Seattle Culture

So, a little elaboration on my Seattle experience. The place is like a foreign country with the same language.

Did you know?

1. Carrying an umbrella sends off sirens that you're a tourist. Seattleites simply have a lightweight, midweight and heavyweight jacket with a hood conveniently attached. I was corrected on proper umbrella use twice. Gina laughed in my face when I used one from the car to the grocery store entrance.

2. Taking the bus is something everyone does. There was a good mix of homeless, students, professionals and the elderly hitching a ride on the 120 to downtown. The reason, I'm guessing, is the nightmare that parking presents at 9 out of 10 places you want to go. Incidentally, I managed to take the bus on 3 separate occasions and successfully landed where I wanted each time. And the very first time involved a TRANSFER...I can hear all of you saying, "Oooohhhh" like little kids.

3. Mount Rainier is beautiful, or so I've heard. The cloud cover remained constant throughout my weeklong stay (I did get to see the Olympic Mountains, as you saw in the pictures). Interesting to note, however, that it rains more annually in Houston than Seattle.

4. Seattleites think 80 degrees is a heatwave.

5. There are often codes to get into the restroom at public places.

6. "Mother-in-law" spaces refer to apartments or rooms for rent in which the renter will live in the same house as the landlord.

7. Politeness and courtesy are expected. Friendliness (especially with the word "y'all" attached) gets you a "Who is the crazy person?" look.

8. There are neighborhoods, each with its own distinct personality, throughout the city. It nearly feels like several small towns that just connect at the city limits. My favorites were Greenlake, Wallingford and Alki.

9. Everyone has a dog. And everyone jogs. Usually those two go together at one of the wonderful hiking trails in the city.

10. Everyone wears fleece, jeans and a pair of shoes from REI. This is what I have decided to call GranolaWear. I love GranolaWear...it suits me far more than the "Ever cute, Ever uncomfortable" style of North Texas.

Bonus: So I may have misspoken when I said the language was the same. Can you pronounce these towns, all located within an hour of Seattle?
A. Snohomish
B. Issaquah
C.Puyallup

And my personal favorite, the town my boss grew up in, Wala Wala.

Spring Break in Seattle

I went to Seattle for Spring Break this year. Not the beach paradise that most run to, I realize, but a fabulous trip all the same. My best friend from the EIGHTH GRADE (who I should also note that I haven't had contact with since 1997), Gina, found me on myspace a few months ago and when I found out she lived in Seattle, I decided the time was right for a visit. Other than missing Wilbert (who, you will all be glad to know, had his stitches successfully removed and has recovered quite nicely), I had a great time...here are highlights:

The famous Fremont Troll

Hanging out with the troll...charming fellow, isn't he?

The original Starbucks--looks nothing like any other Starbucks. Nope, I didn't get a drink at this one. But these nice folks did.

The Quad at the University of Washington...the amazing Japanese cherry blossoms were in bloom!

The famous Pike Place Fish Co. These guys are known for throwing huge fish in the air (and yelling stuff no one understands) when you buy them...I thought about buying one just to see it. You'll have to settle for this pic instead. But they did throw a crab, which is strange. I couldn't get the camera out in time. :(

A day clear enough to see the Olympic Mountains!

View of downtown Seattle from the zero deck of the Space Needle

Me & Gina all grown up now, with downtown Seattle behind us. This was at McCormick & Schmick's, a famous seafood restaurant in Seattle.

Greg & Gina--best hosts ever!

Greg & Gina on Alki Beach at sunset

My dream house on Lake Washington
Note the amazing scenery...this is how all of Seattle looks really. This shot is taken from a canoe...a canoe that I was in. That's right, my first canoeing experience. :)

Greg in the front was the Power Source

Gina in back was the Steer-er...hopefully, you have deduced that G&G put me exactly where I belonged, in the middle of the canoe where I could do little damage.

Canoeing under the freeways

Nice catch
The Seattle Skyline from Alki Beach

The error is corrected...

Yay--I defeated the computer...here are the promised pics of Wilbert post-surgery and my trip to Austin. Josh's best friend from high school, Matt, happened to come in town too so Josh & Amy showed both of us the best Austin had to offer!

As promised, a pic of Wilbert the conehead!

Me & Amy

(Yay for spring weather!)

Not sure what would've happened if the UT security had found me at this moment...

We heart our limes!

(I'm not sure why I look scared...)

Josh & Amy enjoy drinks at Shady Grove

Amy found $100 bill at UT-dinner was on her!

Lunch @ the Hula Hut on Lake Travis

L-R: Josh, Matt, Amy, me

Amy & I keep Austin wierd w/Hula Hut shirts while Matt acts cool
Josh & the UT Ex "Hook 'Em"

Stay tuned...

I tried to blog yesterday, but couldn't get the pics to upload. While I'm working on this error, I wanted to give you a taste of what is to come...

Keep Austin Wierd: Part Deux (check August 2006 for Part One)--I went to Austin for a work conference and spent some time with Josh & Amy again...good times and fun photos!

Wilbert the Conehead--my little bug woke up yesterday with a nasty nasty purple welt on his backside that was oozing stuff, which turned out to be a "ruptured oil gland cyst"...8 hours, 1 surgery, 3 stitches and a big plastic cone later, Wilbert is recovering nicely. You will NOT want to miss those photos!

Back soon...