I HATE Millenium Cable/Broad Stripe Cable... whatever their name is these days!

So, it is late, I am not sleeping, but watching TV to try to fall asleep and started watching this show on CNN... it was a biography on the life of Barack Obama, which having been a Hillary Clinton Supporter I do not really know tons about him and it was pretty interesting...

Well, in the middle of it... all channels random turn to channel 2 - which is CBC. What? Why does this happen? This isn't the first time, in fact it is probably the 15th time this has happened, and I do not watch much TV. And I cannot even call them because they are closed.

Now, one might ask why I use them... Well, they have a monopoly on my apartment building and the only service I can get is Millenium/Broad Stripe. How are cable monopolies fair?

Blah. It's back on now.

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I had yet another busy weekend... Sat.. after getting up and getting dressed, I headed over to Discovery Park... My friend Eric and I hiked around all the way to the beach area. It was a bit hazy out, but beautiful none the less. I love it here, and I love going places that make me say... Oh yeah, THIS is why I moved here!





After we went to SushiLand in QA for lunch, and I decided I could add that part a Queen Anne to my list of places to possibly move.

I went home, napped a bit, woke up to my friend Steve basically telling me to get my ass up and go to the M's game. So I hopped in the shower, threw on my M's shirt and we went to the game. We drank beer, watched the A's kill the M's... Then we went to Whole Foods to get sandwiches and took them to his friend, Sara's house. We played board games, which was surprisingly fun... Plus funny things come out of your mouth when you are drinking and playing a game like Taboo.

On Sunday my friend Chris called and asked if I wanted to go to the M's game.... So, I went and so did Steve. We watched the M's beat the A's this time, much to Chris's dismay, as he is from Oakland. Also, the M's are in 2nd to last place, only the National's have a shittier record.

I also went shopping this weekend and bought work clothes, and now I am all excited because I love new clothes... Now I just need new shoes, too... Hhhmmm...

I just want to post, that while making my last post, I came across a Spell Check Fail that was pretty funny...

I am a road warrior for work and a self proclaimed germ-a-phobe. I often get cold on airplanes, even when I am wearing proper attire. I usually sit 1st class, so blankets come free, but they often shed and get your clothes messy, plus when is the last time they were washed? How many people have used these on this plane, this day, this week? YUCK!!! Not only they they are crappy, small, not warm, dirty.... Well, basically, you should not be using airline blankets, simple as that!

I found this amazing travel product one day called the Cabin Cuddler.

This blanket slash pillow is amazing! I do not even know if it can really be classified as a travel blanket, more like a little bit of joy you can wrap around you? Cheesy? Maybe, but try one and you will understand.

The blanket has a pocket for your feet; so you toe-sies never get cold. The blanket is large enough to totally cover ALL of your body. The Cabin Cuddler comes with a reversible tote bag where you can store your Cuddler Blanket, but it also doubles as a blow up pillow! How genius!

My favorite part of the Cabin Cuddler is -- made from hypo-allergenic materials and no pilling! You can fly in your suit to you meeting without getting little fuzz balls on you! Another huge positive, the Cabin Cuddler is machine washable, so you can always come home, throw it in the washer and you will know it is completely clean for your next airplane trip.

The Cabin Cuddler comes in Black and Cranberry, which I prefer the black just because it matches my luggage. It is super lightweight and you can even conceal it when boarding the plane. It does not have to be your "personal item", as you can take it besides your roll-aboard and purse (as long as you are sneaky!)

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I am 26... Usually I never feel old. Sure I have grown up, matured, but never felt old... Until I started hanging out with some people that were just a few years younger than me. That is when I remembered... how much I have changed and matured, and grown up in the past two years, and felt a bit old... but also, was so happy I felt that way.

When I was in college, Facebook did not exist. While I do have a Facebook account now, it was not until about a year ago that I actually started using it, as I had no friends on it. Even now the friends I do have on it just use it to post a picture here, a status update there, etc. It is not like I have been received a crazy house party invite, been randomly contacted for a date, or posted mass gossip for all my friends to see.

It seems my group of friends missed the Facebook fad by just a few years, and for that I am ecstatic. I cannot imagine some of the reactions to photos (not digital, either BTW) from my freshman year of college being posted, tagged and viewed by colleagues.

I forgot something today... how fast news travels. I casually mentioned something to a friend, because my curiosity got the best of me and it somehow BLEW UP. I have a feeling, while I do not know for sure, that it was blown out of proportion, too, based upon my knowledge of the childhood game, "Operator."

