The Caipirinha

Cabo San Lucas 2011 (18 of 30), originally uploaded by seattleforge.

The Caipirinha is one of my favourite cocktails and they were on the menu at our resort. The first time I had one was in Greece. I was chatting and drinking with some of the Brazilian and Philappino crew members who were gulping these down by the pitcher.
The Caipirinha is made from cachaça (Brazil's answer to rum), limes, ice and sugar.

Spring in Bothell

Spring in Bothell (6 of 8), originally uploaded by seattleforge.

We're getting a taste of spring here in western Washington. I really, really needed it. I've been very under the weather for about a week. It's wearing me out a bit. Luckily work has hit a lull for a little bit which is brilliant.
Saturday was brilliantly sunny so I grabbed Henry, his bike and my camera and headed to the Burke-Gilman trail. He pootled along (he's not a very confident rider) and I walked along taking some snaps. It was a great time and just what I needed. Although when I was done my lungs seized and I was wheezing in the car all the way home. So odd.
Two weeks until Cabo.

Bulova Accutron Restored

Bulova Accutron Restored, originally uploaded by seattleforge.

Sorry, I often forget I have this place and that occasionally people read it.
The watch came back from the jewelers. It was buffed, polished, given a new band and a deployment. It looks like a million bucks. I'm very happy with it.

The guy I picked it up from was about my Dad's age. He sold Bulovas starting in 1969. He gave me a lot of really cool info on the watch and also liked my restoration choices. He did tell me to call him if I ever wanted to pick up an original band for the watch. He recommended I really only do that if I want to sell it. The setup I picked is nicer.

Bulova Accutron Railroad Approved

Bulova Accutron Railroad Approved, originally uploaded by seattleforge.

My Dad gave me his old watch today. He wears a shockproof timex these days, but this was on his wrist for decades until they stopped making the mercury batteries that fit it.
Recently they started making a modern battery that would fit the watch, so it is back in business and he gave it to me.
When I was a kid I knew all about this watch. It was made in 1965. Bulova was in a Space Race with Omega to outfit the astronauts for the moon mission. Bulova advanced watch technology by using a battery to power a tuning fork to drive the mechanics of the watch. The hands "sweep" instead of ticking along. If you hold it to your ear it doesn't tick it hums. When I was a kid this watch seemed like it was from the future. It only lost 10 minutes a year. Omega won the war though. Buzz Aldrin wore the Omega Speedmaster to the moon. Now those watches sell for tens of thousands and the Bulovas sell for hundreds. But I love its sweeping hands and humming heart.

My Dad removed the leather band before I was even born and put this stainless bracelet on it. It doesn't fit me and since it isn't original I won't feel bad putting a band on it that I can wear.

Phở Bo

IMG_0698, originally uploaded by seattleforge.

I made Phở for the first time and it was really good. Did it taste the same as the best restaurant Phở? Nope. Was it a really delicious take on it? Yep.
I've got some ideas of how I want to do things differently next time. Om NOM NOM!

The family is whole again..

My lovely spouse's Dad finally passed and now she's back home with us. It was quite an ordeal seeing the old man out. Jackie's siblings never quite passed into adulthood. The petty rivalries were in full force and without Pop to straighten things out they did their best to hurt each other with every minute they were in each other's presence.
I'm quite pleased my wife is out of there. Quite pleased that Jack is no longer in pain.

Poor sick kid

It's a hell of a cold that's kicking my kid's ass. Fevers, chills, coughs, sore throat.. the gamut, one at a time, one day at a time like a theme. He's a one man diseased bear jamboree where every bear has its own malady.
On top of that the boy misses his mother. I can do my best, but when really sick what boy doesn't miss his Mum.