Another Culinary Gem in Seattle

The Belltown District is fast becoming my favorite area of Seattle. I have discovered a pleasurable past time in wandering the sidewalks of this district in search of a restaurant that appeals to me. My tastes in food are varied and and my nature had proven to be both spontaneous and unpredictable when exposed to the many inviting and eclectic dining opportunities that Belltown has to offer. Tonight I was drawn to Shallot's Asian Bistro, a cozy and inviting corner dining establishment, but admittedly first walked by, only to be enticed back by the delightful aromas emanating from the kitchen as I strolled past. The interior decor was intimate and pleasant with some nondescript and barley audible background music, all-in-all a nice ambiance. The staff's friendliness, excellent service and the delightfully flavorful food was a delightful compliment to the warm atmosphere. I was served by Dustin, a pleasant young man orignally from Sunnyside, on our side of the mountains. He offered some excellent suggestions for an appetizer and entree and readily complied with my off-menu drink selection. I enjoyed an appetizer of light and delicious Vietnamese shrimp and vegetable rolls, followed by a main course of Mongolian Beef with Ginger. This being my mainstay entree in oriental cuisine, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised to find that the addition of ginger to the recipe may have resulted in the best plate of Mongolian Beef that I have ever been served! All of this being accompanied by my now-trademark Margarita, also excellently prepared, I have to say that I am fast becoming a Belltown culinary fanatic. I had been considering changing to a more conveniently located hotel for future meetings at PSESD in Renton, but I now realize that I do so enjoy the opportunity to explore downtown Seattle that I am not yet ready to move, so here I shall stay. Indeed, I look foward with eager anticipation at uncovering many more as-yet-undiscovered culinary gems in the Seattle downtown. Too much fun!

Dashing Through The Snow...Laughing All The Way!

Driving head-long over Snoqualmie pass through a blinding snowstorm in a 4WD with an open sunroof and a CD banging out Bon Jovi at 125 decibels on a dark & stormy night, all the while playing tag with 239 semi’s, 112 SUV’s, 5 snow plows and one very confused and misguided elk…PRICELESS! Jáhúú!!!

...But The Most Wonderful Thing About Tiggers Is I'm The Only One!

It was suggested the other day that perhaps I might be compared to "Tigger" due to my exuberance and high energy level. It is true that I have an almost inexhaustible amount of energy and am thoroughly enjoying my life, and this, combined with my already persistent nature, almost certainly is what led to the posing of this assumedly-rhetorical question. The real revealing question would be what the underlying cause might be, but then no one is asking that. Well, according to Dr. Jennifer James, the cultural anthropologist, there are only two things that create such high levels of energy in human beings; fervently fighting for a just cause, or being in love. Hmm, she might actually be on to something there;-) Need I say any more about which one applies in this case? And how ironic was the source of that comment? Woo Hoo Hoo Hoo!!!

[Listening to: You Were Meant For Me (LP Version) - Jewel - Pieces Of You (04:14)]

A Fall Midnight's Run

Once again I ran through the cold, foggy night to take the final edge off so that sleep might finally find me. Life is just so perfect and the days so full of late that I find it difficult to allow them to end by simply going to sleep. I do not know how long this will last, but I do know that I shall cherish it while it does, and then hold the memories of these times close in my heart when they have past...if they ever do...I suppose that maybe, just maybe, life could just get better and better from here on out...dare I dream? I do, indeed I do..vertu svalur

The Fruits of Conceit

"Those whom the gods would destroy, they first make proud!"

[Listening to: Time Running - Tegan and Sara - If It Was You (02:09)]

The Cold, The Dark, And The Beautiful

I just returned from a run through the hills and orchards here on the south side of town, following a frosty path brilliantly lit by the light of the full moon. Once clear of the haze of the city lights, the full splendor of the winter heavens suffused the cold, clear night sky that surrounded me. In the last hours preceding midnight, the full moon shone directly overhead, closely accompanied by the glowing red planet Mars. Just above the eastern horizon, the mighty hunter Orion had begun his long stalk across the winter firmament in pursuit of his eternally raging nemesis, Taurus the bull. Close at his heel were his faithful hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor, their presence marked by the blazing splendor of Sirius, brightest of all the stars in the night sky. Just as I crested the hills and began my descent back to civilization my gaze was drawn to the west, where I was treated to a glimpse of the brilliantly luminescent Venus, the goddess of love, before she slipped behind a thin veil of clouds at the skys edge and was lost to the night. Now, as I reluctantly neared the end of my journey, still awe-struck by the stellar magnificence being paraded before me, not wanting the moment to pass, I found comfort in knowing that this was merely the beginning of a series of long, clear, cold, and dark nights that would provide many more such opportunities to revel in the heavenly beauty of the night sky. I invite you to venture out as you are able and join me in seeing first-hand the spectacular display with which nature rewards those who brave the cold and dark of the winter nights...vertu svalur

Denny Crane, Revisited

To quote the inimitable Denny, "You know...it's fun being me!" O já, how I can identify with that! I can only wonder what it would be like to not so thoroughly enjoy being one self, and only hope that I never have to find out. So, until then, c'est moi, c'est moi...Jáhúú!!!

[Listening to: Wake Up - Hilary Duff - Most Wanted (03:40)]

There and Back Again...and Again...And Yet Again

Talk about feeling disconnected! I have spent most of the last three weeks driving back and forth across the state attending meetings. It is not that the work has not been important, at least one of the committees that I am sitting on is one that I caused to come into being, but OMG am I tired of being on the road! It all started with the trip over that I preceded with the Williwakas Glacier climb (see my previous post) and I have not slowed down since. I am sure glad that I made that climb, as it was indeed the last of the season's good-weather days. The snows so absent last year have hit the Cascade Mountains early and in abundance. Most of the ski areas are open by now, so maybe when things slow down a bit I will grab a board and hit the slopes...after all of this, I deserve some fun;-)...cy'all

[Listening to: With or Without You - U2 - The Joshua Tree (04:57)]