Cousins Taste Sweeter

I landed in LA with a bad cough and low energy. I want to experience every city, every moment with the utmost enthusiasm and gumption.. so to have such undeniable restrictions seemed like a heavy blow. Sometimes cousin love is just what you need.

Katie Magill had a delightfully convenient week off from work starting the day I arrived in Los Angeles, and was able to pick me up from the airport and usher me around during my ten-hour break between flights. As a host, you always worry that you are not providing enough excitement/entertainment/adventure for your guest. And yet, a long day in the passenger's seat was exactly what I needed. We stopped at the Farmer's Market for authentic taquitos and Spoon #2, and then I was treated to some behind the scenes action at Manhattan Beach Studios on Rosecrans (aka Rose Coconuts). In a massive warehouse the size of an airplane hangar, Katie's gent Daniel and his crew of kitchen gurus served us the most amazing meal of steak, duck, fish, sweet potatoes, artichoke hearts, rice, salad, etc. etc. for all the things I couldn't even fit on my plate. Danny and co. were such sweet hosts while Katie and I took time to relax and enjoy multi-lingual humor. It does not matter what your first language is; smiles are universal. 

After the satisfying grub, Katie and I took a nice long, leisurely stroll down past Redando Beach, all along the ocean shoreline. Reading through my handwritten journal, I find no less than three instances of 'GOOD COUSIN TIME!' scribbled throughout the day's events. How sweet it is, to be able to spend your last hours with someone who can be cherished for a lifetime and beyond.

When I first booked this trip, some wondered why I had decided to spend my time and money on a detour to Seattle and Los Angeles, when instead I could go straight to New Zealand. I admit, at the beginning I did not know exactly why my intuition was drawing me to do so. But, in accordance with my trust in Foresight and Fortitude, I knew there would be immense benefit in scheduling my trip this way. I could never have guessed the benefits that came from the juxtaposition* of comfort and encouragement from those you love.

The night before my departure in Ann Arbor, I came up with a silly 'nurse' task that required cousin Jenni Stout to spend valuable hours with me as I made my final preparations and considerations. I treasure the moments with my loving, kind, thoughtful, and clever cousin as we laughed and pondered over what I might encounter in the coming months. I now carry with me both the massively informative New Zealand travel book, as well as very charming leather journal, now full of my inner thoughts. I have her to thank for the success of many of my wanderings and wonderings.

Enter cousin number two, Julia, who was such a gracious host as I ironed out many of my untested travel tips, and who provided invaluable tips of her own that have now become staples in my travel life. What a joy that I am now able to tell you that a third cousin was integral to sending me properly on my way. I feel very blessed that Katie was able to nurture my sick, tired, yet enthusiastic self just moments before I left the country. Throw in Ali and Michelle, two of the friends I hold most dear to my heart, and I now know exactly why my side-trip was so SO important. 

You don't have to come from the same blood to provide the best nutrition. 

ALSO: On the Fiji Airline trip from LA to FIJI, I received the best air-meal. Curry chicken with rice and lentils. Ceasar salad with chicken. Fruit Salad. Dinner roll with butter. Crackers and cheese. Twix bar. Triple chocolate brownie. Water. Free beer/wine of choosing. And a sense of appreciation strong enough to carry the plane.

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* juxtapostion. My favorite word in the English language.

PVs

1) Giving up the need for good handwriting in my personal journal. Most of you know how big of an obstacle this is for me to overcome.. so the fact that I can see two misspellings, one grammar error, and countless barely-legible items is monumental. However, I don't have time to worry about my execution when I'm on a bus//boat//tiny hostel mattress.

Myself, Danny, and Katie.

Danny's beautiful dinner spread.

Spoon #3 from Fiji!

Fiji Feast.

In Seattle You Can Keep Your Belt On

Blogging is funny, in that it is now Tuesday 9/24 in NZ, but I am just now getting to post about... Monday 9/16 evening in Seattle. I shall have to update more frequently, if only to alleviate my own confusion haha.


Sooo.. at our last meeting, I had just arrived at cousin Julia's hostel in Seattle. After a few hours rest, Ali Schumacher picked me up and we drove to the tip of West Seattle - Alki Beach. From there you can see across the water to the skyline of downtown Seattle. 

We opted for Mexican fare at Cactus restaurant right on the water. It was so wonderful to catch up with Shmal (Ali) - the type of friendship that barely skips a beat. I truly grew up around their family and so was very happy to hear about everyone's status. My parents and I saw Bo & Terry (Berry) at a UofM basketball game last year, so I knew they were still kickin at least -- and never without an Airedale. Cactus provided delicious food, and quite the service! Our server gifted us with free flan for dessert.. a great omen for the trip. Whether or not he was expecting a phone number in return, we shall never know. ;)

That evening, I crashed hard at the hostel while Ju worked her last shift for a while. I think I fell asleep by 10pm and didn't wake until noon the next day. Some jetlag, but mostly just trying to kick a cold I developed the day before I left Ann Arbor. Gross! The slumber did me well, and Ju and I spent Tuesday afternoon putzing* around Pike Place Market. Started with a few scrumptious crumpets and soaked up the many colors, textures, smells, and smiles that fill the market area. I think it was great that I was there mid-week, as I can imagine how crowded it gets on the weekends. I picked up my first spoon of the trip! (I do collect those little souvenir spoons. You might giggle, until you see my collection.. close to 50 now I believe! Full of color and charm and lasting memories.)

After Pike Place, we ran a few errands. Ju picked me up a copy of The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel, which was her own 'travel book' on her recent journey through Europe. It encourages us to place value not in space (material items, things of the man-made world) but rather in time (the eternal spiritual gifts). "Observing the Sabbath (day of rest) is not only about refraining from work, but about creating menuha, a restfulness that is also a celebration." What a great thing to keep in mind as I experience 'not a break but the climax of living, reclaiming my authentic state.' Many thanks to Ju for a thoughtful and portable token. 

