seattle pics

Thursday, July 31, 2008

I Will Jump Stuff

Frankly, I think he was under charging for his abilities ;^). This sk8tr had a great idea and his jumps were super. How many of us wouldn't like to earn income while practicing what we love? I just paid him a buck for a photo op, though. He was disappointed that I didn't want to shoot him in action, and thinking on it now, that probably would have been a great idea. I liked his KEXP t-shirt and sign and wanted to capture what I saw as he passed me. Some of my Flickr friends (Hi Steffe!) are taking a challenge of making 100 portraits of strangers. It requires one to interview the person and include the info with the photo, though, so I'm hesitant to try it.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Songs of Innocence & Experience

The expressions and gazes of the two visible figures facing my way in a crowd of festival goers brought to mind the Blake title. A band playing in a style somewhere between ska, funk, jazz and rock had just ended their set on the music stage and had wowed the crowd on Ballard Avenue. (Click photo for clear image if it seems degraded).

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Hanging Out

A father and son playing at the Ballard skate park bowl when all the sk8trs had abandoned it for the day. The boy would slide to the bottom, run around a bit, then dash quickly to get enough momentum to scramble up to the lip. Sometimes he would succeed unaided, and other times dad would assist in pulling him out. . .or dangle him back down again to his delight. My inner-mom's note to self: take time to play and connect everyday before they are outtahere.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Serious Sky

Although we had 80 degree weather today, the clouds have rolled in. Even the structure of a construction crane can look downright beautiful with a backdrop like this. I hope wherever you are on the planet, and whether it's summer like here in Seattle or winter down under that you're enjoying your own piece of blue, dramatic sky.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Ballard SeafoodFest

In the heart of the neighborhood that brings you The Deadliest Catch comes the 34th annual Ballard Seafood Fest this weekend. I went last night and it is worth a drive from anywhere for the $8 alder-smoked salmon dinners prepared by expert Ballardites. Plus the streets are filled with crafts, art, heritage, music, beer and wine gardens, sustainability and community information, kids' activities, and lots more food as well as all Ballard's many fine restaurants and interesting shops. And have I mentioned the alder-smoked salmon, cooked on 22nd Ave NW with the smokers tended by workers from Ballard Oil and Pacific Fisherman Shipyard? Oh man. . . :-)

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Taproot Theater's "Big River"

These are the actors that portray "Jim" & "Huck" in Taproot Theater's hit production of the musical, Big River. Geoffery Simmons & Robbie Fowler got a night off the boards to be parade marshals at the Greenwood Seafair parade which passed right in front of the theater on NW 85th Street. I think I've seen Geoffery Simmons, a widely acclaimed local stage actor, out and about in the Queen Anne neighborhood. He seems to be as charismatic a personality off the stage as on.
Today there are so many events going on in Seattle, its hard to choose which to explore. The Capital Hill Block Party started last night, the Ballard Seafood Festival is today, and the big Seafair Torchlight Parade is downtown tonight. So, I wonder what you'll see pictured here tomorrow?

Friday, July 25, 2008

Ship Shape

Colorful and all left in good order, right down to their carefully coiled bow lines, I came across these little 8' El Toro center boards, just like the ETs and Sabots my husband learned to sail on as a kid in the Newport Beach, CA Parks & Recreation program. Only theirs weren't tricked out with flames and bright colors! I spied these old summertime friends of many children up on the dock at the Center for Wooden Boats while out for an evening walk. Wishing you all a good start to a great weekend!