Tag: seattle

The Seattle Connection Of Poet Gary Snyder

Carl Setzer

Perhaps you’re familiar with Gary Snyder. Most famous for his affiliation with Beat poets like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, he work is really it’s own beast. One of my favorite writers, I read his work quite regularly. He’s quite influential on me.

I find the way he combines such things as zen, Chinese literature and nature poetry with geomorphology and geology simply fascinating. And his eye keeps looking at the west coast, with him spending a great deal of time in the Pacific Northwest.

His seminal work, Mountains and Rivers Without End covers a great deal of ground topic-wise. There are several poems with Pacific Northwest themes, but one strikes me most: “Night Highway 99“. (The link will take you to the Google Books edition of book.)

I remember when I first really read the title. “Really” meaning “attentive, aware, awake (in a zen-sort-of-way). The connection was instant. Growing up in Lynnwood just a few blocks from Highway 99, it’s very easy to envision the places he writes about. Also, with my journeys around the region, most of the towns he mentions I know. At least driving by, and many of them have memories of my footsteps upon the ground.

Definitely give Mr. Snyder a read. The rewards; magnificent!

Seattle's Aurora Bridge at night
Seattle’s Aurora Bridge at night

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I just saw Wonder Woman this evening! Spoiler free, don’t worry

Carl Setzer
Wonder Woman Poster

After a burst of luck, and some fairly mad scrambling, we were able to get down to Seattle’s Cinerama for a preview of Wonder Woman.

I’ve been excited for this one for months. And, let me say, it’s well-crafted. Full disclosure: I’m generally a super-positive guy and tend not to hate anything. Just variations of enjoyment. Now there are some bad films out there…but, back on point: Wonder Woman is not one of them!

Cinematically, it’s very much in the same vein as we’ve seen in other Zack Snyder films. (I don’t want diminish Patty Jenkins‘ work on this film. I’m sure if I knew her work better, I’d recognize her hand in this as well.) I love their use of color, and Zack and Co used many creative angles and clever edits to add dramatic flair. For me, that was wonderful. And, from what I’ve been reading, everyone else feels the same.

 

Being able to see it in Paul Allen’s cinematic digital playground, Cinerama, was an additional joy. I’ve been there many, many times over the years. It was where I saw Star Wars in it’s first run. Back then, it was only playing at the Cinerama. Making the trek in from Lynnwood was an effort, though different than nowadays. No issues, really, with parking or traffic back in the 70s. Mostly downtown was seedy and worn, and generally not considered to be the best place for children. Anyway, my first viewing of Star Wars was a transformative moment in my life. Seeing the Star Destroyer bear down on the Tantive IV, and the feels that flowed through me, changed me forever. They forever dominated my way. So, this theater has a warm spot in my hear. I adore the Cinerama!

There was a time that it’s future was far from certain. I’m glad Mr. Allen made something fantastic and unique. If I were a billionaire, I think I’d be more in Paul’s vein than Bill Gates. Nothing against Mr. Gates, but my interests are broad and wide. More akin to Paul’s.

So, the important part: go see this movie! I give it two thumbs up!

Aviation Film Festival: We Should Have One In The Seattle Area

Carl Setzer

My son discovered this film festival hosted by the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Film Festival

Now I’m wondering, with such amazing institutions like Boeing, the Museum of Flight, the Future of Flight and the Museum of History and Industry, why we don’t have a similar film festival here in Seattle. I really think we’d get great traction on something like this.

What do you think? Would you go?

Let me know!

 

Seattle’s narrow comfort band

Carl Setzer

It’s pretty funny. Seattleites have a very narrow band of comfort, temperature-wise. Looks like the range is about 65 to 72. Today hit about 75 in places, with complaints about the heat ensuing. 80 brings about fears of heat stroke, and 85 is the realm of demons. 

For me, I’m delighting that I’m finally able to wear shorts and flip-flops. And, well, that my taekwondo school is air -conditioned. Yeah, I’m not immune to Seattle’s proclivities. 

Yesterday we went to Everett’s Farmers Market. I’m quite fond of it, especially with the “new” location. It didn’t move far, if you don’t know where it moved to. 

My first love is the Edmonds market. It’s great to have s Saturday and a Sunday choice, though. 

This weekend had perfect market weather, though above the temperature band. I heard many complaints about the heat. 

For though of us adapted to Western Washington, decent weather brings us outside. Even amidst our complaints and discomfort. Between the markets and getting my Fitbit steps in, I got my outside time in. 

