I’ve been wanting to write a wrap-up of REPS Showcase 2004 for a while now, but I needed to wait until I came down a bit from the weekend, and then there always seemed to be something that came up to get in the road. Finally, I’m pushing myself to get these photos posted so those who were there can re-live the weekend, and those who weren’t can peek in on the goings-on. First off, pics and comments on the city, and over the next few days photos and thoughts on the convention itself.

Seattle, at least the areas I had the time to explore in my too-brief time there, is a truly beautiful place. While I was there the weather was gorgeous, highs in the mid-70s with a warm sun lazing in an almost cloudless sky. A cool breeze accompanied me almost everywhere I went, and the evenings were beautifully cool.

The Seattle Center, where I spent much of my time, was simply lovely. Parks, museums, performing arts centers, all surrounded everywhere by artwork designed to engage all of the senses. I walked as far as Elliott Bay Park, another beautiful place, but unfortunately never made it downtown, nor did I manage to see a “floating bridge,” which is something that fascinates an easterner like me (we prefer our bridges above the water, not on it. Next trip, honest.

I was struck by the parkland, and the fountains scattered around the Seattle Center from the huge International Fountain near the Space Needle to the smaller ones nestled around the park. In each, from the largest to the smallest, children played happily, splashing their cares away. It made me smile each time I passed, even while making me just a little homesick for the sound of my own six-year-old’s laugh. I couldn’t help but think that out in the east, security would be chasing them away, not waving to them as they passed. But what better use for a fountain than to have a child sitting in the middle splashing and squealing with delight? This is a place that truly understands “beauty.”

The other thing that impressed me about the city was the people…I can’t count the number of times strangers passed giving me a friendly greeting, or remarking on the weather, or even a heartfelt smile. It wasn’t long before I felt right at home, as if I was walking through my own neighborhood. It didn’t really matter what time of day, either; folks were friendly whether early morning or late into the evening.

Coffee. I mean, how can you talk about Seattle without talking about coffee? It’s hard to go very far without bumping into a coffee shop or bistro, some quiet contemplative places, some boisterous partying hangouts, all with wonderful aromas and tempting snacks. I only had one bad cup of coffee the whole time I was there; oddly, at the Starbucks in the Seattle Center. (I picked up a cup of iced coffee to cool me as I walked around, and it was terribly bitter. My wife’s opinion aside, good coffee, no matter how strong, is never bitter.) Otherwise, everything from decaf house blend to quad cappuccino was excellent, and I met a quite a few nice people in those coffeehouses, too.

The city isn’t perfect, of course; no city is. I couldn’t help but notice the number of homeless persons wandering the streets. This may have something to do with the hotel being so close to the Seattle Center and its parkland, but I admit it was a bit disconcerting to, at 3:30 on a Sunday afternoon, round a corner near a supermarket to come upon a man urinating shamelessly on the sidewalk.

Still, as I sat in the pre-dusk glow on the porch of a Thai restaurant letting the aroma wafting from the kitchen surround me like a down comforter and nodding hellos to the folks walking by, I couldn’t imagine anywhere else I’d want to be.

The Space Needle behind the International Fountain. Oh, c’mon…everyone wants to get this shot. I just wish I had done it a little better.	Another shot of the International Fountain and the folks enjoying it.	It fascinates me how big this puppy is.	A view of the Seattle Center parkland, behind the Needle.
A close-up of the “thing” astride the Space Needle.	I just thought this looked cool, with all the ambers.	One of the smaller fountains tucked away inside the Seattle Center.	Ah, to be young again…
A view of Elliott Bay.	And another.	Ok, so I tried to get a little artistic down by the rose garden…