What's Happening in Seattle

Post by **Shirley** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 4:24 pm

Hey gents (and ladies?). It looks like I'll be in Seattle for a couple of days this week for work. I get in Tuesday night and head out early Thursday morning. My meeting is Wednesday afternoon, but I'll have the afternoon and evening free. I guess I'll be free Wed morning too.

Any Swampers available for dinner or a beer? Anything I should make a special effort to see? I haven't picked a hotel yet, but I'm planning to stay near where I'm presenting (big Internet Hosting/Ecommerce company that you've definitely heard of) downtown (I think). The building I'm visiting is at 8th and Virginia.

Any hotel recs there? Some close ones appear to be Hotel Abra, a Hyatt at Olive 8 and a Grand Hyatt. It might be cool to stay on the water if the walk's not too far.

Post by **Sabo** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 4:51 pm

Hotel 1000 is the best hotel I've ever stayed in, but it's about a mile from the Amazon.com building you're visiting. BOKA, the hotel's restaurant and bar, also served me the best meal I've ever had (an Asian-style soup with wontons and cod that was otherworldly).

I've also stayed at The Arctic Club, which is a very nice Hilton property. But it too is about a mile from where you'll be.

DiS will probably be your best option for local info.

Post by **Shirley** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 5:03 pm

That Hotel 1000 looks nice, but that's probably a farther walk that I'd like. I think I'm gonna just book at the Grand Hyatt.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 6:12 pm

The 2nd best fish sandwich I've ever had was at a probable tourist trap in pike place market. Street side, flat top inside and maybe 12 bar stools. So simple and good. I bet Dave knows it and can either confirm or mock me.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 7:02 pm

Hotel Max is a cool spot (http://www.hotelmaxseattle.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). As is the Hotel Andra (http://www.hotelandra.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

Not sure if I'm free on Wednesday (its my kids mid-winter break), but could try to do lunch or something during the week.

I'll PM my #.

DSafetyGuy · Post by **DSafetyGuy** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 7:03 pm

The Pine Box, which is not much more than a quarter mile east on Pine, has an expansive menu and very good wood fired pizza.

Tap House Grill, which is on 6th between Pine and Pike, was pretty good, too. Numerous beers on tap and the food was pretty good.

Post by **Shirley** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 8:58 pm

Thanks for the tips, guys. Keep 'em coming!

One potential snag is the weather here. We're supposed to get some sort of mix of snow and ice starting tomorrow afternoon. It may well affect my ability to fly out of here Tuesday afternoon.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 10:03 pm

Who cares if Pike Market is touristy, I got some damned good food there. Been too long to remember specifics. I stayed pretty close by at the W Hotel on 4th and Seneca. Absolutely loved the area. It probably helped that it was June and warmer than usual without a cloud in the sky for an entire week. Walking up to the Seahawks stadium, whatever it might be called now, was really cool. You can practically walk on the field from the open end. There was only a 3 foot high fence between me and the inside of the stadium. It was very tempting to hop the fence and run for the field. Not a person in sight...

Touristy as hell, but the view from the top of the Space Needle was really cool. You probably won't have time, but taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island was great. We walked to a brewpub on the island for dinner. Great time.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 3:51 pm

The Pike Place Market might be touristy, but its still totally awesome. Just don't try to go into the "Original Starbucks"...its over-run with Asian tourists, and its not any different then every other Starbucks out there.

Oh, and since we've mentioned StarBucks...fuck Howard Schulz....

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 7:25 pm

Do you know the place I mentioned? I tried to look it up once and quit after a few minutes.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 8:12 pm

mister d wrote:Do you know the place I mentioned? I tried to look it up once and quit after a few minutes.

I'm guessing its Jack's Fish Spot...across the street from the more famous Pike Place Fish (aka the place where they throw the fish). That's usually where I buy fish when I go to the Market. The quality is great, and you don't have to wade throw the crowd.

And yes, they have a small counter where you can get chowder/fish&chips/etc.

And, that's the first place I had to leave my oldest daughter by herself. She was about 6, and we had just ordered some food, and my younger daughter, who was about 3, needed to use the bathroom. So I told the older one, "stay here, don't talk to anyone", and asked the guy working the counter to keep an eye on her for me.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 10:55 pm

Looks like Market Grill (halibut sandwich)?

