SundayNewspaper

E14 The Mix | | SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2019 2 R RAVE We’re in the process of moving so I’ve made several trips to the big blue donation truck near us. On one trip I mistakenly donat- ed some of my kids’ hand-knit blankets. When I realized it, I was given a number to call to report the accidental donation, telling them I knew they were looking for a needle in a haystack. Imagine my surprise when, a few hours later, I got a call saying they found my blankets. I’m so grateful for the return of these items of sentimental value, and I’m still in disbelief! RANT To the woman letting her dog run loose at Gene Coulon park, a few yards from the sign that clearly says only service dogs are allowed in the park. Maybe she can’t read, but she needs to know she’s not an exception to the rules, and not everyone appreciates being “greeted” by her dog. The Seattle Times publishes reader rants and raves on a space-available basis. We reserve the right to edit for length or content. Send yours to rantandrave@seattletimes.com. angry students and have helped students struggling with homelessness, abuse, learn- ing disabilities andmental illnesses. I love my job, but I still have people say “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.” Occasional- ly students thankme, but I’ve yet to see real appreciation. How about airlines or restau- rants offering a teachers discount? How about having a living wage without holding a strike? RANT To whoever decided unisex public restrooms are a good idea. I’m forever having to put the “Out of Order” sign on one of our two public restrooms because there’s urine all over the floor in front of, or on, the toilet. Guys and gals need their own facilities! RANT On a rainy afternoon on I-90, a large piece of wood flew off a pickup truck and slammed intomy windshield. The wind- shield didn’t shatter, but the impact caused me to lose visibility briefly. Fortunately, I was able to keep control of my car in heavy traffic. This could have been a tragic accident for me or others. RAVE While ordering at a food truck, the worker asked howmy day was going and I replied that I was dealing with news that my beloved 11-year-old dog, Marley, had can- cer. He paid for my entire meal and a chicken breast for Marley, who was withme. It brought tears tomy eyes and gave me faith in kindness in our world. RANT Teacher Appreciation Day was May 7, but teaching is one of the least valued jobs in this country. Our work starts long before classes start and lasts long after classes end. Teachers are expected to be subject-matter experts, mentors, coaches and counselors; make difficult material accessible and fun; and do it with a laughable salary and dimin- ishing resources. We’re expected to train classes in case of active shooters and have advanced degrees, but we’re often treated as glorified baby-sitters. I’ve been assaulted by G A B R I E L C AMP A N A R I O / T H E S E A T T L E T I ME S RANT & RAVE daily rant & rave Look for it in print and online at seattletimes.com/life Dear Carolyn Syndicated columnist DEARCAROLYN: I am themiddle sister of three. My older sister suggestedwe have a family reunion, and we decidedwewould have it at my house. We also decided tomake one day a sur- prise celebration of the youngest sister’s retirement. Therewill be about 16 people over five days. Yesterday, my younger sister told me she had invited her stepson’s ex-wife, saying, “Well, she’s family.” Well, she isn’t related to anyone there; I don’t consider her family. I “slept on it” hoping to get overmy annoyance, but still feel the same. I certainlywon’t tell her to uninvite this person, but am I justified, or overreacting? — Always in the Middle DEARALWAYS INTHEMIDDLE: It would have been a kindness for your sister to tell you of her inten- tions before she invited her ex- daughter-in-law. But that’s about all the backing I can offer for your resentment, which I suspect is by proxy, but I’ll get to that. You are the host, of course—but a reunion is not, “I’mbringing us all together,” it’s, “We’re bringing our- selves together and I’m[graciously!] volunteering to house everyone.” So for one of you towiden the circle a bit for an extra familymember is not the violation it would be if youwere having, say, a dinner party. Plus, your sister’s plus-one is an inclusive gesture, well in keeping with the spirit of a reunion. Just be- cause the law says this woman is no longer related to your sister doesn’t mean they can’t regard each other as family. Given your generosity in offering your home, I suspect you’d have no problemembracing such inclusion if you: liked this sistermore; liked this