An unbelievable dream came true where we got to dance to Elijah Wood DJ’s vinyl records at 45East for a fantasy themed event.
We wore our Tom Bombadil and Goldberry costumes from Halloween. Others had chainmail and elf ears and crazy outfits. Surreal and so fun. Elijah and his fellow DJ had no control over the visuals but were delighted and tickled with the choices that the venue picked, including the big dog from The Never Ending Story, when they played a famous track from that.
We drove up with Elizabeth (because Takeshi couldn’t make it) to Bellingham on Thursday, stopping on the way in Tacoma for food and a memory lane stroll through the UPS campus. We shuttled ourselves back and forth between bridesmaids events, and close friend events, and guest events, and the hotel.
We joined the rehearsal dinner for pizza in a lakeside park. You enjoyed some Bachelorette parting, and then at the bachelor(ette) afterparty, we reunited and enjoyed mac and cheese bits and chicken tenders with dips at an arcade bar with pinball.
Friday we got brunch at Greene’s Corner, the best walk up bar with health food. I can’t even remember what we ordered but it was so delicious and healthy. I got a kombucha and you got a tea.
Having some time to kill, we visited the Big Rock Garden, where we met Turtle, and explored a bunch of beautiful and fascinating sculptures!
We arrived on time and waited to be let in, and Margaret looked fucking fire in her green silk dress. We enjoyed the beautiful ceremony with very personal and touching vows.
The dance party went all night long playing a list of songs the guests help curate.
And around the corner was a room full of pies and cookies! Woah.
The next morning, we joined the wedding party for brunch at a place overwhelmed for the day, having no espresso, too few workers, and out of some foods. But we had a great chat and coffee after. We stopped to get Jalapeño White Balsamic Vinegar and Cilantro & Onion Olive Oil from Drizzle.
We started heading back after that and stopped in Tacoma again at Fire House no. 9, Elizabeth’s father’s favorite.
Out at 45East for the night, we sat in the back together waiting for Nora, and then enjoy the majority of her set from the middle back. It was so nice to relax and then let loose, and the music is just so groovy and calming, but also engaging.
My birthday present to you in 2022 was two 4 day passes to Pick-A-Thon, a Bluegrass, Americana, Country, Rock, Blues, and anything you want to play festival. I was still coming down from my high of experiencing my second Above & Beyond Group Therapy Weekender when this came to us, just a neighborhood away in Happy Valley. You had never been but had always wanted to go, with many bands you’ve known and loved having played here before.
It was exactly and nothing like I expected. It was simultaneously more produced and put together while also looking home grown and improvised.
We got lunch on day one and had to buy Pickathon plates. At first I balked a bit at the cost and what felt like a money grab, then I realized it was to reduce waste, encouraging everyone to wash and reuse the plates. Now they’re my two favorite plate/bowls!
We toured each stage and wandered without much of a goal in mind.
My favorite area was a nook away in the woods with blankets and rugs and meditation pillows. This is where a sound bath and guided meditation and yoga sessions were held, plus a essential oil salt smeller workshop.
The lights on the trees at night created such an atmosphere. The people attending were all having a great time. I loved that we got to listen to things we’d never heard of, relax into each other, dance, and have such a fun and weird and new experience. I wouldn’t have wanted to do that with anyone else.