15 Comments
User's avatar
Carson Stone's avatar

Great one!

It’s crazy how something as seemingly benign as changing a number can open the floodgates and the memories come rushing in, sometimes memories I’d forgotten that I’d remembered, and it’s just like for a few moments, there they are.

Side note! I didn’t know you lived out here at one point (Seattle), I’ll have to read that Third and Pine piece when I get a minute. Such a wild intersection. That and the Dog Park in Belltown.

Bronwyn's avatar

It’s always truly wild what our brains react to — and the seemingly mundane tasks/moments that can send shockwaves of memories.

Yes! I grew up in Seattle (Lake City Way), and lived in Rainier Valley and up on Aurora in my late teens/early 20s! Sometimes you post photos and I think “wait, I know where that is!”

The dog park in Belltown is a portal to something, I swear.

Carson Stone's avatar

I knew people that hung out at the Funky Studios behind it and yeahhhhh

Wow Lake City! Okay I’m from Greenwood, not that far! Yeah I was raised out here (born in California) and it’s changed so much! Which is inevitable so I don’t complain about it, but it’s a trip to witness. Greenwood was lower-middle class (or upper lower) when I was growing up now it’s trendy.

Carson Stone's avatar

Lake City is still very much Lake City tho.

Bronwyn's avatar

Oh yeah, Greenwood is super close!

A few of my siblings now live near Greenwood actually, such a small world. And I hear you, about how it’s shifted.

Seattle really has changed so much, it’s interesting (and sometimes very sad depending) to trace the parts that remain and the parts that have totally transformed, some corners still feel like a slice of the past and some are fully unrecognizable. I usually go back once a year or so for visits.

Ha, yes! Lake City is still very much doing its thing, Rick’s is still there, and all the car lots.

Carson Stone's avatar

A couple of my friends used to live in a shitty old apartment on top of a tool repair shop and porn shop on Lake City way. It was the second-worst apartment I’ve seen lol and my friend accidentally shot himself in it (he survived). The Lake City transition is crazy to me, you go from like 145th, which was pretty rough, past the Vu and once you pop out on the other side of LFP it’s completely suburban (Kenmore).

Bronwyn's avatar

Hahaha the shitty apartment on top of a tool repair shop and porn shop on Lake City way is quintessential. It really sums up the essence of that stretch.

My childhood friend and I stole multiple shopping carts and used to ride around on them near the Dick’s drive-in and would get asked if we wanted to buy crack at age 10 lmaoo

The Lake City transition as you get far enough north is truly wild, very much “blink and now everything is Costco and churches”

12109's avatar

Also eternal love for Craig Robinson

Bronwyn's avatar

Love him, he should be in more things (if he wants)!

Zora Thee Pony's avatar

As always Bron, you capture the sadness of change with humor and tbh this piece felt very poetic to me!

Bronwyn's avatar

Thank you Zora! The fact that it felt poetic means a lot coming from you <3

12109's avatar

Big big agree 🩵

Bronwyn's avatar

Thank you <3