The Calendar Is Here!

It's finished, folks! And just in time for 2011. Here are just a few of those featured Denny Park squirrels:





These and seven more handsome tree rodents can be yours for a mere $16.99. You can get your copy from the nice folks at Cafe Press. In case you missed that subtle hint, go here to purchase! Also available are two different t-shirts, if you should have the need for attractive squirrel-related fashions. I haven't made a decision about the shirts yet, but I'm definitely getting two calendars. Yeah, I'm buying my own stuff. That's how much I believe in it, sweet people. Did I mention that you can get it here? I did? Well, sorry for repeating myself. Thanks in advance for your patronage!

Your Sunday Squirrel

It's a squirrel! He's in a tree! Imagine that! Please enjoy. The real news is the next post.

So Many Santas!

This was the scene at 5th & Olive yesterday:



Sorry about that last photo. The Santas were on the move. I asked one what the occasion was. Of course, he said that it was Christmas and Jesus and whatnot. And then he gave me a bow. Thanks, Santa! Shortly after that, about 15 of them disappeared into the rain - presumably to drink lots and frighten children.

Your Sunday Squirrel

I'm still working on the Sunday Squirrel calendar. I'm hoping that it will be done by next weekend. Be patient, these squirrels are totally OK with the project. But their attorney has a few questions about international rights.

Suddenly...

...onions! At the corner of 2nd & Bell.

Oh Noes! Fludd!!1!

You'd think that after an entire day of torrential rains, there would be a lot more puddling, but this spot at 2nd & Battery is always like this. Otherwise, everything everywhere is clear. Imagine that! Still, if you're going outside today, you're gonna get wet.

Meanwhile...

In Georgetown:

This blog can't just be about squirrels! Or can it??

Coming Soon to the Moore!

Here's something I might actually go to. They present it just about every year - usually for just a few performances, but in today's weird economic climate, why not put it on for more than two weeks? I'll probably see it next week. It might be fantastic, but maybe not. I'll let you know either way.

Your Sunday Squirrel

Once again, I have been remiss in my blogger tasks. But I did see some very nice squirrels this week at Denny Park. And here's one of them.

Coming Soon to the Moore!

These guys are in my top ten for least favorite band name. Also on that list are Minus the Bear, Limp Bizkit, Puddle of Mudd, Panic at the Disco (yes, we all love the Smiths, but not THAT much), Hoobastank, Less Than Jake, Jimmy Eat World and Rocket from the Crypt. Yeah, Passion Pit is right up there.

Your Sunday Squirrel

This is another shot from my bounteous visit a week and a half ago. I didn't have any peanuts, but this fellow followed me around like I did have some and even tried to climb up my leg at one point. Even though you're supposed to get just one squirrel per Sunday, I found this little bonus at Very Demotivational:

This guy appears to be from the east. They have a lot more tan on their coats in those parts. Perhaps the go-go-go east coast lifestyle is the reason for their coffee consumption.

November Blast!

What started yesterday as some pretty weak-ass snow turned into something a little more formidable by the afternoon. It was no Class 3 KILL-Storm, but it did have its more wintry moments. Being in Belltown, I had no commute to deal with (that's why I live in Belltown, sweet people), but I did end up waiting for somebody at Buckley's last night who had to negotiate the madness. This is Seattle; snow turns motorists into morons.

Last night was a little on the thrillingly-stormy side, with snow blowing all which-way. Quite a sight, it was. Today, things are pretty. Look:





I also made a visit to Denny Park. No Snow Squirrels. I think squirrels are doing what they do best - surviving. That involves staying home in their tree and watching squirrel television. They have some decent daytime programming, but at night, their stars really do come out to shine. Anyhow, even though there were no squirrels, there was general prettiness around the park. Observe:



Apparently tonight, it's going to be oh-so-very cold - definitely not the time to go streaking. You know, I'm detecting a distinct lack of crazy people out and about. I guess that even those who are completely nuts know when to come in.

On a different topic altogether, I got an email from a guy directing me to a P-I blog post from Dave Nelson about lending your oven to help cook for the homeless this Thanksgiving. You can read about it here. This is cooking FOR the homeless and NOT cooking THE homeless, as I misread at first. Besides, the homeless are a bit too stringy for me. Har, har. And vegetarians taste just like chicken. OK, let's have all the cannibalism jokes you've got! Anyhow, give it a thought. I'll be somewhere else all day, so I won't be able to do it. Plus, my oven seriously sux.

Breaking News: Snow!

For those unwilling or unable to look out a window, here's the scene:

It's snowing! Golly, it was just a few short weeks ago that we were wearing shorts because of that unexpected heatwave. OK, so it's snowing but not sticking. But it's accumulating in places. Observe:





Note one of Seattle's finest in the photo above, vigilantly protecting that parking lot (on the corner of 3rd & Virginia) from all who care to spread mayhem.

I really like the snow and the dramatic way it's treated around here is laughable. Having lived here for 20 years, I've never missed a day of work (when I was employed) because of it. I'd just walk to where I needed to be. My coworkers would eventually drift in, exuding weather-related melodrama like they'd just braved a hail of gunfire to get there. It's snow, people! Today, it's not even sticking. But if it keeps up, it will tonight. One can hope. I think I'll head off to Denny Park and see if I can't spot the elusive Snow Squirrel. That oughta make a nice calendar shot - if indeed there is to be a calendar. So far, nobody's given me any input. Come on, people, hop to it!

