Fremont Solstice Parade, Seattle 2014

I love a fun parade..

Especially one not pushed on by the big corporations, dominant messages of commercialism and shameless promotions. Also, there are no motorized vehicles, no animals, no company logos. Here, is the good ol Fremont Solstice Parade, in north Seattle. The annual event is produced by the Fremont Arts Council, with much funded support by the locals.

Check out some of the best of the parade below. I love the good ol fashioned big band music, the hand-pulled floats, the creative puppetry, dance numbers. All, very local and very friendly. At times (at least where I was, near the end with less people), some parade participants would surprise random crowd spectators with silly props, photo-bombs, and hugs.

I got hugged, twice.

Solstice Cyclists at the Fremont Fair, Seattle 2014

Many naked, painted people on bikes rode by last weekend, adding tot he cheer to the new Summer Solstice. This was all part of a strange tradition of the great annual Fremont Fair and Solstice Parade. Here is more information from the wikipedia page:

“The event was started by streakers who crashed the parade. The first person to do so may have done so on a dare. Participants now emphasize bodypainting and other artistry. The group is the largest and fastest growing ensemble associated with the parade. The parade, put on by Fremont Arts Council, is held on a Saturday close to the actual solstice.”

Here is a grainy smartphone video I shot, just a minute of this full hour+ long happening:

Happy New Summer…

Happy New Summer!

For many, the turn of season was happiest at the ol Fremont Fair, in northern Seattle. The day was sunny and the longest of all year (sunrise at 5:12 AM, sunset at 9:11 PM). Crowds of festive folk, parades, music, and deep fried anythings..everywhere. For me at times, I had to escape from it all, and rest here at Gasworks Park..the choice for peace and best view of the Lake Union waterscape.

Sometime, I went back for the local parade and the World Naked Bike Ride. I have pics, of which I will post soon..

Picture of today 6/9/14

Observed during a stroll through Meadowbrook Lake, in the Lake City district of North Seattle.

I think this is a blue heron (looks much like the example on the nearby guide chart). However, a local and another bird lover told me this was not a blue heron.

Either way, I like this bird.

Picture of Today 6/7/14

Space Needle of Seattle,

about 9:30ish, after sunset.

A little windy, but not to cold.

Nice.

Picture of Today 6/6/14

Echo..

She listens, with eyes closed. Echo was a nymph, from Ovid’s Metamorphoses; the source of many Greek myths. She had a lovely voice, eventually reduced by Hera, who felt bothered Echo was distracting away from Zeus’s promiscuous affairs. So as punishment, Echo’s voice was cursed to only repeat the last word of another.

Now she is in Seattle, as a giant 46-foot head overlooking the Puget Sound waters. Echo is made from resin, steel and marble dust. Her face, the latest addition to enough bizarre works of art inside Sculpture Park. She was sculpted by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, and brought in from New York as a donation to the Seattle Art Museum.

Pictures of Today 5/26/14

All in a good day, with extra special added to the established special..

This Memorial Day, I enjoyed the annual Seattle Folklife Festival, with a kaleidoscope and my cheap smartphone camera (and first posted on Instagram).

The festival was nice; a huge annual event in Seattle, where musicians of a humble variety performed in different spots all near (some on stage, rooms, sidewalks) and play for the cheerful gatherings. All free, and donation backed by sponsors and collected tips. I did not feel much on the picture-taking; just enjoyed the sounds with a preference for jazz and bluegrass. The passing time was best spent on the grass under a warm sun and cloudy sky. I would change spots; with some engaging casual conversations with strangers, light writing, consuming sugary deep friend confectionaries and playing with my kaleidoscope.

Good times..

Picture of Today 5/21/14

Movin along..

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Picture by Orion Tippens. Note: Do not copy or use any of the images here or herein without written consent (contact Orion at travelingorion.wordpress.com). © Copyright 2014 Orion Tippens. All Rights Reserved

Picture of Today 5/19/14

Teamwork!

Found inside some bushes at Discovery Park, Seattle. These, are Western tent caterpillars, or Malacosoma californicum. According to the Seattle.gov site, their numbers are increasing throughout the Northwest US.

Here is a little more information from the same site, on their life cycle and silk process; as shown in the picture:

The egg masses are visible in winter, are grayish-brown and about one inch long. As soon as the eggs hatch in April or May, the caterpillars begin eating leaves and create “tents” – white, silky shelters that cover the forks and tips of tree branches and shrubs. They feed during daylight and return to their tents at night.

The caterpillars are easy to recognize. They have a yellow checkered pattern with a blue dotted line down their backs, and can be three inches long when mature. The caterpillars molt four times over a period of five or six weeks, then stop eating. They choose a place to spin a cocoon and lay their eggs, and moths emerge about two weeks later. The adult moths mate immediately, lay eggs, and die a few days later; the eggs winter over until spring, when the whole process begins again.

