Posts Tagged ‘tips’
15 Things You Need To Know Before You Move to Seattle
[This post, originally published in 2010, has been updated on July 19, 2013. Enjoy!]
Whether you are relocating for the first time to Seattle, or you are moving into the more urban parts of Seattle from a suburb of the Seattle metro area, I am about to give you a Seattle single girl’s guide* of fifteen things you need know before you move to Seattle.
Although I was born and raised primarily in Seattle, I have travelled and lived in its suburbs, in other countries, and in other states. I have a pretty good idea of the considerations the typical person needs to know to make the adjustments to become a happy urban Seattle dweller. It is no secret that I am partial to creature comforts that women like. If you are a man reading this, but there’s a special woman in your life, this short list can be still be helpful.
Fifteen Things You Need To Know Before You Move To Seattle
Parking is expensive in Seattle. Consider living near a bus line or light rail, and purchase covered parking to store a car during the week. You will save more money by taking public transit after purchasing a bus pass than parking your car downtown. [Yes, this is still true even after the price increase of a transit fare. I can now commute from one end of Seattle to Redmond on the same fare as going down the street from the originating bus stop].
When you use GPS and online maps, make sure you enter the correct directions, such as NE, S, SW, N, W. One time, the police came to my home and insisted there was a domestic violence call they received for my address. When I asked them to repeat the address, it was for the exact same number and street name, but not the correct neighborhood because of the directional designations. [BTW, I just inadvertently conducted a test on both Google maps and Apple Maps turn-for-turn GPS, and for a little while, both were entirely wrong in getting me to a destination. Argh. Never drive on a low tank of gas].
There is no really good Chinese food in Seattle. Plan on using your passport and going to Vancouver, BC to get your Chinese food fixe. Still, brush up on using chopsticks, because sushi rules this city even more than pho cafes. [And there are plenty of "bad" sushi places, so do a little research before you head out. One of my current favs is Japonessa Sushi Cocina on 1st and Union].
Purchase three mini umbrellas to prepare for the weather. Place one in your car, your messenger bag, and your office from Fall to Spring (October through July. Really). The rainy season ends typically after the first week of July. Don’t freak out. From mid-July until the first weeks of October, you will likely experience the most beautiful weather without major humidity or the skin-searing factor. Everyone and their grandmother will eat outside in little sidewalk cafes, walk their dogs on the Waterfront, and purchase one bajillion pairs of sunglasses that were lost the previous season.
Count on walking. A lot. If you like wearing boots, consider one with low heels, or a pair of Uggs in the winter. While stilettos are still hot in NYC and LA, it won’t make it up or down one of Seattle’s many brick-and-mortar streets. Someone in an REI jacket will likely laugh at you if you trip. [I was just gifted with a fine pair of durable Keane snow and rain boots. While I sacrifice a bit of fashion chic, I can stomp away through snow, ice, and rain puddles and keep my feet dry on the way to the office, where a nice pair of dress shoes await].
Find out where all the the green spots are within walking distance of your concrete jungle. Looking at green makes people feel more relaxed. If you have the room for it, purchase flowering plants and greenery for your home. [My neighbor just installed a mini greenhouse in his home. It is cooler than cool. If I had one, there would be catnip in it for the kittehs.] Seattle’s Pike Place Market has introduced neighborhood “express” farmer’s markets in Pioneer Square this summer, which includes a stall of fresh cut flowers. Love!
Live near a grocery store and a farmer’s market, if at all possible. If you don’t, you’ll either spend ginormous amounts of money on parking, or you’ll pollute the environment to get your organic greens. [You might want to scope out where the nearest Whole Foods, PCC Market, and Trader Joe's are to get your fruits and veggies during the winter months when some farmer's markets are closed].
If you go to the Eastside, you will run into people who do not know where the major neighborhoods of Ballard, Fremont, Queen Anne, Maple Leaf, or Wallingford are in relationship to each other or downtown Seattle. You might as well tell them these are in France. Some people will never get to know Seattle like you do. [This is still true. If you plan a party and invite co-workers, be aware that some of them will not attend simply because you live across one of Seattle's bridges, even if the distance is less than 30 minutes by car].
