Photo-of-the-Week - Busking In Seattle, Seattle, Washington, June 2012

It's called "busking" and it's when a musician or other performer sings, plays their instrument or entertains in some other way on the street for voluntary monetary contributions from those passing by. Some people think that buskers are homeless folks who perform to eat. Of course, isn't that pretty much what everyone does? We perform in some kind of job or business to receive payment so we can eat.

Busking is not at all defined by one's status as homeless or not. There are thousands of people who perform on the street for the sheer joy of sharing their gift of music, magic, miming, juggling, acrobatics, dancing, etc. True, some of those who may busk may actually be homeless, however, I dare say that most of them are not homeless. Further, some of these musicians are very accomplished, many perform professionally in other venues and, on occasion, some are even world-renowned musicians. One recent busking event took place in a Metro Subway station in Washington, DC where virtuoso violinist, Joshua Bell, performed for passersby. It was actually an experiment set up by the Washington Post newspaper to see people's reaction. Bell, of course, was not dressed like he would be for a concert performance, but his playing stopped and moved many people. Two days later he performed in Boston to a sold out audience at $100 per ticket.

I took this photo of one of only a few piano buskers in the U.S. This was across the street from the Pike Place Public Market in Seattle, Washington. I said there are only a few piano buskers because moving a piano around is a weighty proposition. It's certainly more difficult that schlepping a saxophone, guitar, violin or a small case full of magic tricks. For some reason, some cities and towns frown upon buskers and will often either chase them off or require them to purchase a very costly license to perform in public. However, in general, I believe buskers are allowed to perform freely and become part of the local ambience, attracting shoppers and tourists, thus, helping the local economy.

I recall, some 20 or more years ago, chatting with a family of street entertainers on Pier 39 in San Francisco. There was the mother and father and either two or three children, as I recall. There was a permanent stage in the center of the pier with a small, but adequate seating area in front of the stage. I learned in talking with the husband that many of the street musicians on Pier 39, at The Cannery and at Ghirardelli Square made full-time livings at busking. They simply found a prominent location with lots of foot traffic, set up to perform, placed their guitar or other instrument case, or in some cases a hat, in front of them (they often dropped a few dollars and some change in the hat themselves to get the idea across for people to contribute) and then performed. The family I was talking with actually had the kids come down off the stage and pass a hat through the spectators, just like taking an offering at church. He told me they made about $70,000 a year, which was nothing to sneeze at around, 1990 or so.

Some buskers actually are traveling entertainers who are booked to perform concerts or shows at various venues around the country and stop along their travels and do some busking to supplement their travel expenses and income. This is another interesting living free idea. 

Photo-of-the-Week #118 - The Roslyn Cafe, Roslyn, Washington, June 2012

This mural on the side of this old building became an iconic image in the TV program "Northern Exposure." The setting was the fictitious town of Cicely, Alaska where a unique cast of diverse characters played off one another in the environment both climatically and figuratively. The Roslyn Cafe was one of the focal points of the show and this mural was in the opening title sequence of each show.

Actually, the exterior shots and some of the interior shots were done in the small town of Roslyn in the Cascade Mountains about 90 minutes or so from Seattle and the rest of the production was done in Redmond, Washington, home of the software giant, Microsoft. In the TV show the Roslyn Cafe mural had an 's added to Roslyn in a makeshift manner to make it look like someone's name. The time I spent walking around the small town (just under 900 residents according to the 2010 census) and through many of the old buildings brought back fond memories of the town, characters and plots of the 1990 - 95 TV series.

But, "Northern Exposure" is not Roslyn's only claim to fame. A 1979 movie, "The Runner Stumbles," starring Dick Van Dyke and Kathleen Quinlan filmed in Roslyn. The movie was about a nun and a priest and the geographic focal point in the town was the Immaculate Conception Church. Both interior and exterior shots with Van Dyke and Quinlan were shot at the church. Some of the local folks had parts in the movie while others were extras in the production. The actual storyline was about a small town in Michigan, however, Roslyn got the nod as the shooting location.

Oh, yes! I did enjoy a pleasant lunch at the Roslyn Cafe along with one of their local brewskies. Next time I get out to Washington State, I plan to revisit Roslyn and perhaps stay there a day or two to further explore and get to know the place and people better. 

Photo-of-the-Week #100 - Gasworks Park, Seattle, Washington, July 2012

This scene inspired me as a modern version of Stonehenge. Obviously, there are a lot of differences like the period in history when each was created, the materials each was created from and certainly their purposes were very different. But, they were both man made and illustrate the creativity of the human mind. Additionally, they indicate the engineering ability and creativity of people from both periods.

I found this place to be interesting. As you can see, it was another of the (for my taste) too frequent overcast days in Seattle. While I've not, yet, had the opportunity of visiting Stonehenge in England, I wonder if the sky isn't overcast in that region much of the time, as well. I also found it to be a stark contrast with the modern cityscape of Seattle in the background across Lake Union. The gas works operated from 1906 until 1956 and provided gas from coal. Much of the gas powered the city of Seattle and was instrumental in the growth of the city. Today the ruins are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The ruins are considered industrial archeology and represent the Industrial Revolution.

