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Sunday, December 21, 2008

City Random Thoughts During My Walk to Pioneer Square and Back

Posted by Dan Savage on Sun, Dec 21, 2008 at 8:20 PM

They shut down the merry-go-round in Westlake Center—the same merry-go-round that Paul Schell vowed to keep open during the WTO protests. Because of the snow. Walking from north Capitol Hill to Pioneer Square and back during a snowstorm is a workout. No need to hit the gym tomorrow. They didn't shovel the snow in front of Westlake Center—it's like they're not even trying. They didn't shovel the snow in front of the Babeland or Victrola or the Eagle either. But those places aren't shopping malls. Carrying umbrellas in a snowstorm is silly. They don't serve those awesome pretzels at Quinn's anymore—but the foie gras with toasted brioche is almost as good (and twice as evil). Is all this snow an anomaly? Or is this shit climate change and we'd better get used to it? Bars are packed when it snows. My New York Times wasn't delivered today but a friend who lives eight blocks away on the same street got his. Not fair. All the stores I was in today were empty—this snow, the week before Christmas, is going to push some beloved local stores into bankruptcy. (Go buy a book at Bailey/Coy right now.) Pike Place Market was delightfully deserted. I had no change in my pockets—no cash on me at all—and that somehow didn't make saying no to panhandlers any easier. The guy who works at Laguna Pottery is always very nice. The woman who sold me a tablecloth at Macy's seemed distracted. The woman working at See's Candy almost neglected to offer me a free sample. Hopvine was packed. Liberty was packed. My boyfriend rocks. It's snowing so hard I'm going to have to shovel snow again when I get home.

And finally: Yule drool? All our gifts come unwrapped? Not according to the fine print.

Comments (34) RSS

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But you are still a pretentious, relentless douche, right? The snow can't change that.

Posted by lll on December 21, 2008 at 8:32 PM

I am! Still!

And I'm a bad, bad man. Please don't read my blog!

Posted by Dan Savage on December 21, 2008 at 8:47 PM

Seattleites will cancel even *sex* in the event of snow!? We are officially pathetic.

Posted by cafewalter on December 21, 2008 at 8:48 PM

I bought a book at Bailey-Coy on Tuesday, does that count? I'm trying not to leave the apartment unless I absolutely must.

Posted by Abby on December 21, 2008 at 8:55 PM

Nothing stings more than a pair of cold titties to the face.

Posted by AJ on December 21, 2008 at 8:58 PM

Well, I fell on my right knee three times. That stung bad.

But in a pretentious, relentlessly douchey way!

Posted by Dan Savage on December 21, 2008 at 9:04 PM

I like your blog but foie gras is much much more than 2x as evil as pretzels!

Posted by quinn's is a terrible evil on December 21, 2008 at 9:10 PM

I took a walk to Top Food to buy milk. The usual number of clowns were sliding around the streets. There was the treat of seeing two hot blonde Ukrainian women wearing matching tight jeans, powder blue coats and white furry hats.

I could hear their balalaika's ringing out.

Posted by U$$R on December 21, 2008 at 9:11 PM

I got my NYT today. And, I live in the hinterlands of north Seattle where busses are not running. he he he he he

Posted by And, it was double bagged and dry. on December 21, 2008 at 9:14 PM

www.creedthoughts.gov.www\creedthoughts
…

Posted by josh on December 21, 2008 at 9:17 PM

What? They don't have the amazing pretzels at Quinn's anymore? They were there last week. I hope it's only a temporary absence due to weather-related difficulty obtaining the better-than-crack cheese sauce.

Posted by Rhiannon on December 21, 2008 at 9:23 PM

Nope, Rhiannon. They've been taken off the menu. Time for a candlelight vigil.

Posted by Dan Savage on December 21, 2008 at 9:25 PM

This reminds me of Larry King's column in USA Today. Remember Borgnine? He was a real talent. How about those Hawks? Snow is my favorite part of the holidays. If I could be any type of shoe, it would probably be a loafer. Not much pressure being a loafer. Listen, have you heard about Kanye's new album? Supposed to be fantastic. See you next week.

Posted by superyeadon on December 21, 2008 at 9:30 PM

Are people in bars arguing yet about when it's best to shovel? i.e. wait until all the snow has fallen or shovel at regular intervals throughout the snowfall. That's what people in other cities do.

Posted by stinkbug on December 21, 2008 at 9:31 PM

#1. I read this blog fairly often. And on Dan Savage and Charles Mudede's post there's always a commenter like you. I just don't get you. If you hate these guys so much (do you?) then why do you keep coming back for more?
True, you annoy me because you mess up comment threads but I'm mostly just curious.
And to the blog administrator: I wish you would remove their comments. They're always off topic and lessen the reading enjoyment.

