Tag Archives: rain

Spinning light in the deep night…

Here in Rain City, where the trees are wet and my shoes are damp.

The streets turn quiet as the night sets in further. The pitter patter of today’s lasting shower remains. You can hear the drips, falling from above, bouncing off windows, off branches, on our faces. It’s all very pleasant, though my glasses can take only so much in droplets, before I must stop and rewipe.

My time is late, after some mundane yet necessary errands just done. I look to the familiar streetlights to light my way towards home after a short, yet sluggish bus ride from Capitol Hill to the Denny Triangle. Aside, are light reflections off concrete, sometimes hiding sneaky deviously deep puddles. I carry on and eventually reach the front door of my apartment, fiddling for my keys in my drenched backpack. I hear metal jingling, as I rummage though the deepest, cluttered area.

But then I stop for a moment. I look up and notice the glistening naked winter branches, staring back at me. A nearby streetlight is perfectly centered to my line of vision, where it and I should be, to make this connection that is our moment. That is, until my glasses can take no more droplets, and I must stop and rewipe.

I take a picture from the phone in my pocket. it captures the moment perfectly, which you now see above. And then, I dig my keys out. I go inside, and that’s end of my lovely time outside in the rain, for now.

– Orion T

The Rainy Rain of Rain City

Another day of rain in Seattle…

Lately, I feel this city is getting that crazy reputation for rain, because that’s what’s been happening this winter season. Sure, Seattle has its overall reputation of rainfall. But, I am not impressed with the amount of rain we get in this crazy town over the years, after moving here in 2012. We get the showers a lot, but often not feeling very drenched or feeling the need for galoshes and durable umbrellas.

Yet, here we are after nearly a full month of rain in January. That’s 29/31 days with 9.23 inches average, beating the national January 2020 average at 5.57. Yep, it’s really raining, and not a drizzle.

Still, Seattle is not the rainiest city in the U.S., not even by a top ten from many studies. According to an updated report last year by worldatlas.com, the most wet action are in some cities of the deep southeast region.

But for now, it’s undeniable wet outside with a forecast of more precipitation ahead.

Hopefully by the end of winter, the showers will slow down and give us a pleasant, more walkable spring season. This wet weather also contributes to a healthy environment cycle, keeps farms going, helps small animals survive naturally, keeps everything growing. I also love looking at those wet streets, cleaned buildings, enjoy the calming sound of pitter-patter in-between.

So, for those in the area feeling a bit too drenched here from this downpour, don’t let the showers get you down. Instead, put on some happy music and let your smile be your umbrella.

– Orion T

The picture above was taken by me in the middle of this rainy season from atop the Columbia Tower. I recall being in a good mood, leading me to appreciate the moment that rain often brings.

Gloomy reflections in dialation

Enjoy what the sky gives to the ground, especially after the rain.

The picture above is from the basketball courts in Cal Anderson Park, in the Capitol Hill district of central Seattle. The rain hit hard, and the gloom remains. I returned from an eye exam with my eyes freshly dilated. The world to me was a blur for about 2 hours, But walking around, I can still appreciate the beauty in it when given, and here it was…the peace of the day upon an empty space.

I took the picture in blind faith, that all would work out in the right perspective.

– Orion T

It’s just the rain…

“I went to bed and woke in the middle of the night thinking I heard someone cry, thinking I myself was weeping, and I felt my face and it was dry. Then I looked at the window and thought: Why, yes, it’s just the rain, the rain, always the rain, and turned over, sadder still, and fumbled about for my dripping sleep and tried to slip it back on.”

― Ray Bradbury,
Green Shadows, White Whale: A Novel of Ray Bradbury’s Adventures Making Moby Dick with John Huston in Ireland

The picture is a from a recent hour at a bus stop, using a camera with just enough battery life to capture this moment in Downtown Seattle.

– Orion T

Hey Man, it’s Rainin’

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Hey man, take a look out the window ‘n’ see what’s happenin’
Hey man, it’s rainin’
It’s rainin’ outside man
Aw, don’t worry ’bout that
Everything’s gonna be everything
We’ll get into somethin’ real nice you know
Sit back and groove on a rainy day

– Jimi Hendrix, “Rainy Day, Dream Away”

The above picture was taken by me during a recent day in the rain, in Downtown Seattle. It was a good day.

– Orion T

 

Picture of Today 9/172017, Rain Game

Football seems best on Sunday, more time for casual enjoyment and social gatherings among more sports fans. Today in Seattle, the local Seahawks played the San Francisco 49ers (Seahawks won 12-9). I missed much of the game but heard the 49ers played well and the Seahawks offense was a bit weak.

