Food, Folks, and Fun

I'm such a bum. I haven't updated this thing since, what, April or May. But what do I have to write about? I don't travel for work anymore, so it's not like I have three weeks of adventuring around in a foreign country to talk about.

Speaking of travel, I do have a small trip planned later this month. I'm going back to Dallas for work. I'll tell you right now that I plan on gaining at least five pounds in the three or four days I'm back there. I'm hitting up all of my old favorites. I'm going to gorge myself on Tex-Mex because what they call Tex-Mex here is something that should be punishable by death, or at least a really long prison term. I'm going to have some Tin Star burger tacos. I'm going to go nuts on chips and queso. I'm totally throwing down a whataburger or two. I've lost ten pounds since moving to Seattle, but I'm getting it all back as soon as I get there.

Now, Seattle. I'm starting to notice the same people on my daily walk to and from work. My dad says I live like a yankee now that I never drive. I feel like I should be offended by that, but I'm really not. Anyway, I've started naming these people I see. I suppose I could find out their real names and their stories, but I'm trying to get somewhere and I don't have the time to stop.

First up is Seattle-police-are-communist-guy. He stands at the corner of Pike and 6th Ave every morning, holding his sign and trying to spread the word that Seattle police are communist to the motorists trapped at the light. At least I think that's what he's doing. His accent is so thick that I can't understand a word he says other than his favorite phrase, and that's because someone else translated his muddled words for me. I really think he needs to work on his message. A little help from someone familiar with marketing could help him get his message across better. He's got signage, which is a good start, but he's trying to say way too much with it. I can't get a good read of it, since I don't want to be seen to be reading it and thus invite a conversation, but I'm pretty sure it does mention the Seattle police. However, it also mentions the Pope and sin. I'm not sure how it all fits together.

Next is perhaps my favorite of the Seattle street scene: the Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaal Chaaaaaaaaaaaange guy. Real Change, for those who don't know, is the magazine sold by some people on the street. I don't really think this is an effective way to sell it, but one of the other guys that sells it always says that it's "the homeless newspaper." Not, I think, the best sales technique, but I have to think he's basically right. Back to RC-guy. He's awesome at it. I don't actually know how many papers he sells each day, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was their best salesperson. He doesn't just put it out there and say "buy my magazine" or guilt you into buying with "just trying to get enough for some dinner." No, RC-guy tries to sell you the magazine. He's not playing on sympathy, he's not just begging but trying to give you something in return. He's selling you something. I buy from him every once in a while because I feel like he deserves something for all his hard work. Even better, I don't think he speaks English. He's definitely Hispanic, that much I'm sure of. So, he's doing a killer job selling but he only has two words in his arsenal: Real and Change. I think some of the homeless in Dallas had the same or a similar magazine. They could take lessons from RC-guy.

There are others out there. I could go on for hours about Disheveled-soldier guy, Spare-change-for-food guy, or Tall-hooded-sloucher guy. I'll get around to them some other time.

Do anything fun for New Year's Eve? Lisa and I went to see a Sonics game and we both had a great time. I got to watch some sports, eat some arena food (hot dog, pretzel, etc) and drink some beer. That was only the third pro-basketball I've ever been to. The Sonics are going to be out of here no later than 2009. The owner wants to move them to Oklahoma City of all places. He has to be from there because there's no other reason to move anything to Oklahoma City. It sucks. I think I could actually become a basketball fan if I could go to a few more games. I think going to lots of things is easier when you live downtown. I've gone to the symphony a couple of times. I've been to a Mariners game and a Sonics game. Next football season I'm going to try to go to a Seahawks game. Hopefully they'll play the Cowboys early in the season and I can snag some tickets to see my boys whip up on the hawks. After that damn house of mine sells I'm going to try to take a trip up to Vancouver to catch a Canucks game. Don't they also have a CFL team? That might be good to try too.