Month: February 2018

A few thoughts on cycling this Saturday morning 

Carl Setzer

Was just reading through a bunch of articles about cycling, all centered in the Pacific NorthWest. Urban cycling, bicycle touring, city planning, healthy living and how cycling fits into a sustainable culture; filling my brain with ideas. A big thing: I need to get out and ride more. Of course, it’s been been quite chilly here around Puget Sound. And such things challenge my desire to ride. 

I’ve become much more of a fair weathered cyclist. At one point, the notion of being such horrified me. I was committed to riding, bike commuting, cycling as urban transport. A few accidents with cars (with broken bones and other fun) and myriad close calls, my tolerance for urban riding waned. Plus, moving back home to Seattle’s suburbs threw me deep into car culture. Riding became a weekend hobby. I hate this. 

The desire to return to deep immersion into bike culture hits me regularly. It rebounds off of the suburban car culture, but bounces back. The overcommitted life, which is only manageable with a car, my 20 mile commute, the geographic spread of suburban life all factor in. 

I’m also weary of the challenge of getting exercise. I need to block time to get to the gym, versus just walking/riding all the time. There’s a community around cycling that’s pretty amazing. So many benefits to the cycle-centric life, and I miss them. 

Focus

Carl Setzer

What is my direction?
I’m pulled so many ways?
Is that bad?
Or does that tension
Make me bigger?
I don’t which is better
For my soul 

I am challenged by “focus”. When focused, other things must be ignored. Such a painful thing, to give up on interests. Yet I see that by diluting my focus, passions get sacrificed. I’ve searched for passion, just not very well. I’m pulled this way and that. Unsure which way is true. I’ve spent so much time eliminating risk that I’ve never truly considered passion, and how that can fit into career. I still have plenty of work to do. 

Let’s Talk Burgers, Shall We?

Carl Setzer

Over on Instagram one of my chums, Eat Stay Love posted the photo below:

 

Their post led to a discussion about great burger places in the region. Funny, but I realize I’ve experienced many and have my “definitive” list of favorites, which stretch from Seattle north to Bellingham.

This my reflexive list. What’s missing? What are your favorites? I’d really love to hear them.

Several years ago, I considered doing a road trip focused on the best burger places. Might be time to consider that one again. What do you think?

A Motivational Quote

Carl Setzer

I do enjoy these sorts of things. This one, though, really hit me.

It’s something I struggle with. Not so much “giving up”, as getting stuck getting started. It’s hard to motivate myself to start multi-year endeavors. Now, things like my black-belt were easier since I didn’t start out seeking that out. I started out having fun. Then, as I progressed, and the years passed, it was pretty easy to just “keep going”.

I am working at becoming better at proactivity. Developing a strategic vision, thinking longer-term, those things are not natural to me…not yet, at least. Hence it’s work.

Quite the day, weather-wise here in Edmonds & Lynnwood

Carl Setzer

Quite a combination of weather today near the Salish Sea.

I woke to a lovely morning snowfall.

By the time we needed to head to church, the snow was mostly gone. We had a few flurries through the late morning and afternoon, with nothing sticking.

My son’s youth group went to an Everett Silvertips game in the late afternoon. The sun was shining brightly, though quite cold. Oh, and a brisk, strong wind. So we went and walked along the Edmonds Waterfront; one of our favorite things. According to the weather station at the marina, it was 34 degrees with windchill dragging things down to 27. Brrrr!

Looking north from Brackett’s Landing, Mount Baker was glorious. I didn’t bring a decent camera with me, so you get these taken with my phone. Not too bad, but nowhere near capturing it’s awesomeness.

The wind was pretty relentless. Sea water spraying and wind howling through the boats’ rigging in the marina.

A very lovely afternoon along Puget Sound. Lovely….and cold. But we weren’t alone. Many good folks dared the frigidity to enjoy the sun. Even some windsurfers with their gear on the beach. Pretty sure hoping for a break in the strong winds (there was a small craft advisory for the Sound).

How was your Sunday? Hope it was grand.

Updated: He’s Home And Safe : From the Lynnwood Police : Missing Juvenile – Jaimin Moore

Carl Setzer

UPDATED 2/19/18: I’m glad to be able to let everyone know Jaimin is home and safe, according to his father.

Just got this message from the Lynnwood Police Department.

If you know where Jaimin is, please call the number below ASAP.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Missing Juvenile – Jaimin Moore
Anyone with information urged to contact LPD

LYNNWOOD, WA (February 14, 2018) – Jaimin Moore left home on foot on 2-5-18 at 1730 hours and has not been seen or heard from since. A few days before, on 2-1-18, he similarly left home without notifying anyone at 2330 hours and walked to his grandparents’ home in Shoreline on 5th Ave NE, arriving near 0230 hours. They brought him home to Lynnwood.

His family and friends are concerned for his safety and wellbeing. He does not have a cell phone and left his wallet at home.

He is a skateboarder and has been known to skateboard in the area of Dairy Queen (16800 Hwy 99).

Moore was described as 5 feet 11, approximately 150 pounds with bright red shaggy hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing light blue jeans, red/black Nike shoes and a dark blue long-sleeved shirt.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Doug Teachworth at 425-670-5616 or dteachworth@LynnwoodWA.gov.

Missing person

MOORE, Jaimin Nicholas
DOB: 3/28/2001
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 150lbs
Hair: Red
Eyes: Blue

Contact Name:
Detective Sergeant Doug Teachworth
425-670-5616
dteachworth@LynnwoodWa.Gov

 

The Future Laughed At Me This Weekend

Carl Setzer

My wife and I were at a sandwich shop. I had cash in my wallet (which I often don’t), so pulled out a twenty. I’m aware of all the costs a small business absorbs with digital transaction, so was thinking it would be nice. And it was, but they were a bit puzzled. They didn’t have the change on hand to break the bill. And, very politely, asked if it was ok to pay via card. Which, of course, was fine by me.

It did strike me, though, as a sign of the changes the economy has gone through. When I managed cashiers, I had to make sure we had able cash and coins to make change. HAD TO! Running of of change was a huge failure, and pretty much ruined our ability to do business. Credit cards were a small fraction of transaction, most being cash or check. And now, I get the impression that the incident above almost went down like “oh, yeah, I should’ve hit the bank and got cash. Oops!” Followed by a “meh”. Maybe I’m wrong, but I got the impression cash was something of an inconvenience.

I expect many of these small business folks are simply embedding the costs of e-transaction into their model. So many people I know, myself included, rarely have cash any more. It’s probably far easier to let paper currency go the way of the dodo.

I guess it’s time to, finally, set up my Google or Samsung pay apps. Maybe even buy some Bitcoin!

Maybe….

Some thoughts on the Top Pot donuts getting built in Edmonds

Carl Setzer

This shop, just across the street from the ferry lanes. It’ll be a nice addition down there.

I like the stairs, and the upper loft they’re building.

Some good work was getting done today. Hope it means we’ll be done soon.

I’m not certain what the root issue has been for the delay. I expect it’s a permitting issue. Hopefully they can get this resolved quickly/finally. Vacant stores are a financial drain.