Seattle: Fremont by foot in sunnier days

Seattle is currently gripped by a storm system that is dumping rain in fat sloppy wet buckets, soaking everything and causing unnamed new rivers to run their course over the roads in an impressive downpour that hasn't been seen in years, leading to warnings of flooding throughout the area. Pine needles and vestigial remnants of crunchy dead leaves are now hyper-hydrated, becoming a slippery hazard as you wander, or scamper, through the drops. Days of rain have been splattering down now, cooling off the Puget Sound region. This, they say, is what Seattle should be like this time of year, and the last few years have been marked by unusually warm and dry weather patterns. All those stereotypes about Seattle being grey and wet? Well, here we are, folks! Soggy Seattle, in all it's squelchy glory.  The foliage needed it, and if this keeps up we might not have such a fiery summer next year, as this year was marked by many wildfires in the semi-rural and truly wild areas of the state. While fires can be cleansing in moderation, no one is happy when the majority of their state is ablaze. Just look at what's going on in Australia! Yikes. 

So, suffice to say, it's currently a bit cold and blustery out. My sweaters get soaked in the brief run from my home to my car, and lingering outside for any reason will quickly leave my shoes a soggy sad affair. Oh, but you are wearing rain boots, no? No. Of course not. Not me. Not this desert rat. I've yet to procure a proper set of waterproof footwear, and as a result, I find myself sloughing around in socks that are definitely moist, if not downright damp, at times.  Even when I was living in Japan, with its typhoon season blasting down torrents of rain for weeks on end, I somehow managed for over two years. Would I recommend this stalwart and obstinately stubborn approach to another? Absolutely not! Get you some waterproof shoes, kids! But all this rain has got me feeling some sort of way about these photos, taken when it was still warm and bright, and so very, very dry. Look at that brilliant blue sky! We aren't getting much of that around Seattle these days, and it makes vague ideas of running off to someplace with hot nights and cold drinks more appealing, even if I'd never justify actually taking the time for myself. 

Does anyone else struggle to take vacation time? That seems to be endemic in the United States, with our gung-ho go-get-'em attitudes and idolization of the workaholic approach. I work hard. My bosses know that and even when I'm being given a reminder of regulations and how vacation time is readily accessible to me should I choose to use it, I struggle to take it. Of course, the acquisition of a new (to me) vehicle, along with our beloved pet rat's medical struggles, blows my monthly budget a lot higher than I'd set it if given the choice, and being a responsible adult means taking care of these things and more, so working is crucial to my ability to pay my damn bills and sleep at night. I find myself torn between taking some much-needed recovery time and a desire for financial stability, and in trying to overcome and push forward I inevitably burn myself out and make silly avoidable mistakes that, had I taken a moment to decompress, wouldn't have happened at all. Sigh. All that being said, I think a much-needed vacation will be taken come January. Even if I end up staying home, I could use some downtime to really digest everything that's happened over the last few months.

Being tough is well and good, but you've got to make time for self-care. On the day these photos were taken, that's precisely what I'd done. After a successful day of work, I found myself in the Fremont area in good weather and decided to take some time to stroll around and acquaint myself further with its quirks. The Fremont Troll, as usual, held his vigil under the bridge, and Lenin loomed with his bright red hand, standing guard in front of the sandwich shop and other businesses tucked behind his intimidating silhouette. So, for one blissful, sunny afternoon, I strolled in the sunlight and played tourist. And it was lovely. I recommend it. Don't forget to show yourself some love, folks. Stop and smell the flowers, bask in the sunlight on a lazy afternoon, and do the things that make you feel alive, even when you don't feel like there's enough time in the day. You deserve it. And if today isn't the day, perhaps soaking in the digital glow and pretending to join me in the stroll will help, even if for just a bit. 

