Why I Sell on eBay--Of Haunting Green Eyes and a Young Man Down Under

 Afghan Girl with the Haunted--and Haunting--Green Eyes

June, 1985 National Geographic

(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo of Cover)

PROLOGUE

I'm one for seeing the glass half full. 

So while a good deal of the world may be focused on the Mayan calendar ending in December of this year, it's life as usual for me.

Add to that the fact that I'm looking at 60 imaginary candles on the invisible cake this July, well...let's just say that I am a full-fledged member of a universal club that is very appreciative of the life God's given them.

In 2000, I formally opened up a part-time business selling fishing flies I'd tied as well as fly tying materials on eBay.

In the latter part of last year, bone-weary from a bagel baking job in Redmond, Washington, and simply exasperated with the schizophrenic economy, I made the significant decision to abort the rat race I was quickly losing. 

Returning home to Walla Walla County, 250 miles southeast of my sojourn in the Emerald City of Seattle, I kicked my online business into full gear. 

Admittedly, it was a scary decision, but after much soul-searching, hours of heart-wrenching discussions with my wife, and a total overhaul of my theretofore makeshift business plan, I took the plunge.

And God's favor has incessantly rained upon me ever since.

Not that I'm rolling in the dough, mind  you, because I'm not...not yet, anyway. 

My blessings have come by way of the people I've encountered in my global entrepreneurship.

And in the end, the golden contact we make with our fellow men is more important than any earthly treasure.

That said, I've been struggling in the last couple of months, desperately trying to understand this minority segment on eBay that purchases items knowing full well that they are not going to pay for them.

When I ask eBay for help, I am told that the global venue is a buyer's market and that sellers are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct regardless of how some buyers abuse the process.

The eBay reps continue: "You know, sir, this is a reflection of our economy."

What? That people can get away with doing wrong to other people?

What? Aren't sellers part of that economy, too? Don't we lose big time when you reinforce the bad behavior of non-paying buyers by lacking consequences with bite?

In short, I come away from those phone calls with eBay customer support feeling, well, entrepreneurially impotent. 

Okay...

So then there's the subsequent fallout. I start feeling angry...I have to stuff that anger...with no adequate venting, I get to a point where I'm feeling sorry for myself.

And that's not a good place for anyone, let alone a businessman, to be.

THE BEHIND THE SCENES STORY

God is like this wonderful and timely GPS. When He sees us going down a wrong path, He doesn't treat us as mere marionettes and--with ethereal puppeteer strings--control our movements or force our decisions or rob us of our freedom of choice.

He simply provides more opportunities.

In the early part of April, 2012 (exactly 16 days prior to this writing), I discovered in my eBay inbox that I'd just made a sale of the magazine below to a woman in Australia.

Afghan Girl, Found, 17 Years Later

April, 2002 National Geographic

(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo of  Cover)

I was elated! Promptly, I processed, packaged, and mailed the item off to the buyer. 

Less than two weeks later, I received the following positive feedback--

thanks arrived today my son has included her in many art essays for school

Now, I'd known briefly about the 1985 Afghan Girl cover story (see top photo) while researching for my description of the 2002 National Geographic issue, but as events would have it, I actually obtained the latter issue first. I don't remember where...could have been at an estate sale, church bazaar, or thrift store.

So that's why I made the sale of the 2002 issue first. 

Soon after, however, I got my hands on not just one, but two of the 1985 issues. My interest, like a single lit match in a dry forest, burned brightly and ran rampantly with new possibilities.

I remember gazing obsessively--as have millions of people all over the world--at the image of the Afghan girl with haunted--and, yes, haunting!--green eyes.

On impulse rather than analytical forethought, not worrying in the least about crossing unspoken professional marketing boundaries, I emailed the Australian woman a courtesy thank you for her nice feedback and then...yes, I dared it!...asked her if she could provide me with some background information about her feedback comment. I explained that I occasionally blogged about some of my eBay experiences.

When I awoke this morning to the light Walla Walla rain and checked my eBay status, I found an email from, I thought, the Australian customer. It was a well thought out response to my request. I was about to send an appreciative email when I noticed that there was a second message in my inbox.

Upon reading the second email, I learned that the response had actually been written by her son, a high school student.

Here is what the intelligent and eloquent young man wrote--

Afghan Girl Article

The following is in regards to your request to hearing about my, well, obsession is the best phrase. Firstly, I'd very much like to say thanks for my purchase. I received both issues & they're exactly what I wanted!

