#emerald city cakes seattle

[brookston]

Holidays 2.29

Holidays

Bachelor's Day (Ireland, UK)

Blue and Yellow Day

Dark Day

Galileo Day (a.k.a. Earth Moves Day or Rodaytion) [also 2.15]

Hopping Day

International Underlings Day

Jethro Tull Day

Ladies' Privilege Day (women may propose marriage)

Leap Day

Leap Day William Celebration (on 30 Rock)

Leap Year Carnival (Anthony, Texas)

Maha Siurratri (Hindu)

March 0

Narcissus Day (French Republic)

National Frogs Legs Day

National Heroes’ Day (Paraguay)

National Surf and Turf Day

National Time Refund Day

Oswald of Worcester's Day

Playboy Club Day

Pulsar Discovery Day

Rabbit Rabbit Day [Last Day of Every Month]

Rare Disease Day [Last Day of February]

Raspberry Pi Day

Salem Witch Trials Day

Superman’s Birthday

You Day (Posaf)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Gnocchi Day (Argentina)

National Frog Legs Day

National Surf & Turf Day

Rare Beer Day

Whale Day

5th & Last Thursday in February

Collegiate Day of Prayer [Last Thursday]

International Repetitive Strain Injuries Awareness Day [Last Day of February]

National Chili Day [Last Thursday]

National Skin Check Day (Australia) [Last Thursday]

National Toast Day (UK) [Last Thursday]

Rabbit Rabbit Day [Last Day of Every Month]

Rare Disease Day [Last Day of February]

Independence & Related Days

Pakistan (Islamic Republic Declared; 1956)

Festivals Beginning February 29, 2024

Central Florida Fair (Orlando, Florida) [thru 3.10]

Emerald City Comicon (Seattle, Washington) [thru 3.3]

Florida Strawberry Festival (Plant City, Florida) [thru 3.10]

Lighthouse Festival South Festival (Capetown, South Africa) [thru 3.3]

Maine Fisherman’s Forum (Rockport, Maine) [thru 3.2]

World of Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara, California) [thru 3.2]

Feast Days

Abercius (Christian; Martyr)

Anna Julia Cooper and Elizabeth Evelyn Wright (Episcopal Church (USA))

Balthus (Artology)

Februalia (Ancient Rome)

Hedwig of Poland (Christian; Saint)

Heraclitus (Positivist; Saint)

Hilarius (Christian; Saint)

House Blessing Day (Celtic Book of Days)

Jack Kervorkian Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Leap Year Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Lupicinus (Christian; Saint)

Mar Abba (Christian; Saint)

Oswald of Worcester (Christian; Saint) [original date]

Proterius, Patriarch of Alexandria (Christian; Saint)

Refuse to Believe in This Day Day (Pastafarian)

Romanus of Condat (Christian; Saint)

Rufinus (Christian; Saint)

Saxon Cake Day (Offering cakes to the Gods & Goddesses)

St. Tib's Day (Discordian)

Velja Not (Spirits of the Dead visit living relatives, overseen by Veles, Lord of the Dead; Old Slavic)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Dark Day (Numerology)

Tagwählerei (Unlucky Day; Germany)

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Uncyclopedia Bad to Be Born Today (because it only comes once every four years, making it 4 times longer before you can enjoy alcohol and other fun vices.)

Unlucky Day (Hong Kong, Korea, Scotland, Taiwan)

Unlucky Day for Postmarks (Folklore)

Premieres

Bartholomew Versus the Wheel (WB MM Cartoon; 1964)

Boom Boom (WB LT Cartoon; 1936)

An Extremely Goofy Movie (Animated Disney Film; 2000)

Foxes (Film; 1980)

Les Huguenots, by Giacomo Meyerbeer (Opera; 1836)

Macbeth, by Richard Strauss (Symphonic Poem; 1892)

Myra Breckinridge, by Gore Vidal (Novel; 1968)

Now and Zen, by Robert Plant (Album; 1988)

The Other Boleyn Girl (Film; 2008)

Penelope (Film; 2008)

Semi-Pro (Film; 2008)

Today’s Name Days

Hilarius, Oswald (Austria)

Ulmi, Une (Estonia)

Auguste (France)

Oswald, Schalttag (Germany)

Casianos (Greece)

Dobronieg, Roman (Poland)

Radomír (Slovakia)

Dositeo (Spain)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 60 of 2024; 306 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 4 of week 9 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Nuin (Ash) [Day 12 of 28]

Chinese: Month 1 (Bing-Yin), Day 20 (Gui-Hai)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025)

Hebrew: 20 Adair I 5784

Islamic: 19 Sha’ban 1445

J Cal: 30 Grey; Lastday [30 of 30]

Julian: 16 February 2024

Moon: 76%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 4 Aristotle (3rd Month) [Anaxagoras]

Runic Half Month: Tyr (Cosmic Pillar) [Day 6 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 71 of 89)

Week: 4th Week of February

Zodiac: Pisces (Day 11 of 30)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 2.29

Holidays

Bachelor's Day (Ireland, UK)

Blue and Yellow Day

Dark Day

Galileo Day (a.k.a. Earth Moves Day or Rodaytion) [also 2.15]

Hopping Day

International Underlings Day

Jethro Tull Day

Ladies' Privilege Day (women may propose marriage)

Leap Day

Leap Day William Celebration (on 30 Rock)

Leap Year Carnival (Anthony, Texas)

Maha Siurratri (Hindu)

March 0

Narcissus Day (French Republic)

National Frogs Legs Day

National Heroes’ Day (Paraguay)

National Surf and Turf Day

National Time Refund Day

Oswald of Worcester's Day

Playboy Club Day

Pulsar Discovery Day

Rabbit Rabbit Day [Last Day of Every Month]

Rare Disease Day [Last Day of February]

Raspberry Pi Day

Salem Witch Trials Day

Superman’s Birthday

You Day (Posaf)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Gnocchi Day (Argentina)

National Frog Legs Day

National Surf & Turf Day

Rare Beer Day

Whale Day

5th & Last Thursday in February

Collegiate Day of Prayer [Last Thursday]

International Repetitive Strain Injuries Awareness Day [Last Day of February]

National Chili Day [Last Thursday]

National Skin Check Day (Australia) [Last Thursday]

National Toast Day (UK) [Last Thursday]

Rabbit Rabbit Day [Last Day of Every Month]

Rare Disease Day [Last Day of February]

Independence & Related Days

Pakistan (Islamic Republic Declared; 1956)

Festivals Beginning February 29, 2024

Central Florida Fair (Orlando, Florida) [thru 3.10]

Emerald City Comicon (Seattle, Washington) [thru 3.3]

Florida Strawberry Festival (Plant City, Florida) [thru 3.10]

Lighthouse Festival South Festival (Capetown, South Africa) [thru 3.3]

Maine Fisherman’s Forum (Rockport, Maine) [thru 3.2]

World of Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara, California) [thru 3.2]

Feast Days

Abercius (Christian; Martyr)

Anna Julia Cooper and Elizabeth Evelyn Wright (Episcopal Church (USA))

Balthus (Artology)

Februalia (Ancient Rome)

Hedwig of Poland (Christian; Saint)

Heraclitus (Positivist; Saint)

Hilarius (Christian; Saint)

House Blessing Day (Celtic Book of Days)

Jack Kervorkian Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Leap Year Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Lupicinus (Christian; Saint)

Mar Abba (Christian; Saint)

Oswald of Worcester (Christian; Saint) [original date]

Proterius, Patriarch of Alexandria (Christian; Saint)

Refuse to Believe in This Day Day (Pastafarian)

Romanus of Condat (Christian; Saint)

Rufinus (Christian; Saint)

Saxon Cake Day (Offering cakes to the Gods & Goddesses)

St. Tib's Day (Discordian)

Velja Not (Spirits of the Dead visit living relatives, overseen by Veles, Lord of the Dead; Old Slavic)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Dark Day (Numerology)

Tagwählerei (Unlucky Day; Germany)

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Uncyclopedia Bad to Be Born Today (because it only comes once every four years, making it 4 times longer before you can enjoy alcohol and other fun vices.)