Seattle: Walking from Capitol Hill towards Pike's Place

Seattle, for all it's many acres of parks and labyrinth of bike lanes and trails, is a bit of a challenge at times when it comes to parking. Some days, you get lucky-maybe that particular day of the week street parking is free, and if you're really lucky it might be unlimited, but generally speaking a two-hour limit in exchange for a free place to park isn't such a bad bargain these days. When free parking is, unfortunately, not an option, you'll have to look towards pay-to-park, whether it's a lot that charges by the hour, a meter you can pay by phone, or a covered garage. In our case, the van is too tall for most of the covered parking garages, so that option is automatically out, and knocks a lot of potential parking spots out of the running. Capitol Hill is a pretty popular neighborhood, with a lot of apartment complexes and homes dotting the narrow streets, so it's often packed. If you're patient, and are willing to shell out a few bucks, however, you can find parking. We managed to secure a spot in this colorful lot, where the van's spot was paid for before safely locked up the vehicle. From here, we ventured out, aiming to get to Pike's Place Market, eventually. It was another nice, sunny day, which is a rare gift this time of year, so we took advantage of it and enjoyed our stroll. There was a lot to take in between the van and the Waterfront, after all; from the Jimi Hendrix statue rocking out on Broadway, to the curious nests of people without homes congregating under a bridge, even some serious demolition work going on, and a Christmas tree to top it all off (this was pre-X-Mas day). It was a pretty serious walk, one that took us all the way down the water's edge and back to Capitol Hill, and by the end of the day we were pretty pooped! It was well worth it, though. Sure, we eventually found a lot closer to Pike's Place that we could have squeezed the van into, but we wouldn't have taken in nearly so many different sights. Sometimes it's better to slow down and take it all in with a stride.  

Vegas: Walls for the wolves

 Las Vegas, Nevada, at night time is a place with its own atmosphere, a pulsating energy rippling through the streets that's almost tangible, a palpable presence. Sometimes, this chaos and kinetic intensity can cause people to crack, the battered pieces and shrapnel found some days later in some distant gutter, like the confetti that lingers around the edges after a blow-out New Year's Eve celebration. Alcohol and other substances course through the hungry arteries of many faces wandering our boulevards, leading to all sorts of antics and encounters- some good, some bad, but all of them definitely a story worthy of a retelling with the friend's once any insult to pride and ego subside. After all, that old saying about "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" is a heaping load of bollocks in this, the modern era of social media and everpresent cellphones with full video and photographic capabilities. Angles collide, devils and angels bump elbows in this mortal playground.   

There's something for everyone, whatever your flavor. Personally, as someone who was born and raised in this city, I tend to avoid the Strip proper unless duty calls me to it, as it's the bastion of tourists and ravenous businessmen. There's certainly nothing wrong with being a tourist, and thanks to all of you who happily visit the city and pump much needed financial blood into the dusty old alleys of this desert oasis...and, well, as for the businessmen... They do pretty well. Las Vegas is a city with no shortage of money to be made if you're clever and fiendish enough, or at least motivated by the paper-chase. I've seen many wolves grow quite fat and contented in the halls of the casinos, lapping up the proceeds like blood from a lamb. For those who enjoy the hunt, this is an absolutely excellent arena to satiate the bloodlust and whet your chops. The problem with keeping the company of wolves is that inevitably, whether due to lack of food or shifts in time, the pack will need to find a hierarchy, and one never wants to find themselves at the wrong end of those vicious fangs.

All photos in this post were provided by Antho Jay~

Vegas: Summer nights and nostalgia part 1

It's pretty mind-boggling sometimes to stop and consider the passage of time, how quickly it fades away from the now and slips into the past. Everyone is always in such a hurry to grow up, but then once you're actually an adult it feels like there's never, ever, enough time in any given day and you find yourself missing the easy days of childhood when an hour felt like an interminable eternity of time stretching out endlessly before your impatient eyes. How nice it would be, to be like Kurt Vonnegut's Trafalmadorians, the odd plunger-shaped creatures from his eponymous tome "Slaughter-House Five" (which if you haven't read by now I absolutely recommend) who are capable of viewing all time simultaneously. It's not a difficult read, as his writing style cuts to the point without dithering on about the multitude shades of green in the field of grass ahead, unlike a certain J.R.R. Tolkien who's culturally valuable but extensively and excessively over-verbose books about Hobbits and things could pose a serious health hazard were they to fall off a shelf...but I digress.

