Good Things...A Mainly Pictoral Exploration

After a few days... okay, a few weeks, months, and maybe even years of me going "W-T-EFFFF?" I was planning on titling this entry "Dudes Be Dumb" and elaborating on this statement.  For the sake of time and my sanity I decided to save my breath and instead post on a few good things that have been going on as of late...

1.  This past weekend was almost impossibly beautiful... like I could be brought to tears just reminiscing over the sun and warmth!

I was dog sitting in South Seattle and on Saturday morning decided to grab my camera and explore nearby Georgetown.Unfortunately my camera was without its SD card (wretch! blast!) and so my iPhone had to suffice. Luckily I had just downloaded a bundle of new photo apps and so this was the perfect opportunity to play around and pretend like I'm artistically gifted (side note: I really need to learn how to use my DSLR and stop relying on cool photo editing software... but that's for another time).  Here's a glimpse at my sunny (and industrial) explorations...

 

The Corson Building. I have yet to eat there ($$$$) but was charmed when I stumbled upon in my wanderings.

... Oh the humanity!

Apparently heaven is a place on earth and it's called Useful Vintage Goods in Georgetown, Seattle.  I could have stayed in there all day basking in the splendor of the hopelessly unaffordable found objects.

Came across the Georgetown Trailer Park Market.  Like a flea market... ... ... but in trailers.  Rest assured, I'll be back!

2.   After a stellar Saturday the weekend just kept getting better.  Easter Sunday looked a little something like this...

7 AM

10 AM

11 AM - 12 PM

1 PM

After 1 PM the photos stopped.  Mimosa + Bloody Mary = Extended lunch time nap (on my new memory foam mattress topper).  Basically I was a happy camper.

I have more "good things" to post but this is getting a little lengthy, I am getting hungry, and I want to save something to post another time!

I hope my billions of trillions of zillions of readers also had a splendidly sunny weekend filled with sandal wearing, naps, walks, friends, and foods!

I'm going to leave you with the lead track from my newest impulse iTunes purchase... yeah, that's right I bought Fleetwood Mac's Rumours... what about it?

Weekend Welcomed

I am immensely looking forward to some down time.  I frequently find myself overextended and the past two weeks have been prime examples of that.  Concerts, flat tires, dog sitting, dinner plans, happy hours, much needed yoga and all too short runs, unforeseen Seattle traffic meltdowns, and a full work schedule  have left me exhausted (and with FILTHY hair.  Seriously, my number 1 to do after work is washing this ole mop).  Tomorrow morning my good friend Sleeping-In and I are going to become reacquainted, after that I'm doing some tire repair, serious laundry, and spending some time with Dillon High Panthers (I haven't been able to watch Friday Night Lights all week.  *GASP*).

Despite feeling only half awake at the moment there have been a few things keeping me energized through a hectic 5 days.  They are pictoraly represented below:

I find it highly doubtful that this level of "at work cuteness" will ever get old.

Oh, well hello Spring!  In the right light you're a real stunner!

I went showin' last night.  "Showin'" for those of you not in the know (i.e. not in  my weird little brain) is when you go to a show.  In case you didn't figure that out.  Anyway, as I was saying, I went showin' last night and I'm going showin' tonight.  I saw Typhoon who I had been hoping to see for quite awhile.  They did not disappoint.  Actually it was way better than I expected.  I, however, did disappoint.  I dragged my tired self out of there early so that I could be assured I could drive home without falling asleep behind the wheel and missed some of my favorite songs.  But, make it home safe I did!

Happy weekend to all!  It's Easter on Sunday and that means the best day of the year is nearly here... Peeps will be 50% on Monday!  Better stock up!

Clearly I'm going to close this entry with a Typhoon tune... clearly...

Scruff Thursday - Local Live Music Edition

I know that last Thursday I was MIA. Sorry. Apologies. Please forgive.

I'm here now though and I hope that too much damage wasn't done in my absence.

