Seattle Daily Photo

Monday, May 03, 2010

On Tour: Bruce Cockburn

Long a favorite of Seattlites, frequently selling out shows and having a loyal following here, Canadian musician and songwriter Bruce Cockburn straddled the Emerald City this weekend but didn't play here. Instead he opted for more intimate venues 2 hours north and south of here, on Friday in the state capitol of Olympia and on Saturday up near the border in Bellingham. I am a longtime fan and headed down to Olympia (Hi Don and Krise!). I had such a good time, enjoyed the concert from my comfy seat in the Capitol Theater (primarily a film venue), ran into several friends there and got to see a little bit of Olympia's cute downtown which was full of university students and other folks out on the town at nearby restaurants and other close by venues. Visit Don and Krise's Olympia Daily Photo blog for a taste of Washington's lovely capitol.

Sunday, May 02, 2010

Sunday Bridge Series #5: Seattle Cloud Cover

This pedestrian bridge at the Seattle Art Museum's Olympic Sculpture Park features the work of artist Teresita Fernández embedded between two panes of glass along a covered walkway. The clouds she photographed and colored to form the transparency interrupted by clear dots were actually clouds in Miami. . .but, hey, the art work is in Seattle :-). I loved the way the sunlight coming through carried the colors and spots to the structure, creating even more patterns and illusions. It is a very fun structure to interact with. To see my photo of this bridge in the deep of night with a train speeding underneath, click here. To see all the participants in Louis La Vache's Sunday Bridge Series, click here.

Saturday, May 01, 2010

Theme Day: Statues

Seattle is big on art and sculpture, but in thinking of this theme I realized it has fairly slim pickings when it comes to bona fide statues that honor historical figures, events and ideals. Over the years I've featured photos of all those I'm familiar with such as the statues of Chief Sealth near Seattle Center, Jimi Hendrix on Broadway, Lady Liberty in West Seattle, the Firefighters Memorial in Occidental Square, J.P. Patches in Fremont, even the rescued statue of ~~Stalin~~ Lenin hauled here from a scrap heap in Russia by a man now deceased and displayed in the heart of the Fremont neighborhood. (Thanks Bibi!) There are some lovely statues of Camels outside the Asian Art Museum and some amazing memorial statues in the historic cemeteries, and, like I said, lots and lots and lots of sculptures in public places--but statues, not so much. So, I thought I'd feature one of the most well loved and well known statues in Seattle, that of Rachel the Pig at Pike Place Market. Her story is here. I've seen all kinds of people having a photo op with her, from children to entire bridal parties. She's actually a giant piggy bank into which visitors can place donations for the Market Foundation. I'm sure you will find statues of the historic and famous if you check out these other theme day photos from around the world. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Skywatch Friday: City on a Hill

A stormy evening sun break on the downtown skyline. Sometimes it seems the spring rains make Seattle's skyline grow taller :-). Hope it is the start of a great weekend for you. To see skies all over the world today, check out Skywatch Friday.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Late Night Munchies

The bright and cheery "Piece of Cake" Chinese bakery in the International District was beaming out a "we're open" neon welcome when all but a few storefronts on S King Street were darkened for the night. Peeking in the window I was nearly tempted to go in when I saw fresh fruit cake with that light whipped cream goodness that I so miss from similar bakeries in San Francisco. I did not succumb, however :-). What places have you discovered that have become your Seattle desert time favorites? How long a line are you willing to stand in for ice cream or espresso and cupcakes? :-)

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

iPhone Wednesday #41: Dreaming of Past Lives

I came across these elderly baby dolls among some tables of vintage collectibles for sale at the Fremont farmers market. How loved each might have been once upon a time cannot be known, except what is surmised by the obvious use each has seen. They are dreaming of their once busy days, I guess, and perhaps will come to be cared for again by a child if someone buys them and reunites them with some missing body parts and some new clothes :-).
It's my iPhone Wednesday shot for this week where I take and edit the image using the iPhone and in-phone apps.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Alki Pipeline Dive

