My Sunny Saturday Exploration

Yes, I know it's Wednesday, but because I have one of the most fucked up schedules ever, today is my Saturday. Deal with it. Anyway, every time I ride the bus on I-5, I notice two very long staircases that go from the top of Capitol Hill down to the base of the freeway. I've had an urge to go check them out, and get some much needed exercise. So, today, with the sun shining, I went and did just that. My walk ended up being a little more than four miles, according to Google maps.

View Capitol Hill Stairs in a larger map

I was surprised to find that there is a park hiding under I-5, along with a Mountain Bike Skills training course. If I was into mountain biking, I would have needed a new pair of pants upon my discovery of it. It's also very peaceful. Surprisingly enough, you can barely hear the traffic above. Although, I think that may have been due to the fact that much of it was at a standstill. Here are some photos of it all:

It was a very quick and easy trip to get to the bottom of the stairs. Going back up...not so much. There were three other people walking up/down the stairs, and I was the only one not wearing workout clothes. Either way, it was a good workout getting my fat ass back up that hill.

After my Adventure with Stairs, I made a stop at Vivace for an iced latte first; then I went over to Cal Anderson Park to get in a few pages of reading; and then I headed home. I'm glad I got off my lazy ass and out of my apartment today.

The Art Of Visual Manipulation

I took this photo on Broadway, across the street from Seattle Central Community College. The photo doesn't fully grasp what my eye was capable of capturing. That is, the sidewalk tunnel seemingly gets smaller as you move forward, and at the end of it is a perfectly centered vehicle. From where I was standing, that car could easily fit in said tunnel. However, this is not realistically possible. This is the same thing we encounter when we view train tracks at a distance. The two rails appear to connect, but they never do. They are always equidistant apart.

Apparently I Can Refrain From Being A Glutton

I had lunch with a friend today at Broadway's Jai Thai. I didn't know what was wrong with me; I was completely unable to finish my meal (like I always do). I don't think I even consumed half of it. This has to be a first. I had the Swimming Rama with some modifications: broccoli substituted for the spinach, with the peanut sauce on the side. This is what I left on my plate:

It was a sad afternoon for my stomach. However, I was conveniently able to down a blueberry and cream cheese danish about 30 minutes later. It was delicious.

My Three Hour Walk Around Seattle

I really only had one point of destination in mind for my walk tonight, but it turned out to be an almost entire walk around Seattle. I first got off work, waited for the bus--I had not realized that the buses were running on a holiday schedule; therefore I waited an additional 20 minutes for my bus to arrive--, then made a quick return at American Eagle on 6th and Pike, and thus began my three hour walk around Seattle. I took several pictures, and if you click on the ones below, you can see a larger version of each. Enjoy.

I walked down Pike until I got to the Market. I recall that their staircase led one down to the waterfront. Instead, I was the asshole who went downstairs, walked a ways, found the sign that said "Exit", and then promptly walked back up a different set of stairs, putting me back where I started. That is when I just went with the familiar; I know that Post Alley leads down to the waterfront, so I took that route. I walked along Alaskan Way all the way past the piers up past the Sculpture Park, and through Myrtle Edwards Park. It also looks as though Norway has declared war on Japan (according to the second photo I took). Norway clearly has Japan in a choke hold. I also paid sad tribute to the now defunct Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

In Myrtle Edwards Park, I saw some giant stones. That was cool, I guess. There was quite a bit of grass--a good place for several people to be napping. Then I came to the Rose Garden, where, sad to say, there weren't any roses. Perhaps it's too early for them? That was as far as I've gone previous to this occasion, so I decided to push onward. I discovered a fishing dock, along with a very appropriately named bait shop: The Happy Hooker. At this point I wasn't sure how much farther the path would take me, so I decided to find my way over to Elliot Avenue. I thought I might have a walk up to (lower) Queen Anne hill.

There was a pedestrian bridge that went over a bunch of trains. See the pictures. The bridge design was rather impressive. So I walked up to Queen Anne Avenue, and decided to stop in to Kidd Valley for some dinner. I stuffed my face with a double cheeseburger, fries, and diet coke. Oy. Then I walked down Queen Anne Avenue to find the most amazing minivan ever. See picture. This was followed by a building announcement of something we do not need. Yes, I believe we do not need another church. Then the Pacific Science Center's outer exterior told me that King County's carbon emissions since January 1st are estimated at 6,804,769 metric tons. Is that a lot? Any science nerds want to help me figure that one out?

Then I continued up Denny Avenue to 5th Avenue, and then proceeded south. I came across the Wexley School for Girls, where a friend of mine recently interned. Quick note: it's not a school for girls, or a school at all, for that matter. It's an advertising agency. They're strange, but fun. I eventually made my way down to Olive, and could have gone home, but I was compelled to keep the night going. So I walked up Olive to Broadway, then up Broadway to Roy, and back down to Vivace for an iced latte. After that I walked down Broadway, and through Cal Anderson Park. I finally made it home, feeling pretty good, about three and half hours after I got off the bus from work. What a walk!

[Update]: I've added a customized map of my impromptu walk. It was my first time using Google Maps' customized mapping feature, so it's not perfect, but close enough. The total walk was around eight miles.

View Seattle Walk in a larger map

It's A Sad Day For The Old Vivace Location

Slog has the photo. It's a sad day in that I have so many good memories that took place there. Luckily for me, I've already had quite a few good memories at the new location near Mercer and Broadway.

Reports From The Check-Out Line

I desperately needed toilet paper, and food, so I stopped by the QFC at Broadway and Pike. After getting all of my required food items, and nearly forgetting the toilet paper, I made my way to the check-out line. Whenever I buy produce (or anything without a scannable barcode) I prefer to have a checker ring me up. I was next in line, and there was no one waiting behind me. After standing there for about 30 seconds, an elderly gentleman approached the line. I kindly allowed him to go ahead of me. This is where the story gets interesting (somewhat).

This gentleman was confused by my selfless gesture. He was adamant about me being entitled to be rung up next. "You've been waiting here longer," he said. After repeatedly assuring him that it was fine, he went ahead of me. He asked me what my name was, and he told me that his name was Joe Mclean. He also noted that he was 90 years old and had never been given the nice treatment I gave him. He thanked me again and went on his way. I couldn't help but feel better knowing that I made a 90 year old man's day by means of a simple selfless gesture.

Joe Mclean, you're the man.

Save Broadway!

The best line comes from the character from "Avenue Q":

"I need to get to my new job. I give massages behind a Thai place in the lower east side...with my mouth".