Like I mentioned last week one reason I haven't had time to post has been my busy live music schedule. Despite keeping me away from writing, my shows have provided me with plenty of inspiration for "Scruff Thursday".

Exactly a week ago, I went to see Pickwick (again).  Caitlin, Alycia, and myself squirmed our way to the front and I was able to get some pretty scruff-tastic pictures of the band doing what they do.

After the show we milled around near the stage for awhile until the band came out.  Then, without any liquid courage whatsoever, I told Michael Parker that he had a pretty beard and asked for a picture.  When it happened I thought, "Oh he must be so pleased.  Cute girls... admiring his beard and music!  Such fun!"  But then I saw how the picture turned out...

Mad muggin' not appreciated.

My video attempt at this show wasn't quite as bad as usual and so I have included it for your viewing pleasure!  (I know it starts out sideways... but it's correct pretty quickly!)

A Pictoral Ode to Sunny Seattle

The past few days, weather-wise, have been stereotypical Seattle... i.e. oppressively gloomy and damp.  I was originally going to write today's post on my upcoming trip to Florida and how beyond thrilled I am to be getting away to a warmer, sunnier locale.

But then something wonderful happened.  The sun came out to play!

I know Seattle's weather is frequently a topic on this here blog and that's because it really impacts my day to day mood.  Weirdly enough, it seems that the longer I live here the more the weather gets to me and usually at this time of year I try to just hunker down and numb myself to the constant gray.  But February 2012 has been rather exceptional.  We had a string of not only sunny but also warm days a few weeks ago.  And when that gift left us I had resigned myself to a sunless existence for a few weeks.  But no!  The sun is back!!

I thought to illustrate the point that when Seattle is sunny it is quite possibly the most beautiful city in the entire country, I would post a few of my favorite snapshots of Seattle in all its sun drenched glory...

Thank you sunshine. Come again soon!

My Kind of Town...

So the song referenced in the title is about Chicago but for the sake of this here blog post it's going to be about "Seattle". 

The past few days/weeks I've been so happy to live in a place like Seattle with such a vibrant and diverse music scene on top of everything else that it already has going for it (i.e. water everywhere you look, hills, hills, hills, and mountains for days).

Last night really sealed the deal when it comes to my love for Seattle, though.

A friend and I went to see the Alabama Shakes play a highly anticipated show at the Crocodile.  The entire time Brittany Howard, lead vocals, was performing I thought to myself "I am SO lucky to be here." 

It was a sold out crowd and an incredible performance.

I'm a little wiped today so words will be in short supply but here are a few pictures from the evening...

And finally a video that I took (from the front row... no big deal!!). I only recorded the first part of the song. Why?? Because I had to put my silly phone down and dance, duh!

Yesterday's Evening Looked A Little Like This...

 I took myself and a book on a Pho date, hit the gym with a friend, and then took that same book to bed with me. Is a *winky face* emoticon appropriate there?

Basically perfect as far as rainy Tuesday nights go.

Oh!  I almost forgot to mention...  during my gym class the instructor decided to really throw it back and grunge it up.  Yep, we lifted weights to a little Nirvana.  How Seattle is that?!  Oh so very!

Seeing as it's still as gloomy as Kurt Cobain out there I thought I'd sign off with a video featuring the misheard lyrics of "Smells Like Teen Spirit".  Happy Wednesday!

Happy Chinese New Year... belatedly...

As dedicated readers know I was more than happy to say "Buh-bye 2011".  The year was good in so many respects but nonetheless it needed to end.

I woke up on the 1st of this year donning rose colored glasses and filled with, what I thought was reasonable, hope for immediate change and instantaneous life satisfaction.  (Note: Being unrealistic and impatient might be a recurring theme in my life.  Working on it.  Working on it.)

On January 2nd when all of my dreams for the New Year had yet to come true impatience quietly started to creep in and by last week I was down right irritated.