Unlucky Day (Hong Kong, Korea, Scotland, Taiwan)

Unlucky Day for Postmarks (Folklore)

Premieres

Bartholomew Versus the Wheel (WB MM Cartoon; 1964)

Boom Boom (WB LT Cartoon; 1936)

An Extremely Goofy Movie (Animated Disney Film; 2000)

Foxes (Film; 1980)

Les Huguenots, by Giacomo Meyerbeer (Opera; 1836)

Macbeth, by Richard Strauss (Symphonic Poem; 1892)

Myra Breckinridge, by Gore Vidal (Novel; 1968)

Now and Zen, by Robert Plant (Album; 1988)

The Other Boleyn Girl (Film; 2008)

Penelope (Film; 2008)

Semi-Pro (Film; 2008)

Today’s Name Days

Hilarius, Oswald (Austria)

Ulmi, Une (Estonia)

Auguste (France)

Oswald, Schalttag (Germany)

Casianos (Greece)

Dobronieg, Roman (Poland)

Radomír (Slovakia)

Dositeo (Spain)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 60 of 2024; 306 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 4 of week 9 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Nuin (Ash) [Day 12 of 28]

Chinese: Month 1 (Bing-Yin), Day 20 (Gui-Hai)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025)

Hebrew: 20 Adair I 5784

Islamic: 19 Sha’ban 1445

J Cal: 30 Grey; Lastday [30 of 30]

Julian: 16 February 2024

Moon: 76%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 4 Aristotle (3rd Month) [Anaxagoras]

Runic Half Month: Tyr (Cosmic Pillar) [Day 6 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 71 of 89)

Week: 4th Week of February

Zodiac: Pisces (Day 11 of 30)

[elven-cook-apprentice]

The Emerald City of Oz: The Wizard’s Picnic

Whew! A lot going on here!

“So Uncle Henry lifted the kettle from the fire and poured its contents into a big platter which the Wizard held for him. The platter was fairly heaped with a fine stew, smoking hot, with many kinds of vegetables and dumplings and a rich, delicious gravy.

The Wizard triumphantly placed the platter upon the table in the dining tent and then they all sat down in camp chairs to the feast.

There were several other dishes on the table, all carefully covered, and when the time came to remove these covers they found bread and butter, cakes, cheese, pickles and fruits—including some of the luscious strawberries of Oz.”

-Frank Baum, The Emerald City of Oz ----------------------------------------------------------------

We enjoyed a lovely and whimsical feast here! Finding a stew that fit the bill was hard but this one managed it. It is a truffle and cheese creamy stew with cauliflower, artichoke hearts, carrots, broccoli, onion, potato and with bison wontons! (Billina is proud to note there is NO chicken in this meal.) All in all, the stew is born out of a crazy hybrid of these three recipes.

Bread is Quick Honey Wheat Bread from Simply Classic, another Seattle cookbook I like.

Whimsical green swiss roll cakes were brought from a local bakery by my guest (melon and green tea flavors), and I made Minas Tirith White Cakes in mini loaf shape by @middleearthrecipes (a great blog for fantasy food!)

To wrap it up, we had brie and manchego cheeses, dill and mushroom pickles, and satisfied our fruit cravings with clementines, apples and strawberries.

I loved this feast. Everything went so well together and it was hard to prioritize stomach space!

[emeraldcitycakes-blog]

Next five orders at emeraldcitycakesseattle.com get a fidget spinner included!! Local Seattle or nearby only

[skittering]

2019 Recap!

Last year I made a post with highlights from 2018 and I liked it so I’m gonna do it again. Here’s 2019, in roughly chronological order and with big ol gaps probably.

I went to therapy all year

I saw my sister’s wonderful zombie circus show

We had a big snowstorm in Seattle that was a ton of fun

I did five 5Ks and five months of consistent weekly yoga! Felt good.

Emerald City ComicCon & Penguin Party w/Katie 💕

First year managing the Mariners project at work 💀

I went to PAX East & saw Boston for the first time

I got a (used) Roomba and he is my son and I love him

My mom retired

Jake & Megan wedding

E3! I managed badges for the first time and my team got me an amazing Zelda cake

Tom & Sydney wedding

Tidepooling with Mara & Dave

Vancouver with Audra

!!!Cut off all my hair!!!

I went to a ring making class and made 7 silver rings

I held an otter???? He was very soft and smelly and he climbed into my lap all on his own

I got two Polaroid cameras

Family reunion in Tahoe

I’ve been listing all this little stuff, but here is the biggest part, probably the biggest thing to happen to me this decade. I broke up with my partner of 8 years. It changed almost every element of my life and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

I lost some friends, but became immeasurably closer to others and overall feel much healthier and more at peace with my social life (and life in general)

PAX West with Jake

SMAC 2019 in Bellevue

Staehli Bachelorette Party/Laser Lush!

I went to Lisbon for Taka & Kristen’s wedding! It was gorgeous and also great to leave the country again after so long

Mom & Dad visited, we finally saw the Museum of Flight

Several of my friends helped me reorganize my entire apartment and set up my new furniture, which was an unspeakably touching experience

Staehli & Brandon’s wedding! Hashtag Maid of Honor

Started my monthly Mix CD project

Friendsgiving at Mara’s

Great Aunt Sally’s celebration of life & Fakesgiving at Pony’s (and thanksgiving with Bev)

Joanna Newsom in concert 😍

Nintendo Holiday Party @ Enchant

Favorite new media: Celeste, Return of the Obra Dinn, Dream Daddy, Untitled Goose Game, Witcher, Mandalorian, His Dark Materials, Into the Spider-Verse, Knives Out, Dark Lord of Derkholm, and lots lots more that I am forgetting

In 2020, my goal is to recalibrate my new normal. I want to find my baseline when I’m not living my life for another person. What do I love? What behaviors do I naturally do when I’m on low power mode? Where do I go when given the time, the money, and the freedom from audience? Who am I? Hopefully someone who exercises sometimes. :)

Also, ask for help. Then give help when needed. That’s where friends come from.

Love you,

C

[redgoldsparks]

Hi, I'm wondering if there's a list somewhere of places you'll be doing book signings/talks, and how to go about getting my local bookstore added to that list? :)

Hello there, thank you so much for your interest! I usually post about any events I am doing on all of my social media somewhere between 1-3 weeks before they happen, depending on how on top of things I am currently... But here’s a list of my upcoming stuff: 

June 16 at the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco (time and details TBA)

June 19 at Comix Experience in San Francisco 5pm-7pm, here’s the FB event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2234334513340427/

June 27 at the Cartoon Art Museum for a closing reception for my gallery show (time and details TBA)

July 14 Book Soup in West Hollywood, 4pm, signing with my friend Sam Sattin, here’s the event info:  https://www.booksoup.com/event/maia-kobabe-sam-sattin-ian-mcginty-discuss-and-sign-gender-queer-memoir-glint-book-one-cloud

July 17 at Secret Headquarters comic book shop in Pasadena, 7-9pm, more details TBA

July 18-21 at San Diego Comic Con, I will be doing one or more signings plus one or more panels, details TBA

late July/early August- hopefully I will be visiting Portland and Seattle, I’ll let you know how those plans work out! 

September 1- if I get into SF Zinefest I will be tabling, and if not I will still attend to support my friends :)

September 14 and 15, Small Press Expo in Bethesda Maryland 

September 21- Fracture Comix Expo, 10-4pm, Oakland. Here’s the FB event: https://www.facebook.com/events/652597868526807/

Sometime between October 10-14, hopefully I will have one appearance at LitQuake in San Francisco, this is still very tentative, stay tuned

Also still tentative, Reno Pop Culture Con November 8-10

If I get into Comic Arts Los Angeles in December I will drive down for it, but they haven’t even started applications yet so that’s very far off. 

As you can see, I am mostly only doing events on the West Coast right now. This is because my budget for travel is very small, and unless someone else (my publisher, or the convention itself) decides to fly me out, I usually can’t afford it. But I love traveling and hope to travel more in 2020- I have my eye on Emerald City Comic Con and CAKE in Chicago. I don’t know where your local bookstore is, but you could ask them to email me (redgoldsparks @ gmail) and we could talk about doing something? I’m open to doing skype visits anywhere, if bookstores are interested in having them :) 

[hamiltonstagedoor]

Hello! I was wondering what the difference between the "Philip Cast" and the "Angelica Cast"? I am seeing Hamilton in Denver (AHHH cannot wait!!!). Thank you!

This is also for the anon who messaged me about pretty much the same thing. (Sorry for taking so long to get back to both of you. I’m only just now seeing your ask!) 

Basics: They are two completely different casts currently touring the U.S. They go to different cities, so if you want to see a particular cast, be sure to check which cast is going to which locations before you buy your tickets. The Angelica Tour is the first national tour and the Philip Tour is the second. My Angelica Tour cast list has (finally) been updated, and maybe at some point I’ll get around to writing up the Philip Tour cast list, but those things take forever. (I have since completed it.) Whichever cast pops up when you click a certain location on the Hamilton website is the cast that will be performing there. 

