Spokane

The state of Washington sent me to Spokane for several days of training. I expected a mini Seattle. Instead I found the mid west.
<------ (like so) I've been walking around a lot, trying to decide what I think. Pros: 1. The brick building, industrial town feel. 2. Mountains to the north, hills, to the east, and the Spokane river running alongside downtown. 3. The Viking Tavern (click). Try the Reuben Burger. Crazy delicious.




Cons: 1. Spokane has Seattle envy. I was having lonely pint downtown. On my left, a guy talked about the imperative need to get the hell out of town. On my right (in a completely separate conversation) I overheard someone call Spokane a sorry excuse for urban living. Even the NW Inlander (the east side's answer to the Stranger) sound like it's trying to convince Spokanites not to move away.
2. Downtown has little foot traffic at night. You might find this disconcerting as you walk back to your hotel feeling pretty buzzed and some sketchy dude with his hood all the way down is following you asking for change and should something happen to you no one would see it or hear your screams. That would suck.

There was a show at Empyrean Coffee last night. Not knowing the bands, I had decided to go just for something to do.

First was the Tappas. Don't concern yourself with them unless you're into a modern female Hansen. They are good at what they do. I just don't like it.


Next up came Girlfriends. This guy blew my mind. Its a single dude using loop petals to fill out the sound. For each song he got several guitar parts going, maybe some micro korg, then he beat the shit out of his drums. The songs aren't just technically awesome, they have some merit on the sound alone as well.


Grand Sequoia played last. They played a Bend Folds meets high school + thrift store synth. It was toe tapping but not something I'd go and buy (or even look to pirate). I have since checked out their myspace for a second listen. Where the live songs were sophomoric and predictable, the recorded versions are much more electronic, weird, genuine and adventurous. Maybe future sets will stay more true to the originals.

The life of a bar room freedom fighter.

Last night I came the closer to picking a fight with some one than I have in years (or maybe ever). I never said a word to the guy which shows how close I ever come to fighting.
Liz and I were at the Green Lantern having a beer and some mozzarella sticks (crazy delicious). Across the way at the bar, some drunk, red faced middle aged bastard was talking politics far too loudly.
"You know what Obama wants don't you? Socialism! He wants us to drive the same car. He wants us to make the same wage".
The other two happy hour philosophers nodded their heads sagely.
This was amusing. Liz was trying to have a conversation but I was too interested in Red Face.
"You know, people haven't said it in twenty years, and I hate to bring it back up, but you know their kind takes care of their own folk first".
Seriously? I know this is a Walla Walla bar, but I was surprised (maybe naively) to hear it openly. The amusement drained and was replaced with anger. I had to do something.
"I'm gonna shout that guy down" I told Liz and explained what I just heard. She was bothered by the statement too but pleaded with me not to start something, ending with the old standard "He's not worth it".
Hell yeah he is. I should drop kick to scissor hold him till his beer soaked heart goes into arrest. I at least need to say something. But what to do with Liz.
"Okay, here's the plan. When we leave, you go out the door and I'll go tell that fucker what's up. You wait outside and we'll meet at the car".
I usually don't get this far. Mostly I fantasize about what I would do or say to people. But now, fueled with confidence from 3 beers, I had a plan. It probably helped I was feeling tough in working man image with fat sideburns, new hair cut, and trucker hat. I hoped no one there could tell I work at a desk.
Liz was okay with the plan. Red Face wandered in and out the bar for the next 20 minutes, talking on his cell phone. I lost track of him for a while as I tried to enjoy the rest of my cheese sticks and beer. When it came to execute my plan, he had slipped out without being seen. Damn it. Yet another missed chance to stand up to assholes for the stupid shit they say and do in public. I like to think he slinked away in fear after catching one of my "mad dog" looks, knowing he was in for a ass beating.
Probably not.