I blame this transfer of misinformation on:

1. The Facebook mentality that information and random things you say are just not private anymore.
2. Everyone is a Facebook/Myspace/insert random networking site detective these days... and because they expect all information to be there, in front of them when needed... when it is not, they go further in search of pointless information.

I am not saying this would have never happened with my older, not as connected group of friends, because it always could have. But chances are the news would have traveled slower, or maybe not at all due to the fact that we all freaking work so much, are not in school, have crazy lives, and are just... past that? Maybe not... Maybe it would have worked out the exact same way... but the fact that it has not before, makes me a bit... cynical...

And now, I am frustrated, and have added another person to my "filter" list, and probably was put on someone else's "filter list." Perhaps that is a good thing, I probably need how to keep my mouth shut and stop being so damn outgoing...

Just a quick post before my friend Steve picks me up for Brunch.

I just got back from dropping my Aunt and Uncle off at SeaTac, as they are headed back to NYC...

Yesterday they took me to see Shrek, the Musical at the 5th Ave Theater. I will write about that in another post... I have a lot to say...

But then last night we went out to dinner and drinks with their friend. We talked about every topic under the sun... but one we focused on quite a bit was music. My uncle had asked the most influential or important band to me... thus far...

Now, I have a ton... all that mean different things. Of course, my favs... Like G Love and Special Sauce, Old 97's, Dispatch, Phish, Ray LaMontange, Jeff Buckley, etc, etc... But my ultimate band that changed my life? I have two.... One was DMB, which is the soundtrack for every memory I have had from 8th grade until I was about 22 years old... And Dar Williams, who basically wrote the soundtrack of my life...

Steve is here... Off to Fremont!

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am a sucker for unique and well designed dishware. Yes, I know, weird. I have more serving dishes than I need, especially since I rarely host friends in my tiny Belltown apartment. Though on the times I do, it is usually coffee (of course it is coffee, this IS Seattle...)

Well, I recently stumbled upon this NewWave Caffe, a collection sold by Villeroy & Boch's.

I LOVE this mug collection, for many reasons. First you have the practical reasons, like the collection is dishwasher safe, super comfortable to hold, durable for everyday use. Practical reasons are good, yes, but the real reason I love this collection is the fun, fresh and unique design.

I could see myself using this collection to serve friends coffee and toast on the balcony, or even just for myself. Clean up would be a snap, just put it in the dishwasher.

As you can see from the picture below, each style mug has a corresponding serving plate option, which is perfect for serving a scone or biscotti. The corresponding spoons are designed so they can rest on the rim of the cup which means no more coffee drips on the table after stirring your cream.

The NewWave Caffe collection works well with the New Wave Dinnerware Set. It is a very modern, crip, clean set that would definitely impress your dinner guests. All the pieces are beautiful and functional; I especially like the salt and pepper shakers.

Villeroy & Boch's website is amazing and I can could see myself spending a lot of money here. Luckily, they are having a SALE!

For the remainder of August, the NewWave Caffe collection is 50% off the suggestion manufactures retail price, which makes it easily affordable. I love great style at low prices!

Log on to the website, take advantage of this month's special prices, and enjoy your new dishware!

I am a sucker for Olympics. It is like I am addicted? I will say though, I have been watching on CBC, because they are not on PST delay.

I just got back from Umi, oh how I love sushi. My friend met me there for happy hour. I think I could eat sushi everyday, every meal. I have to stop eating so much of the tuna and yellowtail though, because I think that I am forming a slight allergy to them... it is like I get a sinus problem after I eat a lot of tuna.

It is so hot in Seattle, and it is the middle of the night. Tomorrow is supposed to be 91, record breaking heat... I thought I left the gross heat when I left the midwest. I think I will go to kayaking and at some point jump in the lake, we'll see.

I kind of have a busy weekend ahead. Plus my uncle is in town, and we are going to see Shrek, the musical, which debuts in Seattle at the 5th Ave Theater before going on to Broadway in a few months. I never realized that Seattle has a pretty decent theater demographic, and a very good (Tony Award) winning theater (I think the Intiman?)

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I picked up my Aunt and Uncle yesterday AM and they took me to breakfast. I picked The Dish in Fremont because it is yummy! We had to wait a little... but were seated outside. Breakfast was amazing, as always. I drank a lot of coffee though!

After eating at the Dish we drove over to the Ballard Locks. I had actually not been to the Locks, except for going through it on a boat... It was kind of nice, and the Salmon were already running and jumping back up the fish ladder.