Why are they named what they are? It’s common practice to name tours after characters or recognizable aspects in the show to easily differentiate them as separate casts. (Ex: Wicked’s Emerald City and Munchkinland Tours, Rent’s Angel and Benny Tours)

Is anything else different about them? Ensemble tracks might differ based on how that company was cast. This can be to accommodate the abilities of certain dancers or for a bunch of other reasons. (Ex: I know the Angelica Tour M3 and M4 tracks are swapped so M4 is George Eacker instead of M3 like the Broadway version. In Chicago, W3/thebullet does not do the Sally Hemings part as in New York)

Which is better? A common saying amongst some theatre fans is “The show is the show is the show.” Basically, if the show is amazing (which Hamilton is, obviously) then it will stand alone as an amazing show and story with strong characters regardless of who is playing them or what city you are seeing it in. While I ascribe to this, I also think it’s a bit naive to think every single actor portrays a character exactly the same. Furthermore, everyone has preferences when it comes to how a character is played. I personally don’t like overly comedic Burrs, but some think the opposite. I personally think the Chicago cast is collectively my favorite, but others think that’s absolute blasphemy and the Broadway cast will always be the best. (I want to make it clear that I said collectively. There are individual people I adore in every cast, but as a whole, Chicago takes the cake.) Therefore, this is such a subjective question that it’s literally impossible to answer. There are actors I love in all casts and actors I didn’t like so much, but that’s just me. My suggestion, see both and answer that question for yourself ;) (Or just go to the one closest to you and I’m sure you’ll have a great time regardless.) I know this was such a roundabout way to answer/not answer this, but I genuinely think it’s the only fair way do so. 

tl;dr: There are good and bad things about all casts. Go watch them to find out, but come on it’s Hamilton. You’ll love it either way.

What about the And Peggy Tour? Is it even a tour? I, along with the help of one of you lovely readers, answered this question in-depth HERE. If you’re looking for the cast list, you can find it HERE. Basically, yes it’s still considered a tour because that’s just how west coast productions are classified. As of right now, the And Peggy Tour will be in Puerto Rico until the end of January when it will head to San Francisco for a long sit-down. Right now, tickets are on sale through September 2019.

Below are the locations for each cast in chronological order of when performances begin:

Angelica Tour

Denver, CO - Playing through Apr 1, 2018

St. Louis, MO - April 3, 2018

Houston, TX - April 24, 2018

Atlanta, GA - May 22, 2018

Washington, DC - June 12, 2018

Boston, MA - September 18, 2018

Buffalo, NY - November 20, 2018

Hartford, CT - December 11, 2018

Pittsburgh, PA - January 1, 2019

Columbus, OH - January 29, 2019

Cincinnati, OH - February 19, 2019

Detroit, MI - March 12, 2019

Rochester, NY - April 23, 2019

East Lansing, MI - May 14, 2019

Louisville, KY - June 4, 2019

Baltimore, MD - June 25, 2019

Providence, RI - July 23, 2019

Schenectady, NY - August 13, 2019

Philadelphia, PA - August 27, 2019

Ft Meyers, FL - 2019-2020 Season

Jacksonville, FL - 2019-2020 Season

Miami, FL - 2019-2020 Season

Naples, FL - 2019-2020 Season

Norfolk, VA - 2019-2020 Season

Richmond, VA - 2019-2020 Season

St Louis, MO - 2019-2020 Season

West Palm Beach, FL - 2019-2020 Season

Philip Tour

Seattle, WA - Playing through March 18, 2018

Portland, OR - March 20, 2018

Salt Lake City, UT - April 11, 2018

Costa Mesa, CA - May 8, 2018

Las Vegas, NV - May 29, 2018

Des Moines, IA - June 27, 2018

Cleveland, OH - July 17, 2018

Minneapolis, MN - August 29, 2018

Charlotte, NC - October 10, 2018

Durham, NC - November 6, 2018

Greensville, SC - December 4, 2018

Fort Lauderdale, FL - December 18, 2018

Orlando, FL - January 22, 2019

Tampa, FL - February 12, 2019

New Orleans, LA - March 12, 2019

Dallas, TX - April 2, 2019

San Antonio, TX - May 7, 2019

Austin, TX - May 28, 2019

Kansas City, MO - June 18, 2019

Memphis, TN - July 9, 2019

Oklahoma City, OK - July 30, 2019

Tulsa, OK - August 20, 2019

Omaha, NE - September 10, 2019

Appleton, WI - 2019-2020 Season

Grand Rapids, MI - 2019-2020 Season

Indianapolis, IN - 2019-2020 Season

Madison, WI - 2019-2020 Season

Milwaukee, WI - 2019-2020 Season

Ottawa, Canada - 2019-2020 Season

Toronto, Canada - 2019-2020 Season

[novacabtaxi]

The entire sports world was in wonder after DK Metcalf’s uber-athletic chase-down deal with on Budda Baker– including Baker himself

Summary List Placement

DK Metcalf is “a definitely freak professional athlete,” according to Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury, and the Seattle Seahawks pass receiver put his abilities on full display screen Sunday night.

Early in the 2nd quarter of the Seahawks’ roadway matchup against Kingsbury’s squad, Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson threw an interception on very first and goal into the arms of Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker. And despite the fact that the speedy defender had a significant head start on most of the Seahawks team, the 6-foot-4, 229-pound Metcalf sprinted 114.8 lawns at an optimal speed of 22.64 miles per hour– the second-fastest speed reached on a tackle by any player this season– to capture Baker and thwart his pick-six attempt.

DK Metcalf is FREAKY FAST. @dkm14

: #SEAvsAZ on NBC : NFL app// Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/FSTZl0ocgC pic.twitter.com/WSuLjzfIl3!.?.!— NFL( @NFL) October 26, 2020 Not

just did Metcalf solitarily prevent a full-field

pick-six, but he likewise avoided his team from quiting an early lead. The Seattle defense took the field and held Arizona scoreless on the taking place possession. Without Metcalf’s excellent hustle and impressive athleticism, the Seahawks would have fallen

behind by a point. Instead, they were able to hold a 20-14 lead as they headed into the locker room for halftime. And although the Cardinals ultimately earned the 37-34 home win in overtime, it’s safe to say the video game wouldn’t have actually been nearly as close down the stretch if not for Metcalf’s Herculean efforts on the play. After the game, both groups praised the second-year large receiver for his other-worldly athleticism and outstanding hustle. After the video game, Seattle head coach Pete Carroll called his young large receiver’s effort” just remarkable. “” That was among the very best

football plays I’ve ever seen,” Carroll stated.” He simply utilized all that wonderful skill that he had and the will to go run the person down. It was such an amazing play since of what took place afterward. The defense followed and rallied: left there in four downs.” “It was an inspiring play, and nobody could miss it,” he added. “Everyone that was watching that play– whether you like football or not– you might see that was something remarkable, and

I have actually simply never seen one rather like that.” The head coach on the other sideline was impressed with Metcalf’s athleticism too. He stated he was positive Baker would score on the play, however then the 2019 second-round pick entered into the photo.”

Till that huge stallion of a human came galloping out of nowhere,” Kingsbury stated, per the Seahawks site.” Incredible anticipation by [Baker] DK Metcalf is a definitely freak professional athlete, and what an effort play by him. “” High school coaches will be revealing that one for years– simply do not offer up on a play, “he added. Wilson– an NFL MVP favorite at this moment in the season– was seemingly awestruck by his teammate’s abilities. “It was one of the most exceptional plays I’ve ever seen, “Wilson stated postgame.” He just kept going, man. It was simply amazing play by him, just the effort. I actually respect him for that. That’s what it takes, simply a winning effort.”” He is among the finest gamers in the league, he is among the most special men I know, he’s one of my friends, and I actually respect him, “Wilson added. “Not even if of his effort on that particular play, however that’s who he is, that’s who he is, every day. He corresponds because method, so that’s what I like him for.” Fellow Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett– who owned the night with 15 catches for 200 lawns and 3 touchdowns– had absolutely nothing but praise for Metcalf and his” amazing play.”” Honestly, that was probably one of the very best plays that we have actually had this year,” Lockett stated.”