I'd really like to chalk up my lack of patience, unrealistic expectations, general feelings of "stir craziness", and several instances of behaving decidedly out of character to Snowmageddon.  Whatever the reasons, by the end of last week, I was in a serious state of "what is happening in my life?!"

Reminding myself that "this too shall pass" I waited.

Good news came my way and I started to feel like there might be steps that I could take to help guide myself out of the rut.  I realized that this year will be exactly like the last if I don't decide to change patterns in my own behavior that lead to the same consequences time and time again. 

The weekend passed with some small "Go Amanda" moments and by Monday I was ready to usher in some serious change!

What did I do on the Chinese New Year?

Well I gave notice at my current job and am set to start a new one on February 6. 

Change is here and I'm ready!  I'm also ready to embrace patience and really give that a try instead of expecting things to instantly fall in to place.  (Is this a Chinese New Years resolution I smell?)

On a less reflective note:

On Saturday night I saw Fitz and the Tantrums at the Showbox at the Market.  Such a great show.  Such a fun band.  It's always nice to see performers genuinely enjoying what they're doing on stage.  The bands energy was infections.  So much so that 3 days later and I'm still dancing. 

Enjoy a little Fitz on your Tuesday!

Snow

All day yesterday I was on "Snow Watch". We were promised a storm. We were promised inches and possibly feet of snow. We were promised a snow day.

All day I waited and it didn't seem like it was coming. I grew increasingly prepared for my entire city to be embarrassed today when the white stuff did not come pouring from the sky despite our preemptive freak outs.

I still held out hope though and last night felt like Christmas Eve. I was so anxious to find out if the city would in fact be turned into a winter wonderland and more importantly if my bus routes would be closed allowing me a convenient excuse not to go to work.

I reached out to a few people to see if they wanted to hang out and wait for the "snowpocolypse". No such luck. And so at 9:30 last night I decided my only option was to go to bed and sleep my snow anxiety out.

I woke up probably every hour wondering if it had snowed. Finally at 3:30am I actually got out of bed, walked to the living room, looked out the window, and was disappointed. Still clear. *Sigh*. I went back to bed resigned to the fact that yes a real workday was in my future.

But this story has a happy ending! This morning when my alarm went off I ran to the window just in case in the weather man had delivered. And oh how he had!!!  SNOW!!!

I put on my boots. I put on my warmest winter jacket. I ran down the street to see if the road going up the hill was closed.

YES! YES! YES! There's no way Queen Anne Avenue was going to be traversed by this lady. I returned to my apartment. Called my supervisor. Found she too opted out of her commute. Got to the business of enjoying all that is Seattle when it snows.

I decided the best way to do this was put on some festive lipwear, walk to Starbucks, and work from there. It was a long, arduous, and cold journey...

The trip was definitely worth it though. It's been wonderful to see the place fill up and listen to all the excited chatter over the weather. My favorite thing so far today though has been watching people outside traipsing around in snowshoes (Seattle-ites are special) and dragging toboggans behind them...

I should probably get back to some real work (cue *le sigh*).  Luckily I have a coffee refill coming my way and a nice little snow day playlist to tap my toes to...

Bittersweet Melodies - Feist
Goshen - Beirut
I Know Places - Lykke Li
Infinite Arms - Band of Horses
Long Walk To Never - Jaymay
Minnesota, WI - Bon Iver
Posters - Youth Lagoon
White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes


Enjoy your day whether it be snowy or dry!

Weekend Photo Diary : Kassy Visits, Snow Falls, Niners Win!

I had myself a pretty sweet four day weekend.  That's right.  I'll say it again... Four Day Weekend!  With the visit of a good friend I thought it would be wise to tag an extra day onto the already long break from work!

I don't have a ton of energy to write anything today... luckily I have plenty of pictures to fill some space.  They range from watching the 49ers beat the Saints to going to the top of the Space Needle.  Enjoy!

 

 

I hope the weekend was long for everyone else. And if it wasn't long then I hope that at least it was great!