We had a blast at the EMP -- not looking, but playing . We spent a lot of time playing things. I actually learned something about playing the drums...and well Matt had been away from a guitar for two days ....

Ok Matt really enjoied the guitars in the exhibit hall-- but he knows lots and lots about them an I think that guitar is the closest he gets to worship

-t, I was thinking about visiting REI too. It looks like an easy walk from the Space Needle.

Not so much, really.

It's not that it's far, it's just that there are multiple pain in the ass roads to cross to get to REI from the Space Needle, including Highway 99.

Also, you don't need a full day for the Mothership. While it is large, and an attractively laid-out building, it's not like the Powell's of outdoor gear or anything.

Worthwhile Tourist Things: The Underground Tour (AWESOME.) Probably the Market. If you have time, a ferry ride can be fun.

Boring Lame Tourist Things: Seattle Center (inclusive of the EMP.

Horrible Fucking Building That Deserves To Be Sporked: the fucking Central fucking Library. Ghastly, appalling, already-dated-looking-piece-of-crap.

Look, I was born on 15th and East John. I remember when there were only TWO Starbucks on the PLANET.

I have opinions about this stuff.

Oh, and hey! I was thinking I should mention that I'm totally up for a Buffista BBQ at my house, if anyone's up for that.

See, I really enjoyed the EMP, and had lots of fun there. But I was disappointed by the Science Fiction museum. I thought I would've maybe liked it when I was about 13, but nowadays, I was like "Ooh. Look. Lots of random stuff, behind glass. Gee. Whoopee." Somehow it didn't excite me. I wanted something more interactive or something--seeing a random phaser or uniform or a book (that I couldn't page through!) or a list of names didn't make me go "oooh"

Hotel? No Pool To Use Pool: All Star Fitness .2 miles away. There is a fee to use the pool & it can be charged to your room.

All Star Fitness - www.allstarfitness.com 509 Olive Way # 1, Seattle - (206) 292-0900

All Star Fitness - www.allstarfitness.com 700 5th Ave # 1400, Seattle - (206) 343-4692

Budget Travel mag had a great article about stuff to do in Seattle, let me scan it when I get it back and email it to someone who knows how to post a non-URL link here, which I still don't know how to do.

I've got a room for Sat. night. It's $207 with taxes. I'd stay another night if someone would split the room cost. Trudy, you game?

Also, you don't need a full day for the Mothership.

I'm pretty sure I do. I'm positive that shopping with me at REI is not an experience people who aren't me should really be subjected to. Not only do I have to check out all the gear, I have to examine their merchandising strategies and check out all the testing facilities.

The Underground Tour, on the other hand, I would love to do with Buffistas.

And the Muppet exhibit.

I should really get my tickets and room booked.

Is anyone else interested in swimming, kayaking, and bicycling?

I'm pretty sure I do. I'm positive that shopping with me at REI is not an experience people who aren't me should really be subjected to. Not only do I have to check out all the gear, I have to examine their merchandising strategies and check out all the testing facilities.

There's the shoe testing one, but I'm blanking on any others. (Maybe you can test the bikes? I don't bike, so I don't know.)

I used to hit it about 3 times a week, before we switched day cares. Thus far, it has failed me on bras (nothing over a DD), shoes (nothing that fits my weird feet), and possibly socks (for reasons I'm unclear on at this point, as that was when I was attempting to jog, so a while back).

On the plus side, it has provided me with freeze dried ice cream bars and titanium sporks.

I worked at an REI for two years and an independent outdoor store for another 3. The upper limit to the amount of time I can spend looking at things made of Gore-Tex and/or titanium is very high indeed. And I've got a big fat dividend from buying the canoe last year. It will be like unto a day at a spa for me.

I hope they still have the raingear testing room, I've been wanting to see that a long long time.

They might! I only am really aware of what you can see in front of your face, thus my awareness of the shoe testing range.

If you do decide to make a trip there, don't eat at the World Wraps. Grab real food at one of the places across the street.

I'd be interested in kayaking, if it's calm water & casual.