Tiers

I'm back into my shifting schedules again. This week was on and off, but somewhat productive. Here's an overview of last week's highlights:

-I have finally become a resident of the state of Washington. Earlier last week, I decided to take care of my license plates and driver's license. It was a bit of a hassle trying to find the places and waiting in line (at the license place), but I'm glad it's taken care of. And for your non-Washingtonians, you take care of those at two seperate places, and it's not a 'tag agency' out there. ha.
-Started some freelance work for Sports Northwest, a couple features. One seemed to come out good, but for some reason I really struggled with the other. I hate when that happens.
-Raya, a niece to our good friends (that helped us move out to WA) recently passed away. Quite a shocker and I don't really feel I'm in the position to go on about the ordeal, but it's just a sad situation. Our hearts and condolences to her family.
-Started a trial of Netflix (after debating for a few years...) with Sadie and I think I'm sold. Already about 25 movies in que, and that's saying a lot considering it took me 15 minutes to find a movie I haven't watched. Not to spill any details, but I'm working on a project with movies I watch this year. still 8 more months to go on that one though.
-Speaking of Netflix, watched War Photographer. I highly recommend a viewing. Very serious. Very good.
-Borrowed Sadie's macro attachment and finally was able to start up some macro shots. They will be on my flickr this week. I need to get one of those....
-Finally tried a Dry soda: vanilla bean. Very nice.
-Installed RAM on Lindsay's computer and fixed her iTunes...although I think I might have confused her with all of the new files I created....
-I got my federal tax returns back. yes. and then Mike and I hit up Easy Street Record store and I bought a few CDs and movies to make myself feel better: M83-Before the Dawn Heals Us, Thrice-Vheissu, Album Leaf-Into the Blue Again, Adaption, Life is Beautiful, & All the Real Girls. (for 40 bucks, I deemed that quite the deal)
-Started a new series of pictures, pictorial food reviews, more to come on that. We will be taking pictures of us eating at different restaurants in the area. I have a couple more that I need to upload still. I'm about a week behind on my flickr uploads, but I'll catch up soon enough.
-Updated my website with a couple spreads I've done for Seattle magazines.
-Started the revamp of Avantcore.com. Still needs a few things worked out and we're really trying to have a couple shirts available. Not sure if it's going to happen due to lack of funds.
-Little Sister went to prom last weekend as well. Can't believe she's almost out of high school. Makes me feel kind of old....

The Way We Are

Sadie captured this on our venture to Jack Block Park. It pretty much encapsulates how I'm feeling at the moment. As much as I dislike the financial roller coaster lately, I'm glad that it's given me the oppurtunity to enjoy these nice days and have my own Seattle adventures...

Other End of the Week Notes

-I didn't really explain the store regarding The Sandlot and Mustard, which after posting that short survey, I realized I should explained the story as well as rephrased the wording of my question. Here it goes:

The other night, Lindsay was discussing how she had never seen the Sandlot, which later involved me making various references to the movie which she did not get (i.e. "forever" "S'mores"...) and then probably an hour later, she was like 'how the heck do you not have mustard in the fridge?' me: 'for what?' "hamburgers, hot dogs, etc...' That's just not a condiment I've ever craving or feel the need to have on...well, anything. So that's that. My lack of condiments isn't as bad as never seeing The Sandlot. whatever.

Design Notes
-The Great White Wash: Walmart Finally redesigns their "great value" line. I remember discussing this matter for long periods of time in my package design course and how it awful and needed to be fixed. In regard to the redesign, there are some issues with the overall design (outlined, badly kerned letters?!), but it's still a vast improvement of what it was and I give it the Upgrade.

Blog B-Sides
-Puma Archive: Puma shoes + nice typography
-Tetoris: Super tetris that spans across your browser. and takes 2329898592837409 hrs to make a line. Actually from what I read, only 15 minutes.
-Detroit's Beautiful, Horrible Decline: great photos.

In other news
Sadie and I decided to make a Seattle movie day last weekend and watched Sleepless in Seattle and 10 Things I Hate about You. and then yesterday, we went to the high school that was in 10 Things... Pretty fun, I don't have my photos up, but check back on my flickr here in a few days and they'll be posted. Most of the spots from Sleepless were obvious like Pikes and Alki Beach...

Seattle Notes #1

-I should have done this a while ago, but I suppose actually living in Seattle now, I feel I should share the adjustments of everyday life. I've been picking up freelance jobs working for a couple magazines (if you didn't already know), and both of their offices are located right by Safeco field (where the Mariners play). I must say it's been great to wake up and leave for work, see the Olympic Mtns, then drive across the West Seattle Bridge and see the Seattle Skyline on a daily basis. Nothing beats seeing the skyline at night though. It gets me every time.

