[I heart Ballard]

Yesterday evening I trekked over to Ballard for a concert. Trekking indeed. It takes an hour to get there from my office. North Seattle Community College is the halfway point, and I finally managed to take a picture of these sweet little houses across the street from the college.

If only Ballard were a little more accessible, I would be very tempted to live there. But then it wouldn’t be Ballard. Also it would be nice if they had a grocery store walkable from the heart of the neighborhood. Though, the QFC is coming back in that condo development, yes?

More after the jump.

But anyway. Since for once I wasn’t there on a Monday I was able to try GreenGo Food for dinner. It is a tiny place, with a slim counter & just a few barstools for seating. I’m looking forward to it in the summer, getting takeaway & going to the park. I hope it lasts that long as a storefront. They are popular at the farmer’s markets, I understand.

I ordered the polenta royale with cheese, which was very tasty & filling & full of seasonal veggies, and while I was waiting they gave me a cup of split pea with ham on the house.

So that was awesome. And cheap! Next time I am going to get a cheeseburger on polenta. Om nom nom.

Then it was up to Verite for coffee & wifi. (Verite is better known to the wheat-eaters among you as Cupcake Royale).

And finally, to the Tractor, the point of the trip. I had added the show to my calendar when only John Wesley Harding was billed, but it turned out to be even more amazing than that, John Wesley Harding & the Minstrel in the Galleries, cohosted by Eugene Mirman. And then, to make absolutely sure I didn’t flake out on it, the bill included Jon Auer (of The Posies), John Roderick (of The Long Winters), and Sherman Alexie (!!!).

It was an awesome show, which is good because it had to redeem itself to me after starting over a half hour late. I don’t drink! I am here all by my pathetic lonesome! Start the damned show already!

Aside from the tardiness issue, it is the sort of show I wish we had more of, where a bunch of friends get up to play, and highlight some local talent. Of which Seattle, of course, has an abundance. It was kind of like a drunken version of Hodgman and Coulton’s tour. Most excellent.