Just got some good news for Christmas. Some old friends from the Pennsylvania are coming to Seattle for a big conference after the New Year. And they will be able to stop by Olympia and visit us for lunch on the 8th before they go home.

And come to think of it, some advice will be welcome. They will be pretty busy at the conference since they are presenters, moderators, and speakers at banquets and events. But they will be able to grab short amounts of time. So:

What are good Indy book stores and comic book stores in Seattle?

I'm betting Seattle has better sushi and better seafood in general that Pittsburgh . What are good sushi choices, and good non-sushi fish choices?

I'm mentally blocking the name but there is a permanent farmers-marketish thing on waterfront in Seattle with buskers and (as of some years ago) one of the last head shop in the U.S. I seem to remember that had a lot eateries. Eating in any one of them would be a real "Seattle" experience, but what are the best choices of eating places there?

Any other thoughts for stuff that can be squeezed into short blocks of time without much planning needed? Stuff that is either unique to Seattle or stuff that Seattle is likely to do better than Pittsburgh? Will the Seattle underground tour be operating in early January? Not exactly tourist season so I'm thinking it might be closed.

What are good Indy book stores and comic book stores in Seattle?

Golden Age Collectables in the basement of Pike Place Market, for comics. Elliott Bay Books is very big and fun to wander around. There's a smaller used bookstore on that street, but I did not record the name of it.

Pike Place Market! How I forgot the name of a world famous place I don't know. Any recs for good places to eat in or very near to Pikes Place?

We had a pretty good time at the Alibi Room, which is hidden down an alley across from the Wall of Gum.

Now I'm re-reading my F2F posts and being reminded that Plei gave me her extra copy of Batman: Year One ! Thanks again!

Oh, you should go Piroshky Piroshky and get a piroshky. We also went to Beecher's Handmade Cheese, but I was not too impressed with my crab and cheese sandwich, so maybe get the mac and cheese instead.

The Alibi Room is great!

Golden Age Collectables in the basement of Pike Place Market, for comics.

NO. Golden Age, while large and interesting to wander around, has a history of price gouging. Other than that, Pike Place Market is a fantastic place to take visiting peoples.

The Dreaming in the University District and Comics Dungeon in Wallingford are both good stores.

I came here depressed and on the verge of tears ... and catching up on two days of Buffista postings has cheered me up no end. I may even be able to sleep tonight (have NOT been sleeping well).

Bless you all for being here.

Sleep well, Toddson.

Toddson,

we had a foray into toilet paper in natter. If that doesn't cheer you up, nothing will.