M. Colleen McDevitt

2011 - A Year in iPhone Photos

2012-01-02T23:13:00.000-08:00

The 15 Vlogs of Christmas - Letters from Home

2011-12-29T11:35:00.000-08:00

The 15 Vlogs of Christmas - A Prank

2011-12-28T23:46:00.000-08:00

The 15 Vlogs of Christmas - Christmas Evening with the Beddingfields

2011-12-27T10:49:00.000-08:00

15 Vlogs of Christmas - Leslie & the Blue Truck

2011-12-25T16:02:00.000-08:00

15 Vlogs of Christmas - Stockings

2011-12-25T12:35:00.000-08:00

15 Vlogs of Christmas - Holiday Specs

2011-12-25T12:26:00.000-08:00

15 Vlogs of Christmas - 1st Gift

2011-12-25T12:09:00.000-08:00

The 15 Vlogs of Christmas - Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T23:43:00.000-08:00

The 15 Vlogs of Christmas - What's tabu to kids?

2011-12-23T18:29:00.000-08:00

The 15 Vlogs of Christmas - Package from Home

2011-12-22T23:53:00.000-08:00

The 15 Vlogs of Christmas - Party

2011-12-21T23:59:00.000-08:00

The 15 Vlogs of Christmas - Cake Pops

2011-12-20T23:04:00.000-08:00

The 15 Vlogs of Christmas - Car

2011-12-19T20:28:00.000-08:00

The 15 Vlogs of Christmas - Leavenworth

2011-12-18T23:07:00.000-08:00

The 15 Vlogs of Christmas - Carolers

2011-12-17T23:09:00.000-08:00

God Bless {Layovers In} Texas.

2011-11-02T19:14:00.000-07:00

Amore Infused

2011-10-31T18:45:00.000-07:00

My photo and write-up for Amore Infused on Scoutmob! I had a lot of fun with the bar tender and chef/owner... looking forward to helping out on Thanksgiving when they feed 1,000+ people a delicious meal.

Scout Notes: Amore Infused is Seattle dining—casual and oh so fine. Ah, the favorite words of a laid-back foodie with a trained palate. We’re talking locally-sourced, organic and seasonal ingredients creatively prepared right when you order, right here in Belltown. Renowned Executive Chef Sean Langan, owns the European and Italian fusion restaurant which has gradually inched its way closer and closer to the Space Needle. Langan’s crafting gourmet meals is what keeps people coming and keeps the operation growing.

Amore’s staff is a small group of passionate food makers and servers with precision in everything they do. Everything is made from scratch and whether it is a lavish entree, a stylish dessert or a classic cocktail, taste and presentation will have you feeling like a star. Pair that with the building’s 1940’s atmosphere and some high class entertainment and you’ve got yourself a swanky night out! Jazz, burlesque, silent movies or drag bingo... take your pick (but good luck choosing). They are all set to take Amore’s stage, one that a recent visitor says he swore he saw Sammy Davis Jr. sing from—a testament to the restaurant’s good-time character. What better way to enjoy your seafood loaded Crab Bisque and a delicious Pumpkin Toddy than with some smoky jazz?

Menu Highlights:
Crab Bisque – Dungeness crab meat, roasted tomato fish stock, hint of sherry, in reduced cream, $11
Basil Salmon Limone - broiled wild Alaskan salmon, artichoke, sun-dried tomato, red onions, pesto, roasted garlic, fresh basil, lemon zest, $19
Lasagna Bolognese - Amore’s bolognese sauce, mixture of ground pork, sirloin, imported cheese, nestled in alfredo, $15
Pumpkin Toddy – Chai rum, hot water, house pumpkin simple syrup, topped with house whipped cream
Dirty Ernie - Tequila, lime, orange, cinnamon, cloves, cinnamon orange sugar rim
Cucumber Mist - house cucumber vodka, lime, house sweet & sour, mist of fresh black pepper

Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 4 pm – 1 am
Friday, 4 pm – 2 am
Saturday, 4 pm – 2 am
Sunday, 4 pm – 1 am

May Restaurant & Lounge

2011-10-24T18:24:00.000-07:00

My photos and write-up for May Restaurant and Lounge on Scoutmob!

The Scoop: It doesn’t get much more authentic than May Restaurant & Lounge. We’re talking all Thai, no Americanization here! With a combined focus on homemade recipes and a traditional atmosphere, you’ll feel so relaxed dining in a charming Thai home shipped straight from the hills of Thailand to the heart of Wallingford. Featuring an intricate hand painted mural, the temple-themed bar downstairs sets an inviting scene for mingling over cocktails or passing around appetizers. (Or both of course!) Head up the stairs outside to get cozy with that special someone under the open rafters while beautifully presented entrees tease the senses.