Meanwhile, the rain happened for much of the day. The drops weren’t heavy but were enough in giving the city a much-needed sprinkle, after the recent smoky weather. Every drop on my head felt good, and I look forward to more in the coming days.

-Orion T

A Fallen Bloom

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Above is a time last week, between the sunshine and gloom. The morning brought some Spring rain, gentle and calming for an otherwise busy week.

I passed a tree with fresh pink blooms, a casual wonder to behold. Upon the ground, were freshly fallen blooms still wet from their recent shower….

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The location is within Freeway Park in downtown Seattle, by the Cultural Landscape Fountain. You may find me there on the weekdays, walking through on the morning or evening. Sometimes there, I sit down on a nearby bench and ruminate.

Orion T

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 10/31/16, This Halloween Night

Halloween. This time, a little cold, wet, and quiet.

This night on a Monday, with a little misty rain above. The prior weekend held plenty of spooky festivities, so there was plenty time to enjoy live the spirit ahead of the day. Today is good enough for brave and venturous trick or treaters. For all else, the night is best spent indoors, watching a fitting movie of the horror and/or suspense genre.

Here’s a personal favorite, underrated classic for anyone staying up late on any cold, quiet spooky night. Theater of Blood, starring Vincent Price as an overly passionate Shakespearean actor, planning fatal revenge on his naysaying critics. Diana Rigg co-stars. Here is the whole film:

Enjoy!

– Orion T

Picture of Today 10/18/15, Rain over Sunday..

  
The early evening looking out from Westlake Center (Downtown Seattle) toward South Lake Union in the distance.

This day, not the cheeriest of days for many out there, as much of the day had gloomy skies with rain finally this evening. I expected the rainfall since the morning. I also expected the Seattle Seahawks to beat the Carolina Panthers. One expectation eventually happened while the other did not. O well, Go Hawks for next time!

Anyway, I am grateful for this little bit of rain. Downtown Seattle is beautiful when wet.

– Orion T

Pictures of Yesterday 4/11/15, Spring Rained

 

Yesterday, was one of the simple days.

 I sat on a wet bench in front of the Apple Store, somewhere in the Univeristy District of Seattle. I was a bit early for my “Genius Bar” appointment, to see to a small problem with my mobile tablet. I looked for anything around me, that wasn’t based on commercialization and our addictions to technology. The sky welcomed my sight more than the flashy allure of that new Apple Watch on display. I enjoyed the solid gray for most of that time in wait.. Then, coming back down to Earth..I noticed more people on my bench. A child was sitting backwards, looking behind the bench, to the colorful small garden behind almost touching the back of my head. There, I admired the beautiful, colorful flowers, still dripping from the recent pouring rains. 

Then, I took a few pictures (featured below). I do not know the classification on these flowers. Any help in the comments is welcome.

   

 

  

The “Genius Bar” appointment went well. As usual, I get wonderful service from Apple when needed.

– Orion T

Pictures of Today 3/20/15, Hello Spring..

Today is almost done, and what a day it was!

Tis the first day of Spring, and very wet. In the Seattle and surrounding areas, there was light on/off rain. Very pleasant to walk through, especially throughout my paths. Here below, are some moments with notes..

Within a downtown park by the Washington Convention Center, a favorite little tree stands. Here, the petals seem very relaxed in the rain.

And the petals, I think enjoy this rain as much as I. Let em drop..

Much later, I journeyed far to the city of Redmond for a short research gig at Microsoft’s main headquarters. A nice busy place, but what got my attention for the longest was this little bird outside. That was a very chirpy fellow, but also not letting me too close for the more detailed shot.

And then, after a long walk and briefly ending up lost. I found myself in a parking lot of scattered sakura blossom petals. There is seriously a lot to take in, and a little dangerous. More on this, tomorrow..

Finally, back in Downtown Seattle. Here is another pretty tree in the rain.

Up close and personal..

Later, I took a pit stop at the Kobe Terrace Park at the International District. When last here, there was little on the ground. I said I would be back to see them fallen, in an earlier post last weekend. Now…

More on this tomorrow, or the next day..or whenever I get around to it. But soon, I promise.

Golden Noir Nights in Rain City..

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Sometimes, I feel like a bystander in the first chapter of some long mystery. Especially, when the rain happens through the night.