When you see how Budda captured the ball and how he was 15 yards in front of everyone practically, simply the truth that [Metcalf] never ever

offered up– he removed, he captured him, he stopped him, and not just that, however they didn’t even score, not even a basket … That was a big-time play. That was a big-time play by a big-time player, which was among the finest plays that you can see him make without him touching the ball.” Even Baker himself confessed that Metcalf “got me” after the game.” I was running, and next thing you know, I see huge 14 following me, “Baker stated.” He got me. That’s the very first time I’ve ever been hawked in my entire life

.” He even transmitted it on Twitter. “DK HAWKED MY A–,” he composed

. DK HAWKED MY ASS … #RESPECT– Budda Baker( @buddabaker32 )October 26, 2020 Huge names across the world of sports admired Metcalf’s amazing play also. Golden

State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr–

who has commanded a dynasty in the

Bay Area– called the chase-down tackle” one of the most unbelievable things I have actually ever seen in sports.” This is one

of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen in sports.

https://t.co/6vw2bfTHHo!.?.!— Steve Kerr( @SteveKerr) October 26, 2020 Chad Johnson– AKA Ochocinco– questioned whether Metcalf’s full-field sprint or Baker’s interception was the more fantastic task. The consensus in the remarks was that

the Seahawks sophomore takes the cake. What’s more outstanding, Bakers interception or Metcalf hustle to stop a goal

– Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) October

26, 2020 Johnny Manziel, a 2014 first-round draft pick and previous Cleveland Browns quarterback, was most impressed by Metcalf’s effort. This is how you tell just how much a man truly offers a shit.

Metcalf!!! Wow! Former NFL safety

and current ESPN analyst Ryan Clark was expert by Metcalf’s speed, given his hulking stature. Metcalf will retake the field next week as Seattle heads back to the Emerald City to host the San Francisco 49ers .

from TAXI NEAR ME https://taxi.nearme.host/the-entire-sports-world-was-in-wonder-after-dk-metcalfs-uber-athletic-chase-down-deal-with-on-budda-baker-including-baker-himself/

[escapetravel]

Majestic glaciers and fantastic excursions in Alaska

On my recent trip to Alaska, I came face to face with a magnificent glacier. The glacier was an amazing color, and to see it’s size and density was something to behold. Shrouded in clouds, and gleaming with iridescence light, the glacier stood out against the backdrop of dark stone it was buried in. The contrast struck me as familiar. The glacier represented how I find truth in my life, buried in stone and slowly moving into my awareness.

One of my favorite writers is Barbara Kingsolver and a quote of hers is:

“ Pain reaches the heart with electrical speed, but truth moves to the heart as slowly as a glacier.”

I was on this trip with my husband and it was one of our shared “bucket list” items; to visit the great inside passage and see the majesty of Glacier Bay. My niece Krista Moore is a travel agent at Escape travel and she made all the arrangements. She booked us on the Emerald Princess for the 7 day cruise with several fantastic excursions planned. Best of all, our fist day at sea was where I celebrated my birthday. 

I woke up on my birthday to balloons and cards from the Cruise staff. I took a jog out on the upper deck and all I could see was the expanse of the Pacific Ocean, shining and brilliant blue. The rest of the day was all about exploring the ship- visiting the shops, the art gallery, the spa, the buffets and my favorite spot was the all you can eat pizza bar. 

That evening we enjoyed a formal dinner of filet mignon.For dessert they brought me the most delicious chocolate mousse cake adorned with gold flourishes. My husband enjoyed a wonderful creme brulee.

The excursions we enjoyed were watching a Lumberjack competition in Ketchikan, touring a Gold Mine in Juneau and exploring trails and rivers in Skagway. Each place was more magnificent than the next and the locals were so wonderful and helpful. They depend on the tourism that the cruise ships bring each season, and it is great to see the pride they take in their cities.

One very special visit while in Ketchikan was to a church that had been built by the Tongass people in 1902. St. John’s Episcopal is the oldest church building standing in Ketchikan. The sanctuary, finished with cedar from a Saxman mill, has magnificent stained glass windows throughout and our guide was delighted to show us all the craftsmanship.

On our way back home, we had one final stop in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. We had just a few hours to visit this historic city by the water. The sun was setting and with the Fairmont Empress hotel sparkling with lights as the backdrop,we had the chance to watch a man playing the bagpipes in full uniform. We made it back to the ship and as it headed back to Seattle, we sat out on the deck watching a movie under the stars  We just snuggled together (the air temperature was below 30 degrees)and reflected on how we were so grateful for this totally enjoyable trip. 

[jonpertwee]

I underwent a lot of trauma as a kid from the instability of going from shelter to shelter and apparently I got attached and had to say goodbye so much it was breaking me psychologically and my mom got me therapists (which is kickass parenting because, hey, homeless).

Anyway, I was hysterical or something at one point and someone put me in a bed that wasn't mine all by myself and it was completely dark and the window was open. And this marching band proceeded to climb through the window, glowing brightly, carrying trumpets and drums, parading around the bed. I remember it quite well. I started laughing and laughing... No idea what happened next.

On my fourth birthday, I was in another shelter and other people there came to help with cake and gifts and my favourite was The Wizard of Oz on VHS. Dorothy was displaced, too! Dorothy just wanted to get home, too! Dorothy was trying to find the Emerald City and I was trying to find my place in the Emerald City (Seattle, eyyy). "You always had the power to get back [...] She had to learn it for herself..."

Dude, you know what I just realized?? My mom is totally Glinda.

[sugarcubetravels]

"My first time (in an airport lounge)" aka Seattle!

I spent the past weekend down in the Emerald City as I attended the 4th annual Northwest Fantasy Quidditch Tournament that was held in the outskirts of Bellevue.

Instead of driving, I cashed out some of the Delta Skymiles I accumulated over the past couple of years and paid $60CAD out-of-pocket for a quick hop to SeaTac on Delta 4826 out of YVR (original price: $300ish)

Or at least that was the original plan…

The boarding procedure went by uneventfully; I zipped past security due to having a Nexus membership, and proceeded to my gate. Once we were on board, it became apparent that something was amiss as they weren’t closing the cabin door.

After about 10 minutes or so, the gate crew came onboard and stopped at a lady across the aisle from me in row 9; they had oversold the flight by ONE and she was the unlucky passenger that was chosen by the computer to give up her seat. She understandably wasn’t too happy about this and was in the beginnings of making a scene. At this point, the passengers around me began to whip out their cell phones in case a United Airlines situation happened.

It didn’t, because I gave up my seat.

Other than dinner plans with some friends later that evening, my schedule was wide open, and I wasn’t in a rush to get to Seattle. Turns out, there was a confirmed passenger who had a hearing impairment and didn’t hear the boarding announcements, so the gate crew made his seat available for the lone standby passenger. When the gate crew realized what had occurred, they began to retroactively fix the mistake.

In return for voluntarily giving up my seat, I was upgraded on the next flight to Seattle an hour later, and given a $400USD/$500CAD flight credit.

When I finally got to SeaTac, I planned to take a Lyft to my host’s home out in Redmond. I must say, I found it very fascinating that SeaTac had a designated “Rideshare App” pickup area.

For dinner, we went to the Ballard Pizza Company. It was great! The dining area had a very laid back, casual ambience, and the slices were HUGE. If any of you go there, you should try their Carbonara pizza! The only complaint I'd have about the place is that there were too few TV screens to watch the Seahawks game.

The next day was the tournament itself. For breakfast, I had my first taste of Panera! I had a sandwich that combined avocado, sun-dried tomatoes, and an egg white, and boy was it yummy!

After the tournament, the plan was to meet downtown near Pike Place Market for the after party. I had a good 5 hours to kill and so I went back to my host's place to freshen up before heading downtown.

I had a craving for Sushi, but the place I had in mind was closed during weekends (how is that a thing in 2017!?). I decided to stick with my seafood theme and try a promising place called Pike Place Chowder.

For dinner, I went with a footlong lobster roll and a seafood bisque on the side.

I've always wanted to try a lobster roll ever since I discovered it on triple-D (that's "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" from the Food Network for the uninitiated). The kind Guy Fieri tried was a plain butter-and-lobster sandwich, but Pike Place Chowder's take involved mayo among other things which, given that it was my first taste of a lobster roll, was fine with me.

I will say this though: having everything else on the bun (including the bun itself) warmed, and the lobster ice cold, really threw my tastebuds off, having to adapt to the difference in temperature.

The seafood bisque was flavourful as advertised, with a good heaping of seafood in it and it was something I didn't know I needed that night, as it was getting pretty windy/chilly walking downtown.

