tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84607030177280662652011-08-02T17:55:30.635-07:00tourism, life — and maybe some biking — in the emerald city, seattletonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.comBlogger881100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-21904051564598521632010-03-02T10:29:00.001-08:002010-03-02T10:47:20.197-08:00

I  rode the Chilly Hilly with Seth on Sunday. It was a really good time despite being completely exhausting.  chilly Map your trip with EveryTrail

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com4Bainbridge Island, WA, USA47.6262081 -122.521244847.5105151 -122.7547043 47.7419011 -122.28778530000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-68141803965592160302010-01-01T23:02:00.000-08:002010-01-01T23:02:15.577-08:00

My New Year's Resolution has a lot to do with Seattle tourism. In fact, it IS Seattle Tourism (capital T). Resolution 2010: Keep being a tourist in my own town. To wit: 1. Take a photo, and publish it online, every day (but seven photos a week, on average, will do too). 2. Use transit/walk/bike whenever possible. 3. Go to more classic films at Central Cinema. 4. Go on the Underground Tour. 5.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com3Seattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.3747335 -122.7989898 47.8376855 -121.86515179999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-21772306131354100412009-12-11T09:25:00.000-08:002009-12-11T09:30:23.883-08:00

The view on the ferry the past few days has been spectacular.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com1Kitsap, Washington, USA47.55984733956306 -122.46459960937547.32816633956306 -122.931518609375 47.791528339563065 -121.997680609375tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-32126345214941361602009-10-17T19:06:00.000-07:002009-10-17T19:07:29.988-07:00

First, I had to test out my new pannier by loading up the rest of the Halloween decorations in it:That's right; there are witch boots hanging out of that bag.Then I loaded up with some techy items from the UW bookstore (yay for student discounts), and brought those to Bremerton and back (the store was "on the way" to work).My bike hauls pretty well.It also needs new brakes, but that'll get

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com2Unknown location47.66004026176056 -122.3134088516235447.656427261760555 -122.32070435162353 47.66365326176056 -122.30611335162354tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-66854781416670356842009-10-08T16:17:00.000-07:002009-10-08T16:17:04.260-07:00

I'm working on bringing a few of Mom and Dad's Halloween decorations home with me. Problem is, they're stored under my desk in Bremerton and I only have my bike to haul them to my house in Seattle. So  that's where this came about.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com4Bremerton, Washington, USA47.55614031294337 -122.6225280761718847.44029181294337 -122.85598757617187 47.67198881294337 -122.38906857617188tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-40353596034061925382009-09-30T08:03:00.000-07:002009-09-30T08:15:54.325-07:00

I rode home in the pouring rain last night, so it was nice to wake up to this:It's still chilly, but at least I'm not soggy! The view's not bad, either.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com2Seattle, WA, USA47.60245929546309 -122.3640060424804747.57352279546309 -122.42237104248046 47.63139579546309 -122.30564104248047tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-11474031950037123582009-09-08T07:51:00.000-07:002009-09-08T07:51:14.278-07:00

And all is well. I got a new jacket and (more) new lights for my bike, so I'm riding pretty. I wouldn't mind a pair of gloves, since it's kind of chilly, but that will come along later. Here's my gear on the ferry, complete with musliex and chocolate milk. A bit too sweet for my tastes, but that's all I could find (the milk, that is). And this is the bag I tote it all around in. It has been a

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com3Seattle, Washington, USA47.585789182379905 -122.4453735351562547.354222682379906 -122.91229253515625 47.817355682379905 -121.97845453515625tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-20862746655224238632009-08-13T14:44:00.001-07:002009-08-13T14:44:27.800-07:00

Blatant self-promotion: It's the "I Got A Job Sale" at my Etsy shop! $5 handprinted shirts, sale on coffee sweaters. http://bit.ly/XKp79

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-75988265317341481462009-08-11T13:20:00.000-07:002009-08-12T22:48:42.194-07:00

Today's my first day of real, longer-term work in five months. Yay!Here's the ferry. It's relatively empty; not too many people commute at 12:45 p.m.We've noticed some birds have been perishing in our yard. This may be why:And I got a new shelf for my spices to put above the stove, in an awkward cabinet. Courtesy of my dad.And I will begin work in 45 minutes. Horray.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com3Seattle, WA, USA47.59458795938031 -122.4254608154296947.53670595938031 -122.54219031542969 47.65246995938031 -122.30873131542968tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-15792453339579243772009-08-05T14:48:00.000-07:002009-08-05T14:48:16.021-07:00

