Some thoughts on growth

Earlier this evening I was considering traffic, while driving home…in traffic. Now, I don’t hate it like some folks do. But I did have a snarky moment today where I thought I’d be clever to text my family saying “I just left Bellevue. I should be home in time for high school graduation”.

Anyway, for me it’s a great opportunity to listen to music or podcasts. So I’m relatively happy. Sure, I’d rather not be stuck, but it’s the way of things, I guess.

With that, as I rolled through Kirkland and looked over all the growth, I was struck by the increasing density. I’ve noted before that we’re watching the greater Seattle area become more dense. Pretty much daily. I’m seeing many lots that held one house hey torn down and reolaced by three. Or more. With Growth Management Act limitations on where we cam build, and our economy continuing to bring new residents here, there’s only one way for things to go. Also, density is the solution to creating affordable housing.

I’m glad to see light rail getting implemented region wide. I drive by the Bellevue and Redmond, as well as the Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace extension construction sites daily. We will have desperate need of tthese as the region continues its growth.

Tis a mixed blessing, clearly. So much has changed in my lifetime. I’m pretty sure my school friends who left the area would find it quite hard to navigate now.

How do you feel about all this? Terrifid? Excited? Bridging the hike between them?

His Dark Materials: Season 1 | Official Trailer | HBO

I don’t have a great connection to the Golden Compass, or the His Dark Materials series, but this trailer is making me inclined to check this series out.

The good folks at Nerdist have written up a nice summary of where we are in this production, from the first movie, The Golden Compass, to this most current video series (what should we call these bingeworthy series at this point? Back in the day, they were mini-series. Now what?)

Are you looking forward to it? Do you love it enough to share? Say, sharing your HBO account credentials?

Saving the Wave: A New Wave Playlist On Spotify 

Inspired by C89‘s DJ Trent Von and his Save The Wave show, I crafted my own playlist in Spotify. Give it a listen and let me know what you think. What’s left out? What shouldn’t be on this one?

 

If you’re a fan of Trent, here are a few places to connect with him online:

And here are some sites to learn more about his style, background, and, well, listen to his playlists.

Interurban Trail Users: An FYI

As you’ll see below (from the good folks at the city of Lynnwood), PUD will be maintaining the trees along the trail. The trail will remain open, but there might be delays.

 

Interurban Trail User Notice

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Snohomish County PUD is performing tree maintenance along the trail for the next three weeks (September 18 – October 11). The trail will remain open during the maintenance and flaggers will guide users safely through the work zone.

For more information, please visit: https://www.snopud.com/default.ashx?p=1097=

The Greedy Need For Speed

Lately I’ve thought a lot about traffic. First there’s the ever increasing volumes on northbound I5 through Marysville to Arlington  My trips to Bellingham have stretched out from 60 minutes to an hour and a half…on good days. Then there’s taking this new position in Bellevue, which has thrown me into heavier traffic then I’ve dealt with for some time, if ever. 

I’ve jokingly told myself many times “welcome to LA”. 

I live in a place that’s attracting new people at an exponential rate. Can’t blame them. Jobs are cool. 

With this, though, I’ve noticed an uptick in aggressive driving. Whether tailgating, cutting people off; there are myriad examples of destructive behaviors. I believe the challenge here is simple: A sense of entitlement for speed. Anything that slows us down challenges us a  to our birthright. This explains why people get homicidal over the bicyclist, a pedestrian, or that car doing 50 in the fast lane. I should be able to go as fast as I want, statistics and public safety be damned!

This, combined with the aforementioned increase in the sheer volume of cars pushes us hard. No wonder people are snapping. 

Our culture needs to calm down, to slow down. This rage kills, but not just on the road. Increased stress causes all kinds of horrible things to our bodies and minds. We need to walk more, get on our bikes and ride, getting out of our cars. And we need to remember that the other drivers out there are people. Doing the best that they can. 

Just like us. 

[Editted because I hit “post” too soon and, thus needed to clean up a bunch of grammar] 

Hey South Seattle Geek Fans, Check Out “Pop Culture Pop-Up: Winter in Wonderland”

These folks reached out to me letting me know of this fun event down in Puyallup. On the perfect day, “Small Business Saturday”, check out all kinds of great geek-centric crafts for your holiday shopping.

My calendar’s event has more details, as does their Facebook page. And register at Eventbrite.

To see more geektastic fun, check out my ever evolving list of regional events.

Lynnwood Has A Con! Welcoming Nerd Faire To The Neighborhood

I just discovered Nerd Faire, a new Northwest Con. Located at the Lynnwood Convention Center, this will be very convenient to me. Their first con ever was this past March. Next year (2020) will be on February 1st. You can get tickets at Eventbrite.

Looks like they’re still pulling things together. Looks like there are opportunities for exhibitors, sponsors and volunteers. Check out their website and Facebook page to stay up-to-date.

For other cons in the region, check out our calendar of events, and the Geek Event section (just updated them both).

Please like, share and follow! Thanks so very much!

Driving Around Here Nowadays

Saturday i had a meeting in south Everett, on 128th to be more specific. Well,traffic on that road was wretched,  but I improvised, taking side streets back to Lynnwood. I ended up driving past the door where the z over Park drive in used to be. Now it’s a medical center and apartment complex. I

Along this street are now many multifamily/higher density housing projects.Several duplexes, apartment and condos, within this area that was semi rural single family homes a generation back. 

This got me thinking about density. That we’re gong to see the greater Seattle area become increasingly densified. I expect in the next dozen to two dozen years this whole region will become mostly multifamily. The economic forces will drive that hard. I’ve long thought that the Growth Management Act’s limits on development will combine with our region’s continued economic expansion to drive this. 

Many will see if as something to lament, and to resist. Me? I see it as a a mixed blessing, so to speak. And as something that good planning can make a great thing. Planning for a transit system that will accommodate this load will be crucial. A predominantly car-centric system will not work. When the majority of commuters take transit, things will be more manageable. 

So, what do you think? 

Green Mountain Lookout: An Article In Today’s Everett Herald

Just read “Summit stewards make the steep trek to Green Mountain Lookout“. Ah, visions of Kerouac on Desolation Peak! Well, this isn’t quite so literary, I guess.

If you don’t know Kerouac’s connection to the Pacific Northwest, below are few links for you (and if you don’t know Jack Kerouac, please fix that. I always start such things with Wikipedia).

Anyway, I enjoyed the article, probably in no small part due to my literary fascinations. This looks like a fun, if aggressive hike. And staying on top of a mountain (I doubt there’s wifi) would be a great way to decompress. For me, personally, after this season’s hikes, I realize I’m not quite in good enough shape for hikes like this one. I’m building back up, though.

Below is a video of the current occupants of the lookout (as of the article’s writing, at least) created by the good folks at the Everett Herald.

 

https://vimeo.com/358390009

If you’re inspired to make this hike, check out the WTA’s (Washington Trails Association) page for the Green Mountain trail. And if you’re interested in the Kerouac/Beat pilgrimage to Desolation Peak, the WTA has your covered, too.

Watch “Qui-gon Jinn Guides Darth Vader to Redemption” on YouTube

This great fan mash up video tells the story of Qui Gon Jin, as a Force ghost, bringing Anikin back to the Light. I love the idea.

https://youtu.be/mcz-4Sgp68k