Scouts Notes: If Pad Thai is your thing you’ve come to the right place. May’s most popular dish is served up a bit differently than most across the city. Presented on a banana leaf, spices are mixed into this rice noodle favorite right at your table. This presentation just might be the reason it has been touted Seattle’s Best Pad Thai but we’re here to vouch for its taste too. Just be sure to indicate your heat preference because they do not mess around. Now don’t you fret if your taste buds can’t handle the heat, May Restaurant & Lounge has something for all Thai lovers, including several vegetarian and seafood options for all occasions. So if it’s a first date or your 10th anniversary surprise your honey with a meal that will surely impress. But May is good everyday, not just for special occasions. That means you will find me in a booth by the bar, “sharing” several starters with friends and tasting the spices of Thailand. Come along... just don’t hog the Pandan Chicken.

Menu Highlights:
Pad Thai - Wok stir-fried thin rice noodles with egg, home-made tamarind sauce, beansprouts and chive leaf. Served traditionally with banana blossom, fresh beansprout, lime and ground peanuts. $14
Red Curry - May’s signature in-house red curry sauce and coconut milk with chicken, bamboo shoots and Thai basil. $14
Phad Grapao Samui - Sauteed sea scallops, prawns & calamari in spicy holy basil sauce, and sauteed green beans. $20
Pandan Chicken [Gai Haw Bai Toey] Marinated checken wrapped in pandanus leaves and depp-fried, served with sesame-ginger sauces and pineapple relish. $7

Hours:
Monday - Sunday, 11:30 am - 1:00 am

Heartland Cafe

2011-10-10T18:27:00.000-07:00

My photos and write-up for Heartland Cafe. Probably my favorite Scoutmob visit to date. Could have been the midwest comfort food, down-to-earth owner, or the friendly patron Mr. Edward Kennedy enjoying a martini and some supper. We had a nice lil' chat... about how photography has changed and how he reads books on tape for the local talking book library. *A few weeks after meeting Ed at Heartland I ran into him on the bus and excitedly said hello. He thanked me for greeting him, which is typically a big giveaway that I'm "not from 'round these parts."

The Scoop: Heartland Cafe is something right out of the storybooks. It’s a place where the adventures of Treasure Island crash into the comfort of the Midwest and the creativity of West Seattle. Known as the Admiral Benbow Inn back in the 1950’s, this all-in-one-restaurant is now part Midwest cafe, sports bar, music venue, and pirate ship speakeasy. Variety be the spice of life, matey! And Heartland Cafe has got it in spades. With an all American cafe focus, food goers will think Momma herself is hiding out in the kitchen. That’s Heartland’s idea of family dining. The whole crew can sit together in pitch fork chairs at Heartland’s over-sized wooden dining table and savor a dish featuring one of their very own homemade sausages.

Scouts Notes: Since opening in April of 2010, Heartland Cafe’s restored landmark, the shipwrecked bar, has old regulars in awe. The aptly named Benbow Room, features the ship’s original stained glass, Koi fish swimming under the floor and a dark atmosphere conjured from generations ago. Enter if you dare, where pirate-themed cocktails are aplenty and food is served everyday until 2 am. Trust us, who wants to sleep when you can sink your teeth into Heartland Cafe’s Fully Loaded Tater Tots?! (Voted best tots in Seattle by Seattle Weekly 2010.) Connected to the ship is every concert loving, Wisconsin sports fan’s dream—live music or the big game can be found in this Packer’s bar on most weekends. (Don’t worry, the tunes will surely give way to night games as Green Bay plows through to another Super Bowl Championship.)

It’s hard to specialize in killer entertainment and that tasty, “believe you me” kind of food, let alone ‘round the clock. But Heartland Cafe delivers all four meals: breakfast, lunch, “supper,” and late night like no other. Really, you have no reason to leave... Shall we change its name back to an “Inn?” I’d like a room, please.

Menu Highlights:
Breakfast:
Heartland Greek Sausage Scramble: Scrambled eggs with Heartland Greek sausage, caramelized onions, tomato, feta cheese and country style potatoes. $11
Lunch:
Open Face Turkey: An open face turkey sandwich topped with gravy and stufﬁng, served over sourdough bread with cranberry sauce. $9
Supper:
Chicken Fried Steak: Chicken fried NY steak topped with country-style sausage gravy, served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. $14
Late Night:
Believe You Me Sampler: Featuring Loaded tots, beef sliders, cheese curds and sauerkraut balls with dipping sauces. $12

Hours:
Monday, 3 pm - 10 pm
Tuesday - Thursday, 6:30 am - 10 pm
Friday - Saturday, 6:30 am - 2 am
Sunday, 6:30 am- 9 pm

Saigon Boat Cafe

2011-10-09T18:53:00.000-07:00

The cold rain is back... time for PHO!!!