Now, you say you wish to hear a human interest story to put on your blog. Well, my obsession with the Afghan girl is nothing compared to her story, a single individual whose beautiful eyes captivated the hearts of everyone who saw them, eyes that reflected the plight of all refugees of war. That's remarkable, a true testament to the nature of humanity and the power of a well-told story, and an amazing piece of art, things of which I've always loved.

I don't quite remember the first time I saw the photograph by renowned photojournalist Steve McCurry, but since then I have been a passionate fan. He is now one of my photographic idols. What I remember, however, is being caught up in the beauty of the image like everybody else. I'd been taking photos for a while at this point, and when I saw this, I was blown away. Not only was the subject amazing, but I was swept away with the lighting, the composition, the focus, the simple beauty. I rushed off and read up on the story. Since then, it's been one of my favorite images.

I've since used it as an example in as many projects for school as I possibly could, from English (in a theme of journey and belonging) to Visual Arts. As recently as three weeks ago, I've used her story as an example in one of my first assessments for university (subject on the future of Afghan women). The Afghan girl isn't just simply an amazing piece of photojournalism and a beautiful photograph. It also captures the human spirit.

Today, I'm in possession of both issues of  National Geographic--the Afghan girl's complete story. I am in possession of not only collector's items, but a piece of history as well, and I thank you for that with all my heart.

This has been something I have desired for many years now, and I'm sure it will continue to inspire me.

Sincerely,

Alexander Johnson

EPILOGUE

Just as I was moved by the awesome and memorable Afghan Girl cover, I was absolutely blown away by the thoughtful and equally inspirational response from the young Australian man.

Alexander, you're a credit to not just your parents, siblings, relatives, friends, and acquaintances. You're an embodiment of all that is hopeful and cause for thanksgiving in our world. May the good Lord bless your every endeavor--in your budding university life and in your future occupation, relationships, and global ambassadorship.

Thank you for blessing me with one more beautiful remembrance of why I do the work I do on eBay.

Aloha and mahalo,

Hawaiian Odysseus

Finding the Afghan Girl

National Geographic Video on YouTube

I also invite all who are interested to read a related post that can be found with the following link:

http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_kauaiboy/hub/The-Girl-With-the-Haunting-Green-Eyes

HOW I'M USING VINTAGE TO CREATE AN INCOME TODAY

Heinz Baked Beans Advertisement 

Woman's Home Companion

August, 1908

(These and subsequent images are Hawaiian Odysseus photos.)

103 years ago, the people who labored long hours to bring a certain edition of Woman's Home Companion together in time to make the publication deadline had no idea how their creation would help a certain backpacking Hawaiian wayfarer earn an honest income over a century later. 

With the magic that only science and technology can concoct, sprinkled with supernatural blessings from the Author of all good things, here I am-- smack dab in the ethereal Internet cloud--resurrecting, if  you will, yellowing pieces of paper and selling them on the eBay juggernaut.

And, wow!  Am I ever enjoying it!

For those of you who've been following Hawaiian Odysseus, you're aware of the journey...and all the changes along the way.  Thanks again for loyally being a part of this trek through life.  

For newbies to this spirited blog, HELE MAI!  Welcome!  You've hopped on this oft-derailed train at an exciting time.

Why?  Well, because I'm exuberant that-- 

• I have no idea where it's going!
• I'm excited about the possibilities!
• It's kinda scary, and...well...I've always been a sucker for scary movies!

Guess you could say I'm an adrenaline junkie.  Which aptly goes hand in hand with my OCD fascination with coffee shops.  Caffeine only enhances its partner in crime.

On the threshold of senior citizenship...in the autumn of my life...I am the proverbial Huckleberry Finn, setting out on a raft (crafted from bamboo and koa...just had to give a shout out to my Asian/Pacific Islander ethnic groups!) and traveling to who knows where?

What is this guy talking about?  Doesn't he have family and financial obligations?  What must his wife think about  him?  Is he just a loser rationalizing his imaginary successes?  Is he a nut case?

Actually, dear friends, the way I envision it, it's like being Clark Kent and Superman.  So, okay, nut case would be the closest fit.  : )

The primary identity is that of a guy who got very tired about a year ago of working an unrewarding job as a bagel baker on a graveyard shift and who intensely hungered for a freedom so very few in American society have.  In the present, Clark works obsessively--sometimes 12 hours a day--to get his eBay business to the next level.  The work ethic is disciplined and very grounded.

And then there's the alter ego--the Superman identity called Hawaiian Odysseus--whose mission in life is to be a blessing to his community, be it locally, regionally, nationally, or even globally.