Here's a list of five things I've gladly adapted myself to:

1. 5 Lane Highways (HOV lane included): Yes, traffic here is insane, but after a few times driving to Seattle from Tacoma and back, driving on the huge highways hasn't really become an issue. Although I must say, driving in downtown Seattle is still a bit scary. And this was a new one for me when I moved here, but there is a carpool lane: basically an extra lane on the left made only for buses and cars with +2 people. Pretty nifty.
2. No Walmart: I can gladly say I haven't been to a Walmart since I moved here. Sure it used to be a place of 24 convenience, but not anymore. I think I've seen like 3 total. And they weren't even close by. Starbucks owns here, as I see one on every block. But funny thing, I haven't been to a Starbucks either....
3. Crosswalks: I don't remember ever stopping at a crosswalk in OK. I'm sure I have but I think I used it more as a place to stop for the redlights. People actually walk around here and use the crosswalks, thus making it necessary to stop Before the crosswalks. It's definately a more pedestrian friendly city.
4. Weather: Oh, the treacherous WA weather. By the way, when people say it 'rains' here, it's more than likely a light rain to a drizzle. The hardest I've seen it rain here is probably half the strength of an OK storm. Speaking of which, I have yet to see lightning or hear thunder which is an odd occurrence when it is raining. I'd say for the most part it isn't raining too bad here and there is a slight overcast. Which I rather enjoy. I don't like being blinded by the sun when I walk out the door in the morning. I enjoy the moderate temperatures and lack of extremes (snow/tornadoes/fires/110 degree weather).
5. Arts & Design: It's just nice to live in a place that harvests the creative types. I can I'm a graphic designer and people aren't like, "what's that? Do you go to school for that?" Although there is a slight disadvantage to that with being a 'small fish in a big pond,' but in a good way. There is just a general appreciate of The Arts in the area that is even apparent just going to shops. Especially when I can go downtown and I have access to DWR, Peter Miller Design Book store, Olympic Sculpture Park, among other various resources.

-I'll try to post a couple more Seattle Notes here in the future.

Survey Says...

-We had a discussion pre-meal time the other night involving Mike/Lindsay/Sadie/Me, and I would like to take this opportunity to bring it to the open forum and ask everyone else this question:

What is more Un-American: never seeing The Sandlot or not having mustard in your fridge?

...and then I'll tally it up and see what the general public has to say about this one.

Bring it Back

-I've decided to bring back movie nights just so I can design some movie posters for them. Those always had poor turn outs anyways, and there will only be 2-4 people attending here. Ah well...I'm bringing it back. First up: Ironman. (Not too shabby for only a couple hours)

Move Over Qdoba

-There's a new burrito in town, and its from Taco Gol. I was informed by my recent coworkers at SeattleMag to check out the taco truck down the street. I kind of chuckled (at it being a taco truck), and said I would try it out. Two weeks later, Mike/Lindsay/Me decided to try it out. and I must say. I was impressed. Best burrito I've had in ages. Mike gave it an A+ after one bite.

Other current events in the life (or since the beginning of April) of Christopher Lee:
-Worked this week at Seattle magazine after working 3 days at SportsNW after working two straight weeks at Seattle magazine
-Offered a freelance gig for GLG, still pending...
-started a WaMu/Chase bank account. Finally (well, i guess I did that a couple weeks ago, but just started using it)
-Went to EMP with Lindsay/Mike: revisited Hatch Show Print, other highlights include: E.T., the suit from Rocketeer, the tree of life model from The Fountain, various pieces of set design from Bladerunner, and of course, Tom Geismar's Robot collection
-Explored more of Seattle (with Sadie), including Kerry Park, Helix Pedestrian Bridge, Elliott Bay Park and a revisit to Olympic Sculpture Park
-Attended Seattle's MS Walk (in support of Sadie's mom), which also involved a revisit to Gasworks park and a pass through The Wall of Death (horrible art installation)
-Movies Watched: Doubt, Special, The Shining, Hot Fuzz, William Eggleston in the Real World, 300, The Weatherman
-Sent over 50 emails in 3 days at work
-Debating having just a mustache
-Desk, plus vanity mirror in room cleaned
-Officially have over 25,000 view on my flickr
-Took over 2.5 gigs of photos
-Woke up 3 days in a row to a bug inspector at our house because Mike discovered termites living in our bathroom (and landlords seem to like having the inspections come at 8:30 in the morning. boo)
-Movies in the house are finally organized

-I think I left out a couple things. but I feel that I've been in non stop mode for about a month....
-Sorry I don't have links for all of that, just stop by my flickr, I've been trying to post a photo or two every day. or Google it.
-New Office tonight X2. yes.