Nov 11 2007
Clueless In Seattle
I wouldn’t want you to think that all I did in Seattle was roam around Sea-Tac taking photos of the women’s restroom.
As fun as that is, I do have other interests. I do like to see other sights!
I enjoy watching sunrises and sunsets. My first sunrise over Seattle was beautiful – we were flying above the clouds and the sun came up from behind Mount Rainier. The mountain was a silhouette, a dark island in a sea of clouds. When the sun peeked from behind it, the clouds began to blush.
I didn’t have my camera with me on my first flight over nor was I by a window but hopefully this shot will give you some idea of what I saw.
I’m working in the Queen Anne area and can see the Space Needle, Elliott Bay and the revolving emblem of Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the local newspaper. I am sure there is some actual word for “massive company logo that may or may not revolve set on the top of their building.”
When I first arrived, the emblem was revolving. The last few days, it has not. I have no idea what reasoning goes being turning it on or off. It’s a great emblem.
Doesn’t it remind you of “The Daily Planet” of the Superman comic books?
Here is a view of Elliott Bay – you can see the edge of the P-I emblem on the right. Not a bad view from a company lunchroom!
The hotel is just a few blocks away so I can walk to work. The hotel is very nice and even offers a decent hot breakfast and dinner. Plenty of Starbucks coffee with breakfast – no surprise there since Seattle is the birthplace of Starbucks.
What IS surprising is that the hotel gives free wine and a local beer at dinner! You can’t serve yourself – a hotel staff member acts as a bartender but it’s free!
Everyone tips the “bartender” a dollar though.
The wine is boxed but what the hey. It’s free.
There were plenty of great restaurants around but I really like eating simply. The hotel had a decent salad bar so I stuck with a glass of wine and a salad for dinner.
OK, two glasses of wine.
I then head back to my room.
Here’s where I rested my weary head.
That’s a king-sized bed and every night I had to do battle with the pillows. I would grab 3 of them and toss them on a chair. That left me with 2.
The bed was nice and firm, not foamy. I slept well.
Speaking of beds, I slept right through an interesting proposition…
Recall the free booze? Well one night I decided to have a 3rd glass of wine at “last call.” The dinner hour ended at 7pm. Hey, these weren’t big glasses.
Anyway, the dining area had cleared out. It was down to two others and me. Each of us at our own table.
At the one table was a heavyset biscuity woman with cropped gray hair. I’d seen her the past few days with her eye rolling ‘tween daughter and her shuffling myopic husband. She and her family were staying at the table because their house was being worked on. They were locals.
At the other table was a grizzled man comfortably slouched in his chair – his legs were crossed with his left arm resting on the table and his right arm resting on his knee and supporting his glass of beer. I’d seen him go up to the bar several times and so I asked him, “What number are you on?”
He looked down at his beer and laughed , “Four…I think.”
The three of us ended up chatting, each of us at our respective tables. It felt a bit like shouting across small islands. I discovered a bit of their stories – from hearing how the woman was having to deal with suddenly being thought “stupid” by her 13-year old daughter to the man being a lawyer from Boulder, Colorado who was having to fly into Seattle to speak with witnesses. He’d been coming into town for over a month.
He wasn’t dressed like a lawyer – he fit right into Seattle’s casual work style – neutral colored slacks, plaid shirt. He didn’t look particularly Boulder-ish. I’ve been to Boulder a few times and Boulderites like fleece, tend to wear fitness gear, and they look like they actually use their gear.
The guy looked lean but more well preserved than fit. His gray hair was worn a bit long and neither his short beard nor his glasses were attempting to be anything other than functional.
The woman ended up leaving to hunt for her family and I chatted with The Lawyer a bit. I learned that he had a grown son and that he and his wife lived in the foothills of Boulder.
It was creeping towards 8pm and it really was time to leave the empty dining area. We both head towards the elevator and The Lawyer says to me, “Hey, I’m going to that sports bar a couple of blocks away, want to join me?”
I say, “Sure! Sounds nice.” and we decide to meet downstairs in half and hour.
We meet, we walk over to the sports bar, which was actually quiet and more of a pub with dark wood and wood booths. We both sat at the high tables near the bar. I decided to finally have a glass of the local wine. Washington is known for wine and all I had was Merlot-in-a-box. Vintage Almaden.
I ordered what turned out to be a very nice Cabernet. The Lawyer decided to switch to from beer to wine and had the same.
I like hearing people’s stories so I found out he used to be an architect. Life doesn’t always follow a straight path and he became interested in law and he went back to school to become a lawyer. I share a bit of my story and then it’s time to go back.
I usually don’t have quite so many glasses of wine in one evening so I washed up (always brush, always floss!) and went right to bed.
When I got up the next morning I saw that I had a blinking message light. I wondered if my family had called and I had been so “tired” I had missed seeing the light.
