Northwest Mancation

The thought occurred to me this morning: in a world of StayCations and Vacations-In-Your-Own-Backyard, why not something more specifically catering to a more manly crowd? A Northwest MANcation, if you will. I imagine this as more than just a swilling of beer and beating of chests, but the opportunity to men to be men. You know - the whole high-fiving, hairy-chested, stuff that men live for: strapping on a nylon harness and rapelling down the climbing wall at REI; donning skirt and oars and paddling Puget Sound; hooting and hollering from pub to bar - Pioneer Square to Belltown. Seattle was basically created as a playground for men! (Picture Henry Yesler and William Bell high-fiving as they caught their first King salmon - barehanded!)

I see differing views now that I say "MANcation" out loud: high-fiving, beer-drinking, chest-beating golfers spendin the day one-upping and butt-slapping ... as well as a softer, 'new-manly' side: The MANcation of back and chest-waxing ... of spa treatments and gossip. Men arguing over the merits of Tazo versus Chai ... talks of Baccu Bucci's vs. Armani ... discussions about eyebrow arches and skin conditioner. Laugh if you will, but these are mancations I've actually seen and heard: calls being taken at our visitor center with curious can-we's? Of course - any vacation possible here - mancation included!

What if we could incorporate jousting into a MANcation? Perhaps pit the Chai-sippers against the ale-swillers! Put 'em out in the middle of Puget Sound in rowboats and have 'em have at each other. I suspect it'd draw more attendees than a Mariner's game!

Okay guys, Wolf down the 24 oz Porterhouse at the Metropolitan Grill (you'll be in good company). Dine on the potato-wrapped halibut at Etta's or try the lavender cosmo at Palomino. Really - it's more than a man who can swagger into Vessel's pre live-theatre crowd and order that raspberry lemondrop! Be it chest-thumping or Brazilian-waxing, Seattle is the perfect place to start your Mancation!

(Blogger's note to self: Consider FANcations -- the post-menopausal woman's perfect escape.)

You Asked ... I Told!

Basic Sweet Dough Recipe:

1 T dry yeast (check expiration date - the fresher, the better!)
1/4 C warm water
3 T honey
6 T cut-up butter
1/2 C milk, scalded then cooled to 'warm'
2 eggs at room temperature
Grated peel of 1-2 lemons
1/2 t salt
1 t pure vanilla
3 cups unbleached white flour (I usually use 2 cups white plus 1 cup wheat flour)

Sprinkle yeast over water and stir to dissolve and let proof (sit until foamy). Add butter & honey to milk, stire and cool to lukewarm. In bowl, beat eggs slightly. Stir in proofed yeast, milk misture, lemon peel, salt and vanilla. Gradually beat in 1 & 3/4 C of the flour. Beat vigorously about 3 minutes (until you see bubbles of air caught within the dough - that's a good sign!). Beat in another 3/4 C flour. The dough will be very gloopy at this point.

Cover with a tea towel for about an hour in a warm place (or in the oven on PROOF mode). Stire down and turn out onto a floured surface. Mix with remaining 1/2 C flour. Knead gently, additional additional flour if necessary until smooth and pliable. Dough should 'snap' when kneaded and when squeezed should feel a little buttery but not sticky.

For cinnamon rolls:

Roll dough out 1/2" thick on floured surface. Slather in melted butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar (to your liking). Roll and pinch at edges. Slice in 1-1/2" slices and place on baking sheet with 1" between rolls. Cover with tea towel and let rise 20-30 minutes. Heat oven to 350 degrees and bake until perfectly golden brown.

For more decadence: Mix 3T cream cheese, 1-2 cups powdered sugar and as much cream (or half-and-half) to make an icing consistence.

For sticky buns:

Follow directions to create rolled buns (above).

Prepare edged baking dish with 1/2 C melted butter covering the bottom, a layer of 1/2-3/4 cups of brown sugar, 1 cup of chopped or whole pecans, and a drizzling of Karo corn syrup. Place uncooked rolls atop sugar/nuts approx. 1" apart. Bake at 350 until bottom has carmelized and buns are golden brown. Immemdiately flip (taking care for results of molten carmel on skin) onto serving platter and enjoy. Yes - you can even add a pat of butter to each for more decadence!

