I've been swimming a lot lately. Not “a lot” but at least once a week. I'm really not good at swimming. I am good at not drowning, & I'm perfectly capable of getting myself back and forth across the pool at a good pace. I'm just not good at coordinating my arms and my legs and my head and my nose and my mouth all at the same time. There's a lot of spluttering and splashing. But I'm trying.
A coworker & I go have been going during our lunch hours to Olinger Pool (the photo above is the pool being built in 1971). It's just a couple of blocks from work, and it's nice to exercise out of the rain & without having to deal with the crowded, smelly gym. Plus, I'm such a wussy swimmer that 30 minutes of swimming is still a good workout.
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Friday night I drove up to Portland to go see Rufus Wainwright in concert. Again. I've lived in Oregon for 3 years, and I've seen him in Portland 3 times. I lived in Phoenix for 5 years, and I'm pretty sure I saw him more than 5 times (all but once in LA, tho, not Phoenix). Anyway, he was great as usual. This time it was a solo show, with no opening act, no backup singers, no band, no family members. Just Rufus & a grand piano & a couple of guitars. It was fun! It was like the time Rachel & I (& Chris too!) saw him at Barnes & Nobles (That's Rach getting a hug in the photo above!). Only this show was much longer & I could see. :-) My friend Lin came with me (after my original concert buddies, Sarah & Stuart, bailed out to take Sarah to the ER! She's ok now). Lin had never heard Rufus, but her sister had told her she needed to see him. So she was excited when I called an hour before the show with a free ticket!
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I am reading too many books:
- “Born Standing Up” by Steve Martin. It's good!
- “Water for Elephants” by some chick. It's OK so far.
- “The River Why” by a guy whose name I forget at the moment - Oops. I'm loving it. It's for book club in a couple of months, but I couldn't wait.
- “The Devil in the White City,” by Eric Larson for book club. I haven't actually started it yet, but will when I'm done with “Born.”