Seattle 2009: the Fair and the Zoo
Sep. 14th, 2009 11:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
furtechThe Puyallup Fair
Here's the Fair set on Flickr
Tracy wanted to see the Rodeo at the Puyallup Fair so we loaded up and headed south. I'm not much of a rodeo fan, but I was enthusiastic for two reasons: first, it was good practice to see if I (a nerd) could have fun at a rodeo (polar opposite of nerdiness). Second, I'm a guy and it was a competition: if there are scored points, rules and a winner-- a guy can get into just about anything. The former is good dating-practice: if I can have fun at this, it won't matter what weirdness she's into...
All in all, the rodeo was fun : we saw a lot of people getting beat up by animals and some good rides (I are expert now!). Great place for people-watching: it's a demographic I don't think I've ever hung out with...
The fair was its usual good self: high-priced food that is bad for you (see above) and lots of animals and exhibits. Tracy wanted to pet chickens and see the ag stuff . There were several pet displays: There was a cat with tiger markings and a beautiful blue merle rough collie. Unfortunately, the only sheep dog I saw was a cute border collie marionette that I resisted buying (I'm not a huge fan of this type of puppet)-- but now I regret that decision (it was really cute!). As always, I enjoyed going through the "hobby" buildings: I find it re-assuring that there are people with weirder hobbies than me, who are also more obsessed than I am. Only this was (for the most part) mundanes, and this is a whole other world! It's validation of some kind, I think.
Fun day! Plus, we got in free for some reason (not sure why-- apparently before a certain time it's free admission or something?)
Here's the Zoo set on Flickr
On Saturday K and S arrived from Spokane. I was very happy that they came out: I've missed hanging out with K in particular and talking strange animal stuff and huzzah-ing hyenas and such. Our destination that day was the Woodland Park Zoo. Ideal setting for crytozoology and hyena-geeking (except that there are no hyenas there).
The weather was perfect! For the most part the animals were active or at least visible. Tracy saw her birds; K saw tapirs and bats; I saw my beloved Cape Hunting Dogs ; S spent most of the time making friends with all the spiders in the park. They even have a penny-squisher that imprints a wild dog on the penny!
Outside the one of the exhibits we spent some time watching a bold squirrel who had learned where the good stuff was kept, and how to get at the goodies!
Oh, and baby snow leopards! Romping! Born May 29th.
Dinner was at an amazing restaurant called, "Toyoda". Japanese food, family style. The way that 'baa-san used to make it! Best chicken katsu and chicken teriyaki I've had in ages. Wonderful food, great prices and good service. Highly recommended!
Sunday I spent slacking. Mostly wrestling with the wireless connection and trying to upload pics to Flickr. Tracy and K&S met up with mutual friends and had adventures.
Monday: Poulsbo!
Here's the Fair set on Flickr
Tracy wanted to see the Rodeo at the Puyallup Fair so we loaded up and headed south. I'm not much of a rodeo fan, but I was enthusiastic for two reasons: first, it was good practice to see if I (a nerd) could have fun at a rodeo (polar opposite of nerdiness). Second, I'm a guy and it was a competition: if there are scored points, rules and a winner-- a guy can get into just about anything. The former is good dating-practice: if I can have fun at this, it won't matter what weirdness she's into...
All in all, the rodeo was fun : we saw a lot of people getting beat up by animals and some good rides (I are expert now!). Great place for people-watching: it's a demographic I don't think I've ever hung out with...
The fair was its usual good self: high-priced food that is bad for you (see above) and lots of animals and exhibits. Tracy wanted to pet chickens and see the ag stuff . There were several pet displays: There was a cat with tiger markings and a beautiful blue merle rough collie. Unfortunately, the only sheep dog I saw was a cute border collie marionette that I resisted buying (I'm not a huge fan of this type of puppet)-- but now I regret that decision (it was really cute!). As always, I enjoyed going through the "hobby" buildings: I find it re-assuring that there are people with weirder hobbies than me, who are also more obsessed than I am. Only this was (for the most part) mundanes, and this is a whole other world! It's validation of some kind, I think.
Fun day! Plus, we got in free for some reason (not sure why-- apparently before a certain time it's free admission or something?)
Here's the Zoo set on Flickr
On Saturday K and S arrived from Spokane. I was very happy that they came out: I've missed hanging out with K in particular and talking strange animal stuff and huzzah-ing hyenas and such. Our destination that day was the Woodland Park Zoo. Ideal setting for crytozoology and hyena-geeking (except that there are no hyenas there).
The weather was perfect! For the most part the animals were active or at least visible. Tracy saw her birds; K saw tapirs and bats; I saw my beloved Cape Hunting Dogs ; S spent most of the time making friends with all the spiders in the park. They even have a penny-squisher that imprints a wild dog on the penny!
Outside the one of the exhibits we spent some time watching a bold squirrel who had learned where the good stuff was kept, and how to get at the goodies!
Oh, and baby snow leopards! Romping! Born May 29th.
Dinner was at an amazing restaurant called, "Toyoda". Japanese food, family style. The way that 'baa-san used to make it! Best chicken katsu and chicken teriyaki I've had in ages. Wonderful food, great prices and good service. Highly recommended!
Sunday I spent slacking. Mostly wrestling with the wireless connection and trying to upload pics to Flickr. Tracy and K&S met up with mutual friends and had adventures.
Monday: Poulsbo!