There can be traffic at all times of the day, for no reason, or for a sporting event in SODO. The two bridges linking Seattle to the Eastside can become floating parking lots. Carry a copy of the Mariner’s and Seahawks season games, and plan accordingly. Do your best not to whine publicly about the fan mania, because people defend these sports teams like they love their dogs.[Go Sounders! Woot!]
There are more registered dogs per Seattle household than there are children. For some reason, there doesn’t seem to be enough pet services to express the glands of those dogs when you need one. Book ahead.[We're also the home of the ICanHasCheezburger lol cats people, and the Oatmeal, with a book on cats that will leave you crying with laughter. So start liking cats, ok?]
I have spent more time standing on my feet on a bus ride than in any other city in America. On only a couple of occasions have men offered me their seat. More likely, they will look up from their mobile phone after checking in on Foursquare for “Metro bus”, and then ignore you. [I recently wore a spandex unitard under my clothing for New Year's Eve. Turned out this was a very good choice, as some random hand kept trying to make its way up my skirt while riding home on a crowded bus. The hand got nothing but synthetic fiber.]
For all the talk about Seattle being one of the best city’s for online dating, it’s still a small city. Attend a few Social Media events or mixers, and eventually you’ll see all the same people. Break free by joining other groups with eclectic interests outside your normal crowd. [I have since discovered OK Cupid to be a single girl's friend in this city. It is greatly responsible for why I am not single. I am currently engaged. :)].
If you’re prone to the blues because of the rainy weather, plan your winter getaway early. Purchase a light box, or try short sessions at a tanning salon that has higher UVB settings. Talk to your doctor about Vitamin D deficiency. [Phillips has designed a blue light box that contains no UV, and some people are finding that it gives them a nice little "bling" at the beginning of the day].
Seattle has plenty of arts and entertainment to choose from, with small and large theaters, film festivals, concerts, and dancing. If you’re under 40, check out tickets with the Bravo Club of the Seattle Opera. Go online for websites advertising day and evening events, such as Seattle Night Out. We’re home to SubPop for a reason. Oh, and if you have sensitive ears, invest in a pair of custom-fitted musician’s ear plugs, which allow you to hear the music without destroying your ear drums. You can thank me later.
Seattle is a city close to water and mountains. Not an outdoorsy type? I suggest you join a club to become one. There are stores with gently used gear so you can try your hand at it without breaking the bank. Always wanted to try snowboarding? Local ski and boarding resorts have winter deals to fit your budget, including lift ticket and rentals. If you buy your own equipment, you can also purchase wall mounts to show off your equipment like works of art in your home. [Always wanted to try running, biking, or swimming? Seattle boasts all three through triathlete clubs for amateurs to professionals at all distances. I ran my first half marathon in Feb 2013, thanks great trails, running partners, and really supportive people on Social Media who are doing the same. I'll be racing in my first Sprint Triathlon in August 2013].
Got your own suggestions? Send in your comments, and tell us about your Seattle relocation experience.
[BTW, if anyone is interested in a student edition of the above, i.e. you're moving to Seattle to attend one of our universities, community colleges, or advanced degree programs, please email me offline about creating a post just for you. Edited Jan 11, 2013]
*I wrote this post when I was single. That is no longer true. I have grown by one cat (Loomi) and one Man-Geek.
Practice for Practice’s Sake
An observer of my dancing recently asked, “How long did it take you to be comfortable doing those really sharp moves in your dance? I mean, isn’t improvisation built on thousands of hours of practice?” I smiled. Truly, to be good at anything takes thousands of hours of practice. To be truly GREAT at something needs the 10,000 hours rule, which is the magic number applied to any skill of which you wish to master. But really, my answer goes beyond putting in your 10K+ hours. It has to do with practice for practice’s sake.
Practice for the sake of practice, not just to complete a project.
