2 weekends ago I was shipped to Seattle for work – I work with Fair Trade Certified and we were doing a promotion with Starbucks. So off to the emerald city I went! We stayed at a hotel I picked from my extensive online research – Hotel Andra. (Ok, not really extensive. But I am picky picky about hotels. No exploding grandma decor! I have this theory that hotels and spas should be completely white and pristine, like you’ve checked out of reality into a blissful state of non-existence. Maybe that says too much about my psyche. Moving on!)
The attached eatery had these amazing beignet style made on the spot donuts — I am craving them still! Yum!
At breakfast we met a charming young PhD candidate who was visiting Seattle to look at schools. We kidnapped him (because that’s what one should do on work trips, kidnap unsuspecting boys) and walked around the market and down to the old square.
So yes! Less than 48 hour trip, with most of Monday spent in an office, and the evil TSA people stole my Theo Chocolate body scrub. But it was cold and crisp and fall, and ROOM SERVICE. I love room service so much, I wish I could live in a hotel. A fancy one. With charming bellhops to bring me ice cream at 11pm, always. Eloise at the Plaza, forever.
Oh no, I ate too much chocolate on the Theo Chocolate factory tour!!
Aline
10 months ago
Love the Andra, love Seattle. (Well, except, overall, the climate is a little too cold and damp for me.) However, it’s a beautiful, fun place. Your pics are lovely as usual. What sort of camera do you use?
verhext
10 months ago
It’s the Canon Rebel xsi! I like it but I’d like a better lens.
Aline
10 months ago
My heart pounds! I just bought the Rebel Xsi. I am clumsily learning to use it. I have always loved the ethereal quality of your photos and the dreamy look of ones like the old forsaken theater sign rusting away in your Post Costa images. What settings does one use to capture that feel? I’m such a newbie.
I bought the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens for concert photography. It’s a nice fixed lens, excellent for low light situations, but requires some getting used to. (At least for me, since it’s my first prime lens.) I’d be happy to let you try it out to see if you like it.
I am lusting after this one, but holy price tag, Batman.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=8503
verhext
10 months ago
That’s the lens I want, the 1.4 50mm. I need to just get it!!
I use the manual setting and play a lot, and tend to photoshop filter afterward a little.
Aline
10 months ago
Grrrr. Edit: PORT Costa. (Typos make me angry.)
nath
10 months ago
darling! is this your new look? i like it – well it feels very clean and white and before it had a sorta more cozy vibe. is it done and all finished?
p.s. and also has the mailman delivered yet?
verhext
10 months ago
It is still being tweaked! I’m glad you thought the old one was cozy — the grey was feeling a little dull to me!! I need to work on the header and change more things, but I like it!
Yes yes yes!! I’ve been drinking the tea like mad, thank you thank you!! I’d been meaning to write a post about prizes, but things are crazy!
Seth
10 months ago
Evil, evil, Russian TSA thieves!
I’ll try to look more suspecting next time (maybe I should have been reading Sherlock Holmes instead of Dorian Gray?).
verhext
10 months ago
I think you technically kidnapped us! Or something…I want more of those donuts!
So you liked Berkeley?
Seth
10 months ago
I think Seattle is more the city for me, but that really wanes in comparison to Winfried Kudszus being the MAN (a Germanist at Cal). So, yes, if they take me, I’ll take them!