It's Raining Violence (but the 7 day can be brighter)

 The Weather Girls sang about it raining men in 1982 and since then there have been more mass shootings by overzealous, insecure men in America  then there have been negative Ghostbuster III comments by, I'm assuming those same men.

 Over this weekend news sprang up again about another senseless, tragic loss of life resulting in yet another confused man unleashing his inner rage to innocent people, who were dancing.

As a human being, a victim of gun violence myself, and as a parent  I was still in shock. I know I shouldn't be. I know I should be used to this by now considering there are more mass shootings in this country then live Dave Matthews and Grateful Dead bootleg albums.

Jimmy Fallon spoke from my heart, Samantha Bee spoke from my anger.

I'm not going to comment on the obvious. The need for some sensible, reasonable  gun control and limits for people who would do harm to others. Or banning certain weapons that most military members say shouldn't be in the hands of civilians. We don't trust Kim Jong Ill tempered with Nuclear weapons, but we trust the Kims, the family with three felony counts and a history of violence to have, by right, a gun.

One thing's for certain, we all know Michael Moore has a lot more bowling to do.

We don't give drivers licesnes to people who can't see, yet, when an instrument whose primary purpose is to kill or harm is under consideration, we have no problem letting them have it.

"Make sure you sign pages one and two before your waiting period. I'm sorry what am I talking about? Here you go. The safety is off. Now it says here you had a case of domestic violence? Was that a thrash metal band you were in?"

I digress.  

No, as the late great Tim Russert said, "All politics is local." I would add, so is violence. And ignorance, hate, complacency, and fear are it's ugly step brother waiting in the wings for us to do, nothing.

In other words, violence affects all of us as Americans, no matter where we call home.

Consider that just four years ago the Seattle area experienced a school shooting in Marrysville

This was a case that didn't fit into the mass shooting narrative. The shooter was popular. He was  homecoming king. Destryoing the notion that only 'lone wolfs' and those who feel marginalized or depressed are the cause for violence is as myopic as saying bipolar is the cause.

 And yet that ever burning question remains,

Why? Why do people go to these lengths?

In Seattle's Jungle encampment two kids murdered two people

Then there's the Seattle Pacific University shooting

Violence around Seattle, like the rest of America, is as omnipresent as the grey clouds. It's bright and sunny one day, and the next they roll in.

"And let's look at the five day. On Tuesday we are going to warm up but ouch, looks like Wednesday is going to bring a hail of bullets, might want to have the kids wear a bullet proof vest at the bus stop. Now here's Chuck with sports."

What makes this world so sick and evil? We need to figure it out.

Seattle's LGBTQ community has come out in full force to not only show solidaridy with the victim's of the lastest act of terror, but to remind folks across the nation, that it starts with accepting people for who they are.

On June 12th SeattlePrideFest's Facebook page had a candlelight vigil at Cal Anderson Park were many people spoke up about the continuous for acceptance under the face of fear.

John Parks, a transgenderd man from Queen Anne said,

"Let us remember every single person in this country who was attacked by being who they were. And let us not end, (as contradictory as it sounds) the loving fight for justice and peace."

As I've grown older, I'm still a dreamer and an idealist but lately I'm trying a more pragmatic approach, as in, how do we get things done? How do we drastically deter this violence?

Sadly, this country found out the hard way that the executiton of  20 something  school children was grounds to do absolutely nothing despite overwhelming support by most Americans for sensible, reasonable gun control.

You can thank the National Rifle Association for that blockage.

Since Congress has decided not to act because they're in bed with the NRA more times then John Lennon did a bed in for his piece in 1969 Amsterdam.

I'm sorry? Oh, he wasn't advocating for guns?
What about happiness is a warm gun?
Oh, it's a joke about how people feel happy shooting?
Wait, he died?!? How?
....stop!
The Catcher In the Rye?!....................................................

All of my heroes have died by gun bullets. JFK. RFK. MLK. MALCOLM X, GHANDI, LENNON.........Oh we can go on and on.

