Alpha Role...

I've been riding horses for a number of years now. I ride Rose(above) most of the time and the stable owner Gary would say about Rose, she's "bullet proof", not easily spooked, tame and easy to control. Gary also trained me each time I get on an animal, even though I may have ridden the same horse many times, to always start anew; whoa, left, right, back, etc... as if I've never been on the animal before. This is to assure the horse and yourself that you are both on the same track. Never assume anything. It's respect. There are few things as exhilarating as being on a 1200 pound horse(with a golf ball size brain) moving at a fast clip, and with a simple movement of the wrist, one can control these wonderful beasts.

I volunteer in a middle school teaching ESL. That same practiced patience while horseback to achieve an initial sense of control works wonders enabling students to understand their own responsibilities in the classroom. It works with clients and contractors too. So it was not much of a surprise when the NY Times had an article on "Becoming the Alpha Dog In Your Own Home", parents are taking the methods for inspiring animal discipline, order and devotion used by Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, on their own children. Move over Dr. Spock...

Can we all just get along?

A new exhibit at the Center for Land Use Interpretation in Los Angeles sheds light on a little known attribute of the region, which is its urban oil fields. This industry successfully operates hidden behind fences and camouflaged into the architecture in the midst of the suburban sprawl.

On a local note, businesses in the industrial Ballard neighborhood of Seattle have been fighting tooth and nail to prevent the continuation of the Burke-Gillman bicycle trail along side a minor stretch of rail spur citing safety concerns. The reality though, is businesses feel the bicycle right of way will impede commerce. I'm sure if the bicycle trail could become a revenue source, these same pundits would take different view. If only we could monetize sanity.

Change is certain, progress isn't...

After a few weeks, Seattle can finally put a face to a Mayor. It may take a bit longer before we embrace the new mail voting system. Being unable to monitor voter counts over the day to gage the pulse of the election is frustrating. And the value of uncertified electronic tally's from precincts at the end of the evening that can identify successful candidates is no longer available. Live action on election day has become usurped by snail mail! Evening news accounts only offered tiny fractions of voter counts, with the results trickling in over the course the following week. An anti-climatic end. It was odd to see campaigns hustling for votes after the traditional 8PM voting cut off(and after seeing early returns), because the airport post office took mail till midnight. The day's end tally from closing precincts is a much better system, especially since the new format shows no signs of improving voter turnout. Knowing the winners of these elections sooner easily trumps mail balloting.

I don't remember whom I voted for mayor in the primary. I do remember voting against Mr. Nickels. And admit, as it turned out, with Nickles completely out of the field the remaining newbe's were not of my liking. As the election proceeded, the candidates differentiated them selves both in style and content not much different than what we might expect with career politicians like Nickels. And, when have we in the recent past elected lessor known civic stewards? I made choices, I'll admit to being 0 and 2. Maybe this experiment only lasts 4 years, thats o.k. too. This was a chance to realize government is not a professional vocation.

As a community we showed we are willing to seek solutions outside the box for governing our constituency. I hope the new mayor's tenure works out great without it becoming a career. And sooner than later, someone else who I may know little about or not, steps up to the table. Personality is more important in government than face. Best wishes, Mayor McGinn!

Art Imitating Life?

Ellen M. Banner / Seattle Times

The Green River here in the Puget Sound has been threatened by flooding this winter and as a precautionary measure, sand bags have been placed along the banks near major industry. Perfectly ephemeral opportunity with miles of canvas and no environmental impact statements to complete. Would graphics, color or maybe even words made more of an impression? I'm more inclined to accept art-imitating life, in place of the notion of inspired originality.

Vancouver

The Contrarian visited Vancouver recently and was briefly reminded how provincial Seattle seems compared to its neighbor up north. Borders and boundaries are always a good thing. Urban grids here in the downtown are steeped with blocks that are full of individual structures with FAR's and du/acre(unit density per acre) that would make any NIMBY explode! In Seattle, entire blocks are built as one structure(one yard), purporting their "mixed uses"; whereas in Vancouver they're unabashed about letting other stakeholders owning a piece of the block. The photo above of the Main Library by architect Moshe Safdie looms like Roman ruins in the dark winter rain feeling very much like an urban place.

The event of the evening was U-2 at BC Place. A good show, although I can remember when the smoke and light shows didn't compete with the music quite so much.