I spotted a float out in the Sound off the southwestern tip of Alki Point in West Seattle. As I was trying to make out what it was exactly, two heads and two sets of flippers popped up and I realized there were a couple of scuba divers way out there enjoying a Sunday outing under the surface. They were exploring Alki Pipeline, a popular and fairly easy dive site of about 30' depth. It offers fairly clear views of abundant sea life including octopus, skate, anemones, sea stars, eel grass, crab, squid, and sometimes seals. It is called the pipeline because the interesting sea life can be seen while swimming among the rocks along an old 6' diameter sewer pipeline off shore. About four miles in the distance beyond the divers you see the northern tip beautiful Vashon Island where the Washington State ferries dock.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Olympic Atheltic Club

A 24 hour establishment with a long history in the heart of old Ballard, this popular three story gym is a hub of the neighborhood. I saw the sign casting shadows when I was out practicing with my tricky 50mm f/1.2 lens which has a way shallow depth of field. The "Olympic" in the title refers to the nearby Olympic Mountains rather than the athletic games. So, did you get to your workout today? :-)

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Sunday Bridge #4: Hmmm, You're Next. . .

Bridge Series #4: Hmmm, You're Next. . .

He's eying you. Better scram. The Fremont Troll is always waiting for a tasty morsel to pass by overhead on the northern end of the Aurora Bridge (seen in last week's photo). He's already caught this old school VW Beetle, so perhaps you'll be safe for another moment. . .if you move along quickly. I've shown you the troll and its artist information before, but not for a few years. Bob of Saint Louis Daily Photo made a special request of this for Louis la Vache's Sunday Bridge Series where you can find all participants' bridge photos.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Rising Above It All

Tall one! Here's to Tall Gary in Pasadena, my friend and partner, Jeanne, and all those who stand head and shoulders above the bunch. Another photo from my sunny day in the tulip fields north of Seattle in Skagit Valley. Hope your Saturday is full of springtime beauty.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Carkeek Beach

On sunny evenings it is fun to head to one of Seattle's treasures, beautiful Carkeek Park, and have a picnic supper, play on the salmon slide, watch the eagles, listen for the trains, and walk down to the beach. This is a view south from the pedestrian bridge over the tracks. The cove is north beach past which is Golden Gardens on the point and on the hill are the Ballard neighborhood's Sunset Hill, Loyal Heights, Olympic View and Blue Ridge areas. I took this shot using the Hipstamatic app on my iPhone.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Tulip Farm

The tulips in my garden were glorious the past couple weeks and are now past their prime and the petals dropping. I took this shot at a tulip farm north of Seattle in the Skagit Valley and wish everyone could experience the sight of millions of blooms on a perfect spring day. It was magical. Happy Earth Day!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

iPhone Wednesday #40: Why We Live Here #2

I was out for a walk on an absolutely gorgeous balmy spring afternoon and came upon these folks soaking in the view and the warm sun on the lawn at the Betty Bowen viewpoint in tiny Marshall Park. This typifies our joy at the lengthening days and the beauty that surrounds every part of this city. To see the view in the direction they were looking and a few more shots, please visit my More Seattle Stuff page.
This is my iPhone Wednesday shot for the week (wow, 40th week now!) where the shot is taken and edited with the iPhone and various fun apps.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Why We Live Here #1

. . .a picture is worth a thousand words. :-)
This shot is from the campus of the University of Washington. Perhaps you were/are a student there. What is your favorite place on campus?

