Search Results for 'cU'

[datamuse]

Out of curiosity: Jaime do you happen to work in architecture or urban planning by any chance? Those are the only people I’ve EVER heard utter the phrase “built environment” and I’ve wondered if it’s a term of art or something.

[JimmyG]

I don’t want to private message JaimeG, I want to shout it from the rooftops right here on the WSB forums:

Thank you for being so articulate in making your point that just because others here may not like your take on a subject doesn’t mean you don’t have a right to say it.

And full disclosure here: I have awful taste, sucked on my SAT’s, and don’t want us to have a world class city here in Seattle, yet I love hearing your take on why we might disagree on some things JaimeG!

[JaimeGummer]

QuarterTilt: So you think my comments about Doris’ signs were rude. OK. I hear you. Not quite an original opinion, but I feel ya.

Well this is free and open society and you’ve expressed your opinion. And I support your freedom to do so. Of course, this thread started as a notice about stolen signs and now you’ve highjacked it to focus on my demeanor which is kind of what you’re calling me on, isn’t it?. Hmm.

As you don’t know me and you’re a perfect stranger to me, I hope you won’t be offended if I don’t take your criticism personally. You see, as an adult I recognize that when I make my opinions public that opens me to criticism from the community. And that’s OK with me because I live in the real world, not Fantasyland. Some people agree with me. Some don’t. That’s life. And thank god for that too as if we were all polite, agreeing Stepford people the world would be an incredibly boring place.

The bigger problem is that your reaction to my feelings on the current state of aesthetics in our built environment was to take the standard/customary way out and be cynical and mocking as in “who are you to be an authority.” I’m sorry but that’s just too easy. I’m not representing myself as an authority on anything. And I’m sure that there are many who have better taste than me. I’m secure enough to say that and mean it. Unfortunately, if a five minute walk down California is any indication, there are lots and lots of people who have horrible taste. And that bad taste is fortified every time someone like you takes out a hammer and pounds down the nail that has the temerity to rise up above the rest and ask, “what the hell were you thinking?”

[FullTilt]

I do not think anyone was saying that the comments of JaimeGummer violated any forum rules. I think the point that was trying to made is that she is being hurtful with her comments.

The major difference about saying that you hate licorice, and I am with you on that one, and that Doris’s signs are “horrifying as to be permanently scarring”, is that Doris is a person. Licorice has no feelings. Doris probably does. You may not.

As far as becoming a society of thinned skinned whiners… Who wants to live in a place where the loudest mouth wins? Where you can say what ever rude thing you want and call it personal opinion with no repercussions. I think it as an amazing system that when you open your pie hole and idocracy pours out, there are people to remind you that it would be polite if your head was a little further up yourself so the rest of us didn’t have to hear it so loudly.

Why is it OK to attack someone for their aesthetics, but not OK to attack you for rudeness?

[JaimeGummer]

Traci: I don’t know Doris. But as she is an adult and a business owner I certainly hope she has enough security with who she is as a person that she wouldn’t base her own self esteem on the opinions of a perfect stranger whom she has never met. I wasn’t attacking her. I was addressing her signs.

Let me put it to you this way: I hate black licorice. In fact, I find everything about its flavor to be absolutely repugnant in every way. If I was starving in the desert and you gave me black licorice I wouldn’t thank you for it.

So now by your logic, do you think it would be reasonable for every black licorice manufacturer and merchant in the world to take personal offense at my opinion? People have founded entire businesses on the manufacture of black licorice. In the Netherlands it is something of a national institution and is sold in vast quantities in all varieties at stalls on the street. Should everyone who loves black licorice feel personally attacked because I despise what they love? Should they feel angry, hurt and insulted?

When did we become a community of such thin-skinned whiners who demand that only polite, positive things are said and who internalize criticism as personal attacks? I appreciate everyone’s loyalty to Doris but I interpret your flawed assumptions as akin to the act of giving poor students B grades so as not to damage their self esteem.

[vincent]

Sorry everyone thinks Jamie being honest goes against your group think ideal that are becoming the sad norm here.

Notice Lowmanbeach/tracy has not deleted a single one of her posts.

Its these attitudes that have made me consider stopping my visits on WSB much as thehouse and others have. Despite being a active west seattle resident of many years.

From the outside looking in, and on the meter stick of many many other webBB around just Seattle WSB blog forums are like some glad handing theater of self congratulation devoid of critique and independent opinions. Members frequently give opinion as fact, and gang up on people who disagree, even when they point out the exact laws or facts that are being discussed.

