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September 30, 2005
For those who like Osteria La Spiga
Read to the bottom for info on La Spiga
12th & Madison project outlined
A total of 30,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 66 lofts and 100 apartments will open by early 2007 at the corners of 12th Avenue and East Pike Street, and 12th Avenue and East Madison Street.
The 12th & Madison project, developed by Ted Schroth of GTS Development, will feature The Trace Lofts, an upscale 42-loft renovation of a 1920s warehouse, and the North Building, 100 high-end apartments and 8,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.
The 12th & Pike project, developed by Liz Dunn of Dunn +Hobbes, will feature 24 lofts over retail space in the Marketplace Lofts and the renovated Piston & Ring building, where Osteria La Spiga is relocating.
Seattle PI
Posted by meloknee at 05:03 PM | Comments (0)
September 29, 2005
Movies
Update: I totally meant to give credit where credit is due. This list is dedicated to bugg.
So, I wanted to do this list, I like this list. However, I have a severe problem with lists (and i really like the word list). I feel like once I have put something down on paper, it's finalized, I can't change my mind. If I ever change my mind down the road and say something like, "Oh my gosh, that is my favorite movie ever!" Someone is going to be like, but it wasn't on that list on your blog. But oh well, here goes. I'm already wanting to change my mind, but I am going to just go with the gut here.
Top Five:
Harold & Maude
Office Space
When Harry Met Sally
Annie Hall
Rushmore
Made Me Cry:
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Spanglish
Swing Kids
Edward Scissorhands
Beaches
Made Me Laugh:
Best in Show
Mighty Wind
Zoolander
Undercover Brother
Napolean Dynamite
TV shows I wish would be movies:
Gilmore Girls
Simpsons
Futurama
Alias
The Cosby Show
Sequels they shouldn't have made:
The Bourne supremacy
Ocean's 12
Bridget Jones II
Legally Blonde II
Cube 2: Hypercube
Sequels they should make:
None, it almost always ruins the first one, exception being Final Destination 2.
That's about all I can muster up for now :)
Posted by meloknee at 11:22 PM | Comments (6)
Fall: What a Dangerous Season!
My favorite season in Seattle is definitely Fall. I know, everyone here loves the summer, but it's so boring. The colors of the evergreen trees and fall leaves against the gray, cloudy sky are amazing. This time of year, the boring, monotone grayness has yet to settle in over our little corner of the world.
This morning on my walk to work I was reminded of the other side of Fall however. The evil, dangerous side.
After getting nailed in the head twice by those little spiky balls on trees (you know, the kind you threw at your siblings when you were a kid and they hurt like hell), and getting poked directly in the eye (leading to actual tears) by the stem on a leaf, I had to put on my protective eye wear, otherwise known as sunglasses (see figure 1). Then, I felt like a dork. I was wearing really dark sunglasses when it was sprinkling, dark, and cloudy outside. It was totally necessary though. If I had goggles, I would have worn them.
Figure 1.
The plus side to the extreme wind? No need for a blow dryer (see figure 2).
Figure 2.
At one point I was afraid that I and the other pedestrians on the corner waiting for the light to change were going to be crushed by a Dumpster swinging over head (See figure 3). The picture makes it look much farther away.
Figure 3.
At least it wasn't really raining. That's when it gets really dangerous. Those dumb Seattlites bring out their umbrellas in the strong wind storms and they don't know how to hold them correctly. Which means you have to watch out for two things; one, escaped umbrellas, they may have flown out of hands, or really dumb people just leave them on the street when they break, and two, you may be standing there just minding your own business when all of a sudden some moron walks up and turns the wrong way causing their umbrella to unexpectedly turn inside out and you have been pronged. The worst pronging of all is the eye pronging, followed closely by the ruining of the sweater pronging.
Anyway, on a final note, a pretty tree:
Posted by meloknee at 01:15 PM | Comments (2)
September 27, 2005
First Day of School
Today was my first day of elementary school, or volunteering at the elementary school anyway. I had been looking for a library to volunteer in for a while now and just a week or so ago finally heard back from the school librarian at TT Minor, the grade school a couple blocks from my apartment.
I was so nervous as I walked into the office. I don't know what it is about school that is so intimidating. I mean really, I spent over two years working with high-risk teenagers that were straight out of Juvi'. How could I possibly be nervous about a few 5-year-old kids?
Things went marvelously though. The school serves mostly underprivileged children - 85% of the kids are enrolled in the free/reduced lunch program. Of the 40 children I met today, there was one little blond, white girl, 90% African-American, and the rest of the kids came from many different backgrounds (American-Indian, Indian, Asian, Mexican...).
So, today, I got the pleasure of meeting some adorable little kids. I held hands with little girls, I practiced my stop, drop, & roll, just in case I ever catch on fire, and I talked a little boy that swore he "just could not move," into joining the rest of his class.
I'm going back for more on Thursday, so yes, more stories to come.
