1. meeting random people on the bus

2. those little 'hole in the wall' places where you can chill at 7 a.m., not order anything, and the owner gives you free cookies and too much caffeine without reserve

3. just being downtown. seriously.

4. Seattle Center. so many field trips there and it's the best feeling to just lose yourself by the fountain or lie down in the grass or check out the skaters across from the EMP (and, occasionally, amuse yourself by watching the 'RIDE THE DUCK' people get all hyped lol)

5. the old music store in the Underground with shelves and shelves of records jammed into slots and CDs that you just can't find anywhere anymore. and the dude behind the counter's pretty cool, he doesn't stare at you like you might jack something and run

6. the fish mongers at Pike. come on, they flip fish all day, get the crowd psyched, haul in blocks of ice, take pushy people's orders and pull it all off with effortless grace and a smile. now that's what i call amazing.

7. people keep saying they'd rather be (insert desired destination here). i'm starting to realize that i'm happy where i am and, though there are other places i'd love to live, this city is just amazing and i wouldn't change it for the world.