The agenda for early August

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Retirement is the best thing ever — why didn't I do this fifty years ago? Work should be abolished for everyone!

In my first month of doing nothing I've done a lot — had a few quiet picnics at different parks, played hours of pinball, went to the Pike Place Market, watched (and did a little) Polish folk dancing, sailed on the water taxi, drank beer at a bar (shocking, I know), joined an introverts club, robbed a convenience store, and watched 400 new citizens be sworn in on the 4th of July.

Just kidding about robbing that convenience store. It wasn't me. I have an alibi.

This page lists my known whereabouts, and if any of it sounds interesting, here's my invitation to anyone who ever knew me or wants to: Come with me. Just say hey like Willie, and we'll work out the details.

Btw, if you're unsure about something because it sounds bonkers or you've never done it before, that's kinda the point. "Try it, you'll like it!"

  THE BASICS: 

Please RSVP by the day before, so I know you're coming. All events are 'Dutch treat'. Never forget that I'm a weirdo.

This is a zero-pressure invitation. I'd love to see you, but if you can't make it my feelings won't be hurt.

We gather for breakfast twice monthly, and a monthly movie. Click for the big list of *everything* I wanna do and *everything* I wanna eat.

And here's what's happening in the next few weeks:

Seattle Center
305 Harrison Street, Uptown
10AM • Wednesday, July 31

Everyone loves the Seattle Center — home of the Bubbleator, Food Circus, Fun Forest, SkyRide, and of course, the SuperSonics!

We'll just low-key stroll the grounds, maybe toss a frisbee, watch the juggling hyenas, have lunch at the food court,  etc.

Burke Museum
4303 Memorial Way NE, University District
10AM • Thursday, August 1

See what's the latest in artistic fraud, or art — and you decide which is which!

Museums have to be air conditioned to protect the artifacts and art, so you'll stay cool and get a little culture. 

The Burke is free on the first Thursday of every month, and this is the first Thursday. They had me at 'free'.

Backpacks are not allowed.

Breakfast at Little Pat's
13611 Ambaum Blvd SW, Burien
9:45 • Friday, August 2
(Yup, breakfast is now on FRIDAYS)

Time of the Heathen (1961)
at Grand Illusion Cinema
1403 NE 50th Street, University District
4:15 • Saturday, August 3 

This is a movie I've never seen or even heard of, so it might suck. It sounds weird, though, and I like almost anything weird except Republicans.

The theater is pre-ADA, up a flight of stairs with no elevator option.

Tickets $12, or $9 for seniors. Masks required.

Bainbridge Island
Colman Dock: 801 Alaskan Way, Waterfront
8AM • Monday, August 5

We'll walk onto the ferry to Bainbridge Island, where the island's downtown is only a short walk from the ferry terminal. Winslow Way is 'Main Street', and we'll see where our feet take us.

It'll be a surprise — I've never been to Bainbridge Island. If you have, you can lead the way!

Will reschedule if the forecast calls for rain or highs above about 80° (I'm a wuss about the heat).

Cannabis Museum
inside Dockside Cannabis
1728 4th Avenue South, SoDo
9AM • Tuesday, August 6

This small museum celebrates the history of marijuana as medicine. It was legal and widely used from before the Civil War until 1937, when racist fearmongers had it banned.

 

Excursion on Metro's #7 RAINIER bus.
S Henderson St @ Rainier Avenue, Rainier Beach
9AM • Wednesday, August 7

Oh, the places you'll go, on the bus!

There's no better way to explore the city than simply riding public transit, looking out the window, with no particular destination.

We'll ride the #7 from Rainier Beach through the Central District and Chinatown, say hello to the bums, maybe eat in one of the cheap Chinese restaurants, and then we'll cross the street and ride back again. Along the way when anything looks cool, we'll hop off and take a closer look, then climb onto the next bus.

I'm expecting this tour will take about three hours. 

If you don't have a pass, the fare is $2.75, or a dollar for seniors.

Cheap eats at Pancake Chef
15215 Military Road South, Tukwila
6AM • Thursday, August 8

Georgetown Steam Plant
6605 13th Avenue South, Georgetown
10:30 AM • Saturday, August 10

This is an old steam-powered facility for generating electricity. It's a National Historic Landmark, and it's literally steampunk.

Admission is free. Guided tour starts at 11:00. 

Backpacks are not allowed.

Fallen Angels, at Town Square Park
400 SW 152nd Street, Burien
5PM • Sunday, August 11

A play by Noël Coward, presented by Burien Actors Theater. Click for a quick synopsis.

There are lots of restaurants in the neighborhood; maybe we meet for dinner before the show?

The play is free. You can't sit on my lap, so bring a chair.

 

"Trash Talking" at Mini Mart City Park
6525 Ellis Ave South, Georgetown
Noon • Wednesday, August 14

This is an art show in a former gas station, featuring "life-size replicas of politically-charged objects made from recyclables by toy sculptor Michael Leavitt."

Sounds absolutely ludicrous to me. But in a good way.

Breakfast at Little Pat's
13611 Ambaum Blvd SW, Burien
9:45 • Friday, August 16
(Yup, breakfast is now on FRIDAYS)

⭐
Y'all come back now, y'hear?
Next update: August 13
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• BREAKFAST • CHEAP EATS • FIELD TRIPS •
• MAIN PAGE • MOVIES • EVERYTHING •