* a scale on a keyboard
* a dance step
* a stroke of a charcoal pencil scraped diagonally across paper
* the shaping of the side of a clay bowl on a potter’s wheel
* the tug of a saw as it cuts through wood
* the spin of a tube holding glass in the fire
* the twirl of a PVC hoop overhead
While any one of these skills can be mastered on their own, it’s the familiarity — the love — of repeating it over and over that draws me to string together multiple actions together until they produce a final product, e.g. a song, a choreography, a drawing, a bowl, a frame, a goblet, a hooping routine. The challenge for me is this: when I’m busy practicing for specific events, e.g. preparing a specific choreography for an event, I tend to put out good performances, but not necessarily creative ones. If I want to be creative, I have to return to my love of practicing for the sake of practicing, with no end-goal in mind but the joy of doing what I love.
What does that look like? For dance, that can be:
* listening to music, just because. All kinds of music, not just bellydance music.
* exercising, for the sake of building muscle, not necessarily muscle memory for choreography.
* practicing turns, such as drills across the room until I’m dizzy.
* executing jumps and leaps.
* moving across the floor using emotion more than motion.
What if you didn’t know what the following song was associated with? Click here angry birds clip
How would you move to it? What images might you attach to it? Would it be the opening of a film? What is you moved to this song at super slow rates, while only your face changed expression rapidly?
Additionally, attempting to do something that I only have novice-level skills makes me look at ALL things I do with a little more detailed attention. For example, filming something without filming with a goal leaves with a small mountain of raw footage. What if I wanted to edit the film for an emotional story? How do I move the story like I move it in dance, only without audio, or without movement? How can I take a “mistake” and make it part of the video clip?
Finally, I schedule in time during the week to drop all choreography and just dance through my music any which way I want. Sometimes I end up using some of the choreography I know and love. Other times, I end up doing something completely different, such as grabbing a different prop, moving at half time, or throwing in movement “just because”. Practicing in this way, I end up practicing with much more joy and enthusiasm, and I find I listen to my music with a fresh set of ears, as if the music is new to me. Dropping all anticipation of the beat, I end up falling in love again. When I integrate those joyful practice sessions back into my choreography practices, the choreographies become more creative, whimsical, and energetic.
Do you have an art project that could benefit by “practicing for the sake of practicing”? I’m pairing up with another artist to start an artist’s study hall, where artists can drop in f2f, or drop in online via webcam to spend an hour or two working on their projects. Sometimes our projects involve a lonely journey of self-discovery, but other times, they are projects that can benefit from the energy of others. I’ll post more information on my Twitter page, and list it on the Event page for this site.
Vlogging And PodcastingTips For Artists
You’ve figured a few things out. You have a subject you are passionate about, and you have skillz. Friends and colleagues give you feedback that leads you to believe you have something to share with a larger audience. When you open your mouth, you tend to say informative things in an engaging way. Someone calls you an “influencer.” You find yourself looking at podcasting and vlogging as the vehicle for your ideas. You’re in luck! Here are some very simple podcasting and vlogging tips for artists who wish to get started.
[Note: if you're a techie, you'll probably want to check out a tech blog on the same subject, especially for a run down of equipment in a higher price range for your specific needs.] This post is unusually long, but the newbie at podcasting and/or vlogging will find enough info here to get started. But first, I think a little humor goes a long way. Watch this older couple learn how to film themselves in “Web Cam 101 for Seniors”:
PODCASTING: What is it? Am I too late?
A podcast is an audio-only show featuring a subject selected by the podcaster, and made available through a variety of podcasting platforms, such as Libsyn.com. Many podcasters record from their home, office, or on-the-go, and provide regular programming in order to form a community base of like-minded people. In order to get their podcasts noticed, they often register it with a larger platform, such as iTunes, and syndicate their podcasts. For the majority of podcasters, they provide their podcasts for free, although some celebrity podcasters are able to charge a fee and still maintain a large following.
While podcasting has been available for some time, it is not too late to get started. Why? Because there is still a demand for interesting information, interviews, and entertainment delivered in short audio bytes, allowing listeners to connect with your podcasts at their convenience. They can listen to you while exercising at the gym, while commuting to work, and on short breaks from other activities.
Podcasting can help people find out more about what your subject of knowledge or entertainment by listening in. It typically enhances a blog (text and image format), and in many cases, bloggers add an additional page to their website which lists all current podcast links. By installing podcasts on a seamless platform, listeners can simply click on the link in the website without having to leave the site. Others choose to create a separate domain dedicated to their podcasts. There are pros and cons for both processes.
