Recent Stories with tag of

Dear Mr. Rossi:

Dino Rossi, job-hunter

Well, here we are yet again, with you on the losing side of another election. And yet again, you weren't able to muster enough votes outside of King County to overcome the usual overwhelming support for Democrats this county musters. Although you did do two percent better in King County than in 2008, you still couldn't crack the magic 40 percent mark a Republican needs in the county to have a chance at winning.

So, here you are yet again, out of a job. And this time around, you can't go back to real estate. I mean, have you seen the commercial real estate vacancy rate in Seattle? Over 17 percent. You ain't gonna make much money selling or leasing property in this economy. And don't even think about selling residential. You do read Seattle Bubble, right?

And I know you're thinking, Hey, I can latch on as a "political consultant." Let me remind you--you've now lost three times. And even if you want to say hey, I did win in '04, you got your rear spanked in 2008 by Christine Gregoire, a governor so ineffectual she makes Bartleby look like David Allen. I mean, seriously, you came into that election with the momentum and you lost by seven percent? You've done so poorly Alan Keyes could be your campaign manager and you'd do better.

Oh, hey, I can be a lobbyist down in Olympia, you think. And do what exactly? Get some tax breaks for the BIAW when the state budget is about to get another $5-$6 billion blown out of it this next biennium?

Again, you want to win political office, right? And you need to get 40 percent in King County, right? How you going to do that as the land man for the BIAW or the NRA or whatever right-wing lobby firm comes along?

Now, now, put down that Dick's job application. I have a modest proposal for you. I know it sounds crazy, and I know it'll make every Reagan-loving bone in your body ache, but here me out. There is an opening for a well-paying job that I think you'd be perfect for.

President of the University of Washington.... (more)

One of the best choices I've made this year was to head to New York in May to see Japan's Mono perform on their 10th anniversary tour. In honor of that occasion and their latest album, Hymn to the Immortal Wind, the performance featured not only the band in the beautiful New York Society For Ethical Culture concert hall, but collaboration with a full orchestra as well. It was a truly transcendent experience, with superb acoustics and the band's already powerful intrumentals pushed to new heights.

Tonight's show isn't in a church-like setting, isn't slated to feature an orchestra, and is part of Mono's usual tireless touring, but I'm no less excited about the performance. Neumos isn't fancy, but the setting is ideal for letting the music wash over you. As cool as the orchestra was, Mono doesn't need anything but the core members to fully execute on their quiet-LOUD-quiet template, so there's no other place we'd rather be tonight. If somehow you've managed to miss out on Mono's live performance, you'll... (more)

Here are my pics from the weekend.  You can view more pics in the Decibel Festival 2009 Flickr Pool.

From a weekend so filled with wonderful moments it's hard to pick any particular set of highlights, but if I had to pick a top three, I'd have to call out the following:

Was also the last weekend in which the Huskies won. November 17 and 18, 2007. The Huskies beat Cal 37-23, and the Seahawks beat Chicago 30-23.

Last time the Huskies and Seahawks both won by double-digits: September 8 and 9, 2007. The Huskies beat Boise State 24-10, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay 20-6.

I'd like nothing more than for the Seattle Storm to expand their fan base up to and beyond that of the Sonics' glory years. But shenanigans like this are not going to help. The putative Storm flagship radio station, 1150-AM KKNW, is bumping our playoff-bound women's hoopsters off the airwaves Saturday so they can broadcast ... Nebraska football? Really?

You can still hear the Storm game, it'll be on 880-AM KIXI. The Nebraska football broadcasts are sponsored by the Washington chapter of the University of Nebraska alumni association. While I salute them for their fervency, I have to wonder whether a Storm fans might not do just as much to support their team if given the opportunity.

Getting bumped isn't a huge indignity -- the Mariners get bumped off ESPN 710 for Seahawks preseason games. But for a team that's half-a-continent away?