I'm all about being a champion of the underdog...and, sadly, the underdog of today is the average middle class individual who grew up in a home espousing the American Dream only to find himself/herself stuck in the current economic hell of waning incomes, increasing taxes, foreclosures or the threats thereof, and never knowing with any certainty when the ax will fall in our paycheck to paycheck existence.


So, for the next year or so, my Clark goal is to build my internet business while Superman champions the cause of the quickly disappearing middle class man by way of this blog.  Simply put, for the time being, I will be posting a lot about how I'm developing my eBay store--LORDS OF THE FLY--taking it to newer, higher, and more challenging levels until I attain the ever-elusive financial freedom.


Or not...


And therein lies the paradox of risk.  


Risk is life's pair of dice.  You win or you lose by the same toss of those dice.  What makes the difference, I've discovered, is one's attitude towards risk.  If we run from it, always playing it safe, it's almost as if we'd never lived at all.  If we embrace it, respect it, tolerate it, and harness its awesome power, we liberate our God-given imagination, creativity, and talents.  And then, dear friend, our universe knows no limits.


The real question is:  What involves more risk?  To continue, in this Great Recession, to struggle from paycheck to paycheck  working for someone or something else?

or...

To think outside the box and embrace risk.

Sometimes, the greatest first step in shedding the inhibiting fear  is to walk right into it.

Now, I can just imagine my Christian friends wagging their puritanical fingers at me and, with furrowed brows, expressing disdain over what might sound like New Age hocus pocus.

My response?  Tell that to a hundred thousand Israelites walking on the Red Sea mud, clay, and sand, hurrying with great trepidation and anxiety to get to the other side, extremely concerned about the possibility of the towering and massive walls of water on both their left and their right swallowing them up.  Certainly, on that fateful day thirty-three hundred years ago, they knew RISK intimately.


They shed their inhibiting fear by walking smack dab into that tumultuous and turbulent sea.


And the rest is history.


What is this guy talking about?  Isn't he just rambling?  I'm not sure I'm following him.  Who does he think he is?  Clark Kent?  Superman?  What in the world is he talking about?


About these asides...on Thanksgiving evening, over at my sister-in-law's home in Stanwood, Washington, a town about 45 miles north of Seattle, my son, brother-in-law, and I watched this comedian who utilizes asides from the audience's point of view to poke fun at himself.  I thought his hour-long monologue was hilarious!  So I thought I'd use the device myself.


See...it's all part of what I'm talking about.  Taking risks...trying new things...thinking outside the box...learning to be flexible with life.


Which brings me full circle to what this post was intended to convey.


I'm forging new niches in my eBay store.  New niches utilizing old articles.  


Old as in vintage...more specifically, vintage ads, articles, prints...and sometimes, the entire vintage magazines.


Where do I find them?  At yard sales, garage sales, estate sales, and thrift stores.


Yes, indeed, the old adage of One man's trash is another man's treasure is certainly tried and true.

Armour's Veribest Meats Advertisement

Woman's Home Companion

August, 1908

Take these ads from a 103-year-old American periodical, for example.  Quite literally, they're dirty pieces of paper--scuffed up, yellowed by the process of oxidation, and sometimes pockmarked with water stains--and yet bearing  value, both monetary and intrinsic.

Progress has been slow, but I've proven to myself that I can sell items like these on eBay.  I've figuratively walked into my fear, as it were, and by doing so, done extensive damage to my acquired inhibitions.

I've also learned some things in the process.  As part of my Superman (aka Hawaiian Odysseus) mission, then, I incorporate little things I learn into my actual listings.  

For example, I now put the following text into my descriptions for the vintage items I'm selling:

Why Collect Vintage Ads?

• To preserve Americana
• To understand our heritage
• To appreciate our social, cultural, political, and economic roots
• To enhance our grasp of history
• To compare and contrast the past with the present
• To leave as a legacy for future generations
• To own as antique collectibles
• To acknowledge the art and artists of yesteryear
• To frame and craft into attractive gifts
• To utilize as decorative household pieces
• To buy, sell, and trade
• To enjoy a good return on investment

By no means am I suddenly a connoisseur of vintage ephemera, but it's certainly a pleasant and serendipitous experience to learn new things as I unearth these nostalgic mementoes.

As I carefully remove these items from their respective magazines, I also recall the circumstances by which I came across the periodicals in the first place. 

For example, the three ads presented here came from the same magazine, a 1908 issue of WOMAN'S HOME COMPANION.