The rain does this sometimes, because nights like this are best described in long opening descriptions, establishing mood and environment. I love this kind of rain, not dense or rough enough to have myself rushing to the next bus; but to casually stroll through and let the wetness sink in (and take pictures). The wet sprinkles are enough to appreciate my surroundings, and think of what has not changed since the noir days of old fashioned city life. This being, how we all become a part of our environments, yet don’t know it. The rain in this city can places between between reflections, making new shadows of us dwelling through. We are all getting by, to become new stories or develop that next chapter.

Just be careful out there.

Shots above and below are of the Westlake Center area of Downtown Seattle; a place that is best in after hours, and in the rain. Also, I really like these shots. I will be coming more of this in the near future.

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Picture of Today 2/4/15, Corner Full of Corners

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Gotta love the crazy of downtown Seattle’s Westlake Center front..

It’s a great place to walk in the rain, because one can notice the crazy conglomerate of rectangles and squares better when looking down. And when clean, it all seems like a newly mopped floor.

Look…
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Picture of Today 12/20/14, Merry Holiday Season at the Market

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‘Twas the peak of the Holiday weekend shopping rush all through the Market. Earlier, where the corridors were crowded with tourists and gift-givers being greeted by merchants and fish-throwers. The rain outside stayed all day, and a little in the night with some sprinkles here and there. I meanwhile, am happy with my box of smoked salmon, of which I will bring to a party later on.

Good night.

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Picture of Today 12/18/14, Around in the Rain..

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Serious rain happened this evening. From the sky, everything drenched below to these streets of the Emerald City. For us getting home from work, we hurried. For others getting the holiday shopping done, they hurried. For the rest, there were whimsical choices and not the need to escape the nightly showers..which is why this merry-go-round was ready to go this late evening.

Also, one can never be too wet for mini-donuts and hot chocolate..

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Picture of Today 11/2/14

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Rain down the Needle..

All 605 feet (804 meters) of it on this quiet Sunday. I can take a break under this world famous Space Needle. Here, is generous shelter cover to fix my umbrella, and unwrap the last lolly candy thing in my pocket (snagged from the local dish at the bank three days ago). Also, it’s a good place to look up and admire this unique view.

The rain is light today, yet the loudest noise around me with the constant pitter patter upon my cheap, flimsy umbrella (of which I give and putting in nearby trash). It’s louder than the distant cheers Seahawk fans, as our city football team beat the Oakland Raiders 30-24 in today’s game. The rain is more noticeable than all the passing cars of the city splashing through puddles on every corner. I could imagine stories from the distant sirens, of situations more important than my mundane situation. I can hear some faint laughter from passing tourists, taking those all important selfies with the Needle crouching over. The rain overall, is the most prominent of this moment and the rest of my walk.

I’ll let my smile be my umbrella.

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..

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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 Today 3/10/14

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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 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

The haunting tune of Metamorphosis – Phillip Glass

The night was late under the rainy Seattle sky. I, among friends, sipping wine and dipping crackers.

In between, this beautiful piece of music played:

 

I asked the host, what is this? Beautiful, I probably said (was a little drunk).

Metamorphosis….Phillip Glass, scribbling pen on my hand. The night carried on, enjoying this tune long afters. There was something hypnotic, entrancing about this. I could still hear the enduring rhythm yet forgetting the writing. My scribbles faded through short time, more so after some restroom breaks.

After midnight, I walked home through the streets of Seattle. This, being down the  Queen Anne hills, through and between the postmodern structures of Seattle Center park, passing under its great Space Needle, towards the illuminate Belltown district. All, under a heavy rainfall. The tune looped on the entire time.

The next morning, I was awakened by the piercing sunlight. That tune carried on. I continued much else, while looking at my hand at times. The writing faded, nearly unreadable.

After errands, I deciphered my scribble. Phillip Glass, easy (famous composer of many films, over the last few decades). The rest, was Metamorphosis. That word is beautiful, with five syllables coming together to represent a special process of change. I thought of Goethe, Kafka, butterflies, myself towards the next life stage.

And then, there was YouTube. Then surprise, Phillip Glass composed five different stages of this Metamorphosis. How appropriate, I thought. Its history of use began with a stage play on Kafka’s famous work of the same title, revised in the movie The Thin Red Line, and brought partially back in the recent Battlestar Galactica TV series revival.

I listened to all parts, wonderful in completion. The first one was the correct one, or not. Was it the last one? They both sound similar. A cycle perhaps?

Enough! I share the remaining four parts of Metamorphosis below.

Enjoy.