Sleeping well in Seattle

So I must apologize because I have been the laziest of bloggers and have simply been directing readers to interesting articles I've come across regarding nutrition and veganism of late, and I feel terribly guilty.  I realized that my original purpose in creating a blog was to enhance my writing abilities and keep my creativity finely tuned.  I enjoy writing about food and travel a great deal, and occasionally about the work I'm doing at school.  I was also temporarily focused on a blog I was writing for school about my job, but I was limited by having my boss read every blog entry so that series was more comical and rather lacking in substance unfortunately, though I did enjoy some of the writing.

After finally being able to take a succession of vacations and remember what it feels like to relax, I feel more inspired to write.  I also feel intrigued by the proposition a coworker of mine made that I write something of more substance.  I think I hesitate to take stances in my writing because for me the enjoyment comes from finding a creative or interesting way to describe experiences I've had, and substantive writing often feels rather like homework.

It is rather shameful, however, that I do so much politically oriented or educational reading and almost never expound on any of it in a creative way.  I think in the future I'll consider addressing issues that are important to me in a more opinionated fashion, rather than just occasionally directing a reader to pieces denouncing factory farming in the spirit of vegan living.  Believe it or not, the work I do at school and the news I follow rarely has anything to do with my lifestyle and is much more focused in the arena of international conflict and politics.

For now, however, I'm in Seattle, land of grungy dreadlock-sporting, beer-drinking vegans and concert goers.  It is a glorious city and I have quite enjoyed it so far.  Aside from the required visit to Pikes Place fish market, the very first Starbucks, and a long and fulfilling wander through the Seattle Art Museum I have seen some beauty that appears to be specific to the pacific northwest.

One of the most wonderful things I've found about exploring the area is that no matter where you drive, you will surely be surrounded by tall, pointed, dark evergreens and white capped, grey mountains, occasionally glimpsing flashes or long stretches of sparking blue water and long, picturesque boat docks.  There's something simply lovely about the assurance of a view like that.

I didn't fly all the way to Seattle just for the vegan food (although I can imagine doing that now that I've tasted some of it)-- one of my closest friends moved out here over the summer and visiting her was my Christmas wish.  Since she is a normal person and has to work to pay her rent, I have been exploring in my own tourist fashion every day after dropping her off at work, and in the evenings she introduces me to her friends and gives me the insider's tour of Seattle restaurants and night life.

I've gotten a delicious taste of everything from feeding chickens in a small coastal suburb and stopping into the most local of local breweries, visiting a grungy vegan bar and checking out an apartment in the trendy neighborhood of Capital Hill, to attending a warehouse party downtown complete with artists and live local musicians.  In a week I've enjoyed everything from freshly baked vegan donuts to greasy vegan bar food, more different types of beer than I've tasted in my entire life to date, and even poached eggs my friend's family hens laid the day before!

With good food, good friends and stunning scenery (every day I've been here has been shockingly clear rather than the typical rainy gray clouds), needless to say I am sleeping quite soundly in Seattle.  I was long overdue for a vacation and a great visit with a good friend.  If I never make it back home, rest assured I'll post an update about my new life in the rainy city.

Until then, enjoy the cold winter from wherever you are and don't forget that vitamin D supplements can change the world (and by the world, I mean your outlook on life).  Happy New Year!