Mission Accomplished

It was a wonderful weekend, and we want to thank everyone who made the journey and braved the heat for our special day. We also wanted to...uh-oh, it's that guy we cut in the dinner line, he looks pissed, gotta go.

On Our Way to Walla Walla

Wedding weekend is here, and it'll be nice to get to Eastern Washington and out of this heat.

Where to Eat in Walla Walla

We have decided on a dinner menu of Top Ramen and dry Top Ramen, so if that’s not your style, or you plan on eating other meals besides dinner on Saturday night, might we suggest the following area restaurants.

Whitehouse Crawford: A genuine five star restaurant in the heart of town. President Bush spent most of his summers here while in office. 55 W Cherry St.

Merchants: A deli, an espresso stand, a bar, outdoor seating on Main Street, great for breakfast and lunch. Seriously, what else do you want...postcards, because they have those as well. 21 E Main St.

The Ice-Burg: (Guest writer, Father of the Groom Ed) Iceberg is the real deal for scrumptious drive-in food served in an authentic 1950's atmosphere. The burgers are not overcooked, but juicy. The toppings, including* raw onion slices are just right. For those who want to linger and revel, some tables and chairs are available. I had a cheeseburger and fries, the next time I will not be so conservative- A double cheeseburger, french fries, and onion rings will be just right for my mind, if not my body. S. 9th St and Birch.*Changed from excluding because this is onion country, see below.

The Woopemup Hollow Cafe: Worth the drive to Waitsburg. Well, the drive through rolling wheat fields is well worth the drive. A southern inspired menu, and atmosphere that doesn’t fit in with the American Legion inspired décor of the rest of the town. 120 Main St Waitsburg, WA.

Area Taco Wagons: Some of the best tacos you will ever eat, especially if you spend your time eating tacos in Seattle.

The Colville Street Patisserie: I would kill for some of their baked goods right now. You think I’m joking, try me. Seriously, send me a name, their description and location. 40 S Colville St.

T. Macaroni: Fresh pasta dinners, and incredible breakfasts. On N. Colville St., one block off Main.

Walla Walla Sweets: Not a restaurant, but before wine was discovered in the area, these onions were what the region was known for (by like six people, but still). Sweet Onions grow like wild flowers here, and are sold in road side stands all summer. Sweets have more water and less sulfur than other onions, so if you love onions, but hate eating sulfur this is the onion for you. The crop came to Walla Walla via the island of Corsica when a French solider on routine surrender duty brought a seed from the island to the region. More recently, after some jerk tried to make the potato the state vegetable, justice prevailed, and now the Walla Walla Sweet is Washington’s official vegetable. Now you know everything there is to know about Walla Walla Sweets, and consequently 4% less interesting at parties.

If you don’t think we know what the hell we're talking about Sunset Magazine has some suggestions for the town they call a “foodie heaven” and “a pulse pounding thrill ride that will have you rolling in the isle.”

Where it All Beganed

Although Sarah and David both went to Whitman College, they didn’t really meet until a college reunion. It was October of 2005, there was a white president, you were going to make a killing on your house, and my good friend Bernie had quite the money making touch, if you're interested.

Whitman’s class of 2000 was holding its five year reunion, which is the sort of thing that smaller institutions do so alumni can feel apart of the community, and [ha-fundraising-choo]. Excuse me.

David and Sarah started talking in the Whitman College Bookstore, and then later at the official reception in the Pete Reid Center’s Young Ballroom (Maid of Honor Sarah, Officiate Katey, Groomsmen Matt and Shane were there, and if you have a few hours they will tell you how David left his MACK all over that ballroom).

To make a long story short, you now have hotel reservations and a five hour car ride.

Above is the first ever photo taken of David and Sarah on that fateful night at the Green.

Photo Courtesy of the Smithsonian Archives.

Sorry, that’s the Smithsonian City State University, 34th Street Campus, Unaccredited Institute of Higher Learning and Flip Flop Repair (Go Wildcats!). However, it is from their archives. Oh, and they are closed Sunday through Tuesday.

Friday Night Lantern

For those in town on Friday night who don't want to spend time figuring out the different cable channels, we will be at the Green Lantern (1606 E Isaacs Ave), and invite all of you to come join us.

The Green, as its known, was the bar of choice during our time at Whitman. It was part of David's 21 run and is the location of the first photo taken of Sarah and David.

In the days since it looks like someone wiped money all over the place. The bathrooms, which used to be cramped little rooms right near the bar, are now down a hall(?). They also have a new menu with elitist Obama-approved food like artichoke pizzas.

