Becca "fracta" C.'s Profile

New Year's 2007 was a really great time here.  I was on a job, couldn't get home, and we found this place.  There was a $10 cover, but the place was PACKED!  Dueling piano bar, great musicians singing the classics, and everyone joining in.  It was a really great night.  They've got the whole tiki-bar look inside which was really cute.

What a cute little airport.  Just 5 gates or so, well-served by US Airways.  From what I remember, it was very clean and a bit out of the way from Wilmington itself.  They were having issues with too many cars and not enough long term parking, so they had a huge overflow lot that they shuttled you to.  It was the holidays, I know, but still annoying waiting for that friggin shuttle at midnight when I was really tired.

This Chevron is right down the street from my work, so I probably fill up here more than any other station.  Also, I happened to notice they are always the cheapest gas I can find within a 5-mile radius of downtown Seattle (I live in the heart of Cap Hill).  That reason alone, will always bring me here.  The thing I don't like?  It's on a really small lot sandwiched at a busy intersection between 1st ave and E Marginal Way.  If all the pumps are being used, it's hard to maneuver in there.  Also very popular with cab drivers.  Be careful at night, because Georgetown is a little unsavory at times.

The Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport is a beautiful, modern facility that serves Charlottesville and the greater Albemarle County area (obviously, huh?).  It also happens to be the gateway to the best Universities in America, Mr. Jefferson's UVA (yeah, alum talking here).  In my years at UVA, I never had a reason to fly through here since I'm originally from the DC-area.  But coming in for a friend's wedding from Seattle gave me the opportunity to see how quaint and well-functioning this airport is.  They've got a cute UVA gift shop/convenience store; literally, it takes 5 minutes to go from outside security to the gate.  You're not going to miss your flight out of Charlottesville.  The only thing I'm not crazy about is its distance from central Charlottesville.  It's about 15-20minutes to UVA, but that's ok, I just get to feel nostalgic riding down Route 29 towards my alma-mater.  By the way, I don't care that I sound cheesy.

U-dub is a teaching Hospital, so it's most likely the doctor you encounter is a post-doc or relatively new; there are no old-salts here.  Ok, so being new to the Seattle area, I thought, go to the University; it's top-class and in my health care network.

Every time I've come here there's been a new doctor; they rotate them in and out, so you never get the chance to build a relationship with your doctor, which I think is very important.  

The major sting: one "girl" (I'm calling her a girl because she has no idea what it is to be a doctor), gave me some unconfirmed diagnosis, did not followup with me, and had an atrocious bedside manner.  I was completely fine health-wise, but this woman left me with such a sour taste in my mouth, I refuse to go back to them.  Thank god the nurses were there to at least take the time to talk to me, in contrast to the girl who shoved me out of her office asap.  Disgusting.

Lunch in Georgetown is going to cost $10 for takeout, no matter where you go.  Actually, no, back up because I've changed my mind.  You can get a GREAT lunch for way less at Maruta Shoten!  In a neighborhood that has no huge American grocery stores, going to this little Asian gem is great because of the big selection of rolls and sashimi.  A HUGE Rainbow Roll for $3.75, people.  The avocado was fresh; well, actually everything was fresh because they make it daily.  I got a fresh roll for $2.99; unfortunately, I'm not crazy about the hoisin sauce they package with it, but no worries.  I just buy a little packet of sweet-n-sour to dip it in.

I stayed away for a while because the 2nd time I came here, the service came with a slice of attitude, and a I'm-better-than-you wink.  However, Saturday night I gave you guys a second round, and not only did I have 2 excellent vanilla martinis, there were nice people with great house music playing.  I stayed till 1:30 and thought to myself, yeah, I'll do this again...

This is my local Farmers Market and usually I'm not so impressed with the selection or size, I do have to say the best raspberries of my life were purchased here.  I loved them so much I bought 2 and ate 1 carton on the way home.  So fresh and juicy!  They have cheap bouquets that are absolutely beautiful, but you're very lucky if it makes it to a week.  There was a tomato guy selling all kinds of mixed breeds, which was interesting just to observe all the Capitol Hill peeps eagerly oohhhing and ahhing over the hybrids.

Sorry, but it's too small for me and I do like the craft stalls, so that's just my personal preference for what's going to bring me out of my apt on a gray Sunday afternoon.

I picked up some jasmine tea here after trying it for the first time at a sushi place in Cap Hill.  Man it was good!  Sales staff were very nice too.  This would be a great place to pick up some gifts and they have a large selection of tea sets; I don't know if they carry Japanese-style, but I remember the English porcelain kind.  Free samples too.

The Market has enriched my Seattle experience because it offers  a departure from the norm.  

Indulge in culinary delights:
-A savory or sweet piroshky from the Russian bakery
-Mediterranean/Italian to-go meals from Michou Fresca
-Baklava from the Greek food stands
-Warm buttery croissants from Le Panier Very French Bakery
-Organic, succulent peaches
-Cup of yummy chowder
-Absolutely ANYTHING from De Laurenti's....their procuitto, jams, specialty pastas & ravoilis are divine!  Try some pecorino cheese, or better yet, get a slew of stuff in plastic cups for a picnic!

Also:
-A great rock-and-gem shop in the lower level of the mall
-Sometimes you get really GREAT musicians playing in the less-traveled nooks and crannies in the market. Usually, I'm almost never impressed with whoever is playing right outside the originial Starbucks
-Interesting tiny jewelry shops
-Friendly people
-Great selection of music, home decor, and artisan shops in the immediate vicinity
-Beautiful cherry blossoms in early spring line Pike St.

Cons:
-Too many homeless begging for change/ or on something at that grassy park overlooking the Puget Sound.
-Sometimes it's a crush of rude or slow people
-The flowers are beautiful and cheaper than at stores, but you can get a great bunch at $5 up the street at the Cap Hill Farmers Market