Pelted

Pea-sized hail blasts down. This was a brief but exciting thunderstorm break in an otherwise pleasant, sunny day.

Ground Zero

It's the first Starbucks store, at Pike Place Market in Seattle. Old (bare-breasted) logo, worn-out looking store, same menu as everywhere else.

Marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah

Dungeness crabs at Pike Place Market in Seattle.

Nerding out

Entrance to the Sci-Fi Museum under the Space Needle.

Couldn't. Be. Happier.

Caffeine & Obama

This storefront sums up Seattle's mood in two words.

The art of lost luggage

Sculpture? Statement? This Seattle luggage carousel is accented by the lost-luggage-mobile suspended in mid-air. It's functional, too. When the conveyor belt starts, the bags rotate.

Wacky Wisconsin

I love Wisconsin highway rest stops. They all have something uniquely bizarre about them.

Rocket

When I was a kid, my brothers and I went to this park to play in and on the giant rocket. It's been torn down and replaced by a more modern giant rocket. Ellen is the tiny figure in blue at the base.

You know how things looked so much bigger when you were a kid? Not this. It's huge.

Dressing room

Someone's getting ready to be a flower girl.

Train station

The suburban commuter train station building has a certain retro charm. On my way downtown for another job interview.

Night driving

After midnight on I-94, heading south toward Chicago. We made good time on our road trip from Minneapolis, though Ellen babbled excitedly for hours and refused to sleep.

Grill n' Chill

Due to the total failure of spring to provide temperatures over 60, I put on my coat to grill some burgers.

Produce aisle?

We have a local upscale grocery chain that carries all sorts of strange, non-grocery things scattered around the store. This is by the chips and salsa.

Spot the lizard

This Southern campus has iguanas all over it! I spent a lot of time trying to find them. One guy took pity on me and flushed one from its resting place, so I got to see the little green guy scurry away.

Up North, we just have squirrels.

View from the cheap seats

On my way to another job interview. They booked me on American, so I have no 'status' for getting a better seat or other perks. On the bright side, adjustable headrest! Whoo!

Scenes from the 21st century airport

MSP has iPod vending machines. It's a way more expensive impulse buy than a candy bar.

Wheels

Somebody got her first set of wheels today.