Photo & Text Copyright 2009 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.
The boulevard that runs along the shore of West Seattle's Luna Park and Alki Point areas is called Avalon. I saw this wise old Scott owl sign had been salvaged from somewhere and placed appropriately on a cafe facing Avalon Blvd. It would be fun to know where the sign was originally perched, and I am glad to see it continue to add it's whimsical charm at Luna Park.
Photo & Text Copyright 2009 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.
If you've followed this blog for very long, you know I love old signs. Recycled vintage metal and neon signs abound in the little enclave of buildings, restaurants and shops just south of the West Seattle Bridge in the Luna Park area, once home to a popular beach side amusement park. The Luna Park Cafe's sign is seen here with the brick wall of the Boysen Apartments.
Photo & Text Copyright 2009 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.
Art is where you find it in Seattle. Mine happened to be when I ordered an espresso drink from Cuban inspired El Diablo Coffee Co. on Queen Anne Hill. I looked into the cup to see an incredible little two horned devil grinning at me (to see that shot check my More Seattle Stuff page). The barissta dude looked pleased when he saw me instantly grab a shot of it when I picked it up. The shot you see here was taken after I'd had a sip and set the cup down on the counter I was sitting at, which was also a work of art. For this 4th iPhone Wednesday I took the shot and edited it with applications right on the iPhone. Now I've got an ear worm going so I'll pass it on to you, "shake it like a Polaroid picture. . .hey ya. . . " :-) To see 2008's Drinking With the Devil #1, go here.
Photo & Text Copyright 2009 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.
. . .is how this one man band was playing. On his back is his rhythm section, controlled by ropes to his dancing feet, around his neck are a harmonica and kazoo, and in his hands is a banjo which he played very well in a funky groove that I gave a "10" to because it was way easy to dance to :-). Street performers abound in summer, and this guy had an ingenious rig and was really talented. I've seen him use other instruments, and you can view this (poor sound quality) Youtube clip to see him in action.
Photo & Text Copyright 2009 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.
It may have been hot enough a few days ago to fry an egg on the asphalt, but that's not the sort of street cooking pictured here. This is a street level shot of how an alder smoked salmon barbecue is mounted right on the pavement in the Ballard neighborhood during its annual summer Seafood Fest. An alder tree is cut down about a week beforehand and the wood split. The wood is lit on fire right on the street and then surrounded by a four sided steel cooker with a grill, made by locals and manned by experienced cooks from Ballard businesses (such as Pacific Fishermen Shipyard and Ballard Oil). I took this shot when they were finished cooking and had removed the cookers from over the fires. In the neighborhood that brings you the TV show "The Deadliest Catch," seafood is not only popular eating but a major economic factor in the community. Right now the Salmon Fleet that harbor's there is out in the coastal waters of Alaska, and a lot of Seattle area residents that enjoy fishing head up to the Strait of Juan de Fuca to try their luck at reeling in a salmon. A summer cookout with salmon and some veggies on the the grill is one of the real pleasures of a Pacific Northwest summer.
Photo & Text Copyright 2009 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.
A colorful abstract for you on this sunny Sunday. I liked the illusion of the floor line of the back wall continuing through reflection on the red wall and line of stall doors.
And, hey, I've got to ask you: is YOUR grout this clean? Look at how white it is even in the corners and around the stall supports. Ever seen a public restroom this clean? No, this isn't new construction or barley used space. This restroom has been actively in service for years in the high traffic Experience Music Project. The design, vivid colors and abstract qualities of the scene appealed to me while I was waiting in a long line for one of those doors to open (sigh). I went back later with my camera and it was then I met a person on the cleaning crew changing the trash bins. I asked her how the grout was kept so clean. She said it was due to the daily routine of the maintenance staff who literally hand wipe every inch of the floor, walls, counters and stalls every single day. Wow! As someone with only a couple human's and a couple feline's foot traffic on my tile kitchen floor, I was really impressed. You might not want to eat off the floor, but I assure you, you could!
Photo & Text Copyright 2009 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.
Here is an example of late night hunting. The guys out after a show elsewhere playing "buck hunter" on the Big Buck Machine at the back of The Sloop Tavern. I loved the colorful reflections on the ceiling from all the neon signs around the walls, and the sense of place the Space Needle Bud Light sign gave this. Our CDPB Theme Day for August is NIGHT, and you can enjoy seeing creative views and interpretations from wonderful cities around the globe today by clicking here to view thumbnails for all participants.
