We’ve been getting a lot of questions lately from people who are wondering “Why Seattle?” Which is also sometimes followed up by “Why not <some other place>?”
Well, a few reasons, really. The big one is that both Mickey and I like the Seattle area. Then comes the issue of work: Mickey is a scenic artist, and as such needs a city that actually has regular professional theatrical work. I’m a student at a school that is off campus for all but two weeks out of the year, so I can live anywhere. I’m also looking for an internship with a game company (or possibly even a real job, though I’m not thinking my qualifications are there yet), and there is certainly a large quantity of that in the Seattle area.
Then there is the geography issue: Mickey grew up just outside of Chicago, and has done the city thing for her whole life (with the exception of these past two months in Vermont). She wants the accessibility and activities that cities provide. I, on the other hand, want nothing to do with most cities. I find them stressful, rushed, and irritating to a point that FAR outweighs the activities that reside therein. That said, the relaxed mood of Seattle and relatively happy coexistence with nature that exists there leaves me with a happy medium.
So to sum up, it’s a matter of work, combined with shared personal preference. Seattle really is the ultimate compromise location by the criteria I listed.
I hope this answers any questions any of you might have.
Sorry for the sporadic posting lately, as you can understand, things have been pretty busy.
Topic Shift!
I know you typically read other sorts of things, but if you feel like a change of pace, you might consider picking up some Tom Robbins and reading it. Why?
He lives in Seattle.
He frequently touches on the mood of Seattle, though only twice has he written books involving characters who live there.
His writing, like Seattle, is both densely complex and youthfully frivolous. And in the way that the Seattle choice is ideal for you and Mickey (not in spite of your varied preferences, but as a result of them), the plot lines he weaves never fail to come together…but you’ll never see it coming, either.
Ah, the tangled interactions of Western” and “Eastern.” The mystic versus the rationalist versus the existentialist. Personal growth and revelation. All that great garbage. Sentence fragments. Not this many. Though.
Recommendations? “Another Roadside Attraction” was my personal favorite. “Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas” is a book about a female stockbroker written in the second person. “Skinny Legs and All” was the first one I ever read. “Jitterbug Perfume” has some Seattle characters. :)
Anyhow, I just thought of him when I read your post. Tally-ho!
You’ve suggested Tom Robbins to me before. :)
In fact, I still have your copy of Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas… somewhere. I’d singled it out so it wouldn’t get packed, but I think it did anyway. D’oh!
Sounds like interesting reading, hopefully I’ll get to it soon!