Back in they day they only had a few burgers, fries, and peanuts, with shells you would throw on the floor. I remember this one waitress named Rebecca, or was it, Emily? No, it was Rebecca. Well she used to have a cellular phone, now mind you back in those days they were not that common. In fact the only one I remember seeing was in SUB near the end of my senior year. It was at lunch, and I used to have Political Campaign Rhetoric right after lunch, so I would always get ready for that class by ordering a, wait, or did I have Ancient European Political Theory, no I remember it was a ham sandwich [Stick Prods David] Sorry.

Friday night, the Green. They have good drinks, pool, TVs, a big side yard with a fire pit. We'll be there around 8:30 or so.

We Will Top This

The minor league version of our wedding processional is all over the internets.

We give it a solid four. Ours is a guaranteed TEN PLUS PLUS. We can't give too much away, but we can confirm that will involve Prince riding a moonwalking camel, and that is just the opening

Seriously, we will blow this little grade school play away.

Updated Driving Directions

We have learned of some road work taking place on the way to Hence Cellars, and recommend an alternate route so you won’t get lost.

From the Marcus Whitman Hotel (the tallest building in town)
6 West Rose Street, Corner of 2nd Avenue

Turn right onto Rose Street
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue
Stay on 3rd Avenue until it ends
Turn left on Langdon Road
Turn Right onto Powerline Road
To Hence Cellars, 4122 Powerline Road

Link to map.

If you end up in Oregon, you’ve gone too far.

No They Can't

With less than two weeks until the wedding the Obamas have not RSVPed with a yes, so we're gonna take that as a no. However, that's okay, because the pope is coming.

MTV Shows

UPDATE:

Five Stops on the Road to Walla Walla

Four to five hours in a car can be tough, so here are five stops on the drive from Seattle to Walla Walla that will make the trip fly by, literally.

Thorp Fruits: One of the many fresh from the farm produce stands that lie on the route to Walla Walla. The fruit so fresh that you can not only taste the pesticide, but also the fuel that fell from the crop duster that sprayed the pesticide.

Minor League Baseball: Lucky you, the Yakima Bears and Tri-City Dust Devils are both in town that weekend.

Old Canyon Road/Yakima River: Get off I-90 in Ellensburg and drive along the Yakima River for some truly beautiful scenery, and truly alive animals. Or better yet, bring a floatation device and drift down the Yakima River. You can meet back up with Interstate 82 around Yakima.

Selah Creek Rest Area: No one is saying that you’re a quitter if you have to make a bathroom stop on the trip, however, if you aren’t up to the challenge, we highly recommend you use this rest stop at Exit 26 on Interstate 82. It comes at the tail end of the most spectacular part of the drive and offers views of Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier and the Yakima Valley.

Boise Cascade Corrugated & Fiber: The giant pulp mill that gets between you and a nice view of the Columbia River isn’t open for tours, but it does mean you're close to Walla Walla. So pull over, take in a deep breath of stink, reflect on the drive, and then speed away before the odor seeps into you brain forever.

One more thing, at mile marker 91 on I-90 Eastbound, look behind you.

Directions From Seattle to Walla Walla

Take I-90 toward Bellevue/Spokane
Take exit 110 onto I-82 E/US-97 South toward Yakima
Take exit 102 onto I-182 E/US-12 East toward Pasco/Richland
Continue on US-12 East
Take the exit toward N 2nd Ave
Turn right onto N 2nd Ave

Thanks for the Vote of Confidence TIME

Oh well, it could be worse.

What to Do in Walla Walla

The actual ceremony will last just over two hours, and the reception should be done in fifteen minutes. So what are you going to do with the rest of your weekend? This is the first of three posts with some suggestions, 'Where to Eat', and 'Places we Didn't Necessarily Forget' will follow.

Whitman Mission: One man’s massacre is another’s National Historic Site. In 1847, someone stepped on someone’s shoe, one thing led to another, and missionaries Narcissa and Marcus Whitman and many others were killed. Things are pretty much under control these days, so you’ll be able to enjoy the history, including actual wheel ruts from the Oregon Trail...Sorry, not the computer game.

Whitman College campus: See the campus that produced TVs Batman, Face from the A-Team, and, ugh, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas. Feel free to grab one of the Whitman alumni attending the wedding and they will be more than happy to lead you on a complete seven hour campus tour. 535 Boyer Ave.

Sunsets in the Wheatfields: Drive towards the hills, and then sit and watch as the sun disappears behind rolling fields of wheat. How does everything not catch on fire?