A Morning in the Market

Visiting Pike Place Market certainly isn't new to me. I work less than a 10-minute walk away, and my bus departs for home just 2 blocks up Pike from it - but the Market takes on a unique feel early in the morning on Sundays. It's this time of the day when the Market feels most unique and real to me. Not that it isn't the rest of the time, but as vendors are opening-up shop and stacking their wares is when they're most approachable to me. They'll chat more (albiet while they're unpacking), and you can really learn something from them when they haven't been sapped by their 1,000th question about the first Starbucks or the location of the bathrooms. I guess what I'm trying to say is that they're most personable at this hour. They ask more questions ("What's all the fish for?" "Inviting others to enjoy that, too?" "Live closeby?") and seem more sincere in wanting answers. Later in the day, their questions sound more contrived - although maybe it's just the way I perceive it as I've been taxed by questions, too, by day's end.

I love meandering through the maze of vehicles to my favorite fish shop in search of mussels or clams or smoked fish-bellies. I love the warmth my loaf of bread still holds - hearkening back to still being in their 'rising' stage when my eyes were still blisfully closed and my head on pillow. I love the freshness of the air - not yet tinged with spilled lattes and sun-warmed fish entrails. Even the wafting scents from Daily Dozen seem to linger as they dance to my nose to the music provided by buskers.

Every weekend should involve an early morning spent talking to vendors ... selecting fruit perfection ... gathering blossoms so bright they make you squint, and eyeing vendors with fresh smiles and witty banter. Is it too late to make a New Year's Resolution in August?

The Parking Conundrum

I grumble about it myself - why shouldn't I be surprised that one of visitors biggest questions about Seattle is "Why are parking rates so high?" and "Where can I park on-the-cheap?" We're right there among the nation's big cities when it comes to high parking rates in our downtown core. Even the city-operated metered spots are now up to $2.50/hour in most downtown areas (http://bit.ly/DdyIJ) with a 2-hour maximum (and yes, they do check to see how long you've been there!). Work that into a 10-hour downtown day and even if jockeying from block-to-block, you'd be in it for $25!

Parking at the Pike Place Market offers one of the best deals in town (if you're an earlybird). Pull into one of the Market parking lots before 9:30am, stay no more than 12 hours and pay only $10 ($9 if you're astute and find the hidden gem at Western & Lenora).(http://bit.ly/ArEb6)

Multiple lots around the city offer all-day parking for rates from $14-$18 - the most conveniently-located are at the Convention Center at 8th & Pike (http://bit.ly/NH2IO) or at the 7th & Pike Garage (in by 10am with a 10-hour max for $14) http://bit.ly/Slvtm.

It's overnight parking that can make you wish you'd opted out of a rental car for the night. Hotel overnights range from $20-$39 for parking (self-park or with in-and-out privileges). The best advantage to this is the in-and-out available to you through hotels - catering to your need to get out and drive (and return and drive and return). If parking in a non-hotel lot, you'll find each return brings a new fee - essentially starting your parking 'clock' over (with the first hours generally having the highest rates). The lesson here? If you must park, stay parked!

Seattle's public transit system is idea for park-and-riders. Find a reasonably-priced lot and enjoy the city afoot or on the bus (transit.metrokc.gov has awesome tools for bus use - and a 24-hour staffed phone line for questions on use and routes - 206-553-3000).

However you do it - get out of your car and enjoy Seattle!

Thoughts on Rain (Part Deux)

Amazing how many people ask at the Visitor Center what they can do on a "rainy day". RAINY DAY? Oh dear - hasn't the world figured out yet that when it drizzles in Seattle, we don't hold up in our homes and refuse to go out?

Granted, there are some attractions which may be more desireable when the weather's perfect: Views from the Space Needle ... trips to whalewatch in the San Juan Islands ... day jaunts to Mount Rainier ... all are probably somewhat enhanced when the sun is shining (although I've done each on sunny and rainy days and found each experience to be positive and memorable), but I wouldn't put them on a don't-attempt-in-the-rain list.

With that said, we're a city abundant in indoor experiences:

The Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum offer (at a minimum) a half-day experience of hands-on experience and awe. Housed in the Frank Geary-built 'blob' at the Space Needle's base, the EMP is stunning rain or shine (and even reflects different colors based on the weather!). http://www.empsfm.org/


The Pacific Science Center (centrally and conveniently located within walking distance of the two aforementioned attractions) boasts science-related activities and exhibits for visitors age 2-102! I enjoyed it with my kids when elementary-aged, and love it just as much as they've grown to adults. http://www.pacsci.org/


The Seattle Art Museum hosts 4-stories of artistic creativity - from native American exhibits, to specialized shows (usually 2-4 within a year), the SAM is more than just a respite from the rain. http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/


Seattle's Public Library holds not only tomes of books and information, but sits as a shining example of architectural excellence. Designed by world-renowned Rem Koolhaas, the library has become an indoor/outdoor magnet for Seattle visitors. http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=branch_central&branchID=1


