Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.30

Tonkotsu shoyu ramen
Tonkotsu shoyu ramen from Hokkaido Ramen Santouka in Bellevue, WA

One of the best places in town for ramen. Great flavors all around, good broth, good chew in the noodles, flavorful and tender meat. 
My only gripe would be that the fish cake's flavor got lost in the broth and felt unnecessary in the bowl, and generally I love fish cakes

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Photo-a-day 2019.11.29

Extra moist brisket
Extra moist brisket from Rudy's BBQ

While it's a chain restaurant, I always find myself coming back because they're fast and relatively consistent with their food preparation. No crazy 3hr lines like some other famous BBQ places in town, and their extra moist brisket is tender and flavorful. Yum

Monday, November 28, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.28

Shrimp cocktail
Shrimp cocktail from North by Northwest

Of the three dishes we had, this picture came out best. The other dishes we had were grilled ribeye (tender tender meat) and grilled duck breast (that came with really awesome roasted and charred brussel sprouts)

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.27

Blue Genie Art Bazaar
Wandering in the Blue Genie Art Bazaar in Austin, TX

I had no idea this existed in all my time living in and visiting Austin. Pretty neat if you're looking for unique gifts and crafts

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.26

Z'Tejas trio appetizer
The trio appetizer from Z'Tejas in Austin, TX

Salsa picante, guacamole, and chile con queso. Still one of my favorite appetizers in the area, because chips should never be lonely.

Friday, November 25, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.25

Torchy's Tacos
Damn good tacos from Torchy's Tacos in Austin, TX (Spicewood branch)

Queso and chips, crossroads and democrat tacos, and refried pinto beans. Um, yum.

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.24

Snow pea leaves with crab meat
From Ho Ho Chinese BBQ in Austin, TX
Still one of the best dishes they have (used to be the chef for Din Ho BBQ)

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.23

Amazon biosphere
Amazon's balls - er, I mean biosphere, still under construction

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.22

Sideways plant
It can't figure out which way to grow, sideways or upwards?

Monday, November 21, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.21

Festival of Trees

Seattle Festival of Trees at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.19

Church hall
Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra playing at the First Free Methodist Church

Friday, November 18, 2016

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.17

Playstation 4 Slim
Hello new toy

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.15

Houseboat recital
Houseboat recital by Arthur Breur

Monday, November 14, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.14

Protest march
Anti-Trump protesters marching into Pike Place Market

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.13

Chocolate tasting
Booth at the NW Chocolate Festival, a massive display of chocolate vendors where you discover just how quickly you can get sick of chocolate samples yet still want to try more

Saturday, November 12, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.12

Bowling balls
Color coded and sorted. Nicely done.

Friday, November 11, 2016

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.09

Gingko leaves

Politics

some thoughts on the 2016 election, because i think there are some lessons to be learned even though i am not happy with the results, and i rarely post about politics

- now that republicans have the majorities for all of congress, liberals will now get the dismissive "you're crazy" reaction that conservatives have been feeling for quite some time. and while social progress will be undone and that really sucks, i hope that it will be a humbling experience to burst some bubbles on some of the extremist witch hunt-like rhetoric, as well as open some eyes on the dramatically different lifestyle between city dwellers and rural families

- it sucks that the new leader will have the temperament of a child (along with a slew of other disturbing character flaws...), but if there is anything to take away from his surprising success, it's that you will reach out to more people if you campaign with simpler terms

- i didn't realize just how spoiled i am in Washington state - the entire state is mail-in ballots, and my company even gave us the day as a holiday! now if only they would give the holiday to the working class who normally can't vote, in a state that uses polling stations with long lines...

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Monday, November 7, 2016

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Friday, November 4, 2016

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.03

Reflections of a pretty evening
You can even see Mt. Rainier in the distance (at full resolution)

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Photo-a-day 2016.11.01

Early voting
I am a little embarrassed to admit that this is my first time voting on the entire ballot, and only the 2nd (maybe 3rd) time turning in a ballot. Finally doing my full civic duty, AND dropped off my ballot a whole week early!