Main Street: Running from a statue of Marcus Whitman to the Mexico border, Main Street features boutiques and wine tasting rooms located next to Christian supply shops, along with the increasingly popular abandoned storefront covered in paper. Main Street is also home to a great independent music store Hot Poop, Baker Boyer the state’s first bank (as of today it has not been turned into a Chase branch), and the Reynolds Building where Washington officially became a state in 1889. Main Street information.

Gerry Matthews Black Door Gallery and Museum of Un-Natural History: Friend of the wedding Gerry has put together a unique collection of art. He has destroyed many toys to build his wonderful creations, and the result can only be described as a kaleidoscope of the world around you. Free and open Saturday from 10 until 4pm. 4 1/2West Main Street.

Waitsburg – For those who grow tired of the hustle and bustle of Walla Walla this town is a beautiful thirty minute drive away, and features a small town Main Street out of central casting that has some pretty amazing restaurants which we will discuss later.

The Ten Million Wineries: The discovery of wine deep in the hills surrounding Walla Walla changed the region forever. Some of the best wine in the country is being produced here, and you can’t throw a picnic bench in downtown without hitting a tasting room. Or you can venture into the valley and walk among the grape vines. Complete map here.

Shady Lawn Antiques aka The Creamery: An antique/vintage store with actual cool stuff. Sarah still talks about the time she found a 1985 mesh back Mariners hat for only five dollars. 711 N. Rose Street.

Washington State Penitentiary: Only one of two places in America where it’s legal to hang someone!

Less Than Fifty Days

Last Friday, while you were sneaking out of work early or destroying Iranian ballots, Sarah and I were marking fifty days until the wedding. Then on Saturday morning we grabbed our families and headed over the mountains to spend a weekend in Walla Walla tasting food, renting stuff, and graduation crashing.

With the days until the wedding dwindling (yet also getting longer, hmm) we are starting to feel the pressure and will be narrowing our focus on the big day. That means taking our trash out and feeding our cat may be put on the back burner for a few weeks as we finish up the planning.

We are also going to step things up here on the blog. Please check back often because we will be posting information here every few days, including the very exciting ‘What to do in Walla Walla.’

So check back often and, if you’re concerned about Minxie not getting fed, feel free to send her food, um, she eats cash.

Breaking News: David’s Ring Purchased

The above photo was taken last Christmas, the hand on the left is mine, the one in the center is Shane’s, and the one on the right belongs to Mr. Sidney Poitier.

Sarah and I have purchased my ring; we don’t want to reveal where, however, I am still upset that it did not come wrapped in a Benny Bear.

The ring is currently being kept secure in the safest part of my glove compartment.

The Pelosi Feud Continues

It’s no secret that Nancy Pelosi and I don’t have fond feelings for each other. This dates back to our days at Trinity College when we were in rival sororities. Over the years she has damaged me both professionally and physically.

Recently she took a strong anti-Turkish stand solely because of Sarah’s heritage, and earlier this year her daughter directed a film that was nothing more than vicious a hit piece on me.

However, for her to pledge a vote on healthcare reform by July 31st as a way to overshadow our wedding, well, I think that shows you the type of person she is.

This is a critical moment for our nation, a time when all Americans should be coming together and working towards the common goal of giving me and Sarah the amazing wedding that we more than deserve.

However, Pelosi, along with special interests, will spend millions making sure politicians and the Washington establishment forgets that message.

Won’t you call your Congressman or Congressperson today?

Walla Walla Accommodations

If you’re coming over for the pre-wedding activities on Friday (drinks at he Green) or just Saturday night for the wedding, you’re probably thinking I don’t need a place to stay, I’ll just seduce one of the many Whitman students with access to an on-campus bedroom. Well, in my experience that’s harder than it sounds.

Here is a link to accommodations in Walla Walla.

We’ve stayed at the LaQuinta, it’s the nicest of the basic motels close to Main Street. However, if your stance on immigration reform makes that suggestion unacceptable there are tons of Travelodge-like motels around Main Street, including a Travelodge.

The Marcus Whitman is the official hotel of the wedding. It’s the biggest/nicest hotel in the area and is literally on Main Street (one block over).

In recent years they have opened some hotels, like a Holiday Inn Express, a little further from the center of town, but still close to the action (per city ordinance 45.6b all action must end by 8:00pm).

Plus, there are a ton of bed and breakfasts in and around the city, and some wineries, like Abeja, rent rooms and all you have to do is stomp grapes for an hour.

If you have any questions about lodging please ask me or Sarah. Trust me, while I was at Whitman I woke up in plenty of motel rooms, usually down a kidney.

Rider/Room Sharing Board

Once the intense, almost fanatical, excitement about our wedding wore off, you slowly came to the realization that not only do you have to get to Walla Walla, but you have to sleep there as well.