The next day, I decided to get to the airport early to take advantage of the PriorityPass membership I got with my BMO World Elite MasterCard.

I chose to try out the Alaska Lounge in Concourse C. Having not eaten anything prior to arriving at the airport, I was curious to see what food offerings the lounge had at 8 in the morning.

They had a modest selection: Starbucks coffee, bagels, cereal, oatmeal - the typical faire one would find at any motel's continental breakfast. What really made the experience for me was how they served pancakes: they had a machine that'll make them for you!

After grabbing a bite, I situated myself in one of the lounge chairs that was against the wall and drifted off for a quick nap. By the time I woke up, it was enough time for a leisurely walk to my gate for boarding.

Summary/Ratings:

Delta Flight: (4.8/5 cubes) The CRJ 701 is a bit small for my liking; I'm glad my initial YVR-SEA flight didn't work out, because the next flight used a slightly larger Embraer 175, which I think is small yet comfortable enough for these short hops. They get a huge recovery with how well they compensated me, though I would've loved the option of a Visa/MasterCard gift card.

Lyft: (4.5/5 cubes) My experience riding with Lyft in Seattle paralleled my past ridership with them. If it wasn't for the fact that one of the riders seemed to have a bad case of road rage, they'd get full points from me! (Also, PLEASE COME TO VANCOUVER)

Ballard Pizza Company: (4/5 cubes) Named after the defenseman everyone in Vancouver loved to give flak to (not really), this place had as good of a slice (or 20) as I've ever had in the quarter century I've eaten pizza (really, I had pizza as a birthday cake one year as a kid). Again, the only thing preventing these guys from getting a perfect score is the fact that they had very few screens to watch sports on.

Pike Place Chowder: (4/5 cubes) The food? Great. The price? Reasonable. The only thing I'd take points off for these guys is the fact their Pike Place Market location was closed by the time I went downtown. Also, there wasn't many seating choices available in their mall location.

What lounge would you folks recommend at SeaTac? What other great/wallet-friendly good options would you have me try the next time I'm in Seattle?

Next up: Calgary, Long Beach, Toronto, and Providence, RI (maybe)

[emeraldcitycakes-blog]

🐼🐼🐼

[altughuner-blog]

The Nordic Museum has been a fixture of Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood for nearly four decades. Originally opening in 1980 as the Nordic Heritage Museum, it moved to its new-and-improved location on Market Street earlier this year. The museum is dedicated to honoring the legacy of immigrants to the United States from the five Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. In addition to their regular exhibits, the Nordic Museum also hosts a variety of dances, films, and festivals that are fun for the whole family.

On foot, the trek from downtown Seattle to Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood would take nearly two hours. However, thanks to King County Metro, the Nordic Museum is a mere 30-minute bus ride on Route 40 from the heart of downtown. Bus fares range from $1.50 for youth to $2.75 for adults and can be purchased with cash – exact change required – or directly from your smartphone using the Transit GO Ticket App (available for Apple, Google, or Microsoft). Bus routes and schedules are publicly posted on the King County Metro website, and the One Bus Away app (available for Apple, Google, or Microsoft) gives riders real-time reports on their bus’s status (early, late, or on-time).

If life has taught me anything, it’s that the journey matters just as much as the destination. With so many activities to choose from, here’s a rundown of some of my favorite spots along the way:

White peach (left) and pink guava (right) ginger beer from Rachel’s Ginger BeerPhoto Credit: Edan Patterson

1.     Before boarding the bus, take some time to explore downtown – and any trip to downtown would be woefully incomplete without an adventure through Pike Place Market. One of the oldest farmers-markets in the United States and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, the Market is home to fishmongers, the first Starbucks, and about 240 other “mom-and-pop” businesses in the Market Historical District. Stop into Rachel’s Ginger Beer for handmade sodas (personally, I recommend the white peach ginger beer, but the pink guava is also spectacular). You can even take your ginger beer game to the next level by making it a soft-serve float! With your spiced beverage in one hand and bus fare (or Transit GO App) in the other, you’re ready to start your adventure. Hop on the bus at 3rd Ave and Pine Street and ride 2 stops (5 minutes) to the first location.

A chocolate frosted old fashioned from Top Pot DoughnutPhoto Credit: Edan Patterson

2.     Hop off the bus at Blanchard Street and 6th Ave to try Seattle sweet spot Top Pot Doughnuts. Top Pot opened its first location in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood back in 2002, and has since expanded to nearly two dozen locations throughout Washington and Texas. Offering more than forty different types of hand-forged doughnuts, there’s something for everyone – from chocolate-frosted old-fashioneds to blueberry specialty cakes to raspberry-filled bulls-eyes. 10/10 would recommend pairing your tasty treat with coffee or tea and spending some time unwinding in their cozy café. After satisfying your sugar cravings, be sure to snap a pic of their highly Instagrammable neon sign before getting back on the bus at Blanchard and 6th and riding 2 stops (5 minutes) to the next location.

The buffalo mozzarella pizza from Serious Pie & BiscuitPhoto Credit: Edan Patterson

3.     If it’s before 3:00pm and you’re craving biscuits (or after 11:00am and you’re craving pizza), head over to Serious Pie & Biscuit at the corner of Westlake Ave N and Harrison Street. “The Zach” – a biscuit with fried chicken, Tobasco black pepper gravy, fried egg, and bacon – is everything I want in a biscuit and more (or, if you have a sweet tooth like me, the biscuit with peanut butter, banana and honey is equally delectable). For lunch or dinner, I go for the buffalo mozzarella pizza, although my roommate swears by their Yukon gold potato pizza. Once you’ve had your fill, get back on the bus at Westlake and Harrison and ride 2 stops (5 minutes) to the next location.

MOHAI and the Center for Wooden Boats at South Lake UnionPhoto Credit: Edan Patterson

4.     The Museum of History and Industry, or MOHAI, is just across the street from the 40’s bus stop at Westlake Ave N and Mercer Street. MOHAI features local artifacts ranging from Boeing’s first commercial plane to Rainier Brewing Company’s neon “R” sign. MOHAI is open daily 10:00am – 5:00pm with free admission on the first Thursday of the month (usually $20 for adults). Alternatively, the next-door Center for Wooden Boats at South Lake Union is always free! Walk the docks, explore the boats, and browse the exhibits free of charge – all with panoramic views of the beautiful Lake Union. After you’ve seen the Pocock Shells, climbed aboard the Dora and Wally, and wandered the Boathouse for a bit, get back on the bus at Westlake and Mercer and ride 8 stops (11 minutes) to the next location.

The Fremont RocketPhoto Credit: Edan Patterson

5.     At 36th Street and Dayton Ave, explore some of Fremont’s local landmarks! One of Seattle’s most eclectic neighborhoods, Fremont is home to the iconic “Center of the Universe” sign at the intersection of Fremont Place, Fremont Ave, and 35th Street, and the “Fremont Troll” under the Aurora Bridge off 36th. Fremont is also home to several other lesser-known landmarks, such as “Waiting for the Interurban” (an aluminum sculpture on 34th Street depicting six people and a dog waiting for the streetcar) and “The Fremont Rocket” (a sculpture off 35th Street made of military surplus depicting a fictional rocket). After snapping a few artsy photos for the social media platform of your choice, get back on the bus at 36th and Dayton and ride 9 stops (13 minutes) to the Nordic Museum.

Inside the Nordic MuseumPhoto Credit: Edan Patterson

The Nordic Museum is located two and a half blocks west of the 40’s stop at NW Market Street and Ballard Ave. Open 10:00am – 5:00pm Tuesday through Sunday (except Thursdays, when they are open until 8:00pm), the museum features a collection of 77,000 artifacts tracing 12,000 years of Nordic History. These artifacts include art, tools, jewelry, coins, weapons, boats, and much, much more. Be sure to stop in between now and April 14th to see the ‘The Vikings Begin’ exhibit on loan from Uppsala University, Sweden, featuring a collection of 1,300-year-old items from the pre-Viking Age. This is the first time that these artifacts have ever crossed the Atlantic – see them now before they return!

And, just like that, voila! You are now an expert on Nordic History *and* King County’s public transportation system. You can continue taking the 40 all the way up to Northgate Mall, or take it south past Rachel’s Ginger Beer to King Street Station and Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. Or choose your own adventure on a different line – with over 200 King County Metro bus routes serving the Puget Sound area, Seattle’s public transportation makes navigating the Emerald City simple and cost-effective.

The post One Bus Away: Pike Place Market to the Nordic Museum appeared first on Visit Seattle.

