Hello, Seattle!

This has been a whirlwind of a weekend.

ALA, Library stuff, and vendors.

Good friends, good conversation, good food, good beer, good times, Twin Peaks, cherry pie and a damn good cup of coffee, and the drama that became Japanese candy. Did I mention good friends?

I've been in Seattle since Friday for ALA Midwinter. I attended my meetings, hit the exhibit hall, talked to some reps, picked up a Chaucer bobblehead, and saw some library people I hadn't seen in a while.

When I wasn't doing ALA stuff, I was with Kevin. We drank some beers, saw a band and a half (my absolute exhaustion meant we missed most of the good band; sorry, Kevin.) Had breakfast at Pike Place Market. Ate pizza, met Jewels (the girlfriend) and Phoenix (the daughter). Drank some more beer, talked a lot, and harassed poor Nathan on the phone and via text messages.

Four of us went to North Bend to see some Twin Peaks sites. Ate at Twede's Cafe (aka the Double R Dinner). Saw the Falls and the building used for the Great Northern Inn. Tried to find the entrance to Twin Peaks but after driving up and down the same road, bickering (and being compared to a seventh grader; I stick my tongue out in your general direction, Kevin) -- we gave up. But we did see the "Roadhouse" and probably drove right by Ed's Garage. And what were we listening to while doing this? The soundtrack to Twin Peaks, of course. Why? Because we are complete and total geeks. At least we were all in good company.

A few pictures:

Twin Peaks

The building used for the exterior of The Great Northern Inn;
the interior was shot elsewhere.

The Falls and "The Great Nothern Inn"

Had several driving tours of Seattle. One of them consisted of me saying, "Hey, look, there's the Space Needle" every two minutes. Hit an Asian market in the International Disctrict and bought a Hello Kitty business card case (I'm a dork).

Finally got the Seattle snowglobe I have wanted for so many years. The Space Needle as a ring toss--it's the exact one I wanted. Also picked up a Space Needle Christmas ornament. Because as anyone who knows me knows, if it is tacky and kitchy, I will buy it. But, I did not buy a purse. I looked in Nordtroms, Nodstroms Rack, and Macy's for my Perfect Red Purse, and it was not to be found.

So it's my last night in Seattle, and I am sitting in my hotel room in my PJs. But you know, after going non-stop since Friday... it all finally caught up with me. Jewels and I both fell asleep on the way back from North Bend, and I never completely woke up. Even some potent tea didn't revive me.

So, after too little time, tomorrow I will reluctantly say, "Goodbye, Seattle." I wish I could've spent more time seeing the sites, hanging with friends, drinking beer, and just enjoying myself. Hopefully, I will come back someday.