After the errands, we stopped for a piping hot bowl of clam chowder (seafood naturally tastes 400% better when you're not in the middle of the country), and enjoyed a relaxing evening in her (new!) room. A quick trip next door for happy hour sushi (the whole city has TWO happy hours.. one just before and one just after dinner) compliments of Uncle Bob. Miso soup is equally as warming as chicken noodle soup.


Wednesday, we walked down by the water to enjoy coffee and pastries. Quality coffee tastes better black. I don't blame you Midwesterners for taking cream and sugar, but if you ever find a great coffee in your hand -- please for the love of god, keep it black. On our way past the Intergalactic Sewing Tool, we stopped at the EMP Museum which featured killer exhibits on both Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana. Next time I will be sure to hit the fantasy/sci-fi section (not sure why I was so quick to dismiss it this time), but I would suggest skipping the 'Women of Rock' area altogether. It was not much more than a display of the ridiculous outfits worn by women on stage, including Lady Gaga's meat dress. Seriously, don't bother.

My good (concert, festival, and real!) friend Michelle and her stud Harry drove up from Portland Wednesday afternoon and we had quite the evening. Beginning at Hopvine Pub in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, we originally were planning to see Julia perform for open mic night. Distracted by pitchers of beer and international debates about facebook (FB really does have over a billion users), Ju's name conveniently got added late and wayy down the timeline of performers. What luck! Ju (and hostel friend Miguel) could now mahalo it up with us at The New Mastersounds concert in Freemont neighborhood. A packed crowd joined us at an indoor/outdoor venue and we boogied all damn night. We did not end up scoring Michelle and Harry tickets to the show in Portland for the following evening, but Simon DID formally welcome me to Seattle. Scuzz scuzz scuzz...



What struck me most about Seattle was the understated friendliness and general air of acceptance. Perhaps I just assumed both coasts were rather 'stuck-up' compared to the middle of the country, but as someone put it... the West coast just isn't as aggressively friendly as the Midwest haha. Quite true. Everywhere you looked was a different 'genre' of person. Punk, grunge, preppy, athletic, casual hipster, etc. It would be hard not to fit in in Seattle. As I boarded my plane to leave the soft sparkle of the Emerald City, I was allowed to keep both my belt and shoes on when going through security. I guess anything goes in this city.

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Personal Victories (PVs):
1. Enjoying mushrooms. I've always appreciated the flavor of the earthy ingredient, but it wasn't until my bowl of miso soup that I legitimately enjoyed the texture.
2. Biting a massive sushi roll in half, while maintaining grip with my chopsticks!
3. NOT starting beef with an Ohio State fan while at the concert, despite significant egging on from friends *coughcough* who know where my loyalties lie. I avoided all conversation with the lost soul shrouded in Scarlet.


* Putzing. Defined online as: to engage in inconsequential or unproductive activity. However, it occurred to me after hanging with cousins Jenni and Katie, that in the Stout clan, putzing is slow-paced yet entirely productive activity. Whenever I think about putzing I envision Grandpa Chuck Stout (and also my own father) on a Saturday afternoon.. too much work ethic to sit on the couch all day, but not enough energy to move at a fast pace. What ensues is a relaxed but consistent project completion rate. Putzing is good activity with a great attitude. 

Stout n Shmal.

Pike Place Market

The Crumpet Shop. Nom nom nom.

Coffee and pastries overlooking the Seattle coast.

View of the Seattle skyline from Pier 66.

Obligatory Space Needle pic.

Jimi Hendrix. Born in Seattle. Sanctified in London.

We're calling it: "Are You Experienced?"

At the red popsicle with Ju, Miguel, Meech, Harry.

The New Mastersounds. Simon says: drummers are the most attractive.

Julia and myself in front of City Hostel.

Michelle, myself, and Harry.. just mahalo'ing it up.

Concerned Traveller Thinks Everyone On Plane Can Hear Her Music

On a Monday morning flight from Detroit, MI to Denver, CO, a young woman found herself overly concerned with the volume of her in-ear headphones. Terrified that surrounding passengers would be able to hear her tunes, the woman repeatedly removed the earbuds to test for noise pollution.

The gentleman to her far right was rocking his own earbuds, leading the woman to claim, "There was no trusting his opinion," though he had recently shown a legitimate interest in her Banksy pin. The other woman in their row actually paid money to watch CSI: Miami on the in-flight personal TVs. Again, the concerned music listener was left without reliable tipsters nearby.

Remembering a bit of related advice from her wise father: "It's okay if you snore, airplanes are LOUD," the conscientious traveller decided that the only solution was to turn her headphones up even louder.

In a stroke of luck, the plane landed two hours later without a single noise complaint.

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Nice flights from Detroit to Denver and from Denver to Seattle. Resting in cousin Julia's hostel, City Hostel, soon to be scooped up by childhood best bud Ali "Shmal" Schumacher for an evening of food and laughter. Tomorrow, Ju and I hope to hit Pike's Market, see the Intergalactic Sewing Tool, and take in some Pacific breeze. Seattle is cool. I put on my dark grey skinny jeans to blend in better.

How loud are these things?

Banksy pin, as viewed by neighbor on plane.

Watching SportsCenter during a two-hour flight. Rough.

Window view over Denver-ish

Step One: Put it on paper

location: ann arbor, mi
status: preparation, anticipation

There is no turning back.
No reasons to falter. No need to fear.
It's time to jump, get going my dear!

let's have an adventure.. head in the clouds, but my gravity centered