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Picture of Today 5/18/14

We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came.

– John F. Kennedy

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Pictures or Yesterday 5/11/14 (Seattle Color Run)

Yesterday morning was the most colorful of mornings, here in Seattle.

Thousands participated in the 5K Color Run, an untimed race with a colorful twist, benefiting multiple charities through donations. The premise is simple; take part in a collective run throughout the Seattle City wearing a white shirt (and for many, also a pink tutu). At the end in the Seattle Center, get doused with colored powder, while dancing and having fun among other participants. For more on the Color Run, now host to over 170 events in over 30 countries..visit thecolorrun.com.

I was a little late to participate. However, I did take some pictures the finish party..

Picture of Yesterday 5/9/14

Doug Trumball (sitting on the right), after a special viewing of the classic science fiction film, 2001: a Space Odyssey, in a Q & A session And slIdeshow. He was the special photographic effects supervisor 2001 (and also Star Trek: the Motion Picture and Blade Runner).

Picture of Today 5/6/14

I found a whole new world..
around the corner, in a park.

It was always there..
I just had to notice.

Pictures of Yesterday 4/20/14

I can never resist a gathering this colorful.

And here, was the Sakura Con; a gathering of a different sort than yesterday and day before’s NorWesCon. This event focused more towards the appreciation and partaking of Japanese anime and manga. Much of the action was inside the convention center, where the event was centered. However, the heavy rains of the last days finally stopped. Many attendees came out the open behind the convention center, to enjoy the sun and surroundings of each other.

Above, is a Sakura Con tradition continued; where many gathering in a circle whole other participants each kick a bottle and eventually have it spun to a someone connecting the circle. That person soon gets a hug from the bottle kicker, and replaces the other..to continues the cycle.

Also, there some dancing, posing for cameras, and more fun-having.

Here are a few pics..
I’ll post more up, another day..

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Pictures of Yesterday 4/19/14

Stranger worlds are ever close..

And here, are some pics from my great adventure at the annual NorWesCon science fiction and fantasy convention. This was my first attendance to this event (now in its 37th year); of which I had a grand time discovering new fiction, turning strangers into friends, and cheering on the boldest among us.

There will be more pics (and more musings) for a few alt-pop websites, soon

In the meantime:

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Picture is Today 4/16/14

Spring is sprung..

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Picture of Yesterday 3/26/14

I took a wrong turn..

Not a bad thing, as I love new sights. This time, walking through the neighborhood of Meadowbrook, within the Lake City area in the distant northeast region of Seattle.

Here is Meadowbrook Lake, along Thornton Creek, in what used to be a sewer treatment plant from decades ago. Now it’s reverted somewhat to it’s natural state with the help of locals, over the years. You will see and hear a large variety of birds (many waterfowl) along the peaceful water body. You can stroll across the various walkways and come across some puzzling deco art, like in the above picture.

It’s a nice place..

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The Cherry Trees at the University of Washington, Seattle..

The best sign of the fresh Spring..

These Yoshino cherry trees, are scattered throughout the Seattle area. Now, they are full and amazing. This is a nice reward to us locals for putting up with the plentiful showers of early March. Now, the weekend weather is grand and sunny. Many cherry trees, you can easily find Downtown, International District, Capitol Hill and the neighboring regions throughout.

Perhaps the best place to see an organized assembly is here, at the University of Washington, in the center Quad. The weekends are best for non-students. The blossoms are at their peak in late March, early April.

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Pictures of Today 3/18/14

Under the great Pike Market of Seattle, inner Post Alley…

You may notice ever-changing art; boggling and fantastic, ugly and beautiful.

Behind and further down, there is an entire wall of chewed bubblegum built over the past decades (pics for another day on that). Tourists tend to focus their attention towards the gum, while I feel this is more deserving of such appreciation.

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Picture of Today 3/16/14

The Seattle Space Needle on a rainy day..

From the sky to my feet.

Scroll down, all the way..

It took a lot of tries to get this right.

That was a little vertical panorama experiment, using a special setting my smartphone’s camera app (Android, LG something something).

Someday, I would like to try this again with a better camera.

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Picture by Orion Tippens. Note: Do not copy or use any of the images here or herein without written consent (contact Orion at travelingorion.wordpress.com). © Copyright 2014 Orion Tippens. All Rights Reserved

Picture of Yesterday 3/14/14

The name of that horse is Charlie.

I didn’t get the name of the policewoman, who was very nice. Together, they are part of Seattle’s police department’s Mounted Patrol Unit. This local mounted police force have been a part of the Downtown watch for over 100 years. Currently, the cost and existence of Seattle’s mounted police unit are supported by charitable donations from the Seattle Police Foundation and the Seattle Hotel Association.