This summer has been no less slippery than the last, sliding through my fingers like lubed up grapes. What were you expecting, a metaphor about sand? I'm sorry, but between the heat outside holding pretty steady at around 114 degrees Fahrenheit almost every day straight for the last couple months, and my pets and I suffering from the 90-100 degree heat of our tiny Daewoo airconditioner's failed attempts to cool off our small studio apartment, I've had just about enough of the desert for the time being. Most of my days are spent inside, either in the dark or under bright fluorescents that tinge everything an off-shade of yellow, so the predictably sunny weather has not been something I've gotten much enjoyment out of. If anything, it's predictably unpleasant opening my door to what feels like a hair-dryer stuck blasting its arid wind in my face. Is it possible to get Seasonal Affective Disorder in the summer? I know I'm invariably getting less vitamin D now than I was in the winter, when it was actually enjoyable to go outside. All this complaining having been stated, this should be our last summer in Vegas for some time, so I suppose it's good to get this off my chest and also to record why I feel so thoroughly done with this place for now. Surely, in some cold, distant future I may look back upon this desert town with a glimmering sheen of nostalgia and forget that the heat literally bakes the decency and enjoyment in life out of people. I'm here for you, future Nau. Remember, Vegas is an arid, strange place full of strange, dehydrated people. And when that nostalgia still makes you pine for the city, this post is here, to remind it wasn't always scorched misery. There's actually some beauty to be found here, if you know where to look...and only venture outside in the safe darkness of night, devoid of the sun's merciless glare. 

The photos in this post were kindly provided by Antho,who is more familiar with the city's mercilessly heat than anyone else I know after spending the last year pushing carts in an asphalt paved parking lot. If he's still able to find some beauty after that ordeal, there's surely something redeeming in this city, somewhere, when you take the time to find it.

Vegas: AJ's Day out part 3: Flamingo Wildlife Habitat

If you're at the Flamingo hotel and casino here in Vegas and wanted to see an actual, say, living and breathing Flamingo instead of the silly stuffed animals and artificial replicas that profligate the area, you're in luck! While I can never seem to find it on my own volition or haven't tried hard enough to yet, Antho is adept at finding the way to the Flamingo's Wildlife habitat. It's not far from their buffet, so once you're in the hall where the buffet is you should see the large glass windows and doors leading to the habitat. Once you step through those doors you'll be in a lush oasis where the soothing tones of trickling water mingle with the laughter of tourists and other visitors to the area, with conspicuously high humidity compared to the rest of the strip thanks to all that lovely water splashing around. The signature flamingos are there, along with pelicans, ducks, koi, catfish and many other beautiful creatures big and small. The habitat is open 24 hours as far as I'm aware, though the animals aren't going to be active for that entire duration, naturally. Everyone has to sleep sometime! During the busier hours of the day there will also be trainers around with some parrots, who will kindly pose for a photo for you if you'd like. We've seen at least one person get pooped on while posing, though, so pose at your own risk. 

 

It's free to enter, though I believe the photographs with the birds will cost you. There are certain times of the day where you may be able to participate in, or at least watch, as the animals are fed, which is always entertaining. Pelicans are especially goofy when eating, due to their expanding throat/chin pouch that they have. Nature, you crazy! It is neat to see all the diversity there is, though, and this is an extremely small slice of the sheer biodiversity existing on our planet. While the flamingos and many of the long-term residents have had their wings clipped to prevent an escape, there are many other birds who simply stop by to enjoy the scenery. I imagine it's especially lovely to come outside and enjoy a coffee in the early hours, as the animals and humans begin to rouse from their slumber. There's certainly plenty of options for grabbing a bite or a cuppa inside the casino, and there's a small cafe just inside the doors adjacent to the habitat itself. 

Lots of photos below, taken kindly by our lovely Antho Jay (or AJ for short) as ya girl Nau here was working at the time. Nice of him to capture these moments and adventures for us, right?

