Survived Thanksgiving.

Seattle was apparently quite nice for November. Sunny a couple of days, although mostly rainy, foggy, and fairly cold.

Crashed for a few days with uncle and grandmother at uncle's house. It's in the middle of renovation, so things were a bit chaotic. There was much cleaning and shopping and cooking to be done before dinner on Thursday. I was chased out of the kitchen at least once. My uncle is not very happy with me for doing his dishes and putting everything away. I apparently "hide" things in places he can't find.

Thanksgiving day was fine. Church with grandmother, then naps and beer. A flurry of cousins arrived at about 3pm and dinner was assembled in a whirlwind of too-many-cooks-in-the-kitchen. Assorted step-family and a few friends arrived later, and dinner for 22 was served at three long tables. Unfortunately, I knew very few of the step-family and none of the friends. The screaming children and their somersaults and toys drove me to drink, literally. I was far into my cups by 8:30pm. In no shape to play poker, which was the plan for the under 35 crowd. I crashed with a nightcap of Scotch and promptly passed out with the new P.D. James novel on my chest.

Friday was mine. I ventured out to the Experience Music Project at Seattle Center. My real goal was the Science Fiction Museum. The Museum was smaller than I thought, but full of geeky goodness. Rather more books on the wall than I thought there ought to be, but the movie props and A/V exhibits of Dune, Mars, and various sci-fi movies were worth the price of admission.

Afterward was shopping at Pike Place Market. Coffee at Starbucks #1 (by accident), a yummy BBQ Pork humbow (bao) at Mee Sum Pastry, and a smoked salmon piroshky at Piroshky, Piroshky.

Convinced Joel that I needed a pub crawl Friday night. Hit all the Capitol Hill usual suspects, although it was too early for many people to be out. Madison Pub, C.C. Attle's, R-Place, the Eagle, the Cuff. After slices I said goodnight and made my way back to Bellevue for the night. After brunch at cousin's house Saturday, I made my way back to the airport and caught my flight home.

The only unfinished item on my list of things to do in Seattle was a trip to Specialty's Bakery for chocolate chip cookies. Next time.