Several posts ago, I wrote about how I preferred having my wife drop me off at a coffee shop while she and our daughter went thrift store shopping.  I was pretty clear about my disdain for shopping.

So, life being a learning curve, several Sundays later, in my quest to find new and different things to sell on eBay, my wife took me to this estate sale in Walla Walla.  I was still in my You're not gonna catch me going to yard sales! mode, so I bravely stayed in the car and gave my wife instructions to look for old magazines.

Several minutes later, she called me on my cellphone and told me that she'd found three old magazines.  I was so excited I almost left the car...but I rationalized that she had the keys, and I didn't want to leave the car unlocked.  So I just waited for her return.

To my dismay, the three periodicals she'd bought were without covers and had liberally been dissected.  A kidney here, a liver there, another organ missing on page 23.  I jest, of course, but seriously--someone had removed ads and/or articles from these ancient issues, rendering the magazines practically worthless and impossible to sell.

I've had them sitting around for the last couple of months or so and was about to toss them out the other day when I stopped and thought, Hey, wait a sec!  I might not be able to sell these magazines, but I can certainly try to sell the ads...

And so there you have it.  I cut these three ads out, did some research on eBay, worked on the descriptions and overall presentation strategy, and posted the items this morning.  By the time you read this, the ads may no longer be available for viewing on eBay.  The reason for this is that expired listings are only retrievable for 90 days.

Suffice it to say that I'm having a wonderful time doing the ultimate recycling...making treasure from another man's trash.

Hey, even if the owners of that country estate thought they were making an easy three bucks selling those magazines to my wife, I'll make multiple times our investment by--yes, you're getting it!--taking risks.  Small-scale risks, you might say, but small or big, risk-taking of any magnitude is one and the same.

A recent big risk for me was to eventually overcome my preconceived notions and finally get out of the car at the next estate sale...and the next...and the one after that...

Okay, so I've set the stage for you.  I'll occasionally be posting about my adventures on eBay, Etsy, yardsellr, Craigslist, and so forth in the weeks to come.  

I'm really looking forward to 2012.  Some say that the Mayan prediction about the world coming to an end in the new year is the absolute gospel.  What little I know about that prediction indicates that they misinterpreted the Mayans' true intent.

But then again, what works for me is that the world as I've known it will essentially come to an end for me.  Why?  Because broader horizons are opening up.  This time next year, to offer a preview of two of my desired goals, I will have my own off-eBay store and will be actively trading with China and other distant ports of call.

You are more than welcome to monitor my progress.  The personal ministry of Hawaiian Odysseus is to encourage the struggling common man all over the globe to persevere by taking risks.

If I can do it--and I will!--then by all means, so can you! 

Ivory Soap Advertisement

Woman's Home Companion

August, 1908

WALLA WALLA VALLEY TRANSIT--ANIMAL CRACKERS BOX ON WHEELS

Interior View of a Valley Transit Bus

(This and subsequent images are Hawaiian Odysseus photos.

I know my place.

It's in the back of a Valley Transit bus.

An interesting bus, at that. 

Externally, it looks like a streetcar from the early 1900s--a throwback to the San Francisco trolley, especially underscored by the colorful adornment of red and green paint.

Except it's actually a bus--a large rectangular Animal Crackers box on wheels rather than on a rail.

It adds to the increasingly quirky yet attractive (in a nouveau Bohemian way) atmosphere of Walla Walla.

The former cattle/wheat farm/penitentiary town has experienced a major transformation in the last couple of decades.  Mostly as a result of the rural sprawl, as it were, of vineyards and wineries, Walla Walla has re-created itself into a major cosmopolitan hub in southeast Washington, a significant thoroughfare for visitors from the two most prominent ports in the Pacific Northwest--Seattle and Portland.

Recently transplanted into Walla Walla's suburban sibling three miles to the west--College Place--from the metropolitan frenzy of Seattle and its own primary suburbs-turned-independent cities--Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond--I am used to riding in buses.  Now, with much of my life involved in the passionate pursuit of blogging, I find it very convenient to conduct my first impression observations of the Walla Walla Valley from the backseat of a bus.

The Valley Transit routes effectively cover the 10.8 square miles of Walla Walla and the 2.4 square miles of College Place.  On any given weekday, you'll see a wide range of riders comprised of high school and college students; senior citizens who no longer wish to or are unable to drive;  handicapped individuals; the socially disenfranchised (transients; ex-felons; recovering addicts, and others); mothers with babies or young children in tow; and oddball passengers like yours truly.  