The day was absolutely beautiful and I love getting reminded why I moved here... I love that feeling!






After I got back my friend and I decided to aimlessly walk around Belltown/Waterfront/Downtown, etc. The day was too gorgeous to just chill. We started by walking down to the waterfront and this guy told us to talk to him, flashed some badge and said he was giving us a ticket. We were very confused and the guy was Indian and had a thick accent so I asked him what was he talking about... I mean, we did not think he was a cop or what not, but maybe a crack pot? Turns out he wanted to give us stickers and we would give him money for some religious thing? Yeah, we walked away, fast.

There were a lot of people out on the Waterfront, as the cruise ships were all docked, and it was nice out... Godz Gang was out, they have Nike Jesus shoes and a tricked out car and they sell white bandanas, tshirts and other Godz Gang stuff. Everyone sets up food stands from their trunk, musicians, vagabonds, crackies, and tourists all harmonizing while walking in the salty breeze... How I love this city.

We walked to Pioneer Square before turning around and walking 1st back to my place. We saw a woman leading a horse into a parking garage, which I thought was weird.... So I investigated a bit and she had the horse tied to a post in the garage. And, um, after looking at the picture, I might know why. I also got to experience first hand what hung like a horse means...

Insomnia + Olympics = Cure for Boredom

It is currently pouring in Belltown. Not that misty, magical rain... but real rain, the kind that is cold and chills you to the bone. The type of rain we usually get in the winter. Luckily, I made it back to my apartment before it down poured, and now I am lying in bed just listening to pitter patter against my window and the rushing of water from the down spouts.

My Aunt and Uncle are in town from NYC. They got in last night and I picked them up from SeaTac. We then drove to Palace Kitchen at 5th and Lenora for dinner. I wanted to take them to a restaurant with good food and Northwest-ish cuisine. One of my friends said Palace was where I should go.

Palace Kitchen is a restaurant owned by Tom Douglas. Let me tell you, it was amazing. We had to wait a few minutes for a table, but that was OK, as we ordered a bottle of wine at the bar. They have an extensive wine list with many choices. The waiter who helped up seemed very knowledgeable about the list, too. After about 5-7 minutes we were sat at our table, a booth, towards the back of the restaurant. Our waitress was very friendly and helped better describe the meals, so we would know exactly what to pick. The only problem was - she made everything sound amazing!

Our food came and it was even better than we expected. I had the halibut which was served over an arugula and bread sandwich with an amazing cucumber vinegarette dressing. The piece of halibut was quite large and cooked perfectly.

The restaurant itself was lively, but still quiet enough where you can have a conversation with your dinner partner. High ceilings, open ductwork and semi open kitchen gave this restaurant a modern - industrial turned chic feel. Also, they serve food until 1am!

I cannot believe it took me so long to eat at this place... I am adding this to my list of favorite Seattle restaurants.

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Kwame finally gains street cred...

"What matters to me ... is how the court overall is perceived and how if it was not Kwame Kilpatrick sitting in that seat... If it was John Sixpack sitting in that seat, what would I do?", District Judge Ronald Giles says to Kwame Kilpatrick, my former "Hip-Hop Mayor", in front of a court room packed with reporters from all over the country. (I find it humorous that he said John Six-Pack, and not John Doe.)

Yes, Detroit's "Hip Hop" Mayor is gaining street credit by spending the night in Wayne County Jail tonight. Actually, according to the Wayne County Jail's inmate look up, he was booked at 12:52pm EST.




I first heard about his jail sentence when I woke up this morning from the Freep.com's Twitter Feed. I like being in PST, it is my favorite time zone, because you wake up to tons of news and happenings on the East Coast.

In March, Kwame was charged with a slew of crimes, including perjury for lying about an affair with Christine Beatty, his then Chief of Staff. The two were outed when text messages with City owned phones were made public. Kwame paid $7,500 in bond to remain "free" after being charged with perjury. Another requirement of his bond was just to make a simple phone call and let the courts know if he was leaving the state. Simple, right?

Not for Kwame, who believes he is above all other residents of Detroit. Apparently he crossed the border to Windsor to work out some Border deal with the Canadians.

I cannot understand why this man is still the Mayor? Has this city not been disgraced enough? All he had to do was make a 2 minute phone call, and he probably could have had an assistant or friend (wait, aren't all of his employees friends and family?) do it for him!

So, not only does Kwame have this leaving the country issue, but Mike Cox, Michigan's Attorney General, will tell us tomorrow if he is charging Kwame with assault after he allegedly assaulted a Sheriff's detective who was attempting to serve a subpoena to Hip Hoppy's friend.

