Web Locker Restaurant, 734 Coho Way, Bellingham, WA
Some places scream out "diner," others are more subtle. Very technically speaking, Web Locker is an all-day restaurant that serves breakfast, so it counts. Located on the newly developed part of Bellingham's waterfront, I expected something boujee and upscale. But it was actually quite friendly, with a bunch of regulars drinking their coffees and reading their papers on another rainy morning.
Well, so much for relative peace and quiet at work.
Two people in our building, one an immediate co-worker, have tested positive for COVID.
Another co-worker (meaning, in Animal Control) went to the ER last weekend with routine issues and was given a very serious diagnosis.
Spring and summer (Bellingham has a notoriously late spring) are our peak seasons.
This is really not good.
I'm really enjoying my work at the local Humane Society. If you've forgotten, I'm a part-time dispatcher in animal control. I've gained a lot of confidence over the past few months, which basically means I've learned many (certainly not all) of the ins-and-outs of local laws.
To get preachy though, the basic fact is that there are too many dogs and cats chasing far too few forever homes. Adopting a shelter animal means you're doing a small part to end the cycle, or at least slow it down.
I work with really good people though, and that says a lot.
Arlis's Restaurant, 1525 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA
You are a diner, Arlis's. I know this because you are only open until 2 p.m. every day. And your EBs and coffee are sublime. Look at you with your water-stained marquee, trying to pretend you aren't a wonderful stop on my breakfast journey, nay, pilgrimage.
I'll admit, it was love at first sight. Just a little shabby and used, but with huge plate glass windows all around. I knew I was in the right place.
Denny's, 161 Telegraph Rd, Bellingham, WA
Let's head back into town, shall we? We started off our journey with IHOP and while not great, it wasn't a complete disappointment. Even a corporate joint should offer some small pleasures in the form of coffee, decent service, and hopefully passable food.
Oh, sweet summer child. . . .
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"What a cruel twist of fate, I thought, my face reddening as I fought back the tears. I had spent my adolescence trying to blend in with my peers in suburban America, and had come of age feeling like my belonging was something to prove. Something that was always in the hands of other people to be given and never my own to take, to decide which side I was on, whom I was allowed to align with. I could never be of both worlds, only half in and half out, waiting to be ejected at will by someone with greater claim than me. Someone full. Someone whole. For a long time I had tried to belong in America, wanted and wished for it more than anything, but in that moment all I wanted was to be accepted as a Korean by two people who refused to claim me. You are not one of us, Kye seemed to say. And you will never really understand what it is she needs, no matter how perfect you try to be."
-- Michelle Zauner, Crying in H Mart
Fascinating Guardian piece about linguistic differences between the freedom fighters of Ukraine and Putin's unwanted invaders, especially when it comes to swearing:
"Ukraine’s move away from Soviet-style linguistic prissiness does two things. First, it makes the obvious point that war is serious, a time to put aside politeness. Second, it emphasises the gulf between the communication strategies of the autocratic Putin and the self-consciously democratic, media-savvy Zelenskiy. The Ukrainian president and his team have shown their mastery – even in siege conditions – of the idioms of social media, of the way it blends homemade and professional, public and private. The language of Zelenskiy’s public persona reinforces this sense of familiarity: in a 3 March press conference, he addressed Putin directly, in Russian, using the informal 'ty' form of address: 'I’m an ordinary guy, sit down with me, I don’t bite.'
This informality, which is also evident in the military-casual attire of Zelenskiy and the Ukrainian delegation at the peace talks, is a deliberate contrast to Putin’s presentation which, especially on the eve of the war, juxtaposed banality and absurdity with its long tables, rants about history and ever-present technocratic suit and tie. I’ve seen the talking heads of Russian state TV express contempt for the Ukrainians’ alleged lack of professionalism but the fact that, by 9 March, Putin felt obliged to come out of isolation to address a rally, and to do so in a polo neck and (expensive, Italian) puffa jacket made the failings of Russia’s plan A pretty evident."
If you're engaged in Tone Policing, you're probably the asshole to begin with.
Smokestack Diner, 210 W Main St, Everson
Everson is in the heart of Whatcom County, along the banks of the mighty Nooksack River. I've driven through it a few times, but finally had a reason to stop.
South Korea is (probably) going to scrap it's archaic age system (one that even China doesn't cling to):
"Thus, depending on the individual's birthday, one can have three different ages. For example, an individual born in May 2020 will be considered three in Korean age, one under the standard international age and two under the year scheme.
People Power Party (PPP) Rep. Lee Yong-ho, head of the judicial subcommittee, said the transition team is pushing to merge the three age systems and recognize only the international age."
Losing unique cultural aspects is a downer, but I'm happy to hear that apparently even most Koreans got fed up with their age system, and how is clashes with globally accepted "international age."
Still a big deal though.
Diamond Jim's Grill, 2400 Meridian St #1, Bellingham, WA
Let's head back to Bellingham, shall we? We'll drive south and just before getting into downtown proper, in the lovely Fountain District, we'll visit Diamond Jim's. Is it a diner or bar? The answer is yes!
Our Diner, 5962 Guide Meridian, Bellingham, WA
Let's head north out of Bellingham on Guide Meridian -- "the Guide" -- that takes you straight north towards the wilds of Canada. And let's visit a place that's easy to miss, frankly speaking, but well worth your time -- Our Diner!
Shari's Cafe and Pies, 3904 Meridian St, Bellingham, WA
We've seen the blandly corporate, and we've seen the weirdly local. Coming back into Bellingham proper is Shari's, which splits the difference (in a good way!) between what lots of people seem to want, and what people actually deserve -- food made with care and attention.
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North of Bellingham is the fair city of Lynden, the second largest in the county behind Bellingham. This is the kind of place I'm really interested in -- not a chain, and the sort of place locals know about and would likely send you to if you asked for a good breakfast. We have arrived!