How?

Well we could rally, petition our government, and go through the nessessarry channels. We should do this and I'm not saying not to.

But I have a different approach:

Talking to our children, our friends who have children, our young people (you know the people who politicains call the future) about loving and accepting people.

We need to change this mindset that says your kid's problems are your problems. Snitches wind up in ditches. Out of sight, out of  mind.

How about that guns are (at the very leasty) a neccessary evil instead of this cool toy to be used when you want to.  (Assuming guns are here to stay).

If we are all Orlando, Sandy Hoook, Fort Hood, Charleston, then we owe them more then lip service.

The enemy is not those who own guns, it's those who own ignorance and hate.

Perhaps we can take advice from one of our greatest presidents who might know something about gun violence,

"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection."

We need to start opening up our eyes and ears to people who are struggling with depression and think violence is their only outlet,  starting as early as when they're in grade school.

And I don't mean to single out depressed people. In fact, most if not all depressed people know that killing innocent people is wrong. I know this, and I used to be depressed for a 1/3 of my life.

I'm sorry but not sorry. Not only can I  not imagine the pain and suffering the familes of all these tradgedies are going through but to find out maybe there was a way we could have stepped in drives me crazy. I know bad people will  find a way to do bad things. But that's the thing. What if we could stop them by intervening when our gut told us something was amiss?

(like the fifth installment of the Police Academy Series.) **I'm sorry but Tackelberry had no character arc.)

No baby is born into this world thinking to itself  it is going to mow done 50 people in a hail of bullets. Like racism, this hate and violence is learned.

Now we can paint a broad brush and blame society. But aren't we society?

I mean it doesn't take Michael Jackson to look in the mirror and start there.

A healthy loving dialogue about guns in this country. A healthy loving dialogue about accepting others and not using violence as a way to get your anger across.

Notice that all these mass shooters have a common theme? They're all prodominately men?

Maybe we have a talk with our sons about how the term masculinity and how it's  been hijacked by Hollywood to mean a gun toting, testoerone fueled superman who installs fear, instead of practicing kindness?

That it's ok and neccssary to talk about your feelings. That you're not alone.

That crying is strength, but causing other's to cry is not.

This is not excusing anybody's behavior, rather showcasing what we as Americans can be doing right now, today.

Have you ever heard actors, atheletes and various celebrities thank certain adults for their success in accepting an award? We often hear when things are great for people, the people they'd like to thank.

This is important and necessary.

Never heard are the countless adults who have stepped up to prevent what we would never know is another tradgedy.

I'm sick and tired of feeling helpless.

Boys won't just be boys. Boys to Men wasn't just a great R&B group, they were showcasing that they've evolved. This isn't the new normal. My wife and I didn't bring a life into this world for her to accept that gun violence is the way we solve depression, anger, jealousy, fear.

Talking is. Not being afraid. Letting our light shine so that others know it's ok.

So as you pray, and as you reflect on the victims and the victims of every senseless act of violence ask yourself, "What in my day today can I bring to the discussion with love?" How can I influence the next generation of Americans for them to know that love conquers hate?
 If you're a Christian you know that simply praying to God to fix this is not enough. You need to work. If you need to stand your ground, know that your savior said to put your piece away. And take up peace.

Likewise, if you're Muslim you know that to kill one person is to 'kill all mankind.' (6:151)

Buddhists know that life is suffering, and that to actively contribute to that is the worst karma one can bring.

Atheists and agnostics and other religious peoples  know that murder is morally and ethically  abhorrent.

All these people are unique. All these people have a voice. And all these people are Americans.


 So how can our light come shining from the west on to the east?

I'll ask myself what I can do. When will we be released from this violence  America? This isn't the Last Waltz we will have on the topic.

But, any day now, any day now....We shall be released

New Coffee Order: Light Traffic, Heavy on the Light Rail For All Please

A Sleep up Ambien Production 

(Readers note for old people and those who don't know how a computer works: If you want to enjoy this as I envisioned writing it, when you see an orange word hold down your control button and click on the word.) Now pat yourself on the back. You don't have time for this crap. 