On several of my recent rides, the bus drivers have made it a point to ask the passengers if anyone needed to transfer to another route.  If so, the drivers would then call ahead and notify the respective bus(es) to wait a few minutes longer at the downtown Walla Walla transit center.  Although the buses run the routes every half hour, this courtesy service is an added plus for the riders.

One other seemingly trivial yet very much appreciated feature of the Valley Transit's service is the bus driver's willingness to make unscheduled stops for the customers' convenience.  The only requisite is that the client give ample notice to facilitate the necessary driving maneuvers involved.


In contrast to the bizarre occurrences that I have personally witnessed or heard about on the buses serving Seattle and vicinity, I've observed nothing but good, old-fashioned country courtesies on the Valley Transit.  Visualize, if you will, the ambience of Opie's Mayberry on wheels, and you've effectively captured the essence of these bus rides.

In the coming months, I hope to bring you a host of stories either directly about or inspired by the picturesque Walla Walla Valley, its neighboring regions, its history, and its people.   

One interesting tidbit that you'll be be privy to after reading this post is my principal mode of transportation to the various points of interest.


Like I said...


I know my place.


It's in the back of a Valley Transit bus.

Architectural Statue at the Walla Walla Market Station

Integrated Transit Center and Farmers Market

(due east of the Transit Center)

 Memorial to the brave firemen who died at the scene of a Main Street fire.

(due east of the Transit Center)

FAVORITE COFFEE SHOPS #4--TULLY'S COFFEE AT UNION STATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT

Tully's Coffee at Union Station in the International District

(This and subsequent images are Hawaiian Odysseus photos.)

A STAND OF BAMBOO TREES separates this Tully's Coffee shop from its competitor, Starbucks, which is located diagonally to the northwest in the busy Union Square of the Emerald City's International District.

While competition is said to be healthy in a democratic society, it's more than just a Bamboo Curtain that sets Tully's apart--not necessarily vertically, but definitely horizontally--from Starbucks.

For starters, I like the presence of more furniture (and, in some areas of the room, more comfortable furniture) at Tully's.  As you enter the shop, there's a variety of seating arrangements that meet the eye. To the left, if you're fortunate enough to arrive there early or when the area is vacant, you'll find an ideal writer's or student's table.  This is where I plopped down for a few hours today to write the previous post and do some prep work for the one you are reading right now.

(I am laughing inside because I am actually finishing this piece while seated at the handicapped table at the aforementioned Starbucks shop.  Hey, it's a free world, right?)

Anyway, I was served by two very personable young men, Tobin and David.  

David is sporting a handsome Van Dyke these days, and I complimented him on doing such a good job growing and grooming it.  David immediately called out my drink by rote, and that impressed me to no end since it's been months since I last saw him in the shop.

Tobin, whom I have featured in a rather complimentary Yelp post I wrote about a year ago for this same coffee shop, has a very sincere and winning way about him.  Often, I see him sporting a dapper derby hat.  He is probably older than his youthful appearance belies.  

Between the writing and photographing, I got a refill of their drip coffee and ordered a savory tomato and basil roll, heated to draw out its wonderful flavor.

Another feature of Tully's Coffee is the presence of a large, attractive table adjacent to where I was seated.  I've observed many a friendly, familial, and/or serious business meeting occur at this table.

The sign on the table kindly asks patrons to reserve the table for large groups.  For the most part, customers politely honor this request.

The atmosphere is laid back in direct contrast to the competitor shop.  While this is not necessarily viewed as a business plus at the corporate level, it is--from the customer's perspective--a tranquil alternative that encourages the flowing of creative juices, the catalyst for pheromone chemistry, the suitable arena for finals cramming, and the fostering of business and political liaisons.

Who frequents the shop?  Well, Hawaiian Odysseus, for one.  Many a blog post has been written in this Tully's, several of which were born in a mind severely fatigued from having just emerged from a one-hour bus ride immediately following a graveyard shift at the bagel sweat shop.  Oh, did I just write sweat?  How purposely Freudian of me!

There is a corporate Amazon presence close by, and many of its employees enjoy a nice caffeinated brew here.  Police officers, security guards, transit authorities, and--no doubt--plainclothes cops and detectives stroll in at times.  On the other end of the spectrum, there is an occasional homeless person who just scored on some coffee money handout.  In between are the yuppies, attorneys, public transportation (Amtrak, Sounder, Link Light /Rail, and Metro and Sound Transit bus) commuters, janitors, and backpackers (a loosely defined group of which I am a proud cardholder).

I digress at this point with a SECRET moment...