Enjoy!

Vegas: AJ's Day out part 2: Linq Promenade

The Linq Promenade is a pretty great one-stop-shop if you want to hit a LOT of Vegas moments without having to go too far. Not only do we have the High Roller observation wheel towering over the city offering amazing views at the end of the pavilion, but there's the Brooklyn Bowl concert venue that constantly has a rotating event schedule bringing all sorts of incredible talents to the city, an In-N-Out burger for your favorite west coast burger chain (one the late great Anthony Bourdain loved above all else), or you can opt to grab some Fish n' Chips from Gordon Ramsey's restaurant... or if it's late and you're feeling peckish, you could always get your sugarfix from the Sprinkles Cupcakery's 24-hour cupcake ATM! There are fountains shooting up glistening streams of water droplets with light show effects, showgirls sparkling and sashaying as they ask for a photo (and a tip, of course), VR-entertainment rides and more. There's no shortage of bars or restaurants, from Western to sushi, and you could spend an entire day in the promenade before going back into the adjacent casinos. You can't miss them- there's a ginormous flamingo standing guard at the doors to the Flamingo itself! There's always something new to see and something exciting going on down here, so it's never a dull day or night whether it's the both of us or just Antho who gets out there and explores. Antho (or AJ for short) has gotten some good practice behind the lens, and I think the results are noticable. I don't know if the dude above was cognizant of the fact he was being photographed, but he certainly took to it well.

And it's a feeling many of us an relate to- that happy In-n-Out zen you find yourself in as your focus draws towards the deliciousness going into your face and away from the external world. Not all of us look that cool while eating. Way to go, dude bro.

The contrast of cultures, events, restaurants and all else extends to the murals decorating the walls of the Promenade, too. Fire and ice. Yin and yang. Life is all about balance, right? Letting Antho take the camera and go out exploring while I worked felt right, and I'm glad that it happened. Perhaps this brings more balance to our creative flow. 

Whatever the case, there's plenty more photos below!

Vegas: Downtown Alley Sprawl

It's absolutely fascinating, to me, how you can walk a few short minutes away from the center of action and find yourself almost entirely alone. Downtown Las Vegas and especially Fremont Street, and the area directly around the Fremont Street Experience, are the hub of activity in this area. Once you find yourself on the numbered streets (like 6th or 7th) beyond Las Vegas boulevard to the East, you're far less likely to have to worry about finding any space on the sidewalk to navigate through. Crowds here are sparse unless there's a special event, and the later the evening gets the more sparse the traffic becomes. The raucous sounds of laughter, live music, fist fights and other drunken shenanigans fades into the distance as you walk. Murals start to proliferate the walls with a nearly manic frequency, though I'm not sure whether it's to disguise the decay or try to fight off urban depression. There's a lot of homeless people in the area, pushed out of the busier tourist areas by the ever-present security guards and police presence,  forced to congregate in more residential corners. I've stopped and given a girl my leftover food not far from here, after she cowered in fear as I walked by and her instinctual cowering tugged my heart strings. It's not just homeless people or night-owl locals you'll encounter here, though- sometimes you'll see a party bus or limousine roll by, or a rickshaw being pedaled by a dinosaur. Given that Las Vegas is home to many Burning Man aficionados (aka "Burners") , you shouldn't be surprised to encounter brightly lit bicycles or strange sculptures and vehicles at random, either. These things tend to happen here. It's Vegas, and it's weird here. Something about a city that thrives on sin, hedonism, and debauchery attracts artists and creatives, and yes, the just plain weird. Random sequins on the side of the road, too, are not so uncommon as you might expect or hope. 