Mazel tov Mike & Amy!

2011-10-01T19:04:00.000-07:00

Bean Town

2011-10-01T17:34:00.000-07:00

Pacific Inn Pub

2011-09-26T17:49:00.000-07:00

My photo and write up for a local dive on Scoutmob!

The Scoop: Nestled in the cozy corner where Fremont meets Wallingford, a building dating back to the 1930s epitomizes some of Seattle’s favorite words: “dive" and "bar”. We’re talking about Pacific Inn Pub, a seriously authentic, no-frills kind of joint. For over 30 years, an after-work crowd of good ol’ boys have been bellying up to their regular stools at the bar. Distanced from the quirky spirit of Fremont, this true neighborhood pub has something for everyone--from the serious men who love their microbrews to average passers-by looking for some of the most reasonably priced (and some of the best) fish’n’chips in town. Which, due to its ol’ fashioned fish fry feel, is surely something to write home about. Covered in spicy garlic panko breading, the crispy fish lies on a crunchy bed of fries (I’m a poet!) and is oh so perfect.

Scouts Notes: Don’t let the lack of cars parked in Pacific Inn Pub deceive your eyes. The booths and outdoor patio are usually alive with locals who have walked from home, a true testament to a neighborhood pub. P.I.’s veteran staff know just what each regular wants from the tap and their go-to’s from the menu, including affordable burgers and sandwiches from the grill. If wings are your thing (oh, the rhyming continues!), you won’t be disappointed by 1 lb. of the spicy stuff paired with Smokey Cajun Spiced Fries and tartar sauce. This topped with a cheap draft beer and real conversation? It’s a good day! We asked long-time owner, Robert Julien, about any Happy Hours and without taking a breath he said, “We’re always happy! Our prices are reasonable and our portions are generous.” Sounds good to me. I never needed an hour dictated to me for when I could chow down and get my drink on. Neither do you. That's why there's Pacific Inn Pub.

Menu Highlights:
P.I.’s Famous Fish & Chips (with Tartar Sauce and Coleslaw): 3 pcs, $8.99, 2 pcs, $6.99
Big City Red Polish Sausage on a Stadium Bun, $4.99
1 lb. Hot & Spicy OR BBQ Chicken Wings, $7.99
Smokey Cajun Spiced Fries and Tartar Sauce, $3.49

Hours:
Monday - Friday, 11 am - 2 am
Saturday - Sunday, 12 pm - 2 am

Events:
Free pool after midnight at the single table in the back!

Our American Generation

2011-09-15T19:46:00.000-07:00

Our American Generation

10 Years

2011-09-11T19:23:00.000-07:00

Galerias

2011-09-05T23:48:00.000-07:00

I had another Capitol Hill write-up for Scoutmob Seattle. Check out Galerias from Scoutmob's site...)

The Scoop: Any old burrito fix is usually complete smathered in hot sauce and melted cheese (yes, “smathered” is a mixture of smothered and slathered). But sometimes you need a little more flavor and Galerias sits up on Capitol Hill eagerly awaiting your burrito affair. “When you want Mexican food AND something different, we are the place,” says owner Ramiro Rubio.

Scouts Notes: Like any good Mexican boy, Guadalajara native Rubio’s recipe inspiration came directly from his mother, Dona Elba Galvan. On a visit from Mexico in the restaurant’s early days. Dona was moved by the lead damsel in Like Water for Chocolate as she crafts a magnificent mole amidst heartbreak. Today, one of Galerias’ most popular dishes, Mole Poblano, still sticks to her recipe. It is a complex blended mole sauce made with six different chilies and of course a touch of CHOCOLATE (which, obviously, makes everything better). Over a decade later Rubio has become quite the mole making pro, even hosting a festival featuring six of his best each year on Galerias’ menu. Featuring hibiscus mole last year was an accomplishment but, “I still can’t quite make it like Mom,” says the sauce connoisseur. We find it pretty darn hard to imagine anything could be better, though.

Whether he is cooking up something crazy or inviting a guest chef from Mexico, Galerias will always give you something different with that same Mexican flare Cap Hillions love. Just like Siskel & Ebert gave Like Water for Chocolate their trademark two thumbs up, we'd do the same for Galerias’ sauces and moles, you know, if we weren't too busy shoving delicious food into our mouths.

Beets Guests

2011-09-02T21:18:00.000-07:00

Robert's friend, Heather and his Daddy'O came to Seattle for a visit. I tagged along for some touristy fun: Aurora Bridge, Fremont Troll and the Ballard Locks. A nice evening.