Like A boards being litter.

You how I know A boards are litter? because as a teen I worked with my friends parents to make the law that classify them as such, why? because they represent illegal use of public resources. I would consider lobbying to getting them banned from business districts as well. because despite what the content is, I and others believe thier presence is indeed ugly.

Does that mean I hate craft sales? of course not, but do I have a right to judge the relative merits of something with being subjected to some lame ad hominem attack from a crowd of hypocrites yelling *rudeness rudeness!!* to some imaginary playground teacher?

[thee]

With a view of pulling this rather dismal thread from the depths of actually discussing Celtic Swell, I feel compelled to note that W. Seattle has some rather top notch “beer tenders”.

thee

[FullTilt]

So, I had only heard of bunko, never played, so I did a bunch of research. Is there a reason this seems to be a female dominated activity? I know that it is not gender exclusive, but almost every site I came across on the subject was women focused.

[JaimeGummer]

JT – Exactly. It has been clear to me all along what’s been motivating those above who aim to stifle free speech simply because they disagree. That’s unfortunately become all too common in America these days. And it seems to happen a lot on comment boards like these where frequent posters overstep themselves with a sense of ownership and, whether they realize it or not, bully those with unpopular and dissenting opinions.

lowmanbeach: I by no means intended to seem as though I was trying to justify or encourage the theft of the signs. I said repeatedly that I was sorry for Doris’ loss. The “doing us a favor” comment was in jest.

JoB: I simply disagree that my comments were rude. It seems I just don’t subscribe to the same Victorian code of “polite discourse” that you do. I wouldn’t dream of schooling you on how you should act. I just don’t know you so it would be foolish for me to do so. Sometimes you have to risk being offensive in order to be direct.

I think this issue is much bigger than just these signs too. I think it is indicative of significant changes that are happening in West Seattle these days. There are some criticisms of change that I think hit the mark, especially when they are addressing how the character of particular institutions in West Seattle are being replaced by a certain homogenized blandness. But at the same time I think there is a real blue collar, provincial aesthetic that is being supplanted by a more wordly, upscale demographic of people that are moving here. Everyone seems to ignore it because it is in “bad taste” to identify such differences and as Americans we’re supposed to pretend that there are no social classes. But it is happening none-the-less. And people who don’t understand it are uneasy about it. They attack it as economic elitism but in reality there is so much more to it.

I’ve lived in West Seattle for a few years now and only recently made the time to attend an Art Walk. While I love the idea of such an event, I was disappointed that much of the art was bland, safe, boring, derivative drivel. Similarly, there is a great tradition of American crafts and folk art. Whole museums are devoted to it. And glassblowing specifically is something that Seattle is celebrated for. But the “crafts” on display in West Seattle seem mostly cheesy, downscale, bourgeois junk that shows a lack of real creativity. And judging from how some here defend the existence of those “crafts” no one seems to mind. It is great to say “to each his own” and everyone has his or her own taste, but that unfortunately doesn’t provide anyone any incentive to do any better.

I seem to think that Seattle, and West Seattle in particular, deserves better. We deserve art, crafts and a built environment that inspires us, makes us think and feel, maybe shocks and disturbs us. We could be a truly world-class place but many of us just don’t know what that really means. I’m not afraid to offend the mediocrity boosterism.

[HeavyMetalConservative]

Hello, have you been as busy as I have been? We updated our blog of our Russian Rascal.

Zenguy, President Bush did not reach across the aisle too much. If he did it was to get a snack or something. LOL.

He did at times try. The Aids Initiative, Senior Prescription Drug Program, Restrictions on guns for Mentally Ill (VA TECH). No Child Left Behind. and a few others. He kept SCHIP at current funding levels. He attempted immigration reform, Social Security reform and basically failed. He spoke, but not enough, about the GSE problems. There are some instances that he did try to work with the congresses, but not a lot.

Was he effective domestically? Yes and No. IMO he helped guide us through post 911 fairly well. Symbolically the tax cuts and checks helped a bit. (We did have a surplus then)

The extra funding for the war and reconstruction in Iraq and too much government spending has turned the surplus into deficit.

In Bush’s first term he did not cut any agencies or funding for about the first 3 years. After that he wanted to make cuts or get rid of 151 Federal Agencies. He also told congress to get rid of the earmarks but they did not listen.

