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CHS Crow | Eden, Rich & Austin — ‘I’m gonna go home and watch cartoons’

Screen shot 2013-05-04 at 3.13.02 PMThis week, the crow learned the value of clear Jell-O, everybody eats Top Ramen alone, sometimes, and why Tacoma is super gay.

What did you learn?

 

 EDEN, 26

edenWhat are you up to on this beautiful evening?
I’m gonna go down to the QFC and get the ingredients for some Jell-o shots.

I find that Jell-o is the best hospital cafeteria food to use as a booze delivery system. What do you think is the best flavor of Jell-o for Jell-o shots?
The clear one.

There’s a “clear” flavor? Is that like “red” flavor?
It’s actually lemon, but it comes out clear. You can add some triple sec and make it like a kamikaze shot.

Sounds like a recipe for a party, literally and metaphorically! What’s the occasion?
A friend of mine is having a housewarming here at The Loft, so we’re gonna make some Jell-o shots for her party tomorrow.

What line of work are you in?
I’m a software developer, at Amazon.

Do you live on the Hill?
I actually live down on First Hill next to Ba Bar.

Do you hang out on the Hill very often?
I do. Tonight, I’m actually forgoing other plans on the Hill—some friends are meeting at The Lookout.

The have a great view there. Places with outdoor seating tend to be mobbed on days like this…
It’s a nice and sunny day, so they’re going to go sit out on the patio.

What are you most looking forward to about the summer?
Hanging out at Lake Union. I really like wakeboarding, so I’m looking forward to spending my summer doing that.

At the risk of sounding like someone who has no idea what “wakeboarding” is…is that against the Geneva Convention?
Not exactly. It’s kind of like waterskiing, but one board. You’re pulled behind a boat…

Are you a Seattle native?
No, I’m a transplant from Florida, from Orlando.

Is there anything you miss about Florida?
I would say I miss warm water. We’re gonna go out wakeboarding this weekend, but the water in the lake is really cold. I’m thinking of buying a wet suit.

 RICH, 41

rick1What are you up to tonight?
After work, I’m gonna go home and watch cartoons.

I assume you work here [at Platinum Records on Pine]?
I have two jobs. I work here, and I also do security at Shorty’s in Belltown.

Are you a pinball fan?
I’m not, but a lot of people who go to Shorty’s are.

Working bar security must have some difficult moments. What’s the hardest part of the job?
Being patient in those times when people get volatile. When people are intoxicated, they might not know what’s best for them. People who have already had way too much to drink might not be too happy with the fact that they’re not allowed to drink any more…

Drunk people are really, really annoying if you’re not drunk. That must take a lot of patience.
You have to remember that people work hard and they’re under a lot of pressure, so the last place they probably want rules is at a bar where they’re trying to relax. But it’s important that we adhere to the laws, that way it keeps people safe so they can party responsibly.

What kind of music are you listening to right now?
Punk rock.

What are some of your favorite bands?
I’m from the Bay Area, so I like a lot of Bay Area bands like Agent Orange and The Faction, and JFA. Old school skate rock. I have a lot of local friends that play in bands around here.

Where on the Hill do you go to hear punk rock?
There’s lots of great venues. I go to The Comet, Chop Suey or The Highline. Also house parties and stuff.

Summer is coming. Do you have any big plans?
I always go back to California in summer, so I’ll be going to Santa Cruz to hang out and go skateboarding. Also, this summer I plan on falling in love with some lucky lady.

You’re planning on falling in love? Please elaborate!
I’m kidding. Every summer, you never know what’s going to happen—it’s unlimited possibilities.

What would your ideal lady be like?
That’s a really tricky question. The older you get, your priorities change. It’s more like “What do they want,” more than “What do I want?”

That’s an interesting way of looking at it. What do you think women want?
When you get into my age group, late 30s, early 40s, women’s priorities seem to change a little bit, and sometimes they don’t want the older guy who’s still like a grown-up kid who rides a skateboard and listens to punk rock and goes to shows and stuff. When you’re in your early 20s, you’re going out and partying all the time. Now, I have two jobs and a 16-year-old daughter, and I DJ, so I don’t have a lot of time. Also, I’m not out as much—I guess that’s a big part of the problem.

It sounds like you’re very introspective about relationships.
I’ve thought about it many a night while eating Top Ramen.

 AUSTIN, 43

austin2What are you up to tonight?
I’m here for a conference tomorrow, so I came early and went to the European Masters at SAM, and it was really amazing. And it was First Thursday, which was a total bonus, since it was half off.

Where are you from?
I’m from Tacoma.

Did you have to get a visa to come here?
I have to say, I never come to Seattle. I don’t remember the last time I was up here.

I haven’t ever been to Tacoma, only driven through it. I hear it’s a nice place.
It is, but traffic is so bad between here and there. When would you ever go that you would miss traffic both ways?

So true. What kind of conference are you attending?
A Virginia Mason conference on hepatitis and liver updates.

I assume you’re in the health care field. Or are you just a fan of livers?
I am a fan of livers, but I’m also doctor with Group Health.

What’s your specialty?
I’m an internal medicine doctor.

What’s the best thing about being a doctor?
Connecting with people.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?
The data is really overwhelming. For instance, I’m going to go back to my hotel room tonight and work on my inbox. It’s like any other job, only more life and death.

I think the life-and-death part would be really terrifying. If I screw up at my job, people might be annoyed, but not in a fatal way.
It can be stressful, although it’s very rewarding.

Do your friends and family come up to you at parties and say, “Hey, will you look a this mole?,” or otherwise ask for free medical advice?
Not too often. Sometimes people call me from urgent care, wanting to know if they should go home. People just want reassurance they’re not going to die tonight.

Have you been to any places on the Hill that you like?
I just came from In the Bowl.

Are you vegetarian?
I am.

Are there many veggie options in Tacoma?
There are a few, but you eat the same thing over and over and over. It’s good to come here and get some variety.

So, Capitol Hill could be described as the unofficial hub of Seattle’s LGBT community. I recently read that The Advocate listed Tacoma as this year’s #1 LGBT cities, which was surprising.
An amazing percentage of our elected officials are gay. It’s because Tacoma is a small place, so it’s a higher visible percentage. But it’s a great place.
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