I'm Thinking About Bells

Typing this from my hotel room in Seattle. There's already a workblog entry posted that detailed most of today's events.

Uneventful flight, scary cab driver to the hotel. Although, he was nothing compared to cinder block lead foot man. The courtesy shuttle driver from our hotel that took us to Marz liked to floor it. And it didn't matter if he was going 8 blocks or 8 feet between stops. He was on his way like he couldn't wait to get there. He also had a hard time finding the hotel, despite me giving him the exact address. "I've never approached it from this angle before."

Lunch was fun. We probably walked the wrong way from the con. Instead of rows of restaurants (which were there, but unseen if we went the other way), we found a million places selling kitchen equipment and furniture that looked like restaurants. But they weren't. A sandwich place had wait staff that yelled at us and dropped lettuce. A Greek place had a shattered front window and no customers.

We ended up at a Vietnamese place where I ate Pho. Michael wouldn't try the fish sauce that came with his dish. I'm disappointed in him. Although, if you get in close (or you get the raw stuff), it does smell like the stuff that comes out of Pete's butt when he gets too excited. Pete is my dog back home, so no cause for alarm. Anyhow, the food brought back memories. I try not to think about things, but I do. Every day is a step, this was just a rockier one. And also, I need to know how to order what I want, instead of guessing and hoping for the best. I think I did okay today, but this is just one meal. I need a guide I can keep in my wallet.

I think the real test for me is what I do as I pass all of these gift shops. I'm in the habit of buying bells. But not for me. So I'm not sure if I want to pass up this trip to the Pacific Northwest and not get one. I know what it says if I do. I know what it says if I don't. But here's the thing. Do I know anything? I think there are multiple readings based on whether or not I buy a bell in Seattle. We'll see how it goes.

I know, much of this I shouldn't be writing about. But I'm tired, so I gave in. Sue me. Go read someone else's blog if you don't like it.