Well, I don't want to speak too soon, but it looks like I'll actually start work tomorrow, I just won't be properly oriented until next Wednesday. I'm still waiting on an email from my teammate with a time, but I've been told I'll get one, so hooray.

In the meantime, I used my day of unexpected vacation to make an unplanned tour of North Seattle - after finding a place to get my leaking tire fixed in Ballard. They fixed it in about an hour, for NO CHARGE! Apparently a patch which had been put in that tire previously was leaking, and I guess they were under the impression that they were the ones who put the previous patch in. Whatever, if they can't keep/check books, that's not my problem, I wasn't going to insist.

So, armed with a car which would make it more than 10 blocks without getting a flat, I decided to check out the area - I wandered around Ballard for a few minutes before ending up in Fremont, which seems like a nice place. I saw the giant statue of Lenin, but not the troll - I guess I've got something to go back for now. Soon I happened upon Gasworks Park, the converted industrial gasworks which sits at the northern end of Lake Union - the views are spectacular, it was a wonderful day, and so I decided to lay around there for an hour or so and read a book. It was a great time.

I proceeded from there around the top of Lake Union, and ended up happening on the Agua Verde Cafe/Boathouse, which comes well-recommended, for both boating and eating. I didn't really want to eat, but I did stop in and get some fresh-squeezed lemonade for the road. I'll have to check out their kayak rentals, Dave and I had discussed kayaking sometime.

After that I went up towards UW and took a quick cruise down The Ave, just to see what's what. Before too long I found myself back on I-5, so I took the hint and went home. So here I am.

If there's change in the work situation, I'll be sure to let you know, otherwise wish me luck on my second first day tomorrow!