See? Enjoy a Jack and Coke and relax!

Two hours. It took me two hours.

No, I'm not talking about the time it took for the Titanic to finally hit the iceberg (Just sink this acting already please) in the over hyped fantasy classic movie bearing the same name.

"I'll never let you go Jack."

I guess Brett Michaels was right; "Every rose has its thorn." (Which is worse?)

No.

I'm talking about driving from Redmond, Washington to Safeco Field. A thirteen mile journey became my half marathon time. (If I was in shape.) 200 feet in

That's right. Riddled with stop and go traffic, honking horns (something as rare and unseen in Seattle as direct confrontation) and what can only be described as asshole drivers, I wasted more gas then a Cleveland Cavaliers playoff run. (I couldn't resist a Cleveland joke.) Sorry Lebron

Now look I know it was rush hour. I know there were a few accidents on the various highways. I turned to the traffic reports on the radio and someone was most likely blinded by the bright orb in the sky, And there's a possibility a family of squirrels ran across the 520 and 405 receptively and being an animal friendly place first, naturally breaking and fender bender's emerged. (I'm just guessing.)

Traffic happens. This traffic however, is without Steve Winwood, and unnecessary.

But the burning question remains. When will Seattle set the stage for a state of the art 21 century light rail system that connects the east side to the greater Seattle area?

The parallels between this and Germany's wall history is to hard to pass up.

Currently, they do have a mini me version that is decent. Notice how it goes north and south! Wouldn't it be nice to have it though, going east and west? That might seem sound right?

To be able to go in each direction.

Sound transit, it does have it's great transportation from Seatac Airport to downtown Seattle. But I'm not talking about just a plane ride to get into the city. Also, considering that Seatac is roughly fifteen miles from Seattle, can you imagine if the sound transit system didn't exist?!



Well perhaps I should write a letter to the Department of Transportation and start it off with

Dear Mr. Fantasy,

Because this shit wouldn't happen.............

Not funny at all

Still not a good thing here......


Look, say what you will about the reality of a Hunger Games  movie, at least everyone had access to a bullet train that could have you mining coal in District 13 one hour, then throwing up your lunch in District 1 the next.

Sure there was economic inequality and an oligarchy of plutocrats and greed, but even in that inhumane system people got where they were going without delay!

Well put my name in for the reaping, raise my taxes, create revenue. Because I will fight for such transportation. (For the record the higher taxes part yes, the dying to get it done? I'll leave that to the contractors of that project. ((Which brings me to one of my favorite comedic movie scenes.))

I digress. Or undress, my thoughts!


Since I've moved to the Seattle area roughly five years ago I've witnessed us legalize weed, gay marriage, and the ability to physically talk to someone and no longer have to just use your cellphone.
I've also heard the chatter about how a light rail would be beneficial to so many people. (As in like everyone!) North, South, East, West.

They've been talking about this issue for so long and not seeing any tangible progress I'm starting to consider the Light Rail  for all sides of Seattle and the east side code word for the Cleveland Browns! (ok, two Cleveland jokes and I'm done. I promise.)

And of course it's a great debate to be had. How to get it done? How do we pay for it? How do we stall? How can we divert the attention long enough for people to just forget about it? Hey did we tell you it's almost football season 12s??!!

And Sound Transit seems to want to connect people to 'regional centers' but what about communities?

Huh? What about East to West? Over the Lake and through the woods?

When I say this would benefit everyone I'm not talking out of my ass.

Let's break it down in every stereotypical field of what a society consists of around Seattle.

Small business, big business people:Hey guess what, you want more customers who aren't wasting gas money have more money not to pay for overpriced parking? A light rail would increase business revenue by upwards of 1,000% (Adjusted for actual facts)

Hippies and Environmentalists: Ok, you may need to clear some trees but back to the whole not using a car bit. If we can convince the guy who climbed the tree in Seattle to come back down, we can ask all the John Lennon's to give peace a chance, destroy it's forestry a little, and bring more peace to commuters looking to reduce carbon emissions.

