what a great weekend, and it isn't even over yet!

 

Friday night was full of Prime Rib, friends and a movie--not a bad way at all to start a weekend.

 

Saturday brought the Microsoft company picnic. Abi and I have never gone to the one in Redmond before, but we have gone to a few in Fargo. Big difference, big big difference. :)

 

First of all, we took a bus to get there. the picnic was at a big farm at the base of the cascades, close to Snoqualmie falls. It took about 45 minutes and it was nice that we didnt have to fight traffic (I90 was packed as Pearl Jam was playing the Gorge and everyone was heading over the pass to get there). The picnic hosted 10 of thousands of people. they had a casino set up, massage area, dozens of inflatable climby, bouncy things for the kids, rock climbing wall, frisbee golf, bands, dj's, magic shows and food. lots of food. BBQ Ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, hamburgers, sausage, hot dogs, grilled salmon, beef stir fry, caeser salad, pasta puttenesca, veggie Indian food, curry, dessert and ice cream. and i'm probably forgetting some. the best part, it was all free. It was the hottest day of the year (an excessive heat warning and air stagnation warning were in effect), so that sucked the energy right out of us, but we wandered around for a few hours, played games and ate before catching the bus back to "civilization". we both can't wait for next year when hopefully it will be cooler!

 

after the picnic we came back to a very very hot house. we camped out in the darkened basement in order to survive. by late afternoon we were hungry (don't ask us how or why after the picnic!) so we called up Ryan and Kathi to go try this pizza place in Lynnwood (The Rock for those in the area that might care). they had pizza and margaritas, and both sounded divine.

 

Now this is where the blog title comes in. We ordered cheese fries to share while we waited for our pizza. Abi and I have been on a six year search for cheese fries that could compare to the deliciousness that was the cheese fries from the old cinema grill in Fargo. that place had great cheese fries--big ol steak fries fried perfectly and smothered in cheese sauce. the sauce is the key. most places just toss some shredded cheese on the top, put it in the microwave for 10 seconds, and charge you a $1.29 more. but true cheese fry artisans will lovingly ladel the sauce, making no fry go untouched. after many years of searching in vain for the next best cheese fries, Abi and I had given up hope. So you can imagine our surprise when our large plate of beer-battered fries shows up smothered in warm, slightly spicy, cheese sauce!!! We were in heaven. it was perfect. we thought about canceling our pizze (which was also very very good) and ordering another order. we didnt, but we are already planning on when we should go back for more cheese fries.

 

Yup, life got a little better yesterday. so thank you The Rock for fufilling a 6 year odyssey for a couple of mid-western kids.

 

I'm off now to Concours d'Elegance, a big BMW rally/show in Renton. I'll be going with John, a friend from high school that lives out here and also loves/owns the bimmer. it has been a very good weekend indeed, despite the heat.

 

~ddv

i won the first "weight lost challenge" Abi and I had, so by meeting my goal i got to order chrome exhaust tips for the bimmer. they arrived yesterday and i couldn't wait to get them on and see how she looked.

 

i was happy to see that there was no screws, nuts, bolts, nails, glue or anything else needed to install. the tips were designed specifically for that model of BMW, so they fit perfectly with some metal springy things inside to keep them on and to stop others from easily being able to pull them off. after a few minutes of pushing and studying to make sure they looked just right and were on correctly, it was done. for those of you who doubt my "handy man" prowess, my friend Rob was there and he has some good mechanical experience, so i was "supervised".

 

check out the pictures below for some before and after shots. i think i want "racing" pedals for inside the car next. though i'll get them from a different place cuz the ones they sell where i got the tips would total about $500!

 

FYI~ i'm still waiting for a name for this beauty.... :(

 

ddv

wow, my lil nook in cyberspace has brought in over 3,300 views. Seems kind of weird that that many people are "interested" in the life and times... :)

 

Sure it isn't nearly as big as the millions of people that come to the pages i work on professionally, but then i'm not nearly as compelling as business ERP software.

 

~ddv