Ol’ Ephraim comes across a wildlife photographer’s Go Pro and auditions it for the role of “lunch”. Come for the spine-chilling views of the inside of a Grizzly Bear’s mouth, stay for the footage of what is essentially a minivan with teeth splashing around in a river to chase down salmon.
I’ve never totally understood the loathing that many residents of Great Cities bear towards tourists. Most residents of DC, NYC, London, etc. bear a dislike for tourists on a level usually reserved for feral skunks or racist in-laws. It’s as if having the temerity to come experience of one of the important sites of human ecology automatically pegs you as a cretinous moral cripple who would kick puppies if they weren’t too stupid to puzzle out how their legs work.
I think that urban residents should instead see tourists as half intrepid explorer, half enthusiastic novice. These people have come to our beloved cities to figure out what makes them special, and we should be glad that they’ve chosen to do so. Our cities are awesome and we should share them with the same glee that we share our favorite music, jokes, or *Merlin Mann voice* “turns out” factoids.
I know, tourists move slowly and gawp and all pose for the same (stupid) pictures. They block the sidewalks. They don’t “do” the buses and trains right. They take up tables at your favorite restaurant and crowd your favorite bar. I dig. I don’t like having to wade my way through the cattle press that is Pike Place Market, either.
But I love that people are experiencing Pike Place for the first time. It really is one of the coolest places in the country and I want everyone to have the change to experience it. I don’t like that Seattle Center is crowded with out-of-towners on nice days, but I really like that out-of-towners get to experience one of the best public spaces west of the Mississippi. It annoys me that everyone takes the same stupid shot of the space needle from Kerry Park, but I’m glad they get to see our amazing skyline.
So fellow urbanites: please tone down the hipster-y disdain when it comes to tourists. They don’t “do” our city right, but only because they haven’t learned how yet. And they’re here to learn about all the things that make us love our city as much as we do. Stop thinking of them as the dumb, porcine animals that make the city harder to navigate, and start thinking of them as members of today’s lucky 10,000.
Ian Curtis killed himself 23 years ago yesterday. I don’t have anything to say about Ian Curtis that hasn’t been said before, so instead I’ve given a donation in his name to the Seattle Foundation’s Youth Suicide Prevention Program.
If you can afford it, please consider donating similarly to an organization in your area.
I. 21 – To those who would be admired
When a man has his proper station in life, he is not all agape for things beyond it. Man, what is it you want to have happen to you? As for myself, I am content if I exercise desire and aversion in accordance with nature, if I employ choice and refusal as my nature is, and similarly employ purpose and design and assent. Why, then, do you walk around in our presence as though you had swallowed a spit? “It has always been my wish that those who meet me should admire me and as they follow me should exclaim, ‘O the great philosopher!’” Who are those people by whom you wish to be admired? Are they not these about whom you are in the habit of saying that they are mad? What then? Do you wish to be admired by the mad?
Quotes and emphasis in the original, footnote omitted. From the W. A. Oldfather translation.
The second single off of Sean Nelson’s forthcoming album is a brilliant, gut-wrenching tune called “Born Without a Heart”. Above is a version of it he performed a few years ago for City Arts Magazine. I love the hurt but hopeful sense of the song. Nelson’s normally erudite lyrical style is kept well in check here, but his lyrics are still extremely touching. The instrumentation is similarly simple and staid, but effective. The transitions into the verses are especially powerful, culminating in the crashing, cathartic final verse.
“We might be soldiers on a long march to the grave / but we don’t have to live that way.”
Perfect. Brilliant.
Sean Nelson’s new album, Make Good Choices is out June 4th on Really Records.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a new apartment or something.” – Jane Austen, probably
My new digs are treating me well so far. Other than having some car prowling barbarian scumbag break into my car last Sunday, the move actually went pretty smoothly. My choice to hire movers to haul my stuff to the new place proved to be a solid one. I went with Budget Moving, who were awesome. Mike, who I coordinated with, was responsive and professional, and even handled a fairly last-minute reschedule with aplomb. Also: he does business over email and text message, which I greatly approve of. The two guys he sent (Oscar and, I believe, Ken) were quick, efficient, and affable. They got everything moved an hour under estimate with no damage to any of my stuff or either building. If there’s any way they could have done a better job, I’m at a loss for what it might be.
My new building, Via 6, is excellent. The units have great amenities, fetching decor, and impeccable fit and finish. The building itself is perfectly located. I’m within walking distance of some of the best music venues in the world, an easy walk to downtown or Belltown, and close to major transit lines for anything further afield. Pike Place market is about 8 blocks away. My office is 4. Other than the occasional trip to QFC or the range, I think it basically makes my car unnecessary.
Suffice it to say, I’m pretty pleased with my move. Especially now that I finally have reliable Internet in my new place. (Another advantage of the move: finally ditched Comcast. I moved to Condo Internet, which was price-competitive, faster, and so far has had MUCH better customer service. Win-win-win.)
All this is to say: apologies for the prolonged service disruption, (ir)regularly scheduled blogging will henceforth resume.
“Sin is a dangerous toy in the hands of the virtuous. It should be left to the congenitally sinful, who know when to play with it and when to let it alone. Run a boy through a Presbyterian Sunday-school and you must police him carefully all the rest of his life, for once he slips he is ready for anything.” -H. L. Mencken, “A Good Man Gone Wrong”, as reprinted in A Mencken Chrestomathy
Sorry for the radio silence. I just moved apartments and re-establishing Internet connectivity took longer than expected. I switched my provider from Comcast to Condo Internet and so far I’m thrilled with the decision. Better service, faster connections, and roughly same monthly price. Win-win-win.
I’ll have more about the move later, but for now, entertain yourself with the new Queens of the Stone Age singles, “I Appear Missing”, off of their forthcoming album …Like Clockwork, coming June 4th on Matador Records:
The Wrens, “Everyone Choose Sides”, performed in a fan’s apartment using his family’s guitars and a box of what appears to be Captain Crunch for percussion.
Me, on putting in the disc for my first DVD-based game, circa 2004:
“Oh man, a 5 gig install? That’s tons of data! This game must be awesome!”
Me, on putting in the disc for Defiance:
“WTF?! It requires install. And 5 gigs? Fuck, this game better be worth it.”
