Author: Carl Setzer

A Flicker On My Roof

Carl Setzer

There’s a very distinctive rattle that woodpeckers make. I find it pleasant for the most part. Except when coming from my roof in the early morning. 

Bearing no malice, and actually feeling rather amused, I grabbed a handful of fir cones. Several throws later, I finally communicated my desire for it to find a tree to peck upon. 

Hard to sleep with that racket. Plus, holes in my roofing are undesirable. 

Fight Like A Girl

Carl Setzer

At my taekwondo school, many of us have adopted this slogan: “fight like a girl”. A couple of the women I train with are thinking the next iteration of this is pink t-shirts with this phrase. 

Overhearing this I stated I would proudly wear one myself. And I want to be clear:  truly, deeply, definitely I would. 
I adore the fierce and talented women and girls in my life. The amazing and wonderful things they’re doing to make our world better…I’m privileged to be a part, to witness and, sometimes, even help out. 

So, get the shirts and let me buy one. A humble little thing I can do. 

Another Reorganization At Microsoft

Carl Setzer

As a former Microsoftie with many friends still there in Redmond, I follow these news stories with intent.

We’ve had a few stories hit the wire the past couple of days:

Some thoughts:

  • I can’t imagine that dramatic of a re-org will happen without layoffs.
  • With that, it’s hard to see through the fog in the crystal ball on this one, at least as far as layoffs go. I’ve seen Microsoft layoff plenty of people, who then get hired on in other business groups over time. How many of those folks will actually collect unemployment (if any) is hard to gauge.
  • It’s nice to see what was called “services” when I worked there getting serious attention.

So, I hope that the drama of this announcement creates little-to-no stress for you, dear reader.

Opportunities and All That

Carl Setzer

I’ve had two conversations today that have me thinking about the area’s economic opportunities.

  1. Seeing the potential from storage rental facilities, with RV spaces in particular. I know a builder who had nearly 100% occupancy shortly after pre-sales started. Complete hearsay, but I still trust it. Well, enough to be willing to do further research.
  2. Storefronts in the City of Everett. Now, after some brief research, looks like commercial real estate vacancies are down. Yet, while walking along Colby a week or so ago, there’s quite a bit of storefront space vacant. I think Everett has a lot of potential, and that it will materialize at some point. I’d like to see a more vigorous effort to promote the downtown of the city. Especially as an alternative to Seattle. But, that’s just my notion.

Anyway, there are other potentials out there. What are you seeing?

Area Cons and Updating My Geek Events Page

Carl Setzer

Driving past Everett Mall I noticed Kobe-Con coming this next weekend (July 7th – 9th). When I added them to my geek events page, I noticed all kinds of dated information (events from 2016 and worse), so I spent some time updating the page. Some key observations.

  • Not sure the status of Cour d’Alene’s Con D’alene. There is a post on their Facebook Page from January 2017, but nothing about a 2017 or beyond event. I pulled the event from the list. If anyone knows that they’re happening, drop me a note.
  • I was a little worried that Steamposium had died as their website was dead. However, a brief consultation with Google showed they’re alive and well. For some reason, they let their website expire. Looks like they’re centering their comms to their Facebook Page.
  • There’s a comicon in Yakima…YAKIMA! Central City ComiCon is in it’s third year. Just from my personal experience, I still find it hard to imagine a geek friendly event their. But it delights me to see this.
  • While looking up details on Spokane’s Lilac City Con, I discovered this Facebook Page: Spokane Geek Girls. Check them out!
  • Galacticon died an agonizing and public death…back in 2015…clearly, I need to update this page more often.
  • Geek Portland seems to stale. No updates since last June. Deep sadness.
  • Nerdy Seattle is silent, too.

Anyway, that’s the updated news on this thread.

Steel Magic’s Summer Program Kickstarter Is $90 From It’s Goal!

Carl Setzer
Steel Magic Northwest

You’ve seen me write about this org before, here and here, as I think highly of their program. Youth, kids, adults of all stripes: they have the hallmarks of a healthy organization. Their music is exceptional! Check them out and hear it for yourself.

https://youtu.be/oVDYsdkM6qI

 

They’re using Kickstarter to fund their summer program, so I highly encourage you to head over to their site and give them a few dollars. They’re doing a all or nothing campaign for $3,000, and are at $2,910. Just $90 more dollars! Now, the campaign ends Friday (June 30th), so I (again) encourage…nay, implore you to head over right now and help this program do amazing for our community this Summer.

Marysville folks: Strawberry Festival is this weekend

Carl Setzer

Celebrating the importance of this crop to the city’s history, Marysville’s Strawberry Festival hosts many activities for the whole family. With a parade Saturday, followed by fireworks in the park being the biggest parts.

If you live in Marysville, remember this disrupts movement around town. Lots of extra traffic, and State Ave will be shut down most of Saturday. Be ready! 

It’s a huge amount of fun, so check out their website for details. 

Marysfest.org 
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Summer Is Coming for Edmonds Own Steel Magic Northwest

Carl Setzer
Steel Magic Northwest

This evening was Steel Magic Northwest’s “Here Comes Summer” concert, held at Edmonds Seventh Day Adventist church.  I’ve written about them before, after I saw their holiday concert. This steel drum ensemble is just amazing! Tonight’s concert was simply brilliant. An amazing amount of sound comes through these guys, and clear, crisp, wonderful sound! As a musician, I’m delighted after each performance. Gary Gibson, the director, excels at leading this group.

Steel Magic performs a wide array of styles, and very challenging repertoire with complex music. Check out their schedule and make it a point to lend them your lobes, my chums! You won’t be disappointed!

With that, they have some ambitious summer plans. In order to pull that off, and provide opportunities to both play, and to be heard, they need our help.

Check out their Kickstarter campaign. With a rather humble goal of $3,000, they can reach an amazing number of children, youth and adults. I can rattle off the details, but I’d rather let them do it (see the video below). And, of course, please help them out any way you can. If you can’t donate yourself, please share the campaign with your friends.

 

Walking this evening: A poem

Carl Setzer

An evening stroll

As I’m often want

To do. 

These sidewalks, older than me

My memories stretch back

Decades.  

Once, my dream,  

Distant travel. 

That has waned

My love for this area 

Grown to significant

Proportions. 

This path I’ve trudged

At least a thousand times

Changed for biredom 

Now is home 

Headed to Whidbey Island this weekend? There’ll be some traffic impacts

Carl Setzer

Hey Whidbey Island ferry travelers,

Catching the ferry to Whidbey this weekend? Please give yourself extra travel time. On SR 525 between Mutiny Bay and Bakken Road (mileposts 22 to 25) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. road crews will be working on this 30 mile summer paving project.

Fellow cyclists, cycling the Island this weekend? Well, consider alternate routes. Those crews will be road grinding Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and there will be uneven surfaces along SR 525 between Mutiny Bay Road and SR 20.

Don’t forget you can reserve a ferry sailing spot on many runs (though not the Mukilteo : Whidbey run).