Gwinwood is a really wonderful camp down in Lacey. Definitely had fun with my camera there.
Month: August 2017
A Few Photos From My Evening Walk
Last night I was able to head down to one of my favorite spots, period, the Edmonds waterfront. Spectacular sunset, with a lot of adoring, camera toting fans. Noticed a bit of construction going on along Sunset Ave. Several more of the older homes there were torn down, including the foundation. Significant rebuilds.
On an odd side note, saw a coyote on Olympic View Drive in the middle of Perrinville Woods. I found that quite exciting.
Anyway, click on the image below to be taken to my Flickr album.
Discussing Coffee
Coffee came up several times for me today. Ok, well that sounds like a case of indigestion. Coffee came up in discussion several times today. Which got me thinking…
Coffee holds a special place in my life, and my heart. First: well, coffee goes back to childhood. I adored smelling coffee brewing growing up. Loved the feel of the old Starbucks in Pike Place, back when there were spices and stuff. That very first espresso. The sophisticated feeling of sitting in cafes. Oh, so very much delight in the old, old feels.
Being a broke college student post-Navy, the cafes on Capitol Hill, Queen Anne and the U-District were important haunts. Places to study, to read, meet friends; so very critical at that point of my life. Low cost style and elegance.
For just over 5 years, I worked on the Corporate Social Responsibility team at Starbucks. For a year before that, I was part of the Public Affairs team, within the Global Communications group. I lived and breathed coffee during that time. That’s where I learned about roast curves, growing regions, different flavor profiles, the agricultural impacts upon the coffee, as well as the “processing method” and the instrumental way that impacts flavor.
I got to gently counter disparagement to my former employer. Even though I was laid off from there, nor is it my favorite coffee (that honor is tied between Ladro and Tony’s right now). (Fun fact: Tony’s was roasting Ladro’s beans until very recently). Yet I think highly of Starbucks, both in the coffee quality as well as the quality of the company. Several of my dearest friends came out of that experience.
Also, I went by Narrative Coffee’s space again, and saw Cafe Wylde. Both are places I want, well, need to try out. And I think I should write more about coffee here. Kinda fits a “Not Just Seattle” theme, don’t you think?
Care to recommend other coffee establishments for me to try? I’ll need to craft a list of my explorations to-date soon.
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An Updated Look At Seattle Area Real Estate, Development And Construction
As you may know, I took on a new role at the beginning of the year: managing feasibility and permitting for a builder. What a journey it’s been!
I don’t know how clear the title is, but “feasibility” is critical to our company. Can we build at a profit? To state the obvious, in our culture, profitability equals survival.
The Northwest Multiple Listing Service provides a form specifically for this. I’ve been asked a lot about it lately: most agents never use it. And they don’t understand what it’s for.
The purpose: time to explore the components of build-ability. For some projects, say a custom home, we’re exploring whether the costs fit into your budget. Will state, county or municipal rules let you build at all? If so, can you afford it?
Construction is cleaner but more complicated. Can what you are able to build sell for for a profit?
In Snohomish County, well, the whole state, we have challenges related to growth management. Important concerns, for the good of the community, and the ecosystem we draw our life from. I’ll get to that soon.
The Season Transforms
Sun flows into through glass
Counting days for routine’s return
Crisp mornings, sunlight hidden
Shall transform into damp,
Gray tranquility
Travelling to Oregon for the #eclipse?
Thinking of heading to Oregon for good viewing of the upcoming eclipse? Well, you’re running behind. Hotels are booked, and traffic is expected to horrible down there. It’s important to note: this kind of traffic would be incredibly hard to predict. It’s far outside normal, so the area infrastructure isn’t set up to handle it. So, no reservations and firmed up plans? You have a serious challenge before you. I never say never, but you best be ready for compromise.
With that, the Washington Department Of Transportation has activated their AM radio network. That’s the yellow signs you see in the freeway, with flashing yellow lights, directing you to turn your radio to 510, or 1610 AM, where you can listen to a mumbling voice (good ol AM distortion). This morning we were directed to expect heavy traffic in Oregon, and to avoid trying to observe the eclipse from your car or stopping on the side of the road. Oh, and turn your headlights on when it’s dark.
I came across a couple articles about the eclipse and how it’s impacting the region:
- Eclipse 2017: Miles-long traffic jams, wildfires in worst-case scenarios
- Oregon Department of Forestry, 2017 Solar Eclipse Site
The first looks at the expected traffic issues for Oregon (including the region’s fires right now). And the second is more good science nerdware. Which delights me but, really, isn’t too nerdy for the general population.
I’ll keep digging around to see what other info I can dig up. There’s got to be some other great science articles being created right now. I’ll keep my eyes peeled, as the adage goes.
Me and My Neti Pot!
Last week was pretty awful for my allergies, with all of the smoke coming down to greater Seattle from BC. So, with a dollop of rain on Sunday, and the changing winds, our smoke has cleared and my allergies have been far less cranky. Well, for a few days.
Now, though, something has started blooming. I’ve noticed a nice fragrance, but then the burning itching starts in the ol’ nasal passages. That’s where my neti pot has become a dear friend.
The clearing granted by the flushing of all things nose-y has, for years, made my life better. Allergy meds have had their place, don’t get me wrong. I greatly appreciate where we’ve come in that regard. Remembering the old days, of the drugs that filled you with grogginess, or the ones that amped you up (once I think I actually was having heart palpitations. Even though they aren’t perfect, they’ve been wonderful, really improving my life.
That silly neti pot, though. It flushes out the worst irritants, doesn’t dope me up or amp me out. This little bit of ancient technology has been, well, life-changing. Seems silly, perhaps, but I’m quite grateful I discovered the thing.
Though I love tech, and high-tech solutions, there’s value in the simple, and ancient. Flushing out my poor nose with water; who would’ve thought that we be the most dramatic learning in my adult years…at least in regards to living with allergies.
A Lovely Afternoon Along The Edmonds Waterfront
My wife and I spent the afternoon in one of our favorite places, the waterfront in Edmonds. Ran into many friends, had a quick lunch, popped into the ranger station at Olympic Beach. Fyi, there’s a touch there that’s stocked with local wildlife. A great place to getvsine insights into our marine life. One of their volunteers, Ryan, hosts a podcast: Aquacast; go check him out!
Also made it up to the library. Lots of good flowers along the way. Lots blooming right now.
I adore this region so much. Makes my heart soar.
Lynnwood Folks: Watch “Have you seen this suspect in Lynnwood church burglaries?” on YouTube
The Lynnwood Police are looking for a not-so-neighborly chap. If you know something…you know what to do!
Found a Must-See Film: Kubo and the Two Strings
A few days ago I stumbled upon this trailer: Kubo and the Two Strings. A stop-motion animated films of epic proportions. Yes, I know that’s a cliche, but I find it far too fitting to not use it.
Anyway, I’m deeply disappointed in myself for not noticing this film before. The trailers, by themselves, are truly beautiful. It has a stellar cast (Matthew McConaughey, Charlize Theron, George Takei, amongst the most luminary), and 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s clearly a film that needs to be seen. Just got to figure out where or how that will work out as I doubt it’s in the theaters any more (was released last year). But Kubo is on Netflix!
So, enjoy the preview below. Let me know what you think. Especially if you’ve seen it (no spoilers, por favor).