The 11th Dimension

I strolled to work in a short-sleeve shirt, but ended up snagging a jacket from my apartment around ~06:30 p.m., and hoofing it downtown to grab some cheap dinner from "Jack In The Box" on Bellevue Way. First things first, the day started with clear skies and mild weather, but ended dark and ominous (w/ slight rain). At 06:00 p.m. it seemed 09:00 p.m. On the way back I cut through a small (semi-secluded) concrete park off of NE 2nd St., across from the CIVICA Office Commons. The shrouded nook has a few circular bench structures with a barrage of flora sprouting from the centers. I sat down to mellow out for a few minutes with my loaded backpack of steaming $0.99 cheese-burgers. I casually absorbed the surroundings when I glanced to the far corner. I thought I heard a muffled groan, then noticed the small burning 'cherry' of a cigarette. A voice (man) started talking to me (non-threatening). So I slowly paced over to his bench so I could listen more intently. There was just enough light to make-out he was wearing jeans, boots, jacket, sunglasses, and a cowboy hat. One could see he was scruffy, wore a pony-tail, and nursed a bottle (Jim Beam). The bottom line is you knew this guy was down on his luck. I discovered he was an ex-sailor (captain) that was supposed to get paid to commandeer a vessel of 'goods' from somewhere in the Caribbean. Immediately I took everything with a minor grain of salt. Namely because the whole scenario seemed a little too fishy, and just a tad on the shady side. What were the 'goods', and where was he supposed to deliver them? Apparently he had trouble with the law in the past (never mentioned what), had no money, was former Navy, and just trying to make money the only way he knew how (sailing). He managed to hop a flight to Seattle, and was attempting to get into Canada (then jump to the Caribbean), but got his passport snaked, and had no other form of ID. So how did he buy booze and cigarettes? Regardless, he was stuck in Bellevue, after proclaiming he had to get out of Seattle. My burgers were getting cold, but the guy was (believe it or not) very articulate, well-mannered, and laid-back. He had a modest buzz, held a decent conversation, and never asked for anything. In the end I wished him luck, took one swig of J.B. (after he insisted), and that was that. Though these moments are rare, they manage to strike you on a basic level of humanity, one which can't be ignored. Time to eat.

Urban Escapade

So I caught some lunch with friends in Kirkland, and ended up in Seattle until the early hours of the morning. Shorty's on 2nd, drowning cheap pitchers, witness to some inconspicuous projectile vomiting, walking the streets a bit, and cabbing over to Capitol Hill. More observation (public urination) and street vendor cuisine near the intersection of Pike & 10th (hot dog & cream cheese / grilled onions / mustard / rooster sauce). The Comet Tavern was far beyond loaded (live music), charging cover, but found Linda's Tavern (sardine pack) and an open table. More brew, chat, and melting of time. In conversation I learned this was supposedly where Kurt Cobain was last seen alive in public. Not that I cared, but it sorta struck a chord. Then a few slices of pizza (pesto-goat-cheese) at Hot Mama's before a jaunt through Cal Anderson park (sleeping inhabitants included). Zero energy and motivation the following day. But my head was still heavy, stuck on Cobain, and so I pulled out BLEACH (Nirvana). Forgot how early (1989), pure, and raw the sound was. Some say NEVERMIND is 'commercial' in comparison. This was before Grohl was drumming (Chad Channing), and was produced for only ~$600. Got fixed on some tracks (Blew / School / Paper Cuts / Negative Creep / Sifting). Is this noise buried forever? Or will there be a second coming? One can only wait.

PPPFFFFTTTTT... I Farted

Lately I feel as though I've hit an invisible wall in the social networking universe. I am currently plugged into FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and LINKEDIN, etc. However, my posting frequency has declined. Not because I don't enjoy their services, but because I just don't feel as motivated as I once did. The nerd inside has been slowly bored to tears, yet I still remain on the hunt for the next 'thing'. It has taken me months to return (here) to BLOGGER, but I'm scratching my creative itch again. I randomly enter periods of intense mental bursts through film, music, travel, people, experiences, thoughts, feelings, smells, tastes, etc. Over time I have managed to write (sporadically), which is something I truly enjoy. Not to mention, it allows me to flex the brain muscle. Don't expect a steady stream of inspired genius, but I'll try to accommodate my legion of rabid followers. Ciao.

_#3_

LOST CAUSE

hear me... your voice
know me... your face
guide me... your hand
defy me... your fear
heal me... your scar
lose me... your mind
find me... your world
touch me... your life
burn me... your fire
taste me... your skin
tear me... your heart
kill me... your love

_#2_

PUBLIC TRANSIT

i saw you only yesterday
on the bus to nowhere
stuck between strangers
the sigh of some reality
face of damaged beauty
waiting for something
to show you life again
yet the truth was cold
no means for a savior
only to wait for a stop
the time came and went
a cheap glance was all
but in just one moment
you were gone forever
and i am left to ponder
if you found your way

_#1_

ALONG THE WAY

here comes the beacon light
as the sheep drown in sleep
such a burden to be the one
witness to the waking world
observing change over time
human order of progression
like the turning of a leaf
colors change during season
must we decide our destiny
against random possibility
upon the saddle of oblivion
a pony ride toward infinity

TOKYO!

[ http://www.tokyothemovie.com ]

Five Finger Discount

After work I walked into downtown Bellevue to buy a "super burrito" at Casa Ds. I witnessed a car pull-up to another vehicle. A guy jumped out and grabbed a set of skis off the roof rack of the other car. Other people walking out of the nearby sports gear shop quickly saw, and another guy ran back to the scene and yelled the license plate number of the thief vehicle. The irony is that when I walked into the burrito shop, there were two cops sitting down and eating. I haven't seen anything like this for awhile, and thought it was interesting enough to post. It's been awhile since I've done so. I'll try to get back to being a little more regular. Is this just the "tip of the iceberg" for this type of shit? What a bizarre encounter.