I'm in a coffee shop on Beacon Hill right now, enjoying a oh-so-healthy treat in the middle of my bike ride. I brought my computer because I'm much more productive when I'm not at home. It's hard to work, though, since I'm so amped up with adrenaline: I rode across the I-90 floating bridge, and back. You'd think that because it's floating that it's flat, right? Wrong. You've gotta go up a hill

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com3Mercer Island, WA, USA47.589378335841154 -122.2574043273925847.574906335841156 -122.28658682739258 47.60385033584115 -122.22822182739257tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-73687221169381138922009-07-30T11:22:00.000-07:002009-07-30T11:31:32.493-07:00

I've had thisnot-very-flattering light in my dining room almost since I moved in. I changed it up today. It went from that lamp, with this shade:I don't use the floor lamp at all (the version I have isn't the cool bendy kind; it's straight up).So I put the shade on the hanging lamp.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-69584080601573179402009-07-23T14:25:00.000-07:002009-07-23T14:26:12.831-07:00

And when I say around Seattle, I really mean around ... didn't go too far into the city core, since that's where all the hills are, after all. A good trip, though, and I got to see things I haven't seen before.Three duck boats in Lake Union.The very end of the Burke ... I've been to the other end too, but didn't catch the sign.The beach and the Olympics at Golden Gardens park.A long, narrow,

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com2Golden Gardens Dr NW, Seattle, WA 98117, USA47.69042 -122.40001247.686809000000004 -122.4073075 47.694031 -122.3927165tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-22377990477493652272009-07-20T21:12:00.001-07:002009-07-20T21:15:59.233-07:00

switchback, originally uploaded by tonrix.So I volunteer at the Arboretum, but have always driven there. I decided today that I'd buck up and try to bike there. I did it, and then some -- ended up going about 25 miles, about half of which was on city streets. Phew. Here's a photo of part of a switchback I had to force myself to go up. Here's a map of my route. Lake tour at EveryTrail

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com3Lake Forest Park, WA, USA47.75317468890147 -122.2761154174804747.74596118890147 -122.29070641748046 47.760388188901466 -122.26152441748047tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-63713370427998726092009-07-18T15:30:00.000-07:002009-07-18T18:06:11.255-07:00

I got on the light rail, which opened today, at my friendly neighborhood station, rode down to Tukwila (near the airport), then back up to downtown Seattle. And then back to my neighborhood. It was pretty packed and everyone was pretty excited about the goings-on. I was expecting long, long waits (perhaps an hour?) at each station that I had to get out at; the longest wait I had was maybe 15

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com2Beacon Hill, Seattle, WA, USA47.55952877726411 -122.2925949096679747.555908777264115 -122.29989040966797 47.56314877726411 -122.28529940966797tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-5263320317260698002009-07-17T22:35:00.000-07:002009-07-17T22:43:05.957-07:00

I got to take the Rumseys on a tour of Seattle. Here's some of what we saw.And we did some fun touring around Kitsap County too:

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-12036182825758144402009-07-17T22:01:00.001-07:002009-07-17T22:01:38.065-07:00

room of requirement, originally uploaded by tonrix.A secret little door at the Columbia City Cinema. Too cute. Saw it as I was exiting "Harry Potter."

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-15752626401737612122009-07-17T21:54:00.000-07:002009-07-17T21:54:49.610-07:00

I took off on a 16-mile bike ride yesterday, with the intent to go from my house, OVER I-90 (I just found out you could do that), then up Beacon Hill and back down to home. It wasn't a terribly long ride, but it was hilly and H.O.T. That shore in the background? That's my goal.Standing above I-90. The westbound lanes were closed. Odd.Sign that greets you as you enter Seattle. I got to see it

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Mt Baker, Seattle, WA, USA47.59001509542615 -122.289161682128947.58639709542615 -122.2964571821289 47.593633095426156 -122.28186618212891tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-51536057071823754712009-07-13T22:49:00.000-07:002009-07-13T22:49:41.335-07:00

Because there was a pigeon in my yard. And what cracked me up the most was my peaceful, nonviolent roommate asks, as soon as I tell her about our visitor, "Didja shoot it?" Hahaha.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-22319585901700004842009-07-05T17:35:00.000-07:002009-07-05T19:27:01.034-07:00

I figure I take pictures of plants for the Arboretum, so I should take some pictures of the plants that are growing in my own yard. Here's an update on what's going on:

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-15415410074122676392009-06-29T16:53:00.000-07:002009-06-29T16:53:36.463-07:00

The view from my bike ride today:

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Beacon Hill, Seattle, WA, USA47.55307023299084 -122.2988176345825247.549449732990844 -122.30611313458252 47.55669073299084 -122.29152213458252tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-87122732151147280302009-06-27T18:50:00.000-07:002009-06-27T18:50:27.378-07:00