Posted by Lisa Gin on December 21, 2008 at 9:40 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOO. That rarebit was a thing of beauty.

Posted by josh on December 21, 2008 at 9:40 PM

@15 ... yer worse than a school marm. let the people talk. it's important.

Posted by superyeadon on December 21, 2008 at 9:42 PM

Dan, you used to live in Madison, right? How are you fazed by this cute little seattle snow?

Posted by Jessie on December 21, 2008 at 9:43 PM

Don't call anyone a douche unless you're willing to shove him/her where the sun don't shine...or in any other body orifice of your choosing. But it's your body and no one can tell you what douche to use. That's for Rick Warren/Santorum to decide.

Posted by playerWarrior on December 21, 2008 at 9:46 PM

Dan, I know you miss your New York Times, but we've been without The Stranger in print form here in Bellingham for weeks! It's heartbreaking.

Posted by Jake on December 21, 2008 at 10:02 PM

Licorice has a great happy hour with Pretzel dot sandwiches (for $1 each!) if you want to get a pretzel fix. I think it's Tues-Thurs from 5-7 pm.

Posted by Maria on December 21, 2008 at 10:25 PM

The hills are alive - it's a third night of snowmobiles racing around the streets of West Seattle. Is this happening in other parts of the city?

Posted by Explorer on December 21, 2008 at 11:09 PM

You're still reading the NYT on actual paper?

/blink

So 2005.

Posted by TVDinner on December 21, 2008 at 11:49 PM

@13, spot on! @23, NYT online can't at all substitute for reading the whole print version daily plus supplementing online. Online only can't hold a candle to it yet.

Posted by tomasyalba on December 22, 2008 at 12:12 AM

Is Bailey/Coy actually in trouble? Because I *need* them. Need.

Posted by violet_dagrinder on December 22, 2008 at 7:56 AM

@ 15: welcome to The Slog. You'll come to appreciate the tone here. It is an aquired taste.

Also, in a weird way, I wish St. Louis had been crippled by snow this weekend. It was colder than a witch's tit in a brass bra, but no snow.

No snow = no fun

Posted by Mike in MO on December 22, 2008 at 8:03 AM

AJ @ 5,

I thought cold and bare titties were a good thing! Nipple-wise, that is.

Posted by yucca flower on December 22, 2008 at 8:54 AM

I second Violet @25. Bailey/Coy needs help? Seriously? I got almost all my holiday presents there plus a couple for myself. I can't imagine life in Seattle without Bailey/Coy or Elliot Bay Books in Pioneer Square.

Posted by RainMan on December 22, 2008 at 9:07 AM

I would assume that *any* independent bookstore is in trouble in this times, Bailey/Coy included. I'd definitely go out of my way to patronize these local businesses before we lose them.

Posted by bcfan on December 22, 2008 at 10:52 AM

Looking at these pictures, I have to wonder...are they bad shots, or is that really all the snow you have? Because if you're closing things down for that paltry dusting, psht. I've had to go to school when snow's half-way up to my knees (and I'm not short, either). Up here in southern Ontario, we've have that much snow by mid-November.

Posted by Beth in Canada on December 22, 2008 at 11:29 AM

You took that picture with your iPhone, didn't you, Dan?

Posted by Rachel S. on December 22, 2008 at 12:05 PM

@30: And that happens every year, right? So everybody knows what to do, and the city has the equipment and crews to keep the roads clear.

Posted by Greg on December 22, 2008 at 12:20 PM

Hey - thanks to all of the Bailey/Coy fans out there. We heart you. Shop indie when you can - it makes a world of difference -

Posted by Michael Wells on December 22, 2008 at 6:57 PM

Beth @30: Originally from Guelph, so I'm not a complete stranger to Ontario winters. I even broke my arm in 1966 thanks to one, but that's a story for another day.

Here in Seattle we don't get snow very often. What we've had in the last week is probably more than everything we've had in the last five years combined. We don't have the plows, sand, de-icing concoctions etc that are taken for granted in Canada and other places where the inevitability of snow is a given. Plus we have hills that rival those of San Francisco. (No, I didn't know either until I moved here.) The most experienced plow driver between Windsor and Ottawa would probably gasp audibly at the sight of our Denny Way or Queen Anne Ave. I can almost hear him now: "That's quite a hill, eh? (Gulp)"

I love Canada and intend to move back after I retire. But as you undoubtedly know, driving in snow sucks. Imagine 401 without plows. Welcome to Interstate 5. Now picture Yonge or Bloor Street at a 35 degree angle, again without plows, sand or even environmentally-unfriendly salt. That's what we're dealing with. Don't judge.

Posted by RainMan on December 22, 2008 at 9:16 PM