Post by **Shirley** » Wed Feb 18, 2015 4:31 pm

So I actually got to meet the infamous DaveInSeattle. We had a great lunch - fish sandwich of course. After all of these years of Swamping, he's just my third face-to-face encounter.

One thing that surprised me - Dave is actually a 60-something-year-old, black, homeless man who smells faintly (well, OK, strongly) of urine and cod. He's also quite fond of MD 20/20 and uncomfortably long hugs.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Wed Feb 18, 2015 5:20 pm

Shirley wrote:So I actually got to meet the infamous DaveInSeattle. We had a great lunch - fish sandwich of course. After all of these years of Swamping, he's just my third face-to-face encounter.

One thing that surprised me - Dave is actually a 60-something-year-old, black, homeless man who smells faintly (well, OK, strongly) of urine and cod. He's also quite fond of MD 20/20 and uncomfortably long hugs.

And a penchant for buggery?

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Thu Feb 19, 2015 2:48 pm

Now I'm trying to figure out who the hell made guacamole at Hood to Coast!

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Thu Feb 19, 2015 4:32 pm

Shirley wrote:So I actually got to meet the infamous DaveInSeattle. We had a great lunch - fish sandwich of course. After all of these years of Swamping, he's just my third face-to-face encounter.

One thing that surprised me - Dave is actually a 60-something-year-old, black, homeless man who smells faintly (well, OK, strongly) of urine and cod. He's also quite fond of MD 20/20 and uncomfortably long hugs.

Dude...you were sworn to secrecy!

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 10:49 am

Meanwhile I bail on Sabo last night...

Post by **Sabo** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 11:49 am

Giff wrote:Meanwhile I bail on Sabo last night...

We still have time, assuming I don't die in a traffic accident first. Houston drivers are among the worst I've encountered. And whoever planned the interstate highway system in Texas needs to be shot.

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 12:37 pm

Sabo wrote:
Giff wrote:Meanwhile I bail on Sabo last night...
We still have time, assuming I don't die in a traffic accident first. Houston drivers are among the worst I've encountered. And whoever planned the interstate highway system in Texas needs to be shot.

Yeah, traffic here is awful.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Nov 23, 2017 12:14 pm

I'm in Seattle for a two-day workshop Nov 29-30. Flying in on afternoon of the 28th.
Never been there. Staying at Mayflower Park Hotel.

Nothing really planned yet other than Pike's Market.

DSafetyGuy · Post by **DSafetyGuy** » Thu Nov 23, 2017 2:45 pm

My suggestions upthread are both within walking distance, as is the Alibi Room (see this thread, which has more).

Belltown has Shorty's, a pretty fun bar with pinball machines and arcade games. I have a soft spot in my heart for the Nitelite Lounge, which is also relatively close.

Our out-of-town friend visiting from Seattle says Purple Cafe (wine bar with small plates), Brooklyn Seafood Steak and Oyster House, Pike Brewing Company (for beer, not food), or Matt's in the Market.

You'll be staying in the middle of a shit-ton of options.

Oh, and if you want pick up the Swamp-recommended backpack, go to the Timbuk2 store. I did.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Thu Nov 23, 2017 4:44 pm

I'm around on that Wednesday evening if you want to meet up for Happy Hour. Also free for lunch on Thursday.

Post by **Shirley** » Fri Nov 24, 2017 10:45 am

I guess I never wrapped up my Seattle story here, did I? Well, shortly after I moved out there, my skip boss, the guy who spearheaded the acquisition of my company, told me that my family didn't really need to move out to Seattle if we didn't want. We had already decided to move the rest of my family after the school year. During the year I was there, my wife and I looked at a lot of houses, mostly online, as well as schools for my boys. Eventually, we came to the conclusion that we didn't really want to move. Housing is roughly twice as expensive as where we live, our kids were in a school we liked, my wife had her career, we love our beach condo, etc. It just wasn't worth it.

So, in May 2016, I moved back to NC. Now, I primarily work out of the Microsoft office in RTP and fly out to Seattle (actually Redmond/Bellevue) about once a month or so. After I moved back, two of our devs did the same thing.

I still like the Seattle area, but I'm happy to be living here in NC.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 12:30 pm

Deg stood me up last night!