Check this insane stat out,

"According to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, the average auto commuter in the United States spends 42 hours per year in traffic. "

Say what now?

Now imagine you're Seattle. A growing economy with more nerds and athletes then a top tier parochial private all boys school.

Consider our recent population boom over the past couple of years. Seattle hasn't seen a rise of people this big since record executives were coming over to sign the next Nirvana.

Neil Young remembers the Gold Rush.

You don't think that with those numbers comes air pollution? Not everyone rides bikes around here no matter how much you think people have never known how a car operates in the area.

College kids/young kids with money: Ok East Siders! You know the kids that either live downtown Seattle or on the east side and say they're from Seattle. Yeah, and Nirvana was from Aberdeen but we all said Seattle sounded right.  One thing I learned while moving here is that the East side (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, and ok Mill Creek you can join us) have a little superiority complex when it comes to the Seattle neighborhoods. "We are fine where we are. We feel safe. We can do everything they do in Capital Hill, and not worry about conflicting ideas." The 'no need to visit Seattle' was  exasterbated (love that word) when they started to toll the 520.

"No thanks. Not going to Seattle. We will stick to the 420."

Almost Live put it perfectly. The East Side!

Well guess what?

 Chicken but..Know why?

I'm still your guy!

......., If we had a great light rail system that went from Redmond to Kirkland to Bellevue over into Seattle? The great invsible wall that exists between the suburban brat and the aging hipster would be bridged!

Imagine a world where a Queen Anne and a Bellevue Bro can join hands in getting upset that their Starbucks  order was incorrect!


Tourists: Yeah, how would you like to get a rental car here and realize after you drop it off that you had a 500$ bill because your rental agreement didn't let you know they weren't adding the bill to the 520 you didn't know was tolled? I may be exagerating, but having just visisted Cleveland, my hometown still has people you pay in booths. (Note to Seattle readers: These are real people, who take your change and you go.) So enter midwest people, the south, and people from Maine who visit; What if they spread their money around?

Old people: They have a few years left. Give them a ride they can appreciate without breaking their pacemaker.

Children: Ah yes the children! What a politican loves to throw into our faces to remind us what the future is. Well I remember the early 90's them talking about 'the children'. Well guess what? We are grown ups now. So we are the future and we want a mother funking light rail system so we can show are kids now what an area looks like without shoveling out 100$ in a day.

Frankly, in an area where everyone complains about how inept and crass all the drivers, traffic, and crossing squirells are, I'm suprised every person (regardless of political affiliation) isn't investing all their time in this.


Of course I've spoken with friends and colleagues about this. And upon hearing many takes one I took away should be of note:

Not everyone who lives in certain neighborhoods wants certain elements with others.
Or to put it in meterologists terms:

"The snow doesn't want to mix with acid rain."Or if you're speaking as Sheldon from the big bang theory,

"Those acid dropping hippies and upscale white people make for interesting bed fellows!"

I think that as much as people hate traffic here, they also don't like people. I wouldn't say people are all out misanthropes, or ill natured. I'm just suggesting that if we suddenly open transportation to everyone around east side and Seattle, Bellevue might actually meet black people for the first time.

I find this to be ludacris.

But I also find that in the many districts and towns within the greater Seattle area, people for the most part are isolationists. Consider this article published earlier this year. University of Washington can get to Capital Hill? Not to be a cynic, but since when did college kids getting to Capital Hill become the problem that needed to be solved?

"Mike, I got a problem. I'm in my early 20's and I can't for the life of me get to where everything happens in Seattle because my electric uni-cycle bike ran out of power somehwere between Seattle Central and Udub."

I feel like this is the reverse of the band The Proclaimers. "And I can walk just 5, maybe 4 miles!"

