Monthly Archives: December 2016

Picture of Today 12/29/16, Holiday Leftovers..


A little leftover from the holidays, of which I have missed much.

The reasons, never mind. I was occupied with much else. Such is only that one begans to feel such things over the latent appreciation of them. Perhaps, to be preoccupied with other non-seasonal matters, the surroundings of things can distract. Yet, there are beautiful lights and things demanding of attention. That’s a lot of the holiday deco of which I was quite used to in this otherwise usual holiday season. 

Yet, here I was on the way home in the Westlake Center of Downtown Seattle. The rain was heavy, and my shopping bag of groceries soaked. I stopped and looked about, considering the best direction to buy a new umberella. The, I noticed much of the decorated lights along the streets and buildings, gone. The giant Christmas tree with adorned bulbs and sparkly lights, gone. The decorated cart selling hot cocoa and chewy holiday bits, gone. Yet, there was that Seasonal carousel, still there…slowly spinning in the dense rain and darkness. 

It will be gone, likely after the New Year’s time has ended. And that will be, no more holidays. In 11 months, perhaps again. But until then, just the memory we take for granted. At least I have the moment for now.

 – Orion T

Picture of Today 12/21/16, Winter Begins..


First night of the new Winter,

I went to the bi-annual Punk Rock Flea Market in Cap Hill, Seattle. Always glorious, and just in time for the some last week holiday shopping. I highly recommend to those looking in the area looking to shop local, then buy DIY trinkets and art, used goodies, vintage clothes, plenty of cool odds and ends. The Punk Rock Flea Market has more more day to go, Thursday 12/22. For more info, visit punkrockfleamarketseattle.com.

Here are a few more pics from my trusty phone..


That’s all for now. 

– Orion T

Rare Seasonal Snow Night in Seattle…

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Last Thursday night, much of the Seattle lowlands got about one inch of snow. Such is a rare occurrence for this grand city. For myself, the new sights are very exciting, as I have never lived or ventured out in areas with normal snowfall. Yet, there is much beauty to appreciate in the first hours of the mass landscape transformation. Though I was not feeling well from a recent slip, I did go for a stroll in the wall and take some pictures of the Downtown area.

I was not disappointed. I hope you like the following, for these sights made me smile. To share for this festive holiday season is an added joy…

Sorry, I did not get a pic of the great Seattle Space Needle in that time. I underestimated the cold, and my body needed a return to my warm apartment. Perhaps, next time.

– Orion T

 

A visit to the Harry Potter Gingerbread Village…

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This year’s (24th) Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Hotel in Downtown Seattle, is a very magical one. This new theme is all into the world of Harry Potter.

Last year’s Gingerbread Village theme was all about the Star Wars. Now, it’s gone full Hogwarts with displayed exteriors made mostly out of reinforced gingerbread, frosting, candy bits, lots of jellybeans and other sugary snacks best used for such displays. Each display developed from the work of an architecture firm and lead “chef.” Also involved were children (aka “Elves”) dealing with Type 1 Diabetes, promoting the cause of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for treatments and research.

For those who wish to visit, the Sheraton is located near the Washington State Convention Center in Downtown Seattle, in their lobby. The Gingerbread Village is now free to the public until January 1, 2017. You are encouraged to also give a monetary amount to the JDRF Northwest Chapter. For more site and event information including bios on the designers and builders (and to donate directly), click here.

Below some pics of each display, based on the first six books by J.K Rowling, and the movies based upon such. Click on each below for more detail. Also, click here to visit strangerworlds.com, for my nearly same write-up, and a many more detailed pics.

– Orion T

Picture of the Weekend, early December 2016..


Just a moment among many, where the holiday spirit was shared among the locals. Here, being Friday as some streets in the downtown area were shared for some happening at the nearby Westlake Center. Not quite feeling like a crowd, I enjoyed this jolly group of youngsters jamming with their brass, in a little march of their own. No names, cause, or message. Just a brief spirited jam playing some familiar Xmas tunes in the middle of the holiday lights and shopping madness. That’s enough for me.

– Orion T