Monday, April 19, 2010

Fishing at Sunrise

These five guys on a dock in West Seattle were silently enjoying the sunrise skyline while casting their lines into Puget Sound. Seattlites enjoyed a perfect spring day yesterday with balmy breezes and puffy clouds far away on the horizon.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Sunday Bridge Series #3: Fremont & Aurora Bridges

Here is a double bridge view for you of the Fremont draw bridge framed in the arch of the much taller and longer Aurora Bridge. Both of them span the area near where the Ship Canal connecting Puget Sound with Lake Union and Lake Washington enters Lake Union. Last week I showed you a sunset silhouette view of the Aurora Bridge from a lower and closer vantage point. Little Fremont Bridge is one of the busiest in the nation, accommodating a lot of boat traffic and connecting the Fremont district with the Queen Anne and Westlake neighborhoods. For wonderful bridge views from other cities, visit Louis la Vache's San Francisco Bay Daily Photo for a complete list of links.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

View of Laurelhurst and Montlake

You might remember the ramp to nowhere view from the Montlake neighborhood I showed you a few weeks ago. You can see that area from above and through the trees in this photo taken from an outlook on the northeast edge of Capitol Hill. Across the Montlake cut is the affluent Laurelhurst neighborhood, and beyond it Lake Washington, the Eastside and the Cascade Mountains. This fellow wandered into the shot while enjoying the view for himself and was probably out for a lunchtime walk.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Skywatch Friday: Saint Joseph's on Capitol Hill

The art deco era bell tower of Saint Joseph's Church stood out sparkling white against the bright blue afternoon sky we enjoyed yesterday. It had rained in the morning, but the 60 F degree spring afternoon found everyone out and about enjoying the warmth. To see hundreds of Skywatch Friday views from around the globe, click here.

The brick building is the adjacent Saint Joseph's School for grades K-8. The church was founded by Jesuits in 1907 and inhabited a wood frame structure. The current church was built in 1930. The original elaborate Gothic design was changed to an art deco adaptation costing 1/3 the price to deal with the economic realities after the 1929 stock market crash. Planned items like stained glass windows and bells in the bell tower were not added for many decades, the bells waiting until the 100th anniversary celebration of 2007 for which the whole church received extensive repairs and a remodel of the dome to provide a skylight. I was shocked to learn that the 75 year accumulation of bird droppings removed from the bell tower weighed over one ton. Now that there are six bells to ring out melodies, perhaps the pigeons do a little less roosting there :-). More about this very interesting historic Capitol Hill landmark is here.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Starbucks Headquarters in Old Landmark Sears Tower Building

Starbucks started leasing office space in the old Sears building in 1993. By 1997 they had decided to expand their use of space to make this their headquarters and placed the 20 foot tall peeping mermaid logo on the top of the clock tower. Their lease goes through 2015. When they first made this commitment to stay rooted here, the Seattle Times reported, "The mammoth complex, which also houses a Sears store and two other retail tenants, is being renamed the Starbucks Center. Starbucks, which is leasing space there, and Nitze-Stagen & Co., the building owner, have pumped $30 million in improvements into one of the SODO district's most enduring landmarks." Four years later the building was damaged in the 6.8 Nisqually earthquake and had to undergo major repairs. The mermaid is still peeking out in the four directions. Reports came out in 2007 about office space expansion plans for Starbucks in the SODO neighborhood, but I haven't heard any specifics. This view is compressed by the long lens I used and makes West Seattle across Elliott Bay seem as if it is only a stone's throw away, but it's quite a distance.
Hope the procrastinators in the USA get their taxes filed by the deadline, which is today. "April is the cruelest month. . ." :-).

Taxman (Made Famous by The Bea...

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

iPhone Wednesday #39: Myrtle Edwards Rainy View

Some kids on a field trip to the Olympic Sculpture Park were taking a play break to throw stones from the beach at adjacent Myrtle Edwards Park into the Sound. That is a ferry and Alki Point in the distance. It's my iPhone Wednesday shot for you this week where the photo is taken and edited using only the iPhone and apps. This app is an especially fun one that I recommend to you highly. It is called Hipstamatic, and one can choose from among many lenses, films, and flashes to take a digital photo that simulates an old toy camera. The app interface is very elegant, intuitive, and amazingly addictive to play with. You can even shake it for a random choice of lens and film effects. A lot of Seattlites are enjoying this one.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

SODO

The big red sign in the lower left of this photo tells you what you are looking at. The SODO (South of Downtown --or pre-2000 when the King Dome stadium was torn down, South of the Dome) area of Seattle is home to light industry, businesses, shipping and train freight, retail outlets, restaurants, performance spaces, artists studios, and utility providers. Here you see some container cranes overlooking Elliott Bay as a Washington State Ferry makes a crossing with the snow dusted Olympic range dominating the skyline beyond. It was raining in scattered places when I took this shot.

