I haven't posted in a while, hopefully that will change. The full solar eclipse was today and honestly, I couldn't care less. A few colleagues convinced me to go out with them -- I'm so glad I did. It was inspiring to see so many Seattleites crowded in the streets during the workday just to catch a glimpse of this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon. I thought I would share a few of them.
This weekend I drove down to Oregon with a friend for Labor Day. We had no plans and no destination, just going on instinct and locals' recommendations. A gas station attendant at the foot of the Cascades suggested we hit up the Oregon State Fair which was nearby, so we did. I'd never been to a state fair; it was fun and strange all at once.
The big winner of the day Oregon Dairy Women's Red Barn Marionberry shake (pictured above). Amazing.
The marina in front of Tugboat Annie's.
This weekend my friend Lori took me to her hometown of Olympia: state capital, creative breeding ground for '90s alt music and a patchwork of subcultures, natural beauty and antique shops.
One thing I learned during my time in East Africa: giraffe are beautiful, magical, and mostly gentle creatures.
I went to Las Vegas for the first time at the end of July. It was far less glamorous than I wanted, but with an undeniable, yet trashy pull.
2016 has been a whirlwind of travel. Somewhere between Uganda and Las Vegas I was back in Brooklyn for a week. That Saturday my friend Kim and I spent the day at one of the Rockaway's surf beaches (Beach 90, I think). If you're going to spend the day at Rockaway, go to a surf beach, for two reasons: they're way less crowded and surfers tend to be better looking than regular beachgoers.
This guy was on it.
As I took my brother and Brie around Seattle, there was a very NYC feeling in the air. We kept running into things I'd always felt were so New York: fleet week, mystery steam, the (fake) Flatiron Building.
Later we stopped for sandwiches at Bear and Bee where we found an animal in the table -- we just couldn't agree on what it was. Fox or owl, you decide.
My brother and his wife are coming into town this weekend so I thought I'd pop by Pike Place to pick up some snacks -- our kitchen is painfully empty. While I've been there before, I forgot what a tourist trap is it, especially on a beautiful Friday afternoon in summer. So I snapped some pics, made a new BFF, and did my shopping at Whole Foods.
James Dean (aka Jack Daniels, aka Juvenile Delinquent, aka Justice Department) offered to show me around and then take me to Victor Steinbrueck Park to meet some of his friends and hang, but I was in a rush. The fact that one of his nicknames is Juvenile Delinquent speaks to his tenure on the street.
Madison & Spring
I took the camera out today. I've physically been in Seattle for almost two weeks non-stop, but I'm still going to call this day one. I learned, and relearned, a couple things.
I love giraffe, even as tattoos.
Emily Moon, who got this piece in memory of her mother.
The only way to look good vaping is to be really attractive, like this girl.
I need to be more daring with my shots.
This could have been a good shot, but I went too quickly. I was too scared someone would chase me away. Next time, I'll take the time to shoot it right. The Pine Box.
I so want a terrarium....
And before heading home I hit up the Capitol Hill Branch of the SPL and picked up The Bird's Nest. I think this is the only Shirley Jackson book I've haven't read. Suddenly my life is better than it was 3 hours ago.