Vlogging: Using video to communicate your message
Vlogging is similar to blogging (hence its name), except the stories and articles are primarily told via video. I tend to disagree with About.com’s description (which I included in the link above) on one point: I believe a vlog is primarily made of a video with very little text, versus a traditional blog that simply integrates video (i.e. Hips For Hire is a web blog that integrates video and soon, podcasts).
Vlogging is popular because video is popular, and technological advances have made it clearer, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive. However, just because you can vlog doesn’t mean you should. There is a lot of noise out there, so consider what you’re offering before you step in front of the camera.
A great example of a vlog is WilsonTech1 on Twitter. His series of videos combining his knowledge about software and hardware, answering questions from his fanbase, and his entertaining style in front of the camera offer his audience a jump-cut style vlog that always makes me laugh. It’s a tech version getting a vitamin while eating a snack. Click here for an example from his extensive video library on Youtube.
What About A Plog?
Is there such a thing as a plog (a photo blog)? I would argue: YES. Some of the better plogs IMHO have grown out of recent applications like Hipstagram, Instagram, and the still-popular (and free!) Tumblr.com site that is set up for mobile picture downloading. All of these are set up to say a lot about your interests with pictures and a small amount of text, or with minimalist text as art.
The Goodies: What You Need To Get Started
Here’s my video on a simple way to get started in terms of what you’ll need for vlogging and podcasting:
For podcasting, you’ll need:
– a hosting platform to organize and hold your podcasts, such as Libsyn. I haven’t experimented with others, but sites like Podbean (free) and BlogTalkRadio (also free) have been getting a lot of shout outs and are worth looking into.
- a means of getting your podcast noticed. One of the simplest ways to do this to register it on iTunes (as mentioned above). There are also a host of other syndicated podcast categories of which to add yours. Of course, you can always try putting your podcast on your own website, and the SEO’ing the crap out of your site. If you know how to do this, more power to you. I frankly think this takes a little too much of my time.
- a format: a lead-in (such a clip of music, sound effect, or motto) that leads listeners know they’ve found the show they were looking for. Make sure your music clip is your own or obtain permission for use form the artist. Even if it’s less than 30 seconds (an urban myth), you can be fined or sued for broadcasting material you do not own without permission.
- a good quality microphone with a windscreen or foam cover (to absorb moist or harsh sounds from your mouth when speaking).Notice in my Youtube film below that you can ear my p’s and b’s as a “puh” sound that is a bit annoying. Radio hosts often use a windshield or a fuzzy cover on a condenser microphone to minimize this sound.
- a software program to help you mix sound, especially if you interview someone else who’s voice recording is significantly lower or higher in volume than yours. I use Audacity. Just remember to select the appropriate download for your computer’s OS.
- if you use a MacBook or MacMini (and some older Macbook Pro’s), you will have to select either a compatible USB microphone (and use a pre-amplifier), or use a compatible wireless microphone (but you might have problems with a low buzz or frequency interference).
Since podcasts are all about sound, you might want to make sure you have no ambient sound running in the background. Turn off appliances, unplug a noisy refrigerator, turn off forced-air heating or air conditioners, and don’t forget to turn off florescent lights that make a buzz you might have tuned out. If you record from an apartment, consider recording during off-peak hours, and use a microphone that filters out ambient noise (i.e sounds pointed directly at the microphone are recorded, while sounds further away and not pointed at the microphone are not recorded). Again, the program Audacity has a nice noise-reducing option to clean up your audio even further. [You can remember to turn your fridge back on by putting something important inside it, such as a set alarm clock, or your car keys!].
– keep podcasts short. You can do a teaser podcast on a large subject, and then make a series of podcasts on the subject that are longer and more in-depth. [If you tend to speak too slowly, here's a little trick: when editing the audio, you can sped it up by 25% before most people would detect that it doesn't quite sound like you, or that your movements are unnatural].
For vblogging, you’ll need:
- all the same equipment and software as for podcasting, above, although you might not wish to purchase a mixer if you don’t need it right away.
