a wee bit of theatre

We went to a play last night at a small theatre venue located conveniently on 19th. It really is a perk to live so close to everything -parks, restos, theatres, etc. We just strolled down the street a few blocks after dinner and enjoyed a very entertaining production of The Mistakes Madeline Made. Written by young New Yorker, Elizabeth Merriwether, the absurdist play centers around 20-something Edna who works a mind-numbing job as one of a dozen or more assistants to an extremely wealthy, meticulously organized and completely insulated family. Edna lacks the mental capacity to successfully negotiate the superficial inanities of her job (magnified brilliantly my her high-strung and anal-retentive co-worker, Beth) with the awful realities of the war in the Middle-East -a war that has resulted in so many deaths (including her brother). As she struggles to escape the unsettling disconnect (of sanitized, rich, white, consumer America and the filth of war), she begins to sleep around with pretentious writer types and then (in a less predictable turn) develops a fear of bathing. Edna uses her own body odor as a powerful weapon to punish and repel those around her.
The play is a thoughtful commentary about the war in Iraq, America's role in it and the process of coming clean.

Volunteer Park

Located only a few blocks from our apartment, Volunteer Park is a 48.3 acre Olmsted creation. It is a beautiful public space with an almost 100-year old conservatory featuring an assortment of exotic plants from around the world. I was in a bit of a cold/flu haze the first time I strolled through but there really is nothing like lush green and sunshine to pick up your spirits.
Rumour has it that at night the park becomes a seedy pick-up place for anonymous sex (I have no idea if there is any truth to that) but during the day it's an idyllic site for a leisurely promenade.

btw- It's called "Volunteer" park in dedication to the volunteers who went to fight in the Spanish-American War. Unfortunate, as I strongly resent America's participation in that war (it signals to me the beginning of America's appropriation of Cuba).

Brunch Whores

No weekend would really be complete (especially a Valentine weekend) without going out for brunch. Mallar and I are suckers for brunch and with no shortage of good brunch places in the city, we tend to indulge. The Coastal Kitchen (while always packed at brunch time), is conveniently located about two steps from our apartment. It does a really good brunch. This weekend we shared the Sonora Scramble (egg scramble with spicy chorizo sausage, jack & scallions topped with sour cream, served with dueling salsas and flour tortillas) and the Gingerbread Waffle. Highly reccommended combo. We very often combine savory and sweet. It really is a winning brunch strategy.

Key Lime Cheesecake

I decided to buy a spring-form pan the other day as I was out shopping. In Denmark, we didn't want to accumulate too much "stuff" (as we knew we'd have to eventually ship, or get rid of it) so all experiments in baking were done with a single loaf pan -apple-cinnamon loaf, chocolate banana loaf, lemon loaf, cardamom-rhubarb loaf, etc. Now that we are allowing ourselves more stuff, however -I can branch out in the baking department. The first home-baked goodie: key-lime cheesecake. It turned out really well, the cheesecake set perfectly and didn't crack at all (probably because I put a shallow pan of hot water on the lower rack). I took a web suggestion and added a little coconut to the graham cracker crust and topped the cake with freshly whipped cream - it was really tasty.

Urban Debate

This week I have been looking into the "hows" of getting a working visa in the States. There are a few teaching jobs opening up in the fall that look promising -both in history (which would be great) and I am in the process of writing up applications and revising my CV. The more I think about being back in a school setting the more I realize how much I've missed it. I definitely feel fortunate to have had time away, to live abroad and pursue a Masters degree, but in my heart of hearts I know that as professions go, there is not much else I'd rather do.
I've been poking around different web sites to see what kind of volunteering I could do (in case the visa proves difficult to secure) and so I started to read about the debating programs in Seattle. To my surprise (and predictable delight) I discovered something called, "urban debate". This is, basically, a blending of traditional policy debate with hip hop or spoken word. As far as I understand it, it does not compel everyone participating in a round of debate to take on the style but it offers another option to those who want to use voice, rhythm and "street sense" (for lack of better term) as a communication strategy. I am excited to see it in action and hope to get myself involved in some capacity in an upcoming tournament. This video gives a sense of the program.

