75% terrified

Sunday, April 3, 2022

A few miles outside Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, was the first freeway sign listing Seattle. Yippee! 

Then a few familiar logos caught my eye, sweet evidence of the destination. The first was an Albertson's — hadn't seen an Albertson's since leaving Seattle in the 1990s.

In Spokane, there's a Jack-in-the-Box, or Jack-in-the-Crack, as we used to call it. It's just another fast-food chain — nothing special, and not particularly good except for the Breakfast Jack sandwich when they do it right, and they hardly ever did it right, even way back when. But there are no Jack-in-the-Boxes in Wisconsin, and I've missed their overpriced somewhat-edible food. I want a Breakfast Jack soon.

Next was a sign for Fred Meyer, another store not in the midwest, now with a different and ugly corporate logo.

Coming down from the mountains, more signs offered more brands I remember — boring old Safeway, now owned by Albertson's. There's no Safeway in Wisconsin, only Dangerousway.

And then, signs for more northwest fast food you can't find anywhere else — Dick's Drive-In, and Ivar's, and Taco Time. All are on my must-eat-soon list.

Logos, of course, represent corporations, and any corporation so big that you recognize its logo is evil. But still, I want that Breakfast Jack.

Also nice to see: sane speed limits. The max on I-90 in Washington is 70 mph, which is my max, too. In Wyoming and Montana and Idaho, the speed limit is 80 mph, and I'd simply refused. It's an old man stereotype, I guess, but I was the guy doing 65 in the slow lane. 

Bott's dots! I love Bott's dots, bumpity bumpity, but they don't exist in the midwest. Too much snow, probably — the snow plows would probably rip up all the Bott's dots every winter.

And Vince's Italian Pizzeria. Have you ever eaten there? Or known anyone who has? Not me, but there's their familiar sign, the same as when I was a kid. It's faded some, but ain't we all.

I'm glad Vince's is still there. It means some things maybe haven't changed, in this place where everything's changed.

I've changed. Doubtless you've changed, too. Right now I'm frazzled out of my mind — scrambling to get an apartment and a job in this world where everything's different. Once me and the cat get settled, though, and find our place in this strange city where Seattle used to be, let's meet for dinner at Vince's.

 

Seeing each and all of you is why I'm here, and we will be getting together, soon — but not right now.

 

At my best I'm barely a social animal, and I'm not at my best. I'm full of worries, on edge, kinda cranky, and with a wounded sense of humor. Give me some time, please, to get 25% oriented instead of 75% terrified in this new Seattle I don't know at all.

 

I'm staying at Casey's — thanks, sis — and I've been told that it's rude if I don't broadcast my phone number, so here it is: 425 757-3194.

 

As I've said many times though, and it's not a joke, I am uncomfortable talking on the phone, so please keep it brief. Email or Telegram remain the preferred way to get in touch.