It was only four days ago that a friend of ours mentioned that shoes hanging from a power line meant it was a "safe" area for dealing drugs, or that it had to do with gang territory. He couldn't remember exactly. We thought that was stupid. We've always thought it was simply the work of some shithead bully. Then we thought of the opening shot in the 1995 stoner-flick, Friday. There they were, a pair......

While out and about the other day, we ran across these items. Now, seeing shoes hanging from wires is nothing new, of course. Like you, gentle reader, we've been seeing them everywhere ever since we can remember. What is new, though, for us is seeing a pair of boots up there. We're kinda surprised we haven't seen this much sooner. Also, we are thankful that the utility crews hadn't gotten around to taking them......

We want to know where's the scariest place to live or hang out within Seattle city limits. (Sorry, Skyway and White Center. Check again after annexation.) Recent news stories have pushed several neighborhoods into contention: Rainier Beach: The Safeway parking lot is "plagued by thugs", disgruntled patrons firebomb a video store, and gangs patronize the library. Broadway: From Slog today: "Broadway has turned into a 1st Class GHETTO. Why is nothing being done about it?......

Later this month, the 5th Avenue Theater opens what they're calling a 50th-anniversary production of West Side Story, recreating the original Jerome Robbins choreography. This isn't a touring show starring some washed-up 70s sitcom star--the 5th Avenue is using local talent. Hoorah! Rogers (Puyallup) High product Louis Hobson, a 5th Ave regular, is playing Tony. We emailed questions, he emailed answers. Is it Lou-wee or Lou-wis? I never know. It's Louis and not Louie, or......

-Of course there's no such thing as a Mac or iPod virus, but if there were you know who would be responsible for it? Microsoft! -Speaking of, there's a fancy new Microsoft.com homepage today. Tomorrow we'll tell you how it's responsible for one or all of the world's evils. -Apparently PETA tried to get Sunday's Seahawks game cancelled because of a feared Ram slaughter associated with the contest. Completely fake of course. -Some people......

Amazon launched its grocery service recently and it's got us all nostalgic for a bygone age. Back in the day our ass never had to lift out of the Aeron to get produce, DVDs, books, clothes, art, exotic pets, and a human toe delivered right to our office by a scooter messenger. A six pack of Oly and a head of lettuce please. Because we fucking can! Then we were all fired and a few......

Not that a huge coke bust isn't a story (and won't the Hill be so much sleepier this weekend with those 20 lbs off the street) but the story within the story is the grandfatherly manner in which the P-I talks about gangs. Hey, not that there's no one younger and hipper than Seattlest out there, but that doesn't stop us from pointing and laughing at the many shades of translation from street to cop......

"Un bel di"! That's from Madame Butterfly. Seattlest knows from culture, see. Now we will pour ourselves some Moet while we fill you in. You'd think this would be a regular thing, but no! Just in time for Halloween, Saturday marks the first Seattle Opera Costume Shop sale in twenty years. More than 18 racks of costumes and accessories go on sale to the public this Saturday, from 10am to 6pm. Prices start at......