I've learned that nobody is ever surprised when it rains in Seattle. Even so, the rain this Monday seems especially cruel, given that just two days ago -- this past Saturday to be precise -- we had one of the most gorgeous spring days I've ever experienced in my 18+ years on this green earth. Against my better judgement, I unlatched the hardtop on Miata-kun and stored it away in my garage as if summer had officially arrived. A subsequent ride with the top down, spring breeze and all, reminded me that the Miata was actually born a convertible and only hibernating through the fall and winter as a hardtop roadster. And it was borderline hot too; one of the marketing managers from MSN I met with in the MS cafe today had an honest-to-god tan from playing baseball with his kid.
Then the very next day, disasterous rain. Cold, wet, unrelenting in that not quite a downpour but equally as annoying sort of way. And it's carried over to Monday. Today. And now I feel a bit silly having put away the hardtop way too soon. On the way to work, while getting on the 520 onramp at the Montlake exit next to U of W, I saw the following sign:
What... really? Those who live in the area know that Montlake and 520 is a total cluster during morning rush hour commute. In my year of living near U Dub, I've never seen a single hitchhiker anywhere near the carousel. Panhandlers? Yes. But they don't want a ride and I'm sure the feeling is mutual for drivers. Anyway, I think what disconcerts me even beyond what the sign is actually trying to say is the fact that I've just noticed its existence. Today. Seemingly out of the blue. Have I really been asleep at the wheel for the past year? Or is this some new initiative by the city to actually address a problem?
Then I check my email at work and see the following, which I just had to share. BTW, if those of you out there get some license plate frames that we're sending out, be sure to send in pics too.
That's Turn 10's UI dev Ken Carter spreading some Forza love over the weekend. Lookin' good, buddy!
Lunch time rolled around quickly enough, and I was surprised when Landin offered to drive. Yes, that's right. It was time to go for a ride in Landin's precious Hachi-Roku GT-S. We ate some Chinese noodle soup that ended up splashing all over our face and clothes, but damn it was worth all the hot sauce in our eyes. Don't you dare read anything into that -- sometimes Chinese noodle soup is just Chinese noodle soup. Anyway, I grabbed some pics of his car as well. Why not? It's Miscellaneous Mondays!
Hey look Ma! Ridiculous negative camber and bumpin' ride height!
Orange zip-ties holding up your body kit = tough. Whatchu got? Huh?
Landin takes his wheel with him so he can practice drifting everywhere. Holla!
Initiate drift! Don't spill the tofu!
Look Pa! No backseats! Don't need no stinkin' passengers.
But seriously, Landin's Hachi had as much gut and pull as it did soul. I was honestly surprised at the car's modest 120 or 130 hp when he stomped on the gas coming out of the parking lot and the back end got squirrely going down a straight. And when we came back from lunch, some random dude flew past us on 520 and gave us one of those "Yar broooo" hang loose hand gestures with his thumb and pinky.
This car's gonna go places and Landin has every intention to make it his project car for quite some time to come. Hmm, now if I could only get that tax return so I can get 15s for my Miata and some nice wheels.
Boom.