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 6:04 pm

DaveInSeattle wrote:Deg stood me up last night!

I was there. Wonder how we missed each other.

Seattle looks interesting although I've only been able to see it at night and everything closes really early.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 6:06 pm

degenerasian wrote:
DaveInSeattle wrote:Deg stood me up last night!

I was there. Wonder how we missed each other.

If only there was a device that provided a way for you two to have contacted each other!

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 6:09 pm

sancarlos wrote:
degenerasian wrote:
DaveInSeattle wrote:Deg stood me up last night!

I was there. Wonder how we missed each other.

If only there was a device that provided a way for you two to have contacted each other!

that would be my fault, my workphone is shit and doesn't work here.

Post by **brian** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 6:11 pm

degenerasian wrote:
sancarlos wrote:
degenerasian wrote:
DaveInSeattle wrote:Deg stood me up last night!

I was there. Wonder how we missed each other.

If only there was a device that provided a way for you two to have contacted each other!

that would be my fault, my workphone is shit and doesn't work here.

Shoulda found a drug dealer and figure out the best place to buy a burner.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 6:31 pm

Heh,

I guess my strategy of sitting facing the door and creepily staring down every man, women and child who walks in doesn't work anymore.

Post by **brian** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 6:32 pm

degenerasian wrote:Heh,

I guess my strategy of sitting facing the door and creepily staring down every man, women and child who walks in doesn't work anymore.

Surprisingly, that strategy works very well in Cleveland.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 6:43 pm

degenerasian wrote:
DaveInSeattle wrote:Deg stood me up last night!

I was there. Wonder how we missed each other.

Seattle looks interesting although I've only been able to see it at night and everything closes really early.

At OldStove? I came in wearing all my bike stuff....didn't see anyone fitting your description in the place.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 6:47 pm

DaveInSeattle wrote:
degenerasian wrote:
DaveInSeattle wrote:Deg stood me up last night!

I was there. Wonder how we missed each other.

Seattle looks interesting although I've only been able to see it at night and everything closes really early.

At OldStove? I came in wearing all my bike stuff....didn't see anyone fitting your description in the place.

yup.
unless is there more than one location?

benches
ordered beer and food at the bar
two guy waiters
tv showing old cartoons

I'm free until 7 if you want to try again, then I'm off to the airport.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 3:50 pm

degenerasian wrote:
DaveInSeattle wrote:
degenerasian wrote:
DaveInSeattle wrote:Deg stood me up last night!

I was there. Wonder how we missed each other.

Seattle looks interesting although I've only been able to see it at night and everything closes really early.

At OldStove? I came in wearing all my bike stuff....didn't see anyone fitting your description in the place.

yup.
unless is there more than one location?

benches
ordered beer and food at the bar
two guy waiters
tv showing old cartoons

I'm free until 7 if you want to try again, then I'm off to the airport.

we must have missed each other...when I got there they had both TV's on the Pac-12 network (until I asked them to change one to the Toronto-Columbus match).

And yeah, downtown does kind of close down in the evenings. Most of the happening spots are in Belltown, Capital Hill, or Ballard these days. You should see how Amazonia (South Lake Union) becomes a ghost town around 7pm.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 11:31 pm

Sounds like I was in the wrong place. But that makes no sense.
I think I was in the taproom.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Sun Dec 03, 2017 4:53 pm

degenerasian wrote:Sounds like I was in the wrong place. But that makes no sense.
I think I was in the taproom.

Figured out what happened. Turns out there are TWO Old Stoves, in the Pike Place Market Vicinity. One, is on First Avenue, and one (the new one) is on Western, in the new "Waterfront" portion of the Market. Sorry about that! I was in the new one, you must have been in the old one. I had no idea there were two of them.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 11:44 am

https://twitter.com/AP/status/942795871380525057

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 11:50 am

https://twitter.com/CBSNews/status/942797649480167424

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 9:39 am

This story is incredible, a modern day Titanic with thankfully less carnage.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 10:27 am

Rex wrote:This story is incredible, a modern day Titanic with thankfully less carnage.

Reports are now that it was going 50mph OVER what that section of track was rated for. What a shit show.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 10:29 am

Clearly a bunch of pinko commies trying to make sure the trains are running on time.