I went for a bike ride up to I-90 and back along Lake Washington Boulevard; just kind of wanted to see if I could do it. It was a windy day and phew! Those hills! But I did it, and it was beautiful. Mt. Baker Boating Club. I-90! I made it! A pretty bike path near the I-90 overpass.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Mt Baker, Seattle, WA, USA47.58874156850901 -122.285342216491747.585123568509005 -122.2926377164917 47.59235956850901 -122.2780467164917tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-1376040113736389462009-06-24T14:14:00.000-07:002009-06-24T14:18:27.464-07:00

The Fremont Solstice Parade is famous. It's held in the "Center of the Universe ," but it's mostly famous for its naked bicyclists that mark the beginning of the parade. Naked minus creative body paint. If that counts. It was jam-packed on the bus ride to get to Fremont. It was so busy in other parts of the city that a friend who was going to meet me there wasn't able to make it! But first, do

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com1Fremont, Seattle, WA, USA47.651917410904396 -122.352375984191947.648303910904396 -122.35967148419189 47.655530910904396 -122.3450804841919tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-49308698845101118252009-06-21T00:00:00.001-07:002009-06-21T00:06:28.885-07:00

To recap:Here are the things remaining on my "to-do" list. I've wiped out quite a bit!The Underground TourRide the DucksFirst United Methodist ChurchWaterfall GardensLakeview CemeteryLincoln ParkColumbia Center (downtown)Maritime Pacific Brewing CompanyUniversity of Washington (tour)Viretta ParkThe Center for Wooden BoatsGallery MackSeattle Chinese GardenGay Pride WeekDiscovery ParkGolden Gardens

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-48379208489787132802009-06-19T12:00:00.000-07:002009-06-19T12:08:14.996-07:00

I have been volunteering for the Washington Park Arboretum, taking pictures of what's in bloom -- or just interesting -- and writing blurbs about the plants. Eventually my work will go onto a website that will tell visitors what is interesting to look at in the Arboretum at that point of the year. It's a very precise process, as each picture I take has to correspond with the precise, exact, plant

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com1Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, WA 98112, USA47.635794 -122.2962847.621334999999995 -122.3254625 47.650253 -122.26709749999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-5033526708887835742009-06-18T20:14:00.000-07:002009-06-18T20:17:20.230-07:00

Really, that's just part of the chant you sing when you're at a Sounders game, which I was last night. It was tons of fun, and each team scored three gooooooooals. It meant there was an anticlimactic tie at the end, but it was still a fantastic game.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com2Qwest Field, Seattle, WA, USA47.5951771 -122.331934847.5807066 -122.3611173 47.6096476 -122.3027523tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-64745429121430581212009-06-09T01:47:00.001-07:002009-06-09T01:49:38.185-07:00

The weather has been great lately, but a cat will still always find an interesting way to enjoy life.Pretending she's in the desert ... Trying to get a treat from the mystery treat box. She always seems to succeed. If she gives up, one of the other cats will take over.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-78374325146105762832009-06-09T01:36:00.000-07:002009-06-09T09:25:42.065-07:00

My housemate and I took a bike ride to Seward Park , just a mile or so east of our house, then went up the closed-for-the-day Lake Washington Blvd., then, hey, why not get some groceries? I got some good tips from her on how to ride on city streets and some good tips from my lungs that hey, maybe they are tired. There's my housemate swimming in Lake Washington. The I-90 bridge is in the

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Ranier Valley, Seattle, WA, USA47.56077405523746 -122.2527694702148447.53181455523746 -122.31113447021484 47.58973355523746 -122.19440447021485tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-293855733436934782009-05-26T07:32:00.001-07:002009-05-26T07:41:51.898-07:00

I went to Folklife Festival yesterday. It was fun to go back ... I hadn't been there since high school or early college. It's a free festival of local, independent, folk-type music. For hippies, you know? There were tons of crafts booths there (market research!) and the people watching was fantastic. The music was fun too. To top it all off, I went to the Seattle International Film Festival at

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com1Seattle Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA47.6219621 -122.352351647.618346599999995 -122.3596471 47.6255776 -122.34505610000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-18342317947466741632009-05-25T10:45:00.000-07:002009-05-25T23:53:26.130-07:00

One of my favorite museums is still the Seattle Asian Art Museum. My housemate and I went there recently and saw a great exhibit called Garden & Cosmos. It wasn't still around on Thursday but the permanent installation was great (we didn't get to see it when the other exhibit was there; that one took too much time!). Again, no pictures, but it deserves a plug.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Seattle Asian Art Museum, Seattle, WA 98102, USA47.63034 -122.31461947.62672499999999 -122.32191449999999 47.633955 -122.3073235tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-74770414843257785042009-05-25T10:26:00.001-07:002009-05-25T23:53:45.491-07:00