Puget SoundOff Dudes

2011-09-01T23:39:00.000-07:00

Bryan, Chris & Scott. These are the dudes I work with at Puget SoundOff and the Y. We had a staff retreat and focused a lot of our energy on what's next... lots to come for Tabu. Stay tuned!

The Art Affect

2011-08-30T21:31:00.000-07:00

One of the first things I did when I got to Seattle was research other nonprofits in town who, like Tabu, use art to talk about social issues. I found Art4Justice, now The Art Affect on Facebook and who knew that 4 months later I would meet the creator, Dan Mahle, in the context that he works out of the same office of my (then new) job at the YMCA with Puget SoundOff. Craziness.

Here is the Art Affect getting their beatbox on before a meeting. Looking forward to a tight relationship for Tabu and these folks!

Edgewater Happy Hour

2011-08-29T23:10:00.000-07:00

This girl has perfected the Happy Hour. Gonna miss having them regularly while she's gone to France... sipping on that fine wine. Martinis for us this time and a KILLER view of the Puget Sound.

West Seattle Portraits

2011-08-28T20:50:00.000-07:00

Roni! This girl may be from Kansas (insert Missouri infused insult) but I'm so glad we're co-workers and good friends. Go Tigers!

Photos by Sara Stogner... so many brands repped in the one. Nike ad?

Oh Miss Sara, how glad I am that we both took off to Seattle. You da best.

Mr. Citizen Kane

2011-08-17T23:04:00.000-07:00

Stopped by Citizen Kane's for a lunch with Pa Pa and some of the cousins at the bar. Another one of my favorite places with one of my favorite people.

Ryder Rohwer

2011-08-16T23:01:00.000-07:00

This lil' guy looks like his daddy, my neighborhood buddy Al and one of Joe's best friends. He's marrying this lovely lady next year and I get to shoot the wedding! So excited.

Como's Best

2011-08-15T23:51:00.000-07:00

Booches and Addison's may not be aware of my food affair... I HAD to hit up both while I was back in Columbia for a day. There isn't a burger that does it better than two of Booche's sliders and no pile of nachos stacks up to the wonton, asiago, banana pepper concoction at Addison's.

35 Years

2011-08-14T22:30:00.000-07:00

My parents don't wear rings and Dad calls Mom his "girlfriend." But this couple has been married for 35 years and I can't think of a better match on the planet. They both are crazy and crazy in love. Whether it's driving every county road in Mid-Missouri, playing some slot machines or watching 60 Minutes on a Sunday night over a bowl of ice cream, these two are real. I love it! And I love this photo. I have a few earlier frames that just aren't it... until Dad said, "Karen, do that cute head tilt!" And here you have it...

We celebrate with crab legs by the bucket.

Pretty cousins!

A McDevitt Roast

2011-08-13T22:18:00.000-07:00

I couldn't miss the 3rd Annual McDevitt Hoedown... especially considering I'm the one that started this tradition on top of it being my parents' 35th wedding anniversary and Dad's 60th Birthday. I didn't tell the folks I was coming home, in fact, the morning I landed back in Missouri, Mike called to tell me how Dad mentioned I'd likely be really homesick missing out on all the McDevitt fun. Ha! We got 'em!

We roasted chickens, we roasted the crazy (in love) couple. This is one of my favorite days of the year.

St. Louis Arch

2011-08-11T23:08:00.000-07:00

Each place I've lived has a unique landmark: Columbia's Columns, Dublin's Spire, Seattle's Space Needle and of course the St. Louis Arch. So good to see it after being away for nearly 9 months.

Red Eye Flight

2011-08-10T23:45:00.000-07:00

I took my first of what is surely to be many red-eye flights. These lil' twins have the right idea. Next time I'm wearing footie pajamas.

Blue Angels

2011-08-07T23:57:00.000-07:00

The Blue Angels came through Seattle and some friends and I headed out with the crowd to the bridge at Lake Washington for the best view. I was STOKED to capture this beauty on my iPhone. The best camera is the one that is with you:)

Swedish Pancakes

2011-08-07T23:55:00.000-07:00

Swedish Cultural Center

Oregon Coast

2011-07-31T23:55:00.000-07:00

The Oregon Coast is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been... where land meets water. High cliffs, vast ocean, empty beaches, vibrant tide pools and some of the biggest trees I've ever seen. Thanks for an awesome time, Joe and Jia Jia!

Happy as a Clam

2011-07-30T23:55:00.000-07:00

Early morning clamming near Rogue Brewery in Newport, Oregon.

