Horror Stories With Moving Companies

I always hear such horrible stories about moving companies. The most recent one was in the Stranger Slog this morning involving slogger Erica Barnett and the moving company All My Sons Movers. (link to slog)

How are these companies allowed to operate? Isn't this stuff illegal?
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Video of Sunday's Lightning Storm

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Pictures and Video from Gay Pride

Another Gay Pride had come and gone in Seattle. I think this year was the biggest in Seattle history with some 400,000 people who showed up. Here are some pictures and video from todays Gay Pride Parade and PrideFest at the Seattle Center.

Video Of Pride at Seattle Center


Alyson Performing on a Float


Dykes On Bike


Rainbow City Band


Dancing In The Fountain








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Tickets To The Cindi Lauper True Colors Tour

Sadly something has come up and I will have to miss the Cindi Lauper True Colors Tour this year. Anyone interested in my Tickets
My tickets were $260 dollars
Sec D Row 11 Seats 3 & 4
July 1st at the WaMu Theater
Here is the line-up this year
Cyndi Lauper
The B-52s
Rosie O'Donnell
Joan Jett
Nona Hendryx
with Host Carson Kressley

I am selling my tickets for $175

If your interested please send me an email.
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Preparing For Higher Gas Prices

OPEC Chief on the price of oil this summer

"I predict probably prices of $150 to $170 this summer," Chakib Khelil,(yahoo business)

This could mean five dollar gas or more by the end of the year.
Some suggestions for how you can prepare

• Move closer to work
• Move into a cheaper apartment
• Learn the bus routes
• Get a hybrid
• Get a bike
• Make lifestyle changes to offset the higher prices of gas
• Cancel cable tv (stream tv shows off the internet)
• Energy efficient light bulbs
• Eat out less
• Skip going to the movies and get Netflix
  

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3 Things To Do This Weekend

Watch Wanted


Attend The Seattle Men's Chorus "Comedy Night"
Link to buy tickets

Watch the Gay Pride Parade
Pride Parade starts at 11am and will most likely run a good 4 hours. After the parade check out Pride Fest at the Seattle Center.

What Are You Doing This Weekend?
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Picked on by Whole Foods for being Hispanic

Since I was in middle school, it has always amused my non colored friends my ability to attract cops, mall, and other retail security. They flock to me because apparently I just look like a trouble maker, I'm Mexican and I like to wear my hat at an angle (it's a bad combination). In a way I am used to it, but it still feels horrible when I am singled out and picked on because I look different.

As I get older this happens less, only twice in the last two years. Once at JCrew with a friend, the security guard followed me from table to table, he didn't even try to hide the fact that he thought I might steal something, making it impossible for me to look at anything. The second time was last summer at the Space Needle. I was showing my friend Bruce from NY around town and we wanted to have lunch at the restaurant at the top. We got in line with all the older tourists who were sporting their Hawaiian shirts, shorts and fanny packs waiting to enter the elevator when we were pulled aside and told we could not go up due to how we were dressed. We had jeans, shirts and I had my trusty hat on at an angle. They claimed our jeans didn't cut it, my jeans had frizzled edges and my friends jeans had on tiny hole in the leg. Our jeans were actually new, my friends were probably from Urban and mine were probably from Macys, but of course it wasn't our clothes, someone made a decision somewhere that I looked like a trouble maker and as a result we were denied access. I asked to see the manager and every single person who talked to us was extremely rude and asked me to leave the premises.

Which leads me to this afternoon. Matt and I were out for a nice walk, we had just had some tacos at my favorite taco truck and decided we would walk to Whole Foods and get some gelato. We got our two scoops, I picked out a drink, we paid and walked over to the Whole Foods cafe seating area to eat our gelato. The seating area was full of people who were also sitting down to eat their snacks or drinks. Of all the people sitting there, we were the ones that apparently had the appearance of gelato theifs. An older Whole Foods employee walked up to us specifically ignoring all the other people sitting down to eat their snacks and asked us if we had paid for our gelato and drink. Matt showed him the receipt and he walked away but the damage was done. I felt mad, angry and disappointed because I really like the Whole Foods gelato but a part of me never wants to go back again. Of all the people there sitting in the cafe, what was it about us that made them single us out.

I don't really have a point to this blog post, just frustrated and needed to get this out. In all honesty, I really like Whole Foods, I just hate when these things happen.

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Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate

Huge chocolate festival coming July 13th to the Bell Harbor Center. It will be an opportunity to taste chocolate from the best chocolatiers from around the west coast including:

Amano Artisan Chocolate, Kekau Chocolatier, Cocoa Chai Chocolates, Petit Noirs, Guittard Chocolate, Poco Dolce, Theo Chocolate, Blissful Brownies, Island Angel Chocolates, Alma Chocolate, Lula's Chocolates, Intrigue Chocolates Co., Andy's Handmade Chocolates, Fiori Chocolatiers, Dilettante Chocolates, Posh Chocolat, GrendelSweets Handcrafted Chocolates, Oh! Chocolate, Decadent Tastes, Cadeaux Chocolates, Emily's Chocolates, Cosmic Chocolate, Sweet Beauty, Sol Rouge Wines and more.

