally got around to changing the time on my watch a couple weeks ago but I managed to advance it by thirteen hours instead of the required one. So around noon each day, the date changes which makes me the April Fool.

Right now my watch reads: 2:23 April 1.

It Was News To Me

We're about to get a new Walmart - across the street from the office. It's not exactly old news but this was the first I'd heard about it. One of the streets around the mall was closed this morning (which did not enhance my commute, I can tell you) and the Mervyn's that used to occupy Walmart's future location has had all its glass doors removed.

The Mervyn's space has been empty for years but it didn't used to be that you could look straight through it. It's not just vacant, it's as deserted as can be. A massive shell housing absolutely nothing except what happens to a space when it's been left empty for so long, lonely for the purpose it was built for.

It looks like it's about to be demolished so I looked on the internet to find out what was going on at the Factoria Mall. And that, my friends, is how I found out that Walmart is coming to town.

Twice.

They're also moving in about four miles from here as well. A Walmart grocery is going in at the old K-Mart location.

I don't know what this means for Bellevue, land of BMW's and Mercedes, Microsoft and Neiman Marcus, but I'm thinking the dress code will be relaxed somewhat.

Philly Cheesesteak

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross 

Last night, I made the Philly Cheesesteak recipe from the March edition of Cooking Light magazine. I don't really like flank steak. Mostly, because it always comes out tough. But when I followed the directions, sliced it thin, and seasoned it generously, it came out tender and delicious. Don't skip the 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire and 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce. Even those small amounts made a big, flavorful difference.

I did skip step three altogether, however. Instead of melting provolone and Parmigiano-Regianno cheeses with additional ingredients (milk, flour, mustard), I just used one slice of provolone and one slice of Swiss per sandwich.

I won't hollow out the rolls tonight (for the leftovers). For four sandwiches, I thought the recipe was just a little short. (Maybe, add another mushroom or use 16 ounces steak next time.)

It would be almost elegant with a salad or sliced apples on the side. I served it with potato chips and was pretty happy about it.

It's In My Genes

One of the advantages of driving a convertible over driving a motorcycle is you don't have to wear a helmet. And, when you sing along with the radio, you're less likely to get something in your mouth.

When I was thirty (which was a long, long time ago) my goal was to own a Harley at age forty. When I turned forty (almost a decade ago), the idea of falling off a Harley overtook my earlier obsession. Four wheels are better than two, I reasoned.

I've had the convertible ten years now. Amazing how time flies when there's no roof.

My grandmother had a convertible. If I remember correctly, it was a green Karmann Ghia that looked like this:

I thought that was pretty cool. So, can somebody tell me the story of how it is my grandmother ended up driving this?

It sucks when you get to work only to find the coffee you got on the way as a reward for working seven days a week is the wrong friggin' drink!

Last One, Then I've Got to Get To Work

(Unless, of course, we should all stay home because it's snowing.)

I decided I need tinted windows on my car. That way, no one can see me singing along with the radio. As it is, I sing while I'm between cars and then when I am about to pass, I try to sing without moving my lips much. Very casual, like. I keep hoping that one day, the lyrics will be something the stations will provide on my navigational display installed in my dashboard. Better yet, in a heads up holographic display right in my windshield. 

They can regulate texting but they can't regulate singing (unless you're in Kirkland where they are trying to regulate hooting in addition to singing).

But until then, tinted windows are the answer I think. (Unless the top is down. Then all bets are off.)

It's Not Green Now

It's snowing, as I mentioned. Big, white fluffy flakes that won't hang around long. (Actually, I just decided to peek at a weather forecast - for whatever that's worth - and it looks like we could get snow through the weekend. Jeez.)

Which brings me to my point. The Washington State license plate features a blue rendition of a snow covered Mount Rainier on a white background. All the lettering is in red. The caption reads,

The Evergreen State

So, I checked out the history of our state's license. At no time did the license plate feature evergreens, although the plate was often green itself. You can see all the passenger-car license plates from 1916 to 2008 here. The first green plate was in 1921 but green wasn't used predominantly until 1929. Green was dropped altogether when the Mt. Rainier plate came out in 1987. "Evergreen State" was added in 1997. 

No wonder Mother Nature is confused.

The End Is Near

I've decided that Mother Nature is on crack. We've had snow, sideways rain, hail, and sunshine - all in the same day!

It's snowing right now, this St. Patrick's Day. I'd really be freaked out if it was green, though.

Cool Exhibit

Who gets wetter, someone walking in the rain or running? Is it really possible to hang from a cliff by your fingers until help arrives like they do in the movies? And is Superman the only one who is faster than a speeding bullet? Those are questions the Discovery Channel's "MythBusters" has asked for years, and starting Thursday, anybody who's wondered how long it takes to put on a superhero outfit in a phone booth — don't forget the cape — can answer them for themselves at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. 

 Read more here.

Glad We Got That Straightened Out

In a March 14 story about a billionaire family giving away a school campus in Northfield, Mass., The Associated Press incorrectly reported that the town has no traffic lights. The town has blinking traffic lights.

Correction: Free Campus story (Photos, too.)