Stinkin' museum policy of "not taking pictures." Pshaw. On Wednesday I went to Wing Luke Asian Museum, which was a beautiful space with some thought-provoking installations. They let you take pictures, but the only thing that really struck me as needing to have a picture taken was this, the whispering corridor (or something like that):Then I went to the Henry Art Gallery on the UW campus. It was

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Wing Luke Asian Museum, Seattle, WA 98104, USA47.598856 -122.32386547.5952385 -122.3311605 47.602473499999995 -122.3165695tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-62251973416095774292009-05-25T10:18:00.000-07:002009-05-25T10:35:54.577-07:00

The next day I went to Seattle Art Museum (SAM) and stayed for ... four hours. Whoopsie! I didn't have time to do much else. I went to the Seattle Bug Safari, but unless your kid is REALLY into bugs, go to PacSci and call it good. My favorite exhibit at SAM (no pictures allowed, so you'll have to click the link) was Titus Kaphar. He deconstructs classic art to make his own statement. It was

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA 98101, USA47.607222 -122.33805647.6036055 -122.34535149999999 47.6108385 -122.3307605tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-21064673069578768452009-05-25T10:12:00.000-07:002009-05-25T10:36:13.444-07:00

tower of guitars ... After Pac-Sci, I hit the Experience Music Project, one of my favorite museums in Seattle. It has been made even better with the inclusion of  a Sci-Fi portion. I visited the museum last summer with two nieces, so I wasn't sure there would be a whole lot to get excited about this time ... but there was. There was this great exhibit on letterpressing and the Hatch Show Print

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Experience Music Project, Seattle, WA 98109, USA47.621794 -122.34850647.6181785 -122.3558015 47.6254095 -122.3412105tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-52311766341116431292009-05-25T09:44:00.001-07:002009-05-25T10:11:17.396-07:00

So the Pacific Science Center is great ... but it's better with kids. Not so good all by yourself. But it did mean I could spend as long as I wanted at the Butterfly Gardens. So I did.More photos to come on my flickr page.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-29215153843001536092009-05-25T09:43:00.000-07:002009-05-25T09:43:45.162-07:00

I fell behind on the tourism blogging ... here we go again. Took the Monorail to the Seattle Center even though I could have just stayed on my bus and achieved the same result. But I had tickets to the Monorail, and the Monorail is kind of fun. On the way Almost there Going through the Experience Music Project

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Seattle Center47.62094648883511 -122.3479127883911147.62004248883511 -122.34973678839111 47.62185048883511 -122.34608878839111tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-12318078846107683942009-05-18T07:44:00.000-07:002009-05-26T07:48:50.176-07:00

I got to rent a bike as part of my tourism package, and rode the Burke-Gilman Trail for a while. It was so great that now I want a bike of my very own, perhaps in lieu of a gym membership ...

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Gas Works Park, Seattle, WA 98103, USA47.645512 -122.33493647.641898 -122.3422315 47.649125999999995 -122.3276405tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-10054448622449549772009-05-17T21:54:00.000-07:002009-05-17T22:09:53.019-07:00

And all I saw were these sleeping guys. (Red panda) (tiger) (snow leopard) (lion) (baby ocelot) OK. I saw more than that. Birds: Apes/gorillas/etc: And some other critters.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com2Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, WA 98103, USA47.668714 -122.35055447.6651015 -122.3578495 47.672326500000004 -122.3432585tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-14897216577966808942009-05-17T20:44:00.001-07:002009-05-17T21:11:59.047-07:00

I took a cruise between Lake Washington and Lake Union and saw lots of fancy schmancy homes. Two hours was a little bit too long for a cruise all by myself, but it was good to be out on the water on a fantastic day. The oldest floating home on the water. Mount Rainier under the 520 bridge The Montlake Bridge McDreamy?"Labrador" and "Retriever." From "Deadliest Catch."The "Sleepless in

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Seattle, WA, USA47.63399063659936 -122.337141036987347.62676063659936 -122.3517320369873 47.64122063659936 -122.32255003698731tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-47267186148339940372009-05-17T20:28:00.000-07:002009-06-18T20:19:03.915-07:00

The Museum of Flight is really close to my home and I paid it a visit on Saturday. I went right at 11 a.m., when it opened, which was a good thing: It got packed toward the end of my visit. I have been there ... about 15 years ago ... and it was nice to get a refresher course.Air Force One ...  In the AF1 kitchen. The Concorde.A really big engine. A badge for female pilots. Some Russian on a

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Museum of Flight, East Marginal Way S, Seattle, WA 98108, USA47.518215 -122.29694447.5037235 -122.3261265 47.532706499999996 -122.26776149999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-87417940118132866642009-05-17T19:28:00.000-07:002009-05-17T19:28:11.890-07:00

I was wrong. He is very cute, but his name is Punk.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-34928844452454090682009-05-15T22:01:00.000-07:002009-05-15T22:01:35.456-07:00

A couple of friends and I went on a harbor cruise today. I have a pass that gets me in to a whole lot of tourism sites for a week ... and this was my first excursion. It was a fantastic day for it. At Kerry Park ... and an ill-fated fish. This statue of Ivar just reminds me of Dad. Big and small ...

