Jun 19, 2011

“Lock the front door when you leave the house.” “Put a club on your steering wheel when you park.” “Don’t dress like you have money.” “Don’t carry a camera out in the open.” “Don’t act like an American.” For my own safety, I’ve been given all of the above advice at one time or another during my life. On none of these occasions did I...

Jun 14, 2011

Since I am going to be away from my main computer this week, I decided to download all of the local Seattle news apps onto my Galaxy Tablet this morning. I grabbed King 5, Komo News, Kiro 7, Q13 Fox, and the Seattle Times — then I went about testing each app to see which would take the coveted upper-left-corner position on my news page. King 5’s app is...

Jun 9, 2011

I’ve been reading a great deal about the proposed Downtown Tunnel lately. I think it’s painfully obvious to anyone reading the debates that both sides tend to, how shall I say this … exaggerate.  I think it goes without saying that the deep-bore tunnel will neither destroy Seattle, nor will it solve all of its transportation woes.  Each side has...

Jun 9, 2011

After breaking the parking meter story last week and learning that the city’s solution is “leave a note on your dashboard”, I’ve taken their advice to heart. I’ve crafted a sign and affixed a piece of tape at the top to use in the event of a pay station failure. Then again, since the station ripped me off last time by not...

Jun 7, 2011

For the heads-up:  http://www.king5.com/news/cities/seattle/Seattle-parking-meters-unable-to-accept-credit-card-payments-123404733.html Aww, gee guys, don’t mention it. That’s just how I roll. I’m kind of like Phoenix Jones without the suit.  Or the goatee.  Or the ability to quell street violence by standing menacingly close to...

Jun 7, 2011

A few weeks ago, I flipped on the television to watch Lisa Van Cise gripe about the weather (“I wanna kill myself cause it’s sooo clowww deeee!”) when something unexpected happened. The newscast cut to a live feed of an airplane landing, and I assumed that a VIP was arriving. Was it Barack? Was it Sarah? Was it Anthony Weiner coming to do...

Jun 6, 2011

I am 42 years old. I’ve been to a lot of places, I have done a lot of things. Most of those things I was proud of, some things I could have done better. Of all the questionable things I have done, however, tweeting a picture of my pecker is not one of them. In fact, it has never even crossed my mind. I mean, why would it? Why would it cross anyone’s...

Jun 5, 2011

What a weekend. I’ve been short on time and neglecting the blog. Two family birthdays, a friend in from out of town, the tail end of a major contract, and a recalcitrant case of priapism. You know how it is. I have to backtrack a bit. On Friday, I went to Top Pot Doughnuts to celebrate “National Doughnut Day”. What is National Donut Day? I...

May 30, 2011

This past weekend, while taking some shots downtown, I noticed a couple of kids sitting in front of Westlake Center. Being a fan of random street life images, I snapped a quick photograph and moved on. As I was walking away, I heard someone scream “Pictures are a dollar!”. I didn’t bother looking back. I just shrugged and walked on. I kept hearing the...

May 26, 2011

But … Remember this post? A couple of months ago, I mentioned my near annihilation by an automobile due to the glare of the sun. I also laid out in grave detail why sunshine is actually less healthy and less safe for the citizens of Seattle than are clouds. When I presented my findings to a local meteorologist, he informed me simply that he...

May 24, 2011

A couple of hours ago, I was riding my 125cc scooter in Lower Queen Anne when the tablet in my laptop case vibrated. I was expecting an important email, so I immediately looked for a safe place to stop in order to check my inbox. Near the corner of Mercer & Queen Anne, I spotted a small opening between two parked cars, and I backed my scooter into the...

May 23, 2011

Well, it looks like the tunnel is headed for a vote, although it doesn’t really look like the vote is going to count. Yesterday, the City Council decided to proceed with a referendum which will determine whether or not the city can “give notice” to the state. If “yes”, such notice will allow them to go ahead with the construction phase of...

May 21, 2011

If the nasty heat and oppressive glare prevented you from getting out and enjoying the great outdoors this week, you’re not alone. Fortunately, it has come to an end. At least for now. California is getting its weather back, and Seattle’s natural shield from the toxic gasball has taken its rightful place over the city, bringing back the weather we...

May 20, 2011

If what Christians are saying is true … and they’ve yet to be wrong about anything … the world will end tonight at 11pm Pacific Daylight Time. Frankly, I welcome it. I have a pile of bills sitting on a table next to me, a to-do list a mile long, and my scooter needs an oil change. On any other day, these things might bother me, but not today. ...

May 19, 2011

You know, it’s fine and good to disagree about things. Disagreement is what makes a market, and it’s what brings about change for the better. Tricks, manipulation, and deception, however, is a sign of desperation. Take Mayor McGinn’s Wikipedia page for instance: First, the article starts out with a complete hit paragraph which consists solely...

May 19, 2011

Some people are trying to do exactly this. They have launched an effort to recall our Mayor. How are they doing this? Via Facebook. AOL of the 21st Century. Amateur hour. Dominion of the bored, lazy, uncreative, and technically illiterate. I mean, why make an actual effort to do anything when you can have some faceless corporation do it for you with a few...

May 18, 2011

The Melvins played a two-show residency at the Croc in Belltown this past weekend, and of course, they killed it on both nights. Both shows were quickly sold out, and the shows were great, but when Monday came around, I found myself nagged by a question. In 2011, why in the HELL am I still seeing The Melvins in venues like the Croc? Don’t get me wrong, the...

May 15, 2011

May 14, 2011

Earlier today, I walked past 3rd & Pine with my wife (of a different race), when I encountered these fine gentleman … preaching about the evils of interracial marriage, the evils of the white man, and something about the evils of Jesus. Being quite possibly the most determined blogger on the planet, I stopped and lined up a few shots while being...

May 12, 2011

Random photographs, observations, and 2,000 word editorials about life in general are all well and good … for an indie blog authored by one guy. When I put up news pieces, business reviews, or announcements, however, it can be overwhelming for people who aren’t necessarily interested in opinion or “creativity”. There is a good chance that they do...

May 9, 2011

This is the saddest story I have read in some time: http://www.king5.com/news/Boy-dies-friends-disgusted-by-slow-response-121535594.html This past weekend, an Everett boy was left under a capsized boat for 40 minutes as game wardens and police stood by and watched. The boy has died. Why didn’t they help him? Because Law Enforcement was out on the water...

May 7, 2011

On June 19th, a group of self-described “sluts” and their proud supporters will take to the streets of Seattle. Now, had I reported this story alone, I would be called an offensive sexist along with whatever else the PC crowd could find in their vocabulary. Since the mainstream media is also calling these people “sluts”, however, I don’t think any of...

May 4, 2011

Once upon a time, I was a huge NBA Basketball fan. I hung out in the Capital Center, got autographs from the likes of Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld after games, and I even played on the courts with these same guys when they participated in youth programs. I watched Ewing vs. Mourning in the playoffs at the Garden, and I attended the very first Wizards game in the...

May 3, 2011

Wow. Seattle Rex has been nominated for “News – Best Website” in The 2011 Seattle Web Awards presented by the Seattle Weekly: http://polls.seattleweekly.com/polls/sew/webawards11/ I’m usually quite cynical toward “awards”, but when people take the time out of their day to vote for you, how can you not appreciate it? Also, no matter how much the...

May 3, 2011

Sunday was International Workers’ Day. A day which, every year, sees thousands of people march through Downtown Seattle. A day over which I am deeply conflicted. In 2011, in my heart of hearts, I know that I am watching “Decline of the Roman Empire, Part II – This Time It’s Personal”. Not only am I watching it, but I am living it. The...