I retrieve the message. The timestamp was just after 1 am so I had slept through the call! Maybe all the pillows muffled the sound. Or maybe my hearing was muffled by so many glasses of wine.
The message:
“Hi Ms. Q. This is The Lawyer. I had a wonderful time with you. I would like to spend more time with you. I am in room ….”
Wow. I was totally clueless.
I was thinking married.
I was thinking older guy (late 50s-early 60s).
I was thinking safe.
Safe as in I didn’t have to worry about anything more than having a nice conversation with a fellow traveler.
If he was sending me any signals, I missed them all.
I don’t recall any flirting, innuendos, compliments about my lips or eyes or even my incredible wit.
I never felt that shift. You know…The Shift.
When the energy between 2 people changes from friendly to sexual.
I slept right through The Lawyer’s interesting proposition.
I wasn’t sleepless in Seattle but I sure was clueless.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Those are great pics. I always wanted to go to Seattle. You have me sold.
The guy is a lawyer. He is used to keeping his cards close to his chest. That’s why you missed the shift.
I don’t think this was the right guy for you anyway.
Maybe a good friend but nothing more.
Great title! Too bad you slept through, could’a been just like the Roche’s song!!!!
One in Louisiana
one who travels around
one of ‘em mainly stays in heart-throb town
I am not their main concern
they are lonely too
I am just an arrow passing through
When they look into my eyes
I know what to do
I make sure the words I say are true
When they send me off at dawn
pay the driver my fare
they know I am goin’ down somewhere
O the married men
the married men
never would have had a good time again
if it wasn’t for the married men
One says he’ll come after me
another one’ll drop me a line
one says all o’ my agony is in my mind
They know what is wrong with me
none of ‘em wants my hand
soloin’ in my traveling wedding band
O the married men
the married men
makes me feel like a girl again
to run with the married men
One of ‘ems got a little boy
other one he’s got two
one of ‘ems wife is one week overdue
I know these girls they don’t like me
but I am just like them
pickin’ a crazy apple off a stem
Givin’ it to the married men
the married men
all o’ that time in hell to spend
for kissin’ the married men
KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Actually, some of the very first dating advice I got (I’ve written you about the guy who gave it) was not to date married men. At the time I was like, “What, does he think I’m an idiot?!?!?!?”
But I think it probably happens more like the way you saw it: you think you’re nice & safe just being friendly & well meaning. Meanwhile the married guy has ulterior motives…
Well, good that you slept right through & didn’t have to deal with the awkwardness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ricardo: Seattle is lovely. I haven’t explored much of it but I’m told that the famous Seattle rain is pretty much a constant light rain and it doesn’t actually get more rainfall than other places. For example, let’s say you get I dunno, 10 inches of rain or something like that in Houston in the Winter. So 10″ of rain in 3 months. You might have a torrential downpour one day and rain here and there. In Seattle you’ll get misting and light rain for 6 months!
Or so I was told.
I love being by the ocean and Seattle has Puget Sound, wineries, fall color, laid back vibe and I heard a good economy. There certainly was a lot of new construction going on!
I would think that Seattle is quite a bit different than Stamford, CT!
Yeah, I don’t think he was the right guy for me, either. What with being married and all.
Jill: great lyrics! Is this the same Roche’s that had this Christmas album where they sang “Winter Wonderland” in a “Joysee accent”???
“Gawn away is the blooboid, here to stay is a newboid…”
Eeeee! A bit of sacrilege for me since “Winter Wonderland” is one of my Christmas favorites.
Anyway, it’s a good thing I missed the call! I was semi-worried I’d bump into him in the dining area later that evening but I figured if I did, I’d just pretend I didn’t get his message. Or if he brought it up I’d just thank him for the offer but hey, married dudes, not my thing.
He did pay for my wine at the bar, though. I could have expensed it and told him so but he took the bill. Still clueless I guess!
Oh yeah, that buying drinks thing I think might be the giveaway…
Not sure about the Roches song, but that sounds about right!
First off, I agree… great photos. The contrast of black and bright vivid color in the first picture is sweet, but you didn’t take that one… Ha haa!!
I was in one of these fancy wine bars at a hotel on one of my summer trips for work. There were 5 people and a small band. After the musical break, this band started up again, and one of the elderly women at the front table got up, walked to the microphone, and belted out a blues tune that shook my cage. I was impressed to the 10th power, and stood up and clapped. She was amazing!
Onto the meat of this post, MsQ. What if you did here that call? As you say – hmmm. I didn’t hear any words of shift reading through this. I find it interesting that this gentleman (I think) never sent a signal before the night ended. I find that I really can’t help but flirt with “every” woman. No, not in a agressive maner, but just a difference in mannerisms the occur while talking to the opposite sex. For instance, in a retirement home, I will talk to the ladies with a “That is a beautiful dress, you look so pretty today” type of demeanor. I am obviously not hitting on a senior citizen, this is just my nature. I often am approached by a female that has misconstrued my own candid and open conversation as an attempt at a “connection”. I’m a little like a bull in a china shop, so it is hard for me to realate to a male that has a passive or reserved personality regarding women.