Now, he has released federal funds for a “bail out” to mismanaged industries and GSE’s.

Bush has shown some moderation here and there but not a lot and less as the yeas went on. Once the Democrats gained control of congress in 2006, not much has happened.

Ideologically the He and the Democrats rarely saw eye to eye.

[Anonymous]

Jaime, every thread on here goes off topic, most more than once. Don’t let others try to bully you into moving it elsewhere. The strict adherence to a topic only seems to come into play when someone doesn’t like your opinion.

Individual opinions, are not rule violations, as much as some would have you believe.

And to compare one’s opinion on the aesthetics of a street sign to a missing child is beyond ridiculous.

[WSB]

Also a word of caution for everyone.

I have seen a lot of “since you just signed up for the forum x days ago” type mentions.

Please refrain from those.

In some cases, people come over to check out the forum after having visited the main section of the site for months or even years.

I have been extensively pitching forum topics on the home page lately, when something particularly noteworthy comes up here, as a reminder to those who don’t frequent it, that this vibrant and unique section of the site exists.

Also, some people come here to register and subsequently post because they have e-mailed me about something and my reply to them was, “that would be a great topic for the WSB Forums – just register there and post it!”

So please cease judging by duration of membership. Thanks.

[JoB]

JamieGummer,

just in case you haven’t read the rules carefully, i would like to point out to you that personal comments such as those found in your posts are not only rude.. they are against the rules…

Now i admit.. you have probably pushed right up against the boundaries of those rules… but an intelligently phrased personal insult is still an insult… and insults appear to be your first response when challenged.

Singling out one sign from the many adorning our downtown sidewalks to criticize is pretty rude… especially for an event that is more service to the community than to the store… especially when done so in response to a plea for the return of the sign.

I am afraid the lack of understanding you have displayed of the basics of polite discourse has undermined my appreciation of the importance of your opinions concerning aesthetics.

But… It’s a good thing the signs offended you so much.. it saved you entering the store to be further offended by the items being sold there.

They were craft items made by crafters with individual notions of what is aesthetically pleasing… and they may not have coincided with yours since every item was hand crafted to that crafters’s personal taste.

That 3 day sale is a service to the local crafting community.. one you may not appreciate.. but one which is eagerly anticipated by those who do… and by those on very limited incomes who will now have holiday money as a result of the proceeds from that sale.

I can see why you think that donating time and space to this event was not enough.. the owner really should have invested in a professionally made sign so that it would not have offended your sensibilities…

but an improved sign probably wouldn’t have drawn you in the door anyway…

and as with any advertising.. a wise business caters to it’s customers..

[WSB]

And as Full Tilt mentioned, we do have rules of civility here. I am going to have to review every post in this thread now to make sure I haven’t missed an unflagged violation. Critique the ideas but not the people. Sometimes we are in turn criticized for seeming to apply the rules subjectively/selectively but I have to say that’s because every time you think you’ve “seen it all,” something new comes up, and it’s impossible to write rules to cover all possible instances. While it wasn’t against the rules to say the signs were ugly, condoning a crime (and theft is a crime regardless of whether the stolen item was in a place it was supposed to be, or not) as a result may be something I need to add to paragraph 97, subpart 1.89, clause B. We already have more rules than most places but only because I refuse to have this site turn into a sewer of nastiness — unlike so many sites, including major newspapers, where no one seems to police comments and forum posts at all, despite alleged rules. Please assist in keeping this, while not a completely boring place – disagreements, discussions, debates welcome – at least a generally civil one. Thank you.

[RainyDay1235]

Where in WS is a good station open at least until 6pm M-F or on weekends? Or is there another option rather than Goodwill that might need it more directly? I missed the last curbside pickup for Northwest Center.

[JimmyG]

For me personally the loss of the Huling Bros./Gee Automotive Group was felt very deeply.

Every night on the way home from work and on weekends I enjoyed playing “Frogger” with the salesmen and their customers as they would illegally scurry across Fauntleroy mid-block dodging the traffic.

Those were the days…

[JaimeGummer]

JenV: So you’ve saved this thread, what, by criticizing the critical and namecalling? You’ve effectively established your superiority while ignoring the fact that you’re reading and posting to a thread that you consider dumb. Is this the best use of your time?

mellaw6565: You’re not a moderator of this group. I’m sorry if my opinions offend those who are unaccustomed to honesty and directness. But it is arrogant and presumptuous for you and others here who feel an unreasonable sense of ownership on this forum to tell me how and what to post.