Rogue Crabbing

2011-07-29T23:55:00.000-07:00

My brother and Jia Jia have become quite the crabbing experts and their favorite spot sits below the 101 bridge in Newport, Oregon behind Rogue Brewery.
No keepers today, but the beer didn't disappoint!

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

2011-07-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

Joe has spent several hours manning a telescope and answering questions from tourist at Yaquina Head Lighthouse in Newport, Oregon.

Whales were playing around just for us! Check whale watching off the bucket list... though I don't think I've gotten my full fix just yet.

Summer Hat Quest

2011-07-10T22:59:00.000-07:00

I asked my "first Seattle friend," Chip to help me find a nice summer hat. Success for the both of us!

Date w/ West Seattle

2011-07-10T22:57:00.000-07:00

After a perfect morning blessed with a long distance phone call from Mr. Jim Buell in Tokyo, followed by a mind-aligning mass, I ventured over to West Seattle. A total treat --greeted by kids throwing seaweed, beach volleyball and my fave: a music festival. (Also, ate the best corndog, ever. Devoured before I thought to photograph.)

Polyrhythmics... they even played "Sticky Fingers." Awesome.

July 4th @ The Dex

2011-07-04T23:59:00.000-07:00

Brothers and costumes and beer pong, OH MY.

Tourists from Missouri

2011-07-04T18:00:00.000-07:00

Pike Place Market

Olympics and the Puget Sound

Lunch in Chinatown & touristas at the Space Needle

Seafood Extravaganza @ Golden Gardens

2011-07-03T23:59:00.000-07:00

Joseph Edward McDevitt always brings the party. In this case in the form of seafood.

I guess living on the Oregon Coast has transformed my Midwestern counterpart. And I gotta hand it to him, I'm no seafood gal, but dayum those oysters were tasty. Don't even get me going on the crab --boiled in salt water and oh so delish. We decided the only thing better would be a crab-stuffed, bacon-wrapped frog-leg. Just wait 'til the twins are back in Missouri!

Kites @ Gasworks

2011-07-02T23:59:00.000-07:00

Couldn't tell you the last time I flew a kite. I know of few greater joys in life:)

'Hoods Interns

2011-06-29T23:59:00.000-07:00

These are the faces I'm working alongside all summer. Meet the PugetSoundOff Summer 'Hoods Interns! We're exploring issues within our neighborhoods and using media technology to advocate for and make positive change. Get ready Seattle, this group is picking up photography so quickly... video, you're next!

Hurricane Ridge

2011-06-26T23:59:00.000-07:00

Olympic National Park - Hurricane Ridge

Hoh Rainforest

2011-06-25T23:59:00.000-07:00

Olympic National Park - Hoh Rainforest - Hall of Mosses Trail

Olympic National Park Camping

2011-06-24T23:59:00.000-07:00

No longer jobless in Seattle...

2011-06-22T11:40:00.000-07:00

To think... I could be working in this corporate megalith on the left, using my precious brain cells to plan, film and edit (wait for it) shoe commercials! Ah, how rewarding, right? I'm trying to remember why I was so disappointed to receive that rejection letter. Yeah, I think it was all the flashy perks. I mean, I felt like I was in a movie walking through the rotating doors of that place and heading up to a panoramic view of downtown. Come to think of it, I bet I was feeling so good because my interview was the same day as Tabu's web launch:)

Four months after that first interview and six after moving to Seattle I find myself working in a very different and much more Colleen kind of setting. One with a lovely lady at the front desk, not a lifeless kiosk. Look at this gem among flashy pearls on the right. Instead of producing meaningless clips for Uggs, I'm teaching a group of teenagers how to make a difference in their neighborhoods using photography and video. It's really pretty great how things work out.

To find a job with the YMCA rallying young people around social issues and empowering them to make a change is just too much like my lil' life's dream in the works, Tabu. Check out PugetSoundOff.org to see what I mean!

Neko is coming to town!

2011-06-21T23:36:00.000-07:00

My lady love is stopping in her home-state on tour. Can't describe my excitement when I saw this sign. Oooh da lolly!

You Say Potato, I Say JoJo

2011-06-20T23:23:00.000-07:00

I've lucked out on so many things here: Craigslisting a fantastic house. Starting some solid friendships. And finally landing the most ideal, Tabu-like job. But my luck doesn't stop there...

I've got this little neighborhood pub down the street that serves some unlikely gourmet bar food. My favorite: the potato wedges or "jojos" as I was soon corrected. I'll give you that, Northwest, but soda will never be pop according to these lips.

SlutWalk Seattle

2011-06-19T23:59:00.000-07:00

I hit the streets with a few friends turned Tabu volunteers for SlutWalk Seattle. They helped me promote Tabu's Sexual Assault Awareness Video Contest, spark conversations about rape and march against “victim-blaming and slut-shaming.” It was so refreshing and even empowering to see the mass and variety of people who came out for the cause.

