James Blunt in the New York Times Magazine this morning. I told Jason I wanted to find the album by that guy who sang "Your Beautiful." Brian is rolling his eyes about now, but I didn't realize he was British, and rather cute.

The rest of the album is lovely. The comparisons to Sir Elton are probably overdone, but hard to avoid. And the video with him jumping from the cliff after stripping off his shirt and emptying his pockets is disturbing.

The lyrics to "Goodbye My Lover" sound vaguely familiar, but I can't place them. Did they come from another song? I can hear it in my head, but I can't remember who is singing.

Back from Seattle. The rain wasn't as bad as I expected, although it was jacket weather most times. I did everything on my list, except for the pubbing.

Space Needle was a little grey and dreary, but still a great view. Joel and Andy took me through Volunteer Park and the snug Conservatory there. Plenty of beautiful flowers, and cactus (strangely). Then Seattle Public Library for a little architecture.

Meals out were decent. Last night we gorged on margaritas, ceviche, spicy plaintain chips with guacamole, and so so chicken enchiladas at Mission in West Seattle. The food was good, and we decided to call it a night after dinner. No clubbing this time, which is just as well. I didn't really want to fly with a hangover anyway!

I am off to Vancouver, BC tomorrow for a business meeting. Afterward, a weekend in Seattle with Joel and Andy. It's gonna raaaain. My umbrella and sweaters are packed.

I have nothing in particular planned.... some shopping, perhaps. Lunch on the hoof at Pike Place Market. I might check out the Experience Music Project this time and the Space Needle if I luck out with a break in the weather. And pubbing, of course.

Unquestionably, there will also be chocolate chip cookies from Specialty's.

My 2005 year in cities. Meme stolen from Kottke and Meg.

London, UK*
Windsor, UK
Tipperary, Ireland
Dublin, Ireland
Cork, Ireland
San Diego, CA
Paris, France
Boise, ID*
Seattle, WA
Sedona, AZ
Strawberry, AZ
Jerome, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Los Angeles, CA

* indicates multiple visits.

On deck for this year, so far: Vancouver, BC, London, UK, Boise, ID, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA.

Gift cards were the popular choice at the Logan/Brown household this year. I got a nice gift card to everyone's favorite fussy cooking store. Not quite enough to start my Le Crouset collection, but just enough for a few gadgets and a copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, volume 1.

Last night I made my first meal with Julia: Carbonnades a la Flamande. Slices of beef chuck roast browned, then braised with sauteed onions, garlic, spices, beef stock, and beer. Yummy.

Next beef dish will be Boeuf Bourguignon.

Ouch. So I at the ripe old age of 33, I got braces.

I begged my mother for braces when I was younger. But as a mostly single mother, she couldn't afford it. So I resigned myself to the snaggletoothed grin I grew up with. I convinced myself that nobody really noticed. I finally started smiling on purpose when I turned 25 or so. But I've never really liked my smile. The big gap in the middle still makes me self-conscious.

I also didn't want to go through the ordeal of surgery to correct my bite. I have a very "strong jaw," and my teeth won't meet properly without jawbreaking and much pain. Uh-uh.

So my current dentist wrote up a treatment plan sans surgery that will correct my gaps and align my teeth. I got them Wednesday, and I'm still negotiating the eating thing. I have 18-24 months of this. Then, a new smile.

Happy New Year.

A few pictures posted from my birthday trip to Disneyland. Jason's camera seems to take better pictures than mine. I'm jealous. (Although I think I may go buy one like his soon...)