Tickest available at http://seattlechocolatesalon.com/
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4th of July Activities, Cal Anderson & Southlake Union

From the Matt Jones Blog

Cal Anderson Park Alliance 6th Annual Capitol Hill Independence Day Community Picnic

Friday, July 4, 12 Noon - 5 PM. Four eclectic music groups on the Sun Bowl Stage, your own picnic meal and friends, family and community. More details as they become available - check back! Our additional sponsors this year are 11th Avenue Inn, Seattle Gay News and Seattle Parks & Recreation. (calandersonpark.org)



Then head over to Gas Works Park to watch the fireworks. Get there as early as you can, roads will be blocked off, parking will be limited and space in the park fills up fast.

Check out my pictures from last year

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Seattle Has The Greenest Drivers & The Biggest Growth In Tech Jobs

It's been a big week for Seattle.

First according to American Electronics Association Seattle added the most Tech Jobs of any city in the nation.

The 7,800 jobs represented nearly a 7 percent increase over the year before and brought the total to 129,400. (king5)

Seattle was also ranked the greenest drivers in the nation according to the July issue of Men's Magazine.

The magazine said it ranked 100 U.S. cities by using data including gas consumption, miles driven annually, air quality (ozone and particle pollutants), vehicle efficiency (size, age, and frequency of tune-ups), mass transit quality and usage.(pugetsoundbusinessjournal)

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Great Weather For Gay Pride This Weekend

Pride Parade starts at 11am and will most likely run a good 4 hours. After the parade check out Pride Fest at the Seattle Center.

My suggestions for attending the parade

• Take the bus or walk
• Come early and claim your spot
• Bring Sunscreen
• Go to the bathroom before (I waited in line for over 30 minutes last year just to use the bathroom)
• Bring some water
• Finally..you might even consider bringing an umbrella because you never know

For a complete list of events going on all week check out http://www.seattlepride.org/
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Nickels receives 3 awards at U.S. Conference of Mayors annual meeting

I have a few friends who absolutely hate Mayor Greg Nickels, love him or hate him, the guy gets things done(or atleast tries).

MIAMI – Mayor Greg Nickels accepted three awards recognizing city efforts to strengthen the quality of life and livability for Seattle residents at the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 76th annual meeting in Miami. On Saturday, Nickels received an Outstanding Achievement Award in the City Livability Awards Program, and the city of Seattle and the Cascade Land Conservancy were named a runner-up in the Excellence in Community Tree Awards. On Friday, Nickels accepted first place honors in the 2008 Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards Program.

The City Livability Awards Program recognizes mayors who use innovative and creative methods to improve the quality of life for their residents. The city’s Seattle Green Factor, a program adopted last year that applies new landscaping requirements to create cooler, quieter, cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing surroundings in the city’s most dense urban areas, garnered high praise from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Seattle Green Factor increases the amount of landscaping new commercial developments are required to provide, while offering inventive options to meet these requirements, including vegetated walls, pervious paving, rainwater gardens and incentives to plant in public rights-of-way.

Aside from beautification benefits, the plantings also promote environmental stewardship. The Seattle Green Factor advantages include improved energy efficiency, decreased urban heat island effects, decreased storm water runoff and better air quality. Many of the Seattle Green Factor sites included the use of green roofs, pervious paving and vegetated walls.

The City Livability Awards Programs recognizes 20 cities in total – 10 awards are granted to cities with more than 100,000 residents and 10 awards are given to cities with a population of less than 100,000.

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3 Songs Worth Downloading

Mates Of State - My Only Offer


Coldplay - Viva La Vida


Cut Copy - Far Away





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Equality Now Charity Screening of Serenity This Sunday

It is that time of year again, Can't Stop The Serenity June 22, 2008

This year there will be 2 showings / 5pm & 8pm



Be a part of a grand global event as Browncoats around the world enjoy the Big Damn Movie and raise funds for Joss Whedon's favorite charity, Equality Now.

June 22, 2008
5pm/8pm
Landmark Theatres Crest Cinema Centre
16505 5th Ave NE
Shoreline, WA 98155
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Google Street View finally coming to Seattle

The best part is my friend Justin gets interviewed by Kong.