Vegas: Fremont Street evening walk May 2018

Even the fountains are getting into the spirit! This season was an epic one for Las Vegas's Golden Knights hockey team, and the city has really rallied behind them as they rose through the ranks. It's pretty cool to see the city so unified and excited about something,  and as the season progressed more of our local landmarks got into the fun with their own gear. While I, personally, aren't much of a sports fan, I have to admit it was fun to watch from the sidelines as the hardcore fans cheered and jumped with excitement at each turn of the game. My current day job has me quite close to a sports bar, and Antho will hang out and explore the nearby area so he gets to see the game from a few spots around the Linq Promenade, so I get to hear the shouts from inside the shop along with a live update from Antho. Sometimes my coworkers, who are fans, will be there and hang by the door hoping to catch the action. Like I said, it's pretty cool to see the city coming together with so much enthusiasm and support for their team. I'm sure it's been an incredible fount of money coming into the city, too, as tickets to the games rapidly soared well outside of my price range and the team's gold and black are ubiquitous throughout gift shops and stands everywhere within the city. I have friends who will rally at the arena outside the games to show their support, which is something I might consider doing in the future seasons. For now, it's fun to see the gear and live vicariously through the reactions of people who know more about sports than I do.

We found ourselves here after watching Deadpool 2 in a theater nearby, and then opting to walk home. Since we were in no particular hurry, we decided to amble down Fremont street and take in the Fremont Street Experience along with a white russian or two. Antho was not much for drinking throughout the majority of our relationship, which was a factor in why I was comfortable leaving to Korea for six months- he's not the kind of guy to go to a party and make a "drunken mistake", as it were. It's only been in recent months that he's started dabbling in drinking again, and the big drink to convert him to accepting a cocktail from time to time was the white russian, thanks to the Big Lebowski. Antho abides, dude. I'm not averse to one from time to time, either, though the dairy doesn't tend to sit well with my system. These things. You can't win them all. The drinks were more expensive than we expected, given the area's somewhat more low-budget vibe compared to the strip. Antho will sometimes go to Casino Royale near Harrah's and get one from their cash-only bar for about $8, and they're pretty strong. Maybe it's just the connection he made with the bartender, though, as Antho does tend to have a habit of making friends with people wherever he goes. 

In the end, it was a lovely evening for a walk and we had a nice time. It's always good to get out and have a date night, isn't it? We find ourselves exploring Fremont street and the Downtown area fairly often due to our proximity to it, but you never know what you'll see! 

More photos below~ 

Korea: Walk from Goyang to Hwajeong through countryside

If you take a visit to Goyang-si or Ilsan Lake park, or just happen to find yourself far enough outside of Seoul for this area to be of interest to you, rest assured that there is still plenty to do out in this somewhat more suburban corner of South Korea. Goyang is a decent sized town just down the road from Hwajeong, which is a short drive outside of Seoul. 

There's a shopping mall, wall / rock climbing gyms, restaurant supply stores, ample restaurants and of course Ilsan Lake park to see! If your Korean is better than mine (which isn't any good) you'll have even more options available to you. The main road is quite busy and there's a lot of busses and traffic going through, so you can always opt for busses or a taxi if you'd rather not walk or take the trains. There seemed to be several hiking and historical sites of interest near here, too! I'd definitely recommend staying in this area if you're looking to stay near Seoul but don't want to pay exorbitant urban rates, or simply prefer a quieter more suburban neighbourhood. Goyang, being dubbed Flower City, is home to an annual international flower festival every spring! This year it's going to be from April 27th through May 13th, so I'd highly recommend taking a trip out around then if you're in Seoul or the nearby area! The event has been going on since 1997 and includes floral or flower-related displays from over 300 groups out of 25 countries! I didn't get to visit as I wasn't there during the right time of year but I bet it's spectacular. All the farms and gardens that dot the land between Goyang and Hwajeong certainly make the area appear fertile, so I can only imagine how lovely it would be in the springtime season.

 

During this sojourn it was more subdued. The majority of people on the streets were locals returning home from school or work, possibly grabbing a snack along the way. As the sun was setting and I had only taken the long and winding path once, a month or two prior, I was in a bit of a quest to get on my way. I had enjoyed my time at the park, marvelled at all the cute animals, and even ate some spicy noodles but it was time to get back to the apartment and I had miles to go yet...

More photos below!