Petty Vices

My tribe: Indie-scenester. What's yours?

I was wrapping up my work day doing research on trends, scanning a bunch of the email distributions I'm on, when I got distracted by someone announcing their tribe. Well, I just had to know where I would be categorized. Indie-scenester, they say. I say I don't fit anywhere perfectly (and that's the way I like it), but hey, if you've got to put me in a box, I do like having indie sprayed on its walls.



You can find your tribe via the FindYourTribe app. Are you like me?

Places to go and peeps to see in the Emerald City

I got inspired to share my suggestions for out-of-town Seattle visitors on one of my regular-read blogs (Pink Chalk Studio). I'm now wishing I had a week or two off for a little staycation!

Here they are

Shopping

Velocity Art & Design (S. Lake Union)

Bluebottle Art Gallery & Store (Capitol Hill)

Big John's PFI (incredible food store in a random SODO location by the ballpark)

DeLaurenti's (great food store in the market; terrific wines, european imports, fun shopping and looking):

Eating

Queen Mary Tea Room (in U-District area; they have a tea shop and restaurant where they have breakfast, lunch, and Afternoon Tea which is like a high tea)

Via Tribunali (amazing authentic neopolitan pizza on both Capitol Hill & Queen Anne)

Matt's in the Market (this place is soooooo Seattle -- from their location & look to their food -- it was even in one of the scenes in Sleepless in Seattle, when they ate lunch at the market)

Tango (terrific tapa's & Latin-inspired food on Capitol Hill)

Agua Verde Cafe & Paddle Club (In the U-District on Boat Street on Lake Union; awesome tacos and margaritas -- plus you can rent kayaks and go out for a paddle!)

Stuff to do  

Theo Chocolate Factory tour (in Fremont, complete with free chocolate; yum!)

Museum of Glass (Tacoma)

SIFF Cinema (by Seattle Center on Mercer Street under the opera house, they play films from all eras year-round; its nice and close to McMenamins too)

Wine shop tastings (the link lists a bunch that happen all week; I recommend calling them first though because I notice its not completely up-to-date)

Woodinville winery tours (there are sooo many now, its pretty amazing; its nice and close to Seattle, too)

New language learning, web 2.0 site

I stumbled upon a really interesting new concept in language learning from a start-up called LiveMocha, whose beta product allows anyone to log-in and start collaboratively learning, practicing, or tutoring others in several languages. I love the idea of it; its one of those things that instantly strikes me as brilliant, and then I wonder why in the heck no one has done it before. You know, its one of those -- wow, that's great! "duh" kinds of things. Kudos to them for getting it out there!

I signed up tonight but have yet to take my first lesson. Check it out and tell me what you think.

Seattle After Hours

I was reading about a very cool series of cultural events in London called "Lates", where various museums in the city host late night, after hours events featuring musicians, artists, crafters, etc. and thought how great it would be if Seattle had something similar -- beyond art walks and the like.

I did some quick searching, thinking that maybe we do have something-or-other and I'm just out of the loop. I managed to uncover a couple of things for any like-minded night owls:

• SAM After Hours: The Seattle Art Museum presents a lush and lively atmosphere with live performers and public programs from 5 to 9 p.m. on select Thursday and Friday nights. Live music, film, dance, lectures, and more. Prices vary by event.
• Burn Night at CHAC: The Capitol Hill Arts Center hosts this event from 7 p.m. to 2:00 a.m each and every Monday night on its Lower Level. In the past Burn Night has featured evil toy making workshops, clothing swaps, and general rabble rousing, as well as community bonding experiences. Sounds intriguing, yes? Oh, and I should mention - its FREE.

Anyone have anything else to add? I'd love to know about more!