2007.8.25. Company picnic at Country Village at Bothell. Didn't know this place exists until this day. Lots of boutique shops including a glass blowing studio. Activities including water balloon toss, sack race, tug of war and hopping horse race. Both kids and adults participated. Was fun watching. Missed the pie eating contest (when I was struggling with broken colored glass, along with some kids). Took home two pots of flowers and some food.

2007.8.26. Cloudy, a bit rain. Heather Lake. Pretty as always. Test of my newly acquired mountaineering boots. Was too hard to walk in these. Lots of mushrooms (probably not edible).

2007.8.23. Guest to a reception at South Lake Union Discovery Center organized by Wolfgang Club and Arts Fund. The discovery center is just a showcase of model homes of those condos being built in the area. Sales men on-site. Good food (shrimp avocado salad, mango artichoke salad, sweet potato salad with curry, rice and beans, meatballs, chicken). Much better than Bravo Club. Maybe I'll join this one instead next year.

2007.8.17. Flying Dutchman by Richard Wagner at Seattle Opera. Good stage design, voice, and costume (modern). Great chorus. Asher Fisch conducts (an Israeli), Greer Grimsley as the Dutchman, Jane Eaglen as Senta. Even though her voice is outstanding, her presence on stage suffers from her largeness. 1st act was too sombre, both in color and music. Pre-performance lecture was fun and informative.

2007.8.12. Grand Park of Mt. Rainier

2007.8.12. Mt Rainier. Berkeley Park (3 miles from Sunrise) & Grand Park (3 miles from Berkeley Park campground). Mostly flat. Abundant flowers and marmot. Frozen Lake was still a quarter frozen. A week or two too late for flowers in the Grand Park, but grand it is. Even though it was drizzling by the time we reach there, and no view of Rainier for the whole day, the massive expanse of this meadow is so enticing that I immediately started planning my next visit. Flowers along the road and at Berkeley Park were at their last glory. Fog made the hills and lake prettier and moody. Here is a review of the trail.

2007.8.9. Seattle Opera General Director Speight Jenkins discussed The Flying Dutchman at the rehearsal studio. Food and wine provided by Costco. A Bravo Club event. Lecture (6:30 - 7:20) was informative, followed by an Q&A session (these people know a lot about opera).

2007.8.4-5. Annual Fireworks Competition

2007.8.4. Finale of the annual fireworks competition at English Bay, Vancouver. Canada is the winner this year, accompanied by music from "Star War" and "Unforgettable". Even though I was exhausted due to my move (half of my junk is still in boxes), the show is worth the traveling.

2006.8.5. Grand finale fireworks at English Bay Vancouver. Last show this year, Mexico, and they win. I still like the show by China last Saturday better.

2007.8.2. Took a break from work, our group went to Seward Park to see Blue Angels' practice. Not many people, one big heron and some ducks.