Thoughts on Seattle

I recently took a long weekend trip to Seattle to visit a couple friends that live out there. I don't know what it is, but Seattle has always appealed to me, even before I ever stepped foot in the city. Maybe it's the eclectic nature of it, the way it's secludedly tucked away in the top left hand corner of the map. Maybe it's just that it's far away...and everything far away is always better than what's here. And since I've been there a couple times, I've developed a sort of love-hate relationship with it.

The weather in Seattle, 60% of the time is horrible. Rainy, chilly, rainy, soggy, gray, cloudy, rainy. Day in and day out. From October through April: Rain. While the rain isn't the type of gale force thunderstorms we get in the Midwest, it's almost worse because it's constantly moist. I'm sure you're saying to yourself..."Phil, why don't you just go there in the summer. It's 75 and sunny for 4 months straight." And to you I would say, I don't know, but that's a great idea. But I didn't do that, and no one really asked you, just shut up and read, will ya!

Anyway, back to what I was saying. I feel like I understand Seattle, because (at least weather-wise) Chicago is pretty similar. The winter is brutal, and if someone was to only visit in the winter, I'm sure they'd hate it here. But living in Chicago during the summer makes it worth having to put up with the harsh winter. I'm sure the people of Seattle will say the same thing.

I think the real reason I pine for Seattle is because two of the things I love in life, food and music, are prominent there. The musical history that has poured out of Seattle over the years makes it any music lovers dream. For people in their late 20s, in particular, Seattle influenced the way we listen to music, since during our formative years, Pearl Jam and Nirvana, emerged from that area. We spent a rainy Saturday afternoon at the Experience Music Project, and interactive music museum. Recommended.

And there are several gastronomic wonders located along the sloped streets of Seattle. There's no better place to get fresh seafood pulled right out of the Pacific. One recommendation I can make is Purple, a wine bar and restaurant that is continually rated as one of the top in the city. I had an amazing Filet Mignon with garlic & porchini mushroom butter, and my friend had a Lobster Macaroni and Cheese that melted in your mouth. The great thing about Seattle, is that these great quality restaurants are scattered all over the city. Plus, if you like to cook, there's no better place to pick out fresh ingredients than the famed Pike Place Market, home of the flying fish!

If you're looking for a nice long weekend, Seattle is a good bet, especially in the summer.

Reason #37 why I know I'm getting old

I just came very close to calling the police on my upstairs neighbors for being too loud. On a Saturday night. At 9pm.

I'm about 18 months away from chasing the neighborhood kids off my yard with a shovel.

Listen Up

Listening to Sara Bareilles's "Gravity" has been the highlight of my day

Check her out...beautiful voice.

*shout out to Jeremiah for introducing me to her

That was one hell of a Corned Beef Sandwich, or Enjoying the Simple Things in Life

So I know that I said I'd do some more consistent posting...but I lied. Deal with it.

Regardless here's something I've been thinking about lately

Rarely living in a large city like Chicago do you get the opportunity to enjoy the real simplicities of life, but lately, the simple things have been making my day. A couple weeks ago I picked up my friend, Kate from the train station and we stopped in the Gold Coast for dinner. We wandered into Dublin's pub...which is, in my opinion, an ideal Irish pub. Dark wood, good beer on tap, and simple quality food. I wasn't sure what I wanted so I just ordered a corned beef sandwich, since it's something I rarely get. When it came out, I could tell this was going to be a life altering experience. A huge pile of freshly cut corned beef between two pieces of rye bread. No special sauces, gourmet cheeses, or organic greens on the side. Pure, simple, delicious. Clearly this sandwich has made an impression on me, since it's been two weeks, and it's the first thing I write about. If you'd ask Kate, she'll tell you I haven't shut up about this thing for weeks.

Sure, some would say that a sandwich is an unusual thing to help you put your life in perspective, but for me it's always been those small simple things. Like driving on the interstate with the windows down blasting Boston's "More than a Feeling." Standing outside during the first snowfall of the year, cool wind in your face, catching snowflakes on your tongue. Or the next morning when the fallen snow muffles the busy sounds of the city, and you experience a rare peaceful silence.

The simple things folks...that's where it's at.

December Masthead

Clearing out the clutter

A couple weeks ago I went to Target to buy a new alarm clock, since mine had been malfunctioning a bit recently. I stood in the middle of Aisle 39, staring at the vast amount of clocks I had to choose from. They ranged in price from $4.99 to $139.99 and could do anything from just simply waking you up to coordinating with a table lamp, Ipod, CD player, etc. Basically I could get an alarm clock to do anything short of giving me a back rub as I fall asleep. Eventually I chose a moderately priced version that had a radio, 2 separate alarms, and a LED projector light that would display the current time anywhere you aimed it.


That night in bed, I stared up at my ceiling with a blue 10:39 displayed prominently above my head. I laid there unable to fall asleep. What seemed like hundreds of thoughts ran through my head: "What time is that meeting tomorrow at work, 8:30 or 9?; Did I book a rental car for that trip to Dallas?; I think I'm paying too much for cable; Will Lauren & Heidi ever be friends again on 'The Hills?'; Why is my computer so loud? I should look into getting a new one, like the new Mac Book- I love those commercials; When is the writer's strike going to be over...I need some Colbert Report back in my life; I need a vacation; Should I move to a new apartment?; I should really volunteer more; When's the last time I washed my sheets?; I hope this new alarm wakes me up on time tomorrow; What time is that meeting in the morning?"

I was (and still am) completely overstimulated. My brain is running on overtime, but I'm not accomplishing anything (as you can see this is my first post in almost a month.) Just the fact that it took me nearly 15 minutes to pick out a new alarm clock should be a huge warning sign. There's too much clutter in my head, and it's time for an overhaul. I'm hoping to really sit down for the next few weeks, during this busy and hectic time of year and get some focus back in my life.

Hopefully this will result in more consistent postings for all of you to read. Because if anything should be a priority for me, it's that the 6 people that read this blog should have something new to read every once and a while

November Masthead