ex-relativemore; felt less over- whelmed by the coming stampede; or felt better about your standingwithin the family pecking order. Or a little of all four. Because taking issuewith one extra person over a family-tie technicality? That’s so small. Especially consider- ing this weekend is in part a celebra- tion of this sister. So that’s why you haveme thinking proxy complaint: meaning, youwere already generally and even subcon- sciously anxious, and sowhen this plus-one issue presented itself as a convenient receptacle for all those misgivings, you dumped themright in. We’ve all been there. Your signature is what got my attentionmost: “Always in theMid- dle.” In four words, you admit seeing this as the latest chapter in a long- running tale of frustration. So. My advice is to repeat to your- self, “Themore themerrier.” Or, even better, “Blood doesn’t make families, hearts do.” I also urge you to be clear and unflinching in delegatingmost — I repeat, most —of the hostingwork; merely preparing your home before and reclaiming it after represents more than one person’s share. Hud- dlewith both sisters to assignmeals, cleanups, errands, expenses, all of it. Andmy advice for the extra resent- ment is to identify—or if you already know it acknowledge— the true source of your annoyance, and ad- dress it. Or, choose not to address it! But do so consciously and for good, so you don’t spend the reunion (and thereafter) booby-trappedwith old grudges, sore spots and pique. Copyright 2019, Washington Post Writers Group Email Carolyn at tellme@washpost.com and follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/carolyn.hax Annoyed that sister invited ex-relative to family reunion ByMOIRA MACDONALD Seattle Times arts critic The range of looks atMon- day night’sMetropolitanMu- seumof Art’s Costume Insti- tute benefit galawas, frankly, exhausting, so I’m just going to focus on these three amazing heads. This year’s themewas “camp,” as inSusanSontag’s famous 1964 “Notes on ‘Camp’ ” essay, kicking off an exhibit which (I’mquoting the Met’swebsite here) “examines how the elements of irony, humor, parody, pastiche, artifice, theatricality, and exaggeration are expressed in fashion.” That should give plenty of leeway for some good looks, right? So herewe haveGemmaChan (“Crazy RichAsians”), bottomright, looking regal in a TomFord gown and an elaborate head- dress inspired by anElizabeth Taylormovie; CelineDion, top right, going full Ziegfeld show- girl inOscar de laRenta, with an insane featheredheadpiece that she is absolutely pulling off; and JanelleMonáe, left, a gloriously surreal vision in ChristianSiriano, topped by a whimsical stack of hats. If this is camp, handmemy back- pack. MoiraMacdonald: mmacdonald@seattletimes.com; on Twitter:@moiraverse Whimsical hats and fantastical headpieces at the Met Gala SUNDAY BEST C H A R L E S S Y K E S / I N V I S I ON / T H E A P repurpose them as an art project last year. But city of Kirkland com- munications director Kellie Stickney recently toldme that none were selected and the city is still determining what to do next. It’s easy to say that a lot of Seattle history is being erased. But the resilience of the Kalakala proves otherwise. As long as these pieces are preserved, its memory will live on. Email: gcampanario@seattletimes.com; on Twitter: @seattlesketcher. ON THE WEB | See more sketches and leave comments at seattletimes.com /seattlesketcher SEATTLE SKETCHER A piece of the Kalakala gazes upon the Seattle skyline as scraps await rebirth Gabriel Campanario Seattle Times news artist Sketched April 16 and May 3, 2019 KIRKLAND— A n important piece of Puget Sound history frames a unique view of the Seattle skyline from the parking lot of Salty’s restaurant inWest Seattle. It’s the wheelhouse of the Kalakala, a 1930s state ferry that transported passengers across Elliott Bay for three decades and became a symbol of the city for its futuristic, art deco design. I was reminded of this location onmy sketching bucket list when I recently stumbled upon other pieces of the Ka- lakala in Kirkland. Leaning over a fence next to the city’s public-works maintenance facility by the popular Cross Kirkland Corridor pathway, I could not have mistaken them. I sketched the Kalakala in 2012 when the dere- lict ship was still all in one piece. Its owner at the time, Steve Rodri- gues, tried to raise money to save it —he said it wouldmake a great event venue along the future Seattle waterfront. But his attempts failed and the storied vessel was eventually cut up and sold for scrap. The art deco ferry was originally built in Kirkland, so it makes sense that the city purchased some pieces. Artists submitted proposals to