My son took me to the park to enjoy a delicious lunch of Salmon and chips that we picked up at one of the long established fish carryouts in the area. We sat on the shore of Lake Union and watched some boats and a few seaplanes - and one lone stand-up paddle boarder in a wet suit paddling by. It always amazes me how the U.S. is one country and, yet, there are so many unique differences from region to region, state to state and city to city. This is the lore and the lure of the nomad - to explore and experience all the uniqueness.   

Photo-of-the-Week #83 - Starbucks #1, Seattle, Washington, June 2012

Here is Starbucks #1. This is where it all started in 1971. Well, this is actually Starbucks #1 - #2 on Pike Place. This is the current location of Starbucks #1 from about 1975 or 76 until the present. Prior to that, it was located on Western Avenue. This current location is directly across the street from the Pike Place Public Market.

There's a certain cache about getting a cup of coffee, or in my case, a cup of tea at the very first store of a worldwide chain of coffeehouses numbering somewhere around 20,366 stores. Of course, because of that cache, you can pretty much plan on waiting in line to be served. On this trip, earlier this year, I opted not to wait in line. But, when I was there in November 2005, I did run the gauntlet and enjoy a Starbucks treat.

I should add a little disclaimer and say that I'm not really a big Starbucks fan and probably don't patronize the chain more than maybe five or six times a year. But, I'm still drawn in by unique and historical things. So, I can say, in this case, that I've had a beverage at #1. Actually, my favorite coffeehouse is a small private place in Sparta, North Carolina operated by my friend, Selma, who makes the absolute best Chai Tea Latte I've had anywhere in the U.S.    

Photo-of-the-Week #78 - Mt. Rainier in the Early Summer - June 2012

Majestic Mt. Rainier outside Seattle, Washington. I love nature and all the beauty and majesty of this planet. While I certainly have an understanding of the scientific basis for much of what creates and sustains the beauty of the planet, I still feel so small and awestruck by it all. As you have probably figured out by now, I am not a National Geographic type or quality photographer. I guess I'm what you call and "Opportunist Photographer." I see a photo op and I attempt to capture it.

I have received from very complimentary comments and emails about some of my photos from those who follow the blog. I'm appreciative of receiving these compliments. I'm also pleased to know that something that caught my eye and I was able to capture with one of my photographic devices pleased your eye as well. I have thousands of photos, but like most professional photographers (and I don't claim to be a professional), I have to sort through them to find the "one" shot that truly captures what I was seeing and feeling. I have other friends who are much more focused on what they shoot. They look for THE shot, then frame and focus and take great care to get that "one" shot every time they go on a photo expedition. Perhaps their photos are better then mine, but I'm happy to capture something that moves me at that instant.

I shot this photo of Mt. Rainier about ten minutes from my son's place in Seattle. I was driving along this lake and there was the shot. I quickly found a place to pull off the road and walked to the edge of the lake and viola - here's the shot. No! It's not the only shot from this vantage point. I took several, but this is the "one." It represents everything I was seeing and feeling at that precise moment. You may describe it any way you like. My description is that it is "breathtaking." One day I'll post another shot of Mt. Rainier that I took when the pilot of an Air Alaska flight I was on provided a National Geographic, fly by, "Kodak Moment." 

Photo-of-the-Week #64 – Pike Place Market, Seattle, Washington June 14, 2012

Here it is, the famous Pike Place Public Market at the intersection of Pike Street and Pike Place in Seattle. The Market is an exciting place. You will find all kinds of interesting items here ranging from the expected - fresh seafood, meats, poultry, vegetables and cut flowers to art galleries and studios, gift shops of all kinds, eateries ranging from diner style to fresh seafood and various cuisines, sundry shops, puzzle and magic shops, tee shirts, well, you get the idea. Also located on Pike Place on the opposite side of the street is the very first, numero uno, Starbucks Coffee Shop. It’s always busy. I guess there’s a certain cache about saying you’ve had coffee (or tea or a smoothie) from the first Starbuck shop. I didn’t do it this trip, but I did it on my last trip here. I didn’t want to wait in line.

Also, you’ll find street musicians playing throughout the Market and on the streets and the variety of music is pretty broad. Of course, it’s a huge tourist trap. There are people from all over the U.S. and the world who you’ll rub elbows with as you make your way through the Market. And, it’s not just the street level seen in this photo, there are two more levels below the street level. By the way, it took some time to capture this photo. Both the foot traffic and the vehicular traffic are very heavy at this intersection. I had to take several photos rapidly when I had this break. 

 One of the favorite attractions in the Market is the fresh seafood stall with the “fish throwers” I managed to capture a short piece of video for your amusement.

I was most fortunate to happen upon two women working on a new art studio on the bottom level of the Market. They were preparing it for the grand opening on July 1^st. I had a wonderful conversation with them, got a card from the artist opening the studio and left my card with them. That resulted in me receiving an invitation to the grand opening party the evening of June 30^th. I most certainly attended and you’ll meet Cairn and Brooke in an upcoming post where I’ll feature my evening at a Seattle art gallery opening party. A fun evening and, certainly, a unique experience for the “Professional Nomad.”