I AM BACKPACKING AND BLOGGING MY WAY TO A VERY SUCCESSFUL BESTSELLING NOVEL!

There, I manifested my secret by daring to boldly proclaim it in a public forum.  The seeds are taking root in a very fertile universe.

Thank you, Tully's Coffee at Union Square in the International District, for being a groomsman (or maid of honor...one needs to be especially politically correct in trendy and super liberal Seattle) in my wedding to SUCCESS.

Ah, my narcissism rears its swell head when fueled by the java jolts of not just one, but TWO coffee competitors.

It's time I draw this to its illogical conclusion.

Tomorrow, I will ride an Amtrak train for the very first time in my 6-decade life from Seattle to Portland.  

The occasion?

For the first time in 33 years, I will be reunited with my father.  So, as much as I know you enjoyed this current post, do me a favor, won't you? and help me pay tribute to dear old Dad by revisiting the last entry.

For your convenience, here is the link:

http://hawaiianodysseus.blogspot.com/2011/06/forgotten-legend.html  

You'll hear from me again when I'm crabbing with my loved ones on the Oregon coast.

ALOHA!

FAVORITE COFFEE SHOPS #3--STARBUCKS, ROSE HILL, KIRKLAND

Rose Hill Starbucks
Kirkland, WA
(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

See that window to the left in the photo above?  

Follow the T in STARBUCKS straight down, and that's right where I sat  for several hours this afternoon and early evening producing two blog posts--the one just before this entry entitled, MY BIGGEST ROLE TO DATE, and a post for Hawaiian Odysseus 2 about my grand-nephew, Ryder Silas, being THE PERFECT SUCCESSOR (to the E*Trade baby model).

My knock on Starbucks, as compared to Tully's, is that the former doesn't place enough importance on having good, comfy furniture and ample table space for writing, doing homework, engaging in business activities with a plethora of electronic doodads, or holding hands with and gazing into the eyes of a sweetheart.

Well, I must say, I have had to eat my words today.  I really like the spaciousness of this Starbucks.  There is no physical partition between the bar area and the seating area, and yet there is a definitely implied separation between the two areas without giving anyone a claustrophobic or overly segregated feeling.  

There has been a steady flow of customers through this shop for the several hours that I have been here. Even so, no one has had to stand around looking for a place to sit.  There are four large, well-cushioned chairs in the center of the seating area.  Lots of tables border the three walls--the one you can see in the photo above and the two adjacent to that wall.

One of the first anomalies I noticed was that the entire day shift crew, except for the manager, were dudes. When the evening shift arrived, there were two females.  Either way, though, there was a pleasant ambience during the entirety of my stay here.

An outdoor patio was not used at all today, but as the weather gets warmer, I can imagine a host   of people in casual summer clothing will be utilizing that extension.

The majority of customers were Caucasian, with the next largest ethnic group being East Indian. There were a couple of Japanese women.  In the evening, I observed an Afro-American male at the bar.  I was the only Pacific Islander. (I found this interesting in that the area I live in--the Rainier Valley on the southeast side of Seattle--has the opposite makeup.  Of course, I am usually the sole Pacific Islander in that area as well. That's always a lot of fun.)

Kirkland, like the other two major eastside cities, Redmond and Bellevue, is considered to be an affluent entity.  This was reflected in the predominantly middle- to upper middle-class persona of the customers I saw in here today.

                                                                                                                                                                   

(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

The parking lot has an abundant amount of well-marked spaces.  I took the above photo in the early afternoon.  As I write this, it is 7:10 PM (Hey, the red hot Mariners game just got under way!  Go, M's!), and the parking lot is more than half full.  

A couple of male students--one with a Russian accent--are sitting directly behind me.  The American is a loudmouth, pressing his point home with his companion about a homework assignment.  Even with his over-the-top volume, there continues to be a pleasant atmosphere in this coffee shop.

I've had a venti Vanilla Soy Latte, followed by a venti Americano (the latter being free because I got it as a substitute for a bold brew, which is normally free because I use a registered gold card).  There is enough caffeine in me to keep me going through the grueling 8-hour baking shift which starts at 10 PM for me.  

My stay here at this particular Starbucks has been an enjoyable one.  I was able to produce three posts, including this piece.  In a few minutes, I will use the restroom and then pack my stuff up in preparation for a light supper at Safeway and a bus ride from Kirkland to Redmond.

(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

All in all, it's been a good, productive day.  I really like this Starbucks shop, and if I were Yelping, I'd give it a five star rating.  In homage to the terminated Gubernator, 

I'll be back!

