Our month started at PAX 2023. PAX is an annual video games and gaming culture convention. Naturally, there was a Cheez-it provisions booth.
Destroying thousands of dollars worth of crops. We're ruined!
Many, many things were overheard during this event. People were next to this display talking about how the "actual" version is bigger.
This little room was worth the whole price of admission.
The newly-finished convention center is fantastic. What a great way for people to come and see our city.
Some of the games were extremely unique. Nice to see such a variety.
The next day, we took the train to the airport.
Always nice to be landing in Alaska.
Good friends are always good friends, even when you haven't seen each other for a while.
Headed down to the wildlife center.
This raven was trying to steal things out of the back of someone's truck and I was talking to him about how I wasn't going to snitch but he should be careful.
We asked for salmon and we had every possibly type of salmon, to include smoked salmon bellies and salmon ceviche.
We went hiking/foraging with our friend who knows what and how to look for. Crowberries were everywhere, blueberries were there if you looked hard enough, and high bush cranberries (lingonberries) were tough but possible.
She was talking about how Alaskan berries are so nutrient-rich because they have to be. They survive in harsh conditions.
The harshest conditions produce the strongest and most vibrant life. You don't need to be in Alaska to understand that.
Not quite the holiday card photo. Keep trying.
More offensive graffiti.
We took the kids around the town a bit to relive some of their greatest hits.
Down at Ship Creek. The salmon had already run.
He had never had a corndog so after he ate the whole thing he said he grew a bunch and weighed a lot more.
Near Juneau
Whidbey Island
First day of middle school
5th graders finishing their 5th grade project after the new school year started. For shame! These 5th graders are so lazy.
First day of elementary school
Getting a haircut at the local barber, aptly named Hugo's Barber Shop
Mom visited the Seattle underground. Those glass things you see below you at Pioneer Square look like this underneath.
Dad and some coworkers going to West Seattle for lunch. The ferry is free when you're a Metro employee.
The same day, mom doing a Tacoma Link tour. Opening new transit options for Tacoma folks, and not just in the rich part of town.
Our delightful friend visited from London. We love her.
Stopping by a P-Patch on the roof of a parking garage in Queen Anne after stopping by the art studio of a friend/neighbor who has a ton of synthesizers being used to help traumatized people express themselves with music.
Started a new project for work. One of the job fairs wants a lego Sound Transit Link train. Bought a lego model to use as the frame. The proportions were all wrong so tore it apart and started over.
Had a work event at the beautiful art-deco hospital on beacon hill.
Working people built all of this.
Seattle police did another bad thing on camera and anti-police graffiti immediately popped up all over.
Homemade dress ready for the homemade dress party.
Got back from repping at a career fair later in the evening.
This trapeze studio in SODO was supposedly closing a while ago but it seem like it's doing fine.
She wanted photos with her dress and I didn't do a great job but fortunately there were professionals at the event.
Walking back from the brewery with dad's cardigan
Headed to Sultan for the a celebration of the salmon heading in.
Hard to see in this photo and the water was silty but there were a decent number this year. Here's hoping they keep strengthening in numbers.
Stopped at Bubba's in Sultan. If you assume this would be a roadside roadhouse experience with hearty food and limited but quality beer options, you'd be absolutely correct.
Zero complaints.
Imagine they are drifting in close tandem after this cars and coffee event.
Neighbor's birthday party
Early morning at Pioneer Square, heading to Bremerton on the fast ferry for a career fair.
The cruise ships are cartoonish at this point.
Was going to tag this but one of our folks already hit it
Making a Siemans S700 LRV without any instructions
Birthday breakfast
Grammy made a point of showing up for both older human kids' birthdays
Hadn't tested this on turns before the day but we had operators on standby to help get it in running shape. We only had 2 serious derailments and neither were design issues.
My good brother delivered his handmade table to our dining room.
It seems to have blended right in with our family and our patterns.
When you go to the park with your breakfast muffin and the city provides frosting because some people were frosting cakes right there in the park and they're happy to share. Life is so good.
The city provides firewood for later.