From the Capitol Hill Blog
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Tokyo Police Club Cover Of Rentals’ Song “Friends Of P”

Such an amazing cover. Makes me love Tokyo Police Club even more and it makes me want to break out the old Rentals CD

Tokyo Police Club - Friends Of P

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Sponsor Me In The Seattle AIDS Walk

I am doing the Seattle AIDS Walk which will be on October 4th. Last year I raised just about $1000 and this year I am hoping to raise $2000

My Sponsor Page
http://www.lifelongevents.org/goto/alexgarcia

Please consider sponsoring me this year to help me fight HIV and AIDS in the Puget Sound region.

Your contribution to my fundraising goal will help to raise support and awareness for Lifelong AIDS Alliance, the largest AIDS service organization in the Northwest.

You can sponsor me by following the link below
http://www.lifelongevents.org/goto/alexgarcia

Lifelong works to stop the epidemic through prevention and education and also cares for those affected by HIV and AIDS. Care services offered by Lifelong include insurance coverage, safe housing, and healthy meals and groceries through the Chicken Soup Brigade food program.

Thousands of people throughout the year depend upon these services provided by Lifelong. Your contribution to my AIDS Walk fundraising goal has the power to change their lives.

Any amount, large or small, helps to make a difference. Thank you for your support.

Alex Garcia

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Upcoming Streetcar Forums

With the success of the streetcar, the city of Seattle is contemplating adding more streetcars that would connect neighborhoods like Pioneer Square, Ballard, U District and the Central District.

Learn all about the proposed lines and give the city your feedback by attending one of the upcoming forums.

The forums are taking place as follows:

Wednesday, July 2nd - Proposed Central Line at Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, Bertha Knight Landes Room, First Floor, 4-6pm

Tuesday, July 8th - Proposed Ballard/Fremont Line at Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67 Street, 4-6pm

Wednesday, July 9th - Proposed U-District Line at University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE, 4-6pm

Tuesday, July 15th - Proposed First Hill Line at Yesler Community Center, 917 E. Yesler Way, 4-6pm

For more information on the proposed Streetcar Network expansion, visit: http://www.seattlestreetcar.org/future.asp

I would prefer a monorail/subway/city light rail almost anything faster then the slut, but I am happy to see the city embracing something other then buses.

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Scott McClellan Just Added to Townhall Seattle

Mr McClellan will be speaking about his new memoir What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception on Monday, June 23 at 7:30pm.

Buy Tickets
More information available at Townhall Seattle
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Top Walkable Neighborhoods In Seattle

According to Walk Score, Seattle's top 10 most walkable neighborhoods are:

1. Pioneer Square (99)
2. Downtown (97)
3. First Hill (96)
4. Belltown (95)
5. Roosevelt (95)
6. Chinatown-International District (94)
7. South Lake Union (94)
8. University District (94)
9. Lower Queen Anne (93)
10. Wallingford (90)


What's your Walking Score? Check it out here

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Gas Hits $4.22 In Washington

According to AAA, the highest gas is found the "highest gasoline price in Bellingham at $4.31 a gallon and the lowest in Spokane at $4.01. Prices in some other cities surveyed by the AAA: Seattle $4.26, Olympia $4.27, Vancouver $4.21, Yakima $4.14, Tri-Cities $4.13." (SeattleTimes)

2 Free SIFF Tickets to "Island Of The Lost Souls"

I have two tickets for Saturday's showing of "Island Of The Lost Souls" playing at the Cinerama. If you want the tickets just email me and Ill pick someone at random on Friday morning.

Here is the description of the movie from the SIFF website
"When a 19th-century wizard enters her brother’s body, 14-year-old Lulu joins with the spirit to battle the evil Necromancer and his dark, supernatural forces gathering at the land of the dead in this thrilling, effects-laden fantasy adventure."

Cindy Sheehan At Seattle Townhall

In case you missed it, here is footage of Cindy Sheehan at Seattle's Townhall

M83: Public Access Media Interview

M83 interview with Public Access Media at Neumo's in Seattle, WA

The Rise of Olive 8

Here is footage from Olive 8 rising at 1816 8th Ave Seattle

June 13th: Nordstrom's Half Yearly Sale for Men

It is that time of year again, what all gay men have been waiting for.

The Nordstrom's Half Yearly Sale for Men

Starts June 13th at 9 a.m. and lasts through June 15th.

I can't wait, I have been saving up for this, I need all new clothes, shoes, jeans and what ever I can get my ands on.

Creminelli at Pike Place Market

For the best sausage you have ever tasted stop by Creminelli at Pike Place Market. It is 2 booths down from Mighty-O-Donuts. The Salami and Sausage comes from Italian world-renowned artisan Cristiano Creminelli. Try the Piemonte Sausage, you will never view sausage the same.

http://www.creminelli.com

Sundance Film Festival 2009 Dates Announced

Well SIFF has turned out to be a bit disappointing, very unorganized, changing movies with out notifying me, can't exchange tickets, etc. Good news is that I am pretty sure I am going back to Sundance next year.