[sun-cheyne]

PORTLAND, Ore. — Dark Horse Comics and Gigantic Brewing Company got together over the Emerald City con weekend to debut the first of their six Hellboy collaboration beers.

The beers, each of which are specially made to represent a character from the Hellboy series, will be released throughout the year to celebrate 25 years of Mike Mignola’s “Hellboy: Seed of Destruction.”

RELATED: Hellboy turns 25 and Gigantic Brewing and Dark Horse are giving us beer

I was able to taste the inaugural beer in Seattle. It is a maple pancake beer for Hellboy himself and it was amazingly well-balanced and drinkable. That sentiment was echoed from several people I talked to in the bar.

For more from Dark Horse and Gigantic Brewing on their process check out the video below:

If you missed out on the Seattle event, don’t worry. Saturday, March 23 is Hellboy Day and Gigantic Brewing and Dark Horse will be at Things from Another World, located at 2916 NE Broadway, Portland, to celebrate.

Gigantic will have the maple beer on tap, there will be a special Hellboy cake and artists and authors there doing signings. Don’t miss out, the event is from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Now, the beers will be a limited release, with just 666 cases per beer (ha!). However, according to Ben Love, owner of Gigantic Brewing Company, the beers will be in 23 markets. For more about how to get your hands on some, check out Gigantic Brewing’s website.

For more about Hellboy, check out Dark Horse Comic’s website.

Destiny Johnson is a digital investigative reporter at KGW but she also likes comics and beers. When she’s not reading court documents she reviews comics and nerd news on YouTube once a week. She’s on Twitter and posts a lot of pictures of her dog @hello_destiny.

[srseattlestreetnews]

Seattle Street News 55, Crimes of Passion/Fashion

Runner News:

Our Favorite Runner Team On the Outs

Bad News for fans of one of our favorite runner teams. Sources tell me that MMFEC, who used to be on retainer for a certain charitable organization, is no longer on retainer for that organization. What happened? Some people say that it had to do with too much publicity after the Horizon Technomancer Kidnapping Scandal. Turns out having your faces all over CorpNews when you should be in the shadows is the definition of MM-FEC’ing it up. But look all you Fixers and Johnsons, SSN knows that MMFEC has done more in the shadows for the city than many of our other runner teams out there. And if you know what I’m talking about, then you know how valuable a team MMFEC is. Throw them some work!

 City News:

Cybersnatcher Update…Looks like we have a Ripper!

Last issue of the SSN detailed a rash of attacks that indicated the possibility of a cybersnatcher on the loose in the Barrens. However, the SSN has gotten exclusive vid from a loyal tipster that indicates there might be a ripper on the loose. The feed we received was from an ATM camera across the street from the clinic Fragilé! not too far from the Body Mall. The footage [attached below] shows an Ork woman emerge from the alleyway next to the clinic wearing a long coat and rubbing her neck in pain. She enters the clinic and that is the last the ATM camera catches her. Our tipster provided us with video from inside the clinic where the ork woman enters and takes a seat in the waiting room. She kept rubbing her neck and seemed to draw within herself. She had been bouncing her knee like she was bored, but suddenly it seemed like her whole body began trembling. With no warning, the ork put her hand inside her deep coat pocket and froze. In a flash she leapt up and withdrew her hand from her pocket revealing a Butcher's Knife. She lunged to attack people, who were scrambling to leave, and that is where the camera feed cut off with only a warning from Knight Errant's Cyber Security division about tampering with evidence.

We have not been able to get any comments from Knight Errant about the incident other than some threatening questions about how we even know about it. Reporters have gone to the clinic, but it is shut up tight behind KE security. Why so much security for a back alley cyber clinic? Who is the ork woman? Above is a photo taken from the video. If anyone knows her, or knows anyone who was in the clinic at the time of the attack, contact the SSN!

 Terminal Light—(by demmalition1)

It’s just past 4:30AM this morning, time to let these demons out to wreck havoc upon the slumbering Emerald City.  They’re purring right now, waiting for their masters to slam their foot to the floor and let them roar to life with a furious anger.  The nightlife in Seattle will never cease to amaze me.  It truly won’t.

The crowds these events attract are some of the most eclectic people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.  There have to be at least thirty people here gathering under the various banners of their respective corners of the city.  There’s a gang of ghouls, orks, humans, a multiracial group, and even a clan of dwarves under the name of the V 0.8’s (a reference to the fact that they’re only 0.8 meters tall between them, which is short even for a dwarf).

Then you’ve got Apollo, he’s been racing for a little over three years as he tells it.  His bright green ork skin is about to be caked in an orange powder before he gets into his souped up dragster.  A dragster that he claims to have custom built from various parts “scavenged throughout the city,” his deep Tennessee accent reverberating through every last word.  His assistants come up to him and take handfuls of powder, throwing them across his body.  Wham.  Wham.  Wham.  Each handful thrown harder than the last.  His entire body is surrounded by an orange haze that glows slightly under the dim streetlight hanging above him.  It crowns him like a god about to mount their chariot, wreathed in warpaint and flames, out to conquer the world.  He enters his car and lights it up.  Flames spew out the dual side-mounted exhausts, licking the sides of his chrome warbeast.  The demon inside the hood roars to life as he does several donuts to warm up the tires and test the engine for faults.  Once ready he takes his place alongside his other combatants.  The chariot of fire and blood is ready to claim another championship.  The countdown begins.  Three... two... one...

And they’re off!  The sound is deafening as the demonic hellscape begins to roar and reverberate throughout the quiet streets of the Seattle outskirts.  They’re all racing towards the center of the metroplex many kilometers away from here, a journey that should take about half an hour to reach.  As they fade into the distance and round the first corner marked in AR small vidscreens begin to pop up among the crowd.  It’s a livefeed from every possible angle thanks to the nanocam systems hooked into each vehicle.  You can hop from the hood of one car to the eyes of the second driver and see the rear bumper of the third car all in a flash.  For those special members with a DNI Control Rig or other means of interfacing they can even passively jump into the cars themselves!  Hearing the screech of the tires and feeling the weight of your own body shift as you round the next corner leaving your opponents in the dust is truly an exhilarating experience!

About fifteen minutes into the race the ghoul car takes a corner too tight and flips over itself several times.  A trail of wreckage lies in its wake as a pile of twisted neon and metal create an amalgam of failure.  A few freaks in the crowd even jump into the car as it flips and begin replaying the moment over and over, it’s as if reliving their own death makes them feel alive.  The driver of the now desecrated beast of burden is alive, but his shins are broken in three places requiring a hospital visit.  Foul play is called by his crew but is dismissed almost immediately by everyone there.

The final stretch is approaching, Apollo is in the lead, but only just as the elf, human, and dwarf drivers are hot on his tail.  The sun is starting to creep up now turning the sky from its former pitch black to a soft hue of deep blues and purples.  The racers know they don’t have much time left as the finish line draws near.  The dwarf of the V 0.8’s pulls ahead, slamming his pedal to the floor in a great and furious anger.  His demonic beast, however, is startled by this and over revs, causing a minor stall in the car and even busting a gasket, knocking him out of the race!  The human driver’s car cannot keep up either as he is slowly left behind when they enter the cavernous twists and turns of the concrete jungle.

Now it’s just Apollo and the elf.  Neck and neck.  Racing against themselves and the rising sun which is now a blood red.  The sky itself is seemingly burning in conflagration, setting the scene for a showdown of cataclysmic proportions.  At the very last second Apollo deploys his nitrous boosters and pulls well ahead of the elf, setting a clear path to salvation!

And then it happens.  Apollo crosses the finish line.  His chariot of fire pulling the sun behind it like tales of old.  The god of the Emerald City can claim his rightful throne.  Victory!  Victory at last! Back at the starting line the crowd erupts in a great and uproarious cheer as Apollo exits his car.  Libations are had and hands are shook.  There is much talk about the race, some of the more chromed individuals among us replay Apollo’s victory to relive secondhand glory.  But just as the excitement reaches its peak the jubilant crowd begins to fracture.  The sun is almost up now, and each person heads off in their own individual directions to go sleep off the nightlife.  The electricity in the air subsumes and the neon lights power down.  The streetlights power down and give way to the great inferno in the sky.  Some earlybird wageslaves can be seen commuting in their plainly colored rust buckets.  Apollo, I’m told, is going to head to some upscale club downtown to celebrate his victory.