Hopefully Mike Cox is also re-investigating the death of Tamara Green, a stripper who was allegedly attacked by Kwame's wife during an alleged crazy Mayor mansion party. It was rumored that she was going to tell investigators the truth about the party.

I read that Granholm canceled her plans/schedule today to have "internal meetings." We can only hope that by internal meetings they mean - figuring out how to get rid of Kwame sooner than his misconduct hearing on September 3.

I know I left Detroit, but it is my home, and a piece of my heart is there... And while I LOVE making fun of Kwame, I have since he was first running for office, I would like to see my city thrive and grow... not be publicly humiliated and shamed.

Yes, the Hip Hop Mayor needs to go... Don't forget, this is the same "Raise the Roof" Mayor (yes, he did that a lot!) that Chris Rock modeled his character after in the movie, "Head of State". Except Chris's character probably did not text...

Oh as a side note, in July 2003, I went to one of the only Eminem shows that year, in Detroit. The show started with a pre-show video:

"The video then cut back to Eminem getting back to his phone call with the mayor to work out a deal to schedule a Detroit performance, and includes Eminem giving the mayor a special invite for a party at his "mansion." The line elicited laughter from those in the crowd who were hip to local news reports about a recent investigation into rumors of a wild party at the mayor's Manoogian Mansion. (The state attorney general deemed the rumors to be nothing but the stuff of "urban legends.")"



Also, I do think that the Detroit News Reporters are loving the National spotlight. Karen Drew, a local reporter for WDIV - NBC (Rescue 4 Undercover), was all over the news out here. I am sure National media exposure can boost your career.

So, good luck in jail tonight Kwame, even though I am sure you will get the Paris Hilton treatment. Hopefully you look hot in a green jumpsuit... and look at the bright side - after tonight, you will get that street credit to back up your Hip Hop Mayor image!

And if you are looking for Kwame Mug Shot swag... Here is the place ... And Here...


*Right Mugshot from March, 2008. Left Mugshot from booking today.

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Just a quick post..

I am on my rooftop right now. I came up here to do some work, as my apartment is very warm after the 90 degree day we had here in Seattle.

Here I am, 7 floors up, overlooking Elliott Bay, watching the ferry boats go to and fro the islands. The Space Needle is to my right, the stadiums to my left...

And I can just look around and smirk... and think..."Wow, I am so lucky to live here."

I remember, about six years back, I visited my friend Nate at Penn State. I met him during my first year of college, we had both gone to Wittenberg, but only stayed for a year. He went on to Penn State, and I went on to all over the place... but he and I still remained very close.

I went to a class with him and dropped in. It was some type of beginning philosophy class, which I have never really explored before, and I just happened to be there the day they started existentialism. Of course the first piece the prof mentioned was "No Exit". Also, the most famous line was thrown around... "Hell is other people."

I remember hearing that line before, and oddly enough I was able to place it right away. Like many kids of the 80's, I never missed an episode of Family Ties. I remembered that Alex P. Keaton once said it, and it stuck with me. I was probably 8 years old, and it stuck with me that long, though I did not understand it.

Anyway, I accidentally came across Sartre's, "No Exit" on Google reader. I started reading a bit, and then I found myself finishing the short, one act play. It was not until reading it again, that I really think I have found the true meaning of that one line.

Hell is not other people in the sense that you should not be around people, or other people cause all the problems... But... more like you are trapped, bound by another persons thoughts and judgments of you... and if we have a relationship with a person that is not how we pictured it, or flawed, or negative or even just... well, fucked up, then we worry and get upset and obsess... until we are in our own hell, that we view as caused by the other people.

It isn't that other people themselves are hell, it is we are in hell because we actually care about what those are people think and feel about us, and no matter how hard we try to ignore, forget, etc, it is still there.

The ironic thing is, we depend on those other people... to give us that judgment, feedback, etc. It is a sad catch-22 and somewhere in here, I think taking responsibility for your own actions fits...

Can you tell I am not sleeping, again?

My friend Blake and I went to Boeing Field to watch the Blue Angels take off and fly around. They are in town for SeaFair, which is this huge summer festival in Seattle with Blue Angels, Hydroplane races, parades, etc.

We basically just walked into his FBO, walked out to the tarmac and took photos. It was amazing to see everything up close, and the views were great.

Here is my string of videos:



Here is a link to Blake's Pics. Unlike me, he actually has a really good camera and some of his pics are quite amazing.

Here are a few of Blake's pics from Flickr:

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