Value judgments about aesthetics are not in themselves offensive. It is the people who have anxiety about such things who get worked up. Too often things like this in the built environment have to pander to the lowest common denominator and that is frustrating to those who would like to live in more elegant and thoughtful surroundings.

So again, while I regret that Doris had her signs stolen I simultaneously feel as though the design of the signs and the excessive number of them were a blight on the streetscape.

[mellaw6565]

Thanks Jen – I was going to post a similar sentiment today.

Note to Jaime: I notice that you are new to the blog and I hope that you will read some of the forum expectation postings and approach things with a nicer demeanor. You are a physician – are you that hard/cold with your patients? Have some compassion for a victim of theft the same as you would have for any of your patients. And if you have a beef with a particular issue, then start your own thread.

[flowerpetal]

The urban dictionary can be frustrating cuz words are hard to find and not necessarily in alpha order beyond the first letter. At the bottom of the page is a “jump too” link. Use it and enter the word you want.

[acemotel]

Just because we pay taxes, doesn’t mean we can do whatever we please on public property. You can’t go camp overnight in a park. You can’t use public property for your personal advertising medium either.

Suppose every business, small and large, decided to put reader boards on the boulevard area of Alki Avenue? OK, just go across the street to the NC-1 district, likewise. If everyone put up signs, there wouldn’t be any place to walk! Even though it is allowed in the business district, apparently.

I’m not sure, because I haven’t checked out SDOT’s regulations yet. But I know for sure you can’t litter public property in an SF zone, no matter how much you’ve paid in taxes.

There is one particular business that has a-frame signs all around West Seattle. They are chained to a trees or fences, whatever. They are left up 24/7, 365. I would not be sorry if they disappeared.

[JanS]

transplant…unfortunately, the wheels of gummint turn slowly. The property is abandoned, and then..they have to find a buyer…and then…there’s the review process. Yes, I agree, it’s a blight on our community. It was even when it was occupied by a car dealer. Thankfully, someone has purchased some of the property and hopefully will make it a better experience coming through the gateway to West Seattle.

Hey, I’m a transplant, too…I’ve just been here for 33 years, so sometimes I feel like a native. There have been lots and lots of changes in that time. I’m not sure they’ve all been good, but it is what it is.

[JanS]

so..a suggestion…start a thread about what you consider a blight and what you consider beauty. We appreciate that you may not like some things that are out there, but it was a bit inappropriate conveying the message that since you thought the signs ugly, it was OK for someone to take them. That is the impression we got from you. Yes, it’s an open forum, but was totally off topic.

I’m sure you’d get a lively discussion about aesthetics in a separate thread. This community is definitely not lacking in opinions :)

[JaimeGummer]

specialeditionstudio: The last time I checked this was an open forum in which people are free to post their thoughts and opinions. Fine. I understand that you don’t agree with me. It is clear to me that you just don’t get it. But really, I require absolutely no advice from you on what kind of comments are relevant to this post.

From a sociological and anthropological perspective I’m intrigued as to why a discussion of beauty and taste has to automatically be construed by some as rude. Everyone seems to aspire to this politically correct, Victorian ideal of not rocking the boat and upsetting the herd.

I stated clearly that I don’t know Doris and I expect that she’s a super nice lady. I’m also sorry that someone took her sign and that people don’t have respect for other people’s property. But with that said I wanted to make my opinion known, as a member of this community and a resident of the Junction neighborhood, that these signs were a blight and could have been done with a little more thought.

[Anonymous]

Huling Bros. owned all of those lots and had a long time successful auto sales business. Sold to Gee automotive. Gee failed to thrive and blamed it on a recent revelation that several members of Huling’s staff had defrauded a mentally challenged person. Criminal charges occurred. Lawsuits ensued. Gee abandoned all business efforts and has been selling parcels to developers.

All of this transpired over the last year or two and was covered extensively here, as well as on/in all of the news. For more info just put *Huling Brothers* in the search box, top right of the page.

[pam]

I was going to respond to the op’s question but then read JaimeGummers’ response – maybe it’s been a long day and I’m crabby but I took offense to your sarcasm and nastiness. Though I will catch grief for my response JG – if you don’t like how West Seattle looks or feels, get on a committee to fix it or leave. An honest explanation of what was there and what is on the way wouldn’t have been difficult.