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Picture of Today 3/10/14

Just the evening, after some brief rain. Walking to home, through the wonderful Seattle Center park..

And then, I look back.

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Picture of Today 2/28/14

Can’t wait for the end of Winter..

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Picture of Today 2/27/14

To A Squirrel At Kyle-Na-No

Come play with me;
Why should you run
Through the shaking tree
As though I’d a gun
To strike you dead?
When all I would do
Is to scratch your head
And let you go.”

― W.B. Yeats

(Picture edited and originally posted from instagram.com/travelingorion)

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Pictures by Orion Tippens. Note: Do not copy or use any of the images here or herein without written consent (contact Orion at travelingorion.wordpress.com). © Copyright 2014 Orion Tippens. All Rights Reserved

Pictures of Yesterday 2/26/14

Here, is the view from the 40th floor of the Columbia Tower; the middle of the tallest building in downtown Seattle. There is a Starbucks here, open to the public during business hours. You can get a better view on the 76th floor (and very top) for a small price.

This was good enough, and relaxing for me. I was here for some hours working on a special project. The sunset was a great distraction.

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Picture of Today 2/25/14

I feel the changes, looking to the sky.

The clouds are thinning, dispersing. The blue is breaking out as the sunlight pierces. Below, the grass is more inviting, as I need to rest. My clothes are heavier, from the warming weather. Just days ago, the city had possibilities of snow, in addition to its long period of cold and rainy weather. For the while until much later, I think such characteristics will dwindle, along with those long nights.

Spring is coming. I can feel it.

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Pictures by Orion Tippens. NOTE: Do not copy or use any of the images here or herein without written consent (contact Orion at travelingorion.wordpress.com). © Copyright 2014 Orion Tippens. All Rights Reserved

Back to some Science Fiction..

Back to some science fiction..

I recently wrote another comics review for the graphic novel, Shifter by Anomaly Productions. Shifter is a story involving multi-dimensional travel, mind-linking and murder. I read and reviewed the motion comic version smartphone app for its story and interactivity (print version also available out there). For that, check out the review on my friend’s blog, All Day Comics (click here).

So lately, I was thinking over my renewed love for science fiction. But not just in our traditional print and media forms, but how changing technology could bring new dimensions to such storytelling. I discuss on the how in my Shifter review, where the addition of an accessible appendix lore enhances the overall story. Throw in augments to the art and sound mixes, than the product can change for the better. I am also currently reading and engaging with the interactive puzzle/novel Device 6, playing Tengami, and looking forward to the listening to the Clarkesworld Magazine podcast for new sci-fi/fantasy short stories.

Such quick gratifications on these curious escapes enriches my sci-fi geekiness. But, I wonder what else is possible, or changeable in how we receive our imaginative stories? And perhaps more importantly, how soon?

Picture of Yesterday 2/18/14

Some happenings..

A little late last night, in the lower Queen Anne district of Seattle.

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Snowy Day in Seattle II (last pics from days ago)

Enjoy every step while they last..

And here in Seattle, is my final stretch before a work day at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. I took a long detour through Myrtle Edwards Park to Sculpture Park and down the downtown waterfront.

Here’s to the peaceful memories..

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Turtle Love..

For anyone who loves comic books, ninja turtles, storytelling and art..

I wrote a review on the last two monthly comic issues of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. If interested, take a read at alldaycomics.com, and follow the site if you love the sequential arts.

Also, I love this cover.

TRAVELING ORION

My frequent blog of my adventures in writing, discovery, and learning.

Fremont Solstice Parade, Seattle 2014

Solstice Cyclists at the Fremont Fair, Seattle 2014

Happy New Summer…

Picture of today 6/9/14

Picture of Today 6/7/14

Picture of Today 6/6/14

Pictures of Today 5/26/14

Picture of Today 5/21/14

Picture of Today 5/19/14

Picture of Today 5/18/14

Pictures or Yesterday 5/11/14 (Seattle Color Run)

Picture of Yesterday 5/9/14

Picture of Today 5/6/14

Pictures of Yesterday 4/20/14

Pictures of Yesterday 4/19/14

Picture is Today 4/16/14

Picture of Yesterday 3/26/14

The Cherry Trees at the University of Washington, Seattle..

Pictures of Today 3/18/14

Picture of Today 3/16/14

Picture of Yesterday 3/14/14

Picture of Today 3/10/14

Picture of Today 2/28/14

Picture of Today 2/27/14

Pictures of Yesterday 2/26/14

Picture of Today 2/25/14

Back to some Science Fiction..

Picture of Yesterday 2/18/14

Snowy Day in Seattle II (last pics from days ago)

Turtle Love..

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