And "When I wake up.. Well I know I'm going to be, I'm going to be the man who sits in the Light Rail  there with you. When I go home, well I know I'm going to be, saving gas and evergreen trees right next to you! And when I come home (Call and response) WHEN I COME HOME! Well I know I'm going to be, an entitled ass who doesn't give a #%#@ for you!"




I thought America valued money? I mean we say Jesus, constitution and capitalism but aren't those all the same thing?

It's the holy trinity of lip service we tell people.

Oh there's also this thing called population explosion in the Seattle area. Yeah it turns out when you have huge succesful companies and an utterly breathtaking atmosphere and views, people tend to move here. Oh, and jobs. (They didn't look at the rent though! That's ok, they can afford it!)

What about happiness? Who isn't happy on a train? On the flip side who loves being stuck in traffic? Why not reduce the risk of car accidents in the area by allowing those who love to break more then a smoker at work, ride a train?

I'm going to try and do my part and write the mayor and my local legislature and people in power. (Not Whole Foods, but secrectly I think they run the show)

I suggest you do the same. Here are some ways you can considerably make an impact.
Seattle elected officials
Bellevue City Council
Redmond City Council
Find your state representatives.


(EDITORS NOTE) **I write the following text surrounded by these asterisks on 7/14/16 having just been in Seattle the night before**

**35$. It cost 35$ smack you in the face a-roos to finally, after circling one way streets and don't turn left signs to finally find a parking garage. Don't get me wrong. I was happy to drive into traffic leaving my Redmond home at 7:10pm to get to the Comedy Underground eventually at around 7:50. I sang on the way there. I felt good. When I got off on James St, that's when it happened. I realized my wife in my ear.

"Ugh Seattle. There's no where to fu**** park, the streets are small and it's just ugh"

I should have known better and listened. The city is fine, the parking is not!
Look, you're not going to attract the hanging on to the middle class class of people if you can't have reasonable parking or HINT HINT an F'ing light rail that I could catch from I don't know

REDMOND. KIRKLAND. BELLEVUE.**

Let your congressmen and women know that we need a new coffee order for the area.

Light on the traffic, heavy on the light rail.

Oh, and uh, if you can please hurry up, I'm late for work and traffic's bad.

Unlike the idea of a Light Rail for all!

Summer Seattle Sounds (And other failed attempts at alliteration)

A Sleep Up Ambien Production 

I wasn’t even ten yet when the album bearing the same number from Seattle Supersonic Mookie Blaylock's (yes that’s a name) jersey changed the musical landscape for grunge and Seattle as a new limitless, musical landscape.

There was another album that I can’t seem to place that was a huge commercial success. I can't really remember it. Oh well, 

 nevermind.

As a kid, when I thought about the west and was lucky enough to embark in 1994 on a Griswold style vacation with family cross country, I had my eyes set on Seattle. Well honestly, I had my eyes on just being on the west coast of this great vast country of ours. I grew up on MTV and remember the pre-Carson Daily Total Request Live Days where it was a:

("Hi I'm Carson Daily a guy who's going to hide my age by not using references you kids won't understand. That was Christina Aguilera with "Some Pop song we will soon forget" up next it's the new No Doubt."

(30 seconds into video)

"Ok that was great, up next and after these series of commercials for the new reality series we are pimping it's Eminem with Stan!")

Those pre Carson days were Remote Control with Colin Quinn and Head Bangers Ball. Acts actually played live and loud. Of course I can remember Seattle having already exploded with a musical burst, that MTV started playing more "Seattley" things all the time.

Creed? (Coughs and clears throat ::Pearl Jam knock off::)

My youthful summers were defined by seeing acts live and Seattle always had an aura of the Emerald City of Wizard of Oz (Pun intended.)

I can remember we spent two nights in July, the summer of 94’ and the city had a feel of realness I can’t even describe but remember so precisely. Everyone looked like the guitar player for the Screaming Trees, and the trees were screaming.

“Originality!”

Before the trip I knew these famous bands, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden even Mudhoney were products of a region known as much for its rain as its sound.

