why seattle?

when i was recently in santa cruz fawning over the weather and the beach, my friends asked me why i didn't consider moving back. why am i living in seattle if i hate the cold? a completely reasonable question answered by taking a look around seattle on a sunny day as well as the news out today:

aside from the nation's capital, seattle retained it's place as the second most literate city in the country and i'm drawn to smart folks. and smart folks we have here in droves. plus, we have an amazing library system and such a diverse array of cultural events, it's hard not to soak it all up as often as my schedule and finances will allow.

just a smattering of things i try to do that contribute, in my humble opinion,  to this city's learned citizenry:

national geographic live!

seattle international film festival

seattle arts and lectures

town hall seattle

and probably one of the biggest reasons this city reads as much as it does?

this amazing bookstore


of course one could argue we see tons of film and read far too much because the gloomy grey skies and unrelenting rain drive us indoors, but then you enter the rabbit hole discussion of "what really came first?" and who wants to go there? i'm happy enough to know that i live in a city of inquisitive people who spend their time engaging in an activity i can wrap my mind around as well.