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Seattle, WA, USA47.611718174784926 -122.365379333496147.597252674784926 -122.3945618334961 47.626183674784926 -122.33619683349609tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-12383780087506889142009-05-12T22:02:00.000-07:002009-05-19T09:56:58.963-07:00

I went on a search for celebrities before I left L.A. ... loaded my suitcase on two buses and headed to a coffee shop that I heard was rife with celebs getting their caffeine fix. This was not that shop.This was the coffee shop, or at least what I got there.And besides maybe Bob Saget's son, this is the only person of interest I saw there:I had fun on the airplane with free wi-fi and some "Doom"

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-43937407066495666782009-05-12T21:21:00.000-07:002009-06-09T09:24:31.112-07:00

I toured around downtown on my last night in L.A. I hadn't really explored the area right near my hotel, and it was pretty great.These are some pictures of my hotel from various points nearby.The library was kitty-corner from the hotel. It was beautiful:And the elevators were covered in card catalog cards:And Pershing Square was nearby too:And another shot of inside my hotel:

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-39402869234848266032009-05-12T14:10:00.000-07:002009-05-19T09:57:43.818-07:00

 A few shots of my hotel: Then we went for some serious Hollywood tourism:The Sylvester Stallone picture has a story. I was getting a kick out of "trying on" the footprints of the male stars, because I have roughly the same size feet as them. As I'm taking the Sly photo, a guy goes "They sure made them small back then," referencing feet. I go, "Sylvester Stallone? No, man, I just have big feet."

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-21010776435478154792009-05-12T13:04:00.000-07:002009-05-12T13:04:36.164-07:00

So I took it easy on the third day of the trip; all this going all over L.A. was getting exhausted. A couple of co-workers and I went up to the 35th-floor revolving lounge to relax. It's like the Space Needle, but right amid all the skyscrapers.I was trying to get a picture of the skyscrapers through my frou-frou drink, but it wasn't as successful as I had hoped.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-37600727227852373372009-05-12T12:58:00.000-07:002009-06-09T09:23:30.640-07:00

I'm on the airplane and posting this. Because Oprah was filming a segment on our way to LAX on our airplane, we weren't allowed to use the WiFi. I wasn't planning on it, but they said we could get a voucher for our troubles. So I got one. And I am interneting on an airplane, updating some much-needed pictures of this L.A. gig.So we took the train to Long Beach. It takes about an hour, and hey, it

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-84019314169777542652009-05-07T20:26:00.000-07:002009-06-09T09:24:03.748-07:00

And those angels will be sleepy angels soon. I have been awake (besides a little nap on the plane) since 3:30 a.m. Phew.It's been a big day. Hotel:We had a power outage shortly after we got in the rooms. It was a bit bizarre, but ended soon (that's why there's a picture of the clock ... not on.Then we toured downtown a wee bit and got our security clearance for the conference:Then a coworker and

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-3549263605721788072009-05-04T14:54:00.000-07:002009-05-04T14:54:02.550-07:00

I had a meeting in Bellevue this morning so stopped by the Bellevue Botanical Gardens before I headed back home. They were stunning, and a nice walk.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com1Wilburton Hill Park, United States47.60865135254469 -122.1790409088134847.60503485254469 -122.18633640881347 47.61226785254469 -122.17174540881348tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-46855909049436493922009-05-03T15:22:00.000-07:002009-05-03T17:45:16.974-07:00

... so far, at least. I have found the most beautiful gardens, and they're within 10 minutes of my house. It's Kubota Garden, a privately created but city-owned park. I bought some plants at their plant sale yesterday, but it was raining so I didn't explore the gardens. Since it was nice today, I went back. What a show. It is a Japanese American garden that started construction in 1927, including

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com1Kubota Gardens, United States47.512476144292314 -122.2677040100097747.50885264429231 -122.27499951000976 47.51609964429232 -122.26040851000977tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-47453119864463092482009-05-02T21:23:00.000-07:002009-06-18T20:20:05.646-07:00