THE PRIDE OF COLUMBIA CITY

King Louis XCIII of Nottingham
Columbia City Link Light Rail Station

A pride of lions faithfully and diligently watches over Columbia City, a neighborhood of southeast Seattle.

Each leonine king is a statuesque representation of the specific artistic personality and influence of the continent it hails from--Africa, Asia, or Europe.  Apropos of the disparity in the lions' geographical points of origin, the human population of Columbia City, as is the case with most of Seattle's Rainier Valley, is also comprised of a wide spectrum of races, creeds, and cultures.  

Undoubtedly, the fact that the Royal Guard can live peaceably with each other and share the social and cultural benefits of a relatively small global village speaks volumes to their homo sapien neighbors.

Existing documents state that there are ten of these lions holding staunch vigil at the Sound Transit Link Light Rail Station.  This blogger unfortunately was so petrified with fear that there was only enough nerve to photograph eight of these royal bastions.  Either that, or as the story was later relayed to the crowd at the local Starbucks, two of the lions were on hiatus in the Serengeti.  Coffee shops--like barbershops and pubs--are the birthplaces of urban myths.

Without further ado, here are the other seven lions, each followed by a Columbia City fact of interest.

King Antoine "Tony Da Toes"  Mozarelli

King Tony's fact:  Columbia City was, of course, named after Christopher Columbus.  In addition, three of its neighborhood streets are named after famous explorers:  Hudson Street after Henry Hudson; Americus Street after Amerigo Vespucci; and Ferdinand Street after Ferdinand Magellan.

King "On the Ball" Pol Paksukcharem

King Pol's fact:  True to its mission of making new friends and welcoming new people into the neighborhood, Columbia City rolls out the red carpet with its Wednesday Farmer's Market in the months of May through October.

King Frederick "Freddy the Reddy" Jackson

King Freddy's fact:  Once a dense evergreen forest, the Rainier Valley experienced a major overhaul with the arrival of the Rainier Valley Electric Railway from Seattle in 1891.  Business tycoon C. D. Hillman used the railroad to promote the sale of Columbia City lots.  The building of a lumber mill expedited the early urban sprawl.  

 King Michael "Mickey" O'Rourke of Cork

King Mickey's fact:  Columbia City prospered from the railroad and logging industries.  Most of the prosperity took place during the early 1900's, and it was during this era that much of Columbia City's commercial district took shape.

King Percival "Percy, Have Mercy!" Fauntleroy

King Percy's fact:  There was actually a time when Columbia City aspired to be a seaport. These ambitions were put to rest with the completion of the Lake Washington Ship Canal in 1917.  This resulted in a lowering of Lake Washington by nine feet and a drying up of Wetmore Slough.  The former slough was used as a dump and is now known as Genesee Park.   

King Ichiro "Ichi Michi" Michioka

King Ichiro's fact:  The late 70's witnessed the emergence of boot-strap community activism in Columbia City.  The Columbia City Development Association (CCDA) led the effort for Landmark designation and left a legacy of streetscape improvements that the community still enjoys.  The Southeast Effective Development (SEED) was created by a group of business owners, residents, and community activists.  SEED, a non-profit corporation, had major investments in the Rainier Valley Cultural Center, the Columbia Hotel, and the Columbia City Gallery building.  

King Lee Park "I Smell Like Kim Chee!" Moon

King Lee's fact:  The Columbia City Revitalization Committee (CCRC) was founded in 1995 as a grassroots community organization whose goal was a strong neighborhood and business core. Generating an impetus for change through annual town meetings, the CCRC created two of Columbia City's defining institutions--BeatWalk and the Farmers Market.  

Thanks to the Columbia City lions, we've been able to learn a few facts about the history and development of this burgeoning community.  While Columbia City has its own unique challenges, it comes closest among Pacific Northwest communities to not only promoting but, more importantly, exemplifying the notion of a truly universal village--a place where divers cultures can coexist and interact peaceably for the long term.  Without a doubt, that kind of implicit grassroots cooperation would enhance the quality, growth, and development of any community.

CAUTIONARY NOTE:  DO NOT FEED THE LIONS!  THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO SUFFER FROM GAS AND GROW GRUMPY AND UNPREDICTABLE AS A RESULT.  AND PLEASE BE ESPECIALLY WARY WHEN IN THE VICINITY OF THE LINK LIGHT RAIL STATION...THERE ARE STILL TWO LIONS UNACCOUNTED FOR!