The sun is awake and has slain the nightlife of this city with a blinding light.  The nightlife that writhed in ecstasy is now departed from this land to slumber.  An entire culture rises to the surface and falls to the ground in the span of a few hours as the beat of the nightlife fades away.  They’ll be back tonight, and I plan to see them again soon.

The day passes.  The sun sets and shadows lengthen.  Darkness spreads as pinpoints of light begin to dot the streets and spread down the line like a snake.  It is dark now.  Time to light up the night.

 Aurora U-Storage On Fire…Again

You all know that storage warehouse in Aurora? The one where corp types and shadow denizens like to store things that they don’t want anyone else to know about? You know that warehouse with the utmost discretion? The one that was set on fire a few months ago in some sort of shadowrun related shenanigans? Yeah, well, that warehouse was set on fire again, quite mysteriously. On the plus side, Aurora U-Storage seems to have installed some impressive anti-arson upgrades to the warehouse. On the down side, runners keep targeting that place. I ask you all, is this really where you want to store your secret goods?

 Entertainment News

Lightning Doesn’t Strike Twice, But Thunder Does!

In 2071 four orks found they all liked a fusion of garage metal and​ classical music, and the band Golden Dumpster Fire was born from that interest: Cellists​ Ford Arkash, and Barash Furysong, vocalist J'mee Thunder, and percussionist Thur Canaan. They spent two years playing small clubs before they got a paying job for a Mr Pendleton, who fronted for their first album, ghost dragon, which placed fifth on billboard for three months. They worked in studio for a year and brought out their second album, permanent vacation, which did better, but the clan wars brought the group to a standstill and “permanent vacation” became prophetic. Fans of the group clamored for more from the group for years, and it seemed that desire would never be fulfilled. Just another band with a lot of promise that fell to obscurity.

However, there is reason for Golden Dumpster Fire fans to rejoice! J'mee Thunder has returned with a self titled album, J’mee Thunder, and he plans to start his world tour in the Seattle Metroplex. And don’t tell anyone I told you, but rumor has it he’ll be doing a secret unplugged show just for fans the day before the big concert. Where will it be? Let me put it this way: it will be in the same club, where Arkash used his bow as a weapon to defend Thunder from an overzealous fan strung out on Bliss. Fans called this the Errol Flynn Incident. If you know where that happened, you know where the concert will be. Look out for it. Brought to you by the Crowne.

 BeyonZ, Kappa, and Exploitation: The Case of Lawrence Stock

By now you’ve all seen the footage on Kappa. A small apartment living room. The Space Needle visible through the open window, far away in the background. Gray weather, the smell of rain coming to mind, instinctively, as if transmitted by the trid. The picture moved a meter to the right, focusing on a grave boyish face. The fluorescent blue hair, the outrageous makeup are those of none other than NeoNET’s famous host and entertainer, BeyonZ.

He turned to the middle-aged lady on his left and said with a look of concern, “Lily I mean Mrs. Stock... I may call you Lily, right?”

She answered the question thrown at her with a nod.

BeyonZ: “Lily, by now our viewers are probably familiar with your emotional plea on Kappa. Your husband Lawrence has been missing for a month, now. The last time you saw him, he was going on a tour…”

It is true, we have all seen the footage…the emotional plea. Lily Stock was clearly upset and Kappa new that was ratings gold.

The woman raised her head, slowly, a faint smile on her lips. The camera focused on her face, making sure all of her emotions were on display. The perfect makeup she wore contrasted with her tattered clothes, making her look like an extra on Horizon’s Les Miz ‘77.  

Lily: “Yes, sir. He’s lead singer for Larry and the Red Gods. They’re a small indie band. All locals. Larry was so excited, that day. All smiles. Humming ‘Roses are red…’ He got a call. His friends were there. He gave me a peck on the cheek and the next instant I heard him running down the stairs. The elevator was broken. I went to the window, watched him greet his band mates. They were all set, with their cello and guitar cases strapped to their shoulders. They looked happy. Their driver must have shouted something, because at some point the five of them all turned their head toward a black van and climbed onto it.” 

The video went back to BeyonZ who asked, “So, the black van left and you’ve not had any news since?”

Lily: “Well, he called me later in the afternoon. They were at the warehouse where their gig was taking place… Larry, if you hear me, call me, call us.”

The picture moved to the right, toward another room after hearing some dog barks in the background. The dog must have been there in the back, invisible.

Then Lily cried, “See, Larry? Skippy has been so sad since you left. And the children too. Oh, Larry, please, come back soon,” before breaking into uncontrollable sobbing. The lady buried her face in her hands.

When the picture moved back to BeyonZ, all of us who weren’t fooled by the corporate glitz, could see that he was trying to hide his glee. This is a story about a man who went missing, a man whose family wonders where he is. And how does Kappa’s BeyonZ respond to this tragedy? He turns and her and says, in front of all the world, “Lily, are you ready to face the truth? We have exclusive pictures of your husband with a young lady. We’ll be back after these commercials.” Of course, the dramatic music swelled as the camera zoomed in on a last glimpse of Mrs. Stock, looking at the camera, clearly taken aback.

Is this what viewers of corp media want? Exploitation of people’s pain? Larry and the Red Gods were a decent indie band (though my sources say that they ran in the shadows more than they played on stage, if you know what I mean), and his family seems to be in pain and need help rather than be put on display. This is a situation that should be taken care of by us. You denizens of the shadows, have you heard what happened to Larry and the Red Gods? Good or ill, Lilly Stock deserves to know. Send in your tips.

 Features:

Once More 15--(by Breach)

If you’re reading this, you’re probably already familiar with the Corporate Court’s relaunch of the Wireless Matrix, an initiative headed by Danielle de la Mar.  You may not know all the details, or the history, however - we’re not all Matrix-wired desk jockeys, after all - so I’ve decided to devote a bit of time to education in the regard.

On December 1, 2074, de la Mar announced the new Matrix protocols that would be rolled out over the next month, with a launch date of January 2075.  On January 1, the new protocols came online, along with the new grids and a new Matrix.  Three years in and it’s starting to feel normal, but our new Grid Overwatch Division overlords didn’t always have such a tight hand on the reins.

In the wake of Crash 2.0, distribution was the watchword - a travesty like the Crash should never be allowed again, and making sure there was no centralised network was the way to get there.  The Wireless Matrix was born of desperation and need, built roughly and slapshot in an effort to get the world running again.  While the Grid Overwatch Division existed, its authority was limited and the scope under which it could operate was small; there existed no overarching grids to monitor and every host and commlink was left on its own to negotiate the new Matrix.  

It was a golden age for those that run the shadows.

Of course, de la Mar and GOD were able to spin this into a need for more control and more constraint; information was free, and the Corporations hate that.  So new protocols were rolled out and all the old tricks and devices were cut off from the whole.  Hackers had to find new tools to access the new systems (though GOD did make the mistake of asking some prominent hackers to test the new systems, so they didn’t fall too far behind), and hacking became far more serious a crime than it had before - punishable by death in many cases.

Instead of one big open playground, the new Matrix has been divided into grids - ten global grids operated by the ten Court Megacorporations, individual regional and national grids operated by various governments across the globe (like Seattle’s very own Emerald City grid, which many of you access this paper from), and even an eleventh official global grid, operated by charity and legacy and, much like the pre-de la Mar Matrix, open to everyone, though somewhat removed from the new protocols and systems.  Operating on the public grid is a bit like decking through molasses - possible, but slow and unpleasant.  I don’t recommend it for any serious Matrix work.

The new Matrix holds secrets that even GOD doesn’t fully understand, though.  The Foundation - the ultraviolet, hyper-real underlayer that rests beneath every host and device in the new Matrix - is poorly understood, even by the architects that craft hosts from its essence.  And then we have Technomancers that speak of Resonance Realms, similar in some ways to the Metaplanes Magicians speak of.  Our new Matrix has brought us new frontiers to explore.

Frontiers that may be connected to next week’s topic, the new plague on everyone’s lips: CFD.

Questions about history? Ask Breach! breach.ssn@gmail.com

 Fashion News?

Crimes of Fashion or Good Samaritan?

Reports on the street are that people are getting spontaneous, and probably magical, fashion makeovers as they are walking down the street minding their own business. So it seems there is a good Samaritan turning people’s dreary togs to something more interesting. The only thing is…that the new togs seem to be very fashionable in cut and design, but somewhat...unconventional in color choice. Are these new clashing colors a sign of fashion to come or are they crimes of fashion? Or is this some sort of reality show that has yet to be announced? Have you been given a make-over? Contact the SSN and give us the info!