Monday, April 12, 2010

All Blues

I was surprised to see mirrors high up in various places on the University Bridge. I usually see these placed lower so cars can see what might be coming around a curve or corner as they enter a roadway. This one looked like a porthole in the sky. I loved seeing all that blue sky reflected and intensified looking back upon the University District. Here's a little tune to get you started on Blue Monday :-).

All Blues - Miles Davis

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Sunday Bridge #2: George Washington "Aurora" Bridge

The Olympic Mountains were framed in the arch of the Aurora Bridge that spans the Lake Washington Ship Canal where it enters Lake Union. Traffic was zooming along Hwy 99 (Aurora Ave) at twilight. I took this silhouette shot from Gas Works Park a few weeks ago. Visit Louis la Vache's Sunday Bridge meme to see links to many other city's bridge views here.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Alki Morning

As you can see, we are still in the midst of a cold spring storm with a smattering of rain, clouds, sun spots and chill breezes (down in the high 30s F the past three nights). So, I've chosen to warm up from my outdoors walk this Saturday morning inside a bakery cafe on Alki, the scenic beach in West Seattle which is a convenient bus ride away from nearly anywhere else in Seattle. Hope you can linger over an extra cup, but I'm off to an all day conference now :-).

Friday, April 09, 2010

Skywatch: Seattle Shift

A view looking north from Beacon Hill. Visible are King Street Station's clock tower, Smith Tower, Qwest Field, the Space Needle, and many Belltown, downtown and Pioneer Square buildings. That's Queen Anne Hill in the background with the broadcasting tower. The common "post card" view of the city skyline that you've seen a gazillion times is taken from Kerry Park on that hill, so this is the view from the opposite direction. Those rain clouds are still bringing us showers today. To see skies around the world today, visit Skywatch Friday.

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Sudden Flight

I was taking photos of some 1930s Grotesques by Dudley Pratt on the south side of the University of Washington's Smith Hall when I noticed a a gull land on a terracotta-clad peak. I turned my lens there just as it decided to fly off again and caught its initial drop. It is fun to be able to see its movement frozen, but even more interesting to me were the details the shot helped me notice about the building. I had never noticed before that this building had a slate roof or that there was a copper ridge piece, or that the peak extended higher than the roof line. The bird drew my eye there, but the shot helped me see. Sometimes the people in our lives function in this way. So many things I may not have noticed or appreciated come into focus when observing someone's interests, work, and activities. Makes life very rich! Below are the figures I was first looking at. Pratt depicted many aspects of life, history, famous people and fields of study in these Grotesques. You may remember I showed you this and this from the opposite side of the building a few years ago. More on UW's campus architecture here.

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

iPhone Wednesday #38: Passing By S'bucks

This is one of almost 90 Starbucks locations in Seattle. The logo and the business have undergone many changes since the first shop opened on Western Ave at Pike Place Market in 1971. Inspired by Peet's Coffee in Berkeley to roast fine coffees and sell the beans, grinders, and coffee pots, they later also went into the espresso beverage business and opened shops worldwide. Here the coffee shop's logo is reflected in the glass of framed photos in a wall display while a man hurries past the shop window. Ubiquitous Seattle, or anywhere on the planet?
It's my iPhone Wednesday shot where the image is taken and edited with the iPhone and various apps.

Java Jive - The Ink Spots

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

Chess Players

I came across some students at the University of Washington enjoying a game of chess on the lawn during spring break. One of the guys was coaching the other about the directions and spaces a rook could move, which led me to believe that one of them was new to the game. Some grass blades and flower petals had been strewn onto the board and the grouping of friends were seated like figures in a painting that might hang in the Musée d'Orsay.