More photos can be found at Tabu's Flickr page… and stay tuned to see a video featuring several SlutWalkers!

Drinks @ The Garage

2011-06-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

The Garage's twist on a White Russian: The Nutty Lebowski. I bowled over 100 after drinking this bad boy. 'Nuff said.

Guinness and whiskey and Manny's, oh my!

Seattle Entourage @ The Garage

2011-06-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

A few of my Seattle besties and I spent a lovely Sunday afternoon shooting pool.

Woodland Park

2011-06-18T23:38:00.000-07:00

Detours through parks are the best.

Holy Paseo's!

2011-06-18T23:16:00.000-07:00

Sara wasn't kidding. The Cuban Roast from Paseo's is ta die for.

"Pork shoulder coated in Paseo marinade & slow roasted 'til falling into succulent morsels." Emphasis on succulent. I'll be back.

Fremont Solstice Parade

2011-06-18T22:54:00.000-07:00

In true Seattle fashion, we celebrated the beginning of summer with a rainy parade. One would think the cold weather would dampen the festivities in Fremont, namely the naked bike ride, but no! Men and women of all shapes, sizes, colors (literally) and ages came out with nothing but some body paint and a lot of courage. The rest of the parade was great too, especially considering the act it had to follow.
*A note to my dear mother... I realize there is a scantily clad young man in this photo. But in the spirit of all things "tabu," I had to give credit where credit is due both anatomically and photographically speaking;)

Window watchers.

Where's Waldo? Sara Edition

Tat's & Beets

2011-06-17T22:48:00.000-07:00

Tat's is the place to be if you're looking for a lil' taste of the East out here in the West. Located in Seattle's sandwich mecca, aka Colleen HEAVEN or Pioneer Square, I'm only slightly embarrassed to admit that I've been there 4 times in a little over a month.

Blame it on the Philly Cheese Steak.

Tat's outdoor seating has a great view of Smith Tower, "one of the world’s first skyscrapers," completed in 1914.

I caught Robert looking up at the flag during a typical lunch rush which put us out the door. He was likely just avoiding eye-contact with ol' Camera Cyclops Colleen but I like to think he was inspired by the whipping red, white & blue. He's been molding an intricate nonprofit business plan to reform the way political campaigns are financed here in the US.

As is the case with any great start-up, I see a little fear, a lotta focus and a held back sense of excitement. Yeah I'm reading into it, but get ready. This guy's got an idea that can change the World. (MmWahahaha!) <--Austin Power's quote, just for you, Beets.

Where's the 50 Piece?

2011-06-16T22:39:00.000-07:00

On more than one occasion I've gotten a text from cousins back home to the affect of: "50 piece nugget last night. I can feel the cellulite now." and "Wish you were here to put a dent in this bucket!"

On more than one occasion I've drooled over this sign selling a significantly less impressive, 20 piece. I'm convinced there are few places that can handle the 50. So, until I'm back in Missouri, 20 will have to do. And what a deal!

Reba

2011-06-15T23:59:00.001-07:00

Check out that back up singer! My friend, Reba can wail. She can also make a Pink Floyd tribute band, Prism, look d@%* good on stage.

It was funny after the show being introduced as her "friend for a few years now," but so appropriate even though we've only met up a few times. I'm so glad to have reached out to her way back in the beginning of my rape advocacy/Tabu days. She has done some amazing work spreading education around the state and even country via her nonprofit, FEAR Project. What a gal.

Aurora

2011-06-15T23:59:00.000-07:00

Fewer things make me happier than light like this paired with vibey tunes and a towering bridge. (For those of you who may not know, the before mentioned items tend to make me feel like I'm in the center of a music video. I even found myself singing my best Best Coast out loud. Thankful for passers-by, the traffic on Aurora masked my rare a'capella.)

Gasworks Park and Lake Union from the Aurora Bridge

I was quickly reminded that the beautiful bridge has seen its fair share of dark days. Apparently it ranks #2 in the country for the most jumps, second to the Golden Gate Bridge.

As if suicide isn't enough, Aurora is known for late night trouble of the red light variety. But in spite of the highway's skeezy reputation, I've found comfort living so close to HWY 99. It shares a name with my beloved 2108 South Aurora in Eldon.

Tacos Chukis

2011-06-09T20:27:00.000-07:00

I visited Tacos Chukis for my freelance gig with Scoutmob, which is just awesome. (Thanks Miss Leslie Beddingfield for pointing me to it!) It's one of those Groupon-esque sites only you don't have to purchase the deal, you just get it... kinda like coupons are supposed to work;) It guarantees more savings for the customer and more money for the restaurant.