 Seattle Street News is an independent activist news source released weekly on Tuesdays or Wednesdays

[Watch CorporateSINs on every Wednesday, 6pm PST or on Youtube at, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h11c7BLFQtc&list=PLHKocVDXoWBtzze1SGGUnU6KB5UFrDLFo]

[everyonesaysiloveyourp]

BIRTHDATE: 18 December 1995

OCCUPATION: Self-employed; proprietor of Baked Berries, an online vegan bakery

COLLEGE ATTENDED: Columbus State Community College - Baking and Pastry Arts Associate Degree

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single

PERSONALITY IN HS: Intense and naive with a penchant for being overbearing and persistent. Having been homeschooled for the first thirteen years of her life, Rachel’s initial knowledge of certain social mores can be lacking and often results in self-conscious feelings and -doubt. She can also push buttons with constant questioning and seemingly never-ending talking, but her intentions are always good, and at the heart of it all, she just wants to acceptance.

PERSONALITY IN THE PRESENT: With age comes maturity and also some mellowing. While Rachel can still be intense and persistence, such traits have been honed toward making her successful in her growing business. 

ROMANTICS PLOT: One Night Stand

Having children wasn’t ever part of Leroy and Hiram Berry’s life plan, though neither was returning to Ohio. But Hiram’s parents wanted to retire to Florida and when they asked him to move home to take care of the farm, he felt obligated to indulge their request since they had taken care of him most of his life. While unpacking boxes in his childhood home, Hiram came across his growth chart – his mother meticulously measured every six months – on the back of the pantry door, and it was like being bit by a bug. He started nesting, and soon enough had Leroy on board, and eighteen months later Rachel Barbra came home.

Now the Liebowitz family farm wasn’t a huge operation. On an unincorporated lot of Allen county land the farm was a mix between hobby and self-sufficiency with the potential for supplementary income, so Hiram didn’t need to stay home, but when Rachel arrived he didn’t have a desire to return to a daily 9-5 grind. Leroy was happy enough to bring home the metaphorical bacon, and for someone who didn’t even think he’d ever have a child, Hiram reveled in the role of a stay-at-home dad. From sunrise to sunset, Rachel was his shadow, his mini-me. She toddled along for daily chores, sat in his lap for tea parties and story time, and provided nightly performances – from pots and pans percussion to silly songs – during dinner prep. And every six months, Hiram would mark Rachel’s height along the back of the pantry door.

When it came time for Rachel to start school, Hiram contacted the superintendent with his intent to home school. It was what he had been doing for the past two years, starting when Rachel had initially shown an interest in learning to read at age three. He didn’t see a point in changing their routine, and honestly Rachel didn’t know any different. Her dads were her best friends, along with her animals, and there was Noah, too, but she only saw him on Saturdays at Temple. So each morning she’d wake up and help clean stalls and do morning feedings, and then she’d settle in at the kitchen table for daily lessons.

A different lesson became a defining moment in Rachel’s young life when her fathers thought she was old enough to learn and fully understand the circle of life. However, rather than being understanding about sending one of their Jersey cows off to slaughter, Rachel was horrified and refused to eat dinner that night with bite-sized of pieces of steak on her plate. From that day forward, she became – after hours of googling and researching and at times having to ask her Daddy to explain things – a vegan. And since Lima was filled with carnivores and dietary items in stores, let alone restaurants, were hard to come by, Rachel’s knowledge of and love for all things culinary began. Soon enough their farm included an extensive vegetable garden, and where storybooks used to line shelves, soon cook books and how-to’s took their place.  

And just as Rachel’s knowledge of the world grew, so did her desire to spend time with fellow peers. Though she could have always gone into town and participated in after school activities, Rachel never asked, but mostly because she didn’t know they existed. She was happy at home, but now Noah would talk about football and school events like dances where everyone just stood around in circles, and Rachel wanted to experience that. She logically laid out her argument for wanting to attend public school to her fathers, and they agreed she was old enough to make her own decisions. They assumed they’d be enrolling her in the eighth grade as that was technically where she belonged, but on paper and academically it was determined that ninth grade would be a better fit. Her parents were rightfully concerned that Rachel would be out of her element and overwhelmed with all the changes, but ever the outward optimist, Rachel insisted that she would be fine. She was smart, academically advanced, and Noah had promised to look out for her.

Which he did, even when other students would call her weird or strange, make fun of her dads, or concoct ridiculous stories as to why Rachel was home schooled in the first place. Noah was always at Rachel’s side to offer a protective arm, a sneer or glare, and to do his best to help her fit in. It was how Rachel was introduced and eventually became a part of The Romantics, and how she met Quinn. Rachel won Quinn Fabray over by killing her with kindness, refusing to be put off by feigned eye rolls of annoyance, and gradually tearing down the walls Quinn always seemed to have built up around her. And the person beyond the walls and underneath the masks? Rachel thought she was not only one of the greatest people to walk the earth, but the prettiest, too, and was over the moon when their friendship flourished to best friend levels.

Because best friends hung out all the time, walked to class together, had sleepovers, and shared their hopes and dreams and desires, and especially their secrets. Rachel thought that perhaps one of Quinn’s secrets that she wasn’t quite yet willing to share was that she liked Rachel as more than a friend and that the hugs that lasted longer than normal, the kisses on the cheek, the friendly handholds were all just hints and clues, but that Quinn was simply too afraid to make the first move. So one summer night before senior year, Rachel decided she could be the brave one, that she could have enough courage – and liquid courage at that – for the both of them, and boldly kissed Quinn. Confirming her suspicions – and her hopes and dreams and desires – Quinn kissed Rachel back. But fueled by alcohol and lust, they didn’t stop at just kissing, and by the time they fell asleep in each other’s arms, Rachel had given Quinn a special part of herself she could never get back, along with her heart.

But just as Rachel learned all the things that best friends did together, she learned the hard way that they don’t kiss, and especially don’t sleep together, because the morning after, Quinn yelled and threatened, and forced Rachel out of her home. Senior year was supposed to be their year, but instead Rachel started it feeling rejected, used, and without a best friend by her side, more than a little broken. It was a bit like freshman year all over again. While Rachel still had her friends, she once again didn’t feel like she fit. She missed Quinn and was lonely, so Rachel filled the emptiness with cooking and baking, and planning for her future because it had to be brighter than the life she was currently living.

And it was because Rachel, even if they no longer involved Quinn, still had hopes and dreams and desires, as well as the tenacity to pursue them and make them come true, and attending Columbus State was the first step. More than financially feasible and with a commute that allowed her to live at home and save, Rachel had her Associate’s degree after four semesters (and a summer term) as well as a boyfriend. While dropping off a cake for a wedding, Rachel met Jesse St. James, the singer for the event. He found her oddities endearing, and rather than being put off by his narcissism, Rachel was charmed.

While their romance was a bit of a whirlwind, it was Jesse, rather than a tornado, who was the catalyst for Rachel packing up her belongings and moving across the country to the Emerald City. But even after their eventual breakup, Rachel had no desire to click her heels three times and return home, because Seattle was home now. She and Jesse managed to figure out how to not only remain friends, but also live together, and rather than complain about the small business that Rachel began to run out of their kitchen, he offered a helping hand (and a good palate for taste-testing).

Initially running on nothing but blind faith and word of mouth, the success of Baked Berries, Rachel’s online vegan bakery, has steadily grown over the past two years with a loyal clientele and partnerships with local shops. But Rachel has her eyes on a bigger prize, especially now that she has nearly enough capital to make the dream of a brick and mortar shop a reality. She just has to get through a road trip reunion first, and deal with the feelings she’s sure will be stirred up by seeing all her high school friends, and especially Quinn, once again. And since she’s left Jesse and Mike, a recent hire, hire in charge while she’s gone, Rachel just hopes the business is still thriving by the time she returns home.

CONNECTIONS

QUINN FABRAY: Former best friends. A drunken hookup the summer before senior year causes Quinn to panic and push Rachel away and freeze her out. They remain ‘friends’ on a surface level, forcing polite interaction when the whole group gets together, otherwise they ignore each other, and the rejection, though Rachel’s tried her best not to think about Quinn since graduation, still stings to this day.

NOAH PUCKERMAN: Good friends. Having known one another since they were young things attending Temple, Rachel credits Noah as the sole force behind her initially being tolerated by and eventually taken into the fold of The Romantics. They’ve remained close since graduation, with Rachel sending Puck letters and sweets while he was deployed, and updating each other on their lives.