Just back from running a few errands in the drizzle, and within a mere four blocks I enjoyed one very fine sight and one very fine sound.
First, I see a little old woman and her little old dog on a walk. BOTH are wrapped up to the nines in utterly ridiculous sweaters, the likes of which I have not seen since 1985 (actually, I think combined, they both may have been wearing nearly as many sweaters as were made in 1985). BOTH are taking tiny, cautious but very determined steps as they walked. BOTH are literally smiling at each other.
My insulin levels went through the roof. Oh, for technology to advance to the point where there can be a camera simply installed in my head.
Just a few blocks later, I turn unto my street and am BLASTED with loud Mariachi music from one of the building under construction. For starters, anyone who is truly an expert in Heather-trivia knows I am kookoo for Mariachi. So kookoo, that when I had my On Our Backs spread a few years back, when asked the best way to woo me out of my mind, I replied that a full Mariachi band just below my window would easily do the trick. Alas, it has yet to happen. Clearly, no one really loves me.
But here’s the best part — Seattle? Not exactly a diverse city. Growing up in Chicago, especially in Rogers Park off Clark St., I obviously was very spoiled with diversity, so I’ll give you that my standards are high (the notion of which is, of course, ridiculous). But by pretty much any standard, much of Seattle is the Unbearable Whiteness of Being. And a decently sized Chicano population we very much do not have, particularly in Ballard.
So, turning the corner to my place on a grey, rainy day — far, far away from the things that feel most like home to me — and not only hearing the wild violins, trumpets, guitars make sounds that I love and miss hearing all over the place, but hearing them loud as FUCK, as they’re meant to be? Melodioso.
P.S. Because it’s too exciting not to gloat about, Dr. Lynn Ponton (whose work I think it sheer genius, and who I admire like nobody’s business), Lisa Jervis, Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards gave us such awesome blurbs for my books this week, it totally spun my head. A happy, happy author I be.
March 3rd, 2007 at 8:17 am
I thought you get a kick outta this story, at http://www.startribune.com/218/story/1032028.html .
March 3rd, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Just wanted to say that THANK GOD somebody finally admitted that Seattle is not exactly the most diverse city people think it is. Being myself a minority, people often comment to me how nice it must be to live in such as wonderful diverse city rather than those OTHER cities, that don’t have the abundance of minorities that Seattle does. (One usually points east toward eastern washington and the midwest when they say this.) And all I want to say is ,”Are you kidding? Have you been to San Francisco?” or “You don’t have a passport do you?”.
Their response:”Well of course I’ve been to San Francisco. You know I’ve been to Pacific Heights and Fisherman’s Wharf.”
Enough said. I really could go on.
If you want to see people of color , come by Beacon Hill and watch the multitude of old asian ladies carrying their groceries to and from the CD or hang out in White Center or South Park (although it’s being gentrified as we speak.) before it all disappears.
March 3rd, 2007 at 9:35 pm
I have an acquaintence who works with at-risk kids in White Center, oddly enough, and have been trying to work it to go do some sex ed there.
Thanks for the tips, though. Always nice to know more places I can go find cool old ladies.
I get to admit a lot of things about Seattle, I’ve discovered, not being native to here, and living enough places I don’t feel allegiance to any at this point. It’s a definate perk!
March 3rd, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Christopher!
That’s so awesome!
And I’m so freaking pissed this happened AFTER I left, dammit!
March 6th, 2007 at 8:56 am
We do keep ourselves amused, up here on the freakin’ tundra;-)
March 7th, 2007 at 9:45 am
An article I thought you might appreciate, as well as the youth over at Scarleteen: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2007/03/07/notes030707.DTL&feed=rss.mmorford