Seattle is a Fake City

I have no idea when it happened.

Perhaps it was my 24 hour stream, or even the stress from my code breaking at work, but somewhere along the line I died.

That's right.

I don't believe in this reality anymore.

Like.

Sure.

Yeah.

It's totally possible.

I mean.

Look.

Ok?

I don't know what just happened, but I like it.

Anyway, after the plane ride the other day, I thought I was done with Twilight Zone encounters like that.

There's only so much coincidental meeting a guy can take in a lifetime.

Well, hold your horses cause stuff's about to get cray up in here.

Story Time!

I go about my Friday, like any usual Friday. I wake up, get ready, walk 25 minutes in less than 55 degree weather. I get some coffee at THE Starbucks. I get a Cheesecake bite at Confectional. I make my way to the 5th Avenue Theatre.

Side note: The 5th Avenue Theatre is The Official Theatre of William Combs. Last two trips to Seattle have resulted in shows there, and they were both great, and I hope to be able to make many more.

So, I bought my ticket, and got a ride back to the hotel. There, I studied some more and warmed up, because it was legit cold and I was out for a while and didn't have a jacket and didn't really go inside anywhere during the 2 or so hours out.

After that I went for my interview. It was good. I feel confident on the whole thing, and even where I may have stumbled I feel as though I recovered.

Regardless, this post isn't for that.

This post is about the insanity that made me realize I'm in level 3, and this is all a dream.

See, I asked the wonderfully nice hotel front desk ladies about where would be a great "Seattle" place to eat before the play. They recommended The 5-Point Cafe.

"Actually, it's a dive bar, so..."
"Nah, that should be fine."
"It's not everyone's thing. So you can go, but I don't know. You'll have to tell me your thoughts."

So, I go. And pass it hardcore the first time.

But I make it inside, and there's the equivalent of zero open spaces, except for the 4 person booth being cleaned.

I make myself comfortable (once the guy cleaning it is finished), and order myself a cider.

A group of 3 people walk in, and immediately I feel like they hate me.

"Who is this guy by himself in a BOOTH?"

Dunno if they said that, but I felt them say it in my head.

So, I notice some people at the bar standing up, and so:

"Hey, I can move to the bar if you guys want the booth."
"You sure? That would be great."
*Notice the guy left his jacket at the bar.*
"Hey man, you left your-"
"We're not leaving, just having a smoke."

Well this is awkward, she already called her friends over.

"Well, do you mind if we just make friends?" (or some similar wording)
"Nah, go ahead!"

So, there I am. Alone in a dive bar in Seattle, being joined by 3 strangers.

Conversation is good. They inquire about where my "mates" are.

"Oh, well, I don't have any-" that sounds wrong "- I'm here visiting for an interview. So I'm flying solo."
"Oh yeah? Interviewing for who?"
"Down at Amazon."
"We-" two of them "- actually work for Amazon."
"Yeah, we're in HR."

Dead.




YOU GUYS.
I managed to basically invite 2 HR people from Amazon to sit down with me in a dive bar while we ate, drank, and just talked.

THIS ISN'T MY LIFE.
But like, I'm 1000% ok with it.

I just really hope these are all really good signs.

Strangers on a Plane

So, I am currently in Seattle, taking a quick break from looking over topics to write and relax before calling it a night and getting a solid sleep in before tomorrow.

Author's Note: I am in LOVE with Seattle. Like, I don't love the city. I am head over heels for the city. It's always everything I want it to be.

Back on topic.

My flights are generally either Mrs. Herr sitting by me making it interesting, or a 1-7+ hour ride of silence and watching as many movies as I can to kill the time.

Plot Twist

This flight I happened to sit down next to a complete stranger who was fun and nice to talk to and she made the initial moments of awkwardness cease to exist.
Enter party number 3, and you've got me sandwiched between two people who aren't afraid to be social. Which is good, because I can play off of that, even if I'm not the most social.

So, she mentions she's going home, and asks about us.
"Uh, I'm going to interview with Amazon."
"Really? Same! Friday afternoon?"
"Friday morning, Interviewing to be a recruiter."
"Awesome, I'm going for SWE."

Like, this couldn't have been scripted better.

Another fun fact, we both started the current jobs at the same time.

The conversation continued well past take off, and then we all settled in. I opted to study, and watch X-Men Apocalypse, even if it had moments it skipped (probably rating stuff), and that's a story for another day. <3 p="">
Once we got close to landing, we chatted more. And even came up with some inside jokes, such as IKEA branching out into every business. Hiking Gear, Cars, you name it.

It was a solid time, and one of the best plane rides I've had. Let's hope that it's a good omen.

Also, the lady who lives in Seattle, thought I was crazy for how much I loved Seattle with my limited experiences here. Haha.

Till next time. =D