Okay, I’ll be straight with you — nothing is wrong. In fact, that’s just it. Nothing. Is. Wrong.
I’m on vacation in Seattle and so far everything has been perfect, including the weather. However I must admit that I think I’ve already scratched this town off of my “Where Will I Move When I Move OTP?” list. I just don’t see myself spending considerable time here.
A Monster Has Been Created
If you read about my trip to Arizona you may remember that I flew First Class for the first time in my life. You may also remember that I was reticent to do do because I had feared finding out what I have been missing out on my whole life.
Saturday “Paulie the Big Spender” upgraded his AirTran ticket to Business Class (no First Class on this flight, Business Class was the best) for $80. I just couldn’t stomach the idea of a nearly five-hour flight in Coach, at least not for only another $80. My seat (the last one available in Business Class) was in Row 1, which I think is ideal since no one could lean a chair back into me.
As it turned out, it was money well spent. After we got in the plane we waited at the gate an additional forty-five minutes until a technician could fix a seat. During that forty-five minute delay I drank a beer (a Corona — In a can? WTF? — because that was the “best” beer available. My friend Betsy would have been satisfied with the selection. Betsy, do you still read this? Have Reese bark twice for “Yes” and once for “No”). During the long flight I had ample leg and shoulder room and I consumed one more Corona (I would have drank a lot more if better beer was available) and snacked on some TGI Friday “potato skin chips” (not real food, think “ultra thick potato chips”). Not even my crazy aisle-mate, a woman who could not sit still and kept sticking her head into the window (she had the window seat) like a dog trying to look out of a car, could dampen the spirits of my flight.
With Two Pounds To Spare
I somehow managed to pack forty-eight pounds of shit, two pounds fewer than the “no-cost” limit, into my checked suitcase. With the exception of my tripod I have no idea why my suitcase was so goddamn heavy. While I do plan on jettisoning some shirts and underwear by the time I return home I don’t think that I will be lightening my load by that much. I guess that this will stop me from buying unnecessary things to bring home.
Top Pot Is Top Notch
This coincidence just killed me. While waiting for the Marta train to take me to the airport for my flight to Seattle I listened to NPR‘s The Splendid Table podcast. On the show their “Road Food” foodies talked about the best doughnuts the had ever eaten recently were in a place in Seattle called Top Pot Doughnuts. Well ain’t that a kick in the head!
Want to guess what Paulie ate for breakfast yesterday? Want to go double-or-nothing on what I will eat today?
ITP Flickr Pic
Caught this while walking through Seattle
It’s obviously not a place at which I wish to worship.
How Do It Know?
First, I opened a fortune cookie while driving to the parking garage and it read “Treat yourself to a good book for a needed rest and escape.”
Then, “The Splended Table” talks about Seattle.
Then, while Googling for information about Seattle’s public art an AJC was returned.
And then while walking in Seattle I put my iPod on Shuffle and it played a Pearl Jam song immediately.
How do it know?
Baseball By Day, Music By Night
I am all of two blocks away from one of my current favorite radio stations, KEXP. In fact, this hotel room is only a few blocks away from a lot of cool shit.
After walking around a lot yesterday morning (walking off the doughnuts), I walked by KEXP in order to get a photo (okay, the outside of radio stations aren’t glamorous, but I’m in Seattle so why the hell not). While I walked by I noticed a tour bus being unloaded but there were no markings on it. When I got back to my room I found out that The Polyphonic Spree were going to do an in-studio. I thought about trying to get in, but since my plans had me seeing them last night I chose not to do so — I also had something else on my agenda for the afternoon.
I stopped by the hotel’s front desk to inquire about the best way to get to Safeco Field for the day’s Mariners‘ game. Lo and behold, the hotel had a $5 shuttle to the stadium. No shit! How awesome was that?
The game was a blast. I spent more money to get in than expected, but I had a decent seat, at least for the innings I spent in it. I tip my hat to Safeco Field and the beer selection provided. Because the were $8 each I only had two — a Mirror Pond IPA and an Alaskan Brewing Company Amber Ale. For those keeping score, New Belgium Brewery’s Fat Tire Amber Ale was also available.
After a much needed nap I walked about a mile to a Seattle club called Showbox for The Polyphonic Spree show. What a show! I’d venture to say that only The Flaming Lips put on a more joyful, uplifting show. The night was even special for The Poylphonic Spree as well since yesterday marked the seven year anniversary for the band.
Additionally, when the band launched into their incredible cover of Nirvana’s “Lithium” the place went nuts — for obvious reasons.
And now for some ideas stolen from LiveJournal…
Current Mood – tired, but happy
Current Music – I am listening to KEXP streaming via iTunes, even though I could pick them up on that archaic technology called “radio.”
Website Of The Day – none today, I’ve given it all up above.
Exercise (b)Log – a lot of walking
Mode Of Transportation To Work – Work? HA! Not today.
July Goals
0) Celebrate my 42nd birthday
1) Get my first Ruby / Ruby on Rails program written
2) Get my photoblog up and running
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
They probably don’t want any terrorist using a broken beer bottle as a weapon. Could they do that? Would it be against Islamic Law to kill an infidel with a container that contained alcohol?
Sounds like you are having a great time, looks like the trip is doing you some good.
For some insights into “extreme”-light packing:
http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/07/11/how-to-travel-the-world-with-10-pounds-or-less-plus-how-to-negotiate-convertibles-and-luxury-treehouses/
Thanks Cory. I saw this last week. My first thought was that this guy was not packing nearly enough clothing. Then I read his statement
“Also, never buy if you can borrow. If you’re going on a bird watching trip in Costa Rica, you don’t need to bring binoculars — someone else will have them.”
Huh? Look, if you know you are going on a bird watching trip, purposely don’t bring any, and the want to borrow my binoculars then you can fuck off!
Remember, airlines have to pay for jetfuel, can are lighter than bottles, hence airlines save money by having their beverages in cans (or plastic).
Imaging Turner Field actually having good beer… boggles the mind, don’t it?
Have fun.
-FP
I understand why it was in a can rather than a bottle. I just had no idea that Corona was put into a can. I have never seen it that way. Admittedly, I don’t look for Corona ofter, however. 😉
Heh heh, agreed. The same logic for going on a photo stroll (why bring a camera if others will have one)…I definitely don’t agree with that aspect of his philosophy.