Seattle Surroundings

I've had a great few weeks thus far in Seattle and have spent it with some wonderful people.  The following are just a few photos of my surroundings, nothing special, just memories...

(This is the dinner/game table where copious amounts of cards are played from cribbage to poker, as well as some dominos)

 (Asian influence - some Japanese curry and Korean kimchi)

(So, Joel shredded some cheese to put on top of his curry.  If you notice in the background there's a handle of sorts...)

 (Well, the grater broke and here are the results...  cheese on the chair)

 (Cheese on the floor)

 (And cheese on the curtain)

(Momo and MJ enjoying a game of cribbage)

(This is me with my new buddy Buddy)

(The place I hang my hat each evening)

(Things are getting a bit chilly here in Seattle)

 (I've begun to take Buddy on regular walks)

 (Here he is enjoying his momentary freedom)

(There he is still enjoying it)

 (A pipeline next to the park)

(Frost crusted grass and a leaf)

(The artsy shot for the day, or so I hoped)

 (A bottle cap buried in the trail I run along)

(Here you can see the pipelines as well as the trail I've run on the past few weeks)

 (Some sort of marking system for the pipeline)

(A flower that has come to its end but is holding on as winter approaches) 

Goodbye Calgary Hello Seattle

Sunday afternoon I boarded a plane bound for Seattle.  It was difficult to leave, reflecting on some of the great memories I made as well as some of the wonderful people I was able to reconnect with and new ones I've met.  Calgary is an interesting city, to say the least, just not a city for me at the moment.  I'm sure my journey will take me back to Calgary but as for when I just can't say.  

The universe reaffirmed my decision.  For starters, my bag weighed 68 pounds, 18 pounds over the weight limit and therefore I was expecting to be charged an additional $50.  I got to the counter, told the woman my bag was well over, put it on the scale for her, she looked at the weight, looked at me, smiled, and charged the regular fee.  Sweet.  Second, complimentary wine on the flight.  Not such a big deal but a little reassurance goes a long way.  I really feel good about making this decision and moving forward with my life, or laterally, or some direction other than the one I was currently headed.  

There are a few pictures from Calgary and the rest are of Momo, Joel, and their new son, whom I'll refer to as MJ.  I feel very fortunate to have people like Joel and Momo who willingly take me into their home.  Not but a year ago I called Joel the day before Thanksgiving, explained my situation, and without hesitation he told me to fly in to Portland and he could pick me up.  It was a 3 minute conversation and although it was a big deal, he didn't make it into one.  I also feel honored to have been bestowed uncle status.  Again, very blessed to have great friends and family in my life and I'm extremely happy for Momo and Joel and their new son!  

(The final hold out)

 (My final sunset in Calgary)

(The Friedrick Clan)

 (Momo and MJ)

 (One of my favorite parts about coming to Seattle and staying with Joel and Momo is the Asian influence.  I've been here 2 nights and had Japanese food 3 times already in addition to kimchi and Makguli)

 (I think it's the first time I've had Korean Rice Wine since last year)

(Oh yeah, hanging with MJ)

 (Another one a little closer.  Big doings in my life, I changed a diaper with the help of Momo.)

(Momo, myself, MJ, and Buddy the Chihuahua/Rat Terrier mix of a dog all went)

(Momo asked if I could take MJ because the baby holder doesn't sit very well on her.  I did and we finished the walk.  I love his eyes in this photo.)

 (Here's buddy looking for something in the grass)

(Buddy has not gotten the attention he needs from Joel or Momo lately due to the little one.  So, we've become pals as of late.  He jumps up and will sit between my legs, take naps with me, and we usual go for a walk.  Buddy and I are buddies.)

(MJ checking Buddy out)

Seattle with the Friedrick Clan

As I am sure many of you know, Katrina and I broke up the day before Thanksgiving.  It was a bit of bad timing to say the least and while I had plans to go see my buddy Joel in Seattle, it wasn't for a week later.  However, I gave him a call up, and like a champ, he told me to fly in to Portland and enjoy Thanksgiving with the Friedricks, who are like a second family.  I had a blast seeing everyone and saw some great things in Seattle.  Plus, it was fantastic to see Mama Friedrick and Momo!  So, here are a few of the photos from my trip to Seattle.  

 (Joel focused during a ping pong match.  Every time I've been there, they tend to get a bit intense.)

(Cooking time with Martha Stewart, also known as Mama Friedrick.  She makes some amazing food!)

(Trip into the city - Space Needle)

(One of the highlights of the trip was the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit.  This man can do some amazing things with glass.)

(A few bowls he made)

(Bamboo made out of glass, which is an oxymoron of sorts)

(Imagine having this as your ceiling - each of those is different colored pieces set atop clear glass)

(Here's a little different angle)

(And here is a shot of just a few of the glass pieces) 

 (The art inspector himself, a critic to the end)

(I guess the best way to describe this would be an indoor glass garden with a twist)

(Joel got a little shaky with the camera and the shutter stayed open a bit and this is what came out, but I still liked it)

(A lot of shapes on a boat)

(Some balls on a boat)

 (The two together.  It was hard to comprehend, but I really did find this amazing.  However, I am curious if he blows the pieces and puts them in or designs the pieces and then hand crafts each one?)

(One of the many chandeliers throughout the exhibit, each unique.  Each one of those is its own blown glass, which is astounding, at least in my opinion.)

(This piece was huge, absolutely huge.  This room was probably two to three stories high.)

(Once again, the art critic had a special eye and got this shot)

(A little crazy hair - there was also an exhibit outside which was interesting)

(If you want, you can buy a vase, for a few thousand dollars.  I think I need to look into blowing glass for a living.)

(Momo with the Cascade.  I hope she's not upset I put this on here.)

(Joel and Momo making dinner)

 (My buddy Buddy)

 (Here they are, the happily married couple in their semi-new kitchen, in the sense that it's new since I've seen them last, along with the whole house)

(Light show with over a million LED lights)

(A dragon...)  

(This reminded me of Lite-Brite from back in the day)

(The lighting worked out perfect for this one)

(Had to get this one with the Osaka sign in there)

(If you don't like gum, turn away.  Because that is a gum wall and right now, there's gum in my mouth.)

 (Now it's between my fingers)

(And I'm adding it to the wall)

 (Close up shot)

(Unfortunately, the first piece fell off so I had to do it again.  Good thing we had a few packs of gum.  We even gave a piece to an older lady so she could put some on.)

 (Next jump shot)

(My buddy and me)

 (Momo hanging out on the opposite side.  For some reason, I really like this photo of her.)

(Walking along the street) 

(For those of you that enjoy Starbucks, here's a picture of the first one)

 (I guess that is new to the area, the ferris wheel, but it is in such a terrible spot and I can't imagine the view is any good.)

 (Pike Place Market sign)

 (The golden pig)

 (Me and Sasquatch)

(We had to go to Momo's favorite candy store and this was there so she got a photo)

(We also got chocolate covered bacon.  You would think it would be amazing, but it wasn't.  I'm not sure if it was too smokey or too sweet and too salty, but it just didn't work.  But, I tried it.) 

 (Photos on the way out) 

(Jump shot for me, even though it took Joel about 10 times to get the photo right)