Autumn / "Fall" arrives in the Pacific Northwest

Although it feels like the summer that never ends there's no denying the change of seasons here. The colour's are literally breathtaking. Look closer and you'll see Aislinn on her bike!

Another gorgeous sunset across the street

Shano plays Seattle

Played at an open mike last night with my friend Brian over on Capitol Hill. Brian took to the stage first and played one of his tunes from his last band and then a cover of 'Here Comes A Regular', one of my favourite Paul Westerberg ballads. Brian's like me, gets it when it comes to music but worn out from bands and years of lugging gear and playing in stinky bars. Then it was my turn - I played an old Carwash song that originated fron the days of Peach when Greg was our drummer. It sounds good on an acoustic. Then I played a cover of The Only One's 'Another Girl, Another Planet' which also sounds great an an acoustic. Of course no-one knew who or what song it was. Except Brian.

We then took a tour of Brian's old 'hood / skateboarding ground and ended up in a good old fashioned smoke stained bar. And yes, they can still smoke in bars up here.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9398215 Just loved this story I stumbled across. Just a reminder of what we left behind in Dublin....

We went to the last day of Seattle's end of summer arts, music and general free-the-mind festival - Bumbershoot! We arrived after lunch and sampled the stalls, food and stands that occupied the spaces between the music stages. Most of the artists were playing indoors in various halls so we only got to see a handfull, as standing in line wasn't going down too well with the kiddies! Our old friend from our earliest days of living in Los Angeles (before Lisa and I knew each other), Dave King, was playing with his band Flogging Molly. They were one of the biggest draws after Iggy Pop and Mudhoney. They played in a two thousand capacity hall and had to turn away over five thousand kids! It's so incredible to see somebody I know gain the success I always dreamed of as a musician. Dave plugged away at it in the same band for fifteen years before releasing his top 40 album. I couldn't be happier for him. He deserves it more than anybody. They rocked and were stars!

Shortly after Flogging Molly played a ran over to see Mudhoney play on another stage. It's not every day that you get to see one of Kurt Cobain's greatest influences live on stage before your eyes....

Muirenn's first day of school!

"M" started her new school this morning. Whittier elementary in Ballard, about 5 minutes drive from our house. She was typically jovial and excited although just a tiny bit nervous. I think I was more nervous than her to be honest. Hard to believe summer is over and the routine of school, work and weekends is back. Soon Aislinn will start her pre-school and Lisa will be in college, the lazy days of summer will be all but a dream and hazy-memory of the summer we moved to Seattle and found a place that feels like home.