Commercial tenants in Proctor Station

I’ll say this about the future tenants of Proctor Station: they better kick ass. It’s unfair and real. Everyone will stop super-disliking this building if we get something out of it. Most of us will never go above street level in this place so the street level shops are the only thing that will matter once it’s been around awhile. The building already looks not-that-tall to me, so apparently I’m getting used to it. We’ve heard rumors of the supposed search for tenants, but I will reserve painfully honest judgment until I get a look-see at what moves in. I’m difficult to please so it won’t be easy to stoke my favor. I would just assume fill the whole place with restaurants that stay open late. 

What businesses would you like to see operating in Proctor Station? Anybody have the inside track on who, if anybody, is slated to open up shop?

proctor station construction

Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 48

Super Bowl XLVIII

We’re back.

That’s the thought that keeps coming back to me. The Seattle Seahawks have transformed this region (again) on their way to their 2nd Super Bowl in the last 10 years. That alone sounds remarkable, but it is the effect they have had on the fans that stands out to me as we head down the final stretch and into this weekend’s epic contest. Rabid Seahawks support is everywhere you look in Tacoma and from what I understand it’s like this all over Oregon and Idaho as well. That’s where the support stops, however, as most of the country is pulling for the wrong outcome.

The best ever? Some say that’s exactly what Peyton Manning is. A much smaller population believes that the Seahawks defense might be the best ever. Funny thing is, the outcome of this game will likely cement one of these in the stone of water cooler debates for eternity. And if the Seahawks defense has their best game of the year? They will be in the discussion of best defenses ever, right alongside the ’85 Chicago Bears. Many believe this could be the first of many opportunities for this core of players to get to the Super Bowl, given their youth and low payroll. Forget the ’85 Bears. We could be staring into a kaleidoscope of future greatness.

We are up against Peyton Manning and the most potent regular season offense of all time. All the know-it-all’s have always said “defense wins championships.” It’s time to find out how the old adage holds up on the biggest stage. It’s almost laboratory perfect, this matchup. Pure offense vs. pure defense. Denver as the good guys vs. Seattle as the bad guys. Denver as America’s Team, and Seattle as the forgotten underdog. People want to witness greatness so they root for Peyton Manning. If he has a brilliant game and takes home the trophy, many will boast it to be the best single season performance of all time and they were there to see it. What they aren’t seeing yet is that the Seahawks are about to rise up and put a whooping on the Broncos – and in the process, out of nowhere, we might just be watching the best defense of all-time.

Dare to dream.

Could it be right there?

Will the drought end?

I can’t wait to look back at this in a week.

Don James dies from pancreatic cancer

Legendary Husky football coach Don James has passed away following a battle with pancreatic cancer. His diagnosis came just last month and very little has been discussed publicly since that time. He began chemotherapy after two surgeries confirmed the presence of a tumor on his pancreas.

Many people still don’t realize the gravity of this diagnosis. Resources are needed to improve diagnosis and treatment of this disease. As his final gift to us all, Don James’ legend will help bring awareness to the cause.

Dawgfather

RIP Don James “The Dawfather”

Let there be frozen yogurt

Then, let there be more frozen yogurt. Then more..

I don’t know what to make of all the frozen yogurt shops in town. I’ve never been a big frozen yogurt guy, but there is obviously a craze going on around here. Froyo is here to stay, although I doubt all these chains can coexist for very long.

Besides tasting like yogurt, this stuff is expensive! My favorite thing might be getting Cascade Bagels from Gibson’s while the daughter chows on the yogurt. Win-win. What are your thoughts, Tacoma?

Local yogurt directory




Puyallup Fair is better than Disneyland

Washington State Fair

I know it’s called the Washington State Fair now but I had to make sure the Puyallup Fair gets its due in the annals of written history. Since early childhood I’ve preferred a well-planned marathon in Puyallup to a plodding weekend in Anaheim. Since early childhood I’ve been verbally executed by people of all ages for harboring this opinion.

We used to go on bracelet day. Preferably early morning, midweek, in the pouring rain. There is no better scenario for maximizing your ride quotient, as most people (even Northwesterners) are at school/work or less than thrilled to hang out in the rain riding wet, greasy rides. Their loss.

You could easily bank 20 rides before lunch if you were on your game. I don’t know if I’ve ever banked 20 rides in an entire weekend at Disneyland. Space Mountain is awesome, but the crowds, lines and prices make it no match for a good day in Puyallup. We have taken our daughter to do the Puyallup the past couple years. Contrary to what I’m hearing from plenty of other parents, I find it glorious. A $27 Dizzy Pass is good for a day of unlimited rides, and you simply can’t beat that at Disneyland.