My housemate and I discovered the monthly (during the summer) Beatwalk in Columbia City last night. A bunch of musicians come out and perform for the community in various businesses like a bookstore, kids' store (pirate wear encouraged), theater, restaurants and even the gym. It was nice out, so we were even able to walk there. It's nice to gradually feel a little bit more a part of the community

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Columbia City, Seattle, WA, USA47.558225547689226 -122.2852134704589847.55460554768923 -122.29250897045898 47.561845547689224 -122.27791797045899tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-69168579041096130362009-05-01T10:51:00.000-07:002009-05-02T04:31:47.382-07:00

The ferry rates go up by a few bucks today. So last night, on my voyage from my parents' house, may have been my last ride in a while (I'll drive around to save a few bucks). It was a pretty trip, anyway!

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Port Orchard, Washington, USA47.58185240848885 -122.5760078430175847.56737840848885 -122.60519034301758 47.59632640848885 -122.54682534301757tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-47803688974239400342009-05-01T10:48:00.000-07:002009-05-01T10:52:42.078-07:00

... because we have a new cat tree.When I brought it home it was quite a hit:Then it was time to plop the cats on top of the tree.Then I moved it to its proper place in the living room ... and enticed the cat to try it out ... with treats.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-1136979599883569522009-04-30T14:53:00.000-07:002009-04-30T14:53:46.263-07:00

Fremont, a neighborhood in North Seattle, is called "The Center of the Universe." It's traditionally home to free spirits. I took my mom and sister there when my sister came to visit, so we could go under a bridge and visit a troll: We also found a little monster trying to get out of an art studio on the way: And Vladimir Lenin.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Fremont, Washington, USA47.65264013567813 -122.3472905158996647.650833135678134 -122.35093851589966 47.65444713567813 -122.34364251589966tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-78252627785836749802009-04-27T23:50:00.000-07:002009-06-18T20:19:39.260-07:00

I discovered a new park today while taking a walk around the neighborhood. Hitt's Hill Park, near Columbia City. There is a movement to turn it into a nature preserve. I didn't think to take photos of it (it's on top of a rather large hill and I was tired!) but I thought its fireworks history was interesting.You won't find the park on Google maps ... or an iPhone. Too small, I guess. Now it's my

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Columbia City, Seattle, WA, USA47.554373590791066 -122.284784317016647.55075309079107 -122.2920798170166 47.55799409079106 -122.2774888170166tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-20261704799463736272009-04-20T23:48:00.001-07:002009-04-28T00:10:10.963-07:00

I went to a roller derby match with a couple of friends this weekend. It was tons of fun ... and vicious. Made this picture of one of the Market signs on one of our recently beautiful days.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA, USA47.61009798921657 -122.3436856269836447.60828948921657 -122.34733362698364 47.61190648921657 -122.34003762698364tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-75371511877164468732009-04-20T23:46:00.000-07:002009-04-20T23:47:59.972-07:00

This tree is right outside my door/bedroom window. I love it. 

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-35663249773848801082009-04-16T23:25:00.001-07:002009-04-17T07:51:51.506-07:00

I've been able to check off a few of these tourism goals in the past couple of weeks, plus a few more.Just saw: Ballard LocksGas Works ParkAlki Beach ParkSeattle Public Library Branch (not central yet, though)Volunteer ParkOlympic Sculpture ParkKerry ParkSeattle Asian Art MuseumAlready seen:Space NeedleEMP/Sci-Fi MuseumPacific Science CenterWaterfrontBumbershootGreen Lake ParkSeattle

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-5241887614566855022009-04-12T11:46:00.001-07:002009-04-28T00:10:40.206-07:00

A good friend who used to live near me in the Tri-Cities, and who now lives in Kansas, is in town for a conference this week, but that also means we get to hang out! So we did a little sightseeing Saturday before the weather got all rainy (like it is today).  Kerry Park ... without Mount Rainier. The Seattle P-I globe She got up on top of this sculpture, then goes: "How am I going to get down?"

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Alki Beach, Seattle, WA 98116, USA47.5792647 -122.410406447.5756462 -122.4177019 47.582883200000005 -122.4031109tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-91430666203106171772009-04-10T11:33:00.000-07:002009-04-16T23:23:58.947-07:00

Saw this on the way to a talk by a recently published author ("Farewell, My Subaru" ... haven't read it but I got it at a P-I book sale).It's just so FUNNY.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-25072901427325503572009-04-09T09:52:00.001-07:002009-05-01T10:55:39.159-07:00

I was very excited, thinking birds had finally found my feeder. Not quite.The feeder is so close to the fence that it's not even any work for this chunky guy to get his snack. I'll have to go work on that. 