My directions: go to chosen restaurant, interview owner, photograph (and then eat) free food, write about how wonderful it was. Mmmmmmmm, this lil taco's fate was IN. MY. BELL-AY.

Here's my write up copied from Scoutmob's site:

The Scoop: Lamenting the loss of quality tacos in Capitol Hill? Fret no more. Enter Tacos Chukis, a charming little spot nestled upstairs in the back of the 219 Broadway building where a taqueria once operated for over 20 years. Locals are glad to know that the giant neon sign out front points to tacos again and old regulars say they are better than ever. With a few tables and bar stools overlooking herbs growing along the windowsill, this is the perfect atmosphere to kick back with a ice cold Jarritos and some tasty tacos.

Scout Notes: Like so many graduates, University of Washington alum Roberto Salmerón struggled to find a “real job” after college. But unlike so many, he took a month-long bike ride down the west coast to Tijuana, Mexico on a taco quest. Greeted by family with the savory food he loved and missed, Roberto knew he had to bring authentic Mexican recipes back to Seattle and opened the doors to Tacos Chukis in March.

Joking about posting an “Employee of the Month” award, Salmerón praises the skills of his only cook, a former "taquero" (taco artisan) from Mexico City. With Mexican traditions like the signature Tacos Chukis (slang for good tacos), you can’t help but scarf down marinated pork adobada cut from the spit, topped with cilantro, onions, salsa and grilled pineapple. And let’s not forget Nopales, a staple in Mexico for hundreds of years, traditionally used to help ward off scurvy. This nutritious taco is filled with grilled prickly pear cactus leaf and a solid choice for vegetarian pirates.

Heading into Tacos Chukis, a sign kindly suggests you to "Andale, ándale! Arriba, arriba!" your butt up the stairs so you can get some tacos in your face. But make sure you're packing paper, cause this joint is CASH ONLY.

That Needle in the Sky

2011-05-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

My favorite photos of the Space Needle so far...
Photo w/ Mr. Robert Beets!

Life Changing Burger

2011-05-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

In honor of May being National Burger Month there’s no question that Red Mill Burgers up on Phinney Ridge is the place to be in Seattle. (Or their second, Interbay location of course!) And trust me, it’s for loads of reasons that Red Mill has been featured on Man Vs. Food, Oprah, GQ Magazine and been hailed “Best Burgers in Seattle” 10 years in a row by Seattle Weekly.

Let’s start with the bacon. You can almost see the smell of the salty meat candy wafting in the air and drawing a crowd. A neat stack of the crispy goodness stands tall near the grill, ready to be paired with the freshest local ingredients around. Red Mill claims to go through 50 pounds of bacon each day! And forget about a certain “Special Sauce,” their “Mill Sauce” is second to none.

There ARE a few things you can count on at Red Mill: one is that there will likely be a long line into Burger Heaven and you will definitely pay your dues holding the door, drooling at customers’ trays before you are allowed in. You can also bank on Red Mill’s staff blasting tunes by the Rolling Stones, so Beatles fans beware! It’s part of their old school charm paired with classic 60’s diner décor: rounded red bar stools and packed wooden booths. Were there cell phones in the 60’s? Red Mill’s policy is, “No cell phones. They’re just rude, dude.” The same goes for credit cards so make sure you are carrying cash or if you dare to admit, a checkbook. (We know you’re like your mother, it’s okay.)

Red Mill isn’t just a burger joint for meat lovers, but is quite inviting for our vegetarian friends. With three veggie options and Babe’s Onion Rings, there is something satisfying for everyone. The biggest challenge might be keeping a vegetarian from asking for a slice or two of bacon. Seriously the BACON. It’s that good and the stack is waiting for you and yours. This place changed my burger-lovin’ life. Go to Red Mill right meow, folks!

Menu Highlights:
Double Bacon Deluxe w/Cheese
Two 1/4 lb. Patties, Pepper Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickle, Red Onion, American Cheese, Mill Sauce

Bleu Cheese N' Bacon Burger
Crumbled Bleu Cheese, Pepper Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Mill Sauce on a Kaiser Bun

Verde Veg Burger
Fire Roasted Anaheim Peppers, Jack Cheese, Lettuce, Red Onion, Tomato, Mill Sauce on a Kaiser Bun

Babe's Onion Rings

Events:
Sponsor of the Greenwood Avenue Car Show: http://www.greenwoodcarshow.com/

Red Mill takes its staff to see the Rolling Stones every time the band tours. (Talk about benefits!)

