A weekend update:

This weekend I attended the Red Bull Soapbox Derby in Fremont (a neighboorhood of Seattle that would be something similar to let's say... Brooklyn, except Fremont has a huge statue of Lenin at its center). If you are unfamiliar with soapbox derbies, they are races of contraptions on wheels that can only be steered, not powered in any way. Not by pedals, not by engine, nothing... Essentially you build something on wheels, sit in it, and hurl yourself down a street that has an incline that is hopefully not too scary. The goal is not only to be the fastest to cross the finish line, but to have the most creative soapbox. And to actually cross the finish line. Surprisingly, there were quite a number of soapboxes (like the tikibar on wheels) that didn't make it even past the first turn.

Items i saw flying passed me on Saturday included... a toilet, banana, oolaroid camera, sushi roll (salmon roe, of course - i mean, we ARE in Seattle), baby carriage and a K2 ski (467 cm). I do not have photos of this experience to share with you because, quite simply, it was raining.

Yes, i said raining. So I've had my first weekend of rain. But clearly, this does not stop Seattlites. They just dress accordingly. Even the kids in the strollers are totally happy sitting in the cold rain. The outdoor decks of bars and cafes are filled regardless of the weather. I truly believe that after a while, Seattlites don't even notice that it is raining.