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.