Posted by meloknee at 03:43 PM | Comments (3)
The Happy Pig
There was only one thing on my mind as we coasted down Highway 99 in our rental car: El Cochinito Contento. We didn't even have time to check in at our hotel first. I was so excited, I could hardly contain myself. We exited at Olive Street, cruised past Roeding Park, I could already feel the heat trying to worm it's way through the closed windows into the car. I knew that the wall of 110 degree heat was only moments away from knocking me on my ass. We pulled up to the intersection just west of El Cochinito and were lucky enough to see some awesome 3-wheel motion. What a wonderful welcome into Fresno.
We pulled in the parking lot and opened our car doors, BHAM!! There it was, my old friend heat. I love that feeling. I used to love driving around with the A/C on full blast freezing your brains out and then stepping into the wall. It is so tangible, so real, so hot. It feels good for about 10 seconds and then you want to die.
This is also how the "air conditioning" in El Cochinito feels. At first, walking in from the 110 degree heat the swamp coolers inside this run-down restaurant actually feel like they are cooling you off. After you adjust however, they just make you sweat, especially when you combine it with Corona and salsa.
Within 10 minutes of sitting down, an old friend of mine walked in accompanied by two people I didn't know. I said hi to Jon, introduced him to Alex and told him that this was my first stop off the freeway in Fresno. Turns out that his friend had just got into town and this was their first stop too.
Anyway, the food was amazing, delicious, outstanding, spicy, lardful, and filling. The downside, we left the camera in the car and it was way too hot to go outside and get it, so we are left with camera-phone pictures.
Posted by meloknee at 01:51 PM | Comments (5)
September 26, 2005
Fresno Food Vacation
I guess I lost interest in my Fresno Food Adventure after I actually ate the foods. So, two months late, I'm posting my pictures & stories of the delicious food we ate and my (almost) only reason for ever returning to the 'No.
I introduce to you, Me-N-Ed's pizza. This is my most favorite pizza. The crust is really thin and crispy, cooked with a little bit of cornmeal on the bottom. Always cooked with fresh ingredients.
My brother and I like Me-N-Ed's so much that when we found out that someone had opened one just outside of Vancouver, BC, we wanted to drive to Canada just to eat dinner.
To be honest, it wasn't quite as good as I remembered, but that may also be the fact that I was cramming 10 meals into 48 hours...
You will also notice the finger in the pictures, oops.
Posted by meloknee at 01:09 PM | Comments (7)
September 09, 2005
Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story
by: Check Klosterman
I'm not much for book reviews (or reviewing books). I don't read them because I don't really trust other people's opinions. Too many people like things because they think they are supposed to or bash on people because that's the hip thing to do.
I don't write them for many reasons:
1) Who am I to judge a book beyond whether or not I liked it. I mean, sure, if there were spelling or grammar errors I could write about that, but I'm not a good fiction writer so I don't know that I should be judging someone that has gone through many editors, rewrites and struggles to get the book published.
2) I'm not good at arguing my point. Yes, verbally I can argue a point to death but on paper, against myself, I lose interest in my position in about 2.5 seconds. I need the verbal combat.
3) I am constantly afraid that I am WRONG. My opinion is wrong. Like in high school AP English when I would never seem to figure out the "Right" interpretation of some damn Shakespeare poem.
With that being said, I like this book. It isn't mind blowing or heart wrenching. What it is is like having a long conversation with close friend.
What I like most are the multiple conversations strategically placed throughout the book that Chuck has with his friend Lucy Chance.
In the end when he is talking to Lucy while waiting for his plane and they make plans for the day he gets back to NY to get a drink at the bar they always go to, I want to be him. I want to be this guy who went on a long journey searching for answers to death, love and relationships and then at the end of it all may not have learned anything except that you have a friend, back home that has been holding your seat at your bar.
Posted by meloknee at 10:03 AM | Comments (9)
September 08, 2005
Meloknee's photoblog
For those of you that haven't noticed...
I am working on a Photoblog. It's still in the works with lots of kinks to figure out. Check it out though:
Posted by meloknee at 01:01 PM | Comments (0)
September 06, 2005
The stresses of finding that one and only first-day-of-school outfit
Today is the first day of school for many kids. As I was walking Aggie this morning I saw a bunch of the kids changing classes at the school across the street from my apartment. This reminded me of how important it always was to pick out what you were going to wear on the first day of school. I remember thinking that how I dressed on that most-holiest of days could affect the rest of the school year. This was such a challenge because you knew that 99.9% of everyone else was also stressing out over what to wear on this day. Our moms and dads had all taken us shopping for our back-to-school clothes but you didn't want to wear an all-new outfit on the first day because you would look like you were trying too hard, you couldn't and shouldn't wear something that was indicative in anyway of last year's most popular styles and you most definitely could not wear anything too similar or dissimilar to your BFF.
At the moment I can only specifically remember one of my first-day-of-school outfits. Let's not ask my parents for their input on this subject because I'm sure they remember many, many more. The first day of my freshman year of high school was traumatic to say the least. I was not very happy about the parental units moving to a new city and forcing me to enter another new school, especially this one. Buchanan High School at that time consisted of only 8th, 9th & 10th grade. It was brand spanking new and hideous. Nothing but concrete surrounded by orchards. I couldn't believe I was going to be in school with 95% white kids and some of them were even cowboys (trust me, later this year I even had to learn line dancing).
