Weekly Happy Hour//9 Million in Unmarked Bills//Fremont

Since turning twenty one a couple months ago, I have yet to go on a drunken rampage where I’m wasted for weeks straight until I realize I have no more money left, which is the usual story I hear from recently legal boozers. This is partially because I have no money, and partially because I have very little interest in getting wasted and making a fool of myself. I’m glad I have been drinking long enough to know myself well enough that that is precisely what I do when I drink loads and loads. I act a fool. 

What I have found to be interested in-is happy hour. I mean holy shit, this is the best thing I’ve discovered since the $2.99 six pack from Trader Joes. I feel like I have finally been allowed into the secret club and can now actually experience the other half of the city. We checked out a place in Fremont called 9 Million in Unmarked Bills-apparently a name referencing a a man who hijacked plane in the 60’s and demanded 9 million dollars in unmarked bills.

There was plenty of outdoor seating, and even while inside we were still able to enjoy the first of Springs sunshine while the garage side door was rolled up. Plushy booths, cocktails named after famous robbers, and probably the coolest neon sign above the liquor wall that reads “prescriptions”. They have $5-$6 happy hour food, including truffle mac and cheese, deep fried artichoke hearts, and lamb sliders. Wells were $1 off, which turned out to be $4.50-not such a happy deal after four of those. Apparently somewhere in there is a board game shelf, which will have to be tackled next time.

Drinks: $4.50 wells//$4 wine//$5 mint juleps 

Food: $5-$6 sliders, mac, crostinis, popcorn shrimp, fried asparagus

Hours: 4pm-7pm

3507 Fremont Place N. (You can’t miss the ginormous red bulbed arrow luring you inside)

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I’m so absolutely crushing on La Luz. I’d say, Seattle is about over due for an all girl surf pop band. The first song I heard by them was an instrumental that sounded like I was watching the intro to a Quentin Tarantino film. The last three times I’ve tried to see them, every single show has filled to capacity and sold out. Sold out? Not in any of my lifetime here in Seattle have I ever showed up to a show and it’s been sold out. It’s always been okay, so there are three bands, one I want to really see, so I arrive when that band goes on. But no longer! I learned my lesson and last weekend, my fourth attempt, I got to Heartland (Healthy Times Fun Club’s new space) in the U district right on time, got my little stamp, and came back for the second band-Heatwarmer. I’ve heard their name around town for a long time, but have never seen or listened to them. Their sound live was so polished, I couldn’t wait to hear their recordings. Their fusion sound left me baffled and confused but very happy. They had this way of taking multiple genres and sounds and combining them into one, cohesive cluster that I can’t give a name to. Sorry. La Luz was leaving on tour I believe sometime that week, and this was their goodbye show. It was everything I dreamt of-four cute girls playing me rad surf pop with lots of ooohs and ahhhs. I think it’s safe to say Seattle will be gladly awaiting their return home.

See video below for reference, La Luz “Clear Night Sky”

My last nights dream of visiting a reptilian museum with the lead dude of Milk Music reminded me of their show a couple weekends ago at the Black Lodge. A couple years ago my boyfriend of the time introduced me to Gun Outfit from Olympia who I fell head over heels in love with. I heard roomers a while back they had moved to L.A., so you could imagine how excited I was to see they’d be not only playing here, but playing with Milk Music-another band from Olympia who I have been currently crushing on. It was a four band bill (not a fan) and the first set wasn’t even up until 10. Okay maybe I’m an old woman. My friend and I tried to get a drink at both places on either side of Black Lodge, Lo-Fi and Victory Lounge, both of which had covers, but Victory let us in just for a drink. We came back in time for Gun Outfit, and the sound was so incredibly bad I wanted to shoot the fucking sound guy. In the face. He just had this way of making a great band sound not so great, I was bummed to say at the least. By the next set, FF, I thought maybe he’d get a clue but they had so many feedback issues at that point I wondered if the guy had woken up that morning and said “I think I want to try and do sound for a show tonight”. For the first time ever. By the time Milk Music was up, it was nearing 1:30 in the morning and I was exhausted. The crowd had cleared out unfortunately, but I was pleasantly surprised that by the fourth and last band the sound was finally decent. I couldn’t stay for the encore, it was b-e-d time for this one. And I know, I know-it’s the Black Lodge. But still. Come on. Those are rad bands. At least I was able to chat a little with the guitarist from Gun Outfit, who is a total babe, and I guess only a couple members moved to L.A.-but according to her they’re making it work. Thank god. 

New Beginnings

In so many ways. After getting fired from my job and having been bureaucratically fucked by financial aid for a year my new chapter in Bellingham came to an abrupt ending. I decided quickly to pick up my things and move back here to Seattle where I can slowly regenerate myself onto my feet again. 

I miss feeling alive, I miss feeling like I didn’t have anything to hold me back, and I haven’t felt those feelings in a long time. I am convinced though, that with the new year, the new location, the new world, new school, new surroundings and people I will get there eventually. One step at a time, and I’ve made the first move by getting myself out of that town.

No more depressing hibernation. Okay I can still hibernate, but healthily. No more windy as hell freezing weather where all I can wear every single day are three pairs of leggings, sweaters and wool socks. No more “I’m in college and pretending to be poor and bum around but really everything I own is getting paid for me” kids. No more hippies in bare feet, and absolutely no more socks with sandals.