Having a cooler older sister and hip father who has always had an ear to what new sounds are-a-brewing nationally, a trip to Seattle might as well have been a musical pilgrimage to an eleven-year-old who just six months prior had listened to Bleach and thought,

“Wow"

It is with the same wonder and excitement as a youth discovering music that I’m excited for a Seattle summer that will bring with it new bands, concerts, and farmers markets!

Oh the farmer's markets.

I already got my tickets to see both Guns N’ Roses and Weezer, Panic at the Disco!, and Andrew Mcmahon. (It’s a ‘Hey Remember the 80’s and early 90’s and early 00’s summer to be re-realized)

Traveling to the Seattle area or are you a local resident who's looking to see a live act no matter how big or small? Here's a quick list of the concert calendar for you audiophiles out there.

Don't be a stranger to the local scene.

It’s gearing up to be a great summer, and with recent weather showing that the ‘black hole sun’ that Chris Cornell is cooing about is alive in Seattle, I’m gearing up for a heat wave.

It’s with the same heat that so many prolific local bands sound crazy good. How good you ask? Here are five local bands that I can’t stop listening to, all unique in their Seattle debonair flare.

Check these bands out like you would your bank statement. Readers note. I just discovered these bands and many are new but also date back a couple years.

 Hobosexual (If the Black Keys played Black Sabbath while listening to early Beastie Boys. Listen to any track of Hobosexual II and be transported to the good side of 80's metal. The song The Black Camaro Death is Prince if he was metal in the 80's mixed with mind blowing riffs. This band disappoints the same way you getting a 300,000 raise at work is a bummer.)

Bleachbear (Think 90's indie pop with a teen's perspective of youthful melodic purity. Oh and if the musicianship of three young girls don't blow you away, the 'all in the family' dynamic minus any pretentiousness is as warm as their depth)

The Fabulous Party Boys (Got Funk? This groovy band will put the Mothership in the Emerald City and have you dancing all night. Great musicianship and a feel that if you're not dancing or moving when listening to this music then I can't help you. Take a Trip with this band as the Tuba bass, horns, guitar, drums and vocals transcend your idea of what music is.)

Porter Ray (Seattle Hip-Hop isn't just thrift shopping. I started with this video. Feel free to explore. the mind of a flow that is as unique as the Seattle skyline. Mixing elements of Jazz, funk, rock, and unique sounds, one gets the idea that if Porter Ray was stuck in 520 traffic he'd be able to make a song about it with the sounds. Refreshing is the word that best describes this more then capable MC from the Emerald City.)

The Mama Rags (Garage rock with a knitty gritty feel and old soul vibe. I was hooked by the track 'Hectic Electic.' Guaranteed to rock your inner child. This band looks like the way I envision them when I heard them. A cross between Aerosmith in their hay day, and Hanoi Rocks. It's not surprise that the guitars are on fire. They can easily slow it down as well. Check out their live videos. I've yet to see them live, but can't wait as I get further into their music.

There’s oh so much more. I’ve been living around Seattle for five years now and the prolific  people that live in the surrounding Puget Sound are as common as Evergreen trees.

It’s no wonder I feel that a new generation of music is exploding out of Seattle and this time it’s not so much the sound, but the eclectic amount of artists that are exploding at every genre.

It’s like if Scorcesse, Francis Ford Copolla, Tony Scott, and Steven Spielberg are growing up at the same time.

The best thing you can do is google ‘Seattle music scene’ and discover the same exciting ethos that I did when I was eleven.

Nobody pays attention to Seattle until we produce the best things ever.

Amazon, Microsoft, Mountains, Coffee, Passive Aggressive Politeness; these are things not to be taken for granted.

You're Welcome!

So start your summer off right and get an ear up for some hot music and new bands.

I have no idea how the music industry works anymore. I know that there are hundreds of bands in Seattle neighborhoods that are trucking by just fine under the radar and rocking in the free world that is Seattle.

I look forward to seeing a few local acts as they play with the passion that drew so many people to the Pacific Northwest in the first place. No not legal weed.

Freedom!