The Chinese Elvis

Had to visit Wing Yip today, it one of my favorite places to go. Had lunch at Tai Tung, the restaurant next door. Had a duck and wonton soup noodle, brilliant lunch snack.

Went to Wing Yip and visited the fishmongers, it’s a really good one, massive selection of fish and look at the size of those prawns, 8 inches long (see thumbparison). Where else can you get whole cod, not sure about the size though bit small to be caught in my opinion. Bought a wild sea bass and some Chinese greens. Kids will be eating out and about, so going to cook for Leeann tonight, haven’t done so in over a week.

When did this happen?! Taer is going to Legoland today with her friend and parents. I came down this morning and noticed she was all made up. Eye shadow, perfume and lipstick.

She is growing up so quickly, sometimes too quickly for my liking. Not much I can do about it really. Just need to enjoy everyday as they go by as they wont come back. Got the whole day to myself, Taer is out, Lola is at nursery and Leeann is at work. The world is my oyster, well the overgrown garden is.

Been back a day, my body is giving me multiple messages, it’s all out of whack! Been thinking back on my Seattle trip and wanted to give it all a few final thoughts. Obviously, I went for a work trip, that was great but I wont talk about that here, loads to do on that front when I get back to work in a weeks time.

The people: it took me a while to get my head round how to strike up conversations with total strangers, it was quite difficult at first, combination of jet lag, being in the wrong places and I think the Seattlites are naturally reserved, they call it the “Seattle Chill” apparently, having said that, towards the end of my week, when I got more confident, I was meeting new people every other moment. For me that was one some of the best experiences I had. It’s quite a skill but one I want to improve on as much as possible.

The city: Seattle is fabulous, kinda reminded me of San Francisco, lots to do, food is great and the whole way of life seems really laid back. Quality of life is very high and I felt the people chased quality of life and not standards of living there. They do drive a lot and there are a lot of cars on the road but that is indicative of the States, it’s very big and the public transport infrastructure is no where near as good as the UK, yes, you heard right! There seems to be a genuine green movement too, lots of hybrid cars and everyone talking about the environment and going green, in fact, I think public opinion is stronger there then it is here.

The guns: I would be lying if I said I didn’t thoroughly enjoy the gun shooting at Wades. It was a revelation, I was really good at it and as a skill, something I was eager to improve. I was expecting everyone in the States to be guns toting, honestly, hardly anyone I spoke to was, in fact it was quite the opposite, it’s not a big deal and not as big an issue as the rest of the world makes it out to be. While I loved doing the exercise in the controlled environment with a trainer which was educational and fun, I would never want to own a firearm outside of that environment. One thing that evening taught me was how dangerous guns are and how much respect you need to give them, I can say that with first hand experience.

The week: being away from the family is difficult, while I immersed myself in the experience, one part of me was always wishing Leeann was with me. A few years back I wanted to go on a months sabbatical, I got down to the planning phases and agreed with work and the missus that it “might” happen. Having been away for only a week, it was too difficult and I wouldn't want to do that for any longer. To that end, the sabbatical is officially dead.

The Chinese Elvis: I loved doing the blog, I’ve read it back since I returned and just been smiling my face off. It was my 2 year anniversary of starting it when I was in the States and I don’t regret it at all. In fact, I feel its starting to take shape and become part of me and my way of life.

So, I’m just about to checkout of my hotel room. Got a few hours to kill before I need to head for the airport. I think my weeks blog has summed up my experience of the place. It was towards the end I really started to get to know the town, and what an amazing town it is, just brilliant.

While one part of me is sad to be leaving, another part of me is looking forward to seeing the people that matter most in my life, Leeann, Taer and Lola, and they are of course in the UK, my home.

Farewell Seattle, and for what I promise will be the last time, it’s been AWESOME!

Had the strangest of evenings last night. Met up with Cathy, she took me to Capitol Hill, a really nice part of town, far more funky and trendy. Ate quite early as I skipped lunch due to the skydive. Anyway, had a lovely meal, great chat and then said our goodbyes as she needed to leave early.

I decided to spend some time in the surrounding area, went to some bars and stuff, I think Capitol Hill is the gay area as each and every bar was full of couples all the same sex. Gay or straight, they we’re still couples so having conversations were a little tricky.

Briefly considered one last challenge in this tattoo bar but the guy in the shop said I should re-consider as I had a few drinks, good advice in hindsight.

So, I decided to go to skydiving Jennifer party, except I couldn’t exactly remember where it was, I recall she said The Ballroom, which was just round the corner. So I popped along. It was called The Century Ballroom, and you know what, it was a frigging ballroom! Strolled in and there were loads of couples doing ballroom dancing. I don’t think a 25 year old would be having a party there.

Then, after visiting some more bars, a bar tender said, it must be The Baltic Rooms, so, went there, definite gay bar, with leather this time, I now know what a gay cruise feels like. But bingo! The barman said, there is a Ballroom in Freemont but it’s a few miles away.

