jfin is here…

For the Fourth of July (Wednesday) I had the day off work and Hillary had the day off school, and we were going to go hiking up around Mt Baker.  I drove up to Bellingham on the Tuesday evening with my backpack loaded… ring, champagne, strawberries, and camera.  Plan A was to hike until we found a nice lake with a good view of Mt Baker, and get down on one knee.

Wednesday morning arrives and Hill really does need to get some more study done before school starts back, so we decide that we can’t spend the whole day hiking.  Spend the morning at Hill’s house, pretending to read while she studies.  We then go for a walk in the sun, through the university campus and down to Fairhaven - a nice little 19th-century-style waterfront town at the south side of Bellingham.  I take my backpack along, telling Hill that it is for my camera .. neglecting to mention the other vital ingredients.

Plan B was a nice little wharf down by the sea in Fairhaven .. we’d had a few strolls along it earlier in the year.  In the middle of winter of course, when nobody else was around .. it’s now a sunny 4th of July, and every man and his dog (or dogs) is around.   Nope, I wanted something a little quieter.

Plan C involved a bench with a view over the sea that was further along the walkway, which we’d sat on and talked for a while the last time we were down here.  Foiled again .. the building has been remodeled and the bench has gone.  Plus there are still people everywhere.

Now I’m desperate.  Hill is suggesting that we may like to turn around and head back toward town, but I’m not going to have a bar of that. I’ve decided I’m going to do it and that is that.  Plan D … hmmmm, Plan D? I don’t have a Plan D.

Plan D.  Those rocks, sitting above the beach / sea.  They look okay.  I drag Hill over in their direction, and we perch somewhat-comfortably on them for 10 minutes - talking.  I decide this is as good as Plan D is going to get, so tell Hill that I’m going to take a photo of us.  She isn’t too keen, but obliges graciously.  I walk away slightly, reaching into my bag .. stealthily collecting the ring along with the camera.

I crouch by the rock, pretending to set up the timer on the camera. Little does Hill know, I’ve set the camera to video mode.  I push ‘record’, and walk back to in front of Hillary.  Taking a knee, I forget everything I had planned to say and (with every ounce of romance that is in me) rapidly blurt out “Hillary … I talked to your parents last week.  Will you marry me?  I love you very much!”

She said yes (after a little reminder that I needed an answer), and the ring fit. :)

Listening to: Spoon - Stay Don’t Go

Went hiking on Saturday, up in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. Started up Bandera Mountain, enjoying view of Rainier in the not-too-distance, then shot through to Mason Lake, Rainbow Lake, and Island Lake. A warm day, and the water in Island Lake was mighty refreshing. :) Beautiful area .. pics (some by me, some by Owen - he took the stunner to the right) are here.

Played with the iPhone for a while the other day. It’s pretty sweet .. very different to any other phone I’ve used .. but not for me just yet. Picked up a Samsung Blackjack for one-sixth of the price instead. 3G data is speedy goodness (at least in the metro areas that have coverage).

It’s a cracker day here .. sunny and still. They’re predicting 90 - 95 degree (fahrenheit .. approx 35 celsius) temperatures over the next few days. I’ve made it in to my actual Seattle office (as opposed to my clients office) for the second time since moving up here, so am making the most of the view and the *real coffee mugs* instead of cardboard / styrofoam. Mmmm, coffee.

Speaking of temperature conversions, I’ve used two not-so-well-known functions of Google today … try searching for “95 fahrenheit to celsius”, “12 miles to kilometers”, “20 gigabytes to petabytes”, “time seattle”, and “time auckland”. Handy. :)

Hehe .. how to capture the airplane armrest.

Listening to: Incubus - Blood On The Ground

Visited Hill up in Bellingham for the 4th of July - after a sneaky chat to her parents the week before - and phew, she said yes! Although she tells me there wasn’t really any question about it. :)

Somewhat against the spirit of Independence Day, but I can live with that.

Blessed.

Listening to: RED - Breathe Into Me

Looks like it’s summer in Seattle .. sunny days, and long evenings.

Instead of pulling on plastic at the climbing gym, we’ve been getting outside. The Exit 38 climbing area is about 30 minutes drive east from Seattle. Spent Saturday up at Bobs (the Peannacle Wall) with Hill and Owen, and then Monday evening at We Did Rock with Tim.

I’m starting to lead some of the climbs .. did a 5.9 on Monday which was fun. It’s definitely a bit of a rush when you’re standing above your last piece of protection, hanging on with one hand and stretching to reach the next bolt with the quickdraw before clipping the rope.

Going back to the gym isn’t quite the same, although seem to get a better workout there. Slowly starting to feel like I’m getting stronger, and more comfortable on a wall .. very much a good thing.

Photos (some by me, some by Owen) are here.

Listening to: The Raconteurs - Steady As She Goes