Kingdome Implosion

We shall not have succeeded in demolishing everything unless we demolish the ruins as well. But the only way I can see of doing that is to use them to put up a lot of fine, well-designed buildings.
-- Alfred Jarry

Sunday, March 26, 2000
One year ago: No Change
Two years ago: Last Class

A year ago was when Jack's older daughter first ran away. What a tough time it's been for him! Since then, she's been back and gone several times, spent a month in a treatment facility, and left again. What a way to mess up your life!

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Friday night I almost went to Friday night practice. But as I was getting the trash taken out (always a difficult task for me to accomplish), I had a stab of tooth pain which changed my mind. I should have gone, or gone out dancing later (that naughty tooth didn't keep on bothering me, much). Most Friday nights I'm on my way to Bellingham, or otherwise busy.

I had a pleasant phone conversation with my brother, who lives a few blocks from me. He gave me good news about how he's getting along -- his job will turn permanent, he's doing some good things medically, and so on. He brought up the money I lent him a few months ago, and said he'd be able to pay it back next paycheck. (I haven't dunned him for it, since the amount is small -- but I won't lend him any more without repayment of the first loan.)

He called back while I was taking out the trash, and left a message on my answering machine, sounding angry. "...don't believe anything you hear from M---- and that xxxxx she's married to!" How depressing! Where does he get this feeling that anyone is talking about him?

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I had various things I wanted to accomplish, and Jack coming down was a good impetus: sorting mail and papers, running the dishwasher, picking up a few things in my bedroom. Saturday morning, I combined errands by going to the north end of town to pay a bill, then going to Larry's Market to do some grocery shopping. I ate breakfast at the cafe attached to the store. There were two sparrows hopping around inside, grabbing crumbs. They didn't seem to want to leave, at all!

I followed the rule about not shopping for groceries when hungry, but still there were some impulse purchases made. Larry's just makes things look good! and votive candle holders at 59 cents is a good deal, even if the glass is very thin.

I started to get dinner started in the crockpot after I came home and put the food away. Oops! The crockpot wasn't there! After confirming with Jane that I'd brought it to her house for possible convention use (I'd totally forgotten!), I drove over to my sister's house and borrowed hers. We chatted for a few minutes, and the three of us (nephew B-----, also) munched some good saltwater taffy.

So dinner was saved! (I'd warned Jack not to eat on the way down or anything.)

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Jack was suitably appreciative of the chicken a la Parisienne. Out of the little cookbook that came with the crockpot, it's a longtime favorite for me. I'd also bought a bag of salad. I remember when the sacks of washed greens packed in nitrogen appeared in the produce department. "Who'd ever buy that?" I exclaimed. But it's very handy when you don't want to fuss with washing and picking over the salad stuff.

I'd originally thought of going to Jessamyn's last party, "Odd Stock." I've always wanted to go to one, ever since Luke told me about them a while back. But when Jack didn't arrive until seven o'clock, I had second thoughts. We'd be getting up early to go see the kingdome implode. And when my time with Jack is limited, sometimes I like to keep him to myself!

So maybe we should go see a movie? But the timing was off, and there wasn't one we particularly wanted to see. So we watched TV instead. Jack watched Elizabeth with me, but it was really my choice. I found it dramatic and engrossing, but I wouldn't count on it for accurate history! I'd love to see a film version of Michael Moorcock's Gloriana done with the same production values.

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Jack asked me to set the alarm for six AM, which is the same time I normally get up. He staggered into the shower and I got dressed, all in aid of going to see the Kingdome get imploded.

We drove down to the Goodwill parking lot. I was a bit dubious about parking there, although other cars were there already. There was more traffic than you'd expect to see at seven AM on a Sunday morning. We walked toward the dome, under the bridge, then under the freeway. We stopped two blocks from the line where you could go no further, with a good view of the entire top of the dome. The lower level was blocked by a parking garage, but we didn't see that as a problem.

As Jack was setting up the tripod for his video camera, two Good Ol' Boys (of about forty years of age) came up to us. "Do you know where there's a public bathroom?" one asked, hopping up and down. I suggested the park in the International district, a few blocks away. The one took off running, while his brother stayed to chat. He told us that the two of them drove down from Marysville, after oversleeping! He finally decided to get closer to the action. We promised to point his brother in the right direction, if we ever saw him again. (We didn't.)

Jack recorded the scene, and gave some commentary. He's always despised the dome, and has never been inside. He's not a big sports fan, so his never entering wasn't a sacred vow or a sacrifice -- there just wasn't anything happening there that he wanted to attend, not even the monster truck rally or the home show. I looked through his binoculars from time to time, and made sure he was in frame when he wanted to speak on camera.

Finally, at eight thirty, we heard what sounded like a few muffled squawks from a distant public address system. Then it started! "pow!" "pow!" "pow!" "pow!" The explosives went off along each rib, then the opposing quarters of the dome crashed down, bringing the rest of the roof with them. It was exciting! We both whooped and hollered!

We lucked out -- the dust cloud went north, then over Capitol Hill (my neighborhood), but didn't affect us on the east side of the dome. We watched for a few minutes, then packed our gear and walked back to the car. Traffic was jammed, of course, the same as if we were leaving a sporting event at the dome!

I'm really glad we made the effort to get out and see this (we recorded the TV broadcast on tape at my house, also). It's a once in a lifetime thing and I was impressed, even though I don't have the memories that those who have grown up around here do.

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In the afternoon, we had the last meeting of the Potlatch nine committee. I phoned for pizza from my place, and I picked it up on the way to the meeting. I felt this was appropriate, since I'd skated on potluck contributions at some earlier meetings.

Jack had intended to just be there for the lunch, but he ended up staying for the whole meeting. He told me he was glad he did, since he picked up some ideas and pointers for VikingCon, the convention he's working on in Bellingham. We had a general discussion and post mortem, looking at what went well, and what didn't. I don't think any of the minor problems affected the convention members much.

I am looking forward to next year in the Bay area -- I'll be able to relax and enjoy the con!