Happy Amygdala

Last night, Mallar and I went on a "First Thursday" gallery walk. First Thursday takes place each month in Seattle's historic Pioneer Square neighborhood. From afternoon through early evening, leading art galleries open their doors to introduce their new exhibitions and artists. Apparently, Seattle was the first US city to introduce the art walk (back in 1981).
We were tipped off when one of Mallar's colleagues encouraged us to check out his wife's exhibit, Happy Amygdala. The Shift gallery describes her work as follows:
"Magdelen Celestino's work posits an experiment in perception and belief. Happy Amygdala is a new series that investigates recent findings in neuroscience. Scientists conclude that viewing certain images can change the way the brain works by causing specific parts of the brain to suddenly activate. Magdalen tests this information with images filtered through her distinctive iconography. These photographs take the form of curious yet jaunty cosmograms, where color is a key and the participants: shadowy figures, glimmering vistas, and repurposed celebrity portraits, play a role in sparking up the netherworld of the brain".

I believe that there was likely a lot of activity in my amygdala -leading to anxious emotion more than anything else. The iconography, from she-wolf dolls to blurry alien-like faces, reminded me of the X-files and the conditioned response provoked by its eerie theme song. The icons (as perceived by my brain anyway) were almost like a visual catalogue of 1st and 2nd season X-files episodes in which the paranormal was always linked to tales of folk lore and legend (that only FBI agents with the esoteric knowledge of Fox Mulder could understand).

I wonder what kind of responses would result from coupling this type of art iconography with contrasting sounds or smells. What would my amygdala do if I was looking at an image of hmm.. let's say a "chupacabra", while surrounded by the comforting smell of cinnamon buns? ; )

"Almost Classy"

We returned to the market on Sunday to have brunch with the lovely Miss Anna at Lowell's, the over a century old dining establishment known lovingly as, "the living room of the Market". Lowell's slogan, "ALMOST CLASSY", is an apt description of the unpretentious atmosphere of wood stain interiors coupled with delicious dishes. A 2005 NY Times review described Lowell's in this way: "The coffee is rich and flavourful, the waitresses kind, and the salmon scramble -comprising hot smoked salmon with eggs and green onions accompanied by thick, buttery sourdough bread -is as perfect as any entrance drug as anyone hoping to tempt addiction to West Coast salmon could devise". I, of course, ordered the smoked salmon scramble. I was not disappointed. Mallar had the Dungeness crab omelet and Anna the blueberry pancakes.

Perhaps on my next visit I will try the Hangtown Mary (a Lowell's original, it's a Bloody Mary with bacon-infused vodka and a raw oyster)!

Keeping it real

The management of the market is quite unique and many efforts have been made to ensure that all businesses are locally owned. Apparently, there is a law prohibiting chain stores and franchises from opening up in the market area. Starbucks is a noteworthy exception however, because the Starbucks at the Pike Place Market was the very first Starbucks to open (in 1971) back when the original mermaid (or some argue Melusine) logo still sported nipples.

Pike Place Market

I finally got to experience the famous Pike Place Market this past weekend. One of Seattle’s main tourists attractions, the market is the oldest continuously operating market in the USA. It was established in 1907, had its heyday in the 1930s, escaped plans for demolition in the 1960s and has become today one of Seattle’s most visited areas.
It was a busy Saturday afternoon on my first stroll through but even in my preliminary run through I could appreciate the variety of places to shop, eat, drink and see. The rowdy fishmongers put on quite a great show –yelling, singing and hurling salmon through the air (I think everyone waits in the hopes that a large, wet fish will accidentally hit someone upside the head), the bakery smells are totally irresistible, the produce is fresh and colorful and the seafood displays are amazing.

Stumbling Monk

Luckily, one of our friends from Montreal was able to put us in contact with a close friend and university buddy who lives in our neighborhood. Initially we met up with Liberty and her partner, Jake at a place called Oddfellows but when we realized the wait for a table there would be 40 minutes, we walked over to a place called the Stumbling Monk for some good Belgian beer instead. It was in many ways the antithesis of the yuppy chic resto we rendez-voused at, but it's humble and "come as you are" atmosphere was a refreshing and cozy alternative. We had a really great time getting to know the two of them and took away a lot of great recommendations with regards to things to do/see in town. My favorite tip: the many Twin Peaks tours of WA state. Cherry pie -here I come...