Step out of the rain into the Klondike Gold Rush Museum in Seattle's Pioneer Square, and step into the history that put Seattle on the map. Learn about relationships bewteen Seattle and the Yukon, while feeding your inner history-lover. http://www.nps.gov/klse


Learn about Seattle's Chinese and Asian-American heritage at the Wing Luke Museum (just a few blocks away from the Klondike Museum). Our city's beginnings were due in part to the Chinese immigrants working to bring the railroad across the United States - opening Seattle up to rail trade with the nation. The Wing Luke speaks specifically to the struggles and celebrations our Chinese community has endured over the years. http://www.wingluke.org/

Pike Place Market - touted as being the longest continually-operated farmers market in North America - is also a welcome respite in a sprinkle. Within the market's 8-acre location are multiple buildings with a labrinth of ramps, stairways, alleys and walkways. Contrary to popular belief, it's not fully open-air - only the day-vendor stalls are on the open-air level. Meander into the 'down under' (3 stories down below are the market's truly hidden treasures - a trove of unique shops and restaurants just asking for exploration!) or continue down the Pike Place Hillclimb to the bustling waterfront piers below. Do not miss the gum wall (just down the cobblestoned ramp behind the info booth at 1st & Pike). This sticky kaleidoscope of ABC gum is one of the most talked-about parts of the market! http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/

So don your fleece ... grab your umbrella (if you must) and enjoy Seattle - rain or shine!

Rainy Day Musings

One would think that living in a city like Seattle I'd have a year's worth of blogs all titled "Rainy Day Musings". Contrary to popular belief, we're nowhere near the rainiest city in the nation. Not sure if it's a real fact, or if I made it up in the middle of the night, but I believe every major city on the east coast receives far more than our paltry 37" of rain annually. But with that said - sometimes it does rain here. And today, rain it did. In abundance. At 5:01 as I excited the Visitor Center the heavens opened up and out poured bucketfuls of reminders of a rainy-season to come.

I hurried from awning to covered-storefront hoping to find a little oasis of drydom among my city of rain - but I failed. Shoppers and other 5-o'clock-departers (like myself) huddled in masses beneath every available overhang. I scowled at passersby with umbrellas up who forced me out from under awnings. DON'T THEY REALIZE THEIR UMBRELLAS ARE LIKE PERSONAL, MOBILE AWNINGS?! I said nothing, but continued my slog to the 3rd & Pike bus stop.

Rain-wary soon-to-be-seatmates packed together like sardines in the sideless Metro shelter - eyes wide with excitement in anticipation that our bus might be the next. I felt a brush against my leg and turned (anticipating a child or midget), but instead found the best part of my day: Patches, a beautiful harlequin great dane. A beauty of statuesque wet dogness leaned against my leg as if her leash was attached to MY wrist. Instead, I looked to her side and saw her disabled owner sitting on the bench at her other side. Conversations began - soon including the majority of my rainshack neighbors. How old? How much does she eat? How long have you had her? And then my bus arrived. As I jumped into the welcoming doors, I was delighted to hear Patches' four feet clomping behind me. She and her owner sat opposite my usual side-facing seat and we continued the conversation until they eventually exited. I was left with a smile - and a hand smelling much like wet-dog - thinking how much better this was than my previous day of Ms. Smelly and Mr. Grunty on the bus ride home.

Gotta Love the ACT!

I always think I can't eak enough time from my schedule, or that I'll fall asleep - so I procrastinate when commiting to live theatre. I'm an early-to-bed girl, which doesn't always equate to a perfect late-night theatre evening. I waffle on RSVP's - imagining myself nodding mid-act and being nudged by seat mates. But eventually, it's the content draws me in.

ACT Theatre knows how to hold my interest. From politically-heavy theatre, to light-hearted penis-bending, ACT has risen to the top when it comes to live entertainment. I've split my sides with uproarious laughter at Menopause the Musical. I've gone from first-curtain cringing with Puppetry of the Penis, to all-out amazement (it really DID look like the Valhalla!). ACT seems to have the magic pill when it comes to finding content that speaks to me.

Das Barbecu is yet another example of ACT's ability to bring a well-rounded offering to Seattle. While opera-lovers clamour for Ring tickets and snooze through what must seem like never-ending days (and nights) through Wagner's Ring cycle, I sat with delighted crowds - literally hooting and hollering at gods in 10-gallon hats. Wagnerian messages still rang through as these big-haired (and vocally blessed) actresses and actors brought me through the story.

Bravo, ACT. I'll be back again (soon)!