Monday, April 05, 2010

Undulations

I thought we'd start the week with an abstract. These curving forms and colors captured my attention in the interior of the Experience Music Project. The signature metal shingles Frank Gehry employs in so many of his structures around the world are joined by vivid primary colors, causing the metallic surfaces to pick up color in their reflection.

Sunday, April 04, 2010

Joyeuses Pâques!, ¡Felices Pascuas!, Χριστός ανέστη! Αληθώς ανέστη!

This is one of the beautiful stained glass windows of Seattle's 103 year old St. James Cathedral on First Hill. It is by by famed American glass artist Charles Connick and was added during renovations after snow caused the collapse of the cathedral's original dome (1916-17). The center motif portrays the resurrected Christ and the writing is a latin rendition of Psalm 118:24, "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." This year Passover, Orthodox Easter, and Easter observance for the rest of the Christian church all fall on the same week, an unusual occurrence. Wishing all who are celebrating this Easter Sunday much joy with family and friends.

Saturday, April 03, 2010

Labyrinth

A meditative journey in a compressed amount of space could describe one way people use a prayer labyrinth, and it occurred to me the Christian Lenten season which comes to a close today, is also used by some people of faith for a meditative journey through 40 days of growing unease and disorientation to the hopelessness of death and darkness and then the surprising shift at the transforming center: a brilliant Easter morning with death completely overturned. I am wishing everyone who celebrates it a lovely close to Holy Week and a joyous Easter. This outdoor labyrinth is open to the public in the courtyard of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in the Uptown neighborhood. Whenever I walk by I admire the unique 1962 "Googie" style roof that fits in so well with similar design elements of nearby landmarks built at the same time like Key Arena and Seattle Center.

The Rose Above The Sky - Bruce...

Friday, April 02, 2010

West Seattle Run

This is a residential street view looking north from West Seattle across Elliott Bay to Magnolia. As we head into a significant weekend for many folks around the world celebrating Passover and Easter, I hope it is a wonderful weekend for you, your friends and family.
To see what skies all over are looking like this Skywatch Friday, click the link to see thumbnails for hundreds of beautiful shots.

Thursday, April 01, 2010

Theme Day: Red

The Red Room at Seattle City Hall is a lobby area that features one wall of opaque red panels and doors. The wall passes an abutting wall and extends outside into the courtyard a bit, shown here. The Red Room is a favorite of creative photographers. The first time I visited in 2006 I had a hard time remaining in the intense tomato red vibe of it all. Seattle is a fool for red. . .it is everywhere. Hey, watch out for April Fools pranksters today :-).
This is the second time City Daily Photo Blogs first of the month theme has been RED. To see the creative takes this time around, click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

iPhone Wednesday #37: 9 On Board

It is spring break for many school children in Seattle this week. I saw these moms having such fun with their kids. They had all climbed on board a giant teeter totter at Salmon Bay Park and were bouncing and laughing and enjoying each other and the sunbreak in the weather. Made me smile just to look at them. Hope you are enjoying this week, too! This is my iPhone Wednesday shot where I take and edit the image using an iPhone and creative apps.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Rainy Metropolitan Night

This two-toned Honda scooter caught my eye on 2nd Ave in Downtown Seattle. The taxi happened by just as I took the shot. We are enjoying more rain. Which would you take, the scooter or the taxi on such a night? I've been drawn to taking photos of scooters since falling in love with a neighbor's cool Vespa when we lived in San Francisco. I've featured several shots here over the years starting the first month I posted. They are just so visually cool, especially the vintage ones. One of the fun things about blogging friends is the enthusiasm and special passion they share about things with their viewers. This is dedicated to two avid riders, blogging buddies, Chuck of One A Day-Mostly Seattle, and Joni of Art by Joni James. Although they may not ride a Metropolitan, they are true scooter aficionados and have many friends they ride with. Me, I know nothing about scooters except I like to shoot them and the folks that ride them :-). Like this retro fashionista. . . a lot of you may remember.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Cherry Tree Bench