From what I recall, the outfit consisted of (toe-to-head) old worn out black vans that were covered in friendship pens and paint, red fishnet stockings (I think), jean shorts (possibly cut-offs which mean I was out of "dress code"), an over-sized Checkmate (my brother's ska band) t-shirt, probably about 10 homemade necklaces (as my friend and I were very into beading that summer), and a super bad short haircut. I also took my homemade doll, Sally the hooker, with me to school that day, but that's another story.
The point is, I established that I was a freak on the very first day of school. I'm embarrassed, looking back, at what I wore, but it helped me create an identity. Apparently I wasn't the only person that wanted to be a freak either because, believe it or not, I made friends dressed that way. I made friends despite the fact that I introduced people to my hooker doll. Really people, high school is a scary place. You couldn't pay me all the money in the world to go back. However, I do miss that first day of school outfit. Maybe if I ever become that school librarian or even a teacher, I'll get to go back-to-school shopping again!
Posted by meloknee at 11:14 AM | Comments (6)
September 02, 2005
More Help for Katrina
I know, it's impossible to not know that you can give money, but at Go Fug Yourself there is a list of (not only charities) stores and organizations that are matching donations.
Also, aside from making me cry at work today, this site is awesome. It's a listing of people all over the country that are offering up their homes and places of business to people who need places to stay. The number of people in seattle alone that are offering up their homes blew me away. Thanks for posting it Georgia!
Posted by meloknee at 05:19 PM | Comments (1)
I HATE THE RED CROSS
only for making me cry three times this morning. The commercial that they have on to get people to give money for the flood just makes me lose it. You know, the one with Johnny Cash singing Bridge Over Troubled Water, while showing images of overpasses and bridges in New Orleans.
Kudos to your advertising department. Whoever came up with that is a freakin' master at tugging on the heart strings of America, or at least of Melanie.
Posted by meloknee at 11:34 AM | Comments (1)
September 01, 2005
My friend KJ
My friend KJ is one of the funniest people I've ever known. When we were in high school we had one goal: Be funny. We wanted everyone to think we were funny. We used to do the most ridiculous things; start rumors about ourselves, drink Barq's root beer by the 12 pack, spit ice cubes back and forth into each other's mouths (yeah, gross), and tell really bad jokes. I, in the end, did not turn out too terribly funny. I am extremely sardonic and often referred to as a smart ass, whereas KJ is just hilarious.
We were recently e-mailing about her troubles in the boy department when she sent me the most funny e-mail, written in screenplay format:
I took your advice and wore a little tank top to the gym, convinced that once he saw me he would be floored by my awesome muscles and fall in love with me. Here's how I imagined the scene playing out (in
screenplay format):
Int. Gym - Day
The gym is crowded and smells like sweat. Enter KJ just off the
treadmill, dressed in a cute tank top and black slimming cotton
workout pants. She walks over to the free weights to examine her
options. After a brief pause of contemplation she decides to go with
the 5 lbs weights, knowing that she's not strong enough to lift
anything else. She takes the weights over to the workout bench and
looks at herself in the mirror and begins her bicep curls. Even with
the 5 lbs weights it's an obvious struggle.
Through the reflection in the mirror she notices one of the GYM
TRAINERS standing on her left, talking with one of his 40-year-old
female TRAINEES. He's a casual guy with no pretense about him. His
countenance reflects his sincerity and ease at which he takes on life.
In short, he looks like a nice guy. He's so dang hot that KJ
doesn't know what to do. She stops, turns to look at him and just
stands there frozen like a fool. He briefly glances at her then
continues his conversation with his Trainee.
TRAINER
Alright, well, that's it for today.
TRAINEE
Thanks, I'll see you tomorrow.
Trainee flashes a flirty smile at him then turns to leave.
TRAINER
See you later.
Exit Trainee. KJ knows this is her only chance. It's now or
never. She quickly walks over to him.
KJ
So...I see you're a trainer.
TRAINER
Yeah.
KJ
Maybe you could give me some advice.
TRAINER
I saw you working out with those weights...
You look like you could use some guidance.
KJ
Well, while I would like to improve my muscular structure I don't think I can afford such services.
But if you'd like to make a deal...How about you train me to be
physically fit and I'll train you in the ways of love?
TRAINER
Deal.
KJ
Okay, but just to clarify, when I say "love"
I'm not talking about sex, so don't get any wrong ideas.
And the two walk happily off into the sunset.
FADE OUT.
Yeah, that didn't happen. He did look at me, but only because I walked in front of him.
I mean really, who can make all that up and stick it in an e-mail just to make me laugh. I am so jealous. I must say though that KJ is a sweet and kind person. She does not hold her funniness over me, in fact she won't admit that she's more funny than I am, she refers to me as Melanie "Funny Girl" Davis.
Posted by meloknee at 10:21 AM | Comments (0)