- an easy-to-use camcorder or digital recorder that can be mounted on a tripod and used “handsfree”. I personally use my iPhone4 the most to record video when I’m on the go. I’ve also used a VADO 3G, which has come down significantly in price (this one is new for $64.99). The iPhone4 records at 1280p x 720 in beautiful HD; if you want to use it hands free, you’ll have to buy something to attach it to tripod such as the Glif, or a stand-alone mini tripod with a clip to hold it in place. The VADO 3G has a built-in tripod mount that takes care of that problem; however, it takes a bit of getting used to in regards to the interface, because it has no buttons. I like it better than the Flip Mino, but film quality wise they are comparable. The advantages of using an iPhone4 is the convenience of syncing it to iMovie for editing (or you can pay for the app to use iMovie from your iPhone4 or iPad1/2). By now, some of you are understanding why I ended up staying with one system in the Apple family and sticking with it ["keep it simple, stupid"].
- The same audio problems exist for the Apple users trying to get better audio recordings for their devices than the built-in microphone. Read what I wrote above.
- A movie editing program. I use iMovie for the ease of use for the novice.
- A means to get your vlog noticed. Hosting your vlog on a popular application such as Tumblr or WordPress will give you tools to help share your vlog with others. Make sure you add an RSS feed button to your site so they can easily follow your recordings. If you use WordPress, there are some nice Social Media and sharing plug-ins that make this quite easy to place buttons everywhere [but alas, I haven't yet put a +1 Google button on my site...I suppose that will happen soon].
- An area for recording that is free of audio noise as well as background visual “noise”. Some people record podcasts and video in a makeshift “closet”, muffling outside noise and reducing background clutter.
- Obtain proper lighting, or use natural lighting during the right time of day, that does not cast shadows on your face or any items you might be featuring in your film. If you’re filming dance, make sure you mark off the edges of the camera’s view as well as optimal lighted space. When filming artwork, make sure the lighting does not bounce off the item in an unflattering way.
- Do a test video with clothing, hair, and makeup that doesn’t blend into the background. If you decide to use a lavalier-style microphone (i.e. clip on mic), make sure your don’t move too much, as hair and clothing can add a rustling sound to the video.
- If there must be panning in your vlog, make sure camera pans are slow and steady, and do not cause the viewer to experience dizziness because you move the camera too fast.
- If you’re going to use jump cuts in your editing, be intentional about them, and try not to clip off words or movement abruptly. A good movie editing program should allow you to make fine adjustments, add fade ins and fade outs, and use precision with jump cuts.
- Since Google does not search videos themselves (yet), you need to title your videos in ways that they can be searchable, and then host the video on a popular platform. The more popular places to host videos have been Youtube, Facebook, Vimeo, and one’s one blog.
- Decide whether or not you want comments on or off on any sites you host your video. There are pros and cons either way. If you’re worried people won’t like your work, or you are very sensitive to negative or “troll” comments, you might want to consider not posting videos at all; a plog (photo blog) might be the way you want to go. Then again, if you have some particularly funny or cheezy art material, there are aplethora of blogs and stores that might be right up your alley, such Regretsy.com (the spin off the popular Etsy.com personal store blog).
- Keep videos short. An effective and well produced three minute video is much better than a seven minute one that drags [I had to learn the hard way]. Not all content has to be covered on a single video; you can break up a subject into several videos, and provide written descriptions that fill out the content.
There are quite a few other ways to record and host videos, such as live stream captures on popular sites such as Ustream.tv and Livestream.com. However, the video quality is lesser than the available tools we have to chose from.
Most vlogging and podcasting workshops will spend more time talking about hardware and software to produce video and audio then they will on the actual content. Some will talk about how to build a fan base and foster community by integrating Social Media. The topic of content and communication is a separate topic, but at least you know how to get started. Practice making a few short podcasts and vlogs, and test them on your friends first. Get feedback, and remember: it’s OK to start over, even when you’re passing Take #10. Better to do it right, get the cuts you need, and paste it together.
Are you vlogging or podcasting? Could your artful project use these tools? What’s stopping you? Please share your questions here.
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