By now, I frankly had enough, I was tried, tipsy and lost. I headed back to the hotel but out of shear determination, I jumped into a cab. Found the Ballroom, it was heaving! The queue stretched round the corner, I spoke to the door man and he said there's no party reservation for Jennifer only Jenna. God, I didn’t even know if I got her name let alone the location, perhaps I got it all wrong!

Went to the bar next door and met a girl called Mica, she was by herself so we got talking and I showed her my blog on her iphone, she was a muso and was waiting for a gig to start down the road at an odd time of midnight?! Anyway, said our goodbyes and I took off.

Walked out the bar and decided to hail a cab. Then, these two sisters grabbed me, Amy and Christina and literally marched me into this club opposite, to be honest, when two hot chicks asks you to join them clubbing, you’re not really gonna say no! As long as you remember golden rule No1 “You can admire the cream cakes, just don’t stuff your face full of them”

Anyway, it was great, they both had a few friends at the club and I spend the whole night chatting and getting frankly s**tfaced with them! Can’t remember the blokes name, I think he was one of the boyfriends, spoke to Amy (one on right) for quite a while, she had a few and let’s put it this way a bit feisty.

A great end to the week…

PS: Skydiving Jennifer, I did try to find you!

You know how I love to challenge myself. So, on Wednesday, I managed to book a tandem skydive at Skydive Snohomish! Hey, why not! Just got back from my day there and the adrenaline is still coursing through my veins. I know I’ve used this a lot this week but it was AWESOME!

The entire jump was filmed and edited onto DVD but my laptop does not have a DVD drive! However, the hotel room does have a DVD player, so I watched it and filmed it off the TV from my camera, quality is a bit pony. I will do a better and fuller version when I am back in the UK. UPDATE: Full Fixed Video Below!

  
Video: Seattle Sky Dive Full Video

The video will describe how I felt! My instructor was Vlad and he was the man, along with Jennifer, who was 25 today and kept me company during the day. In fact she was the nicest person I’ve met in Seattle, even invited me to her birthday party this evening but I’m meeting Cathy for dinner, anyhoo happy birthday Jennifer!

BTW: if you are wondering why I mentioned “The Republicrats” have a look at the site! I’m gonna edit that properly and add my video too! Vote Sean Masterson

My last night in Seattle, gonna meet Cathy for a few drinks and some food and make it a good one.

Man….guns are AWESOME! I’m using that word far too much. I’m so glad I went for a trainer, this bloke is Bill, he was fantastic, there is so much to learn when it comes to weapons and he was great at explaining everything and made the whole experience educational and fun. UPDATE: Full Video Below

Video: Shooting Range In Seattle - FULL VIDEO

Just got back to the hotel. Here is what I fired (I think) at Wades.

• S&W Revolver
• Colt Semi automatic
• Glock 9mm Semi Automatic with laser sighting
• AR-15 9MM Carbine Rifle (M16)
• Ruger 10/22 telescopic sight
• S&W Magnum 500

I’ll cut a full video later, I can recommend this to anyone. Go to Wades Guns and ask for Bill. However, as Spiderman said, with power comes responsibility, now I’ve fired a gun, shaking throughout the process, it’s an adrenaline rush, addictive but you need to treat it with the utmost respect.

PS: One last thing, that last S&W Magnum 500 shot. Look where I hit...I am legend!

The concierge suggested I take a walk down to Pioneer Sq, so headed South and found a bar, then another, then another and finally another and all of them wouldn’t serve me as I had no ID, I though they were joking at first but after 4 rejections, the hotel beckoned.

Had to go back to the hotel and get my driving licence. By then, I didn’t fancy going back, so headed to The Pike Place Brewery  and ordered my first drink without even having to show my ID! All very odd.

I thought I make in-roads into my goal of meeting people, so my first victim was Dillon (above) he was from Seattle and worked in a book shop round the corner, he’s studying a masters so he can be a librarian. 6 years of study to work in a library, surprised me too. He wanted to work in a school library, so I guess it more like being a teacher then someone stamping books for return.

Anyway, fancied seafood tonight, so the barmaid suggested I eat down the waterfront at a restaurant called Elliot's, it was pretty good. Had a starter of 6 oysters, which you can choose from at least 10 different types, I had a mixed selection and then the dungeoness crab, massive beast with loads of flesh, unlike the paltry brown crabs we have.

Next to me I met Daniel, he was in the army and just served a 18 month tour of duty in Iraq. Had the most amazing conversation with him, telling me about what’s going on over there, what he’s been through and where he is stationed next, Afghanistan or Germany. I know where I choose but then I’m not a soldier.

Anyway, wont go into detail as it was quite personal and I could tell he probably just wanted to tell people in his own way, not via me. He was a medic in the army and I tell you want, that 45 minute conversation has given me the utmost respect for what they do, regardless of what your political views are on the situation. God speed Daniel…