I just found me a brand new box of matches

I've been yearning for these glossy babes since last fall, when I reluctantly concluded that they were too costly for my budget. Today, I'm delighted by that decision, as I just bought them for less than two thirds of the Swedish price.

But it wasn't just economics that made my day. No, the deal was sweetened by yet another encounter with the generous Seattle spirit, and I left the store with a big smile on my face and a blanket around my heart. (I love this city.)

Are you ready boots? Start walkin'!

Monopoly money

Got my first pay check today! Literally: a real pay check. Made out of paper. Ehm. Not sure of how comfortable I feel walking around with a full month's pay on a fragile little piece of paper. I think I'd better head straight for the bank (without passing GO). After beer hour, that is.

Do you hear that buzz...?

This aint no joke, folks! State's first case of 'zombie bees' reported in Kent.

And yes, they call them zombees; makes me feel quite at home, despite being thousands of miles away from Gothenburg witicisms.

Under the neon lights

Went to the movies last night (The Master), at the Guild 45th Theatre in Wallingford. Originally built in 1919, it has been chosen by Francis Ford Coppola for test audience screenings at several occations. A cool place with a gorgeous neon sign.

The movie? Well. It was, um... Long. Occasionally capturing, but mostly just long.

On getting home in one piece

The party last night was great fun; cheap drinks, good music, friendly people, and lots of karaoke (!) at a place in Queen Anne called Ozzie's. Because of massive ambivalence regarding choice of song I never made any performance myself, but I'll make sure not to miss out on the next opportunity... After switching location to the more laidback Manhattan in Capitol Hill, I felt like going home when closing time approached. My initial plan was to take the bus, but one of the guys in the group offered to drive me; an offer I accepted after some deliberation, as I was tired and also knew that there were no direct bus routes to Fremont from where we were.

Still, I find it really hard to accustom myself with the American drinking and driving habits. In Sweden, I would never get into a car with a driver that had been drinking. Here, it's completely ordinary. The guy was obviously far from drunk, but I knew that he had finished at least two drinks at Ozzie's and I just don't like the idea of putting my life in the hands of semi intoxicated people; commonly accepted or not.

Of course, I got home safe and sound; there were no problems whatsoever. But next time, I just might wait for the bus anyway.

The end of the world as we know it

Point taken.

The times they are a-changin'

At last, I think that fall is approaching. Although the sun still offers warmth in the afternoon, the crisp morning air reveals that a new season has snuck up on us. I brought my camera on my way to the grocery store, and found (among other things) a good match for my nails.

Tonight I'm invited to a birthday party by a girl I hardly know at I bar I've never been to. The honoree himself is completely unknown to me. Of course I accepted!

Praise to the postdoc

Apparently, September 17-21 has been the fourth annual National Postdoc Appreciation Week. It was first established in 2009 and officially recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives a year later. In 2011, the "significant contributions that postdoctoral scholars make to U.S. research and discovery" were acknowledged during 171 events in 30 states (and Canada). Neat!

The FHCRC contributes to the festivities by throwing us a party tonight, with light dinner, dessert and beer. This postdoc approves!

That summer feeling

Tonight, there is an almost tropical quality to the air. I just got back from an evening stroll along the lake, sweating in my sleeveless shirt although the sun was setting. The path was crowded with people; jogging, walking, talking, laughing. Others relaxed in sidewalk cafes, having drinks or ice cream. Someone passed me on a unicycle. A cockatoo sat on a fence, gazing out over the darkening sky.

A dreamlike evening on the other side of the world.

Food for thought

Alright, this is not going to be one of those blogs where I randomly post images of my food. Seriously: that is not going to happen.

That being said, I simply couldn't resist taking a snapshot of the brunch I had at the Portage Bay Café in Ballard...

No, I actually couldn't finish the whole plate. The waste! Oh, the waste...

Indulgence, for body and mind. I believe I must make this into some sort of recurring habit.