City Living

I just got home from spending a long weekend in Seattle (it was actually 5 days! wow, it really doesn't feel that long!)


Here is the soundtrack to my weekend and the stories behind them.

Winds of Change by Fitz & The Tantrums

Right after I bought my tickets to Seattle, my friend who I  was staying with pointed out that I would serendipitously be arriving during the CAPITOL HILL BLOCK PARTY. A three day music festival in the heart of capital hill. Turns out I'm not cool and the only band I knew was Fitz & The Tantrums. But turns out I am cool in that I'm related to the drummer, John Wicks. I hadn't ever met him, but I got my dad's cousin who knows John to set it up, which in turn set me up with a back stage pass to go meet him. 

It was amazing! We're very distantly related, but he was so warm and friendly to me. He pointed out how many of the folks in my dad's generation including Dad, John, and Aimee, my dad's cousin, all make their living from doing their craft. John drums, Dad composes and plays guitar, and Aimee paints. Not that that is what I want to do with my life, but it made me inspired to get back in to art. Seeing him on stage was amazing. He looked so happy up there. The band was amazing too!

Some Nights by FUN.

I met up with some Whitties including my dear friend Nick. We listened to this song. It makes me happy. That's not much of a story, but it was wonderful to see some people from Whitman again. I've forgotten what their kind of energy is like, but I missed it. Everything is fun, and nerdy, philosophical topics conversations are always welcome.

It was a wonderful weekend of firsts. I felt very independent, with my backpacking bag and sleeping on my friend's floors. The only time I really freaked out was when I couldn't find the bus stop to get to my friend Nick's house because it was underground. What.  

I learned that Seattle is a crazy city! I only ever spent time with my reletives, and they were always the ones in charge of getting us around, but having to navigate the city by myself I realize that it's really disorganized. I'm now much more appreciative at how reliable Portland's grid system is. 

Its hitting me that I leave for Thailand in less than a month (AKA 2 weeks???) and I really should be freaking out... and it's not like I havn't already, but this trip has had a calming effect on me. I feel competent. But I'm definitely not sure if I'm competent when it comes to not spending money or not eating way too much food, because I definitely was not good at that this trip... but now I know.