The Yoshino cherry trees were dropping petals like pale pink snow in the breeze when I visited the University of Washington Humanities Quadrangle late in the afternoon. This bench was a great place to sit in the quiet and watch people strolling, talking photos, and enjoying the afternoon sunbreak on the lawn beneath the gnarled bows

This evening is the start of the eight days of Passover observance, and I am wishing all who celebrate it a lovely week.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Bridge: Railing and Shadow

Today I'm joining Louis La Vache of San Francisco Bay Daily Photo and friends in a Sunday Bridge Series (click the link to see other interesting bridge shots from many cities). This is the curved railing of the vintage Dr. Jose P. Rizal Bridge casting a shadow on the walkway. It spans between Beacon Hill and the International District and is a favorite photo spot for skyline views with freeway light trails. Many of the bridges in Seattle utilize this green paint that keeps the metal safe from corrosion. It reminds me a little of the palm fronds a lot of children will be waving during processionals this Palm Sunday morning. Wishing all those celebrating the beginning of the Christian faith's Holy Week a very lovely day.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

The View From View Ridge

The View Ridge neighborhood enjoys spectacular eastern vistas of Lake Washington, the Eastside, the Cascade range and Mount Rainier. The housing began development in the late 1930s and continued through the 1960s. Members of the famed Seattle grunge band Soundgarden took their name from the Soundgarden wind pipe art installation on the grounds of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration adjacent to Magnuson Park at Sand Point, which is where this street leads at the water's edge. The crosswalk you see below is where the Burke Gilman Trail crosses 65th. The city of Kirkland lies across the water, and the Cascade Range is beyond. Here's an interesting bit of neighborhood history for you.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Skywatch Friday: Montlake Birch

We are not through with the gray yet, but the skies are beautiful and dramatic. We are having a mild spring storm this week and the cloudscapes move rapidly. This birch in Montlake was just beginning to leaf out and stood in stark contrast to the darkening evening sky. You can see more skies around the world at Skywatch Friday here. Hope it's the start of a great weekend for you!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

OK, Spring's Here, So Where Are All the Chicks?

A passerby seen from the window of a Ballard cafe. . . So, what caption would you write for this photo? A little creativity challenge for you: If this were the book cover, what would your title be? First paragraph in the short story you'd write for it? Have fun with it. I'll look forward to reading your answers!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

iPhone Wednesday #36: Pillar to Post

Walking along the Sound yesterday I noticed these worn old dock posts still in formation but with no discernible task anymore. It's my iPhone Wednesday shot where the photo is shot and edited with the iPhone and available apps.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Open Door of Hattie's Hat

This is the hand painted logo on the front door of the popular 100+ year old dive bar and restaurant in the heart of Old Ballard, Hattie's Hat. I've always loved the tile work that adorns the exterior, and here it is seen through the propped open door's glass. This is one of the few places in Seattle to serve Poutine, that comfort food delicacy commonly enjoyed by friends north of the border (pronounced poo-tin). But the establishment is most known as a popular neighborhood watering hole and a place to grab a tasty meal before or after shows at close-by music venues on Ballard Ave. They also draw crowds for their weekend all day brunches.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Mr. Wayne's Head Shot

"Talk low, talk slow, and don't talk too much." ~John Wayne

I saw this sweater-wrapped head of the famous actor in the Ballard neighborhood. I guess they are keeping his throat warm so he can say his lines. :-) When I was a kid you could sail your little Sabot or El Toro centerboard park and recreation sailboat right past Mr. Wayne's living room picture window in Newport Beach and watch him watching television just like anyone's grandfather. :-)

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Late Night Post Alley Inspection

Late last Sunday night a couple of guys were carefully checking out the current state of the Market Theater Gum Wall in Post Alley. I had taken a couple of distance photos of them from the top of the alley, and then I slipped in a doorway and attempted to frame them looking across the alley through the arch. Then this other guy walked into the frame and made it all interesting. I got so excited I lost my steady. The other shots I got of just the two guys came out pretty sharply focused for a night time hand held shot, but I liked this one, warts and all. Other shots at More Seattle Stuff. Hope you are having a great Sunday!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Musical Week