In any case, some social interaction is nice, even to just shoot the breeze and find a little something out about yourself. Were you flattered by this invatation? Surprised? Upset? I couldn’t really tell… although that may of been your intention
One last note: You can’t believe how odd it is for an ex-alchoholic to hear someone say that the “wine glasses were small”. I used to think that the entire bottle was just a warm up. (Bad Cat) – I’ve never seen your lips or eyes, but you do have incredible wit!
Eric “Speedcat Hollydale”
Speedy! I did take that first photo from the plane – unless I missed your teasing me? All the photos except Superman were taken by yours truly. Point. Shoot.
You may be a bull in a china shop but I’m friendly clueless gal! It’s finally starting to hit me that at age 42 I stopped thinking of myself as as alluring! I seriously don’t put out any “vibe” as far as I know. In fact, when I went out for drinks I was even more covered up than usual! I had on a big sweater over a tee shirt – nothing tight at all.
Because I haven’t been thinking of myself as attractive I’m always surprised. In fact, I am usually dumbfounded. Ok, I’m not so dumbfounded when older (10+ years) men are attracted to me but I am usually flabbergasted when someone my age or in what I consider my age range (+/- 5 years) finds me appealing.
My friends tell me I need to get a grip. I know I’m not exactly Cat Food and it seems I need to work on my self-image!
Since this was an older married guy, I wasn’t looking for signs.
The Lawyer DID reach out to hold my hand at one point but again, I missed it. It seemed in keeping with our conversation (I’ve even held or touched a woman’s hand when I feel they need that “human touch”) and most people feel comfortable with telling me their more personal stories so again, I wasn’t thinking of this brief hand-holding as a come-on.
I can’t say I was flattered by the invitation but I’m not insulted, either. I am more surprised by it all. It really seems out of left field for me. Especially as it was just happenstance that we even went out at all.
I can see you being a bit of an old-school charmer when it comes to the elderly women. I am open and candid as well and have sometimes complimented a man. I am by no means a seductive temptress!! In fact, based on what I’ve experienced, I’m the type that men find appealing after they get to know me. I don’t have the immediate Ka-BLAM type of appearance. Which makes for me being a bit of a dud in the online dating arena.
Which is why my lack of success with online dating has my male friends puzzled. All I know is that I’m much better in person! hahahaha! And I get better over time. hehehehehe. Personally, I’d much rather have THAT than to have people like me less the more they got to know me!
When it comes to drinking wine, I can drink a wee bit much for someone of my tiny size. Which is why I stick to wine. I rarely have the hard stuff like I used to. Not that I even drank that much of it back in the day but my body, it’s not up for the vodka, tequila and rum. Which is fine.
Regarding my lips – I have a post with my lips showing. In fact, I’m smiling! I’ll leave it up to you to find that post. heheheeh! Hint: do a search on “oral”!!
Jill: he paid for my 2 (!!) glasses of wine but I didn’t give ANY indication that I was interested in him and while I know how to flirt I am pretty darn sure I was NOT giving him any signs. PLUS we did go our separate ways at the hotel and I would guess that an “Elevator Scene” would be the place where massive signals might be sent.
Married men do tend to buy me wine. Or so I’m starting to believe. That’s my next post. Maybe. Last week was goofy. Could it be that I’m actually HOT? Then again, these men had been drinking…
hahahaah!
Haha wel that’s interesting. You know I think that I’m realizing more and more that I’m also a person that cannot do that first impressions amazement that a lot of people do to woo people. I’d like to think that it’s NOT because I’m the all too frequent passive asian male but rather just who I am (someone who doesn’t have much game, but who is nevertheless super in other ways).
It has happened to me that I was surprised when somebody expressed interest, and I had not been expecting it. However it wasn’t quite as sudden or unexpected as your story was!
Derek: When it comes to the “Passive Asian Male” yeah, I’ve seen you (Asian Males in general) in non-action. Unfortunately, non-action usually results in the non-girlfriend! You are totally super in other ways but guess what, most women seem to want some signals.
Most people fear rejection and being rejected seems to fall on the male shoulders. I’m tellin’ ya, I’ve heard from a surprisingly number of fairly assertive in-all-other-areas-of-their-lives women that “NO WAY” would they call up a man or initiate the first move.
Huh.
I’m glad that someone has surprised you with being interested. Or so I hope it was in a good way. Hmm. I should write about another surprising episode! I am clueless time and time again.
Well, if you had been sleepless in Seattle you might be regretting it today. So clueless sounds like the better option.
the frogster: well…I doubt I’d have had any regrets as I tend not to regret things (regrets don’t help) but in this case even if I were sleepless, I would have merely uncomfortable with having to say, “Uh, thanks but no thanks” to his call.
Married men, not my speed!