THE COLUMBIA CENTER--A PHOTOBLOG

Marble Nameplate

Northeast Corner of Columbia Center

(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

Bottom third of the building...

(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

Panning up to the middle...

(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

And, finally, here's the crown of the building...

(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

The 76-story Columbia Center is the tallest building in Washington state and the 20th tallest in the nation.

(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

Construction began in 1982 and was finished three years later.  It was designed by Chester L. Lindsey Architects and built by Howard S. Wright Construction.

(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

With this photoblog post coming on the heels of Osama bin Laden's death and the accompanying remembrances of 9/11, it is truly surreal to see the airplane (look carefully) photographed between the Columbia Center on the right and its neighbor across the street.

 (Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

There are actually SEVEN stories underground making the Columbia Center the most storied building west of the Mississippi.

(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

                                                       

                                                           

SEATTLE'S 4TH AVENUE SCULPTURE AND ARCHITECTURE

Henry Moore's Vertebrae
At the Foot of the Safeco Plaza Building
(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

Having frequented the Seattle Public Library, Central Branch (in the background) many times during the last five years, I had often seen this interesting and provocative sculpture.

Last week, armed with digital camera and blogging mindset, I decided to get a closer look at this massive work of art.  It was a good deal larger than I had anticipated, standing perhaps 8 or 9 feet tall.  In doing a bit of research, I learned that the sculpture weighs an impressive eight tons.  (In other words, unless an art thief is from a planet with a red sun, this incredible creation won't be going anywhere soon.)

I'd always wondered what it was intended to depict.  My best guess had been "Seals on a Beach" because of the shape of the flanking pieces.  Just today, after reading several articles, I learned the name of this statue.  it's called VERTEBRAE, a creation of famed sculptor, Henry Moore.  It certainly makes sense to me now...indeed, the female protagonist of the TV series, Bones, would be ecstatic to suddenly come upon these gigantic fragments of backbone.

Just for fun, and because I love to live up to my billing of island hick, I played tourist and took a few pix of the immediate area.  I'm delighted to share these with you.

Safeco Plaza

(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

This is a ground view of the building, Safeco Plaza, that hosts the sculpture.  You can see a reflection of the Seattle Public Library in the glass.

Looking Straight Up at the Safeco Plaza Building

(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

The photo above was done in Batman mode.  

Let me explain.  

When I was a teenager (Wow!  How many centuries ago was that?), I was absolutely crazy about the Batman television series that starred Adam West and Burt Ward as the Dynamic Duo.  I was attending a private school for kids of Hawaiian ancestry, the Kamehameha Schools Preparatory Department.  Batman would air just about the time our dinner was ending.  There were only a few cushy chairs in front of the  dayroom television, so that meant a first come, first serve basis for getting the best seats in the house.

I was such a fanatic that I would attend dinner in my uniform of short-sleeved white shirt, khaki pants, black shoes, and brass buckle belt WITH MY PAJAMAS ON UNDERNEATH.  So, true to the Superman style of changing attire in a phone booth, I was stripping on a dead sprint from dining hall to dormitory day room just so I could get a plush front row seat.

Anyway, I'm wondering now where that nostalgic bit of silliness came from...ah, yes!  I was sharing with you about Batman mode.

For those of you who are old enough to recall (or for those young and resourceful enough to somehow acquire footage of that series), every now and then, there'd be a scene where Batman and Robin had to climb up the walls of a tall building.  

The show was so campy that even a young kid like me could tell that Adam and Burt were hunched over and walking while pulling on a rope as the camera filmed them at a 90 degree offset.  

So, as I stood at the foot of the Safeco Plaza building, I looked straight up and took this photo.  

Oh, my goodness!  I thought.  I'm actually feeling a bit of vertigo.  And then I realized that it was because I still had my backpack on and was in danger of falling over backwards while taking the shot.

The following are more photos of nearby buildings.

Neighboring Skycraper to the South

(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

Like I shared in a previous blog post, I love buildings that have a lot of glass.

Neighboring Skyscrapers to the Northwest

(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

/Enjoying the blue sky?  So was I.  Don't get used to it!  It certainly didn't last.  I can't believe how Old Man Winter just doesn't seem to want to let go this year.

Neighboring Skyscrapers to the Southeast

(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)

So that was my downtown excursion that day.  I gotta admit...as true I as I had once been to my hero, Batman, once upon a teenage time, I honestly thought about Spiderman webslinging his way through this "Valley of the Giants," Seattle's memorable and picturesque dedication to provocative artwork and super-architecture on 4th Avenue.