I love music and especially live performances. Luckily Seattle is a very welcoming place for touring musicians and has many great venues to enjoy, so musicians whose work I follow often come this way every year or two. I generally try to plan for one concert a month in my budget, but in just this week I took in two shows. On Thursday funk legend and multi instrumentalist Maceo Parker and his amazingly talented and tight band played the first of a four night engagement at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley. And, last Sunday at The Triple Door, performing songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire Patty Larkin celebrated the release of 25, an album of new duets with 25 other famous musician friends covering 25 of her love songs over her 25 year recording career. It was my third time hearing her perform and she is just an amazing player and singer. Joining her was the wonderful performing songwriter John Gorka. I think it was the fourth time I've had the pleasure of hearing that beautiful baritone of his live. Great fun! I invite you to get out to your local venues, support your fave musicians, see their concerts, buy their music, enrich your life. :-)

Shake Everything You Got - Mac...

Lately (feat. featuring Martin...

Can’t Get Over It - John Gorka

Friday, March 19, 2010

Versailles in Seattle

Yes, you know these faces if you visit around on City Daily Photo Blogs. Cieldequimper of Versailles Daily Photo was visiting Seattle and stopped in @ the Market for tea with Chuck of One a Day-Mostly Seattle and me. It is so nice to meet blog buddies face to face, especially when they've traveled so far. MB of Small City Scenes of Stanwood was also going to join us but on her way discovered a fence down on her property and some of her ponies had wandered off and had to be gathered in and the fence repaired. The three of us chatted and noshed, talked travel and cameras, took photos (of course!) enjoyed Chuck's colorful photos of Italy exhibit at Local Color Cafe (click their "art gallery link to learn more), wandered through the market and visited Chuck's photography day stall, and ended by meeting up with Ciel's lovely mom who is also visiting from France.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Eastllake @ Twilight

This is a compressed view looking across Lake Union to Eastlake and the north end of Capitol Hill behind it. There are two long docks of houseboats/floating homes on the water, but you can only see the front row. If you look behind the classic liveaboard boat "Owl" on the right you will see the upper deck of a houseboat with a line of colorful chairs--a nice place to watch the sunset, non? Behind the floating home community on the water there are apartments, and beyond those, condos, apartments and houses marching up the slope of the hill, and a school on the upper right. The lighted street heading uphill is Roanoke Street. Wave if one of these sunset windows with the lake view is yours :-).

It might interest you to know that the Roanoke Reef floating homes you see here which usually sell for well over a million and a half dollars each are actually fronting quite an historic piece of Seattle real estate. A controversial proposed block-long 60-foot high over-water condominium complex was blocked from being built here years ago, and these houseboat docks use the pilings originally installed for that. "A court challenge by the Eastlake Community Council and the Floating Homes Association stopped the over-water project, but not before the historic 188-foot long Boeing hangar on the site had been demolished (its footprint is now occupied by the Roanoke Reef houseboats). The first Boeing airplanes were assembled and painted here, and William Boeing himself piloted the company's first test flight in 1916 (his next words: "Gentlemen, we are in the airplane business"). The world's first international mail flight originated here in 1919, as did the birth of United Airlines." (from Eastlake, Seattle)

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

iPhone Wednesday #35: First Tulip

I walked out this morning to discover the first tulip in bloom in our garden, a bright red one. I thought I'd share this iPhone shot of it with you. I hope if your area in the northern hemisphere is still covered with snow, this shot will give hope that spring is on the way. Happy St. Patrick's Day to those celebrating today.

No editing of the image for this iPhone Wednesday; this is straight out of the iPhone.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Hop on Pop's Bike

. . .but still pedal for yourself. In view of UW, father and son take a bike ride in the sun. Younger riders who have trouble keeping up on family rides enjoy these third wheel tandem folding attachments. Good helmet and fit are a must, more info here.

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