Category: Seattle and Beyond

YouTube Discovery: “What to do with ONE DAY in Seattle!”

Carl Setzer

Friday my son spent the afternoon and evening bulldozed by some virus. Yesterday the wretched microbes fought with my wife. Last night they came for me. Today’s itinerary thus changed to drinking tea while couch surfing with YouTube.

The best part of such (I always look for the positives)? Discovering new talent. Today I found Claire McAdams, photographer and explorer. Her journey through China a few months ago charmed me. I enjoy her energy and quirky sensibilities.

Back in October she posted a video of a day on Seattle (I expect her actual visit here occurred in summer, though. Anyway, I inserted the video below for your convenience and edification).

I liked her choices for her Seattle excursion:

Pike Place Market including:

  • The gum wall
  • Food tour (she didn’t mention which tour company she used. There are plenty of options, though).

Underground Tour

Cupcake Royale

Seattle Center

Kerry Park

Dim Tai Fung. They opted for Bellevue, though Pacific Place is significantly closer to Pike Place.

Now, as a life-long Seattleite, what suggestions do I offer?

Hmmm…

Favorite Foods at Pike Place:

And Seattle Center:

I like her venue choices with some additions. If you like music, add MPop. And the Wing Luke Museum offers great insight into the Asian Pacific American experience. If nothing else, their Bruce Lee exhibit garnered high praise.

So, Seattle fans, what recommendations come to mind? And check out her video.

Views From The Road In Kirkland

Carl Setzer

The brutality of traffic: my journey home impacted. Made my way through Kirkland, though extremely slowly. The upside? These great photos taken from my car. Right off Lake Washington, the light felt perfect. The cold air, though, presented another challenge. One solved with rolled up windows, I suppose.

Halloween Is Coming!!! Here’s My List Of Spooktacular Fun

Carl Setzer
Halloween Jack O'Lanterns

It’s upon us, the end of October and all the Halloween fun for the kids! Here’s my collection of fun, family events for the south Snohomish County region.

Have a fun, safe and delightful Halloween!

 

Saturday, October 26th: 
Sunday, October 27: 
On Halloween Night:
Lynnwood:
Edmonds:
Mountlake Terrace:
Mill Creek:

A Photographic Look At My Trip To Port Townsend

Carl Setzer

I posted this photo montage on my Facebook page. I like the way Facebook organizes them, how I can label the individual photos, and other elements.

As I’ve explore other options to create montages focused on my site, I’ve overlooked this obvious tool. I think I’ll continue to explore Facebook in the near-term, however, part of me isn’t keen on directing folks to Facebook too often. Mainly, if you don’t have a Facebook account (yes, there are people who don’t), you’re out of luck. Also there are all the elements the Facebook detractors bring up.

Did you see the moon this evening?

Carl Setzer

It was s lovely evening for a walk. Not too cold, pretty clear, dry…all the things that make for a lovely autumn evening in the Pacific Northwest. Did you get out to see it?

One additional thought: cold nights are perfect for pho.

[Edited: “noon” changed to “moon”.]

Looks like the WSP is enforcing the “Illegal to cross the double white lines” on 405’s toll lanes

Carl Setzer

On my drive home from Bellevue to Lynnwood this evening I noticed something. The State Patrol was enforcing the “Illegal to Cross The Double White Lines” in the toll lanes. I’ve noticed those lines for awhile now. In the past month, now that I’d driving to Bellevue daily, I see them more. However, I really never gave it much thought. There are a number of spots where it’s inconvenient to wait. And, well, I have just crossed them.

I guess shan’t be doing that anymore. Though I think it’s a bit petty/silly thing to be investing time and energy in. But it’s not my call to make.

 

 

Brickcon This Weekend!

Carl Setzer
Lego Millennium Falcon Brickcon 2018
Lego Millennium Falcon Brickcon 2018

Sadly, this weekend’s schedule isn’t letting me get down to this year’s Brickcon. Running today and tomorrow at Seattle Center’s Exhibition Hall, if you’re into Legos, you’ll be in heaven.

Here is my look at 2018’s.

Some thoughts on growth

Carl Setzer

Earlier this evening I was considering traffic, while driving home…in traffic. Now, I don’t hate it like some folks do. But I did have a snarky moment today where I thought I’d be clever to text my family saying “I just left Bellevue. I should be home in time for high school graduation”.

Anyway, for me it’s a great opportunity to listen to music or podcasts. So I’m relatively happy. Sure, I’d rather not be stuck, but it’s the way of things, I guess.

With that, as I rolled through Kirkland and looked over all the growth, I was struck by the increasing density. I’ve noted before that we’re watching the greater Seattle area become more dense. Pretty much daily. I’m seeing many lots that held one house hey torn down and reolaced by three. Or more. With Growth Management Act limitations on where we cam build, and our economy continuing to bring new residents here, there’s only one way for things to go. Also, density is the solution to creating affordable housing.

I’m glad to see light rail getting implemented region wide. I drive by the Bellevue and Redmond, as well as the Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace extension construction sites daily. We will have desperate need of tthese as the region continues its growth.

Tis a mixed blessing, clearly. So much has changed in my lifetime. I’m pretty sure my school friends who left the area would find it quite hard to navigate now.

How do you feel about all this? Terrifid? Excited? Bridging the hike between them?

The Greedy Need For Speed

Carl Setzer

Lately I’ve thought a lot about traffic. First there’s the ever increasing volumes on northbound I5 through Marysville to Arlington  My trips to Bellingham have stretched out from 60 minutes to an hour and a half…on good days. Then there’s taking this new position in Bellevue, which has thrown me into heavier traffic then I’ve dealt with for some time, if ever. 

I’ve jokingly told myself many times “welcome to LA”. 

I live in a place that’s attracting new people at an exponential rate. Can’t blame them. Jobs are cool. 

With this, though, I’ve noticed an uptick in aggressive driving. Whether tailgating, cutting people off; there are myriad examples of destructive behaviors. I believe the challenge here is simple: A sense of entitlement for speed. Anything that slows us down challenges us a  to our birthright. This explains why people get homicidal over the bicyclist, a pedestrian, or that car doing 50 in the fast lane. I should be able to go as fast as I want, statistics and public safety be damned!

This, combined with the aforementioned increase in the sheer volume of cars pushes us hard. No wonder people are snapping. 

Our culture needs to calm down, to slow down. This rage kills, but not just on the road. Increased stress causes all kinds of horrible things to our bodies and minds. We need to walk more, get on our bikes and ride, getting out of our cars. And we need to remember that the other drivers out there are people. Doing the best that they can. 

Just like us. 

[Editted because I hit “post” too soon and, thus needed to clean up a bunch of grammar]