Seattleite Category
I was born and raised on Bainbridge Island, an exurb of Seattle. I’ve lived in Seattle-proper since 1994, with interludes in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. I keep moving away, and I keep moving back … because I love it here. I am a Seattleite tried and true. This category tracks local news, events, and regional musings.
Eye Contact You
17
Oct
2007
In: Seattleite
Since moving back to the Hill, I’ve been reminded of how bad we Seattleites are with our walking/eye contact practice. The standard Seattle response when approaching someone walking down the street is to politely avert one’s eyes. Look down, look up, look over — whatever. Don’t actually stare! It’s rude.
This trend is so prevalent that my boss (who, like me, has lived most of his life in the Seattle area) told me about a trip to NYC where he was stunned because all the women on the street actually looked him in the eye. He explained that he thought they were all hitting on him until he realized it was just a cultural difference between the two cities.
I’ve been trying to get better about looking people in the eye as I walk past them, but it’s strange: if you actually manage to make eye contact, the usual response is this an oddly tight, terse, closed-lipped little smile. One of those smiles that almost turns down at the edges; a bit of a grimace. I do it, too! It’s sort of an “Alrighty, then.” You know The Nod? It’s like the smile equivalent of The Nod. An efficient, quick little acknowledgment.
It’s not like I’m on a one-woman mission suggesting we all start toothily grinning at everyone on the street, noodling our arms in the air and hollering “HI THERE, NEIGHBOR!” while we try to touch each other all over and kiss both cheeks and lick an earlobe. (Please, only my close friends get the arm noodles and earlobe routine!) But a little progress would be great — maybe I’ll try adding “Good morning” to my repertoire.
I was already excited about the shift in my commute with our move back to Capitol Hill. My current commute consists of a solo drive on all four of Puget Sound’s major freeways (i5, i90, 405, 520) taking 45 minutes or so. Moving back to Capitol Hill, I’ve got lots of vanpool, carpool, and bus options, and when I did the math a couple weeks ago, it looked like my bus ride was going to be about 40 minutes door-to-door, with one transfer.
Then The Connector happened. It’s Microsoft’s private express bus fleet. There are five routes going to Redmond from all over the Puget Sound area, and it just so happens that one comes through my neighborhood. In fact, they might as well just call it The Ariel Bus because it’s like the frickin’ thing was designed for me.
Let’s examine the evidence:
- 6 Comments
- Tags: bus, microsoft, public transportation
Marc @ Bumbershoot of Shame
Originally uploaded by .Ariel.
The Bumbershoot of Shame was a big ol’ success on Saturday. Whew! Thanks to everyone who came out at noon to sample the event. I wasn’t sure how it would translate from a boozy evening bar show to a mid-day sober theater event, but the little Salon That Could totally kicked ass.
The next show is back at the Capitol Hill Arts Center on Tuesday, September 25th.
- 0 Comments
- Tags: bumbershoot
Perfect circle
19
Aug
2007
In: Seattleite
Which came first: the fact that there’s nothing I like better than being in bed with a cup of tea watching it rain, or the fact that I was raised in the Pacific Northwest?
Eye Contact You
17 Oct 2007 In: SeattleiteSince moving back to the Hill, I’ve been reminded of how bad we Seattleites are with our walking/eye contact practice. The standard Seattle response when approaching someone walking down the street is to politely avert one’s eyes. Look down, look up, look over — whatever. Don’t actually stare! It’s rude.
This trend is so prevalent that my boss (who, like me, has lived most of his life in the Seattle area) told me about a trip to NYC where he was stunned because all the women on the street actually looked him in the eye. He explained that he thought they were all hitting on him until he realized it was just a cultural difference between the two cities.
I’ve been trying to get better about looking people in the eye as I walk past them, but it’s strange: if you actually manage to make eye contact, the usual response is this an oddly tight, terse, closed-lipped little smile. One of those smiles that almost turns down at the edges; a bit of a grimace. I do it, too! It’s sort of an “Alrighty, then.” You know The Nod? It’s like the smile equivalent of The Nod. An efficient, quick little acknowledgment.
It’s not like I’m on a one-woman mission suggesting we all start toothily grinning at everyone on the street, noodling our arms in the air and hollering “HI THERE, NEIGHBOR!” while we try to touch each other all over and kiss both cheeks and lick an earlobe. (Please, only my close friends get the arm noodles and earlobe routine!) But a little progress would be great — maybe I’ll try adding “Good morning” to my repertoire.
I was already excited about the shift in my commute with our move back to Capitol Hill. My current commute consists of a solo drive on all four of Puget Sound’s major freeways (i5, i90, 405, 520) taking 45 minutes or so. Moving back to Capitol Hill, I’ve got lots of vanpool, carpool, and bus options, and when I did the math a couple weeks ago, it looked like my bus ride was going to be about 40 minutes door-to-door, with one transfer.
Then The Connector happened. It’s Microsoft’s private express bus fleet. There are five routes going to Redmond from all over the Puget Sound area, and it just so happens that one comes through my neighborhood. In fact, they might as well just call it The Ariel Bus because it’s like the frickin’ thing was designed for me.
Let’s examine the evidence:
- 6 Comments
- Tags: bus, microsoft, public transportation
Marc @ Bumbershoot of Shame
Originally uploaded by .Ariel.
The Bumbershoot of Shame was a big ol’ success on Saturday. Whew! Thanks to everyone who came out at noon to sample the event. I wasn’t sure how it would translate from a boozy evening bar show to a mid-day sober theater event, but the little Salon That Could totally kicked ass.
The next show is back at the Capitol Hill Arts Center on Tuesday, September 25th.
- 0 Comments
- Tags: bumbershoot
Perfect circle
19 Aug 2007 In: SeattleiteWhich came first: the fact that there’s nothing I like better than being in bed with a cup of tea watching it rain, or the fact that I was raised in the Pacific Northwest?
Hey there. I'm Ariel Meadow Stallings, a native Seattleite who's written my way up and down the Left Coast. Electrolicious is where I post daily randomata, but I also write for a living. My first book, Offbeat Bride, was published last year.
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