It's the custom in Seattle to eschew the umbrella in favor of some kind of REI space-age jacket with a hood and bunch of rubberized and velcroed pockets, or maybe a hoodie if you're too cool for the North Face, but never an umbrella. "Umbrellas are for tourists" and all that, right? WRONG. Seattlest was dying for our umbrella this morning, picturing it fondly in the drawer of our desk at work where it's been sitting since the Spring. Today we had to reach for the rain jacket even though we hate it and everything it stands for, and while we were waiting for the bus we realized anew that the jacket only works in Seattle-style mist. Hair, jeans, shoes, bag: it's all soaked. The jacket doesn't work for shit when it's actually raining like it is today. It's time to go umbrella shopping, and we're looking for one of these wraparound deals: more ›

Seattlest has been waiting for this moment to roll around for some time now. How many places in this city offer unmonitored, free parking so damned close to downtown? REI just announced that they're moving to a pay system for anyone parking in their lot for over an hour. Pay up, otherwise your shiny new Eurovan will be keeping the big pink Toe warm, down the street at Lincoln Towing. more ›