Maybe, you don’t wanna pay for a room by yourself, or gas, maybe the exchange of unspeakable acts at the rest stop near Cle Elm for a ride across the state has lost it‘s thrill (not for me).Well, then you're in luck.

Presenting the First Annual Sarah and David’s Wedding Rider/Housing Board, or F.A.S.D.W.R.T.H.D. We can help match you up with someone either driving to Walla Walla or looking to share a hotel room.

Answering Your Emails

Dear David and Sarah,

I LOVE the blog! It has to be the best, funniest, and most creative thing on the internet.

Sincerely,
David Swidler

Dear David,

Thanks. We get hundreds of letters just like this every week.

-David

Dear David and Sarah,

What are the colors for you wedding?

Sincerely,
Harah Sogan

Dear Harah,

Red, pink, and grass green with hints of orange.

-David

Dear David,

My mommy says that you are my daddy, why won't you return our calls?

Sincerely,
Little Jimmy

Dear Little Jimmy,

I've told you and Tabatha before, my lawyer is handling this.

-David

Tax Day Goodbyes

Filing Status Check One Box 1 □ Single, we’ll miss you most of all.

Weekend Wedding on Bainbridge Island

The above photo is from the night I met Sarah, funny story it was at my engagement party.

I kid, that is a photo of Sarah’s friend Jannine taken at a wedding last summer.

We had all made reservations at Doe Bay Resort on Orcas Island. Except, it turned out that Jannine’s reservation was for an open common room inhabited by young dirty people. You know the ones, they like to stay up late playing their guitar, bragging that they’ve never even seen a TV, and complaining that Nader lost them when he veered to the right.

So Jannine moved in with us. The two of them were so kind, and even let me sleep on the floor.

Well I’m not going to let a little thing like a restraining order stop us from once again sharing a room for a wedding.

Besides I’ve noticed that court orders are hard to enforce. I mean I’m just supposed to know where every school in the county is. And then what, I’m just supposed to keep 200 yard sticks in my windowless van.

The wedding is on Bainbridge Island, and features an English person marrying an American, so I guess I approve.

This will be the last wedding that Sarah and I attend before ours, so it’s important that we pay attention and…OMG, free pita and humus-- move!

Our New House

As Sarah and I started to plan our wedding, we quickly realized that it was possible we could still end the year with some money left in our bank mattress account, so we decided to buy a house.

For some reason housing prices across America are dropping to the point where people like us can afford to buy one. That is until we default on our loan six months from now, which should help fix the economy. Yeah, that sounds right. Well, whatever, everything is going on our credit cards anyway. Up high.

We spent a few weeks looking around the city with Real Estate Agent Jim, including a world record fifteen houses on a Saturday. We ended up finding the perfect house in Magnolia, located near the bluff and the village.

Magnolia also means we are the youngest people on our block. We asked a few of our neighbors where they were when they found out JFK was assassinated, and most said at their retirement party.

This means we’ve taken a break from the wedding planning to fix up the house. You see, not only were the previous owners good friends with the 1972 writing staff of Interior Design, apparently they also started chain smoking to get through the 1948 election, and never looked back.

A big thanks, to Jason, Carrie, Nate, Dusty, Sophia, Josh, Seth, and the mother of the bride for all of all of their help last weekend.

Yes, for the next thirty years we are thrilled to be locked into a city where it’s never sunny, people don’t know how to talk to strangers and makes Portland look like Las Vegas…The house also has a backyard and basement.

Save the Date Photo Shoot

In real life you invite someone to something with an invitation, or a gentle toe tap on the restroom floor. However, in wedding world before you can invite someone you must them send them a save the date, then you send them an invitation, followed by a call five minutes before the ceremony to ask where everyone is.

Sarah wisely rejected most of my ideas for the save the date (or STD for short), including both of us with fake mustaches and the two of us in wedding outfits sitting next to Lincoln on a porch swing. I shot down her ridiculous idea of us smiling into a camera, along with her idea of me kissing a body length mirror.

Consensus for an idea was reached the night before President’s Day at Prost!. An example of the concept is posted above.

We then borrowed our friend Ryan and our friend Sophia’s house.

Ryan is a very talented picture taker person; no doubt you’re familiar with his work. He was constantly worrying about things like light, color, shadows and how much Sarah was drinking.

The shoot lasted about an hour, and it may have been the first time that I have ever cursed the Seattle sunshine.

Oh, and we managed to sell Sarah’s mirror kissing idea to Alex Rodriguez.

We Don't See Eye to Eye on St. Patrick's Day

Walla Walla Cracks The Top 20

There are many things Sarah and I will joke about, however, one subject that is definitely out of bounds is our love of Sunset magazine. It’s our third favorite magazine, behind Sports Northwest and How to Plug Your Friend’s Magazine Journal.