For that I’m grateful. And glad. I do adore this region. 

Seattle’s weird spring 

Carl Setzer

Oh, my dearest Seattle

A few days ago

I wore a coat

Today? Sandals 

Adorn my feet

My legs 

Bare, delighting 

In the sunlight 

And now this weekend is done 

Carl Setzer

​Spent the evening with my folks celebrating Mothers Day. I love that I’m physically close to them, so can keep an emotional closeness. Though, at times, it’s surreal to be back in Lynnwood, within sight of the home I grew up in.

Many, many memories can and went. Stories told with my son, developing the generational connections. So much of my life took place right here, within a short drive of my folks’ home. So many transformative memories flowed through my mind today.

Most of the day I slept. Fighting some kind of virus, wakefulness was elusive.

Yesterday we went to the Reptile Expo at the Monroe Fairgrounds. Then down to the old Woodway highschool for the Edmonds Heights production of Addams Family. The reptile expo was cool, opening my eyes more to herpetological fans, and what they see in their fine scaled friends. And I thought the kids were wonderful.

Now I’m on my couch listening to St. Mark’s compline service on KING FM. So many rich memories here. I was a member at the cathedral for many years. I’ve so many memories of the halls there. And many evenings, sitting in the darkened gnave. Surrounded by this microcosm of Seattle. Wealthy socialites, broke college students, street kids, the roughest-edged folks, all crammed into the cathedral every Sunday evening.

The tranquility I’ve felt there has rarely been equalled. Someday I need to take my son down and introduce him to this ancient worship style. It holds deep meaning​for me.

Lake Stevens and the Future of Snohomish County 

Carl Setzer

Spent the day running errands. One of them had me at the City of Lake Stevens’ planning offices as two manufactured “portables” were delivered. Quite the tight squeeze along the tree lined street. But the drivers were skilled and nothing was injured save a few stray leaves. 

This got us talking about change, growth and the area. Our region’s density has changed dramatically. I remember coming out to Lake​ Stevens, way out in the country. Waaayyy out there. It seemed quite the excursion to go up and enjoy pizza at Up The Creek (the business is gone, but the building remains). That was something I always looked forward to, and something I remember years later. 

As the region grew, as decent paying jobs were getting created by the dozen, people started flowing into the region. Housing prices climb through Seattle. And affordability pushed outwards. Add the addition of the Everett Navy HomePort, which brought additional bodies to Snohomish County. Lake Stevens amenities make it a charming and desirable place to live. All of that pushed people out there. Adding traffic, the need for stores and transit. 

I expect the demand for homes there to grow boldly over the next few years. Prices in Seattle and Bellevue are extreme, livability collapsing. Snohomish county offers great living with ease of access to Seattle, which will get better as light rail builds out. 

Of course, I’m biased: I’ve lived in the region most of my life. And I don’t intend to live anywhere else. 

This is an exciting time for the region. I’m pleased to be part of it all. 

Lesser Seattle and Other Thoughts

Carl Setzer

I grew up reading Emmett Watson (a key part of Seattle’s literary history), and decided to revisit some of his writings. Currently, I’m working my way through Emmett Watson: “My Life In Print” (affiliate link). This book has a whole section about his, somewhat tongue-in-cheek writings about a somewhat fictional organization: the Society for Lesser Seattle.

The ideology of this came as a counter to the relentless boosterism for growing Seattle. If you loved the city, imagine how annoying it would be to continue to hear how to “fix” what you cherish.

Now, to be fair, the global city that Seattle is today resulted from that boosterism. But there were elements of that growth mindset that were truly mindless. Growth for growth’s sake is not wise or healthy, in my view.

Change is a part of life. It’s crucial to evolve. However, I find deep value in spending time assessing:

  • Who you are
  • Who you want to become
  • Then evaluate the opportunities which present themselves

All three are important. I can’t imagine anything more sad than “evolving” into someone you hate.

The same is true for cities, and any type of community.

“Know thyself”, a line I’ve heard bantered forth occasionally, seems apt here.

With communities, a challenge: dealing with divergent answers of those questions. Democracy can get ugly at times.

Let’s explore all of this, shall we?

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Congrats to the good folks at Canlis on it’s James Beard Award

Carl Setzer

This is fun news for Seattle foodies: Canlis Takes Home Its First James Beard Award. (Seattle Met Magazine)

I’ve not dined at good ol’ Canlis. Mainly, I’m a northend guy, and making my way down there is a bit challenging. And then there’s the price tag…
Anyway, all the best to good folks at Canlis!