Seattle/Vancouver Trip 2007

I have never slept so well as I have been sleeping since I arrived home from Seattle. The night I came home I slept until 1:00PM - a new record! I needed the sleep though. The flight back was a long one, with two layovers.

I've been getting a lot done with my free time. I put down a carpet in my storage unit in the basement and cleaned the unit from top to bottom. I received the carpet for free from a former co-worker months ago, but had to cut it to size. I borrowed tools from Chris and a vacuum from Michael. It came out terrific, and I've been able to store much more now that I have a nice, clean, carpeted storage room!

I'm also in the process of re-potting plants, which has also kept me busy. I've re-organized all my pictures on the computer and uploaded and categorized them all on Flickr. That was an entire afternoon alone. I have some more work to do tomorrow.

Seattle and Vancouver were fun. Michael and I managed not to kill each other, though at times we wore on each others nerves. The first two nights we stayed in a budget hotel, and then at Larry's for the remainder of the trip, except for our one night in Vancouver. The weather was between fair and partly cloudy, with the only rain falling the day we drove to Vancouver.

Seattle is a beautiful city. We spent most of Thursday (the day after we arrived) walking around and absorbing the city. We did a LOT of walking. We took a road trip to Mt. Rainier and Olympia, and of course, a trip to Vancouver. We just happened to be going to Canada a couple of days before the Canadian dollar hit par with the U.S. dollar, so Canada was NOT cheap! We were very conservative in Vancouver - everything cost so much.

Vancouver is also beautiful. I was surprised by the number of condo/apartment towers, though later research revealed this to be what Vancouver is known for. A lot of "for sure!" and "Aye" while we we were interacting with the Canadians.

We went to a couple of clubs while in both cities: "Neighbors" in Seattle, which I thought was a blast (until one boy decided to dance with me and try to pick my pocket - then I left!), and I do not remember the name of the place in Vancouver. Our hotel in Vancouver was right next to Davie Village - the gay area of the city.

Michael and I were expecting to see a lot of Asians but were still surprised by the number of them in the gay clubs. Neither of us are particularly attracted to Asians so it was a bit of a disappointment. Then again, what good is meeting a hot guy who lives across the continent?

I was able to hang out a bit with Larry and Laura while I was there and thoroughly enjoyed their company. I did a lot of Galina-venting (Galina being my and Larry's former boss), and am so glad that I am now able to put that part of my life behind me.

At the Seattle Art Museum I purchased my next journal. It's a little more colorful than my last few. The journal I am writing in now I consider to be my Providence journal - not to be confused with the newspaper! I take my journal writing seriously and am very dedicated, so though it sounds silly to some, I get very excited when I buy a new journal and take pride in my writing (spelling errors and all!).

Overall, Michael and I did well in terms of spending. Thanks to Larry letting us stay with him, we each saved about $200 in lodging costs, and we got a good deal on a nice rental car. Since I do not have a lot of money to spend, I am thrilled!!

Because we were so busy in Seattle, I did not get to do any reading or thinking (or writing) as I had wanted. I am doing that now though, as difficult as it is. I find it difficult because I still do not believe I am "free" (or unemployed). I still had Sunday night anxiety about work on Monday, and still think about work often (I will be changing my phone number soon to ensure I don't receive any phone calls from anyone I don't want to hear from). I've also started to lose my sense of time, something that was unexpected. Regardless, I swear I will never work in another unfulfilling job or step in to another cubicle for as long as I live. I'll live out of my car before that happens (or move to Brazil).

I will be starting the job hunt tomorrow though. I can always do temp work if need be. I am really not too concerned.

Michael accepted a job in Boston and will be starting next week. He is planning to eventually move there, which will leave me here in Providence. I don't mind though - I know this is where I am supposed to be right now. One thing is for sure - I'm tired of moving.

Here are some photos and captions from Seattle. You can see the entire set on my Flickr site!

The famous Pike Place Fish Company.

The Columbia Center tower - Tallest building by number of floors (76) west of the Mississippi River.

Martin Selig, the building's developer, in 1987 said: "The Space Needle told people where Seattle was. Columbia Center (the original name) tells people Seattle has arrived".

The late Victor Steinbrueck, former dean of the University of Washington School of Architecture, said: "It's terrible. A flat-out symbol of greed and egoism. It's probably the most obscene erection of ego edifice on the Pacific Coast".

Naturally, Michael and I went straight to the top (well, 73rd floor) of the "erection of ego." :-)

Union Station, Seattle.

Who's that hottie in the foreground? :-)

Olympic Sculpture Park.

Gas Works Park.

Paradise Inn in the foreground with Mt. Rainier in the background.

What an incredible mountain. It simply takes your breath away.

Washington State House in Olympia.. our last stop on our romp throughout central Washington! We had a great dinner while in Olympia.. very nice little city!


















Vancouver:

Davie Village.

I loved the unique modernist homes that were on the island.

Vancouver from Granville Island.

Again, from Granville Island.