Hours:
Tuesday through Saturday - 11am to 9pm
Sunday - Noon to 8pm

Closed on Mondays and when the ‘Stones are playing in Seattle.

Seattle Aquarium

2011-04-03T20:21:00.000-07:00

"The best camera is the one that is with you."

Pete Yorn @ Showbox SODO

2011-04-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

Seattle was the first of six cities to hear musicforthemorningafter in its entirety including the hidden track from the 2001 debut record --a fave among the ladies. Happy 10th Anniversary, brotha! Helluva set.

Foster the People @ High Dive

2011-03-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

Flat Stanley Visits Seattle

2011-03-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

My second cousin, Addison, sent Flat Stanley to Seattle for a visit... bear with the narrating. I'm no Morgan Freeman.

Tabu on Seattle radio!

2011-03-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE and push play to hear me talk about Tabu on Seattle's News Talk 97.3 KIRO FM.

Or read the story HERE: "My generation is often seen as apathetic," she said. "That's not the case. I just don't think we're given enough opportunities. Young people are fired up about a lot of things and have great, creative ideas. We want to tap into that and showcase what they have to say," she said.

AIS Fasion Roulette

2011-03-09T13:01:00.000-08:00

Art Institute of Seattle - 2011 Fashion Roulette at Showbox SODO.

Folks from CliqVue TV and Team Photogenic were there to capture the action!

Reel Grrls

2011-03-09T12:51:00.000-08:00

I screened my documentary to a group of young women filmmakers at Reel Grrls. Inspiration was flowing in all directions. I'm really hoping some of them step up to Tabu's challenge of raising awareness with our Rape Awareness Video Contest. These young women are going places!

Manhattan Express

2011-02-26T12:48:00.000-08:00

What is TabuTalk.org?

2011-02-21T12:03:00.000-08:00

Big thanks to Sara Stogner for all her hard work! And to the men of Keepaway for letting us use their song in our little sizzle reel...

Roommate Date Night

2011-02-13T12:33:00.000-08:00

Love these cats.

Anne Lamott

2011-02-05T12:27:00.000-08:00

HUGE crush on author, Anne Lamott.
She loves me back.

First Ferry Ride

2011-02-02T12:23:00.000-08:00

Mt. Rainier... Don't think its grandeur will ever fade.

Seattle Skyline

2011-01-26T12:20:00.000-08:00

Lake Union

2011-01-26T12:01:00.000-08:00

Window Shop

2011-01-07T12:17:00.000-08:00

Feathers - SAM

2011-01-06T12:05:00.000-08:00

My favorite piece at the Seattle Art Museum.

HWY 99

2011-01-02T11:51:00.000-08:00

I live in Seattle.

2011-01-01T23:44:00.000-08:00

Pike Place Market

Puget Sound

Gum Wall

Oh the Places You'll Go

2010-12-30T07:19:00.000-08:00

This book found it's way to me at just the right time... I read in bed on my last night in Eldon and it was the last thing I packed. Thanks Dr. Seuss!

WOC McDevitt

2010-12-28T22:33:00.000-08:00

U.S. Army National Guard, Warrant Officer Candidate, Joseph E. McDevitt

Miss this food already...

2010-12-28T18:05:00.000-08:00

My beloved Nachos Bianco from the one-and-only Addison's in Columbia, MO. This is the first thing I craved when I studied abroad... I'm sure it will be the same when I take off for Seattle. "Wonton chips topped with Asiago cheese sauce, tomatoes, scallions, kalamata olives, banana peppers, mozzarella cheese, and chicken, black beans, or chorizo sausage."

And it goes without saying that the hometown favorite, "World Famous Footlong Chilli Cheese-Dog" will be a huge miss. Especially partnered with an Eldon-style Marshmallow Pepsi and onion straws... and of course a strawberry sundae, no nuts, for my bro.

Big Girl Beds

2010-12-28T18:00:00.000-08:00

Tea with Baby Elle

2010-12-28T11:12:00.000-08:00

Hartman Family

2010-12-20T22:49:00.000-08:00

My Father, The Graduate

2010-12-20T17:25:00.000-08:00

Tulsa Architecture

2010-12-10T19:19:00.000-08:00

Art Deco!

Baby Twin Tower? Designed by the same architect that worked on the World Trade Center buildings. Beautiful.

A corner-clock flashback. So happy for the man in the suit. Center of the frame just begging me to snap this.

Austin, TX, I love you so much.

2010-12-10T17:17:00.000-08:00

Texas Capitol

2010-12-10T17:02:00.000-08:00

Everything's bigger in Texas.

Texas Ranger.

LOVE this painting in the Driskill Hotel.

Killer Kitty

2010-12-08T14:02:00.000-08:00