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-51570041159874493762009-04-07T18:00:00.000-07:002009-04-07T18:06:27.171-07:00

We've been working our tail ends off landscaping our yard while the weather is still moderately cool. This includes using the driftwood I got on a family trip to the coast as edging. My roommate also painted some edging purple for a more regal touch in some of the yard. I think it looks fun. The purple edging.That's a cover for our young vegetables and herbs.  I know it looks like a shroud.A

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-24708273531619427162009-04-06T20:24:00.000-07:002009-04-28T00:11:15.435-07:00

There is this great Conservatory in Volunteer Park. I had way too much fun making pictures of the plants there. 

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com1Broadway, Washington, USA47.6320530200857 -122.3159837722778347.628438020085696 -122.32327927227783 47.6356680200857 -122.30868827227783tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-14739647635505856492009-04-06T20:20:00.000-07:002009-04-28T00:13:53.670-07:00

I took advantage of the lovely day today to hit some tourist spots. Flowers at the Botanical Garden at the Ballard Locks Sculpture at the Ballard Locks. I was fortunate enough to see a couple of boats pass through the smaller one. Kite-flying at Gasworks Park ... it really was windy enough at the top of the hill to fly kites, though it was nice and calm below. The Needle, as seen from the water

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0Kerry Park, Seattle, WA 98119, USA47.629166 -122.35982247.625550999999994 -122.36711749999999 47.632781 -122.3525265tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-12639523821571839732009-04-06T20:09:00.000-07:002009-04-28T00:13:11.080-07:00

The Sculpture Park: Eyes for two And what, exactly? All eyes on you

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com1Belltown, Washington, USA47.616491644017955 -122.35473632812547.612875644017954 -122.362031828125 47.620107644017956 -122.347440828125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-42938564793370168492009-04-01T03:22:00.001-07:002009-04-01T03:52:36.570-07:00

Since I have a little bit of time on my hands and a severe need to keep busy and have a purpose, etc., I am working on becoming a Seattle tourist. There are so many things I have not done in my own city, and I want to really embrace it, tourist-style or not. I've already made some inroads, but am going to officially kick this thing off on Friday, April 3, and have it last, well, however long it

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-40341346547169976132009-03-13T10:56:00.002-07:002009-03-13T10:59:15.611-07:00

My cat is just about breaking the windows with her tail because she's being forced to watch this — a cat who is attacking the catnip we planted out in the yard. Perhaps that wasn't such the best choice — this is a new visitor, as opposed to our regular guest, Scarface.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-58168199635647610832009-03-10T10:49:00.000-07:002009-03-10T10:52:17.158-07:00

The view of the Kitsap Peninsula from my window at work.This is my little coral bark maple.Here are a few pics from the recent storm.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-46610036113908923412009-02-23T11:09:00.001-08:002009-05-01T10:53:10.364-07:00

This is a more grown-up variety of the little Coral Bark Maple I got at the garden show this weekend. I'm pretty excited for him to grow. We also got a fig tree and a bunch of smaller plants (and herbs) that are pretty fun indeed. Miriam bought a persimmon tree that should also be very interesting. Pictures of the actual tree (and yard) to follow.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-37053036452663006232009-02-20T10:44:00.000-08:002009-02-20T10:46:17.201-08:00

Scully crawled off my lap and sat here. On purpose. While Israel was already there. It stunned me. She and he are getting along pretty well. Her and Palestine, not so much. Rawr.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-61953462644948531692009-02-17T09:32:00.000-08:002009-02-17T09:36:01.250-08:00

So some squirrels came to take away what few hazelnuts we left behind. Stinkers. They were deliciously fed, though. Now we wait for birds ...

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-46734111245158238772009-02-16T02:04:00.001-08:002009-05-01T10:53:24.650-07:00

The first raised bed gets some soil ... and some hazelnut mulch around it.This is the new raised bed, near the back door, that has two levels.The third raised bed is near the back gate.This is the second raised bed, from the top.The hazelnut mulch yielded a harvest of hazelnuts. Chocolate-hazelnut brownie cupcakes with Nutella frosting, here we come! 