Your Sunday Squirrel

It had been a lean week for squirrel sightings until I went to Denny Park on Thursday. And then there were so many squirrels running around, I lost count. I saw at least ten. Wouldn't you know it, I forgot to bring peanuts. Well, I got some nice shots anyway. This is one of them. My zoom function was working nicely, so no Impreshunizm Skwerl this time. There will be many more shots from this visit in the weeks to come.

And while we're on the subject of squirrels, I have a question: if I were to assemble a calendar of past Sunday Squirrels and sold it at Cafe Press, would anybody bother to buy it? I think it might cost something like 15 bucks plus shipping. Anybody? Please let me know. I'm in the process of selecting the shots now. Some are very nice.

Recently at the Moore

OK, this is a little late. I was hard at work on a new tune yesterday. But it bears mentioning that the central attraction of this event was - wait for it - watching a guy bake a cake. Yeah, I like cake, too, but would I buy a ticket to watch a guy bake one? No, don't be absurd. Honestly, who would do that? I mean, how exciting could it be? Sure, it would probably make the Moore smell great, but you're paying to watch a guy bake a cake. He might be the boss of cakes, but seriously, what the hell? If I'm missing something here, let me know. It just seems that there are many other better entertainment options out there. Why watch a guy bake a cake?

In Case You Haven't Noticed

The McGuire is still there, but with a difference:


That's a demolition notice. Within a year or so, it'll be gutted and transformed into a lovely vacant lot. In the meantime, I have a suggestion. If it's still standing around Halloween time, they should make it into a haunted house. It could be fantastically scary! One can also hope.

Goodbye to Kelly's

For real and true this time. They've gotten rid of the sign:

I'm concerned. Where will all this rotten neighborhood's plentiful sketchy folk drink now? They can't all fit into the Nitelite. Well, maybe they can sketch up the new place. One can hope.

Enclave!

It's been a while since I've visited the street-art enclave (I don't know what else to call it!) on 1st, between Battery & Wall. The last time I actually noticed, the huge "Welcome to Belltown" wall had gotten "Zebbed." Yeah, that guy was such a egocentric dumbass that even legitimate street art was fair game for his scrawls. Anyhow, that's fixed and things have been added. Here is a sampling:





OK, the hot-dog people aren't new. I just like them. Stop by and have a look.

Is It Just Me...

...or does the upside down bicyclist look like a guy with a weird nose and a Hitler mustache? Have a look:

Or maybe a weird nose and an expression of surprise.

Your Sunday Squirrel

Impressionism squirrel! You know, sometimes when my camera malfunctions (which is not that often), the results are kind of interesting. This was one of those times. See, the current crop of squirrels at Denny Park is not very friendly. That's probably because of so many bums laying around the place during the summer. But it makes them pretty skittish, so the zoom lens is often necessary. This is what sometimes happens when it's on maximum zoom. Seriously this guy was about 50 feet away, but when I took just a few steps toward him, he was up a tree. So much for neighborliness!

I'm Belltown Messenger-Famous!

A few weeks ago, I got together with Alex from the Belltown Messenger for an interview. We walked around. I did most of the talking. We ended up at Kelly's. I didn't know that it had closed. I think it happened while I was away. Well, I didn't really hang out there and had no special attachment to the place. In fact, I've never even ordered a drink there. Nor will I ever, since it's closed and all. But it's changed hands and will be a bar again. Anyhow, it was at the end of our little sojourn around Belltown, so I guess it qualifies as a "visit." You can see the interview over at the Messenger. There's also a photo of me that looks kind of weird. Yeah, I'm still kind of that tan, but I look like my skin's made of plastic, which it is not. Enjoy!

Bell Street Follies

This was the scene this afternoon just down the street from the former Kelly's. It's just a guy laying on his back while three bike cops try to figure out what to do with him. He didn't seem drunk or drug-addled; he was just laying on the sidewalk. He looked rather comfortable. I didn't stick around for the conclusion of the farce, but it made for an interesting sight.

You Know What Happens Next

This is the scene at 3rd & Cedar. These buildings used to be occupied by the Musicians' Union (may they all rot in hell) and a kung fu studio. But once that fence goes up, it means death for those structures. I believe that some kind of 17-story building is going up. Progress, people. Well, the ex-Musicians' Union (may they continue to rot in hell) building is quite ugly, so no great loss. You know, I'm pretty sure those were portable school classrooms that somebody got for cheap, because they sure were rickety. Anyhow, look for dramatic changes to take place on that corner. I do hope that the kung fu place found a new home. I mean, if they haven't, roving gangs of former fu students might further complicate Belltown life.

This Just In!

Actually, I'm very, very late with this. The good news is that the beloved Cinerama is re-opening after some whizz-bang modifications that will allow them to show 3D films. The bad news is that they're re-opening with a damn Harry Potter film. Hate the books. Hate the movies. Grumble, grumble. But let me remind you that the good news is that the Cinerama is re-opening next week.