Shhh..It's a Speakeasy!

For those of you who are not from Seattle, I thought I would share some of the most amazing hidden gems of the city. I'm talking trapped door, hole in the wall, bottom of the basement kind of treasures. As Seattleites would have it, the most amazing bars, coffee shops and venues are impossible to find. Now, I'm not going to ruin the fun and tell you where they are - you will have to ask around and get invited on your own. But I willll tell you how awesome they are. 

1. Bath Tub Gin
Keepin' it classy since 1918. Kidding, but yes, this hole in the wall resides behind a random sketchy backdoor in Belltown. But inside you will feel as though you have entered the cozy home of a drunken Irishman. If you're a girl, get the Sex on the Beach - eat the hibiscus flower, it tastes like a fruit roll up.


2. Knee High Stocking
Maybe not as secret as Bathtub, but still superior, secret service and delicious drinks. Get anything with beer reduction or egg whites and you'll be back for sure. Oh yes, and the tater tots. Greasy but delicious.

3. Cannon
Technically not a speakeasy; regardless, this a phenomenal bar. I mean, they give you Sacajawea coins for change! Who does that?  Super fancy, super fun. Your check will be returned to you in a 1950's cigarette can. 


4. Tavern Law 
It's below the Needle & Thread speakeasy. Get the Old Rasputin Beer and some potato fondue. Your lifetime satisfaction will increase at like 7 percent, I swear it. Chicks, get the Lusty Lady. 


5. Rendezvous - The JewelBox Theatre
Now Rendezvous is not a speakeasy, but finding the theater and underground dance party is quite an adventure. Most of the time the basement is for private parties, but who knows maybe you will get invited sometime! Behind the bar and through a random door you will find a concert venue. Great acoustics and a nice way to support local artists. Every show I have been to has sounded like a mini, indoor Gorge amphitheater. Maybe the musicians were just amazing or maybe it was the martini, but I absolutely love the shows at Rendezvous. 


Okay ladies and gentlemen, now it's time for you to find these glorious lands of booze, food and wonderful people. Good luck!

My Boyfriend is My Smartphone

Within the last thirty years, our medium of communication has quickly launched us into instant gratification. It started with the cellular phone. Created in 1973 by Martin Cooper (but not popular until the mid-90s) the cell phone brought forth the ability to locate and reach out to any individual at any place at any time. An amazing thing, right!?!

Well, what began as an ingenious invention has transferred into an addictive source of communication, information and attention. And you can’t get all that data without giving some back. Aside from the monthly bill, smartphones know the following:

1.       Who you’re talking to (via convos, text, emails and social networking sites)

2.       The conversation (documented via voicemail, phone convo or text)

3.       Where you are at all times! (GPS background data)

4.       Where you live

5.       Who your friends, family and loved ones are (contact info and photos/videos)

6.       How much money you make (online banking)

7.       Even what music you listen to (MP3 players)

Maybe I’m just paranoid, but think about what could happen if your smartphone were to get in the wrong hands of the wrong person! It could ruin your job, your relationships, your bank account, your house; the list goes on and on…

But anyways, that’s not what this post is about. I want to talk about how technology has completely changed the game up in relationships. People these days are completely driven by instant gratification.

“It’s been five minutes, why hasn’t anyone liked my status?!”

“Omg she hasn’t called me back in 2 days. What the hell is going on?”

“Why haven’t you emailed me back? It’s been three days and I know you got my message.”

                                                “He just checked-in with some girl. We are done!”

We are so quick to judge and assume the worst. There are so many holes and judgments that can form within a 144-character text. And updating the world on our lives recent events has made creating valuable relationships even harder. It’s all so materialistic…

Who are you seeing?

 What do you look like?

 Where are you living?

What are you doing?

What about the shit that really matters…like who you are as a human being?  I’m angry because I wish we could all use this technology without any negativity or superficiality. It’s so easy to get upset when we don’t hear from someone, especially when we know they have received our message. It’s also easy to judge when every aspect of someone’s life is posted on a social networking status.

I just want everyone to stop judging books by covers - or FBs in this case. Just accept and love people for who they are. It is easy to let technology consume your life. But try to take one day a week and turn it all off and focus on the people that are in your life at that moment. It’s hard, I know, but it’s extremely liberating. Try it!

City Life Conundrums

We’ve all had those moments. Coffee stained your pants before the big interview and you didn’t get the job. Girlfriend didn’t accept the grand proposal and huge rock you so graciously offered. Moved to a new city for a job, and a month later they’re downsizing. Yadda yadda yadda, first world problems.

So what do you do when plans go astray?

Do you shrug your shoulders and keep on walking? Or do you curl up in a ball and die?

I know most of us would rather do the latter. However, that is not an option for those of us with modern-day responsibilities. Living in the city means that nothing ever stops. Rent is due at the end of every month, kids need to see the doctor, fridge needs to be filled – there is never a moment to dwell on rejection. There’s a reason why The Great Wall of China was built so fast – because they didn’t sit there and whine about how hard it was. (Well, sure that may have been coerced through slave labor. But the point is nothing productive ever comes from the “shoulda coulda woulda” philosophy.)

Personally, I’ve had my fair share of failure in work, relationships and even day-to-day tasks. But I’ve finally learned that success is not simply given, it is earned. Therefore, I thought it would be best to share my process of recovery when problems “hit the fan”.

1.       Cry/Curse for 5 minutes

That’s all you get! You need to show some empathy for your loss (be it a job, romantic interest, opportunity, youth, friend, pet lizard, golden reputation, whatever!) Those who bottle up their feelings often release these emotions through other more destructive mediums.

2.       Do Nothing For 1 Day

Don’t think about the issue, you are overwhelmed enough by this stressor (and you know stress is the #1 killer these days) so lay low for a day or two. Don’t analyze the issue over and over, you can do that later.

3.       The Third Eye

After throwing your child-like tantrum and being a bum, it’s time to grow up and think from the third perspective. Take responsibility for why this bad thing is happening. Do you know what lead to this event? What would you do differently? If you were in the shoes of the other party, what would you have wanted from yourself? If there is ABSOLUTELY nothing you would have changed, then accept this defeat as it is – nothing more than a low in the infinite rollercoaster of ups and downs during your century-long human life.

4.       Home Repairs

Bad things happen to bad people…but bad things also happen to good people. Which one are you? Think about the way you are living your life and if you deserve success. Create a list on what you would like to do to improve your character, work, home and relationships.

5.       ACTION!

If it’s a job problem, then apply to at least 100 new employers.

If it’s a relationship problem, then go on 5 new dates in the next month.

If it’s a home problem, then do 5 new things with your family/friends/roommates this month.

If it’s a personal problem, attend group therapy/church/support systems in the next month.

I realize most of these are common sense. But sometimes it is hard to sanctify the exact process for recovery when all you want to do is wallow in self-loathing. Hope this helps on everyone’s path to happiness!

Remember Your Reusable Totes Seattleites!

NO PLASTIC/PAPER BAGS!!!

Or at least it will cost ya...

The new law, which the Seattle City Council approved in December, took effect July 1.

The Plastic Bag Ban requires retailers to charge 5 cents for each paper bag they give out and 10 cents for heavier plastic bags. Stores may offer small paper bags for free.

Small plastic bags used for meat, fruit and bulk items, as well as those used for dry cleaning and newspapers, are also exempt. Customers with electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, used for food stamps, are exempt from the fees.

The rules are now being enforces and retailers could be fined $250 for failing to comply. So bring your reusable totes or there will be more than just a sales tax at the end of your bill.

Livin in Seattle Video

For those of you interested in moving to Seattle...this is the epitome of life here.