I’ve starting meeting my roommates, and we are quite the interesting mix. As I mentioned before, all of us are City Year corps members, but we are all from different states and from very different experiences. Some are college grads, some just got out of high school, one girl spent the last couple of years working at an assisted living facility, another was in the military reserves.
It’s a little odd because I’m one of the last people to move in, almost everyone else has already made connections and gotten to know each other. I feel like I’m 18 again, trying to fit into the dorms. The last two years were too comfortable. I met people through structured experiences, groups and clubs that had certain rules of engagement that I understood innately. This is different, meeting completely random people with whom the only thing I have in common is the fact that we’re doing the same program… and there’s only so much you can talk about that subject.
But today my dad and I went on a Ride the Ducks tour, which was more fun than I should probably mention as a card carrying member of the adult population. Basically the tour utilizes WWII era DUKS, amphibious vehicles that were used heavily in Operation Overlord at Normandy, and takes people on a land and water tour of the area.
It’s a fun and silly tour, with the driver blasting oldies and wearing strange hats and making ridiculous observations, and needless to say I really enjoyed the trip. I learned that part of the reason why there is so much interesting art up here is because one percent of the money from every building project goes into a fund for the creation public art, and that Gasworks Park near my house actually houses the remains of a once active gas works that was fenced off and made a historical site when the city found out it was the last one in existence. I wonder if one day things we consider normal, like telephone poles, will be treated like relics in the same way? The indispensible of today is simply an historical oddity tomorrow. Since we were already at the Seattle Center we went across the street to visit the EMP/Science Fiction Museum. I actually really enjoyed the science fiction part of the museum but I didn’t spend nearly enough time in there. There is so much information packed into every spare corner of their exhibits that it’s a tad overbearing and with interactive exhibits that contain information on hundreds of topics (for example, science fiction space craft or different worlds) you could spend hours in certain corners alone. The same could be said of the EMP part of the museum as well, but I’m a tad more interested in science fiction than music. That’s not to be said that the EMP wasn’t interesting (there was a great exhibit about the history of guitars and how they were manufactured) but seeing exhibits of some of my favorite writers and shows really made my day. And it was great to go through it with my dad, as he was the person who really introduced me to science fiction and got me interested in it. I’m going to miss being around my family!
On our way back to the University District Dad and I stopped by the REI store… and were awed. This store is more than a flagship store, it’s a mecca for outdoor nerds. From the ice picks made into door handles and the waterfall trail to the front door to the three story tall climbing wall and live demos of different campfire stoves the entire store seemed to be designed by a group of people solely concerned with brainstorming and implementing the coolest ideas they could think of. Actually, given the co-op nature and history of REI that may be exactly how the building was designed. Heck, there is a Park Services station located INSIDE the store, so you can get your permits and maps at the same time you buy your supplies.
But as we purchased a bike pump (so I can fix up and use one of the house bikes) we found out something interesting, my dad has had a membership since 1981. That’s longer than I’ve been alive… Perchance I should consider a membership. It’s only twenty dollars for life and being as close to the mothership as I am it’s probably not a bad idea.
We finished off the day with a visit to the International District for dinner. We ended up finding a nice place to eat, Shanghai Garden, but overall the district was kind of disappointing. It was only 7:00, but the entire place was dead. Maybe it was because the area is more business and less residential than places like Chinatown in San Francisco, but it was silly how few shops were open. I understand it was a weekday, but that’s still a little sad. The food however, was very good. We each ordered an item, as well as some fried rice, only to find that each portion could have served three people easy. We ended up with so much extra that I was able to bring some back for the other people in the house, which was much appreciated. I think it is a universal constant, the act of bringing food to others in an effort to make friends. It speaks to one of our basic needs and our deepest natures.
Tomorrow my dad leaves, and I’ll be officially on my own. Better go to bed now so I can drive him to the airport.