Olivia Ogasawara, 7, and her father Takashi enjoy a little after school recreation in front of the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park on Monday, May 21 .
I feel another attack of crotchety-ism coming on. Seems like that comes with the graying of the hair.I pride myself on being progressive, politically and socially, but I find myself looking at our changing society and shaking my head in bewilderment, at least mentally, at what passes for custom in our country.The latest example of my civic consternation and caterwauling happened the other day at the Intiman Theatre; we went to see Thornton Wilder's "The Skin of Our Teeth."
Hope you weren't out of town on May 14, because we had a summer day that broke all the records. It just kept getting warmer and warmer and warmer. The sidewalks soon filled with late-afternoon strollers and the roads with cyclists. The next day, we all set out to enjoy another beautiful warm day, but by midday the marine air had rushed back into town. It was cold, very cold, by sundown! Since that summer day-and-a-half, nothing but gray skies with some sun breaks, lots of squally wind, just enough rain to make the slugs happy and then the amazing downpour Sunday afternoon. And the experts caution us that it is still too early to plant the tomatoes!
The thing I like about some old sayings is that they hold up. The truth still residing in "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely" can be seen in the mercilessly troll-like face of Dick Cheney. But not every saying holds its weight over the years. For example, "The more things change, the more they stay the same" is a base canard.The ethnic, Irish-German-Jewish neighborhoods like the one I grew up in 50 years ago are basically no more. Back East there may be a few blocks of Italians, Jews or my fellow micks, but dimes to doughnuts the strain to see and feel the hearty working-class vibe I was raised amongst is killing.
In 1980, having gone my separate ways with a high-school sweetheart who went to college in a different time zone than I did, I wrote her a letter - OK, I just really dated myself - proudly announcing my newfound interest in studying political science. Her response, a week or so later, has always stuck with me. "Politics!" She all but harrumphed on the page, as though considering such a thing to be beneath her dignity. "Well. At least maybe you can DO something about the horrible price of gas!"I think gas was peaking around then at about 60 or 70 cents a gallon.
The thing I like about some old sayings is that they hold up. The truth still residing in "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely" can be seen in the mercilessly troll-like face of Dick Cheney. But not every saying holds its weight over the years. For example, "The more things change, the more they stay the same" is a base canard.The ethnic, Irish-German-Jewish neighborhoods like the one I grew up in 50 years ago are basically no more. Back East there may be a few blocks of Italians, Jews or my fellow Micks, but dimes to doughnuts the strain to see and feel the hearty working-class vibe I was raised amongst is killing.
In 1980, having gone my separate ways with a high-school sweetheart who went to college in a different time zone than I did, I wrote her a letter - OK, I just really dated myself - proudly announcing my newfound interest in studying political science. Her response, a week or so later, has always stuck with me. "Politics!" She all but harrumphed on the page, as though considering such a thing to be beneath her dignity. "Well. At least maybe you can DO something about the horrible price of gas!"I think gas was peaking around then at about 60 or 70 cents a gallon.
Each morning and afternoon, during peak traffic hours, I am reminded of The Golden Rule: treat others as you would like to be treated. Why do I feel this way during rush hours?  Because my home and retail shop are each located on high-volume streets within Seattle - namely Airport Way South and Ellis Avenue South (off of the Albro exit).
Look, he smiled! That must mean he has a great sense of humor. See, he's holding the door! Obviously, he's gracious and respectful and going to treat me well. Listen, he has an accent! That will be fabulous to listen to when we're old and gray together.This excruciatingly intricate web of hair-brained suppositions goes on and on. It wouldn't sound quite so pathetic, except that I hadn't engaged in anything resembling conversation with the guy.This is Suggestible Heart Syndrome (SHS). Never heard of it? Well, that's because I only recently diagnosed it, when I discovered I have a particularly virulent strain of it.
In 1980, having gone my separate ways with a high school sweetheart who went to college in a different time zone than I did, I wrote her a letter proudly announcing my newfound interest in studying political science. Her response, a week or so later, has always stuck with me: "Politics!" She all but harrumphed on the page, as though considering such a thing to be beneath her dignity. "Well, at least maybe you can do something about the horrible price of gas!" I think gas was peaking around then at about 60 or 70 cents a gallon.
The thing I like about some old sayings is that they hold up. The truth still residing in "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely" can be seen in the mercilessly troll-like face of Dick Cheney. But not every saying holds its weight over the years. For example, "The more things change, the more they stay the same" is a base canard.The ethnic, Irish-German-Jewish neighborhoods like the one I grew up in 50 years ago are basically no more. Back east there may be a few blocks of Italians, Jews or my fellow micks, but dimes to doughnuts the strain to see and feel the hearty working-class vibe I was raised amongst is killing me.
In 1980, having gone my separate ways with a high school sweetheart who went to college in a different time zone than I did, I wrote her a letter - okay, I just really dated myself -­ proudly announcing my newfound interest in studying political science. Her response, a week or so later, has always stuck with me. "Politics!" She all but harrumphed on the page, as though considering such a thing to be beneath her dignity. "Well. At least maybe you can DO something about the horrible price of gas!"I think gas was peaking around then at about 60 or 70 cents a gallon.
Capitol Hill natives host independent gay-podcast Help assess the progress of neighborhood plans
Two two-year theater residencies are being offered by the Richard Hugo House. Playwrights are encouraged to apply to the program, part of the organization's efforts to expand its residency program to include theatrical residencies. Residency includes fixed rental rates for the 92-seat black box theatre, office space and cross-marketing opportunities with other Hugo House programs. The Hugo House Writers-in-Residence program currently offers five writers residency at the Capitol Hill literary nonprofit.
The 33rd Seattle International Film Festival opens on Thursday, May 24, with a gala party at McCaw Hall in the Seattle Center. On Friday, May 25, the lines start up as the festival swings into full gear. Even if you have $800 for a full series pass, trust an experienced SIFF junkie when I tell you that you can't see everything. You don't even want to see everything-at some point after the fourth or fifth movie in a row, the mind numbs, the eyes glaze and nothing (not even the best of Lars von Trier) seems worthwhile.