Pela @ Tractor Tavern

Billy soaks up the Seattle love
Originally uploaded by gapey

Went to the show with Mike and had dinner at Sam's Sushi, where I had a yummy dynamite roll. I don't remember what all was in it, but it was spicy.

The doors were supposed to open for The Tractor at 8:00 but didn't end up opening till about 8:45. All the Tractor had for cider was not so cold Strongbow in a can. After my wine party last night, Mike had decided to go on a week ban from drinking alcohol, which didn't last more than a day. That peer pressure is rough!

It was my first concert at the Tractor. Daniel G Harmann & The Trouble Starts was the opening band. I had checked out their myspace page before the concert and decided they were worth seeing. They seemed a little older in age for an indie band, but they sounded pretty good. There wasn't a whole lot of people there yet and still lots of room in front of the stage. The second they finished, Mike and I rushed to the front of the stage to get a good spot for Pela.

I saw Pela for the first time at last year's KEXP BBQ and they were awesome then and still going strong. It was nice to see them at a smaller venue and was my first "front row" concert. It was great, except for the drunk crazy dancing girl that was next to me. I guess it's to be expected when you're in the front row, but I think she spent more time talking/yelling to her friends during the concert than actually watching it. They played for about an hour and a half and hung out and drank with some fans after the show.

Looking forward to seeing some more concerts in Seattle. Thinking about Lightspeed at Chop Suey. Don't have plans yet for any other concerts.

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Busy Weekend!

Admiralty Head Lighthouse
Originally uploaded by gapey

It was a long busy weekend. I think I got enough Vitamin D from the sun to last me a while. I was good and used sunscreen so I didn't get burnt but I'm starting to get tan again.

I was one of the many that took Friday off to enjoy the sun. I didn't have any specific plans, was thinking of just doing some yard work and cleaning house to prepare for a wine and cheese party at my house on Saturday. Instead of sticking around the house, I ended up going kayaking around the arboretum with a friend. Had decided to go to Ray's for some drinks/food and sit out on the deck but even at 4:00 they were jam packed. We decided to go to Ballard instead but weren't sure of which places had decks. Seems like all my friends these days live in Ballard so I twittered my friends asking and came back with a few options. We ended up at King's Hardware for some Burgers and margaritas.

Saturday was the Flickr Photostroll at the Zoo on a 90 degree day. Nearly 100 people had signed up but it ended up only being 40-50. We couldn't stay in one group longer than 15 minutes but met up at the food pavilion 3 hours later which didn't appear to be enough time to see everything. About 16 of us met up at the Smash Wine Bar & Bistro after the stroll. Good food and drinks, would definitely go back. They appeared to have very good margaritas and I want to try one.

Sunday I went out to Fort Casey on Whidbey Island with the North Sound Photography Meetup group. I think I've only been on Whidbey Island once and it was just driving through. I like photographing lighthouses and I hadn't seen this one and the weather was great so it was a good trip. I didn't know too many people in this group. It was only my second outing with them but a fellow Seattle Flickrite went too.

So now I'm trying to catch up on all my house work and yard work during the week along with processing pictures from the weekend, which I just finished yesterday. I even planted a couple of hanging baskets (Fuchsias and petunias) for the backyard. I'd like to get one more done but I want to find some Nasturtiums for it. I may go out to The Flower Farm in Maltby on Friday to pick some up. If anyone has any it would be them!

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KEXP live with Cloud Cult @ Sonic Boom

KEXP live with Cloud Cult @ Sonic Boom
Originally uploaded by gapey

Cloud Cult is one of my favorite bands and also one of my favorite live performances. I got to see them play a few songs up close at Sonic Boom yesterday afternoon in Ballard before seeing them again that night at Neumos. I saw and heard them for the first time at the KEXP BBQ last summer and fell in love with their music. They just put out a new album and it's as good if not better than the first.

During each show they have a person on either side of the stage painting to the music. Each painting they do is different. I'd love to buy one, but I don't think I would pay as much for them as they probably go for. They auction them off in a silent auction at the end of each show. They are fun to watch an listen to.

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Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

standing tall
Originally uploaded by gapey

This was my third visit to the Tulip Festival. I almost didn't make it this year. Luckily because the tulips bloomed later than usual, they extended the festival out another weekend. Unfortunately Saturday wasn't the greatest of weather. It was rainy and muddy, but managed to get some good shots anyway. I'm still amazed at how much my photography has improved over the last year. My shots from last year don't compare to those taken this year. I even took some film shots too but have to wait a little longer before I can post any of those.

I spent most of today in Seattle. Met up with a few people for brunch at Cyclopse in Belltown then met up with a few people and checked out the Ballard Market. I finished off my first roll of Black & White film. I haven't yet figured out what I'm going to do about developing. I don't know of any places on the east side that will develop it. I'm not sure how soon I'll have a dark room set up and I'm not sure when I'd be able to get to Seattle to drop off the film. Seems like most of the places in Seattle have normal business hours and aren't open on weekends which makes it a little difficult for me to get there.

After shooting the Ballard Market for a while, grabbed a Frap at Starbucks and relaxed in the sunshine for a couple hours while waiting for Iron Man to start. I've heard nothing but great things about the movie so I finally saw it and have to agree, it was a great movie and I'm glad I got to see it in a theater. Don't forget to stay till the end of the credits if you haven't seen it yet.

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