I don’t get it, residential street, ample parking and this guy is 18 inches off the curb.  The crazy thing is that they did a 3 point parking job to get here.

Bonus points for a car full of empty grocery bags.

Goobers.

Sometimes, I want to run down on the sidewalk and follow people to get the rest of their conversations.  Normally, I don’t do this…on account of a) my laziness b) the fact that the rest of the conversation probably blows.

Here are some I took note of while wrapping up some work:

• “We don’t need Central Distribution, they need us.”
• “I am the sword of Christ!” – Yelled, crazily.
• “Nice bike, man.  You doing anything tonight?”

Nope.  These aren’t significant or even interesting (maybe I should have said that at first and saved you the trouble of reading?).  But most of the time aren’t particularly those things most of the time either, except for me.

Here’s the setting, on the 11th between Pike and Pine. Back in slant parking only. This guy was nose in, nose three feet from the curb, ass taking up most of one lane on the street. He was at least 3 feet away from the cars on either side, essentially taking two spots up. Which is quite a departure from my last parking post. Just goes to show, takes all kinds.

Forgive the blurred grainy photogs, iPhone’s photo taking powers are diminished at night, while walking, and yelling “WHHHOOOHAHOAH!”

From my “office” in our apartment I have a nice view of the street below. Now, I don’t get some much of the Marching Bands, Naked People, and total weirdness that Pike-Dwellers get…but I do get some entertainment.

A Highlight of my morning is watching people park. There are three parallel spots in front of the building…oddly, only the center one seems to revolve at any regularity. Basically I get the Bad Parking Channel, 24/7. This is the one from this morning. Please note the large clearance in the front and negative clearance in the back.

This was the result of a solid 15 point parking job, executed over 10 minutes. Awesome.

Ali Baba Enterprises (heretofore to be called ABE) offers Mediterranean grub. But dang if it isn’t good stuff. We knocked off a chicken gyro and some falafel. The owner brought out some sweet tea, sage I think, that hit the spot.

ABE comes in a fair bit cheaper than the other Mediterranean offerings on the hill, is open earlier in the day during the week, and is right on par in terms of tastiness.
Also, any restaurant with “enterprises” in the name is pretty great.

Ali Baba Enterprises
408 Broadway E
Seattle, WA 98102
Capitol Hill Neighborhood
(206) 860-6826

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I went for my regular bi-decadal eye checkup, knowing full well I have janky vision and will be scoffed at.

When it comes time to read the letters off the wall, I could only read the big huge “E”. Like the one that is an entire row, the one that is the same size they use for banners when towed behind airplanes.

So, now. I am glassed and adapting to enhanced vision.

By the way, my friends at Capitol Hill Vision were great.

Time Lapse Incremental Improvements from longwalkhome

Time Lapse from longwalkhome

Excuse the screen in the shot, it was just a test.

Near to me you find such wonders a street marked “DO NOT PARK HERE!”

Nice.

I like it here, below is a dialogue I had with one of our neighbors (not from the building mind you, just the street).

Shady Looking Guy (SLG): “Mmmummble, mumble jacket, mumble?”
Me: “What?”
SLG: “Wanna Mummmble 99 Cent, Mumble!?!”
Me: “WHAT?!?
SLG: “Wanna mumble mumble cent Jacket!!!”
Me: “Use your words, what do you want me to buy?”
SLG: “99 Cent Jacket!”

Of course, why didn’t I get it the the first time? Anyone know if this is just a term I am not familiar with? Or did I just miss out on the jacket deal of a life time?

She mirrored Kate and I’s feelings about not being ready to sign up for Mars Hill West until we get to experience their actualy Church. We are all about keeping the ties of our community open and active, but just not feeling called to Mars Hill.

This passing encounter with a Sister made me think about the need to have a reunion-type get together for us Doxa people. Everyone that wants to come, just to share a meal and hang out. Keep it informal, make it 100% open regardless of where people are going.

I am starting to think there are some wounds that need to be healed out there. Loving our community of believers could help.

No, this is not my annual all night sleep over featuring Knights Tale, that is in September.

Operation Night Watch is the Soup Kitchen we help out at from time to time (first Monday of the Month). Joe heads up the deal and a few volunteers help out. We head in, cook up some food, then serve it. Good times, the folks there are very nice and it does a lot for me to maintain community with part of Seattle that get’s cast off so often.

Today we made some Stew, Mashers, and had some assorted Veggies. Burgers from Dicks and Pastries from local cafes are also a mainstay. Good grub, all and all.

Sidenote, we call this stuff service. What is the point of having a Church Service, who does it serve? I envision having our Church Gatherings plug right into service roles in the City. It seems money is never in short supply, but people and volunteers are limited.

More on this later. I am massively tired now.

Keep it real.

Look at that guy! Its Devin, one of the few people that oscillate in the 48th Shade of the Color Pink that I know.

Secondly:

Kate, I, and some of people are checking out a place in Capitol Hill that seems about 80% down…which is pretty good. Especially on my scale of downness, where George Washington was only 48% with “Wearing Wigs and Wooden Teeth”.

Church on the Hill (as it is called) is headed up by Jason Hudson and meets on Sundays. It is small and the people there seem to have a real Love of Christ, stick to scripture, and smell good.

Kate and I have been praying about finding a new place to hang out spiritual hats (mine is a beanie!) and this place seems pretty slick. More to come on this place, but I am feeling good about it (it was recommending by some people I really respect and appreciate).

Third:

Went to Tacoma on Saturday with Devin and Kate to catch a friend of mine’s band play.
Colin Simpson’s band Starboard Morning and they are good.

Ok, for those that don’t know, I am very supportive of people’s projects. I will try and attend about anything I can. But these guys were good. Read more about them here

They are a kind of Folk, Rock, Irish type thing and I would highly encourage purchasing their tunes.