Sarah loves the home tips. I love the travel ideas. We both love the glossy photos of young, well off, white people that just don’t seem to have a place in today’s downsized world of racist publishing.

So you can imagine how excited we were to see that Sunset named Walla Walla one of its 20 best small towns in the West, which as long as you ignore the inclusion of Astoria, is a huge honor.

Luckily you don’t have to imagine because here is what happened. First there were shrieks of delight, then jumping up and down, followed by breathing into a paper bag and calls to mom, at which point we showed the cover to Sarah.

Top left on the cover, the one without the beach, or the blue sky. The snowy one, that's Main Street.

Winner Keeps Their Last Name

For those of you who follow Washington State boys high school basketball, and there are like eight of us out there, you may have noticed that the 4A State Tournament pairings were released today.

As we scanned the matchups preparing to call our bookie at betonhighschoolboys.com/notinthatway, we realized that it’s possible for Sarah’s Walla Walla High School and my Garfield High School to meet in Saturday’s championship game.

Will that be enough to get Sarah to attend a high school basketball game in Tacoma? Probably not, so if you know a good way to trick Sarah into going please let me know.

The tournament opens on Wednesday with Garfield vs. Lake Stevens High and Walla Walla vs. Todd Beamer High…oh Sarah, too soon.

UPDATE: The dream died last night when Walla Walla lost a squeaker 52-37, to Federal Way. Garfield fights on; however, without the Blue Devils in the final we are going to stay in Seattle on Saturday.

Breaking News: Wedding Location Selected

For years Walla Walla was known for three things onions and the State Penitentiary.

Then some bean counter realized that the climate was perfect for wine production. Then literally, viola, a regional industry was born.

We had this in mind when we decided to drag our family and closest friends out into the middle of nowhere.

We have selected Hence Cellars as the location of our ceremony and reception.

Much like all of Walla Walla the winery located on the edge of town. However, this place really is out in the middle of a field, with beautiful views of the nearby hills. Oh, and if you have a fear of barrels, well then we suggest that you bring a change of pants because there is a giant room full of them.

In the meantime we recommend that all of you drop whatever you are doing and buy as much Hence Cellars wine as possible. It makes you smarter, taller, better looking, and if you’re pregnant it gives you super powers.

David's Wedding Gift From God Arrived

2009 Walla Walla Wedding Venue Tour '09

Breaking News: Wedding Date Selected

Our wedding will take place on Saturday August 1, 2009. We're sorry if you've already been invited to a Coolio's Birthday house party or to a chateau to celebrate Swiss Independence Day.

Other notable August 1st events:

1619 - First African slaves arrive in Jamestown, Virginia.
1944 - Anne Frank makes the last entry in her diary.
1988 - Rush Limbaugh begins his national radio show.
2007 - The I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis collapses.

Oh dear Lord, did we pick the worst day in history?

1820 - London's Regent's Canal opens.

Phew!

Here is a Movie We Won’t Be Seeing Any Time Soon

It would be like watching Saving Private Ryan before you ship out or The Reader before your war crimes trial.

Inauguration Day

Around August I decided that I was going to propose to Sarah in Cannon Beach over New Years Weekend (partly to win a bet).

I had been very good about keeping it a secret from everyone, except on Election Night, when due to one-part excitement, one part pure joy, about ten parts alcohol; I told her that she would be engaged by the end of Bush Administration.

103 (?) days later we were hosting a small Inauguration breakfast so we could watch the swearing in of our first secret Muslin president, with friends. Our guests included my brother, Sarah’s friends Jannine and Sophia, our rival engaged couple Jason & Saira, and their newlywed friends, who had abandoned their apartment in DC.

Also in attendance was Sarah’s mom. A few days before the inauguration I told her that she was my Mother-in-Law Elect. I received an appreciative half smile (like the one you’re about to give me), so I decided to impeach that joke (I warned you).

Also, any thoughts we had about having Chief Justice Roberts perform our ceremony were squashed as we watched him try to give the Oath of Office.

Breaking News: Sarah Has a Dress

Sarah has purchased her wedding dress from Cicada in Belltown. She claims she knew it was the dress the moment she put it on and started to tear up.

Sarah was accompanied by her mom and “Auntie” Marilyn.

I am not allowed to see the dress, or know any details until the wedding.

Since it’s a one of a kind dress, it’s not like I can look it up online and get a sneak peak. So I am currently trying to get NFL quarterback Kurt Warner to sketch what he thinks the dress looks like.

Engagement Announcement

Photos From the Engagement