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-32072187031884887342009-02-16T01:59:00.000-08:002009-05-01T10:53:43.120-07:00

Israel watches Miriam work on the cardboard to kill the grass under the raised bed.This one is about three feet tall.We used coca hulls to mulch with as well as use as a soil amendment. The yard smells so very, very good.The bed fits nicely in a weird corner of my yard.And it matches the new fence the previous owners put in, too.There's those cocoa hulls. Delicious. Smelling.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-52547131604487682992009-02-01T11:12:00.000-08:002009-02-01T11:22:26.640-08:00

Dad made me this great TV stand. It has sure freed up lots of room in the parlor, and gets lots of "ooohs" and "aaahs" from the crowd.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-4354814545966314282009-02-01T10:52:00.000-08:002009-05-01T10:54:02.295-07:00

Had a little shindig. But the most important thing (har) was the fact that the house was all put together by the time most of the people got here. It sure feels good to be in a put-together house.Sara shows off the creepy guests of honor.Aly and Dev, hanging out in the dining room.Aly models the mirror/clock contraption in the dining room.Miriam's scared of the camera, but is queen of the

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-40066999302660046902009-01-21T11:22:00.001-08:002009-01-21T11:25:09.939-08:00

So these aren't related to the house. But the demise of this globe is a big deal right now ... and it was a really cool thing to be able to go up and get a closer look at it. It's only five stories up, but still.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-29936366962414433642009-01-08T13:30:00.000-08:002009-05-01T10:55:51.172-07:00

Here are some pictures from the day after the Big Move. I think I have made quite a bit of progress since then, thank goodness. Looking toward the front door from the back of the place.This is my dining room. There are really not *that* many boxes ... they're just blocking the way to get to anything else. Never fear, I have forged a path. The kitchen is a disaster, but my housemate and I

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-12918648441339060372009-01-05T21:31:00.000-08:002009-01-05T21:33:21.261-08:00

Scully checks out the smell of her soon-to-be new housemates. We're trying to get them used to each other before the fur flies.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-35598794325133069872009-01-02T21:52:00.000-08:002009-01-02T21:57:43.650-08:00

I got the carpets cleaned today, which I think really has either pleased or disappointed the beast ... she doesn't have as many things to smell at anymore. While that was happening, some dude came by and took the "for sale" sign holder down, then some lady came by and rifled through the neighborhood's trash. And yesterday, my housemate brought over "some plants." Or an entire garden full. We will

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-17422478882062542222008-12-31T16:42:00.000-08:002008-12-31T16:46:36.597-08:00

It's Septim, from Ikea. I scored it for $5 (normally $25), and it is absolutely replacing the light fixture that I'm not very fond of that's in my dining area. But there's gotta be a way to hack this to make it more personal/functional/fun. Any ideas?

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-89962771861872327002008-12-24T10:18:00.000-08:002008-12-24T10:20:59.210-08:00

Went to the, ahem, "paint store" last night and it was again horrible. But I got some more paint ... a darker brown for the dark wall and a light, light brown for the main walls. But here is some pics as it stands presently.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-75591002747391680522008-12-23T12:06:00.000-08:002009-01-05T21:34:38.324-08:00

So I've painted the ceiling of most of the downstairs (excepting the kitchen and any room that is under the stairs). And now I'm working on eradicating any of the weird fry-sauce (with mustard) color walls that they had. Apparently, as I am inspecting the walls closely, this color was just about everywhere. Not my style.Sadly, the chai-colored paint that I really liked in the book, on the sample,

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-31398117536178252972008-12-20T02:00:00.000-08:002009-05-01T10:56:01.438-07:00

I closed on Friday. Will get the keys Sunday (*should*, anyway). Whoopie. Working on the paint process now ... 

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-86444804967468099762008-12-12T17:29:00.000-08:002009-05-01T10:54:58.179-07:00

I'm brusied; I might not win, but dagnabbit, I am fighting this thing. I won't be able to say that I gave up, and that's what matters to me.also, having a house to live in would be cool too.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-54166479063684690432008-12-01T12:14:00.000-08:002009-05-01T10:56:34.177-07:00

got a lower interest rate ... horray.

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-28655443925065991322008-11-27T00:25:00.001-08:002008-11-27T00:26:06.245-08:00

Word is the loan officers like what I've got. Just had to add a little sob story about why I'm not paying rent right now and I believe I'm golden ...

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-39339397783967569432008-11-27T00:05:00.000-08:002009-05-01T10:56:51.626-07:00

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-90780464276537358812008-11-26T23:44:00.000-08:002009-05-01T10:57:01.400-07:00

This is the house as it was a couple of months ago. It has changed a bit now.living roommaster bedroomhallway, from second bedroom to mastersecond bedroomliving room windowsdining nookBack of the houseKitchen + realtorview out the front window, kind offront of the hoose

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-57619231577698431932008-11-04T10:51:00.001-08:002008-11-04T10:51:49.279-08:00

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8460703017728066265.post-4521372817563121152008-10-22T15:26:00.000-07:002009-05-01T10:55:24.530-07:00

I can't see Russia from here. Sigh.That guy is my realtor.I put an offer on this house in the Beacon Hill/Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle. It was accepted, now for a month of crossing my fingers that this step will work, that that step will work ... 

tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989416984721708837noreply@blogger.com0